University of Verona
Catalogo dei prodotti della ricerca Università degli Studi di VeronaNot a member yet
126292 research outputs found
Sort by
Exploration and exploitation of the carotenoid pathway and the photoprotection mechanisms of Nannochloropsis oceanica
No full textEnsuring food, energy, and raw materials for a growing global population presents a formidable challenge that necessitates innovative solutions. This thesis explores the domestication and genetic engineering of the microalga Nannochloropsis oceanica as a sustainable platform for the production of high-value biotechnological compounds. In Chapter 1, the unique characteristics of the Nannochloropsis genus are introduced, emphasizing its robust lipid accumulation and potential as a green bio-factory for nutraceuticals and biofuels. Chapter 2 details the genetic modification of N. oceanica via heterologous expression of a β-carotene ketolase from Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. This modification significantly enhanced the synthesis of ketocarotenoids—particularly canthaxanthin—with up to a 10-fold increase in ketocarotenoid content under specific light conditions. The modified strains, which utilize CO2 as the sole carbon source, demonstrate promising applications in the pigmentation sectors of fish and poultry feed. Chapter 3 addresses the scalability and phenotypic stability of the genetically modified strain. Cultivation in a 25L tubular photobioreactor under repeated batch conditions revealed that the engineered strain maintains comparable growth to the wild type while accumulating significantly higher levels of ketocarotenoids. Additionally, the strain successfully co-produces omega-3 fatty acids, notably EPA, reinforcing its potential as a dual-production system. In Chapter 4, the thesis investigates the photoprotective mechanisms in N. oceanica, focusing on the xanthophyll cycle. By employing CRISPR-Cas12-mediated genome editing to create NoZEP2 knockout mutants, the study uncovers a regulatory role for NoZEP2 in modulating non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) dynamics and pigment interconversion under varying light conditions. These findings highlight the distinct functional roles of the two zeaxanthin epoxidase genes, with NoZEP1 being essential and NoZEP2 fine-tuning the photoprotective response. An appendix further examines the role of a glycosyltransferase family 8 gene (NoGLY) in carbon partitioning and cell wall biosynthesis. While NoGLY knockout does not significantly affect growth or lipid accumulation, its overexpression suggests an influence on cell wall integrity and polysaccharide biosynthesis. Collectively, the research presented in this thesis advances our understanding of microalgal biotechnology, providing a comprehensive framework for the development of N. oceanica as a versatile platform for sustainable industrial applications
Minimally invasive versus open liver resection for nonmetastatic hepatocellular carcinoma staged BCLC - B and - C: an Italian multicentric analysis
No full textBackground: Recent papers report significant survival gain after liver resection in BCLC-B and-C HCC patients. The results of minimally invasive liver surgery (MILS) in such patients have not been widely investigated so far. Methods: Data regarding patients undergoing MILS or open liver resection (OLR) for HCC staged BCLC-B and-C were extracted from the HERCOLES database. An inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) method was adopted to balance the confounders. The primary outcome was a composite endpoint including post-hepatectomy liver failure, severe postoperative complications and in-hospital mortality. Results: 627 patients were included (459 undergoing OLR and 168 receiving MILS). After IPTW, no difference was found in the composite endpoint between MILS and OLR (OR 0.86 [95%CI 0.46-1-60]; p = 0.62). MILS reduced the risk of receiving intra-operative transfusions (OR 0.28 [95%CI 0.13-0.58]; p < 0.001) and of developing postoperative ascites (OR 0.56 [95%CI 0,32-0,98]; p = 0.039), with reduced length of stay (OR 0.82 [95%CI 0.66-1.01]; p = 0.045). The survival analysis showed no differences between MILS and OLR for both OS (p = 0.13) and DFS (p = 0.491). Conclusion: MILS was shown to be safe and feasible for selected non-metastatic HCC patients staged BCLC B and C, reducing the risk of perioperative transfusions and postoperative ascites, and shortening the length of stay
Overview of laboratory diagnostics for immediate management of patients presenting to the emergency department with acute bleeding
No full textAcute, life-threatening bleeding is a relatively common but critical presentation in the emergency department (ED), needing immediate assessment and intervention to reduce morbidity and mortality. Rapid identification of the bleeding source, evaluation of hemostatic function, and timely initiation of resuscitation are essential components of early management. Laboratory diagnostics plays a central role in this process, enabling clinicians to stratify the risk, guide therapeutic decisions, and predict outcomes. This opinion paper summarizes current evidence supporting the use of a core panel of laboratory tests in the initial evaluation of patients with emergency bleeding admitted to the ED. The leading characteristics of these initial tests encompass elevated diagnostic sensitivity, high precision and reproducibility, broad analytical measurement range, minimal turnaround time, low sample volume requirements, continuous availability, accessible measurement uncertainty, and proven clinical impact. The hypothetical core tests may include hemoglobin, blood lactate, prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), fibrinogen, platelet count, viscoelastic assays, specific tests for measuring direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs), cardiac troponins and other organ-specific tests in patients with signs and symptoms of hypovolemic shock-induced organ failure. We believe that early implementation of a targeted, evidence-based initial laboratory diagnostic strategy in patients presenting to the ED with severely acute bleeding may support more effective resuscitation and transfusion protocols, reduce unnecessary interventions, and improve clinical outcomes
Commento artt. 65 e 66 c.c.i.i.
