Francesco Nonnis Marzano

Environmental implications of skeletal micro-density and porosity variation in two scleractinian corals

The correlations between skeletal parameters (bulk density, micro-density and porosity), coral age and sea surface temperature were assessed along a latitudinal gradient in the zooxanthellate coral Balanophyllia europaea and in the azooxanthellate coral Leptopsammia pruvoti. In both coral species, the variation of bulk density was more influenced by the variation of porosity than of micro-density. With increasing polyp age, B. europaea formed denser and less porous skeletons while L. pruvoti showed the opposite trend, becoming less dense and more porous. B. europaea skeletons were generally less porous (more dense) than those of L. pruvoti, probably as a consequence of the different habitats colonized by the two species. Increasing temperature had a negative impact on the zooxanthellate species, leading to an increase of porosity. In contrast, micro-density increased with temperature in the azooxanthellate species. It is hypothesized that the increase in porosity with increasing temperatures observed in B. europaea could depend on an attenuation of calcification due to an inhibition of the photosynthetic process at elevated temperatures, while the azooxanthellate species appears more resistant to variations of temperature, highlighting possible differences in the sensitivity/tolerance of these two coral species to temperature changes in face of global climate change.

Association of dopamine transporter and monoamine oxidase molecular polymorphisms with sudden infant death syndrome and stillbirth: new insights into the serotonin hypothesis

Recent findings demonstrated the role of neurotransmitters in the aetiopathogenesis of sudden unexpected deaths in infancy. Although genes involved in serotonin metabolism have been proposed as risk factors for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), the contribution of additional neurotransmitters and genes different from the serotonin transporter (SLC6A4, 5-HTT) has not been investigated. Considering the common metabolic pathway and synergism between dopamine and serotonin, the role of dopamine transporter (SLC6A3, DAT) and monoamine oxidase A (MAOA) genes in SIDS and stillbirth (sudden intrauterine unexplained death, SIUD) was investigated. Genotypes and allelic frequencies of DAT and MAOA were determined in 20 SIDS and five stillbirth cases and compared with 150 controls. No association was found between DAT polymorphisms and SIDS either at genotype (P = 0.64) or allelic (P = 0.86) level; however, a highly significant association was found between MAOA genotypes (P = 0.047) and alleles (P = 0.002) regulating different expression patterns (3R/3R vs 3.5R/3.5R + 4R/4R) in SIDS + SIUD and controls. Analysis of combined 5-HTTLPR (serotonin transporter linked polymorphic region)/MAOA genotypes revealed that frequency of L/L-4R/4R genotype combination was eightfold higher in SIDS + SIUD than in controls (P < 0.001). Findings are discussed considering the metabolic association among DAT, 5-HTT and MAOA with special emphasis on the linked action of 5-HTT/MAOA in regulating serotonin metabolism of SIDS and SIUD infants.

Anthropogenic radionuclides bioaccumulation in Antarctic marine fauna and its ecological relevance

Abstract The paucity of investigations on the presence of artificial radionuclides and their bioaccumulation in Antarctic fauna is due to the erroneous belief that this area is pristine. We report evidence that significant levels of the artificial radionuclides Sr-90, Cs-137, Am-241 and plutonium isotopes can be found in sponges, bivalves, krill and demersal fish fauna of Terra Nova Bay (Ross Sea), sometimes with a seasonal pattern. Increasing concentrations of Cs-137 were detected in the bivalve Adamussium colbecki (Antarctic scallop) during austral summer months, as a result of major trophic activity and changes in metabolic rates. Bioconcentration factors for artificial radionuclides in different Antarctic species are presented and discussed in relation to their different trophic strategies. Unexpectedly high radiocesium bioconcentration factors determined in bivalves suggested the particular role played by filter feeding in bioaccumulation, particularly in summer when radionuclide bioavailability is enhanced. The feeding preference of the trematomiid fish Trematomus bernacchii for the scallop A. colbecki is confirmed, not only by fish gut content analyses, but also through radiometric results. Transuranics bioaccumulation by sensitive species allowed some interesting comparisons on the different plutonium contamination of the southern hemisphere with respect to the northern one.

