Modeling Dolphin Habitat Preferences in a Semi-Enclosed Basin in Greece

Information on the distribution and habitat preferences of a species or population can be used to assess its status and identify appropriate management action. This is particularly relevant in areas exposed to high human impact, such as the coastal and inland waters of the Mediterranean Sea. The Gulf of Corinth is a 2,400 km^2 semi-enclosed embayment in central Greece, characterized by waters up to 900 m deep. This study focuses on the two most abundant odontocete species occurring in the Gulf: striped dolphins Stenella coeruleoalba and common bottlenose dolphins Tursiops truncatus. Boat surveys totaling 21,435 km were conducted between 2011 and 2015, yielding 1,873 km of group follows for striped dolphins and 336 km for bottlenose dolphins. Dolphin distribution was investigated by incorporating multiple geographic, bathymetric, environmental and anthropogenic variables in generalized additive models (GAMs) and generalized estimation equations (GEEs). Explanatory variables considered in the modeling process included intensity of survey effort, sea state, sea surface temperature, chlorophyll-a, distance to upwelling areas, distance to coast, bottom depth, bottom slope, and distance to sources of human influence (including 17 fish farms, and two large underwater deposits resulting from dumping of industrial byproducts of aluminum production). A total of 68,913 data points were related to these explanatory variables within a geographic information system (GIS). Striped and bottlenose dolphins were never observed together and their tracked movements suggest habitat segregation. Distribution modeling indicated that striped dolphins occur in the central and southern portions of the basin, in waters more than 300 m deep, and with low Chl-a concentrations. Bottlenose dolphins use waters less than 300 m deep in the northern sector of the Gulf, with increased occurrence near fish farms. Modeling results indicated no avoidance of industrial dumping areas for either species. Mediterranean subpopulations of striped and bottlenose dolphins are classified as Vulnerable in the IUCN Red List and the Gulf of Corinth is regarded as a Mediterranean area of high conservation importance for cetaceans. To date, however, management action has been hampered by poor information on cetacean status and habitat use. This thesis contributes baseline data to support ongoing marine spatial planning efforts and support future conservation action, taking into account cetacean habitat needs

I cetacei del Golfo di Corinto, Grecia

Il Golfo di Corinto, nella Grecia centrale, è un bacino semichiuso di 2400 km2. Con le sue ampie piattaforme continentali, ripi-de zone di scarpata e acque profonde fino a 900 m, il Golfo è letteralmente un piccolo “mediterraneo”, non solo perché circondato da terre e rilievi montuosi, ma anche per la varietà degli ecosistemi marini che ospita. Tre specie di cetacei sono presenti in queste acque: 1) la stenella striata (Stenella coerule-oalba), un delfino tipico di ambienti pelagici; 2) il delfino comune (Delphinus delphis), che in Mediterraneo è osservabile sia in ambien-te pelagico sia in zone di scarpata e presso la costa; 3) il tursiope (Tursiops truncatus), tipico della piattaforma continentale. In ag-giunta, il Golfo ospita un quarto odontoce-to: un solo esemplare di grampo (Grampus griseus)...

