Phytodepuration processes in two short rotation forestry systems within the Venice lagoon watershed

info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Nitrogen budget of Short Rotation forests amended with digestate in highly permeable soils

Bioenergy crops are a promising option for integrating fossil fuels and achieving European environmental targets. Among these, Short Rotation Forestry (SRF) crops and biogas plants have been considered an opportunity for sustainable agricultural development due to their environmental benefits. In this case study, an N balance was performed by comparing an SRF Platanus hispanica plantation with a permanent meadow, both located in an area with highly permeable soils, using two different amounts of organic fertilization (digestate) for each system (0, 170 and 340 kg-N ha−1 y−1). The results obtained indicate that, in the presence of highly permeable soils, the SRF is not effective in retaining N during the initial stage of growth, despite the use of a suitable application rate of digestate. Higher N leaching rates occurred in SRF crops compared to permanent meadows. Moreover, the N potential removal rate did not vary proportionally with the applied dose of digestate. To avoid N leaching excess, the annual applied N should be not only within 170 kg-N ha−1 y−1 (Nitrate Directive legal limits for nitrate vulnerable zone) but should also follow precise and accurate distribution practices, like: controlled grassing between the tree rows and soil’s minimum tillage immediately after the digestate spreading

Cholelithiasis in children with sickle cell disease

OBJECTIVE: Given the high frequency of cholelithiasis in children with sickle cell disease and the controversies about its management, the aim of this study was to critically review the literature about this issue. DATA SOURCES: Published studies in English and Portuguese from 1980 to 2007 about cholelithiasis and sickle cell anemia in children were retrieved from Medline and Lilacs databases. DATA SYNTHESIS: Cholelithiasis is the most common digestive complication of sickle cell disease patients and its frequency increases with age. Physiopathology of gallstones and diagnostic methods are well established. Cholecystectomy is the recommended therapy for symptomatic cholelithiasis, preferentially by laparoscopic approach. In asymptomatic patients, most studies favors the surgical management of the disease in order to avoid complications and to reduce difficulties with the differential diagnosis of future abdominal pain. However, the clinical management of this condition is also possible and there is no consensus in the literature regarding the best approach. CONCLUSIONS: Sickle cell disease presents great variations in clinical presentation, natural history and severity of hemolysis. Some populations may present lower frequency of cholelithiasis and its symptoms. Variability in the frequency of this complication may be attributed to genetic variation in haplotipes, environmental factors, clinical course and management of the sickle cell disease. Scientific evidence regarding the best time to indicate cholecystectomy in asymptomatic patient is not available. Therefore, decision regarding the need of clinical or surgical approach of the cholelithiasis depends on individual and population factors.OBJETIVO: Considerando a alta freqüência da colelitíase no paciente pediátrico com doença falciforme e a controvérsia na literatura sobre a abordagem da condição, o presente texto objetiva revisar a literatura disponível. FONTE DE DADOS: Revisão dos estudos sobre colelitíase no paciente falciforme, publicados no período entre 1980 e 2007, em língua inglesa e portuguesa, envolvendo pacientes na faixa etária de zero a 18 anos e utilizando os bancos de dados Medline e Lilacs. SÍNTESE DOS DADOS: A colelitíase é a complicação digestiva mais comum no paciente falciforme e sua incidência aumenta com a faixa etária. Os mecanismos fisiopatológicos são conhecidos, assim como os métodos diagnósticos. A conduta terapêutica consensual na colelitíase sintomática é a colecistectomia, preferencialmente por via laparoscópica. Nos casos assintomáticos, a maioria dos autores recomenda a conduta cirúrgica, para evitar complicações, confusão no diagnóstico diferencial de dor abdominal futura e menor risco cirúrgico. Contudo, não existe consenso na literatura, havendo base para a adoção de conduta expectante. CONCLUSÕES: A doença falciforme tem grandes variações em sua apresentação clinica, história natural e gravidade da hemólise. Algumas populações podem apresentar menor freqüência de colelitíase e menor número de pacientes sintomáticos, possivelmente em razão de variações de haplótipos, fatores ambientais e diferentes manejos clínicos. Ainda não existem dados suficientes na literatura ou estudos randomizados e controlados que possibilitem definir o momento ideal para a colecistectomia no paciente falciforme com litíase assintomática. Dessa maneira, dependendo de características individuais e da população, podem ser aceitos o seguimento clínico ou a indicação precoce de colecistectomia.37738

Mutation spectrum of MLL2 in a cohort of kabuki syndrome patients

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Kabuki syndrome (Niikawa-Kuroki syndrome) is a rare, multiple congenital anomalies/mental retardation syndrome characterized by a peculiar face, short stature, skeletal, visceral and dermatoglyphic abnormalities, cardiac anomalies, and immunological defects. Recently mutations in the histone methyl transferase MLL2 gene have been identified as its underlying cause. METHODS: Genomic DNAs were extracted from 62 index patients clinically diagnosed as affected by Kabuki syndrome. Sanger sequencing was performed to analyze the whole coding region of the MLL2 gene including intron-exon junctions. The putative causal and possible functional effect of each nucleotide variant identified was estimated by in silico prediction tools. RESULTS: We identified 45 patients with MLL2 nucleotide variants. 38 out of the 42 variants were never described before. Consistently with previous reports, the majority are nonsense or frameshift mutations predicted to generate a truncated polypeptide. We also identified 3 indel, 7 missense and 3 splice site. CONCLUSIONS: This study emphasizes the relevance of mutational screening of the MLL2 gene among patients diagnosed with Kabuki syndrome. The identification of a large spectrum of MLL2 mutations possibly offers the opportunity to improve the actual knowledge on the clinical basis of this multiple congenital anomalies/mental retardation syndrome, design functional studies to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying this disease, establish genotype-phenotype correlations and improve clinical management

Due prospettive, un orizzonte: aspetti "Science" e "Citizen" del progetto Citizen Science CS4Rivers

Citizen Science (CS) is a key tool and research approach to obtain the data required to address largescale research questions and engage the public in environmental issues. Since the use of CS data has quickly increased in recent years, concern has been expressed within the scientific community about the quality of these data. At the same time, public engagement raises other challenges and research questions. CS may generate collective benefits by providing opportunities for citizens to contribute to conservation actions and meaningfully engage in conservation policy. At the individual level, citizen scientists may gain awareness and a deeper understanding of environmental issues, increase their scientific literacy, and connect with their local environment. Equally, citizen scientists could face challenges and frustration, due to a lack of expertise and confidence in their skills. Therefore, scientific and citizen issues should be addressed to ensure the success and quality of a CS project. In this framework, the CS4Rivers project, led by the University of Siena, is a virtuous example of collaboration between local communities and scientists, working together to ensure valuable results. CS4Rivers is a CS project active in the Ombrone river basin (South Tuscany, Italy), with different participatory monitoring activities. Here, we present the simplified protocols and preliminary data quality assurance results concerning two sampling seasons of the macroinvertebrate community. We also present the testimonies provided by volunteers performing the sampling to highlight their feelings and better understand the “Science” and “Citizen” aspects of a Citizen Science project

Phytodepuration processes in two short rotation forestry systems within the Venice lagoon watershed

info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Phytodepuration processes in two short rotation forestry systems within the Venice lagoon watershed

info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio