Trade and Transport Modes, A Differentiated Impact of Distance

International Relations/Trade,

Misura della connettività e della dispersione dell’aragosta rossa Palinurus elephas (Fabricius, 1787) in Sardegna con l’uso di marcatori genetici STRs e mitocondriali

Measures of connectivity and dispersion of the spiny lobster Palinurus elephas (Fabricius, 1787) in Sardinia through the use of STRs and mitochondrial genetic markers The spiny lobster Palinurus elephas is an important alieutic resource for all the Mediterranean Sea and especially Sardinia. For this reason, recently, in order to protect the intensively exploited stocks of the species, several no-take areas have been created in Sardinia seas. Apart from the first area (Su Pallosu), established in 1998, 14 new no-take areas have been created in 2009, after the encouraging results of the first experimentation. On the basis of this new important project, for the first time a genetic survey was established, through the development of this thesis, in order to achieve several important objectives. In fact, the present work permitted to: i) evaluate the genetic effects of the first pilot project established in Su Pallosu in 1998, comparing the molecular data of individuals sampled at the time of the institution and after twelve years; ii) provide the first genetic data and characterize the populations living in the new no-take areas, which will serve as a future baseline for comparison in assessing the effectiveness of new project; iii) estimate the extent of the gene flow and thus the connectivity and genetic structuring among populations of Palinurus elephas in Sardinia; iv) assess the health status of the stock, through the measurement of genetic variability and any demographic changes over time; v) verify the efficiency and the differences of two genetic markers here implemented. The study was accomplished through the use two different molecular markers: 10 different microsatellite loci, of nuclear origin, and a portion of the mitochondrial control region. The two types of markers have substantial differences in terms of measuring the spatial and temporal variability, thus can be considered complementary in the study. In order to achieve all the objectives, 305 individuals of spiny lobsters were sampled, representing 7 of the 15 no-take areas, and genetically characterised for all microsatellite loci and mitochondrial control region. Results evidenced a positive increment in genetic variability in the first experimental area Su Pallosu from 1998. This results enforces the success of the repopulation action. Moreover, mitochondrial marker did not reveal any significant structure among sampling sites, whereas the individuals seem to belong to the same unique population. From a demographic point of view, Su Pallosu sample seems to be stable, mainly because of the release in the area of tagged spiny lobster during the restocking project, while all other samples are most probably expanding at the moment. Once again, all efforts towards the establishment of an active repopulation seems to be positive. Microsatellite loci, on the other side, seem to reveal a fable population structure, also because of the higher resolution degree of the marker, nevertheless this structure is not to be considered as consequence of a reduced gene flow. This weak structure could be the result of two important opposite forces driving the gene flow: a very dispersive larval phase versus a more sedentary adult lifestyle. In conclusion, the results here shown demonstrate the efficacy of a more aware and conscious policy towards such an important ecological and economic resource. All efforts to repopulate and make recover the Sardinian spiny lobsters population seem to be effective and should be maintained and improved whenever and wherever possible. The results obtained today, originating in 1998, give strong support for locally defined management and conservation plans strategies that have been demonstrated to be effective

An unusual finding of Sepietta oweniana (Cephalopoda: Sepiolidae) egg clutch

An unusual finding of Sepietta oweniana egg clutch at 544 m depth is described within an updating study of the reproductive aspects of the species in Sardinian waters. Egg species identity was determined by genetic analysis and morphological and biometrical data of the eggs, embryos and one newly hatched specimen are reported and discussed. Illustrations of the eggs, spermatophores and spermatangia by photographic material are also included. Data on bathymetric distribution and sexual maturity are reported and compared with data already available for the species in other geographical areas of distributio

Descubrimiento inusual de una puesta de Sepietta oweniana (Cephalopoda: Sepiolidae)

