The combined use of hydrogeological and hydrogeochemical methods can provide relevant information about the characteristics of aquifers in studies focused on groundwater protection and management. In ...the present study, spring discharge monitoring coupled with stable and unstable water isotopes was used to compare the behaviour of adjacent fractured and porous aquifers hosted in a 4.5 km
2
area along the same slope in the northern Apennines, Italy. Based on stable isotope analyses of four springs, a plausible local meteoric water line and a local vertical isotopic gradient were identified. Additionally, tritium contents revealed a recent meteoric origin for groundwater via infiltration in the area. The results of monthly stable isotope monitoring, hourly spring discharge monitoring, hourly rainfall monitoring, and statistical analyses (time series analysis) suggested that although the adjacent aquifers exhibited pronounced geological and hydrogeological differences, few discrepancies were observed regarding groundwater infiltration and release processes. Notably, they exhibited similar temporal delays associated with the response to precipitation events due to the roles of macro-fractures and macro-porosity. Groundwater circulation was characterized by piston and memory effects in both the fractured and porous aquifers, and these effects reflect the roles of micro-fractures/fissures and micro-porosity. The study highlights the relevant contributions of isotopes in studies that focus on spring vulnerability and aquifer processes. Moreover, results obtained in the Pietra di Bismantova site are useful to increase hydrological knowledge on the quite relevant aquifers hosted in Epi-ligurian rock slabs and the surrounding slope deposits in the northern Apennines of Italy.
The Poiano karst spring is located in the North Apennines (Italy) and it drains Triassic evaporite rocks with a mean discharge of hundreds of liters/second. Two hydrogeological conceptual models have ...been proposed (and published) for the spring based on tracer tests. Both models highlighted the contribution of the local streams to recharge of the karst aquifer system, through sinking-stream processes, as well as recharge through rainfall; however, those studies differed in the water courses selected to monitor the recharge processes. The aim of the present research is to increase knowledge about the groundwater recharge processes of the Poiano karst spring with new surveys and analyses, resulting in a large dataset of temporal water stable isotope analyses (δ
18
O, δ
2
H), temporal stream discharge measurements, and temporal water tritium isotope data (T). A new hydrogeological conceptual model for the Poiano karst spring is proposed, within which a new list of streams becomes involved in the recharge-processes model based on different sources of water. In addition, the research identifies and confirms the occurrence of groundwater flow processes inside the karst system, such as the piston effect.
The objective of the study was to quantify the loss and arterial blood concentration of the three main classes of amino acids (AAs)—nonessential amino acids (NEAAs), essential amino acids (EAAs), and ...branched-chain amino acids—as resulting from high-efficiency hemodialysis (HED) and hemodiafiltration (HDF). We moreover aimed to identify the different fates and metabolic effects manifested in patients undergoing hemodialysis and the consequences on body composition and influence of nutritional decline into protein energy wasting.
Identical dialysis monitors, membranes, and dialysate/infusate were used to ensure consistency. Ten patients were recruited and randomized to receive treatment with on-line modern HED and HDF. Arterial plasma concentrations of individual AAs were compared in healthy volunteers and patients undergoing hemodialysis, and AA levels outflowing from the dialyzer were evaluated. Baseline AA plasma levels of patients undergoing hemodialysis were compared with findings obtained 1 year later.
A severe loss of AA with HED/HDF was confirmed: a marked loss of total AAs (5 g/session) was detected, corresponding to more than 65% of all AAs. With regard to individual AAs, glutamine displayed a consistent increase (+150%), whereas all other AAs decreased after 12 months of HD/HDF. Only a few AAs, such as proline, cysteine, and histidine maintained normal levels. The most severe metabolic consequences may result from losses of EAAs such as valine, leucine, and histidine and from NEAAs including proline, cysteine, and glutamic acid eliciting the onset of hypercatabolism threatening muscle mass loss.
Dialysis losses, together with the effect of chronic uremia, resulted in a reduction of fundamental EAAs and NEAAs, which progressively led our patients after 12 months to a deterioration of lean mass toward sarcopenia. Therefore, the reintroduction of a correctly balanced AA supplementation in patients undergoing HD to prevent or halt decline of hypercatabolism into cachexia is recommended.
