Intranasally administrated fusion-inhibitory lipopeptides block SARS-CoV-2 infection in mice and enable long-term protective immunity

We have assessed antiviral activity and induction of protective immunity of fusion-inhibitory lipopeptides derived from the C-terminal heptad-repeat domain of SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein in transgenic mice expressing human ACE2 (K18-hACE2). The lipopeptides block SARS-CoV-2 infection in cell lines and lung-derived organotypic cultures. Intranasal administration in mice allows the maintenance of homeostatic transcriptomic immune profile in lungs, prevents body-weight loss, decreases viral load and shedding, and protects mice from death caused by SARS-CoV-2 variants. Prolonged administration of high-dose lipopeptides has neither adverse effects nor impairs peptide efficacy in subsequent SARS-CoV-2 challenges. The peptide-protected mice develop cross-reactive neutralizing antibodies against both SARS-CoV-2 used for the initial infection and recently circulating variants, and are completely protected from a second lethal infection, suggesting that they developed SARS-CoV-2-specific immunity. This strategy provides an additional antiviral approach in the global effort against COVID-19 and may contribute to development of rapid responses against emerging pathogenic viruses. (Figure presented.

Il territorio di Casagiove. I dati archeologici

Abstract T his contribution analyzes the archaeological evidence from the territory of Casagiove, dating from Prehistory to the Late Antiquity. The research, based on the methodology of Ancient Topography, led to the identification of 45 sites and a detailed exa mination of axes, identified as perpetuation of ancient agrarian divisions. Numerous data were recovered throuh bibliography and archival documentation, most of these sites have been precisely located. Despite the challenges due to the substantial urbanization ofn some areas and the destructive activity of the quarries, further information has been gathered through extensive and detailed f ield surveys across the entire municipal territory, especially in the flat areas still used for agriculture and on the southern slopes of the Tifatini Mountains. The data collected provide a complex historical-archaeological framework, representing a useful piece in the reconstruction of ancient peopling of the ager Campanus.Nel contributo sono analizzate le evidenze archeologiche del territorio di Casagiove inquadrabili tra la prestoria e l’epoca tardo an tica. Le ricerche, condotte, secondo la metodologia della Topografia antica, hanno portato all’individuazione di 45 siti e alla puntuale disamina degli assi riconosciuti come perpetuazione dell’antica divisione agraria. Numerosi i dati recuperati grazie alla bibliografia e alla documentazione d’archivio, in gran parte puntualmente ubicato. La ricognizione estensiva e capillare dell’intero territorio comunale, pur nelle difficoltà dovute alla consistente urbanizzazione di alcuni settori e all’attività distruttiva delle cave, ha consentito il recupero di ulte riori informazioni, soprattutto nei settori pianeggianti ancora destinati all’agricoltura e sui versanti meridionali dei Monti Tifatini. I dati raccolti restituiscono un quadro -archeologico articolato, utile tassello nella ricostruzione del popolamento antico dell’ager campanus

Anomaly detection in manufacturing systems with temporal networks and unsupervised machine learning

Traditional manufacturing systems face significant challenges in detecting operational anomalies due to the absence of advanced sensor networks and intelligent machinery commonly associated with Industry 4.0. Existing solutions often rely on sophisticated, interconnected infrastructures, which are not feasible in conventional settings. This paper introduces a novel methodology for anomaly detection tailored specifically for traditional manufacturing environments, addressing the gap in cost-effective monitoring solutions. The proposed approach models manufacturing systems as complex temporal networks, where each machine or process is represented as a node and job flows between machines form the network edges over time. The novelty of this method lies in the combination of dynamic network theory with unsupervised machine learning. Statistical features extracted from the temporal networks are processed through dimensionality reduction techniques, specifically Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Deep Neural Autoencoders, to reduce feature complexity while preserving essential information. The reduced feature sets are then analysed using multiple unsupervised anomaly detection algorithms, including Isolation Forest, One-Class Support Vector Machine (OC-SVM), and Local Outlier Factor (LOF). This approach does not require significant infrastructure upgrades, making it suitable for traditional manufacturing plants while still aligning with Industry 4.0 paradigms. By using only normal job flow data, it provides a cost-effective solution where anomalous data is scarce. The results demonstrate that Local Outlier Factor and Isolation Forest, when combined with Autoencoder-based feature reduction, achieved an F1-score exceeding 84%, with precision close to 99% and recall at 74%. This strong performance underscores the methodology's potential for real-world manufacturing environments, bridging the gap between traditional settings and modern Industry 4.0 paradigms

