Archivio Istituzionale della Ricerca- Università del Piemonte Orientale
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Alginate-Based Beads Containing Artemisia absinthium L. Extract as Innovative Ingredients for Baked Products
No full textArtemisia absinthium L. is a medicinal plant well known for the bitterness of its sesquiterpenoids.
To mask its intense taste while preserving these active compounds, an ethanolic
extract (AAE) was prepared, and two microencapsulation techniques (spray drying
and ionotropic gelation) were investigated under different process conditions. The bestperforming
formulation was selected for larger-scale production and a characterisation of
the microparticles (MPs) was carried out. MPs were then incorporated into baked products
(biscuits), which were subsequently characterised for proximate composition, total
phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant activity (AA). Bitter compounds were quantified
through HPLC-DAD. A panel test was conducted on 50 volunteers, which compiled a
satisfactory questionnaire. Ionotropic gelation proved to be the most suitable technique
for producing AAE alginate-based MPs for incorporation into biscuit dough, yielding a
product with a desirable particle size and flowability. The biscuits still retained a significant
amount of TPC and AA, indicating that microencapsulation is a suitable strategy.
Data from the acceptance questionnaire revealed that biscuits containing MPs loaded with
absinthin-rich extract were comparable to the control ones regarding overall acceptance.
In conclusion, a promising product was developed that effectively masks the bitterness of
appetite-modulating bioactive compounds, with significant health-promoting potential.
However, further investigation into the biological effects (e.g., hormonal responses, feelings
of hunger, etc.) of these baked products is required
Report finale sui risultati della sperimentazione. Progetto co-finanziato da Dipartimento DIGSPES-UPO e Territorio e Cultura ODV nell’ambito del Progetto “(F)atti di quartiere”, Bando “Sottocasa” di Fondazione Cariplo
Full text linkIl progetto (F)atti di quartiere ha visto quattro partner – Territorio e Cultura ODV, Cabiria Teatro, Rest-Art e Cooperativa Aurive – impegnati nella progettazione e nella realizzazione di un programma ricco e articolato di attività ed eventi culturali, teatrali e musicali in tre differenti luoghi di Novara, due quartieri periferici caratterizzati da una particolare concentrazione di edilizia residenziale pubblica e sociale (Rizzottaglia e Sant’Andrea) e Spazio Nòva (ex caserma Passalacqua). La sperimentazione ha prodotto una serie di risultati interessanti e promettenti. Tra questi vi è il ruolo giocato nel processo di rigenerazione urbana e sociale da percorsi di educazione e partecipazione civica e culturale. La combinazione innovativa e creativa di modelli e progettualità socio-educative con le pratiche tipiche degli interventi in ambito urbanistico costituisce una delle più importanti sfide future lasciate in eredità da questa sperimentazione
Potato Protein-Based Vegan Burgers: Discovering the Health-Promoting Benefits and Impact on the Intestinal Microbiome
No full textTargeting opportunities presented by the pyrimidine biosynthesis pathway in Mycobacterium tuberculosis: a brief review
Full text link: Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) is the etiologic agent of tuberculosis (TB) in humans, an infectious disease that continues to be a significant global health concern. The long-term use of multiple anti-tubercular agents may result in patient non-compliance and increased drug toxicity, which could contribute to the emergence of drug-resistant MTB strains that are not susceptible even to second-line available drugs. It is therefore imperative that new antitubercular drugs and vaccines are developed. The peculiar traits of MTB, such as the biochemical and structural features of vital metabolic pathways, can be assessed to identify possible targets for drug development. Enzymes involved in pyrimidine metabolism may be suitable drug targets for TB, given that this pathway is essential for mycobacteria and comprises enzymes that differ from those found in humans. Here, we focused on reviewing the state of the art concerning the therapeutic opportunities presented by the pyrimidine biosynthetic pathway (PBP) as a potential source of enzymes that could be targeted for the treatment of TB. We selected essential enzymes belonging to the PBP for which we identified the existence of a drug discovery pipeline at both the preclinical and clinical levels. Moreover, we emphasize the biochemical and structural characteristics that are pertinent to the development of pharmaceutical agents. These include the molecular details that can ensure selectivity towards the pathogen's proteins
Mitochondrial Dysfunction: The Cellular Bridge from Emo-tional Stress to Disease Onset. A narrative review
