Satellite monitoring of bio-fertilizer restoration in olive groves affected by Xylella fastidiosa subsp. pauca.

Xylella fastidiosa subsp. pauca (Xfp), has attacked the olive trees in Southern Italy with severe impacts on the olive agro-ecosystem. To reduce both the Xfp cell concentration and the disease symptom, a bio-fertilizer restoration technique has been used. Our study applied multi-resolution satellite data to evaluate the effectiveness of such technique at both field and tree scale. For field scale, a time series of High Resolution (HR) Sentinel-2 images, acquired in the months of July and August from 2015 to 2020, was employed. First, four spectral indices from treated and untreated fields were compared. Then, their trends were correlated to meteo-events. For tree-scale, Very High Resolution (VHR) Pléiades images were selected at the closest dates of the Sentinel-2 data to investigate the response to treatments of each different cultivar. All indices from HR and VHR images were higher in treated fields than in those untreated. The analysis of VHR indices revealed that Oliarola Salentina can respond better to treatments than Leccino and Cellina cultivars. All findings were in agreement with in-field PCR results. Hence, HR data could be used to evaluate plant conditions at field level after treatments, while VHR imagery could be used to optimize treatment doses per cultivar.

Predictive variables of spontaneous micturition recovery after acute urinary retention in men with benign prostatic enlargement: An observational prospective study.

OBJECTIVE: Acute urinary retention (AUR) is the sudden and painful inability to urinate spontaneously. AUR is one of the most significant complications of benign prostatic enlargement. The management of AUR is based on transurethral catheterization. Subsequent therapy is uncertain, but AUR seems to benefit from the use of alpha-blockers. The aim of this study was to evaluate the variables that could predict which patients would recover spontaneous micturition after trial without catheter. METHODS: The present prospective observational study included men with AUR in an Italian tertiary care institute in 2016. Patients were catheterized and treated orally with fluoroquinolones, alpha-blockers, and Serenoa repens extracts. Preoperative variables as age, C-reactive protein (CRP), previous prostate-specific antigen values, urinary retention volume, prostate volume, and scores on a modified International Prostate Symptom Score questionnaire (IPSS-4), were investigated in relation to spontaneous micturition recovery. RESULTS: Mean (±SD) age was 68.4 ± 7.1 years. Spontaneous and valid micturition recovery was observed in 11 patients (29.7%), whereas 26 (70.3%) needed to be catheterized again. The IPSS-4 score was significantly lower (9 vs 17; P < .001) and CRP values were significantly higher (43.00 vs 1.00 mg/dL; P < .001) in patients who recovered spontaneous micturition. The IPSS-4 scores and CRP showed an area under the curve of 0.85 and 0.87, respectively. for the prediction of spontaneous and valid micturition recovery. CONCLUSION: CRP and IPSS-4 could be useful tools to predict spontaneous micturition recovery after catheterization associated with medical therapy for AUR.

[Clean vesical intermittent catheterization: lubrication of vesical catheter through lidocaine or gentamicine?]. / Cateterismo vescicale intermittente pulito: catetere vescicale lubrificato con lidocaina o con gentamicina?

INTRODUCTION: The patients who undergo intermittent catheterization are at high risk of urinary tract infection. A prophylaxis method for this infection can be represented by the lubrication of urethral catheters with 0.1% gentamycin cream. This study compared the lubrication of urethral catheters with 0.1% gentamycin cream and 2% lidocaine jelly in relation to the quantitative results of the urine culture and incidence of symptomatic urinary tract infection and asymptomatic bacteriuria. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sixteen patients, divided in groups A and B, were studied. Patients in Group A were directed to lubricate the urethral catheter with 0.1% gentamicin cream, whereas in Group B with 2% lidocaine jelly. Urine cultures and urine analysis were carried out every three weeks, for four months, for a total of 5 samples. The presence or absence of bacteria or fungi, the number of colonies and the isolated types, and the leukocyturia were evaluated. RESULTS: No significant differences in the presence of significant bacteriuria, symptomatic urinary tract infection and asymptomatic bacteriuria were found between the two groups. Escherichia coli was the most common isolated bacterium in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study, in line with previous works, showed that the lubrication of urethral catheters with 0.1% gentamicin cream is not an effective alternative to reduce significant bacteriuria and prevent urinary infection in patients who undergo clean intermittent catheterization.

[Communication in Pediatrics: children and adolescents, subjects of right]. / La comunicación en Pediatría: niñas, niños y adolescentes, sujetos de derecho.

We will analyze the patient-family-doctor communication. We suggest that the healthcare professional consider girls and boys subjects of right, in order to generate conditions for dialogue. Letting them speak, be listened to, as well as informed, results essential for them to participate in the decision-making regarding their health. To do so, we will give rise to the need to reflect on self-representations about childhood. Likewise, we will consider doctor's communicative competences and the active role of every single member of this triad.

La comunicación en pediatría: niñas, niños y adolescentes, sujetos de derecho / Communication in pediatrics: children and adolescents, subjects of right

Analizaremos la comunicación en el vínculo médico-paciente-familia. Proponemos que el profesional se sitúe frente a la perspectiva del niño y la niña como sujetos de derecho, de modo de crear condiciones para el diálogo. Otorgarles la palabra, ser escuchados, así como también informados, resulta fundamental para que puedan participar en las decisiones que se tomen en torno a su salud. Para ello, se plantea la necesidad de reflexionar sobre las propias representaciones en torno a la infancia. Consideraremos, también, las competencias comunicativas del médico y el papel activo de cada uno de los integrantes de esta tríada.

La comunicación en pediatría: niñas, niños y adolescentes, sujetos de derecho / Communication in pediatrics: children and adolescents, subjects of right

Analizaremos la comunicación en el vínculo médico-paciente-familia. Proponemos que el profesional se sitúe frente a la perspectiva del niño y la niña como sujetos de derecho, de modo de crear condiciones para el diálogo. Otorgarles la palabra, ser escuchados, así como también informados, resulta fundamental para que puedan participar en las decisiones que se tomen en torno a su salud. Para ello, se plantea la necesidad de reflexionar sobre las propias representaciones en torno a la infancia. Consideraremos, también, las competencias comunicativas del médico y el papel activo de cada uno de los integrantes de esta tríada.(AU)

A journey into the imaginary of Sicilian pastry.

This article is an anthropological archeology of Sicilian confectionery, from the prehistoric-like assemblage of sesame seeds and honey (giurgiulena) to the extravagant gelato di campagna and the baroque-rustic cassata. Sweets are analyzed as architectural constructions that rely on newly discovered ingredients and techniques to create edible edifices that amazed the eye as much as the palate. They emerge from their historical and social context and affirm themselves as moments of innovation in the culinary art. On a deeper level, the art of pasticceri bears the marks of an existential quest that constantly redefines man's symbolic relation to the forces and contrasts of life.