University Of Bari Research Articles

Sustainable Inventory Management: A Bibliometric study

This paper presents a bibliometric analysis on Sustainable inventory models. The methodology applied is review on previous research and the performance evaluation based on identified attributes, using MS Excel. The data set was obtained from Library Genesis (Libgen) using the search criteria Sustainable Inventory. A total of 78 papers became available based on the search criteria and were included for our analysis. Based on the analysis of the attributes, it has been observed that the most notable authors were Mr Umakanta Mishra, Mr Jei-Zheng Wu, and Biswajit Sarkar. The notable countries were USA, India and Taiwan. The most noted Universities were Vellore Institute of Technology, University of Tehran, Soochow University, Polytechnic University of Bari, Lund University, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University and Fu Jen Catholic University. Among the Journals, Journal of Cleaner Production, Sustainability and IEEE are the notable ones. Among the Publishers, Elsevier, Springer and MDPI are the best contributors. There has been an increase in number of the publications during the years 2016-2020. Many significant topics pertaining to Sustainable Supply Chain, Inventory Models, Life Cycle Analysis, Environmental issues, Carbon Cap and Trade, etc have been thoroughly analysed in these papers. Solutions and the way forward have been suggested. Data on some of the practical case studies have also been provided. Such type of Bibliometric Analysis helps us to review the present state of research on the chosen topic and identify the key areas in which further research can be made.

Autumn School “Protection of The Sea: Adopting Co-Created Methods Of (Public) Participation”

This report details a 4-day Autumn School held at the University of Bari, Sede di Taranto, a joint project endorsed by the UN Ocean Decade and funded by DAAD. The event involved academic collaborations with the University of Bayreuth and the University of Turin (Department of Management). The school’s focus was on the protection of human rights at sea, sea rights, and living by the sea. It included an experiential learning day in partnership with the Jonian Dolphin Conservation in Taranto, followed by a three-day workshop. During these sessions, students from Germany and Italy engaged in building co-created projects that addressed challenges connected to Agenda 2030 and SDG 14 (and 3, 5, 15, 16, 17).

Rapid de-escalation of anti-MRSA therapy guided by S. aureus nares screening for patients with pneumonia: protocol of a randomized controlled trial (SNAP study).

The current Infectious Disease Society of America and American Thoracic Society (IDSA/ATS) guidelines recommend linezolid or vancomycin as an empiric treatment for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) pneumonia in hospitalized patients with specific risk factors,. A nasal PCR-assay for MRSA, with its high negative predictive value, can guide a rapid antibiotic de-escalation avoiding unnecessary anti-MRSA treatment. The indiscriminate use of these drugs has contributed to the emergence of resistant S. aureus strains leading to adverse effects without any survival benefit, increasing hospital stays and associated costs. Aim of the study is the use of this diagnostic tool to reduce empirical anti-MRSA treatment duration in pneumonia, shortening antimicrobial therapy days while measuring in-hospital mortality, length of stay and adverse drug event incidence. It is a prospective, randomized single-center controlled trial planned to be conducted in the Azienda Consorziale Policlinico di Bari. The research project will have a duration of 12 months following the approval of the Ethical Committee of the University of Bari. The minimum sample size is 38 patients per group, for a total of 76 subjects, calculated assuming a standard deviation of 10, a power of 90%, a type I error of 5% and a 10% drop-out rate. We will enroll eligible patients ensuring their evidence-based management according to guidelines, we will perform a nasal swab for MRSA in patients in the experimental group and discontinue the empirical anti-MRSA therapy if the nasal swab result is negative. For both arms, follow-up visits will be on day 2, 5, 7, 14, and 28 relatives to the enrollment visit (day 0). Data will be collected on the clinical course of pneumonia and laboratory tests. Our study will provide evidence on the duration (in days) of the antibiotic intake as a primary outcome of the study. Secondary outcome measures include in-hospital mortality, the length of stay and days of mechanical ventilation (in VAP), and the incidence of adverse events related to the administration of the therapy. https://classic.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT06238297, identifier NCT06238297.

