18 research outputs found
Self-Incompatibility Assessment of Some Italian Olive Genotypes (Olea europaea L.) and Cross-Derived Seedling Selection by SSR Markers on Seed Endosperms
The morphology of olive flowers allows either self- or cross-pollination that could partially explain the existence of both reproductive features in this species. However, a high degree of self-incompatibility is reported for many olive genotypes, that could be an important reproductive barrier influencing olive yield. Due to the strong environmental influence, results of compatibility tests are often contradictory, making cultivar classification quite imprecise. In this study, the self-incompatibility value has been determined for four olive genotypes (Bella di Spagna, Coratina, Leccino, and Ogliarola barese) widespread in the Mediterranean basin. Moreover, the incompatibility relationships of cultivar Coratina with some suitable pollinizers (Leccino, Oliastro, and Picholine) have been studied in controlled crosses: the in vitro germination potential of progenies has been evaluated and the selection of cross-derived embryos has been indirectly performed by the molecular characterization of the corresponding endosperm. The results increase knowledge on factors affecting self-compatibility in olive. Moreover, they provide useful information to farmers about the most effective cultivars for the set-up of new olive grove or for graft planning. Finally, they provide a new strategy and procedure based on endosperm analysis by SSRs for an accurate, fast, and relatively cheap screening of embryos/seedlings
Colorectal Cancer Stage at Diagnosis Before vs During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Italy
IMPORTANCE Delays in screening programs and the reluctance of patients to seek medical
attention because of the outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 could be associated with the risk of more advanced
colorectal cancers at diagnosis.
OBJECTIVE To evaluate whether the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic was associated with more advanced
oncologic stage and change in clinical presentation for patients with colorectal cancer.
DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This retrospective, multicenter cohort study included all
17 938 adult patients who underwent surgery for colorectal cancer from March 1, 2020, to December
31, 2021 (pandemic period), and from January 1, 2018, to February 29, 2020 (prepandemic period),
in 81 participating centers in Italy, including tertiary centers and community hospitals. Follow-up was
30 days from surgery.
EXPOSURES Any type of surgical procedure for colorectal cancer, including explorative surgery,
palliative procedures, and atypical or segmental resections.
MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The primary outcome was advanced stage of colorectal cancer
at diagnosis. Secondary outcomes were distant metastasis, T4 stage, aggressive biology (defined as
cancer with at least 1 of the following characteristics: signet ring cells, mucinous tumor, budding,
lymphovascular invasion, perineural invasion, and lymphangitis), stenotic lesion, emergency surgery,
and palliative surgery. The independent association between the pandemic period and the outcomes
was assessed using multivariate random-effects logistic regression, with hospital as the cluster
variable.
RESULTS A total of 17 938 patients (10 007 men [55.8%]; mean [SD] age, 70.6 [12.2] years)
underwent surgery for colorectal cancer: 7796 (43.5%) during the pandemic period and 10 142
(56.5%) during the prepandemic period. Logistic regression indicated that the pandemic period was
significantly associated with an increased rate of advanced-stage colorectal cancer (odds ratio [OR],
1.07; 95%CI, 1.01-1.13; P = .03), aggressive biology (OR, 1.32; 95%CI, 1.15-1.53; P < .001), and stenotic
lesions (OR, 1.15; 95%CI, 1.01-1.31; P = .03).
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE This cohort study suggests a significant association between the
SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and the risk of a more advanced oncologic stage at diagnosis among patients
undergoing surgery for colorectal cancer and might indicate a potential reduction of survival for
these patients
Phytosanitary Rules for the Movement of Olive (<i>Olea europaea</i> L.) Propagation Material into the European Union (EU)
Phytosanitary legislation involves government laws that are essential to minimize the risk of the introduction and diffusion of pests, especially invasive non-native species, as a consequence of the international exchange of plant material, thus allowing us to safeguard agricultural production and biodiversity of a territory. These measures ensure compliance with adequate requirements relating to the absence of pests, especially of harmful quarantine organisms through inspections and diagnosis tests of the consignments to ascertain the presence of the pests concerned. They also regulate the eradication and containment measures that are implemented in the eventuality of an unintentional introduction of these organisms. In the present contribution, the current plant protection legislation for the exchange of plants or propagation material within the European Union or for export to foreign countries, represented by Regulation (EU) 2016/2031, has been reviewed, with a particular focus on the olive tree (Olea europaea L.). Furthermore, a brief summary of the main olive tree pests transmissible with the propagation material is also reported, indicating their current categorization with respect to the relative quarantine status
Phytosanitary Rules for the Movement of Olive (Olea europaea L.) Propagation Material into the European Union (EU)
Phytosanitary legislation involves government laws that are essential to minimize the risk of the introduction and diffusion of pests, especially invasive non-native species, as a consequence of the international exchange of plant material, thus allowing us to safeguard agricultural production and biodiversity of a territory. These measures ensure compliance with adequate requirements relating to the absence of pests, especially of harmful quarantine organisms through inspections and diagnosis tests of the consignments to ascertain the presence of the pests concerned. They also regulate the eradication and containment measures that are implemented in the eventuality of an unintentional introduction of these organisms. In the present contribution, the current plant protection legislation for the exchange of plants or propagation material within the European Union or for export to foreign countries, represented by Regulation (EU) 2016/2031, has been reviewed, with a particular focus on the olive tree (Olea europaea L.). Furthermore, a brief summary of the main olive tree pests transmissible with the propagation material is also reported, indicating their current categorization with respect to the relative quarantine status
Coltura in vitro e termoterapia a salvaguardia della biodiversitaĚ del carciofo in Puglia
Gli ecotipi locali costituiscono un'importante risorsa genetica che deve essere tutelata poicheĚ rappresenta una fonte di biodiversitaĚ. Lâimpiego di nuove varietaĚ propagate per seme ed infezioni virali di tipo asintomatico nel materiale di propagazione hanno contribuito allâerosione di tale biodiversitaĚ. La presenza di patogeni svilisce quali/quantitativamente le produzioni ed esclude dal mercato varietaĚ di carciofo che, invece, potrebbero essere importanti per il consumo fresco e l'industria. La disponibilitaĚ di materiale virus-esente di provenienza vivaistica puoĚ costituire una valida soluzione al problema. EĚ nata percioĚ lâesigenza di sviluppare protocolli specifici di risanamento per ecotipi locali identificati nell'ambito del progetto BiodiverSO della Regione Puglia. I protocolli sono stati finalizzati alla conservazione del germoplasma ed alla produzione su larga scala di piante fenotipicamente omogenee ed esenti da patogeni. In questo scenario, il protocollo di risanamento, basato sulla coltura in vitro dellâapice meristematico seguito da termoterapia, eĚ stato applicato a diversi ecotipi pugliesi di carciofo (Cynara scolymus L.) che risultavano infetti per lâ85% da Artichoke latent virus (ArLV), Artichoke Italian latent virus (AILV) e Tomato infectious chlorosis virus (TICV). A tale scopo, eĚ stato utilizzato un basso numero di subcolture per le cultivar rifiorenti e nella fase di radicazione, risolutiva eĚ stata lâadozione di alte concentrazioni di IBA seguita dal passaggio delle giovani piantine in un substrato particolarmente ricco in IAA. I saggi molecolari hanno infine permesso di verificare lâefficacia del risanamento, evidenziando la necessitaĚ di accoppiare la termoterapia al prelievo dellâapice meristematico per lâeradicazione anche dei virus parenchimatici, quali AILV. I campi catalogo allestiti consentiranno di valutare le caratteristiche morfologico/produttive del germoplasma risanato
A protocol for producing virus-free artichoke genetic resources for conservation, breeding, and production
The potential of the globe artichoke biodiversity in the Mediterranean area is enormous but at risk of genetic erosion because only a limited number of varieties are vegetatively propagated and grown. In Apulia (southern Italy), the Regional Government launched specific actions to rescue and preserve biodiversity of woody and vegetable crops in the framework of the Rural Development Program. Many globe artichoke ecotypes have remained neglected and unnoticed for a long time and have been progressively eroded by several causes, which include a poor phytosanitary status. Sanitation of such ecotypes from infections of vascular fungi and viruses may be a solution for their ex situ conservation and multiplication in nursery plants in conformity to the current EU Directives 93/61/CEE and 93/62/CEE that enforce nursery productions of virus-free and true-to-type certified stocks. Five Apulian ecotypes, Bianco di Taranto, Francesina, Locale di Mola, Verde di Putignano and Violetto di Putignano, were sanitized from artichoke Italian latent virus (AILV), artichoke latent virus (ArLV) and tomato infectious chlorosis virus (TICV) by meristem-tip culture and in vitro thermotherapy through a limited number of subcultures to reduce the risk of âpastel variantsâ induction of and loss of earliness. A total of 25 virus-free primary sources were obtained and conserved ex situ in a nursery
Embryo Culture, In Vitro Propagation, and Molecular Identification for Advanced Olive Breeding Programs
The high biodiversity of the olive tree is an important opportunity to develop sustainable plans to control Xylella fastidiosa (Xf) through breeding programs. Olive tree breeding activities have been limited due to various features of this species including the long time required for seed germination caused by the inhibition effect of the woody endocarp, the seed integument, and the endosperm. Starting from F1 seeds by cross-breeding, the embryo culture was compared with traditional seed germination, evaluating the effectiveness of in vitro multiplication of the plantlets for large-scale production. The isolated embryos were established on a new medium based on Rugini â84 macroelements, Murashige & Skoog â62 microelements, with Nitsch J. P. & Nitsch C. â69 vitamine and subcultured on Leva MSM modified. The results obtained confirmed that in vitro culture of olive embryos is a valid tool for increasing the percentage and speed of germination, helping to reduce the time of the olive breeding programs, offering the possibility to effectively propagate plantlets for further experiments