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A new species of Dracunculus is described in wild neotropical otters, Lontra longicaudis , occurring in Corrientes, Argentina, based on morphological and molecular characteristics. Worms were located in the subcutaneous tissue from two of five investigated otters. Dracunculus jaguape n. sp. is differentiated from the 14 species of Dracunculus described from mammals and reptiles by the prominent dorsal and ventral papillae on the head; deirids posterior to nerve ring; male with long needlelike spicules and presence of gubernaculum; and long first stage larva. Phylogenetic analysis using the 18S rRNA positioned Dracunculus jaguape n. sp. in an anterior position to the rest of Dracunculus sequences available and COI positioned it in a separated clade sister to Dracunculus lutrae sequences. This is the first report on the presence of this nematode in Lontra longicaudis in Argentina. [Display omitted] • We performed the necropsy of five road-killed Lontra longicaudis from Argentina. • Morphological and molecular evidence were contributed to characterize a new species of Dracunculus.. • This is the first case of Dracunculus sp. infection in wild neotropical otters in Argentina. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Bloodstream infections are quite frequent in COVID-19 patients undergoing vv-ECMO. • Primary and secondary bloodstream infections have peculiar microbiological profiles. • Appropriate treatment of bloodstream infections enables to minimize their impact on clinical outcomes. COVID-19 patients undergoing ECMO are at highly increased risk of nosocomial infections. To study incidence, clinical outcomes and microbiological features of bloodstream infections (BSI) occurring during ECMO in COVID-19 patients. Observational prospective cohort study enrolling consecutive COVID-19 patients undergoing veno-venous-ECMO in an Italian ICU from March 2020 to March 2022. In the study population of 68 patients (age 53 [49-60] years, 82% males), 30 (44%) developed bloodstream infections (BSI group) while 38 did not (N-BSI group) with an incidence of 32 events/1000 days of ECMO. In BSI group pre-ECMO respiratory support was shorter (6 [4–9] vs 9 [5–12] days, p = 0.02) and ECMO treatment was longer (18 [10–29] vs 11 [7–18] days, p = 0.03) than in N-BSI group. The overall ECMO and ICU mortality were 50% and 59%, respectively, without any inter-group difference (p = 1.00). A longer ECMO treatment was independently correlated with higher rate of BSI (p = 0.04, OR [95% CI] 1.06 [1.02–1.11]). Sixteen primary and 14 secondary infectious events were documented. Gram-positive pathogens were more common in primary than secondary BSI (88% vs 43%, p = 0.02) and Enterococcus faecalis (56%) was the most frequent one. Conversely, Gram-negative microorganisms were more often isolated in secondary rather than primary BSI (57% vs 13%, p = 0.02), with Acinetobacter baumannii (21%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (21%) as most represented species. The administration of Sars-CoV-2 antiviral drug showed independent correlation with a reduced rate of ICU mortality (p = 0.01, OR [95% CI] 0.22 [0.07–0.73]). Bloodstream infections represented a frequent complication without worsening clinical outcomes in our COVID-19 patients undergoing ECMO. Primary and secondary BSI events showed peculiar microbiological profiles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: ARDS in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is characterized by microcirculatory alterations in the pulmonary vascular bed, which could increase dead-space ventilation more than in non-COVID-19 ARDS. We aimed to establish if dead-space ventilation is different in patients with COVID-19 ARDS when compared with patients with non-COVID-19 ARDS. Methods: A total of 187 subjects with COVID-19 ARDS and 178 subjects with non-COVID-19 ARDS who were undergoing invasive mechanical ventilation were included in the study. The association between the ARDS types and dead-space ventilation, compliance of the respiratory system, subjects' characteristics, organ failures, and mechanical ventilation was evaluated by using data collected in the first 24 h of mechanical ventilation. Results: Corrected minute ventilation (VE), a dead-space ventilation surrogate, was higher in the subjects with COVID-19 ARDS versus in those with non-COVID-19 ARDS (median [interquartile range] 12.6 [10.2-15.8] L/min vs 9.4 [7.5-11.6] L/min; P < .001). Increased corrected VE was independently associated with COVID-19 ARDS (odds ratio 1.24, 95% CI 1.07-1.47; P = .007). The best compliance of the respiratory system, obtained after testing different PEEPs, was similar between the subjects with COVID-19 ARDS and the subjects with non-COVID-19 ARDS (mean ± SD 38 ± 11 mL/cm H2O vs 37 ± 11 mL/cm H2O, respectively; P = .61). The subjects with COVID-19 ARDS received higher median (interquartile range) PEEP (12 [10-14] cm H2O vs 8 [5-9] cm