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Usci «segnati d’una croce» e soglie di speranza: il racconto della peste nei "Promessi sposi" di Alessandro Manzoni
No full textIl contributo intende soffermarsi sul racconto della peste manzoniana, momento di catastrofe naturale e di disperazione umana, attraverso l’analisi di particolari spazi e oggetti della soglia, che portano impressi i segni dello sconvolgimento causato dall’epidemia. Si prende poi in esame il modo in cui le medesime soglie possono diventare testimoni di una rinascita, facendosi carico di un messaggio di rinnovamento. Nello specifico, l’intervento vuole riflettere su tutti quegli usci «segnati d’una croce» che costellano i capitoli XXXI-XXXIV e che raccontano la devastazione procurata dal diffondersi del contagio. Il discorso si concentra, quindi, sui capitoli XXXIII-XXXIV, in cui, proprio nel mezzo della distruzione, compaiono due soglie che simboleggiano la speranza di una nuova vita: quelle delle case dell’anonimo amico di Renzo e di Cecilia
Effects of Neuromuscular Priming with Spinal Cord Transcutaneous Stimulation on Lower Limb Motor Performance in Humans: A Randomized Crossover Sham-Controlled Trial
Get PDFBackground: Lower limb motor output contributes to determining functional performance in many motor tasks. This study investigated the effects of non-invasive spinal cord transcutaneous stimulation (scTS) applied during an exercise-based priming protocol on lower limb muscle force and power generation. Methods: Twelve young, physically active male volunteers (age: 22.7 ± 2.1 years) participated in this randomized crossover, sham-controlled study. The maximal voluntary contraction and low-level torque steadiness of knee extensors, as well as the maximal explosive extension of lower limbs, were assessed before and after the priming protocol with scTS or sham stimulation over a total of four experimental sessions. Further, characteristics of evoked potentials to scTS related to spinal circuitry excitability were assessed in the supine position before and after the scTS priming protocol. The exercise component of the ~25 min priming protocol consisted of low-volume, low- and high-intensity lower limb motor tasks. Results: scTS priming protocol tended to increase or maintain maximum isometric torque during knee extension (4.7%) as well as peak force (0.2%) and rate of force development (6.0%) during explosive lower limb extensions, whereas sham priming protocol tended to decrease them (-4.3%, -3.3%, and -15.1%, respectively). This resulted in significant interactions (p = 0.001 to 0.018) and medium-large differences between scTS and sham protocols. These findings were associated with meaningful trends of some neurophysiological variables. Conversely, priming protocols did not affect low-level torque steadiness. Conclusions: scTS counteracted the unexpected fatigue induced by the exercise-based priming protocol, supporting lower limb performance during maximal efforts. Future studies are warranted to assess the implementation of scTS with optimized exercise-based priming protocols during training and rehabilitation programmes that include high-intensity neuromuscular efforts
The Italian Portrait of Laboratory Information Systems in Pathology: The Ones We Have and the Ones We Would Like
No full text: Background: In the evolving landscape of pathology, Laboratory Information Systems (LISs) have become essential tools for ensuring traceability, efficiency, and data security in diagnostic workflows. Methods: This study presents a comprehensive comparative analysis of three major LIS platforms used in Italian pathology laboratories in 2025: Armonia (Dedalus), Pathox Web (Tesi Group), and WinSAP 3.0 (Engineering). Each system is evaluated across key parameters, including sample traceability, integration with hospital systems, digital reporting, user interface, and compliance with regulatory standards such as GDPR and ISO 15189. Results: Armonia stands out for its advanced integration capabilities, scalability, and support for digital pathology, making it ideal for large institutions. Pathox Web offers a balanced solution with strong usability and web-based accessibility, suitable for medium-sized laboratories. WinSAP 3.0, while more limited in modern features, remains a stable and cost-effective option for many facilities. This study emphasizes the strategic importance of selecting an LIS aligned with institutional needs, highlighting its role in enhancing diagnostic quality, operational safety, and future integration with artificial intelligence and automation. Conclusions: The findings support informed decision-making in LIS adoption, critically contributing to the management of scientific and economic data of pathology services in Italy
