SilvaCuore: a web-application to monitor the health status of Italian forests

In the current context of climate change, this paper provides a brief overview of climate-vegetation interactions in the Mediterranean basin, where global warming and aridification trends are predicted to intensify. Rising temperatures coupled with extreme drought events have notable impacts on forest ecosystems, triggering dieback and mortality phenomena worldwide. The health status of forest vegetation may be assessed by either ground surveys or remote sensing. Several investigations of declining oak forests in the Apennine region have shown that the drought vulnerability of Mediterranean oaks is dependent on differences in access to deep soil water pools, which can be related to differences in rooting depth, tree size and growth rate. Forest dieback is widely reported in Italy, but the extent and overall distribution of this phenomenon have not yet been well defined. Thus, understanding the future dynamics of forest stands has several key objectives: inventorying declining forest stands to gain insight into the phenomenon and create a national-level database; locating these stands to allow monitoring of their evolution over time; and monitoring to allow planning of mitigation measures, as well as recovery and adaptation strategies. This background led to the implementation of SilvaCuore, the first web application designed in Italy to report forest health status. Silvacuore is a web application developed with the aim of improving the link between citizens and the scientific community by contributing to the development of a valuable scientific database. The direct involvement of citizens in forest preservation offers an interesting perspective because the innovative use of technology can tap into citizens’ growing enthusiasm for environmental topics. Thus, SilvaCuore may be viewed from a dual perspective as a resource for the scientific community and as a unique opportunity for citizens to take an active role in research activities (Citizen Science project)

Immunomodulating effects of the anti-viral agent Silibinin in liver transplant patients with HCV recurrence

Background: Silibinin has been shown to have anti-HCV activity and immune-modulating properties by regulating dendritic cell (DC) function. DCs are antigen-presenting cells that, together with regulatory T cells (Treg), play a pivotal role in controlling alloimmune, as well as anti-HCV immune responses. Methods: Twelve liver transplant patients with HCV recurrence received iv infusion of Silibinin (iv-SIL) for 14 consecutive days. Using flow cytometry, before and at the end of treatment, we determined the frequencies of circulating myeloid (m) and plasmacytoid (p) DC and Treg and the expression of costimulatory/coregulatory molecules by the DC subsets and Treg. Statistical analysis was performed using the paired Student's t test and Pearson correlation test. Results: After iv-SIL treatment, we observed an elevated plasmacytoid dendritic cell (pDC)/myeloid dendritic cell (mDC) ratio, while pDC displayed lower HLA-DR and higher immunoglobulin-like transcript 4 (ILT4), CD39, and HLA-G expression compared to the pretreatment baseline. In addition, after iv-SIL, mDC showed increased inducible costimulator ligand (ICOSL) expression. No changes were detected in Treg frequency or programed death (PD)-1 expression by these cells. Moreover, several correlations between DC/Treg markers and clinical parameters were detected. Conclusions: This descriptive study, in liver transplant patients with HCV recurrence, reveals the impact of iv-SIL on DC and Treg. The changes observed in circulating pDC and mDC that have previously been associated with tolerogenic conditions shed new light on how iv-SIL may regulate anti-viral and alloimmunity. We have also observed multiple clinical correlations that could improve the clinical management of liver transplant patients and that deserve further analysis

Efficacy of a Non-addictive Nasal Irrigation Based on Sea Salt Enriched with Natural Enzymes among Patients with Sinusitis: An In Vivo, Randomized, Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND: Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a common condition that is defined as inflammation of the nose and paranasal sinuses. Nasal irrigation plays an important role in the treatment of CRS. Evidence from basic research favors hypertonic saline over isotonic saline for mucociliary clearance, but evidence from clinical studies is controversial. AIM: This study aims to investigate the hypothesis that the use of daily nasal irrigation based on sea salt, enriched with natural enzymes and lysozyme, may be useful in patients with CRS. PATIENT AND METHODS: Patients (30 men and 30 women) 18–55 years old (mean age 41 ± 3 y.o.), with two episodes of acute sinusitis or one episode of chronic sinusitis per year for 2 consecutive years, were enrolled stratified by sex and age and randomly divided into two groups supplementation: Group A (test) and Group B (control/ placebo). Moreover, an exit questionnaire was asked to Group A subjects to report whether their sinus-related quality of life has gotten worse, stayed the same, or improved (scale from 0 to ±100%). RESULTS: The result showed that in the test group (A) from T0 to T1, a reduction of 17.65% for the symptoms related headache and/or facial pressure and a reduction of the 18.18%, for the symptoms relates to congestion and/ or nasal discharge. On the other hand, the control group (B) shown less difference between T0 and T1. CONCLUSIONS: This study strengthens the argument that the tested formulation is a safe, well-tolerated, long-term therapy that patients with chronic sinonasal complaints can and will use at home with minimal training and follow-up

