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126 results on '"Nuzzo, L."'

1. Red wood ants shape epiphytic lichen assemblages in montane silver fir forests

Author

Di Nuzzo L, Masoni A, Frizzi F, Bianchi E, Castellani MB, Balzani P, Morandi F, Sozzi Y, Vallese C, Santini G, and Benesperi R

Subjects
Formica paralugubris, Red Wood Ants, Lichen Diversity, Impact, Introduced Species, Functional Diversity, Forestry, SD1-669.5
Abstract

The Formica rufa group comprises several ant species which are collectively referred to as “red wood ants” (hereafter RWA). These species have key roles in forest ecosystems, where they are ecologically dominant and greatly influence the dynamics of the habitat they colonise. Various studies have shown how their trophic activity may affect other organisms, which include both other invertebrates and plants. We can therefore hypothesize that their presence could affect the taxonomic and functional composition of epiphytes, despite clear information on such an effect is lacking. This study aimed to fill this research gap by evaluating whether the presence of red wood ants could affect the structure and composition of lichen communities. We selected two sites on the Apennine Mountains in Italy, where the red wood ant F. paralugubris was introduced from the Alps more than 50 years ago. In each site, lichen assemblages on Abies alba trees located within the colonised areas were compared to those from nearby, non-occupied areas. The results allowed for the identification of significant effects of F. paralugubris on the structure of lichen communities. Although there was no detectable impact on lichen species richness, a significant difference in their community composition between colonised and control sites was detected. Furthermore, ant presence seemed to be associated with specific lichen functional traits such as asexual reproduction. We argue that RWA could affect the lichen community either directly, e.g., by actively dispersing the species capable of asexual reproduction through their movements on trees (ant-mediated dispersion), or indirectly through herbivore exclusion. Finally, we also observed differences in β-diversity among the colonised and non-colonised sites.

Published
2022
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2. Impact of forest management on threatened epiphytic macrolichens: evidence from a Mediterranean mixed oak forest (Italy)

Author

Paoli L, Benesperi R, Fačkovcová Z, Nascimbene J, Ravera S, Marchetti M, Anselmi B, Landi M, Landi S, Bianchi E, Di Nuzzo L, Lackovičová A, Vannini A, Loppi S, and Guttová A

Subjects
Biomass Loss, Chlorophyll Fluorescence, Flag Species, Legal Protection, Lobaria pulmonaria, Red Lists, Forestry, SD1-669.5
Abstract

Forest management practices may heavily affect epiphytic cryptogams. This study was conceived in March 2016, as soon as we were informed about an authorized logging for timber within a Mediterranean mixed oak forest in Tuscany (central Italy), which threatened a large population of the forest macrolichen Lobaria pulmonaria (L.) Hoffm., composed of hundreds of fertile thalli. Lobaria pulmonaria is often used as an ecological indicator of high quality habitats hosting rare lichens, and in general, cryptogams worthy of conservation. The species has suffered a general decline throughout Europe as a consequence of air pollution and intensive forest management, and currently it is red-listed in several countries, where it is considered also as a “flag species”. We estimated that 40% of the lichen biomass (8.5-12.3 kg ha-1) has been lost due to logging operations (in the core area, up to 1.8 kg every 100 m2), in particular large and fertile thalli. One year after the conclusion of logging operations, the analysis of chlorophyll fluorescence emission (indicator of the photosynthetic performance of the lichen photobionts), revealed a significant reduction of the vitality of the thalli on retained-isolated trees. The article provides issues for conservation in Mediterranean oak forests and outlines the outmost importance of ensuring the safeguard of forest ecosystems hosting fertile populations of this model species, especially in the case of unprotected forests.

Published
2019
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3. Molecular pharmacodynamics of new oral drugs used in the treatment of multiple sclerosis

