139 research outputs found
Der Mensch und die (anderen) Tiere, in (edited by Assunta Varrone and Peter Nickl), Lit Verlag, Berlin 2016, pp. 178-184
No full textEl diario de Augusto Monterroso: La letra E
No full textIn El diario de Augusto Monterroso: La letra E (in Assunta Polizzi, Parole discorsi testi nelle culture ispaniche, a cura di, Palermo, Flaccovio, 2007, pp.21-36) the author reflects on the genre of the journal within the framework of the ‘modern’, halfway between the existential testimony and an exercise in writing; fiction and confession.
The paper examines the journal of Augusto Monterroso, La letra E, a text focusing on the image of a writer continually searching for adequate forms of expression and his doubts on the very act of writing. La letra E thus ends up being a further testimony to the commitment of the writer to the written word and –at the same time- to his clear intention to pinpoint the modalities of the literary journal as genre, and consequently one of the forms, whether sophisticated or not, of lie, fiction and masking
Discovery of a New Class of Potent MMP Inhibitors by Structure-Based Optimization of the Arylsulfonamide Scaffold
No full textA new class of potent matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) inhibitors designed by structure-based optimization of the well-known arylsulfonamide scaffold is presented. Molecules show an ethylene linker connecting the sulfonamide group with the P1′ aromatic portion and a d-proline residue bearing the zinc-binding group. The affinity improvement provided by these modifications led us to discover a nanomolar MMP inhibitor bearing a carboxylate moiety as zinc-binding group, which might be a promising lead molecule. Notably, a significant selectivity for MMP-8, MMP-12, and MMP-13 was observed with respect to MMP-1 and MMP-7
Insulin enhances vascular adhesion molecule (VCAM-1) expression in human cultured endothelial cells through a pro-atherogenic p38MAP-kinase mediated pathway.
No full textAims/hypothesis. Although hyperinsulinaemia in Type 2 diabetes in states of insulin resistance is a risk factor for atherosclerotic vascular disease, underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. We tested the hypothesis that insulin increases monocyte-endothelial interactions, which are implicated in atherosclerosis.
Methods. We treated human umbilical vein endothelial cells with insulin (10(-10) to 10(-7) mol/l) for 0 to 24 h. To dissect potentially implicated signal transduction pathways, we treated endothelial cells with known pharmacological inhibitors of two distinct insulin signalling pathways: the phosphatidylinositol-3'-kinase (PI3'-kinase) inhibitor wortmannin (3x10(-8) to 10(-6) mol/l), involved in insulin-induced endothelial nitric oxide synthase stimulation, and the p38 mitogen-activated protein (p38MAP) kinase inhibitor SB-203580 (10(-7) to 2x10(-6) mol/l). We measured adhesion molecule expression by cell surface enzyme immunoassays and U937 monocytoid cell adhesion in rotational adhesion assays.
Results. At pathophysiological concentrations (10(-9) to 10(-7) mol/l), insulin concentration-dependently induced vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1 (average increase: 1.8-fold) peaking at 16 h. By contrast, the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and E-selectin were unchanged. The effect on VCAM-1 was paralleled by increased U937 cell adhesion. In the absence of cytotoxicity, wortmannin significantly potentiated the effect of insulin alone on VCAM-1 surface expression and monocytoid cell adhesion, whereas SB-203580 (10(-6) mol/l) completely abolished such effects.
