Spread of Citrus tristeza virus in an area of Sicily.

ACE insertion/deletion polymorfism and longevity

Investigation of marine and continental layers in a stalactite older than 1 million years (Custonaci, north-western sector of Sicily)

Questo lavoro si basa sul ritrovamento, in una grotta carsica, a 100 metri di quota a Custonaci in provincia di Trapani, di una stalattite di notevole interesse paleo climatico, ricoperta da coralli marini, la cui sezione rivela la presenza di 3 Iatus che denotano una interruzione della deposizione di carbonato continentale presumibilmente in seguito a trasgressioni marine. Il carbonato, datato attraverso la metodologia 230Th/U MC-ICPMS (NeptunePlus), ha fornito una età più antica del limite temporale massimo di applicabilità del metodo ( 600 ka). I coralli, che ricoprono il livello continentale più giovane, analizzati usando il rapporto 87Sr/86Sr, hanno fornito una età di 1.1±0.2 Myrs. Al…

Architecture and corals ecology of Tortonian-Messinian shallow-water bioherms (Las Negras basin, SE Spain).

International audience

Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus: Seed Transmission Rate and Efficacy of Different Seed Disinfection Treatments

Tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV) is a highly infectious virus, that is becoming a threat to tomato production worldwide. In this work we evaluated the localization of ToBRFV particles in tomato seeds, its seed transmission rate and efficacy of disinfection, and the effects of different thermal- and chemical-based treatments on ToBRFV-infected seeds&rsquo

The improvement of quality of life a indication for elective surgery in elderly patients with minimally symptomatic inguinal hernia.

AIM: Effectiveness of surgery on quality of life in elderly affected by minimally symptomatic inguinal hernia. MATERIAL OF STUDY: Forty male patients aging over 75 years affected by minimally symptomatic inguinal hernia were included. In the first group were allocated 15 patients who refused hernioplasty; in the second were included 25 patients who underwent early elective hernioplasty using an high density polypropylene mesh under local anesthesia. The SF-36 questionnaire was administered to all patients at the time of enrollment and 6 months after. RESULTS: All 8 domains of SF-36 and his related two comprhensive index, Mental Component Summary and Physical Component Summary scores, improv…

Photocatalytic Processes in Membrane Reactors

Conversion and degradation processes of various substrates in various types of matrices using both artificial and solar light are today very attractive by considering the scarcity and the expensiveness of the conventional energy sources. Coupling of membrane with light has shown to be very powerful and promising hybrid process, especially because a synergistic effect has been often observed. Some examples of reactions carried out to produce useful chemicals or to degrade noxious species in the framework of the green chemistry approach are reported. Fundamentals of heterogeneous photocatalysis, in general, and photocatalytic reactions in membrane reactors, in particular, are treated with a f…

B-type natriuretic peptides and thyroid disease

Defense-related gene expression in two olive cultivars inoculated with Pseudomonas savastanoi pv. savastanoi

Variability Among Italian Citrus tristeza virus Isolates Revealed by SSCP Analysis, Cloning and Sequencing

Real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction development for rapid detection of Tomato brown rugose fruit virus and comparison with other techniques

Background Tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV) is a highly infectious tobamovirus that causes severe disease in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) crops. In Italy, the first ToBRFV outbreak occurred in 2018 in several provinces of the Sicily region. ToBRFV outbreak represents a serious threat for tomato crops in Italy and the Mediterranean Basin. Methods Molecular and biological characterisation of the Sicilian ToBRFV ToB-SIC01/19 isolate was performed, and a sensitive and specific Real-time RT-PCR TaqMan minor groove binder probe method was developed to detect ToBRFV in infected plants and seeds. Moreover, four different sample preparation procedures (immunocapture, total RNA extractio…

Loop Mediated Isothermal Amplification: Principles and Applications in Plant Virology

In the last decades, the evolution of molecular diagnosis methods has generated different advanced tools, like loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP). Currently, it is a well-established technique, applied in different fields, such as the medicine, agriculture, and food industries, owing to its simplicity, specificity, rapidity, and low-cost efforts. LAMP is a nucleic acid amplification under isothermal conditions, which is highly compatible with point-of-care (POC) analysis and has the potential to improve the diagnosis in plant protection. The great advantages of LAMP have led to several upgrades in order to implement the technique. In this review, the authors provide an overview r…

Mixed infection of Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. Carotovorum and P. carotovorum subsp. Brasiliensis in tomato stem rot in Italy

