Multidimensional natal isotopic niches reflect migratory patterns in birds.

Naturally occurring stable isotope ratios in animal tissues allow estimation of species trophic position and ecological niche. Measuring multiple isotopes of migratory species along flyway bottlenecks offers the opportunity to sample multiple populations and species whose tissues carry information at continental scales. We measured δ2H, δ18O, δ13C, δ15N in juvenile feathers of 21 bird species captured at a migratory bottleneck in the Italian Alps. We examined if trends in individual isotopes reflected known migratory strategies and whether dietary (δ13C-δ15N) and spatially-explicit breeding origin (δ2H-δ18O) niche breadth (NB) differed among long-distance trans-Saharan (TS), short-distance (IP) and irruptive (IR) intra-Palearctic migrants, and whether they correlated with reported populations long-term trends. In both TS and IP groups, species δ2H declined with capture date, indicating that northern populations reached the stopover site later in the season, following a Type-I migration strategy. Values of δ2H indicated that breeding range of TS migrants extended farther north than IP and IR migrants. The breeding season was longer for IP migrants whose δ13C and δ15N values declined and increased, respectively, with time of capture. Average species dietary NB did not differ among migratory groups, but TS migrants displayed wider breeding origin niches, suggesting that long-distant migration is linked to broader ecological niches. Isotope origin NB well reflected species geographic range extent, while dietary NB did not correlate with literature accounts of species' diet. We found no relationship between species breeding NB and population trends in Europe, suggesting that conditions in the breeding grounds, as inferred by stable isotopes, are not the only determinant of species' long-term persistence. We demonstrate that ringing activities and isotopic measurements of passerines migrating through a bottleneck represents a unique opportunity to investigate large-scale life-history phenomena relevant to conservation.

Onsite and online FT-NIR spectroscopy for the estimation of total nitrogen and moisture content in poultry manure.

The nitrogen and moisture of manure are highly variable parameters and depend on animal type, husbandry techniques, environmental conditions and storage time. The precision in manure dose estimation for crops fertilization depends on the total nitrogen and moisture content just before its incorporation in the field. The aim of the study is to develop a Fourier Transform Near Infrared (FT-NIR) spectroscopy method to determine the total Kjeldhal nitrogen (TKN%) and moisture (M%) of different types of poultry manure prior to land application. Samples covering a wide range of poultry types and different husbandry conditions were obtained from farms of North-Eastern Italy in order to develop the method. The method was calibrated (R(2) = 0.94 for TKN%, R(2) = 0.99 for M%) and validated (R(2) = 0.82 for TKN%, R(2) = 0.95 for M%) in the laboratory. An external validation was also performed in situ with independent samples, of similar origin to the previous data set, which were collected just before application in the field. Spectra acquisitions for these samples were carried out using the same instrumentation which was placed in a special vehicle for monitoring campaigns. The results showed satisfactory prediction accuracy (R(2) = 0.82 for TKN%, R(2) = 0.93 for M%). Finally, an additional analysis was performed to discriminate the different types of poultry effluents. The TKN and M measurements in the disposal areas indicated that current agronomic practices lead to more than double poultry manure oversupply. The proposed FT-NIR methodology aims to improve the current fertilization management and environmental protection by providing fast and precise estimations of poultry manure doses prior to land application.

Traces of medieval migrations in a socially stratified population from Northern Italy. Evidence from uniparental markers and deep-rooted pedigrees.

Social and cultural factors had a critical role in determining the genetic structure of Europe. Therefore, socially stratified populations may help to focus on specific episodes of European demographic history. In this study, we use uniparental markers to analyse the genetic structure of Partecipanza in San Giovanni in Persiceto (Northern Italy), a peculiar institution whose origins date back to the Middle Ages and whose members form the patrilineal descent of a group of founder families. From a maternal point of view (mtDNA), Partecipanza is genetically homogeneous with the rest of the population. However, we observed a significant differentiation for Y-chromosomes. In addition, by comparing 17 Y-STR profiles with deep-rooted paternal pedigrees, we estimated a Y-STR mutation rate equal to 3.90 * 10(-3) mutations per STR per generation and an average generation duration time of 33.38 years. When we used these values for tentative dating, we estimated 1300-600 years ago for the origins of the Partecipanza. These results, together with a peculiar Y-chromosomal composition and historical evidence, suggest that Germanic populations (Lombards in particular) settled in the area during the Migration Period (400-800 AD, approximately) and may have had an important role in the foundation of this community.

Anodic electrochemical oxidation of cholic acid.

Regioselectivity in the anodic electrochemical oxidation of cholic acid with different anodes is described. The oxidation with PbO(2) anode affords the dehydrocholic acid in quantitative yield after 22 h. 3alpha,12alpha-Dihydroxy-7-oxo-5beta-cholan-24-oic acid (59%) and 3alpha-hydroxy-7,12-dioxo-5beta-cholan-24-oic acid (51%) are obtained stopping the reaction at lower time. The rate of the OH-oxidation is C7 > C12 > C3. The electro-oxidation with platinum foil anode gives selectively the 7-ketocholic acid in 40% yield. On the other hand, the graphite plate anode, varying the reaction conditions, produces selectively the dehydrocholic acid in quantitative yield or the 3alpha,12alpha-dihydroxy-7-oxo-5beta-cholan-24-oic acid (96%) while the 3alpha,7alpha-dihydroxy-12-oxo-5beta-cholan-24-oic acid (34%) is obtained together with the other oxo acids.

