Forest nurseries and the National Recovery and Resilience Plan: the case of Sicily and Apulia (Italy)

In Italy, the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) foresees the planting of ca. 6.6 million trees to establish urban and peri-urban forests in 14 metropolitan cities. This ambitious project requires a significant number of native trees and shrubs, currently unavailable in Italian public and private nurseries. This survey analyzes the state of forest nurseries in two administrative regions of southern Italy, i.e. the “Filici” forest nursery (province of Agrigento, Sicily) and the Gargano Mountain Reclamation Consortium (province of Foggia, Apulia), to evaluate the adequacy of Sicilian and Apulian forest nurseries as potential sources of plant material to meet the requirements of the NRRP. The census carried out at the “Filici” nursery revealed the presence of more than 22,000 seedlings in cultivation, comprising 55 species, 26 genera, and 26 families. The autochthonous species are 43 (78.2%), while the exotic ones are 12 (21.8%). The Gargano Mountain Reclamation Consortium forest nursery has 190,876 seedlings in cultivation. A total of 80 species are present, belonging to 59 genera and 32 families. Of these, 68 (85%) are native species, 12 (15%) are exotic. An analysis of the plant material being cultivated in these forest nurseries shows the presence of a share of autochthonous species of interest for urban reforestation initiatives, however these are still insufficient in number

Prophylactic salpingectomy in premenopausal low-risk women for ovarian cancer: Primum non nocere

Abstract Objective The objective of this study is to compare ovarian function and surgical outcomes between patients affected by benign uterine pathologies submitted to total laparoscopic hysterectomy (TLH) plus salpingectomy and women in which standard TLH with adnexal preservation was performed. Methods We retrospectively compared data of 79 patients who underwent TLH plus bilateral salpingectomy (group A), with those of 79 women treated by standard TLH without adnexectomy (sTLH) (group B). Ovarian reserve modification, expressed as the difference between 3months post-operative and pre-operative values of Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH), Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH), Antral Follicle Count (AFC), mean ovarian diameters and Peak Systolic Velocity (PSV), was recorded for each patient. For each surgical procedure, operative time, variation of hemoglobin level (ΔHb), postoperative hospital stay, postoperative return to normal activity, and complication rate were recorded as secondary outcomes. Results According to our post-hoc analysis , this equivalence study resulted to have a statistical power of 96.8%. Significant difference was not observed between groups with respect to ΔAMH ( p = 0.35 ), ΔFSH ( p = 0.15 ), ΔAFC ( p = 0.09 ), Δ mean ovarian diameters ( p = 0.57 ) and ΔPSV ( p = 0.61 ). In addition, secondary outcomes such as operative time ( p = 0.79 ), ΔHb ( p = 0.41 ), postoperative hospital stay ( p = 0.16 ), postoperative return to normal activity ( p = 0.11 ) and complication rate also did not show any significant difference. Conclusions The addition of bilateral salpingectomy to TLH for prevention of ovarian cancer in women who do not carry a BRCA1/2 mutations do not show negative effects on the ovarian function. In addition, no perioperative complications are related to the salpingectomy step in TLH

In Vitro Antitumor Effects of the Cold-Water Extracts of Mediterranean Species of Genus Pleurotus (Higher Basidiomycetes) on Human Colon Cancer Cells

The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether the cold-water extract of Pleurotus eryngii var. ferulae (CWE-Pef) and Pleurotus nebrodensis (CWE-Pn), two of the most prized wild and cultivated edible mushrooms can affect the tumour phenotype of human colon cancer HCT116 cells. Our results showed that treatment with CWE-Pef and CWE-Pn resulted in a significant inhibition of the viability of HCT116 cells and promoted apoptosis as also demonstrated by the increase of bax/bcl-2 mRNA ratio. Moreover, we observed that both extracts were able to inhibit cell migration and to affect homotypic and heterotypic cell-cell adhesion. It was also found that treatment with CWE-Pef and CWE-Pn negatively modulated the protein tyrosine phosphorylation as well as the phosphorylation levels of ERK1/2. In conclusion, the in vitro antitumor effects of CWE-Pef and CWE-Pn indicate that they can be considered as possible sources for new alternative therapeutic agents for cancer treatment

Adipokines in obesity and metabolic diseases

Adipose tissue secretes many adipokines that regulate important physiological functions. Growing studies have highlighted that these bioactive molecules may contribute to the development of metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. Adipokines exert systemic metabolic effects and independent activity on numerous cells of the cardiovascular system, including cardiomyocytes and vascular cell walls. Adiponectin shows anti-inflammatory and anti-atherosclerotic activity on blood vessels. Conversely, resistin is endowed with pro-inflammatory effects and stimulates the proliferation of smooth muscle cells, thus promoting the development of atherosclerotic plaque. Leptin plays an important role in cardiac remodeling and blood pressure regulation through the activation of the sympathetic system. Obesity is a pathological condition associated with hypertrophy of white adipose tissue, which stimulates the production of pro-inflammatory adipokines while, it reduces the production of anti-inflammatory adipokines. The delicate balance among the production of pro-and anti-inflammatory molecules generated by adipose tissue affects, not only the development of metabolic complications associated with obesity, but also the onset and progression of atherosclerosis. Therefore, adipokines may be regarded as potential agents of clinical interest in the treatment of a wide range of metabolic disorders and as potential biomarkers useful for early detection of metabolic, cardiovascular and inflammatory diseases

ANALISI DEI CONSUMI DI STUPEFACENTI E POPOLAZIONE DEL SERT DI TERMINI IMERESE FINALIZZATA ALL’ATTIVAZIONE DI UN PROGETTO EDUCAZIONALE

Introduzione. In questo studio è stato preso in considerazione il consumo annuale di stupefacenti (metadone e buprenorfina) dal 2009 al 2012, da parte del Ser.T di Termini Imerese. Si è voluto indagare sulla tipologia di pazienti ambulatoriali per avviare un successivo progetto di prevenzione rivolto alle scuole. Materiali e metodi: I dati relativi ai consumi sono stati estrapolati dal programma di magazzino del polo di distribuzione di Termini Imerese, mentre i dati relativi ai pazienti sono stati ricavati dal Sistema Informativo Sanitario del Ministero della Salute consultabile dai dipendenti del Ser.T. Risultati: I consumi di metadone cloridrato flacone da 20 ml 0,1% sono progressivamente aumentati dal 2009 al 2011 subendo una contrazione nel 2012 (42.000 flaconi consegnati nel 2009, 50.000 nel 2010, 54.300 nel 2011, 48.500 nel 2012); si è registrata una riduzione dei consumi di buprenorfina probabilmente imputabile all’utilizzo iniziale della formulazione in cui non era presente l’associazione con naloxone (2.240 cpr suboxone e 3.780 cpr subutex da 2 mg fornite nel 2009, 6.370, 5.880 e 5.040 cpr di suboxone da 2 mg fornite rispettivamente nel 2010, 2011 e 2012; 3.080 suboxone e 3.360 cpr subutex da 8 mg fornite nel 2009, 6.020, 3.220 e 3.150 cpr di suboxone da 8 mg fornite rispettivamente nel 2010, 2011 e 2012). Il numero di pazienti totali si è mantenuto costante (129 pazienti/anno, valore medio dei 4 anni). La maggior parte aveva un basso livello di istruzione (il 48,8% aveva conseguito il diploma di scuola media inferiore e il 32,6% la licenza elementare). Il numero di pazienti trattati con metadone è aumentato gradualmente passando da 80 a 95 dal 2009 al 2012. Erano soprattutto uomini (94,8% maschi, 5,2% femmine), di età compresa tra i 17 e i 55 anni. Avevano fatto principalmente uso di eroina nonostante alcuni facessero contemporaneo uso di altre sostanze (cocaina, cannabinoidi, metadone, altri oppiacei). Nella maggior parte dei casi le sostanze di iniziazione sono state cannabinoidi. Conclusioni: Il problema delle tossicodipendenze è ancora oggi grave e diffuso come si evince dai consumi di stupefacenti e dall’indagine condotta al SERT. Un’efficace educazione preventiva sulla tossicodipendenza è vitale per diminuire il numero di persone che ogni anno iniziano a far uso di droghe. Sarebbe quindi auspicabile intraprendere iniziative di informazione e prevenzione rivolte ai giovani ma anche ai genitori. In quest’ottica la figura del farmacista, in quanto esperto del farmaco, dei prodotti naturali e chimici potrebbe diventare un valido strumento di informazione e conoscenza

