A SNARC-like effect for music tempo

The Spatial Numerical Association of Response Codes (SNARC) suggests the existence of an association betweennumber magnitude and response position, with faster left-hand responses to small numbers and faster righthandresponses to large numbers (Dehaene, Bossini, & Giraux, 1993). Moreover, Rusconi, Kwan, Giordano, Umiltà,& Butterworth (2006) showed that the internal representation of pitch height is spatially organized, especially inparticipants with formal musical education (i.e., Spatial Musical Association of Response Codes: the SMARC effect).In the present study we investigated whether a similar association exists between music tempo (beats per minutes)and the spatial position of response execution. Participants were all musically untrained persons. To test ourhypothesis they performed both an order-relevant task (i.e., time comparison task) and an order-irrelevant task (i.e.,timbre judgment task). Results showed a global trend with faster left-hand responses to slower beat sequences andfaster right-hand responses to faster beat sequences. From this evidences we can finally conclude that a SNARC-likeeffect exists for music tempo similar as for pitch height and numbers

Phenology, seasonal abundance and stage-structure of spittlebug (Hemiptera: Aphrophoridae) populations in olive groves in Italy

Spittlebugs (Hemiptera: Aphrophoridae) are the dominant xylem-sap feeders in the Mediterranean area and the only proven vectors of Xylella fastidiosa ST53, the causal agent of the olive dieback epidemic in Apulia, Italy. We have investigated the structured population phenology, abundance and seasonal movement between crops and wild plant species of both the nymphal and adult stages of different spittlebug species in olive groves. Field surveys were conducted during the 2016–2018 period in four olive orchards located in coastal and inland areas in the Apulia and Liguria regions in Italy. The nymphal population in the herbaceous cover was estimated using quadrat samplings. Adults were collected through sweep nets on three different vegetational components: herbaceous cover, olive canopy and wild woody plants. Philaenus spumarius was the most abundant species; its nymphs were collected from early March and reached a peak around mid-April, when the 4th instar was prevalent. Spittlebug adults were collected from late April until late autumn. P. spumarius adults were abundant on the herbaceous cover and olive trees in late spring, and they then dispersed to wild woody hosts during the summer and returned to the olive groves in autumn when searching for oviposition sites in the herbaceous cover. A relatively high abundance of P. spumarius was observed on olive trees during summer in the Liguria Region. The present work provides a large amount of data on the life cycle of spittlebugs within an olive agroecosystem that can be used to design effective control programmes against these vectors in infected areas and to assess the risk of the establishment and spread of X. fastidiosa to Xylella-free areas

A SNARC-like effect for music tempo

The Spatial Numerical Association of Response Codes (SNARC) suggests the existence of an association betweennumber magnitude and response position, with faster left-hand responses to small numbers and faster righthandresponses to large numbers (Dehaene, Bossini, & Giraux, 1993). Moreover, Rusconi, Kwan, Giordano, Umiltà,& Butterworth (2006) showed that the internal representation of pitch height is spatially organized, especially inparticipants with formal musical education (i.e., Spatial Musical Association of Response Codes: the SMARC effect).In the present study we investigated whether a similar association exists between music tempo (beats per minutes)and the spatial position of response execution. Participants were all musically untrained persons. To test ourhypothesis they performed both an order-relevant task (i.e., time comparison task) and an order-irrelevant task (i.e.,timbre judgment task). Results showed a global trend with faster left-hand responses to slower beat sequences andfaster right-hand responses to faster beat sequences. From this evidences we can finally conclude that a SNARC-likeeffect exists for music tempo similar as for pitch height and numbers

Transmission of Xylella fastidiosa Subspecies Pauca Sequence Type 53 by Different Insect Species

Diseases associated with Xylella fastidiosa have been described mostly in North and South America. However, during the last five years, widespread X. fastidiosa infections have been reported in a constrained area of the Apulia region (southern Italy), in olives trees suffering a severe disease, denoted as Olive Quick Decline Syndrome (OQDS). Because many xylem sap-feeding insects can function as vectors for the transmission of this exotic pathogen in EU, several research programs are ongoing to assess the role of candidate vectors in the spread of the infections. Initial investigations identified Philaenus spumarius (L.) as the predominant vector species in the olive orchards affected by the OQDS. Additional experiments have been carried out during 2016 and 2017 to assess the role of other species. More specifically, adults of the spittlebugs Philaenus italosignus Drosopolous and Remane, Neophilaenus campestris (Fallen) and of the planthopper Latilica tunetana (Matsumura) (Issidae) have been tested in transmission experiments to assess their ability to acquire the bacterium from infected olives and to infect different susceptible hosts (olives, almond, myrtle –leaf milkwort, periwinkle). Acquisition rates determined by testing individual insects in quantitative PCR assays, ranging from 5.6% in N. campestris to 22.2% in P. italosignus, whereas no acquisition was recorded for L. tunetana. Successful transmissions were detected in the recipient plants exposed to P. italosignus and N. campestris, whereas no trasmissions occurred with L. tunetana. The known vector Philaenus spumarius has been included in all the experiments for validation. The systematic surveys conducted in 2016 and 2017 provided further evidence on the population dynamics and seasonal abundance of the spittlebug populations in the olive groves

