Are Land Based Surveys a Useful Tool for Managing Marine Species of Coastal Protected Areas?

One goal of the LIFE project “Del.Ta.” (NAT/IT/000163) was the preparation of an Action Plan to protect the bottlenose dolphin community in the Pelagie Archipelago (Sicily, Italy). It stressed the importance of regular monitoring of the spatial and temporal distribution of dolphins in order to evaluate the impact of local activities. This study assesses whether land-based surveys could be an effective alternative to vessel-based surveys. During the summer of 2006, both surveys’ methodologies were used at Lampedusa, with 35 sightings recorded from land and 31 from a boat. Comparison was based on the assessment of the type of information they provided in relation to the presence of the animals and their behavior. Both methodologies were applicable, but there were differences in their requirements, potential information generated, costs, and sensitivity to weather conditions. Vessel-based surveys require well trained observers and enable photo-identification and observation of social interaction and morphology. Animal movements, interactions with anthropogenic elements and group dynamics are better collected from land but spatial data can be documented up to 1 nautical mile from the coast. Weather conditions have a significant platform specific effect on sighting frequencies. The high sighting frequency during land surveys provides support for the development of zero-impact land-based dolphins watching activity

Complicações do balão intra-aórtico em uma coorte de pacientes hospitalizados: implicações para a assistência de enfermagem

OBJECTIVES: To describe complications associated to the use of intra-aortic balloon pumps (IABP), and their relationship with dwelling time, presence of risk factors/comorbidities, and nursing records. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study, in which medical records were analyzed through the completion of specifically designed forms. RESULTS: In total, 104 patients were included, with mean age 65±11 years, 52% men; 26 (25%) of them presented vascular complications, more frequently ischemia (25%); peripheral vascular disease was the risk factor/comorbidity more frequently related to complications (56.3%; p=0.003). Nursing records showed that the use of catheter was recorded in 30 cases (29%), and the patient's clinical situation after its removal in 28 cases (27%). CONCLUSION: This study showed that the frequency of complications related to IABP is high. Considering risk factor/comorbidity factors, peripheral vascular disease was significantly associated to complications. Nursing records were sub-optimal.Este estudio tuvo como objetivos describir las complicaciones provenientes de la utilización del balón intraaórtico (BIA), relacionándolas con el tiempo de permanencia, con la presencia de factores de riesgo/enfermedades concomitantes y con los registros de enfermería. Se utilizó como método la cohorte histórica, con análisis de fichas por medio del llenado de un instrumento construido específicamente para el estudio. Después de la evaluación de 104 pacientes, edad promedio 65±11, 52% sexo masculino, los resultados mostraron que 26 (25%) presentaron complicaciones vasculares, siendo la isquemia (25%) la más incidente; entre los factores de riesgo/enfermedades concomitantes, el que más se relacionó con complicaciones fue la enfermedad vascular periférica (56,3%, p=0,003). En lo que se refiere a las evaluaciones de enfermería, 30 (29%) presentaban registro del uso del catéter, y 28 (27%) relataban el estado clínico del paciente después de su retirada. Se concluye que este estudio demostró que el índice de complicaciones es todavía alto cuando relacionado al BIA. Entre los factores de riesgo/enfermedades concomitantes, la enfermedad vascular periférica fue significativamente relacionada con complicaciones. Los registros de los enfermeros no fueron exhautivos.Este estudo teve como objetivos descrever as complicações decorrentes da utilização do balão intra-aórtico (BIA), relacionando-as com o tempo de permanência, com a presença de fatores de risco/comorbidades e com os registros de enfermagem. Utilizou-se como método a coorte histórica, com análise de prontuários por meio de preenchimento de instrumento específico para o estudo. Após avaliação de 104 pacientes, idade média 65±11, 52% sexo masculino, os resultados mostraram que 26 (25%) apresentaram complicações vasculares, sendo a isquemia (25%) a mais incidente; entre os fatores de risco/comorbidades, o que mais se relacionou com complicações foi a doença vascular periférica (56,3%, p=0,003). Quanto às evoluções de enfermagem, 30 (29%) apresentavam registro do uso do cateter, e 28 (27%) relatavam o estado clínico do paciente após a sua retirada. Conclui-se que este estudo demonstrou que o índice de complicações ainda é alto quando relacionado ao BIA. Dentre os fatores de risco/comorbidades, a doença vascular periférica foi significativamente relacionada com complicações. Os registros dos enfermeiros foram subótimos

