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Marine nematodes possess all the prerequisites to serve as “simpler models” for investigating biological phenomena and are gaining attention as emerging model organisms. This review evaluates their potential to address diverse biological questions regarding ecosystem functioning, climate change adaptation, host–microbe interactions, ecotoxicology, and biotechnological applications. Among the reviewed taxa, Litoditis marina and select Monhysteridae species, such as Diplolaimella dievengatensis, Halomonhystera disjuncta, and Diplolaimelloides spp., emerge as leading candidates due to their manageable life cycles, adaptability to laboratory conditions, and available genomic resources. These tiny organisms provide valuable insights into phenomena such as developmental plasticity, epigenetic regulation, and adaptive responses to environmental stress. Symbiotic relationships in Stilbonematinae and Astomonematinae, alongside the antimicrobial properties of the Oncholaimidae species, offer unique opportunities to explore mutualistic evolution and resilience in extreme environments. Despite challenges in culturing these species, recent advances in culturing other meiofaunal organisms with chemosynthetic symbionts have opened up promising opportunities. The roles of marine nematodes as ethical and versatile models position them to address pressing challenges in biological and biomedical research, highlighting their significant potential for future studies.

Background: Chronic Prostatitis/Chronic Pelvic Pain syndrome NIH-class III is a widespread condition affecting men universally, with existing treatments showing limited success. This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of a natural supplement, composed of Serenoa repens, Solanum lycopersicum, lycopene, and bromelain, in managing symptoms of this condition among a substantial patient group. Methods: In this prospective study, 245 patients diagnosed with Chronic Prostatitis/Chronic Pelvic Pain syndrome NIH-class III were treated with the aforementioned supplement, alongside lifestyle alterations, such as refraining from spicy foods, alcohol, caffeine, and cycling, for a duration of three months. Patients’ progress was assessed at one and three months using the National Institutes of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIH-CPSI), the International Prostate Symptom Index (IPSS), quality of life (QoL) scores, and changes in total prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels. Results: The supplement was well received with no serious adverse events reported. Significant improvements were observed in NIH-CPSI scores, IPSS, QoL scores, and a substantial decrease in total PSA levels at three months compared to baseline, with a positive trend noted from one-month to three-month evaluations. This was consistent in either patients with predominantly voiding or storage urinary symptoms. Conclusions: Our results suggest that this natural supplement in conjunction with lifestyle changes could offer a safe and effective alternative treatment for patients suffering from Chronic Prostatitis/Chronic Pelvic Pain syndrome NIH-class III. However, these findings require validation through further large-scale randomized controlled trials.

This paper aims to propose an quantitative engineering approach to study and compare the jaw mechanisms of different marine species, considering essential mechanical parameters generally used to evaluate the performance of industrial linkage mechanisms. By leveraging these parameters, the paper demonstrates how the species’ characteristics and behaviors align with the findings of biologists, enabling a meaningful comparison that was not previously possible. Seven fish species from various families are chosen to maintain a generic approach.

