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The liver is a key metabolic organ that undertakes a multitude of physiological processes over the course of a day, including intrahepatic lipid and glucose metabolism which plays a key role in the regulation of systemic lipid and glucose concentrations. It serves as an intermediary organ between exogenous (dietary) and endogenous energy supply to extrahepatic organs. Thus, perturbations in hepatic metabolism can impact widely on metabolic disease risk. For example, the accumulation of intra-hepatocellular TAG (IHTG), for which adiposity is almost invariably a causative factor may result in dysregulation of metabolic pathways. Accumulation of IHTG is likely due to an imbalance between fatty acid delivery, synthesis and removal (via oxidation or export as TAG) from the liver; insulin plays a key role in all of these processes.

STUDENT PAPER. The construction sector is responsible for the largest percentage of the total final energy use and carbon emissions worldwide. In the case of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), buildings account for more than 70% of the total electricity used by all sectors, including residential buildings, for cooling to mitigate the high local external temperatures. The UAE residential market sector is mainly in the form of extensive government-sponsored housing programs, and large privately funded rental developments. The dominant construction method for both government and private housing projects is in the form of a concrete post and beam structural system, with insulated concrete blockwork infill. However, in 2020 research indicates that in adequate construction quality is among several causes which lead buildings to perform differently to what was defined in the design stage, commonly referred to as the ‘energy performance gap’. Thermography has been used by many experts in the UK and Europe when buildings are in construction and in operation to illustrate qualitatively, defects in the construction fabric including unwanted air leakage or discontinuity of insulation, which can result in heat loss. This research project aims to adapt the methodology for thermography tests to measure unwanted air-conditioned air-cooling loss from residential buildings in the UAE. This paper reports on initial field work using thermography in the summer of 2020 in a residential building, Al Ain City. The outcomes of the research project will be recommendations for improvements to workmanship, and ultimately reduced energy use for cooling and associated carbon emissions in the UAE.

Introduction Hip fracture is a common serious injury that occurs mainly in elderly. Dual-mobility hip arthroplasty or bipolar emiarthroplasty for its treatment remains a controversial decision. Co-morbidities and risk of fall represent additional aspects to be considered. The aim of our study was to determine the rate of mechanical complications for these two types of implants related to fall risk status of patients. Patients and methods Our study is a retrospective clinical trial of patients operated with a biarticular hemiarthroplasty or a dual-mobility total hip arthroplasty. Primary outcome was dislocation rate and need for any revision procedure. Patients were treated in a single center from January 2013 to March 2017. In all cases Morse Fall Scale (MSF) was calculated at patient admission to evaluate the risk of postoperative fall. Inclusion criteria to the study were: subcapital or femoral neck fracture of non-pathologic nature, patients with neuromuscular disorders or cognitive dysfunction, age > 75 years with MFS ≥ 45. The patients were reviewed postoperatively at 8 weeks, 6 months, 12 months, and then annually. Patients had clinical (Harris hip score) and radiological assessment. Results The mean duration of the follow-up was 283 months. There were five dislocations in Group A (5,6%) and no dislocations in Group B (0%). All dislocations occurred within the first 6 months after surgery. The mean Harris Hip score was 81,7 in Group A patients and 79, 8 in Group B patients. Discussion Treatment of hip fractures on non-cooperative patients still represents a dilemma. Falls and runaway motions represent high risk factors of dislocation. Use of dual-mobility cup has been found to be associated with a not statistically proved decrease of dislocation compared to traditional cups. Conclusion Dual-mobility cups might be considered a valuable option to prevent postoperative dislocation but further study is needed before extending the indications for dual-mobility following a fracture of the femoral neck, to assess the potential cost and complications of a longer procedure. So far, despite a lower dislocation risk, the authors actually cannot recommend widely use of a dual-motility cup instead of emiarthroplasty in high falls risk patients.

