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The application of Low-Temperature Plasmas has shown great potential as an effective and alternative tool for microbial inactivation in recent years. Nevertheless, further investigations are required to fully understand the possible factors influencing these processes. The present study aims to investigate the effectiveness of square wave modulated Volume Dielectric Barrier Discharge on the direct inhibition of conidial germination in five different fungal species, various discharge conditions, and medium composition. The five different fungal species used were Botrytis cinerea, Monilinia fructicola, Aspergillus carbonarius, Fusarium graminearum, and Alternaria alternata. On water agar, the inhibition of Botrytis cinerea was influenced by the applied voltage, which mainly reflects the uniformity of the treatment. Under the selected voltage condition, the inhibition increased with treatment duration and decreased with fungal spore complexity. B. cinerea and M. fructicola, with unicellular conidia and low melanin content, showed similar behaviour and high sensitivity to the treatment. F. graminearum and A. alternata, both having multicellular conidia, were more resistant to the plasma treatment and showed different sensitivity likely due to different content in melanin. However, after 1 min of treatment, complete inhibition of conidial germination was achieved for all the tested species. Inhibition of A. carbonarius conidia on different agarized media containing dextrose or malt extract was influenced by the complexity and composition of the medium, being potato dextrose agar that more hindered the plasma efficacy. Each medium exhibited a different electrical response studied by Electrical Impedance Spectroscopy and morphology observed by Scanning Electron Microscopy images. These differences translated into a different response to the applied electrical field, influencing plasma generation and uniformity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gambling disorder (GD) is a form of behavioral addiction. In recent years, it has been suggested that the application of transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) to the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), which plays a key role in top-down inhibitory control and impulsivity, may represent a new therapeutic approach for treating addictions. Here we investigated the effectiveness of a novel low dose tDCS protocol (i.e. six sessions of right anodal/left cathodal tDCS for 20 min, with a current intensity of 1 mA) applied to DLPFC in a patient with GD. To evaluate the effect of the proposed intervention, cognitive, psychological and behavioural evaluations were performed at different time points, pre and post intervention. The results showed improvement of impulsivity, decision making, and cognitive functioning after tDCS intervention. Findings of the present study suggest that low doses of right anodal/left cathodal tDCS to DLPFC may effectively improve gambling behaviour. They also suggest to carefully evaluate the effects of this tDCS polarity on the patient's emotional state. The current protocol warrants further investigation in large groups of patients, as it may provide relevant insights into the design of effective, low dose treatments of gambling disorder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monilinia fructicola, causal agent of brown rot of stone fruits, is an economically important problem worldwide. Six of the sequence tagged microsatellite sites developed for M. fructicola were used to genotype 68 M. fructicola isolates, which included isolates from three cities in Turkey (n = 42) that were compared to isolates from the USA (n = 15) and Italy (n = 11). AMOVA indicated a significant differentiation among samples from the three different countries. Samples from Turkey represented with nine haplotypes indicating a low diversity according to these markers. Samples from the USA with 12 haplotypes showed the highest genetic diversity values among the sample group from the three countries. However, all the samples from Italy were found as a single haplotype with those markers. Based on Nei's genetic distance measurements, the single genotype from Italy was distinct from the others and samples from Turkey and the USA were genetically closer to each other, which also presented on the principal coordinate plot. While informative, these results suggest that ascertainment bias in marker development may limit the power of these markers when applied to populations of M. fructicola from other locations in the world. Knowledge on genetic diversities and comparative analysis provides valuable insight for recent changes and movements in pathogen populations which is important for the disease management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carfilzomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone (KRd) have been approved for the treatment of relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) based on ASPIRE clinical trial. However, its