Claudia Rossano

Variation of the Locomotor Activity Rhythms in Three Species of Talitrid Amphipods, Talitrus saltator, Orchestia montagui, and O. gammarellus, from Various Habitats

The expression of biological rhythms was investigated in five populations of three different species of talitrid amphipods from various habitats in the Maremma Regional Park, Grosseto, Italy: Talitrus saltator (from a sandy beach and a canal), Orchestia montagui (form a Posidonia banquette), and O. gammarellus (from a cave entrance and a river bank). Locomotor activity rhythms were recorded in individual animals over 21 days in constant dark at a temperature of 18°±1°C. A high variability in rhythm expression was evident, not only among species and populations but also within populations and the activity pattern of individuals. Activity rhythms of T. saltator and O. montagui were similar, with a good definition and precise circadian periodicity, whereas O. gammarellus showed a high variability and low definition of the circadian rhythm. Significant differences were also observed between two populations of O. gammarellus and T. saltator from different habitats. Within the O. gammarellus species, a significantly higher percentage of active animals (p<0.001) was observed in the cave than the river‐bank population; within T. saltator, a significantly lower percentage of active animals (p<0.01) and higher percentage of periodic animals (p<0.05) was found in the canal than the sandy beach population. With reference to environmental stability and variability, the differences observed are explained as a need for plasticity to adapt to environmental changes.

The role of the biological clock in the sun compass orientation of free-running individuals of Talitrus saltator

We used a ‘variable-drift’ paradigm to investigate the relation between the angle of solar orientation and the circadian rhythm of locomotor activity in Talitrus saltator. We recorded the circadian rhythms of individual sandhoppers in constant darkness before testing them at a set time during the day. Because of differences in the free-running period between individuals, they were thus tested at different phase points in their circadian cycle, so that the angular measurements were distributed across the subjective scotophase and photophase. To investigate the association between sun orientation angle and circadian time we used circular correlation statistics, and constructed circular–circular regression models for comparison with the biometric data. The sun orientation angles were strongly dependent on time of day, suggesting that orientation and locomotor activity are regulated by the same time-keeping system. The model fitting the experimental data best was a sinusoidal one, and the distribution of angular orientation predicted on this basis followed closely that of the nonparametrically smoothed data. During the day this followed the arc of movement of the sun, with a phase delay of about 90° and the sign of the angle of orientation reversed around 1200 and 2400 hours. We interpret the data in terms of a mean angular velocity register and discuss their ecological significance.

Orientation of littoral amphipods in two sandy beaches of Brittany (France) with wide tidal excursions

Sandhoppers orient towards the shoreline using a sun compass when they are subject to dry conditions. In this study we analysed the orientation of populations from two sandy beaches with wide tidal excursions (Brittany, France): at Damgan (sea to the South) and at Le Verger (sea to the North). At Le Verger beach Talitrus saltator was found together with Deshayesorchestia deshayesii (former Talorchestia deshayesii). The results of the experiments on sun and landscape orientation showed that the Damgan T. saltator oriented better with ebbing tides than with rising tides, while the Le Verger T. saltator showed the opposite trend as a response to tides. This is probably related to the differing risk of being swept away by tides at the two localities. D. deshayesii was found to be more scattered in orientation than T. saltator, probably because it is a recent colonizer of that beach.

Terrestrial isopods from the Oued Laou basin, north-eastern Morocco (Crustacea: Oniscidea), with descriptions of two new genera and seven new species

Thirty-four species of terrestrial isopods (Crustacea: Oniscidea) from the Oued Laou basin, in the Rif area of north-eastern Morocco, are recorded. One genus (Paractenoscia) and seven species (Trichoniscus microphthalmus, Paractenoscia cavernicola, Bathytropa rifensis, Soteriscus gibbosus, S. laouensis, Porcellio pseudornatus, and Eluma praticola) are described as new. The genus Soteriscus, unavailable according to article 13.3 of the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN), is here revalidated by choosing S. gaditanus as type species. Six species (Graeconiscus thermophilus, Ctenoscia minima, Platyarthrus parisii, Porcellio humberti, Porcellio flavocinctus and Eluma caelata) have been fully illustrated to facilitate their identifications. Ctenoscia dorsalis Verhoeff is considered to be a junior synonym of C. minima Dollfus. Porcellio ornatus from southern Spain is also figured for comparison with P. pseudornatus sp. nov. The composition and origin of the oniscidean fauna of the Rif region is briefly discussed. http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:DCBF3103-1463-4A32-9BC0-A4CFE8B762AE

