One of the key features of cancer cells is the ability to escape programmed cell death (apoptosis). As a mechanism of apoptosis inactivation in cancer cells, somatic mutations of pro-apoptotic genes have been reported in many cancers. Caspase 10 is an initiator caspase whose physiological function remains poorly understood. Also the ability of caspase 10 to substitute for caspase 8 in the death receptors apoptotic pathway is still controversial. However, the fact that some of the mutations found in CASP10 gene was associated with apoptosis defects (79, 81) suggest that caspase 10 could be also important in apoptosis initiation. In our lab, there was found a heterozygous mutation in CASP10 gene of Jurkat (human T-acute lymphoblastic leukemia) clone resistant to TRAIL (J-TR1). This mutation influence the amino acid composition close to the active site of the enzyme. The aim of this thesis was to confirm the mutation by ARMS-PCR and to determine if an overexpression of normal (unmutated) or mutated caspase 10 D in TRAIL sensitive and/or TRAIL resistant Jurkat cells (J-WT and/or J-TR1) will influence TRAIL induced apoptosis. Mutation was confirmed. We created J-WT and J-TR1 stable clones transfected by vector with unmutated or mutated CASP10 D (CASP10 D WT or CASP10 D MUT). CASP10 D MUT overexpression in J-WT...

Mutations in OPA1 gene have been identified in the majority of patients with Dominant Optic Atrophy (DOA), a blinding disease, and the syndromic form DOA-plus. OPA1 protein is a mitochondrial GTPase involved in various mitochondrial functions, present in humans in eight isoforms, resulting from alternative splicing and proteolytic processing. In this study we have investigated the specific role of each isoform through expression in OPA-/- MEFs, by evaluating their ability to improve the defective mitochondrial phenotypes. All isoforms were able to rescue the energetic efficiency, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) content and cristae integrity, but only the presence of both long and short forms could recover the mitochondrial morphology. In order to identify the OPA1 protein domains crucial for its functions, we selected and modified the isoform 1, shown to be one of the most efficient in preserving mitochondrial phenotype, to express three specific OPA1 variants, namely: one with a different N-terminus portion, one unable to generate short form owing to deletion of S1 cleavage site and one with a defective GTPase domain. We demonstrated that the simultaneous presence of the N- and C-terminus of OPA1 was essential for the mtDNA maintenance; a cleavable isoform generating s-forms was necessary to completely rescue the energetic competence and the presence of the C-terminus was sufficient to partially recover the cristae ultrastructure. Lastly, several pathogenic OPA1 mutations were inserted in MEF clones and the biochemical features investigated, to correlate the defective phenotypes with the clinical severity of patients. Our results clearly indicate that this cell model reflects very well the clinical characteristics of the patients, and therefore can be proposed as an useful tool to shed light on the pathomechanism underlying DOA.

En este estudio se analizó la Administración Pública que tiene el encargo de la tutela y revalorización del Patrimonio Cultural, en una perspectiva comparativa entre los dos países. La investigación se dividió en dos partes. Una primera en la que se analizan las soluciones legales adoptadas por los diversos regímenes durante los siglos. Se busca analizar la respuesta legal dada históricamente a los problemática social de la conservación del Patrimonio Cultural y entender las políticas que la Administración había adoptado finalmente. Este histórico viaje terminará con la legislación vigente, y con el análisis de la Legislación inminentemente anterior, que ha sentado las bases de la actual estructura de la Administración Pública, que ejercerá las competencias relativas a la protección del patrimonio cultural. El estudio continúa con una segunda parte en la que, con dos capítulos, se procede a examinar la legislación que regula la organización de la Administración Pública tanto de Italia como de España. En cada uno de los países se analizan todos los niveles territoriales, así como los organismos o instituciones autónomas creadas dentro de los Organismos Públicos de cada Estado. El tercer capítulo supone una comparación y una crítica de ambas organizaciones. Ambas estructuras en ocasiones han surgido a partir de un punto en común, incluso, a pesar de haber tenido evoluciones distintas de conformidad a la especificidad del país, todavía presentan similitudes. Por otra parte, ambos países se han visto perjudicadas recientemente por las políticas relacionadas con los recortes en el gasto público, lo que llevó a la reducción de la Administración Pública, aunque no de un modo tan satisfactorio, como esperábamos. El estudio finaliza con las conclusiones obtenidas tras el análisis concienzudo de ambas administraciones. / In this study we analyzed the Public Administration in its function of protection and enhancement of Cultural Heritage, in a comparative perspective between the two countries. The research was divided into two parts. A first in which analyzes the legal solutions prepared by the various regimes during the centuries. In fact, it is only seeking the answers proposed legal historically the social problem that we can understand the policies that the Administration would have to introduce the subject.        