Le tecniche di costruzione nel trattato di Vincenzo Scamozzi, Dell’idea dell’architettura universale, capitolo VIII: analisi per un progetto di ricerca

El trabajo se desarrolla intencionalmente en el análisis de solo una parte de la vasta extensión del tratado, específicamente el Volumen II, y, en particular, el capítulo VIII, que contiene la mayoría de la información importante por la investigación. Se trata de una lectura crítica del Tratado, que tiene como objetivo investigar la información que forma parte de los conocimientos del autor sobre la tecnología de la construcción. La característica principal de este estudio es sobre todo un análisis de un texto antiguo, una primera aproximación al texto de V. Scamozzi al fin de obtener, a través de su caracterización preliminar, y la construcción de series de datos que permiten su efectiva caracterización, algunas de las posibles líneas de investigación que podrían constituir una base para seguir a través de una tesis doctoral

A case of Scalp Rosacea treated with low dose doxycycline and probiotic therapy and literature review on therapeutic options

Rosacea is a common chronic inflammatory disorder showing a wide range of clinical features such as telangiectasia, erythema, papules, and pustules primarily involving the central part of face (forehead, cheeks and nose) although extra facial manifestation have been described. We describe a case of rosacea with predominant scalp involvement successfully treated with a 8-week-course of doxycycline 40 mg once a day and probiotic therapy twice a day (Bifidobacterium breve BR03, Lactobacillus salivarius LS01 1 × 10(9) UFC/dose)

The Influence of Soil Physical and Chemical Properties on Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) Growth,Yield and Quality

Soil physical and chemical properties play a central role in plant growth, influencing the availability of air, nutrients, and water. The aim of this two-year study was to evaluate the effect of soil texture and chemical properties (pH, electrical conductivity, organic carbon, organic matter, total, and active lime) on saffron (Crocus sativus L.) growth, yield, and quality. Corms were planted in pots filled with seven different soil textures obtained mixing an increasing quantity (33% and 66%) of sand to a clay soil (S1) and to a clay loam soil (S2) compared to a full (100%) sandy soil as a control (S7). A randomized complete block design comprising of seven pots with different types of soil (S1, S2, S3, S4, S5, S6, and S7) replicated three times was used. The results showed that the highest flower number (320.3 nm2), stigma yield (2.0 gm2), daughter corm production (7.9 kgm2), and horizontal diameter (3.1 cm) were derived from S3 and S4 soils. These were characterized by a loam and sandy-loam texture, not very calcareous, with a sub-alkaline and neutral pH, low electrical conductivity, a content of organic matter between 5.46 and 8.67 g kg1, and a content of active lime between 21.25 and 26.25 g kg1. According to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) references, although all spice samples belonged to the first qualitative category, S1, S3, and S2 soils recorded the highest value for coloring power (290.5, 289.1, and 287.6 A1m 440 nm, respectively). The highest values of bittering (109.2 A1m 257 nm) and aromatic (26.6 A1m 330 nm) power were reached by S3 soil. Positive correlations were found both between color with clay and organic matter, and aroma with total calcium carbonate. In conclusion, the assessment of soil conditions is particularly important to obtain the best saffron performance in terms of stigma and daughter corms yield as well as spice qualitative traits

Dermoscopy and methyl aminolevulinate: A study for detection and evaluation of field cancerization

Actinic keratosis (AK) is a keratinocyte intraepidermal neoplasia UV light – induced that frequently appears in sun-exposed areas of the skin. Although historically AK was de fi ned as “ precancerous ” , actually it is considered as the earliest stage of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in situ. Since AKs can progress into invasive SCC, their treatment isrecommended. AKsrarely developasa singlelesion;usually multiplelesions commonly affect anen- tire area of chronically actinic damaged skin. This has led to the concept of “ fi eld cancerization ” , an area chroni- cally sun-exposed that surrounds peripherally visible lesions, in which are individualized subclinical alterations. One of the main principles endpoint in the management of AKs is the evaluation and the treatment of fi eld cancerization. In this view, in order to detect and quantify fi eld cancerization, we employed a method based on the topical application of methyl aminolevulinate (MAL) and the detection of the fl uorescence emitted by its metabolite Protoporphyrin IX (PpIX); then, considering the extension and the intensity of measured fl uores- cence, we create a score of fi eld cancerization. The results show that patients underwent to daylight PDT had a reduction of total score, from T0 to T2. Whereas in the group untreated we observed a stability of total score or a slightly worse. So, the method and the score used allows to evaluate with a good approximation the dimension of fi eld cancerization and show the modi fi cation of it after treatment