La “senzietà” animale: tra princìpi costituzionali e tutela penale nel quadro della recente normativa

Il contributo, partendo dalla riforma dell'art. 9 Cost. avvenuta nel 2022, analizza la riforma della tutela penale degli animali avviata con la L. 6 giugno 2025, n. 82, la quale, in maniera emblematica, ha eliminato il riferimento del "sentimento" precedentemente previsto al Titolo IX-bis del Codice penale

Neuroendoscopy and Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting: Pathophysiology, Incidence and Management Strategies

: Neuroendoscopy is a minimally invasive surgical technique used to treat brain pathologies such as hydrocephalus, arachnoid cysts, and skull base tumors. While it offers several advantages, including reduced tissue trauma and lower morbidity, it is associated with a high risk of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV). This paper provides a narrative review of the literature on the incidence, pathophysiology, and management of PONV in patients undergoing neuroendoscopic procedures. The review includes several studies published between 2001 and 2024, analyzing specific risk factors such as female gender, postoperative opioid use, extended endoscopic approaches, and cavernous sinus dissection. PONV prevention strategies include a multimodal approach combining total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) with propofol, perioperative hydration, and pharmacological prophylaxis (5-HT3 receptor antagonists, NK1 antagonists, dexamethasone, and droperidol). Despite advances in surgical and anesthetic techniques, further research is needed to develop procedure-specific protocols and optimize PONV management in neuroendoscopy

Protective Action of 3,5-Diiodo-L-Thyronine on Cigarette Smoke-Induced Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Human Alveolar Epithelial Cells

Background: Cigarette smoke (CS) is a major risk factor for chronic lung conditions. Oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction play a crucial role in CS-induced pulmonary injury. 3,5-Diiodothyronine (T2) affects energy metabolism, having mitochondria as a major target. However, the underlying mechanisms of T2 related to lung diseases are poorly understood. Aims: To investigate the protective action of T2 on CS-induced mitochondrial dysfunction in an in vitro model of human epithelial alveolar cells. Methods: ATP synthesis and cytochrome c oxidase (COX) activity, as a marker of mitochondrial function, was assessed in A549 cells pretreated with T2 and exposed to CS using a bioluminescence assay and an Oroboros 2k-Oxygraph system, respectively. An evaluation of the oxidative status was conducted by assessing superoxide radical production, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and H2O2 levels. Moreover, we investigated the mitochondrial mass via Mito-Tracker Green (MTG) staining and flow cytometry analysis. Results: CS significantly reduced ATP production. T2 pretreatment was found to prevent CS-induced impairments in ATP synthesis, enhancing COX activity. Additionally, the 2 h T2 pretreatment of CS-exposed cells mitigated CS-induced oxidative stress, thereby enhancing SOD activity and reducing the superoxide anion and H2O2 levels. Finally, MTG labeling was correlated with CS-induced mitochondrial mass gain, which is associated with cell senescence. Unexpectedly, T2 was not able to significantly prevent this mass increment, probably due to its rapid mode of action. Conclusions: Our results provide new insights into the protective effects of T2 against CS-induced mitochondrial damage

Progettazione tecnologica partecipata per la rigenerazione sostenibile di spazi aperti e la valorizzazione delle conoscenze: l’esperienza del borgo di Sant’Angelo d’Ischia

Il contributo riporta una riflessione critica sugli esiti del workshop IM-MUTAZIONI, relativi alle strategie di rigenerazione resiliente della Piazza di Sant’Angelo, per migliorare la qualità ambientale e fruitiva dello spazio pubblico attraverso percorsi condivisi con gli abitanti del luogo. Il confronto diretto tra studenti, docenti, cittadini, e amministrazioni locali è servito non solo a individuare soluzioni tecnologiche efficaci basate sulla natura, ma anche a promuovere e diffondere la cultura della sostenibilità ambientale, indispensabile per affrontare la transizione ecologica. L’esperienza ha dimostrato come la Terza Missione universitaria possa rappresentare un motore di innovazione sociale e ambientale, favorendo l'integrazione tra ricerca, territorio e comunità locali per lo sviluppo di pratiche di progettazione partecipata replicabili in altri contesti