345 research outputs found
Effect of mulching and plant density on out of season organic potato growth, yield and quality.
Research was carried out on potato (Solanum tuberosum L., cv. Spunta) growing in the fi eld in the Campania
region (southern Italy) in 2007 and 2008, adopting organic farming practices, in order to evaluate the effects of two mulching
treatments (black biodegradable fi lm and bare soil) and six plant densities (12.5, 10.0, 8.3, 7.1, 6.2 and, as a control, 5.3
plants per m2) on growth, yield and quality of ânew potatoâ winter-spring and summer-autumn crops. Only in the case
of the summer-autumn crop cycle, mulching resulted in a higher yield, plant dry matter and leaf area compared with the
bare soil control, while in both crop cycles this latter treatment induced a delay in harvest. The winter-spring cycle gave
a higher production of 40-70 mm tubers, while the summer-autumn cycle resulted in a higher vitamin C content. For the
winter-spring crop cycle, the plant density of 8.3 plants¡m-2 resulted in the highest yield for food-use tubers, whereas the
highest production of seed tubers was obtained with a density of 12.5 plants¡m-2. The plant density of 8.3 plants¡m-2 also
resulted in the highest plant dry matter and leaf area. For the summer-autumn crop cycle, the 10 plants¡m-2 density gave
the highest production of 40-70 mm calibre tubers, as well as the highest plant dry matter and leaf area. In this cycle, the
6.3 plants¡m-2 density resulted in the highest production of 70-80 mm calibre tubers. In terms of cost effectiveness, the
choice of biodegradable mulching could save the expense of manual weed control and, in the case of the summer-autumn
crop cycle, it is also associated with a higher yield. Overall, tuber yield increased with plant density but the fi nal production
was also affected by the crop cycle. This may depend on the different environmental conditions and duration which
characterized each cultural cycle and, therefore, affected the vegetative development of organic new potatoes
Magmatic Signature in Submarine Hydrothermal Fluids Vented Offshore Ventotene and Zannone Islands (Pontine Archipelago, Central Italy)
Geochemical investigations carried out on submarine hydrothermal fluids vented offshore the Pontine Islands (Tyrrhenian Sea) revealed the existence of gas vents to the W of Zannone Island and SW of Ventotene Island. The geochemical features of the CO2-rich gas samples show a clear mantle-derived signature with3He/4He of 3.72-3.75 Ra and 1.33 Ra at Zannone and Ventotene, respectively. Gas geochemistry denotes how CO2-rich gases undergo fractionation processes due to CO2dissolution to a variable extent favoring enrichment in the less soluble gas species, i.e., CH4, N2, and He. The carbon isotope composition of CO2, expressed asδ13C vs. V-PDB, ranges from -0.71 and -6.16Ⱐat Zannone to 1.93Ⱐat Ventotene. Preliminary geothermometric and geobarometric estimations indicate equilibrium temperatures in the range of 150-200°C at Zannone and >200°C at Ventotene besides H2O pressures in the range of 5 bar and 20 bar at Zannone and Ventotene, respectively. Although the latest volcanic activity at the Pontine Archipelago is dated Middle Pleistocene, the combination of the new geochemical information along with geothermometric estimations indicates that cooling magmas are likely releasing enough thermal energy to form an efficient hydrothermal system
Mappatura della letteratura sulle soluzioni digitali e tecnologiche nell'assistenza infermieristica: un protocollo di scoping review
INTRODUCTION: Digital and technological solutions (DTS) might have an impact on peopleâs personal and professional lives. These types of solutions, according to studies, have the potential to revolutionize and improve the quality and long-term sustainability of healthcare activities, with nurses playing a significant role. Although DTS appears to be intimately linked to the future of nursing, technology must be utilized as an active rather than passive tool. Nonetheless, understanding DTS appears to be difficult, and a scoping study can provide a thorough overview of such a complicated topic. As a result, the scoping study on this topic will map all of the important aspects of DTS and synthesize studies on the nursing workforce, as well as analyze and clarify knowledge gaps and aid future research and development. This article presents the study protocol.
METHODS: The Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) scoping review methodology will be used for the proposed scoping review. It will include both quantitative and qualitative scientific research as well as grey literature on DTS in nursing. Only English-language works will be considered for inclusion. Two independent reviewers will take part in an iterative process of evaluating literature, choosing papers, and extracting data. Disagreements among reviewers will be resolved through debate until a consensus is reached or through consultation with the study team if necessary. Results will be presented using descriptive statistics, diagrammatic or tabular displayed information, and narrative summaries, as specified in the JBI guidelines.
