Immunolocalization of Nesfatin-1 in the Gastrointestinal Tract of the Common Bottlenose Dolphin Tursiops truncatus

First identified as an anorexigenic peptide, in the last decades, several studies have suggested that Nesfatin-1 (Nesf-1) is a pleiotropic hormone implicated in numerous regulatory processes in peripheral organs and tissues. In vertebrates, Nesf-1 is indeed expressed in the central nervous system and peripheral organs. In this study, we characterized the pattern of Nesf-1 distribution within the digestive tract of the common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus), composed of three gastric chambers and and intestine without a clear subdivision in the small and large intestine, also lacking a caecum. Our results indicated that Nesf-1 is widely distributed in cells of the mucosal epithelium of the gastric chambers. Most of the immunoreactivity was observed in the second chamber, compared to the first and third chambers. Immunopositivity was also found in nerve fibers and neurons, scattered or/and clustered in ganglion structures along all the esaminaned gastrointestinal tracts. These observations add new data on the highly conserved role of Nesf-1 in the mammalian digestive system

An Alkaloid from a Highly Invasive Seaweed Increases the Voracity and Reproductive Output of a Model Fish Species

The invasive macroalga Caulerpa cylindracea has spread widely in the Mediterranean Sea, becoming a favorite food item for native fish for reasons yet unknown. By using a combination of behavioral, morphological, and molecular approaches, herein we provide evidence that the bisindole alkaloid caulerpin, a major secondary metabolite of C. cylindracea, significantly increases food intake in the model fish Danio rerio, influencing the regulation of genes involved in the orexigenic pathway. In addition, we found that the compound improves fish reproductive performance by affecting the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis. The obtained results pave the way for the possible valorization of C. cylindracea as a sustainable source of a functional feed additive of interest to face critical challenges both in aquaculture and in human nutrition

Infezione da Saprolegniaceae in gamberi di fiume, Austropotamobius pallipes complex, in allevamento sperimentale del nord Italia.

RIASSUNTO - In una troticoltura sperimentale in provincia di Belluno, nel periodo compreso tra autunno 2004 e autunno 2005, \ue8 stata condotta una prova sperimentale di allevamento intensivo di Austropotamobius pallipes complex. Nell\u2019ottobre del 2004 sono stati pescati 32 gamberi (15 maschi e 17 femmine) nella roggia tributaria dell\u2019allevamento. Gli animali sono stati stabulati prima in una vasca di cemento, poi in una di vetroresina. In aprile le femmine con uova (11 individui), sono state spostate in una vasca californiana. Nel giugno 2005, si \ue8 verificata una moria totale dei gamberi nella vasca in vetroresina, che presentava problemi igienici per la permanenza di materiale in decomposizione. In agosto le femmine rimanenti, alla schiusa delle uova, sono state spostate in una vasca simile a quella in cui si \ue8 verificata la mortalit\ue0. Complessivamente 23 gamberi sono stati sottoposti ad indagini sanitarie: 19 ad esame microscopico a fresco, micologico, batteriologico e tutti all\u2019esame istopatologico. All\u2019esame micologico sono state isolate Saprolegniaceae da branchie, arti e addome di tutti i campioni, e Fusarium sp. in un solo esemplare. All\u2019esame istologico si osservava un\u2019abbondante presenza di ife fungine ramificate nelle branchie, nello spessore dei gonopodi, nella porzione ventrale del carapace addominale molle (sternum) e nelle giunzioni delle articolazioni, con gravi lesioni all\u2019ipoderma, reazioni flogistiche e necrosi. La muscolatura e la ghiandola verde talvolta risultavano colonizzate. In alcuni casi le ife si presentavano incapsulate da melanina. La mortalit\ue0 \ue8 stata attribuita ad infezione da Saprolegniaceae, sviluppatesi in maniera abnorme a causa della mancata rimozione dei residui di alimento. SUMMARY - The white-clawed crayfish Austropotamobius pallipes complex, is a protected European native species as it is considered endangered organism. In order to preserve this crustacean, carefully planned restocking programs with production of the juveniles in captivity are essential. An episode of mortality occurred during an intensive crayfish breeding trial from autumn 2004 to autumn 2005 in a North-eastern Italy experimental trout farm. In October 2004, 32 crayfish (15 males and 17 females) captured in Ardo river were housed inside the hatchery, initially in a concrete tank, then were moved to a fibreglass tank, where mating took place. In the spring 2005, 11 barred females were transferred in a Californian tank for the incubation of the eggs. In June 2005 all crayfish in the fiberglass tank died in presence of low hygienic conditions. In August, after the hatching of the eggs, the females were placed in a fiberglass tank, like to the previous, where a total mortality occurred after two weeks. Twenty-three crayfish were submitted at histological and 19 of these at microscopical, mycological, and bacteriological surveys. Saprolegniaceae were isolated from gills, legs and abdomen in all samples, while Fusarium sp. in only one specimen. At the histology coenocytic, branched fungal hyphae were observed in the gonopods, abdominal exoskeletons, eye stalks and in the joints of the legs, with heavy inflammatory lesions and necrosis in the hypoderm. The skeletal muscle and the green gland were sometimes colonized; in some cases the hyphae were surrounded by melanin. The mortality was related to Saprolegniaceae infection, induced by food remnants

