Emerging role of the pentose phosphate pathway in hepatocellular carcinoma

In recent years, there has been a revival of interest in metabolic changes of cancer cells as it has been noticed that malignant transformation and metabolic reprogramming are closely intertwined. The pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) is one of the fundamental components of cellular metabolism crucial for cancer cells. This review will discuss recent findings regarding the involvement of PPP enzymes in several types of cancer, with a focus on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We will pay considerable attention to the involvement of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, the rate-limiting enzyme of the PPP. Subsequently, we discuss the inhibition of the PPP as a potential therapeutic strategy against cancer, in particular, HCC

The spreading of infectious diseases in modern socio-technical systems. Comment on ''Pattern transitions in spatial epidemics: Mechanisms and emergent properties'' by Gui-Quan Sun et al

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Seminario sullo Standard MPEG-4: utilizzo ed aspetti implementativi

Una delle tecnologie chiave che hanno permesso il grande sviluppo della televisione digitale è la compressione video. La tecnologia di codifica video nota come MPEG-2, sviluppata nei primi anni novanta, è diventata lo standard di trasmissione DTV (Digital TV) sia satellitare sia terrestre in quasi tutti i paesi del mondo. Da allora la velocità dei microprocessori e le capacità di memoria dei dispositivi hardware per la codifica e la decodifica sono migliorate significativamente rendendo possibile lo sviluppo e l’implementazione di algoritmi di codifica innovativi in grado di abbattere significativamente i limiti di compressione dello standard MPEG-2. Tali innovazioni, sfociate nel 2003 nello standard MPEG-4 AVC (Advanced Video Coding), non hanno permesso di mantenere la compatibilità all’indietro con l’MPEG-2, e questo ha inizialmente costituito un limite alla loro introduzione nei sistemi di trasmissione DTV. Tuttavia, negli ultimi anni la codifica MPEG-4 AVC si è diffusa rapidamente, è stata adottata dal progetto DVB, recentemente dall’ATSC, ed è lo standard di codifica nell’IPTV. L’obiettivo di questo seminario, che si articola in due giornate, è quello di presentare lo standard di codifica MPEG-4 AVC con particolare attenzione agli aspetti implementativi del livello di codifica video.2008-11-18Sardegna Ricerche, Edificio 2, Località Piscinamanna 09010 Pula (CA) - ItaliaSeminario sullo Standard MPEG-4: utilizzo ed aspetti implementativ

Towards a data-driven characterization of behavioral changes induced by the seasonal flu

In this work, we aim to determine the main factors driving self-initiated behavioral changes during the seasonal flu. To this end, we designed and deployed a questionnaire via Influweb, a Web platform for participatory surveillance in Italy, during the 2017 − 18 and 2018 − 19 seasons. We collected 599 surveys completed by 434 users. The data provide socio-demographic information, level of concerns about the flu, past experience with illnesses, and the type of behavioral changes voluntarily implemented by each participant. We describe each response with a set of features and divide them in three target categories. These describe those that report i) no (26%), ii) only moderately (36%), iii) significant (38%) changes in behaviors. In these settings, we adopt machine learning algorithms to investigate the extent to which target variables can be predicted by looking only at the set of features. Notably, 66% of the samples in the category describing more significant changes in behaviors are correctly classified through Gradient Boosted Trees. Furthermore, we investigate the importance of each feature in the classification task and uncover complex relationships between individuals’ characteristics and their attitude towards behavioral change. We find that intensity, recency of past illnesses, perceived susceptibility to and perceived severity of an infection are the most significant features in the classification task and are associated to significant changes in behaviors. Overall, the research contributes to the small set of empirical studies devoted to the data-driven characterization of behavioral changes induced by infectious disease

Hoshin Kanri and Lean Accounting: an integrated framework. The case of Unox S.p.A

la tesi descrive gli strumenti a supporto del processo decisionale strategico e l'efficacia del loro utilizzo in maniera integrata. Viene proposto il caso aziendale Unox S.p.A.openTesi non accessibile fino a 17 Giugno 2019 per motivi correlati alla proprietà intellettuale dell'autor

The Scaling of Human Contacts in Reaction-Diffusion Processes on Heterogeneous Metapopulation Networks

We present new empirical evidence, based on millions of interactions on Twitter, confirming that human contacts scale with population sizes. We integrate such observations into a reaction-diffusion metapopulation framework providing an analytical expression for the global invasion threshold of a contagion process. Remarkably, the scaling of human contacts is found to facilitate the spreading dynamics. Our results show that the scaling properties of human interactions can significantly affect dynamical processes mediated by human contacts such as the spread of diseases, and ideas

Virtual Reality Frontiers in Bipolar Disorders: A Recovery Oriented Cognitive Rehabilitation tool.

Background: Cognitive impairment is a fundamental rehabilitation outcome for people with mental disorders. This represents a barrier to achieve clinical, personal and social outcomes essential for a good quality of life. In line with the WHO innovation objective are increasing the use of technologies for treatment of mental disorders. This study aims at evaluating the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of the first Cognitive Remediation Virtual Reality Program for people with bipolar disorder. Methods: Feasibility randomized controlled cross-over clinical study; we randomized 50 people from the Consultation and Psychosomatic Psychiatry Center of the University Hospital of Cagliari with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder. We proposed a CR/VR recoveryoriented program, 3 months with 2 weekly sessions, for the experimental group and a usual care program for the control group (psychiatric visit and/or psychotherapy). Results: We observed a significant feasibility outcome and clinical outcomes, both cognitive and personal and social functioning. In particular in memory (Ray’s Word Test p<0.003), attention (Matrix Test p<0.002), verbal fluency (FAS Test p<0.010), executive function in terms of cognitive esteem function (CET p<0.003), depressive symptoms (PHQ-9 p< 0.030), alexithymia (TAS-20 p<0.007) and in biological rhythms (BRIAN è<0.029). Conclusion: This RCT aims, with regards to it feasibility and design, to inform a confirmatory trial that evaluates the effectiveness of a VR CR program in psychiatric rehabilitation for the treatment of cognitive dysfunction in people with bipolar disorder. The results could have an impact on psychiatric rehabilitation research with a focus on improving the application of technologies for mental health

Book Review: F. KONDYLI - V. ANDRIOPOULOU - E. PANOU - M. B. CUNNINGHAM (edd.), Sylvester Syropoulos on Politics and Culture in the Fifteenth Century Mediterranean. Themes and Problems in the Memoirs, Section IV, Αshgate 2014

Book Review: Fotini KONDYLI - Vera ANDRIOPOULOU - Eirini PANOU - Mary B. CUNNINGHAM (edd.), Sylvester Syropoulos on Politics and Culture in the Fifteenth Century Mediterranean. Themes and Problems in the Memoirs, Section IV, [Birmingham Byzantine and Ottoman Studies, volume 16], Ashgate, 2014, pp. 248, ISBN: 978-1-4094-3966-