Challenging Eurocentric perceptions of mobility justice through climate diaries

“What is climate change for you?” This was the question we posed to our research participants in the city of Saint Louis, Senegal to answer visually. Given alarmist racialized portrayals of so-called ‘climate migrants’ as an invasive threat from the Global South to Global North we examined how visual methods can challenge western production of knowledge around the climate crisis. Via our methodology of ‘climate diaries’, we asked participants to share photos and perceptions of the climate crisis over a period of time through a WhatsApp group. The photos we received in response reveal the intensity of the phenomenon on their lives. A question that we, as two European academics based in Italy, may struggle to answer as a lived experience, as a concept that directly afects our everyday lives. Perhaps we may think of Venice as it sinks (Elena), or the loods in the UK (Sarah), issues which connotate a spatio-temporal distance. But a question, that, as we shall see later in this blog, for our participants is a powerful force in the here and now of their everyday lives. Yet a force that is not purely ‘natural’, but instead intertwined with structural political, economic and cultural factors that worsen the impacts of the climate crisis upon everyday lives

EXPLORING ACTIVE EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP: AN EXPERIMENTAL PROJECT OF PROMOTION AND COMMUNICATION

The European Union celebrates its thirty years anniversary in a peculiar historical moment characterized by crises and emergencies. Being able to count on an informed and active citizenship becomes increasingly necessary. Universities, schools and institutions are teaming up in order to propose projects for sharing information about and promoting the European Union involving all its citizens. Young people, in particular, are identified among the first interlocutors, to whom we entrust communication between peers, exploiting the potential of digital media. In a context often dominated by fake-news, complete and source-aware information about the European Union becomes an essential tool for citizens' empowerment. This article proposes a reflection starting from a multi-sited research conducted in the Italian cities of Bologna, Forlì and Ravenna through a project of the University of Bologna and the Emilia-Romagna Region entitled "Promoting active European citizenship in times of crisis". Through participant observation, the article reflects on the results emerged from word-cafés, workshops and meetings with citizens developed in three different territorial areas and with the involvement of three different targets: first and second grade high school students, university students and adult citizens. Article visualizations

Perceptions and Attitudes Towards the Use of Treated Wastewater in Agriculture: A Case Study from Beit Dajan Community, West Bank

The treatment of wastewater is a circular solution to both water scarcity problems in times of climate change and to avoid direct discharge of untreated wastewater in the environment. The use of treated wastewater (TWW) has been considered as the main water resource in different parts of the world, especially in semi-arid and arid contexts. Palestine is one of these contexts. Here, water stress is locally exacerbated by cultural, political and social constraints, as well as by water quality deterioration and a lack of effective water management which have heavily affected both the environment and the socio-economic development of the Beit Dajan Community, West Bank. To the aim of identifying the core issues, social implications and possible multiple-layer recommendations addressing this situated case of environmental injustice, we conducted a qualitative study under the scope of applied sociology. Moving from the hypothesis that the use of wastewater in agriculture can be hindered by misconceptions or prejudices, in this paper we explore local community’s perceptions and attitudes towards treated wastewater in Beit Dajan (West Bank). Here, besides improving local agricultural production, treated wastewater available for agriculture has the potential to minimize freshwater abstraction and, as a result, water stress. Two focus groups and six interviews conducted between November 2021 and January 2022 with a total of 36 participants let us identify three main factors that, according to Beit Dajan’s local community, still prevent TWW use from being adopted successfully: mismanagement of the treatment unit; misleading (or lack of) information; socio-cultural and religious aspects. The research’s results, however, suggest that existing obstacles are in fact already overcome in everyday production and consumption practices

Prevalence and characteristics of diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) in Italy