Biostimulants for Resilient Agriculture: A Preliminary Assessment in Italy

In agriculture, plant biostimulants have become necessary to meet the United Nations sustainable development goals (UN-SDGs) and advance the European Green Deal. In particular, seaweed-based biostimulants have received a greater acceptance for their several benefits in crop growth and yield. In this study, we evaluated the effects of foliar applications of a vegetable- and brown-algae-based extract (Ascophyllum nodosum (L.) Le Jol. on grapes (Vitis vinifera L. cv. Montepulciano) and olives (Olea europaea L. cv. Coratina) and its agronomic performance in two field experiments in the Apulia region, which is known for its modern agricultural sector. The results highlight that the crop responses differ in grape and olive orchards. The biostimulant application determined significant increases in bunch development (+9.5%) and bunch weight (+10%) compared to the untreated control. In the olive orchard, the yield was not significantly influenced by biostimulant application, whereas we observed quality improvement in the olive oil of the treated plants compared to the control. To better understand the mechanisms behind this difference, the research concludes by suggesting that further research pursues in-depth studies and high scientific and technical proficiency to determine and optimise the rates and timing of applications

Comparing Different Sticky Traps to Monitor the Occurrence of <i>Philaenus spumarius</i> and <i>Neophilaenus campestris</i>, Vectors of <i>Xylella fastidiosa,</i> in Different Crops

Following the detection of the quarantine bacterium Xylella fastidiosa (Wells et al.) in the Apulia region (southern Italy) and the identification of spittlebugs as the main vector species that contributes to its epidemic spread, monitoring activities have been intensified in an attempt to implement vector control strategies. To date, sweep nets have been the most widely used sampling method to monitor adult spittlebug populations. Field experiments were carried out, during 2018 and 2019, to evaluate the effectiveness of sticky traps in capturing spittlebugs in different woody crops. The attractiveness of different traps was compared: four colored sticky traps (white, red, blue, and yellow), with the yellow sticky traps having three different background patterns (plain yellow, yellow with a black circle pattern, and yellow with a black line pattern). In addition, the efficiency of the yellow sticky traps was evaluated by placing the traps on the ground or hanging them from the canopies in orchards with different spittlebug population densities. Trap catches of Philaenus spumarius (Linnaeus) and Neophilaenus campestris (Fallén) (Hemiptera: Aphrophoridae) were compared with those collected using sweep nets. The two spittlebug species showed a similar response to the colored traps and were mainly attracted to the yellow sticky traps. Captures throughout the adult season indicated that an accurate estimation of the presence and abundance of spittlebugs can be obtained by integrating the two sampling methods. Moreover, sweep nets appeared to be more efficient in collecting adults soon after their emergence, while the use of sticky traps was more efficient in the rest of the adult season when the use of traps can significantly expedite vector monitoring programs

Bladder Cancer Chemosensitivity Is Affected by Paraoxonase-2 Expression

The goal of the current study was to identify potential roles of paraoxonase-2 in bladder carcinogenesis. T24 bladder cancer cells were transfected with plasmids inducing paraoxonase-2 silencing or overexpression. Upon the selection of clones stably down- or upregulating paraoxonase-2, cell proliferation, migration, and the production of reactive oxygen species were evaluated, before and after treatment with cisplatin and gemcitabine, used alone or in combination. The activity levels of both caspase-3 and caspase-8 were also analyzed. shRNA-mediated gene silencing and the overexpression of paraoxonase-2 revealed that the enzyme was able to promote both the proliferation and migration of T24 cells. Moreover, the knockdown of paraoxonase-2 was significantly associated with a reduced cell viability of T24 cells treated with chemotherapeutic drugs and led to both an increase of reactive oxygen species production and caspase-3 and caspase-8 activation. Conversely, under treatment with anti-neoplastic compounds, a higher proliferative capacity was found in T24 cells overexpressing paraoxonase-2 compared with controls. In addition, upon enzyme upregulation, both the production of reactive oxygen species and activation of caspase-3 and caspase-8 were reduced. Although further analyses will be required to fully understand the involvement of paraoxonase-2 in bladder tumorigenesis and in mechanisms leading to the development of chemoresistance, the data reported in this study seem to demonstrate that the enzyme could exert a great impact on tumor progression and susceptibility to chemotherapy, thus suggesting paraoxonase-2 as a novel and interesting molecular target for effective bladder cancer treatment

qPCR and RT-qPCR assays for the quantification of Trichoderma asperellum icc012 and Trichoderma gamsii icc080 used as biocontrol agents against Phaeomoniella chlamydospora in grapevine nursery.

