Archivio Istituzionale della Ricerca - Università degli Studi di Pavia
Not a member yet
135341 research outputs found
Sort by
A multi-component training program improves motor, but not respiratory parameters, in Parkinson’s disease patients
No full textSummary. Introduction. Parkinson’s disease (PD) can impair both motor and respiratory functions (MFs and RFs), reducing physical efficiency and quality of life. While various exercise modalities have shown benefits on either MFs or RFs, it is unclear whether a multi-component training program (McTP), combining different exercise types, can improve both concurrently. Methods. Ten PD patients (age: 75.1 ± 7.1 years; 9 males, 1 female), all at Hoehn & Yahr stage 2, completed a 3-month bi-weekly McTP. Each 1-hour session included 20 minutes of aerobic exercise (AE) at 14-17 on the Borg scale (targeting RFs), followed by lower-limb resistance and balance exercises (both at Borg level 15) to improve MFs. Training parameters were based on literature in PD or, when unavailable, age-matched healthy cohorts. RFs were assessed via spirometry, 12-second forced inspiration/expiration, and maximal inspirations. MFs were evaluated with the 6-Minute Walking Test (6MWT), Timed Up & Go (TUG), and Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB). Pre/post comparisons used Wilcoxon signed-rank and paired t-tests. Results. No significant changes (p>0.05) were observed in RFs or TUG. However, 6MWT (p<0.01) and SPPB (p≤0.05) scores improved significantly. Conclusions. These findings suggest that McTP effectively improved MFs, but no statistically significant changes were observed in RFs. Modifying AE frequency and/or duration may be necessary to target respiratory adaptation
Evaluation of an Elastodontic Bioactivator Versus High-Pull Headgear for the Treatment of Skeletal Class II Hyperdivergent Pediatric Patients: A Retrospective Study
No full textBackground/Objectives: This retrospective study evaluated and compared the cephalometric effects of an elastodontic bioactivator and conventional high-pull headgear in growing patients with hyperdivergent Class II malocclusion. Methods: Patients aged 7–11 years were divided into two groups according to the appliance used for the orthodontic treatment performed: elastodontic device (ED) and high-pull headgear (HPHD). Cephalometric measurements were recorded at baseline (T0) and after 18 months of treatment (T1). The data were subjected to statistical analysis, descriptive statistics were calculated, and an ANOVA test and post hoc Tukey test were performed (repeated measures correction was applied for intragroup comparisons). Linear regressions were conducted. Significance was predetermined as p 0.05). Regarding vertical skeletal parameters, no significant intra- or intergroup changes were observed at T0 and T1, indicating that both devices preserved vertical stability without worsening the hyperdivergent pattern. Dentoalveolar and soft-tissue effects were limited. Conclusions: Both ED and HPHD are effective in managing hyperdivergent Class II growing patients. The two appliances provide comparable improvements in mandibular positioning. Both devices seem to preserve vertical skeletal dimensions, avoiding further mandibular clockwise rotation. Both appliances are associated with minimal undesirable effects on the soft tissues
Protocol for the preparation of flexible material from the mycelium of wood-decay fungal strains and mechanical property investigation
No full textExtraction of chitin-glucan-based materials from fungi has several advantages over animal-based chitin. Here, we present a protocol for extracting chitin-glucan material from the mycelium of wood-decay fungal strains and investigating its mechanical properties. We describe steps for extracting chitin-glucan-based material, using acetic acid as a crosslinking agent to improve mechanical properties, and adding glycerol to increase flexibility. We then detail procedures for investigating tear strength and elongation at break, as well as establishing the required properties of flexible materials. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Vadivel et al.
