The absence of abdominal pigmentation in livestock associated culicoides following artificial blood feeding and the epidemiological implication for arbovirus surveillance

Culicoides midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae), the vectors of economically important arboviruses such as bluetongue virus and African horse sickness virus, are of global importance. In the absence of transovarial transmission, the parity rate of a Culicoides population provides imperative information regarding the risk of virus dispersal. Abdominal pigmentation, which develops after blood feeding and ovipositioning, is used as an indicator of parity in Culicoides. During oral susceptibility trials over the last three decades, a persistent proportion of blood engorged females did not develop pigment after incubation. The present study, combining a number of feeding trials and different artificial feeding methods, reports on this phenomenon, as observed in various South African and Italian Culicoides species and populations. The absence of pigmentation in artificial blood-fed females was found in at least 23 Culicoides species, including important vectors such as C. imicola, C. bolitinos, C. obsoletus, and C. scoticus. Viruses were repeatedly detected in these unpigmented females after incubation. Blood meal size seems to play a role and this phenomenon could be present in the field and requires consideration, especially regarding the detection of virus in apparent “nulliparous” females and the identification of overwintering mechanisms and seasonally free vector zones.This publication is part of the project “ArtOmic” (Grant number RF-2016-02362851) which has received funding from the Italian Ministry of Health’s Ricerca Finalizzata programme (2016).https://www.mdpi.com/journal/pathogensam2022Veterinary Tropical Disease

Correction to: The tree that hides the forest : cryptic diversity and phylogenetic relationships in the Palaearctic vector Obsoletus/Scoticus complex (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) at the European level

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article

The tree that hides the forest: cryptic diversity and phylogenetic relationships in the Palaearctic vector Obsoletus/Scoticus Complex (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) at the European level

Abstract Background Culicoides obsoletus is an abundant and widely distributed Holarctic biting midge species, involved in the transmission of bluetongue virus (BTV) and Schmallenberg virus (SBV) to wild and domestic ruminants. Females of this vector species are often reported jointly with two morphologically very close species, C. scoticus and C. montanus, forming the Obsoletus/Scoticus Complex. Recently, cryptic diversity within C. obsoletus was reported in geographically distant sites. Clear delineation of species and characterization of genetic variability is mandatory to revise their taxonomic status and assess the vector role of each taxonomic entity. Our objectives were to characterize and map the cryptic diversity within the Obsoletus/Scoticus Complex. Methods Portion of the cox1 mitochondrial gene of 3763 individuals belonging to the Obsoletus/Scoticus Complex was sequenced. Populations from 20 countries along a Palaearctic Mediterranean transect covering Scandinavia to Canary islands (North to South) and Canary islands to Turkey (West to East) were included. Genetic diversity based on cox1 barcoding was supported by 16S rDNA mitochondrial gene sequences and a gene coding for ribosomal 28S rDNA. Species delimitation using a multi-marker methodology was used to revise the current taxonomic scheme of the Obsoletus/Scoticus Complex. Results Our analysis showed the existence of three phylogenetic clades (C. obsoletus clade O2, C. obsoletus clade dark and one not yet named and identified) within C. obsoletus. These analyses also revealed two intra-specific clades within C. scoticus and raised questions about the taxonomic status of C. montanus. Conclusions To our knowledge, our study provides the first genetic characterization of the Obsoletus/Scoticus Complex on a large geographical scale and allows a revision of the current taxonomic classification for an important group of vector species of livestock viruses in the Palaearctic region

Adolescentes en la Red: un estudio sobre la representación ética

En los últimos años, la literatura ha presentado la imagen de una nueva generación caracterizada por una mayor competencia digital, los llamados nativos digitales. El presente trabajo trata de investigar la representación social (Moscovici, 1961) de la tecnología que poseen los jóvenes italianos (nativos digitales o inmigrantes). Nuestra atención hacia este tema no es solo resultado de la dimensión funcional de la tecnología, sino también de su etiqueta. Intentamos incluir en nuestra investigación tantos aspectos en línea como pudimos: Legalidad, transparencia de la red, sociabilidad, protección de datos personales, reconocimiento de valores y protección de la privacidad. El objetivo de este trabajo es proporcionar la primera descripción de la relación entre los adolescentes italianos y la tecnología y resaltar la eventual especificidad relacionada con el tipo y la familiaridad con los nuevos medios. La investigación involucró a 396 adolescentes en el tercer año de la escuela secundaria (edad media = 16,29; ds = 564) en Piamonte. La muestra estuvo compuesta por 142 hombres y 244 mujeres. (36,8% - 63,2%; porcentaje válido). A cada sujeto se le ha entregado un cuestionario ETeRe (Representación tecnológica ética) nombrado individualmente. Los datos recogidos destacan las diferencias en relación con el sexo de los sujetos y su familiaridad con la tecnología.In the last few years, literature has presented an image of a new generation characterised by an increased digital competence, the so called digital natives. The present work tries to investigate the social representation (Moscovici, 1961) of technology that young Italians possess (Digital natives or immigrants). Our attention towards this subject is not just result of the functional dimension of technology, but also because of its etiquette. We tried to include in our investigation as many on-line aspects as we possibly could: legality, transparency of the network, sociability, protection of personal data, recognition of values and protection of privacy. The aim of this work is to supply the first description of the relation between Italian adolescents and technology and to highlight the eventual specificity related to type and familiarity with the new media. The research involved 396 adolescents in the third year of high school (mean age = 16,29; ds = 564) in Piedmont. The sample was composed of 142 males and 244 females. (36,8% - 63,2%; valid percentage). Each subject has been given an individually named ETeRe questionnaire (Ethical technological representation). The data collected highlight the differences in relation to the sex of the subjects and their familiarity with technology.peerReviewe

Dioxane and Oxathiane Nuclei: Suitable Substructures for Muscarinic Agonists

Muscarinic agonists, bearing 1,4-dioxane and 1,4-oxathiane nuclei, were synthesized and tested to evaluate their potency at M1-M4 muscarinic receptor subtypes. The stereochemical relationship between the 2-side chain and the 6-methyl group plays an important role in drug-receptor interaction, since the cis isomers are more potent than the corresponding trans isomers. However, the latter are able to discriminate between the muscarinic receptor subtypes. Among them compound 5b proves particularly interesting, since it selectively activates the ileal M3 receptor subtype and is devoid of agonist activity at the others

Species composition and relative abundance of the genus Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) in Romania

Background: Culicoidesbiting midges are vectors involved in the biological transmission cycle of important animal diseases such as bluetongue and African horse sickness. In Romania, the first outbreaks of bluetongue were reported in 2014, leading to increased activities within the existing entomological surveillance network. The main goals of the surveillance activities were the establishment of the vector free period in relation to animal trade and the identification ofCulicoidesspecies involved in the transmission of the pathogen. This study was conducted on the composition and relative abundance of the species belonging to the genusCulicoides(Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) in certain regions of Romania and provided the opportunity to update the existing checklist ofCulicoidesspecies of this country.Methods: The study was conducted in 33 of the 42 administrative units (counties), including a total of 659 catches, in 102 locations. The collections were carried out with UV blacklight suction traps (OVI type). The collected insects were preserved in 70% ethanol. Morphological insect identification was carried out using a stereomicroscope, according to established identification keys. In ten localities the relative abundance of the cryptic species of the Obsoletus complex was determined by multiplex PCR assay based on the ITS2 segment. The identification of theCulicoides chiopterus(Meigen) species by morphological examination was confirmed by PCR assay based on the ITS1 segment.Results: Eleven species were identified using morphological and PCR tools. The rest of the individuals were separated into five taxa. The species of the Obsoletus complex (grouping Culicoides obsoletus(Meigen) and Culicoides scoticus Downes & Kettle) were the most abundant, accounting for 59% of the total number of captured Culicoidesspp. Three of the identified species are mentioned, according to our knowledge, for the first time in Romania:Culicoides newsteadi Austen,Culicoides flavipulicaris Dzhafarov and Culicoides bysta Sarvasova, Kocisova, Candolfi & Mathieu.Conclusions: Our study demonstrates that theCulicoidesspecies most commonly cited as being involved in the transmission of arboviruses in Europe (i.e. bluetongue and Schmallenberg viruses) make up a high proportion of adult Culicoides trapped in Romania

Structure-activity relationships in 1,4-benzodioxan-related compounds. 8.(1) {2-[2-(4 chlorobenzyloxy)phenoxy]ethyl}-[2-(2,6-dimethoxyphenoxy)ethyl]amine (clopenphendioxan) as a tool to highlight the involvement of alpha1D- and alpha1B-adrenoreceptor subtypes in the regulation of human PC-3 prostate cancer cell apoptosis and proliferation

A series of new α1-adrenoreceptor antagonists (5-18) was prepared by introducing various substituents (Topliss approach) into the ortho, meta, and para positions of the benzyloxy function of the phendioxan open analogue 4 ("openphendioxan"). All the compounds synthesized were potent antagonists and generally displayed, similarly to 4, the highest affinity values at α1D-with respect to α1A- and α1B-AR subtypes and 5-HT1A subtype. By sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay on human PC-3 prostate cancer cells, the new compounds showed antitumor activity (estimated on the basis of three parameters GI50, TGI, LC50), at low micromolar concentration, with 7 ("clopenphendioxan") exhibiting the highest efficacy. Moreover, this study highlighted for the first time α1D- and α1B-AR expression in PC3 cells and also demonstrated the involvement of these subtypes in the modulation of apoptosis and cell proliferation. A significant reduction of α1D- and α1B-AR expression in PC3 cells was associated with the apoptosis induced by 7. This depletion was completely reversed by norepinephrine

First cases of Schmallenberg virus in Italy: surveillance strategies

Following the first report of Schmallenberg virus (SBV) in the brain of a dystocic goat foetus in 2012 in Northern Italy, immediate response actions were adopted to avoid the virus circulation. The brain tested positive by 2 different one-step real-time RT-PCR protocols; these results were also confirmed by partial sequencing of the viral genome. At that time this was the first detection of the new Orthobunyavirus genus within the Bunyaviridae family in Italy. An epidemiological investigation in the involved farm was carried out in collaboration with the CESME - National Reference Centre for the study and verification of Foreign Animal Diseases (Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise 'G. Caporale', Italy). Epidemiological information on the flock was provided and analysed, whole blood and serum samples were also collected from all animals in the farm for both virological and serological investigations. All blood samples tested negative for SBV, whereas serological positive results were obtained by virus-neutralization (VN). Epidemiological investigations indicated the possible virus circulation in the area. The subsequent surveillance actions were mainly based on the standardization and re-enforcement of passive surveillance protocols, a risk-based serological surveillance programme through VN and an entomological surveillance programme in the involved geographical areas were also put in place. Eventually SBV local circulation was confirmed by real time RT-PCR in 6 Culicoides pools, collected between September and November 2011 in 3 farms in the surroundings of the area of SBV outbreak