Invasive Ones Research Articles

DNA, SESSO DELLE MOSCHE E GENE EDITING: PROTEGGERE LA FRUTTA SENZA PESTICIDI

Many insect species are harmful to agriculture or human health and the climate change empowers the problem, allowing those invasive ones to migrate and colonize new geographic areas. A control method, alternative to chemical pesticides, based on genetics and species-specificity is the sterile insect technique (SIT), which consists in a frequent release of sterile males in the infested regions. In this essay, we will describe historical steps that led to the genetics of pest insects, aiming to improve SIT and to the identification of their sex determining genes. Furthermore, we will analyze the possibilities of their biotechnological use to their control, in the frame of CRISPR-Cas9.

Robotic-assisted thoracoscopic resection of anterior mediastinal cystic teratoma: a case report and literature review

BackgroundMediastinal teratomas are rare tumors that frequently occur in the anterior mediastinum. The majority of these tumors are benign and slow growing. Due to their low malignant potential, the treatment for these tumors is surgical resection. More recently, the surgical management has shifted from invasive approaches such as a sternotomy to minimally invasive ones such as robotic-assisted thoracoscopic resections utilizing lung isolation ventilation. We present a rare case of a locally advanced mediastinal teratoma requiring resection, which was initially attempted thoracoscopically using double lung ventilation.Case presentationA 43 year-old female was found to have an anterior mediastinal mass during work-up for an intermittent cough in 2009. Chest imaging and biopsy at the time showed evidence of a cystic teratoma without concerning features. She underwent imaging surveillance until 2018, when repeat chest imaging showed increasing growth and worrisome radiologic features concerning for malignant degeneration. She underwent an elective robotic-assisted thoracoscopic resection utilizing double lung ventilation, but due to extensive involvement of the right lung, pericardium, superior vena cava, and right phrenic nerve the patient had to be repositioned and started on single lung ventilation mid-procedure to facilitate a safe and complete resection.ConclusionsAnterior mediastinal teratomas can be successfully removed by robotic-assisted thoracoscopic resections utilizing single lung ventilation. Though robotic-assisted thoracoscopic resection utilizing double lung ventilation can be effective in performing certain procedures such as lung wedge resections, thymectomy, pleural biopsies and minimally invasive cardiac procedures, it is limited in removing locally advanced mediastinal tumors.

Frailty as a predictor of mortality in COVID-19 patients receiving CPAP for respiratory insufficiency.

ObjectiveExploring the association between frailty and mortality in a cohort of patients with COVID-19 respiratory insufficiency treated with continuous positive airway pressure.MethodsFrailty was measured using a Frailty Index (FI) created by using the baseline assessment data on comorbidities and body mass index and baseline blood test results (including pH, lactate dehydrogenase, renal and liver function, inflammatory indexes and anemia). FI > 0.25 identified frail individuals.ResultsAmong the 159 included individuals (81% men, median age of 68) frailty was detected in 69% of the patients (median FI score 0.3 ± 0.08). Frailty was associated to an increased mortality (adjusted HR 1.99, 95% CI 1.02–3.88, p = 0.04).ConclusionsFrailty is highly prevalent among patients with COVID-19, predicts poorer outcomes independently of age. A personalization of care balancing the risk and benefit of treatments (especially the invasive ones) in such complex patients is pivotal.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40520-021-02070-z.

Facet syndrome and its treatment by radiofrequency denervation

It is shown that radio-frequency denervation (RFD) is one of the most economical and effective methods for the treatment of pain syndrome in degenerative spine diseases. Innervation of different elements of spine segments as well as theoretical grounding of RFD application is given. The first experience of RFD use is summarized and analyzed. The technique of RFD for the treatment of discogenic and arthrogenic spine pathology at different levels is described (41 patients). It is shown that RFD can be considered as a palliative treatment method. Stability of RFD effect, possibility of repeated course make this method attractive to both the physicians and patients. RFD differs from all known noninvasive methods by its high efficacy and by its safety when compared with the invasive ones.

