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Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Background Kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) have an increased cardiovascular risk and lower cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF). This is associated with increased all-cause mortality and can drastically reduce quality of life. Therefore, assessment of functional capacity and consequently an individualized physical exercise prescription are important respectively for prognostic and therapeutic purposes. Purpose Evaluate whether functional capacity, expressed as maximum oxygen consumption (VO2peak/Kg) and physical activity level are independent determinants of the risk of major cardio-vascular events (MACEs) in a KTRs population in the medium to long term. Methods In this retrospectively cohort study, 168 KTRs transplanted between 2014 and 2018 were enrolled. They underwent to a complete medical evaluation, a cardiopulmonary exercise testing and GPAQ questionnaire 3-12 months after transplantation. Laboratory blood samples and drug therapy data were collected. The average follow-up period was 6,13 ± 1,63 years. In July 2022, an anamnestic questionnaire (in order to investigate MACEs) and GPAQ questionnaire were submitted by telephone to all patients. Cox regression analyses were performed to evaluate predictors of MACEs adjusting for potential confounders. Results During the study, MACEs occurs in 15 patients (8.93%). Subjects who underwent MACE had a functional capacity significantly lower than those who had no events. Moreover, patients with MACE also had levels of physical activity significantly reduced compared with the ones without events (Table I). Data shows that VO2peak/Kg is a protective marker for risk of MACEs (Hazard Ratio 0.836; 95%CI= 0.715-0.978; p=0.025), independently of gender, age, hypertension, dyslipidaemia, obesity, diabetes mellitus, eGFR, physical activity level and presence of major cardiovascular events before transplantation. Moreover, classifying severity of functional capacity reduction through reference values reported for a matched healthy population, rate of MACEs significantly increases in groups of patients with worse CRF compared to healthy subjects (p=0.027). Conclusions In KRTs, better functional capacity after transplantation seems to be an independent modifiable protective factor for MACEs in the medium to long term. Cardiopulmonary exercise testing should thus be recommended for cardiovascular screening, evaluation of CRF and tailored exercise prescription to reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events.

Wild cardoon (Cynara cardunculus L var. sylvestris (Lam.) is widespread in Sicily by several populations and immature inflorescences are usually collected and cooked during spring utilizing them as traditional starters or for home processing use. Sometimes, the capitula heads are sold in local market, both raw or already boiled in traditional big containers. Considering the high nutraceutical value of this product, similar to globe artichoke, and the lack of research activities related to this product of Sicilian tradition, the aim of this work, was to individuate the variation of the firmness and of browning indices in relation to the heating/cooking time/treatment and to the different accessions collected in Sicily and conserved ex situ at CNR ISAFOM. Four accessions of cardoon, one belonging to var. altilis and three to var. sylvestris collected at Syracuse (SR, Italy), S. Domenica Vittoria (ME, Italy) and Polverello (ME, Italy), before flowering stage were object of our attention. The harvested capitula were subjected to a dipping of the hearts at 0°C in a water solution of sodium hypochlorite 0.5% (v/v) for 30 min. In order to assess the optimal firmness along the time, a heating treatment from 2 min intervals until 28 min was performed, using distilled water in a ratio of 1 g capitula:10 mL water. On raw hearths and every four two minutes for a total of seven samplings; on 6 hearths (experimental unit), the weight (g), the colour of the external bracts (Minolta CR-400) and the firmness (kg cm-2) were determined. The firmness was acceptable until 8 min, after this time the softness determined the damage of the tissues, especially in genotypes with the lowest bud size. The lightness L* decreased from 52 (0 min) to 42 (28 min) and the C* increased, passing from 11.1 (0 min) to 18.1 (28 min). This paper gives useful information about the cooking process of cardoon to obtain new stored nutraceutical products.

For all the research into arthroplasty, provision of total knee arthroplasty (TKR) services based on gender in the Australian context is yet to be explored. International literature points toward a heavily gender biased provision of TKA services, skewed away from female patients. This research has aimed to assess the current experience of Australian female patients and to explore better assessment techniques that could provide more equitable services.A retrospective cohort analysis has been conducted using pre-op PROMs data, where available, from the Australian National Joint Replacement Registry (AOANJRR), between 7 August 2018 and 31 December 2021, including: EQ VAS Health; Oxford Knee Score; joint pain; and KOOS-12. Data was adjusted for age, ASA score, BMI, primary diagnosis, public vs private hospital, surgeon gender and years of practice (as estimated from years of registry data available). Of 1,001,231 procedures performed, 27,431 were able to be analysed (12,300 male and 15,131 female).Gender-based bias against female patients reached statistical significance across all PROM scores, according to the Kruskal-Wallis test of difference (p-value This study found that women were less likely to undergo TKR despite worse scores on every pre-op PROM available, thus we demonstrate a statistically significant gender-based bias against female patients. More effort needs to be made to identify the base of this bias and find new ways to assess patients that can provide more equitable provision of healthcare.

