1,721,110 research outputs found
Archeologia del commercio e archeologia del consumo a Napoli nella tarda età imperiale : uno studio archeometrico e storico-economico del vasellame
No full textThe project aims to analyze pottery circulation and consumption in Naples within a limited chronological range, from the end of the 4th century to the first half of the 5th century AD. The analysis focuses on different levels of circulation: the micro-scale, the regional scale and the Mediterranean basin. The study also investigated pottery functions and the patterns of daily life. The evidence was provided by three different archaeological contexts: the Girolomini context, close to the city forum, the former monastery of Santa Patrizia, and Piazza Bovio, recently excavated during the construction of Naples underground transport. The analysis of the pottery was based not only on a traditional morpho-typological approach, but it was integrated with macroscopic classification of fabrics and archaeometrical analysis. Both minero-petrographical and chemical analysis were performed aiming to characterize the most important fabrics occurring in the ceramic assemblages.La presente tesi mira ad analizzare la circolazione e il consumo del vasellame ceramico a Napoli in una fase cronologica precisa, compresa tra la fine del IV e la prima metà del V sec. d.C. Si sono individuati e analizzati tre livelli di scambio: quello micro-regionale, il livello regionale ed infine la scala mediterranea. Lo studio è stato poi rivolto a ricostruire la funzionalità dei manufatti ceramici. Il vasellame che ha fornito l'evidenza per ricostruire questi aspetti è pertinente a tre diversi contesti: il contesto dei Girolomini, vicino al foro della città, il contesto dell'ex-convento di Santa Patrizia, e l'area di Piazza Bovio, recentemente indagata per i lavori della Metropolitana. Lo studio del vasellame non è stato basato solo su un tradizionale approccio morfo-tipologico ma è stato integrato con l'analisi macroscopica degli impasti ed analisi archeometriche minero-petrografiche e chimiche volte a caratterizzare le principali fabrics presenti negli assemblaggi analizzati
BASI FISIOLOGICHE DELL' IPERTROFIA MUSCOLARE
No full textThe mechanisms underlying exercise muscle hypertrophy are different and complex. The researches that have analyzed the effect of exercise on muscle showed various ways through which training can lead to increase in muscle mass. This argument meets the interest of researchers not only for applications related to the world of fitness and body building but also in the hope that the understanding of these mechanisms can counteract various pathological phenomena that cause muscle atrophy: cancer, AIDS, chronic heart failure. It is therefore of fundamental importance to understand how better stimulate the pathways that lead hypertrophia; from those related to the insulin receptor family, to those dependent on Ca++, NO or hypoxia; from those that involve different hormones to those linked to mechanical deformation of fibers. To do this we must combine the knowledge of training techniques borrowed from Body Building with the understanding of cellular and molecular mechanisms of increased protein synthesis in skeletal muscl
Experimental models for ageing research
Full text link: Ageing is a biological process caused by the malfunctioning of multiple cellular mechanisms, ascribable to nine hallmarks: genomic instability, telomere attrition, epigenetic alterations, loss of proteostasis, deregulated nutrient sensing, mitochondrial dysfunction, cellular senescence, stem cell exhaustion, and altered intercellular communication. These ageing pillars have three common traits: (i) they appear during normal ageing; (ii) their experimental intensification accelerates ageing; and (iii) their experimental reduction delays ageing. The evidence that the elderly are more prone to develop pathologies such as cancer, diabetes and degenerative diseases, together with data showing that the elderly population is steadily increasing, has stimulated an important effort to find specific countermeasures to physiological ageing. Unfortunately, the investigation of ageing processes and the search for countermeasures in humans is very difficult. Therefore, researchers must rely on a wide range of experimental models that span from unicellular to more complex organisms. Unfortunately, experimental models are not devoid of pitfalls, flaws or obstacles that can have an impact in ageing research. In the present review we describe the most exploited experimental models in the field, such as in vitro, animal and human models, highlighting the characteristics that justify their application in the laboratory routine, and translation to human research
Imitazioni versus importazioni: sigillate di prima e media età imperiale dall'insula 104 a Hierapolis di Frigia
No full textEditorial: Aging and frailty: from causes to prevention
Full text linkIntroduction:
Recent improvement in sanitary, nutritional, and socioeconomic conditions has led to an increase in life expectancy. As a result, by 2050, people aged more than 60 years are expected to double, and people aged more than 80 years are expected to triple (https://www.who.int/news- room/fact-sheets/detail/ageing-and-health). Unfortunately, increased lifespan, is not always paralleled by an adequate healthspan, because of interference of social, behavioral, physiological, cellular, molecular, and less known factors (Balcombe and Sinclair, 2001). This complexity makes difficult the definition of aging, and challenging management of this period of life.
