VOC Air Pollution in Urban Areas – A Microscale Model experimentally validated

Previous theoretical and experimental studies (S. T. A.- Università di Pisa (DIMNP), 1998; Agostini E., M. Corezzi, I. Ciucci, M. Mazzini 2003; Agostini E., I. Ciucci, M. Mazzini, S. Strinati, 2003) even if partial, evidenced the problem of atmospheric pollution by Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) in Livorno (Tuscany). This pollution is caused mainly by the presence of an important refinery, other industries and traffic. Other relevant VOC emission sources are linked to port activities and to numerous small companies using paints and solvents. Figure 1 shows the map of Livorno, situated on the Tyrrhenian sea. This is a simple site from the orography point of view, except for the southern zone where a promontory and a chain of hills impose a more complex pattern of air fluxes. The industrial zone is localized in the north of the map and the harbour activities along the coast (west area). It’s difficult to define a specific zone for the companies using solvents and paints, even though a grater concentration is present around the axis Viale Carducci – Piazza Repubblica – Via Grande. The map outlines also the air pollution measurement stations managed by ARPAT (points) and the meteorological stations (crosses). The simulation of the emission scenario, was done by using ISC3 (U. S. Environmental Protection Agency) code for treating diffuse sources and CALINE4 (California Department of Transportation) for those related to traffic on main roads. The research work focuses the attention on the results of model validation by experimental data obtained along the roads of the studied area. The possibility to extend the application of this model to sites with similar orography and town-planning characteristics is also discussed in the aim of obtaining information about the level of atmospheric pollution on sites where there aren’t measurement stations

Modelling of VOC air pollution in an urban area

For several years the Department of Mechanical, Nuclear and Production Engineering (DIMNP) of the University of Pisa and the Regional Agency for Environment Protection of Tuscany (ARPAT) have collaborated in research on the environmental pollution of our Region. One of the more critical situations with respect to atmospheric pollution is that of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) in the city of Livorno, resulting from the presence of an important oil refinery, other industries and traffic pollution. Other important VOC emission sources are related to port activities and to numerous small companies using solvents and paints. This emission scenario suggested the choice of ISC3 code to treat diffuse sources and CALINE 4 for emissions related to traffic on main roads. After discussion of the VOC sources in the Livorno area, the paper focuses on the results of the study. The need for other experimental data for a better characterization of the area is also discussed, as well as the suitability of this methodology to areas with similar characteristics

Evaluation of the effect of 100U of Onabotulinum toxin A on detrusor contractility in women with idiopathic OAB: A multicentre prospective study

Aims: Intradetrusor injection of Onabotulinum Toxin A (BTX-A) is a third-line treatment for overactive bladder (OAB). Voiding dysfunction and the need for intermittent catheterization are potential complications, consequent to bladder contractility (BC) decrement. Primary aim: to evaluate BC variation after BTX-A detrusor injection in women with idiopathic OAB. Methods: A prospective multi-institutional observational study was conducted. Medical history, bladder diary, 24-h pad test, and invasive urodynamic parameters were recorded before and 4\u20136 weeks after BTX-A 100U administration. BC was measured as Modified Projected Isovolumetric Pressure (PIP1), that is, maximum flow rate (Qmax) + detrusor pressure at Qmax (PdetQmax). Continuous variables were expressed as median and interquartile range. We compared continuous variables using Wilcoxon test and proportions between two times with Fisher exact test. Results: No changes in PIP1 were observed (p > 0.05) in 45 women enrolled between January 2018 and September 2019. Median age was 54.6 years. At baseline, 91.1% had urge urinary incontinence, with 4.9 \ub1 2.6 daily pads used and a 24-h pad test of 205.4 \ub1 70.8 g. Baseline detrusor contractility was normal in all the patients. Postoperatively, an improvement in the 24-h pad test (p < 0.01), daily voids (p < 0.01), and nocturia (p < 0.01) occurred. Urodynamics pointed out a significant reduction of detrusor overactivity rate (p < 0.01) and an increase of median maximum cystometric capacity (p < 0.01). No difference was observed in median Qmax (p > 0.05), PdetQmax (p > 0.05), and PVR (p > 0.05). No patient needed postoperative catheterization. Conclusions: The current series provides evidence that detrusor injection of botulinum toxin is an effective option for treating OAB, without causing voiding dysfunction and BC impairment

