Le abitudini di lettura "non obbligata" degli studenti dell'Università di Pisa e di Graz (Austria): i social media e le scelte dei giovani lettori.

Ricerca sulle abitudini di lettura degli studenti universitari di Pisa e Graz (Austria)e di come i social media influenzano tali comportamenti. È stata fatta una doppia indagine: la prima con un campione degli studenti universitari di Pisa, la seconda con gli studenti universitari di Graz (Austria)

Distribuzione spaziale del coefficiente di dispersione intermareale nella Laguna di Venezia passata, presente e futura

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A multimethodological approach for the valorization of “Senatore Cappelli” wheat milling by-products as a source of bioactive compounds and nutraceutical activity

Wheat is the third most cultivated cereal in the world and represents the major contributor to human nutrition. Milling wheat by-products such as husks (17–20% of the total processing output weight), even if still containing high-value-added bioactive compounds, are often left untreated or unused, thus resulting in environmental and human health burdens. In these regards, the present study is aimed at evaluating in a multimethodological approach the nutraceutical properties of durum wheat husks belonging to the ancient cultivar “Senatore Cappelli”, thus assessing their potential as bioactive compound sources in terms of phytochemical, cytotoxic, and nutraceutical properties. By means of HPLC-FD analyses, wheat husk samples analyzed revealed a higher content of serotonin, amounting to 35% of the total BAs, and were confirmed to occur at biogenic amines quality index (BAQI) values <10 mg/100 g. In addition, spectrophotometric assays showed a signif- icant variable content in the phenolic (189.71–351.14 mg GAE/100 g) and antioxidant compounds (31.23–37.84 mg TE/100 g) within the wheat husk samples analyzed, according to the different cul- tivar areas of origin. Considering wheat husk extracts’ anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity, in vitro analyses were performed on BV-2 murine microglia cells cultured in the presence or absence of LPS, thus evaluating their ability to promote microglia polarization towards an anti-inflammatory phenotype. Cytotoxicity assays showed that wheat extracts do not affect microglia viability. Wheat husks activity on microglial polarization was assessed by analyzing the expression of M1 and M2 markers’ mRNA by RT-PCR. Wheat husk antioxidant activity was assessed by analysis of NRF2 and SOD1 mRNA expression. Moreover, the sustainability assessment for the recovery of bioactive components from wheat by-products was carried out by applying the life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology using SimaPro v9.2.2. software

Sustainability assessment of waste and wastewater recovery for edible mushroom production through an integrated nexus. A case study in Lazio

With a global population of eight billion people, improving the sustainability and nutritional quality of diets has become critical. Mushrooms offer a promising solution because of their nutritional value and ability to be grown from agricultural residues, in line with the circular economy. This study, therefore, focuses on assessing the environmental compatibility of Agaricus bisporus mushroom production in Italy, the world’s third largest per capita consumer, by using a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and an integrated Water-Energy-Nitrogen-Carbon-Food (WENCF) nexus analysis. The LCA results reveal that for a functional unit of 23,000 kg of the substrate, the production process emits 2.55 × 104 kg of CO2 eq. Sensitivity analysis shows that changing input quantities can reduce environmental impacts by about 5 %. In addition, one scenario evaluates the environmental effects of recycling resources by introducing water and ammonium sulfate from scratch instead of continuous recycling, along with water purification. The study shows that sustainable food production can mitigate resource depletion, climate-altering emissions, and intersectoral competition. Using agro residues for mushroom cultivation and optimizing resource management contribute to environmental sustainability. This approach could not only improve the resilience and efficiency of the food system but could also improve the sustainability of diets. In conclusion, this study highlights the importance of adopting sustainable and circular approaches in mushroom production to address global challenges related to food sustainability

Recurrent extreme bilateral gigantomastia caused by pseudoangiomatous stromal hyperplasia (PASH) syndrome: a case report

Pseudoangiomatous stromal hyperplasia (PASH) of the breast is a rare and benign medical condition in which the breast tissue is affected by an abnormal myofibroblastic proliferation, which mimics a low-grade sarcoma angiomatous proliferation. PASH usually presents itself either as a palpable mass or as an incidental diagnosis during breast specimens' histological examination. A few cases have been reported in the literature of a diffuse form of breast PASH syndrome in which the clinical presentation is a bilateral form of gigantomastia without palpable masses. In such cases, the optimal surgical management is still debated due to a significant risk of relapse after breast reduction. Mastectomy seems to be the endpoint of this condition in relapsing cases. Recent studies report a good outcome with a Tamoxifen regimen when surgery cannot be performed, supporting a hormonal component for the etiology of the condition. This study reports on an extremely rare case of bilateral, rapid, and severe PASH in a young patient, presenting as a truly disabling gigantomastia that forced the patient to use a wheelchair due to the excessive breast weights (25 kg the right breast and 21 kg the left). We describe her complicated medical history, her diagnosis, and our course of treatment

High Phosphate-Induced JAK-STAT Signalling Sustains Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Inflammation and Limits Calcification

