ARUd’A (Università “G. d’Annunzio CHIETI -PESCARA)
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Sustainable Photocatalytic Reduction of Maleic Acid: Enhancing CuxO/ZnO Stability with Polydopamine
Get PDFThe development of effective photocatalysts for environmental applications is still a critical aspect of green chemistry. This study explores copper oxide (CuxO) catalysts supported on titanium dioxide (TiO2) and zinc oxide (ZnO) for the photocatalytic reduction of maleic acid to succinic acid under ultraviolet (UV) light in water. The main goal was to evaluate the performance of CuO/ZnO compared to CuO/TiO2 in photoreduction. In order to improve the efficiency of the first catalyst, an environmentally friendly synthesis, assisted by polydopamine (PDA), was tested, obtaining the Cu2O/ZnO-PDA catalyst. The results showed that CuO/TiO2 exhibited the highest activity for maleic acid reduction, obtaining a succinic acid yield and a selectivity of 32% after 24 h of reaction time, but comparable results could be reached even with Cu2O/ZnO-PDA increasing the reaction time. Furthermore, the addition of sodium ascorbate as a co-catalyst in the reaction mixture allowed us to overtake the previous results, leading to a succinic acid yield of 61% and a selectivity of 67%. These findings suggest that the PDA shell can be a solution for CuxO photodegradation, making Cu2O/ZnO-PDA an alternative to the toxic CuO/TiO2
L'Impatto delle innovazioni tecniche, tecnologiche e digitali sui processi decisionali aziendali. Uno studio sulle imprese abruzzesi.
No full textLe tecnologie dell’Industria 4.0 come l’intelligenza artificiale industriale, il cloud computing, le simulazioni e l’analisi di big data sono in grado di produrre significativi cambiamenti nei processi aziendali e produttivi, rendendoli sempre più automatizzati e digitali. La condivisione dell’ambiente di lavoro tra uomo e macchina comporta la necessità di riorganizzare spazi e ruoli all’interno delle organizzazioni e di ripensare anche al modo in cui vengono prese le decisioni.
Il lavoro, tramite l’analisi della letteratura di riferimento e dei risultati di uno studio empirico, esplora la relazione tra tecnologie dell’Industria 4.0 e processo decisionale aziendale. A fronte della rilevata consapevolezza all’interno delle imprese coinvolte nella ricerca, del potenziale dell’implementazione delle nuove tecnologie per il miglioramento del processo decisionale, il lavoro evidenzia un’adozione delle medesime ancora contenuta, collegata, principalmente, ad una non ancora matura conoscenza della loro effettiva utilità ed al permanere di uno sbilanciamento dei processi decisionali sulla componente umana. Ciò non consente di valorizzare, in maniera equilibrata, l’apporto del fattore tecnologico nelle decisioni aziendali
Plasma Cell Gingivitis: Clinical Presentation, Histopathologic Correlation, and Therapeutic Challenges
No full textBackground/Objectives: Plasma cell gingivitis (PCG) is a rare, benign, non-dental-plaque-induced inflammatory condition characterized by dense subepithelial infiltration of polyclonal plasma cells. Due to its nonspecific clinical presentation, PCG represents a diagnostic challenge. This case report aims to describe a clinical case of PCG, highlighting the diagnostic process, histopathological correlation, and therapeutic approach. Methods: A 57-year-old male presented with a polypoid, erythematous, and edematous gingival lesion in the anterior maxillary region, with spontaneous bleeding on probing. Following clinic assessment, an incisional biopsy was performed, alongside complete hematological and inflammatory profiling. Histological and immunohistochemical analyses revealed the presence of an inflammatory infiltrate. Results: Histological evaluation revealed spongiotic squamous epithelium characterized by a dense plasma cell infiltrate with a liquenoid pattern of CD3-positive T and CD20-positive B lymphocytes. A polytypic expression of kappa and lambda light chains was also detected. The patient underwent topical corticosteroid therapy, showing progressive clinical improvement and resolution of symptoms, although minor mucosal involvement persisted. Conclusions: PCG remains a rare and underdiagnosed condition requiring integration of clinical, hematological, and histopathological data for accurate diagnosis. While corticosteroids remain the first-line therapy, emerging treatments, including photobiomodulation, may offer future adjunctive strategies to improve outcomes and reduce recurrence
Human osteosarcoma cell secretome impairs neonatal mouse calvarial osteogenic cells functions and modifies the nanoparticles-derived protein profile