Aging is accompanied by decline of the individual resulting in a complex condition called frailty, characterized by loss of physical and psychological abilities, and by an amplified vulnerability to stress factors (Morley et al., 2013; Hoogendijk et al., 2019). To limit the impact of frailty on wellbeing and on society, to improve both preventive actions and management, a deep understanding of this condition is needed.
Considering frailty as a geriatric syndrome, we need to understand its etiology, define diagnostic parameters, and apply therapeutic and prevention approaches. This Research Topic was aimed at collecting new knowledge on different aspects of frailty. It comprises 13 research articles that provide new information in different aspects of aging and frailty, such as comprehension of molecular determinants and socioeconomic influence, frailty definition and biomarkers, impact on health outcomes, and prevention strategies.
Biological basis of frailty:
Frailty is the result of a multisystem derangement that involves metabolic unbalance, systemic inflammation, musculoskeletal malfunctioning and altered responses to stress (Picca et al., 2022). Among the multiple biological variables involved in aging and muscle weakness (Picca et al., 2022; Li et al., 2024; Sato et al., 2024), the genetic background captures much interest (Baghdadi et al., 2022; Sirago et al., 2022). Interestingly, Krasniqi et al. report on the impact of genetic variants of vitamin D receptor on muscular fitness in middle aged and older adults. This evidence confirmsthe importance of biological mechanisms and calls for further analysis of genetic predisposition to develop individual strategies.
Socioeconomic influence on frailty:
Recent data evidence that biological variables are not the only determinants of frailty, on the contrary, they highlight the role of variables related to the socioeconomic status of individuals, stimulating the interest to analyze the correlation among frailty and socioeconomic conditions. Accordingly, in the present topic several articles investigate this important theme. The Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS 2008–2018) reveals that higher levels of frailty and lower levels of social participation exhibit significant bidirectional relationships with age, education level, marital status, and drinking habits (Bi et al.). Analogously, Rahman et al., suggest that health outcomes following traumatic brain injury in Bangladesh depend on socioeconomic settings, since lower status individuals have limited access to treatments. Moreover, as highlighted by Czyżewski et al., geriatric patients, lacking their independence, need special care, that can be provided depending on their location. Their data propose that the number of accesses to emergency from rural areas-based patients prevail to those from the urban areas, maybe due to limited access to a primary care physician.
Frailty definition and biomarkers:
Frailty is a dynamic condition that can appear with physiological, psychological signs or both, making difficult the evaluation of risk factors and formulation of a diagnosis (Morley et al., 2013). The multifactorial nature, and the diverse clinical manifestations limit the establishment of a unequivocal frailty score (Rockwood et al., 2007). According to above reported observations, the evaluation of frailty risk should include both biomarkers and socioeconomic parameters. From the physiological point of view, frailty is characterized by a low- grade chronic inflammation. Therefore, inflammatory markers seem good candidates to help to define and diagnose frailty. In this context, Zhang et al., based on data from the United States National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES, 2007–2018), suggest that Systemic Immune-Inflammation Index (SII) and Systemic Inflammatory Response Index (SIRI) could be used as markers of frailty. From the analysis of 16,705 middle-aged and older participants to NHANES 1999–2018, Tang et al. found six complete blood count- derived inflammatory markers (neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio, platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio, SII, SIRI, and pan-immune inflammation value), which are associated with higher risk of frailty and mortality. Since frailty is also accompanied by a sensible reduction of skeletal muscle strength and endurance, Fujikawa et al. suggest bimanual coordinated movements analyses to assess levels of frailty. From a study on 358 community-dwelling older adults, they found that frail adults exhibit less movement during bimanual coordination tasks compared with non-frail adults. Interestingly, Lin et al., who aimed at assessing the risk of frailty in older adults affected by atrial fibrillation, suggest a comprehensive predictive model based on multiple risk factors, such as age, gender, history of coronary heart disease, number of chronic conditions, sleep quality, and mental health condition. In agreementwith the multifactorial nature of frailty, a comprehensive method could be helpful in obtaining a broader picture of frail individuals and fundamental to frailty management.