Herein we report clinical and virological data in a patient with COVID-19 infection and a prior history of kidney transplantation who had a good clinical recovery despite systemic infection.Reverse transcriptase quantitative PCR analysis for the RdRp, N and E target genes detected viral RNA in different types of biological specimens. Whole viral genome sequences were obtained and analyzed from respiratory tract, feces and blood.Viral sequences showed high (~99.9%) homology with the Wuhan seafood market pneumonia virus. Phylogenetic analysis assigned of the SARS-CoV-2 strains to clade G. A rare variant in the orf1ab gene was present in both sequences, while a missense variant was detected only in viral RNA from stool.The evolution of the COVID-19 systemic infection in the patient presented here was favorable to the hypothesis that immunosuppressive therapy in organ transplant recipients might be involved in viral dissemination. A missense mutation was present in only one specimen from the same patient implying the occurrence of a mutational event in viral RNA, which is suggestive for the presence of an active virus, even though viral isolation is necessary to demonstrate infectivity.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate a series of blood count inflammation indexes in predicting anastomotic leakage (AL) in elective colorectal surgery. Methods: Demographic, pathologic, and clinical data of 1432 consecutive patients submitted to colorectal surgery in eight surgical centers were retrospectively evaluated. The neutrophil to lymphocyte (NLR), derived neutrophil to lymphocyte (dNLR), lymphocyte to monocyte (LMR), and platelet to lymphocyte (PLR) ratios were calculated before surgery and on the 1st and 4th postoperative days, in patients with or without AL. Results: There were 106 patients with AL (65 males, mean age 67.4 years). The NLR, dNLR, and PLR were significantly higher in patients with AL in comparison to those without, on both the 1st and 4th postoperative days, but significance was greater on the 4th postoperative day. An NLR cutoff value of 7.1 on this day showed the best area under the curve (AUC 0.744; 95% CI 0.719-0.768) in predicting AL. Conclusions: Among the blood cell indexes of inflammation evaluated, NLR on the 4th postoperative day showed the best ability to predict AL. NLR is a low cost, easy to perform, and widely available index, which might be potentially used in clinical practice as a predictor of AL in patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery. © 2020 The Author(s).

Preclinical Research Δ

The release of biocontrol agents for the management of arthropod pests on greenhouse tomatoes is an increasingly widespread technique in Europe. The predatory mirid Macrolophus pygmaeus was initially used for control of the greenhouse whitefly, Trialeurodes vaporariorum, but its range of application expanded when it was found to have the potential for management of the tomato leafminer, Tuta absoluta. One of the constraints that still limits the use of this beneficial in Sardinian greenhouse crops is its slow population growth, frequently responsible for unsatisfactory control of target pests. To evaluate the effects of two innovative release methods on the establishment and population build-up of M. pygmaeus in tomato crops, experiments were carried out under semi-field and field conditions. The two techniques tested for the introduction of the mirid were pre-plant release and release in confined areas. Pre-plant releases were done in the nursery, while confined area releases were done in the production greenhouse where the mirid was introduced on plants covered with a non-woven film for six weeks and provided with a food source (Ephestia kuehniella eggs). In both cases, approximately 0.8 adult mirids per plant were released. The experiments were conducted in glasshouses where spring tomato crops were grown for up to four months. The method that achieved the most promising results in terms of mirid population build-up (up to 9.6 individuals per plant) was the introduction in confined areas. However, when the insects used were purchased through ordinary retail channels, insufficient population growth and inadequate control of target pests were observed. The pre-plant release method failed to significantly enhance the build-up of M. pygmaeus population, and the peak density observed by eight weeks after its introduction was 1.1 individuals per plant for predators introduced in both a heated and unheated nursery.

