Evidence of Na-metasomatism of phyllite rocks from the Verrucano of Monti Pisani (Tuscany, Italy

We report here for the first time the occurrence of albitite rocks in the Middle Triassic "Verruca" Formation (Monti Pisani, Northern Apennine, northern Tuscany, Italy). The albitite is the result of a pervasive Na-metasomatism of phyllites (originally formed by potassic white mica + quartz + chlorite + hematite + albite). The albitisation process took place after the Miocene main phases of Apenninic deformation and was followed by the formation of a system of veins made of Fe-carbonate ± quartz. Hydrothermal alteration continued with the ingression, possibly favored by the increase of permeability due to albitization, of a slightly acidic, oxidizing, aqueous fluid that led to the kaolinization of the albitite and to the complete replacement of the Fe-carbonate of the veins by Fe-hydroxides. This stage was followed by a supergene alteration that led to the formation of a pervasive network of tiny veins of halloysite and colloform (P-Al-Si)-bearing Fe-hydroxides. Finally, the hydrothermally altered rock underwent a localized brittle fracturing without new minerals formed. The most important chemical changes occurred during the whole hydrothermal process were the inversion of the Na2O/K2O ratio of the whole rocks (from 0.07 in the pristine phyllite to up to 200 for the kaolinized albitite), the loss of Fe and Mg, and the enrichment of Sb. Light REE and HREE behaved conservatively, whereas MREE were partially lost. The occurrences of hydrothermal alteration are common in central-southern Tuscany, and generally related to the post-collisional extensional regime, lithospheric thinnning, and emplacement of magmatic bodies in the crust. The Monti Pisani kaolinized albitite, altough occurring far from potential magmatic sources, can be considered related to this post-collisional extensional tectonic setting, thus stretching out northward the occurrence of post-Miocene hydrothermal activity in Tuscany

Landslides and predisposing factors of the Southern Apennines, Italy

The FiumarelladiCorletodrainagebasinisanemblematicsectorofthesouthernApennine thrust beltintheBasilicataregion(SouthernItaly),whichisstronglyaffected bylandslides. Landslides bothaffect theurbanareaandthefacilitiesrelatedtohydrocarbonexploitation, such asthepipelinesandoilwellsconnectedwiththeoilcentrelocatedjustoutsidethe eastern borderofthestudyarea.Basedonadetailed field survey,supportedby stereoscopic analysis,alandslideinventorymaphasbeenrealized,whichalsoreportsthe associated processesandlandforms.Therelationshipsbetweenthedifferent typesof landslides andthevariouspredisposingfactorslikeoutcroppinglithologies,slopes steepness, slopeexpositionandlandusehavebeenalsoinvestigated.Theacquireddata relate toageologicallycomplexareaofthesouthernApenninessubjecttorecentupliftand represent afundamentalcontributionusefulforthecorrectmanagementoftheterritory

Provenance and sedimentary context of clay mineralogy in an evolving forearc basin, Upper Cretaceous-Paleogene and Eocene mudstones, San Joaquin Valley, California

Funding Information: Funding: This research received part funding from the Sand Injection Research Group (SIRG) at the University of Aberdeen. Publisher Copyright: © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Structural and Mineralogical Characterization of a Fossil Hydrothermal System Located at the Outermost Front of the Southern Apennines Fold-and-Thrust Belt

Aiming at investigating the hydrothermal circulation along the eastern flank of the Vulture volcano, along the outermost edge of the southern Apennine fold-and-thrust belt (ftb), we studied the fossil hydrothermal alteration that mineralized a transtensional fault that crosscuts volcanoclastic rocks in the Rapolla area. On the basis of structural, mineralogical, and fluid inclusion data, three main stages of activity of the hydrothermal system are documented. Stage 1 was produced by the circulation of fluids having low-pH conditions (pH ≈ 3-4) and relatively high-SO42- activity, as testified by the hydrothermal alteration mainly carried out by the alunite group minerals (particularly jarosite), which is typical of an advanced argillic alteration facies. Hydrothermal fluids were characterized by a high temperature of about 200°-210°C. These hot fluids altered and mineralized the matrices of pyroclastic rocks and sealed both burial-related and fault-related fracture networks. Later hydrothermal circulation (Stage 2) was recorded by opal A-rich veins present both within and outside the fault zone. The fluids responsible of opal A precipitation were characterized by lower temperature conditions, probably lower than 100°C. Current goethite mineralization takes place along the main slip surfaces of the study high-angle fault zone due to low temperature (<30°C) underground water circulation. This study highlights that a high-temperature hydrothermal system developed in the past within the transtensional fault zone of the Rapolla area when a high thermal anomaly was present. If we take into account that this area is still affected by a heat flux positive anomaly (90 mW/m2), we may infer that it has the potentiality to be considered an interesting site for future exploration devoted to the finding of medium-enthalpy geothermal resources at depth

