Miliolipora species (Foraminifera,Miliolina) from the Rhaetian Dachstein Limestone of Karavanke Mts (Slovenia): Palaeoecological and palaeobiogeographic implications

The Carnian-Rhaetian genus Miliolipora (Soritoidea, Milioliporidae) is characterised by a coarsely perforated porcelaneous wall and a quinqueloculinoid arrangement of semi-tubular chambers. Miliolipora tamarae nov. sp. has been documented in the Rhaetian Dachstein reef limestone of Mt. Begunj??ica (Karavanke Mts., northern Slovenia). This new species differs from Miliolipora cuvillieri Brönnimann and Zaninetti in its costate outer chambers and evolute coiling. Both species are abundant in an oncoid rudstone/grapestone facies located immediately behind the central reef zone. In this depositional context, Miliolipora spp. were subjected to mechanical sorting and are believed to have been transported a short distance from their habitat. The costae and the overall less rounded shape of the test helped to stabilize M. tamarae nov. sp. on the sea floor. Both species were widely spread in the Tethyan realm confirming the broad palaeobiogeographic distribution of the Late Triassic foraminifera.     

Host cell processes to accomplish mechanical and non-circulative virus transmission

Mechanical vector-less transmission of viruses, as well as vector-mediated non-circulative virus transmission, where the virus attaches only to the exterior of the vector during the passage to a new host, are apparently simple processes: the viruses are carried along with the wind, the food or by the vector to a new host. We discuss here, using the examples of the non-circulatively transmitted Cauliflower mosaic virus that binds to its aphid vector's exterior mouthparts, and that of the mechanically (during feeding activity) transmitted Autographa californica multicapsid nucleopolyhedrovirus, that transmission of these viruses is not so simple as previously thought. Rather, these viruses prepare their transmission carefully and long before the actual acquisition event. Host-virus interactions play a pivotal and specialised role in the future encounter with the vector or the new host. This ensures optimal propagation and enlarges the tremendous bottleneck transmission presents for viruses and other pathogens.     

Ovum pick-up and in vitro embryo production (OPU-IVEP) in Mediterranean Italian buffalo performed in different seasons

This study was designed to evaluate the effect of season on in vivo oocyte recovery and embryo production in Mediterranean Italian buffalo (Bubalus bubalis). For this purpose repeated transvaginal ultrasound-guided ovum pick up (OPU) was conducted twice a week throughout autumn, mid-winter (transitional period) and spring-summer. The number and size of follicles was determined before puncture. The recovered oocytes were first classified in morphological categories and then used for in vitro embryo production (IVEP) according to standard procedures. The mean number of total follicles observed per session did not differ among the three periods we examined (on average 4.6). Although season did not considerably affect the number of oocytes recovered (on average 2.3/buffalo/session), the number of degenerated and abnormally expanded oocytes increased during autumn. Furthermore, the percentage of abnormally expanded oocytes significantly increased during autumn (6.1%) compared with both the transitional period and spring-summer (1.9 and 2.3%, respectively). Interestingly, the embryo output we recorded at day 7, in terms of tight morulae-blastocysts was higher in autumn (30.9%) compared to the other two periods (13.3% and 10.3%, respectively, in spring-summer and in the transitional period; P < 0.01). The results of this trial demonstrated that the morphological features of the oocytes did not vary substantially among the considered periods, with the exception of degenerated and abnormally expanded oocytes. On the other hand, the oocyte developmental competence improved in autumn compared to spring-summer and the transitional period. This datum reflects buffalo reproductive pattern expressed in vivo at Italian latitudes.     

