A new variant of Xylella fastidiosa subspecies multiplex detected in different host plants in the recently emerged outbreak in the region of Tuscany, Italy

The vector-borne bacterial pathogen Xylella fastidiosa is widely distributed in the Americas; in the last decade it has emerged as a serious threat for agricultural crops, natural environment and landscape in Europe. Following the first EU outbreak in 2013 in southern Italy, associated with a severe disease in olive trees, annual mandatory surveys are now in place in the Member States, leading to the discovery of bacterial outbreaks in different countries. Among the latest findings, an outbreak has been reported in the Italian region of Tuscany, with infections identified in seven different plant species. In this work, we report the isolation and the genetic characterization of isolates associated with this newly discovered outbreak. Multilocus sequence typing approach revealed the occurrence of isolates harbouring a new sequence type, denoted ST87, genetically related to strains of subsp. multiplex, but different from the genotypes of this subspecies previously characterized in Europe. Five cultured strains were successfully recovered from four of the seven host plants, an important achievement for advancing the studies on genomics and pathogenicity of these isolates and thus assess their potential threat for European agriculture

Isolation and pathogenicity of Xylella fastidiosa associated to the olive quick decline syndrome in southern Italy

In autumn 2013, the presence of Xylella fastidiosa, a xylem-limited Gram-negative bacterium, was detected in olive stands of an area of the Ionian coast of the Salento peninsula (Apulia, southern Italy), that were severely affected by a disease denoted olive quick decline syndrome (OQDS). Studies were carried out for determining the involvement of this bacterium in the genesis of OQDS and of the leaf scorching shown by a number of naturally infected plants other than olive. Isolation in axenic culture was attempted and assays were carried out for determining its pathogenicity to olive, oleander and myrtle-leaf milkwort. The bacterium was readily detected by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) in all diseased olive trees sampled in different and geographically separated infection foci, and culturing of 51 isolates, each from a distinct OQDS focus, was accomplished. Needle-inoculation experiments under different environmental conditions proved that the Salentinian isolate De Donno belonging to the subspecies pauca is able to multiply and systemically invade artificially inoculated hosts, reproducing symptoms observed in the field. Bacterial colonization occurred in prick-inoculated olives of all tested cultivars. However, the severity of and timing of symptoms appearance differed with the cultivar, confirming their differential reaction

Epoxidation of glycals with oxone-acetone-tetrabutylammonium hydrogen sulfate: a convenient access to simple beta-D-glycosides and to alpha-D-mannosamine and D-talosamine donors

International audienceThe addition of a phase transfer catalyst during the epoxidation of perbenzylated glycals with oxone-acetone under biphasic conditions allows their complete epoxidation. The epoxides were readily transformed into methyl 1,2-trans-beta-D-glycosides or 1,2-trans-beta-D-glycopyranosyl azides (D-gluco and-D-galacto configurations) bearing a free hydroxyl group at the 2-position. These glycosyl azides were converted to alkyl 1,2-trans-2-acetamido-2-deoxy-alpha-D-pyranosides or alkyl 2-allyloxycarbonylamino-2deoxy-alpha-D-pyranosides (D-manno and D-talo configurations) by a Staudinger reaction and a double inversion of configuration at C-1 and C-2. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Evaluation of an endophytic symbiont as biocontrol agent against Xylella fastidiosa CoDiRO

The quarantine bacterium Xylella fastidiosa is responsible for several diseases in a wide range of cultivated and wild plants. Few efforts have been made to investigate the potential use of endophytic symbionts on the disease phenotype of Xf-infected plants. The aim of our study is to evaluate if Paraburkholderia phytofirmans PsJN strain, a plant growth-promoting rhizobacterium, whose beneficial effects in reduction of symptom severity caused by Xf in grapevine affected by Pierce’s Disease have been recently proved, may play a role as biocontrol agent against Xf CoDiRO strain, that is causing in Apulia (Italy) a severe disease in olive groves. Greenhouse trials are being conducted to test the ability of P. phytofirmans to colonise xylem vessels of olive, Nicotiana benthamiana and oleander, following inoculation of bacterial suspensions by droplet puncture and root dipping. A conventional PCR assay for detection of P. phytofirmans movement in plants has been developed to be used in combination with plate isolation and an available qPCR specific assay. Preliminary results showed that needle-inoculated bacterial cells were detectable in the leaf petioles of the three hosts, distal from the inoculation site. Root dipping proved successful in infecting in vitro cultured olive plantlets. Double-infection assays, currently underway, will prove if P. phytofirmans PsJN shows a beneficial interaction with Xf CoDiRO

Chronic lisuride treatment decrease ACTH but not 3-EP and β-LPH plasma levels in children Auteur(s) / Author(s)

Chronic lisuride treatment decrease ACTH but not 3-EP and β-LPH plasma levels in childre

Il contratto di lavoro a termine. Novit\ue0 applicative.

Il contributo affronta le principali questioni controverse in tema di lavoro a tempo determinato

Effects of long-term administration of Lactobacillus reuteri DSM-17938 on circulating levels of 5-HT and BDNF in adults with functional constipation.

Accumulated evidence shows that some probiotic strains ameliorate functional constipation (FC) via the modulation of specific gastrointestinal peptide pathways. The aims of this study were to investigate: (1) the effects of long-term administration of Lactobacillus reuteri (LR) DSM 17938 on the serum levels of serotonin (5-HT) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF); (2) the possible link between 5-HT, BDNF, and specific constipation-related symptoms; (3) whether genetic variability at the 5-HTT gene-linked polymorphic region (5-HTTLPR) and BDNF Val66Met loci could be associated with serum 5-HT and BDNF variations. LR DSM 17938 was administered to 56 FC patients for 105 days in a randomised, double-blind manner. The fasting blood samples were collected during the randomisation visit (V1), at day 15 (induction period, V2), day 60 (intermediate evaluation, V3), and day 105 (V4) and the Constipaq questionnaire (the sum of Constipation Scoring System (CSS) and patient assessment constipation quality of life (PAC-QoL)) was administered. A group of healthy subjects was enrolled as controls (HC). At V1, the mean serum 5-HT level in the whole patient group was significantly higher (P=0.027) than in HC subjects, while serum BDNF did not. At the end of probiotic administration (V4), 5-HT and BDNF levels were significantly lower than the initial values (V1) (P=0.008 and P=0.015, respectively). 5-HT and BDNF serum concentration were significantly associated (r=0.355; P=0.007). Neither 5-HT nor BDNF serum levels correlated with the CSS item scores and with the PAC-QoL. Lastly, the regression analysis demonstrated that the presence of the S allele of the 5-HTTLPR accounted for the reduction in the 5-HT concentration at V4. In conclusion, the long-term administration of LR DSM 17938 demonstrated that such a probiotic strain could improve FC by affecting 5-HT and BDNF serum concentrations

Do Store Flyers Work?Implications for NBs and PLs from a Subgroup Analysis with Experimental Data

Store flyers are one of the key media featuring retail and brand promotions. However, the importance attributed to store flyers is not matched by an understanding of how customers respond to them. To shed light on flyer effectiveness, we employ a field experiment to estimate the response of 5000 retail customers to store flyers. We perform an Intention-To-Treat analysis and a Subgroup Analysis as post-hoc analyses with the aim of identifying unusual or unexpected treatment effects. Empirical evidence questions the effectiveness of untargeted flyer distribution. Subgroup Analysis provides further insights at customer segment level