DISCUSSION: This scoping review protocol explained why it is important to describe the literature on embracing DTS in the nursing field, how to approach the research process, and what the study's key implications will be. The protocol itself may be helpful to increase transparency in the research process, attract interested researchers to work with the group that developed the protocol and offer a practical methodological benchmark for researchers interested in performing scoping reviews by serving as an example of a scoping review protocol.
KEYWORDS: Digital solutions; Technological solutions; Nursing; Scoping review; Study protocol; Framework
INTRODUZIONE: Le soluzioni digitali e tecnologiche potrebbero avere un impatto sulla vita personale e professionale della popolazione. Questi tipi di soluzioni, secondo gli studi, hanno il potenziale per rivoluzionare e migliorare la qualitĂ e la sostenibilitĂ a lungo termine delle attivitĂ di salute, deve gli infermieri svolgono un ruolo significativo di innovatori, facilitatori e gestori dei processi. Sebbene le soluzioni digitali e tecnologiche sembrino essere intimamente legate al futuro dellâassistenza infermieristica, la tecnologia deve essere utilizzata come strumento attivo, piuttosto che passivo. Tuttavia, la comprensione del fenomeno sembra essere difficile e una scoping review può fornire una panoramica completa di un argomento di tale complessitĂ . Di conseguenza, la presente scoping review mapperĂ tutti gli aspetti salienti legati alle soluzioni digitali e tecnologiche e sintetizzerĂ gli studi sul coinvolgimento della professione infermieristica, nonchĂŠ analizzerĂ e chiarirĂ le lacune di conoscenza presenti e aiuterĂ la ricerca e i progetti futuri. Questo articolo presenta il protocollo di studio di scoping review per raggiungere lâobiettivo di mappatura della letteratura.
METODI: Il protocollo utilizza la metodologia di scoping review del Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI). ComprenderĂ sia la ricerca scientifica quantitativa che qualitativa, nonchĂŠ la letteratura grigia sulle soluzioni digitali e tecnologiche nellâassistenza infermieristica. Solo i lavori in lingua inglese saranno presi in considerazione per lâinclusione. Due revisori indipendenti prenderanno parte a un processo iterativo di valutazione della letteratura, scelta dei documenti ed estrazione dei dati. I disaccordi tra i revisori saranno risolti attraverso il dibattito fino al raggiungimento di un consenso o attraverso la consultazione con il gruppo di studio, ove necessario. I risultati saranno presentati utilizzando statistiche descrittive, le informazioni presentate in forma grafica, tabulare o a mezzo narrativo, come specificato nelle linee guida JBI.
DISCUSSIONE: Questo protocollo di scoping review intende definire perchĂŠ è importante descrivere la letteratura sullâadozione delle soluzioni digitali e tecnologiche in ambito infermieristico, come affrontare il processo di ricerca sottostante alla revisione e quali saranno le implicazioni chiave dello studio. Il protocollo stesso può essere utile per aumentare la trasparenza nel processo di ricerca, ingaggiare i ricercatori interessati a lavorare con il gruppo che ha sviluppato il protocollo (research engagement) e offrire un punto di riferimento metodologico e pratico per i ricercatori interessati a svolgere revisioni nel medesimo ambito.
