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The last two decades have seen the development and diffusion of new technologies that can help in managing geographic information. This has led to a proliferation of grassroots processes for exploring, creating and sharing geographical data as a way for citizens to take part in decision making in different kinds of processes.However, these ongoing processes are facing technological, cognitive and economic barriers. Universities with the use of open-source geospatial information and communication technologies (Geo-ICTs) should be the primary actors in supporting students and citizens in developing their own spatial thinking and abilities in a more effective and engaging way.In this framework, the Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence on Climate Justice (University of Padova) is developing the massive open online course (MOOC) ‘GIScience for Climate Justice’, here with the use of open-source and freeware Geo-ICTs that will be freely available for all before the end of 2022.By completing the MOOC, students will learn how to increase their knowledge of climate change and climate justice issues autonomously. Practical activities will improve their skills in obtaining and using geodata and information produced by European institutions, which can lead to them producing and sharing their own data and preparing and managing collaborative projects for sustainability and environmental monitoring.In this contribution, the theoretical background and entire methodology for the preparation and dissemination of the MOOC are presented and discussed, with the aim of disseminating and sharing this experience to actors interested in developing similar activities of using Geo-ICTs for good.

Funder: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Arboviral diseases such as dengue, Zika and chikungunya transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes have been reported in 34 African countries. Available data indicate that in recent years there have been dengue and chikungunya outbreaks in the West Africa subregion, in countries including Côte d'Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Gabon, Senegal, and Benin. These viral diseases are causing an increased public health burden, which impedes poverty reduction and sustainable development. Aedes surveillance and control capacity, which are key to reducing the prevalence of arboviral infections, need to be strengthened in West Africa, to provide information essential for the formulation of effective vector control strategies and the prediction of arboviral disease outbreaks. In line with these objectives, the West African Aedes Surveillance Network (WAASuN) was created in 2017 at a meeting held in Sierra Leone comprising African scientists working on Aedes mosquitoes. This manuscript describes the proceedings and discusses key highlights of the meeting.

Summary We describe the opportunistic infections occurring in 362 patients with lymphoproliferative disorders treated with ibrutinib and idelalisib in clinical practice. Overall, 108 of 362 patients (29·8%) developed infections, for a total of 152 events. Clinically defined infections (CDI) were 49·3% (75/152) and microbiologically defined infections (MDI) were 50·7% (77/152). Among 250 patients treated with ibrutinib, 28·8% (72/250) experienced one or more infections, for a total of 104 episodes. MDI were 49% (51/104). Bacterial infections were 66·7% (34/51), viral 19·6% (10/51) and invasive fungal diseases (IFD) 13·7% (7/51). Among the 112 patients treated with idelalisib, 32·1% (36/112) experienced one or more infections, for a total of 48 episodes. MDI were 54·2% (26/48). Bacterial infections were 34·6% (9/26), viral 61·5% (16/26) and IFD 3·8% (1/26). With ibrutinib, the rate of bacterial infections was significantly higher compared to idelalisib (66·7% vs. 34·6%; P = 0·007), while viral infections were most frequent in idelalisib (61·5% vs. 19·6%; P

Replication study of Boninger et al., 1994 study on counterfactual thinking and consideration of future consequences

An innovative millimeter-wave (mm-wave) microstrip edge-fed antenna (EFA) for 77 GHz automotive radars is proposed. The radiator contour is modeled with a sinusoidal spline-shaped (SS) profile characterized by a reduced number of geometrical descriptors, but still able to guarantee a high flexibility in the modeling for fulfilling challenging user-defined requirements. The SS-EFA descriptors are effectively and efficiently optimized with a customized implementation of the System-by-Design (SbD) paradigm. The synthesized EFA layout, integrated within a linear arrangement of identical replicas to account for the integration into the real radar system, exhibits suitable impedance matching, isolation, polarization purity, and stability of the beam shaping/pointing within the target band [76:78][GHz]. The experimental assessment, carried out with a Compact Antenna Test Range (CATR) system on a printed circuit board (PCB)-manufactured prototype, assess the reliability of the outcomes from the full-wave (FW) simulations as well as the suitability of the synthesized SS-EFA for automotive radars.

Introduction: Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is caused by JC virus opportunistic infection in the setting of immunodeficiency. Typical imaging features are multifocal and asymmetric lesions within supratentorial subcortical white matter in parieto-occipital regions. Case description: A 47-year-old patient experienced a relapse of acute myeloid leukemia 21 months after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. He also had visual impairment and magnetic resonance imaging showed an isolated cerebellar lesion without mass effect or enhancement. Common opportunistic infections and leukemic central nervous system involvement were excluded by cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis. Given the worsening clinical and radiologic scenario, PML was suspected, and CSF protein chain reaction analysis was positive for JC virus. Conclusions: Given its potential curability, PML should be thoroughly investigated in patients with hematologic neoplasms and atypical isolated cerebellar presentation.

Simple Summary The sterile insect technique is familiar to agricultural pest management and is now being increasingly applied to mosquitoes as part of integrated vector management programs. This review leans on a growing literature and on the experience of its many authors to describe the key steps, and the challenges to be surmounted, in order to design and execute successful pilot studies in many environments. We emphasize integrating stakeholder mapping and engagement at all levels. Included are introductory descriptions of the key elements to (1) ensure wide stakeholder support through transparent communication plans and the identification of regulatory and financial frameworks; (2) select suitable field sites; (3) build a sound, and locally-adapted, integrated vector management strategy; (4) access the technical advancements to ensure high-quality releases; and (5) reliably assess the impacts and benefits of the field trial. Abstract Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti are invasive mosquito species that impose a substantial risk to human health. To control the abundance and spread of these arboviral pathogen vectors, the sterile insect technique (SIT) is emerging as a powerful complement to most commonly-used approaches, in part, because this technique is ecologically benign, specific, and non-persistent in the environment if releases are stopped. Because SIT and other similar vector control strategies are becoming of increasing interest to many countries, we offer here a pragmatic and accessible ‘roadmap’ for the pre-pilot and pilot phases to guide any interested party. This will support stakeholders, non-specialist scientists, implementers, and decision-makers. Applying these concepts will ensure, given adequate resources, a sound basis for local field trialing and for developing experience with the technique in readiness for potential operational deployment. This synthesis is based on the available literature, in addition to the experience and current knowledge of the expert contributing authors in this field. We describe a typical path to successful pilot testing, with the four concurrent development streams of Laboratory, Field, Stakeholder Relations, and the Business and Compliance Case. We provide a graphic framework with criteria that must be met in order to proceed.

Digital holographic reconstruction of diffraction patterns recorded using large aperture parabolic mirrors in a Z-configuration provide accurate, highly detailed, video-rate 3D tracking of mosquito flight in a 250×250×1200mm chamber.

Positron emission computed tomography (PET/CT) in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) enrolled in a prospective clinical trial were reviewed to test the impact of quantitative parameters from interim PET/CT scans on overall (OS) and progression-free (PFS) survival. We centrally reviewed baseline and interim PET/CT scans of 138 patients treated with rituximab plus cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisone given every 14 days (R-CHOP14) in the SAKK38/07 trial (ClinicalTrial.gov identifier: NCT00544219). Cutoff values for maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax ), metabolic tumor volume (MTV), total lesion glycolysis (TLG) and metabolic heterogeneity (MH) were defined by receiver operating characteristic analysis. Responses were scored using the Deauville scale (DS). Patients with DS 5 at interim PET/CT (defined by uptake >2 times higher than in normal liver) had worse PFS (P = 0.014) and OS (P < 0.0001). A SUVmax reduction (Δ) greater than 66% was associated with longer PFS (P = 0.0027) and OS (P < 0.0001). Elevated SUVmax , MTV, TLG, and MH at interim PET/CT also identified patients with poorer outcome. At multivariable analysis, ΔSUVmax and baseline MTV appeared independent outcome predictors. A prognostic model integrating ΔSUVmax and baseline MTV discriminated three risk groups with significantly (log-rank test for trend, P < 0.0001) different PFS and OS. Moreover, the integration of MH and clinical prognostic indices could further refine the prediction of OS. PET metrics-derived prognostic models perform better than the international indices alone. Integration of baseline and interim PET metrics identified poor-risk DLBCL patients who might benefit from alternative treatments.

L’unburnable e l’unleakable carbon fanno parte di un paradigma emergente nella gestione del territorio che punta alla mitigazione degli impatti ambientali dovuti all’utilizzo di combustibili fossili. Il gas flaring consiste nella combustione in situ dei gas estratti insieme al petrolio greggio, e rappresenta, oltre che uno spreco di energia, una fonte di inquinamento sia a livello globale che locale. L’estrazione petrolifera in Amazzonia Ecuadoriana prosegue da oltre 50 anni portando alla colonizzazione di aree sempre più remote. In particolare, ha destato forti opposizioni sia nella società civile che nel mondo accademico l’inizio di attività estrattive nella Core Area della Riserva della Biosfera Yasunì (RBY). Quest’area è riconosciuta a livello internazionale come una delle zone più biodiverse del pianeta, abitata inoltre da vari popoli indigeni tra cui un gruppo di “non-contattati”. Ciononostante, né gli impatti che né la diffusione del gas flaring nel contesto amazzonico sono ancora stati investigati. A causa della difficoltà nello studio del fenomeno, data principalmente dalla mancanza di dati indipendenti ed affidabili, negli ultimi anni sono stati sviluppate diverse metodologie basate sul remote sensing per l’identificazione dei siti di gas flaring attraverso l’analisi di immagini multispettrali da satellite. Ciononostante, rimangono pochi i casi di validazione spaziale al suolo su grande scala dei dati ottenuti. Gli obiettivi generali del presente studio sono: monitorare le attività di gas flaring nella RBY, utilizzando open data derivati dal sensore della SUOMI-NPP della NOAA; validare un metodo di monitoraggio indipendente basato su open data e software open source nell’intero workflow del processo di analisi spaziale formare le comunità locali (UDAPT) nell’utilizzo di questi strumenti open source per la tutela del proprio territorio. Per fare ciò, è stato creato un workflow, basato sull’elaborazione delle detection dei siti di gas flaring prodotte giornalmente dall’algoritmo Nightfire da immagini del satellite SUOMI-NPP. I siti localizzati sono quindi stati validati on the ground durante una campagna di mappatura sul campo, sviluppata assieme alle comunità locali. Si è quindi provveduto alla creazione di un geodatabase tematizzato, contenente oltre ai siti di gas flaring, luoghi chiave per l’orientamento nel territorio. Questo è stato poi importato in QField, e utilizzato come strumento durante lavoro sul campo permettendo agli operatori di conoscere la propria posizione, la distanza dai siti investigati, nonché per la pianificazione di voli con drone. Inoltre, gli operatori locali sono stati formati nell’uso di QGIS, permettendogli di creare e condividere i risultati della mappatura. L’elaborazione delle detection giornaliere ha portato all’identificazione di 36 siti in più rispetto ai dataset annuali del 2017 e del 2018 prodotti dalla NOAA, di cui 17 nella RBY, due nella Core Area. Dei siti identificati, 3 non hanno ricevuto validazione on the ground, di cui 2 per problematiche di accessibilità dei siti. In totale, la mappatura partecipata ha permesso l’identificazione di 305 siti di gas flaring, nonché di 35 casi di gas venting, fenomeno ad elevato impatto ambientale e non monitorabile da remoto. Questo studio mostra come i big open data e software open source possano avere un ruolo chiave nell’empowerment delle comunità locali nel monitoraggio ambientale in aree ad elevata diversità biologica e culturale., facchinellifrancesco9@gmail.com

