Fishing for Targets of Alien Metabolites: A Novel Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor (PPAR) Agonist from a Marine Pest

Although the chemical warfare between invasive and native species has become a central problem in invasion biology, the molecular mechanisms by which bioactive metabolites from invasive pests influence local communities remain poorly characterized. This study demonstrates that the alkaloid caulerpin (CAU)—a bioactive component of the green alga Caulerpa cylindracea that has invaded the entire Mediterranean basin—is an agonist of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs). Our interdisciplinary study started with the in silico prediction of the ligand-protein interaction, which was then validated by in vivo, ex vivo and in vitro assays. On the basis of these results, we candidate CAU as a causal factor of the metabolic and behavioural disorders observed in Diplodus sargus, a native edible fish of high ecological and commercial relevance, feeding on C. cylindracea. Moreover, given the considerable interest in PPAR activators for the treatment of relevant human diseases, our findings are also discussed in terms of a possible nutraceutical/pharmacological valorisation of the invasive algal biomasses, supporting an innovative strategy for conserving biodiversity as an alternative to unrealistic campaigns for the eradication of invasive pest

Investigating the Effects of the Household Budget Survey Redesign on Consumption and Inequality Estimates: the Italian Experience

AbstractIn 2014, many innovations were introduced in the Italian Household Budget Survey (HBS) in response to changes in European recommendations and purchasing behaviours and to an increased demand for information in the context of social and economic research. New instruments and techniques have been introduced, together with more accurate methodologies, with the aim of improving the survey, by both reducing the bias and variance of survey estimates and supplying estimation for additional subpopulations and variables. Given the parallel conduction of the former and new HBS in 2013, it has been possible to evaluate the effects of the abovementioned changes on consumption expenditure and inequality estimates and to compare the sample representativeness of selected subpopulations in both surveys

Can Rural Tourism Boost Green Livelihoods? Empirical Evidences from Maramureş

The European rural policy is shifting from the concept of multifunctionality to the one of public good with a growing attention to environmental concerns and green livelihoods. In Maramureş, Romania, this approach is only partially explored: as diversification strategy, several tourist accommodation facilities have been created by rural households, but those services are often not integrated to territorial amenities. Consequently, the rural system is still agriculturally based with a largely unexplored potential considering non-farm activities, a high migration rate, and a consistent land abandonment. The research aims to investigate how tourist initiatives can contribute to the promotion of green livelihoods through the valorization of local assets. Tourism can foster the enhancement of the territorial capital (natural, cultural social, institutional and economic ones), the preservation of public goods in the area (i.e. forests, land management) and the promotion of a more environmental oriented livelihood. A development strategy based on the recognition of the specificity embedded in the territorial capital can move the traditional heritage and local assets back to the core of the policy debate, recognizing their role in the socio-economic and environmental development of the area. Methodologically, the work is based on a cluster analysis carried out trough data collected from a range of rural guesthouses (offering tourist accommodation facilities) and focusing on the concept of public good and on the local strategies adopted to manage and valorize the territorial capital. Collected data served as main tool for the identification of the major challenges that local administration should overcome to identify an effective strategy for local development. Moreover, the cluster analysis has been anticipated by an extensive literature review conducted on the existing policy papers, reports and documents focused on the promotion of sustainable development in rural Romania

DTOR: Decision Tree Outlier Regressor to explain anomalies

Explaining outliers occurrence and mechanism of their occurrence can be extremely important in a variety of domains. Malfunctions, frauds, threats, in addition to being correctly identified, oftentimes need a valid explanation in order to effectively perform actionable counteracts. The ever more widespread use of sophisticated Machine Learning approach to identify anomalies make such explanations more challenging. We present the Decision Tree Outlier Regressor (DTOR), a technique for producing rule-based explanations for individual data points by estimating anomaly scores generated by an anomaly detection model. This is accomplished by first applying a Decision Tree Regressor, which computes the estimation score, and then extracting the relative path associated with the data point score. Our results demonstrate the robustness of DTOR even in datasets with a large number of features. Additionally, in contrast to other rule-based approaches, the generated rules are consistently satisfied by the points to be explained. Furthermore, our evaluation metrics indicate comparable performance to Anchors in outlier explanation tasks, with reduced execution time

Tools to assess the quality of life in patients with Parkinson’s disease. A systematic review

