Mitochondrial DNA reveals genetic structuring of <i>Pinna nobilis</i> across the Mediterranean Sea

Pinna nobilis is the largest endemic Mediterranean marine bivalve. During past centuries, various human activities have promoted the regression of its populations. As a consequence of stringent standards of protection, demographic expansions are currently reported in many sites. The aim of this study was to provide the first large broad-scale insight into the genetic variability of P. nobilis in the area that encompasses the western Mediterranean, Ionian Sea, and Adriatic Sea marine ecoregions. To accomplish this objective twenty-five populations from this area were surveyed using two mitochondrial DNA markers (COI and 16S). Our dataset was then merged with those obtained in other studies for the Aegean and Tunisian populations (eastern Mediterranean), and statistical analyses (Bayesian model-based clustering, median-joining network, AMOVA, mismatch distribution, Tajima’s and Fu’s neutrality tests and Bayesian skyline plots) were performed. The results revealed genetic divergence among three distinguishable areas: (1) western Mediterranean and Ionian Sea; (2) Adriatic Sea; and (3) Aegean Sea and Tunisian coastal areas. From a conservational point of view, populations from the three genetically divergent groups found may be considered as different management units

Determinazione specifica di individui giovanili del genere <i>Patella</i> fissati su adulti di <i>Patella ferruginea</i> (Gmelin, 1791), tramite utilizzo del DNA barcoding = Specific attribution of juveniles belonging to tehe genus <i>Patella</i> set on adults of <i>Patella ferruginea</i> (Gmelin, 1791) by means of DNA barcoding

A genetic analysis was performed on two individuals belonging to the genus Patella recovered as epibionti on P. ferruginea (Gmelin, 1791). The survey was carried out by means of the Cytochrome c Oxidase (COI) Folmer’s region. Results obtained evidenced the occurrence of a juveniles of P. ferruginea and one of P. rustica, and confirmed that COI is an invaluable tool for the DNA barcoding

Survey of the genetic variability of populations of <i>Ruditapes philippinarum</i> from tre Gulf of Olbia (N-E Sardinia) by microsatellites = Indagine sulla variabilità genetica di popolazioni di <i>Ruditapes philippinarum</i> provenienti dal golfo di Olbia (N-E Sardegna)

Genetic variability was investigated at six microsatellite loci of the Manila clam Ruditapes philippinarum (Adams &amp; Reeve, 1850) (Bivalvia) from the Gulf of Olbia (N-E Sardinia) and Sacca di Goro (N Adriatic Sea). We found no significant differentiation among Sardinian samples and between those and the Adriatic one, which suggests the absence of a founder effect in Sardinian population

Population structure of the <i>Monocelis lineata</i> (Proseriata, Monocelididae) species complex assessed by phylogenetic analysis of the mitochondrial Cytochrome c Oxidase subunit I (<i>COI</i>) gene

Monocelis lineate consists of a complex of sibling species, widespread in the Mediterranean and Atlantic Ocean. Previous genetic analysis placed in evidence at least four sibling species. Nevertheless, this research was not conclusive enough to fully resolve the complex or to infer the phylogeny/phylogeography of the group. We designed specific primers aiming at obtaining partial sequences of the mtDNA gene Cytochrome c Oxidase subunit I (COI) of M. lineate, and have identified 25 different haplotypes in 32 analyzed individuals. The dendrogram generated by Neighbor- Joining analysis confirmed the differentiation between Atlantic and Mediterranean siblings, as well as the occurrence of at least two Mediterranean sibling species. Thus validated, the method here presented appears as a valuable tool in population genetics and biodiversity surveys on the Monocelis lineate complex

Analysis of the genetic variability of <i>Patella ferruginea</i> Gmelin, 1791 (Gastropoda: Patellidae) populations from the North-East Sardinia = Analisi della variabilità genetica in popolazioni di <i>Patella ferruginea</i> Gmelin, 1791 (Gastropoda: Patellidae) provenienti dalla Sardegna nord-orientale

The mollusc Patella ferruginea (Gastropoda, Patellidae), endemic to the Medilerranean, is the most endangered marine species on the list of the European Couneil Directive 92/43/EEC and it is presently under serious risk of extinction. This research was aimed to unravel the genetic variability of some Sardinian populations sampled on the North-Eastern coast, in order to shed light on their status of conservation

Valutazione delle caratteristiche fisiche e strutturali di un prodotto da forno durante la conservazione (Spianata di Ozieri)