Positional plagiocephaly: results of the osteopathic treatment of 424 infants. An observational retrospective cohort study

BackgroundPositional plagiocephaly is an asymmetrical flattened skull deformity whose incidence increased significantly in the last decades. Osteopathic treatment has been suggested to tackle early deformational sequences, in order to ensure the correct development of the child.The aim of the study was to assess the effectiveness of osteopathic treatment of positional cranial deformities in infants.MethodsRetrospective observational study carried out at the Section of Neonatology and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of the Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine of University of Bari, Italy in collaboration with a specialized pediatric osteopath.Results424 infants were enrolled. Isolated positional plagiocephaly affected the vast majority of infants (n. 390, 91.98%); 34 patients (8.02%) were diagnosed with positional brachycephaly. Both infant groups (positional plagiocephaly and positional brachycephaly) had a median severity score of 3 (IQR: 3 – 3 and 2 – 3, respectively) and benefited from a median of 3 osteopathic sessions (IQR 3–4 and 2–4, respectively). Higher severity scores of positional asymmetries were significantly more common in preterm neonates (Pearson chi2: 11.58; p-value: 0.021) and in males (Pearson chi2: 10.06; p-value: 0.039).ConclusionsSignificant improvements in positional cranial deformations of children were obtained after only five osteopathic treatments provided in the first months of life. The osteopathic treatment could positively impact the clinical history of patients with positional plagiocephaly and positional brachycephaly.Implication for practice• Positional plagiocephaly is increasingly common among infants and may cause moderate to severe neurodevelopmental adverse effects.• Osteopathic treatment may tackle early deformational sequences, in order to ensure the correct development of the child.• Our study reveals that cranial asymmetry of infants with positional plagiocephaly is significantly reduced after only five osteopathic treatments provided in the first months of life.• Osteopathic treatment should be offered as a first line approach to young infants diagnosed with positional plagiocephaly.

An online cooperative control strategy for enhancing microgrid participation into electricity market

This paper develops a cooperative control methodology for the online energy management of grid-connected microgrids. The main aim of this methodology is to actively manage the active power outputs of all dispatchable energy sources available within the microgrid as well as the power exchanged with the utility grid so as to match the total load demand at the minimum operating cost. This implies to solve a constrained multi-objective dynamic optimization problem aimed at minimizing the total microgrid operating costs and ensuring the real-time balance within the microgrid in compliance with its technical-operational constraints. Lyapunov's theorem using sensitivity theory is adopted to solve this optimization.To test the performances of the proposed control methodology, several computer simulations corresponding to different operating scenarios have been conducted on the PrInCE Lab experimental microgrid built at the Polytechnic University of Bari.

P-291 In women with endometriosis, effective treatment of chronic endometritis with antibiotics lowers serum CA-125 levels

Abstract Study question To evaluate the effect of chronic endometritis treatment on serum CA-125 levels in women with endometriosis. Summary answer Cure of chronic endometritis leads to a reduction in serum Ca-125 levels in women with endometriosis. What is known already Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by the ectopic growth of endometrial tissue outside the uterine cavity. It is hypothesized that the disease exerts direct inflammatory effects on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and the eutopic endometrium. In endometriosis, CA-125 levels are often elevated. Literature reports a frequent coexistence of endometriosis and chronic endometritis (CE) in women undergoing hysterectomy for benign indications. CE, characterized by macroscopic and histological alterations of the endometrium, was present in 38.5%-42.3% of women with endometriosis, compared to lower prevalence rates in controls infertile patients without endometriosis, supporting a potential etiopathogenic link between endometriosis and CE. Study design, size, duration This retrospective case-control study was conducted at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Bari. The study included 51 patients suffering of both ovarian endometriosis and CE. The primary objective was to investigate whether CE cure modifies serum CA-125 levels among women with ovarian endometriosis. The secondary objective was to assess any modifications in the size of endometriotic cysts following the cure of CE. Recruitment period was from September 2021 to February 2023. Participants/materials, setting, methods All patients received antibiotic therapy (100 mg of doxycycline, twice daily for ten days) and, the following month, hysteroscopy with control biopsy. Of these, 36 women were cured of chronic endometritis (Group A), while 15 women showed persistent disease (Group B). Endometriosis was diagnosed by transvaginal ultrasound and chronic endometritis through hysteroscopy, histology, and immunohistochemistry for CD138. Serum CA-125 levels were measured before antibiotic therapy and approximately 3 months later. Main results and the role of chance The primary outcome was to compare the change in CA-125 values between women cured of chronic endometritis and women with persistent disease. There were no statistically significant differences in baseline characteristics between the groups (p=ns). The majority of patients in both groups had a single ovarian endometrioma and the micropolypoid endometrial appearance was the predominant finding of chronic endometritis observed during hysteroscopy in both Groups. In Group A, the mean CA-125 value significantly decreased after antibiotic therapy from 58.56 U/mL (± 32.45) to 38.25 U/mL (± 17.31) (p < 0.001). No significant changes in CA-125 values were observed in Group B before and after antibiotic therapy (69.70 ± 27.42 versus 67.47 ± 24.52 U/mL, p=ns). The absolute change in CA-125 values was significantly greater in terms of reduction in Group A compared to Group B (-20.31 ± 27.09 versus -2.13 ± 12.51 U/mL; p = 0.02). Adjustment for confounders in a multivariable regression model revealed that the cure of chronic endometritis was independently associated with a significant decrease in absolute serum CA-125 levels (p = 0.006). Cyst size did not significantly change after antibiotic therapy in both groups (p=ns). Limitations, reasons for caution The main weakness of our study is that CA-125 was only measured once before and once after treatment of CE with a course of antibiotics. Moreover, our study does not allow for inferences regarding the impact of the observed reduction in serum CA-125 on the subjective symptoms related to endometriosis. Wider implications of the findings Our study constitutes the first demonstration that effective treatment of CE results in a significant decrease in a non-invasive marker of endometriosis, CA-125 supporting the emerging concept that the endometriosis might have an infectious origin. Trial registration number not applicable

