The diet of otters (Lutra lutra) on the Agri river system, one of the most important presence sites in Italy: A molecular approach

Background. The Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) underwent a strong decline in large areas of the Central-Western part of its distribution range, during the second half of the twentieth century. In Italy, only residual fragmented nuclei survive in the Central- Southern part of the peninsula. Nowadays, the otter is one of the most endangered mammals in Italy, and increasing the knowledge about the ecology of this species is a key step in defining fitting management strategies. Here we provide information about the diet of otter on the Agri river system, one of the most important presence sites in Italy, to understand both the species' food requirements and the impact on fish communities. Methods. DNA metabarcoding and High Throughput Sequencing were used on DNA extracted from spraints. We amplified DNA with a primer set for vertebrates, focusing efforts on the bulk of the otter's diet (fishes and amphibians). Results. Our findings showed that the diet of the otter was dominated by cyprinids (97.77%, and 99.14% of fishes), while amphibians represented 0.85% of the sequences analyzed. Results are in general accordance with previous studies based on morphological characterization; however, molecular analyses allow the resolving of some morphological uncertainties. Although the study area offers a very wide range of available prey, the diet of the otters shows marked selectivity. We highlighted a variation in prey consumed, in accordance with the typology of water system (i.e., river, lake, tributary). Some of the preys found in the diet were alien species introduced by man for sport fishing. Our findings could help define strategies useful for the conservation of the otter population in Southern Italy, suggesting management actions directed at avoiding fish community alterations through illegal stockings without severe controls on their taxonomic status. These introductions could result in a general reduction in the diversity of the otter's preys, affecting its predatory behavior

Ab initio parametrised model of strain-dependent solubility of H in alpha-iron

The calculated effects of interstitial hydrogen on the elastic properties of alpha-iron from our earlier work are used to describe the H interactions with homogeneous strain fields using ab initio methods. In particular we calculate the H solublility in Fe subject to hydrostatic, uniaxial, and shear strain. For comparison, these interactions are parametrised successfully using a simple model with parameters entirely derived from ab initio methods. The results are used to predict the solubility of H in spatially-varying elastic strain fields, representative of realistic dislocations outside their core. We find a strong directional dependence of the H-dislocation interaction, leading to strong attraction of H by the axial strain components of edge dislocations and by screw dislocations oriented along the critical slip direction. We further find a H concentration enhancement around dislocation cores, consistent with experimental observations.Comment: part 2/2 from splitting of 1009.3784 (first part was 1102.0187), minor changes from previous version

Ethical issues associated with in-hospital emergency from the medical emergency team's perspective: a national survey

Medical Emergency Teams (METs) are frequently involved in ethical issues associated to in-hospital emergencies, like decisions about end-of-life care and intensive care unit (ICU) admission. MET involvement offers both advantages and disadvantages, especially when an immediate decision must be made. We performed a survey among Italian intensivists/anesthesiologists evaluating MET's perspective on the most relevant ethical aspects faced in daily practice

Do fiscal rules matter?

Fiscal rules are laws aimed at reducing the incentive to accumulate debt, and many countries adopt them to discipline local governments. Yet, their effectiveness is disputed because of commitment and enforcement problems. We study their impact applying a quasi-experimental design in Italy. In 1999, the central government imposed fiscal rules on municipal governments, and in 2001 relaxed them below 5,000 inhabitants. We exploit the before/after and discontinuous policy variation, and show that relaxing fiscal rules increases deficits and lowers taxes. The effect is larger if the mayor can be reelected, the number of parties is higher, and voters are older

Marginal bone changes around platform-switched conical connection implants placed 1 or 2 mm subcrestally: A multicenter crossover randomized controlled trial

AbstractIntroduction:This study analyzes early marginal bone modifications occurring aroundplatform-switched implants with conical connection placed 1 or 2 mm subcrestally.Methods:This crossover randomized controlled trial enrolled partially edentulouspatients needing two implants in either the posterior maxilla or mandible. Eachpatient received two platform-switched implants with conical connection inserted2 mm (Test) and 1 mm (Control) subcrestally. Definitive abutments were immediatelyconnected and, after 4 months of unsubmerged healing, screwed metal-ceramiccrowns were delivered. Radiographs were taken at implant placement (T0), prosthesisdelivery (T1), and after 1 year of prosthetic loading (T2).Results:Fifty-one patients (25 males and 26 females; mean age 61.2 ± 12.1 years)totaling 102 implants were included in the final analysis. Mean peri-implant bonelevel (PBL) reduction from T0 to T2 was not significantly different around Test (0.49± 0.32 mm) and Control implants (0.46 ± 0.35 mm;p=0.66). Multivariate linearregression models highlighted a significant positive correlation between history ofperiodontitis and PBL reduction. At T2, no Test group implant and 6 Control groupimplants exhibited PBL below the implant platform (11.8% of Control groupimplants).Conclusion:No significant differences in peri-implant marginal bone changes weredemonstrated after 1 year of prosthetic loading between platform-switched implantswith conical connection inserted either 1 or 2 mm subcrestally. However, 2 mm sub-crestal placement resulted in deeper implant positioning at T2, with no exposure oftreated implant surface and potential preventive effect against subsequent peri-implant pathology

Social, environmental and psychological factors associated with objective physical activity levels in the over 65s

