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The present work is aimed at presenting the data, methods and criteria that are being used for the assessment of ecosystem collapse risk in Italy.

Most studies on gender and psychosis have focused on gender differences at illness onset or on the long-term outcome, whereas little is known about the impact of gender on the first years after psychosis onset. A total of 185 first episode psychosis (FEP) patients were followed for 5 years after psychosis onset, and gender differences were explored in psychopathology (PANSS), needs for care (CAN), and insight (SAI-E). Male patients showed more negative symptoms than females over time, whereas female patients showed higher levels of depressive symptoms than males throughout the study period. In addition, female patients presented more functioning unmet needs for care, but higher levels of insight into illness than males. Therapy and rehabilitative programs for FEP patients should be gender-targeted, as gender has proved to impact on psychopathology, needs for care, and insight in the very first years following psychosis onset.

The products VitiBioSap 458 Plus® (VBS458) and VitiBioSap ES Plus® (VBSES) based on essential oil mixture, Cu++ (3.5%), Zn++ (1%) and the MicroSap® component (Patent N°EP3071039–28.09.2016), were assayed in vivo against Erwinia amylovora (Ea),the etiological agent of the bacterial fire blight. Detached flowers andimmature fruitlets of pear were pre-treated with VBS458 (1-2%) or VBSES (2-3%), and inoculated with an Ea aqueous suspension (ca. 106 CFU/ml); the disease incidence was evaluated within 6 days after the inoculation. Moreover, the population dynamics of an Ea rifampicin resistant mutant strain (Ea 273R1) was evaluated up to 4 days on detached apple flowers, pre-treated with the above products. In addition, at each detection time, the flowers were fixed in 5% glutaraldehyde solution, dehydrated in ethanol and processed by Critical Point Dryer. The samples, after gold sputter coating, were observed by Philips SEM 515 scanning electron microscope at 20kV. Sterile distilled water (SDW) and streptomycin sulphate (STR) were used as negative and positive controls, respectively. In VBSES- and VBS458-treated pear flowers, the disease incidence was significantly reduced (12-30% and 12-50%, respectively) compared to that detected in SDW-treated flowers (88-100%). In pear fruitlets treated with the products, the disease incidence resulted between 19% and 46%, similar to that on STR-treated pears (30%). Furthermore, the Ea population was significantly lowered in VBSES- and VBS458-treated apple flowers, in comparison to that of SDW-treated control samples.

In the last decade, bacterial canker of kiwifruit, caused by Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae (Psa), provoked heavy economical losses since its pandemic spread in 2008. The control of disease is achieved through integrated methods, by combining appropriate cultural practices and chemical treatments as cupric salts/antibiotics, and biocontrol agents (BCA). In this study, two strains QST713 andD747 of Bacillus sp., active principle of commercial biofungicides, were investigated for their ability to reduce the in vitro Psa growth. Both bacterial strains were assayed in planta for their capacity in directly reducing the severity of bacterial canker on green- and yellow-fleshed kiwifruit plants under greenhouse and open field conditions. Moreover, D747 strain was studied for its ability to induce resistance against Psa in yellow-fleshed kiwifruit plants after its application at the roots by irrigation with a suspension of the antagonist. In in vitro experiments the strains QST713 and D747 resulted similar in reducing Psa growth. Under greenhouse conditions, when applied on kiwifruit plants 48 h before the Psa inoculation, only the strain D747 resulted able to significantly reduce the disease severity, and in open field it prevented the natural Psa infection and lowered the disease severity. D747 was also able to reduce the disease severity by inducing plant resistance after its application at the roots. These are the first results which concern the ability of a BCA in directly reducing the pathogen growth and its disease severity, as well as its indirect capacity to induce resistance in Actinidia spp. plants towards Psa.