Dalla classe al bosco. Una ricerca esplorativa nella scuola primaria

Recently, the experiences and reflections regarding outdoor education in schools have been gradually spreading in Italy. Despite a quite ancient history and a favourable climate in many areas of the country, outdoor education is not yet widespread and primarily limited to pre-school, often in the private sector. To overcome this limitation, a pilot outdoor project was tested in a primary school to verify its effectiveness in terms of disciplinary and transversal skills development. The research adopted an exploratory evaluation research approach and used a variety of both quantitative and qualitative tools and procedures. School sessions in the forest focused on Italian language contents were observed and questionnaires on school well-being, parallel school tests, and, for the second class, also the results of the Invalsi tests were analysed. Interesting data emerged, especially from a qualitative point of view, as already demonstrated by many studies carried out at the European level, regarding the support of learning processes. No significant results emerged from the point of view of the discipline in the classes involved in the project, above all due to the impossibility of guaranteeing children regular sessions in the forest.Le esperienze e le riflessioni sull’educazione all’aperto nella scuola si stanno diffondendo progressivamente ormai da qualche tempo anche in Italia. Nonostante una storia tutt’altro che recente e un clima favorevole in molte zone del paese però, non si tratta ancora di una diffusione capillare ed è comunque limitata primariamente in ambito prescolastico, spesso del privato sociale. Per questo motivo, si è deciso di provare ad avvicinarsi alla realtà statale della scuola primaria con l’obiettivo di verificare l’efficacia di un progetto pilota di educazione all’aperto rispetto ad alcune abilità e conoscenze disciplinari e trasversali. La ricerca si è configurata come ricerca empirica di tipo esplorativo e si è avvalsa di una pluralità di strumenti e procedure sia quantitative che qualitative. Sono state osservate sessioni di scuola nel bosco centrate su contenuti di lingua italiana e analizzati questionari sul benessere scolastico, prove parallele di Istituto e, per la classe seconda, anche i risultati delle prove Invalsi. Sono emersi dati interessanti, soprattutto dal punto di vista qualitativo, come peraltro evidenziato in molte ricerche già condotte a livello europeo, a supporto e accompagnamento dei processi di apprendimento. Non è emerso alcun risultato di rilievo in ambito disciplinare nelle classi coinvolte nel progetto, soprattutto per l’impossibilità di garantire ai bambini sessioni regolari nel bosco

Macro- and micro-geographic variation of short-beaked common dolphin’s whistles in the Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic Ocean

Author Posting. © The Author(s), 20113. This is the author's version of the work. It is posted here by permission of Taylor & Francis for personal use, not for redistribution. The definitive version was published in Ethology Ecology & Evolution 26 (2014): 392-404, doi:10.1080/03949370.2013.851122.Genetic studies have shown that there are small but significant differences between the short-beaked common dolphin populations in the Atlantic Ocean and those in the Mediterranean Sea. The short-beaked common dolphin is a highly vocal species with a wide sound production repertoire including whistles. Whistles are continuous, narrowband, frequency-modulated signals that can show geographic variation in dolphin species. This study tests whether the differences, highlighted by genetic studies, are recognisable in the acoustic features of short-beaked common dolphin’s whistles in the two adjacent areas of the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. From a selected sample of good quality whistles (514 recorded in the Atlantic and 193 in the Mediterranean) 10 parameters of duration, frequency and frequency modulation were measured. Comparing data among basins, differences were found for duration and all frequency parameters except for minimum frequency. Modulation parameters showed the highest coefficient of variation. Through discriminant analysis we correctly assigned 75.7% of sounds to their basins. Furthermore, micro-geographic analysis revealed similarity between the sounds recorded around the Azores and the Canary archipelagos and between the Bay of Biscay and the Mediterranean Sea. Results are in agreement with the hypothesis proposed by previous genetic studies that two distinct populations are present, still supposing a gene flow between the basins. This study is the first to compare shortbeaked common dolphin’s whistles of the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean areas.Data collection and processing in the Azores was conducted under projects POCTI/BSE/38991/01, PTDC/MAR/74071/2006 and M2.1.2/F/012/2011, supported by FCT (Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia) and DRCTC/SRCTE (Secretaria Regional de Ciência, Tecnologia e Equipamentos), FEDER funds, the Competitiveness Factors Operational (COMPETE), QREN European Social Fund and Proconvergencia Açores Program. We acknowledge funds provided by FCT to LARSyS Associated Laboratory & IMAR-University of the Azores/ the Thematic Area E of the Strategic Project (OE & Compete) and by the DRCTC – Government of the Azores pluriannual funding. M.A. Silva was supported by an FCT postdoctoral grant (SFRH/ BPD/29841/2006). I. Cascão and R. Prieto were supported by FCT doctoral grants (SFRH/BD/ 41192/2007 and SFRH/BD/32520/2006, respectively) and R. Prieto by a research grant from the Azores Regional Fund for Science and Technology (M3.1.5/F/115/2012). Data collection by SECAC (Society for the Study of Cetaceans in the Canary Archipelago) was funded by the U.E. LIFE programme – project LIFE INDEMARES (LIFE 07/NAT/E/000732)- and the Fundación Biodiversidad, under the Spanish Ministry of Environment, Rural and Marine Affairs (project ZEC-TURSIOPS).2014-11-0

