Archivio istituzionale della Ricerca - Università degli Studi di Parma
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Alcuni nodi critici: disorientamento e invisibilità
No full textCosa sono le comunità educative per minorenni? Quali sono i vincoli normativi che le definiscono? Chi sono gli educatori che vi operano? Quali implicazioni pedagogiche emergono dalla loro esperienza quotidiana?
A partire da domande come queste, il volume esplora le questioni di fondo ed alcuni aspetti emergenti relativi ai servizi residenziali destinati all’accoglienza dei minorenni in condizioni di vulnerabilità, favorendo un dialogo costruttivo tra ricerca accademica e pratica professionale, tra chi forma gli educatori e chi vive quotidianamente il lavoro educativo in comunità. Frutto di un progetto di ricerca-formazione promosso dall’Unità di Educazione del Dipartimento di Discipline Umanistiche, Sociali e delle Imprese Culturali dell’Università di Parma, il testo coinvolge studiosi e professionisti che operano in contesti spesso caratterizzati da scarsa visibilità sociale.
Senza pretendere di essere esaustivo, né di semplificare una realtà eterogenea e complessa come quella dell’accoglienza minorile, il volume offre a ricercatori, studenti, educatori, coordinatori e operatori sociali, uno sguardo articolato e multidimensionale sulla realtà delle strutture che si dedicano ad accogliere e sostenere minorenni e famiglie fragili. Attraverso riflessioni teoriche, analisi di casi concreti e testimonianze dirette, il libro propone un itinerario di lettura pensato per chi desidera approfondire le dinamiche educative e sociali della cura, della tutela e della progettualità esistenziale rivolta ai minorenni
Weighted quantile sum (WQS) mixed-effects model
No full textHuman-relevant environmental exposures typically have complex correlation patterns and may result in a mixture effect. That is, individual exposures may be below an effect level, however, the joint action (e.g., additive toxicity) of the components may produce significant effects. Weighted Quantile Sum (WQS) Regression has been used to estimate mixture effects using an empirically weighted index associated with an outcome of interest. The current WQS regression methodology assumes independence across subjects and does not permit multiple intra-subject outcome measures, which is a research gap. We extend WQS regression to the case when the data include multiple outcome variables or repeated measures with intra-subject correlation. • Data are randomly split and the weights for the weighted index are estimated with resampling in the training set. • Inference is conducted in repeated holdout validation sets to improve the stability of WQS estimates. • A mixed-effects model is used in the holdout datasets to accommodate intra-subject correlated outcome variables for statistically valid inference relating the weighted index variables to the outcome(s). The new WQS mixed-effects model was applied to a pilot study of the impact of environmental conditions on kidney function with potential sex-specific differences in long-distance runners with repeated 20 km runs
Conventional small-bowel capsule endoscopy reading vs proprietary artificial intelligence auxiliary systems: Systematic review and meta-analysis
No full textBackground and study aims
Small-bowel capsule endoscopy (SBCE) is the gold standard for diagnosing small bowel (SB) pathologies, but its time-consuming nature and potential for human error make it challenging. Several proprietary artificial intelligence (AI) auxiliary systems based on convolutional neural networks (CNNs) that are integrated into SBCE reading platforms are available on the market and offer the opportunity to improve lesion detection and reduce reading times. This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate performance of proprietary AI auxiliary platforms in SBCE compared with conventional, human-only reading.
Methods
A systematic literature search was conducted to identify studies comparing AI-assisted SBCE readings with conventional readings by gastroenterologists. Performance measures such as accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and reading times were extracted and analyzed. Methodological transparency was assessed using the Methodological Index for Non-randomized Studies (MINORS) assessment tool.
Results
Of 669 identified studies, 104 met the inclusion criteria and six were included in the analysis. Quality assessment revealed high methodological transparency for all included studies. Pooled analysis showed that AI-assisted reading achieved significantly higher sensitivity and comparable specificity to conventional reading, with a higher log diagnostic odds ratio and no substantial heterogeneity. In addition, AI integration substantially reduced reading times, with a mean decrease of 12-fold compared with conventional reading.
Conclusions
AI-assisted SBCE reading outperforms conventional human review in terms of detection accuracy and sensitivity, remarkably reducing reading times. AI in this setting could be a game-changer in reducing endoscopy service workload and supporting novice reader training
ANTIBODIES AND THERAPEUTIC USES THEREOF
No full textThe present invention relates to antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof that specifically
bind to Cartilage Oligomeric Matrix Protein (COMP) for use in therapy in a human subject
Two journeys, one diagnosis: exploring the clinical outcomes of twins with congenital myopathy
No full textMutations in the RYR1 gene, responsible for encoding the skeletal muscle calcium release channel, are linked to conditions such as malignant hyperthermia and central core disease. These mutations can severely affect calcium handling and excitation-contraction coupling, leading to different clinical manifestations including muscle fiber abnormalities. We present two siblings diagnosed with congenital myopathy due to a homozygous variant c.14,928 C > G (p.Phe4976Leu) in the RYR1 gene, inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern. Both twins, born prematurely via cesarean section, exhibited hypotonia and arthrogryposis. Clinical exome sequencing confirmed the RYR1 mutation, and an antioxidant supplement, idebenone, was introduced. Despite sharing the same variant, the twins presented discordant clinical phenotypes with varying degrees of muscle impairment and other complications. This case highlights the critical role of epigenetic in modulating disease expression, suggesting personalized therapeutic strategies are paramount even in siblings sharing the same homozygous variant
Identification, in silico evaluation and in vitro assays of allergens from Sinapis arvensis (charlock mustard) and Brassica napus (rapeseed)
No full textCurrently, the allergenic proteins of some mustards, such as charlock mustard (Sinapis arvensis) and rapeseed (Brassica napus), have not been fully characterised at the protein level. The most widely used mustard varieties in food industry are white mustard (Sinapis alba) and Indian (Brassica juncea) mustard. Sinapis arvensis is a highly invasive weed that is not intentionally cultivated or used as a food ingredient. It can cause accidental contamination of harvested grain. Brassica napus, which is used in food and feed, has recently been approved as a Novel food (EU Regulation 2015/2283). The aim of this work was to identify the allergenic proteins of Sinapis arvensis and Brassica napus by in-gel tryptic digestion coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry, and to compare them with the known allergens of Sinapis alba (Sin a 1 and Sin a 2) and Brassica juncea (Bra j 1). Allergenicity was assessed by in silico analysis and in vitro immunoblotting experiments using sera from individuals allergic to mustard and rapeseed. The major proteins identified were 11S globulins and 2S albumins. In addition, in silico analysis showed more than 80 % of sequence identity between the different mustard species, allowing for the comparison of known and previously uncharacterised allergenic proteins. These results were confirmed by in vitro immunoblotting tests. These findings highlighted the importance of a multiple approach strategy combining in silico, in vitro, and clinical data to assess the allergenic potential of alternative and novel proteins
Una Vita piena di senso
No full textLa scrittura del libro di Valentina Di Francesco, dove si disegna la sua esperienza di malattia, è trascinante. Ci permette di conoscerla e di rivisitare altre. Attiva gli affetti, riaccende la vitalità e apre alla voglia di abbracciare la sua e la nostra fragilità umana. Invita ad esprimersi con molteplici linguaggi, leggendola in un “fare insieme”, nell’affrontare rispettando le inclinazioni e l’autenticità di ognuno.
La sua scrittura ci prende e la si accoglie anche nei linguaggi dei silenzi, dove si sosta avendo cura di restituire con lo sguardo la nostra presenza che trasmetta il messaggio “sono al tuo fianco”