The strain D747 of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens var. plantarum (Bam), the active principle of the bio-fungicide Amylo-X, was applied in vitro, to evaluate its ability in directly inhibiting the growth of Xanthomonas vesicatoria (Xv, strain IPV-BO 2684), the causal agent of bacterial leaf spot of tomato. Under climatic chamber conditions, Bam, as water suspensions of spores (SPS; 2 g/L of Amylo-X) and 24 h-old living cells (LCS; ca. 107 CFU/mL), was applied at leaves and roots of tomato plants 'VF10'; after 48 h, the plants were inoculated with the Xv strain. Sterile distilled water (SDW), streptomycin sulphate and acibenzolar-S-methyl were used as negative and positive controls, respectively. Moreover, the transcription abundance of selected genes related to the plant defence was investigated in response to LCS treatment at the root apparatus. The strain D747 was directly active in vitro by significantly inhibiting the Xv growth. Under high infection pressure, the tomato plants treated at leaves with Amylo-X (SPS) showed a significantly lower disease severity compared to SDW-treated plants, with a relative protection of ca. 53%; also the tomato plants treated at the roots with LCS showed a significant reduction of the disease severity, providing a relative protection of ca. 45%. The transcripts abundance of several genes (i.e. erf1, pr-1, pr-4), related to the host defence response, resulted significantly higher than that of control plants from 1 to 48 h after the root treatment, highlighting that Bam was able to induce a plant mediated response against Xv infection.

Kiwifruit bleeding sap samples, collected in Italian and Chilean orchards from symptomatic and asymptomatic plants, were evaluated for the presence of Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae, the causal agent of bacterial canker. The saps were sampled during the spring in both hemispheres, before the bud sprouting, during the optimal time window for the collection of an adequate volume of sample for the early detection of the pathogen, preliminarily by molecular assays, and then through its direct isolation and identification. The results of molecular analyses showed more effectiveness in the P. syringae pv. actinidiae detection when compared with those of microbiological analyses through the pathogen isolation on the nutritive and semiselective media selected. The bleeding sap analyses allowed the isolation and identification of two hypersensitive response (HR) negative and hypovirulent P. syringae pv. actinidiae strains from different regions in Italy. Moreover, multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA) and whole genome sequence (WGS) were carried out on selected Italian and Chilean P. syringae pv. actinidiae virulent strains to verify the presence of genetic variability compared with the HR negative strains and to compare the variability of selected gene clusters between strains isolated in both countries. All the strains showed the lack of argK and coronatine gene clusters as reported for the biovar 3 P. syringae pv. actinidiae strains. Despite the biologic differences obtained in the tobacco bioassays and in pathogenicity assays, the MLSA and WGS analyses did not show significant differences between the WGS of the HR negative and HR positive strains; the difference, on the other hand, between PAC_ICE sequences of Italian and Chilean P. syringae pv. actinidiae strains was confirmed. The inability of the hypovirulent strains IPVBO 8893 and IPV-BO 9286 to provoke HR in tobacco and the low virulence shown in this host could not be associated with mutations or recombinations in T3SS island.

In Argentina, NDM metallo-β-lactamase was first reported in 2013. By now, it has disseminated throughout the country in diverse Gram negative bacteria. Here, we report the case of a paediatric patient that underwent a 1-year hospitalisation due to erythrodermic psoriasis in 2014 and received multiple antimicrobial treatments. During his stay, five isolates were obtained from rectal swabs (rs) or blood culture (bc) suspicious of carbapenemase production: a K. quasipneumoniae subsp. quasipneumoniae (rs), Citrobacter freundii (rs), Escherichia coli (bc), Enterobacter cloacae (rs), and a Serratia marcescens (bc). The isolates were studied with broth microdilution, biparental conjugation and plasmid and whole genome sequencing (Illumina). All isolates harboured an 138,998-bp type 1 IncC plasmid that carried blaNDM-1, bleMBL, blaCMY-6, rmtC, aac(6')-Ib, and sul1 resistance genes. Additionally, the blaNDM-plasmids contained ISKpn8 an insertion sequence previously described as associated only to blaKPC. One isolate, a colistin-resistant E. coli, also carried a mcr-1-containing an IncI2 plasmid, which did not harbour additional resistance. The whole genome of K. quasipneumoniae subsp. quasipneumoniae isolate was fully sequenced. This isolate harboured, additionally to blaNDM, three plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance genes: qnrB4, qnrB52 and aac(6')-Ib-cr1. The E. cloacae isolate also harboured qnrA1. These findings alert to the underestimated horizontal dissemination of multidrug-resistant plasmids limiting treatment options with last resort antimicrobials.

