Diffuse calcifications protect carotid plaques regardless of the amount of neoangiogenesis and related histological complications

Background. Neoangiogenesis is crucial in plaque progression and instability. Previous data from our group showed that Nestin-positive intraplaque neovessels correlated with histological complications. The aim of the present work is to evaluate the relationship between neoangiogenesis, plaque morphology, and clinical instability of the plaque. Materials and Methods. Seventy-three patients (53 males and 20 females, mean age 71 years) were consecutively enrolled. Clinical data and 14 histological variables, including intraplaque hemorrhage and calcifications, were collected. Immunohistochemistry for CD34 and Nestin was performed. RT-PCR was performed to evaluate Nestin mRNA (including 5 healthy arteries as controls). Results. Diffusely calcified plaques (13/73) were found predominantly in females (P=0.017), with a significantly lower incidence of symptoms (TIA/stroke (P=0.019) than noncalcified plaques but with the same incidence of histological complications (P=0.156)). Accordingly, calcified and noncalcified plaques showed similar mean densities of positivity for CD34 and Nestin. Nestin density, but not CD34, correlated with the occurrence of intraplaque hemorrhage. Conclusions. Plaques with massive calcifications show the same incidence of histological complications but without influencing symptomatology, especially in female patients, and regardless of the amount of neoangiogenesis. These results can be applied in a future presurgical identification of patients at major risk of developing symptoms

Sensibilidad de indicadores biológicos edáficos en un Argiudol de la Región Pampeana Argentina