The introduction of Tuta absoluta in Sardinia (Italy) has caused an important increase in the number of insecticide treatments applied for pest management on greenhouse tomatoes, thus raising growers' demand for alternative control options. To evaluate the efficacy of releasing two specimens of Macrolophus pygmaeus or Nesidiocoris tenuis per m2 for the control of tomato borer infestations, an investigation was conducted under field conditions between August 2010 and July 2011. The tests were carried out on 18 commercial greenhouse crops. Fifteen other greenhouses, where no biocontrol agents were released, were also surveyed as controls. The release of the mirid bugs resulted in poor population growth of predators, which reached a peak density of 1.79 individuals per plant. In approximately half of the cases, this was caused by the application of pesticides (usually abamectin and oxamyl) which are highly toxic to the predatory mirids. However, even in crops where only products regarded as harmless to beneficials were used (e.g. Bacillus thuringiensis-based insecticides), both M. pygmaeus and N. tenuis failed to achieve the levels necessary for effective pest control. Presumably factors other than pesticide-related mortality contributed significantly to delaying mirid population build-up. Further studies are necessary to evaluate the feasibility of improving the efficacy of releases of the predatory mirids by the implementation of measures that may contribute to enhancing the establishment of these beneficials on tomato crops. Utilisation des mirides predateurs pour le controle de la mineuse de la tomate Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) dans les tomates de serre en Sardaigne L'introduction de Tuta absoluta en Sardaigne (Italie) a provoque une augmentation importante du nombre de traitements insecticides appliques sur les tomates de serre, et a souleve une demande des agriculteurs pour les options alternatives de lutte. Pour evaluer l'efficacite du lâcher de deux specimens par m² de Macrolophus pygmaeus ou Nesidiocoris tenuis pour lutter contre les infestations de mineuse de la tomate, une etude a ete menee sur le terrain entre aout 2010 et juillet 2011. Les tests ont ete effectues dans 18 serres commerciales. Quinze autres serres, ou aucun agent de lutte biologique n'a ete libere, ont egalement ete suivies comme temoins. Apres la liberation des mirides la croissance de la population de predateurs a ete faible; elle a atteint un pic de densite de 1,79 individus par plante. Dans environ la moitie des cas, cela etait due a l'application d'insecticides (generalement l'abamectine et l'oxamyl) qui sont hautement toxiques pour les mirides predateurs. Cependant, meme dans les cultures ou seuls des produits consideres comme sans danger pour les insectes auxiliaires ont ete utilises (par exemple les insecticides a base de Bacillus thuringiensis), ni M. pygmaeus ni N. tenuis n'ont reussi a atteindre les niveaux necessaires pour une lutte efficace. Vraisemblablement, des facteurs autres que la mortalite liee aux insecticides ont contribue de maniere significative a retarder l'etablissement des populations de mirides. D'autres etudes sont necessaires pour evaluer la faisabilite de l'amelioration de l'efficacite des lâchers de mirides predateurs par la mise en œuvre de mesures visant a ameliorer l'etablissement de ces auxiliaires dans les cultures de tomates.

A four years experiment on irrigation of Cannonau grapevine was carried out to test as means of improving water management sustainability and water saving, innovative irrigation strategies compared to the farmer irrigation management (FIM). They were Full irrigation (FI-100% ETc), Partial Rootzone Drying (PRD-50% ETc), Regulated Deficit Irrigation (RDI-50% ETc) and Sustained Deficit Irrigation (SDI-25% ETc) characterised by same turn and different volume. Furthermore, the experiment allowed to study the influence of different irrigation strategies on grape and must production on this Sardinian native grapevine in one of its typical lands (Alghero's DOC). The experiment was characterized by a randomized blocks design and irrigated by sub surface irrigation system. The parameters relieved were: water requirements, quality and quantity productions, clusters biometry and plants phenology, pruning wood, soil water content, and both maximum daily shrinkage (MDS) and stem water potential (SWP) as water stress indicators. Results showed that moderate or severe irrigation water reductions didn't induce a sensitive improvement on quantity or quality parameters in comparison with the well-watered treatment. The most productive treatment was FIM and the most reducing was SDI. Contrary to the expected result, PRD treatment production wasn't better than the RDI production that could put in evidence a probable Cannonau near-isohydric behaviour like the Grenache. Both water stress indicators (SWP and MDS) gave an accurate differentiation in particular between the farmer irrigation management and other treatments rather than among innovative treatments.

In a two-year trial (2006-2007), Sardinian 'Vermentino' native grapevines were irrigated according to different irrigation strategies: Full Irrigation (FI, control), Partial Root-zone Drying (PRD), Regulated Deficit Irrigation (RDI), Sustained Deficit Irrigation (SDI) and Farmer's aid-irrigation management (FIM). A randomized block design was carried out using irrigation treatments (FI, RDI, SDI, FIM and PRD) as controlled variability factor. Qualitative and quantitative production parameters were determined and plant water stress indicators, i.e. Maximum Daily Shrinkage (MDS) and midday Stem Water Potential (mSWP), were monitored. The main results showed that RDI and SDI water-saving irrigation strategies significantly improved must quality, without the expected sensible reduction of plant productivity, in comparison with FI. The PRD treatment reduced yield in the first year, but increased it in the second year, compared to control (FI). The severe water reduction of the FIM treatment induced a strong yield reduction and must quality worsening, especially in the first year. The MDS was a more powerful plant water stress indicator than the mSWP. The SDI treatment gave the highest water-use efficiency in both years.

