166 research outputs found
How does invasion degree shape alpha and beta diversity of freshwater fish at a regional scale?
FFreshwater ecosystems appear more vulnerable to biodiversity loss due to several anthropogenic disturbances and freshwater fish are particularly vulnerable to these impacts. We aimed to (1) identify the contribution of land use, spatial variables, and invasion degree in determining freshwater fish alpha (i.e., species richness) and beta (i.e., local contributions to beta diversity, LCBD) diversity, evaluating also the relationship between invasion degree and nestedness ((Formula presented.) nes) and turnover ((Formula presented.) sim) components of beta diversity. (2) Investigate the relationship between alpha diversity and LCBD, under the hypothesis that alpha diversity and LCBD correlate negatively and (3) investigate the relationship between species contributions to beta diversity (SCBD) and species occurrence, hypothesizing that non-native species show a lower contribution to beta diversity. The linear mixed models and the partition of R2 retained the invasion degree as the most important variables explaining alpha and beta diversity, having a positive relationship with both diversity components. Furthermore, land use related to human impacts had a positive influence on alpha diversity, whereas it showed a negative effect on LCBD. Regression model further showed that invasion degree related positively with (Formula presented.) sim, but negatively with (Formula presented.) nes, suggesting that non-native species were involved in the replacement of native species in the fish community. Alpha diversity and LCBD showed a weak positive correlation, meaning that sites with low species richness have higher LCBD. SCBD scaled positively with species occurrence highlighting that rarer species contribute less to SCBD. Finally, native and exotic species contributed similarly to beta diversity. These results suggest that invasion degree plays a central role in shaping alpha and beta diversity in stream fish, more than land use features reflecting habitat alteration or other geospatial variables. Furthermore, it is important to evaluate separately the native and the non-native components of biotic communities to identify linkages between invasion dynamics and biodiversity loss.Peer reviewe
RNAi-based GM plants: Food for thought for risk assessors
SummaryRNA interference (RNAi) is an emerging technology that offers new opportunities for the generation of new traits in genetically modified (GM) plants. Potential risks associated with RNAiâbased GM plants and issues specific to their risk assessment were discussed during an international scientific workshop (June 2014) organized by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). Selected key outcomes of the workshop are reported here
Localization of Helicobacter spp. in the fundic mucosa of laboratory Beagle dogs: an ultrastructural study
In dogs Helicobacter spp. are found in all gastric regions usually localized in the surface mucus, gastric glands and parietal cells. The aim of this study was to detail the distribution of Helicobacter spp. in the fundic mucosa of asymptomatic Beagle dogs and their intracellular localization within parietal cells, in order to evaluate species-specific pathogenetic effects on gastric cells. The presence of Helicobacter spp. was investigated by immunohistochemistry, TEM, and PCR in the fundic mucosa of six Beagle dogs. Helicobacter spp. were found in all dogs examined, and H. bizzozeronii and H. felis were identified by PCR and confirmed by TEM. In the lumen of the fundic glands, co-localization was common. H. bizzozeronii was present in larger numbers than H. felis in both intraluminal and intraparietal localization. The amounts of H. bizzozeronii were similar in superficial and basal portions of the glands. H. felis was predominantly localized in the superficial portions of gastric glands but almost absent from the base. Within parietal cells, most Helicobacter organisms were intracanalicular, but intact and degenerate Helicobacter organisms were also visualized free in the cytoplasm or in secondary lysosomes. No specific degenerative lesions were found in infected parietal cells. Helicobacter organisms were also observed within macrophages in the lamina propria. In conclusion, there is a differential distribution of H. bizzozeronii and H. felis in the fundic mucosa of Beagle dogs, and their intracellular localization in parietal cells and macrophages suggests novel pathogenic scenarios for the development of immune response and maintenance of chronic gastritis in dogs
Long-term fish monitoring underlines a rising tide of temperature tolerant, rheophilic, benthivore and generalist exotics, irrespective of hydrological conditions
The invasion of exotic species is one of the main threats to worldwide biodiversity and can be aided by changes in environmental conditions. We hypothesized that a temporal trend of decreasing discharge and increasing temperature might have favored the invasion of warm-adapted, lentic exotic fish species in the lower Po River, northern Italy. We used presence/absence data over a long-term period (over 20 years) to investigate the dynamics of exotic fish invasion along water temperature and discharge gradients. Mean annual discharge and temperature did not show a clear trend and did not affect exotic fish species invasion, which progressed with time irrespective of these factors. The total number of species fluctuated without a clear trend, which underlined a progressive substitution of native species with exotic ones. Perhaps surprisingly, the community composition changed over time towards more temperature tolerant but also rheophilic, benthivore and generalist fish species. These results highlight how species interactions could be one of the main factors driving the invasion. Furthermore, our data underlines a continuously rising tide of exotics, which questions the success of past control strategies. Considering the current conservation resources limitations, priority should be given to the development of prevention strategies in order to avoid new species introductions
Oxidative status of Marchigiana beef enriched in n-3 fatty acids and vitamin E, treated with a blend of oregano and rosemary essential oils
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of basal dietary supplementation with
linseed and linseed plus vitamin E in Marchigiana young bulls on the instrumental color,
oxidative stability, and fatty acid composition of beef steaks with and without treatment
with a blend of essential oils (oregano and rosemary) after storage times of 0, 3, 6,
and 9 days. The fatty acid composition was evaluated in meat after 0 and 9 days of
storage. No variation in the fatty acid composition of each type of meat was observed
after storage. The use of dietary linseed and vitamin E, compared with linseed alone,
significantly improved the oxidative stability, lightness (Lâ), and redness (aâ) of the meat.
