Relating environmental pressures to littoral biological water quality indicators in Western Balkan lakes: Can we fill the largest gaps?

Along six transects in each of six lakes across the Western Balkans, we collected data for three groups of littoral biological water quality indicators: epilithic diatoms, macrophytes, and benthic invertebrates. We assessed the relationships between them and three environmental pressures: nutrient load (eutrophication), hydro-morphological alteration of the shoreline, and water level variation, separating the effect of individual lakes and continuous explanatory variables. Lake water total phosphorus concentration (TP) showed substantial variation but was not related to any of the tested biological indicators, nor to any of the tested pressures. We suggest that this may be due to feedback processes such as P removal in the lake littoral zone. Instead, we found that a gradient in surrounding land-use towards increasing urbanization, and a land-use-based estimate of P run-off, served as a better descriptor of eutrophication. Overall, eutrophication and water level fluctuation were most important for explaining variation in the assessed indicators, whereas shoreline hydro-morphological alteration was less important. Diatom indicators were most responsive to all three pressures, whereas macrophyte biomass and species number responded only to water level fluctuation. The Trophic Diatom Index for Lakes (TDIL) was negatively related to urbanization and wave exposure. This indicates that it is a suitable indicator for pressures related to urbanization, although a confounding effect of wave exposure is possible. Invertebrate abundance responded strongly to eutrophication, but the indicator based on taxonomic composition (Average Score Per Taxon) did not. Our results suggest that our metrics can be applied in Western Balkan lakes, despite the high number of endemic species present in some of these lakes. We argue that local water management should focus on abating the causes of eutrophication and water level fluctuation, whilst preserving sufficient lengths of undeveloped shoreline to ensure good water quality in the long run.

Littoral eutrophication indicators are more closely related to nearshore land use than to water nutrient concentrations: A critical evaluation of stressor-response relationships

Biological assessment metrics and water chemistry measurements are used to quantify the link between stressors and their effects on lake ecosystems, for the Water Framework Directive. However, correlations between metrics and water chemistry are often poor. This is seen as major weaknesses of Water Framework Directive-related monitoring and assessment. We analyzed macrophytes, benthic algae, benthic macroinvertebrates, water chemistry and sediment total phosphorus content in the littoral of six lakes in the Western Balkans and used CORINE land use data to estimate nutrient enrichment via runoff from the adjacent land. Lakes with a higher estimated phosphorus runoff from the adjacent land did not have higher littoral water nutrient concentrations, but littoral diatom assemblages indicated more eutrophic conditions. These lakes also had higher abundances of littoral benthic primary producers, which in turn were associated with low concentrations of dissolved nutrients, but only in autumn, not in spring. This is consistent with primary producers taking up nutrients during the summer growth season. In lakes with high abundances of benthic primary producers, it is likely that the littoral vegetation plays a large role in the transfer of nutrients from the water to the benthos. This process impairs correlations between biological metrics and water nutrient concentrations. Our results suggest that CORINE land cover may be more useful to characterize littoral nutrient enrichment than lake water chemistry. Increased benthic primary producer biomasses and "eutrophic" diatom indices may indicate littoral nutrient enrichment even if water nutrient concentrations are low.

