Caratteristiche paleobotaniche e stratigrafiche delle foreste fossili mioceniche della Sardegna settentrionale

Le ricerche paleobotaniche sui giacimenti miocenici della Sardegna settentrionale hanno avuto inizio nei primi anni di questo secolo e sono continuate sin verso la metà dello stesso. Negli ultimi anni le ricerche sono riprese con lo scopo di studiare nel dettaglio paleobotanieo e stratigrafico i singoli giacimenti, sulla base di determinazioni effettuate su legni silicizzati in ottimo stato di conservazione e di più approfonditi studi geologici. Nell'ambito di tali indagini vengono presentati i primi dati su due giacimenti ubicati all'interno della Fossa Sarda oligo-miocenica e relativi ai bacini miocenici dell'Anglona e del Logudoro

Cystic echinococcosis in cattle dairy farms: spatial distribution and epidemiological dynamics

A study monitoring cystic echinococcosis (CE) in adult dairy cattle from intensive livestock farms located in the municipality of Arborea (Sardinia, Italy) was carried out between 2012 and 2015. A retrospective study of veterinary reporting forms of post-mortem inspections in 10 different Italian slaughterhouses was also performed. In addition, data on viability and molecular characterisation of hydatid cysts removed from parasitised organs in cattle was carried out. A geographical information system (GIS) with data layers of the study area and the geo-referenced points of 160 cattle farms was constructed. CE was found in 21.9% (35/160) of the surveyed farms. The retrospective study revealed that 0.05% (13/23,656) of adult slaughtered animals (over one year of age) from Arborea had tested positive to CE. The results stratified per year showed the following CE prevalences: 0.09% (5/5673) in 2012; 0.02% (1/5682) in 2013; 0.08% (5/6261) in 2014; and 0.03% (2/6040) in 2015 (χ2 with 3 degrees of freedom=3.81; P=0.282). The E. granulosus sensu stricto (formerly called G1 or sheep strain) was detected in all cysts subjected to molecular analysis. The GIS analysis showed that CE is fairly resilient in the Arborea territory where most of cattle farms are located, while a small cluster of cases was found located in the southeastern part of Arborea, close to districts where sheep farms are situated. The present survey reports the presence of CE in Sardinian dairy cattle intensive farms and suggests that the parasitic pressure of CE in the island continues to be very strong

Assessing the pathogenicity of BRCA1/2 variants of unknown significance: Relevance and challenges for breast cancer precision medicine

IntroductionBreast cancer (BC) is the leading cause of cancer-related death in women worldwide. Pathogenic variants in BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes account for approximately 50% of all hereditary BC, with 60-80% of patients characterized by Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) at an early stage phenotype. The identification of a pathogenic BRCA1/2 variant has important and expanding roles in risk-reducing surgeries, treatment planning, and familial surveillance. Otherwise, finding unclassified Variants of Unknown Significance (VUS) limits the clinical utility of the molecular test, leading to an “imprecise medicine”.MethodsWe reported the explanatory example of the BRCA1 c.5057A>C, p.(His1686Pro) VUS identified in a patient with TNBC. We integrated data from family history and clinic-pathological evaluations, genetic analyses, and bioinformatics in silico investigations to evaluate the VUS classification.ResultsOur evaluation posed evidences for the pathogenicity significance of the investigated VUS: 1) association of the BRCA1 variant to cancer-affected members of the family; 2) absence of another high-risk mutation; 3) multiple indirect evidences derived from gene and protein structural analysis.DiscussionIn line with the ongoing efforts to uncertain variants classification, we speculated about the relevance of an in-depth assessment of pathogenicity of BRCA1/2 VUS for a personalized management of patients with BC. We underlined that the efficient integration of clinical data with the widest number of supporting molecular evidences should be adopted for the proper management of patients, with the final aim of effectively guide the best prognostic and therapeutic paths

How future surgery will benefit from SARS-COV-2-related measures: a SPIGC survey conveying the perspective of Italian surgeons

