Cubozoa

Descrizione tassonomica delle specie di Cubozoa presenti nei mari italian

Parasitic infection in the scyphozoan Rhizostoma pulmo (Macri, 1778)

: Very little information is reported for parasites of cnidarians, therefore, the present work aimed to investigate parasitic infections in one of the most widespread jellyfish in the Mediterranean Sea, Rhizostoma pulmo. The goals were to determine prevalence and intensity of parasites in R. pulmo, identify the species involved through morphological and molecular analysis, test whether infection parameters differ in different body parts and in relation to jellyfish size. 58 individuals were collected, 100% of them infected with digenean metacercariae. Intensity varied between 18.7 ± 6.7 per individual in 0-2 cm diameter jellyfish up to 505 ± 50.6 in 14 cm ones. Morphological and molecular analyses suggest that the metacercariae belonged to the family Lepocreadiidae and could be possibly assigned to the genus Clavogalea. Prevalence values of 100% suggest that R. pulmo is an important intermediate host in the life cycle of lepocreadiids in the region. Our findings also support the hypothesis that R. pulmo is an important part in the diet of teleost fish, which are reported as definitive hosts of lepocreadiids, since trophic transmission is necessary for these parasites to complete their life cycles. Parasitological data may therefore be useful to investigate fish-jellyfish predation, integrating traditional methods such as gut contents analysis

Full oral feeding is possible before discharge even in extremely preterm infants

Aim: This study described the steps needed to achieve full oral feeding before discharge in a group of very and extremely preterm (EPT) infants. We analysed the effects of oral feeding skills on discharge timing and on weight gain during their neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) stay. Methods: A prospective cross-sectional observational study of 100 infants who were <32 weeks of gestation (GA) was conducted at the Division of Neonatology, Graz, Austria, from March 2014 to February 2015. Patients were stratified into two groups: those who were <28 weeks at birth and those who were 28 weeks and over. Velocity of oral feeding skills attainment and weight gain were analysed. Results: All infants successfully acquired oral feeding skills during hospitalisation. The median GA at which full oral feeding skills were reached was 37 + 1 weeks in EPT and 34 + 5 weeks in very preterm infants. More immature neonates showed worse feeding performances and lower weight increments during oral feeding steps. Conclusion: Our study confirmed the role of GA in the development of oral feeding skills in the most premature babies. It also raises the question of whether expected daily weight gain should be targeted according to GA

Haplosporidium pinnae Detection from the Faeces of Pinna nobilis: A Quick and Noninvasive Tool to Monitor the Presence of Pathogen in Early-Stage or during Fan Mussel Mass Mortalities

Due to the increasing mass mortality of Pinna nobilis, mainly caused by the protozoan Haplosporidium pinnae along the Mediterranean Sea, it is necessary to develop rapid and effective methods to detect the pathogen. The present study describes the development and validation of a species-specific assay based on hydrolysis probe chemistry to detect H. pinnae DNA from faeces and pseudofaeces of P. nobilis. During a study campaign in the Gulf of Trieste (Italy) in the spring and summer of 2022, 18 samples (10 faeces and 8 pseudofaeces) were collected. DNA was isolated from all samples and the presence of H. pinnae was tested by amplifying a small portion of 18S rDNA using qPCR. The newly developed assay detected positive H. pinnae in the faeces of the fan mussel in the spring, while no evidence of an outbreak of H. pinnae was found in the summer. In addition, the method proved to be noninvasive and can be used to monitor suspected H. pinnae infections in the early stages when bivalves are still vital. Furthermore, fecal analysis allows the monitoring of P. nobilis without dissecting tissues. The presented assay can also be used to routinely monitor the progress of mass mortalities caused by H. pinnae and to screen for the pathogen in live fan mussels and other environmental matrices, such as water, sediment, and faeces from other species that can host the protozoan

Clinical ophthalmic parameters of the Quaker parrot (Myiopsitta monachus)

