Asylum

L’invitation faite à un artiste d’organiser dans une ville italienne un premier événement d’envergure autour de la commémoration de la Shoah (la Giornata della Memoria). La difficulté à assumer les aspects spectaculaires qu’une telle initiative demande, et l’interrogation « morale » sur le site destiné à l’accueillir : un ancien asile de pauvres, lieu d’enfermement et de souffrance qui n’est pas sans suggestions évocatrices. Le choix de confier à la force même des documents la tâche d’argumenter le sujet, la tentative pour transformer un événement ponctuel en structure d’accueil et d’information, la volonté de contourner le pathos mimétique, des interventions artistiques posées comme des allégories

Seed transcriptome annotation reveals enhanced expression of genes related to ros homeostasis and ethylene metabolism at alternating temperatures in wild cardoon

The association among environmental cues, ethylene response, ABA signaling, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) homeostasis in the process of seed dormancy release is nowadays well-established in many species. Alternating temperatures are recognized as one of the main environmental signals determining dormancy release, but their underlying mechanisms are scarcely known. Dry after-ripened wild cardoon achenes germinated poorly at a constant temperature of 20, 15, or 10◦C, whereas germination was stimulated by 80% at alternating temperatures of 20/10◦C. Using an RNA-Seq approach, we identified 23,640 and annotated 14,078 gene transcripts expressed in dry achenes and achenes exposed to constant or alternating temperatures. Transcriptional patterns identified in dry condition included seed reserve and response to dehydration stress genes (i.e., HSPs, peroxidases, and LEAs). At a constant temperature, we observed an upregulation of ABA biosynthesis genes (i.e., NCED9), ABA-responsive genes (i.e., ABI5 and TAP), as well as other genes previously related to physiological dormancy and inhibition of germination. However, the alternating temperatures were associated with the upregulation of ethylene metabolism (i.e., ACO1, 4, and ACS10) and signaling (i.e., EXPs) genes and ROS homeostasis regulators genes (i.e., RBOH and CAT). Accordingly, the ethylene production was twice as high at alternating than at constant temperatures. The presence in the germination medium of ethylene or ROS synthesis and signaling inhibitors reduced significantly, but not completely, germination at 20/10◦C. Conversely, the presence of methyl viologen and salicylhydroxamic acid (SHAM), a peroxidase inhibitor, partially increased germination at constant temperature. Taken together, the present study provides the first insights into the gene expression patterns and physiological response associated with dormancy release at alternating temperatures in wild cardoon (Cynara cardunculus var. sylvestris).Fil: Huarte, Hector Roberto. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Lomas de Zamora; ArgentinaFil: Puglia, Giuseppe. D.. Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche; ItaliaFil: Prjibelski, Andrey D.. Academia de Ciencias de Rusia.; RusiaFil: Raccuia, Salvatore A.. Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche; Itali

Sicilia—silicon carbide detectors for intense luminosity investigations and applications

Silicon carbide (SiC) is a compound semiconductor, which is considered as a possible alternative to silicon for particles and photons detection. Its characteristics make it very promising for the next generation of nuclear and particle physics experiments at high beam luminosity. Silicon Carbide detectors for Intense Luminosity Investigations and Applications (SiCILIA) is a project starting as a collaboration between the Italian National Institute of Nuclear Physics (INFN) and IMM-CNR, aiming at the realization of innovative detection systems based on SiC. In this paper, we discuss the main features of silicon carbide as a material and its potential application in the field of particles and photons detectors, the project structure and the strategies used for the prototype realization, and the first results concerning prototype production and their performance

ECMO for COVID-19 patients in Europe and Israel

Since March 15th, 2020, 177 centres from Europe and Israel have joined the study, routinely reporting on the ECMO support they provide to COVID-19 patients. The mean annual number of cases treated with ECMO in the participating centres before the pandemic (2019) was 55. The number of COVID-19 patients has increased rapidly each week reaching 1531 treated patients as of September 14th. The greatest number of cases has been reported from France (n = 385), UK (n = 193), Germany (n = 176), Spain (n = 166), and Italy (n = 136) .The mean age of treated patients was 52.6 years (range 16–80), 79% were male. The ECMO configuration used was VV in 91% of cases, VA in 5% and other in 4%. The mean PaO2 before ECMO implantation was 65 mmHg. The mean duration of ECMO support thus far has been 18 days and the mean ICU length of stay of these patients was 33 days. As of the 14th September, overall 841 patients have been weaned from ECMO support, 601 died during ECMO support, 71 died after withdrawal of ECMO, 79 are still receiving ECMO support and for 10 patients status n.a. . Our preliminary data suggest that patients placed on ECMO with severe refractory respiratory or cardiac failure secondary to COVID-19 have a reasonable (55%) chance of survival. Further extensive data analysis is expected to provide invaluable information on the demographics, severity of illness, indications and different ECMO management strategies in these patients

