Archivio istituzionale della ricerca - Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna
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How fishing pressures and environmental changes can impact the mean size of fish resources: a case study of small pelagics in the Adriatic Sea
No full textSmall pelagic fish, such as European anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) and sardine (Sardina pilchardus), play a key ecological and economic role in the Adriatic Sea. In recent decades, both species have shown a marked decline in mean body size, raising concerns about the combined impacts of fishing and environmental change. To investigate the main drivers behind this trend, we analyzed 20 years (2000–2021) of fishery-dependent data on weighted mean length (wML) derived from Length Frequency Distributions (LFDs) of catches landed in two major Adriatic fishing harbors, Chioggia and Ancona. Generalized Additive Models (GAMs) were applied to explore the relationships between wML, fishing effort and key environmental variables (chlorophyll-a, sea surface temperature, salinity, sea surface height and Po River discharge), incorporating both spatial (Harbor) and temporal dimensions (Time and Season). Our results indicated that anthropogenic pressures, particularly the interaction between fishing activity (Fleet) and long-term temporal dynamics (Time), were the dominant contributors to size reduction. This interaction reflects how long-term exploitation patterns have intensified over time despite nominal reductions in fleet size, suggesting cumulative fishing impacts and limited recovery capacity. Environmental variables contributed to explaining the observed patterns but to a lesser extent, suggesting species-specific and spatially structured responses. Overall, this study highlights that historical overexploitation remains the primary driver of body-size decline in the Adriatic small pelagic species. However, the possibly influence of the environmental variables in the dynamics of these species suggest the development of adaptive, ecosystem-based management strategies that integrate historical fishing pressure, current effort distribution and environmental variability to promote the recovery and resilience of these key fishery resources
Forcing Ahead: Second-Line Treatment Options for Lenalidomide-Refractory Multiple Myeloma
Get PDFThe therapeutic landscape for multiple myeloma has gradually expanded in recent decades, leading to unprecedented deep and sustained responses as well as remarkable improvements in patient survival. Nonetheless, changes in treatment algorithms have raised new demands for patients with relapsed/refractory disease, as prior exposure and refractoriness to prior therapies impact the choice of subsequent treatments. In particular, refractoriness to lenalidomide-an established backbone of treatment in both front-line and maintenance settings and a key component of many approved regimens used in relapsed disease-is associated with suboptimal clinical outcomes. Therefore, identifying the most appropriate management in lenalidomide-refractory patients, and even more so in patients who are refractory to more than one agent, is critical. At present, treatment options for this growing subgroup of patients are still limited; however, recent data from clinical research are promising. Herein, we summarized the currently available treatment options and discuss future directions based on the latest results from ongoing clinical trials
Exploring the political culture of Fratelli d’Italia with a novel middle-level elite survey
Get PDFWe introduce a novel dataset derived from a comprehensive survey targeting both elite and middle-level elites of Brothers of Italy (Fratelli d'Italia, FdI), the most-voted party in the Italian 2022 general elections and whose leader, Giorgia Meloni, is currently holding the office of Prime Minister. The dataset encompasses various aspects, including socio-demographic characteristics, prior political experience, motivations for joining the party, attitudes towards several political issues and institutions, policy preferences and populist orientation. Several questions have identical wording to those in recent mass surveys, facilitating comparisons between FdI elites, FdI voters and the broader Italian population. After detailing the fieldwork and main features of the sample, we illustrate potential uses of the dataset, such as examining the ideological cohesion of the party and the populist attitudes of its elites and voters
Advanced characterization with multimodal measurement techniques for process intensification in gas–liquid tubular reactors
Get PDFIn this work we investigate turbulent gas–liquid mixing and separation in a vertical pipeline equipped with Kenics Static Elements for process intensification applications in continuous operations. The investigation is based on Electrical Resistance Tomography, digital image analysis and pressure drop measurements to provide a comprehensive characterization of the two-phase system. The gas volume fraction distribution is calculated from the voltage difference measurement using two different reconstruction algorithms: the Sensitivity Conjugate Gradient and the Linear Back Projection. The Sensitivity Conjugate Gradient algorithm provides better resolution near the pipe wall and a clear detection of the asymmetric patterns typical of the helical elements. The bubble size distributions obtained from digital image analysis allow to assess the effectiveness of the static elements in providing mixing and separation, depending on their orientation. The spatial distributions of the gas phase measured by the optical and the tomographic techniques are adopted to obtain the average gas hold-up leading to similar results. Overall, the experimental data analysis demonstrates that optimal performance can be determined by balancing energy consumption and gas dispersion. The findings provide valuable insights for the design of in-line reactors where both efficient mixing and controlled separation are required
Ricin Toxicity to Intestinal Cells Leads to Multiple Cell Death Pathways Mediated by Oxidative Stress