he sowing of selected seeds is often applied as post-fire rehabilitation practice in Mediterranean silvopastoral systems. Often, the topography of these silvopastoral systems is irregular, requiring low input and easy pasture rehabilitation practices, such as no tillage, low seed and fertilizer rates. In this paper, we studied the vegetation changes over four years, after a low-input overseeding (broadcasting) of non-native pasture species, within a post-fire rehabilitation program of a silvopastoral system in Sardinia (Italy). The main objective was to assess the relationship between topography, soil pH, and soil nitrogen content on the spatial and temporal dynamics of the grassland composition. The spatial patterns of the functional classes were only weakly influenced by nitrogen content, with a higher impact on introduced species in the first two years after overseeding, while the topographic variables had a desultory influence over the four years.

Piptatherum miliaceum (L.) Coss smilo grass,is a Mediterranean perennial native grass species whose forage potential is unexplored. Little information is available about smilo grass seasonal production and biomass quality. CNR-ISPAAM activity focused on the evaluation for forage use of some smilo grass accessions collected in Sardinia in comparison with conventional forage species. Eight smilo grass accessions were grown in spaced plant stands, using tall fescue and cocksfoot as control. Plots were harvested three times during the years 2013 - 2015 and DMY and forage quality were assessed. Significant differences were found among DMYs of conventional forage species and smilo grass, with smilo grass producing less than tall fescue but more than cocksfoot in each harvest season except for the end of spring. The content of crude protein of smilo grass was significantly higher than that of conventional species in all seasonal cuts, as well as NDF, while ADL was higher at the end of spring. On the basis of these preliminary outcomes, the potential role of smilo grass into rainfed extensive farming systems is discussed.

Temperature metrology for the cryosphere

Since its first detection in Sardinia (Italy), Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) has been reported as a major pest of greenhouse tomatoes. In recent years, however, a tendency toward a progressive reduction of tomato borer infestation levels has been observed. The reasons behind this decline are probably diverse, including both the increase in growers' ability to manage the pest and the adaptation of native predators and parasitoids to the new prey/host. In order to assess the species composition of the parasitoid complex associated with T. absoluta larvae in Sardinian greenhouse tomatoes, a two-year (2010/11) survey was conducted in one of the island's major horticultural areas (Pula, Cagliari). An estimate of the levels of parasitism caused by native wasps was also carried out. The occurrence of larval parasitoids of T. absoluta was detected in approximately half of the crops monitored. The average parasitism rate recorded in tomato plants infested by tomato borer larvae was 1.3%. Moreover, while no parasitism was observed in 76.4% of the samples collected, only 3.0% of the samples showed a parasitism rate exceeding 10%. The highest rates were recorded in spring and summer, with a peak in July (4.8%). Of 159 adult parasitoids recovered from infested leaves, 62.9% were found to belong to a Necremnus sp. near artynes (Walker), 34.6% to a Necremnus sp. near tidius (Walker), and 2.5% to Neochrysocharis formosa (Westwood) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae). These results show that some native parasitoids have adapted to T. absoluta in the study area. Although parasitoid abundance in tomato crops appeared to be low, their contribution for the control of tomato borer infestation could possibly be enhanced through the application of conservation biological control measures.

Previous studies demonstrate that the presence of liquid strongly influences the pressure pulsation amplitudes of flow induced pulsations. In particular, in case of annular flow (thin liquid film on the walls) the pulsations can be eliminated. The present study aims at evaluating the contribution of the liquid film to the pulsation reduction. Experiments have been performed in a tandem configuration with two side branches upward oriented. The side branches have the same diameter as the main pipe. A first set of experiments has been conducted with the injection point located far upstream the upstream side branch. To isolate the sole effect of the film, a second and a third set of experiments have been performed with the injection point located close upstream the T-junction with the injection such that a thin film only was generated. In the first configuration (far upstream), the pulsation level decreases with increasing liquid rate. The reduction in amplitude compares well with the assumption of added damping in the length between the two side branches. A similar decrease in pulsation amplitude was obtained in the second configuration. However, the amplitude reduction depends on the local liquid flow pattern at the (upstream) side branch and in particular on whether liquid bypasses the side branch or it interferes with the shear layer. This indicates that acoustical damping is the main effect and small amounts of liquid do not significantly interfere with the shear layer.

