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Summary: Chromatin organization plays a crucial role in tissue homeostasis. Heterochromatin relaxation and consequent unscheduled mobilization of transposable elements (TEs) are emerging as key contributors of aging and aging-related pathologies, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and cancer. However, the mechanisms governing heterochromatin maintenance or its relaxation in pathological conditions remain poorly understood. Here we show that PIN1, the only phosphorylation-specific cis/trans prolyl isomerase, whose loss is associated with premature aging and AD, is essential to preserve heterochromatin. We demonstrate that this PIN1 function is conserved from Drosophila to humans and prevents TE mobilization-dependent neurodegeneration and cognitive defects. Mechanistically, PIN1 maintains nuclear type-B Lamin structure and anchoring function for heterochromatin protein 1α (HP1α). This mechanism prevents nuclear envelope alterations and heterochromatin relaxation under mechanical stress, which is a key contributor to aging-related pathologies.

Mechanical stress has been proposed as a common denominator of different pathological conditions, including chronic inflammation and neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease. While mechanical signals shape the brain development throughout morphogenesis, a role of mechanical forces in neurodegeneration has been suggested by the observed correlation of traumatic brain injury and cerebrovascular hemodynamic stress with the risk of some neurodegenerative disorders. Furthermore, neurodegenerative diseases and brain injury are associated with changes in composition and properties of the extracellular matrix. Using in vivo models, we provide genetic and molecular evidence that alterations in mechanotransduction could impact on neuronal survival and function in stressful conditions. Our findings help better understand the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders and could lead to the identification of therapeutic targets.

L’objet de mon exposé concerne le concept de forme élaboré par Potebnja et par d’autres philologues en rapport avec la catégorie de la sémioticité. Dans la théorie de Potebnja, la forme est l’élément central du mot, de l’œuvre littéraire et folklorique, vu qu’il considère comme isomorphes ces trois expressions de la verbalité. Potebnja identifie et décrit, avec de nombreuses variantes terminologiques, une structure triadique composée de la forme externe, le contenu, la forme interne ou représentation, ou signe interne du signifié. La forme, en particulier la «forme interne», est ce par quoi l’individu arrive à con- naître l’objet, à travers une comparaison entre ce qui est connu et ce qui est inconnu. Chez Potebnja, on peut mettre en évidence un autre concept de forme, moins impor- tant, peut-être au niveau purement linguistique, mais non moins significatif au niveau d’une théorie générale de l’art et de la narrativité : la forme conçue comme «toute prête», fixe, cons- tante, immuable qui, par son invariabilité, se transforme en canon ; les formules que se répè- tent représentent un gage de la continuité culturelle d’une communauté (tradition). C’est jus- tement à travers ce canon qu’on peu reconstruire le dépôt mémorial du vivre humain ; les «formes toutes prêtes» comme grammaire d’une culture. Si la «forme interne» de la structure du mot concerne le processus cognitif au niveau de la conscience individuelle, la «forme toute prête» porte sur l’aspect collectif, donc social. Si l’on voulait traduire ces deux aspects de la forme en termes saussuriens, on pour- rait dire que la forme interne correspond à la parole et la «forme toute prête» à la langue. On analyse comment ce dernier concept se révèle fondamental pour les théories des philologues russes, à commencer par le contemporain de Potebnja, Veselovskij, jusqu’à Propp, et Florens- kij, et on en souligne l’importance dans la poétique théorique, historique, structurale et théo- logique. Les deux significations du concept de forme peuvent être lus comme catégories sé- miotiques dans la mesure où le premier suppose que le mot est un signe, et le second repré- sente un pattern et appartient donc à la langue. De plus, on relève que les deux concepts présupposent que la langue est le modèle originaire de chaque phénomène culturel et anthropologique, c’est-à-dire, en termes mo- dernes, de chaque mécanisme sémiotique. Enfin, on portera un regard sur la question ontologique du signe linguistique.

