Eoguptioxylon antiqua nov. gen. et sp. (Pteridospermae) from the Upper Permian (La Antigua Formation), La Rioja province, Argentina

Se describen fragmentos de maderas pteridospérmicas poliestélicas provenientes de la Formación La Antigua (Pérmico Superior) aflorante en la provincia de La Rioja. Se trata de un nuevo taxón con estelas dispuestas irregularmente en el parénquima fundamental. Las estelas están rodeadas por tejido esclerenquimático. Cada una ha preservado una médula central diafragmada, con lagunas, xilema primario y secundario. El nuevo género es comparado con taxones que muestran características anatómicas semejantes, especialmente carboníferas-pérmicas como las Medullosales (Medullosa) y jurásicas como las Pentoxylales (Pentoxylon, Nipanioxylon) e incertaesedis como el género Guptioxylon. Otros caracteres anatómicos como el xilema secundario picnoxílico con punteaduras uniseriadas y biseriadas, campos de cruzamiento con punteaduras araucarioides y el tipo de radios leñosos son equivalentes con aquéllos de las Coniferales. Del análisis surge que Guptioxylon registrado en Rajmahal Hills (India), es el género con mayores afinidades al aquí descripto. Sin embargo, los ejemplares estudiados no pueden ser asignados al mismo taxón por presentar diferencias en caracteres de la médula y el xilema secundario, salida y conformación de las trazas, así como la ausencia de una peculiar peridermis en forma de X, presente en la médula de Guptioxylon. Consecuentemente se propone un nuevo género y especie para albergar a esta nueva Pteridosperma del Pérmico Superior de Argentina: Eoguptioxylon antiqua gen. et sp. nov.A polystelic pteridosperm wood with steles irregularly disposed in ground parenchyma from the Upper Permian La Antigua Formation (La Rioja province) is described. The steles are surrounded by sclerenchymatic tissue. Each stele has preserved a central diaphragm pith with lacunes, primary and secondary xylem. The taxon is compared with Carboniferous-Permian Medullosales (Medullosa), Jurassic Pentoxylales (Pentoxylon, Nipanioxylon) and the incertaesedis genus Guptioxylon. Other anatomical characteristics, like picnoxylic secondary wood with uni- to biseriate pits, araucarioid cross-fields and the type of rays are shared with Coniferales. The genus described herein mostly resembles Guptioxylon from the Rajmahal Hills (India). However, the studied specimens cannot be adscribed to this taxon because of marked differences in the pith and the secondary xylem, departure and conformation traces, and the absence of a X-shaped peculiar periderm. Consequently a new genus and species are proposed to include this new Pteridosperm from the Upper Permian of Argentina: Eoguptioxylon antiqua gen. et sp. nov.Fil: Crisafulli, Alexandra María Cristina. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Naturales y Agrimensura. Departamento de Biología; ArgentinaFil: Lutz, Alicia Isabel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Centro de Ecología Aplicada del Litoral. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Centro de Ecología Aplicada del Litoral; Argentin

Tyana Bizantina: circolazione e tesaurizzazione monetale

Excavations at Tyana by the archaeological mission of the University of Padua (Italy) under the direction of Guido Rosada revealed a large amount of numismatic material now reached six hundred units. Most of the coins were minted in the Byzantine era, especially between the 6th and the middle of the 7th century: they are isolated finds, but one can document for the first time in Cappadocia bronze coins treasure from the 6th or 7th century. They illustrate the network of relationships and the degree of economic development of the former center of Tyana, on the eve of the Arab invasion

Aqueous extracts of walnut (Juglans regia L.) leaves: quantitative analyses of hydroxycinnamic and chlorogenic acids

Identification of both hydroxycinnamic and chlorogenic acids present in aqueous extracts of walnut leaves (Juglans regia L.) were carried out by using, for the first time, standard compounds not commercially available for qualitative identification. In particular, in addition to caffeic, ferulic, p-coumaric and sinapic acids, cis and trans mono-caffeoylquinic, dicaffeoylquinic, mono-feruloylquinic and cis and trans mono-p-coumaroylquinic acid isomers were detected and quantified by Ultra High Pressure Liquid Chromatography and the seasonal variations of these secondary metabolites were investigated

