Carbon and water dynamics of a bioenergy crop (Cynara cardunculus L.) under different meteorological conditions in a semi-arid region

To evaluate the environmental adaptability of cultivated cardoon (Cynara cardunculus L.) its water use efficiency [(WUE) – ratio between net ecosystem exchange (NEE) and evapotranspiration (ET)] was analysed. The crop was cultivated in South Italy and WUE was evaluated at different time scales during two seasons: wet and dry. Even if the crop development is similar in the two seasons, plants delay their development in the presence of drought, showing, in this way, an improvement in their adaptability. Seasonal WUE in the dry season is greater than in the wet one by +11.2%, and this is also confirmed at monthly and daily scale. Hourly analysis around the full development phase shows that WUE is greater during the wet season than during the dry one, this being explainable when considering the impact of the drivers [(photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), vapour pressure deficit (VPD), and air temperature (Tair)] on CO2 and H2O exchanges by stomatal regulation. The saturation values of NEE in function of PAR (threshold 2.5 MJ m–2h–1) and VPD (threshold 10 hPa) are greater during the wet season than the dry one. Furthermore, also the linear relationships between ET and PAR and VPD showed higher slopes in the wet season than in the dry one. Drought causes reduction in both photosynthesis and evapotranspiration by stomatal regulation, however, the photosynthesis process is surely more sensitive to water stress than the crop transpiration, thus demonstrating the good adaptability of this crop to scarce water availability of semi-arid conditions

Intra-annual raw basal area increments (early-wood and late-wood) of Pinus nigra subsp. laricio Poiret trees from southern Italy at the pines׳ mesic to xeric distribution range

This article contains tree rings data related to the research article entitled “An intra-stand approach to identify intra-annual growth responses to climate in Pinus nigra subsp. laricio Poiret trees from southern Italy” (Mazza et al., 2018). Most dendroclimatological studies on black pine have been conducted on the P. nigra subsp. nigra, while only few results on climate-growth relationships are available for other taxa such as P. nigra subsp. laricio, which has the narrowest distribution range of the collective species P. nigra. This data article provides tree rings data for the subsp. laricio at an intra-annual growth level, distinguishing early-wood (EW) and late-wood (LW), from an even aged forest stand from the Sila mountain area within the subspecies mesic to xeric distribution range

Mechanistic studies on bovine cytosolic 5'-nucleotidase II, an enzyme belonging to the HAD superfamily

Cytosolic 5'-nucleotidase/phosphotransferase specific for 6-hydroxypurine monophosphate derivatives (cN-II), belongs to a class of phosphohydrolases that act through the formation of an enzyme-phosphate intermediate. Sequence alignment with members of the P-type ATPases/L-2-haloacid dehalogenase superfamily identified three highly conserved motifs in cN-II and other cytosolic nucleotidases. Mutagenesis studies at specific amino acids occurring in cN-II conserved motifs were performed. The modification of the measured kinetic parameters, caused by conservative and nonconservative substitutions, suggested that motif I is involved in the formation and stabilization of the covalent enzyme-phosphate intermediate. Similarly, T249 in motif II as well as K292 in motif III also contribute to stabilize the phospho-enzyme adduct. Finally, D351 and D356 in motif III coordinate magnesium ion, which is required for catalysis. These findings were consistent with data already determined for P-type ATPases, haloacid dehalogenases and phosphotransferases, thus suggesting that cN-II and other mammalian 5'-nucleotidases are characterized by a 3D arrangement related to the 2-haloacid dehalogenase superfold. Structural determinants involved in differential regulation by nonprotein ligands and redox reagents of the two naturally occurring cN-II forms generated by proteolysis were ascertained by combined biochemical and mass spectrometric investigations. These experiments indicated that the C-terminal region of cN-II contains a cysteine prone to form a disulfide bond, thereby inactivating the enzyme. Proteolysis events that generate the observed cN-II forms, eliminating this C-terminal portion, may prevent loss of enzymic activity and can be regarded as regulatory phenomen

Back to the Future - Part 1. The medico-legal autopsy from ancient civilization to the post-genomic era

Part 1 of the review \u201cBack to the Future\u201d examines the historical evolution of the medico-legal autopsy and microscopy techniques, from Ancient Civilization to the Post-Genomic Era. In the section focusing on \u201cThe Past\u201d, the study of historical sources concerning the origins and development of the medico-legal autopsy, from the Bronze Age until the Middle Ages, shows how, as early as 2000\ua0BC, the performance of autopsies for medico-legal purposes was a known and widespread practice in some ancient civilizations in Egypt, the Far East and later in Europe. In the section focusing on \u201cThe Present\u201d, the improvement of autopsy techniques by Friedrich Albert Zenker and Rudolf Virchow and the contemporary development of optical microscopy techniques for forensic purposes during the 19th and 20th centuries are reported, emphasizing, the regulation of medico-legal autopsies in diverse nations around the world and the publication of international guidelines or best practices elaborated by International Scientific Societies. Finally, in \u201cThe Future\u201d section, innovative robotized and advanced microscopy systems and techniques, including their possible use in the bio-medicolegal field, are reported, which should lead to the improvement and standardization of the autopsy methodology, thereby achieving a more precise identification of natural and traumatic pathologies. \ua9 2017, Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

