1,006 research outputs found
Fertility and Social Security
No full textThe data show that an increase in government provided old-age pensions is strongly correlated with a reduction in fertility. What type of model is consistent with this finding? We explore this question using two models of fertility: one by Barro and Becker (1989), and one inspired by Caldwell (1978, 1982) and developed by Boldrin and Jones (2002). In Barro and Becker's model parents have children because they perceive their children's lives as a continuation of their own. In Boldrin and Jones' framework parents procreate because children care about their parents' utility, and thus provide them with old-age transfers. The effect of increases in government provided pensions on fertility in the Barro and Becker model is very small, whereas the effect on fertility in the Boldrin and Jones model is sizeable and accounts for between 55 and 65% of the observed Europe-U.S. fertility differences both across countries and across time.Social security ; Financial markets
Assessing the exploitation of double patinated artifacts from the late Mousterian: Implications for lithic economy and human mobility in northern Italy
No full textThe finding of recycled lithic artifacts in the Mousterian stratigraphic sequences of Grotta Fumane, Grotta San Bernardino and Grotta Broion in the southern Alps has stimulated investigations into the economic behavior and technology of Neanderthals during the Late Pleistocene. These three archives preserve remarkable evidence, dated from 90ka and 40ka, and show distinct signatures in terms of lithic technology, settlement and the provisioning of flint. A study has been carried out with the aim to detect the possible differentiation of tools between expedient/opportunistic vs. curated/planned and to identify the diverse aspects of tool-kit provisioning to thus infer mobility and provisioning strategies. From the identification of double patinae and from comparisons between these three sites, it has been possible to identify occurrences of recycling consisting of the collection and exploitation of old cores and flakes in expeditious or curated procedures. The evidence suggests that the recycling of old artifacts played a variable role in the Neanderthal economic strategy.The final Middle Palaeolithic in northern Italy is recorded in a handful of sheltered sites and very few open-air settlements, that were visited for short-term occupations or that were repeatedly used to accomplish complex tasks, mostly aimed at the exploitation of mineral, non-mineral and subsistence resources. Huge quantities of lithic raw material as well as the geomorphic and ecological variability in the belt between the upper alluvial plain and the pre-Alps depict the context in which Neanderthals lived and circulated in accordance with a model of low residential mobility
T Regulatory Lymphocytes Function Increased, by Induction Of Ho-1, Improves Type-1 Cardio-Renal Syndrome
No full textRationale: Type-1 cardio-renal syndrome (CRS) is characterized by an acute kidney dysfunction due to renal arteriolar vasoconstriction following an acute worsening of cardiac function. It is well know that HO-1 upregulation has a cardio protective and renoprotective function mediated by anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic and vasodilating effects. An alteration of T-lymphocyte-related immune response seems to be one of the potential mechanisms involved in type-1 CRS.
Objective: The aim of this study was to assess 1) if HO-1 upregulation could be a therapeutic target for type 1 CRS and 2) the role of T-lymphocytes in HO-1 induced effects on renal function in type 1 CRS.
Methods: Post-ischemic heart failure was induced by left anterior coronary artery ligation in C57Bl6 and SCID (T lymphocytes deficient) mice. Animals were divided into 4 groups: sham, myocardial infarction (MI), MI treated with HO-1 inducer cobalt protoporphyrin (CoPP) with and without the HO activity inhibitor stannous mesoporphyrin (SnMP). All mice underwent echocardiography (fractional area shortening, FAS) and renal Doppler sonography (intrarenal pulsatility index, PI) 30 days after surgery.
Results: Heart function was significantly reduced in MI groups (C57: FAS: sham 0.36±0.06, MI 0.26±0.04, p<0.05; SCID: FAS: sham 0.34±0.04, MI: 0.24±0.04, p<0.01) and PI was significantly increased in MI groups compared to sham groups (C57: PI: sham 0.98±0.05, MI: 1.12±0.11, p<0.05; SCID: PI: sham 0.72±0.08, MI 1.37±0.37, p<0.05). HO-1 induction improved heart function in both C57 and SCID mice but only in SCID mice was a significant improvement of renal vasoconstriction observed (SCID; PI: MI+CoPP 0.9±0.19 p<0.05). In SCID mice SnMP treatment reversed the effect of CoPP on heart function and renal vasoconstriction.
Conclusion: Our novel study showed that T lymphocyte mediated immunity is involved in type 1 CRS and upregulation of HO-1, in this setting, could be a therapeutic target for improving type 1 CRS.
Author Disclosures: P. Pesce: None. D. Sacerdoti: None. M. Boldrin: None. R. Rezzani: None. N.G. Abraham: None.
