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The pollution of metals and metalloids in soils caused by industrial activities is a major issue and invests the whole planet earth. The area we investigated is present in the Petrochemical of Porto Torres (Sardinia-Italy), which has an extension of about 1100 ha, is located along the northwest coast of Sardinia, about 1.8 km west of the town and with a surface contamination (0-50 cm depth) from As, Tl and V. The aim of this study is the investigation of spontaneous species present in the areas and the possibility to find some species among those useful to the phytoremediation. We also evaluate (mesocosm) some species that spontaneously live in the Porto Torres area but not on the area under consideration such as Dittrichia viscosa and Piptatherum miliaceum which, according to literature data, showed a good attitude towards phytoremediation. In conclusion, Dittrichia viscosa, Piptatherum miliaceum and Bromus madritensis are good candidates to build a phytoremediation design.

Chamaerops humilis is decreasing in abundance in Mediterranean Europe, which has induced the European community to call for its protection in Special Areas of Conservation. However, information about its genetic and morphological variability, which is crucial to the development of any conservation strategies, is insufficient. The present study aimed to investigate the genetic and morphological variability of C. humilis in Sicily, which was selected as a model because of the high number of dense populations. The relationships between morphological traits and climatic variables were studied to highlight patterns of adaptation to the environment, along with the genetic similarity among the populations. Ten natural populations were sampled, analyzed using 28 specifically designed SSR primers, and evaluated based on 29 morphological traits. The populations were clustered similarly based on genetic and morphological traits. Heterozygosity was high and inbreeding coefficients were low. These results, along with higher intra- than inter-population differentiation, suggest that C. humilis populations in Sicily differentiated from a common ancestor and that inter-population variation arose from secondary evolution processes induced by ecological adaptation. The correlations between climatic variables and morphological traits suggest that the morphological adaptation to arid environments depends more on summer temperatures than on evapotranspiration or rainfall and that autumn and winter temperatures are determinants of the species establishment at new sites. Considering the response of C. humilis to seasonal temperatures, the present results indicate this species as a candidate for tracking climatic changes in Europe. Further studies are needed to highlight the adaptation of C. humilis to cold environments. Palaeo-climatological and -ecological studies could help clarify its strategies for the colonization of new sites.

A young woman with a clinical history characterized by recurrent respiratory infections, occurring since early infancy, was referred to our hospital. When the patient was a young girl, she underwent sweat chloride test, serum analysis of immunoglobulins, and evaluation of blood lymphocyte subsets; all these diagnostic tests were normal, as well as chest X ray aside from pneumonia episodes. Skin prick tests were positive for several different allergens, and a diagnosis of allergic rhinitis was made. At the age of 11 years, she started to complain of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms, and a gastroscopy detected a hiatal hernia with esophagitis. Despite pharmacologic treatments for allergic rhinitis and GERD, the patient continued to complain of chronic cough, associated with choking and recurrent respiratory infections treated with antibiotic therapy. For the first time in her life, we performed a spirometry that showed a flow-volume curve characterized by a plateau in the expiratory phase, suggestive of an central airway obstruction. Bronchoscopy demonstrated a compression of the distal portion of trachea. Computed tomography (CT) angiogram revealed a double aortic arch. Barium enhancement evidenced an esophageal compression. A surgical division of the smaller of the two arches was then performed. Therefore, we strongly suggest to perform lung function tests in all cases of unexplained respiratory complaints.

A twenty-one year old female with a history of recurrent pneumonia and airway infections since infancy, chronic cough, gastroesophageal reflux symptoms, and persistent allergic rhinitis was referred to our asthmatic centre. She exhibited a normal sweat test, skin prick test positive to common allergens, and gastroscopy showing hiatal hernia and reflux esophagitis. We performed spirometry for the first time. The flow-volume curve showed a plateau of forced expiratory flow suggesting a variable intrathoracic airway obstruction. We then carried out bronchoscopy that showed a compression of the distal trachea. A computed tomography angiogram revealed a vascular ring consisting of a double aortic arch with right-arch dominance compressing the trachea and esophagus. Echocardiography confirmed the presence of the vascular ring. The patient has been referred for surgery. This report underscores the importance of spirometry and the analysis of the flow-volume curve.

