Review
Environmental Sciences
Leonardo Lopes Costa, Monica Ferreira da Costa, Ilana Rosental Zalmon
Summary: This review examined the incorporation of pollutants by macroinvertebrates from sandy beaches and found that Donacidae and Talitridae can reflect the presence of most trace elements in their soft tissues. It is recommended to select sampling based on sediment and species not yet tested as biomonitors to cover a wider range of species.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Imen Laouati, Omar Rouane-Hacene, Farid Derbal, Kheireddine Ouali
Summary: This study assessed the health status of the Gulf of Annaba in north-eastern Algeria by transplanting brown mussels and measuring metal concentrations and biomarker responses. The results showed significant bioaccumulation of copper and lead in mussel tissues, with a correlation to metal contamination in surface sediments, while cadmium and zinc did not reach significant bioaccumulation levels. The biomarker responses were associated with metal accumulation index and identified important pollution point sources in the area.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Miguel Agulles, Gabriel Jorda, Piero Lionello
Summary: A new methodology has been developed to determine the flooding risk of beaches due to changes in sea level and waves, revealing that a majority of beaches in the Balearic Islands will face significant challenges in the future and adaptation measures should be implemented as soon as possible.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Geography, Physical
G. Gambacorta, L. Cavalheiro, H. -j. Brumsack, A. J. Dickson, H. C. Jenkyns, B. Schnetger, T. Wagner, E. Erba
Summary: The Sogno Core provides important insight into the depositional conditions during the Toarcian Oceanic Anoxic Event (T-OAE) in the Alpine-Mediterranean Tethys. The study analyzes sedimentological, elemental, Rock-Eval, and biomarker data to reconstruct the environmental changes that occurred during the T-OAE, including warming, fresh-water input, and changes in productivity. The results show that the Sogno Core experienced oxic-suboxic conditions during the Jenkyns Event, contrasting with anoxic-euxinic environments in other regions.
GLOBAL AND PLANETARY CHANGE
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Mariem Zaidi, Khaled Athmouni, Isabelle Metais, Habib Ayadi, Vincent Leignel
Summary: Participants in the coastal socio-economy of the Mediterranean Sea create pressures on marine ecosystems. This study suggests using Patella caerulea as a biosentinel for marine pollution and proposes combining environmental, toxicological, and genetic assessments. The study identified critical levels of metal contamination and observed the induction of antioxidant biomarkers in P. caerulea, highlighting its ability to adapt to pollution conditions. COI (mtDNA) analysis showed low discrimination between populations, indicating the role of marine currents in dispersal.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Leonardo Lopes Costa, Ilana Rosental Zalmon
Summary: This study investigated macroinvertebrates from sandy beaches on a global scale through meta-analysis, revealing that species co-occurring in different types of beaches have higher umbrella potential. Most umbrella taxa respond negatively to human disturbances, and these taxa also exhibit higher percentages of co-occurring species compared to non-umbrella species.
BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Civil
Caroline Hallin, Christa van IJzendoorn, Jan-Markus Homberger, Sierd de Vries
Summary: A surface moisture model for sandy beaches was developed and integrated into the aeolian transport model AeoLiS. The model considered factors such as wave runup, precipitation, evaporation, percolation, and capillary rise to compute the moisture content of a thin surface layer. The model was tested against a data set from Noordwijk beach, showing an expected moisture content gradient but also a large scatter compared to the data.
