Variability in Floral Scent in Rewarding and Deceptive Orchids: The Signature of Pollinator-imposed Selection?

Background and Aims A comparative investigation was made of floral scent variation in the closely related, food-rewarding Anacamptis coriophora and the food-deceptive Anacamptis morio in order to identify patterns of variability of odour compounds in the two species and their role in pollinator attraction/avoidance learning. Methods Scent was collected from plants in natural populations and samples were analysed via quantitative gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. Combined gas chromatography and electroantennographic detection was used to identify compounds that are detected by the pollinators. Experimental reduction of scent variability was performed in the field with plots of A. morio plants supplemented with a uniform amount of anisaldehyde. Key Results Both orchid species emitted complex odour bouquets. In A. coriophora the two main benzenoid compounds, hydroquinone dimethyl ether (1,4-dimethoxybenzene) and anisaldehyde (methoxybenzaldehyde), triggered electrophysiological responses in olfactory neurons of honey-bee and bumble-bee workers. The scent of A. morio, however, was too weak to elicit any electrophysiological responses. The overall variation in scent was significantly lower in the rewarding A. coriophora than in the deceptive A. morio, suggesting pollinator avoidance-learning selecting for high variation in the deceptive species. A. morio flowers supplemented with non-variable scent in plot experiments, however, did not show significantly reduced pollination success. Conclusions Whereas in the rewarding A. coriophora stabilizing selection imposed by floral constancy of the pollinators may reduce scent variability, in the deceptive A. morio the emitted scent seems to be too weak to be detected by pollinators and thus its high variability may result from relaxed selection on this floral trai

Variability in Floral Scent in Rewarding and Deceptive Orchids: The Signature of Pollinator-imposed Selection?

Background and Aims A comparative investigation was made of floral scent variation in the closely related, food-rewarding Anacamptis coriophora and the food-deceptive Anacamptis morio in order to identify patterns of variability of odour compounds in the two species and their role in pollinator attraction/avoidance learning. Methods Scent was collected from plants in natural populations and samples were analysed via quantitative gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. Combined gas chromatography and electroantennographic detection was used to identify compounds that are detected by the pollinators. Experimental reduction of scent variability was performed in the field with plots of A. morio plants supplemented with a uniform amount of anisaldehyde. Key Results Both orchid species emitted complex odour bouquets. In A. coriophora the two main benzenoid compounds, hydroquinone dimethyl ether (1,4-dimethoxybenzene) and anisaldehyde (methoxybenzaldehyde), triggered electrophysiological responses in olfactory neurons of honey-bee and bumble-bee workers. The scent of A. morio, however, was too weak to elicit any electrophysiological responses. The overall variation in scent was significantly lower in the rewarding A. coriophora than in the deceptive A. morio, suggesting pollinator avoidance-learning selecting for high variation in the deceptive species. A. morio flowers supplemented with non-variable scent in plot experiments, however, did not show significantly reduced pollination success. Conclusions Whereas in the rewarding A. coriophora stabilizing selection imposed by floral constancy of the pollinators may reduce scent variability, in the deceptive A. morio the emitted scent seems to be too weak to be detected by pollinators and thus its high variability may result from relaxed selection on this floral trai

Le rappresentazioni del mondo del lavoro nelle fasce giovanili: applicazione di un metodo grafico

ABSTRACT This study focused on the planning and management of direct communication regarding the “culture of prevention” for new generations. The present research is part of the broad range of studies on “Social Representations” (SR, Moscovici 1984) and has its origins in the research planned within the 2006 “European Week”, promoted by the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work. The study’s main aim was to define the “images” or shared Representations by the people interviewed on the topic of the “work world”, using a particular non-verbal (icons/visual) technique as a part of the method. Two hundred young people aged between 18 and 24 were interviewed, approximately balanced for sex, not yet working or with little or minor work experience. In order to study reliable SR, interviewees were asked to make a drawing illustrating how they “visualized” themselves in the work world. The content was then analyzed by assigning them to specific categories, established beforehand by independent judges. This marked out attributes and qualities of the work world, which were then applied in the next stage, in which independent judges assessed (Cohen’s K 0.84) the various representations. Results show that eight main categories of SR emerged, differently oriented according to two main dimensions: (a) positive (socialization, opening to others, well-being, usability) and (b) negative (precariousness, disorientation, isolation, withdrawn behaviour)

Effetto del trattamento con azoxystrobin e della concimazione azotata in frumento duro

Atti del XXXVIII Convegno della Società Italiana di Agronomia (S.I.A.

