To investigate the role of integrin alpha 7 in muscle pathology, we used a "candidate gene" approach in a large cohort of muscular dystrophy/myopathy patients. Antibodies against the intracellular domain of the integrin alpha 7A and alpha 7B were used to stain muscle biopsies from 210 patients with muscular dystrophy/myopathy of unknown etiology. Levels of alpha 7A and alpha 7B integrin were found to be decreased in 35 of 210 patients (approximately 17%). In six of these patients no integrin alpha 7B was detected. Screening for alpha 7B mutation in 30 of 35 patients detected only one integrin alpha 7 missense mutation (the mutation on the second allele was not found) in a patient presenting with a congenital muscular dystrophy-like phenotype. No integrin alpha 7 gene mutations were identified in all of the other patients showing integrin alpha 7 deficiency. In the process of mutation analysis, we identified a novel integrin alpha 7 isoform presenting 72-bp deletion. This isoform results from a partial deletion of exon 21 due to the use of a cryptic splice site generated by a G to A missense mutation at nucleotide position 2644 in integrin alpha 7 cDNA. This spliced isoform is present in about 12% of the chromosomes studied. We conclude that secondary integrin alpha 7 deficiency is rather common in muscular dystrophy/myopathy of unknown etiology, emphasizing the multiple mechanisms that may modulate integrin function and stability.

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The present paper reports a research on reproductive parameters and larval rearing of red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) maintained in captivity for the first time in Europe. Red drum juveniles were obtained from United States in the late 90s. In early January 2013, 40 in total male and female red drums ranging from 34 to 47 cm in length were held in a 25 m 3 rectangular tank with a closed recirculating system with a water flow of 6000 L/h, located in Lesina (FG) fish farm (Southern Italy). Water temperature and salinity ranged between 21.0 and 28.8°C and from 25 to 27 g/L respectively. The fish were fed commercial feed pellet (46% protein) at 1.1% of body weight daily. Sexual maturation occurred during the natural breeding season of red drum. Approximately 43 spawns were recorded by the end of July and continuing to mid-September, with mean number of 66.5 millions of eggs collected overall on spawn period. Batch fecundity (3.325*10 6 ova per female) and relative fecundity (361.41 ova/g body weight) were calculated. Fertilisation rate was 30 to 80%. Larvae were hatched at a mean total length of 2.40±0.33 mm and showed a gradual increase in size of approximately 0.378 mm/day for the first 40 day after hatching (DAH). Cannibalism was observed as larger larvae preyed on smaller ones; to limit the phenomenon red drum population was selected for size at 35 DAH. Reliable information on fecundity and larval stage is essential for encouraging Sciaenops ocellatus farming also in Mediterranean countries.