“Ritorno al futuro”. Storie di organizzazioni visionarie e del loro successo

Il presente articolo, descrivendo il modello di articolazione della vision di Collins e Porras, vuole fare chiarezza sul rapporto esistente tra vision, mission e valori organizzativi. Attraverso le esperienze di aziende di fama internazionale, inoltre, la vision viene identificata come una variabile critica per ottenere un successo durevole nel tempo

Vision organizzativa, indicami la meta e ti seguirò

L’identificazione e la comunicazione della vision organizzativa rappresentano attività critiche per i leader che vogliano stimolare il cambiamento. Questo articolo mostra come, comunicando l’immagine di un futuro collettivo, i leader possano stimolare i follower a perseguire realmente la vision dell’organizzazione a cui appartengon

Encapsulated proanthocyanidins as novel ingredients

Proanthocyanidins (OPC) are polyphenolic compounds, derivatives of flavan-3-ol flavonoids. They are abundant in grape seeds and skins, and contribute to most of the polyphenols in red wine. Proanthocyanidins from grape seed have been reported to show various health as well as technological properties. Aim of the study was to investigate the coating efficiency of maltodextrin (MD) in different molecular ratios with arabic gum (AG) on encapsulation of phenolic compounds extracted from grape pomace. The present study was planned to examine the contributions of MD, AG and OPC to the structural architecture of encapsulated OPC by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), their encapsulation efficiency and their functionality (antioxidant activity and bioavailability) by spectrophotometric assays and mass spectrometry analysis (MALDI-TOF-MS). The effect of encapsulated OPC on in vitro polyphenol digestibility was also evaluated according to the Infogest protocol. Encapsulated products were obtained by a mild ultrasonication method in controlled conditions based on the phenomenon of acoustic cavitation, and then freeze-dried. The content of coating material had significant (p>0.05) impact on particle morphology of spray-dried suspensions. SEM analysis of samples of AG/MD and AG/MD/OPC were similar and exhibited cracks and sharp edges, but samples with OPC showed a more enclosed structure. Total and Surface phenolic content of microcapsules showed the best encapsulation efficiency for samples with 4% of AG and 12% of MD. MALDI-TOF-MS characterization of encapsulated samples showed integrity of OPC components in the microcapsules with no changes with respect to original OPC. The in vitro digestion experiments showed also that composition and functionality of encapsulated OPC were better preserved along gastrointestinal digestion process. In conclusion, OPC microcapsules could be utilized both as nutraceuticals and additives in various food application

Effect of added enzymes and quinoa flour on dough characteristics and sensory quality of a gluten free bakery product

The study is aimed at developing a new cereal-based product, with increased nutritional quality, by using quinoa flour. The effect of the use of transglutaminase (TGase) and proteolytic enzymes on the microstructure, properties and in vitro digestion of gluten-free bakery products based on quinoa flour was evaluated. Microstructural results evaluated by means of Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) showed that the quinoa starch granules are rather small (0.4–2 μm) and the presence of TGase induced significantly changes in dough and baked samples microstructures. The overall acceptability of the breads was improved by TGase addition. The results achieved showed that these enzymes have different effects on the bread characteristics and may improve properties of formulations, setting the basis for development of baked quinoa products

Cos'è la vision?

Attraverso un’analisi interpretativa dei significati attribuiti in letteratura alla vision organizzativa, si descrivono possibili prospettive di osservazione della stessa, nel tentativo di fornire un framework per una migliore comprensione della sua natura e delle differenze rispetto a concetti quali mission e core values

Distribution of the Mediterranean ribbed limpet Patella ferruginea Gmelin, 1791 along the Ligurian coast and implications for conservation actions

Patella ferruginea is a limpet endemic to the Western Mediterranean Sea. It is presently considered the most threatened marine macroinvertebrate in the region and has been included in several international conservation directives. Its populations were widespread throughout the Western Mediterranean in the late Pleistocene period, and remained broadly distributed until the 19th century. Presently this species is confined into small populations in a few restricted areas due to human harvesting for food and baits, construction of coastal infrastructures and the effects of seawater pollution. In particular, the species is reported as presently disappeared from the whole of the Italian continental coast and measures are in progress to reintroduce the species through translocation and reproduction in controlled conditions along the Ligurian coasts of the Northwestern Mediterranean.Recent surveys implemented in the framework of the present work along the Ligurian coasts, to assess the most suitable sites for reintroduction, resulted in the discovery of 32 specimens of this endemic limpet, which previously was thought to have vanished from the area. These findings shed new light on the ability of species to naturally disperse, the relevance of the measures set in place to restore presently rarefied populations and may provide information to aid in the selection and management of sites within the Natura 2000 Ecological network

Fasting glucose and body mass index as predictors of activity in breast cancer patients treated with everolimus-exemestane: the EverExt study

Evidence on everolimus in breast cancer has placed hyperglycemia among the most common high grade adverse events. Anthropometrics and biomarkers of glucose metabolism were investigated in a observational study of 102 postmenopausal, HR + HER2- metastatic breast cancer patients treated with everolimus-exemestane in first and subsequent lines. Best overall response (BR) and clinical benefit rate (CBR) were assessed across subgroups defined upon fasting glucose (FG) and body mass index (BMI). Survival was estimated by Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test. Survival predictors were tested in Cox models. Median follow up was 12.4 months (1.0-41.0). The overall cohort showed increasing levels of FG and decreasing BMI (p < 0.001). Lower FG fasting glucose at BR was more commonly associated with C/PR or SD compared with PD (p < 0.001). We also observed a somewhat higher BMI associated with better response (p = 0.052). More patients in the lowest FG category achieved clinical benefit compared to the highest (p < 0.001), while no relevant differences emerged for BMI. Fasting glucose at re-assessment was also predictive of PFS (p = 0.037), as confirmed in models including BMI and line of therapy (p = 0.049). Treatment discontinuation was significantly associated with changes in FG (p = 0.014). Further research is warranted to corroborate these findings and clarify the underlying mechanisms