Kitovi i dupini u Jadranskom moru: sadašnje spoznaje, prijetnje i očuvanje

The Adriatic Sea is one of the Mediterranean areas most exposed to cumulative human stressors. This semienclosed and largely shallow basin has been subjected to intensive exploitation and destructive fishing practices for decades, resulting in biodiversity decline and poor ecosystem health. Diversity of cetaceans is lower than in other parts of the Mediterranean, and the extant dolphins and whales have been facing threats that include the combined effects of habitat loss and degradation, prey depletion, incidental mortality and injury caused by fisheries, anthropogenic noise, chemical contamination and climate change. Here, we report information for the nine cetacean species known to occur in the basin (classified as either regular, visitor or vagrant), plus three species characterized by a single record. For these species, we review evidence from field research and other studies – with a bias towards the common bottlenose dolphin Tursiops truncatus (by far the most intensively-studied cetacean in this area). We also describe and characterize the main threats to cetaceans in the Adriatic, relying on recent literature as well as historical information that helps frame the present status of cetaceans in the context of past human impacts (particularly the extensive killing campaigns conducted until the 1960s). Finally, we provide management recommendations to inform and guide the action that must be taken in compliance with extant legislation, marine conservation directives and international commitments to protect marine biodiversity.Jadransko more je jedno od područja Sredozemnog mora koja su najizloženija kumulativnim ljudskim utjecajima. Ovaj poluzatvoreni i uglavnom plitki bazen je proteklih desetljeća bio izložen intenzivnom iskorištavanju i štetnim ribolovnim praksama, što je dovelo do smanjenja biološke raznolikosti i lošeg stanja ekosustava. Raznolikost kitova i dupina (Cetacea) ovdje je manja nego u drugim područjima Sredozemnog mora i postojeće vrste koje nastanjuju Jadransko more suočavaju se s prijetnjama koje uključuju kombinirane učinke gubitka i degradacije staništa, nedostatka plijena, slučajne smrtnosti i ozljeda uzrokovanih ribolovom, buke izazvane ljudskim aktivnostima, kemijskog zagađenja i klimatskih promjena. U ovom radu navodimo podatke o devet vrsta kitova i dupina za koje je poznato da se pojavljuju u Jadranu (klasificirani su kao redoviti, posjetioci ili skitnice) te tri vrste koje su zabilježene na ovom području samo jednom. Za ove vrste pregledali smo podatke iz terenskih istraživanja i drugih studija, među kojima ih je najviše za dobrog dupina Tursiops truncatus (koji je najintenzivnije proučavana vrsta u ovom području). U radu također opisujemo i navodimo značajke glavnih prijetnji kitovima i dupinima u Jadranskom moru, temeljem recentne literature kao i povijesnih podataka koji pomažu prikazu sadašnjeg stanja tih životinja u kontekstu prošlih ljudskih utjecaja (posebice opsežnih kampanja ubijanja provedenih do 1960-ih). Konačno, donosimo preporuke za upravljanje kako bi omogućili prijenos informacija i usmjeravanje aktivnosti koje se moraju poduzeti u skladu s postojećim zakonodavstvom, direktivama o očuvanju mora i međunarodnim obvezama u pogledu zaštite morske biološke raznolikosti

A retrospective pooled analysis of response patterns and risk factors in recurrent malignant glioma patients receiving a nitrosourea-based chemotherapy

Abstract Background At recurrence the use of nitrosoureas is widely-used as a therapeutic option for glioblastoma (GBM) patients. The efficacy of fotemustine (FTM) has been demonstrated in phase II clinical trials; however, these papers report a wide range of progression-free-survival (PFS-6 m) rates, ranging from 21% to 52%. We investigated whether FTM could have a different response pattern in respect to time to adjuvant temozolomide failure, or whether specific independent risk factors could be responsible for the wide range of response rates observed. Methods Recurrent GBM patients have been treated with fotemustine 75-100 mg/sqm at day 1, 8, 15 and after 4/5 weeks of rest with 100 mg/sqm every 21 days. Patients were stratified in 4 groups according to time to temozolomide failure: before starting (B0), during the first 6 months (B1), after more than 6 months of therapy (B2), and after a treatment-free interval (B3). Primary endpoint was PFS-6 m. A multivariable analysis was performed to identify whether gender, time after radiotherapy, second surgery and number of TMZ cycles could be independent predictors of the clinical benefit to FTM treatment. Results 163 recurrent GBM patients were included in the analysis. PFS-6 m rates for the B0, B1, B2 and B3 groups were 25%, 28%, 31.1% and 43.8%, respectively. The probability of disease control was higher in patients with a longer time after radiotherapy (p = 0.0161) and in those who had undergone a second surgery (p = 0.0306). Conclusions FTM is confirmed as a valuable therapeutic option for patients with recurrent GBM and was active in all study patient groups. Time after the completion of radiotherapy and second surgery are independent treatment-related risk factors that were predictive of clinical benefit.</p

Comparative risk of major congenital malformations with eight different antiepileptic drugs: a prospective cohort study of the EURAP registry