Progranulin Genetic Screening in Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration Patients From Central Italy

Recently, mutations in the progranulin gene (GRN) were reported to account for the vast majority of Frontotemporal lobar Degeneration (FTLD) and a growing number of reports describe the implication of this gene in the development of the FTLD pathology with a significant variation in clinical features. To better clarify the contribution of GRN mutations to Italian FTLD, we screened 381 subjects: 171 cases and 210 healthy subjects, all from Central Italy, particularly of Tuscan origins. GRN gene was analyzed using High Resolution Melting Analysis and automated Genetic Analyzer. Human Progranulin ELISA Kit was employed to determine the plasma progranulin levels. The screening showed a total of six genetic variants in the GRN gene: 3 pathogenic and 3 non pathogenic in 13 out of 171 patients. The rare intronic variant IVS2 +7 G > A was found in one patient. The pathogenetic mutation, p.T272SfsX10, is confirmed as the most common GRN mutation in Italian FTLD patients with a frequency in our study of 2.32%. Moreover, we identified the first Italian patient with the p.R493X mutation, to date described in 43 families worldwide. Our data report, for the first time, the occurrence of GRN mutations in Tuscany, Central Italy, confirming that genetic variations in this gene could be a considerable genetic cause of FTLD and that genetic screening might be useful both in familial and sporadic FTLD patients.     

Quantitative methods for the analysis of zoosporic fungi

Quantitative estimations of zoosporic fungi in the environment have historically received little attention, primarily due to methodological challenges and their complex life cycles. Conventional methods for quantitative analysis of zoosporic fungi to date have mainly relied on direct observation and baiting techniques, with subsequent fungal identification in the laboratory using morphological characteristics. Although these methods are still fundamentally useful, there has been an increasing preference for quantitative microscopic methods based on staining with fluorescent dyes, as well as the use of hybridization probes. More recently however PCR based methods for profiling and quantification (semi- and absolute) have proven to be rapid and accurate diagnostic tools for assessing zoosporic fungal assemblages in environmental samples. Further application of next generation sequencing technologies will however not only advance our quantitative understanding of zoosporic fungal ecology, but also their function through the analysis of their genomes and gene expression as resources and databases expand in the future. Nevertheless, it is still necessary to complement these molecular-based approaches with cultivation-based methods in order to gain a fuller quantitative understanding of the ecological and physiological roles of zoosporic fungi.     

Early Triassic peritidal carbonate sedimentation on a Panthalassan seamount: the Jesmond succession,Cache Creek Terrane,British Columbia,Canada

The Jesmond succession of the Cache Creek Terrane in southern British Columbia records late Early Triassic peritidal carbonate sedimentation on a mudflat of a buildup resting upon a Panthalassan seamount. Conodont and foraminiferal biostratigraphy dates the succession as the uppermost Smithian to mid-Spathian. The study section (ca. 91 m thick) is dominated by fine-grained carbonates and organized into at least 12 shallowing-upwards cycles, each consisting of shallow subtidal facies and overlying intertidal facies. The former includes peloidal and skeletal limestones, flat-pebble conglomerates, stromatolitic bindstones, and oolitic grainstone, whereas the latter consists mainly of dolomicrite. The scarcity of skeletal debris, prevalence of microbialite, and intermittent intercalation of flat-pebble conglomerate facies imply environmentally harsh conditions in the mudflat. The study section also records a rapid sea-level fall near the Smithian-Spathian boundary followed by a gradual sea-level rise in the early to mid-Spathian.     

Electric field and current density distribution in an anatomical head model during transcranial direct current stimulation for tinnitus treatment

Tinnitus is considered an auditory phantom percept. Recently, transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has been proposed as a new approach for tinnitus treatment including, as potential targets of interest, either the temporal and temporoparietal cortex or prefrontal areas. This study investigates and compares the spatial distribution of the magnitude of the electric field and the current density in the brain tissues during tDCS of different brain targets. A numerical method was applied on a realistic human head model to calculate these field distributions in different brain structures, such as the cortex, white matter, cerebellum, hippocampus, medulla oblongata, pons, midbrain, thalamus, and hypothalamus. Moreover, the same distributions were evaluated along the auditory pathways. Results of this study show that tDCS of the left temporoparietal cortex resulted in a widespread diffuse distribution of the magnitude of the electric fields (and also of the current density) on an area of the cortex larger than the target brain region. On the contrary, tDCS of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex resulted in a stimulation mainly concentrated on the target itself. Differences in the magnitude distribution were also found on the structures along the auditory pathways. A sensitivity analysis was also performed, varying the electrode position and the human head models. Accurate estimation of the field distribution during tDCS in different regions of the head could be valuable to better determine and predict efficacy of tDCS for tinnitus suppression.     

