ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS IMPACT AND INCIDENCE OF PARASITISMOF PSYLLAEPHAGUS BLITEUSRIEK (HYMENOPTERA ENCYRTIDAE)ON POPULATIONS OF GLYCASPIS BRIMBLECOMBEIMOORE(HEMIPTERA APHALARIDAE) IN MEDITERRANEAN CLIMATIC AREAS

The red gum lerp psyllid, Glycaspis brimblecombeiMoore (Hemiptera, Aphalaridae), is an Australian native sap-sucking insect pest of eucalypts that has been first reported for the West Palaearctic Region in 2008 and, in 2010, it hasbeen found also in Italy. Subsequently its primary parasitoid, Psyllaephagus bliteus Riek (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae),was also detected within the main European and North African infested areas, where no release of the parasitoid was everperformed. This study, carried out in 30 Eucalyptus camaldulensis plantations located along the coast, on the hills andthe mountains in Mediterranean climatic areas of Sicily (Italy), aimed to determine the influence of environmentalparameters on the incidence of both, the psyllid infestation level and the parasitization activity. P. bliteusreached high-est average levels in summer samplings and resulted widespread in Sicily at all detected altitudes without statisticallysignificant differences. P. bliteus parasitization is the main factor lowering G. brimblecombei infestation; this result,together with the accidental and contemporaneous arrival of the host and its parasitoid, could explain the absence of highdamage level on eucalypts in Sicily. The most significant metric factors positively influencing G. brimblecombei infes-tation are the percentage of daily hours above 80% of relative humidity and the average maximum temperature, obvi-ously related to other, but less significant climatic factors. The altitude affects both infestation and parasitization, but sin-gle sites could explain significantly more, so that the local conditions where the samplings were carried out have to beconsidered as the main responsibles for the variability in the obtained results. In any sampled Sicilian site, from sea levelto 540 m a.s.l., both the psyllid and its parasitoids show a good adaptation to climatic conditions, confirming that areasfitting for E. camaldulensisgrowth fit also for P. bliteus activity, and proving that Mediterranean climate, differently fromsome inland areas of California, does not obstacle its parasitic activity

Epidemiological patterns of asbestos exposure and spatial clusters of incident cases of malignant mesothelioma from the Italian national registry

Abstract BACKGROUND: Previous ecological spatial studies of malignant mesothelioma cases, mostly based on mortality data, lack reliable data on individual exposure to asbestos, thus failing to assess the contribution of different occupational and environmental sources in the determination of risk excess in specific areas. This study aims to identify territorial clusters of malignant mesothelioma through a Bayesian spatial analysis and to characterize them by the integrated use of asbestos exposure information retrieved from the Italian national mesothelioma registry (ReNaM). METHODS: In the period 1993 to 2008, 15,322 incident cases of all-site malignant mesothelioma were recorded and 11,852 occupational, residential and familial histories were obtained by individual interviews. Observed cases were assigned to the municipality of residence at the time of diagnosis and compared to those expected based on the age-specific rates of the respective geographical area. A spatial cluster analysis was performed for each area applying a Bayesian hierarchical model. Information about modalities and economic sectors of asbestos exposure was analyzed for each cluster. RESULTS: Thirty-two clusters of malignant mesothelioma were identified and characterized using the exposure data. Asbestos cement manufacturing industries and shipbuilding and repair facilities represented the main sources of asbestos exposure, but a major contribution to asbestos exposure was also provided by sectors with no direct use of asbestos, such as non-asbestos textile industries, metal engineering and construction. A high proportion of cases with environmental exposure was found in clusters where asbestos cement plants were located or a natural source of asbestos (or asbestos-like) fibers was identifiable. Differences in type and sources of exposure can also explain the varying percentage of cases occurring in women among clusters. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrates shared exposure patterns in territorial clusters of malignant mesothelioma due to single or multiple industrial sources, with major implications for public health policies, health surveillance, compensation procedures and site remediation programs

The Red palm weevil in Sicily: the introduction and spread of an invasive alien species

The red palm weevil (RPW), Rhynchophorus ferrugineus Olivier (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), is a pest from Southeast Asia accidentally introduced into North Africa and Europe two decades ago. In Sicily, RPW was recorded for the first time in 2005, then, in few years, it established becoming the most severe pest of ornamental palm species in urban, monumental and country areas. In this paper, we first report the history of its introduction and spread. Then, we reviewed the preventative and curative strategies that have been implemented with variable degrees of success in containing the invasive alien pest. Finally, we focus on the development of new strategies to detect early infestations and to prevent or contain RPW attacks.Le Charançon rouge des palmiers (CRP), Rhynchophorus ferrugineus Olivier (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), est un ravageur provenant du Sud - Est de l’Asie, accidentellement introduit en Afrique du Nord et en Europe il y a 20 ans. En Sicile le CRP a été détecté pour la première fois en 2005, puis, dans quelques années, il s’y est installé en devenant le plus nuisible ravageur des palmiers ornementaux dans les aires urbaines, artistiques et agricoles. Dans ce travail, dans la première partie on a exposé l’histoire de son introduction et de sa diffusion, ensuite on a révisé les stratégies de prévention et de soin qu’on a appliqué, avec des degrés de réussite différents, pour limiter ce phytophage envahisseur. Enfin, on a concentré l’attention sur le développement de stratégies nouvelles pour détecter les infestations précoces et pour prévenir ou limiter les attaques du CRP

Il ruolo dei semiochimici nella gestione delle infestazioni del punteruolo rosso delle palme

A distanza ormai di più di dieci anni dall’arrivo del Punteruolo rosso delle palme Rhynchophorus ferrugineus sul territorio nazionale, molteplici sono stati gli approcci tecnico-scientifici messi in atto per arginare il dilagare delle cruente infestazioni. Ad oggi, tuttavia, nessuna delle strategie di contenimento adottate è risultata funzionale e realmente efficace a contrastare l’azione distruttiva del coleottero nei confronti del patrimonio palmicolo che caratterizza l’arredo urbano e monumentale di molte città italiane. Infatti, la natura criptica del Punteruolo rosso delle palme, da un lato ha reso difficile eseguire una diagnosi precoce poiché nei primi stadi di infestazione la sintomatologia del danno è poco evidente, dall’altro ha spesso ritardato e compromesso lo sviluppo di strategie di controllo efficaci e sostenibili. Di conseguenza, in tale contesto, diventa cruciale una corretta e tempestiva diagnosi delle infestazioni dell’insetto, che attualmente rappresenta l’unica strategia in grado di massimizzare gli interventi di recupero e salvaguardia delle palme infestate. Analogamente, è necessario vagliare nuove e sostenibili strategie di intervento, in quanto in ambiente urbano risulta poco sostenibile l’uso dei trattamenti chimici, a causa delle gravi conseguenze che ne derivano in termini di impatto sull’ambiente e sulla salute e in considerazione delle drastiche restrizioni nell’applicazione di mezzi chimici in aree urbane a seguito delle recenti direttive comunitarie. In questa presentazione si vuole fare il punto delle ricerche sviluppate negli anni mirate a sfruttare le “scie chimiche” che entrano in gioco nelle relazioni trofiche tra insetto fitofago e pianta ospite, in termini di messa a punto di protocolli per la diagnosi precoce e di strategie di controllo basate sulla manipolazione del comportamento del fitofago. Nel primo caso, sono stati interessanti gli sviluppi ottenuti impiegando l’olfatto di cani appositamente addestrati al riconoscimento delle “tracce odorose” provenienti dalle palme colonizzate dall’insetto; nel secondo appaiono promettenti i risultati ottenuti con una combinazione di composti chimici attrattivi e repellenti ottimizzati per la definizione della tecnica del “push and pull”. Il presente contributo mira a tracciare una panoramica sulle suddette attività, riportandone i punti di maggior pregio e i principali aspetti limitativi

Action Programs for Rhynchophorus ferrugineus and Paysandisia archon

The spread of invasive alien species is strongly associated with the rapid acceleration of human trade, tourism, transport, and travel over the past century, which have allowed these species to overcome natural geographic barriers. The best strategy to prevent the spread of invasive species is quarantine and eradication of initial foci. However, when invasive species appear to be established, the best approach should focus on containment and decreasing their impact through specific control measures. In this context, considering the rapid spread of the two palm pest species recently introduced in the Mediterranean area—Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (red palm weevil, RPW) and Paysandisia archon (palm borer moth, PBM)— strong efforts are needed to prevent their further expansion and extensive environmental and economic impact. This chapter aims to provide tools to strengthen the capabilities of the countries or regions dealing with the problems associated with these invasive species in the future. A brief overview of European Community legislation regarding introduction, control, and eradication (when available) of both pest species is provided. The importance of the involvement and commitment of local authorities in the control efforts is also discussed

"Rendezvous" Procedure in Children with Cholecysto-Choledocholithiasis

Introduction: Cholecysto-choledocolithiasis is a rare entity in children and its management is still challenging and controversial. The laparoendoscopic rendezvous (LERV) procedure, consisting of laparoscopic cholecystectomy and simultaneous endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography for the management of symptomatic choledocholithiasis is well described in adult patients. However, in the literature, few reports about its application in the pediatric population have been recorded. Aim of the Study: The aim of the present study is to report our first successful cases of symptomatic cholecysto-choledocholithiasis LERV treatment. Methods: Two girls suffering of hemolytic disease presented to our third referral center with acute abdominal pain due to cholecysto-choledocholithiasis. Preoperative, perioperative, and postoperative data were retrospectively reviewed. Results: Surgery was performed without complications. The girls were dismissed once re-alimentation and re-canalization were achieved and had no other episodes of biliary cholic. Reported advantages of LERV include: a shorter in-hospital stay, a reduction in the number of procedures and anesthesia, and a reduced overall risk of complications. Conclusions: The promising result with our 2 cases suggest that, when performed in highly specialized centers, LERV is a safe procedure, which leads to considerable benefits, despite logistic and organizational difficulties

Esophageal atresia: nutritional status and energy metabolism to maximize growth outcome.

Background: Long-term negative sequelae of esophageal atresia (EA) may induce poor growth and impaired nutritional status in childhood. We describe the nutritional profile and energy metabolism of children with repaired EA to identify malnutrition risk factors and optimize growth management. Methods: Twenty-one children (>4 years) were included, and anthropometric measurements, nutritional assessment, and energy metabolism were considered. The subjects were defined as undernourished if they met BMI < -2 standard deviation (SD). To grade undernutrition, we defined the prevalence of underweight, stunting, and wasting (cut-off level of <-2 SD). Medical records were reviewed for the type of EA and surgery and perinatal data. Results: Malnutrition was detected in 28.6% of children. Underweight was detected in 23.8% of patients (all with undernutrition p < 0.01). Wasting was noted in 28.6% of patients, of these 5 children were undernourished (p < 0.001) and stunting was noticed in only one patient with malnutrition (p = 0.5). Resting expenditure energy (REE) was lower in undernourished subjects compared to subjects with adequate nutritional status (p < 0.001). Malnutrition was associated to: type of EA (p = 0.003, particularly type A and C); intervention including deferred anastomosis due to long-gap repair (p = 0.04) with/or without jejunostomy (p = 0.02), gastric pull-up (p = 0.04), primary anastomosis (p = 0.04), pyloromyotomy in long-gap (p < 0.01); small for gestational age condition (p = 0.001). Conclusions: undernutrition risk factors, beyond the type of malformation, surgery, and perinatal factors, must be early considered to personalize nutritional programming. Energy metabolism is important to monitor the nutritional requirements. The management of nutritional issues is surely a contributory factor able to counteract the poor growth of children with EA

Ancient Rome: A genetic crossroads of Europe and the Mediterranean

Ancient Rome was the capital of an empire of ~70 million inhabitants, but little is known about the genetics of ancient Romans. Here we present 127 genomes from 29 archaeological sites in and around Rome, spanning the past 12,000 years. We observe two major prehistoric ancestry transitions: one with the introduction of farming and another prior to the Iron Age. By the founding of Rome, the genetic composition of the region approximated that of modern Mediterranean populations. During the Imperial period, Rome’s population received net immigration from the Near East, followed by an increase in genetic contributions from Europe. These ancestry shifts mirrored the geopolitical affiliations of Rome and were accompanied by marked interindividual diversity, reflecting gene flow from across the Mediterranean, Europe, and North Africa