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The brown marmorated stink bug Halyomorpha halys (Stål) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) is an invasive species currently established in several non-native regions, where it causes severe economic losses for growers. The factors driving H. halys spread are, however, poorly understood. Here, we studied H. halys populations in Apulia region (southern Italy), where the pest is present but not established. We monitored pest occurrence in different habitats selected along a gradient of urban cover in the landscape, and measured the potential biological control by natural enemies. Finally, to identify the potential pathways of entry in the region, we carried out a preliminary genetic characterization of Apulian populations. We found that high proportions of urban habitats in the landscape generally supported a higher occurrence and abundance of H. halys in crop fields, whereas high cover of semi-natural habitats increased parasitism rate. A higher predation rate was observed in crop fields compared to urban areas. The parasitoids Anastatus bifasciatus and Ooencyrtus sp., important control agents in areas where the pest is already established, were the most common species observed. Our findings suggest that the agricultural matrix affects the occurrence and the biological control of H. halys in newly invaded areas, potentially influencing its establishment probability. Finally, the high gentic similarity with the northern Italian populations suggested continuous introduction events, probably from the northern part of the country. Future monitoring programs focused on urban and cultivated areas will be fundamental to track the spread of the pest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys (Stål) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), native to eastern Asia, has become one of the most serious pests of fruit orchards worldwide. This invasive species is highly polyphagous and capable of moving across the agricultural matrix at long distances. However, comprehensive studies exploring how landscape characteristics influence H. halys colonization of orchards are still lacking. Here, we investigated the impact of landscape composition on the trap captures of H. halys in 113 orchards of different fruit tree crops (i.e., apple, pear, peach, walnut and kiwi) in northern Italy. We found that landscapes rich in semi-natural habitats and vineyards and poor in annual crops supported a higher abundance of H. halys juveniles in traps. This pattern became more evident towards the end of the growing season as the abundance of juveniles increased. Adults were instead not affected by the landscape. The invasive stink bug best responded to landscape processes at large spatial scales (3000 m) confirming its high dispersal ability. Moreover, H. halys did not display a strong preference among fruit orchards, although fewer individuals were caught in walnut orchards. Our findings suggest that the habitat composition of agricultural landscapes is a key factor driving the dynamics of this pest in agroecosystems and that semi-natural habitats might be important in supporting H. halys populations and crop colonization. These effects are however limited to juveniles while adult density was similar even in landscapes with very contrasting structures. • We studied the impact of landscape composition on H. halys populations in 113 orchards. • Landscapes rich in seminatural habitats and vineyards supported higher abundance of H. halys juveniles. • Adults were not affected by the landscape. • Landscapes composition is a key factor driving the dynamics of H. halys in agroecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Knowledge about the association between alcohol and Barrett’s oesophagus and reflux oesophagitis is conflicting. In this case–control study we evaluated the role of specific alcoholic beverages (red and white wine, beer and liquors) in 339 Barrett’s oesophagus and 462 oesophagitis patients compared with 619 endoscopic controls with other disorders, recruited in twelve Italian endoscopic units. Data on alcohol and other individual characteristics were obtained from structured questionnaires. No clear, monotonic significant dose–response relationship was pointed out for red wine. However, a generalised U-shaped trend of Barrett’s oesophagus/oesophagitis risk due to red wine consumption particularly among current drinkers was found. Similar results were also found for white wine. Liquor/spirit consumption seemed to bring about a 1·14–2·30 risk excess, although statistically non-significant, for current Barrett’s oesophagus/oesophagitis drinkers. Statistically significant decreasing dose–response relationships were found in Barrett’s oesophagus for frequency and duration of beer consumption. Similar, but less clear downward tendencies were also found for oesophagitis patients. In conclusion, although often not statistically significant, our data suggested a reduced risk of Barrett’s oesophagus and oesophagitis with a low/moderate intake of wine and beer consumption. A non-significant increased risk of Barrett’s oesophagus/oesophagitis was observed with a higher intake of any type of heavy alcohol consumption, but no conclusion can be drawn owing to the high number of non-spirit drinkers and to the small number of drinkers at higher alcohol intake levels. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Objectives. SSc is a clinically heterogeneous and generalized disease, characterized by thickness of the connective tissue of the skin and internal organs, such as the digestive tract, impairing gastrointestinal (GI) motility. Our aim is to evaluate retrospectively abnormalities of oesophageal motility, gastric emptying, oro-cecal transit time (OCTT) and small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) in a large cohort of SSc patients.Methods. Ninety-nine SSc patients were included in the study. Forty-two patients underwent oesophageal conventional manometry, 45 performed a [13C]octanoic acid breath test to measure gastric emptying time and all 99 patients performed a lactulose breath test in order to evaluate OCTT and SIBO. Data were compared with healthy controls.Results. In SSc patients, median lower oesophageal sphincter (LOS) pressure [14 mmHg (25th–75th; 8–19) vs 24 mmHg (19–28); P < 0.01] and median wave amplitude [30 mmHg (16–70) vs 72 mmHg (48–96); P < 0.01] were lower than in controls. Oesophageal involvement, defined as reduced LOS pressure and ineffective oesophageal motility pattern, was encountered in 70% of SSc patients. A delayed gastric emptying time was present in 38% of SSc patients: mean t½ was 141 ± 79 min vs 90 ± 40 min of controls (P < 0.01). Also, OCTT was significantly delayed in SSc: median OCTT was 160 min (25th–75th; 135–180) vs 105 min (25th–75th; 90–135) of controls (P < 0.01). SIBO was observed in 46% of SSc compared with 5% of controls (P < 0.01).Conclusion. GI involvement is very frequent in SSc patients. Oesophagus and small bowel are more frequently impaired, whereas delayed gastric emptying is less common. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