Mantener la calidad de los suelos y la productividad de los cultivos es un desafío importante para la agricultura moderna. Prácticas de manejo que tiendan a incrementar el contenido de carbono del suelo y a la vez favorecer la supervivencia y actividad microbiana podrían contribuir a la sustentabilidad de los sistemas agrícolas. El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar los cambios producidos por diferentes prácticas de manejo (sistemas de labranza e inclusión de cultivo de cobertura) sobre parámetros biológicos, con el fin de determinar su capacidad como indicadores sensibles de calidad del suelo. En un ensayo ubicado en EEA-INTA Marcos Juárez (Provincia de Córdoba, Argentina), sobre muestras compuestas de suelo (profundidad de muestreo entre 0-7,5 cm) se evaluó: el carbono orgánico del suelo (CO), el carbono de la biomasa microbiana (CBM), el cociente metabólico (qCO2 ) y las actividades enzimáticas (fosfatasa ácida, ureasa y deshidrogenasa) durante seis fechas de muestreo. Los tratamientos fueron: labranza combinada (LC); siembra directa (SD) y siembra directa con cultivo de cobertura (SDCC). Se muestreó además un pastizal antiguo que no ha recibido laboreo desde el inicio del ensayo (año 1993), considerado como Suelo de Referencia (R). Las parcelas bajo cultivo presentaron diferencias significativas (p < 0,05) con respecto a R para el CO, el CBM, el qCO2 y las tres enzimas evaluadas. Las pérdidas de CO en los tratamientos LC, SD y SDCC con respecto a R fluctuaron entre 39,2%, 35,1% y 29,1%, respectivamente. Comparando los sistemas de manejo a lo largo de los seis muestreos, LC presentó menor CBM, con valores que oscilaron entre 50% y 67% de lo hallado en SDCC. La eficiencia metabólica en SDCC fue mayor con respecto a LC, debido a que presentó valores significativamente menores de qCO2 (en promedio 32%). Asimismo, LC presentó una menor actividad enzimática (fosfatasa ácida, ureasa y deshidrogenasa), con respecto a SDCC (p < 0,05). Se halló una correlación positiva entre actividades enzimáticas y CBM, y entre CBM y CO. A través de técnicas de análisis multivariado se pudieron diferenciar agrupamientos y obtener una variable resumen que podría interpretarse como un índice simple de calidad del suelo. El CO no resultó ser un indicador sensible para diferenciar los sistemas de manejo, pero no obstante fue sensible para separar el Suelo de Referencia del resto de los tratamientos. En cambio, las variables biológicas permitieron diferenciar el efecto de los distintos manejos, identificándose al sistema de SDCC como el que más aportó a la sustentabilidad y conservación biológica del suelo. Se propone al CBM como un indicador sensible, que además puede integrar diversas funciones edáficas puesto que presentó elevada correlación con la actividad enzimática y con el carbono orgánico del suelo. Asimismo, el cociente metabólico resultó ser un indicador apropiado puesto que determina la eficiencia metabólica de la población microbiana a través de su actividad respiratoria por unidad de carbono microbiano.The maintenance of soil quality and crop productivity is an important goal for modern agriculture. Soil tillage systems that improve the soil organic carbon and also favor the survival and activity of soil microorganisms could contribute to the sustainability of agricultural systems. The aim of the work was to assess the changes produced by different management practices (tillage systems and cover crop) on soil biological parameters in order to evaluate their capacity as sensitive soil quality indicators. The trial was carried out at the Agriculture Experimental Station INTA Marcos Juárez (Province of Cordoba-Argentina), with different soil management techniques. Soil organic carbon (OC), microbial biomass carbon (MBC), soil enzyme activities (acid phosphatase, dehydrogenase and urease) and metabolic quotient (qCO2) were determined on soil samples (0-7.5 cm sampling depth) at six sampling times. The management techniques were: combined tillage (CL), no-tillage (NT) and no-tillage with cover crop (NTCC). An old pasture that has not been tilled since 1993 was also sampled as a reference (R). Soil organic carbon, MBC and soil enzyme activities were higher in the undisturbed soil (R) than in the cropped plots (p < 0.05), while the qCO2 was significantly lower. The OC decrease was 39.2%, 35.1% and 29.1% for CL, NT and NTCC, respectively. The CL treatment showed lower MCB values (between 50% and 67%) than those found in NTCC. Metabolic efficiency was significantly higher in NTCC than in CL (qCO2 was 32% lower). A lower enzymatic activity (acid phosphatase, urease and dehydrogenase) was found in CL with respect to NTCC (p < 0.05). Soil enzymes were positively correlated with MBC, and OC with MBC. Multivariate data analysis allowed group treatments and a summary variable was obtained that could be interpreted as a simple index of soil quality. The OC was not a sensitive indicator to differentiate management systems. However, it was sensitive enough to detect changes between R with respect the other treatments. Instead, biological parameters allowed for differentiation of effect of different management, identifying the system NTCC as the greatest contributor to the sustainability and biological soil conservation. Microbial biomass carbon is suggested as a sensitive indicator since it is related to various soil functions. Also, the metabolic quotient (qCO2) has proved to be a suitable indicator because it determines the metabolic efficiency of the microbial population through the relation between basal respiration per unit of MBC.Manter a qualidade dos solos e a produtividade das culturas é um importante desafío para a agricultura moderna. As práticas de gestão que tendam a aumentar o conteúdo de carbono do solo e por sua vez favoreçam a sobrevivência e a atividade microbiana são suscetíveis de contribuir para a sustentabilidade dos sistemas agrícolas. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar as alterações produzidas por diferentes práticas de gestão (sistemas de plantio incluindo as culturas de cobertura) sobre parâmetros biológicos com o objetivo de determinar a sua capacidade como indicadores sensíveis da qualidade do solo. Num ensaio levado a cabo em EEA-INTA Marcos Juárez (Provincia de Córdoba Argentina), usando amostras de solo compostas (profundidade de amostragem 0-7,5 cm) avaliou-se: o carbono orgânico do solo (CO), o carbono da biomassa microbiana (CBM), o quociente metabólico (qCO2 ) e as atividades enzimáticas (fosfatase ácida, urease e deshidrogenase) durante seis datas de amostragem. Os tratamentos efetuados foram: plantio combinado (PC); sementeira direta (SD) e sementeira direta com cultura de cobertura (SDCC). Para além disso, amostrou-se uma pastagem antiga que não tinha sido intervencionada desde o inicio do ensaio (ano 1993), considerado como Solo de Referência (R). As parcelas cultivadas apresentaram diferenças significativas (p < 0,05) relativamente a R para o CO, CBM, qCO2 e para as três enzimas avaliadas. As perdas de CO nos tratamentos PC, SD e SDCC relativamente a R flutuaram entre 39,2%, 35,1% e 29,1%, respetivamente. Comparando os sistemas de gestão ao longo das seis amostragens, PC apresentou menor CBM com valores que oscilaram entre 50% e 67% do encontrado em SDCC. A eficiencia metabólica em SDCC foi maior para PC, devido a ter apresentado valores significativamente menores de qCO2 (em média 32%). Mesmo assim, PC apresentou uma menor atividade enzimática (fosfatase ácida, urease e deshidrogenase), relativamente a SDCC (p < 0,05). Encontrou-se uma correlação positiva entre as atividades enzimáticas e CBM; e entre CBM e CO. Recorrendo a técnicas de análise multivariada foi possível diferenciar agrupamentos e obter uma variável resumo que poderá interpretar-se como um índice simples de qualidade do solo. O CO não se mostrou como um indicador sensível para diferenciar os sistemas de gestão, não obstante tenha sido sensível para separar o Solo de Referencia dos restantes tratamentos. Pelo contrário, as variáveis biológicas permitiram diferenciar o efeito das distintas técnicas de gestão, identificando o sistema de SDCC como o que mais contribuiu para a sustentabilidade e conservação biológica do solo. Propõe-se o CBM como um indicador sensível, que para além disso pode integrar diversas funções edáficas já que apresentou elevada correlação com a atividade enzimática e com o carbono orgânico do solo. O quociente metabólico surge como um indicador apropriado uma vez que determina a eficiencia metabólica da população microbiana através da sua atividade respiratoria por unidade de carbono microbiano.EEA Marcos JuárezFil: Ferreras, Laura Alejandra. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad Ciencias Agrarias; ArgentinaFil: Toresani, Silvia María Inés. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad Ciencias Agrarias; ArgentinaFil: Faggioli, Valeria Soledad. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Marcos Juárez; ArgentinaFil: Galarza, Carlos Martin. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Marcos Juárez; Argentin

