Relaciones entre talla del otolito y talla del pez en algunos peces mesopelágicos y batipelágicos del Mediterráneo (estrecho de Messina, Italia)

The length-weight relationships and the regressions between otolith size (length and width) and fish length of some mesopelagic and bathypelagic fishes living in the central Mediterranean Sea were provided. Images and morphological description of otoliths (sagittae) from 16 species belonging to the families of Gonostomatidae (1), Microstomatidae (2), Myctophidae (8), Phosichthyidae (2), Sternoptychidae (2) and Stomiidae (1) were given. The length-weight relationship showed an isometric growth in 13 species. No differences between right and left otolith sizes were detected by t-test, so a single linear regression was plotted against standard length (SL) for otolith length (OL) and otolith width (OW). Data fitted well to the regression model for both OL and OW to SL, for each species (R2 > 0.8). These relationships offer a helpful tool in feeding studies and also provide support to palaeontologists in their research on fish fossils.En este trabajo se presentan las relaciones talla-peso y las regresiones entre la talla del otolito (longitud y anchura) y la talla del pez (SL) para algunos peces meso y batipelágicos que viven en el Mediterráneo central. Se incluyen imágenes y descripciones morfológicas de los otolitos (sagittae) de 16 especies de las familias Gonostomatidae (1), Microstomatidae (2), Myctophidae (8), Phosichthyidae (2), Sternoptychidae (2) y Stomiidae (1). La relación talla-peso muestra un crecimiento isométrico en 13 especies. No se encontraron diferencias relevantes (t-test) entre la talla del otolito derecho e izquierdo, por lo que se representó una sola regresión lineal entre la longitud estándar y los siguientes parámetros: longitud de otolite (OL) y la anchura (OW). Los datos se ajustaron bien al modelo de regresión lineal para OL y OW, para todas las especies (R2 > 0.8). Las relaciones obtenidas puede ser utilizadas como instrumento en estudios de alimentación y para sustentar estudios de paleontología sobre peces fósiles

Permissive role for mGlu1 metabotropic glutamate receptors in excitotoxic retinal degeneration

Neuroprotection is an unmet need in eye disorders characterized by retinal ganglion cell (RGC) death, such as prematurity-induced retinal degeneration, glaucoma, and age-related macular degeneration. In all these disorders excitotoxicity is a prominent component of neuronal damage, but clinical data discourage the development of NMDA receptor antagonists as neuroprotectants. Here, we show that activation of mGlu1 metabotropic glutamate receptors largely contributes to excitotoxic degeneration of RGCs. Mice at postnatal day 9 were challenged with a toxic dose of monosodium glutamate (MSG, 3g/kg), which caused the death of >70% of Brn-3a+ RGCs. Systemic administration of the mGlu1 receptor negative allosteric modulator (NAM), JNJ16259685 (2.5mg/kg, s.c.), was largely protective against MSG-induced RGC death. This treatment did not cause changes in motor behavior in the pups. We also injected MSG to crv4 mice, which lack mGlu1 receptors because of a recessive mutation of the gene encoding the mGlu1 receptor. MSG did not cause retinal degeneration in crv4 mice, whereas it retained its toxic activity in their wild-type littermates. These findings demonstrate that mGlu1 receptors play a key role in excitotoxic degeneration of RGCs, and encourage the study of mGlu1 receptor NAMs in models of retinal neurodegeneration

Dieta del pez de San Francisco Synodus saurus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Pisces, Synodontidae) en el Mediterráneo central

The diet composition of the Atlantic lizardfish Synodus saurus, caught on sandy bottoms of the north-western coast of Sicily (southern Tyrrhenian Sea) is described. The stomachs of 224 specimens (from 73 to 280 mm TL) were collected between June 2005 and May 2006. The analysis of stomach contents showed that this species is almost exclusively piscivorous. Unlike other benthic predators of the study area, it mainly feeds on pelagic school-forming fish, such as Clupeidae, Engraulidae and Myctophidae and juveniles of Sparidae and Centracanthidae, and benthic prey play a secondary role. The diet of S. saurus is related to the seasonal availability of resources, depending on the occurrence of juveniles of several species and on the migration of pelagic fishes in the study area. There were no significant changes in prey items between predator length groups, but a positive, significant linear relationship between prey size and predator size was recorded.El presente trabajo ha estudiado la composición de la dieta del pez de San Francisco Synodus saurus, pescado sobre fondos arenosos en la costa nor-occidental de Sicilia (Tirreno meridional). El análisis del contenido estomacal de 224 individuos (entre 73 y 280 mm LT), pescados entre junio 2005 y mayo 2006, evidenció que S. saurus es una especie casi exclusivamente ictiófaga. A diferencia de otros depredadores bentónicos, S. saurus se alimenta fundamentalmente de peces que forman bancos pelágicos como Clupeidae, Engraulidae y Myctophidae y de los juveniles de las familias Sparidae y Centracanthidae, mientras las presas bentónicas resultaron secundarias. S. saurus exhibió una estrategia alimentaria relacionada con la disponibilidad estacional de recursos, dependiendo de la ocurrencia de juveniles de varias especies y de la migración de peces pelágicos en el área de estudio. No hubo cambio significativo de presas entre grupos de tallas pero se evidenció una relacción positiva, lineal y estadísticamente significativa entre el tamaño de la presa y del depredador