effectiveness and safety profile in real clinical practice should be further assessed. We retrospectively evaluated 130 consecutive RRMM patients treated with KRd between December 2015 and August 2018, in 9 Hematology Departments of Rete Ematologica Pugliese (REP). The overall response rate (ORR) was 79%, with 37% complete response (CR). Treatment with KRd led to an improvement in response regardless of age, refractory disease, and number and type of previous therapies. After a median follow-up of 18 months, median PFS was 24 months and 2y-PFS was 54%. PFS was longer in patients achieving a very good partial response (VGPR) with median PFS of 32.4 months. The relapses after prior autologous transplant (ASCT) positively impact median PFS. Several baseline disease characteristics, such as III ISS scoring or elevated LDH, and prior exposure to lenalidomide were found to negatively impact PFS. Primary refractory or relapsed myeloma patients have been treated with KRd as bridge to ASCT with a great benefit. Thirty-four (83%) reached at least a partial response after KRd and 21 (61%) performed ASCT. In transplanted patients, median PFS was not reached and 2y-PFS was 100%. The treatment discontinuation rate due to adverse events (AEs) was 18%, most commonly for lenalidomide (11%). Overall, in 10% of patients, a KRd dose reduction was necessary at least once (2.5% for carfilzomib and 8% for lenalidomide). The most frequent AE was neutropenia (44%) and anemia (41%). Infections occurred in 14% of patients. Cardiovascular events occurred in 11% of patients. Elderly patients have tolerated therapy very well, without additional side effects compared to younger patients, except for cardiac impairment. Our analysis confirmed that KRd is effective in RRMM patients. It is well tolerated and applicable to the majority of patients outside clinical trials. A longer PFS was shown in patients achieving VGPR, in those lenalidomide naïve and in patients relapsing after previous ASCT. Previous ASCT should not hamper the option for KRd therapy. Accordingly, KRd should be used as bridge regimen to ASCT with remarkable improvement in response and PFS rates. Further clinical studies are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fungal diseases seriously affect agricultural production and the food industry. Crop protection is usually achieved by synthetic fungicides, therefore more sustainable and innovative technologies are increasingly required. The atmospheric pressure low-temperature plasma is a novel suitable measure. We report on the effect of plasma treatment on phytopathogenic fungi causing quantitative and qualitative losses of products both in the field and postharvest. We focus our attention on the in vitro direct inhibitory effect of non-contact Surface Dielectric Barrier Discharge on conidia germination of Botrytis cinerea, Monilinia fructicola, Aspergillus carbonarius and Alternaria alternata. A few minutes of treatment was required to completely inactivate the fungi on an artificial medium. Morphological analysis of spores by Scanning Electron Microscopy suggests that the main mechanism is plasma etching due to Reactive Oxygen Species or UV radiation. Spectroscopic analysis of plasma generated in humid air gives the hint that the rotational temperature of gas should not play a relevant role being very close to room temperature. In vivo experiments on artificially inoculated cherry fruits demonstrated that inactivation of fungal spores by the direct inhibitory effect of plasma extend their shelf life. Pre-treatment of fruits before inoculation improve the resistance to infections maybe by activating defense responses in plant tissues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By late 2017, governments had pledged more than 140 M ha to the global forest landscape restoration (FLR) agenda. Although much FLR will consist of conventional ecological restoration, a substantial proportion will involve agroforestry. The question therefore arises of how the agroforestry germplasm needs of FLR can be met, particularly given its emphasis on species diversity. This paper examines the role of market-based germplasm supply systems. A simple analytic framework is presented, and key demand- and supply-related factors are described. It is suggested that seedling supply and demand at market prices will not necessarily coincide with needs of all farmers nor with the requirements of a particular restoration program, and that market-based germplasm supply systems will therefore often not meet the needs of restoration programs. Implications of these findings are then identified and appropriate responses are suggested. These include those intended to produce shifts in demand or supply curves through addressing the underlying enabling environment, and direct subsidies to tree planting stock prices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biological control agents (BCAs) play an important role in crop protection. They can improve sustainability, prevent resistance to fungicides in target pathogens and reduce fungicide residues on produce. Bacillus subtilis strain QST713 (Serenade Max; Bayer CropScience, Leverkusen, Germany) and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens subsp. plantarum strain D747 [Amylo-X; CBC Europe S.r.l.