This review summarizes data about epidemiology, treatment, and risk factors for invasive fungal infections (IFI) in patients affected by chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), multiple myeloma (MM), and indolent non Hodgkin lymphoma (iNHL). Despite advances in the prognosis and treatment of hematological malignancies in recent years, susceptibility to infection remains a significant challenge to patient care. A large amount of data regarding patients with acute leukemias have been published while little information is available on incidence of IFI in chronic lymphoproliferative disorders (CLD). The overall incidence of IFI in CLL patients is reported from 1.3 to 7.8% and the main risk factors are related to disease status (high-risk in relapsed/refractory disease), number of previous chemotherapy regimens, and Ig levels. In MM, most of the IFI occurred during refractory or progressive disease. The rate of IFI ranges from 0.5 to 12.3%. Neutropenia is the main risk factor in MM and risk seems to be related to its duration and severity. The overall incidence of IFI in iNHL ranges from 0.5 to 4% and the most important risk factors are disease status (high-risk in relapsed/refractory and advance stage disease) and type of treatment (high-risk for steroid administration, intensive chemotherapy with prolonged neutropenia, use of monoclonal antibodies and purine analogs).

Cofactors such as NAD, AMP, and Coenzyme A (CoA) are essential for a diverse set of reactions and pathways in the cell. Specific carrier proteins are required to distribute these cofactors to different cell compartments, including peroxisomes. We previously identified a peroxisomal transport protein in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) called the peroxisomal NAD carrier (PXN). When assayed in vitro, this carrier exhibits versatile transport functions, e.g. catalyzing the import of NAD or CoA, the exchange of NAD/NADH, and the export of CoA. These observations raise the question about the physiological function of PXN in plants. Here, we used Saccharomyces cerevisiae to address this question. First, we confirmed that PXN, when expressed in yeast, is active and targeted to yeast peroxisomes. Secondl, detailed uptake analyses revealed that the CoA transport function of PXN can be excluded under physiological conditions due to its low affinity for this substrate. Third, we expressed PXN in diverse mutant yeast strains and investigated the suppression of the mutant phenotypes. These studies provided strong evidences that PXN was not able to function as a CoA transporter or a redox shuttle by mediating a NAD/NADH exchange, but instead catalyzed the import of NAD into peroxisomes against AMP in intact yeast cells.

Primary lymphoma of the sphenoid is an extremely rare pathology, therefore it is difficult to hypothesize and the imaging characteristics are not well-known. Here we report the imaging features in computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and positron emission tomography (PET) scan of a 44-year-old patient who presented with severe headache. CT and MRI showed a sphenoid sinus mass that suggested rhinopharyngeal lesion or a chordoma. However, biopsy from the mass histologically proved it to be Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and PET examinations revealed increased fluorodeoxyglucose uptake around the sphenoid bone and multiple spinal lesions.

In the Amazon Rainforest, a unique post-carbon plan to mitigate global warming and to protect the exceptional bio-cultural diversity was experimented in 2007&ndash, 2013 by the Ecuadorian government. To preserve the rainforest ecosystems within the Yasun&iacute, ITT oil block, the release of 410 million metric tons of CO2 would have been avoided. The neologism &ldquo, yasunization&rdquo, emerged as an Amazonian narrative on &ldquo, unburnable carbon&rdquo, to be replicated worldwide. Considering the unburnable carbon, petroleum-associated gas flaring represents the unleakable part. Flaring is an irrational practice that consists of burning waste gases, representing not only a leak of energy but also a pollution source. The general aim of the paper is to monitor gas flaring as a tool, revealing, at the same time, the implementation of environmental technologies in the oil sector and the compliance of sustainable policies in the Amazon region and the Yasun&iacute, Biosphere Reserve. Specific objectives are: (i) identifying and estimating gas flaring over seven years (2012&ndash, 2018), (ii) mapping new flaring sites, iii) estimating potentially affected areas among ecosystems and local communities. We processed National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Nightfire annual dataset, based on the elaboration of imagery from the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) and developed a GIS-based novel simple method to identify new flaring sites from daily detections. We found that 23.5% of gas flaring sites and 18.4% of volumes of all oil industries operating in Ecuador are located within the Yasun&iacute, Biosphere Reserve (YBR). Moreover, we detected 34 additional flaring sites not included in the NOAA dataset&mdash, 12 in the YBR and one in Tiputini field, a key area for biological and cultural diversity conservation. We also found that at least 10 indigenous communities, 18 populated centers and 10 schools are located in the potentially affected area. Gas flaring can be used as a policy indicator to monitor the implementation of sustainable development practices in complex territories.

Background Aedes mosquitoes are vectors of arboviral diseases of great relevance for public health. The recent outbreaks of dengue, Zika, chikungunya and the rapid worldwide spreading of Aedes albopictus emphasize the need for improvement of vector surveillance and control. Host antibody response to mosquito salivary antigens is emerging as a relevant additional tool to directly assess vector-host contact, monitor efficacy of control interventions and evaluate risk of arboviral transmission. Methodology/principal findings Groups of four BALB/c mice were immunized by exposure to bites of either Aedes albopictus or Aedes aegypti. The 34k2 salivary proteins from Ae. albopictus (al34k2) and Ae. aegypti (ae34k2) were expressed in recombinant form and Ae. albopictus salivary peptides were designed through B-cell epitopes prediction software. IgG responses to salivary gland extracts, peptides, al34k2 and ae34k2 were measured in exposed mice. Both al34k2 and ae34k2, with some individual and antigen-specific variation, elicited a clearly detectable antibody response in immunized mice. Remarkably, the two orthologous proteins showed very low level of immune cross-reactivity, suggesting they may eventually be developed as species-specific markers of host exposure. The al34k2 immunogenicity and the limited immune cross-reactivity to ae34k2 were confirmed in a single human donor hyperimmune to Ae. albopictus saliva. Conclusions/significance Our study shows that exposure to bites of Ae. albopictus or Ae. aegypti evokes in mice species-specific IgG responses to al34k2 or ae34k2, respectively. Deeper understanding of duration of antibody response and validation in natural conditions of human exposure to Aedes mosquitoes are certainly needed. However, our findings point to the al34k2 salivary protein as a promising potential candidate for the development of immunoassays to evaluate human exposure to Ae. albopictus. This would be a step forward in the establishment of a serological toolbox for the simultaneous assessment of human exposure to Aedes vectors and the pathogens they transmit., Author summary Taking advantage of several factors, as worldwide trading, climatic changes and urbanization, Aedes mosquitoes are impressively expanding their geographic distribution. A paradigm is provided by the rapid global spreading of Aedes albopictus, a species that is a competent vector of several arboviral diseases (e.g. dengue, Zika, chikungunya) and has been responsible of quite a few outbreaks in the last decade. Historically, vector control always played a pivotal role for the containment of arthropod-borne diseases, and this appears especially crucial for arboviral diseases for which no effective vaccines or specific medications are available. Currently, host exposure to mosquitoes is indirectly evaluated by entomological methods; however, exploitation of human immune responses to mosquito salivary proteins is emerging as a relevant additional tool, with important epidemiological implications for the evaluation of mosquito-borne disease risk. This study provides preliminary but solid indications that the 34k2 salivary proteins from Ae. albopictus and Aedes aegypti may be suitable candidates for the development of serological assays to evaluate spatial and/or temporal variation of human exposure to Aedes vectors. Combined to the presently available tools to assess arboviral exposure/infection, this may be of great help for the development of a serological toolbox allowing for the simultaneous determination of human exposure to Aedes vectors and to the pathogens they transmit.

