A new specimen of shark from the Monte Postale locality (Eocene, Bolca) and the rise of the Triakids in ancient ecosystems

This thesis focuses on the description of a fossil shark found in the Museo di Storia Naturale di Pavia during a complex restoration project started in 1989. The specimen represents one of the rarest shark taxa from the world–renown Eocene Bolca locality. Unlike the Ypresian taxa Galeorhinus cuvieri and Eogaleus bolcensis, the specimen partly disarticulated and lies in a limestone matrix, suggesting its provenience from the Monte Postale site. The dataset of measurements for body parameters, vertebral centra, teeth and placoid scales was compared to both fossil and extant taxa in order to discuss the overall systematic assessments of the Bolca sharks at higher taxonomic levels. Overall body measurements collected from all Bolca specimens were combine in order to estimate the size of the examined specimen. Statistical approach performed on body measurements and preserved vertebrae support a largely sharing of these characters among the extant taxa of the order Carcharhiniformes. SEM analysis on dermal denticle support that the Pavia specimen is an individual of Eogaleus bolcensis. A comprehensive dataset of teeth was used to compare dental morphologies of the living species Galeorhinus galeus and Galeocerdo cuvier, considered here as standards. The general clustering is primarily based on qualitative characters and ratios between selected measurements. The comparison between fossil and extant taxa based on newly defined tooth morphotypes increase our knowledge on taxonomic identifications of Bolca’s sharks. The morphometrical measurements for each fossil specimen indicates three distinct ontogenetic classes, further supported by estimated ages following standard Von Bertalanffy growth curves. As the present–day Galeocerdo, Eogaleus was most likely a mesopelagic, top predator. The combination of biological and abiotic proxies suggests the Bolca setting as a possible nursery area for the juvenile–schooling individuals of G. cuvieri

ROSES, the only RObotic System for any Endovascular Surgery, Including the Control of an Animated Catheter Characterized by the Presence of two Controlled Curvatures

The paper presents ROSES, its robotic components, the different devices, not necessarily sterile, and its disposables, suitable for any endovascular procedure, both actually performed and presently not assisted by any robotic system, and open in the future for new application yet to come, such as what will be allowed by the new animated catheter. In fact, this is due to the mechanical configuration of the robotic actuators based on a peculiar gear train which presents a big passage hole which allows both the passage of big catheters and even hemostasis valves, as well as full control of very small catheters and guide wires. The system measures forces opposed by the body showing their value both numerically and analogically without the need of any. special tool, measures length of penetration of each catheter and guide wires recording their value. Thus, it may become in future, connected to a work station that will register in real time also the fluoroscopic images, a kind of black box of endovascular surgeries, separating completely doctor and nurses from the patient, using also cameras and microphones to replace the physical contact with the patient

Corneal biometry from volumetric SDOCT and comparison with existing clinical modalities

We present a comparison of corneal biometric values from dense volumetric spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SDOCT) scans to reference values in both phantoms and clinical subjects. We also present a new optically based “keratometric equivalent power” formula for SDOCT that eliminates previously described discrepancies between corneal power form SDOCT and existing clinical modalities. Phantom objects of varying radii of curvature and corneas of normal subjects were imaged with a clinical SDOCT system. The optically corrected three-dimensional surfaces were used to recover radii of curvature and power as appropriate. These were then compared to the manufacturer’s reference values in phantoms and to measurements from topography and Scheimpflug photography in subjects. In phantom objects, paired differences between SDOCT and reference values for radii of curvature were not statistically significant. In subjects, there were no significant paired differences between SDOCT and reference values from the other modalities for anterior radius and corneal keratometric power. In contrast to other studies, we found that dense volumetric scans with available SDOCT can be used to recover corneal biometric values—including power—that correspond well with existing clinical measurements

Acute exercise leads to regulation of Telomere-Associated genes and MicroRNA expression in immune Cells

Telomeres are specialized nucleoprotein structures that protect chromosomal ends from degradation. These structures progressively shorten during cellular division and can signal replicative senescence below a critical length. Telomere length is predominantly maintained by the enzyme telomerase. Significant decreases in telomere length and telomerase activity are associated with a host of chronic diseases; conversely their maintenance underpins the optimal function of the adaptive immune system. Habitual physical activity is associated with longer leukocyte telomere length; however, the precise mechanisms are unclear. Potential hypotheses include regulation of telomeric gene transcription and/or microRNAs (miRNAs). We investigated the acute exercise-induced response of telomeric genes and miRNAs in twenty-two healthy males (mean age = 24.1±1.55 years). Participants undertook 30 minutes of treadmill running at 80% of peak oxygen uptake. Blood samples were taken before exercise, immediately post-exercise and 60 minutes post-exercise. Total RNA from white blood cells was submitted to miRNA arrays and telomere extension mRNA array. Results were individually validated in white blood cells and sorted T cell lymphocyte subsets using quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). Telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) mRNA (P = 0.001) and sirtuin-6 (SIRT6) (P<0.05) mRNA expression were upregulated in white blood cells after exercise. Fifty-six miRNAs were also differentially regulated post-exercise (FDR <0.05). In silico analysis identified four miRNAs (miR-186, miR-181, miR-15a and miR-96) that potentially targeted telomeric gene mRNA. The four miRNAs exhibited significant upregulation 60 minutes post-exercise (P<0.001). Telomeric repeat binding factor 2, interacting protein (TERF2IP) was identified as a potential binding target for miR-186 and miR-96 and demonstrated concomitant downregulation (P<0.01) at the corresponding time point. Intense cardiorespiratory exercise was sufficient to differentially regulate key telomeric genes and miRNAs in white blood cells. These results may provide a mechanistic insight into telomere homeostasis and improved immune function and physical health. Funding NHMR