La complessit? della comunicazione scientifica in ambito epidemiologico: il caso Sebiorec

noViene presentata l\u27esperienza in corso nella Regione Campania per accomp agnare la trasmissione dei risultati dell\u27indagine epidemiologica Sebiorec, svolta tramite campionamento di sangue e latte materno. Si ? ritenuto cruciale dedicare particolare attenzione alle problematiche della comunicazione, grazie alla costituzione di un gruppo multidisciplinare, che ha contribuito alla realizzazione di una indagine qualitativa basata su interviste in profondit? e che fornir? strumenti utili alla comunicazione dei risultati. L\u27esperienza si inscrive nell\u27obiettivo di far evolvere l\u27approccio epidemiologico classico verso una eco-epidemiologia basata sull\u27integrazione di conoscenze sull\u27individuo e sulla comunit?, attraverso lo studio dei fattori di rischio, di esposizione e suscettibilit? individuale e di contesto sociale

Pelagic cephalopods of the central Mediterranean Sea determined by the analysis of the stomach content of large fish predators

The pelagic cephalopod fauna of the central Mediterranean Sea was investigated through stomach content analyses of large fish predators. A total of 124 Xiphias gladius, 22 Thunnus thynnus, 100 Thunnus alalunga, and 25 Tetrapturus belone were analyzed. Overall, 3,096 cephalopods belonging to 23 species and 16 families were identified. The cephalopod fauna in the study area is dominated by Sepiolidae, Ommastrephidae, and Onychoteuthidae. The sepiolid Heteroteuthis dispar was the most abundant species (n = 1,402) while the ommastrephid Todarodes sagittatus showed the highest biomass. They can be considered key-species in the pelagic food web of the study area. The neutrally buoyant Histioteuthis bonnellii, H. reversa, and Chiroteuthis veranyi seem to characterize the deeper water layers. Given the difficulty in sampling pelagic cephalopods, the presence of cephalopod beaks in the stomach of predators represents a fundamental tool to assess the biodiversity and the ecological importance of these taxa in the marine ecosystem

Greening competitiveness for hotels and restaurants

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present the results of a survey-based study performed on Italian SMEs in the “hotel, restaurant, café” (HORECA) sector, aimed at investigating the relationship between pro-environmental strategies and competitiveness and how such strategies can be exploited to outperform competitors. Design/methodology/approach – The survey involved 317 Italian SMEs. Regression models have been developed to analyze the causal relationship between three dimensions of competitiveness (competitive advantage over competitors, customer satisfaction and employees’ motivation), and environmental practices that can be adopted by HORECA SMEs. Findings – Top management commitment emerges as a key driver of competitiveness, confirming the strategic relevance of a sound approach to sustainability also in SMEs operating in the tourism sector. Moreover, actions aimed at investing in green food products (e.g. organic food) and awareness campaigns emerge as strong predictors of good business performance. Finally, at managerial level, entrepreneurs and owners evaluate the implementation of internal sustainability monitoring systems as a relevant support to increase their competitive performance. Research limitations/implications – Since the results are limited to Italian HORECA businesses, a cross-country comparison could represent a potential improvement of the research. Moreover, since the sector is characterized by the predominance of small and micro firms, specific attention should be devoted to the role played by entrepreneurs’ personal values in shaping business strategies. Originality/value – The paper contributes to the ongoing debate on the relationship between SMEs in the tourism sector and the environmental dimension analyzing the link between the adoption of “green” practices and the competitive performance. The results suggest that customer involvement represents an essential pre-requisite to turn sustainability into an opportunity of market distinctiveness and stress the strategic role of the implementation of performance monitoring systems

