Evidence of thermophilisation and elevation-dependent warming during the Last Interglacial in the Italian Alps.

Thermophilisation is the response of plants communities in mountainous areas to increasing temperatures, causing an upward migration of warm-adapted (thermophilic) species and consequently, the timberline. This greening, associated with warming, causes enhanced evapotranspiration that leads to intensification of the hydrological cycle, which is recorded by hydroclimate-sensitive archives, such as stalagmites and flowstones formed in caves. Understanding how hydroclimate manifests at high altitudes is important for predicting future water resources of many regions of Europe that rely on glaciers and snow accumulation. Using proxy data from three coeval speleothems (stalagmites and flowstone) from the Italian Alps, we reconstructed both the ecosystem and hydrological setting during the Last Interglacial (LIG); a warm period that may provide an analogue to a near-future climate scenario. Our speleothem proxy data, including calcite fabrics and the stable isotopes of calcite and fluid inclusions, indicate a +4.3 ± 1.6 °C temperature anomaly at ~2000 m a.s.l. for the peak LIG, with respect to present-day values (1961-1990). This anomaly is significantly higher than any low-altitude reconstructions for the LIG in Europe, implying elevation-dependent warming during the LIG. The enhanced warming at high altitudes must be accounted for when considering future climate adaption strategies in sensitive mountainous regions.

Sistemas de produção de plantas medicinais na região metropolitana de Curitiba

Quatro diferentes sistemas de modelos de produção de plantas medicinais na região metropolitana de Curitiba, Paraná, foram estudados. O objetivo do estudo foi analisar os diferentes modelos com uma aproximação holística (sob foco sistêmico) pretendendo, como o resultado final, um sistema de produção alternativo, tecnicamente, economicamente e ambientalmente sustentável. Vários aspectos de qualidade foram especialmente analisados. O trabalho foi desenvolvido durante setembro de 2000 a maio de 2001, usando um levantamento rápido em áreas rurais, com entrevistas semi-estruturadas.

Four different medicinal plant production system models in Curitiba Metropolitan Area, Paraná, were studied. The objective of the study was to analyze the different models with a holistic approach (under systemic focus) intending, as the end result, an alternative technically, economically, and environmentally sustainable production system. Several aspects of quality were especially analyzed. The work was developed during September 2000 to May 2001, using a quick survey in rural areas, with semi-structured interviews.

[Aedes (Stegomyia) aegypti L. and associated culicidae fauna in a urban area of southern Brazil]. / Aedes (Stegomyia) aegypti L. e a culicideofauna associada em área urbana da região sul, Brasil.

Some aspects of the ecology of eleven species of Culicidae that were found breeding in recipients in an urban area of Southern Brazil are presented. A great variety of recipients were listed as efficient breeding sites. Apparently Aedes aegypti has been recently introduced into the region and was limited to two areas of the city. Culex quinquefasciatus, Cx. coronator, Ae. aegypti, Ae. fluviatilis e Limatus durhamii were the predominant species.

[Diagnostic imaging in constipation]. / Il contributo dell'imaging nella stipsi.

Diagnostic imaging modalities play a key role in the definition of the possible causes of constipation. Barium Enema (BE), Defecography (DG), Intestinal Transit Time (ITT), Computed Axial Tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance (MR) are necessary diagnostic tools for the identification either of the possible organic causes of the disease or of the functional disorders. The ITT evaluation is the main investigation to look for functional colic constipation; this method is in fact able to distinguish between the hypertonic type (in which the fecal progression is slowed down to such an extent that radiopaque markers accumulate in the most proximal part of the colon) and the atonic one (characterized by a global slowing down with the markers distributed along the whole colon). DG gives very accurate dynamic documentation of the pathologic alteration of the rectum-anal conduit, as well as of the disease of the supporting and anchoring system and of the levator complex; this type of investigation allows the definition (characterisation) of the different types of the functional rectum-anal constipation. Even in this case TAC and RM can greatly contribute to the definition of the whole picture of the constipation.

[Bronchiolo-alveolar carcinoma in a solitary site. The computed tomographic characteristics]. / Carcinoma bronchiolo-alveolare a unica localizzazione. Caratteristiche con tomografia computerizzata.

Bronchioloalveolar carcinoma is a peripheral, well-differentiated neoplasm arising beyond a recognizable bronchus, with a tendency to spread to the peripheral air spaces using the lung structure as stroma. This tumor has better prognosis than other lung neoplasms if it is diagnosed early (stage I). For this reason, the CT scans of 16 patients (all of them asymptomatic, only 2 smokers) were reviewed to assess CT capabilities. The cytologic diagnosis was made with CT-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy in 4 patients (surgical confirmation followed); the histologic diagnosis was made in 12 patients after surgery. CT findings included the peripheral (14 cases) or subpleural (2 cases; 12.5%) location, irregular margins forming a star-like pattern (2 cases; 12.5%), pseudocavitation (13 cases; 81%), heterogeneous attenuation (11 cases; 69%), pleural tags (14 cases; 87.5%) and air bronchogram (2 cases; 12.5%). These CT findings, if compared with the same number of CT scans in patients with adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, are present in 70% of patients (11/16) and, although not highly specific (specificity: 36%), they are typical enough to suggest the diagnosis.

Effect of castration and testosterone replacement on pancreatic carcinogenesis in Syrian hamsters.

Hormonal manipulation has been proposed as a possible new approach to the treatment of pancreatic cancer. We studied the effect of orchiectomy and testosterone replacement on early stage pancreatic carcinogenesis induced by diisopropanolnitrosamine (DIPIN) in Syrian golden hamsters. Eighty-five hamsters (mean body weight, 100 g) were divided into the following treatment groups: 1) DIPN (n = 20); 2) DIPN plus orchiectomy (n = 17); 3) DIPN plus orchiectomy plus testosterone (n = 18); 4) orchiectomy (n = 10); 5) sham operation (n = 10); 6) DIPN plus testosterone (n = 10). DIPN (125 mg/kg/body wt.) was administered s.c. every week and testosterone propionate (10 micrograms/g) was administered s.c. every 3 weeks. Bilateral orchiectomy was performed 1 week after the first injection of DIPN. All animals were killed 15 weeks after starting the treatment. The whole pancreas was removed, weighted and histologically examined. There was no difference in the incidence of preneoplastic lesions among groups 1, 2, 3 and 6 (respectively 87%, 83%, 77% and 80%); 3 animals in each group developed invasive carcinoma. In control groups (4 and 5), no precancerous lesions were recorded. In this experimental model, orchiectomy and testosterone replacement had no effect on nitrosamine-induced pancreatic carcinogenesis.

[Giant cell arteritis as a cause of myocardial infarction. Description of a case]. / Arterite a cellule giganti come causa di infarto miocardico. Descrizione di un caso.

Giant cell arteritis is a disease of the elderly of unknown origin. It involves large, medium and small sized arteries. The extracranial arteries, especially the aorta and its main branches, are rarely involved. The typical histologic features are fibrous intimal proliferation, the disruption of the internal elastic lamina, the presence of mixed cellular infiltrate, plasma cells and histiocytes and giant cells. We report the case of a 78-year-old patient, who died of acute myocardial infarction. The autopsy unexpectedly revealed giant cell arteritis involving the coronary arteries and other systemic arteries.