Seed dormancy and control of germination in Sisymbrella dentata (L.) O.E. Schulz (Brassicaceae)

Seed germination responsiveness to environmental cues is crucial for plant species living in changeable habitats and can vary among populations within the same species as a result of adaptation or modulation to local climates. Here, we investigate the germination response to environmental cues of Sisymbrella dentata (L.) O.E. Schulz, an annual endemic to Sicily living in Mediterranean Temporary Ponds (MTP), a vulnerable ecosystem. Germination of the only two known populations, Gurrida and Pantano, was assessed over a broad range of conditions to understand the role of temperatures, nitrate, hormones (abscisic acid – ABA and gibberellins – GA) and after-ripening in dormancy release in this species. Seed germination responsiveness varied between the two populations, with seeds from Gurrida germinating under a narrower range of conditions. Overall, this process in S. dentata consisted of testa and endosperm rupture as two sequential events, influenced by ABA and GA biosynthesis. Nitrate addition caused an earlier testa rupture, after-ripening broadened the thermal conditions that allow germination, and alternating temperatures significantly promoted germination of non-after-ripened seeds. Primary dormancy in S. dentata seeds likely allows this plant to form a persistent seed bank that is responsive to specific environmental cues characteristic of MTP habitats

Nutraceutical Content and Genetic Diversity Share a Common Pattern in New Pomegranate Genotypes

The nutraceutical value of pomegranate in the treatment of many diseases is well-documented and is linked to its richness in phenolic compounds. This study aims to evaluate the nutraceutical and genetic diversity of novel pomegranate genotypes (G1–G5) in comparison to leading commercial pomegranate varieties, i.e., ‘Wonderful’, ‘Primosole’, ‘Dente di Cavallo’ and ‘Valenciana’. Morphometric measurements were carried out on fruits, accompanied by chemical characterization (total phenolic content, antioxidant activity, carbohydrates and minerals) and the development of four new polymorphic SSR markers involved in the flavonoid pathway. The cultivars displayed a marked variability in the weight and shape of the fruits, as well as in the weight of the arils and juice yield. The highest level of total phenolic content and antioxidant activity was found in ‘Wonderful’ and G4, while the lowest was in ‘Dente di Cavallo’. Furthermore, the results showed that pomegranate juice is an excellent source of minerals, especially potassium, which plays a key role in organ functioning. The new flavonoid-related markers effectively differentiated the cultivars with the same diversity pattern as morpho-chemical characterization, so the SSRs developed in the present study can be used as a rapid tool for the identification of pomegranate cultivars with relevant nutraceutical traits, such as the new genotypes investigated

Clinical Trial: Management of Post-Haemorrhoidectomy Wound Healing by Bergamot Flavonoid-Based Gel and Sodium Hyaluronate: An Observational, Multicentric Trial

Objective: Haemorrhoidal disease (HD) is a very diffuse anorectal condition that involves a large part of the population, both male and female of every age. Among the procedures proposed to treat HD, conventional excisional surgery remains one of the most performed. Milligan-Morgan (MM) technique is one of the most used haemorrhoidectomy techniques. In this technique, the wounds are left open and re-epithelialization requires almost 3-5 weeks, in which patients generally experience pain and intense discomfort improving over the weeks. Methods: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of topic administration of Benebeo Gel®, mainly composed by bergamot-derived flavonoids and hyaluronic acid, on post-operative wound healing after open MM haemorrhoidectomy. An observational prospective study was carried out, involving 205 patients aged between 18 and 75. Results and Conclusion: The results after 2 weeks of treatment seem to be promising with a very good clinical outcome and patient satisfaction within 1 month