Monitoring chemotherapy-induced alopecia with trichoscopy

Background: Chemotherapy-induced alopecia (CIA) ranks among the psychologically most devastating effects of cancer treatment for oncological patients, with an overall incidence of 65%. Nowadays trichoscopy is largely employed in the diagnosis of alopecia, but no description of CIA trichoscopic pattern is present in literature. Aims: We want to create an organic description of CIA trichoscopic aspects. Methods: Oncological patients candidate to chemotherapy drugs, afferent to our trichological outpatient were studied. Anamnesis, clinical exam, clinical global photography, pull test, trichogram, and trichoscopy were conducted at the different moments of therapeutic treatment. Results: A definite trichoscopic pattern in the different phases of treatment was observed. After the first 3 weeks of chemotherapy rare and scattered black dots, broken hairs, flame hairs and pohl pinkus appeared. At the end of chemotherapy besides the features described above, numerous thin hair in regrowth were detected, together to rare terminal hair, scattered black dots and circle hair. Three months after chemotherapy a progressive increase of follicular units and elongation of the existing hair were visible. Conclusions: We propose an description of CIA trichoscopic pattern and its evolution during the different phases of chemotherapy

Site fidelity of Hippocampus guttulatus Cuvier, 1829 at Mar Piccolo of Taranto (Southern Italy; Ionian Sea)

AbstractLack of detailed knowledge on ecological niche, life cycles, spatial distribution, reproductive biology and space use strongly affects the selection of useful tools and measures in the conservation of threatened marine species. Especially for sedentary and slow species, behaviour and movement capacities are supposed to be the most important functional traits. Indeed, behavioural variability concerning available space and the close presence of individuals is considered a crucial trait for the population dynamics assessments, especially when disturbances of various causes are present in the environment. The present study aimed to investigate the site fidelity and degree of movement of Hippocampus guttulatus, an emblematic and threatened Mediterranean seahorse species. With this aim, a number of seahorses were tagged and monitored throughout two years within a limited area of the lagoon of Mar Piccolo of Taranto (Southern Italy). The studied individuals were initially morphometrically measured for size, sex and life-cycle stage and subsequently monitored through repeated four-month surveys each year. Obtained results indicated high site fidelity regardless of habitat type. Movement pattern was in line with the data on congeneric species, although values were slightly higher. The analyses showed differences in movement degree among different sexes and life-cycle stages and indicated greater mobility of adult females compared to males and juveniles. The investigated parameters showed a great variability suggesting that even small-scale environmental factors can influence the species mobility. Finally, a change in the population structure has been observed, with the loss of large individuals in 2016 and reduced recruitment in 2017. These findings indicated the possible presence of stressors that could lead to the alteration of the seahorse population at Mar Piccolo of Taranto

Accumulation and aberrant composition of cholesteryl esters in Scrapie-infected N2a cells and C57BL/6 mouse brains