Author

di Nuzzo L, Orlando R, Nasca C, and Nicoletti F

Subjects
Therapeutics. Pharmacology, RM1-950
Abstract

Luigi di Nuzzo,1 Rosamaria Orlando,2 Carla Nasca,1 Ferdinando Nicoletti1,31Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, 2IRCCS Associazione Oasi Maria S.S., Institute for Research on Mental Retardation and Brain Aging, Troina, Enna, 3IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, ItalyAbstract: New oral drugs have considerably enriched the therapeutic armamentarium for the treatment of multiple sclerosis. This review focuses on the molecular pharmacodynamics of fingolimod, dimethyl fumarate (BG-12), laquinimod, and teriflunomide. We specifically comment on the action of these drugs at three levels: 1) the regulation of the immune system; 2) the permeability of the blood–brain barrier; and 3) the central nervous system. Fingolimod phosphate (the active metabolite of fingolimod) has a unique mechanism of action and represents the first ligand of G-protein-coupled receptors (sphingosine-1-phosphate receptors) active in the treatment of multiple sclerosis. Dimethyl fumarate activates the nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-related factor 2 pathway of cell defense as a result of an initial depletion of reduced glutathione. We discuss how this mechanism lies on the border between cell protection and toxicity. Laquinimod has multiple (but less defined) mechanisms of action, which make the drug slightly more effective on disability progression than on annualized relapse rate in clinical studies. Teriflunomide acts as a specific inhibitor of the de novo pyrimidine biosynthesis. We also discuss new unexpected mechanisms of these drugs, such as the induction of brain-derived neurotrophic factor by fingolimod and the possibility that laquinimod and teriflunomide regulate the kynurenine pathway of tryptophan metabolism.Keywords: demyelinating diseases, pharmacotherapy, fingolimod, dimethyl fumarate, laquinimod, teriflunomide

Published
2014

4. Notulae to the Italian flora of algae, bryophytes, fungi and lichens: II

Author

Ravera, S., Puglisi, M., Vizzini, A., Aleffi, M., Benesperi, R., Decarli, G. B., Berta, G., Bianchi, E., Boccardo, F., Briozzo, I., Clericuzio, M., Cogoni, A., Croce, A., Dagnino, D., De Agostini, A., De Giuseppe, A. B., Di Nuzzo, L., Dovana, F., Fackovcova, Z., Gheza, G., Loppi, S., Malicek, J., Mariotti, M., Nascimbene, J., Nimis, P. L., Paoli, L., Passalacqua, N. G., Plasek, V., Poponessi, S., Prosser, F., Puntillo, D., Puntillo, M., Rovito, S., Sguazzin, F., Sicoli, G., Tiburtini, M., Tomaselli, V., Turcato, C., Vallese, C., Ravera S., Puglisi M., Vizzini A., Aleffi M., Benesperi R., Decarli G.B., Berta G., Bianchi E., Boccardo F., Briozzo I., Clericuzio M., Cogoni A., Croce A., Dagnino D., De Agostini A., De Giuseppe A.B., Di Nuzzo L., Dovana F., Fackovcova Z., Gheza G., Loppi S., Malicek J., Mariotti M., Nascimbene J., Nimis P.L., Paoli L., Passalacqua N.G., Plasek V., Poponessi S., Prosser F., Puntillo D., Puntillo M., Rovito S., Sguazzin F., Sicoli G., Tiburtini M., Tomaselli V., Turcato C., and Vallese C.

Subjects
Ascomycota, Basidiomycota, Jungermanniopsida, Marchantiidae, Bryidae
Abstract

In this contribution, new data concerning bryophytes, fungi, and lichens of the Italian flora are presented. It includes new records and confirmations for the bryophyte genera Aneura, Aulacomnium, Dumortiera, Fossombronia, Hennediella, Hygrohypnella, Pohlia, Porella, Riccardia, Tortella, and Tortula, the fungal genera Cortinarius, Mycena, Naucoria, Trichoglossum, and Tubaria and the lichen genera Agonimia, Blastenia, Chaenotheca, Cladonia, Endocarpon, Gyalecta, Lecanographa, Parmeliella, Porpidia, Stenhammarella, and Thelidium.

Published
2021

5. High Resolution Computed Tomography (HRCT) Findings in Seven Young Patients Affected by COVID-19 Disease: Can the Persistence of a Thymic Gland Provide a Defensive Influence?

Author

Scaglione M, De Rosa G, Noschese I, Carfora M, Pinto F, D’Auria D, and di Nuzzo L

Subjects
Persistence (psychology), medicine.medical_specialty, High-resolution computed tomography, Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), medicine.diagnostic_test, business.industry, medicine, Radiology, Disease, business, respiratory tract diseases
Abstract

COVID-19 pneumonia is a highly contagious viral pneumonia spread worldwide, caused by SARS-CoV-2. Adults may be more susceptible to disease, especially in those with comorbidities while young people show milder signs of the disease. Between January 1st and February 28th 2021, seven consecutive patients, ranging from 26 to 41 years, were admitted to our hospital with a diagnosis of COVID disease confirmed by a RT-PCR swab test. On HRCT, a Severity Index Score was performed to estimate pulmonary involvement. Focusing our attention on anterior mediastinum, we found that five of the seven cases enrolled had thymic gland. Two patients had not thymic gland. In our preliminary experience, five patients who had thymic gland showed a mild or negative clinical and radiological COVID-19 pneumonia. Instead, two patients who experienced severe COVID-19 pneumonia did not show the thymic gland. Further studies carried out prospectively are needed in order to exceed the limitations of this study and to ascertain the relationship between the persistence of the thymic gland as a protective factor against severe forms of COVID-19 pneumonia.

