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Simple Summary: Bees are often fed by beekeepers with supplemented artificial diets. The formulation of an integrative diet for honey bee colonies able to prevent nutritional deficiencies is yet to be found. In this work, the effects of fat-enriched diet (coconut oil) administration in newly emerged and forager bees were tested. Fat supplementation in the honey bee diet determines an increase in newly emerged bees' survival in the short term and an increase in fat content. Further investigations to evaluate the use of such a supplement food to prevent the fat loss of weak families during winter are desirable. Searching for artificial diets positively affecting the survival, immune and antioxidant systems of honey bees is one of main challenges occurring in beekeeping. Among nutrients, lipids play a significant role in insect nutrition as structural components in cell membranes, energy sources and reserves, and are involved in many physiological processes. In this context, the aim of this work was to investigate the effect of 0.5% and 1% coconut oil-enriched diet administration on newly emerged and forager bees survival rate, feed intake, immune system, antioxidant system and both fat and vitellogenin content. In newly emerged bees, supplementation with 1% coconut oil determined a decrease in feed consumption, an increase in survival rate from the 3rd to 14th day of feeding, a short-term decrease in phenoloxidase activity, an increase in body fat and no differences in vitellogenin content. Conversely, supplementation with 0.5% coconut oil determined an increase in survival rate from the 3rd to 15th day of feeding and an increase in fat content in the long term (i.e., 20 days). Regarding the forager bee diet, enrichment with 0.5% and 1% coconut oil only determined an increase in fat content. Therefore, supplementation with coconut oil in honey bee diets at low percentages (0.5 and 1%) determines fat gain. Further investigations to evaluate the use of such supplement foods to prevent the fat loss of weak families during winter are desirable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Wildlife rescue centers play a key role for crested porcupine rescue and conservation. There is a lack of guidelines for management and liberation, which is a crucial issue, especially for porcupettes to ensure a suitable behavioral development for wildlife. In this work, preliminary data on the post-liberation behavior and survival of rescued porcupines under different management and liberation strategies were collected, providing the first useful knowledge base and fulfilling the urgency to develop official guidelines. The crested porcupine is a frequent host species in wildlife rescue centers and no guidelines for its management, liberation and post-liberation monitoring are yet available. Here, captive-grown porcupines' behavior and survival in the wild after liberation were investigated and described for the first time. Management strategies adopted at the centers could affect porcupine adaptation to the natural environment. The detention of porcupettes in single cages and fed only human-supplied food may not ensure ethological welfare, nor a suitable behavioral development compatible with wildlife. The liberation of captive-grown porcupines should also be carefully planned to promote and increase the possibility of post-liberation success. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Varroa destructor is a mite causing colony collapse in Apis mellifera. Common solutions for beekeepers to control Varroa mites are drone brood removal and queen caging and/or chemical treatments with formic or oxalic acid. Treatments performed against Varroa mites may affect honey bee welfare; they have the potential to cause negative effects on the immune system, as well as oxidative stress. In this study, effects of the combination of queen caging and oxalic acid treatment on both the immune system and antioxidant enzymes of first post-treatment generation workers and drones are investigated. The combination of the above anti-varroa treatments did not produce significant effects on the antioxidant system of the first post-treatment generation. However, within the immune system, such treatments determined a decrease in glucose oxidase activity in drones, and an age-dependent variation in vitellogenin content in worker bees. Such effects may result in cuticular sclerotization issue, dehydration, and pathogens transmission in drones, and in a general weakness of the immune system of both drones and workers with a subsequent higher risk of illnesses. Further investigations to assess the physiologic effects of such enzymatic activity variation on the welfare of honey bees subject to queen caging and oxalic acid treatment are desirable. Varroa destructor is a mite causing serious damage to western honey bees. Managed colonies require artificial varroa control, which may be best obtained by combining mechanical and chemical methods. This study explored the possible effects of the combination of queen caging and oxalic acid treatment on the immune system (glucose oxidase, phenoloxidase, and vitellogenin) and antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione S transferase) of first post-treatment generation drones and workers (newly emerged, nurses, and foragers). The combination of queen caging and oxalic acid treatment caused a decrease in glucose oxidase activity only in drones. This could cause issues of cuticular sclerotization, making a drone prone to bite injuries, dehydration, and pathogens. No differences in phenoloxidase activity were recorded in both post-treatment drones and workers generation. Among worker bees, the treatment determined a lower vitellogenin content in newly emerged bees while the result was higher in nurse bees. However, the treatment did not significantly affect the antioxidant enzymes activity in either drones or workers. The results obtained in this investigation suggest that the combined anti-varroa treatments had no negative effects on oxidative stress in the first post-treatment generation bees, while effects did occur on the immune system. Further investigations on the potential effects of glucose oxidase decrease in drones and vitellogenin content variation in workers are desirable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Colorectal cancer is the second most malignant tumor per number of deaths after lung cancer and the third per number of new cases after breast and lung cancer. The correct and rapid identification (i.e., segmentation of the cancer regions) is a fundamental task for correct patient diagnosis. In this study, we propose a novel automated pipeline for the segmentation of MRI scans of patients with LARC in order to predict the response to nCRT using radiomic features. This study involved the retrospective analysis of T2-weighted MRI scans of 43 patients affected by LARC. The segmentation of tumor areas was on par or better than the state-of-the-art results, but required smaller sample sizes. The analysis of radiomic features allowed us to predict the TRG score, which agreed with the state-of-the-art results. Background: Rectal cancer is a malignant neoplasm of the large intestine resulting from the uncontrolled proliferation of the rectal tract. Predicting the pathologic response of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy at an MRI primary staging scan in patients affected by locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) could lead to significant improvement in the survival and quality of life of the patients. In this study, the possibility of automatizing this estimation from a primary staging MRI scan, using a fully automated artificial intelligence-based model for the segmentation and consequent characterization of the tumor areas using radiomic features was evaluated. The TRG score was used to evaluate the clinical outcome. Methods: Forty-three patients under treatment in the IRCCS Sant'Orsola-Malpighi Polyclinic were retrospectively selected for the study; a U-Net model was trained for the automated segmentation of the tumor areas; the radiomic features were collected and used to predict the tumor regression grade (TRG) score. Results: The segmentation of tumor areas outperformed the state-of-the-art results in terms of the Dice score coefficient or was comparable to them but with the advantage of considering mucinous cases. Analysis of the radiomic features extracted from the lesion areas allowed us to predict the TRG score, with the results agreeing with the state-of-the-art results. Conclusions: The results obtained regarding TRG prediction using the proposed fully automated pipeline prove its possible usage as a viable decision support system for radiologists in clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Keywords: honey bees; immune system; protein diet; survival; feed intake; health EN honey bees immune system protein diet survival feed intake health N.PAG N.PAG 12 04/26/22 20220415 NES 220415 1. Graph: Figure 5 Glutathione S-transferase activity in newly emerged (a) and forager (b) honey bees fed control and experimental diets (diet 1, diet 2, diet 3 with 0.3%, 1.7% and 7.7% of protein content, respectively). Graph: Figure 3 Glucose oxidase activity in newly emerged (a) and forager (b) honey bees fed with control and experimental diets (diet 1, diet 2, diet 3 with 0.3%, 1.7% and 7.7% of protein content, respectively). [Extracted from the article]

