Publications by authors named "A Ferrari Bravo"

Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) produces Cry toxins that are used to control insect pests worldwide. However, evolution of insect resistance threatens the sustainable application of these toxins. In some cases, Cry toxin resistance has been linked to mutations affecting toxin receptors expression.

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Methylmercury (MeHg), a neurotoxic pollutant, is formed mainly under anaerobiosis. The "Modulo Sperimentale Elettromeccanico" (MOSE), built to temporarily close the Venice Lagoon and protect the city from flooding, induces changes in the hydrological regime, reducing water circulation and decreasing in the dissolved oxygen concentrations of the lagoon. Our study shows the potential changes in sediment and overlying water physico-chemistry in a simulated MOSE closing-event by incubating sediment cores for 48 h in the laboratory and deploying benthic chambers.

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Article Synopsis
  • Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) bacteria produce insecticidal proteins Cry and Vip3, which kill certain insect larvae by disrupting their gut cells through pore formation.
  • The Vip3Aa protoxin requires proteolytic activation to change its structure and enhance binding to the brush border membrane vesicles (BBMV) in insects, while the unactivated form shows little binding and no toxicity.
  • Research identified domain III of Vip3Aa as the main binding domain and highlighted critical amino acids (K385, K526, V529) that become exposed upon activation, which are essential for the protein's receptor binding and insecticidal effects.
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Introduction: Although young adults use electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) more often than any other demographic group, most are interested in cessation; however, little is known about their cessation experiences. The present study examined characteristics associated with quit attempts, reasons for quitting and resources utilized, and psychological symptoms [i.e.

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