H2O; P < .001) and lower median (interquartile range) tidal volume (5.8 [5.5-6.3] mL/kg vs 6.6 [6.1-7.3] mL/kg; P < .001) than the subjects with non-COVID-19 ARDS, being these differences maintained at multivariable analysis. In the multivariable analysis, the subjects with COVID-19 ARDS showed a lower risk of anamnestic arterial hypertension (odds ratio 0.18, 95% CI 0.07-0.45; P < .001) and lower neurologic sequential organ failure assessment score (odds ratio 0.16, 95% CI 0.09-0.27; P < .001) than the subjects with non-COVID-19 ARDS. Conclusions: Indirect measurements of dead space were higher in subjects with COVID-19 ARDS compared with subjects with non-COVID-19 ARDS. The best compliance of the respiratory system was similar in both ARDS forms provided that different PEEPs were applied. A wide range of compliance is present in every ARDS type; therefore, the setting of mechanical ventilation should be individualized patient by patient and not based on the etiology of ARDS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: The efficacy of noninvasive oxygenation strategies (NIOS) in treating COVID-19 disease is unknown. We conducted a prospective observational study to assess the rate of NIOS failure in subjects treated in the ICU for hypoxemic respiratory failure due to COVID-19. METHODS: Patients receiving first-line treatment NIOS for hypoxemic respiratory failure due to COVID-19 in the ICU of a university hospital were included in this study; laboratory data were collected upon arrival, and 28-d outcome was recorded. After propensity score matching based on Simplified Acute Physiology (SAPS) II score, age, PaO2/FIO2 and PaCO2 at arrival, the NIOS failure rate in subjects with COVID-19 was compared to a previously published cohort who received NIOS during hypoxemic respiratory failure due to other causes. RESULTS: A total of 85 subjects received first-line treatment with NIOS. The most frequently used methods were helmet noninvasive ventilation and high-flow nasal cannula; of these, 52 subjects (61%) required endotracheal intubation. Independent factors associated with NIOS failure were SAPS II score (P = .009) and serum lactate dehydrogenase at enrollment (P = .02); the combination of SAPS II score ≥ 33 with serum lactate dehydrogenase ≥ 405 units/L at ICU admission had 91% specificity in predicting the need for endotracheal intubation. In the propensity-matched cohorts (54 pairs), subjects with COVID-19 showed higher risk of NIOS failure than those with other causes of hypoxemic respiratory failure (59% vs 35%, P = .02), with an adjusted hazard ratio of 2 (95% CI 1.1-3.6, P = .01). CONCLUSIONS: As compared to hypoxemic respiratory failure due to other etiologies, subjects with COVID-19 who were treated with NIOS in the ICU were burdened by a 2-fold higher risk of failure. Subjects with a SAPS II score 6 33 and serum lactate dehydrogenase ≥ 405 units/L represent the population with the greatest risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: The ratio of dead space to tidal volume (VD/VT) is associated with mortality in patients with ARDS. Corrected minute ventilation (...) is a simple surrogate of dead space, but, despite its increasing use, its association with mortality has not been proven. The aim of our study was to assess the association between ... and hospital mortality. We also compared the strength of this association with that of estimated VD/VT and ventilatory ratio. METHODS: We performed a retrospective study with prospectively collected data. We evaluated 187 consecutive mechanically ventilated subjects with ARDS caused by novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The association between ... and hospital mortality was assessed in multivariable logistic models. The same was done for estimated VD/VT and ventilatory ratio. RESULTS: Mean 6 SD ... was 11.8 6 3.3 L/min in survivors and 14.5 6 3.9 L/min in nonsurvivors (P < .001) and was independently associated with mortality (adjusted odds ratio 1.15, P 5 .01). The strength of association of ... with mortality was similar to that of VD/VT and ventilatory ratio. CONCLUSIONS: ... was independently associated with hospital mortality in subjects with ARDS caused by COVID-19. ... could be used at the patient's bedside for outcome prediction and severity stratification, due to the simplicity of its calculation. These findings need to be confirmed in subjects with ARDS without viral pneumonia and when lung-protective mechanical ventilation is not rigorously applied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) infection may yield a hypercoagulable state with fibrinolysis impairment. We conducted a single-center observational study with the aim of analyzing the coagulation patterns of intensive care unit (ICU) COVID-19 patients with both standard laboratory and viscoelastic tests. The presence of coagulopathy at the onset of the infection and after seven days of systemic anticoagulant therapy was investigated. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty consecutive SARS-CoV-2 patients, admitted to the ICU of a University hospital in Italy between 29th February and 30th March 2020 were enrolled in the study, providing they fulfilled the acute respiratory distress syndrome criteria. They received full-dose anticoagulation, including Enoxaparin 0.5 mg⋅kg-1 subcutaneously twice a day, unfractionated Heparin 7500 units subcutaneously three times daily, or low-intensity Heparin infusion. Thromboelastographic (TEG) and laboratory parameters were measured at admission and after seven days. RESULTS: At baseline, patients showed elevated fibrinogen activity [rTEG-Ang 80.5° (78.7 to 81.5) ; TEG-ACT 78.5 sec (69.2 to 87.9)] and an increase in the maximum amplitude of clot strength [FF-MA 42.2 mm (30.9 to 49.2)]. No alterations in time of the enzymatic phase of coagulation [CKH-K and CKH-R, 1.1 min (0.85 to 1.3) and 6.6 min (5.2 to 7.5), respectively] were observed. Absent lysis of the clot at 30 minutes (LY30) was observed in all the studied population. Standard coagulation parameters were within the physiological range: [INR 1. 09 (1.01 to 1.20), aPTT 34.5 sec (29.7 to 42.2), antithrombin 97.5% (89.5 to 115)]. However, plasma fibrinogen [512.5 mgdl-1 (303.5 to 605)], and D-dimer levels [1752.5 ngml-1 (698.5 to 4434.5)], were persistently increased above the reference range. After seven days of full-dose anticoagulation, average TEG parameters were not different from baseline (rTEG-Ang p = 0.13, TEG-ACT p = 0.58, FF-MA p = 0.24, CK-R p = 0.19, CKH-R p = 0.35), and a persistent increase in white blood cell count, platelet count and D-dimer was observed (white blood cell count p < 0.01, neutrophil count p = 0.02, lymphocyte count p < 0.01, platelet count p = 0.13 < 0.01, D-dimer levels p= 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: SARS-CoV-2 patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome show elevated fibrinogen activity, high D-dimer levels and maximum amplitude of clot strength. Platelet count, fibrinogen, and standard coagulation tests do not indicate a disseminated intravascular coagulation. At seven days, thromboelasto-graphic abnormalities persist despite full-dose anticoagulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of our study was to determine the incidence, characteristics, and clinical outcomes of patients with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) infection who had presented with and been treated for acute limb ischemia (ALI) during the 2020 coronavirus pandemic. We performed a single-center, observational cohort study. The data from all patients who had tested positive for COVID-19 and had presented with ALI requiring urgent operative treatment were collected in a prospectively maintained database. For the present series, successful revascularization of the treated arterial segment was defined as the absence of early (<30 days) re-occlusion or major amputation or death within 24 hours. The primary outcomes were successful revascularization, early (≤30 days) and late (≥30 days) survival, postoperative (≤30 days) complications, and limb salvage. We evaluated the data from 20 patients with ALI who were positive for COVID-19. For the period from January to March, the incidence rate of patients presenting with ALI in 2020 was significantly greater than that for the same months in 2019 (23 of 141 [16.3%] vs 3 of 163 [1.8%]; P <.001)]. Of the 20 included patients, 18 were men (90%) and two were women (10%). Their mean age was 75 ± 9 years (range, 62-95 years). All 20 patients already had a diagnosis of COVID-19 pneumonia. Operative treatment was performed in 17 patients (85%). Revascularization was successful in 12 of the 17 (70.6%). Although successful revascularization was not significantly associated with the postoperative use of intravenous heparin (64.7% vs 83.3%; P =.622), no patient who had received intravenous heparin required reintervention. Of the 20 patients, eight (40%) had died in the hospital. The patients who had died were significantly older (81 ± 10 years vs 71 ± 5 years; P =.008). The use of continuous postoperative systemic heparin infusion was significantly associated with survival (0% vs 57.1%; P =.042). In our preliminary experience, the incidence of ALI has significantly increased during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Italian Lombardy region. Successful revascularization was lower than expected, which we believed was due to a virus-related hypercoagulable state. The use of prolonged systemic heparin might improve surgical treatment efficacy, limb salvage, and overall survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: To investigate patient characteristics and factors that increase the risk of being admitted to intensive care and that influence survival in cases of SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One-hundred and ninety-one SARS-CoV-2 patients were admitted to the “Fondazione Poliambulanza di