Search

High‐temperature geothermal areas are often characterized by widespread surficial manifestations, whose location is strictly controlled by sets of faults of regional relevance. The geochemical and isotopic signature of the discharged fluids can reveal key information on the geothermal fluids pathway, shedding light on the sources and fluid‐rock interaction within the geothermal reservoirs. In this paper, a geochemical and structural data set from the Larderello geothermal area and surroundings is presented and discussed. We constrain the role of transfer and normal faults in controlling the geothermal circulation enhanced by a cooling magmatic intrusion underneath the Lago area (SW of Larderello). The structural control on the fluids circulation is highlighted by both the location of the CO2 emissions along the fault segments, where permeability is enhanced, and their degassing rates, which increase moving away from the core of the Larderello geothermal system. The main results unravel the presence of deep regional pathways along which endogenous fluids circulate before being discharged in the investigated areas. The peripheral zone emissions are affected by interaction with shallow aquifers and condensation processes whereas the CO2 emitted from the central areas, located near the core of the geothermal system, was accompanied by high amounts of steam, and suffers intense shallow fractionation processes. The latter areas emit medium‐to‐low normalized‐CO2‐degassing rates (<270 t d−1 km−2) when compared to the extremely high values occurring in the peripheral sectors (up to 1,300 t d−1 km−2) of the Larderello geothermal systems, possibly suggesting an incipient propagation of such a system, likely wider than previously thought. Plain Language Summary: High‐temperature geothermal areas are specific zones on Earth where the geothermal gradient is greater than the average global value (∼30°C km−1). This is due to the existence of cooling magma source(s) at depth, providing heat that is transmitted to fluid reservoir(s) located at intermediate levels continuously and naturally fed by recharging fluids, and sealing rock(s) at shallower levels that maintain reservoir temperature and pressure. These geothermal areas commonly show steam‐dominated manifestations at the surface, accompanied by relevant degassing of carbon dioxide likely originated from different feeding systems (biogenic, thermometamorphic, and mantellic). Defining sources, processes, and transport mechanisms governing the CO2 emissions from soils is challenging but pivotal to understand the geothermal fluid origin, dynamics, and relation with the geological structures. To unravel these processes, we combined geochemical and structural measurements performed at the Larderello‐Travale‐Radicondoli (LTR) geothermal field (Italy). Distinct geothermal sectors were investigated according to their geochemical characteristics, CO2 degassing rates, and geological‐structural features, to understand how CO2 is transported and modified during its journey from the deep geothermal reservoir(s) to the surface, exploiting the permeability of fault zones and/or fractured rocks. Results suggest that the LTR geothermal system might be wider than previously thought, indicating a higher geothermal potential. Key Points: Extensive CO2 soil degassing measurements and carbon isotopic composition in the Larderello geothermal system were carried outHydrothermalized hot‐ and cold‐degassing areas are controlled by structural settingRegional transfer zones enhance the circulation of deep‐seated geothermal fluids [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shape morphing materials, especially those fabricated by 4D printing, are gaining much attention due to their versatility of actuation and capability of being programmed in advance. These materials become particularly interesting for biomedical applications where implant materials could be remotely actuated, exerting a force on the surrounding tissues and cells. However, applications in this field have been restricted due to the biocompatibility of the materials and the character of the required stimuli, generally not compatible with physiological environments. Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) represent a great opportunity to this end; however, the actuation results in a uniform movement toward the magnet that requires anchoring of the object. Here, for the first time, the application of anisotropic Fe3O4 MNPs is described, and synthesized by a novel and easy route, that can be aligned on pre‐defined patterns within objects printed by digital light processing, resulting in materials that can be actuated remotely (4D printing). These nanoparticles (178 nm × 55 nm), show good biocompatibility when directly seeded on top of human mesenchymal stem cells, despite being uptaken. Most importantly, the alignment of the MNPs can tune the movement of fabricated nanocomposite materials, resulting in complex movements of attraction or repulsion depending on the direction of the applied magnetic field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The agricultural practice of manure cropping can result in the accumulation of surplus phosphorus (P) in soils with consequent losses by leaching. Two Italian alfalfa landraces originating from intensive ("Cremonese") versus extensive ("Senese") cattle farming regions were studied in order to investigate their variation for (a) efficiency in exploiting different P sources–farm dairy effluents (FDE), phytic acid (Phy), and inorganic P (IP)–in a lysimeter trial, and (b) the sequence of the MsPHY1 gene, which encodes a root extracellular phytase, releasing inorganic P for plant growth. The Cremonese landrace showed higher P uptake efficiency than Senese in the FDE and Phy treatments and lower inorganic P losses in leachates, particularly in the FDE treatment. The MsPHY1 gene was highly variable and the variation was not neutral but maintained by selection. Two non‐synonymous SNPs, in particular SNP970, located in a motif containing conserved metal‐ligating residues, produced alternative alleles with frequency differences between landraces. A pattern of adaptive response for the ability to use organic P forms is discussed at both the physiological and genetic levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nisyros Island (Greece) is an active volcano hosting a high-enthalpy geothermal system. During June 2013, an extensive survey on Hg concentrations in different matrices (fumarolic fluids, atmosphere, soils, and plants) was carried out at the Lakki Plain, an intracaldera area affected by widespread soil and fumarolic degassing. Concentrations of gaseous elemental mercury (GEM), together with H2S and CO2, were simultaneously measured in both the fumarolic emissions and the atmosphere around them. At the same time, 130 samples of top soils and 31 samples of plants (Cistus creticus and salvifolius and Erica arborea and manipuliflora) were collected for Hg analysis. Mercury concentrations in fumarolic gases ranged from 10,500 to 46,300 ng/m3, while Hg concentrations in the air ranged from high background values in the Lakki Plain caldera (10-36 ng/m3) up to 7100 ng/m3 in the fumarolic areas. Outside the caldera, the concentrations were relatively low (2-5 ng/m3). The positive correlation with both CO2 and H2S in air highlighted the importance of hydrothermal gases as carrier for GEM. On the other hand, soil Hg concentrations (0.023-13.7 μg/g) showed no significant correlations with CO2 and H2S in the soil gases, whereas it showed a positive correlation with total S content and an inverse one with the soil pH, evidencing the complexity of the processes involving Hg carried by hydrothermal gases while passing through the soil. Total Hg concentrations in plant leaves (0.010-0.112 μg/g) had no direct correlation with soil Hg, with Cistus leaves containing higher values of Hg with respect to Erica. Even though GEM concentrations in the air within the caldera are sometimes orders of magnitude above the global background, they should not be considered dangerous to human health. Values exceeding the WHO guideline value of 1000 ng/m3 are very rare (<0.1%) and only found very close to the main fumarolic vents, where the access to tourists is prohibited. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grass-seed inhalation is a common problem in canine patients, in particular during summer months, migrating in upper and lower respiratory tract. Grass awns can harbor bacteria and fungi, causing grass seeds foreign body-related disease (GSFBD). Aim of this study was to investigate the aerobic microbial flora isolated from grass awns extracted from 41 dogs with GSFBD and the antibiotic susceptibility of the isolated bacterial strains. Fifty-four grass awns were localized with diagnostic imaging tests and removed by endoscopy from respiratory tract. The most frequent localizations were in the left nostril and the right hemithorax. Only one grass awn was extracted from each patient except in 7 that had more than one. Bacteriological and mycological cultures, strains identification, and antibiotic susceptibility tests were performed. One or more bacterial strains were isolated from all grass awns. Fungal strains were isolated only in 4 cases. Staphylococcus sp. was the most frequent isolate in the upper respiratory tract (36.8%), while E. coli (24.4%) was the most frequent isolate in the lower tract. Fluoroquinolones and Doxycycline were the most effective antibiotics, while resistance was observed against Gentamicin (>93%), Cefapirin, and Clindamycin (>80%). These data are relevant in relation to the use of these antibiotics in both animals and humans, for the risk of transmission of antibiotic resistant bacteria or resistance genes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grape skins (GS), which can be considered as reusable coproducts of winemaking, were processed to develop semiliquid ingredients for functional foods, as an alternative to powdered GS, which needs high energy input for drying. Processing of semiliquid GS ingredients included blanching, dilution to obtain dispersions with 2% or 10% of dry solids, milling, homogenization, and pasteurization. The individual phenolic contents and in vitro ferric ion reducing capacity (FRAP) of semiliquid GS ingredients were compared with those of air-dried and freeze-dried GS. With respect to freeze-dried GS, the recovery of FRAP values was ~75% for both air-dried GS and 2% GS dispersion and 59% for 10% GS dispersion. The average particle size diameters of solids in semiliquid GS ingredients were similar to those observed in commercial apple skin products. Possible applications of GS semiliquid ingredients to increase the reducing capacity of food 10 times include formulation into beverages and ice-type desserts and use in bakery products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To unveil cognitive-nigrostriatal correlations in Parkinson's disease (PD), 30 de novo, drug-naïve PD patients and 15 patients with essential tremor (Controls, CTR) underwent a