Assessing the economic value of Posidonia oceanica (L.) at Tremiti Islands (Mediterranean Sea): An ecosystem condition-based approach

In the context of limiting global warming, the seagrass Posidonia oceanica (L.) gained the centrality of several international climate change mitigation projects being the most effective carbon storage sink among Mediterranean seagrasses. To assess and monitor the change of environmental conditions and economic values of natural resources, the present study moves from the insights of the System of Environmental-Economic Accounting - Ecosystem Accounting to assess the economic value of the carbon sequestration and storage capacity of the Mediterranean-endemic seagrass P. oceanica at the Tremiti Islands Marine Protected Area. The economic value is compared across: i. the reference study by Pergent-Martini et al.; ii. the ecological condition-based approach; and iii. the unit value transfer. Based on the obtained outcomes, an ecosystem-based approach would prevent biases in the accounting of the ecosystem-service provision capacity of P. oceanica and help the policy maker to implement adequate public investment policies to mitigate its overall degradation.

Molecular diversity of black corals from the Saudi Arabian Red Sea: a first assessment

Black corals occur as part of benthic assemblages from shallow to deep waters in all oceans. Despite the importance in many benthic ecosystems, where these act as biodiversity aggregators, antipatharians remain poorly studied, with 75% of the known species occurring below recreational SCUBA diving depth limits. Currently, information regarding the diversity and evolutionary history is limited, with most studies focusing on Hawaii and the South Pacific Ocean. Other regions of the world have received less attention, such as the Red Sea, where only two black coral families and four genera have been recorded. We provide the first analysis of the molecular diversity of black corals in the eastern Gulf of Aqaba and the northern and central Saudi Arabian Red Sea, based on a dataset of 161 antipatharian colonies collected down to 627 m deep. Based on specimen morphology, we ascribed our material to 11 genera belonging to 4 of the 7 known Antipatharia families, i.e. Antipathidae, Aphanipathidae, Myriopathidae and Schizopathidae. The genus level phylogeny of three intergenic mitochondrial regions, the trnW-IGR-nad2 (IgrW ), nad5-IGR-nad1 (IgrN ) and cox3-IGR-cox1 was reconstructed including previously published material. Overall, we recovered six molecular clades that included exclusively Red Sea sequences, with the highest diversity occurring at mesophotic depths. This study highlights that diversity of black corals in the Red Sea is much higher than previously known, with seven new generic records, suggesting that this basin may be a hotspot for antipatharian diversity as is known for other taxa. Our results recovered unresolved relationships within the order at the familial and generic levels. This emphasises the urgent need for an integration of genomic-wide data with a re-examination of informative morphological features necessary to revise the systematics of the order at all taxonomic levels.

Conservation status of upper-mesophotic octocoral habitats at Sporades Archipelago (Aegean Sea)

Octocoral forests created by the yellow sea fan Eunicella cavolini and the red sea fan Paramuricea clavata were studied at the National Marine Park of Alonissos Northern Sporades (Aegean Sea, Greece), between 30 and 45 m depth, in order to assess their conservation status and the occurrence of both natural and anthropogenic stressors. The area was characterized by rich and dense coral forests, with densities up to 55.2 colonies m^-2 for E. cavolini and 28.0 colonies m^-2 for P. clavata. The coral population showed signs of stress, although mortality was low. A combination of stressors linked to global warming and fishing impacts, including macroalgal epibiosis, tip necrosis, increasing coral feeders, and abandoned fishing gears, could impair the status of these habitats in the near future. Although the effects of climate change are global, local conservation actions may reduce direct anthropogenic impacts and enhance habitats' resilience.

First record of Boulenger's anthias Sacura boulengeri (Heemstra 1973) in the Red Sea

In November 2020, we observed several individuals and collected one juvenile of an unidentified anthiadine fish (Serranidae) between depths of 250 and 307 m near vertical walls of rocky reefs in the northern Red Sea. Further morphological and molecular analyses revealed that the collected specimen matches Sacura boulengeri, a species previously reported only from the Gulf of Oman to India.

