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Lorenzi V, Banzato F, Barberio M, Goeppert N, Goldscheider N, Gori F, Lacchini A, Manetta M, Medici G, Rusi S, Petitta M. Tracking flowpaths in a complex karst system through tracer test and hydrogeochemical monitoring: Implications for groundwater protection (Gran Sasso, Italy). Heliyon 2024; 10:e24663. [PMID: 38298644 PMCID: PMC10828060 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e24663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Revised: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Groundwater in karst aquifers is frequently tapped for drinking purposes, due to frequent huge volumes of resources. Unfortunately, vulnerability of these aquifers can be high, due to possible fast transfer of recharge water on springs by the karst network. On Gran Sasso Mountain regional aquifer, several springs are subjected to drinking withdrawal and an updated evaluation of their potential is now a fundamental issue to be considered, facing climate change effects, which reflect on variation of discharge regimen and values. To distinguish between different contribution of spring recharge, a tracer test has been carried out on the Vitella d'Oro spring, fed both by the regional aquifer and by a local system exposed to karst features developed in the Rigopiano Conglomerates formation. Thanks to hydrogeological, hydrogeochemical and isotopic data, a conceptual model of spring recharge has been proposed and subsequently validated by the tracer test results. All information confirms the superimposition on the regional base flow, by a relevant contribution of the karst network, influencing the spring discharge in recharge periods. In detail, a fast flow component is responsible for discharge peaks and frequently of turbidity events, having a mean velocity ranging from 30 to 70 m/h in the aquifer. Besides of this fast flow, an additional aliquot of the recharge is due to the same local aquifer, but slower flow clearly identifiable by hydrochemistry and isotopic data. Thanks to these findings, a renewed management of the spring has been suggested, considering the different degrees of aquifer vulnerability (turbidity occurrence) directly related to the discharge regimen.
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Affiliation(s)
- V. Lorenzi
- Earth Science Department, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | - F. Banzato
- Autorità di Bacino Distretto Idrografico Appennino Centrale, Italy
| | - M.D. Barberio
- National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology, Rome, Italy
| | - N. Goeppert
- Institute of Applied Geosciences, Division of Hydrogeology, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - N. Goldscheider
- Institute of Applied Geosciences, Division of Hydrogeology, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - F. Gori
- Earth Science Department, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | - A. Lacchini
- Earth Science Department, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | - M. Manetta
- Earth Science Department, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | - G. Medici
- Earth Science Department, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | - S. Rusi
- Engineering and Geology Department, University G. D’Annunzio, Chieti, Italy
| | - M. Petitta
- Earth Science Department, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
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Maisano AM, Luini M, Gazzola A, Sala L, Vezzoli F, Bertocchi L, Lorenzi V, Cremonesi P, Castiglioni B, Bergagna S, Romano A, Scaltriti E, Bolzoni L, Ivanovic I, Romanò A, Graber HU. Staphylococcus aureus adlb gene is associated with high prevalence of intramammary infection in dairy herds of northern Italy: A cross-sectional study. J Dairy Sci 2023; 106:3421-3435. [PMID: 36907760 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2022-22496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 03/12/2023]
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus is a major mastitis pathogen in dairy cattle worldwide, responsible for substantial economic losses. Environmental factors, milking routine, and good maintenance of milking equipment have been described as important factors to prevent intramammary infections (IMI). Staphylococcus aureus IMI can be widespread within the farm or the infection can be limited to few animals. Several studies have reported that Staph. aureus genotypes differ in their ability to spread within a herd. In particular, Staph. aureus belonging to ribosomal spacer PCR genotype B (GTB)/clonal complex 8 (CC8) is associated with high within-herd prevalence of IMI, whereas other genotypes are generally associated with individual cow disease. The adlb gene seems to be strictly related to Staph. aureus GTB/CC8, and is a potential marker of contagiousness. We investigated Staph. aureus IMI prevalence in 60 herds in northern Italy. In the same farms, we assessed specific indicators linked to milking management (e.g., teat condition score and udder hygiene score) and additional milking risk factors for IMI spread. Ribosomal spacer-PCR and adlb-targeted PCR were performed on 262 Staph. aureus isolates, of which 77 underwent multilocus sequence typing. In most of the herds (90%), a predominant genotype was identified, especially Staph. aureus CC8 (30%). In 19 of 60 herds, the predominant circulating Staph. aureus was adlb-positive and the observed IMI prevalence was relevant. Moreover, the adlb gene was detected only in genotypes of CC8 and CC97. Statistical analysis showed a strong association between the prevalence of Staph. aureus IMI, the specific CCs, and carriage of adlb, with the predominant circulating CC and presence of the gene alone explaining the total variation. Interestingly, the difference in the odds ratio obtained in the models for CC8 and CC97 suggests that it is carriage of the adlb gene, rather than the circulation of these CCs per se, that leads to higher within-herd prevalence of Staph. aureus. In addition, the model showed that environmental and milking management factors had no or minimal effect on Staph. aureus IMI prevalence. In conclusion, the circulation of adlb-positive Staph. aureus strains within a herd has a strong effect on the prevalence of IMI. Thus, adlb can be proposed as a genetic marker of contagiousness for Staph. aureus IMI in cattle. However, further analyses using whole-genome sequencing are required to understand the role of genes other than adlb that may be involved in the mechanisms of contagiousness of Staph. aureus strains associated with high prevalence of IMI.
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Affiliation(s)
- A M Maisano
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia-Romagna, 26900 Lodi, Italy.
| | - M Luini
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia-Romagna, 26900 Lodi, Italy; Institute of Agricultural Biology and Biotechnology, National Research Council, 26900 Lodi, Italy
| | - A Gazzola
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia-Romagna, 26900 Lodi, Italy
| | - L Sala
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia-Romagna, 26900 Lodi, Italy
| | - F Vezzoli
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia-Romagna, 26900 Lodi, Italy
| | - L Bertocchi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia-Romagna, Reparto Produzione e Controllo Materiale Biologico, 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - V Lorenzi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia-Romagna, Reparto Produzione e Controllo Materiale Biologico, 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - P Cremonesi
- Institute of Agricultural Biology and Biotechnology, National Research Council, 26900 Lodi, Italy
| | - B Castiglioni
- Institute of Agricultural Biology and Biotechnology, National Research Council, 26900 Lodi, Italy
| | - S Bergagna
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d'Aosta, Laboratorio Benessere Animale, 10154 Torino, Italy
| | - A Romano
- Reference Laboratory for Coagulase-Positive Staphylococci Including Staphylococcus aureus, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d'Aosta, 10154 Torino, Italy
| | - E Scaltriti
- Risk Analysis and Genomic Epidemiology Unit, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia-Romagna, 43126 Parma, Italy
| | - L Bolzoni
- Risk Analysis and Genomic Epidemiology Unit, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia-Romagna, 43126 Parma, Italy
| | - I Ivanovic
- Agroscope, Food Microbial Systems, Group Microbiological Safety of Foods of Animal Origin, 3003 Bern, Switzerland
| | - A Romanò
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia-Romagna, 26900 Lodi, Italy; Agroscope, Food Microbial Systems, Group Microbiological Safety of Foods of Animal Origin, 3003 Bern, Switzerland
| | - H U Graber
- Agroscope, Food Microbial Systems, Group Microbiological Safety of Foods of Animal Origin, 3003 Bern, Switzerland
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Canale A, Giardi F, Gandolfo S, Lorenzi V, Corda V, Farneti S, Taddeucci M, Maielli M, Privitera G, Mencaroni S. “Nudge” in Lucca’s Hospital: separate waste collection improvement and cigarettes dumping reduction. Eur J Public Health 2020. [DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckaa165.1190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Positive behaviour and user's collaboration improved by using choices orientation techniques; in Lucca's Hospital (North-West Tuscany Sanitary Authority) this approach has improved separate waste collection execution and has decreased cigarettes dumping in commons areas.