Settlements are usually shared at different times by semi-fossorial mammals. Porcupine reproductive pair shows high den-site fidelity, but no data are available on the spatio-temporal inhabitation of settlements. In this investigation, the spatio-temporal inhabitation of settlements by crested porcupine families was investigated using camera-trapping as well as the ethological factors affecting the settlements selection. The crested porcupine resulted to be the main inhabitant of settlements surveyed in the present study. Each settlement was inhabited exclusively by one porcupine family. Five out of six porcupine families, each alternatively and complementarily inhabited the same two settlements. In all the five monitored families, settlements selection doesn't follow a seasonal pattern. Settlement inhabitation of porcupines resulted positively affected by cohabitation with badger, while presence of porcupettes did not affect settlements selection. Long periods of settlement inhabitation were positively affected both by the presence of porcupettes and cohabitation with badger. The pattern of settlements inhabitation in relation to their availability and porcupine population density as well as factors promoting porcupine-badger cohabitation should be further investigated. New ethological knowledge obtained in this investigation could be involved in the evaluation of the ecological epidemiology of infectious diseases between porcupine and badger within a one health approach and may be a useful tool for a sustainable management of semi-fossorial mammals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mammal's saliva contains a variety of electrolytes and proteins. They carry out an important role in the digestion process, in the antibacterial and antiviral activity, in lubrication and maintenance of oral general health status. It may also contain several enzymes according to dietary habits and general wellness. Sialochemistry is a valid alternative to the haematochemical analysis for the evaluation of animal health and nutritional status. At present, very little knowledge is available on health status and pathology of crested porcupine (Hystrix cristata) and no data are yet available on salivary enzymes. Between 2018 and 2020, a preliminary investigation of enzymatic activity on saliva samples was carried out from captured porcupines. In crested porcupine saliva, enzymatic activity of trypsin, chymotrypsin, N‐Aminopeptidase, amylase, lignin peroxidise, cellulase and chitinase were recorded. Superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione S‐transferase and alkaline phosphatase activity was also detected. The superoxide dismutase activity resulted higher (3.13 SD 3.58 U/mg proteins) than those of catalase (130.80 SD 110.65 mU/mg proteins) and glutathione S‐transferase (20.21 SD 16.62 mM/mg proteins). Alkaline phosphatase activity resulted lower (5.91 SD 6.12 mU/mg proteins) than acidic phosphatase (19.00 SD 16.16 U/mg proteins) with the highest values of saliva alkaline phosphatases recorded in young individuals. These preliminary data bring new knowledge on crested porcupine saliva enzymes and may provide a useful tool for further investigation on the adaptive response of crested porcupine to different environmental condition and diet. Additional investigation concerning a possible alternative use of saliva enzymes as indicator of health and nutritional status of this rodent are desirable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anthropic areas play a pivot role for main wolf conservation challenges. Wolf presence in the higher Pisan hills has been well documented while wolf settlement in the lower Pisan hills is still uncertain. In this study, long‐term information on wolf presence in a highly anthropic area of the lower Pisan hills was collected by using non‐invasive monitoring techniques. Furthermore, both the relationship of this predator with human activity and the impact of hunting on wolf presence have been investigated. The results obtained indicate the presence of a stable and reproductive wolf pack composed by both Italian wolf and hybrids individuals in the municipalities of Crespina Lorenzana and Casciana Terme Lari. A high impact of wolf on livestock was recorded in this area since no prevention systems were adopted by farmers. Wolf appears not to have a negative impact on wild boar population. Similarly, wild boar drive hunting does not appear to affect the wolf pack presence in the area. Thereby wolf may play a key role as controller of wild population. Prevention strategies improvement becomes instrumental to promote wolf–human coexistence. Further investigation to monitor pack hybridization level and turnover and to assess the impact of packs on wild population and livestock in anthropic areas is desirable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous data on crested porcupine reproduction biology were mostly collected in captivity or semi-captivity due to its elusive, burrowing and mainly nocturnal habits. Between 2017 and 2019 the reproductive behaviour (i.e., intrapair mounting and copulation, birth and parental care) of free-ranging crested porcupine was documented and described. Nightly rhythms of single and multiple mounting occurred throughout the year while only two copulation events were recorded. Three months after both copulation events, the birth of porcupettes (porcupine < 5 kg) was recorded. A stochastic phase characterized by an articulate courtship with distinct behavioural patterns always preceded each mounting event. After the stochastic phase, the presenting of the female evoked by Nose-Quill contact behaviour, occurred in 83.8% (n = 182) of mounting events, while in 16.1% (n = 35) a spontaneous presenting of the female occurred. The average duration of copulation lasted 24 s (SD = 7 s) with 17 thrusting (SD = 5.5 thrusting). Births of porcupettes occurred throughout the year from 1 to 3 times per pair per year and the litter size observed ranged from 1 to 2 porcupettes. The first emerging of porcupettes from burrow occurred at 10–15 days after birth. Parents and sub-adults of the family actively perform parental care and the permanence of sub-adults within the family (i.e., from birth to dispersal) resulted to be at least 1 year. This investigation provides new useful insights on porcupine reproductive behaviour in the wild. Such new knowledge may be useful to the management of porcupines in wild, semiwild and captive condition as well as to delineate the key habitat desiderata of this rodent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The COVID-19 outbreak has played havoc within healthcare systems, with radiology sharing a substantial burden. Our purpose is to report findings from a survey on the crisis impact among members of the Italian Society of Medical and Interventional Radiology (SIRM). Methods: All members were invited to a 42-question online survey about the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on personal and family life, professional activity, socioeconomic and psychological condition. Participants were classified based on working in the most severely affected Italian regions ("hot regions") or elsewhere. Results: A total of 2150 radiologists joined the survey. More than 60% of respondents estimated a workload reduction greater than 50%, with a higher prevalence among private workers in hot regions (72.7% vs 66.5% elsewhere, p = 0.1010). Most respondents were concerned that the COVID-19 outbreak could impact the management of non-COVID-19 patients and expected a work overload after the crisis. More than 40% were moderately or severely worried that their professional activity could be damaged, and most residents believed that their training had been affected. More than 50% of respondents had increased emotional stress at work, including moderate or severe symptoms due to sleep disturbances, feeling like living in slow motion and having negative thoughts, those latter being more likely in single-living respondents from hot regions [log OR 0.7108 (CI95% 0.3445 ÷ 1.0770), p = 0.0001]. Conclusions: The COVID-19 outbreak has had a sensible impact on the working and personal life of SIRM members, with more specific criticalities in hot regions. Our findings could aid preserving the radiologists' wellbeing after the crisis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Italy, porcupines, badgers and red foxes share the same settlements. However, there is lack of information concerning their cohabitation. From 2012 to 2019, cohabitation by these three mammals was studied using camera-trapping and was found to occur only between porcupines and badgers, even in the presence of porcupettes. Cohabitation was associated with aggressive interaction between porcupines and badgers. Foxes were found to be scavengers of porcupine carcasses. Cohabitation among these semi-fossorial mammals and scavenging behaviour could play a role in disease transmission, including zoonotic diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The vegetarian diet of many herbivorous mammals is supplemented with proteins of animal origin, especially in young individuals and in breeding females, to provide key proteins necessary for both growth and breeding. Among porcupine species, only the Cape porcupine (Hystrix africaeaustralis) has been observed to consume carrion flesh. From June to August 2019, a pigeon carcass was placed together with corn in 7 study settlements and near 2 monitored capture-traps, in order to assess the carrion flesh feeding habits of the crested porcupine (Hystrix cristata). Scavenging behaviour was recorded on four occasions. All the recorded individuals were adults and at least one was female. This demonstrates that the crested porcupine occasionally does eat flesh. Such evidence raises important questions concerning the relationship between feeding habits and the physiological needs of this herbivorous rodent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Varroa destructor is a mite that parasitises honeybee hives, weakening colonies and transmitting viruses. Beekeepers apply acaricide treatments to bee colonies to limit the spread of Varroa and the resulting negative effects on bee health. Oxalic acid treatment is the most widely applied, but little is known about its potential effects on the physiology of bees, particularly their immune system. This study investigated the short-term effects of oxalic acid treatment on the immune and antioxidant systems of house bees (i.e., glucose oxidase, phenoloxidase, glutathione S-transferase, catalase activities, and vitellogenin content). Residual concentrations of oxalic acid on the bees' external body and in the haemolymph were also measured. The results showed that the treatment did not affect the concentration of oxalic acid in the haemolymph, in which it was constitutively present. Residues of oxalic acid remained on the outer body of the bees for up to 48 h after treatment. Both glucose oxidase activity and vitellogenin concentration were affected by the treatment, increasing significantly after 48 and 24 h, respectively. No effects were observed on the other parameters investigated (phenoloxidase, glutathione S-transferase, and catalase activities). Honeybees (Apis mellifera L.) have to face many challenges, including Varroa destructor infestation, associated with viral transmission. Oxalic acid is one of the most common treatments against Varroa. Little is known about the physiological effects of oxalic acid, especially those on honeybees' immune systems. In this study, the