Egy víztisztítási melléktermék, a 3-amino-9-etilkarbazol által kiváltott defektusok felderítése toxikológiai módszerekkel a Zebradanió (Danio rerio) korai életszakaszában = Investigation of effects caused by water disinfection byproduct (3-Amino-9 ethylcarbazole) on zebrafish using toxicological tests and gene expression analysis

Vizsgálataink fő célja egy víztisztítási melléktermék, a 3-amino-9-etilkarbazol (3A9EC) akut és szub-krónikus toxikus hatásainak felderítése volt zebradánió modellszervezeten. Az elsődlegesen alkalmazott teszt egy módosított OECD 236-os embriótoxikológiai vizsgálat volt, amivel az anyag általános toxikus hatásait lehet tanulmányozni. Az eredmények alapján elkészítettünk egy négy napos expozíció utáni LC (letális koncentráció) görbét, valamint meghatároztuk a hozzá tartozó LC50 illetve LC10 értékeket. A teszt során a mortalitás mellett a különböző szubletális tüneteket is megfigyeltük. A kapott akut eredmény alapján a kísérletek második szakaszában a vizsgált anyag szubkrónikus hatásait vizsgáltuk egy 33 napig tartó vizsgálat során. A két alkalmazott koncentrációt az OECD 236-os tesztje alapján kapott 72 órás LC10 érték alatt határoztuk meg. A teszt végére csak az alacsonyabb koncentráció esetén maradtak életben egyedek, melyek mindegyikén megfigyelhetők voltak méretbeli különbségek és jellemző volt a pigmenthiány a kontroll csoporthoz viszonyítva. A vizsgálatokat három traszgenikus zebradánió vonalon folytattuk. A teszt során megfigyelhető volt a 3A9EC ér- és idegrendszer, valamint vese károsító hatása a lárvák 72 órás állapotában. Az eredmények toxikológiai szempontból komplex információt szolgáltatnak a 3A9EC víztisztítási melléktermékekkel kapcsolatban, valamint megállapítható, hogy szükséges az anyag további toxikológiai vizsgálata, mert hosszan tartó fogyasztása káros lehet az élő szervezetekre, így az emberre is. The aim of this study was the investigation of toxic effects of 3-Amino-9 ethylcarbazole (3A9EC) water disinfection byproduct. Tests were carried out according to the modified OECD (Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development) guideline (No. 236) in order to detect the acute and sub-chronic toxic effects of 3A9EC. At the end of exposure, LC50 and LC10 values for embryo mortality were determined. Next, a subchronic assay of 33 days was conducted to study the lethal and sub-lethal effects of 3A9EC on the early life stage of zebrafish. On the basis of acute test results, embryos were exposed to two test concentrations below the 72h LC10. At the end of the test, only those individuals survived which were treated with the lower concentrations of 3A9EC. Treated embryos showed developmental malfunctions, differences in size and depigmentation compared to the control group. To observe vascular and nervous system effects, experiments were conducted on three transgenic zebrafish lines. Impairments were only detected in 72 hours post fertilization (hpf) larvae. However results provide complex information on the toxic effects of 3A9EC, it seems that the substance could be potentially harmful to living organisms including humans, so further experiments are needed

Osservatorio Territoriale Droga e Tossicodipendenze. Il fenomeno delle dipendenze nel territorio della ASL della Provincia di Sondrio. Dati anno 2008.

Report on the state of legal and illegal substances use in the territory of Sondrio Province.Il Report analizza il fenomeno delle dipendenze nella provincia di Sondrio. La descrizione del fenomeno si sviluppa intorno all\u27analisi degli indicatori individuati dall\u27Osservatorio Europeo delle Dipendenze di Lisbona (OEDT): 1-uso di sostanze nella popolazione generale (questo indicatore va a rilevare i comportamenti nei confronti di alcol e sostanze psicoattive da parte della popolazione generale); 2-prevalenza d\u27uso problematico delle sostanze psicoattive; 3-domanda di trattamento degli utilizzatori di sostanze; 4-mortalit? degli utilizzatori di sostanze; 5-malattie infettive. Altri due importanti indicatori che si stanno sviluppando, e che vengono qui illustrati, sono l\u27analisi delle Schede di Dimissione Ospedaliera (SDO) e gli indicatori relativi alle conseguenza sociali dell\u27uso di droghe (criminalit? droga correlata). Inoltre sono state applicate diverse metodologie standard di stima sia per quantificare la quota parte sconosciuta di utilizzatori di sostanze che non afferiscono ai servizi, sia per identificarne alcune caratteristiche

