68994 research outputs found
Sort by
Co-creating a festival with and for rural commoning initiatives: a transdisciplinary place-based process
No full textTransdisciplinary collaboration is well-established in sustainability science scholarship. Stakeholders from the cultural and artistic sector can significantly enrich the co-creation process by providing diverse perspectives on caring for people and places in marginalized areas. Drawing on a legacy of transdisciplinary and participatory action research, we present an early collaboration involving architects, designers, cultural and sports association members, educators, farmers, workshop facilitators, and artists. This collaboration focused on co-creating a rural festival to showcase and connect commoning initiatives, and to foster a sense of care for community and environment. The research highlights the potential for creating actionable knowledge that is reflective of local contexts and needs. Results also demonstrate how arts-and place-based methods can provide boundary objects that blur disciplinary differences and facilitate dialogue on complex and sensitive sustainability-related issues. We discuss how these methods can be further incorporated into transdisciplinary research and reflect on the practical and ethical challenges posed by early co-design and festive event
Effect of aerobic or resistance exercise, or both on insulin secretion, ciliary neurotrophic factor, and insulin-like growth factor-1 in dieting older adults with obesity
No full textBackground and aims: Obesity exacerbates age-related changes in metabolic and physical function. The effect of distinct exercise modalities combined with diet-induced weight loss on insulin secretion in older adults with obesity and frailty is unknown, and the potential mediators of the metabolic and functional improvements induced by lifestyle therapy still need to be identified. We aimed to assess the effects of various exercise therapies coupled with diet-induced weight loss on insulin secretion and sensitivity and on the levels of circulating Ciliary Neurotrophic Factor (CNTF), its receptor (CNTFRα), and Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 (IGF-1) in older adults with both obesity and frailty. Methods: In this randomized controlled trial, we compared the effects of aerobic (AEX), resistance (REX), or combination (COMB) exercise during matched ∼10 % weight loss in 160 older adults with obesity. We compared 6-month changes in truncal fat and appendicular lean masses by dual x-ray absorptiometry; CNTF, CNTFRα, and IGF-1 levels by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; insulin sensitivity by Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR); insulin secretion by Disposition Index (DI) during oral glucose tolerance test; and vastus lateralis muscle gene expression of CNTF and CNTFRα by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Stepwise multiple regression analysis was employed to identify the main predictors of changes in plasma CNTF, DI, and physical function. This study also utilized additional data collected during the main trial, including Physical Performance Test (PPT) scores, muscle strength, maximal oxygen consumption (VO2peak), body composition by magnetic resonance imaging, and leptin and adiponectin plasma levels. Results: Truncal fat mass was significantly more reduced in AEX and COMB (p = 0.001), while appendicular lean mass was better preserved in REX (p = 0.001). HOMA-IR showed more significant improvement in COMB compared to AEX and REX (p < 0.001), while DI improved significantly only in COMB compared to controls (p = 0.04). Plasma CNTF levels decreased across all intervention groups compared to controls (p < 0.001), while only COMB preserved CNTFRα plasma levels (p = 0.003) and exhibited the most significant reduction in CNTF/CNTFRα. In the vastus lateralis, CNTF and CNTFRα expression did not differ. IGF-1 improved more in REX and COMB (p = 0.004). Changes in visceral fat volume and plasma leptin explained 49.6 % of plasma CNTF variations (p < 0.009). CNTFRα changes were key predictors of DI variation, explaining 38.3 % of its variability, alongside intermuscular fat changes (p = 0.004). They also contributed 61.2 % of the variability in PPT changes, alongside intermuscular fat, muscle strength, VO2peak, and IGF-1 changes (p = 0.03). Conclusions: In older adults with obesity, combining aerobic and resistance exercise with diet-induced weight loss leads to the most significant improvements in metabolic and physical function, the preservation of circulating CNTFRα, and an increase in IGF-1 levels. These findings, along with identifying changes in CNTFRα as key predictors of enhanced insulin secretion and physical function and IGF-1 changes as a predictor of physical function, suggest that CNTF/CNTFRα and IGF-1 signaling may play a crucial role in mediating the health benefits associated with lifestyle therapy. NCT01065636, www.clinicaltrials.go
Factors influencing the recruitment of Gongolaria barbata (Fucales) in the Conero Riviera: implications for conservation and restoration
