La conservazione e il riuso degli edifici per spettacolo antichi.

Nella presente tesi vengono analizzati i casi di edifici per spettacolo antichi ancora presenti nel continente europeo la cui conservazione e musealizzazione in situ hanno permesso loro di essere riutilizzati anche in epoca moderna come sedi di eventi e spettacoli

The Potential of Low Phytic Acid1-1 Mutant in Maize (Zea mays L.): A Sustainable Solution to Non-Renewable Phosphorus

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Statins reduce intratumor cholesterol affecting adrenocortical cancer growth

Mitotane causes hypercholesterolemia in ACC patients. We suppose that cholesterol increases within the tumor and can be used to activate proliferative pathways. In this study, we used statins to decrease intratumor cholesterol and investigated the effects on ACC growth related to ER\u3b1 action at the nuclear and mitochondrial levels. We first used microarray to investigate mitotane effect on genes involved in cholesterol homeostasis and evaluated their relationship with patients' survival in ACC TCGA. We then blocked cholesterol synthesis with simvastatin and determined the effects on H295R cell proliferation, estradiol production and ER\u3b1 activity in vitro and in xenograft tumors. We found that mitotane increases intratumor cholesterol content and expression of genes involved in cholesterol homeostasis, among them INSIG, whose expression affects patients' survival. Treatment of H295R cells with simvastatin to block cholesterol synthesis decreased cellular cholesterol content and this affected cell viability. Simvastatin reduced estradiol production and decreased nuclear and mitochondrial ER\u3b1 function. A mitochondrial target of ER\u3b1, the respiratory complex IV (COX IV) was reduced after simvastatin treatment, which profoundly affected mitochondrial respiration activating apoptosis. In vivo experiments confirmed the ability of simvastatin to reduce tumor volume and weight of grafted H295R cells, intratumor cholesterol content, Ki-67 and ER\u3b1, COX IV expression and activity and increase TUNEL positive cells. Collectively these data demonstrate that a reduction in intratumor cholesterol content prevents estradiol production, inhibits mitochondrial respiratory chain inducing apoptosis in ACC cells. Inhibition of mitochondrial respiration by simvastatin represents a novel strategy to counteract ACC growth

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London

Surgical site infection after gastrointestinal surgery in high-income, middle-income, and low-income countries: a prospective, international, multicentre cohort study

Background: Surgical site infection (SSI) is one of the most common infections associated with health care, but its importance as a global health priority is not fully understood. We quantified the burden of SSI after gastrointestinal surgery in countries in all parts of the world. Methods: This international, prospective, multicentre cohort study included consecutive patients undergoing elective or emergency gastrointestinal resection within 2-week time periods at any health-care facility in any country. Countries with participating centres were stratified into high-income, middle-income, and low-income groups according to the UN's Human Development Index (HDI). Data variables from the GlobalSurg 1 study and other studies that have been found to affect the likelihood of SSI were entered into risk adjustment models. The primary outcome measure was the 30-day SSI incidence (defined by US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria for superficial and deep incisional SSI). Relationships with explanatory variables were examined using Bayesian multilevel logistic regression models. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02662231. Findings: Between Jan 4, 2016, and July 31, 2016, 13 265 records were submitted for analysis. 12 539 patients from 343 hospitals in 66 countries were included. 7339 (58·5%) patient were from high-HDI countries (193 hospitals in 30 countries), 3918 (31·2%) patients were from middle-HDI countries (82 hospitals in 18 countries), and 1282 (10·2%) patients were from low-HDI countries (68 hospitals in 18 countries). In total, 1538 (12·3%) patients had SSI within 30 days of surgery. The incidence of SSI varied between countries with high (691 [9·4%] of 7339 patients), middle (549 [14·0%] of 3918 patients), and low (298 [23·2%] of 1282) HDI (p < 0·001). The highest SSI incidence in each HDI group was after dirty surgery (102 [17·8%] of 574 patients in high-HDI countries; 74 [31·4%] of 236 patients in middle-HDI countries; 72 [39·8%] of 181 patients in low-HDI countries). Following risk factor adjustment, patients in low-HDI countries were at greatest risk of SSI (adjusted odds ratio 1·60, 95% credible interval 1·05–2·37; p=0·030). 132 (21·6%) of 610 patients with an SSI and a microbiology culture result had an infection that was resistant to the prophylactic antibiotic used. Resistant infections were detected in 49 (16·6%) of 295 patients in high-HDI countries, in 37 (19·8%) of 187 patients in middle-HDI countries, and in 46 (35·9%) of 128 patients in low-HDI countries (p < 0·001). Interpretation: Countries with a low HDI carry a disproportionately greater burden of SSI than countries with a middle or high HDI and might have higher rates of antibiotic resistance. In view of WHO recommendations on SSI prevention that highlight the absence of high-quality interventional research, urgent, pragmatic, randomised trials based in LMICs are needed to assess measures aiming to reduce this preventable complication

