Archivio Istituzionale della Ricerca - Università degli Studi della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli"
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Nuove indagini sulla Madonna con il Bambino tra i ss. Francesco, Giovanni Battista, Girolamo e Antonio da Padova commissionata da Gabriele Mastrilli
No full textThis article focuses on the canvas with The Virgin and Child between Sts. Francis, John the Baptist, Jerome and Anthony
of Padua (Capua, Museo Campano), recently attributed to the painter Antonello da Capua. Based on stylistic comparisons,
the author places it at least three decades after the year “MCCCCIL” inscribed in the painting, that is, not long prior to
the death of the patron, the Nolan Gabriele Mastrillis (1491). The latter's portrait was originally at the feet of the Virgin,
as now revealed by infrared reflectography. Moreover, the author suggests that the elevated position of the building and the
mountain landscape in the background of the composition were meant to evoke the very church for which the painting was
intended, located on the hill of Cicala, near Nola. If so, the building may have been inspired by the model of the Neapolitan
temple of the Dioscuri, the most emblematic of Naples' ancient monuments
Promoting Inclusion Through the Development and Application of a Multifunctional Wearable System for a Citizen-Oriented City: Overview of the UrbanSense Project
No full textIn the era of accelerated urbanization and rapid technological evolution, the creation of citizen-oriented cities represents an unprecedented challenge and op-portunity. This article introduces the UrbanSense project (2024–2025), funded in the frame of the RAISE Innovation ecosystem by the Italian PNRR and EU Next Generation programs, which addresses these challenges by focusing on creating citizen-oriented cities. The project places citizens at the center of urban development, ensuring their needs are respected and met through emerging tech-nologies to transform cities into more inclusive and sustainable environments. To this aim, the project combines interdisciplinary research, technological in-novation, and active community engagement. This happens by exploring citi-zens’ roles as moving sensors to improve urban sustainability and inclusion: using low-cost sensors, digital technologies, and citizen participation platforms, UrbanSense actively involves residents in collecting environmental data. This data informs policy decisions, guides urban interventions, and fosters more aware and resilient communities. The main project’s component is a multifunctional wearable device designed to be comfortable and lightweight, allowing for the effective and non-invasive collection of indoor and outdoor environmental data, which will be integrated with those from social and economic surveys. The wearable system facilitates the active participation of citizens as mobile sensors and their involvement through on-site and online feedback. The wearable sys-tem undergoes rigorous calibration and validation to ensure accuracy and reliability. The collected data will be statistically analyzed to identify significant correlations and patterns between environmental variables and citizens’ subjective evaluations, ultimately supporting the creation of safer, more accessible, and welcoming urban spaces
Clinical presentation and echocardiographic characteristics of women with peripartum cardiomyopathy: Insights from the Italian Multicentre Registry
No full textBackground: Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is a rare, life-threatening form of heart failure occurring in late pregnancy or postpartum, with variable clinical course and outcomes. We report preliminary clinical and echocardiographic findings from a national Italian registry of PPCM patients Methods: The study was approved by the institutional Ethics Committee and registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05878041). Twenty-eight patients aged ≥18 years with confirmed PPCM diagnosis were included. At enrollment, all patients underwent clinical assessment, echocardiography, and peripheral blood sampling for multi-omics profiling. Results: Participants had a mean age of 33.9 ± 5.1 years and a median body mass index of 28 kg/m2 (25.5–32.9). Key characteristics of enrolled patients included African ethnicity (10.7 %), assisted reproduction (14.3 %), pre-eclampsia (14.3 %), autoimmune disease (10.7 %), hypertension (21.4 %), diabetes mellitus (3.5 %), and smoking (32.1 %). Most patients were diagnosed PPCM with NYHA class III/IV symptoms within one month postpartum; mean Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction (LVEF) at admission was 33.2 ± 9.3 %. Arrhythmic presentation occurred in 25 % of patients. Despite initial severity, 50 % of patients recovered LVEF over 11 ± 19 months, while persistent severe dysfunction (LVEF<35 %) requiring defibrillator implantation was observed in 14 % of patients. Several echocardiographic markers differed significantly in enrolled patients according to recovery status, and those with persistent dysfunction had larger LV end-diastolic diameters (61.2 ± 8.1 mm) and left atrial volumes (47.0 ± 24.7 ml/m2), lower LV strain (9.0 ± 1.4 %), and TAPSE (17.5 ± 4.2 mm, p < 0.005 for all). Conclusions: Clinical and echocardiographic predictors of LV recovery in PPCM need further investigation
Cardiovascular Morbidity and Mortality in Fabry Disease
No full textBackground: Fabry disease (FD) is a rare X-linked lysosomal storage disorder characterized
by progressive multisystem involvement, among which cardiac manifestations represent the
main determinant of morbidity and mortality. Despite the availability of disease-specific
therapies, cardiovascular complications remain frequent and their long-term prognostic
determinants are not fully defined. A comprehensive evaluation of cardiovascular outcomes in
large, contemporary FD cohorts is therefore essential to improve risk stratification and guide
clinical management.
