287 research outputs found
Development of foraminiferal-based biotechnologies for the mitigation of the anthropogenic impact and restoration of marine ecosystems
No full textMarine pollution has increasingly damaged aquatic ecosystems, posing severe threats to marine biota and human health. Finding strategies and solutions to mitigate and address marine pollution has become a global priority. Recent advancements in marine biotechnology have opened new possibilities for using marine organisms to address marine pollution and global climate challenges. While benthic foraminifera, single-celled marine organisms, have been widely used as bioindicators of pollution, their potential as bioremediators remains largely unexplored. This PhD thesis pioneers the development of a novel benthic foraminiferal-based biotechnology, using a step-by-step approach. A cost-effective, homemade electric stimulator is introduced, capable of generating customized electric stimulation patterns using an Arduino board and minimal components. This device enables precise studies of electric fields on benthic foraminifera, representing a significant step in advancing marine ecosystem research. The effects of electric stimulation on the viability of a larger benthic foraminiferal species Amphistegina lessonii are then evaluated with the threshold electrical density range identified. Cellular and physiological responses to electric stimulation are further analyzed using a multidisciplinary approach. Key biomarkers, including proteins and enzymes, are employed to assess oxidative stress at the cellular level, while single-cell transcriptomic analysis reveals metabolic responses. Additionally, the photosynthetic activity of symbionts in Amphistegina lobifera under electric stimulation is also investigated. Building on these findings, the potential of electric stimulation to promote the precipitation of dissolved ions in seawater and its effects on the growth rate of A. lobifera are examined. This thesis highlights the potential for further research to optimize conditions for benthic foraminiferal growth, aiming to facilitate the development of innovative applications of electric stimulation in environmental biotechnology.Marine pollution has increasingly damaged aquatic ecosystems, posing severe threats to marine biota and human health. Finding strategies and solutions to mitigate and address marine pollution has become a global priority. Recent advancements in marine biotechnology have opened new possibilities for using marine organisms to address marine pollution and global climate challenges. While benthic foraminifera, single-celled marine organisms, have been widely used as bioindicators of pollution, their potential as bioremediators remains largely unexplored. This PhD thesis pioneers the development of a novel benthic foraminiferal-based biotechnology, using a step-by-step approach. A cost-effective, homemade electric stimulator is introduced, capable of generating customized electric stimulation patterns using an Arduino board and minimal components. This device enables precise studies of electric fields on benthic foraminifera, representing a significant step in advancing marine ecosystem research. The effects of electric stimulation on the viability of a larger benthic foraminiferal species Amphistegina lessonii are then evaluated with the threshold electrical density range identified. Cellular and physiological responses to electric stimulation are further analyzed using a multidisciplinary approach. Key biomarkers, including proteins and enzymes, are employed to assess oxidative stress at the cellular level, while single-cell transcriptomic analysis reveals metabolic responses. Additionally, the photosynthetic activity of symbionts in Amphistegina lobifera under electric stimulation is also investigated. Building on these findings, the potential of electric stimulation to promote the precipitation of dissolved ions in seawater and its effects on the growth rate of A. lobifera are examined. This thesis highlights the potential for further research to optimize conditions for benthic foraminiferal growth, aiming to facilitate the development of innovative applications of electric stimulation in environmental biotechnology
Developing and testing an Arduino-based microcurrent stimulator to mimic marine electric pollution on benthos
No full textThe lack of economic funds commonly represents a limiting factor in scientific research and prevents scientists from developing brilliant ideas. Indeed, a new project may involve using appropriate scientific instruments and concurrently dealing with the costs before pursuing new research fields. The innovative concept of investigating the effects of electric fields, as a simulation of marine electrical pollution, on benthic organisms such as foraminifera (marine protozoa) has been recently explored by our research group. This pioneering research has resulted in the development of a cost-effective instrument capable of generating customized electric stimulation patterns with accuracy and reliability. Here, we describe the construction of a low-intensity electrical stimulator based on an Arduino programmable board and a few electronic components. The instrument results very stable and precise regarding the stimulation times and the regulation of the current intensity applied to the biological preparation. Moreover, the setup can stimulate the preparation in constant or pulsed direct current. This homemade stimulation apparatus can be improved or modified according to the researchers’ needs, as possibilities and fields of application can be innumerable
Surface microbiota analysis of Taleggio, Gorgonzola, Casera, Scimudin and Formaggio di Fossa Italian cheeses
No full textCost‐effectiveness analysis of revisional Roux‐en‐Y gastric bypass: laparoscopic vs. robot assisted
