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On the origin of perpendicular magnetic anisotropy in STO/Co/X (X = Pd, Pt) sputtered films
No full textNon-magnetic oxide/Co-based heterostructures with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) are highly attractive for energy-efficient spintronic applications, owing to the tunability of their magnetic properties via external electric fields. SrTiO3 (STO)/Co systems, in particular, offer strong potential due to the high dielectric constant of STO, which enables efficient voltage control of interfacial magnetism by interface charge accumulation. Although PMA has been previously observed, its microscopic origin remains unclear. Here, we investigate the mechanism responsible for PMA in Co/X (X = Pd, Pt) thin films on STO(1 1 1) and STO(1 0 0) substrates with mixed terminations. The results indicate a strong influence of STO orientation, reflected in different surface reactivity, as well as of the nature of the capping layer. These findings shed light on the interfacial factors that control PMA in STO/Co/X (X = Pd, Pt) heterostructures, suggesting that optimal PMA can be achieved by employing STO(1 1 1) substrates with a pure SrO34- termination, thereby enabling the development of advanced energy-efficient spintronic devices
Relationship between high VExUS score and echocardiographic parameters: a systematic review and meta-analysis
No full textBackground: The Venous Excess Ultrasound (VExUS) score integrates inferior vena cava diameter and venous Doppler findings to quantify congestion. Findings are conflicting regarding whether higher VExUS grades reflect worse cardiac function. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate echocardiographic changes across different VExUS grades and their clinical significance. Methods: The systematic review and meta-analysis were performed in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines, including hospitalized patients assessed with the VExUS score and echocardiography. The primary outcome was the association between high VExUS (grades 2–3) and TAPSE. Secondary outcomes explored the association between VExUS and other echocardiographic parameters in different subpopulations. Eligible studies were randomized or observational. The risk of bias was assessed using the ROBINS-I tool. Results: Eight studies were included in the primary outcome analysis. Patients with high VExUS scores had significantly lower TAPSE values compared to those with low scores, with a pooled mean difference of −2.35 mm (95% CI −3.27 to −1.42; p < 0.00001). Moderate heterogeneity was observed (I2 = 61%), but the overall effect remained robust. Secondary outcomes showed consistent associations between high VExUS scores and reduced cardiac output, stroke volume, RV S′, and LVOT VTI. However, in a sensitivity analysis excluding studies enrolling patients with heart failure, no significant association was observed between higher VExUS scores and right ventricular dysfunction. Moreover, the pooled mean values of right heart parameters (TAPSE, S′, and RV FAC) in patients with VExUS 2–3 remained within normal physiological ranges, suggesting preserved right ventricular function despite venous congestion. Conclusion: This systematic review and meta-analysis demonstrate that patients with venous congestion, as assessed by the VExUS score, may exhibit lower values of echocardiographic parameters of right ventricular function. This association is observed particularly in the subgroup of patients with known cardiac dysfunction and is not present in patients without heart failure. These findings suggest that the VExUS score should be primarily interpreted as a marker of established systemic venous congestion, rather than as an indicator of intrinsic right ventricular systolic impairment
Micro- and Macro-Vascular Disease in Systemic Sclerosis and Very Early SSc (VEDOSS): Results from a Monocentric Observational Study
No full textInterfacial Magnetic Coupling in NiFe2O4−CoO Nanosystems with Core−Satellite Morphology
No full textAchieving precise control over nanostructures is the key to unlocking new functionalities in magnetic materials. Here, we present the synthesis of a NiFe2O4–CoO (NFO–CO) nanocomposite, where CO selectively nucleates onto spinel NFO seeds, forming distinctive core–satellite architectures. Structural analysis confirms that NFO retains its crystallinity, while TEM captures the chemical contact between NFO cores and CO satellites, which causes a remarkable enhancement in coercivity and a pronounced exchange bias effect, revealing strong interfacial interactions, in agreement with Monte Carlo simulations. Our findings highlight the significance of tailoring the morphology for material design in magnetism
Effects of Strawberry Tree Honey on Human Breast Cancers in 2D and Cancer Stem (-like) Cells Enriched 3D Models
No full textIl cancro al seno rimane un problema di salute pubblica privo di terapie mirate ed efficaci. L’esplorazione di alternative farmacologiche basate su composti bioattivi naturali ha attirato crescente attenzione, poiché la chemioterapia tradizionale presenta gravi effetti collaterali. Il miele di corbezzolo è un rimedio antico, ma i suoi effetti sul cancro al seno non sono ancora noti. Questo studio ha quindi l’obiettivo di valutare gli effetti del miele di corbezzolo sul cancro al seno utilizzando modelli cellulari 2D e modelli 3D arricchiti in cellule staminali tumorali (CSCs).
