Landmark based morphometric variation in Common dolphin (Delphinus delphis L.,1758)

In this study we compare Mediterranean stocks of Delphinus delphis (L., 1758) with other populations of the same species coming from different seas using a geometric morphometrics method. The aim is to define the patterns of geographical variation of Delphinus delphis through a geometric morphometrics analysis of the skulls of 124 individuals from seven marine areas (West and East Pacific Ocean; North-east and South-East Atlantic Ocean, West and East Indian Ocean, Mediterranenan Sea)

El liderazgo escolar en el sistema educativo Español e Italiano

A pesar de los múltiples estudios internacionales adelantados sobre el liderazgo escolar, falta mucho por saber acerca de cómo los directores emplean a diario su tiempo, y de la gran variabilidad de las actividades que llevan a término. El objetivo de este estudio es examinar en qué medida las prácticas y estilos de liderazgo de seis directores escolares de España e Italia coinciden o difieren en aspectos relevantes de su práctica profesional. La investigación recurre al método mixto y, en el marco de seis estudios de casos, administra entrevistas, cuestionarios y grupos focales

Liderazgo de directores escolares en España e Italia: similitudes y diferencias

Tesis Doctoral inédita leída en la Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Facultad de Formación del Profesorado, Departamento de Pedagogía. Fecha de Lectura: 09-12-2022La leadership scolastica è un campo di grande interesse per l’educazione internazionale. Si ritiene che essa possa influire significativamente nella qualità dell’insegnamento e dell’apprendimento nella scuola e, di conseguenza, nel rendimento degli studenti. Nonostante queste conoscenze siano ampiamente consolidate, si sa poco di come i dirigenti utilizzino il loro tempo, di cosa facciano quotidianamente e di come esista un’ampia variabilità tra le attività che portano a termine. L’obiettivo di questo studio è esaminare in che misura le pratiche e lo stile di leadership dei dirigenti scolastici di scuole similari per tipologia e contesto ambientale in Spagna e Italia, coincidono o differiscono in aspetti rilevanti della loro prassi professionale. La ricerca utilizza un metodo misto, nella cornice di sei studi di caso, individuati con istituti scolastici spagnoli e italiani. Si basa su questionari, osservazioni, interviste e focus group. Tiene in considerazione non solamente la quantità di tempo che i dirigenti dedicano alle diverse attività durante una tipica giornata di lavoro, ma anche lo stile di leadership che contraddistingue le azioni intraprese. I risultati indicano che il lavoro dei dirigenti di entrambi i paesi è complesso e spezzettato, e che l’ambiente culturale e normativo incidono spesso sulla selezione e carriera dei dirigenti, impiego dell’autonomia scolastica, organizzazione didattica, relazioni tra scuola e comunità e profilo di leadership scolasticaEl liderazgo escolar es un campo de gran interés para la educación internacional. Se considera que puede influir significativamente en la calidad de la enseñanza y el aprendizaje en la escuela y, en consecuencia, en el rendimiento de los estudiantes. Aunque este conocimiento está ampliamente confirmado, se sabe poco acerca de cómo los directores emplean su tiempo, de qué hacen a diario y cómo existe una gran variabilidad entre las actividades que llevan a término. El objetivo de este estudio es examinar en qué medida las prácticas y el estilo de liderazgo de los directores escolares de escuelas similares en tipo y contexto ambiental de España e Italia, coinciden o difieren en aspectos relevantes de su práctica profesional. La investigación recurre al método mixto, en el marco de seis estudios de casos, identificados con centros escolares españoles e italianos. Se apoya en cuestionarios, observaciones, entrevistas y grupos focales. Se tiene en cuenta, no solo la cantidad de tiempo que los directores dedican a las diversas actividades durante un día laboral típico, sino también el estilo de liderazgo que distingue las acciones tomadas. Los resultados indican que el trabajo de los directores de ambos países es complejo y fragmentado, y que el ambiente cultural y regulatorio a menudo afecta a la selección y carrera de los directivos, empleo de la autonomía escolar, organización didáctica, relaciones escuela-comunidad y perfil de liderazgo escolarSchool leadership is a field of great interest for international education. It is believed that it can significantly influence the quality of teaching and learning in school and, consequently, the students’ performance. Whilst this is widely acknowledged, little is known about how principals use their time, what they do on a daily basis, and the significant variation between the activities they carry out. The aim of this study is to examine to what extent the practices and leadership style of principals coincide or differ in relevant aspects of their professional practice in similar schools by type and environmental context in Spain and Italy. The research uses a mixed method, as part of six case studies, identified with Spanish and Italian schools. It is based on questionnaires, observations, interviews and focus groups. It takes into account not only the amount of time that managers devote to different activities during a typical working day, but also on the leadership style that distinguishes the actions taken. The results obtained with this investigation indicate that, in both situations, the principal's work is complex and fragmented and that the cultural and regulatory environment often affects the selection and career of managers, the use of school autonomy, didactic organization, relationships between school and community and school leadership profil