PAROLE CHIAVE: Soluzioni digitali; Soluzioni tecnologiche; Infermieristica; Revisione della letteratura; Protocollo di studi
Hazard Scenarios Related to Submarine Volcanic-Hydrothermal Activity and Advanced Monitoring Strategies: A Study Case from the Panarea Volcanic Group (Aeolian Islands, Italy)
Geohazards associated to submarine hydrothermal systems still represent a tricky enigma to face and solve for the scientific community. The poor knowledge of a submarine environment, the rare and scarce monitoring activities, and the expensive and sometimes complicated logistics are the main problems to deal with. The submarine low-energy explosion, which occurred last November 3, 2002, off the volcanic island of Panarea, highlighted the absence of any hazard scenario to be used to manage the volcanic crisis. The "unrest" of the volcanic activity was triggered by a sudden input of deep magmatic fluids, which caused boiling water at the sea surface with a massive CO2 release besides changes in the fluids' geochemistry. That event dramatically pushed scientists to develop new methods to monitor the seafloor venting activity. Coupling the information from geochemical investigations and data collected during the unrest of volcanic activity, we were able to (a) develop theoretical models to gain a better insight on the submarine hydrothermal system and its relationships with the local volcanic and tectonic structures and (b) to develop a preliminary submarine volcanic hazard assessment connected to the Panarea system (Aeolian Islands). In order to mitigate the potential submarine volcanic hazard, three different scenarios are described here: (1) ordinary hydrothermal venting, (2) gas burst, and (3) volcanic eruption. The experience carried out at Panarea demonstrates that the best way to face any submarine volcanic-hydrothermal hazard is to improve the collection of data in near real-time mode by multidisciplinary seafloor observatories and to combine it with periodical sampling activity
Application of modern agronomic and biotechnological strategies to valorise worldwide globe artichoke (Cynara cardunculus L.) potential - an analytical overview
The globe artichoke [Cynara cardunculus L. var. scolymus (L.) Fiori], an ancient vegetable originated in the Mediterranean Basin, is currently cultivated in many regions of the world under a perennial cycle or as an annual crop, with the first method being more widespread globally. The growing importance of globe artichoke as modern functional food as well as a source of pharmaceuticals has raised new issues that all producers have to face; hence the necessity of contemporaneous development of new centres of production and new technologies application in traditional regions of growing which can complement the global market. This review is focused on development of globe artichoke technology of production in recent several years which meet the diversified requirements of global and local markets. We considered the recent literature to highlight specific applications of modern farming practices and plant breeding along with genetic variation to globe artichoke production system as well as to postharvest management in order to enhance the value added of this commodity. The latter targets are mainly addressed to particular regions of the world and they are based on farmers knowledge, equipment, scale and methods of production, processing, final market. Our reports are focused on sustainable and environmentally friendly methods which can improve the profitability of production as well as product's quality and quantity traits. We discussed the balanced mineral application which can precisely affect the yield chemical composition, attractiveness and shelf life of globe artichoke heads as well as create the opportunities to attain standardised by-products, valuable on the market of health and convenient food. Further topics were developed, such as introduction of seed propagation, intercropping, grafting, flowering induction, postharvest treatments as linked to different regions and conditions of production. Precise selection of modern management practices was recognised as a main goal to fulfil the requirements of local and global market for fresh, processed and new potential globe artichoke products
Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection of Gastric Neoplastic Lesions. An Italian, Multicenter Study
Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) allows removing neoplastic lesions on gastric
mucosa, including early gastric cancer (EGC) and dysplasia. Data on ESD from Western countries
are still scanty. We report results of ESD procedures performed in Italy. Data of consecutive patients
who underwent ESD for gastric neoplastic removal were analyzed. The en bloc resection rate and
the R0 resection rates for all neoplastic lesions were calculated, as well as the curative rate (i.e., no
need for surgical treatment) for EGC. The incidence of complications, the oneâmonth mortality, and
the recurrence rate at oneâyear followâup were computed. A total of 296 patients with 299 gastric
lesions (80 EGC) were treated. The en bloc resection was successful for 292 (97.6%) and the R0 was
achieved in 266 (89%) out of all lesions. In the EGC group, the ESD was eventually curative in 72.5%
(58/80) following procedure. A complication occurred in 30 (10.1%) patients. Endoscopic treatment
was successful in all 3 perforations, whereas it failed in 2 out of 27 bleeding patients who were
treated with radiological embolization (1 case) or surgery (1 case). No procedureârelated deaths at
oneâmonth followâup were observed. Lesion recurrence occurred in 16 (6.2%) patients (6 EGC and
10 dysplasia). In conclusion, the rate of both en bloc and R0 gastric lesions removal was very high in
Italy. However, the curative rate for EGC needs to be improved. Complications were acceptably low
and amenable at endoscopy
Supplementary data for the article: PeÄinar, I.; KrstiÄ, D.; Caruso, G.; PopoviÄ-DjordjeviÄ, J. Rapid Characterization of Hypanthium and Seed in Wild and Cultivated Rosehip: Application of Raman Microscopy Combined with Multivariate Analysis. Royal Society Open Science 2021, 8 (3), 202064. https://doi.org/10.1098/rsos.202064.
Supplementary material for: [https://doi.org/10.1098/rsos.202064]Related to published version: [http://aspace.agrif.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/5825
Profiling of Plant Derived Natural Constituents by Using Magnetic Resonance Techniques
Plants are reservoirs of naturally occurring chemical constituents with a wide range of structural diversity. These biological compounds can be derived from different parts of plants such as leaves, barks, seeds, seed coats, flowers, and roots. A broad array of secondary metabolic compounds is present in the plants such as antibiotics, alkaloids, antimicrobials, food-grade pigments, and phenolics which have been reported to possess numerous health-related benefits, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antiobesity activities. Therefore, the identification and detection of these compounds are of utmost importance in order to utilise their benefits into various fields. Wherein, magnetic resonance techniques, such as NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance), MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), and EPR (electron paramagnetic resonance), being far more reproducible, nondestructive, than other analytical techniques such as liquid chromatography, mass spectroscopy, and high-performance liquid chromatography cover a much wider dynamic range of metabolites with easy sample preparation techniques with high speed and fidelity. Hence, these magnetic resonance techniques have been proven to be extremely useful in plant metabolite profiling and disease metabolomics, along with structural elucidation of bioactive compounds from plant sources. Therefore, the present review focuses on the effectiveness of magnetic resonance for the detection of plant-derived metabolites that may lead to new areas of research in various fields such as drug discovery and development, metabolomics, combinatorial chemistry, and assessing overall food safety and quality
Repeated SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in cancer patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors: induction of high-avidity anti-RBD neutralizing antibodies
BackgroundCancer patients are more vulnerable to COVID-19 and are thus given high priority in vaccination campaigns. In solid cancer patients treated with checkpoint inhibitors, we evaluated the amount of anti-RBD and neutralizing antibodies and antibody avidity after two or three doses of the vaccine.MethodsThirty-eight solid cancer patients, 15 untreated hematological patients and 21 healthy subjects were enrolled in the study. Blood was collected before the first dose (T0), 21 days after the second (T2) and in 18 solid cancer patients also 15 days after the third dose of vaccine (T3). IgG, IgM and IgA anti-RBD antibodies were detected by ELISA. Neutralizing antibodies were measured testing the inhibition of RBD binding to ACE2. Antibody avidity was evaluated in 18 patients by a urea avidity ELISA.ResultsIgG anti-RBD antibodies were produced in 65.8% of the cancer patients at T2, and in 60% of hematological patients at levels lower than healthy controls. IgM and IgA anti-RBD antibodies were also produced in 5.3% and 21% cancer patients, respectively. At T3, a significant increase in anti-RBD IgG levels was observed. Neutralizing antibodies were produced in 68.4% of cancer patients as compared with 93% of untreated hematological patients and 100% of controls, at titers lower than in healthy subjects. At T3, neutralizing antibodies and avidity of IgG anti-RBD increased; 6/18 patients negative at T2 developed neutralizing antibodies at T3.ConclusionThe data indicate that in cancer patients mRNA vaccine induces high avidity anti-RBD antibodies and neutralizing antibodies that increase after the third dose. The process of induction and selection of high-affinity antibodies is apparently unaffected by the treatment with anti-PD-1 or anti-PD-L1 antibodies
Polypoid lesions of the gallbladder in a consecutive series of 2631 patients. A single-center experience
