Central-northern Italy Research Articles

A monocenter retrospective study of serological,histological and genetic characteristics of celiac disease in Northern Central Italy

Objective: To examine the seroprevalence, correlates and characteristics of Celiac disease (CD) in a population sample of a Northern Central Area of Italy, by a monocenter retrospective study. Methods: Between 2006 and 2010, serum samples of 9371 subjects (age range 6 months to 91 years) were screened for tissue transglutaminase IgA antibodies (IgA-tTG) by the Immunologia-Allergologia Unit of AUSL1 Massa-Carrara, an area with a population of approximately 150,000. Endomysial IgA antibodies (EMA), HLA typing and small-bowel biopsy were also performed when indicated. Results: Of the 9371 subjects, 269 (2.87%) had positive antibody tests. The population was divided into several age groups and the highest prevalence (5.63%) was found in the 6 months-3 years group. The prevalence of IgA-tTG positivity was double in females compared to males. All IgA-tTG positive patients that were genotyped carried HLA-DQ2 or DQ8, none was a5 positive only. In positive IgA-tTG sera, levels of IgA-tTG were significantly higher in EMA positive than in EMA negative sera (p in children and in adults. Ninety-five/269 IgA-tTG positive subjects underwent biopsy. IgA-tTG levels were different according to the histological degree of the lesion. When EMA were evaluated in IgA-tTG positive subjects the number of EMA negative sera was significantly higher in adults than in children. Conclusions: In summary, this study provides a monocenter retrospective analysis of serological, histological and genetic parameters of subjects with suspicion of CD in an area of Northern Central Italy from 2006 to 2010.

The name of the Italian water vole Arvicola cf. amphibius (Linnaeus, 1758)

This paper deals with the correct name of the distinct lineage of Arvicola cf. amphibius found south of the Alps. It confirms that Arvicola italicus Savi, 1838, type locality near Pisa, is the first available name for the Italic water vole. However, the traditional allocation of Italic water voles to two distinct taxa, italicus in central-northern Italy and musignani de Selys Longchamps, 1839 in central-southern Italy, cannot be accepted until the identity of Pisa and Maremma populations studied by Paolo Savi is not established.

Identification of APMV-1 associated with high mortality of collared doves (Streptoelia decaocto) in Italy

The avian paramyxovirus serotype 1 (APMV-1), also known as Newcastle disease virus (NDV), is responsible for one of the most severe infectious diseases in birds, and is considered as a...

The issue of conversationally constituted context and localization problems in emergency calls

AbstractThis paper analyzes localization problems in medical emergency calls. It argues that some localization problems can be related to difficulties in the alignment of operators' and callers' understanding of the overall functioning of the services and, in fact, be linked to the shift in the organization features of the emergency service.The data analyzed in this study are part of a wider corpus collected within a research project on language and technology carried out at the Department of Communication Sciences of the University of Bologna, Italy. The data were collected in two emergency service control rooms in northern Italy and central Italy. Through a detailed discourse analysis within an ethnomethodological framework of actual emergency calls, the analysis shows that some localization problems can be better understood by referring to the overall ethnographic understanding of the emergency service and its organizational development.The paper aims to show that some localization problems can provide some significant insights for the discussion of the issue of “conversationally constituted context” versus “invocation to more remote context” in the analysis of interactional data. The ethnographic understanding of changes in the organization of the emergency services makes understandable elements in the calls that cannot be explained otherwise.

Forest growth and climate change: evidences from the ICP-Forests intensive monitoring in Italy

