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The European wildcat is a threatened carnivore, whose ecology is still scarcely studied, especially in Mediterranean areas. In this study, we estimated activity rhythm patterns of this felid, by means of camera-trapping at three spatial scales: (i) whole country (Italy); (ii) biogeographical areas; (iii) latitudinal zones. The activity rhythms patterns were also calculated according to temporal scales: (1) warm semester; (2) cold semester and (3) seasonal scales. Lastly, we also tested whether the effect of moon phases affected the wildcat activity. We conducted the analysis on a total of 975 independent events collected in 2009-2021, from 285 locations, in 65,800 camera days. We showed that the wildcat in Italy exhibits a > 70% nocturnal behaviour, with 20% of diurnal activity, at all spatial scales, and throughout the whole year, with peaks at 10.00 p.m. and 04.00 a.m. We observed a high overlap of wildcat activity rhythms between different biogeographical and latitudinal zones. The wildcat was mainly active on the darkest nights, reducing its activity in bright moonlight nights. Diurnal activity was greater in the warm months and decreased with the distance from shrubs and woodlands, most likely according to activity rhythms of its main prey, water presence in summer, the care of offspring and the availability of shelter sites. Conversely, the distance to paved roads seems to have no significant effects on diurnal activity, suggesting that, in presence of natural shelters, the wildcat probably may tolerate these infrastructures. We suggested limited plasticity in activity rhythm patterns of the wildcat, emphasizing the importance of dark hours for this species.

Objectives: To evaluate whether the Morphological Uterus Sonographic Assessment (MUSA) features of adenomyosis need to be better defined and, if deemed necessary, to reach consensus on the updated definitions. Methods: A modified Delphi procedure was performed among European gynecologists with expertise in ultrasound diagnosis of adenomyosis. To identify MUSA features that might need revision, 15 two-dimensional (2D) video recordings (four recordings also included three-dimensional (3D) still images) of transvaginal ultrasound (TVS) examinations of the uterus were presented in the first Delphi round (online questionnaire). Experts were asked to confirm or refute the presence of each of the nine MUSA features of adenomyosis (described in the original MUSA consensus statement) in each of the 15 videoclips and to provide comments. In the second Delphi round (online questionnaire), the results of the first round and suggestions for revision of MUSA features were shared with the experts before they were asked to assess a new set of 2D and 3D still images of TVS examinations and to provide feedback on the proposed revisions. A third Delphi round (virtual group meeting) was conducted to discuss and reach final consensus on revised definitions of MUSA features. Consensus was predefined as at least 66.7% agreement between experts. Results: Of 18 invited experts, 16 agreed to participate in the Delphi procedure. Eleven experts completed and four experts partly finished the first round. The experts identified a need for more detailed definitions of some MUSA features. They recommended use of 3D ultrasound to optimize visualization of the junctional zone. Fifteen experts participated in the second round and reached consensus on the presence or absence of ultrasound features of adenomyosis in most of the still images. Consensus was reached for all revised definitions except those for subendometrial lines and buds and interrupted junctional zone. Thirteen experts joined the online meeting, in which they discussed and agreed on final revisions of the MUSA definitions. There was consensus on the need to distinguish between direct features of adenomyosis, i.e. features indicating presence of ectopic endometrial tissue in the myometrium, and indirect features, i.e. features reflecting changes in the myometrium secondary to presence of endometrial tissue in the myometrium. Myometrial cysts, hyperechogenic islands and echogenic subendometrial lines and buds were classified unanimously as direct features of adenomyosis. Globular uterus, asymmetrical myometrial thickening, fan-shaped shadowing, translesional vascularity, irregular junctional zone and interrupted junctional zone were classified as indirect features of adenomyosis. Conclusion: Consensus between gynecologists with expertise in ultrasound diagnosis of adenomyosis was achieved regarding revised definitions of the MUSA features of adenomyosis and on the classification of MUSA features as direct or indirect signs of adenomyosis.

An increase of nocturnal activity of ungulate species may represent a compensatory opportunity for energy intake, when activity in daylight is hindered by some disturbance events (e.g., hunting or predation). Therefore, mostly-diurnal and crepuscular species may be active in bright moonlight nights whereas others may shift their diurnal activity towards darkest nights to limit their exposure to predators. In natural and undisturbed conditions, the wild boar may be active both during the day and the night, with alternating periods of activity and resting. In this work, we tested whether activity patterns of wild boar, a species with poor visive abilities, was dependent on moon phases and environmental lightening. We aimed to assess if nocturnal activity could be better explained by variations of the lunar cycle or by the variations of environmental lightening conditions, evaluated by means of different measures of night brightness. Data were collected through camera-trapping in Central Italy in 2019-2020. Despite the poor visive abilities of the wild boar, we observed that this ungulate significantly reduced their activity by avoiding the brightest nights. In our study area, the wild boar has to cope with both human pressure (i.e., mostly hunters and poachers) and predation by the grey wolf. Furthermore, the nocturnal activity of wild boar peaked in mid-Autumn, i.e. when hunting pressure is the highest and when leaf fall may bring wild boar to range for long distances to find suitable resting sites for diurnal hours.

