Publications by authors named "Bachisio Mario Padedda"
Article Synopsis
- The rise in neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's and ALS is linked to a mix of genetic and environmental factors, particularly toxins from cyanobacteria.
- Research has focused on L-BMAA, a toxin associated with these diseases, revealing that it disrupts cellular stress pathways and autophagic processes.
- This disruption leads to the buildup of proteins like α-synuclein and TDP43, which are key markers in Parkinson's and ALS, showcasing specific changes in how TDP43 behaves in the presence of the toxin.
The temperature of surface and epilimnetic waters, closely related to regional air temperatures, responds quickly and directly to climatic changes. As a result, lake surface temperature (LSWT) can be considered an effective indicator of climate change. In this study, we reconstructed and investigated historical and future LSWT across different scenarios for over 80 major lakes in mainland Southeast Asia (SEA), an ecologically diverse region vulnerable to climate impacts.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- The study examined how soil salinity, plant richness, and diversity are influenced by habitat type, site, and distance from the seashore in north-western Sardinia.
- Soil salinity levels were notably higher in rocky habitats compared to sandy ones, and vegetation diversity varied, with rocky sites hosting 21 species and sandy sites 30 species per transect.
- The findings indicate that coastal gradients of soil salinity exist in the Mediterranean, impacting vascular plant richness and diversity based on distance from the sea, while the overall site effect was minimal.
The prevalence of neurodegenerative disease (ND) is increasing, partly owing to extensions in lifespan, with a larger percentage of members living to an older age, but the ND aetiology and pathogenesis are not fully understood, and effective treatments are still lacking. Neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis are generally thought to progress as a consequence of genetic susceptibility and environmental influences. Up to now, several environmental triggers have been associated with NDs, and recent studies suggest that some cyanotoxins, produced by cyanobacteria and acting through a variety of molecular mechanisms, are highly neurotoxic, although their roles in neuropathy and particularly in NDs are still controversial.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIn this study, the field ecology of Kryptoperidinium sp. was examined in two Mediterranean shallow lagoons, Calich (CA) and Santa Giusta (SG) in Sardinia, Italy. Kryptoperidinium cell density and the environmental conditions were examined monthly from 2008 to 2015 in CA and from 2011 to 2016 in SG.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIn this article, the floristic lists and the seasonal mean cell volumes of phytoplankton taxa observed in three Mediterranean lagoons are reported. These datasets include 40 species, 67 other taxa identified at least at genus level, and further 13 taxa attributed only at order or class level. These data are associated with Pulina et al.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- A comprehensive study on plankton dynamics was performed at various aquatic sites in Italy, focusing on both phytoplankton and zooplankton over time.
- The research revealed key environmental factors such as nutrient levels, water stratification, and freshwater inflow, which significantly influence seasonal changes in plankton communities.
- It also found that while long-term trends were uncommon, many sites faced multiple disturbances from human activity, climate variation, and nutrient inputs, showcasing the complex interactions affecting aquatic ecosystems.
Harmful algal blooms represent a severe issue worldwide. They affect ecosystem functions and related services and goods, with consequences on human health and socio-economic activities. This study reports new data on paralytic shellfish toxins (PSTs) from Sardinia and Sicily (Italy), the largest Mediterranean islands where toxic events, mainly caused by Alexandrium species (Dinophyceae), have been ascertained in mussel farms since the 2000s.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFRecurrent blooms of Chattonella subsalsa (Raphidophyceae) were associated with fish kills in Santa Giusta Lagoon (Mediterranean Sea). This study investigated the population dynamics of C. subsalsa and its relationship with environmental and meteorological conditions, using multiannual ecological data (1990-2016).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- The study evaluated cyanobacteria and microcystins in four Sardinian reservoirs with varying trophic status to establish a reference for future environmental changes.
- Monthly samples were collected over 18 months, revealing significant differences in cyanobacterial abundance and species composition among the reservoirs, linked to trophic, hydrological, and seasonal factors.
- New potential microcystin producers were identified, highlighting the region's biodiversity and the need for localized research to inform water resource management amid climate change impacts.