Key Words: Renal circulation • Heart failure • Immunologic factors • Oxidative stres
Trapianto di cellule staminali in un modello animale di danno osseo da glucocorticoidi
No full textBone, a specialized connective tissue, consists of cells and mineralized extracellular matrix. The main cell types of bone tissue are: the osteoblasts, the osteocytes and the osteoclasts. Osteoblasts produce extracellular matrix, osteoclasts are responsible of its resorption, hence bone physiology is a delicate balance between synthesis of new bone and resorption of the old one. Osteoporosis is a disease in which catabolic activity of osteoclasts overtakes anabolic activity of osteoblasts leading to increased bone resorption and progressive bone fragility.
Primary osteoporosis is a common disease among post-menopausal female population. Pathologies as diabetes mellitus, hyperparathyroidism and long-term treatment with glucocorticoids cause secondary osteoporosis. Glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis is the most common type of secondary osteoporosis.
Glucocorticoid treatment is a well known method to induce osteoporosis in animal models, hence it could be an example of “translational model” in which injured bone could be repopulated by stem cells or progenitors in clinical trials.
The aim of this thesis is to investigate whether preosteoblasts could repopulate injured bone in an animal model treated with glucocorticoids. Preosteoblasts have been isolated from newborn calvariae of GFP mice.
In these cells, expression of the osteogenic marker Runx2 has been assessed by Real time PCR, while osteogenic potential has been analysed by cytochemistry assays to detect alkaline phosphatase and mineralized bone nodules (Alizarin Red and Von Kossa staining).
To realize the in vivo model, C57BL/6 three months aged mice have been divided into three groups [group I (n=4): mice not treated with drug and not infused with cells, group II (n=4): mice treated with drug and not infused with cells, group III (n=4): mice treated with drug and infused with cells]. Drug (methylprednisolone) has been administered for one month with a dose of 75 mg/Kg/week. In mice of group III, 5 x 105 GFP preosteoblasts, previously expanded in vitro, have been infused with injection into the tail vein. Mice have been sacrificed, tibial and femoral bones have been harvested, processed and analysed by istomorphometry and immunoistochemistry. Expression of Runx2, osteonectin (SPARC) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in these tissues has been detected with Real time PCR.
In vitro preosteoblasts produce alkaline phosphatase during early time in culture with normal medium, while the level decreases in differentiating conditions with medium containing ascorbic acid and β-glycerophosphate. Preosteoblasts maintained in differentiation medium for 30 days are positive to Alizarin and Von Kossa staining, hence they are able to produce mineralized extracellular matrix that is a feature of functional mature osteoblasts. Runx2 expression increases during differentiating conditions; in cells maintained in differentiation medium for 30 days there is an increase of 50% compared to cells maintained in normal medium (p<0.05).
In mice of group III an increased level of parameters concerning osteoid has been detected (O.Th, OS/BS, OV/BV) and an increased number of active osteoblasts (during synthetic activity) has been observed compared to group II. Between these two groups, significant variations of bone volume (BV/TV), trabecular thickness (Tb.Th), trabecular number (Tb.N) and trabecular separation (Tb.Sp) have not been detected.
Microarchitecture parameters (Nd.N/TV, Nd/Tm) have not been affected. Similar results have been obtained from inderect microarchitecture parameters as Marrow Star Volume and Fractal Dimension.
Real time PCR analysis revealed a reduction in osteogenic gene expression in group II compared to group I (ALP: -50%, p<0.01; Runx2: -56.75%, p<0.01; SPARC: -44.5%, p<0.05).
In group III there is a recovery of expression of osteogenic markers (ALP: +40%, p<0.05; Runx2: +66.28%, p<0.001; SPARC: +55%; p<0.01) compared to group II.
Immunoistochemistry is under investigation.
In our glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis model we sacrificed mice only one week after infusion of cells, this preparatory investigation shows that our model induces the engraftment of preosteoblasts in injured bone. However, a longer time, at least of 1-2 months, is needed to investigate if preosteoblasts are able not only to graft onto host tissue, but also to proliferate in vivo and to differentiate in full mature and functional osteoblasts.L’osso è un tessuto connettivo specializzato costituito da cellule e matrice extracellulare mineralizzata. Le cellule principali sono gli osteoblasti, gli osteociti e gli osteoclasti. Gli osteoblasti depongono la matrice ossea, mentre gli osteoclasti sono i responsabili del suo riassorbimento.
La fisiologia dell’osso è quindi il risultato di un delicato equilibrio tra deposizione di matrice ossea e suo riassorbimento.
Quando l’azione catabolica degli osteoclasti è maggiore rispetto a quella anabolica degli osteoblasti si produce una progressiva fragilità ossea che porta ad un quadro clinico osteoporotico.
