Calabria Region Research Articles

Confiscated assets into public heritage

The research, as result of an agreement with the Calabria Region, aims to consolidate a corpus of investigations developed over the years by the Landscape_inProgress Laboratory, which examines the forms produced by criminal actions in urban transformation processes by studying property confiscated from the mafias. The investigation proposes a different approach to provide the opportunity to develop strategies for urban and architectural regeneration of cities, bringing out a “third public heritage” to be “re-injected” into urban and territorial policies. A matter to be “rewritten” for new life cycles. The “Impronte a Sud_WelfareLab” project, implemented in Reggio Calabria for Consorzio Macramè on a confiscated asset, is a best practice that combines management, functional, and urban processes with an aesthetic and architectural metamorphosis.

Assessment of the Radioactivity, Metals Content and Mineralogy of Granodiorite from Calabria, Southern Italy: A Case Study.

In this paper, an assessment of the natural radioactivity level, radon exhalation, metal contamination, and mineralogy of a granodiorite rock sample from Stilo, in the Calabria region, Southern Italy is presented as a case study. This rock was employed as a building material in the area under study. The specific activity of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K natural radioisotopes was assessed through high-purity germanium (HPGe) gamma-ray spectrometry. Then, several indices such as the absorbed gamma dose rate (D), the annual effective dose equivalent (AEDE), the activity concentration index (ACI) and the alpha index (Iα), were quantified to determine any potential radiological health risk related to radiation exposure from the analyzed rock. Furthermore, E-PERM electret ion chambers and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) measurements were carried out to properly quantify the radon exhalation rate and any possible metal pollution, respectively. In particular, to further address metal pollution factors, the geo-accumulation index (Igeo) was calculated to properly address the toxicity levels of the ecosystem originating from the detected metals. Finally, with the aim of successfully discriminating the provenance of such naturally occurring radionuclides, a combined approach involving X-ray diffraction (XRD) and µ-Raman spectroscopy was employed for the identification of the main radioisotope-bearing minerals characterizing the investigated granodiorite. The results achieved in this case study can be taken as the basis for further inquiries into background levels of radioactivity and chemical contamination in natural stone employed as building materials.

Addressing the altitudinal and geographical gradient in European beech via photosynthetic parameters: a case study on Calabrian beech transplanted to Denmark

European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) is becoming one of the go-to species in reconstructing declining conifer stands in Europe under climate change. Assisted migration may be considered when looking for suitable beech seedlings. Knowledge about the photosynthetic performance of beech seedlings is fundamental to understanding an essential part of their growth and survival potential in different planting conditions. We investigated the within-provenance variation in photosynthetic performance driven by altitude in contrast to inter-provenance variation given by geographical distance. The experiment was conducted on seedlings replanted in a Danish common garden comprising a cluster of provenances with various altitudinal subgroups transplanted from the Calabria region (Italy) and two local Danish provenances. Provenance and within-provenance variation in chlorophyll fluorescence (ChlF) kinetics, gas exchange (GE), flushing, and senescence were assessed. ChlF measurements revealed within-provenance differences based on altitude of origin and could distinguish between the two Danish provenances. In contrast, GE parameters detected variation in the geographical distance among Italian provenances. High-elevation subgroups of Italian provenances showed the best leaf-level photosynthetic performance in Danish weather conditions with high precipitation levels. Altitude of origin can be a significant source of within-provenance variation. We demonstrated that assessing this variation in young trees may be instrumental in maximizing the potential of provenance variation across diverse planting sites.

Quality Evaluation of Bergamot Juice Produced in Different Areas of Calabria Region.

Citrus fruits are extensively cultivated worldwide, with Italy and Spain being major producers. In Southern Italy, particularly in Reggio Calabria, a typical citrus fruit is produced, namely, bergamot (Citrus bergamia Risso et Poiteau), known for its mysterious origins and exceptional quality essential oil protected by the EU's PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) designation. Despite historical challenges, bergamot has regained prominence for its nutraceutical potential, especially its flavonoid-rich juice, offering significant health benefits. However, little attention has been paid to understanding the qualitative and quantitative differences of bergamot juice in Calabrian production areas. For this reason, this work aims to investigate the quality characteristics of bergamot juice produced in different areas of Calabria sites. The results showed the best quality attributes of bergamot fruits harvested in the PDO area. In particular, higher levels of total soluble solids, stable acidity, and higher juice were found. In addition, higher contents of ascorbic and citric acids, which are nutritionally valuable and tasteful, were found. The phenolic profile, characterized by the key compounds of bergamot, highlighted the better nutraceutical potential of the fruit grown in the PDO area.

A methodological approach for filling the gap in extreme daily temperature data: an application in the Calabria region (Southern Italy)

Regional studies are crucial for monitoring and managing the impacts of extreme climatic events. This phenomenon is particularly important in some areas, such as the Mediterranean region, which has been identified as one of the most responsive regions to climate change. In this regard, the analysis of large space-time sets of climatic data can provide potentially valuable information, although the datasets are commonly affected by the issue of missing data. This approach can significantly reduce the reliability of inferences derived from space-time data analysis. Consequently, the selection of an effective missing data recovery method is crucial since a poor dataset reconstruction could lead to misleading the decision makers’ judgments. In the present paper, a methodology that can enhance the confidence of the statistical analysis performed on the reconstructed data is presented. The basic assumption of the proposed methodology is that missing data within certain percentages cannot significantly change the shape or parameters of the complete data distribution. Therefore, by applying several missing data recovery methods whose reconstructed dataset better overlaps the original dataset, larger confidence is needed. After the gap filling procedure, the temporal tendencies of the annual daily minimum temperature (T < 0 °C) were analysed in the Calabria region (southern Italy) by applying a test for trend detection to 8 temperature series over a 30-year period (1990–2019). The results showed that there was a constant reduction in the duration of frosty days, indicating the reliability of the effect of climate change.

Prevalence of Helminths in Small Ruminant Farms and Evaluation of Control Practices Used to Counter Anthelmintic Resistance in Southern Italy.

Anthelmintic resistance in small ruminants is a serious worldwide problem. To reduce their spread, it is essential to know the prevalence of helminths on farms and the control practices adopted. As these studies in the Calabria region of southern Italy are fragmentary and outdated, a study on the prevalence of helminths in small ruminant holdings in this area has been conducted. The measures implemented to control helminths were also evaluated through questionnaires administered to farmers. In particular, on 90 farms (45 sheep and 45 goats), 1800 faecal samples from 900 sheep and 900 goats were collected in the spring. Using the FLOTAC dual technique, parasitological examinations demonstrated the presence of gastrointestinal nematodes in 100% of sheep and goat farms, followed by Nematodirus spp. (84.44% sheep and 48.89% goats), Moniezia spp. (73.33% sheep and 35.56% goats), Trichuris ovis (48.89% sheep and 42.22% goats), lungworms (28.89% sheep and 42.22% goats), Strongyloides papillosus (40% sheep and 26.67% goats), Dicrocoelium dendriticum (13.33% sheep and 26.67% goats), Calicophoron daubneyi (6.67% sheep and 31.11% goats), Fasciola hepatica (6.67% sheep and 4.44% goats), and Skrjabinema ovis (4.44% sheep and goats). The questionnaires showed that 82% and 85% of the farmers had applied pasture rotation, and that 93.3% and 86.6% had used anthelmintics in the previous year for sheep and goats, respectively. Only 24.4% of sheep farmers and 11.3% of goat farmers had carried out parasitological tests prior to treatments. The most used classes of anthelmintics were macrocyclic lactones and benzimidazoles, and only in 21.6% and 15.6%, for sheep and goats, respectively, was drug rotation carried out. These results denote that helminths represent a health problem for small ruminants and highlight a lack of knowledge of parasite control strategies among farmers. In these conditions, anthelmintic resistance phenomena could develop over time. Therefore, it is necessary to implement all possible strategies for the control of helminths, and to prevent the spread of anthelmintic resistance phenomena on farms in southern Italy.

Morzeddhu: A Unique Example of a Traditional and Sustainable Typical Dish from Catanzaro.

"Morzeddhu" in the local dialect of Catanzaro ("Morzello" in Italian) is an official typical dish of the capital of the Calabria region. It is a peasant dish, almost unknown at an international level, that labels, in an extraordinary way, the culinary identity of Catanzaro, a city founded around the X century. After America's discovery, its preparation was optimized and definitively fixed. Its recipe is strictly based on a cow's "fifth quarter" combined with spicy and typical Mediterranean vegetables. Remarkably, no pork meat is used, and when all traditional ingredients are included in the complex and quite long preparation of this special dish, it can deserve the title of "Illustrissimo". This review provides a scientific description of Illustrissimo, emphasizing its unique properties and connection to the circular economy, food security, and the Mediterranean diet. We also highlight its unique quality compared to other alternatives through an analysis of their nutritional facts and bioactive compounds. Nutritionally, offal and fifth quarter components are a rich source of high-quality protein, with lower levels of total fat and saturated fatty acids compared to other meat cuts. In essence, this dish offers a great example of a high-quality yet affordable meal, aligning perfectly with a Mediterranean diet.

Filling the gaps: surveys in extreme habitats within an underexplored territory rapidly increase the knowledge on the distribution of nocturnal Lepidoptera in South Italy

The availability of data regarding local and regional biodiversity inventories are gaining an increasing importance because of the lack of basic knowledge makes difficult to study ecological dynamics promoted by environmental and climatic changes. In this paper we demonstrate that to prioritize the exploration of extreme habitats within underexplored territories accelerate the filling of faunistic gaps. We investigated the fauna of Lepidoptera of two areas in southern Italy characterized by extreme habitats: the Calanchi del Marchesato and the mouth of the Neto River, both located in the Calabria region, Crotone province, a territory with scarce and occasional faunistic investigations. After only one year of monthly surveys, we found 22 species of biogeographical interest at both national and regional levels. Eupithecia lentiscata was discovered in the Italian peninsula for the first time, previously recorded only in Sardinia so far, and E. phoeniceata was found for the first time in southern part of continental territory, being known in Italy only for Tuscany, Umbria, Latium, Abruzzo, and Sicily. Seven more species are new for the regional fauna. Furthermore, we also found seven abundant populations of usually rare species, and six more species were confirmed as rare at regional level. For any of these species we provided a measure of filled gaps. These results, also improved the knowledge concerning two Natura 2000 sites, providing insights on their management. To maximise results minimising field efforts and costs, it is very important to carefully select the study areas.

Diversity and Ecological Assessment of Grasslands Habitat Types: A Case Study in the Calabria Region (Southern Italy)

Grasslands differ in many types depending on the diversity of climatic conditions and substrates. Due to the great wealth of species found in semi-natural grasslands, they conserve an essential part of the biodiversity of the European Union (EEC 43/92), defined as habitats of community interest. Using the region of Calabria (southern Italy) as a case study, this study aims to evaluate how species assemblages and a set of indicators applied to them can be used to analyse and characterize the diversity, ecological features and conservation status of grassland habitats. Vegetation analysis was carried out using the phytosociological method, and habitat ecological characteristics were defined by Ellenberg’s ecological indicator adapted to the Italian flora. Multivariate analysis of the surveys by means of cluster analysis and Principal Components Analysis (PCA) made it possible to define eight habitat groups according to EEC Directive 43/92: 6110 Rocky or basophilous calcareous grasslands of the Alysso-Sedion albi, 6170 Alpine and subalpine calcareous grasslands, 6220*a Pseudo-steppe with grasses and annuals of the Thero-Brachypodietea dominated by a Lygeum spartum, 6220*b Pseudo-steppe with grasses and annuals of the Thero-Brachypodietea dominated by Hyparrhenia hirta, 6210* Semi-natural dry grasslands and scrub facies on calcareous substrates (Festuco-Bromometalia) (*important orchid sites), 6230* Species-rich Nardus grasslands, on siliceous substrates in mountain areas (and submountain areas, in Continental Europe), 6410 Molinia meadows on calcareous, peaty or clayey-siltladen soils (Molinion caeruleae), 6420 Mediterranean tall humid herb grasslands of the Molinio-Holoschoenion, 6430 Hydrophilous tall herb fringe communities of plains and of the montane to alpine levels. Temperature (T) and oisture (U) are the most statistically significant ecological factors in differentiating different habitat types. Analysis of diversity, assessed through Shannon and Evenness indices, showed that it is strongly correlated with habitat diversity as soil moisture increases. The study of ecological characteristics, correlated with biodiversity indices, helps to characterize grassland habitats, providing guidance for the implementation of active conservation policies for these habitats.