Trichoderma asperellum strain icc012 (TA) and Trichoderma gamsii strain icc080 (TG) (Remedier, Isagro S.p.A., Italy) are biological control agents (BCAs) proposed against esca disease on grapevine. This research was aimed at evaluating their effectiveness against esca in the nursery with particular regard to Phaeomoniella chlamydospora population and at developing a fast and reliable method to quantify the two BCAs. The effectiveness of TA and TG was evaluated on 1103 P. rootstocks, artificially inoculated at the hydration stage with conidia of the benomyl-resistant mutant C1.A43.1 of P. chlamydospora and successively treated or not with Remedier at different time combinations (end of hydration, at planting, and three times during plant growth). Eight different combination programs were compared. At uprooting of rootstocks, wood fragments were sampled at 1 cm and 2–15 cm over the crown from at least 90 rootstocks per program. The incidence of fungi, including the C1.A43.1 mutant and the BCAs, was evaluated on malt extract agar (MEA) and MEA amended with 10 mg L-1 of benomyl. Natural infections of P. chlamydospora were rarely recovered while the population of the artificially inoculated mutant C1.A43.1 was always reduced by BCAs (P≤0.05, ranging from 18% with only one application at hydration to 36% with four applications). Fomitopsis sp., Acremonium sp., and Fusarium sp. were also reduced by BCAs. qPCR and RT-qPCR detection methods based on specific primers and TaqMan probes were set up and applied to quantify singularly and in duplex the populations of TA and TG. The primers/probe sets were designed on the polymorphic region of the rpb2 gene and the method allows to specifically detect up to 10 pg of DNA and 150 pg of RNA. Further studies are in progress to evaluate the effectiveness of the BCAs and define the most appropriate usage in grapevine nursery for reducing infection of esca-associated fungi

TRANSMISSION OF THE CODIRO STRAIN OF XYLELLA FASTIDIOSA BY DIFFERENT INSECT SPECIES

<p>Most of the diseases associated to the insect-transmitted bacterium <em>Xylella </em><em>fastidiosa</em> (Xf) have been described in North and South America, but in the last five years widespread infections were reported in a restricted area of the Apulia region (southern Italy), on olives suffering a severe disease denoted “olive quick decline syndrome - OQDS”. Following this first report, several outbreaks have been reported in Corsica and Balearic Islands, and some<br> in mainland France and Spain. Because many xylem sap-feeding insects can function as vectors for the transmission of this exotic pathogen in EU, several research programs are ongoing to assess the role of candidate vectors in the spread of the infections. Initial investigations identified <em>Philaenus spumarius</em> as the predominant vector species in the olive orchards affected by the OQDS. Additional experiments carried out over the past two years<br> included, the spittlebugs <em>Philaenus </em><em>italosignus</em> and <em>Neophilaenus </em><em>campestris</em>, and of the planthopper <em>Latilica </em><em>tunetana</em> (Hemiptera Issidae). Adults have been tested in transmission experiments to assess their ability to acquire the bacterium from infected olives and to infect different susceptible plant species. Acquisition rates determined by testing individual insects in quantitative PCR assays, ranged from 4,9% in <em>N. </em><em>campestris</em><em> </em>to 22% in <em>P. </em><em>italosignus</em>, whereas no acquisition was recorded for L. tunetana. Successful transmissions were detected in some of the plant species exposed to <em>P. </em><em>italosignus</em> or <em>N. </em><em>campestris</em>, whereas<em> L. </em><em>tunetana</em> did not transmit, even when adults were collected directly from the canopies of field-infected trees a nd tested positive in qPCR (1,4%). The ecological and epidemiological relevance of these findings are discussed. Although still limited, the data so far collected on the candidate vectors of Xf in Europe remark the major, if not exclusive, role of spittlebugs in the spread of this emerging pathogen.</p

Does the rapid initiation of antiretroviral therapy at HIV diagnosis impact virological response in a real-life setting? A single-centre experience in Northern Italy

: Rapid initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) has been proven efficacious and safe, but more investigations are needed to define feasibility of rapid ART approach in real-life settings.We conducted a retrospective, observational study on newly HIVdiagnosed patients referred to our Infectious Diseases Department from September 1st, 2015, to July 31st, 2019. According to the timing of ART initiation, we distinguished 3 groups of patients (rapid, intermediate and late group) and represented the trend of virological response during a 400-days-period. The hazard ratios of each predictor on viral suppression were estimated through the Cox proportional hazard model.The median time from HIV diagnosis to the first medical referral was 15 days and the median time from the first care access to therapy start was 24 days. Among patients, 37.6% started ART within 7 days, 20.6% between 8 and 30 days, and 41.8% after 30 days. Longer time to ART start and higher baseline viral load were associated with a lower probability of viral suppression. After one year, all groups showed a high viral suppression rate (99%). In a high-income setting the rapid ART approach seems useful to accelerate viral suppression which is great over time regardless of ART initiation timing