Biogeographic and palaeoclimatic relationships of the Middle Pliocene ichthyofauna of the Samoggia Torrent (Bologna, Italy)

New Middle Pliocene ichthyofauna (2.4-2.2 Ma) from central-eastern Italy (Samoggia Torrent, Bologna) are described. These ichthyolites were found in a rather thin laminated layer that was deposited after the 2.4 Ma climatic crisis. The origin of this deposit, in which 31 taxa have been classified, is to be related to anoxic events on a regional and, probably, supraregional scale. This ichthyofaunistic association, which consists of living genera, is characterized by a clearcut predominance of mesopelagic species. The palaeoclimatic characters of these ichthyofauna indicate subtropical-type waters, while from a palaeobiogeographic point of view there is a close relationship with the present-day Atlantic-Mediterranean bioprovince. The Samoggia deposit has yielded six taxa that are absent or only occasionally present in the Mediterranean: one of these, Spratelloides gracilis, is exclusive of the Indo-Pacific bioprovince

How can the adult zebrafish and neonatal mice teach us about stimulating cardiac regeneration in the human heart?

The proliferative capacity of mammalian cardiomyocytes diminishes shortly after birth. In contrast, adult zebrafish and neonatal mice can regenerate cardiac tissues, highlighting new potential therapeutic avenues. Different factors have been found to promote cardiomyocyte proliferation in zebrafish and neonatal mice; these include maintenance of mononuclear and diploid cardiomyocytes and upregulation of the proto-oncogene c-Myc. The growth factor NRG-1 controls cell proliferation and interacts with the Hippo–Yap pathway to modulate regeneration. Key components of the extracellular matrix such as Agrin are also crucial for cardiac regeneration. Novel therapies explored in this review, include intramyocardial injection of Agrin or zebrafish-ECM and NRG-1 administration. These therapies may induce regeneration in patients and should be further explored

Le collezioni a cetacei fossili del Museo di Storia Naturale dell’Università di Pisa

In the Natural History Museum of the Pisa University is kept a rich collection of fossil cetaceans that originated in the second half of the nineteen century, due to the donations, mainly by Roberto Lawley, of specimens from Pliocene sediments out cropping in Orciano Pisano (Province of Pisa). Among the fossils belonging to the first nucleus of this collection, the holotype of Balaena montalionis discovered in 1871 near Montaione (Province of Florence) is particularly significant. Equally important but of relatively more recent acquisition is the holotype of Balaenula astensis, discovered in Portacomaro d’Asti (nothern Italy) in 1940. Since the sixties of the last century, the Museum acquired several specimens (originals and casts) from the Pietra leccese, a Miocene calcareous sandstone outcropping in the Salento Peninsula (southern Italy). Among the last acquisitions, particularly important is the archaeocete skeleton found sectioned in six slabs of nummulitic limestone from Egypt and described as holotype of Aegyptocetus tarfa. Most of these specimens are exposed to the public in two permanent exhibitions of the Museum: the hall of the origin of cetaceans and the reconstruction of the Pliocene sea inside the “Back to the Past” exhibit

Arimidelphis sorbinii, il delfinide fossile del Fiume Marecchia del Museo Civico di Storia Naturale di Verona

In the Natural History Museum of Verona is kept a single specimen of fossil cetacean: the partial skeleton of a delphinid found in the Plio-Pleistocene clays of the Marecchia River (Rimini, central Italy) during paleontological excavations made in the early 80’s of the last century by Lorenzo Sorbini. The fossil, in a first time attributed to Tursiops osennae Simonelli, 1911, has been redescribed as holotype of the new genus and new species named Arimidelphis sorbinii. The description of this new cetacean supports the wide diversification of the delphinids in the Mediterranean during the Plio-Pleistocene and the recent and explosive radiation of this family

La balena fossile di Montopoli in Val d’Arno (Pisa)

In Montopoli in Val d’Arno (Pisa Province), where was also found the Idiocetus guicciardinii holotype kept in Florence, is the “Museo Civico di Palazzo Guicciardini” whose paleontological section exhibits a Pliocene specimen of right whale (Eubalaena sp.). This fragmentary remain, found in the Montopoli area in 1974-75 by a local archaeological group, is presented as it was in its outcropping place, together with mollusc shells and mastodon bones. Interesting the white shark tooth found nearby the whale bones suggesting a possible attack or scavenging by the predator

