Movement Patterns of the White-clawed Crayfish, Austropotamobius pallipes, in a Tuscan Stream

Abstract We analyzed spatial behavior in the white-clawed crayfish, Austropotamobius pallipes, inhabiting a stream in Tuscany (Italy). Our study suggests an overall complex movement pattern, where nomadic movements are intercalated by stationary phases. There was a low rate of recapture within the stretch of stream inspected, suggesting either a tendency of the species to disperse or a mortality rate caused by predators or the loss of tags with molts. However, one part of the population showed a conservative use of space, as indicated by 1) more extensive movement during a 24-h cycle than during the one-year cycle, 2) a weak tendency to return to the "home" pool if released at a distance of 50 m, and 3) an equal distribution of up- and downstream movements. No correlation was found between either 1) the displacement from the point of first capture and the length of time the specimen was followed through recaptures or 2) the number of captures and the maximum distance traveled

Data in support for the measurement of heparan sulfate and dermatan sulfate by LC–MS/MS analysis

This article provides supplementary data for the paper “LC–MS/MS method for simultaneous quantification of heparan sulfate and dermatan sulfate in urine by butanolysis derivatization” (Forni et al., 2018). Several parameters were tested to optimize sample preparation by butanolysis in order to carry out simultaneous quantifications of HS and DS by tandem mass spectrometry.Here we describe step-by-step instructions to perform HS and DS analysis in urine samples using external calibration curves of standards of known concentration. Sample are quantified by interpolation from the calibration curve and reported in µg/mL. Then, HS and DS are normalized to creatinine concentration and reported as mg/g uCr

Tandem mass spectrometry, but not T-cell receptor excision circle analysis, identifies newborns with late-onset adenosine deaminase deficiency

Background: Adenosine deaminase (ADA)-severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) is caused by genetic variants that disrupt the function of ADA. In its early-onset form, it is rapidly fatal to infants. Delayed or late-onset ADA-SCID is characterized by insidious progressive immunodeficiency that leads to permanent organ damage or death. Quantification of T-cell receptor excision circles (TRECs) or tandem mass spectrometry (tandem-MS) analysis of dried blood spots (DBSs) collected at birth can identify newborns with early-onset ADA-SCID and are used in screening programs. However, it is not clear whether these analyses can identify newborns who will have delayed or late-onset ADA-SCID before symptoms appear. Objective: We performed a retrospective study to evaluate whether tandem-MS and quantitative TREC analyses of DBSs could identify newborns who had delayed-onset ADA-SCID later in life. Methods: We tested stored DBSs collected at birth from 3 patients with delayed-onset ADA-SCID using tandem-MS (PCT EP2010/070517) to evaluate levels of adenosine and 2'-deoxyadenosine and real-time PCR to quantify TREC levels. We also analyzed DBSs from 3 newborns with early-onset ADA-SCID and 2 healthy newborn carriers of ADA deficiency. Results: The DBSs taken at birth from the 3 patients with delayed-onset ADA-SCID had adenosine levels of 10, 25, and 19 mu mol/L (normal value, <1.5 mu mol/L) and 2'-deoxyadenosine levels of 0.7, 2.7, and 2.4 mu mol/L (normal value, <0.07 mu mol/L); the mean levels of adenosine and 2'-deoxyadenosine were respectively 12.0- and 27.6-fold higher than normal values. DBSs taken at birth from all 3 patients with delayed-onset ADA deficiency had normal TREC levels, but TRECs were undetectable in blood samples taken from the same patients at the time of diagnosis. Conclusion: Tandem-MS but not TREC quantification identifies newborns with delayed-or late-onset ADA deficiency