Immunolocalization of Nesfatin-1 in the Gastrointestinal Tract of the Common Bottlenose Dolphin Tursiops truncatus

First identified as an anorexigenic peptide, in the last decades, several studies have suggested that Nesfatin-1 (Nesf-1) is a pleiotropic hormone implicated in numerous regulatory processes in peripheral organs and tissues. In vertebrates, Nesf-1 is indeed expressed in the central nervous system and peripheral organs. In this study, we characterized the pattern of Nesf-1 distribution within the digestive tract of the common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus), composed of three gastric chambers and an intestine without a clear subdivision in the small and large intestine, also lacking a caecum. Our results indicated that Nesf-1 is widely distributed in cells of the mucosal epithelium of the gastric chambers. Most of the immunoreactivity was observed in the second chamber, compared to the first and third chambers. Immunopositivity was also found in nerve fibers and neurons, scattered or/and clustered in ganglion structures along all the examined gastrointestinal tracts. These observations add new data on the highly conserved role of Nesf-1 in the mammalian digestive system

Saprolegniaceae and Two Epibiont Infections of the White-Clawed Crayfish, Austropotamobius pallipes complex, at an Experimental Hatchery in Northern Italy

Abstract: Mortality of white-clawed crayfish, Austropotamobius pallipes complex, occurred in a Northeastern Italian trout hatchery during an intensive breeding trial between autumn 2004 and summer 2005. The crayfish were submitted to postmortem histological, microscopical, mycological and bacteriological examinations. Saprolegniaceae were isolated from gills, legs and abdomen of all crayfish samples, while Fusarium sp. was found in only one specimen. The ectosymbiotic peritrichous ciliate protozoan, Cothurnia sieboldii, and a clitellate annelid, Branchiobdella hexodonta, were found on gill filaments and exoskeletons of all specimens examined. Fungal hyphae were observed on gonopods, abdominal exoskeletons, eye stalks and leg joints. These infections were occasionally observed causing heavy inflammatory lesions in skeletal muscle and green gland, and necrosis in the hypoderm; in some cases the hyphae were surrounded by melanin. The cause of mortality was attributed to a Saprolegniaceae infection, induced by poor water quality conditions

Indications for renal biopsy in patients with diabetes. Joint position statement of the Italian Society of Nephrology and the Italian Diabetes Society

This joint document of the Italian Society of Nephrology and the Italian Diabetes Society reviews the main indications to perform a renal biopsy in diabetic patients, according to the recommendations of a panel of experts based on all available scientific evidence

Episodi di mortalit\ue0\ua0 in gamberi d'acqua dolce (Austropotamobius pallipes complex) in tre corsi d'acqua della provincia di Modena / Mortality episodes of white-clawed crayfish (Austropotamobius pallipes complex) in three streams of Modena province (Northern Italy).

