Biomonitoring survey of the hydrographical network in a MAB UNESCO Biosphere Reserve

The knowledge of microbial biodiversity (bacteria and protists) in aquatic ecosystems is far from complete. This is mainly due to the inadequacy of conventional taxonomic identifications, which are based on the discrimination of diacritical morphological traits. Further, investigations are mainly focused on specific lake and river typologies that are usually also of interest for economic exploitation, often disregarding the small and/or ephemeral water bodies. Nevertheless, due to their physiographical complexity and temporal dynamics, these neglected hydrographical elements can host a vast microbial diversity. In order to fill the gap in the biodiversity estimates in the Alpine region, we carried out a survey using high throughput sequencing (HTS) of 16S and 18S rDNA markers from water and sediments collected in the MAB UNESCO Alpi Ledrensi and Judicaria Biosphere Reserve (Project Acqua Viva). The study sites are located between Lake Garda and the Brenta Dolomites, and include natural environments in a semi- anthropized Alpine context with agricultural and tourist vocation. The survey was carried out during the summer 2019, covering 20 sites of different sizes and characteristics, including lakes, alpine pasture ponds and wetlands. The results allowed disclosing a high number of amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) belonging to a wide variety of bacterial and protists groups, and significant differences linked to lake and sample typologies. Despite a wide presence of potentially toxigenic cyanobacteria, microcystins and anatoxin-a were detected only in a few water bodies, including Lake Ledro, which showed the presence of both Planktothrix rubescens and Tychonema bourrellyi in the pelagic samples

A comparison of efficient permutation tests for unbalanced ANOVA in two by two designs--and their behavior under heteroscedasticity

We compare different permutation tests and some parametric counterparts that are applicable to unbalanced designs in two by two designs. First the different approaches are shortly summarized. Then we investigate the behavior of the tests in a simulation study. A special focus is on the behavior of the tests under heteroscedastic variances.Comment: 20 pages, 9 figures, Working Paper of the Department of Management And Enigineering of the University of Padov

Potential impact of dreissenids species in relation to the first report of quagga mussel (Dreissena bugensis) at the end of winter 2022 in Lake Garda (Northern Italy)

Along with Dreissena polymorpha (zebra mussel), Dreissena bugensis (quagga mussel) is considered one of the most widespread and successful invasive species in Europe, Russia, and North America. The quagga mussel is a bivalve mollusc of the dreissenids family originating from the estuarine region of the rivers Dnieper and Southern Bug (Black Sea). The spread in Europe began after the 1940s and was associated with construction of canal-river systems. D. polymorpha was observed in Lake Garda since the end of the 1960s. In the last years, D. bugensis was found in the northern perialpine region and in late winter 2022 it was identified along the eastern shores of Lake Garda. Both species are defined as ecosystems engineers because they can strongly change the substrate structure, causing great economic damage in water pipes, potable water treatment plants, and port constructions. Moreover, they can affect resource availability for the other species. A few significant ecological differences between the two species suggest that the impact of quagga mussel could be even larger compared to that caused by zebra mussel. In this poster we will discuss the main expected ecological impacts following the introduction of quagga mussel into new aquatic habitats

Considering mesohabitat scale in ecological impact assessment of sediment flushing

Benthic macroinvertebrates respond to several factors characterizing the physical habitats, as water depth, current and streambed substrate. Thus, anthropogenic disturbances altering these factors may have different effects on benthos, also depending on mesohabitats. These disturbances include sediment flushing operations, commonly carried out to recover reservoir capacity, and investigating their effects at mesohabitat scale could be relevant for an adequate ecological impact assessment of these operations. Here, we compared benthic macroinvertebrate communities sampled before and after a controlled sediment flushing operation in three different mesohabitats (a pool, a riffle and a step-pool) of an Alpine stream. Contrary from expectations, the composition of macroinvertebrate assemblages was not significantly different among mesohabitats. Moreover, the impact of sediment flushing was more significant in terms of density rather than in richness. Two stressor-specific indices were tested, but only one (the Siltation Index for LoTic EcoSystems - SILTES) clearly detected the impact of sediment flushing on the macroinvertebrate community structure. Finally, some differences in the temporal trajectories and recovery times to pre-flushing conditions were observed among mesohabitats, both if the three mesohabitats were considered separately and if all their possible combinations were accounted for. Particularly, riffle was the most sensitive mesohabitat, not fully recovering one year after the sediment disturbance

Treatment of a Severe Pediatric Lyell Syndrome with Amniotic Membrane: Case Report and Histological Findings

