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

Systemic Immune Responses in Alzheimer’s Disease: In Vitro Mononuclear Cell Activation and Cytokine Production

To investigate the systemic signs of immune-inflammatory responses in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), in the present study we have analyzed blood lymphocyte subsets and the expression of activation markers on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) fromADpatients and age-matched healthy controls (HC) activated in vitro by recombinant amyloid-β peptide (rAβ42). Our study of AD lymphocyte subpopulations confirms the already described decrease of the absolute number and percentage of B cells when compared to HC lymphocytes, whereas the other subsets are not significantly different in patients and controls. We report the increased expression of the activation marker CD69 and of the chemokine receptors CCR2 and CCR5 on T cells but no changes of CD25 after activation. B cells are also activated by rAβ42 as demonstrated by the enhanced expression of CCR5. Moreover, rAβ42 induces an increased expression of the scavenger receptor CD36 on monocytes. Some activation markers and chemokine receptors are overexpressed in unstimulated AD cells when compared to controls. This is evidence of the pro-inflammatory status of AD. Stimulation by rAβ42 also induces the production of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, IFN-γ, and TNF-α, and of the anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-10 and IL-1Ra. The chemokines RANTES, MIP-1β, and eotaxin as well as some growth factors (GM-CSF, G-CSF) are also overproduced by AD-derived PBMC activated by rAβ42. These results support the involvement of systemic immunity in AD patients. However, our study is an observational one so we cannot draw a conclusion about its contribution to the pathophysiology of the disease

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

[Otosclerosis. Immunoendocrine and infective aspects]

The etiopathogenesis of otosclerosis is yet scarcely known. In this paper we focus on the immunoendocrine and infective aspects of the disorder. According to recent investigations the role played by cytokines and calcitonin's receptors appears to be crucial in the pathogenesis of otosclerosis. In addition, the ultrastructural and immunohistochemical evidence of virus specific antigens around the active otosclerotic focus suggest that virus can trigger and maintain an inflammatory disease

Variations in the volatile compounds of a Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.) variety grown in a semi-arid Mediterranean environment

Fennel is an industrial source of anethole but, recently, further interest has came from the suggested possibility of many industrial uses of this plant. The volatile substances from the seeds of fennel grown in Sparacia (Cammarata - AG - Sicily; 37° 38' N; 13° 46' E) have been investigated and compared on a statistical base with previously reported data. The variety grown in Sparacia fall into the "high fenchone" chemovariety. The substances alpha-toluene, alpha-terpinene, beta-phellandrene + limonene and camphene appear the components most sensitive to environment and grow condition modifications.Fennel is an industrial source of anethole but, recently, further interest has come from the suggested possibility of many industrial uses of this plant. The volatile substances from the seeds of fennel grown in Sparacia (Cammarata - AG - Sicily; 37°38' N; 13°46' E) have been investigate and compared on a statistical basis with previously reported data. The variety grown in Sparacia fall into the "high fenchone" chemovariety. The substances alpha-toluene, alpha-terpinene, beta-phellandrene+limonene and camphene appear the components most sensitive to environment and growth conditions modifications

Il matrimonio religioso oggi: le nuove sfide della secolarizzazione

In many countries, including Italy, the law of marriage has now been divorced from its Judeo-Christian heritage and given a secular meaning. Can marriage itself survive this process of secularization? The volume explores the drift away from marriage as the basis for family formation in Italy and Europe, and the weakening of the marriage contract in law