Purpose Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) is a benign condition characterized by ossification of the spine and prominent enthesopathies. Highly heterogeneous epidemiological figures have been reported in the literature, while in Italy the largest study has been conducted in 1992. The aim of our research is to contribute updated information about prevalence of DISH in Italy and to describe the clinical and radiographic characteristics associated with the disorder. Material and methods A retrospective review of lumbosacral spine, thoracic spine and pelvis radiographs was performed. Consecutive patients visiting the emergency department of our Institution over 3 years were enrolled. Presence of DISH was evaluated applying the Resnick and Niwayama criteria. Clinical and radiological features were also assessed. Results We included 1012 individuals (60.6% women), and DISH was present in 130 cases. The overall prevalence of DISH was 12.8% (95% CI 10.8-15.1), with higher figures in the male sample (16.8%) than in females (10.3%). In binary logistic regression adjusted for age, BMI (OR 1.50, p < 0.001) diabetes (OR 1.85, p = 0.003), hypertension (OR 2.04, p = 0.007) ischiopubic enthesopathy (OR 7.08, p < 0.001), iliac crest enthesopathy (OR 4.63, p < 0.001) and greater trochanter enthesopathy (OR 3.51, p < 0.001), were significantly associated with the condition. Conclusion The prevalence of DISH observed in our study is consistent with previous literature, and we confirm that the disorder is more frequently retrieved in men and that it is associated with the presence of metabolic disorders and pelvic enthesopathy. Knowledge about the epidemiology and characteristics of DISH is needed to properly identify the condition

Salivary psoriasin (S100A7) correlates with diffusion capacity of carbon monoxide in a large cohort of systemic sclerosis patients

Background: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune disease characterized by progressive fibrosis of the skin and the internal organs. In a previous work we suggested a correlation between levels of salivary psoriasin (S100A7) and pulmonary involvement in SSc patients. The goals of this study are to determine the distribution characteristics of psoriasin in whole saliva (WS) of SSc and healthy donor populations and define its predictive value on diffusion capacity of carbon monoxide (DLCO), along with others clinical parameters. Methods: Salivary level of psoriasin was determined by ELISA kit in 134 SSc patients, 63 Raynaud syndrome patients, 40 patients affected by other connective diseases (non-case) and 74 healthy control subjects. Results: A significant increase of salivary psoriasin was observed in SSc patients when compared with other healthy and pathological controls. Moreover, we confirmed the efficacy of salivary psoriasin to correlate with DLCO in a large cohort of SSc patients. Conclusions: Overall our results suggest a rapid, non invasive and low costing method which can help clinicians in the evaluation of SSc pulmonary involvement

A multidisciplinary approach to study a couple of monozygotic twins discordant for the chronic fatigue syndrome: a focus on potential salivary biomarkers

BACKGROUND: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is a severe, systemic illness characterized by persistent, debilitating and medically unexplained fatigue. The etiology and pathophysiology of CFS remains obscure, and diagnosis is formulated through the patient’s history and exclusion of other medical causes. Thereby, the availability of biomarkers for CFS could be useful for clinical research. In the present study, we used a proteomic approach to evaluate the global changes in the salivary profile in a couple of monozygotic twins who were discordant for CFS. The aim was to evaluate differences of salivary protein expression in the CFS patient in respect to his healthy twin. METHODS: Saliva samples were submitted to two-dimensional electrophoresis (2DE). The gels were stained with Sypro, and a comparison between CFS subject and the healthy one was performed by the software Progenesis Same Spot including the Analysis of variance (ANOVA test). The proteins spot found with a ≥2-fold spot quantity change and p<0.05 were identified by Nano-liquid chromatography electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry. To validate the expression changes found with 2DE of 5 proteins (14-3-3 protein zeta/delta, cyclophilin A, Cystatin-C, Protein S100-A7, and zinc-alpha-2-glycoprotein), we used the western blot analysis. Moreover, proteins differentially expressed were functionally analyzed using the Ingenuity Pathways Analysis software with the aim to determine the predominant canonical pathways and the interaction network involved. RESULTS: The analysis of the protein profiles allowed us to find 13 proteins with a different expression in CFS in respect to control. Nine spots were up-regulated in CFS and 4 down-regulated. These proteins belong to different functional classes, such as inflammatory response, immune system and metabolism. In particular, as shown by the pathway analysis, the network built with our proteins highlights the involvement of inflammatory response in CFS pathogenesis. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows the presence of differentially expressed proteins in the saliva of the couple of monozygotic twins discordant for CFS, probably related to the disease. Consequently, we believe the proteomic approach could be useful both to define a panel of potential diagnostic biomarkers and to shed new light on the comprehension of the pathogenetic pathways of CFS