Diffuse Calcifications Protect Carotid Plaques regardless of the Amount of Neoangiogenesis and Related Histological Complications

Background. Neoangiogenesis is crucial in plaque progression and instability. Previous data from our group showed that Nestin-positive intraplaque neovessels correlated with histological complications. The aim of the present work is to evaluate the relationship between neoangiogenesis, plaque morphology, and clinical instability of the plaque. Materials and Methods. Seventy-three patients (53 males and 20 females, mean age 71 years) were consecutively enrolled. Clinical data and 14 histological variables, including intraplaque hemorrhage and calcifications, were collected. Immunohistochemistry for CD34 and Nestin was performed. RT-PCR was performed to evaluate Nestin mRNA (including 5 healthy arteries as controls). Results. Diffusely calcified plaques (13/73) were found predominantly in females (P=0.017), with a significantly lower incidence of symptoms (TIA/stroke (P=0.019) than noncalcified plaques but with the same incidence of histological complications (P=0.156)). Accordingly, calcified and noncalcified plaques showed similar mean densities of positivity for CD34 and Nestin. Nestin density, but not CD34, correlated with the occurrence of intraplaque hemorrhage. Conclusions. Plaques with massive calcifications show the same incidence of histological complications but without influencing symptomatology, especially in female patients, and regardless of the amount of neoangiogenesis. These results can be applied in a future presurgical identification of patients at major risk of developing symptoms

Low-dose Oral Imatinib in the treatment of systemic sclerosis interstitial lung disease unresponsive to cyclophosphamide. A phase II pilot study

none16noFraticelli P, Gabrielli B; Pomponio, G; Valentini, G; Bosello, S; Riboldi, P; Gerosa, M; Faggioli, P; Giacomelli, R; Del Papa, N; Gerli, R; Lunardi, C; Bombardieri, S; Malorni, W; Corvetta, A; Moroncini, G; Gabrielli, A.Fraticelli P, Gabrielli B; Pomponio, G; Valentini, G; Bosello, S; Riboldi, P; Gerosa, M; Faggioli, P; Giacomelli, R; Del Papa, N; Gerli, R; Lunardi, C; Bombardieri, S; Malorni, W; Corvetta, A; Moroncini, Gianluca; Gabrielli, Armand

Interlaboratory performance of a Real-Time PCR method for detection of Ceratocystis platani, the agent of canker stain of Platanus spp

Ceratocystis platani (CP), an ascomycetous fungus, is the agent of canker stain, a lethal vascular disease of Platanus species. Ceratocystis platani has been listed as a quarantine pest (EPPO A2 list) due to extensive damage caused in Southern Europe and the Mediterranean region. As traditional diagnostic assays are ineffective, a Real-Time PCR detection method based on EvaGreen, SYBR Green, and Taqman assays was previously developed, validated in-house, and included in the official EPPO standard PM7/14 (2). Here, we describe the results of a test performance study performed by nine European laboratories for the purpose of an interlaboratory validation. Verification of the DNA extracted from biological samples guaranteed the high quality of preparations, and the stability and the homogeneity of the aliquots intended for the laboratories. All of the laboratories reproduced nearly identical standard curves with efficiencies close to 100%. Testing of blind-coded DNA extracted from wood samples revealed that all performance parameters-diagnostic sensitivity, diagnostic specificity, accuracy and reproducibility-were best fit in most cases both at the laboratory and at the assay level. The previously established limit of detection, 3 fg per PCR reaction, was also validated with similar excellent results. The high interlaboratory performance of this Real-Time PCR method confirms its value as a primary tool to safeguard C. platani-free countries by way of an accurate monitoring, and to investigate the resistance level of potentially canker stain-resistant Platanus genotypes