Nassir Habib,1 Gabriele Centini,2 Lucia Lazzeri,2 Nicola Amoruso,2 Lionel El Khoury,3 Errico Zupi,2 Karolina Afors4 1Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Beaujon Hospital-University of Paris, Clichy Cedex 92110, France; 2Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, Ospedale Santa Maria alle Scotte, Siena 53100, Italy; 3Department of Colorectal Surgery-Delafontaine Hospital, Saint Denis 93200, France; 4Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Whittington Hospital, London, UKCorrespondence: Karolina Afors Email drkafors@gmail.comAbstract: Endometriosis is a chronic condition primarily affecting young women of reproductive age. Although some women with bowel endometriosis may be asymptomatic patients typically report a myriad of symptoms such as alteration in bowel habits (constipation/diarrhoea) dyschezia, dysmenorrhoea and dyspareunia in addition to infertility. To date, there are no clear guidelines on the evaluation of patients with suspected bowel endometriosis. Several techniques have been proposed including transvaginal and/or transrectal ultrasonography, magnetic resonance imaging, and double-contrast barium enema. These different imaging modalities provide greater information regarding presence, location and extent of endometriosis ensuring patients are adequately informed whilst also optimizing preoperative planning. In cases where surgical management is indicated, surgery should be performed by experienced surgeons, in centres with access to multidisciplinary care. Treatment should be tailored according to patient symptoms and wishes with a view to excising as much disease as possible, whilst at the same time preserving organ function. In this review article current perspectives on diagnosis and management of bowel endometriosis are discussed.Keywords: endometriosis, bowel endometriosis, segmental resection, recurrence, infertility

A network of endometriosis experts from 16 Italian academic departments and teaching hospitals distributed all over the country made a critical appraisal of the available evidence and definition of 10 suggestions regarding measures to be de-implemented. Strong suggestions were made only when high-quality evidence was available. The aim was to select 10 low-value medical interventions, characterized by an unfavorable balance between potential benefits, potential harms, and costs, which should be discouraged in women with endometriosis. The following suggestions were agreed by all experts: do not suggest laparoscopy to detect and treat superficial peritoneal endometriosis in infertile women without pelvic pain symptoms; do not recommend controlled ovarian stimulation and IUI in infertile women with endometriosis at any stage; do not remove small ovarian endometriomas (diameter Our proposal is to better address medical and surgical approaches to endometriosis de-implementing low-value interventions, with the aim to prevent unnecessary morbidity, limit psychological distress, and reduce the burden of treatment avoiding medical overuse and allowing a more equitable distribution of healthcare resources.

Gel dosimeters for three-dimensional mapping of radiotherapy doses were introduced at Yale University in the mid-1980’s. Soon after, R&D in this field also started in Italy. Early work was done at the Istituto Superiore di Sanità, and at the Universities of Pisa and Milan. Several institutes now collaborate on this topic with support from the Italian Ministry for University and Research (MIUR) through Grant PRIN SNALEM2010 “Development and application of new materials for ionizing radiation dosimetry”. This presentation describes this research, which aims at developing new formulations of hydrogel matrices with improved characteristics of stability, sensitivity and spatial resolution compared to those of earlier Fricke-gel and polymer-gel systems. An additional goal of our research is the simplification of the manufacturing processes in order to facilitate the diffusion of this technology and its transition from the bench to the bedside.

The antifungal properties of isothiocyanates released from the hydrolysis of the glucosinolate sinigrin were assessed on an Armillaria mellea strain in Petri dishes. The fumigation with sinigrin at 100 µM showed a fungicidal effect, while lower rates determined a temporary fungistatic effect. The application of increasing rates of solid and liquid biofumigant formulations on A. mellea inoculated potted peach plants showed an increase of soil nitrate concentration, basal respiration, microbial biomass, leaf nitrogen and chlorophyll concentration. These effects indicated a stimulating effect of Brassicaceae derivatives on soil biological activity and plant growth. The application of a rate of meal higher than 6.42 g kg−1 soil caused a stunted growth and the death of some plants showing a clear phytotoxic effect of the treatments. The inhibition of A. mellea growth observed in in vitro trials was not evidenced in in vivo experiments due to the lack of infection symptoms in experimentally inoculated potted trees.