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Urban agriculture is an emerging challenge. Identifying suitable agrosystems that allow for the multiple functions of urban agriculture represents a key issue for the reinforcement of the agricultural matrix in cities, with the aims of counteracting and adapting to climate change and providing economic and social benefits. This study aims to produce a preliminary assessment of the adaptability of Italian native and non-native

Background: Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are a heterogeneous group of neurodevelopmental conditions whose etiopathogenesis derives from a complex interaction between genetic liability and environmental factors. In this framework, mounting evidence suggests that immune system dysfunction could be a risk factor contributing to the development of ASD in at least a subpopulation of individuals. In particular, some studies suggest an association between celiac disease (CD)—a long-term autoimmune disorder that primarily affects the small intestine triggered by the ingestion of gluten—and ASD, while others hypothesized a random link. This investigation aimed to evaluate the prevalence of CD in a large sample of school-aged children with ASD and to characterize their clinical profile. Methods: Medical records of 405 children with ASD aged 5–11 years (mean age: 7.2 years, SD: 1.8 years) consecutively referred to a tertiary-care university hospital between January 2014 and December 2018 were reviewed, among them, 362 had carried out serological testing for CD. Results: Nine patients with positive CD serology were identified, eight of which satisfied the criteria for CD diagnosis. The estimated CD prevalence in ASD children was 2.18% (95% CI, 0.8–3.7), which was not statistically different (1.58%, p = 0.36) from that of an Italian population, matched for age range, considered as a control group (95% CI, 1.26–1.90). Three out of the eight ASD patients with CD did not have any symptoms suggestive of CD. Conclusions: Our findings did not show a higher prevalence of CD in ASD children than in the control population, but could suggest the utility of routine CD screening, given its frequent atypical clinical presentation in this population.

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of hyperactivity on left ventricular mass (LVM) in Anorexia Nervosa restricting-type (AN-R) and the correlation between LVM and auxologic parameters/circulating hormones. Echocardiography was performed in 44 AN-R girls, subgrouped in 24 hyperactive (ANH+) and 20 non-hyperactive (ANH−), and in 20 controls (HC). LVM indexed to Body Surface Area (LVMi) and LVM indexed to height (LVMh) were calculated. LVMi and LVMh were significantly lower in the AN-R subjects compared to HC. Moreover, both LVMi and LVMh were higher in the ANH+ than in the ANH−. In the HC, LVMi was higher when compared to the ANH− subjects than to the ANH+. Stepwise analysis revealed that in the ANH+ group, fT4 was the only independent predictor of LVMh, while in the ANH− group, height was the only independent predictors of LVMi. Despite its negative influence on disease severity and outcome, hyperactivity from the standpoint of cardiac function makes the LVM of AN-R young girls more similar to HC. Level III, case–control study.

Background Bushfires are becoming an increasing issue for the wine sector due to grape and vine losses and smoke taint in wine. Smoke affects vine physiology and the smoke's volatile phenols are absorbed by plants and berries, contaminating the wine. Our hypothesis was that, for the first time, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)-based visible images can be used to study the physiology of smoke-affected vines and to assess compromised vines. Results Procanico vines were exposed to two smoke treatments, a week apart. Gas exchanges and leaf biochemical traits were measured in the short term (30 min after smoke exposure) and in the long term (24 h after smoke exposure). Canopy damage was assessed with conventional vegetation indices (VIs) and by an innovative index derived by UAV-based visible images, the Canopy Area Health Index (CAHI). Gas exchange showed a reduction after the first smoke exposure, but the vines recovered within 24 h. The second smoke exposure led to an irreversible reduction in functional parameters. The VIs exhibited significant differences and CAHI presented a damage gradient related to bushfire nearby. Conclusion The vineyard damage assessment by UAV-based visible images may represent a tool to study the physiological activity of smoke-affected vines and to quantify the loss of destroyed or damaged vines. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.

Developing adaptation strategies in Vitis vinifera, a crop sensitive to climate change, is crucial for resilience of traditional viticultural systems, especially in climate-vulnerable areas like the Mediterranean basin. A progressive warming is demonstrated to alter the geographical distribution of grapevine, reducing land capability for typical grapes and vine productions in most Southern European districts traditionally specialized in tree crops. Grapevine growth and reproduction under climate change require a continuous monitoring to adapt agronomic practices and strategies to global change. The present study illustrates an empirical approach grounded on a set of bio-physical indicators assessing the genotype-related response to climate variation. This approach was tested in Umbria, central Italy, to verify the response of some major international and local grapevine varieties to climate variation during a relatively long time interval (1995&ndash, 2015). Long-term data for ripening time and berry quality collected in the study area were correlated to representative bioclimatic indices including Winkler, Huglin, and Cool night indicators. Results of this study highlighted the increase of air temperature (reflecting the inherent growth in thermal availability for maturation) and the alteration of precipitation patterns toward more intense precipitation. Climate variability exerted distinctive impacts on grapevine phenology depending on the related genotype. Empirical findings underline the usefulness of a permanent field monitoring of the relationship between selected climate variables and grape ripening with the aim to develop adaptive viticultural practices at farm&rsquo, s scale.

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is associated with a wide range of disturbances of the autonomic nervous system. The aim of the present study was to monitor the heart rate (HR) and the heart rate variability (HRV) during light physical activity in a group of adolescent girls with AN and in age-matched controls using a wearable, minimally obtrusive device. For the study, we enrolled a sample of 23 adolescents with AN and 17 controls. After performing a 12-lead electrocardiogram and echocardiography, we used a wearable device to record a one-lead electrocardiogram for 5 min at baseline for 5 min during light physical exercise (Task) and for 5 min during recovery. From the recording, we extracted HR and HRV indices. Among subjects with AN, the HR increased at task and decreased at recovery, whereas among controls it did not change between the test phases. HRV features showed a different trend between the two groups, with an increased low-to-high frequency ratio (LF/HF) in the AN group due to increased LF and decreased HF, differently from controls that, otherwise, slightly increased their standard deviation of NN intervals (SDNN) and the root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD). The response in the AN group during the task as compared to that of healthy adolescents suggests a possible sympathetic activation or parasympathetic withdrawal, differently from controls. This result could be related to the low energy availability associated to the excessive loss of fat and lean mass in subjects with AN, that could drive to autonomic imbalance even during light physical activity.

In traditional agricultural areas, where traditional crops (TCs) are cultivated, small farms are still highly represented. Located prevalently in marginal and sensitive areas, agricultural areas have undergone deep transformation. Smallholders have maintained the traditional asset of cultivation (extensive and low input requirement management) only to some extent. In some cases they have adapted traditional orchards into more intensive planting systems. Frequently, they have abandoned agriculture. The land use and management influence soil functions, i.e., the capability of a specific soil to provide key functions in terrestrial ecosystems. In order to assess whether small farms are environmentally sustainable, we used a set of soil quality indicators in three traditional tree crops in the Latium region (central Italy), like hazelnut, grapevine, and Citrus. The soil parameters, chemical, biological, and biochemical, were quantified under three different management models: extensive cultivation, intensive cultivation, and abandonment. The selected set of indicators proved to be able to discriminate adequately between the management models and to be suitable for the soil health assessment. Results proved that hazelnut orchards stored more organic C, independently from farming management, while vineyard showed the lower total organic carbon (TOC). The microbial carbon vs. organic carbon ratio (Cmic-to Corg ratio) was higher for vineyards and Citrus groves, denoting a more active degradation of soil organic matter. Soil enzymes (ESs) involved in C cycle were variable along the different treatments and mainly influenced by the C inputs to soil and soil cover, whereas those involved in N, P, and S cycles were higher in abandoned and extensive TCs. Overall, extensive cultivation performed better in terms of soil quality than intensive or abandonment. This study suggests that a transition to an agriculture based on agroecological principles and toward extensification would provide significant soil-based environmental benefits in marginal sensitive areas.

Pedoclimatic conditions affect grape and wine quality. In particular, the relationship between soil and grape quality is at the core of the terroir definition. The study focuses on cv. Aleatico, an aromatic and autochthonous grapevine cultivar grown in the northern part of the Latium region (central Italy) in a heterogeneous environment (Protected Denomination of Origin Aleatico di Gradoli). Five subareas were selected to represent the environmental variability. The grape-ripening parameters, along with volatile and phenolic compounds in wines derived from the grapes from these growing areas, were analyzed to assess the relationship between soil traits and biochemical grape and wine parameters. Pedoclimatic analysis was carried out following official protocols for determination of soil texture and calculation of bioclimatic Thermal Index of Winkler. Solid-phase microextraction with gas-chromatographic and standard methods were used to measure volatile and phenolic compounds, respectively. Data were evaluated using descriptive statistical methods (analysis of variance and Pearson’s coefficient) and multivariate statistical analyses (principal component analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis). The results showed a significant ‘soil effect’ on the biochemical composition of the grapes and wines. The soil had a significant effect on grape-ripening parameters, as the soil sand content (%) was highly correlated with concentration of total soluble solids and phenols. Soils with a sandy-loam texture and moderate skeleton content yielded the best wine performance in terms of aroma and phenolic content. The study highlighted the importance of microzonation, even in small winegrape growing areas, for more diverse and competitive wine production. The study enhances knowledge about the relationship between soil and grapevine aromatic varieties. Data indicated that identifying biochemical parameters may be indicators of enological potential according to geographic origin.

In addition to food production, tree crop-based agrosystems can provide other ecosystem services (ES) such as soil fertility maintenance, soil and water retention and landscape preservation. Tree crops can also act as carbon (C) storage facilities and climate change mitigating systems. We focus on the nature of viticulture as a provider of ES, in particular C storage. This study has been carried out focusing on two different wine-grape growing areas in central Italy (Latium region; natural and peri-urban hilly areas) where the vines (Vitis vinifera sativa L., cv Merlot) were cultivated according to two different management techniques (conventional vs organic farming). Grapevine C storage levels were analyzed in the two main vine C pools during the 2011 and 2012 growing seasons, i.e., above-ground and below-ground biomass, in accordance with the Net Ecosystem Production (NEP) methodology. In order to quantify C sequestration at the vineyard level, we determined soil C sequestration and soil functionality through the measurement of Total Organic Carbon (TOC), microbial biomass and soil and grapevine root respiration. To conclude, the net C balance was assessed at both the grapevine and the vineyard scale. Although the highest dry matter partitioning in the grapevines was measured in the above-ground organs, the root systems contributed to between 9 and 26% of the total vine C fixation. The soil’s C fixation was maximized in the organically managed vineyards (73.35 tC ha−1). The CO2 sequestration of one hectare of vineyard ranged between 5.72 (±0.07) and 7.23(±1.11) tC ha−1 year−1. Soil respiration represented the main (99%) CO2 emission source in the vineyard agro-ecosystems. The Principal Component Analysis (PCA) indicated that the soil physical characteristics, the grapevine’s biological properties, and the vineyard’s management techniques, like those handling the inter-row space that highly differ in the organic and conventional farming, turned out to be the main factors influencing the soil’s C storage and consequently the vineyard’s C balance. Together, these findings prove that vineyards can act as C sinks, if properly managed. Furthermore, vineyards could represent a crucial cropping system able to provide pivotal ecological services such as carbon dioxide sequestration. Viticulture can also contribute to the preservation and regulation of natural resources –, such as soil and agricultural landscapes, according to the new European Commune Agricultural Policy (CAP).

The worldwide increase of human pressure in rural areas has resulted in a progressive fragmentation of agro-forest landscapes. Relatively few studies have identified processes of landscape modification and patch fragmentation reflecting long-term human activity from those caused by recent urbanization stimulated by economic development, population growth and improved accessibility of rural areas. In rural districts dominated by high-quality crop mosaics and exposed to increasing levels of human pressure, urbanization-driven changes in the use of land have determined complex and non-linear processes of landscape fragmentation which deserve further investigation. Multidimensional procedures and data mining are appropriate to explore such transformations, basing on a comprehensive assessment of landscape metrics. The present study investigates changes in land-use and landscape structure (2000–2008) in three districts of Latium (central Italy) featuring different cropping systems, physiographic attributes and level of human pressure. A principal component analysis was run to identify a core set of metrics aimed at (i) evaluating the role of traditional cropping systems in the preservation of traditional agro-forest systems and (ii) inferring the relationship between spatial heterogeneity in rural landscapes and socio-ecological processes of change. Our results indicate that crop intensification has contributed to landscape homogeneity and simplification in all areas studied, in contrast with the effects of urban expansion resulting in a more fragmented and diversified landscape with relict tree crop patches. The findings of this study clarify the contribution of traditional tree crop systems to sustainable structures and functions of rural landscapes by preserving the place-specific eco-mosaic complexity.

Introduction the prevalence of malnutrition in children and its impact on clinical outcomes is underrecognized by clinicians in Italy as well as worldwide. A novel definition of pediatric malnutrition has been recently proposed by a working group of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (A.S.P.E.N.), based on the correlation between illness and the use of zscores of anthropometric measurements. Aim to investigate the prevalence of malnutrition and related nutritional support among hospitalized children in Italy, in a nationwide survey performed in a single day (16/4/2015). Methods an open access website (http://nday.biomedia.net) was used to collected data from 73 hospitals and 101 wards in 14 Italian regions (1994 patients). Anonymous information was collected on hospitals' characteristics, patient's anthropometry, admission diagnosis, presence of chronic diseases and use of nutritional support: oral nutritional supplements (ONS), enteral nutrition (EN) or parenteral nutrition (PN). Z-scores of anthropometric measurements, calculated with Epi Info 7.1.5, defined nutritional status: wasting was identified by BMI or Weight-for-Length z-score (

