Chemical contamination can promote turnover diversity of benthic prokaryotic assemblages: The case study of the Bagnoli-Coroglio bay (southern Tyrrhenian Sea).

Chemical contamination of marine ecosystems represents a major concern for the detrimental consequences at different levels of biological organization. However, the impact of chronic contamination on the diversity and assemblage composition of benthic prokaryotes is still largely unknown, and this limits our understanding of the potential implications on ecosystem functioning. The Bagnoli-Coroglio bay (Gulf of Naples, Tyrrhenian Sea) is a typical example of coastal area heavily contaminated by metals and hydrocarbons, released for decades by industrial activities, which ceased at the beginning of nineties. In the present study we analyzed the abundance, diversity and assemblage composition of benthic prokaryotic assemblages at increasing distance from the historical source of contamination in relation to the heavy hydrocarbons (C > 12), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heavy metal concentrations in the sediments. Prokaryotic abundance in the sediments differed among sites, and was mostly driven by environmental factors rather than by contamination levels. Conversely, the richness of prokaryotic taxa was relatively high in all samples, was driven by contamination levels and decreased significantly with increasing contamination (15-38%). Moreover, our results indicate large variations in the composition of the benthic prokaryotic assemblages among sites, mostly explained by the different levels and types of chemical contaminants found in the sediments. Overall, our findings suggest that chemical contaminants, even after decades from the end of their release, can profoundly influence the richness and turnover diversity of the benthic prokaryotic assemblages, in turn promoting a high diversification of the benthic bacterial and archaeal assemblages by selecting those lineages more adapted to specific mixtures of different contaminants. Our results open new perspectives for understanding of the long-term effects of chemical contamination on the benthic prokaryotic assemblages and the ecological processes they mediate.

Assessing the efficiency and eco-sustainability of bioremediation strategies for the reclamation of highly contaminated marine sediments.

Coastal sediments subjected to high anthropogenic impacts can accumulate large amounts of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and metals, demanding effective and eco-sustainable remediation solutions. In this study, we carried out bioremediation experiments on marine sediments highly contaminated with PAHs and metals. In particular, we investigated the effects of biostimulation (by the addition of inorganic nutrients), bioaugmentation (by the addition of fungi belonging to Aspergillus sp.) and microbial fuel cell-based strategies on PAH degradation and on changes in metal partitioning. Results reported here indicate that all biotreatments determined a significant decrease of PAH concentrations (at least 60%) in a relatively short time interval (few weeks) and that biostimulation was the most effective approach (>90%). Biostimulation determined a faster degradation rate of high than low molecular weight PAHs, indicating a preferential biodegradation of specific PAH congeners. At the same time, the biotreatments changed the partitioning of metals, including their solubilization, suggesting the need of parallel environmental risk assessment. Our findings also suggest that ex situ biotreatments can have a lower carbon footprint than current management options of contaminated sediments (i.e., landfill disposal and/or disposal in confined aquatic facilities), but integration with other strategies for metal removal (e.g. through bioleaching) from sediments is needed for their safe re-use. Overall, results presented here provide new insights into the development of effective and eco-sustainable bioremediation strategies for the reclamation of highly contaminated marine sediments.

Late-Onset Pompe Disease with Nemaline Bodies.

Pompe disease is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by deficiency of alpha-glucosidase, a lysosomal enzyme, which can lead to glycogen accumulation in skeletal muscle, heart, and nervous system. Clinical presentation is highly variable, with infantile and late-onset (LOPED) forms. Although muscle biopsy findings are rather stereotyped, atypical features have been described. A 52-year-old man without a family history of muscle disorders presented with slowly progressing upper and lower limb girdle weakness and hyperCKemia. At needle EMG, a diffuse neurogenic pattern was detected. Muscle biopsy showed a selective type 1 fiber atrophy with vacuoles of various sizes, filled with PAS and acid phosphatase positive material, confirmed to be glycogen by electron microscopy (EM). Many atrophic fibers contained foci of myofibrillar material recognized as nemaline bodies (NBs) at EM. Low level of alpha-glucosidase activity in blood and molecular genetic testing confirmed the diagnosis of late-onset Pompe disease (LOPED). Major causes of hereditary and acquired NB myopathy were ruled out. In conclusion, NBs represent a novel histological finding in LOPED and characterize the atypical presentation of our case.

Effects of sub-seabed CO2 leakage: Short- and medium-term responses of benthic macrofaunal assemblages.