Spatio-temporal benthic biodiversity patterns and pollution pressure in three Mediterranean touristic ports

The Mediterranean Sea is one of the busiest areas worldwide in terms of maritime activity, facing considerable anthropogenic disturbance, such as pollution by hydrocarbons and heavy metals. The present study has evaluated the environmental and benthic biodiversity characteristics of three touristic ports, Cagliari (Sardinia, Italy), Heraklion (Crete, Greece) and El Kantaoui (Tunisia), based on the combined assessment of physical parameters, chemical variables (i.e. nutrients, pigments), sediment pollution and macrobenthic biodiversity. Different port sectors (leisure, fishing, passenger, cargo, shipyard) and different seasons (winter, before touristic period, after touristic period) were compared. Salinity and sediment concentration of copper and antimony were the three environmental parameters most highly correlated with benthic species composition and diversity. Both the environmental variables and the benthic biodiversity patterns were significantly different between the three ports (i.e. different geographical locations). Heraklion port was heavily polluted by AHs in surface and anoxic sediments and had the highest percentage of opportunistic species, while Cagliari had the highest levels of PAHs and UCM and low species richness. El Kantaoui port was less polluted and characterised by a richer biodiversity. The shipyard sector in Heraklion port was significantly different from all other sectors in terms of abiotic and biotic parameters. Physico-chemical and pollution variables recorded during the period after tourism (late summer) were significantly different from the ones recorded in winter. Seasonal differences were not significant between benthic species diversity patterns, but were revealed when the patterns derived from the aggregation of higher taxonomic levels were compared. The present study indicates that a regular-basis monitoring plan including evaluation of environmental health based on benthic biodiversity, can provide a basis for perceiving changes and reveal the degree of anthropogenic disturbance in port environments.

Life cycle and behavioural traits of Dikerogammarus villosus (Sowinsky, 1894) (Amphipoda, Gammaridae) colonising an artificial fresh water basin in Tuscany (central Italy)

The water amphipod Dikerogammarus villosus (Sowinsky, 1894) has colonised many rivers and water basins in central Europe and is rapidly reaching southern Europe. It was found in northern Italy in 2006 and in central Italy in 2008. In this last area it has colonised the recent artificial basin of Bilancino (Mugello Valley, Florence), currently being the only and abundant amphipod species in the lake. This new population offered a good opportunity to study the life cycle and behaviour of such unpopular species (called killer shrimp because of its aggression), with the aim of better understanding the mechanisms of survival and diffusion of water gammarids. For about one year and a half, bimonthly samplings were carried out in different points of the lake to study the life cycle and identify the most suitable populations for behavioural experiments. On this species experiments were carried out in the natural context to verify sun and landscape orientation and in the laboratory to analyse the response to a black boundary, direct light and substrate slope. The populations from the different points had a comparable structure and development, even if subjected to variations linked to the local features of the lake’s bottom. The response to the black boundary (simulating a predator or a refuge) was not significant, while a significant reaction of avoidance of a direct artificial light and a significant preference for the basin bottom (downslope) were observed. No specific responses were identified where the behaviour was strictly linked to the environment colonised (orientation to the sun and natural landscape). A lack of fine-tuned adaptations was expected in this species that has colonised a variety of environments, confirming comparable results on the physiology of this species, such as adaptation to wide ranges of temperature, salinity and oxygen levels.