Brescia” Hospital (Brescia, Lombardy, Italy) in the period 1st March 2020 to 11th April 2020. Data on demographics, clinical presentation at admission, co-morbidities, pharmacological treatment, admission to intensive care and death was recorded. Logistic regression and survival analysis were carried out to investigate the risk of being admitted to intensive care and the risk of death. RESULTS: The mean age of the study cohort was 64.6±9.9 years (range 20-88). Median BMI was 28.5±5 kg/m². Fever (81%) and dyspnea (65%) were the most common symptoms on admission. Most of patients (63%) had at least one co-existing disease. The 157 (82%) patients admitted to intensive care were more likely to be of intermediate age (60-69 years; OR 3.23, 95% CI 1.32-8.38), overweight (OR 2.66, 95% CI 1.02- 7.07) or obese (OR 5.63, 95% CI 1.73-21.09) and with lymphocytopenia (OR 2.75, 95% CI 1.17- 6.89) than the 34 patients admitted to the ordinary ward. During intensive care, 50% of patients died and their death was associated with older age (HR 2.06, 95% CI 1.07-3.97), obesity (HR 2.23, 95% CI 1.15-4.35) and male gender (HR 1.9, 95% CI 1.02-3.57). CONCLUSIONS: We found that admission to intensive care and poor survival were associated with advanced age and higher body mass index, albeit with differences in statistical significance. Pre-existing diseases and symptoms on admission were not associated with different clinical outcomes. Interestingly, male gender was more prevalent among SARS-CoV-2 patients and was related negatively to survival, but it was not associated with more frequent admission to intensive care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cadmium is a toxic heavy metal with detrimental effects on human health. Apart from smoking and occupational factors, diet is the main source of cadmium. However, the relation between adherence to so-called "healthy" dietary patterns and cadmium exposure has not been investigated in detail. In this study, we aimed at assessing such association in a Northern Italian population. Using a cross-sectional study design, we investigated a population of non-smokers aged 30–60 years in the period 2017–2019. Each subject completed a validated food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) in order to estimate adherence to four dietary patterns, namely the Dietary Approach to Stopping Hypertension-DASH diet, Greek Mediterranean Index-GMI, the Italian Mediterranean Index-IMI, and the Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) diet. We collected a fasting morning urinary sample to measure urinary levels of cadmium and cotinine. The association between increasing adherence to dietary patterns and cadmium exposure was evaluated using a cubic spline regression non-linear model and adjusting for relevant confounders (age, sex, body mass index, urinary cotinine levels, intake of fiber, and alcohol). We recruited 137 participants (males/females: 62/75) with median (interquartile range-IQR) age of 47 (IQR: 43–53) years. Median scores for the investigated dietary patterns were 24 (IQR: 21–28), 4 (IQR: 3–6), 4 (IQR: 3–5), and 7.5 (IQR: 6.5–8.5) for DASH, GMI, IMI and MIND diets, respectively. The median urinary cadmium level was 0.21 μg/L (IQR: 0.11–0.34 μg/L). Spline regression analysis showed an inverse linear association between increasing adherence to the DASH and MIND diets and urinary cadmium levels, reaching a plateau at high adherence scores, approximately > 25 and > 9 for DASH and MIND diets, respectively. An increase of cadmium exposure with increasing MIND score also emerged. Conversely, the association was almost null for IMI, and slightly positive for GMI. The present findings suggest that increasing adherence to the DASH and MIND diets are associated with decreased cadmium levels only at moderate level. Overall, these results indicate that public health strategies, including the decrease of cadmium contamination in healthy foods should be implemented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Selenium (Se) is a trace element with different toxicological and nutritional properties according to its chemical forms. Among the wide range of selenium species, human serum albumin-bound selenium (Se-HSA) has still uncertain composition in terms of organic or inorganic selenium species. This study aimed at investigating the relation between Se-HSA levels with total selenium and the specific organic and inorganic selenium species. We determined levels of total selenium and selenium species in serum of participants enrolled in two populations of the Emilia-Romagna region, in Northern Italy. Anion exchange chromatography coupled with inductively coupled plasma dynamic reaction cell mass spectrometry was used as quantification method. Correlations between Se-HSA and the other selenium compounds were analyzed using linear regression and restricted cubic spline regression models, adjusted for potential confounders. The first cohort comprised 50 participants (men/women: 