Objectives
Phase 1 (May 2019): amendment of choices architecture recyclable waste bins in commons areas and into the wards were boosted, with “islands” clearly visible from any point of common paths; in the transit areas were installed exclusively multi-material and paper bins, equipped with signs that clearly indicate which products deliver; residual waste bins were allowed exclusively in certain points.ashtrays at the hospital entrances were eliminated and replaced with signage indicating smoking cessation benefits and the presence of areas “put your cigarette out” along the structure approach routes.
Phase 2 (scheduled for May 2020): “nudge” action
Spreading in community (using press and social-media) and locally (using poster) of the slogan “In San Luca we are taking a step forward: don't lag behind!”. This message stimulate the perception of an ongoing change to join.
Results
A decrease in residual waste collection and in instances of non-compliance in separate waste collection was detected. Decorum in the outdoor environments improved, with a reduction of user's reports and extra-cleaning interventions.
Conclusions
The described actions have improved user's collaboration, management efficiency of waste disposal and cleaning service, perceived quality and cost.
Key messages
Imitating a social model appears to be successful motivator of virtuous behaviours. Choices architecture and “nudge” techniques may improve citizens’ care pathways governance.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Canale
- Department of Translational Research and NTMS, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - F Giardi
- Department of Translational Research and NTMS, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - S Gandolfo
- Department of Translational Research and NTMS, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - V Lorenzi
- San Luca Hospital Medical Direction, North-West Tuscany Sanitary Authority, Lucca, Italy
| | - V Corda
- San Luca Hospital Medical Direction, North-West Tuscany Sanitary Authority, Lucca, Italy
| | - S Farneti
- San Luca Hospital Medical Direction, North-West Tuscany Sanitary Authority, Lucca, Italy
| | - M Taddeucci
- San Luca Hospital Medical Direction, North-West Tuscany Sanitary Authority, Lucca, Italy
| | - M Maielli
- San Luca Hospital Medical Direction, North-West Tuscany Sanitary Authority, Lucca, Italy
| | - G Privitera
- Department of Translational Research and NTMS, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - S Mencaroni
- San Luca Hospital Medical Direction, North-West Tuscany Sanitary Authority, Lucca, Italy
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Poli JP, Guinoiseau E, Luciani A, Yang Y, Battesti MJ, Paolini J, Costa J, Quilichini Y, Berti L, Lorenzi V. Key role of hydrogen peroxide in antimicrobial activity of spring, Honeydew maquis and chestnut grove Corsican honeys on Pseudomonas aeruginosa DNA. Lett Appl Microbiol 2018; 66:427-433. [PMID: 29478286 DOI: 10.1111/lam.12868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2018] [Revised: 02/12/2018] [Accepted: 02/16/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
In honeys, several molecules have been known for their antibacterial or wound healing properties. Corsican honeys just began to be tested for their antimicrobial activity with promising results on Pseudomonas aeruginosa. So, identification of active molecules and their mode of action was determined. Hydrogen peroxide concentrations were evaluated and, in parallel, the minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) values were performed with and without catalase. More, the quantity of phenolic compounds and ORAC assay were measured. Observation of antibacterial action was done using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) followed by plasmidic DNA extraction. MIC values of chestnut grove and honeydew maquis honeys vary between 7 and 8%, showing a strong antimicrobial capacity, associated with a plasmidic DNA degradation. When catalase is added, MIC values significatively increase (25%) without damaging DNA, proving the importance of H2 O2 . This hypothesis is confirmed by SEM micrographies which did not show any morphological damages but a depletion in bacterial population. Although, such low concentrations of H2 O2 (between 23 μmol l-1 and 54 μmol l-1 ) cannot explain antimicrobial activity and might be correlated with phenolic compounds concentration. Thus, Corsican honeys seem to induce DNA damage when H2 O2 and phenolic compounds act in synergy by a putative pro-oxidant effect. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY We started to determine the antibacterial efficiency of Corsican chestnut grove and honeydew maquis honeys on Pseudomonas aeruginosa. No morphological alteration of the bacterial surface was observed. Antimicrobial action seems to be related to the synergy between hydrogen peroxide and phenolic compounds. The exerted pro-oxidant activity leads to a degradation of P. aeruginosa plasmidic DNA. This is the first study that investigate the primary antibacterial mechanism of Corsican honeys.
