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Il lavoro illustra il problema del disegno e dell'accettabilità dei contratti di coltivazione dei cereali. Dopo avere discusso i vantaggi e gli svantaggi dei contratti di coltivazione sulla base dell'opinione di un gruppo di esperti, si riportano i risultati di un'indagine presso gli agricoltori.

Il contributo affronta il tema della compatibilità tra il principio di recupero del costo dei servizi idrici, disposto dalla direttiva quadro sull’acqua (n. 60/2000) e i sistemi di contribuzione attualmente vigenti in Italia nell’ambito dei Consorzi di Bonifica, sulla base di un caso di studio riguardante il Consorzio di Bonifica della pianura di Ferrara. Mentre la direttiva impegna i paesi membri a recuperare adeguatamente i costi presso gli utilizzatori (agricoltura, industria, famiglie), la quota di costi effettivamente recuperati dai Consorzi di Bonifica è circoscritta ai costi operativi. I costi d’investimento, quelli ambientali e quelli della risorsa sono praticamente ignorati. Il contributo discute la necessità, per favorire l’applicazione della direttiva, di un ridisegno istituzionale e di una modifica dei criteri di contabilizzazione dei costi. Inoltre, è analizzata la possibilità di introdurre il principio del “recupero dei benefici”, mediante il quale gli enti di bonifica potrebbero richiedere ai beneficiari una compensazione per le esternalità ambientali prodotte.

L'articolo presenta una analisi delphi riguardante le principali innovazioni passate e future nel settore del grano duro.

