Environmental impact caused by wild ungulates in protected areas

Protected areas play a crucial role for conservation of natural habilats and ecosystems. Protecting biodiversity means maintaining in good condition ecological processes in order to ensure a good state of harmony between natural resources and environmental conservation. It is known that one of the major threats of the Conservation is the presence of alien or invasive species, especial/y if they are introduced in protected areas. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) writes in the list of the 100 invasive species the wild boar (Sus scrofa L.) and the goat (Capra hircus L.). These ungulates represent a serious threat for natural ecosystems because they are able to alter natural habilats reducing biodiversity. The primary aim of this study is to evaluate some aspects connected with environmental relationships mainly between flora and fauna in protected areas, focusing on wild boars and feral goats. Secondly, it is analysed "Human dimension" aspect caused by presence and damage of wild animals finked to damage to crops and to dry stone wall supporting the typical cultivated terraces. To reach our goal we use as a case study the Portofino Natural Park in North-West Italy, because it houses one of the largest biodiversity concentration in the Mediterranean area. In this protected area the wild boar is the most invasive between the two studied animai species, because of soil damages that influence hydro-geological balance of territory. Finally, this species can quickly increase its population for the high prolificacy and low biological and predator mortality

Role of Multiparametric-MRI in Bladder Cancer

Purpose of ReviewThis narrative review article aims to show the actual role of imaging, in particular MRI, and the role of VI-RADS Score, in recognition and follow-up of the tumor.Recent FindingsA team of professionals created VI-RADS with the goal of standardizing the acquisition and interpretation of multiparametric-MRI in bladder cancer.Bladder cancer is the most common cancer involving the urinary system. It is the fourth most common urological cancer in men and the second most frequent cancer affecting the urinary tract. Main risks factors are advanced age, male sex, and cigarette smoking. Bladder cancer ranges from unaggressive and usually non-invasive tumors that recur and commit patients to long-term invasive surveillance, to aggressive and invasive tumors with high disease-specific mortality. At the time of diagnosis, 70% of patients are experiencing non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer. Vesical imaging-reporting and data system score (VI-RADS) is a scoring system useful to standardize the approach to multiparametric-MRI interpretation, and reporting for bladder cancer

Hyperhidrosis treatment with bornaprine in the acute phase of spinal cord-injured patients

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Multiple, Synchronous Lesions of Differing Histology Within the Same Testis: Ultrasonographic and Pathologic Correlations

Objective: To describe ultrasound (US) and pathologic findings in 11 patients with multiple, synchronous lesions of different histology within the same testis. Materials and methods: We reviewed US and pathologic findings in 11 patients with multiple, synchronous lesions of different histology within the same testis. Lesions were classified as separate or adjacent one to another and attempt was made to predict tumor type on their US textures. Pathologic review assessed presence of normal tissue between adjacent lesions and of Germ Cell Neoplasia In Situ in surrounding parenchyma. Nine cases were from files specifically dedicated to testicular tumors and estimated prevalence was calculated. Results: Two nodules were seen in nine patients and 3 in remaining two. Nine had tumors of different histology; two had one malignancy and one focal benign lesion. Germ Cell Neoplasia In Situ was seen in 7/11 cases. In dedicated archives, these lesions had 1.83% prevalence. Conclusion: Multiple focal lesions identified at imaging within the testis are not always of the same histology. This can be suspected in some cases basing on US texture. Recognition that lesions are multiple and an indication of their locations within the testis is the most important role of imaging and may help pathologists correctly sample the specimen to establish nature of each of them. Presence of multiple lesions is regarded as a contraindication to testicular sparing surgery. In two of our patients, one lesion was benign. Then, when the procedure is indicated all lesions have to be sampled and assessed by pathologists before deciding between conservative or radical technique

Beliefs, barriers and preferences of European overweight women to adopt a healthier lifestyle in pregnancy to minimize risk of developing gestational diabetes mellitus: an explorative study

Introduction: Overweight and obese women are at high risk of developing gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Lifestyle programs might help curb the GDM risk. We explored beliefs, perceived barriers and preferences regarding lifestyle changes among overweight European pregnant women to help inform the development of future high quality lifestyle interventions. Methods: An explorative mixed methods, two-staged study was conducted to gather information from pregnant European women (BMI≥25kg/m2). In three European countries (Belgium, Netherlands, United Kingdom) interviews were conducted, followed by questionnaires in six other European countries (Austria, Denmark, Ireland, Italy, Poland, Spain). Content analysis, descriptive and chi square statistics were applied (p<0.05). Results: Women preferred to obtain detailed information about their personal risk. The health of their baby was major motivating factor. Perceived barriers for physical activity included pregnancy-specific issues such as tiredness and experiencing physical complaints. Insufficient time was a barrier more frequently reported by women with children. Abstaining from snacking was identified as a challenge for the majority of women, especially for those without children. Women preferred to obtain support from their partner, as well as health professionals and valued flexible lifestyle programs. Conclusions: Healthcare professionals need to inform overweight pregnant women about their personal risk, discuss lifestyle modification and assist in weight management. Lifestyle programs should be tailored to the individual, taking into account barriers experienced by overweight first-time mothers and multipara women

