Archivio istituzionale della Ricerca - Università degli Studi di Parma
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Kaldor, Hicks and Goodwin Meet the Supermultiplier: On Growth Cycles and Autonomous Demand
No full textMultiple fault strands in carbonate rocks control groundwater circulation in tectonically active areas, Monte Marine Fault, central Apennines, Italy
No full textFaults zones play a key role on groundwater flow, conditioning both local and regional pathways. They impact groundwater flow in different ways depending on host rock lithology, 3D architecture and internal structure. Despite fault zones in carbonates are widely studied, their impact on groundwater flow is still difficult to predict. In this study, we combined structural, hydrogeological, geochemical and isotopic investigations to experimentally validate the hydrogeological behavior of a similar to 14 km-long normal fault developed within carbonates in the Central Apennines (Italy). The fault is composed of two distinct, nearly parallel, fault strands linked in a step-over zone. The width and distribution of fault rocks along its strike strongly vary, leading to a non-homogeneous permeability distribution. Results show that the two near-parallel fault strands act as a barrier due to low permeable, 5-10 m-wide cataclastic fault core thus impeding cross flow. Instead, a significant flow-through is permitted in the step-over area, where local permeability is enhanced due to the presence of > 500 m-wide highly permeable loose fault breccia. The structural complexity controls the occurrence of the along-fault spring (few liters per second) and facilitates a significant flow-through from the carbonate aquifer towards the alluvial plain affecting the groundwater circulation and the geochemical characteristics at the local and basin scale. These findings not only provide valuable insights into the local hydrogeological dynamics, but also contribute to a broader understanding of fault zone behavior worldwide, offering critical knowledge for improving global models of groundwater flow and resource management in carbonate systems
Resting‐State Functional Interactions Between the Action Observation Network and the Mentalizing System
No full textPrevalence of Duchenne muscular dystrophy in Italy: a nationwide survey
No full textPurpose: The availability of care recommendations has improved survival and delayed the progression of clinical signs in Duchenne muscular dystrophy. The aim of the study was to perform a nationwide survey investigating the prevalence, age distribution, and functional status of Duchenne muscular dystrophyin Italy. Methods: The survey was performed by collecting data from all 31 reference centers for Duchenne muscular dystrophy in Italy using a structured form. We assessed age distribution, motor function, and the need for respiratory and nutritional support to evaluate their prevalence in different age and functional subgroups. Results: The estimated prevalence was 1.65/100,000 (3.4/100,000 males). There were 972 boys and adults with a confirmed diagnosis of Duchenne, of age ranging between 6 months and 48 years (mean = 16.5). Over 59% were below the age of 18 years and the remaining 41% were adults. Over 43% were ambulant and 57% non-ambulant; 14.7% were steroids naive (mean 20.6 years), 75% are currently on steroids (mean 14.6 years) with 604 on the daily regime, 126 intermittent. Nearly 73% did not require any ventilatory support, 16% had NIV ≤ 12 h, 9% > 12 h, and 1.4% had a tracheostomy. More than 82% did not require any nutritional support, 13% required food modification/semisolid and 4.4% had a G-tube. Conclusions: Our findings provide information to be used not only for epidemiological purposes but also for possible trial design to include older non-ambulant patients who until recently have been excluded and for whom clinical information is limited. (Table presented.
The Changing Epidemiology of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome: A 15‐Year Overview Comparing Italian and European Data
No full textBackground and Aims: Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) represents a prominent cause of infant death in many
countries. Epidemiological data has been variable over time because the related International Classification of Diseases (ICD) code is not consistent throughout countries and has changed over the years. The prevalence of SIDS is unclear, with estimates that do not reflect the number of patients who actually died from SIDS. This paper aims to assess the trend of SIDS in Italy and Europe during 2011–2018, and factors contributing to epidemiological data. Data for Italy were also integrated with an individual‐level analysis over the period 2003–2018.
