Grain yield and porphology of dwarf vs tall white lupin in Mediterranean environments

There is lack of information on the preferable plant architecture of white lupin (Lupinus albus L.) for Mediterranean environments. The objective of this study was to compare tall vs dwarf near-isogenic lines from two gene pools for grain yield and plant morphology. The four lines were assessed in a Mediterranean-climate site of Sardiniafor two seasons under two sowing densities (25.4 and 35.5 seeds/m2). On average, one gene pool (#15) exhibited a semi-determinate growth habit on the basis of its high seed proportion on the main stem relative to the other, indeterminate gene pool #16 (54.9 % vs 45.5; P 0.05). Although preliminary, our results for Mediterranean environments highlight the genotype-specific usefulness of dwarfism and suggest that this trait might be beneficial in germplasm with indeterminate growth habit

EMO.TI.ON: TECHNOLOGIES FOR THE SAFETY OF CHILDREN WITH HEMOPHILIA

EMO.TI.ON. is an integrated solution for the home care detection of bleeding. The project was funded by Apulia Region. The overall goal of the project is to create an ultrasound diagnostic solution using at home by parents or caregivers. Moreover, the system can transfer, live, images by world wide web to specialist physician creating a network. The solution will be achieved by attending the design related to familiarization processes. Other function of the system are: teleconsulting tools, semantic scientific search, recording data (i.e. clinical chart, infusional diary...)

Creatinine clearance, cystatin C, beta2-microglobulin and TATI as markers of renal function in patients with proteinuria

Background: Proteinuria is a risk factor for end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Creatinine clearance (CrCl) is usually used as a marker to monitor the progression of ESRD, while cystatin C (CYST) has also been considered as a marker of renal function. Tumor-associated trypsin inhibitor (TATI) has been shown to be a promising marker of renal function. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between CrCl, CYST, β2-microglobulin (B2M) and TATI, with glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in patients with different levels of proteinuria. Methods: Seventy-one patients (37 males, 34 females, mean age 53 ± 15 years) were included in the study. GFR was measured by the bladder cumulative method using 99mTc-DTPA. Blood levels of CYST, B2M and TATI were also measured. CrCl and proteinuria were determined by 24-hour urine collection. Statistical analysis was performed with multivariate analysis. Results: The results are expressed as the ratio to GFR of CrCl and reciprocals of CYST (100/CYST), B2M (100/B2M) and TATI (100/TATI). The ratio CrCl/GFR increased from 1.41 in patients with proteinuria <1 g/ day, to 1.66 (p3 g/day. The ratio 100/CYST/GFR was 1.67 and 2.28 (p<0.05), 100/B2M/GFR 0.90 and 0.69 and 100/TATI/GFR 0.14 and 0.19, respectively. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that ClCr/GFR as well as 100/CYST/GFR was independently related to the degree of proteinuria. Creatinine clearance, cystatin C, beta2-microglobulin and TATI as markers of renal function in patients with proteinuria Conclusions: CrCl and CYST overestimate GFR in patients with heavy proteinuria, while the ratios 100/TATI and 100/B2M with GFR do not significantly change. The direct measurement of GFR still remains the best method to assess the progression of renal damage in patients with heavy proteinuria