In recent years, heparanase has attracted considerable attention as a promising target for innovative pharmacological applications. Heparanase is a multifaceted protein endowed with enzymatic ...activity, as an endo-β-D-glucuronidase, and nonenzymatic functions. It is responsible for the cleavage of heparan sulfate side chains of proteoglycans, resulting in structural alterations of the extracellular matrix. Heparanase appears to be involved in major human diseases, from the most studied tumors to chronic inflammation, diabetic nephropathy, bone osteolysis, thrombosis and atherosclerosis, in addition to more recent investigation in various rare diseases. The present review provides an overview on heparanase, its biological role, inhibitors and possible clinical applications, covering the latest findings in these areas.
Ocean acidification is one of the most dramatic effects of the massive atmospheric release of anthropogenic carbon dioxide (CO
2
) that has occurred since the Industrial Revolution, although its ...effects on marine ecosystems are not well understood. Submarine volcanic hydrothermal fields have geochemical conditions that provide opportunities to characterise the effects of elevated levels of seawater CO
2
on marine life in the field. Here, we review the geochemical aspects of shallow marine CO
2
-rich seeps worldwide, focusing on both gas composition and water chemistry. We then describe the geochemical effects of volcanic CO
2
seepage on the overlying seawater column. We also present new geochemical data and the first synthesis of marine biological community changes from one of the best-studied marine CO
2
seep sites in the world (off Vulcano Island, Sicily). In areas of intense bubbling, extremely high levels of pCO
2
(> 10,000 μatm) result in low seawater pH (< 6) and undersaturation of aragonite and calcite in an area devoid of calcified organisms such as shelled molluscs and hard corals. Around 100–400 m away from the Vulcano seeps the geochemistry of the seawater becomes analogous to future ocean acidification conditions with dissolved carbon dioxide levels falling from 900 to 420 μatm as seawater pH rises from 7.6 to 8.0. Calcified species such as coralline algae and sea urchins fare increasingly well as sessile communities shift from domination by a few resilient species (such as uncalcified algae and polychaetes) to a diverse and complex community (including abundant calcified algae and sea urchins) as the seawater returns to ambient levels of CO
2
. Laboratory advances in our understanding of species sensitivity to high CO
2
and low pH seawater, reveal how marine organisms react to simulated ocean acidification conditions (e.g., using energetic trade-offs for calcification, reproduction, growth and survival). Research at volcanic marine seeps, such as those off Vulcano, highlight consistent ecosystem responses to rising levels of seawater CO
2
, with the simplification of food webs, losses in functional diversity and reduced provisioning of goods and services for humans.
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DOBA, EMUNI, FZAB, GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, IZUM, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NUK, OILJ, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
An aggregation of sandbar sharks Carcharhinus plumbeus occurs every summer around the remote uninhabited islet of Lampione (Pelagie Islands Marine Protected Area, south‐western Mediterranean Sea), ...attracting an increasing number of tourists for a shark watching experience.
Despite the ecological and socio‐economic importance of this rare occurrence in Mediterranean waters, there is a lack of scientific data and lack of information as to the potential impact of tourist activities on the presence and behaviour of this shark species.
Using baited underwater videos, this study provides the first assessment of this shark aggregation, as well as a preliminary evaluation of the potential effects that boating and diving activities may have on sandbar sharks during two different periods within the tourism season (July and September 2019).
Overall, 241 sandbar shark sightings (with up to five individuals together) were recorded in July, whereas there were only six sightings in September. The average MaxN was 1.18 hr−1 (±0.21 hr−1 SE) and 0.22 hr−1 (±0.10 hr−1 SE) individuals in July and September respectively. Higher frequentation levels of divers and boats significantly reduced the number of shark sightings at the aggregation site.
This study emphasizes the need for further investigations on Mediterranean shark aggregations and the implementation of specific conservation measures, such as an increase of protection level in Lampione and better enforcement, aside from strategies that promote sustainable tourism, including restrictions on the number of boats and divers’ visits per day. In the meantime, a precautionary approach aimed at regulating the interactions between tourists and sharks should be implemented through the application of a self‐regulatory code of conduct for divers when sharks aggregate around the island.
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FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
4.
Soy biodiesel pathways: Global prospects Milazzo, M.F.; Spina, F.; Primerano, P. ...
