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"Iannuzzi, Ilaria"
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Smart society : a sociological perspective on smart living
\"Increasingly, we hear of 'smart' cities, communities, governance and people as constituting the basis of initiatives by which we might address various social and environmental problems, particularly those connected with sustainability, usually by means of an 'intelligent' connection with the 'network society'. This book addresses the issues raised by the emergence of 'smart' dimensions and initiatives in society, critically engaging with questions surrounding the feasibility of what smart initiatives propose and the extent to which they can really offer solutions to the challenges we face. With attention to the notion of 'smart' as applied to the individual, the community, politics and the home, the authors consider the interconnections between these various facets of 'smart living' and their relationship to the notion of the smart society as a whole. Drawing on a concrete study of an attempt to concretize smart ideas in the design of a smart, solar home as part of an international project, Smart Society offers the first extended sociological engagement with the notion of smart living\"-- Provided by publisher.
Book
The “Playful Paradigm”. A Smart Transformation for the Contemporary Society?
This article aims to offer a critical examination of the current gamification process existing in contemporary society. One example of this process is the “Playful Paradigm”, a European-level project aiming to help cities – considered increasingly smart – to develop pragmatic solutions that are new and sustainable and that integrate urban economic, social and environmental topics. What critical issues hide behind prevailing gamification? In terms of general theorisation, discussion will be hinged on the conceptual category of the “homo ludens” and, more generally, the “casino culture”, so as to thrown new light, through a sociological examination, on the potential and critical issues of an increasingly invasive and capillary process.
Journal Article
Lactoferrin as Antiviral Treatment in COVID-19 Management: Preliminary Evidence
Lactoferrin (Lf), a multifunctional cationic glycoprotein synthesized by exocrine glands and neutrophils, possesses an in vitro antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2. Thus, we conducted an in vivo preliminary study to investigate the antiviral effect of oral and intranasal liposomal bovine Lf (bLf) in asymptomatic and mild-to-moderate COVID-19 patients. From April 2020 to June 2020, a total of 92 mild-to-moderate (67/92) and asymptomatic (25/92) COVID-19 patients were recruited and divided into three groups. Thirty-two patients (14 hospitalized and 18 in home-based isolation) received only oral and intranasal liposomal bLf; 32 hospitalized patients were treated only with standard of care (SOC) treatment; and 28, in home-based isolation, did not take any medication. Furthermore, 32 COVID-19 negative, untreated, healthy subjects were added for ancillary analysis. Liposomal bLf-treated COVID-19 patients obtained an earlier and significant (p < 0.0001) SARS-CoV-2 RNA negative conversion compared to the SOC-treated and untreated COVID-19 patients (14.25 vs. 27.13 vs. 32.61 days, respectively). Liposomal bLf-treated COVID-19 patients showed fast clinical symptoms recovery compared to the SOC-treated COVID-19 patients. In bLf-treated patients, a significant decrease in serum ferritin, IL-6, and D-dimers levels was observed. No adverse events were reported. These observations led us to speculate a potential role of bLf in the management of mild-to-moderate and asymptomatic COVID-19 patients.
Journal Article
Lactoferrin Against SARS-CoV-2: In Vitro and In Silico Evidences
Lactoferrin (Lf) is a cationic glycoprotein synthetized by exocrine glands and is present in all human secretions. It is also secreted by neutrophils in infection and inflammation sites. This glycoprotein possesses antimicrobial activity due to its capability to chelate two ferric ions per molecule, as well as to interact with bacterial and viral anionic surface components. The cationic features of Lf bind to cells, protecting the host from bacterial and viral injuries. Its anti-inflammatory activity is mediated by the ability to enter inside the nucleus of host cells, thus inhibiting the synthesis of proinflammatory cytokine genes. In particular, Lf down-regulates the synthesis of IL-6, which is involved in iron homeostasis disorders and leads to intracellular iron overload, favoring viral replication and infection. The well-known antiviral activity of Lf has been demonstrated against DNA, RNA, and enveloped and naked viruses and, therefore, Lf could be efficient in counteracting also SARS-CoV-2 infection. For this purpose, we performed in vitro assays, proving that Lf exerts an antiviral activity against SARS-COV-2 through direct attachment to both SARS-CoV-2 and cell surface components. This activity varied according to concentration (100/500 μg/ml), multiplicity of infection (0.1/0.01), and cell type (Vero E6/Caco-2 cells). Interestingly, the in silico results strongly supported the hypothesis of a direct recognition between Lf and the spike S glycoprotein, which can thus hinder viral entry into the cells. These in vitro observations led us to speculate a potential supplementary role of Lf in the management of COVID-19 patients.
Journal Article
Pulmonary function assessment after COVID-19 in vaccinated healthcare workers
COVID-19 typically presents with flu-like symptoms due to the viral infection itself. The most severe cases are characterised by lung damage, an important factor in fatal outcome due to alveolar damage. In some cases, patients develop a long COVID with persistent symptoms of chest pain and fatigue. Causes, including organ damage or inflammation, are being investigated. Clinical outcomes are variable and permanent lung damage is not fully understood, while vaccination is effective against severe infection but its effect on respiratory function in mild cases remains uncertain. This retrospective study aims to analyse changes in lung function in HCWs who had COVID-19 between 2020 and 2022, comparing their spirometric test results before and after the pandemic and taking into account their vaccination status. 321 HCWs were included in the study. The study examined spirometric parameters both before and after the pandemic, and all measured outcomes except the FEV1/FVC ratio showed a significant decrease during the study period. We then assessed the association between SARS-CoV-2 infection and changes in lung function parameters, analysing infections in 2020, 2021 and 2022 separately. We found a statistically significant difference in Forced vital capacity (FVC) between infected and non-infected subjects in 2020 and 2021, but not in 2022. To evaluate the protective effect of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination on respiratory function, a linear regression analysis was performed using changes in FVC, Forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), FVC/FEV1 ratio and Peak expiratory flow (PEF) as dependent variables. The analysis showed that the decline in FVC was significantly lower in subjects who had been vaccinated prior to infection. The study concludes that subclinical SARS-CoV-2 infections in 2020 and 2021 worsened respiratory parameters (FVC and FEV1), but vaccination protected against these effects. Even healthy individuals with previous infections showed respiratory changes, with vaccination providing protection, especially for FVC decline. This highlights the importance of vaccinating healthcare workers against COVID-19.