The continued rise in atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) levels is driving climate change and temperature shifts at a global scale. CO2 Capture and Storage (CCS) technologies have been suggested as a feasible option for reducing CO2 emissions and mitigating their effects. However, before CCS can be employed at an industrial scale, any environmental risks associated with this activity should be identified and quantified. Significant leakage of CO2 from CCS reservoirs and pipelines is considered to be unlikely, however direct and/or indirect effects of CO2 leakage on marine life and ecosystem functioning must be assessed, with particular consideration given to spatial (e.g. distance from the source) and temporal (e.g. duration) scales at which leakage impacts could occur. In the current mesocosm experiment we tested the potential effects of CO2 leakage on macrobenthic assemblages by exposing infaunal sediment communities to different levels of CO2 concentration (400, 1000, 2000, 10,000 and 20,000 ppm CO2), simulating a gradient of distance from a hypothetic leakage, over short-term (a few weeks) and medium-term (several months). A significant impact on community structure, abundance and species richness of macrofauna was observed in the short-term exposure. Individual taxa showed idiosyncratic responses to acidification. We conclude that the main impact of CO2 leakage on macrofaunal assemblages occurs almost exclusively at the higher CO2 concentration and over short time periods, tending to fade and disappear at increasing distance and exposure time. Although under the cautious perspective required by the possible context-dependency of the present findings, this study contributes to the cost-benefit analysis (environmental risk versus the achievement of the intended objectives) of CCS strategies.

Scanning electron microscopy and microbiological approaches for the evaluation of salivary microorganisms behaviour on anatase titanium surfaces: In vitro study.

Implantology research framed the implant surface as a key element for a good and sustainable osseointegration of an implant fixture. The aim of this study was to analyze the antibacterial properties of anatase-coated titanium healing screws through microbiological and scanning electron microscopy. The comparison of the bacterial colonies growth between the anatase-coated titanium healing screws and non-coated titanium healing screws showed comparable antibacterial properties, without significant statistical differences. The scanning electron microscopy observations confirmed the microbiological study. These data, also considering previous reports on the positive effects on osteoblasts genetic expressions, might suggest a use of the anatase-coated titanium healing screws to preserve the tissues surrounding implants from microbial attacks.

Differential features of muscle fiber atrophy in osteoporosis and osteoarthritis.

UNLABELLED: We demonstrated that osteoporosis is associated with a preferential type II muscle fiber atrophy, which correlates with bone mineral density and reduced levels of Akt, a major regulator of muscle mass. In osteoarthritis, muscle atrophy is of lower extent and related to disease duration and severity. INTRODUCTION: Osteoarthritis (OA) and osteoporosis (OP) are associated with loss of muscle bulk and power. In these diseases, morphological studies on muscle tissue are lacking, and the underlying mechanisms of muscle atrophy are not known. The aim of our study was to evaluate the OP- or OA-related muscle atrophy and its correlation with severity of disease. Muscle levels of Akt protein, a component of IGF-1/PI3K/Akt pathway, the main regulator of muscle mass, have been determined. METHODS: We performed muscle biopsy in 15 women with OP and in 15 women with OA (age range, 60-85 years). Muscle fibers were counted, measured, and classified by ATPase reaction. By statistical analysis, fiber-type atrophy was correlated with bone mineral density (BMD) in the OP group and with Harris Hip Score (HHS) and disease duration in the OA group. Akt protein levels were evaluated by Western blot analysis. RESULTS: Our findings revealed in OP a preferential type II fiber atrophy that inversely correlated with patients' BMD. In OA, muscle atrophy was of lower extent, homogeneous among fiber types and related to disease duration and HHS. Moreover, in OP muscle, the Akt level was significantly reduced as compared to OA muscles. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that in OP, there is a preferential and diffuse type II fiber atrophy, proportional to the degree of bone loss, whereas in OA, muscle atrophy is connected to the functional impairment caused by the disease. A reduction of Akt seems to be one of the mechanisms involved in OP-related muscle atrophy.

Upward renormalization of fluctuations in CsMnBr3 with increasing temperature.

The temperature dependence of the spin-wave gap in the triangular antiferromagnet CsMnBr3 was studied above the three-dimensional ordering temperature T(N)=8.3 K along the main symmetry directions using inelastic neutron scattering. We find at T(N) two gapped dispersive modes, whose energy increases with temperature. Moreover, the width of the spin-wave band along the [110] direction increases also. In a second session, polarization analysis was applied in order to extract explicitly the components with in-plane and out-of-plane character. The results show that both gapped modes (with axial and radial symmetry) renormalize upwards with rising temperature. We show that this behavior is not compatible with spin-wave theory. In addition, we find a new magnetic anomaly in the paramagnetic phase.

Ethylene oxide sterilization of autologous bone flaps following decompressive craniectomy.