26/24) with median (interquartile range, IQR) age 50 (55−62) years, while the second was composed of 104 participants (M/W: 50/54), median (IQR) age 48 (44−53) years. Median (IQR) levels of total selenium were 118.5 (109−136) µg/L and 116.5 (106−128) µg/L, respectively, while Se-HSA was 25.5 µg/L (16.2–51.5) and 1.1 (0.03–3.1) µg/L, respectively. In both populations, Se-HSA was positively associated with inorganic selenium species. Conversely, Se-HSA was inversely associated with organic selenium, especially with selenoprotein P-bound-Se (Se-SELENOP) and less strongly with selenomethionine-bound-Se (Se-Met), while the relation was null or even positive with other organic species. Evaluation of non-linear trends showed a substantially positive association with inorganic selenium, particularly selenite, until a concentration of 30 µg/L, above which a plateau was reached. The association with Se-SELENOP was inverse and strong until 100 µg/L, while it was almost null at higher levels. Our findings seem to indicate that Se-HSA incorporates more selenium when circulating levels of inorganic compounds are higher, thus supporting its mainly inorganic nature, particularly at high circulating levels of selenite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We propose a stochastic model in evolutionary game theory where individuals (or subpopulations) can mutate changing their strategies randomly (but rarely) and explore the external environment. This environment affects the selective pressure by modifying the payoff arising from the interactions between strategies. We derive a Fokker–Planck integro-differential equation and provide Monte Carlo simulations for the Hawks vs Doves game. In particular we show that, in some cases, taking into account the external environment favors the persistence of the low-fitness strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tomatoes are important sources of vitamins, minerals, and bioactive molecules. The fresh cut industry is interested in including tomatoes among the fresh cut vegetables. The wounds usually induce tissue degradation and release of juice, which can negatively affect quality during storage. The aim of this work was to investigate the role of ethylene in the processed vegetables using the never ripe (Nr) mutant and wild type tomatoes. The ethylene accumulation affected shelf life and quality based on the differential sensitivity of the genotypes to ethylene. Physiological and biochemical parameters related to membrane stability, phospholipases activities, ethylene and carbon dioxide accumulation were investigated inNrmutant and wild type tomatoes as processed products and whole fruits. Results indicate that ethylene biosynthesis significantly regulates membrane breakdown.Nrtomatoes showed higher membrane stability, higher tolerance to wounding, and lower variability of physiological and biochemical parameters. Hence, this genotype can represent a genetic source of traits that can be exploited in fresh-cut tomato breeding programmes. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Climate warming and increasing aridity have impacted diverse ecosystems in the Mediterranean region since at least the 1970s. Pinus pinea L. has significant environmental and socio-economic importance for the Iberian Peninsula, so a detailed understanding of its response to climate change is necessary to predict its status under future climatic conditions. However, variability of climate and uncertainties in dendroclimatological approach complicate the understanding of forest growth dynamics. We use an ensemble approach to analyze growth-climate responses of P. pinea trees from five sites along a latitudinal gradient in Spain over time. The growth responses to April-June precipitation totals were stronger in the north than in the south. Since the 1950s, the sensitivity of growth to April-June precipitation increased in the north and decreased in the south. Meteorological drought usually started in May in the southern sites, but in June-July in the northern sites. The water deficit in the southern sites is thus greater and more limiting for tree growth, and this likely accounts for the lower growth sensitivity during these months. Our results indicate that P. pinea has a high degree of plasticity, suggesting the species will withstand changing climatic conditions. However, growth response to drought regimes varies among P. pinea populations, suggesting that different populations have different capacities for acclimation to warmer and drier climate, and this may influence future vegetation composition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Argentina is a large country with several areas dominated by different climate mechanisms. Since 2008, damage to civil structures caused by strong winds has been surveyed in Chaco and the neighbouring areas. Chaco is a province of NEA, the north-east region of the Argentina, which also includes the provinces of Fonnosa, Corrientes