Testing indicators for trend assessment of range and habitat of low-density cetacean species in the Mediterranean Sea

Introduction: Conservation of cetaceans is challenging due to their large-range, highly-dynamic nature. The EU Habitats Directive (HD) reports 78% of species in ‘unknown’ conservation status, and information on low-density/elusive species such G.griseus, G.melas, Z.cavirostris is the most scattered. Methods: The FLT-Net programme has regularly collected year-round data along trans-border fixed-transects in the Mediterranean Sea since 2007. Nearly 7,500 cetacean sightings were recorded over 500,000 km of effort with 296 of less-common species. Comparing data across two HD 6-years periods (2013-2019/2008-2012), this study aimed at testing four potential indicators to assess range and habitat short-term trends of G.griseus, G.melas, Z.cavirostris: 1) change in Observed Distributional Range-ODR based on known occurrence, calculated through the Kernel smoother within the effort area; 2) change in Ecological Potential Range-EPR extent, predicted through Spatial Distribution Models; 3) Range Pattern, assessed as overlap and shift of core areas between periods; 4) changes in ODR vs EPR. Results: Most ODR and EPR confirmed the persistence of known important sites, especially in the Western-Mediterranean. All species, however, exhibit changes in the distribution extent (contraction or expansion) and an offshore shift, possibly indicating exploitation of new areas or avoidance of more impacted ones. Discussion: Results confirmed that the ODR could underestimate the real occupied range, as referring to the effort area only; it can be used to detect trends providing that the spatio-temporal effort scale is representative of species range. The EPR allows generalising species distribution outside the effort area, defining species’ Habitat and the Occupied/Potential Range proportion. To investigate range-trends, EPR needs to be adjusted based also on the Occupied/Potential Range proportion since it could be larger than the occupied range in presence of limiting factors, or smaller, if anthropogenic pressures force the species outside the ecological niche. Conclusion: Using complementary indicators proved valuable to evaluate the significance of changes. The concurrent analysis of more species with similar ecology was also critical to assess whether the detected changes are species specific or representative of broader trends. The FLT-Net sampling strategy proved adequate for trend assessment in the Western-Mediterranean and Adriatic basins, while more transects are needed to characterize the Central-Mediterranean and Aegean-Levantine ecological variability

Dolphin whistles can be useful tools in identifying units of conservation

Data collection and processing in the Azores was funded by Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) and Fundo Regional da Ciência e Tecnologia (FRCT), through research projects TRACE-PTDC/MAR/74071/2006 and MAPCET-M2.1.2/F/012/2011 (FEDER, the Competitiveness Factors Operational (COMPETE), QREN European Social Fund, and Pro convergencia Açores/EU Program). We also thank FCT for supporting MARE (UID/MAR/04292/2019) and OKEANOS (UIB/05634/2020), as well as for the research grants awarded to PR (SFRH/BPD/108007/2015) and CI (Project Awareness - PTDC/BIA-BMA/30514/2017). SMA is supported through project SUMMER (H2020-EU.3.2.3.1, GA 817806). Data collection by SECAC was funded by the EU LIFE programme—project LIFE INDEMARES (LIFE 07/NAT/E/000732)— and the Fundación Biodiversidad under the Spanish Ministry of Environment, Rural and Marine Affairs (project ZEC-TURSIOPS). EP was supported by a LLP/Erasmus grant 2010–2011 for collecting data in the Canary Islands.Background: Prioritizing groupings of organisms or ‘units’ below the species level is a critical issue for conservation purposes. Several techniques encompassing different time-frames, from genetics to ecological markers, have been considered to evaluate existing biological diversity at a sufficient temporal resolution to define conservation units. Given that acoustic signals are expressions of phenotypic diversity, their analysis may provide crucial information on current differentiation patterns within species. Here, we tested whether differences previously delineated within dolphin species based on i) geographic isolation, ii) genetics regardless isolation, and iii) habitat, regardless isolation and genetics, can be detected through acoustic monitoring. Recordings collected from 104 acoustic encounters of Stenella coeruleoalba, Delphinus delphis and Tursiops truncatus in the Azores, Canary Islands, the Alboran Sea and the Western Mediterranean basin between 1996 and 2012 were analyzed. The acoustic structure of communication signals was evaluated by analyzing parameters of whistles in relation to the known genetic and habitat-driven population structure. Results: Recordings from the Atlantic and Mediterranean were accurately assigned to their respective basins of origin through Discriminant Function Analysis, with a minimum 83.8% and a maximum 93.8% classification rate. A parallel pattern between divergence in acoustic features and in the genetic and ecological traits within the basins was highlighted through Random Forest analysis. Although it is not yet possible to establish a causal link between each driver and acoustic differences between basins, we showed that signal variation reflects fine-scale diversity and may be used as a proxy for recognizing discrete units. Conclusion: We recommend that acoustic analysis be included in assessments of delphinid population structure, together with genetics and ecological tracer analysis. This cost-efficient non-invasive method can be applied to uncover distinctiveness and local adaptation in other wide-ranging marine species.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

Human adipose-derived stem cells obtained from lipoaspirates are highly susceptible to hydrogen peroxide mediated cytogenotoxicity

There is evidence that H2O2 can induce the proliferation, migration, and regeneration of stem cells, as well as that of adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs). This could be useful to expand the possible uses of ASCs in therapeutic applications.  However, the safety profile of H2O2 use in stem cells is not clear yet. Therefore, the present study evaluated the acute cytotoxic, oxidative and genotoxic effects of different concentrations of H2O2 on ASCs obtained from human lipoaspirates. The ASCs were treated with 1–1000 μM H2O2 for two hours. Cell viability was evaluated by double-strand DNA determination. Apoptosis induction was analyzed measuring active levels of caspases 1, 3 and 8. Biochemical oxidative stress markers were analyzed and genotoxic effects were assessed by DNA comet assay. All H2O2 concentrations increased ASC mortality rates with approximately 100% mortality achieved at ≥ 200 μM. Active caspases 1, 3 and 8, oxidative stress, as well as oxidative damage as assessed by lipid peroxidation increased dose‐dependently. There was also an approximate 50% increase in catalase levels in cells exposed to all H2O2 tested concentrations. H2O2 concentrations of ≥ 10 μM were genotoxic. These results suggest that ASCs are highly sensitive to H2O2 exposition. In addition, DNA damage in the surviving cells may affect their proliferative and differentiation capacity, as well as their safety profile for therapeutic use

Combining monitoring approaches as a tool to assess the occurrence of the Mediterranean Monk Seal in Samos Island, Greece

With a current global estimation of 600–700 individuals, Monachus monachus is considered among the most threatened seal species globally and is ranked as “Endangered” by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. The Mediterranean distribution of the species is fragmented, and the largest known sub-population inhabits its easternmost areas. The present study analyses the occurrence of M. monachus on Samos Island, in the north-eastern Aegean Sea, Greece. From May 2017 to November 2019, data were collected through a combination of monitoring approaches, including visual monitoring from a land position, opportunistic sightings collected by citizen science, and data of stranded individuals. Results indicate the constant occurrence of monk seals in the waters and coastal areas of Samos Island, confirming the importance of this area for conservation purposes. Furthermore, the results show that an integrated methodological approach can contribute to enhancing and increasing data collection, representing an effective method for conservation studies. This approach could be applied in other locations, allowing the scientific community to identify regions of interest, where to expand targeted monitoring and apply conservation measures

Pinna nobilis in the Greek seas (NE Mediterranean): on the brink of extinction?

The Mediterranean endemic fan mussel Pinna nobilis is suffering an ongoing basin-scale mass mortality event (MME) since 2016. As most Mediterranean populations have collapsed, the species has been declared as Critically Endangered in the IUCN Red List of threatened species. In an effort to track the progress of the MME and provide updated information on the status of the species in the Greek seas, data collected through dedicated surveys and opportunistic assessments during 2019 and 2020 have been compiled. During surveys conducted at 258 sites, a total of 14,589 fan mussels were recorded, of which 81.1% were dead. Of the remaining 2,762 live individuals, 256 were juveniles. Two marine areas that still sustain living populations were identified, namely Kalloni Gulf (Lesvos Island), and Laganas Bay (Zakynthos Island). The inner part of Kalloni Gulf appears to maintain the largest surviving population of the species in the eastern Mediterranean, with an abundance estimate of 684,000 individuals (95% confidence interval: 322,000-1,453,000). Solitary, potentially resistant, scattered individuals were recorded at several sites. Other previously abundant populations that had been assessed in the past, specifically those of Lake Vouliagmeni (Korinthiakos Gulf), Souda Bay (Crete) and Gera Gulf (Lesvos Island) with a total of ~350,000 individuals, have now been wiped out. Our results document the collapse of most P. nobilis populations throughout the Greek seas. The MME has progressed substantially between early 2019 and mid-2020, as indicated by the increase in mortality at sites consecutively monitored multiple times. This work highlights the urgent need for continuous monitoring of surviving populations and calls for immediate implementation of an effective protection and management strategy that will ensure the persistence of surviving individuals and the production of resistant offspring