In modern society, chronic insufficient sleep (defined as gaining less sleep than required) has become epidemic among adolescents worldwide and is as a serious health risk. Insufficient sleep is associated with higher risk of developing neuropsychiatric and behavioral disorders, such as anxiety and depression, that are the primary drivers of disability worldwide.

Evidence exists that neuroinflammation plays a crucial role in the development and progession of many chronic neurologic diseases, Alzheimer's (AD), Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), and Parkinson's (PD). Although microglial cells are generally considered as the main resident immune cells of the brain, it is important to underline that astrocytes are immunocompetent as well, and they act as important regulators of CNS inflammation.

The main objective of this project is to provide a deeper knowledge about aspects still scarcely investigated about cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) treatment of food products to fill the gaps identified in the literature, promoting the application of this emerging novel technology. Five different categories of food products (minimally process fruit and vegetables -MPFV, semidried fruit -SDF, dry fruit -DF, fish products -FP and molluscs -M) were chosen on the basis of their different characteristics and issues related to safety and stability.

Glioblastoma (GBM) is an aggressive and immunosuppressed brain tumor with few therapeutic options. The development of novel therapies requires a better understanding of the bi-directional communication between the tumor and the surrounding brain parenchyma.

The present proposal stems from the observation that a number of molecules involved in NAD metabolism (enzymes, precursors and NAD itself; that we herein refer to as the NADome) are parodoxically also found extracellularly. Importantly, the proposers have developed a monoclonal antibody targeting one of these extracellular enzymes, nicotinamide phosphoribosyl transferase (NAMPT), and have found it to significantly reduce the symptoms/damage in two separate murine models of inflammatory bowel disease.

Adequate social stimuli, especially during childhood, are critical for future wellbeing and for the development of appropriate social and cognitive skills. Conversely, adverse social experiences in the early stages of postnatal life are associated with altered neuronal development, leading to cognitive, emotional and social impairment, greater susceptibility to the onset of psychiatric illness, such as drug addiction and eating disorders.

The main objective of the project, carried out in collaboration with institutions located in PRC and Spain, is to study the anti-obesity activity of Panax ginseng roots coming from Jilin province by testing the Ginseng Extracts (GEs) (phytocomplex), Ginseng isolated molecules (GIMs), new Ginsenosides derivatives (GDs) by in vitro and in vivo experiments.

Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder worldwide and represents an important health concern in ageing societies. State-of-the-art treatments have mere symptomatic action and severe long-term side effects, strongly urging the quest for the development of neuroprotective therapies. Growing evidence indicates that neuroinflammation, mediated by microglia and astroglia, plays a crucial role in PD.

Glioblastomas (GBM) are the most common malignant brain tumors and are characterized by an aggressive invasive behavior associated with high drug resistance. Temozolomide is the only chemotherapeutic showing positive outcomes, but its efficacy is transient and occurs in a subgroup of patients. Thus, the clinical need is to
develop new specific anticancer agents targeting regulatory pathways outside the traditional chemotherapies.

Studio dell’azione insetticida e repellente dei derivati della canapa al fine di ridurre l'uso di pesticidi sintetici, con effetti benefici sulla salute umana e sull'ambiente, attraverso un progetto di ricerca finanziato dalla Regione Marche nell’ambito del PSR 2014/2020 e un progetto di ricerca finanziato dall’Ateneo Tale effetto è risultato simile a quella di altri insetticidi di origine sintetica utilizzati negli allevamenti intensivi di polli per uccidere i parassiti e che hanno destato preoccupazione per via della sua tossicità per la salu