and Misiones. The strong wind events in NEA are related to severe convective storms. In this work, we present findings about wind-induced damage in NEA and the prevailing meteorological conditions. We emphasise seven particular cases for which the conditions of the atmosphere were reconstructed through reanalysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective The history of left ventricular reconstruction has demonstrated that the full spectrum of recoverable physiologic parameters is essential for a good functional result. We report the long-term outcome of a new surgical technique that arranges myocardial fibers in a near-normal disposition, also recovering left ventricular twisting. Methods Between May 2006 and October 2013, 29 consecutive patients with previous anterior myocardial infarction and heart failure symptoms underwent physiologic left ventricular reconstruction surgery and coronary revascularization. Patients were examined by means of standard echocardiography and 2-dimensional speckle tracking at 8 time steps until 7 years after surgery. Ten geometric and functional parameters were evaluated at each step and analyzed by the linear mixed model test. Results Hospital mortality was 0%. The mean percentage of indexed end-diastolic and end-systolic volume reduction was 45.7% and 50.9%, respectively. Ejection fraction and all of the volumes were significantly different in the postoperative period with a steady correction during time. Diastolic parameters were not worsened by surgical reconstruction. Ejection fraction and deceleration time showed a significant improvement during time. Left ventricular torsion increased immediately after the surgical correction from 2.8 ± 4.4 degrees to 8.7 ± 3.9 degrees ( P = .02) and was still present 4 years after surgery. Conclusions Surgical conduction of ventricular reconstruction should be standardized to achieve the full spectrum of recoverable physiologic parameters. The renewal of ventricular torsion should be pursued as an adjunctive element of ventricular efficiency, mainly in ventricles that work at a critical level in the Frank–Starling relationship and pressure-volume loop. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forest decline and increasing tree mortality are of global concern and the identification of the causes is necessary to develop preventive measures. Global warming is an emerging factor responsible for the increasing tree mortality in drought-prone ecosystems. In the southwestern Iberian Peninsula, Mediterranean holm oak open woodlands currently undergo large-scale population-level tree die-off. In this region, temperature and aridity have increased during recent decades, but the possible role of climate change in the current oak mortality has not been investigated. To assess the role of climate change in oak die-off in managed open woodlands in southwestern Spain, we analyzed climate change-related signals in century-long tree ring chronologies of dead holm oaks. We examined the high/low-frequency variability in growth and the relationship between growth and climate. Similar to other Mediterranean forests, growth was favored by precipitation from autumn of the year prior to ring formation to spring of the year of ring formation, whereas high temperatures during spring limited growth. Since the 1970s, the intensity of the high-frequency response to water availability increased simultaneously with temperature and aridity. The growth trends matched those of climatic changes. Growth suppressions occurred during droughts in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. Widespread stand-level, age-independent mortality occurred since 2005 and affected trees that cannot be considered old for the species standards. The close relationship between growth and climate indicate that climate change strongly controlled the growth patterns. This suggests that harsher climatic conditions, especially increased aridity, affected the tree performance and could have played a significant role in the mortality process. Climate change may have exacerbated or predisposed trees to the impact of other factors (e.g. intense management and pathogens). These observations could suggest a similar future increase in oak mortality which may occur in more northern oak open woodlands if aridity further increases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Previous physiological studies have identified factors that are involved in auto-PEEP generation. In our study, we examined how much auto-PEEP is generated from factors that are involved in its development. METHODS: One hundred eighty-six subjects undergoing controlled mechanical ventilation with persistent expiratory flow at the beginning of each inspiration were enrolled in the study. Volume-controlled continuous mandatory ventilation with PEEP of 0 cm H2O was applied while maintaining the ventilator setting as chosen by the attending physician. End-expiratory and end-inspiratory airway