Background Recent investigations suggest a possible common genetic background between Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and Celiac Disease (CD). However, studies regarding this association are scarce and often limited by the small sample sizes and/or large heterogeneity among ASD groups in terms of demographic and clinical features. The present study aims to investigate the overall CD prevalence (biopsy proven-CD patients plus screening detected tTG and EMA positive cases) in a large population of pre-schoolers with ASD referred to a tertiary care University Hospital. Methods We retrospectively collected data about 382 children (mean age: 46.97 ± 13.55 months; age-range: 18-72 months) consecutively diagnosed as ASD (according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 4th edition criteria) over the period 2010–2013, and who performed a serological CD screening. Results The overall CD prevalence was 2.62%, which is statistically significant higher to that reported in the Italian paediatric population (p = 0.0246). Half of these children had no symptoms or risk factors related to CD when they performed the serological screening. Conclusions If replicated, these data suggest the importance of regular screening for CD in young patients with ASD, and are of relevance for clinical and public health.

Among the landscape systems threatened by the desertification processes there are wide portions of Mediterranean coast, including some of the most important wine production areas. Furthermore, higher risks can be raised where intensive touristic fruition is present. Here the loss of coastal agricultural land can be due to both natural and artificial factors, like coast erosion and floating or urban expansion. In the Sardinian region, one of the most vocated viticultural regions in Italy, particularly in danger for environment diversity loss are the north-occidental and southern coastal lands. The research has focused on a systemic characterization of the viticultural models in the north-eastern, western and south-western coastal land. The relationship of vineyards with the landscape ecomosaic, the complexity of the cropping ecosystem, the physical characters of the environment, grape and wine quality have been analysed. Coastal vineyards have shown a particular biological value, owing to the uniqueness of plant material, and a particular ecological meaning. In order to prevent erosion of low-lying coastal areas a key role is played by contiguous micro-vineyards in which frequently traditional and sustainable agronomic techniques are adopted. The high quality of grapes and derived enological products justify the interest in maintaining such cultivated environment and the opportunity of restoring residual or abandoned vineyard, particularly in those territories where high potential lands for agriculture and areas under high urban pressure meet together.

This is the published paper "Worrying about 'vertical landscapes': Terraced olive groves and ecosystem services in marginal land in central Italy" in Sustainability 2018, 10, 1164. doi:10.3390/su10041164 https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/10/4/1164 Cit. Brunori E, Salvati L, Antogiovanni A, Biasi R (2018). Worrying about 'vertical landscapes': Terraced olive groves and ecosystem services in marginal land in central Italy. SUSTAINABILITY, vol. 10, p. 1-20. doi: 10.3390/su100411 Abstract Terraced Mediterranean areas are distinctive man-made landscapes with historical and cultural relevance. Terraced land abandonment driven by physical and economic constraints had important ecological consequences. This study focuses on a marginal agricultural district in southern Latium, central Italy, where terracing dated back to the Roman period and olive groves are the main agricultural use. A diachronic assessment of land-use transformations was carried out to identify landscape dynamics and drivers of change around terraced land. Terraced landscape systems (TLS), derived from spatial aggregation of neighboring terraced patches, have been analyzed for landscape transformations considering slope as the main stratification variable. Structural and functional characteristics of TLS were analyzed using a landscape ecology approach. Soil bio-chemical indicators were finally assessed to study the impact of terraced olive agro-ecosystems on soil-related ecosystems services. The empirical findings outlined that TLS in central Italy are sensitive to urbanization and land abandonment. Cultivated terraces prevailed up to gentle-medium slope land, uncultivated and wooded areas dominated terraces on steep slopes. In this context, poly-cultural olive groves proved to be a cropping system particularly resilient to global change, irrespective of land slope. Terraced systems and extensive poly-cultural olive groves play a role in preserving ecosystem integrity, landscape quality, soil functionality and, therefore, environmental sustainability.

