Tick-borne zoonotic bacteria in fallow deer (Dama dama) in Euganean Hills Regional Park of Italy

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Complications and mortality of Cushing’s disease: report on data collected over a 20-year period at a referral centre

Context: Cushing’s disease (CD) is rare condition burdened by several systemic complications correlated to higher mortality rates. The primary goal of clinicians is to achieve remission, but it is unclear if treatment can also increase life expectancy. Aim: To assess the prevalence of cortisol-related complications and mortality in a large cohort of CD patients attending a single referral centre. Materials and methods: The clinical charts of CD patients attending a referral hospital between 2001 and 2021 were reviewed. Results: 126 CD patients (median age at diagnosis 39 years) were included. At the last examination, 78/126 (61.9%) of the patients were in remission regardless of previous treatment strategies. Patients in remission showed a significant improvement in all the cardiovascular (CV) comorbidities (p < 0.05). The CV events were more frequent in older patients (p = 0.003), smokers and persistent CD groups (p < 0.05). Most of the thromboembolic (TE) and infective events occurred during active stages of the disease. The CV events were the most frequent cause of death. The standardized mortality ratio (SMR) resulted increased in persistent cases at the last follow-up (SMR 4.99, 95%CI [2.15; 9.83], p < 0.001) whilst it was not higher in those in remission (SMR 1.66, 95%CI [0.34; 4.85], p = 0.543) regardless of the timing or number of treatments carried out. A younger age at diagnosis (p = 0.005), a microadenoma (p = 0.002), and remission status at the last follow-up (p = 0.027) all increased survival. Furthermore, an elevated number of comorbidities, in particular arterial hypertension, increased mortality rates. Conclusions: Patients with active CD presented a poor survival outcome. Remission restored the patients’ life expectancy regardless of the timing or the types of treatments used to achieve it. Persistent CD-related comorbidities remained major risk factors

Características isotópicas (Nd e Sr) do plutonismo intrusivo no extremo NW do Cráton Amazônico, Venezuela, e implicações para a evolução paleoproterozóica

Nd and Sr analyses were performed on selected granitoid plutons that intrude Archean and Paleoproterozoic domains of the Guyana shield (Venezuela). The isotopic signatures of these plutons together with the geochronologic background of the country rocks are used to constrain their magma genesis and tectonic setting within the Paleoproterozoic evolution of mobile belts (Maroni-Itacaiunas and Ventuari-Tapajós provinces) of the Amazonian Craton. The Encrucijada Suite (2187 ± 94 Ma), which intrudes Archean rocks of the Imataca Complex, originated predominantly from partial melt of this crust, as supported by negative µNd(2, 1Ga) values (-2.2 to -4.9) and T DM ages between 2.82 and 2.49 Ga. Conversely, the plutons from the Supamo Complex (2230 - 2050 Ma) and Cuchivero Group (1980-1830 Ma), occurring within the adjoining Paleoproterozoic provinces, are juvenile in nature (derived from roughly contemporary protoliths). These bodies display T DM ages between 2.13 and 2.22 Ga, as well as positive µNd(2, 1Ga) values (+0.74 to +3.05). Isotopic correlation diagrams (143Nd/144Nd vs. 147Sm/144Nd and 143Nd/144Nd vs. time) plotted together with the plutonic rocks and Imataca Complex rocks were evaluated taking into account the geologic background of the NW part of the Amazonian Craton. Interpretation of these isotopic data supports the idea of tectonic juxtaposition between the Imataca Complex and the Maroni-Itacaiúnas province during the Transamazonian orogeny (2.25 - 2.05 Ga). On the other hand, the Cuchivero Group plutons have a constrasting isotopic signature compared to the other Paleoproterozoic plutonic rocks. This is consistent with the existence of a tectonic boundary between the Maroni-Itacaiúnas and the Ventuari-Tapajós province in the late Paleoproterozoic.Rochas granitóides intrusivas em terrenos arqueanos e paleoproterozóicos contíguos, em território venezuelano, foram estudadas em termos da geoquímica isotópica de Nd e Sr, para fins de caracterização petrogenética. Tais plútons estão associados à evolução tectônica das províncias paleoproterozóicas Maroni-Itacaiúnas e Ventuari-Tapajós da parte setentrional do Cráton Amazônico. A suíte Encrucijada (2187 ± 94 Ma), intrusiva no Complexo Imataca, originou-se predominantemente da fusão parcial do substrato arqueano, conforme evidenciam parâmetros negativos de µNd(2, 1Ga) (-2,2 a -4,9) e idades T DM entre 2,82 e 2,49 Ga. Por outro lado, os plútons do Complexo Supamo (2230 - 2050 Ma) e do Grupo Cuchivero (1980 - 1830 Ma), que ocorrem nas províncias crustais adjacentes, são caracteristicamente juvenis (derivados de protólitos paleoproterozóicos). Suas idades T DM concentram-se entre 2,13 e 2,22 Ga, e os valores de µNd(2, 1Ga)são sistematicamente positivos, entre +0,74 e +3,05. Interpretação tectônica em diagramas de correlação isotópica (143Nd/144Nd vs. 147Sm/144Nd e 143Nd/144Nd vs. idade) comparando os dados das rochas plutônicas e do Complexo Imataca, tendo em consideração o acervo geocronológico e geológico da extremidade NW do Cráton Amazônico, permite inferir que a justaposição tectônica entre o Complexo Imataca e a província Maroni-Itacaiúnas (proto-cráton Amazônico) ocorreu durante a orogênese Transamazônica (2,25 - 2,05 Ga). Além disso, a assinatura isotópica contrastante do Grupo Cuchivero aponta a existência de uma sutura crustal entre o substrato arqueano (Imataca) e a província Ventuari-Tapajós