STUDIO RETROSPETTIVO SUI CONSUMI DI SODIO OXIBATO E SULLA TIPOLOGIA DI PAZIENTI DEL SERT DI TERMINI IMERESE

In questo studio è stato preso in considerazione il consumo annuale di sodio oxibato della Farmacia Territoriale, dal 2009 al 2012, da parte del Ser.T di Termini Imerese. Si è voluto, inoltre, indagare sulla tipologia di pazienti ambulatoriali per avviare un successivo progetto di informazione e prevenzione rivolto alle scuole. Materiali e metodi: I dati relativi ai consumi sono stati estrapolati dal programma di magazzino della farmacia, mentre i dati relativi ai pazienti sono stati ricavati dal Sistema Informativo Sanitario del Ministero della Salute consultabile dai dipendenti del Ser.T. Risultati: La richiesta di sodio oxibato è cresciuta dal 2009 al 2011 per diminuire nel 2012 (60, 89, 99 e 38 flaconi consegnati rispettivamente nel 2009, 2010, 2011 e 2012). Anche il numero di pazienti è aumentato fino al 2011subendo una contrazione nel 2012 (27 pazienti nel 2009, 34 nel 2010, 38 nel 2011 e 34 nel 2012). Erano principalmente uomini (83,4% maschi; 17,6% femmine) di età superiore ai 20 anni. Di questi solo alcuni sono stati sottoposti a trattamento farmacologico (12 soggetti nel 2009, 16 nel 2010, 26 nel 2011 e 18 nel 2012) per un numero totale di 96 trattamenti. Le bevande alcoliche di uso prevalente sono risultate superalcolici e vino nel 2009 e nel 2010; nel 2011 e 2012 invece si è riscontrato un notevole aumento dei bevitori di birra. Un numero limitato di soggetti faceva uso concomitante di sostanze stupefacenti e psicotrope. Conclusioni: L’alcolismo è un problema di rilevanza sociale. Da ciò nasce l’esigenza di intraprendere campagne di informazione e prevenzione e l’età di ricovero al Ser.T superiore ai 20 anni ci indica come il target ottimale possa essere proprio quello degli adolescenti e dei loro tutori. La collaborazione tra figure professionali diverse quali il farmacista, lo psicologo, il medico, lo psichiatra, il tossicologo e il docente universitario potrebbe costituire un valido aiuto finalizzato alla prevenzione dei rischi legati all’abuso di alcool. In quest’ottica il farmacista potrebbe divenire una figura chiave nel promuovere stili di vita corretti e salutari

Study of the effects of Pleurotuseryngii var. eryngii on heat shock proteins and cytokines levels in a mouse model of colon carcinoma