neuropsychological (NPS) battery and brain SPECT with [I-123]Ioflupane, as a biomarker of nigrostriatal function. Automatic extraction of uptake at caudate and putamen level was conducted through the BasGan software, also allowing partial volume effect correction. Because of the multicollinearity among neuropsychological tests and among SPECT variables, factor analysis was applied to 16 neuropsychological scores; moreover, the four SPECT variables were merged into a mean SPECT value (mSPECT). Factor analysis identified four NPS factors: a dys-executive (NPS-EX), a visuospatial (NPS-VS), a verbal memory (NPS-VM), and a "mixed" (NPD-MIX) factor. In PD group, there were inverse correlations between UPDRS-III score and both NPS-VS (P < 0.01) and mSPECT (P < 0.05), and a direct correlation between mSPECT and NPS-EX (P < 0.05). Post hoc analysis showed a direct correlation between NPS-EX and caudate uptake in both hemispheres (P < 0.05). Moreover, inverse correlations were found between UPDRS-III and, respectively, putamen uptake in the less affected hemisphere (P < 0.01), and putamen and caudate uptake in the more affected hemisphere (P < 0.05). In CTR, no correlation was found between mSPECT and either NPS or GDS values. Nigro-caudate function affects executive capabilities in PD but not in CTR, which appears to be unrelated to the disease motor severity at its onset. Instead, PD motor severity is related to nigro-putaminal impairment and visuospatial dysfunction. The role of these data as predictive features of cognitive decline and eventually dementia remains to be established in longitudinal studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antimicrobial resistance ( AMR) in a wide range of infectious agents is a growing public health threat. Birds of prey are considered indicators of the presence of AMR bacteria in their ecosystem because of their predatory behaviour. Only few data are reported in the literature on AMR strains isolated from animals housed in zoos and none about AMR in raptors housed in zoological gardens. This study investigated the antibiotic sensitivity profile of the isolates obtained from the conjunctival and cloacal bacterial flora of 14 healthy birds of prey, 6 Accipitriformes, 3 Falconiformes and 5 Strigiformes, housed in an Italian zoological garden. Staphylococcus spp. was isolated from 50% of the conjunctival swabs, with S. xylosus as the most common species. From cloacal swabs, Escherichia coli was cultured from all animals, while Klebsiella spp. and Proteus spp. were isolated from a smaller number of birds. Worthy of note is the isolation of Escherichia fergusonii and Serratia odorifera, rarely isolated from raptors. Staphylococci were also isolated. All the isolates were multidrug resistant ( MDR). To the author's knowledge, this is the first report regarding the presence of MDR strains within raptors housed in a zoological garden. Since resistance genes can be transferred to other pathogenic bacteria, this represents a potential hazard for the emergence of new MDR pathogens. In conclusion, the obtained data could be useful for ex-situ conservation programmes aimed to preserve the health of the endangered species housed in a zoo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Veterinary Dermatology is the property of Wiley-Blackwell 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.)

Rationale. Heart failure (HF) is accompanied by the development of an imbalance between oxygen- and nitric oxide-derived free radical production leading to protein nitration. Both chlorinating and peroxidase cycle of Myeloperoxidase (MPO) contribute to oxidative and nitrosative stress and are involved in tyrosine nitration of protein. Ceruloplasmin (Cp) has antioxidant function through its ferroxidase I (FeOxI) activity and has recently been proposed as a physiological defense mechanism against MPO inappropriate actions. Objective. We investigated the relationship between plasma MPO-related chlorinating activity, Cp and FeOxI, and nitrosative stress, inflammatory, neurohormonal, and nutritional biomarkers in HF patients. Methods and Results. In chronic HF patients (n=81, 76 ± 9 years, NYHA Class II (26); Class III (29); Class IV (26)) and age-matched controls (n=17, 75 ± 11 years, CTR), plasma MPO chlorinating activity, Cp, FeOxI, nitrated protein, free Malondialdehyde, BNP, norepinephrine, hsCRP, albumin, and prealbumin were measured. Plasma MPO chlorinating activity, Cp, BNP, norepinephrine, and hsCRP were increased in HF versus CTR. FeOxI, albumin, and prealbumin were decreased in HF. MPO-related chlorinating activity was positively related to Cp (r= 0.363, P<0.001), nitrated protein, hsCRP, and BNP and inversely to albumin. Conclusions. Plasma MPO chlorinated activity is increased in elderly chronic HF patients and positively associated with Cp, inflammatory, neurohormonal, and nitrosative parameters suggesting a role in HF progression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antimicrobial-peptide-based therapies could represent a reliable alternative to overcome antibiotic resistance, as they offer potential advantages such as rapid microbicidal activity and multiple activities against a broad spectrum of bacterial pathogens. Three synthetic antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), AMP72, AMP126, and also AMP2041, designed by using ad hoc screening software developed in house, were synthesized and tested against nine reference strains. The peptides showed a partial β-sheet structure in 10-mM phosphate buffer. Low cytolytic activity