Background: Evidence for the comparative teratogenic risk of antiepileptic drugs is insufficient, particularly in relation to the dosage used. Therefore, we aimed to compare the occurrence of major congenital malformations following prenatal exposure to the eight most commonly used antiepileptic drugs in monotherapy. Methods: We did a longitudinal, prospective cohort study based on the EURAP international registry. We included data from pregnancies in women who were exposed to antiepileptic drug monotherapy at conception, prospectively identified from 42 countries contributing to EURAP. Follow-up data were obtained after each trimester, at birth, and 1 year after birth. The primary objective was to compare the risk of major congenital malformations assessed at 1 year after birth in offspring exposed prenatally to one of eight commonly used antiepileptic drugs (carbamazepine, lamotrigine, levetiracetam, oxcarbazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, topiramate, and valproate) and, whenever a dose dependency was identified, to compare the risks at different dose ranges. Logistic regression was used to make direct comparisons between treatments after adjustment for potential confounders and prognostic factors. Findings: Between June 20, 1999, and May 20, 2016, 7555 prospective pregnancies met the eligibility criteria. Of those eligible, 7355 pregnancies were exposed to one of the eight antiepileptic drugs for which the prevalence of major congenital malformations was 142 (10·3%) of 1381 pregnancies for valproate, 19 (6·5%) of 294 for phenobarbital, eight (6·4%) of 125 for phenytoin, 107 (5·5%) of 1957 for carbamazepine, six (3·9%) of 152 for topiramate, ten (3·0%) of 333 for oxcarbazepine, 74 (2·9%) of 2514 for lamotrigine, and 17 (2·8%) of 599 for levetiracetam. The prevalence of major congenital malformations increased with the dose at time of conception for carbamazepine (p=0·0140), lamotrigine (p=0·0145), phenobarbital (p=0·0390), and valproate (p<0·0001). After adjustment, multivariable analysis showed that the prevalence of major congenital malformations was significantly higher for all doses of carbamazepine and valproate as well as for phenobarbital at doses of more than 80 mg/day than for lamotrigine at doses of 325 mg/day or less. Valproate at doses of 650 mg/day or less was also associated with increased risk of major congenital malformations compared with levetiracetam at doses of 250?4000 mg/day (odds ratio [OR] 2·43, 95% CI 1·30?4·55; p=0·0069). Carbamazepine at doses of more than 700 mg/day was associated with increased risk of major congenital malformations compared with levetiracetam at doses of 250?4000 mg/day (OR 2·41, 95% CI 1·33?4·38; p=0·0055) and oxcarbazepine at doses of 75?4500 mg/day (2·37, 1·17?4·80; p=0·0169). Interpretation: Different antiepileptic drugs and dosages have different teratogenic risks. Risks of major congenital malformation associated with lamotrigine, levetiracetam, and oxcarbazepine were within the range reported in the literature for offspring unexposed to antiepileptic drugs. These findings facilitate rational selection of these drugs, taking into account comparative risks associated with treatment alternatives. Data for topiramate and phenytoin should be interpreted cautiously because of the small number of exposures in this study. Funding: Bial, Eisai, GlaxoSmithKline, Janssen-Cilag, Novartis, Pfizer, Sanofi-Aventis, UCB, the Netherlands Epilepsy Foundation, and Stockholm County Council.Fil: Tomson, Torbjörn. Karolinska Huddinge Hospital. Karolinska Institutet; SueciaFil: Battino, Dina. Foundation Irccs Neurological Institute "c. Besta"; ItaliaFil: Bonizzoni, Erminio. Università degli Studi di Milano; ItaliaFil: Craig, John. Belfast Health And Social Care Trust; Reino UnidoFil: Lindhout, Dick. Stichting Epilepsie Instellingen Nederland; Países BajosFil: Perucca, Emilio. Universita Degli Studi Di Pavia; ItaliaFil: Sabers, Anne. Rigshospitalet; DinamarcaFil: Thomas, Sanjeev V. Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute For Medical Sciences And Technology; IndiaFil: Vajda, Frank. University of Melbourne; AustraliaFil: Kochen, Sara Silvia. Universidad Nacional Arturo Jauretche. Unidad Ejecutora de Estudios en Neurociencias y Sistemas Complejos. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Ministerio de Salud. Hospital Alta Complejidad en Red El Cruce Dr. Néstor Carlos Kirchner Samic. Unidad Ejecutora de Estudios en Neurociencias y Sistemas Complejos. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Unidad Ejecutora de Estudios en Neurociencias y Sistemas Complejos; ArgentinaFil: Bohorquez Morera, Natalia. Universidad Nacional Arturo Jauretche. Unidad Ejecutora de Estudios en Neurociencias y Sistemas Complejos. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Ministerio de Salud. Hospital Alta Complejidad en Red El Cruce Dr. Néstor Carlos Kirchner Samic. Unidad Ejecutora de Estudios en Neurociencias y Sistemas Complejos. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Unidad Ejecutora de Estudios en Neurociencias y Sistemas Complejos; Argentin

