The Italian Society of Physiology (SIF)

YRP 2024

17th Annual Meeting

of Young Researchers in Physiology

May 22, 23, 24

Welcome Message

The 17th Annual Meeting of Young Researchers in Physiology (YRP2024) will take place on May 22-24, 2024, at the Museo Diocesano in Catania.

The expression that summarizes the essence of this meeting is “Be inspired: share science”. The event will be dedicated to the passion for scientific research with the aim of inspiring young researchers to continue their journey with enthusiasm and determination.

By participating in the YRP2024 Meeting, you will have the chance to enhance your knowledge, gain a broader perspective on specific research topics as well as a variety of scientific themes, meet other young researchers to share experiences, exchange ideas, and establish new collaborations.

During the YRP2024, you will have the opportunity to present and discuss your research findings through oral presentations or posters. The oral sessions will be chaired by selected participants chosen by the SIF Executive Committee. The best presentations will be awarded free registration to the 74th Congress of the Italian Society of Physiology.

Traditionally, YRP2024 will also feature keynote lectures and seminars on topics not commonly covered in other conferences, which can be beneficial for your future career in Physiology. All scientific activities will be conducted in English.

Deadlines

Program

Wednesday, May 22

2:00 PM - Registration

2:45 PM - Opening remarks

3:00 PM - Marcella Motta keynote lecture

“Memory's conundrum: beta-amyloid intricate role at the synapse”

Prof. Daniela Puzzo, University of Catania

4:00 PM - Oral session I – Neurophysiology and Cell Physiology

Chairs: Benedetta Balbo and Chiara D’Agostino

• “LRRK2 modulation can serve as a possible control of excitotoxicity” - Chiara D’Agostino, University of Insubria
• “Betaine’s role as a slow substrate for GAT1 facilitates the modulation of extracellular GABA” - Manan Bhatt, University of Insubria
• “Mechanisms of glia pathology in neurodegeneration: the role of ATP13A2” - Benedetta Balbo, University of Padua
• “Interaction between purine metabolism and mitochondria is involved in glioma therapy resistance” - Simona D’Aprile, University of Catania
• “Exposure to environmental contaminant on neuronal and immune responses: implications for human health” - Francesco Molinari, University of Messina
• “Brain and vinclozolin exposure: mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress” - Ylenia Marino, University of Messina
• “Sigma-1 receptor targeting reduces central gliosis and disrupts Cx43-based intercellular communication in neuropathic pain” - Simona Denaro, University of Catania
• “Characterization and innovative treatments for obstructive sleep apneas in murine models” - Elena Miglioranza, University of Bologna
  

5:30 PM - Coffee break

6:00 PM - Poster session I

7:30 PM - Welcome cocktail

Thursday, May 23

9:00 AM - Keynote lecture

“Journey to the Center of the Science”

Prof. Fiorenzo Conti, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona

10:00 AM - Oral session II – Nutrition and Systems Physiology

Chairs: Annunziata Gaetana Cicatiello and Ilaria Di Gregorio

• “The histone methyltransferase SMYD1 is induced by thermogenic stimuli in adipose tissue” - Annunziata Gaetana Cicatiello, University of Naples Federico II
• “Mild caloric restriction applied for two weeks affects the functionality of brown adipose tissue in rat” - Giuliana Panico, University of Naples Federico II
• “Renal protective effects of a Mediterranean Diet cocktail under conditions of type-2 diabetes and obesity: a study on db/db mice” - Giovanna Mercurio, University of Sannio
• “Neuroprotective effects of Kumquat consumption in diet-induced obese mice” - Marta Giardina, University of Palermo
• “High monomeric polyphenols berries extract (HMPBE) dietary supplementation on acute and chronic secondary brain damage: modulation of nfkb/nrf2/bax pathways” - Gianluca Franco, University of Messina
• “Therapeutic Effect of an Ursolic Acid-Based Nutraceutical on Neuronal Regeneration after Sciatic Nerve Injury” - Lucia Acampora, University of Naples Federico II
• “Nutraceutical support on behavioral and neurochemical changes in a fibromyalgia-like model in rats” - Francesca Inferrera, University of Messina
• “Omega-3 PUFAs protective effects on mitochondrial dynamics maintenance and cell viability in liver rat tissue and Hepg2 cells” - Ilaria Di Gregorio, University of Salerno

11:30 AM - Coffee break

12:00 PM - Oral session III – Neurophysiology

Chairs: Laura Bellingacci and Nicla Tranchida

• “Glycine modulates medium spiny neurons excitability in the nucleus accumbens through GPR158 activation” - Giuseppe Aceto, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome
• “Coincidence detection between apical and basal dendrites drives STDP in cerebellar Golgi cells” - Eleonora Pali, University of Pavia
• “Altered excitatory/inhibitory balance in the prefrontal cortex of the IB2 KO mouse model of autism: from neuronal excitability to cerebellar modulation in vivo” - Danila Di Domenico, University of Pavia
• “Role of neuroinflammation in autism spectrum disorder and the emerging function of TLR-4/MYD88/nf-kb signaling cascade” - Nicla Tranchida, University of Messina
• “Oligomeric alpha-synuclein causes early striatal synaptic dysfunction associated with non-motor symptoms” - Laura Bellingacci, University of Perugia
• “Synaptotoxic action of extracellular tau oligomers relies on their AICD-dependent, GPC4-mediated accumulation in astrocytes” - Laura Sposito, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome
• “Dopamine D3 receptor blockade enhances hippocampal synaptic function via post-synaptic mechanisms and rescues age-related cognitive deficits” - Valeria Vacanti, University of Catania
• “Role of interleukin-1β in short- vs long-term effects of herpes simplex virus type-1 infection in C57BL/6 mice” - Bruno Bandiera, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome
  

1:30 PM - Lunch and Poster Session II

3:30 PM - Oral session IV – Metabolism and Cell Physiology

Chairs: Gaia Giurato and Giulia De Negri Atanasio

• “The role of thyroid hormone system in the retinal cell resilience to metabolic stress” - Rosario Amato, University of Pisa
• “The metabolic relevance of Thyroid Hormone D2-generated in muscle cells” - Caterina Miro, University of Naples Federico II
• “Exploring the impact of muscle oxidative stress on insulin resistance in hyperthyroidism” - Gianluca Fasciolo, University of Naples Federico II
• “Intracellular lipids accumulation in three-dimensional osteoblast spheroid models: physiological implications in bone formation” - Maria Giovanna Rizzo, University of Messina
• “Evaluation of physiological repeated exposure of aluminum in a 3D intestinal tissue model” - Giulia De Negri Atanasio, University of Genoa
• “SARS-CoV-2 ORF3a protein is a water permeable channel” - Maria Vittoria Leonardi, University of Perugia
• “Restoring the electrical profile in ischemic SHSY5Y neurons with fetal human neural stem” - Roberta De Zio, University of Bari
• “Mitochondrial influence on performance fatigability: considering sex variability” - Gaia Giuriato, University of Verona
  

5:00 PM - Coffee break

5:30 PM - Oral session V – Cell Physiology

Chairs: Francesca Bianco and Valentina Brunetti

• “Molecular mechanism of Br-SQ-C4 phototoxicity: the role of Ca2+ and ROS interplay” - Francesca Bianco, University of Turin
• “Investigations on isothiazolinone biocides: new enemies for cellular homeostasis” - Marika Cordaro, University of Messina
• “Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma progression: a complex crosstalk between tumor microenvironmental stiffness and mechanosensitive Ca2+ channels” - Chiara Vaghi, University of Turin
• “Physiological adaptation induced by the environmental pollutant dichlorodipheniletylhene (DDE) in rat liver and in hepatic cell lines: focus on the role of oxidative stress in mitochondrial (dis)function and endoplasmic reticulum stress” - Vincenzo Migliaccio, University of Salerno
• “Impact of CB1 Receptor Deficiency on Mitochondrial Quality Control Pathways in Gastrocnemius Muscle” - Giuseppe Petito, University of University of Campania “L. Vanvitelli”
• “Lysosomal TRPML1 triggers global Ca2+ signals in the human cerebrovascular endothelial cell line hCMEC/D3” - Valentina Brunetti, University of Pavia
• “Astrocyte-derived small extracellular vesicles hinder glioblastoma malignancy” - Angela Di Battista, University of Perugia
• “Impairment of mitochondrial function in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) associated with TDP-43 p.G376D mutation” - Arianna Cuomo, University of Campania “L. Vanvitelli”
  

7:00 PM - Free interaction time

8:30 PM - Social Dinner at “La Trattoria del Cavaliere”

Friday, May 24

9:00 AM - Oral session VI – Neurophysiology and Motor System

Chairs: Lala Chaimae Naciri and Susanna Lopez

• “Effects of the FINmaj mutation in titin on the performance of the soleus muscle investigated in a mouse model” - Giulia Sautariello, University of Florence
• “Size and site matter: preliminary observations on the influence of corpus callosum subregional lesions on cross-education magnitude” - Marco Morrone, University of Sassari
• “A specific matrisome composition drives a regeneration program in peripheral nerve repair” - Marina Damato, University of Salento
• “How sensory afferents changes can influence face and masticatory primary motor cortex excitability and face expressions recognition?” - Mohammed Zeroual, University of Sassari
• “Artificial intelligence in physiology and diseases of taste” - Lala Chaimae Naciri, University of Cagliari
• “Default mode network and posterior resting-state electroencephalographic alpha rhythms in Alzheimer’s disease patients” - Susanna Lopez, Sapienza University of Rome
  

10:30 AM - Question time

“Pioneering your Research path: insights for Junior scientists”

Prof. Claudio Grassi, Università Cattolica S. Cuore, Roma

11:15 AM - Granita break

12:30 PM - Awards and closing ceremony

Poster Session

Wednesday, May 22

POSTER SESSION I - Time: 6.00 PM

# 1 “Assessment of an RPE in vitro model to evaluate L-DOPA signalling in the context of Age- Related Macular Degeneration” - Giulia Carozza, University of L’Aquila

# 2 “Influence of reward expectancy on neural organization during motor decision making in dorsal premotor cortex” - Valentina Giuffrida, Sapienza University of Rome

# 3 “The retina as a window to the brain: morpho-functional alterations in the retina of a mouse model of AD” - Lorenzo Guidotti, University of Pisa

# 4 “Cerebellar climbing fibers repress spinogenesis locally on innervated dendritic branches in an activity-dependent manner” - Alessandra La Terra, University of Genoa

# 5 "The physiological role of LRRK2 in regulating PAK6-mediated neuronal autophagy" - Elena Dall’Ara, University of Padua

# 6 “Modeling of second-generation antipsycotic-induced metabolic alterations in the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster” - Simona Del Quondam, University of Tuscia

# 7 “Passive and active mechanical properties of titin studied in fast and slow skinned muscle fibres of rabbit upon inhibition of myosin motors” - Mariano Balzano, University of Firenze

# 8 “A potential benefits of a free fatty acid receptor agonist in Drosophila melanogaster models of dysfunctional metabolism” - Kashi Brunetti, University of Tuscia

# 9 “Neuromuscular effects of oxygen administration in patients with COPD” - Alessandro Cavicchia, University of Verona

# 10 “NOD-1 activation increases the spontaneous activity and the I(f) current of murine sinoatrial node cells and alters their response to sympathetic stimulation” - Serena Canzolino, University of Milano

# 11 “Pancreatic β-cells and mechanotrasduction: new insights into the role of nanotopographical cues in the regulation of β-cell clustering, Ca2+ dynamics and secretory activity” - Alessandra Galli, University of Milano

# 12 “Physiological responses of Mytilus galloprovincialis to polyethylene glycol exposure from personal care products” - Federica Impellitteri, University of Messina

Thursday, May 23

POSTER SESSION II - Time: 1.30 PM

# 1 “Effects of early life stress on the developing cerebellum” - Silvia Pascarella, University of Naples Federico II

# 2 “Palmitic acid has antioxidant effects and induces nuclear translocation of Nrf-2 in oligodendrocyte-like MO3-13 cells” - Luca Pipicelli, University of Naples Federico II

# 3 “The lack of α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors cause a dysregulation of glutamate reuptake underlying memory loss” - Roberta Carmela Trovato, University of Catania

# 4 “The interplay of stress and hyperglycemia: implications for brain health” - Adriana Petito, University of Naples Federico II

# 5 “Plasma nitrates are increased by a single high nitrates’ beetroot juice shot, supporting amelioration in endothelial function in individuals with MCI” - Anna Pedrinolla, University of Trento

# 6 “Cytoplasmic distribution and possible roles of plectin isoform P1c in cultured mice astrocytes” - Tevž Levstek, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia

# 7 “Evaluation of the ability of novel read-through compounds to rescue skeletal and smooth muscle function in mouse model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy” - Fazal Subhan, University of Palermo

# 8 “3,5-Diiodo-L-thyronine (T2) and 3, 3’, 5-triiodothyronine (T3) modulate selective autophagy in a mouse model of NAFLD” - Nicla Scopigno, University of Sannio

# 9 “3,5-Diodo-L-thyronine (3,5-T2) reverts damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) inflammation under with hypothyroid condition” - Michela Vigliotti, University of Sannio

# 10 “Effects of melatonin on neural differentiation of human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells” - Ivana Roberta Romano, University of Catania

# 11 “Pitx2c involvement in atrial fibrillation: from mitochondria to membrane excitability alteration” - Vera Popolizio, University of Milan Bicocca

Venue and Accomodation

The Congress will be held at

Museo Diocesano

Via Etnea, 8

95124 Catania, Italy

How to reach Museo Diocesano

You can reach Catania by plane, train, or bus. Catania's international airport, Fontanarossa Airport, is approximately 5 km from the city center. To reach the Museo Diocesano from the airport, you can take the Alibus (departing every 25 minutes, cost 4€), the city bus, or a taxi (in this case, we recommend inquiring about the fare in advance). The central train station (Giovanni XXIII) is 1.5 km from the Museo Diocesano. You can walk there, or take a city bus or the metro (1 stop to Stesicoro).

Accommodation

The Organizing Committee will not take care of accommodation. Participants are highly recommended to make their own hotel bookings as soon as possible. May is very high season in Catania and last-minute reservations may be very expensive.

Here is a list of B&B

close to Museo Diocesano

You can also book in a different part of the city, better if close to the Subway.  Mappa della metro

Sponsor

CongressoTOP - Event Site