Archivio istituzionale della Ricerca - Università degli Studi di Parma
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Gene Expression Modulation in Bovine Endometrial Cells Infected with Gammaherpesvirus Type 4 and Exposed to Lipopolysaccharide in the Presence of Platelet-Rich Plasma
No full textUterine diseases in cattle are frequently linked to bacterial infections, with pathogens commonly isolated from the uterine lumen. Bovine Gammaherpesvirus Type 4 (BoGHV-4) is notably prevalent in certain regions of Argentina and is associated with uterine diseases in postpartum cattle. This study aims to evaluate the impact of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) on the gene expression related to BoGHV-4 infection in the presence of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), exploring the potential of PRP as a therapeutic alternative. The interaction between LPS and Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) plays a crucial role in inflammatory responses, triggering cytokine production and immune activation. Our results show that PRP modulates TLR4 and TNF-alpha gene expression, indicating a potential inhibitory role in inflammatory processes. Furthermore, PRP alter the temporal dynamics of BoGHV-4 replication by modulating the expression of the viral immediate-early gene (IE-2) and delaying proinflammatory cytokine responses such as IL-8. Notably, PRP enhances IFN-gamma expression, which could help prevent tissue damage caused by bacterial and viral coinfection. These findings highlight the potential of PRP as an anti-inflammatory agent with therapeutic benefits in treating uterine diseases, offering an alternative to traditional antibiotic treatments
Human Judgment versus ChatGPT: Preserving the Essence of Medical Competence in the Age of Artificial Intelligence
No full textIl suolo come bene comune. Per un’etica di responsabilità del progetto
No full textIl saggio affronta il tema del suolo come bene comune, interpretandolo non come superficie neutra ma come materia vivente dell’abitare, deposito di significati ecologici e culturali. La modernità, trasformandolo in risorsa da sfruttare, ne ha rivelato la fragilità, ponendo il progetto di fronte alla necessità di una nuova etica della cura.
Assumendo l’orizzonte dell’etica della responsabilità, il suolo viene considerato ambito nel quale ogni trasformazione incide sul futuro collettivo. Il progetto è definito come atto interpretativo capace di leggere le trame naturali e storiche, orientando le scelte verso durata, compatibilità e reversibilità.
In un contesto segnato da disuguaglianze e pressioni neoliberali, il suolo diventa terreno di una politica dell’abitare, mentre la bellezza è intesa come esito della cura e non come ornamento. Il saggio invita così a una pratica architettonica che trasformi la responsabilità in forma e in futuro
Use of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists in transgender and gender diverse youth: a systematic review
No full textIntroduction: Puberty suppression using gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists (GnRHa) is a reversible medical intervention that halts endogenous puberty, allowing transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) adolescents to avoid the development of secondary sexual characteristics that may cause psychological distress. This pause in pubertal progression provides time to explore gender identity or facilitates alignment with affirmed gender in those with an established identity. While widely used, long-term evidence on the efficacy and safety of GnRHa in this population remains limited. This systematic review aims to synthesize current data on the benefits and potential risks of GnRHa in TGD adolescents. Methods: We conducted a comprehensive literature search across PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and other databases, covering studies published from February 2011 to February 2024. Eligible studies included adolescents under 18 with gender dysphoria or incongruence treated with GnRHa, reporting outcomes related to efficacy or side effects. Fifty-one studies met inclusion criteria, and data on physical health, mental health, bone density, fertility, and adverse events were extracted and assessed using the GRADE approach. Results: Of the 51 studies, 22 were rated as moderate to high-quality evidence. GnRHa effectively suppressed puberty and secondary sex characteristics. Effects on growth and body composition varied; bone mineral density declined during treatment, particularly in AMAB individuals. Mental health improved significantly, including reduced depression, anxiety, and suicidality—especially when GnRHa was followed by gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT). Quality of life improved over time, while body dissatisfaction often persisted during suppression and improved after GAHT or surgery. No moderate- or high-quality evidence was found on fertility, sexual function, or cancer risk. Conclusion: GnRHa is effective in halting puberty and improving mental health in TGD adolescents. However, key clinical and ethical considerations—such as bone health monitoring, fertility counseling, psychological support, and informed decision-making—must guide treatment. Long-term safety remains uncertain, particularly regarding skeletal health, reproductive outcomes and cancer risk. A precision medicine approach and co-produced longitudinal studies are essential to support safe, individualized care. Systematic review registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk, identifier CRD42024528334
Foetal Cardiac Function in Early Labour and Intrapartum Outcomes: A Prospective Observational Study
