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Cognitive Brain Networks and Enlarged Perivascular Spaces: Implications for Symptom Severity and Support Needs in Children with Autism
No full textLettere sforzesche. Formazione familiare e costruzione del potere nel Ducato di Milano
No full textIl volume per la prima volta analizza il tema dell'educazione epistolare e delle pratiche educative ad essa connesse alla corte degli Sforza nel XV secolo, nei suoi intrecci con le relazioni di potere che pervadono i rapporti familiari e politici dentro e fuori da quel particolare ambiente che si è venuto a costituire dopo il 1450, quando Francesco Sforza e Bianca Maria Visconti conquistano Milano. Attraverso un approccio interdisciplinare che combina l'analisi storica, la network analysis e l'uso di strumenti digitali, lo studio ricostruisce la rete di relazioni che legavano la duchessa di Milano al territorio e alle élite nazionali. Questo lavoro rappresenta un contributo per comprendere le dinamiche educative, relazionali e politiche dell'Umanesimo italiano e il ruolo delle pratiche epistolari nella costruzione del potere e della cultura
Three-Dimensional Posture Analysis-Based Modifications After Manual Therapy: A Preliminary Study
No full textBackground/Objectives: Manual therapies like Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment
(OMT) and Gentle Touch Intervention (GTI) are widely employed for improving
posture and spinal alignment, but their effects as measured using advanced technologies
remain underexplored. This study aims to evaluate the short-term postural effects of these
interventions using a non-invasive three-dimensional rasterstereography-based approach,
focusing on the cervical arrow, lumbar arrow, kyphotic angle, and lordotic angle parameters.
Methods: A three-armed randomized controlled trial was conducted with 165 healthy
participants. The subjects were divided into control (CTRL), OMT, and GTI groups. Their
postural parameters were assessed pre- and post-intervention using the Spine3D system by
Sensor Medica (Guidonia Montecelio, Italy). The statistical analyses included paired t-tests
and an ANOVA, with the significance set at p < 0.05. Results: Significant reductions in the
cervical arrow were observed in both the OMT (p < 0.005) and GTI (p < 0.05) groups, while
the kyphotic angle significantly improved only in the GTI group (p < 0.05). No significant
changes were found in the lumbar arrow or the lordotic angle across the groups. The
control group showed no postural variations, reinforcing the specificity of the interventions.
Conclusions: Both OMT and GTI influence spinal posture, particularly in the cervical
and thoracic regions. GTI, with its gentle approach, demonstrated unique effects on the
thoracic curvature, suggesting neurophysiological mechanisms. These findings highlight
the potential of manual therapies for posture modulation and suggest future research
should explore their long-term benefits and applications in clinical populations
Part I: Analysis of the Biological Activity of Acidic Polysaccharides Extracted from Marine Organisms Sarcotragus spinosulus and Holothuria tubulosa on Tumor Cell Lines MCF-7 and MDA-MB-23 Part II: Role of LRRK2 in Parkinson's Disease: Insights into Vesicular Trafficking and Neuroinflammation
No full textIn recent years, bioactive compounds extracted from primitive marine organisms have gained attention
for their potential anticancer properties. In this study, acidic polysaccharides (APs) from Holothuria
tubulosa and Sarcotragus spinosulus were investigated for their effects on MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7
breast cancer cells. Holothuria-derived APs (Ht1, Ht2) exhibited anticancer potential, with Ht1 reducing
cell viability and migration while promoting an epithelial-like phenotype in MDA-MB-231 cells. Ht1 also
upregulated E-cadherin, while Ht2 modulated matrix metalloproteinase expression. In contrast,
Sarcotragus-derived AP (Ss1) increased MCF-7 viability, downregulated E-cadherin, and upregulated
Vimentin, MT1-MMP, and MMP2, indicating EMT-like changes and potential tumor-promoting effects. No
effects were observed in 3D spheroids, likely due to the hydrophilic nature of APs. These findings
indicate Holothuria APs as potential anticancer agents and possible pro-tumorigenic effects of
Sarcotragus AP in MCF-7 cells.
Pathological mutations in the LRRK2 gene are the major genetic cause of Parkinson’s disease. LRRK2
function has been linked to the control of vesicle dynamics and in the regulation of the innate immune
system, but the molecular mechanisms are not fully elucidated. In this thesis we showed how exocyst
complex inhibition rescues mutant LRRK2 pathogenic phenotype in cellular and drosophila models.
