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IGF-I and its role in dairy animals: investigations on Holstein Friesian cows and Sarda sheep
Full text linkThe aim of this thesis was to investigate the roles of IGF-I in dairy animals, in order to improve their production considering the importance of the dairy sector. In study 1, 98 primiparous and 234 multiparous Holstein Friesian cows were chosen to measure plasma IGF-I concentration by ELISA and to determine how IGF-I changes during days 0-27 post-partum, based on their parity, calving to conception interval, number of insemination needed to conception and positive or negative pregnancy diagnosis. The mean of IGF-I concentration was higher in primiparous than in multiparous cows but no difference was found with their reproductive activity. Moreover, from the above animals 40 cows were selected to evaluate the expression of candidate immune genes, 1-8 days after calving and its connection with IGF-I concentration and health status. Despite the role that IGF-I has on reproduction and immunity system, any interesting connection was observed in this research. In study 2, 214 multiparous Sarda sheep were selected to detect polymorphisms within the 5’UTR sequence of the IGF-I gene and to investigate possible association with milk yield and reproduction traits. A SNP (G855C) and a nucleotide variation (G857A) in linkage disequilibrium were found and the animals that carried the G allele produced a significantly higher milk yield compared to the others. In addition, a visible effect, despite not statistically significant, of the G allele on the shortening of the lambing to conception interval was found. It would be interesting to conduct further analysis comprising a higher number of animals to confirm the real frequency and effect that the found SNP has to confirm the strength of the IGF-I as candidate gene in animal performances
Danno ossidativo ed aggregati proteici nella Sclerosi Laterale Amiotrofica: possibili target diagnostici e terapeutici
Full text linkAim: Riluzole is the only available cure for ALS, with limited effects for patients and diagnosis is based only on exclusion criteria for other diseases. Oxidative stress and misfolded proteins aggregation play a main role in ALS pathogenesis. We would propose Cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeONPs) as pharmacological adjuvant in Riluzole treatment and VAPB protein as new non-invasive targets for an early diagnosis.
Methods: PBMC and fibroblasts were isolated from ALS and Parkinson’s patients and healthy controls. CeONPs were added in murine hSOD1wt/G93A NSC-34 and human fibroblasts and H2O2 100µM was used to induce oxidative stress. CeONPs effects on cell survival, mitochondrial activities, oxidative stress and misfolded proteins aggregates were evaluated. Meantime PBMC were used to evaluate aggregates presence and markers of apoptosis and oxidative stress were evaluated.
Results: We identified optimal CeONPs concentration that induces a slightly protective effect on oxidative damage in both human fibroblasts and murine cells. As regard VAPB, we identified a high presence of VAPB aggregates in ALS patients respect to healthy controls and a substantial re-organization and re-distribution of ER. Cell VAPBwt/P56S cultures revealed high levels of oxidative stress markers and ubiquitinated proteins.
Conclusions: Preliminary results confirm that protein aggregates and oxidative stress could be markers for early and more specific diagnosis for ALS. Moreover, CeONPs treatment could open perspective to its used as pharmacological adjuvant for Riluzole therapy. Further experiments are needed to confirm our data
Studi sulla diversità della comunità batterica associata alla simbiosi ectomicorrizica tra <i>Tuber borchii</i> e <i>Quercus ilex</i> in differenti ecosistemi forestali della Sardegna
Full text linkThe bacterial component of the soil and of the ascocarps of the Tuber borchii sampled in two holm oaks grown on soils with different rock matrix was detected, in order to evaluate any quantitative-qualitative differences between the sampling sites.
The chemical analysis carried out on soils samples have highlighted their main physics and chemical characteristics.
The microbial communities extracted from the different soil samples were assessed both taxonomically, by sequencing the rRNA of the ribosomal 16S region of 184 bacterial isolates, and on a functional basis with the use of Ecoplates Biolog. The microbial communities related to the ascocarp micro-habitat were evaluated with GEN III Biolog system (36 isolates).
The study has shown how the two microbial communities of the soil of the two sites, even if they are different by taxonomic composition, are identical from a metabolic-functional point of view.
In addition, differences in the composition of bacterial communities are observed: among the fruiting bodies sampled by the two sites, between ascocarp and ascocarpic soil and between ascocarp and forest soil, thus corroborating the hypothesis that every micro-environment detected in this study is an ecological niche that selects specific bacterial communities.
