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Immunomodulation for accelerated atherosclerosis in rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus
No full textIn the last decades, consisting evidence supported a close relationship between both innate and adaptive immune systems and the accelerated cardiovascular (CV) disease characterizing autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Indeed, several cell lines involved in the pathogenesis of these autoimmune diseases, such as macrophages and dendritic cells, as well as different T and B lymphocyte subsets, and inflammatory cytokines, have been demonstrated to be directly involved in the mechanisms underlying early atherosclerotic arterial wall damage. Traditional CV risk factors play a concomitant role but do not sufficiently account for the increased prevalence of CV disease in these patients. Indeed, the pathophysiological link between RA and SLE and atherosclerosis is based on complex inflammatory pathways that interconnect these conditions and may explain the significant morbidity and mortality rates demonstrated in these patients, with consequent significant negative effects on quality of life and long-term survival. Consequently, it is intriguing to hypothesize that immunosuppressive drugs commonly used in the treatment of these pathologies may also exert an immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effect in mitigating the atherosclerotic damage that has been demonstrated to occur early in the initial stages of the disease. Recognizing risk factors, predicting occurrences and early intervention to prevent CV disease development have emerged as critical objectives in RA and SLE treatment. In this review, we aimed to provide an updated overview of the atherogenic effects exerted by the immune and inflammatory pathways involved in the pathogenesis of RA and SLE. Moreover, we examined the available evidence which may support the potential effects of immunosuppressive therapies in reducing CV damage and, consequently, CV disease risk in these patients
Rethinking wildfire management policy: Suggestions from firefighters who experienced the 2017 extreme wildfires in Portugal
No full textThis report analyzes the perspectives of professional and volunteer firefighters who were directly involved in
combating extreme wildfire events during Portugal's 2017 fire season. The data were collected through two openended questions in a web-based survey, focusing on: i) lessons learned and ii) proposals for improving wildfire
suppression management. Responses were qualitatively examined, with categories defined using NVIVO software. Findings reveal that participants exhibit an incomplete understanding of extreme wildfires. Their responses
primarily emphasize: i) enhancing the current organizational structure and strengthening technical and human
resources within the suppression model (question 1), and ii) increasing human and material resources, establishing a unified command structure, ensuring operational independence from Civil Protection, and valuing
experience as key factors for improving Civil Protection (question 2). Minimal attention is directed toward
prevention measures and the concept of control capacity. Overall, responses to both questions reflect limited
knowledge of the unique challenges posed by extreme wildfires. The prevailing recommendation strengthens the
existing suppression model, which is largely viewed as the optimal solution. However, this perspective overlooks
the role of the suppression paradigm in contributing to fuel load accumulation and increased fire intensity, as
well as its inherent operational limitations
Modelling the Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystem Nexus for integrated and sustainable resource management in Sardinia region
No full textWater, energy, food, and ecosystem security serve as the main pillars of sustainable development, deeply linked in a way that shapes economic growth, human well-being and environmental balance. Sector-specific frameworks often neglect the intersectoral links resulting in fragmented solutions that lead to inefficiencies, unforeseen consequences and unsustainable outcomes that weaken the resilience of interdependent sectors. The compound uncertainty due to shift in climate extreme, socio-economic imbalance, and increasing resource demand intensified the issue related to the Water, Energy, Food and Ecosystem sectors. The integrated approach “nexus” provides the understanding of complex intersectoral systems, enhance the synergies and minimize trade-offs to optimise the efficiency of resources.
The main aim of this thesis is to enhance sustainable resource management, particularly focusing on the WEFE Nexus under historical conditions and projected changes in climate. The thesis is divided into two parts to obtain these objectives, beginning with chapter 2 where a comprehensive assessment of the Water-Food (WF) Nexus in the Sardinia region is carried on. This objective was achieved by utilizing the Simulation of Evapotranspiration of Applied Water model integrated with GIS libraries (SIMETAW_GIS), i.e., the crop-water-soil balance model used to accurately estimate the crop water demand and quantify the yield losses due to water stress under historical and future projections. The modelling of crop water demand and the effect of water scarcity on crops delivers critical perceptions for the policymakers that can support the management of water resources and form the foundation for adaptation management strategies in the Sardinia region.