Architecture for Rural Renewal: Reconstructing the Domestic Fabric of Abandoned Settlements for New Sustainable Uses
No full texthis study presents an integrated intervention strategy for the adaptive reuse of vernacular architecture in a state of ruin, focusing on the fortified village of Moya (Cuenca, Spain). The proposal is framed within a rural revitalization program aimed at educational and cultural tourism uses, with the goal of reactivating abandoned built fabric through the incorporation of new functions that generate social value and contribute to territorial development. The proposed methodology combines archival research, digital documentation, material characterization, and a constructive solution based on the insertion of a reversible, structurally autonomous timber volume within the existing stone masonry. Through material characterization, a differentiated consolidation protocol is developed to stabilize the ruins while maintaining historical legibility. The new architectural volume, built with prefabricated cross-laminated timber (CLT) and insulated with locally sourced expanded cork, is designed to meet contemporary standards of energy efficiency, reversibility, and environmental responsibility, while remaining fully independent from the original structure. The intervention offers a replicable model for sustainable rural regeneration, balancing conservation ethics with functional adaptation. Future lines of research include the dynamic simulation of the energy performance of the inserted dwelling, with the aim of assessing its contribution to climate neutrality and net-zero emissions targets
Joint detection of risk for psychotic disorders or bipolar disorders in clinical practice in the UK: development and validation of a clinical prediction model
No full textBackground: Efficient detection of individuals at risk of developing psychotic disorders or bipolar disorders is a crucial step to improving mental health outcomes in young people. A novel, transdiagnostic approach to jointly detect individuals at risk for either psychotic disorders or bipolar disorders would maximise the effect of prevention. The aim of this study is to develop and validate an individualised prediction model to detect the risk of developing psychotic disorders or bipolar disorders in the UK. Methods: This RECORD Statement and TRIPOD+AI compliant study describes the development and validation of a clinical prediction model to estimate the risk of developing psychotic or bipolar disorders using data from patients of all ages with an index diagnosis of a non-organic, non-psychotic and non-bipolar mental disorder recorded in electronic health records from South London and Maudsley (SLaM in the UK) secondary mental health care between Jan 1, 2008, and Aug 10, 2021. Exclusion criteria included receiving long-acting injectable antipsychotics or clozapine before a diagnosis of bipolar or psychotic disorders, no recorded contact with SLaM services after the index date, and an index date falling within the washout period Jan 1, 2008, to June 30, 2008. A least absolute shrinkage and selection operator-regularised (LASSO) Cox proportional hazards model was developed to estimate the 6-year risk of developing psychotic disorders or bipolar disorders, incorporating sociodemographic and clinical predictors at index date (five predictors), and medication (four predictors), hospitalisation (two predictors) and natural language processing-derived signs and symptoms and substance use (66 predictors), derived using a 6-month look-back period. Model performance was assessed using internal–external validation, sequentially leaving out one borough from the SLaM area for testing and averaging performance across all five boroughs. The final model was fit with data across all the boroughs. Performance was assessed via discrimination (C-index), calibration (calibration slope and calibration-in-the-large), and potential clinical utility (decision curve analysis) during internal–external cross-validation. Individuals with lived experience of bipolar disorders or psychotic disorders were not involved in the research or writing process. Findings: In total, data from 127 868 patients were included. 64 980 (50·8%) of the dataset were male, 62 711 (49·0%) were female, and 89 (0·1%) were other gender. For self-assigned ethnicity, the dataset was 71 390 (55·8%) White, 18 025 (14·1%) Black, 7257 (5·7%) other, 6270 (4·9%) Asian, and 5022 (3·9%) mixed (19 904 [15·6%] were missing ethnicity data). The mean age was 33·4 years (SD 18·8 [IQR 17·9–44·9]). The cumulative risk incidence of psychotic disorders or bipolar disorders was 0·0827 (95% CI 0·0784–0·0870) within 6 years (mean follow-up 622 days [SD 687]). The model showed the following performance in internal–external validation: C-index 0·80 (95% CI 0·78–0·81); calibration slope 1·02 (SD 0·14); calibration-in-the-large 0·06 (SD 0·02). Decision curve analysis showed that use of the model would detect three additional cases of psychotic disorders or bipolar disorders early per 100 patients screened compared with default assessment strategies. Interpretation: This study shows that the transdiagnostic clinical prediction model can identify patients at risk of developing psychotic disorders or bipolar disorders and displayed excellent performance. Such a novel approach would enable systematic early detection of young people at risk of psychotic disorders or bipolar disorders, advancing preventive care in real-world clinical practice. Funding: UK Medical Research Council (MR/N013700/1), National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Biomedical Research Centres at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, and Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust
Human health implications of cascading effects in chemical plants triggered by seismic NaTech events
No full textIndustrial chemical plants are currently both strategic assets and significant threats to human lives in the event of NaTech incidents such as earthquakes. The location of industrial plants is typically driven by economic or logistical considerations, often overlooking site-specific hazards and proximity to populated areas. Although industrial plants comprise numerous structural and non-structural elements with significant vulnerabilities, this study specifically focuses on the seismic behaviour of steel tanks. These tanks are particularly critical due to their capacity to store large volumes of potentially hazardous substances. The seismic performance of steel tanks varies significantly depending on key design properties, such as slenderness ratio, the presence of supporting legs, floating roofs, and, in some cases, the incorporation of innovative devices like seismic isolators or damping systems. This research presents a set of fragility curves for different tank typologies, offering a comprehensive analysis across a broad range of tank types. During an earthquake, the damage or collapse of steel storage tanks can trigger cascading effects, including the release of toxic substances that pose severe risks to workers and nearby populations. This study introduces and applies a novel holistic methodological framework to quantitatively assess the health impacts resulting from hazardous substance releases in chemical plants. It estimates environmental contamination levels, human exposure profiles, and the potential health effects on both workers and surrounding communities following exposure to these chemicals
Nutritional status, lifestyle and sarcopenia in hospitalised vs community-dwelling older adults: a comparison of two Northern Italian cohorts from the SENIOR and the Food NET projects.
No full textBackground: Sarcopenia, defined as “a progressive and generalised skeletal muscle disorder”, poses
significant health challenges for older adults, increasing risks of disability, mortality, and reduced
quality of life. Multiple factors, including nutritional status, physical activity, diet, and sleep quality,
influence its development. Understanding the distinctive risk profiles across different populations, such
as hospitalised versus community-dwelling older adults, is crucial for targeted interventions, effective
prevention, and management strategies.
Objectives: This thesis aims i) at comparing nutritional status, lifestyle factors (i.e., diet, physical
activity, sleep), and sarcopenia prevalence between hospitalised and community-dwelling older adults,
using data from the SENIOR and Food NET cohorts; ii) investigating differences in “risk profiles”
(cluster) to identify setting-specific targets for sarcopenia prevention and management, ultimately
supporting tailored strategies to promote healthy aging across diverse care environments.
Methods: Data from the “Sustainable Eating patterN to lImit malnutritiOn in oldeR adults” (SENIOR)
project and the “Food Social Sensor NETwork” (Food NET) project, encompassing 779 older adults
aged ≥65 years, were used. Participants were stratified into “lifestyle clusters” based on physical
activity (IPAQ-SF questionnaire for Food NET, PASE for SENIOR project), eating habits (Turconi and
MEDILITE scores), and sleep quality (PSQI). Sarcopenia was assessed using the European algorithm
for the definition and diagnosis of sarcopenia. Prevalence rates of sarcopenia and lifestyle patterns were
investigated. Cluster analysis was used to identify “risk profiles” and logistic regression analysis was
conducted to evaluate the association between lifestyle factors and sarcopenia.
Results: In the Food NET cohort (community-dwelling older adults), participants were predominantly
younger-old (65–74 years, 53.7%) and female (67%), whereas the SENIOR cohort (hospitalised older
adults) included mostly older individuals (75–84 years, 52.1%) and males (54.5%). Obesity prevalence
was markedly higher in both cohorts compared with national surveillance data, with abdominal obesity
affecting over 85% of participants. Cluster analysis based on diet, physical activity, and sleep quality
identified three lifestyle profiles, ranging from least to most favourable. In both cohorts, poor sleep
quality was consistently reported across clusters, while significant differences were observed in
physical activity and dietary habits in Food NET cohort, and in physical activity in the SENIOR cohort.
