57 research outputs found
Environmental Conditions along Tuna Larval Dispersion: Insights on the Spawning Habitat and Impact on Their Development Stages
Estimated larval backward trajectories of three Tuna species, namely, Atlantic Bluefin Tuna (Thunnus thynnus, Linnaeus, 1758), Bullet Tuna (Auxis Rochei, Risso, 1801) and Albacore Tuna (Thunnus alalunga, Bonnaterre, 1788) in the central Mediterranean Sea, were used to characterize their spawning habitats, and to assess the impact of changes due to the major environmental parameters (i.e., sea surface temperature and chlorophyll-a concentration) on larval development during their advection by surface currents. We assumed that the environmental variability experienced by larvae along their paths may have influenced their development, also affecting their survival. Our results showed that the Tuna larvae underwent an accelerated growth in favorable environmental conditions, impacting on the notochord development. In addition, further updated information on spawning and larval retention habitats of Atlantic Bluefin Tuna, Bullet and Albacore Tunas in the central Mediterranean Sea were delivered
Neuro-Urology: Call for Universal, Resource-Independent Guidance
Neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction (NLUTD), the abnormal function of the lower urinary tract in the context of neurological pathology, has been the subject of multiple efforts worldwide for the development of clinical practice guidelines. These guidelines are based on the same body of evidence, and are therefore subject to the same gaps. For example, sexual and bowel dysfunction in the context of NLUTD, optimal renal function assessment in those who are non-ambulatory or with low muscle mass, optimal upper tract surveillance timing, and modification of diagnostic and treatment modalities for low-resource nations and communities are inadequately addressed. In addition, many aspects of the conclusions and final recommendations of the guidelines are similar. This duplicative work represents a large expenditure of time and effort, which we believe could be focused instead on evidence gaps. Here, we call for a global unified approach to create a single, resource-independent, comprehensive guidance on NLUTD, neurogenic sexual, and neurogenic bowel dysfunction. Targeted research addressing the evidence gaps should be called for and pursued. This will allow for focus to shift to filling the gaps in the evidence for future guidelines
Loss of CDKN1B induces an age‐related clonal hematopoietic disorder via Notch2 activity dysregulation
No abstract availabl
Coupling Lagrangian simulation models and remote sensing to explore the environmental effect on larval growth rate: The Mediterranean case study of round sardinella (Sardinella aurita) early life stages
The relationship between environmental conditions and early life-history traits of Sardinella aurita are investigated using material collected in two sites of the Central Mediterranean Sea. Individual mean daily growth during the planktonic phase has been determined by using otolith microstructure analysis, while Lagrangian simulation models allowed to estimate the daily position in space and time of each specimen from the hatching to the catch. Generalized Additive Mixed Models (GAMMs) have been implemented to explore the impact of environmental conditions at time t, t-1 day and t-2 days on the mean daily growth rate occurring at time t. Spatial analysis evidenced a wide dispersion of eggs and larvae in the coastal area of both sampling sites in correspondence to relatively warmer and chlorophyll-a enriched waters. Lagrangian simulations detected a complementary larval dispersal pathway able to transport larvae to a known retention area. Temperature at time t was the most important driver affecting the mean daily larval growth, followed by the food availability. On the other hand, models performed on lagged environmental covariates (t-1 and t-2) did not show any significant effect on the growth rate at time t. In addition to the sub-linear positive correlation between temperature and mean daily larval growth, model highlighted a decrease in the otolith core width at higher temperature that can be linked to an earlier stage of ontogeny at hatching. This study provided a useful methodological approach that takes advantage of available remote sensing data to perform ecological studies in support to fisheries management
Heterogeneity in reporting on urinary outcome and cure after surgical interventions for stress urinary incontinence in adult neuro-urological patients: A systematic review
Aims: To describe all outcome parameters and definitions of cure used to report on outcome of surgical interventions for stress urinary incontinence (SUI) in neuro-urological (NU) patients. Methods: This systematic review was performed and reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. The study protocol was registered and published (CRD42016033303; http://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO). Medline, Embase, Cochrane controlled trials databases, and clinicaltrial.gov were systematically searched for relevant publications until February 2017. Result
bTUNED: transcutaneous tibial nerve stimulation for neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction
OBJECTIVE
To present the protocol for a randomized controlled trial (RCT) evaluating the efficacy and safety of transcutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (TTNS) for refractory neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction (NLUTD).
STUDY DESIGN AND RESULTS
bTUNED (bladder and TranscUtaneous tibial Nerve stimulation for nEurogenic lower urinary tract Dysfunction) is an international multicentre, sham-controlled, double-blind RCT investigating the efficacy and safety of TTNS. The primary outcome is success of TTNS, defined as improvements in key bladder diary variables at study end compared to baseline values. The focus of the treatment is defined by the Self-Assessment Goal Achievement (SAGA) questionnaire. Secondary outcomes are the effect of TTNS on urodynamic, neurophysiological, and bowel function outcome measures, as well as the safety of TTNS.
