The conodont genus Teridontus (Miller, 1980) from the Early Ordovician of Montagne Noire, France

THE CONODONT genus Teridontus was introduced in 1980 by Miller and was based on the Late Cambrian species Oneotodus nakamurai Nogami, 1967 from the Yencho Member of the Fengshan Fm. of northeast China. Teridontus was later reported from either the Upper Cambrian or Lower Ordovician (Landing et al., 1980; Miller, 1980; Landing and Barnes, 1981; Landing,1983; An et al., 1983, 1985; Ni et al., 1983; Peng et al., 1983; Nowlan, 1985; Landing et al., 1986; Bagnoli et al., 1987; An, 1987; Buggisch and Repetski, 1987; Pohler and Orchard, 1990; An and Zheng, 1990; Seo and Ethington, 1993; Wang, 1993; Lehnert, 1994; Nicoll, 1994; Seo et al., 1994; Ji and Barnes, 1994; Taylor et al., 1996; Lehnert et al., 1997; Jia, 2000; Dubinina, 2000; Pyle and Barnes, 2002; Zeballo et al., 2005) sediments in numerous localities around the world, but a unanimous interpretation of the composition of the Teridontus apparatus organization was far from accepted

Lochkovian conodonts in the Rio Malinfier West section

The Lockhovian conodont fauna from the new Rio Malinfier section is discussed and commented

Coral-algal Reef Complex of Vigoleno, Piacenza, Northern Italy

During the late Miocene, reef complexes characterised by poorly diversified coral associations (mainly Porites, occasionally associated with Tarbellastraea and/or Siderastraea), became widespread in the Mediterranean area. One of these complexes crops out at Vigoleno (Castell'Arquato, Piacenza, Northern Italy). According to the regional palaeogeographic and palinspastic reconstructions, it can be considered up to now the northernmost late Miocene (Tortonian-Messinian) reef of the Mediterranean area. Despite the limited outcropping and the faulting, the multidisciplinary investigations reveal the anatomy of this reef complex along two reference sections. In addition, a marked cyclicity characterises both carbonate and siliciclastic deposits of the Vigoleno wedge-top basin. At present, the lack of reliable geochronological markers and unsuitability of the material for stable isotope analyses are not sufficient to constrain the time-span and the main controlling environmental factors of these depositional cycles

Lead levels in wild boar meat sauce (Ragù) sold on the italian market

Game meat is endowed with excellent nutritional value, but it may also be a possible source of harmful substances, such as mycotoxins and heavy metals. In particular, several studies showed that lead fragments from hunting ammunition are able to represent a residual contaminant in the meat of wild boars or deer, representing a possible source of lead absorption. Even though wild boar meat consumption in Italy is rather limited, this meat could also be present in very popular Italian recipes, such as the typical meat sauce called ragù. We evaluated the lead levels in 48 samples (three different batches for each of the 16 brands) of ready-to-eat wild boar meat ragù sold on the Italian market in food stores and online distribution with the inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) technique. A high variability was found in the lead levels detected in the samples, with a median lead level of 0.10 mg/kg (0.01–18.3 mg/kg) and some of the samples showing very high lead concentrations. Since no intake level of lead is considered completely safe, and maximum levels for game meat have so far not been established, a greater attention on the risks to consumers’ health related to the presence of this heavy metal in game meat is recommended

Fossil localities from the upper Silurian of Hinojosa del Duque (province of Cordoba, Obejo–Valsequillo Domain, southwestern Spain)