Methods: A two‐pronged analysis was performed starting from the Italian National Institute of Statistics and experimental data. The individual characteristics of SIDS infants were detailed in association with biomedical, socioeconomic, and cultural variables.
Results: Total infant mortality has been continuously declining in Italy, from 4.15‰ in 2003 to 3.05‰ in 2018 (−26.5%) with rates significantly lower than the European average in the same period (mean Italy 3.05‰ vs. mean Europe 4.11‰). Considering only SIDS, the 28 European countries show an average value of 0.15/1000 deaths/births (2011–2018), with a decreasing temporal trend. Italy displays an average rate 75% lower (0.04/1000 births). The seasonality of the syndrome highlights a prevalence during cold months (60.7%) and no evidence of a significant effect of mother's age at birth was found. The mean age at death is prevalent in the postneonatal period. No statistically significant effects on Italian SIDS mortality have been found regarding economical, educational, and cultural aspects related to the care of infants.
Conclusion: The data suggest a likely effect of different ways of classification of SIDS‐related deaths, although a different approach to the prevention campaigns could be responsible for data variability among countries. Results also suggest an urgent need to get insight into previously unexplored aspects, such as neuroanatomical, genetic, metabolic, and proteomic aspects, focusing especially on high‐risk groups to further clarify the etiopathogenesis of this syndrome
Role of Hb to RDW ratio in metastatic renal cell carcinoma patients treated with first-line immunotherapy combinations
No full textBackground
The present study aimed to investigate the prognostic and predictive roles of Hb/RDW ratio in patients with mRCC treated with first-line immunotherapy combinations (TKI plus ICI or ICI plus ICI).
Materials and methods
We performed a sub-analysis of a multicenter retrospective observational study (ARON-1 project) involving patients with mRCC treated with first-line immunotherapy combinations.
Results
Three hundred and twenty-nine patients were enrolled, 244 males and 85 females. Median age was 65.5 years. The prognostic impact of the Hb/RDW ratio on PFS and OS was observed in the whole population examined. Hb/RDW ratio had a correlation with neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), a blood inflammatory parameter.
Conclusion
Hb/RDW ratio is a new inflammatory prognostic factor, easy to use in daily clinical practice. Prognostic factors are crucial to improve counseling of patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma treated with first-line immunotherapy combinations. Our goal is to explore the role of Hemoglobin to RDW ratio in predicting progression-free survival and overall survival
Emerging role of IGF1R and IR expression and localisation in adrenocortical carcinomas
Get PDFBackground: The insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2) is overexpressed in 90% of adrenocortical carcinomas (ACC) and promotes cell proliferation via IGF1R and isoform A of insulin receptor (IRA). However, IGF2 role in ACC tumourigenesis has not been completely understood yet, and the contribution of IGF1R and IRA in mediating ACC cell growth has been poorly explored. This study aimed to investigate IGF1R and IR expression and localisation, including the expression of IR isoforms, in ACC and adrenocortical adenomas (ACA), and their role in IGF2-driven proliferation. Methods: Immunohistochemistry staining of IGF1R and IR was performed on 118 ACC and 22 ACA to evaluate their expression and cellular localisation and statistical analyses were carried out to assess correlations with clinicopathological data. The expression of IRA and IRB in ACC and ACA tissues, ACC cell lines and ACC and ACA primary cultures was determined by RT-qPCR. To appraise the specific role of IGF1R and IR in mediating IGF2 mitogenic pathway, single and double silencing of receptors and their inhibition in 2 ACC cell lines derived from primary tumours (H295R and JIL-2266) and 2 derived from metastatic tumours (MUC-1 and TVBF-7) as well as in ACC and ACA primary cultures were performed. Results: We found a higher IGF1R plasma membrane localisation in ACC compared to ACA. In ACC this localisation was associated with higher Ki67 and Weiss score. IR was expressed in about half of ACC and in all ACA but, in ACC, it was associated with higher Ki67 and Weiss score. RT-qPCR revealed that the prevalent isoform of IR was IRA in ACC and ACA, but not in normal adrenals. In ACC cell lines, double IGF1R + IR silencing reduced cell proliferation in JIL-2266, MUC-1 and TVBF-7 but not in H295R. In ACC, but not ACA, primary cultures, cell proliferation was reduced after IR but not IGF1R knockdown. Conclusions: Overall, these data suggest that IGF1R localisation and IR expression represent new biomarkers predicting tumour aggressiveness, as well as possible molecular markers useful to patients' stratification for more individualized IGF1R-IR targeted therapies or for novel pharmacological approaches specifically targeting IRA isoform
Prove di resistenza. L'opposizione russa durante le guerre del 2014 e del 2022
No full textLe proteste come fenomeno di opposizione o dissenso rispetto a eventi singoli o al comportamento generale della leadership governativa hanno caratterizzato la storia russa del primo quarto di XXI secolo, e in alcuni precisi momenti hanno dato prova di un forte risveglio della società civile.