Purpose: Ophthalmic diagnosis in many avian species remains hindered by lack of normative values. This study aimed to establish normal ophthalmic parameters for select diagnostic tests in clinically normal Quaker parrots. Methods: Ninety-six captive Quaker parrots ages 8-18 years underwent ophthalmic examination to include assessment of neuro-ophthalmic reflexes, phenol red thread test, rebound tonometry, fluorescein staining, palpebral fissure length measurements, slit lamp biomicroscopy, indirect fundoscopy, and ocular ultrasound biometry. Results: Menace response, dazzle reflex, and direct pupillary light reflex were present for all Quaker parrots. Tear production (mean ± SD) was 13.3 ± 4.0 mm/15 sec and intraocular pressure (IOP, mean± SD) was 10.6 ± 1.4 mmHg and 6.0 ± 1.3 mmHg in the D and P rebound tonometer calibration settings, respectively. For IOP measurement, D and P calibration settings were not interchangeable, with the lesser variation of the D setting preferred in the absence of a gold standard. Ultrasound measurement of the anterior chamber depth increased with age and males had longer axial globe and vitreous lengths. Incidental adnexal and ocular lesions, identified in 36/96 (37.5%) of Quaker parrots, did not statistically affect the created reference data. Conclusions: This work provides reference values and clinical findings to assist with monitoring the health of wild populations and maintaining the health of captive Quaker parrots

Feasibilty of Transcutaneous pCO2 Monitoring During Immediate Transition After Birth\u2014A Prospective Observational Study

Background: According to recommendations, non-invasive monitoring during neonatal resuscitation after birth includes heart rate (HR) and oxygen saturation (SpO2). Continuous transcutaneous monitoring of carbon dioxide partial pressure (tcpCO2) may further offer quantitative information on neonatal respiratory status. Objective: We aimed to investigate feasibility of tcpCO2 measurements in the delivery room during immediate neonatal transition and to compare the course of tcpCO2 between stable term and preterm infants. Methods: Neonates without need for cardio-respiratory intervention during immediate transition after birth were enrolled in a prospective observational study. In these term and preterm neonates, we measured HR and SpO2 by pulse oximetry on the right wrist and tcpCO2 with the sensor applied on the left hemithorax during the first 15 min after birth. Courses of tcpCO2 were analyzed in term and preterm neonates and groups were compared. Results: Fifty-three term (gestational age: 38.8 \ub1 0.9 weeks) and 13 preterm neonates (gestational age: 34.1 \ub1 1.5 weeks) were included. First tcpCO2 values were achieved in both groups at minute 4 after birth, which reached a stable plateau after the equilibration phase at minute 9. Mean tcpCO2 values 15 min after birth were 46.2 (95% CI 34.5\u201357.8) mmHg in term neonates and 48.5 (95%CI 43.0\u201354.1) mmHg in preterm neonates. Preterm and term infants did not show significant differences in the tcpCO2 values at any time point. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that tcpCO2 measurement is feasible during immediate neonatal transition after birth and that tcpCO2 values were comparable in stable term and preterm neonates

Impact of bradycardia and hypoxemia on oxygenation in preterm infants requiring respiratory support at birth

Aim of the study: Analysis of the impact of bradycardia and hypoxemia on the course of cerebral and peripheral oxygenation parameters in preterm infants in need for respiratory support during foetal-to-neonatal transition. Methods: The first 15 min after birth of 150 preterm neonates in need for respiratory support born at the Division of Neonatology, Graz (Austria) were analyzed. Infants were divided into different groups according to duration of bradycardia exposure (no Bradycardia, brief bradycardia <2 min, and prolonged bradycardia 652 min) and to systemic oxygen saturation (SpO2) value at 5 min of life (<80% or 6580%). Analysis was performed considering the degree of bradycardia alone (step 1) and in association with the presence of hypoxemia (step 2). Results: In step 1, courses of SpO2 differed significantly between bradycardia groups (p = 0.002), while courses of cerebral regional oxygen saturation (crStO2) and cerebral fractional tissue oxygen extraction (cFTOE) were not influenced (p = 0.382 and p = 0.878). In step 2, the additional presence of hypoxemia had a significant impact on the courses of SpO2 (p < 0.001), crStO2 (p < 0.001) and cFTOE (p = 0.045). Conclusion: Our study shows that the degree of bradycardia has a significant impact on the course of SpO2 only, but when associated with the additional presence of hypoxemia a significant impact on cerebral oxygenation parameters was seen (crStO2, cFTOE). Furthermore, the additional presence of hypoxemia has a significant impact on FiO2 delivered. Our study emphasizes the importance of HR and SpO2 during neonatal resuscitation, underlining the relevance of hypoxemia during the early transitional phase