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Metagenomic analysis of bacterial assemblages from Sardinian soils
No full textThe soil microbiota is investigated by technical approaches that are usually grouped in two main categories i) cultivation-based and ii) cultivation independent techniques. Only 0,1 to 1% of known soil bacteria species are today “culturable”.
Most of soil species are not tractable using conventional cultivation methods and therefore these must be studied by cultivation independent techniques.
The taxonomic composition of the bacterial fractions of soil has been recently investigated by employing the so called “omic” approaches. Deep sequencing of 16S rRNA based libraries have demonstrated an enormous diversities of bacteria inhabiting the soils.
In the first chapter of this work we applied pyrosequencing of 16S rRNA libraries to analyze richness and diversity of bacterial communities of Sardinian soils managed with different grazing intensity. Our data indicated that grazing is associated to a dramatic shift of community structure with Firmicutes being positively associated to grazing intensity and becoming the dominant phylum in intensively grazed soils. No significant shifts were noted in the relative abundance at class, order or family taxonomic levels suggesting no drastic changes within phyla. Correlation analysis of bacterial communities composition and physical-chemical properties of soils highlighted significant associations between soil pH or C/N ratio and Firmicutes and Verrucomicrobia relative abundance.
In second chapter of the present work we analyzed the effects of organic and mineral fertilization on soil microbiota communities. The organic fertilization source was cattle manure and slurry, while the mineral was represented by ENTEC.
The experimental setup was designed to represent a typical land management system of a nitrogen vulnerable zone of central Sadinia. Our results indicated that systems receiving manure are characterized by a bacteria community enriched for species able to degrade complex organic compounds.
On the contrary, systems receiving mineral fertilization were enriched for oligotrophic species adapter to nutrients limited environments
Indagine sullo stato sanitario dell'avifauna selvatica in Sardegna
No full textSeveral wildlife species are present in Sardinia, including many resident endemic populations (related to insularity condition), but also migratory species of birds (as the island is an important stopover point in international migratory routes).
Wildlife is important in terms of biodiversity, and despite international programs for endangered species, its management and conservation are problematic due to several risk factors (eg. habitat loss and degradation, pollution, poaching). Furthermore, wildlife is also a main topic in public health as involved in transmission of emerging diseases, that are mostly of animal origin.
In this study we investigated about the sanitary status of Sardinian wild birds, especially birds of prey, in order to recognize main diseases and potential zoonoses.
61 birds, from a south-west area of Sardinia island were submitted to necropsy, histological and biomolecular exams (PCR). Over 60% of animals showed traumatic lesions. Most important findings were gastric granulomas caused by parasites (nematodes) and skin masses, some induced by Avianpox virus. Main pathological results were elaborated using biometry, statistics and geolocation. Animals were find in general good condition, with well tolerated parasitic infestations. No zoonotic agents were detected, including West Nile Virus.
Few studies are available about pathology of wild avifauna in Sardinia, so the main aim of this research was to get some preliminary data about its sanitary status
L'Inclusione delle "risorse fragili" in Sardegna: buone prassi e inserimenti socio lavorativi
No full textThe one-dimensional approaches to the study of poverty link the causes of the phenomenon back to a lack of material resources, with an emphasis on the inadequate allocation of resources characterised by the requirements of economic value and materiality. In this research, starting with the approach of multidimensional poverty, we set out to shed light on how the causes of new poverty are related to the insufficient allocation of human and social capital, characterised by the requisite of intangibility. The research hypothesis aims to investigate the possibility of conceiving the third sector as a social service instrument to meet the needs of composite sociolaboural inclusion of whom we have referred to as "fragile resources".To explore this hypothesis, the work has been divided into three stages of investigation. The first explores in depth the decision-making processes underlying the action plan to combat poverty in the context of Sardinia; the second focuses on the survey outcome of fragile resources returning to the community context as competent resources in terms of the acquisition of coping strategies and empowerment; and the third, analyses the output provided by social operators involved in the co-designing of sociolaboural inputs into social cooperatives of type B. Therefore, data on the referenced social context - the area of Oristano - show how "joint planning" between public and private can trigger generative processes of "circular solidarity", in which a two-way give and take represent a positive surplus for a "community responsive"
