Atlante degli allegati grafici alle schede d’ambito paesaggistico

L’Atlante degli allegati grafici alle schede d’ambito paesaggistico è uno strumento complementare agli elaborati del Piano Territoriale a valenza paesaggistica della Regione Friuli Venezia Giulia che, attraverso elaborazioni grafiche e apparati iconografici selezionati, consente una visualizzazione immediata dei caratteri molteplici del paesaggio regionale. Nelle tavole dell’Atlante le informazioni contenute nella prima sezione delle schede degli ambiti paesaggistici - Analisi del territorio ed individuazione di valori e fattori di rischio paesaggistico (art. 143, comma 1, lett. a), c), D. Lgs. 42/2004), sono associate a materiali iconografici e diagrammi che descrivono la morfologia dei luoghi. Le planimetrie schematiche di ciascun ambito consentono un’agevole localizzazione di questo all’interno del territorio regionale, e nel contempo evidenziano le relazioni che all’interno di quest’ultimo derivano dalla rete delle infrastrutture. Le sezioni diagrammatiche degli elementi notevoli del paesaggio, mediante simboli e didascalie, consentono di leggere nel dettaglio configurazioni specifiche, modificazioni del suolo e assetti insediativi. La cartografia storica, che comprende la Kriegskarte (redatta tra il 1798 ed il 1805) e la Carta Corografica del Litorale (risalente alla prima metà del XIX sec.), consente una lettura della morfologia e degli elementi caratterizzanti del paesaggio in una fase precedente alle grandi trasformazioni insediative del secolo scorso. I caratteri naturali, agricoli e insediativi sono documentati attraverso una selezione della documentazione fotografica predisposta dal personale del Servizio Tutela Beni Paesaggistici della Regione, integrata ove necessario da materiali originali. I valori e i fattori di rischio paesaggistico, anch’essi esplicitati nelle schede d’ambito, sono visualizzati mediante documentazione fotografica e localizzati graficamente sullo stralcio planimetrico dell’ortofoto

Microbiological environmental monitoring in high-risk departments during building activities in a hospital site

Background. This study examines the microbial and fungal contamination associated with the presence of renovation works in a hospital site in Sardinia (Italy). Methods. Microbiological environmental monitoring was carried out before, during and at the conclusion of the works in the Ophthalmology Department in view of a risk assessment procedure. Results. Although the median values of microbial and fungal counts were found raised during the works, protective measures set out by the internal procedures limited the contamination level. Conclusions. This study emphasizes the benefits of environmental surveillance for airborne contamination to help prevent outbreaks of nosocomial mycosis associated with construction work

A Review on Recent Advancements of Graphene and Graphene-Related Materials in Biological Applications

Graphene is the most outstanding material among the new nanostructured carbonaceous species discovered and produced. Graphene’s astonishing properties (i.e., electronic conductivity, mechanical robustness, large surface area) have led to a deep change in the material science field. In this review, after a brief overview of the main characteristics of graphene and related materials, we present an extensive overview of the most recent achievements in biological uses of graphene and related materials

Moltiplicazione di <i>Thymus catharinae</i> Camarda

For its property, due to active principles of the essential oil, the Thymus catharinae Camarda is a species of interest for the erboristic-medicinal and aromatic aspects. For the safeguard of the spontaneous flora and for production of elevated quality, it is suitable the cultivation of selected plants. Among the aspects to take in consideration, the first problem that have been chosen to explore, it is the suitable system of propagation. The seeds have been collected from 9 spontaneous plants, to complete maturation, the zone called Valliciola (1,053 m. over sea level). The plants moter have been collected in the autumn of 2005 in vegetative rest. Rooted jets of each plant have been transplant in pots of 40 x 20 cm, containing land of the area. Daily, it was provided to water the plants with original water of the area of origin. In the month of October 2005, from new jets they have been selected shoots of approximately 5-6 cm, containing at least 3 nodes. The basal part of scions has been dipped in NAA 0.5%. Scions have been planted in plateaux containing ground and pearlite (1:1), placed under a small tunnel covered with plastic material (EVA) for maintaining a temperature of approximately 2-3 °C over greenhouse temperature, and a humidity of 100%. Average rooting was 78.3%, indicating a good attitude of the species. It has been evidenced difference among the plants in test, with variable values from 55% to a maximum of 100%. The weight of 1000 seeds found in vital seeds was 85 mg. The percentage of germination has been extremely low: from the 1 to 2%

