Short communication: The hidden invasion of the alien seagrass Halophila stipulacea (Forsskål) Ascherson along Southeastern Italy

The seagrass Halophila stipulacea (Forsskål) Ascherson (Hydrocharitaceae) is a non-indigenous species (NIS) for the Mediterranean Sea. This species is expected to have a high potential for invasiveness based on models predicting the present and future suitability of the Mediterranean coasts with respect to the plant requirements. This species was recorded for the first time along the Apulian coast in the Otranto harbor in 2011. Such a record was not considered in recent publications dealing with the species distribution and its forecasted invasion pathway, probably due to the scant information provided. One decade after its first record in the area, we confirmed the presence of the H. stipulacea meadow in the same locality (Otranto), and we identified four new H. stipulacea meadows along the Ionian coast are between 1 and 30 m deep in touristic areas. Indirect evidence suggests that the plant is actively spreading along the southeastern Italian coast, and monitoring programs aiming at mapping its distribution in the area, as well as its potential effect on the native biota, are required

Enhanced Analgesic Properties and Reduced Ulcerogenic Effect of a Mononuclear Copper(II) Complex with Fenoprofen in Comparison to the Parent Drug: Promising Insights in the Treatment of Chronic Inflammatory Diseases

Analgesic and ulcerogenic properties have been studied for the copper(II) coordination complex of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug Fenoprofen and imidazole [Cu(fen)2(im)2] (Cu: copper(II) ion; fen: fenoprofenate anion from Fenoprofen, im: imidazole). A therapeutic dose of 28 mg/kg was tested for [Cu(fen)2(im)2] and 21 mg/kg was employed for Fenoprofen calcium, administered by oral gavage in female mice to compare the therapeutic properties of the new entity. The acetic acid induced writhing test was employed to study visceral pain. The percentage of inhibition in writhing and stretching was 78.9% and 46.2% for the [Cu(fen)2(im)2] and Fenoprofen calcium, respectively. This result indicates that the complex could be more effective in diminishing visceral pain. The formalin test was evaluated to study the impact of the drugs over nociceptive and inflammatory pain. The complex is a more potent analgesic on inflammatory pain than the parent drug. Ulcerogenic effects were evaluated using a model of gastric lesions induced by hypothermic-restraint stress. Fenoprofen calcium salt caused an ulcer index of about 79 mm2 while the one caused by [Cu(fen)2(im)2] was 22 mm2. The complex diminished the development of gastric mucosal ulcers in comparison to the uncomplexed drug. Possible mechanisms of action related to both therapeutic properties have been discussed.Fil: Agotegaray, Mariela Alejandra. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Instituto de Química del Sur. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Química. Instituto de Química del Sur; ArgentinaFil: Gumilar, Fernanda Andrea. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Boeris, Monica. Universidad Nacional de la Pampa. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias; ArgentinaFil: Toso, Ricardo Enrique. Universidad Nacional de la Pampa. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias; ArgentinaFil: Minetti, Silvia Alejandra. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

A Self-Replicating Single-Shape Tiling Technique for the Design of Highly Modular Planar Phased Arrays -- The Case of L-Shaped Rep-Tiles

The design of irregular planar phased arrays (PAs) characterized by a highly-modular architecture is addressed. By exploiting the property of self-replicating tile shapes, also known as rep-tiles, the arising array layouts consist of tiles having different sizes, but equal shape, all being generated by assembling a finite number of smaller and congruent copies of a single elementary building-block. Towards this end, a deterministic optimization strategy is used so that the arising rep-tile arrangement of the planar PA is an optimal trade-off between complexity, costs, and fitting of user-defined requirements on the radiated power pattern, while guaranteeing the complete overlay of the array aperture. As a representative instance, such a synthesis method is applied to tile rectangular apertures with L-shaped tromino tiles. A set of representative results, concerned with ideal and real antenna models, as well, is reported for validation purposes, but also to point out the possibility/effectiveness of the proposed approach, unlike state-of-the-art tiling techniques, to reliably handle large-size array apertures.Comment: 56 pages, 22 figure

