Cryptic cyanobacterial diversity in the giant cave (Trieste, Italy): the new genus Timaviella (Leptolyngbyaceae).

The microflora of hypogean environments has been studied increasingly worldwide. However, some sites have hardly been examined or not studied at all; this is the case for the Giant Cave, a Karst show cave located near Trieste, Italy. In the present study we began characterizing the Giant Cave Lampenflora by using a polyphasic approach, focusing, in particular, on three Leptolyngbya-like strains named GR2, GR4, and GR13. Light and electron microscopic observations were carried out and the water-soluble pigment composition was analysed. Phylogenetic reconstruction, based on the 16S rRNA gene and the 16S-23S ITS region, was performed to better understand the taxonomic position of these strains, complemented by 16S-23S ITS secondary structure analysis. Ecological and geographical data for the investigated strains and for the other cyanobacterial strains grouping with them in the phylogenetic reconstructions were also considered. Based on the results, strain GR2 was ascribed to the species Heteroleibleinia purpurascens (Hansgirg) Anagnostidis & Kom\ue1rek; strains GR4 and GR13 were attributed to a new genus of the family Leptolyngbyaceae, Timaviella Sciuto & Moro, gen. nov., and represented two distinct species: Timaviella circinata Sciuto & Moro and Timaviella karstica Sciuto & Moro

Molecular, morphological and chemical diversity of two new species of Antarctic Diatoms, Craspedostauros ineffabilis sp. nov. and Craspedostauros zucchellii sp. nov.

The current study focuses on the biological diversity of two strains of Antarctic diatoms (strains IMA082A and IMA088A) collected and isolated from the Ross Sea (Antarctica) during the XXXIV Italian Antarctic Expedition. Both species presented the typical morphological characters of the genus Craspedostauros: cribrate areolae, two “fore-and-aft” chloroplasts and a narrow “stauros”. This classification is congruent with the molecular phylogeny based on the concatenated 18S rDNArbcL-psbC alignment, which showed that these algae formed a monophyletic lineage including six taxonomically accepted species of Craspedostauros. Since the study of the evolution of this genus and of others raphe-bearing diatoms with a “stauros” is particularly challenging and their phylogeny is still debated, we tested alternative tree topologies to evaluate the relationships among these taxa. The metabolic fingerprinting approach was implemented for the assessment of the chemical diversity of IMA082A and IMA088A. In conclusion, combining (1) traditional morphological features used in diatoms identification, (2) phylogenetic analyses of the small subunit rDNA (18S rDNA), rbcL and psbC genes, and (3) metabolic fingerprint, we described the strains IMA082A and IMA088A as Craspedostauros ineffabilis sp. nov. and Craspedostauros zucchellii sp. nov. as new species, respectivelyinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Total phenolic levels, in vitro antioxidant properties, and fatty acid profile of two microalgae, tetraselmis marina strain IMA043 and naviculoid diatom strain IMA053, isolated from the North Adriatic Sea

This work studied the potential biotechnological applications of a naviculoid diatom (IMA053) and a green microalga (Tetraselmis marina IMA043) isolated from the North Adriatic Sea. Water, methanol, and dichloromethane (DCM) extracts were prepared from microalgae biomass and evaluated for total phenolic content (TPC) and in vitro antioxidant properties. Biomass was profiled for fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) composition. The DCM extracts had the highest levels of total phenolics, with values of 40.58 and 86.14 mg GAE/g dry weight (DW in IMA053 and IMA043, respectively). The DCM extracts had a higher radical scavenging activity (RSA) than the water and methanol ones, especially those from IMA043, with RSAs of 99.65% toward 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)diammonium salt (ABTS) at 10 mg/mL, and of 103.43% against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) at 5 mg/mL. The DCM extract of IMA053 displayed relevant copper chelating properties (67.48% at 10 mg/mL), while the highest iron chelating activity was observed in the water extract of the same species (92.05% at 10 mg/mL). Both strains presented a high proportion of saturated (SFA) and monounsaturated (MUFA) fatty acids. The results suggested that these microalgae could be further explored as sources of natural antioxidants for the pharmaceutical and food industry and as feedstock for biofuel production.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Interpretation of electrocardiogram in an ultra-marathon athlete: a case report