Marine heatwaves drive recurrent mass mortalities in the Mediterranean Sea

Climate change is causing an increase in the frequency and intensity of marine heatwaves (MHWs) and mass mortality events (MMEs) of marine organisms are one of their main ecological impacts. Here, we show that during the 2015-2019 period, the Mediterranean Sea has experienced exceptional thermal conditions resulting in the onset of five consecutive years of widespread MMEs across the basin. These MMEs affected thousands of kilometers of coastline from the surface to 45 m, across a range of marine habitats and taxa (50 taxa across 8 phyla). Significant relationships were found between the incidence of MMEs and the heat exposure associated with MHWs observed both at the surface and across depths. Our findings reveal that the Mediterranean Sea is experiencing an acceleration of the ecological impacts of MHWs which poses an unprecedented threat to its ecosystems' health and functioning. Overall, we show that increasing the resolution of empirical observation is critical to enhancing our ability to more effectively understand and manage the consequences of climate change.

A new species of Bathypathes (Cnidaria, Anthozoa, Antipatharia, Schizopathidae) from the Red Sea and its phylogenetic position

A black coral, Bathypathesthermophila Chimienti, sp. nov. is described from the Saudi Arabian coasts of the Gulf of Aqaba and north Red Sea (Neom area) using an integrated taxonomic approach. The morphological distinctiveness of the new species is confirmed by molecular analyses. The species thrives in warm and high salinity waters typical of the Red Sea at bathyal depths. It can form colony aggregations on muddy bottoms with scattered, small hard substrates. Colonies are monopodial, feather-like, and attached to a hard substrate through a thorny basal plate. Pinnules are simple, arranged biserially and alternately, and all the same length (up to approximately 20 cm) except for few, proximal ones. Spines are triangular, laterally compressed, subequal, smooth, and simple or rarely bifurcated. Polyps are elongated transversely, 1.5-2.0 mm in transverse diameter. Large colonies can have one or few branches, whose origin is discussed. The phylogenetic position of B.thermophila sp. nov. within the order Antipatharia, recovered using three mitochondrial markers, shows that it is nested within the family Schizopathidae. It is close to species in the genera Parantipathes, Lillipathes, Alternatipathes, and Umbellapathes rather than to the other available representatives of the genus Bathypathes, as currently defined based on morphology. In agreement with previous findings, our results question the evolutionary significance of morphological characters traditionally used to discriminate Antipatharia at higher taxonomic level.

The Status of Posidonia oceanica at Tremiti Islands Marine Protected Area (Adriatic Sea)

Simple Summary

The seagrass Posidonia oceanica is the most important marine phanerogam of the Mediterranean Sea due to its meadows’ complexity, persistence, and extension. These habitats provide a suite of ecosystem goods and services, being of primary importance in marine conservation. Despite their central role in the coastal ecology, P. oceanica meadows are undergoing overall deterioration and fragmentation in the basin mostly due to anthropogenic impacts at local to global scales. In the last decades, several management measures have been proposed aiming to improve the meadow health conditions, while the periodic monitoring of P. oceanica meadows allows for verifying their effectiveness. Here, we report the results of the monitoring of P. oceanica at Tremiti Islands Marine Protected Area (Adriatic Sea, Italy) carried out in 2003, 2015, and 2020. A general worsening was observed, particularly enhanced by direct anthropogenic impacts mostly related to anchoring practices, as well as by a certain level of sedimentation possibly deriving from coastal development. However, the identification of these impacts and the correct management of human activities to mitigate them produced positive results in a relatively short time span.