Renewable & sustainable energy reviews,
10/2013, Volume:
26
Journal Article
Peer reviewed
This survey paper critically reviews the performance and prospects of soy biodiesel production on a global basis as assessed by some 30 life-cycle analyses (LCAs). The paper compares agricultural and ...industrial practices. Soy biodiesel is not a most sustainable product in all global circumstances. Life-cycle energy depends on specific climatic conditions, and on the agro- and processing technologies used. Alternative oilcrop cultivation practices and technologies were evaluated. Opportunities have been identified to improve the biodiesel life-cycle energy efficiency and environmental impact in relevant production areas (mainly USA, Brazil, Argentina and P.R. China) by implementing new technologies in agriculture as well as in industrial processing. The consequences of large-scale renewable energy action plans in the European Union and of biodiesel mandates in numerous countries worldwide are critically considered. The paper concludes with perspectives and recommendations.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK
Experiments have shown that increasing dissolved CO2 concentrations (i.e. Ocean Acidification, OA) in marine ecosystems may act as nutrient for primary producers (e.g. fleshy algae) or a stressor for ...calcifying species (e.g., coralline algae, corals, molluscs). For the first time, rapid habitat dominance shifts and altered competitive replacement from a reef-forming to a non-reef-forming biogenic habitat were documented over one-year exposure to low pH/high CO2 through a transplant experiment off Vulcano Island CO2 seeps (NE Sicily, Italy). Ocean acidification decreased vermetid reefs complexity via a reduction in the reef-building species density, boosted canopy macroalgae and led to changes in composition, structure and functional diversity of the associated benthic assemblages. OA effects on invertebrate richness and abundance were nonlinear, being maximal at intermediate complexity levels of vermetid reefs and canopy forming algae. Abundance of higher order consumers (e.g. carnivores, suspension feeders) decreased under elevated CO2 levels. Herbivores were non-linearly related to OA conditions, with increasing competitive release only of minor intertidal grazers (e.g. amphipods) under elevated CO2 levels.
Our results support the dual role of CO2 (as a stressor and as a resource) in disrupting the state of rocky shore communities, and raise specific concerns about the future of intertidal reef ecosystem under increasing CO2 emissions. We contribute to inform predictions of the complex and nonlinear community effects of OA on biogenic habitats, but at the same time encourage the use of multiple natural CO2 gradients in providing quantitative data on changing community responses to long-term CO2 exposure.
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•Carbon dioxide (CO2) may act as a stressor or a resource for marine ecosystems.•Vermetid reef communities were transplanted along CO2 gradients for 1 year.•Rapid dominance shifts from a reef- to a non-reef-forming habitat were documented.•Community-level changes were nonlinear and the food web simplified under increasing CO2.•CO2 disrupts the state of intertidal communities.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
► Arbacia lixula occurs at greater density in high pCO2 areas of Vulcano’s CO2 vents. ► Instead Paracentrotus lividus occurs at lower density nearer the CO2 vents. ► Sea urchins partly regulate ...coelomic fluid acid–base and ionic status in high pCO2. ► A. lixula overall shows a greater homeostatic capacity when compared to P. lividus. ► Species distribution under high pCO2 appears homeostasis capacity-dependent.
To reduce the negative effect of climate change on Biodiversity, the use of geological CO2 sequestration has been proposed; however leakage from underwater storages may represent a risk to marine life. As extracellular homeostasis is important in determining species’ ability to cope with elevated CO2, we investigated the acid–base and ion regulatory responses, as well as the density, of sea urchins living around CO2 vents at Vulcano, Italy. We conducted in situ transplantation and field-based laboratory exposures to different pCO2/pH regimes. Our results confirm that sea urchins have some ability to regulate their extracellular fluid under elevated pCO2. Furthermore, we show that even in closely-related taxa divergent physiological capabilities underlie differences in taxa distribution around the CO2 vent. It is concluded that species distribution under the sort of elevated CO2 conditions occurring with leakages from geological storages and future ocean acidification scenarios, may partly be determined by quite subtle physiological differentiation.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK
► We collected a total of 70 water samples in 2011 from a shallow submarine vent area. ► We analysed major, minor elements and dissolved gases. ► pH ranges from 5.64 units to ambient seawater values. ...► Dissolved gases are enriched near the bubbling area. ► The CO2 gradient produces saturated conditions at >300m from the main vent site.