Bioactive Secoiridoids in Italian Extra-Virgin Olive Oils: Impact of Olive Plant Cultivars, Cultivation Regions and Processing

In the last two decades, phenolic compounds occurring in olive oils known as secoiridoids have attracted a great interest for their bioactivity. Four major olive oil secoiridoids, i.e., oleuropein and ligstroside aglycones, oleacin and oleocanthal, were previously characterized in our laboratory using reversed-phase liquid chromatography with electrospray ionization-Fourier transform-mass spectrometry (RPLC-ESI-FTMS). The same analytical approach, followed by multivariate statistical analysis (i.e., Principal Component Analysis), was applied here to a set of 60 Italian extra-virgin olive oils (EVOO). The aim was to assess the secoiridoid contents as a function of olive cultivars, place of cultivation (i.e., different Italian regions) and olive oil processing, in particular two- vs. three-phase horizontal centrifugation. As expected, higher secoiridoid contents were generally found in olive oils produced by two-phase horizontal centrifugation. Moreover, some region/cultivar-related trends were evidenced, as oleuropein and ligstroside aglycones prevailed in olive oils produced in Apulia (Southern Italy), whereas the contents of oleacin and oleocanthal were relatively higher in EVOO produced in Central Italy (Tuscany, Lazio and Umbria). A lower content of all the four secoiridoids was generally found in EVOO produced in Sicily (Southern Italy) due to the intrinsic low abundance of these bioactive compounds in cultivars typical of that region

SilvaCuore: an App for monitoring the health status of Italian forests

Several forest dieback and mortality phenomena reported across the Italian Peninsula over the last years underline an enhanced forest vulnerability in response to climate extremes, mainly heat waves and dry spells. Hundreds or even thousands hectares of forests completely die out over few years, causing considerable negative impacts on ecosystem services such as carbon sequestration and biodiversity. Thus, there is a compelling need to monitor these phenomena for understanding the future dynamics of forest stands: these crucial assumptions have led to SilvaCuore’s development, the first App designed in Italy to report the forests health status. The support of an active users’ community can not only allow researchers to survey declining forest sites, but also to better plan research activities and management measures. Silvacuore is an App designed with the willingness to strenghten the link between the citizens and the scientific community, contributing to the development of a valuable scientific database, available on a website and linked to the App. Through a user-friendly interface, the App leads the users throughout a simplified reporting procedure. SilvaCuore may therefore be perceived by a dual aspect: a resource for the scientific community and a unique opportunity for citizens to play an active role in research activities

Effectiveness of gellan gum scaffolds loaded with <em>Boswellia serrata</em> extract for <em>in-situ</em> modulation of pro-inflammatory pathways affecting cartilage healing

\ua9 2024 The AuthorsIn this study, we developed a composite hydrogel based on Gellan gum containing Boswellia serrata extract (BSE). BSE was either incorporated directly or loaded into an MgAl-layered double hydroxide (LDH) clay to create a multifunctional cartilage substitute. This composite was designed to provide anti-inflammatory properties while enhancing chondrogenesis. Additionally, LDH was exploited to facilitate the loading of hydrophobic BSE components and to improve the hydrogel\u27s mechanical properties. A calcination process was also adopted on LDH to increase BSE loading. Physicochemical and mechanical characterizations were performed by spectroscopic (XPS and FTIR), thermogravimetric, rheological, compression test, weight loss and morphological (SEM) investigations. RPLC-ESI-FTMS was employed to investigate the boswellic acids release in simulated synovial fluid. The composites were cytocompatible and capable of supporting the mesenchymal stem cells (hMSC) growth in a 3D-conformation. Loading BSE resulted in the modulation of the pro-inflammatory cascade by down-regulating COX2, PGE2 and IL1β. Chondrogenesis studies demonstrated an enhanced differentiation, leading to the up-regulation of COL 2 and ACAN. This effect was attributed to the efficacy of BSE in reducing the inflammation through PGE2 down-regulation and IL10 up-regulation. Proteomics studies confirmed gene expression findings by revealing an anti-inflammatory protein signature during chondrogenesis of the cells cultivated onto loaded specimens. Concluding, BSE-loaded composites hold promise as a tool for the in-situ modulation of the inflammatory cascade while preserving cartilage healing