Grafted tomato plants grown in a soilless culture system in heated greenhouses in Sicily were affected by stem rot disease. Symptoms consisted of dark brown longitudinal discoloration of the basal part of the stem and petioles. Longitudinal sections of the stem revealed brown watersoaked or soft-rotted pith tissue and internal vascular discoloration. Bacterial isolates with two different colony morphologies were obtained from symptomatic tissues. Isolates were identified as Pectobacterium spp. on the basis of biochemical and molecular analyses. The analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence and of the concatenated sequences of the housekeeping genes rpoS and pgi revealed that the isolates of th…

First report of tomato brown rugose fruit virus infecting sweet pepper in Italy

In January 2020, about 85% of a red sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum) crop in a greenhouse located in Ragusa province (Sicily, Italy) showed virus-like symptoms. Symptoms consisted of a slight mosaic and discoloration of young leaves, vein clearing on young leaves, browning of the stem with strong necrosis located in the intersection of the secondary branches, partial necrosis of the vegetative apex and marbling, mosaic and distortion of the fruits (Fig. 1). It is important to note that in 2019 the same greenhouse was cultivated with tomato, which had been removed due to extensive infection caused by Tomato brown rugose fruit virus

SARS-CoV-2 vaccination modelling for safe surgery to save lives: data from an international prospective cohort study

Abstract Background Preoperative SARS-CoV-2 vaccination could support safer elective surgery. Vaccine numbers are limited so this study aimed to inform their prioritization by modelling. Methods The primary outcome was the number needed to vaccinate (NNV) to prevent one COVID-19-related death in 1 year. NNVs were based on postoperative SARS-CoV-2 rates and mortality in an international cohort study (surgical patients), and community SARS-CoV-2 incidence and case fatality data (general population). NNV estimates were stratified by age (18–49, 50–69, 70 or more years) and type of surgery. Best- and worst-case scenarios were used to describe uncertainty. Results NNVs were more favourable in su…

Diffusione del virus della “Tristeza” degli agrumi (CTV) in Sicilia.

The onset of the Messinian salinity crisis: Insights from Cyprus sections.

International audience

High genetic stability of potato yellow mosaic Panama virus infecting tomato in Panama

The relevant regions in Panama involved in commercial tomato production, including the Chiriqui, Veraguas, Herrera, Los Santos and Panama Oeste provinces, were surveyed for the distribution and genetic diversity of potato yellow mosaic Panama virus (PYMPV) in the growing seasons of 2011 and 2012. A total of 28 tomato plots were surveyed and 314 individual tomato plants were sampled. DNA was extracted from each plant for a subsequent rolling circle amplification (RCA) analysis, to confirm the presence of begomovirus infections. The samples displaying a positive RCA reaction were subsequently analysed by PCR with a specific primer pair to identify PYMPV. This virus was detected in samples col…

A SMALL INVADER CONQUERS SICILY: AMPHISTEGINA LOBIFERA (FORAMINIFERA: AMPHISTEGINIDAE)

The highly invasive Amphistegina lobifera (Larsen, 1976), a benthic foraminiferal species native to the Red Sea, has colonized the Eastern Mediterranean through the Suez Canal and altered the native community structure. More recently, it has been reported from Malta and the Pelagian Islands within the Sicily channel. Here, we report new records from the southern coasts of Sicily, where we found it abundant both in the soft-bottom sediment and as epiphyt on algae. The occurrence of A. lobifera in Pantelleria and Favignana islands represents the Mediterranean westernmost record of this non-indigenous species.

Invasive Amphisteginids conquer the Sicily Channel and knock on the door of the Western Mediterranean Sea

This study reports an updated overview of the current distribution and establishment status of the invasive species Amphistegina lobifera Larsen, 1979 and of other non-indigenous foraminifera in the Sicily Channel. The dispersal of marine non-indigenous species (NIS) by human activities is redefining the biogeography of the oceans and is one aspect of global change. Understanding the role of NIS in altering the structure of marine communities requires accurate information on their temporal occurrence, spatial distribution and effect on native ecosystems. However many NIS, particularly those belonging to small-sized unicellular taxa, such as benthic foraminifera, are largely unrecognized and…

Role of secondary metabolites in the biocontrol activity of Pseudomonas corrugata and Pseudomonas mediterranea

In this study, the Pseudomonas corrugata strain CFBP 5454 and the P. mediterranea strain CFBP 5447 were shown to produce diffusible compounds that inhibit the in vitro growth of plant pathogenic fungi and bacteria and antifungal volatile compounds. In addition, both bacterial strains were found to produce cyanide. Mutant derivatives in LuxR transcriptional regulators, i.e. P. corrugata GL2 (pcoR mutant) and GLRFIA (rfiA mutant), and P. mediterranea PSMER (pmeR mutant) and PSRFIA (rfiA mutant) impaired in cyclic lipopeptide (CLP) production, showed a diffusible compound-mediated reduced activity, depending on the biocontrol strain, challenge microorganism and culture medium. The volatile com…

