Monospecies and multispecies probiotic formulations produce different systemic and local immunostimulatory effects in the gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata L.)

The effects of the oral administration of heat-inactivated Lactobacillus delbru¨eckii ssp. lactis and Bacillus subtilis, individually or combined, on gilthead seabream immune responses were investigated both systemically and locally in the gut. In a first experiment, seabream (65 g) were fed for 3 weeks different diets supplemented with 1 107 CFU g 1 Lactobacillus, 1 107 CFU g 1 Bacillus, or 0.5 107 CFU g 1 Lactobacillus plus 0.5 107 CFU g 1 Bacillus. Controls were fed non-supplemented diet. Six fish per group were sampled at the end of the trial and some humoral and cellular systemic innate immune parameters were evaluated. Feeding the mixture of the two killed bacteria species significantly increased natural complement, serum peroxidase and phagocytic activities compared with controls. In a second experiment, juvenile seabream (13 g) were fed for 3 weeks the same experimental diets and total serum IgM and numbers of gut IgMþ cells and acidophilic granulocytes were evaluated. All these parameters were significantly higher in the multispecies probiotic group compared to monospecies and control fed groups.L'articolo è disponibile sul sito dell'editore http://www.sciencedirect.co

Marine geological and archaeological evidence of a possible pre-Neolithic site in Pantelleria Island, Central Mediterranean Sea

Recent underwater archaeological surveys recovered hundreds of flint artefacts between depths of 18 and 21 m at Cala Tramontana, a small bay located in the eastern part of Pantelleria Island. Most of the flint artefacts indicate debitage, and are characterized by cores and flakes without any specific morphology. Different lithic tools were also identified, such as fragments of blades, truncations, end-scrapers, points and crested blades. An initial hypothesis is that this lithic industry represents the oldest traces of human visitation to the island, possibly related to the exploitation of the nearby obsidian source, and favoured because of the sheltered coastal configuration of Cala Tramontana and Cala Levante with respect to the dominant winds and related storms. However, the present-day coastal setting in the bay is rather inhospitable, with high cliffs and difficult marine access. In contrast, palaeo-landscape reconstructions by means of high-resolution multibeam bathymetry reveal the possible presence of a small palaeo-beach in the inner part of the bay when the sea level was 15 m lower than at present. By comparing this palaeo-sea level with the eustatic curve (and by excluding possible vertical movements), we roughly estimate an age of the lithic industry of 9.6–7.7 cal ka BP

Experimental vaccine trial against vibriosis in Dicentrarchus labrax (L.).

Immunohistochemistry (IHC) showed first appearance of Ig+ cells in the head kidney (HK) of 50 days post-hatch (dph) sea bass larvae. Rare Ig+ cells were also found in spleen and thymus. Till 70 dph these became numerous in the HK (70±9 cells/section) and spleen (34±6), less frequent in the thymus (12±4) and absent in the GI tract. RT-PCR with specific primers for the constant region of sea bass Ig H chain and β-actin (housekeeping gene) confirmed Ig transcripts at 50 dph and their rise till 70 dph. Therefore, a vaccine trial vs. Vibrio anguillarum was established using AQUAVAC VIBRIO VAB (biotypes I-II, Shering Plough). Fry were immersion vaccinated (1:10, 1-min) at 95 dph, immersion boosted (same dose) at 165 dph and i.p. boosted (0.1 ml) at 233 dph. Final samplings were made at 291 dph. Bacterial agglutination (BA) by sera and quantitative IHC showed significantly higher BA activity and numbers of mAb DLIg3+ cells in the HK of fish immersion boosted (233 dph) than in age-matched untreated controls and immersion vaccinated only (165 dph). The higher BA lasted till 291 dph, without any further enhancement by i.p. boost, whereas more numerous Ig+ cells were in the HK and spleen of i.p. boosted group at 291 dph. Experimental challenges against biotype I Vibrio anguillarum 77/I03 strain (2.4-6.2 million CFU/ml, 200 ul i.p.) of fish treated as above showed significant protective effect exerted by immersion boost, and almost complete protection (survival) following further i.p. boost

Somatostatin as a regulator of first-trimester human trophoblast functions.

We have tested the hypothesis that human early trophoblast is a target for somatostatin (SRIF) regulatory actions. We report for the first time that SSTR2A and 2B transcripts and proteins are present in first-trimester human chorionic villi and the trophoblast-derived HTR-8/SVneo and JAR cells. In both cell lines, SSTR are functional since SRIF inhibits cyclic AMP pathway, stimulates arachidonic acid release and enhances cell proliferation. Moreover, in HTR-8/SVneo cells, considered a good model of first-trimester EVT, SRIF also enhances migration. An involvement of the cyclic AMP pathway in mediating SRIF effects on proliferation and migration is suggested. Our data support the idea that SRIF regulates early trophoblast functions mainly through an interaction with SSTR2

A prospective non-randomized controlled, multicenter trial comparing Appendectomy and Conservative Treatment for Patients with Uncomplicated Acute Appendicitis (the ACTUAA study)

Purpose: Acute appendicitis (AA) is among the most common causes of lower abdominal pain and admissions to the emergency department. Over the past 20 years, there has been a renewed interest in the conservative management of uncomplicated AA, and several studies demonstrated that an antibiotic-first strategy is a viable treatment option for uncomplicated AA. The aim of this prospective non-randomized controlled, multicenter trial is to compare antibiotic therapy and emergency appendectomy as treatment for patients with uncomplicated AA confirmed by US and/or CT or MRI scan. Methods: All adult patients in the age range 18 to 65 years with suspected AA, consecutively admitted to the Surgical Department of the 13 participating Italian Hospitals, will be invited to take part in the study. A multicenter prospective collected registry developed by surgeons, radiologists, and pathologists with expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of uncomplicated acute appendicitis represents the best research method to assess the long-term role of antibiotics in the management of the disease. Comparison will be made between surgical and antibiotic-first approaches to uncomplicated AA through the analysis of the primary outcome measure of complication-free treatment success rate based on 1-year follow-up. Quality of life, length of hospital stay, pain evaluation, and time to return to normal activity will be evaluated as secondary outcome measures. Trial registration: Clinicaltrials.gov ID: NCT03080103