First Report of Colletotrichum acutatum Causing Anthracnose on Olives in Albania

Olive trees (Olea europaea L.) are among the most important fruit tree crops grown in Albania, covering an estimated 8% of the arable land of this country. The highest amount of olive production in Albania is concentrated in the coastal districts of Fier, Berat, Elbasan, Lezha, Tirana, Kruja and Vlora, all with Mediterranean climate conditions. Anthracnose is the main disease of olive fruit caused by different Colletotrichum spp. primarily belonging to two complexes, C. acutatum sensu lato (s.l.) and C. gloeosporioides s.l. (Cacciola et al. 2012; Schena et al. 2014.). On July 2018, field observations of about 50 olive trees in the Ishull Shengjin Lezhe Region (54% prevalence), 1 km away from the coast showed severe symptoms of mummified olive fruits in about 20 to 40% disease incidence and 30% disease severity of the Italian table olive cv. Frantoio trees resulting in premature fruit drop or mummification. The causal agent was isolated directly from infected fruits on potato dextrose agar and Rose Bengal nutrient media. Microscopic examinations of five single spore isolated fungal colonies showed acervuli with typical conidia of the genus Colletotrichum that were aseptate, straight, hyaline, subcylindrical with rounded ends and 12.3 to 22.1 µm long (mean = 17.4 µm) and 2.5 to 7.3 µm wide (mean = 5.9 µm) (n= 50 conidia) (Damm et al. 2012). To identify the fungal species, DNA from two single-spore isolates (Col-3-ALB and Col-9-ALB) isolated from fruits was extracted, and six genes were amplified (ITS, GAPDH, CHS-1, HIS3, ACT, and TUB2) using the primers reviewed in Damm et al. (2012). PCR products were sequenced, and BLAST analysis showed 100% identity to C. acutatum for both isolates (GenBank accession nos. for Col-9-ALB MT218337 [ITS1-5.8-ITS2], MT274748 [CHS-1], MT274749 [HIS3], MT274750 [GAPDH], MT274751 [TUB2], and MT274752 [ACT]). Phylogenetic analysis using the concatenated sequences of Col-9-ALB, the type species of C. acutatum (112996), a previously identified published Greek C. acutatum isolate (O9) and three C. godetiae strains confirmed the identification of Col-9-ALB as C. acutatum. Pathogenicity tests were performed in the laboratory to confirm the ability of C. acutatum isolates to cause disease on olive drupes. Fruits were surface disinfected with 0.1% NaClO for 3 min and rinsed with ddH2O. Artificial inoculations with the two above isolates were performed by spraying 24 olive fruits per isolate cv. Kalamon (eight olive fruits per replication) with a spore suspension (106 conidia/ml). Olive fruits sprayed with sterilized water served as untreated control. After inoculation, olive fruits were placed in closed sterile plastic boxes and kept at 26°C with a 12-h photoperiod. First rot symptoms and formation of acervuli by the pathogen were initiated 3 days after inoculation. Eight days post-inoculation, all treatments exhibited typical anthracnose symptoms similar to those observed in olive orchards (extensive fruit rot). To fulfil Koch's postulates, C. acutatum was re-isolated from 10 random symptomatic olive fruits/isolate and their identity was confirmed from all samples. To our knowledge, this is the first report of C. acutatum causing fruit rot on olive trees in Albania. It is important to further study the epidemiology for the disease under local climate conditions and on different olive cultivars in order to develop effective management strategies for this very destructive disease of olive.

Oceanographic characteristics of the Adriatic Sea - Support to secondary HAOP spread through natural dispersal

Vessels, specifically ballast water and hull fouling, are a major vector for the introduction of non-indigenous species (NIS) in European seas. The Mediterranean is one of the world's marine regions where their invasion is heaviest. The shallow Adriatic basin is a highly sensitive area that is already experiencing its consequences. The secondary spread of NIS over a wider area through natural dispersion is a complex process that depends on a wide range of oceanographic factors. This work analysed the dataset of the BALMAS project, in whose framework twelve ports in the Adriatic Sea were subjected to a Port Baseline Survey (PBS), to estimate the natural spread of NIS organisms from their port of arrival to the wider Adriatic basin. Its findings indicate that the prevailing water circulation patterns facilitate the natural dispersal of harmful aquatic organisms and pathogens (HAOP).

Strategy of port baseline surveys (PBS) in the Adriatic Sea

Port baseline surveys (PBS) provide species inventories in and around ports, with a focus on non-indigenous species that may have been introduced by vessels, primarily via ballast water. PBS are an essential tool to support effective management strategies for non-indigenous as well as native harmful aquatic organisms and pathogens (HAOP). This paper describes the methodology of PBS that were conducted in 12 Adriatic ports. The PBS employed existing protocols that were adapted to meet the characteristics of the Adriatic sites. Their results are reported in several papers included in this special issue, each of which is devoted to a specific community. An overview of existing surveys protocols - which provide valuable support to decision-making and to design effective monitoring of non-indigenous species - is also supplied.

Data acquisition of triple quadrupole LC-MS for the citrinin determination

The analysis of citrinin is challenging because it needs to be detected in low concentrations in complex sample matrices. Before citrinin quantification, the data acquisition of LC-MS/MS must be performed, which includes the determination of ion monitoring reaction (SRM), finding fragmentation energies (Frag.) and collision cell energies (CE) for which the response of citrinin will be the highest for the given conditions. The best response of citrinin is obtained for Frag. of 66 V and CE of 17 and 29 V.

The Importance of Ultrasound Monitoring of the Normal and Lesional Cervical Ectropion Treatment

OBJECTIVE

to investigate the importance of various ultrasound prognosis features in the assessment of the cervical ectropion treatment monitoring.

METHOD

The inclusion criteria was the presence of ectropion and the selection was based on clinical examination performed during routine consultations in specialized clinics, later confirmed by colposcopic evaluation of cervix. The evaluation protocol included: clinical evaluation completed with colposcopy, guided biopsy when lesions were suspected, serological assay of day 21 progesteronemy, presence of Chlamydia, Mycoplasma, Ureaplasma, HVS type II, HPV and bacterial infections, transvaginal ultrasound serial evaluation at the 7th, 14th and 21st day before and after tretment concerning: cervical volumetric calculations and velocimetric measurements of uterine arteries flows. Progestative treatment was prescribed, and antiinfectious specific treatment when needed. Patients were reevaluated after 3 months.

