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Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. BACKGROUND Myocardial work (MW) estimation by pressure-strain loops (PSL) allows a non-invasive evaluation of myocardial performance, as recently demonstrated in adult patients. Aim of this study is to provide the reference values for global myocardial work index (MWI), constructive work (MCW), wasted work (MWW), and work efficiency (MWE) in a group of healthy children. METHODS Assessment of MW was performed using a commercially available software package (Echopac, GE). MW was measured from PSLs areas, derived from non-invasive LVP curves combined with strain acquired speckle tracking echocardiography (STE). After calculating GLS, values of brachial blood pressure were inserted and the time of valvular events by echocardiography were indicated, then the software was able to measure non-invasive PSLs. RESULTS Two-dimensional (2D) standard and speckle-tracking echocardiography were performed in 90 healthy children (mean age 9.9 ±4.9 [1-17] years, females: 57%) together with the assessment of MW by means of PSLs. Mean ± standard deviation, 5° and 95° percentile values for global MWI, MCW, MWW, and MWE in the whole population were 1769 ± 254 mm Hg, (1354-2193); 2201 ± 290 mm Hg, (1657-2658); 78 ± 47 (29-163) mm Hg%; 96 ± 1.8 (92-99)%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS The assessment of MW is feasible in healthy children. This study provides useful 2-dimensional echocardiographic reference ranges for novel indices of non-invasive MW.

Background Myocardial work (MW) estimation by pressure-strain loops (PSL) allows a non-invasive assessment of myocardial performance, as recently demonstrated in adult patients. Aim Aim of this study is to provide the reference values for global myocardial work index (MWI), constructive work (MCW), wasted work (MWW), and work efficiency (MWE) in a group of healthy children. Methods Assessment of MW was performed using a commercially available software package. MW was measured from PSLs areas, derived from non-invasive LVP curves combined with strain acquired speckle tracking echocardiography (STE). After calculating GLS, values of brachial blood pressure were inserted and the time of valvular events by echocardiography were indicated, then the software was able to measure non-invasive PSLs. Results Two-dimensional (2D) standard and speckle-tracking echocardiography were performed in 90 healthy children (mean age 9.9±4.9 [1–17] years, females: 57%) together with the assessment of MW by means of PSLs. Mean ± standard deviation, 5° and 95° percentile values for global MWI, MCW, MWW, and MWE in the whole population were 1769±254 mm Hg, (1354–2193); 2201±290 mm Hg, (1657–2658); 78±47 (29–163) mm Hg%; 96±1.8 (92–99)%, respectively. Conclusions The assessment of MW is feasible in healthy children. This study provides useful 2-dimensional echocardiographic reference ranges for novel indices of non-invasive MW. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: Public grant(s) – EU funding. Main funding source(s): ESC Training Grant 2019

Background Cardiovacular diseases (CVD) are the leading cause of death worldwide. Platelet play a key role in the pathophysiology of multiple CVD. LincRNAs are long non-coding RNAs transcribed from intergenic DNA segments. Some members of this class were recently associated with human disease. Linc-223 is co-transcribed together with mir-223 and was recently shown to bind to miR-125. Both miR-223 and miR-125 are highly expressed in platelets. Purpose In light of the capability of Linc-223 to bind to miR-125, we aimed to investigate whether their reciprocal expression levels might reflect the degree of platelet activity. Methods RNA was extracted using miRVANA. MiRNAs and lncRNAs were measured by means of quantitative Real Time RT-PCR. Results We found a significant reduction of Linc-223 levels (p Conclusions We identify a reciprocal modulation of Linc-223 and miR-125, its ligand upon different levels of platelet aggregations. These results are compatible with previous evidence from patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia, that Linc-223 might bind to and sponge miR-125, inhibiting its effect. These results suggest that plasma levels of Linc-223, miR-125 and miR-223 might be used a biomarkers of platelet finction in a clinical context, for risk stratification of patients or to assess the responsiveness to antiplatelet treatments. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None

Industrial crops for energy purposes are object of increasing interest worldwide and play an important role as a source of renewable energy. The aims of this study were to evaluate: i) the agronomic performance of Brassica napus L. var. oleifera D.C. and Brassica carinata A. Braun in a semi-arid environment; ii) to evaluate the economic viability of a pilot combined heat and power (CHP) plant operating on pure vegetable oil (PVO). The research was carried out in Sicily (Italy). The main biometric and yield parameters of the two species were determined. Chemical-physical characterizations were carried out on PVO for each species using specific protocols. The cogeneration of renewable energy was carried out using a CHP system with a nominal power of 75 kW h-1. The final stage focused on the economic viability analysis of the CHP system. Oil seed yield of Brassica napus and Brassica carinata were 2.10 and 1.16 t ha-1 on average, respectively. Cash-flow trend analysis showed good economic benefit to farmers. These results make the two species promising energy crops for cultivation in Mediterranean areas.

