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The Anchimetamorphic Tectonic Mélange of Tempa Roccarossa (Southern Apennines, Italy): Insights on the Kinematic and Thermobaric Evolution of the Upper Miocene‐Pliocene Orogenic Wedge
No full textStudies of tectonic mélanges provide constraints on the evolution of active plate margins. However, resolving the pressure-temperature trajectories of these deformed rocks, which are exhumed from low-temperature conditions, can be challenging. We analyzed a Late Miocene-Early Pliocene tectonic mélange formed in a shear zone in the southern Apennines (Basilicata, Italy), located in the hanging wall of a regional thrust, to provide estimates of temperature, pressure and strain. The mélange comprises slates with a fine-grained phyllosilicate matrix embedding larger porphyroclasts with relict S0 bedding. Electronic microscope analysis revealed a disjunctive cleavage (S1), partially to fully transposed by a top-to-the-E/SE crenulation cleavage (S2) marked by white mica and chlorite. A late weak cleavage (S3) is not accompanied by newly formed minerals. Kinematic vorticity analysis indicates a range of 20%–35% coaxial strain, whereas 3D strain analysis of deformed clasts suggests oblate strain. X-Ray Powder Diffraction analysis of grains <2 μm indicates anchimetamorphic conditions between 200 and 250°C, with temperatures increasing by 50°C toward the thrust contact. Multi-equilibrium modeling of coarser S1-S2 grains ranges from 300 to 380°C, independent of their position in the shear zone. We attribute the low-temperature range of finer grains to Apennine anchimetamorphism, whereas grains >2 μm are likely detrital and record higher pressure-temperature conditions. Assuming a regional paleogeothermal gradient of 20°C/km, we estimate a maximum burial depth of about 12 km and a pressure of 0.32 GPa. This approach can be applied to similar contexts worldwide, providing a tool for regional tectonic reconstruction and process-oriented studies
Human Endogenous Retroviruses as Novel Therapeutic Targets in Neurodegenerative Disorders
No full textHuman Endogenous Retroviruses comprise approximately 8% of the human genome, serving as fragments of ancient retroviral infections. Although they are generally maintained in a silenced state by robust epigenetic mechanisms, specific HERV groups, particularly HERV-W and HERV-K, can become derepressed under specific pathological conditions, thereby contributing to the initiation and progression of neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative processes. Preclinical studies and clinical trials, such as those investigating monoclonal antibodies, indicate that directly targeting these elements may offer a novel therapeutic strategy. In this review, we provide an overview of HERVs′ biology, examine their role in neurodegenerative diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer′s disease, and Parkinson′s disease, and explore their therapeutic prospects, highlighting both the challenges and the potential future research directions needed to translate these approaches into clinical interventions
A Characterization of the Humoral Immune Response to Human Endogenous Retroviruses and Mycobacterium paratuberculosis in Crohn’s Disease
No full textCrohn’s disease (CD) is a multifactorial polygenic inflammatory bowel disease linked to aberrant immune response. Mycobacterium paratuberculosis (MAP) has been associated with CD; however, detecting MAP in CD tissues remains highly challenging. Recently, Human Endogenous Retroviruses (HERVs) differential gene expression has been reported in CD, but little is known about the involvement of MAP and HERVs in CD pathology. This study aimed to characterize the humoral response against HERV-K, HERV-W, and MAP antigens using an indirect ELISA in plasma samples from CD patients and age- and gender-matched healthy controls (HCs). We observed a significant antibody response against HERV-K and HERV-W epitopes in CD patients in comparison to MAP epitopes, as well as a higher overall antibody response in patients compared to HCs. This study is the first to report the presence of humoral immune response against HERVs antigens in CD. Considering the pro-inflammatory nature of CD, HERVs may contribute to the development or progression of disease in genetically predisposed individuals. However, further research is needed to better understand the complex role of HERVs in CD
Diagnostic Stratification of Prostate Cancer Through Blood-Based Biochemical and Inflammatory Markers
No full textBackground: Prostate cancer (PCa) remains one of the most prevalent malignancies in men, with diagnostic challenges arising from the limited specificity of current biomarkers, like PSA. Improved stratification tools are essential to reduce overdiagnosis and guide personalized patient management. Objective: This study aimed to identify and validate clinical and hematological biomarkers capable of differentiating PCa from benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and precancerous lesions (PL) using univariate and multivariate statistical methods. Methods: In a cohort of 514 patients with suspected PCa, we performed a univariate analysis (Kruskal-Wallis and ANOVA) with preprocessing via adaptive Box-Cox transformation and missing value imputation through probabilistic principal component analysis (PPCA). LASSO regression was used for variable selection and classification. An ROC curve analysis assessed diagnostic performance. Results: Five variables-age, PSA, Index %, hemoglobin (HGB), and the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF)-were consistently significant across univariate and multivariate analyses. The LASSO regression achieved a classification accuracy of 70% and an AUC of 0.74. Biplot and post-hoc analyses confirmed partial separation between PCa and benign conditions. Conclusions: The integration of multivariate modeling with reconstructed clinical data enabled the identification of blood-based biomarkers with strong diagnostic potential. These routinely available, cost-effective indicators may support early PCa diagnosis and patient stratification, reducing unnecessary invasive procedures
CO2 removal to reach net zero warming of global methane and nitrous oxide emissions of livestock: Comparison of two metrics under different 2050 FAO scenarios
