118,209 research outputs found
MHC Class II Transactivator is an in vivo regulator of osteoclast differentiation and bone homeostasis co-opted from adaptive immunity
No full textAbstract not availableElisa Benasciutti, Elisabetta Mariani, Laura Oliva, Maria Scolari, Egon Perilli, Emmanuele Barras, Enrico Milan, Ugo Orfanelli, Nicola L Fazzalari, Lara Campana, Annalisa Capobianco, Luc Otten, Francesca Particelli, Hans Acha, Orbea, Fabio Baruffaldi, Roberta Faccio, Roberto Sitia, Walter Reith, and Simone Cenc
EFFECTS OF A PSORIATIC INFLAMMATORY MICROENVIRONMENT ON KERATINOCYTE MORPHOLOGY IN 3D AND 2D BIOLOGICAL EXPERIMENTAL MODELS OF NORMAL HUMAN SKIN
No full textThe interplay between proinflammatory circulating cytokines and keratinocytes is a crucial event in the development and progression of psoriatic lesions. However, the early phases of the pathogenesis of psoriasis are still to be elucidated, in particular regarding the epidermal barrier. A pivotal role is played by tight junctions (TJs), i.e. claudin-mediated intercellular attachment structures, localized in the upper granular layer. A barrier impairment associated to an alteration in TJ proteins is described in psoriasis as a response to a proinflammatory microenvironment. We investigated by immunofluorescence analysis the modulation of the expression of claudin 1 (CLDN-1), a transmembrane integral TJ protein, and of Zonula Occludens 1 (ZO-1), a scaffold plaque protein, after the incubation with MIX, a combination of interleukin (IL)-17, IL-22, IL-23, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, for 24 (T24) and 48 (T48) hours. We considered as experimental models the standardized 3D organotypic cultures of normal human skin (n=7) and in vitro cultures of primary normal human keratinocytes (n=3) in basal or differentiating cell growth conditions. On skin bioptic samples, ultrastructural analysis by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was performed. In control skin samples, CLDN-1 immunopositivity increased from the basal layer upwards, but its expression was early reduced in the basal and suprabasal layers starting from T24 in MIX-incubated group. At this time point, ZO-1 expression in control samples increased gradually, starting from the basal layers towards the epidermal surface and the incubation with MIX induced its immunopositivity in the basal and suprabasal layers. At T24, CLDN-1 expression was unaffected by MIX in undifferentiated and also calcium- differentiated keratinocytes. Unexpectedly, undifferentiated cells relocated ZO-1 at cell-cell contact points after the incubation with MIX, and in calcium-differentiated keratinocytes, ZO-1 synthesis was stimulated, too. By TEM, after MIX incubation, the overall architecture of the epidermal compartment was maintained, but apoptosis and enlargement of intercellular spaces were evident.
The present results strongly suggest that the i) broadening of ZO-1 expression and ii) the downregulation of CLDN-1, typical features of psoriasis, can be induced as early as 24 hours in both models, suggesting that they represent a valid experimental approach.
To complete this study, the effect of this microenvironment on keratinocyte proliferation and differentiation will be investigated, obtaining further insights into the early processes leading to the formation/progression of psoriatic plaques.
Donetti E, Cornaghi L, Gualerzi A, Baruffaldi Preis FW, Prignano F. An innovative three-dimensional model of normal human skin to study the proinflammatory psoriatic effects of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-17. Cytokine; 2014; 68:1-8.
Donetti E, Cornaghi L, Arnaboldi F, Ricceri F, Pescitelli L, Maiocchi M, Carriero F, Baruffaldi Preis FW, Prignano F. Epidermal barrier reaction to an in vitro psoriatic microenvironment. Exp Cell Res; 2017; 15:180-188.
Donetti E, Lombardo G, Baruffaldi Preis FW, Cornaghi L, Pescitelli L, Prignano F. 3D skin model to investigate the early epidermal morphological psoriatic features. J Transl Sci; 2019; doi: 10.15761/JTS.1000361
Riva F, Casasco A, Nespoli E, Cornaglia AI, Casasco M, Faga A, Scevola S, Mazzini G, Calligaro A Generation of human epidermal constructs on a collagen layer alone. Tissue Eng; 2007; 13: 2769-79.