Estimating dyskinesia severity in Parkinson's disease by using a waist-worn sensor: concurrent validity study

Our research team previously developed an accelerometry-based device, which can be worn on the waist during daily life activities and detects the occurrence of dyskinesia in patients with Parkinson’s disease. The goal of this study was to analyze the magnitude of correlation between the numeric output of the device algorithm and the results of the Unified Dyskinesia Rating Scale (UDysRS), administered by a physician. In this study, 13 Parkinson’s patients, who were symptomatic with dyskinesias, were monitored with the device at home, for an average period of 30¿minutes, while performing normal daily life activities. Each patient’s activity was simultaneously video-recorded. A physician was in charge of reviewing the recorded videos and determining the severity of dyskinesia through the UDysRS for every patient. The sensor device yielded only one value for dyskinesia severity, which was calculated by averaging the recorded device readings. Correlation between the results of physician’s assessment and the sensor output was analyzed with the Spearman’s correlation coefficient. The correlation coefficient between the sensor output and UDysRS result was 0.70 (CI 95%: 0.33–0.88; p¿=¿0.01). Since the sensor was located on the waist, the correlation between the sensor output and the results of the trunk and legs scale sub-items was calculated: 0.91 (CI 95% 0.76–0.97: p¿<¿0.001). The conclusion is that the magnitude of dyskinesia, as measured by the tested device, presented good correlation with that observed by a physician.Postprint (published version

Genetic Diversity and Population Parameters of Sea Otters, Enhydra lutris, before Fur Trade Extirpation from 1741–1911

All existing sea otter, Enhydra lutris, populations have suffered at least one historic population bottleneck stemming from the fur trade extirpations of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. We examined genetic variation, gene flow, and population structure at five microsatellite loci in samples from five pre-fur trade populations throughout the sea otter's historical range: California, Oregon, Washington, Alaska, and Russia. We then compared those values to genetic diversity and population structure found within five modern sea otter populations throughout their current range: California, Prince William Sound, Amchitka Island, Southeast Alaska and Washington. We found twice the genetic diversity in the pre-fur trade populations when compared to modern sea otters, a level of diversity that was similar to levels that are found in other mammal populations that have not experienced population bottlenecks. Even with the significant loss in genetic diversity modern sea otters have retained historical structure. There was greater gene flow before extirpation than that found among modern sea otter populations but the difference was not statistically significant. The most dramatic effect of pre fur trade population extirpation was the loss of genetic diversity. For long term conservation of these populations increasing gene flow and the maintenance of remnant genetic diversity should be encouraged

Coastal high-frequency radars in the Mediterranean ??? Part 2: Applications in support of science priorities and societal needs

International audienceThe Mediterranean Sea is a prominent climate-change hot spot, with many socioeconomically vital coastal areas being the most vulnerable targets for maritime safety, diverse met-ocean hazards and marine pollution. Providing an unprecedented spatial and temporal resolution at wide coastal areas, high-frequency radars (HFRs) have been steadily gaining recognition as an effective land-based remote sensing technology for continuous monitoring of the surface circulation, increasingly waves and occasionally winds. HFR measurements have boosted the thorough scientific knowledge of coastal processes, also fostering a broad range of applications, which has promoted their integration in coastal ocean observing systems worldwide, with more than half of the European sites located in the Mediterranean coastal areas. In this work, we present a review of existing HFR data multidisciplinary science-based applications in the Mediterranean Sea, primarily focused on meeting end-user and science-driven requirements, addressing regional challenges in three main topics: (i) maritime safety, (ii) extreme hazards and (iii) environmental transport process. Additionally, the HFR observing and monitoring regional capabilities in the Mediterranean coastal areas required to underpin the underlying science and the further development of applications are also analyzed. The outcome of this assessment has allowed us to provide a set of recommendations for future improvement prospects to maximize the contribution to extending science-based HFR products into societally relevant downstream services to support blue growth in the Mediterranean coastal areas, helping to meet the UN's Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development and the EU's Green Deal goals

