2023, Articolo in rivista, ENG
Federico Calì1,2,3,4*, Mario La Mesa4, Fortunata Donato2, Carlotta Mazzoldi3, Michela Martinelli2 and Alberto Santojanni2
Although fishing is considered the primary cause of the decline in fish populations, increasing evidence of the significant role of climate change has been provided recently in the Mediterranean Sea, which shows one of the highest warming trends in the world. In this area, the most important environmental driver is represented by the increase in seawater temperature. Though several studies have addressed the effects of sea warming on thermophilic species, little attention has been paid to cold-water species. Among these, blue whiting (Micromesistius poutassou) constitutes one of the most important traditional fisheries resources in the northern part of the basin, particularly in the central Adriatic Sea. This area has experienced intense fishing exploitation by the Italian and Croatian fishing fleets. Since 2015, the Pomo/Jabuka Pits area, the fleets' main fishing ground, has been subject to a series of fishing regulations over time and space. In the present study, we investigated the age structure and growth performance (by means of otoliths) of blue whiting, comparing samples collected during 1985-86 and 2020-21 in the Pomo/Jabuka Pits. Our results show that the 2020-21 blue whiting specimens had a lower length-at-age compared to 1985-86. The asymptotic length estimate decreased from 29 cm TL in 1985-86 to 25 cm TL in 2020-21. The pattern observed might be related to a modification in the cold and dense water formation dynamics in the northern Adriatic Sea, as a consequence of climate change, resulting in higher temperatures and lower nutrient and oxygen exchange, which may have hampered the optimal growth of the species. Moreover, data on the historical trend of landings from the Adriatic Sea reveals a clear decline in catches starting from 2000 onwards. Although the introduction of a fishing ban in the Pomo/Jabuka Pits was an important milestone, the abundance of this species in the area remains at low levels, highlighting a potentially alarming situation for the stock of blue whiting in the central Adriatic Sea.
2023, Articolo in rivista, ENG
Abdel-Kafy, El-Sayed M.; Kamel, Kamel I.; Severgnini, Marco; Morsy, Shama H. A.; Cremonesi, Paola; Ghoneim, Shereen S.; Brecchia, Gabriele; Ali, Neama I.; Abdel-Ghafar, Yasmein Z.; Ali, Wael A. H.; Shabaan, Hoda M. A.
Simple Summary A large population of bacteria, protozoa, fungi, and algae colonizes an animal's body surface. The complex community of microbes that occupies a specific area of the organism and develops symbiotic relationships with the host is referred to as the microbiota. In this context, the gut microbiota plays an important physiological role as it influences the digestion and absorption of nutrients, the development and maturation of the immune system, and thus the growth, resistance to disease, and welfare of the animal. For these reasons, it is important to know the role of the microbiota in these specific functions, as well as which factors can impact the composition of bacterial populations, because changes in the microbiota can result in both beneficial and detrimental effects (dysbiosis) on the host. This study, in addition to providing information on the composition of the microbiota in the jejunum and cecum of rabbits, also evaluates the effect of breed and different growth rates using a modern methodological approach. Since the effect of these factors on the modulation of the gut microbiota has been little studied, this research could be the starting point for new experimental investigations aimed at enhancing rabbit productivity and welfare. This study aimed to evaluate the productive performance and microbiota variation in the jejunum and cecum of two rabbit breeds with different growth rates. This study was carried out on Native Middle-Egypt Breed (NMER) and Giant Flanders (GF) rabbits from 5 weeks to 12 weeks of age. Twenty NMER (NM) and GF male rabbits were slaughtered, and the jejunum and cecum tracts were collected to assay gut microbiota composition via 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene sequencing and histology examination. At 12 weeks of age, daily weight gain, villus height in the jejunum, total protein, and albumin were higher in GF rabbits than in NMER rabbits. Also, the jejunal villi of GF were well arranged in their dense borders. The microbiota between the jejunum and cecum was significantly different in terms of Beta-diversity. A significant correlation between Enterococcus (jejunum NM samples) and Lactobacillus (cecum GF samples) with body weight and weight gain was found (p < 0.05). Moreover, Escherichia-Shigella in the cecum of NM was significantly correlated with weight gain (p < 0.05). The most abundant genera identified in the jejunal and cecal contents of GF were generally beneficial microbiota. They may also play a role in reducing the pathogenic effects of Escherichia coli in these rabbits.