Chapter 3 expands the WF Nexus to a more holistic Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystem Nexus analysis utilizing both qualitative and quantitative tools to understand and assess the complexity of the intertwined nature of WEFE systems with a special focus on seven hydrographic subbasins of Sardinia region. The qualitative tools Hoff WEF Nexus analytical framework and Causal Loop Diagram (CLD) were utilized to capture and explore the key linkages between water, energy, food, and ecosystem sectors. The novel quantitative tool R-WEFE Nexus platform was validated and coupled with climate change and socio-economic scenarios to investigate the nexus behaviour under various scenario conditions and policy frameworks. The policies were assessed against predefined thresholds to test the effective resource management and ensure the sustainability of sectoral strategies with sustainability goals. The study identifies favorable and unfavorable trajectories offering strategic recommendations for better nexus performance. These include adaptive strategies for enhancing water resource management, tourism management, sustainable land management, decarbonizing the economy by increasing the proportion of renewable energy, agriculture resilience, and ensuring ecosystem integrity. The multiple policies were tested in R-WEFE Nexus platform effectively addressing the compound uncertainty stemming from socio-economic shift and hydroclimate variability intensified by changes in climate conditions.
The thesis provided valuable findings and recommendations, particularly focusing on the holistic WEFE sectors of Sardinia Island. The application of the SIMETAW_GIS model and R-WEFE Nexus platform effectively assessed the W-F Nexus and WEFE Nexus sectors respectively. Projected changes in socio-economic and climate change highlight the increasing uncertainty in the WEFE sectors.Water, energy, food, and ecosystem security serve as the main pillars of sustainable development, deeply linked in a way that shapes economic growth, human well-being and environmental balance. Sector-specific frameworks often neglect the intersectoral links resulting in fragmented solutions that lead to inefficiencies, unforeseen consequences and unsustainable outcomes that weaken the resilience of interdependent sectors. The compound uncertainty due to shift in climate extreme, socio-economic imbalance, and increasing resource demand intensified the issue related to the Water, Energy, Food and Ecosystem sectors. The integrated approach “nexus” provides the understanding of complex intersectoral systems, enhance the synergies and minimize trade-offs to optimise the efficiency of resources.
The main aim of this thesis is to enhance sustainable resource management, particularly focusing on the WEFE Nexus under historical conditions and projected changes in climate. The thesis is divided into two parts to obtain these objectives, beginning with chapter 2 where a comprehensive assessment of the Water-Food (WF) Nexus in the Sardinia region is carried on. This objective was achieved by utilizing the Simulation of Evapotranspiration of Applied Water model integrated with GIS libraries (SIMETAW_GIS), i.e., the crop-water-soil balance model used to accurately estimate the crop water demand and quantify the yield losses due to water stress under historical and future projections. The modelling of crop water demand and the effect of water scarcity on crops delivers critical perceptions for the policymakers that can support the management of water resources and form the foundation for adaptation management strategies in the Sardinia region.
Chapter 3 expands the WF Nexus to a more holistic Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystem Nexus analysis utilizing both qualitative and quantitative tools to understand and assess the complexity of the intertwined nature of WEFE systems with a special focus on seven hydrographic subbasins of Sardinia region. The qualitative tools Hoff WEF Nexus analytical framework and Causal Loop Diagram (CLD) were utilized to capture and explore the key linkages between water, energy, food, and ecosystem sectors. The novel quantitative tool R-WEFE Nexus platform was validated and coupled with climate change and socio-economic scenarios to investigate the nexus behaviour under various scenario conditions and policy frameworks. The policies were assessed against predefined thresholds to test the effective resource management and ensure the sustainability of sectoral strategies with sustainability goals. The study identifies favorable and unfavorable trajectories offering strategic recommendations for better nexus performance. These include adaptive strategies for enhancing water resource management, tourism management, sustainable land management, decarbonizing the economy by increasing the proportion of renewable energy, agriculture resilience, and ensuring ecosystem integrity. The multiple policies were tested in R-WEFE Nexus platform effectively addressing the compound uncertainty stemming from socio-economic shift and hydroclimate variability intensified by changes in climate conditions.