Furthermore, prolonged exocyst inhibition leads to a reduction in the LRRK2 protein level, supporting
the role of the exocyst complex in the LRRK2 pathway. Using Drosophila LRRK2 models, we were able to
demonstrate a significant contribution of glial cells to the LRRK2 pathological phenotype. Furthermore,
in Drosophila, neurodegeneration is associated with a significant increase in specific inflammatory
peptides. Our study identifies the exocyst complex as a critical modulator of LRRK2 pathology and
underscores the role of glial cells in neurodegenerationIn recent years, bioactive compounds extracted from primitive marine organisms have gained attention for their potential anticancer properties. In this study, acidic polysaccharides (APs) from Holothuria tubulosa and Sarcotragus spinosulus were investigated for their effects on MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Holothuria-derived APs (Ht1, Ht2) exhibited anticancer potential, with Ht1 reducing cell viability and migration while promoting an epithelial-like phenotype in MDA-MB-231 cells. Ht1 also upregulated E-cadherin, while Ht2 modulated matrix metalloproteinase expression. In contrast, Sarcotragus-derived AP (Ss1) increased MCF-7 viability, downregulated E-cadherin, and upregulated Vimentin, MT1-MMP, and MMP2, indicating EMT-like changes and potential tumor-promoting effects. No effects were observed in 3D spheroids, likely due to the hydrophilic nature of APs. These findings indicate Holothuria APs as potential anticancer agents and possible pro-tumorigenic effects of Sarcotragus AP in MCF-7 cells.
Pathological mutations in the LRRK2 gene are the major genetic cause of Parkinson’s disease. LRRK2 function has been linked to the control of vesicle dynamics and in the regulation of the innate immune system, but the molecular mechanisms are not fully elucidated. In this thesis we showed how exocyst complex inhibition rescues mutant LRRK2 pathogenic phenotype in cellular and drosophila models. Furthermore, prolonged exocyst inhibition leads to a reduction in the LRRK2 protein level, supporting the role of the exocyst complex in the LRRK2 pathway. Using Drosophila LRRK2 models, we were able to demonstrate a significant contribution of glial cells to the LRRK2 pathological phenotype. Furthermore, in Drosophila, neurodegeneration is associated with a significant increase in specific inflammatory peptides. Our study identifies the exocyst complex as a critical modulator of LRRK2 pathology and underscores the role of glial cells in neurodegeneration
Predicting the nitrogen content of mediterranean forage crops: A remote sensing approach
No full textRemote sensing with Unpiloted Aerial Systems can provide information on the Nitrogen status of forage crops more quickly than destructive sampling techniques, which are not compliant with the need for fast and sustainable methodologies to support farmers’ decisions on livestock feeding. The study aimed to assess a remote sensing algorithm based on the Canopy Chlorophyll Content Index (CCCI) and the Canopy Nitrogen Index (CNI) to predict the canopy N content of forage crops under Mediterranean rainfed conditions. A dataset from a two-year field experiment on four forage crops, as both pure stands and mixtures, under two different mowing intensities was used to calculate CNI from plant N concentration and aboveground biomass. Multispectral data from an Unpiloted Aerial System were collected during the two-year cropping system to calculate CCCI. The N canopy content was then predicted based on the relationship between CNI and CCCI. A good agreement (RMSD = 4.72 g m−2, d = 0.92; P < 0.001) between the predicted and observed N canopy content (g m−2 of N) was found. The estimation of canopy N content improved under high cover of rigid ryegrass (RMSD = 5.56 g m−2, index of agreement = 0.95) and in frequently mowed plots. Overall, the agreement between observed and predicted N content improved under the threshold of 12.4 g m−2. The N content of different forage crops can be predicted from the remote-sensed CCCI starting from N dilution curves. The prediction accuracy is influenced by the mowing intensity and the differences in the relative abundance of species, and it is limited over a threshold of N corresponding to a high biomass level. The results can represent a basis for developing decision support tools for livestock farmers for a real-time field estimation of the forage quality in extensively managed grasslands. Further insights are needed to assess the predictive ability in relation to the relative abundance of legumes in mixtures and above the saturation threshold
Devices for minimally invasive liver parenchyma transection: the SICE (Italian Society of Endoscopic Surgery) Italian and International survey