Conclusions/interpretation. These observations indicate that insulin promotes VCAM-1 expression in endothelial cells through a p38MAP-kinase pathway, amplified by the PI3'-kinase blockage. This could contribute to explaining the increased atherosclerosis occurring in subjects with hyperinsulinaemia, or in states of insulin resistance, which feature a defective PI3'-kinase pathway
IL DIRITTO DEL LAVORO NELLE IMPRESE SOCIALMENTE RESPONSABILI
No full textThe author starts from CSR definition as it is set by the Green Paper of the European Commission, where great importance is given to labour issures, in order to examine how it affects labour law and if, how and how much labour relationships may change in companiers voluntarily involvede in it. The expert in labour law is conscious of the importance of the change takin place, especially when the tespect of rules is connected to social and environmental sustainability targets, but he/she is also conscious of the risk of bargaining a lowe workers' protection
Homocysteine induces VCAM-1 gene expression through NF-κB and NAD(P)H oxidase activation: Protective role of Mediterranean diet polyphenolic antioxidants
No full textHyperhomocysteinemia is a recognized risk factor for vascular disease, but pathogenetic mechanisms involved in its vascular actions are largely unknown. Because VCAM-1 expression is crucial in monocyte adhesion and early atherogenesis, we evaluated the NF-κB-related induction of VCAM-1 by homocysteine (Hcy) and the possible inhibitory effect of dietary polyphenolic antioxidants, such as trans-resveratrol (RSV) and hydroxytyrosol (HT), which are known inhibitors of NF-κB-mediated VCAM-1 induction. In human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC), Hcy, at 100 μmol/l, but not cysteine, induced VCAM-1 expression at the protein and mRNA levels, as shown by enzyme immunoassay and Northern analysis, respectively. Transfection studies with deletional VCAM-1 promoter constructs demonstrated that the two tandem NF-κB motifs in the VCAM-1 promoter are necessary for Hcy-induced VCAM-1 gene expression. Hcy-induced NF-κB activation was confirmed by EMSA, as shown by the nuclear translocation of its p65 (RelA) subunit and the degradation of the inhibitors IκB-α and IκB-β by Western analysis. Hcy also increased intracellular reactive oxygen species by NAD(P)H oxidase activation, as shown by the membrane translocation of its p47 phox subunit. NF-κB inhibitors decreased Hcy-induced intracellular reactive oxygen species and VCAM-1 expression. Finally, we found that nutritionally relevant concentrations of RSV and HT, but not folate and vitamin B6, reduce (by >60% at 10 -6 mol/l) Hcy-induced VCAM-1 expression and monocytoid cell adhesion to the endothelium. These data indicate that pathophysiologically relevant Hcy concentrations induce VCAM-1 expression through a prooxidant mechanism involving NF-κB. Natural Mediterranean diet antioxidants can inhibit such activation, suggesting their possible therapeutic role in Hcy-induced vascular damage
Homocysteine induces VCAM-1 gene expression through NF-κB and NAD(P)H oxidase activation: Protective role of Mediterranean diet polyphenolic antioxidants
No full textHyperhomocysteinemia is a recognized risk factor for vascular disease, but pathogenetic mechanisms involved in its vascular actions are largely unknown. Because VCAM-1 expression is crucial in monocyte adhesion and early atherogenesis, we evaluated the NF-κB-related induction of VCAM-1 by homocysteine (Hcy) and the possible inhibitory effect of dietary polyphenolic antioxidants, such as trans-resveratrol (RSV) and hydroxytyrosol (HT), which are known inhibitors of NF-κB-mediated VCAM-1 induction. In human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC), Hcy, at 100 μmol/l, but not cysteine, induced VCAM-1 expression at the protein and mRNA levels, as shown by enzyme immunoassay and Northern analysis, respectively. Transfection studies with deletional VCAM-1 promoter constructs demonstrated that the two tandem NF-κB motifs in the VCAM-1 promoter are necessary for Hcy-induced VCAM-1 gene expression. Hcy-induced NF-κB activation was confirmed by EMSA, as shown by the nuclear translocation of its p65 (RelA) subunit and the degradation of the inhibitors IκB-α and IκB-β by Western analysis. Hcy also increased intracellular reactive oxygen species by NAD(P)H oxidase activation, as shown by the membrane translocation of its p47 phox subunit. NF-κB inhibitors decreased Hcy-induced intracellular reactive oxygen species and VCAM-1 expression. Finally, we found that nutritionally relevant concentrations of RSV and HT, but not folate and vitamin B6, reduce (by >60% at 10 -6 mol/l) Hcy-induced VCAM-1 expression and monocytoid cell adhesion to the endothelium. These data indicate that pathophysiologically relevant Hcy concentrations induce VCAM-1 expression through a prooxidant mechanism involving NF-κB. Natural Mediterranean diet antioxidants can inhibit such activation, suggesting their possible therapeutic role in Hcy-induced vascular damage
L'economia aziendale