Distribution of p-coumaroylquinic acids in commercial Coffea spp. of different geographical origin and in other wild coffee species

Quantitative analyses of mono-p-coumaroylquinic acids (pCoQAs) and total chlorogenic acids (CGAs) in green coffee commercial lots of C. arabica, C. canephora and C. liberica from different geographical origins and eight wild Coffea species were carried out. Among the commercial lots, pCoQAs average content of C. arabica (0.67 mg/g) is higher than that of C. canephora (0.40 mg/g) being C. liberica intermediate (0.58 mg/g). As far as the analyzed wild Coffea species is concerned, C. pseudozanguebariae is characterized by the lower pCoQAs content (0.12 mg/g) whereas C. sessiliflora is by far the richest source of pCoQAs (2.18 mg/g). Effect of the roasting process on the mono-p-coumaroylquinic acids profile was evaluated for the economically exploited species C. arabica and C. canephora. For the first time distribution of mono-p-coumaroylquinic acid isomers in wild coffee species by fast and accurate UHPLC-DAD analyses using authentic standards previously synthetized, is reported

Neogene woods from Cerro Pampa, Catamarca, Argentina

Por primera vez se da a conocer el registro de maderas angiospérmicas de Fabaceae de la localidadde Cerro Pampa (Catamarca). Estratigráficamente proceden de los sedimentos de la Formación Chiquimil quepertenece al Grupo Santa María, integrado por las formaciones San José, Las Arcas, Chiquimil, Andalhuala,Corral Quemado y Yasyamayo. La Formación Chiquimil está constituida por areniscas volcanoclásticas finas conlimolitas y arcilitas pardo amarillas, rojas y verde claro dispuestas en capas alternas. Uno de los leños presentacaracterísticas que permiten compararlo con las maderas de Paraalbizioxylon Martínez. Este taxón está presente en las localidades de Tiopunco (Tucumán), Río Agua Verde y Corral Quemado de la misma Formación(Catamarca) y en las sedimentitas neógenas de Termas de Río Hondo (Santiago del Estero). El otro fragmento esafín a Menendoxylon Lutz. La presencia de vasos solitarios no muy grandes (menos susceptibles a contraer embolia), múltiples cortos, agrupados y placas de perforación simples, son caracteres que contribuyen a la seguridadhídrica en climas cálidos y estacionalmente secos.For the first time, Angiosperm woods of Fabaceae from Cerro Pampa locality (Catamarca) are described. Stratigraphically, these woods come from the sediments of the Chiquimil Formation that belong to Santa María Group. The Chiquimil, San José, Las Arcas, Andalhuala, Corral Quemado and Yasyamayo formations integrate Santa María Group (Mio-Pliocene). The Chiquimil Formation is composed of small volcaniclastic sandstones yellowish-gray, green and brown limolites and mudstones in alternating layers. One of the fragments presents characters that match with Paraalbizioxylon Martínez. This genus has been cited for Tiopunco, Río Agua Verde and Corral Quemado localities from the same Formation. However, is presented in Neogene sediments of Termas de Río Hondo (Santiago del Estero). Another wood shows affinity with Menendoxylon Lutz. The presence of not very large solitary vessels (less susceptible to embolism), multiple short, grouped, and simple perforation plates are characters that contribute to water security in hot and seasonally dry climates.Fil: Baez, Johanna Soledad. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Centro de Ecología Aplicada del Litoral. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Centro de Ecología Aplicada del Litoral; ArgentinaFil: Crisafulli, Alexandra María Cristina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Centro de Ecología Aplicada del Litoral. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Centro de Ecología Aplicada del Litoral; ArgentinaFil: Moyano, Sebastián. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales e Instituto Miguel Lillo; ArgentinaFil: Herbst, Rafael. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Correlación Geológica. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales e Instituto Miguel Lillo. Departamento de Geología. Cátedra Geología Estructural. Instituto Superior de Correlación Geológica; Argentin

Efficacy and safety of reparixin in patients with severe covid-19 Pneumonia. A phase 3, randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled study

Introduction: Polymorphonuclear cell influx into the interstitial and bronchoalveolar spaces is a cardinal feature of severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), principally mediated by interleukin-8 (IL-8). We sought to determine whether reparixin, a novel IL-8 pathway inhibitor, could reduce disease progression in patients hospitalized with severe COVID-19 pneumonia. Methods: In this Phase 3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter study, hospitalized adult patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia were randomized 2:1 to receive oral reparixin 1200 mg three times daily or placebo for up to 21 days or until hospital discharge. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients alive and free of respiratory failure at Day 28, with key secondary endpoints being the proportion of patients free of respiratory failure at Day 60, incidence of intensive care unit (ICU) admission by Day 28 and time to recovery by Day 28. Results: Of 279 patients randomized, 182 received at least one dose of reparixin and 88 received placebo. The proportion of patients alive and free of respiratory failure at Day 28 was similar in the two groups {83.5% versus 80.7%; odds ratio 1.63 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.75, 3.51]; p = 0.216}. There were no statistically significant differences in the key secondary endpoints, but a numerically higher proportion of patients in the reparixin group were alive and free of respiratory failure at Day 60 (88.7% versus 84.6%; p = 0.195), fewer required ICU admissions by Day 28 (15.8% versus 21.7%; p = 0.168), and a higher proportion recovered by Day 28 compared with placebo (81.6% versus 74.9%; p = 0.167). Fewer patients experienced adverse events with reparixin than placebo (45.6% versus 54.5%), most mild or moderate intensity and not related to study treatment. Conclusions: This trial did not meet the primary efficacy endpoints, yet reparixin showed a trend toward limiting disease progression as an add-on therapy in COVID-19 severe pneumonia and was well tolerated. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04878055, EudraCT: 2020-005919-51

Efficacy of canakinumab in patients with Still's disease across different lines of biologic therapy: real-life data from the International AIDA Network Registry for Still's Disease

Introduction: The effectiveness of canakinumab may change according to the different times it is used after Still's disease onset. This study aimed to investigate whether canakinumab (CAN) shows differences in short- and long-term therapeutic outcomes, according to its use as different lines of biologic treatment.Methods: Patients included in this study were retrospectively enrolled from the AutoInflammatory Disease Alliance (AIDA) International Registry dedicated to Still's disease. Seventy-seven (51 females and 26 males) patients with Still's disease were included in the present study. In total, 39 (50.6%) patients underwent CAN as a first-line biologic agent, and the remaining 38 (49.4%) patients were treated with CAN as a second-line biologic agent or subsequent biologic agent.Results: No statistically significant differences were found between patients treated with CAN as a first-line biologic agent and those previously treated with other biologic agents in terms of the frequency of complete response (p =0.62), partial response (p =0.61), treatment failure (p >0.99), and frequency of patients discontinuing CAN due to lack or loss of efficacy (p =0.2). Of all the patients, 18 (23.4%) patients experienced disease relapse during canakinumab treatment, 9 patients were treated with canakinumab as a first-line biologic agent, and nine patients were treated with a second-line or subsequent biologic agent. No differences were found in the frequency of glucocorticoid use (p =0.34), daily glucocorticoid dosage (p =0.47), or concomitant methotrexate dosage (p =0.43) at the last assessment during CAN treatment.Conclusion: Canakinumab has proved to be effective in patients with Still's disease, regardless of its line of biologic treatment

La Cappadoce méridionale de la Préhistoire à l'époque byzantine

Il y a environ 25 ans, Olivier Pelon organisait à l’Institut Français d’Études Anatoliennes d’Istanbul un colloque destiné à faire l’état des recherches sur la Cappadoce méridionale jusqu’à la fin de l’époque romaine. Un quart de siècle après ce premier colloque, il était intéressant de faire un nouveau point sur l’avancée des recherches dans cette Cappadoce méridionale, de la préhistoire à la période byzantine. Ce nouveau colloque, placé cette fois encore sous l’égide de l’Institut Français d’Études Anatoliennes et intégré à la série des Rencontres d’archéologie de l’IFEA réunit vingt-trois communications. Si les périodes néolithique et chalcolithique ont été particulièrement bien représentées, ce qui témoigne bien de l’importance de cette phase de la préhistoire cappadocienne, liée aux gisements d’obsidienne des Melendiz Dağları, on soulignera en revanche l’absence presque totale du Bronze Ancien. Cette phase est en effet peu représentée dans l’archéologie locale. La même remarque peut s’appliquer au Bronze Moyen. La fin du Bronze Moyen, fort heureusement, est représentée à Porsuk, de même que le Bronze Récent qui bénéficie, depuis peu, tout comme l’Âge du Fer, du démarrage fructueux des fouilles de Kınık Höyük. Enfin, l’Antiquité tardive et Byzance ont pu être représentées, principalement autour de Tyane, ce qui n’avait pas pu être le cas lors du premier colloque. En octobre 2012, quelques semaines avant la tenue de la Rencontre, on apprenait malheureusement le décès brutal et inattendu d’Olivier Pelon, ancien directeur de la mission de Porsuk (jusqu’en 2002) et organisateur de ce premier colloque cappadocien. C’est bien en hommage à sa mémoire que notre Rencontre cappadocienne de 2012 et sa publication ont été naturellement dédiées