occlusion maneuvers were performed to calculate respiratory mechanics, and tidal flow limitation was assessed by a maneuver of manual compression of the abdomen. RESULTS: The variable with the strongest effect on auto-PEEP was flow limitation, which was associated with an increase of 2.4 cm H2O in auto-PEEP values. Moreover, auto-PEEP values were directly related to resistance of the respiratory system and body mass index and inversely related to expiratory time/time constant. Variables that were associated with the breathing pattern (tidal volume, frequency minute ventilation, and expiratory time) did not show any relationship with auto-PEEP values. The risk of auto-PEEP ≥5 cm H2O was increased by flow limitation (adjusted odds ratio 17; 95% CI: 6-56.2), expiratory time/time constant ratio <1.85 (12.6; 4.7-39.6), respiratory system resistance >15 cm H2O/L s (3; 1.3-6.9), age >65 y (2.8; 1.2-6.5), and body mass index >26 kg/m²(2.6; 1.1-6.1). CONCLUSIONS: Flow limitation, expiratory time/time constant, resistance of the respiratory system, and obesity are the most important variables that affect auto-PEEP values. Frequency expiratory time, tidal volume, and minute ventilation were not independently associated with auto-PEEP. Therapeutic strategies aimed at reducing auto-PEEP and its adverse effects should be primarily oriented to the variables that mainly affect auto-PEEP values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Assessing the performance of a surveillance system for infectious diseases of domestic animals is a challenging task for health authorities. Therefore, it is important to assess what strategy is the most effective in identifying the onset of an epidemic and in minimizing the number of infected farms. The aim of the present work was to evaluate the performance of the bovine tuberculosis (bTB) surveillance system in the network of dairy farms in the Emilia-Romagna (ER) Region, Italy. A bTB-free Region since 2007, ER implements an integrated surveillance strategy based on three components, namely routine on-farm tuberculin skin-testing performed every 3 years, tuberculin skin-testing of cattle exchanged between farms, and post-mortem inspection at slaughterhouses. We assessed the effectiveness of surveillance by means of a stochastic network model of both within-farm and between-farm bTB dynamics calibrated on data available for ER dairy farms. Epidemic dynamics were simulated for five scenarios: the current ER surveillance system, a no surveillance scenario that we used as the benchmark to characterize epidemic dynamics, three additional scenarios in which one of the surveillance components was removed at a time so as to outline its significance in detecting the infection. For each scenario we ran Monte Carlo simulations of bTB epidemics following the random introduction of an infected individual in the network. System performances were assessed through the comparative analysis of a number of statistics, including the time required for epidemic detection and the total number of infected farms during the epidemic. Our analysis showed that slaughterhouse inspection is the most effective surveillance component in reducing the time for disease detection, while routine surveillance in reducing the number of multi-farms epidemics. On the other hand, testing exchanged cattle improved the performance of the surveillance system only marginally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Detomidine is an alpha-2-adrenergic agonist widely used in horses. To evaluate changes in muscular energy metabolism caused by detomidine continuous rate infusion in standing horses, six adult animals were submitted to 1 hour 20 μg/kg/hr IV constant rate infusion detomidine. Heart rate, respiratory rate (RR), mean arterial blood pressure, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, capillary refill time, rectal temperature, plasma glucose, blood lactate, total plasma protein, packed cell volume (PCV), hemoglobin (Hb), partial arterial pressure of oxygen, partial arterial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO 2 ), arterial oxygen saturation, bicarbonate (HCO 3 − ), sodium, potassium, ionized calcium (iCa), arterial oxygen content (CaO 2 ), muscle glycogen, and muscle lactate were recorded before the infusion, after 20, 40, and 60 minutes, when it was discontinued. One last sample was obtained 1 hour after infusion was finished. Four animals were submitted to 1 hour saline infusion as a control group. Constant rate infusion detomidine resulted in significant decrease in HR, RR, PCV, Hb, iCa, CaO 2 , and muscle glycogen in comparison with both baseline and control groups and significant increase in PaCO 2 , blood lactate, and HCO 3 − . Detomidine 20 μg/kg/hr produces minimal clinically significant changes in horses, and it does interfere with energy metabolism through mobilization of muscle glycogen and increase in blood lactate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]