Identifying and restoring alignment is a primary aim of total knee arthroplasty (TKA). In the coronal plane, the pre-pathological hip knee angle can be predicted using an arithmetic method (aHKA) by measuring the medial proximal tibial angle (MPTA) and lateral distal femoral angle (aHKA=MPTA - LDFA). The aHKA is shown to be predictive of coronal alignment prior to the onset of osteoarthritis; a useful guide when considering a non-mechanically aligned TKA. The aim of this study is to investigate the intra- and inter-observer accuracy of aHKA measurements on long leg standing radiographs (LLR) and preoperative Mako CT planning scans (CTs).Sixty-eight patients who underwent TKA from 2020-2021 with pre-operative LLR and CTs were included. Three observers (Surgeon, Fellow, Registrar) measured the LDFA and MPTA on LLR and CT independently on three separate occasions, to determine aHKA. Statistical analysis was undertaken with Bland-Altman test and coefficient of repeatability.An average intra-observer measurement error of 3.5° on LLR and 1.73° on CTs for MPTA was detected. Inter-observer errors were 2.74° on LLR and 1.28° on CTs. For LDFA, average intra-observer measurement error was 2.93° on LLR and 2.3° on CTs, with inter-observer errors of 2.31° on LLR and 1.92° on CTs. Average aHKA intra-observer error was 4.8° on LLR and 2.82° on CTs. Inter-observer error of 3.56° for LLR and 2.0° on CTs was measured.The aHKA is reproducible on both LLR and CT. CT measurements are more reproducible both between and within observers. The difference between measurements using LLR and CT is small and hence these two can be considered interchangeable. CT may obviate the need for LLRs and may overcome difficulties associated with positioning, rotation, body habitus and flexion contractures when assessing coronal alignment.

3D printing and Bioprinting technologies are becoming increasingly popular in surgery to provide a solution for the regeneration of healthy tissues. The aim of our project is the regeneration of articular cartilage via bioprinting means, to manage isolated chondral defects.Chrondrogenic hydrogel (chondrogel: GelMa + TGF-b3 and BMP6) was prepared and sterilised in our lab following our standard protocols. Human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells were harvested from the infrapatellar fat pad of patients undergoing total knee joint replacements and incorporated in the hydrogel according to our published protocols. The chondrogenic properties of the chondrogel have been tested (histology, immunohistochemistry, PCR, immunofluorescence, gene analysis and 2nd harmonic generation microscopy) in vitro and in an ex-vivo model of human articular defect and compared with standard culture systems where the growth factors are added to the media at repeated intervals.The in-vitro analysis showed that the formation of hyaline cartilage pellet was comparable between the two strategies, with a similar metabolic activity of the cells. These results have been confirmed in the ex-vivo model: hyaline-like cartilage was observed within the chondral defect in both the chondrogel group and the control group after 28 days in culture.The use of bioprinting techniques in vivo requires the ability of stem cells to access growth factors directly in the environment they are in, as opposed to in vitro techniques where these factors are provided externally at recurrent intervals. This study showed the successful strategy of incorporating chondrogenic growth factors for the formation of hyaline-like cartilage in vitro and in an ex-vivo model of chondral loss.The incorporation of chondrogenic growth factors in a hydrogel is a possible strategy for articular cartilage regeneration.

Despite the importance of long-term atmospheric deposition of ions for vegetation productivity and biogeochemistry, southern South America lacks long-term deposition records. We report a 6-year-long record of atmospheric deposition measurements of Mg2+, Ca2+, Na+, K+, Cl−, SO42−, NO3− and NH4+ in the plains of southern South America, which encompass one of the most important agricultural basins and urban clusters of the continent. After establishing a deposition measurement network across four sites in Argentina and Uruguay, we collected bulk atmospheric deposition monthly form January 2007 through December 2012 in an east–west transect of 700 km. Spatial changes in the sea-salt component of atmospheric deposition were primarily associated with proximity to the sea—as observed in other regions of the world—whereas non-sea-salt components of atmospheric deposition of terrestrial origin were primarily associated with the size of the human population surrounding collection sites. Atmospheric deposition showed a strong interannual variability (CV 50%) mainly associated with variations in the non-sea salt components of terrestrial origin and were within observed values for other relatively unpolluted sites of South America and globally. However, atmospheric deposition appears to be increasing in the region, particularly for SO42− and other ions around Buenos Aires, Argentina, which may represent an early warning of increased air pollution in the area. Average annual regional deposition of sulfate (SO42−) was 12.7 kg S hectare−1 and nitrate (NO3−) was 9.2 kg N hectare−1. Weighted average concentrations of base cations (sum of Mg2+, Ca2+, Na+ and K+) was 0.27 mg L−1, and weighted average concentrations of SO42−, NO3− and NH4+ were 0.094, 0.018 and 0.046 mg L−1, respectively. Our work highlights the need for long-term networks recording atmospheric deposition in the region, increasing knowledge of nutrient cycling and establishing a baseline for future atmospheric pollution measurements.

Objective To compare 5 cmH2 O of continuous positive airway pressure with oxygen therapy in dogs recovering from general anaesthesia with low SpO2 values. continuous positive airway pressure is more effective than oxygen therapy in restoring normoxaemia (SpO2 ≥95%). Materials and methods Prospectively, dogs recovering from anaesthesia, with SpO2 95%) were used as control (CTR). Results Of the 42 dogs enrolled, 34 completed the study. Eleven dogs were treated with O2 , 10 with continuous positive airway pressure and 13 were CTR. The SpO2 values at T0 were similar in the continuous positive airway pressure and O2 groups and were lower than in the CTR group. At T15, T30, T45 and T60, the SpO2 values in the continuous positive airway pressure group were higher than at T0; these were similar to those of the CTR group at the same time-points. In the O2 group, SpO2 values were significantly higher at T45 and T60 than at T0; 45.5% of dogs became normoxaemic at T45 and the remaining dogs became normoxaemic at T60. The average time to reach normoxaemia in the O2 group (53.1±7.3 minutes) was longer than in the continuous positive airway pressure group (15.0±0.0 minutes). Clinical significance In dogs recovering from general anaesthesia with pulmonary gas exchange impairment, normoxaemia is restored more effectively and rapidly by using continuous positive airway pressure than by oxygen therapy.