Full text linkSevere emotional stress constitutes a significant public-health concern associated with negative health outcomes. Although the clinical effects are well acknowledged, the specific biological mechanisms that translate emotional suffering into systemic disease remain incompletely understood. Psychological stress activates the sympathetic nervous system and hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis, which directly target mitochondria and alter their bioenergetic and redox capacity. For this reason, this narrative review proposes that mitochondria serve as the primary subcellular link in the mind–body connection, as they play a pivotal role in converting neuroendocrine signals into cellular dysfunction. In particular, we focus on the concept of mitochondrial allostatic load (MALT), a framework explaining how the progressive decline in mitochondrial functions, from their initial adaptive roles
in energy production, reactive oxygen species signaling, and calcium regulation, to being sources of inflammation and systemic damage, occurs when stress exceeds regulatory limits. We also, discuss how this transition turns mitochondria from adaptive responders into drivers of multi-organ disease. In subsequent sections, we examine diagnostic potentials related to MALT, including the use of biomarkers, such as growth differentiation factor 15,
cell-free mitochondrial desoxyribonucleic acid, and functional respirometry. Furthermore, we evaluate mitochondria-targeted therapeutic strategies, encompassing pharmacological compounds, such as mitoquinone mesylate, Skulachev ions, and elamipretide, alongside lifestyle and psychological interventions. Here, we aim to translate MALT biology into clinical applications, positioning mitochondrial health as a target for preventing and treating stress-related disorders. We propose that MALT may serve as a quantifiable bridge between emotional stress and somatic disease, enabling future precision medicine strategies integrating mitochondrial care
Global shocks and the debt-growth nexus
No full textThis paper re-examines the relationship between debt and growth with and without the influence of global shocks for a panel of 22 economies. The analysis introduces an approach that accounts for the complexity of global factors and estimates the debt-to-growth and growth-to-debt nexus for household, corporate, and public debt from a purely idiosyncratic perspective. The results reveal a multifactor structure: global shocks drive variation in household and public debt, whereas corporate debt exhibits predominantly idiosyncratic dynamics. These global shocks alter the magnitude and statistical significance of the idiosyncratic debt-growth nexus, demonstrating their critical role in identifying the underlying relationship
Understanding Implementation of the Family and Community Nurse Role Using Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research: A CaseStudy
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Hazard and determinants of dropout and rehospitalization in patients with obesity after residential rehabilitation
Full text linkPurpose: To identify clinical and sociodemographic factors that predict follow-up discontinuation and rehospitalisation after multidisciplinary residential rehabilitation for severe obesity, thereby defining high-risk patient profiles and guiding tailored retention strategies. Methods: We retrospectively followed 1,851 adults with obesity discharged from a multidisciplinary residential programme between 2015 and 2018 (median BMI 42 kg m−2). Dropout, defined as more than twelve months without contact, was studied with discrete-time survival models; time to rehospitalisation was analysed with Cox regression. Results: Within twelve months 1,513 patients (87%) discontinued follow-up. Each five-year increase in age lowered drop-out risk (HR 0.97, 95% CI 0.94–0.99, p = 0.004); diabetes had a similar protective effect (HR 0.89, 0.79–1.00, p = 0.0455). Rehospitalisation occurred in 591 patients (32%). Risk increased with age (5-years increment; HR = 1.05, 95% CI 1.01–1.09, p = 0.0191), baseline BMI (HR = 1.04, 95% CI 1.03–1.05, p < 0.0001), diabetes (HR = 1.22, 95% CI 1.02–1.30, p = 0.0306) and eating disorders (HR = 1.48, 95% CI 1.07–2.05, p = 0.0193). Discussion: Maintaining the benefits of residential rehabilitation is important. In our cohort, 87% of patients dropped out of follow-up within one year and 32% were readmitted. Two distinct profiles emerged: younger and non-diabetic subjects were prone to dropout, while patients with higher BMI, diabetes, or eating disorders were at higher risk of rehospitalization. Early identification of these groups may suggest flexible, technology-assisted follow-up for working-age patients and integrated metabolic-psychiatric care for complex cases, safeguarding outcomes and optimizing resources
Il mito della mafia nel Padrino
No full textThe article examines how The Godfather differs from other Hollywood films in its portrayal of
Italian-American mobsters, focusing on the characters’ language variety and especially on the use
of euphemisms, which become a tool to characterize them. These iconic phrases have remained
recognizable for over 50 years. The article also discusses the connection between the film’s
characters and historical myths, highlighting the film’s legacy in popular culture