Imaging of Chlorophyll a Fluorescence: A Tool to Study Abiotic Stress in Plants

In normal physiological conditions the fate of absorbed light by photosynthetic pigment is utilized for photosynthetic quantum conversion and only a small portion is de-excited via emission as heat or red and far-red chlorophyll fluorescence. By contrast, under many stress conditions the photosynthetic quantum conversion declines and concomitantly the chlorophyll fluorescence emission increases. For this reason, chlorophyll fluorescence analysis has long been an important tool for the estimation of a range of photosynthetic parameters in leaves. However, it is also known that changes in photosynthetic activity within leaves can be heterogeneous. In fact, the image of chlorophyll fluorescence have been revealed a heterogeneous response to changing light intensity, freezing, fungal or viral infection, ozone, water stress. For this reason, one of the major disadvantages of conventional chlorophyll fluorescence measurements is that it provides information only on a single leaf spot and is not representative of the physiological status of the whole leaf. By contrast, chlorophyll fluorescence imaging can allow detection of the early stages of many different types of stress, in particular when leaf samples are characterised by a large surface heterogeneity of chlorophyll fluorescence emission. Our research group studied from many years on the effect of biotic and abiotic stress on photosynthetic process. in this work we report some results that our research group have obtained. In particular we describe the effect of different abiotic stress on photosynthetic performance of some plant species

“SOS clima”: un progetto didattico sui cambiamenti climatici. Scuola-Regione-Associazioni-Università, come fare rete nell’educazione ambientale

L'inquinamento ambientale e il cambiamento climatico sono argomenti complessi e di grande attualità, che è opportuno affrontare fin dagli esordi scolastici, essendone l'uomo il principale responsabile. Con quest’idea la Scuola Primaria di La Rotta (comune di Pontedera - PI) ha aderito al progetto promosso dalla Regione Toscana dal titolo “SOS clima”, conducendo i bambini di una classe quarta in un percorso alla scoperta delle cause e degli effetti dei fenomeni in oggetto. La scuola ha ottenuto la collaborazione di vari soggetti, quali associazioni culturali, educatori ambientali e personale universitario, che hanno trasferito nozioni ai ragazzi attraverso attività pratiche e ludiche. Gli alunni hanno imparato i concetti di base del clima e degli agenti atmosferici e conosciuto gli strumenti per descriverli e studiarli. Sono stati informati delle cause del cambiamento climatico e dei suoi effetti sulle specie animali e vegetali. Un capitolo di approfondimento è stato dedicato a moderne tecniche di monitoraggio, che impiegano esseri viventi per valutare “lo stato di salute” dell’ambiente, in particolare dell’aria. A tal proposito, i bambini hanno anche realizzato un piccolo orto nel cortile della scuola, con l’aiuto di alcuni nonni ‘esperti’. In particolare, la classe ha preso coscienza di due metodiche: (a) biomonitoraggio dell’ozono troposferico tramite germinelli di Nicotiana tabacum, che sviluppano specifici sintomi fogliari in seguito all’esposizione all’inquinante; (b) bioindicazione tramite licheni, organismi che dipendono per la loro sussistenza dalle sostanze presenti nell’atmosfera e sono quindi particolarmente sensibili alle alterazioni della sua composizione. L’obiettivo è stato centrato: aver reso giovani abitanti di un mondo sempre più connected, ma anche distante dai fenomeni naturali, più consapevoli del legame con l’ambiente che li circonda

Efficacy of Posidonia oceanica Extract against Inflammatory Pain: In Vivo Studies in Mice

Posidonia oceanica (L.) Delile is traditionally used for its beneficial properties. Recently, promising antioxidant and anti-inflammatory biological properties emerged through studying the in vitro activity of the ethanolic leaves extract (POE). The present study aims to investigate the anti-inflammatory and analgesic role of POE in mice. Inflammatory pain was modeled in CD-1 mice by the intraplantar injection of carrageenan, interleukin IL-1β and formalin. Pain threshold was measured by von Frey and paw pressure tests. Nociceptive pain was studied by the hot-plate test. POE (10–100 mg kg−1) was administered per os. The paw soft tissue of carrageenan-treated animals was analyzed to measure anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. POE exerted a dose-dependent, acute anti-inflammatory effect able to counteract carrageenan-induced pain and paw oedema. Similar anti-hyperalgesic and anti-allodynic results were obtained when inflammation was induced by IL-1β. In the formalin test, the pre-treatment with POE significantly reduced the nocifensive behavior. Moreover, POE was able to evoke an analgesic effect in naïve animals. Ex vivo, POE reduced the myeloperoxidase activity as well as TNF-α and IL-1β levels; further antioxidant properties were highlighted as a reduction in NO concentration. POE is the candidate for a new valid strategy against inflammation and pain

Impact assessment and risk analysis in the redevelopment of a healthcare structure

Any upgrading process aims for improving and optimizing operational conditions of every work environment. It generally includes the development of a change focused on organizational, technological and structural advancements in the expected conditions of specific active fields of interest. The upgrading process has to be always well planned and organized in order to be a source of growth for the structure considered and not becoming an obstacle for the daily routine of the structure itself. This aspect is much more relevant in case of health facilities since everyday activities must be constantly kept at a standard level and under an accurate control. To meet the needs of technological and legislative progress, the change following the upgrading process must be a long-term one. However, it will represent a significant variable both for the employees working conditions and the quality of the health care given to the patients. In this work an objective and complete procedure has been developed to quantify, in an impartial and univocal way, the impact that an upgrading process can have on health activities. In order to prevent and neutralize all the possible risks for patients, employees and health workers, it is of utmost importance the objectively evaluation of effects and hazards that these processes involve

Helicobacter pylori infection in bleeding peptic ulcer patients after non-steroidal antiinflammatory drug consumption

AIM: To establish the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection in patients with a bleeding peptic ulcer after consumption of non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)