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Human predation along Apulian rocky coasts (SE Italy): desertification caused by Lithophaga lithophaga (Mollusca) fisheries
Full text linkHuman predation along Apulian rocky coasts (SE Italy): Desertification caused by Lithophaga lithophaga (Mollusca) fisheries
Fanelli, G | Piraino, S | Belmonte, G | Geraci, S | Boero, F*
Marine ecology progress series. Oldendorf [MAR. ECOL. PROG. SER.]. Vol. 110, no. 1, pp. 1-8. 1994.
The date mussel Lithophaga lithophaga is a Mediterranean boring mollusc living in calcareous rocks. Its populations are intensely exploited by SCUBA divers, especially in southern Italy. Collection is carried out by demolition of the rocky substratum, so that human predation on date mussels causes the disappearance of the whole benthic community. The impact of this activity along the Apulian coast was evaluated by 2 surveys carried out by SCUBA diving inspection of the Salento peninsula. The Ionian coast of Apulia, from Taranto to Torre dell'Orso (Otranto), was surveyed in 1990 and in 1992 by 2 series of transects (from 0 to 10 m depth, 2 km from each other), covering 210 km. Observations were transformed into an index of damage, ranging from 0 (no damage) to 1 (complete desertification). 159 km of the inspected coast are rocky. The first survey (1990) allowed us to estimate that a total of 44 km was heavily affected by this human activity (the index of damage ranging between 0.5 and 1), whereas the second survey showed heavy damage along a total of 59 km. This increase in length was accompanied by a high increase in the index of damage along parts of coast that were less intensely exploited in 1990 than in 1992. The second survey (1992) was extended to 90 km of the Adriatic coast of Apulia (from Otranto to Torre S. Sabina, Brindisi), with 47 km of rocky coast and a total of 10 km heavily affected by date mussel fishery. Date mussel collection is one of the most destructive human activities along the Apulian coast and it has long-term effects because sea urchin grazing probably prevents recolonization of barren areas. Rarefaction of the resource due to overexploitation and habitat destruction caused rapid 'evolution' of the techniques of predation, with an increase in searching efficiency achieved by the use of underwater vehicles. Similar impacts of date mussel collection have been recorded in other parts of the Italian coast, especially Campania and Sardinia, and it is possible that such situations are common, but still undetected, in other areas of the Mediterranean
Le praterie a Stipa austroitalica di due settori adriatici meridionali (Basso Molise e Gargano)
No full textThe vegetation on the badlands of “varicolori” clays in th Molise Region (Italy) – framework and interpretation
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The influence of the serotonin transporter gene 5-HTTLPR polymorphism on suicidal behaviors: a meta-analysis
No full textSuicidal Behavior (SB) is the second leading cause of death among youths worldwide and the tenth among all age groups. Inherited genetic differences have a role in suicidality with heritability ranging from 30 to 55%. The SLC6A4 5-HTTLPR gene variant has been largely investigated for association with SB, with controversial results. In this work, we sought to determine whether the results of previous meta-analyses were confirmed or modified subsequent to the inclusion of more recent literature data. An electronic literature search was performed to identify relevant studies published until July 2018. Data were analysed through RevMan v5.3. Subgroup and sensitivity meta-analyses were performed considering different SB sub-phenotypes, ethnicity, gender and psychiatric diagnostic categories. Our literature search yielded 1186 articles; among these, we identified 45 pertinent case-control studies (15,341 subjects). No association was found between low-expressing alleles or genotypes (S + L G alleles or S′ carrier genotypes) and SB in the primary analyses. However, low-expressing alleles (S + L G ) were associated with an increased risk of Violent Suicide Attempt (OR = 1.44, C.I. 1.17–1.78, p =.0007). An effect of the same alleles on SB was found in a subpopulation of substance abusers, but this result was not confirmed after the exclusion of healthy subjects from the control group. The other sensitivity meta-analyses did not show any significant effect. Our findings contribute to clarify the conflicting previous evidence by suggesting an association between the 5-HTTLPR and Violent SB. Nonetheless, many other modulators, including environmental factors and epigenetic mechanisms may act to further increase the level of complexity
REPORT Riduzione dell’Epibiosi attraverso la Policoltura di Ostriche e Ricci nei Mari di Taranto (Progetto Esplorativo PE_054 finanziato dalla Regione Puglia, Ministero dell’Università e della Ricerca, Ministero dell’Economia e delle Finanze)
No full textObiettivi
Scientifici:
• Valutare sperimentalmente l’efficacia dei ricci di mare nel limitare l’epibiosi sulle strutture d’allevamento e sulle stesse ostriche;
• Valutare sperimentalmente l’efficacia dei ricci sugli aspetti produttivi delle ostriche (accrescimento, mortalità, qualità)
Tecnici:
• Confrontare i metodi innovativi con quelli tradizionali al fine di modificare la tradizionale tecnica dell’ostricoltura in sospensione integrandola con l’allevamento dei ricci di mare
Economici:
• Valutare la redditività economica del nuovo metodo di ostricoltura
• Diversificare la produzione
Diffusione:
• Trasferire alle imprese i risultati
• Determinare l’applicabilità del nuovo processo produttivo
• Stimare l’impatto economico alle diverse scale spazial
In vitro nephrotoxicity caused by 1,1,2-trichlorovynylcysteine
No full textNephrotoxicity of trichlorovinylcysteine (TCVC), a metabolite of tetrachloroethylene, was evaluated in vitro in male and female three months old Wistar rats by means of the renal cortical slice model. Concentrations between 0.4-4.0 moles/incubation (0.1-1.0 mM) caused, in both sexes, a dose-dependent increase of malondialdehyde (MDA), expression of lipid peroxidation, in the incubation medium and decrease of p-aminohippuric acid (PAH) uptake, expression of a reduced accumulation of the organic anions. A 1 mM concentration of aminooxyacetic acid (AOAA), a specific inhibitor of ß-lyase, significantly prevented lipid peroxidation (p<0.001) and PAH uptake decrease (p<0.01) induced by a 1.0 mM concentration of TCVC in both sexes. On the contrary, 200 M concentration probenecid (PROB), a selective inhibitor of organic anion transport, showed no protective effects against TCVC toxicity. The table summarizes the results expressed as per cent of the respective controls. In conclusion, TCVC causes nephrotoxic effects in vitro, probably by means of a thiol produced via ß-lyase; the lack of the protective effect of PROB may indicate that TCVC uses transport systems different from those of organic anion
LA DISTRIBUZIONE SPAZIO-TEMPORALE DELLA FLORA NEL CIMITERO DEL CAMPO VERANO (ROMA), IN: PROBLEMATICHE FLORISTICHE DELLE AREE URBANE
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