Archivio istituzionale della Ricerca - Università degli Studi di Parma
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Delving into the possible role of Ochratoxin A in Parkinson's disease: a computational study spotlighting the potential mechanisms of action
No full textOchratoxin A (OTA) is a widespread food contaminant relevant to food safety that has various toxic effects including nephrotoxicity and neurotoxicity. Evidence suggests OTA may contribute to Parkinson's disease (PD) pathogenesis acting at multiple levels along the adverse outcome pathway (AOP), though molecular targets and underpinning mechanisms remain unclear. Using a computational pipeline based on molecular modelling techniques, which are well-established methods to elucidate protein-ligand interactions, this study investigated key events in the PD AOP where the current state-of-the-art suggests OTA and its congeners may play a role, i.e. inhibition of cathepsins B, D, and L (relevant for α-synuclein proteostasis), and Complex I (responsible for mitochondrial dysfunction). The study revealed that neither OTA nor its congeners could interact with cathepsin B, but some of them displayed differential binding with cathepsins D and L. The debated metabolites ochratoxin hydroquinone and quinone could favourably interact with the catalytic residue of the former and the latter, respectively. Additionally, OTA and ochratoxin quinone showed binding to Complex I in a rotenone-like fashion, suggesting its possible inhibition. These outcomes well-aligned with the current comprehension of OTA-PD relationship by providing deep mechanistic insights correlating OTA exposure and PD pathogenesis and revealing a novel and multi-tiered mechanism where OTA and metabolites may affect α-synuclein proteostasis and mitochondrial function. This could not only explain previous experimental observations, but also lays a knowledge-based groundwork for targeted investigations into OTA's role in PD pathogenesis
Mediating Synthetic Fibres and Colour at the Centro Design Montefibre in the 1970s, between Fashion Forecasting and Design Culture
No full textThis article examines the activities carried out in the 1970s by the Centro Design Montefibre (1973-1998), a unit within the textile division of the Italian chemical group Montedison established to support the application of synthetic fibres in the fashion and design sectors in Italy and Europe. By contextualising this experience within the broader transformations of market and consumer patterns, and through the analysis of company records, first-hand accounts from former collaborators, and specialised magazines, the aim is to highlight how, along with mediating synthetic fibres towards manufacturers and professionals, the Centre also served as a platform of experimentation and dissemination of knowledge, practices and tools relating to colour. Revisiting the history of the Centro Design Montefibre, situated at the intersection of production, mediation and consumption in design and fashion, appears particularly significant in light of current debates on colour culture and practice within these fields
Understanding decoherence in molecular spin qudits
No full textMolecular nanomagnets are quantum spin systems potentially serving as qudits for future quantum technologies thanks to their many accessible low-energy states. At low temperatures, the primary source of error in these systems is pure dephasing, caused by their interactions with the bath of surrounding nuclear spins degrees of freedom. Most importantly, as the system's dimensionality grows going from qubits to qudits, the control and mitigation of decoherence become more challenging. Here, we analyze the characteristics of pure dephasing in molecular qudits under spin-echo sequences. We use a realistic description of their interaction with the bath, whose non-Markovian dynamics is accurately computed by the cluster correlation expansion technique. First, we show that the differences in the expectation values of the local spin operators on the eigenstates of the qudit are the source of decoherence in these systems. Indeed, we demonstrate that this is a necessary and sufficient condition to prevent the decay of coherence with time, also introducing a parameter to quantify the deviation from such ideal condition. We illustrate this with two paradigmatic systems: a single giant spin and a composite antiferromagnetic spin system. We then advance a proposal for optimized nanomagnets, identifying key ingredients for engineering robust qudits for quantum technologies
Cured meat packaging: A whole system approach to the food product centric packaging solutions