towards both human cell lines (epithelial, endothelial, and fibroblast) and sheep erythrocytes was observed for all peptides. The antimicrobial activity was dose dependent with a minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) ranging from 0.17 to 10.12 μM (0.4-18.5 µg/ml) for Gram-negative and 0.94 to 20.65 μM (1.72-46.5 µg/ml) for Gram-positive bacteria. Interestingly, in high-salt environment, the antibacterial activity was generally maintained for Gram-negative bacteria. All peptides achieved complete bacterial killing in 20 min or less against Gram-negative bacteria. A linear time-dependent membrane permeabilization was observed for the tested peptides at 12.5 µg/ml. In a medium containing Mg2+ and Ca2+, the peptide combination with EDTA restores the antimicrobial activity particularly for AMP2041. Moreover, in combination with anti-infective agents (quinolones or aminoglycosides) known to bind divalent cation, AMP126 and AMP2041 showed additive activity in comparison with colistin. Our results suggest the following: (i) there is excellent activity against Gram-negative bacteria, (ii) there is low cytolytic activity, (iii) the presence of a chelating agent restores the antimicrobial activity in a medium containing Mg2+ and Ca2+, and (iv) the MBC value of the combination AMPs-conventional antibiotics was lower than the MBC of single agents alone. Copyright © 2013 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

¹H spectra at 270 MHz of zwitterionic Met-enkephalin pentapeptide (Tyr-Gly-Gly-Phe-Met) in (C²H3)2SO/water mixtures are reported and discussed in terms of solvent-induced conformationai transitions. The analysis of the chemical shifts, line widths, coupling constants and rotarner populations around χ¹ and χ² suggests that the conformational properties of Met-enkephalin in the two solvents are quite different. In aqueous solution, the preferred structure, characterized by the absence of intramolecularly hydrogen-bonded NH groups and head-to-tail interactions, very likely is an equilibrium of unfolded conformations with approximately equal energy. In (C²H3)2SO, the preferred structure is folded, with the Met-5 NH intramolecularly bonded and the Gly-3 NH protected from the solvent, while the Gly-2 and Phe-4 amide protons are solvent exposed. A conformational transition of Met-enkephalin from the intramolecularly bonded to the unbonded one takes place at about 40 mol-% water in (C²H3)2SO, involving the Met-5 NH proton and the Tyr-Gly-Gly fragment. The Phe-4 and Met-5 Φ angles do not change appreciably, which suggests that an inversion at the Gly-3 residue of the folded form, responsible for the conformational transition, does not affect the C-terminal moiety. At about 70 mol-% water in (C²H3)2SO a change in the solvent mixture properties affects the χ¹ rotamer populations and the ring dynamics of the aromatic side chains. The line broadening of the Tyr-1 δ and ε proton resonances indicates a specific interaction of the N-terminal ring with the solvent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three groups of four Large White sows were fed diets containing either 800 ppb purified aflatoxin Bi (group 1), 800 ppb purified aflatoxin Gl (group 2) or 400 ppb Bi and 400 ppb Gl (group 3) throughout gestation and lactation. A control group of four sows was fed a diet free of aflatoxins. Aflatoxins Bi and Ml were found in milk samples taken five and 25 days after parturition from the sows of group 1, aflatoxin Gl was present in the milk of the sows of group 2 and all three aflatoxins were present in samples from the sows of group 3. The concentration of aflatoxin in the milk was about 1000-fold lower than that in the feed, but increased over the 25 days after parturition. The piglet suckling on a central teat was selected from each sow, given sow milk until the fourth day of age, and was then free to eat prepared feed while suckling. At the 25th day of age the selected piglets were removed from the sow and sacrificed. Blood samples were collected from each piglet and cellular populations were separated for immunological measurements: an in vitro lymphocyte proliferation test, and tests to derive the phagocytic activity, phagocytic index and superoxide anion production of monocytederived macrophages were carried out along with studies on the motility, differential chemotaxis and chemotactic index of circulating granulocytes. The lymphoproliferative response to mitogens was reduced and monocyte-derived macrophages failed to efficiently produce superoxide anions after oxidative burst stimulation in vitro, while their ability to phagocytose red blood cells was not compromised. Granulocytic cells showed a reduction of chemotactic response in vitro to chemoattractant bacteria factor and casein. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The article examines the normal conjunctival aerobic bacterial flora of captive green iguanas. According to the authors, gram-positive species are present in the conjunctival bacterial flora of iguana. They add that some of the isolates of conjunctival bacterial flow have a possibility of zoonotic risk in addition to the risk of fecal shedding of Salmonella.

(Zr0.7Ln0.3) 1.1Fe10Si2 (Ln: Y, Ce, Pr, Sm) alloys are prepared by arc melting and subsequent melt spinning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polycrystalline BiFe0.5Mn0.5O3 is prepared by hot pressing of stoichiometric amounts of Bi2O3, Fe2O3, and Mn2O3 (Au capsule in multianvil cell, 6 GPa, 1100 °C, 1.5 h). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]