Functional results after mesorectal excision for rectal cancer: comparative study among surgical approaches.

We analyzed the evolution of genitourinary dysfunctions in patients undergoing surgical treatment for rectal cancer, and compared open surgery, laparoscopy, robotic and TaTME. Functional outcomes were evaluate using standardized questionnaires, compiled at the start of treatment, after the end of Radiotherapy, at 1 and 6 months after surgery. In 72 patients 37.5% had low, 27.8% middle, and 34.7% high rectal cancers. Open technique was performed in 25% of cases, while 29.2% underwent laparoscopy, 20.8% TaTME and 25% robotic. We noted a deterioration in urogenital function: surgical technique can influence the result both in urinary and male sexual function but not ejaculation. Robotics and laparoscopy bring better outcomes than open surgery and TaTME. Female sexuality worsening seems not influenced by the technique. In general age, stage, complications, and anastomotic leakage appear to be predictive factors for functional dysfunctions. As reported in literature rectal cancer treatment leads to urogenital worsening: this seems to be progressive in male sexuality only, while female one and urinary function show a slight improvement in the first months, although a full recovery possibility is discussed. Is also reported how robotic and laparoscopy have a lower functional impact. TaTME has gained consensus thank to the excellent oncological and function outcomes, but in our study leads to worse results. Mini-invasive techniques guarantee the same oncological result than more invasive ones, but with better functional outcomes and tolerability; robotic surgery seems to be slight superior to laparoscopy, but with longer operative time.

Benthic diatoms of the Black Sea: rare, invasive, extinct species and assessment of taxonomic exclusivity

Assessment of benthic diatom taxonomic diversity under increasing anthropogenic pressure on the Black Sea shelf is necessary to preserve the genetic fund of Bacillariophyta, especially for rare and relict endangered species, as well as for controlling of invasive ones. Currently, the Black Sea benthic diatom flora includes 1100 species and intraspecific taxa, among which almost 50% are singleton species. Assumed the Black Sea flora consists from relict of the Ponto-Caspian and Karangat flora, native species, freshwater species, introducers from the Mediterranean basin, and a group of aliens acclimating to another environmental condition. 8 new genera and over 280 newly found for the Black Sea diatom flora species were noted. Also species not recorded in the World Ocean during the XX century were discovered. Groups of 33 and 11 significant for preservation species were highlighted which the ranks of high and highest taxonomic exclusivity were assigned, respectively. Species formed a mono-species branch on a hierarchical tree, i.e. belonging to the same genus, family or order, has the highest preservation priority compared to a species included in a poly-species branch and phylogenetically close to many others. Disappearance of species with high taxonomic exclusivity leads to significant changes in the structure of diatom hierarchical tree. Maintenance of intact habitat conditions for species with a high taxonomic exclusivity should be primary measure to preserve the high diversity of the Black Sea’ flora Bacillariophyta.

In vitro antimicrobial activity, antibioresistance reversal properties, and toxicity screen of ethanolic extracts of Heracleum mantegazzianum Sommier and Levier (giant hogweed), Centaurea jacea L. (brown knapweed), and Chenopodium album L. (Pigweed): Three invasive plants.