Background: Malaria still remains a serious health burden in developing countries, causing more than 1 million deaths annually. Given the lack of an effective vaccine against its major etiological agent, Plasmodium falciparum, and the growing resistance of this parasite to the currently available drugs repertoire and of Anopheles mosquitoes to insecticides, the development of innovative control measures is an imperative to reduce malaria transmission. Paratransgenesis, the modification of symbiotic organisms to deliver anti-pathogen effector molecules, represents a novel strategy against Plasmodium development in mosquito vectors, showing the potential to reduce parasite development. However, the field application of laboratory-based evidence of paratransgenesis imposes the use of more realistic confined semi-field environments.Methods: Large cages were used to evaluate the ability of bacteria of the genus Asaia expressing green fluorescent protein (Asaia gfp), to diffuse in Anopheles stephensi and Anopheles gambiae target mosquito populations. Asaia gfp was introduced in large cages through the release of paratransgenic males or by sugar feeding stations. Recombinant bacteria transmission was directly detected by fluorescent microscopy, and further assessed by molecular analysis.Results: Here we show the first known trial in semi-field condition on paratransgenic anophelines. Modified bacteria were able to spread at high rate in different populations of An. stephensi and An. gambiae, dominant malaria vectors, exploring horizontal ways and successfully colonising mosquito midguts. Moreover, in An. gambiae, vertical and trans-stadial diffusion mechanisms were demonstrated.Conclusions: Our results demonstrate the considerable ability of modified Asaia to colonise different populations of malaria vectors, including pecies where its association is not primary, in large environments. The data support the potential to employ transgenic Asaia as a tool for malaria control, disclosing promising perspective for its field application with suitable effector molecules.

Development of new genetic approaches to either interfere with the ability of mosquitoes to transmit dengue virus or to reduce vector population density requires progressive evaluation from the laboratory to contained field trials, before open field release. Trials in contained outdoor facilities are an important part of this process because they can be used to evaluate the effectiveness and reliability of modified strains in settings that include natural environmental variations without releasing mosquitoes into the open field. We describe a simple and cost-effective semi-field system designed to study Aedes aegypti carrying a dominant lethal gene (fsRIDL) in semi-field conditions. We provide a protocol for establishing, maintaining, and monitoring stable Ae. aegypti population densities inside field cages.

The resurrection plant Craterostigma plantagineum is able to withstand desiccation of its vegetative tissues and is found in areas with variable water availability. The closely related species Lindernia brevidens and Lindernia subracemosa are both endemic to montane rainforests of coastal Africa, but remarkably L. brevidens is tolerant to desiccation. We studied the regulation of the desiccation-related LEA-like 11-24 gene at multiple levels in closely related species in order to investigate the conservation of mechanisms involved in desiccation tolerance. The dehydration-responsive transcription of the LEA-like 11-24 gene is differentially regulated in these plants. Comparison of the LEA-like 11-24 core promoter regions revealed that promoters have different activities, but some functional cis-acting elements are conserved between species. Upon dehydration, LEA-like 11-24 proteins are phosphorylated at different levels and phosphorylation sites are not conserved among the three LEA-like 11-24 proteins. Differences in the regulation of the LEA-like 11-24 gene in the studied plant species appear to be the result of mutations that occurred during evolution. We postulate that L. brevidens will eventually lose the ability to survive vegetative desiccation, given that this trait appears not to be essential for survival.

Knowledge of the frequency of contact between a mosquito species and its different hosts is essential to understand the role of each vector species in the transmission of diseases to humans and/or animals. However, no data are so far available on the feeding habits of Aedes albopictus in Italy or in other recently colonized temperate regions of Europe, due to difficulties in collecting blood-fed females of this diurnal and exophilic species. We analyzed Ae. albopictus host-feeding patterns in two urban and two rural sites within the area of Rome (Italy). Ae. albopictus was collected using sticky-traps and the blood-meal origin of 303 females was determined by direct dot-ELISA. The blood-fed sample, although representing only 4% of the total Ae. albopictus collected, demonstrates the useful application of sticky-trap in studying the feeding behavior of the species. The human blood index was significantly different among sites, ranging from 79-96% in urban sites to 23-55% in rural sites, where horses and bovines represented the most bitten hosts. The results obtained confirm the plastic feeding behavior shown by Ae. albopictus in its original range of distribution and highlights the high potential of this species as a vector of human pathogens in urban areas of Italy, where both humans and the mosquito itself may reach very high densities.