No full textIl commento analizza la previsione generale del c.c.i.i. relativa alle procedure di sovraindebitamento e la disciplina delle procedure famiiar
Impact of a 24-Week Workplace Physical Activity Program on Oxidative Stress Markers, Metabolic Health, and Physical Fitness: A Pilot Study in a Real-World Academic Setting
Get PDFBackground: Previous studies showed that workplace physical activity programs (WPAPs) could improve general health among employees. However, there is a lack of correlation between oxidative redox status and the metabolic and physical fitness (PF) of workers. The objective of the study was to evaluate the improvements of a 24-week combined circuit training and mobility training program on PF, oxidative redox status, and metabolic parameters on healthy academic employees. Methods: Twenty-six university employees (52.8 ± 11.5 years) followed a 24-week WPAP composed of two circuit training sessions and one mobility training session per week. PF components were assessed through one leg stand, shoulder/neck mobility, handgrip, dynamic sit-up, jump and reach, and 2-Minute step test (2MST). Oxidative stress and antioxidant potential were evaluated through derived-Reactive Oxygen Metabolites (d-ROM) and biological antioxidant potential (BAP) tests, respectively. Metabolic measurements included total cholesterol, LDL-C, HDL-C, triglycerides, and fasting plasma glucose. All assessments were conducted at baseline and after 24 weeks. Results: D-ROM values increased significantly likely due to an acute adaptive response to exercise and a stable BAP/d-ROM ratio was maintained. At baseline, subjects with higher 2MST scores showed a better BAP/d-ROM ratio compared to those with lower 2MST scores, which was also associated with normal weight status (p < 0.05), healthy values of triglycerides (p < 0.01), and LDL-C (p < 0.01). Excluding statin-treated subjects, an intriguing shift toward a condition of enhanced antioxidant capacity was observed. Conclusions: Overall, the 24-week WPAP improved metabolic health and maintained redox balance, despite increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Statin supplementation may have hidden antioxidant adaptations to physical exercise, an intriguing observation that warrants further studies
International Trends in Opioid Prescribing by Age and Sex from 2001 to 2019: An Observational Study Using Population-Based Databases from 18 Countries and One Special Administrative Region
No full textObjective: To characterize multinational trends and patterns of opioid analgesic prescribing by sex and age. Design, setting, and participants: We studied opioid analgesic prescribing from 2001 to 2019 with common protocol using population-based databases from eighteen countries and one special administrative region. Main outcome measures: We measured opioid prescribing by geographical region, sex and age, estimating annual prevalent, incident, and nonincident opioid prescribing per 100 population with a 95% confidence interval (CI) and meta-analyzed the multinational and regional opioid prescribing with a random-effects model. Time trends were reported through average annual absolute changes, estimated using linear mixed models. We further explored the effect of sex and age on prevalent opioid prescribing in the multivariable analysis. Results: Over 248 million individuals were included. Pooled multinational opioid prescribing prevalence was 9.0% amongst included countries/regions. Opioid prescribing prevalence in 2015 ranged from 2.7% in Japan to 19.7% in Iceland. Average annual absolute changes in opioid prescribing prevalence per year ranged from - 1.53% (95% CI - 2.06, - 1.00; United States Medicaid) to + 1.24% (95% CI 1.02, 1.46; South Korea). Pooled multinational incident opioid prescribing (4.9%; 95% CI 4.1, 5.9) was higher than pooled multinational nonincident opioid prescribing (3.7%; 95% CI 2.9, 4.8). The female sex and older age were associated with higher opioid prescribing. Main limitations of this study include the absence of data from study duration or individuals not covered by the data sources and the lack of information on medication adherence and indication. Conclusions: Opioid prescribing remains unbalanced across geographical regions; however, results suggest a tendency to convergence across countries/regions. Differences in opioid prescribing by sex and age were identified
L'atelier dell'ospedale San Giacomo: un dialogo tra arte e salute mentale
Get PDFIl contributo ricostruisce la storia e lo sviluppo dell’atelier di pittura e scultura dell’Ospedale Psichiatrico San Giacomo di Verona. Inaugurato all'inizio degli anni Cinquanta, il laboratorio artistico rappresentò un’esperienza pionieristica di integrazione tra arte e salute mentale. Promosso inizialmente dai medici Marini e Trabucchi e rilanciato nel 1957 dallo scultore Michael Noble, l'atelier favorì l’espressione creativa dei pazienti, aprì il manicomio alla comunità attraverso mostre ed eventi e contribuì ai processi di deistituzionalizzazione del nosocomio scaligero
Gender perspective in the management of psoriasis
Get PDFGender medicine has been achieving increasing importance. Gender differences in disease depend on hormonal status and may involve func- tions of the skin, immune responses and metabolic pathways, and have to do also with indications and response to treatments. Psoriasis is a
common chronic inflammatory immune-mediated disease. The prevalence of psoriasis in the population is balanced between males and females,
but early onset psoriasis is slightly more prevalent in males, with the latter suffering from a more severe disease. In general, male and female
patients receive identical drugs at equivalent dosages. However, females receive systemic treatments less frequently compared to males. Males
are more satisfied with their psoriasis treatment and respond better to biologics. Females have a significant higher rate of adverse events and
drug-related discontinuation rate compared to males. About conventional systemic treatments for psoriasis during pregnancy, only cyclosporine
is suggested when the benefits exceed the potential side effects, whereas methotrexate is contraindicated during pregnancy and lactation and in
the three months before fatherhood and motherhood. Among the biologics, only certolizumab pegol is considered safe in pregnant patients, as
it does not cross the maternal-placental barrier. Therefore, it is important to consider a gender perspective in the treatment of psoriasis, includ-
ing her willingness to procreate. This is a narrative review highlighting the challenges that the healthcare dermatologists may face regarding
management of psoriasis in female patients
Intercultural education, curriculum development, assessment and teaching: global perspectives
No full textThis book provides an up-to-date treatment of the latest conceptualizations of intercultural education. In addition, it offers a compilation of the most recent pedagogical challenges, strategies, and methods for teaching interculturality. The authors provide details on the latest developments and challenges in intercultural thinking, practices, instruction, and research. Chapters address new challenges in curriculum development for intercultural education, and illustrate innovative ways to provide instruction through the use of technology and the arts
Continuo e discreto nell’intercomprensione tra lingue romanze: distanze e corrispondenze interlinguistiche
Get PDFIl presente contributo simula il processo di comprensione del lessico catalano da parte di italofoni privi di competenza nella lingua bersaglio. In particolare, lo studio si propone di mettere sistematicamente a confronto diverse variabili sia continue, sia discrete, così da stabilirne l’eventuale impatto sul riconoscimento di parole imparentate. Ai 231 informanti coinvolti si chiedeva la traduzione italiana di 24 pseudo-parole, ottenute manipolando alcuni nomi italiani relativamente ai seguenti parametri discreti: a) modo di articolazione o luogo di articolazione o grado di sonorità di una consonante; b) sillaba comprendente la consonante modificata; c) lunghezza in termini di sillabe. Le misure continue in esame comprendono invece la distanza di Levenshtein normalizzata rispetto al modello italiano, nonché alcune statistiche estratte dal corpus PhonItalia. Al netto della presenza di un contesto, l’analisi statistica rivela un’interazione complessa tra parametri discreti e misure continue