2023, Articolo in rivista, ENG
NCD Risk Factor Collaboration (NCD-RisC)
Optimal growth and development in childhood and adolescence is crucial for lifelong health and well-being1-6 . Here we used data from 2,325 population-based studies, with measurements of height and weight from 71 million participants, to report the height and body-mass index (BMI) of children and adolescents aged 5-19 years on the basis of rural and urban place of residence in 200 countries and territories from 1990 to 2020. In 1990, children and adolescents residing in cities were taller than their rural counterparts in all but a few high-income countries. By 2020, the urban height advantage became smaller in most countries, and in many high-income western countries it reversed into a small urban-based disadvantage. The exception was for boys in most countries in sub-Saharan Africa and in some countries in Oceania, south Asia and the region of central Asia, Middle East and north Africa. In these countries, successive cohorts of boys from rural places either did not gain height or possibly became shorter, and hence fell further behind their urban peers. The difference between the age-standardized mean BMI of children in urban and rural areas was <1.1 kg m-2 in the vast majority of countries. Within this small range, BMI increased slightly more in cities than in rural areas, except in south Asia, sub-Saharan Africa and some countries in central and eastern Europe. Our results show that in much of the world, the growth and developmental advantages of living in cities have diminished in the twenty-first century, whereas in much of sub-Saharan Africa they have amplified.
2022, Articolo in rivista, ENM
Sarogni, Patrizia; Mapanao, Ana Katrina; Gonnelli, Alessandra; Ermini, Maria Laura; Marchetti, Sabrina; Kusmic, Claudia; Paiar, Fabiola; Voliani, Valerio
The European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) suggests the use of chemotherapy as neoadjuvant, adjuvant, and concomitant to surgery and radiotherapy for the treatment of oral carcinoma by depending on the cancer stage. The usual drug of choice belongs to the platinum compounds. In this context, the evaluation of the cancer behavior associated with the administration of standard or emerging cisplatin compounds supports the establishment of optimal cancer management. Here, we have assessed and compared the performance of cisplatin alone and contained in biodegradable nanocapsules on standardized chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) tumor models. The vascularized environment and optimized grafting procedure allowed the establishment of solid tumors. The treatments showed antitumor and anti-angiogenic activities together with deregulation of pivotal genes responsible of treatment resistance and tumor aggressiveness. This study further supports the significance of CAM tumor models in oncological research for the comprehension of the molecular mechanisms involved in tumor treatment response.
2022, Abstract in atti di convegno, ENG
S. Sandrini, V. Perricone, P. Cremonesi, B. Castiglioni, F. Biscarini, E.R. Parra Titos, G. Savoini and A. Agazzi
2021, Articolo in rivista, ENG
Spinelli R.; Magagnotti N.; Lombardini C.; Leonello E.C.
Mechanical felling is the most cost-effective solution for harvesting short-rotation poplar plantations, but the damage inflicted by conventional shear-cutting devices on tree stumps has raised concerns about stump mortality and resprouting vigor, both of which are crucial to coppice regeneration. To determine whether such concerns are justified, this experiment monitored the survival and resprouting vigor of 11 sample blocks composed of two 10-stump row segments that were cut according to one of two methods: (1) a chainsaw or (2) an excavator-mounted shear. The sample blocks were located within the same plantation, established 7 years earlier with hybrid poplars (Populus nigra × Populus deltoides) belonging to the AF8 clone. One year after cutting, no differences were found between treatments in terms of stump mortality, number of shoots per stump, shoot diameter at 30 cm from the insertion, or shoot height. These results support the use of mechanical shears to fell short-rotation poplar coppice. However, further studies should be conducted on multiple fields and clones in order to safely generalize these preliminary findings.
2020, Articolo in rivista, ENG
Pollastrini, Martina; Salvatori, Elisabetta; Fusaro, Lina; Manes, Fausto; Marzuoli, Riccardo; Gerosa, Giacomo; Brueggemann, Wolfgang; Strasser, Reto Jorg; Bussotti, Filippo
A chlorophyll fluorescence (ChIF) assessment was carried out on oak seedlings (Quercus ilex L., Quercus pubescens Willd., Quercus frainetto Ten.) of Italian and Greek provenance, during the years 2017 and 2018, in a common garden in central Italy planted in 2017. This trial aimed to test the relative performances of the oak species in the perspective of assisted migration as part of the actions for the adaptation of forests to climate change. The assessment of the photosynthetic performance of the tree species included the analysis of the prompt chlorophyll fluorescence (PF) transient and the modulated reflection (MR) at 820 nm, leaf chlorophyll content, leaf gas exchange (net photosynthesis, stomatal conductance), plant growth (i.e., height) and mortality rate after 2 years from the beginning of the experiment. The assessment of the performance of the three oak species was carried out 'in vivo'. Plants were generated from seeds and exposed to several environmental factors, including changing seasonal temperature, water availability, and soil biological and physical functionality. The results of PF indicate a stable functionality of the photosynthetic system PSII (expressed as F-V/F-M) across species and provenances and a decline in photochemistry functionality at the I-P phase (Delta V-IP) in Q. frainetto, thus indicating a decline of the content of PSI in this species. This result was confirmed by the findings of MR analysis, with the speed of reduction and subsequent oxidation of PSI (V-RED and V-OX) strongly correlated to the amplitude of Delta V-IP. The photosynthetic rates (net photosynthesis, P-N) and growth were correlated with the parameters associated with PSI content and function, rather than those related to PSII. The low performance of Q. frainetto in the common garden seems to be related to early foliar senescence with the depletion of nitrogen, due to suboptimal climatic and edaphic conditions. Chlorophyll fluorescence allowed discrimination of populations of oak species and individuation of the less (or/and best) suitable species for future forest ecology and management purposes.
2020, Articolo in rivista, ENG
Bargione G.; Vasapollo C.; Donato F.; Virgili M.; Petetta A.; Lucchetti A.
Age and growth studies provide critical data for clam fishery management. Three aging techniques, thin sections and acetate peel replicas - which involve shell sectioning - and surface growth rings were used to estimate the age and growth of Chamelea gallina populations in the mid-western Adriatic Sea. Their results were compared to identify the most reliable and least time-consuming approach. There were no significant differences between the two shell sectioning techniques (? = 4.66, df = 3, p = 0.198), which were described by the same von Bertalanffy (VBF) growth curve parameters (L = 43.9, k = 0.26, t = -0.84), whereas significantly different L and k values were found between the two shell sectioning techniques and surface growth rings (L: ? = 13.62, df = 1, p < 0.001; k: ? = 9.18, df = 1, p < 0.002; these statistics refer to the comparison between acetate peels and surface growth rings). The latter approach proved unreliable and error-prone, as it underestimated age and overestimated the growth rate (L = 26.4, k = 1.91, t = -0.11). Although the thin sections and acetate peel techniques both provide reliable age and growth estimates, the former approach was less time-consuming. Our analyses demonstrated that shell growth is slower in the cold season and in older specimens and that it has slowed down over the past few decades.
2020, Articolo in rivista, ENG
Sulas L.; Campesi G.; Canu S.; Carroni A.M.; Dore A.; Piluzza G.; Sassu M.M.; Re G.A.