short-term effects (0–96 h) of oxalic acid treatment on the immune system components (i.e., glucose oxidase, phenoloxidase, glutathione S-transferase, catalase activities, and vitellogenin contents) of house bees were preliminarily investigated. Oxalic acid contents of bee bodies and haemolymphs were also measured. The results confirm that oxalic acid is constitutively present in bee haemolymphs and its concentration is not affected by treatment. At 6 h after the treatment, a maximum peak of oxalic acid content was detected on bees' bodies, which gradually decreased after that until physiological levels were reached at 48 h. In the immune system, the oxalic acid treatment determined a peak in glucose oxidase activity at 48 h, indicating a potential defence response and an increase in vitellogenin content at 24 h. No significant changes were recorded in phenoloxidase, glutathione S-transferase, and catalase activities. These results suggest a time-dependent response to oxalic acid, with potential immune system activation in treated bees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the last decade different approaches have been applied for water remediation purposes, including the use of nanoparticles (NPs) to remove metals and metalloids from water. Although studies have been done on the toxic impacts of such NPs, very scarce information is available on the impacts of water after decontamination when discharged into aquatic environments. As such, in the present study we aimed to evaluate the ecotoxicological safety of seawater previously contaminated with arsenic (As) and remediated by using manganese-ferrite (MnFe 2 O 4 -NPs) NPs. For this, mussels Mytilus galloprovincialis were exposed for 28 days to different conditions, including clean seawater (control), As (1000 μg L−1) contaminated and remediated (As 70 μg L−1) seawater, water containing MnFe 2 O 4 - NPs (50 mg L−1) with and without the presence of As. At the end of exposure, concentrations of As in mussels tissues were quantified and biomarkers related to mussels' metabolism and oxidative stress status were evaluated. Results revealed that mussels exposed to water contaminated with As and to As + NPs accumulated significantly more As (between 62% and 76% more) than those exposed to remediated seawater. Regarding biomarkers, our findings demonstrated that in comparison to remediated seawater (conditions a, b, c) mussels exposed to contaminated seawater (conditions A, B, C) presented significantly lower metabolic activity, lower expenditure of energy reserves, activation of antioxidant and biotransformation defences, higher lipids and protein damages and greater AChE inhibition. Furthermore, organisms exposed to As, NPs or As + NPs revealed similar biochemical effects, both before and after water decontamination. In conclusion, the present study suggests that seawater previously contaminated with As and remediated by MnFe 2 O 4 -NPs presented significantly lower toxicity than As contaminated water, evidencing the potential use of these NPs to remediate seawater contaminated with As and its safety towards marine systems after discharges to these environments. • Decontaminated seawater did not affect mussels metabolic capacity. • Contaminated mussels enhanced their antioxidant and biotransformation enzymes activities. • No cellular damages were observed in mussels exposed to decontaminated seawater. • Neurotoxicity was induced in contaminated mussels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Interest on the effects of emerging contaminants over aquatic organisms has increased in the last years. Nonetheless, the toxic action of classical natural and anthropogenically-driven metals has also to be monitored, especially because they reflect real environmental situations. For that, in the present study we focused on the effects on the marine mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis of the personal care product Triclosan (TCS) and Lead (Pb), as toxic metal, under separate and co-exposure situations at environmentally relevant concentrations: TCS (1 μg/L) and Pb (50 μg/L). The consideration of an additional factor such as an increase in ambient temperature was also included to provide a forecasted scenario of climate change: from the ambient temperature at actual conditions (17 °C) to a predicted warming situation (22 °C). Water chemical characterization and some physical properties and bioaccumulation of TCS and Pb in mussels at the end of the experiment (28 days) was considered. The parameters followed up comprise the energy related system production (electron transport system) and glycogen and protein reserves. Antioxidant enzymatic defences towards reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the consequences of ROS damage over endogenous lipids (LPO) and proteins (PC). Overall the results suggested only particular responses to chemical exposures at 17 °C whereas at 22 °C the detoxification machinery was set up and this prevented the occurrence of LPO. Nonetheless, PC formation occurred under Pb and TCS + Pb co-exposure at the highest temperature. Due to the complexity of the study: 4 chemical conditions, 2 temperatures and 10 biomarkers considered, a principal component ordination (PCO) analysis was included. The results of this integrative analysis confirmed a clear effect of the temperature, more responsiveness to drugs at 22 °C and in all likelihood due to Pb presence. Graphical abstract Unlabelled Image Highlights • Antioxidant defences were increased at higher temperature and this prevented LPO occurrence. • Effects due to triclosan and Pb exposures were more evident at higher temperature. • Pb alone or combined with triclosan caused protein oxidation at 22 °C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Little is known about the consequences of exposure to pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) in elevated temperatures associated with climate change. To increase the knowledge on this topic, Mytilus galloprovincialis mussels were exposed to 1.0 μg/L of either the antimicrobial Triclosan (TCS) or the anti-inflammatory drug Diclofenac (DIC), at control (17 °C) and 4 °C raised (21 °C) temperatures for 28 days. Triclosan and DIC concentrations in the water and tissues were subsequently measured and related to biomarker responses including: energy metabolism (electron transport system (ETS) activity, glycogen and protein reserves), oxidative stress markers, glutathione balance between the reduced and the oxidised form (GSH/GSSG), and damage to proteins and lipids. Mussels responded to the increase in temperature and drug exposure by lowering their metabolic rate (decreased ETS), increasing their endogenous reserves and antioxidant defences, thus preventing oxidative stress damage, with the exception of DIC exposure at the higher temperature. In all cases, GSH/GSSG ratio was reduced in detriment of the antioxidant form at both PPCPs exposures and elevated temperature with no additive effect due to combined stressors. Overall, either drug exposure or increased temperature could compromise the ability of mussels to withstand further insults. Graphical abstract Unlabelled Image Highlights • Mussels lowered their metabolism when exposed to TCS or DIC, regardless temperature. • Mussels increased antioxidant defences when exposed to TCS and DIC, regardless temperature. • Exposure to DIC at higher temperature enhanced lipid peroxidation. • Oxidative stress was evidenced in mussels exposed to TCS and DIC. • Impacts of TCS and DIC were not enhanced under increased temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

during the commemoration of the three thousand anniversary of the foundation of Cádiz, the poet Rafael Alberti gave a lecture focused on the collection of poems Ora maritima. This monologue, which has never been published before, has been preserved at the Centro Cultural Generación del 27. Exposing a mythical-literary content, the document delivers untold points of view regarding the origin of these poems. This article provides a philological description of the typed manuscript, which recovery offers updated readings of the verses that the author dedicated to his homeland, and brings to light new information about its composition process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Ria de Aveiro is an important coastal lagoon for wildlife in Portugal, where the production of bivalves reaches approximately 2700 tons annually. However, the illegal overfishing of bivalves is frequent in this lagoon, which causes critical changes in the ecosystem. In this study, using a developed food-web model (Ecopath model), the ecological carrying capacity (ECC) and maximum sustained yield (MSY) of the Manila clam, Ruditapes philippinarum were estimated, and the effects of further increases in clam biomass on other species were investigated. The results showed that 1) the current biomass and legal catch of R. philippinarum do not yet exceed the ECC (172.40 tons km−2) or the MSY (86.20 tons km−2 year−1) in Ria de Aveiro; 2) the harvested Manila clams of the MSY represent removing from the ecosystem ∼ 581 tons carbon (C) and ∼83 tons nitrogen (N) annually, with substantial ecological and economic implications; and 3) a further increase in the biomass levels of this species may cause the ecotrophic efficiency of other groups to become unrealistic, potentially leading to decreases in ecosystem transfer efficiency, biodiversity and health. The results here are expected to guide the sustainable development and management of bivalve aquaculture in Ria de Aveiro and the protection of the local environment. • The current catching of clams is below the maximum sustained yield in Ria de Aveiro. • The harvested clams represent removing ∼581 tons C and 83 tons N annually. • Increases in the clams biomass may cause a decline in ecosystem health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several studies have described the impacts caused by metals on estuarine species, including mussels, but scarce information is available regarding their effects in a global warming context. Moreover, increased temperatures can not only affect the response of organisms but their capacity to recover from pollution events. In this way, the present study aimed to understand the impact of temperature rise on the capacity of Mytilus galloprovincialis to recover their biochemical performance from pre-exposure to Hg. For this, mussels were exposed during 14 days at 17 °C in the absence or presence of Hg (17 °C; 17 °C Hg), after which