Lo studio ha identificato i componenti bioattivi del miele di corbezzolo tramite HPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS e ne ha valutato il contenuto totale di polifenoli, flavonoidi e la capacità antiossidante. Due linee cellulari umane di carcinoma mammario, MCF-7 e SKBR3, sono state utilizzate per analizzare gli effetti anticancro del miele. Sono stati studiati la proliferazione cellulare, la generazione di ROS, l’apoptosi e l’arresto del ciclo cellulare. Inoltre, nelle cellule MCF-7 sono stati valutati gli effetti del miele sulla capacità di EMT tramite saggi di formazione di colonie e wound healing. Parallelamente, sugli sferoidi arricchiti in CSCs MCF-7 sono stati analizzati la vitalità cellulare, l’apoptosi e la respirazione mitocondriale.
Le analisi HPLC-MASS hanno confermato che il miele di corbezzolo è un complesso naturale contenente almeno 29 diversi composti polifenolici. Inoltre, il contenuto totale di polifenoli e flavonoidi e la capacità antiossidante sono risultati elevati.
Il miele di corbezzolo ha inibito la proliferazione sia nelle cellule SKBR3 sia nelle MCF-7, mostrando al contempo una tossicità molto inferiore nelle cellule mammarie normali MCF-10A. Ha inoltre aumentato la produzione intracellulare di ROS e inibito l’attivazione degli enzimi antiossidanti (Catalasi, GR e GPx) nelle MCF-7, inducendo arresto del ciclo cellulare e apoptosi. Sono state osservate regolazioni delle vie dell’apoptosi e del ciclo cellulare, con aumento dei livelli di Caspase-8 e Bax e riduzione dell’espressione di Bcl-2 e CDK2/CDK4. I saggi di wound healing e colony formation hanno mostrato che il miele riduce la migrazione e la capacità di sopravvivenza cellulare legate all’EMT nelle MCF-7. Tale soppressione potrebbe essere mediata dalla riduzione di p-Akt, MMP-9, β-Catenina, Smad4, Twist e Snail.
Nel modello 3D, il miele di corbezzolo ha inibito la proliferazione degli sferoidi arricchiti in CSCs MCF-7. Inoltre, il trattamento ha causato disfunzioni negli sferoidi, tra cui la soppressione della funzione mitocondriale (riduzione della respirazione basale, massimale, capacità respiratoria di riserva e produzione di ATP), l’induzione dell’apoptosi tramite aumento dell’espressione di p53 e l’inibizione dell’efflusso farmacologico e della capacità di EMT, con diminuzione di CD133 e aumento di E-caderina.
Nel complesso, questo studio dimostra preliminarmente gli effetti antiproliferativi del miele di corbezzolo sulle cellule di carcinoma mammario e sugli sferoidi arricchiti in cellule staminali tumorali, rivelando parzialmente i meccanismi molecolari coinvolti.Breast cancer remains a public-health issue without targeted and potent therapy. Exploring of drug alternative from natural bioactive compounds attracted numerous attentions since traditional chemotherapy exhibited severe side effects. Strawberry tree honey is an ancient medicine, but its effects on breast cancer remain unknown. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the effects of strawberry tree honey on breast cancer in 2D and cancer stem (-like) cells (CSCs) enriched 3D cell models.