Use of two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography to assess left ventricular systolic function in dogs with systemic inflammatory response syndrome
No full textSIRS is a clinical syndrome caused by systemic inflammation of infectious or non-infectious origin. SIRS is characterized by an endogenous cascade of interleukins and others inflammatory mediators such as TNF-α IL-6 and IL-1 which are responsible to the myocardial depression during systemic inflammation. Conventional echocardiographic indices of LV systolic function such as Fractional Shortening (FS%) and Ejection Fraction (EF%) are not sensitive enough to detect mild or early systolic dysfunction in dogs suffering from SIRS. Speckle-Tracking Echocardiography (STE) is a new echocardiographic technique that allows an objective and quantitative evaluation of global and regional myocardial function through the analysis of the motion of speckles that are created by the interaction of ultrasonic beams and the myocardium during the 2D exam. In the present study we tested the hypothesis that 2D-STE may detect LV systolic dysfunction, not diagnosed by conventional echocardiography, in dogs with SIRS. 17 dogs with evidence of SIRS and 17 healthy dogs as a control group were included in this prospective study. At the time of Veterinary Teaching Hospital admission each dog was submitted to standard 2D, M-mode, Doppler and 2D Speckle Tracking echocardiography to assess systolic function. Furthermore, blood samples were obtained for the measurements of cTnI and CRP serum levels. To assess the intraobserver within-day and between-day variability of the 2D-STE acquisition and measurements we performed a study of variability on 5 healthy dogs belonging to the control group. The results showed that the 2D-STE had low intraobserver variability and that the LV Global Longitudinal Peak Strain of endomyocardial layer (ENDO GLPS) and the STE-derived Ejection Fraction (EF%) were lower in the SIRS group than in the control group. On the contrary, standard 2D and M-Mode indices of systolic function such as EF%, FS% weren’t significantly different between the two groups. We didn’t find significant correlation between CRP serum levels and 2D-STE variables and between cTnI and ENDO GLPS. Our study demonstrated that 2D-STE was more sensitive than standard echocardiography in detecting early or mild to moderate myocardial dysfunction, not detected by conventional echocardiography, in a population of dogs with SIRS
Il paesaggio storico della via Portuense a Roma: fonti e strumenti per la valorizzazione del patrimonio culturale in un contesto urbano in trasformazione
No full textThe territorial context of this research is a part of the south-western suburbs of Rome, which includes the suburban section of the ancient Via Portuensis within the fourth mile; the area roughly corresponds to the limits of the modern Portuense district.
The research is focused on the potential of a landscape study which uses a wide range of data from recent excavations, many of which are still unpublished, balancing research scopes with protection and valorization of cultural heritage. On the basis of the collection and systematization of scientific information, with regard to cartographic, archival, and archaeological sources, the research has been focused on the potential of enhancement and valorization of an urban area: so, a valorization plan has been set, and a virtual exhibition, accessible via web, has been designed. The virtual exhibition starts from the story of the territory, with a focus on some "key sites" on the ancient Via Portuense.
The collected data, translated into digital format, were published on SITAR webgis portal that guarantees their dissemination
G6PD deficiency does not enhance susceptibility for acquiring <i>Helicobacter pylori</i> infection in Sardinian patients
No full textBackground: Subjects with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency may be more susceptible to infections due to impaired leukocyte bactericidal activity. The disorder is common in the Mediterranean area. The aim of this study was to investigate whether G6PD deficiency may be a risk factor for acquiring H. pylori infection.
Methods: We performed a retrospective study. Data from clinical records of 6565 patients (2278 men and 4287 women, median age 51, range 7‒94) who underwent upper endoscopy between 2002 and 2014 were collected. H. pylori status, assessed by histology plus rapid urease test or 13C-urea breath test, and G6PD status were also reported. A multiple logistic regression model was used to investigate the association between G6PD deficiency and H. pylori infection.
Results: Enzyme deficiency was detected in 12% (789/6565) of the entire cohort, and more specifically in 8.3% of men and in 14.0% of women. Overall, the proportion of patients positive for H. pylori was 50.6% and 51.5% among G6PD deficient and non-deficient patients (χ² = 0.271; p = 0.315). Moreover, among G6PD-deficient and normal patients the frequency of previous H. pylori infection was similar. After adjustment for age and gender the risk for acquiring H. pylori infection was similar in G6PD-deficient and normal patients. Only age was a strong statistically significant risk predictor.