PROCESS FOR THE SYNTHESIS OF ISOCYANATE-FREE OMEGA-HYDROXY-URETHANES, ALPHA-OMEGA-DIURETHANES AND OLIGO (POLY)URETHANES

The synthesis of omega-hydroxyalkyl-urethanes, and of alfa-omega-diurethanes is reported which includes the reaction of diols with urea in presence of catalysts based on Ce at temperatures between 125 and 170°C over 4-8 h reaction time. A process for the production of oligomers of omega-hydroxyalkyl-urethanes is also reported based on the reaction of urea with diols in presence of Ce or Zr catalysts or Ce mixed oxides at 125-170°C over 4-20 h

Chemical Recycling of Poly-(Bisphenol A Carbonate) by Diaminolysis: a New Carbon-Saving Synthetic Entry into Non-Isocyanate Polyureas (NIPUreas)

The present study describes an unprecedented approach to valorize potentially hazardous poly-(bisphenol A carbonate) (PC) wastes. In THF, under non-severe conditions (120 °C), the reaction of PC with long-chain diamines H2NRNH2 (2 equivalents) provided a tool to regenerate the monomer bisphenol A (BPA; 83–95%, isolated) and repurpose waste PC into [-NHRNHCO-]n polyureas (PUs; 78–99%, isolated) through a non-isocyanate route. Basic diamines (1,6-diaminohexane, 4,7,10-trioxa-1,13-tridecanediamine, meta-xylylenediamine, para-xylylenediamine) reacted with PC without any auxiliary catalyst; less reactive aromatic diamines (4,4’-diaminodiphenylmethane, 2,4-diaminotoluene) required the assistance of a base catalyst (1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene, NaOH). The formation of [-NHRNHCO-]n goes through a carbamation step affording BPA and carbamate intermediates H[-OArOC(O)NHRNHC(O)-]nOArOH (Ar=4,4’-C6H4C(Me)2C6H4-) that, in a subsequent step, convert into [-NHRNHCO-]n and more BPA. All the PUs were characterized in the solid state by CP/MAS 13C NMR (δ(C[dbnd]O) = 152–161 ppm) and IR spectroscopy. The positions of ν(N-H) and ν(C[dbnd]O) absorptions are typical of “hydrogen-bonded ordered” bands suggesting the presence of H-bonded groups in network structures characterized by some degree of order or regularity. DSC and TGA analyses showed that the PUs are thermally stable (Td,5%: 212–270 °C) and suitable for being processed since their degradation begins at temperatures about 100 °C higher than their Tg or Tm

Ammonia versus Water Elimination in the Reaction of Diols with Urea under Metal Oxide Catalysis

This article features interesting and challenging reactions of urea, O=C(NH2)2, with biosourced diols, HO- (CH2)nOH (n = 3, 4), driven by cheap and abundant heterogeneous catalysts. By tuning the catalyst and the reaction conditions, the hierarchical elimination of ammonia (that can be recovered) and water can be promoted between the −NH2 and HO-functionalities, giving rise to a variety of compounds under mild conditions. Thus, cyclic carbonates, linear mono- and diurethanes, cyclic urethanes, or even oligomeric urethanes, potential precursors of non-isocyanate polyurethanes (NIPURs), can be prepared, even with high yield and selectivity. A variety of catalysts have been tested. ZnO and CeO2 show high activity and quite different properties in promoting ammonia or water elimination. Their different behavior has been explained with the help of density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Contrary to ZnO that is dissolved as Zn(NH3)2(NCO)2 in the reaction medium, preventing the recovery of the oxide, CeO2 does not dissolve in the reaction mixture and can easily and quantitatively be recovered and reused. CeO2 is shown to be able to promote the sequential diol−urea coupling with the formation of oligo-urethanes

Butanol synthesis from ethanol over CuMgAl mixed oxides modified with palladium (II) and indium (III)

Ethanol conversion to butanol was investigated over mixed oxides derived from hydrotalcites modified with copper, palladium or indium. The reaction was carried out in the 403–573 K temperature range using stainless steel reactors. The presence of indium or palladium in the catalyst influences the temperature of reaction so that it was possible obtain butanol at temperature as low as 423 K. This is in line with the fact that the addition of metals with high hydrogen-transfer capacity makes faster all steps of the reaction with great energy saving. The best selectivity to butanol (65%) was achieved using In-CuMgAl catalysts with 3% of ethanol conversion at a temperature as low as 443 K