A radioecological survey of Northern and Middle Adriatic Sea before and after the Chernobyl event (1979–1990)

Abstract Investigations to determine the presence and distribution of some anthropogenic pre- and post-Chernobyl radionuclides and to evaluate their behaviour and transport within different environmental components were conducted between 1979 and 1990 in Northern and Middle Adriatic Sea. Although the Chernobyl accident introduced many radionuclides into this environment, most of them had very short half lives and only Ru-103, Ru-106, Ag-110m, Cs-134 and Cs-137 were fully investigated on a long term basis due to their long persistency and abundance. In particular, neutron activation products, such as Ag-110m and Cs-134, not present in the environment before the event, were fully detected for the first time in the ecosystem shortly after the contamination. The results highlight the distribution of the considered gamma emitting radioisotopes in samples of seawater, sediments, mixed plankton, icthyofauna and benthic macrofauna, and allow a complete mapping and assessment of the Adriatic radiocontamination after 10 years of intense and extended monitoring of the ecosystem.

Confirmed association between monoamine oxidase A molecular polymorphisms and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

We published in the February 2009 issue of Neurogenetics the article “Association of dopamine transporter and monoamine oxidase molecular polymorphisms with Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and stillbirth: new insights into the serotonin hypothesis” [1]. The aim of our work was to investigate the contribution of additional neurotransmitters and related genes, different from the serotonin transporter (SLC6A4, 5-HTT) in the development of SIDS and stillbirth. The main conclusion discussed in the paper was that the frequency of MAOA allele 4R (having increased transcriptional activity) was statistically higher in SIDS and stillbirth than in the Control Group. The conclusions in our article have recently been submitted to criticism by Klintschar and Heimbold [2] with a Letter to the Editor of Neurogenetics. We would kindly reply to their two main observations. The two authors have underlined that MAOA is an X chromosomal locus and the manuscript reported an inappropriate elaboration of allelic frequencies determined in 25 cases, 13 males and 12 females. We agree with their observation and we apologize for the involuntary oversight as we were aware that MAOA is an X-linked gene. The correct number of alleles was 37 instead of 50 erroneously reported in the paper. In relation to this we decided to reevaluate our results considering 37 alleles instead of 50. Results are reported in Table 1. It is noteworthy observing that conclusive data are exactly the same. The only difference regards the degree of statistical significance for allelic frequencies; in fact in the statistical data from the previous paper, the distribution of allele 3 (low transcriptional activity) vs. 3.5+4 (high activity) was highly significant (LR χ=9.60, P=0.002) while in this re-elaboration results remain significant (LR χ=5.52, P=

Evidence that polymorphic deletion of the glutathione S-transferase gene, GSTM1, is associated with esophageal atresia†

BACKGROUND Esophageal atresia (EA) is a life-threatening congenital condition whose etiology and pathogenesis are still poorly understood. An increasing trend of this pathology in some Italian regions suggests a possible interaction between xenobiotics and genes involved in detoxification processes during early embryonic development. For the first time polymorphisms of GSTM1, GSTT1, and GSTP1 genes were analyzed in association with EA. METHODS The study population consisted of 25 EA children, 50 unrelated healthy children, 20 of the EA childrens mothers, and 40 unrelated mothers. GSTM1 and GSTT1 null genotypes were identified by PCR amplification, and GSTP1 polymorphism was detected by RFLP analysis. RESULTS An association was found between homozygosity for the GSTM1 null genotype and EA in affected children (p = 0.0022) and their mothers (p = 0.022). No association was found between GSTT1 and GSTP1 polymorphisms and EA children or their mothers. CONCLUSIONS Results suggest that the GSTM1(-/-) null genotype may play an important role in the development of EA during early embryogenesis as a consequence of altered detoxification processes both in children and in the mothers. We hypothesize that GSTM1 allelic loss could be responsible for reduced or null catalytic activity in tissues exposed to amniotic fluid, and inefficient detoxification could be a trigger altering proliferation/apoptotic pattern of gut-trachea separation.