Conclusions: These results demonstrate for the first time that G6PD deficiency does not enhance patients’ susceptibility to acquire H. pylori infection in Sardinia
Natural phenolic inhibitors of trichothecene biosynthesis by the wheat fungal pathogen <i>Fusarium culmorum</i>: a computational insight into the structure-activity relationship
No full textA model of the trichodiene synthase (TRI5) of the wheat fungal pathogen and type-B trichothecene producer Fusarium culmorum was developed based on homology modelling with the crystallized protein of F. sporotrichioides. Eight phenolic molecules, namely ferulic acid 1, apocynin 2, propyl gallate 3, eugenol 4, Me-dehydrozingerone 5, eugenol dimer 6, magnolol 7, and ellagic acid 8, were selected for their ability to inhibit trichothecene production and/or fungal vegetative growth in F. culmorum. The chemical structures of phenols were constructed and partially optimised based on Molecular Mechanics (MM) studies and energy minimisation by Density Functional Theory (DFT). Docking analysis of the phenolic molecules was run on the 3D model of F. culmorum TRI5. Experimental biological activity, molecular descriptors and interacting-structures obtained from computational analysis were compared. Besides the catalytic domain, three privileged sites in the interaction with the inhibitory molecules were identified on the protein surface. The TRI5-ligand interactions highlighted in this study represent a powerful tool to the identification of new Fusarium-targeted molecules with potential as trichothecene inhibitors
Seroreactivity against specific L5P antigen from <i>Mycobacterium avium</i> subsp. <i>paratuberculosis</i> in children at risk for T1D
No full textAims/Hypothesis: Although numerous environmental agents have been investigated over the years as possible triggers of type 1 diabetes (T1D), its causes remain unclear. We have already demonstrated an increased prevalence of antibodies against peptides derived from Mycobacterium avuim subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) homologous to human zinc transporter 8 protein (ZnT8) and proinsulin in Italian subjects at risk for or affected by T1D. In this study, we compared titers of the previously detected antibodies with seroreactivity to MAP lipopentapetide (L5P) that recently emerged as a strong immunogenic component able to specifically distinguish MAP from other mycobacteria.
Methods: Plasma of 32 children and youth at risk for T1D including follow-up samples and 42 age-matched healthy controls (HC) recruited at the Tor Vergata University Hospital in Rome was analyzed by indirect ELISA for the presence of antibodies against MAP-derived epitopes MAP3865c133–141, MAP3865c125-133, MAP2404c70-85 and MAP1,4αgbp157-173 along with their ZnT8 and proinsulin homologs. The data were analyzed through two-tailed Mann-Whitney U test and relation between variables was determined by principal component analysis.
Results: Responses to L5P were not detectable in subjects whose initial seroreactivity to MAP peptides and their human homologs was lost in follow-up samples, whereas anti-L5P antibodies appeared constantly in individuals with a stable immunity against MAP antigens. The overall coincidence in positivity to L5P and the four MAP epitopes both in children at risk for T1D and HC exceeded 90%.
Conclusions: MAP-derived homologs may cross-react with ZnT8 and proinsulin peptides inducing immune responses at a young age in subjects predisposed for T1D. Thus, L5P may have a diagnostic value to immediately indicate the presence of anti-MAP seroreactivity when evaluation of a more complex antibody status is not required. Almost complete coincidence in responses to both types of antigens lends support to the involvement of MAP in T1D
Impact of spatial soil and climate input data aggregation on regional yield simulations
No full textWe show the error in water-limited yields simulated by crop models which is associated with spatially aggregated soil and climate input data. Crop simulations at large scales (regional, national, continental) frequently use input data of low resolution. Therefore, climate and soil data are often generated via averaging and sampling by area majority. This may bias simulated yields at large scales, varying largely across models. Thus, we evaluated the error associated with spatially aggregated soil and climate data for 14 crop models. Yields of winter wheat and silage maize were simulated under water-limited production conditions. We calculated this error from crop yields simulated at spatial resolutions from 1 to 100 km for the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Most models showed yields biased by <15% when aggregating only soil data. The relative mean absolute error (rMAE) of most models using aggregated soil data was in the range or larger than the inter-annual or inter-model variability in yields. This error increased further when both climate and soil data were aggregated. Distinct error patterns indicate that the rMAE may be estimated from few soil variables. Illustrating the range of these aggregation effects across models, this study is a first step towards an ex-ante assessment of aggregation errors in large-scale simulations
Soluble BAFF level is not correlated to <i>Mycobacterium avium</i> subspecies <i>paratuberculosis</i> antibodies and increases after interferon-β therapy in multiple sclerosis patients
No full textB cells are being recognized as one of the major players in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS). The B cell activating factor (BAFF) system plays an essential role in B cell homeostasis and function in the periphery. Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) has been previously associated to MS in Sardinia. Antibodies against a MAP surface protein, MAP_2694, have been found significantly associated to MS patients, and this response was modified by interferon-β therapy. Increased BAFF levels following IFN-β therapy have been also described in MS patients. In this study, we evaluated whether soluble BAFF levels are comparable in men and women affected by MS and performed a correlation of the reported BAFF increase in MS patients under IFN-β therapy with changes of humoral response against MAP_2694. For these reasons, we investigated 44 MS patients before and after IFN-β therapy. A significant difference of BAFF levels was found between men and women with MS; moreover, we confirmed that IFN-β therapy strongly induces BAFF serum levels, but this was not related to the modification of immunological response against MAP_2694. In conclusion, our study highlights that IFN-β therapy induces the potent B cell survival factor BAFF without alterations of the humoral immune response against MAP