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Affiliation(s)
- J-P Poli
- Laboratoire de Biochimie et de Biologie Moléculaire du végétal, UMR CNRS 6134, Université de Corse, Corte, France
| | - E Guinoiseau
- Laboratoire de Biochimie et de Biologie Moléculaire du végétal, UMR CNRS 6134, Université de Corse, Corte, France
| | - A Luciani
- Laboratoire de Biochimie et de Biologie Moléculaire du végétal, UMR CNRS 6134, Université de Corse, Corte, France
| | - Y Yang
- Laboratoire de Chimie des Produits Naturels UMR CNRS 6134, Université de Corse, Corte, France
| | - M-J Battesti
- Laboratoire de Chimie des Produits Naturels UMR CNRS 6134, Université de Corse, Corte, France
| | - J Paolini
- Laboratoire de Chimie des Produits Naturels UMR CNRS 6134, Université de Corse, Corte, France
| | - J Costa
- Laboratoire de Chimie des Produits Naturels UMR CNRS 6134, Université de Corse, Corte, France
| | - Y Quilichini
- Laboratoire Parasites et Ecosystèmes Méditerranéens, UMR CNRS 6134, Université de Corse, Corte, France
| | - L Berti
- Laboratoire de Biochimie et de Biologie Moléculaire du végétal, UMR CNRS 6134, Université de Corse, Corte, France
| | - V Lorenzi
- Laboratoire de Biochimie et de Biologie Moléculaire du végétal, UMR CNRS 6134, Université de Corse, Corte, France
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Amadori M, Fusi F, Bilato D, Archetti IL, Lorenzi V, Bertocchi L. Disease risk assessment by clinical immunology analyses in periparturient dairy cows. Res Vet Sci 2015; 102:25-6. [PMID: 26412514 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2015.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2015] [Revised: 06/11/2015] [Accepted: 07/05/2015] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
A disease prediction system was investigated in a case-control study in the dry period of high-yielding dairy cows. Blood samples of 75 cows from 26 herds were collected before calving between -23 and -33 days (T1) and also between -2 and -6 days (T2) to investigate a panel of clinical immunology and chemistry parameters. Cows with abnormal serum lysozyme and interleukin-6 concentrations showed a greater disease prevalence until the 60th day in milk compared with non-responder cows (P<0.05 and lower at T1). Differences in disease prevalence were observed on the basis of T1 data, and also by combining the results at T1 and T2. The other laboratory parameters under study were not predictive of a disease risk. Results indicate that environmental stressors in the dry period may cause a negative imprinting of the innate immune response, underlying predisposition to later disease occurrence.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Amadori
- Laboratory of Cellular Immunology, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia-Romagna, 25124 Brescia, Italy.