Flexible Permeable-Pavement System Sustainability: A Methodology for Stormwater Management Based on PM Granulometry

Permeable-pavement design methodologies can improve the hydrologic and therefore the environmental benefits of rural and urban roadway systems. By contrast, conventional impervious pavements perturb the hydrologic cycle, altering the relationship between the rainfall loading and runoff response. Impervious pavements create a hydraulically conductive interface for the transport of traffic-generated chemicals and particulate matter (PM), deleteriously impacting their proximate environments. Permeable-pavement systems are countermeasures to mitigate hydrologic, chemical, and PM impacts. However, permeable pavements are not always equally implementable due to costs, PM loadings, and design constraints. A potential solution to facilitate environmental benefits while meeting the traffic load capacity is the combination of two filtration systems placed at the pavement shoulders and/or pedestrian sidewalks: a bituminous-pavement open-graded friction course (BPFC) and an aggregate-filled infiltration trench. This solution is presented in this manuscript together with the methodological framework and the first results of the investigations into designing and validating such a combined system. The research was conducted at the laboratories of the Polytechnic University of Bari and the University of Florida, while an operational and full-scale physical model was constructed in Bari, Italy. The first results presented characterize the PM deposition on public roads based on granulometry (particle size distributions (PSDs) and particle number densities (PNDs)). Samples (n = 16) were collected and analyzed at eight different sites with different land uses, traffic, and pavements from different cities (Bari and Taranto, Italy). The PM analysis showed similar distributions (PSDs and PNDs), except for two samples. The gravimetric-based PSDs of the PM had granulometric distributions in the sand-size range. In contrast, the PNDs, modeled by a Power Law Model (PLM) (R2 ≥ 0.92), illustrated an exponentially increasing number of particles in the fine silt and clay-size range, representing less than 10% of the PSD mass. Moreover, the results indicate that PM sourced from permeable-pavement systems has differing impacts on the pavement service life.

Italian Society of Accounting History XVII NATIONAL CONFERENCE Merchants, Markets, and Trade Networks: A Historical Perspective Bari, December 5-6, 2024 University of Bari

Italian Society of Accounting History XVII NATIONAL CONFERENCE Merchants, Markets, and Trade Networks: A Historical Perspective Bari, December 5-6, 2024 University of Bari

Human Papillomavirus Carcinogenicity and the Need of New Perspectives: Thoughts from a Retrospective Analysis on Human Papillomavirus Outcomes Conducted at the Hospital University of Bari, Apulia, Italy, between 2011 and 2022.

