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Background. The restrictive, but not the obstructive respiratory dysfunction, is associated with an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus. Our aim was to verify in an elderly nondiabetic population whether a restrictive respiratory pattern was associated with a higher prevalence of metabolic syndrome and increased insulin resistance than were obstructive and normal respiratory patterns. Methods. We performed a cross-sectional study of 159 consecutive nondiabetic elderly persons attending two social centers. According to their spirometric pattern, volunteers were classified into the following categories: normal spirometry, obstructive (forced expiratory volume in 1 second/forced vital capacity < 0.70), and restrictive pattern (forced vital capacity < 80% predicted, forced expiratory volume in 1 second/forced vital capacity [greater than or equal to] 0.70). Independent correlates of the metabolic syndrome were identified. Results. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was higher in restrictive (56%) than in both normal (21.4%, p = .001) and obstructive volunteers (12.9%, p = .001). Insulin resistance, as assessed by the log transformation of the HOmeostasis Model Assessment (HOMA), was higher in restrictive than in obstructive and normal volunteers (1 [+ or -] 0.6 vs 0.3 [+ or -] 0.6 and 0.5 [+ or -] 0.5, p < .001). Restriction was an independent correlate of metabolic syndrome, also after adjustment for waist circumference and body mass index (odds ratio = 3.23, 95% confidence interval, 1.23-8.48: p = .01). Conclusion. Restrictive, but not obstructive respiratory pattern, is associated with metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance, and does not only reflect a limitation of ventilation due to visceral obesity. Metabolic abnormalities likely mediate cardiovascular risk in patients with restrictive respiratory impairment.

The paper analyzes the links among energy, economy, and the natural environment. This matter requires the reconsideration of energy efficient and low emission technologies and the definition of new instruments for the analysis of energy systems as well as for the definition of energy policies. After an overview of the methods available in the literature, dealing with a multidimensional analysis of energy system, the authors propose a quantitative approach based on the use of two different thermodynamic based utility functions. The utilization of those functions permits to join thermodynamic and environmental performance of the energy system, to analyze the effects of their interaction and to obtain a more logical comparison among different energy systems, accepting the multidimensional nature of the problem but maintaining a system analysis in the way engineers are accustomed to. Two cases are discussed and analyzed. [DOI: 10.1115/1.2358149] Keywords: energy conversion, multicriteria assessment, environmental accounting, ecoefficiency

The low bioavailability of nutrients, especially nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P), is one of the most limiting factors for crop production. In this study, under N- and P-free nutrient solution (-N-P), nodulating white lupin plants developed some nodules and analogous cluster root structures characterized by different morphological, physiological, and molecular responses than those observed upon single nutrient deficiency (strong acidification of external media, a better nutritional status than -N+P and +N-P plants). The multi-elemental analysis highlighted that the concentrations of nutrients in white lupin plants were mainly affected by P availability. Gene-expression analyses provided evidence of interconnections between N and P nutritional pathways that are active to promote N and P balance in plants. The root exudome was mainly characterized by N availability in nutrient solution, and, in particular, the absence of N and P in the nutrient solution triggered a high release of phenolic compounds, nucleosides monophosphate and saponines by roots. These morphological, physiological, and molecular responses result from a close interplay between N and P nutritional pathways. They contribute to the good development of nodulating white lupin plants when grown on N- and P-free media. This study provides evidence that limited N and P availability in the nutrient solution can promote white lupin-Bradyrhizobium symbiosis, which is favourable for the sustainability of legume production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]