Search

Accumulating scientific evidence supports the benefits of parenteral nutrition (PN) with fish oil (FO) containing intravenous lipid emulsions (ILEs) on clinical outcomes. Yet, the question of the most effective ILE remains controversial. We conducted a network meta-analysis (NMA) to compare and rank different types of ILEs in terms of their effects on infections, sepsis, ICU and hospital length of stay, and in-hospital mortality in adult patients. MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published up to May 2022, investigating ILEs as a part of part of PN covering at least 70% of total energy provision. Lipid emulsions were classified in four categories: FO-ILEs, olive oil (OO)-ILEs, medium-chain triglyceride (MCT)/soybean oil (SO)-ILEs, and pure SO-ILEs. Data were statistically combined through Bayesian NMA and the Surface Under the Cumulative RAnking (SUCRA) was calculated for all outcomes. 1651 publications were retrieved in the original search, 47 RCTs were included in the NMA. For FO-ILEs, very highly credible reductions in infection risk versus SO-ILEs [odds ratio (OR) = 0.43 90% credibility interval (CrI) (0.29–0.63)], MCT/soybean oil-ILEs [0.59 (0.43–0.82)], and OO-ILEs [0.56 (0.33–0.91)], and in sepsis risk versus SO-ILEs [0.22 (0.08–0.59)], as well as substantial reductions in hospital length of stay versus SO-ILEs [mean difference (MD) = −2.31 (−3.14 to −1.59) days] and MCT/SO-ILEs (−2.01 (−2.82 to −1.22 days) were shown. According to SUCRA score, FO-ILEs were ranked first for all five outcomes. In hospitalized patients, FO-ILEs provide significant clinical benefits over all other types of ILEs, ranking first for all outcomes investigated. PROSPERO 2022 CRD42022328660. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To link to full-text access for this article, visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.dsr.2006.07.001 Byline: C. Misic (a), M. Castellano (a), M. Fabiano (a), N. Ruggieri (a), V. Saggiomo (b), P. Povero (a) Keywords: Aminopeptidase; [beta] glucosidase; Bacterial biomass; Organic matter degradation; Surface waters; Oceanic transect Abstract: The activities of two hydrolytic enzymes (leucine aminopeptidase and [beta] glucosidase), belonging to the particle-bound enzymatic fraction, were measured in open-sea surface waters. Samples were collected along a transect crossing the Indian Ocean during the early NW monsoon period (November and December 2001). The latitudinal pattern of the ectoenzymatic activities highlighted a generally increasing trend of glycolysis approaching the equator, with significantly higher [beta] glucosidase activity (0.79-3.00nmoll.sup.-1 h.sup.-1) within the latitudinal range from 12[degrees]N to 16[degrees]S. In this area, the surface waters coming from the Indonesian Throughflow and the Bay of Bengal carry a considerable quantity of carbohydrates (38.9-41.9[mu]gl.sup.-1), which stimulated glycolytic activity and its cell-specific rates scaled to bacterial abundance. On the other hand, in the Central Indian Ocean, the proteolytic activity was considerable (0.91-2.03nmoll.sup.-1 h.sup.-1), although the particulate proteins did not show significant increases and the dissolved proteinlike signal was one of the lowest of the entire transect (0.7mgl.sup.-1 on average compared to the 1.4-1.6mgl.sup.-1 of the adjacent areas). Therefore, in this area, the two ectoenzymes studied did not respond to the same stimulatory effect (namely the specific substrate concentrations). The time needed for the hydrolysis of macromolecules within the particulate and dissolved organic substrate fractions, although these measures are affected by a number of assumptions starting with the potential nature of the ectoenzymatic determinations, confirms these observations. The Central Indian Ocean displayed the lowest values, from 8 to 26 days for particulate and dissolved organic carbon, respectively. As observed in the equatorial areas of the Atlantic Ocean, the relevant degradation activity of the central area of the Indian Ocean Basin suggests a notable heterotrophy based on a faster turnover of organic substrates. Author Affiliation: (a) Dipartimento per lo studio del Territorio e delle sue Risorse, Universita di Genova, C.so Europa 26, 16132 Genova, Italy (b) Stazione Zoologica, Villa Comunale, Napoli, Italy Article History: Received 29 July 2005; Revised 20 June 2006; Accepted 3 July 2006

The relationships among vertical stability, estimated nutrient utilization and particulate organic matter in Antarctica's Ross Sea are examined. Nutrient consumption in the upper mixed layer is calculated as the difference between the 'diluted' nutrient value and the mean calculated from the integrated value. A significant link between nutrient depletion and both particulate organic carbon and particulate protein/particulate carbohydrate ratios was established. This implies that the stations could be divided into two groups that possess different characteristics.