Background:Plants, including invasive ones, can play a significant role in the fight against antibiotic resistance and the search for new antimicrobials.Aims:The present study aimed at assessing the antimicrobial activity, antibioresistance reversal properties, and toxicity of four samples from invasive plants, namely, Heracleum mantegazzianum (leaves and flowers), Chenopodium album (leaves), and Centaurea jacea (flowers).Methods:The extraction of active compounds was done with ethanol (80%, v/v) and the extraction yields were calculated. Antimicrobial activity was studied using the agar-well diffusion method against Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538, and Candida albicans ATCC 10231. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBC) were determined using the mircodilution method. The antibioresistance reversal properties were assessed using the checkerboard method and the toxicity of the extracts was studied using the larval form of the Greater Wax Moth (Galleria mellonella).Results:The mass yields were 11.9, 15.0, 18.2, and 21.5, respectively, for C. jacea flower (CJF), H. mantegazzianum flower (HMF), H. mantegazzianum leaf (HML), and C. album leaf (CAL). The highest inhibition diameters (ID) were found with HMF, CAL, CJF, and HML against S. aureus with 26.6, 21.6, 21.0, and 20.0 mm, respectively. Only CJF and HMF were active against E. coli with respective ID of 15.3 and 19.0 mm. Except HMF (ID = 13.6 ± 2.0 mm), no other extract was active against C. albicans. Moreover, HMF exhibited the lowest MIC (0.5 mg/ml) and the lowest MBC (1 and 4 mg/ml) against both S. aureus and E. coli. Regarding the synergy test, an additional effect [0.5 ≤ fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC) ≤ 1] was found in almost all the combinations antibiotics + extracts excepted for HMF + (Kanamycin or Ampicillin) against S. aureus and CJF + Ampicillin against E. coli where we found synergy effect (FIC ≤0.5). The median lethal doses (LD50s) of HMF, HML, CAL, and CJF were 20.2, 0.58, 13.2, and 4.0 mg/ml, respectively.Conclusion:Only the ethanolic extract of HMFs showed noteworthy broad spectrum antimicrobial activity.

A phenotype-structured model to reproduce the avascular growth of a tumor and its interaction with the surrounding environment

We here propose a one-dimensional spatially explicit phenotype-structured model to analyze selected aspects of avascular tumor progression. In particular, our approach distinguishes viable and necrotic cell fractions. The metabolically active part of the disease is, in turn, differentiated according to a continuous trait, that identifies cell variants with different degrees of motility and proliferation potential. A parabolic partial differential equation (PDE) then governs the spatio-temporal evolution of the phenotypic distribution of active cells within the host tissue. In this respect, active tumor agents are allowed to duplicate, move upon haptotactic and pressure stimuli, and eventually undergo necrosis. The mutual influence between the emerging malignancy and its environment (in terms of molecular landscape) is implemented by coupling the evolution law of the viable tumor mass with a parabolic PDE for oxygen kinetics and a differential equation that accounts for local consumption of extracellular matrix (ECM) elements. The resulting numerical realizations reproduce tumor growth and invasion in a number scenarios that differ for cell properties (i.e., individual migratory behavior, duplication, and mutation potential) and environmental conditions (i.e., level of tissue oxygenation and homogeneity in the initial matrix profile). In particular, our simulations show that, in all cases, more mobile cell variants occupy the front edge of the tumor, whereas more proliferative clones are selected at more internal regions. A necrotic core constantly occupies the bulk of the mass due to nutrient deprivation. This work may eventually suggest some biomedical strategies to partially reduce tumor aggressiveness, i.e., to enhance necrosis of malignant tissue and to promote the presence of more proliferative cell phenotypes over more invasive ones.

Project Review: SwampScapes

Project Review: <i>SwampScapes</i>

Abstract 10027: Pulsatile Load, Rather Than Cardiac Power Output, for the Right Ventricle Determines the Prognosis in Heart Failure Patients