What's known on the subject? and What does the study add? Previous reports showed controversial evidence supporting the role of sex steroids, mainly testosterone, in the etiology and pathogenesis of prostate cancer (PCa). The bioavailability of sex steroids is significantly regulated by sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG). In this context, SHBG levels have been shown to be significantly higher in PCa patients than in controls. Likewise, SHBG was reported to serve as an independent predictor for extra-prostatic extension of tumour [defined as cancer (>= pT3) with capsular penetration, seminal vesicle involvement, or lymph node invasion (LNI)] in patients with clinically localized PCa. The presence of non-organ-confined disease is significantly associated with higher biochemical recurrence rates. This study provides novel evidence that SHBG might serve as a significant multivariate predictor of extra capsular extension (ECE) in PCa patients submitted to radical prostatectomy, after accounting for preoperative clinically available variables such as patient's age, total PSA, clinical stage, biopsy Gleason sum, and BMI. Moreover, a clinical cut-off for circulating SHBG allows using this easily quantifiable molecule as a novel clinical parameter in PCa patients. OBJECTIVE center dot To examine the association between sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) and extracapsular extension (ECE) in men treated with retropubic radical prostatectomy (RRP). PATIENTS AND METHODS center dot Preoperative serum SHBG levels were measured in a cohort of 629 consecutive European Caucasian men [mean (range) age of 64 (41-78) years] who underwent RRP. center dot No patient received any hormonal neoadjuvant treatment. SHBG levels were measured the day before RRP (08:00-10:00 hours) in all cases at the same laboratory. center dot Logistic regression models tested the association between predictors [including age, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level, clinical stage, biopsy Gleason sum, body mass index (BMI), and SHBG] and ECE. center dot Combined accuracy of predictors was tested in regression-based models predicting ECE at RRP. SHBG was included in the model both as a continuous and categorized variable (according to the most informative threshold level of 30 nmol/L). RESULTS center dot In all, 92 patients (14.6%) had ECE. The mean (standard deviation; median) serum SHBG levels were significantly higher in men with ECE compared with those with no ECE at 41.1 (14.7; 37.5) vs 36.4 (16.7; 34) nmol/L (P = 0.007; 95% confidence interval -8.00, -1.29). center dot Univariate analyses indicated that continuously coded SHBG was significantly [odds ratio (OR) 1.01; P = 0.03] associated with ECE, with a predictive accuracy of 60.1%. center dot At multivariate analyses, both continuous (OR 1.01; P = 0.03) and categorical SHBG (OR 3.22; P < 0.001) were significantly associated with ECE, after accounting for age, PSA level, clinical stage, biopsy Gleason sum, and BMI. center dot Addition of continuously coded SHBG slightly increased the predictive accuracy of the base model based on clinically established predictors from 63.3% to 65.5% (2.0% gain; P = 0.48). center dot In contrast, a model based on categorized-SHBG showed bootstrap-corrected predictive accuracy of 68.4% (5.1% gain; P = 0.044). CONCLUSION center dot This study shows that SHBG might serve as a significant multivariate predictor of ECE in men with prostate cancer that undergo RRP. "What's known on the subject? and What does the study add? Previous reports showed controversial evidence supporting the role of sex steroids, mainly testosterone, in the etiology and pathogenesis of prostate cancer (PCa). The bioavailability of sex steroids is significantly regulated by sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG). In this context, SHBG levels have been shown to be significantly higher in PCa patients than in controls. Likewise, SHBG was reported to serve as an independent predictor for extra-prostatic extension of tumour [defined as cancer (>= pT3) with capsular penetration, seminal vesicle involvement, or lymph node invasion (LNI)] in patients with clinically localized PCa. The presence of non-organ-confined disease is significantly associated with higher biochemical recurrence rates. This study provides novel evidence that SHBG might serve as a significant multivariate predictor of extra capsular extension (ECE) in PCa patients submitted to radical prostatectomy, after accounting for preoperative clinically available variables such as patient's age, total PSA, clinical stage, biopsy Gleason sum, and BMI. Moreover, a clinical cut-off for circulating SHBG allows using this easily quantifiable molecule as a novel clinical parameter in PCa patients. OBJECTIVE center dot To examine the association between sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) and extracapsular extension (ECE) in men treated with retropubic radical prostatectomy (RRP). PATIENTS AND METHODS center dot Preoperative serum SHBG levels were measured in a cohort of 629 consecutive European Caucasian men [mean (range) age of 64 (41-78) years] who underwent RRP. center dot No patient received any hormonal neoadjuvant treatment. SHBG levels were measured the day before RRP (08:00-10:00 hours) in all cases at the same laboratory. center dot Logistic regression models tested the association between predictors [including age, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level, clinical stage, biopsy Gleason sum, body mass index (BMI), and SHBG] and ECE. center dot Combined accuracy of predictors was tested in regression-based models predicting ECE at RRP. SHBG was included in the model both as a continuous and categorized variable (according to the most informative threshold level of 30 nmol\/L). RESULTS center dot In all, 92 patients (14.6%) had ECE. The mean (standard deviation; median) serum SHBG levels were significantly higher in men with ECE compared with those with no ECE at 41.1 (14.7; 37.5) vs 36.4 (16.7; 34) nmol\/L (P = 0.007; 95% confidence interval -8.00, -1.29). center dot Univariate analyses indicated that continuously coded SHBG was significantly [odds ratio (OR) 1.01; P = 0.03] associated with ECE, with a predictive accuracy of 60.1%. center dot At multivariate analyses, both continuous (OR 1.01; P = 0.03) and categorical SHBG (OR 3.22; P < 0.001) were significantly associated with ECE, after accounting for age, PSA level, clinical stage, biopsy Gleason sum, and BMI. center dot Addition of continuously coded SHBG slightly increased the predictive accuracy of the base model based on clinically established predictors from 63.3% to 65.5% (2.0% gain; P = 0.48). center dot In contrast, a model based on categorized-SHBG showed bootstrap-corrected predictive accuracy of 68.4% (5.1% gain; P = 0.044). CONCLUSION center dot This study shows that SHBG might serve as a significant multivariate predictor of ECE in men with prostate cancer that undergo RRP."

L’industria pastaria lo chiede da anni, ma gli agricoltori sono ancora diffidenti: coltivare il grano duro a contratto è un salvagente o una zavorra per i produttori? Lo abbiamo chiesto a dieci addetti ai lavori

Genetic investigations of reproductive lineages of marble trout, Salmo [trutta] marmoratus Cuvier,1817, Isonzo and Tagliamentostrains for their management and conservation - In this study we present the results of a genetic investigation of reproductivelineages of marble trout strains from the Friuli Venezia Giulia main river basins (Isonzo and Tagliamento) by using a restriction analysis(RFLP) on mtDNA control region and nuclear LDH-C1* gene amplicons. These combined analyses give a clearer result on which strainthe fish belong to and help defining the different levels of introgression between marble and brown trout. Using an introgression indexas proposed by Penserini et al. (2006), but modified for this study, based on the combination of mitochondrial haplotypes and nuclearalleles, individuals with different level of hybridization were identified. Pure marmoratus lineage was represented by 71% of the samplesanalyzed in this study, the remaining being hybrids, quite common because of the massive introduction of non-native brown trout forangling purposes.