Current study identified the bioactive components of strawberry tree honey by HPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS, and evaluated its total polyphenols, flavonoids, and antioxidant capacity. Two human breast cancer cell lines, MCF-7 and SKBR3, were used to evaluate the anticancer effects of strawberry tree honey. Investigations of proliferation ability, ROS generation, cell apoptosis, and cell cycle arrest were performed. The effects of strawberry tree honey on EMT ability in MCF-7 cells were evaluated as well, by means of colony formation and would healing assays. On the other hand, the effects of strawberry tree honey on MCF-7 CSCs enriched spheroids were investigated by cell viability, cell apoptosis, mitochondrial respiration.
By means of HPLC-MASS detection, current study confirmed that strawberry tree honey was a natural complex contained with at least 29 kinds of different polyphenol compounds. Furthermore, total polyphenols and flavonoids and antioxidant capacity exhibited a promising level.
Strawberry tree honey inhibited proliferation in both SKBR3 and MCF-7 breast cancer cells while performed much lower toxic effects on human normal breast cell MCF-10A. Additionally, strawberry tree honey promoted intercellular ROS generation, and inhibited the activation of antioxidant enzyme system (Catalase, GR, and GPx) in MCF-7 cells, thereby, leaded to the cell cycle arrest and cell apoptosis. Meanwhile, regulations of apoptosis and cell cycle were observed after strawberry tree honey treatment, included the increases of Caspase-8 and Bax levels, and the reductions of Bcl-2 and CDK2/CDK4 expression. The investigations of wound healing and colony formation demonstrated strawberry tree honey decreased the cell migration and survival properties, related to EMT, in MCF-7 breast cancer cells. The suppression of EMT ability in MCF-7 cells might be achieved by reduced expressions of p-Akt, MMP-9, β-Catenin, Smad4, Twist, and Snail.
Results from 3D model showed that strawberry tree honey inhibited the proliferation of MCF-7 CSCs enriched spheroids. In addition, STH treatment caused disorder in MCF-7 CSCs enriched spheroids, included the suppression of the mitochondrial function by reducing the basal respiration, maximal respiration, spare respiratory capacity, and ATP production, the induction of cell apoptosis by increasing the expression of p53, and the inhibition of drug efflux and EMT capacity by decreasing the CD133 while increasing E-cadherin expression.
Taking all above, current study preliminarily demonstrated the anti-proliferation effects of strawberry tree honey on breast cancer cells and breast cancer stem (-like) cells enriched spheroids, and partially revealed the molecular mechanism
La Convenzione quadro del Consiglio d'Europa e i rapporti con l'AI Act: verso una rinnovata interpretazione dei diritti fondamentali nel contesto digitale
No full textLooking through the kaleidoscope: exploring literature on management accountants using the becoming, doing, relating and making sense perspectives
No full textPurpose – The purpose of this paper is to analyze the extant research on management accountants (MAs) to unravel the complexity and intricacies of this kaleidoscopic occupation and identify avenues for future research. Design/methodology/approach – A literature review of 154 papers focusing on MAs was carried out. The analysis primarily adopted the “becoming”, “doing”, and “relating” perspectives suggested by Anteby et al.’s (2016) framework on occupations. However, an additional perspective, labeled “making sense”, was added and used to review the extant research on MAs, given the pivotal role played by the cognition–action processes that individual MAs undertake and their influence on occupational dynamics. Findings – The study analyzes how MAs enter the occupational community and the challenges they face (“becoming”), the intricacies of their tasks and their struggles for jurisdiction over both traditional and emergent activities (“doing”), and opportunities relating to the establishment of relationships with other occupational groups (“relating”). This social perspective on the MAs’ occupation is underpinned by a cognitive approach through which the ways in which MAs scan and interpret the environment in which they operate influence their actions (“making sense”) – that is, how MAs become part of the occupation, how MAs perform their tasks and how MAs relate to other occupations. Originality/value – This paper disentangles the major challenges to MAs’ occupation and encourages the adoption of a meta-framework that integrates cognitive and social approaches to obtain a more comprehensive understanding of MAs. The proposed meta-framework may also be used to explore other occupational groups, including established staff functions such as IT and HR, as well as nascent occupations like data scientists and sustainability manager