The Role of KRAS Status Among Patients Undergoing Staged Versus Simultaneous Resection for Synchronous Colorectal Liver Metastases
No full textBackground: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of surgical timing-simultaneous versus staged resection-on outcomes of patients with colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) in relation to KRAS mutation status, which is a key factor affecting prognosis. Methods: Patients who underwent curative-intent resection for synchronous CRLM (sCRLM) were identified from an international, multi-institutional database. The association between clinicopathologic factors, staged versus simultaneous approach and wild-type (wtKRAS) versus mutated (mtKRAS) KRAS with long-term outcomes was assessed. Results: Among 385 patients who underwent curative-intent resection for sCRLM, 205 (53.2%) individuals underwent a simultaneous primary tumor and CRLM resection; 180 (46.8%) individuals underwent a staged surgical approach. On multivariable analysis, the staged approach remained associated with improved OS compared with the simultaneous approach among patients who had mtKRAS CRLM (HR: 0.62, 95% CI: 0.39-0.99). Patients with mtKRAS and high TBS demonstrated an improved 5-year OS (67.0%, 95% CI: 54.2%-83.0% vs. 47.5%, 95% CI: 31.4%, 71.9%; p = 0.04) compared with a simultaneous procedure. There was no difference in OS among patients with either wtKRAS or mtKRAS and low TBS who underwent staged versus simultaneous resection (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Patients with sCRLM and an aggressive tumor biology as defined by KRAS status and TBS may benefit from a two-stage resection which may improve patient selection relative to achieving better long-term outcomes
The impact of diet on Parkinson's disease risk: A data-driven analysis in a large Italian case-control population
No full textBackgroundThe role of dietary factors as risk or protective factors for Parkinson's disease (PD) remains debated.ObjectiveThis retrospective case-control study aimed to evaluate the associations between foods identified through a data-driven analysis and PD, and to compare the relevance of dietary versus non-dietary factors as contributors to PD risk.MethodsThe study included 680 PD patients and 612 matched controls recruited from six Italian neurology centers. Dietary data were collected using a validated 77-item food frequency questionnaire, and factor analysis was conducted to identify groups of correlated foods (i.e., factors). Logistic regression models were used to assess the associations between these factors and PD, while non-dietary factors were subsequently included in the model for comparison.ResultsSeven factors were identified, four of which were significantly associated with PD. High consumption of sweets (Factor 1), red meat (Factor 3), and processed meats (Factor 6) was associated with an increased PD risk, whereas a high fruit intake (Factor 2) was protective. These associations remained significant after adjusting for other known non-dietary risk/protective factors. While the increased PD risk associated with dietary factors was weaker than that of non-dietary factors, protective dietary and non-dietary factors showed comparable effects in reducing PD risk.ConclusionsData-driven analysis identified foods potentially influencing PD risk, although non-dietary factors demonstrated a greater impact on PD risk. These findings highlight the need to integrate both diet and lifestyle habits into future PD research and prevention strategies
Otto Kirchheimer on the Juridification(s) of Democracy
No full textThe phenomenon of juridification - citizens' increasing reliance on legal frameworks and institutions to address political issues - is often portrayed in contemporary literature as a depoliticizing and de-democratizing shift, marked by the transfer of political authority to the courts and the expansion of formal law. The article offers a more nuanced account of the phenomenon by revisiting the early twentieth-century work of Frankfurt School jurist Otto Kirchheimer. Drawing on his writings from the 1920s and 1930s, the article reconstructs Kirchheimer's multifaceted theory of juridification as a process unfolding along three distinct trajectories: (1) toward formal democracy, (2) toward substantive democracy, and (3) toward executive democracy. Each trajectory embodies a different form of juridification - formal, material, and administrative - and entails divergent implications for democratic governance. By juxtaposing these models, the article argues that while Kirchheimer viewed the first and third trajectories as ultimately detrimental to the endurance of democratic institutions, he regarded the second, oriented toward a value-based substantive democracy, as a necessary development for sustaining democratic life. This reconstruction sheds light on the ambivalent relationship between juridification and democracy
