Evaluation of Bacillus thuringiensis Subsp. Israelensis and Bacillus sphaericus Combination Against Culex pipiens in Highly Vegetated Ditches.

Among the few mosquito larvicides available in the market, Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. israelensis (Bti) and B. sphaericus (Bs) represent the most environmentally safe alternatives.

Autochthonous dengue outbreak in Italy 2020: clinical, virological and entomological findings.

Background: In August 2020, in the context of COVID-19 pandemics, an autochthonous dengue outbreak was identified for the first time in Italy.

Methods: Following the reporting of the index case of autochthonous dengue, epidemiological investigation, vector control and substances of human origin safety measures were immediately activated, according to the national arbovirus surveillance plan. Dengue cases were followed-up with weekly visits and laboratory tests until recovery and clearance of viral RNA from blood.

A Novel Allele Specific Polymerase Chain Reaction (AS-PCR) Assay to Detect the V1016G Knockdown Resistance Mutation Confirms Its Widespread Presence in Populations from Italy.

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based genotyping of mutations in the voltage-sensitive sodium channel () associated with resistance to pyrethroid insecticides is widely used and represents a potential early warning and monitoring system for insecticide resistance arising in mosquito populations, which are vectors of different human pathogens. In the secondary vector -an Asian species that has invaded and colonized the whole world, including temperate regions-sequencing of domain II of the gene is still needed to detect the V1016G mutation associated with pyrethroid resistance. In this study we developed and tested a novel allele-specific PCR (AS-PCR) assay to genotype the V1016G mutation in this species and applied it to the analysis of wild populations from Italy.

Biosignature Analysis of Mars Soil Analogs from the Atacama Desert: Challenges and Implications for Future Missions to Mars.

The detection of biosignatures on Mars is of outstanding interest in the current field of astrobiology and drives various fields of research, ranging from new sample collection strategies to the development of more sensitive detection techniques. Detailed analysis of the organic content in Mars analog materials collected from extreme environments on Earth improves the current understanding of biosignature preservation and detection under conditions similar to those of Mars. In this article, we examined the biological fingerprint of several locations in the Atacama Desert (Chile), which include different wet and dry, and intermediate to high elevation salt flats (also named salars).

The invasive mosquito Aedes japonicus japonicus is spreading in northeastern Italy.

Background: The invasive mosquito species, Aedes japonicus japonicus, was detected in northeastern Italy for the first time in 2015, at the border with Austria. After this finding, a more intensive monitoring was carried out to assess its distribution and to collect biological data. Herein, we report the results of four years (2015-2018) of activity.

Field Trial To Evaluate Two Different Procedures For Monitoring the Efficacy of Aquatain® Against Culex pipiens and Aedes albopictus IN CATCH BASINS.

Aedes albopictus and Culex pipiens are commonly distributed in Italy and represent the main species found in catch basins. The application of a silicone-based film (e.g.

Efficacy of Two Common Methods of Application of Residual Insecticide for Controlling the Asian Tiger Mosquito, Aedes albopictus (Skuse), in Urban Areas.

After its first introduction in the 1980's the Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus (Skuse), has spread throughout Southern Europe. Ae. albopictus is considered an epidemiologically important vector for the transmission of many viral pathogens such as the yellow fever virus, dengue fever and Chikungunya fever, as well as several filarial nematodes such as Dirofilaria immitis or D.

The presence of white eggs in the monitoring of Aedes albopictus ( Diptera: Culicidae) by ovitraps.

Using international trading and passive transportation routes, the Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus (Skuse, 1894), has colonized Europe. While the most common tool to monitor the presence of the mosquito is the ovitrap, other kinds of eggs are occasionally found in the traps as well. Most of the eggs are easy to distinguish, however, some white-yellow eggs have a similar shape and size to those of the tiger mosquito and are often falsely identified as freshly laid tiger mosquito eggs.

Distribution and habitat characterization of the recently introduced invasive mosquito Aedes koreicus [Hulecoeteomyia koreica], a new potential vector and pest in north-eastern Italy.

Background: The container breeding species belonging to the genus Aedes (Meigen) are frequently recorded out of their place of origin. Invasive Aedes species are proven or potential vectors of important Arboviruses and their establishment in new areas pose a threat for human and animal health. A new species of exotic mosquito was recorded in 2011 in north-eastern Italy: Aedes (Finlaya) koreicus [Hulecoeteomyia koreica].

A critical role for Sox9 in notch-induced astrogliogenesis and stem cell maintenance.

Notch signaling is a key regulator of cell-fate decisions and is essential for proper neuroectodermal development. There, it favors the formation of ectoderm, promotes maintenance of neural stem cells, inhibits differentiation into neurons, and commits neural progenitors to a glial fate. In this report, we explore downstream effects of Notch important for astroglial differentiation.

Surveillance for West Nile, dengue, and chikungunya virus infections, Veneto Region, Italy, 2010.

In 2010, in Veneto Region, Italy, surveillance of summer fevers was conducted to promptly identify autochthonous cases of West Nile fever and increase detection of imported dengue and chikungunya in travelers. Surveillance highlighted the need to modify case definitions, train physicians, and when a case is identified, implement vector control measures.

The Notch signaling pathway: molecular basis of cell context dependency.

Notch receptor signaling controls cell-fate specification, self-renewal, differentiation, proliferation and apoptosis throughout development and regeneration in all animal species studied to date. Its dysfunction causes several developmental defects and diseases in the adult. A key feature of Notch signaling is its remarkable cell-context dependency.

Activated Notch1 target genes during embryonic cell differentiation depend on the cellular context and include lineage determinants and inhibitors.

Background: Notch receptor signaling controls developmental cell fates in a cell-context dependent manner. Although Notch signaling directly regulates transcription via the RBP-J/CSL DNA binding protein, little is known about the target genes that are directly activated by Notch in the respective tissues.

Methodology/principal Findings: To analyze how Notch signaling mediates its context dependent function(s), we utilized a Tamoxifen-inducible system to activate Notch1 in murine embryonic stem cells at different stages of mesodermal differentiation and performed global transcriptional analyses.

[Guidelines for the organization and management of disinfection and disinfestation from rodents and mosquitoes].

Two recent legislative acts (D.P.C.