The effects of lead exposure at low concentrations were evaluated by studying the post-rotatory nystagmus (PRN) in two groups of rats exposed for 3 months to 50 parts per million (ppm) of sodium acetate and 50 ppm of lead acetate, respectively, in the drinking water. Only animals treated with lead acetate showed changes of the PRN parameters which were significantly related to the concentration of lead in the blood and in brain structures. The patterns of PRN responses were characterized and classified into four types: progressively inhibitory (40%), prematurely inhibitory (25%), late inhibitory (25%), and excitatory-inhibitory (10%). No alterations of the PRN parameters were observed in the animals treated with sodium acetate. The results show that exposure to lead, even at low concentrations, impairs both sensory and motor functions. The findings also point out that the vestibular system and brain stem structures which generate and control the PRN represent targets of the action of this heavy metal. Finally, the results indicate that the evaluation of the vestibulo-ocular-reflex can provide a test suited for the screening of the neurotoxic effects of lead even in the absence of clinical signs typical of lead intoxication.

In the Mediterranean areas, silvo-pastoralism represents a territorial management system where trees and shrubs grow together with herbs and where livestock takes advantage on such botanical association. This system still plays an important role for the socio-economic subsistence of rural populations, representing an externality against the progressive abandonment of rural areas. From an ecological point of view, a correct grazing management, related with the potential forage availability and quality, can encourage the conservation of high biodiversity. The forest of Monte Pisanu is a protected area in the Central North Sardinia and represent an interesting example of multifunctional silvo-pastoral management. The aim of this work was to contribute to this management considering, with a five-year experience, the agronomic and ecological value of the site and the impact of grazing on the agro-ecological status of the herbaceous cover. Five years of observation show that grazing activity keeps high biodiversity levels and, on the other hand, negatively impacts the pastoral value.

In a recent paper it has been shown that the presence of liquid has an influence on Flow Induced Pulsations (FIPs) in closed side branches. Even larger effects of liquid in case of whistling in corrugated pipes were reported. For this experimental study, the “Tandem configuration” with two closed side branches along a main pipe is considered. It is characterized by the distance between the two closed side branches equal to the double of their acoustic length. The experiments reported in this paper aim at investigating the effect of the mixture water/gas on FIPs measured at the closed end of the two closed side branches. Different water flow rates are injected in the flow to obtain a mass factor rate in the range 0–10−4 m3/s. Furthermore, the relation between the multiphase flow pattern in the main pipe and the trend in the pulsation amplitude and Strouhal number is discussed, by comparison with the test for dry gas. To understand the effect of the type of flow, tests are performed with the injector far from and close to the upstream side branch. For the far configuration, at both low and high injection rates, pulsations decrease for increasing injection rates. However, in the intermediate region, an increase of pulsations is observed. These different ranges can be attributed to different (multiphase) flow regimes. Concerning the close configuration, only a decrease of the pulsations is observed over the full range. Furthermore, a decrease of the Strouhal number corresponding to the maximum pulsation level is observed.

Commercial seeds are widely used for re-vegetation interventions in Mediterranean areas. This seeds mostly consist of species and varieties of non-local provenance. The current practice relies mainly on forage or turf and fast growing species, even if it is often inefficient. Twenty-two local populations or commercial varieties of annual and perennial species belonging to the botanical families Leguminosae, Graminaceae and Compositae, were evaluated in a four-year field experiment, in order to investigate their potential in terms of establishment and persistence in the re-vegetation of an inactive sand quarry. Native species showed better performances than commercial varieties and encourage further actions for the valorisation of local plant biodiversity. Among legumes, the best adapted species was the perennial Lotus cytisoides that showed high persistence in combination with other positive traits. A few annual species i.e. Melilotus indica, Trifolium subterraneum and Ornithopus sativus performed well and persisted until the end of the experiment. Among perennial grasses, Cynodon dactylon survived to drought and low soil nutrients. Both native annual grasses Lolium rigidum and Aegilops geniculata performed very well during the first two years of experiments. Both forbs, the perennial Cichorium intybus and the annual Chrysanthemum coronarium did not guarantee a satisfactory persistence. Some native species were evidenced, that may play an important role in the re-vegetation of sand quarries and have good potential to be further characterised before introduction in the seed market.

