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The aim of this research was to highlight the impact of urbanization and agriculture on soil quality, mainly by focusing on heavy metal accumulation (Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn) in the fragile riparian ecosystems of the Medjerda river (Souk-Ahras, Algeria). This study was performed in three cultivated soils (0-10, 10-20, 20-60 cm depth) along an increasing gradient of anthropogenic pressure in non-urban (NU), peri-urban (PU) and urban areas (U). Geo-accumulation index (Igeo), Enrichment factor (EF), Pollution load index (PLI) and Potential ecological risk index (RI) were calculated, as well as the potential non-carcinogenic risk for humans (HI). Additionally, to corroborate the role of Bufo spinosus D. as biosentinel, a skin biopsy was performed to quantify the concentration of heavy metals in both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. The results showed that when compared to NU, U and PU areas were richer in heavy metals. In particular, Igeo-Cd displayed strongly contaminated soil in U (> 3), EF showed high enrichment of heavy metals (> 2) for all the soils except for Ni, PLI presented no contamination for all (< 1) while RI was significantly higher in U (> 300), denoting a strong impact of heavy metals on soil quality. However, HI was below 1 for all the studied areas, although the highest values were related to U and PU. The skin biopsy showed the highest values for Cu, Fe and Pb in PU (0.328, 0.713 and 0.524 mg kg-1, respectively) similarly to trends observed in the soil of that area. This study shed light on the rising pollution of heavy metals due to urbanization and agricultural input in these fragile ecosystems where Bufo spinosus D. plays the role of potential bio-indicator for environmental pollution.

The combined action of alien plants invasion and fire occurrence can strongly alter local biodiversity and soil functions especially in the Mediterranean area. In this context, the goal of the study was to assess the effects of the invasive black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) spread on soil characteristics, especially soil microbial community responses, in some Mediterranean shrublands and pine forests subjected to both a slow natural invasion and a fast fire-induced invasion. The soil sampled in all stands, regardless type of black locust invasion, showed increasing values of pH, water holding capacity and bulk density as compared to soil of pure shrublands and pine forests. Soil organic matter content approximately doubled in stands invaded by black locust trees (from 4.3 and 9.0 % in shrublands and from 5.3 and 14.5 % in pine forests after fire respectively). A similar trend was observed for the soil nitrogen content with values of 2.9 and 8.2 mg g−1 in pure and invaded shrublands after fire respectively and values of 3.8 and 5.4 mg g−1 in pure and invaded pine after fire. Moreover, the combined effect of black locust invasion and fire occurrence improved soil content and availability of the investigated elements (Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na). In addition, the invasion seemed to stimulate microbial growth, by promoting especially the bacterial component regardless of the plant cover and fire occurrence. A significant decrease of microbial respiration was observed only in invaded pine forests (0.18 mg CO2 g−1 d-1) as compared to pure forests (0.32 mg CO2 g−1 d-1). On the other hand, in all invaded shrublands a reduced efficiency of carbon resource utilisation and a high stress condition of the microbial community were evident. However, the combined impact of black locust invasion and fire occurrence does not show specific changes in the investigated stands. Fire confirms and, sometimes, promotes the changes due to the spread of black locust in both shrublands and pine forests soils.

Polymeric micelles (PMs) are promising platforms for enhanced tissue targeting of entrapped therapeutic agents. Strategies to circumvent premature release of entrapped drugs include cross-linking of the micellar core as well as covalent attachment of the drug cargo. The chemistry employed to obtain cross-linked micelles needs to be mild to also allow entrapment of fragile molecules, such as certain peptides, proteins, oligonucleotides, and fluorescent dyes. Native chemical ligation (NCL) is a mild bio-orthogonal reaction between a

Soil erosion is one of the main environmental problems in the Mediterranean area. This problem is becoming even more important especially in Italy, in the Apennines, where severe erosive processes occur due to the action of concentrated running water. The erodibility (K-Factor) of a soil, estimated using the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE), is a measure of its susceptibility to erosion and depends on several soil properties such as organic matter, texture and permeability and structure. To assess the spatial variability of soil properties and soil erodibility in hilly agricultural areas and to investigate the relationships between soil features and landscape morphodynamics, a detailed study in Molise region (southern Italy), in a small drainange basin located along its hilly Adriatic flank, was carried out. In this catchment, 63 topsoil samples (A horizons) were collected and 10 soil profiles, forming a catena crossing 3 land units, were sampled. The calculated K-Factors ranges between 0.012 and 0.048 t ha h ha−1 MJ−1 mm−1 indicating a complex spatial distribution, due to the several local pedological and geomorphological factors affecting soil erodibility. The results give clear evidence about the relationships among soil characteristics, soil erodibility and landscape morpho-dynamics (land units). Comparing the soil loss rates estimated for the study area with those reported in literature, a good correspondence can be observed only for the more stable land unit, not characterized by intense erosive processes. The proposed methodology is suitable to highlight areas characterized by similar morphodynamics features, and comparable soil erodibility, for a more effective spatialization of K factor.

