418 research outputs found
Integrazione energetica e permanenza dell'identità dell'abitare mediterraneo
No full textMediterranean area’s distinctive geomorphology and climatic conditions determined its unique settlements outline: a multicentric system based on small autonomous cities, with direct access to energy sources, shaped with a high effectiveness. To preserve this advantageous structure and face current crisis, a new energy system is needed, based on small integrated renewable energy plants connected through a smart grid, while architectural design has to reinterpret passive building strategies and well-established technologies to ensure low energy consumptions and the conservation of Mediterranean features
HERStory Makers 2022: Letizia Leonardi
No full textLetizia Leonardi is a PhD candidate at the University of Aberdeen conducting translation studies. She took part in HERStory Makers 2022.What is HERStory Makers?HERStory Makers is a social media competition for female-identifying early career researchers to share their research, their career journeys, and to inspire the next generation. Winners are selected by public vote. HERStory Makers is also part of EXPLORATHON, Scotland's contribution to European Researchers' Night.In 2022-23, EXPLORATHON was supported by the Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council [grant number EP/X020894/1].Author contributions to contentLetizia Leonardi conceived, planned, and recorded the video content. Kirsty Ross edited the video content to insert HERStory Maker credits, add subtitles, and maintain video length below Twitter/X limit of 2 mins and 20 secs, prior to scheduling the social media posts.</p
The role of apoptosis in pregnancies complicated by Pre-eclampsia and IUGR
No full textPregnancy complications such as preeclampsia, intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR), preterm labor affect a considerable number of pregnancies and account for significant perinatal morbidity and mortality. Although the pathophysiology has not been clearly defined, the common phenomenon observed between these diseases is abnormal development and function of the placenta. In complicated pregnancies such as preeclampsia or IUGR, a greater incidence of trophoblast apoptosis has been observed, suggesting that alterations in the regulation of trophoblast apoptosis may contribute to the pathophysiology of these diseases. We evaluate morphogenetic alterations of placenta and apoptosis of trophoblast into placenta of pregnancies with preeclampsia/intrauterine growth restriction and controls. Trophoblast’s apoptosis into placenta was quantified evaluating bcl-2 apoptosis marker. Placental’s morphogenetic alterations was evaluated with HGF/c-met/STAT3 cascade. Placental ischemia is thought to develop as a result of this abnormal cytotrophoblastic invasion; this has been proposed as leading to release of placental factors and imbalance of angiogenic factors, causing the widespread endothelial dysfunction. Endothelial dysfunction is characterized by a fall in production and activity of vasodilator prostaglandins, especially prostacyclin and nitric oxide with a raised ratio of thromboxane A2 to prostacyclin that reduces uteroplacental blood flow and the blood supply to the fetus. One of the most important regulator of endothelial function is the adrenergic system. Endothelial cells express on their surface the β2-adrenergic receptors (β2AR) that are involved in the regulation of vascular tone throughthe release of oxide nitric (NO). An impairment in β2AR-mediated vasodilatation has been described in both animals and human models of hypertension. Recently it is been reported the important role of some proteins (G-protein coupled receptor kinases-GRKs) involved in the desensitization and down-regulation of β2AR in the pathogenesis of hypertension. In this paper we have analyzed the role of the most important GRK expressed in cardiovascular system (βAK 1 or GRK2) in umbilical artery (UA)of preeclamptic patients and normotensive pregnant women to characterize its eventual role in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia and related clinical syndromes, such as gestational hypertension (GH) and fetal growth restriction (FGR). We also evaluated if there are some protective factors against preeclampsia. In fact, women with a thalassemic trait seems to be protecte against preeclampsia
Assessment and mitigation strategies to counteract overheating in urban historical areas in Rome
No full textAs urban overheating is increasing, there is a strong public interest towards mitigation strategies to enhance comfortable urban spaces, for their role in supporting urban metabolism and social life. The study presents an assessment of the existing thermal comfort and usage of San Silvestro Square in Rome during the summer, and performs the simulation of cooling strategies scenarios, to understand their mitigation potential for renovation projects. The first stage concerns a field analysis of the thermal and radiative environment on the 1st and 2nd of August 2014, including meteorological measurements and unobtrusive observations, to understand how people experience and respond to extreme microclimate conditions. In the second stage, the research proposes scenario simulations on the same day to examine the influence of cool colored materials, trees and vegetative surfaces on thermal comfort. The thermal comfort assessment was based on Physiologically Equivalent Temperature (PET), whereas microclimatic simulations were conducted with CFD calculations (ENVImet v.4.3.1). The first stage shows a strong relationship between lower PET values and attendance rate, depending on daily shading patterns. The second stage shows a relevant improvement of thermal comfort, with PET values of 12 °C comparing to the no-intervention scenario, associated with a combination of cool materials and trees
A 'desaturase hypothesis' for atherosclerosis: Janus-faced enzymes in omega-6 and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid metabolism.
No full textThe delta-5 and delta-6 desaturases are key enzymes in the metabolism of omega-3 (omega-3) and omega-6 (omega-6) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), which in turn influence cellular functions by regulating several metabolic pathways with well-known effects on the cardiovascular system. At present, data about desaturase activity and cardiovascular risk remain inconclusive. In this short review we propose a 'desaturase hypothesis' of atherosclerosis, providing suggestions for the Janus-faced role of desaturases, with both more favorable (mainly related to omega-3 long-chain fatty acids) and more harmful (mainly related to omega-6 long-chain fatty acids) cardiovascular effects than those obtained in subjects with lower desaturase activity. In particular in populations eating a Western diet rich in omega-6 PUFA, a high desaturase activity may promote an increased bioavailability of arachidonic acid with prevailing synthesis of arachidonic acid-derived proinflammatory eicosanoids, finally favoring atherosclerotic vascular damage. In contrast, high desaturase activity in subjects consuming a diet rich in omega-3 PUFA or receiving omega-3 PUFA supplementation could result in the opposite situation with a preferential synthesis of anti-inflammatory eicosanoids. For these reasons, carriers of specific FADS haplotypes may be predisposed to more pronounced vascular inflammatory damage, but also to an increased beneficial effect with omega-3 PUFA supplementation
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