INTRODUZIONE: La diagnosi ultrasonografica (US) delle lesioni polipoidi della colecisti (PLG) è difficile per la bassa sensibilitĂ (SE) della metodica. Non sono stati ancora completamenti definiti i criteri di selezione dei pazienti con PLG da indirizzare al trattamento chirurgico o al follow-up. Lâindagine istopatologica (EI) rappresenta il gold standard per la diagnosi di polipi non-neoplastici (colesterolotici, infiammatori, fibroepiteliali, adenomiomatosici), di polipi neoplastici (carcinomi, carcinoidi), di lesioni precancerose non polipoidi (displasia dibasso ed alto grado, metaplasia intestinale di tipo muciparo, metaplasia gastrica di tipo pilorico) e di irregolaritĂ nodulari parietali della colecistite xanto-granulomatosa. Gli scopi dello studio sono stati quelli di valutare in un campione di pazienti sottoposti a colecistectomia, la prevalenza dei polipi non neoplastici e neoplastici e la sensibilitĂ dellâUS tradizionale trans-addominale rispetto allâEI nellâidentificazione delle PLG. MATERIALI E METODI: Studio osservazionale retrospettivo, condotto su un campione di 2631 pazienti, sottoposti a colecistectomia laparoscopica e open, in elezione e in urgenza, identificati mediante il codice ICD-9-CM 51.2, nel periodo Aprile 2005 - Marzo 2018, presso lâospedale universitario âA. Fioriniâ di Terracina - Polo Pontino, âSapienzaâ UniversitĂ di Roma. Tutti i pazienti erano stati sottoposti a US. RISULTATI: Il campione esaminato era costituito da 1175(44.6%) M, etĂ media 56 anni, range 25-95 anni, 1456(55.4%) F, etĂ media 46anni, range 17-90 anni. La diagnosi US di PLG veniva posta in 38/2631(1.4%) pazienti. Allâesame istologico i polipi erano identificati in 68/2631(2.6%) pazienti, associati a litiasi biliare in 28/2631 (1.1%) casi. Dal confronto US e EI la diagnosi ecografica risultava gravata da falsi positivi (FP) (8/38; 21%) e falsi negativi (FN) (38/2631; 1.45%), con SE 44% (95% c.i.:32.2-55.7). Lâincidenza istologica di PLG neoplastiche è stata dello 0.38% (10/2631), 3M e 7F, etĂ media 64 anni, (range 49-80 anni). In 3 casi le neoplasie erano state identificate allâUS (3/10; 30 % VP); nei restanti 7 casi costituivano reperto istologico incidentale (7/10; 70 % FN), di cui 5 con diametro >1cm nel contesto di un quadro clinico di colecistite acuta litiasica e 2 con diametro <1cm in un quadro di litiasi non complicata. DISCUSSIONE: LâUS tradizionale trans-addominale sottostimava lâincidenza delle PLG rispetto allâEI (p=0.021) e i FP per PLG isolate sono stati causa di errata indicazione al trattamento chirurgico. Il confronto fra diagnosi US ed EI conferma la bassa SE della metodica ecografica nellâidentificazione delle PLG, sia in presenza che in assenza di litiasi biliare. Il sesso femminile si è dimostrato specifico fattore di rischio per PLG benigne e maligne e lesioni mucosali non polipoidi (p=0.041). Nel nostro studio, probabilmente, le cause della mancata identificazione US delle irregolaritĂ parietali maligne erano lâoscuramento della lesione dallâesordio clinico della neoplasia in colecistite acuta litiasica (in 5 pazienti) e le dimensioni <1cm in presenza di litiasi non complicata (in 2 pazienti). La dimensione della lesione parietale <0.5cm non escludeva la loro natura neoplastica. Attualmente la prevenzione e la diagnosi di GBC è basata sul precoce riscontro e trattamento delle lesioni polipoidi potenzialmente evolutive nellâarco di circa 15 anni. CONCLUSIONI: Probabilmente la colecistectomia precoce in tutti i pz con PLG di diametro <1cm, isolate o associate a calcoli, sintomatici e asintomatici, può contribuire alla riduzione dellâincidenza del GBC.BACKGROUND: Challenges in the diagnosis of polypoid gallbladder lesion (PLG) is due to the low sensibility (SE) of ultrasound scan (US), and the selection criteria of patients with PLG to be addressed to surgical treatment or followup are not yet fully defined. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective observational study was conducted on 2631 patients, 1175(44.6%) M, mean age 56 years, 1456(55.4%) F, mean age 46 years, who underwent laparoscopic and open cholecystectomy. RESULTS: The US diagnosis for PLG was placed in 38/2631(1.4%) patients. On histological examination (HE) the polyps were identified in 68/2631(2.6%) patients and it was associated with biliary lithiasis in 28/2631 (1.1%) cases. From the US and HE comparison, the ultrasound diagnosis was burdened by false positives (8/38; 21%) and false negatives (38/2631;1.45%), with SE 44% (95% c.i.:32.2-55.7). The histological incidence of gall bladder cancer (GBC) was 0.38%(10/2631). DISCUSSION: US survey underestimated the incidence of PLG compared to the histological finding (p=0.021). Female gender has been shown to be a specific risk factor for benign and malignant PLG and non-polypoid mucosal lesions (p=0.041). The parietal lesion size <0.5cm does not exclude the neoplastic nature. Currently the prevention and diagnosis of GBC is based on the early detection and treatment of potentially evolutionary polypoid lesions over a period of about 15 years. CONCLUSIONS: It is probably that early cholecystectomy in all the patients with PLG of diameter <1cm, isolated or associated with lithiasis, symptomatic and asymptomatic, can contribute to the reduction of the incidence of GBC
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