The patchy geographical distributions of classic Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) and human herpesvirus type 8 (HHV-8), better known as Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) remain unexplained. It has been proposed that certain species of bloodsucking insects (‘promoter arthropods') promote the reactivation of HHV-8/KSHV and facilitate both HHV-8/KSHV transmission and KS development. This hypothesis was tested by sampling the presence and density of human-biting Diptera with CDC light traps in two areas of Sardinia with contrasting incidence rates of classic KS. In total, 11 030 specimens (99.9% sandflies and 0.1% mosquitoes) belonging to 10 species were collected from 40 rural sites. Five of these species are considered to be possible promoter arthropods because of the irritation their bites cause: Phlebotomus perniciosus Newstead; Phlebotomus perfiliewi Parrot (Diptera: Psychodidae); Aedes berlandi Seguy; Culiseta annulata (Schrank) and Culex theileri Theobald (Diptera: Culicidae). Five species are probable ‘non-promoters' because their bites are not particularly irritating: Culiseta longiareolata (Macquart); Culex pipiens s.l.; Anopheles algeriensis Theobald; Anopheles maculipennis s.l., and Anopheles plumbeus Stephens. A significant correlation was found between the geographical distribution of promoter arthropods and incidence rates of KS (Spearman's r = 0.59,P < 0.01). Promoter arthropods were more likely to be caught in areas with cutaneous leishmaniasis and a past high prevalence of malaria, and in areas of limestone, acid volcanic soil and cereal cultivation. The study supports the association between promoter arthropods and classic KS, which may explain the geographic variability of KS and HHV-8/KSHV, and highlights the links with a number of variables previously associated with the incidence of KS.

Development of new operational techniques for collection and monitoring of adult Stegomyia mosquitoes is considered a pressing need for surveillance and prevention of arboviruses. Here we report the results from a trial carried out in 2 dengue-endemic villages in Thailand to compare the ability to collect Aedes adults of a sticky trap versus a CDC backpack aspirator, which has been used routinely at the study area for entomological/epidemiological surveys. Our comparison was based on a comparable sampling effort required to carry out collections with 2 approaches. Over 19,000 specimens were collected, approximately 90% of which were Culex spp. Sticky traps collected significantly more Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus females than did backpack aspirators when located outdoors. The percentage of positive sticky-trap catches was double for Ae. aegypti and almost 20 times higher for Ae. albopictus. Operational benefits of the sticky trap are discussed within the context of the results obtained.

A particular adaptation to survival under limited water availability has been realized in the desiccation-tolerant resurrection plants, which tend to grow in a habitat with seasonal rainfall and long dry periods. One of the best-studied examples is Craterostigma plantagineum. Here we report an unexpected finding: Lindernia brevidens, a close relative of C. plantagineum, exhibits desiccation tolerance, even though it is endemic to the montane rainforests of Tanzania and Kenya, where it never experiences seasonal dry periods. L. brevidens has been found exclusively in two fragments of the ancient Eastern Arc Mountains, which were protected from the devastating Pleistocene droughts by the stable Indian Ocean temperature. Analysis of the microhabitat reveals that L. brevidens is found in the same habitat as hygrophilous plant species, which further indicates that the plant never dries out completely. The objective of this investigation was to address whether C. plantagineum and L. brevidens have desiccation-related pathways in common, or whether L. brevidens has acquired novel pathways. A third, closely related, desiccation-sensitive species, Lindernia subracemosa, has been included for comparison. Mechanisms that confer cellular protection during extreme water loss are well conserved between C. plantagineum and L. brevidens, including the interconversion of 2-octulose to sucrose within the two desiccation-tolerant species. Furthermore, transcriptional control regions of desiccation-related genes belonging to the late embryogenesis abundant (LEA) protein family are also highly conserved. We propose that L. brevidens is a neoendemic species that has retained desiccation tolerance through genome stability, despite tolerance being superfluous to environmental conditions.

International audience; BACKGROUND: How elevated temperature is generated during airway infections represents a hitherto unresolved physiological question. We hypothesized that innate immune defence mechanisms would increase luminal airway temperature during pulmonary infection. METHODS: We determined the temperature in the exhaled air of cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. To further test our hypothesis, a pouch inflammatory model using neutrophil elastase-deficient mice was employed. Next, the impact of temperature changes on the dominant CF pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa growth was tested by plating method and RNAseq. RESULTS: Here we show a temperature of ~38°C in neutrophil-dominated mucus plugs of chronically infected CF patients and implicate neutrophil elastase:α1-proteinase inhibitor complex formation as a relevant mechanism for the local temperature rise. Gene expression of the main pathogen in CF, P. aeruginosa, under anaerobic conditions at 38°C vs 30°C revealed increased virulence traits and characteristic cell wall changes. CONCLUSION: Neutrophil elastase mediates increase in airway temperature, which may contribute to P. aeruginosa selection during the course of chronic infection in CF.

Phosphorous dynamics within Lake Sirio (NW Italy) were investigated, considering both water and sediments. The total phosphorus (TP) concentration in the water is about 79 μg l−1 after the winter mixing, that is in homogeneous conditions; then TP content increases up to an average of 360 μg l−1 in late autumn in the deep hypolimnium (30–45 m). This deep lake portion accounts for only 1/12 of the water volume. Close to the water-sediment interface, TP concentrations up to 530 μg l−1 are observed. Sediment sampled at depths of 20 and 33 m contains less than 2,000 mg kg−1 of TP, whereas cores from the deepest sediments (46 m) display TP values of 2,000–4,000 mg kg−1 at the water-sediment interface, increasing with depth to 16,000 mg kg−1 at about 60–100 cm. In these deep sediments the main chemical form is the Al–Fe–Mn bound P (about 90% in the high TP cores) and Fe and Mn are also highly enriched (3 and 9 times more than in the shallow sediments respectively). The P–Fe association is confirmed by SEM-EDS and XRD analyses. The vertical distribution of the P content in the water column is consistent with its release from sediments, but in this hypothesis an unrealistic P release rate from 8.1 to 3.0 g m−2y−1 was estimated. A more complex model is therefore proposed, involving a process of P concentration in the sediments of the central (deepest) part of the lake, and a short term sediment-water exchange. The TP vertical variability and speciation in the cores suggests a change in the sediment retention capacity, connected to the lake shift to more eutrophic conditions.