Se presentan las asociaciones paleontológicas identificadas en dos localidades situadas en el término de Hinojosa del Duque (Córdoba), en afloramientos del Silúrico correspondientes a antiguas explotaciones a cielo abierto. Los fósiles de la mina Las Angosturas están preservados en calizas arcillosas e incluyen variados nautiloideos ortoconos, bivalvos, escifocrinoideos, filocáridos, ostrácodos y raros graptolitos, estos últimos de probable edad Ludfordiense medio (Biozona de Neocucullograptus kozlowskii). Los fósiles de la Mina Luisa proceden de nódulos en pizarras, conteniendo también nautiloideos ortoconos, bivalvos, filocáridos, ostrácodos y raros graptolitos y poríferos, en ausencia de escifocrinoideos o de especies que puedan aportar precisiones dentro del rango Ludlow-Pridoli. Las biofacies presentes en las localidades estudiadas se correlacionan con otras áreas del Dominio Obejo-Valsequillo y con la Zona de Ossa Morena, siendo muy distintas de los materiales y faunas coetáneos de la Zona Centroibérica meridional. Entre los resultados taxonómicos, los ostrácodos Sineruga insolita y Silurocypridina calva se identifican por vez primera en España, así como el nautiloideo Akrosphaerorthoceras gregale o el género Warneticaris (filocárido). Algunos bivalvos atribuidos comúnmente al Pridoli podrían tener su registro más antiguo en horizontes del Ludlow, si bien la confirmación queda supeditada al hallazgo de graptolitos más completos y en mejor estado de conservaciónFossiliferous upper Silurian strata have been identified in two abandoned open-pit mines within the municipality of Hinojosa del Duque (province of Cordoba). The fossils from Las Angosturas mine are preserved in argillaceous limestones and include orthocone nautiloids, bivalves, scyphocrinoids, phyllocarids, ostracods and rare graptolites, the latter of probably middle Ludfordian age (Neocucullograptus kozlowskii Biozone). The fossils from Mina Luisa come from nodules occurring in sericitic shales, and the assemblage also includes orthocone nautiloids, bivalves, phyllocarids, ostracods and rare graptolites and porifera, but no species (scyphocrinoid or other) can provide precision within the Ludlow-Pridoli range. Fossil records are correlatable with other areas of the Obejo-Valsequillo Domain and the Ossa-Morena Zone, being very different from the contemporary materials and faunas of the southern Central Iberian Zone. Among the taxonomic results, the entomozooid ostracods Sineruga insolita and Silurocypridina calva are identified for the first time in Spain, as well as the nautiloid Akrosphaerorthoceras gregale or the phyllocarid genus Warneticaris. Some typical ‘Pridoli’ bivalves of the peri-Gondwanan area may present here their oldest occurrence in Ludlow horizons, although confirmation of this hypothesis requires the finding of more complete and well-preserved graptolite

Heavy Metal Assessment in Feathers of Eurasian Magpies (Pica pica): A Possible Strategy for Monitoring Environmental Contamination?

In the present study, the Eurasian magpie (Pica pica), was evaluated as a possible bioindica- tor of environmental pollution by heavy metals (HMs). Levels of Ni, Pb, Cd, and Hg in feathers of 64 magpies (31 males and 33 females) were measured by ICP-MS technique. Plasmatic biomarkers of oxidative stress (OS) were also assessed. The birds were captured in the province of Parma (Italy), in different capture sites within 1 km from urban area (UZ), and farther than 5 km from urban area (RZ). Median HM levels were 0.68 mg/kg (0.18–2.27), 2.80 mg/kg (0.41–17.7)

Colorectal Cancer Stage at Diagnosis Before vs During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Italy

IMPORTANCE Delays in screening programs and the reluctance of patients to seek medical attention because of the outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 could be associated with the risk of more advanced colorectal cancers at diagnosis. OBJECTIVE To evaluate whether the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic was associated with more advanced oncologic stage and change in clinical presentation for patients with colorectal cancer. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This retrospective, multicenter cohort study included all 17 938 adult patients who underwent surgery for colorectal cancer from March 1, 2020, to December 31, 2021 (pandemic period), and from January 1, 2018, to February 29, 2020 (prepandemic period), in 81 participating centers in Italy, including tertiary centers and community hospitals. Follow-up was 30 days from surgery. EXPOSURES Any type of surgical procedure for colorectal cancer, including explorative surgery, palliative procedures, and atypical or segmental resections. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The primary outcome was advanced stage of colorectal cancer at diagnosis. Secondary outcomes were distant metastasis, T4 stage, aggressive biology (defined as cancer with at least 1 of the following characteristics: signet ring cells, mucinous tumor, budding, lymphovascular invasion, perineural invasion, and lymphangitis), stenotic lesion, emergency surgery, and palliative surgery. The independent association between the pandemic period and the outcomes was assessed using multivariate random-effects logistic regression, with hospital as the cluster variable. RESULTS A total of 17 938 patients (10 007 men [55.8%]; mean [SD] age, 70.6 [12.2] years) underwent surgery for colorectal cancer: 7796 (43.5%) during the pandemic period and 10 142 (56.5%) during the prepandemic period. Logistic regression indicated that the pandemic period was significantly associated with an increased rate of advanced-stage colorectal cancer (odds ratio [OR], 1.07; 95%CI, 1.01-1.13; P = .03), aggressive biology (OR, 1.32; 95%CI, 1.15-1.53; P < .001), and stenotic lesions (OR, 1.15; 95%CI, 1.01-1.31; P = .03). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE This cohort study suggests a significant association between the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and the risk of a more advanced oncologic stage at diagnosis among patients undergoing surgery for colorectal cancer and might indicate a potential reduction of survival for these patients