No full textCured meat products are largely consumed as packaged food; however, their single-use packaging is made up of multilayer and multi-material fossil-based plastics to achieve the desired shelf life. While advanced recycling technologies are being developed, in the existing practices, these materials cannot be processed together, and their sorting and treatment are not only technically complicated or even impossible but also very expensive. Single-use plastic packaging and its waste are growing environmental, climate, and health concerns, but the packaging is only responsible for a portion of the entire waste and carbon footprint in food-packaging systems. Hence, the transformative sustainability change can only be achieved when the entire food and packaging supply chain can be fully addressed, food shelf life is not compromised by more sustainable packaging solutions and effective packaging waste management practices are implemented. Therefore, priority should be given to designing packaging with a product-centric approach and circular mindset for putting an end to wasteful packaging from the beginning, rather than handling waste at the end and investing more in emerging recycling technologies. When designing more sustainable concepts and materials (e.g. reusable, recycled, compostable packaging) food safety should be the first consideration that makes food packaging a unique challenge for several stakeholders. This review provides a comprehensive overview of current market packaging trends, and promising packaging solutions for cured meat, including a detailed elaboration on the status quo in processed meat packaging that can assist the industry and other key players in the direction of fewer resources and less waste
Infrarenal clamping in late open conversions after endovascular abdominal aneurysm repair: a 28-year single-centre experience
No full textBackground: The present study aimed to report the technical aspects and outcomes of late open conversion (LOC) after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) performed in a single-centre exclusively with infrarenal clamping. Methods: This prospective single-center study analysed the cases of LOC (>30 days) performed in our center from January 1996 to August 2024. The primary endpoints were technical success, 30-day mortality and morbidity. Results: During the analysis period, 37 patients underwent LOC with infrarenal clamping. The mean age at conversion was 75.59±6.28 years. The endografts were explanted after a mean of 45.39±30.27 months. The indication for LOC were: endoleak in 32 cases (17 type I, 4 type II, 4 type III, 4 endotension and 3 cases with multiple endoleaks), 2 distal migrations of the endograft, 2 graft infection and 1 endograft thrombosis. Partial conversion was performed in 72.9% (27/37) of cases. A partial proximal explant was performed in 63% of cases (17/27). The technical success was 100% (37/37). Overall 30-day mortality was 10.8%. The 30-day mortality was 7.41% (2/27) in elective patients and 20% (2/10) in the urgent setting (P =0.29). Post-operative Acute Kidney Damage (AKD) requiring transient hemodialysis rate was 9.1%. Mean follow-up was 42.35±50.47 months. The estimated 5-year survival rate was 69%. No aneurysm-related death occurred during follow-up. Conclusions: Infrarenal clamping during LOC is feasible. This technique, associated with partial endograft explantation, may allow the surgical procedure in selected cases, and may potentially reduce post-operative renal complications related to suprarenal clamping
La medicina difensiva al tempo dell’intelligenza artificiale
No full textL’introduzione di sistemi di AI in sanità può alimentare nuove forme di medicina difensiva, e questo inciderà sull’allocazione della responsabilità civile. Muovendo dal dilemma tra adesione alle linee-guida (l. 24/2017), buona prassi medica e impiego di strumenti innovativi ma opachi, occorre evidenziare il rischio di un’applicazione meramente difensiva degli strumenti di cura muniti di AI. Possiamo, infatti, immaginare scenari di una “nuova” medicina difensiva: esami aggiuntivi non necessari; uso della sola IA certificata; iper-documentazione per giustificare l’adesione o il dissenso rispetto all’output algoritmico; trasferimento del rischio sulle assicurazioni, con aumenti di costi a carico del paziente; rifiuto dell’AI, con possibile perdita di benefici per il paziente. Sul piano della responsabilità, si distingue tra device muniti di AI sotto controllo medico, che mantiene il giudizio di colpa professionale, e quelli ad elevata autonomia e opacità, ove l’interruzione del nesso causale suggerisce di spostare il baricentro verso la responsabilità del produttore e della filiera, anche alla luce della Product Liability Directive 2024 e del regime risk-based dell’AI Act per i sistemi “ad alto rischio”. Nei confronti delle strutture sanitarie, si conferma l’azione di natura contrattuale del paziente e la possibile rivalsa graduata verso medico e produttore del device, il cui malfunzionamento, se non rilevabile, può esclude la responsabilità diretta del medico. L’equilibrio tra innovazione e tutela del paziente passa, da una parte, dalla promozione di una IA affidabile e trasparente, accompagnata da una responsabilità oggettiva del produttore nei casi di errore “della macchina”; dall’altra, dall’individuazione di una possibile colpa omissiva del medico, che rifiuti ingiustificatamente l’uso di adeguata AI
Too young to pour: the global crisis of underage alcohol use