Get PDFOsteosarcoma is the most common pediatric primary bone tumor, whose growth strictly relies on a complex interplay among tumor cells, resident cells, and the bone matrix. We investigated the effects of secretome collected from the human osteosarcoma cell line MNNG/HOS on mouse primary osteogenic cells, finding that prolonged exposure alters osteoblast phenotype and activity. MNNG/HOS secretome also reduces the production and release of collagen type I, the most abundant constituent of the bone matrix, and hinders osteoblast ability to form nodule of mineralization, compared to osteogenic cells treated with their own secretome. Given the crucial role exerted by secretome on tumor growth, we aimed also to determine whether osteosarcoma cells secretome can influence the osteoblast release of extracellular nanoparticles (NPs) as well as NPs protein cargo. Intriguingly, we found that MNNG/HOS secretome exerts a direct effect on osteoblast-NPs, reprogramming their protein cargo and subsequently influencing extracellular matrix composition and collagen formation, in favor of tumor progression. Overall, our findings indicate the ability of MNNG/HOS cells to fuel their own malignancy by deranging bone matrix composition and stimulating osteoblast-nanoparticles shuttling of osteosarcoma promoting factors
Self-confidence, mental toughness, and psychobiosocial experiences in elite rugby players
No full textThe aim of this study was to investigate the relationships between self-confidence, mental toughness, coping functions, challenge and threat appraisals, and functional psychobiosocial experiences. This investigation was conducted within the framework of multi-states (MuSt) theory. The sample consisted of 76 elite male athletes, ranging in age from 19 to 33 years, representing the Italian rugby union national team participating in the 2024 edition of the Men's Six Nations Championship. Assessments took place during training camps in preparation for the Championship. The results from serial mediation analysis showed that problem-focused coping and challenge appraisal played a mediating role in the relationship between self-confidence, mental toughness, and functional psychobiosocial experiences. These findings support MuSt theory assumptions and have practical implications for the development of training programs aimed at enhancing athletes' wellbeing and performance
Risk Factors for Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt Infection: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Get PDFBackground: Ventriculoperitoneal shunting (VPS) is the mainstay of treatment for most forms of hydrocephalus; VPS infection (VPSI) is a leading cause of shunt-related morbidity and mortality. A meta-analysis of the existing literature on risk factors for VPSI is currently lacking. Herein, the authors performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the role of different clinical factors in the development of VPSI. Methods: A systematic search in the PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane databases was performed to identify studies comparing patients developing VPSI to controls. The following data were extracted where available: number of patients who developed VPSI vs. number of patients with a regular course, demographics (gender, age at VPS insertion, age > 18 years), average length of hospital stay before shunt implant (days), aetiology of hydrocephalus (tumour-associated hydrocephalus; post-haemorrhagic hydrocephalus; congenital hydrocephalus; spinal dysraphism-associated hydrocephalus; post-infectious hydrocephalus; post-traumatic hydrocephalus; post-craniotomy hydrocephalus), and hydrocephalus type (obstructive hydrocephalus, communicating hydrocephalus, normal-pressure hydrocephalus—NPH). Results: Five studies including 2333 patients (225 with VPS infection) were analysed. Tumour-related hydrocephalus was linked to a lower infection risk (OR 0.418; p < 0.001), while congenital hydrocephalus (OR 2.502; p < 0.001) and spinal dysraphism (OR 2.359; p < 0.001) increased the risk. Conclusions: VPSI represents a serious complication after shunt surgery. Our meta-analysis identifies three key factors influencing the risk of VPSI. VPS-centred, large multicentre prospective studies are needed to possibly confirm the role of the factors we identified and to identify additional ones, enabling earlier detection of VPSI and allowing for better patient care
Why Fear, Anxiety and Mistrust are Spreading in Today’s Society
No full textThe paper focuses its analysis on western countries, since
anxiety and fear are the subject of their traditional way of thought
and their culture. Furthermore, western countries
have developed a particular sensitivity towards such subjects
or disorders. While this is not a phenomenon found only in the west,
the WHO reported that disorders linked
to stress (depression and anxiety) are more frequently diagnosed
in the western countries, also through their greater awareness and
better access to mental health services. The scientific literature also
shows that western societies tend to be more vulnerable to forms of
stress due to their employment, economic and social structures.