Background: Although cardiac power output (CPO), a parameter of cardiac performance, for the left ventricle (LV) is reported to be a powerful prognostic indicator in heart failure (HF), significance of the right ventricular (RV) CPO in HF has not been elucidated. On the other hand, RV pulsatile load stands for one of the prognostic markers in HF. We thus investigated the relationship of the RV CPO and pulsatile load to the outcome in HF. Methods: Right heart catheterization and echocardiography were performed in 231 HF patients (62±16 years, LV ejection fraction 42±18%). Invasive and noninvasive CPOs were calculated from mean systemic or pulmonary arterial pressures and cardiac output for the LV and RV. LV CPO was then corrected by LV mass (LV CPO/M). Pulmonary artery compliance (PAC) and the ratio of acceleration time to ejection time (AcT/ET) of the RV outflow velocity were used as parameters of RV pulsatile load. Cardiac death, HF hospitalization, ventricular arrhythmia and LVAD implantation after the examination were recorded. Results: Noninvasive CPOs were moderately correlated with invasive ones (LV: R=0.73, RV: R=0.58, P &lt;0.001 for both). During a median follow-up period of 441 days, cardiac events occurred in 57 patients. Using the cut-off of median values, lower LV CPO/M was associated with higher event rates, however, RV CPO did not discriminate the risk of future cardiac events. In contrast, higher RV pulsatile load was associated with higher event rates regardless of the level of LV CPO/M ( Figure ). In multivariable Cox proportional hazard analyses, echocardiographic LV CPO/M and AcT/ET both determined cardiac events independently of age, NYHA classification, LV ejection fraction and plasma brain natriuretic peptide levels. Conclusion: Pulsatile load, rather than CPO, for the RV was associated with cardiac events in HF. Furthermore, combination of echocardiographic LV CPO/M and AcT/ET could become a novel noninvasive prognostic indicator in HF patients.

Relationship between growth ability, virulence, and resistance to food-processing related stresses in non-typhoidal Salmonellae

The ability of Salmonella to resist and adapt to harsh conditions is one of the major features that have made this microorganism such a relevant health hazard. However, the impact of these resistance responses on other aspects of Salmonella physiology, such as virulence and growth ability, is still not fully understood. The objective of this study was to determine the maximum growth rates (in three different media), virulence (adhesion and invasion of Caco-2 cells), and other phenotypic characteristics (biofilm-forming ability and antimicrobial resistance) of 23 Salmonella strains belonging to different serovars, and to compare them with their previously determined stress resistance parameters. Significant differences (p < 0.05) in growth rates, virulence, and biofilm-forming ability were found among the 23 strains studied. Nevertheless, whereas less than 3-fold change between the lowest and the highest growth rate was observed, the percentage of cells capable of invading Caco-2 cells varied more than 100-fold, that to form biofilms more than 30-fold, and the antibiotic MICs varied up to 512-fold, among the different strains. Results indicate that those strains with the highest cell adhesion ability were not always the most invasive ones and suggest that, in general terms, a higher stress resistance did not imply a reduced growth ability (rate). Similarly, no association between stress resistance and biofilm formation ability (except for acid stress) or antibiotic resistance (with minor exceptions) was found. Our data also suggest that, in Salmonella, acid stress resistance would be associated with virulence, since a positive correlation of that trait with adhesion and a negative correlation with invasion was found. This study contributes to a better understanding of the physiology of Salmonella and the relationship between bacterial stress resistance, growth ability, and virulence. It also provides new data regarding intra-specific variability of a series of phenotypic characteristics of Salmonella that are relevant from the food safety perspective.

Parameters to identify good quality oocytes and embryos in cattle

Oocyte/embryo selection methodologies are either invasive or noninvasive and can be applied at various stages of development from the oocyte to cleaved embryos and up to the blastocyst stage. Morphology and the proportion of embryos developing to the blastocyst stage are important criteria to assess developmental competence. Evaluation of morphology remains the method of choice for selecting viable oocytes for IVP or embryos prior to transfer. Although non-invasive approaches are improving, invasive ones have been extremely helpful in finding candidate genes to determine oocyte/embryo quality. There is still a strong need for further refinement of existing oocyte and embryo selection methods and quality parameters. The development of novel, robust and non-invasive procedures will ensure that only embryos with the highest developmental potential are chosen for transfer. In the present review, various methods for assessing the quality of oocytes and preimplantation embryos, particularly in cattle, are considered. These methods include assessment of morphology including different staining procedures, transcriptomic and proteomic analyses, metabolic profiling, as well as the use of artificial intelligence technologies.

