First Bronze Age Human Mitogenomes from Calabria (Grotta Della Monaca, Southern Italy)

The Italian peninsula was host to a strong history of migration processes that shaped its genomic variability since prehistoric times. During the Metal Age, Sicily and Southern Italy were the protagonists of intense trade networks and settlements along the Mediterranean. Nonetheless, ancient DNA studies in Southern Italy are, at present, still limited to prehistoric and Roman Apulia. Here, we present the first mitogenomes from a Middle Bronze Age cave burial in Calabria to address this knowledge gap. We adopted a hybridization capture approach, which enabled the recovery of one complete and one partial mitochondrial genome. Phylogenetic analysis assigned these two individuals to the H1e and H5 subhaplogroups, respectively. This preliminary phylogenetic analysis supports affinities with coeval Sicilian populations, along with Linearbandkeramik and Bell Beaker cultures maternal lineages from Central Europe and Iberia. Our work represents a starting point which contributes to the comprehension of migrations and population dynamics in Southern Italy, and highlights this knowledge gap yet to be filled by genomic studies

Insights into the phytochemical composition of selected genotypes of organic kale (Brassica oleracea L. var. acephala)

Seven genotypes of kale (B. oleracea L. var. acephala), selected from a collection set up in the framework of the BRESOV H2020 Project, aimed at breeding under organic conditions, were analysed for the content in the characteristic phytochemicals of Brassica spp. The presence of prebiotic oligosaccharides was an important characteristic of this crop, with values ranging from 4.2 to 10.8 g/100 g d.w. The other detected soluble sugars were sucrose, glucose, and fructose, with glucose predominating (3.9–9.0 g/100 g d.w.). Sulphur compounds, such as sulphoxides, were detected in the form of pyruvic acid, their catabolic product (36–154 mg/100 g d.w.). In addition, the levels of main breakdown products of glucosinolates, such as sulforaphane and indole-3-carbinol, were found to be in average contents of 6.7 and 3.9 μmol/g d.w., respectively. Finally, the presence of major phytochemicals in kale, such as polyphenols and carotenoids, reported considerable concentrations (around 1400 mg/100 g d.w. and 19 mg/100 g d.w, respectively), typical for this Brassica crop

COVID-19 Severity in Multiple Sclerosis: Putting Data Into Context

Background and objectives: It is unclear how multiple sclerosis (MS) affects the severity of COVID-19. The aim of this study is to compare COVID-19-related outcomes collected in an Italian cohort of patients with MS with the outcomes expected in the age- and sex-matched Italian population. Methods: Hospitalization, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and death after COVID-19 diagnosis of 1,362 patients with MS were compared with the age- and sex-matched Italian population in a retrospective observational case-cohort study with population-based control. The observed vs the expected events were compared in the whole MS cohort and in different subgroups (higher risk: Expanded Disability Status Scale [EDSS] score > 3 or at least 1 comorbidity, lower risk: EDSS score ≤ 3 and no comorbidities) by the χ2 test, and the risk excess was quantified by risk ratios (RRs). Results: The risk of severe events was about twice the risk in the age- and sex-matched Italian population: RR = 2.12 for hospitalization (p < 0.001), RR = 2.19 for ICU admission (p < 0.001), and RR = 2.43 for death (p < 0.001). The excess of risk was confined to the higher-risk group (n = 553). In lower-risk patients (n = 809), the rate of events was close to that of the Italian age- and sex-matched population (RR = 1.12 for hospitalization, RR = 1.52 for ICU admission, and RR = 1.19 for death). In the lower-risk group, an increased hospitalization risk was detected in patients on anti-CD20 (RR = 3.03, p = 0.005), whereas a decrease was detected in patients on interferon (0 observed vs 4 expected events, p = 0.04). Discussion: Overall, the MS cohort had a risk of severe events that is twice the risk than the age- and sex-matched Italian population. This excess of risk is mainly explained by the EDSS score and comorbidities, whereas a residual increase of hospitalization risk was observed in patients on anti-CD20 therapies and a decrease in people on interferon