Goethite, hematite, ferrihydrite, and other iron oxides bind through various sorption reactions with humic substances (HS) in soils creating nano-, micro-, and macro-aggregates with a specific nature and stability. Long residence times of soil organic matter (SOM) have been attributed to iron-humic substance (Fe-HS) complexes due to physical protection and chemical stabilization at the organic-mineral interface. Humic acids (HA) and fulvic acids (FA) contain many acidic functional groups that interact with Fe oxides through different mechanisms. Due to the numerous interactions between mineral Fe and natural SOM, much research has led into a better identification and definition of HS. In this review, we first focus on the surface colloidal properties of Fe oxides and their reactivity toward HS. These minerals can be efficiently identified by usual techniques, such as XRD, FTIR spectroscopy, XAS, Mössbauer, diffuse reflectance spectroscopies (DRS), HRTEM, ATM, NanoSIMS. Second, we present the recent state of art regarding the adsorption/precipitation of HS onto iron mineral surfaces and their effects on binding metalloid and trace elements. Finally, we consider future research directions based on recent scientific literature, with particular focus on the ability of Fe nano-particles to increase Fe bioavailability, improve carbon sequestration, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and decrease the impact of persistent organic and inorganic pollutants. The methodology in this field has rapidly developed over the last decade. However, new procedures to estimate the nature of Fe-HA bonds will be important contributions in clarifying the role of natural iron oxides in soil for carbon stabilization.

Soil biological properties and carbon storage of three young Technosols deriving from volcanic soil of Campi Flegrei, Italy, were compared with two natural volcanic soils, sampled from two forest ecosystem sites (chestnut and Mediterranean maquis). The soil properties were examined with Vis-NIR spectroscopy and portable XRF, along the soil profile. The results showed that the average soil organic matter (SOM) amount in Technosols profiles were lower than in natural volcanic soils. The differences in SOM content between the two investigated natural volcanic soils probably resulted from their land-use histories and different plant cover. Indeed, the chestnut soil profile, which has a higher SOM content, was covered by an old chestnut grove, while the second soil profile, after a severe burning, showed a change in natural Oak forest vegetation towards the typical Mediterranean maquis. The microbial biomass can be predicted with Vis-NIR spectroscopy coupled with PLS Regression. Our results showed that 6-year natural incorporation of organic residue in Technosols significantly increased the C storage on the top soils due to the increase in C input with rhizodeposition. The forest soils show higher TOC content also with the depth that indicate a greater capacity of C storage in response to litter incorporation, whereas the Technosols accumulated about half the amount of TOC, compared to the chestnut grove. Indeed, after six years of natural vegetation, the Technosols showed a large potential to sequester C and to sustain biological activity. Overall, the emerging knowledge on technosols make them highly promising for the regeneration of urban area.

The assessment of Technosols quality in urban environments is pivotal for the maintenance of ecosystems impacted by human activities. The study was performed on Technosols constructed in experimental mesocosms in the suburban area of Naples (Southern Italy) to highlight changes in the main soil properties over eight years and to identify the most suitable indices at quality monitoring. In this study, several chemical, biological, and integrated indices were analysed to evaluate the mineral accumulation, potential ecological risk, edaphon activity, fertility, and the overall soil quality. The Technosols showed alkaline pH, nitrogen ranged from 24.5 to 39.5 g kg−1, high organic matter contents above 40 g kg−1, and there were no evident processes of soil compaction. Heavy metals (Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn) did not exceed the thresholds defined by the Italian law for urban soils, despite their volcanic components. During eight years, the chemical indices depicted changes in the elements balance and increase in ecological risk, the biological indices indicated a reduction in the fungal fraction (fivefold) and in the resources utilisation and carbon storage. The soil quality index with all parameters highlighted the reduction in the soil quality (from 0.78 to 0.65) due to the decrease of the chemical quality, the increase of microbial stress conditions, and changes of the microbial composition, underlining the importance of integrating chemical and biological information for monitoring Technosols.

An integrated characterization of physical, chemical, biochemical and microbiological properties of litter fractions (litter, fragmented and humified), corresponding at three decomposition phases, has been conducted in a degraded pine forest. Litter fractions were characterized in terms of C and N content, microbial communities’ structure, enzyme activities and optical properties. The objective of this approach was to give an insight of actors and mechanisms operating during decomposition process, evaluating the relationships between litter pools (organic matter and microbial communities) and activities (respiration and enzymes). The effect of different thinning treatments (traditional and selective) on litter biomass and respiration was also investigated for 2 years, to identify forest management practices aiming at increase C storage and mitigate climate change. The litter fractions showed well-distinct chemical composition, with a decrease in carbon and an increase in nitrogen as decomposition advanced. Parallelly, an increase in fungal richness and diversity, and related enzyme activities, was observed. Bacteria were similar in the three fractions but seemed to have a role in the early phase of cellulose and hemicellulose decomposition. Thinning induced a short-term increase in litter input to soil, which disappeared after the first year until determining a general decrease in litter biomass, stronger with selective thinning. Further, in the warmer months of the second year after thinning litter respiration showed an increasing trend. Overall, positive effects of thinning on C storage were evident in the short term, followed by a decrease in litter pool driven by higher litter respiration.