Amplitude-dependent speed of sound (AD-SoS) and bone transmission time (BTT) are the quantitative ultrasound (QUS) variables usually assessed at proximal phalanges of the hand to estimate bone mineral status. The aim of the study was to provide a reference database for some additional QUS variables reflecting morphology of the ultrasound graphic trace according to gender, age, height, weight, and body mass index (BMI), and to assess their clinical usefulness. Fifty-two patients (age 3.1-20.9 years) affected by cerebral palsy with spastic tetraplegia (CPST, n=38) or polyarticular active juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA, n=14) were examined. In addition to AD-SoS and BTT, two QUS variables derived from the morphological analysis of ultrasound graphic trace, such as energy, extrapolated from the area under the ultrasound signal received, and weighted-slope (W-slope), derived from the angular coefficient of the regression line fitting the top point of the peaks of the ultrasound signal, were measured by phalangeal QUS (DBM Sonic, IGEA). The values of all the QUS variables measured in the patients were compared with our own sex- and age-reference values (n=1083, 587 males and 496 females, aged 3-21 years). The mean values of AD-SoS, BTT, energy, and W-slope were reduced (P

Human activity shapes the levels of anthropogenic pressure that depend on the land management method adopted. This has a fundamental role in the transformation of traditional landscapes. This study focuses on a representative region of the Mediterranean area with the objective to analyse the landscape’s dynamics, to detect the spatial arrangement of class patches, to identify the main agroecosystem characters and to provide a framework to assess ecosystems services. In order to assess land use/land cover changes and landscape persistence, the period between 1960 and 2012 was analysed, taking into consideration the years 1960, 2000 and 2012 using comparable land use maps. Land use and land cover analysis show an urban area growth of 24% during 2000–2012 and of 523% over between 1960 and 2012. The very high levels of land abandonment up to the year 2000 (+7216%) have reversed their trend between 2000 and 2012 (−95%). The orchards showed a relevant increase, particularly after 2000, while the vineyards were linked to the highest value of surface erosion (−74%). The outcomes showed that urban settlements can damage the ecological network with negative effects on the landscape’s environmental sustainability in proximity of significant urban centres. Instead, the ecological network is well preserved and highly associated to the agricultural areas when there is the persistence of many land uses and low urban density, despite the presence of dynamic changes.

Biodiversity and landscape are two tightly liked environmental traits, so that the loss in traditional agricultural landscapes imply the erosion of precious local germplasm. The on-farm conservation of local cultivars assure the preservation of optimized environment-genotype interactions, unique multifunctional agro-ecosystems and landscapes. Therefore, the safeguard of endangered genetic resources has to consider genotyping, phenotyping, but also the characterization of the related landscapes. The objective of this study was to provide the characterization of a local Italian grapevine, i.e. 'Grechetto rosso' through an integrated approach based on conventional ampelographic and molecular determinations and on the characterization of the landscape in the innate environment. 'Grechetto rosso' has affinity with 'Sangiovese', of which keeps the main ampelographic characters. Nonetheless, its diversity is prevalently expressed in berry characters, like the occasional presence of a not uniformly pigmented pulp, week epicuticular waxes and a red-coloured skin. This berry characters appeared to be related to the micro-environmental variables, i.e. the occurrence of cold-temperate nights during the ripening period and a rather temperate climate of the innate area. The 'Grechetto rosso' wine-grape-growing area is characterized by high naturality, and the 47 % of the 'Grechetto rosso' vineyards are still mixed with olive groves (traditional arrangement), while the remaining surface is represented by either specialized (46 %) or neglect (residual/relict) (7 %) vineyards. 'Grechetto Rosso' vineyards are distributed even in steep and extremely steep slope areas. The resulting description represents an example of useful information for promoting a sustainable use of grapevine genetic resources based on the in situ conservation on farm., VITIS - Journal of Grapevine Research, Vol. 54 (2015): Vitis (Special Issue)

Objective: To evaluate the psychopathological status and denial of symptoms in a sample of 38 consecutively admitted adolescents with anorexia nervosa (AN). Method: The Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School-Aged Children was used to determine the categorical diagnosis of eating disorder. The anorexic adolescents completed the EAT-40 (Eating Attitude Test) and, on the basis of its score, the sample was dichotomized in a false-negative group (FNG) scoring under 30 and a positive group (PG) scoring over 30. We compared these two subgroups in terms of clinical variables (age of onset and admission, duration of illness prior to admission, diagnosis, BMI) and psychopathology assessed by the CBCL (Child Behaviour Checklist) and the YSR (Youth Self-Report). In order to evaluate the possible role of diagnosis and BMI on the EAT score we also dichotomized the sample with respect to the diagnosis (full vs. partial AN) and to the mean female BMI (≤15 vs. >15). Results: A significant difference was found in terms of duration of illness prior to admission, which was briefer in the FNG. Higher CBCL and YSR values were found in the PG with significant differences in terms of YSR internalizing symptoms. A large amount of significantly positive Pearson’s correlations were found between the CBCL and YSR values in the FNG. No significant Pearson’s correlations were found between EAT, BMI and diagnosis. Conclusions: The lower CBCL and YSR values in the FNG seem to point out a tendency of this group to deny anxiety and depression as well as an eating pathology; the longer duration of illness prior to admission in the PG seems to support the hypothesis that the PG may be considered to be not so much more disturbed as more aware of its eating attitudes and psychopathology. The nature of denial in anorexic adolescents is discussed.

