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The dynamic and hierarchical structure of rivers, together with disruption of the natural river continuum by human activities, makes it difficult to identify and locate sources of nutrient pollution affecting receiving waters and observe its dispersion, thus impairing monitoring efforts. The identification of reliable indicators of anthropogenic nitrogen inputs in catchments is therefore key to achieving effective management of polluted rivers. We tested the capacity of N isotopic signatures (δ15N) of epilithon and snails to provide useful indications of organic and inorganic anthropogenic N inputs in three Mediterranean rivers differing in terms of surrounding land use and physicochemical conditions. We used a combined approach based on (i) analysis of nutrient concentrations in water, (ii) CORINE land cover classification and drainage patterns in catchments and (iii) isotopic analysis of river biota to verify whether isotopic variations were indicative of anthropic activities in the watershed, the associated alteration of water quality, and the consequent impact on snail abundance and diversity. Variation in the δ15N of epilithon within and between rivers reflected localised and diffuse N inputs from inorganic and organic sources. Negative epilithon δ15N values (<0‰) indicated inorganic pollution from agriculture. Values between 4‰ and 8‰ and those above 8‰ respectively indicated moderate organic pollution from urban areas, and high organic pollution, mostly from waste waters. The diversity and abundance of snails decreased with increasing water pollution. While their isotopic variations reflected between-river differences, they failed to indicate within-river variations in anthropogenic N inputs, since the proportion of epilithon in their diet varied along the rivers. Concluding, epilithon was a reliable indicator of anthropogenic N sources across a wide range of nutrient concentrations and anthropogenic inputs, and the proposed approach allowed us to determine the nature of nitrogen pollutants, their sources, location and dispersion along rivers embedded in complex human landscapes.

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The Sardinian coloured donkey Equus asinus (Perissodactyla: Equidae) and its albino colour morph represent the wildlife species most typical of the island of Asinara. This Mediterranean island represents a favourable context for ticks and tick-borne diseases; however, knowledge of the tick fauna on Asinara is scarce. A total of 106 Sardinian donkeys were inspected for tick infestation from June to November 2015. All ticks found were collected, classified by stage and sex, and identified to species level. The level of infestation of each donkey was determined; both the overall tick infestation and infestations of each detected species were classified on a scale of 1-3 to give an infestation score (IS). Overall, 256 hard ticks were collected from 60 of 106 donkeys (56.6%). Rhipicephalus bursa, Haemaphysalis punctata and Hyalomma marginatum (all: Ixodida: Ixodidae) infested 26.4%, 28.3% and 6.6% of donkeys, respectively. Different variables affected the IS. With reference to overall tick infestation, a higher IS was observed in donkeys grazing on grassland and Mediterranean shrubland and in albino donkeys compared with coloured donkeys. The collected ticks included species involved in the transmission of pathogens to humans, which highlights the risks for public health in a tourist destination such as Asinara National Park.

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OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of autologous platelet rich plasma (PRP) combined with microfractures on the treatment of chondral defects. The hypothesis of the study was that PRP can enhance cartilage repair after microfractures. METHODS: A chronic full-thickness chondral lesion of the medial femoral condyle was performed in 15 sheep. Animals were divided into three groups, according to treatment: group 1: microfractures; group 2: microfractures+PRP and fibrin glue gel; group 3: microfractures+liquid-PRP injection. Animals were sacrificed at 6 months after treatment. Macroscopic appearance was evaluated according to International Cartilage Repair Society (ICRS) score; cartilage stiffness was analyzed with an electromechanical indenter (Artscan 200); histological appearance was scored according to a modified O'Driscoll score. Comparison between groups for each outcome was performed with Kruskal-Wallis test, and Tukey's test for pairwise comparisons. RESULTS: Macroscopic ICRS score of group 2 was significantly better than those of the other groups, and score of group 1 was significantly lower than those of the other groups. Scores of group 1 and 3 were significantly lower than that of normal cartilage. Mean cartilage stiffness of groups 1 and 3 was significantly lower than that of normal cartilage. Histological total scores of group 2 and 3 were significantly better than that of group 1. CONCLUSIONS: PRP showed a positive effect on cartilage repair and restoration after microfractures. The procedure was more effective when PRP was used as a gel in comparison with liquid intra-articular injection. Histological analysis revealed that none of experimental treatments produced hyaline cartilage.

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Interbody fusion devices are used in human medicine for treating degenerative diseases of the spine. Currently, there is not a universally accepted assessment tool for determining fusion, and the definitive criteria for diagnosing a successful interbody fusion remain controversial. The aim of this study was to describe microscopic and helical computed tomography (CT) imaging in the assessment of lumbar interbody fusion using cylindrical threaded titanium expanding cage in sheep. One cylindrical threaded expanding titanium cage (Proconcept--SA, Orange, France) was inserted through a transperitoneal approach after radical discectomy and packed with cancellous bone autograft in five adult sheep. The subjects were euthanatized after three, six, 12, 18 and 24 months. CT images revealed lumbar fusion at 12 months post operation, whereas microscopic evaluations indicated the presence of lumbar fusion at 18 months. CT and histological grades were the same in 65% of the cases observed. There were not a significant difference between CT, histological and micro radiographic grades. Helical CT scanning can be considered to be a suitable method for the monitoring of lumbar fusion as it enables observation of the deposition of bony bridging within the cage.