By 1780 Naples' population totaled more than 400.000 inhabitants. Musical productions constituted an important portion of the local economy. Although Naples lacked a music-publishing firm, production of handwritten musical scores flourished. Music copyists were so numerous they constituted a quasi- industry. The first "modern" music publisher active in Naples from 1785, Luigi Marescalchi, managed to control the production of printed and manuscript music until his exile to France in 1799. After his return to Italy in 1807, Marescalchi never returned to the business of music publishing. In Naples, up until 1820 music printing was no longer permitted, and production of scores was limited to manuscripts. In this environment, almost all music manuscripts were "published", or produced for commercial consumption. The recent discovery of new documents about Marescalchi's activity is a useful starting point for understanding the magnitude of the music business in Naples and the relationship between the production of printed and manuscript scores. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents an analysis of a series of programs entitled "Lezioni di Storia", sponsored by Laterza publishing house, held at the Auditorium, in Rome, conducted by the author Paolo Di Paolo. The idea is to focus on milestones of Roman history in a non-academic atmosphere, with visual aids and interactive question and answer session at the end of the lecture

The article focuses on the events participated by the Italy branch of the International Association of Music Librarians (IAML). It notes that the branch has both individual and institutional members which some are associated in the new Music Catalouging Guide. It states that the branch have largely worked in the preparation for the Napoli IAML Conference. It mentions that the author showed videos in Naples and present all the abstracts planned by the Italian speakers. Furthermore, they gave their support to the creation of the Italian CERTIDOC.

The article provides information related to the International Association of Music Libraries, Italy Branch. The branch members continued to cooperate with Istituto centrale per il catalogo unico delle biblioteche italiane for the new "Guida SBN Musica" for printed music, librettos and sound recordings. The working group on Nineteenth Century Authors' Libraries and Archives developed detailed formulary to take a census of the collections.

The article presents the developments concerning the Italy branch of the International Association of Music Libraries (IAML) in 2005. The branch Assembly in May has established two new working groups: the 19th century author libraries and the temporary workers. Moreover, the IAML has encountered copyright and music loan problems that the Ministry of Culture has been invited to the meeting to discuss the new law for legal deposits.