RESULTS

The prospective study included 45 patients between 2013-2014. 28 presented serum progesterone levels below the reference range or borderline. We noted a moderate reduction of the ectropion area in 42 % and a marked reduction in 58% of the cases. No statistically significant differences were found between the size of the cervix before or after treatment, except certain evaluations (the 7th and the 14th day) in the presence of bacterial coinfections. Evaluation of pulsed Doppler velocimetric indices of uterine arteries flows showed generally minor variations with no constant positive or negative trend.

CONCLUSION

Based on the data obtained in our study, we conclude that ultrasound monitoring of ectropion treatment do not provide reliable prognosis data regarding the evolution of cervical lesion.

First trimester two- and four-dimensional cardiac scan: intra- and interobserver agreement, comparison between methods and benefits of color Doppler technique

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate intra- and interobserver agreement for first-trimester fetal cardiac structural assessment, using two-dimensional (2D) ultrasound (2D-US) and 4D-US (4D spatiotemporal image correlation (STIC) technology), to compare the methods and to assess the advantages of adding color Doppler to each technique.

METHODS

Digital videoclips (B-mode and color Doppler) and 4D-STIC volumes (gray-scale and color Doppler) from 632 pregnancies with normal fetal hearts were acquired and stored at the time of detailed first-trimester ultrasound examination. Later analysis on a randomized sample of 100 cases was performed, targeting 11 cardiac structures and features. We compared visualization of fetal heart parameters using 2D-US vs 4D-US and gray-scale vs color Doppler imaging.

RESULTS

STIC volumes were considered satisfactory (adequate visualization of at least 8/11 parameters) in 78% of cases and 2D-US acquisitions in 89% of cases. The intra- and interobserver agreement was good for both 2D and 4D methods (kappa > 0.6), and the percentage overall agreement was very high using both methods (95%). 2D- and 4D-US identification of the fetal cardiac parameters did not differ significantly. The differences between gray-scale and color Doppler imaging were statistically significant in identifying similar key cardiac parameters, for both 2D- and 4D-US (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Both 2D and 4D methods for assessing first-trimester heart parameters are feasible and repeatable within and between observers. Color Doppler adds valuable information to both methods.

Family history may be misleading in the diagnosis of Dent’s disease

The rare Dent's disease manifests with medullary nephrocalcinosis, nephrolithiasis, hypercalciuria, low molecular weight proteinuria and other tubular dysfunctions, rickets or osteomalacia, and renal failure, in various combinations. It is a recessive X-linked condition. Clinicians consider family history a fundamental pointer to its diagnosis, but this is not invariably the case as clearly pointed out by the two reported cases.

Spatial structure of broad-area vertical-cavity regenerative amplifiers

We investigate the spatial structure of broad-area vertical-cavity regenerative amplifiers injected with a homogeneous beam. The emerging patterns have a predominantly sixfold rotational symmetry, verifying the recent prediction of formation of hexagons. The length scale is controllable by means of detuning and follows the prediction for tilted waves.

[Outpatient emergency services]

Emergency is felt very differently according to the level of education, and the sensitivity of the patient and his family circle. Pain is often the alarm but a physician only is able to appreciate the seriousness and the development of a seriously threatening emergency, which slowly evolves in their beginning but becomes degraded afterwards. The only victims who are operated on the first hour, the golden hour, take chance to survive. But there are only 2 or 3 golden minutes to rescue a cardiac arrest. Quicker an effective treatment is done, better the results are. If time is lost, a tissular hypoxia settle and lead to multiple organ failure especially in the brain. Then the dead come in more or less longer time whatever it is done: it's the irreversible shock which drive to the brain death. In the beginning the only patient and his family circle are able to do something. From that you can understand the importance of public education and alert organization for getting suited and early aid. The attending physician have to educate his patients as they are able to recognize the signs of a real seriousness. Telephone play an essential role especially because the dial 15 for health free call is now put in service in France. The phone questioning allows medical regulation of "SAMU-15" (EMS-dial 15 Centre) to dismiss most of the ill-founded calls and to carry the patient in an hospital able to immediately treat him efficiently. The emergencies organization is inspired by two principles: 1. without any loss of time all patient shall fully treated, possibly on the spot. 2. effective intensive care shall be done to avoid tissular hypoxia. Hence the rescue medicalization and the emergency medical system. These principles are the basis of organization of french SAMU whom control role is also to inform the receiving hospital for preparing the reception. The 6.1.1986 french law had defined the emergency medical system, legalizing the SAMU, and fixing their role in connection with policy and firemen. The equipment of ambulances is well standardized and they should radio connected with SAMU. Helicopters may give inestimable service to carry patients in well equipped center as U.S. trauma centres. Small hospitals should only treat small emergency according their means in personnel and equipment.