Sub-clinical effects of chronic noise exposure on vestibular system

Aim: to investigate the effect of chronic noise exposure on vestibular function of subjects without clinical evidence of vestibular disorders and with documented cochlear damage from noise. Subjects and methods: 25 patients with chronic noise- induced hearing loss (NIHL) and without vestibular complaints (group A) and 25 matched controls with sensorineural hearing loss without noise exposure (group B), underwent audiological and vestibular test including caloric and cervical vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials tests (cVEMPs). Results: In subjects chronically exposed to noise, similarly to that of the auditory threshold, an increase in the evocation threshold of VEMPs has been documented, statistically significant (p<0,05) and independent of the performance of the auditory threshold. p1-n1 amplitude values showed a significant difference between group A and group B. No significant difference for p1-n1 latencies between the two groups was found. Conclusion: We have documented the possibility of vestibular lesion, along with cochlear damage, related to chronic acoustic trauma

Probiotic treatment reduces appetite and glucose level in the zebrafish model.

The gut microbiota regulates metabolic pathways that modulate the physiological state of hunger or satiety. Nutrients in the gut stimulate the release of several appetite modulators acting at central and peripheral levels to mediate appetite and glucose metabolism. After an eight-day exposure of zebrafish larvae to probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus, high-throughput sequence analysis evidenced the ability of the probiotic to modulate the microbial composition of the gastrointestinal tract. These changes were associated with a down-regulation and up-regulation of larval orexigenic and anorexigenic genes, respectively, an up-regulation of genes related to glucose level reduction and concomitantly reduced appetite and body glucose level. BODIPY-FL-pentanoic-acid staining revealed higher short chain fatty acids levels in the intestine of treated larvae. These results underline the capability of the probiotic to modulate the gut microbiota community and provides insight into how the probiotic interacts to regulate a novel gene network involved in glucose metabolism and appetite control, suggesting a possible role for L. rhamnosus in the treatment of impaired glucose tolerance and food intake disorders by gut microbiota manipulation

Melatonin Induces Follicle Maturation in Danio rerio

Most organisms modulate their reproductive activity responding to day length by the nocturnal release of melatonin by the pineal gland. This hormone is also responsible for synchronizing reproduction with specific external environment stimuli in order to optimize reproductive success

Mediterranean swordfish (Xiphias gladius Linnaeus, 1758) population structure revealed by microsatellite DNA: Genetic diversity masked by population mixing in shared areas

Background. The Mediterranean swordfish stock is overfished and considered not correctly managed. Elucidating the patterns of the Mediterranean swordfish population structure constitutes an essential prerequisite for effective management of this fishery resource. To date, few studies have investigated intra-Mediterranean swordfish population structure, and their conclusions are controversial. Methods. A panel of 20 microsatellites DNA was used to investigate fine-scale population structuring of swordfish from six main fishing areas of the Mediterranean Sea. Results. This study provides evidence to reject the hypothesis of a single swordfish population within the Mediterranean Sea. DAPC analysis revealed the presence of three genetic clusters and a high level of admixture within the Mediterranean Sea. Genetic structure was supported by significant FST values while mixing was endorsed by the heterozygosity deficit observed in sampling localities indicative of a possible Wahlund effect, by sampling admixture individuals. Overall, our tests reject the hypothesis of a single swordfish population within the Mediterranean Sea. Homing towards the Mediterranean breeding areas may have generated a weak degree of genetic differentiation between populations even at the intra-basin scale

Supply chain design and sustainability in the textile sector

A project where optimization techniques and life cycle assessment methods are used to select a supply chain balancing economical and ecological factors is described. In particular, the optimization component will be analysed, modelled in mathematical terms and solved with methods previously appeared in the literature. The supply chain considered is the one of a top-brand firm in the textile sector

Cerebrospinal Fluid Leak During Stapes Surgery: The Importance of Temporal Bone CT Reconstructions in Oblique Anatomically Oriented Planes

Stapes gusher is a massive flow of perilymph and cerebrospinal fluid leak that fills the middle ear immediately after surgical opening of the labyrinth, such as during stapedectomy. Stapes gusher usually occurs as the result of a congenital malformation that causes an abnormal communication between the perilymphatic space and the subarachnoid space involving the internal auditory canal or the cochlear duct. To date, the potential risk of stapes gusher cannot be assessed preoperatively, as there are not pathognomonic signs suggestive of this complication. However, high-resolution computed tomography scan (HRCT) of the temporal bone can provide information that may help recognizing patients at risk. Recently, an anatomic evaluation of the inner ear with oblique reformation at HRCT has been described. This reformation offers a new and more detailed topographic vision of temporal bone structures compared to the classic axial and coronal planes and may help identifying anatomical alterations otherwise not visible. In this article, we present a case of stapes gusher and the role of preoperative HRCT with oblique reformation in its prevention

Zebrafish (Danio rerio) physiological and behavioural responses to insect-based diets: a multidisciplinary approach

Black Soldier Fly (BSF) meal is considered as an alternative, emerging and sustainable ingredient for aquafeed production. However, results on fish physiological responses are still fragmentary and often controversial, while no studies are available on fish behavior in response to these new diets. The present work represents the first comprehensive multidisciplinary study aimed to investigate zebrafish physiological and behavioural responses to BSF-based diets. Five experimental diets characterized by increasing inclusion levels (0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% respect to fish meal) of full fat BSF prepupae meal were tested during a 2-months feeding trial. Prepupae were cultured on coffee silverskin growth substrate enriched with a 10% Schizochytrium sp. to improve insects’ fatty acids profile. The responses of zebrafish were assayed through biometric, histological, gas chromatographic, microbiological, spectroscopic, molecular and behavioural analyses. Results evidenced that BSF-based diets affected fish fatty acid composition, while behavioural tests did not show differences among groups. Specifically, a 50% BSF inclusion level diet represented the best compromise between ingredient sustainability and proper fish growth and welfare. Fish fed with higher BSF inclusions (75 and 100%) showed hepatic steatosis, microbiota modification, higher lipid content, fatty acid modification and higher expression of immune response markers

Efficacy of a Treatment for Gonarthrosis Based on the Sequential Intra-Articular Injection of Linear and Cross-Linked Hyaluronic Acids

Background. This study evaluates the clinical and biochemical effects of sequential intra-articular (IA) injections of linear (LHA) and cross-linked hyaluronic acid (CLHA) in patients with Gonarthrosis (GA). Methods. Thirty-nine (39) patients (age 64.89 ± 8.83) received first the LHA injection (0.8-1.2 MDa, 32mg/2ml) and after 1 week the CLHA (1.0 MDa and 2.0 MDa, 75mg/3ml) one; this round was repeated after 6 months. Clinical assessments-i.e. ultrasonography, visual analogic scale (VAS) for pain, range of motion (ROM) and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis (WOMAC) index-were performed at baseline and at specific time points up to 12 months. Relevant markers were determined in blood and synovial fluid (SF) at selected intervals. SF from patients with recurrent effusion was subjected to proteomic analysis. Results. This schedule improved joint pain and function, and promoted a reduction of inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-9 and IL-17) in plasma and SF; cartilage thickness increased at 12 months and the increase negatively correlated with the baseline levels of C-telopeptide of type II collagen (CTX-II). SF proteomic revealed that proteins associated with inflammation (Apolipoprotein A-1, α-1 antitrypsin and IgK) decreased, while the IL-1 inhibitor Transthyretin increased. Conclusions. This schedule represents an effective treatment whose benefits persist up to 12 months after baseline. © 201