Radiation Balance and Production of Forage Crops in a Mediterranean Region

This study is devoted to measure the radiation use efficiency (RUE) and the extinction light coefficient (k) of a sainfoin crop, cultivated in a site of Southern Italy. The same parameters are measured also for the global solar radiation (in this case kg and RUEg, respectively). The crop was maintened in well watered conditions and the measures were carried out during four cut cycles, one during 1994 and three during 1995. Transmitted, incident, soil and canopy reflected radiations were measured continously during the growth season. The results were given a mean of 2.61 and 1.2 g MJ-1 for RUE and RUEg, respectively and 0.86 and 0.71 for k and kg, respectively. These values, comparable with other similar results, confirm the good adaption of this forage crop to the Mediterranean conditions

Organic and Mineral Fertilisation of Temporary Grassland

In Italy, the need to reduce the application of chemical fertilisers and to dispose of different kinds of bio-wastes (municipal solid waste (MSW), olive mill waste, distiller\u27s grains) has led to more compost being made from these materials. Since 1995 our Institute has carried out several studies on different crops. The results obtained so far for grain and industrial crops (Montemurro et al., 2003; Maiorana et al., 2004) appear very interesting. But rarely have the composts been applied to fodder crops. Therefore, this research is aimed to evaluate the effect of MSW-compost on temporary grassland of cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata) and of lucerne, (Medicago sativa) in Southern Italy (Apulia Region)

Four-year field experiment on nitrogen application to sunflower genotypes grown in semiarid conditions

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<b><i>Topoisomerase 1</i></b> Promoter Variants and Benefit from Irinotecan in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Patients

Objective: Topoisomerase 1 (topo-1) is an important target for the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC). The aim of the present study was to evaluate the correlation between topo-1 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and clinical outcome in metastatic CRC (mCRC) patients. Methods: With the use of specific software (PROMO 3.0), we performed an in silico analysis of topo-1 promoter SNPs; the rs6072249 and rs34282819 SNPs were included in the study. DNA was extracted from 105 mCRC patients treated with FOLFIRI ± bevacizumab in the first line. SNP genotyping was performed by real-time PCR. Genotypes were correlated with clinical parameters (objective response rate, progression-free survival, and overall survival). Results: No single genotype was significantly associated with clinical variables. The G allelic variant of rs6072249 topo-1 SNP is responsible for GC factor and X-box-binding protein transcription factor binding. The same allelic variant showed a nonsignificant trend toward a shorter progression-free survival (GG, 7.5 months; other genotypes, 9.3 months; HR 1.823, 95% CI 0.8904-3.734; p = 0.1). Conclusion: Further analyses are needed to confirm that the topo-1 SNP rs6072249 and transcription factor interaction could be a part of tools to predict clinical outcome in mCRC patients treated with irinotecan-based regimens

Double concentric craniotomy: Safe and effective technique to achieve an en bloc resection of tumor involving both skull and duraa

AbstractIntroductionMany tumors can involve the skull. Meningiomas are one of the most common intracranial neoplasms and invasion of the bone was described in 49% of cases. Other neoplastic lesions that can arise in bone, or involve it, are metastases, hemangiomas, aggressive cutis carcinomas and sarcomas. Radical excision is the golden standard of treatment but elevating a bone flap when the tumor involves both the skull and the dura could represent a technical challenge.Presentation of caseWe report the technical details of our approach to remove a meningioma involving both skull and dura in a man aged 45. Patient underwent gross total excision and cranioplasty with PEEK custom made prothesis (Synthes™).DiscussionWe describe a double concentric craniotomy (DCC) technique where the tumor involving the bone is before left in situ, exposing normal dura, to perform afterwards en-bloc excision with minimal traction of brain surface.ConclusionDCC is a safe and effective technique to remove tumor involving both skull and dural structures under direct vision

Full characterization of Gaussian bipartite entangled states by a single homodyne detector

We present the full experimental reconstruction of Gaussian entangled states generated by a type--II optical parametric oscillator (OPO) below threshold. Our scheme provides the entire covariance matrix using a single homodyne detector and allows for the complete characterization of bipartite Gaussian states, including the evaluation of purity, entanglement and nonclassical photon correlations, without a priori assumptions on the state under investigation. Our results show that single homodyne schemes are convenient and robust setups for the full characterization of OPO signals and represent a tool for quantum technology based on continuous variable entanglement.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures, slightly longer version of published PR

The FDA “black box” warning on antidepressant suicide risk in young adults: More harm than benefits?

The decision made in the year 2004 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to require a boxed warning on antidepressants regarding the risk of suicidality in young adults still represents a matter of controversy. The FDA warning was grounded on industry-sponsored trials carried one decade ago or earlier. However, within the past decade, an increasing number of reports have questioned the actual validity of the FDA warning, especially considering a decline in the prescription of the antidepressant drugs associated with an increase in the rate of suicidal events among people with severe depression. The present report provides an overview of the FDA black box warning, also documenting two Major Depressive Disorder patients whose refusal to undergo a pharmacological antidepressant treatment possibly led to an increased risk for suicidal behaviors. The concerns raised by the FDA black box warning need to be considered in real-world clinical practice, stating the associated clinical and public health implications

Mediterranean diet and its benefits on health and mental health: A literature review

Mediterranean Diet (MD) is currently considered one of the most healthy dietary models worldwide. It is generally based on the daily intake of fruit and vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, fish, white meats, and olive oil. It may also include moderate consumption of fermented dairy products, a low intake of red meat, and red/white wine during the main course. Even if the effect of MD on cancer prevention as well as on human metabolic and cardiovascular balance has been discussed, including the quality of life of the exposed population, the putative effects on mental health are still not properly investigated. This narrative review reports on some emerging pieces of evidence on the possible impact of MD on general health and the outcome of psychiatric disorders (e.g., major depression, anxiety) and encourages further studies to test the benefits of healthy food selection on the health of the general population