CONCLUSIONS
A total of 240 patients with refractory NLUTD will be included and randomized 1:1 into the verum or sham TTNS group from March 2020 until August 2026. TTNS will be performed twice a week for 30 min during 6 weeks. The patients will attend baseline assessments, 12 treatment visits and follow-up assessments at the study end
Under citizens-observation: O.R.B.S. and the “OpenCoesione” experience
Communication plays an essential role in scientific projects, especially since it is possible to use social
media and web platforms, to reach a wide audience. OpenCoesione is the “open-government”
initiative on cohesion policies in Italy, a web platform with navigable data on public programmed
resources and expenses, locations, thematic areas, programmers and actuators, implementation times
and payments of individual projects. It allows to evaluate how the resources are used relation to the
needs of the territories. Any citizen can enrich this platform, analysing public projects and
documenting the current state with open data.«A Scuola di OpenCoesione» it is part of
OpenCoesioneproject and represents an innovative experimental project of school teaching of open
government strategy of openness and transparency on development policies. It is a teaching and civic
challenge addressed to students and teachers of secondary institutes of second degree. Students
move from the analysis of information and data published in open format on the OpenCoesione portal,
to find out how public funds are spent on their territory.The goal of A Scuola di OpenCoesione is to
involve and sensitize students and teachers to the use of contents and tools to learn and monitor the
projects of cohesion policies, to build interdisciplinary educational programs starting from the projects
financed on their respective territories and enriching, through crowdsourcing, the information base of
OpenCoesione adding information and data that are not currently available as, for example,
geolocation, multimedia materials, the characteristics of the project, the physical performance of the
works.
Focus of this research was the public financing aimed to the creation of O.R.B.S. (Observatory of
marine and terrestrial biodiversity in Sicily). Our observatory finds its place within the operational
objective 3.2.1 of the OP programming ERDF Sicily 2007-2013 actions,to create a public biodiversity
observation node for the protection of natural resources consistent with the provisions of Reg. (EC)
1080/06. It constitutes the implementation program of an interventions plan, approved by the Sicily
Region. ISPRA and the CNR have carried out the task of studying marine biodiversity present in Sicily,
through the collection of data concerning the presence of species in protected areasand of nonindigenous
species, as well as their elaboration. The dissemination methods of O.R.B.S. they have been
developed through three phases: reconnaissance of existing data, data processing, monitoring
Engraulis encrasicolus (Linnaeus, 1758): technical report about extraction and recognition of the digestive tract contents in early stages of the life cycle
The study of ichthyio-plankton stages and its relations with the environment and other organisms is therefore crucial for a correct use of fishery resources. In this context, the extraction and the analysis of the content of the digestive tract, is a key method for the identification of the diet in early larval stages, the determination of the resources they rely on and possibly a comparison with the diet of other species. Additionally this approach could be useful in determination on occurrence of species competition. This technique is preceded by the analysis of morphometric data (Blackith & Reyment, 1971; Marcus, 1990), that is the acquisition of quantitative variables measured from the morphology of the object of study. They are linear distances, count, angles and ratios. The subsequent application of multivariate statistical methods, aims to quantify the changes in morphological measures between and within groups, relating them to the type and size of prey and evaluate if some changes appear in food choices along the larvae growth
Signals from the deep-sea: Genetic structure, morphometric analysis, and ecological implications of Cyclothone braueri (Pisces, Gonostomatidae) early life stages in the Central Mediterranean Sea
Cyclothone braueri (Stomiiformes, Gonostomatidae) is a widely distributed fish inhabiting the mesopelagic zone of marine tropical and temperate waters. Constituting one of the largest biomasses of the ocean, C. braueri is a key element in most of the ecological processes occurring in the twilight layer. We focused on the ecological processes linked to early life stages in relation to marine pelagic environmental drivers (temperature, salinity, food availability and geostrophic currents) considering different regions of the Central Mediterranean Sea. A multivariate morphometric analysis was carried out using six parameters with the aim of discerning different larval morphotypes, while a fragment of 367 bp representing the 12S ribosomal RNA gene was used to perform molecular analyses aimed at determining the intraspecific genetic variability. Analysis highlighted two geographically distinct morphotypes not genetically discernible and related to the different nutritional conditions due to spatial heterogeneities in terms of temperature and food availability. The body depth (BD) emerged as an appropriate morphometric parameter to detect the larval condition in this species. Molecular analysis highlighted a moderate genetic divergence in the fish population, showing the recurrence of two phylogroups not geographically separated
The imaging for the the successful bio-communication: ORBS Brand
Producing accessible communication based on scientific research usually involves a great deal
of effort in translating complex concepts into a non professional oriented information, but it is
only through widely accessible data that knowledge dissemination have stronger
repercussions in society.
In concordance to this statement, the CNR IAMC and the “Accademia di Belle Arti di Palermo”
collaborated in the work frame of the "Information, dissemination and communication system
of the Biodiversity Observatory of Sicily” project, a synergistic interaction between science
and art.
The researchers held biodiversity seminars to the Academy students, involving 19
professorships, aiming to increase the knowledge degree and awareness on the biodiversity,
thus stimulating their creativity.
One of the main activities carried out during this collaboration was the conceptualization and
designing of the Biodiversity Observatory brand, with the representation of biodiversity as the
main briefing.
The winning proposal was chosen between 13 projects by popular vote, with the participation
of more than 800 students and CNR researchers.
The branding is a representation of the environment with the use of different animal
silhouettes as a symbol of biodiversity. The elements are arranged on a spiral grid suggesting
movement, a current that raises deep, nutrient-rich waters to the ocean surface.
Extremely evocative and appealing, the logotype has become an integral part of the
Observatory's identity, and it's been profusely applied over the years on communication and
divulgative materials, website, exhibitions, and memorabilia.
Involving such a large number of students and their social groups (family, friends, and
etcetera) meant giving the citizens a leading role in an important activity.
Participation of the public in the creation of the graphic identity of a key structure in their
territory resulted in a dramatic increase of sensitization on the biodiversity and environmental
cause and participation in divulgation activities in the following years
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