No full textBackground: Underage alcohol consumption remains a critical global public health concern, contributing to a wide spectrum of short- and long-term health risks. Despite age-based legal restrictions, alcohol persists as the most commonly used psychoactive substance among minors, outpacing tobacco, cannabis, and other drugs. Early initiation of alcohol use is strongly associated with heightened risks of addiction, impaired brain development, mental health disorders, and engagement in high-risk behaviors such as unintentional injuries, violence, and academic underperformance. Most research has focused on adolescents, while data on younger children remain scarce. Moreover, methodological inconsistencies in defining and measuring alcohol use across countries complicate international comparisons and the evaluation of policy interventions. Methods: This narrative review synthesizes contemporary literature on the epidemiology, determinants, and consequences of underage alcohol use. It examines genetic predispositions, family dynamics, peer influence, socioeconomic context, mental health, and exposure to alcohol-related media and advertising. It also evaluates the effectiveness of intervention strategies, including parental engagement, school-based education, extracurricular activities, community-level regulation, and professional health services. Results: Evidence highlights significant variability in the prevalence of underage drinking across regions, influenced by cultural, legal, and socioeconomic factors. Parental modeling, permissive attitudes, and weakened family structures are major contributors, while peer pressure and media exposure further normalize early alcohol use. Although various prevention strategies have demonstrated short-term benefits (particularly those involving active parental involvement and skill-based school programs), long-term effectiveness is limited due to inconsistent implementation, lack of standardization, and inadequate policy enforcement. Community-level interventions, such as increasing the legal drinking age and conducting compliance checks, have shown measurable success, but are underutilized in many regions. Conclusion: Addressing underage drinking requires a coordinated, multifactorial strategy. Broader investment in early prevention, standardized assessment tools, and targeted research on younger populations is essential. Strengthening policy enforcement and cross-sector collaboration will be critical to mitigate this growing public health challenge
Minore età e nuove tecnologie
No full textIl lavoro prende l’abbrivio dall’analisi dello statuto giuridico del minore nel sistema ordinamentale, mettendone in luce la parabola evolutiva. Indaga, inoltre, sulla tenuta dei diritti della personalità del minore ogniqualvolta questi accede alla dimensione virtuale, in quanto è nell’ambiente digitale piú che altrove che l’identità personale si frantuma in una pluralità di identità, instabili e parziali, e la volontà del giovane utente è esposta a condizionamenti pervasivi da parte degli operatori. Infine, allo scopo di saggiare l’efficacia del sistema di protezione vigente, il lavoro esamina altresì le forme di tutela poste a presidio della personalità del minore online, anche alla luce dei piú recenti interventi normativi nazionali ed europei, e riflette sull’adeguatezza delle risposte ordinamentali, le quali non possono prescindere dalla responsabilizzazione delle piattaforme, dall’educazione digitale e da forme di protezione anche successive alla produzione del danno
Mitotane treatment of adrenocortical carcinoma induces tumoural secretion of GDF-15: Impact on poor prognosis and impaired responsiveness to immunotherapy
No full textPurpose Treatment options for adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC), where mitotane remains a mainstay of therapy, are unsatisfactory. Response rates of ACC to immune checkpoint inhibition (ICI) are disappointing, and immune cells are scarce in ACC. Growth/differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15) is a cytokine impairing tumoural immune infiltration. We here aimed to assess the value of serum GDF-15 for the prognosis of ACC and as a predictor of response to ICI. Methods GDF-15 was measured in serum samples of 151 patients and correlated with clinical data. Serum GDF-15 was analysed in a second cohort of 46 ACC patients who received ICI, including 14 responders. mRNA expression of GDF15 and genes related to immune response was quantified in 58 ACC tumour samples. Results We found GDF-15 induction in ACC cells and patients upon mitotane treatment. In ACC patients, serum GDF-15 concentration below the median was associated with significantly longer patient survival. GDF-15 levels in responders to ICI were significantly lower than in non-responders (P =. 0379), and patients with low GDF-15 levels had a significant longer progression-free survival than patients with higher GDF-15 serum levels (P =. 036). Expression of pro-inflammatory immune-related genes was lower in ACC tissue with GDF-15 expression above the median. Conclusions Mitotane increases GDF-15 levels and is associated with poor response to ICI. GDF-15 may mediate reduced infiltration with immune cells in ACC