Il ricordo di un ricordo. Nota sul viaggio in Grecia di Hofmannsthal

All’interno dell’opera di Hofmannsthal, caratterizzata da un rapporto particolarmente intenso con le tradizioni culturali dei secoli precedenti, l’antichità greca costituisce una delle principali fonti di temi e motivi. Essa sembra però aver smarrito il ruolo normativo che la cultura classico-umanistica le attribuisce, diviene piuttosto occasione di un confronto con il passato che coinvolge anche altre epoche. L’articolo intende porre a tema questa circostanza, così come si riflette nel saggio Augenblicke in Griechenland (Momenti in Grecia, 1917): prodotto di stratificazioni accumulate nel corso del tempo, la grecità non appare accessibile, se non attraverso un’improvvisa esperienza epifanica

Enhanced Patch-Clamp Technique to Study Antimicrobial Peptides and Viroporins, Inserted in a Cell Plasma Membrane with Fully Inactivated Endogenous Conductances

Many short peptides selectively permeabilize the bacteria plasma membrane, leading to their lyses and death: they are therefore a source of antibacterial molecules, and inspiration for novel and more selective drugs. Another class of short (<100 residues) membrane proteins called viroporins, because they are coded by viral genes, permeabilizes the membrane of susceptible cells during infection of by most animal viruses. The permeabilization leads to host cell lyses and the release of the virus mass, replicated at host cell expense, to propagate the infection. Detailed knowledge of the permeabilization properties of these proteins would allow to design, for instance, selective blockers of these pores, that would contrast the spread of the viral infection. In this chapter, the patch-clamp technique is employed to study the mechanism of membrane permeabilization induced by the pore-forming peptides, under strict physiological conditions. This goal is achieved by recording the ion current through the channels formed by these peptides, once inserted in a cell plasma membrane. To avoid contamination by the cell membrane currents, all the endogenous current sources must be blocked. It has been found that the photoreceptor rod outer segment mechanically isolated from the retina of low vertebrates (OS) was the most suitable cell to carry on the above studies, because it was possible to fully block all its endogenous currents without using any drug (such as TTX, TEA, dihydropyridines, etc.), that could obstruct the peptide pores or interfere with the pore formation. The peptides were applied to (and removed from) the extracellular OS side in ~50 ms with a computer-controlled microperfusion system, in which every perfusion parameter (as the rate of solution flow, the temporal sequence of solution changes or the number of automatic, self-washing cycles) was controlled by a user-friendly interface. This system allowed rapid application and removal of ions, drugs and peptides on the cells with a controlled timing, so that the ion channel characteristics (as its selectivity, blockade and gating) and the dynamics of pore formation could be precisely assessed. On the basis of the electrophysiological recordings obtained with representative peptides and with selected analogs, as alamethicin F50/5, the cecoprine-mellitin hybrid peptide, and a 20-aminoacid long fragment of the viroporin poliovirus 2B, it will be shown that the membrane pore formation occurs according to the barrel and stave, toroidal, and carpet model, respectively, that are the most widely-accepted mechanisms of membrane permeabilization. When recording large currents (produced for instance by high concentrations of peptides and/or highly permeable peptides), it is necessary to minimize series resistance, to reduce time constant of charging the cell membrane capacitance and error in membrane potential control. A second problem arises from the asymmetry of the plasma membrane: it is possible that the permeabilization properties of a particular peptide could be different depending upon the side of the membrane to which it is applied. For example, it is conceivable that viroporins are optimized to insert in the intracellular face of the plasma membrane, because they are synthesized in host cell cytosol. These two problems could be circumvented by widening the patch pipette shank, through the calibrated combination of heat and air pressure. These pipettes dramatically reduce series resistance, and allow at the same time to insert pulled quartz or plastic tubes very close to the pipette tip, making it possible the delivery of large molecules to the cytosol with a controlled timing. Finally, it is presented here a simple procedure to consistently attain seals with conventional or pressure polished pipettes, made from just one glass type, on a wide variety of cell types, isolated from different amphibian, reptilian, fish, and mammalian tissues, and on artificial membranes made with many different lipid mixtures

Percezione della corruzione e partecipazione alle mobilitazioni anticorruzione: elementi di analisi nell’epoca del covid-19