Innovative monitoring of asphalt surface characteristics
No full textThis thesis investigates the evolution of friction on flexible asphalt pavements on Italian motorways, with particular attention to open-graded and semi-porous wearing courses, which constitute the majority of the national network. Since road crashes remain a major safety issue worldwide, the control and monitoring of pavement friction play a crucial role in preventing loss of vehicle control during high-risk manoeuvres. In this context, although porous mixtures improve drainage and visibility, their measured friction is often less favourable than that of dense-graded mixtures, making a rigorous and predictive assessment of their long-term behaviour necessary. The Wehner–Schulze (WS) apparatus is employed as the main experimental tool to bridge laboratory testing and in-service performance. A comprehensive laboratory programme on more than thirty asphalt mixtures (open-graded, dense-graded, and semi-porous) combines WS polishing–friction tests with photogrammetric reconstruction of the surface along the WS measurement section, enabling joint analysis of microtexture, macrotexture, and friction decay. The influence of mixture type, aggregate properties (e.g. Polishing Stone Value PSV), and air-void content on contact conditions and friction evolution is quantified. To link laboratory outcomes with field performance, trafficked and companion untrafficked cores were extracted from six motorway branches, together with historical Sideway Force Coefficient (SFC) and traffic data. These data were used to establish a relationship between traffic-induced polishing and WS polishing, as well as a correlation between field skid resistance and WS friction for open-graded and semi-porous mixtures. The resulting WS-based correlations allow laboratory-measured friction-decay curves to be expressed as expected SFC values as a function of traffic, making it possible to forecast in-service friction (potentially even before construction) and to integrate these forecasts into pavement management systems. Overall, the thesis provides a consolidated framework for the use of WS in research and practice, an evidence-based understanding of how current Italian motorway mixtures behave under polishing, and an operational pathway for generating friction predictions that are directly relevant to field monitoring for open-graded wearing courses. In this perspective, the work contributes to improving the safety and sustainability of road transport by providing the research community with tools that can be applied to performance specification, in-service control, and proactive management of skid resistance over the pavement service life
PROSPECTIVE EVALUATION OF EUS-GUIDED DIRECT PORTAL PRESSURE MEASUREMENT: DIAGNOSTIC AND PROGNOSTIC VALUE BEYOND THE GRADIENT
No full textIntroduzione
L’ipertensione portale è un determinante centrale di scompenso e mortalità nelle malattie croniche di fegato. La misurazione ecoendoscopica del gradiente portale (EUS-PPG) è una tecnica emergente, ma non è noto se la pressione portale assoluta misurata direttamente (PVP) fornisca un segnale clinicamente più informativo rispetto al gradiente.
Metodi
Studio osservazionale prospettico, monocentrico, condotto presso la Clinica di Gastroenterologia, Epatologia ed Endoscopia dell’AOU Marche. In 52 pazienti consecutivi con sospetta o confermata ipertensione portale sono stati misurati, nella stessa seduta di EUS in regime di day-hospital, PVP e PPG mediante ago 25G e sistema di manometria dedicato; nella maggior parte dei casi è stata eseguita elastografia epatica e splenica. Gli end-point primari erano la capacità discriminante (ROC/AUC) di PVP e PPG per la presenza di varici esofagee e di ipertensione portale avanzata (Grade PH>2, composito di ≥3 segni specifici o aspecifici di ipertensione portale). End-point secondari comprendevano associazioni con scompenso epatico (preesistente e in follow-up), con marcatori non invasivi e la sicurezza procedurale.
Risultati
La procedura ha avuto successo tecnico nel 100% dei casi; la mediana di PVP e PPG era rispettivamente 23,0 e 11,0 mmHg. Varici esofagee e Grade PH>2 erano presenti nel 63,5% e nel 59,6% dei pazienti. Per le varici, l’AUC di PVP è risultata superiore a quella di PPG (0,98 vs 0,86; p=0,03); per Grade PH>2, 0,84 vs 0,67 (p=0,005). PVP è rimasta indipendentemente associata sia allo scompenso pregresso sia all’ipertensione portale avanzata, mentre PPG perdeva significatività nei modelli aggiustati. PVP mostrava una forte correlazione con la spleen stiffness, più debole con liver stiffness e piastrine. In follow-up (mediana 255 giorni, 12 episodi di scompenso) PVP ha fornito gradienti prognostici coerenti, mentre l’informazione aggiuntiva di PPG risultava limitata. Gli eventi avversi (9,6%) erano quasi esclusivamente correlati alla biopsia epatica EUS-guidata, senza complicanze attribuibili alla misurazione pressoria.
