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We investigated the presence and diversity of cetaceans in the Mediterranean Sea, analysing the data collected by 32 different research units, over a period of 15 years (2004–2018), and shared on the common web-GIS platform named Intercet. We used the encounter rate, the species prevalence, and the Shannon diversity index as parameters for data analysis. The results show that cetacean diversity, in the context of the Mediterranean basin, is generally quite low when compared with the eastern Atlantic, as few species, namely the striped dolphin, the bottlenose dolphin, the fin whale, and the sperm whale, dominate over all the others. However, some areas, such as the Alboran Sea or the north-western Mediterranean Sea, which includes the Pelagos Sanctuary (the Specially Protected Area of Mediterranean Interest located in the northern portion of the western basin), show higher levels of diversity and should be considered hotspots to be preserved. Primary production and seabed profile seem to be the two main drivers influencing the presence and distribution of cetaceans, with the highest levels of diversity observed in areas characterized by high levels of primary production and high bathymetric variability and gradient. This collective work underlines the importance of data sharing to deepen our knowledge on marine fauna at the scale of the whole Mediterranean Sea and encourages greater efforts in the networking process, also to accomplish the requirements of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, with particular reference to Descriptor 1: biological diversity is maintained.

The identification of significant habitats for highly mobile marine vertebrates is essential for their conservation. Evidence is often difficult to obtain for deep-diving species such as sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus), where standard visual survey methods are not sufficient to detect the species. Sperm whales rely on sound for most of their activities, so acoustics is a crucial tool to locate them in the environment and collect information about their daily life. We used a maximum entropy (MaxEnt) modeling approach to predict potential habitats for sperm whales during 2007–2015 in an area of the Mediterranean Sea (characterized by submarine canyon systems) where sperm whale singletons, social units of females and calves, and clusters with immature males, were regularly encountered in sympatry. Models to test species’ distribution and the potential differences between groups of varying composition and life stages were based on 3 independent variables (depth, slope, and Euclidean distance from the nearest coast) and a combination of presence-only visual and acoustic data from boat-based surveys. One variable (depth) was the strongest predictor in all encounters (pooled data) and clusters, whereas distance from coast and slope best predicted encounters with singletons and social units, respectively. The model predicted suitable locations in areas that were well-known sperm whale habitat and in new regions of previously overlooked habitat, which possibly represent key areas for this endangered species in the Mediterranean. This study highlights that consideration should be taken regarding type of social aggregation when using modeling techniques for generating suitable habitat maps for conservation purposes.

Effective species identification is crucial for the conservation and management of marine mammals, particularly in regions such as the Mediterranean Sea, where several cetacean populations are endangered or vulnerable. In this study, we developed and validated a High-Resolution Melting (HRM) analysis protocol for the rapid, cost-effective, and reliable identification of the four representative marine cetacean species that occur in the Mediterranean Sea: the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus), the striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba), the sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus), and the fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus). Species-specific primers targeting mitochondrial DNA regions (cytochrome b and D-loop) were designed to generate distinct melting profiles. The protocol was tested on both tissue and fecal samples, demonstrating high sensitivity, reproducibility, and discrimination power. The results confirmed the robustness of the method, with melting curve profiles clearly distinguishing the target species and achieving a success rate > 95% in identifying unknown samples. The use of HRM offers several advantages over traditional sequencing methods, including reduced cost, speed, portability, and suitability for degraded samples, such as those from the stranded individuals. This approach provides a valuable tool for non-invasive genetic surveys and real-time species monitoring, contributing to more effective conservation strategies for cetaceans and enforcement of regulations against illegal trade.

Risso's dolphins are known for the persistency of their natural markings, possibly due to the loss of pigment during the healing process of skin wounds. Nonetheless, the actual longevity and reliability of each mark type has never been assessed. In this paper, we used photographs to investigate the etiology of skin marks in the species, analyze their distribution and temporal variability, and discuss implications for photo identification. Nineteen mark types were described on the dorsal fin of Risso's dolphin, including 2 new to the literature: the snake-like mark and the protruding fat. Longevity of skin marks ranged from 6 years for the protruding fat to several decades for scrapes and dots. Persistent and reliable marks were notch, tooth-rake, and thick single and parallel scrapes. Mark change was sufficiently low that all mark types could be used for photo identification, provided that backlit or underexposed images were discarded as photographs taken under suboptimal light conditions proved to be unreliable. Finally, mark distribution and variability were unequal between age classes; juveniles were less marked and showed a higher rate of mark change than older individuals so that, even if they possessed enough notches to be classified as reliably marked, they could be confidently matched over a time interval of up to 3 years.

