Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis telemedicine management during COVID-19 outbreak

The present report investigates the impact of a Telemedicine Service (TMS) on the management of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) during coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak in Italy. The TMS comprised 3 phone numbers, active 12 h per day, and an email address, monitored every 4 h by trained physicians; chat-and videoconference-services were also offered. At the end of the study period, our staff contacted all patients, to get information about the final outcome (i.e. composite hospitalisations/all causes of death). Outcomes were compared with a cohort of patients who attended our unit in the same period of the previous year (when no TMS was available). 189 patients participated in the present study. From 11th March to 4th May 2020, 61% of patients made at least one TMS access, mostly by emails (53%), followed by phone calls (33%). With regard to the primary outcome, TMS patients experienced a significant lower rate of events of the 182 patients of the no-TMS cohort (p < 0.001). Specifically, a significant difference was observed for IPF hospitalisation (p < 0.001) whereas no differences were observed with regard to deaths (p = 0.64). TMS permits patients to be followed up even during COVID-19 lockdown, with an encouraging impact on outcomes

Effects of nitrogen management on biomass production and dry matter distribution of processing tomato cropped in southern Italy

high-input systems; nevertheless, plant responses to nitrogen fertilization, in terms of the effects on dry matter production and allocation to different plant organs, have yet to be investigated in depth. Moreover, information on the crop marginal net return and global warming potential (as an index of the environmental impact of crop cultivation) at different nitrogen rates is still scarce. Therefore, the aim of this work was to study the effects of different nitrogen rates (0, 50, 100, 150, 200, and 250 kg of N ha−1) on the agronomic, economic, and environmental aspects of processing tomato grown under conventional management in the Mediterranean area. The results of the two-year trials indicated 200 kg of nitrogen ha−1 as the best rate, ensuring the highest values of marketable and total yields, brix ton ha−1, and marginal net return and the lowest global warming potential per ton of marketable yield. However, since plants fertilized with 200 kg of N ha−1 did not record the highest values of nitrogen use efficiency and nitrogen uptake efficiency, our finding suggest the possibility to select better-performing cultivars for these physiological parameters by adopting specific tomato breeding programs.Processing tomato is an important worldwide horticultural crop. It is generally grown i

Towards the Optimal Mineral N Fertilization for Improving Peeled Tomato Quality Grown in Southern Italy

Nitrogen (N) fertilization has often been used in excess by farmers to improve commercial yield and the profitability of processing tomato crops. However, N fertilizers greatly affect the overall tomato quality, including technological traits, nutritional characteristics, and mineral fruit composition. The aim of this work was to study the effects of increasing mineral N fertilization rates on processing tomato yield and quality when grown in Southern Italy conditions. The study was carried out at Battipaglia (Southern Italy) cropping cultivar “Messapico”, suitable for peeled tomato, and fruit quality was evaluated at the ripening stage. Results showed that N fertilization reduced sunburned fruits and resulted in increasing total yield, average fruit weight, as well as other fruit parameters (size, firmness, color indexes, pH, N, and calcium content). On the other hand, N fertilization negatively affected other fruit traits, such as dry matter and soluble solids content, total sugar index, ascorbic acid, and sodium content, while it had no effect on potassium and magnesium concentration in tomato fruits. Our results show that, in the investigated area, 200 kg N ha−1 is the best compromise to satisfy farmers and processors expectations, improve yield, and at the same time maintain good fruit quality attributes

