Escalating CO2 degassing at the Pisciarelli fumarolic system, and implications for the ongoing Campi Flegrei unrest

This short communication aims at providing an updated report on degassing activity and ground deformation variations observed during the ongoing (2012–2019) Campi Flegrei caldera unrest, with a particular focus on Pisciarelli, currently its most active fumarolic field. We show that the CO2 flux from the main Pisciarelli fumarolic vent (referred as “Soffione”) has increased by a factor > 3 since 2012, reaching in 2018–2019 levels (>600 tons/day) that are comparable to those typical of a medium-sized erupting arc volcano. A substantial widening of the degassing vents and bubbling pools, and a further increase in CO2 concentrations in ambient air (up to 6000 ppm), have also been detected since mid-2018. We interpret this escalating CO2 degassing activity using a multidisciplinary dataset that includes thermodynamically estimated pressures for the source hydrothermal system, seismic and ground deformation data. From this analysis, we show that degassing, deformation and seismicity have all reached in 2018–2019 levels never observed since the onset of the unrest in 2005, with an overall uplift of ~57 cm and ~448 seismic events in the last year. The calculated pressure of the Campi Flegrei hydrothermal system has reached ~44 bar and is rapidly increasing. Our results raise concern on the possible evolution of the Campi Flegrei unrest and reinforce the need for careful monitoring of the degassing activity at Pisciarelli, hopefully with the deployment of additional permanent gas monitoring units

Aneurysmal disease is associated with lower carotid intima-media thickness than occlusive arterial disease

Objective: Patients with aneurysmal and occlusive arterial disease have overlapping cardiovascular risk profiles. The question remains how atherosclerosis is related to the formation of aortic aneurysms. Common carotid artery intima-media thickness (CIMT) is an easily accessible and objective marker of early atherosclerosis. The aim of the current study was to investigate whether there is a difference in atherosclerotic burden as measured by CIMT between patients with aneurysmal and those with occlusive arterial disease. Methods: From 2004 to 2011, the CIMT was measured using B-mode ultrasound scanning in patients undergoing vascular surgery for aortic aneurysmal or occlusive arterial disease at the Erasmus University Medical Center. Cardiovascular risk factors, comorbidities, and medication were recorded. Patients treated for combined aneurysmal and occlusive arterial disease and patients diagnosed with a genetic aneurysm syndrome were excluded. Univariable and multivariable analyses wer

Technical and Clinical Outcome of Talent versus Endurant Endografts for Endovascular Aortic Aneurysm Repair

The technical evolution of endografts for the interventional management of infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) has allowed a continuous expansion of indications. This study compares the established Talent endograft with its successor, the Endurant endograft, taking individual aortoiliac anatomy into account.From June 2007 to December 2010, 35 patients with AAA were treated with a Talent endograft (33 men) and 36 patients with an Endurant endograft (34 men). Aortoiliac anatomy was evaluated in detail using preinterventional computed tomography angiography. The 30-day outcome of both groups were compared regarding technical and clinical success as well as complications including endoleaks.The Endurant group included more patients with unfavorable anatomy (kinking of pelvic arteries, p = 0.017; shorter proximal neck, p = 0.084). Primary technical success was 91.4% in the Talent group and 100% in the Endurant group (p = 0.115). Type 1 endoleaks occurred in 5.7% of patients in the Talent group and in 2.8% of those in the Endurant group (p = 0.614). Type 3 endoleaks only occurred in the Talent group (2.9% of patients; p = 0.493). Type 2 endoleaks were significantly less common in the Endurant group than in the Talent group (8.3% versus 28.6%; p = 0.035). Rates of major and minor complications were not significantly different between both groups. Primary clinical success was significantly better in the Endurant group (97.2%) than in the Talent group (80.0%) (p = 0.028).Endurant endografts appear to have better technical and clinical outcome in patients with difficult aortoiliac anatomy, significantly reducing the occurrence of type 2 endoleaks

Impaired Vascular Contractility and Aortic Wall Degeneration in Fibulin-4 Deficient Mice: Effect of Angiotensin II Type 1 (AT1) Receptor Blockade

Medial degeneration is a key feature of aneurysm disease and aortic dissection. In a murine aneurysm model we investigated the structural and functional characteristics of aortic wall degeneration in adult fibulin-4 deficient mice and the potential therapeutic role of the angiotensin (Ang) II type 1 (AT1) receptor antagonist losartan in preventing aortic media degeneration. Adult mice with 2-fold (heterozygous Fibulin-4+/R) and 4-fold (homozygous Fibulin-4R/R) reduced expression of fibulin-4 displayed the histological features of cystic media degeneration as found in patients with aneurysm or dissection, including elastin fiber fragmentation, loss of smooth muscle cells, and deposition of ground substance in the extracellular matrix of the aortic media. The aortic contractile capacity, determined by isometric force measurements, was diminished, and was associated with dysregulation of contractile genes as shown by aortic transcriptome analysis. These structural and functional alterations were accompanied by upregulation of TGF-β signaling in aortas from fibulin-4 deficient mice, as identified by genome-scaled network analysis as well as by immunohistochemical staining for phosphorylated Smad2, an intracellular mediator of TGF-β. Tissue levels of Ang II, a regulator of TGF-β signaling, were increased. Prenatal treatment with the AT1 receptor antagonist losartan, which blunts TGF-β signaling, prevented elastic fiber fragmentation in the aortic media of newborn Fibulin-4R/R mice. Postnatal losartan treatment reduced haemodynamic stress and improved lifespan of homozygous knockdown fibulin-4 animals, but did not affect aortic vessel wall structure. In conclusion, the AT1 receptor blocker losartan can prevent aortic media degeneration in a non-Marfan syndrome aneurysm mouse model. In established aortic aneurysms, losartan does not affect aortic architecture, but does improve survival. These findings may extend the potential therapeutic application of inhibitors of the renin-angiotensin system to the preventive treatment of aneurysm disease