Riva F, Casasco A, Casasco M, Calligaro A, Cornaglia AI. Growth and stratification of epithelial cells in minimal culture conditions. Methods Mol Biol; 2010; 585:25-43
Engagement: comprendere le diversità generazionali e creare valore
No full textLa gestione della diversità e dell’inclusione è uno degli argomenti più discussi e controversi della nostra società, a partire dalla sua definizione di base. Cosa significa promuovere la diversità all'interno di un contesto organizzativo? A volte è proprio il significato che viene attribuito a creare uno dei più grandi malintesi: promuovere la diversità è solitamente concepita come la capacità di “superare” le differenze individuali. Letteralmente, “stare al di sopra” di esse. Se si trattasse, invece, di passare “attraverso” di esse? Se promuovere la diversità rappresentasse non un obiettivo, bensì un processo? Se identificare, analizzare e valorizzare le differenze individuali fosse un passaggio obbligatorio, o meglio, una via preferenziale per ottenere obiettivi di eccellenza e di sostenibilità?
Viviamo in un mondo in continua evoluzione, caratterizzato da grande incertezza e complessità. Sono molti i fattori che contribuiscono ad alimentare questo contesto. Uno fra questi è certamente la coesistenza, per la prima volta nella storia, di cinque generazioni all’interno delle organizzazioni. La questione da porsi è: questa diversità è da considerarsi parte del problema – ed è quindi necessario capire come gestirla in quanto fonte di complessità - o potrebbe rappresentare già parte della soluzione?
Questo dilemma nasce anche dalla compresenza di prospettive diverse, se non radicalmente opposte, sull’importanza o meno di soffermarsi sulle differenze generazionali. In generale, esistono ad oggi due filoni di pensiero: da un lato chi riconosce l’esistenza delle stesse e sostiene la necessità di saperle valorizzare e gestire in modo efficace (e.g. Twenge, 2013a; Stewart et al. 2017; Baruffaldi, L. 2019). Dall'altro lato, chi afferma che le differenze generazionali sono convinzioni imprecise e che concentrarsi su di esse potrebbe portare ad aspettative distorte e percezioni negative dell'altra persona (e.g. Costanza et al., 2012; King et al. 2019).
Attraverso l’analisi di un campione di 448 individui appartenenti alle cinque generazioni che oggi costituiscono la forza lavoro globale, abbiamo voluto contribuire a una possibile riconciliazione delle due diverse prospettive. Nello specifico, lo studio condotto si è posto come obiettivo quello di focalizzarsi sull’esplorazione delle differenze generazionali come processo utile al fine dell’ottenimento di una condizione chiave per raggiungere performance eccellenti e sostenibili: il people engagement. A questo scopo, i dati sono stati raccolti attraverso la tecnica dell’appreciative inquiry. Questo approccio implica un cambiamento radicale rispetto all’ipotesi di partenza: non più un focus sulla diversità come complessità da gestire ma una messa in evidenza delle differenze generazionali come punti di forza, fattori chiave e distintivi capaci di promuovere passione, curiosità, impegno ed entusiasmo per le singole generazioni. Attraverso un’attenta categorizzazione di questi fattori, gli autori arrivano a discutere possibili differenze e sinergie tra generazioni, in grado di dare vita ad alti livelli di engagement.
L’articolo si chiude con alcune riflessioni e implicazioni manageriali che possono contribuire e arricchire l’attuale dibattito, set di strategie e processi attualmente in essere all’interno dei confini organizzativi
Data for: Male responses suggest both evolutionary conservation and rapid change in chemical cues of female widow spiders
No full textThe spreadsheet file containing the data for this paper is spread in 2 excel sheets: 1st excel sheet includes the information and data for the airborne pheromone experiment. We include the treatment groups, the first, second and final male choice for the control and heterospecific experiment for each treatment group, as well as the time spend in each cage in minutes (decimal numbers represent minutes and seconds given in fractions of minutes)2nd excel sheet includes the information and data for the contact pheromone experiment. For each treatment we provide the time in minutes that the males were moving on the contact pheromones extracts
Effects of UV rays and thymol/Thymus Vulgaris L. extract using an ex vivo human skin model: morphological and genotoxicological assessment
No full textUltraviolet (UV) radiation is the major environmental factor affecting functions of the skin. Compounds rich in polyphenols, such as Thymus vulgaris leaf extract and thymol, have been proposed for the prevention of UV-induced skin damage. We compared the acute effects induced by UVA and UVB rays on epidermal morphology and proliferation, cytotoxicity, and genotoxicity. Normal human skin explants were obtained from young healthy women (n = 7) after informed consent and cultured at the air-liquid interface overnight. After 24 h, the samples were divided in 2 groups: the former exposed to UVA (16 or 24 J/cm(2)) and the latter irradiated with UVB (0.24 or 0.72 J/cm(2)). One hour after the end of irradiation, supernatants were collected for evaluation of the lactate dehydrogenase activity. Twenty-four hours after UVB exposure, biopsies were processed for light and transmission electron microscopy analysis, proliferation, cytotoxicity, and genotoxicity. UVB and UVA rays induced early inhibition of cell proliferation and DNA damage compared to controls. In particular, UVB rays were always more cytotoxic and genotoxic than UVA ones. For this reason, we evaluated the effect of either T. vulgaris L. extract (1.82 mu g/ml) or thymol (1 mu g/ml) on all samples treated for 1 h before UVB irradiation. While Thymus had a protective action for all of the endpoints evaluated, the action of the extract was less pronounced on epidermal proliferation and morphological features. The results presented in this study could be the basis for investigating the mechanism of thymol and T. vulgaris L. extract against the damage induced by UV radiation