Introduction . The clinical, social, and economic implications of Parkinson’s disease (PD) are significant; disability occurs leading to a low quality of life (QoL). Information on the QoL of patients with PD and studies on the relationship between QoL and motor and cognitive function are necessary for both research and clinical use to make informed decisions in healthcare and rehabilitation. The aim of this study was to determine which scales are most used to assess QoL in patients with PD. Area covered . A literature search was conducted in MEDLINE, Scopus, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Web of Science. Two authors independently identified eligible studies based on predefined inclusion criteria and extracted the data. Study quality and the risk of bias were assessed using the COSMIN checklist. Expert opinion . 116 suitable studies were included, and 42 different instruments were identified. The most frequently used scales were the 39-items and 8-items Parkinson’s Disease Questionnaire (PDQ-39) (PDQ-8). These findings suggest further investigation of existing PD outcome measures would benefit patients, researchers, and clinicians. Validated, universal outcome measures are required to allow comparisons across practice; therefore, we recommend that future researchers use a common set of outcome assessments based on the results of this review

Peri-Procedural Management of Direct-Acting Oral Anticoagulants (DOACs) in Transcatheter Miniaturized Leadless Pacemaker Implantation

INTRODUCTION: Data on peri-operative management of direct-acting oral anticoagulants (DOACs) during transcatheter pacing leadless system (TPS) implantations remain limited. This study aimed to evaluate a standardized DOAC management regime consisting of interruption of a single dose prior to implantation and reinitiation within 6-24 h; also, patient clinical characteristics associated with this approach were identified. METHOD: Consecutive patients undergoing standard TPS implantation procedures from two Swiss tertiary centers were included. DOAC peri-operative management included the standardized approach (Group 1A) or other approaches (Group 1B). RESULTS: Three hundred and ninety-two pts (mean age 81.4 ± 7.3 years, 66.3% male, left ventricular ejection fraction 55.5 ± 9.6%) underwent TPS implantation. Two hundred and eighty-two pts (71.9%) were under anticoagulation therapy; 192 pts were treated with DOAC; 90 pts were under vitamin-K antagonist. Patients treated with DOAC less often had structural heart disease, diabetes mellitus, and advanced renal failure. The rate of major peri-procedural complications did not differ between groups 1A (n = 115) and 1B (n = 77) (2.6% and 3.8%, p = 0.685). Compared to 1B, 1A patients were implanted with TPS for slow ventricular rate atrial fibrillation (AF) (p = 0.002), in a better overall clinical status, and implanted electively (<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Standardized peri-procedural DOAC management was more often implemented for elective TPS procedures and did not seem to increase bleeding or thromboembolic adverse events

Toxic effects multi-walled carbon nanotubes on bivalves: comparison between of functionalized and non-functionalized nanoparticles

Despite of the large array of available carbon nanotube (CNT) configurations that allow different industrial and scientific applications of these nanoparticles, their impacts on aquatic organisms, especially on invertebrate species, are still limited. To our knowledge, no information is available on how surface chemistry alteration (functionalization) of CNTs may impact the toxicity of these NPs to bivalve species after a chronic exposure. For this reason, the impacts induced by chronic exposure (28 days) to unfunctionalized MWCNTs (Nf-MWCNTs) in comparison with functionalized MWCNTs (f-MWCNTs), were evaluated in R. philippinarum, by measuring alterations induced in clams' oxidative status, neurotoxicity and metabolic capacity. The results obtained revealed that exposure to both MWCNT materials altered energy-related responses, with higher metabolic capacity and lower glycogen, protein and lipid concentrations in clams exposed to these CNTs. Moreover, R. philippinarum exposed to Nf-MWCNTs and f-MWCNTs showed oxidative stress expressed in higher lipid peroxidation and lower ratio between reduced and oxidized glutathione, despite the activation of defense mechanisms (superoxide-dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione S-transferases) in exposed clams. Additionally, neurotoxicity was observed by inhibition of Cholinesterases activity in organisms exposed to both MWCNTs.publishe

Valutazione degli effetti dell'anestesia parzialmente endovenosa (PIVA) con Sufentanil o con Midazolam-Sufentanil nel paziente aviare selvatico sottoposto a chirurgia ortopedica