This historic journey will end with the legislation in force, and with the analysis of the previous legislation, which has represented the conditions of the current structure of the Public Administration, which will exercise the powers relating to the Protection of Cultural Heritage. The study continues with a second part in which, with two chapters, we proceed to examine the legislation regulating the organization of the Public Administration of both states. In each of the countries we analyze all territorial levels, as well as the bodies or autonomous institutions created within the Public Bodies of each State. The third chapter supposes comparison and criticism of both organizations. Both structures have arisen from a common point, even if they have had a different development linked to the specificity of the country. Moreover, both countries have seen recently damaged by the policies related to the cuts in public spending, which led to the reduction of the government, though not satisfactory, as we expected. The study ends with the conclusions drawn at the end the search. / In questo studio si è analizzata l’Amministrazione Pubblica nella sua funzione di tutela e valorizzazione dei Beni Culturali, in un’ottica comparata tra i due Paesi. La ricerca è stata suddivisa in due parti. Una prima in cui vengono analizzate le soluzioni giuridiche approntate dai vari regimi durante il trascorrere dei secoli. Infatti, è solo cercando le risposte giuridiche proposte storicamente alla problematica sociale che possiamo comprendere le politiche che l’Amministrazione avrebbe dovuto introdurre in materia. Questo percorso storico si esaurisce nella normativa in vigore, e con l’analisi dei precedenti normativi che hanno rappresentato i presupposti dell’attuale struttura della Pubblica Amministrazione, che dovrà esercitare le competenze relative alla Tutela del Patrimonio Culturale. Lo studio prosegue con una seconda Parte nella quale, con due capitoli, si procede ad esaminare la normativa regolamentare dell’organizzazione della Pubblica Amministrazione di entrambi gli Stati. In ciascuna delle Nazioni si analizzano tutti i livelli territoriali, così come anche gli organismi o le istituzioni autonome create all’interno degli Organi Pubblici di ogni Stato. Il terzo capitolo suppone la comparazione e la critica di entrambe le organizzazioni. Entrambe le strutture sono nate da un punto comune, anche se hanno avuto uno sviluppo diverso legato alla specificità del paese. Inoltre, entrambi i paesi si sono visti recentemente danneggiati dalle politiche relative ai tagli della spesa pubblica, che hanno portato alla riduzione delle amministrazioni, anche se non in modo soddisfacente, come si ci aspettava. Lo studio termina con le conclusioni tratte al finire la ricerca.

La ricerca è volta a presentare un nuovo approccio integrato, a supporto di operatori e progettisti, per la gestione dell’intero processo progettuale di interventi di riqualificazione energetica e architettonica del patrimonio edilizio recente, mediante l’impiego di soluzioni tecnologiche innovative di involucro edilizio. Lo studio richiede necessariamente l’acquisizione di un repertorio selezionato di sistemi costruttivi di involucro, come base di partenza per l’elaborazione di soluzioni progettuali di recupero delle scuole appartenenti al secondo dopoguerra, in conglomerato cementizio armato, prevalentemente prefabbricate. Il progetto individua procedimenti costruttivi ecocompatibili per la progettazione di componenti prefabbricati di involucro “attivo”, adattabile ed efficiente, da assemblare a secco, nel rispetto dei requisiti prestazionali richiesti dalle attuali normative. La ricerca è finalizzata alla gestione dell’intero processo, supportato da sistemi di rilevazione geometrica, collegati a software di programmazione parametrica per la modellazione di superfici adattabili alla morfologia dei fabbricati oggetto di intervento. Tali strumenti informatizzati CAD-CAM sono connessi a macchine a controllo numerico CNC per la produzione industrializzata degli elementi costruttivi “su misura”. A titolo esemplificativo dell’approccio innovativo proposto, si formulano due possibili soluzioni di involucro in linea con i paradigmi della ricerca, nel rispetto dei principi di sostenibilità, intesa come modularità, rapidità di posa, reversibilità, recupero e riciclo di materiali. In particolare, le soluzioni innovative sono accomunate dall’applicazione di una tecnica basata sull’assemblaggio di elementi prefabbricati, dall’adozione