Analisi e ricostruzione delle lesività scheletriche mediante indagini radiologiche

Il ricorso in ambito forense a tecniche di imaging per l’analisi e ricostruzione delle lesività scheletriche, è oggetto di crescente interesse, in ragione delle indiscutibili prerogative offerte dalla “virtopsy”. L’Istituto di Medicina Legale di Bari, in collaborazione con la Radiologia di Bari, già da diversi anni riconosce l’efficacia delle tecniche eidologiche nell’ambito della localizzazione di proiettili e frammenti ritenuti in ambito balistico, nonché nella valutazione dei complessi lesivi derivanti da grandi traumatismi o nei cadaveri “preziosi”. Dopo la disamina delle possibilità applicative individuate in letteratura medico-legale, gli Autori discutono i limiti e le prospettive della virtopsy, con particolare riferimento alle esperienze maturate su casistica rilevante

Human placenta-derived neurospheres are susceptible to transformation after extensive in vitro expansion

The cancer stem cell model links neoplastic cells with normal stem cell biology, but little is known on how normal stem cells are transformed into cancer stem cells. Methods: To investigate the processes underlying the transformation of normal stem cells we developed in vitro a cancer stem cell model from human amniotic and chorionic placenta membranes. In this model we studied the expression of specific stem cell molecules by flow cytometry, and genes, by real time RT-PCR. Microscopy immunfluorescence was employed to investigate the proliferative and differentiation patterns. Fluorescence microscopy and FACS were employed to investigate the proliferative and differentiation patterns. To evaluate the tumorigenic potential of our model we injected the cells into NOD.CB17-Prkdcscid/NCrHsd mice. Results: Normal human stem cells from amniotic and chorionic placenta membranes were converted into neural cell lineages, under specific conditions, to form secondary neurospheres with a capacity for self-renewal. After extensive in vitro culture, these cells underwent spontaneous transformations and acquired a neuroblastoma (NB)-like phenotype with an elevated proliferative potential that is comparable to established neuroblastoma cell lines. The ability of these cells to transform their phenotype was evidenced by increased clonogenic ability in vitro; by augmented expression level of certain proliferation- and transformation-related genes (e.g., CCNA2, MYCN, ENPP2, GRIA3, and KIT); by the presence of multinucleated and hyperdiploid cells. We further demonstrated that the transformed phenotype is an NB by measuring the expression of NB-specific markers, disialoganglioside GD2 and N-Myc proteins. Conclusions: We have developed a cancer stem cell model starting from normal human stem cells derived from amniotic and chorionic placenta membranes. These cells are able to differentiate into neural cell lineages and to undergo spontaneous transformations and acquire an NB-like phenotype.Introduction: The cancer stem cell model links neoplastic cells with normal stem cell biology, but little is known on how normal stem cells are transformed into cancer stem cells. Methods: To investigate the processes underlying the transformation of normal stem cells we developed in vitro a cancer stem cell model from human amniotic and chorionic placenta membranes. In this model we studied the expression of specific stem cell molecules by flow cytometry, and genes, by real time RT-PCR. Microscopy immunfluorescence was employed to investigate the proliferative and differentiation patterns. Fluorescence microscopy and FACS were employed to investigate the proliferative and differentiation patterns. To evaluate the tumorigenic potential of our model we injected the cells into NOD.CB17-Prkdcscid/NCrHsd mice. Results: Normal human stem cells from amniotic and chorionic placenta membranes were converted into neural cell lineages, under specific conditions, to form secondary neurospheres with a capacity for self-renewal. After extensive in vitro culture, these cells underwent spontaneous transformations and acquired a neuroblastoma (NB)-like phenotype with an elevated proliferative potential that is comparable to established neuroblastoma cell lines. The ability of these cells to transform their phenotype was evidenced by increased clonogenic ability in vitro; by augmented expression level of certain proliferation- and transformation-related genes (e.g., CCNA2, MYCN, ENPP2, GRIA3, and KIT); by the presence of multinucleated and hyperdiploid cells. We further demonstrated that the transformed phenotype is an NB by measuring the expression of NB-specific markers, disialoganglioside GD2 and N-Myc proteins. Conclusions: We have developed a cancer stem cell model starting from normal human stem cells derived from amniotic and chorionic placenta membranes. These cells are able to differentiate into neural cell lineages and to undergo spontaneous transformations and acquire an NB-like phenotype

Vaccinazione anti-hpv in Italia: conoscenze, attitudini e comportamenti delle vaccinande e delle madri delle vaccinande in uno studio multicentrico.

