Firenze University Press: E-Journals
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Phytotoxins produced by Lasiodiplodia laeliocattleyae involved in Botryosphaeria dieback of grapevines in Brazil
Get PDFBotryosphaeria dieback (BD) is an important trunk disease affecting grapevines. Several Lasiodiplodia species have been shown to be involved in BD affecting the perennial organs of grapevine, mainly causing cankers. (R)-(-)-mellein and tyrosol, two well-known fungal phytotoxins, were isolated from the organic extract of culture filtrate of Lasiodiplodia laeliocattleyae (syn. egyptiacae), which had been isolated from grapevines affected by BD in Brazil. This increases knowledge of the secondary metabolites produced by Lasiodiplodia species, confirming that (R)-(-)-mellein is a toxin typically produced by Botryosphaericeae species
An integrative approach for the selection of Pochonia chlamydosporia isolates for biocontrol of potato cyst and root knot nematodes
Get PDFThe nematophagous fungus Pochonia chlamydosporia, a natural enemy of plant parasitic nematodes (PPN), has been exploited in the development of sustainable management strategies for PPN control. The intrinsic variation among P. chlamydosporia isolates affects biocontrol potential, so sound characterisation is required. Biological, molecular and metabolic analyses can be determinant in the screening and selection of these potential biological control agents. This study aimed to provide integrative characterisation of P. chlamydosporia isolates that can support isolate selection for biological control purposes. Eight Portuguese isolates, associated with Meloidogyne spp., were used as a case study. Isolates were identified and characterised: i) at the biological level through standard bioassays to evaluate their ability for rhizosphere colonisation, to produce chlamydospores, and to parasitise Globodera pallida and Meloidogyne incognita eggs; ii) at the molecular level, examining genetic variation using ERIC-PCR; and iii) at the metabolic level, assessing their metabolic profiles using Biolog FF MicroPlates, with concurrent reads of fungal utilisation of 95 different carbon sources. Molecular data and metabolic characterisation were reduced using Principal Component Analysis and compared with the biological characteristics. Molecular profiles could only be related to isolate geographical origin, but the original substrate (eggs or roots), parasitism of M. incognita eggs and ability for rhizosphere colonisation were correlated with metabolic profiles, indicative of utilisation of specific carbon sources. Meloidogyne egg parasitism and rhizosphere colonisation were related to each other. This integrative characterisation offers novel perspectives on the biology and biocontrol potential of P. chlamydosporia, and, once tested on a broader set of isolates, could be used to assist rapid isolate selection
Genetic variability, chemotype distribution, and aggressiveness of Fusarium culmorum on durum wheat in Tunisia
Get PDFFusarium culmorum is the most commonly reported root rot pathogen in Tunisian durum wheat. Isolates of the pathogen from four durum wheat growing areas in the north of Tunisia were analyzed for their chemotypes. Two chemotypes were detected at unequal abundance (96% of 3-ADON and 4% of NIV). Distribution of a SNP mutation located at the position 34 bp after the first exon of the EF-1α partial sequence was analysed, to verify whether the haplotype was specifically associated to Fusarium root rot. A and T haplotypes were homogeneously distributed in three different Tunisian regions (Mateur, Beja and Bousalem) but not for the region of Bizerte, from which greatest number of A haplotype strains were detected. The isolates were tested for their virulence under glasshouse conditions, and a mean of 91% of crown and root infection was observed. Chemotype influenced virulence, but there was no significant influence of the geographical origin or haplotype on virulence. The distribution of three inter simple sequence repeats (ISSR) was examined, to better understand the structure of F. culmorum populations in Tunisia. A total of 27 fragments were obtained with eight polymorphic bands. Cluster analysis showed a high level of similarity between isolates. Analysis of molecular variance confirmed that there was little genetic differentiation among F. culmorum strains from different locations
Visions of the City in Seventeenth-Century Roman Popular Theatre
Get PDFThe extraordinary circulation of comic scripts (texts, manuscripts, scenarios and zibaldoni) in seventeenth-century Rome allows us to observe the profiles of a ‘self-referential theatre’ that involved citizens, amateur actors and authors, and depicts clear images of milieus, conventions and habits of the city
Variability of small bowel length: Correlation with height, waist circumference, and gender