Potential energy feedstocks from conventional agriculture usually include pure vegetable oil (PVO) and agricultural/forest residues. Their uses can represent a starting point for the development of short agro-energy chains in the south areas of the Mediterranean region. This paper focused on testing and awareness raising of biofuel production for the cogeneration of electricity and heat from PVO of two Brassica oilseed crops in Sicily (Italy). The main aims of this study were: i) to evaluate the agronomic performance of rapeseed (Brassica napus L. var. oleifera D.C.) and Ethiopian mustard (Brassica carinata A. Braun) in semi-arid climate condition; ii) to analyze the quality of PVO and the chemical-physical characteristics of pure vegetable oils, defatted seed meals and crop residues of the two species; iii) to define the economic viability of a pilot combined heat and power (CHP) plant operating on PVO. In this study, seed and crop residue yields were determined at the harvesting stage on a harvest area of 10 m2. For each species, chemical-physical characterizations were carried out using specific protocols. The cogeneration of heat and electricity was carried out using a CHP system with a nominal power of 75 kWh. The final stage of the study focused on the economic viability analysis of the CHP system. Seed yields of rapeseed and Ethiopian mustard were 2.10 and 1.16 t ha−1 on average, respectively. Ethiopian mustard obtained the highest performance of aboveground biomass yield (5.31 t ha−1). The fatty acid profiles of the PVO resulted different for the two oilseed crops. Ethiopian mustard had, on average, the highest glucosinolate content in the seeds. The cogenerator showed a consumption of 14.4 kg PVO h−1 on average. Cash-flow trend analysis showed good economic benefit for farmers. These results make the two species as promising energy crops for suitable short agro-energy chains in the south Mediterranean areas.

Mechanisms of litter decomposition, translocation and stabilization into soil layers are fundamental processes in ecosystem functioning as it regulates the cycle of soil organic matter (SOM), CO2 emission into the atmosphere, carbon sequestration into the soil. In this study, it was investigated the contribution of litters of different stages of Mediterranean secondary succession on Carbon sequestration, analyzing the role of earthworms on translocation of SOM into soil profile. For this purpose δ13C difference between meadow C4-Csoil and C3-Clitter were used in a field experiment. Four undisturbed litters of different stages of succession were collected (45, 70, 100 and 120 since agriculture abandon) and placed on the top of isolated soil cores. The litter contribution to C stock was affected by plant species and increased with the age of the stage of secondary succession. The soil organic carbon after 1 year since litter position increased up to 40% in comparison to no litter treatment in soil with litter of 120 years since abandon. The new carbon derived from C3-litter was decomposed and transferred into soil profile thanks to earthworms and dissolved organic carbon leaching. After 1 years the carbon increase attributed to earthworm activity ranged from 6 to 13% in soil under litter in field abandoned since 120 and 45 years, respectively.

Pityriasis lichenoides (PL) is an uncommon inflammatory skin disease. Traditionally, two clinical forms can be distinguished: pityriasis lichenoides et varioliformis acuta (PLEVA) and pityriasis lichenoides chronica (PLC). PLEVA is characterized by a generalized eruption of acute onset, consisting of papular lesions that develop central necrosis and scar. In contrast, PLC is typified by small scaly red papules that do not evolve into necrotic lesions and may persist for months or years. PLEVA and PLC represent two variants of the clinical and istological spectrum of PL, but intermediate forms can occur specially in children. Although PLEVA can be found in patients at any age, it occurs predominantly in the second and third decades of life; in fact, this disorder is remarkably rare in childhood. We report the case of a 9-year-old girl who developed PLEVA.

In Mediterranean cooking, oregano is an aromatic herb which is mostly known for its pleasant, characteristic aroma. Although it grows wild throughout the Island of Sicily, it is cultivated in order to satisfy the growing demand for this herb for seasoning. In order to ensure success, specially selected plant material (superior qualities and good productive performance) is necessary for specialised cultivation. This paper contains the productive results (2000-2005) of several oregano accessions, previously characterized in terms of morphology and quality in a field collection catalogue. The productive response was found to vary for the different biotypes under examination. Several of these results were found to be promising as they exhibited a satisfying level of productive stability and would seem to be suitable for specialized cultivation.