The paleo-lacustrine diatomaceous deposits of Monte Amiata volcano (Tuscany, Italy) and the Ezio Tongiorgi paleontological collection in the Museum of Natural History of the University of Pisa

At the foothillof Monte Amiata volcano (southern Tuscany, Italy), small extinct lake basins of late Pleistocene age are documented. These lake basins were characterized by the deposition of two very different types of sediment: a) derived from the authigenic precipitation of iron oxides (goethite) and exploited as earth pigments; b) biogenic siliceous sediment composed of fossil diatoms and named diatomaceous earth or diatomite. The lacustrine sediments of Mount Amiata volcano were widely exploited for various applications since ancient times. Literary documents begin in the 16th century, with the descriptions of Cesalpino, Gesner, Agricola, and Imperato. Specific references to the diatomites of Monte Amiata are quoted in the 17th century by Boccone and Bonanno. The quarrying activity was described by Micheli in 1733. During the 18th and 19th centuries, the diatomaceous earths of Monte Amiata are part of the important geological collections of Micheli, Targioni Tozzetti, Baldassarri, Campani, and Tommi. A particular significance has the collection of botanic and ichthyologic fossils collected by Ezio Tongiorgi, and now preserved in the Museum of Natural History of the University of Pisa sited at the Charterhouse of Pisa in the Calci village. These paleontological samples preserve the biological and physical testimonies of the environmental and climatic changes of the late Pleistocene and are now particularly valuable because they are the only remaining evidence of the diatomaceous lacustrine deposits of the paleo-lakes of Monte Amiata. For these reasons, they represent geological materials with a fundamental cultural value

Validation of a Simple, Rapid, and Cost-Effective Method for Acute Rejection Monitoring in Lung Transplant Recipients

Despite advances in immunosuppression therapy, acute rejection remains the leading cause of graft dysfunction in lung transplant recipients. Donor-derived cell-free DNA is increasingly being considered as a valuable biomarker of acute rejection in several solid organ transplants. We present a technically improved molecular method based on digital PCR that targets the mismatch between the recipient and donor at the HLA-DRB1 locus. Blood samples collected sequentially post-transplantation from a cohort of lung recipients were used to obtain proof-of-principle for the validity of the assay, correlating results with transbronchial biopsies and lung capacity tests. The results revealed an increase in dd-cfDNA during the first 2 weeks after transplantation related to ischemia-reperfusion injury (6.36 ± 5.36%, p < 0.0001). In the absence of complications, donor DNA levels stabilized, while increasing again during acute rejection episodes (7.81 ± 12.7%, p < 0.0001). Respiratory tract infections were also involved in the release of dd-cfDNA (9.14 ± 15.59%, p = 0.0004), with a positive correlation with C-reactive protein levels. Overall, the dd-cfDNA percentages were inversely correlated with the lung function values measured by spirometry. These results confirm the value of dd-cfDNA determination during post-transplant follow-up to monitor acute rejection in lung recipients, achieved using a rapid and inexpensive approach based on the HLA mismatch between donor and recipient

INSTRUMENTO DE COMUNICAÇÃO DA SALA DE RECUPERAÇÃO ANESTÉSICA: AVALIAÇÃO E REESTRUTURAÇÃO

The authors propose a new instrument of communication to the anesthesia recovery room, in a governmental hospital in the state of São Paulo. Their objective is to improve the assistence given to the pacient, during the post anesthesic period, in order to have a more individualized treatment. Also it proposed to help the nurses who work on the surgical unities, the nurses staff, the anesthesiologist from surgical unities. These necessities came out from a survey carried out on the nursing field, with the people above related.Os autores propõem um novo instrumento de comunicação para a Sala de Recuperação Anestésica de um hospital governamental do Estado de São Paulo com o objetivo de melhorar a assistência prestada ao paciente no pós-anestésico tornando-a cada vez mais individualizada, preenchendo assim, as necessidades das enfermeiras que atuam nas unidades cirúrgicas, equipe de enfermeiras e anestesistas do Centro Cirúrgico e Recuperação Anestésica da referida instituição. Essas necessidades foram detectadas através de trabalhos de pesquisa de campo realizados com esses elementos. A nova ficha de Recuperação Anestésica foi estruturada a partir de dados já existentes associados às conclusões obtidas nos trabalhos de pesquisa mencionados e a uma crescente evolução na prestação de cuidados ao paciente nessa fase de alto risco da assitência. Essa ficha será testada e os resultados publicados posteriormente