Evolution of porosity in carbide-derived carbon aerogels

Carbide-derived carbon (CDC) aerogel monoliths with very high porosity are synthesized starting from polymeric precursors. Cross-linking by platinum-catalyzed hydrosilylation of polycarbosilanes followed by supercritical drying yields preceramic aerogels. After ceramic conversion and silicon extraction in hot chlorine gas, hierarchically porous carbon materials with specific surface areas as high as 2122 m² g⁻¹ and outstanding total pore volumes close to 9 cm³ g⁻¹ are obtained. Their pore structure is controllable by the applied synthesis temperature as shown by combined nitrogen (-196 °C) and carbon dioxide (0 °C) measurements coupled with electron microscopic methods. The combination of large micropore volumes and the aerogel-type pore system leads to advanced adsorption properties due to a combination of large storage capacities and effective materials transport in comparison with purely microporous reference materials as shown by thermal response measurements

ANALISI TEORICHE E PROVE SPERIMENTALI DI UN SISTEMA DIMONITORAGGIO DI FRANE CON EMISSIONE ACUSTICA

Viene illustrato un esperimento per valutare la fattibilità di un sistema di monitoraggio di frane in roccia tramite il rilevamento di emissioni acustiche e la individuazione della localizzazione spaziale delle sorgenti di emissione

Wild ungulates as sentinels of flaviviruses and tick-borne zoonotic pathogen circulation: an Italian perspective

Background: Vector-borne zoonotic diseases are a concerning issue in Europe. Lyme disease and tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) have been reported in several countries with a large impact on public health; other emerging pathogens, such as Rickettsiales, and mosquito-borne flaviviruses have been increasingly reported. All these pathogens are linked to wild ungulates playing roles as tick feeders, spreaders, and sentinels for pathogen circulation. This study evaluated the prevalence of TBEV, Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, Rickettsia spp., Ehrlichia spp., and Coxiella spp. by biomolecular screening of blood samples and ticks collected from wild ungulates. Ungulates were also screened by ELISA and virus neutralization tests for flaviviral antibody detection. Results: A total of 274 blood samples were collected from several wild ungulate species, as well as 406 Ixodes ricinus, which were feeding on them. Blood samples tested positive for B. burgdorferi s.l. (1.1%; 0-2.3%) and Rickettsia spp. (1.1%; 0-2.3%) and showed an overall flaviviral seroprevalence of 30.6% (22.1-39.2%): 26.1% (17.9-34.3%) for TBEV, 3.6% (0.1-7.1%) for Usutu virus and 0.9% (0-2.7%) for West Nile virus. Ticks were pooled when possible and yielded 331 tick samples that tested positive for B. burgdorferi s.l. (8.8%; 5.8-11.8%), Rickettsia spp. (26.6%; 21.8-31.2%) and Neoehrlichia mikurensis (1.2%; 0-2.4%). TBEV and Coxiella spp. were not detected in either blood or tick samples. Conclusions: This research highlighted a high prevalence of several tick-borne zoonotic pathogens and high seroprevalence for flaviviruses in both hilly and alpine areas. For the first time, an alpine chamois tested positive for anti-TBEV antibodies. Ungulate species are of particular interest due to their sentinel role in flavivirus circulation and their indirect role in tick-borne diseases and maintenance as Ixodes feeders and spreaders