The ICT contributes to all this since the connection is
permanent, dismantling the barriers between work and private life.
In the first part we will
see how anxiety is the product of western culture and we will
examine the profiles and structure of mental health, including from
the quantitative point of view. We will then explore its social causes
in the second part, focusing in particular on climate change; and in
the third part we will deal with the economic aspects as giving rise
to states of anxiety and stress. Economic aspects are impacted by
globalization processes and by technological innovations, given the
effect they have on the world of work and on employment levels.
This requires measures for the efficient handling of processes of
change, reducing the uncertainty thus produced and mitigating feelings
of anxiety and fear
Substantia nigra degeneration in spinocerebellar ataxia 2 and 7 using neuromelanin‐sensitive imaging
Get PDFObjective: Spinocerebellar ataxias (SCA) are neurodegenerative diseases with widespread lesions across the central nervous system. Ataxia and spasticity are usually predominant, but patients may also present with parkinsonism. We aimed to characterize substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) degeneration in SCA2 and 7 using neuromelanin-sensitive imaging. Methods: Ataxic and preataxic expansion carriers with SCA2 (n=15) and SCA7 (n=15) and healthy controls (n=10) were prospectively recruited. Volume and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) values of the SNc were extracted from neuromelanin-sensitive images. ROC curves were used to determine the metrics that best differentiated SCA participants. Correlations between imaging measurements, clinical variables, and plasma neurofilaments light chain (NfL) levels were investigated. Results: SCA2 participants had lower SNR values in the SNc than controls (110.2 ± 1.3 versus 113.2 ± 1.4; p < 0.001) and those with SCA7 (112.5 ± 2.1; p < 0.01). SNR in SCA7 participants and controls did not differ. In ataxic patients, SNc volumes were lower in SCA2 (0.13 ± 0.04; p = 0.06) and SCA7 (0.10 ± 0.03, p = 0.02) patients compared to controls (0.17 ± 0.04). Signal decrease was detected at the preataxic stage in SCA2, but not in SCA7. SCA2 participants showed prominent involvement of the associative and limbic nigral territories. SNR discriminated ataxic and preataxic SCA2 participants from controls (AUC ≥0.94). SNc volume differentiated ataxic SCA7 participants from controls (AUC = 1), but not preataxic ones. In SCA7, correlations were observed between SNc volume and time to onset, CAG repeats, clinical severity scores, and NfL. Conclusions: Neuromelanin-sensitive imaging provides biomarkers of nigral degeneration in SCAs, detectable from the preataxic stage in SCA2, which could potentially serve as outcome measures in clinical trials
Chemical analysis of plasma-activated culture media by ion chromatography
Get PDFBackground: Currently, the procedures and methods applied in biological and medical fields for the determination of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS), primarily rely on spectrophotometric techniques, which involve the use of colorimetric reagents. While these methods are widely accepted, they exhibit significant limitations from an analytical standpoint, particularly due to potential inaccuracies, artifacts, and pronounced susceptibility to matrix effects. The purpose of this Technical Note is to demonstrate the application of ion chromatography—a robust and well-established analytical technique—for the quantification of RONS produced in cell culture media through the exposure to cold atmospheric plasma (CAP), an innovative therapeutic approach for cancer treatment, known as CAP indirect treatment. In addition, the present protocol proposes to apply the pharmacokinetics principles to the RONS generated in plasma-treated liquids (PTLs) following CAP exposure. Methods: The strategy involves elucidating the kinetic profiles of certain characteristic species by evaluating their half-life in the specific media used for cell cultures and investigating their “pharmacokinetic” (PK) profile. In this approach the drug dose is represented by the plasma power and the infusion time corresponds to the exposure time of the culture medium to CAP. Volume-dependent results were shown, focusing on nitrites and nitrates activities, justifying cellular inhibition. Results: This methodology enables the correlation of the PTL biological effects on different cell lines with the PK profiles (dose/time) obtained via ion chromatography. Conclusions: In conclusion, being a simple and green method, it could be used as an alternative to toxic reactions and analytical techniques with higher detection limits, while achieving good resolution