Broadening the perspective: Epistemic, social, and historical aspects of scientific modelling

Peer reviewe

Development and Longevity: Cellular and Molecular Determinants - A Mini-Review

Across species, development and longevity are tightly linked. We discuss the relevant literature and suggest that the root for this stringent relationship is the rate of development. The basis for the relationship between rate of development and longevity lies in adaptations that have occurred through evolution at multiple levels of biological complexity: organism, organ, cellular, and molecular. Thus, the analysis of the relationship is of interest for multiple fields of biology

β-blockers : their new life from hypertension to cancer and migraine

The pharmacological class of \u3b2-blockers includes a plea of molecules with largely different pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic characteristics with a protective effect that may span far beyond the cardiovascular system. Although all these compounds share the pharmacological blockade of the adrenergic receptors, each of them is characterized by specific pharmacological properties, including selectivity of action depending on the adrenergic receptors subtypes, intrinsic sympathomimetic activity (ISA), lipid solubility, pharmacokinetic profile, and also other ancillary properties that impact their clinical effect. Their use in the treatment of hypertension has been extensively debated and at the moment a class indication is not present. However, in specific niche of patients, such as in those young individuals in which hypertension is mainly driven by a sympathetic hyperactivation, strong evidence pose \u3b2-Blockers as a highly reasonable \ufb01rst-line treatment. Lipophilic \u3b2-blockers, specifically propranolol and metoprolol, can cross the Blood Brain Barrier and have a Class A indication for the prophylactic treatment of migraine attacks. Moreover, since \u3b2-adrenergic receptors affect the proliferative process of both cancer and immune cells, their blockade has been associated with metastasis reduction in several epithelial and solid organ tumors posing \u3b2-Blockers as a new attractive, inexpensive and relatively safe therapeutic strategy in patients with several types of cancer. However, further dedicated prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled studies are needed to determine the real efficacy of these compounds

Skeletal, dental and profilometric effects of Sabbagh Universal Spring 2 (SUS2) in a patient at the end of growth: a case report

Introduction: Malocclusions, which present a severe skeletal component, are difficult to solve through orthodontic treatment inpatients at the end of growth and often require a combined orthodontic-surgical treatment. The mandibular propulsion appliances "no compliance" now offer new possibilities for functional orthopedic treatment in borderline cases. Case presentation: A patient at the end of growth with a severe malocclusion (Class II Division 1), open bite with arches\u27 transversaldiscrepancy, refused the hypothesis of an orthodontic-surgical treatment, which represents the gold standard in such occlusal andskeletal problems, especially in subjects at the end of growth; consequently, a complex orthopedic-orthodontic treatment was chosen as the second choice. The patient has been successfully treated also through the use of SUS2 (Sabbagh Universal Spring 2; Dentaurum, Ispringen, Germany), a "no compliance" fixed functional appliance, which carried out a significant sagittal correction. Conclusion: The case report especially highlights the important sagittal correction obtained through the use of SUS2. The SUS2 had a functional outcome, which resulted in the maxillary growth stop and an effective sagittal mandibular growth increase. The SUS2effects, enhanced by elastics biomechanics, led to the bite closure and at the achievement of Class I occlusion

Unity, Plurality and Explanation. The case of geographical economics and its neighbours

Geographical economics (also known as the new economic geography) is a recent approach developed within economics. It aims to provide a unified framework for the study of spatial agglomeration: the spatial concentration of economic activity. This search for unity stands in sharp contrast with the present plurality of approaches which seek to explain the same phenomenon across a variety of disciplines such as urban and regional economics, economic geography, and strategic management. More than any of the existing approaches, geographical economics has been contested by proponents of alternative theories. This dissertation investigates the general issues of unity, plurality and explanation by analysing them in relation to the case of geographical economics and its neighbours. Insights from the philosophy of science are employed to reveal the heretofore-unanalyzed rivalries and complementarities and to assess their potential for contributing to a unified theor! y of spatial agglomeration. The thesis is comprised of four independent essays that address these issues from diverse perspectives. In addition, a fifth introductory essay maps the common philosophical premises and outlines the overarching philosophical framework. In particular, insights concerning the partial and approximate nature of theories and the contrastive approach to explanation are brought together so as to individuate grounds for a realism-based pluralism. The contribution of this dissertation is twofold. First, the elucidation of inter-theoretic relations among geographical economics and its neighbours can foster enhanced communication among proponents of alternative approaches, and thereby theoretical progress. Second, in line with the current trend in the philosophy of science, the analysis of detailed cases of actual scientific practice carried out here is used to improve the adequacy of the selected philosophical accounts