Abstract

Posidonia oceanica meadows are Mediterranean coastal habitats of great conservation importance. This study is focused on a meadow located at Tremiti Islands Marine Protected Area (Adriatic Sea, Italy), which was monitored in 2003, 2015, and 2020 to evaluate its health state over time in relation to coastal human activities, which have been highly affecting this MPA for the last 20 years. To assess any change in the physiognomy of the meadow, rhizome density, percentage coverage, and lower limit progressions and/or regression over time were evaluated by scuba diving, while the distribution and extension of the meadow were assessed through habitat mapping using a side-scan sonar. Moreover, phenological and lepidochronological analyses were performed on the collected rhizomes to assess the leaf area index (LAI, m²m⁻²) and the rhizome age (lepidochronological years). Our study showed a general deterioration of P. oceanica meadow from 2003 to 2020, with a significant reduction of its absolute and relative rhizome density and LAI at almost all sampling stations, absence of renovation of the meadow, and lower limit regression and overall worsening of the main conservation status indicators. However, appropriate management actions, such as the establishment of mooring buoy fields, supported the improvement of the P. oceanica status at the local scale with a significant increase in density and LAI and the presence of active stolonization processes, suggesting that mitigation actions can play a crucial role in the conservation of this habitat. On the contrary, local anthropogenic impacts, especially anchoring and coastal development, markedly affect the resilience of P. oceanica meadows to global stressors, such as climate change.

The complete mitochondrial genome of Dendrophyllia minuscula (Cnidaria: Scleractinia) from the NEOM region of the Northern Red Sea

The scleractinian coral family Dendrophylliidae is a major component of shallow and deep-water coral ecosystems worldwide, but our knowledge on the evolutionary history of the family remains scarce. Here, we used ezRAD coupled with Illumina sequencing technology and reconstructed the complete mitochondrial genome of Dendrophyllia minuscula (GenBank accession number OL634845), from mesophotic depths in the Red Sea NEOM area. The mitochondrial genome of D. minuscula consisted of 19,054 bp, organized in 13 protein-coding genes, 2 rRNA genes, and 2 tRNA genes, in agreement with the Scleractinia typical mitogenome organization. This complete mitochondrial genome contributes toward a better knowledge of mesophotic and deep-water coral diversity and evolutionary history.

Effects of global warming on Mediterranean coral forests

The effects of global warming have been addressed on coral reefs in tropical areas, while it is still unclear how coral forests are reacting, particularly at temperate latitudes. Here we show how mesophotic coral forests are affected by global warming in the Mediterranean Sea. We highlight how the current warming trend is causing the lowering of the thermocline and it is enhancing mucilaginous blooms. These stressors are facilitating a massive macroalgal epibiosis on living corals, here reported for the first time from different areas in the Western and Central Mediterranean Sea. We provide a focus of this phenomenon at Tremiti Islands Marine Protected Area (Adriatic Sea), were the density of the endemic red gorgonian Paramuricea clavata decreased of up to 47% in 5 years, while up to the 96% of the living corals showed signs of stress and macroalgal epibiosis. Only populations deeper than 60 m depth were not touched by this emerging phenomenon. Spot observations performed at Tuscan Archipelago and Tavolara Marine Protected Area (Tyrrhenian Sea) suggest that this this combination of stressors is likely widespread at basin scale.

A Minimal Metric for the Characterization of Acoustic Noise Emitted by Underwater Vehicles

Underwater robots emit sound during operations which can deteriorate the quality of acoustic data recorded by on-board sensors or disturb marine fauna during in vivo observations. Notwithstanding this, there have only been a few attempts at characterizing the acoustic emissions of underwater robots in the literature, and the datasheets of commercially available devices do not report information on this topic. This work has a twofold goal. First, we identified a setup consisting of a camera directly mounted on the robot structure to acquire the acoustic data and two indicators (i.e., spectral roll-off point and noise introduced to the environment) to provide a simple and intuitive characterization of the acoustic emissions of underwater robots carrying out specific maneuvers in specific environments. Second, we performed the proposed analysis on three underwater robots belonging to the classes of remotely operated vehicles and underwater legged robots. Our results showed how the legged device produced a clearly different signature compared to remotely operated vehicles which can be an advantage in operations that require low acoustic disturbance. Finally, we argue that the proposed indicators, obtained through a standardized procedure, may be a useful addition to datasheets of existing underwater robots.

