La Viabilità extraurbana nel territorio di Olbia: per un sistema unitario nello studio della viabilità della Sardegna romana

Nel corso del 2008, la cattedra di Archeologia e Storia dell’Arte greca e romana dell’Università di Sassari, guidata da Giampiero Pianu, ha visto la nascita di un progetto mirato alla creazione di un sistema unitario per lo studio dell’assetto territoriale della Sardegna romana, con specifico riferimento alla viabilità, progetto che si avvale di strumenti GIS e per il quale si riporta in questo intervento

Effects of olive and pomegranate by-products on human microbiota : a study using the SHIME (R) in vitro simulator

Two by-products containing phenols and polysaccharides, a "pate" (OP) from the extra virgin olive oil milling process and a decoction of pomegranate mesocarp (PM), were investigated for their effects on human microbiota using the SHIME (R) system. The ability of these products to modulate the microbial community was studied simulating a daily intake for nine days. Microbial functionality, investigated in terms of short chain fatty acids (SCFA) and NH4+, was stable during the treatment. A significant increase in Lactobacillaceae and Bifidobacteriaceae at nine days was induced by OP mainly in the proximal tract. Polyphenol metabolism indicated the formation of tyrosol from OP mainly in the distal tract, while urolithins C and A were produced from PM, identifying the human donor as a metabotype A. The results confirm the SHIME (R) system as a suitable in vitro tool to preliminarily investigate interactions between complex botanicals and human microbiota before undertaking more challenging human studies

Intravitreal NGF administration counteracts retina degeneration after permanent carotid artery occlusion in rat

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The neurotrophin nerve growth factor (NGF) is produced by different cell types in the anterior and posterior eye, exerting a neuroprotective role in the adult life. The visual system is highly sensitive to NGF and the retina and optic nerve provides suitable subjects for the study of central nervous system degeneration. The model of bilateral carotid occlusion (two-vessel occlusion, 2VO) is a well-established model for chronic brain hypoperfusion leading to brain capillary pathology, to retina and optic nerve degeneration. In order to study if a single intravitreal injection of NGF protects the retina and the optic nerve from degeneration during systemic circulatory diseases, we investigated morphological and molecular changes occurring in the retina and optic nerve of adult rats at different time-points (8, 30 and 75 days) after bilateral carotid occlusion.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We demonstrated that a single intravitreal injection of NGF (5 μg/3 μl performed 24 hours after 2VO ligation) has a long-lasting protective effect on retina and optic nerve degeneration. NGF counteracts retinal ganglion cells degeneration by early affecting Bax/Bcl-2 balance- and <it>c-jun- </it>expression (at 8 days after 2VO). A single intravitreal NGF injection regulates the demyelination/remyelination balance after ischemic injury in the optic nerve toward remyelination (at 75 days after 2VO), as indicated by the MBP expression regulation, thus preventing optic nerve atrophy and ganglion cells degeneration. At 8 days, NGF does not modify 2VO-induced alteration in VEFG and related receptors mRNA expression.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The protective effect of exogenous NGF during this systemic circulatory disease seems to occur also by strengthening the effect of endogenous NGF, the synthesis of which is increased by vascular defect and also by the mechanical lesion associated with NGF or even vehicle intraocular delivery.</p

Altered feeding behavior and immune competence in paper wasps : A case of parasite manipulation?

Acknowledgments The authors are grateful to Rita Cervo, Stefano Turillazzi and the members of the Florence Group for the Study of Social Wasps, first of all to Irene Pepiciello, for their assistance during this study, both in the field and in the laboratory. The authors also thank two anonymous Reviewers for their helpful comments and suggestions. Financial support to LB was provided by the University of Florence.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Hematopoietic differentiation: a coordinated dynamical process towards attractor stable states

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The differentiation process, proceeding from stem cells towards the different committed cell types, can be considered as a trajectory towards an attractor of a dynamical process. This view, taking into consideration the transcriptome and miRNome dynamics considered as a whole, instead of looking at few 'master genes' driving the system, offers a novel perspective on this phenomenon. We investigated the 'differentiation trajectories' of the hematopoietic system considering a genome-wide scenario.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We developed serum-free liquid suspension unilineage cultures of cord blood (CB) CD34⁺hematopoietic progenitor cells through erythroid (E), megakaryocytic (MK), granulocytic (G) and monocytic (Mo) pathways. These cultures recapitulate physiological hematopoiesis, allowing the analysis of almost pure unilineage precursors starting from initial differentiation of HPCs until terminal maturation. By analyzing the expression profile of protein coding genes and microRNAs in unilineage CB E, MK, G and Mo cultures, at sequential stages of differentiation and maturation, we observed a coordinated, fully interconnected and scalable character of cell population behaviour in both transcriptome and miRNome spaces reminiscent of an attractor-like dynamics. MiRNome and transcriptome space differed for a still not terminally committed behaviour of microRNAs.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Consistent with their roles, the transcriptome system can be considered as the state space of a cell population, while the continuously evolving miRNA space corresponds to the tuning system necessary to reach the attractor. The behaviour of miRNA machinery could be of great relevance not only for the promise of reversing the differentiated state but even for tumor biology.</p

Applicability of Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology Extended to the Consumer Use Context (UTAUT2) in Brazil: An Evaluation of the Model Using a Sample of Internet Users on Smartphones

This study, using a sample of internet users on smartphones, analyzed through UTAUT2 model in order to test the validity of their constructs in Brazil. We sought to thereby expand the understanding of individual acceptance and use of technology in the context of consumption, evaluating a new model in Brazil. The results of this study revealed the impossibility of using some constructs the original model as predictors of intention and consumption behavior. Future studies that include a larger sample, analysis of other technologies and inclusion of moderating variables were suggested.This study, using a sample of internet users on smartphones, analyzed through UTAUT2 model in order to test the validity of their constructs in Brazil. We sought to thereby expand the understanding of individual acceptance and use of technology in the context of consumption, evaluating a new model in Brazil. The results of this study revealed the impossibility of using some constructs the original model as predictors of intention and consumption behavior. Future studies that include a larger sample, analysis of other technologies and inclusion of moderating variables were suggested.

As Industrias de Produtos Orgânicos, o Marketing de Relacionamento e o Endomarketing: Estudo de Múltiplos Casos

O processo de Marketing de Relacionamento, quando o foco é o cliente interno, exige a busca da melhor relação custo/benefício e o investimento em colaboradores motivados e capacitados para atender os clientes.O estudo buscou investigar a aplicabilidade da utilização, no agronegócio da ferramenta do marketing de relacionamento os Programas de endomarketing (voltados ao público interno, os colaboradores). Foram investigadas na pesquisa 12 empresas, tendo assim uma amostra por conveniência. Pode-se concluir que os objetivos dos Programas de Endomarketing estão direcionados para promover o bem-estar, buscar o comprometimento e a capacitação, e informar os colaboradores. Este estudo representa a assunção do Marketing de Relacionamento em 50% das empresas contatadas, já que a investigação nos pontos de venda permitiu a verificação de 24 empresas. Em relação ao aspecto de abrangência dos Programas de Endomarketing, detectou-se que é total, ou seja, as informações indicaram o envolvimento de todos os colaboradores das organizações consultadas

Influenza A/H1N1/2009 virus - experience of the clinical microbiology laboratory of the "L. Sacco" University Hospital in Milan

In the spring of 2009, a new variant of influenza A/H1N1 virus that had never been isolated before, was identified. From April 27 to December 31, 2009 the respiratory samples of 974 patients, obtained from suspected cases of pandemic influenza A virus infection, were analyzed at the Clinical Microbiology Laboratory of the "L. Sacco" University Hospital in Milan. The diagnosis of influenza A/H1N1 infection was performed initially through the use of different molecular biological methods: Seeplex® RV12 ACE Detection (Seegene), NUCLISENS® EASYQ® INFLUENZA A/B (bioMérieux), Influenza A/B Q-PCR Alert (Nanogen) running in parallel with rRT-PCR (CDC) to confirm the positivity to the new influenza virus, then was used a single specific test, Fast set H1N1v (Arrow Diagnostics). Retrospective study of data showed that 293 (30.1%) patients were positive for the new strain of influenza A/H1N1 virus and 8 (0.8%) for influenza A other than H1N1 virus.The distribution of influenza A/H1N1 cases showed two peaks, one on July (62.9%) and the other one on October (36%), moreover we observed that 155 patients (53%) out of 293 positive for influenza A/H1N1 virus aged under 20 years old. The first positivity peak was found in travelers and the second one, occurred 2-3 months prior to the classic seasonal epidemic influenza, was attributed to autochthonous cases , by which the virus had spread worldwide. The highest proportion of cases were among subjects aged from 0 to 20 years and, over this age the positivity rate decreased proportionally with increasing age, in agreement with data reported in other countries