No full textBackgrounds Minimally Invasive Liver Surgery (MILS), encompassing laparoscopic (L-MILS) and robotic (R-MILS) approaches, has revolutionized liver surgery, offering reduced morbidity, shorter hospital stays, and improved outcomes while maintaining oncological efficacy. Despite the widespread use of L-MILS, parenchyma liver transection techniques and devices remain debated. This study investigates the adoption of transection devices (TDs) in MILS among 86 hospitals, focusing on surgical practices, device utilization, and outcomes. Methods The Italian Society of Endoscopic Surgery (SICE) endorsed a cross-sectional internet-based survey targeting general and Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary surgeons. Results Responses from 86 centers revealed that 77% of institutions is available a robotic platform, with an adoption rate of 87.50% in high-volume centers. L-MILS remains the predominant technique for liver resections, also in case of major hepatectomies, although R-MILS is increasingly utilized. For minor L-MILS, more than 50% of respondents use ultrasonic shears and electrosurgical pencil and advanced bipolar devices, while about 40% of surgeons adopt Cavitronic Ultrasonic Surgical Aspirator (CUSA) in major resections. R-MILS procedures predominantly used Maryland bipolar forceps and vessel sealers, with hybrid techniques (30%) integrating laparoscopic devices (e.g., CUSA) to address robotic device limitations. Conclusion The minimally invasive approach to liver parenchymal transection is a key component of this surgical procedure. For major hepatectomies, the CUSA device remains the most effective tool, whereas ultrasonic shears, electrosurgical pencil, and advanced bipolar devices are more suited for minor resections. Despite limited access to specialized instruments, R-MILS achieves favorable outcomes in liver transection by employing the crash-clamp technique or hybrid strategies
Esercizi di sostenibilità per lo sviluppo. Pratiche di ricerca sui sistemi socio-ecologici nel Mediterraneo
No full textLo sviluppo sostenibile è un tema molto controverso e dibattuto sia dagli studiosi sia dall’opinione pubblica. Nel presente volume il concetto viene declinato in riferimento ai si-stemi socio-ecologici rurali del Mediterraneo, evidenziandone criticità e prospettive.
Attraverso contributi teorici, riflessioni metodologiche ed evidenze empiriche, si propo-ne un confronto tra le sfide poste dalla crescente complessità ambientale, sociale e cultu-rale dei territori rurali, adottando una prospettiva interdisciplinare e community-based.
Muovendo da una disamina delle principali teorie dello sviluppo, gli autori mettono in luce i limiti degli approcci meramente tecnici e standardizzati ai problemi socio-ambientali, proponendo l’integrazione tra saperi scientifici e conoscenze tacite come strategie di ri-sposta alle sempre crescenti pressioni legate ai cambiamenti climatici.
Vengono inoltre proposti i risultati di due ricerche internazionali realizzate nell’area del Mediterraneo. Nelle esperienze empiriche condotte, i sistemi socio-ecologici vengono ana-lizzati come sistemi culturali complessi nei quali l’interazione tra attori locali, istituzioni e ambiente naturale è determinante per l’elaborazione di soluzioni sostenibili.
Particolare attenzione è dedicata alle pratiche di ricerca-azione partecipata e all’utilizzo dei Living Lab come strumenti per la co-progettazione e la governance inclusiva.
Il volume offre un approccio teorico interdisciplinare e operativo utile a comprendere e ad affrontare la sostenibilità come processo sociale trasformativo
Applying an indirect method to assess the net carbon footprint of dairy sheep farms with a special focus on suckling lamb
No full textThe aim of this study was to apply an indirect method for estimating the net carbon footprint (Net-CFP) of dairy sheep farms with a special focus on suckling lamb footprint. Six medium (M) and six large (L) size dairy sheep farms located in Sardinia (Italy) were considered. Data were collected by interviewing the farmers, in a cradle to farm gate approach based on ISO14040:2006 and 14044:2006. The annual average of the 5 producing years was chosen as the temporal boundary. The GHG emissions associated with the main product (milk) and co-products (meat and wool) were determined using an economic allocation approach. The C sequestration in the soil was estimated by considering the above- and below-ground biomass residues and the organic C from the deposition of manure. Emission intensity was not influenced by the farms size. On average, the CFP was 2.64 kg CO2e/kg fat and protein corrected milk for milk, 7.94 kg CO2e/kg live weight sold and 13.24 kg CO2e/kg carcase for suckling lamb, 0.45 kg CO2e/kg greasy wool for greasy wool, and 1.29 kg CO2e/kg live weight sold for culled sheep. The impact was primarily affected by enteric CH4, accounting on average for 54%. When soil C sequestration was included in the model, the estimated emission associated to main product and co-products lowered by 30%. In conclusion, the inclusion of an indirect method to quantify soil C sequestration can improve the CFP estimation and could be a valuable alternative to expensive and laborious direct methods of soil C quantification
