SEISMIC ANISOTROPY AND MICRO-SEISMICITY IN THE UPPER CRUST AT NORTH OF GUBBIO BASIN (CENTRAL ITALY): RELATION WITH THE SUBSURFACE GEOLOGICAL STRUCTURES AND THE ACTIVE STRESS FIELD

During the months of April and May 2010, a seismic sequence (here named “Pietralunga seismic sequence”) took place in the northeastern part of the Gubbio basin (Northern Apennines); this area is well known to be interested by a continuous background micro-seismic activity. The sequence was recorded both by the INGV National Seismic Network, and by the stations installed by the Project “AIRPLANE” (financially supported by MIUR-Italian Ministry of Education and Research) with the aim of investigating the seismogenetic processes in the Alto Tiberina Fault (ATF) system region. In this work we present the anisotropic results at four stations: ATFO, ATPC, ATPI, ATVO located around the northern termination of the Gubbio basin that well delimit both the seismic se- quence and the whole 2010 seismicity (about 2500 events). The study of seismic anisotropy has provided useful information for the interpretation and evaluation of the stress field and active crustal deformation. Seismic anisotropy can yield valuable information on upper crustal structure, fracture field, and presence of fluid-saturated rocks. Moreover, the large number of seismic waveforms recorded especially during the Pietralunga sequence allows us also to study the spatio-temporal changes of anisotropic parameters to better understand its evolution and the possible correlation to the presence and migration of fluids

Role of mTOR-regulated autophagy in spine pruning defects and memory impairments induced by binge-like ethanol treatment in adolescent mice

Adolescence is a brain maturation developmental period during which remodeling and changes in synaptic plasticity and neural connectivity take place in some brain regions. Different mechanism participates in adolescent brain maturation, including autophagy that plays a role in synaptic development and plasticity. Alcohol is a neurotoxic compound and its abuse in adolescence induces neuroinflammation, synaptic and myelin alterations, neural damage and behavioral impairments. Changes in synaptic plasticity and its regulation by mTOR have also been suggested to play a role in the behavioral dysfunction of binge ethanol drinking in adolescence. Therefore, by considering the critical role of mTOR in both autophagy and synaptic plasticity in the developing brain, the present study aims to evaluate whether binge ethanol treatment in adolescence would induce dysfunctions in synaptic plasticity and cognitive functions and if mTOR inhibition with rapamycin is capable of restoring both effects. Using C57BL/6 adolescent female and male mice (PND30) treated with ethanol (3 g/kg) on two consecutive days at 48-hour intervals over 2 weeks, we show that binge ethanol treatment alters the density and morphology of dendritic spines, effects that are associated with learning and memory impairments and changes in the levels of both transcription factor CREB phosphorylation and miRNAs. Rapamycin administration (3 mg/kg) prior to ethanol administration restores ethanol-induced changes in both plasticity and behavior dysfunctions in adolescent mice. These results support the critical role of mTOR/autophagy dysfunctions in the dendritic spines alterations and cognitive alterations induced by binge alcohol in adolescence

Low-Energy Ions from Laser-Cooled Atoms

We report the features of an ion source based on two-color photoionization of a laser-cooled cesium beam outsourced from a pyramidal magneto-optical trap. The ion source operates in continuous or pulsed mode. At acceleration voltages below 300 V, it delivers some ten ions per bunch with a relative energy spread ΔUrms/U≃0.032, as measured through the retarding field-energy-analyzer approach. Space-charge effects are negligible thanks to the low ion density attained in the interaction volume. The performances of the ion beam in a configuration using focused laser beams are extrapolated on the basis of the experimental results. Calculations demonstrate that our low-energy and low-current ion beam can be attractive for the development of emerging technologies requiring the delivery of a small amount of charge, down to the single-ion level and its eventual focusing in the 10-nm range

Considerations for the optimal management of antibiotic therapy in elderly patients

