Vessel noise pollution as a human threat to fish: assessment of the stress response in gilthead sea bream (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Sparus aurata</Emphasis>, Linnaeus 1758)

This study examined the effects of boat noise pollution on the stress indices of gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata, Linnaeus 1758). To assess the stress response in these fish, biometric values and plasma parameters such as ACTH, cortisol, glucose, lactate, haematocrit, Hsp70, total protein, cholesterol, triglycerides and osmolarity were analysed. After acclimatization of the animals, the experiment was carried out in a tank fitted with underwater speakers where the fish were exposed to sound treatments (in duplicate) consisting of: 10 days of no sound (control treatment; the animals were only exposed to the experimental tank’s background noise) and 10 days of noise derived from original recordings of motor boats, including recreational boats, hydrofoil, fishing boat and ferry boat (vessel noise treatment). The exposure to noise produced significant variations in almost all the plasma parameters assessed, but no differences were observed in weights and fork lengths. A PERMANOVA analysis highlighted significantly increased values (p < 0.05) of ACTH, cortisol, glucose, lactate, haematocrit, Hsp70, cholesterol, triglycerides and osmolarity in the fish exposed to vessel noise for 10 days. This study clearly highlights that anthropogenic noise negatively affects fish, and they are valuable targets for detailed investigations into the effects of this global pollutant. Finally, these experimental studies could represent part of the science that is able to improve the quality of the policies related to management plans for maritime spaces (Marine Strategy Framework Directive 56/2008 CE) that are aimed at stemming this pollutant phenomenon.     

Balancing wood market demand and common property rights: a case study of a community in the Italian Alps

Common property rights have a long tradition in the Italian Alps, dating back to the Middle Ages, when alpine village communities managed common forests. On these properties, in accordance with rules aimed at regulating the collective use of resources, shareholders have the right of common use of the land. As many mountainous areas still rely on firewood for the heating of homes, the right to gather firewood from common forests is the most important common property right. In the last few decades, renewable bio-energy production based on forest woody biomass has undergone significant development. In Italy, in communities where the right to gather wood still has economic, social, and cultural relevance, decision makers and community members have a different vision about the use of firewood. This paper focuses on this issue by presenting a case study located in the Italian Eastern Alps, characterised by a historical tradition of common property management. In order to define the optimal strategy to manage the common forests, taking into consideration the local community’s needs, a semi-structured questionnaire was submitted to the administrators of the common forests and to the shareholders. Different scenarios of wood use were developed to support managers and decision makers in identifying on-going trends in firewood demand. The results show that the economic scenario for the development of the bio-energy supply chain cannot be reconciled with the historical tradition and social needs.     

Identification of surgically-induced longitudinal lesions of the equine deep digital flexor tendon in the digital flexor tendon sheath using contrast-enhanced ultrasonography: an ex-vivo pilot study

Background

Longitudinal tears in the lateral aspect of the deep digital flexor tendon are the most common causes of pain localised to the equine digital flexor tendon sheath. However conventional ultrasonographic techniques provide limited information about acute lesions. Ultrasonographic contrast agents are newly developed materials that have contributed to advancement in human diagnostic imaging. They are currently approved for intravenous use in human and animal models. In this study we described intrathecal use in the horse. This study was undertaken to evaluate the reliability of standard and angle contrast-enhanced ultrasonography to detect and characterize surgically-induced longitudinal lesions in the deep digital flexor tendons.In this pilot study surgically-induced lesions were created in the lateral aspect of the deep digital flexor tendon within the digital flexor tendon sheath in 10 isolated equine limbs to generate a replicable model for naturally occurring lesions. Another 10 specimens were sham operated. All the limbs were examined ultrasonographically before and shortly after the intrasynovial injection of an ultrasound contrast agent containing stabilised microbubbles. The images were blindly evaluated to detect the ability to identify surgically-created lesions. The deep digital flexor tendons were dissected and a series of slices were obtained. The depth of longitudinal defects identified with contrast-enhanced ultrasound scans was compared to the real extent of the lesions measured in the corresponding gross tendon sections.

Results

Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography with both angle and standard approach provided a significant higher proportion of correct diagnoses compared to standard and angle contrast ultrasonography (p < 0.01). Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography reliably estimated the depth of surgically-induced longitudinal lesions in the deep digital flexor tendons.

Conclusion

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound of the digital flexor tendon sheath could be an effective tool to detect intrasynovial longitudinal tears of the deep digital flexor tendon, although an in vivo study is required to confirm these results for naturally occurring lesions.     