The origin of oxygenic photosynthesis in the Archaeplastida common ancestor was foundational for the evolution of multicellular life. It is very likely that the primary endosymbiosis that explains plastid origin relied initially on the establishment of a metabolic connection between the host cell and captured cyanobacterium. We posit that these connections were derived primarily from existing host-derived components. To test this idea, we used phylogenomic and network analysis to infer the phylogenetic origin and evolutionary history of 37 validated plastid innermost membrane (permeome) metabolite transporters from the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana . Our results show that 57% of these transporter genes are of eukaryotic origin and that the captured cyanobacterium made a relatively minor (albeit important) contribution to the process. We also tested the hypothesis that the bacterium-derived hexose-phosphate transporter UhpC might have been the primordial sugar transporter in the Archaeplastida ancestor. Bioinformatic and protein localization studies demonstrate that this protein in the extremophilic red algae Galdieria sulphuraria and Cyanidioschyzon merolae are plastid targeted. Given this protein is also localized in plastids in the glaucophyte alga Cyanophora paradoxa , we suggest it played a crucial role in early plastid endosymbiosis by connecting the endosymbiont and host carbon storage networks. In summary, our work significantly advances understanding of plastid integration and favors a host-centric view of endosymbiosis. Under this view, nuclear genes of either eukaryotic or bacterial (noncyanobacterial) origin provided key elements of the toolkit needed for establishing metabolic connections in the primordial Archaeplastida lineage.

In this study the air gamma dose rate map of Piemonte, a region in the North-West of Italy, was produced from gamma spectrometry soil data. Soil samples collected in 110 different sites of Piemonte were analysed with Hyperpure Germanium (HPGe) detectors (30% relative efficiency), which allow the evaluation of the activity concentrations of natural radionuclides and 1 3 7 Cs. Then, using the available mathematical models, the gamma absorbed dose rate in air due to radionuclides was calculated. The contribution of the cosmic radiation to the total absorbed dose rate, which depend on the site altitude was also evaluated and added to the soil contribution. Finally, the map of the whole region was obtained by fitting the dose rate values of the different sites with kriging algorithms.

137Caesium was measured in soils sampled from 101 locationsdistributed across the Piemonte Region (North-West of Italy). The contamination levels found ranged from a few kBq m-2 to about 60 kBq m-2, the regional average being of the order of 15 kBq m-2. The data obtained were interpolated with geostatistical functions in order to obtain a detailed mapof radioactive contamination for the whole region. A second map,representing the rainfall for the period of Chernobyl atmospheric contamination, weighted with the estimated values of air contamination, was produced.The comparison of the two maps and a statistical analysis of the data show that 84% of the 137Cs global inventory is due to wet deposition, associated with 9% pre-Chernobyl fallout and a 7% attributed to Chernobyl dry deposition.A deposition model based on a linear relationship betweenwet deposition (D w) and `weighted rainfall'(R w) isproposed, applied and tested with available data. On this basisthe following parameters were estimated: scavenging factor, washout ratio, cloud height, dry deposition velocity, mediandiameter of the particles.

Lysozymes are important regulators of the immune system in most organisms. These enzymes can show a direct bactericidal activity or upregulate the signaling cascades that result in the production of antimicrobial peptides. In mosquitoes and particularly in the malaria-vector species of the genus Anopheles, lysozymes are present in different tissues and developmental stage expression profiles and are involved in the innate immunity and digestion of bacteria. In An. gambiae, lysozyme C1 protects the oocysts from melanization, thus contributing to an increased prevalence and intensity of Plasmodium berghei infection. The role and importance of lysozymes in the mosquito and in the regulation of oocysts development and the mechanism of action are still unclear.

The knowledge of the regional variability, the background values and the anthropic vs. natural origin for potentially harmful elements in soils is of critical importance to assess human impact and to fix guide values and quality standards. The present study was undertaken as a preliminary survey on soil contamination on a regional scale in Piemonte (NW Italy). The aims of the study were: (1) to determine average regional concentrations of some heavy metals (Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Pb); (2) to find out their large-scale variability; (3) to define their natural or artificial origin; and (4) to identify possible non-point sources of contamination. Multivariate statistic approaches (Principal Component Analysis and Cluster Analysis) were adopted for data treatment, allowing the identification of three main factors controlling the heavy metal variability in cultivated soils. Geostatistics were used to construct regional distribution maps, to be compared with the geographical, geologic and land use regional database using GIS software. This approach, evidencing spatial relationships, proved very useful to the confirmation and refinement of geochemical interpretations of the statistical output. Cr, Co and Ni were associated with and controlled by parent rocks, whereas Cu together with Zn, and Pb alone were controlled by anthropic activities. The study indicates that background values and realistic mandatory guidelines are impossible to fix without an extensive data collection and without a correct geochemical interpretation of the data.

Industrial waste of different origins has been dumped for decades (1950–1980) in a landfill of 150,000 m2 area, a few km from the centre of Torino (NW Italy). A large portion of this landfill, estimated to be in the order of 1,100,000 m3 and extending over a surface of 55,000 m2, is composed of steel manufacturing waste. This study discusses an investigation of this waste mass in order to assess the total Cr concentration and solubility, identify the main Cr-bearing phases and estimate the release of Cr to rainwater leaching through the material and the consequent contamination of groundwater. Figure 1 provides a schematic representation of the landfill.

137Cs extraction experiments were performed on 14 contaminated soils from NW Italy with different characteristics and mineralogical composition. Solutions of HCl (pH = 0.5) and buffered EDTA/ammonium acetate (Lakanen solution) were used to assess bioavailability. The results show that less than 2% of 137Cs is available for leaching and/or root uptake. Even within a complex natural system it was possible to identify the amount of swelling clays (vermiculite + smectite) as the main control on Cs mobility under acidic conditions. The ammonium ion appears to be effective in desorbing Cs and its role is briefly discussed in terms of crystal chemistry. The relevance of mineralogy in assessing soil vulnerability is underlined.

