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To evaluate the change over time of vision-related quality of life (QoL) and glaucoma symptoms in a population of newly-diagnosed primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) patients. Multicenter, prospective study. Consecutive newly-diagnosed POAG patients were enrolled and followed-up for one year. Follow-up visits were scheduled at 6 and 12 months from baseline. At each visit, vision-related QoL and glaucoma-related symptoms were assessed by the means of the 25-item National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (NEI-VFQ-25) and the Glaucoma Symptom Scale (GSS), respectively. Trends over time for NEI-VFQ-25 and GSS scores were evaluated with longitudinal linear mixed models. One-hundred seventy-eight patients were included in the analysis. At baseline, early to moderate glaucoma stages were associated with higher scores for most GSS and NEI-VFQ-25 items, while lower best-corrected visual acuity was associated with lower scores for 4 of the 12 NEI-VFQ-25 items. During the follow-up, all the GSS scores, the NEI-VFQ-25 total score, and 7 of the 12 NEI-VFQ-25 scores significantly improved (p

Purpose: The purpose of this article was to evaluate the potential association between sociodemographic factors with clinical characteristics, vision-related quality of life (QoL), and glaucoma-related symptoms scores in a large cohort of primary open-angle glaucoma patients. Materials and Methods: Multicenter, cross-sectional study involving academic and nonacademic centers. Previously diagnosed primary open-angle glaucoma patients aged >18 years were enrolled. At baseline, information on demographic characteristics, social, medical and ocular history, clinical presentation and treatments was collected. Vision-related QoL was evaluated by means of the 25-item National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (NEI-VFQ-25), while glaucoma-related symptoms were evaluated using the Glaucoma Symptom Scale (GSS) questionnaire. The associations between sociodemographic factors with clinical characteristics (mean deviation, pattern standard deviation, best-corrected visual acuity), NEI-VFQ-25, and GSS scores were evaluated by means of univariate and multivariate general linear models. Results: A total of 3227 patients were enrolled. Older age and male sex were significantly associated with lower mean deviation (P

Harmful algal blooms (HABs) are natural phenomena, however some microalgal blooms can cause harm to humans and other organisms. These HABs have direct impacts on human health and negative influences on human wellbeing, mainly through their consequences to coastal ecosystem services (fisheries, tourism and recreation). These events can be favoured by anthropogenic pressures and eutrophication in coastal areas (Sarkar, 2018). Global warming and associated changes in the oceans could affect HAB occurrences and toxicity as well, although forecasting the possible trends is still speculative and requires intensive multidisciplinary research (Wells et al., 2015). Dynamics of HABs vary from one site to another, depending on the hydrographic and ecological conditions but also the complexity of the algal life cycle, which is composed of discrete life stages whose morphology, ecological niche, function, and lifespan vary (Glibert et al., 2018). Margalefidinium polykrikoides (Margalef) F. Gómez, Richlen & D.M. Anderson 2017 is a cosmopolitan dinoflagellate notorious for causing fish-killing HABs. The red tide forming dinoflagellate genus Margalefidinium appears to be expanding globally, as well as blooming and/or causing more economic losses within its previously reported geographic distribution (Kudela and Gobler, 2012). Margalefidinium has an adaptive capability conducive to rapid colonization of newly opened ecological niches, which may partially explain the apparent global expansion of its geographic range and bloom frequency. This species has a wide distribution in the Asian and European waters, it is responsible for high mortalities of wild and farmed fish and causes large economic losses in the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian oceans (Matsuoka et al., 2008). In the Mediterranean Sea, the Italian coast is affected since the late 1990s and the Black Sea since 2001 (Zingone et al., 2006). In this work, we described an exceptional yellow-brownish discoloration of the waters in the shallow Porto Cesareo Bay (Mediterranean, Ionian Sea, Italy) in the July - August 2018 caused by a bloom of M. cf. polykrikoides. Cell densities reached 9.1 x 106 cells L-1 during the initial outbreak. A second bloom was observed about three weeks later reaching 6.7 x 105 cells L-1. The assessment of the anthropogenic pressures and expected impacts on the marine-coastal waters was carried out. The study of live specimens showed great variation in cell size and shape, different cyst morphotypes were also found in the water samples and in the sediment. For the first time, we followed the life cycle of M. cf. polykrikoides in natural samples. The high densities of this species did not lead to fish die-offs in the bay, however it caused consequences on ecosystem and in turn, on tourism. The need for improving risk assessment to manage and prevent the occurrence of harmful blooms is globally enhancing. This is particularly true for dominant HAB-causing species after their persisting with low abundance in the phytoplankton assemblages but are worldwide considered as expanding their distribution, as the case of Margalefidinium polykrikoides.