Vascular calcification (VC) is an age-related complication characterised by calcium-phosphate deposition in the arterial wall driven by the osteogenic transformation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). The JAK-STAT pathway is an emerging target in inflammation. Considering the relationship between VC and inflammation, we investigated the role of JAK-STAT signalling during VSMC calcification. Human aortic smooth muscle cells (HASMCs) were cultured in high-inorganic phosphate (Pi) medium for up to 7 days; calcium deposition was determined via Alizarin staining and colorimetric assay. Inflammatory factor secretion was evaluated via ELISA and JAK-STAT members' activation using Western blot or immunohistochemistry on HASMCs or calcified aortas of Vitamin D-treated C57BL6/J mice, respectively. The JAK-STAT pathway was blocked by JAK Inhibitor I and Von Kossa staining was used for calcium deposits in murine aortic rings. During Pi-induced calcification, HASMCs released IL-6, IL-8, and MCP-1 and activated JAK1-JAK3 proteins and STAT1. Phospho-STAT1 was detected in murine calcified aortas. Blocking of the JAK-STAT cascade reduced HASMC proliferation and pro-inflammatory factor expression and release while increasing calcium deposition and osteogenic transcription factor RUNX2 expression. Consistently, JAK-STAT pathway inhibition exacerbates mouse aortic ring calcification ex vivo. Intriguingly, our results suggest an alternative link between VSMC inflammation and VC

Circulating levels of AGEs and soluble RAGE isoforms are associated with all-cause mortality and development of cardiovascular complications in type 2 diabetes: a retrospective cohort study

none10noopenSabbatinelli, Jacopo; Castiglione, Stefania; Macrì, Federica; Giuliani, Angelica; Ramini, Deborah; Vinci, Maria Cristina; Tortato, Elena; Bonfigli, Anna Rita; Olivieri, Fabiola; Raucci, AngelaSabbatinelli, Jacopo; Castiglione, Stefania; Macrì, Federica; Giuliani, Angelica; Ramini, Deborah; Vinci, Maria Cristina; Tortato, Elena; Bonfigli, Anna Rita; Olivieri, Fabiola; Raucci, Angel

Lipoprotein(a) as a Risk Factor for Cardiovascular Diseases: Pathophysiology and Treatment Perspectives

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is still a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, despite all the progress achieved as regards to both prevention and treatment. Having high levels of lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease that operates independently. It can increase the risk of developing cardiovascular disease even when LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) levels are within the recommended range, which is referred to as residual cardiovascular risk. Lp(a) is an LDL-like particle present in human plasma, in which a large plasminogen-like glycoprotein, apolipoprotein(a) [Apo(a)], is covalently bound to Apo B100 via one disulfide bridge. Apo(a) contains one plasminogen-like kringle V structure, a variable number of plasminogen-like kringle IV structures (types 1–10), and one inactive protease region. There is a large inter-individual variation of plasma concentrations of Lp(a), mainly ascribable to genetic variants in the Lp(a) gene: in the general po-pulation, Lp(a) levels can range from 1000 mg/dL. Concentrations also vary between different ethnicities. Lp(a) has been established as one of the risk factors that play an important role in the development of atherosclerotic plaque. Indeed, high concentrations of Lp(a) have been related to a greater risk of ischemic CVD, aortic valve stenosis, and heart failure. The threshold value has been set at 50 mg/dL, but the risk may increase already at levels above 30 mg/dL. Although there is a well-established and strong link between high Lp(a) levels and coronary as well as cerebrovascular disease, the evidence regarding incident peripheral arterial disease and carotid atherosclerosis is not as conclusive. Because lifestyle changes and standard lipid-lowering treatments, such as statins, niacin, and cholesteryl ester transfer protein inhibitors, are not highly effective in reducing Lp(a) levels, there is increased interest in developing new drugs that can address this issue. PCSK9 inhibitors seem to be capable of reducing Lp(a) levels by 25–30%. Mipomersen decreases Lp(a) levels by 25–40%, but its use is burdened with important side effects. At the current time, the most effective and tolerated treatment for patients with a high Lp(a) plasma level is apheresis, while antisense oligonucleotides, small interfering RNAs, and microRNAs, which reduce Lp(a) levels by targeting RNA molecules and regulating gene expression as well as protein production levels, are the most widely explored and promising perspectives. The aim of this review is to provide an update on the current state of the art with regard to Lp(a) pathophysiological mechanisms, focusing on the most effective strategies for lowering Lp(a), including new emerging alternative therapies. The purpose of this manuscript is to improve the management of hyperlipoproteinemia(a) in order to achieve better control of the residual cardiovascular risk, which remains unacceptably high

Psychological dimensions associated with youth engagement in climate change issues: a person-centered approach

Climate change is one of the greatest global threats that has ecological, economic, social, and psychological consequences. Nowadays, young people are the target of political agenda since they represent potential future policymakers. Consequently, it is crucial to identify the psychological features that contribute to engagement of young people in climate change issue. This study aimed at identifying and describing different configurations of youth perceiving and experiencing climate change. A sample of 224 participants (61% females; Mage = 21.04, SD = 1.65) were involved in study. From a cluster analysis emerged three distinct profiles, Eco-Disengaged, Eco-Engaged/Oriented and Eco-Engaged/Disoriented, which differ in levels of climate change awareness, worry and anxiety. Findings suggest that institutions might develop green education programs based on young people’s individual difference