Phenological response to temperature variability and orography in Central Italy.

Even if the sensitivity of vegetation phenology to climate change has been accepted on global and continental scales, the correlation between global warming and phenotypic variability shows a modulated answer depending on altitude, latitude, and the local seasonal thermal trend. To connect global patterns of change with local effects, we investigated the impact of the observed signal of warming found in Central Italy on two different willow species, Salix acutifolia and Salix smithiana, growing in three phenological gardens of the International Phenological Gardens' network (IPG) located in different orographic positions. The time series of temperatures and phenological data for the period 2005-2018 were analysed first to find trends over time in the three gardens and then to correlate the recent local warming and the change in the two species phenology. The results confirmed the correlation between phenological trends and local trend of temperatures. In particular: budburst showed a trend of advancement of 1.4 days/year on average in all three gardens; flowering showed a divergent pattern between the gardens of either advancement of 1.0 days/year on average or delay of 1.1 days/year on average; while senescence showed a delay reaching even 3.3 days/year, although significant in only two gardens for both species. These trends were found to be correlated mainly with the temperatures of the months preceding the occurrence of the phase, with a shift in terms of days of the year (DOY) of the two species. Our conclusion is that the observed warming in Central Italy played a key role in controlling the phenophases occurrences of the two willow species, and that the orographic forcing leads to the different shift in DOY of phenophases (from 5 to 20 days) due to the local thermal forcing of the three phenological gardens.

Plant phenological observations in rural and industrial central Italy areas.

The physiological stress caused by particular pollution conditions can result in phenological phase shifts that can include a block in vegetative or reproductive development. The main aim of the present study was to determine and analyse the mean development trends of some winter deciduous species in comparison to the climate tendencies, as calculated within two phenological gardens in the Arezzo and Perugia areas of central Italy. Moreover, a phenological comparison between the guide species of the two phenological gardens, one located in an industrial area, and the other in a farming area, was carried out. The phenological evidences showed significant phase displacements for the common guide species present in both the gardens which however may be explained by the meteorological performances above all in the Perugia not polluted area. In these terms, there were no evident phenological effects on the plants from the industrial area pollutants in the Arezzo garden. Moreover, also the temperature reduction tendencies at the end of spring not influenced significantly the phenological behaviours of the plant species not inducing them toward a predictable delay of reproductive and adult leaves phases.

Modeling olive pollen intensity in the Mediterranean region through analysis of emission sources.

Aerobiological monitoring of Olea europaea L. is of great interest in the Mediterranean basin because olive pollen is one of the most represented pollen types of the airborne spectrum for the Mediterranean region, and olive pollen is considered one of the major cause of pollinosis in this region. The main aim of this study was to develop an airborne-pollen map based on the Pollen Index across a 4-year period (2008-2011), to provide a continuous geographic map for pollen intensity that will have practical applications from the agronomical and allergological points of view. For this purpose, the main predictor variable was an index based on the distribution and abundance of potential sources of pollen emission, including intrinsic information about the general atmospheric patterns of pollen dispersal. In addition, meteorological variables were included in the modeling, together with spatial interpolation, to allow the definition of a spatial model of the Pollen Index from the main olive cultivation areas in the Mediterranean region. The results show marked differences with respect to the dispersal patterns associated to the altitudinal gradient. The findings indicate that areas located at an altitude above 300ma.s.l. receive greater amounts of olive pollen from shorter-distance pollen sources (maximum influence, 27km) with respect to areas lower than 300ma.s.l. (maximum influence, 59km).

Fifteen-year phenological plant species and meteorological trends in central Italy.