The current manuscript's aim was to determine the human papillomavirus (HPV) genotype-specific prevalence and distribution among individuals, males, and females, of different ages in the region of Apulia, Italy, highlighting the possible variables involved in the carcinogenicity mechanism. In addition, we proposed two hypothetical models of HPV's molecular dynamics, intending to clarify the impact of prevention and therapeutic strategies, explicitly modeled by recent survey data. We presented clinical data from 9647 participants tested for either high-risk (HR) or low-risk (LR) HPV at the affiliated Bari Policlinic University Hospital of Bari from 2011 to 2022. HPV DNA detection was performed using nested-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and multiplex real-time PCR assay. Statistical analysis showed significant associations for all genders and ages and both HR- and LR-HPV types. A major number of significant pairwise associations were detected for the higher-risk types and females and lower-risk types and males. The overall prevalence of HPV was 50.5% (n-4.869) vs. 49.5% (n-4.778) of the study population, of which 74.4% (n-3621) were found to be HPV high-risk (HR-HPV) genotypes and 57.7% (n-2.807) low-risk HPV (LR-HPV) genotypes, of which males were 58% and females 49%; the three most prevalent HR-HPV genotypes were HPV 53 (n707-15%), 16 (n704-14%), and 31 (n589-12%), and for LR-HPV, they were 42 (19%), 6 (16%), and 54 (13%); 56% of patients screened for HPV were ≤ 30 years old, 53% were between 31 and 40 years old, 46% were 41-50 and 51-60 years old, and finally, 44% of subjects were >60 years old. Our study provided comprehensive epidemiological data on HPV prevalence and genotype distribution among 9647 participants, which could serve as a significant reference for clinical practice, and it implied the necessity for more effective screening methods for HPV carcinogenesis covering the use of more specific molecular investigations. Although this is a predominantly descriptive and epidemiological study, the data obtained offer not only a fairly unique trend compared to other studies of different realities and latitudes but also lead us to focus on the HPV infection within two groups of young people and adults and hypothesize the possible involvement of dysbiosis, stem cells, and the retrotransposition mechanism.

Psychological assessment of patients on the heart transplant waiting list: A single center experience.

To analyze the data of the psychological assessment, focusing attention on the quality of life and the psychological status of patients who are listed for heart transplant. All heart failure patients listed for heart transplant at the Cardiac Surgery Unit of Bari University, Italy, were evaluated from September to November 2023, by administering the Symptom Checklist-90-R (SCL-90-R) and the Short Form Health Survey 36 (SF-36). Overall, 27 patients were studied. Mean age was 60years, 88% were males. One third of the patients showed a clinically significant overall mental distress. The symptoms leading to domains such as somatization (55.55%), anxiety (40.74%) and depression (33.33%) were frequently observed. The majority of the population studied (96.30%) showed low levels of perceived physical health status, while 59,62% of them presented levels of perceived physical health status below normal ranges. Heart transplant candidates show elements of overall mental distress and low quality of life related to physical health status.

The Italian Way to the Europeanisation of Teacher Education: An Analysis of Reforms and the Ongoing Experience of Digital Transformation

The Covid-19 emergency compelled teachers to reshape their teaching approach. Teachers were able to better recognise technologies as a means of interaction and digital transformation as a driver for professional growth. The present paper addresses the Europeanisation of teacher education and professionalisation. This process, which recognises the specific histories and political cultures of national training systems while offering common categories of analysis, nowadays welcomes the challenge of the general digital transition. The aim of the paper is to focus on how the process of Europeanisation of teacher education in Italy is taking place. Two paths are proposed. The first is the presentation of a documentary review study of the latest ministerial reforms that interpret the European recommendations. The second is a description of the DidaSco continuous professional development programme at the University of Bari, which implements European recommendations and national directives through appropriate technological innovations, which have been made even more available since the pandemic. What emerges is the representation of a possible ‘Italian way’ to the Europeanisation of teacher training, as is being achieved through the opportunities of digital transformation.