Combined modality of radiotherapy and surgery is the standard of treatment of soft tissue sarcomas (STS). The goal of this study was to assess whether a Combined Onco-Plastic (COP) surgical approach in the setting of neo-adjuvant radiotherapy can improve the oncologic outcomes of STS and reduce the rate of wound complications.We performed a retrospective review of all patients with STS treated at a single sarcoma centre (St Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne) between 2007 and 2018. Patients were stratified into two groups based on whether they have received the COP approach or were closed primarily by the orthopaedic surgeon. We analysed oncological outcomes and rate of wound complications.A total of 546 patients with comparable demographics and tumor characteristics were included. The COP approach was performed in 75.6% of the patients. Wide margins were obtained in 97.4% of the cases, and this was significantly higher in the COP group (p 0.001). The cumulative rate of local recurrence was 4.9%, with a 52% risk reduction in the COP approach, although this reduction was not significant (HR = 0.48; 95% CI 0.21-1.06; p = 0.070). The COP approach had better disease free survival (DFS) (aHR 1.86, 95% CI 1.45-2.37; p 0.001) and Overall survival (risk of death aHR 0.49; 95% CI 0.30-0.79; p = 0.004). The overall wound complication rate was 18.6% with no difference between the two groups.A planned collaboration between the orthopaedic oncologist and the plastic surgeon is beneficial in the treatment of STS after neo-adjuvant radiotherapy, allowing remarkably good oncological outcomes and a low rate of wound complications.

Cynara cardunculus L. var. sylvestris populations widespread in Sicily shows high nutraceutical and health properties and can represent a new product in agri-food markets to suggest for diversifying productive chains. However, their exploitation requires adequate protocols for the evaluation of the shelf life of the produce. Previous studies permitted to individuate the best wild population suitable for this purpose and by it we have progressed evaluating the sensory properties that appeal to consumers of cooked globe artichoke hearts. Heads of the wild population of C. cardunculus var. sylvestris were collected at Polverello (ME, Italy) before flowering stage. After washing them whit tap water, the harvested capitula were subjected to a dipping at 0°C into a water solution of sodium hypochlorite 0.5% (v/v) for 30 min. A heating treatment until 8 min was performed, using distilled water in a ratio of 1 g heads:10 mL water. The capitula were packed after heating treatment in tinplate cans of 500 g containing a water solution of citric acid at 2% (w:w) and stored at 4±1°C. Each contained 3 capitula. At intervals of 4 days, for one month, 9 tinplates (experimental unit 3 tinplates) were analysed for colour of the external bracts (Minolta CR-400) and firmness (kg cm-2). The same number of crude capitula was stored in the same condition as control (CTRL). The cooked capitula presented good sensorial characteristics, in terms of colour and firmness until 16 days of storage. Microbiological analyses should be performed for the safety of the products.

Background The external iliac vein is the standard site used for venous anastomosis in kidney transplantation. When a pre-transplantation diagnosis of iliocaval thrombosis is established, a different and suitable venous drainage for the renal outflow must be identified for successful transplant. Methods We report 4 cases of kidney transplantation, performed from 2004 to 2016, in recipients presenting with thrombosis of the inferior vena cava and iliac system needing, because of the lack of access for dialysis, urgent kidney transplantations. The splenic vessels were used in all cases for the graft’s vascular anastomosis after splenectomy. Results Kidney transplantation after splenectomy, with anastomosis of the renal vessels to the splenic ones, was completed in all 4 patients. All of the cases were technically successful with good renal function on discharge. During the follow-up, no graft losses were registered as due to thrombotic event or inadequate renal venous outflow. A normal vascular inflow and outflow was confirmed by means of follow-up ultrasound. Two grafts were lost at 31 months and 91 months, both to noncompliance with immunosuppressive therapy. The other 2 are currently functioning well. Notably, the kidney’s position in the left upper quadrant has not caused technical difficulties in urologic reconstruction. Conclusions In our experience, kidney transplantation using splenic vessels for vascular anastomosis is technically feasible and very useful in the setting of complete iliocaval thrombosis.

Cadaveric split liver transplantation (SLT) is a valid option to increase the pool of cadaveric organs, obtaining 2 functioning grafts from a single donor. Typically, SLT is performed for 1 adult and 1 pediatric recipient. However, on the heels of great results achieved in living donor liver transplantation, splitting cadaveric liver into full right graft and full left graft for 2 adults has become a feasible idea. The rate of biliary complications remains the “Achilles heel” in partial graft liver transplantation, either from cadaveric or living donors. In cases of biliary complications, interventional radiology and/or endoscopic procedures are the cornerstone of management. Surgical revision is left as the last option. When surgical revision fails, retransplantation becomes the only rescue option. Herein we describe the case of a cadaveric SLT, complicated by biliary leakage in the presence of multiple bile ducts. A duct-to-duct anastomosis was not feasible. Therefore, a hepaticojejunostomy was performed and resulted in a high-output biliary leak from different sources. Given the anatomy of the biliary tree, radiologic interventional measures were not feasible to address the leak. The idea of performing a portoenterostomy to restore bilioenteric continuity proved to be successful. Portoenterostomy should not be performed in lieu of other alternatives, but rather as the last option to avoid retransplantation in cases of complicated biliary reconstruction after partial graft liver transplant.