L’articolo indaga la percezione della corruzione durante la pandemia da COVID-19 e mira a rintracciare le tendenze di sviluppo della mobilitazione anticorruzione, anche in rapporto alla disaffezione alla partecipazione politica e associativa, nel periodo da Tangentopoli ad oggi. Lo studio si inserisce nel dibattito sulla politicizzazione della corruzione e dell’anticorruzione.The paper focuses on the perception of corruption during the COVID-19 pandemic. The research analyzes the trends of anti-corruption mobilization, also in relation to disaffection with political and associative participation. The article is a pioneering attempt to contribute to the debate on the politicization of corruption and anti-corruption strategies

Design and verification of a micro wells turbine for Mediterranean operations

In the framework of the Poseidone Project we have designed a Wells turbine for Mediterranean operations. Here we present RANS computations carried out with OpenFOAM at different operating conditions. Rotor-stator interaction was synthetized with MRF approach and RANS closure relied on the cubic eddy viscosity closure of Lien et al. The virtual test rig reproduced the ISO conditions of the laboratory and was able to correctly predict torque and efficiency at different operations. Computations moreover allowed to acquire information on the threedimensional velocity and pressure field that develops inside the Wells turbine. The aim was to have an insight on the secondary motions and on the possible stall mechanism that characterize the device at low flow rates. Results were successfully validated against experimental measures

Retinal microvasculature. A comparison between experimental SEM corrosion casts observations and human in vivo “Angio-OCT” observations

In our previous studies on vascular corrosion casts of monkey posterior retina we were able to demonstrate the following points: 1) Capillaries have a laminar distribution. Most vitreal ones are favoured as they are more directly vascularized by side branching arterioles; 2) around the foveal avascular zone, capillaries show a round course and likely function as arteriovenous anastomoses; 3) different layers of capil- laries are connected by side branches of capillaries; 4) peculiar cast imprints at precapillary and capillary branching points are related to smooth muscle cells and pericytes that may perform fine blood flow regulation. Split-spectrum amplitude-decorrelation angiography (SSADA) is an Angio-OCT that provides imaging of the retinal vasculature without the need for intravenous injection of a fluorophore. SSADA makes it possible to follow single blood vessels in different focal planes and indirectly provides data on variation of vessel volume related to blood flow. We compared observation from our previous studies on corrosion casts in Cynomolgus monkeys with images of retinal vasculature as obtained in vivo in man by SSADA. An extremely close relation between monkey and man retinal microvascular anatomy was demonstrated. Both number of layers of capillaries and their connections closely corresponded. Further observations in different conditions may provide definitive information about blood flow regulation sites

Theater as a means of communicating research on climate change: The case of “Cambiare il clima”

Between 2018 and 2023, the Department of Environmental, Land and Infrastructure Engineering (DIATI) at the Polytechnic University of Turin (PoliTo) implemented a project to advance research and education on climate change monitoring, adaptation and mitigation solutions. As part of their communication efforts, DIATI partnered with Faber Teater to create the play Cambiare il clima (in Italian, this means Change the Climate). This involved a collaboration between DIATI researchers, communication officers, and Faber Teater. The documentary theater that resulted was premiered at Biennale Tecnologia in 2020 and performed at various venues in Northern Italy, targeting both the general public and students. In this backstory, the authors describe and analyze the development of the play, its implementation, and its impact

A Stage-Based Approach to Therapy in Parkinson's Disease.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that features progressive, disabling motor symptoms, such as bradykinesia, rigidity, and resting tremor. Nevertheless, some non-motor symptoms, including depression, REM sleep behavior disorder, and olfactive impairment, are even earlier features of PD. At later stages, apathy, impulse control disorder, neuropsychiatric disturbances, and cognitive impairment can present, and they often become a heavy burden for both patients and caregivers. Indeed, PD increasingly compromises activities of daily life, even though a high variability in clinical presentation can be observed among people affected. Nowadays, symptomatic drugs and non-pharmaceutical treatments represent the best therapeutic options to improve quality of life in PD patients. The aim of the present review is to provide a practical, stage-based guide to pharmacological management of both motor and non-motor symptoms of PD. Furthermore, warning about drug side effects, contraindications, as well as dosage and methods of administration, are highlighted here, to help the physician in yielding the best therapeutic strategies for each symptom and condition in patients with PD

Localizzazione inusuale di cisti del dotto tireoglosso

nglish version Summary: An unusual localization of thyroglossal duct cyst. M. Barbaro, A. Di Mario, D. De Seta, G. Rispoli, E. Covelli, G.A. Bertoli, A. Minni Thyroglossal duct cysts are most common neck masses after benign lymphonodes. They originate from primitive thiroglossal duct, so they could be locate along its course. Every mass in the middle line of the neck can be considerated as a thyroglossal cyst. Best treatment is surgery (Sistrunk procedure). We present a case of unusual localization at floor of the mouth of thyroglossal in a 34 years old woman. To our knowledge in literature, only two cases, have been reported both

Multimodal Imaging of Macular Telangiectasia Type 2: Focus on Vascular Changes Using Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography

PURPOSE. To report morphologic features of idiopathic macular telangiectasia (MacTel) type 2 by means of optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) and to compare these findings to fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA), fundus autofluorescence (FAF), confocal blue reflectance (CBR), and spectral-domain OCT (SD-OCT). In addition, foveal vessel density and parafoveal vascular density (PFVD), and foveal retinal thickness and parafoveal retinal thickness (PFRT) were compared between MacTel 2 patients and normal aged-matched controls. METHODS. Eight patients (15 eyes) with MacTel 2 and 17 normal controls (17 eyes) underwent retinal multimodal imaging assessment and grading. Results from different imaging techniques were used to compare interimaging modalities. Objective quantification of retinal vessel density and macular thickness was evaluated in MacTel 2 patients (15 eyes). RESULTS. In MacTel 2 eyes a comparison of OCTA to the other imaging techniques showed that the strongest correlations were present with SD-OCT, early FFA, and late FFA. Moderate correlations were found between OCTA and CBR and FAF. Foveal vessel density was significantly lower in MacTel 2 eyes than control eyes both in the superficial plexus (23.74% vs. 33.14%; P = 0.003) and in the deep plexus (24.63% vs. 34.21%; P = 0.005). Superficial PFVD was significantly different in the two groups (47.06% vs. 51.40%; P = 0.005) but not the deep PFVD. Foveal retinal thickness was 214.13 mu m in MacTel 2 eyes and 258.18 mu m in normal controls, and PFRT was 279.60 and 323.29 mu m, respectively (P CONCLUSIONS. Optical coherence tomography angiography is useful for retinal vasculature characterization in MacTel type 2 patients and showed a high correlation with well-established imaging techniques

Preoperative SARS-CoV-2 infection screening before thoracic surgery during COVID-19 pandemic: a multicenter retrospective study

Objectives. During coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, preoperative screening before thoracic surgery is paramount in order to protect patients and staff from undetected infections. This study aimed to determine which preoperative COVID-19 screening tool was the most effective strategy before thoracic surgery. Methods. This retrospective cohort multicenter study was performed at 3 Italian thoracic surgery centers. All adult patients scheduled for thoracic surgery procedures from 4th March until 24th April, 2020, and submitted to COVID-19 preoperative screenings were included. The primary outcome was the yield of screening of the different strategies. Results. A total of 430 screenings were performed on 275 patients; 275 anamnestic questionnaires were administered. 77 patients were screened by an anamnestic questionnaire and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). 78 patients were selected to combine screening with anamnestic questionnaire and chest computed tomography (CT). The positive yield of screening using a combination of anamnestic questionnaire and RT-PCR was 7.8% (95% CI: 2.6-14.3), while using a combination of anamnestic questionnaire and chest CT was 3.8% (95% CI: 0-9). Individual yields were 1.1% (95% CI: 0-2.5) for anamnestic questionnaire, 5.2% (95% CI: 1.3-11.7) for RT-PCR, and 3.8% (95% CI: 0-9). Conclusions. The association of anamnestic questionnaire and RT-PCR is able to detect around 8 positives in 100 asymptomatic patients. This combined strategy could be a valuable preoperative SARS-CoV-2 screening tool before thoracic surgery