Eukaryotes acquired the ability to perform photosynthesis by capturing and stably integrating a photoautotrophic prokaryote. This event, referred to as primary endosymbiosis, occurred only once in the ancestral protoalga, giving rise to the Archaeplastida comprising three major photoautotrophic lineages: the glaucophytes, the red algae, and the green algae.

Plastids fulfill a variety of different functions (e.g., photosynthesis and amino acid biosynthesis) that rely on proteins of cyanobacterial (i.e., endosymbiont), noncyanobacterial, and ‘host’ (eukaryotic) origins. Analysis of plastid proteome data from glaucophytes and green algae allows robust inference of protein origins and organelle protein sharing across the >1 billion years of Archaeplastida evolution. Here, we show that more than one-third of genes encoding plastid proteins lack detectable homologs in Cyanobacteria, underlining the taxonomically broad contributions to plastid functions. Chlamydiae and Proteobacteria are the most significant other bacterial sources of plastid proteins. Mapping of plastid proteins to metabolic pathways shows a core set of anciently derived proteins in Archaeplastida, with many others being lineage specific and derived from independent horizontal gene transfer (HGT) events.

Magnesium is one of the most abundance element in nature, and it's characterised by a lower density than aluminium. These characteristics confer great potential to magnesium alloys, which are so used for specialised applications, like for military purposes and in the aerospace industry. While some magnesium alloys, including the AM60B alloy, are historically associated to high pressure die casting, for such applications the magnesium alloy components are usually produced by the gravity casting process, in order to minimise the defect's content and to achieve better castings' mechanical properties. Due to the fact that the combination of alloy and casting process represents a niche in the foundry processes panorama, in the literature there's a lack of specific contents regarding these issues. Hence the aim to fill the gap by studying these thematics and by looking for innovations in the gravity casting process of magnesium alloys. For these purposes, the overall process was analysed with the support of specific software for the numerical simulation of the casting process, to identify the process criticalities and the optimisable variables. The data so obtained were then used to design and build an experimental casting equipment, for foundry light alloys casting, which was subsequently used for the production of reference steps castings by gravity casting. The geometry of the die was designed considering the typical weight and thicknesses of the components produced by the aerospace industry. With the aim to establish a correlation between the process parameters, the resulting microstructure and the castings' final properties, several reference castings were produced by using an AM60B magnesium alloys, and then analysed. Static tensile tests and metallographic investigations were carried out on the specimens obtained from different thickness steps of these castings, and the data thus collected were subsequently processed and compared with those resulting from the numerical simulation of the whole casting process, allowing to establish a model to predict the castings' final properties by knowing only the process parameters. An operating protocol to produce, to characterise and to estimate the final properties of light alloy castings (produced by gravity casting process) was so defined. It can be used also to treat more complex geometries and it can be easily extended to industry

Glaucophytes represent the first lineage of photosynthetic eukaryotes of primary endosymbiotic origin that diverged after plastid establishment. The muroplast of Cyanophora paradoxa represents a primitive plastid that resembles its cyanobacterial ancestor in pigment composition and the presence of a peptidoglycan wall. To attain insights into the evolutionary history of cyanobiont integration and plastid development, it would thus be highly desirable to obtain knowledge on the composition of the glaucophyte plastid proteome. Here, we provide the first proteomic analysis of the muroplast of C. paradoxa. Mass spectrometric analysis of the muroplast proteome identified 510 proteins with high confidence. The protein repertoire of the muroplast revealed novel paths for reduced carbon flow and export to the cytosol through a sugar phosphate transporter of chlamydial origin. We propose that C. paradoxa possesses a primordial plastid mirroring the situation in the early protoalga.

Background A genetically-engineered strain of the dengue mosquito vector Aedes aegypti, designated OX3604C, was evaluated in large outdoor cage trials for its potential to improve dengue prevention efforts by inducing population suppression. OX3604C is engineered with a repressible genetic construct that causes a female-specific flightless phenotype. Wild-type females that mate with homozygous OX3604C males will not produce reproductive female offspring. Weekly introductions of OX3604C males eliminated all three targeted Ae. aegypti populations after 10–20 weeks in a previous laboratory cage experiment. As part of the phased, progressive evaluation of this technology, we carried out an assessment in large outdoor field enclosures in dengue endemic southern Mexico. Methodology/Principal Findings OX3604C males were introduced weekly into field cages containing stable target populations, initially at 10∶1 ratios. Statistically significant target population decreases were detected in 4 of 5 treatment cages after 17 weeks, but none of the treatment populations were eliminated. Mating competitiveness experiments, carried out to explore the discrepancy between lab and field cage results revealed a maximum mating disadvantage of up 59.1% for OX3604C males, which accounted for a significant part of the 97% fitness cost predicted by a mathematical model to be necessary to produce the field cage results. Conclusions/Significance Our results indicate that OX3604C may not be effective in large-scale releases. A strain with the same transgene that is not encumbered by a large mating disadvantage, however, could have improved prospects for dengue prevention. Insights from large outdoor cage experiments may provide an important part of the progressive, stepwise evaluation of genetically-engineered mosquitoes., Author Summary The absence of a commercially-available dengue vaccine or anti-viral drug makes control of Aedes aegypti, the principal dengue mosquito vector, the only available method to prevent this disease. Sustained, effective application of vector control, however, has been difficult and this led to the call for innovative strategies, including genetic approaches. Here, the authors investigated the ability of a genetically-engineered strain of Ae. aegypti to eliminate wild mosquito populations in large outdoor cages. Females of the engineered strain cannot fly and, therefore, cannot mate or take blood meals necessary to lay viable eggs. Wild females that mate with genetically-engineered males, therefore, will not produce reproductive female offspring. In this study, although population reductions were detected in 4 of 5 field cages, none of the wild mosquito populations were eliminated. A mating disadvantage for genetically-engineered males appeared to account for a significant part of their fitness disadvantage. Results suggest that this specific strain may not be effective in a large-scale release and that new strains with the same or similar transgene, but improved mating performance, may be more effective for preventing dengue. Results also indicate that large outdoor cage experiments may provide valuable insights into the progressive, stepwise assessment of genetically-engineered mosquitoes.