In Italia, il recente Ddl Pillon “Norme in materia di affido condiviso, mantenimento diretto e garanzia di bigenitorialità” e collegati mostra in modo inequivocabile l’attacco ai diritti conquistati dalle donne e dalle minoranze in materia familiare. Esso non è un “incidente di percorso”, emendabile attraverso la discussione in Commissione Giustizia, ma rappresenta al contrario, con piena evidenza, la sostanziale coincidenza sul tema dei diritti tra le forze politiche che costituiscono oggi, in Italia, la maggioranza di governo., La camera blu. Rivista di studi di genere, N. 19 (2018): Gender visions

Antonello Nicolini,1 Bruna Grecchi,2 Maura Ferrari-Bravo,3 Cornelius Barlascini4 1Respiratory Diseases Unit, Hospital of Sestri Levante, Sestri Levante, Italy; 2Rehabilitation Unit, ASL4 Chiavarese, Chiavari, Italy; 3Statistics Unit, ASL4 Chiavarese, Chiavari, Italy; 4Health Medicine Unit, Hospital of Sestri Levante, Sestri Levante, Italy Purpose: Chest physiotherapy is an important tool in the treatment of COPD. Intrapulmonary percussive ventilation (IPV) and high-frequency chest wall oscillation (HFCWO) are techniques designed to create a global percussion of the lung which removes secretions and probably clears the peripheral bronchial tree. We tested the hypothesis that adding IPV or HFCWO to the best pharmacological therapy (PT) may provide additional clinical benefit over chest physiotherapy in patients with severe COPD. Methods: Sixty patients were randomized into three groups (20 patients in each group): IPV group (treated with PT and IPV), PT group with (treated with PT and HFCWO), and control group (treated with PT alone). Primary outcome measures included results on the dyspnea scale (modified Medical Research Council) and Breathlessness, Cough, and Sputum scale (BCSS), as well as an evaluation of daily life activity (COPD Assessment Test [CAT]). Secondary outcome measures were pulmonary function testing, arterial blood gas analysis, and hematological examinations. Moreover, sputum cell counts were performed at the beginning and at the end of the study. Results: Patients in both the IPV group and the HFCWO group showed a significant improvement in the tests of dyspnea and daily life activity evaluations (modified Medical Research Council scale, BCSS, and CAT) compared to the control group, as well as in pulmonary function tests (forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in 1 second, forced expiratory volume in 1second/forced vital capacity%, total lung capacity, residual volume, diffusing lung capacity monoxide, maximal inspiratory pressure, maximal expiratory pressure) and arterial blood gas values. However, in the group comparison analysis for the same variables between IPV group and HFCWO group, we observed a significant improvement in the IPV group maximal inspiratory pressure, maximal expiratory pressure, BCSS, and CAT. Similar results were observed in changes of sputum cytology with reduction of inflammatory cells (neutrophils and macrophages). Conclusion: The two techniques improved daily life activities and lung function in patients with severe COPD. IPV demonstrated a significantly greater effectiveness in improving some pulmonary function tests linked to the small bronchial airways obstruction and respiratory muscle strength and scores on health status assessment scales (BCSS and CAT) as well as a reduction of sputum inflammatory cells compared with HFCWO. Keywords: severe COPD, intrapulmonary percussive ventilation, high-frequency chest wall oscillation, daily life activity

Background: Malnutrition, a very common condition in the elderly, is known to increase their vulnerability to adverse health events. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of malnutrition in the over 75-yr-old community-dwelling population in the “Chiavarese” Local Health Unit district (North West Italy). Methods: The short version of the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA-SF) was used by General Practitioners (GP) as a screening tool to investigate the nutritional status of elderly people (1039 subjects). The study was conducted in 2012- 2013 in the Local Health Unit of Chiavari (Liguria Region), Italy. The malnutrition was subsequently confirmed by means of biochemical parameters. Subjects at risk of malnutrition or malnourished (n=22) received personalized dietary counseling by the GP. Results: The MNA-SF recognized 21% of the elderly people being at risk of malnutrition and biochemical tests confirmed a malnutrition prevalence of 3.5%. The dietary counseling improved the MNA-SF score and biochemical parameters, but the difference was statistically significant only for the MNA-SF score (P=0.00613). Conclusion: Malnutrition can be evaluated with a simple tool such as the MNA-SF, recognized at the earliest stage and successfully treated by the GP.