Conclusioni
La misurazione diretta della pressione portale guidata da EUS è fattibile e sicura in ambito ambulatoriale. In questa coorte reale, PVP ha mostrato una performance diagnostica e prognostica superiore rispetto al gradiente portale, con forte coerenza rispetto ai marcatori non invasivi, supportando l’integrazione della PVP EUS-guidata come nuovo “ancoraggio” emodinamico intra-procedurale nei percorsi di valutazione dell’ipertensione portale.Background and aims
Portal hypertension is a key driver of decompensation and death in chronic liver disease; accurate hemodynamic assessment is therefore crucial for risk stratification. Endoscopic ultrasound-guided portal pressure gradient (EUS-PPG) measurement is an emerging technique, but it remains unclear whether directly measured portal venous pressure (PVP) provides a more informative signal than the gradient for patient-oriented outcomes.
Methods
We conducted a prospective, single-center observational cohort at the Clinic of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endoscopy, AOU Marche. Fifty-two consecutive outpatients with suspected or confirmed portal hypertension underwent EUS-based hemodynamic assessment during a scheduled day-hospital admission. Using a 25-gauge FNA needle and a dedicated manometry system, PVP and PPG were recorded in the same session; liver and spleen stiffness were obtained in most patients. Primary endpoints were the discriminative performance (ROC/AUC) of PVP and PPG for oesophageal varices and advanced portal hypertension (Grade PH>2, a composite of ≥3 specific or non-specific signs of portal hypertension). Secondary endpoints included cross-sectional associations with prior decompensation and Grade PH>2, prognostic value for subsequent decompensation, concordance with non-invasive markers, and procedural performance and safety.
Results
Technical success was 100%; median PVP and PPG were 23.0 and 11.0 mmHg, respectively. Oesophageal varices and Grade PH>2 were present in 63.5% and 59.6% of patients. For varices, PVP outperformed PPG (AUC 0.98 vs 0.86; p=0.03); for Grade PH>2, AUCs were 0.84 vs 0.67 (p=0.005). In prespecified multivariable models, higher PVP remained independently associated with both prior decompensation and advanced portal hypertension, whereas PPG lost independent significance. PVP correlated strongly with spleen stiffness and more modestly with liver stiffness and platelet count; correlations for PPG were consistently weaker. Over a median follow-up of 255 days (12 decompensation events), PVP provided coherent risk gradients, while the incremental prognostic contribution of PPG was limited. Adverse events occurred in 9.6% of patients, almost all related to EUS-guided liver biopsy, with no complications attributed to the pressure-measurement step.
Conclusions
EUS-guided direct portal pressure measurement is feasible and safe in routine outpatient practice. In this real-world cohort, EUS-PVP showed superior diagnostic and prognostic performance compared with EUS-PPG and aligned closely with the most informative non-invasive markers, supporting its integration as an intra-procedural hemodynamic anchor within endoscopic pathways for portal hypertension assessment
STRUCTURAL AND FUNCTIONAL CHARACTERISATION OF α-CRUSTACYANIN FROM HOMARUS AMERICANUS
No full textThis thesis investigates α-crustacyanin, a carotenoprotein responsible for the dark-blue colouration of the lobster Homarus americanus. Using an integrated approach, which combines X-ray macromolecular crystallography, cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM), small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), size-exclusion chromatography (SEC), and other biochemical and biophysical techniques, we characterized for the first time the architecture and oligomeric state of α-crustacyanin. Our analysis reveals an elongated assembly of β-crustacyanin heterodimers stabilised by a helical heptatricopeptide repeat protein (HPR). These findings provide an atomic-level description of the protein structure and its role in modulating the spectral properties of its ligand, the chromophore astaxanthin, leading to the characteristic dark-blue colour. Overall, this work elucidates how α-crustacyanin confers the natural blue colour to lobster carapace and establishes a platform to manipulate astaxanthin absorption spectrum for potential applications in bio-inspired materials