196,024 research outputs found
Mitochondrial Proteins in the Development of Parkinson’s Disease
No full textParkinson’s disease (PD) is a multifactorial disorder whose etiology is not completely understood. Strong evidences suggest that mitochondrial impairment and altered mitochondrial disposal play a key role in the development of this pathology. Here we show this association in both genetic and sporadic forms of the disease. Moreover, we describe the mitochondrial dysfunctions in toxin-induced models of PD, thus highlighting the importance of environmental factors in the onset of this pathology. In particular, we focus our attention on mitochondrial dynamics, mitochondrial biogenesis, and mitophagy and explain how their impairment could have a negative impact on dopaminergic neurons function and survival. Lastly, we aim at clarifying the important role played by proteomics in this field of research, proteomics being a global and unbiased approach suitable to unravel alterations of the molecular pathways in multifactorial diseases
Soil developpment in the Dolomites region (Fassa and San Pellegrino valleys, NE Italy)
No full textLe attuali conoscenze riguardo la pedogenesi e l'evoluzione della copertura pedologica in
ambiente alpino sono ancora lontane dall'essere esaustive. Pochi sono i lavori, a livello
nazionale ma anche a livello mondiale, che studiano da un punto di vista puramente
pedologico/evolutivo la situazione dei suoli di aree di alta montagna, in particolare questo è
vero per suoli che si sviluppano da substrati calcarei.
In questa sede vengono presentati i risultati relativi allo studio dei caratteri pedo-ambientali di
56 profili di suolo, ubicati in due valli delle Dolomiti (Valli di Passa e di San Pellegrino,
Trento), tra i 1300 e i 2300 m di altitudine. I suoli si sono sviluppati su differenti substrati
(monzoniti, arenarie e porfidi danno luogo a suoli con caratteri sub-acidi, calcari, dolomie e
marne generano suoli sub-alcalini), in un clima di tipo continentale-umido, con un regime di
temperatura del suolo cryico/mesico ed con un regime di umidità udico/perudico, sotto
associazioni vegetali di bosco misto, di conifere e di prateria (prati e pascoli) tipiche della
fascia rispettivamente subalpina ed alpina. Anche dal punto di vista morfologico l'ambiente si
presenta molto articolato: i siti esaminati si differenziano per esposizione, pendenza e
fisiografìa, passando da situazioni sub-pianeggianti a situazioni con versanti acclivi.
Ogni profilo è stato aperto a mano, e di ogni orizzonte è stato prelevato un campione su cui
sono state eseguite le analisi pedologiche di routine, che hanno permesso di classificare i suoli
come Histosuoli, Entisuoli, Inceptisuoli, Mollisuoli e Spodosuoli. Sono state svolte anche le
analisi geochimiche degli elementi principali e in traccia di 18 profili rappresentativi e di 13
campioni di roccia. Infine su 30 campioni di suolo sono state fatte le analisi mineralogiche
XRF sulla frazione inferiore ai 2mm. A tutti i profili è stato applicato l'indice di sviluppo del
suolo (PDI), proposto da Harden (1982), al fine di stimare quantitativamente il grado di
evoluzione di ogni suolo. Ai dati di laboratorio e ai risultati dell'indice sono stati applicati
metodi statistici di analisi multivariata (Regressione semplice e multipla, Analisi della
Varianza, Analisi delle Componenti Principali e Cluster Analysis) utili all'interpretazione
delle diverse situazioni.
Lo studio ha messo in evidenza il diverso grado di importanza che i fattori della pedogenesi
assumono in ambiente alpino: le analisi mostrano lo stretto legame dei suoli con il substrato di
origine e quindi il prevalere del fattore roccia sugli altri, dato il limitato tempo di formazione
della copertura pedologica e il clima rigido che rallenta i processi di pedogenesi. Vegetazione
e morfologia influenzano secondariamente l'evoluzione dei suoli, anche se i fenomeni di
erosione e di accumulo spesso causano bruschi cambiamenti nella storia del suolo.
