This study assessed the effectiveness of a novel conservation strategy for the native brown trout populations in Sardinia (Italy). The conservation measures included: (i) installation of an electric ...fish barrier; (ii) removal of all the resident introgressed brown trout upstream from the barrier; (iii) restocking of the upstream region with native Sardinian trout genetically characterised; and (iv) estimation of native trout population size with prediction of future growth. Introgressed brown trout were removed using multiple-pass electrofishing methods in a 2-km region upstream from the barrier. In two eradication campaigns, conducted in 2010 and 2012, a total of 1801 trout were captured, comprising a total biomass of 55,501 g. The capture efficiency analysis showed total capture rates of over 99% were achieved for parr (0+ age cohort), and 100% for adult trout. After the eradication campaigns we restocked this area with native brown trout (Adriatic lineage, AD, according to the mitochondrial DNA control region nomenclature). The monitoring campaigns showed good survival (S = 60%) and reproduction of 3.1 recruits/adult trout. Successful breeding was recorded starting from the summer of 2015 and a self-sustaining population resulted after only two restocking events. The results of this restoration project allow recommendations to be made for future conservation eradication and repopulation projects for restoration of typical Mediterranean streams.
The red swamp crayfish, Procambarus clarkii is among the most invasive aquatic species worldwide. Here we investigate the potential relationships between crayfish occurrence and a series of abiotic ...factors, as well as the effects of crayfish abundance on sedimentary organic matter (OM) quantity and degradation. A total of 329 sampling points was investigated in a managed protected brackish wetland (Southern Sardinia, Italy). A generalized additive model (GAM) was applied to investigate the influence of abiotic variables on the crayfish occurrence. We then assessed the potential effects of crayfish abundance on sedimentary OM quantity, biochemical composition and degradation rates. We report here that the occurrence of crayfish was mostly explained by the joint effects of water salinity, characteristics of soil's bank and bottom substrate composition. We report also that the presence of this crayfish, due to its bioturbation ability, is associated with a more homogeneous vertical distribution of OM along the sediment profile. Moreover, we revealed that the presence of P. clarkii is associated with OM contents and caloric contents that are significantly lower than those in crayfish-free sediments. These results suggest that the presence of P. clarkii determines not only a decrease in the quantity of food potentially available for the benthos, but also a decrease in its nutritional value. Moreover, we report also that the presence of P. clarkii is associated with a decrease in protein degradation rates and an increase in their turnover time, indicating that this species could have severe effects on the local C cycle.
•Water salinity, soil and bottom substrate features' influenced crayfish occurrence.•Their bioturbation ability homogenizes the organic matter distribution in sediments.•P. clarkii presence decreases the quantity and quality of food available for benthos.•P. clarkii presence could have severe effects on the local C cycle.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Transcutaneous PO 2 (TcpO2) was measured in 30 patients with peripheral arterial obstructive disease (PAOD) and in 30 age-matched controls in the hand and foot using a heating power electrode ...oximeter (HP-E). The HP-E was connected with a software modified monitor to simul taneously record changes in arterial stasis in the skin (TcpO 2 mm Hg) and in the underlying tissue 3.5 to 4 mm from the HP-E (TcpO 2 mW). In the hands of patients with PAOD, the following was found, lower mean values of the rest flow (R-F) and of the recovery area (Rc-Ar); delayed appearance of both a PO2 decrease after the start of stasis (ODT) and the increased value after the cuff deflation (ORT); and little relevance of flow changes in the tissues under the HP-E. In the foot homolateral to the obstructive lesion, the hemodynamic effects of the stasis were not consistently a result of circulatory insufficiency. In light-medium PAOD the correlation was more significant with the walking-free distance (WFD). However in severe PAOD, the perfusion was usually depressed and the variable values tended to flatten. This study confirmed the diagnostic reliability of this test in PAOD patients. Furthermore simulta neous exploration of two microvessel levels increased its diagnostic possibilities.