In soil, iron (Fe) solubility depends on complex interactions between Fe minerals and organic matter, but very little is known about plant availability of Fe present in Fe oxides associated with humic substances. For this purpose, this study investigates the effect of Fe mineral crystallinity in the presence of humic acids (HA) on Fe availability to plants. Four Fe–HA mineral coprecipitates were prepared, either in the presence or absence of oxygen, i.e., two goethite (G)‐HA samples containing large amounts of Fe as nanocrystalline goethite and ferrihydrite mixed phases, and two magnetite (M)‐HA samples containing crystalline magnetite. Bioavailability studies were conducted in hydroponic systems on cucumber plants (Cucumis sativus L.) grown under Fe deficient conditions and supplied with the Fe–HA coprecipitates containing goethite or magnetite. Results showed that plants grown in the presence of Fe–HA coprecipitates exhibited a complete recovery from Fe deficiency, albeit less efficiently than plants resupplied with Fe‐chelate fertilizer used as control (Fe‐diethylene triamine penta acetic acid, Fe‐DTPA). However, the supply with either G‐ or M–HA coprecipitates produced different effects on plants: G–HA‐treated plants showed a higher Fe content in leaves, while M–HA‐treated plants displayed a higher leaf biomass and SPAD (Soil–Plant Analysis Development) index recovery, as compared to Fe‐DTPA. The distribution of macronutrients in the leaves, as imaged by micro X‐ray fluorescence (µXRF) spectroscopy, was different in G–HA and M–HA‐treated plants. In particular, plants supplied with the poorly crystalline G–HA coprecipitate with a lower Fe/HA ratio showed features more similar to those of fully recovered plants (supplied with Fe‐DTPA). These results highlight the importance of mineral crystallinity of Fe–HA coprecipitates on Fe bioavailability and Fe uptake in hydroponic experiments. In addition, the present data demonstrate that cucumber plants can efficiently mobilize Fe, even from goethite and ferrihydrite mixed phases and magnetite, which are usually considered unavailable for plant nutrition.

Background CriPec technology enables the generation of drug-entrapped biodegradable core-crosslinked polymeric micelles (CCPM) with high drug loading capacity, tailorable size, and drug release kinetics. Docetaxel (DTX)-entrapped CCPM, also referred to as CPC634, have demonstrated favorable pharmacokinetics, tolerability, and enhanced tumor uptake in patients. Clinical efficacy evaluation is ongoing. CPC634 is currently stored (shelf life > 5 years) and shipped as a frozen aqueous dispersion at temperatures below -60°C, in order to prevent premature release of DTX and hydrolysis of the core-crosslinks. Consequently, like other aqueous nanomedicine formulations, CPC634 relies on cold chain supply, which is unfavorable for commercialization. Lyophilization can help to bypass this issue. Methods and results Freeze-drying methodology for CCPM was developed by employing CPC634 as a model formulation, and sucrose and trehalose as cryoprotectants. We studied the residual moisture content and reconstitution behavior of the CPC634 freeze-dried cake, as well as the size, polydispersity index, morphology, drug retention, and release kinetics of reconstituted CPC634. Subsequently, the freeze-drying methodology was validated in an industrial setting, yielding a CPC634 freeze-dried cake with a moisture content of less than 0.1 wt%. It was found that trehalose-cryoprotected CPC634 could be rapidly reconstituted in less than 5 min at room temperature. Critical quality attributes such as size, morphology, drug retention, and release kinetics of trehalose-cryoprotected freeze-dried CPC634 upon reconstitution were identical to those of non-freeze-dried CPC634. Conclusion Our findings provide proof-of-concept for the lyophilization of drug-containing CCPM and our methodology is readily translatable to large-scale manufacturing for future commercialization.

The successful use of visible and near-infrared (Vis-NIR) reflectance spectroscopy analysis requires selecting an optimal procedure of data acquisition and an accurate modeling approach. In this study, Vis-NIR with 350–2500 nm wavelengths were applied to detect different forms of lead (Pb) through the spectrally active soil constituents combining principal component regression (PCR) and Partial least-square regression (PLSR) for the Vis-NIR model calibration. Three clouds with different soil spectral properties were divided by the Linear discriminant analysis (LDA) in categories of Pb contamination risks: “low,” “health,” “ecological,” ranging from 200 to 750 mg kg−1. Farm soils were used for calibration (n = 26), and more polluted garden soils (n = 36) from New York City were used for validation. Total and bioaccessible Pb concentrations were examined with PLSR models and compared with Support Vector Machine (SVM) Regression and Boosting Regression Tree (BRT) models. Performances of all models' predictions were qualitatively evaluated by the Root Mean Square Error (RMSE), Residual Prediction Deviation (RPD), and coefficient of determination (R2). For total Pb, the best predictive models were obtained with BRT (R2 = 0.82 and RMSE 341.80 mg kg−1) followed by SVM (validation, R2 = 0.77 and RMSE 337.96 mg kg−1), and lastly by PLSR (validation, R2 = 0.74 and RMSE 499.04 mg kg−1). The PLSR technique is the most accurate calibration model for bioaccessible Pb with an R2 value of 0.91 and RMSE of 68.27 mg kg−1. The regression analysis indicated that bioaccessible Pb is strongly influenced by organic content, and to a lesser extent, by Fe concentrations. Although PLSR obtained lower accuracy, the model selected many characteristic bands and, thus, provided accurate approach for Pb pollution monitoring.

In marginal rural areas, intensification and mechanization of agriculture have determined changes in farming systems, which can increase soil erosion and reduce soil quality and carbon stock. Low input farming systems are alternative to conventional ones. The study aims to gain some insights in the composition of TOC in calcaric soils (Leptic Calcisols) and (Luvic Phaezem) using Vis-NIR reflectance spectroscopy in combination with partial least squares regression (PLSR). Secondary objectives were defining the most appropriate pre-processing techniques of Vis-NIR reflectance spectra, and predicting TOC in calcaric soils. The study area was located at Montecorvino Rovella (Salerno, southwestern Italy), characterized by an olive grove. Univariate PLSR analyses were performed using as response variables either TOC or total carbonate content and as predictors pH, electrical conductivity (EC) and absorbance spectra. The best results were obtained using as spectral data pre-treatments standard normal variate and Savitzky-Golay polynomials with the first derivative. Variable Importance for Prediction (VIP) statistics showed to be a good tool to gain insights in TOC composition also when its content is low and influenced by carbonate.