An exceptionally preserved Eocene shark and the rise of modern predator-prey interactions in the coral reef food web

Following extreme climatic warming events, Eocene Lagerstätten document aquatic and terrestrial vertebrate faunas surprisingly similar to modern counterparts. This transition in marine systems is best documented in the earliest teleost-dominated coral reef assemblage of Pesciara di Bolca, northern Italy, from near the end of the Eocene Climatic Optimum. Its rich fauna shows similarities with that of the modern Great Barrier Reef in niche exploitation by and morphological disparity among teleost primary consumers. However, such paleoecological understanding has not transcended trophic levels above primary consumers, particularly in carcharhiniform sharks

Why so many dipnoans? A multidisciplinary approach on the Lower Cretaceous lungfish record from Tunisia

The Lower Cretaceous record of vertebrates from Africa is problematic as the majority of fossil localities lack adequate stratigraphic and paleoecological data when compared with coeval Laurasian deposits. Thereby, our comprehension of paleocommunities and paleobiogeographic patterns may be affected by the lack of multidisciplinary approach. Among taxonomically and paleoecological significant clades, lungfishes (Sarcopterygii, Dipnoi) are commonly found in the Cretaceous fresh water, brackish and marginal-marine deposits of Gondwana, although identifiable elements are limited to isolated tooth plates. We provide the first taxonomic identification of dipnoans from the Ain el Guettar Formation of southern Tunisia (Oum ed Diab Member, Albian). Identification of tooth plates based on morphological parameters and phylogenetic analyses indicate the co-occurrence in a discrete stratigraphic unit of at least five lineages referable to Equinoxiodus, Neoceratodus, Asiatoceratodus and/or Ferganoceratodus, Ceratodus, and Lavocatodus. This unusually high diversity is unparalleled in the fossil record and is also challenged by an actualistic comparison with extant taxa. We suggest that a series of taphonomic factors significantly inflated observed lungfish diversity in the estuarine and marginal-marine deposits of the Oum ed Diab Member. Therefore, we recognize the fossil fauna as representative of a larger, inland paleo-hydrographic system. This study confirms the paleoecological scenario resulted from the analyses on terrestrial reptiles from the Oum ed Diab Member

Reassessment of a large lamniform shark from the Upper Cretaceous (Santonian) of Italy

To date, only a few partially articulated chondrichthyan specimens are known from the Upper Cretaceous marine fossil record of northern Italy. Here, we re-evaluate the taxonomic status and geological age of selachian remains originally discovered during the 19th century from the Castellavazzo locality. The described specimen is largely embedded in matrix with minute exposure of joined and moderately deformed sequentially stacked vertebral centra. Computed tomography (CT) image-data obtained of the specimen enabled the identification of potential cranial-cartilage elements located in close proximity to teeth and are here interpreted as remnants of the jaws. Based on tooth and vertebral morphology the specimen is in all likelihood an adult lamniform shark with a measured 3.5 m length. Using ordinary least-squares regression analysis (OLS) and proportion-based calculations, we estimated a total-length (TL) of 596.27 and 632.5e672.64 cm respectively. We prefer the size estimation derived through OLS bivariate regression; however, in the present analysis, reliance on a small sample size (n ¼ 11) and evidence for differential scaling between taxa impose limitations on the precision of our size prediction. Planktonic foraminifera examined from the surrounding matrix of the slab preserving shark vertebral centra and teeth indicate a Santonian age (Dicarinella asymetrica zone). Although, the specimen could not confidently be assigned beyond the ordinal-level, the sheer centrum size, gross dental morphology, and depositional environment, are indicative of a pelagic apex-predator comparable to coeval lamniforms, with a specific resemblance towards cretoxyrhinids, reported from elsewhere along the peri-Tethyan shelf of Europe and Western Interior Seaway of North America. Finally, the re-emergence of this historical specimen, here re-described using cutting-edge techniques, is of great importance as it contributes to the otherwise poor record of extinct lamniform shark skeletons

Development of Disposables and Accessories for ROSES and Their In Vitro Experimentation

This paper describes the development of the disposables and accessories for ROSES (Robotic System for Endovascular Surgery). Initially developed exclusively for transcatheter percutaneous coronary angioplasty, it was later modified, initially leaving the components for angioplasty substantially unchanged to extend its use to endovascular transcatheter surgery. These disposables are used to translate gear rotations into catheter or guide wire advancement or retraction and rotation of their body through friction wheels. The use of a new cart was necessary for endovascular surgery, to which a system to measure forces opposed by the patient’s body to catheter advancement was added. Moreover, since some endovascular catheters present with large diameters, minor mechanical modifications were also performed on the robot actuator (RA), previously defined as a slave, in order to allow large catheters to be pushed, such as those needed for the repair of some big aneurysms or for TAVI. However, in doing this, the possibility of separating the disposables into two components, upper and lower, was found, which allows the extraction of the disposable without having to remove the catheter or guide wire already positioned. Finally, the disposables, whose development is illustrated here, were subjected to various versions and tests and the results are reported

Molecular Analysis in a Glioblastoma Cohort&mdash;Results of a Prospective Analysis

The prognostic role of epidermal growth factor receptor variant III (EGFRvIII), a constitutively activated oncogenic receptor, in glioblastoma is controversial. We performed a prospective study enrolling 355 patients operated on for de novo glioblastoma at a large academic center. The molecular profile, including EGFRvIII status, MGMT promoter methylation, and VEGF expression, was assessed. Standard parameters (age, clinical status and extent of surgical resection) were confirmed to hold prognostic value. MGMT promoter methylation portended a slightly improved survival. In the whole series, confirming previous results, EGFRvIII was not associated with worsened prognosis. Interestingly, female sex was associated with a better outcome. Such findings are of interest for the design of future trials