Urokinase‐type plasminogen activator (uPA) and c‐met play a major role in cancer invasion and metastasis. Evidence has suggested that uPA and c‐met overexpression may be coordinated in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In the present study, to understand whether the expression of these genes might be coregulated by specific microRNAs (miRs) in human cells, we predicted that Homo sapiens microRNA‐23b could recognize two sites in the 3′‐UTR of uPA and four sites in the c‐met 3′‐UTR by the algorithm pictar. The miR‐23b expression analysis in human tumor and normal cells revealed an inverse trend with uPA and c‐met expression, indicating that uPA and c‐met negative regulation might depend on miR‐23b expression. Transfection of miR‐23b molecules in HCC cells (SKHep1C3) led to inhibition of protein expression of the target genes and caused a decrease in cell migration and proliferation capabilities. Furthermore, anti‐miR‐23b transfection in human normal AB2 dermal fibroblasts upregulated the expression of endogenous uPA and c‐met. Cotransfection experiments in HCC cells of the miR‐23b with pGL4.71 Renilla luciferase reporter gene constructs, containing the putative uPA and c‐met 3′‐UTR target sites, and with the pGL3 firefly luciferase‐expressing vector showed a decrease in the relative luciferase activity. This would indicate that miR‐23b can recognize target sites in the 3′‐UTR of uPA and of c‐met mRNAs and translationally repress the expression of uPA and c‐met in HCC cells. The evidence obtained shows that overexpression of miR‐23b leads to uPA and c‐met downregulation and to decreased migration and proliferation abilities of HCC cells.

Bats are natural reservoirs for many mammalian coronaviruses, which have received renewed interest after the discovery of the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and the Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) CoV in humans. This study describes the identification and molecular characterization of alphacoronaviruses and betacoronaviruses in bats in Italy, from 2010 to 2012. Sixty-nine faecal samples and 126 carcasses were tested using pan-coronavirus RT-PCR. Coronavirus RNAs were detected in seven faecal samples and nine carcasses. A phylogenetic analysis of RNA-dependent RNA polymerase sequence fragments aided in identifying two alphacoronaviruses from Kuhl’s pipistrelle (Pipistrellus kuhlii), three clade 2b betacoronaviruses from lesser horseshoe bats (Rhinolophus hipposideros), and 10 clade 2c betacoronaviruses from Kuhl’s pipistrelle, common noctule (Nyctalus noctula), and Savi’s pipistrelle (Hypsugo savii). This study fills a substantive gap in the knowledge on bat-CoV ecology in Italy, and extends the current knowledge on clade 2c betacoronaviruses with new sequences obtained from bats that have not been previously described as hosts of these viruses.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a common life-threatening autosomal recessive disorder in the Caucasian population, and the gene responsible is the CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR). Patients with CF have repeated bacterial infection of the airways caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA), which is one of the predominant pathogen, and endobronchial chronic infection represents a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Pentraxin 3 (PTX3) is a gene that encodes the antimicrobial protein, PTX3, which is believed to have an important role in innate immunity of lung. To address the role of PTX3 in the risk of PA lung colonization, we investigated five single nucleotide polymorphisms of PTX3 gene in 172 Caucasian CF patients who were homozygous for the F508del mutation. We observed that PTX3 haplotype frequencies were significantly different between patients with PA colonization, as compared with noncolonized patients. Moreover, a protective effect was found in association with a specific haplotype (odds ratio 0.524). Our data suggest that variations within PTX3 affect lung colonization of Pseudomonas in patients with CF.

In 2011, a group A rotavirus was isolated from the brain of a fox with encephalitis and neurologic signs, detected by rabies surveillance in Italy. Intracerebral inoculation of fox brain homogenates into mice was fatal. Genome sequencing revealed a heterologous rotavirus of avian origin, which could provide a model for investigating rotavirus neurovirulence.

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A new veterinary medicinal product called Varterminator for varroa mite control has been developed. The medicine is made of a gel containing formic acid (FA) and is able to produce a passive evaporation of FA and to guarantee a high degree of safety for the bee colony. To verify the efficacy of the treatment and the effect on eggs, larvae, adult bees and queens, clinical trials were performed in several apiaries spread throughout Italy, under different climatic and regional conditions. The average acaricide efficacy rate was more than 95%, with a maximum level of 99%. With regard to safety, no adverse reactions were observed on larvae, adult bees and queens when compared to untreated colonies. One adverse reaction was noted, however, a high mortality of eggs. The eggs were quickly replaced by the queen in a few days, without affecting the wellbeing of the colony. The results showed that the acaricide is efficacious and safe for colonies. The medicine can be used with brood, throughout the season of the bee activity. Moreover, the product is ready-to-use, safe for users and suitable for organic farming

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a b s t r a c tEconomic losses due to contagious agalactia (CA) in small ruminant herds are mainly associated with significant reductions in or complete loss of dairy production, mortality, abortions, ill thrift, early culling and costs of control. With the aim of estimating milk production losses caused by CA, 46 primiparous lactating Valle del Belice ewes were monitored after experimental infection. Sixty days after lambing, two ewes were each experimentally infected with a single dose of 10 8 CFU/ml of a live Mycoplasma agalactiae strain in both teats by intracanalicular route. Three days after inoculation, the infection was spread manually by the milkers dipping their hands in the pooled milk from the experimentally infected ewes just before milking each of the uninfected sheep. The milk yield was recorded daily (morning and evening) for 12 weeks: 5 weeks before and 7 weeks after infection. Daily milk data, collected from each ewe, were used to design individual lactation curves in order to estimate the impact of CA infection. Individual milk samples were screened for the presence of M. agalactiae as well other pathogens which cause mastitis in small ruminants comprising Staphylococcus aureus, coagulase negative-staphylococci (CNS), Corynebacterium spp. and Streptococcus spp. No pathogens were detected in the milk of 10 (22%) of the 46 ewes kept with the experimentally infected sheep. There was a reduction of 17% in milk output of 19 (41%) ewes from which M. agalactiae was isolated; the 17 (37%) remaining ewes had a similar drop in milk production but recovered quickly within 2-3 weeks, so the final losses were estimated to be 3%. The infected milk showed a significantly higher somatic cell count when mycoplasma excretion in milk was >10 3 CFU/ml. Percentages of milk protein and casein were higher in milk excreting M. agalactiae due to concentration, in contrast the percentage of lactose in the milk was significantly lower. No significant effect of M. agalactiae was found on the percentage of milk fat.In conclusion, the loss of milk following CA infection is variable and probably related to the degree of exposure and capacity of the individual ewe to resist the pathogen.