Olive fruit fly rearing procedures affect the vertical transmission of the bacterial symbiont Candidatus Erwinia dacicola

Background: The symbiosis between the olive fruit fly, Bactrocera oleae, and Candidatus Erwinia dacicola has been demonstrated as essential for the fly's larval development and adult physiology. The mass rearing of the olive fruit fly has been hindered by several issues, including problems which could be related to the lack of the symbiont, presumably due to preservatives and antibiotics currently used during rearing under laboratory conditions. To better understand the mechanisms underlying symbiont removal or loss during the rearing of lab colonies of the olive fruit fly, we performed experiments that focused on bacterial transfer from wild female flies to their eggs. In this research, eggs laid by wild females were treated with propionic acid solution, which is often used as an antifungal agent, a mixture of sodium hypochlorite and Triton X, or water (as a control). The presence of the bacterial symbiont on eggs was evaluated by real-time PCR and scanning electron microscopy. Results: DGGE analysis showed a clear band with the same migration behavior present in all DGGE profiles but with a decreasing intensity. Molecular analyses performed by real-time PCR showed a significant reduction in Ca. E. dacicola abundance in eggs treated with propionic acid solution or a mixture of sodium hypochlorite and Triton X compared to those treated with water. In addition, the removal of bacteria from the surfaces of treated eggs was highlighted by scanning electron microscopy. Conclusions: The results clearly indicate how the first phases of the colony-establishment process are important in maintaining the symbiont load in laboratory populations and suggest that the use of products with antimicrobial activity should be avoided. The results also suggest that alternative rearing procedures for the olive fruit fly should be investigated

Borghi of Italy - #NO(F)EARTHQUAKE. Evento Collaterale della 16. Mostra Internazionale di Architettura - La Biennale di Venezia

Bellezza, vivibilit\ue0, sicurezza: sono queste le parole d\u2019ordine dalle quali si \ue8 voluti partire, quando si \ue8 immaginato di organizzare questa iniziativa. La bellezza \ue8 quella dei borghi che costellano l\u2019Italia, numerosissimi, diffusi sull\u2019intero territorio nazionale, da Nord a Sud, nei quali il senso della storia trasuda dai muri in un ambiente piacevole per panorami, ambiente, tradizioni culturali e culinarie. La vivibilit\ue0 \ue8 quella di quegli stessi borghi, che si sono spopolati dal secondo dopoguerra ad oggi ma che spesso sono oggetto di interventi di rivitalizzazione, con l\u2019inserimento di strutture ricettive \u201cleggere\u201d, bed&breakfast ricavati nelle antiche dimore, Alberghi diffusi etc., tutti interventi mirati a rendere quella vivibilit\ue0 e quella bellezza disponibili al numero pi\uf9 ampio possibile di fruitori. La sicurezza \ue8 quella che, in questi anni caratterizzati da importanti eventi sismici che hanno interessato molte regioni, si \ue8 mostrata come completamente assente, in un\u2019edilizia gi\ue0 di per s\ue9 minore, compromessa dalle manomissioni e dall\u2019abbandono; e, dunque, come uno degli obiettivi da raggiungere, in una prospettiva di rilancio e di vera valorizzazione degli stessi, valorizzazione fatta di conservazione, certo, ma anche di conoscenza e di fruizione. Da queste parole si \ue8 collegato il tema lanciato dalle curatrici di questa Biennale Architettura Freespace a Borghi of Italy - #NO(F)EARTHQUAKE, pensando a uno spazio libero e sicuro, in cui tutti, in primis i residenti, si sentano \u201cliberi\u201d dalla paura del terremoto. I Borghi of Italy, dunque, come futuro \u2013 possibile \u2013 motore di sviluppo di un Paese che sia anche in grado di liberarsi dalla paura del terremoto, in una prospettiva nella quale, agendo con cura e intelligenza ed utilizzando quello che le tecnologie mettono a disposizione \u2013 ma nel pieno rispetto dell\u2019eredit\ue0 storica e tipologica che tali borghi testimoniano \u2013 sar\ue0 possibile anche rendere quei magnifici luoghi liberi dalla paura di abitarci e da quella insicurezza che le testimonianze dei recenti eventi sismici ci trasmettono inconsapevolmente. L\u2019idea \ue8 anche quella di sensibilizzare la societ\ue0 sul tema del conservare in sicurezza i borghi del nostro Paese, con azioni di prevenzione e messa in sicurezza del costruito storico. I curatori, tutti studiosi di problemi connessi agli effetti del terremoto sul patrimonio storico costruito, hanno voluto raccontare, attraverso alcune storie, dotate ciascuna di un proprio carattere di esemplarit\ue0, come negli ultimi 40 anni, in varie circostanze relazionate ai numerosi terremoti che si sono verificati nel nostro Paese, cittadini e luoghi abbiano saputo reagire o stiano reagendo agli eventi distruttivi che i loro borghi hanno vissuto. Storie di recupero della propria identit\ue0 attraverso il recupero dell\u2019ambiente costruito, che hanno restituito questi gioielli pi\uf9 belli, pi\uf9 sicuri e pi\uf9 accoglienti di prima.Beauty, liveability and safety are the core concept at the basis of this initiative. The beauty of the many hamlets, \u201cBorghi\u201d, sparse all over Italy, from north to south, where history emerges from the walls and breathtaking landscapes mark the identity of each Italian region. Liveability of these hamlets, which, after the shrinking started in the 50s, are now repopulated with bed&breakfasts, Albergo Diffuso etc. These are a sum of interventions that aim to make the beauty and liveability of the village available for a wide number of people, as well as to recreate a live society for other inhabitants. Safety, that appeared to be lacking in these places, as emerged during the last few years, when several earthquakes exacted a toll from the inhabitants and the buildings, especially minor architectures already deserted in many Regions. Safety as one of the goals to reach with a project that aims to relaunch and endorse the villages, through knowledge and appreciation. From these concepts, the project Borghi of Italy - #NO(F)EARTHQUAKE \u2013 linked to this Biennale Architettura 2018\u2019s title Freespace \u2013 was developed, proposing the creation of free and safe spaces where everybody, starting from the inhabitants, can feel free from the fear of the earthquake. Borghi of Italy, also, as a possible future propulsion engine to push the development of the country through the careful and intelligent application of old and new technologies. It is possible to both enhance the historical value and unique architectural characteristics of these places, and to free them from those insecurities that arose from the late seismic events. A sensible and intelligent approach would allow not only to create awareness on the themes of conservation through maintenance and improvement of the existing structures, but would as well prevent the need of forced reconstruction that unavoidably end up cancelling the memory of the past. The curators, who worked on the effects of the earthquake on the architectural heritage, aimed at narrating how, during the last forty years, the inhabitants of the many villages affected became a propulsive force to react to the destructive events these hamlets experienced. These are stories of recovery, where the identity of the people passed through the conservation and restoration of the built environment, which was made more beautiful, liveable and safe than before