PGPR, saprophytes, fungi and human pathogens were detected among the bacteria detected in the various ascocarps
The City as theatre: the performing space
Full text linkThis research aims at investigating the theoretical basis, the role, and the regularities of performing arts in the urban environment.
References to theatre and dance are abundant in urban studies, but they serve almost exclusively as metaphors. Investigating the specificity of performing arts will also allow clarifying the performative aspects of every artistic intervention in urban space.
Indeed, from ancient rituals to contemporary street theatre, an intentional and staged action plays a central role not only in the processes of sense giving and community building, or in what is today called "placemaking," but also in the "production of space."
Three main conceptual tools are identified: the rhythmanalytical method, as sketched by Lefebvre; the trialectical logic, as elaborated by the Situationist International; and the category of liminality, as defined by Turner.
The second section of the work, called "Atlas," while working as a repertoire of case studies supporting the theoretical text, is also intended to work autonomously by building a parallel discourse through images. That section aims to demonstrate how a range of performance interventions produce the city and underscore the notion that theatre is a requirement in the production – or building – of urban space and, as such, forms a continuum with architecture and urban design.
The thesis is completed with a section of interviews with choreographers and directors who have dedicated their attention to performance in the urban environment
T Cell repertoire and autoimmunity in multiple sclerosis patients in Sardinia
Full text linkMultiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease characterized by destruction of the myelin sheath and axon loss within the central nervous system. Sardinia is a high-risk area of MS(multiple sclerosis). A genetically homogeneous population resulting from geographical isolation may be a critical factor that contributes to the high prevalence of the MS in Sardinia. It has been found that specific HLA genotypes in the Sardinian population are highly correlated with MS. The mechanism of how HLA impacts the adaptive immune response and triggers autoimmunity in the MS patient remains unknown. The total clonotypes of TCRs in one individual at a given time point is known as the T-Cell Receptor repertoire. By using next-generation sequencing, we have identified the TCR repertoire of MS patients in Sardinia, Italy. We found that MS patients have different TCR repertoires compared to those of healthy controls. MS-associated CDR3 sequences have been screened out in this study. BMLF-1 associated CDR3 are screened out in the MS-associated CDR3, indicating a higher activity of EBV in MS patients. TRBV20.1TRBJ1.5 and other V-J recombinations show significant increases in MS individuals. These results suggest that the TCR repertoire may be a promising diagnostic method for disease status in MS patients. V-J recombination may be a biomarker for MS, especially in Sardinian people
Humeral head fracture with intrathoracic migration: 向胸腔內移位的肱骨頭骨折：病例報告和文學回顧
Full text linkFracture-dislocation of the humeral head with intrathoracic migration is extremely rare. In our study we describe the case of a 23-year-old man who was admitted to the emergency clinic of our hospital, after being injured in a high-speed motor vehicle accident. The patient presented in a state of hemorrhagic shock and severe respiratory disease. Chest radiography showed fracture of the right humeral head and the presence of a round radio-density area resting on the diaphragm right hemithorax. The total body computed tomography scan revealed a right pneumothorax related to the presence in the chest cavity of the fractured humeral head, longitudinal fracture of the sacrum, and diastasis of the symphysis pubis. After an initial hemodynamic stabilization the patient underwent surgical excision of the humeral head and its replanting. It is important after airway management and the use of diagnostic imaging, the treatment of any injuries associated with the trauma.
向胸腔內移位的肱骨頭骨折脫臼是極為罕見的。我們報告了一名23歲男子，因高速交通意外被送往我們醫院的急診室。病人呈現出血性休克和嚴重的呼吸道疾病的狀態。胸部X光檢查顯示右側肱骨頭骨折，以及在右邊半胸橫隔膜上有一個圓形不透X光的影像。全身電腦掃描顯示病人因肱骨頭移到胸腔，引致右氣胸;有骶骨的縱向骨折;以及恥骨結合位擴張。在病人初步穩定後，我們為他進行手術取回移位的肱骨頭，用螺釘內固定。我們討論了當中的治療，前景，和文獻綜述
Management of female stress urinary incontinence: a care pathway and update
No full textStress urinary incontinence (SUI) is a condition characterized by an involuntary loss of urine occurring as result of an increase in intra-abdominal pressure due to effort or exertion or on sneezing or coughing. Estimates of its prevalence in the female population range from 10% to 40%.