The aim of this research was the characterization by physical and structural properties, a typical bakery product (Spianata di Ozieri). The samples of two differents kind of spianata were submitted to dynamometric analysis (texture profile analysis - TPA, cut and tension test), color measurement and microbiological tests over 14 days of storage time at 22°C. Three samplings were conducted in different periods of the year to test the seasonality of the production. A collaborative test was carried out at the DISAABA (Sassari University) and in the laboratories of Food Science &amp; Technology (Bologna University). The most important results obtained in this research confirm effectivement that this kind of product is really typical and so the data variability obtained is quite normal. The microciological tests showed a good quality of the product during the normal storage time. Lo scopo di questa ricerca è stato quello di effettuare una prima caratterizzazione fisica e strutturale di un prodotto da forno tipico sardo, la spianata di Ozieri. In particolare, sono state studiate le variazioni di alcune caratteristiche strutturali dinamometriche, fisiche e chimico-fisiche e l'evoluzione della carica microbica durante la conservazione, a temperatura controllata di 22°C circa, di due diversi campioni commerciali di spianata sarda, realizzati artigianalmente e confezionati con metodologie diverse: uno in atmosfera ordinaria e destinato al mercato locale e l'altro confezionato in atmosfera protettiva (40% anidride carbonica, 60% azoto) e destinato alla grande distribuziooe. Sono stati effettuati tre campionamenti nei mesi di luglio, novembre e gennaio, per valutare eventuali differenze dovute alia stagionalità di produzione. Le prove sono state condotte in collaborazione tra i laboratori del Disaaba dell'Università di Sassari e del Corso di Laurea in Scienze e Tecnologie Alimentari di Cesena, Università di Bologna. Sono stati analizzati i campioni delle due differenti produzioni e dei tre diversi campionamenti stagionali, valutando le modificazioni delle caratteristiche fisiche in conservazione, mentre l'evoluzione della carica microbica è stata valutata sulla campionatura di gennaio. Si riporteranno di seguito, i risultati ottenuti durante il periodo di osservazione, della durata di 14 giorni per campioni confezionati in atmosfera ordinaria e di 27 giomi per quelli condizionati in atmosfera protettiva

Improvement in Hemodynamic Responses to Metaboreflex Activation after One Year of Training in Spinal Cord Injured Humans

Spinal cord injured (SCI) individuals show an altered hemodynamic response to metaboreflex activation due to a reduced capacity to vasoconstrict the venous and arterial vessels below the level of the lesion. Exercise training was found to enhance circulating catecholamines and to improve cardiac preload and venous tone in response to exercise in SCI subjects. Therefore, training would result in enhanced diastolic function and capacity to vasoconstrict circulation. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that one year of training improves hemodynamic response to metaboreflex activation in these subjects. Nine SCI individuals were enrolled and underwent a metaboreflex activation test at the beginning of the study (T0) and after one year of training (T1). Hemodynamics were assessed by impedance cardiography and echocardiography at both T0 and T1. Results show that there was an increment in cardiac output response due to metaboreflex activity at T1 as compared to T0 (545.4 ± 683.9 mL · min(-1) versus 220.5 ± 745.4 mL · min(-1), P < 0.05). Moreover, ventricular filling rate response was higher at T1 than at T0. Similarly, end-diastolic volume response was increased after training. We concluded that a period of training can successfully improve hemodynamic response to muscle metaboreflex activation in SCI subjects

The complexity of titin splicing pattern in human adult skeletal muscles

Background: Mutations in the titin gene (TTN) cause a large spectrum of diseases affecting skeletal and/or cardiac muscle. TTN includes 363 coding exons, a repeated region with a high degree of complexity, isoform-specific elements, and metatranscript-only exons thought to be expressed only during fetal development. Although three main classes of isoforms have been described so far, alternative splicing events (ASEs) in different tissues or in different developmental and physiological states have been reported. Methods: To achieve a comprehensive view of titin ASEs in adult human skeletal muscles, we performed a RNA-Sequencing experiment on 42 human biopsies collected from 12 anatomically different skeletal muscles of 11 individuals without any skeletal-muscle disorders. Results: We confirmed that the skeletal muscle N2A isoforms are highly prevalent, but we found an elevated number of alternative splicing events, some at a very high level. These include previously unknown exon skipping events and alternative 5' and 3' splice sites. Our data suggests the partial inclusion in the TTN transcript of some metatranscript-only exons and the partial exclusion of canonical N2A exons. Conclusions: This study provides an extensive picture of the complex TTN splicing pattern in human adult skeletal muscle, which is crucial for a proper clinical interpretation of TTN variants.Peer reviewe

Diving response after a one-week diet and overnight fasting

Background: We hypothesized that overnight fasting after a short dietary period, especially with carbohydrates, could allow performing breath-hold diving with no restraint for diaphragm excursion and blood shift and without any increase of metabolism, and in turn improve the diving response. Methods: During two separate sessions, 8 divers carried out two trials: (A) a 30-m depth dive, three hours after a normal breakfast and (B) a dive to the same depth, but after following a diet and fasting overnight. Each test consisted of 3 apnea phases: descent, static and ascent whose durations were measured by a standard chronometer. An impedance cardiograph, housed in an underwater torch, provided data on trans-thoracic fluid index (TFI), stroke volume (SV), heart rate (HR) and cardiac output (CO). Mean blood pressure (MBP), arterial O-2 saturation (SaO(2)), blood glucose (Glu) and blood lactate (BLa) were also collected. Results: In condition B, duration of the static phase of the dive was longer than A (37.8 +/- 7.4 vs. 27.3 +/- 8.4 s respectively, P < 0.05). In static phases, mean Delta SV value (difference between basal and nadir values) during fasting was lower than breakfast one (-2.6 +/- 5.1 vs. 5.7 +/- 7.6 ml, P < 0.05). As a consequence, since mean. HR values were equally decreased in both metabolic conditions, mean. CO value during static after fasting was lower than the same phase after breakfast (-0.4 +/- 0.5 vs. 0.4 +/- 0.5 L . min(-1) respectively, P < 0.05). At emersion, despite the greater duration of dives during fasting, SaO(2) was higher than A (92.0 +/- 2.7 vs. 89.4 +/- 2.9 % respectively, P < 0.05) and BLa was lower in the same comparison (4.2 +/- 0.7 vs. 5.3 +/- 1.1 mmol L-1, P < 0.05). Conclusions: An adequate balance between metabolic and splancnic status may improve the diving response during a dive at a depth of 30 m, in safe conditions for the athlete's healt