-Biogard Division, Nova Milanese (MB), Italy] are two commercially available BCAs that are used against grey mould on table grape and other crops. TaqMan-based quantitative (q)PCR assays were developed and validated for quantitative and specific detection of the two BCAs on grape bunches following field sprays. Specific molecular markers were developed for each BCA, and TaqMan probes were designed and tested in qPCR on DNA extracted from washing water of grape berries. The assay proved specific and sensitive for both BCAs allowing detection at density as low as three colony-forming units (CFU) per gram of berries. The method will be useful to investigate the population dynamics of the two BCAs following their applications in vineyards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of four solarizing plastic materials on weed suppression and yield response of two lettuce cultivars ('Bacio' and 'Moringa') grown during two consecutive seasons was investigated at Metaponto (40°23′N; 16°47′E; 10 m a.s.l.), southern Italy. All solarization treatments suppressed winter and summer weeds with no significant difference among the plastic materials, although biodegradable film was less efficient in controlling common purslane and common amaranth. Weed infestation at the harvest of both lettuce cultivars was not affected by the solarizing material, whereas fewer weeds were found in the plots grown with 'Bacio' than with 'Moringa'. Lettuce yield in two successive growing seasons was always significantly higher in solarized plots than in nontreated control, without any statistical difference among the plastic materials. Yield and head quality of cv. 'Bacio' were higher than 'Moringa' in the first growing season, but the opposite occurred in the second crop. Soil solarization was confirmed to be effective for weed management in field lettuce crops in the Mediterranean areas, although weed suppression may be affected also by the lettuce cultivar. Choice of solarizing materials, when similarly effective on weeds and crop yield, should take into account also their cost. Low density polyethylene plastics emerged as the best choice in conventional lettuce crops as highly effective as, and less expensive than the other materials, whereas the use of biodegradable films should be limited to organic lettuce systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Resistance to the fungicide boscalid in laboratory mutants of Botryotinia fuckeliana ( Botrytis cinerea) was investigated. The baseline sensitivity to boscalid was evaluated in terms of colony growth (EC = 0.3–3 µg ml; MIC = 10–30 µg ml) and conidial germination (EC = 0.03–0.1 µg ml; MIC = 1–3 µg ml) tests. Mutants were selected in vitro from wild-type strains of the fungus on a fungicide-amended medium containing acetate as a carbon source. Mutants showed two different levels of resistance to boscalid, distinguishable through the conidial germination tests: low (EC ∼ 0.3 µg ml, ranging from 0.03 to 1 µg ml; MIC > 100 µg ml) and high (EC > 100 µg ml) resistance. Analysis of meiotic progeny from crosses between resistant mutants and sensitive reference strains showed that resistant phenotypes were due to mutations in single major gene(s) inherited in a Mendelian fashion, and linked with both the Daf1 and Mbc1 genes, responsible for resistance to dicarboximide and benzimidazole fungicides, respectively. Gene sequence analysis of the four sub-units of the boscalid-target protein, the succinate dehydrogenase enzyme, revealed that single or double point mutations in the highly conserved regions of the iron-sulphur protein (Ip) gene were associated with resistance. Mutations resulted in proline to leucine or phenylalanine replacements at position 225 (P225L or P225F) in high resistant mutants, and in a histidine to tyrosine replacement at position 272 (H272Y) in low resistant mutants. Sequences of the flavoprotein and the two transmembrane sub-units of succinate dehydrogenase were never affected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The WSO-UV space observatory, an UV-optimized 1.7 m Ritchey-Chretien telescope, will investigate many astrophysical phenomena from planetary science to cosmology. The Field Camera Unit is a multi-spectral radial instrument on the focal plane of WSO-UV. It will have three channels covering the wide spectral range from 115 nm to 800 nm and it will be operated in imaging, low-resolution spectroscopic, polarimetric and spectro-polarimetric modes. This paper will discuss and review the main characteristics and the present status of this instrument. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phase-out of methyl bromide and health concerns related to the use of pesticides are increasing the interest in alternative control strategies. Soil solarization is an effective, safe and cheap technique for the control of soil-borne pathogens and weeds. However, knowledge of the long-term effects of solarization, as well as of repeated solarization cycles, is scarce. Such knowledge should in particular help to minimize the number of solarization treatments. Therefore, we tested the residual effect of a single solarization treatment and the effects of two or three solarization cycles on root-knot nematodes, weeds and crop yield for three years on greenhouse-grown tomato and melon. Soil solarization was applied for either one, two or three consecutive years on a soil infested by the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne javanica and many annual and perennial weed species. An untreated soil was used as a control. At the end of each crop cycle yield parameters were recorded, weeds were identified and counted, and nematode infestation was evaluated. Our results show that a single solarization treatment significantly increased yields by +116%, and strongly reduced nematode infestation of −99% of infested plants and of −98% of the root gall index in the following melon crop. It also suppressed annual weed emergence three years later. Plant yields from two- and three-year solarized soil were always higher than nonsolarized control: +284% and +263%, respectively, for tomato, and +162% and +368%, respectively, for melon. Further, two- and three-year solarization treatments almost completely suppressed the infestation of the M. javanica nematode in tomato, and reduced the nematode effect in melon by −86% and −79%, respectively. Repeated solarization treatments also resulted in a high reduction of emergence of most weed species in all crop cycles. A single soil solarization treatment was shown to be effective for a long-term sustainable management of weeds, whereas the time-limited effectiveness against root-knot nematodes can be enhanced through two- or three-year repeated treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This cross-sectional survey aimed to evaluate the prevalence of burnout and estimated psychiatric disorders among haemato-oncology healthcare professionals in Italy. The aspects of work that respondents perceive as stressful and satisfying have also been examined. The assessments were made using the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), General Health Questionnaire and a study-specific questionnaire. Logistic regression models were applied to show associations between different sources of work-related stress and burnout. Three hundred and eighty-seven out of 440 (87.95%) returned their questionnaires. The scores on MBI subscales indicate a high level of emotional exhaustion in 32.2% of the physicians and 31.9% of the nurses; a high level of Depersonalisation in 29.8 and 23.6%, respectively; and a low level of personal accomplishment in 12.4 and 15.3% respectively. The estimated prevalence of psychiatric disorders was 36.4% in physicians and 28.8% in nurses. Statistical analysis confirmed age, sex, personal dissatisfaction, physical tiredness and working with demanding patients to be associated with burnout. In conclusion, haemato-oncology healthcare professionals report a level of burnout and estimated psychiatric morbidity comparable to other oncological areas. Knowledge of the mechanisms of burnout and preventing and dealing with them is therefore a fundamental requirement for the improvement of quality in health services and job satisfaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Goal Of Work: We compared the efficacy of ceftriaxone (CA regimen) and piperacillin-tazobactam (PTA regimen) in association with amikacin in the treatment of febrile episodes in severely neutropenic hematological patients.Patients and Methods: A total of 252 febrile episodes in 224 patients were randomized.Main Results: The CA regimen was effective in 62/122 evaluable episodes (50.8%), and the PTA regimen was effective in 64/121 (52.9%; P>0.2). Median time to failure was 4 and 5 days (P>0.1). Further infections developed in 21/122 episodes (17.2%) with the CA regimen and in 12/121 (9.9%) with the PTA regimen (P=0.06). The overall mortality at the end of the febrile episode was 11/243 (4.5%); seven deaths were considered to be related to infection.Conclusions: Patients treated with piperacillin-tazobactam and amikacin tended to become afebrile sooner and to suffer a lower rate of further infections, even though our data did not show any statistically significant differences between the two groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Podosphaera xanthii is the main causal agent of cucurbit powdery mildew in Southern Italy. Illumina sequencing of mRNA from two P. xanthii isolates of opposite mating types (MAT1-1 and MAT1-2) and their sexual cross was used to obtain a detailed de novo Trinity-based assembly of the transcriptome of the fungus. Over 60 million of high-quality paired-end reads were obtained and assembled into 71,095 contigs corresponding to putative transcripts that were functionally annotated. More than 55% of the assembled transcripts (40,221 