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The SATURN Pan European project: cross-border and cross-practice approaches for urban/rural linkages towards climate adaptation
Get PDFSATURN (System and sustainable Approach to virTuous interaction of Urban and Rural LaNdscapes) is a pan European EIT Climate-KIC project including three different pilot areas in the city-regions of Birmingham (UK), Trentino (IT), Göteborg (SWE). European urban areas are expanding, thus leading to controversial growth dynamics, and to unbalanced relations between urban and rural landscapes. Therefore, landscape becomes physically fragmented. For this reason, the European Landscape Convention (2000) urges parties to adopt more integrated approaches and to introduce holistic landscape-scale strategies within regional development policy-making processes in order to incorporate ecological and socio-cultural features and better adapt to climate change. SATURN aims to increase landscape multifunctionality and integration that are needed to better respond to climate emergency by addressing air quality, food and water security, and sustainable land uses. In the paper we will propose an analysis of the present European landscape and we will briefly describe the SATURN project, together with the context of the three hubs. The discussion then moves to the challenges contemporary landscape and territories are posing us, and how the three hubs are dealing with the topic of landscape fragmentation in relation with food security issues and through research into practice cooperation with local stakeholders
Association between shift work and eating behaviours, sleep quality, and mental health among Italian workers
No full textPurpose: Recent studies indicate that shift work may affect workers' eating habits and overall well-being. This study aimed to assess differences in eating patterns, sleep quality, and mental health between Italian shift and non-shift workers, with a focus on individual chronotype and the type of shift work (day vs. night shift). Methods: The cross-sectional study involved 322 subjects (166 shift and 156 non-shift workers). Eating habits were evaluated using a 7-day diary and the Medi-Lite questionnaire. Sleep quality was assessed with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and mental health with the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS). Individual chronotype was defined using the Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire. Results: No significant differences in daily energy, macronutrient, and micronutrient intake between the two groups, nor in the temporal pattern of eating. However, shift workers had significantly (p < 0.05) lower adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD) (7.6 ± 2.3 vs 8.1 ± 2.2) compared to non-shift workers. Shift workers also reported significantly poorer sleep quality (mean PSQI score 7.6 ± 3.7 vs. 5.8 ± 3.0) and higher levels of anxiety and stress symptoms. Among shift workers, those with an evening chronotype had significantly lower MD adherence than those with a morning chronotypes. Additionally, night shift workers experienced more sleep disturbances compared to day ones. Conclusion: Shift workers reported lower MD adherence, poorer sleep quality, and a higher prevalence of anxiety and stress symptoms compared to a similar group of non-shift workers. Evening chronotypes and night shift work were associated with worse eating habits and sleep quality
PTR-ToF-MS VOC profiling of raw and cooked gilthead sea bream fillet (Sparus aurata): effect of rearing system, season, and geographical origin
Get PDFThis study explores the impact of geographical origin, harvest time, and cooking on the volatile organic compound (VOC) profiles of wild and reared seabream from the Adriatic and Tyrrhenian Seas. A Proton Transfer Reaction-Time of Flight-Mass Spectrometry (PTR-ToF-MS) allowed for VOC profiling with high sensitivity and high throughput. A total of 227 mass peaks were identified. Principal component analysis (PCA) showed a clear separation between cooked and raw samples, with cooking causing a significant increase in 64% of VOCs, especially hydrogen sulphide, methanethiol, and butanal. A two-way ANOVA revealed significant effects of origin, time, and their interaction on VOC concentration, with 102 mass peaks varying significantly based on all three factors. Seasonal effects were also notable, particularly in reared fish from the Adriatic Sea, where compounds like monoterpenes and aromatics were higher during non-breeding months, likely due to environmental factors unique to that area. Differences between wild and reared fish were influenced by lipid content and seasonal changes, impacting the VOC profile of seabream. These findings provide valuable insights into how cooking, geographical origin, and seasonality interact to define the flavour profile of seabream, with potential applications in improving quality control and product differentiation in seafood productio
