Seasonal patterns of leaf photosynthetic and secondary xylem vascular traits in current-year stems of three Sorbus species with contrasting growth habits.

Seasonal effects of environmental variables on photosynthetic activity and secondary xylem formation provide data to demonstrate how environmental factors together with leaf ageing during the season control tree growth. In this study, we assessed physiological responses in photosynthetic behaviour to seasonal climate changes, and also identified seasonal differences in vascular traits within differentiating secondary xylem tissue from three diploid species of the taxonomically complex genus Sorbus. From sampling day 150, a clear physiological segregation of S. chamaemespilus from S. torminalis and S. aria was evident. The shrubby species S. chamaemespilus could be distinguished by a higher photosynthetic capacity between days 150 and 206. This was reflected in its associations with net CO2 assimilation rate (PN), maximum photochemical efficiency of PSII (F(v)/F(m)), variable-to-initial fluorescence ratio (F(v)/F(0)), potential electron acceptor capacity ('area') in multivariate space, and also its associations with log-transformed vessel area and log-transformed relative conductivity between days 239 and 268. The maximum segregation and differentiation among the examined Sorbus species was on sampling day 206. The largest differences between S. torminalis and S. aria were found on day 115, when the latter species clearly showed closer associations with high values of vessel density and transpiration (E). Sampling day clusters were arranged along an arch-like gradient that reflected the positioning of the entire growing season in multivariate space. This arch-like pattern was most apparent in the case of S. chamaemespilus, but was also observed in S. torminalis and S. aria.

[A case of double ectopic pregnancy dealed with a laparoscopic management]. / Un caso di duplice gravidanza ectopica trattato per via laparoscopica.

UNLABELLED: Uterine horn pregnancy is a very rare condition and is associate with a high rate of maternal morbidity and mortality. The standard treatment is laparotomy. CASE: A 40-year-old woman, previosly undegone laparotomy surgery for extrauterine pregnancy, was admitted to hospital "Casa di Cura Malzoni" because ectopic pregnancy was diagnosed. The patient was treated with laparoscopic surgery.

[Microcalcification and breast pathology: differential diagnosis and oncogenic risk assessment]. / Le microcalcificazioni nella patologia mammaria: diagnosi differenziale e valutazione del rischio oncogeno.

Breast cancer is one of the first cause of death in women. The investigation and the study of microcalcifications can discover about half of hidden breast carcinomas and this is an excellent help for the diagnosis. The aim of this study is to give some guidelines for a correct interpretation of these microcalcifications.

[Catamenial epilepsy]. / Epilessia catameniale.

Many women with epilepsy report changes in seizures frequency in relationship to their menstrual cycle. Evidence from animal experiments and studies in humans have demonstrated an ovarian steroid hormone effect on neuronal excitability. The entity of the problem and its treatment have yet to be systematically evaluated. Is important to clarify the etiology and pathogenesis of catamenial fluctuations in seizure frequency and to outline optimal management strategies.

[Hyperemesis gravidarum--etiology and treatment]. / Eziologia e trattamento dell'iperemesi gravidica.

Hyperemesis gravidarum is a common pathology encountered by the obstetrician in 0.1-2% of all pregnancies. The purpose of our review, along with other literature, is to report general outline of the syndrome, with etiology, complications and some guidelines about conventional and newer therapy.

[Bacterial vaginosis and pregnancy]. / Vaginosi batterica e gravidanza.

Premature rupture of membranes (PROM) occurs in approximately 5-10% of all pregnancies and is implicated in approximately one third of preterm births. PROM is associated with increased risks of perinatal as well as maternal morbidity and mortality at every gestational age. Much information suggest that the presence of bacterial vaginosis may be implicated in the occurrence of PROM and subsequent preterm delivery in significant numbers of pregnant women. We will briefly review clinical and pathophysiologic information linking bacterial vaginosis and PROM.