The semi-deciduous oaks belonging to Quercus pubescens s.l. group (Q. congesta C. Presl, Q. virgiliana (Ten.) Ten., Q. dalechampii Ten., Q. amplifolia Guss. and Q. leptobalanus Guss.) are widespread in the Italian Peninsula, Sicily, Sardinia and along the southern coasts of the Balkan peninsula and more generally in the whole Mediterranean area, especially in the transition zone between the temperate and Mediterranean macrobioclimate identified by the sub-mediterranean variant (Brullo et al., 1999). These forests are currently expanding rapidly because of the decreased anthropic exploitation. The syntaxonomic classification of these forest typologies is quite critical, because their floristic composition includes a rich contingent of thermophilous species traditionally belonging to the class Quercetea ilicis alongside species more mesophilous typical of the thermophilous forests of the class Querco-Fagetea. The importance of these two groups of species varies with latitude and distance from the sea, determining various forms of transition. Therefore, some associations dominated by Quercus virgiliana are included in the order Quercetalia ilicis – the basifilous ones in the alliance Fraxino orni-Quercion ilicis, while the acidophilous ones in the alliance Erico- Quercion ilicis – while other associations are classified in the order Quercetalia-pubescenti-petraeae - suballiance Lauro-Quercenion pubescentis of the Carpinion orientalis in central Italy and in the alliance Pino calabricae-Quercion congestae, suballiance Quercenion virgilianae in southern Italy. The aim of the present study is to demonstrate that the different types of oak forests dominated by Q. virgiliana, Q. amplifolia and other species of the same group belong to the new order named Quercetalia virgilianae. The statistical elaborations carried out support this choice and are crucial in order to determine the hierarchical lower ranks and identify diagnostic species. The proposal of the new order is part of the project started with the implementation of Prodrome of the Italian vegetation (Biondi et al. 2014) that, relying on a set of core principles (Biondi et al., 2015), aims to give importance to the syntaxa typical of the sub-Mediterranean area, where phytocoenotic biodiversity is very high, but not enhanced by the current syntaxonomic classification. The importance of highlighting the originality of woodlands with Quercus virgiliana of the sub- Mediterranean zones coincides with the conservation purposes of the Habitats Directive and in particular the recognition of the existence in Italy of the habitat 91AA.

Riassunto Obiettivi. Lo studio intende mostrare come la presenza di una Classe II scheletrica, combinata con un overbite e ipertono muscolare, sia un cofattore per lo sviluppo di una cisti radicolare infiammatoria. Materiali e Metodi. Si descrive il caso di una paziente affetta da cisti radicolare estesa da 3.1 a 4.5, causata dagli elementi 4.1 e 3.1 necrotici. All’ortopantomografia (OPT) iniziale si notava una zona di rarefazione ossea a livello di 3.4 e 3.5. All’esame obiettivo la paziente presentava una malocclusione di Classe II, overbite accentuato e ipertono muscolare. Sono state eseguite terapia endodontica di 3.1 e 4.1 e, in seguito, enucleazione cistica. La paziente e stata sottoposta a esami elettromiografici e kinesiografici, per valutare la situazione muscolare, e a una terapia con ortotico per 8 mesi. Sono state effettuate diverse OPT per stabilire la prognosi: in fase prechirurgica (T0), in fase postoperatoria a distanza di un mese (T1), dopo terapia neuromuscolare a distanza di 8 mesi (T2), infine un follow-up a 10 anni per valutare la stabilita dei risultati (T3). Risultati. A T1 e a T2 si e osservata una rigenerazione ossea in entrambe le lesioni. A T3 la paziente presentava una situazione di stabilita. Conclusioni. La malocclusione giustifica la necrosi e la perdita del supporto osteoparodontale nei denti piu coinvolti dal trauma occlusale. Oltre a una terapia chirurgica, e necessaria una correzione del freeway space e della traiettoria neuromuscolare per una rigenerazione ossea nei siti traumatizzati.