Purpose: To analyze the appropriateness of referrals for incisional glaucoma-surgery in Europe. Methods: Referrals for the first open-angle glaucoma surgery between January and October 2017 were analyzed in 18 countries: 8 “old” European Union, 7 “new” European Union and 3 non-European Union European countries. Results: Most eyes had primary open-angle or exfoliative glaucoma. The average mean deviation was −13.8 dB with split fixation in 44.3%. No structural progression analysis was made before the referrals. The most common medications were the combination of a prostaglandin analog, timolol and a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor (30.0%), and all other combinations comprising ⩾ 3 molecules (33.8%). Laser trabeculoplasty was reported in only 18.4%. Of the 294 referrals, 41.5% were appropriate and timely, 35.0% appropriate but later than optimal, and 17.6% appropriate but too late (minimal vision maintained). The treatment period was significantly longer (median: 7 years) in the “old” European Union countries than in the other groups (3 and 2 years, respectively). No between-group differences were seen in intraocular pressure and mean deviation, but the non-European Union group referred the patients at significantly lower cup/disk ratio and eye drop usage than the other groups. Split fixation was significantly more common in the “old” (60.6%) than the “new” European Union countries (38.7%), and in both EU country-groups than in the non-European Union countries (13.6%). Conclusions: Of 294 European open-angle glaucoma referrals for first glaucoma-surgery, 41.5% were completely satisfactory. The damage was typically advanced, and the care varied considerably among the countries. This suggests that further efforts are necessary to improve glaucoma care in Europe.

Increasing intensity and spreading of toxic and non-toxic blooms, as well as global transport of non-indigenous marine species, have expanded worldwide during the last decades (Hallegraeff, 1993; McGeoch et al. 2010; Py?ek et al. 2012; Simberloff et al. 2013). HABs and NIS introduction will undoubtedly constitute a growing threat to human activities related to the sea, including fishery, aquaculture, recreational activities and tourism representing a serious ecological and economical menace (Zingone et al., 2017; Occhipinti-Ambrogi and Savini, 2003). A bloom of non-indigenous species (NIS) Prorocentrum cf. shikokuense was detected for the first time in the Mediterranean Sea at the Brindisi port (Southern Adriatic Sea) on September 2016, during a plankton survey aimed to detect and monitor non-indigenous species in the ports (Marine Strategy Framework Directive MSFD, 2008/56/EC). Morphological detailed observations by light and electron scanning microscopy and cell density were reported. In the Brindisi port this dinoflagellate reached the exceptionally high concentration 105 cell/L and represented from 30 to 50 % of the total phytoplankton population. Prorocentrum shikokuense Hada (1975) is globally scarcely studied and its toxicity is unknown. However, is usually monitored in the East China Sea and Japanese and Korean waters since it causes huge red tide (Su-Myat and Koike, 2013). Although the bloom of Prorocentrum cf. shikokuense from Brindisi port did not seem to cause any toxic event (e.g. fish kills), the presence of this species, suggests the need for improving risk assessment to manage and prevent the occurrence of harmful blooms, especially those caused by non-indigenous species, in such a sensitive area.

International audience; Beam-target double-spin asymmetries and target single-spin asymmetries were measured for the exclusive pi(0) electroproduction reaction. gamma(*) p -> p pi(0), expanding an analysis of the. gamma(*) p -> n pi(+) reaction from the same experiment. The results were obtained from scattering of 6-GeV longitudinally polarized electrons off longitudinally polarized protons using the CEBAF Large Acceptance Spectrometer at Jefferson Laboratory. The kinematic ranges covered are 1.1 < W < 3 GeV and 1 < Q(2) < 6 GeV2. Results were obtained for about 5700 bins in W, Q(2), cos(theta(*)), and phi(*). The beam-target asymmetries were found to generally be greater than zero, with relatively modest phi(*) dependence. The target asymmetries exhibit very strong phi(*) dependence, with a change in sign occurring between results at low W and high W, in contrast to pi(+) electroproduction. Reasonable agreement is found with phenomenological fits to previous data for W < 1.6 GeV, but significant differences are seen at higherW. When combined with cross-sectional measurements, as well as pi(+) observables, the present results will provide powerful constraints on nucleon resonance amplitudes at moderate and large values of Q(2), for resonances with masses as high as 2.4 GeV.