Spectrum of gluten-related disorders: consensus on new nomenclature and classification

A decade ago celiac disease was considered extremely rare outside Europe and, therefore, was almost completely ignored by health care professionals. In only 10 years, key milestones have moved celiac disease from obscurity into the popular spotlight worldwide. Now we are observing another interesting phenomenon that is generating great confusion among health care professionals. The number of individuals embracing a gluten-free diet (GFD) appears much higher than the projected number of celiac disease patients, fueling a global market of gluten-free products approaching $2.5 billion (US) in global sales in 2010. This trend is supported by the notion that, along with celiac disease, other conditions related to the ingestion of gluten have emerged as health care concerns. This review will summarize our current knowledge about the three main forms of gluten reactions: allergic (wheat allergy), autoimmune (celiac disease, dermatitis herpetiformis and gluten ataxia) and possibly immune-mediated (gluten sensitivity), and also outline pathogenic, clinical and epidemiological differences and propose new nomenclature and classifications

Old-growth forests in the Pollino National Park (southern Italy): current status and future perspectives

Old-growth forests have a primary environmental and ecological value, as they closely recall primeval forests and the natural forest landscape that was spread throughout Italy and Europe before man intervention heavily altered the functioning of most natural ecosystems. These ecosystems are more and more recognized as keystones of environmental policies (i.e., the EU Biodiversity Strategy 2030) aimed to preserve biodiversity and mitigate the impacts of climate change. A recent report highlights that Europe’s old-growth forests account for only 3 percent of the overall forest surface. The majority of italian old-growth forests are located along the Apennines, especially in the Pollino, Sila and Aspromonte National Parks, in remote montane areas characterized by irregular topographical conditions (i.e., high slopes and/or shallow soils) which hamper the access and exploitation of these less productive stands, thus allowing the survival of old-growth forests for many centuries. The ongoing climate change is a significant challenge to the conservation of old-growth forests, particularly in areas such as the Mediterranean basin, where an intensification of extreme climate events is expected. Heat waves can exacerbate drought’s negative impacts on tree growth and survival, leading to reduced woody carbon stocks and biodiversity in old-growth forests. To date, there is poor understanding of such highly valuable and extremely fragile natural ecosystems in Italy. Insights are available based on data gathered as part of two research programs, funded by the Italian Ministry of the Environment and Land and Sea Protection, with the purpose of creating a Network of Old Growth Forests in Italy’s National Parks. In this study, we aimed to highlight the role and importance of old-growth forests, focusing on those located within the Pollino National Park. A comprehensive overview of the key strengths and weaknesses, that mark these peculiar forest ecosystems, was followed by a discussion of the future outlook, grounded on strategies that will ensure not only the protection and conservation of these ecosystems, but also their development and promotion

Plasmacytoid DC from Aged Mice Down-Regulate CD8 T Cell Responses by Inhibiting cDC Maturation after Encephalitozoon cuniculi Infection

Age associated impairment of immune function results in inefficient vaccination, tumor surveillance and increased severity of infections. Several alterations in adaptive immunity have been observed and recent studies report age related declines in innate immune responses to opportunistic pathogens including Encephalitozoon cuniculi. We previously demonstrated that conventional dendritic cells (cDC) from 9-month-old animals exhibit sub-optimal response to E. cuniculi infection, suggesting that age associated immune senescence begins earlier than expected. We focused this study on how age affects plasmacytoid DC (pDC) function. More specifically how aged pDC affect cDC function as we observed that the latter are the predominant activators of CD8 T cells during this infection. Our present study demonstrates that pDC from middle-aged mice (12 months) suppress young (8 week old) cDC driven CD8 T cell priming against E. cuniculi infection. The suppressive effect of pDC from older mice decreased maturation of young cDC via cell contact. Aged mouse pDC exhibited higher expression of PD-L1 and blockade of their interaction with cDC via this molecule restored cDC maturation and T cell priming. Furthermore, the PD-L1 dependent suppression of cDC T cell priming was restricted to effector function of antigen-specific CD8 T cells not their expansion. To the best of our knowledge, the data presented here is the first report highlighting a cell contact dependent, PD-L1 regulated, age associated defect in a DC subpopulation that results in a sub-optimal immune response against E. cuniculi infection. These results have broad implications for design of immunotherapeutic approaches to enhance immunity for aging populations