Radiopacity and fatigue characterization of a novel acrylic bone cement with sodium fluoride
No full textAcrylic bone cement must provide good radiographic visibility and good long-term mechanical resistance in joint replacements. A new formulation of cement with 6% barium sulfate and 6% sodium fluoride was developed (Fluoride Bone Cement). Barium sulfate is a necessary addition to allow radiographic visibility although it reduces the mechanical strength of the material. Sodium fluoride promotes bone formation. However, its effect on the mechanical behavior is currently unknown while its influence on radiopacity can only be roughly estimated. The aim of this investigation was to establish if the new formulation would be suitable for clinical trials. In this respect, a mechanical (fatigue test) and radiographic (optical density measurements on x-ray films) characterization was performed on a typical commercially available cement with barium sulfate added and on the Fluoride Bone Cement. It was demonstrated that the fluoride cement has a (marginally) superior fatigue strength and comparable radiopacity to commercial radiopaque cements
Computer-aided flapless implant surgery and immediate loading : A technical note
No full textPurpose: The aim of the present technical note was to describe a prosthetic technique developed to increase the predictability of immediately loaded implants supporting a fixed prosthesis after computer-aided template-guided flapless implant placement. Methods: During a 2-year period, eight patients presenting partial edentulism underwent computer-aided template-guided implant placement. The presented technique was used during the prosthetic procedures to directly transfer the data obtained with the facebow to the surgical environment, allowing for accurate repositioning of the temporary prosthesis on the implants as previously planned with the digital software. Results: A total of 78 dental implants were immediately loaded with an implant-supported fixed prosthesis after flapless template-guided implant placement. A survival and success rate of 100 % was reported after a mean follow-up of 1 year from the prosthetic loading. Neither major complications nor dropouts were observed during the healing time. From both clinical and radiological evaluations, implants appeared stable with no signs of soft tissue inflammation or infection and no evidence of pathological peri-implant bone resorption. Conclusions: The proposed technique associated with computer-aided implant placement and immediate loading protocol provided a high implant and prosthetic survival and success rate. No complications were reported during the recalls, suggesting predictability and reliability of the present technique over a short-term period
A Data Architecture to aid Life Cycle Assessment in closed-loop Reusable Plastic Container networks
No full textReturnable container networks have caught the eye of those companies that aim to reduce waste generation and environmental impact. The literature already includes studies on the environmental impact (i.e. Life Cycle Assessment, LCA) of these networks. However, the major part is based on secondary data, since the collection of primary data results complex and time-intensive. This paper proposes an object-relational database dedicated to the storage of data from closed-loop reusable plastic crates (RPC) networks for fruits and vegetables. The goal is supporting scholars and managers during the LCA through a user-friendly data architecture, while suggesting structured guidelines for the primary data collection. Each node of the RPC network is characterized by a similar set of entity types, such as machines, that allows to process the RPCs with respect to specific cycles. Each entity, process and cycle is therefore reflected in the database by objects that are connected with relations
Therapeutic Algorithm for Congenital Ptosis Repair with Levator Resection and Frontalis Suspension : Results and Literature Review
No full textBackground: Several treatments have been described for the treatment of congenital ptosis, but there are few studies that analyze the effectiveness of a therapeutic approach rather than a single technique. Aims: In this study, we aim to evaluate the effectiveness of our therapeutic algorithm, which relies on levator muscle resection and frontalis suspension with silicone rods, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), or autologous fascia lata. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed all patients affected by congenital ptosis who underwent corrective surgery at a single department between January 1998 and January 2016. Results: A total of 116 procedures were performed in 86 patients, accounting for 35 levator resections, 67 frontalis suspensions, and 14 revisions. A satisfactory result was observed in 65 cases after one procedure (75.6%). Complications occurred in 13 cases after primary surgery (15.1%). Ptosis relapse was observed in 25 cases after primary procedure (21.5%). Frontalis suspension displayed a higher number of complications than levator resection (22.2% vs 3.1%, p=0.02). Conclusion: Our therapeutic algorithm was effective in 75.6% after one procedure. Frontalis suspension procedures encountered a higher rate of complication than levator resection. Fascia lata should be preferred to silicon rods whenever possible due to the lower recurrence rate. These issues confirm the therapeutic algorithm, although larger prospective studies are necessary to validate our approach
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