1 - Mediterranean lagoons are naturally exposed, during the dry season, to dystrophic and hypoxic events determining dis-equilibrium conditions along temporal and spatial scales, which are linked to metabolism and life cycle of the biotic components. 2 - In summer 2008, Lesina lagoon (SE Italian coastline) was interested by a geographically localized dystrophic crisis which affected up to 8% of the total lagoon surface. 3 - Temporal dynamics of principal descriptors of abiotic (water, sediment) and biotic (phytoplankton, benthic macroinvertebrate) compartments have been followed during the 2008 by collecting data inside stressed and control lagoon areas before a dystrophic event and in the six months after the dystrophic event. 4 - The aim of the study was to analyse the pathways of ecosystem responses to dystrophic stress, searching for the characteristic scales of ecosystem compartment resistance and resilience. 5 - The characteristic time-scale of abiotic and biotic component time responses varied from days, for the selected markers of the water column, to year, for the benthic ones. Short-term biotic and abiotic responses in the water column were strongly coupled while biotic and abiotic responses at the sediment level were remarkably un-coupled. Dynamics and recovery time of water column and benthic components do not match in Lesina following the dystrophic crisis, highlighting an intrinsic individualistic behavior within the lagoon community driving ecosystem processes and ecosystem level responses. 6 - Taxonomic and non-taxonomic descriptors of both phytoplankton and benthic macroinvertebrates showed different response patterns as early warning signals and overall resilience. The emphasized differences in the stability components, i.e., resistance and resilience, of water column and sediment abiotic and biotic characteristics as well as of taxonomic and non-taxonomic descriptors has key implication in planning monitoring strategies and programs for transitional waters in the Mediterranean and Black Sea EcoRegions. © 2013 University of Salento - SIBA.

Aphanius fasciatus (Valenciennes), Atherina boyeri Risso and Knipowitschia panizzae (Verga) are considered resident fish species in Italian coastal lagoons, which spend their entire life cycle within the brackish waters. They are short-lived species, with a small size, and a rapid growth and attainment of sexual maturity. All these fish species are included in the IUCN Red List with the status of Least Concern. A. fasciatus and K. panizzae are additionally listed in the Appendix III of the Bern Convention and in the Annex II of the European Union Habitat Directive. The aim of this study was to determine the population structures, to assess the length-weight relationships (LWRs) and to estimate the growth parameters of the target species in the lagoons of Lesina and Varano. This information is necessary for population assessments, which provide information that may be used in the management of fish populations in lagoon systems. Sampling of specimens was seasonally conducted in the two lagoons from May 2008 to February 2010. Fishes were caught at eleven stations by fyke nets with 6 mm mesh size at the end. In the laboratory, all specimens were identified to species, measured for total length and weighted. Sex was macroscopically determined. A total of 3,242 specimens of A. fasciatus, 1,664 specimens of A. boyeri and 1,060 specimens of K. panizzae were analyzed. The length frequency distribution, the LWR and the growth parameters were derived for each species in each lagoon. LWRs were estimated by linear regression analysis of the log-converted weight and total length data. Parameters of the von Bertalanffy growth function were determined through the ELEFAN-I software, using length frequency distribution. This study presents the first estimation for K. panizzae of LWRs and von Bertalanffy growth model parameters. Comparisons of the results were performed in relation to the lagoon environments and considering the knowledge about the species.

Rajidae (colloquially known as skates and rays) experienced multiple and parallel adaptive radiations allowing high species diversity and great differences of species composition between regional faunas. Nevertheless, they show considerable conservation of bio-ecological, morphological and reproductive traits. The evolutionary history and dispersal of North-east Atlantic and Mediterranean rajid fauna were investigated throughout the sequence analysis of the control region and 16S rDNA mitochondrial genes. Molecular estimates of divergence times indicated recent origin and rapid dispersal of the present species. Compared with the ancient origin of the family (Late Cretaceous), the present species diversity arose in a relatively narrow time-window (12 Myr) from Middle Miocene to Early Pleistocene, likely by speciation processes related to dramatic geological and climatic events in the Mediterranean. Nucleotide substitution rates and phylogenetic relationships indicated Mediterranean endemic skates derived from sister species with wider distribution during Late PliocenePleistocene. Skate phylogeny and systematics obtained using mitochondrial gene variation were largely consistent with those based on morpho-anatomical data.

In the semienclosed Adriatic Sea, the shared stocks of the cephalopods Loligo vulgaris and Sepia officinalis represent important marine fisheries resources exploited by all coastal countries. The improving of knowledge on the demographic features of these shared stocks is internationally relevant for adopting responsible management and conservation of these marine resources. Analyses of microsatellite variation in geographical samples collected from all parts of the Adriatic Sea were performed using arrays of species-specific di-nucleotide and tri-nucleotide loci. In L. vulgaris the level of genetic variability was consistent with that observed in other loliginid species, whereas the S. officinalis stock showed a microsatellite variation markedly lower than that estimated for the Atlantic and Mediterranean populations collected around the Iberian peninsula. The weak spatial genetic differentiation, the discordant results of the genetic divergence estimators and the lack of any geographical cline in the spatial genetic differences suggest the occurrence of single genetically homogeneous populations within the Adriatic stocks of both species, recommending a coordinated management of the squid and cuttlefish by the Adriatic fishing countries. On the contrary, significant differences detected in temporal replicates of S. officinalis might suggest that allelic frequency can change relating to reproductive behaviour.