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A controlled carboplatin delivery system using biodegradable polymer has been used in this study. The purpose was to evaluate the local and systemic effects of injectable, biodegradable microspheres containing carboplatin when injected as aqueous suspension subcutaneously in rats. Biocompatibility and toxicity of empty microspheres and microspheres loaded with carboplatin were evaluated by clinical and histological examination. The diffusion of carboplatin in tissues and time of drug release were evaluated by platinum determination in plasma and tissues over the time. The results of the study suggest that microspheres provide a sustained slow release of carboplatin and that multiple inoculations of microspheres containing drug and no evidence of local or systemic toxicity is found. This device may be useful in the treatment of solid tumours.

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The future therapeutic strategy for decreasing iron overload in poly-transfused patients will include oral chelation. The product currently undergoing the most intensive experimentation is Ll (1,2-dimethyl-3-hydroxypyrid-4-one). We report here a short-term efficacy study carried out in 10 thalassemic transfusion-dependent pediatric volunteer patients, already closely followed in our Day Hospital, after having provided their informed consent. In our study Ll, when compared to Desferrioxamine, was clearly efficacious and safe.

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Pulmonary hemosiderosis (PH), a rare pathology, usually occurring during infancy and childhood, is characterized by numerous and repeated intra-alveolar bleedings, interstitial iron build-up with consequent progressive fibrosis and severe anemia. PH can be basically divided into 3 different categories: Primitive or idiopathic, involving a primitive deficit of antioxidizing enzymes in the erythrocytes in genetically predisposed subjects; Secondary, subsequent to chronic pneumopathy or cardiopathy; Associated with various pathologies including collagenopathies, glomerulonephritis, myocardiopathies, diabetes, steatorrhea, tireotossicosis. A particular type of Pulmonary Hemosiderosis, associated with allergy to cow's milk, has been described for the first time by Heiner. We present in this paper our personal experience of a young patient suffering from pulmonary hemosiderosis induced by cow's milk protein.

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Results of cultured islet transplantation in the management of insulin-dependent diabetes are still unsatisfactory. The main problem preventing success is the swift and resolute host immune rejection. To obviate this we designed and experimented a model of bioartificial pancreas, made of polymeric hollow fibers, put into the blood circulation as an artero-venous bypass to immunoisolate endocrine tissue from leucocytes and immunoglobulins. We tested four different membrane bioreactors (BR1-4). BR1 and 2 had seven hollow fibers, the others more than 6,000 smaller fibers. In BR4 a connecting tube with a high-permeability membrane was inserted between the islet compartment and the bioreactor outlet to improve the ultrafiltration flow. In vitro, the islets inside the bioreactor perfused with glucose solutions (300 mg%) showed a rapid, high insulin secretory response, related to the glucose stimulation. The use of the outside connection allowed a twofold increase of insulin production.

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The use of pancreatic islet transplantation in membrane bioreactors put in vascular circuits aims at resetting the glucose homeostasis in diabetic or pancreatectomized patients, avoiding immune host rejection. Our experience was carried out at following stages: porcine pancreas explantation and enzymatic separation of endocrine tissue from exocrine fraction by collagenase; evaluation of islet functionality (culture tests); in vitro tests of the islets-bioreactor system, to assess the metabolic response to the glucose; in vivo evaluation to assay the haemodynamic behaviour. The trials showed a good metabolic bioreactor functionality and a decreasing incidence of coagulative problems.

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Over the last years, the high incidence of multiple primary neoplasms has been of great interest. The association between carcinoma of the breast and endometrium has been particularly emphasized; it is based on similar epidemiological factors and common hormondependence in the two tumours. Following these assumptions, the Authors present the preliminary results of hysteroscopic and histological studies including 45 patients, 24 in pre-menopausal and 21 in post-menopausal age, who have undergone a mastectomy or quadrantectomy for breast cancer in the past 5 years. They were compared with respective control groups. In pre-menopausal women, there was a higher incidence of activated and irregular endometrium, precancerous lesions (such as glandular-cystic hyperplasia) and one case of adenocarcinoma of the endometrium in a completely asymptomatic woman. On the contrary, endometrial atrophy turned out to be the most frequent hysteroscopic and histological report in post-menopausal women. This supports the hypothesis of two different types of breast cancer that occur in pre- and post-menopausal age and it suggests the utility of a hysteroscopic follow-up, only in pre-menopausal women.

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