An unusual finding of Sepietta oweniana egg clutch at 544 m depth is described within an updating study of the reproductive aspects of the species in Sardinian waters. Egg species identity was determined by genetic analysis and morphological and biometrical data of the eggs, embryos and one newly hatched specimen are reported and discussed. Illustrations of the eggs, spermatophores and spermatangia by photographic material are also included. Data on bathymetric distribution and sexual maturity are reported and compared with data already available for the species in other geographical areas of distribution.Se describe un descubrimiento inusual de una puesta de Sepietta oweniana a 544 m de profundidad, en el ámbito de un estudio de aspectos reproductivos de la especie en aguas de Cerdeña. Los huevos se identificaron por medio de análisis genéticos. En este trabajo se presentan y discuten datos morfológicos y biométricos de los huevos, embriones y de un especimen recién nacido. Se incluye material fotográfico de los huevos, espermatóforos y espermatangia. Se presentan datos de distribución batimétrica y madurez sexual y se comparan con datos existentes de la especie en otras áreas geográficas de distribución

Ultrafine particle distribution and chemical composition assessment during military operative trainings

The assessment of airborne particulate matter (PM) and ultrafine particles (UFPs) in battlefield scenarios is a topic of particular concern; (2) Methods: Size distribution, concentration, and chemical composition of UFPs during operative military training activities (target drone launches, ammunition blasting, and inert bomb impact) were investigated using an electric low-pressure impactor (ELPI+) and a scanning electron microscope (SEM), equipped with energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS); (3) Results: The median of UFPs, measured for all sampling periods and at variable distance from sources, was between 1.02 × 103 and 3.75 × 103 particles/cm3 for drone launches, between 3.32 × 103 and 15.4 × 103 particles/cm3 for the ammunition blasting and from 7.9 × 103 to 1.3 × 104 particles/cm3 for inert launches. Maximum peak concentrations, during emitting sources starting, were 75.5 × 106 and 17.9 × 106 particles/cm3, respectively. Particles from the drone launches were predominantly composed of silicon (Si), iron (Fe) and calcium (Ca), and those from the blasting campaigns by magnesium (Mg), sulphur (S), aluminum (Al), iron (Fe), barium (Ba) and silicon (Si); (4) Conclusions: The investigated sources produced UFPs with median values lower than other anthropogenic sources, and with a similar chemical compositio

Response of the Cardiac Autonomic Control to Exposure to Nanoparticles and Noise: A Cross-Sectional Study of Airport Ground Staff

Airport activity causes the emission of particulate matter and noise, two environmental contaminants and potential health hazards, particularly for the personnel operating nearby taxiways. We explored the association between exposure to fine/ultrafine particles (UFPs) and noise with heart rate variability (HRV), an early indicator of cardiovascular autonomic response, among a sample of airport ground staff. Between May and June 2018, thirty-four male operators (mean age = 43 years and SD = 6.7) underwent personal monitoring of exposure to nanoparticles and noise, and HRV during their work activity. We conducted univariate and multivariate analysis to test the effect of UFP and noise exposure HRV. Total Lung Deposition Surface Area (LDSA) was significantly associated with a decrease in HRV Total Power and Triangular index (beta = -0.038 p = 0.016 and beta = -7.8 x 10(-5), p = 0.042, respectively). Noise peak level showed an opposite effect, which was significant for Total Power (beta = 153.03, p = 0.027), and for Triangular index (beta = 0.362, p = 0.035). Further investigation is warranted to clarify the effect of the concurrent exposure to UFPs and noise on early changes of cardiac autonomic regulation

Biomarkers of low-level environmental exposure to benzene and oxidative dna damage in primary school children in Sardinia, Italy