contigs) had a significant hit in BLASTx search and included sequences related to sexual compatibility and reproduction, as well as several classes of transposable elements and putative mycoviruses. The availability of these new transcriptomic data and investigations on potential source of genetic variation in P. xanthii will promote new insights on the pathogen and its interactions with host plants and associated microbiome. Design Type(s) transcription profiling design • sequence assembly objective • sequence annotation objective • disease analysis objective Measurement Type(s) transcription profiling assay Technology Type(s) RNA sequencing Factor Type(s) strain Sample Characteristic(s) Podosphaera xanthii Machine-accessible metadata file describing the reported data (ISA-Tab format) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the framework of Project No. 14 "Laboratory network for the selection, characterization and conservation of germplasm and for preventing the spread of economically-relevant and quarantine pests (SELGE)", founded by the Apulia Region, PO FESR 2007-2013, an Illumina HiScan Seq platform was acquired. The next generation sequencing technologies (NGS) can be applied to improve knowledge in several contexts, such as genotyping, whole-genome sequencing, targeted resequencing, gene expression, discovery of transcription factor binding sites, noncoding RNA expression profiling, etc. With particular regard to transcriptomics, the application of NGS, commonly RNA-seq, allows the nearly complete characterization of transcriptomic events occurring in a specific biological system. Quantitative and qualitative differences in gene expression are detected by comparing multiple mRNA populations, and the understanding of fungal plant diseases can be improved. The analysis of gene expression during infection, together with expression profiling in a multitude of different in vivo and in vitro growth conditions can greatly enhance the understanding of fungal pathogenicity. The Illumina NGS was applied to gain insight into a wide range of transcriptional events related to: (i) plant-pathogen interaction (i.e grapevine-Phomopsis viticola); (ii) morphogenesis and development in Botryotina fuckeliana, with particular regard to mycelial growth, sclerotia differentiation, occurrence of the sexual process, and ascocarp development; (iii) synthesis of ochratoxin A in Aspergillus carbonarius grown under inducive and non-inducive condition; (iv) defoliating and non-defoliating pathotypes of Verticillium dahliae growing in a synthetic simulated xylem medium; (v) induced resistance to postharvest decay in oranges treated with electrolyzed water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An abstract of the article "Investigations on the Biosynthesis of Ochratoxin Aspergillus Carbonarius Throught Whole Transcriptome Analysis," by D. Gerin, R. M. De Miccolis Angelini, S. Pollastro and F. Faretra is presented.

An abstract of the article "Study of Morphological and Sexual Differentiation in the Ascomycete Botrytis Cinerea Through Whole Transcriptome Analysis," by R. M. De Miccolis Angelini, C. Rotolo, S. Pollastro and F. Faretra is presented.

An abstract on the study relating to the interaction between peach rootsocks and armillaria mellea using an RNA sequencing approach is presented.

Botryotinia fuckeliana is a pathogen at high-risk of resistance to fungicides, as succinate dehydrogenase inhibitors (SDHIs), commonly used against gray mould. Isolates of the fungus carrying allelic variants of the SdhB gene associated with different phe- notypes of sensitivity/resistance to boscalid were characterised for response to the new fungicide fluopyram. Cross-resistance between the two SDHIs appeared to be limited to specific boscalidresistant genotypes. Substitution of proline with leucine or phenylalanine at position 225 (P225L/F), associated to a high level of resistance to boscalid (RF=10,000), conferred high (RF=1,000) or low (RF=10) level of resistance to fluopyram, respectively. The replacement of asparagine with isoleucine at position 230 (N230I) conferred moderate (RF=100) resistance to both SDHIs. Mutations at codon 272 resulting in histidine to tyrosine or arginine (H272Y/R) replacements, responsible for a high (RF=10,000) resistance to boscalid, confer sensitivity or hyper-sensitivity to fluopyram, respectively. PCR assays using allele-specific (AS)-primers were carried out on more than 180 resistant field isolates and confirmed a clear phenotype-to-genotype relationship in SDHI-resistant isolates. A real-time PCR assay using the same primers and SYBR-green was developed to quantify SDHI-resistant isolates in fungal population samples. A primer pair, able to amplify a region of SdhB gene common to wild-type and resistant isolates was used as internal calibrator. The sensitivity of the technique was as low as 1% of mutated alleles. This method should be useful to quantify the occurrence of SDHI-resistant isolates in B. fuckeliana field populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]