Serotonin Trasporter Tracks Similarities Between Sids And Idiopathic Alte

Polymorphisms in the serotonin transporter (5HTT) (SLC6A4 encoding 5HTT) as a predisposing factor in infant death. Considering stric corrispondence between 5HTT and MAOA genotypic and allelic data inIALTE and SIDS, we hypothesize that the two syndromes are different expression of a common ethiopathogenesis

Analytical investigations on lindane bioremediation capability of the demosponge Hymeniacidon perlevis

Lindane is an organochlorine pesticide that has been widely used to treat agricultural pests. It is of particular concern because of its toxicity, persistence and tendency to bioaccumulate in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. In this context, we investigated the ability of the demosponge Hymeniacidon perlevis to bioremediate lindane polluted seawater during in vitro experimentation. Lindane was extracted by solid-phase micro-extraction (SPME) and determined by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Furthermore, we assessed the role exerted in lindane degradation by bacteria isolated from the sponge. Sponges showed low mortality in experimental conditions (lindane concentration 1 μg/L) and were able to remove about 50% of the lindane content from seawater in 48 h. Bacteria isolated from sponges showed a remarkable remediating capacity (up to 97% of lindane removed after 8-days). A lindane metabolite was identified, 1,3,4,5,6-pentachloro-cyclohexene. The results obtained are a prelude to the development of future strategies for the in situ bioremediation of this pollutan

spatial and temporal distributions of the sponge fauna insouthern italian lagoon systems

The present work focused on the taxonomic composition, spatial distributions, and temporal distributions of the sponge fauna from the main lagoon systems of southern Italy: Lesina, Varano, Taranto, Alimini, Faro, Ganzirri, Tindari and Marsala. Overall, 62 sponge species were recorded, belonging to the classes Demospongiae (52 species), Calcarea (8) and Homoscleromorpha (2). All the lagoon systems studied hosted sponges, even if with marked differences. Species richness varied from one (Lesina) to 45 (Marsala). A large number of the species recorded during this study (52%) was found only at a single site, whereas a species only (Halichondria (H.) panicea) was present in all the environments studied. Sponges colonised all available substrates. Salinity was the ecological factort hat best explained the spatial distribution of sponges, even though the wide heterogeneity of sponge assemblages, strongly suggests an important role of stochastic factors acting on pre- and post-settlement phases. Comparison of the present data with lists available from the literature shows that sponge assemblages from most of the studied lagoons were quite persistent. However, in some of the lagoons remarkable extinction processes, probably related to massive and prolonged anthropogenic pressures, have contributed to large changes in the sponge patterns

Biological variations in a long-term ex situ cultivation: a Mediterranean demosponge as model system

The demosponge Tethya citrina Sarà & Melone was subjected to long-term aquarium farming, considering that several species belonging to this genus are a rich source of useful bioactive metabolites. The rearing method in the present research was mainly based on applying parameters taken from the current literature. The sponge's biological activity was assessed in terms of survival and growth over time; status of filtering apparatus; protein banding profiles. Farmed sponges showed a high survival rate and marked reduction in size. In addition, they were frequently affected by massive production of asexual buds. Histological and ultrastructural observations showed a gradual disorganization of the sponge choanocyte chambers, with a drastic reduction in choanocytes and a progressive increase in spherulous cells. Comparative electrophoretic analysis of the protein profiles of wild and reared specimens showed differences in protein composition and abundance between the tested groups. Such data are consistent with the increase in spherulous cells whose content was markedly electron-dense, a feature stressing the proteinaceous nature of these inclusions. Experimental tank-rearing of Tethya provided promising responses in terms of high survival rate of the species and easy reproduction, though the rearing protocol used led to profound morpho-functional changes in the sponge. This confirms the inadequate state of knowledge on farming techniques for this taxon, while also highlighting potential applications in biotechnology of ex situ breeding techniques, in order to modify the sponges' biological responses

Evaluating the efficiency of DNA Metabarcoding to analyze the diet of Hippocampus guttulatus (Teleostea: Syngnathidae).

