Studies on Reticulitermes lucifugus Rossi (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae): a review of associated hindgut flagellates and investigations on protist species of the Sicilian subspecies, R. lucifugus \u201cSicily\u201d

The present study was conducted on protist species from R. lucifugus \u201cSicily\u201d subspecies in a field site of Palermo (Sicily, Italy) on June 2015. Since protist species associated with R. lucifugus in Europe are still confused and recent revisions are lacking, this work aims at achieving greater clarity on these symbiosis trough a review of the literature in light of new phylogenetic studies on this termite species. The purpose of this work was also to highlight and quantify protists associated with the Sicilian subspecies, R. l. \u201cSicily\u201d. Results pointed out the real protist community attributable to R. lucifugus from the literature and showed 13 protist species detected in the subspecies R. l. \u201cSicily\u201d. These species were consistent with previous reports except for Spironympha sp., mentioned for the first time from this termite. Total protist population estimates was 26,814.71 \ub1 1,121.92 protists per termite. Dinenympha exilis and D. gracilis were found in greater abundance with relative species abundance of 17%. Monocercomonas termitis, Microjoenia hexamitoides, Trichonympha minor and Pyrsonympha flagellata could be used to distinguish R. lucifugus because these protists are not found in other Reticulitermes species

Metals distribution in the organic and inorganic fractions of soil: a case study on soils from Sicily

AbstractThe content of Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn, has been determined in the organic and inorganic fraction of eight soil samples from Sicily. A modified type-Tessier sequential extraction procedure has been used to recognize metals in five different fractions categorised as follows: (a) exchangeable metals, (b) metals bound to carbonates, (c) metals bound to iron and manganese oxides, (d) metals bound to organic matter, and (e) metals in residual fraction. The mineralogical composition of soils samples was characterized by X-ray diffraction. Humic substances were extracted by means of an alkaline extraction procedure. It has been found that both the mineralogical composition and the different content of humic fraction of organic matter in the soils investigated are responsible for the observed trace metal distribution. The obtained data show that a significant amount of trace metals is bound to the organic fraction where different binding sites are present simultaneously. In particular, Pb an..

NEU3 sialidase role in activating HIF-1α in response to chronic hypoxia in cyanotic congenital heart patients

Background Hypoxia is a common feature of many congenital heart defects (CHDs) and significantly contributes to their pathophysiology. Thus, understanding the mechanism underlying cell response to hypoxia is vital for the development of novel therapeutic strategies. Certainly, the hypoxia inducible factor (HIF) has been extensively investigated and it is now recognized as the master regulator of cell defense machinery counteracting hypoxic stress. Along this line, we recently discovered and reported a novel mechanism of HIF activation, which is mediated by sialidase NEU3. Thus, aim of this study was to test whether NEU3 played any role in the cardiac cell response to chronic hypoxia in congenital cyanotic patients. Methods Right atrial appendage biopsies were obtained from pediatric patients with cyanotic/non-cyanotic CHDs and processed to obtain mRNA and proteins. Real-Time PCR and Western Blot were performed to analyze HIF-1\uce\ub1 and its downstream targets expression, NEU3 expression, and the NEU3 mediated effects on the EGFR signaling cascade. Results Cyanotic patients showed increased levels of HIF-1\uce\ub1, NEU3, EGFR and their downstream targets, as compared to acyanotic controls. The same patients were also characterized by increased phosphorylation of the EGFR signaling cascade proteins. Moreover, we found that HIF-1\uce\ub1 expression levels positively correlated with those recorded for NEU3 in both cyanotic and control patients. Conclusions Sialidase NEU3 plays a central role in activating cell response to chronic hypoxia inducing the up-regulation of HIF-1\uce\ub1, and this represent a possible novel tool to treat several CHD pathologies

Circulating S100B and Adiponectin in Children Who Underwent Open Heart Surgery and Cardiopulmonary Bypass

Background. S100B protein, previously proposed as a consolidated marker of brain damage in congenital heart disease (CHD) newborns who underwent cardiac surgery and cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), has been progressively abandoned due to S100B CNS extra-source such as adipose tissue. The present study investigated CHD newborns, if adipose tissue contributes significantly to S100B serum levels. Methods. We conducted a prospective study in 26 CHD infants, without preexisting neurological disorders, who underwent cardiac surgery and CPB in whom blood samples for S100B and adiponectin (ADN) measurement were drawn at five perioperative time-points. Results. S100B showed a significant increase from hospital admission up to 24 h after procedure reaching its maximum peak (P0.05) have been found all along perioperative monitoring. ADN/S100B ratio pattern was identical to S100B alone with the higher peak at the end of CPB and remained higher up to 24 h from surgery. Conclusions. The present study provides evidence that, in CHD infants, S100B protein is not affected by an extra-source adipose tissue release as suggested by no changes in circulating ADN concentrations

Contribution of isotopic geochemistry to the origin of lead in the atmosphere of Sicily

Air quality can be assessed using mineral and biological indicators: airborne particulate matter, mosses, lichens, and pine needles. However, the origin of the pollutant is usually difficult to determine on the sole basis of concentrations, particularly when many sources are involved. In this study, we report some examples of application of lead isotopic geochemistry on airborne particulate matter, lichens and pine needles as a mean to decipher sources of lead pollution in Sicily. Furthermore, we evaluate the use of Pb/Sc and Pb/Br ratios to enhance the discriminating power of the isotopic method. Besides the methodological aspect, this work aims to provide, at least for lead, a summary of the air quality in Sicily where only few investigations have been conducted, and to create an isotopic database