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Objective</p> <p>Cholesterol changes have been described in prion-cell models and in experimental rodent scrapie; yet, the pattern of this association is still controversial.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>To shed light on the matter, we analysed and compared cholesterol variations in ScN2a cells and in brains of Scrapie-infected C57Bl/6 mice, using two different methods: a fluorimetric-enzymatic cholesterol assay, and high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopy (HPLC-MS).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Compared to uninfected controls, similar cholesterol metabolism anomalies were observed in infected cells and brains by both methods; however, only HPLC-MS revealed statistically significant cholesterol variations, particularly in the cholesteryl esters (CE) fraction. HPLC-MS analyses also revealed different fatty acid composition of the CE fraction in cells and brains. In N2a cells, their profile reflected that of serum, while in normal brains cholesteryl-linoleate only was found at detectable levels. Following prion infection, most CE species were increased in the CE pool of ScN2a cells, whereas a conspicuous amount of cholesteryl-arachidonate only was found to contribute to the cerebral increase of CE. Of interest, oral pravastatin administration to Scrapie-infected mice, was associated with a significant reduction of cerebral free cholesterol (FC) along with a concomitant further increase of the CE pool, which included increased amounts of both cholesteryl-linoleate and cholesteryl-arachidonate.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Although mechanistic studies are needed to establish the pathophysiological relevance of changes in cerebral CE concentrations, to the best of our knowledge this is the first report to provide evidence of increased cholesterol esterification in brains of prion-infected mice, untreated and treated with pravastatin.</p

Crocus sativus L. Ecotypes from Mediterranean Countries: Phenological, Morpho-Productive, Qualitative and Genetic Traits

The characterization of C. sativus ecotypes is of great interest for preserving them from a possible genetic erosion due to the decrease of European cultivation surface. In this study, we evaluated four ecotypes from Italy (Sardinia and Abruzzo), Spain (Castilla-La Mancha), and Greece (Kozani) in order to detect the existence of variability and promote the biodiversity of this crop. Thirty-one traits related to saffron flowering, flower morphology, production of spice and daughter corms, vegetative development (leaf and corm traits), and spice quality, were evaluated. In addition, a genetic analysis through three PCR-based approaches, SSRs, RAPD, and SRAP was assessed. Results highlighted a phenotypic variation among ecotypes during two consecutive years. All the studied parameters were influenced by the ecotype except for the stamen length, color coordinates of tepals, leaf length, and leaf number per plant. Sardinia had a longer flowering interval, earlier flowering, and higher spice yield and quality than the other corm origins. The maximum values of morphological traits, such as stigma length, dry weight of stigmas, tepals, flowers and leaves, leaf area, and daughter corm weight were observed in the Abruzzo ecotype. Principal component analysis (PCA) showed a clear separation among ecotypes, in which Sardinia and Spain showed more similarities than Abruzzo and Kozani. Significant negative correlation was found between days to flower with stigma yield and quality. However, we could not find molecular markers discriminating among corm origins. In conclusion, this study suggests the importance of C. sativus ecotypes as precious source of biodiversity and bioactive compounds, and of their enhancement as fundamental prerequisite for a sustainable development strategy and as an agricultural diversification opportunity for growers

Biochemical and neuropathological findings in a Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease patient with the rare Val180Ile-129Val haplotype in the prion protein gene

Genetic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (gCJD) associated with the V180I mutation in the prion protein (PrP) gene (PRNP) in phase with residue 129M is the most frequent cause of gCJD in East Asia, whereas it is quite uncommon in Caucasians. We report on a gCJD patient with the rare V180I-129V haplotype, showing an unusually long duration of the disease and a characteristic pathological PrP (PrPSc) glycotype. Family members carrying the mutation were fully asymptomatic, as commonly observed with this mutation. Neuropathological examination showed a lesion pattern corresponding to that commonly reported in Japanese V180I cases with vacuolization and gliosis of the cerebral cortexes, olfactory areas, hippocampus and amygdala. PrP was deposited with a punctate, synaptic-like pattern in the cerebral cortex, amygdala and olfactory tract. Western blot analyses of proteinase-K-resistant PrP showed the characteristic two-banding pattern of V180I gCJD, composed of mono- and un-glycosylated isoforms. In line with reports on other V180I cases in the literature, Real-Time Quaking Induced Conversion (RT-QuIC) analyses did not demonstrate the presence of seeding activity in the cerebrospinal fluid and olfactory mucosa, suggesting that this haplotype also may result in a reduced seeding efficiency of the pathological PrP. Further studies are required to understand the origin, penetrance, disease phenotype and transmissibility of 180I-129V haplotype in Caucasians