Centro Regionale di Castanicoltura: dieci anni di attività in Piemonte

To improve the R&D strategies in chestnut cultivation and to further develop the chestnut industry, the University of Torino, Dept. of Agriculture, Forestry and Food, with the financial support of the Piemonte Region, established in 2005 the Chestnut Regional Centre, located in Chiusa Pesio (Cuneo Province, North Western Italy). The Piemonte Region supported the institution of the Centre with human resources and structures (nurseries, land to realize the arboretum). The main activity of the Centre is the research, on several fields, including chestnut germplasm, advanced propagation techniques, optimization of cultural prac-tices, pest and diseases management, extension service activities. In the Centre, a germplasm collection of chestnut genetic variability has been established on a 3 ha surface. Main local and national cultivars are included, with several European varieties from Portugal, Spain, France, Switzerland and other accessions from U.S.A., China, and Japan. The collection is in progress and will be completed in the next years. A newsletter published in English and Italian informs researchers, technicians and growers periodically. The Centre aims to become a national conservatory of the chestnut biodiversity and a reference center for research activities on Castanea specie

Sequential organ failure assessment score (SOFA) scores differ between genders in a sepsis cohort : cause or effect?

Background: Controversy exists regarding the influence of gender on sepsis events and out­come. Epidemiological data from other countries may not always apply to local circum­stances.  The aim of this study was to identify gender differences in patient characteristics, treatment and outcome related to the occurrence of sepsis at admission to the ICU. Methods: A prospective observational cohort study on patients admitted to the ICU over a three-year period fulfilling sepsis criteria during the first 24 hours. Demographic data, APACHE II score, SOFA score, TISS 76, aetiology, length of stay (LOS), mortality rate and aspects of treatment were collected and then analysed with respect to gender differences. Results: There were no gender related differences in mortality or length of stay. Early organ dysfunction assessed as SOFA score at admission was a stronger risk factor for hospital mor­tality for women than for men. This discrepancy was mainly associated with the coagulation sub score. CRP-levels differed between genders in relation to hospital mortality. Infection from the abdominopelvic region was more common among women whereas infection from skin or skin structures were more common in men. Conclusion: In this cohort, gender was not associated with increased mortality during a two year follow up period.  SOFA score at ICU-admission was a stronger risk factor for hospital mortality for women than for men. The discrepancy was mainly related to the coagulation SOFA sub score. Together with differences in CRP-levels this may suggest differences in inflammatory response patterns between genders