Tidal notches in Mediterranean Sea: a comprehensive analysis

Recent works (Evelpidou et al., 2012) suggest that the modern tidal notch is disappearing worldwide due sea level rise over the last century. In order to assess this hypothesis, we measured modern tidal notches in several of sites along the Mediterranean coasts. We report observations on tidal notches cut along carbonate coasts from 73 sites from Italy, France, Croatia, Montenegro, Greece, Malta and Spain, plus additional observations carried outside the Mediterranean. At each site, we measured notch width and depth, and we described the characteristics of the biological rim at the base of the notch. We correlated these parameters with wave energy, tide gauge datasets and rock lithology. Our results suggest that, considering \u2018the development of tidal notches the consequence of midlittoral bioerosion\u2019 (as done in Evelpidou et al., 2012) is a simplification that can lead to misleading results, such as stating that notches are disappearing. Important roles in notch formation can be also played by wave action, rate of karst dissolution, salt weathering and wetting and drying cycles. Of course notch formation can be augmented and favoured also by bioerosion which can, in particular cases, be the main process of notch formation and development. Our dataset shows that notches are carved by an ensemble rather than by a single process, both today and in the past, and that it is difficult, if not impossible, to disentangle them and establish which one is prevailing. We therefore show that tidal notches are still forming, challenging the hypothesis that sea level rise has drowned them

Lithium Exposure During Pregnancy and the Postpartum Period: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Safety and Efficacy Outcomes

OBJECTIVE: Uncertainty surrounds the risks of lithium use during pregnancy in women with bipolar disorder. The authors sought to provide a critical appraisal of the evidence related to the efficacy and safety of lithium treatment during the peripartum period, focusing on women with bipolar disorder and their offspring. METHODS: The authors conducted a systematic review and random-effects meta-analysis assessing case-control, cohort, and interventional studies reporting on the safety (primary outcome, any congenital anomaly) or efficacy (primary outcome, mood relapse prevention) of lithium treatment during pregnancy and the postpartum period. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and the Cochrane risk of bias tools were used to assess the quality of available PubMed and Scopus records through October 2018. RESULTS: Twenty-nine studies were included in the analyses (20 studies were of good quality, and six were of poor quality; one study had an unclear risk of bias, and two had a high risk of bias). Thirteen of the 29 studies could be included in the quantitative analysis. Lithium prescribed during pregnancy was associated with higher odds of any congenital anomaly (N=23,300, k=11; prevalence=4.1%, k=11; odds ratio=1.81, 95% CI=1.35-2.41; number needed to harm (NNH)=33, 95% CI=22-77) and of cardiac anomalies (N=1,348,475, k=12; prevalence=1.2%, k=9; odds ratio=1.86, 95% CI=1.16-2.96; NNH=71, 95% CI=48-167). Lithium exposure during the first trimester was associated with higher odds of spontaneous abortion (N=1,289, k=3, prevalence=8.1%; odds ratio=3.77, 95% CI=1.15-12.39; NNH=15, 95% CI=8-111). Comparing lithium-exposed with unexposed pregnancies, significance remained for any malformation (exposure during any pregnancy period or the first trimester) and cardiac malformations (exposure during the first trimester), but not for spontaneous abortion (exposure during the first trimester) and cardiac malformations (exposure during any pregnancy period). Lithium was more effective than no lithium in preventing postpartum relapse (N=48, k=2; odds ratio=0.16, 95% CI=0.03-0.89; number needed to treat=3, 95% CI=1-12). The qualitative synthesis showed that mothers with serum lithium levels <0.64 mEq/L and dosages <600 mg/day had more reactive newborns without an increased risk of cardiac malformations. CONCLUSIONS: The risk associated with lithium exposure at any time during pregnancy is low, and the risk is higher for first-trimester or higher-dosage exposure. Ideally, pregnancy should be planned during remission from bipolar disorder and lithium prescribed within the lowest therapeutic range throughout pregnancy, particularly during the first trimester and the days immediately preceding delivery, balancing the safety and efficacy profile for the individual patient

Mediastinal lymphadenopathies and skin lesions in a 49-year-old Sinhalese man

Leprosy is a neglected disease sporadically reported in high-income countries. Skin lesion and peripheral nerve involvement represent most common manifestations. Mediastinal lymphadenopathy in the absence of superficial lymph nodes involvement is very rare. Atypical or rare clinical presentations of disease may delay diagnosis and therapy and cause potential life-threatening manifestations and disabilities. We describe the case of a 49-year-old Sinhalese man who was admitted to our hospital with a one-month history of peripheral neurological symptoms and skin lesions on lower limbs. CT scan showed the presence of mediastinal lymphadenopathies without lung parenchymal and superficial lymph nodes involvement. Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration showed the presence of granulomas while skin biopsy revealed dermo-hypodermic granulomas with perineural lymphohistiocytic inflammatory reaction. Fite-Faraco staining demonstrated the presence of acid-fast bacilli in both lymph nodal and skin biopsy and polymerase chain reaction was positive for Mycobacterium leprae. Multibacillary leprosy was then diagnosed