Stigma and mental health among people living with HIV across the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundMental health (MH) is extremely relevant when referring to people living with a chronic disease, such as people living with HIV (PLWH). In fact – although life expectancy and quality have increased since the advent of antiretroviral therapy (ART) – PLWH carry a high incidence of mental disorders, and this burden has been exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this scenario, UNAIDS has set new objectives for 2025, such as the linkage of at least 90% of PLWH to people-centered, context-specific MH services. Aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of MD in PLWH followed at the Clinic of Infectious Diseases of the University of Bari, Italy.MethodsFrom January 10th to September 10th, 2022, all PLWH patients accessing our outpatient clinic were offered the following standardized tools: HAM-A for anxiety, BDI-II for depression, PC-PTSD-5 for post-traumatic stress disorder, CAGE-AID for alcohol-drug abuse. Factors associated with testing positive to the four MD were explored with a multivariable logistic regression model.Results578 out of 1110 HIV-patients agreed to receive MH screening, with 141 (24.4%) people resulting positive to at least one MH disorder. HAM-A was positive in 15.8% (n = 91), BDI-II in 18% (n = 104), PC-PTSD-5 in 5% (n = 29) and CAGE in 6.1% (n = 35). The multivariable logistic regression showed a higher probability of being diagnosed with anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder for PLWH who reported severe stigma, social isolation, psychological deterioration during the COVID-19 pandemic and for those receiving a dolutegravir (DTG)-based regimen. Moreover, history of drug use (OR 1.13; [95% CE 1.06–4.35]), family stigma (2.42 [1.65–3.94]) and social isolation (2.72 [1.55;4.84]) were found to be associated to higher risk for substance use disorder.ConclusionsIn this study, stigma was a strong predictor for being diagnosed of a MH disorder among PLWH. Also, the possible role of dolutegravir as a risk factor for the onset of MH disorders should be considered in clinical practice, and MH of patients receiving DTG-containing regimens should be constantly monitored.

Geometrical method for a fast practical static stability region evaluation of a smart microgrid

This paper introduces an innovative approach to the offline Static Security Assessment (SSA) of smart MicroGrids (MG). By defining a specific region in the operating hyperspace, the stability of a MG is evaluated in a practical way, through the study of violations of voltage limits settled by protection relays. This method determines whether operating points, generated by Economic Dispatch algorithms, are feasible or not. Unlike traditional methods, it doesn't require continuous training on large datasets if the system topology doesn’t change. The method proactively explores the operating region offline, enabling quick assessment of operational security. By analyzing the feasibility region in the hyperspace from a geometrical perspective, it provides rapid insights of the system security status. This eliminates the need for computationally expensive trajectory studies involving complex equations and online iterative procedures, as applied in energy function approaches and conventional methods like the continuation load flow. The methodology is tested by simulation on a case study reproducing a subset of the experimental MG installed at the PrInCE Laboratory of the Polytechnic University of Bari.

Exploring the Impact of an IoT-based Game on the Experience of Visitors at a Natural Science Museum

The use of Internet of Things (IoT) technology to improve access to cultural heritage sites and enhance visitor engagement has become increasingly popular. Nevertheless, there is a lack of studies evaluating the actual benefits of such technology on visitors’ experiences, which is crucial to improve the IoT adoption in this field. To address this issue, we present an exploratory study we performed to understand whether and how an IoT-based game affects the experience of museum visitors. The game is played after a traditional guided tour; it was created following a meta-design approach to enable domain experts, such as museum professional guides, to adapt the game to specific visitors and/or situations. The study involved a total of 18 participants who took a guided tour of the Museum of Natural Sciences of the University of Bari and played the game afterward. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected. The study results show that playing the IoT-based game positively affects the experience of visitors and, in particular, their emotions. Visitor workload was also found to be greater than that of a guided tour, but this had no negative impact on visitor experience. The study findings have implications for the design and development of future IoT games to enhance engagement and to improve the experience of visitors at cultural heritage sites.

Flow Characteristics in Partly Vegetated Channels: An Experimental Investigation

In this study, we attempt to experimentally investigate the flow turbulence structure in a partly vegetated channel. To achieve the objective of this study, we conducted extensive measurements of flow velocities within and outside the vegetated area, where the flow is fully developed. The experiments were conducted in a very large channel at the Coastal Engineering Laboratory of the Department of Civil, Environmental, Building Engineering and Chemistry at the Polytechnic University of Bari, Italy. The instantaneous three flow velocity components were accurately measured using a 3D-Acoustic Doppler Velocimeter (ADV)-Vectrino system at high frequency. Flow behaviors through the vegetated area, at the interface, and in the unobstructed area were analyzed via time-averaged velocities, turbulence intensity, correlation properties, spectral analysis, and vortex identification. Experimental results showed the development of three distinct characteristic flow zones: (i) a vegetated area of low streamwise velocity, high turbulence intensities, dominant inward interactions, and more intense power spectrum, (ii) a shear layer zone of increasing streamwise velocity, more enhanced transverse flow motion, exponential decrease in turbulence intensities, and frequent ejection and/or outward interaction events, and (iii) a free-stream zone of higher and almost constant streamwise velocity, lower turbulence intensities, frequent sweep and/or inward interaction events, and less intense streamwise power spectrum. The results brought further insights into the flow behaviors in these characteristic flow zones. The extensive and detailed measured data can provide a basis for improving and calibrating numerical simulations of partly vegetated channels.