RIASSUNTO \u2013 Vengono descritti 3 gravi episodi di mortalit\ue0 in Austropotamobius pallipes complex verificatisi in corsi d\u2019acqua dell\u2019Appennino Modenese: nel torrente Rossenna (09/04), Lerna (02/05) e Rio Selve (06/05). Campioni di gamberi appena morti o moribondi, sono stati raccolti e sottoposti ad esame micologico, parassitologico, virologico, batteriologico ed istopatologico. Nei torrenti sono stati valutati l\u2019indice biotico esteso ed i parametri chimico-fisici dell\u2019acqua. Sono stati riscontrati organismi saprofiti ectosimbionti ed ectocommensali. Nessun virus \ue8 stato riscontrato. All\u2019esame micologico Fusaruim sp. \ue8 stato isolato dai campioni di tutti e tre i torrenti e, in coltura pura, da quelli del Rio Selve. Nei soggetti provenienti dal Rossenna, erano presenti Mucor sp., Penicillium sp. e Dematiaceae; Trichoderma sp., Alternaria sp., Gliocladium sp., Mucor sp., Geotrichum sp. dal Lerna. All\u2019esame batteriologico Hafnia alvei si isolava nei campioni provenienti sia da Rio Selve che dal Lerna ed in quest\u2019ultimo anche Aeromonas hydrophila. All\u2019esame istologico di tutti i campioni si riscontravano ife fungine infiltranti l\u2019esoscheletro che penetravano la cuticola invadendo l\u2019epidermide ed il muscolo sottostante. Tutti i torrenti mostravano segni di inquinamento. Una prolungata esposizione dei gamberi a sostanze tossiche potrebbe avere determinato una riduzione dei meccanismi di difesa dei crostacei rendendoli vulnerabili all\u2019azione di agenti patogeni opportunisti, con conseguente massiva mortalit\ue0. SUMMARY - A massive and apparently total mortality of white-clawed crayfish (Austropotamobius pallipes complex) occurred in Rossenna (09/04), Lerna (02/05) and Selve (06/05) streams in Modena province, Northern Italy. In all three streams the deceased crayfish were in different states of preservation and only recently dead or moribund crayfish were collected and submitted to mycological, parasitological, bacteriological, virological, and histopathological analyses. Extended Biotic Index was evaluated for each water course and chemical-physical and bacteriological water analyses were carried out. Saprophytes, ectosymbionts and ectocommensal organisms were frequently observed in crayfish. No virus was found. Fusarium sp. was the most frequently isolated mycete and it occurred in pure culture from the specimens coming from Selve creek. Furthermore Mucor sp. and Penicillium sp. were detected on the crayfish from the river Rossenna, while Trichoderma sp., Alternaria sp., Gliocladium sp. and Mucor sp. from Lerna specimens. The bacteriological investigation recorded Hafnia alvei from both Lerna stream and Selve creek samples, while Aeromonas hydrophila only from Lerna. During the histological investigation, all crayfish showed severe fungal hyphae infiltrations from the exoskeleton through the superficial skeletal to the muscle hypodermis. All water courses showed environmental pollution. A prolonged exposure to toxic substances in the water could have exhausted the defense mechanisms so that the crayfish were more susceptible to the action of opportunistic pathogenic agents and subsequently succumbed

Erratum to \u201cSystematic versus on-demand early palliative care: A randomised clinical trial assessing quality of care and treatment aggressiveness near the end of life\u201d [Eur J Cancer (2016) 69 (110\u2013118)] (S095980491632487X)(10.1016/j.ejca.2016.10.004)

The publisher regrets that the collaborators for this paper were not listed as such within the author details of the published paper. The collaborators were published in the Acknowledgements and are as follows: Alberto Farolfi, Silvia Ruscelli, Martina Valgiusti, Sara Pini, Marina Faedi, Department of Medical Oncology, IRST IRCCS, Meldola; Angela Ragazzini, Unit of Biostatistics and Clinical Trials, IRST IRCCS, Meldola; Cristina Pittureri and Elena Amaducci, Palliative Care and Hospice Unit, AUSL Romagna, Cesena; Irene Guglieri, Psychooncology Service, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV \u2013 IRCCS, Padua; Francesca Bergamo, Sara Lonardi, Department of Clinical and Experimental Oncology, Medical Oncology 1, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV \u2013 IRCCS, Padua; Camilla Di Nunzio, Medical Oncology Unit, Oncology\u2013Hematology Department, Guglielmo da Saliceto Hospital, Piacenza; Monica Bosco, Palliative Care Unit, Oncology\u2013Hematology Department, Guglielmo da Saliceto Hospital, Piacenza; Barbara Bocci, Medical Oncology Unit, San Paolo Hospital, Milan; Alfina Bramanti and Chiara Gandini, Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia; Angela Buonadonna, Medical Oncology Unit, Aviano National Cancer Institute, Aviano; Alessandro Comandone, Medical Oncology Unit, Presidio Humanitas Gradenigo, Turin; Sonia Zoccali, Coordinamento Cure Palliative (supported by F.I.L.E., Leniterapia Italian Foundatio), Florence; Maria Simona Pino, Medical Oncology Unit, Oncology Department, S. Maria Annunziata Hospital, Florence; Davide Dalu, Palliative Care Unit, Oncology Department, L. Sacco Hospital, Milan; Pietro Sozzi, Oncology Unit, Ospedale degli Infermi, Ponderano; Alberto Gozza, Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, E.O. Galliera Hospitals, Genoa; Monica Giordano and Carla Longhi, Oncology Unit, Sant'Anna Hospital, Como; Cristina Autelitano, Palliative Care Unit, Arcispedale S. Maria Nuova \u2013 IRCCS, Reggio Emilia; Teresa Gamucci, Oncology Unit, SS Trinit\ue0 Hospital Sora, ASL Frosinone, Frosinone; Cataldo Mastromauro, Oncology Unit, ULSS 12 Veneziana, Venice; Rodolfo Scognamiglio, Hospice Nazareth, Mestre; Daniela Degiovanni, Palliative Care Unit, Casale Monferrato, ASL Alessandria; Federica Negri, Medical Oncology Unit, Istituti Ospitalieri, Cremona; Augusto Caraceni, Palliative Care, Pain Therapy and Rehabilitation Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan; and Luigi Montanari, Palliative Care Unit Ravenna, AUSL Romagna, Italy. The publisher would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused