From single to multivariable exposure models to translate climatic and air pollution effects into mortality risk. A customized application to the city of Rome, Italy.

This study presents an approach developed to derive a Delayed-Multivariate Exposure-Response Model (D-MERF) useful to assess the short-term influence of temperature on mortality, accounting also for the effect of air pollution (O and PM). By using Distributed, lag non-linear models (DLNM) we explain how city-specific exposure-response functions are derived for the municipality of Rome, which is taken as an example. The steps illustrated can be replicated to other cities while the statistical model presented here can be further extended to other exposure variables.

Climate change and air pollution: Translating their interplay into present and future mortality risk for Rome and Milan municipalities.

Heat and cold temperatures associated with exposure to poor air quality lead to increased mortality. Using a generalized linear model with Poisson regression for overdispersion, this study quantifies the natural-caused mortality burden attributable to heat/cold temperatures and PM and O air pollutants in Rome and Milan, the two most populated Italian cities. We calculate local-specific mortality relative risks (RRs) for the period 2004-2015 considering the overall population and the most vulnerable age category (≥85 years).

Description of the bacterial RNA polymerase inhibitor GE23077-producer sp. NRRL B-65521 as sp. nov.

The filamentous actinomycete that produces the antibiotic GE23077 was isolated by the Lepetit Research Group from a soil sample collected in Thailand, and it was classified as a member of the genus on the basis of its morphology and cell-wall composition. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that this strain formed a distinct monophyletic line within the genus and it was most closely related to DSM 45347 (99.31 % similarity) and DSM 44485 (98.

Impact of clonally-related Burkholderia contaminans strains in two patients attending an Italian cystic fibrosis centre: a case report.

Background: Burkholderia contaminans is one of the 20 closely related bacterial of the Burkholderia cepacia complex, a group of bacteria that are ubiquitous in the environment and capable of infecting people with cystic fibrosis (CF). This species is an emerging pathogen and it has been widely isolated from CF patients in Argentina, Spain, Portugal, Australia, Canada, USA with a low prevalence in Ireland, France, Russia, Switzerland, Czech Republic, and Italy. This is the first report of B.

DNA Origami Structures Interfaced to Inorganic Nanodevices.

We describe here one way to achieve hybrid DNA-inorganic nanostructures on rigid flat insulating substrates. We report methods to prepare rectangular DNA origami and incubate them onto arrays of anchoring gold nanodots either in a static solution or in a microfluidic system. We give details on the design and lithographic methods employed to pattern usable arrays of gold nanoanchors on naturally oxidized silicon wafer chips.

Classification of Actinoplanes sp. ATCC 33076, an actinomycete that produces the glycolipodepsipeptide antibiotic ramoplanin, as Actinoplanes ramoplaninifer sp. nov.

Strain ATCC 33076, which produces the antibiotic ramoplanin, was isolated from a soil sample collected in India, and it was classified as a member of the genus Actinoplanes on the basis of morphology and cell-wall composition. A phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that the strain forms a distinct clade within the genus Actinoplanes, and it is most closely related to Actinoplanes deccanensis IFO 13994 (98.71 % similarity) and Actinoplanes atraurantiacus Y16 (98.

Omics approaches on fresh-cut lettuce reveal global molecular responses to sodium hypochlorite and peracetic acid treatment.

Background: Lettuce is a leafy vegetable that is extensively commercialized as a ready-to-eat product because of its widespread use in human nutrition as salad. It is well known that washing treatments can severely affect the quality and shelf-life of ready-to-eat vegetables. The study presented here evaluated the effect of two washing procedures on fresh-cut lettuce during storage.

Pyrosequencing Unveils Cystic Fibrosis Lung Microbiome Differences Associated with a Severe Lung Function Decline.

Chronic airway infection is a hallmark feature of cystic fibrosis (CF) disease. In the present study, sputum samples from CF patients were collected and characterized by 16S rRNA gene-targeted approach, to assess how lung microbiota composition changes following a severe decline in lung function. In particular, we compared the airway microbiota of two groups of patients with CF, i.

Classification of Nonomuraea sp. ATCC 39727, an actinomycete that produces the glycopeptide antibiotic A40926, as Nonomuraea gerenzanensis sp. nov.

Strain ATCC 39727, which produces the antibiotic A40926 (the natural precursor of the antibiotic dalbavancin), was isolated from a soil sample collected in India, and it was originally classified as a member of the genus Actinomadura on the base of morphology and cell-wall composition. A phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicates that the strain forms a distinct clade within the genus Nonomuraea, and it is most closely related to Nonomuraea angiospora DSM 43173T (98.72 % similarity) and Nonomuraea jabiensis A4036T (98.

Suspending DNA Origami Between Four Gold Nanodots.

Rectangular DNA origami functionalized with thiols in each of the four corners immobilizes by self-assembly between lithographically patterned gold nanodots on a silicon oxide surface.

Analysis of a Pool of Small Plasmids from Soil Heterotrophic Cultivable Bacterial Communities.

In this work the analysis of the plasmid presence on soil aerobic cultivable heterotrophic bacterial communities was carried out checking a panel of 1,200 isolates, in order to establish the frequency of plasmid presence as well as the degree of plasmid flow between strains affiliated to the same or different taxon. Bacterial communities were isolated from two different sites of a 13-year experimental field with a clay-silt texture. Plasmid molecules were detected at low frequency (27 isolates, 2%) with a size ranging between 2 Kb and 40 Kb.

Changes in cystic fibrosis airway microbial community associated with a severe decline in lung function.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disease resulting in chronic polymicrobial infections of the airways and progressive decline in lung function. To gain insight into the underlying causes of severe lung diseases, we aimed at comparing the airway microbiota detected in sputum of CF patients with stable lung function (S) versus those with a substantial decline in lung function (SD). Microbiota composition was investigated by using culture-based and culture-independent methods, and by performing multivariate and statistical analyses.

Soil bacterial community response to differences in agricultural management along with seasonal changes in a Mediterranean region.

Land-use change is considered likely to be one of main drivers of biodiversity changes in grassland ecosystems. To gain insight into the impact of land use on the underlying soil bacterial communities, we aimed at determining the effects of agricultural management, along with seasonal variations, on soil bacterial community in a Mediterranean ecosystem where different land-use and plant cover types led to the creation of a soil and vegetation gradient. A set of soils subjected to different anthropogenic impact in a typical Mediterranean landscape, dominated by Quercus suber L.

Modelling co-infection of the cystic fibrosis lung by Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Burkholderia cenocepacia reveals influences on biofilm formation and host response.

The Gram-negative bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Burkholderia cenocepacia are opportunistic human pathogens that are responsible for severe nosocomial infections in immunocompromised patients and those suffering from cystic fibrosis (CF). These two bacteria have been shown to form biofilms in the airways of CF patients that make such infections more difficult to treat. Only recently have scientists begun to appreciate the complicated interplay between microorganisms during polymicrobial infection of the CF airway and the implications they may have for disease prognosis and response to therapy.

Vertical distribution of bacterioplankton in Lake Averno in relation to water chemistry.

The effects of environmental factors on bacterioplankton distribution along the water column of Lake Averno (Naples, Italy) have been investigated by means of denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) of polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-amplified 16S rRNA gene fragments, and multivariate analysis applied to molecular data and physico-chemical parameters. Bacterial richness, estimated from DGGE profiles, remains constant throughout the water column, whereas archaeal richness increases with depth. Moreover, archaeal richness was significantly correlated to most of the measured abiotic variables, whereas bacterial richness did not.

Interaction of environmental Burkholderia cenocepacia strains with cystic fibrosis and non-cystic fibrosis bronchial epithelial cells in vitro.

Burkholderia cenocepacia is an important human pathogen in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). Non-clinical reservoirs may play a role in the acquisition of infection, so it is important to evaluate the pathogenic potential of environmental B. cenocepacia isolates.

Genetic relationships among Italian and Mexican maize-rhizosphere Burkholderia cepacia complex (BCC) populations belonging to Burkholderia cenocepacia IIIB and BCC6 group.

Background: A close association between maize roots and Burkholderia cepacia complex (BCC) bacteria has been observed in different locations globally. In this study we investigated by MultiLocus Restriction Typing (MLRT) the genetic diversity and relationships among Burkholderia cenocepacia IIIB and BCC6 populations associated with roots of maize plants cultivated in geographically distant countries (Italy and Mexico), in order to provide new insights into their population structure, evolution and ecology.

Results: The 31 B.

Application of multiplex single nucleotide primer extension (mSNuPE) to the identification of bacteria: the Burkholderia cepacia complex case.

Burkholderia cepacia complex (BCC) is characterized by a complex taxonomy constituted by seventeen closely related species of both biotechnological and clinical importance. Several molecular methods have been developed to accurately identify BCC species but simpler and effective strategies for BCC classification are still needed. A single nucleotide primer extension (SNuPE) assay using gyrB as a target gene was developed to identify bacteria belonging to the B.

RecA gene sequence and Multilocus Sequence Typing for species-level resolution of Burkholderia cepacia complex isolates.

Aim: To identify, by means of recA sequencing and multilocus sequence typing (MLST), Burkholderia cepacia complex (BCC) isolates of environmental and clinical origin, which failed to be identified by recA RFLP and species-specific PCR.

Methods And Results: By using recA sequence-based identification, 17 out of 26 BCC isolates were resolved at the level of species and lineage (ten Burkholderia cenocepacia IIIB, two Burkholderia arboris and five Burkholderia lata). By using MLST method, 24 BCC isolates were identified.

Burkholderia cenocepacia strains isolated from cystic fibrosis patients are apparently more invasive and more virulent than rhizosphere strains.

Given the widespread presence of Burkholderia cenocepacia in the rhizosphere it is important to determine whether rhizosphere strains are pathogenic for cystic fibrosis patients or not. Eighteen B. cenocepacia strains of rhizosphere and clinical origin were typed by multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) analysis and compared for their ability to invade pulmonary epithelial cells and their virulence in a mouse model of airway infection.

Use of the gyrB gene to discriminate among species of the Burkholderia cepacia complex.

Bacteria of the Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc) are opportunistic pathogens that can cause serious infections in lungs of cystic fibrosis patients. The Bcc comprises at least nine species that have been discriminated by a polyphasic taxonomic approach. In this study, we focused on the gyrB gene, universally distributed among bacteria, as a new target gene to discriminate among the Bcc species.

Investigating Burkholderia cepacia complex populations recovered from Italian maize rhizosphere by multilocus sequence typing.

The Burkholderia cepacia complex (BCC) comprises at least nine closely related species of abundant environmental microorganisms. Some of these species are highly spread in the rhizosphere of several crop plants, particularly of maize; additionally, as opportunistic pathogens, strains of the BCC are capable of colonizing humans. We have developed and validated a multilocus sequence typing (MLST) scheme for the BCC.

Environmental Burkholderia cepacia complex isolates in human infections.

Members of the Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc), found in many environments, are associated with clinical infections. Examining diverse species and strains from different environments with multilocus sequence typing, we identified > 20% of 381 clinical isolates as indistinguishable from those in the environment. This finding links the natural environment with the emergence of many Bcc infections.