Human impact and the historical transformation of saltmarshes in the Marano and Grado Lagoon, northern Adriatic Sea

Historical transformations of the saltmarshes in the six sub-basins of the Marano and Grado Lagoon (northern Adriatic Sea) were analyzed using aerial photographs (1954, 1990, 2006) and the support of historical maps and topographic surveys in case studies. Analysis of the 2006 set of aerial photographs enabled the definition of the present extent and distribution of the saltmarshes inside the lagoon (760 ha), with a total reduction in saltmarsh area of 16% (144 ha) compared to 1954. Direct human actions played a significant role in the budget, resulting in a negative balance between saltmarsh gains and losses; the total loss due to land reclamation and dredging during this period amounted to 126 ha. After excluding the total loss due to direct human interventions, different erosional and depositional marsh types were recognized and associated with different forcing factors, based on morphological and geographical evidence. Over the 52-year period marshes were lost due to: a) drowning \u2013 the combined effects of eustatism, regional subsidence and autocompaction (102 ha); b) edge-retreat by wind wave attack (34 ha); c) erosion by vessel-generated waves (37 ha); and d) coastal dynamics and inlet migration (5.7 ha). Conversely, marshes gained in area due to: a) fluvial input (63 ha); b) tidal input (27 ha); c) paralagoonal deposition (45 ha); d) the re-opening of abandoned fish farms (18 ha); and e) the dumping of dredged material (8 ha). The relative importance of erosional versus depositional forcing factors, as well as the different rates of marsh gain and loss recorded in each lagoon basin, demonstrate that local and short-term forcing factors can obliterate or compensate the long-term ones, especially the relative sea-level rise. A test of the integrated sediment budget carried out on one third of the total lagoon (Lignano and S. Andrea basins) through a bathymetric comparison between datasets from 1964 and 2009, provided a better understanding of the relationship between the evolution of the saltmarshes and the submerged part of the lagoon. Conservation or slight expansion of the marshes inside these basins were found to be linked to an overall positive sediment budget of 61,000 m3/y. Nevertheless, significant morphological changes occurred in the submerged basin, which is affected by sustained deposition along the inner margins due to sediment supplies, by an overall erosion of tidal and subtidal flats far from the tributaries, and by an important infilling of the channels. The analyzed data, along with information available for the Venice Lagoon, highlights how the fate of open-water lagoons is to flatten whilst submerging because of the strong influence of wind waves, which tend to transform the lagoon into a marine embayment. This transgressive condition reduces, if not negates, the compensative effect of the sedimentation rate on wind-wave-induced shear stress excess, since supplies seem to contribute primarily to the morphological accommodation

Placenta percreta with bladder invasion.

6nonenoneRossi A; Bazzocchi M; Della Martina M; Fabiani G; Fachechi G; Marchesoni DRossi, A; Bazzocchi, Massimo; Della Martina, M; Fabiani, G; Fachechi, G; Marchesoni, Dieg

Pregnancy outcome and neonatal health by mothers aged 40 years and over

This study was carried out to investigate obstetric outcomes in single pregnancies conceived by women older than 40 compared to those of their younger counterparts in a low natality setting with high mean age at first pregnancy. Data were collected about women who delivered in our Clinic between January and July 2005, excluding multiple pregnancies. Statistical analysis was performed using R (version 2.10.1), considering significant a p<0.05.We selected 688 women: 50 of them are 40 years or older and 638 are younger. Advanced age correlates with higher BMI (p=0.056) and seems to increase the risk of gestational hypertension (p<0.05) and gestational diabetes (p<0.05), cesarean sections (p<0.05) and vacuum extraction (p0.089), neonatal clavicle fracture (p<0.05) and perinatal mortality (p<0.05).Advanced age women have an increased risk of pregnancy complications, such as gestational hypertension and diabetes, neonatal clavicle fracture and perinatal death, and undergo more frequently cesarean sections

Validation of real-time prostatic biopsies evaluation with fluorescence laser confocal microscopy

Background: Routine processing of prostate biopsies requires conventional steps that usually take a few days. The aim of this study was to validate the use of fluorescence laser confocal microscopy (FCM) for real-time diagnostics. Methods: We prospectively tested images from prostate needle biopsies (75 images were evaluated by FCM and conventional slides). Two pathologists reviewed the images and assessed agreements between FCM versus conventional slides and between pathologists (κ-values). Interpretation was performed on digital images from the VivaScope 2500 confocal microscope (MAVIG GmbH, Munich, Germany; Caliber I.D., Rochester, NY, USA) placed in the urological operating room. Cancerous versus benign tissue was the primary focus, then the application of the grading system. Results: Cancer was diagnosed in 24 conventional slides (on 75 images) in which agreement among pathologists was high for both conventional (κ=0.96) and FMC (κ=0.84). 1/24 (4%) was ISUP/WHO grade group I, 12/24 (50%) II, 8/24 (33%) III, 2/24 (8%) IV and 1/24 (4%) grade V. Near perfect agreement was obtained for grades I, IV and V (κ=0.85). Grade III values achieved a moderate agreement (κ=0.55). The mean time for laser scanning was 9 minutes. For the remaining non-tumor images, agreement was nearly perfect (κ=0.81). Conclusions: We validated the use of FCM for real-time cancer detection in prostate biopsies

Endogenous testosterone density associates with predictors of tumor upgrading and disease progression in the low through favorable intermediate prostate cancer risk categories: analysis of risk factors and clinical implications

