Multiple DNA BARCODING for fish species identification in sushi products

The aim of this work was to perform a molecular survey based on DNA barcoding to identify the seafood species used in the preparation of ethnic products (sushi). Twenty-one raw products (each composed of 3 to 8 pieces, for a total of 88 samples) were purchased in ethnic restaurants in the provinces of Pisa (11), Lucca (2), Livorno (3) and Florence (5). The total DNA extracted (1) was evaluated by gel electrophoresis and amplified using universal primers for mitochondrial (COI, 16SrRNA) or nuclear genes (PEPCK) depending on the species (fish, mollusk or crustacean) and the level of DNA degradation. Different primers (2,3,4,5,6,7) for the amplification of a long (~700 bp) or a short (~139-200 bp) fragment were used. Ninety-five PCR products were obtained (for some products two genes were analyzed). Of these, 30 have already been sequenced (Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Latium and Tuscany (Rome)). The sequences were elaborated with Clustal W in Bioedit 7.0.9.0, and analyzed by a BLAST analysis on GenBank and by using the Identification System on BOLD. A top match with a sequence similarity of at least 98% was used to designate potential species identification (8). DNA was degraded in almost one third of the samples. This was probably due to rice acidification, to repeated cycles of freezing/thawing or to prolonged storage. The degradation was confirmed by PCR amplification. In fact, we obtained long amplicons in 72.6% of the cases (n=69) and short amplicons for 27.3% of the samples (n=26). The average length of the long sequences was 595 bp for the COI FDB and 490 bp for the PEPCK gene, while the length of the short sequences was ~210bp for the 16S rRNA and 139bp for the COI MDB. All the samples were identified at least at the genus level, with identity values ranging from 99 to 100%. Although for some samples it was impossible to achieve a specific identification, the results were informative enough to verify the information given by the producers. No samples were found mislabeled. Even though the COI gene represents the most exploited target for seafood species identification, issues were found during amplification and comparison with the databases. Thus, in order to increase the PCR output, new universal primers, able to amplify a wide range of taxa, would be desirable. Finally, in case of degraded DNA samples, where the number of diagnostic mutation is limited, a multiple gene analysis is advisable

Loss of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) impairs Schwann cell proliferation and delays nerve regeneration after damage

Axonal loss causes disabling and permanent deficits in many peripheral neuropathies, and may result from inefficient nerve regeneration due to a defective relationship between Schwann cells, axons and the extracellular matrix. These interactions are mediated by surface receptors and transduced by cytoskeletal molecules. We investigated whether peripheral nerve regeneration is perturbed in mice that lack glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), a Schwann-cell-specific cytoskeleton constituent upregulated after damage. Peripheral nerves develop and function normally in GFAP-null mice. However, axonal regeneration after damage was delayed. Mutant Schwann cells maintained the ability to dedifferentiate but showed defective proliferation, a key event for successful nerve regeneration. We also showed that GFAP and the other Schwann-cell-intermediate filament vimentin physically interact in two distinct signaling pathways involved in proliferation and nerve regeneration. GFAP binds integrin αvβ8, which initiates mitotic signals soon after damage by interacting with fibrin. Consistently, ERK phosphorylation was reduced in crushed GFAP-null nerves. Vimentin instead binds integrin α5β1, which regulates proliferation and differentiation later in regeneration, and may compensate for the absence of GFAP in mutant mice. GFAP might contribute to form macro-complexes to initiate mitogenic and differentiating signaling for efficient nerve regeneration

Inflammatory bowel disease nurse specialists for patients on biological therapies: a nationwide Italian survey

Background Management of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients requires a multidisciplinary approach. Among the working team, the role of IBD nurse is expected to be particularly relevant when managing patients receiving biological therapies. We performed a survey to assess the presence of IBD nurse in centers where patients were receiving biologics. Methods For this Italian nationwide survey a specific questionnaire was prepared. IBD nurse was defined as a nurse directly involved in all phases of biological therapy, from pre-therapy screening, administration and monitoring during therapy, to follow up performed by a dedicated helpline, completed a specific training on biological therapy therapy, and observed international guidelines. Results A total of 53 Italian IBD centers participated in the survey, and 91 valid questionnaires were collected. Overall, 34 (37.4%) nurses could be classified as IBD specialists. IBD nurses had a significantly higher educational level than other nurses, they were more frequently operating in Central or Southern than in Northern Italy, they were working in an Academic center rather than in a General hospital, and in IBD centers with >25 patients on biological therapy. On the contrary, mean age, gender distribution, years of nursing, and years working in the IBD unit did not significantly differ between IBD and other nurses. Conclusions Our nationwide survey showed that the presence of an IBD nurse is still lacking in the majority of Italian IBD centers where patients receive biological therapies, suggesting a prompt implementation

The tourism transition of a “village resort”. Multipositionality and land management in Champéry (Valais), 1870-1970

Since the 1960s, Switzerland has introduced a series of norms aiming to curb access to real estate ownership by individuals not resident in the country. Concerning mainly tourist localities, these norms were enforced when tourism in Valais was changing from a model based on the provision of hotels to one increasingly oriented toward owning second homes. The case of Champéry suggests that this transition was the result of a double movement: on one hand, the dwindling of multipositionality which, when the tourist industry was born, had tied the economic interests of local tourism to the local political life; on the other hand, the opening up of the land and real estate market resulting in the transfer of ownership to stake-holders outside the community. The municipal development plan of 1969 reflected the desire to preserve the image of Champéry as a “village resort”; a desire that was also demonstrated by the choices of local residents concerning the land and real estate market

La transition touristique d’une « station-village ». Multipositionnalité et gestion foncière à Champéry (Valais), 1870-1970

Since the 1960s, Switzerland has introduced a series of norms aiming to curb access to real estate ownership by individuals not resident in the country. Concerning mainly tourist localities, these norms were enforced when tourism in Valais was changing from a model based on the provision of hotels to one increasingly oriented toward owning second homes. The case of Champéry suggests that this transition was the result of a double movement: on one hand, the dwindling of multipositionality which, when the tourist industry was born, had tied the economic interests of local tourism to the local political life; on the other hand, the opening up of the land and real estate market resulting in the transfer of ownership to stake-holders outside the community. The municipal development plan of 1969 reflected the desire to preserve the image of Champéry as a “village resort”; a desire that was also demonstrated by the choices of local residents concerning the land and real estate market

The tourism transition of a “village resort”. Multipositionality and land management in Champéry (Valais), 1870-1970

Since the 1960s, Switzerland has introduced a series of norms aiming to curb access to real estate ownership by individuals not resident in the country. Concerning mainly tourist localities, these norms were enforced when tourism in Valais was changing from a model based on the provision of hotels to one increasingly oriented toward owning second homes. The case of Champéry suggests that this transition was the result of a double movement: on one hand, the dwindling of multipositionality which, when the tourist industry was born, had tied the economic interests of local tourism to the local political life; on the other hand, the opening up of the land and real estate market resulting in the transfer of ownership to stake-holders outside the community. The municipal development plan of 1969 reflected the desire to preserve the image of Champéry as a “village resort”; a desire that was also demonstrated by the choices of local residents concerning the land and real estate market