Dipartimento di Biologia, Ecologia e Scienze della Terra - Tesi di dottorato

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://lisa.unical.it/handle/10955/34

Questa collezione raccoglie le Tesi di Dottorato afferenti al Dipartimento Dipartimento di Biologia, Ecologia e Scienze della Terra dell'Università della Calabria.

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    Adaptative response of Posidonia oceanica (L.) Delile leaves to salt water and to depth: PoPIP1;1 aquaporin involvement and anatomical strategies evolution
    (2009) Nicastro, Silvia; Musacchio, Aldo; Innocenti, Anna Maria; Giuseppe Passalacqua, Nicodemo Giuseppe
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    Alterazioni morfo-funzionali indotte da contaminanti ambientali in due specie di Teleostei
    (2017-11-26) Madeo, Giuseppe; Canonaco, Marcello; Brunelli, Elvira; Bernabò, Ilaria
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    Analisi dell'isolamento riproduttivo nelle orchidee mediterranee
    (2014-03-20) Scopece, Giovanni; Innocenti, Anna Maria; Musacchio, Aldo
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    Analysis of C538T polymorphims of the SSADH gene in humans: functional and evolutionary aspects
    (2007) Leone,Ofelia; Passarino,Giuseppe; De Benedictis,Giovanna
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    Angiotensin II and mechanisms of oxidative damage in HUVECs
    (2011-12-14) Carino, Annarita; Cerra, Maria Carmela; Martino, Guglielmo
    The endothelium is essential for the maintenance of vascular homeostasis. Central to this role is the production of endothelium – derived nitric oxide (EDNO), synthesized by endothelial isoform of nitric oxide synthase (eNOS). Endothelial dysfunction, manifested as impaired EDNO bioactivity, is an important early event in the development of various vascular disease, including hypertension, diabetes, genesis of tumors and atherosclerosis. Endothelial dysfunction is an early feature of atherosclerosis vascular disease, characterized by a decrease in nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability and a concomitant increase in vascular superoxide (O2 . -) formation. Loss of NO bioavailability precedes the development of overt atherosclerosis and is an independent predictor of adverse cardiovascular events. Indeed, decreased NO and enhanced production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) have been recognized as major determinants of age-associated endothelial dysfunction. The degree of impairment of EDNO bioactivity is a determinant of future vascular complications. Accordingly, growing interest exists in the pathologic mechanism involved. However it is clear that immunologic mechanisms operating in the context of common cardiovascular risk factors lead to impaired endothelial function, mainly as a consequence of decreased NO bioavailability and excessive oxidative stress. The work submitted in this thesis describes on one side studies aimed to investigate cellular mechanisms underlying endothelial dysfunction and vascular damages driven by oxidative stress in the context of aging, hypertension and atherosclerosis using in vitro models. In addition, we desired to evaluate the efficacy of reducing agents such as flavonoid to monitor whether they actually have an action to recover from the cellular oxidative damage by these natural compounds and how real is their action at the level of microcirculation in vitro models. On the other side, we present studies focused on the pathophysiology of microcirculation as far as functional aspects are concerned in the context to better understand the functioning of the Renin- Angiotensin-System in particular if the Angiotensin IV is involved in mechanisms of oxidative stress and in Calcium intracellular levels.
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    Approccio metodologico per lo studio di malte ed intonaci archeologici del Mediterraneo
    (2013-11-04) De Luca, Raffaella; Pantano, Pietro; Crisci, Gino Mirocle; Miriello, Domenico
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    Arm growth and regeneration in octopus (Octopus vulgaris and Eledone moschata)
    (Università della Calabria, 2020-02-12) Baldascino, Elena; Cerra, Maria Carmela; Fiorito, Graziano
    Here I evaluated the timing and rate of arm regeneration in octopus, a cephalopod mollusc, and contributed to the understanding of the molecular machinery involved in arm growth and regeneration in two octopus’ species: Octopus vulgaris and Eledone moschata. This work stands and revisit in part the first experimental study on arm regeneration in cephalopod molluscs, including the two species carried out by M. Lange (1920). An arm of octopus may fully regenerate and regrowth in few months after amputation. Lange recognized three stages: wound healing, tissue degeneration and tissue renewal. I applied the 3Rs principle to this study utilizing samples and data from a previous study, thus limiting the number or live animals humanely killed for the purpose of this PhD project. During the analysis of data, I found the same three stages in O. vulgaris arm regeneration to occur. I was not able to observe similar series of events in E. moschata, probably due to limited time and conditions of the animals. I found that O. vulgaris increased significantly body weight in 21 weeks. The growth appeared to be affected by repeated anesthesia, thus encouraging further studies on the physiological responses to stress in octopus. Data I analyzed confirm the view that O. vulgaris is characterized by rapid non-asymptotic growth, with high individual variability. Octopuses elongate their arms continuing to grow over time with no significant difference in the relative rate of elongation between anterior and posterior arms. The arms that underwent to regeneration, appear to have a faster growth when compared with the contralateral arms (but repeated anesthesia influenced the rate of growth of regenerating arms). Data analyzed extent the study of Lange, by providing morphometric information on the relative growth rate of the arms (regenerating vs contralateral), for the first time. A significant change in the relative expression profile of the tip vs the proximal part of the arm in O. vulgaris was observed using different approaches, confirming and extending the view that the tip the arm represents an exceptional biological system where continuous growth is achieved through massive cellular differentiation and interesting molecular events. I identified 39 genes in O. vulgaris and seven in E. moschata and studied their involvement in arm growth and/or regeneration events in octopus arms. These studies are novel.
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    Arm growth and regeneration in octopus (Octopus vulgaris and Eledone moschata)