Infine, è stato possibile mettere in evidenza un modello di sviluppo in chiave evolutiva, in cui
i suoli si distinguono fino a livello di sottogruppo (in riferimento alla classificazione
americana). I risultati permettono di riconoscere due diversi trend evolutivi riferibili ai due
ambienti di formazione dei suoli e cioè quello acido (Entisuoli-Mollisuoli-Inceptisuoli-
Spodosuoli) e quello sub-alcalino (Entisuoli-Mollisuoli-Inceptisuoli). Interessante, e anche
insolita, è la presenza dei Mollisuoli su substrati acidi, giustificata dalla presenza di spessi e
scuri epipedon ricchi in sostanza organica che li fanno rientrare nella categoria anche se con
uno scarso grado si evoluzione, e la loro posizione nel trend sub-alcalino, che risulta
comunque avere un grado di sviluppo complessivo nettamente inferiore rispetto al trend acido
a causa del tipo di roccia più difficilmente alterabile nelle condizioni ambientali che
caratterizzano l'area studiata.
Knowledge about pedogenesis and the development of soils in alpine environment is
insufficient and incomplete. Unfortunately, literature about alpine soils in Italy and in the
world panorama is scarce, and this is especially true for soils developed on calcareous parent
material. Few researchers have studied soils from a pedogenetic point of view.
In this thesis, results from the study of pedo-environmental characteristics of 56 soil profiles
in two Dolomites valleys (NE Italy) are presented. Soils are developed based on different
parent materials. Monzonite, sandstone, and porphyry give to the soils acidic features and on
the other hand, limestone, dolostone and marl produce sub-alkaline soils. From a
morphological point of view, the environment is complex. The profiles are different for
exposure, slope, and physiography, where steep slopes alternate to gently descending sides.
The climate of the area is continental-humid and the climatic conditions are similar in the
entire area of study: cryic/mesic soils temperature regime and udic/perudic moisture
temperature regime. Vegetation is characterized by coniferous and mixed forests in the
subalpine belt and meadows and pastures typical of alpine belt.
Each profile was dug by hand, and each horizon was sampled and analyzed for pedological
analysis. Data permitted to classify soils as Histosols, Entisols, Inceptisols, Mollisols and
Spodosols. Geochemical analyses were run on 18 selected profiles and 13 rock samples:
analyses determined major and trace elements composition of soils and rocks. Finally XRF
analysis was run on 30 soil samples (fraction <2mm) to identify the mineralogtcal
composition of soils. Profile Development Index (PDl) by Harden (1982) was applied to all
studied profiles. Methods of multivariate statistical analysis (Regression Analysis, Analysis of
Variance, Principal Component Analysis and Cluster Analysis) were applied to the entire set
of data with the purpose to understand and interpret different situations found in the study
area.
This work evidences the differences in the importance of soil forming factors in alpine
environment. Results demonstrate the close relationship between soil and bedrock, and the
prevalence of parent material as main soil forming factor, considering the limited time for the
formation of soil in a rigid climate, that slows down pedogenesis processes. Vegetation and
morphology influence soil development, even if erosion frequently causes abrupt changes in
soil formation.
Finally, it is possible to create a general development trend in which soils are distinguished
into a Subgroup level of the Soil Taxonomy classification. Results can identify two different
trends depending on the nature of the parent material: an acidic trend (Entisols-Mollisols-
Inceptisols-Spodosols) and a sub-alkaline trend (Entisols-Mollisols-lnceptisols). An
interesting result is the presence of Mollisols on acid bedrocks and their position in the subalkaline
trend. The first result is justified by thick, dark epipedons enriched in organic matter
that automatically place soil profiles in Mollisols order, but with a scarce degree of evolution.