| | - F Fusi
- National Reference Centre for Animal Welfare, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia-Romagna, 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - D Bilato
- Laboratory of Cellular Immunology, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia-Romagna, 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - I L Archetti
- National Reference Centre for Animal Welfare, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia-Romagna, 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - V Lorenzi
- National Reference Centre for Animal Welfare, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia-Romagna, 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - L Bertocchi
- National Reference Centre for Animal Welfare, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia-Romagna, 25124 Brescia, Italy
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Pilla R, Castiglioni V, Gelain ME, Scanziani E, Lorenzi V, Anjum M, Piccinini R. Long‐term study of MRSA ST1, t127 mastitis in a dairy cow. Vet rec case rep 2013. [DOI: 10.1136/vetreccr.100510rep] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- R. Pilla
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, Hygiene and Public HealthUniversità degli Studi di MilanoVia Celoria 1020133MilanoItaly
| | - V. Castiglioni
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, Hygiene and Public HealthUniversità degli Studi di MilanoVia Celoria 1020133MilanoItaly
| | - M. E. Gelain
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, Hygiene and Public HealthUniversità degli Studi di MilanoVia Celoria 1020133MilanoItaly
| | - E. Scanziani
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, Hygiene and Public HealthUniversità degli Studi di MilanoVia Celoria 1020133MilanoItaly
| | - V. Lorenzi
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, Hygiene and Public HealthUniversità degli Studi di MilanoVia Celoria 1020133MilanoItaly
| | - M. Anjum
- Department of BacteriologyTechnology Transfer UnitVeterinary Laboratories Agency‐WeybridgeNew HawAddlestoneSurreyKT15 3NBUK
| | - R. Piccinini
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, Hygiene and Public HealthUniversità degli Studi di MilanoVia Celoria 1020133MilanoItaly
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Lieutaud A, Guinoiseau E, Lorenzi V, Giuliani M, Lome V, Brunel JM, Luciani A, Casanova J, Pages JM, Berti L, Bolla JM. Inhibitors of Antibiotic Efflux by AcrAB-TolC in Enterobacter aerogenes. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2013. [DOI: 10.2174/2211352511311020011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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Pilla R, Castiglioni V, Gelain ME, Scanziani E, Lorenzi V, Anjum M, Piccinini R. Long-term study of MRSA ST1, t127 mastitis in a dairy cow. Vet Rec 2012; 170:312. [PMID: 22383329 DOI: 10.1136/vr.100510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- R Pilla
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, Hygiene and Public Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 10, 20133 Milano, Italy
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Rondena M, Lorenzi V, Binanti D, Gelmetti D, Pravettoni D, Finazzi M, Riccaboni P. Immune-Depletion Related to Bovine Viral Diarrhoea Virus in a Heifer with Naturally Occurring Mucosal Disease. J Comp Pathol 2009. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jcpa.2009.08.115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Lorenzi V, Earley RL, Rodgers EW, Pepper DR, Grober MS. Diurnal patterns and sex differences in cortisol, 11-ketotestosterone, testosterone, and 17beta-estradiol in the bluebanded goby (Lythrypnus dalli). Gen Comp Endocrinol 2008; 155:438-46. [PMID: 17869251 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2007.07.