Journal Article
Rubella Immunity among Italian Female Healthcare Workers: A Serological Study
Rubella, also known as German measles or three-day measles, is an infectious disease caused by virus of the genus Rubivirus, which may be prevented by vaccination. The infection is potentially dangerous for non immune subjects, although 20–50% of infected subjects are asymptomatic. Healthcare workers (HCWs) have an increased potential exposure to rubella in comparison to the general population, putting them and their patients at risk of infection and its complications. In 2019, 20 cases of rubella have been reported in Italy. According to the Italian National Immunization and Prevention Plan, HCWs should provide a written certification of vaccination for rubella or serological evidence of protective antibodies. The aim of the study was to evaluate the rubella immunization status in female HCWs of the teaching hospital Policlinic Rome Tor Vergata (PTV) of childbearing age. For this purpose, we retrospectively checked the serologic values of rubella-specific IgG antibodies analyzing the clinical records of the HCWs of undergoing the occupational health surveillance program from January 1st to June1st 2020. Five hundred fourteen HCWs with a mean age of 23.19 (range 19–37, DS: 2.80) were included: 90.3% (464) showed a protective antibody titre. The mean value of the anti-rubella IgG was 49.59 IU/mL. Our study shows a non-protective anti rubella IgG titre in a substantial percentage of HCWs (9.7%). As vaccine protection decreases over the years and the risk of congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) in vaccinated subjects should not be underestimated, we suggest routine screening of the immunological status followed by the administration of a third dose of vaccine if the antibody titre becomes non-protective.
Journal Article
Lysosome purinergic receptor P2X4 regulates neoangiogenesis induced by microvesicles from sarcoma patients
The tumor microenvironment modulates cancer growth. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have been identified as key mediators of intercellular communication, but their role in tumor growth is largely unexplored. Here, we demonstrate that EVs from sarcoma patients promote neoangiogenesis via a purinergic X receptor 4 (P2XR4) -dependent mechanism in vitro and in vivo. Using a proteomic approach, we analyzed the protein content of plasma EVs and identified critical activated pathways in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and human progenitor hematopoietic cells (CD34+). We then showed that vessel formation was due to rapid mitochondrial activation, intracellular Ca
2+
mobilization, increased extracellular ATP, and trafficking of the lysosomal P2XR4 to the cell membrane, which is required for cell motility and formation of stable branching vascular networks. Cell membrane translocation of P2XR4 was induced by proteins and chemokines contained in EVs (e.g. Del-1 and SDF-1). Del-1 was found expressed in many EVs from sarcoma tumors and several tumor types. P2XR4 blockade reduced EVs-induced vessels in angioreactors, as well as intratumor vascularization in mouse xenografts. Together, these findings identify P2XR4 as a key mediator of EVs-induced tumor angiogenesis via a signaling mediated by mitochondria-lysosome-sensing response in endothelial cells, and indicate a novel target for therapeutic interventions.
Journal Article
Chromosome Instability in Pony of Esperia Breed Naturally Infected by Intestinal Strongylidae
The Pony of Esperia is an Italian autochthonous horse breed reared in the wild on the Aurunci and Ausoni Mountains. Currently, it is considered an endangered breed, as its population consists of 1623 animals. It is therefore essential to identify all aspects that can improve the management and economy of its breeding, favoring its diffusion. In this paper, the effects of intestinal strongyle infection on the chromosome stability of peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) was evaluated through aneuploidy and chromosome aberration (gap, chromatid and chromosome breaks, and the number of abnormal cells) test. Statistical difference in the mean values of aneuploidy, cells with chromosome abnormalities, and chromosome and chromatid breaks were observed between ponies with high fecal egg counts (eggs per gram > 930) and those with undetectable intestinal strongylosis. The causes of this phenomenon and possible repercussions on the management of Pony of Esperia are discussed in the paper.
Journal Article
Morphoregulatory ADD3 underlies glioblastoma growth and formation of tumor–tumor connections
Glioblastoma is a major unmet clinical need characterized by striking inter- and intra-tumoral heterogeneity and a population of glioblastoma stem cells (GSCs), conferring aggressiveness and therapy resistance. GSCs communicate through a network of tumor–tumor connections (TTCs), including nanotubes and microtubes, promoting tumor progression. However, very little is known about the mechanisms underlying TTC formation and overall GSC morphology. As GSCs closely resemble neural progenitor cells during neurodevelopment, we hypothesized that GSCs’ morphological features affect tumor progression. We identified GSC morphology as a new layer of tumoral heterogeneity with important consequences on GSC proliferation. Strikingly, we showed that the neurodevelopmental morphoregulator ADD3 is sufficient and necessary for maintaining proper GSC morphology, TTC abundance, cell cycle progression, and chemoresistance, as well as required for cell survival. Remarkably, both the effects on cell morphology and proliferation depend on the stability of actin cytoskeleton. Hence, cell morphology and its regulators play a key role in tumor progression by mediating cell–cell communication. We thus propose that GSC morphological heterogeneity holds the potential to identify new therapeutic targets and diagnostic markers.
Journal Article