Proteomic Response to Environmental Stresses in the Stolon of a Highly Invasive Fouling Ascidian

Ascidians, particularly those highly invasive ones, are typical fouling organisms to cause significantly negative ecological and economic influence in coastal ecosystems. Stolon, which is the unique structure of some solitary ascidians to complete the essential process of adhesion, possesses extremely high tolerance to environmental stresses during biofouling and invasions. However, the mechanisms underlying environmental tolerance remain largely unknown. Here, we used the quantitative proteomics technology, isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ), to investigate the molecular response to environmental challenges (temperature and salinity) in the stolon of a highly invasive fouling ascidian, Ciona robusta. When compared with the control, a total of 75, 86, 123, and 83 differential abundance proteins were identified under low salinity, high salinity, low temperature, and high temperature stress, respectively. Bioinformatic analyses uncovered the key pathways under both temperature and salinity stresses, including “cytoskeleton,” “signal transduction,” and “posttranslational modification,” which were involved in stolon structure stability, protein synthesis, and stress response activation. Under the low salinity stress, the “extracellular matrix” pathway was identified to play a crucial role by regulating cell signal transduction and protein synthesis. To deal with the high salinity stress, stolon could store more energy by activating “carbohydrate/lipid transport” and “catabolism” pathways. The energy generated by “lipid metabolism” pathway might be beneficial to resist the low temperature stress. The upregulation of “cell cycle” pathway could inhibit cell growth, thus helping stolon conserve more energy against the high temperature stress. Our results here provide valuable references of candidate pathways and associated genes for studying mechanisms of harsh environmental adaptation and developing antifouling strategies in marine and coastal ecosystems.

Native woody legumes respond more negatively to extreme drought than invasive ones

AbstractPlant invasion potentially will be affected by increased extreme drought events and deposition of atmospheric N. However, results from previous research indicate that it is not clear as to how extreme drought, N deposition and their interaction affect alien plant invasion, in particular for the invasive woody legumes. We conducted a greenhouse experiment with three invasive and three native woody species of legumes (Fabaceae). We grew plants in extreme drought and in well-watered conditions combined with low and high levels of N and compared plant height, number of leaves and biomass production and allocation. Growth of native woody legumes was suppressed more by extreme drought than that of invasive woody legumes. Although an increase in soil N availability decreased the root mass fraction of plants of all species, it did not affect their overall performance. We found that invasive woody legumes can tolerate the adverse effects of the prolonged extreme drought better than native woody legumes. These results enhance our understanding of the effects of drought due to climate change on the invasion of alien woody legumes.

The success of the invasive macrophyte Hydrilla verticillata and its interactions with the native Egeria najas in response to environmental factors and plant abundance in a subtropical reservoir

The invasion success of non-native species depends on a variety of factors, and abiotic characteristics of invasive ranges and their native populations can offer resistance to non-native species establishment. Reservoirs, compared to natural lakes, can facilitate submerged macrophyte invasion because they provide favorable abiotic conditions to macrophyte establishment and development. However, previous colonization of native species can hamper the development of invasive ones through priority effects. In this investigation we used large data-set obtained in the Itaipu Reservoir (Brazil/Paraguay) to assess the relationship between the abundance of the native submerged macrophyte Egeria najas and of the invasive Hydrilla verticillata and water level, littoral slope and Secchi disk depth. We also investigated how the concomitant and previous abundance of both macrophytes correlates. A Bayesian modeling was applied, controlling the effect of spatial-temporal autocorrelation. Our results indicate an important role of water transparency, littoral slope and water level oscillations in a short period of time (30 days) for the temporal dynamics of these species’ abundances. Fluctuations of water levels and littoral slope affected H. verticillata to a greater extent than E. najas. In addition, the abundance of each species was related with its own abundance in previous samplings, highlighting the possible importance of habitat suitability, vegetative propagule pressure and resistance structures for population recovery. In low abundances, there was a possible facilitation between both species, while high abundances probably increased competition. The great importance of water level oscillations on these species’ abundances indicate that this strategy can be used as management tool.

Diagnostic accuracy of oral thermometry for fever detection in adult patients: literature review and meta-analysis.