Monitoring changes in sandy beaches in temperate areas through sandhoppers' adaptations

Sandhoppers (Amphipoda, Talitridae) are keystone species of sandy beach ecosystems in temperate areas. Several traits have been studied and proposed as bioindicators of impacts on sandy beaches, at individual (physiology and behaviour), population (life cycle, abundance, population dynamics and structure, morphometry and fluctuating asymmetry) and species (genetic structure and variation) levels. Sandy beaches, where these species spend their whole life cycle, are dynamic environments, subject to periodic changes (night-day, tides and seasons), as well as to impacts that may cause erosion or accretion of the littoral zone. The first response of an animal to potentially injuring factors is shown by its avoidance behaviour regarding the potential stress. This behaviour may be a rapid escape reaction, shown by single individuals, the whole or part of the population. Activity rhythms, changes in zonation, burrowing, escape reactions, orientation towards the optimal zone on the beach, are all adaptations to environmental changes, increasing the survival chances of the individuals and populations that express such behaviours. In this paper we present case studies of the talitrid species’ behavioural adaptations related to natural and human impacts on sandy beaches in the Mediterranean: (1) erosion/accretion dynamics of a Tyrrhenian beach in central Italy (Maremma Regional Park), and (2) increasing urbanisation on a beach in north-western Morocco (Oued Laou river mouth). The best behavioural adaptation was shown by the populations from more stable coastlines. For the survival value of rapid and possibly anticipatory responses to stressful factors, behavioural variation may be proposed as an early-warning indicator of environmental changes. The adaptation at higher levels (population and species) may reflect, on the one hand, the evolvability of the species and, on the other hand, the changeability of the environment. Adaptations at population level may be used as bioindicators of past changes over generations and evolutionary times.

Locomotor activity rhythm of Talitrus saltator (Crustacea, Amphipoda) on a progradating sandy beach

ABSTRACT In the Maremma Natural Park (Grosseto, Italy), the Collelungo beach exhibits a clear morphodynamics gradient, resulting in a severe erosion to a gradual accretion along the shoreline. Here, three sub-populations of the sandhopper Talitrus saltator (Montagu) (Crustacea, Amphipoda) were studied to highlight eventual intra- and inter-population variation of the endogenous locomotor rhythm. Individual activity recordings were carried out for 21 days in constant darkness and controlled temperature and humidity conditions. The variation of the free-running period was analysed at individual and sub-population levels, and the dependence on intrinsic (individual features) and extrinsic (habitat of origin and season) factors was analysed. A seasonal variation was highlighted, related to the seasonal spontaneous activity of the species. In summer and autumn, a significant correlation between the behavioural variation in the sub-populations (period and definition of the period) and beach physical parameters (slope and width) defined the dependence of the behavioural gradient on the environmental gradient. The observed relationship may represent an adaptation to the local coastline dynamics, suggesting the importance of a plastic behaviour as adaptive response to a variable environment.

Bioremediation and monitoring of seawater for the sustainable management of hydrocarbon pollution in a Tunisian Mediterranean tourist port