di una trama esagonale per la tassellazione della nuova superficie di facciata, e dall’utilizzo del medesimo materiale termico isolante, plastico e inorganico, riciclato ed ecosostenibile, a basso impatto ambientale (AAM - Alkali Activated Materials). Le soluzioni progettuali proposte, sviluppate presso le due sedi coinvolte nella cotutela (Università di Bologna, Université Paris-Est) sono affrontate secondo un protocollo scientifico che prevede: progettazione del sistema costruttivo, analisi meccanica e termica, sperimentazione costruttiva, verifica delle tecniche di messa in opera e dei requisiti prestazionali. / The research is aimed at presenting a new integrated approach to aid operators and designers to manage the design process as a whole in refurbishment interventions of recent existing building stock, through the use of innovative technological envelope solutions. The study requires the acquisition of a selection of typological and constructive envelope solutions, as a starting point for the development of design solutions to be used for architectural renovation of schools built after the Second World War, in reinforced concrete and mostly prefabricated. The project identifies sustainable construction processes for the design of “active”, adaptive, efficient and dry assembled envelope components, in accordance with the performance requirements prescribed by current regulations. The purpose of the research is to manage the whole design process with the support of geometrical survey, connected to parametric programming software for modelling surfaces which can be adapted to the morphology of existing buildings. These computerized CAD-CAM tools are connected to CNC machines for “customized” industrialized production. To illustrate this innovative approach, two envelope solutions are proposed, according to the research paradigms and the principles of sustainability, meant as modularity, speed of setup, reversibility, recycling and reuse of materials with low environmental impact. In particular, the innovative solutions have in common the application of a technique based on the assembly of prefabricated components, the adoption of hexagonal patterns for the tessellation of the new surface of the façade, and the use of the same plastic and inorganic, recycled and sustainable, thermal insulation material (AAM-Alkali Activated Materials). The design solutions proposed are developed at the two sites involved in the joint supervision of PhD thesis (University of Bologna, University of Paris-East). They are tackled according to the same scientific protocol: design of building system, mechanical and thermal analysis, constructive experimentation, test of installation techniques and performance requirements. / Le projet de doctorat vise à présenter une nouvelle approche intégrée en support des opérateurs dans la gestion du processus de conception d’interventions de rénovation énergétique et architecturale du patrimoine bâti récent, grâce à l’emploie de solutions technologiques d’enveloppe innovantes. La recherche se fonde sur la collection d’un répertoire sélectionné des solutions architecturales et constructives d’enveloppe, nécessaire pour constituer une base valide sur laquelle étudier des solutions technologiques novatrices pour la réhabilitation énergétique des écoles dans l’après-guerre, en béton armé, généralement préfabriquées. Le projet identifie des processus constructifs écodurables pour la conception des composants de façade “active”, adaptable et efficace, à assembler à sec, en conformité avec les exigences de performance requises par la réglementation actuelle. La recherche est finalisée à la gestion de l’ensemble du processus, soutenu par des systèmes de relevé géométrique, connectés aux logiciels de programmation paramétrique pour la modélisation des surfaces capables de s’adapter aux différentes morphologies du patrimoine existant. Ces outils informatisés CAOFAO sont reliés aux machines à contrôle numérique CNC pour la fabrication des éléments de façade “sur mesure”. À démonstration de l’approche innovante proposée, deux possibles solutions d’enveloppe sont présentées, dans la ligne droit des principes de durabilité, comprise comme modularité, rapidité de mise en oeuvre, réversibilité, récupération et réutilise des matériaux. En particulier, les solutions innovantes sont réunies par l’application d’une technique basée sur l’assemblage d’éléments préfabriqués, l’adoption d’un pavage hexagonal pour le dessin de la nouvelle surface d’enveloppe, et l’utilisation du même matériau isolant thermique, plastique et inorganique, recyclé, écodurable, à faible impact environnemental (AAM - Alkali Activated Materials). Les solutions proposées, développées dans les sièges de cotutelle (Université de Bologne, Université Paris-Est) sont envisagées selon un protocole scientifique qui prévoit: conception du système constructif, analyse mécanique et thermique, expérimentation constructive, validation des techniques de mise en oeuvre et des performances.

Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a very aggressive tumor subtype characterized by the lack of expression of estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1), due in the most of cases to an increased expression of DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) and hypermethylation in CpG islands, resulting in gene silencing. Furthermore, in ESR1- negative breast cancers, androgen receptor (AR) is highly expressed and some studies suggest that it can drive tumor progression and might represent a therapeutic target. A correlation between microRNAs, small non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression, and DNMTs was investigated in a TNBC cell line to restore a normal methylation pattern of ESR1, leading to its re-expression and conferring again sensitivity to selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs). miR-148A and miR-29B were found to be involved in the reduction of the expression of DNMT1 and DNMT3A and in a slight increase of ESR1 expression, but not at protein level. Then, we found a down-regulation of AR by miRs-7, -9, -27a, -27b, -29a, -29b, -29c, -127-3p, -127-5p and -376 at 48h post transfection and an up-regulation by miR-15a and miR-16 at every time considered. We concomitantly investigated a possible increase of Tamoxifen, Herceptin and Metformin sensitivity after AR silencing in MDA-MB 453 and T-47D cell lines. Cells seemed more sensitive when silenced for AR only in MDA-MB-453 at 24h post Tamoxifen treatment. Studies on Metformin have basically confirmed an increase of drug sensitivity due to AR silencing in both cell lines. Analysis of Herceptin showed how MDA-MB 453 samples silenced for AR have a slight decrease in the percentage of proliferating cells, demonstrating a possible increase in the response to treatment. These preliminary data provide the basis for further study of the modulation of the expression of AR by microRNAs and it will be interesting to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying these interactions.

Il contributo analizza dal punto di vista del diritto e dell'etica il trattamento sanitario del malato psichiatrico. / The author deal with the treatment of psychiatric infirm.

An increasing number of scientific evidence supports the preventive value of dietary patterns that favor the consumption of plant food. Especially fruit, vegetables, grains and legumes; the correlation between the reduction of risk of chronic disease such as adherence to the Mediterranean diet is the most significant example. The central role of the endothelium in maintaining vascular homeostasis and the correlation between endothelial dysfunction and the development of cardiovascular diseases makes this tissue a primary target for dietary strategies aimed at cardiovascular diseases prevention. Research in the field of nutrition is therefore directed to the identification of food bioactive components with beneficial effects on the endothelium. This study first focused on the evaluation of the potential vascular protective effects of a wheat peptide belonging to the family of non-specific lipid transfer proteins type 2 (nsLTP2). nsLTP2, at physiological concentrations, showed antioxidant and cytoprotective effects in HUVECs undergoing oxidative/inflammatory stimulation and demonstrated modulatory capacity on the expression of adhesion molecules and heme oxygenase-1, both involved in endothelial inflammation. Polyphenols are widely studied antioxidant compounds and research supports the preventive/protective role of a polyphenol-rich diet. Despite experimental evidence of their positive influence on human health, to date there is no clear indication of the compunds responsible for this protective role. In fact, upon ingestion polyphenols are extensively metabolized and the molecule that will act at cellular level will more likely be a metabolite. For this reason the second part of the study focused on the protective effect of polyphenol metabolites belonging to two families: cinnamic acids and anthocyanins. Overall the tested compounds demonstrated antioxidant and cytoprotective activities at endothelial level in oxidative/inflammatory conditions, being also able to affect adhesion molecules expression. These observations may support and characterize biological activities of bioactive peptides and polyphenols metabolites beneficial to vascular health.