No full textL’economia aziendale è una scienza che elabora le conoscenze e le teorie utili per il governo economico di organizzazioni e sistemi sociali all’interno dei quali si svolge un’attività economica. Per apprezzare appieno la portata di questa disciplina è fondamentale comprendere il significato dei due termini che la compongono, ossia “economia” ed “azienda”. Al concetto di economia, e più nello specifico, dell’agire economico della persona è dedicato il paragrafo 1.1. La vita dell’uomo infatti è, da sempre, caratterizzata dal sorgere di bisogni e dalla ricerca del loro appagamento. La nascita ed il progressivo sviluppo dell’attività economica trova fondamento proprio nella necessità di soddisfare i bisogni dell’uomo che con il trascorrere del tempo sono diventati sempre più articolati e complessi (paragrafo 1.1.1) e dipendono dal consumo e dall’utilizzo di beni (paragrafo 1.1.2). A tal riguardo avremo modo di vedere come ogni teoria economica, proprio perché orientata a studiare il comportamento umano, richiede la definizione di una teoria dei bisogni e dei processi decisionali sui quali si articola l’attività di produzione e consumo. Il paragrafo 1.1.3 sarà dedicato alla presentazione dei principali modelli sviluppati negli studi economici per definire le caratteristiche dei processi decisionali distinguendo, da un lato i processi decisionali individuali — ovvero adottati dalle singole persone — e dall’altro quelli collettivi, ossia sviluppati all’interno delle organizzazioni. Proprio il concetto di organizzazione, e a seguire quello di azienda, costituiscono il contenuto principale del paragrafo 1.2. L’attività economia di produzione e consumo — oggetto del paragrafo 1.2.1 — nelle società contemporanee, infatti, è svolta in misura prevalente all’interno di istituti di diversa natura, costituiti per agevolare le modalità di soddisfacimento dei bisogni delle persone. I principali istituti nei quali si svolge l’attività economica sono descritti nel paragrafo 1.2.2 e saranno ripresi in maniera più approfondita — nei loro tratti distintivi — nel capitolo 2. Lo svolgimento dell’attività economica (di produzione) realizzata nelle organizzazioni richiede la disponibilità e l’impiego di una moltitudine di fattori da impiegare nella produzione. Tra i vari fattori produttivi necessari per lo svolgimento dell’attività economica, tuttavia, nella tradizione degli studi aziendali, il lavoro e il capitale assumono un ruolo centrale nelle organizzazioni, tanto da essere considerati “condizioni primarie di produzione” come avremo modo di vedere nel paragrafo 1.2.3. Accanto al capitale e al lavoro, tuttavia, gli studi aziendali hanno riconosciuto, nel corso degli anni, l’affermarsi di un’ulteriore condizione fondamentale di produzione, identificata nella “conoscenza”. La conoscenza rappresenta oggi la principale condizione di produzione capace di spiegare il successo o l’insuccesso aziendale, i cui risvolti hanno dato origine alla così detta Knowledge Based View che sarà presentata nel paragrafo 1.3.1. Diventa a questo punto fondamentale comprendere il ruolo assunto dalla conoscenza e gli impatti che essa genera all’interno delle aziende al fine di consentirne un utilizzo razionale in modo che possa diventare patrimonio aziendale e non solo delle persone che in essa vi operano. Numerosi sono gli studi che hanno affrontato questi temi che saranno oggetto di approfondimento nel paragrafo 1.3.2. Proprio la centralità assunta dalla conoscenza nei processi aziendali ha portato allo sviluppo di una serie servizi basati sullo scambio e sulla condivisione di informazioni per l’utilizzo di un determinato bene. Tali servizi sono divenuti ormai parte integrante del nostro vivere quotidiano e delle nostre esperienze di consumo e rappresentano l’oggetto di studio della cosiddetta “sharing economy”, o economia della condivisione. Questi servizi e le motivazioni che hanno portato alla loro diffusione nel mercato saranno affrontati nella parte terminale del presente capitolo e in particolare nel paragrafo 1.3.3
Telemedicina applicata: il caso di studio di "Telemeliolab"
No full textIl progetto telemeliolab,in sperimentazione nella Regione Puglia,rappresenta un chiaro esempio di telemedicina applicata ai processi di deospetalizzazione in ambito oncologico.La piattaforma software progettuale consente di mettere in comunicazione la control room del policlinico di Bari con i pazienti affetti da gammapatia monoclonale sia MGUS (monoclonal component of undetermined signifiance) che mieloma multiplo potendo controllare a distanza l'evoluzione della patologia gestendo e pianificando gli esami ematochimici da effettuare nei laboratori di analisi aderenti al progett
"Vuoti" e "pieni": la retribuzione e la parità di trattamento nell'ordinamento dell'Unione europea
No full textThe Author envisages the topic of pay from an Eu perspective by verifying how the exclusion of competence, which is still stated by the Treaties, combines with the principle of equal pay for women and men, which was already enshrined in the Treaty of Rome. The analyseis leads to interesting considerations. Firsto of all, the issue seems to run the blind track of competence exclusion not only beacause of a choice of non interfering with its determination, except for the equality principle, but also because the issue reaches an European dimension when referring to trans-national phenomena (such as, posting of workers and right to minimum wage). Most of all, this highlights the key role of equal tratment and of the prohibitions of discriminations, which have been progressively extended to a plurality of factors protected by the legal system and to the so called atypical jobs. The analysis of the proposal for a directive on GPG raises the critical aspects that collective bargaining implies. In fact, if pay is the typical subject of collective bargaining and if the systems of classification and professional placement are ones of its closest corollaries, the GPG is its direct outcome. This perspective necessarily implies the topic of the limits to contractual autonomy stemming from fundamental principles. The general rehearsals on this matter can be found in the "contracto on inserimento", as the law itself permits an exemption from the equal treatment principle. The point of arrival, at the moment, is represented by the omnivorous exception of art. 8 of the financial act of September 2011
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