The influence of physical activity performed at 20-40 years of age on cardiovascular outcomes in medical patients aged 65-75

Summary Introduction Several studies show that physical activity can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, but the vast majority of these focus on the short- to intermediate-term benefits or refer to very specific populations. This observational study was conducted to determine whether physical activity performed during the third or fourth decade of life influences the occurrence of cardiovascular events in patients aged 65-75 years. Materials and methods We studied a cohort of 2191 unselected patients admitted to Internal Medicine Departments. Data were collected on the patients' medical history and their physical activity level when they were 20 to 40 years old. For the latter purpose, we used a specific questionnaire to assess the levels of physical activity related to the patients' job, daily life, leisure time, and sports. Results Almost half (44.2%) of the patients we evaluated reported moderate-intense physical activity when they were 20-40 years old. Around one third (35.8%) of the patients had experienced at least one major cardiovascular event, and there was a slight trend towards fewer cardiovascular events in patients with histories of physical activity (mean risk reduction: 4%, multivariate analysis). More evident benefits were observed in the subgroup of patients with diabetes, where cardiovascular outcomes were much better in patients who had been physically active than in those with sedentary life-styles (mean risk reduction: 24%). Conclusions Given its design, our study may have underestimated the cardiovascular benefits of physical activity. Nonetheless, our results suggest that moderate-intense exercise during young adulthood may have limited beneficial effects on cardiovascular disease in old age, except in specific high-risk populations (diabetic patients). More evident benefits are probably associated with regular physical activity throughout life

Relevant genetic differentiation among Brazilian populations of Anastrepha fraterculus (Diptera, Tephritidae)

We used a population genetic approach to detect the presence of genetic diversity among six populations of A. fraterculus across Brazil. To this aim, we used Simple Sequence Repeat (SSR) markers, which may capture the presence of differentiative processes across the genome in distinct populations. Spatial analyses of molecular variance were used to identify groups of populations that are both genetically and geographically homogeneous while also being maximally differentiated from each other. The spatial analysis of genetic diversity indicates that the levels of diversity among the six populations vary significantly on an eco-geographical basis. Particularly, altitude seems to represent a differentiating adaptation, as the main genetic differentiation is detected between the two populations present at higher altitudes and the other four populations at sea level. The data, together with the outcomes from different cluster analyses, identify a genetic diversity pattern that overlaps with the distribution of the known morphotypes in the Brazilian area.Fil: Manni, Mosè. Università degli Studi di Pavia; ItaliaFil: Lima, Kátia Manuela. Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz; BrasilFil: Rosalba Guglielmino, Carmela. Università degli Studi di Pavia; ItaliaFil: Lanzavecchia, Silvia Beatriz. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Agropecuarias. Centro de Investigación de Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronómicas. Instituto de Genética; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Juri, Marianela Lucia. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Agropecuarias. Centro de Investigación de Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronómicas. Instituto de Genética; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Vera, Maria Teresa. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Agronomía y Zootecnia; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Cladera, Jorge. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Agropecuarias. Centro de Investigación de Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronómicas. Instituto de Genética; ArgentinaFil: Scolari, Francesca. Università degli Studi di Pavia; ItaliaFil: Gomulski, Ludvik. Università degli Studi di Pavia; ItaliaFil: Bonizzoni, Mariangela. Università degli Studi di Pavia; ItaliaFil: Gasperi, Giuliano. Università degli Studi di Pavia; ItaliaFil: Gomes Silva, Janisete. Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz; BrasilFil: Malacrida, Anna Rodolfa. Università degli Studi di Pavia; Itali

Improving awareness of health hazards associated with air pollution in primary school children: Design and test of didactic tools

One of the objectives of the MAPEC-Life project is raising children’s awareness on air quality and its health effects. To achieve this goal, we designed didactic tools for primary school students, including leaflets with more information for teachers, a cartoon, and three educational videogames. The tools were then tested with 266 children who attended six primary schools in four Italian cities. A control group of 51 children received only explanations from teachers. An improvement in knowledge after using the audiovisual package was demonstrated, with higher efficacy compared with the control group. In addition, the use of videogames was greatly appreciated