Infected pancreatic necrosis: outcomes and clinical predictors of mortality. A post hoc analysis of the MANCTRA-1 international study

: The identification of high-risk patients in the early stages of infected pancreatic necrosis (IPN) is critical, because it could help the clinicians to adopt more effective management strategies. We conducted a post hoc analysis of the MANCTRA-1 international study to assess the association between clinical risk factors and mortality among adult patients with IPN. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression models were used to identify prognostic factors of mortality. We identified 247 consecutive patients with IPN hospitalised between January 2019 and December 2020. History of uncontrolled arterial hypertension (p = 0.032; 95% CI 1.135-15.882; aOR 4.245), qSOFA (p = 0.005; 95% CI 1.359-5.879; aOR 2.828), renal failure (p = 0.022; 95% CI 1.138-5.442; aOR 2.489), and haemodynamic failure (p = 0.018; 95% CI 1.184-5.978; aOR 2.661), were identified as independent predictors of mortality in IPN patients. Cholangitis (p = 0.003; 95% CI 1.598-9.930; aOR 3.983), abdominal compartment syndrome (p = 0.032; 95% CI 1.090-6.967; aOR 2.735), and gastrointestinal/intra-abdominal bleeding (p = 0.009; 95% CI 1.286-5.712; aOR 2.710) were independently associated with the risk of mortality. Upfront open surgical necrosectomy was strongly associated with the risk of mortality (p < 0.001; 95% CI 1.912-7.442; aOR 3.772), whereas endoscopic drainage of pancreatic necrosis (p = 0.018; 95% CI 0.138-0.834; aOR 0.339) and enteral nutrition (p = 0.003; 95% CI 0.143-0.716; aOR 0.320) were found as protective factors. Organ failure, acute cholangitis, and upfront open surgical necrosectomy were the most significant predictors of mortality. Our study confirmed that, even in a subgroup of particularly ill patients such as those with IPN, upfront open surgery should be avoided as much as possible. Study protocol registered in ClinicalTrials.Gov (I.D. Number NCT04747990)

Itinerari Didattici per le scuole al Museo di Paleontologia

Con i percorsi didattici per le scuoles'intende diffondere nelle scuole la "cultura paleontologica", trasmettere le conoscenze più recenti sugli studi condotti sui dinosauri e sul loro modo di vita. Tre sono i principi alla base dei percorsi didattici: 1) divulgazione scientifica corretta e non pedante; 2) scelta di tematiche che incontrino le esigenze degli insegnanti, rientrando nei singoli programmi scolastici dei cicli, permettono all'insegnante di usufruire della più specifica professionalità della "guida"; 3) flessibilità dell'offerta didattica, pronta ad adeguarsi alle richieste degli insegnanti. I percorsi didattici sono nati con la consapevolezza di dare ai percorsi: rigore scientifico, obiettivi didattici chiari, anche con la consegna di materiale didattico per gli insegnanti che venga utilizzato dagli stessi per completare l'insegnamento e l'apprendimento degli alunni.Il numero di classi che ogni anno seguono i percorsi didattici sono circa 100.i percorsi sono preparati in collaborazionecon: docenti, ricercatori e personale tecnico del museo paleontologico,Assessorato Istruzione Comune ModenaProvincia ModenaITINERARI in oggetto:(durata 1/1,5 ora al Museo di paleontologia-Sala dei Dinosauri)CONOSCERE I DINOSAURI - itinerario Viventi/Modi di vivere - destinatari INFANZIA 5 ANNI, PRIMARIA 1° e 2°DINOSAURI E ALTRI RETTILI - itinerario Viventi/Modi di vivere - destinatari PRIMARIA, SECONDARIA 1° GARDO e 2° GRAD