Use of computer tomography for imaging of Crassicauda grampicola in a Risso's dolphin (Grampus griseus).

A mature male Risso's dolphin (Grampus griseus) stranded along the coasts of Friuli Venezia Giulia, northeast Italy, in May 2001. Parasitic infection with Crassicauda grampicola is often found in the tympanic bullae and pterygoid sinuses in many of the Risso's dolphins examined from the same area. For this reason, it was decided to perform computed tomography of the head to assess this imaging technique for the diagnosis of crassicaudosis in dolphins. A full postmortem examination confirmed the pathologic findings of the computed tomography scan. This technique can be considered a useful adjunct in the diagnosis of cranial crassicaudosis in live dolphins.     

Complexing the Marine Sesquiterpene Euplotin C by Means of Cyclodextrin-Based Nanosponges: A Preliminary Investigation

Euplotin C is a sesquiterpene of marine origin endowed with significant anti-microbial and anti-tumor properties. Despite the promising functional profile, its progress as a novel drug candidate has failed so far, due to its scarce solubility and poor stability in aqueous media, such as biological fluids. Therefore, overcoming these limits is an intriguing challenge for the scientific community. In this work, we synthesized β-cyclodextrin-based nanosponges and investigated their use as colloidal carriers for stably complex euplotin C. Results obtained proved the ability of the carrier to include the natural compound, showing remarkable values of both loading efficiency and capacity. Moreover, it also allowed us to preserve the chemical structure of the loaded compound, which was recovered unaltered once extracted from the complex. Therefore, the use of β-cyclodextrin-based nanosponges represents a viable option to vehiculate euplotin C, thus opening up its possible use as pharmacologically active compound.     

The effect of urban refuse compost and different tractors tyres on soil physical properties, soil erosion and maize yield

Application of urban refuse compost to agricultural soil could help to solve municipalities' problems related to the increasing production of waste only if soil property improvement and environmental conservation can be demonstrated. The use of low-pressure tractor tyres is another proposal in modern agriculture for reducing soil compaction. This study thus aimed to detect the effects of both compost and low-pressure tractor tyres on soil loss, runoff, aggregate stability, bulk density, penetrometer resistance and maize (Zea mays L.) yield. A 3-year field experiment was carried out on a hilly (15% slope) clay loam soil in central Italy. Twelve plots (200 m² each) were monitored with tipping-pot devices for runoff and soil erosion measurement. Treatments were: compost addition (64 Mg ha⁻¹), mineral fertilisation, use of low-pressure tyres, use of traditional tyres, with three replicates, in a fully randomised block design. Compost was applied once at the beginning of the experiment. Runoff reduction due to compost ranged between 7 and 399 m³ ha⁻¹ during seasons, while soil erosion was reduced between 0.2 and 2.4 Mg ha⁻¹. Mean weight diameter (MWD) of stable aggregates, measured on wheel tracks, increased by 2.19 mm, then progressively decreased. Compost significantly increased bulk density by 0.08 Mg m⁻³ due to its inert fraction content. This effect was less evident in the second and third year, probably due to harrowing. Maize yields were slightly, but significantly, reduced in composted plots by 1.72 Mg ha⁻¹ in the third year. Low-pressure tyres significantly reduced soil loss in the third year by 1 Mg ha⁻¹. Furthermore, they did not significantly influence runoff volumes and soil structural stability. Low-pressure tyres or compost addition were singly able to prevent an increase in penetrometer resistance due to agricultural machinery traffic. Low-pressure tyres increased the maize yield during the 3 years and the difference (0.4 Mg ha⁻¹) became significant in the third year. In conclusion, results show the positive lasting effect of compost in ameliorating soil physical properties and reducing runoff and soil erosion. Low-pressure tyres appear justifiable both for the observed increase of grain production and reduction of soil compaction. This latter effect is, nevertheless, masked by compost addition which is also able to reduce penetrometer resistance. Further research is required to explain the causes of the slight inhibition of grain yield observed when compost was compared with mineral fertilisation.     

Supercritical CO2 extract of Cinnamomum zeylanicum: chemical characterization and antityrosinase activity

The volatile oil of the bark of Cinnamomum zeylanicum was extracted by means of supercritical CO2 fluid extraction in different conditions of pressure and temperature. Its chemical composition was characterized by GC-MS analysis. Nineteen compounds, which in the supercritical extract represented >95% of the oil, were identified. (E)-Cinnamaldehyde (77.1%), (E)-beta-caryophyllene (6.0%), alpha-terpineol (4.4%), and eugenol (3.0%) were found to be the major constituents. The SFE oil of cinnamon was screened for its biological activity about the formation of melanin in vitro. The extract showed antityrosinase activity and was able to reduce the formation of insoluble flakes of melanin from tyrosine. The oil also delayed the browning effect in apple homogenate. (E)-Cinnamaldehyde and eugenol were found to be mainly responsible of this inhibition effect.     

Residue levels and storage decay control in Cv. Star Ruby grapefruit after dip treatments with azoxystrobin

Cv. Star Ruby grapefruit (Citrus paradisi Macf.) were subjected to a 3-min dip in water at room temperature (20 degrees C) or at 50 degrees C with or without 25, 50, or 100 mg/L azoxystrobin (AZX). Then, the fruits were subjected to cold quarantine at 2 degrees C and 90-95% relative humidity (RH) for 3 weeks and then stored for 5 weeks at 8 degrees C and approximately 85% RH and for another 2 weeks at 20 degrees C and 80% RH to simulate a 2-week marketing period (SMP). No AZX residues were detected in the albedo and pulp following treatments at 20 or 50 degrees C, the total amount of residues being recovered from the flavedo tissue. There was a relationship between the AZX uptake in fruit and the amount of fungicide employed at 20 or 50 degrees C. When AZX was applied to the fruit at 25 mg/L at 20 degrees C, the residue level averaged 0.11 mg/kg (active ingredient, whole fruit basis). This residue concentration increased by 50 and 75% when the application rate increased from 25 to 50 or 100 mg/L, respectively. A similar pattern of accumulation was detected in fruit subjected to treatments at 50 degrees C. However, treatments at 50 degrees C produced residue levels higher than the treatments at 20 degrees C, with increases ranging from 63 to 84%, for the same concentration. Storage conditions did not affect the amount of AZX residues in the fruit. Treatment at 50 or 100 mg/L at 20 degrees C reduced the incidence of moderate to severe chilling injury (CI). Water dips at 50 degrees C reduced the incidence and severity of CI to a very low extent, with no additional advantages when hot water was used in combination with AZX. Treatments with 50 or 100 mg/L of AZX at 20 degrees C produced beneficial effects in decay control similar to those of 25 mg/L AZX at 50 degrees C or hot water alone. Better results were achieved with 50 or 100 AZX at 50 degrees C, providing complete control of decay during cold storage and with negligible decay after SMP. It was concluded that when AZX was applied at 50 degrees C, low doses of fungicide and minimal residue levels in fruit were required to control the postharvest decay of grapefruit. This treatment does not impair fruit quality and offers very interesting prospects for large scale application, due to the reduced potential toxicity of AZX to nontarget organisms and to the environment.     

Diel differences in blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) dive behavior increase nighttime risk of ship strikes in northern Chilean Patagonia

The northern Chilean Patagonia region is a key feeding ground and a nursing habitat in the southern hemisphere for blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus). From 2014 to 2019, during 6 separate research cruises, the dive behavior of 28 individual blue whales was investigated using bio-logging tags (DTAGs), generating ≈190 h of data. Whales dove to significantly greater depths during the day compared to nighttime (day: 32.6 ± 18.7 m; night: 6.2 ± 2.7 m; P < 0.01). During the night, most time was spent close to the surface (86% ± 9.4%; P < 0.01) and at depths of less than 12 m. From 2016 to 2019, active acoustics (scientific echosounders) were used to record prey (euphausiids) density and distribution simultaneously with whale diving data. Tagged whales appeared to perform dives relative to the vertical migration of prey during the day. The association between diurnal prey migration and shallow nighttime dive behavior suggests that blue whales are at increased risk of ship collisions during periods of darkness since the estimated maximum ship draft of vessels operating in the region is also ≈12 m. In recent decades, northern Chilean Patagonia has seen a large increase in marine traffic due to a boom in salmon aquaculture and the passenger ship industry. Vessel strike risks for large whales are likely underestimated in this region. Results reported in this study may be valuable for policy and mitigation decisions regarding conservation of the endangered blue whale.     

FOAM, a new simple benthic degradative module for the LAMP3D model: an application to a Mediterranean fish farm

The modelling framework already introduced by Doglioli, Magaldi, Vezzulli and Tucci to predict the potential impact of a marine fish farm is improved following different directions, namely (1) real historic current-metre data are used to force the simulations, (2) settling velocity values specifically targeting Mediterranean fish species are used, and (3) a new benthic degradative module, the Finite Organic Accumulation Module, is added to the modelling framework. The Finite Organic Accumulation Module uses the output of the other functional units of the modelling framework to calculate the organic load on the seabed. The Finite Organic Accumulation Module considers the natural capability of the seafloor in absorbing part of the organic load. Different remineralization rates reflect the sediment stress level according to the work of Findlay and Watling. Organic degradation for both uneaten feed and faeces is evaluated by changing the release modality (continuous and periodical) and by varying the settling velocities. It is found that the maximum impact on the benthic community is observed either for quickly sinking uneaten feed released twice a day, or for less intense near-bottom current conditions. If both the above-mentioned scenarios coexist, a high stress level is established in the sediment. The model also suggests that the use of self-feeders in cages can reduce farm impacts significantly. These results show how the new and more complete modelling framework presented here is able to improve the objectivity in the decision-making processes and how it may be successfully used for planning and monitoring purposes.     