L’osteoporosi primaria colpisce soprattutto la popolazione femminile dopo la menopausa. Molte patologie come il diabete mellito, l’iperparatiroidismo ed il trattamento a lungo termine con glucocorticoidi causano l’osteoporosi secondaria. L’osteoporosi indotta da glucocorticoidi è la più comune causa di osteoporosi secondaria.
Il trattamento con glucocorticoidi è un noto procedimento di induzione dell’osteoporosi in modelli animali e può dunque rappresentare un primo esempio di modello “traslazionale” potenzialmente applicabile in clinica per indurre un ripopolamento dell’osso con cellule staminali mesenchimali o precursori osteogenici.
Lo scopo di questo lavoro è stato pertanto valutare nel modello animale se sia possibile ripopolare l’osso danneggiato con preosteoblasti.
I crani di topi neonati transgenici (GFP) sono stati prelevati e messi in coltura per ottenere preosteoblasti. Nelle colture in vitro è stata valutata l’espressione del gene Runx2 con la tecnica di Real time PCR, mentre la capacità osteogenica è stata analizzata con colorazioni citochimiche per la fosfatasi alcalina e per la deposizione di matrice ossea mineralizzata (Alizarin Red e Von Kossa). Per la realizzazione del modello in vivo topi C57BL/6 maschi di 3 mesi sono stati divisi in 3 gruppi [gruppo I (n=4): topi non trattati con farmaco e non infusi con cellule; gruppo II (n=4): topi trattati con farmaco non infusi con cellule; gruppo III (n=4): topi trattati con farmaco ed infusi con cellule]. Il farmaco (metilprednisolone) è stato somministrato per un mese alla dose di 75 mg/Kg/settimana.
Negli animali appartenenti al gruppo III sono state infuse, attraverso iniezione nella vena della coda, 5 x 105 preosteoblasti GFP precedentemente espansi in vitro. I topi sono stati sacrificati, le tibie ed i femori sono stati prelevati e processati per l’analisi istomorfometrica e della microarchitettura ossea e per l’ immunoistochimica. In questi tessuti, l’espressione genica di Runx2, osteonectina (SPARC) e fosfatasi alcalina (ALP) è stata valutata tramite Real time PCR.
In vitro i preosteoblasti producono fosfatasi alcalina durate i primi giorni di coltura in medium non differenziante, mentre il livello decresce in condizioni differenzianti, cioè in medium contenente acido ascorbico e β-glicerofosfato. I preosteoblasti mantenuti in medium di differenziamento per 30 giorni sono positivi alle colorazioni Alizarin Red e Von Kossa, quindi sono in grado di produrre matrice ossea mineralizzata, caratteristica degli osteoblasti funzionali e maturi. L’espressione del gene Runx2 aumenta durante il differenziamento, si ha un aumento del 50% nelle cellule differenziate per 30 giorni rispetto alle cellule non differenziate (p<0.05).
L’inoculazione dei preosteoblasti nei topi del gruppo III ha evidenziato un aumento dei parametri statici di neoformazione ossea relativi all’osteoide (O.Th, OS/BS, OV/BV) ed un aumento del numero di osteoblasti attivi, cioè in corso di deposizione di osteoide, rispetto al gruppo II. Tra questi due gruppi non si sono osservate, invece, variazioni significative in termini di volume osseo (BV/TV), spessore trabecolare (Tb.Th) numero delle trabecole (Tb.N) e separazione fra esse (Tb.Sp).
Non sono state rilevate, inoltre, differenze dei parametri di microarchitettura (Nd.N/TV, Nd/Tm). Risultati simili sono emersi dalla valutazione dei parametri indiretti di microarchitettura (Marrow Star Volume e Fractal Dimension).
L’espressione genica ha dimostrato che nel gruppo II si ha una riduzione dell’espressione dei geni osteogenici rispetto al gruppo I (ALP: -50%, p<0.01; Runx2: -56.75%, p<0.01; SPARC: -44.5%, p<0.05).
Nel gruppo III si è avuto un recupero dell’espressione dei geni osteogenici (ALP: +40%, p<0.05; Runx2: +66.28%, p<0.001; SPARC: +55%, p<0.01) rispetto al gruppo II. I campioni di tessuto per l’ immunoistochimica devono essere processati.
Nel nostro modello sperimentale di osteoporosi indotta da glucocorticoidi nel topo, abbiamo sacrificato gli animali solo una settimana dopo l’infusione delle cellule; questi dati preliminari dimostrano che il nostro modello induce l’engraftment dei preosteoblasti nell’osso danneggiato.