The present study was carried out in a phenological garden in central Italy that contains vegetative clones of shrubs and trees common to several international phenological gardens, such as Cornus sanguinea L.; Corylus avellana L.; Ligustrum vulgare L.; Robinia pseudoacacia L.; Salix acutifolia Willd. and Sambucus nigra L. Vegetative plant growth monitoring was carried out weekly using common international keys: BBCH07, bud break and leaf unfolding; BBCH19, young unfolded leaf; BBCH91, adult leaves; BBCH93, beginning of leaf colouring. The phenological dates thus obtained provide a model of the development for these different species in relation to the 15-year period of observation (1997-2011). From a meteorological point of view, temperature and precipitation trends were studied, with the highest anomalies during the study period recorded during the first 2 months of the year (January, February). There was relative invariance in the manifestation of the open bud phase and the contemporary advance of the young open leaves phase, particularly from 2006. This was accompanied by shortening of the leaf opening period, which appeared due to more rapid spring temperature increases over the last few years. The advance tendency of the BBCH91 phase showed adult leaves from the first summer weeks with fully green foliage monitored for a long time. Generally, the autumn leaf colouring phase tended to remain constant, with the exception of Salix acutifolia and Sambucus nigra, for which, on the other hand, the first leaf development phases appeared to be most likely influenced by the photoperiod.

Correlation between large-scale atmospheric fields and the olive pollen season in Central Italy.

Olives are one of the largest crops in the Mediterranean and in central and southern Italy. This work investigates the correlation of the Olea europaea L. pollen season in Perugia, the capital city of the region of Umbria in central Italy, with atmospheric parameters. The aim of the study is twofold. First, we study the correlation between the pollen season and the surface air temperature of the spring and late spring in Perugia. Second, the correlation between the pollen season and large-scale atmospheric patterns is investigated. The average surface temperature in the spring and late spring has a clear impact on the pollen season in Perugia. Years with higher average temperatures have an earlier onset of the pollen season. In particular, a 1 degrees C higher (lower) average surface temperature corresponds to an earlier (later) start of the pollen season of about 1 week. The correlation between the pollen season and large-scale atmospheric patterns of sea level pressure and 500-hPa geopotential height shows that the cyclonic activity in the Mediterranean is unequivocally tied to the pollen season in Perugia. A larger than average cyclonic activity in the Mediterranean Basin corresponds to a later than average pollen season. Larger than average cyclonic activity in Northern Europe and Siberia corresponds to an earlier than average pollen season. A possible explanation of this correlation, that needs further investigation to be proven, is given. These results can have a practical application by using the seasonal forecast of atmospheric general circulation models.

The use of phenological data to calculate chilling units in Olea europaea L. in relation to the onset of reproduction.

The aim of this study was to develop a practical method to evaluate the effective relationship between the amount of winter chilling and the response expressed as the spring reproductive re-starting dates in the olive (Olea europaea L.). Two olive cultivars growing in a special olive orchard in Umbria (central Italy) were studied over a 3-year period (1998-2000): the cultivar Ascolana, typical of central Italy, and the cultivar Giarraffa, typical of southern Italy. The spring reproductive restarts were assessed using data from detailed phenological observations made on 60 trees of each cultivar in an effort to establish the exact date of reproductive bud swelling. The chilling phenomenon was evaluated by using 341 functions derived from a formula developed by researchers at Utah State University to calculate chilling units. The mathematical functions are defined, and show the very close relationship between the amount of winter chilling and the spring reproductive response in the two cultivars in the orchard studied. The results can be used to define the relationship between local climate and plant development, and the mathematical approach can be used to draw maps that can show the suitability of different cultivars on the basis of local climatic conditions.

Congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction: therapeutic management.

PURPOSE: Congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction is a common condition, and its diagnosis must be based more on regular in-time epiphora than mattering. The purpose of this study is to better define the diagnostic criteria and therapeutic strategy. METHODS: We have retrospectively evaluated 1563 subjects treated from 1990-1997 at the Pediatric Ophthalmological Service of Modena University Eye Clinic. The mean age at first examination was 5.7 months. According to symptoms and age, patients were treated with antibiotic therapy, office probing, or general anesthesia probing. Recovery was confirmed only after a 3-month symptom-free period. RESULTS: More than 29% of patients recovered spontaneously or with topical antibiotic therapy. Office probing reduced the number of patients who needed a general anesthesia probing (from 62.97% from 1990-1993 to 33.61% from 1994-1997). In the period from 1994-1997, we changed the technique and especially the age of patients, obtaining a clearing of the obstruction in about 86% of cases compared with a 39% rate in the earlier period. Since 1994, in cases of general anesthesia probing, we have used a midazolam and ketamine anesthesiologic technique that has reduced risks and increased parental satisfaction and cost-effectiveness. Also, our data show that age at first attempt highly influenced probing failure rate. CONCLUSION: If the first ophthalmologic examination is precocious and correctly timed, the possibility of curing the patient using the simplest method is increased. Better results can be obtained with cooperation among pediatricians, ophthalmologists, and anesthesiologists.

Dizziness and vertigo in a department of emergency medicine.

Dizziness is a common and vexing diagnostic problem in emergency departments. The term is rather undefinite and often misused, but can in practice be classified into four categories: fainting, disequilibrium, vertigo and miscellaneous syndromes. Vertigo is the most common category of dizziness. Classification of vertigo can be based either on chronological criteria (acute, recurrent or chronic vertigo) or on topographical criteria (peripheral or central vertigo). Physicians working in emergency departments must be able to rapidly identify patients with potentially serious forms of vertigo, which could cause death or disability, and patients with mild conditions, that can be effectively treated. Previous studies and the experience of the authors have shown that reliable diagnostic hypotheses can be generated by taking a proper clinical history (focused on the onset and duration of the disease, the circumstances causing the vertigo and associated otological or neurological symptoms) and performing an accurate physical examination (evaluation of neurological defects and spontaneous or provoked nystagmus), supplemented by few laboratory tests and diagnostic procedures. Therapy of vertigo in emergency settings is mainly symptomatic and based on sedation and use of vestibulosuppressant drugs (antihistamines, phenothiazines).

Temperature influence on differentiation and release of hazel pollen.

The aim of the present work was to identify the classic phenological stages, and to understand its relation to catkin differentiation and growth, and its consequences for the start of pollination. Phenological observations and an aeropalynological survey on Corylus avellana, which is an example of an economically and allergologically interesting arboreal plant, were carried out during 1991-1992. The comparison between the different phenological phases and the aeropalynological data, showed that the pollen trap recorded hazel-pollen presence in the atmosphere immediately after the pollen release from the orchard. The start of catkin elongation in late winter, after the chilling requirement has been fulfilled, could be used to indicate the beginning of heat accumulation necessary for pollination.

A temporary endoscopic solution that significantly improves the prognosis of Bouveret's syndrome.

We report the case of a 73-year-old woman who was hospitalized for mild abdominal pain after her referral following a diagnostic assessment of acute lithiasic cholecystitis. After the spontaneus regression of her painful symptoms and fever and several days of well-being, her clinically acute abdominal features suddenly showed an obstruction of the upper gastrointestinal tract. An emergency esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGDS) confirmed that a large gallstone completely obstructed the pylorus as previously demonstrated by an ultrasound examination of the gallbladder. During the course of endoscopy, removal of the gallstone from the duodenum was achieved by pulling it into the stomach; the patient underwent an operation, the gallstone was removed, and the cholecystoduodenal fistula resolved. Postoperative procedures and recovery were rapid and favorable.

[Long-term effects of indobufen on several parameters of blood platelet function in subjects at thrombotic risk]. / Studio degli effetti a lungo termine dell'indobufene su alcuni parametri di funzione piastrinica in soggetti a rischio trombotico.

Indobufen (200 mg b.i.d., by os, for 21 days) was gave to 16 patients with atherothrombotic risk in which platelet function was valued. In this subjects, indobufen significatively reduced platelet aggregation, beta-thromboglobulin, platelet factor the 4th and alpha-platelet granules' intake. No side effects were found.

[Multi-institution, multidisciplinary radiology and endoscopy trial of the diagnostic accuracy of the double contrast examination of the stomach surface]. / Trial policentrico multidisciplinare radiologia-endoscopia sul rendimento diagnostico dell'esame a doppio contrasto di superficie dello stomaco.

In 12 X-ray and gastroenterology departments 1570 patients, clinically suspected to have a gastric pathology, have been examined by double contrast (surface) examination of the stomach followed by gastroscopy. Diagnostic accuracy was 93% in respect of endoscopic data, assumed correct by hypothesis. On the basis of a cost and benefit evaluation, made according to the well known criteria, a wider routine use of the double contrast technique is proposed.