Abstract: A few concurrent and/or counteracting factors (increase of average air temperature, rainfall shortage, drought, CO2 enrichment, ozone, nitrogen fertilization, sulphate deposition) drive today the soil-tree-atmosphere relationships in the Mediterranean area. Radial stem growth measured within the ICP-Forests level II Italian network provides a sensitive response to these occurrences. Climate fluctuations and repeated anomalous seasons or extreme events are the major evidences of the change in progress. The 2003 heat wave is the main event occurred in this decade over large part of Europe. In Italy, it provoked a marked water deficit coupled to high air temperature, which resulted in a heavy water stress. The growth performance in different forest types was analyzed in this paper: growth rate in 2000-2004, compared with 1997-1999, showed reductions up to 50% on half of the plots examined. Most of them were: (i) in northern-central Italy within the southern continental border of the climatic deviation; (ii) at low elevation, which is more sensitive to high air temperature and drought; (iii) made up of deciduous broadleaved forests (beech and oaks), i.e., species showing growth effects also in the following year. Over the time-window 2005-2009, a significant growth decrease was vice-versa detected within the coniferous spruce forests located at medium-high elevation in the Alps. Repeated seasonal deviations in temperature and rainfall were recorded in the Alps in 2005-2009. Climate effects at local scale were examined in a site where two oak species with a different auto-ecology (sessile oak and Turkey oak) grow together. The on-going change produced heavy mortality and reduced the growth of the more demanding and less drought-tolerant sessile oak; in a few years Turkey oak became prevailing in the stand composition and structure.

Difference in Chemotype Composition of Fusarium graminearum Populations Isolated from Durum Wheat in Adjacent Areas Separated by the Apennines in Northern-Central Italy

Chemotype composition of Fusarium graminearum strains, isolated from durum wheat kernels from naturally FHB infected fields in Northern and Central Italy, was investigated by multiplex PCR. The different climatic and environmental conditions of the two examined areas separated by the Apennines affected the composition of chemotypes. 15Ac-DON chemotype was predominant in both the sub areas. Nivalneol chemotype was more frequent in the warmer sub area.

An APOE Haplotype Associated with Decreased ε4 Expression Increases the Risk of Late Onset Alzheimer's Disease

This paper addresses a tenet of the literature on APOE, i.e., the relationship between the effects of the ε4, one of the established genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD), and its expression levels as determined by APOE promoter polymorphisms. Five polymorphisms (-491 rs449647, -427 rs769446, -219 rs405509, and ε rs429358-rs7412) were studied in 1308 AD patients and 1082 control individuals from the Central-Northern Italy. Major findings of the present study are the following: 1) the variants -219T and ε4 increase the risk for late onset AD (LOAD) when they are both present in cis on the same chromosome (in phase); 2) the correlation between the haplotype (-219T/ε4) and AD risk persists when the data are stratified by age; 3) this haplotype likely anticipates the age of onset of the disease. These data, while confirming the association between -219T and AD, highlight the importance of the phase of the alleles for the observed effects on AD risk, suggesting that this information has to be taken into account when assessing the AD genetic risk. Moreover, the data help to clarify the apparent discrepancy that emerges from the genetic analysis where an SNP characterizing the haplotype responsible for an increased risk for LOAD is coherently associated with a reduced expression of ApoE levels. Our data are compatible with the hypothesis of a complex role of ApoE in the AD pathogenesis, with positive and negative effects occurring concomitantly according to its expression levels and its protein-protein interactions largely unclarified.

RAIS: a real time strong-motion network in northern Italy

When compared to more seismically active regions, damaging earthquakes occur only occasionally in the central part of northern Italy. Nevertheless, the lack of a dense strong-motion network in this area was highlighted by the occurrence of the November 24, 2004, ML 5.2, Salo earthquake. In 2006, the Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia (INGV) section of Milano-Pavia began the installation of new strong-motion stations in central-northern Italy. At present, the Strong-Motion Network of Northern Italy (RAIS; Rete Accelerometrica Italia Settentrionale) includes 22 stations with an average inter-distance of about 20 km. All of the stations are equipped with Kinemetrics Episensor FBA ES-T sensors coupled with 24-bit digital recorders. Starting from 2009, 14 strong-motion stations have been sending data to the INGV acquisition center in Milan, in real time using TCP/IP over wi-fi links. Another eight stations still work in dial-up mode and send data through GSM modems. The real-time connections allow the use of strong-motion data recorded by RAIS for the generation of shake maps for Italy, the implementation of which represents one of the main tasks of the last agreement between INGV and the Italian Civil Protection Department. The RAIS data is stored directly at the INGV section of Milano-Pavia, which was realized using the MiniSEED format: the data management and exchange are carried out by the SeisComP package with the SeedLink protocol. Metadata dissemination is achieved through the website http://rais.mi.ingv.it, where the strong-motion parameters related to each recorded and processed waveform are made available.