DMTs and Covid-19 severity in MS: a pooled analysis from Italy and France

We evaluated the effect of DMTs on Covid-19 severity in patients with MS, with a pooled-analysis of two large cohorts from Italy and France. The association of baseline characteristics and DMTs with Covid-19 severity was assessed by multivariate ordinal-logistic models and pooled by a fixed-effect meta-analysis. 1066 patients with MS from Italy and 721 from France were included. In the multivariate model, anti-CD20 therapies were significantly associated (OR = 2.05, 95%CI = 1.39–3.02, p < 0.001) with Covid-19 severity, whereas interferon indicated a decreased risk (OR = 0.42, 95%CI = 0.18–0.99, p = 0.047). This pooled-analysis confirms an increased risk of severe Covid-19 in patients on anti-CD20 therapies and supports the protective role of interferon

Piccole imprese alla ricerca del valore: evidenze empiriche sulle family business italiane e spagnole

The aim of the article is to investigate the degree of professionalization of small and medium family businesses, through the analysis of their economic valuation process. The empirical survey has been led over a sample of 500 firms, with data collected in Italy and in Spain, through a structured questionnaire. Findings show that firm size is the main driver for the valuation process, especially if we consider the interest of family firm owners in knowing the economic value of the firm. The article has implications for theory and for practice. It contributes to the academic debate with a better understanding of the decision making process of family firms, as well as it underlines the relevance of the valuation process, fostering its adoption in small and medium organizations

Exploitation of a Grafting Technique for Improving the Water Use Efficiency of Eggplant (<i>Solanum melongena</i> L.) Grown in a Cold Greenhouse in Mediterranean Climatic Conditions

Grafting techniques have been intricately associated with the optimization of water use efficiency (WUE). In this study, various eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) rootstock–scion combinations were compared under three irrigation regimes (IR): 50% deficit in water volume (IR50), a doubling of irrigation volume (IR200), and normal watering (IR100). The cultivar Black Bell (Bb) was employed as a scion, while the rootstock adopted included the F1 hybrids Energy (En) and Beaufort (Be) and one accession of S. torvum (To). The trial encompassed the evaluation of no- and self-grafted plants. Plants grown in a cold greenhouse in Sicily were assessed for their morphological parameters, as well as their fruit production and quality. The leaf analysis encompassed the evaluation of chromatic parameters and water potential. Significant variation was observed for plant height, exhibiting the lowest values in self-grafted combinations. The leaf water potential varied significantly in relation to the rootstock–scion combination employed and to the irrigation regime. Fruit quality traits displayed significant variations for chromatic parameters L* and a*, as well as for the fruit’s longitudinal and transversal diameters and the soluble solid content. The number of fruits and fruit production per plant varied significantly in relation to the rootstock–scion combination; the highest fruit production was recorded for Black Bell grafted onto S. torvum grown by IR50. The fruit weight displayed a significant interaction between the experimental factors under study. Notably, for the WUE calculated in relation to fruit production, a significant interaction between the experimental factors studied was ascertained. The highest WUE was registered for IR50, specifically for To/Bb. This research aims to develop a comprehensive water-efficient organic farming protocol for sustainable agriculture

Women on board: evidence from a masculine industry

Purpose: To provide insights on the gender - performance relationship, this paper studies the impact of board gender diversity on firm performance, by taking into account the "critical mass" of women directors and their educational level. Design/methodology/approach: The hypotheses are tested on a unique dataset of 211 EU publicly listed companies in 2012 belonging to the construction industry from 28 different countries through a set of OLS regressions. Findings: The evidence shows that the "critical mass" rather than the simple presence of women has an incremental benefit on firm performance. In addition, results show that the educational level of women directors negatively affects firm performance, as it might impact the dynamics within the boardroom. Research limitations/implication: The quantitative nature of the study does not allow drawing strong inferences on behavioral processes and dynamics in and around the boardroom. Nevertheless, our study will open new research insights on exploring the educational level on board. Practical implications: Regulators and policy makers that should be aware of the influence of women as a group on firm performance and that this role is differential across industries. Originality/value: The novelty of this paper is that it investigates the role of women in a high masculine gender-specific industry and explores a still poorly understood demographic variable (i.e. the educational level) of women directors