First report of Stagonosporopsis pogostemonis causing leaf spot on cauliflower in Italy.

First report of Stagonosporopsis pogostemonis causing leaf spot on cauliflower in Italy Wassim Habib1, Mariangela Carlucci2, Roberto Fasano3, Franco Nigro1,2 † 1 Centre of Research, Experimentation and Training in Agriculture (CRSFA) - Basile Caramia, via Cisternino 281, Locorotondo, 70010 Bari, Italy 2 Department of Soil, Plant and Food Sciences, University of Bari - Aldo Moro, via Amendola 165A, 70126 Bari, Italy 3 Bioricerche, Phytopathological Lab, via Pio XI 30, Bellizzi, 84092 Salerno, Italy † Corresponding author: F. Nigro. Email: franco.nigro@uniba.it Keywords: Phoma-like, Multi-locus gene sequencing, Brassica oleracea L. var. botrytis, Campania. In September 2022, a severe foliar disease was observed on 2-3-week-old 'Corsaro' and 'Parthenon' seedlings of cauliflower (Brassica oleracea L. var. botrytis) grown under greenhouses in a nursery in Caserta province, Campania (Italy), with an incidence of 90% on about 150,000 plants. Affected plants showed numerous small, irregular, and depressed lesions bordered by a chlorotic halo on leaves that become necrotic, and later drop out giving a shot-hole effect (Fig. 1). Isolations were performed on leaf portions from 30 symptomatic samples which were surface-sterilised by dipping in 70 % ethanol for 30s, then in a sodium hypochlorite solution (1%) for 30s, and rinsed two times in distilled sterilised water. Tissue fragments were left to dry on sterile filter paper and then seeded on potato dextrose agar (PDA) amended with 0.5 g/L of streptomycin sulphate (Sigma-Aldrich S.R.L, Steinheim, Germany). After 6 to 8 days of incubation at 24 ± 1°C, colonies revealed a consistent growth of a Phoma-like fungus resembling Stagonosporopsis genus. On PDA, one-week-old colonies were dark olivaceous green to brown with white regular margin (Fig. 2B). Pycnidia (32-160 µm × 30-95 µm) were subglobose, and conidia (2.7-4.8 µm × 1-2.7 µm) ellipsoidal, with rounded ends, aseptate, with two polar guttules (Fig. 2C). All isolates had similar morphological features, therefore further analyses were performed on one representative strain (CRSFA.753.22). The multilocus phylogenetic approach using Maximum likelihood method and Tamura-Nei model on rDNA-ITS, TUB and RPB2 sequences (accession numbers: OQ318550, OQ326503, OQ326504) including reference strains of Stagonosporopsis (Dong et al. 2021) demonstrated that CRSFA.753.22 clustered with Stagonosporopsis pogostemonis Luo, Huang & Manawas holotype (ZHKUCC 21-0001) with 91% bootstrap support. ITS and RPB2 sequences had 100% BLAST match to ZHKUCC 21-0001, whereas TUB sequence had 99.69%. Pathogenicity tests were performed on 20 healthy 'Corsaro' plantlets. Leaves were surface sterilized with 70% alcohol and wounded with a sterile tip of a needle. A suspension of conidia and mycelial fragments, obtained from a 10-days-old colony of the strain CRSFA.753.22, was sprayed on the leaf surfaces at a distance of 20 cm. Five controls plants were inoculated with sterile distilled water. Plants were then covered with plastic bags and kept on the shelf in a growth chamber at 25° C, with a 12-h photoperiod. The first symptoms developed on leaves five days post-inoculation as irregular small brown spots, that were gradually expanded. Leaf tissues showed chlorosis which evolved into necrosis (Fig. 2A). Stagonosporopsis pogostemonis was consistently re-isolated from all diseased leaves, but not from control plants, thus fulfilling Koch's postulates. In Italy, Stagonosporopsis species have been reported as severe plant pathogens (Garibaldi et al. 2022; Guarnaccia et al. 2022), and this is the first report of the species S. pogostemonis in the country. References Dong, Z.Y., et al. 2021. Pathogens 10:1093. doi: 10.3390/pathogens10091093 Garibaldi, A., et al. 2022. Plant Pathol. J. 104:1157. doi: 10.1007/s42161-022-01138-7 Guarnaccia, V., et al. 2022. Plant Pathol. J. 104:1491. doi: 10.1007/s42161-022-01197-w.