mussels were exposed for an additional period of 28 days at 21 °C in the absence or presence of Hg (21 °C; 21 °C Hg) or kept for the same period at 17 °C in the absence or presence of Hg (17 °C; 17 °C Hg), and biomarkers related to mussels’ metabolic and oxidative stress status were evaluated as well as Hg accumulation. Our findings revealed that regardless of temperature regime, organisms previously exposed to Hg followed by a 28 days recovery period (absence of Hg) presented a significant decrease on the metal concentration. Furthermore, energy-related and oxidative stress markers in mussels recovering for 28 days in the absence of Hg demonstrated no differences between mussels exposed to warming conditions (21 °C) and control temperature (17 °C), with a tendency to match control values (observed in mussels exposed the entire experiment to 17 °C in the absence of Hg), indicating that temperature has no influence on mussels’ recovery capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although an increasing number of studies have been published on the effects of emergent pollutants such as carbon nanoparticles, there is still scarce information on the impact of these contaminants on marine organisms when acting in combination with classical pollutants such as meta(loid)s. The present study evaluated the impacts of Arsenic and Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNTs) in the clam Ruditapes philippinarum , assessing the effects induced when both contaminants were acting individually (As, NP) and as a mixture (As + NP). Metabolic capacity (electron transport system activity), oxidative stress (antioxidant and biotransformation enzymes activity and cellular damage) and neurotoxicity (Acetylcholinesterase activity) biomarkers were evaluated in clams after a 28 days exposure period. The results obtained showed that the accumulation of As was not affected by the presence of the NPs. Our results demonstrated that higher injuries were noticed in clams exposed to NPs, with higher metabolic depression and oxidative stress, regardless of the presence of As. Furthermore, higher neurotoxicity was observed in clams exposed to the combination of both contaminants in comparison to the effects of As and NPs individually. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The interest in the consequences of climate change on the physiological and biochemical functioning of marine organisms is increasing, but the indirect and interactive effects resulting from warming on bioconcentration and responsiveness to pollutants are still poorly explored, particularly in terms of cellular responses. The present study investigated the impacts of Hg in Mytilus galloprovincialis under control (17 °C) and warming (21 °C) conditions, assessing mussels Hg bioconcentration capacity, metabolic and oxidative status after 14 and 28 days of exposure. Results obtained showed greater impacts in mussels exposed for 28 days in comparison to 14 days of exposure. Furthermore, our findings revealed that the increase in temperature from 17 to 21 °C reduced the bioconcentration of Hg by M. galloprovincialis , which may explain higher mortality rates at 17 °C in comparison to 21 °C. Lower Hg concentration at 21 °C in mussels tissue may result from valves closure for longer periods, identified by reduced energy reserves consumption at higher temperature, which in turn might also contributed to higher oxidative stress in organisms exposed to this condition. The highest LPO levels observed in mussels exposed to higher temperatures alone indicate that warming conditions will greatly affect M. galloprovincialis . Furthermore, the present study showed that the impacts induced by the combination of Hg and warming were similar to the ones caused by increased temperature acting alone, mainly due to increased antioxidant defenses in organisms under combined effects of Hg and warming, suggesting that warming was the factor that mostly contributed to oxidative stress in mussels. Although higher mortality was observed in individuals exposed to 17 °C and Hg compared to organisms exposed to Hg at 21 °C, the oxidative stress induced at higher temperature may generate negative consequences on mussels reproductive and feeding capacity, growth and, consequently, on population maintenance and dynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The degree to which marine invertebrate populations can tolerate extreme weather events, such as short-term exposure to high temperatures, and the underlying biochemical response mechanisms are not yet fully understood. Furthermore, scarce information is available on how marine organisms respond to the presence of pollutants after exposure to heat stress conditions. Therefore, the present study aimed to understand how the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis responds to Hg pollution after pre-exposure to warming conditions. Mussels were exposed to control (17 °C) and warming (21 °C) conditions during 14 days, followed by Hg contamination during 28 days under different temperature regimes (17 and 21 °C). The results obtained demonstrated significantly higher Hg concentrations in mussels under 17 °C during the entire experiment than in organisms exposed to 21 °C during the same period, which resulted in higher oxidative stress in mussels under control temperature. Significantly higher Hg concentrations were also observed in mussels pre-exposed to 21 °C followed by a 17 °C exposure comparing with organisms maintained the entire experiment at 21 °C. These results may be explained by higher metabolic capacity in organisms exposed to 17 °C after pre-exposure to 21 °C that although induced antioxidant defences were not enough to prevent oxidative stress. No significant differences in terms of Hg concentration were found between mussels exposed to 17 °C during the entire experiment and organisms pre-exposed to 21 °C followed by a 17 °C exposure, leading to similar oxidative stress levels in mussels exposed to both conditions. Therefore, our findings demonstrated that pre-exposure to warming conditions did not change mussels' accumulation and tolerance to Hg in comparison to Hg contaminated mussels maintained at control temperature. Furthermore, the present study indicate that organisms maintained under warming conditions for long periods may prevent the accumulation of pollutants by decreasing their metabolism which will limit cellular injuries. Capsule Mussels under warming conditions presented reduced metabolic capacity, resulting in lower Hg accumulation, which in turn prevented higher damages and, consequently, physiological impairments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flower nectar, a sugar‐rich solution containing amino acids as major secondary solutes, is the primary energy source for bees. Proline is one of the most abundant protein nectar amino acids, showing several effects on bee physiology. Mason bees are outstanding pollinators, often preferred to Apis mellifera for pollination of fruit trees. Among them, Osmia cornuta (Latreille) is one of the most successfully managed species on a commercial scale. In this work, the effects of 10 mM proline‐enriched diet administration on O. cornuta feed consumption, survival, behaviour and haemolymph amino acid composition were investigated. Feed intake was higher for the proline diet, while survival rate was not affected. Behaviour was affected only in the senescence of the mason bees with a reduction in locomotor activity induced by proline intake. Proline diet also affected the haemolymph amino acid composition, decreasing concentration of tyrosine, methionine, leucine and phenylalanine after 10 days of feeding. These results were discussed in relation to the potential involvement of proline in oxidative stress in insects and proline's ability to be converted to other amino acids. Further investigations are necessary to better understand the molecular mechanisms of proline effects on locomotion and oxidative stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To assess the opinion on structured reporting (SR) and its usage by radiologist members of the Italian Society of Medical Radiology (SIRM) via an online survey.Methods: All members received an email invitation to join the survey as an initiative by the SIRM Imaging Informatics Chapter. The survey included 10 questions about demographic information, definition of radiological SR, its usage in everyday practice, perceived advantages and disadvantages over conventional reporting and overall opinion about SR.Results: 1159 SIRM members participated in the survey. 40.3 % of respondents gave a correct definition of radiological SR, but as many as 56 % of them never used it at work. Compared with conventional reporting, the most appreciated advantages of SR were higher reproducibility (70.5 %), better interaction with referring clinicians (58.3 %) and the option to link metadata (36.7 %). Risk of excessive simplification (59.8 %), template rigidity (56.1 %) and poor user compliance (42.1 %) were the most significant disadvantages. Overall, most respondents (87.0 %) were in favour of the adoption of radiological SR.Conclusions: Most radiologists were interested in radiological SR and in favour of its adoption. However, concerns about semantic, technical and professional issues limited its diffusion in real working life, encouraging efforts towards improved SR standardisation and engineering.Key Points: • Despite radiologists' awareness, radiological SR is little used in working practice. • Perceived SR advantages are reproducibility, better clinico-radiological interaction and link to metadata. • Perceived SR disadvantages are excessive simplification, template rigidity and poor user compliance. • Improved standardisation and engineering may be helpful to boost SR diffusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change-associated factors and pollutants, such as rare earth elements (REEs), have been identified as contributors to environmental changes. However, the toxicity resulting from the combination of these stressors has received little attention. Neodymium (Nd) is a REE that has been widely used, and this study aimed to evaluate the responses of Mytilus galloprovincialis to Nd exposure (10 µg/L), under actual (17 °C) and predicted warming conditions (21 °C), after fourteen days of exposure followed by fourteen days of recovery (without Nd), analyzing Nd accumulation, histopathological and biochemical alterations. The results showed that increased temperature and Nd exposure