Značajke životnog ciklusa i procjena stoka lista jadranskoga, Pegusa impar(Bennett, 1831) u plitkim priobalnim vodama jugozapadne Sicilije

From spring 2002 to winter 2011 a catch-effort survey was conducted in the wide Gulf between Cape San Marco and Cape Granitola (southwest coast of Sicily). The target fleet was the small scale fishery, using trammel net and gill net, based in the port of Marinella di Selinunte located in the centre of the Gulf. From 2005 to 2008 seasonal statistically significant samples of the catch of Pegusa impar (Bennett, 1831)Adriatic sole were purchased to study the life history. The growth parameters of the Von Bertanlaffy model were estimated: L∞= 249 mm, k = 0.25 year-1, t0= - 2.0 year for females; L∞= 250 mm, k = 0.26 year-1, t0= - 1.8 year for males. The maximum estimated age by whole otolith was 6 + years old. The parameters a and b of the length-weight relationship were estimated a = 0.000007 and b = 3.0562 for females and a = 0.000008 and b = 3.0157 for males. Length at first sexual maturity was 155.82 mm and 156.22 mm for females and males respectively. Age at first sexual maturity was 1.99 years for females and 2.57 years for males. The spawning period lasts throughout spring and summer with a migration from greater depths into shallow waters. The most exploited length class was 160 mm through 2007 but in 2008 it became 150 mm.The yearly catch ranged from 842 Kg and 9,743 specimens to 2,703 Kg and 65,345 specimens. The annual fishing effort ranged from 3,142 Km of gear at sea to 6,017 Km of gear at sea. Stock assessment was carried out in the frame of the Schaefer model using FMSP-CeDA software. The Maximum Sustainable Yield, the Carrying capacity, the Catchability coefficient, the Intrinsic population growth rate and the Replacement yield were respectively 2,140 kg, 7,132 kg, 0.000055 kg, 1.200 and 1,869 kg. The biomass trend predicted to 2020 shows that if after 2011 fishing effort increases by ten percent year by year, the resource will begin to decline beginning in 2013. Although the present data do not indicate that the resource is currently in overexploitation, it is however necessary not to increase fishing effort.Od proljeća 2002. do zime 2011. godine provedeno je istraživanje o korištenom ribolovnom naporu u širokom zaljevu između rta San Marco i rta Granitola (jugozapadna obala Sicilije). Istraživana flota pripada priobalnom ribarstvu, u kojem su se koristile mreže plivarice i poponice, te ima sjedište u luci Marinella di Selinunte i nalazi se u sredini zaljeva. Od 2005. do 2008.g. za istraživanje životnog ciklusa korišteni su podaci sezonskih statistički značajnih uzoraka lista jadranskog Pegusa impar (BENNETT, 1831).Parametri rasta prema Von Bertanlaffy-jevom modelu iznosili su: L∞= 249 mm, k = 0.25 godina -1, t0= - 2.0 godina za ženke; te L∞= 250 mm, k = 0.26 godina -1, t0= - 1.8 godina za mužjake. Najveća procijenjena dob po očitanom otolitu je 6 + godina.Parameteri a i b dužinsko-masenog odnosa iznosili su a= 0.000007 and b= 3.0562 za ženke, te a= 0.000008 i b = 3.0157 za mužjake. Duljina pri prvom spolnom sazrijevanju iznosila je 155.82mm kod ženiki i 156.22 mm kod mužjaka. Dob prve spolne zrelosti bila je 1.99 god. za ženke i 2.57 godina za mužjake. Mriješćenje traje tijekom proljeća i ljeta s migracijama iz većih dubina u plitke vode. Do 2007. godine duljina većine ulovljenih primjeraka je iznosila 160 mm, dok je u 2008. godini iznosila 150 mm. Godišnji ulov kolebao je između 842 kg (9743 primjerka) i 2703 kg (65345 primjeraka). Dužina položenih mreža u godišnjem ribolovnom naporu kolebala je od 3142 km do 6017 km. Procjena stoka je izrađena prema Schaeferovom modelu koristeći pri tom FMSP-CEDA softver. Najviši održivi prinos, nosivost, koeficijent lovnosti, intrinzična stopa rasta populacije i zamjenski prinos su iznosili redom 2140 kg, 7132 kg, 0,000055 kg, 1.200 kg i 1869 kg. Predviđeni trend biomase do 2020. godine pokazuje da ako se nakon 2011.g. ribolovni napor bude povećavao za 10%, iz godine u godinu, resurs će početi opadati počevši od 2013. godine. Mada sadašnji podaci ne ukazuju da je resurs trenutno prekomjerno eksploatiran, ribolovni napor se ne bi smio povećavat

Control of yeast fed-batch process through regulation of extracellular ethanol concentration

