Pensions reforms, workforce ageing and firm-provided welfare

This paper investigates the impact of an exogenous increase in the legal retirement age on the firms’ propensity to provide welfare services voluntarily to their employees. To this purpose we exploit a unique dataset derived from the Employers and Employees Survey, conducted by the National Institute for Public Policies Analysis (Inapp) in 2015 on a large and representative sample of Italian firms. By referring to the existing sociological and economic literature we make the hypothesis that a sudden increase in the share of older workers may motivate the employers to establish welfare schemes as a way to cope with an ageing workforce. The results obtained from different regression models show that firms which, as a consequence of the Law 214/2011 (the so-called “Fornero pension reform”), were forced to give up previously planned hirings increased the probability of providing welfare services at the workplace. This result also holds if propensity score matching methods are used in order to control for sample selection issues

Metabolic Syndrome, Chronic Kidney, and Cardiovascular Diseases: Role of Adipokines

Obesity is a chronic disease, whose incidence is alarmingly growing. It is associated with metabolic abnormalities and cardiovascular complications. These complications are clustered in the metabolic syndrome (MetS) leading to high cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Obesity predisposes to diabetic nephropathy, hypertensive nephrosclerosis, and focal and segmental glomerular sclerosis and represents an independent risk factor for the development and progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Albuminuria is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Microalbuminuria has been described as early manifestation of MetS-associated kidney damage and diabetic nephropathy. Obesity and MetS affect renal physiology and metabolism through mechanisms which include altered levels of adipokines such as leptin and adiponectin, oxidative stress, and inflammation. Secretory products of adipose tissue also deeply and negatively influence endothelial function. A better understanding of these interactions will help in designing more effective treatments aimed to protect both renal and cardiovascular systems

Mirabegron relaxes arteries from human visceral adipose tissue through antagonism of α1-adrenergic receptors

Aim: As inadequate perfusion has emerged as a key determinant of adipose tissue dysfunction in obesity, interest has grown regarding possible pharmacological interventions to prevent this process. Mirabegron has proved to improve insulin sensitivity and glucose homeostasis in obese humans via stimulation of β3-adrenoceptors which also seem to mediate endothelium-dependent vasodilation in disparate human vascular beds. We characterized, therefore, the vasomotor function of mirabegron in human adipose tissue arteries and the underlying mechanisms. Methods: Small arteries (116-734 μm) isolated from visceral adipose tissue were studied ex vivo in a wire myograph. After vessels had been contracted, changes in vascular tone in response to mirabegron were determined under different conditions. Results: Mirabegron did not elicit vasorelaxation in vessels contracted with U46619 or high-K+ (both P > 0.05). Notably, mirabegron markedly blunted the contractile effect of the α1-adrenergic receptor agonist phenylephrine (P < 0.001) either in presence or absence of the vascular endothelium. The anti-contractile action of mirabegron on phenylephrine-induced vasoconstriction was not influenced by the presence of the selective β3-adrenoceptor blocker L-748,337 (P < 0.05); lack of involvement of β3-adrenoceptors was further supported by absent vascular staining for them at immunohistochemistry. Conclusions: Mirabegron induces endothelium-independent vasorelaxation in arteries from visceral adipose tissue, likely through antagonism of α1-adrenoceptors

Preoperative Immunonutrition vs. Standard Dietary Advice in Normo-Nourished Patients Undergoing Fast-Track Laparoscopic Colorectal Surgery

Immunonutrition (IN) appears to reduce infective complications and in-hospital length of stay (LOS) after major gastrointestinal surgery, but its use in normo-nourished patients is still controversial. The primary aim of this comparative observational study was to evaluate if pre-operative IN reduces in-hospital stay in patients undergoing laparoscopic colorectal resection for cancer under an enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) program. The influence of IN on time to first bowel movements, time to full oral diet tolerance, number and type of complications, reasons of prolonged LOS and readmission rate was evaluated as secondary outcome. Patients undergoing ERAS laparoscopic colorectal resection between December 2016 and December 2019 were reviewed. Patients who have received preoperative IN (group A) were compared to those receiving standard dietary advice (group B). Mean in-hospital LOS was significantly shorter in patients receiving preoperative IN than standard dietary advice (4.85 ± 2.25 days vs. 6.06 ± 3.95 days; p < 0.0492). No differences in secondary outcomes were observed. Preoperative IN associated with ERAS protocol in normo-nourished patients undergoing laparoscopic colorectal cancer resection seems to reduce LOS