K pneumoniae carbapenemase – KPC producing bacteria are defined as a group of Gram-negative bacilli that is highly resistant to drugs. They cause lethal infections and illnesses. The main aim of the current study is to explore and confirm the occurrence of carbapenemase producing Klebsiella pneumonia in the ICU different compartments of an Egyptian hospital in Cairo. The study will focus in particular on the molecular class A KPC and the molecular class B MBL specifically the imipenem resistant phenotype carbapenemase (IMP) and Verona integrin-encoded metallo-beta-lactamase (VIM) producers. Isolates were collected from several compartments of the Intensive Care Unit in a private hospital in Cairo, Egypt. The screening criteria of carbapenemase producing bacteria were followed by the investigator in order to record the antimicrobial resistance patterns of all isolates. Furthermore, the modified Hodge test (MHT) was used as the instrument for detecting the carbapenemase producing isolates. Phenotypic detection of KPCs and MBLs was confirmed by the detection of blaKPC, blaIMP and blaVIM. It was also combined with disc tests in MHT positive isolates. At the end of the study, the investigators determined the compartment/s responsible for the spreading of CRKP as well as the type of the isolates occurred and how to avoid spreading and how to control it. It is worth noting that this study is considered the first report on the emergence of IMP and VIM producing Klebsiella pneumonia in the ICU compartments in Egypt. We concluded that infection control department policies in each hospital should be reinforced to evade the blowout of these bacteria in our hospitals. Also, this study should be repeated in other hospitals (especially the public hospitals) to assess the level of the problem.Background: Enterococcus faecalis normal intestinal flora of humans and one of the causes of nosocomial infections that cause urinary tract infections, endocarditis and menangeditise the ability to form biofilm on surfaces such as catheters, venous catheters artificial heart valves and ocular lenses, the ESP and cylA factors .The purpose of this study was to evaluate the ability of the bacteria in the biofilm formation and detection of virulence factors in clinical isolates of enterococci surface protein and cytolysin and Study of cyla and esp gene expression in Enterococcus faecalis culture in microfluidic conditionsH pylori infection is one of the most common infectious diseases on the globe and is associated with increased risk of human active chronic gastritis, peptic and duodenal ulcer and gastric cancer development. In order to investigate the current sero-prevalence of H. pylori infection in the Northwest part of Iran, specific ELISA for the existence of IgG antibodies against H. pylori was performed on a representative sample size of 21429 (69.02% F, 29.98% M) sera who were referred to the Central Laboratory of Tabriz in three years (2012 2015). Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS v15.0 and Epi info v3.2.2 softwares. Results were categorized into nine groups according to the age. The overall sero-prevalence of H. pylori infection was 63.93% (63.77% F, 64.24% M), with no statistical difference between genders. Sero-positivity rates increased progressively with age but decreased above the age of 71. The results indicated that H. Pylori infection prevalence rate in the Northwest of Iran is higher than in developed countries, which may contribute to the high incident rate of gastric cancer in this area. Crowded living condition and low socio-economic status contribute to the difference of infection prevalence. Therefore, further research on H. pylori in Iran is vital to develop proactive and preventive mechanisms for gastric cancer.C is very common substance in the nature occurring mainly in cell walls of the plants. It is compact polymer consisting from glucose subunits. Due to its composition cellulose is potentially useful as a source of carbon and energy for bacterial fermentation. Unfortunately, lignocellulosic complex is generally very rigid and only a few microorganisms are able of its direct decomposition to the fermentable monosaccharides (predominantly glucose). Known, possible indirect approaches for the lignocellulosic substrate utilization are mainly their enzymatic hydrolysis to fermentable sugars or their gasification into the synthetic gas, also called syngas. The second option is to use cellulolytic microorganisms for direct utilization of cellulose to valuable product (so-called consolidated bio-processing). Unfortunately, all of these three main ways of lignocellulosic utilization have many drawbacks like too high price of process and very low product yields. Here we described system applicable for fast and specific isolation of cellulolytic mesophilic clostridium bacteria. Cellulolytic bacteria are relatively poor-described group of anaerobic bacteria which have a potential in biotechnology. For example, some of them are able to produce ethanol and some strains are secondary metabolites producers.Puccinia triticina, the causative of leaf rust, is a considerable pathogen in wheat which results in substantial amount of losses by decreasing the yield in almost all wheat growing areas of the world. Deployment of rust resistance genes into the cultivar is being used to provide resistance against the locally prevalent pathogen races as an economical, enduring and eco-friendly measure [1]. Diversity for resistance to leaf rust is available in the germplasm of related wheat genera and there are many affirmative reports which assure the