Bergamot Polyphenols: Promising Agents for Health and Wellness

Introduction and purpose: Citrus bergamia, commonly known as bergamot, is a unique plant native to the Calabria region in Italy, prized for its fragrant fruits and versatile applications. Historically utilized for extracting essential oil, bergamot has garnered attention for its therapeutic properties, particularly its Bergamot-derived Polyphenolic Fraction (BPF), which exhibits lipid-lowering, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive summary of existing research on the therapeutic potential of BPF in humans.Brief description of the state of knowledge: BPF has shown promise in supporting wound healing, alleviating neuropathic pain, and exhibiting antimicrobial properties. Research highlights BPF's role in modulating lipid metabolism, particularly in reducing LDL cholesterol and triglycerides while increasing HDL cholesterol levels. Additionally, BPF demonstrates anti-inflammatory effects, accelerating the recovery process in conditions such as non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and potentially influencing pathways involved in cancer cell proliferation and apoptosis. Further studies explore BPF's impact on bone metabolism, erectile dysfunction, and its potential in dermatological applications, particularly in counteracting photoaging.Conclusions: While existing studies underscore the promising therapeutic effects of BPF in various medical domains, further research is warranted to establish its efficacy and safety for broader clinical use. Continued investigation on a larger scale holds the potential to develop BPF as a valuable physiotherapeutic strategy across diverse medical fields.

Heavy Metals Content and Health Risk Assessment in Airborne Particulate from the Calabria Region, Southern Italy.

This study is focused on the determination of the heavy metals content in airborne particulate matter (PM) with a diameter lower than 10 µm (PM10) deposited on quartz microfiber filters and collected in four representative selected sites of the Calabria region, southern Italy. In particular, data on the content of Cd, Ni, and Pb in PM10 (i.e., those metals whose limit values, in terms of concentration, are reported in the Italian Legislation) were obtained through inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) measurements after acid extraction with microwaves and filtration. Results showed that the average concentration of investigated metals decreases as Ni > Pb > Cd for all analyzed samples, and concentration values are lower than the limit values reported in the Italian legislation in all cases. Moreover, in order to assess the health risk related to their presence in the environment, the potential non-carcinogenic hazard for the investigated heavy metals was evaluated by calculating the hazard index (HI) for children and adults. Results indicated that the calculated HI values were lower than the safety limit in all cases, thus indicating a negligible non-carcinogenic health risk. In addition, the potential carcinogenic hazard for the investigated metals was estimated through the total cancer risk index (Risktotal). Obtained results were also lower than the limit value for children and adults in this case, and, therefore, the carcinogenic health risk caused by heavy metals in the analyzed PM10 samples could be considered to be unremarkable.

Population structure, genetic diversity and evolutionary history of the narrow endemic squirrel Sciurus meridionalis

Endemic species and their genetic diversity are critical components of global biodiversity, yet they usually face a higher risk of decline and extinction than species with broader distributions. Loss of genetic diversity within geographically restricted and fragmented ranges plays a significant role in driving endemic species to extinction, threatening their ability to adapt to environmental challenges. Hence, considering genetic diversity and its spatial distribution within populations is mandatory in planning conservation actions for narrow endemic species. Here, we investigated the population genetic diversity, structure and evolutionary history of the Calabrian black squirrel Sciurus meridionalis, a species endemic to the Calabrian region in the south of the Italian peninsula. A fine-scale sampling procedure was carried out throughout the whole species range, and genetic variation was assessed from multiple mitochondrial and nuclear markers. Phylogeographic and population structure analyses showed three evolutionary significant units within the current species range, each characterised by extremely low levels of genetic diversity. Bayesian phylogeographic analyses suggested that Calabrian black squirrel populations experienced a range fragmentation during the Last Glacial Maximum (∼20 ka), which geographically mirrors the three main mountain massifs within the species range. Historical demographic reconstructions revealed a recent and still ongoing demographic expansion for Calabrian black squirrel populations, likely promoted by a concurrent expansion of the Calabrian black pine in this area. Overall, our findings clarify the designation of the evolutionary significant units for a narrow endemic squirrel and underscore the importance of analysing range-wide population genetic data and considering species interactions when defining management strategies for narrow endemic species’ conservation.