We present in this study results from X-ray tomographic microscopy with synchrotron radiation performed both in attenuation and phase contrast modes on a limestone sample during two stages of water drying. No contrast agent was used in order to increase the X-ray attenuation by water. We show that only by using the phase contrast mode it is possible to achieve enough water content change resolution to investigate the drying process at the pore-scale. We performed 3D image analysis of the time-differential phase contrast tomogram. We show by the results of such analysis that it is possible to obtain a reliable characterization of the spatial redistribution of water in the resolved pore system in agreement with what expected from the theory of drying in porous media and from measurements performed with other approaches. We thus show the potential of X-ray phase contrast imaging for pore-scale investigations of reactive water transport processes which cannot be imaged by adding a contrast agent for exploiting the standard attenuation contrast imaging mode.

Sensorineural hearing loss has been reported as an extraintestinal manifestation of inflammatory bowel disease, especially in adult patients with ulcerative colitis. However, to date only a few series have been reported in the literature, and none from Italy. The aim of the present investigation was to assess the prevalence of symptomatic sensorineural hearing loss in Italian patients with ulcerative colitis.We retrospectively assessed the charts of all patients with ulcerative colitis who underwent otolaryngologic investigation in a 10-year period.Complete charts of 57 patients were available for the observation period. Reasons for head and neck investigation were transient, mild hearing loss and sporadic vertigo. Clinical and instrumental head and neck examination was unremarkable in all but one woman who complained of mild hearing loss without vertigo or tinnitus, in whom sensorineural hearing loss was diagnosed.In our series, sensorineural hearing loss was found in less than 2 % of adult patients with ulcerative colitis evaluated in a department of otolaryngology. Systematic evaluation for this extraintestinal manifestation should not be carried out unless hearing loss is present.

In this manuscript we present a radiative transfer model for submerged vegetation called SAILHFlood. It simulates reflectance for a partial submerged canopy from vegetation variables, water level, measurement geometry and soil reflectance. It is a version of the proven SAILH model in which, two vegetation layers are included instead of one: the emerged vegetation layer and the submerged vegetation layer, for which the water attenuation is considered. The model validation was performed with a experiment in laboratory conditions varying leaf area index, water level and illumination and observation angles. A least square linear fit of simulated data used to reproduce measured data shows a satisfactory root mean square error (RMSE) of 0.0355, and a spectral angle of 0.2591 radians. The model could be applied to the diversity of vegetation found in flooded situations, both to understand spectral behavior of these environments under different scenarios and to estimate vegetation variables from model inversion. Fil: Beget, M. E.. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria; Argentina Fil: Bettachini, Víctor. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina Fil: Di Bella, Carlos Marcelo. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina Fil: Baret, F.. Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique; Francia

Thromboembolic complications have been reported in patients with Crohn's disease. Among the contributing factors, hyperhomocysteinemia has been described, although controversial data exist. The aim of our study was to assess the incidence of hyperhomocysteinemia in a nonselected group of patients with Crohn's disease and to determine whether it might represent a risk marker for thrombosis in such patients.Fifty consecutive patients were recruited, and clinical and laboratory variables were compared between those without and those with hyperhomocysteinemia. In the latter, gene mutations in N5-N10-methyltetrahydrofolate reductase were searched for, and clinical and laboratory variables were related to hyperhomocysteinemia. The presence/absence of thrombotic episodes in both groups was determined.Both groups had similar clinically active disease, with higher C-reactive protein values found in those with hyperhomocysteinemia. Hyperhomocysteinemia was found in 46 % of patients. Of these, 74 % had moderate, 13 % intermediate, and 13 % severe increase in serum homocysteine levels. No relationship was found between homocysteine levels, and age, vitamin B12 levels, folic acid levels, Crohn's Disease Activity Index score, and CRP values. Gene mutations were found in 5 (22 %) patients, 2 homozygotes and 3 heterozygotes. None of the patients with or without hyperhomocysteinemia had episodes of venous or arterial thrombosis, or stroke.Hyperhomocysteinemia is frequent in patients with Crohn's disease, and it could be a cofactor for the pathogenesis of thrombotic episodes.