No full textGongolaria barbata is a brown macroalga in the Fucales. This species is widely distributed in the Mediterranean Sea, where it can form dense canopies on hard substrata in the infralittoral zone. Gongolaria barbata plays a pivotal role as habitat former and ecosystem engineer, but in recent decades its distribution has declined, mostly due to anthropogenic stressors. Protection under international conventions and several active restoration projects, in the majority of cases, failed to achieve their desired outcomes. We aimed to investigate factors potentially responsible for the failure of these conservation and restoration efforts. We tested two hypotheses: 1) young specimens are sensitive to toxins and/or mucilage produced by blooms of the dinoflagellate Ostreopsis cf. ovata; 2) fast growing, turf forming macroalgae, such as Ulva lacinulata, outcompete G. barbata propagules in settlement. We assessed the condition of G. barbata’s population at an urban beach of the Conero Riviera, Adriatic Sea, Italy. This population appears fertile and reproductive but fails to recruit new individuals. The first hypothesis was tested in the laboratory, by exposing G. barbata germlings to O. cf. ovata. We observed no significant difference in growth among treatments and controls. The second hypothesis was tested in the field, clearing part of the seabed around reproductive G. barbata. Initially, scraped quadrats hosted a significantly higher number of G. barbata recruits, compared to untreated quadrats. However, no recruit survived to adulthood. We attribute this failure to factors besides turf algae, possibly acting synergistically, with high sedimentation rates, human trampling, grazing and heatwaves. This work, adding to others performed in the study area, identifies three main bottlenecks for conservation and restoration of G. establish and global and local stressors, mean that the remnant G. barbata population faces imminent extinction
The Role of the Endocannabinoid System in Human Gametogenesis
No full textThe endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a complex endocrine network involved in maintaining body homeostasis. It comprises endocannabinoids, their receptors (CB1 and CB2), and the enzymes and transporters responsible for their synthesis and degradation. While the ECS’s role in the nervous system is well established, its functions in other organs and peripheral tissues, including the cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and reproductive systems, remain incompletely understood. With the increasing use of marijuana, particularly among individuals of reproductive age, concerns have emerged regarding its potential impact on male and female fertility. Phytocannabinoids (∆9tethrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol), as well as synthetic cannabimimetic drugs, interact with the ECS, influencing sperm and oocyte physiology and reproductive outcomes. Recent research has identified ECS-related biomarkers with potential applications in infertility diagnosis, particularly in assessing male fertility with greater precision. Furthermore, emerging evidence suggests that ECS signaling pathways are involved in epigenetic modifications, which may influence health maintenance, disease susceptibility, and transgenerational inheritance patterns. These findings highlight the therapeutic potential of ECS modulation in reproductive disorders and broader medical applications. This narrative review aims to elucidate the role of the ECS in human reproduction, with a particular focus on the influence of endocannabinoids on gametogenesis. While current research underscores the critical role of the ECS in fertility, further investigations are needed to fully elucidate its underlying mechanisms and its broader implications for reproductive health and therapeutic interventions
Scoring NutriScore: Italian consumer perspectives and policy implications in nutritional labelling
No full textPurpose: This study aims to understand consumers' subjective perceptions of the adoption of the NutriScore label on food packaging. In particular, the study focuses on the overall acceptance of the NutriScore label in Italy, with the aim of emphasising the importance of understanding consumer perspectives in order to encourage healthier food choices. Design/methodology/approach: Q methodology was used to explore individuals’ subjectivity and attitudes towards the adoption of the NutriScore label. Findings: Three distinct viewpoints emerged as follows: (1) “the enthusiasts” view, which endorses the NutriScore use for its role in encouraging healthier choices; (2) “the technicians” view, which criticises its extreme simplicity, advocating for a broader nutritional education, and (3) “the sceptics” view, which distrusts its use, fearing misinformation and economic exploitation. Originality/value: This study is the first aimed at understanding consumers’ subjective viewpoints about adopting the NutriScore front-of-pack label. Engaging consumers in the development of nutritional labelling strategies proves pivotal, shaping effective and consumer-oriented interventions, but also provides valuable insights for policymakers responsible for overseeing regulations pertaining to food product labelling
A Complex Network Science Perspective on Urban Parcel Locker Placement
No full textThe rapid rise of e-commerce is intensifying pressure on last-mile delivery networks, making the strategic placement of parcel lockers an urgent urban challenge. In this work, we adapt multilayer two-mode Social Network Analysis to the parcel-locker siting problem, modeling city-scale systems as bipartite networks linking spatially resolved demand zones to locker locations using only open-source demographic and geographic data. We introduce two new Social Network Analysis metrics, Dual centrality and Coverage centrality, designed to identify both structurally critical and highly accessible lockers within the network. Applying our framework to Milan, Rome, and Naples, we find that conventional coverage-based strategies successfully maximize immediate service reach, but tend to prioritize redundant hubs. In contrast, Dual centrality reveals a distinct set of lockers whose presence is essential for maintaining overall connectivity and resilience, often acting as hidden bridges between user communities. Comparative analysis with state-of-the-art multi-criteria optimization baselines confirms that our network-centric metrics deliver complementary, and in some cases better, guidance for robust locker placement. Our results show that a network-analytic lens yields actionable guidance for resilient last-mile locker siting. The method is reproducible from open data (potential-access weights) and plug-in compatible with observed assignments. Importantly, the path-based results (Coverage centrality) are adjacency-driven and thus largely insensitive to volumetric weights