Aim: We aimed to investigate the effectiveness of traction therapy in reducing pain by performing a systematic review with meta-analysis. We also explore the best modality for administering traction to patients with cervical radicular syndrome (CRS). Methods: We searched the Medline, Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro), Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) electronic databases. Two reviewers independently selected randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared traction in addition to other treatments versus the effectiveness of other treatments alone for pain outcome. We calculated the mean differences (MDs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). We used Cochrane’s tool to assess risk of bias and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) system to evaluate the quality of evidence and summarize the study conclusions. Results: A total of seven studies (589 patients), one with low risk of bias, were evaluated. An overall estimate of treatment modalities showed low evidence that adding traction to other treatments is statistically significant (MD −5.93 [95% CI, −11.81 to −0.04] P = 0.05 and I2 = 57%) compared to other treatments alone. The subgroup analyses were still statistically significant only for mechanical and continuous modalities. Conclusions: Overall analysis showed that, compared to controls, reduction in pain intensity after traction therapy was achieved in patients with cervical radiculopathy. However, the quality of evidence was generally low and none of these effects were clinically meaningful.

Minimizing nitrification of fertilizer ammonium (NH4+) can reduce nitrate (NO3−) contamination of groundwater and increase nitrogen (N) use efficiency (NUE). Olive mill wastewater (OMW), hydroalcoholic extracts of Mentha piperita L. (Mp) and Artemisia annua L. (Aa), and synthetic nitrification inhibitor (NI) dicyandiamide (DCD) were investigated. All NIs reduced activity of nitrifying bacteria and NO3− leached and increased efficiency of N metabolism of celery (Apium graveolens L.) during 56 days in a soil mixture fertilized with ammonium sulfate [(NH4)2SO4]. Soil NO3− leaching losses of DCD, OMW, Mp, and Aa treatments were 24%, 26%, 67%, and 78% of the untreated control loss, respectively, at 35 and 56 days after planting (DAP). Decreased nitrification by NIs resulted in greater concentrations of soil NH4+ correlated with less nitrate reductase (NR) activity in roots and leaves and less soil acidification compared to the control. At 35 and 56 DAP, DCD and OMW treatments decreased NR and increased glutamine synthetase activities in leaves and roots, compared to the control. NIs increased leaf and root protein and amino acids. OMW significantly decreased leaching loss of NO3− to 10% of fertilizer N applied to the soil, compared to 38% of applied NH4+-N leached from the control. OMW proved an effective alternative to DCD to improve NUE of NH4+-fertilizers.

Lenticular, ellipsoidal and flat tubular hematite particles were precipitated from ferric nitrate solutions in presence of minor amounts of Al, Si, Mg and organic acids (oxalic, citric and tartaric). Particle shape identification was performed using Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). Arsenate adsorption onto hematite with different morphologies was studied in batch experiments and through vibrational spectroscopy. Three bands assigned to As(V)–O–Fe at, respectively, 920, 895 and 820 cm−1 were in agreement with sorption data indicating inner-sphere complexes. As(V) adsorption kinetics was well described by a general model for diffusion into microporous surface sites showing large difference among the studied hematite samples. The maximum As(V) adsorption occurred near pH 4.0 while at alkaline pH there was a significant decrease of adsorption as confirmed by the shift of infrared As–O stretching bands of arsenate group. A change from tetrahedral Td symmetry to more stable symmetric groups such as C3v (monodentate complex), C2v (bidentate binuclear) or C1v (edge-sharing, bidentate binuclear) was deduced for As(V) sorbed on hematite. Fast arsenate adsorption was higher on ellipsoidal hematite particle with a dominant non basal (1 1 0) face. On the contrary, electrostatic attraction interaction could explain the fast As(V) adsorption on platy morphology characterized by basal face (0 0 1). Despite the discrepancy between theoretical considerations and experimental observations, the present contribution could lead to better understanding of the role played by hematite morphology on surface complexation model to describe arsenic adsorption behavior. Diffusional mass transport models applied to As sorption systems can explain such divergence due to: (i) external mass transport across the boundary layer surrounding the particle; (ii) diffusional mass transfer within the internal structure of the adsorbent particle by a nanopore, (iii) heterogeneity of the surface site. These findings are relevant to understanding the rates of interfacial processes involving arsenate sorption that can be take into account in mass transport models used for the removal of arsenic from contaminated water or wastewaters.

Specific therapeutic targeting of kidney podocytes, the highly differentiated ramified glomerular cells involved in the onset and/or progression of proteinuric diseases, could become the optimal strategy for preventing chronic kidney disease. With this aim, we developed a library of engineered polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) of tuneable size and surface properties and evaluated their interaction with podocytes. NP cytotoxicity, uptake, and cytoskeletal effects on podocytes were first assessed. On the basis of these data, nanodelivery of dexamethasone loaded into selected biocompatible NPs was successful in repairing damaged podocytes. Finally, a three-dimensional in vitro system of co-culture of endothelial cells and podocytes was exploited as a new tool for mimicking the mechanisms of NP interaction with glomerular cells and the repair of the kidney filtration barrier., ACS Omega, 2 (2), ISSN:2470-1343

Technosols are composed of natural soils mixed with artificial materials and can be an inhospitable environment for the soil microbial community. The main goal of the current research was to evaluate temporal variations of Technosol quality through an integrated approach, considering all of the evaluated chemical, physical and biological characteristics for a period of seven years after a single application of compost. The soil samples were evaluated using the following parameters: pH; water content; water holding capacity; bulk density; porosity; organic matter and N contents; C/N ratio; fungal biomass; microbial biomass; respiration; metabolic quotient (qCO2); and endogenous mineralisation coefficient (CEM). The overall evaluation showed that a single application of compost improved the soil quality in the short term. A decrease in Technosol quality over the long term appears to be due to deterioration of the physical and chemical properties, rather than a change in biological properties.