Death-related factors in HIV/AIDS patients undergoing hemodialysis in an intensive care unit

HIV-infected patients are at high risk for developing critical diseases, including opportunistic infections (OI), with consequent admission in intensive care units (ICU). Renal disfunctions are risk factors for death in HIV/AIDS patients, and survival rates in patients undergoing hemodialysis are smaller than the ones observed in the general population. In this context, this study aimed to investigate death-related factors in HIV/AIDS patients in an intensive care setting. This is a retrospective cross-sectional study performed through the analysis of medical records from 271 HIV/AIDS-diagnosed patients hospitalized in an intensive care unit of an infectious disease hospital, in Fortaleza, Ceara State, Brazil. Patients were divided into two groups: those who underwent dialysis during hospitalization and those who did not. Clinical and demographic parameters that could be associated with death were evaluated. Results indicated a prevalence of death of 19.1% (CI 95%: 14.8-24.3). The median age of patients was 47 years, with a male predominance (71.3%). The main causes of admission were pulmonary tuberculosis (16.9%), followed by neurotoxoplasmosis (14.9%). In the bivariate analysis, for those that did not undergo dialysis, age, fever, dyspnea, oliguria, disorientation, kidney injury, use of lamivudine and efavirenz, length of hospitalization, CD4 count, WBC count, platelet count, urea, sodium and LDH levels were the associated variables. In those who needed dialysis, the use of stavudine, abacavir and ritonavir, and the length of hospitalization were associated factors. Renal toxicity by the antiretroviral agents and length of hospitalization increased the risk of death among HIV patients under dialysis

Effects of Zeolite and Deficit Irrigation on Sweet Pepper Growth

The use of zeolites in agriculture as a soil conditioner is becoming an important field of research in crop growth. To study the effect of synthetic zeolites and deficit irrigation on sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) cultivation, an experiment was conducted in a controlled environment. In particular, sweet peppers were cultivated in a glasshouse using polypropylene pots filled with sandy loam soil, to which 2% zeolite was added. The zeolite employed in the experiments was obtained using coal fly ash as a raw material. The experiment consisted of two main treatments: (a) soil with a zeolite at 2% (Z) and (b) soil without a zeolite as a control (C). Three subplot treatments consisted of (1) full irrigation at 100% of the available water content (AWC) (100); (2) deficit irrigation at 70% of the AWC (70); and (3) deficit irrigation at 50% of the AWC (50). Sweet pepper cultivation started on 24 April 2023 and lasted until 23 June 2023; during the trial, the environmental data, such as the soil humidity, air temperature, and relative humidity, and some crop parameters, such as the plant height, leaf number, and the SPAD index, were monitored. At the end of the trial, the fresh and dry plant weights, the dry matter content, and the leaf water potential were measured. The results showed that, for the plant fresh weight and dry matter content, no significant differences were observed in the treatments and their interactions, whereas, for the other parameters, the statistical analysis showed significant differences. The study suggests that the soil’s structural benefits, resulting from zeolite application, are not followed by an equal positive effect in terms of sweet pepper growth under deficit irrigation conditions

Nefropatia da hanseníase: revisão dos aspectos clínicos e histopatológicos

A hanseníase é doença crônica causada pelo Mycobacterium leprae, altamente incapacitante e com envolvimento sistêmico em alguns casos. O envolvimento renal tem sido relatado em todas as formas da doença, sendo mais frequente nas formas multibacilares. A apresentação clínica é variável e determinada pela reação do sistema imunológico do hospedeiro ao bacilo. Durante o curso da doença podem ocorrer os chamados estados reacionais, nos quais o sistema imune reage contra o bacilo, exacerbando as manifestações clínicas. Diferentes lesões renais tem sido descritas na hanseníase, incluindo glomerulonefrites, nefrite intersticial, amiloidose secundária e pielonefrite. O mecanismo exato que leva à glomerulonefrite na hanseníase ainda não está completamente esclarecido. O tratamento da hanseníase inclui o uso de rifampicina, dapsona e clofazimina. Prednisona e antiinflamatórios não-hormonais podem ser usados no controle dos episódios imunológicos agudos.Leprosy is a chronic disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae, highly incapacitating, and with systemic involvement in some cases. Renal involvement has been reported in all forms of the disease, and it is more frequent in multibacillary forms. The clinical presentation is variable and is determined by the host immunologic system reaction to the bacilli. During the course of the disease there are the so called reactional states, in which the immune system reacts against the bacilli, exacerbating the clinical manifestations. Different renal lesions have been described in leprosy, including acute and chronic glomerulonephritis, interstitial nephritis, secondary amyloidosis and pyelonephritis. The exact mechanism that leads to glomerulonephritis in leprosy is not completely understood. Leprosy treatment includes rifampicin, dapsone and clofazimine. Prednisone and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may be used to control acute immunological episodes

COVID-19 in China, Italy and the United States of America: a short review

Em dezembro de 2019, um novo coronavírus foi identificado e associado à ocorrência de pneumonia de causa desconhecida na China. SARS-CoV-2 rapidamente disseminou-se, e, atualmente, a COVID-19 é classificada como pandemia. O objetivo desse estudo consiste em discutir as características gerais da COVID-19, incluindo a epidemiologia, transmissão, medidas de controle, virologia, diagnóstico, apresentações clínicas e achados radiológicos e laboratoriais. Nesse contexto, foram consultados artigos publicados em base de dados com a finalidade de comparação entre países mais afetados na Ásia, Europa e América até 31 de março de 2020. A principal forma de transmissão ocorre entre humanos por secreções respiratórias, e estudos indicam um substancial envolvimento de pacientes assintomáticos nesse processo. Pacientes com COVID-19 são predominantemente homens e podem apresentar inúmeros sintomas, especialmente febre e tosse. Hipertensão arterial e diabetes mellitus foram as comorbidades mais comuns. Pior prognóstico está associados a aumento da idade, comorbidades e complicações. Anormalidades na tomografia computadorizada de tórax são frequentes, sendo opacidades em vidro fosco e infiltrados bilaterais os padrões pulmonares mais comuns, contudo porcentagem significativa dos pacientes não apresenta alterações na admissão. Exames laboratoriais normalmente apresentam linfocitopenia, aumento de contagem de neutrófilos e plaquetas, velocidade de hemossedimentação, lactato desidrogenase, proteína C reativa, ferritina, bilirrubina total, aspartato aminotransferase, alanina aminotransferase, creatinina, creatina fosfoquinase, mioglobina, glicose e citocinas. Apesar dos achados radiológicos e laboratoriais apresentarem similaridades na China, Itália e EUA, as taxas de mortalidade podem ser conflitantes, sugerindo, portanto, a necessidade de estudos de acordo com cada região.In December 2019, a novel coronavirus was discovered and associated with a cluster of pneumonia of unknown cause in China. SARS-CoV-2 rapidly spread and is now characterized as a pandemic. The objective of this study is to discuss COVID-19 general features, including epidemiology, transmission, control measures, virology, diagnosis, clinical characteristics and radiological and laboratory results. In this context, literature was assessed to compare the three most affected countries in Asia, Europe and Americas on March 31, 2020. The main form of transmission is human-to-human by respiratory secretions, and studies indicated substantial involvement of asymptomatic patients in this process. COVID-19 patients are predominantly men and may present multiple symptoms, especially fever and cough. Arterial hypertension and diabetes mellitus were the most common comorbidities. Worse outcomes are associated with increased age, comorbidities, and complications. Abnormalities in computed tomography of the chest are frequent, with pulmonary ground-glass opacity and bilateral patchy shadowing as the most common patterns, but a significant percentage of patients do not present any findings at time of admission. Laboratory results often present lymphocytopenia, increased neutrophils and platelet counts, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, lactate dehydrogenase, C-reactive protein, ferritin, total bilirubin, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, creatinine, creatine phosphokinase, myoglobin, glucose and cytokines. Although radiological findings and laboratory results presented similarities in China, Italy and USA, case-fatality rates can be conflicting suggesting, therefore, the need for studies according to each region

Endothelial activation is associated with albuminuria in multibacillary leprosy

Leprosy may present kidney and endothelial abnormalities, being a risk factor for complications. However, the involvement of renal and vascular endothelia has been poorly investigated. We aimed to investigate if the levels of systemic endothelial biomarkers are associated with kidney abnormalities and the clinical forms of leprosy. This is a cross-sectional study with leprosy patients enrolled in January 2017 to December 2018, before the initiation of the multidrug therapy. Leprosy-associated clinical and epidemiological data were collected. Two groups were investigated: Paucibacillary (PB) and Multibacillary (MB) infections, for the comparisons. Serum and urine samples were obtained for laboratory analysis. In serum samples, were evaluated the endothelial biomarkers VCAM-1 and ICAM-1. In total, 101 leprosy patients were included, the mean age was 48±١٥ years and 71 (70%) were male. The multibacillary form occurred in 81 cases (80%), among which 22 had the Virchowian form. Serum creatinine was more elevated in the MB group than in PB patients. In addition, VCAM-1 was elevated in the MB group and was correlated with the bacteriological index (rho = 0.372, p &lt;0.01), the duration of disease symptoms (rho = 0.234, p = 0.04), and the number of skin lesions (rho = 0.468, p &lt;0.001). Moreover, in MB patients who presented albuminuria &gt;15 mg/g of creatinine, VCAM-1 showed a significant correlation with increased albuminuria and improved the correlation with the number of skin lesions (rho= 0.563, p=0.010). In conclusion, higher systemic VCAM-1 levels were associated with the multibacillary clinical form of leprosy and with increased albuminuria. Prospective studies are necessary to establish a cause-effect and evaluate the preventive role of these biomarkers to improve the clinical care