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2007] [Revised: 07/16/2007] [Accepted: 07/28/2007] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The primary goals of this study were to evaluate diurnal patterns of and sex differences in the levels of cortisol, 11-ketotestosterone, testosterone, and 17beta-estradiol in the sex-changing bluebanded goby Lythrypnus dalli. Steroid hormones were collected from water samples and analyzed by enzyme immunoassay. During the breeding season, hormones were sampled from both males and females at seven time points between 0600 and 2000 h. When comparing each time point separately, there were significant overall time effects for cortisol and 17beta-estradiol. Cortisol concentrations were lowest at the 0800-1000 h sampling point and showed a qualitative peak in late morning (1000-1200 h). Concentrations of 17beta-estradiol were elevated at the last sampling point (1800-2000 h). Broader temporal trends were revealed for testosterone and 11-ketotestosterone concentrations, both of which were elevated in the morning. There were no sex differences in overall hormone concentrations or temporal profiles for cortisol, 11-ketotestosterone, or testosterone. Males and females showed similar diurnal patterns of 17beta-estradiol but females had significantly higher water-borne 17beta-estradiol levels than males. The results show the presence of diurnal changes in steroid hormone levels in male and female bluebanded gobies. The lack of sex differences in androgens suggests that males of this species, and perhaps other bi-directional sex-changing species in which males do not exhibit prominent secondary sexual characteristics, do not require persistent elevations in 11-ketotestosterone or testosterone to maintain the male phenotype. Although the role of 17beta-estradiol in maintaining sex differences in sexually plastic species is unclear, our results suggest that, of the hormones measured, 17beta-estradiol has the greatest potential for future studies interested in this question.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Lorenzi
- Department of Biology, Georgia State University & Center for Behavioral Neuroscience, 24 Peachtree Centre Avenue NE, Atlanta, GA 30303-4010, USA
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Pastorello A, Smartt SJ, Mattila S, Eldridge JJ, Young D, Itagaki K, Yamaoka H, Navasardyan H, Valenti S, Patat F, Agnoletto I, Augusteijn T, Benetti S, Cappellaro E, Boles T, Bonnet-Bidaud JM, Botticella MT, Bufano F, Cao C, Deng J, Dennefeld M, Elias-Rosa N, Harutyunyan A, Keenan FP, Iijima T, Lorenzi V, Mazzali PA, Meng X, Nakano S, Nielsen TB, Smoker JV, Stanishev V, Turatto M, Xu D, Zampieri L. A giant outburst two years before the core-collapse of a massive star. Nature 2007; 447:829-32. [PMID: 17568740 DOI: 10.1038/nature05825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 279] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2006] [Accepted: 04/02/2007] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The death of massive stars produces a variety of supernovae, which are linked to the structure of the exploding stars. The detection of several precursor stars of type II supernovae has been reported (see, for example, ref. 3), but we do not yet have direct information on the progenitors of the hydrogen-deficient type Ib and Ic supernovae. Here we report that the peculiar type Ib supernova SN 2006jc is spatially coincident with a bright optical transient that occurred in 2004. Spectroscopic and photometric monitoring of the supernova leads us to suggest that the progenitor was a carbon-oxygen Wolf-Rayet star embedded within a helium-rich circumstellar medium. There are different possible explanations for this pre-explosion transient. It appears similar to the giant outbursts of luminous blue variable stars (LBVs) of 60-100 solar masses, but the progenitor of SN 2006jc was helium- and hydrogen-deficient (unlike LBVs). An LBV-like outburst of a Wolf-Rayet star could be invoked, but this would be the first observational evidence of such a phenomenon. Alternatively, a massive binary system composed of an LBV that erupted in 2004, and a Wolf-Rayet star exploding as SN 2006jc, could explain the observations.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Pastorello
- Astrophysics Research Centre, School of Mathematics and Physics, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast BT7 1NN, UK.