effectiveness of genes originating from wild relatives of the cultivated wheat in conferring long lasting rust resistance [2]. So far more than 60 Lr genes have been identified in various wheat backgrounds [3]. Lr24 is one such resistance gene transferred into bread wheat from Agropyron elongatum which confers resistance right from the seedling stage all through the life of the plant (seedling resistance). Lr24 is being used in major wheat breeding and pyramiding programmes as a means to provide resistance to otherwise susceptible cultivars [4,5]. However, many of the seedling resistance genes when incorporated singly tend to become ineffective due the constantly evolving physiological races of the pathogen. To suppress such reviving pathogenesis, an approach to stack more than one gene into the same background has been suggested and is pursued in most of the rust resistance initiatives [6]. In this study, we have employed one such F2 population which segregates for two Lr genes. One of them is Lr24 and the other is a hypersensitive recessive adult plant resistance (APR) gene, Lr48 which confers resistance to the plant only from the time the plant reaches its booting stage and in a way decreases the selection pressure on the pathogen thus inhibiting the development of new races [2]. Differentiating the phenotypic resistance reaction of two discrete Lr genes existing in the same cultivar is practically impossible in the absence of individual Lr gene specific pathogen virulences. In such cases, the presence of exclusive DNA based markers which act as indices for each Lr gene will be valuable. Molecular markers are utilized on a huge scale to reduce cumbersomeness and enable rapid detection of specific Lr genes. Codominant molecular markers are useful in breeding programmes as only they are efficient in differentiating the heterozygous and homozygous status in plants exhibiting resistance to the pathogen infection since only the latter are significant to forward for further generations. To enable the early selection of homozygosity at the adult plant rust resistance locus, two RAPD markers S3450 and S336775 have been utilized as a co-dominant marker system [7]. The SSR marker polymorphic for Lr24 identified in our lab will be useful in wheat breeding populations and can help in fixing the genes by the F2 population level itself without any further investment till F5/F6 generations.Celiac disease (CD) is an autoimmune disorder of the small intestine that affects in genetically predisposed subjects of all age groups (from middle infancy onward CD is due to a reaction to gliadin, a prolamin (gluten protein), and similar proteins found in other crops Vis barley and rye [1]. CD symptoms include chronic diarrhea, fatigue, weight loss, weakness and classic steatorrhea. Abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting are uncommon. Most symptoms are related to malabsorption (extensive lesion in the proximal duodenum to the distal ileum produces resulting in severe malabsorption), pedal edema, protein malabsorption, easy bruising and vitamin K deficiency due to malabsorption.N Sequencing (NGS) technologies have developed progressively in microbial genomic research and clinical applications. Also, genetic fingerprinting has been used in molecular epidemiologic studies. Therefore, it is essential that a connection or a link is established between them for discovering DNA marker in whole genome for using in molecular epidemiology and bacterial diagnosis. Bioinformatics and comparative genome analysis tools lead to further and deeper understanding of genomic variation in the bacterial species. Bacterial comparative genome analyses can be used for evolutionary processes, structure and function annotations, and importantly in unique DNA marker extraction. These unique probes are suitable for high-throughput diagnostic methods such as micro-array. Finally, setting up a procedure for comparative analysis will be useful for a wide range of microbial researches and clinical applications.R B is produced by an actinobacterium Amycolatopsis mediterranei S699. Semi synthetic derivatives of rifamycin B (rifampicin or rifampin, rifabutin, rifaximine, rifapentine and rifalazil) are used for the treatment of tuberculosis (TB), leprosy and AIDS related mycobacterial infections. But none of these is effective against Multi Drug Resistant-TB (MDR-TB). This raised the need to develop novel rifamycin B analogs and corresponding derivatives to combat MDR infections. However, due to the chemical complexity of the rifamycin B further chemical modifications are not possible. An alternative approach to modify the rifamycin B backbone is combinatorial biosynthesis by manipulation of the Rifamycin Polyketide Synthase (rifPKS) gene cluster in the producer strain itself. Thus acyltransferase (AT) domain of the sixth module (AT6) of rifPKS (which adds propionate unit to the growing polyketide chain) was swapped with AT domain of the second module (AT2) of rapamycin PKS (rapPKS) (adds acetate unit) in A. mediterranei S699. The resulting mutant produced 24-desmethylrifamycin B lacking pendant methyl group at C-33 of the rifamycin skeletal structure. It was confirmed using NMR and LC-MS studies. The analog was further converted to 24-desmethylrifamycin S & 24-desmethylrifampicin that showed better antibacterial activity than rifampicin against MDR strains of M. tuberculosis. Based on this proof of concept further manipulations of other domains (AT5, AT7, AT8, DH9 & DH10) are being carried out for production of more rifamycin analogs for biological and pharmaceutical applications.