Archivio Istituzionale della Ricerca- Università del Piemonte Orientale
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L’organizzazione delle Università: l’autonomia tra organi di governo e articolazione interna
Full text linkThe essay analyzes the organization of Universities starting from the Ruberti law as the first implementation law of their autonomy and then proceeds with the analysis of the Gelmini law, which grants universities the possibility of adhering to two alternative organizational models: one experimental, never adopted in our system, the other general, which provides for a specific discipline of the governing bodies and of the internal structure. The second part of the work examines the role of the Departments as a place for carrying out research and teaching and then evaluates their relationship with the University's governing bodies, focusing on some problematic aspects of the Gelmini law
Integrating polygenic and methylation risk scores for pleural mesothelioma risk stratification
No full textPleural mesothelioma (PM) is a lethal cancer primarily caused by asbestos exposure. Not all exposed individuals develop PM, suggesting the involvement of additional factors. This underscores the need for robust predictive models integrating biomarkers from multi-omic domains to improve risk stratification and early detection. We developed and evaluated polygenic risk scores (PRS) and methylation risk scores (MRS) using a retrospective case–control study (749 participants: 387 PM cases, 362 controls) and a nested case–control European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC)-Meso study (268 participants: 134 preclinical PM cases, 134 matched controls) within the EPIC cohort. Genome-wide association analyses in the retrospective case–control study identified PM-associated variants. The PRS (1123 SNPs with p |0.10|, FDR p < 0.05) in the retrospective training set, increased the AUC from 0.66 to 0.85 (p < 0.001) in the test set and from 0.51 to 0.62 in EPIC-Meso. PRS was most predictive in low-exposure groups, while MRS remained robust across exposure levels. Combined PRS-MRS models improved discrimination. Integrating multi-omic biomarkers can enhance PM-risk stratification and support earlier, targeted interventions in high-risk asbestos-exposed groups
Jerry Lewis. Il corpo pop dell'inconscio americano
No full textJerry Lewis (1926-2017) è stato uno dei più grandi attori comici della storia del cinema. Erede della tradizione del vaudeville e del cinema muto, si affaccia sulla scena americana (inizialmente in coppia con Dean Martin) alla fine degli anni Quaranta, adattandosi a contesti e forme espressive diverse: Jerry Lewis è un entertainer nei night club, uno showman televisivo, un attore cinematografico, un fumetto, occasionalmente un crooner. Dal 1960 è anche regista: i suoi film sono raffinatissime riflessioni teoriche sul comico e, più in generale, sul cinema, ma anche complesse macchine spettacolari con le quali si dimostra capace di contribuire all’avanzamento tecnologico della Settima Arte. Clown fuori controllo sulla scena, interprete di personaggi bloccati psicologicamente nella fanciullezza, Lewis ha dato corpo a una critica all’America di plastica degli anni Cinquanta e Sessanta, solo apparentemente rassicurante e felice. Come Charlie Chaplin, ha saputo guardare con lucidità al suo tempo, come Stan Laurel ha saputo dare una forma sublime alla catastrofe. Amato dai registi della Nouvelle Vague, imparentato con la Pop Art, capace di astrazione assoluta (specialmente nelle ultime regie), è ricordato anche per le collaborazioni con autori del calibro di Martin Scorsese o Emir Kusturica
Fruits, Vegetables, Legumes, and Potatoes and Risk of Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis
No full textObjectives: Low intake of fiber, fruits and vegetables is associated with the risk of developing Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). We therefore aimed to assess the risk of developing CD and UC according to individual fruits, vegetables, legumes, and potatoes and their diversity in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) cohort. Methods: Validated food frequency questionnaires collected at baseline were used to assess fruits, vegetables, legumes, and potatoes intakes. The association between these foods and CD and UC risks were estimated using Cox models stratified by center, sex and age; and adjusted for smoking status, BMI, physical activity, energy intake, educational level and alcohol intake. Results: 341,519 individuals were followed prospectively. Among them, 149 developed CD and 379 developed UC after a median follow-up of 13.4 years. High intake of combined fruits, vegetables, legumes, and potatoes were associated with a lower risk of CD (fourth vs first quartile adjusted HR=0.44, 95%CI: 0.26-0.76; p-trend<0.01) but not UC (aHR=1.07, 95%CI: 0.76-1.50; p-trend=0.73). Pooled consumption of apple/pear, banana, mushrooms, and onion/garlic was associated with a lower risk of CD (fourth vs first quartile aHR 0.58; 95%CI: 0.33-1.02, p-trend 0.03). A higher risk of UC was observed with high intakes of potatoes (fourth vs first quartile aHR 1.51; 95%CI: 1.05-2.17). Fruits/Vegetables/Legumes/Potatoes diversity score was not associated with risk of CD nor of UC. Conclusions: High apple/pear, banana, mushrooms, and onion/garlic intake is associated with a lower risk of developing CD whereas high intake of potatoes is associated with UC
First detection of a tagged neutrino in the NA62 experiment
No full textThe NA62 experiment at the CERN SPS reports the first detection of a tagged neutrino candidate based on the data collected in 2022. The candidate consists of a K+→μ+νμ decay where the charged particles are reconstructed and the neutrino is detected through a charged-current interaction in a liquid krypton calorimeter
Parental Risk Preferences and Children’s Vaccination Coverage
No full textThis paper examines vaccine hesitancy from a behavioral economics perspective, focusing on how parental risk preferences,
altruism, and vaccine distrust affect children's vaccination rates. A model of parental investment in children's health
is developed and expanded using empirical data from WHO, UNICEF, the World Bank, and the Global Preferences Survey.
