Ultrastructural, protein and photosynthetic alterations induced by Pb and Cd in Cynara cardunculus L., and its potential for phytoremediation.

The effects of cadmium and lead were investigated in Cynara cardunculus L. Plant uptake by root and shoot, changes in cell ultrastructure and photosynthetic efficiency, photosynthetic key protein levels, as well as regulation of stress-induced Hsp70 were examined. Cynara cardunculus accumulated Cd and Pb in their tissue, with a different trend for the two metals. The prompt translocation of Cd to the shoot may justify the ultrastructural injuries, especially observed in chloroplasts. However, Cd- treated plants did not show any decline in photochemistry; it is likely that Cd in shoot tissue triggers defense mechanisms, increasing the level of proteins involved in photosynthesis (i.e., Rubisco and D1 increased 7 and 4.5 fold respectively) as a compensatory response to neutralize chloroplast damage. The accumulation of Pb mainly in root, can explain the increase in Hsp70 level (23 folds) in this tissue. Pb reached the shoots, even at low amounts, causing an overall significant change in some photochemical parameters (QY and NPQ decreases and increases of 25%, respectively). The results suggest a higher sensitivity of C. cardunculus to Pb than Cd, although maximal photochemical efficiency suggests that this species seems to tolerate Pb and Cd and hence, it is a suitable candidate for phytoremediation.

Tracking the route of phenanthrene uptake in mosses: An experimental trial.

In recent decades, mosses have been used as native species or as transplants in monitoring a wide range of pollutants from inorganic (i.e. metals and metalloids) to organic contaminants (mainly polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons-PAHs). To implement the use of mosses as biomonitors of PAHs, one important issue is the study of the interactions between these compounds and moss tissues. In this study we investigated the mode of phenanthrene uptake in four moss species (Amblystegium humile, Plagiomnium affine, Hypnum cupressiforme and a clone of Sphagnum palustre) and its movements from air to plant surface and within the biomonitors, using fluorescent and confocal microscopy. The target compound, partitioned between gas and particulate phase depending on air conditions, was selected since it is one of the most abundant PAHs released into the atmosphere. Our findings support the hypothesis that phenanthrene aggregates in particles and in this form it is chiefly intercepted and uptaken onto moss surfaces, albeit with different frequency in the four species, with S. palustre>H. cupressiforme>P. affine=A. humile. Phenanthrene enters the dead, empty hyalocysts of S. palustre. Specific surface area and composition, frequency and distribution of binding groups may also explain the different ability of phenanthrene uptake by the four moss species.

Test-and-treat strategy for Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection in older patients.

UNLABELLED: Despite Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection is highly prevalent in older populations, low rates of HP diagnosis and eradication are reported in older persons, even in geriatric wards. We aim to evaluate the results of a HP-eradicating program in a sample of older patients in relation to dyspeptic symptoms and to endoscopic findings. A pool of 140 subjects (female/ale=86/54, mean age 68.6±5.4 years) with positive C(13)-urea breath test were recruited, clinically evaluated to investigate the presence and characteristics of dyspepsia and abdominal pain, and underwent gastric endoscopic examination. HP-eradication was obtained in 87.9% of subjects with first-line triple therapy, regardless of endoscopic findings. Sixty-eight (48.6%) patients were symptomatic and 72 (51.4%) were asymptomatic. HP-related organic disease in endoscopic examination was frequent (present in 53.6% of the patients) but the distribution of different pathologies were similar in patients with and without symptoms (p=0.86). CONCLUSIONS: even if diagnosis and treatment of HP infection in older patients is underestimated, this population should be a priority for HP-eradication since the infection is more frequent, peptic disease and gastric cancer are frequent, and eradication is effective.

[Hyponatremia: etiopathogenetic observations in the personal experiences]. / L'iponatremia : rilievi etiopatogenetici in esperienze personali.

AIM: Hyponatremia, an electrolyte disturbance, can be due to loss of solutes or to an increase of ''free'' water concentration, predominantly caused by excessive antidiuretic hormone (ADH) secretion. When acute, hyponatremia is threatening, because it can cause cell swelling and severe neuromuscular symptoms (central pontine myelinolysis). METHODS: In a sample of 220 subjects with hyponatremia (123 males, 97 females) aged from 47 to 83, hospitalized in the Department of Clinic Medicines and Emergent Pathologies, from 2000 till today, age, serum and urinary sodium concentration, urine specific gravity, signs, symptoms and causes of electrolyte disturbance were evaluated. Student's t-test was applied for parametric spread data, Mann-Whitney Test for no parametric spread data, ANOVA test for statistic comparison between groups. RESULTS: Hyponatremia due to an increase of ''free'' water prevails in respect to hyponatremia due to loss of solutes (55.9% vs 44%). In the first case the prevalent causes are: decompensated hepatic cirrhosis (37.3%), heart failure (31.7%), glucosate solutions at 5% (17.8%) and drugs that can potentially increase ADH secretion (antidepressants, etc.) (13%), especially in elderly people. In the second case chronic diarrhea, vomiting (40%, 32.9%) and diuretic-induced hypernatriuresis (18.5%) prevail. Laboratory results follow the grade of efficient volemia, registering statistically significant differences between the two variants of hyponatremia. CONCLUSION: Different diagnosis and adequate treatment are essential when hyponatremia is acute. Particular attention must be reserved to elderly people with hyponatremia, in which the mechanisms of ''free'' water clearance are inefficient and such hypotonic glucosate solutions as medicines that increase ADH secretion (psychodrugs) must be administered with caution and under clinical control.

[Management of uncomplicated arterial hypertension in pregnancy]. / Management clinico-terapeutico dell'ipertensione arteriosa non complicatanella donna in gravidanza.

In the management of uncomplicated arterial hypertension in pregnancy, blood pressure (BP) values of pregnant women should be treated in order to reduce risks of both maternal and fetal complications. To reduce these risks, it is necessary to monitor BP, some hematochemical parameters and albuminuria, to try to prevent more serious clinical complications. Moreover, repeated measurements of BP, as well as frequent ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) over 24 h are necessary. In the treatment of hypertension in pregnancy, if there are no high risks, it is possible to try a non pharmacological antihypertensive therapy consisting of a suitable diet, reduction of weight, abolition of some lifestyles (smoking, excessive alcohol consumption and heavy physical exercises). If these measures are not sufficient or the risk is high, a pharmacological therapy with neither toxic nor teratogenic drugs for the fetus will be administered in order to normalize BP without reducing perfusion of the uterus/placenta. Only in case of severe hypertension, a more aggressive pharmacological treatment should be carried out and, if necessary, hospitalization. The drugs suggested in these cases are those which have already been recognised as presenting low side effects. Antihypertensive drugs used in pregnancy can be classified as: suitable (methyldopa, clonidine, long acting calcioantagonists); cautiously used (alpha-blockers, beta-betablockers); contraindicated (ACE-inhibitors, sartans, short acting calcioantagonists). Hyper-tensive crises should be treated with an injection therapy (clonidine, labetalol), with hospital admission if necessary, or if preeclampsia or eclampsia may occur.