Gadolinium decreases inflammation related to myocardial ischemia and reperfusion injury

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The lanthanide cation, gadolinium (GdCl₃) protects the myocardium against infarction following ischemia and reperfusion. Neutrophils and macrophages are the main leukocytes responsible for infarct expansion after reperfusion. GdCl₃interferes with macrophage and neutrophil function in the liver by decreasing macrophage secretion of inflammatory cytokines and neutrophil infiltration. We hypothesized that GdCl₃protects against ischemia and reperfusion injury by decreasing inflammation. We determined the impact of GdCl₃treatment for reperfusion injury on 1) circulating monoctye and neutrophil counts, 2) secretion of inflammatory cytokines, and 3) influx of monocytes and neutrophils into the myocardium.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Rats (n = 3-6/gp) were treated with saline or GdCl₃(20 μmol/kg) 15 min prior to a 30 min period of regional ischemia and 120 min reperfusion. Sham rats were not subject to ischemia. Blood was collected either after 30 min ischemia or 120 min reperfusion and hearts were harvested at 120 min reperfusion for tissue analysis. Blood was analyzed for leukocytes counts and cytokines. Tissue was analyzed for cytokines and markers of neutrophil and monocyte infiltration by measuring myeloperoxidase (MPO) and α-naphthyl acetate esterase (ANAE).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>GdCl₃did not affect the number of circulating neutrophils prior to ischemia. Two hours reperfusion resulted in a 2- and 3- fold increase in circulating monocytes and neutrophils, respectively. GdCl₃decreased the number of circulating monocytes and neutrophils during reperfusion to levels below those present prior to ischemia. Furthermore, after 120 min of reperfusion, GdCl₃decreased ANAE and MPO activity in the myocardium by 1.9-fold and 6.5-fold respectively. GdCl₃decreased MPO activity to levels below those measured in the Sham group. Serum levels of the major neutrophil chemoattractant cytokine, IL-8 were increased from pre-ischemic levels during ischemia and reperfusion in both control and GdCl₃treated rats. Likewise, IL-8 levels increased throughout the 3 hour time period in the Sham group. There was no difference in IL-8 detected in the myocardium after 120 min reperfusion between groups. In contrast, after 120 min reperfusion GdCl₃decreased the myocardial tissue levels of macrophage secreted cytokines, GM-CSF and IL-1.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>GdCl₃treatment prior to ischemia and reperfusion injury decreased circulating monocytes and neutrophils, macrophage secreted cytokines, and leukocyte infiltration into injured myocardium. These results suggest GdCl₃decreased monoctye and neutrophil migration and activation and may be a novel treatment for inflammation during ischemia and reperfusion.</p

A literature-based database of the natural heritage, the ecological status and tourism-related impacts in show caves worldwide

The touristic use of caves causes multiple environmental alterations to the subterranean ecosystem, having potential effects on all components, from the atmosphere to lithosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere. Setting a baseline on the current knowledge of the ecological status of world show caves is pivotal to implement monitoring and management programs aiming at their conservation. However, information on this topic is scattered throughout several publications, making it difficult to access data and ultimately delaying advances towards a sustainable touristic use of show caves. We provide a literature-based dataset relative to the knowledge on the ecological status of 265 show caves worldwide. Data were collated from 289 papers selected through a systematic literature survey of an initial set of more than 1,000 scientific papers. We made the compiled information available through two complementary datasets, reporting: (i) references of the selected papers and (ii) 44 fields relative to the main characteristics of show caves investigated in literature. These fields encompass information about geographic locations, cave general characteristics, natural heritage, and the specific environmental components—and related environmental parameters—investigated in each of the considered study. Such a dataset improves our accessibility to the basic information provided by literature on the ecological status of show caves, also pointing out some literature gaps that should be addressed by future research. By making these data freely available and re-usable, we hope to stimulate research in the field of cave tourism, cave conservation, and cave-based ecology