Salt marshes occupying the tidal fringe of estuaries and protected coasts provide valuable ecosystem services, and remote sensing is a powerful tool for their large scale monitoring. However, in order to apply remote sensing techniques to evaluate the ecological state of salt marshes, a deeper understanding is needed on the interactions between field biophysical parameters and the electromagnetic signal. The main objective of this work is to analyze and quantify the influence of different biophysical parameters characterizing stands of Spartina alterniflora marshes in the Bahia Blanca estuary, Argentina on their spectral response. Spectral reflectance at high resolution was measured in S. alterniflora canopies under natural conditions, manipulating standing biomass by means of successive harvestings. Reflectance data were acquired using a FieldSpec® sprectroradiometer (Analytical Spectral Devices, Inc.) in visible, near-infrared and shortwave infrared bands. Spectral indices including the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), were calculated for each biomass situation, leaf area index (LAI), percentage canopy cover (PCC), water content and soil properties were measured. LAI, PCC and biomass were positively correlated between them. As a general trend, as biomass decreased, absorption in red wavelengths increased and reflectance in near infrared decreased. Several indices explained the variability in LAI, biomass and PCC. For example, NDVIRouse had a positive regression with PCC (R2 = 0.80, N = 75) and LAI (R2 = 0.67, N = 75). Results indicate that LAI, biomass and PCC of Spartina alterniflora could be accurately determined from spectral data. Fil: Gonzalez Trilla, Gabriela Liliana. Universidad Nacional de San Martin. Instituto de Investigación e Ingenieria Ambiental. Laboratorio de Ecologia, Teledeteccion y Ecoinformática; Argentina Fil: Pratolongo, Paula Daniela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Bahía Blanca. Instituto Argentino de Oceanografía (i); Argentina Fil: Beget, M. E.. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Agropecuarias. Centro de Investigaciones de Recursos Naturales. Instituto de Clima y Agua; Argentina Fil: Kandus, P.. Universidad Nacional de San Martin. Instituto de Investigación e Ingenieria Ambiental. Laboratorio de Ecologia, Teledeteccion y Ecoinformática; Argentina Fil: Marcovecchio, Jorge Eduardo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Bahía Blanca. Instituto Argentino de Oceanografía (i); Argentina Fil: Di Bella, Carlos Marcelo. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Agropecuarias. Centro de Investigaciones de Recursos Naturales. Instituto de Clima y Agua; Argentina

Wildfires can cause severe impacts on the terrestrial ecosystems depending on their frequency and behavior. We studied the environmental factors influencing the spatial and temporal distribution of fires, their size and duration in the central semiarid Argentina. We identified fires using MODIS satellite data and we analyzed their association with climate and land cover/use patterns. Spatial and temporal fire patterns varied between eastern, central and western regions according to the presence of agriculture, shrublands and water deficits, respectively. The frequency and behavior of fires also varied temporally with water conditions. Years with low effective precipitations were characterized by an important hotspot density and fire number, as well as the months preceded by two months with low effective precipitation ( r 2 : 0.42; p r 2 : 0.7594; p F : 10.76, p F : 3.703, p F : 16.0, p

The fraction of intercepted photosynthetic active radiation (fPAR) is a key variable used by the Monteith model to estimate the net primary productivity (NPP). This variable can be assessed by vegetation indices (VIs) derived from spectral remote sensing data but several factors usually affect their relationship. The objectives of this work were to analyse the fPAR dynamics and to describe the relationships between fPAR and several indices (normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), optimized soil adjusted vegetation index (OSAVI), Green NDVI (GNDVI), visible atmospherically resistant index (VARI) green, VIgreen and red edge position (REP)) under different water and nutrient treatments for two species with different canopy architectures. Two C3 grass species with differences in leaf orientation (planophile and erectophile) were cultivated from seeds in pots. Four treatments were applied combining water and nitrogen availability. Every week, canopy reflectance and fPAR were measured. Aerial biomass was clipped to estimate final above-ground production for each species and treatment. Starting from reflectance values, the indices were calculated. Planophile species have a steeper (but not significantly) slope in VIs-fPAR relationships than the erectophile species. Water and nutrient deficiencies treatment showed no relationship with fPAR in any spectral index in the erectophile species. In the other species, this treatment showed significant relationship according to the index used. Analysing each species individually, treatments did not modify slopes except in one case (planophile species between both treatments with high nitrogen but differing in water availability). Among indices, GNDVI was the best estimator of fPAR for both species, followed by NDVI and OSAVI. Inaccurate results may be obtained from commonly reported spectral relationships if plants' stress factors are not taken into account.

Summary Bluetongue (BT) is an orbiviral disease of wild and domestic ruminants, mainly sheep. In Sicily, the first Bluetongue outbreak occurred in October 2000; there have been 76 recorded outbreaks so far. The National Surveillance Plan, based on European Union Commission Decision 138/2001/CE, establishes serological and entomological surveys. This plan consists of controls of seronegative cattle, called ‘sentry’ as indicators for the presence and circulation of virus in defined areas. To check the seroconversions, the regional territory has been subdivided in 400 km2 areas including 58 seronegative cattle, periodically checked by serological tests. All positive sera have been tested to detect the specific serotype by the National Reference Centre for Exotic Diseases (CESME) at the Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Abruzzo e Molise in Teramo (IZS Teramo). Moreover, entomological surveillance has been implemented in seropositive herds, to investigate the presence of insect vectors belonging to Culicoides genus. The goal of the present communication is to report on the different species of Culicoides found in the farms with Bluetongue virus and to investigate on the probable role of new competent vectors. This paper concerns data analysis of 581 light-trap catches collected in 321 farms from 2003 to 2008. We observed that 82% of checked farms were positive for Culicoides spp., and only 10% of the farms were positive for Culicoides imicola.

Aim: In our study, we evaluated if CART gene A1475G and DA1457 polymorphisms could be associated with obesity. Patients and methods: We recruited 133 Italian trios from among 103 (50 males and 53 females) overweight children (mean age 10.5 years, range 6–14 years; mean BMI 26.1 ± 3.2 kg ‡ m 2 ), and 30 (16 males and 14 females) obese children (mean age 9.0 years, range 6–11 years; mean BMI 32.3 ± 2.0 kg ‡ m 2 ). We also selected 187 non-obese unrelated controls. Results: The allele frequencies of the A1475G single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) were significantly higher in overweight children (0.07) than in control children (0.02) (p = 0.03) and control adults (0.02) (p = 0.02). Moreover, the allele frequencies were significantly different between obese children (0.08) and control children (0.02) (p = 0.03), and between obese children (0.08) and control adults (0.02) (p = 0.02).The DA1457 SNP showed any significant association 2 with overweight ‡ obesity. TDT statistic revealed a preferential transmission of the 1475G allele from heterozygous parents to overweight children (p < 0.01) and to obese children (p < 0.05). No statistically significant excess transmission of the DA1457 allele was found. Conclusion: Our results supported the hypothesis that inherited variations of the CART gene could influence the development of obesity also in Italian children.

Vegetation indices generated from remotely sensed data have been widely used to estimate biophysical characteristics of natural vegetation and agricultural crops like aboveground productivity, leaf area index or absorption of the photosynthetically active radiation. However, in flooded environments, such as grasslands or rice crops, alterations in the spectral response of canopies may happen due to the presence of surface water. The objective of this study was to analyse these alterations in flooding environments. Spectral response at high resolution was measured in grass canopies inside a tank with varying levels of water between 0 and 25 cm, resulting in different above-water biomass proportions. Reflectance data were acquired using an OceanOptics Inc USB2000 visible and near-infrared spectroradiometer. Spectral indices like the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) were calculated for each flooded situation. As flooding level increased, absorption in red wavelengths decreased and reflectance in near infrared decreased. NDVI did not show differences between flooding levels lower than 5 cm, where more than 60% of biomass was above water. From 5 cm, NDVI decreased with the decreasing proportion of emerged biomass. These results evidence not only the alterations of spectral response data under flooded situations but also the conditions limiting vegetation index as a reliable estimator of plant biophysical characteristics.

Wildfires affect Earth´s surface every year. Fuels conditions influence fire occurrence and behavior; therefore, their characterization is important for fire risk studies. We analyzed vegetation conditions influencing fires occurrence, spread and duration in semiarid Argentina using satellite and complementary data. MODIS spectral data and GLC2000 map were the main inputs for this study. We analyzed pre-fire vegetation spectral responses of unburned areas and sites affected by fires of different sizes and durations nearby in space and time. Fire occurrence was more influenced by fuel load in shrublands, agriculture and steppes than in forests, where fuel status was most critical. Differences among burned and unburned sites were achieved in less time in shrublands and agriculture than in the steppes and forests due to fuel thickness, type and degradation state. Vegetation conditions also varied between fire sizes. Smaller fires were preceded by high fuel accumulation. From 300 ha burned fuel conditions were not related with fire spread probably due the influence of another variables. Fire duration was clearly influenced by pre-fire fuel quantity. Based on our results, we concluded that satellite data appears as a valuable tool to study fire occurrence and behavior, and to provide useful data for fire prevention. Fil: Fischer, Melina Andrea. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro de Investigación de Recursos Naturales. Instituto de Clima y Agua; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina Fil: Di Bella, Carlos Marcelo. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro de Investigación de Recursos Naturales. Instituto de Clima y Agua; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina Fil: Jobbagy Gampel, Esteban Gabriel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - San Luis. Instituto de Matemática Aplicada de San Luis "Prof. Ezio Marchi". Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de Ciencias Físico, Matemáticas y Naturales. Instituto de Matemática Aplicada de San Luis "Prof. Ezio Marchi"; Argentina

Celiac disease (CD) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), such as Crohn's disease (CrD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), are chronic inflammatory condition of the gastro-intestinal tract. The prevalence of IBD in celiac patients has been reported as 5-10 times higher than in the general population. The possibility of the presence of CD in IBD should be considered in IBD patients with long-term iron deficiency anemia (IDA) not responsive to iron supplementation. Non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS) is characterized by intestinal and extra intestinal symptoms due to the ingestion of gluten-containing food in subject without CD and/or wheat allergy. Patients with Crohn's disease and SR-NCGS were more significantly affected by joint pains compared to UC patients (50% versus 11.1%). In Crohn's patients, a higher percentage of fatigue (50% versus 38.9%) and headache (27.3% versus 22.2%) was evident. For the association between NCGS and IBD new studies are warranted and, at this moment, a gluten free diet (GFD) may be useful more in CrD than in UC.

Aims Quantification of the effects and interactions of natural and anthropogenic factors, including climate, canopy structure, land use and management conditions, on vegetation burning. The study of these relationships is fundamental to predict regional fire patterns and develop sound management and regulation policies for biomass burning at national and global levels.

In France, pastures constitute an important land cover type, sustaining principally husbandry production. The absence of low-cost methods applicable to large regions has conducted to the use of simulation models, as in the ISOP system. Remote sensing data may be considered as a potential tool to improve a correct diagnosis in a real time framework. Thirteen forage regions (FR) of France, differing in their soil, climatic and productive characteristics were selected for this purpose. SPOT4-VEGETATION images have been used to provide, using subpixel estimation models, the spectral signature corresponding to pure pasture conditions. This information has been related with some growth variables estimated by STICS-Prairie model (inside ISOP system). Beyond the good general agreement between the two types of data, we found that the best relations were observed between NDVI middle infrared based index (SWVI) and leaf area index. The results confirm the capacities of the satellite data to provide complementary productive variables and help to identify the spatial and temporal differences between satellite and model information, mainly during the harvesting periods. This could contribute to improve the evaluations of the model on a regional scale.