The common bottlenose dolphin is a cosmopolitan species that can be found worldwide in all oceans except polar and sub-polar waters. This wide distribution is associated with a certain level of morphological variation, which seems consistent with the presence of a globally distributed pelagic/offshore ecotype and several coastal/inshore ecotypes distributed along the continental shelf. In the Mediterranean Sea, the common bottlenose dolphin is a regularly occurring species and the second most sighted cetacean after the striped dolphin. According to some studies, the Mediterranean bottlenose dolphin is more closely related to the Atlantic coastal ecotype, while others suggest a closer link with the pelagic ecotype. This apparent contradiction could stem from the coexistence of two ecotypes also within the Mediterranean Sea, as suggested by genetic analyses. We analysed data collected from 2004 to 2019 by 43 different research groups, distributed in different areas of the basin, and shared on the web-based GIS platform Intercet. We analysed the distribution and movements of 4919 bottlenose dolphins, individually identified through their natural dorsal fin markings, in relation to bathymetry and in particular to the 200-meter isobath that marks the edge of the continental shelf. In addition, we reconstructed the associations between individuals within connectivity networks, to identify possible segregations between ecotypes. Our results show that most bottlenose dolphin geographical units find their habitat over the continental shelf, while the analysed data do not support the coexistence of different ecotypes (pelagic vs. coastal) living in parapatry, as described in the adjacent waters of the eastern Atlantic Ocean.

An unusual observation of a hagfish (Myxine glutinosa) anchored to a living bottlenose dolphin (Tursiopstruncatus) was documented in an encounter with a group of about 80 dolphins during an ongoing long-term research program on cetaceans in the central Mediterranean Sea, Italy. The body of the hagfish was observed extruding from the blowhole of the bottlenose dolphin showing a stereotypical surfacing–breathing pattern. The observation lasted 2 h; photo-identification, acoustic, and behavioral data were collected. Succorant behaviors (i.e., “standing by”) from conspecifics and overlapping vocalizations during social phases were recorded. The dolphin was encountered again after 1 month in the same area without the hagfish, apparently in healthy conditions.

Acinetobacter nosocomialis is a Gram-negative opportunistic pathogen, whose ability to cause disease in humans is well recognized. Blue light has been shown to modulate important physiological traits related to persistence and virulence in this microorganism. In this work, we characterized the three Blue Light sensing Using FAD (BLUF) domain-containing proteins encoded in the A . nosocomialis genome, which account for the only canonical light sensors present in this microorganism. By focusing on a light-modulated bacterial process such as motility, the temperature dependence of light regulation was studied, as well as the expression pattern and spectroscopic characteristics of the different A . nosocomialis BLUFs. Our results show that the BLUF-containing proteins AnBLUF65 and AnBLUF46 encode active photoreceptors in the light-regulatory temperature range when expressed recombinantly. In fact, AnBLUF65 is an active photoreceptor in the temperature range from 15°C to 37°C, while AnBLUF46 between 15°C to 32°C, in vitro . In vivo , only the Acinetobacter baumannii BlsA’s ortholog AnBLUF65 was expressed in A . nosocomialis cells recovered from motility plates. Moreover, complementation assays showed that AnBLUF65 is able to mediate light regulation of motility in A . baumannii ΔblsA strain at 30°C, confirming its role as photoreceptor and in modulation of motility by light. Intra-protein interactions analyzed using 3D models built based on A . baumannii ´s BlsA photoreceptor, show that hydrophobic/aromatic intra-protein interactions may contribute to the stability of dark/light- adapted states of the studied proteins, reinforcing the previous notion on the importance of these interactions in BLUF photoreceptors. Overall, the results presented here reveal the presence of BLUF photoreceptors in A . nosocomialis with idiosyncratic characteristics respect to the previously characterized A . baumannii ’s BlsA, both regarding the photoactivity temperature-dependency as well as expression patterns, contributing thus to broaden our knowledge on the BLUF family.