High-Flow Nasal Interface Improves Oxygenation in Patients Undergoing Bronchoscopy

During bronchoscopy hypoxemia is commonly found and oxygen supply can be delivered by interfaces fed with high gas flows. Recently, the high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) has been introduced for oxygen therapy in adults, but they have not been used so far during bronchoscopy in adults. Forty-five patients were randomly assigned to 3 groups receiving oxygen: 40 L/min through a Venturi mask (V40, N = 15), nasal cannula (N40, N = 15), and 60 L/min through a nasal cannula (N60, N = 15) during bronchoscopy. Gas exchange and circulatory variables were sampled before (FiO2 = 0.21), at the end of bronchoscopy (FiO2 = 0.5), and thereafter (V40, FiO2 = 0.35). In 8 healthy volunteers oxygen was randomly delivered according to V40, N40, and N60 settings, and airway pressure was measured. At the end of bronchoscopy, N60 presented higher PaO2, PaO2/FiO2, and SpO2 than V40 and N40 that did not differ between them. In the volunteers (N60) median airway pressure amounted to 3.6 cmH2O. Under a flow rate of 40 L/min both the Venturi mask and HFNC behaved similarly, but nasal cannula associated with a 60 L/min flow produced the better results, thus indicating its use in mild respiratory dysfunctions

Association between air pollution and ventricular arrhythmias in high-risk patients (ARIA study): a multicentre longitudinal study

Summary Background Although the effects of air pollution on mortality have been clearly shown in many epidemiological and observational studies, the pro-arrhythmic effects remain unknown. We aimed to assess the short-term effects of air pollution on ventricular arrhythmias in a population of high-risk patients with implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) or cardiac resynchronisation therapy defibrillators (ICD-CRT). Methods In this prospective multicentre study, we assessed 281 patients (median age 71 years) across nine centres in the Veneto region of Italy. Episodes of ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation that were recorded by the diagnostic device were considered in this analysis. Concentrations of particulate matter of less than 10 μm (PM 10 ) and less than 2·5 μm (PM 2·5 ) in aerodynamic diameter, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide, and ozone were obtained daily from monitoring stations, and the 24 h median value was considered. Each patient was associated with exposure data from the monitoring station that was closest to their residence. Patients were followed up for 1 year and then scheduled to have a closing visit, within 1 more year. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01723761. Findings Participants were enrolled from April 1, 2011, to Sept 30, 2012, and follow-ups (completed on April 5, 2014) ranged from 637 to 1177 days (median 652 days). The incidence of episodes of ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation correlated significantly with PM 2·5 (p 10 . An analysis of ventricular fibrillation episodes alone showed a significant increase in risk of higher PM 2·5 (p=0·002) and PM 10 values (p=0·0057). None of the gaseous pollutants were significantly linked to the occurrence of ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation. In a subgroup analysis of patients with or without a previous myocardial infarction, only the first showed a significant association between particulate matter and episodes of ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation. Interpretation Particulate matter has acute pro-arrhythmic effects in a population of high-risk patients, which increase on exposure to fine particles and in patients who have experienced a previous myocardial infarction. The time sequence of the arrhythmic events suggests there is an underlying neurally mediated mechanism. From a clinical point of view, the results of our study should encourage physicians to also consider environmental risk when addressing the prevention of arrhythmic events, particularly in patients with coronary heart disease, advising them to avoid exposure to high levels of fine particulate matter. Funding There was no funding source for this study