To evaluate the effectiveness of alternative options for biocontrol of whiteflies in greenhouse tomatoes, an experiment was carried out during the cropping season 2005-2006 in one of Sardinia's major horticultural districts (S. Margherita di Pula, Cagliari, Italy). Twelve long-cycle and 17 short-cycle tomato crops (8 autumn and 9 spring crops) were surveyed. All of them were treated for insect pest control at the beginning of the growing season, but in 19 out of 29 cases whitefly natural enemies were also released (BCA greenhouses), at least four weeks after the last treatment. The following release programmes were tested: on autumn crops, 1 Macrolophus caliginosus and 12 Eretmocerus mundus/m2; on long-cycle crops, 1 M. caliginosus (released in autumn or spring) and 24 Encarsia formosa/m2 or 48 E. formosa/m2; on spring crops, 1 M. caliginosus and 24 E. formosa/m2 or 48 E. formosa/m2. The cost of each option was fixed at approximately 0.25 Euros/m2. The remaining greenhouses were maintained as controls (no BCA greenhouses). While whitefly and mirid populations were monitored monthly, whitefly species composition and mortality of immature stages were estimated at least twice during the growing season. On short-cycle autumn crops, the release of M. caliginosus and E. mundus produced negligible results in terms of Bemisia tabaci control. On long-cycle and spring crops, even though in June mortality rates in BCA greenhouses were found to be 2- to 3-fold higher than in no-BCA greenhouses, Trialeurodes vaporariorum population growth was not significantly affected by natural enemies. Among the beneficials tested, E. formosa proved to be the most effective; E. mundus and M. caliginosus did not establish well, probably owing to the persistence of insecticide residues, scarce prey availability and intense plant de-leafing. The presence of indigenous natural enemies of whiteflies was observed in most sites, but in general they contributed little to biological control. The present experiment showed that in Sardinian tomato greenhouses the use of beneficial insects may result in inadequate biocontrol of whiteflies. In particular, the application of cultural practices which may disrupt the establishment and development of predator and parasitoid populations should be critically reexamined.

Tomato yellow leaf curl Sardinia virus (TYLCSV) and Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) are among the most virulent pathogens of greenhouse tomatoes in Sardinia (Italy). To investigate the relationship between seasonal population trends of the vector Bemisia tabaci and the dynamics of TYLCD spread to susceptible crops, between May and October 2007 we carried out a survey in a tomato growing area located in the south of the island. On three farms specialized in the production of fresh market tomatoes we monitored, outside commercial greenhouses, the following parameters related to TYLCD epidemiology: mean weekly catches of the whiteflies B. tabaci and Trialeurodes voporariorum on yellow sticky traps, ratio between the two whitefly species and proportion of B. tabaci adults carrying TYLCSV/TYLCV in adult samples collected on hosts not susceptible to the disease, proportion of tomato plants infected by TYLCSV/TYLCV after a two-week exposure to open field conditions. Generally speaking, the flight activity of whiteflies increased during spring, reached a peak in May or June and gradually declined in summer. At the beginning of the survey, T. vaporariorum was found to be the prevalent species, but after a shift in composition of whitefly populations during July, B. tabaci became predominant. While the percentage of vector adults carrying the viral agents of the disease was relatively high up to July, with maximum values ranging between 14 and 25%, during the following months it decreased to less than 5%. The incidence of TYLCD in the plants exposed outside the greenhouses showed a similar trend in the sites surveyed, with two peaks roughly coinciding with the beginning and end of summer. Therefore, two distinct phases of TYLCD spread were observed: from spring to midsummer when the disease was transmitted by low 8. tabaci populations with relatively high proportions of virus carriers; from midsummer to autumn, when the disease was spread by larger vector populations with low percentages of individuals carrying the viruses. Further studies are necessary to gain a better understanding of the interactions among B. tabaci biotypes, TYLCSV/TYLCV and their hosts.