COASTAL ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Seiichiro Nakamura, Junya Yumioka, Seishu Kachi, Yasunori Baba, Shigeyuki Kawai
Summary: This study elucidates a part of the carbon cycling in brown macroalgae by isolating Vibrio sp. bacteria from the gut of supralittoral talitrid amphipods. It confirms the importance of these bacteria in the assimilation of brown macroalgae. Antibiotic intervention study shows that the killed bacteria are not essential for the assimilation of brown macroalgae by the amphipods.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Kiani M. Perez-Alvelo, Eduardo M. Llegus, Janet M. Forestier-Babilonia, Camila V. Elias-Arroyo, Keisharie N. Pagan-Malave, Guillermo J. Bird-Rivera, Carlos J. Rodriguez-Sierra
Summary: The Caribbean islands, including Puerto Rico, are biodiversity hotspots threatened by microplastics, with urbanization, industrial activities, and river inputs identified as likely sources of plastic debris. The La Esperanza Peninsula showed the highest pollution levels, while other beaches displayed lower and similar abundance. Fibers, fragments, and foams were the predominant forms of microplastics found.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jelena Lusic, Ivan Cvitkovic, Marija Despalatovic, Ante Zunec, Ante Zuljevic
Summary: The Mediterranean fanworm, Sabella spallanzanii, was found to accumulate high levels of metals in both soft tissues and external tubes, particularly in locations with high pollution levels. Metal levels were generally higher in tubes compared to soft tissues, indicating long-term accumulation. Additionally, metal concentrations tended to decrease with size, and the metal levels in S. spallanzanii tissues were comparable to those found in the commonly used biomonitor species Mytilus galloprovincialis in areas with similar anthropogenic stressor levels.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Zhenyan Wang, Qianqian Wang, Yifan Guo, Shengchao Yu, Kai Xiao, Yan Zhang, Hailong Li, Chunmiao Zheng, Xiaolong Geng, Xiaolang Zhang, Huijie Li, Xuejing Wang
Summary: This paper comprehensively studied the distribution patterns, key controlling factors, potential ecological risks, and fluxes to the ocean of trace metals (As, Ba, Cr, Cd, Fe, Mn, Pb, and Zn) in a coastal deep sandy aquifer. The results showed clear zonation of trace metals in relation to the mixing extent between seawater and terrestrial freshwater. Seawater-groundwater interactions significantly affected the concentrations of trace metals, and the tide-driven saline water zone was vulnerable to enrichment of trace metals due to oceanic environments and anthropogenic activities. Trace metal fluxes via submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) significantly contributed to the total input into the sea, with potential impacts on coastal environments. Our study highlights the importance of seawater-groundwater interactions in trace element cycling in coastal sandy aquifers.
WATER RESOURCES RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Edgardo Filippone, Valentina Tranchida-Lombardo, Alessia Vitiello, Fabrizio Ruiu, Mina Di Salvatore, Teresa Rosa Galise, Lucrezia Laccetti, Angela Amoresano, Gennaro D'Ambrosio, Luigi Frusciante, Giovanni Scopece, Pasquale Chiaiese
Summary: Cadmium contamination has detrimental effects on the environment and crop productivity. Through studying six eggplant cultivars, we found differences in their response to cadmium, with some cultivars showing low translocation efficiency to aboveground organs, indicating their potential for food safety.
Article
Plant Sciences
Isabella Bettarini, Cristina Gonnelli, Federico Selvi, Andrea Coppi, Luigia Pazzagli, Ilaria Colzi
Summary: The study found that nickel has a stimulatory effect on plant growth in Odontarrhena populations, and tolerance is positively correlated with nickel accumulation.
