Archivio istituzionale della Ricerca - Università degli Studi di Parma
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EndoCompass project: research roadmap for adrenal and cardiovascular endocrinology
No full textBackground Endocrine science remains underrepresented in European Union research programmes despite the fundamental role of hormone health in human well-being. Analysis of the CORDIS database reveals a persistent gap between the societal impact of endocrine disorders and their research prioritization. At national funding level, endocrine societies report limited or little attention of national research funding towards endocrinology. The EndoCompass project-a joint initiative between the European Society of Endocrinology and the European Society of Paediatric Endocrinology, aimed to identify and promote strategic research priorities in endocrine science to address critical hormone-related health challenges.Methods Research priorities were established through comprehensive analysis of the EU CORDIS database covering the Horizon 2020 framework period (2014-2020). Expert consultation in adrenal endocrinology was conducted to identify key research priorities, followed by broader stakeholder engagement including society members and patient advocacy groups.Results For adrenal disorders, research priorities span primary and secondary adrenal insufficiency, adrenal tumours, and endocrine hypertension. Key areas include development of biomarkers and replacement therapies, improved understanding of disease mechanisms, diagnostic procedure optimization, and establishment of pan-European registries. Special emphasis is placed on personalized treatment approaches.Conclusions The adrenal component of the EndoCompass project provides an evidence-based roadmap for strategic research investment. This framework identifies crucial investigation areas into adrenal disease pathophysiology, prevention, and treatment strategies, ultimately aimed at reducing the burden of adrenal disorders on individuals and society. The findings support the broader EndoCompass objective of aligning research funding with areas of highest potential impact in endocrine health
Simulating drone and bodily movements: a behavioral study
No full textIntroduction: This study explores how drone movements and human bodily gestures influence spectators’ perceptions, focusing on physical and emotional involvement, aesthetic appreciation, and time perception. Methods: Inspired by the iconic staircase scene from the Soviet film The Cranes Are Flying (1957), a set of 81 naturalistic video stimuli was created using a drone-mounted camera, varying in Drone Movement (Ascending, Descending, Still), Human Presence (Female, Male, None), and Image Speed (Normal, Low, Very Slow). Participants evaluated each video based on Liking, Perceived Movement, Physical Involvement, Emotional Involvement and Perceived Duration. Results and discussion: Results showed that ascending movements elicited the highest levels of perceived movement, aesthetic appreciation and emotional engagement, outperforming descending and still movements. These results could be explained by a stronger sense of effort and exertion associated with ascending movements, aligning with the embodied simulation of upward motion against gravity. Human presence significantly enhanced ratings across all metrics compared to videos without human figures, thus suggesting that bodily movements play a crucial role in evoking stronger viewer involvement. Additionally, the Female condition received higher aesthetic ratings. Notably, normal image speed yielded greater perceived movement and physical involvement than slowed footage, highlighting a stronger connection to the natural rhythm of bodies in motion. Furthermore, ascending and descending conditions were perceived as lasting longer than still, corroborating prior research on time perception distortions with dynamic stimuli. Correlation analysis highlighted a strong link between physical involvement, emotional engagement, and aesthetic appreciation, underscoring the interplay between bodily and emotional responses. This study emphasizes the potential of drone-based cinematography to evoke embodied and emotional responses, reinforcing the role of embodied simulation theory in cinematic experiences
Therapeutic Drug Monitoring of Antimicrobial Drugs in Children with Cancer: A New Tool for Personalized Medicine
No full textThe risk of fungal, bacterial, and viral infections is higher in children with hematological and solid malignancies, particularly during periods of profound neutropenia. Although early administration of antimicrobial agents is common, optimizing pharmacological therapy in pediatric patients with cancer is challenging because of their variable pharmacokinetics compared with adults, including differences in body mass and augmented renal clearance, as well as chemotherapy-induced organ toxicity. Therapeutic drug monitoring, which involves measuring drug concentrations in serum or plasma at specific timepoints and adjusting doses accordingly, can be applied to various medications. While standardized targets for all antimicrobial agents in children are lacking, therapeutic drug monitoring appears to be beneficial in preventing serious toxicity and addressing treatment failure or non-compliance. This narrative review aims to analyze current perspectives on therapeutic drug monitoring for antimicrobial drugs in the special population of children with hematological or oncological diseases, including those undergoing hematopoietic cell transplantation. The review provides evidence on the clinical benefits of this method and explores potential future developments in this area
