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Il presente articolo si propone di indagare le potenzialità dei dispositivi audiovisivi nella glottodidattica e di presentare la proposta didattica del film La grande bellezza di Paolo Sorrentino. Dopo un excursus sulle teorie più influenti della glottodidattica, unite alle ricerche prodotte dalla neurolinguistica e dalla psicologia del linguaggio, si presenta il “Quaderno di cinema” da me realizzato, motivando le scelte effettuate per strutturare ogni singola unità. Infine, nella terza parte si mostrano vari esempi delle attività proposte all’interno del “Quaderno di cinema”, commentate da riflessioni metodologiche. Teaching Italian language through cinema: a didactic proposal of the film La grande bellezza by Paolo Sorrentino This article aims to investigate the potential of audiovisual devices in glottodidactics and to present the didactic proposal of the film La grande bellezza by Paolo Sorrentino. After an excursus on the most influential theories of glottodidactics, combined with the research produced by neurolinguistics and the psychology of language, the “Cinema Notebook” I produced is presented, explaining the choices made in structuring each individual unit. Finally, the third part shows various examples of activities proposed within the “Cinema Notebook”, commented on by methodological reflections.

Permethylated anigopreissin A (PAA), a fully protected form of the natural anigopreissin A, was found in our previous study to be active against several cancer cells, up to IC50 0.24 μM for HepG2 cells. Herein, a total of thirteen PAA analogues with variations in the number, position of substituents and unsaturation were synthesised starting from a common precursor, and their ability to induce cell growth inhibition was tested. By comparing the antiproliferative effect of the analogues with PAA and with the help of computational studies, we have gained valuable insights into both the biological activity and structure of this natural class of compounds. Indeed, we discovered the importance of the C-3 ring in modulating the biological activity of PAA, as well as the crucial role of the trans configuration of the styryl double bond and the significance of substitutions on the other parts of the molecule.

Malignant germ cell tumors constitute about 3%-4% of all neoplasms occurring before the age of 15. They arise in the ovaries, the testes, and in several other locations, including the lower back, the chest, the brain, and the abdomen. In infants and young children, the sacrococcygeal region is the most common site for extragonadal germ cell tumors, and teratomas account for the vast majority of sacrococcygeal germ cell tumors. Neonatal sacrococcygeal teratomas are usually benign and rarely they may contain a malignant component that is predominantly a yolk sac tumor. In this article, we describe a rare case of a male newborn with a giant sacrococcygeal mixed germ cell tumor composed of grade 3 immature teratoma and malignant yolk sac elements.

The continuous emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants caused the persistence of the COVID-19 epidemic and challenged the effectiveness of the existing vaccines. The viral proteases are the most attractive targets for developing antiviral drugs. In this scenario, our study explores the use of HIV-1 protease inhibitors against SARS-CoV-2. An in silico screening of a library of HIV-1 proteases identified four anti-HIV compounds able to interact with the 3CLpro of SARS-CoV-2. Thus, in vitro studies were designed to evaluate their potential antiviral effectiveness against SARS-CoV-2. We employed pseudovirus technology to simulate, in a highly safe manner, the adsorption of the alpha (α-SARS-CoV-2) and omicron (ο-SARS-CoV-2) variants of SARS-CoV-2 and study the inhibitory mechanism of the selected compounds for cell–virus interaction. The results reported a mild activity against the viral proteases 3CLpro and PLpro, but efficient inhibitory effects on the internalization of both variants mediated by cathepsin B/L. Our findings provide insights into the feasibility of using drugs exhibiting antiviral effects for other viruses against the viral and host SARS-CoV-2 proteases required for entry.