Objective: To assess physical activity levels objectively using accelerometers in community dwelling over 65 s and to examine associations with health, social, environmental and psychological factors. Design: Cross sectional survey. Setting: 17 general practices in Scotland, United Kingdom. Participants: Random sampling of over 65 s registered with the practices in four strata young-old (65–80 years), old-old (over 80 years), more affluent and less affluent groups. Main Outcome Measures: Accelerometry counts of activity per day. Associations between activity and Theory of Planned Behaviour variables, the physical environment, health, wellbeing and demographic variables were examined with multiple regression analysis and multilevel modelling. Results: 547 older people (mean (SD) age 79(8) years, 54% female) were analysed representing 94% of those surveyed. Accelerometry counts were highest in the affluent younger group, followed by the deprived younger group, with lowest levels in the deprived over 80 s group. Multiple regression analysis showed that lower age, higher perceived behavioural control, the physical function subscale of SF-36, and having someone nearby to turn to were all independently associated with higher physical activity levels (R2 = 0.32). In addition, hours of sunshine were independently significantly associated with greater physical activity in a multilevel model. Conclusions: Other than age and hours of sunlight, the variables identified are modifiable, and provide a strong basis for the future development of novel multidimensional interventions aimed at increasing activity participation in later life.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

Role of external radiation therapy in urinary cancers

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Фракционный СО2-лазер: новая терапевтическая системадля фотобиомодуляции ремоделирования кожи и продукциицитокинов при репарации

Eighteen female patients with the signs of photoageing underwent skin rejuvenation using a fractional CO2 laser (SmartXide DOT, DEKA M.E.L.A., Florence, Italy) with varying energy density (2.07, 2.77 and 4.15 J/cm2). Clinical efficacy of the said laser irradiation parameters was assessed in all of the subjects, and the skin cytokine profile was studied by using the immunohistochemistry technique based on skin tissue samples taken prior to the treatment, right after the treatment and in 3 and 30 days. There were significant improvements in the wrinkle and skin texture condition, and hyperpigmentation was reduced as a result of the treatment, which proves the efficacy of using the fractional CO2 laser for the skin photorejuvenation. The technique ensures good clinical results and is distinguished by a short rehabilitation period and excellent safety profile. In the course of the immunohistochemistry, a relation between the skin cytokine production, reepithelization and laser irradiation density was established.Восемнадцати женщинам добровольцам, имевшим признаки фотостарения, проведено омоложение кожи фракционным СО2-лазером (SmartXide DOT, DEKA M.E.L.A., Флоренция, Италия) с использованием различных показателей плотности энергии (2,07, 2,77 и 4,15 Дж/см2). У всех испытуемых оценена клиническая эффективность применения указанных параметров лазерного излучения, а также иммуногистохимическим методом изучен цитокиновый профиль кожи в биоптатах, взятых до лечения, сразу после лечения и спустя 3 и 30 дней. В результате лечения значительно улучшилось состояние морщин и текстуры кожи, уменьшилась гиперпигментация, что свидетельствует о высокой эффективности применения фракционного СО2-лазера для фотоомоложения кожи. Метод позволяет получить хорошие клинические результаты, характеризуется коротким реабилитационным периодом и отличным профилем безопасности. При иммуногистохимическом исследовании выявлена связь продукции цитокинов в коже с фазой реэпителизации и плотностью энергии лазерного облучения

Binding of an antimicrobial peptide to bacterial cells: interaction with different species, strains and cellular components

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) selectively kill bacteria by disrupting their cell membranes, and are promising compounds to fight drug-resistant microbes. Biophysical studies on model membranes have characterized AMP/membrane interactions and the mechanism of bilayer perturbation, showing that accumulation of cationic peptide molecules in the external leaflet leads to the formation of pores ("carpet" mechanism). However, similar quantitative studies on real cells are extremely limited. Here, we investigated the interaction of the dansylated PMAP23 peptide (DNS-PMAP23) with a Gram-positive bacterium, showing that 10(7) bound peptide molecules per cell are needed to kill it. This result is consistent with our previous finding for Gram-negative strains, where a similar high threshold for killing was determined, demonstrating the general relevance of the carpet model for real bacteria. However, in the case of the Gram-positive strain, this number of molecules even exceeds the total surface available on the bacterial membrane. The high affinity of DNS-PMAP23 for the anionic teichoic acids of the Gram-positive cell wall, but not for the lipopolysaccharides of Gram-negative bacteria, provides a rationale for this finding. To better define the role of anionic lipids in peptide/cell association, we studied DNS-PMAP23 interaction with E. coli mutant strains lacking phosphatidylglycerol and/or cardiolipin. Surprisingly, these strains showed a peptide affinity similar to that of the wild type. This finding was rationalized by observing that these bacteria have an increased content of other anionic lipids, thus maintaining the total membrane charge essentially constant. Finally, studies of DNS-PMAP23 association to dead bacteria showed an affinity an order of magnitude higher compared to that of live cells, suggesting strong peptide binding to intracellular components that become accessible after membrane perturbation. This effect could play a role in population resistance to AMP action, since dead bacteria could protect the surviving cells by sequestering significant amounts of peptide molecules. Overall, our data indicate that quantitative studies of peptide association to bacteria can lead to a better understanding of the mechanism of action of AMPs