At high growth rates, the biomass yield of baker's yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) decreases due to the production of ethanol. For this reason, it is standard industrial practice to use a fed-batch process whereby the specific growth rate,μ, is fixed at a level below the point of ethanol production, i.e.,μcrit. Optimally, growth should be maintained atμcrit, but in practice, this is difficult becauseμcrit is dependent upon strain and culture conditions. In this work, growth was maintained at a point just aboveμcrit by regulating ethanol concentration in the bioreactor. The models used for control design are shown, as are the experimental results obtained when this strategy was implemented. This technique should be applicable to all microorganisms that exhibit an "overflow” type metabolis

Značajke životnog ciklusa i procjena stoka lista jadranskoga, Pegusa impar(Bennett, 1831) u plitkim priobalnim vodama jugozapadne Sicilije

From spring 2002 to winter 2011 a catch-effort survey was conducted in the wide Gulf between Cape San Marco and Cape Granitola (southwest coast of Sicily). The target fleet was the small scale fishery, using trammel net and gill net, based in the port of Marinella di Selinunte located in the centre of the Gulf. From 2005 to 2008 seasonal statistically significant samples of the catch of Pegusa impar (Bennett, 1831)Adriatic sole were purchased to study the life history. The growth parameters of the Von Bertanlaffy model were estimated: L∞= 249 mm, k = 0.25 year-1, t0= - 2.0 year for females; L∞= 250 mm, k = 0.26 year-1, t0= - 1.8 year for males. The maximum estimated age by whole otolith was 6 + years old. The parameters a and b of the length-weight relationship were estimated a = 0.000007 and b = 3.0562 for females and a = 0.000008 and b = 3.0157 for males. Length at first sexual maturity was 155.82 mm and 156.22 mm for females and males respectively. Age at first sexual maturity was 1.99 years for females and 2.57 years for males. The spawning period lasts throughout spring and summer with a migration from greater depths into shallow waters. The most exploited length class was 160 mm through 2007 but in 2008 it became 150 mm.The yearly catch ranged from 842 Kg and 9,743 specimens to 2,703 Kg and 65,345 specimens. The annual fishing effort ranged from 3,142 Km of gear at sea to 6,017 Km of gear at sea. Stock assessment was carried out in the frame of the Schaefer model using FMSP-CeDA software. The Maximum Sustainable Yield, the Carrying capacity, the Catchability coefficient, the Intrinsic population growth rate and the Replacement yield were respectively 2,140 kg, 7,132 kg, 0.000055 kg, 1.200 and 1,869 kg. The biomass trend predicted to 2020 shows that if after 2011 fishing effort increases by ten percent year by year, the resource will begin to decline beginning in 2013. Although the present data do not indicate that the resource is currently in overexploitation, it is however necessary not to increase fishing effort.Od proljeća 2002. do zime 2011. godine provedeno je istraživanje o korištenom ribolovnom naporu u širokom zaljevu između rta San Marco i rta Granitola (jugozapadna obala Sicilije). Istraživana flota pripada priobalnom ribarstvu, u kojem su se koristile mreže plivarice i poponice, te ima sjedište u luci Marinella di Selinunte i nalazi se u sredini zaljeva. Od 2005. do 2008.g. za istraživanje životnog ciklusa korišteni su podaci sezonskih statistički značajnih uzoraka lista jadranskog Pegusa impar (BENNETT, 1831).Parametri rasta prema Von Bertanlaffy-jevom modelu iznosili su: L∞= 249 mm, k = 0.25 godina -1, t0= - 2.0 godina za ženke; te L∞= 250 mm, k = 0.26 godina -1, t0= - 1.8 godina za mužjake. Najveća procijenjena dob po očitanom otolitu je 6 + godina.Parameteri a i b dužinsko-masenog odnosa iznosili su a= 0.000007 and b= 3.0562 za ženke, te a= 0.000008 i b = 3.0157 za mužjake. Duljina pri prvom spolnom sazrijevanju iznosila je 155.82mm kod ženiki i 156.22 mm kod mužjaka. Dob prve spolne zrelosti bila je 1.99 god. za ženke i 2.57 godina za mužjake. Mriješćenje traje tijekom proljeća i ljeta s migracijama iz većih dubina u plitke vode. Do 2007. godine duljina većine ulovljenih primjeraka je iznosila 160 mm, dok je u 2008. godini iznosila 150 mm. Godišnji ulov kolebao je između 842 kg (9743 primjerka) i 2703 kg (65345 primjeraka). Dužina položenih mreža u godišnjem ribolovnom naporu kolebala je od 3142 km do 6017 km. Procjena stoka je izrađena prema Schaeferovom modelu koristeći pri tom FMSP-CEDA softver. Najviši održivi prinos, nosivost, koeficijent lovnosti, intrinzična stopa rasta populacije i zamjenski prinos su iznosili redom 2140 kg, 7132 kg, 0,000055 kg, 1.200 kg i 1869 kg. Predviđeni trend biomase do 2020. godine pokazuje da ako se nakon 2011.g. ribolovni napor bude povećavao za 10%, iz godine u godinu, resurs će početi opadati počevši od 2013. godine. Mada sadašnji podaci ne ukazuju da je resurs trenutno prekomjerno eksploatiran, ribolovni napor se ne bi smio povećavat