To synthesise the evidence on the accuracy and precision of oral thermometry in adult patients, as well as on its sensitivity and specificity for fever detection. Oral thermometry has long been used in various clinical settings thanks to its rapid, safe and convenient measurements, which are easy to obtain and minimally prone to operator errors. Literature review and meta-analysis that adhered to the PRISMA statement. By using key terms, literature searches were conducted in CINAHL, PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus and Cochrane Library. Method-comparison studies, which were published from January 1990 to December 2020 in English-language, peer-reviewed journals, compared oral temperature measurements with invasive thermometry ones, and were conducted on patients ≥18years, were included. Methodological quality of selected studies was evaluated with QUADAS-2. Sixteen articles were selected for inclusion. Risk of bias was assessed as low in most of them. Quantitative synthesis indicated that pooled mean oral temperature was lower than core temperature by .07℃, with 95% limits of agreement ranging between -.22℃ and .08℃. Pooled sensitivity and specificity for fever detection (defined as core temperature ≥38℃ in most studies) were .53 (95% confidence interval, .39-.66) and .98 (95% confidence interval, .97-.99), respectively. Sensitivity analysis indicated larger temperature underestimation in case rectal temperature was used as reference standard. Despite its satisfactory accuracy, precision and specificity, oral thermometry has low sensitivity for fever detection, which entails a high number of false-negative readings and uncertainty for excluding fever in patients found to be non-febrile. Oral thermometry cannot be recommended for replacing invasive thermometry methods in hospitalised adult patients, considering the high incidence of fever in them and possible negative effects of missing fever for patient diagnosis and outcomes.

СТРУКТУРА И РЕЗУЛЬТАТЫ ХИРУРГИЧЕСКОГО ЛЕЧЕНИЯ ЭХИНОКОККОЗА ПЕЧЕНИ В CПЕЦИАЛИЗИРОВАННОМ ЦЕНТРЕ

Background. An increase in the incidence of hepatic echinococcosis is noted annually, surgery remaining its main treatment option. Objective. To analyze the treatment structure and evaluate the treatment outcomes of the patients operated for hepatic echinococcosis in the Surgical department №2 of SAHI "KCEH named after M.A. Podgorbunsky" over the period of 2016 - 2020. Material and methods. The analyzed group included treatment outcomes of 58 patients (22 men (38%), 36 women (62%)), who underwent 76 surgical interventions for liver echinococcosis in the Surgical department №2 on the basis of SAHI "KCEH named after M.A. Podgorbunsky". The difference between the number of operations performed and that of actual patients is explained by the use of staged surgery in a number of cases. Results. The majority of the 76 operations performed over the period of 2016 - 2020 were open resections - 50 (65.8%) cases. Of these, extensive anatomic segmental hepatic resections were performed in 22 cases (44%). In 14 (24%) of all patients staged surgery was used, making it possible to exclude a number of patients from the category of "non-resectable" and to perform surgery with good outcomes. A fatal outcome was noted in one case. Conclusions. The use of various surgical techniques including staged minimally invasive and laparoscopic ones in a specialized surgical department allows achieving good treatment outcomes.

