Metabolites produced by agents of dieback of grapevine in Sicily: Lasiodiplodia mediterranea, Neofusicoccum parvum and N. vitifusiforme

Botryosphaeria dieback was recently reported in West Sicilian vineyards. The disease complex was only associated with isolates of genus Lasiodiplodia in 2007 and together with Diplodia seriata, Neofusicoccum parvum and Neofusicoccum vitifusiforme, this latest reported for the first time on Vitis vinifera in Italy. Moreover, a representative isolate of each species was inoculated on green shoots and fulfilled Koch’s postulates, although the lengths of vascular discolourations were variable depending on the species. As well as the other GTD causal agents, the expression of foliar symptoms (pale colour along the margins and between veins) was also occasional in Sicily, it was hypothesized that…

Safety and efficacy of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce ileus after colorectal surgery

Ileus is common after elective colorectal surgery, and is associated with increased adverse events and prolonged hospital stay. The aim was to assess the role of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for reducing ileus after surgery.A prospective multicentre cohort study was delivered by an international, student- and trainee-led collaborative group. Adult patients undergoing elective colorectal resection between January and April 2018 were included. The primary outcome was time to gastrointestinal recovery, measured using a composite measure of bowel function and tolerance to oral intake. The impact of NSAIDs was explored using Cox regression analyses, including the results of a c…

Safety of hospital discharge before return of bowel function after elective colorectal surgery

Ileus is common after colorectal surgery and is associated with an increased risk of postoperative complications. Identifying features of normal bowel recovery and the appropriateness for hospital discharge is challenging. This study explored the safety of hospital discharge before the return of bowel function.A prospective, multicentre cohort study was undertaken across an international collaborative network. Adult patients undergoing elective colorectal resection between January and April 2018 were included. The main outcome of interest was readmission to hospital within 30 days of surgery. The impact of discharge timing according to the return of bowel function was explored using multiva…

Naphthalenone polyketides produced by Neofusicoccum parvum, a fungus associated with grapevine Botryosphaeria dieback

A strain of Neofusicoccum parvum isolated from declining vines was pathogenic to grapevine cultivar Inzolia in Sicily. This strain produced some metabolites in liquid medium. Crude extract, through a bio-guided purification process, yielded four naphthalenone polyketides. They were identified by comparison with spectroscopic data and optical proprieties reported in literature as: (3S, 4S)-7-ethyl-3,4,8-trihydroxy-6-methoxy-3,4-dihydro-1-(2H)-naphthalenone, (3S*, 4S*)-3,4-dihydro-3,4,8-trihydroxy-7-(1-hydroxyethyl)-6-methoxy-1-(2H)-naphthalenone, (4S)-3,4-dihydro-4,8-dihydroxy-1-(2H)-naphthalenone, named  botryosphaerones D and A, isosclerone, respectively,  and (3S*,4S*)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-1-…

First investigation on the phytotoxicity of fungi involved in "botriosphaeria dieback" in Sicilian vineyards

A multichannel piezo driver for active mirrors in X-ray telescopes

X-ray astronomy is gaining importance for studying X-ray space sources such as single and binary stars, neutron stars, supernovae and black holes. Due to atmospheric absorption, X-ray telescopes must operate in space on satellites. Among the causes limiting the resolution of modern telescopes are distortions in mirrors shape. An innovative approach for X-ray mirrors aims at correcting the shape errors by means of piezo-ceramic actuators glued to the back of the mirrors, thus creating an “active mirror”. In order to test the viability of shape correction, we fabricated [1] a prototype of a thin glass active mirror, sized 20 cm x 20 cm with a 400 um thickness (Fig. 1). The mirror can allocate…