caused histopathological injuries in the gills. Contaminated mussels at 17 °C showed cellular damage, while at 21 °C, mussels were able to avoid cellular damage. After the recovery period, no improvements in gill's status were found and cellular damage was still present, highlighting the impacts caused by previous exposure to Nd. [Display omitted] • Mytilus galloprovincialis accumulate Nd at both temperatures. • Neodymium induced oxidative stress and histopathological injuries in gills. • Temperature rise induced histopathological injuries and influence the Nd uptake. • Neodymium exposure combined with temperature rise did not cause cellular damage. • After recovery, mussels presented histopathological and cellular damages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several authors identified polychaetes as a group of marine invertebrates that respond rapidly to anthropogenic stressors. Furthermore, several studies have demonstrated that environmental pollution lead to the impoverishment of benthic communities with species replacement and biodiversity loss, but very few studies have investigated biochemical and physiological alterations that species undergo in response to Arsenic (As) exposure. Therefore, the present study assessed the toxicity induced in the polychaete Diopatra neapolitana after a long-term (28 days) exposure to different As concentrations (0.0, 0.05, 0.25 and 1.25 mg/L). For this biochemical and physiological alterations were evaluated. Biochemical analysis included the measurement of different biomarkers such as glutathione S-transferase (GST), lipid peroxidation (LPO), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), reduced glutathione (GSH) and oxidized glutathione (GSSG) were assessed in order to evaluate oxidative stress. Physiological analyzes included the observation of polychaetes regenerative capacity and the quantification of organisms total protein (PROT) and glycogen (GLY) content. The results obtained allowed to confirm the suitability of these biomarkers to identify the toxicity caused by As and moreover revealed that D. neapolitana is a good bioindicator of As pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to evaluate the effect of the application of chitosan to red wines with different initial composition, four wines showing tannins/anthocyanins ratio (T/A) ranging from 0.15 to 2.44 were treated with this amino polysaccharide. As one of the main factors involved in red wine ageing is the oxidation, even a forced oxidation test was applied on all the samples. The addition of chitosan determined a decrease in total phenolic compounds mainly due to the adsorption of protein-reactive tannins which decreased from 10 to 50% of the initial value. The previous addition of chitosan determined a lower production of acetaldehyde after oxidation confirming the antioxidant activity of this amino polysaccharide. The production of acetaldehyde was lower in samples with a higher T/A ratio probably due to the involvement of acetaldehyde in reactions with flavanols and anthocyanins giving polymeric pigments. These results suggest a possible use of chitosan in red wine with a higher T/A ratio to decrease the content of tannins reactive towards proteins and, contemporary, to act as antioxidant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study is to describe our experience with cases of false negative findings at conventional colonoscopy (CC) that were identified by CT colonography (CTC). Conventional colonoscopy (CC) is the universally accepted gold-standard technique for the diagnosis of colonic polyps and cancers, however occasionally this method can generate false negative findings. We present examples of false negatives at CC, correctly identified by CT colonography (CTC), and later confirmed at a second endoscopy, describing the reasons of false negative, when possible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mixture of contaminants often determine biological responses of marine species, making difficult the interpretation of toxicological data. The pharmaceutical 17 alpha-ethinylestradiol (EE2) and the surfactant Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) commonly co-occur in the marine environment. This study evaluated the effects of EE2 (125.0 ng/L) and SLS (4 mg/L), acting individually and combined, in the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis. Contaminated mussels closed their valves for longer periods than control ones, especially in the presence of both contaminants, with longer closure periods immediately after spiking compared to values obtained one day after spiking. Nevertheless, males and females increased their metabolism when in the presence of both contaminants (males) and SLS (females), and independently on the treatment males and females were able to activate their antioxidant and biotransformation defences. Although enhancing defences mussels still presented cellular damage and loss of redox balance, especially noticed in the presence of EE2 for males and SLS for females. Histopathological damage was found at mussel's gills in single and mixture exposure, and qPCR analysis revealed a clear estrogen receptor expression with no additive effect due to combined stressors. The results obtained highlight the harmful capacity of both contaminants but further research on this matter is needed, namely considering different climate change scenarios. [Display omitted] • Valves closure for longer periods in contaminated mussels, especially after spiking. • Males increased their metabolism when in the presence of both contaminants and females exposed to SLS. • Both males and females activated defence mechanisms, regardless the treatment. • Cellular damage and loss of redox balance, especially noticed in the presence of EE2 for males and SLS for females. • Histopathological damage was found at mussel's gills and qPCR analysis revealed a clear estrogen receptor expression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pharmaceutical drugs are Contaminants of Emerging Concern (CECs) and are continuously discharged into the environment. As a result of human and veterinary use, these substances are reaching aquatic coastal systems, with limited information regarding the toxic effects of these compounds towards inhabiting organisms. Among CECs are pharmaceuticals like 17 α-ethinylestradiol (EE2), which is a synthetic hormone with high estrogenic potency. EE2 has been increasingly found in different aquatic systems but few studies addressed its potential toxicity to marine wildlife, in particular to bivalves. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the influence of temperature (17 °C-control and 21 °C) on the potential effects of EE2 on the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis. For this purpose, mussels were exposed to different concentrations of EE2 (5.0; 25.0; 125.0 and 625 ng/L), resembling low to highly polluted sites. Mussels exposed to each concentration were maintained under two temperatures, 17 and 21 °C, which represent actual and predicted warming conditions, respectively. After 28 days, oxidative stress status, metabolism related parameters, neurotoxicity and histopathological alterations were measured. The results obtained clearly showed an interactive effect of increased temperature and EE2, with limited antioxidant and biotransformation capacity when both stressors were acting together, leading to higher cellular damage. The combination of both stressors also enhanced mussels' metabolic capacity and neurotoxic effects. Nevertheless, loss of redox balance was confirmed by the strong decrease of the ratio between reduce glutathione (GSH) and oxidized glutathione (GSSG) in contaminated mussels, regardless the temperature. Histopathological indexes in contaminated mussels were significantly different from the control group, indicating impacts in gills and digestive glands of mussels due to EE2, with higher values observed at 21 °C. Overall, this study demonstrates that of EE2 represents a threat to mussels and predicted warming conditions will enhance the impacts, which in a near future might result in impairments at the population and community levels. • Interactive effect of temperature and 17 alpha-ethinylestradiol (EE2) on Mytilus galloprovincialis mussels. • Limited antioxidant and biotransformation capacity in the presence of EE2 at 21 °C. • Higher cellular damage and neurotoxicity when EE2 and warming were acting together. • Greater histopathological alterations in EE2 exposed mussels maintained at 21 °C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Senotainia tricuspis is a dipterian endoparasitoid of the honey bee. It is responsible for the severe damage (called senotainiosis) of apiaries in several European, North African and Middle Eastern countries. Despite the availability of data on the infestation percentages and the increasingly growing awareness of the senotainiosis damage in beekeeping, the aggression and parasitization behavior of S. tricuspis towards A. mellifera remains poorly investigated. In this study, a description of parasitisation behavior, as well as data on the pupation and emergence of S. tricuspis in an apiary in the province of Pisa (Central Italy), is provided. The categories of aggression, beecatcher, chase and parasitization in the attack behavior of S. tricuspis toward western honey bees were identified and described. Moreover, the daily temporal pattern of the number of aggressions showed two main peaks: one during the morning hours and one in the afternoon. Data on the sinking depth of larvae and successful pupation allowed us to hypothesize that mulch and/or minimum soil tillage could prevent severe senotainiosis in apiaries. Senotainia tricuspis (Meigen, 1838) is a Sarcophagid dipteran endoparasitoid of Apis mellifera L., and myiasis, caused by this fly, is reported in several European, North African and Middle Eastern countries. Nevertheless, very little knowledge concerning the aggression and parasitisation behavior of S. tricuspis toward A. mellifera is available in the scientific literature, and the temporal pattern of aggression remains unclear. The aim of this investigation was to describe the aggressive behavior of S. tricuspis and to provide data on pupation and adult emergence in order to identify further tools for the control of senotainiosis in beekeeping. Data were collected in an apiary in Pisa province (Tuscany, Italy), where observations of aggressive behavior were conducted indirectly by using a VHS camera and also