Magnetite nanoparticles (NPs) were synthetized by partial oxidation of hot Fe(II) sulfate aqueous solutions upon addition of variable amounts of alkali/nitrate ions in a N2 atmosphere. The resulting NPs were extensively characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-Ray Powder Diffraction (XRPD), Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analysis. Depending on the final pH after synthesis, partially oxidized magnetite NPs were obtained with average crystallite size ranging from 29 to 116 nm. The potential of NPs as arsenic adsorbents was investigated through batch adsorption experiments. The analysis of the adsorption isotherms performed on the basis of both Freundlich and Langmuir models, revealed that arsenic adsorption capacity was more efficient for magnetite NPs synthetized at final pH ≤ 6.56, characterized by polydisperse submicrometric aggregates with coarse macro- and mesopore distributions.

Objectives: As the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic continues, people with cystic fibrosis (CF) have been identified as being a vulnerable group. It is essential that people with CF, their families and their clinical teams have the most up-to-date information on the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on their health. This study aims to characterise the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection in people with CF throughout 2020, identify factors that predict clinical progression of COVID-19, and to describe medium-term follow-up of people who have been infected. Methods: The ‘Cystic Fibrosis Registry Global Harmonization Group’ is a worldwide network of CF Registries that each contributed data on people with CF diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 infection. In this analysis, we will report on cases contributed from 22 countries diagnosed between 1st February and 13th December 2020. We will present demographic, pre-infection clinical characteristics, symptoms, infection management and outcomes. We will use multivariable logistic regression to assess predictors for hospitalisation with respiratory support and intensive care admission as the outcomes of interest representing clinical progression of COVID-19. Descriptive analysis of medium-term follow-up BMI and FEV1% predicted values will also be undertaken. Results: Results pending. Expected cohort size >1,000, including the 181 previously reported in our paper “The global impact of SARS-CoV-2 in 181 people with cystic fibrosis.” Conclusion: It is expected that the findings of this study will have important implications for shielding advice, clinical care and vaccine prioritisation for people with CF.

Background: Patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) are at high risk of developing severe forms of viral respiratory infections. This study aimed at comparing symptoms and clinical course of SARS-CoV2 infection with other respiratory infections in patients with CF. Methods: We carried out a prospective multicentre cohort study within the Italian CF Society involving 32 CF centres following 6,597 patients. CF centres were contacted to collect baseline and follow-up data of all patients who had reported symptoms suggestive of COVID-19 or who had had contact with a positive/suspected case between the end of February and July 2020. Symptoms and clinical course of the infection were compared between patients who tested positive by molecular testing (cases) and those who tested negative (controls). Results: Thirty patients were reported from the centres, 16 of whom tested positive and 14 negative. Fever, cough, asthenia and dyspnea were the most frequently reported symptoms and their frequency were not significant different between groups. Eight cases (50%) were hospitalised but none required ICU admission. Two adults with a history of lung transplant required non-invasive ventilation;none required ICU admission. All patients fully recovered without short-term sequelae. Changes in FEV1 (percent of predicted) after recovery were not significantly different between groups (median, interquartile range: 3.0%, –1.5, 5.5 among cases and –3.0%, –8.5, 6.3 among controls, P = 0.48). Conclusions: Symptoms and clinical course of SARS-CoV-2 infection in our patients was not significantly different from other respiratory infections. The clinical course of COVID-19 was relatively favourable, however CF patients with severely impaired respiratory function and organ transplant may develop complications and a negative outcome. The study is ongoing, and we are recruiting patients during the second wave of the pandemic.

The aim of this paper is to enrich our knowledge of an important paleosol succession located in Bojano basin of the southern Apennines (Italy), with new pedological, geochemical and magnetic data. The studied area consists of alluvial and fluvial-lacustrine sequences (>160 m) dating from the Middle Pleistocene (0.5 Ma). The study area shows the presence of recent soil consisting of well-developed Andosols (RS), and several clastic sedimentary levels alternating with four layers (Solum I, II, III and IV) of paleosols. Soil and paleosols were analyzed by laser grain size distribution (GSD), diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), trace elements, and magnetic properties in order to evaluate the relative contributions of pedogenic and detrital components. Results showed that the finest pedogenic ferrimagnetic grains exhibit two trends with respect to the degree of pedogenesis indicate two different pedoclimate formations. The paleosol sequence consists of highly-weathered Vertisols (Solum I and IV) and of less weathered Entisols (Solum II, III). The recent soil (Andosol) has a strong bimodal distribution formed mostly by coarse silt-size particles related to the volcanic parent material. Solum I showed a sharp unimodal clay GSD while Solum III and IV were composed of bimodal GSD with high percentages of fine silt-size particles. On the basis of the trace element content and Gt/χ fd ratio, all Solum (I, II, III, IV) exhibited low weathering pedogenesis compared with RS and negligible contribution to the magnetic properties of the coarse fractions. This occurs in Vertisols which developed under humid temperate climates (Solum I and SIV) and formed below the layer of Neapolitan Yellow Tuff, developed after 12–15 ka BP. In Solum, II, III the finest sedimentary levels, the low rate of pedogenesis could have developed under more cold climatic conditions after the last eruption (Campanian Ignimbrite, 39 ka) in the Late Pleistocene.