Low-dose oral imatinib in the treatment of systemic sclerosis interstitial lung disease unresponsive to cyclophosphamide: a phase II pilot study

Introduction: Pulmonary involvement represents a major cause of death of systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients. Recent data suggest that tyrosine kinase inhibitors, such as imatinib, may be a therapeutic option for SSc patients. However, preliminary published clinical trials were inconclusive about imatinib efficacy and showed side effects. The purpose of this study was to verify efficacy and tolerability of low-dose imatinib on interstitial lung disease in a cohort of SSc patients unresponsive to cyclophosphamide therapy.Methods: Thirty consecutive SSc patients with active pulmonary involvement, unresponsive to cyclophosphamide, were treated with imatinib 200 mg/day for 6 months followed by a 6-month follow-up. A "good response" was defined as an increase of forced vital capacity (FVC) by more of 15% and/or increase of diffusing capacity of carbon monoxide (DLCO) &gt; 15% and PaO2 &gt; 90% of initial value and high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT)-scan pattern unchanged or improved.Results: Twenty-six patients completed the study. Three patients died and one patient was lost to follow-up. Four patients (15.32%) had a good response, 7 worsened and 15 had a stabilized lung disease. Overall, 19 (73.07%) patients had an improved or stabilized lung disease. After a 6-month follow-up, 12 (54.5%) of the 22 patients showed an improved or stabilized lung disease.Conclusions: Lung function was stabilized in a large proportion of patients unresponsive to cyclophosphamide therapy and a beneficial outcome emerged from the analysis of HRCT lung scans. There was no significant improvement of skin involvement, and the low dose was well tolerated. These data provide useful suggestions to design future randomized clinical trials for SSc therapeutics

Preface of the 31st Italian Symposium on Advanced Database Systems

This volume contains the proceedings of the 31st Italian Symposium on Advanced Database Systems (SEBD - Sistemi Evoluti per Basi di Dati), held in Galzinagno Terme (Padua, Italy) from 2 to 5 July 2023.</p

Preface of the 31st Italian Symposium on Advanced Database Systems

This volume contains the proceedings of the 31st Italian Symposium on Advanced Database Systems (SEBD - Sistemi Evoluti per Basi di Dati), held in Galzinagno Terme (Padua, Italy) from 2 to 5 July 2023.</p

COVID-19 in rheumatic diseases in Italy: first results from the Italian registry of the Italian Society for Rheumatology (CONTROL-19)

OBJECTIVES: Italy was one of the first countries significantly affected by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic. The Italian Society for Rheumatology promptly launched a retrospective and anonymised data collection to monitor COVID-19 in patients with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs), the CONTROL-19 surveillance database, which is part of the COVID-19 Global Rheumatology Alliance. METHODS: CONTROL-19 includes patients with RMDs and proven severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) updated until May 3rd 2020. In this analysis, only molecular diagnoses were included. The data collection covered demographic data, medical history (general and RMD-related), treatments and COVID-19 related features, treatments, and outcome. In this paper, we report the first descriptive data from the CONTROL-19 registry. RESULTS: The population of the first 232 patients (36% males) consisted mainly of elderly patients (mean age 62.2 years), who used corticosteroids (51.7%), and suffered from multi-morbidity (median comorbidities 2). Rheumatoid arthritis was the most frequent disease (34.1%), followed by spondyloarthritis (26.3%), connective tissue disease (21.1%) and vasculitis (11.2%). Most cases had an active disease (69.4%). Clinical presentation of COVID-19 was typical, with systemic symptoms (fever and asthenia) and respiratory symptoms. The overall outcome was severe, with high frequencies of hospitalisation (69.8%), respiratory support oxygen (55.7%), non-invasive ventilation (20.9%) or mechanical ventilation (7.5%), and 19% of deaths. Male patients typically manifested a worse prognosis. Immunomodulatory treatments were not significantly associated with an increased risk of intensive care unit admission/mechanical ventilation/death. CONCLUSIONS: Although the report mainly includes the most severe cases, its temporal and spatial trend supports the validity of the national surveillance system. More complete data are being acquired in order to both test the hypothesis that RMD patients may have a different outcome from that of the general population and determine the safety of immunomodulatory treatments