Archivio Istituzionale della Ricerca- Università del Salento
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Plant-Based Scaffolds for Tissue Engineering: A Review
No full textThe global need for tissue and organ transplantation paved the way for plant-based scaffolds as cheap, ethical, and valuable alternatives to synthetic and animal-derived matrices for tissue regeneration. Over the years, the field has outgrown its initial scope, including the development of tissue models, platforms for drug testing and delivery, biosensors, and laboratory-grown meat. In this scoping review, we aimed to shed light on the frequency of the use of different plant matrices, the main techniques for decellularization, the functionalization methods for stimulating mammalian cell attachment, and the main results. To that purpose, we searched the keywords “decellularized” AND “scaffold” AND (“plant” OR “vegetable”) in online-available databases (Science Direct, Scopus, PubMed, and Sage Journals). From the selection and study of 71 articles, we observed a multitude of plant sources and tissues, along with a large and inhomogeneous body of protocols used for decellularization, functionalization and recellularization of plant matrices, which all led to variable results, with different extents of success (mostly in vitro). Since the field of plant-based scaffolds shows high potential for growth in the next few years, driven by emerging biotechnological applications, we conclude that future research should focus on plant sources with low economic and environmental impacts while also pursuing the standardization of the methods involved and a much deeper characterization of the scaffold performance in vivo
Search for ttˉH/A→ttˉttˉ production in proton–proton collisions at sqrt(s) = 13 TeV with the ATLAS detector
No full textA search is presented for a heavy scalar (H) or pseudo-scalar (A) predicted by the two-Higgs-doublet models, where the H/A is produced in association with a top-quark pair (ttˉ H/A), and with the H/A decaying into a ttˉ pair. The full LHC Run 2 proton–proton collision data collected by the ATLAS experiment is used, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 139 fb-1. Events are selected requiring exactly one or two opposite-charge electrons or muons. Data-driven corrections are applied to improve the modelling of the ttˉ+jets background in the regime with high jet and b-jet multiplicities. These include a novel multi-dimensional kinematic reweighting based on a neural network trained using data and simulations. An H/A-mass parameterised graph neural network is trained to optimise the signal-to-background discrimination. In combination with the previous search performed by the ATLAS Collaboration in the multilepton final state, the observed upper limits on the ttˉ H/A→ttˉ ttˉ production cross-section at 95% confidence level range between 14 fb and 5.0 fb for an H/A with mass between 400 GeV and 1000 GeV, respectively. Assuming that both the H and A contribute to the ttˉ ttˉ cross-section, tanβ values below 1.7 or 0.7 are excluded for a mass of 400 GeV or 1000 GeV, respectively. The results are also used to constrain a model predicting the pair production of a colour-octet scalar, with the scalar decaying into a ttˉ pair
Circulating mitochondrial components and metabolic and inflammatory markers in Charcot-Marie-Tooth type 2B
No full textCharcot-Marie-Tooth type 2B (CMT2B) is a rare inherited neuropathy caused by mutations in the RAB7A gene. Altered mitochondrial dynamics and late endosome trafficking contribute to CMT2B pathophysiology. In this case-control study, we quantified levels of circulating cell-free mtDNA (ccf-mtDNA), mitochondrial proteins secreted within mitochondria-derived vesicles (MDVs), and metabolic and inflammatory markers in biofluids of individuals with CMT2B (n = 5) and healthy controls (n = 4). ccf-mtDNA was quantified in serum by droplet digital PCR. MDVs were purified by immunoprecipitation and analyzed by Western blotting. A panel of 27 inflammatory markers was assayed in serum by multiplex immunoassay. Forty-four amino acids and derivatives were quantified in serum and urine by ultraperformance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (UPLC/MS). Fourteen long-chain fatty acids and asymmetric dimethyl arginine (ADMA) were measured in serum by UPLC/ MS. Analysis of variance - simultaneous component analysis models were built to explore differences in metabolic and inflammatory markers between cases and controls. Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare ccfmtDNA levels between groups. Spearman's correlation analysis was applied to explore the relationship between markers of inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, and fatty acid metabolism. CMT2B participants had higher levels of ADMA as well as of interleukin (IL)-1b, IL-8, IL-9, IL-13, eotaxin, and most fatty acids than controls. Serum levels of 1- and 3-methylhistidine, alfa- and beta-aminobutyric acid, asparagine, glycine, threonine, and fibroblast growth factor were lower in CMT2B samples than in controls. No significant differences were observed for ccf-mtDNA levels between groups, while differences in MDV content were identified between participants with CMT2B and controls. Among the metabolic markers, ADMA was the most discriminant biomolecule distinguishing CMT2B participants from controls and showed a positive correlation with some fatty acids. Collectively, these findings suggest that CMT2B may be associated with altered endosomal trafficking and mitochondrial and endothelial dysfunction
