IRIS Università degli Studi dell'Aquila
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No full textEnvironmental Drivers of Immature Whale Shark Surface Sightings in the Gulf of Tadjoura, Djibouti
Get PDFWhale sharks seasonally aggregate in Djibouti (East Africa), supporting ecotourism activities which benefit the local community. However, the environmental factors influencing whale shark relative abundance at this site are still not well understood. Environmental drivers of immature whale shark surface sightings have been analyzed across a five-year period (2017, 2020, 2022, 2024 and 2025) in the Gulf of Tadjoura (Djibouti) using a Generalized Additive Model (GAM) and Hurdle model. Across 111 surface sightings and 83 photo-identified whale sharks, both sea surface chlorophyll-a (SSC) concentrations and sea surface temperature (SST) have significantly affected their relative abundance (p < 0.001), while wind strength appeared to have a weaker and more complex effect (p < 0.05). Whale shark surface sightings in the Gulf of Tadjoura increased when SSC and SST exceeded thresholds of 0.5 mg/m−3 and 26 ◦C, respectively. In contrast, the positive effect of wind strength ≥7 knots was limited, indicating that wind-driven influences on whale shark surface detections are localized and transient. Since prey abundance and distribution are the main drivers of whale shark seasonal aggregations, understanding the environmental effects on food availability at coastal locations and, consequently, on whale shark surface sightings is crucial. The present study highlights temporal and seasonal trends in whale shark sighting data, contributing to broader initiatives aimed at improving conservation and management strategies for this endangered species
Baryon number violation: from nuclear matrix elements to BSM physics
Get PDFProcesses that violate baryon number, most notably proton decay and nn ̄ transitions, are promising probes of physics beyond the Standard Model (BSM) needed to understand the lack of antimatter in the Universe. To interpret current and forthcoming experimental limits, theory input from nuclear matrix elements to UV complete models enters. Thus, an interplay of experiment, effective field theory, lattice QCD, and BSM model building is required to develop strategies to accurately extract information from current and future data and maximize the impact and sensitivity of next-generation experiments. Here, we briefly summarize the main results and discussions from the workshop ‘INT-25-91W: Baryon Number Violation: From Nuclear Matrix Elements to BSM Physics,’ held at the Institute for Nuclear Theory, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 13–17 January 2025
Editorial: Airways and malocclusion: etiology and treatment outcomes
Get PDFThe correlation between the upper airway and malocclusion is still a controversial issue. Craniofacial abnormalities and dental malocclusions, such as mandibular retrusion, maxillary constriction, and vertical skeletal discrepancies, are strongly associated with reduced airway patency and increased pharyngeal collapsibility. This relationship underscores the importance of evaluating craniofacial morphology in both the diagnosis and management of OSAS. Treatment aims not only to reduce apneic events and improve sleep quality but also to restore normal breathing dynamics and prevent long-term cardiovascular, metabolic, and neurocognitive complications. Achieving these goals requires a multidisciplinary approach that integrates orthodontics, surgery, otolaryngology, and sleep medicine to provide effective and long-term outcomes
Postoperative Pulmonary Complications in Conventional Laparoscopic vs Robot-Assisted Abdominal Surgery.
No full textIMPORTANCE Robot-assisted surgery (RAS) is increasingly used for abdominal procedures; however, postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) are more frequent in patients undergoing RAS compared with patients undergoing conventional laparoscopic surgery (CLS).
OBJECTIVE To compare the incidence of PPCs after CLS and RAS and to determine which patient-, surgery-, and anesthesia-related factors are associated with PPCs.
DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This cohort study used the Laparoscopic and Robot-Assisted Surgery (LapRAS) database, a pooled dataset containing individual patient data of 2 worldwide prospective cohort studies: the Local Assessment of Ventilatory Management During General Anaesthesia for Surgery (LAS VEGAS) study and the Assessment of Ventilatory Management During General Anesthesia for Robotic Surgery and Its Effects
on Postoperative Pulmonary Complications (AVATaR) study. Data were collected from adult patients requiring intraoperative ventilation during general anesthesia for CLS or RAS surgical procedures from 163 centers and 31 countries in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa from January 2013 to March 2019. Data were analyzed from December 2023
to October 2024.
EXPOSURES Type of surgical approach (CLS vs RAS), duration of intraoperative ventilation, and intensity of mechanical ventilation, assessed using the 4 times the driving pressure (DP) plus respiratory rate (RR) estimator (4DP + RR).
MAIN OUTCOME AND MEASURES The primary outcome was occurrence of 1 or more PPCs
in the first 5 postoperative days. Mixed-effects logistic regression assessed associations with PPCs; mediation and matched cohort analyses served as sensitivity analyses.
RESULTS A total of 2738 patients (median [IQR] age, 56 [41-66] years; 1456 female [53.1%]) were included. PPCs occurred in 172 of 903 patients (19.0%) in the RAS group and 174 of 1835 patients (9.5%) in the CLS group (P < .001). Duration of intraoperative ventilation was longer in RAS compared with CLS (median [IQR] duration, 219 [180-270] vs 95 [68-145] minutes;
P < .001) and the intensity of mechanical ventilation was higher (median [IQR] intensity, 84 [69-100] vs 72 [60-87] 4DP + RR; P < .001). PPCs were independently associated only with duration of ventilation (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.49; 95% CI, 1.33-1.66; P < .001), not with the surgical approach (ie, RAS vs CLS; aOR, 1.35; 95% CI, 0.72-2.54; P = .35) nor the intensity of ventilation as measured by 4DP + RR (aOR, 1.01; 95% CI, 1.01-1.01; P = .21). A post hoc analysis showed a more pronounced association of intensity of ventilation in surgical procedures of shorter duration.