Published
2021
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16. Patrimonio culturale e paesaggistico

Author

CARROZZO M. T, NUZZO L, DI SABATINO S, VILLANI A. V, F. IPPOLITO, F. BELOSI, ZURLINI, Giovanni, LIMONGELLI L., URICCHIO V.F., ZURLINI G., CARROZZO M., T, Nuzzo, L, DI SABATINO, S, VILLANI A., V, F., Ippolito, F., Belosi, and Zurlini, Giovanni

Published
2006

21. A ground-penetrating radar survey for archaeological investigations in an urban area (Lecce-Italy)

Author

BASILE V., NUZZO L., VILLANI A. V., CARROZZO, Maria Teresa, NEGRI, Sergio Luigi, QUARTA, Tatiana Anna Maria, Basile, V., Carrozzo, Maria Teresa, Negri, Sergio Luigi, Nuzzo, L., Quarta, Tatiana Anna Maria, and Villani, A. V.

Subjects
gpr, visualization techniques
Abstract

A ground-penetrating radar GPR. survey, using mostly a 500 MHz antenna, was carried out in an urban area Lecce, Italy. to obtain a detailed characterization of the most superficial layers, where presumably archaeological structures are buried, and to quickly identify anomalous zones for excavation. In the area, the presence of remnants of a historical Franciscan friary built in 1432 and pulled down in 1971. and, probably, of more ancient Roman andror Messapic. features was expected. The geological setting mainly wet calcarenite named ‘‘Pietra Leccese’’. was not the most favourable for the application of GPR methodology because of an expected high attenuation of electromagnetic energy. The low penetration depth of the signal, not exceeding 1 m and even using a 100 MHz antenna, made it possible to obtain information only between the ground level and the top of the calcarenitic basement. Data recorded along parallel profiles, 1 m spaced, prevented the clear identification of the walls of the historical building constructed in ‘‘Pietra Leccese’’ blocks, because of the weak contrast in the electromagnetic parameters with respect to the hosting material. On the other hand, the analysis of the radar sections allowed for identification and reconstruction of the shape and extension of a barrel-vault cavity, subsequently confirmed by archaeological excavations. Time slice representations were used as a tool to locate other features including modern-day urban utilities and the planimetric development of the barrel-vault cavity.

Published
2000

27. Combined time-lapse 3D GPR and resistivity investigations on simulated clandestine burials in complex urban environments

Author

Nuzzo, L, Pringle, JK, Jervis, J, CASSELLA, John, and Cassidy, Nigel, J

Abstract

The use of non-invasive geophysical methods in criminal in-vestigations is still relatively uncommon especially when com-pared to more conventional methods (e.g., aerial and remote sensing, cadaver dogs, excavation, etc.). Near-surface geophys-ical techniques, and particularly ground-penetrating radar (GPR), have been used with varying degrees of success to lo-cate clandestine graves, but multi-disciplinary studies have shown that cadaver detection is generally problematic after a long period of burial. Since the success of geophysical tech-niques is predominantly dependent upon the contrast between the target and host materials, there is a need for scientific re-search to try and quantify both target and site variables and how they may change over time which may therefore affect forensic burial detection.\ud This paper reports on recent near-surface high-frequency (450 and 900 MHz) GPR surveys over two contrasting simulated clandestine burial case studies in a difficult urban environ-ment: a simulated 12 year old adult burial and a recent juve-nile burial using contrasting materials. \ud Accurate GPR data processing, integration and 3D visualiza-tion (time-slice) techniques were essential to recognize and isolate the often subtle GPR anomalies over ‘graves’ in this complex, urban environment. GPR results compared well with bulk ground resistive anomaly locations, although GPR was higher resolution, better resolved the older burial and provid-ed a depth estimate to the buried target.

Published
2008

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