No full textObjective: To assess foetal myocardial deformation in normo-oxygenated foetuses in early labour and its relationship with intrapartum outcomes. Design: Single centre prospective study. Setting: Referral tertiary maternity unit. Population: Uncomplicated singleton term pregnancies in early labour. Methods: Two-dimensional (2D) ultrasound clips of the 4-chamber view of the foetal heart were collected in labour and sent to TomTec software for the offline speckle tracking echocardiography analysis. The left (LV) and right ventricular (RV) myocardial (MyoGLS) and endocardial longitudinal (EndoGLS) strain were evaluated. Main Outcome Measures: Operative delivery including caesarean or assisted vaginal birth due to suspected intrapartum foetal compromise (IFC) as defined by standard CTG criteria. Results: In total, 208 cases were included. Operative delivery due to suspected IFC was recorded in 20 (9.6%) cases and was associated with higher LV ejection fraction (EF) (47.4 + 8.2 vs. 40.9 + 12.9%, p = 0.03) and increased RV MyoGLS (−15.9 + 4.0 vs. −12.5 + 4.3%, p < 0.01) and RV EndoGLS (−17.7 + 4.4 vs. −14.3 + 4.7%, p < 0.01) compared to cases not having operative delivery due to suspected IFC. Maternal age (OR 1.138, 95% CI [1.010–1.281], p = 0.03), baseline foetal heart rate at acquisition (OR 1.068, 95% CI [1.007–1.134], p = 0.03) and RV MyoGLS (OR 0.575, 95% CI [0.366–0.903], p = 0.02) were independently associated with the primary outcome. Conclusions: Increased right ventricular myocardial deformation is associated with operative delivery due to suspected IFC, suggesting an early cardiac response to labour-related hypoxia
A narrative review of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists prior to deep sedation or general anesthesia
No full textGlucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists are a class of drugs that mimic a natural incretin hormone released by the intestine after meals, and they are well-suited for treating type 2 diabetes. Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists also lead to satiety and appetite reduction through action on the brain’s appetite regulation centers, leading to weight loss in obese patients. However, because glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists work to slow gastric emptying, a safety concern has been raised in patients undergoing deep sedation or general anesthesia regarding gastric aspiration, and considering their long half-life in the blood, they are difficult to manage in the perioperative period. The purpose of this review is (i) to explore the present knowledge about the risk of aspiration before anesthesia; (ii) to describe the method for evaluating the presence of liquid and food in the stomach before surgery; and (iii) to balance the actual warning with the opportunity for future discovery about their benefits
Multidimensional sustainability assessment of circular management of orange peel waste
No full textIn alignment with the European Green Deal (European Commission, 2019), the National Research Centre for Agricultural Technologies (AGRITECH, agritechcenter.it), proposes a comprehensive, large-scale, multidisciplinary research initiative as part of the Next Generation EU recovery plan. AGRITECH’s goal is to tackle the diverse challenges of sustainable agriculture in Italy using an integrated approach to improve the competitiveness and sustainability of the Italian agri-food sector. This research is part of Spoke 8, focused on “New Models of Circular Economy in Agriculture through Waste Valorization and Recycling.” In this area, partners are exploring the transformation of organic waste into high-value products, advancing sustainable agro-energy production through waste valorization, and developing biofertilizers.
This contribution presents two steps of a multi-dimensional sustainability assessment framework, including the following methods: (i) Holistic Diagnosis (HD) and (ii) Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) and Circular Economy (CE) Assessment. The focus is on evaluating a technology currently developed by a company to produce an orange-based biocomposite with a biopolymer matrix
Il pilastro dimenticato. Il cinema documentario italiano (1940-1960). Aspetti economici, produttivi, industriali di Cosimo Tassinari
No full textA “cold” case of myxedema coma
No full textMyxedema coma (MC) represents a rare and severe manifestation of the extreme degree of longstanding and decompensated hypothyroidism. This condition affects approximately 0.22 cases per million inhabitants per year, especially women and the elderly, and its mortality remains very high, approximately 30-50%. This condition can present with altered mental status, hypothermia, bradycardia, hyponatremia, cardiomegaly, decreased cardiac output, and hypotension. Sometimes myxedema can cause respiratory depression and gastrointestinal issues like anorexia, abdominal pain, constipation, fecal retention, and paralytic ileus. These multiple clinical manifestations represent a true diagnostic challenge. MC can occur in patients with undiagnosed or undertreated hypothyroidism, and it may remain undiagnosed due to the sudden onset, the lack of reliable history in patients presenting with altered sensorium, and the overlap of symptoms with common medical conditions like sepsis, metabolic encephalopathy, and cerebrovascular events. Prompt recognition and management of MC are crucial to reducing the risk of life-threatening complications and improving patient outcomes
"l’incessante ruota” di Toscanini. La direzione del “Coriolano"
No full textLo studio indaga la interpretazione di Toscanini e di Furtwängler della ouverture "Il Coriolano" di Beethoven sullo sfondo delle discussioni estetiche del primo Novecento riguardo alla musica assoluta e alla ricezione di Beethove