Sarcopenia prevalence was 33.1% in Food NET and 17% in SENIOR, with a substantial proportion of
participants classified as being “at risk” to develop sarcopenia based on low handgrip strength. In Food
NET, sarcopenia prevalence did not vary across lifestyle clusters, whereas in SENIOR, the poorest
lifestyle cluster exhibited the highest prevalence. Logistic regression in the hospitalised cohort further
revealed that female sex was significantly associated with sarcopenia. Specifically, women showed
almost twice the odds of developing sarcopenia compared to men, independent of diet, physical activity,
and sleep quality.
Conclusion: Sarcopenia is a multifactorial condition shaped by sex-age-related factors and modifiable
lifestyle behaviours, particularly physical activity and dietary habits. Thus, these findings underscore
the importance of tailored strategies for sarcopenia prevention, early identification of vulnerable
subgroups and the implementation of targeted intervention for improving functional outcomes, delaying
disability, and promoting healthier ageing trajectories
Comparison Between Natural Products and Chlorhexidine in Non-Surgical Periodontal Therapy: A Systematic Review of Randomized Clinical Trials
No full textObjectives: To evaluate the clinical effectiveness and safety of natural products compared with chlorhexidine (CHX) as adjuncts to non-surgical periodontal therapy (NSPT) in patients with periodontitis. Materials and Methods: This systematic review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA 2020 guidelines and registered in PROSPERO (CRD420251133219). Electronic searches of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science were performed to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published between 2020 and 2025. Eligible studies included adult patients with periodontitis treated with NSPT, comparing CHX-based products with natural formulations (mouthwashes, gels, irrigants, or dentifrices). Data extraction included product type, concentration, mode of application, follow-up duration, and primary periodontal outcomes. Study quality was assessed using the NIH Quality Assessment Tool. Results: Thirteen randomized controlled clinical trials met the inclusion criteria. Natural products such as Curcuma longa, Morus alba, Spirulina platensis, Propolis, Triphala, and Lycium barbarum demonstrated improvements in clinical attachment level (CAL) and probing pocket depth (PPD) comparable to those obtained with CHX, along with significant reductions in bleeding on probing (BoP) and plaque index (PI). Probiotic- and ozone-based treatments also showed favorable clinical outcomes, with faster healing and fewer adverse effects, such as tooth staining and taste alteration. Follow-up periods ranged from 14 days to 3 months. Conclusions: Natural products appear to be safe and effective alternatives to CHX when used as adjuncts to non-surgical periodontal therapy, providing comparable clinical benefits with a lower incidence of side effects. Nevertheless, further large-scale, long-term randomized trials are needed to standardize formulations and concentrations and to confirm the durability of these clinical effects
L'invidia dei cinici e l'opposizione ai Flavi. Gli 'Atti' di Diogene ed Ermia.
No full textThe chapter examines the papyrological documentation relating to the Acta of Diogenes and Hermias and links to passages in Roman historiography on the cynical opposition to Titus and Berenice under the reign of Vespasian. The texts connect this opposition to the earlier Stoic opposition under Nero. A Roman orator, Curtius Montanus, mentioned by Tacitus, may have been involved
Alfabit. L'italiano digitale dagli SMS all'IA
No full textAlfabit è la storia dell’incrocio fra la tradizione linguistica e la sua traduzione informatica. Ovvero dello stretto legame fra l’evoluzione dell’italiano e l’avvicendarsi dei nuovi media tecnologici. I nuovi codici di comunicazione hanno via via ridotto la distanza tra scritto e parlato, favorendo l’affermarsi di una diffusa informalità e di testi sempre più frammentari. L’esito è una lingua dettata dai tempi dell’interazione simultanea: rapida, effimera, immediata, improntata alla spontaneità. L’autore ricostruisce in presa diretta le diverse fasi di questa metamorfosi. Dall'italiano digitato degli SMS e delle e-mail all'e-taliano di chat e social network fino all'IA-taliano di ChatGPT e degli altri Large Language Models