Archivio istituzionale della Ricerca - Università degli Studi di Parma
Not a member yet
127980 research outputs found
Sort by
Genetic Characterisation of the upp Gene in Bifidobacterium bifidum PRL2010
No full textBifidobacteria are key members of the human gut, especially during infancy. The ability of bifidobacteria to outcompete other members of the microbial communities encountered in this highly competitive human gut environment represents a key example of their evolutionary and ecological success. In the current report, we investigated the highly conserved bifidobacterial upp gene, which encodes the uracil phosphoribosyltransferase and which is involved in the pyrimidine salvage pathway. Phylogenetic analysis incorporating 107 bifidobacterial upp sequences, representing all currently known Bifidobacterium taxa, indicates that this gene followed an evolutionary route that apparently deviates from that of the 16S rRNA gene. In addition, the upp gene may support bifidobacterial survival in environments with limited uracil availability, potentially providing a competitive advantage under nutrient-restricted conditions
Effect of Omega-3 in Patients Undergoing Bone Marrow Transplantation: A Narrative Review
No full textBackground/Aim: Omega-3 fatty acids, a key component of immunonutrition, have been used to modulate immune responses and improve clinical outcomes in various settings, including hematological patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). This study aimed to summarize the effects of omega-3 supplementation on inflammation, long-term survival, and post-transplant complications, such as graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) and mucositis. Additionally, its impact on nutritional status and immune function was considered. Methods: A narrative review was conducted. The PubMed, Embase, and CINAHL databases were searched, along with sources of gray literature. From 2607 records, five studies met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed Results: The available literature suggests that omega-3 supplementation provides significant benefits, including reduced inflammation, lower C-reactive protein levels, and improved long-term survival. Furthermore, a reduction in GVHD and mucositis incidence was observed. The safety profile of omega-3 was favorable, with no serious adverse events reported. However, the evidence remains limited and heterogeneous, emphasizing the need for further well-designed trials to validate and expand upon these findings. Conclusions: Omega-3 fatty acids appear to be a promising intervention for improving clinical outcomes in HSCT patients. Additional research is essential to optimize treatment protocols and confirm its immunomodulatory role
Relational skills of nephrology and dialysis nurses in clinical care settings: A scoping review and stakeholder consultation
No full textMedicinal Plants for Child Mental Health: Clinical Insights, Active Compounds, and Perspectives for Rational Use
No full textSlow Relaxation of the Magnetization in Dysprosium–Aluminum Metallacrowns
No full textA series of DyIII-AlIII metallacrowns (MC) with the ligand salicylhydroxamic acid (H3shi) were investigated for magneto-structural interactions. The four MCs demonstrate that slight variations in reaction conditions and molecular components can lead to different classes of MCs. The DyIII-AlIII MCs include an archetype Dy III Al III 4 [12-MC-4], the dimer Dy III 2 Al III 8 [12-MC-4] 2, a [3.3.1] metallacryptand (MCr) Dy III Al III 6 [3.3.1], and Dy III 2 Al III 6 [18-MC-6], representing a new type of MC. Dy III 2 Al III 6 [18-MC-6] consists of a MC ring with six ring AlIII ions that have an octahedral propeller configuration with a stereoisomer pattern Delta Lambda Lambda Lambda Delta Delta about the MC ring. The 18-MC-6 captures a [DyIII 2(mu 3-OH)2]4+ core, where each DyIII ion is nine-coordinate with muffin geometry (C s). Both the static and dynamic magnetic properties of the complexes were investigated. Models of the static magnetic data reveal that Dy III Al III 4 [12-MC-4] and Dy III 2 Al III 8 [12-MC-4] 2 do not have a significant axial ligand field, as the DyIII ions have a square antiprism geometry (D 4d). However, a similar analysis demonstrates that Dy III Al III 6 [3.3.1] and Dy III 2 Al III 6 [18-MC-6] do have a significant axial component to the ligand field, as the DyIII ions in these complexes have spherical capped square antiprism (C 4v) or muffin geometry, respectively. The DyIII geometry differences lead to differing dynamic magnetic susceptibility behavior. Dy III Al III 4 [12-MC-4] and Dy III 2 Al III 8 [12-MC-4] 2 do not display a frequency-dependent out-of-phase magnetic susceptibility signal in the absence of a static magnetic field. A frequency-dependent signal is observed only with the application of an 800 Oe magnetic field. However, Dy III Al III 6 [3.3.1] and Dy III 2 Al III 6 [18-MC-6] do exhibit SMM behavior in the absence and presence of a static magnetic field. For Dy III Al III 6 [3.3.1] and Dy III 2 Al III 6 [18-MC-6], the effective energy barrier to magnetization relaxation (U eff) with an 800 Oe magnetic field is 59 +/- 2 and 35 +/- 2 cm-1 with tau 0 = 2.5 +/- 0.7 x 10-8 and 3.5 +/- 1.1 x 10-8 s, respectively
On the Application of Expectation Propagation to Symbol Detection in Phase Noise Channels
