Using Plant Functional Traits to Define the Biomass Energy Potential of Invasive Alien Plant Species.

The eradication of invasive alien plant species (IAPS) is mandatory worldwide, but the resulting biomass is still considered waste. The energy use of biomasses obtained from IAPS eradication may represent ecological and economic benefits, creating synergies with restoration projects. We evaluated whether the growth forms and functional types identified using the functional space of 63 IAPS corresponded to a possible bioenergy use through multivariate analysis techniques.

Tissue factor as a potential coagulative/vascular marker in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.

Objectives: Recent studies supported coagulation involvement in multiple sclerosis, an inflammatory-demyelinating and degenerative disease of the central nervous system. The main objectives of this observational study were to identify the most specific pro-coagulative/vascular factors for multiple sclerosis pathogenesis and to correlate them with brain hemodynamic abnormalities.

Methods: We compared i) serum/plasma levels of complement(C)/coagulation/vascular factors, viral/microbiological assays, fat-soluble vitamins and lymphocyte count among people with multiple sclerosis sampled in a clinical remission (=30; 23F/7M, 40 ± 8.

Homocysteine and Inflammatory Cytokines in the Clinical Assessment of Infection in Venous Leg Ulcers.

Inflammation and biofilm-associated infection are common in chronic venous leg ulcers (VU), causing deep pain and delayed healing. Albeit important, clinical markers and laboratory parameters for identifying and monitoring persistent VU infections are limited. This study analyzed 101 patients with infected (IVU) and noninfected VUs (NVU).

Macular Choroidal Thickness: Evaluation of Variability among Measurements and Assessment of Predictive Value of Glaucomatous Visual Field Damage.

Introduction: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the choroidal circulation and glaucoma, assessing macular choroidal thickness (MCT) as a predictive value of glaucomatous visual field damage.

Methods: Twenty primary open-angle glaucoma patients were recruited. Patients underwent 2 SS-OCT scans: one with DRI OCT (Topcon) and the other with PLEX Elite 9000 (Zeiss).

The Impact of Bacterial Biofilms on End-Organ Disease and Mortality in Patients with Hematologic Malignancies Developing a Bloodstream Infection.

Bacterial bloodstream infection (BSI) represents a significant complication in hematologic patients. However, factors leading to BSI and progression to end-organ disease and death are understood only partially. The study analyzes host and microbial risk factors and assesses their impact on BSI development and mortality.