The long decline of a leading economy: GDP in central and northern Italy, 1300-1913

The purpose of the article is to present the statistical reconstruction of a series of per capita output in central–northern Italy between 1300 and 1913. The various phases of both the statistical procedure and the results are presented and discussed. From the Renaissance until the 1880s, when modern growth starts, the curve of per capita GDP is downward bent. Output series together with three robustness tests, are collected in the Appendices.

Occupational exposure to antineoplastic drugs in seven Italian hospitals: The effect of quality assurance and adherence to guidelines

In health care facilities, dermal contact and inhalation are considered to be the main routes of exposure to cytotoxic antineoplastic drugs (ADs). Hand-to-mouth contamination or accidental needle sticks as well as events due to inadequate disposal may also contribute to exposure. In order to measure the extent of contamination, biological and environmental monitoring are essential tools for routine testing. Moreover, reliable sampling and analytical procedures are required. During the last decade, several methods have been developed and validated. The appropriate analytical techniques were used to quantify even very low levels of some of the more commonly used ADs, such as cyclophosphamide, 5-fluoruracil, taxol, anthracyclines, and platinum-compounds. The main objective of this study is to assess the adherence to existing standards of practice through an effective monitoring program, including environmental and biological measurements. In seven hospitals located in Northern-Central Italy, periodic surveys were scheduled to verify continuing compliance with guidelines over a 5-year period. All biological samples were found to be below detection limits and a progressive, significant decrease in workplace contamination was observed. Our results confirm that a cost-effective monitoring regime, including fast and simple sample pre-treatment procedures, simultaneous determination of the analytes and their metabolites, validated procedures including uncertainty evaluation, and periodic surveys, is the adequate approach for the collection of reliable exposure data and hence for effective intervention.

Temperature and Water Potential as Parameters for Modeling Weed Emergence in Central-Northern Italy

Predicting weed emergence dynamics can help farmers to plan more effective weed control. The hydrothermal time concept has been used to model emergence as a function of temperature and water potential. Application of this concept is possible if the specific biological thresholds are known. This article provides a data set of base temperature and water potential of eight maize weeds (velvetleaf, redroot pigweed, common lambsquarters, large crabgrass, barnyardgrass, yellow foxtail, green foxtail, and johnsongrass). For five of these species, two ecotypes from two extreme regions of the predominant maize-growing area in Italy (Veneto and Tuscany), were collected and compared to check possible differences that may arise from using the same thresholds for different populations. Seedling emergence of velvetleaf and johnsongrass were modeled using three different approaches: (1) thermal time calculated assuming 5 C as base temperature for both species; (2) thermal time using the specific estimated base temperatures; and (3) hydrothermal time using the specific, estimated base temperatures and water potentials. All the species had base temperatures greater than 10 C, with the exception of velvetleaf (3.9 to 4.4 C) and common lambsquarters (2.0 to 2.6 C). All species showed a calculated base-water potential equal or up to −1.00 MPa. The thresholds of the two ecotypes were similar for all the studied species, with the exception of redroot pigweed, for which the Veneto ecotype showed a water potential lower than −0.41 MPa, whereas it was −0.62 MPa for the Tuscany ecotype. Similar thresholds have been found to be useful in hydrothermal time models covering two climatic regions where maize is grown in Italy. Furthermore, a comparison between the use of specific, estimated, and common thresholds for modeling weed emergence showed that, for a better determination of weed control timing, it is often necessary to estimate the specific thresholds.

EPIDEMIOLOGY AND PREDISPOSING FACTORS OF SOME MAJOR BACTERIAL DISEASES OF STONE AND NUT FRUIT TREES SPECIES

Despite the basic importance of studying the epidemiology of bacterial pathogens for their effective control in the field, for many pathogens causing diseases of economic importance there is still a large body of knowledge to acquire. In this minireview the main epidemiological aspects and predisposing factors of some important diseases of stone and nut tree fruit species caused by bacteria are summarized. Apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.), peach (P. persica Batsch.), sweet cherry (P. avium L.), sour or tart cherry (P. cerasus L.) and European plum (P. domestica L.) are the stone fruit trees species that can be severely attacked by two pathovars of Pseudomonas syringae worldwide: P. syringae pv. syringae (Pss) and P. syringae pv. morsprunorum (Psm). The high sensitivity of some recently introduced apricot cultivars would seem a main predisposing factor enhancing the aggressiveness of Pss. Sandy and very clayey soils as well as soils characterized by a low calcium content can also contribute to enhance the sensitivity of apricot and peach trees to Pss. Xanthomonas arboricola pv. pruni is the causative agent of bacterial spot threatening peach, apricot, Japanese plum (P. salicina) and almond (Amygdalus communis L.). This pathogen is present worldwide and is currently spreading in many European countries. A relative humidity of 100% over a period of three days has been shown fundamental for the appearance of the disease in peach leaves. Xanthomonas arboricola pv. juglandis is the causal agent of walnut blight and fruit apical necrosis often severely attacking Juglans regia L. Recent in-depth studies showed that this pathogen starts the infection process at the apex of the fruit. Fungi play a secondary role as saprophytes or opportunistic pathogens in this apical necrosis of fruits. Pseudomonas avellanae is the causal agent of bacterial canker and decline of hazelnut (Corylus avellana L.). So far, this destructive disease has been reported solely from northern Greece and central Italy. Soil of volcanic origin with pH values <5.0 can increase the susceptibility of hazelnut to bacterial canker.

Failure to Replicate an Association of rs5984894 SNP in the PCDH11X Gene in a Collection of 1,222 Alzheimer's Disease Affected Patients

A recent genome-wide study on late-onset Alzheimer's disease identified a SNP (rs5984894) on Xq21.3 in the PCDH11X gene strongly associated with LOAD individuals of European descent from the United States. We genotyped the same polymorphism in 1222 cases and 938 controls from central-northern Italy and could not confirm the association on the Italian population: multivariate logistic regression adjusted for gender and APOE epsilon4 allele resulted in a global p value of 0.56.

Non-life insurance consumption in Italy: a sub-regional panel data analysis

We analyze the consumption of non-life insurance across 103 Italian provinces in 1998–2002 in order to assess its determinants, in the light of the empirical literature. Using sub-regional data, we overcome an important limitation of cross-country analyses, i.e. the systemic heterogeneity due to country-specific characteristics. Individual heterogeneity is accounted for through panel data techniques. However, considering spatial units within a single market raises issues of cross-sectional or spatial dependence, either due to common nationwide and/or regional factors or to spatial proximity. We carefully assess spatial dependence, employing recent diagnostic tests, finding out that the regressors included in our specification successfully account for spatial dependence. Insurance turns out to depend on income, wealth and some demographics, as already established, but also on trust, judicial efficiency and borrowing conditions. These findings help in explaining the gap between Central-Northern Italy and the south of the country.

Rayleigh wave velocities and structural informations in Central Northern Italy

Rayleigh wave dispersion has been observed along the three profilesTrieste-Olbia, Olbia-Bologna and Olbia-Bolzano, in central-northern Italy.The interpretation of phase velocities indicates a crustal thickness increasingfrom East (25-30 km, Trieste-Olbia) to West (30-35 km, Olbia-Bolzano).For each profile two values of the Moho depth are acceptable; the shallowerone is associated with a set of models which have low velocitymaterial (¡3=4.3 lcm/s) just under or within a few km from the Moho;the deeper one still accepts low velocity material ((3=4.4 km/s) underthe Moho but does not exclude the presence of an almost normal LIDabove the low velocity channel.

Sectoral Training Plans: The Development of Intellectual Capital and Social Capital in Bolognese Apennines

This paper describes the action-research aimed at implementing Sectorial Training Plans in the territory of the former Mountain Community Cinque Valli Bolognesi, near Bologna in central northern Italy. Been involved in research are a variety of agencies, both public and private, institutional and technical, and work has identified three sectors (building conservation, tourism, energy production from renewable sources) to be developed. Furthermore, research has highlighted the need for a meta-managerial role of government of the territory.