No full textThere is controversy over the possible advantages of the robotic technology in revisional bariatric surgery. The aim of this study is to report the experience of a high-volume bariatric center on revisional Roux-en-Y gastric bypass with robot-assisted (R-rRYGB) and laparoscopic (L-rRYGB) approaches, with regards to operative outcomes and costs. Patients who underwent R-rRYGB and L-rRYGB between 2008 and 2021 were included. Patients’ baseline characteristics and perioperative data were recorded. The primary endpoint was the overall postoperative morbidity. A full economic evaluation was performed. One-way and two-way sensitivity analyses were performed on laparoscopic anastomotic leak and reoperation rates. A total of 194 patients were included: 44 (22.7%) L-rRYGB and 150 (77.3%) R-rRYGB. The robotic approach was associated with lower overall complication rate (10% vs. 22.7%, p = 0.038), longer operative time, and a reduced length of stay compared to L-rRYGB. R-rRYGB was more expensive than L-rRYGB (mean difference 2401.1€, p < 0.001). The incremental cost-effective ratio (ICER) was 18,906.3€/complication and the incremental cost-utility ratio was 48,022.0€/QALY (quality-adjusted life years), that is below the willingness-to-pay threshold. Decision tree analysis showed that L-rRYGB was the most cost-effective strategy in the base-case scenario; a probability of leak ≥ 13%, or a probability of reoperation ≥ 14% following L-rRYGB, or a 12.7% reduction in robotic costs would be required for R-rRYGB to become the most cost-effective strategy. R-rRYGB was associated with higher costs than L-rRYGB in our base-case scenario. However, it is an acceptable alternative from a cost-effectiveness perspective
Evaluation of the Effects of Electrical Stimulation: A Pilot Experiment on the Marine Benthic Foraminiferal Species <i>Amphistegina lessonii</i>
No full textEnvironmental disturbances resulting from anthropogenic energy pollution are intensely growing and represent a concern for the marine environment. Benthic organisms are the significant fauna exposed to this kind of pollution; among them, foraminifera are largely used as pollution bioindicators in marine environments, but studies on the effects induced by electrical stimulation are not documented. In the present research, we evaluated the effects of short-term different electric current densities on the viability of benthic foraminiferal species Amphistegina lessonii by checking the pseudopodial activity and defined the threshold electrical density range. After 3 days of treatment, A. lessonii stimulated with a constant current showed pseudopodial activity at a lower electric current density (0.29, 0.86 μA/cm2) up to 24 h. With increasing stimulation time, the percentages of pseudopodial activity decreased. The pseudopodial activity was absent at high current densities (5.71, 8.57 μA/cm2). The viability of A. lessonii exposed to a pulsed current was higher at a low and middle electric current density (from 0.29 to 5.71 μA/cm2) than at a high electric current density (from 11.43 to 20 μA/cm2). Based on these preliminary results, the selected benthic foraminiferal species seems to better stand pulsed currents than constant ones. These first experiments might provide useful information for the definition of the appropriate electrical density threshold to avoid side effects on a part of the benthic community
Laparoscopic antireflux surgery for refractory gastroesophageal reflux disease: long-term clinical outcomes
No full textLong-term clinical evaluation of laparoscopic management of large hiatal hernias
No full textBACKGROUND: Large hiatal hernias (LHH) account for 5-10% of all hiatal hernias. Surgery of LHH should be associated with low rates of postoperative complications and recurrences, to guarantee a favorable quality of life (QoL). Data on long-term results of laparoscopic repair of LHH are lacking. The objective of our study is to evaluate the long-term clinical outcomes of laparoscopic LHH management in a high-volume experienced center.
METHODS: Patients who had undergone elective laparoscopic repair of LHH between January 1992 and December 2008 at the Center of Minimally Invasive Surgery of the Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Turin, Italy were included. Preoperative and intraoperative data were collected from patients’ charts. Patients were clinically evaluated at long-term postoperative follow-up to assess control of symptoms, degree of satisfaction with surgery, and QoL.
RESULTS: At mean follow-up of 240 months (range 168-348), 81 patients were available for clinical evaluation. Severe heartburn was reported by six patients (7.4%), while severe post-prandial epigastric pain by three (3.7%). Recurrent coughing episodes were described by six patients (7.4%), while occasional mild episodes of transient dysphagia by 13 (16%). No gas bloat detected. Proton Pump Inhibitors were taken by 22 patients (27.2%) to control symptoms. The Modified Italian Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease-Health Related Quality of Life (MI-GERD-HRQL) score decreased significantly from 40 to 7 (P<0.0001) postoperatively. Satisfaction was achieved in 76 patients (93.8%) with an average satisfaction index of 8.6 (IQR 8-10).
CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic LHH repair is effective when performed in a specialized center, with long-lasting significant improvements of symptoms and QoL
Collezioni museali fra natura, storia e cultura: una collaborazione fra Orto Botanico di Modena e la Riserva Naturale Regionale delle Salse di Nirano
No full textProgetto di realizzazione percorsi tra collezioni e territorio (es. Puccinellia fasciculata
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