Get PDFFirst year medical students are always under impression that the small bowel length is almost 6 meters or more, as they have studied it in their textbooks; and when they try to measure, it does not always correspond with it. Knowledge of variable lengths of small bowel is important not just for an academic interest but it has implications in different surgical and other procedures related with small bowel length. In the present study, the height, waist circumference, and small bowel length was measured in 111 formalin-fixed cadavers (73 males and 38 females) from Indian population, and correlation of small bowel length to height, waist circumference and gender was searched, which showed small bowel length of 218-500 cm with a mean of 336.54 cm; the small bowel was significantly longer in males than that in females ((p<0.05). Height and small bowel length showed moderately positive correlation with each other while waist circumference and small bowel length showed a strong positive reciprocal correlation. Linear regression analysis showed statistically significant relationship for both. Central obesity showed no correlation with small bowel length in males (R=0.049) and weak correlation in females (R=0.281). Small bowel length/height ratio as well as small bowel length/waist circumference ratio did not show statistically significant differences in either gender. Small bowel length in Indian population was found to be less than that reported in western studies or medical textbooks - a relevant finding - to be considered in application of different procedures and surgery of small intestine in Indian individuals
Use of mobile learning by first year undergraduate students in a medical college in India
Get PDFMobile handsets are emerging as technology enhanced learning media in medical education. However not much research has been undertaken to explore usefulness of mobile learning among students. This study assessed the perception of first year undergraduate medical students, who are undergoing training in preclinical subjects, towards the application and effectiveness of mobile learning in medical education curriculum. A self-designed, pre-tested questionnaire was framed to explore the outlook towards mobile devices as a learning medium and the questionnaire was administered among 100 first year undergraduate medical students; summative assessment and their responses were collected and analyzed. The completed questionnaire was returned by 98 students after documenting their responses. It was observed that 85.7% respondents had access to smart phones and mobile handset was the preferred learning medium for 49% students. The students had a multifaceted outlook with regards to advantages of mobile learning and in their opinion, it supported a diverse bouquet of learning components. Moreover 44.9% and 25.5% students rated mobile device as an effective and very effective learning medium respectively. A majority (70.4%) of the students admitted that they would continue with mobile learning in future and 73.5% students opined that they would actually recommend their juniors to utilize their mobile devices as a learning medium. First year undergraduate medical students are using their mobile devices as an effective learning medium. Mobile devices have the potential to converge as a one-stop medium that could cater to learning needs of a divergent population of medical students
Children’s literature and hypermedia. The digitalization breakthrough in the children’s publishing sector
Get PDFThe paper aims to reflect on the parallelism between traditional and digital literature while analyzing the offer available on electronic market platforms. Taking into consideration adaptations of children's literature classics and original productions, such as enhanced books and apps, the paper purpose is to focus on interactivity and on the various degrees of involvement of the “digital reader” increasingly direct towards a prefigured visual narration
Bridges between people: nonverbal mediation in an intercultural perspective and training proposals
Get PDFStarting from the meaning of terms prejudices and mediation, the paper will deal with the theme of “intercultural mediation”, discussing aspects that characterize it, focusing on the non-verbal and creative elements. It will than reflect upon the necessary professional skills and on possible trainings through the body-artistic language (focusing on dance-movement therapy methodology), drawing inspiration from training experiences with professionals who face emergency situations within very complex social contexts. Italy receives 89% of the unaccompanied foreign minors arriving in Europe. However, Italy does not have adequate laws in place to initiate life projects and social inclusion which could help the overwhelming influx of refugees and migrants. In this very complex situation non-verbal competences can give the possibility to build bridges between people and to create social networks, that could help bring about more effective actions and, may be, political chang