Medicinal mushrooms are wonderful source of nutraceuticals with a wide range of benefit for human health. The current anti-cancer therapy is not always target specific and often is associated with complications for patients. Therefore new effective and less toxic therapeutic approaches are needed. Heat shock proteins (Hsps) are highly expressed in a variety of cancer types contributing to tumor cell propagation. Here, we treated C26 colon cancer cells with a cold-water extracts of an edible mushrooms Pleurotuseryngii var. eryngii (Pleuery). Hsp90, 70, 60 and 27 levels were measured by western blotting and immunofluorescence analysis. Moreover, we evaluated Pleueryanti cancer effect in an animal model of ectopically-implanted C26 colon carcinoma. We prepared a mixture of lyophilized Pleuery with the mice standard diet, and the animals were daily fed with ~4g of the mix, 10 days before tumor implantation and until they died to draw a survival curve. A control group of mice fed with the standard diet, was used as control. We performed immunofluorescence and western blotting analysis for Hsps in the explanted tumors. Our results, showed that the extract affected cells viability at 0.5 \ub5g/\ub5l after both at 24 and 48 hours of treatments. Western blotting analysis of the cells lysate showed no changes in the Hsps protein levels except for Hsp60 which levels decreased at 24h of treatment but increased after 48h. Pleuery in the diet significantly extended the median survival compared to untreated mice. Moreover, western blotting analysis and immunofluorescence of the allograft tumors showed the decrease of Hsp90, 70 and Hsp60 levels while Hsp27 levels increased. Finally, qRT-PCR showed the down-regulation of IL-1 and IL-6 expression levels while the expression levels of TNF\u3b1 did not changed. These results led us to suppose the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of Pleuery in vivo

Untargeted Metabolomics Used to Describe the Chemical Composition, Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Effects of Extracts from Pleurotus spp. Mycelium Grown in Different Culture Media

Pleurotus species isolated in vitro were studied to determine the effect of different media on their production of secondary metabolites, antimicrobial, and antioxidant activity. The different metabolites among Pleurotus samples covered a total of 58 pathways. Comparisons were made between the metabolic profiles of Pleurotus spp. mycelia grown in two substrates: Potato-dextroseagar-PDA, used as control (S1), and PDA enriched with 0.5 % of wheat straw (S2). The main finding was that the metabolic pathways are strongly influenced by the chemical composition of the growth substrate. The antibacterial effects were particularly evident against Escherichia coli, whereas Arthroderma curreyi (CCF 5207) and Trichophyton rubrum (CCF 4933) were the dermatophytes more sensitive to the mushroom extracts. The present study supports more in-depth investigations, aimed at evaluating the influence of growth substrate on Pleurotus spp. antimicrobial and antioxidant properties

Impact of endometriosis on obstetric outcome after natural conception: a multicenter Italian study

Purpose To evaluate obstetric outcome in women with endometriosis who conceive naturally and receive standard obstetric care in Italy. Methods Cases were consecutive women with endometriosis managed in eleven Italian referral centers. Controls were women in whom endometriosis was excluded. All women filled in a questionnaire addressing previous natural pregnancies. Marginal logistic regression models were fitted to evaluate the impact of endometriosis on obstetric outcome. A post hoc analysis was performed within the endometriosis group comparing women with severe adenomyosis versus women with absent or mild adenomyosis. Results Three hundred and fifty-five pregnancies in endometriosis group and 741 pregnancies in control group were included. Women with endometriosis had a higher risk of preterm delivery < 34 weeks (6.4% vs 2.8%, OR 2.42, 95% CI 1.22–4.82), preterm delivery < 37 weeks (17.8% vs 9.7%, OR 1.98, 95% CI 1.23–3.19), and neonatal admission to Intensive Care Unit (14.1% vs 7.0%, OR 2.04, 95% CI 1.23–3.36). At post hoc analysis, women with endometriosis and severe adenomyosis had an increased risk of placenta previa (23.1% vs 1.8%, OR 16.68, 95% CI 3.49–79.71), cesarean delivery (84.6% vs 38.9%, OR 8.03, 95% CI 1.69–38.25) and preterm delivery < 34 weeks (23.1% vs 5.7%, OR 5.52, 95% CI 1.38–22.09). Conclusion Women with endometriosis who conceive naturally have increased risk of preterm delivery and neonatal admission to intensive care unit. When severe adenomyosis is coexistent with endometriosis, women may be at increased risk of placenta previa and cesarean delivery. Trial registration Clinical trial registration number: NCT03354793