A survey on the recharging policies in the Electric Vehicle Routing Problem with Time Windows
No full textInfection events in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma with anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody-based first line regimens: A multicentric Italian experience
No full textMultiple myeloma (MM) is a malignancy characterized by the clonal proliferation of plasma cells. It accounts for approximately 1% of all cancers and is the second most common hematologic malignancy after lymphoma. Infections represent a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM), contributing to approximately 45% of early deaths, particularly in elderly individuals and during the initial months of therapy. Current treatment options for MM, including anti-CD38 monoclonal antibodies (CD38 mAbs), proteasome inhibitors, immunomodulatory drugs (such as lenalidomide and thalidomide), and glucocorticoids, have significantly improved clinical outcomes in NDMM patients. However, these therapies are associated with an increased risk of infections. Daratumumab (Dara), an anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody, is a key component of modern MM treatment and is approved for both NDMM and relapsed/refractory MM (RRMM). While Dara has improved patient outcomes, it has also altered the frequency and epidemiology of infections in this population. We conducted a retrospective analysis of 472 NDMM patients treated with Dara-containing regimens at 10 centers of the European Myeloma Network Italy (EMN-I) between 2020 and 2023 to assess the incidence of infectious events (IEs). Among these patients, 148 (31.3%) experienced infectious complications during therapy. No significant differences in infection rates were observed across the three treatment subgroups analyzed. In our experience, the addition of Dara during the induction phase did not increase the frequency, severity, or duration of infections in any of the three cohorts. Although the difference was not statistically significant, we observed an earlier onset of infections in the D-VTD group compared to the others. Further studies are needed to better define the incidence of infections in this patient population and to identify risk factors for infection. This may also inform the role of prophylactic strategies in the clinical management of NDMM
ORCHESTRA Delphi consensus: clinical management of SARS-CoV-2 infection in people with HIV
No full textObjectives: The interaction between HIV and COVID-19 resulted in a syndemic that showed an excess burden of disease for people with HIV (PWH). Four years of the COVID-19 pandemic have raised many unsolved questions about the optimal care of COVID-19 in PWH. Methods: We performed a study using a three-round Delphi methodology involving a panel of physicians with expertise in HIV and COVID-19 infections. The main aim of the study was to provide recommendations on critical clinical issues of COVID-19 among PWH and to inform physicians and policy-makers for improving care and prevention of COVID-19 in PWH. A total of 27 questions were conceived, focusing on four main areas of interest in the management of COVID-19 in PWH; a panel of 34 experts in HIV and COVID-19 care expressed their level of agreement on each item. Questions that received agreement/disagreement ≥79.4% of panellists were identified and statements were generated accordingly. Results: Consensus was reached on 19/27 items, resulting in 18 final statements. These statements addressed: (a) risk of COVID-19 progression to severe disease among PWH; (b) COVID-19 diagnostics and laboratory procedures; (c) early treatments with antivirals and/or monoclonal antibodies; (d) use of corticosteroids; (e) COVID-19 preventive strategies. Discussion: This consensus's study guides infectious diseases physicians in making decisions regarding the care of PWH for COVID-19, where results from the scientific literature are limited or conflicting
The Role of Internet Information on Anti-HPV Vaccines: A Comprehensive Overview of a Double-Edged Sword
No full textCervical cancer (CC) is the only cancer that has the possibility of primary and secondary prevention. Despite this, it is one of the leading causes of cancer death among women, especially in developing countries. The World Health Organization has set the ambitious goal of eliminating CC by 2030 by suggesting specific types of intervention. Unfortunately, to date, we are very far from this goal at a global level, including developed countries. Implementing vaccination coverage among the target population is one of the strategies to be pursued in this area. Achieving this goal should include combating misinformation about the HPV vaccine, which is one of the main reasons for vaccination hesitancy. Such conspiracy theories are prevalent on social media, one of the primary sources of information for adults and adolescents today. In this regard, the Internet plays a significant role in disseminating information about the HPV vaccine, both positively and negatively. The Internet provides easy access to information about the HPV vaccine, including its safety, efficacy, recommended dosing schedule, and potential side effects. It may promote vaccine advocacy and debunking vaccine myths. On the other hand, the Internet may be the place for disseminating misinformation and influencing vaccine decision making. It is a double-edged sword in shaping public discourse and perceptions about the HPV vaccine. This overview aims to assess the literature on this topic in depth to promote evidence-based information, analyze the social channels through which misinformation spreads, and leverage digital health interventions essential for promoting HPV vaccination and reducing the burden of HPV-related diseases