    (Università della Calabria, 2020-02-07) Baldascino, Elena; Cerra, Carmela; Fiorito, Graziano
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    Aspetti citotassonomici, embriologici e morfologici del genere taraxacum Wigg. (Asteraceae) in Calabria
    (2006) Aquaro, Gabriella; Innocenti, Anna Maria; Cesca, Giuliano
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    Aspetti genetici dell'evoluzione linguistica nelle popolazioni umane: un'analisi comparativa e interdisciplinare
    (2017-07-12) Vigna, Mara; Pantano, Pietro; Passarino, Giuseppe; Dato, Serena
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    Aspetti neurocomportamentali e possibili approcci terapeutici del Disturbo dello Spettro Autistico nel modello roditore BTBR T+Itpr3tf/J (BTBR)
    (Università della Calabria, 2024-04-29) Olivito, Ilaria; Angelone, Tommaso; Facciolo, Rosa Maria
    Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental syndrome characterized by a diverse range of clinical manifestations, encompassing social deficits and repetitive stereotypical behaviors. These symptoms often coexist with psychiatric and medical comorbidities, adding intricacy to the pathological profile of the disorder. The pervasive prevalence and enduring symptoms across the lifespan underscore the significant public health impact of ASD. However, the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms remain poorly understood, and there is a current lack of specific targeted medications. Given the intricate and heterogeneous nature of the symptomatology associated with this syndrome, the adoption of a multifaceted approach emerges as a valuable strategy to deepen the comprehension of its pathophysiology and advance more effective therapeutic interventions. Within these strategic considerations, inducing a ketogenic metabolic state presents a promising avenue, capable of mitigating abnormal behaviors while concurrently ameliorating psychological and sociological aspects across various neurological conditions. This approach operates through diverse molecular pathways, including the modulation of the gut microbiota, identified as a pivotal center for brain regulation. In the context of addressing these challenges, the current doctoral project aims to significantly contribute to the comprehension of ASD's pathophysiology. This is achieved through a comprehensive exploration of behavioral aspects, molecular dynamics, the association with the gut microbiota, and potential therapeutic strategies. Noteworthy is the adopted methodological approach, which involves analyzing the effects of ketosis in the BTBR rodent model of autism, encompassing both in vivo and in vitro assessments. This analysis includes evaluations of behavioral performance, key molecular mechanisms, and integration with the assessment of the gut microbiota. Results from an initial in vivo study demonstrated that the adoption of a ketogenic diet (KD) notably mitigated social deficit (p=0.002), repetitive behaviors (p<0.001), and memory impairments (p=0.001) in BTBR mice. These behavioral enhancements were associated with reduced levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-6 in the plasma (p=0.007; p<0.001, and p=0.023, respectively), prefrontal cortex (PFC; p=0.006; p=0.04, and p=0.03), and hippocampus (HIP; p=0.02; p=0.09, and p=0.03). Furthermore, the KD mitigated oxidative stress, evidenced by modifications in lipid peroxidation levels (TBARS) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in the brain areas of BTBR mice. Of particular interest, the KD positively influenced beneficial microbiota (Akkermansia and Blautia) and normalized aberrant levels of Lactobacillus in the feces of BTBR mice, underlining its neurophysiological impact through the modulation of the gut microbiota. The correlation between gut microbiota modulation and behavioral changes is substantiated by a meticulous analysis of the effects of five Lactobacillus strains in a study conducted during the planned abroad period within the doctoral project. This specific investigation unveiled a differential impact of the strains L. salivarius - LS7892, L. gasseri - LG6410, L. plantarum - LP14D, L. reuteri - LR92, and L. camelliae - LC LMG 24277 on social behavior, motor activity, and anxiety in BTBR mice. Particularly noteworthy, LS7892 emerged as a potential probiotic for ASD treatment among the examined strains. Following in vitro investigations revealed alterations in the cytoskeletal and synaptic organization in PFC and HIP neurons of BTBR, linked to fluctuations in Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) expression levels. The induction of a ketogenic state exhibited a beneficial modulation of the neural network, stabilizing compromised connections, and significantly increasing BDNF levels (p<0.001). In conclusion, the outcomes of this doctoral project underscore the significant relevance of the ketogenic approach and the modulation of the gut microbiota in the context of ASD. This research contributes to a more profound understanding of the pathophysiological foundations, offering innovative perspectives for the development of personalized and targeted therapeutic approaches.
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    Azione cardiaca della catestatina in Rana esculenta
    (2014-03-26) Barbieri, Sandra Francesca; Canonaco, Marcello; Gattuso, Alfonsina; Mazza, Rosa
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    Biodiversità dei carabidi e conservazione degli ambienti forestali
    (2014-03-25) Pulieri, Valeria; Cerra, Maria Carmela; Brandmayr, Pietro
    4 Abstract Resilience, stability and resistence of forest ecosystems are the main properties providing the conservation of those habitats and allowing the maintenance of processes essential for the “ecosystem services” supply. In front of climate change and other disturbances coming from human activities, it is of fundamental importance to watch and check stability status of ecosystems. Ground beetles, good bioindicators, by their community composition, functional groups and morphometric sensitivity, provide indicators on habitat conservation evaluation and contribute to identify little changes among areas looking similar. The analisys of biodiversity could be improved by considering the above factors, enhancing the functional role of single species of the community.
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    Carabid beetles as natural antagonists of the olive fly Bactrocera oleae Rossi 1790
    (2014-03-20) Odoguardi, Rosalba; Canonaco, Marcello; Zetto, Tullia; Bonacci, Teresa
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    Caratteri neotettonici del bordo nord orientale dell’Arco Calabro
    (2010) Folino Gallo,Michele; Russo,Franco; Tansi,Carlo
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