Objectives: To maximise efficacy and minimise toxicity, special considerations are required for antibiotic prescription in elderly patients. This review aims to provide practical suggestions for the optimal management of antibiotic therapy in elderly patients. Methods: This was a narrative review. A literature search of published articles in the last 15 years on antibiotics and elderly patients was performed using the Cochrane Library and PubMed electronic databases. The three priority areas were identified: (i) pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics (PK/PD) for optimising dosage regimens and route of administration; (ii) antibiotic dosages in some special subpopulations; and (iii) treatment considerations relating to different antibiotic classes and their adverse events. Results: Clinicians should understand the altered PK/PD of drugs in this population owing to co-morbid conditions and normal physiological changes associated with ageing. The body of evidence justifies the need for individualised dose selection, especially in patients with impaired renal and liver function. Clinicians should be aware of the major drug–drug interactions commonly observed in the elderly as well as potential side effects. Conclusion: Antibiotic therapy in the elderly requires a comprehensive approach, including strategies to improve appropriate antibiotic prescribing, limit their use for uncomplicated infections and ensure the attainment of an optimal PK/PD target. To this purpose, further studies involving the elderly are needed to better understand the PK of antibiotics. Moreover, it is necessary to assess the role therapeutic drug monitoring in guiding antibiotic therapy in elderly patients in order to evaluate its impact on clinical outcome

Changes in the Bark Proteins of Sour Orange Rootstock Induced by Citrus Tristeza Virus

The effect of citrus tristeza virus (CTV) infection on bark proteins of several citrus rootstocks was studied by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDSPAGE). A protein band (P6) from bark of sour orange grafted with sweet orange, grapefruit or clementine scions had lower intensity in CTV-infected than in CTV-free trees. Decrease of P6 intensity was more conspicuous in trees infected with a severe CTV isolate than in those infected with a mild isolate. No difference was observed between bark proteins of CTV infected and CTV-free sour orange sprouts. Protein profiles of healthy and tristeza-infected Troyer citrange or Cleopatra mandarin, grafted with navel orange, were also indistinguishable. Finally, protein patterns of sour orange grafted with navel orange, severely declined from Phytophthora sp. or psorosis, were similar to those of non-declined controls. Thus, decreased intensity of P6 seems to be specifically associated with tristeza in citrus trees grafted on sour orange

Effect of temperature on RNA silencing of a negative-stranded RNA plant virus: Citrus psorosis virus

Citrus psorosis virus (CPsV), genus Ophiovirus, causes a bark scaling disease of citrus. CPsV virions are kinked filaments with three negative-stranded RNA molecules (vRNA) and a 48 kDa coat protein. The effect of temperature on symptom expression, virus accumulation and RNA silencing was examined in sweet orange seedlings (Citrus sinensis) graft-inoculated with three different CPsV isolates and grown in a glasshouse at 26/18°C or 32/26°C (day/night). Most plants kept in the cooler glasshouse showed a shock reaction in the first flush with shoot necrosis, and then moderate to intense chlorotic flecking and spotting in young leaves, whereas plants incubated at 32/26°C did not exhibit shoot necrosis, and young leaf symptoms were milder. Virus titre estimated by ELISA and by northern and dot blot hybridization paralleled symptom intensity, with significantly higher virus accumulation in plants incubated at 26/18°C. The amount of CPsV-derived small RNAs (CPsV-sRNAs) slightly increased at 32/26°C, with the ratio of CPsV-sRNA/vRNA being higher at 32/26°C than at 26/18°C. These results suggest that (i) CPsV infection induces RNA silencing in citrus plants, (ii) symptom intensity is associated with virus accumulation, and (iii) temperature increase enhances the RNA silencing response of citrus plants and decreases virus accumulation.Facultad de Ciencias Exacta

Effect of temperature on RNA silencing of a negative-stranded RNA plant virus: Citrus psorosis virus

Citrus psorosis virus (CPsV), genus Ophiovirus, causes a bark scaling disease of citrus. CPsV virions are kinked filaments with three negative-stranded RNA molecules (vRNA) and a 48 kDa coat protein. The effect of temperature on symptom expression, virus accumulation and RNA silencing was examined in sweet orange seedlings (Citrus sinensis) graft-inoculated with three different CPsV isolates and grown in a glasshouse at 26/18°C or 32/26°C (day/night). Most plants kept in the cooler glasshouse showed a shock reaction in the first flush with shoot necrosis, and then moderate to intense chlorotic flecking and spotting in young leaves, whereas plants incubated at 32/26°C did not exhibit shoot necrosis, and young leaf symptoms were milder. Virus titre estimated by ELISA and by northern and dot blot hybridization paralleled symptom intensity, with significantly higher virus accumulation in plants incubated at 26/18°C. The amount of CPsV-derived small RNAs (CPsV-sRNAs) slightly increased at 32/26°C, with the ratio of CPsV-sRNA/vRNA being higher at 32/26°C than at 26/18°C. These results suggest that (i) CPsV infection induces RNA silencing in citrus plants, (ii) symptom intensity is associated with virus accumulation, and (iii) temperature increase enhances the RNA silencing response of citrus plants and decreases virus accumulation.Facultad de Ciencias Exacta