Seawater passive sampling with Polar Organic Chemical Integrative Samplers (POCIS) combined with Gaschromatography-Mass Spectrometry analysis were employed as a tool for screening unknown contaminants in a complex Ligurian marine coastal area. The untargeted approach allowed recognizing different classes of compounds, mainly hydrocarbons from C 20 to C 30 . Besides, two chemicals, deriving from anthropic activities, N-butylbenzenesulfonamide (NBBS) and diphenyl sulfone (DPS), were identified and quantified in all samples. Both analytes showed decreasing concentrations from the more confined site to the outer one. The oceanographic characterization of the area performed with multiparametric probes provided useful information, in agreement with chemical analyses. The presence of NBBS and DPS in the site presenting lower continental inputs demonstrated the usefulness of the integrative sampling approach for temporal and spatial monitoring, especially for low level and/or short-term pollution events that traditional monitoring can fail to detect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Marine Pollution Bulletin is the property of Pergamon Press - An Imprint of Elsevier Science and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Mariculture is a relatively new activity that is expanding globally and interacts with other coastal uses. Therefore, it is necessary to allocate suitable sites from environmental, economic and social points of view, involving different stakeholders in the decision-making process. In particular, in the Ligurian Sea (Italy), for its environmental characteristics and tradition, fish farming should be further boosted and an accurate marine spatial planning should be done. This paper presents a spatial multi-criteria evaluation (SMCE) addressed to identify suitable areas for siting offshore medium size fish farms in the Ligurian Sea at the regional scale. The SMCE procedure follows an integrated approach that can be potentially adapted and applied to any coastal system. The site selection is based on the definition of criteria that assess their suitability and on conditions related to the entire study area. Suitability values are ranked on a scale from 1 (suitable) to 10 (optimal). More than 9000 ha were identified and almost 40% of this area gets high suitability values, from 7 to 9, pointing out the untapped potential for Ligurian marine coastal zone. Results demonstrate that our SMCE, and in particular its procedure, allows identifying the most suitable areas in an easy and quick way and solving effectively the complex spatial problem of suitable site selection for fish farming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background & aims A recent meta-analysis showed that supplementation of omega-3 fatty acids in parenteral nutrition (PN) regimens is associated with a statistically and clinically significant reduction in infection rate, and length of hospital stay (LOS) in medical and surgical patients admitted to the ICU and in surgical patients not admitted to the ICU. The objective of this present study was to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the addition of omega-3 fatty acids to standard PN regimens in four European countries (Italy, France, Germany and the UK) from the healthcare provider perspective. Methods Using a discrete event simulation scheme, a patient-level simulation model was developed, based on outcomes from the Italian ICU patient population and published literature. Comparative efficacy data for PN regimens containing omega-3 fatty acids versus standard PN regimens was taken from the meta-analysis of published randomised clinical trials (n = 23 studies with a total of 1502 patients), and hospital LOS reduction was further processed in order to split the reduction in ICU stay from that in-ward stays for patients admitted to the ICU. Country-specific cost data was obtained for Italian, French, German and UK healthcare systems. Clinical outcomes included in the model were death rates, nosocomial infection rates, and ICU/hospital LOS. Probabilistic and deterministic sensitivity analyses were undertaken to test the reliability of results. Results PN regimens containing omega-3 fatty acids were more effective on average than standard PN both in ICU and in non-ICU patients in the four countries considered, reducing infection rates and overall LOS, and resulting in a lower total cost per patient. Overall costs for patients receiving PN regimens containing omega-3 fatty acids were between €14 144 to €19 825 per ICU patient and €5484 to €14 232 per non-ICU patient, translating into savings of between €3972 and €4897 per ICU patient and savings of between €561 and €1762 per non-ICU patient. Treatment costs were completely offset by the reduction in hospital stay costs and antibiotic costs. Sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of these findings. Conclusions These results suggest that the supplementation of PN regimens with omega-3 fatty acids would be cost effective in Italian, French, German and UK hospitals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] We consider the possible evolution of a turbidity layer along the Ligurian coast. [•] We apply a numerical model to a theoretical dredging sediment spreading. [•] We determine the turbidity trend and the risk it would pose for the phanerogam meadow. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This paper presents the results of the statistical analysis of a set of physico-chemical and biological water quality parameters, monthly collected from 2000 to 2007 in the Genoa Harbour area (Ligurian Sea). We applied multivariate methods, such as principal component analysis (PCA) and dynamic factor analysis (DFA) for investigating the spatial and temporal variability and for providing important background information on pollution problems in the region. PCA evidenced the role of the sewage and river discharges and of the exchanges with the open sea in determining the harbour water quality. DFA was used to estimate underlying common trends in the time series. The DFA results partly show a general improvement of water quality over the 8-years period. However, in other areas, we found inter-annual variations but no significant multi-annual trend. Furthermore, we included meteorological variables in our statistical analyses because of their potential influence on the water quality parameters. These natural forcings explain part of the variability in water quality parameters that are superimposed on the dominating anthropogenic pollution factors. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Toxic harmful algal bloom (HAB) occurrence is becoming more frequent and problematic in highly urbanized coastal zones. In summer 2005 along the urbanized Genoa coastline (Ligurian Sea, North western Mediterranean Sea), local first aid stations treated about 200 people, who all showed similar symptoms following exposure to marine aerosols. The link with proliferation of Ostreopsis ovata was made, and it highlighted for the first time, the risks that benthic HABs may represent in highly urbanised temperate areas. Subsequently, a specific monitoring plan was designed and implemented in the same area in July 2006, before the first signs of Ostreopsis proliferation were detected. Here we report on this quantification of an Ostreopsis ovata bloom in the Ligurian Sea. Cells were quantified both in the water column and in the epiphytic community on macrophytes. Our results suggest a role of sea water temperature and weather conditions in favouring bloom development. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The assessment of the ecological status, as required by the Water Framework Directive (WFD), plays an important role in coastal zone management, but only a small number of ecological indices are applicable on rocky bottoms. In this study, we apply a previously defined ecological quality index based on the cartography of littoral and upper-sublittoral rocky-shore communities (CARLIT), based on the sensitivity of algae dominated communities to anthropogenic impacts along a moderate urban gradient. We also apply this index in four Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), proposed as reference sites at a regional scale. After comparing the outputs with water variables and other quality indices, we can affirm that (1) the CARLIT index is suitable to detect different kinds of anthropogenic pressures, that (2) the choice of proper reference sites is a focal point in the fulfilment of the WFD (Water Framework Directive) and that (3) historical data are important to define reference conditions and the degradation of ecological status. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Recreational boating is a significant nature-based activity, which is especially popular in the Mediterranean region. This study analyses this activity in the last decade in the Portofino MPA, a popular recreational boating area in the Ligurian Region (northwest of the Italian peninsula) in order to evaluate the maximum turnout and to provide management considerations to better achieve conservation and environmental management of a MPA. Monitoring activities were carried out during the summer from 2006 to 2016 and allowed locating the most critical sectors of MPA in consideration of different factors and kinds of boats. From the results of this long-term monitoring, the first conducted in Italy, it is evident that only some anchoring sectors of the Portofino MPA may suffer impacts from recreational boating and that the boats have different spatial and temporal distribution depending on the different summer months, on the public holidays and on weather conditions which mainly affect the boats units < 10 m (73% of the monitored boats). Due to direct impact of the anchorage on the seafloor, which hosts peculiar natural habitats, and the fairly constant presence of the recreational boaters over the years, different solutions for better protect the seabed without excessively prejudicing the enjoyment of recreational boating are discussed. Since the San Fruttuoso seagrass-friendly mooring area is one of the most visited sectors in the MPA, an increase in the number of seagrass-friendly moorings combined with a higher delimitation of the areas with special habitats may represent an optimal strategy. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Emergy analysis was applied to three municipalities (Portofino, Santa Margherita Ligure and Rapallo) of the Liguria Region coast, where tourism and cruise tourism are thriving. The results were compared with traditional economic indices. The territorial assessment of the municipalities was analysed by comparing the environmental costs with the economic benefits, focusing on tourism and cruise tourism. Similarities and differences among the case studies emerged. The three economies resulted as being driven by the tertiary sector, but consequences from the different development strategies came to light. Portofino has developed an elite type of tourism with greater attention devoted to the environment. This is mirrored by a sort of safeguarding of tourism and natural resources and by the detriment of the productive sector's success, on the contrary, in Rapallo. Santa Margherita lies in a boundary condition. The cruise tourism sector was analysed in these contexts. The ecological and economic impacts of the cruise sector were revealed to be significant only in Portofino, being less than 1% in Rapallo and Santa Margherita Ligure. The load imposed on the local environment by cruise ship tourism was calculated, and Portofino showed a limited condition, while Santa Margherita Ligure and Rapallo exceeded the local carrying capacity. This is due to the different management approaches pursued: only in Portofino is the territory more able to absorb the impact, although the limit is currently reached. As a consequence it appears to be evident that such phenomena as cruise tourism, albeit economically promising in the short term, should be managed with a long-term perspective, integrating them into the local context and setting up strategies for impact reduction or mitigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]