First record of plastic debris in the stomach of Mediterranean lanternfishes

This study highlights for the first time the presence of plastic debris in the stomachs of Mediterranean lanternfishes (Myctophidae): Electrona risso, Diaphus metopoclampus, Hygophum benoiti and Myctophum punctatum. Samples were collected in the central Mediterranean Sea between 2010 and 2014. Plastics ingested belonged to small microplastics (0.2 - 2 mm), large microplastics (2 - 5 mm) and mesoplastics (5 - 25 mm), having mainly clear colors. Their frequency of occurrence in stomachs was equal to 2.7%, but it increases to 5.8% if only migratory species are considered. The higher number of plastics was found in E. risso and H. benoiti (5 in both species). The plastic ingestion may represent a risk for vertical migrant lanternfishes due to the increase in buoyancy. Ecotoxicological aspects linked to the potential effects of contaminants on lanternfish biology and to the transfer of pollutants throughout the marine trophic web up to top predators should be deepened

Prvi zapis o plastičnim krhotinama u želucu mediteranskih riba žaboglavki (Myctophidae)

This study highlights for the first time the presence of plastic debris in the stomachs of Mediterranean lanternfishes (Myctophidae): Electrona risso, Diaphus metopoclampus, Hygophum benoiti and Myctophum punctatum. Samples were collected in the central Mediterranean Sea between 2010 and 2014. Plastics ingested belonged to small microplastics (0.2 - 2 mm), large microplastics (2 - 5 mm) and mesoplastics (5 - 25 mm), having mainly clear colors. Their frequency of occurrence in stomachs was equal to 2.7%, but it increases to 5.8% if only migratory species are considered. The higher number of plastics was found in E. risso and H. benoiti (5 in both species). The plastic ingestion may represent a risk for vertical migrant lanternfishes due to the increase in buoyancy. Ecotoxicological aspects linked to the potential effects of contaminants on lanternfish biology and to the transfer of pollutants throughout the marine trophic web up to top predators should be deepened.Ova studija ističe po prvi put prisutnost plastičnih otpadaka u želucima mediteranskih žaboglavki. (Myctophidae): Electrona risso, Diaphus metopoclampus, Hygophum benoiti i Myctophum punctatum. Uzorci su prikupljeni u središnjem Mediteranu u periodu između 2010. i 2014. godine. Progu tane čestice plastike pripadaju maloj mikroplastici (0,2-2 mm), velikoj mikroplastici (2-5 mm) i mezoplastici (5-25 mm), te su uglavnom jasnih boja. Njihova učestalost pojavljivanja u probavilima iznosila je 2.7%, dok je kod migratornih vrsta iznosila 5.8%. Veći broj čestica plastike pronađen je kod vrsta E. risso i H. benoiti (5 po vrsti). Gutanje plastike može predstavljati rizik za vertikalne migratore iz porodice žaboglavki zbog povećanja uzgona. Potrebno je produbiti istraživanja ekotoksikoloških aspekata povezanih s mogućim učincima zagađivala na biologiju žaboglavki, kao i onih povezanih s prijenosom zagađivala kroz trofičku mrežu u moru sve do glavnih grabežljivaca

Molecular profiling of follicular fluid microRNAs in young women affected by Hodgkin lymphoma.

Research question Treatments for Hodgkin lymphoma have improved but one of their common effects is gonadal toxicity, which contributes to fertility damage of patients and induces temporary or irreversible loss of fertility. Could micro-RNA (miRNA) expression profiles in follicular fluid be influenced by Hodgkin lymphoma? Could their alteration affect molecular pathways involved in follicle growth and oocyte maturation? Design miRNA expression profile was investigated in follicular fluid samples from young women affected by Hodgkin lymphoma compared with healthy controls by NanoString technology. Bioinformatic analysis was used to verify miRNA involvement in follicle development and miRNA deregulation with Hodgkin lymphoma in a larger cohort of follicular fluid samples was confirmed by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Results Thirteen miRNAs are deregulated in Hodgkin lymphoma samples compared with controls and are involved in molecular pathways related to cancer, gametogenesis and embryogenesis. Among them, let-7b-5p, miR-423-5p, miR-503-5p, miR-574-5p and miR-1303 are implicated in biological processes related to follicle development and oocyte maturation. Let-7b-5p holds the central position in the regulatory network of miRNA-mRNA interactions, has the highest number of mRNA target genes shared with the other differentially expressed miRNAs and is significantly downregulated in Hodgkin lymphoma follicular fluid samples. Conclusions These data led us to question the potential influence of miRNA deregulation on oocyte quality. Further studies are needed to verify the reproductive potential of young patients with Hodgkin lymphoma before starting chemotherapy protocols and an adequate protocol of fertility preservation needs to be guaranteed