A literature-based database of the natural heritage, the ecological status and tourism-related impacts in show caves worldwide

Publisher Copyright: Copyright Elena Piano et al.The touristic use of caves causes multiple environmental alterations to the subterranean ecosystem, having potential effects on all components, from the atmosphere to lithosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere. Setting a baseline on the current knowledge of the ecological status of world show caves is pivotal to implement monitoring and management programs aiming at their conservation. However, information on this topic is scattered throughout several publications, making it difficult to access data and ultimately delaying advances towards a sustainable touristic use of show caves. We provide a literature-based dataset relative to the knowledge on the ecological status of 265 show caves worldwide. Data were collated from 289 papers selected through a systematic literature survey of an initial set of more than 1,000 scientific papers. We made the compiled information available through two complementary datasets, reporting: (i) references of the selected papers and (ii) 44 fields relative to the main characteristics of show caves investigated in literature. These fields encompass information about geographic locations, cave general characteristics, natural heritage, and the specific environmental components—and related environmental parameters—investigated in each of the considered study. Such a dataset improves our accessibility to the basic information provided by literature on the ecological status of show caves, also pointing out some literature gaps that should be addressed by future research. By making these data freely available and re-usable, we hope to stimulate research in the field of cave tourism, cave conservation, and cave-based ecology.Peer reviewe

Vitamin D3: an ever green molecule.

Vitamin D3 is a key regulator of vertebrates homeostasis. It is synthesized from the precursor 7-dehydrocholesterol upon UVB exposure in the skin and then hydrolyzed in the liver in position 25, to be finally converted into its active form, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25(OH)2D or calcitriol), in the kidneys. The biological activity of this molecule depends on its binding to the nuclear receptor VDR, which binds VDRE once complexed with RXR-alpha. Despite being present in different types of food, the best way to assume it at physiological levels remains the exposure to UVB radiation at certain hours of the day and at particular angles of the Earth's crust. There is plenty of evidence that altered levels of vitamin D3 are associated with pathological conditions, such as osteoporosis, cancer, immunological and infectious diseases. In this review, we discuss vitamin D3 metabolism, its role in several diseases and the link between vitamin D3 and immune cells

IGF-I induces upregulation of DDR1 collagen receptor in breast cancer cells by suppressing MIR-199a-5p through the PI3K/AKT pathway.

Discoidin Domain Receptor 1 (DDR1) is a collagen receptor tyrosine-kinase that contributes to epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and enhances cancer progression. Our previous data indicate that, in breast cancer cells, DDR1 interacts with IGF-1R and positively modulates IGF-1R expression and biological responses, suggesting that the DDR1-IGF-IR cross-talk may play an important role in cancer.In this study, we set out to evaluate whether IGF-I stimulation may affect DDR1 expression. Indeed, in breast cancer cells (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231) IGF-I induced significant increase of DDR1 protein expression, in a time and dose dependent manner. However, we did not observe parallel changes in DDR1 mRNA. DDR1 upregulation required the activation of the PI3K/AKT pathway while the ERK1/2, the p70/mTOR and the PKC pathways were not involved. Moreover, we observed that DDR1 protein upregulation was induced by translational mechanisms involving miR-199a-5p suppression through PI3K/AKT activation. This effect was confirmed by both IGF-II produced by cancer-associated fibroblasts from human breast cancer and by stable transfection of breast cancer cells with a human IGF-II expression construct. Transfection with a constitutively active form of AKT was sufficient to decrease miR-199a-5p and upregulate DDR1. Accordingly, IGF-I-induced DDR1 upregulation was inhibited by transfection with pre-miR-199a-5p, which also impaired AKT activation and cell migration and proliferation in response to IGF-I.These results demonstrate that, in breast cancer cells, a novel pathway involving AKT/miR-199a-5p/DDR1 plays a role in modulating IGFs biological responses. Therefore, this signaling pathway may represent an important target for breast cancers with over-activation of the IGF-IR axis