In several recent studies blood lead levels below 100 microg/L have been associated with reduced neurocognitive capacities and neurobehavioural performances in children, with no clear evidence of the lowest "safe" level not associated to adverse effects on the CNS. We analyzed blood lead concentration and the results of 5 neurocognitive tests, two derived from the Swedish Performance Evaluating System (SPES) and three from the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised (WISC-R), in 139 Sardinian adolescents living in Portoscuso, a town 2 Km far from a lead smelter, and in 72 age-matched students living in S. Antioco, a town about 15 Km far from the same smelter. The blood lead concentrations were lower than 100 microg/l in almost subjects, but, in average, significantly higher particularly among males, in the Portoscuso group compared to controls. The regression coefficients derived from the multivariate stepwise analysis, adjusted for the student's age and gender and for the educational and socio-economic level of parents, showed that reduced performances in neurocognitive test were significantly associated to increasing blood lead concentrations. According to previous our surveys in the same area and to the recent scientific literature on this topic, the present study suggests the need to further low the blood lead levels, considered by the U.S. CDC in 1991 as potentially "safe" for the children's CNS, to a threshold possibly50 microg/L.

Il rapporto riferisce della valutazione tecnico-scientifica di metodi di rilevamento relativi alla produttività ed alla qualità dei pascoli, con particolare attenzione alla stima del Valore Pastorale e degli indici di Biodiversità in ambienti agro-silvopastorali della Sardegna.

The effects of low-level lead exposure on children's intelligence quotient (IQ) were investigated in 64 Sardinian adolescents (13-16 years old). To estimate potential early adverse effects on the Central Nervous System (CNS) due to very low-level lead, the Intelligence Quotient (IQ) of adolescents with present blood lead concentrations (PbB) generally below 10 microg/dl was measured. We analyzed blood lead concentration and individual IQ of 32 Sardinian children living in Portoscuso, a town 2 Km far from a lead smelter, and of other 32 controls living in S. Antioco, a town about 15 Km far from the same smelter. The Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children Revised (WISC-R) was administered. The relation between IQ and blood lead concentration was estimated by linear multivariate models adjusting for several potential confounders, such as the educational and socio-economic level of the parents. The blood lead concentration was in average significantly higher in the Portoscuso group compared to controls. The linear model applied to the total population studied (n 64) showed that the blood lead concentration was inversely and significantly associated with IQ, with an extrapolated decline of 1.29 points in total IQ for each microg/dl increase of lead blood concentration. According to the recent scientific literature on this topic, results of our pilot study suggest the need to further lower the blood lead concentration for children to a threshold significantly below 10 microg/dl, value till now considered "safe" for the children's CNS.

In order to assess the prevalence of cardiovascular abnormalities among shift workers, who were free from such abnormalities at the time of hiring, compared to day workers and ex-shift workers, we studied the QTc interval and several cardiovascular risk factors in 61 chemical workers, including 40 shift workers, 11 day workers, and 10 ex-shift workers. We found a high prevalence rate of ischemic heart disease and conduction abnormalities among ex-shift workers (5/10, 50%). We did not observe variations in the QTc interval among the three groups. The occurrence of cardiovascular disease is a reason for moving workers to day work. Therefore, the shift workers group in our study might have been selected among subjects with a healthier lifestyle preventing side effects on their cardiovascular system.

The mortality of 918 Sardinian lead-smelter workers followed between 1972 and 2001 is reported. The assessment of individual exposure to inorganic lead was based on several environmental and blood lead measurements available, for each department and task, between 1985 and 2001. The mortality for all cancers was within the expected numbers (SMR 1.01, n 108). Even if not statistically significant, the mortality for gastric cancer (SMR 1.22, n 4), for lung cancer (SMR 1.21, n 18) and for lymphomas and leukaemias (SMR 1.82, n 6) was higher than that expected from the regional rates during the follow-up. Only for the lung cancer mortality a statistically significant upward trend with increasing categories of lead exposure was observed (SMR 1.96, 95% CI 1.02-3.68 for the highest exposure group). Our study, even if of small size, suggests an association between occupational exposure to inorganic lead and lung cancer risk.