The placenta acts as an immunological barrier between the mother and the fetal "graft", allowing two antigenically different organisms to tolerate one another. In placentae from preeclamptic women, we have demonstrated, by an ultrastructural assessment and an immunohistochemical study, a placental barrier breakage leading to the mixing of maternal and fetal antigenically different blood. This condition could be responsible for the triggering of a maternal rejection reaction that we presume to be at the basis of the preeclamptic syndrome. Thus, we have investigated the Human Leukocyte class II DR antigens (HLA-DR), whose role in self and non-self recognition is well known, in women with preeclampsia, their partners and in control couples using the serological Terasaki tecnique. The results showed a statistically significant increase of HLA-DR homozygosity and a reduced antigenic variety in the preeclamptic women and their partners with respect to controls. In this update, we have examined the 2nd exon of the human gene, HLA-DRB1, on the short arm of the chromosome 6 using DNA sequence-based typing (S-BT) PCR in 56 preeclamptic couples and 64 control couples. The results have confirmed the significant excess of HLA-DR homozygosity in couples associated with preeclampsia versus controls. From our results, it emerges that HLA-DR homozygosity and the reduced antigenic variety seem to be associated to a major risk for preeclampsia, which further appears to be a "couple's disease".

Purpose: Bradycardia and abnormal cardiac autonomic function are related to increased mortality in anorexia nervosa (AN). The aim of this study was to assess heart rate (HR) and HR variability of young adolescents with AN as compared to controls by means of wearable sensors and wireless technologies.,Method: The ECG signal was recorded in 27 AN girls and 15 healthy girls at rest using a wearable chest strap. The tachogram, the mean intervals between R peaks (meanRR), the root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD), the power of low-frequency (LF) and high-frequency (HF) bands and the LF/HF ratio were assessed.,Results: All AN girls showed a reduced HR and an increased meanRR and RMSSD. An HF increase, a LF decrease, and a LF/HF reduction indicated a prevalence of the parasympathetic on sympathetic activity.,Conclusions: The instruments used in this pilot study were feasible, unobtrusive and extremely suitable in AN subjects who are burdened by high incidence of cardiovascular mortality; their application could open to new approaches of vital signs monitoring in hospitals as well as in home settings.

Understanding the latent relationship between rural landscape and biodiversity conservation is of key importance when aiming to preserve food security, ecosystem services and the quality of the environment. Crop intensification negatively impacted the biodiversity of rural areas and was followed by the adoption of mono-cultural production models. The conservation of traditional agricultural landscapes (TALs) based on traditional land management approaches, ensures the conservation of the ecosystem’s complexity and high levels of biodiversity. In Europe, Mediterranean TALs are threatened by a combination of anthropogenic and natural factors. The need to preserve TALs is widely recognized despite the lack of comprehensive information and collective policy strategies. On the other hand, inventories are available for endangered cultivars, typical products and traditional agricultural practices. This study focuses on the relationship between TALs and the use of local varieties/typical products. The analysis will: (i) define, map and characterize the tree-crop based traditional landscapes in one of the Mediterranean regions (Latium, central Italy) through a land-use change detection analysis (1960–2000) and (ii) identify the most endangered TALs based on environmental risk factors, on autochthonous agro-biodiversity at risk of varietal erosion and on traditional products that risk to disappear. Results prove that the most endangered rural landscapes are the ones located on fringe and marginal lands due to climate aridity and soil erosion. The identification of the endangered TALs contributes to constructing more effective strategies for the preservation of agro-biodiversity and natural ecosystem functionality.