No full textRicin, a type 2 ribosome-inactivating protein, is a lethal toxin found in castor bean seeds. Although the systemic toxicity of ricin has been extensively studied, its localized effect on the gastrointestinal tract remains a critical concern, particularly in the case of oral ingestion. This study investigates the cytotoxic effects of ricin on human intestinal epithelial cell lines and its impact on epithelial barrier integrity. Ricin cytotoxicity was assessed on the intestinal-derived HT29 and Caco-2 cell lines using dose- and time-response assays, while the epithelial integrity was evaluated via Trans-Epithelial Electrical Resistance (TEER) measurements in Caco-2 monolayers. Cell death was determined through flow cytometry analysis, and the protective effects of cell death inhibitors and antioxidant scavengers were investigated on ricin-intoxicated cells. Ricin showed high cytotoxicity on HT29 and Caco-2 cells, with EC50 values in the nM range after 24-72 h of intoxication. Moreover, ricin strongly reduced TEER values in Caco-2 cells at 0.1-1 nM after 24 h of treatment. At a 1 nM concentration, ricin cytotoxicity can be significantly prevented by pre-incubating cells with the cell death inhibitors Z-VAD or necrostatin-1 and the antioxidant scavenger catalase, butylated hydroxyanisole or sodium pyruvate, demonstrating the involvement of apoptosis/necroptosis and oxidative stress in ricin cell death pathways and mechanisms
Devices and techniques for bariatric and metabolic endoscopy: European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE) Technical and Technology Review
No full textEndoscopic bariatric and metabolic therapies (EBMTs) are increasingly recognized as valuable tools for managing obesity and related metabolic disorders. As the prevalence of obesity continues to rise globally, there is a growing demand for effective, safe, and less invasive treatment options. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the available EBMTs, including both stomach-targeted and small-bowel-targeted devices. The review details the various devices, outlines the techniques for their proper use, and discusses their indications. It also presents data on their efficacy and safety, and the management of adverse events and weight regain, as well as anticipated future developments. The paper emphasizes the necessity for additional high quality randomized controlled trials and long-term outcome data to better define the role of these therapies within obesity treatment protocols. Overall, this review serves as an authoritative resource for endoscopists, bariatric specialists, and the wider healthcare community involved in obesity care, promoting best practices and guiding the appropriate implementation of EBMTs in clinical settings
Multimarkers based response to SGLT2 inhibitors in patients with chronic kidney disease
No full textBackground and Aims
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a group of disorders defined by the presence of abnormalities of kidney structure or function for a minimum of 3 months with implications for health. The sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) are a new therapeutic option with a proven cardio and nephroprotective efficacy in patients with or without type 2-diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and preserved or reduced kidney function.
Method
We conducted a retrospective, observational study at the Nephrology, Dialysis and Transplantation Units of Sant'Orsola Hospital of Bologna and Santissima Annunziata Hospital of Cosenza. We enrolled 118 patients since 2020 affected by CKD, with or without T2DM. We aimed at investigating the efficacy of current SGLT2i through the analysis of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), uric acid, hemoglobin, serum potassium and systolic pressure from baseline to month 6 visit.
Results
After 6 months of therapy, a significant correlation between variation of proteinuria and eGFR was found. Proteinuria significantly decreased from baseline (953 mg/die IQR 450–2600) to 6-month visit (621 mg/die IQR 289–1900) (P = 0.0001) with the greatest reduction of proteinuria observed in patients who also experienced a reduction of the eGFR. Estimated GFR (P = 0.898), serum potassium (P = 0.689) and blood pressure (P = 0.829) did not significantly change. Hb increased at visit 2, as for treatment effect moving from 13.8 ± 1.7 g/dL to 14.2 ± 1.8 g/dL (P = 0.0008). Uric acid significantly decreased from 6.1 ± 1.4 mg/dL at baseline to 5.4 ± 1.3 mg/dL at follow-up visit (P = 0.0004) and a positive correlation between uric acid reduction and eGFR increase from baseline to follow-up visit was found (P = 0.037) (Fig. 1). No significant correlations between proteinuria and the other parameters analysed were observed.
Conclusion
In our real-life experience a 30% reduction of proteinuria and a stabilization of eGFR were observed after the initiation of SGLT2i therapy. Concomitantly we observed a change of other parameters that was mainly independent from change in proteinuria. Change in eGFR was associated with change in uric acid concentration. We suggest to monitor multiple parameters before taking decision to continue or withdraw SGLT2 inhibitors, in clinical practice
State of Art and Perspective of Calcium Phosphate-Based Coatings Coupled with Bioactive Compounds for Orthopedic Applications
Get PDFThe aim of this review is to investigate the possibility of fabricating coatings functionalized with bioactive molecules. These coatings are interesting when applied to biomedical devices, particularly in the orthopedic field. In fact, the application of calcium phosphate-based coatings on the surface of implanted devices is an effective strategy to increase their osteoinductive and osseointegrative properties. Several coating fabrication technologies are presented, including chemical deposition and physical methods. The application of bioactive molecules in combination with calcium phosphate coatings may improve their osteointegrative, antibacterial, and antitumor properties, therefore increasing the performance of implantable devices
Introduzione al diritto della sicurezza sul lavoro
No full textIl volume offre una ricostruzione sistematica e aggiornata del complesso insieme di regole e di principi che governano la materia della prevenzione e sicurezza sul lavoro, ma soprattutto propone un'introduzione ad un nuovo discorso giuridico sulla tutela della persona che lavor