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NUK, OILJ, SAZU, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Transcutaneous PO2 (TcpO2) was measured in 30 patients with peripheral arterial obstructive disease (PAOD) and in 30 age-matched controls in the hand and foot using a heating power electrode oximeter ...(HP-E). The HP-E was connected with a software modified monitor to simultaneously record changes in arterial stasis in the skin (TcpO2 mm Hg) and in the underlying tissue 3.5 to 4 mm from the HP-E (TcpO2 mW). In the hands of patients with PAOD, the following was found, lower mean values of the rest flow (R-F) and of the recovery area (Rc-Ar); delayed appearance of both a PO2 decrease after the start of stasis (ODT) and the increased value after the cuff deflation (ORT); and little relevance of flow changes in the tissues under the HP-E. In the foot homolateral to the obstructive lesion, the hemodynamic effects of the stasis were not consistently a result of circulatory insufficiency. In light-medium PAOD the correlation was more significant with the walking-free distance (WFD). However in severe PAOD, the perfusion was usually depressed and the variable values tended to flatten. This study confirmed the diagnostic reliability of this test in PAOD patients. Furthermore simultaneous exploration of two microvessel levels increased its diagnostic possibilities.
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NUK, OILJ, SAZU, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
High-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) is important in the evaluation of cochlear implant candidates. This study examines the accuracy of radiological assessment of cochlear patency in relation ...to findings at the time of surgery. Older and newer HRCT methods and attending and senior radiologist interpretations are compared in a large series of cochlear implant patients. Subjects were 50 adults (22 to 74 years) and 31 children (2.4 to 11.7 years) who received either a 3M/House or a Nucleus 22-channel cochlear implant. Attending radiologist reports were obtained by chart review and the scans were re-reviewed for this study by a senior radiologist. Accuracy in detecting cochlear ossification ranged from 86.4 per cent for attending radiologists, with all HRCT scans, to 94.7 per cent for the senior radiologist with newer HRCT scans. False positives were rare, but false negatives did occur. Overall, best results were obtained with newer HRCT scans and a senior radiologist. Knowledge of the presence and extent of cochlear ossification is important to the implant surgeon and for patient counselling. Technical guidelines and a check list for interpretation of results are presented.
Andhira is a database of botanical, phytochemical, and pharmaceutical properties of Sardinian endemic flora and their metabolites. Sardinia is an Italian island located in the Mediterranean sea. Its ...long-term geographic isolation has caused a strong genetic isolation in the regional flora 1, which has resulted in the development of a number of chemotypes unique to this island. The latest studies consider that there are about 230 endemic plants, representing about 10% of the local flora 2. Andhira collects and manages the information about plants, making available electronically and at a central location the plants' botanical, including ecological, environmental, phytochemical, and pharmaceutical data, much of which has been extracted from paper literature as part of the development of this project. Andhira provides information on all the molecules occurring in each plant, their compounds, and their properties. It organizes this information in a way to allow them to be used with virtual screening platforms, creating opportunities for drug discovery research within the unique chemical space of the Sardinian flora. Currently, all molecules of Andhira are being compared with the molecules in MMSInc 3, a free web-oriented database of commercially available compounds built for virtual screening and chemoinformatic applications. MMSInc is integrated with PubChem 4 and PDB 5 databases facilitating the cross exchange of ligand information. Results of this screening are entered into Andhira and will be available to the public. Web access to Andhira is available at http://www.andhira.org/
Acknowledgements: This work has been funded by Sardegna Ricerche (2007–2008)
References: 1. Thomson, J. (2005) Plant evolution in the Mediterranean, Oxford University Press, UK.
2. Pignatti, S. (2002), Flora d'Italia, Ed Agricole, Bologna, Italy.
3. Fanton, M. et al. (2008) Proceedings of BIOTECHNO2008, IEEE Computer Society ed.
4. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
5. Berman, H.M. et al. (2000) Nucleic Acids Res. 28:235–242.
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