Environment and development in Reconstruction Plans in L'Aquila territory

The operational engagement on the Plans for Reconstruction (earthquake 2009) could allow to propose territorial development in terms of sustainability, informed by energy considerations and the opportunity to establish new activities, related to local economies, based on the search for possible sources of renewable energy and virtuous use of water and waste cycle. In particular, the reclassification of settlements could predispose transition elements, oriented to new concepts of living, which prelude to the definition of a sustainable "city"; we specifically refer to the possibility of developing a "smart" service network and regulating the housing dimension. It lacked, so far, the involvement of the "regional policy" for the guidance and support for the configuration of administrative and financial situations, suitable for a wide participation in fund raising, beyond the mere physical reconstruction

Strategie operative per la rigenerazione sostenibile dell’edilizia residenziale sociale

Obiettivo del cluster “Social Housing” è quello di focalizzare l’attività di ricerca di un numeroso gruppo di ricercatori dell’area della Tecnologia dell’Architettura di diverse Università italiane su un tema progettuale di grande attualità che potrebbe contribuire a qualificare e a rilanciare vaste aree del nostro Paese: la rigenerazione urbana ed ambientale dei quartieri di edilizia residenziale pubblica realizzati tra gli anni Cinquanta e Ottanta nelle prime periferie delle principali città italiane. Si affronta in specifico il tema: Rigenerazione e qualità degli spazi - le prospettive di processo e di intervento, nella prospettiva di di definire linee guida e best practices per ERP e Social Housing attraverso pool di soluzioni innovative e operative in termini complessi di qualità architettonica, utilizzo di energia, prestazioni ambientali, sicurezza, efficienza economica e inclusione sociale

Inhibition of the Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors by Cobra Venom α-Neurotoxins: Is There a Perspective in Lung Cancer Treatment?

Nicotine exerts its oncogenic effects through the binding to nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) and the activation of downstream pathways that block apoptosis and promote neo-angiogenesis. The nAChRs of the α7 subtype are present on a wide variety of cancer cells and their inhibition by cobra venom neurotoxins has been proposed in several articles and reviews as a potential innovative lung cancer therapy. However, since part of the published results was recently retracted, we believe that the antitumoral activity of cobra venom neurotoxins needs to be independently re-evaluated

Mortality and pulmonary complications in patients undergoing surgery with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection: an international cohort study

Background: The impact of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) on postoperative recovery needs to be understood to inform clinical decision making during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. This study reports 30-day mortality and pulmonary complication rates in patients with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods: This international, multicentre, cohort study at 235 hospitals in 24 countries included all patients undergoing surgery who had SARS-CoV-2 infection confirmed within 7 days before or 30 days after surgery. The primary outcome measure was 30-day postoperative mortality and was assessed in all enrolled patients. The main secondary outcome measure was pulmonary complications, defined as pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, or unexpected postoperative ventilation. Findings: This analysis includes 1128 patients who had surgery between Jan 1 and March 31, 2020, of whom 835 (74·0%) had emergency surgery and 280 (24·8%) had elective surgery. SARS-CoV-2 infection was confirmed preoperatively in 294 (26·1%) patients. 30-day mortality was 23·8% (268 of 1128). Pulmonary complications occurred in 577 (51·2%) of 1128 patients; 30-day mortality in these patients was 38·0% (219 of 577), accounting for 81·7% (219 of 268) of all deaths. In adjusted analyses, 30-day mortality was associated with male sex (odds ratio 1·75 [95% CI 1·28–2·40], p\textless0·0001), age 70 years or older versus younger than 70 years (2·30 [1·65–3·22], p\textless0·0001), American Society of Anesthesiologists grades 3–5 versus grades 1–2 (2·35 [1·57–3·53], p\textless0·0001), malignant versus benign or obstetric diagnosis (1·55 [1·01–2·39], p=0·046), emergency versus elective surgery (1·67 [1·06–2·63], p=0·026), and major versus minor surgery (1·52 [1·01–2·31], p=0·047). Interpretation: Postoperative pulmonary complications occur in half of patients with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection and are associated with high mortality. Thresholds for surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic should be higher than during normal practice, particularly in men aged 70 years and older. Consideration should be given for postponing non-urgent procedures and promoting non-operative treatment to delay or avoid the need for surgery. Funding: National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland, Bowel and Cancer Research, Bowel Disease Research Foundation, Association of Upper Gastrointestinal Surgeons, British Association of Surgical Oncology, British Gynaecological Cancer Society, European Society of Coloproctology, NIHR Academy, Sarcoma UK, Vascular Society for Great Britain and Ireland, and Yorkshire Cancer Research