Unbiased sequence analysis of vgsc gene reveals circulation of novel and known knock-down resistance mutations in Culex pipiens, challenging vector control measures
Get PDFPyrethroids, targeting the voltage gated sodium channel (VGSC), are fundamental for the control of arboviral disease circulation. The spread of pyrethroid resistance among vector species represents thus a major public health concern. Culex pipiens is one of the most abundant European mosquito species and main vector of West Nile virus, leading cause of arboviral encephalitis worldwide. Despite this, monitoring of its resistance status and the understanding of underlying mechanisms are widely neglected. Herein, we performed an oligo-hybridization capture approach on 82 Cx. pipiens specimens from Italy and Greece to investigate the whole coding sequence of the vgsc gene for the presence of known and potential knock-down resistance (kdr) mutations associated with target-site resistance to pyrethroids in insects. Among the 26 non-synonymous substitutions revealed by the analysis, the super-kdr haplotype—i.e. the association of kdr-alleles 918T and 1014F, known for conferring a strongly enhanced resistance phenotype in Musca domestica – was revealed for the first time in mosquitoes. Three more potential kdr alleles were detected for the first time in Cx. pipiens and multiple kdr variants were observed for locus 1014, with allele 1014F, reaching frequencies > 80%. Overall, results depict a worrisome situation that could affect the ability to control West Nile virus outbreaks in southern Europe. To avoid this, resistance monitoring needs to be intensified and an enhancement of the diagnostic tool box for the easy detection of different kdr-variants (including in particular the super-kdr haplotype) and for subsequent functional studies on the resistance phenotype of detected variants, is require
Increasing nickel concentrations in a large river network of South Tyrol, Eastern European Alps
Get PDFClimate change and cryosphere degradation may enhance the concentrations of heavy metals in high-mountain rivers. However, the downstream export of these contaminants to lower elevations is still overlooked. In this study, we investigated the spatial and temporal patterns of dissolved and bioavailable nickel concentrations in the upper Etsch/Adige river basin (1590 km2; 54 sites) during the period of 2005−2023. Furthermore, we investigated the same concentrations seasonally (2022−2023) along a tributary (Schnals/Senales River), from the glacier origin down to the confluence with the Etsch River (13 sites). Concentrations of both nickel forms increased during the past decade by up to 4 times, yet only in river reaches draining the acidic metamorphic Ötztal Unit. Sulfide oxidation, more intense at sites featuring larger glaciers, rock glaciers, and permafrost extent in their catchment, enhanced nickel concentrations. Along the Schnals River, values were elevated in the proglacial waters (dissolved fraction up to 112 μg L−1), gradually decreased moving to lower elevations, and dropped (from 20 to 30 to 2−5 μg L−1) downstream of a large reservoir. Currently, bioavailable nickel concentrations exceed the EU environmental quality standards at 40% of the investigateinvestigated sites, demonstrating sharp environmental implications that may be extended to other similar geological and cryospheric settings
No traces of emerging and priority organic pollutants in the muscles of Procambarus clarkii suggest the feasibility of its regulated and sustainable control from uncontaminated environments
Get PDFA monitoring of organic contaminants in the muscles of the Procambarus clarkii and environmental samples of water and sediment was conducted in three Sicilian wetlands (Italy). The substances investigated in the bio- logical samples were per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), phthalic acid esters (PAEs), pesticides, anti- biotics, and microcystins (MCs), all of which were below the detection limit. Given that the Louisiana red swamp crayfish is considered a bioaccumulator, the results of this study indicate that these environments are not significantly contaminated by the selected pollutants. Furthermore, the study suggests the potential uses of the edible portions of this alien species. Despite P. clarkii cannot be marketed in several countries, including Italy, it is possible that the animal biomass obtained in the frame of the monitoring, control and eradication activities carried out by local authorities, could be exploited for various purposes, such as food, feed and biotechnology. This would reduce the costs associated with disposal and make these activities more sustainable in the long term, thereby contributing to the preservation of ecosystems that are currently threatened by this invasive species