No full textIn the context of signal detection in the presence of an unknown time-varying channel parameter, receivers based on the Expectation Propagation (EP) framework appear to be very promising. EP is a message-passing algorithm based on factor graphs with an inherent ability to combine prior knowledge of system variables with channel observations. This suggests that an effective estimation of random channel parameters can be achieved even with a very limited number of pilot symbols, thus increasing the payload efficiency. However, achieving satisfactory performance often requires ad-hoc adjustments in the way the probability distributions of latent variables - both data and channel parameters - are combined and projected. Here, we provide, for the first time, an analysis of EP-based algorithms for the classical problem of coded transmission on a strong Wiener phase noise channel, employing soft-input soft-output decoding. The analysis includes possible improvements over the native application of EP, in order to identify its limitations and propose new strategies which reach the performance benchmark while maintaining low complexity, with a primary focus on challenging scenarios where the state-of-the-art algorithms fail
Sustainable Lignin@ZnO Hybrid Materials: Synthesis, Characterization, and Preliminary Biostimulant Assessment in Tomato Plants
No full textAgriculture faces pressing challenges in meeting the demands of a growing population while ensuring sustainable resource use, minimal contamination, and reduced waste. Agro-industrial waste valorization, particularly of lignin, offers promising solutions within a circular economy framework. Typically burned to sustain the bioethanol or pulp production process, technical lignins possess polyphenolic structures that make them potential biostimulants with antioxidant and growth-promoting features. This study explores the synthesis of lignin-based zinc oxide (ZnO) hybrid materials, combining the bioactive potential of lignin with the essential role of zinc as a plant micronutrient. Utilizing a Kraft lignin (HMW) as a capping agent, the synthesis of a hybrid material is optimized following an ecofriendly protocol. Comprehensive characterization by means of several analytical techniques confirmed the structural integrity of the lignin matrix and the morphology of the ZnO nanoparticles. In vivo experiments on tomato plants demonstrated enhanced dry shoot weight and zinc translocation to aerial parts of the plants, highlighting the controlled nutrient delivery capacity of the hybrid compared to ZnO alone. These findings underscore the potential of lignin@ZnO materials as innovative biostimulants, contributing to sustainable agriculture by repurposing lignin as a valuable agronomic resource
Impact of Sensor Positioning on Temperature Measurement Accuracy in Battery Modules
No full textMonitoring temperatures in lithium-ion battery modules involves a trade-off between cost, complexity (number of sensors and connections) and accuracy of measurements, particularly regarding uncertainties in the estimation of temperature distribution. In this work, sensor placement throughout a battery module is studied considering such uncertainties. The proposed method combines finite element thermal simulations with matrix calculus to determine the optimal placement of temperature sensors in a lithium-ion battery module made up of 16 cells in a 4 × 4 cell arrangement. The module incorporates a perforated aluminum plate to hold the cells, providing uniform temperature distribution and a surface for accurate placement of temperature sensors. A detailed analysis is carried out to select the thickness of the aluminum plate. Subsequently, four different algorithms for sensor positioning are used to evaluate the estimation error when reconstructing the thermal map on the aluminum sheet by interpolating measured temperatures from the sampling points. This study provides an original approach for the implementation of thermal sensor placement, considering its potential application in battery thermal management systems
Prevalence and correlates of prolonged grief disorder symptom severity in a large sample of Italian adults
No full textBackground Literature has shown that a significant minority of bereaved people are at risk of prolonged grief disorder (PGD). However, studies on its prevalence and correlates within Italian samples remain scarce. Aims This study aimed to explore the prevalence and correlates of PGD symptom severity among 1603 bereaved Italian adults. Method Self-reported data on PGD, suicidal ideation, depression, anxiety and stress were gathered. Descriptive characteristics and bereavement-related information were also collected. Results Among participants who lost a close other person at least 12 months prior, the prevalence of probable PGD and severe suicidal ideation was 7.7% (n = 104) and 0.7% (n = 9), respectively. The overall prevalence of severe suicidal ideation in the sample was 4.5%, rising to 18.2% among those with probable PGD. The probable PGD diagnosis showed minimal agreement with reported depression (phi = 0.25), anxiety (phi = 0.19), and stress (phi = 0.26), suggesting potentially limited overlap and supporting their distinctiveness. The severity of PGD symptoms was significantly positively associated with older age and suicidal ideation, and negatively associated with lower educational background and time since loss. PGD severity also varied by kinship, cause of death and place of residence. Specifically, bereaved individuals who lost a grandparent due to natural causes associated with ageing and lived in small-to medium-sized cities reported lower PGD symptom severity relative to others. Conclusions These findings contribute to the understanding of PGD symptomatology in bereaved individuals in Italy, although the results may not generalise to the entire Italian population