directly by an observer. Four behavioral categories of the attack were described. A total of 55 aggressions, 21 beecatchers, 104 chases and 6 parasitization events were recorded with the camera. Slow-motion recording analyses of the parasitization episodes resulted in contact of at least 1/6 s between the parasitoid and the host. Through four days of direct observations, a total of 1633 aggression events were recorded. The daily temporal pattern of the number of aggressions showed two main peaks: one during the morning hours (i.e., from 10:00 to 11:00) and one in the afternoon (i.e., from 15:00 to 17:00). The morphometric data on the first-instars of S. tricuspis allowed us to hypothesize a penetration in the bee through its prothoracic spiracle as a modality of entrance in the host body. Third-instars successfully pupate when sinking in topsoil or clay soil, and adults emerge when left to a 4 °C overwintering period of six months. Furthermore, the high mortality rate of those larvae that did not sink and did not pupate successfully suggests that reaching a certain depth in the soil is a determining factor for larvae survival and that mulch and/or minimum soil tillage could prevent severe senotainiosis in apiaries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The mason bee Osmia cornuta is largely used for orchard crop pollination worldwide, both enhancing the maintenance of health ecosystems and providing economic benefits for human society. A deepening of the reproductive biology of O. cornuta could refine the management techniques of these pollinators. In the present study, the behavioural sequence of O. cornuta mating is described by using Marcov analysis, which revealed the occurrence of repeated, stereotyped, and regular sequences of behavioural units, including two types of copulations, i.e., short and long. The results reported in this paper support the hypothesis that ageing could negatively influence the success of reproduction in mason bees. Osmia cornuta Latr. is largely managed worldwide for the pollination of orchard crops, playing a key role in the maintenance of healthy ecosystems and ensuring economic and social benefits for human society. The management techniques of this pollinator include the possibility of delaying emergence from cocoons after diapause, allowing for the pollination of later-blooming fruit crops. In this study, the mating behaviour of bees emerging at the natural time (Right Emergence Insects) and of late-emerged bees (Aged Emergence Insects) was described in order to test if a delay in emergence could affect the mating sequence of O. cornuta. Markov analysis of the mating behaviour revealed the occurrence of antenna motion episodes that were repeated in a stereotyped manner at regular intervals during the mating sequence of both Right Emergence Insects and in Aged Emergence Insects. Pouncing, rhythmic and continuous emission of sound, motion of antennae, stretching of the abdomen, short and long copulations, scratching, inactivity, and self-grooming were identified as the stereotyped behavioural units of a behavioural sequence. The occurrence of short copulations, the frequency of which increased with the age of bees, could lead to a failure in the reproduction of the mason bee. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background.— Language disturbances have been previously described as word-finding difficulties in epileptic patients. These disturbances have been recently reported in migraineurs in treatment with topiramate but they have never been defined and assessed in these patients with the aid of neuropsychological testing. Objective.— To verify the occurrence of language disturbances as a side effect of topiramate treatment in episodic and chronic migraine patients. Methods— Language disturbances were recorded on the basis of spontaneous reports of 30 migraine patients treated with topiramate and 2 control groups (20 patients treated with other prophylactic drugs and 20 patients without prophylactic treatment) and were explored with neuropsychological tests. Psychiatric comorbidity was assessed using Zung Anxiety and Depression Scales. Results.— Language disturbances were referred by 26.7% (n = 8) of patients during topiramate treatment but by none of the patients in the 2 control groups. All patients in the topiramate group had a worse performance on all tests compared to patients of the 2 control groups. Moreover, in the topiramate group, patients with referred language disturbances had higher scores for all neuropsychological test variables, indicative of aworse performance. Some language functions (Trail Making Tests A and B) seemed to be influenced by the concomitant presence of psychiatric comorbidities, particularly anxiety and depression. Conclusion.— It can be hypothesized that a disorder such as migraine, which involves numerous cortical and subcortical circuits implicated in the transmission and behavioral and emotional processing of pain, represents a facilitated substrate for the occurrence of language disturbances due to topiramate. This could be the expression of a more generalized impairment of cognitive processing. These aspects should be investigated in prospective studies involving larger migraine patient samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Higher Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) concentration in mussels' tissues at salinity 25. • At control salinity (30) contaminated mussels increased their metabolic capacity. • Lower metabolic and detoxification capacity in SLS mussels at salinities 25 and 35. • Higher antioxidant capacity in SLS exposed mussels (except for catalase). • Higher cellular damage in non-contaminated mussels, especially at salinity 35. The influence of salinity on the effects of sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) was evaluated using the Mediterranean mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis , exposed for 28 days to SLS (control-0.0 and 4.0 mg/L) under three salinity levels (Control-30, 25 and 35). The effects were monitored using biomarkers related to metabolism and energy reserves, defence mechanisms (antioxidant and biotransformation enzymes) and cellular damage. The results revealed that non-contaminated mussels tended to maintain their metabolic capacity regardless of salinity, without activation of antioxidant defence strategies. On the contrary, although contaminated mussels presented decreased metabolic capacity at salinities 25 and 35, they were able to activate their antioxidant mechanisms, preventing cellular damage. Overall, the present findings indicate that SLS, especially under stressful salinity levels, might potentially jeopardize population survival and reproduction success since reduced metabolism and alterations on mussels' antioxidant mechanisms will impair their biochemical and, consequently, physiological performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mercury (Hg) has been increasing in waters, sediments, soils and air, as a result of natural events and anthropogenic activities. In aquatic environments, especially marine systems (estuaries and lagoons), Hg is easily bioavailable and accumulated by aquatic wildlife, namely bivalves, due to their lifestyle characteristics (sedentary and filter-feeding behavior). In recent years, different approaches have been developed with the objective of removing metal(loid)s from the water, including the employment of nanomaterials. However, coastal systems and marine organisms are not exclusively challenged by pollutants but also by climate changes such as progressive temperature increment. Therefore, the present study aimed to (i) evaluate the toxicity of remediated seawater, previously contaminated by Hg (50 mg/L) and decontaminated by the use of graphene-based nanomaterials (graphene oxide (GO) functionalized with polyethyleneimine, 10 mg/L), towards the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis; (ii) assess the influence of temperature on the toxicity of decontaminated seawater. For this, alterations observed in mussels' metabolic capacity, oxidative and neurotoxic status, as well as histopathological injuries in gills and digestive tubules were measured. This study demonstrated that mussels exposed to Hg contaminated seawater presented higher impacts than organisms under remediated seawater. When comparing the impacts at 21 °C (present study) and 17 °C (previously published data), organisms exposed to remediated seawater at a higher temperature presented higher injuries than organisms at 17 °C. These results indicate that predicted warming conditions may negatively affect effective remediation processes, with the increasing of temperature being responsible for changes in organisms' sensitivity to pollutants or increasing pollutants toxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Advanced investigations on the use of graphene based nanomaterials have highlighted the capacity of these materials for wastewater treatment. Research on this topic revealed the efficiency of the nanocomposite synthetized by graphene oxide functionalized with polyethyleneimine (GO-PEI) to adsorb mercury (Hg) from contaminated seawater. However, information on the environmental risks associated with these approaches are still lacking. The focus of this study was to evaluate the effects of Hg in contaminated seawater and seawater remediated by GO-PEI, using the species Ruditapes philippinarum , maintained at two different warming scenarios: control (17 °C) and increased (22 °C) temperatures. The results obtained showed that organisms exposed to non-contaminated and remediated seawaters at control temperature presented similar biological patterns, with no considerable differences expressed in terms of biochemical and histopathological alterations. Moreover, the present findings revealed increased toxicological effects in clams under remediated seawater at 22 °C in comparison to those subjected to the equivalent treatment at 17 °C. These results confirm the capability of GO-PEI to adsorb Hg from water with no noticeable toxic effects, although temperature could alter the responses of mussels to remediated seawater. These materials seem to be a promise eco-friendly approach to remediate wastewater, with low toxicity evidenced by remediated seawater and high regenerative capacity of this nanomaterial, keeping its high removal performance after successive sorption-desorption cycles. • Graphene oxide functionalized with polyethyleneimine (GO-PEI) removed Hg from seawater. • Low Hg