The perennial shrub guayule (Parthenium argentatum A. Gray) has gained interest as a potential source of natural and hypoallergenic rubber in Southern Europe. Although, native to northern Mexico, it is suited to semi-arid and Mediterranean environments. A research study was conducted in Sardinia (Italy) to evaluate adaptation and biometric traits of introduced guayule lines and to determine the contents and yields of rubber and resin obtainable from its aboveground biomass. Seedlings of the accessions AZ-1, AZ-2, P803, and 11591 were field transplanted in 2015 at two locations of southern, and northern Sardinia, respectively, differing for annual precipitation. Plant survival rate, height and width, trunk diameter, leaf chlorophyll concentration and photosystem photochemical efficiency were monitored. Shoots were harvested at 30 months after transplanting and were partitioned into twigs and remaining stems and its rubber and resin contents were determined. Location markedly affected plant survival rates and biometric traits. Dry matter yield of aboveground components as well as contents of rubber and resin and plant rubber and resin yields differed significantly among accessions under comparison. We found that AZ1 and 11591 were the most successful accessions at southern Sardinia site, whereas 11591 was the only accession exhibiting a satisfactory plant survival rate in the northern location.
2020, Articolo in rivista, ENG
Ettore D'Andrea, Negar Rezaie, Peter Prislan, Jozica Gricar, Alessio Collalti, Jan Muhr, Giorgio Matteucci
The effects of short-term extreme events on tree functioning and physiology are still rather elusive. European beech is one of the most sensitive species to late frost and water shortage. We investigated the intra-annual C dynamics in stems under such conditions. Wood formation and stem CO2 efflux were monitored in a Mediterranean beech forest for three years (2015-2017), including a late frost (2016) and a summer drought (2017). The late frost reduced radial growth and, consequently, the amount of carbon fixed in the stem biomass by 80%. Stem carbon dioxide efflux in 2016 was reduced by 25%, which can be attributed to the reduction of effluxes due to growth respiration. Counter to our expectations, we found no effects of the 2017 summer drought on radial growth and stem carbon efflux. The studied extreme weather events had various effects on tree growth. Even though late spring frost had a strong impact on beech radial growth in the current year, trees fully recovered in the following growing season, indicating high resilience of beech to this stressful event.
2020, Articolo in rivista, ENG
Sara Beretta, Matteo Bosi, Luca Seravalli, Paola Frigeri, Giovanna Trevisi, Enos Gombia, Francesca Rossi, Danilo Bersani; Claudio Ferrari
We report a detailed characterization of Ge NWs directly grown on glass by a MOVPE system, showing how different growth parameters can affect the final outcome and comparing NWs grown on a monocrystalline Ge(111) substrate with NWs grown on amorphous glass. Our experimental results indicate that the choice of the substrate does not affect any of the relevant morphological, crystallographic or electrical properties of Ge NWs. Lengths are in the 20-30 micrometer range with minimal tapering, while growth rates are very similar to to NWs grown on Ge(111); TEM and Raman characterization show a very good crystallinity of measured nanostructures. We have also analyzed the growth process on glass and we were able to reach a conclusion on the specific growth mechanism for Ge NWs on amorphous substrates. Our findings demonstrate that glass is a valid option as cheap substrate for the mass production of these nanostructures.
2019, Articolo in rivista, ENG
Antonino Di Grigoli , Adriana Bonanno, Mansour Rabie Ashkezary, Barbara Laddomada, Marco Alabiso, Francesca Vitale, Francesca Mazza, Giuseppe Maniaci, Paolo Ruisi and Giuseppe Di Miceli
This experiment aimed to investigate the possibility to increase the carcass weight of dairy breed lambs and produce moderate-fat meat by applying inexpensive feeding strategies based on restriction and through the use of a fibrous byproduct such as the durum wheat bran (DWB). Sixty-five 45-day-old lambs of the Valle del Belice breed, divided into 6 groups, were fed alfalfa hay supplemented with concentrate feeds including DWB at 0% or 20% (DWB0, DWB20), supplied ad libitum (L) or restricted at 75% (R), and slaughtered at 90 or 120 days of age. The groups were as follows: DWB0-90L (n = 14), DWB20-90L (n = 14), DWB0-120R (n = 10), DWB20-120R (n = 9), DWB0-120L (n = 9), DWB20-120L (n = 9). The diet did not aect feed intake, growth or carcass weight of lambs fed ad libitum, whereas 120-day-old lambs fed DWB associated to restriction showed the lowest weight gain (105 vs. 170, 185 and 190 g/day in DWD20-120R, DWB0-120R, DWB0-120L and DWB20-120L; p = 0.04). The incidence of fat tissue in the hind leg increased (p < 0.0001) from 90L (5.82 and 5.45% with DWB0 and DWB20) to 120R (8.80 and 8.43% with DWB0 and DWB20) and 120L lambs (10.7 and 11.8% with DWB0 and DWB20). Older lambs' meat, compared to that of 90L lambs, showed analogous levels of intramuscular fat, higher water retention, tenderness and lightness, and a more intense red colour. In meat from 120-day-old lambs, DWB intake tended to reduce the fat level (p = 0.009) and increased polyphenol content (1.10 vs. 1.62, and 1.02 vs. 1.65 g GAE/kg dry matter (DM) in 120R and 120L lambs; p = 0.02), antioxidant capacity (12.8 vs. 14.9, and 12.8 vs. 15.7 mmol trolox eq/kg DM in 120R and 120L lambs; p = 0.02), and the presence of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (FA) (1.61 vs. 2.81, and 1.43 vs. 2.61 g/100 g FA in 120R and 120L lambs; p = 0.007), thereby improving the meat's health properties. The panelists perceived the eects of DWB inclusion as well as the feeding level with triangle tests.
2019, Contributo in volume, ENG
Coccia Mario
Revolution (originates from Latin revolvere = roll back) In political science, revolution is a phase of the historical evolution of nations that generates a rapid and structural change in society. Evolution (originates from Latin evolvere = to roll) In science, evolution is a progressive growth of a system that generates a transition from simple to complex system in nature and society.
2019, Articolo in rivista, ENG
Bosi, Matteo; Seravalli, Luca; Beretta, Sara; Ferrari, Claudio
We demonstrate the feasibility of the use of isobutyl germane, a novel germanium source, for the vapor-liquid-solid growth of germanium nanowires (NWs) on Si (111) substrates, using a thin gold layer as catalyst. The density and the diameter of the NWs were controlled by varying the Au layer thickness and the isobutyl germane flow. The NWs grow along (111) directions and show perfect crystallinity and lengths from several hundreds of nm to 3-4 ?m. The use of isobutyl germane gives a considerable technological advantage in the growth of germanium NWs since it is a safer and more manageable germanium source and it allows to grow Ge NWs in a standard vapor phase epitaxy system at 400 °C.
2018, Contributo in volume, ENG
Leoncini R.
The chapter analysis the trade-off between growth and inequity.
2018, Articolo in rivista, ENG
Nürnberg D.J.; Morton J.; Santabarbara S.; Telfer A.; Joliot P.; Antonaru L.A.; Ruban A.V.; Cardona T.; Krausz E.; Boussac A.; Fantuzzi A.; William Rutherford A.
Photosystems I and II convert solar energy into the chemical energy that powers life. Chlorophyll a photochemistry, using red light (680 to 700 nm), is near universal and is considered to define the energy "red limit" of oxygenic photosynthesis. We present biophysical studies on the photosystems from a cyanobacterium grown in far-red light (750 nm). The few long-wavelength chlorophylls present are well resolved from each other and from the majority pigment, chlorophyll a. Charge separation in photosystem I and II uses chlorophyll f at 745 nm and chlorophyll f (or d) at 727 nm, respectively. Each photosystem has a few even longer-wavelength chlorophylls f that collect light and pass excitation energy uphill to the photochemically active pigments. These photosystems function beyond the red limit using far-red pigments in only a few key positions. 2017 © The Authors
2018, Articolo in rivista, ENG
Bjarnsholt T.; Buhlin K.; Dufrêne Y.F.; Gomelsky M.; Moroni A.; Ramstedt M.; Rumbaugh K.P.; Schulte T.; Sun L.; Åkerlund B.; Römling U.
Although biofilms have been observed early in the history of microbial research, their impact has only recently been fully recognized. Biofilm infections, which contribute to up to 80% of human microbial infections, are associated with common human disorders, such as diabetes mellitus and poor dental hygiene, but also with medical implants. The associated chronic infections such as wound infections, dental caries and periodontitis significantly enhance morbidity, affect quality of life and can aid development of follow-up diseases such as cancer. Biofilm infections remain challenging to treat and antibiotic monotherapy is often insufficient, although some rediscovered traditional compounds have shown surprising efficiency. Innovative anti-biofilm strategies include application of anti-biofilm small molecules, intrinsic or external stimulation of production of reactive molecules, utilization of materials with antimicrobial properties and dispersion of biofilms by digestion of the extracellular matrix, also in combination with physical biofilm breakdown. Although basic principles of biofilm formation have been deciphered, the molecular understanding of the formation and structural organization of various types of biofilms has just begun to emerge. Basic studies of biofilm physiology have also resulted in an unexpected discovery of cyclic dinucleotide second messengers that are involved in interkingdom crosstalk via specific mammalian receptors. These findings even open up new venues for exploring novel anti-biofilm strategies. © 2018 The Association for the Publication of the Journal of Internal Medicine
2018, Articolo in rivista, ENG
Cilenti L.; Scirocco T.; Specchiulli A.; Vitelli M.L.; Manzo C.; Fabbrocini A.; Santucci A.; Franchi M.; D'adamo R.
[Shellfish culture, based on ecological and market assessment, is considered a driving force for socio-economic change in ecologically complex coastal systems such as lagoons throughout the Mediterranean area. To diversify fish production, the Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas was cultured at commercial farms in the Varano Lagoon (SE Italy). The aims of this study were to evaluate through four condition indices (CI, CICG, CIE and AFNOR index), the Polydora index (PI), lipid content, quality and market aspects of oysters reared at two different sites (FO and LA) of the Varano Lagoon, which are characterized by different hydrodynamic conditions. The results of this study highlighted the potential economic benefits associated with sustainable aquaculture development in the Varano Lagoon, proving that the area surrounding the LA site was more suitable for oyster culture, reaching commercial size (60 mm) in a shorter time (6-8 months). Higher growth performance of oysters was observed in the spring, when the nutrient availability positively affected the feeding response of suspension feeders. The opposite was found in winter and in summer, when the decrease in growth could be due to the reduction of nutrient and to the increase of salinity, TSM and ISM. The presence of the mud blister worm (Polydora sp.) during rearing could be a real problem, as it damages oyster market value and threatens serious financial loss to the local farmers.]
2017, Articolo in rivista, ENG
Candeo, A. and Doccula, F.G. and Valentini, G. and Bassi, A. and Costa, A.
Calcium oscillations play a role in the regulation of the development of tip-growing plant cells. Using optical microscopy, calcium oscillations have been observed in a few systems (e.g. pollen tubes, fungal hyphae and algal rhizoids). High-resolution, non-phototoxic and rapid imaging methods are required to study the calcium oscillation in root hairs. We show that light sheet fluorescence microscopy is optimal to image growing root hairs of Arabidopsis thaliana and to follow their oscillatory tip-focused calcium gradient. We describe a protocol for performing live imaging of root hairs in seedlings expressing the cytosol-localized ratiometric calcium indicator Yellow Cameleon 3.6. Using this protocol, we measured the calcium gradient in a large number of root hairs. We characterized their calcium oscillations and correlated them with the rate of hair growth. The method was then used to screen the effect of auxin on the properties of the growing root hairs. © 2017 The Author.
2017, Contributo in volume, ENG
Miseikis, V.; Xiang, S.; Roddaro, S.; Heun, S.; Coletti, C.
In this work, we demonstrate the synthesis of millimetre-sized single-crystals of graphene, achievable in a commercially available cold-wall CVD reactor, and several different approaches to transfer it from the growth substrate to a target substrate of choice. We confirm the high crystal quality of this material using various characterisation techniques, including optical and scanning electron microscopy as well as Raman spectroscopy. By performing field effect and quantum Hall effect measurements, we demonstrate that the electronic properties of such single crystals are comparable to those of ideal mechanically exfoliated flakes of graphene. Several applications of this high-quality material are also reviewed.