Impact of Forest Management on Wood Production under Climate Change in the Bonis Catchment

The concept of integrated forest management offers a framework for understanding how forest ecosystem services interact with efforts to conserve natural resources. Forests face various disturbances stemming from human activities, management approaches, and shifts in climate patterns. This study aims to explore how forested watersheds respond to diverse silvicultural practices amidst changing climate conditions. The research is centered in the Bonis catchment, situated in the mountainous region of Sila Greca (latitude 39°25′15″ N, longitude 16°12′38″ W) within Southern Italy’s Calabria region. Nearly 93% of the catchment area is cloaked in a forest dominated by approximately 50-year-old Pinus laricio Poiret stands. To model the catchment’s response to various climate and management scenarios, the FEST-FOREST eco-hydrological model, which is distributed and based on physical principles, has been employed. This model accounts for the dynamic interactions between vegetation and the watershed’s hydrological processes. The monitoring of the basin has been ongoing since 1986, with runoff measurements collected at the catchment outlet using dedicated gauging structures. These data have been utilized to calibrate and validate the model, ensuring its accuracy in simulating future scenarios. These simulation results offer stakeholders some qualitative and scientifically based recommendations for the sustainable management of the catchment. In fact, thinning intensity affects hydrological processes, with a 50% stand density reduction identified as a threshold for significant impact on processes like rainfall partitioning and evapotranspiration. Under heavy thinning scenarios, runoff can change by over 60%, and the impact decreases with larger thinning intervals. Furthermore, different climate scenarios influence stem yield levels, with higher production under RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5 compared to the base climate scenario. In particular, the RCP 8.5 scenario produces the highest yield due to better forest growth under different climate scenarios. This implies the idea that in regions with a Mediterranean climate and coniferous forests, amidst climate change, meticulous forest management involving precisely calibrated thinning schedules and intensities, tailored to unique biotic and abiotic factors, could potentially enhance carbon sequestration while positively influencing runoff rates.

Impact of Telemedicine on Home Healthcare: An Empirical Analysis

The adoption of new patient treatment initiatives has been necessitated by the current pandemic crisis and the need for social distancing to protect doctors and patients. The main initiatives to respond pandemic crisis is the adoption of telemedicine tools which provides for the diagnosis or medical service provided by a doctor to patients in digital mode. The aim is the remote monitoring of patients' health status, allowing direct involvement of patients at home. On these premises, this study offers a mapping of the digital solutions adopted in the Calabria region by health organizations during the Covid-19 pandemic with the aim of specifically analyzing the role of telemedicine in supporting home healthcare during the Covid-19. This study provides insights into the potential of telemedicine to support home healthcare, as a response to the Covid-19 crisis now and in the future.

Application of “Linee Guida per la classificazione e gestione del rischio, la valutazione della sicurezza ed il monitoraggio dei ponti e viadotti esistenti”: the experience of Regione Calabria, an innovative approach

The Regional Council with Resolution no. 207 of 13/07/2020 gave direction, to the Department of Infrastructure and Public Works of the Calabria Region, for the definition of the implementation program of the “Piano operativo del monitoraggio di ponti e viadotti delle reti stradali non-ANAS”, in particular for the acquisition of innovative services for the definition of the Attention Class of the infrastructures.In September 2020, the Calabria Region started the census phase of all bridges and viaducts managed by the Provinces and the Metropolitan City of Reggio Calabria. The census phase was followed by the start, in August 2021, and in collaboration with the “Consorzio FABRE”, of the inspection and drafting of defect sheets for the achievement of Level "1", preparatory to the subsequent evaluation phase of the Attention Class (Level "2"), on a sample made up of more than 50 bridges, selected in agreement with the Provinces and the Metropolitan City of Reggio Calabria among those considered to be at greatest structural, seismic and hydraulic risk.In parallel with the experimental application of the “Linee Guida”, an “Partenariato per l’Innovazione” was launched which aims at the creation of prototypes and methodological and innovative tools, useful for carrying out the inspection phase of the existing bridges of not-ANAS road networks of the Calabria Region.Among other things, a “short list” of professional companies or RTPs (temporary groups of professionals) has been established for the assignment of the inspection, drafting of defect sheets and Attention Class evaluation services of some existing bridges.The article illustrates the methodology adopted and presents the implementation program, the schedule and the state of the art.