The study utilizes a fractional response probit model to analyze data from 69 countries, accounting for both stringent
and non-stringent vaccination policies. Results show that risk aversion, altruism, and trust are positively associated with
vaccination coverage, with the impact varying by policy stringency. In countries with stringent policies, risk aversion is
the most significant factor, while altruism and distrust are more influential in countries with less strict policies. However,
the effects of these factors are modest, with income levels accounting for most cross-country differences. The study calls
for further research using more recent, individual-level data. Highlights We develop a theoretical framework suggesting
that parents with higher risk aversion and altruism are more likely to invest in their children's health, particularly in vaccination
decisions, extending current literature insights. Our model is empirically tested using macro-level data on parental
risk preferences and altruism from the Global Preferences Survey (GPS), combined with WHO and UNICEF vaccination
coverage data for ten diseases in one-year-old children. The analysis reveals a positive association between parental risk
aversion, altruism, and vaccination coverage across 69 countries, moderated by the stringency of national vaccination policies.
In countries with stringent vaccination policies, risk aversion predominantly drives vaccination coverage, whereas
in less stringent environments, altruism and vaccine distrust play a more significant role. Vaccination coverage is notably
lower in low-income countries
What is your next step? A case of how a misleading diagnosis can mask avoidable serious adverse effects of quetiapine
No full textImpact of Extraction Methods and Storage on the (Poly)Phenol and Fatty Acid Profiles of Walnut and Flaxseed Oils
No full textAn International Delphi Consensus About Tumor Rupture During Robotic Partial Nephrectomy (Researching UnPredictable TUmor RupturE during Robotic Partial Nephrectomy—The RUPTURE Project)
No full textBackground and objective: Tumor rupture during robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) poses oncological risks, including potential malignant cell spread and recurrence. Despite these risks, standardized guidelines for defining, managing, and assessing risk factors of tumor rupture in RAPN are lacking. This Delphi consensus study aimed to frame the definition, risk factors, and oncological implications of tumor rupture in RAPN, as well as to propose management strategies. Methods: Using a modified Delphi method, a steering committee from multiple urological societies (the RUPTURE project) led a consensus-building study that followed the ACcurate COnsensus Reporting Document (ACCORD) checklist. A panel of international experts participated in a two-phase Delphi survey, rating their agreement with statements on tumor rupture, risk factors, and management in RAPN. Consensus was defined as ≥70% agreement, with unresolved statements discussed in an online meeting and subjected to a second voting round. Key findings and limitations: Thirty-three experts evaluated 58 statements. Consensus was reached on 33% of statements in the first round and 37.5% in the second round. Tumor rupture was defined, with risk factors including larger tumor size, complexity, and endophytic growth patterns. Recommended management strategies focused on minimizing tumor spillage by suctioning—rather than grasping—the cancerous tissue, and promptly securing the specimen in an endobag. Routine conversion to radical nephrectomy was not advised unless unresectable tumor remnants were found. Tumor rupture was not linked to distant metastasis, although its oncological impact varied by the rupture extent (ie, gross rupture vs focal; tumor spilled out macroscopically completely removed vs not). Conclusions and clinical implications: This consensus forms a basis for future research on tumor rupture in RAPN, emphasizing standardized definitions and uniform management strategies. Empirical validation through future clinical research is warranted. Patient summary: This research looks at tumor rupture during robotic kidney surgery, which can happen but is rare. The study involved a panel of experts who discussed finding a consensus on when it is more likely to occur and how to manage it effectively to reduce risks. It was also emphasized that while a rupture may not always lead to cancer spreading, the impact on a patient's health can vary and is yet to be determined
Formulation, characterisation and application of microencapsulated systems for pharmaceutical and food purposes
No full textThis thesis describes the formulation, production and characterisation of different microencapsulated systems for pharmaceutical and food purposes. Several microencapsulation techniques (ionotropic gelation, spray drying, spray congealing, microfluidics, and solvent evaporation) were investigated. Ionotropic gelation was selected for the microencapsulation of Artemisia absinthium L. ethanolic extract and vitamin D oily solution into alginate-based microspheres destined to be an innovative ingredient for the dough of baked products, to verify the impact of phytocomplex bitter compounds on appetite and to increase the uptake of Vit D, respectively. Microparticles were successfully prepared, characterised and inserted into biscuit dough in both cases. Spray drying was used to microencapsulate a Thymus vulgaris L. hydroalcoholic extract with the final goal of applying the obtained system as an innovative ingredient with preserving activity for meat-based products to partially or totally substitute nitrite salts actually used. Spray congealing was used to microencapsulate a soluble model drug (metoclopramide hydrochloride) into different lipid excipients for a long-lasting release. Microparticles were produced starting from water-in-oil (W/0) emulsions, characterised for dimensions, morphology, and residual moisture and in vitro drug release was performed. Droplet microfluidics and solvent evaporation were used to produce PLGA-based microparticles containing different loadings of lidocaine to guarantee a modified/prolonged drug release. Microparticles were then characterised for morphology, dimensions, swelling behaviour and drug release