Marine nematodes possess all the prerequisites to serve as "simpler models" for investigating biological phenomena and are gaining attention as emerging model organisms. This review evaluates their potential to address diverse biological questions regarding ecosystem functioning, climate change adaptation, host–microbe interactions, ecotoxicology, and biotechnological applications. Among the reviewed taxa, Litoditis marina and select Monhysteridae species, such as Diplolaimella dievengatensis, Halomonhystera disjuncta, and Diplolaimelloides spp., emerge as leading candidates due to their manageable life cycles, adaptability to laboratory conditions, and available genomic resources. These tiny organisms provide valuable insights into phenomena such as developmental plasticity, epigenetic regulation, and adaptive responses to environmental stress. Symbiotic relationships in Stilbonematinae and Astomonematinae, alongside the antimicrobial properties of the Oncholaimidae species, offer unique opportunities to explore mutualistic evolution and resilience in extreme environments. Despite challenges in culturing these species, recent advances in culturing other meiofaunal organisms with chemosynthetic symbionts have opened up promising opportunities. The roles of marine nematodes as ethical and versatile models position them to address pressing challenges in biological and biomedical research, highlighting their significant potential for future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coralligenous bioconstructions are biogenic calcareous formations developing at low irradiance on littoral rocky cliffs or on the deeper sub-horizontal bottom in the Mediterranean Sea. Unusually shallow coralligenous banks on the sandy coast of Sinuessa (Mondragone City, Gulf of Gaeta, SW Italy) were investigated. Their communities and the surrounding biogenic detritus were characterized. Geophysical and acoustic data revealed the presence of coralligenous banks between 7.5 and 15 m depth, showing constant thickness and sub-horizontal geometry, incised by sub-perpendicular channels. Sediment deposits ranging from silty sands to bioclastic gravel occur in the area. The biogenic detritus of the soft bottom sampled around the coralligenous banks is highly heterogeneous. Through the thanatocoenosis analysis of macrozoobenthos, different biocenoses were detected, among which the coralligenous and photophilic habitats are mainly represented, followed by the well-calibrated fine sands and the relit sands. A total of 16 different species and 10 epimegabenthic morphological groups (MGs) were detected on the coralligenous banks, of which 4 are included in European regulation for threatened species. The density of epimegabenthic organisms has an average of 10.34 ± 5.46 individuals or colonies/100 m2. Cladocora caespitosa is the dominant species, with a height of 17 ± 5 cm. This and other structuring species (SS) were larger in size in the sampled sites than in the literature data. Overall, coralligenous had a "medium" health status, with 52% of the individuals or colonies in healthy conditions, compared to 47% with epibiosis phenomena and 1% with entanglement. Longlines were the most common anthropogenic litter, with a density of 2/100 m2. Ad hoc monitoring programs and conservation measures would be desirable to protect and guarantee the well-being of these sensitive and rare shallow bioconstructions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the recent legislative developments in European space law, with several countries adopting new national space legislation to address challenges in space activities. The European Union has also proposed an EU Space Law to provide a common framework for resilience, safety, and sustainability in outer space. The symposium held at the ICON•S Annual Congress 2024 in Madrid focused on the emerging European Space Law and its impact on national authorization practices, highlighting the need for consistency and predictability in space activities. The discussions also touched on the potential involvement of the European Atomic Energy Community in nuclear space exploration. [Extracted from the article]

Abstract In total, 90 gelatinous spheres, averaging one meter in diameter, have been recorded from ~ 1985 to 2019 from the NE Atlantic Ocean, including the Mediterranean Sea, using citizen science. More than 50% had a dark streak through center. They were recorded from the surface to ~ 60–70 m depth, mainly neutrally buoyant, in temperatures between 8 and 24°C. Lack of tissue samples has until now, prohibited confirmation of species. However, in 2019 scuba divers secured four tissue samples from the Norwegian coast. In the present study, DNA analysis using COI confirms species identity as the ommastrephid broadtail shortfin squid Illex coindetii (Vérany, 1839); these are the first confirmed records from the wild. Squid embryos at different stages were found in different egg masses: (1) recently fertilized eggs (stage ~ 3), (2) organogenesis (stages ~ 17–19 and ~ 23), and (3) developed embryo (stage ~ 30). Without tissue samples from each and every record for DNA corroboration we cannot be certain that all spherical egg masses are conspecific, or that the remaining 86 observed spheres belong to Illex coindetii. However, due to similar morphology and size of these spheres, relative to the four spheres with DNA analysis, we suspect that many of them were made by I. coindetii.

(Series Information) European Papers - A Journal on Law and Integration, 2020 5(1), 237-253 | Article | (Table of Contents) I. The paradox of the European rule of law. - II. The rule of law in the modern State and in the European legal order. - III. The genetic heritage of the rule of law in the European legal order. - IV. Technocratic legitimacy and the progressive construction of a living constitution. - V. Administrative law and constitutional law in the European legal order. - VI. Reconnecting citizens to the European institutions: the role of law in Europe. - VII. The rule of law in action from the administrative law standpoint. | (Abstract) This Article aims to outline three problematic aspects arising from the peculiar, composite nature of the European legal system considering its many asymmetries. The first element is of a cultural-historical nature, and the goal is to highlight that, in terms of scientific and methodological ascendancy, the European order came into being with a different genetic heritage from that of modern States. The second aspect concerns the relationship between economics and law and the growing process of "juridification" of economic rules. The aim is to show how this process may have altered the traditional concept of the rule of law as it has taken shape in democracies. The third part explores the idea that this may have affected the diversified and asymmetric development of administrative and constitutional law in the European legal order. It then looks at how this asymmetry may have contributed to the aforementioned disconnect between citizens and institutions. The Article concludes by arguing that the attempt to reconnect European citizens and Institutions needs to start from a non-infrastructural and non-instrumental concept of law and from a consistent balance in the relationship between administrative and constitutional law.

Red coral is one of the most important species belonging to the coralligenous habitats, being a structuring organism and highly sensitive to human pressure. The presence of red coral populations is historically well documented along the Campania coast (Tyrrhenian Sea), and, due to its high economic value, it has been commercially overharvested since ancient times. Red coral populations along several cliffs on the “Regno di Nettuno” MPA of the Gulf of Naples were investigated using ROV-imaging techniques. Coralligenous habitats were characterized in terms of percent cover and number of morphological groups. Pizzaco site showed the richest and most diverse community. Density of red coral colonies was calculated and compared with morphometric parameters. Results show an inversely correlated trend between colonies density and their size. Finally, fishing pressure was estimated through frequency of lost fishing gears, and S. Angelo site resulted the most stressed one. Anthropic stress plays a key role in the degradation of coralligenous habitats and the dramatic reduction of red coral populations recorded in recent years allows to suspect a more extensive degradation of the entire community. An assessment of the distribution and state of the populations can provide useful information to take measures for a better MPAs management.

Introduction: Benefits and harms of avoid the sent placement during IntraCorporeal Neobladder configuration are still debated. Our objective was to describe the step-by-step technique of Florence intracorporeal neobladder (FloRIN) configuration performed with stentless procedure focusing on perioperative and mid-term functional outcomes. Materials and methods: In this single institution prospective randomized 1:1 series all consecutive patients underwent Robot-Assisted Radical Cystectomy (RARC) and FloRIN reconfiguration from January 2021 to March 2021 were enrolled. Functional perioperative and mid-term outcomes were gathered. Postoperative complications were graded according to Clavien-Dindo classification and divided in early (<30 days from discharge) and delayed (>30 days). Results: Overall, 10 patients were included in the analysis. Of these, the 50.0% was treated with Stentless FloRIN. In terms of baseline features, no differences were recorded between the two groups. Median age was 65 and 66 years while median BMI was 27 and 25 in the stentless and in the stent group, respectively. Concerning intraoperative variables, no intraoperative complications as well as open conversion occurred among both groups. As regard introperative features, a shorter console time was associated with stentless procedure (331 min vs 365 min). In terms of perioperative outcomes, canalization and time to drainage removal didn't differ between groups while length of hospital stay was significantly lower in stentless group 10 days versus 14 days. Early and delayed postoperative complication rate was not influenced by the ureteral management at a preliminary assessment with comparable rates of Clavien Dindo ⩾ 3a between the two groups. Mid-term functional outcomes did not differ between groups in terms of kidney function loss. Conclusions: FloRIN with Stentless technique showed functional and perioperative preliminary outcomes comparable with the standard ureteral management strategy. Further series with longer functional follow-up assessment will be needed to confirm our preliminary results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shallow-water hydrothermal vents are widespread, especially in the Mediterranean Sea, owing to the active volcanism of the area. Apart free microbial communities’ investigations, few biological studies have been leaded yet. Investigations of microbial communities associated with Nematoda, an ecologically important group in sediments, can help to improve our overall understanding of these ecosystems. We used a multidisciplinary-approach, based on microscopic observations (scanning electron microscopy: SEM and Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization: FISH) coupled with a molecular diversity analysis using metabarcoding, based on the 16S rRNA gene (V3-V4 region), to characterize the bacterial community of a free-living marine nematode and its environment, the shallow hydrothermal vent near Naples (Italy). Observations of living bacteria in the intestine (FISH), molecular and phylogenetic analyses showed that this species of nematode harbors its own bacterial community, distinct from the surrounding sediment and water. Metabarcoding results revealed the specific microbiomes of the sediment from three sites of this hydrothermal area to be composed mainly of sulfur oxidizing and reducing related bacteria.