DNA fingerprinting and quality traits of Corbarino cherry-like tomato landraces

Twenty-five landraces of the cherry-like tomato named Corbarino, a typical niche product grown in the Sarno valley of the Campania region, have been characterized. The landraces used have been compared to eight cultivars widely spread in the same area of cultivation. The genetic diversity within and between landraces was evaluated through the comparison of DNA fingerprints obtained with (GATA)(4) probe hybridized to TaqI digested genomic DNA. Twenty-two of the Corbarino landraces were homogeneous and were unequivocally characterized by their DNA fingerprints. The others are probably "population varieties" in that within each of them polymorphic DNA fragments were identified. According to the characterization of fruit shapes, four groups were identified. One landrace from each group, harvested at the same ripening degree, was further characterized for yield, fruit quality components, antioxidant activities, and carotenoid contents and compared to Faino F(1) and Tomito F(1) hybrids. The Corbarino landraces were all characterized by high yield, a high level of carbohydrates, and high levels of soluble and total solids. Interestingly, the biotype named ISCI 05 was the most suitable for canning. Landraces ISCI 07 and ISCI 05 gave the highest value of antioxidant activities and carotenoid content. These data, together with previously published results, suggested that ISCI 05 should be proposed for the institution of a Label of Origin.     

A case report of a rapid development of fetal anasarca in a canine pregnancy at term

Veterinary Research Communications - A 5-year-old healthy pluriparous pregnant Flat-coated Retriever bitch was monitored by ultrasound on post-ovulation days 30 and 57: no deviation from normality...     

A new chelonibiid from the Miocene of Zanzibar (Eastern Africa) sheds light on the evolution of shell architecture in turtle and whale barnacles (Cirripedia: Coronuloidea)

The fossil history of turtle and whale barnacles (Coronuloidea: Chelonibiidae, Platylepadidae, Coronulidae and †Emersoniidae) is fragmentary and has only been investigated in part. Morphological inferences and molecular phylogenetic analyses on extant specimens suggest that the roots of whale barnacles (Coronulidae) are to be found among the chelonibiid turtle barnacles, but the hard-part modifications that enabled early coronuloids to attach to the cetacean skin are still largely to be perceived. Here, we reappraise a fossil chelonibiid specimen from the Miocene of insular Tanzania that was previously referred to the living species Chelonibia caretta. This largely forgotten specimen is here described as the holotype of the new species †Chelonibia zanzibarensis. While similar to C. caretta, †C. zanzibarensis exhibits obvious external longitudinal parietal canals occurring in-between external longitudinal parietal septa that abut outwards to form T-shaped flanges, a character so far regarded as proper of the seemingly more derived Coronulidae and Platylepadidae. Along with these features, the presence of a substrate imprint on the shell exterior indicates that †C. zanzibarensis grasped its host's integument in much the same way as coronulids and platylepadids, albeit without the development of macroscopic parietal buttresses and bolsters. Thin section analyses of the inner parietal architecture of some extant and extinct coronuloids conclusively demonstrate that vestiges of comparable external parietal microstructures are present in some living members of Chelonibiidae. This observation strengthens the unity of Coronuloidea while significantly contributing to our understanding of the evolution of the coronuloid shell structure in adapting to a diverse spectrum of hosts.     

Ranges of nutrient concentrations in Quercus ilex leaves at natural and urban sites

The leaf nutrient concentrations and the N‐to‐nutrient ratios were analyzed to evaluate the nutritional status of holm oaks (Quercus ilex L.) experiencing various anthropogenic pressures. Leaves (1 year old) of Q. ilex and surface soil (0–5 cm) surrounding the trees were collected at seven natural and seven urban sites in Campania Region (Southern Italy) and analyzed for the concentrations of macro (C, N, P, S) and micronutrients (Mn, K, Na, Cu, Mg, Ca, Fe, Zn). The available soil fraction of micronutrients was also evaluated. The nutrients showed different concentration ranges for the natural and the urban sites in the soil (total and available) and in the leaves, that we reported separately. Organic‐matter content and macronutrient concentrations were higher in the natural soils, while the highest leaf N, S, and P concentrations were found at some urban sites. Concentrations of Cu, Na and Zn both in leaves and soil, and Mg and Fe in leaves from the urban sites appeared to be affected by air depositions. Manganese was the only micronutrient to show higher concentrations at the natural than at the urban sites, both in soil and leaves. For this nutrient, in addition, a relationship between leaf and available soil concentrations was found at the natural sites. The ratios between the concentrations of N and each studied nutrient in the leaves highlighted a different nutritional status between the plants from the natural and urban sites.