Geomatics, soft computing, and innovative simulator: prediction of susceptibility to landslide risk

&lt;abstract&gt; &lt;p&gt;Landslides represent a growing threat among the various morphological processes that cause damage to territories. To address this problem and prevent the associated risks, it is essential to quickly find adequate methodologies capable of predicting these phenomena in advance. The following study focuses on the implementation of an experimental WebGIS infrastructure designed and built to predict the susceptibility index of a specific presumably at-risk area in real time (using specific input data) and in response to extreme weather events (such as heavy rain). The climate data values are calculated through an innovative and experimental atmospheric simulator developed by the authors, which is capable of providing data on meteorological variables with high spatial precision. To this end, the terrain is represented through cellular automata, implementing a suitable neural network useful for producing the desired output. The effectiveness of this methodology was tested on two debris flow events that occurred in the Calabria region, specifically in the province of Reggio Calabria, in 2001 and 2005, which caused extensive damage. The (forecast) results obtained with the proposed methodology were compared with the (known) historical data, confirming the effectiveness of the method in predicting (and therefore signaling the possibility of an imminent landslide event) a higher susceptibility index than the known one and one provided (to date) by the Higher Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA), validating the result obtained through the actual subsequent occurrence of a landslide event in the area under investigation. Therefore, the method proposed today is not aimed at predicting the local movement of a small landslide area, but is primarily aimed at predicting the change or improving the variation of the landslide susceptibility index to compare the predicted value with the current one provided by the relevant bodies (ISPRA), thus signaling an alert for the entire area under investigation.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;/abstract&gt;

New national and regional Annex I Habitat records: from #83 to #101

New Italian data on the distribution of 17 Annex I Habitats are reported in this contribution. Specifically, 11 new occurrences in Natura 2000 sites are presented and 30 new cells are added in the EEA 10 km × 10 km reference grid. The new data refer to the Italian administrative regions of Apulia, Campania, Calabria, Lazio, Sardinia, Sicily and Tuscany.

Testing the Reliability of Maximum Entropy Method for Mapping Gully Erosion Susceptibility in a Stream Catchment of Calabria Region (South Italy)

Gully erosion poses severe problems for land degradation in several areas worldwide. This study aims to evaluate the accuracy and robustness of the maximum entropy (MaxEnt) method for assessing gully erosion susceptibility. We selected the catchment of the Mesima stream as the test site, which is situated in the southwest sector of the Calabria region (South Italy). An inventory map of gully erosion was realised and 12 predisposing factors, such as lithology, soil texture, soil bulk density, land use, drainage network, slope gradient, aspect, length–slope (LS), plan curvature, stream power index (SPI), topographic position index (TPI), and topographic wetness index (TWI), were selected to implement the dataset in the MaxEnt method. The accuracy and uncertainty of the method were tested by 10-fold cross-validation based on accuracy, kappa coefficient, and receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) and related area under curve (AUC). The dataset was randomly divided into 10 equal-sized groups (folds). Nine folds (90% of the selected dataset) were used to train the model. Instead, the remaining fold (10% of the dataset) was used for testing the model. This process was repeated 10 times (equal to the number of the folds) and each fold was used only once as the validation data. The average of 10 repeated processes was performed to generate the susceptibility map. In addition, this procedure allowed the reliability of the susceptibility map to be assessed, in terms of variables, importance and role of predisposing factors selected, prediction ability, and accuracy in the assessed probabilities for each pixel of the map. In addition to exploiting the 10-fold cross-validation, the mean value and standard deviation for the probability estimates of each pixel were computed and reported in the susceptibility and uncertainty map. The results showed that the MaxEnt method has high values of accuracy (&gt;0.90), of the kappa coefficient (&gt;0.80), and AUC (&gt;0.92). Furthermore, the achieved findings showed that the capacity of the method used for mapping gully erosion susceptibility is quite robust when the training and testing sets are changed through the 10-fold cross-validation technique.

