Archivio Istituzionale della Ricerca- Università del Salento
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Exploring the Therapeutic Potential of Cannabidiol in U87MG Cells: Effects on Autophagy and NRF2 Pathway
Full text linkCannabinoids include both endogenous endocannabinoids and exogenous phytocannabinoids, such as cannabidiol (CBD), and have potential as therapeutic agents in cancer treatment due to their selective anticancer activities. CBD exhibits both antioxidant and pro-oxidant effects depending on its concentration and cell types. These properties allow CBD to influence oxidative stress responses and potentially enhance the efficacy of antitumor therapies. In this study, we treated U87MG glioma cells with low dose (1 μM) CBD and evaluated its molecular effects. Our findings indicate that CBD reduced cell viability by 20% (p < 0.05) through the alteration of mitochondrial membrane potential. The alteration of redox status by CBD caused an attempt to rescue mitochondrial functionality through nuclear localization of the GABP transcription factor involved in mitochondria biogenesis. Moreover, CBD treatment caused an increase in autophagic flux, as supported by the increase in Beclin-1 and the ratio of LC3-II/LC3-I. Due to mitochondria functionality alteration, pro-apoptotic proteins were induced without activating apoptotic effectors Caspase-3
or Caspase-7. The study of the transcription factor NRF2 and the ubiquitin-binding protein p62 expression revealed an increase in their levels in CBD-treated cells. In conclusion, low-dose CBD makes U87MG cells more vulnerable to cytotoxic effects, reducing cell viability and mitochondrial dynamics while increasing autophagic flux and redox systems. This explains the mechanisms by which glioma cells respond to CBD treatment. These findings highlight the therapeutic potential of CBD, suggesting that modulating NRF2 and autophagy pathways could represent a promising strategy for glioblastoma treatment
Minecraft Education: implicazioni per la promozione di una cittadinanza digitale e interculturale
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LETTURA CARTOONISTICA DELLA PROTESTA VIRILE
No full textIl lavoro analizza, attraverso testi di letteratura per l’infanzia, la “protesta virile” descritta da Alfred Adler, dove la tendenza femminile è svalutata e sublimata per vantaggi esterni. Questo comportamento, radicato nell’infanzia, nasce dal confronto con
figure genitoriali e sociali, alimentando il superamento di sentimenti di inferiorità. L’obiettivo è proporre progetti educativi che, tematizzando tale protesta servendosi ad esempio dei cartoni animati, evidenzino l’impatto della percezione del sé sulla costruzione culturale
Notes from webground. Memory of the future and future of memory
No full textIspirandosi a Notes from the underground di Fëdor Dostoevskij (1864) e Utopie eterotopie di Michel Foucault (2011), il saggio affronta alcuni aspetti della complessa relazione tra la memoria e la nascita e diffusione del web. In particolare, descrive il web come la più grande eterotopia (o utopia situata) contemporanea: uno spazio-altro che ha modificato le identità e le memorie sociali, costituendosi progressivamente prima come un under, poi un over e infine un inside ground.
Nella prima parte, si analizzano le memorie del futuro (Jedlowski 2017) dei pionieri del web, cioè come il futuro immaginato da alcuni giovani della Silicon Valley abbia rappresentato una utopia-eterotopia della dis-intermediazione: il web sarebbe (stato) il più grande spazio-altro di contestazioni, rivoluzionario per la costruzione indipendente delle identità e per la realizzazione di una contro-memoria sociale. Nella seconda parte del paper, si sviluppa l’ipotesi che quella eterotopia sia poi deflagrata, trasformandosi progressivamente in una distopia-eterotopia della iper-mediazione: il web
starebbe radicalmente modificando le modalità di costruzione della memoria e riducendo gli spazi di autonomia delle identità. Descrivendo queste rappresentazioni dicotomiche, l’autore intende spostare il lettore su una linea di confine, per osservare il web come eterotopia della compresenza di utopie e distopie
An interlaboratory comparison to quantify oxidative potential measurement in aerosol particles: challenges and recommendations for harmonisation
No full textAbstract. This paper presents the findings from a collaborative interlaboratory comparison exercise designed to assess oxidative potential (OP) measurements conducted by 20 laboratories worldwide. This study represents an innovative effort as the first exercise specifically aimed at harmonising this type of OP assay, setting a new benchmark in the field.
Over the last decade, there has been a noticeable increase in OP studies, with numerous research groups investigating the effects of exposure to air pollution particles through the evaluation of OP levels. However, the absence of standardised methods for OP measurements has resulted in variability in results across different groups, rendering meaningful comparisons challenging. To address this issue, this study engages in an international effort to compare OP measurements using a simplified method (with a dithiothreitol (DTT) assay).
Here, we quantify the OP in liquid samples to focus on the protocol measurement itself, while future ILCs should aim to assess the full-chain process, including the sample extraction. We analyse the similarities and discrepancies observed in the results, identifying the critical parameters (such as the instrument used, the use of a simplified protocol, the delivery and analysis time) that could influence OP measurements, and provide recommendations for future studies and interlaboratory comparisons. Even if other crucial aspects, such as sampling PM methods, sample storage, extraction methods and conditions, and the evaluation of other OP assays, still need to be standardised. This collaborative approach enhances the robustness of the OP-DTT assay and paves the way for future studies to build on a unified framework. This pioneering work concludes that interlaboratory comparisons provide essential insights into the OP metric and are crucial to move toward the harmonisation of OP measurements
Biodiversity Protection Practices in Supply Chain Management: A Novel Hybrid Grey Best–Worst Method/Axial Distance-Based Aggregated Measurement Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Model
Full text linkBiodiversity, from genes to entire ecosystems, is crucial for a healthy planet. However, human activities, including business practices, are causing rapid biodiversity loss. This study focuses on selecting and integrating biodiversity protection practices into the supply chain, offering a chance to make positive changes for the environment and future generations. A new hybrid grey multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) model is proposed in this paper, which combines the grey Best–Worst Method (BWM) for obtaining criteria weights and the grey Axial Distance-based Aggregated Measurement (ADAM) method for ranking alternatives (practices). The applicability of the proposed model for solving the defined problem was demonstrated by ranking nine practices according to seven criteria. The most effective supply chain management practices in the context of biodiversity conservation were supply chain policies (with a score of 0.044), biodiversity goal setting, monitoring, reporting, and transparency (0.039), and education and awareness raising (0.037). These practices are the best because they combine clear frameworks, measurable goals, and long-term cultural change for effective biodiversity conservation. The lowest ranked practice is compliance with legislation (0.006) since it represents a baseline, reactive approach rather than a proactive or innovative strategy for biodiversity conservation. This study provides a comprehensive framework and hybrid MCDM model that enhances theoretical knowledge and can serve as a basis for developing a practical tool for integrating, assessing, and prioritizing biodiversity-focused practices in supply chains. The main novelties of this paper are the extension of the ADAM method in the grey environment, the development of a new hybrid MCDM model that combines the grey BWM and grey ADAM method, the identification of biodiversity-oriented business strategies in supply chains and the criteria for their evaluation, and a framework for practice evaluation and selection