The study of migraine is based on the complexity of the pathology, both at the pathophysiological and epidemiological levels. Although it affects more than a billion people worldwide, it is often underestimated and underreported by patients. Migraine must not be confused with a simple headache; it is a serious and disabling disease that causes considerable limitations in the daily life of afflicted people, including social, work, and emotional effects. Therefore, it causes a daily state of suffering and discomfort. It is important to point out that this pathology not only has a decisive impact on the quality of life of those who suffer from it but also on their families and, more generally, on society as a whole. The clinical picture of migraine is complex, with debilitating unilateral or bilateral head pain, and is often associated with characteristic symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, photophobia, and phonophobia. Hormonal, environmental, psychological, dietary, or other factors can trigger it. The present review focuses on the analysis of the physiopathological and pharmacological aspects of migraine, up to the correct dietary approach, with specific nutritional interventions aimed at modulating the symptoms. Based on the symptoms that the patient experiences, targeted and specific therapy is chosen to reduce the frequency and severity of migraine attacks. Specifically, the role of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in the pathogenesis of migraine is analyzed, along with the drugs that effectively target the corresponding receptor. Particularly, CGRP receptor antagonists (gepants) are very effective drugs in the treatment of migraine, given their high diffusion in the brain. Moreover, following a ketogenic diet for only one or two months has been demonstrated to reduce migraine attacks. In this review, we highlight the diverse facets of migraine, from its physiopathological and pharmacological aspects to prevention and therapy.

Herein the reaction of methy cinnamates with N‐Iodosuccinimide (NIS) is reported and the possible formation of dihydrobenzofuryl dimeric derivatives (DHBF), known for their biological activities, is explored. Having an oxidizing capacity, we studied the behavior of NIS with methyl ferulate and under optimized reaction conditions we obtained its DHBF dimer in 35% yield. It is worth to note that we did not obtain the DHBF in his natural form, but rather as the demethylated compound, likely due to dismutation reactions activated by the presence of water in the solvent. Methyl caffeate reacted with NIS to furnish the DHBF dimer in 15% yield, while methyl coumarate and methyl isoferulate did not give any form of DHBF dimers, showing the importance of a hydroxyl group in para position on an activated system and an electron‐rich aromatic ring. An electrochemical investigation by cyclic voltammetry was carried out on the three cinnamates and confirmed the correlation between dimerization and oxidation potential: methyl ferulate and methyl caffeate dimerize, while methyl coumarate, due to its higher oxidizing potential, does not. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Permethylated anigopreissin A (PAA), a fully protected form of the natural anigopreissin A, was found in our previous study to be active against several cancer cells, up to IC50 0.24 μM for HepG2 cells. Herein, a total of thirteen PAA analogues with variations in the number, position of substituents and unsaturation were synthesised starting from a common precursor, and their ability to induce cell growth inhibition was tested. By comparing the antiproliferative effect of the analogues with PAA and with the help of computational studies, we have gained valuable insights into both the biological activity and structure of this natural class of compounds. Indeed, we discovered the importance of the C-3 ring in modulating the biological activity of PAA, as well as the crucial role of the trans configuration of the styryl double bond and the significance of substitutions on the other parts of the molecule. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The continuous emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants caused the persistence of the COVID-19 epidemic and challenged the effectiveness of the existing vaccines. The viral proteases are the most attractive targets for developing antiviral drugs. In this scenario, our study explores the use of HIV-1 protease inhibitors against SARS-CoV-2. An in silico screening of a library of HIV-1 proteases identified four anti-HIV compounds able to interact with the 3CLpro of SARS-CoV-2. Thus, in vitro studies were designed to evaluate their potential antiviral effectiveness against SARS-CoV-2. We employed pseudovirus technology to simulate, in a highly safe manner, the adsorption of the alpha (α-SARS-CoV-2) and omicron (ο-SARS-CoV-2) variants of SARS-CoV-2 and study the inhibitory mechanism of the selected compounds for cell–virus interaction. The results reported a mild activity against the viral proteases 3CLpro and PLpro, but efficient inhibitory effects on the internalization of both variants mediated by cathepsin B/L. Our findings provide insights into the feasibility of using drugs exhibiting antiviral effects for other viruses against the viral and host SARS-CoV-2 proteases required for entry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]