Esophago-Gastric Tube (EG Tube) in Debilitated Sea Turtle Rehabilitation: Insight in 195 Loggerheads Caretta caretta, Southern Italy.

Efficient nutritional support plays a pivotal role in the rehabilitation of sea turtles, ensuring a positive, swift, and successful recovery from clinical conditions for their reintroduction into the wild. For sea turtles in severely emaciated and underweight condition, the primary objective is to facilitate weight gain in terms of both muscle mass and fat reserves. Traditionally, many sea turtle rehabilitators have employed the practice of force-feeding, which also involves the daily insertion of an orogastric tube from the mouth to the stomach. However, this technique may be highly stressful for the animals, carrying the risks of regurgitation and potential harm, requiring the removal of the animal from the water, and subjecting it to uncomfortable and potentially dangerous handling. The procedure may also involve risks for operators. In this study, we explore the utilization of a permanent esophago-gastric tube (EG tube) in sea turtles as an alternative to force-feeding, providing a respectful and appropriate approach to meeting the nutritional needs of patients. The administration of food, essential medications, and fluids is performed directly with the turtle in its tank, minimizing the stress associated with handling, while ensuring the safety of operators. The study involves 195 marine turtles that underwent surgery for the placement of a permanent EG tube between 2008 and 2022. Of these, 116 animals were treated at the Sea Turtle Clinic of the Department of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Bari, South Adriatic Sea, Puglia (IT), and 79 patients were admitted to the Sea Turtle Rescue Center of Lampedusa, Central Mediterranean Sea, Sicily (IT). The loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta) required EG tube placement due to their poor condition related to various diseases, which were systematically categorized. The duration of EG tube placement was analyzed regarding the specific condition of the animals and the nature of their injuries, considering any complications or differences between the two facilities. The results of the study will provide valuable information for the ongoing care and treatment of marine turtles in rehabilitation facilities.

Cognitive functioning and psychosomatic syndromes in a subjective tinnitus sample.

Tinnitus is the perception of a sound in the absence of any corresponding external sound source. Current research suggests a relationship among emotional, cognitive, and psychosomatic symptoms and the occurrence or maintenance of chronic tinnitus. This study aimed to detect the prevalence and role of psychosomatic conditions, as defined by the Diagnostic Criteria for Psychosomatic Research (DCPR), and cognitive functioning in a group of patients with tinnitus. Sixty-two patients with subjective tinnitus and 62 non-tinnitus controls were recruited from the Otorhinolaryngology Unit of the University of Bari. Pure-tone audiometry was performed in all tinnitus subjects, and sound level tolerance was evaluated. Additionally, tinnitus handicap (Tinnitus Handicap Inventory [THI]), psychopathological symptoms (Symptom Checklist-90, Revised [SCL-90-R]), anxiety (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory [STAI-Y1/2]), depression (Beck Depression Inventory [BDI]), cognitive impairment (Mini-Mental State Examination [MMSE]), executive functions (Frontal Assessment Battery [FAB]), and psychosomatic syndromes (DCPR) were evaluated. Parametric and non-parametric tests were used to detect cognitive and symptomatological differences between patients and controls. The predictivity of these factors for tinnitus severity was studied using multiple regression (Backward Elimination). All tests were considered significant at p < 0.05 (family wise error corrected for each comparison). 69.4% tinnitus patients met multiple DCPR criteria, compared to 32.3% of controls. Tinnitus patients exhibited elevated rates of illness denial (ꭓ2 = 9.02; p < 0.009), demoralization (ꭓ2 = 8.05; p < 0.018), somatization (ꭓ2 = 4.92; p < 0.063) and functional symptoms (ꭓ2 = 5.21; p < 0.06) scoring significantly higher on the BDI, STAI-Y1, and STAI-Y2, and SCL-90-R compared to controls. Patients with tinnitus showed lower MMSE scores, compared to controls (t = -2.282; p < 0.001). No association between tinnitus severity and global cognitive impairment emerged. Conversely, executive function deficits were associated to tinnitus severity. Among the cognitive and psychological factors, only trait anxiety, one or more psychosomatic syndromes, and somatization clusters were strongly correlated with tinnitus severity. Our findings suggest a relationship between tinnitus severity, psychological, psychosomatic symptoms, and frontal impairment. Additionally, the influence of tinnitus on cognitive functions paves the way for integrated, multidisciplinary diagnostic and treatment options for patients. Although preliminary, our findings highlight the importance of early cognitive and psychological screening to improve patients' quality of life.

