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ObjectiveTo report cross-sectional clinical findings in a large cohort of patients affected by type 1 spinal muscular atrophy.MethodsWe included 122 patients, of age ranging between 3 months and 22 years, 1 month. More than 70% (85/122) were older than 2 years and 25% (31/122) older than 10 years. Patients were classified according to the severity of phenotype and to the number of SMN2 copies.ResultsPatients with the more common and the most severe phenotype older than 2 years were, with few exceptions, on noninvasive ventilation and, with increasing age, more often had tracheostomy or >16-hour ventilation and a gastrostomy inserted. In contrast, 25 of the 28 patients with the mildest phenotype older than 2 years had no need for tracheostomy or other ventilatory or nutritional support. In patients older than 2 years, the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Infant Test of Neuromuscular Disorders scores were generally lower compared to those found in younger patients and showed distinct levels of functional abilities according to the severity of the phenotype. Similar findings were also observed on the Hammersmith Infant Neurological Examination.ConclusionsOur findings confirm that, after the age of 2 years, patients with type 1 spinal muscular atrophy generally survive only if they have gastrostomy and tracheostomy or noninvasive ventilation >16 hours and have low scores on the functional scales. More variability, however, can be expected in those with the mildest phenotype, who achieve head control. These data provide important baseline information at the time treatments are becoming available.

Farm specialization and the general abandonment of mixed farming is a significant factor in the decline of biodiversity, including genetic resources for food and agriculture and wildlife, and in the disintegration of traditional and community-based management. The use of uniform, high-yielding cultivars and breeds has reduced the number of species used in agriculture (crops and animals), contributing to the instability of the entire world food system. Organic agriculture, on the other hand, through its ecological approach, promotes biodiversity and maintains the integrity of the ecosystem. Research into organic agricultural practices has shown that organic systems can support biodiversity conservation through increasing the number and variety of wild species found on farms and supporting high levels of agrobiodiversity (landscape, species and varieties). This paper discusses the contribution of organic agriculture to agrobiodiversity. Its positive impact on wildlife (e.g. pollinators, birds, soil...

Un ecosistema è capace di ripristinare autonomamente il suo equilibrio ecologico; attraverso il fitorimedio, la fitodepurazione e le biopiscine è possibile sfruttare questa sorprendente capacità naturale per rimuovere gli inquinanti. Il volume "Le piante che depurano l'acqua" prende in esame nel dettaglio queste tre tecnologie naturali e il diverso ruolo che le piante acquatiche giocano in ognuna di esse. Quattro autori riuniscono qui le proprie specifiche conoscenze, frutto di anni di ricerca scientifica e lavoro sul campo. Un libro completo sulle piante acquatiche, in cui sono presentate le soluzioni che ogni specie può offrire: biopiscine, vasche di fitodepurazione, impiego irriguo di acque inquinate; questi e altri sistemi per depurare con le piante. A completamento del testo si offre un'ampia sezione dedicata alle schede delle piante utilizzabili per la depurazione delle acque, suddivise per specie autoctone, alloctone e terrestri, riportanti informazioni specifiche sulla generalità della pianta, tipo ecologico, sviluppo, coltivazione, provenienza, diffusione e molto altro. Arricchiscono il testo numerosi grafici e fotografie di ciascuna specie per favorire un'agevole comprensione.