Sentinel lymph node mapping with computed tomography lymphography for mast cell tumours and a comparison between regional and sentinel lymph node histological status: Sixty-two cases

It is known that the regional lymph node (RLN) may not correspond to the sentinel lymph node (SLN) (the first lymph node draining the tumour), and many diagnostic techniques have recently been aimed at its detection. Although lymphoscintigraphy is the gold standard in both human and veterinary medicine for SLN mapping, it is relatively unavailable in veterinary medicine due to costs and difficult management of the radiotracer. This prospective study evaluated, as a first aim, the feasibility and sensitivity of the computed tomography lymphography (CTL) in detecting the SLN in 62 mast cell tumours (MCTs). The second aim was to evaluate the accuracy of the CTL in identifying the most representative lymph node of the patient's lymphatic status; the histological status of the SNL was compared with that of the RLN, to see in how many cases the patient's stage would have changed according to the RLN. When the RLN turned out to be also the SLN it was decided to excise, as a control LN, the one localised in the neighbourhood of the MCT (neighbouring lymph node; NLN). The detection rate was 90%, with failure of SLN identification in six cases. In 18 (32%) of 56 MCTs with a diagnostic CTL, the SLN did not correspond to the RLN. Forty-five MCTs were surgically removed, together with their corresponding SLN and RLN/NLN. Since the clinical stage of the patient would have changed in only 7% of cases, CTL is a reliable method of detecting the SLN and, for staging purposes, there is no need to remove other LNs.     

Tub gurnard Chelidonichthys lucerna L.: a new fish species suitable for farming? First answers evaluating the growth of juveniles reared at different stocking densities,welfare and fillet quality

A trial was conducted to evaluate the growth performance and survival of Chelidonichthys lucerna. A total of 13 352 180‐days old juveniles (5.5 ± 2 g; 5 ± 1 cm) were reared at two different densities (A‐EXP = 68 fish m^?3; B‐FFA = 15 fish m^?3) in eight tanks (four tanks per group) for 360 days. The welfare status and meat quality of fish were evaluated for the A‐EXP and B‐FFA groups in comparison with wild‐caught fishery gurnard (C‐WID). The survival rate was high for both A‐EXP (79%) and B‐FFA (93.5%). B‐FFA fish had the highest specific growth rate (1.16 vs. 1.07; P < 0.05), and were heavier than A‐EXP fish (321 ± 40 g vs .239 ± 44 g; P < 0.01). Rearing conditions did not affect blood metabolites, except for glucose concentrations, which were higher in C‐WID (P < 0.05). The meat quality traits showed that reared groups were fatter (2.8–3.2%) than C‐WID (0.94%); total n‐3 fatty acids (19.02–19.26%) were lower in reared groups than C‐WID (29.99%); and EPA + DHA were similar in all groups (15.1–16.61% vs. 27.99%). Despite the good growth and survival, the final mean weight was below that requested by the market (400–500 g). Future research efforts should focus on reducing the feed conversion rate (3:1).     

Sediment transport below a small alpine reservoir desilted by controlled flushing: field assessment and one-dimensional numerical simulation

Purpose

Sediment transport and riverbed sedimentation were investigated in an alpine stream below a small hydropower reservoir desilted by a controlled sediment flushing (CSF) operation. The term “controlled” refers to the operational tasks implemented to mitigate the downstream environmental impact of the operation. The experimental dataset acquired before, during, and after the CSF was also used to carry out and calibrate a one-dimensional sediment transport model of the monitored event.

Materials and methods

The investigated reservoir is located in the central Italian Alps, and its original storage was 160,000 m³, about 30% filled by a mixture of sand and silt/clay before the CSF. Downstream sediment concentration was controlled by releasing clear water from upstream reservoirs and regulating the work of earth-moving equipment in the emptied reservoir. A 3.6-km-long reach with average slope of 0.015 was monitored: concentration and grain size of suspended sediment were measured during the CSF and the riverbed alteration was evaluated by volumetric sampling and measurements of the deposits’ thickness. Sedimentation and River Hydraulics—One Dimensional (SRH-1D) was used to simulate sediment transport during the monitored CSF. Model parameters were calibrated by comparing the computed and the observed amount of sediment deposited along the study reach.

Results and discussion

Sediment flushing was carried out in October 2010 for 3 days. Ca. 16,000 m³ of sediment were evacuated, representing approximately 30% silt/clay and 70% sand. 2.4 Mm³ of clear water was released to reduce sediment concentration and increase transport capacity downstream. About 3000 m³ of sand was deposited in the study reach after the CSF, with maximum height up to 0.2 m. Although the riverbed before the CSF was simply set as mono-granular, after calibrating the parameters, good agreement was achieved between the depositional pattern computed by SRH-1D and the one observed, both in terms of deposit thickness and grain size of deposited sediment. The sensitivity analysis revealed a major role of the parameters controlling bed mixing processes in affecting the simulated deposition after the CSF.

Conclusions

Sediment below 0.1 mm in diameter was not detected in river deposits after the flushing: the effects on river biota associated with substrate clogging by very fine sediment were therefore minimized. After proper calibration, 1-D sediment transport modeling can effectively support the planning of CSF operations: to minimize the downstream environmental effects, concurrently achieving acceptable flushing efficiency, the analyzed scenarios as well as the model outputs need to be carefully evaluated from a multidisciplinary perspective.