Pelodera strongyloides in the critically endangered Apennine brown bear (Ursus arctos marsicanus).

Skin biopsies from 20 Apennine brown bears (Ursus arctos marsicanus), 17 of which displaying skin lesions, were investigated by histopathology. Different degrees of dermatitis characterized by folliculitis and furunculosis accompanied by epidermal hyperplasia and epidermal and follicular hyperkeratosis were detected. In the most severe lesions, the superimposition of traumatic wounds, probably self-induced by scratching, was observed. In 8 out of 17 (47.0%) affected bears, cross- and longitudinally-sectioned nematode larvae were present within the lumen of hair follicles, whose localization and morphological characteristics were consistent with Pelodera strongyloides. P. strongyloides is a free-living saprophytic nematode whose third-stage larvae can invade the skin causing pruritic dermatitis in several mammalian species. This is the first report of Pelodera infection in the brown bear. Although capable of causing primary dermatitis, the finding of Pelodera is not sufficient to conclude that it is the cause of the lesions observed in bears. Nevertheless, the high prevalence of the infection is indicative of a diffuse phenomenon that requires further specific investigations given the interest and conservational relevance of this relict bear population.

Contribution to the ecology of the Italian hare (Lepus corsicanus).

The Italian hare (Lepus corsicanus) is endemic to Central-Southern Italy and Sicily, classified as vulnerable due to habitat alterations, low density and fragmented populations and ecological competition with the sympatric European hare (Lepus europaeus). Despite this status, only few and local studies have explored its ecological features. We provided some key traits of the ecological niche of the Italian hare as well as its potential distribution in the Italian peninsula. All data derived from genetically validated presences. We generated a habitat suitability model using maximum entropy distribution model for the Italian hare and its main competitor, the European hare. The dietary habits were obtained for the Italian hare with DNA metabarcoding and High-Throughput Sequencing on faecal pellets. The most relevant environmental variables affecting the potential distribution of the Italian hare are shared with the European hare, suggesting a potential competition. The variation in the observed altitudinal distribution is statistically significant between the two species.The diet of the Italian hare all year around includes 344 plant taxa accounted by 62 families. The Fagaceae, Fabaceae, Poaceae, Rosaceae and Solanaceae (counts > 20,000) represented the 90.22% of the total diet. Fabaceae (60.70%) and Fagaceae (67.47%) were the most abundant plant items occurring in the Spring/Summer and Autumn/Winter diets, respectively. The Spring/Summer diet showed richness (N = 266) and diversity index values (Shannon: 2.329, Evenness: 0.03858, Equitability: 0.4169) higher than the Autumn/Winter diet (N = 199, Shannon: 1.818, Evenness: 0.03096, Equitability: 0.3435). Our contribution adds important information to broaden the knowledge on the environmental (spatial and trophic) requirements of the Italian hare, representing effective support for fitting management actions in conservation planning.

Rapid prototyping of chitosan-coated alginate scaffolds through the use of a 3D fiber deposition technique.

Three dimensional, periodic scaffolds of chitosan-coated alginate are fabricated in a layer-by-layer fashion by rapid prototyping. A novel dispensing system based on two coaxial needles delivers simultaneously alginate and calcium chloride solutions permitting the direct deposition of alginate fibers according to any designed pattern. Coating of the alginate fiber with chitosan and subsequent cross-linking with EDC and genipin assured the endurance of the scaffold in the culture environment for a prolonged period of time. The cross-linking protocol adopted imparted to the scaffold a hierarchical chemical structure as evidenced by Confocal Laser Microscopy and FTIR spectroscopy. The core of the fibers making up the scaffold is represented by alginate chains cross-linked by ester bonds only, the periphery of the fiber is constituted by an inter-polyelectrolyte complex of alginate and chitosan cross-linked in all pair combinations. Fibers belonging to adjacent layers are glued together by the chitosan coating. Mechanical behavior of the scaffolds characterized by different layouts of deposition was determined revealing anisotropic properties. The biocompatibility and capability of the scaffolds to sustain hepatocyte (HepaRG) cultures were demonstrated. Typical hepatic functions such as albumin and urea secretion and induction of CYP3A4 enzyme activity following drug administration were excellent, thus proving the potential of these constructs in monitoring the liver specific function.