A comprehensive review of biliary cannulation techniques in endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography
No full textIntroduction: Successful biliary cannulation is crucial for the efficacy of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). Failure to achieve cannulation can lead to procedure failure, highlighting the importance of mastering various cannulation techniques, particularly in challenging cases. Areas covered: This article examines advanced biliary cannulation techniques, including guidewire-assisted methods, precut sphincterotomy, and rendezvous procedures. The literature search encompassed PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Library from inception to April 2024, focusing on randomized trials, meta-analyses, and systematic reviews evaluating efficacy and safety. Expert opinion: This paper advocates for a structured, algorithmic approach to cannulation, emphasizing early recognition of difficulty and strategic escalation to advanced techniques to enhance success rates and minimize complications like post-ERCP pancreatitis
Il sistema contabile sotteso ai principi ITAS: una prospettiva comparata con i principi contabili IAS/IFRS e IPSAS
No full textLo studio offre un'analisi sulla natura del sistema contabile sotteso ai principi contabili nazionali italiani per il settore pubblico (ITAS), confrontando questi ultimi con gli standard internazionali IAS/IFRS e IPSAS. L'obiettivo è comprendere il posizionamento degli ITAS nel dibattito teorico tra approccio patrimonialista (asset-liability view) e approccio redditualista (revenue-expense view). La ricerca applica un framework teorico multidimensionale basato su dieci dimensioni chiave per valutare le tendenze patrimonialiste e redditualiste nei tre corpus di principi contabili. Dall'analisi si osserva che gli ITAS potrebbero rappresentare un modello di riferimento per altri paesi che cercano di conciliare standard globali con esigenze locali, suggerendo che l'adattamento degli standard contabili può essere tanto importante quanto l'adozione stessa. I risultati ottenuti offrono un contributo alla loro comprensione sia teorica che applicativa
Reduced Motor Individuality in Older Adults Revealed by Network-Based Gait Fingerprinting
No full textSurfing twin transition in agri-food supply chains: The role of iot and data analytics in sustainable decision-making
No full textThe agri-food industry faces complex challenges that impact operational efficiency, profitability, and the ability to meet evolving consumer expectations for transparency and sustainability. Industry 4.0 technologies, particularly the Internet of Things and data analytics, offer substantial potential to enhance performance and support sustainability goals across the supply chain. This study investigates the application of Internet of Things and analytics through a multiple case study approach, illustrating how agri-food companies can transform operational and product data into actionable insights to inform decision-making and implement effective sustainability practices. The research adopts a four-phase methodology - Digitalization & Sustainability Case stud* Guideline- identifying market needs, mapping product information, elaborating data analysis, and collecting stakeholder feedback, thus providing a replicable guideline for conducting case studies in the intersection of digitalization and sustainability. A practical roadmap is presented for leveraging technological assets to generate meaningful sustainability indicators and rankings, supporting both operational managers and end consumers in accessing transparent, data-driven information. The study contributes to theory by advancing methodological rigor in multiple case studies and highlighting how data integration facilitates sustainable decision-making in agri-food supply chains. Practically, it offers actionable insights for managers aiming to enhance operational efficiency, improve communication of sustainability performance, and build consumer trust. The findings underscore the value of Internet of Things and analytics in enabling data-driven innovation and supporting future research on generalizing these approaches across diverse agri-food contexts