Chemical Profile of Essential Oils of Selected Lamiaceae Plants and In Vitro Activity for Varroosis Control in Honeybees (Apis mellifera).

The most significant ectoparasitic mite of honeybees, Varroa destructor, has a detrimental effect on bee health and honey output. The principal strategy used by the control programs is the application of synthetic acaricides. All of this has resulted in drug resistance, which is now a major worry for beekeeping. As a result, research on alternate products and techniques for mite management is now required. The aim of this study was to determine whether essential oils (EOs) extracted from botanical species of Lamiacae, typical of the Calabria region of Southern Italy, could reduce the population of the mite V. destructor. Among the best-known genera of the Lamiaceae family are oregano, rosemary and thyme, whose EOs were employed in this study. By steam distillation, the EOs were extracted from Origanum vulgare subsp. viridulum (Martrin-Donos) Nyman, Thymus capitatus Hoffmanns. and Link, Thymus longicaulis C.Presl and Salvia rosmarinus Schleid. plant species harvested directly on the Calabrian territory in their balsamic time. Each EO went to the test in vitro (contact toxicity) against V. destructor. Fifty adult female mites, five for each EO and the positive and negative control, were used in each experimental replicate. The positive controls comprised five individuals treated to Amitraz dilute in acetone, and the negative controls included five individuals exposed to acetone alone. To create the working solution to be tested (50 μL/tube), the EOs were diluted (0.5 mg/mL, 1 mg/mL, 2 mg/mL and 4 mg/mL) in HPLC-grade acetone. After 1 h of exposure, mite mortality was manually assessed. Origanum vulgare subsp. viridulum, Thymus capitatus and Thymus longicaulis were the EOs with the highest levels of efficiency at 2 mg/mL, neutralizing (dead + inactivated), 94%, 92% and 94% of parasites, respectively. Salvia rosmarinus EO gave a lower efficacy, resulting in a percentage of 38%. Interestingly, no adverse effects were highlighted in toxicity tests on honeybees. These results show that these OEs of the Lamiaceae family have antiparasitic action on V. destructor. Therefore, they could be used, individually or combined, to exploit the synergistic effect for a more sustainable control of this parasite mite in honeybee farms.

The protocol of the Easy-Net prospective project to improve the appropriateness of caesarean section in Calabria Region.

Italy is one of the European Countries with the highest caesarean section (CS) rate and large regional and local variability. In 2021, Calabria Region ranked as the third Italian region for the highest CS rate (38.5%). Calabria Region has joined the "Easy-Net" network program of Ministry of Health (NET-2016-02364191) on the evaluation of audit & feedback (A&F) interventions (Easy-Net https://easy-net.info/). The Easy-Net project is coordinated by The Department of Epidemiology of the Lazio Regional Health Service, and led for the Calabria Region by the Pugliese-Ciaccio Hospital of Catanzaro, with the Italian Ministry of Health and the Italian National Institute of Health. This project aims to reduce CS rate in Calabria Region, through A&F strategy interventions to improve perinatal care quality and maternal and neonatal outcomes. The adopted multi-strategic approach involves the use of Robson's classification to improve the appropriateness of the CS indications, and the A&F activities to identify health professionals' training needs and offer training update. This article describes the protocol of the Easy-Net WP6 study, "Prospective audit and feedback approach: efficacy in improving healthcare practice and reducing the caesarean section rate" (NET-2016-02364191-6). The project is organized in five phases which envisage the pre-intervention data collection relating to indicators of interest and staff attitudes on CS indication and A&F strategy. The 12 months of A&F interventions will be followed by the post-intervention data collection and the evaluation of appropriateness indicators and determinants. A study aimed at women is also planned to detect opinions regarding the use of CS. The study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Pugliese Ciaccio Hospital.