A literature search of the Medline, Cochrane library, EMBASE, NLH, ClinicalTrials.gov and Google Scholar databases was done up to July 2017, restricted to English-language articles, using terms related to SUI, medical therapy, surgical therapy and treatment options. The search terms included female stress urinary incontinence, mid-urethral sling, tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) and transobturator tape (TOT, TVT-O). Original articles, reviews and meta-analyses were included.
Surgical therapy should be considered only after conservative therapies (e.g. an exercise programme or topical estrogens) have failed. Synthetic mid-urethral slings are the gold standard for the surgical treatment of SUI according to the 2016 guidelines of the European Society of Urology (ESU) and the 2017 position statement of the European Urogynaecological Association (EUA).
The therapeutic options are numerous but further research into new therapeutic strategies is needed to achieve a better balance between efficacy and adverse events
Plankton dynamics across the freshwater, transitional and marine research sites of the LTER-Italy Network: patterns, fluctuations, drivers
No full textA first synoptic and trans-domain overview of plankton dynamics was conducted across the aquatic sites belonging to the Italian Long-Term Ecological Research Network (LTER-Italy). Based on published studies, checked and complemented with unpublished information, we investigated phytoplankton and zooplankton annual dynamics and long-term changes across domains: from the large subalpine lakes to mountain lakes and artificial lakes, from lagoons to marine coastal ecosystems.
This study permitted identifying common and unique environmental drivers and ecological functional processes controlling seasonal and long-term temporal course. The most relevant patterns of plankton seasonal succession were revealed, showing that the driving factors were nutrient availability, stratification regime, and freshwater inflow. Phytoplankton and mesozooplankton displayed a wide interannual variability at most sites. Unidirectional or linear long-term trends were rarely detected but all sites were impacted across the years by at least one, but in many case several major stressor(s): nutrient inputs, meteo-climatic variability at the local and regional scale, and direct human activities at specific sites. Different climatic and anthropic forcings frequently co-occurred, whereby the responses of plankton communities were the result of this environmental complexity.
Overall, the LTER investigations are providing an unparalleled framework of knowledge to evaluate changes in the aquatic pelagic systems and management options
Il Rotary International e il Distretto 2080: una storia istituzionale: con un'appendice sul Rotary e la promozione della cultura musicale
Full text linkOn February 23rd, 1905, the constitutive meeting of the first Rotary Club took place in Chicago. In 1922, at the Los Angeles convention, the National Association of Rotary clubs became the International Association of Rotary club, later shorten in the current Rotary International.
In 1945, Rotary is invited to participate at the foundation of the United Nations and still today is consultative member of numerous supranational bodies. The first Italian Club was founded in Milan in 1923; because of the strong contrasts with the fascist regime in 1938, the Italian Rotary clubs dissolved to rebuild themselves in the aftermath of the Second World War, starting from the South, from Sicily, following the stages of Liberation.
Rotary also has a conflicting relationship with ecclesiastical institutions, concerned by the growing development and dissemination of Rotary at international level.
This research pays particular attention to the Rotary Foundation, whose centenary occurred in 2017, to the admission of women to Rotary and to the ceremonial where hymns featured prominently
Innovazione e crescita nell’industria creativa e culturale: il ruolo delle start-up per il trasferimento tecnologico
Full text linkThe goal of this work is the analysis of the technological trends of the Creative and Cultural Industries (CCI).
To define the field of study of the thesis, the work carried out by the European Commission was taken as a starting point. The study focused on the projects carried out by researchers in some sectors of application of ICT in the CCIs.
Starting from the innovative push promoted by the R&D support tools and from the results obtained from the projects, we started to analyse the operations of the cultural operators working in the ICC sector.
The result of this first effort was used to build a pilot questionnaire which had the objective of highlighting the innovative behaviour of Sardinian cultural operators.
The second part of the work has maintained an experimental approach during which a qualitative and quantitative study was carried out on the start-up population active in the ICC sector in Italy. The aim of the study was to verify the CCI start-ups’ operating conditions, performances, technological assets, entrepreneurial attitudes, the type of activity and, ultimately, the salient features.
The objective of this analysis is to identify operational patterns and factors related to the managerial style, financial and technological aspects capable to help identifying successful models in this sector