We have previously shown that Acinetobacter baumannii as well as other relevant clinical bacterial pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa , perceive and respond to light at 37 °C, the normal temperature in mammal hosts. In this work, we present evidence indicating that the two-component system BfmRS transduces a light signal in A. baumannii at this temperature, showing selective involvement of the BfmR and BfmS components depending on the specific cellular process. In fact, both BfmR and BfmS participate in modulation of motility by light, while only BfmR is involved in light regulation of desiccation tolerance in this microorganism. Neither BfmR nor BfmS contain a photoreceptor domain and then most likely, the system is sensing light indirectly. Intriguingly, this system inhibits blsA expression at 37 °C, suggesting antagonistic functioning of both signaling systems. Furthermore, we present evidence indicating that the phosphorylatable form of BfmR represses motility. Overall, we provide experimental evidence on a new biological function of this multifaceted system that broadens our understanding of A. baumannii ’s physiology and responses to light.

Epilepsy encompasses a group of chronic brain disorders characterized by recurrent, hypersynchronous activity of neuronal clusters, with epileptic seizures being the primary manifestation of these disorders. The objective of epilepsy treatment is to prevent seizures with minimum adverse side effects. However, approximately 30 % of patients do not respond to available medications. One proposed mechanism of epileptogenesis is glutamate excitotoxicity. When released in excess or not appropriately removed from the synaptic cleft, glutamate hyperactivates receptors, causing a biochemical cascade, which culminates in seizures and cell death. The use of animal models is essential for uncovering potential epileptogenic pathways, understanding the role of receptors and transporters in excitotoxicity, and screening effective antiepileptic treatments. This review examines studies that investigate the role of glutamate transporters and receptors in excitotoxicity and epileptogenesis using animal models. For this, we searched through both PubMed/Medline and ScienceDirect databases. After applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 26 (twenty-six) studies were selected for analysis. The studies addressed key glutamate transporter family of excitatory amino acid transporters (EAATs) EAAT1, EAAT2, and EAAT3, responsible for glutamate clearance, as well as AMPA receptor subunits GluA1 and GluA2, NMDA receptor subunits GluN1, GluN2a, and GluN2b, and the metabotropic receptors mGluR5 and mGluR2/3. Results showed that the dysregulation of these transporters and receptors is associated to seizure induction and excitotoxic damage, pointing to their fundamental role in the mechanisms of excitotoxicity and epileptogenesis. These findings highlight the potential of targeting glutamate transporters and receptors to stabilize glutamate homeostasis as an intervention in epilepsy management.

ObjectiveOur aim was to measure the prevalence of delirium, its clinical features, and outcomes in older patients referred to a memory clinic.MethodsA retrospective cohort study of 109 older outpatients with delirium referred to a memory clinic with a home care service. Delirium was diagnosed using the confusion assessment method and dementia with the DSM-5 criteria. We collected information on cognitive and functional status, mortality, institutionalization, and hospitalization during 6 months following the delirium episode.ResultsDelirium prevalence was 3.6%, mostly of hyperactive type. Delirium worsened functional (ADL 2.95 ± 1.95 vs. 2.16 ± 1.84) and cognitive (MMSE 13.88 ± 8.96 vs.11.0 ± 9.49) status after 6 months compared to the baseline. The mortality rate was 29.4%, and 28.3% were admitted to a long-term facility after the episode of delirium. Of these patients, more than half were hospitalized during the follow-up. Of the 109 patients with delirium, 85 were managed at home and 24 were hospitalized. Patients who were hospitalized had more severe behavioral symptoms during the delirium episode. There was no difference in mortality and institutionalization according to the home or hospital management.ConclusionsThis retrospective cohort study adds novel information to the existing literature of an understudied setting and population. The study supports the need to further investigate the feasibility and efficacy of the hospital at home models for the prevention and management of delirium in a high-risk population.