Amorphous-silicon visible-light detector integrated on silicon nitride waveguides

: Visible-light integrated photonics is emerging as a promising technology for the realization of optical devices for applications in sensing, quantum information and communications, imaging, and displays. Among the existing photonic platforms, high-index-contrast silicon nitride (Si3N4) waveguides offer broadband transparency in the visible spectral range and a high scale of integration. As the complexity of photonic integrated circuits (PICs) increases, on-chip detectors are required to monitor their working point for reconfiguration and stabilization operations. In this Letter, we present a semi-transparent in-line power monitor integrated on Si3N4 waveguides that operates in the red-light wavelength range (660 nm). The proposed device exploits the photoconductivity of a hydrogenated amorphous-silicon (a-Si:H) film that is evanescently coupled to an optical waveguide. Experimental results show a responsivity of 30 mA/W, a sensitivity of -45 dBm, and a sub-µs time response. These features enable the use of the proposed photoconductor for high-sensitivity monitoring and control of visible-light Si3N4 PICs

First description of early developmental stages of the native invasive fireworm Hermodice carunculata (Annelida, Amphinomidae): a cue to the warming of the Mediterranean Sea

Observations on the reproductive behavior and larval development of the bristled fireworm Hermodice carunculata, a common inhabitant of shallow marine rocky bottoms in the Southern Mediterranean Sea, are reported here. In recent years, an increase in abundance and a northward expansion of the populations along the Southern Italian coast were jointly detected, presumably linked to rising water temperature in the Mediterranean Sea. After making in situ observations on two consecutive spawning events, live worms and fresh spawn were brought into the lab, kept at either 27 ºC or 22 ºC and followed through development. Complete and normal development was observed only at 27°C. By contrast, embryonic and larval development appeared to be slowed down at 22°C, stopping at the protrochophora stage. Early development of H. carunculata suggests the existence of a long pre-metamorphic, planktotrophic period in the water column that can explain the genetic cohesion of this species and the low genetic divergence found among populations across the Atlantic Ocean. The observed increase in abundance, invasiveness potential, and geographical northern distribution of the bearded fireworms is probably determined by a progressive northward latitudinal shift of the sea surface temperature coincident with the temperature threshold required for the developmental and reproductive success of the worm

Estudios de la actividad antimicrobiana de cuatro especies del género Baccharis

Four species from Baccharis genus (Compositae) are assessed due to antimicrobial activity against eight bacterial species. The modified Kirby Bauer method was used in the assay. The methalonic extracts from B. articulata, B. soliafolia, B. pingraea showed an inhibitory halo in comparison with Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus agalactiae, Staphylococcus epidermidis. None of the studied species showed activity against Gram negative bacteria. B. spartioides displayed no antimicrobial activity against none of the investigated bacterial species.El presente estudio evaluó en cuatro especies del género Baccharis (Compositae) la presencia de actividad antimicrobiana frente a ocho especies bacterianas. El método utilizado en el ensayo fue el Kirby Bauer modificado. Los extractos metanólicos de B. articulata, B. soliafolia, B. pingraea presentaron halo de inhibición frente a Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus agalactiae y Staphylococcus epidermidis. Ninguna de las especies investigadas presento actividad frente a bacterias Gram negativo. B. spartioides no demostró actividad antimicrobiana frente a ninguna de las especies bacterianas investigadas