Spectral indices from remotely sensed data, such as the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), are often used to estimate biophysical characteristics of vegetation. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of senescent leaves on the estimation of the fraction of photosynthetically active radiation absorbed by the green elements of the canopy (fAPAR g ) from NDVI measurements. An experiment was conducted under controlled conditions over grass canopies. Both NDVI and fAPAR g were measured when the cover fraction by senescent leaves was changed. The results demonstrated that the effect of senescent leaves was significant on NDVI values. A similar effect was observed on the fAPAR g values. In these conditions, simple models were developed to relate the fAPAR g to NDVI values when the cover fractions of the senescent leaves vary. When combining these models, a linear relationship was found between NDVI and fAPAR g , which was in good agreement with our experimental observations. Complement...

In this paper a method for cloud cover assessment at night-time (when only thermal infrared data are available) is presented. It is based on the analysis of long wave radiation transfer processes in partially cloudy areas, which led to the formulation of a simplified model of the surface–cloud–atmosphere system. The model was implemented in an operational and iterative algorithm to solve the radiative equations. The algorithm was validated using ground data collected at four meteorological stations in Argentina during November 1997 and May–June 1998, which were compared to cloudiness derived from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer thermal data. Differences between observed and calculated cloudiness were within ±1 okta in 78% of the cases studied, giving a bias of +0.5 oktas and a standard deviation of ±1.0 oktas in cloudiness estimation.

The objective of this study was to explore the use of multi-temporal Landsat TM data from the same growing season for the classification of land cover types in the south-western portion of the Argentine Pampas. Investigations were made on how many dates are necessary to obtain an accurate classification and, given a fixed number of dates, which is the particular combination of dates that yield the best results. Additionally, the effect of using the NDVI instead of all the bands available on the classification accuracy and the use of a moving window filter over the classified image were tested. Scenes acquired in spring, early summer, late summer and early fall of the 1996-1997 growing season were used. Land cover information for the same period was collected from farms and ranches and this information was included in a GIS. Supervised classifications were performed using all the 15 possible ways to combine the four dates. At least two scenes are needed for a satisfactory classification. These scenes must ...

The VEGETATION system, which has been delivering global observations of the surface on a daily basis since 1998, provides key information for regional to global climate, environmental and natural resource management applications. Just recently, VEGETATION-derived GEOV1 biophysical products (LAI, FAPAR, and FCOVER) became available for the scientific community and were evaluated in this study for semi-arid forests in the Dry Chaco ecoregion, Argentina. Indirect validation with the MODIS-derived biophysical products (MOD15A2) shows a very good temporal consistency between both products for the period 2000-2011, with a remarkably smooth behaviour of the GEOV1 products. A good relationship between both products was found in the regression analysis with an R2 of 0.826 and 0.724 for LAI and FAPAR, respectively. Using direct validation with digital hemispherical photography (DHP) and ceptometer ground measurements, a relatively small RMSE (RMSELAI ≈ 0.31 and RMSEFAPAR ≈ 0.11) was found. The novel PASTIS-57 technique, which can derive continuous plant area index (PAI) estimates from light transmittance measurements, shows a similar temporal profile to the GEOV1 LAI product with a relatively high but constant offset for the dry forest study sites and a nearly identical profile for the deforested site (R2 = 0.86). Overall, PASTIS-57, in combination with satellite-based observations, shows potentials in LAI/PAI research and ecosystem carbon studies in general, but more ground measurements taken over multiple growing seasons and vegetation types are required to confirm these findings. Fil: Raymaekers, D.. Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique; Francia. Vlaamse Instelling Voor Technologisch Onderzoek; Bélgica Fil: Garcia, A.. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Buenos Aires; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina Fil: Di Bella, Carlos Marcelo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Buenos Aires; Argentina Fil: Beget, María Eugenia. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Buenos Aires; Argentina Fil: Llavallol, C.. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Buenos Aires; Argentina Fil: Oricchio, P.. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Buenos Aires; Argentina Fil: Straschnoy, J.. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Buenos Aires; Argentina Fil: Weiss, M.. Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique; Francia Fil: Baret, F.. Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique; Francia

Since the original description, there have been only few epidemiological studies of Wolfram syndrome (WS).Aims of the present paper are to ascertain WS prevalence and expression in a district of North-eastern Sicily, i.e. a geographic area where consanguineous unions are not very unusual.Prevalence rates of WS in the Messina district were calculated by taking into consideration both the total population (653,737) and the populations included within the 0-30 year age range (202,681). We estimated the relative prevalence of WS among patients with youth-onset insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (DM) who are currently aged under 30 years (256).Global WS prevalence in our district is 1:54,478, whereas prevalence among individuals under 30 is 1:16,890 and relative prevalence among patients with juvenile-onset insulin-dependent DM is 1:22.3. When compared with the patients with insulin-dependent DM of Messina district, WS patients did not exhibit significant differences in terms of biochemical features at DM onset, whereas age at DM diagnosis was significantly earlier in WS group.(a) WS prevalence is not so infrequent as generally expected; (b) in our series, DM presented before 10 years in 11/12 patients and ten cases have already developed all the four peculiar manifestations of WS by 26 years; (c) 9/12 patients exhibited a homozygous frameshift/truncation mutation (Y454_L459del_fsX454), which is the one most frequently found also in patients from other Italian regions; (d) age at DM diagnosis was significantly earlier in WS group than in the patients with insulin-dependent DM of Messina district.