Olive mill wastewaters (OMW) detain contain significant levels of phenolic compounds with antimicrobial/phytotoxic activity and high amounts of undecomposed organic matter that may a high pollutant load that exerts negative effects on soil biology because of significant levels in phenolic compounds with antimicrobial/phytotoxic activity and limited biodegradability, and high amounts of undecomposed organic matter. Among OMW detoxification techniques, those focusing on oxidative degradation of phenolic compounds are relevant those focusing on oxidative degradation of phenolic compounds to reduce their toxicity. The composting (bio-oxidation) process in particular, exploits exothermic oxidation reactions of by microorganisms to transform the organic matrix of OMW into an amendment biologically stable and feasible to use in agriculture. This process consists of an active phase, during which decomposition of organic compounds is rapidare rapidly decomposed, and a curing phase characterized by a slower decompositionbreakdown rate of the remaining materials, with the formation of humic substances (HS) as by-products. In this study, bio-oxidation of OMW was performed using a pre-treated organic material derived from municipal solid waste (MSW). The obtained amendment (OMWF) was stable and in accordance with the legislative parameters of mixed organic amendments. HS were then extracted from OMWF and MSW (control amendment, Amd-C, control), and, differences in structural and the properties of their humic acid (HA) fraction were investigated highlighted via spectroscopy (Fourier Transform Infrared FT-IR and RAMAN) spectroscopies, and Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS). To assay a potential use of HA as biostimulants fro for crops, 12-day old Zea Mays L. plants were supplied with individual HA at 0.5 mg and 1 mg C L-1 for two days. In general, HA from both amendments increased plant growth, with but HA from OMWF was being more effective at both dosages (plus 35-37%). Also, HA from OMWF enhanced both nitrogen assimilation and glycolysis by increasing the activity of nitrate reductase (~1.8-1.9 folds)(NR), phosphoglucose isomerase (PGI) (~1.8-2 folds) and pyruvate kinase (PK) (~1.5-1.8 folds), while HA from Amd-C targeted glycolysis preferentially. HA from OMWF however, significantly stimulated plant nutrition only only at lower dosage, perhaps because certain undetermined compounds in from detoxified OMW and incorporated in HA altered

The iron (Fe) oxide particles affect a wide range of important environmental processes related to soil fertility and plant growth. They often occur as aggregates, mineral nanoparticles or as nanoscale coatings on other grains in the soil, where they may also control the fate and transport of nutrients such as phosphate, sulfate, molybdate and pollutants (arsenic or chromium). Solubilization of Fe from minerals control iron availability for plant growth; this process is regulated by chemical mechanisms (pH and dissolution-precipitation), sometimes mediated by biological interactions at rhizosphere scale, of both Fe crystalline and poorly ordered Fe oxide minerals. In cold and temperate climate the organic carbon storage and the Fe minerals are highly correlated, possibly because the interactions of nano-size iron oxide particles with humic substances. The aims of this review are to summarize the main findings and the classical iron soil chemistry and to propose chemical and biological relationships with the hope of stimulating new model in soil fertility.

An optimal drug delivery system should be characterized by biocompatibility, biodegradability, high drug loading and favorable drug release profile. To achieve this goal a hydrazone linked doxorubicin-poly(lactic acid) prodrug (PLA-DOX) was synthesized by the functionalization of a short polymer chain produced by ring opening polymerization. The hydrophobic prodrug generated in this way was nanoprecipitated using a block copolymer to form polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) with a quantitative loading efficiency and a high and tunable drug loading. The effects of the concentration of the PLA-DOX prodrug and surfactant were studied by dynamic light scattering showing a range of NP size between 50 and 90 nm and monodispersed size distributions with polydispersity indexes lower then 0.27 up to a maximum DOX concentration of 27% w/w. The release profile of DOX from these NPs, tested at different pH conditions, showed a higher release rate in acidic conditions, consistent with the nature of the hydrazone bond which was used to conjugate the drug to the polymer. In vitro cytotoxicity studies performed on BV2 microglia-like cell line highlighted a specific cytotoxic effect of these NPs suggesting the maintenance of the drug efficacy and a modified release profile upon encapsulation of DOX in the NPs.

Soil spectroscopy can provide low-cost and high- density data for predicting various soil properties. However, a relatively weak correlation between the spectra and the measurements of salinized soil properties makes spectroscopy difficult to use in salinity assessment, especially for low and moderately saline soils. The main objective of the study was to propose an approach based on Vis-NIR spectroscopy and geostatistics for mapping soil salinity in the Neretva river valley (Croatia). An effective spectral index (SI), which synthesizes some of saline soil properties, was defined and used as a covariate in ordinary cokriging (COK) for improving electrical conductivity (ECe) estimation. The proposed approach was compared with a univariate estimator (ordinary kriging, OK), which uses only ECe data and a multivariate estimator (ordinary cokriging, COK) using some chemical properties of primary importance in salt affected soils (Ca++, Mg++, Na+, SO4–, Cl- concentrations and pH) as covariates . The study was carried out in an agricultural area (5068 ha) located in the Neretva River valley (Croatia). Topsoil (0-30 cm) samples were collected at 245 locations with a grid (500 m x 500 m) sampling scheme and analyzed for some chemical and physical properties. Moreover, soil samples were used for visible and near red (Vis- NIR) spectra measurements with a range of wavelength between 350 and 2500 nm. The spectral data were preprocessed and ECe was estimated by partial least squares regression (PLSR). The first significant latent variable that accounted for 85% of the total variance was selected and used as a SI to quantify and map spatial variation of soil salinity. The univariate and multivariate geostatistical approaches provided results and performances quite similar. Regarding the two multivariate approaches, the one using the spectral index has provided better results in terms of unbiasedness and accuracy. The spectral index SI, besides providing accurate estimates of ECe, is also very cost-effective and it would then make possible broad-scale surveys for soil salinity assessment at landscape scale.