Risorse utili per l\u2019agricoltura dallo studio della biodiversit\ue0 microbica

La rizosfera, il sottile strato di suolo influenzato dalla radice di una pianta, \ue8 circa 100 volte pi\uf9 ricco di batteri rispetto al suolo libero circostante. Le radici delle piante producono molecole organiche che possono essere utilizzate come nutrienti dai microrganismi della rizosfera, i quali mostrano un elevata biodiversit\ue0, strettamente influenzata dalla specie vegetale e dal suo profilo di essudazione. Piante e rizobatteri si trovano in una associazione mutualistica, dove le piante forniscono nutrienti, nella forma di essudati radicali, ai microrganismi che a loro volta esercitano un effetto benefico sulla crescita vegetale. Questi batteri, chiamati \u201cPlant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR)\u201d, possono influenzare direttamente la pianta fornendo nutrienti biodisponibili o metaboliti che stimolano la crescita vegetale, controllano gli effetti dello stress, promuovono la fertilit\ue0 del suolo. I PGPR possono anche promuovere indirettamente la crescita della pianta, proteggendola dalle fitopatologie tramite un\u2019azione antagonista nei confronti degli agenti patogeni. In questo lavoro abbiamo studiato la biodiversit\ue0 microbica nella rizosfera di piante selvatiche e di interesse agricolo, provenienti da ambienti agricoli e da ambienti estremi. Lo scopo del lavoro era di ottenere in coltura ceppi microbici in grado di colonizzare la rizosfera e/o il sistema vascolare della pianta, aventi forti e polivalenti caratteristiche PGP. Sono stati prelevati campioni di rizosfera e radici di piante di interesse agricolo per il bacino del Mediterraneo \u2013 peperone, olivo e vite \u2013 coltivate in regioni aride \u2013 Tunisia ed Egitto \u2013 lungo un transetto nord-sud di desertificazione. Sono inoltre state studiate piante selvatiche provenienti da ambienti estremi, suoli ipersalini nella zona degli Chott tunisini e sorgenti calde ed acide in ambiente vulcanico (Messico). \uc8 stata quindi costituita una vasta collezione di migliaia di isolati batterici rizosferici ed endofiti, che \ue8 tutt\u2019ora in fase di screening per le potenzialit\ue0 PGP. La collezione presenta elevata diversit\ue0 tassonomica e diversi ceppi hanno dimostrato polivalenti attivit\ue0 PGP in test in vitro. Gli isolati pi\uf9 promettenti sono in fase di screening in vivo su piante modello. I PGPR isolati dagli ambienti estremi hanno dimostrato di essere adattati a condizioni ambientali non convenzionali, e di avere il potenziale di essere applicati come risorsa biotecnologica per l\u2019agricoltura in regioni calde e/o aride, e suoli degradati. Esperimenti in planta hanno mostrato che le colture selezionate sono in grado di colonizzare la radice, promuovere la germinazione dei semi e la crescita vegetale e diminuire sensibilmente i livelli di stress idrico. I risultati dimostrano l\u2019elevato potenziale della biodiversit\ue0 dei microrganismi associati alle radici delle piante, sfruttabili come risorse biotecnologiche applicabili in agricoltura come biofertilizzanti e/o biostimolanti, utili per lo sviluppo di pratiche agricole sostenibili ed \u201cenvironmental-friendly\u201d

In Treatment of Popliteal Artery Cystic Adventitial Disease, Primary Bypass Graft not Always First Choice: Two Case Reports and a Review of the Literature

AbstractCystic adventitial disease (CAD) is a rare cause of unilateral intermittent claudication of unknown aetiology, which is characterized by the formation of multiple mucin-filled cysts in the adventitial layer of the arterial wall resulting in obstruction to blood flow. The disease predominantly presents in young otherwise healthy males and most commonly affects the popliteal artery. CAD can be diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomographic angiography, or duplex ultrasound. Surgery is the primary mode of treatment, including exarterectomy, or replacement of the affected vascular segment by venous or synthetic interposition graft. Alternatively, the cysts can be drained by percutaneous ultrasound-guided needle aspiration. We provide a literature update on the aetiology and treatment of this uncommon condition and present two cases supporting patient tailored treatment without primary bypass grafting