Social cognition and emotion inference abilities in healthy aging and Mild Cognitive Impairment

AbstractBackgroundSocial cognition (SC) is a neurocognitive domain that can be affected by the pathophysiological changes of aging, and deteriorate in individuals diagnosed with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer’s Disease. This social‐cognitive function involves the attribution of one’s mental states, including intentions (IA) and emotions (EA). As mentalization abilities may impact on daily functioning, research is focusing on SC processes in individuals at risk for age‐related neurocognitive decline. The present study aimed to 1) investigate SC abilities in MCI, compared to healthy individuals; 2) explore whether specific SC sub‐domains could be associated with MCI diagnosis.MethodN = 468 outpatients referred to Bari University Hospital for neuropsychological assessment were classified into two groups: i) a cognitively spared (n = 166; Mage = 61); ii) MCI (n = 302; Mage = 67), characterized by objective deficits one or more neurocognitive domains (other than SC) not interfering with daily functioning. Sample classification resulted from multidomain, cognitive‐functional assessment procedures consistent with Petersen’s criteria (Petersen et al., 2014). A total of 185 subjects also completed the Story‐Based Empathy Task (SET), yielding four social cognition scores (i.e., global score [GS]; IA; EA; causal inference [CI]). After testing the distribution of the SET variable through the Shapiro‐Wilk test, the Mann‐Whitney U test was used to analyze mean differences between the two groups. Additionally, a binary logistic regression was conducted to assess whether impaired SC could be associated with MCI diagnosis.ResultPatients with MCI showed significantly lower SC performances in all SET sub‐tests, compared to controls (SET‐GS: Z = ‐5.25; p&lt;.001; SET‐IA: Z = ‐3.98; p&lt;.001; SET‐EA: Z = ‐4.02; p&lt;.001; SET‐CI: Z = ‐3.22; p&lt;.001). Binary logistic regression with backward elimination revealed that among all SC sub‐domains, the inability to infer emotional states resulted being associated with MCI diagnosis (B = ‐.678; exp(B) = .507; p&lt;.001). Regression analysis was overall significant (χ2 = 16.68; p&lt;.001), and correctly classified 66% of cases.ConclusionOur findings highlighted significantly poorer SC performances in MCI, notably in the emotional inference sub‐domain. This preliminary evidence may contribute to the clinical understanding of social‐cognitive functioning in elderly individuals with mild/initial cognitive deficits, emphasizing the importance of accounting for SC in neuropsychological assessment to improve early diagnosis and strategies for dementia prevention.

The ILCIDAF project for the development of an Italian Life Cycle Inventory Database of agri-food products: the bread production phase

The Project of Significant National Interest (PRIN, 2017) entitled: "Italian Life Cycle Inventory Database of Agri-Food Products" (ILCIDAF), financed by the Ministry of University and Research, aims to promote the sustainability of the agri-food sector through the development of a database on a national and regional scale for some food chains that are significant for the Italian economy The objective is to create datasets for the Italian agri-food sector which current existing databases do not provide. Specifically, datasets that are geographically, temporally and technologically representative of the Italian national territory were developed. The selected supply chains are: bread and pasta, wine, olive oil and citrus fruits respectively studied by four scientific units: the Universities of Bari, Chieti-Pescara, Messina and Reggio Calabria respectively. The database is constructed considering the entire supply chain of the indicated foodstuffs. The University of Bari, to which the authors of this work belong to, has previously provided contributions on the agricultural phase of wheat, the milling phase and the pasta-making phase. In this work, on the other hand, the phases of the bread-making process of durum and soft wheat bread are described. The aim of this study is to construct datasets relating to the transformation phase of the indicated end products. In particular, 5 datasets were constructed: two relating to bread made from soft wheat flour, 2 with durum wheat semolina and 1 with wholemeal durum wheat semolina. The data was acquired through information provided by the companies in the sector (field data) through the completion of appropriately drafted questionnaires and company reports. In addition, the same analysed and processed were compared with data available in scientific literature.