Perioperative infusion therapy

Perioperative infusion support of surgical patients is the main and non-alternative element of treatment.&#x0D; At the same time, the tactics of infusion therapy continues to be the subject of study. Ideas about the optimal quantitative and qualitative composition of the fluid transfused to patients are being revised as ideas about the pathogenesis of critical conditions evolve. The basis of pathogenetic analysis of compensatory hemodynamic capabilities, as a point of application of infusion treatment, previously consisted mainly of invasive monitoring techniques, replaced in recent years by the control of routine parameters with proven high correlation with invasive ones. In current studies devoted to the problems of infusion correction of hemodynamic abnormalities, the most discussed issues are the applicability of isotonic and balanced polyionic crystalloids, less often colloidal solutions in various clinical situations, and the results of such studies do not always allow to unambiguously determine the choice of infusion media, and sometimes simply incomparable. Some researchers advocate the use of isotonic crystalloids, some works prove the best effectiveness of balanced salt solutions. With the volumes of treatment corresponding to the perioperative period, in most studies there are no differences in the effectiveness of the main composite groups of crystalloids at all. We see the reason for this in the peculiarities of randomization methods, when statistical limitations do not allow us to avoid discrete data analysis: their comparative grouping occurs according to the principle of selecting a target parameter, and all the others are classified as auxiliary or secondary. It seems to us that the involvement of arrays of data obtained in real clinical practice as a result of a combination of local theoretical and empirical ideas about corrective treatment regimens correlated with their effectiveness could smooth out the inconsistency of the results of such studies, especially since clinicians have a sample with a volemic load at their disposal, allowing them to predict the hemodynamic reaction of the patient's body to infusion and a set of routine parameters for more fine-tuning of therapy.&#x0D; In anesthesiological and resuscitation practice, there is an opinion of the currently popular empirical-evidence plan that balanced salt solutions are preferable to isotonic solutions with a higher degree of severity of patients, but this opinion is not a priori and requires additional research to verify the choice.

Invasive Species Control: Predation on the Alien Crab Percnon gibbesi (H. Milne Edwards, 1853) (Malacostraca: Percnidae) by the Rock Goby, Gobius paganellus Linnaeus, 1758 (Actinopterygii: Gobiidae)

Invasive alien species (IAS) are one of the greatest causes of native species extinction. Indeed, they represent a global threat for biodiversity and can also affect the economy and human health. The colonization success of IAS is presumably not only due to their biological and ecological characteristics, but also to the lack of predators and/or parasites in the invaded new areas. In the present work, we demonstrate evidence of predation of the invasive alien crab Percnon gibbesi (H. Milne Edwards, 1853) by the Rock Goby Gobius paganellus Linnaeus, 1758. The diet of G. paganellus was studied analyzing the stomach content of 162 specimens collected in the central Mediterranean Sea. The results obtained from the calculation of the diet indices, namely, frequency of occurrence (%F), percentage weight (%W), percentage abundance (%N), and the Index of Relative Importance (%IRI), showed that small benthic crustaceans were the main prey types. Additionally, these indices and the Levins’ index (Bi) clearly indicated that the invasive crab P. gibbesi was by far the most abundant prey type in the diet of G. paganellus. The relevance of this predator–prey interaction and the role of native species for the biological control of invasive ones are discussed. We also provide a general view on the diet of G. paganellus and other biological and ecological aspects of specimens studied from the central Mediterranean Sea.

Management of cerebrospinal fluid leak: the importance of multidisciplinary approach.

SUMMARYCerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak remains a rare condition, characterized by serious complications and potentially fatal. According to different etiologies, CSF leaks may be classified into two main categories: traumatic and spontaneous. Spontaneous fistulas seem to be mainly related to obesity and idiopathic intracranial hypertension. Diagnosis is both clinical and radiological. During the last three decades, surgical treatment has mostly shifted to endonasal endoscopic approach, which widely demonstrated to be more effective than invasive intracranial ones. Post-operative complications, long-term sequelae and hospital stay are strongly reduced thanks to endoscopic approach. The diagnosis and treatment of CSF leaks represent a difficult and challenge task. The main effort seems to be related to the precise localization of the leak. An accurate assessment of both predisposing factors and comorbidities is mandatory in case of spontaneous leaks. However, a clinical multidisciplinary evaluation as well as treatment, is essential to decrease the rate of failure of surgery. The presence of a dedicated instruments, the Skull Base Team, the knowledge of reconstructive materials and techniques represents a decisive result in therapeutical management even if for each patient an effective therapeutic algorithm can be obtained considering the correct leak detection and characteristics. In conclusion the strict teamwork with neurosurgeons, neuroradiologists, ophtalmologists will enable the development also of innovative biomaterials, which could spread and standardize multi-layer techniques, nowadays still related to surgeon preferences.