Methods: This multicentre, retrospective, longitudinal study included consecutively referred
adult patients with a genetically confirmed diagnosis of FD from tertiary referral centres.
Clinical, electrocardiographic, echocardiographic, and laboratory data were collected at
baseline and during follow-up. The primary endpoint was the occurrence of major adverse
cardiovascular events (MACEs), defined as a composite of cardiovascular death, major
arrhythmic events, bradyarrhythmias requiring permanent pacemaker implantation, and stroke.
Secondary endpoints included the individual components of the primary endpoint. Kaplan–
Meier survival analysis and Cox proportional hazards models were used to assess event rates
and identify independent predictors of outcomes.
Results: A total of 680 patients (mean age 42.3 ± 15.9 years; 41.0% male) were included, of
whom 68.7% were receiving enzyme replacement therapy or oral chaperone therapy at baseline
or during follow-up. Over a median follow-up of 7.1 years (interquartile range 3.9–11.6), 92
patients (13.5%) experienced a MACE. The estimated 10-year freedom from MACE was
85.1% (95% CI 81.3–88.2) and was significantly lower in males than in females (76.1% vs.
91.3%, p < 0.001). When stratified by sex and GLA variant type, males showed similarly high
event rates irrespective of classic or late-onset variants, whereas females with late-onset
variants experienced a markedly lower risk compared with those carrying classic variants.
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On multivariable analysis, increasing age (HR 1.04 per year), lower estimated glomerular
filtration rate (HR 0.99 per 1 mL/min/1.73 m2), longer QRS duration (HR 1.02 per 1 ms), and
higher left ventricular mass index (HR 1.01 per 1 g/m2) were independently associated with the
occurrence of MACEs. Distinct predictors were identified for secondary endpoints,
highlighting the heterogeneous mechanisms underlying cardiovascular death, arrhythmic
events, conduction disease, and stroke in FD.
Conclusions: In this large, multicentre cohort of patients with Fabry disease, cardiovascular
events remained frequent despite contemporary disease-specific therapy, particularly in male
patients. Simple and widely available clinical markers—such as renal function, ECG
conduction parameters, and echocardiographic measures of hypertrophy—were strong and
independent predictors of adverse cardiovascular outcomes. These findings underscore the
persistent unmet need for improved cardiovascular risk stratification and targeted preventive
strategies in Fabry disease, and support a multidisciplinary, longitudinal approach to patient
management
Designing Innovative Medical Tools: How home-integrated healthcare devices can shape the future of therapeutic recovery
No full textThe “Reactivate” project addresses Bell’s palsy, a condition causing facial muscle paralysis due to cranial nerve VII damage. Focused on Design for Health and Well-being, it aims to enhance patient recovery by guiding targeted facial exercises through an augmented reality (AR) interactive mirror. Reactivate utilizes Mirror Therapy (MT) principles, providing real-time feedback to improve muscle movement accuracy. This innovative tool combines aesthetics with a user-centered approach, breaking away from the sterile appearance of traditional medical devices. Designed to seamlessly fit into home environments as a wall or desk mirror, it prioritizes ergonomic comfort and visual appeal. Crafted from responsibly sourced wood, Reactivate promotes sustainability by reducing environmental impact and enhancing durability. This commitment reflects the project’s goal to create innovative medical tools that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing, enriching the overall user experience. “Reactivate” exemplifies the integration of functionality, sustainability, and design, aligning with principles of Health and Well-being to improve patients’ quality of life
Compost and biochar synergy enhances photosynthetic efficiency and antioxidant responses in leafy vegetables under sub-optimal nutrient supply
No full textBiochar and compost have been extensively studied as soil amendments useful for improving the physical and chemical characteristics of soils. However, due to their heterogeneous nature, they may induce different productive and physiological responses depending on the crop.