Hydrothermal venting is rather prevalent in many marine areas around the world, and marine shallow vents are relatively abundant in the Mediterranean Sea, especially around Italy. However, investigations focusing on the characterization of meiofaunal organisms inhabiting shallow vent sediments are still scant compared to that on macrofauna. In the present study, we investigated the meiobenthic assemblages and nematode diversity inhabiting the Secca delle Fumose (SdF), a shallow water vent area located in the Gulf of Naples (Italy). In this area, characterized by a rapid change in the environmental conditions on a relative small spatial scale (i.e., 100 m), we selected four sampling sites: one diffusive emission site (H); one geyser site (G) and two inactive sites (CN, CS). Total meiofauna abundance did not vary significantly between active and inactive sites and between surface and deeper sediment layers due to a high inter-replicate variability, suggesting a pronounced spatial-scale patchiness in distribution of meiofauna. Nematofauna at site H presented the typical features of deep-sea vents with low structural and functional diversity, high biomass and dominance of few genera (i.e., Oncholaimus; Daptonema) while from site G we reported diversity values comparable to that of the inactive sites. We hypothesized that site G presented a condition of “intermediate disturbance” that could maintain a high nematode diversity. Environmental features such as sediment temperature, pH, total organic carbon and interstitial waters ions were found to be key factors influencing patterns of meiofauna and nematofauna assemblages at SdF. Even though the general theory is that nematodes inhabiting shallow vent areas include a subset of species that live in background sediments, this was not the case for SdF vent area. Due to a marked change in nematode composition between all sites and to the presence of many exclusive species, every single investigated site was characterized by a distinct nematofauna reflecting the high spatial heterogeneity of SdF.

Contribució al coneixement dels copèpodes (Crustacea) meiobèntics de la costa de Sardenya, Itàlia Les dades disponibles sobre espècies italianes de copèpodes Canuelloida Khodami, Vaun MacArthur, Blanco-Bercial i Martínez Arbizu, 2017 i Harpacticoida Sars, 1903 registren un total de 210 espècies, però la seva diversitat i la seva biogeografia continuen estan escassament investigades. Vam portar a terme un estudi faunístic a la costa est de Sardenya (regió d’Ogliastra) a fi de documentar-hi la presència d’aquests taxons. Hi vam trobar un total de 41 espècies de 36 gèneres i 18 famílies. Tot i que moltes espècies es van identificar com a putatives, la llista de control italiana vigent va ser actualitzada amb 12 registres nous de gèneres i quatre d’espècies. Longipedia coronata Claus, 1862 (Canuelloida), Diosaccus tenuicornis (Claus, 1863), Asellopsis hispida Brady i Robertson, 1873, Wellsopsyllus (intermediopsyllus) intermedius (Scott i Scott, 1895) (totes Harpacticoida) van ser registrades per primera vegada a les costes de Sardenya. La comunitat de copèpodes va resultar particularment rica a l’illa d’Ogliastra, un illot rocallós amb esculls naturals, bancs de roques i praderies de Posidonia oceanica. Les espècies trobades a la zona estaven relacionades principalment amb sorres gruixudes i detritus macròfits. Dades publlicades a GBIF: doi:10.15470/dxru6l

Data available on the Italian species of Copepoda Canuelloida Khodami, Vaun MacArthur, Blanco-Bercial and Martínez Arbizu, 2017 and Harpacticoida Sars, 1903 report overall 210 species, but their diversity and biogeography are still poorly investigated. We carried out a faunistic survey along the eastern coast of Sardinia (Ogliastra region) in order to document these taxa in the area. A total of 41 species in 36 genera and 18 families were found. Although many species were identified as putative, the current Italian checklist was updated with 12 new records of genera and 4 of species. Longipedia coronata Claus, 1862 (Canuelloida), Diosaccus tenuicornis (Claus, 1863), Asellopsis hispida Brady and Robertson, 1873, Wellsopsyllus (intermediopsyllus) intermedius (Scott and Scott, 1895) (all Harpacticoida) are reported for the first time from Sardinia coasts. The copepod community was particularly rich at Ogliastra Island, a small rocky island with natural reefs, rocky shoals and Posidonia oceanica meadows. Species found there were mainly related to coarse sands and macrophytal detritus. Data published in GBIF: doi:10.15470/dxru6l