UPPER RESPIRATORY TRACT INFECTIONS IN CHILDREN: FROM CASE HISTORY TO MANAGEMENT

Respiratory tract infections are the most common diseases in childhood. The respiratory tract, widely branched system of ducts, is particularly exposed to the action of microorganisms transmitted by air from here the high frequency of infections they face especially in the first years of life. It is usual distinguish: upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) and lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI). In particular, in infections of the upper airways, the inflammatory process, result of the interaction between microbes and the immune response, can be localized to the mucosa of the nose or sinuses (common cold and sinusitis), or the pharynx or larynx (pharyngotonsillitis and laryngitis) and it has predominantly a viral etiology although occasionally it may be followed by bacterial complications such as otitis media. The aim of the following article is the description of these different clinical pictures, highlighting the clinical and epidemiological features and current management guidelines

Use of bivalirudin for heparin-induced thrombocytopaenia after thrombolysis in massive pulmonary embolism: a case report

A 68-year-old man was referred to the emergency department 6 h after onset of sudden acute dyspnoea. Immediate ECG showed sinus tachycardia with the typical S1-Q3-T3 pattern and incomplete right bundle branch block. The echocardiogram showed the presence of mobile thrombus in the right atrium, a distended right ventricle with free wall hypokinesia and displacement of the interventricular septum towards the left ventricle. Lung spiral computed tomography (CT) showed bilateral pulmonary involvement and confirmed the picture of a thrombotic system in the right atrium and caval vein. Thrombolytic treatment with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) and heparin (alteplase 10 mg bolus, then 90 mg over 2 h) was administered. Six hours after thrombolysis bleeding gums and significant reduction in platelet count (around 50,000) were observed. Heparin was discontinued and bivalirudin (0.1 mg/kg bolus and 1.75 mg/kg per h infusion) plus warfarin was initiated and continued for 5 days until the international normalised ratio (INR) was within the therapeutic range (2.0–3.0) for 2 consecutive days, with concomitant platelet count normalisation. Lung spiral and lower abdominal CT before discharge did not show the presence of clots in the pulmonary arteries of the right and left lung. This case suggests that bivalirudin could offer promise for use in patients with heparin-induced thrombocytopaenia (HIT) after thrombolysis for massive pulmonary embolism

Association between sleep-disordered breathing and hearing disorders: Clinical observation in Sicilian patients

Introduction: To examine the putative association between Sleep-Disordered breathing and hearing disorders Material and methods: 120 Sicilian subjects ranging from 14 to 85 years of age who were divided in 46 cases suffering from tinnitus (G1 group) and 74 controls (G2 group) were evaluated through STOP BANG screening questionnaire and Four-Variable Screening Tool; after Data collecting each subject underwent Audiological assessment by multi-frequency audiometry (PTA) and Transient-evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAE-diagnostic) for each ear. Results: Cases showed: PTA significantly severe than the control group (58.70% vs. 16.89% hearing loss; P<0.001), such as a lower signal-to-noise ratio (SNRs) (P<0.05). Moreover Tinnitus subjects had a higher risk to develop Sleep-Disordered breathing respect to controls (P<0.001). OSA risk population - subjects positive to both screening questionnaires - had tinnitus, wore hearing threshold mean values and, lower SNRs values than total cohort (P<0.01). The relative risk of Sleep-Disordered breathing and tinnitus was 4.83 (P<0.0001). Conclusions: Our results stress a probable association between tinnitus, hearing loss and Sleep-Disordered breathing even if further studies will be needed to confirm our findings

Giant hepatocellular adenoma as cause of severe abdominal pain: a case report

The authors describe the case of a large hepatocellular adenoma diagnosed in a 30-year old woman who came to us complaining of acute pain in the upper abdominal quadrants. The patient had been taking an oral contraceptive pill for the last ten years. We present the clinical features, the diagnostic work-up and the treatment prescribed