Effects of nitrogen management on biomass production and dry matter distribution of processing tomato cropped in southern Italy

high-input systems; nevertheless, plant responses to nitrogen fertilization, in terms of the effects on dry matter production and allocation to different plant organs, have yet to be investigated in depth. Moreover, information on the crop marginal net return and global warming potential (as an index of the environmental impact of crop cultivation) at different nitrogen rates is still scarce. Therefore, the aim of this work was to study the effects of different nitrogen rates (0, 50, 100, 150, 200, and 250 kg of N ha−1) on the agronomic, economic, and environmental aspects of processing tomato grown under conventional management in the Mediterranean area. The results of the two-year trials indicated 200 kg of nitrogen ha−1 as the best rate, ensuring the highest values of marketable and total yields, brix ton ha−1, and marginal net return and the lowest global warming potential per ton of marketable yield. However, since plants fertilized with 200 kg of N ha−1 did not record the highest values of nitrogen use efficiency and nitrogen uptake efficiency, our finding suggest the possibility to select better-performing cultivars for these physiological parameters by adopting specific tomato breeding programs.Processing tomato is an important worldwide horticultural crop. It is generally grown i

Climate change effects on processing tomato in southern Italy: a simulation study

In the recent decades, processing tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) yields have increased due to the introduction of new genotypes with improved morphological, physiological and resistance traits. However, in southern Europe, yield increment was not as high as that attributed to resistance to biotic stresses such as late blight and viruses, that represent the major threats for this fruiting vegetable crop. Such effect is likely due to climate change and future projections for the Mediterranean basin indicating an increase of warm and dry periods. Crop growth and development are very sensitive to climate change and variability. In this study, we aimed to understand the projected impact of climate change on processing tomato grown in the southern Italy. A generic tomato cultivar was calibrated and evaluated using data recorded in open field cropping 'Messapico' hybrid for two consecutive years. Plants were transplanted into twin rows (3.36 plants m-2). Drip irrigation scheduling system was based restoring 100% of Etc when 40% of total available water was depleted. Two nitrogen (N) treatments were investigated (N-150 and N-200 kg ha-1). N-150 treatment of the first trial-year, representing to the typical nitrogen supply in the investigated area, was adopted for the DSSAT v4.7 model calibration (biomass: RMSE = 1584 kg ha-1, D-index = 0.93). This N rate was evaluated on the N-200 (biomass: RMSE = 1648 kg ha-1, D-index = 0.91). Contrasting Global Climate Models were compared respect to the integrated 30-years of historical weather from NASA-AgMERRA data set. The climate change variability affected full flowering and harvest dates. Simulation of the soil water content and air temperature indicates, for some years, negative impacts on the optimal crop growth due to drought and nutrient stresses which negatively impacts on fruit yield. Hence, innovative agronomic and breeding strategies are advisable to overcome the negative effects of climate changes occurring in this production area of the processing tomato

Pharmacological drugs inducing ototoxicity, vestibular symptoms and tinnitus: a reasoned and updated guide

The present work on drug-induced ototoxicity, tinnitus and vertigo represents the update and revision of a previous guide to adverse drug reactions for italian physicians (2005). The panorama of drug-induced side effects causing ototoxicity or symptoms such as tinnitus or dizziness and vertigo has enlarged in recent years, thanks to a better knowledge and a more specific attention of pharmaceutical firms and drug-control institutions. In daily clinical practice, there is a need for the family physician and the ENT specialist or audiologist (also in consideration of the possible medico-legal implications) to focus the attention on the possible risk of otological side effects. This would allow a clinical risk-benefit evaluation, weighing the possible clinical advantage in their field of competence against possible otological side-effects. The list of active ingredients and drugs is subdivided in categories based on their audiological and otoneurological side-effects, that have been signaled by the drug companies and/or ministerial notes. Drugs have also been subcategorized with regards to the field in which they are applied, the therapeutic indications and the clinical behaviour. They have also been organized in alphabetical order, for an easier consultation. The guide above, even if initially conceived for being used in Italy, also presents a more general and international interest, expecially as for as the concepts of pharmacology and the features of the active ingredients are concerned. The guide is, therefore, useful as for as we are concerned to any physician, regardless of the country he/she operates in

Seconda guida aggiornata sui farmaci ototossici,acufenogeni e vertigogeni

il presente lavoro sui farmaci ototossici, tinnitogeni e vertigogeni rappresenta l'aggiornamento del precedente lavoro del 2005 sugli effetti collaterali ed indesiderati dei farmaci in campo oto-audiologico