The thesis provided valuable findings and recommendations, particularly focusing on the holistic WEFE sectors of Sardinia Island. The application of the SIMETAW_GIS model and R-WEFE Nexus platform effectively assessed the W-F Nexus and WEFE Nexus sectors respectively. Projected changes in socio-economic and climate change highlight the increasing uncertainty in the WEFE sectors
Mycobacterium avium Subsp. paratuberculosis and Human Endogenous Retrovirus in Italian Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
No full textInflammatory bowel disease (IBD), comprising ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are distinct gastrointestinal disorders. Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) is implicated in IBD pathogenesis, while the roles of human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) are under investigation. We aimed (a) to investigate whether the levels of humoral response to MAP-3865c, HERV-K envelope and HERV-W envelope against the epitopes in IBD/IBS patients; (b) to determine the frequency of micronuclei in IBD patients and (c) to evaluate the possible correlation between genomic damage and humoral response. This study investigates antibody titres against MAP 3865c, HERV-K env and HERV-W env in plasma from 102 IBD, 20 IBS patients and 92 healthy controls (HCs). Micronuclei (MNi) frequency in IBD patients is assessed, correlating with humoral responses and patient genotype profiles. IBD patients exhibited elevated antibody responses to MAP 3865c, with those carrying the GA genotype for TNF-alpha showing higher anti-MAP 3865c IgG levels. A significant positive correlation was observed between MNi frequency and the humoral response against MAP 3865c in IBD patients. Higher antibody responses to HERV-K env were detected in both IBD and IBS patients compared to HCs, with significant positive correlations found between MAP 3865c and HERV-K env peptide responses in IBD patients. HERV-W env antibody levels were higher in IBS patients than in HCs. Our findings highlight the association between UC and CD and immune responses targeting MAP and HERV-Kenv. Specific genetic profiles may exacerbate inflammation, potentially amplifying genetic damage observed in IBD patients, as indicated by MNi frequencies
From Waste to Resource Using Recycled Stone in 3D-Printed Building Elements
No full textThe environmental impact of conventional construction materials, particularly those reliant on traditional stone extraction and processing methods, is substantial. Key data points highlight carbon emissions from stone extraction, waste generation, energy-intensive processing, transportation-related emissions, and habitat destruction. Construction and mining are critical economic sectors, jointly producing 65% of waste on a European scale (EEA – European Environment Agency (2023). Tracking waste prevention progress — A narrative-based waste prevention monitoring framework at the EU level, EEA Report no 2. http://eea.europa.eu/publications/tracking-waste-prevention-progress. Accessed 06 March 2024). Stone waste, a by-product of mining and manufacturing, poses environmental challenges during disposal. In fact, in the stone sector, up to 71% of material becomes waste, with mining waste accounting for 51% and processing waste for 41% of raw production quantity (Italian Trade Agency (2020). Nota di mercato – Settore lapideo, Miami (US). [Online] Available at: ice.it/it/sites/default/files/inline-files/Nota di Mercato - Lapideo - Aprile 2020.pdf. Accessed 06 Oct 2023; Montani, C. (2017). XXVIII Rapporto Marmi e Pietre nel Mondo – 2017 – Marble and Stone in the world, Aldus, Carrara. [Online] Available at: issuu.com/marmonews/docs/rapporto_2017_screen. Accessed 10 Oct 2023). To address this, an innovative approach to design and production process is essential to reintegrate scrap material into the production cycle (Baratta. Agathón | International Journal of Architecture, Art and Design, 9:32–41, 2021), enhancing product flexibility and customization. This study explores the potentiality to transforming this waste into a valuable resource through 3D printing, contributing to the circular economy. Successful case studies demonstrate recycled stone waste as a sustainable alternative for 3D-printed architectural elements, reducing greenhouse gas emissions associated with traditional stone extraction and processing, also the transportation. Recent research encourages experimenting with structural and nonstructural modular elements, decorative wall cladding, and urban furnishings made with additive manufacturing processes. However, surface finish and mechanical performance of these components need improvement. Furthermore, it is also fundamental evaluating component disposal and transformation prospects, by analyzing their recycle potentialities.
By analyzing component performance achievable with this technology and processing times, we can assess the environmental impact. This research demonstrates that the components made by 3D print may become complementary to natural stone elements, recovering 80% of waste material. This could be reduced excavation and pollution. Shifting design paradigms allow creating them from waste, minimizing energy consumption and long-distance transportation
Effect of heat stress on milk production traits and milk coagulation properties in dairy sheep
No full textHeat stress in farmed animals is becoming a problem of great importance even in temperate climates, especially due to the increase in average global temperatures. Previous studies conducted on sheep have reported negative effects of heat stress on milk yield and composition and on the cheesemaking properties. The study of the effect of heat stress in sheep is complicated by the seasonality of calving and the overlap of the effects of the lactation stage with those of the climate. The aim of this work was to study the effects of heat stress in dairy sheep through a repeated measures model, separating the lactation stage and climate effects. The dataset included 2,695 repeated measurements of 555 Sardinian sheep, raised in 34 farms in Sardinia. The analyzed phenotypes were milk yield, fat, protein, lactose and somatic cell contents, milk coagulation properties (rennet clotting time, curd firming time, curd firmness), and individual laboratory cheese yield (ILCY). Temperature and humidity values of the day of the survey and of the 3 previous days were provided by the regional agency for the protection of the environment (Agenzia Regionale per la Protezione dell'Ambiente of the Sardinia Region). Climate data were then used to calculate the respective temperature and humidity indices. The effect of the temperature-humidity index (THI) was evaluated using a linear mixed model that considered stage of lactation (DIM), parity, maximum value of hourly THI calculated over 24 h (THImax) class (divided into quartiles), DIM × THI interaction, and sampling date; the farm and the animal were considered random effects. The DIM × THI interaction was significant for all parameters except somatic cells and curd firmness. Milk yield showed an increase from the first to the third THImax class and a reduction in the fourth class (THI > 73); this trend was the same in the 3 lactation stages (early, mid, and late). Fat content showed an opposite trend, independent of the lactation stage. Proteins decreased linearly at the beginning and mid lactation whereas they showed no significant changes at the end of lactation. Lactose was reduced in the fourth class of THImax, both in mid and late lactation. Rennet clotting time showed different patterns depending on DIM, whereas ILCY showed worse values as THImax increased, especially in early and mid lactation. The study of THI in the different phases of lactation made it possible to separate the 2 effects on the parameters studied and highlighted how in dairy sheep, heat stress leads to a reduction in production and a general worsening of the quality of the milk
Designing a multiple case study approach for studying universities’ community engagement
No full textThis working paper outlines the methodological design employed by PLACES (Portraits and Landscapes of Academic Community Engagement Scholarship), a PRIN 2022 project, that investigates science-society interactions through Community Engagement (CE) initiatives in higher education institutions across Italy, France, and the United Kingdom. Drawing on a multiple case study methodology, this project aims to explore how and why universities engage with their communities and examines the conditions that enable or constrain such initiatives and their transformative potential. PLACES integrates macro-, meso-, and micro-levels of analysis across three countries to address the complexity and context-dependency of CE practices, encompassing policy and systemic frameworks, institutional practices, and individual scholars’ experiences. By investigating diverse institutional contexts and drawing from a combination of data sources including policy documents, quantitative indicators, and qualitative interviews, the project employs data triangulation to provide an in-depth investigation of the object of study. The cases selected by this study reflect different academic traditions and administrative models, offering a foundation for cross-national comparisons. Ultimately, by studying situated CE initiatives within broader systemic and institutional contexts, PLACES seeks to provide evidence-based insights for university managers, policymakers, and scholars and contributes to the ongoing debate on the role of universities as active agents of societal change in an evolving higher education landscape