Study of the reaction pbar p -> phi phi from 1.1 to 2.0 GeV/c

A study has been performed of the reaction pbar p -> 4K using in-flight antiprotons from 1.1 to 2.0 GeV/c incident momentum interacting with a hydrogen jet target. The reaction is dominated by the production of a pair of phi mesons. The pbar p -> phi phi cross section rises sharply above threshold and then falls continuously as a function of increasing antiproton momentum. The overall magnitude of the cross section exceeds expectations from a simple application of the OZI rule by two orders of magnitude. In a fine scan around the xi/f_J(2230) resonance, no structure is observed. A limit is set for the double branching ratio B(xi -> pbar p) * B(xi -> phi phi) < 6e-5 for a spin 2 resonance of M = 2.235 GeV and Width = 15 MeV.Comment: 13 pages, 13 figures, 2 tables, Latex. To be published in Phys. Rev.

Treatment with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (r-TPA) induces neutrophil degranulation in vitro via defined pathways.

AbstractThrombolysis is recommended for reperfusion following acute ischemic stroke (AIS), but its effects on stroke-associated injury remain to be clarified. Here, we investigated the effects of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (r-tPA) on neutrophil pathophysiology in vitro and in a case–control study with AIS patients submitted (n=60) or not (n=30) to thrombolysis. Patients underwent radiological and clinical examination as well as blood sampling at admission and after 1, 7 and 90days. In vitro, 30-min incubation with 0.1–1mg/ml r-tPA induced neutrophil degranulation in different substrate cultures. Pre-incubation with kinase inhibitors and Western blot documented that degranulation was associated with activation of PI3K/Akt and ERK1/2 pathways in Teflon dishes and PI3K/Akt in polystyrene. In thrombolysed patients, a peak of neutrophil degranulation products (matrix metalloproteinase [MMP]-9, MMP-8, neutrophil elastase and myeloperoxidase), was shown during the first hours from drug administration. This was accompanied by serum augmentation of protective tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1 and TIMP-2. An increased rate of haemorrhagic transformations on day 1 after AIS was shown in thrombolysed patients as compared to non-thrombolysed controls. In conclusion, r-tPA treatment was associated with in vitro neutrophil degranulation, indicating these cells as potential determinants in early haemorrhagic complications after thrombolysis in AIS patients

The risk stratification of adverse neonatal outcomes in women with gestational diabetes (STRONG) study

Aims: To assess the risk of adverse neonatal outcomes in women with gestational diabetes (GDM) by identifying subgroups of women at higher risk to recognize the characteristics most associated with an excess of risk. Methods: Observational, retrospective, multicenter study involving consecutive women with GDM. To identify distinct and homogeneous subgroups of women at a higher risk, the RECursive Partitioning and AMalgamation (RECPAM) method was used. Overall, 2736 pregnancies complicated by GDM were analyzed. The main outcome measure was the occurrence of adverse neonatal outcomes in pregnancies complicated by GDM. Results: Among study participants (median age 36.8 years, pre-gestational BMI 24.8 kg/m2), six miscarriages, one neonatal death, but no maternal death was recorded. The occurrence of the cumulative adverse outcome (OR 2.48, 95% CI 1.59–3.87), large for gestational age (OR 3.99, 95% CI 2.40–6.63), fetal malformation (OR 2.66, 95% CI 1.00–7.18), and respiratory distress (OR 4.33, 95% CI 1.33–14.12) was associated with previous macrosomia. Large for gestational age was also associated with obesity (OR 1.46, 95% CI 1.00–2.15). Small for gestational age was associated with first trimester glucose levels (OR 1.96, 95% CI 1.04–3.69). Neonatal hypoglycemia was associated with overweight (OR 1.52, 95% CI 1.02–2.27) and obesity (OR 1.62, 95% CI 1.04–2.51). The RECPAM analysis identified high-risk subgroups mainly characterized by high pre-pregnancy BMI (OR 1.68, 95% CI 1.21–2.33 for obese; OR 1.38 95% CI 1.03–1.87 for overweight). Conclusions: A deep investigation on the factors associated with adverse neonatal outcomes requires a risk stratification. In particular, great attention must be paid to the prevention and treatment of obesity