BackgroundThe study aimed to test the hypothesis that endogenous testosterone density (ETD), in the low through favorable intermediate PCa risk classes patients undergoing surgery, might be associated with disease progression.Materials and methodsETD, PSAD, and percentage of biopsy positive cores density (BPCD) were calculated in relation to prostate volume (PV). Tumor load density (TLD) was estimated as the tumor load (TL) ratio to prostate weight. ET was considered low if < 230 ng/dL. Tumor upgrading (ISUP > 2), upstaging (pT > 2) and their related features were investigated.Results433 patients were included, 249 (57.5%) from the favorable intermediate-risk class. Upgrading occurred in 168 (38.8%) cases and upstaging in 62 (14.3%). ETD above the median (9.9 ng/(dL x mL)), was discriminated by PSAD (AUC = 0.719; 95% CI: 0.671-0.766; p < 0.0001), BPCD (AUC = 0.721; 95% CI: 0.673-0.768; p < 0.0001), TLD (AUC = 0.674; 95% CI: 0.624-0.724; p < 0.0001) with accuracy improved by the multivariable model (AUC = 0.798; 95% CI: 0.724-0.811; p < 0.0001). In linear multivariable models as ETD increased, so did TLD (rc = 0.019; 95% CI: 0.014; 0.025; p < 0.0001), further increased by low ET (rc = 0.097; 95% CI: 0.017; 0.176; p = 0.017). After adjusting for clinical and pathological features, ETD correlated with TLD above the first quartile. Disease progression occurred in 43 (11.9%) patients, independently predicted by PSAD (hazard ratio, HR = 99.906; 95% CI: 6.519-1531.133; p = 0.001) and tumor upgrading (HR = 3.586; 95% CI: 3.586-6.863; p < 0.0001).ConclusionsETD was associated with unfavorable PCa, and men with tumor upgrading were at increased risk of disease progression. ETD was related to predictors of PCa progression and could provide pivotal biological information about aggressive disease

Searching the half-full glass of COVID-19 pandemic: basic hygienic measures positively impact on postoperative infections after major elective urological surgery: a single-center matched pair analysis

Background: Since before the COVID-19 pandemic, hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) represented a global healthcare crisis. Few studies suggested that COVID-19-related basic hygiene measures (BHM) could lower HAIs rates, reaching inconclusive results. The aim of this study was to investigate the hypothetical benefit on HAIs rate of COVID-19-enhanced BHM systematic introduction after major elective urological surgery. Methods: Since the pandemic began, our hospital has implemented BHM to limit the spread of COVID-19. We compared patients operated in the pre-COVID-19 era (no-BHM period) with those operated after the pandemic started (BHM period). Outcomes were the incidence of HAIs and postoperative complications, and the length of hospital stay (LOS). Two balanced groups were generated by propensity score 1:1 matching. Results: Of 1053 major urological interventions, 604 were performed in the no-BHM period, and 449 in the BHM period. After matched analysis, the comparison groups consisted of 310 patients each. Of 107 recorded HAIs, 43 occurred during the BHM period (13.9%), and 64 during the no-BHM period (20.7%), with a statistically significant difference in multivariable analysis (OR 0.5 [95% CI 0.3-0.8], P=0.004). Postoperative complications rate was significantly lower in the BHM period than in the no-BHM period (29.0% versus 36.5%, OR 0.6 [95% CI 0.4-0.9], P=0.01). The LOS differed significantly between BHM and no-BHM periods: a median of 5 (5-8) days versus 6 (5-8), respectively (P<0.001). Conclusions: The risk of infections, postoperative complications, and prolonged LOS after major urological surgery was significantly reduced with the systematic introduction of COVID-19-related BHM, their application could, therefore, be prolonged with lasting benefits

The protection of the human embryo in the new Gasparri proposed law

With the bill n. 165 Senator Gasparri returns to the art. 1 c.c. presenting a new proposal – new compared to those dating back to the 16th and 17th legislatures – entitled “Amendment to art. 1 of the civil code in the matter of recognition of the legal capacity of the conceived child”; precisely asking that the recognition of the legal capacity of the fetus already take place at the time of conception and not only after birth, as instead today enshrined in art. 1 of our civil code. A bill that gives the opportunity to reflect, once again, on the questions on the specific theme of the protection of the human embryo and therefore: What is the embryo? What rights should he be recognized? But above all since when should they be recognized

Mapping the Global Distribution of Livestock

Livestock contributes directly to the livelihoods and food security of almost a billion people and affects the diet and health of many more. With estimated standing populations of 1.43 billion cattle, 1.87 billion sheep and goats, 0.98 billion pigs, and 19.60 billion chickens, reliable and accessible information on the distribution and abundance of livestock is needed for a many reasons. These include analyses of the social and economic aspects of the livestock sector; the environmental impacts of livestock such as the production and management of waste, greenhouse gas emissions and livestock-related land-use change; and large-scale public health and epidemiological investigations. The Gridded Livestock of the World (GLW) database, produced in 2007, provided modelled livestock densities of the world, adjusted to match official (FAOSTAT) national estimates for the reference year 2005, at a spatial resolution of 3 minutes of arc (about 5×5 km at the equator). Recent methodological improvements have significantly enhanced these distributions: more up-to date and detailed sub-national livestock statistics have been collected; a new, higher resolution set of predictor variables is used; and the analytical procedure has been revised and extended to include a more systematic assessment of model accuracy and the representation of uncertainties associated with the predictions. This paper describes the current approach in detail and presents new global distribution maps at 1 km resolution for cattle, pigs and chickens, and a partial distribution map for ducks. These digital layers are made publically available via the Livestock Geo-Wiki (http://www.livestock.geo-wiki.org), as will be the maps of other livestock types as they are produced.SCOPUS: ar.jinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe