SPORADIC PARKINSON DISEASE AND AMYOTROPHIC LATERAL SCLEROSIS COMPLEX (BRAIT-FAHN-SCHWARTZ DISEASE).

Validation of Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) Field Tool for Rapid and Sensitive Diagnosis of Contagious Agalactia in Small Ruminants

Simple Summary Contagious agalactia (CA) is an infectious disease of small ruminants endemic in the Mediterranean countries, causing significant socioeconomic impacts predominantly on small-scale farmers who still subsist on marginal lands. Mycoplasma agalactiae is historically considered the principal etiological agent of CA, especially in sheep. Clinical signs are characterised by mastitis, arthritis, keratoconjunctivitis and occasionally, abortion. Rapid, accurate and cost-effective field tests are urgently needed for effective control of M. agalactiae mastitis. Our study illustrated the validation of a Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) test for the detection of M. agalactiae…

Ovine Catarrhal fever (bluetongue): Analysis of Culicoides species in seropositive farms

Bluetongue (BT) is an orbiviral disease of wild and domestic ruminants, mainly sheep. In Sicily, the first Bluetongue outbreak occurred in October 2000; there have been 76 recorded outbreaks so far. The National Surveillance Plan, based on European Union Commission Decision 138/2001/CE, establishes serological and entomological surveys. This plan consists of controls of seronegative cattle, called 'sentry' as indicators for the presence and circulation of virus in defined areas. To check the seroconversions, the regional territory has been subdivided in 400 km2 areas including 58 seronegative cattle, periodically checked by serological tests. All positive sera have been tested to detect the…

The Sicilian rock partridge: latest data on genetic integrity from four different relict areas

Sicily (Italy) hosts a “relict”, endemic population of the birds Alectoris graeca whitakeri commonly known as Sicilian Rock Partridge. In the last decades, due to the risk of restocking with other European and Asiatic species for hunting purpose, a study was carried out to investigate the potential risk of hybridisation. The mtDNA control-region and nuclear microsatellites were genotyped. Due to the importance of the species, samples were mainly characterized by feather and stool samples, and rarely by carcasses found in the environment, from year 2011 to 2012. A panel of 7 microsatellite loci was validated. Three multiplexes that allowed the simultaneous amplification of 3 microsatellites,…

The eye-tracking computer device for communication in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Objective To explore the effectiveness of communication and the variables affecting the eye-tracking computer system (ETCS) utilization in patients with late-stage amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Methods We performed a telephone survey on 30 patients with advanced non-demented ALS that were provisioned an ECTS device. Median age at interview was 55 years (IQR = 48–62), with a relatively high education (13 years, IQR = 8–13). A one-off interview was made and answers were later provided with the help of the caregiver. The interview included items about demographic and clinical variables affecting the daily ETCS utilization. Results The median time of ETCS device possession was 15 months …