Background: Lyell Syndrome (TEN, Toxic epidermal necrolysis) represents a medical emergency particularly in pediatric patients in whom the massive skin damage can quickly lead to multi-organ dysfunction and death. Prompt restoration of the physiologic mucosal/cutaneous barrier is mandatory. The use of amniotic membranes has been described in the treatment of ophthalmic Lyell Syndrome, but its use has not yet been adopted for the management of larger cutaneous wounds. Study Hypothesis: Here we report the use of amniotic membranes in a pediatric case of severe Lyell Syndrome with complete skin surface, ocular and mucosal involvement with life threating presentation. Methods: A 7-year old female was admitted to our Burn Centre for severe cutaneous/mucosal exfoliation (100% Total body surface area, TBSA) as a result of an adverse reaction to ibuprofen administration. Supportive fluid administration, cardiac-pulmonary assistance and pain management were complemented by serial grafting of amniotic membranes on all affected areas to provide coverage of the exfoliated skin/mucosa. Biopsies were obtained to monitor histological skin changes. Results: The patient showed an excellent response to amniotic membrane treatment, with rapid restoration of mucosal and cutaneous layers in the grafted areas. This resulted in a decreased need for dressing changes, avoidance of additional surgeries and a reduced dependence on supportive therapy. Lower pain levels than usually expected led to a reduced need for narcotic pain medications and allowed for early physical rehabilitation and a short hospital stay. Histology confirmed evidence of topical immune-modulation in treated areas (reduction of inflammatory infiltrate). Conclusion: As we tested in numerously TEN and burn pediatric injuries Amniotic membranes with their regenerative and immune-modulatory effects may represent an life saving treatment even in the worst cases of pediatric Lyell syndrome

Pregnancy and Maternal Behavior Induce Changes in Glia, Glutamate and Its Metabolism within the Cingulate Cortex

An upregulation of the astrocytic proteins GFAP and bFGF within area 2 of the cingulate cortex (Cg2) occurs within 3 hours of parturition in rats. These changes are the result of an interaction between hormonal state and maternal experience and are associated with increased dendritic spine density in this area. Here, we examined whether this upregulation of astrocytic proteins generalized to other glial markers and, in particular those associated with glutamate metabolism. We chose glial markers commonly used to reflect different aspects of glial function: vimentin, like GFAP, is a marker of intermediate filaments; glutamine synthetase (GS), and S-100beta, are used as markers for mature astrocytes and GS has also been used as a specific marker for glutamatergic enzymatic activity. In addition, we examined levels of proteins associated with glutamine synthetase, glutamate, glutamine and two excitatory amino acid transporters found in astrocytes, glt-1 and glast. S100beta immunoreactivity did not vary with reproductive state in either Cg2 or MPOA suggesting no change in the number of mature astrocytes across these conditions. Vimentin-ir did not differ across groups in Cg2, but expression of this protein decreased from Day 1 postpartum onwards in the MPOA. By contrast, GS-ir was increased within 24 h postpartum in Cg2 but not MPOA and similarly to GFAP and bFGF this upregulation of GS resulted from an interaction between hormonal state and maternal experience. Within Cg2, upregulation of GS was not accompanied by changes in the astrocytic glutamatergic transporters, glt-1 and glast, however, an increase in both glutamate and glutamine proteins were observed within the Cg2 of postpartum animals. Together, these changes suggest postpartum upregulation of glutamatergic activity and metabolism within Cg2 that is stimulated by pregnancy hormones and maternal experience

Active shape correction of a thin glass/plastic X-ray mirror

Optics for future X-ray telescopes will be characterized by very large aperture and focal length, and will be made of lightweight materials like glass or plastic in order to keep the total mass within acceptable limits. Optics based on thin slumped glass foils are currently in use in the NuSTAR telescope and are being developed at various institutes like INAF/OAB, aiming at improving the angular resolution to a few arcsec HEW. Another possibility would be the use of thin plastic foils, being developed at SAO and the Palermo University. Even if relevant progresses in the achieved angular resolution were recently made, a viable possibility to further improve the mirror figure would be the application of piezoelectric actuators onto the non-optical side of the mirrors. In fact, thin mirrors are prone to deform, so they require a careful integration to avoid deformations and even correct forming errors. This however offers the possibility to actively correct the residual deformation. Even if other groups are already at work on this idea, we are pursuing the concept of active integration of thin glass or plastic foils with piezoelectric patches, fed by voltages driven by the feedback provided by X-rays, in intra-focal setup at the XACT facility at INAF/OAPA. In this work, we show the preliminary simulations and the first steps taken in this project

The use of carboxymethylcellulose for the tartaric stabilization of white wines, in comparison with other oenological additives

The aim of this study was to test the effectiveness of two types of carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), at different doses, for the prevention of tartaric precipitations in two white wines (Pinot Blanc and Chardonnay), in comparison with metatartaric acid and a commercial arabic gum. After the addition of the additives to the wines, the mini-contact test was carried out and the saturation temperature was determined by Ridomi’s method. The determination of the saturation temperature was then repeated on the same trials kept at -4 °C for 10 days. Both kinds of CMC caused a significant decrease in tartaric precipitations induced by the addition of potassium bitartrate (KHT) (mini-contact test), by limiting the growth of the added KHT crystals. Their effectiveness increased with the dose, following a hyperbolic trend. The stabilizing effect of the two kinds of CMC, particularly CMC2 (more viscous), was similar to the one of metatartaric acid. Their use must be considered complementary to the cold treatment (chillproofing).