Background: The main anthropic sources of exposure to airborne benzene include vehicular traffic, cigarette smoke, and industrial emissions. Methods: To detect early genotoxic effects of environmental exposure to benzene, we monitored environmental, personal, and indoor airborne benzene in children living in an urban area and an area near a petrochemical plant. We also used urinary benzene and S-phenylmercapturic acid (S-PMA) as biomarkers of benzene exposure and urinary 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) as a biomarker of early genotoxic effects. Results: Although always below the European Union limit of 5 µg/m3, airborne benzene levels were more elevated in the indoor, outdoor, and personal samples from the industrial surroundings compared to the urban area (p = 0.026, p = 0.005, and p = 0.001, respectively). Children living in the surroundings of the petrochemical plant had urinary benzene values significantly higher than those from the urban area in both the morning and evening samples (p = 0.01 and p = 0.02, respectively). Results of multiple regression modelling showed that age was a significant predictor of 8-OHdG excretion, independent of the sampling hour. Moreover, at the low exposure level experienced by the children participating in this study, neither personal or indoor airborne benzene level, nor personal monitoring data, affected 8-OHdG excretion. Conclusions: Our results suggest the importance of biological monitoring of low-level environmental exposure and its relation to risk of genotoxic effects among children

Multidimensional Results and Reflections on CAR-T: The Italian Evidence

The present study aims at defining the economic and organizational impacts of the introduction of chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy (CAR-T) in Italy, for the management of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) patients in third-line therapy, defining the overall level of sustainability for both hospitals and the National Healthcare System (NHS). The analysis focused on CAR-T and Best Salvage Care (in the following BSC), assuming the Italian hospital and NHS perspectives, over a 36-month time horizon. Process mapping and activity-based costing methodologies were applied to collect the hospital costs related to the BSC and CAR-T pathways, including adverse event management. Anonymous administrative data on services provided (diagnostic and laboratory examinations, hospitalizations, outpatient procedures, and therapies) to 47 third-line patients with lymphoma, as well as any organizational investments required, were collected, in two different Italian Hospitals. The economic results showed that the BSC clinical pathway required less resources in comparison with CAR-T (excluding the cost related to the therapy) (BSC: 29,558.41 vs. CAR-T: EUR 71,220.84, −58.5%). The budget impact analysis depicts that the introduction of CAR-T would generate an increase in costs ranging from 15% to 23%, without considering treatment costs. The assessment of the organizational impact reveals that the introduction of CAR-T therapy would require additional investments equal to a minimum of EUR 15,500 to a maximum of EUR 100,897.49, from the hospital perspective. Results show new economic evidence for healthcare decision makers, to optimize the appropriateness of resource allocation. The present analysis suggests the need to introduce a specific reimbursement tariff, both at the hospital and at NHS levels, since no consensus exists, at least in the Italian setting, concerning the proper remuneration for the hospitals who guarantee this innovative pathway, assuming high risks related to timely management of adverse events

Broad Spectrum project: Factors determining the quality of antibiotic use in primary care: An observational study protocol from Italy

Introduction The overuse of antibiotics is causing worldwide spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Compared with other countries, Italy has both high antibiotic consumption rates and high rates of AMR. Due to the fact that around 90% of antibiotics are prescribed by general practitioners (GPs), this study aims to measure the impact of knowledge, attitudes and sociodemographic and workplace-related factors on the quality of antibiotic prescriptions filled by GPs in the Italian Region of Sardinia. Methods and analysis Knowledge, attitude, sociodemographic and workplace-related factors deemed to influence physicians prescribing behaviour will be evaluated in a cross-sectional study conducted among all GPs of the Italian Region of Sardinia (n=1200). A knowledge and attitudes questionnaire (Knowledge and Attitudes on Antibiotics and Resistance - Italian version: ITA-KAAR) accompanied by a sociodemographic form will be linked to drug prescription data reimbursed by the National Health System. European Surveillance of Antibiotic Consumption quality indicators for outpatient antibiotic use will be calculated from drug prescription records. Every GP will be deemed to have demonstrated an adequate quality of prescriptions of antibiotics if half of the indicator score plus one is better than the median of the region. A multivariate Poisson regression model with robust variance estimation will be used to evaluate the impact of the determinants of antibiotic prescriptions on the actual prescribing quality of each physician. Ethics and dissemination The project has been approved by the ethics committee of the Regional Health Trust of Sardinia (176/2019/CE, 24 September 2019). The results will be useful to inform evidence-based interventions to tackle irrational antibiotic use in the community