El objeto de esta tesis doctoral es el estudio comparado del régimen jurídico del intercambio de información entre Administraciones Públicas existente tanto en el ordenamiento italiano como en el español. Esta tesis se ha dividido en tres partes diferenciadas: la primera parte, que engloba el primer capítulo, que versa sobre el marco conceptual sobre el intercambio de información entre Administraciones Públicas. El objetivo de esta parte es situar al posible lector dentro del ámbito de estudio del presente trabajo: determinar el objeto de estudio de la tesis, delimitar y aclarar conceptos necesarios para la comparación. Se analizarán los presupuestos que justifican la transmisión de datos entre las Administraciones Públicas y las referencias, capitales y básicas, al ordenamiento europeo en cuyo seno se encuentra tanto el origen como muchas de las soluciones para la implantación de un sistema de intercambio de información entre Administraciones Públicas. En la segunda parte, que engloba los capítulos segundo y tercero, se realiza un estudio exhaustivo y separado de los ordenamientos italiano y español desde una triple perspectiva: derecho de los ciudadanos a no aportar datos y documentos que ya posean las Administraciones Públicas, la cooperación necesaria entre las diferentes Administraciones y el derecho a la protección de datos de carácter personal. En la tercera parte de este estudio, correspondiente al cuarto capítulo, se ha realizado una comparación entre ambos ordenamientos, con particular atención a los elementos comunes y, sobre todo, a aquellos diferentes sobre este triple perfil. Finalmente, considerando todos estos elementos, se ha realizado una propuesta de un modelo jurídico de intercambio de información entre Administraciones Públicas que haga posible el cumplimiento del derecho del ciudadano a no aportar documentación a través de normas jurídicas que tiendan a la cooperación administrativa con respeto al derecho a la protección de datos de carácter personal. / L’oggetto di questa tesi dottorale, è lo studio del regime giuridico, che riguarda lo scambio di informazione fra le amministrazioni pubbliche che si contempla sia nell’ordinamento italiano sia in quello spagnolo. Questa tesi è divisa in tre parti differenziate e quattro capitoli: la prima parte, che riguarda la cornice concettuale sullo scambio di informazione tra le pubbliche amministrazioni. L’obbiettivo di questa parte è collocare dentro l’ambito dello studio del presente elaborato il possibile lettore: determinare l’oggetto di studio della tesi, delimitare e chiarire concetti necessari per la comparazione. Verranno analizzati i presupposti che giustificano la trasmissione di dati tra le pubbliche amministrazioni ed i riferimenti, capitali e basici, all’ordinamento europeo nel quale seno si trova tanto l’origine come tante delle soluzioni per l’attivazione di un sistema di scambio di informazione tra le pubbliche amministrazioni. Nella seconda parte, che comprende i capitoli secondo e terzo, si realizza uno studio approfondito e separato degli ordinamenti italiano e spagnolo a partire d’un triplo profilo: diritto dei cittadini a non apportare documenti che sono già in mano delle pubbliche amministrazioni, la cooperazione necessaria tra le diverse amministrazioni ed il diritto alla protezione dei dati personali. Nella terza parte di questo elaborato, che corrisponde al quarto capitolo, si è realizzata una comparazione tra i due ordinamenti, con particolare attenzione agli elementi comuni e, soprattutto, agli elementi differenti di questo triplo profilo. Infine, considerando tutti gli elementi, è stata realizzata una proposta di un modello giuridico di scambio di informazione tra le pubbliche amministrazioni che renda possibile il compimento del diritto del cittadino a non apportare documentazione mediante norme giuridiche che riguardano la cooperazione amministrativa e che si adegui al rispetto del diritto alla protezione dei dati personale. / The purpose of this thesis is a comparative study on the legal system upon exchange of information between Spanish and Italian Public administrations. This thesis is divided in three main parts and four chapters. The first part, including chapter I, deals with the framework of the exchange of information between Spanish and Italian public administrations. The aim of this part is to place the reader within the scope of this paper: defining the subject matter of the thesis, describing and clarifying concepts needed for further comparison along this paper. We will also analyze the budgets used to justify the data transmission between public administrations and we will refer to European law where we found the origin as many of the solutions for the implementation of a proper system of exchanging information between public administrations. In the second part, which includes the second and third chapters, a comprehensive and separate study of the Italian and Spanish systems is achieved from three different perspectives: first, the right of citizens not to provide documents and data already held by public administrations; second, the necessary cooperation between the different administrations and the right to personal data protection. Finally, the third part of this study, includes the fourth chapter, makes a comparison between the Italian and Spanish systems, with special reference to the common and different elements. Hence, considering all these elements, this thesis contains a proposal of exchange information model between public administrations to render possible the fulfillment of citizens’ rights of not providing documentation through legal rules seeking to increase administrative cooperation and with respect of the right to personal data protection.

Cytochrome b is the only subunit of complex III (CIII) encoded by the mitochondrial DNA. Constituting the central core of the enzyme, the protein is essential for both assembly and catalytic activity of the complex. CIII can associate with complex I (CI) and complex IV to form supercomplexes (SCs). MTCYB mutations can affect CIII only or both CIII and CI, as a consequence of the importance of CIII on the stability of CI. Here, we have investigated the effects of two pathogenic mutations affecting MTCYB: the p.278Y>C missense mutation, causing the substitution of conserved Tyr278 close to the QO site, and the ΔI300-P305 microdeletion, producing the loss of six aminoacids in the sixth transmembrane helix, but leaving the remaining of the MTCYB in frame. We have demonstrated that both MTCYB mutations severely impaired the activity of CIII: the missense mutation produced an oxidative damage of CIII due to increased superoxide production, whereas in cells bearing the ΔI300-P305 microdeletion, CIII was not detected, with consequent derangement also of CI. The detailed analysis of SCs organization revealed in both cases a strong perturbation of the CIII2+IV SC, together with an attempt to preserve the respirasome. These results favor the hypothesis that SCs not only preserve the structure and stability of respiratory complexes, but are essential for attenuating the mitochondrial dysfunction due to pathogenic mutations affecting the respiratory enzymes. Furthermore, the cells bearing ΔI300-P305 deletion showed a marked increase in complex II (CII) redox activity, associated with significant hydrogen peroxide production. It has been suggested that the enhanced CII activity is a compensatory mechanism due to the lacking of CI. Our results instead suggest that it might be a more general phenomenon for cell adaptation to respiratory chain dysfunction, being detected also in CIII-deficient cells where the hydrogen peroxide production is increased.

Il presente lavoro si propone principalmente di fornire un’analisi delle declinazioni assunte dal principio di continuità nel diritto amministrativo, tentando di metterne in luce al contempo le basi fondanti che caratterizzano ogni principio generale e le sfumature più attuali emerse dall’elaborazione della dottrina e della giurisprudenza più recenti. Partendo dal fondamentale presupposto secondo cui la maggior parte degli interpreti si è interessata al principio di continuità in campo amministrativo con prevalente riferimento all’ambito organizzativo-strutturale, si è tentato di estendere l’analisi sino a riconoscervi una manifestazione di principi chiave della funzione amministrativa complessivamente intesa quali efficienza, buon andamento, realizzazione di buoni risultati. La rilevanza centrale della continuità discende dalla sua infinita declinabilità, ma in questo lavoro si insiste particolarmente sul fatto che di essa possono darsi due fondamentali interpretazioni, tra loro fortemente connesse, che si influenzano reciprocamente: a quella che la intende come segno di stabilità perenne, capace di assicurare certezza sul modus operandi delle pubbliche amministrazioni e tutela degli affidamenti da esse ingenerati, si affianca una seconda visione che ne privilegia invece l’aspetto dinamico, interpretandola come il criterio che impone alla P.A. di assecondare la realtà che muta, evolvendo contestualmente ad essa, al fine di assicurare la permanenza del risultato utile per la collettività, in ossequio alla sua missione di cura. In questa prospettiva, il presente lavoro si propone di analizzare, nella sua prima parte, i risultati già raggiunti dall’elaborazione esegetica in materia di continuità amministrativa, con particolare riferimento alle sue manifestazioni nel campo dell’organizzazione e dell’attività amministrative, nonché ad alcune sue espressioni concrete nel settore degli appalti e dei servizi pubblici. La seconda parte è invece dedicata a fornire alcuni spunti ed ipotesi per nuove interpretazioni del principio in chiave sistematica, in relazione a concetti generali quali il tempo, lo spazio e il complessivo disegno progettuale della funzione amministrativa. / The present research is mainly aimed to give an analysis of the continuity principle in administrative law, trying to highlight both its fundamental features, which are common to any general principle, and its developments emerged from recent literature and jurisprudence. Starting from the assumption that most commentators have focused attention to the continuity principle in administrative law with particular reference to organization, the aim of this research has been the effort to extend the analysis in order to recognize it as an expression of other key principles of administrative function such as efficiency, good conduct, good results. The importance of continuity lies in its unlimited pliability, but this work mainly focuses on two of its possible interpretations, closely related one to the other and mutually influenced: on one side, continuity can be intended as steady stability, able to assure certainty on public administrations’ conducts and protection of legitimate expectations; on the other, it can be viewed as a dynamic concept, as the parameter which imposes on the public administration the duty to comply with the variable reality, simulaneously evolving with it in order to assure good and valuable results as required by its mission of care and attention. In this perspective, the first part of this work is focused on analysing the results already achieved by commentators on administrative continuity, with particular attention to its expressions within administrative organization and activity and to some of its concrete displays in the field of public contracts and services. The second part of the research is instead reserved to give some ideas and hypothesis for new interpretations of the continuity principle, in relation to general concepts such as time, space and general plan of administrative function.