Field-grown transgenic wheat expressing the sunflower gene HaHB4 significantly outyields the wild type

HaHB4 is a sunflower transcription factor belonging to the homeodomain-leucine zipper I family whose ectopic expression in Arabidopsis triggers drought tolerance. The use of PCR to clone the HaHB4 coding sequence for wheat transformation caused unprogrammed mutations producing subtle differences in its activation ability in yeast. Transgenic wheat plants carrying a mutated version of HaHB4 were tested in 37 field experiments. A selected transgenic line yielded 6% more (P<0.001) and had 9.4% larger water use efficiency (P<0.02) than its control across the evaluated environments. Differences in grain yield between cultivars were explained by the 8% improvement in grain number per square meter (P<0.0001), and were more pronounced in stress (16% benefit) than in non-stress conditions (3% benefit), reaching a maximum of 97% in one of the driest environments. Increased grain number per square meter of transgenic plants was accompanied by positive trends in spikelet numbers per spike, tillers per plant, and fertile florets per plant. The gene transcripts associated with abiotic stress showed that HaHB4’s action was not dependent on the response triggered either by RD19 or by DREB1a, traditional candidates related to water deficit responses. HaHB4 enabled wheat to show some of the benefits of a species highly adapted to water scarcity, especially in marginal regions characterized by frequent droughts.EEA PergaminoFil: González, Fernanda Gabriela. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Pergamino. Departamento Ecofisiología; Argentina.CONICET-UNNOBA.CITNOBA; ArgentinaFil: Capella, Matías. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas. Instituto de Agrobiotecnología del Litoral; ArgentinaFil: Ribichich, Karina Fabiana. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas. Instituto de Agrobiotecnología del Litoral; ArgentinaFil: Curín, Facundo. CONICET-UNNOBA. CITNOBA, (Pergamino); ArgentinaFil: Giacomelli, Jorge Ignacio. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas. Instituto de Agrobiotecnología del Litoral; ArgentinaFil: Ayala, Francisco. INDER/BIOCRES (Rosario); ArgentinaFil: Watson, Gerónimo. INDEAR/BIOCERES (Rosario); ArgentinaFil: Otegui, María Elena. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Pergamino. Ecofisiología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Agronomía; ArgentinaFil: Lía Chan, Raquel. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas. Instituto de Agrobiotecnología del Litoral; Argentin

Low-dose oral imatinib in the treatment of systemic sclerosis interstitial lung disease unresponsive to cyclophosphamide: a phase II pilot study

Introduction: Pulmonary involvement represents a major cause of death of systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients. Recent data suggest that tyrosine kinase inhibitors, such as imatinib, may be a therapeutic option for SSc patients. However, preliminary published clinical trials were inconclusive about imatinib efficacy and showed side effects. The purpose of this study was to verify efficacy and tolerability of low-dose imatinib on interstitial lung disease in a cohort of SSc patients unresponsive to cyclophosphamide therapy.Methods: Thirty consecutive SSc patients with active pulmonary involvement, unresponsive to cyclophosphamide, were treated with imatinib 200 mg/day for 6 months followed by a 6-month follow-up. A "good response" was defined as an increase of forced vital capacity (FVC) by more of 15% and/or increase of diffusing capacity of carbon monoxide (DLCO) &gt; 15% and PaO2 &gt; 90% of initial value and high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT)-scan pattern unchanged or improved.Results: Twenty-six patients completed the study. Three patients died and one patient was lost to follow-up. Four patients (15.32%) had a good response, 7 worsened and 15 had a stabilized lung disease. Overall, 19 (73.07%) patients had an improved or stabilized lung disease. After a 6-month follow-up, 12 (54.5%) of the 22 patients showed an improved or stabilized lung disease.Conclusions: Lung function was stabilized in a large proportion of patients unresponsive to cyclophosphamide therapy and a beneficial outcome emerged from the analysis of HRCT lung scans. There was no significant improvement of skin involvement, and the low dose was well tolerated. These data provide useful suggestions to design future randomized clinical trials for SSc therapeutics