Resumen Introducción y Objetivo La proyección de la punta nasal, así como su posición con respecto al dorso y al labio superior, varían con frecuencia en el postoperatorio de una rinoplastia. Esta variación depende de múltiples factores condicionados por la técnica quirúrgica, así como de factores individuales. El objetivo del presente estudio es demostrar que el injerto de cartílago autólogo extensor septal caudal permite predecir con mayor exactitud la posición y proyección definitiva de la punta nasal. Material y Método Estudiamos prospectivamente 40 pacientes a los que se realizó rinoplastia abierta utilizando un injerto de cartílago autólogo extensor caudal septal. Hicimos mediciones en las fotografías de perfil pre y post-operatorias a lo largo de 1 año. Resultados Las proporciones nasales medidas con el Índice de Goode (valor normal: 0.55-0.6) pasaron de 0.54 a 0.56 al mes de postoperatorio (p=0.005). En el grupo con desproporción nasal se incrementó de 0.51 a 0.54 (p=0.001) y luego se estabilizó en 0.53 (p=0.021). La proyección de la punta aumentó al mes un 4.8% (1.2 mm) y en el grupo con desproporción nasal aumentó un 5.75% (1.4 mm) y se mantuvo significativamente durante 1 año (p=0.039). En pacientes con ángulo naso-labial

Soil spectroscopy can provide low-cost and high-density data for predicting various soil properties. However, a relatively weak correlation between the spectra and the measurements of salinized soil makes spectroscopy difficult to use in predicting areas at risk of salinization, especially for low and moderately saline soils. The main objective of the study was to propose an effective approach based on Vis-NIR spectroscopy and geostatistics for mapping soil salinity in the Neretva River valley (Croatia). A spectral index (SI), which synthesizes most of salt affected soil properties, was defined and used as covariate in ordinary cokriging (COK) for improving electrical conductivity (EC e ) prediction. The proposed approach was compared with a univariate predictor (ordinary kriging, OK), which uses only EC e data and a multivariate predictor (ordinary cokriging, COK) using more covariates such as some chemical properties of primary importance in salt affected soils (Ca 2+ , Mg 2+ , Na + , SO 4 2− , Cl − concentrations and pH). The study was carried out in an agricultural area (5068 ha) located in the Neretva River valley (Croatia). Topsoil (0–30 cm) samples were collected at 246 locations with a grid (500 m × 500 m) sampling scheme and analyzed for some chemical and physical properties. Moreover, soil samples were used for visible and near infrared (Vis-NIR) spectra measurements with a range of wavelength between 350 and 2500 nm. The spectral data were pre-processed and EC e was predicted with partial least squares regression (PLSR). The first significant latent variable, which accounted for 85% of the total variance, was selected and used as a SI to quantify and map spatial variation of soil salinity. The univariate and multivariate geostatistical approaches provided results and performances quite similar. Regarding the two multivariate approaches, the one using only the spectral index as covariate has provided better results in terms of unbiasedness and accuracy. Moreover, the spectral index SI is also very cost-effective and it could then be used in possible broad-scale surveys for preventing soil salinity at landscape scale.

The production of porous clusters by controlled aggregation of polyacrylonitrile nanoparticles and thermal treatment and their application to CO2 capture were explored. The synthesis of the primary particles by emulsion polymerization showed good reproducibility and easy scale up. The following gelation of the produced latexes (controlled destabilization by salt addition) resulted in the formation of macroporous monoliths of nanoparticles with mean pore diameter of 100 nm. A carefully assessed thermal treatment was then applied to the dried monolith after grinding. The produced porous clusters were processed through three high-temperature steps: oxidation, stabilization and pyrolysis. The latter permits the creation of micropores in the initially non-porous nanoparticles, thus enabling the access to the remaining nitrogen-bearing species present in the pyrolyzed polymer. The relative contributions of the remaining nitrogen-bearing species and of the micropores were elucidated by applying different oxidation temperatures. In particular, the fraction of the pores with diameter smaller than 0.7 nm was decisive to determine the final capture ability. After a treatment including oxidation at 240 °C, stabilization at 350 °C and pyrolysis at 900 °C, the best reported material showed an average CO2 adsorption capacity of 3.56 ± 0.17 mol(CO2)/kg at 0 °C and 1 atm.