The nucleotide sequence of a recombinant tomato yellow leaf curl virus strain frequently detected in Sicily isolated from tomato plants carrying the Ty-1 resistance gene

In July 2016, an aggressive syndrome of tomato yellow leaf curl disease was reported in Sicily in tomato plants carrying the Ty-1 resistance gene. A total of 34 samples were collected and analyzed. Twenty-seven out of the 34 samples analyzed appeared to contain only recombinant molecules. One full sequence was obtained after cloning. Alignments and plot similarity analysis showed that the genome of the recombinant, named TYLCV-IL[IT:Sic23:16], was mostly derived from tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV), with a small region of 132 nucleotides in the non-coding region between the stem-loop and the start of the V2 ORF replaced by 124 nucleotides derived from a virus of a different species, t…

Emergence of tomato leaf curl New Delhi virus in Italy: estimation of incidence and genetic diversity

Tomato leaf curl New Delhi virus (ToLCNDV) is a bipartite begomovirus (family Geminiviridae) identified for the first time in 1995 in Asia, from where it spread into several countries of the Mediterranean basin. ToLCNDV was found in Spain in 2012, and subsequently in Tunisia and Italy. The first outbreak in Italy occurred at the end of 2015 in Trapani province (Sicily) on zucchini squashes. Then in 2016, ToLCNDV was found in infected zucchini plants in Campania, Lazio and Sardinia regions, and in 2017 in Calabria. This study addressed the dispersion and genetic diversity of ToLCNDV isolates in Italy. A total of 1400 plants were analysed. Phylogenetic analysis showed low variability among th…

MIASTENIA GRAVIS ED ESOFAGITE EOSINOFILA IN ADOLESCENTE CON LES

Il Lupus Eritematoso Sistemico (LES) è una malattia autoimmune caratterizzata dalla presenza di autoanticorpi circolanti e flogosi sistemica. Il LES può insorgere a qualsiasi età, ma la più alta incidenza si ha nelle donne in età fertile. L’esordio può essere acuto, con coinvolgimento di più organi ed apparati come cute, articolazioni, reni, SNC e midollo osseo; o insidioso con sintomi aspecifici come febbre, astenia, esantemi, artrite e pleurite. Gli autoanticorpi associati sono gli anticorpi antinucleo e anti DNA doppio filamento. La diagnosi si basa sul riscontro di criteri clinici e laboratoristici secondo il sistema di classificazione dell’ACR. La presentazione, il decorso e gli esiti …

Nuove metodologie per la valutazione dello stato di inquinamento dell'ambiente marino

Spread of tomato brown rugose fruit virus in sicily and evaluation of the spatiotemporal dispersion in experimental conditions

Tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV) is an emerging pathogen that causes severe disease in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) crops. The first ToBRFV outbreak in Italy occurred in 2018 in several Sicilian provinces, representing a serious threat for tomato production. In the present work, the spatiotemporal displacement of ToBRFV in Sicily was evaluated, analyzing a total of 590 lots of tomato seed, 982 lots of plantlets from nurseries and 100 commercial greenhouses. Furthermore, we investigated the ToBRFV spreading dynamic in a greenhouse under experimental conditions. Results showed several aspects related to ToBRFV dispersion in protected tomato crops. In detail, an important decrease …

Co-circulation of SARS-CoV-2 Alpha and Gamma variants in Italy, February and March 2021

Background Several SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOC) have emerged through 2020 and 2021. There is need for tools to estimate the relative transmissibility of emerging variants of SARS-CoV-2 with respect to circulating strains. Aim We aimed to assess the prevalence of co-circulating VOC in Italy and estimate their relative transmissibility. Methods We conducted two genomic surveillance surveys on 18 February and 18 March 2021 across the whole Italian territory covering 3,243 clinical samples and developed a mathematical model that describes the dynamics of co-circulating strains. Results The Alpha variant was already dominant on 18 February in a majority of regions/autonomous provinces (…

Experimental analysis of the potential validity of Lorenzini’s hypothesis to treat COVID-19 patients

The present research was aimed at testing the potential validity of Lorenzini’s hypothesis against Covid-19, based on the use of far UV-C rays directly on the patient’s ill lungs, so to significantly reduce the virus presence and with it the interstitial pneumonia, the cause of most deaths. Not having had the chance to experiment directly on the SARS-CoV-2, we shifted to a plant virus called TSWV, which has some common characteristics with SARS-CoV-2, so making our tests significant. The virus was suitably utilized so to affect an opportune range of pepper plants, after a treatment with 2 UV-C lamps, of which just one spreading far UV-C rays. Results showed that the effect of a quick exposi…

Contamination of fresh and dried tomato by Alternaria toxins in southern Italy.