The 4th National Report ex Art. 17 of the 92/43/EEC Directive in Italy (period 2013-2018) will try to fill a number of gaps still affecting the former versions of the Italian Reports, where territorial data were still missing for large parts of the country and the assessment was mostly based on the use of the expert opinion. Similar inconsistencies also emerged in other European countries (State of nature in the EU, EEA 2015). In order to reach this aim, a nationally shared protocol for monitoring the vegetation-based Annex I Habitats is currently under development. The most prominent issues addressed by the ongoing project are: i) fixing standardized, updated and scientifically grounded methodological tools, on the basis of the European guidelines (Evans & Arvela 2011, ETC-BD); ii) providing comparable data at national and European level; iii) harmonizing the territorially fragmented knowledge and iv) supporting nationally standardized measures for the conservation of terrestrial, brackish and freshwater Habitats. Promoted by the Italian Ministry for Environment (MATTM) and coordinated by the environmental agency ISPRA, the development of such a tool is being carried out by the Italian Society for Vegetation Science, with the support of a large team of experts. Open issues, such as the favourable reference values and the optimal thresholds for each considered parameter (range,area, structure and function), have to be dealt with, in a condition of large uncertainty. Due to its centrality in the assessment process, especially the concept of "typical species" should be developed with care, trying to combine the need for synthetic indicators with the great floristic diversity of the Italian Habitats. A clear definition of the parameters is crucial for a correct application of the monitoring protocol, to successfully contribute to the whole process of halting biodiversity loss in Europe.

The 4th National Report ex Art. 17 of the 92/43/EEC Directive in Italy (period 2013-2018) will try to fill a number of gaps still affecting the former versions of the Italian Reports, where territorial data were still missing for large parts of the country and the assessment was mostly based on the use of the expert opinion. Similar inconsistencies also emerged in other European countries (State of nature in the EU, EEA 2015). In order to reach this aim, a nationally shared protocol for monitoring the vegetation-based Annex I Habitats is currently under development. The most prominent issues addressed by the ongoing project are: i) fixing standardized, updated and scientifically grounded methodological tools, on the basis of the European guidelines (Evans & Arvela 2011, ETC-BD); ii) providing comparable data at national and European level; iii) harmonizing the territorially fragmented knowledge and iv) supporting nationally standardized measures for the conservation of terrestrial, brackish and freshwater Habitats. Promoted by the Italian Ministry for Environment (MATTM) and coordinated by the environmental agency ISPRA, the development of such a tool is being carried out by the Italian Society for Vegetation Science, with the support of a large team of experts. Open issues, such as the favourable reference values and the optimal thresholds for each considered parameter (range, area, structure and function), have to be dealt with, in a condition of large uncertainty. Due to its centrality in the assessment process, especially the concept of "typical species" should be developed with care, trying to combine the need for synthetic indicators with the great floristic diversity of the Italian Habitats. A clear definition of the parameters is crucial for a correct application of the monitoring protocol, to successfully contribute to the whole process of halting biodiversity loss in Europe.

The methodological foundations of the recently published Manual for Annex I Habitats monitoring in Italy, edited by the Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA) with the scientific support of the Italian Society for Vegetation Science (SISV), are here presented, discussed and related to the most consolidated and acknowledged scientific advances in the field of Vegetation science. The proposed methodologies aim at offering simple, yet effective, protocols and procedures towards a harmonized data collection, by way of standardized and shared technical tools, resulting in comparable evaluations of the conservation status of Annex I Habitats. The methodological framework was developed by experts including a large team of members of the SISV. Big efforts were deployed to provide indicators and parameters for biodiversity monitoring able to catch its complexity, yet simple enough to be easily measured. Diagnosis and syntaxonomical correspondences of Habitat types, sampling procedure, plot size, distribution mapping, typical species are among the principal issues here examined through a widely shared scientific discussion. The final product is a comprehensive Manual, which offers practical but scientifically sound methodological tools for an efficient and effective monitoring of Annex I Habitats. The importance of bridging across the science-policy interface is emphasized, in a general will to improve the impact of Vegetation science on conservation policy development in Europe.