Introduction Noninvasive ventilation (NIV) has changed the prognosis of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) suffering from hypercapnic exacerbations. Objectives The aim of the study was to evaluate the mortality rate and need for intubation of patients with during hypercapnic COPD exacerbation treated with NIV and to estimate factors related to either success or failure of NIV in a real-life setting. Patients and methods In a multicenter prospective study conducted over a period of 10 years (2002-2012), we assessed 1809 patients with COPD with hypercapnic exacerbation on admission who were treated with NIV. The primary outcomes were the intubation rate and hospital mortality. Results In all patients, NIV was conducted by experienced specialists. The intubation rate was 6.6% and the mortality rate was 5.3%. The severity of exacerbations, defined by pH and the Simplified Acute Physiology Score (SAPS II) on admission, worsened during the study period. The presence of comorbidities, SAPS II, pH, the ratio of oxygen arterial pressure to oxygen inspiratory fraction on admission, and, above all, no increase in pH after 1 hour of NIV were closely related to hospital mortality. Conclusions Team expertise in NIV and identification of the risk factors for NIV failure may allow to treat patients with more severe hypercapnic exacerbations of COPD during and improve treatment success rates.

Background and Aims Severe community-acquired pneumonia (sCAP) have been as defined pneumonia requiring admission to the intensive care unit or carrying a high risk of death. Currently, the treatment of sCAP consists of antibiotic therapy and ventilator support. The use of invasive ventilation causes several complications as does admission to ICU. For this reason, non-invasive ventilation (NIV) has been used for acute respiratory failure to avoid endotracheal intubation. However, few studies have currently assessed the usefulness of NIV in sCAP. Methods We prospectively assessed 127 patients with sCAP and severe acute respiratory failure [oxygen arterial pressure/oxygen inspiratory fraction ratio (PaO2/FiO2) 250 with spontaneous breathing. We assessed predictors of NIV failure and hospital mortality using univariate and multivariate analyses. Results NIV failed in 32 patients (25.1%). Higher chest X-ray score at admission, chest X-ray worsening, and a lower PaO2/FiO2 and higher alveolar-arteriolar gradient (A-aDO2) after 1 h of NIV all independently predicted NIV failure. Higher lactate dehydrogenase and confusion, elevated blood urea, respiratory rate, blood pressure plus age ≥65 years at admission, higher A-aDO2, respiratory rate and lower PaO2/FiO2 after 1 h of NIV and intubation rate were directly related to hospital mortality. Conclusions Successful treatment is strongly related to less severe illness as well as to a good initial and sustained response to medical therapy and NIV treatment. Constant monitoring of these patients is mandatory.

OBJECTIVE: Thoracentesis is one of the bedside procedures most commonly associated with iatrogenic complications, particularly pneumothorax. Various risk factors for complications associated with thoracentesis have recently been identified, including an inexperienced operator; an inadequate or inexperienced support team; the lack of a standardized protocol; and the lack of ultrasound guidance. We sought to determine whether ultrasound-guided thoracentesis can reduce the risk of pneumothorax and improve outcomes (fewer procedures without fluid removal and greater volumes of fluid removed during the procedures). In our comparison of thoracentesis with and without ultrasound guidance, all procedures were performed by a team of expert pulmonologists, using the same standardized protocol in both conditions. METHODS: A total of 160 participants were randomly allocated to undergo thoracentesis with or without ultrasound guidance (n = 80 per group). The primary outcome was pneumothorax following thoracentesis. Secondary outcomes included the number of procedures without fluid removal and the volume of fluid drained during the procedure. RESULTS: Pneumothorax occurred in 1 of the 80 patients who underwent ultrasound-guided thoracentesis and in 10 of the 80 patients who underwent thoracentesis without ultrasound guidance, the difference being statistically significant (p = 0.009). Fluid was removed in 79 of the 80 procedures performed with ultrasound guidance and in 72 of the 80 procedures performed without it. The mean volume of fluid drained was larger during the former than during the latter (960 ± 500 mL vs. 770 ± 480 mL), the difference being statistically significant (p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasound guidance increases the yield of thoracentesis and reduces the risk of post-procedure pneumothorax. (Chinese Clinical Trial Registry identifier: ChiCTR-TRC-12002174 [http://www.chictr.org/en/])

The article deals with the topic of domestic violence against women by describing the current state of affairs of the Italian social and cultural context as well as the dangerous influence of media and the actions of the welfare system. The need of disclosure and protection of the women victims of violence is also enlightened. A further aim of this contribution is to discuss some principles for the clinical and therapeutic listening and treatment directed to services and shelters since this form of violence is generally underestimated, silenced, and denied. It finally introduces some principles of institutional mediation and re-negotiation of emotional bonds that refer to the Neapolitan Centro per le Famiglie’s experience., La camera blu, Vol 10, N° 11 (2014): Against gender-based violence: from Italian debate to intercultural dialogue

