Archaeological and ethnographic survey in the Paikuli Area (Iraqi Kurdistan)

The Italian Archaeological Mission in Iraqi Kurdistan (MAIKI) of the Sapienza University of Rome aims to study the archaeological, historical, linguistic and cultural development of the Kurdish region through a wide historical period. MAIKI started by focusing on the archaeological and philological analysis of the Sasanian site of Paikuli. In recent years, however, investigation has been expanded to include an accurate survey of the area between the Dyala and Basara rivers, around the main road that connects the city of Chamchamal to Darbandikhan, in order to implement a complete and updated archaeological map of the entire territory. The continuing work includes a preparatory study of the few bibliographical records available and an overall analysis of the accessible, current and historical satellite imagery in order to obtain a reliable context for the results of archaeological field surveys. During the field campaigns, which are currently suspended because of the political instability and war in the region, archaeological material was collected in all the visited sites and a detailed morphological and archaeometric study was set up. A complete map of the currently inhabited villages of the area has been compiled because up-to-date base cartography of the area did not exist; this new map has proved to be useful not only for locating archaeological records but also for the activities of the ethnological research that joined the Mission in 2013. The area suffered very much during Saddam Hussein’s Al-Anfal campaign when all of the people were forced to leave. The ethnological study will help to reveal the impact that these recent traumatic events have had on the preservation of the cultural heritage whilst supplying rich documentation for further investigation, including on relationship between man and territory, local economy, migration policies and religious practice

Paolo Ognibene. “Sguardi incrociati greco-scitici”

Paolo Ognibene presents a rich overview of the Greek texts dealing with Scythians, discussing the different visions that emerge from these sources and how the Greek vision of these populations evolved, starting from an initial focus on the characteristics of justice and equality in their society, to then emphasise their more violent and ferocious characters. Based on the Greek sources and the few Persian sources available, the author also tries to analyse, beyond the difficulties in correctly..

Matthew P. Canepa. “Dynastic Sanctuaries and the Transformation of Iranian Kingship between Alexander and Islam”

The interpretation of the so-called Dynastic Sanctuaries created by "Iranian-speaking” or “Iranian-influenced” dynasties between the Hellenistic period and the Islamic conquest is a long debated subject. In this article M.P. Canepa takes into consideration some possible sanctuaries, located in a vast area stretching from Commagene to Kushan India. The examined sites, which include Nemrut Daği, Old Nisa, Šāmī, Surkh Kotal, Māṭ and Naqš-e Rostam, are emblematic for their links with the ruling d..

Naghmeh Mahzounzadeh, Eugenio Bortolini. “Beyond Shape: a New Perspective on the Classification of Arrowheads from the Historical Pre-Islamic Period in Iran”

The article, published in the first number of the new series of East & West journal edited by ISMEO, proposes an innovative methodology, based on pattern recognition techniques, for the study of the metal arrowheads, and a new typology mainly focused on materials dated between the 6th and 4th century BCE. The authors propose a first pilot study, part of a larger project still underway, in which 167 arrowheads from the sites of Persepolis, Tol-e Ajori and Susa are taken into consideration. Eac..

Le forme della città. Iran, Gandhāra e Asia Centrale. Scritti offerti a Pierfrancesco Callieri in occasione del suo 65° compleanno

This volume brings together contributions from 43 of Pierfrancesco Callieri's colleagues on the archaeology of cities from Iran to Central Asia to Pakistan (Gandhara)

Endothelial cell-cardiomyocyte crosstalk in heart development and disease

The crosstalk between endothelial cells and cardiomyocytes has emerged as a requisite for normal cardiac development, but also a key pathogenic player during the onset and progression of cardiac disease. Endothelial cells and cardiomyocytes are in close proximity and communicate through the secretion of paracrine signals, as well as through direct cell-to-cell contact. Here, we provide an overview of the endothelial cell-cardiomyocyte interactions controlling heart development and the main processes affecting the heart in normal and pathological conditions, including ischaemia, remodelling and metabolic dysfunction. We also discuss the possible role of these interactions in cardiac regeneration and encourage the further improvement of in vitro models able to reproduce the complex environment of the cardiac tissue, in order to better define the mechanisms by which endothelial cells and cardiomyocytes interact with a final aim of developing novel therapeutic opportunities

Flt1 produced by lung endothelial cells impairs ATII cell transdifferentiation and repair in pulmonary fibrosis

Pulmonary fibrosis is a devastating disease, in which fibrotic tissue progressively replaces lung alveolar structure, resulting in chronic respiratory failure. Alveolar type II cells act as epithelial stem cells, being able to transdifferentiate into alveolar type I cells, which mediate gas exchange, thus contributing to lung homeostasis and repair after damage. Impaired epithelial transdifferentiation is emerging as a major pathogenetic mechanism driving both onset and progression of fibrosis in the lung. Here, we show that lung endothelial cells secrete angiocrine factors that regulate alveolar cell differentiation. Specifically, we build on our previous data on the anti-fibrotic microRNA-200c and identify the Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor receptor 1, also named Flt1, as its main functional target in endothelial cells. Endothelial-specific knockout of Flt1 reproduces the anti-fibrotic effect of microRNA-200c against pulmonary fibrosis and results in the secretion of a pool of soluble factors and matrix components able to promote epithelial transdifferentiation in a paracrine manner. Collectively, these data indicate the existence of a complex endothelial-epithelial paracrine crosstalk in vitro and in vivo and position lung endothelial cells as a relevant therapeutic target in the fight against pulmonary fibrosis

The Use of Psychotropic Medication in Pediatric Oncology for Acute Psychological and Psychiatric Problems: Balancing Risks and Benefits

Severe acute behavioral and emotional problems represent one of the most serious treatment-related adverse effects for children and adolescents who have cancer. The critical and severe nature of these symptoms often makes necessary the use of psychotropic drugs. A working group composed of experts in multiple disciplines had the task of creating an agreement regarding a management plan for severe acute behavioral and emotional problems (SABEPs) in children and adolescents treated for cancer. To obtain global information on the use of psychotropic drugs in pediatric oncology, the working group first developed and mailed a 15-item questionnaire to many Italian pediatric oncology centers. Overall, an evident lack of knowledge and education regarding the use of psychotropic medications for the treatment of SABEPs was found. Thus, by referring to an adapted version of the Delphi method of consensus and standard methods for the elaboration of clinical questions (PICOs), the working group elaborated evidence-based recommendations for psychotropic drugs in the pediatric oncology setting. Furthermore, based on a thorough multivariate analysis of needs and difficulties, a comprehensive management flow was developed to optimize therapeutic interventions, which allows more accurate and efficient matching of the acute needs of patients while guiding treatment options

Trench Tr. 6

Rapporto di scavo della Trincea 6 a Persepolis West nell'ambito delle attivit\ue0 della Missione Archeologica Congiunta Irano-Italiana nel Fars