COVID-19 negatively affected surgical activity, but the potential benefits resulting from adopted measures remain unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the change in surgical activity and potential benefit from COVID-19 measures in perspective of Italian surgeons on behalf of SPIGC. A nationwide online survey on surgical practice before, during, and after COVID-19 pandemic was conducted in March-April 2022 (NCT:05323851). Effects of COVID-19 hospital-related measures on surgical patients' management and personal professional development across surgical specialties were explored. Data on demographics, pre-operative/peri-operative/post-operative management, and professional development were collected. Outcomes were matched with the corresponding volume. Four hundred and seventy-three respondents were included in final analysis across 14 surgical specialties. Since SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, application of telematic consultations (4.1% vs. 21.6%; p < 0.0001) and diagnostic evaluations (16.4% vs. 42.2%; p < 0.0001) increased. Elective surgical activities significantly reduced and surgeons opted more frequently for conservative management with a possible indication for elective (26.3% vs. 35.7%; p < 0.0001) or urgent (20.4% vs. 38.5%; p < 0.0001) surgery. All new COVID-related measures are perceived to be maintained in the future. Surgeons' personal education online increased from 12.6% (pre-COVID) to 86.6% (post-COVID; p < 0.0001). Online educational activities are considered a beneficial effect from COVID pandemic (56.4%). COVID-19 had a great impact on surgical specialties, with significant reduction of operation volume. However, some forced changes turned out to be benefits. Isolation measures pushed the use of telemedicine and telemetric devices for outpatient practice and favored communication for educational purposes and surgeon-patient/family communication. From the Italian surgeons' perspective, COVID-related measures will continue to influence future surgical clinical practice

<i>Palmocaulon logudorense</i> nov. sp. (Arecaceae) from the Lower Miocene of the Rio Mannu Basin (Sardinia, Italy)

An anatomical study of a fossil palm petiole (Arecaceae) was carried out. The fossil was found in sediments of Burdigalian age in the Rio Mannu basin (Ittiri, NW Sardinia). From a comparison with both fossil and existing taxa it is concluded that the fossil palm belongs to the new species, Palmocaulon logudorense

Le Strongilosi broncopolmonari dei caprini in Sardegna: aggiornamenti epidemiologici

Le strongilosi broncopolmonari dei caprini rappresentano uno dei fattori maggiormente limitanti per le produzioni del comparto, in virtù della loro diffusione e patogenicità, nonché per le difficoltà nel loro controllo (profilassi e terapia). In questa nota, vengono riferiti i risultati preliminari di un’indagine epidemiologica finalizzata ad aggiornare i dati sulla diffusione degli strongili broncopolmonari (Dictyocaulus filaria, Muellerius capillaris, Protostrongylus rufescens, Cystocaulus ocreatus, Neostrongylus linearis) nei caprini adulti della Sardegna

CARTA GEOLOGICA D'ITALIA FOGLIO 566 PULA (Area Marina)

La Carta Geologica d'Italia foglio566 Pula riporta la geologia del settore emerso e sottomarino di gran parte del Golfo di Cagliari secondo le norme dell’ISPRA-Servizio Geologico. La carta è completata dallo schema strutturale di gran parte margine meridionale della Sardegna e da sezioni geologiche sia della parte emersa che di quella sottomarina.The Geological Map of Italy Sheet 566 Pula shows the geology of the emerged and submarine sector of most of the Gulf of Cagliari according to the ISPRA-Geological Service guidelines. The map is completed by the structural scheme of most of the southern Sardinia margin and by geological cross sections of both the emerged and the submarine area

NOTE ILLUSTRATIVE DELLA CARTA GEOLOGICA D'ITALIA ALLA SCALA 1:50.000, FOGLIO PULA 566

Le Note Illustrative della Carta Geologica d' Italia Foglio 566 Pula illustrano, con descrizioni inedite, i vari aspetti geologico stratigrafici, scientifici e applicativi di questo foglio. .The Illustrative Notes of the Geological Map of Italy Sheet 566 Pula illustrate, with unpublished descriptions, the various stratigraphic, scientific and applicative geological aspects of this sheet. The card to which it refers constitutes by law a geological mapping document 1: 50,000 basic for all the geological and applicative aspects of the Italian State. The supervisory institute, organizer and manager, is ISPRA (Higher Institute for Environmental Protection and Research) - Geological Service of Italy (State Cartographic Institute (law n.68 of 02.02.1960)

NOTE ILLUSTRATIVE DELLA CARTA GEOLOGICA D'ITALIA ALLA SCALA 1:50.000, FOGLIO 528 ORISTANO

Le Note Illustrative della Carta Geologica d' Italia Foglio 528 Oristano illustrano, con descrizioni inedite, i vari aspetti geologico stratigrafici, scientifici e applicativi di questo foglio.The Illustrative Notes of the Geological Map of Italy Sheet 528 Oristano illustrate, with unpublished descriptions, the various stratigraphic, scientific and applicative geological aspects of this sheet. The card to which it refers constitutes by law a geological mapping document 1: 50,000 basic for all the geological and applicative aspects of the Italian State. The supervisory institute, organizer and manager, is ISPRA (Higher Institute for Environmental Protection and Research) - Geological Service of Italy (State Cartographic Institute (law n.68 of 02.02.1960)