Probabilistic envelope curves for extreme rainfall events

This study extends the concept of the regional envelope curve (REC) of flood flows to extreme rainstorm events by introducing the Depth-Duration Envelope Curves (DDEC). DDEC are defined as regional upper bounds on observed rainfall maxima for several rainfall durations. The study adapts the probabilistic interpretation recently proposed for REC, which enables one to estimate the recurrence interval T of the curve, to DDEC. The study also assesses the suitability of DDEC for estimating the T-year rainfall event associated with a given duration and large T values. We illustrate an application of DDEC to annual maximum series of rainfall depth with duration spanning from 15 min to 24 h collected at 208 raingauges located in northern-central Italy. The accuracy of rainfall quantiles retrieved for ungauged sites from DDEC is assessed through a comparison with a Regional Depth-Duration-Frequency Equation that was recently proposed for the same study area.

17β-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase-3 deficiency: From pregnancy to adolescence

Aim of this study is to report on basal clinical phenotype and follow up after diagnosis, of patients with 17beta-hydroxysteroid-dehydrogenase type 3 (17beta-HSD3) deficiency in Italy. Pediatric Endocrine Departments, University Hospitals. The cases of 5 Italian subjects affected by 17beta-HSD3 deficiency are presented in this study. Laboratory and genetic assessment. Gonadectomy and female sex assignment (4 patients) or GnRH analog therapy to regress puberty and gender identity disorder (1 patient). Presentation lasted from pregnancy (pre-natal diagnosis of a 46,XY fetus with female external genitalia) to infancy (inguinal hernia containing testes/clitoromegaly) and adolescence (virilisation). All subjects but one (subject 1, Central-Northern Italy) were from small areas of Southern Italy. Endocrine data (baseline and/or stimulated testosterone/ Delta4-androstenedione ratio) were informative. Two girls were homozygous for 17beta-HSD3 gene mutations (G289S/G289S; R80W/R80W), while the others were compound heterozygous (IVS325+4 A>T/A203V; L212Q/M235V; R80W/A235E). Four patients were confirmed as females and were well-adjusted with assigned sex; gender identity disorder improved during treatment with GnRH analog in the last subject. 17betaHSD3 deficiency may present from pregnancy to puberty for different clinical issues. Albeit testosterone/Delta4-androstenedione ratio represents the most accurate endocrine marker to diagnose the disorder, hCGstimulation is mandatory in pre-puberty. Molecular analysis of 17beta-HSD3 gene should be performed to confirm the diagnosis. Temporary GnRH analog treatment may regress gender identity disorder and provide time to confirm or change the birth sex assignment. Female individuals seems to be compliant with their sex, providing that virilisation does not occur. In Italy, the disorder seems to be more prevalent in the Southern regions and shows genetic heterogeneity.

Mitochondrial DNA restriction-fragment-length monomorphism in the Italian wolf (Canis lupus) population

Mitochondrial-DNA (mtDNA) restriction patterns were studied in 22 wolves (Canis lupus) sampled in central-northern Italy. A total of 60 restriction sites were detected, encompassing about 2 % of the mitochondrial genome of canids. All wolves showed the same restriction pattern. Therefore, a single mtDNA haplotype was detected in the Italian wolf population. Historical information on peninsular isolation and demographic decline suggest that low genetically effective population size and random drift may have strongly reduced the mtDNA variability of wolves in Italy over the last 100–200 years. A different mtDNA restriction pattern in feral dogs sampled from a wolf range in central Italy was detected. These findings suggest that the hybridization and introgression of female dog genomes into the Italian wolf population may be rare or absent.

Probability-weighted hazard maps for comparing different flood risk management strategies: a case study

The study proposes an original methodology for producing probability-weighted hazard maps based on an ensemble of numerical simulations. These maps enable one to compare different strategies for flood risk management. The methodology was applied over a 270-km2 flood-prone area close to the left levee system of a 28-km reach of the river Reno (Northern Central Italy). This reach is characterised by the presence of a weir that allows controlled flooding of a large flood-prone area during major events. The proposed probability-weighted hazard maps can be used to evaluate how a structural measure such as the mentioned weir alters the spatial variability of flood hazard in the study area. This article shows an application by constructing two different flood hazard maps: a first one which neglects the presence of the weir using a regular levee system instead, and a second one that reflects the actual geometry with the weir. Flood hazard maps were generated by combining the results of several inundation scenarios, simulated by coupling 1D- and 2D-hydrodynamic models.