Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder whose etiology is still unclear in spite of extensive investigations. It has been hypothesized that 5-S-cysteinyldopamine (CysDA), a catechol-thioether metabolite of dopamine (DA), could be an endogenous parkinsonian neurotoxin. To gain further insight into its role in the neurodegenerative process, both CD1 mice and SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells were treated with CysDA, and the data were compared with those obtained by the use of 6-hydroxydopamine, a well-known parkinsonian mimetic. Intrastriatal injection of CysDA in CD1 mice caused a long-lasting depletion of DA, providing evidence of in vivo neurotoxicity of CysDA. Both in mice and in SH-SY5Y cells, CysDA treatment induced extensive oxidative stress, as evidenced by protein carbonylation and glutathione depletion, and affected the expression of two proteins, α-synuclein (α-Syn) and ERp57, whose levels are modulated by oxidative insult. Real-time PCR experiments support these findings, indicating an upregulation of both ERp57 and α-Syn expression. α-Syn aggregation was also found to be modulated by CysDA treatment. The present work provides a solid background sustaining the hypothesis that CysDA is involved in parkinsonian neurodegeneration by inducing extensive oxidative stress and protein aggregation.

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The energy requalification of the existing building heritage is one of the pillars European Union energy policy. A large part of the building heritage was built without taking into consideration the problem of energy consumption. With the aim of energy efficiency and energy savings in electrical uses, there are wide and diversified possibilities for improvement, including interventions on the building envelope and on the systems, with the introduction, where possible, of renewable energy sources. In this context, the redevelopment of historic buildings constitutes an important challenge, which involves both historical-artistic aspects and technological aspects relating to the improvement of energy efficiency and comfort. A critical analysis of every possibility is essential to preserve the balance between efficiency and architecture. The purpose of the study is the energy retrofitting of the Institute of General Physiology located within the “Sapienza” University campus. The proposed interventions include the renovation of the whole building envelope, investigated by thermographic surveys, and the installation of new heating and cooling systems. The results were analysed to identify the best intervention for a sustainable energy renovation of the historic building, taking into account the preservation of its architectural values and making it suitable for modern use.

Among the adaptation measures against the climate change, energy saving in buildings is a crucial point. Detailed analysis to keep the operation of the building as well as its architectural features when listed is required. A school is selected as case study for its age of construction and potential of replicability due to its similarities for many other schools which make it an archetype. Building envelope and energy systems are the area of intervention supported by an experimental campaign to assess the status quo. Furthermore, the design complies with minimum environmental requirements by current regulation for public buildings. For the new proposed design, the target of high-efficient building is reachable even for so constrained existing building.

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