Genetic diversity in Sicilian populations of Quercus ilex (Fagaceae)

Recent studies on the genetic structure of the Italian populations of Quercus ilex demonstrated their high diversity, particularly in the Sicilian metapopulation. In order to check if the holm oak stands in the mountains of NW Sicily could have some relationship with Q. ilex subsp. bal- lota (distributed in Spain and NW Africa), 26 specimens from the Sicilian most distinctive Q. ilex populations have been compared with some representative populations of the Italian Peninsula, North Africa and Spain, by means of the ISSR technique. Even if the results are too preliminary to confirm or reject the initial hypothesis, they confirmed an high level of genetic variability, well distributed among the analyzed specimens. In particular, the metapopulations from the Sicilian mountains (Quacella, Vallone Canna) revealed some genetic affinity with those of the Moroccan mountains (Marrakech/Oukaimeden and Ifrane). These populations, on their turn, resulted to be quite distant from the sample from SE-Spain (Sierra de Javalambre). Moreover, a certain genetic distance has been detected from the comparison of the mountain populations of Sicily with those of coastal sites of this Island (Scopello, Castellammare) and Capri (Villa Jovis)

Non-Occlusive Mesenteric Ischemia in Children With Diabetic Ketoacidosis: Case Report and Review of Literature

IntroductionDespite the use of technology, recurrent diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) prevention remains an unmet need in children and adolescents with T1D and may be accompanied by life-threatening acute complications. We present a rare case of non-occlusive mesenteric ischemia (NOMI) with overt manifestation after DKA resolution and a discussion of recent literature addressing DKA-associated NOMI epidemiology and pathogenesis in children and adolescents.Case PresentationA 13-year-old female with previously diagnosed T1D, was admitted at our emergency department with hypovolemic shock, DKA, hyperosmolar state and acute kidney injury (AKI). Mildly progressive abdominal pain persisted after DKA correction and after repeated ultrasound evaluations ultimately suspect for intestinal perforation, an intraoperative diagnosis of NOMI was made.ConclusionThe diagnosis of DKA-associated NOMI must be suspected in pediatric patients with DKA, persistent abdominal pain, and severe dehydration even after DKA resolution

Can Clinical and Surgical Parameters Be Combined to Predict How Long It Will Take a Tibia Fracture to Heal? A Prospective Multicentre Observational Study: The FRACTING Study

Background. Healing of tibia fractures occurs over a wide time range of months, with a number of risk factors contributing to prolonged healing. In this prospective, multicentre, observational study, we investigated the capability of FRACTING (tibia FRACTure prediction healING days) score, calculated soon after tibia fracture treatment, to predict healing time. Methods. The study included 363 patients. Information on patient health, fracture morphology, and surgical treatment adopted were combined to calculate the FRACTING score. Fractures were considered healed when the patient was able to fully weight-bear without pain. Results. 319 fractures (88%) healed within 12 months from treatment. Forty-four fractures healed after 12 months or underwent a second surgery. FRACTING score positively correlated with days to healing: r = 0.63 (p < 0.0001). Average score value was 7.3 \ub1 2.5; ROC analysis showed strong reliability of the score in separating patients healing before versus after 6 months: AUC = 0.823. Conclusions. This study shows that the FRACTING score can be employed both to predict months needed for fracture healing and to identify immediately after treatment patients at risk of prolonged healing. In patients with high score values, new pharmacological and nonpharmacological treatments to enhance osteogenesis could be tested selectively, which may finally result in reduced disability time and health cost savings

Hortus Botanicus Panormitanus Seed Bank

Hortus Botanicus Panornitanus Seed Bank Anna SCIALABBA*& Francesco M. RAIMONDO Dipartimento di Biologia ambientale e Biodiversità, Università di Palermo, Via Archirafì 38 , 90123 Palermo, Italia E-mail dell’Autore per la corrispondenza: [email protected] RIASSUNTO - Horlus Bolanicus Panormitanus Seed Bank - La Banca dei semi Hortus Botanicus Panormitanus (HPB) ha realizzato il progetto di conservazione ex situ di piante selvatiche dell'area mediterranea, inserendosi nel contesto delle attività e delle funzioni svolte dall'Orto botanico di Palermo. La banca ha lo scopo di preservare le risorse fitogenetiche, rivolgendo particolare attenzione alle specie rare o minacciate e alle piante selvatiche progenitori di piante coltivate. Le attività principali della banca del germoplasma sono la conservazione ex situ a lungo (-20°C) ed a breve termine (5°C) dei semi, il loro scambio e l'impiego ai fini della reintroduzione di specie in natura, il monitoraggio delle popolazioni minacciate, le ricerche sulla biologia della conservazione dei semi e sulla caratterizzazione genotipica di entità a rischio o di potenziale interesse economico. La sequenza del processo di conservazione dei semi nella banca inizia con la raccolta in campo e prosegue in laboratorio con l'identificazione tassonomica, la pulizia, il controllo di qualità, la disidratazione, la conservazione a bassa umidità e bassa temperatura. La banca è supportata dal "Laboratorio per il Sistema Madonie" (GUM) che provvede al recupero del patrimonio genetico locale di interesse economico e alla relativa ridiffusione e conservazione mediante tecniche di propagazione, sia innovative che tradizionali