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE In this cohort study, patients who received RAS vs CLS had a higher incidence of PPCs and received longer and more intense mechanical ventilation; however, only the duration of ventilation rather than intensity of ventilation or type
of surgical approach (ie, RAS vs CLS) was independently associated with the occurrence of PPCs, indicating that the longer duration of ventilation in RAS underlies the higher incidence of PPCs observed in those who undergo this type of surgery
TECNOLOGIE E METODOLOGIE PER L’ACQUISIZIONE, LA GESTIONE E LA VALORIZZAZIONE DEI DATI DI SCAVO NEI PROGETTI ARCHEOLOGICI DELL’UNIVERSITÀ DEGLI STUDI DELL’AQUILA
No full textIn archaeological projects, the acquisition, management, and implementation of excavation
data are crucial to the success of the research and the accurate understanding of the
historical and cultural context of the sites investigated. Field data acquisition, especially, is the
first step in any archaeological research project. This paper will describe the main technologies
and methodologies for three-dimensional surveys of archaeological sites and digitization of
data acquired in research projects led by the Department of Human Sciences at the University
of L’Aquila. The same vector data are used as well in 3D modeling and virtual reality projects
in order to make the results of archaeological research understandable even to a non-expert
audience
Successful response of upadacitinib in different clinical phenotypes of atopic dermatitis
No full textIxekizumab as a successful treatment in pediatric generalized pustular psoriasis
Get PDFBackground: Generalized Pustular Psoriasis (GPP) is an autoinflammatory, multisystemic disease, characterized by widespread eruption of neutrophilic pustules on erythematous base, accompanied by systemic symptoms such as fever, leukocytosis, arthralgia, and general malaise. Globally, the disease is rare, particularly in children. If not adequately diagnosed and treated, systemic inflammation and multiorgan involvement can be life-threatening. The pathogenesis of GPP mainly involves the innate immune system, with inflammatory processes and neutrophil activation driven primarily by IL-36, but also by IL-1, TNF-alpha, IL-17 A. In particular, IL-17 A acts as a potent inducer of neutrophil recruitment. We report the case of a 7-years-old girl with GPP successfully treated with Ixekizumab, an IL-17 A antagonist. Case presentation: A 7-years-old girl with an history of plaque psoriasis came to our attention for the sudden appearance of erythematous patches surmounted by pustules on the trunk and lower limbs, following repeated episodes of purulent tonsillitis. We started therapy with cyclosporine at a dosage of 3,5 mg/kg/day, with no clinical benefit and progression of manifestations to a sub-erythrodermic state after 2 weeks. Blood tests showed neutrophilic leukocytosis, and the patient experienced hyperpyrexia and malaise. Since ixekizumab was recently approved for pediatric use in patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis, we started therapy with 80 mg Ixekizumab, combined with prednisone at a dosage of 12.5 mg/day, gradually tapered until discontinuation after 15 days. A second dose of Ixekizumab 40 mg was administered at week-4, according to the indication of ixekizumab in pediatric plaque psoriasis. At week-8 the patient achieved complete remission of skin manifestations and normalization of blood count. After achieving a stable remission, at week 36 we decided to increase the administration interval to 6 weeks. The patient is still on therapy with ixekizumab 40 mg every 6 weeks, maintaining complete remission during a 52-week follow-up, without safety concerns. Conclusions: This report supports the use of ixekizumab as a safe and effective option, both in the short and long-term, in the treatment of GPP, even at pediatric age. Larger studies are needed to confirm this positive, real-life experience
Biological monitoring of occupational exposure to inorganic lead: a comparison between salivary, blood and airborne lead levels
Get PDFBackground: Inorganic lead exposure is a relevant occupational health issue in many industry sectors. European regulations set specific limits for time-weighted chemical airborne exposure and for biological exposure. While blood lead monitoring is the current standard, saliva sampling offers a less invasive alternative for biomonitoring. This study evaluates the potential of salivary lead assessment as an alternative biological matrix for occupational exposure monitoring. Methods: An observational study was conducted at a lead-acid battery production facility in Central Italy from July to December 2024. Ninety-two male workers participated: 46 occupationally exposed and 46 non-exposed workers. Salivary lead levels were measured using ICP-MS in all participants. Blood lead levels and personal airborne lead assessments were performed in the exposed group. Socio-demographic data were collected through self-administered questionnaires. Results: Mean salivary lead levels were significantly higher in exposed workers (23.3 ± 41.4 ng/swab) compared to non-exposed workers (0.3 ± 0.6 ng/swab, p < 0.001). A moderate positive correlation was found between environmental and salivary lead levels (ρ = 0.5587, p = 0.0003). No significant correlations were observed between blood and salivary lead levels or between environmental and blood lead levels. Occupational exposure and alcohol consumption were significant predictors of salivary lead levels. Conclusions: Saliva appears to be a promising alternative matrix for recent lead exposure monitoring, showing better correlation with environmental exposure than blood lead levels. Further research is needed to establish reference values and standardize salivary lead biomonitoring protocols