accumulation in clams under remediated seawater, especially at 22 °C. • Clams under Hg free treatments (CTL, GO-PEI, RSW) presented similar responses. • Hg treatment was the most deleterious condition, regardless the temperature. • Clams exposed to different temperatures showed a different behaviour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the marine environment, organisms are exposed to a high and increasing number of different contaminants that can interact among them. In addition, abiotic factors can change the dynamics between contaminants and organisms, thus increasing or even decreasing the toxic effect of a particular compound. In this study, the effects of caffeine (CAF) and functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (f-MWCNTs) induced in the clam Ruditapes philippinarum were evaluated, acting alone and in combination (MIX), under two temperature levels (18 and 21 °C). To assess the impact of such compounds, their interaction and the possible influence of temperature, biochemical and histopathological markers were investigated. The effects of f-MWCNTs and caffeine appear to be clearly negative at the control temperature, with lower protein content in contaminated clams and a significant decrease in their metabolism when both pollutants were acting in combination. Also, at control temperature, clams exposed to pollutants showed increased antioxidant capacity, especially when caffeine was acting alone, although cellular damages were still observed at CAF and f-MWCNTs treatments. Increased biotransformation capacity at 18 °C and MIX treatment may explain lower caffeine concentration observed. At increased temperature differences among treatments were not so evident as at 18 °C, with a similar biological pattern among contaminated and control clams. Higher caffeine accumulation at MIX treatment under warming conditions may result from clams' inefficient biotransformation capacity when exposed to increased temperatures. • Higher caffeine accumulation in the presence of f-MWCNTs, especially at 21 °C. • Lower metabolic capacity at 18 °C, especially in the presence of caffeine. • Increased antioxidant capacity at 18 °C, especially when caffeine was acting alone. • Higher biotransformation capacity at 18 °C, namely when pollutants were combined. • Cellular damage occurred in contaminated clams, regardless the temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our study aimed to investigate whether radiomics on MRI sequences can differentiate responder (R) and non-responder (NR) patients based on the tumour regression grade (TRG) assigned after surgical resection in locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT). Eighty-five patients undergoing primary staging with MRI were retrospectively evaluated, and 40 patients were finally selected. The ROIs were manually outlined in the tumour site on T2w sequences in the oblique-axial plane. Based on the TRG, patients were grouped as having either a complete or a partial response (TRG = (0,1), n = 15). NR patients had a minimal or poor nCRT response (TRG = (2,3), n = 25). Eighty-four local first-order radiomic features (RFs) were extracted from tumour ROIs. Only single RFs were investigated. Each feature was selected using univariate analysis guided by a one-tailed Wilcoxon rank-sum. ROC curve analysis was performed, using AUC computation and the Youden index (YI) for sensitivity and specificity. The RF measuring the heterogeneity of local skewness of T2w values from tumour ROIs differentiated Rs and NRs with a p-value ≈ 10−5; AUC = 0.90 (95%CI, 0.73–0.96); and YI = 0.68, corresponding to 80% sensitivity and 88% specificity. In conclusion, higher heterogeneity in skewness maps of the baseline tumour correlated with a greater benefit from nCRT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While cross-sectional imaging has seen continuous progress and plays an undiscussed pivotal role in the diagnostic management and treatment planning of patients with rectal cancer, a largely unmet need remains for improved staging accuracy, assessment of treatment response and prediction of individual patient outcome. Moreover, the increasing availability of target therapies has called for developing reliable diagnostic tools for identifying potential responders and optimizing overall treatment strategy on a personalized basis. Radiomics has emerged as a promising, still fully evolving research topic, which could harness the power of modern computer technology to generate quantitative information from imaging datasets based on advanced data-driven biomathematical models, potentially providing an added value to conventional imaging for improved patient management. The present study aimed to illustrate the contribution that current radiomics methods applied to magnetic resonance imaging can offer to managing patients with rectal cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Three accelerated oxidation tests were proposed to simulate red wine oxidation thus providing information useful to correctly manage moderate oxygen exposure of wine during aging in regard to phenolic composition and wine color. Since the results of the tests have never been compared on wines with different initial composition, the aim of this study was to find a suitable method to simulate oxidation of any still red wine. Methods: Aglianico, Barbera, Gaglioppo, Magliocco, and Nerello wines were treated with (1) three cycles of air saturation, (2) the addition of hydrogen peroxide, and (3) the addition of acetaldehyde. Changes in chromatic characteristics and phenolic composition were determined by spectrophotometric and HPLC methods. Results: Important differences in the behavior of the different wines were detected: the highest formation of polymeric pigments was observed in Barbera and Aglianico wines. In contrast, Gaglioppo and Magliocco wines showed a lower variability before and after the oxidation probably due to the lower anthocyanin/tannin ratio. Among the accelerated oxidation tests applied, no significant differences in color parameters and phenolic composition were detected in samples treated with the addition of H2O2 and the air saturation method. Conclusion: The study demonstrated that H2O2 addition is a successful tool to predict the evolution of different phenolic compounds during the air saturation treatment of wines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change is leading to a gradual increase in the ocean temperature, which can cause physiological and biochemical impairments in aquatic organisms. Along with the environmental changes, the presence of emerging pollutants such as titanium dioxide (TiO 2) in marine coastal systems has also been a topic of concern, especially considering the interactive effects that both factors may present to inhabiting organisms. In the present study, it has been assessed the effects of the presence in water of particles of rutile , the most common polymorph of TiO 2 , in Mytilus galloprovincialis, under actual and predicted warming conditions. Organisms were exposed to different concentrations of rutile (0, 5, 50, 100 μg/L) at control (18 ± 1.0 °C) and increased (22 ± 1.0 °C) temperatures. Histopathological and biochemical changes were evaluated in mussels after 28 days of exposure. Histopathological examination revealed similar alterations on mussels' gills and digestive glands with increasing rutile concentrations at both temperatures. Biochemical markers showed that contaminated mussels have an unchanged metabolic capacity at 18 °C, which increased at 22 °C. Although antioxidant defences were activated in contaminated organisms at 22 °C, cellular damage was still observed. Overall, our findings showed that histopathological impacts occurred after rutile exposure regardless of the temperature, while biochemical alterations were only significantly noticeable when temperature was enhanced to 22 °C. Thus, this study demonstrated that temperature rise may significantly enhance the sensitivity of bivalves towards emerging pollutants. Image 1 • Mytilus galloprovincialis bioaccumulated titanium regardless the temperature. • Histopathological alterations were induced by Rutile NPs regardless the temperature. • Rutile exposed mussels at lower temperature activated detoxification that prevented cell damage. • Rutile exposed mussels at higher temperature activated antioxidant defences but showed cell damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ocean acidification and warming are among the man-induced factors that most likely impact aquatic wildlife worldwide. Besides effects caused by temperature rise and lowered pH conditions, chemicals of current use can also adversely affect aquatic organisms. Both climate change and emerging pollutants, including toxic impacts in marine invertebrates, have been investigated in recent years. However, less information is available on the combined effects of these physical and chemical stressors that, in nature, occur simultaneously. Thus, this study contrasts the effects caused by the antimicrobial agent and plastic additive, Triclosan (TCS) in the related clams Ruditapes philippinarum (invasive) and Ruditapes decussatus (native) and evaluates if the impacts are influenced by combined temperature and pH modifications. Organisms were acclimated for 30 days at two conditions (control: 17 °C; pH 8.1 and climate change scenario: 21 °C, pH 7.7) in the absence of the drug (experimental period I) followed by a 7 days exposure under the same water physical parameters but either in absence (unexposed) or presence of TCS at 1 μg/L (experimental period II). Biochemical responses covering metabolic, oxidative defences and damage-related biomarkers were contrasted in clams at the end of experimental period II. The overall picture showed a well-marked antioxidant activation and higher TCS bioaccumulation of the drug under the forecasted climate scenario despite a reduction on respiration rate and unaltered metabolism in the exposed clams. Since clams are highly consumed shellfish, the consequences for higher tissue bioaccumulation of anthropogenic chemicals to final consumers should be alerted not only at present conditions but more significantly under predicted climatic conditions for humans but also for other components of the marine trophic chain. Unlabelled Image • Triclosan bioaccumulation was enhanced under forecasted climate change conditions. • Triclosan strongly affected clams' antioxidant defences. • Cellular damage was prevented by enzymatic and behaviour defence mechanisms. • Greater response of the Manila clam to TCS exposure combined with climate change scenario. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the last few years the use of nanoparticles (NPs) such as the manganese spinel ferrite (MnFe 2 O 4) has been increasing, with a vast variety of applications including water remediation from pollutants as metal(oid)s. Although an increasing number of studies already demonstrated the potential toxicity of NPs towards aquatic systems and inhabiting organisms, there is still scarce information on the potential hazard of the remediated water using NPs. The present study aimed to evaluate the ecotoxicological safety of Pb contaminated seawater remediated with MnFe 2 O 4 , NPs, assessing the toxicity induced in mussels Mytilus galloprovincialis exposed to contaminated seawater and to water that was remediated using MnFe 2 O 4 , NPs. The results obtained demonstrated that seawater contaminated with Pb, NPs or the mixture of both (Pb + NPs) induced higher toxicity in mussels compared to organisms exposed to Pb, NPs and Pb + NPs after the remediation process. In particular, higher metabolic depression, oxidative stress and neurotoxicity were observed in mussels exposed to contaminated seawater in comparison to mussels exposed to remediated seawater. Unlabelled Image • Pb contaminated seawater was successfully remediated by MnFe 2 O 4 NPs. • Mussels exposed to remediated seawater accumulated less Pb. • Mussels exposed to Pb and/or NPs decreased their metabolic capacity. • Mussels exposed to non-remediated treatments activated their antioxidant defences. • Non-remediated treatments showed increased damage cell and lower GSH/GSSG ratio. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Leptospira epidemiology is linked to the widespread of maintenance host species. • Rodents have a reservoir function of several Leptospira serogroup. • The seroprevalence of leptospirosis in crested porcupine resulted 50 %. • Icterohaemorrhagiae resulted the most prevalent serogroup. • The highest titer was detected for the serogroup Australis. Wildlife plays a pivot role in the epidemiology of leptospirosis and rodents have a reservoir function for several Leptospira serogroups. The crested porcupine is the largest rodent of the Italian fauna and shares the same environment with red foxes, badgers, coypus and wild boars that are known to be infected by Leptospira. Between 2018 and 2019 the seroprevalence of Leptospira in crested porcupine was investigated for the first time. Overall 7 out of 14 sera (50 %) were found positive to Leptospira. Icterohaemorrhagiae resulted as the most detected serogroup (57 %) followed by Pomona, Australis and Sejroe. The highest titer (1:1600) was detected for the serogroup Australis. These results indicate that porcupines could be infected by several serogroup of Leptospira and the role of reservoir or accidental host need to be addressed. Further investigations are necessary in order to clarify the leptospirosis – epidemiology – wildlife framework in light of its potential zoonotic source. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Mytilus galloprovincialis bioaccumulated titanium regardless the TiO 2 form. • Both forms of TiO 2 induced histopathological alterations in mussels. • Higher oxidative stress was observed in mussels exposed to anatase. • Neurotoxicity was induced by both forms of TiO 2. Titanium dioxide (TiO 2) particles have been widely used in various industrial applications and consumer products. Due to their large production and use, they will eventually enter into aquatic environments. Once in the aquatic environment TiO 2 particles may interact with the organisms and induce toxic effects. Since the most common crystallographic forms of TiO 2 are rutile and anatase, the present study evaluated the effect of these two forms of TiO 2 particles in Mytilus galloprovincialis. For this, mussels were exposed to different concentrations of rutile and anatase particles (0, 5, 50, 100 µg/L) for twenty-eight days. Ti concentrations, histopathological alterations and biochemical effects were evaluated. Similar Ti concentrations were found in mussels exposed to rutile and anatase, with the highest values in mussels exposed to the highest exposure concentration. Histopathological results demonstrated that both forms of TiO 2 induced alterations on gills and digestive glands along the increasing exposure gradient. Biochemical markers showed that mussels exposed to rutile maintained their metabolic capacity (assessed by the activity of the Electron Transport System, ETS), while anatase increased the metabolism of mussels. Mussels exposed to rutile increased their detoxifying defences which, due to the low tested concentrations, were sufficient to avoid cellular damage. On the other hand, mussels exposed to anatase suffered cellular damages despite the increase of the antioxidant defences which may be related to the high ETS activity. Both rutile and anatase particles were toxic to M. galloprovincialis, being the highest oxidative stress exerted by the crystalline form anatase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The modern technology brought new engineering materials (e.g. nanostructured materials) with advantageous characteristics such as a high capacity to decontaminate water from pollutants (for example metal(loid)s). Among those innovative materials the synthesis of nanostructured materials (NSMs) based on graphene as graphene oxide (GO) functionalized with polyethyleneimine (GO-PEI) had a great success due to their metal removal capacity from water. However, research dedicated to environmental risks related to the application of these materials is still non-existent. To evaluate the impacts of such potential stressors, benthic species can be a good model as they are affected by several environmental constraints. Particularly, the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis has been identified by several authors as a bioindicator that responds quickly to environmental disturbances, with a wide spatial distribution and economic relevance. Thus, the present study aimed to evaluate the impacts caused in M. galloprovincialis by seawater previously contaminated by Hg and decontaminated using GO-PEI. For this, histopathological and biochemical alterations were examined. This study demonstrated that mussels exposed to the contaminant (Hg), the decontaminant (GO-PEI) and the combination of both (Hg + GO-PEI) presented an increment of histopathological, oxidative stress and metabolic alterations if compared to organisms under remediated seawater and control conditions The present findings highlight the possibility to remediate seawater with nanoparticles for environmental safety purposes. Unlabelled Image • Mussels bioaccumulated Hg, with lower concentration in remediated seawater. • Antioxidant defences were activated in mussels exposed to Hg, GO-PEI and Hg + GO-PEI. • Contaminated mussels showed lower metabolism, higher cellular damage and loss of redox balance. • Neurotoxicity was induced in contaminated mussels. • Histopathological alterations were limited in mussels under remediated seawater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the discovery of a crested porcupine (Hystrix cristata L., 1758) in the island of Elba in Italy. Also cited are some characteristics of the rodent like nocturnal, monogamous, and lives in burrows, the distribution of crested porcupines in parts of northwestern Africa from Morocco to Libya, Sub-Saharan Africa from Gambia to Tanzania, as well as in some islands in Italy.

Simple Summary: Microvascular invasion (MVI) is a universally recognised predictor of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) recurrence after curative treatments, whose diagnosis, nowadays, is still postponed to surgery, through histopathological specimen investigation. This retrospective study aims to exploit a radiomic approach to pre-procedural diagnosis MVI in early-stage HCC, with a diameter ≤ 3 cm. The main novelty of the study is the use of the zone of transition (ZOT), crossing tumour and peritumour, detected adaptively through a standardized procedure based on the analysis of image gradients. After generating radiomics features from ZOT and tumour core in arterial and venous computed tomography phases, a classifier is trained and validated using a signature of four features only. The achieved radiomic model enables the early diagnosis of small HCC (≤3 cm) showing MVI with high specificity (82%) and sensitivity (79%), perspectively providing an effective tool to detect the best candidates for surgical treatment and liver transplantation (negative predictive value = 87%). Background: Microvascular invasion (MVI) is a consolidated predictor of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) recurrence after treatments. No reliable radiological imaging findings are available for preoperatively diagnosing MVI, despite some progresses of radiomic analysis. Furthermore, current MVI radiomic studies have not been designed for small HCC nodules, for which a plethora of treatments exists. This study aimed to identify radiomic MVI predictors in nodules ≤3.0 cm by analysing the zone of transition (ZOT), crossing tumour and peritumour, automatically detected to face the uncertainties of radiologist's tumour segmentation. Methods: The study considered 117 patients imaged by contrast-enhanced computed tomography; 78 patients were finally enrolled in the radiomic analysis. Radiomic features were extracted from the tumour and the ZOT, detected using an adaptive procedure based on local image contrast variations. After data oversampling, a support vector machine classifier was developed and validated. Classifier performance was assessed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis and related metrics. Results: The original 89 HCC nodules (32 MVI+ and 57 MVI−) became 169 (62 MVI+ and 107 MVI−) after oversampling. Of the four features within the signature, three are ZOT heterogeneity measures regarding both arterial and venous phases. On the test set (19MVI+ and 33MVI−), the classifier predicts MVI+ with area under the curve of 0.86 (95%CI (0.70–0.93), p∼10 − 5 ), sensitivity = 79% and specificity = 82%. The classifier showed negative and positive predictive values of 87% and 71%, respectively. Conclusions: The classifier showed the highest diagnostic performance in the literature, disclosing the role of ZOT heterogeneity in predicting the MVI+ status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]