An integrative taxonomic framework for the study of the genus Ciona (Ascidiacea) and description of a new species, Ciona intermedia

The genus Ciona is an interesting ‘taxonomic case’ because its evolutionary history and taxonomy have not yet been resolved completely. In this study, we present new findings, describing specimens of an unidentified Ciona species collected along the north-eastern coasts of Sardinia (Tyrrhenian Sea, Mediterranean Sea). Applying an integrative taxonomic approach, based on the joint examination of morphological and molecular traits, we identify these specimens as a new species, Ciona intermedia sp. nov. Morphological comparisons and peculiarities of the habitat first revealed that these Ciona specimens have intermediate characters compared with other Ciona species. Molecular characterization (based on three mitochondrial regions: two already used for discriminating Ciona cryptic species and a newly developed one) confirmed that our specimens could not be assigned to any previously molecularly-characterized species. Both molecular phylogenetic reconstructions and morphological data clearly indicate C. intermedia as sister clade of Ciona edwardsi. Our findings add further complexity to the taxonomy of Ciona, underlying the importance of an integrative taxonomic approach for the study of the evolutionary history of this enigmatic genus.

Climate-induced changes in the suitable habitat of cold-water corals and commercially important deep-sea fishes in the North Atlantic

The deep sea plays a critical role in global climate regulation through uptake and storage of heat and carbon dioxide. However, this regulating service causes warming, acidification and deoxygenation of deep waters, leading to decreased food availability at the seafloor. These changes and their projections are likely to affect productivity, biodiversity and distributions of deep-sea fauna, thereby compromising key ecosystem services. Understanding how climate change can lead to shifts in deep-sea species distributions is critically important in developing management measures. We used environmental niche modelling along with the best available species occurrence data and environmental parameters to model habitat suitability for key cold-water coral and commercially important deep-sea fish species under present-day (1951-2000) environmental conditions and to project changes under severe, high emissions future (2081-2100) climate projections (RCP8.5 scenario) for the North Atlantic Ocean. Our models projected a decrease of 28%-100% in suitable habitat for cold-water corals and a shift in suitable habitat for deep-sea fishes of 2.0°-9.9° towards higher latitudes. The largest reductions in suitable habitat were projected for the scleractinian coral Lophelia pertusa and the octocoral Paragorgia arborea, with declines of at least 79% and 99% respectively. We projected the expansion of suitable habitat by 2100 only for the fishes Helicolenus dactylopterus and Sebastes mentella (20%-30%), mostly through northern latitudinal range expansion. Our results projected limited climate refugia locations in the North Atlantic by 2100 for scleractinian corals (30%-42% of present-day suitable habitat), even smaller refugia locations for the octocorals Acanella arbuscula and Acanthogorgia armata (6%-14%), and almost no refugia for P. arborea. Our results emphasize the need to understand how anticipated climate change will affect the distribution of deep-sea species including commercially important fishes and foundation species, and highlight the importance of identifying and preserving climate refugia for a range of area-based planning and management tools.

Application of Hyperspectral Imaging to Underwater Habitat Mapping, Southern Adriatic Sea

Hyperspectral imagers enable the collection of high-resolution spectral images exploitable for the supervised classification of habitats and objects of interest (OOI). Although this is a well-established technology for the study of subaerial environments, Ecotone AS has developed an underwater hyperspectral imager (UHI) system to explore the properties of the seafloor. The aim of the project is to evaluate the potential of this instrument for mapping and monitoring benthic habitats in shallow and deep-water environments. For the first time, we tested this system at two sites in the Southern Adriatic Sea (Mediterranean Sea): the cold-water coral (CWC) habitat in the Bari Canyon and the Coralligenous habitat off Brindisi. We created a spectral library for each site, considering the different substrates and the main OOI reaching, where possible, the lower taxonomic rank. We applied the spectral angle mapper (SAM) supervised classification to map the areal extent of the Coralligenous and to recognize the major CWC habitat-formers. Despite some technical problems, the first results demonstrate the suitability of the UHI camera for habitat mapping and seabed monitoring, through the achievement of quantifiable and repeatable classifications.