Therapeutic, prevention and care approaches:
In clinical situations, frail individuals could require different care and may have different outcomes to health challenges, therefore assessment of frailty may provide important decision-making information. In this context, the article from Adamuz et al. reports that COVID-19 patients older than 75 years presented more care complexity individual factors (CCIFs), especially those related to comorbidity, cognitive and social impairment, than younger subjects. On the other side, Ma et al. suggest that frailty is a good parameter to predict postoperative disability after cardiac surgery. Lastly, from their investigation on impact of age and frailty on key clinical outcomes from liver transplants, Valenti et al., found that frailty, rather than age, is a predictor of mortality. Considered the social impact of frailty in several aspects of daily life, there is a growing interest on both healthcare system and community interventions that could reduce the effects of frailty. A study from Ni et al., emphasize the consequence of different activities on frailty of older adults in China. Actually, from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS 2020), it emerges that physical, social, economic, information and sleep activity have positive effects on frailty. Interestingly, a case study reporting a community-based early frailty intervention program delivered by trained laypersons in Singapore, indicates that in an initial phase older adults can be supported by non-healthcare professionals that control physical activity and nutrition of participants (Jayaprakash et al.). Nevertheless, although programs managed by trained laypersons could be an initial step towards awareness of frailty and an initial action towards its combat, these programs need supports and resources, and involvement of healthcare systems (Cesari et al., 2016).
Frailty is a complex multifactorial condition that can accompany aging with multiple pathophysiological manifestations, making each frail individual rather unique. Articles included in this topic provide new knowledge on frailty, confirm the role of biological variables and highlight the weight of socioeconomic factors, that should be considered in the evaluation of risks, diagnosis and therapeutical approaches. Hopefully, new knowledge will increase awareness of frailty, and involvement of society and healthcare systems to promote prevention and care strategies (Cesari et al., 2016)
Activity of new benzo- and tetrahydrobenzopsoralen derivatives.
No full textThe biological activity of a new group of benzopsoralens and tetrahydrobenzopsoralens were investigated. In Ehrlich cells all compounds induced a significant inhibition of DNA synthesis, both after UVA irradiation and in the dark. The presence of a hydroxymethyl group at 4 position is important for the activity in the dark
Comunicazione e linguaggi. Contributi della Scuola di Dottorato in Scienze Umanistiche. Indirizzo in Storia antica e Archeologia
No full textLe indagini archeologiche, tra conoscenza e programmazione: la Casa del Leone
No full textThe Casa del Leone was the first area to be subject to archaeological investigations, as part of the extensive redevelopment project of this sector of the Insula Occidentalis. Research uncovered new data concerning the articulation of the lower peristyle of the building, arranged on three terraces, along the hillside. The structures, which have never been specifically analysed due to their early filling-in, can be included in a rearrangement of the area that dates back from the end of the 1st century BC
Exercise Mimetics in Aging: Suggestions from a Systematic Review
Full text linkBackground/Objectives: Growth in the aging world population is accompanied by an increase in comorbidities, profoundly impacting the quality of life of older people. This development has motivated a large effort to investigate the mechanisms underlying aging and the search for countermeasures. The most investigated strategies envisage the control of diet and physical exercise, which exploit both common and distinct mechanisms to promote health. Since the application of nutritional and exercise protocols to aged persons introduces several issues due to their disabled state, some strategies have been developed. The nutritional approach exploits a wide range of compounds, including calorie restriction mimetics, supplements, antioxidants, and others. In the context of exercise, in recent years, molecules able to provide similar effects to exercise, the so-called exercise mimetics, have been developed. Methods: To have a better perspective on exercise mimetics and their connection with nutrition, we performed a systematic search of the PubMed and Scopus databases using the term “exercise mimetics”. Results: In total, 97 research articles were selected and discussed. The present review provides evidence of the presence of multiple exercise-mimetic compounds and physical strategies that can target metabolic pathways, oxidative stress defense mechanisms, or myokine modulation. Conclusions: Interestingly, this review highlights that an important number of exercise mimetics are represented by products of natural origin and supplements assimilable with diet. This evidence provides a further link between exercise and nutrition and confers a central role on nutrition in the context of exercise mimetics
Are dog muscles different in the composition of myosin heavy chain isoforms from farm animals?
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