Frontotemporal dementia as a consequence of GRN mutations: From disease cause to models to therapies
No full text: Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) encompasses a broad, clinically and neuropathologically diverse group of neurodegenerative disorders associated with changes in personality, behaviour, and/or language due to the progressive degeneration of the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain. Mutations in several genes, including the progranulin (PGRN) encoding gene (GRN), have been found to cause FTD. PGRN is a pleiotropic factor with an important role in controlling lysosomal homeostasis, inflammatory processes, and neural function and differentiation under normal and pathological conditions. Heterozygosity for disease-causing, loss-of-function mutations in GRN reduces circulating PGRN levels, suggesting that familial FTD is related to PGRN haploinsufficiency. Since the original identification of FTD-causative mutations in the GRN gene in 2006, significant progress in both preclinical and clinical research has resulted in improved disease understanding of GRN-FTD, which have facilitated the development of several promising therapeutic approaches currently in preclinical testing and early and late stage clinical trials
Giustizia civile. Diritto delle ADR
No full textIl volume si occupa delle ADR (Alternative Dispute Resolution), cioè degli strumenti di risoluzione delle controversie alternativi e, in certa misura, complementari alla giurisdizione, sì da favorire accordi conciliativi e una giustizia consensuale anziché aggiudicativa e contenziosa. Nei vari capitoli si esaminano gli strumenti negoziali (transazione e pratiche collaborative), la mediazione in materia civile e commerciale, la negoziazione assistita da avvocati, la consulenza tecnica preventiva ex art. 696 bis c.p.c., anche in materia di responsabilità medica e sanitaria (art. 8 l. 24/2017) e in materia di previdenza e assistenza obbligatorie (art. 445 bis c.p.c.), la conciliazione giudiziale (art. 185 c.p.c.) e la proposta conciliativa del giudice (art. 185 bis c.p.c.), le procedure ADR presso autorità indipendenti e nel codice del consumo
Future-oriented trajectories of business model innovation for agri-food SMEs
No full textPurpose
Agri-food small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) must innovate their business models (BMs) to ensure sustainability in increasingly complex economic, social and environmental scenarios. This study identifies promising future-oriented trajectories of business model innovation (BMI) for these firms, highlighting the key roles of new technologies and sustainability goals.
Design/methodology/approach
This study adopted a qualitative approach combining a long interview technique and template analysis. Information was gathered from key informants with extensive knowledge about the agri-food sector. This study was conducted in Italy.
Findings
The analysis revealed multiple future-oriented BMI trajectories for each of three BMI components, namely, value creation, value proposition and value capture. The findings also indicate that some themes were common to all three BMI components, including the increasing importance of the partnership-based nature of BMI, new technologies acting as a driving force in shaping BMI and concerns regarding the sustainability and well-being of the actors involved in the agri-food sector.
Research limitations/implications
This study adopted a comprehensive view of the agri-food supply chain and did not focus on the specific perspectives of actors at each stage of the supply chain. Moreover, future studies should approach SMEs directly and examine their recent and future BMIs in different countries.
Originality/value
This study is the first to adopt a future-oriented approach to identify BMI trajectories for agri-food firms. In addition, it contributes to reconciling previous findings from studies on BMI in the agri-food sector and highlights the links between sustainability and technology in BMI processes
Riforma dei reati contro gli animali: luci e ombre
No full textIl 1° luglio 2025 è entrata in vigore la legge 6 giugno 2025, n. 82, di riforma dei reati contro gli animali. Essa ha previsto l’inasprimento delle disposizioni sanzionatorie e l’estensione della responsabilità amministrativa “da reato” per le persone giuridiche nel cui interesse o vantaggio vengano commessi reati contro gli animali. Pur rappresentando un indubbio passo in avanti, la riforma non è, però, in grado, nel suo complesso, di assicurare una più efficace tutela degli animal