Effects of long-term administration of Lactobacillus reuteri DSM-17938 on circulating levels of 5-HT and BDNF in adults with functional constipation

Accumulated evidence shows that some probiotic strains ameliorate functional constipation (FC) via the modulation of specific gastrointestinal peptide pathways. The aims of this study were to investigate: (1) the effects of long-term administration of Lactobacillus reuteri (LR) DSM 17938 on the serum levels of serotonin (5-HT) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF); (2) the possible link between 5-HT, BDNF, and specific constipation-related symptoms; (3) whether genetic variability at the 5-HTT gene-linked polymorphic region (5-HTTLPR) and BDNF Val66Met loci could be associated with serum 5-HT and BDNF variations. LR DSM 17938 was administered to 56 FC patients for 105 days in a randomised, double-blind manner. The fasting blood samples were collected during the randomisation visit (V₁), at day 15 (induction period, V₂), day 60 (intermediate evaluation, V₃), and day 105 (V₄) and the Constipaq questionnaire (the sum of Constipation Scoring System (CSS) and patient assessment constipation quality of life (PAC-QoL)) was administered. A group of healthy subjects was enrolled as controls (HC). At V1, the mean serum 5-HT level in the whole patient group was significantly higher (P=0.027) than in HC subjects, while serum BDNF did not. At the end of probiotic administration (V4), 5-HT and BDNF levels were significantly lower than the initial values (V1) (P=0.008 and P=0.015, respectively). 5-HT and BDNF serum concentration were significantly associated (r=0.355; P=0.007). Neither 5-HT nor BDNF serum levels correlated with the CSS item scores and with the PAC-QoL. Lastly, the regression analysis demonstrated that the presence of the S allele of the 5-HTTLPR accounted for the reduction in the 5-HT concentration at V4. In conclusion, the long-term administration of LR DSM 17938 demonstrated that such a probiotic strain could improve FC by affecting 5-HT and BDNF serum concentrations.

Mediterranean Bioconstructions Along the Italian Coast

Marine bioconstructions are biodiversity-rich, three-dimensional biogenic structures, regulating key ecological functions of benthic ecosystems worldwide. Tropical coral reefs are outstanding for their beauty, diversity and complexity, but analogous types of bioconstructions are also present in temperate seas. The main bioconstructions in the Mediterranean Sea are represented by coralligenous formations, vermetid reefs, deep-sea cold-water corals, Lithophyllum byssoides trottoirs, coral banks formed by the shallow-water corals Cladocora caespitosa or Astroides calycularis, and sabellariid or serpulid worm reefs. Bioconstructions change the morphological and chemicophysical features of primary substrates and create new habitats for a large variety of organisms, playing pivotal roles in ecosystem functioning. In spite of their importance, Mediterranean bioconstructions have not received the same attention that tropical coral reefs have, and the knowledge of their biology, ecology and distribution is still fragmentary. All existing data about the spatial distribution of Italian bioconstructions have been collected, together with information about their growth patterns, dynamics and connectivity. The degradation of these habitats as a consequence of anthropogenic pressures (pollution, organic enrichment, fishery, coastal development, direct physical disturbance), climate change and the spread of invasive species was also investigated. The study of bioconstructions requires a holistic approach leading to a better understanding of their ecology and the application of more insightful management and conservation measures at basin scale, within ecologically coherent units based on connectivity: the cells of ecosystem functioning.