Estudios microbiológicos y toxicológicos de mitracarpus megapotamicus

Objetivo: evaluar la actividad antimicrobiana y la toxicidad de extractos obtenidos de la especie vegetal Mitracarpus megapotamicus. Material y Métodos: se determinó la concentración inhibitoria mínima mediante el método de dilución en agar del extracto metanólico. Se utilizó la técnica de difusión en agar para comprobar la persistencia de la actividad antimicrobiana en extracciones acetónicas y clorofórmicas. Los ensayos de toxicidad aguda y subaguda se llevaron a cabo en ratones utilizando una dosis única de 5.000 mg/kg y una dosis diaria durante 14 días de 1.250 mg/kg de extracto hidroalcohólico, respectivamente. Resultados: La concentración inhibitoria mínima del extracto metanólico fue de 0,48 mg/ml para Streptococcus equi, Proteus mirabilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis y de 0,96 mg/ml para Escherichia coli. La actividad antimicrobiana se manifestó también en las fracciones extractadas con acetona y cloroformo, frente a Staphylococcus aureus. El extracto hidroalcohólico no produjo cambios funcionales ni alteraciones histopatológicas en estudios de toxicidad aguda y subaguda en ratones. Conclusión: Los resultados obtenidos permitirán proyectar estudios de identificación de compuestos y establecer futuros protocolos para determinar la eficacia en modelos in vivo.Aim: To evaluate the antimicrobial activity and toxicity of extracts obtained from the plant species Mitracarpus megapotamicus. Material and Methods: The minimum inhibitory concentration by agar dilution method of the methanolic extract was determined. The agar diffusion method to check the persistence of antimicrobial activity in chloroform and acetone extractions were used. Acute and subacute toxicity assays in mice were carried out using a single dose of 5,000 mg / kg and a daily dose for 14 days of 1,250 mg / kg of hydroalcoholic extract, respectively. Results: The minimum inhibitory concentration of the methanol extract was 0.48 mg / ml for Streptococcus equi, Proteus mirabilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis and 0.96 mg / ml for Escherichia coli. Antimicrobial activity was also expressed in fractions excerpted with acetone and chloroform, against Staphylococcus aureus. The hydroalcoholic extract produced neither functional changes nor histopathological alterations in studies of acute and subacute toxicity in mice. Conclusion: The results obtained will allow to design compound identification studies and establish future protocols to determine effectiveness in models in vivo.Financiado por la Universidad Nacional de La Pampa, Argentina

Estudios microbiológicos y toxicológicos de Mitracarpus megapotamicus

Aim: To evaluate the antimicrobial activity and toxicity of extracts obtained from the plant species Mitracarpus megapotamicus.Material and Methods: The minimum inhibitory concentration by agar dilution method of the methanolic extract was determined. The agar diffusion method to check the persistence of antimicrobial activity in chloroform and acetone extractions were used. Acute and subacute toxicity assays in mice were carried out using a single dose of 5,000 mg / kg and a daily dose for 14 days of 1,250 mg / kg of hydroalcoholic extract, respectively.Results: The minimum inhibitory concentration of the methanol extract was 0.48 mg / ml for Streptococcus equi, Proteus mirabilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis and 0.96 mg / ml for Escherichia coli. Antimicrobial activity was also expressed in fractions excerpted with acetone and chloroform, against Staphylococcus aureus. The hydroalcoholic extract produced neither functional changes nor histopathological alterations in studies of acute and subacute toxicity in mice.Conclusion: The results obtained will allow to design compound identification studies and establish future protocols to determine effectiveness in models in vivo.Objetivo: evaluar la actividad antimicrobiana y la toxicidad de extractos obtenidos de la especie vegetal Mitracarpus megapotamicus.Material y Métodos: se determinó la concentración inhibitoria mínima mediante el método de dilución en agar del extracto metanólico. Se utilizó la técnica de difusión en agar para comprobar la persistencia de la actividad antimicrobiana en extracciones acetónicas y clorofórmicas. Los ensayos de toxicidad aguda y subaguda se llevaron a cabo en ratones utilizando una dosis única de 5.000 mg/kg y una dosis diaria durante 14 días de 1.250 mg/kg de extracto hidroalcohólico, respectivamente.Resultados: La concentración inhibitoria mínima del extracto metanólico fue de 0,48 mg/ml para Streptococcus equi, Proteus mirabilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis y de 0,96 mg/ml para Escherichia coli. La actividad antimicrobiana se manifestó también en las fracciones extractadas con acetona y cloroformo, frente a Staphylococcus aureus. El extracto hidroalcohólico no produjo cambios funcionales ni alteraciones histopatológicas en estudios de toxicidad aguda y subaguda en ratones.Conclusión: Los resultados obtenidos permitirán proyectar estudios de identificación de compuestos y establecer futuros protocolos para determinar la eficacia en modelos in vivo