ENVIRONMENTAL AND EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ester Carreras-Colom, Joan E. Cartes, Oriol Rodriguez-Romeu, Francesc Padros, Montserrat Sole, Michael Grelaud, Patrizia Ziveri, Cristina Palet, Anna Soler-Membrives, Maite Carrasson
Summary: This study assesses plastic ingestion and tissue levels of potentially toxic metallic elements in Nephrops norvegicus, as well as the health condition of the species. The results show that plastic fibers are commonly found in the stomachs of N. norvegicus, but their health condition does not seem to be negatively affected by anthropogenic pollutant levels.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Charbel Abou-Khalil, Roger C. Prince, Charles W. Greer, Kenneth Lee, Michel C. Boufadel
Summary: The biodegradation of dispersed crude oil in the ocean is rapid, but much slower on shorelines due to low moisture content, nutrient limitation, and higher oil concentrations in beaches. Increased salinity may also inhibit oil biodegradation in seashores.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Simonetta Corsolini, America Metzdorff, Davide Baroni, Jose L. Roscales, Begona Jimenez, Elena Cerro-Galvez, Jordi Dachs, Cristobal Galban-Malagon, Ondrej Audy, Jiri Kohoutek, Petra Pribylova, Matias Poblete-Morales, Ruben Avendano-Herrera, Elisa Bergami, Karla Pozo
Summary: The low air humidity in Antarctica necessitates the use of flame retardants in research facilities to prevent fires. Different types and concentrations of flame retardants were found in dust samples from various research stations and rooms.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Caterina Bernacchioni, Tommaso Capezzuoli, Valentina Vannuzzi, Francesca Malentacchi, Francesca Castiglione, Francesca Cencetti, Marcello Ceccaroni, Chiara Donati, Paola Bruni, Felice Petraglia
Summary: This study investigates the molecular mechanisms involved in the fibrotic trait of endometriosis through examining the alterations of the S1P signaling pathway. The results show a deep dysregulation of S1P signaling in endometriosis, with S1P synthesis enzymes and receptors playing a crucial role in promoting fibrosis.
FERTILITY AND STERILITY
(2021)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Alberto Ugolini, Annamaria Nistri, Paolo Agnelli, Alice Ciofini, David C. Wilcockson
Summary: The equatorial sandhopper Talorchestia martensii uses the sun, the moon, and the natural magnetic field as orienting compass references, with antennae not appearing to be involved in the sun or moon compass mechanisms. Sandhoppers released under high moon azimuthal speed showed photopositive responses, indicating the moon may not be used as a chronometric compass reference in this species.
ETHOLOGY ECOLOGY & EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Caterina Bernacchioni, Pasquapina Ciarmela, Valentina Vannuzzi, Stefania Greco, Silvia Vannuccini, Francesca Malentacchi, Pamela Pellegrino, Tommaso Capezzuoli, Flavia Sorbi, Francesca Cencetti, Paola Bruni, Chiara Donati, Felice Petraglia
Summary: The study revealed that S1P signaling is dysregulated in uterine fibroids and involved in activin A-induced fibrosis, presenting new perspectives for the treatment of uterine fibroids.
FERTILITY AND STERILITY
(2021)
Article
Biology
Alice Ciofini, Luca Mercatelli, Takahiko Hariyama, Alberto Ugolini
Summary: The sandhopper Talitrus saltator relies on the sun and moon compasses for orientation, using sky radiance and spectral distribution for zonal recovery during the day. The species is able to orient themselves correctly towards their home beach using visual cues, even when the sun is not visible, through the intensity and spectral gradients present in the sky.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Chiara Donati, Francesca Cencetti, Caterina Bernacchioni, Valentina Vannuzzi, Paola Bruni
Summary: Fibrosis is a devastating multifaceted disease that can be treated by regulating the S1P signaling pathway and its cross-talk with other profibrotic mediators.