Coastal high-frequency radars in the Mediterranean ??? Part 1: Status of operations and a framework for future development

Due to the semi-enclosed nature of the Mediterranean Sea, natural disasters and anthropogenic activities impose stronger pressures on its coastal ecosystems than in any other sea of the world.With the aim of responding adequately to science priorities and societal challenges, littoral waters must be effectively monitored with high-frequency radar (HFR) systems. This land-based remote sensing technology can provide, in near-real time, fine-resolution maps of the surface circulation over broad coastal areas, along with reliable directional wave and wind information. The main goal of this work is to showcase the current status of the Mediterranean HFR network and the future roadmap for orchestrated actions. Ongoing collaborative efforts and recent progress of this regional alliance are not only described but also connected with other European initiatives and global frameworks, highlighting the advantages of this cost-effective instrument for the multi-parameter monitoring of the sea state. Coordinated endeavors between HFR operators from different multi-disciplinary institutions are mandatory to reach a mature stage at both national and regional levels, striving to do the following: (i) harmonize deployment and maintenance practices; (ii) standardize data, metadata, and quality control procedures; (iii) centralize data management, visualization, and access platforms; and (iv) develop practical applications of societal benefit that can be used for strategic planning and informed decision-making in the Mediterranean marine environment. Such fit-for-purpose applications can serve for search and rescue operations, safe vessel navigation, tracking of marine pollutants, the monitoring of extreme events, the investigation of transport processes, and the connectivity between offshore waters and coastal ecosystems. Finally, future prospects within the Mediterranean framework are discussed along with a wealth of socioeconomic, technical, and scientific challenges to be faced during the implementatio

Epilepsy, hippocampal sclerosis and febrile seizures linked by common genetic variation around SCN1A

Epilepsy comprises several syndromes, amongst the most common being mesial temporal lobe epilepsy with hippocampal sclerosis. Seizures in mesial temporal lobe epilepsy with hippocampal sclerosis are typically drug-resistant, and mesial temporal lobe epilepsy with hippocampal sclerosis is frequently associated with important co-morbidities, mandating the search for better understanding and treatment. The cause of mesial temporal lobe epilepsy with hippocampal sclerosis is unknown, but there is an association with childhood febrile seizures. Several rarer epilepsies featuring febrile seizures are caused by mutations in SCN1A, which encodes a brain-expressed sodium channel subunit targeted by many anti-epileptic drugs. We undertook a genome-wide association study in 1018 people with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy with hippocampal sclerosis and 7552 control subjects, with validation in an independent sample set comprising 959 people with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy with hippocampal sclerosis and 3591 control subjects. To dissect out variants related to a history of febrile seizures, we tested cases with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy with hippocampal sclerosis with (overall n = 757) and without (overall n = 803) a history of febrile seizures. Meta-analysis revealed a genome-wide significant association for mesial temporal lobe epilepsy with hippocampal sclerosis with febrile seizures at the sodium channel gene cluster on chromosome 2q24.3 [rs7587026, within an intron of the SCN1A gene, P = 3.36 × 10−9, odds ratio (A) = 1.42, 95% confidence interval: 1.26-1.59]. In a cohort of 172 individuals with febrile seizures, who did not develop epilepsy during prospective follow-up to age 13 years, and 6456 controls, no association was found for rs7587026 and febrile seizures. These findings suggest SCN1A involvement in a common epilepsy syndrome, give new direction to biological understanding of mesial temporal lobe epilepsy with hippocampal sclerosis with febrile seizures, and open avenues for investigation of prognostic factors and possible prevention of epilepsy in some children with febrile seizure