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Lorenzi V, Maury J, Casanova J, Berti L. Purification, product characterization and kinetic properties of lipoxygenase from olive fruit (Olea europaea L.). Plant Physiol Biochem 2006; 44:450-4. [PMID: 17011785 DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2006.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2006] [Accepted: 09/01/2006] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Lipoxygenase from olive fruit was purified to homogeneity for the first time after differential centrifugations and by hydrophobic chromatography. The enzyme had a molecular mass of 98 kDa and exhibited a maximal activity at pH 6. Lipoxygenase had a better affinity for linoleic acid (Km=82.44 microM) than for linolenic acid (Km = 306.26 microM). It is inhibited by linoleate:oxygen oxidoreductase (LOX) inhibitors like nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) or propyl gallate. The reaction product was 13-hydroperoxy octadecadienoic acid when linoleic acid was used as substrate.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Lorenzi
- Université de Corse, UMR 6134 CNRS, quartier Grossetti, BP 52, 20250 Corte, France
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Budd GT, Lorenzi V, Ganapathi R, Adelstein D, Pelley R, Olencki T, McLain D, Bukowski RM. Amifostine: potential for clinically useful cytoprotection. Support Care Cancer 1994; 2:380-4. [PMID: 7858931 DOI: 10.1007/bf00344052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
The ability to target malignant cells for cytotoxicity while sparing normal host tissues has proven to be limited. These limitations have resulted in unacceptable toxicity or insufficiently effective therapy. Continuing investigation of new, potentially useful cytotoxic agents must continue. An alternative approach, also worthy of study, is the selective protection of normal tissues. This approach, used in conjunction with available therapeutic agents, may open the therapeutic window and incrementally enhance the effectiveness of cytotoxic therapy. A variety of methods have been used to protect normal tissues selectively. Regional protection can be used for certain organ systems, such as the oral mucosa. Selective protection on a systemic level is more difficult but agents that seem to protect normal but not malignant tissues selectively are being developed. Among these is amifostine, which was originally selected by the U.S. defense department for study as a radioprotectant. Pre-clinical studies have suggested that amifostine is differentially concentrated in normal tissues but not in malignant tissues. Tissue-specific differences in the activity of alkaline phosphatase, which dephosphorylates amifostine to its active metabolite WR-1065, and in pH are thought to be involved in this relative specificity. Clinical studies indicate that amifostine can reduce the myelosuppression produced by cyclosphosphamide, the combination of cyclophosphamide and cisplatin, and, perhaps, carboplatin. The protective effects of amifostine on nonhematopoietic toxicities are being investigated. Future trials will investigate the integration of amifostine with cytokine-based supportive care in order to define the role of this potentially clinically useful cytoprotectant agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- G T Budd
- Department of Hematology/Medical Oncology, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, OH 44195
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Bukowski RM, Budd GT, Gibbons JA, Bauer RJ, Childs A, Antal J, Finke J, Tuason L, Lorenzi V, McLain D. Phase I trial of subcutaneous recombinant macrophage colony-stimulating factor: clinical and immunomodulatory effects. J Clin Oncol 1994; 12:97-106. [PMID: 8270990 DOI: 10.1200/jco.1994.12.1.97] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Recombinant human macrophage colony-stimulating factor (rM-CSF) has been demonstrated to control the growth, differentiation, and function of mononuclear phagocytes. Preclinical studies have indicated antitumor effects, and therefore a phase I trial of rM-CSF in patients with malignancy was initiated. The toxicity and hematologic and immunologic effects were investigated. PATIENTS AND METHODS rM-CSF was administered as a subcutaneous injection on days 1 through 5 and 8 through 12. Cycles were repeated every 28 days. Cohorts of four to seven patients received rM-CSF at dose levels from 0.1 to 25.6 mg/m2/d. Forty-two patients received 88 cycles of rM-CSF. All patients had metastatic solid tumors refractory to standard therapy. RESULTS The toxicity of rM-CSF was mild. Dose-limiting toxicity included thrombocytopenia (two patients) and iritis (one patient) occurring at a dose of 25.6 mg/m2/d. Hematologic studies demonstrated dose-related monocytosis occurring routinely at doses > or = 3.2 mg/m2/d, and thrombocytopenia. Immunologic studies demonstrated enhanced secretion of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-1-beta (IL-1 beta) by monocytes after in vitro stimulation with lipopolysaccharide, and increased expression of TNF-alpha mRNA at higher rM-CSF dose levels. Pharmacokinetic studies demonstrated that the systemic clearance rate of M-CSF increases during week 1 of therapy, resulting in lower blood levels of M-CSF during the second week of therapy. CONCLUSION rM-CSF can be safely administered to patients, and has biologic activity on peripheral-blood monocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- R M Bukowski
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, OH
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Dubouloz P, Pavone R, Lorenzi V. [Colorimetric microdetermination of high molecular weight alcohols]. Bull Soc Chim Biol (Paris) 1967; 49:905-6. [PMID: 6056750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
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