INTRODUCTION: In patients undergoing decompressive craniectomy, the bone flap is temporarily preserved either in the subcutaneous tissue of the patient or frozen. However, there are some drawbacks related to these methods. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In 16 patients in whom the bone flap was removed for decompressive craniectomy, the bone was firstly washed in hydrogen peroxide and then placed in hermetically-sealed bags and sterilized using ethylene oxide. The bone was repositioned after an average period of 4.3 months. RESULTS: One patient sustained an infection of the surgical wound which required permanent exclusion of the bone flap. In all the others, esthetic and functional results were good after an average follow-up of 20 months. Control CT-scan of the bone flap demonstrated preservation of its structural features with fusion of the bone margins and revitalization of the flap. On MRI a subdural space was again visible. CONCLUSIONS: Sterilization of the bone flap with ethylene oxide in patients undergoing decompressive craniectomy avoids some of the drawbacks related to the techniques currently used. The easiness, low cost, good aesthetic and functional results of this procedure make it a valid alternative to other techniques for preservation of autologous bone in decompressive craniectomies.

Cranial trepanation in two skulls of early medieval Italy.

Cranial trepanation is a practice known since prehistory in various, often geographically distant populations. In this work are presented two early medieval trepaned skulls. The first skull comes from Canosa in Apulia (6th-7th c. AD; according to radiocarbon dating), the second is from Ticineto Alessandrino (5th-8th c. AD). The skull of Canosa shows a single perforation on the bregmatic quadrant of the right parietal, whereas the Ticineto skull presents three lesions of different shapes and sizes. Two perforations are on the left parietal and the other is on the right parietal. The lesions of the Ticineto skull can be referred to a therapeutic operation following a trauma, with survival of the individual. In the Canosa skull the absence of a healing reaction suggests a pathological process, without survival of the subject. Moreover, a particular ritual practice cannot be excluded (i.e. a post-mortem trepanation).

Reconstruction of suboccipital craniectomy with autologous bone chips.

BACKGROUND: In patients submitted to suboccipital craniectomy in whom the bone is not repositioned, there may be a significant aesthetic defect due to lack of bone tissue, sometimes accompanied by paresthaesia and painful symptoms. METHOD: In 15 patients submitted to suboccipital craniectomy, the bone chips were repositioned during wound closure. FINDINGS: At a mean follow up of 19 months (from 6 to 36 months), 2 patients (13%) complained of mild wound discomfort or occasional local pain. Twelve patients underwent control CT-scan. In three cases (25%) the bone fragments had been partly reabsorbed whereas in the other 9 (75%) they either formed a thin (4 patients) or consistent (5 patients) bony wall, with variable degree of adaptation to the contour of the contralateral occipital bone. The best cosmetic and functional results were obtained in young patients in whom the cerebellar parenchyma was well-preserved, as opposed to those in whom a CSF collection had replaced areas of cerebellar tissue. INTERPRETATION: In the majority of cases in whom an osteoplastic suboccipital craniotomy is not possible, repositioning of the bone chips from suboccipital craniectomy is able to restore a bone table, thus allowing morphological and functional recovery of the occipital region.

Solitary metastases to the cranial vault. Report of ten cases.

BACKGROUND: Metastatic spread of tumors to the skull is quite unusual and often represents a relevant diagnostic and therapeutic problem. Skull involvement can be observed in various neoplasms of epithelial origin (rarely in other tumors) and most often responsible are lung, breast, thyroid, kidney and prostate cancers. Less frequent than multiple involvement, single cranial vault lesions are often amenable to surgical resection instead of radiotherapy alone; scope of this paper is to highlight the key points of the management of such entities, including a brief review of the pathological and radiological features of these entities. METHODS: A retrospective study has enabled us to select from our files ten cases of surgically treated solitary cranial vault metastases, with a variable follow-up ranging from 6 months to 4 years. In all the cases the operation consisted in a monobloc resection and a cranioplasty for the repair of the defect. RESULTS: We have observed no perioperative morbidity or mortality; in all the cases surgery allowed histologic confirmation and immediate relief of neurological symptoms and cosmetic impairment (when present). CONCLUSIONS: Monobloc resection of solitary cranial vault metastatic lesions is an easy made and safe procedure, to be performed in every patient except the ones in poor general conditions, which are better addressed to radiotherapy alone.

Spontaneous movement of metallic foreign bodies. Case report.

We report a case of missile injury to the brain with an unusual complication. The bullet migrated by its mere weight to a distant location through the brain parenchyma after initially lodged in a superficial site. Movement of the bullet was first detected on CT scan and the significance and treatment of this finding is emphasized.

Primary bronchial malignant melanoma. A case report.

A case of primary bronchial malignant melanoma occurred in a 66 years old woman is reported. Because of cough and hemoptysis bronchoscopic examination was performed and and a polypoid mass was found to occlude the right lower bronchus. Histopathologic examination showed the presence of malignant melanoma also confirmed by immuno reactivity with antibodies to S-100 protein and melanoma associated monoclonal antibody HMB45. Clinical history, physical examination and other instrumental investigations failed to find other possible primary sites of the tumour. Primary melanoma of the lung is a very rare condition, but our case seems to satisfy the criteria to be considered in the little group of definite primary melanoma of the lower respiratory tract.