Non-destructive PTR-ToF-MS profiling of red delicious and granny smith apple volatilomes during ripening
Get PDFThe optimal harvest date (OHD) for the long-term storage of apple fruits is of the utmost importance, not only for maintaining high quality levels, but also because the ripening stage, regulated by the autocatalytic activity of the internal ethylene concentration, greatly affects the VOCs’ synthesis. During apple ripening, chemical compounds undergo changes that affect the fruit’s overall quality, particularly its aromatic profile. Three main classes of organic molecules—aldehydes, alcohols, and esters—play a key role in these modifications. This study investigated the potential of proton transfer reaction time-off light mass spectrometry (PTR-ToF-MS) for the rapid, non-destructive monitoring of VOC profiles in ‘Red Delicious’ and ‘Granny Smith’ apples over a 7-week shelf-life period across three harvest dates with different ripening stages. More than 300 mass peaks in the PTR-ToF-MS spectra of the apple headspace were detected. A total of 127 of them were considered to be relevant for further analysis. Furthermore, respiration rate and IAD index were used for the non-destructive assessment of the ripening progress during the 7 weeks of shelf-life and for integrating the VOC result
First record and a new taxon of Stammericaris Jakobi, 1972 (Copepoda, Harpacticoida) from the Philippines; with an amendment to the generic diagnosis and reassignment of three Palearctic species
Get PDFWe report on the finding of Stammericaris galichai sp. nov. in the hyporheic habitat of Cantingas River, Sibuyan Island, the Philippines. The new species is attributed to the genus based on the morphology of the male antennule (of the “pocket-knife” type); the presence of a hook on the inner margin of the basis of the male first pereopod; the male third pereopod with a long apophysis and two groups of outer spinules on the first exopodal segment; the endopodite of the male forth pereopod reduced, but corresponding to the basic morphology of the genus, and the basis ornamented with two spinules on inner margin, one of which long and inwardly-curved, one small and with apex consisting of three small lobes. Stammericaris galichai sp. nov. does not have one taxonomically and morphologically closest species within the genus, possibly due to its geographical isolation. Based on some aspects of the morphology of Stammericaris galichai sp. nov. (namely, the shape of the fifth pereopod) and other species of Stammericaris, the description of the genus is slightly amended, and the Palearctic taxa Parastenocaris balcanica Petkovski, 1959, P. nertensis Rouch, 1990, P. triphyda Cottarelli & Bruno, 1993 are transferred to the genus Stammericaris. Stammericaris galichai sp. nov. is the first representative of the genus for the Philippines, and for the entire Oriental Region. The faunistic and biogeographical relevance of the new species is discussed with particular focus on the discovery of this freshwater stygobitic species in a volcanic island which has never been in contact with other landmasses. A map of the distribution of Parastenocarididae hitherto known for the Philippines, including a new station in Mindoro for the endemic Parastenocaris distincta Cottarelli, Bruno & Berera, 2006, is also provide
Antarctic cryptoendolithic communities: analytical method optimisation for untargeted metabolomics and lipidomics profiling
No full textGround-breaking comparison of target stable isotope ratios vs. emerging sesquiterpene fingerprinting for authenticating virgin olive oil origin
No full textThis study presents a pioneering comparison of target stable isotope ratios analysis and sesquiterpene (SH) fingerprinting for authenticating virgin olive oil (VOO) geographical origin. Both methods were selected for being among the most promising targeted and untargeted approaches, respectively. These methods were applied to the same sample set of nearly 400 VOO samples, covering diverse harvest years, cultivars and producers. PLS-DA classification models were developed to differentiate between Italian and non-Italian VOOs, as well as VOOs from three closely located Italian regions. Isotopic models based on bulk δ13C, δ18O and δ2H achieved over 75 % classification accuracy in distinguishing Italian from non-Italian VOOs, while SH fingerprinting outperformed with over 90 % accuracy and greater sensitivity to regional differences, as assessed in external validation. This systematic comparison provides insights into the strengths and weaknesses of each method, and the results will guide future research to enhance their reliability in VOO geographical authenticatio