Effects of long-term land use on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and glomalin-related soil protein

The maintenance of soil health and productivity is a central aim of sustainable agriculture. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are soil biota fundamental for soil fertility and plant nutrition, which may be used in the evaluation of the impact of agronomic practices on soil quality. In the present study we evaluated the influence of three different land uses on AMF populations and correlated glomalin-related soil protein (GRSP) content with AMF biomass parameters, such as spore density and biovolume. Among the differently managed sites – maize monoculture, grassland and poplar grove – maize soil showed the lowest AMF spore number and GRSP content. The same morphological taxa were found in the three sites, except for one additional morphotype in poplar grove. A good correlation between GRSP and spore biovolume was found, suggesting that GRSP may represent a useful biochemical parameter for the assessment of biological soil fertility in sustainable agriculture.     

Transverse limb reduction defects after chorion villus sampling: A retrospective Cohort study

A retrospective cohort study was performed in five Italian obstetrical centres from 1984 to 1991 in order to verify the association between chorionic villus sampling (CVS) and transverse limb reduction defects (TLRDs). TLRD rates by period of gestation at CVS were calculated, and the study's results were compared with data from the general population. Of the 3430 pregnancies for which CVS was performed, 2759 had a known outcome. The overall rate for TLRDs was 1 in 1143 CVS pregnancies, four times higher than that of the general population in Italy (1 in 4458). The rate of TLRDs was 2·9/1000 for CVS performed at 9 weeks' gestation and 1·0/1000 for CVS at 10 weeks' gestation. A scalp defect was detected in a pregnancy in which CVS was performed at 10 weeks. A high proportion of pregnancies lost to follow-up and the poor quality of the data may have affected the results. Nevertheless, our results suggest an association between CVS carried out at less than 10 weeks' gestation and TLRDs which is consistent with the findings of other studies. CVS should not be prepared at less than 10 weeks' gestation until additional evidence is obtained.     

Prenatal diagnosis and management of fetal ovarian cysts

Congenital ovarian cysts are a pathological condition which can be diagnosed in utero by ultrasound. We report 14 consecutive diagnoses of fetal ovarian cysts, obtained in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. Congenital ovarian cysts have almost invariably a good prognosis, and no change in the standard obstetrical management is required. However, the evolution of the disease in utero is extremely variable. The cyst may increase in size, decrease or even disappear, or undergo complications such as torsion and rupture, which may carry some risks to the fetus. When a fetal ovarian cyst is detected, serial ultrasound examinations should be performed. If one of the above complications is suspected, the option of prompt caesarean section should be considered.     

First trimester prenatal diagnosis of Sanfilippo disease (MPSIII) type B

Two pregnancies of a family at risk for Sanfilippo disease type B were monitored in the first trimester. In one case an affected fetus was diagnosed on chorionic villi by the assay of N-acetyl-a-D -glucosaminidase and confirmed on cultured fibroblasts from the aborted fetus. Pathological findings are also reported and compared with changes observed later in life. The disease was excluded in the second pregnancy.     

Environmental impact assessment of a WtE plant after structural upgrade measures

The study focuses on analysing the evolution of environmental impacts caused by a medium–large Italian WtE plant before and after revamping and maintenance operations, with the aim of providing an evaluation of how much these structural upgrade measures may affect the total environmental performance.LCA methodology was applied for the modelling and comparison of six WtE scenarios, each describing the main structural upgrades carried out in the plant over the years 1996–2011. The comparison was conducted by adopting 1 ton of MSW as the functional unit, and the net contribution from energy recovery to power generation was distinguished by defining consistent national grid electricity mixes for every year considered. The Ecoindicator99 2.09 impact assessment method was used to evaluate the contribution to midpoint and endpoint categories (e.g. carcinogens, respiratory inorganics and organics, climate change, damage to human health). Lastly, the “Pedigree quality matrix” was applied to verify the reliability and robustness of the model created.As expected, the results showed better environmental scores after both the implementation of new procedures and the integration of operations. However, while a net reduction of air emissions seems to be achievable through dedicated flue gas treatment technologies, outcomes underscored potentials for improving the management of bottom ash through the adoption of alternative options aimed to use that solid residue mainly as filler, and to decrease risks from its current disposal in landfill. If the same effort that is put into flue gas treatment were devoted to energy recovery, the targets for the WtE plant could be easily met, achieving a higher sustainability. This aspect is even more complex: national policies for implementing greener and renewable energy sources would result in a lower impact of the national energy mix and, hence, in a lower net avoided burden from energy recovery.The study confirmed the expected improvements, indicating quantitatively the lower environmental impact resulting from structural upgrade operations in a WtE plant. Furthermore, the work highlights the importance of considering the evolution of the national energy mix in LCA studies, especially during the present years of transition from fossil fuels to renewable sources.     

The evaluation of stability during the composting of different starting materials: comparison of chemical and biological parameters

Three blends formed by: (i) food processing waste (CP(FP)), (ii) waste water sewage sludge (CP(WW)), and (iii) their mixture (CP(FP+WW)), blended with tree pruning as bulking agent, were composted over 3 months. During composting the blends were monitored for the main physical-chemical characteristics: temperature, oxygen saturation level (O(2)%), pH, total and volatile solids, total organic carbon, and organic nitrogen (N(org)). In addition to the main parameters, the dissolved organic carbon (DOC), the inorganic nitrogen and the Oxygen Uptake Rate (OUR) were monitored. All the mixtures easily reached a peak temperature around 70°C, related to the lowest O(2)%. After 90 d, CP(FP), CP(FP+WW), and CP(WW) showed an organic matter mineralization of 43%, 35% and 33%, respectively; CP(FP) fitted an exponential model while both CP(FP+WW), and CP(WW) fitted a logistic model. During composting an OUR reduction of 79%, 78% and 73% was registered in CP(FP), CP(FP+WW), and CP(WW), respectively; the OUR successfully fitted the adopted exponential model and well reflected the stabilization process in time. The N(org) recovery at the end of the process was positive only in CP(WW) (11.6%). The DOC significantly decreased during the composting process but did not successfully fit any model. The mineral nitrogen did not follow the typical pattern with NH(4)(+) disappearance and NO(3)(-) accumulation. Strong NO(3)(-) losses were evident in all blends, while NH(4)(+) accumulations were detectable only in CP(FP), and CP(FP+WW). The NH(4)(+)/NO(3)(-) ratio did not satisfactorily reflect the composting process over time. The comparison of the first order (exponential) and logistic (sigmoidal) models applied to the OUR and OM course highlights the role of mineral nitrogen as limiting factor during composting of the more stabilized sludge.