Introduction In chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients few modalities of airway clearance have demonstrated effectiveness in reducing hypersecretion and bronchial obstruction. Positive expiratory pressure (PEP) is one of these. Objective Our goal was to compare the effectiveness of 2 devices Temporary PEP (T-PEP) and Oscillatory PEP (O-PEP) which use PEP applied at a low expiratory pressure of 1 cm H2O which creates oscillations that decrease bronchial obstruction in reducing COPD exacerbations and improving respiratory and health status assessment parameters. Each has different mechanism of action. Methods A 26 week randomized controlled study evaluated their efficacy in reducing exacerbations and improving health status assessment tests as well as respiratory function parameters in severe to very severe COPD patients. One hundred-twenty patients were enrolled: 40 patients received T-PEP therapy; 40 underwent treatment with O-PEP; 40 constituted the control group. The primary outcome was the reduction of exacerbations after 1, 3 and 6 months; secondary outcomes were improvement of lung function and health status assessment tests [Modified Medical Research Council (MMRC) scale, Breathlessness, Cough, and Sputum Scale (BCSS) scale, and COPD Assessment Test (CAT) score]. Results Only T-PEP statistically reduced the exacerbations after 1 and 3 months compared to the control group. Both the 2 devices improved dyspnea scale (MMRC), lung function parameters, and health status assessment (CAT) tests compared to the control group. Both interventions were well-tolerated by our patients. Conclusions O-PEP and T-PEP are useful for COPD treatment but only T-PEP reduces exacerbations. Adding tools for airway clearance to medical therapy can help the management of COPD.

This article describes the acceptance and taking-charge process of a historyof incest involving a father and his daughter. This case arrived through an adhoc telephone line set up by a territorial service aimed at listening, counselling,and treating problems and conflicts inherent in family life. The mothermade the first contact with this service, ten years after the event. The casestory is geared to outlining the development of the relational events withinthe parents‟ relationship and in relation to their daughter as well as the interactionswith the family service (CPF). The purpose is also to show the procedureof the intervention and taking-charge process carried out by the psychologistsof the service as well as the counter-transference feelings thathave accompanied the clinical intervention and the effects they have had onthe relationships between the individual members of the whole family., La camera blu, Vol 1, N° 10 (2014): Against gender-based violence: from Italian debate to intercultural dialogue

L’evidenziatore punta lo sguardo sul tema delle feriti silenti della maternità. Donne vittime, complici, artefici di sofferenza in una catena intergenerazionale della quale non risulta essere possibile arrestare la trasmissione. Un tema analizzato attraverso storie chiuse nei fascicoli di un tribunale per i minorenni italiano., La camera blu. Rivista di studi di genere, N° 14 (2016): Ferite

Motherhood’s cuts, wounded mothers,institutionally labelled ‘bad’ mothers. Silently wounded motherhood is the topic of this contribution. The protagonists are victim, complicit, hurtful women who are trapped by steadily unbroken intergenerational chains. The cases have been sources from filed stories stored in an Italian juvenile court.

L’essai de Luciano Ferrari Bravo analyse les différences entre la notion de travail chez Marx et Hannah Arendt et reprend l’analyse des enjeux politiques associés au « travail vivant » et des formes étatiques de son gouvernement par le capital.

The carved and gilded wood lantern (Museum No. 7225–1860) was recognized as an extraordinary object even before its acquisition in 1860 from Jules Soulages of Toulouse, but its early history and function are uncertain. Based on the first detailed analysis of the lantern's structure, which show that it was made to be supported from below, the article explores the likely design sources used, and proposes that that it was made, probably c.1580–1620, for a Venetian galley, rather than for a domestic setting or land-based ceremonial use. The ownership of naval lanterns, their design and their use as symbols of authority and in signalling is reviewed. Some – albeit inconclusive – evidence supports the tradition that the lantern came from Palazzo Gradenigo.

Protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) in hospitalized patients is associated with poor outcomes. Prealbumin (PAB) has been shown to be a potentially useful tool in PEM assessment. PAB plasma concentrations are closely related to nutritional state and nutritional intervention. However, PAB is also inversely correlated to C-reactive protein (CRP), making difficult the interpretation of PAB changes during tratment of severely ill patients with inflammation and/or infection. Methods: To assess the confounding role of CRP we investigated the role of two seriate measures of PAB and CRP in monitoring the response to nutritional intervention in 83 hospitalized patients enrolled in a nutritional care program (group 1). Data were also collected from 60 patients with low PAB not enrolled in any nutritional program (group 2). Results: When nutritional needs were not satisfied (nutritional intake/needs ratio

To examine whether the fatigue accumulated during match play or determined by short bouts of high-intensity intermittent activities affect short-passing ability in junior soccer players. A further aim was to examine the influence of physical fitness as measured using the Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test (YYIRT) on the changes in short-passing ability after a 5-min simulation of high-intensity activities (HIS).Sixteen players (mean +/- SD: age 17.6 +/- 0.5 yr, height 174 +/- 7 cm, body mass 68 +/- 6 kg) participated in the study. A quasi-experimental control-period design was used for the study. Short-passing ability was measured using the Loughborough Soccer Passing Test (LSPT). Players completed the LSPT in two sessions during the 1-wk control period, followed by two unofficial matches during which the LSPT was performed during and after the first and the second halves of the game. Furthermore, the change in LSPT performance was determined after 5 min of HIS.A decline in LSPT performance was found during and after the game (P0.01). The accuracy of the LSPT decreased after the HIS. A significant correlation was found between the YYIRT scores and the decline in LSPT performance (accuracy, total time, total time with penalties) after HIS (r = -0.51 to -0.65; P0.05).This study showed that the fatigue developed during a match and after relatively short bouts of high-intensity intermittent activities has a detrimental effect on short-passing ability, and that the fatigue-related decline in technical proficiency for a given intensity is associated with the fitness level of the players.

Three studies involving 108 football players were conducted to examine the reliability of a repeated-shuttle-sprint ability (RSSA) test and its ability to differentiate between players of various competitive levels and playing positions. Study 1: Short-term reliability was determined in 22 professional players completing the RSSA test (6 x 40-m sprints with 20 s of recovery between sprints) on two separate occasions. Study 2: Long-term reliability (seasonal changes) was examined in 31 professional players completing the RSSA test four times (during the preseason period, at the start, middle and end of the competitive season). Study 3: 108 players were divided and compared according to competitive level or playing position. Standard error of measurement values expressed as coefficient of variation for RSSA mean time and best time were 0.8 and 1.3 % (short-term reliability) and 0.9 and 1.2 % (long-term reliability), respectively. The smallest worthwhile changes were 0.5 % for both mean and best time. Professional players showed better RSSA performance than amateur players, and defenders displayed the lowest RSSA performance. In conclusion, the RSSA test showed adequate construct validity but only RSSA mean time showed sufficient reliability to detect large training-induced changes but not small important differences.

L’intention de l’auteur est d’insister sur certaines des thematiquesprincipales de la tradition linguistique russe en soulignant les analogies surprenantes avec les aspects principaux de la philosophie du langage de W. von Humboldt. De maniere generale, l’influence (tant directe qu’indirecte) de W. von Humboldt est a envisager dans le contexte plus large d’une similarite indeniable entre les pensees russes et allemandes. L’aspect principal de cette consonnance theorique est le concept de langue comme entite depositaire de l’identite nationale. Un survol rapide, depuis Potebnja jusqu’a Florenskij, est centre sur les elements les plus importants des theories des linguistes russes (i.e. le rapport entre langage et mentalite, entre langage et culture, le concept de forme, le « mot » concu comme « energie », la nature antinomique du langage, etc.) avec l’intention de souligner specifiquement le parallelisme conceptuel le plus important : une meme orientation et un meme lexique. L’auteur entend demontrer comment la Weltanschauung et la miroponimanie peuvent etre reconstruites a travers l’element linguistique concu, dans les deux cultures, comme primaire et indispensable.

This article presents a competitive assessment of the global market for the provision of universal Internet connectivity (backbone market). We discuss the approach followed by the European Commission in two important merger cases. The main argument is for a restless evolution of the structure of the market, whereby a highly concentrated US-centric industry, with a strict vertical hierarchy between Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and a neat separation between first-level ISPs and the rest of the market, is going to be superseded by a more horizontal-shaped configuration. It is argued that as the landscape of the industry is subject to continuous change, the approach followed by the European Commission in assessing the competitive forces that drive the industry is likely to be no longer appropriate. New behavioural strategies, such as differentiation through the introduction of new enhanced Internet services based on the concept of Quality of Service and, related to that, new competitive threats seem to characterise the foreseeable future of the Internet. We then investigate the competitive concerns that might emerge in the new environment.