Serotonin Transporter Role in Identifying Similarities Between SIDS and Idiopathic ALTE

OBJECTIVE: Considering previous genetic studies on sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and the role of L/L serotonin transporter (5HTT) genotype and correlated genes monoamine oxidase A (MAOA) and dopamine transporter (DAT) in unexpected death, an investigation was carried out verifying their involvement in apparent life-threatening events (ALTE and idiopathic form [IALTE]), also assessing common molecular basis with SIDS. METHODS: Differential diagnoses in 76 ALTE infants, distinguishing ALTE from IALTE was elaborated by using clinical-diagnostic data. Genotypes/allelic frequencies of DAT, MAOA, and 5HTT were determined in ALTE and IALTE infants and compared with data obtained from 20 SIDS and 150 controls. RESULTS: No association was found between DAT polymorphisms and ALTE/IALTE groups either at the genotype or allelic level (P range .11–.94). MAOA genotypes and allele data comparison between ALTE and controls was not significant; IALTE data showed a tendency for genotypes (P = .09) and were statistically significant for alleles (P = .036); however, MAOA significance disappeared once the Bonferroni correction was applied. 5HTT polymorphisms in IALTE remarked the role of L/L genotype (P < .00001) and L (P < .00001), as previously demonstrated in SIDS. CONCLUSIONS: Considering correspondence between 5HTT and MAOA in IALTE and SIDS, we hypothesize that the 2 syndromes are different expressions of a common ethiopathogenesis. In particular, genetic data suggest SIDS events could derive from IALTE episodes occurred during sleep, and therefore out of parental control. Despite its functional role, results highlight the usefulness of 5HTT as a valuable tracer of SIDS risk in IALTE infants. Owing to the small sample size, the results are to be considered preliminary and should be reevaluated in an independent sample.

Italian Antarctic Research Program: Environmental radioactivity survey around the Italian base (1987–1991) Terra Nova Bay — Ross sea region

Investigations have been carried out by the Italian Antarctic Research Program to determine the natural and artificial radioactivity levels of both the marine and terrestrial environments. Also, natural and anthropogenic fluxes of aerosol particles onto the Antarctic surface have been examined.

Molecular Barcoding of an Atypical Cyprinid Population Assessed by Cytochrome b Gene Sequencing

A fish population of the carp family Cyprinidae with atypical phenotypic characteristics was observed in one of the main catchments of the Pollino National Park, a valuable, protected area in southern Italy. In this area, the Italian roach Rutilus rubilio (Bonaparte, 1837), a native endemic fish of Tyrrhenean regions, has been introduced in sympatric conditions with Squalius squalus (Bonaparte, 1837) and Telestes muticellus (Bonaparte, 1837). A molecular investigation was carried out to assess the genetic identity of the population with a view to conservation. Direct sequencing of a cytochrome b gene fragment was performed based on 30 individuals of cyprinid fish with atypical phenotype, in addition to 30 S. squalus, 10 T. muticellus, and 30 R. rubilio pure individuals collected in different Italian regions, which served as reference samples. Multiple sequence alignments demonstrated that 50% of atypical-cyprinid haplotypes were maternally inherited from either S. squalus or R. rubilio. No contribution by T. muticellus was determined. Our results indicate an intergeneric hybridization event between S. squalus and R. rubilio, as a consequence of trans-introduction activities of alien species.

Radioactive Isotopes of Strontium, Caesium and Plutonium in Sediments of the Northern Adriatic Sea

Abstract Sediment samples of different strata (0–3 and 12–15 cm) were collected between 1990 and 1992 during seasonal cruises in the Northern Adriatic Sea. A complete mapping of the Sr-90, Cs-137, Pu-238 and Pu-239(240) concentrations was obtained for samples covering a wide area, stretching from the Gulf of Trieste towards the Ancona shoreline. Sr-90 concentrations varied between 1.5 and 6.5 Bq kg−1 dw, Cs-137 was in the range 0.9–38.9 Bq kg−1 dw, Pu-239(240) in the range 0.08-1.5 Bq kg−1 dw and Pu-238 around 0.03 Bq kg−1 dw. Special reference was also put on the comparison between the off-shore environment and data obtained from samples collected inside the Po river delta. in spite of the major accumulation of Cs-137 inside the estuarine environment, higher concentrations of strontium and plutonium isotopes were detected in the offshore environment.