Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) still represents an important burden of neonatal care. The definition of the disease is currently undergoing several revisions, and, to date, BPD is actually defined by its treatment rather than diagnostic or clinic criteria. BPD is associated with many prenatal and postnatal risk factors, such as maternal smoking, chorioamnionitis, intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), parenteral nutrition, sepsis, and mechanical ventilation. Various experimental models have shown how these factors cause distorted alveolar and vascular growth, as well as alterations in the composition and differentiation of the mesenchymal cells of a newborn’s lungs, demonstrating a multifactorial pathogenesis of the disease. In addition, inflammation and oxidative stress are the common denominators of the mechanisms that contribute to BPD development. Vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGFA) constitutes the most prominent and best studied candidate for vascular development. Animal models have confirmed the important regulatory roles of epithelial-expressed VEGF in lung development and function. This educational review aims to discuss the inflammatory pathways in BPD onset for preterm newborns, focusing on the role of VEGFA and providing a summary of current and emerging evidence.

The recent increase in international fish trade leads to the need for improving the traceability of fishery products. In relation to this, consistent monitoring of the production chain focusing on technological developments, handling, processing and distribution via global networks is necessary. Molecular barcoding has therefore been suggested as the gold standard in seafood species traceability and labelling. This review describes the DNA barcoding methodology for preventing food fraud and adulteration in fish. In particular, attention has been focused on the application of molecular techniques to determine the identity and authenticity of fish products, to discriminate the presence of different species in processed seafood and to characterize raw materials undergoing food industry processes. In this regard, we herein present a large number of studies performed in different countries, showing the most reliable DNA barcodes for species identification based on both mitochondrial (COI, cytb, 16S rDNA and 12S rDNA) and nuclear genes. Results are discussed considering the advantages and disadvantages of the different techniques in relation to different scientific issues. Special regard has been dedicated to a dual approach referring to both the consumer’s health and the conservation of threatened species, with a special focus on the feasibility of the different genetic and genomic approaches in relation to both scientific objectives and permissible costs to obtain reliable traceability.

The problem of fish traceability in processed products is still an important issue in food safety. Major attention is nowadays dedicated to consumer health and prevention of possible frauds regulated by national and international laws. For this reason, a technical approach is fundamental in revealing mislabeling at different levels. In particular, the use of genetic markers has been standardized and DNA barcoding is considered the gold-standard strategy to examine and prevent species substitution. Considering the richness of available DNA databases, it is nowadays possible to rapidly reach a reliable taxonomy at the species level. Among different approaches, an innovative method based on DNA mini barcoding has recently been proposed at an international level. Starting from this evidence, we herein illustrate an investigation dealing with the evolution of this topic in Italy over the last decade. The molecular analysis of 71 commercial fish samples based on mini-COI sequencing with two different primer sets reached an amplification success rate of 87.3 and 97.2%. The investigation revealed four major frauds (5.8%) and four minor ones (5.8%). Results highlighted a decrease in incorrect labeling in Italy from 32% to 11.6% over the last decade, although a recurrent involvement of “endangered” species sensu IUCN was still observed.

The Italian wolf Canis lupus italicus faced near extinction in the 19th and early 20th centuries due to extensive persecution, habitat degradation, and prey depletion. Over the past 50 years, conservation efforts, legal protection, and habitat recovery have supported a resurgence, with recent estimates placing the population at approximately 3,300 individuals. Wolves have expanded into lowlands, plains, and coastal areas, including the highly anthropised Po Plain. This expansion intensifies human-wildlife conflicts, particularly in livestock farming and hunting. The invasive coypu (Myocastor coypus) and eastern cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus) have inflicted considerable ecological and economic damage in northern Italy. These populations are poorly controlled due to their ecological plasticity and lack of natural predators. Given the adaptability of wolves and their opportunistic diet, this study investigates whether they could become a significant prey species for wolves in plains environments, potentially contributing to their control while mitigating livestock predation. Through genetic analysis, scat morphology, and camera trapping, this study confirms the presence of coypu in the diet of a wolf pack in the Torrile and Trecasali Natural Reserve. These findings highlight the potential ecological role of wolves as indirect allies in managing invasive species, which could help alleviate economic and physical damage to agriculture and riverbanks, fostering more positive public attitudes and greater acceptance of the species.

In recent decades, new European pike species have been described, highlighting the invasion of Italy by a northern European taxon. Morphological and genetic data strongly support taxonomic differences between two separated ESUs (Evolutionary Significant Units), a northern and a southern taxon isolated by the alpine barrier. However, despite scientific advances, the historical occurrence of the northern European taxon in Italy prior to its recent expansion or introduction remains uncertain. This study analyzes iconographic representations of the genus Esox in European art, without the use of artificial intelligence tool, from the 13th to the twentieth century, to assess whether phenotypic differences depicted in artworks can provide insight into the historical distribution of northern and southern European pikes. Seventy-three out of 86 pictorial works (85%) depicting pikes allowed species-level attribution based on color patterns with proved taxonomic relevance described in the literature. The results reveal a strong association between depicted color patterns and the geographical and cultural background of the artists, suggesting the northern pike could have been absent in Italy before its documented introduction. Overall, by fostering interdisciplinary dialogue between art history and the natural sciences, this study highlights the potential of iconographic analysis as a complementary approach for investigating historical species distributions and providing additional evidence relevant to the study of biological invasions.