Nitrogen and carbon stable isotope analysis sheds light on trophic competition between two syntopic land iguana species from Galápagos.

Coexistence between closely related species can lead to intense competition for resources. Stable isotope analysis (SIA) is a reliable tool to estimate the extent of species competition. We employed SIA to evaluate niche partitioning among two syntopic species of Galápagos land iguanas: Conolophus subcristatus and C.

Radon Hazard in Central Italy: Comparison among Areas with Different Geogenic Radon Potential.

Radon (Rn) is a natural radioactive gas formed in rocks and soil by the decay of its parent nuclide (238-Uranium). The rate at which radon migrates to the surface, be it along faults or directly emanated from shallow soil, represents the Geogenic Radon Potential (GRP) of an area. Considering that the GRP is often linked to indoor radon risk levels, we have conducted multi-disciplinary research to: (i) define local GRPs and investigate their relationship with associated indoor Rn levels; (ii) evaluate inhaled radiation dosages and the associated risk to the inhabitants; and (iii) define radon priority areas (RPAs) as required by the Directive 2013/59/Euratom.

Exploring mobility in Italian Neolithic and Copper Age communities.

As a means for investigating human mobility during late the Neolithic to the Copper Age in central and southern Italy, this study presents a novel dataset of enamel oxygen and carbon isotope values (δOca and δCca) from the carbonate fraction of biogenic apatite for one hundred and twenty-six individual teeth coming from two Neolithic and eight Copper Age communities. The measured δOca values suggest a significant role of local sources in the water inputs to the body water, whereas δCca values indicate food resources, principally based on C plants. Both δCca and δOca ranges vary substantially when samples are broken down into local populations.

Mapping the geogenic radon potential and radon risk by using Empirical Bayesian Kriging regression: A case study from a volcanic area of central Italy.

A detailed geochemical study on radon related to local geology was carried out in the municipality of Celleno, a little settlement located in the eastern border of the Quaternary Vulsini volcanic district (central Italy). This study included soil-gas and terrestrial gamma dose rate survey, laboratory analyses of natural radionuclides (U, Ra, Th, K) activity in rocks and soil samples, and indoor radon measurements carried out in selected private and public dwellings. Soil-gas radon and carbon dioxide concentrations range from 6 to 253 kBq/m and from 0.

Major discrepancies between what clinical trial registries record and paediatric randomised controlled trials publish.

Background: Whether information from clinical trial registries (CTRs) and published randomised controlled trial (RCTs) differs remains unknown. Knowing more about discrepancies should alert those who rely on RCTs for medical decision-making to possible dissemination or reporting bias. To provide help in critically appraising research relevant for clinical practice we sought possible discrepancies between what CTRs record and paediatric RCTs actually publish.

Reduced numbers of switched memory B cells with high terminal differentiation potential in Down syndrome.

Children with Down syndrome (DS) have increased susceptibility to infections and a high frequency of leukemia and autoimmune disorders, suggesting that immunodeficiency and immune dysfunction are integral parts of the syndrome. A reduction in B-cell numbers has been reported, associated with moderate immunodeficiency and normal immunoglobulin levels. Here, we compared B-cell populations of 19 children with DS with those in healthy age-matched controls.

Palaeodiet reconstruction in a woman with probable celiac disease: a stable isotope analysis of bone remains from the archaeological site of Cosa (Italy).

Stable isotope analysis in the reconstruction of human palaeodiets can yield clues to early human subsistence strategies, origins and history of farming and pastoralist societies, and intra- and intergroup social differentiation. In the last 10 years, the method has been extended to the pathological investigation. Stable isotope analysis to better understand a diet-related disease: celiac disease in ancient human bones was carried out.

The impact of the Catholic Jubilee in 2000 on infectious diseases. A case-control study of giardiasis, Rome, Italy 2000-2001.

Mass gatherings are believed to increase the transmission of infectious diseases although surveillance systems have shown a low impact. The Catholic Jubilee was held in Rome, Italy in 2000. We conducted a case-control study to analyse the risk factors of giardiasis among residents.

[Esophageal achalasia: etiopathogenesis and possibility of treatment. Review of the literature and presentation of a clinical case].

The Authors report a particular case and make a careful international literature regarding etiopathogenesis and surgical treatment of oesophageal achalasia. First they consider the infection mechanisms as the cause of underlying motor disturbances of the oesophagus. Afterwards holding as parameters of reference for the evaluation of effectiveness of the therapy both the relief of dysphagia and the appearance of postoperative RGE, the various surgical options are then examined: pneumatic dilatation as opposed to surgery; the approach to thoracic and abdominal surgery and the possible assembly of a reflux protection mechanism.

Colposcopy in gynecologic practice.

We review the role of colposcopy in the setting of a private gynecologic practice and present the data regarding 418 patients. The practicality and propriety of using colposcopy to evaluate patients with abnormal results of cytology, gross cervical lesions with or without postcoital bleeding, or a history of intrauterine exposure to diethylstilbestrol are discussed. The follow-up of small groups of patients treated with cryosurgery for intraepithelial neoplasms is presented.

Verrucous carcinoma of the vagina.

The case histories of three women with verrucous carcinoma of the vagina are presented. Verrucous carcinoma, in the female genital tract as elsewhere, is a relentlessly growing, destructive, but generally nonmetastasizing neoplasm of stratified squamous epithelium with a characteristic gross and microscopic appearance. It should be recognized and segregated from the usual type of squamous carcinoma so that appropriate therapy can be administered.

A ten-year experience in the evaluation and management of patients with stress urinary incontinence.

The surgical procedures used, the complications encountered and the results obtained in 549 patients with urinary stress incontinence with or without prolapse and 50 patients with prolapse without urinary stress incontinence are presented. Incontinence was cured in 347 patients, improved in 126, unchanged in 66 and worsened in ten. Seven patients operated on for uterine prolapse developed urinary incontinence after surgery.

Cervical pregnancy: report of three cases and a review of the literature.

Three cases of cervical pregnancy are reported and the literature is reviewed. The incidence is found to be increasing and it was felt to be related to the increasing number of legal or therapeutic abortions, or other surgical procedures on the cervix and endometrial cavity, resulting in unsuitable endometrium for implantation of a fertilized ovum.