Air pollution is a major cardiovascular risk factor, with particulate matter (PM) posing significant threats. The Po Valley remains among Europe’s most polluted areas. While PM₂.₅ is linked to cardiac dysfunction, its effects during pregnancy—especially under hypertensive conditions—are poorly defined. We investigated how prolonged PM exposure from Milan’s urban area affects cardiac electromechanical function in pregnant normo...

The knowledge of the life history traits of cetaceans, especially in the case of species that are difficult to observe in the wild, often benefits from the study of stranded individuals. The dwarf sperm whale (Kogia sima) is a vagrant cetacean species in the Mediterranean Sea, which is rarely sighted in water and occasionally is found stranded along the Italian coasts. In this work, we investigated the genetics, age, and repro...

The increasing life expectancy leads to more older adults suffering from infectious diseases. Vaccines are available against diverse infections such as influenza, pneumococcal disease, herpes zoster and tetanus. However, vaccine acceptance is crucial for optimal preventive effect. The objective of the study is to perform a cross-country analysis of the perceptions and decision-making behaviour of older adults regarding vaccina...

The primary cilium is a non-motile sensory organelle that extends from the surface of most vertebrate cells and transduces signals regulating proliferation, differentiation, and migration. Primary cilia dysfunctions have been observed in cancer and in a group of heterogeneous disorders called ciliopathies, characterized by renal and liver cysts, skeleton and limb abnormalities, retinal degeneration, intellectual disability, at...