Clinical features and outcomes of elderly hospitalised patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, heart failure or both

Background and objective: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and heart failure (HF) mutually increase the risk of being present in the same patient, especially if older. Whether or not this coexistence may be associated with a worse prognosis is debated. Therefore, employing data derived from the REPOSI register, we evaluated the clinical features and outcomes in a population of elderly patients admitted to internal medicine wards and having COPD, HF or COPD + HF. Methods: We measured socio-demographic and anthropometric characteristics, severity and prevalence of comorbidities, clinical and laboratory features during hospitalization, mood disorders, functional independence, drug prescriptions and discharge destination. The primary study outcome was the risk of death. Results: We considered 2,343 elderly hospitalized patients (median age 81 years), of whom 1,154 (49%) had COPD, 813 (35%) HF, and 376 (16%) COPD + HF. Patients with COPD + HF had different characteristics than those with COPD or HF, such as a higher prevalence of previous hospitalizations, comorbidities (especially chronic kidney disease), higher respiratory rate at admission and number of prescribed drugs. Patients with COPD + HF (hazard ratio HR 1.74, 95% confidence intervals CI 1.16-2.61) and patients with dementia (HR 1.75, 95% CI 1.06-2.90) had a higher risk of death at one year. The Kaplan-Meier curves showed a higher mortality risk in the group of patients with COPD + HF for all causes (p = 0.010), respiratory causes (p = 0.006), cardiovascular causes (p = 0.046) and respiratory plus cardiovascular causes (p = 0.009). Conclusion: In this real-life cohort of hospitalized elderly patients, the coexistence of COPD and HF significantly worsened prognosis at one year. This finding may help to better define the care needs of this population

Clinical features and outcomes of elderly hospitalised patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, heart failure or both

Background and objective: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and heart failure (HF) mutually increase the risk of being present in the same patient, especially if older. Whether or not this coexistence may be associated with a worse prognosis is debated. Therefore, employing data derived from the REPOSI register, we evaluated the clinical features and outcomes in a population of elderly patients admitted to internal medicine wards and having COPD, HF or COPD + HF. Methods: We measured socio-demographic and anthropometric characteristics, severity and prevalence of comorbidities, clinical and laboratory features during hospitalization, mood disorders, functional independence, drug prescriptions and discharge destination. The primary study outcome was the risk of death. Results: We considered 2,343 elderly hospitalized patients (median age 81 years), of whom 1,154 (49%) had COPD, 813 (35%) HF, and 376 (16%) COPD + HF. Patients with COPD + HF had different characteristics than those with COPD or HF, such as a higher prevalence of previous hospitalizations, comorbidities (especially chronic kidney disease), higher respiratory rate at admission and number of prescribed drugs. Patients with COPD + HF (hazard ratio HR 1.74, 95% confidence intervals CI 1.16-2.61) and patients with dementia (HR 1.75, 95% CI 1.06-2.90) had a higher risk of death at one year. The Kaplan-Meier curves showed a higher mortality risk in the group of patients with COPD + HF for all causes (p = 0.010), respiratory causes (p = 0.006), cardiovascular causes (p = 0.046) and respiratory plus cardiovascular causes (p = 0.009). Conclusion: In this real-life cohort of hospitalized elderly patients, the coexistence of COPD and HF significantly worsened prognosis at one year. This finding may help to better define the care needs of this population