Nel presente contributo si prendono in considerazione le proteste sorte nel Paese come risposta a due fatti significativi di politica estera: il primo è lo scontro ucraino-russo, innescato dopo la Rivoluzione di Majdan del febbraio 2014, l'annessione della Crimea e la conseguente guerra nella zona sud-orientale del
Paese; il secondo è l'invasione su larga scala dell'Ucraina da parte dell'esercito russo, iniziata il 24 febbraio 2022
Key Performance Indicators for Food Supply Chain: A Bibliometric and Systematic Literature Review
No full textKey Performance Indicators (KPIs) are rates, percentages, or averages that convey information depending on their application field. In the Food Supply Chain (FSC), a comprehensive study is lacking. This paper fills the gap through a systematic literature review of 125 documents on FSC performance measurement. Bibliometric analysis shows a growing publication trend, with common keywords being KPIs, supply chain management, performance, and sustainability. Content analysis identifies nine FSC product types, with agricultural, dairy, and meat products being the most common categories. Similarly, three FSC areas (supply, production, distribution) are outlined, with production receiving the greatest attention. Finally, KPIs are classified into economic, environmental, and social sustainability categories, to highlight their relationships with the triple bottom line. A framework including the most common KPIs for each stage of the FSC is also proposed, together with the specific KPIs for the different product types
Safe Production of Rice (Oryza sativa L.) in Arsenic-Contaminated Soil: a Remedial Strategy using Micro-Nanostructured Bone Biochar
No full textThis study investigated the effects of fine-sized pork bone biochar particles on remediating As-contaminated soil and alleviating associated phytotoxicity to rice in 50-day short-term and 120-day full-life-cycle pot experiments. The addition of micro-nanostructured pork bone biochar (BC) pyrolyzed at 400 and 600 °C (BC400 and BC600) significantly increased the As-treated shoot and root fresh weight by 24.4–77.6%, while simultaneously reducing tissue As accumulation by 26.7–64.1% and increasing soil As content by 17.1–27.1% as compared to As treatment. Microbial community analysis demonstrated that BC600 and BC400 treatments increased the proportion of plant growth-promoting microbes such as Ceratobasidium and Achromobacter by 33–81.6% in the roots and As adsorption-associated Bacillus by 1.15–1.59-fold in the rhizosphere soil. Metabolomic profiling suggests that BC and As coexposure triggered differentially expressed metabolites (DEMs) enriched in lipid, carbohydrate, and amino acid metabolic pathways, all of which could alleviate As-induced phytotoxicity and promote plant As tolerance. Importantly, the quality of As-treated rice grains was improved by the BC amendments. This study demonstrates the significant potential of BC for enhancing crop growth and minimizing the As-induced phytotoxicity to rice and provides a framework for a promising strategy for remediating heavy metal(loid)-contaminated soil while simultaneously promoting food safety