The sub-alkaline trend proves to be less developed than the acidic trend due to the scarce
degree of weathering of calcareous rocks in alpine environment
The assessment of dog welfare in the waiting room of a veterinary clinic
No full textVeterinary visits are known to be stressful for many dogs. The aim of this study was to assess dog welfare in the waiting room of the veterinary clinic through a multi-modal, non-invasive approach. Forty-five dogs were each videoed for 3 min in the waiting room of a veterinary clinic where they went for a scheduled visit. The welfare of each dog was assessed using a thorough video analysis and two overall evaluations (low, medium and high stress); one performed by a veterinary behaviourist and one by the dog's owner. Two-thirds of dogs spent more than 20% of the time displaying at least one indicator of stress, and 53.3% showed four or more behavioural signs of stress. Assessments of stress by the behaviourist indicated that level of stress in the waiting room was high in 28.9% of cases. The agreement between owners' and behaviourist's overall evaluations was quite low. The behaviourist's evaluations were strongly correlated with the time spent by dogs showing signs of stress and moderately correlated with the number of displayed signs, whilst owners' evaluations were not closely correlated to those factors. Dogs rated as highly stressed by the behaviourist were more prone to display resistance (halting, refusing to budge) when moving from the waiting room to the consultation room. The results of this pilot study support the idea that the welfare of dogs in the veterinary waiting room is often impaired, and that owners are unable to accurately assess stress in their dogs in such situations
RAPPORTO RICERCA DI SISTEMA ELETTRICO CIRTEN-POLIMI RL 1139/2010 Accordo di Programma Ministero dello Sviluppo Economico – ENEA Tema: Nuovo Nucleare da Fissione. Titolo: Analisi critica delle norme UNI inerenti la caratterizzazione radiologica dei rifiuti radioattivi http://www.enea.it/it/Ricerca_sviluppo/documenti/ricerca-di-sistema-elettrico/nuovo-nucleare-fissione/lp4/lp4-nnfiss-lp4-017.pdf
No full textProteomics turns functional
No full textProteomics is acquiring a pivotal role in the comprehensive understanding of human biology. Biochemical processes involved in complex diseases, such as neurodegenerative diseases, diabetes and cancer, can be identified by combining proteomics analysis and bioinformatics tools. In the last ten years, the main output of differential proteomics investigations evolved from long lists of proteins to the generation of new hypotheses and their functional verification. The Journal of Proteomics participated to this progress, reporting more and more biologically-oriented papers with functional interpretation of proteomics data. This change in the field was due to both technological development and novel strategies in exploiting the deep characterization of proteomes. In this review, we explore several approaches that allow proteomics to turn functional. In particular, systems biology tools for data analysis are now routinely used to interpret results, thus defining the biological meaning of differentially abundant proteins. Moreover, by considering the importance of protein-protein interactions and the composition of macromolecular complexes, interactomics is complementing the information given by differential quantitative proteomics. Eventually, terminomics is unveiling new functions for cleaved proteoforms, by analyzing the effect of proteolysis globally. Significance: Proteomics is rapidly evolving not only technologically but also strategically. The correct interpretation of proteomics data can reveal new functions of proteins in several biological backgrounds. Systems biology tools allow researchers to formulate new hypotheses to be further functionally tested. Interactomics is shedding new light on protein complexes truly involved in biochemical pathways and how their alteration can lead to dysfunctionality (in disease pathogenesis, for example). Terminomics is revealing the function of new discovered proteoforms and attributing a novel role to proteolysis. This review would provide the biologist important insights into current applications of several proteomic approaches that could offer new strategies to investigate biological systems
Aspetti geochimici e mineralogici di litosequenze nelle valli di Fassa e San Pellegrino (TN)
No full textStratigraphy, palaeopedology and palinology of Late Pleistocene and Holocene deposits in the landward sector of the Lagoon of Venice (Italy), in relation to the “caranto” level