Assessing the (In-)Consistency of Same-Sex and Opposite-Sex Peer Nominations among Turkish Elementary-School Children

Nomination procedures for assessing peer behaviors are in wide use, and mixed-sex peer nominations are often utilized under the assumption that combined same- and opposite-sex nominations yield a representative picture of children's behaviors and relationships to other variables. Analyses of nominations made by 457 Turkish third and fifth graders for 14 peer behaviors and for liked-/disliked-a-lot illustrate the productiveness of separately assessing same-sex and opposite-sex nominations, showing that: (a) a bias toward more nominations for same-sex peers is not consistent over all behaviors; and (b) although same-sex and combined same-/opposite-sex nominations are strongly related, the agreement between same- and opposite-sex nominations is substantially lower. The outcome is that (a) sociometric status classification depends on the nominating population and (b) the relationship between peer-assessed behaviors and peer acceptance/peer sociometric status can differ, depending upon whether the reference group is same- or opposite-sex peers. Findings bring into question the routine use of mixed-sex nominations.

Plasma concentrations but not serum concentrations of brain-derived neurotrophic factor are related to pro-inflammatory cytokines in patients undergoing major abdominal surgery

OBJECTIVES

To investigate peripheral brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) concentrations in the perioperative period, their relationship with transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1 tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and IL-6 genetics.

DESIGN AND METHODS

Prospective, observational study. BDNF, TGF-β1, IL-6 and TNF-α were analysed at baseline (T0), 5 h (T1), 24 h (T2) and 5 days (T3) after surgery, in 21 patients. The IL-6 -174 G/C polymorphism was genotyped.

RESULTS

Serum BDNF concentrations decreased (P=0.048), correlated with TGF-β1 (r=0.610 at T1, r=0.493 at T2, r=0.554 at T3). Plasma BDNF concentrations raised (P=0.049), correlated with IL-6 and TNF-α at T1 (r=0.495 and r=0.441, respectively). BDNF response was predictable from TNF-α and IL-6 concentrations and the IL-6 -174 G/C genotype.

CONCLUSION

Serum and plasma BDNF concentrations could relate to platelet activation and inflammatory response, respectively. IL-6 genetics played a role in the BDNF acute response.

Metabolic effects of a diet with inulin-enriched pasta in healthy young volunteers

Different lines of evidence suggest that higher intake of fiber may somehow protect against metabolic syndrome. The prebiotic inulin has widely been studied in relation to its putative beneficial effects on lipid and glucose metabolism. Therefore, adding inulin to diet may be a suitable strategy to prevent metabolic syndrome. Aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of the daily consumption of inulin-enriched pasta on lipid and glucose metabolism as well as on gastrointestinal motility in young healthy subjects. Methods. Twenty-two healthy young male volunteers entered a randomized double blind cross-over study consisting of a 2-weeks a run-in period, two 5-weeks study periods (11% inulin-enriched or control pasta), and an 8-weeks wash-out period in between. Serum lipid and glucose concentrations were evaluated by routine biochemical analyses. Gastric emptying time and electrical activity were non-invasively evaluated by ultrasound and electrogastrography. Data were analyzed by Friedman Repeated Measures ANOVA test. Results. Significant differences among baseline and the treatment group were found for HDL-cholesterol (p=0.004), total cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol ratio (p=0.006), triglycerides (p=0.04), fasting glucose level (p=0.044), fructosamine (p=0.0478), HbA1c (p=0.04), and homeostatic model assessment (HOMA-IR) (p=0.045). The gastric emptying, expressed as final emptying time, was found significantly delayed in the group that assumed inulin-enriched pasta (p=0.008). Conclusions. Inulin-enriched pasta improved lipidic and glicidic metabolism as well as the insulin resistance in healthy young subjects. In addition, it delayed the gastric emptying time which may represent the physiological counterpart of its metabolic effects.