Carbon, nitrogen and Greenhouse gases budgets over a four years crop rotation in northern France

Croplands mainly act as net sources of the greenhouse gases carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrous oxide (N2O), as well as nitrogen oxide (NO), a precursor of troposheric ozone. We determined the carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) balance of a four-year crop rotation, including maize, wheat, barley and mustard, to provide a base for exploring mitigation options of net emissions. The crop rotation had a positive net ecosystem production (NEP) of 4.4 ± 0.7 Mg C ha-1 y-1 but represented a net source of carbon with a net biome production (NBP) of -1.3 ± 1.1 Mg C ha-1 y-1. The nitrogen balance of the rotation was correlated with the carbon balance and resulted in net loss (−24 ± 28 kg N ha-1 y-1). The main nitrogen losses were nitrate leaching (−11.7 ±1.0 kg N ha-1 y-1) and ammonia volatilization (−9 kg N ha-1 y-1). Dry and wet depositions were 6.7 ± 3.0 and 5.9 ±0.1 kg N ha-1 y-1, respectively. Fluxes of nitrous (N2O) and nitric (NO) oxides did not contribute significantly to the N budget (N2O: -1.8 ± 0.04; NO: -0.7 ± 0.04 kg N ha-1 y-1) but N2O fluxes equaled 16% of the total greenhouse gas balance. The link between the carbon and nitrogen balances are discussed. Longer term experiments would be necessary to capture the trends in the carbon and nitrogen budgets within the variability of agricultural ecosystems

SHOWCAVE: a multidisciplinary research project to quantify and mitigate the environmental impacts in tourist caves

Over the past decades, interest for the underground karst environments has grown remarkably, not only from the scientific viewpoint, but also from an economic perspective. The so-called “show caves” are caves open to the public for touristic purposes, managed by a governmental or commercial organization. The numbers of visitors (up to 500,000/year/cave) and the profits deriving from such activities have recently gained importance worldwide. The research project of relevant national interest (PRIN 2017) “SHOWCAVE”, aims at providing an in-depth characterization of the environmental impacts related to tourist exploitation in the major Italian show caves. During the first year of the project, 12 Italian show caves were chosen as ideal setting to develop the core of the research program, i.e. the multidisciplinary evaluation of tourism impacts based on a wide set of indicators, encompassing all the abiotic and biotic components. By adopting innovative techniques and original methods, the different research units are currently monitoring: i) physical indicators, namely water and air parameters; ii) geological indicators, such asthe alterations of the carbonate rocks; iii) biological indicators, including invertebrates, lampenflora and the microbiota; iv) palaeontological and archaeological indicators. Side researches are being performed on the contamination by lint, the description of the natural heritage of Italian show caves and the human perception of the tourism impacts in the subterranean environment. The development of the first LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) method to comprehensively evaluate the impacts of the touristic service offered by show caves, together with a review of available literature on show caves, are also being carried out. Preliminary results have already been disseminated in several public engagement and educational activities. At the end, the results obtained by all the research activities will be combined to develop general protection measures and provide specific suggestions for the sustainable use of show caves

Acute Heart Failure: Diagnostic-Therapeutic Pathways and Preventive Strategies-A Real-World Clinician's Guide

: Acute heart failure (AHF) is the most frequent cause of unplanned hospital admission in patients of >65 years of age and it is associated with significantly increased morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. Different AHF classification criteria have been proposed, mainly reflecting the clinical heterogeneity of the syndrome. Regardless of the underlying mechanism, peripheral and/or pulmonary congestion is present in the vast majority of cases. Furthermore, a marked reduction in cardiac output with peripheral hypoperfusion may occur in most severe cases. Diagnosis is made on the basis of signs and symptoms, laboratory, and non-invasive tests. After exclusion of reversible causes, AHF therapeutic interventions mainly consist of intravenous (IV) diuretics and/or vasodilators, tailored according to the initial hemodynamic status with the addition of inotropes/vasopressors and mechanical circulatory support if needed. The aim of this review is to discuss current concepts on the diagnosis and management of AHF in order to guide daily clinical practice and to underline the unmet needs. Preventive strategies are also discussed