Therefore, in this article, two growth chamber experiments were set up to test the short-term effects of compost and biochar applied alone and in combination (C + B) on the yield and physiological characteristics of spinach (Spinacia oleracea L., exp 1) and wild rocket (Diplotaxis tenuifolia D.C, exp 2) under optimal, sub-optimal, and non-fertilization conditions (Full, Half, NoFert). The two experiments showed that the C + B combination, under sub-optimal fertilization conditions, contributed to improving the balance of nitrogen and carbon metabolism. Specifically, the C + B mixture increased total chlorophyll concentration and promoted the synthesis of amino acids involved in osmotic regulation and nitrogen recycling in both rocket and spinach. The efficiency of the photosynthetic apparatus under sub-optimal fertilization conditions improved thanks to the combination of C + B in spinach, while the addition of compost alone led to excessive nitrate accumulation in the leaves. The total antioxidant activity of both crops improved due to the application of compost and C + B, especially in spinach, where plants treated with Half x C + B shoed a doubling of phenols. The smaller variation observed in wild rocket is likely due to higher baseline levels of phenols and antioxidants in the soil, which provide constitutive protection. In conclusion, the specific responses of the two crops are linked to intrinsic differences related to the species, highlighting the need to implement management strategies tailored to the crops
Student’s Acceptance of Social Robots: A Study with Pepper on Inclusive Mathematics Learning Through Storytelling
No full textThe use of social robots in educational settings can enhance inclusive learning and students’ engagement. The aim of this study is to assess students’ experience with the social robot Pepper. It was used as an educational tool in a mathematics storytelling activity designed according to the first principle of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and embedded with AIED technologies. The analysis of answers to the Robot Acceptance Questionnaire (RAQ) shows that students accept the use of Pepper, which is considered friendly, and easy to use. Pepper’s ability to express itself clearly and to provide immediate, and personalized feedback has created an engaging learning environment, thereby minimizing the negative feelings that are associated in mathematics. The study thus highlights Pepper’s acceptance and efficacy as an inclusive educational technology capable of making mathematics learning more inclusive
Le politiche pubbliche di lotta al greenwashing nel settore della moda
No full textfter examining the concept of greenwashing and recent developments in the relevant regulatory framework, the paper focuses on the role of public policy in fighting this phenomenon, with specific reference to companies operating in the fashion industryLo scritto, dopo aver esaminato il concetto di greenwashing ed il recente sviluppo del relativo assetto regolatorio, si sofferma sul ruolo delle politiche pubbliche nella lotta a tale fenomeno, con specifico riferimento al contesto delle imprese operanti nel settore della mod
Periodontal Disease and Osteoporosis: A Bidirectional Relationship
No full textOsteoporosis (OP) and periodontitis (PD) are two prevalent diseases with significant public health implications, particularly among aging populations. Osteoporosis is a condition that can affect any bone, characterized by decreased bone mineral density (BMD) and deterioration of the bone architecture, resulting in weaker bones and a higher risk of fractures. Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory condition affecting the supporting structures of the teeth, such as the gingiva, periodontal ligament, and alveolar bone, often leading to tooth loss if left untreated. Recent studies have suggested an interrelationship between these conditions, rooted in shared biological mechanisms. Both diseases involve an imbalance in bone remodeling processes, with excessive activity of osteoclasts over osteoblasts, leading to bone resorption. In osteoporosis, this imbalance is systemic, while in periodontitis, it is localized to the jawbone. Shared risk factors, such as aging, hormonal changes (e.g., postmenopausal estrogen deficiency), and lifestyle factors, like smoking and poor nutrition, further strengthen this association. Additionally, osteoporosis may exacerbate periodontitis by reducing alveolar bone density, while periodontal inflammation can elevate the expression of systemic biomarkers of bone resorption, influencing osteoporosis progression. Furthermore, dysbiosis of the gut and oral cavity microbial communities plays a critical role in both conditions. Gut dysbiosis can influence systemic inflammation and bone metabolism, exacerbating osteoporosis, while oral dysbiosis, marked by pathogenic shifts in the microbiota, triggers and perpetuates periodontal inflammation and alveolar bone loss. Understanding these interrelationships emphasizes the need for an integrated approach to preventing and managing these interconnected conditions