Only few reports addressed the outcome of patients submitted to anatomical radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP) with an indwelling inflatable penile prosthesis (IPP). To assess the feasibility and safety of RRP in patients with clinically localized prostate cancer and a previously implanted with an IPP. We evaluated the surgical parameters and the follow-up functional results in this particular patient population. Four patients previously submitted to IPP implant for severe erectile dysfunction underwent RRP for organ-confined prostate cancer. Patients' charts were carefully reviewed to investigate pre- and perioperative details. Patients were evaluated by the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) preoperatively and at 6 months postoperatively. Patients were then contacted to assess long-term functional and oncological outcome. The outcome of the procedures was comparable to a normal population in terms of operating time, estimated blood loss, hospitalization time, and pathological outcome. No injury to the preexisting penile implant was reported. Continence was obtained in 3 (75%) patients at catheter removal, and in 1 (25%) patient at the 1-month follow-up. No major intra- and postoperative complications were reported. All patients were able to use their prosthesis after RRP. No statistical difference in pre- and post-RRP EF domain scores was found. The presence of an IPP in patients with prostate cancer is not a contraindication to perform an anatomical RRP. Surgery can be performed safely without injuring the implant and the clinical outcome in these patients is satisfactory. Postoperative implant use is not affected by RRP. Deho' F, Salonia A, Briganti A, Zanni G, Gallina A, Rokkas K, Guazzoni G, Rigatti P, and Montorsi F. Anatomical radical retropubic prostatectomy in patients with a preexisting three-piece inflatable prosthesis: A series of case reports. J Sex Med 2009;6:578-583. Only few reports addressed the outcome of patients submitted to anatomical radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP) with an indwelling inflatable penile prosthesis (IPP). To assess the feasibility and safety of RRP in patients with clinically localized prostate cancer and a previously implanted with an IPP. We evaluated the surgical parameters and the follow-up functional results in this particular patient population. Four patients previously submitted to IPP implant for severe erectile dysfunction underwent RRP for organ-confined prostate cancer. Patients' charts were carefully reviewed to investigate pre- and perioperative details. Patients were evaluated by the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) preoperatively and at 6 months postoperatively. Patients were then contacted to assess long-term functional and oncological outcome. The outcome of the procedures was comparable to a normal population in terms of operating time, estimated blood loss, hospitalization time, and pathological outcome. No injury to the preexisting penile implant was reported. Continence was obtained in 3 (75%) patients at catheter removal, and in 1 (25%) patient at the 1-month follow-up. No major intra- and postoperative complications were reported. All patients were able to use their prosthesis after RRP. No statistical difference in pre- and post-RRP EF domain scores was found. The presence of an IPP in patients with prostate cancer is not a contraindication to perform an anatomical RRP. Surgery can be performed safely without injuring the implant and the clinical outcome in these patients is satisfactory. Postoperative implant use is not affected by RRP. Deho' F, Salonia A, Briganti A, Zanni G, Gallina A, Rokkas K, Guazzoni G, Rigatti P, and Montorsi F. Anatomical radical retropubic prostatectomy in patients with a preexisting three-piece inflatable prosthesis: A series of case reports. J Sex Med 2009;6:578-583.

The main functional factors related to lifelong premature ejaculation (PE) etiology have been suggested to be penile hypersensitivity, greater cortical penile representation, and disturbance of central serotoninergic neurotransmission. To quantitatively assess penile sensory thresholds in European Caucasian patients with lifelong PE using the Genito-Sensory Analyzer (GSA, Medoc, Ramat Yishai, Israel) as compared with those of an age-comparable sample of volunteers without any ejaculatory compliant. Forty-two consecutive right-handed, fully potent patients with lifelong PE and 41 right-handed, fully potent, age-comparable volunteers with normal ejaculatory function were enrolled. Each man was assessed via comprehensive medical and sexual history; detailed physical examination; subjective scoring of sexual symptoms with the International Index of Erectile Function; and four consecutive measurements of intravaginal ejaculatory latency time with the stopwatch method. All men completed a detailed genital sensory evaluation using the GSA; thermal and vibratory sensation thresholds were computed at the pulp of the right index finger, and lateral aspect of penile shaft and glans, bilaterally. Comparing quantitatively assessed penile thermal and vibratory sensory thresholds between men with lifelong PE and controls without any ejaculatory compliant. Patients showed significantly higher (P < 0.001) thresholds at the right index finger but similar penile and glans thresholds for warm sensation as compared with controls. Cold sensation thresholds were not significantly different between groups at the right index finger or penile shaft, but glans thresholds for cold sensation were bilaterally significantly lower (P = 0.01) in patients. Patients showed significantly higher (all P