In-Field Assessment of Foliar Cytokinin Timing and Dosage Effects on Morphological Traits, Photosynthesis, Yield and Quality in Common Wheat
No full textThe increasing frequency of heat waves and drought during wheat ripening undermines yield potential and grain quality by accelerating plant senescence. This study investigated the effects of late foliar cytokinin (6-benzyladenine, 6-BA) application timing and dosage on leaf greenness, photosynthesis, yield, and grain quality in open-field wheat cultivation in NE Italy. Four application timings were evaluated: at flowering (T1), and at 10 (T2), 20 (T3), and 30 (T4) days after flowering, and two double applications (T1+T3; T2+T3), at three 6-BA doses (25, 50 and 150 g ha−1) compared with untreated controls (C). T1 application significantly prolonged canopy greenness (p ≤ 0.05), while increases in CO2 assimilation (+15 %) and yield (+6 %) were non-significant. Grain protein content improved significantly, and gluten composition shifted toward a higher glutenins/gliadins ratio. Later applications, especially T3, significantly increased leaf chlorophyll content, the glutenins/gliadins ratio, and low-molecular-weight glutenins, whereas double applications mainly enhanced root development in the upper soil profile (+20 to +33 %) without yield benefits. T2 and T4 were largely ineffective for canopy greenness, but showed selective positive effects on protein or root traits. Overall, yield responses remained non-significant, but cytokinin effects were stage-dependent, with treatments at flowering providing the most consistent benefits at doses ≥50 g ha−1. Taken together, these findings support a dual-role model of cytokinin action: early 6-BA sprays delay senescence and enhance N remobilization, while later sprays alter gluten composition, highlighting the potential of cytokinin treatments to improve wheat resilience and quality under field conditions; validation across environments and genotypes is still required
Outcome in isolated partial agenesis of the corpus callosum: fetal medicine specialists need more data
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Investigating Neophobia Towards New Food Technologies in Italy: The CoNF&TTI Cross-Sectional Study
No full textBackground/Objectives: Food technology neophobia (FTN), defined as the reluctance to accept or consume foods produced with novel or emerging food technologies, represents a psychological barrier to the adoption of sustainable and innovative dietary practices. This cross-sectional study investigated the prevalence of food technology neophobia and its associated factors among Italian university students. Methods: A total of 1788 undergraduates from 13 universities completed a validated online questionnaire between February and October 2024. The instrument included the Food Technology Neophobia Scale (FTNS), environmental attitude items, and demographic and dietary questions. Results: The mean FTNS score was 51.2 +/- 14.0, suggesting moderate levels of neophobia. Multivariate logistic regression identified several factors inversely associated with neophobia: male gender (OR = 0.73, p = 0.003), paternal university education (OR = 0.73, p = 0.024), studying in Northern Italy (OR = 0.64, p < 0.001), dietary supplement use (OR = 0.74, p = 0.003), and pro-environmental attitudes (OR = 0.97, p < 0.001). Conversely, being a commuter student was associated with increased neophobia (OR = 1.29, p = 0.031). Conclusions: These findings highlight the influence of socio-demographic, behavioral, and attitudinal factors on the acceptance of new food technologies. Tailored strategies are recommended to address FTN in specific subgroups, particularly among female, commuter, and Southern Italian students, to enhance receptivity to food innovation and support sustainable dietary transitions
Seismic Retrofitting of Masonry Churches in Emilia-Romagna After the 2012 Earthquake: A Comparative Study of Composite Materials and Construction Techniques
No full textFollowing the 2012 Emilia-Romagna earthquake, a significant number
of masonry churches underwent seismic retrofitting, with many interventions incorporating advanced composite materials. Given their widespread use in postseismic restoration, a thorough and critical evaluation of these materials’ effectiveness is essential. The extensive application of fiber-reinforced polymers (FRPs)
and other composite systems has raised important questions regarding their ability to enhance structural resilience while preserving the architectural integrity of historic buildings. A retrospective analysis of the interventions carried out after the
Emilia Romagna earthquake provides valuable insights into the real-world performance
of composites, clarifying both their strengths and limitations. Specifically,
a careful review of the opinions and recommendations of the joint committee has allowed for the identification of certain issues and decisions, which are not
always aligned from a technical and conservation perspective. This study offers a critical assessment of composite reinforcement strategies in comparison to traditional techniques, with particular focus on the construction characteristics typical of masonry churches affected by the 2012 earthquake. The assessment examines
both structural performance and, more critically, their alignment with conservation
principles. The ultimate aim of the present paper is to inform more effective strategies for the re-habilitation of heritage buildings, particularly in seismic-prone areas, guiding future restoration practices