In a previous study we documented an increased bronchial vascularity in the airways of symptomatic smokers with and without COPD compared to normal subjects. Using the endothelial mAb anti-collagen IV; we found a weak but significantly higher number of vessels in the bronchial mucosa of chronic bronchitics compared to COPD smokers. In the present study we aimed to compare bronchial vascularity between COPD smokers and symptomatic smokers with normal lung function utilizing the endothelial antibodies anti CD31 and against the angiogenic marker CD105/endoglin.We also evaluated in both groups of smokers the vascular expression of the anti-apoptotic marker Bcl-XL; and the pro-apoptotic marker CD95. Bronchial biopsies were taken from 13 smokers with chronic bronchitis and 10 COPD smokers and embedded into GMA resin. Immunohistochemistry was performed using mAbs anti-CD31; anti-CD105; anti-CD95; and pAb anti Bcl-XL as primary antibodies. Vessels were counted in the lamina propria by an image analysis system and expressed as number of vessels/mm2. Semiquantitative analysis of Bcl-XL and CD95 expression by bronchial vessels was performed. In the group of chronic bronchitcs with normal lung function we detected a trend toward a higher number of CD31 and CD105 positive vessels in the lamina propria compared to COPD subjects(p=0.050). In both group of smokers with and without COPD we observed a significant higher expression of Bcl-XL than CD95 by bronchial vessels (p=0.01) in the lamina propria. These results suggest that the angiogenetic process is more evident in the airways of smokers who have not yet developed the airway remodelling features of COPD. However; these data need to be further confirmed.

Gli autori riportano di un caso clinico di infezione polmonare da Mycobacterium avium complex nel paziente non HIV+ e ne traendo gli spunti per un’approfondita revisione della letteratura.

In the absence of distail metastases, accurate evaluation of TNM classification parameter N is the predictfve parameter whlch most often influences therapy and prognosis in NSCLC patients. Inaccuratc evaluation could easìly reclassìfy a patient from eligibility for resection to an exclu-sively pharmacologic treatment pian. Parameter N evaluation ìs commorily based on computer tomography (CT) and positron emission tomog-raphy (PET) fmdings; although both imaging techniques offer satisfactory results when com-bincd, thè specificity rates are suboptimal. Transbroiichial needle aspiratlon (TBNA) per-mits cytohistologìc sampling and can provide additional information to be intcgrated with imaging study data

Pathological angiogenesis has been demonstrated in lung cancer and in chronic airway inflammatory diseases such as asthma, chronic bronchitis, and COPD. The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether the degree of bronchial angiogenesis in non-neoplastic mucosa of sympthomatic cigarette smokers could be influenced by the presence of a concomitant lung cancer. An immunohistochemical study was performed on GMA embedded bronchial biopsies obtained from 37 smokers: 17 without lung cancer (9 with chronic bronchitis, 8 with COPD), 20 with a contralateral non-small cell lung cancer (10 with chronic bronchitis, 10 with COPD). The number of vessels and the percentage of vascular area in the lamina propria were assessed using monoclonal antibody against CD31. An image processing and analysis system was used to quantify the immunohistochemical data. The study was conformed to the declaration of Helsinki and all patients gave their written informed consent. Our data show that the number of vessels and the percentage of vascular area in the lamina propria are not significantly different in smokers with and without contralateral lung cancer (p = 0.341 and 0.534 respectively). The results of the study suggest that the presence of lung cancer does not influence the degree of bronchial angiogenesis in non-neoplastic airways of smokers with chronic bronchitis or COPD.

The authors report theìr experience on 5 clinical cases of tracheobronchial foreign bodies with use of fiberbronchoscope.

The role played by bronchial vasculature in the remodelling process occurring in the airways of smokers with and without COPD has been poorly investigated.Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is the most potent and widely distributed angiogenic factor known to date. αvβ3 integrin, an adhesion molecule expressed only at low levels on resting endothelium, is upregulated in new capillaries proliferating in response to angiogenic stimuli. We performed an immunohistochemical study on bronchial biopsies taken from 8 non-smokers, 9 smokers with normal lung function (GOLD 0) and 9 smokers with moderate COPD (GOLD 2). We evaluated in the lamina propria: 1) the number of vessels and the percentage of vascular area 2) the cellular expression of VEGF and 3) the vascular expression of αvβ3. Results did show that the number of vessels, the vascular area, the cellular expression of VEGF, the number and percentage of αvβ3 positive vessels were significantly higher in both GOLD 0 and GOLD 2 smokers than in non-smokers. The comparison between GOLD 0 and GOLD 2 smokers did show a weak but significantly lower number of vessels in GOLD 2, while the vascular area and the percentage of αvβ3 positive vessels did not differ between the two groups. A higher VEGF expression was detected in the GOLD 2 than in the GOLD 0 group. Our data suggest that angiogenesis of bronchial vessels is a significant component of the airway remodelling occurring in symptomatic smokers with normal lung function and with COPD.