Tuttavia è richiesto un tempo di osservazione più lungo, di almeno 1-2 mesi per valutare se le cellule trapiantate siano in grado, non solo di integrarsi nel tessuto dell’ospite, ma anche di proliferare in vivo e di differenziare in osteoblasti maturi e funzionali
Correction to: Mechanical responses of Chrysopogon zizanioides roots under cyclic loading conditions (Plant and Soil, (2024), 494, 1-2, (437-459), 10.1007/s11104-023-06289-9)
No full textThe online version of the article unfortunately contained an error about the authors’ affiliation. The affiliation of both Anthony Kwan LEUNG and David BOLDRIN is wrong. The correct affiliation has been given below.</p
Nota alle sentenze della Corte di Giustizia dell'Unione europea dd. 18 luglio 2013 - cause C-201/11 P, UEFA c. Commissione europea, Regno del Belgio e Regno Unito; C-204/11 P, FIFA c. Commissione europea, Regno del Belgio e Regno Unito; C-205/11 P, FIFA c. Commissione europea, Regno del Belgio e Regno Unito
No full textLa nota affronta il tema dei limiti alla tutela dei diritti audiovisivi sugli eventi sportivi derivanti dal necessario bilanciamento del diritto d'autore degli organizzatori delle competizioni con il diritto di ogni cittadino all'informazione in merito ad eventi riconosciuti di interesse generale da parte delle autorità nazionali preposte all'attuazione della direttiva 89/552/CEE così come modificata dalla direttiva 97/36/CE
La valorizzazione del patrimonio culturale dell’umanità attraverso la riproduzione digitale delle sue immagini: problematiche e prospettive
No full textIl contributo affronta il tema della riproduzione digitale delle immagini del patrimonio culturale alla luce dell’art. 14 della Direttiva (UE) 2019/790 e dell’art. 108 del Codice dei Beni Culturali italiano. Mentre il legi-slatore unionale ha promosso l’accesso e la diffusione delle opere in pubblico dominio, escludendo dalla pro-tezione del diritto d'autore la riproduzione delle relative immagini a prescindere dallo scopo perseguito, in Italia, l’art. 108 del Codice dei Beni Culturali sottopone invece la riproduzione delle immagini del patrimo-nio culturale per finalità di lucro alla preventiva autorizzazione pubblica e al pagamento di una tassa, con ciò ponendo un limite alla libera condivisione prevista dalla normativa unionale. Si discute, quindi, se, nell'attuale contesto degli open data, la vocazione “protezionistica” che anima le disposizioni del diritto nazionale italiano abbia ancora una ragione valida ed efficace di esistere.The contribution addresses the issue of digital reproduction of cultural heritage images in light of Article 14 of Directive (EU) 2019/790 and Article 108 of the Italian Code of Cultural and Landscape Heritage. While the EU legislator has promoted access to and dissemination of public domain works by excluding the reproduction of related images from copyright protection regardless of the purpose pursued, in Italy, Article 108 of the Code of Cultural and Landscape Heritage subjects the reproduction of cultural heritage images for profit-making purposes to prior public authorization and the payment of a fee, thereby limiting the free sharing provided for by EU law. The contribution, therefore, focuses on whether, in the current context of open data, the “protec-tionist” approach underlying the provisions of Italian national law still has a valid and effective reason to exist
The future of pensions in Europe
No full text"Unfunded state pension schemes are projected to become financially unsustainable. This is usually attributed to demographic trends. Yet trends in unemployment and in female labour force participation are quantitatively as important. Improvements in either or both might be sufficient to rescue existing state schemes, especially if combined with an end to the practice of allowing, even after retirement, the value of a pension to rise with national earnings rather than prices." Copyright Centre for Economic Policy Research, Center for Economic Studies, Maison des Sciences de l'Homme, 1999 .
Supporting data for "Oxygen reduction, transport and separation in low silver content scandia-stabilised zirconia composites"
No full text<p>This file contains the data reported in the paper:<br>
E. Ruiz-Trejo, A. Bertei, A. Maserati, P. Boldrin, N. P. Brandon, Oxygen reduction, transport and separation in low silver content scandia-stabilised zirconia composites, Journal of the Electrochemical Society (2017)</p>
Microstructural Degradation: Mechanisms, Quantification, Modeling and Design Strategies to Enhance the Durability of Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Electrodes
No full textElectrode microstructure is one of the main factors determining the performance and durability of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). The degradation is intimately linked to the microstructure, which in turn depends upon manufacturing and operation conditions. In this chapter we discuss the main causes for degradation of electrodes, concentrating mainly on the anode and present the techniques-both typical and state-of-the-art to follow these changes. We emphasize the need to quantitatively link the microstructural properties (e.g., triple-phase boundaries, porosity, and tortuosity) with the electrochemical responses measured and, most importantly, to link the change in microstructure to the performance degradation via suitable models. The knowledge gained must then be used to design new electrodes that can extend the lifetime of SOFCs once the critical parameters have been identified
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