OBIETTIVI: L’obiettivo dello studio è di valutare conoscenze, attitudini e comportamenti delle Madri delle Vaccinande e delle Vaccinande stesse (over 18 e under 18) riguardo la prevenzione primaria e secondaria nei confronti del carcinoma della cervice uterina. METODI: Lo studio multicentrico, previsto da un Progetto di Ricerca di Interesse Nazionale, è stato condotto dalle Università di Roma “Sapienza”, Palermo, Roma Cattolica, Cassino e Ferrara attraverso un’indagine campionaria. La survey confronta Madri delle Vaccinande e Vaccinande e le differenze fra gruppi sono state analizzate con il test del 2. RISULTATI: La ricerca ha coinvolto 962 Vaccinande e 444 Madri delle Vaccinande. Dal confronto tra Vaccinande over 18 (Vover18) e Vaccinande under 18 (Vunder18) è emerso che l’81,7% delle prime e il 52,1% delle seconde conosce il Pap test come screening (p<0,001); le principali fonti di informazione sulla vaccinazione anti-HPV per le Vover18 sono: riviste (23,1%), TV (20,5%) e ginecologo (19,1%); le Vunder18 invece si rivolgono a: medico di famiglia (22,4%), pediatra (14,6%) e ASL (13,7%). Le Madri delle Vaccinande over18 (MVover18) e le Madri delle Vaccinande under 18 (MVunder18) ritengono che l’infezione da HPV possa provocare il tumore della cervice uterina (86,8% e 89,4% rispettivamente), ma solo il 4,6% e l’1,7% rispettivamente riconosce il rischio di incorrere in cancro del cavo orale. Il 61,9% delle MVover18 ed il 52% delle MVunder18 dichiara di non aver ricevuto alcuna informazione a riguardo dal ginecologo (p=0,05); oltre ad essere consapevole che il vaccino debba essere somministrato prima dei rapporti sessuali, il 13,8% sia delle MVover18 sia delle MVunder18 ritiene che una donna si possa vaccinare in qualunque momento e ad ogni età (il 23% e il 27,1% rispettivamente). Il 48,6% delle MVover18 e il 24% delle MVunder18 dichiarano aver partecipato a screening per la prevenzione del tumore della cervice uterina organizzato dall’ASL. Dal confronto delle MVover18 e Vover18 risulta che sono maggiormente le figlie (89,9%) rispetto alle madri (74,3%) a riconoscere che anche dopo la vaccinazione sia necessario sottoporsi periodicamente a Pap test (p<0,001). In merito al genere che dovrebbe vaccinarsi, il 42,7% delle Vunder18 e il 35,6% delle MVunder18 indicano sia i maschi sia le femmine (p=0,05). CONCLUSIONI: Il carcinoma della cervice uterina è causato da infezione da HPV e può essere prevenuto attraverso la vaccinazione precoce. È necessario, pertanto, costruire una rete informativa sempre più efficace con il supporto dei professionisti del settore sanitario. L’empowerment del cittadino è la migliore strategia di prevenzione

Is there a lack of information on HPV vaccination given by health professionals to young women?

Objective: The aim of this survey is to compare the main sources of information about vaccination against Human papillomavirus (HPV) of young women aged over-18 and under-18 years. Methods: A multicenter study was carried out in Italy through the administration of a questionnaire. Univariate analyses were conducted to evaluate possible differences between age groups and different locations (chi-square test and Fisher test where possible). Results: The sample consisted of 987 young women. The main sources of information about HPV vaccination are represented by magazines/books (23.1%) and TV (20.5%) for the over-18s, while for the under-18s the sources are general practitioners (22.6%) and pediatricians (15.4%). The over-18s with health professionals as parents consult mostly gynecologists (27.7%) and general practitioners (20.5%). Discussion: This study highlights lack of information on HPV vaccination given by health professionals to young women and underlines the need to improve education about cervical cancer, prevention and HPV vaccination