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ABSTRACTThe Italian Fixed-Point Observatory Network (IFON) integrates well-established coastal and ocean infrastructures (buoys, platforms, moorings, mast platforms, etc.), most of them providing real-time multidisciplinary monitoring for a number of marine and atmospheric variables. Here, we describe the network characteristics and then discuss an example of its operation during the cold spell of winter 2012. One of the goals of the Italian Flagship Project Ricerca Italiana per il mare(RITMARE) is to create a common, validated IFON database able to fulfil both public and private demands, including validation of remotely sensed data and numerical models, environmental planning and management, and time-series analysis of climate and oceanographic data.

Integrated classification maps were produced by combining sediment grain-size and hydrological data (water renewal time, WRT) from two Mediterranean lagoons, Lesina (LL) and Varano (LV), Italy. The geophysical characteristics of the two basins, derived from detailed bathymetric charts, are quite distinct: ∼30% of LL (mean depth ∼1 m) but only 3% of LV (mean depth ∼3 m) is shallower than 1 m. The sediments of both lagoons are mainly composed of mud (∼80%). A detailed multivariate analysis of grain-size data by EntropyMax classified the lagoon beds of LL and LV into five sedimentary facies. WRT data, computed by a hydrodynamic model, indicated different hydrological conditions in the two lagoons: LL showed a sharp west–east gradient, with a basin-wide average of ∼190 days, whilst LV showed a fairly uniform distribution and a higher basin-wide average (∼260 days). The distribution of sedimentary facies and water renewal times were combined in a composite map representing the distribution of environmental patterns. The approach outlined in this study can be used to improve zonation schemes by providing a hydromorphological perspective on transitional and coastal environments.

The aim of this study was to define the characteristics of the diseased hip through a series of roentgenographic parameters measured on X-rays taken from a group of patients suffering from primary osteoarthritis. The arthritic hips were divided into three groups: superolateral OA, concentric OA, and medial OA. In light of the anatomo-roentgenographic characteristics this study proposes a new classification of osteoarthritis based on the direction of migration of the femoral head. Analysis of the data has highlighted the extreme polymorphism which characterizes the course and evolution of osteoarthritis and the serious modifications brought about in the hip-joint region.The clinical impression at the conclusion of this study is of a direct correlation between primary alterations of parameters of the hip and development of osteoarthritis.

In this first, introductory study we established the parameters with which to develop an in-depth study of the mechanical interpretation of roentgenographic images of osteoarthritic hips.Our choice of parameters, and in fact our whole approach, parted from the theories of morphobiomechanics advanced by Pauwels and by Bombelli

With the aim of defining the roentgenographic characteristics of a “normal” hip - meaning an articulation able to fully respond to static and dynamic stress without wear, we examined 60 hips of people over 70 years old from a population of Southern Italy. The parameters considered were: width of WBS, inclination of WBS, height of Gothic Arch, width of Gothic Arch, angle of aperture of Gothic Arch, a angle of Gothic Arch, diameter of femoral head, CE angle of Wiberg, neck-shaft angle, offset, angle of aperture of spherichal sector (SS), surface area of SS, volume of SS, radius of the spherical bowl, height of the spherical bowl, distance from the “tear drop” image of the fundus acetabuli. The main findings are: a) the WBS is horizontal; b) the gothic arch is orthogonal to the WBS; c) the spherical sector presents wide individual oscillations; d) the female hip has specific characteristics, being mainly smaller.

In CHD (Congenital Hip Dislocation), the elements which determine the degree and quality of acetabular growth are not clear. This has caused a great deal of controversy on the capability of development of the cotyloid cavity, hence on the indications to reconstructive surgical treatment.In order to study the behavior of che cotyloid cavity, two groups of patients were taken into consideration: normal subjects and subjects with CHD.In normal subjects the median value of the Hingelreiner angle was 19°–4'± 1° (normal limit), at 1 year old. The acetabular index decreases rapidly until becoming stable at adult values at the age of 8-10 years of age.The distinctive characteristics of the hip with spontaneous recovery from cotyloid dysplasia could be defined as follows:a) the higher critical value on average is reached after 24 months of treatment;b) once the borderline is reached, the dislocated hip evolves in the same way as the healthy hip;c) the earlier treatment is started, the sooner correction of the H angle is obtained;d) the cotyloid cavity continues to develop even after 5 years from reduction.In CHD with terminal residual dysplasia, an initial correction of the H angle is followed by a sudden interruption in acetabular development, which remains inadequate and will never reach normal values.These data allow not only the definition of the acetabular growth potential, but also the establishment of more precise indications for reconstructive surgical treatment.

A new classification is proposed for post-reduction necrosis of the femoral epiphysis based on retrospective analysis of 54 cases with a mean follow-up of 15 years. Necrosis can be divided under two main headings:A) partial, involving only the epiphysisB) total, involving the metaphyseal cartilage.Four total forms have been identified:B1: eventually resulting in coxa valgaB2: eventually resulting in a short stubby neck, oval head and coxa magnaB3: eventually resulting in coxa vara and severe acetabular dysplasiaB4: eventually resulting in hypoplasia of the whole hip joint.This classification system comprises all the aspects of necrosis, while at the same time providing guidelines for treatment and long-term planning.

The Authors studied the possible development of degenerative changes in 60 hips of 30 ex-distance runners and ex-long-jumpers who had competed ata national level and had given up competitive sport at least 25 years previously. Careful clinical and radiological examination was carried out with particular attention to certain radiographic parameters. The Authors conclude that intensive, long-term sports activity contributes in no way to degenerative hip disease, and that the origin of so-called primary degenerative arthritis of the hip must be sought in morphological changes seen in hip radiographs which may be evaluated by linear and angular parameters. They suggest that the continuous joint movement might have delayed the occurrence of a degenerative process which would inevitably have arisen due to mechanical changes within the joint.

The aim of this study was to establish the point at which a hip is at risk of developing osteoarthritis and the percentage of hips which run such a risk. 253 hips of 164 adults (average age 43) suffering from pathologies not involving the coxofemoral joint were examined. The most important data were: The WBS presented a greater obliquity than the medio-normal; the S. S. surface was narrower; all parameters presented considerable standard deviation. A hip was considered “at risk” when at least two parameters were outside the “normal” limits established in our previous study.

It is the first time that a case of simultaneous and bilateral avulsion of the iliac spines is described in the international orthopaedic literature. The X-ray diagnosis was made by means of traditional techniques and tridimensional CT.

The genus Tovomita(Fam. Clusiaceae) comprises 45 species mainly found in tropical regions of Central and South America. Most of the species of the title genus have been used for centuries as natural remedies. Phytochemicals isolated from Tovomitaspp. include prenylated and unprenylated benzophenones and xanthones. The aim of this review is to examine in detail from a phytochemical and pharmacological point of view what is reported in the past and current literature about the properties of phytopreparations and individual active principles obtained from plants belonging to the Tovomitagenus.