El objetivo del presente trabajo es estudiar las técnicas quirúrgicas en mamoplastia de aumento y los tipos de prótesis (material, superficie, volumen) empleadas en los últimos años por nuestro grupo de Cirugía Plástica Ambulatoria del Centro Médico Platinum en Caracas, Venezuela, revisando para ello retrospectivamente 2876 mamoplastias de aumento y aumentopexias consecutivas, realizadas en los últimos 5 años. La edad promedio de las pacientes del grupo de estudio fue 30,8 años (71% menores de 35 años). En todas empleamos prótesis rellenas de gel de silicona, redondas, 86% de superficie lisa y 77% de perfil alto. El 97% se colocaron en el plano retropectoral. El volumen promedio fue de 386 cc para la mama derecha y de 387 cc para la mama izquierda (mínimo de 200 cc y máximo de 600cc). Hubo una relación inversa entre edad y volumen (p = 0,001). En cuanto al volumen utilizado, el comportamiento fue homogéneo entre los 27 cirujanos plásticos del centro. Perthese® y La Femme®, fueron las marcas más empleadas. El uso de perfiles extra-altos aumentó en los últimos años (p = 0,002). En poco más de la mitad (51%) de las pacientes, se combinó el aumento mamario con una pexia. En el 13% la cirugía mamaria se combinó con otro procedimiento quirúrgico. Las mamoplastias de aumento predominaron en menores de 35 años, y las aumentopexias en las pacientes de mayor edad. En conclusión, comprobamos que en nuestro medio se utilizan mayoritariamente prótesis rellenas de gel de silicona, redondas, lisas, de perfil alto, colocadas en un plano retropectoral. En pacientes de mayor edad se combinó el aumento mamario con la pexia y se utilizaron tamaños de prótesis más pequeñas. En los últimos años ha aumentado el uso de prótesis de perfil extra-alto.

Polymer nanoparticles (NPs) have recently attracted increasing attention and represent one of the main and important novelties in nanomedicine. In particular, they exhibit several advantages like the ability to tailor and sustain the release of hydrophobic drugs, high biocompatibility and degradability, together with the possibility to be highly cell selective. However, the usage of NPs in several diseases can be limited by their route of administration: in fact their diffuse distribution in tissues and organs does not allow to address them specifically in the target situ limiting therapeutic outcome and increasing potential side effects. In this work we studied the self-assembly of opposite charged polymer nanoparticles able to retain aqueous solutions, with the aim of creating self-assembled macrostructures that can release both hydrophobic and hydrophilic compounds. NPs were synthesized with a two-steps process starting from e-caprolactone and hydroxyethyl methacrylate to create biodegradable macromonomers which were then co-polymerized in an emulsion polymerization with methacrylic acid and either a positive charged surfmer (HEMA-Ch + ) or a negative one (HEMA-SO 3 − ). The feasibility to assemble these NPs into macrostructures was studied and the structures of the final products as well as their ability to release mimetic drugs were evaluated.

The aim of this study was to verify the significance of land use on nitrate availability (NO 3 –N) at landscape scale in two different sites by using multivariate geostatistical methods. NO 3 –N and several other soil properties of Nitrate Vulnerable Zone (NVZ) monitoring network of 71 and 63 top-soils, respectively were measured in Venafro and Campomarino areas of Southern Italy (Molise region). Data analysis was performed firstly with classical descriptive statistics assuming spatial independence of samples; secondly, geostatistical analysis was performed in order to investigate spatial dependence and estimate map soil indices. The result of the distribution of NO 3 –N contents indicates the existence of many hot spots (high kurtosis) with high NO 3 –N concentration in both the study areas. Higher NO 3 –N levels in Venafro were distributed in the central zone that appeared to be correlated with animal manure applied to the fields in the summer strongly associated to high values of soil organic matter (SOM) and total nitrogen (Ntot). In Campomarino, the highest NO 3 –N concentrations occurred in random spots that appeared lesser correlated with high SOM content and low C/N ratio. Factor co-kriging analysis was applied separately to the two data sets to synthesize the complex multivariate variation of the two areas in a restricted number of zones so they could be ranked as at different risks of NO 3 –N leaching. The loading values of the factors indicate that Venafro SOM and clay and, to a lesser extent, Ntot and C/N are the variables that mainly affect the first factor at shorter range. On the other hand, cation exchangeable capacity (CEC) and, to a less extent, silt, SOM, C/N and fine sand content weighed more, but negatively, on the first factor at longer range. For Campomarino, clay content and available water capacity (AWC) and, to a lesser extent, NO 3 –N, weighed more and positively on the first factor at shorter range. The first factor at longer range was quite exclusively dominated by elevation and partially and negatively by pH and CaCO 3 . Soil factor map appears more variable in both the NVZ areas, characterized by many spots indicative of intensive land use and management. The highest NO 3 –N levels were found in intensive land use and in dairy farming located for the most part in Venafro catchment. The maps of the two factors at small scale for Campomarino appear to be quite erratic owing to the small size of the farms with different cropping systems differently managed. The results, of the present research, provide data useful to support land use planning and soil management, to mitigate soil nitrate leaching. Reduction in soil NO 3 –N could be achieved by enhancing useful recommendations in N fertilization and animal manure application to farmers.

We report the first successful field trial of a real-time alien superchannel over a 410-km DCM-less optical fiber link using only EDFA amplification. We have demonstrated a record 1.4-Tb/s alien superchannel transported alongside native 40G and 100G wavelengths over a third party optical infrastructure using software reconfigurable DP-16 QAM/QPSK production hardware, achieving spectral efficiency of up to 5.7 bit/s/Hz. Stable long term error-free performance was measured in a real network environment for subchannel spacing as narrow as 36 GHz, giving a spectral efficiency improvement of ∼40% compared with standard 50 GHz grid. We have also demonstrated, for the first time, software reconfigurable modulation and capacity of an optical superchannel with subminute switching time. The subchannels can be flexibly and independently reconfigured to enable variable capacity in future flexible optical networks. In addition, robust PMD tolerance of the DP-16 QAM superchannel is measured, which allows network operators to make use of their old, high PMD fibers without the requirement of fiber measurement and selection.