The discovery, monitoring and environment of SGR J1935+2154

We report on the discovery of a new member of the magnetar class, SGR J1935+2154, and on its timing and spectral properties measured by an extensive observational campaign carried out between 2014 July and 2015 March with Chandra and XMM–Newton (11 pointings). We discovered the spin period of SGR J1935+2154 through the detection of coherent pulsations at a period of about 3.24 s. The magnetar is slowing down at a rate of P˙=1.43(1)×10−11 s s−1 and with a decreasing trend due to a negative P¨ of −3.5(7) × 10−19 s s−2. This implies a surface dipolar magnetic field strength of ∼2.2 × 1014 G, a characteristic age of about 3.6 kyr and a spin-down luminosity Lsd ∼1.7 × 1034 erg s−1. The source spectrum is well modelled by a blackbody with temperature of about 500 eV plus a power-law component with photon index of about 2. The source showed a moderate long-term variability, with a flux decay of about 25 per cent during the first four months since its discovery, and a re-brightening of the same amount during the second four months. The X-ray data were also used to study the source environment. In particular, we discovered a diffuse emission extending on spatial scales from about 1 arcsec up to at least 1 arcmin around SGR J1935+2154 both in Chandra and XMM–Newton data. This component is constant in flux (at least within uncertainties) and its spectrum is well modelled by a power-law spectrum steeper than that of the pulsar. Though a scattering halo origin seems to be more probable we cannot exclude that part, or all, of the diffuse emission is due to a pulsar wind nebula.NR is supported by an NWO Vidi Grant, and by grants AYA2012-39303 and SGR2014-1073. This work is partially supported by the European COST ActionMP1304 (NewCOMPSTAR)

Quality performance measures for small capsule endoscopy: Are the ESGE quality standards met?

Background and study aims The European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE) recently issued a quality performance measures document for small bowel capsule endoscopy (SBCE). The aim of this nationwide survey was to explore SBCE practice with ESGE quality measures as a benchmark. Patients and methods A dedicated per-center semiquantitative questionnaire based on ESGE performance measures for SBCE was created by a group of SBCE experts. One-hundred-eighty-one centers were invited to participate and were asked to calculate performance measures for SBCE performed in 2018. Data were compared with 10 ESGE quality standards for both key and minor performance measures. Results Ninety-one centers (50.3 %) participated in the data collection. Overall in the last 5 years (2014–2018), 26,615 SBCEs were performed, 5917 of which were done in 2018. Eighty percent or more of the participating centers reached the minimum standard established by the ESGE Small Bowel Working Group (ESBWG) for four performance measures (indications for SBCE, complete small bowel evaluation, diagnostic yield and retention rate). Conversely, compliance with six minimum standards established by ESBWG concerning adequate bowel preparation, patient selection, timing of SBCE in overt bleeding, appropriate reporting, reading protocols and referral to device-assisted enteroscopy was met by only 15.5%, 10.9%, 31.1%, 67.7%, 53.4%, and 32.2% of centers, respectively. Conclusions The present survey shows significant variability across SBCE centers; only four (4/10: 40 %) SBCE procedural minimum standards were met by a relevant proportion of the centers ( ≥ 80 %). Our data should help in identifying target areas for quality improvement programs in SBCE

Chronic constipation diagnosis and treatment evaluation: The "CHRO.CO.DI.T.E." study

Background: According to Rome criteria, chronic constipation (CC) includes functional constipation (FC) and irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C). Some patients do not meet these criteria (No Rome Constipation, NRC). The aim of the study was is to evaluate the various clinical presentation and management of FC, IBS-C and NRC in Italy. Methods: During a 2-month period, 52 Italian gastroenterologists recorded clinical data of FC, IBS-C and NRC patients, using Bristol scale, PAC-SYM and PAC-QoL questionnaires. In addition, gastroenterologists were also asked to record whether the patients were clinically assessed for CC for the first time or were in follow up. Diagnostic tests and prescribed therapies were also recorded. Results: Eight hundred seventy-eight consecutive CC patients (706 F) were enrolled (FC 62.5%, IBS-C 31.3%, NRC 6.2%). PAC-SYM and PAC-QoL scores were higher in IBS-C than in FC and NRC. 49.5% were at their first gastroenterological evaluation for CC. In 48.5% CC duration was longer than 10 years. A specialist consultation was requested in 31.6%, more frequently in IBS-C than in NRC. Digital rectal examination was performed in only 56.4%. Diagnostic tests were prescribed to 80.0%. Faecal calprotectin, thyroid tests, celiac serology, breath tests were more frequently suggested in IBS-C and anorectal manometry in FC. More than 90% had at least one treatment suggested on chronic constipation, most frequently dietary changes, macrogol and fibers. Antispasmodics and psychotherapy were more frequently prescribed in IBS-C, prucalopride and pelvic floor rehabilitation in FC. Conclusions: Patients with IBS-C reported more severe symptoms and worse quality of life than FC and NRC. Digital rectal examination was often not performed but at least one diagnostic test was prescribed to most patients. Colonoscopy and blood tests were the "first line" diagnostic tools. Macrogol was the most prescribed laxative, and prucalopride and pelvic floor rehabilitation represented a "second line" approach. Diagnostic tests and prescribed therapies increased by increasing CC severity