Prevalence and type distribution of human papillomavirus infection in women from North Sardinia, Italy

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Human papillomavirus (HPV) has been associated with several disorders of the genital tract, skin and oropharynx. The aims of our study were to evaluate the prevalence of HPV infection in women between 15 and 54 years of age in North Sardinia, Italy, to identify the prevalence of High Risk - Human papillomaviruses (HR-HPV) genotypes and to establish a correlation between molecular and cytological results.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>From 2007 to 2009 we consecutively enrolled women aged 15-54 years admitted to public and private outpatient settings. All the participants filled in a questionnaire about the socio-cultural state, sexual activity and awareness about HPV. 323 cervical specimens were tested for HPV-DNA and HPV genotypes with INNO-LiPA HPV Genotyping CE Amp kit. Samples showing positivity to some HPV genotypes were re-tested using "in house" quantitative Real-Time PCR assays.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Overall HPV-DNA positivity was detected in 35.9% of the women. The prevalence of HR-HPV infection among HPV positive samples was 93.1% with a specific prevalence of HPV 16, 51, 31, 53 and 18 of 54.3%, 37.9%, 10.3%, 6.9% and 5.2%, respectively. Co-infection with any HPV, HR-HPV, LR-HPV and HR/LR-HPV type was 18.3%, 14.9%, 0.9% and 2.5%, respectively; HPV 16/51 co-infection was detected in 64.6% of the HR-HPV co-infection group. The most frequent HPV-genotypes detected were 16 (32.5%) and 51 (22.7%). Among the 57 patients harboring mono-infection the most prevalent HPV genotypes were 16 (38.6%) and 31(10.5%). A multivariate analysis identified a statistical significant association between HPV infection and age and between HPV infection and previous sexual transmitted diseases. A statistically significant association between cytological cervical lesions and generic HPV exposure was identified.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>To our knowledge, this is the first survey evaluating the prevalence of HPV infection in Northern Sardinia and drawing attention to the unusual high proportion of genotype HPV 51. Given the recent implementation of a widespread immunization program with vaccines not containing HPV 51, it has been relevant to prove the high prevalence of this HPV genotype from the start of the vaccination campaign, in order to avoid in the future attributing to the vaccination program a possible selection effect (HPV replacement).</p

Acute Delta Hepatitis in Italy spanning three decades (1991–2019): Evidence for the effectiveness of the hepatitis B vaccination campaign

Updated incidence data of acute Delta virus hepatitis (HDV) are lacking worldwide. Our aim was to evaluate incidence of and risk factors for acute HDV in Italy after the introduction of the compulsory vaccination against hepatitis B virus (HBV) in 1991. Data were obtained from the National Surveillance System of acute viral hepatitis (SEIEVA). Independent predictors of HDV were assessed by logistic-regression analysis. The incidence of acute HDV per 1-million population declined from 3.2 cases in 1987 to 0.04 in 2019, parallel to that of acute HBV per 100,000 from 10.0 to 0.39 cases during the same period. The median age of cases increased from 27 years in the decade 1991-1999 to 44 years in the decade 2010-2019 (p &lt; .001). Over the same period, the male/female ratio decreased from 3.8 to 2.1, the proportion of coinfections increased from 55% to 75% (p = .003) and that of HBsAg positive acute hepatitis tested for by IgM anti-HDV linearly decreased from 50.1% to 34.1% (p &lt; .001). People born abroad accounted for 24.6% of cases in 2004-2010 and 32.1% in 2011-2019. In the period 2010-2019, risky sexual behaviour (O.R. 4.2; 95%CI: 1.4-12.8) was the sole independent predictor of acute HDV; conversely intravenous drug use was no longer associated (O.R. 1.25; 95%CI: 0.15-10.22) with this. In conclusion, HBV vaccination was an effective measure to control acute HDV. Intravenous drug use is no longer an efficient mode of HDV spread. Testing for IgM-anti HDV is a grey area requiring alert. Acute HDV in foreigners should be monitored in the years to come