Shallow submarine gas vents in Levante Bay, Vulcano Island (Italy), emit around 3.6t CO2 per day providing a natural laboratory for the study of biogeochemical processes related to seabed CO2 leaks and ocean acidification. The main physico-chemical parameters (T, pH and Eh) were measured at more than 70 stations with 40 seawater samples were collected for chemical analyses. The main gas vent area had high concentrations of dissolved hydrothermal gases, low pH and negative redox values all of which returned to normal seawater values at distances of about 400m from the main vents. Much of the bay around the vents is corrosive to calcium carbonate; the north shore has a gradient in seawater carbonate chemistry that is well suited to studies of the effects of long-term increases in CO2 levels. This shoreline lacks toxic compounds (such as H2S) and has a gradient in carbonate saturation states.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK
Habitat complexity is one of the main influences on biodiversity in marine environments, particularly in coastal areas where foundation seaweeds provide substrate for highly diverse communities. We ...studied the 2D and 3D fractal dimensions of Gongolaria montagnei (Fucales) over the vegetative season and examine their relationship with the abundance, species richness and morpho-functional groups of the gastropod associated. Overall, the 3D fractal analysis method used here better describes seaweeds structural complexity compared to the traditional 2D fractal analysis, as highlighted by the higher relationship with gastropod assemblage associated to the alga in terms of abundance, number of species and morpho-functional groups. We propose this new method as a valuable tool for understanding the relationship between seaweeds and associated fauna, which is critical for gaining a better understanding of the role that algal species play in a specific habitat and the consequences of their loss.
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•The 3D fractal dimension used here closely reflects the complexity of seaweeds.•The 3D fractal dimension explained better variation of gastropods.•Seaweeds complexity plays a main role in shaping associated gastropods assemblage.•The morpho-functional groups of gastropods clarify the relationship between seaweed and gastropods.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
In the southern Mediterranean Sea, replicate samples of six common upper-infralittoral algae (Cystoseira barbatula, Cystoseira spinosa, Sargassum vulgare, Halopteris scoparia, Dictyota fasciola, and ...Dictyota dichotoma) were collected with the major goal of investigating the composition and structure of molluscan assemblages between the algal species. In order to measure the habitat architecture of the six algal species and relate this to the molluscan assemblages, several structural attributes were calculated on each individual plant. There were differences in architectural attributes between the six algal species, with data recorded for S. vulgare and H. scoparia more similar to data for C. barbatula and C. spinosa (which grouped closely), than for the two species belonging to the genus Dictyota, which had a less complex structure. A total of 1,914 specimens and 57 species of molluscs were found on the collected algae. The abundance and diversity of the molluscan assemblages were significantly different between different macroalgae. In general S. vulgare, C. barbatula and C. spinosa supported a higher abundance, greater number of species, Shannon-Wiener diversity, and Margalef's index than the remaining three algal species. Both multivariate analyses (i.e. cluster and multidimensional scaling) and a posteriori tests (Student-Neuman-Keuls' test) demonstrated that samples collected on D. dichotoma were well separated, reflecting the lowest values of abundance and diversity. The molluscan assemblage data were also correlated to the attributes of algal architecture revealing that the combination of degree of branching, algal width and the log of the stem width provides a good explanation for molluscan structure. Differences in the molluscan assemblages of these six common Mediterranean algae can be attributed to different algal architectures, and, consequently, these could be related to the supposed variations in food availability and predation rate.
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EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OBVAL, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
Increasing anthropogenic CO
2
emissions to the atmosphere are causing a rise in
p
CO
2
concentrations in the ocean surface and lowering pH. To predict the effects of these changes, we need to improve ...our understanding of the responses of marine primary producers since these drive biogeochemical cycles and profoundly affect the structure and function of benthic habitats. The effects of increasing CO
2
levels on the colonisation of artificial substrata by microalgal assemblages (periphyton) were examined across a CO
2
gradient off the volcanic island of Vulcano (NE Sicily). We show that periphyton communities altered significantly as CO
2
concentrations increased. CO
2
enrichment caused significant increases in chlorophyll
a
concentrations and in diatom abundance although we did not detect any changes in cyanobacteria. SEM analysis revealed major shifts in diatom assemblage composition as CO
2
levels increased. The responses of benthic microalgae to rising anthropogenic CO
2
emissions are likely to have significant ecological ramifications for coastal systems.
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EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
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