Lipoprotein(a), lipids and proinflammatory cytokines in patients undergoing major abdominal surgery

Background

The aims were to investigate whether surgical stress can induce a positive or negative lipoprotein(a) acute response, to determine any association with apolipoprotein(a) phenotypes, and to establish whether any such response is dependent on changes in lipids and proinflammatory cytokines. In addition, the impact of interleukin (IL) 6 genetic variability on the cytokine response to surgery was examined.

Methods

This prospective, observational study included 41 patients with cancer referred for abdominal surgery. Preoperative (T0) plasma concentrations of lipoprotein(a), IL-6, tumour necrosis factor α, and serum concentrations of transforming growth factor β1 and lipids, were compared with values obtained 5 h (T1), 24 h (T2) and 5 days (T3) after surgery. Apolipoprotein(a) Kringle IV (KIV)-VNTR (variable-number tandem repeat) and IL-6 − 174 G/C polymorphisms were analysed.

Results

Lipoprotein(a) was found to act as a negative acute-phase reactant (30·0 per cent reduction at T2) (P = 0·009). Surgery had a more profound impact on subjects with low KIV-VNTR. After surgery, lipoprotein(a) correlated significantly with corrected low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol (r = 0·408 at T2). IL-6 inversely correlated with lipoprotein(a) (r = −0·321 at T1) and LDL-cholesterol (r = −0·418 at T1). The IL-6 response could be predicted from a combination of the surgical severity and −174 G/C genotype.

Conclusion

Although temporal associations did not indicate causality, these data provide a hypothesis to explain the inverse relationship between lipoprotein(a) and IL-6.

Helicobacter pylori is associated with modified lipid profile: impact on Lipoprotein(a)

OBJECTIVES

Helicobacter pylori is a controversial risk factor for atherosclerosis. We investigated whether the bacterium persistent inflammation or the expression of the cytotoxin-associated gene A (CagA) may affect serum lipids as well as Lipoprotein(a).

DESIGN AND METHODS

Two hundred-eleven healthy volunteers were evaluated for lipids and Lipoprotein(a). Helicobacter pylori was characterized by Urea Breath Test and IgG-anti-CagA. apo(a) Kringle-IV polymorphism was genotyped.

RESULTS

Prevalence of the infection was 72%; 43% of subjects expressed CagA reactivity. Infected subjects showed increased levels of cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol atherogenic index. Association with the Helicobacter pylori CagA(-) strains persisted after the adjustment for covariates. Significant difference between infected and uninfected subjects was found in Lipoprotein(a) levels. This difference did not arise from the Kringle-IV genotype.

CONCLUSIONS

The infection per se significantly modified serum lipid and Lipoprotein(a) concentrations. CagA does not seem to be a reliable marker of pathogenicity for the atherogenic complications of H. pylori infection.

The expression pattern of the AML1 gene in non-Hodgkin's B-cell lymphomas and normal B lymphocytes

We have studied the expression of the three human acute myeloid leukemia (AML) genes in primary samples of non-Hodgkin's B-cell lymphomas in which translocations involving these loci were not present. We found a widespread expression of the three AML genes in all the lymphoma samples as well as in the purified normal B-lymphocytes. Thus, the presence of the three mRNAs "per se" does not allow the identification of the pathological status. However, AML1 showed a different transcription pattern in the neoplastic tissues with respect to the normal B-cells. The AML1b isoform proved to be peculiar to this lymphoma. Our data support the idea that qualitative and quantitative alterations of AML1 gene expression deriving from deregulating mechanisms other than translocations may be involved in this malignancy. The usage of two differently regulated promoters driving the expression of the transcripts AML1b and AML1c may be one of these mechanisms. Finally, we report the presence of a new alternatively spliced transcript in normal B-cells.