Summary Massive bone allografts are frequently used in orthopaedic reconstructive surgery. However the failure rate at long term follow-up is around 25%. Aim Stimulation of allograft incorporation. Materials and Methods In order to stimulate bone remodeling of an allograft we applied recombinant human osteogenic protein-1 (rh-OP-1, also know as bone morphogenetic protein-7, BMP-7) to a long bone critical size defect sheep model. In nine sheep we created a 3 cm osteoperiosteal metatarsal defect replaced with a structural allograft alone (control group, 4 animals), or an allograft added with rh-BMP-7 (BMP group, 5 animals). Radiographic, mechanical, histological and histomorphometric analysis were performed. Results X-rays in the BMP group showed a better and faster callus formation, compared to the control group within the first 8 weeks after surgery. After 16 weeks there was a higher evidence of bone remodeling in the BMP group. Radiographic healing at junction sites was more evident in the BMP group at 4, 8 and 16 weeks. Mechanical testing on screw extraction showed no statistical differences between the two groups and histomorphometry showed no difference in terms of newly formed bone inside the allograft as well. The resorption rate of the graft was higher in the BMP group in comparison to the control group. The penetration of newly formed vessels was significantly higher in the BMP group. Conclusions These findings indicate that BMP-7 added to a structural bone allograft inducing early remodeling of the graft through stimulation of neo-angiogenesis and osteoclastic activity, without negative effects in mechanical strength and clinical outcome.

A helminthological survey was performed on 143 brown rats (Rattus norvegicus) from the city of Palermo (Italy). The overall prevalence of helminth infection was 98.60 %. The following parasites were found: Brachylaima sp. (prevalence 8.39 %) (Trematoda); Taenia taeniaeformis larvae (11.89 %), Rodentolepis nana (13.29 %), Hymenolepis diminuta (24.48 %) (Cestoda); Gongylonema sp., (4.90 %), Syphacia muris (8.39 %), Nippostrongylus brasiliensis (18.88 %), Eucoleus gastricus (30.07 %), Mastophorus muris (30.77 %), Capillaria hepatica (54.55 %), Heterakis spumosa (82.52 %) (Nematoda) and one acanthocephalan (0.70 %). The species found in males were also present in females, with the exception of the acanthocephalan. No significant differences were found between males and females in prevalence (P%) or mean infection intensity (MI). However, a significant correlation between both P% and MI, as well as host age, was observed in some helminth species. Hosts were infected by one to six helminth species (median = 3). This is the first report from Sicily of helminths in R. norvegicus.

We used multiple regression analysis to relate evapotranspiration (ET), computed from a water balance technique, to both thermal infrared and normalized difference vegetation index data obtained from the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) sensor on board on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) satellite. This approach, based on only remotely sensed data, provided a reliable estimate of ET over the Pampas, the main agricultural region of Argentina. The relationship between spectral data and ET was more sensitive to the dates than to the sites used to generate the models.

Concrete bridge decks are susceptible to premature cracking and to the corrosion of reinforcing steel. Many agencies have shifted to using higher strength concrete as an attempt to improve the long term durability of bridge decks. Unfortunately, higher strength concretes have not completely solved the problem and in many cases this has exacerbated the problem of early-age cracking. Bridge deck concrete should be designed to minimize the potential for cracking while providing a dense microstructure that reduces the potential for chloride ingress. Concrete mixtures can be designed using a concept called internal curing. Internal curing minimizes cracking while reducing chloride ingress. The work will describe how internal curing, through increased cement hydration and ITZ depercolation, reduces chloride penetration. The impact on chloride ingress and corrosion will be described through a series of experimental measurements. The paper reports results from several transport tests on reference and internal cured concrete for several bridges that have recently been constructed in the state of New York and Indiana.

The recognition and removal of apoptotic inflammatory cells by tissue macrophages and non-professional phagocytes, in a process called efferocytosis, is required for resolution of inflammation and is actively anti-inflammatory. We have previously demonstrated phagocytosis of apoptotic neutrophils by tumor cells in human gastric carcinoma, but to date, there have been no studies investigating this process in chronic active Helicobacter pylori gastritis. Biopsy specimens from 28 subjects with or without H. pylori infection and active inflammation were examined and graded according to the updated Sydney system. Light microscopy, electron microscopy, and Terminal Deoxynucleotidyltransferase-Mediated UTP End Labeling staining were used to identify apoptosis. H. pylori infection was detected by histology and by molecular assay in 16 out of 28 cases. DNA from paraffin-embedded gastric biopsies was amplified using primers specific for cagA, for the cag “empty site” as well as for the s and m alleles of vacA. The more virulent cagA-positive strains were found in five out of nine patients with chronic active gastritis. The vacA s1/m1 and s2/m1 genotypes were more common in nine patients with chronic active gastritis, while the vacA s2/m2 genotype was more frequent in seven patients with chronic inactive gastritis. Apoptotic neutrophils were also detected within the cytoplasmic vacuoles of the foveolar cells of nine cases with chronic active gastritis. Transmission electron micrographs revealed further apoptotic neutrophils within spacious phagosomes of foveolar cells in a similar manner to those described in late-phase efferocytosis both in vivo and in vitro. These new observations expand the morphological spectrum of gastritis in patients infected with more virulent H. pylori strains, compatible with an anti-inflammatory role for the gastric epithelial cells in their removal of apoptotic neutrophils during active chronic gastritis.