Synthesis of 7- and 12-hydroxy- and 7,12-dihydroxy-3-keto-5 beta-cholan-24-oic acids by reduction of 3,7-, 3,12- and 3,7,12-oxo derivatives.

7 alpha-, 12 alpha-, 12 beta-Hydroxy and 7 alpha,12 alpha- and 7 alpha,12 beta-dihydroxy-3-ketocholanoic acids were prepared in satisfactory yields protecting the 3-keto group as dimethyl ketal and subsequent reduction with sodium borohydride of the corresponding 7- and 12-oxo functionalities. The same procedure gave also 3,12-diketo-7 alpha-hydroxy-cholanoic acid.

[Familial occurrence of leukemia. Cytogenetic considerations apropos of 2 cases]. / Familiarità leucemica. Considerazioni citogenetiche a proposito di due casi.

The authors describe a case of family leukemia: an acute myeloid leukemia preceded by Pelger's anomaly in a 77 year old brother and a chronic myeloid leukemia chromosome Ph + in a 71 years old sister, sixteen years after the first one. The authors formulate a hypothesis that both haematologic diseases may have in common a mistake of transcription caused by an anomalous m RNA.

[Aneurysms of the abdominal aorta. Clinical evaluation and therapeutic criteria]. / Gli aneurismi dell'aorta addominale. Valutazione clinica e criteri terapeutici.

On the basis of their own experience and of the most recent acquisitions published in the literature, the authors report on aneurysms of the abdominal aorta which are observed with increasing frequency. After discussing the etiopathogenesis, they dwell on the principal clinical problems of the disease, especially those concerning early diagnosis. Thanks to new acquisitions in vascular surgery, early detection may in fact allow of highly satisfactory therapeutic results.

No effect of ketoconazole on thyroid function of normals and thyrotoxic patients.

To investigate a putative inhibitory effect of the antifungal agent ketoconazole on thyroid function, five patients with thyrotoxicosis and ten normal subjects were treated with ketoconazole at high doses (600 mg daily in three 200 mg oral doses) for four weeks. TSH, TT3, TT4FT3 and FT4 were measured before and after the end of treatment. In all of the normal subjects no significant modifications of circulating thyroid hormones and TSH were detected. In patients with thyrotoxicosis an increase of the levels of circulating thyroid hormones and a worsening of clinical signs were observed. However, this behaviour could not be related to an action of the drug since it not differ from the normal evolution of untreated hyperfunctional thyroid disease. These findings confirm the lack of any inhibitory effect of ketoconazole on the synthesis of thyroid hormones and thyroid function.

Clinical and hormonal effects of ketoconazole on hirsutism in women.

Twelve women affected by functional postpuberal hirsutism were administered daily with 400 mg of ketoconazole. A significant reduction in the levels of concentration of circulating androgens (T, DEA-S, D4) was observed. A rapid clinical improvement of hirsutism and acne was noted and was even appreciable after treatment had been completed. This study is a further confirmation of the prevalent antiandrogenic action of ketoconazole, seen in its inhibiting effect on steroid synthesis in the adrenal and gonadal glands, and as such indicates that this drug is a useful alternative treatment of hirsutism in women.

No effect of ketoconazole on thyroid function of normal subjects and hypothyroid patients.

To investigate a possible inhibitory effect of the antifungal agent ketoconazole on thyroid function, five patients with hypothyroidism and ten normal subjects were treated with ketoconazole at high doses (600 mg/daily in three 20-mg oral doses) for four weeks. The thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), and also TT3, TT4, FT3 and FT4, were measured before and after the end of treatment. In all of the subjects of our study, both normal and hypothyroid patients no significant modifications of circulating thyroid hormones and TSH were detected. Both normal and hypothyroid subjects did not show clinical changes of thyroid function as compared with the basal condition. These findings do not support any inhibitory effect of ketoconazole on the synthesis of thyroid hormones and thyroid function.

The effect of ketoconazole on sebum secretion in patients suffering from acne and seborrhoea.

Ketoconazole, an imidazolic antimycotic derivative, has proved to have an antiandrogenous effect, which may be observed to inhibit the adrenal and gonadal steroid synthesis. The authors wished to verify this effect of the drug in men and women suffering from acne and seborrhoea, conditions believed to indicate a heightened androgenous effect in the sebaceous gland. They aimed to do this by studying the cutaneous sebum, which is considered a reliable indirect indicator of androgenous activity. They found a statistically significant decrease in the rate of sebum production in all patients administered with a single daily oral dose of ketoconazole (200 mg). Moreover no untoward side-effects were reported. The anti-androgenous property of ketoconazole would therefore suggest that the drug could be proposed as a useful alternative in the treatment of acne and seborrhoea.