In search of a biological pattern for human longevity: impact of apo A-IV genetic polymorphisms on lipoproteins and the hyper-Lp(a) in centenarians

We studied centenarians to investigate the biological basis of human longevity focusing on the apolipoprotein A-IV and lipoprotein(a), potentially involved in the susceptibility to atherogenic mechanisms. We analyzed two restriction polymorphisms, HinfI347 (alleles +, -) and Fnu4HI360 (alleles 1, 2), and a VNTR (alleles 3, 4) at the 3' region of the apo A-IV gene. The allele frequencies, the lipoprotein concentrations and their association in centenarians and adults have been compared. In centenarians, the HinfI genotype distribution is different (P < 0.05) and the (+13) haplotype is prevalent (0.54 vs. 0.39), with a greater association of (+3), indicating the selection of a favourable allele. The lipoprotein modulation by the apo A-IV polymorphisms is suggested by significant associations in adults ((+/+) homozygotes have lower LDL-cholesterol and apo B than heterozygotes; (1/1) homozygotes have higher TG and apo B than heterozygotes), that in centenarians still exists as a trend. Centenarians show peculiar lipoprotein features: lower LDL-cholesterol (mean 103 vs. 115 mg/dl; P < 0.02), and higher lipoprotein(a) (median 17.5 vs. 4.5; P < 0.002). Large part of them (47%), especially the Hinf(+/+) and the (+13) homozygotes, have a lipoprotein(a) > 20 mg/dl, value considered as the threshold for atherogenic risk, surprisingly compatible with healthy longevity.

A new Italian case of lipoprotein lipase deficiency: a Leu365- > Val change resulting in loss of enzyme activity

We describe a second Italian family with primary Lipoprotein Lipase deficiency. A new mutation in exon 8 causes a Leu365- > Val change resulting in severe mass reduction and loss of enzyme activity. We suggest that this change interferes with the correct folding and stability of the protein and impairs the assembly of the active homodimer. The procedures applied are useful to screen a large sample of population for genetic variants and allow the clear identification of asymptomatic heterozygous subjects at risk from atherosclerosis disease.

Correct usage of a mutated G+1 splice site and transcript quantitation in a lipoprotein lipase-deficient patient

The consequence on the splice mechanism of a mutation occurring at the donor splice site of intron 1 has been studied. We demonstrate that, in spite of the change at G+1 position, this site is still utilized and can produce correctly spliced transcript. Nevertheless the mRNA is detectable only after an 'in vitro' amplification. A procedure has been developed to reveal and quantify the minute amount present in the patient. The very low mRNA level results in a total lack of enzyme, the cause of the disease. The procedure can be useful in cases of rare transcripts and when the source is limited. Furthermore we analyse the interaction between the splice consensus sequence and the small nuclear RNA, that is the necessary intermediate of the splicing mechanism. We speculate on the reasons why cryptic sites are not utilized and only the authentic site can be used, although significantly destabilized by the mutation.

A G----C change at the donor splice site of intron 1 causes lipoprotein lipase deficiency in a southern-Italian family

We describe a new case of lipoprotein lipase deficiency in a proband from a Southern-Italian family. Enzyme activity and mass were absent. Amplification and sequencing of individual exons, intron boundaries and the regulatory region revealed only one homozygous G----C transversion at the first nucleotide of intron 1. The single strand conformation polymorphism analysis proved to be a helpful tool for the identification of the single base mutation. Northern hybridization failed to reveal the presence of mature lipoprotein lipase mRNA. The mutation, which destroys the conserved dinucleotide at the junction site of intron 1, causes defective mRNA splicing and it is responsible for the deficiency.

Children's reactions to war-related stress. Affective symptoms and behaviour problems

Questionnaire responses from mothers of 1,039 Lebanese 3-9 yr olds were used to study the effects of children's experiences in war on their emotional and social behaviour. Children who had experienced death of a family member, forced displacement of family, or destruction of home or had witnessed death (30% of sample) were about 1.7 times more likely than those who had not to exhibit nervous, regressive, aggressive and depressive behaviour reactions to a general war stress situation (shelling). Findings are discussed with respect to: (a) research relating stressful life events to onset of psychological disorder and (b) societal implications of youngsters' being repeatedly exposed to models of aggression and the violent resolution of interpersonal disputes.