Acute ghrelin administration reverses depressive-like behavior induced by bilateral olfactory bulbectomy in mice

This study aims to examine the antidepressant-like action of Ghrelin (Ghr), a hormone synthesized predominantly by gastrointestinal endocrine cells and released during periods of negative energy balance, in two behavioral models: tail suspension test (TST), a predictive model of antidepressant activity, and the olfactory bulbectomy (OB), an established animal model of depression. The reduction in the immobility time in the TST was the parameter used to assess antidepressant-like effect of Ghr. The depressive-like behavior in olfactory bulbectomized mice was inferred through the increase in the immobility time in the TST and the hyperlocomotor activity in the open-field test. Ghr produced antidepressant-like effect in TST (0.3 nmol/μl, i.c.v.), and reversed OB-induced depressive-like behavior. In conclusion, these results provide clear evidence that an acute administration of ghrelin produce antidepressant-like effect in the TST and OB.     

Oxidative stress markers are associated to vascular recurrence in non-cardioembolic stroke patients non-treated with statins

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Since atherogenesis is related to oxidative stress, our objective was to study the association of oxidative stress markers with the vascular recurrence in non-cardioembolic stroke. For this purpose, atherosclerotic and oxidative stress markers (ox-LDL, Cu/Zn SOD and 8-OHDG) were evaluated in 477 non-cardioembolic stroke patients on admission (136 were being treated with statins) and patients were followed at 6 and 12 months. RESULTS: Patients who suffered vascular recurrence or vascular-origin death had higher levels of 8-OHDG (40.06+/-24.70vs33.11+/-15.18;p=0.003). We also found associations between vascular recurrence or vascular origin death and Cu/ZnSOD (OR,1.02; 95%CI,1.00-1.03;p=0.0001) and 8-OHDG (OR,1.12;95%CI,1.08-1.16;p<0.0001) in a subgroup of 333 patients that were not in treatment with statins on admission. We also found associations between 8-OHDG and intima media thickness (IMT) (OR,1.13;95%CI,1.09-1.16;p<0.0001), presence of ipsilatieral stenosis[greater than or equal to]50% (OR,1.03;95%CI1.00-1.05;p=0.007) and other atherosclerotic plaque characteristics. CONCLUSIONS: Specific oxidative stress markers were found to be markers of atherosclerosis plaque types and vascular recurrence in non-statins treated patients at admission.     

Quantitative muscle strength assessment in duchenne muscular dystrophy: longitudinal study and correlation with functional measures

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to perform a longitudinal assessment using Quantitative Muscle Testing (QMT) in a cohort of ambulant boys affected by Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and to correlate the results of QMT with functional measures. This study is to date the most thorough long-term evaluation of QMT in a cohort of DMD patients correlated with other measures, such as the North Star Ambulatory Assessment (NSAA) or thee 6-min walk test (6MWT). METHODS: This is a single centre, prospective, non-randomised, study assessing QMT using the Kin Com(R) 125 machine in a study cohort of 28 ambulant DMD boys, aged 5 to 12 years. This cohort was assessed longitudinally over a 12 months period of time with 3 monthly assessments for QMT and with assessment of functional abilities, using the NSAA and the 6MWT at baseline and at 12 months only. QMT was also used in a control group of 13 healthy age-matched boys examined at baseline and at 12 months. RESULTS: There was an increase in QMT over 12 months in boys below the age of 7.5 years while in boys above the age of 7.5 years, QMT showed a significant decrease. All the average one-year changes were significantly different than those experienced by healthy controls. We also found a good correlation between quantitative tests and the other measures that was more obvious in the stronger children. CONCLUSION: Our longitudinal data using QMT in a cohort of DMD patients suggest that this could be used as an additional tool to monitor changes, providing additional information on segmental strength.