A higher degree of oxidation was observed in meat samples from animals in the group
fed linseed (L) followed by the control group (C) and the group fed linseed and vitamin E
(LE). Moreover, the essential oils treatment (O) exerts a significant effect on beef oxidative
stability of the group LE more than groups C and L during storage. The fatty acid
composition of the meat was also affected by the diet: levels of healthful fatty acids
(PUFA, n-3 PUFA, and CLA) were higher in meat from the groups that received linseed
than the control group. Our results suggest that dietary vitamin E and treatment with
essential oils are effective approaches to preserving the stability of beef cattle receiving
a diet enriched in unsaturated fatty acids for up to 9 days of storage
Occupational Therapists and COVID-19 Pandemic: An Observational Survey in Europe
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a health care emergency in Europe since the first wave in 2020. Several challenges have arisen for occupational therapists, as well as all the health care professionals. The aim of this study was to determine what occupational therapists have changed to adapt their therapeutic processes for this catastrophic situation.
Method: An online survey was developed and sent in conjunction with the Council of Occupational Therapy for European Countries (COTEC) to European national associations of occupational therapists.
Results: The study was based on a sample of 65 occupational therapists who worked with people with COVID-19. More than half of the occupational therapists (54.8%) had changed departments. The main needs patients expressed (n = 136) during hospitalization were to have social contacts (30.9%), and the main clinical complaints (n = 144) were motor impairment and fatigue (35.4%) and depression (25.7%). The most frequently reported goal (n = 141) was recovery of physical performance and fatigue management (32.6%). Among the emotions mentioned by occupational therapists, negative emotions (76%) were the most common.
Conclusion: European occupational therapists demonstrated flexibility and resilience to deal with clinical and organizational challenges during the COVID-19 emergency
Left ventricular chamber dilation and filling pressure may help to categorise patients with type 2 diabetes
Type 2 diabetes may alter cardiac structure and function. Many patients with type 2 diabetes have diastolic dysfunction with preserved ejection fraction (EF). Recently, this latter measure was criticised. Thus, this research looked at the impact of left ventricular end-diastolic volume and E/e' ratio variations in patients with type 2 diabetes and preserved EF with the aim to recognise different clinical phenotypes
Occupational Therapists and COVID-19 Pandemic: An Observational Survey in Europe
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a health care emergency in Europe since the first wave in 2020. Several challenges have arisen for occupational therapists, as well as all the health care professionals. The aim of this study was to determine what occupational therapists have changed to adapt their therapeutic processes for this catastrophic situation.
Method: An online survey was developed and sent in conjunction with the Council of Occupational Therapy for European Countries (COTEC) to European national associations of occupational therapists.
Results: The study was based on a sample of 65 occupational therapists who worked with people with COVID-19. More than half of the occupational therapists (54.8%) had changed departments. The main needs patients expressed (n = 136) during hospitalization were to have social contacts (30.9%), and the main clinical complaints (n = 144) were motor impairment and fatigue (35.4%) and depression (25.7%). The most frequently reported goal (n = 141) was recovery of physical performance and fatigue management (32.6%). Among the emotions mentioned by occupational therapists, negative emotions (76%) were the most common.
Conclusion: European occupational therapists demonstrated flexibility and resilience to deal with clinical and organizational challenges during the COVID-19 emergenc
Accurate rapid averaging of multihue ensembles is due to a limited capacity subsampling mechanism
It is claimed that the extraction of average features from rapidly presented ensembles is holistic, with attention distributed across the whole set. We investigated whether observersâ extraction of mean hue is holistic or could reflect subsampling. Analysis of selections for the mean hue revealed a distribution that peaked at the expected mean hue. However, an ideal observer simulation suggested that a subsampling mechanism incorporating just two items from each ensemble would suffice to reproduce the precision of most observers. The results imply that hue may not be averaged as holistically and efficiently as other attributes
Assessment of genetically modified maize MONÂ 89034Â ĂÂ 1507Â ĂÂ MONÂ 88017Â ĂÂ 59122Â ĂÂ DASâ40278â9 and subcombinations independently of their origin for food and feed uses, import and processing under Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 (application EFSAâGMOâNLâ2013â113)
Maize MON 89034 Ă 1507 Ă MON 88017 Ă 59122 Ă DASâ40278â9 (fiveâevent stack maize) was produced by conventional crossing to combine five single events: MON 89034, 1507, MON 88017, 59122 and DASâ40278â9. The GMO Panel previously assessed the 5 single maize events and 11 of their subcombinations and did not identify safety concerns. No new data on the single maize events or their 11 subcombinations that could modify the original conclusions on their safety were identified. The molecular characterisation, comparative analysis (agronomic, phenotypic and compositional characteristics) and the outcome of the toxicological, allergenicity and nutritional assessment indicates that the combination of the single maize events and of the newly expressed proteins in the fiveâevent stack maize does not give rise to food and feed safety and nutritional concerns. The GMO Panel concludes that the fiveâevent stack maize, as described in this application, is as safe as and nutritionally equivalent to its nonâGM comparator and the nonâGM reference varieties tested. In the case of accidental release of the fiveâevent stack maize into the environment, this would not raise environmental safety concerns. The GMO Panel assessed the likelihood of interactions among the single events in the 14 maize subcombinations for which no experimental data were provided, and concludes that they are expected to be as safe as and nutritionally equivalent to the single events, the previously assessed subcombinations and the fiveâevent stack maize. The postâmarket environmental monitoring plan and reporting intervals are in line with the intended uses of the fiveâevent stack maize. No postâmarket monitoring of food/feed is considered necessary. The GMO Panel concludes that the fiveâevent stack maize and its subcombinations are as safe as its nonâGM comparator and the tested nonâGM reference varieties with respect to potential effects on human and animal health and the environment
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