To estimate potential early adverse effects on the Central Nervous System (CNS) due to very low exposure to inorganic lead, the Intelligence Quotient (IQ) of adolescents with present blood lead concentrations (PhB) generally below 10 micrograms/dl was measured. We analyzed blood lead concentration and individual IQ of 32 Sardinian adolescents living in Portoscuso, a town 2 Km far from a lead smelter, and of other 32 controls living in S. Antioco, a town about 15 Km far from the same smelter. The Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children Revised (WISC-R) was administered. The relation between IQ and blood lead concentration was estimated by linear multivariate models adjusting for several potential confounders, such as the educational and socio-economic level of the parents. The blood lead concentration was in average significantly higher in the Portoscuso group compared to controls. The linear model applied to the total population studied (n 64) showed that the blood lead concentration was inversely and significantly associated with IQ, with an extrapolated decline of 1.29 points in total IQ for each microgram/dl increase of blood concentration. According to the recent scientific literature on this topic, results of our pilot study suggest the need to further lower the definition of an elevated blood lead concentration for children to a threshold significantly below 10 micrograms/dl, value till now considered "safe" for the children's CNS.

Atherosclerosis is an inflammatory‐fibroproliferative response of the arterial wall involving a complex set of interconnected events where cell proliferation (lymphomonocytes, and endothelial and smooth‐muscle cells) and substantial perturbations of intracellular cholesterol metabolism are considered to be among the main features. Glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), the key enzyme of the hexose‐monophosphate shunt pathway, is an essential enzyme involved in both cell growth and cholesterol metabolism, raising the question as to whether G6PD deficiency may have metabolic and growth implications in a deficient population. In the present study, we investigated cell growth and cholesterol metabolism in peripheral blood lymphomononuclear cells (PBMC) from G6PD‐normal (n = 5) and ‐deficient (n = 5) subjects stimulated with lectins (phytohaemoagglutinin and Concanavalin A). G6PD activity, DNA ([(3)H]‐thymidine incorporation) cholesterol synthesis and esterification ([(14)C]‐acetate and [(14)C]‐oleate incorporation), and G6PD, HMGCoA reductase and low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor mRNA levels (RT‐PCR) all increased following lectin stimulation in both normal and G6PD‐deficient cells. However, these parameters were significantly lower in G6PD‐deficient cells (P

Recent studies have shown that a membrane p-glycoprotein, encoded by MDR1 gene, is involved in the transport of free cholesterol from the plasma membrane to endoplasmic reticulum, the site of cholesterol esterification by acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT). Moreover, results deriving from our previous studies have shown that the rate of cell proliferation was positively correlated with cholesteryl ester levels as well as with ACAT and MDR1 gene expression. In this study, lipid content and the expression of the genes involved in cholesterol metabolism such as hydroxy-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMGCoA-R), low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDL-R), ACAT and MDR1 have been investigated in control and atherosclerotic arteries. The results have shown that the levels of cholesteryl ester increase with the age of cadaveric donors in arteries prone to atherosclerosis (abdominal aorta, superficial femoral artery) and become predominant in advanced atherosclerotic lesions. The mRNA levels of ACAT and MDR1 showed the same age correlation, reaching the highest values in atherosclerotic specimens. These results suggest that MDR1 may be involved in the accumulation of intracellular cholesterol ester levels found in atherosclerotic lesions. Moreover, the levels of HMGCoA-R, LDL-R and ACAT gene expressions progressively increased with the age of cadaveric donors; conversely, in atherosclerotic specimens, the mRNA levels of HMGCoA-R and LDL-R drastically decreased while ACAT gene expression reached its maximum. These findings suggest a reactivation of normal homeostatic regulation of cholesterol in advanced and complicated lesions.

The authors carried out an epidemiologic study on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in Sardinia for the years 1957 through 1990. The duration of the disease and survival were significantly shorter in bulbar form. The distribution of ALS in various areas of the island was found to be not at all homogeneous. Mean yearly incidence showed no significant variations in the decades 1971-80 and 1981-90. In the last decade, an increase of bulbar forms was observed.