Nine common sole Solea vulgaris samples from rive fishery Management Units (MUs) of the central Mediterranean exhibited differences in a control region sequence marker. Parsimony network showed two low-divergent haplotype phylogroups. The former predominated in samples from the Ligurian, Tyrrhenian, Adriatic and north-western Ionian Seas (MUs 9, 10, 17, 18 and northern part of 19, respectively), whereas the latter was abundant in the south-western Ionian (southern part of MU 19). The geographical clustering of maternal lineages accounts for population structuring and indicates geographical isolation of common sole stocks in the Mediterranean. Several life-history traits of common sole and hydro-geographical features of the basin might support this pattern of differentiation. Haplotype frequency differences were detected among samples either from different MUs or within the same MU. This situation indicates the presence of partially subdivided or nearly panmictic population units, whose exploitation should be based on appropriate bio-ecological features. The usefulness of control region sequence marker enhances the routinely use of the genetic stock structure analysis in low-dispersal demersal marine resources. © 2002 The Fisheries Society of the British Isles. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

The extent at which species richness and composition describe the structural organization of communities is a key issue in ecology. The occurrence of a certain degree of redundancy and stochastic events have been observed and are known to be relevant under some conditions. Species occurrence within ecosystems is determined by critical functional traits, including individual body size and the related energetics, which also are likely to affect community organization. A deepening of our knowledge on community organization has direct applied implications, highlighting the key structural components describing the type and state of organization and, in turn, the level of equilibrium vs non equilibrium conditions. Here, we describe the responses of taxonomic and functional properties of phytoplankton guilds in the Lesina lagoon during an anoxic crisis, in order to address applied implication of phytoplankton community organization in the field of monitoring the ecological status of aquatic ecosystems. To this aim, following the strong dystrophic crisis that has occurred to a portion of Lesina lagoon during the summer 2008, we have analysed the spatial and temporal patterns of most of the metrics proposed so far to evaluate the status of phytoplankton guilds. They involve, simple and complex metrics, taxonomically based, functionally based and size spectra based, accounting for taxa sensitivity or considering all taxa with the same weight. The intercalibration of the different metrics and their adequacy to describe the ecological status of transitional waters is discussed.

The present paper presents the approach and methodology employed to measure the selectivity and the effectiveness of the square meshes applied to the type of trawl most commonly used at Adriatic Sea. Seventeen fishing experiments were completed to this end by the vessels of research DALLAPORTA and ANDREA. The selectivity of square mesh and diamond mesh shape bottoms were achieved separately by the use of a double 20 mm mesh size cod-end, equipped with plastic hoops to avoid masking the bottom tested. The adopted hanging ratio of square meshes panel is 25%. To compare the effectiveness of the two systems, the hauls were completed alternatively with one then the other type of cod-end, the yields expressed as a whole and and by species being given in number and weight in kg/km2. The trawl geometry and efforts exerted on the trawl gear were constantly measured during each haul, using Scanmar equipment and tension sensors. The selectivity parameters were then calculated for each haul using software CC2000 while the average selectivity curves were obtained by the method of Fryer (1991). Compared with the observations obtained for diamond mesh bottoms of same dimensions, no significant difference was noted, neither between the vertical and horizontal openings, nor between the forces of resistance of the trawls. The specific composition is also identical but with weaker yields for the square mesh; for instance if one obtains a profit in weight of 64% for hake the total effectiveness is decreased by 20 %. In conclusion, the use of a square mesh bottom trawl involves a selectivity higher than with diamond meshes. This higher selectivity however involves an economic loss due to the youngest fraction of stock, as it is the case for the red mullet.

In the present study, the results and the procedures adopted in the research project "Selectivity comparison of diamond and square mesh codends of Mediterranean bottom trawl", financed by the Italian Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry Policies are reported. The main objective of this project is to study the effect of inserting square mesh codend into the traditional commercial Italian trawl. A comparative study was carried out to determine the selectivity and the efficiency of a traditional diamond and an experimental square mesh codends.

Quantitative data and length distribution data on the blue-leg swimming crab, Liocarcinus depurator, and the knobby swimming crab, Macropipus tuberculatus, were collected during eight seasonal trawl surveys carried out from 1991 to 1995 in the Southwestem Adriatic Sea. The spatial distributions were analysed by means of geostatistics, and the population demography was described. Referring to the kriging per species, L. depurator showed the highest abundance on the shelf bottoms (mostly in the northem zone of investigated area) and it appears to be more homogeneously distributed during autumn season. M. tuberculatus showed the highest abundance on the lower shelf border and on the slope bottoms. Moreover, the presence of a 'spatial competition' rate between the species in the areas of bathymetric overlapping could be underlined as it was shown by seasonal kriging. The carapace length ranged from 13 to 40 mm in the blue-leg swimming crab, and from 12 to 30 mm in the knobby swimming crab.