Differences in the vascular and metabolic profiles between metabolically healthy and unhealthy obesity

Abstract Individuals suffering from severe obesity but not presenting the typical metabolic alterations, are included in a subclass of obesity defined Metabolically Healthy Obesity (MHO). The physiological factors underlying what seems a protective and favourable metabolic profile remain unclear. MHO individuals are more insulin-sensitive, have relatively lower visceral/ectopic fat accumulation and reduced levels of chronic low-grade inflammation, compared to obese subjects with co-morbidities. The study of MHO subjects represents a great opportunity for the recognition of the mechanisms that lead to the vascular and metabolic complications in obesity. Finding the differences among the metabolic profile of visceral adipose tissue between metabolically healthy and unhealthy obesity may lead to future personalized and stratified therapies.This review article summarizes the pathomechanisms and metabolic changes in MHO and metabolically unhealthy obesity (MUO), reviews clinical studies on the subject, and discusses preventive and therapeutic options

Peptide-modified liposomes for selective targeting of bombesin receptors overexpressed by cancer cells: a potential theranostic agent.

OBJECTIVES: Drug delivery systems consisting of liposomes displaying a cell surface receptor-targeting peptide are being developed to specifically deliver chemotherapeutic drugs to tumors overexpressing a target receptor. This study addresses novel liposome composition approaches to specifically target tissues overexpressing bombesin (BN) receptors. METHODS: A new amphiphilic peptide derivative (MonY-BN) containing the BN(7-14) peptide, the DTPA (diethylenetriaminepentaacetate) chelating agent, a hydrophobic moiety with two C(18) alkyl chains, and polyethylene glycol spacers, has been synthesized by solid-phase methods. Liposomes have been generated by co-aggregation of MonY-BN with 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DSPC). The structural and biological properties of these new target-selective drug-delivery systems have been characterized. RESULTS: Liposomes with a DSPC/MonY-BN (97/3 molar ratio) composition showed a diameter of 145.5 ± 31.5 nm and a polydispersity index of 0.20 ± 0.05. High doxorubicin (Dox) loading was obtained with the remote pH gradient method using citrate as the inner buffer. Specific binding to PC-3 cells of DSPC/MonY-BN liposomes was obtained (2.7% ± 0.3%, at 37°C), compared with peptide-free DSPC liposomes (1.4% ± 0.2% at 37°C). Incubation of cells with DSPC/ MonY-BN/Dox showed significantly lower cell survival compared with DSPC/Dox-treated cells, in the presence of 100 ng/mL and 300 ng/mL drug amounts, in cytotoxicity experiments. Intravenous treatment of PC-3 xenograft-bearing mice with DSPC/MonY-BN/Dox at 10 mg/kg Dox dose produced higher tumour growth inhibition (60%) compared with nonspecific DSPC/ Dox liposomes (36%) relative to control animals. CONCLUSION: The structural and loading properties of DSPC/MonY-BN liposomes along with the observed in-vitro and in-vivo activity are encouraging for further development of this approach for target-specific cancer chemotherapy

Bombesin peptide antagonist for target-selective delivery of liposomal doxorubicin on cancer cells

