Will Widespread Synthetic Opioid Consumption Induce Epigenetic Consequences in Future Generations?

A growing number of evidence demonstrates that ancestral exposure to xenobiotics (pollutants, drugs of abuse, etc.) can perturb the physiology and behavior of descendants. Both maternal and paternal transmission of phenotype across generations has been proved, demonstrating that parental drug history may have significant implications for subsequent generations. In the last years, the burden of novel synthetic opioid (NSO) consumption, due to increased medical prescription of pain medications and to easier accessibility of these substances on illegal market, is raising new questions first in term of public health, but also about the consequences of the parental use of these drugs on future generations. Besides being associated to the neonatal abstinence syndrome, <i>in utero</i> exposure to opioids has an impact on neuronal development with long-term repercussions that are potentially transmitted to subsequent generations. In addition, recent reports suggest that opioid use even before conception influences the reactivity to opioids of the progeny and the following generations, likely through epigenetic mechanisms. This review describes the current knowledge about the transgenerational effects of opioid consumption. We summarize the preclinical and clinical findings showing the implications for the subsequent generations of parental exposure to opioids earlier in life. Limitations of the existing data on NSOs and new perspectives of the research are also discussed, as well as clinical and forensic consequences

An end-to-end framework for the additive manufacture of optimized tubular structures

Although additive manufacturing (AM) has been maturing for some years, it has only recently started to capture the interest of the cost-sensitive construction industry. The research presented herein is seeking to integrate AM into the construction sector through the establishment of an automated end-to-end framework for the generation of high-performance AM structures, combining sophisticated optimization techniques with cutting edge AM methods. Trusses of tubular cross-section subjected to different load cases have been selected as the demonstrators of the proposed framework. Optimization studies, featuring numerical layout and geometry optimization techniques, are employed to obtain the topology of the examined structures, accounting for practical and manufacturing constraints. Cross-section optimization is subsequently undertaken, followed by a series of geometric operations for the design of free-form joints connecting the optimized members. Solid models of the optimized designs are then exported for wire arc additive manufacturing (WAAM). Following determination of the optimal printing sequence, the trusses are printed and inspected. The efficiency of the optimized designs has been assessed by means of finite element modelling and compared against equivalent conventional designs. More than 200% increases in efficiency (reflected in the capacity-to-mass ratios) were achieved for all optimized trusses (when compared to their equivalent reference designs), demonstrating the effectiveness of the proposed optimization framework

Caveolin-1, breast cancer and ionizing radiation

Breast cancer (BC) recovery has increased in recent years thanks to efforts of Omics-based research in this field. However, despite the important results obtained, BC remains a complex multifactorial pathology that is difficult to treat appropriately. Caveolin-1 (CAV1), the basic constituent protein of specialized plasma membrane invaginations called caveolae, is emerging as a potential therapeutic biomarker in BC. This factor may modulate BC response to chemotherapy and radiation therapy. In addition, recent reports describe the key role of CAV1 during cell response to oxidative stress. The aim of the present review was to describe the biological roles of CAV1 in BC considering its contrasting dual functions as an oncogene and as a tumor suppressor. In addition, we report on how CAV1 may contribute to tumor cell response to ionizing radiation treatment. Finally, new roles of CAV1 in BC both on epithelium and stroma may be useful as prognostic indicators for patient treatment and help clinicians in the selection of the best personalized therapy

Far fronte all’aggressività dei clienti in servizi in cambiamento: i Management Standards proteggono il benessere degli operatori?

Questo contributo analizza le relazioni tra aggressivit\ue0 dei clienti, risorse lavorative e benessere degli operatori in servizi pubblici che affrontano riconfigurazioni della loro missione. Basandosi sul modello Job Demands-Resources, lo studio ha esplorato: a) se il grado di esposizione percepita all'aggressivit\ue0 verbale influisse su esaurimento emotivo e soddisfazione al lavoro; b) se risorse del contesto lavorativo (controllo, chiarezza di ruolo, supporto dei colleghi, supporto dei superiori, modalit\ue0 di gestione del cambiamento) attenuassero gli esiti negativi; c) se tali risorse sostenessero maggiormente la soddisfazione lavorativa in condizioni di alta aggressivit\ue0. I dati, raccolti attraverso un questionario inviato a 279 lavoratori di biblioteche pubbliche italiane (154 rispondenti), sono stati analizzati mediante una serie di regressioni gerarchiche moderate. I risultati confermano che all\u2019aumentare dell\u2019aggressivit\ue0 dei clienti, percepita dagli operatori, cresce l\u2019esaurimento emotivo e decresce la soddisfazione lavorativa. Solo due risorse tra quelle considerate (modalit\ue0 di gestione del cambiamento organizzativo e supporto dei colleghi) hanno mostrato effetti protettivi sull\u2019esaurimento emotivo, mentre il legame tra risorse lavorative e soddisfazione lavorativa non \ue8 risultato modificarsi al variare dell\u2019intensit\ue0 di esposizione all\u2019aggressivit\ue0.This paper analyses the relations among perceived customers aggression, job resources and employees wellbeing in public services that are dealing with a changes in their mission towards customers. Based on the Job Demands \u2013 Resources model, the research explored a) if the level of exposure to verbal aggression by customers is related to employees\u2019 emotional exhaustion and job satisfaction; b) if a set of resources (control, clarity in role, support from colleagues and supervisors, change) contributes to buffering the negative impact of verbal aggression on burnout; c) if such resources are most beneficial in boosting job satisfaction under conditions of high aggressiveness. Data, gathered through a self-report questionnaire administered to 279 librarians in Italian public libraries (154 respondents), were analysed with a set of moderated hierarchical regression analyses. The results showed that increasing levels of perceived customer aggression are related to higher emotional exhaustion and lower job satisfactions. Only two of the organizational resources taken into consideration (change and support from colleagues) showed protective effects on emotional exhaustion, while the boosting effect was not confirmed

Psychosocial empowerment-based interventions for smoking reduction: concepts, measures and outcomes. A systematic review

Although empowerment is a widely used concept in health-related areas, its definition remains unclear. While there is evidence for the effectiveness of empowerment interventions in improving some psychosocial factors linked to health (e.g. patient self-care strategy, coping skills, access and effective use of health services) and some health outcomes like mental health and HIV/AIDS-related behaviour, other data appear to contradict this. Moreover, concepts, measures, and outcomes related to empowerment are operationalized in different ways. Using the case of tobacco control programmes, we wanted to explore: (a) how research on smoking reduction/prevention has conceptualized empowerment; (b) which measures and instruments have been used to assess behaviour outcomes and the empowerment process. We hypothesized that the transformative potential that characterizes empowerment is marginally considered. A total of 18 studies reporting on the effect of prevention interventions on smoking and/or empowerment outcomes were reviewed. Two kinds of study were distinguished: (a) studies reporting behaviour outcomes without data about the impact on empowerment; (b) studies analysing the empowerment process. Among this latter type, some studies did not provide information about the specific behaviour (smoking), while others examined the impact of intervention on both smoking and empowerment. In about half of all studies, empowerment strategies were found to be effective in improving smoking outcomes, while no differences were found between intervention and control groups in the remaining studies. The present review suggests that pragmatic definitions of empowerment need to be developed in order to promote its transferability and evaluation