The objective of this study was to test the feasibility of using wearable sensors and wireless technology to measure the autonomic function and stress level in the ambulatory setting. Autonomic function was studied acquiring ECG tracings by means of a wearable sensorized chest strap. Galvanic skin response (GSR) was measured as an indicator of stress level by two electrodes positioned on the palm of the non dominant hand and a wireless acquisition module in a wrist support. Data were acquired in a group of young adolescents with anorexia nervosa (AN) as compared to controls in resting conditions. From ECG the tachogram, the mean RR intervals (meanRR), the root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD) the power of low frequency (LF) and high frequency (HF) bands and the LF/HF ratio were assessed. From GSR mean, median, variance, standard deviation, area under the curve of the sampled signal and delta between maximum and minimum conductance values were computed. All AN patients showed reduced HR and increased meanRR and RMSSD. HF increase, LF decrease and LF/HF reduction were suggestive of prevalence of parasympathetic over sympathetic activity. Additionally, AN showed a decreased GSR variance, standard deviation and delta value with respect to controls. The results of this study show that wearable sensors used in this study were feasible, unobtrusive and therefore extremely suitable for young patients providing the means for future monitoring in the home setting which may be preferable in this population burdened by high cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.

Sara Calderoni,1 Pamela Fantozzi,1 Sandra Maestro,1 Elena Brunori,1 Antonio Narzisi,1 Giulia Balboni,2 Filippo Muratori1,31Department of Child Neurology and Psychiatry, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, 2Department of Surgery, Medical, Molecular and Critical Area Pathology, University of Pisa, 3Department of Developmental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, ItalyBackground: A growing, but conflicting body of literature suggests altered empathic abilities in subjects with anorexia nervosa-restricting type (AN-R). This study aims to characterize the cognitive and affective empathic profiles of adolescents with purely AN-R.Methods: As part of a standardized clinical and research protocol, the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI), a valid and reliable self-reported instrument to measure empathy, was administered to 32 female adolescents with AN-R and in 41 healthy controls (HC) comparisons, matched for age and gender. Correlational analyses were performed to evaluate the links between empathy scores and psychopathological measures.Results: Patients scored significantly lower than HC on cognitive empathy (CE), while they did not differ from controls on affective empathy (AE). The deficit in CE was not related to either disease severity nor was it related to associated psychopathology.Conclusion: These results, albeit preliminary, suggest that a dysfunctional pattern of CE capacity may be a stable trait of AN-R that should be taken into account not only for the clinical management, but also in preventive and therapeutic intervention.Keywords: anorexia nervosa-restricting type, cognitive empathy, affective empathy, female adolescents, Interpersonal Reactivity Index

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of olanzapine in girls with anorexia nervosa, restricting subtype (ANr).Thirteen patients (mean age 13.7 +/- 2.3 years, age range 9.6-16.3 years) enrolled in a multimodal treatment for ANr were evaluated with standardized measures at baseline and after 1 and 6 months after starting low-dose olanzapine monotherapy (mean dose 4.13 mg/day).A significant improvement was evident on weight (body mass index, BMI), global functioning (Children's Global Assessment Scale, CGAS), eating attitudes (Eating Attitudes Test-26, EAT-26), anxious-depressive symptoms (Child Behavior Checklist, CBCL) and hyperactivity (Structured Inventory for Anorexic and Bulimic Syndromes, SIAB). At the end of the 6-month follow up, 7 patients were responders according to an improvement of at least 50% in the EAT-26 results. The only measure that improved significantly in responders, but not in nonresponders, was hyperactivity (SIAB). Clinical improvement, in terms of both body mass index (BMI) recovery and global functioning, paralleled the improvement of hyperactivity, was evident at the end of the first month of treatment, and further increased in the following 5 months, with minimal side effects.Low-dose olanzapine monotherapy may be useful as adjunctive treatment of youths with ANr. It is suggested that efficacy may be mediated by a decrease of hyperactivity.

We coupled protein-protein docking procedure with molecular dynamics (MD) simulation to investigate the electron transfer (ET) complex Azurin-Cytochrome c551 whose transient character makes difficult a direct experimental investigation. The ensemble of complexes generated by the docking algorithm are filtered according to both the distance between the metal ions in the redox centres of the two proteins and to the involvement of suitable residues at the interface. The resulting best complex (BC) is characterized by a distance of 1.59 nm and involves Val23 and Ile59 of Cytochrome c551. The ET properties have been evaluated in the framework of the Pathways model and compared with experimental data. A 60 ns long MD simulation, carried on at full hydration, evidenced that the two protein molecules retain their mutual spatial positions upon forming the complex. An analysis of the ET properties of the complex, monitored at regular time intervals, has revealed that several different ET paths are possible, with the occasional intervening of water molecules. Furthermore, the temporal evolution of the geometric distance between the two redox centres is characterized by very fast fluctuations around an average value of 1.6 nm, with periodic jumps at 2 nm with a frequency of about 70 MHz. Such a behaviour is discussed in connection with a nonlinear dynamics of protein systems and its possible implications in the ET process are explored.