A comprehensive understanding of bedrock lithology and groundwater circulation is necessary to identify areas prone to landslide initiation and reactivation. This necessity is particularly required ...in the case of outcroppings of weak rocks such as gypsum that, due to their high solubility and low mechanical strength, can promote slope deformation with the development of caves and collapses. In the Upper Secchia River Valley, where gypsum outcrops extensively and is covered by landslide deposits, an accurate identification of the gypsum outcrops and their distribution is needed to reduce the damage to urbanized slopes. In this paper, a hydrologic and geochemical approach is used in the Montecagno landslide to identify the origin, flow paths and transit time of groundwater circulating inside the landslide body and to identify gypsum deposits and their distribution in the bedrock. The results of groundwater-level monitoring, δ
18
O-δ
2
H and
3
H isotope analyses and FLOWPC modelling suggest a local and recent origin of the groundwater hosted in shallow flow paths inside the landslide. Chemical and isotope (
87
Sr/
86
Sr, δ
11
B) analyses offer evidence of the presence inside the landslide of small blocks of gypsum that, due to their dimensions, probably have a minor influence on landslide stability. This research demonstrates that the methodology used can provide satisfactory information about bedrock structures and their hydrological aspects.
Deep-seated landslides are complex systems. In many cases, multidisciplinary studies are necessary to unravel the key hydrological features that can influence their evolution in space and time. The ...deep-seated Berceto landslide, in the northern Apennines of Italy, has been investigated in order to define the origin and geochemical evolution of groundwater (GW), to identify the slope system hydrological boundary, and to highlight the GW flow paths, transit time and transfer modalities inside the landslide body. This research is based on a multidisciplinary approach that involves monitoring GW levels, obtaining analyses of water chemistry and stable and unstable isotopes (δ
18
O-δ
2
H,
3
H,
87
Sr/
86
Sr), performing soil leaching tests, geochemical modelling (PHREEQC), and principal component analysis (PCA). The results of δ
18
O-δ
2
H and
87
Sr/
86
Sr analyses show that the source of GW recharge in the Berceto landslide is local rainwater, and external contributions from a local stream can be excluded. In the landslide body, two GW hydrotypes (Ca-HCO
3
and Na-HCO
3
) are identified, and the results of PHREEQC and PCA confirm that the chemical features of the GW depend on water–rock interaction processes occurring inside the landslide. The
3
H content suggests a recent origin for GW and appears to highlight mixing between shallow and deep GW aliquots. The
3
H content and GW levels data confirm that shallow GW is mainly controlled by a mass transfer mechanism. The
3
H analyses with GW levels also indicate that only deep GW is controlled by a pressure transfer mechanism, and this mechanism is likely the main influence on the landslide kinematics.
Purpose
The aim of this study was to assess the epidemiology of candidemia and antifungal susceptibility profiles of
Candida
isolates in Italy through a prospective surveillance study and to evaluate ...changes compared to a previous survey performed in one Italian region (Lombardy) in 1997–1999.
Methods
A prospective laboratory-based surveillance of candidemia was performed in Italy from January to December 2009. For each case a questionnaire was filled in, and the first isolate was collected and tested for in vitro antifungal susceptibility.
Results
During our 12-month survey, 467 episodes of candidemia were reported from 34 centres (30 located in Lombardy) and 464 isolates collected.
Candida albicans
was the predominant species (overall incidence 50.4 %), but the proportion varied considerably from 52.1 % in Lombardy hospitals to 45.2 % hospitals located outside this region. The second most frequent species was
C. glabrata
in Lombardy and
C. parapsilosis
in other regions. Comparison of the 1997–1999 and 2009 data on episodes of candidemia in Lombardy revealed a threefold increase in incidence (from 0.38 to 1.19 per 1,000 admissions), aging of infected patients, decline in crude mortality (from 35 to 27.1 %) and an increased proportion of
C. glabrata
etiology (from 12.8 to 20.3 %). Susceptibility testing confirmed the broad activity of amphotericin B and echinocandins. Decreased susceptibility to fluconazole was found in 24.9 % of the tested isolates.