The electrocardiogram (ECG) of athletes, especially in those that are endurance-trained, frequently shows some alterations; however, abnormalities of athlete’s ECG may be an expression of an underlying heart disease, which carries a risk of sudden death during sport. It is important that ECG abnormalities are correctly distinguished. We report a case of an ultramarathon athlete who arrived in Emergency Department, after a 100 kilometres race, showing ECG alterations that required further investigations to rule out a cardiac disease. ECG trace showed anterior repolarization abnormalities with ST-segment elevation in V1 to V3 leads. He was admitted in the Cardiology Department and underwent a coronary study that was normal. A cardiac magnetic resonance was also performed. The final diagnosis was athlete’s heart

Corrosion and antifouling properties of copper-containing PEO coatings produced on steels

peer reviewedIn this work, antifouling copper-containing PEO coatings were produced on zinc-aluminized steels and their antifouling properties in circulating seawater were tested at the Hydrobiological Station Umberto D'Ancona located in Chioggia (Venice, Italy). The effect of the presence of the copper particles on the localized corrosion properties of the PEO coatings was also investigated in depth. In detail, the PEO-coated samples were produced and characterized in terms of microstructure and phase composition through SEM and XRD analysis. The antifouling properties of the samples were evaluated through stereo-microscope and SEM observations after up to 28 days of immersion and the corrosion properties were analyzed with EIS and SVET tests. The results, besides the successful incorporation of the copper particles into the coatings, evidenced the remarkable antifouling effect of the copper particles which also produced a clear selection in the type of algae that can colonize the samples. Considering the corrosion properties, the copper particles were found to be detrimental, due to the galvanic coupling with the substrate. Considering both results, the copper-containing PEO coating can be suggested only in combination with a topcoat which further increases the corrosion performance.9. Industry, innovation and infrastructur

Freezing of gait in Parkinson’s disease patients treated with bilateral subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation: A long-term overview

Bilateral subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation (STN-DBS) is an effective treatment in advanced Parkinson’s Disease (PD). However, the effects of STN-DBS on freezing of gait (FOG) are still debated, particularly in the long-term follow-up (>/=5-years). The main aim of the current study is to evaluate the long-term effects of STN-DBS on FOG. Twenty STN-DBS treated PD patients were included. Each patient was assessed before surgery through a detailed neurological evaluation, including FOG score, and reevaluated in the long-term (median follow-up: 5-years) in different stimulation and drug conditions. In the long term follow-up, FOG score significantly worsened in the off-stimulation/off-medication condition compared with the preoperative off-medication assessment (z = -1.930; p = 0.05) but not in the on-stimulation/off-medication (z = -0.357; p = 0.721). There was also a significant improvement of FOG at long-term assessment by comparing on-stimulation/off-medication and off-stimulation/off-medication conditions (z = -2.944; p = 0.003). These results highlight the possible beneficial long-term effects of STN-DBS on FOG

Freezing of Gait in Parkinson's Disease Patients Treated with Bilateral Subthalamic Nucleus Deep Brain Stimulation: A Long-Term Overview

Bilateral subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation (STN-DBS) is an effective treatment in advanced Parkinson's Disease (PD). However, the effects of STN-DBS on freezing of gait (FOG) are still debated, particularly in the long-term follow-up (≥5-years). The main aim of the current study is to evaluate the long-term effects of STN-DBS on FOG. Twenty STN-DBS treated PD patients were included. Each patient was assessed before surgery through a detailed neurological evaluation, including FOG score, and revaluated in the long-term (median follow-up: 5-years) in different stimulation and drug conditions. In the long term follow-up, FOG score significantly worsened in the off-stimulation/off-medication condition compared with the pre-operative off-medication assessment (z = -1.930; p = 0.05) but not in the on-stimulation/off-medication (z = -0.357; p = 0.721). There was also a significant improvement of FOG at long-term assessment by comparing on-stimulation/off-medication and off-stimulation/off-medication conditions (z = -2.944; p = 0.003). These results highlight the possible beneficial long-term effects of STN-DBS on FOG