Objective : It is known that the placenta acts as an immunological barrier between the mother and fetal “graft” allowing two antigenically different organisms to tolerate one another. Preeclampsia may be considered as a fetal rejection consequent to severe damage at placental endothelial and syncytiotrophoblast level. In order to verify this placental barrier damage we undertook the present study by electron microscopy. Study design : 14 placentae from preeclaptic women, and the same number of placentae from healthy controls were examined. Results : The results showed that endothelial cells from preeclamptic placentae express various and severe alterations, consisting of swollen and bulbous cytoplasm, degenerated inter-endothelial junctions with consequent crossing of fetal blood cells outside the vessels. Conclusions : These lesions could be the ultrastructural evidence of the placental barrier breakage leading to rejective reaction we presumed to be basis of preeclampsia.

It is generally accepted that maternal recognition of paternally derived fetal antigens occurs during normal pregnancy and may be beneficial for implantation and maintenance of gestation. Thus, we have investigated the human leukocyte class II DR antigens (HLA-DR), whose role in self and non-self recognition is well known, in women with pre-eclampsia, their partners and in control couples. The HLA-DR antigens were tested in 70 pre-eclamptic primigravidae women and their partners and 70 healthy control couples using the serological Terasaki technique. Our results did not show any particular HLA-DR antigen to be correlated with pre-eclampsia, but a statistically significant increase of only one identifiable HLA-DR antigen, which was presumed to express homozygosity at the HLA-DR locus, in the pre-eclamptic women and their partners: 67.1 versus 7. 9% in the control couples (P < 0.000001). The analysis of HLA-DR compatibility between pre-eclamptic women and their partners showed a statistically highly significant increase of the female-to-male compatibility (P = 0.0003) and a lower but significant male-to-female compatibility in comparison with controls (P = 0.014). From our results, it emerges that HLA-DR homozygosity and reduced antigenic disparity seem to be associated to a major risk for pre-eclampsia, which consequently appears to be a 'couple's disease'.

The micronucleus test in peripheral blood lymphocytes was employed in the cytogenetic monitoring of children with acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), who had undergone chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Patients were treated with a variety of drugs, which included vincristine, methotrexate, daunomycin and prednisone; they also underwent cranial irradiation at the end of the first intensive phase of therapy. The first group under study consisted of 15 subjects on therapy, who showed a marked increase in micronucleated lymphocytes (mean: 19.96 +/- 12.96%) as a consequence of treatment compared with the control group (mean: 3.67 +/- 1.55%), while lower average values were obtained from 15 other subjects at the end of treatment (mean: 13.16 +/- 8.44%). A group of 6 patients was monitored during the entire period of therapy, namely at diagnosis, after 3 months of therapy, throughout maintenance therapy and at the end of it. The whole treatment lasted about 2 years. The results revealed a marked increase in basal micronucleus frequency, due to therapy: the micronucleated lymphocyte frequency remained significantly high throughout the treatment for almost all patients. These data clearly suggest the validity of the methodology in pointing out the role played by antileukemic agents in inducing somatic genetic damage.

A sustainable maintenance of grapevine biodiversity at risk of genetic erosion should involve farmers in the conservation process. Many local varieties of high biological significance are residually cultivated in traditional and marginal agricultural areas or in rural contests endangered by different factor of biodiversity erosion. The landrace-based orchards in the innate areas, i.e. the in situ conservation on farm, represent hotspots of biodiversity, while preserving at the same time natural resources like soil fertility, air and landscape quality owing to the optimal relationship genotype-environment that allows environmentally friendly agronomical practices. The study aims at highlighting the importance of grapevine on-farm conservation with special attention to the ecological and environmental implications derived from the maintenance of habitat diversity and complexity in the viticultural agro-ecosystem. To the aim, data on landscape pattern, configuration and composition at large and detailed scale were measured according to the methodology of landscape ecology in a landrace-based viticultural area in central Italy, and the landrace-based vineyard’s patch structure, as well the surrounding vineyard landscape, were analysed for shape, complexity, heterogeneity of the margins. The results prove the ecosystem services provided by the landrace-based vineyards in their innate growing area. These services can be attributable to the conservation of a high natural capital within the vineyard agro-ecosystem. The re-functionalization of these productive spaces, particularly when relictual or abandoned, and the involvement of farmers in the conservation strategy by strengthening the perception of the multifunctional value of their productive contests could provide a valuable example of strategy for the on farm conservation of local germplasm, together with the preservation of environmental benefits., VITIS - Journal of Grapevine Research, Vol. 54 (2015): Vitis (Special Issue)