Most Aedes aegypti dispersal studies have focused on females because of their central role in dengue virus transmission. Only a few mark-release-recapture (MRR) studies provided insights into male Ae. aegypti dispersal. To fill this knowledge gap, we conducted five male Ae. aegypti MRR experiments in a coastal village in southern Mexico. Small and large male cohorts were marked with fluorescent dusts, released outside buildings, and recaptures were carried out by using backpack aspirators. Recapture rates ranged between 0.35% and 6.55% and median distance traveled was 12-166 meters. A statistically significant difference in median distance traveled with large males dispersing farther than small ones was detected only in one experiment (MRR5: U = 3.5, P < 0.01). Male dispersal data will be useful for constructing and estimating parameter values and validating models that will be used to plan the most effective release strategies for genetically modified male Ae. aegypti.

The engulfment of a photoautotrophic cyanobacterium by a primitive mitochondria-bearing eukaryote traces back to more than 1.2 billion years ago. This single endosymbiotic event not only provided the early petroalgae with the metabolic capacity to perform oxygenic photosynthesis, but also introduced a plethora of other metabolic routes ranging from fatty acids and amino acids biosynthesis, nitrogen and sulfur assimilation to secondary compounds synthesis. This implicated the integration and coordination of the newly acquired metabolic entity with the host metabolism. The interface between the host cytosol and the plastidic stroma became of crucial importance in sorting precursors and products between the plastid and other cellular compartments. The plastid envelope membranes fulfill different tasks: they perform important metabolic functions, as they are involved in the synthesis of carotenoids, chlorophylls, and galactolipids. In addition, since most genes of cyanobacterial origin have been transferred to the nucleus, plastidial proteins encoded by nuclear genes are post-translationally transported across the envelopes through the TIC–TOC import machinery. Most importantly, chloroplasts supply the photoautotrophic cell with photosynthates in form of reduced carbon. The innermost bilayer of the plastidic envelope represents the permeability barrier for the metabolites involved in the carbon cycle and is literally stuffed with transporter proteins facilitating their transfer. The intracellular metabolite transporters consist of polytopic proteins containing membrane spans usually in the number of four or more α-helices. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that connecting the plastid with the host metabolism was mainly a process driven by the host cell. In Arabidopsis, 58% of the metabolite transporters are of host origin, whereas only 12% are attributable to the cyanobacterial endosymbiont. This review focuses on the metabolite transporters of the inner envelope membrane of plastids, in particular the electrochemical potential-driven class of transporters. Recent advances in elucidating the plastidial complement of metabolite transporters are provided, with an update on phylogenetic relationship of selected proteins.

This is an update of incidence and mortality cancer data provided by the Italian Network of Cancer Registry (AIRTUM) relative to the period 2003-2005.AIRTUM is a network of general and specialized population-based cancer registries that covers about 1/3 of the Italian resident population (www.registri-tumori.it). Incidence and mortality data for the period 2003-2005 are based on 20 Registries. The five most frequently diagnosed cancers were: - prostate (18.5%), non melanoma skin (15.8%), lung (13.1%), colorectal (12.0%), bladder (5.7%) among males; - breast (24.9%), non melanoma skin (15.1%), colorectal (11.9%), lung (5.0%) and stomach (4.1%) among females. In the same period the most frequent causes of cancer death were: - cancer of the lung (27.6%), colorectal (10.7%), prostate (8.5%), stomach (7.3%) and liver (6.1%) among males; - breast cancer (16.3%), colorectal (11.9%), lung (10.3%), stomach (7.2%) and pancreas (6.5%) among females. According to the age-specific incidence rates one man and one woman every two will receive a cancer diagnosis during his/hers life (from birth to the age of 84 years). From 1993-1995 to 2003-2005, overall crude cancer incidence rate (males and females together) increased from 555.4 to 654.8 x 100,000. Standardization showed that 63% of this increase was due to ageing of the population. Moreover, most of the residual increase was among those cancer sites (breast, prostate, colorectal, thyroid and melanoma) for which early detection may have played a relevant role in anticipating (and therefore increasing) the number of diagnoses. Due to population ageing also overall cancer mortality did not show any decrease when crude rates were compared. On the contrary, standardized mortality rates (all cancers together) showed a strong decrease (311.4 vs. 266.5 x 100.000). The risk of receiving a diagnosis or dying because of cancer is still lower in residents in the regions of the South of Italy than in those of Central and Northern Italy, but they are becoming more and more similar. In Italy cancer incidence and mortality rates are similar to those in northern European countries and in USA among males, but they are still lower for women.

Reversible protein phosphorylation/dephosphorylation is crucial for regulation of many cellular events, and increasing evidence indicates that this post-translational modification is also involved in the complex process of acquisition of desiccation tolerance. To analyze the phosphoproteome of the desiccation tolerant resurrection plant Craterostigma plantagineum, MOAC-enriched proteins from leaves at different stages of a de-/rehydration cycle were separated by 2-D PAGE and detected by phosphoprotein-specific staining. Using this strategy 20 putative phosphoproteins were identified by MALDI-TOF MS and MS/MS, which were not detected when total proteins were analyzed. The characterized desiccation-related phosphoproteins CDeT11-24 and CDeT6-19 were used as internal markers to validate the specificity of the analyses. For 16 of the identified proteins published evidence suggests that they are phosphoproteins. Comparative analysis of the 2-D gels showed that spot intensities of most identified putative phosphoproteins change during the de-/ rehydration cycle. This suggests an involvement of these proteins in desiccation tolerance. Nearly all changes in the phosphoproteome of C. plantagineum, which are triggered by dehydration, are reversed within 4 days of rehydration, which is in agreement with physiological observations. Possible functions of selected proteins are discussed in the context of the de-/rehydration cycle.