Genomic analysis of two phlebotomine sand fly vectors of Leishmania from the New and Old World

Phlebotomine sand flies are of global significance as important vectors of human disease, transmitting bacterial, viral, and protozoan pathogens, including the kinetoplastid parasites of the genus Leishmania, the causative agents of devastating diseases collectively termed leishmaniasis. More than 40 pathogenic Leishmania species are transmitted to humans by approximately 35 sand fly species in 98 countries with hundreds of millions of people at risk around the world. No approved efficacious vaccine exists for leishmaniasis and available therapeutic drugs are either toxic and/or expensive, or the parasites are becoming resistant to the more recently developed drugs. Therefore, sand fly and/or reservoir control are currently the most effective strategies to break transmission. To better understand the biology of sand flies, including the mechanisms involved in their vectorial capacity, insecticide resistance, and population structures we sequenced the genomes of two geographically widespread and important sand fly vector species: Phlebotomus papatasi, a vector of Leishmania parasites that cause cutaneous leishmaniasis, (distributed in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa) and Lutzomyia longipalpis, a vector of Leishmania parasites that cause visceral leishmaniasis (distributed across Central and South America). We categorized and curated genes involved in processes important to their roles as disease vectors, including chemosensation, blood feeding, circadian rhythm, immunity, and detoxification, as well as mobile genetic elements. We also defined gene orthology and observed micro-synteny among the genomes. Finally, we present the genetic diversity and population structure of these species in their respective geographical areas. These genomes will be a foundation on which to base future efforts to prevent vector-borne transmission of Leishmania parasites. The leishmaniases are a group of neglected tropical diseases caused by protist parasites from the Genus Leishmania. Different Leishmania species present a wide clinical profile, ranging from mild, often self-resolving cutaneous lesions that can lead to protective immunity, to severe metastatic mucosal disease, to visceral disease that is ultimately fatal. Leishmania parasites are transmitted by the bites of sand flies, and as no approved human vaccine exists, available drugs are toxic and/or expensive and parasite resistance to them is emerging, new dual control strategies to combat these diseases must be developed, combining interventions on human infections and integrated sand fly population management. Effective vector control requires a comprehensive understanding of the biology of sand flies. To this end, we sequenced and annotated the genomes of two sand fly species that are important leishmaniasis vectors from the Old and New Worlds. These genomes allow us to better understand, at the genetic level, processes important in the vector biology of these species, such as finding hosts, blood-feeding, immunity, and detoxification. These genomic resources highlight the driving forces of evolution of two major Leishmania vectors and provide foundations for future research on how to better prevent leishmaniasis by control of the sand fly vectors

The impact of sars-cov-2 pandemic on time to primary, secondary resection and adjuvant intravesical therapy in patients with high-risk non-muscle invasive bladder cancer: A retrospective multi-institutional cohort analysis

Background: To investigate the impact of COVID-19 outbreak on the diagnosis and treatment of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). Methods: A retrospective analysis was per-formed using an Italian multi-institutional database of TURBT patients with high-risk urothelial NMIBC between January 2019 and February 2021, followed by Re-TURBT and/or adjuvant intravesical BCG. Results: A total of 2591 patients from 27 institutions with primary TURBT were included. Of these, 1534 (59.2%) and 1056 (40.8%) underwent TURBT before and during the COVID-19 out-break, respectively. Time between diagnosis and TURBT was significantly longer during the COVID-19 period (65 vs. 52 days, p = 0.002). One thousand and sixty-six patients (41.1%) received Re-TURBT, 604 (56.7%) during the pre-COVID-19. The median time to secondary resection was significantly longer during the COVID-19 period (55 vs. 48 days, p < 0.0001). A total of 977 patients underwent adjuvant intravesical therapy after primary or secondary resection, with a similar distribution across the two groups (n = 453, 86% vs. n = 388, 86.2%). However, the proportion of the patients who underwent maintenance significantly differed (79.5% vs. 60.4%, p < 0.0001). Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic represented an unprecedented challenge to our health system. Our study did not show significant differences in TURBT quality. However, a delay in treatment schedule and disease management was observed. Investigation of the oncological impacts of those differences should be advocated