Conclusions
The results of this latest survey confirm the high rate of candidemia in Italy and show changes in some of the epidemiological tracts, such as aging of infected patients, increased proportion of
C. glabrata
infections, increased diagnosis in medical wards, and improvement in patients’ survival.
Lack of physical exercise is considered an important risk factor for chronic diseases. On the contrary, physical exercise reduces the morbidity rates of obesity, diabetes, bone disease, and ...hypertension. In order to gain novel molecular and cellular clues, we analyzed the effects of physical exercise on differentiation of mesenchymal circulating progenitor cells (M-CPCs) obtained from runners. We also investigated autophagy and telomerase-related gene expression to evaluate the involvement of specific cellular functions in the differentiation process. We performed cellular and molecular analyses in M-CPCs, obtained by a depletion method, of 22 subjects before (PRE RUN) and after (POST RUN) a half marathon performance. In order to prove our findings, we performed also in vitro analyses by testing the effects of runners’ sera on a human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem (hBM-MSC) cell line. PCR array analyses of PRE RUN versus POST RUN M-CPC total RNAs put in evidence several genes which appeared to be modulated by physical activity. Our results showed that physical exercise promotes differentiation. Osteogenesis-related genes as RUNX2, MSX1, and SPP1 appeared to be upregulated after the run; data showed also increased levels of BMP2 and BMP6 expressions. SOX9, COL2A1, and COMP gene enhanced expression suggested the induction of chondrocytic differentiation as well. The expression of telomerase-associated genes and of two autophagy-related genes, ATG3 and ULK1, was also affected and correlated positively with MSC differentiation. These data highlight an attractive cellular scenario, outlining the role of autophagic response to physical exercise and suggesting new insights into the benefits of physical exercise in counteracting chronic degenerative conditions.
The concentration of calcium (Ca), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn) and selenium (Se) in plasma of 76 nonagenarians (mean age, 89.0±6.3years), 64 centenarians (mean ...age, 101±1years) and 24 middle-aged subjects as controls (mean age 61.2±1.1years), was determined by sector field inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. All the subjects lived in Sardinia, an Italian island, that has the higher prevalence of centenarians than in other European countries. A comparison among the three classes of age showed a significant depletion of Ca, Co, Fe, Mn and Se (all p<0.001) in nonagenarians and centenarians with respect to controls. In particular, the geometric mean (GM) values of Ca, Co, Fe, Mn and Se were: 94.1μg/ml, 0.46ng/ml, 1314ng/ml, 2.47ng/ml and 111ng/ml in controls; 87.6μg/ml, 0.22ng/ml, 815ng/ml, 1.07ng/ml and 88.9ng/ml in nonagenarians; 87.0μg/ml, 0.29ng/ml, 713ng/ml, 1.27ng/ml and 81.9ng/ml in centenarians. The highest inverse relationship with age was observed for Fe (p<0.001; ρ=−0.352) and Se (p<0.001; ρ=−0.417). This trend was also observed when data were sorted by gender. On the other hand, Cu and Mg levels in plasma remained substantially unchanged during aging. As regards Cu, it was significantly higher in females than in males in controls (GM, 1294ng/ml vs. 1077ng/ml; p=0.012), in nonagenarians (GM, 1216ng/ml vs. 1081ng/ml; p=0.011) as well as in centenarians (GM, 1226ng/ml vs. 1152ng/ml; p=0.045) and in hypertensive subjects with respect to healthy people (GM, 1215ng/ml vs. 1129ng/ml; p=0.021). These data can be used to enhance knowledge and support the research on: i) metals involved in aging in areas with high rates of human longevity; ii) variables (gender, lifestyle habits and health status) as critical determinants in aging; and iii) mineral intake and supplementation at older age affecting the healthy aging.
•Aging is associated to illness and malnutrition.•Metals play a key role in metabolic functions which are altered during aging.•Metal in plasma of elderly people can be critical determinants in longevity.•Data can minimize the nutritional deficiency and improve well-being in aging.
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