Riassunto Obbiettivo: valutare l’efficacia intraoperatoria di due protocolli di anestesia bilanciata pazialmente endovenose con sufentanil e con sufentanil-midazolam in pazienti aviari selvatici sottoposti a chirurgia ortopedica Materiali e metodi: lo studio è stato effettuato su 20 uccelli selvatici, divisi in 2 gruppi di 10 per ogni protocollo anestesiologico, appartenenti a 7 specie diverse sottoposti a chirurgie ortopediche. I soggetti sono stati premedicati con 1 mg/kg di midazolam e 20 µg/Kg di sufentanil IM se di peso >0,5 kg, e con 2 mg/kg di midazolam e 20 µg/Kg di sufentanil IM se di peso <0,5kg. I pazienti sono stati indotti tramite maschera con isoflurano e, una volta eseguita l’intubazione endotracheale, sono stati mantenuti sempre con isoflurano. Durante l’anestesia sono stati monitorati frequenza cardiaca (FC), frequenza respiratoria (FR), percentuale espirata di isoflurano (EtIso), pressione arteriosa media (PAM), capnografia (EtCO2) e T° ed è stata effettuata una ventilazione controllata a pressione positiva (IPPV) per mantenere la concentrazione di anidride carbonica a fine espirazione (EtCO2) tra 30 e 45 mmHg. Inserito un catetere endovenoso, è stato somministrato un bolo di 15 μg/kg di sufentanil seguito da una infusione, in base ai protocolli scelti, di sufentanil alla dose di 15 μg/kg/h da solo oppure associato a midazolam 1 mg/kg/h. Alla fine della chirurgia sono stati monitorati i parametri fino al completo risveglio del paziente. Risultati: Il peso medio dei pazienti è stato di 1,09 ± 1,24 Kg, e il tempo medio di CRI è stato di 64,9 ± 23,32 min. All’interno di ogni gruppo di studio è stata identificata una differenza significativa rispetto a T0 solo per il gruppo S riguardo alla FC al tempo T4. Il confronto tra i due gruppi ha evidenziato valori significativamente inferiori per la percentuale di isoflurano espirato nel gruppo SM. Anche per i valori di EtCO2 è stata identificata una differenza significativa per il tempo T3. Conclusioni: i due protocolli anestesiologici hanno permesso un piano anestetico e analgesico sicuro e prevedibile in entrambe le procedure. L’infusione continua di sufentanil midazolam ha permesso una significativa riduzione dell’isoflurano necessario al mantenimento in anestesia senza effetti collaterali. La sola infusione di sufentanil ha richiesto concentrazioni più alte di isoflurano pur garantendo un piano analgesico adeguato al tipo di intervento. Parole chiave: Anestesia, PIVA, uccelli selvatici, Sufentanil, Midazolam. Abstract Objective: evaluation of the intraoperative efficacy of two balanced intravenous anaesthesia protocols with sufentanil and sufentanil - midazolam in wild birds undergoing orthopedic surgery Materials and methods: The study was performed on 20 wild birds, divided into 2 groups of 10 for each anesthesiological protocol, belonging to 7 different species undergoing orthopedic surgeries. The subjects were premedicated with 1 mg / kg of midazolam and 20 μg / Kg of sufentanil IM if their weight was > 0.5 kg and with 2 mg / kg of midazolam and 20 μg / Kg of sufentanil IM if their was < 0.5kg. Anaesthesia was induced with isoflurane by mask, than endotracheal intubation was performed, and anaesthesia was maintained with isoflurane. During the anesthesia, heart rate (FC), respiratory rate (FR), exhaled percentage of isoflurane (EtIso), arterial blood pressure (PAM), capnography (EtCO2) and T ° were monitored and pressure controlled ventilation positive (IPPV) to maintain the end tidal CO2 (EtCO2) between 30 and 45 mmHg. An intravenous catheter was placed and a bolus dose of sufentanil 15 μg / kg was administered followed by a maintenance infusion of sufentanil at a dose of 15 μg / kg / h alone or associated with midazolam 1mg / kg / h according to the protocols. At the end of the surgery the parameters were monitored until the patient's complete awakening. Results: The mean weight of patients was 1.09 ± 1.24 Kg, and the mean CRI time was 64.9 ± 23.32 min. Within each study group there was a significant difference compared to T0 only for group S with respect to FC at time T4. The comparison between the two groups showed significantly lower values for the percentage of isoflurane exhaled in the SM group. Also for the values of EtCO2 a significant difference was identified for T3 time. Conclusions: The two anesthesiological protocols have allowed an anesthetic and analgesic plan to be safe and predictable in both procedures. Continuous infusion of sufentanil midazolam has allowed a significant reduction of isoflurane necessary for maintaining anesthesia without side effects. The only infusion of sufentanil required higher concentrations of isoflurane while providing an analgesic plan appropriate to the type of surgery. Key words: Anesthesia, PIVA, Wild Birds, sufentanil, midazolam