The role played by bronchial vasculature in the remodelling process occurring in the airways of smokers with and without COPD has been poorly investigated.Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is the most potent and widely distributed angiogenic factor known to date. αvβ3 integrin, an adhesion molecule expressed only at low levels on resting endothelium, is upregulated in new capillaries proliferating in response to angiogenic stimuli. We performed an immunohistochemical study on bronchial biopsies taken from 8 non-smokers, 9 smokers with normal lung function (GOLD 0) and 9 smokers with moderate COPD (GOLD 2). We evaluated in the lamina propria: 1) the number of vessels and the percentage of vascular area 2) the cellular expression of VEGF and 3) the vascular expression of αvβ3. Results did show that the number of vessels, the vascular area, the cellular expression of VEGF, the number and percentage of αvβ3 positive vessels were significantly higher in both GOLD 0 and GOLD 2 smokers than in non-smokers. The comparison between GOLD 0 and GOLD 2 smokers did show a weak but significantly lower number of vessels in GOLD 2, while the vascular area and the percentage of αvβ3 positive vessels did not differ between the two groups. A higher VEGF expression was detected in the GOLD 2 than in the GOLD 0 group. Our data suggest that angiogenesis of bronchial vessels is a significant component of the airway remodelling occurring in symptomatic smokers with normal lung function and with COPD. The angiogenetic process seems to be independent by the development of airway obstruction and not related to its severity.

The pathogenic mechanisms by which physical exercise influences atherosclerotic lesion formation remain poorly understood. Because vigorous physical training increases oxidative stress, this study tested the hypothesis that graduated and moderate physical exercise together with metabolic intervention (l-arginine and antioxidants) may contribute to increased vascular protection. Exercise training in mice was induced by graduated swimming. In hypercholesterolemic male mice on an atherogenic high-cholesterol diet, graduated and moderate exercise lowered plasma cholesterol and decreased atherosclerotic lesions compared with sedentary control mice. Antioxidants (1.0% vitamin E added to the chow and 0.05% vitamin C added to the drinking water) and l-arginine (6% in drinking water) supplementation to exercising hypercholesterolemic mice further and synergistically reduced atherosclerosis compared with untreated exercised mice. Arterial oxidation-specific epitopes and systemic oxidative stress were reduced by metabolic intervention. Graduated chronic exercise elicited an increase in production of nitric oxide through increased endothelial nitric oxide synthase expression and ameliorated scavenger activities. Thus, metabolic intervention with l-arginine and antioxidants together with graduated and moderate exercise training reduce atherosclerotic lesion formation

Aim. The alveolar epithelium of human lower respiratory tract is susceptive to the deleterious effects of reactive oxigen metabolites (ROM) derived from different sources, including inhaled pollutants and inflammatory cells. The high levels of ROM produce the peroxidation of cell membrane phospholipids with consequent alteration of the normal function of pulmonary cells. These cells defend themselves against ROM by using anti-oxidant systems, including the glutathione peroxidase/glutathione reductase (GPX/GR) enzymatic system. In this study we evaluated the amount of lipoperoxides and of the enzymatic activity of glutathione peroxidase (GPX) in the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cells of normal subjects and of patients with lung disease treated or not with prednisone. Methods. The study population consisted of 5 healthy individuals with acute or chronic lung disease without pharmacological treatment and 8 patients with pharmacological treatment. All individuals participating in this study underwent a broncoscopy with BAL. After preparation of BAL cells lipoperoxides concentration and GPX activity was evaluated. Results. Our results show that the untreated patients possess high levels of lipoperoxides in their BAL cells, while the GPX activity is lower than the one found in normal subjects. In contrast, in the BAL cells of treated patients the level of lipoperoxides is lower than the one detected in untreated patients, while there is an increase in the GPX activity in comparison with both normal subjects and untreated patients. Conclusion. In conclusion, these data show that prednisone could determine an increase in anti-oxidative defences in pulmonary cells.

This article documents the addition of 268 microsatellite marker loci to the Molecular Ecology Resources Database. Loci were developed for the following species: Alburnoidesbipunctatus, Chamaeropshumilis, Chlidoniashybrida, Cyperuspapyrus, Fusariumgraminearum, Loxigillabarbadensis, Macrobrachiumrosenbergii, Odontesthesbonariensis, Pelteobagrusvachelli, Posidoniaoceanica, Potamotrygonmotoro, Rhamdia quelen, Sarotherodonmelanotheron heudelotii, Sibiraeaangustata, Takifugurubripes, Tarentolamauritanica, Trimmatostroma sp. and Wallagoattu. These loci were cross-tested on the following species: Alburnoides fasciatus, Alburnoides kubanicus, Alburnoides maculatus, Alburnoides ohridanus, Alburnoides prespensis, Alburnoides rossicus, Alburnoides strymonicus, Alburnoides thessalicus, Alburnoides tzanevi, Carassius carassius, Fusarium asiaticum, Leucaspius delineatus, Loxigilla noctis dominica, Pelecus cultratus, Phoenix canariensis, Potamotrygon falkneri, Trachycarpus fortune and Vimba vimba.