No full textThe present investigation brings new stratigraphic, palaeopedological and palynological data deriving from the study of 4 cores, bored to a maximum depth of 15 m in the central sector of the Lagoon of Venice, along the inner shores, between the mouth of the Dese river and Porto Marghera. In agreement with the general stratigraphy known from previous studies, the lowermost deposits in the cores are fluvial, radiocarbon dated to 21,000-18,000 BP. The correlation to the stratigraphic framework of the central Veneto plain shows that they belong to the Late Pleistocene fluvial sedimentary system of the Brenta river, the Bassano megafan. The pollen record of this alluvium is characterized by typical hydrophilous plants (Typha, Potamogeton, Nymphaea...), which are referred to swampy environments during the Last Glacial Maximum and the Late Glacial. The compact level known as caranto, located at the top of the fluvial sediments at a depth of some metres from the ground surface, has been recognized as consisting of a set of pedogenetic calcic and gley B and C horizons. This palaeosol formed on the alluvial plain of the distal reaches of the Bassano megafan, in the time span comprised between the deactivation of fluvial processes, which took place after 14,500 BP and probably before the beginning of the Holocene, and the lagoon transgression. As the latter apparently interested the study area only in post roman times, pedogenesis could act for 8000-12,000 years. The definition of the pedogenetic nature of the weathering features is based on macro- and micromorphological observations, associated with physico-chemical analyses. The palynological analysis shows that the caranto level is characterized by a very low pollen content. The Late Holocene lagoonal deposits which cover the caranto palaeosol have dominant subtidal / intertidal mud flat and salt marsh facies, within a context of varying water salinity probably related to river inputs. The presence of a slightly pedogenized level developed in a salt marsh environment, indicates a hiatus in the deposition of the lagoonal sediments. Two radiocarbon datings of the organic O horizons of this soil in two cores show that this discontinuity is of medieval age. Furthermore, they provide a reliable chronostratigraphic support to the determination of the recent relative sea level rise. This latter has been estimated 2.3 m since 1055-954 cal BP to present day in Porto Marghera, EniRisorse area, and 1.1 m since 640-592 cal BP to present day in Porto Marghera-Fusina, ABIBES area
Survey of travel-related problems in dogs
No full textThe aim of this study was to quantitatively assess the kind of transport dogs undergo, the behaviours displayed during transport, the prevalence of travel-related problems in dogs and owners' interventions to solve these problems. A convenience sample of 907 dog owners completed a questionnaire containing 16 multiple-choice questions. All dogs had been transported by car at least once, but 4.7 per cent were no longer transported. 76.2 per cent of animals always responded positively to car transport, the rest showing or having shown problems (6.7 per cent always reacted negatively). Dogs were found to be more excited than inhibited during car transport. The vast majority (86.0 per cent) had become used to travelling by car as puppies; this made them less likely to develop problems (6.3 per cent v 24.1 per cent; χ(2)=19.886, P=0.000). If dogs were transported only to veterinary clinics, they were more prone to respond negatively to car transport (46.4 per cent v 22.7 per cent; χ(2)=7.245, P=0.007). For dogs reported as problematic (23.8 per cent of the sample), 96.3 per cent of the owners did not administer any treatments or other substances, 48.7 per cent did not seek any advice, and 40.4 per cent of them made attempts to solve the problem by themselves
Intra-abdominal extra-anatomic autologous reconstruction for aortic endograft infection. A case report
No full textI segnali calmanti nel cane: da mito a realtà scientifica? [Calming signals in dogs: From myth to scientific reality?]
No full textVisual communication in dogs (especially postures and muzzle expressions) plays an important role in the management of intraspecific interactions. At the end of Eighties Turid Rugaas described the so-called "calming signals", considered as a crucial part of canine communication. The aim of the current research was to assess whether the display of the "calming signals", according to Rugaas, can reduce the intensity of aggression during intraspecific interactions in domestic dogs. Twenty-four dogs met, under standardised and randomized conditions and in couples, 4 different subjects (a dog of the same sex familiar, of the same sex unfamiliar, of the opposite sex familiar and of the opposite sex unfamiliar), off-leash and free to interact for 5 minutes. All the 96 meetings have been videorecorded and then analysed in order to register the number of emissions of 21 "calming signals". Moreover, it has been evaluated whether, after the display of a calming signal by the attacked dog, the intensity of aggression in the other dog would decrease. The statistical analysis was carried out through the χ2 and Wilcoxon tests. All aggressions have been followed by the display of one or more calming signals by the other dog. In 72.6% of cases the level of aggression in the aggressor decreased: such reduction is therefore statistically more likely than the increase or the stability of the aggression intensity. Results of the current research seem to confirm the hypothesis that in dogs visual signals with a calming effects on conspecifics exist, and that they can prevent an escalation of aggression
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