CELLULAR SIGNALLING
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Caterina Bernacchioni, Veronica Ghini, Roberta Squecco, Eglantina Idrizaj, Rachele Garella, Elisa Puliti, Francesca Cencetti, Paola Bruni, Chiara Donati
Summary: Skeletal muscle atrophy is characterized by a decrease in muscle mass causing reduced agility, increased fatigability, and higher risk of bone fractures. Inflammatory cytokine TNF alpha is a strong inducer of skeletal muscle atrophy. The bioactive sphingolipid S1P plays an important role in skeletal muscle biology, exerting most of its actions through its specific receptors.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ana Gomez-Larrauri, Patricia Gangoiti, Natalia Presa, Asier Dominguez-Herrera, Chiara Donati, Paola Bruni, Miguel Trueba, Antonio Gomez-Munoz, Alberto Ouro
Summary: Phosphatidic acid stimulates myoblast proliferation through interaction with LPA1 and LPA2 receptors, activating the PI3K/Akt and MEK/ERK1-2 pathways.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Entomology
Alberto Ugolini
Summary: Immature individuals of Afrotridactylus cf. usambaricus were recorded on a marine sandy beach likely feeding on bacteria, microalgae, and mesopsammic organisms. They manipulate grains of sand to obtain these organisms and show a diurnal-tidal rhythm in migration, maintaining the sea-land direction even in a confined environment like a Plexiglas bowl.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF ENTOMOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Neurosciences
Elisabetta Coppi, Francesca Cencetti, Federica Cherchi, Martina Venturini, Chiara Donati, Paola Bruni, Felicita Pedata, Anna Maria Pugliese
Summary: The myelination process in the brain is crucial for fast synaptic transmission, with A(2)(B) adenosine receptors and SphK/S1P signaling pathways playing important roles in regulating oligodendrocyte differentiation. Understanding the interaction between A(2)(B)Rs and S1P signaling may offer innovative targets for the treatment of demyelinating disorders like multiple sclerosis.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Editorial Material
Cell Biology
Paola Bruni, Chiara Donati
CELLULAR SIGNALLING
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Luca Conti, Silvia Ciambellotti, Gina Elena Giacomazzo, Veronica Ghini, Lucrezia Cosottini, Elisa Puliti, Mirko Severi, Emiliano Fratini, Francesca Cencetti, Paola Bruni, Barbara Valtancoli, Claudia Giorgi, Paola Turano
Summary: This study reports the successful encapsulation of two highly charged metal complexes into human H-ferritin, resulting in highly luminescent nanocomposites with great stability. The singlet oxygen sensitizing properties of the metal complexes are maintained in their encapsulated form. The nanocomposites are exclusively internalized by cancer cells and exhibit a marked dose-dependent cytotoxic effect against cancer cells upon light activation.
INORGANIC CHEMISTRY FRONTIERS
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Caterina Bernacchioni, Roberta Squecco, Tania Gamberi, Veronica Ghini, Fabian Schumacher, Michele Mannelli, Rachele Garella, Eglantina Idrizaj, Francesca Cencetti, Elisa Puliti, Paola Bruni, Paola Turano, Tania Fiaschi, Chiara Donati
Summary: This study provides experimental evidence that S1P signaling is modulated by globular Adn treatment, increasing the phosphorylation of SK1/2 and mRNA expression levels of S1P(4) in C2C12 myotubes. The involvement of the S1P axis in Adn action was highlighted, as inhibition of SK1 and 2 significantly inhibited the electrophysiological changes, oxygen consumption, and amino acid levels induced by the hormone. These findings demonstrate the importance of S1P biosynthesis for the electrophysiological properties and oxidative metabolism of Adn in skeletal muscle cells.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Luca Conti, Gina Elena Giacomazzo, Barbara Valtancoli, Mauro Perfetti, Alberto Privitera, Claudia Giorgi, Patrick Severin Sfragano, Ilaria Palchetti, Sara Pecchioli, Paola Bruni, Francesca Cencetti
Summary: This study investigated the anti-cancer effect of highly charged Ru(II)-polypyridyl complexes as photosensitizers in photodynamic therapy. These complexes efficiently produced singlet oxygen and reactive oxygen species, leading to programmed cell death and anti-tumor activity in ovarian cancer cells.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Nicolas Pala, Begona Jimenez, Jose L. Roscales, Marco Bertolino, Davide Baroni, Blanca Figuerola, Conxita Avila, Simonetta Corsolini
Summary: Antarctic benthic organisms, especially sponges, have been found to bioaccumulate persistent organic pollutants (POPs). However, the role and contamination levels of sponges in Antarctica have been largely overlooked. This study evaluated the bioaccumulation of legacy chlorinated POPs in 35 sponge samples from different locations in Antarctica. The results showed that the overall contamination levels were comparable to other Antarctic benthic organisms, and the predominant contaminants were lower chlorinated organochlorines, indicating long-range atmospheric transportation as the main contamination pathway.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2023)