In the present investigation, fresh and dried tomato samples from markets and packinghouses located in Apulia region (southern Italy) were analysed for Alternaria toxins. All samples proved to be contaminated by tenuazonic acid (TeA); in particular, dried tomatoes were contaminated in the range 425-81,592 µg/kg, while fresh tomatoes were in the range 11-4560 µg/kg. The second most abundant toxin was alternariol monomethyl ether (AME), followed by tentoxin (TEN) and alternariol (AOH). Overall dried tomatoes were more contaminated than fresh ones, although this seemed not directly related to the presence of sodium chloride, utilized in the drying process. Five representative Alternaria isolat…

Paleoclimatic changes in the Serravallian record of the Mediterranean area

Genetic structure and molecular variability of grapevine fanleaf virus in sicily

Grapevine fanleaf virus (GFLV) is one of the main causes of grapevine fanleaf degeneration disease (GFDD) and is present in almost all areas where grapevine is cultivated. In this work, we ascertained the presence and spread of GFLV in different commercial vineyards in four Sicilian provinces (Italy), and its genetic structure and molecular variability were studied. In detail, a total of 617 grapevine samples of 11 autochthonous grapevine cultivars were collected in 20 commercial vineyards. Preliminary screening by serological (DAS-ELISA) and molecular (RT-PCR) analyses for ArMV (arabis mosaic virus) and GFLV detection were conducted. Results obtained showed the absence of ArMV in all the s…

Clastic vs. primary precipitated evaporites in the Messinian Sicilian basins

Low serum Fetuin A levels and cardiovascular events in End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) patients.

The atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) is frequently observed in End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) patients; according to the hypothesis of non-traditional risk factors for CVD, accelerated atherogenesis in these patients could be linked to both vascular calcification and inflammation. 2-Heremans-Schmid Glycoprotein (AHSG) also known as Fetuin-A, is considered a negative marker of inflammation and represents one of the in vivo circulating calcification modulators; these molecules are proteins working as endogenous inhibitors of Ca×PO4 precipitation and are probably involved in the pathogenesis vascular calcification. Aim of this study is to evaluate the differences in serum Fetuin-A …

Clinical utilization of natriuretic peptide determination in acute congestive heart failure

First Report of Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus on Tomato Crops in Italy

In October 2018, virus-like symptoms were observed in four different greenhouses of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) in Ragusa province (Sicily, Italy). Symptoms consisted in mosaic, deformation, and necrosis on young leaves, and discoloration and deformations on young fruits. In total 40 symptomatic samples were collected (10 for each greenhouse). Samples were tested by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) using specific primers for different viruses that incite similar symptoms on tomato plants: Groundnut ringspot virus (Camelo-García et al. 2014), Parietaria mottle virus (Galipienso et al. 2015), Pepino mosaic virus (Panno et al. 2012), Tobacco etch virus (Zhang et al. 2…

Survey of five major grapevine viruses infecting Blatina and Žilavka cultivars in Bosnia and Herzegovina

The sanitary status of grapevines has not yet been considered sufficiently in vineyards throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). An extensive survey of five major grapevine viruses in the country was carried out in 2019. A total of 630 samples from the two dominant autochthonous cultivars, named Žilavka and Blatina, were tested by DAS-ELISA for the presence of grapevine leafroll-associated viruses (GLRaV-1 and 3), grapevine fleck virus (GFkV), grapevine fanleaf virus (GFLV) and Arabis mosaic virus (ArMV). Eighty-eight % of the samples were positive for at least one virus, and all five viruses were detected, thought with different incidence, i.e. GLRaV-3 (84%), GFLV (43%), GLRaV-1 (14%), GFk…

A Review of the Most Common and Economically Important Diseases That Undermine the Cultivation of Tomato Crop in the Mediterranean Basin

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.), family Solanaceae, has become in the past fifty years one of the most important and extensively grown horticultural crops in the Mediterranean region and throughout the world. In 2019, more than 180 million tonnes of tomato have been produced worldwide, out of which around 42 million tonnes in Mediterranean countries. Due to its genetic properties, tomato is afflicted by numerous plant diseases induced by fungal, bacterial, phytoplasma, virus, and viroid pathogens. Not only is its genetic inheritance of great importance to the management of the numerous tomato pathogens, but equally as important are also the present climate changes, the recently revised phy…