Seahorses are considered a flagship species for conservation efforts and due to their conservation status, improving knowledge on their dietary composition while applying a non-invasive approach, could be useful. Using Hippocampus guttulatus as a case study, the present study represents pioneering research into investigating the diet of seahorses by NGS-based DNA metabarcoding of fecal samples. The study developed and tested the protocol for fecal DNA metabarcoding during the feeding trials where captive seahorses were fed on a diet of known composition; the process was subsequently applied on fecal samples collected from wild individuals. The analysis of samples collected during the feeding trials indicated the reliability of the applied molecular approach by allowing the characterization of the effectively ingested prey. In the field study, among detected prey species, results revealed that the majority of the seahorse samples contained taxa such as Amphipoda, Decapoda, Isopoda, and Calanoida, while less common prey taxa were Gastropoda and Polyplacophora. As only a small amount of starting fecal material is needed and the sampling procedure is neither invasive nor lethal. The present study indicates DNA metabarcoding as useful for investigating seahorse diet and could help define management and conservation actions

Fishery-Induced Selection for Slow Somatic Growth in European Eel

Both theoretical and experimental studies have shown that fishing mortality can induce adaptive responses in body growth rates of fishes in the opposite direction of natural selection. We compared body growth rates in European eel (Anguilla anguilla) from three Mediterranean stocks subject to different fishing pressure. Results are consistent with the hypotheses that i) fast-growing individuals are more likely to survive until sexual maturity than slow-growing ones under natural conditions (no fishing) and ii) fishing can select for slow-growing individuals by removing fast-growing ones. Although the possibility of human-induced evolution seems remote for a panmictic species like such as the European eel, further research is desirable to assess the implications of the intensive exploitation on this critically endangered fish

Radioecological research on the marine environment facing the italian base in antarctica (1989–91)

The results of the analysis of both natural (Th-232, U-238 and K-40) and artificial (Cs-137) radioactivity contained in samples collected during the 1989–90 and 1990–91 PNRA Scientific Campaigns in the Terra Nova Bay (Ross Sea) marine ecosystem, are presented in this paper. The data refers to samples of sea water, pack water, sediments and organisms belonging to demersal ichthyofauna (Pagothenia bemacchii, Chionodracohamatus) and soft bottom macrofauna (Adamussium colbecki) collected in different coastal and off shore stations of the area investigated. Some sea water samples collected on the way to sub Antarctic areas were also considered. The radiocontamination detected in sediments was correlated to the quantities of organic matter, organic carbon and nitrogen contained in the samples. Additionally, Cs-137 concentration factors were calculated for the different biological specimens and their anatomical components. Data values, with special consideration for anthropogenic Cs-137, are compared to results obtained from similar matrixes collected in the Northern Hemisphere in temperate waters before and after the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear plant. © 1994 Gordon and Breach Science Publishers S. A

Evolution of radiocontamination in the Mediterranean Sea in the period 1985-1995

Investigations were carried out on several biotic and abiotic samples to determine the environmental radiocontamination of the Mediterranean Sea after the Chernobyl accident. Special emphasis was put on the determination of Cs-137 in the Adriatic Sea. This caesium isotope was the most abundant radionuclide in a wide variety of samples (seawater, sediment, pelagic and benthic species). Attention was also paid to the neutron activation products Ag-110m and Cs-134, which were first discovered in the Adriatic ecosystem after the Chernobyl event. In particular, although the Ag-110 fallout deposition over the area was negligible in comparison with that of Cs-137, its concentration factors and bioaccumulation in macroalgae and molluscs were much higher, suggesting some particular physiological accumulation mechanism. Concentrations of Sr-90, Pu-238 and Pu-239+240 were monitored in sediment samples collected in the period 1990-1993. A comparison of the radionuclide concentrations between the open sea area and the Po river estuarine ecosystem is also reported