No full textAchieving global climate targets requires accurate quantification of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and their implied impact on temperature. However, the choice of emission metric—particularly between Global Warming Potential over 100 years (GWP100) and Global Warming Potential Star (GWP*)—can significantly influence how emissions and their contributions to global warming are represented in climate assessments. While metrics do not alter physical temperature outcomes, they affect how emissions’ impacts are interpreted, which in turn influences carbon dioxide removal (CDR) estimates and mitigation strategies. Using FAO projections for global livestock emissions to 2050, we analyze how different metric choices affect estimates of the CDR required to offset methane (CH4) emissions and achieve no additional warming condition. Our findings highlight that GWP100 can overestimate or underestimate the cumulative warming impact of CH4 emissions under different emission trajectories, whereas GWP* provides a dynamic approach that better aligns with temperature goals. These differences have critical implications for climate policy, as they influence the perceived effectiveness of mitigation strategies and the allocation of CDR requirements. This study underscores the necessity of selecting appropriate metrics when designing climate mitigation frameworks, particularly for methane-intensive sectors like livestock, to ensure an accurate representation of their contribution to global temperature targets
Commento all’art. 707-bis c.p. Possesso ingiustificato di strumenti per il sondaggio del terreno o di apparecchiature per la rilevazione dei metalli
No full textCorrection: European clinical practice guideline: managing and treating laryngopharyngeal reflux disease(European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, 10.1007/s00405-024-09181-z)
No full textIn this article, the affiliation details for Haldun Oguz were incorrectly given as ‘Department of Otolaryngology, Fonomer, Ankara, Turkey’ but should have been ‘Fonomer Phoniatrics & Audiology Clinic, Ankara, Turkiye and Faculty of Medicine, Lokman Hekim University, Ankara, Turkiye’. The affiliation details for Nora Siupsinskiene were incorrectly given as ‘Department of Otolaryngology, Academy of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Klaipėda University, Kaunas, Lithuania’ but should have been ‘Department of Otolaryngology, Academy of Medicine, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania and Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Klaipeda, Klaipeda, Lithuania’. The original article has been corrected
L’esportazione del metodo normale in Sardegna (1826-1844)
No full textHow did the transfer of the Metodo Normale, employed in the model
school of Milan in the first quarter of the 19th century, take place in Sardinian
elementary schools? The correspondence between Francesco Cherubini, who
was deeply committed to the translation of the Metodo Normale in the Kingdom
of Lombardy–Venetia, and the Sardinian priest Antonio Manunta, who had the
opportunity to experiment with the application of the simultaneous method
during an internship in Brera, illustrates the expectations that the new system
aroused on the island and accounts for the dissatisfaction stemming from its initial
practical implementation. The migration of new teaching practices from Central
Europe to Southern Italy also serves as an opportunity to examine the hopes and
disillusionments arising from educational reforms that were carried out without a
profound transformation in the training of teachers
Thymus syriacus Essential Oil Extract: Potential Antileishmanial Activity Induced by an Apoptotic-like Death
No full textBackground: Chemotherapy continues to be the cornerstone for the management of leishmaniasis. The preferred medications are pricey and have a number of unfavorable side effects. These restrictions make it necessary to produce novel antileishmanial chemicals, and plants have opportunities in this respect. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the antileishmanial properties of Thymus syriacus essential oil and its mechanisms of action. Results: Our findings demonstrated that Thymus syriacus essential oil, rich in thymol, exhibited potent antileishmanial activity, with an IC50 value of approximately 1 μg/mL against L. tropica promastigotes. Furthermore, the cell cycle arrest at the sub-G0-G1 phase supported the theory that the leishmanicidal effect was mediated by apoptosis. Methods: The essential oil was characterized using gas chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. Antileishmanial activity against L. tropica promastigotes was assessed, with mechanisms confirmed via flow cytometry. Conclusions: These results confirm the potential of Thymus syriacus essential oil as a promising therapeutic candidate for the treatment of leishmaniasis
(Dys)regulation of the Immune System in Parkinson's Disease: Methodologies, Techniques, and Key Findings from Human Studies
No full textParkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder, characterized by the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the midbrain. While PD is typically considered a disorder primarily affecting the central nervous system, there is mounting evidence of cellular dysfunction and PD pathology occurring in the peripheral nervous system, likely preceding central manifestations. In this context, it has become increasingly evident that dysregulation of both the central and the peripheral immune system plays a key role in PD pathogenesis and progression. In this narrative review, we describe and discuss the methodological approaches employed in human studies to investigate immune responses in PD pathogenesis and progression, their main findings and the potential to unveil novel therapeutic avenues. In particular, we present methodologies employed in and insights gained from human genetic studies, techniques utilized to investigate neuroinflammatory processes in post-mortem and living human brains, to investigate the blood-brain barrier, as well as the involvement of peripheral T cells and innate immune cells. Additionally, we elucidate methodologies utilized to explore the roles of mitochondrial dysfunction and infectious diseases in PD. Finally, we address the causes behind conflicting findings in the published literature, which may stem from disparities in sample ascertainment schemes, immunological protocols, and analysis designs. Given these challenges, it becomes imperative to develop methodological guidelines to enhance the validity of immunological studies in PD and facilitate their translation into clinical medicine