Protection of Farms from Wolf Predation: A Field Approach

The livestock sector is facing serious challenges in combatting the increasing predation of domestic livestock. In this scenario, wild carnivores, especially wolves, represent key predators. To allow the coexistence of wild and domestic animals, defense methodologies consisting of multiple integrated antipredator strategies must be tested and implemented based on the geographical man agement context of each farm. This study investigated the potential of a novel antipredator method (PAN, Project Farmers-Nature in Italian) in protecting livestock (goats and horses) from wolves on a farm located in the Sibillini Mountains National Park, over a three-month period (June–September 2022). The PAN field approach involved two phases: (1) interviews with farmers and inspections of how the farm and pasture are structured and (2) monitoring predator abundance using camera traps and transects in order to understand the wildlife habits. Information on predator movement around the grazing area was shared with the farmer, who was actively involved in implementing strategies to protect livestock. The stable presence of one pair of wolves was confirmed in the grazing area, placing grazing livestock at risk. The farmer was advised to strengthen the existing antipredator strategy (herd protection dogs) by introducing two trained Maremma-Abruzzese sheepdog puppies to protect his animals. The implemented actions demonstrate how professional experts can serve as a strategic intermediary between livestock and wildlife conservation in the management of the current conflicts

“Troponinosis”, the Cardiologist’s Curse—When Clinic–Laboratory Interaction Unveils the Mystery: A Case Report

Cardiac troponins are key diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in acute myocardial infarction and, more generally, for the detection of myocardial injury. Since the introduction of the first immunochemistry methods, there has been a remarkable evolution in analytical performance, especially concerning a progressive improvement in sensitivity. However, the measurement of circulating troponins remains rarely susceptible to analytical interferences. We report a case of persistently elevated troponin I concentrations in a patient with known ischemic heart disease, which almost led to unnecessary diagnostic–therapeutic interventions. A prompt laboratory consultation by the cardiologist ultimately led to the identification of an analytical interference due to troponin macrocomplexes (macrotroponin) causing elevated troponin values in the absence of a clinical presentation compatible with myocardial damage

Note Illustrative della CARTA GEOLOGICA D\u2019ITALIA alla scala 1:50.000: foglio 091CHATILLON

Il Foglio 91-Chatillon della Carta Geologica d\u2019Italia alla scala 1:50.000 copre un\u2019area di 575 km2 della media Valle d\u2019Aosta, al limite tra Alpi Pennine e Graie, interamente compresa nel territorio amministrato dalla Regione Autonoma. Il settore settentrionale \ue8 attraversato dall\u2019asta della Valle d\u2019Aosta, percorsa dalla Dora Baltea, dai sobborghi orientali del capoluogo (560 m) alla conca di Chatillon-St. Vincent, e si estende alla parte medio-bassa del versante sinistro della vallata. Il settore centrale e meridionale del foglio corrisponde all\u2019impervio versante destro della Valle d\u2019Aosta, caratterizzato dai massicci del M. Emilius (3559 m), Grande Roise (3357 m), Punta Tersiva (3515 m) e M. Glacier (3186 m), delimitati a sud dai valloni di Dondena (Champorcher) e dell\u2019Urtier (Cogne). Il Foglio Chatillon \ue8 situato in un settore chiave per la comprensione dell\u2019assetto geologico-strutturale e metamorfico delle zone interne dell\u2019orogene alpino. Lo caratterizzano: i) la presenza di falde, lembi di ricoprimento e unit\ue0 tettono-metamorfiche di natura continentale ed oceanica, appartenenti ad una zona di subduzione fossile ed esumate da profondit\ue0 sensibilmente diverse (30-60 km); ii) un substrato roccioso costituito da una notevole variet\ue0 di tipi litologici mono e polimetamorfici; iii) una complessa struttura a falde di ricoprimento, corrispondente al settore interno (sud-occidentale) del prisma collisionale austroalpino-pennidico; iv) una tettonica duttile polifasica e vistose deformazioni fragili di tipo distensivo e trascorrente. Di origine continentale (margine adriatico) sono i lembi Austroalpini inferiori del M. Emilius, Glacier- Rafray, Tour Ponton e Chatillon-St. Vincent, situati a sud della Dora o lungo il fondovalle, il lembo superiore e settentrionale del M. Mary e il settore frontale della Zona Sesia-Lanzo, esposta nell\u2019angolo sud-orientale del foglio. Di origine oceanica sono invece le sequenze di ofioliti e sedimenti metamorfici della Zona Piemontese, affioranti con continuit\ue0 nel versante meridionale della valle (Massiccio del M. Avic) e, in modo discontinuo, su quello opposto, spesso dominato da coperture quaternarie e con estesi scoscendimenti di versante

The management of acute venous thromboembolism in clinical practice - study rationale and protocol of the European PREFER in VTE Registry

Background: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a major health problem, with over one million events every year in Europe. However, there is a paucity of data on the current management in real life, including factors influencing treatment pathways, patient satisfaction, quality of life (QoL), and utilization of health care resources and the corresponding costs. The PREFER in VTE registry has been designed to address this and to understand medical care and needs as well as potential gaps for improvement. Methods/design: The PREFER in VTE registry was a prospective, observational, multicenter study conducted in seven European countries including Austria, France Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, and the UK to assess the characteristics and the management of patients with VTE, the use of health care resources, and to provide data to estimate the costs for 12 months treatment following a first-time and/or recurrent VTE diagnosed in hospitals or specialized or primary care centers. In addition, existing anticoagulant treatment patterns, patient pathways, clinical outcomes, treatment satisfaction, and health related QoL were documented. The centers were chosen to reflect the care environment in which patients with VTE are managed in each of the participating countries. Patients were eligible to be enrolled into the registry if they were at least 18 years old, had a symptomatic, objectively confirmed first time or recurrent acute VTE defined as either distal or proximal deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism or both. After the baseline visit at the time of the acute VTE event, further follow-up documentations occurred at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months. Follow-up data was collected by either routinely scheduled visits or by telephone calls. Results: Overall, 381 centers participated, which enrolled 3,545 patients during an observational period of 1 year. Conclusion: The PREFER in VTE registry will provide valuable insights into the characteristics of patients with VTE and their acute and mid-term management, as well as into drug utilization and the use of health care resources in acute first-time and/or recurrent VTE across Europe in clinical practice. Trial registration: Registered in DRKS register, ID number: DRKS0000479