Purpose: This study addresses novel peptide modified liposomal doxorubicin to specifically target tissues overexpressing bombesin (BN) receptors. Methods: DOTA-(AEEA)2-peptides containing the [7–14]bombesin and the new BN-AA1 sequence have been synthesized to compare their binding properties and in serum stabilities. The amphiphilic peptide derivative (MonYBN- AA1) containing BN-AA1, a hydrophobic moiety, polyethylenglycole (PEG), and diethylenetriaminepentaacetate (DTPA), has been synthesized. Liposomes have been obtained by mixing of MonY-BN-AA1 with 1,2-distearoylsn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DSPC). Results: Both 111In labeled peptide derivatives present nanomolar Kd to PC-3 cells. 177Lu labeled peptide DOTA- (AEEA)2-BN-AA1 is very stable (half-life 414.1 h), while DOTA-(AEEA)2-BN, shows a half-life of 15.5 h. In vivo studies on the therapeutic efficacy of DSPC/MonY-BN-AA1/Dox in comparison to DSPC/MonY-BN/Dox, were performed in PC-3 xenograft bearing mice. Both formulations showed similar tumor growth inhibition (TGI) compared to control animals treated with non-targeted DSPC/Dox liposomes or saline solution. For DSPC/MonY-BN-AA1/Dox the maximum effect was observed 19 days after treatment. Conclusions: DSPC/MonY-BN-AA1/Dox nanovectors confirm the ability to selectively target and provide therapeutic efficacy in mice. The lack of receptor activation and possible acute biological side effects provided by using the AA1 antagonist bombesin sequence should provide safe working conditions for further development of this class of drug delivery vehicles

Annali storici di Principato Citra, A. 9, n. 1.1 (2011)

A.9, n.1.1(2011): G. Guardia, Editoriale, P. 3 ; A. Botti, D.L. Thurmond, F. La Greca, Un palmento ben conservato a Novi Velia ed altri palmenti nel territorio del Cilento. Osservazioni ed ipotesi, P. 5 ; G. Aromando, Una dipendenza cavense: Sant'Arsenio e la badia della SS. Trinità di Cava, P. 53 ; C. Schiavo, Avventure etimologiche in forma di prosa nelle terre del Cilento, P. 81 ; A. Capano, Caselle in Pittari: note storiche e il catasto murattiano del 1815, P. 104 ; A. Di Gennaro, Il porto romano di San Marco di Castellabate, P. 134 ; F. De Nigris, I comunisti in parrocchia: il Sessantotto cattolico in Italia, P. 147 ; S. De Divitiis, Il '68 dei cattolici: l'Azione cattolica a Salerno, P. 165 ; C. Schiavo, Santa Maria di Vito a Fogna, P. 176 ; P. Romanelli, La cappella dei SS. Pietro e Paolo nel palazzo vescovile di Novi Velia, P. 182 ; A. Tesauro, Vietri. Dalla guerra alla vigilia della Costituzione, P. 188

Sildenafil Reduces Insulin-Resistance in Human Endothelial Cells

The efficacy of Phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitors to re-establish endothelial function is reduced in diabetic patients. Recent evidences suggest that therapy with PDE5 inhibitors, i.e. sildenafil, may increase the expression of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) proteins in the heart and cardiomyocytes. In this study we analyzed the effect of sildenafil on endothelial cells in insulin resistance conditions in vitro

Il ruolo della Corte di giustizia nella definizione della politica economica e monetaria europea

Il ruolo giocato dalla Corte di giustizia nel campo della politica economica e della politica monetaria è stato importante quanto sottostimato. Le due competenze dell’Unione sono profondamente differenti - ciascuna dotata di significative peculiarità - e tuttavia strettamente interconnesse. Definire i confini incerti tra politica economica e politica monetaria è stato il ruolo più importante svolto dalla Corte in questo campo. Questo ha comportato una precisazione dei ruoli delle istituzioni chiamate ad agire - Commissione, Consiglio, Banca centrale - così come dei limiti all’indipendenza dell’istituto di emissione, ma anche della ripartizione di competenze tra Stati e Unione. Dal 2012, un’ulteriore funzione è stata esercitata dalla Corte: la verifica della legittimità dell’intervento straordinario della BCE nell’economia per gestire le crisi. L’assenza nei trattati europei di disposizioni specifiche che contemplassero un ruolo della Banca come prestatore di ultima istanza o nella gestione delle crisi economiche e finanziarie spiega bene le contestazioni dell’ultimo decennio, così come la necessità di pronunce autorevoli da parte della Suprema Corte europea. Queste si collocano a buon diritto nel solco della giurisprudenza in tema di rule of law e di garanzia del rispetto dei principi generali nell’ordinamento europeo