scholarly journals Development and Validation of an ELISA for the Detection of Bluetongue Virus Serotype 4-Specific Antibodies

Viruses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 1741
Author(s):  
Emmanuel Bréard ◽  
Mathilde Turpaud ◽  
Georges Beaud ◽  
Lydie Postic ◽  
Aurore Fablet ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mediterranean Area ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Attractive Alternative ◽  
Specific Antibodies ◽  
Vp2 Protein ◽  
Specificity And Sensitivity ◽  
Virus Serotype ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
Development And Validation ◽  
The Mediterranean Basin

In this article, we describe the development and evaluation of a double antigen sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) able to detect serotype 4-specific antibodies from BTV-4 infected or vaccinated animals using a recombinant BTV-4 VP2 protein. The coding sequence of VP2 was inserted into a pVote plasmid by recombination in the Gateway® cloning system. Vaccinia virus (VacV) was used as a vector for the expression of the recombinant VP2. After production in BSR cells, recombinant VP2 was purified by immunoprecipitation using a FLAG tag and then used both as the coated ELISA antigen and as the HRP-tagged conjugate. The performance of the ELISA was evaluated with 1,186 samples collected from BTV negative, infected or vaccinated animals. The specificity and sensitivity of the BTV-4 ELISA were above the expected standards for the detection of anti-BTV-4 VP2 antibodies in animals reared in Europe or in the Mediterranean basin. Cross-reactions were observed with reference sera for serotypes 10 and 20, and to a lesser extent with serotypes 12, 17 and 24, due to their genetic proximity to serotype 4. Nevertheless, these serotypes have never been detected in Europe and the Mediterranean area. This ELISA, which requires only the production of a recombinant protein, can be used to detect BTV serotype 4-specific antibodies and is therefore an attractive alternative diagnostic method to serum neutralization.

scholarly journals The MEDWATERICE project: Towards a sustainable water use in Mediterranean rice-based agro-ecosystems

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arianna Facchi ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Water Use ◽  
Mediterranean Basin ◽  
Social Sustainability ◽  
Mediterranean Area ◽  
Irrigation District ◽  
Private Companies ◽  
Irrigation Methods ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
The Mediterranean Basin ◽  
Surface Drip Irrigation

<p>In the Mediterranean basin, rice is cultivated over an area of 1,300,000 hectares. The most important rice-producing countries are Italy and Spain in Europe (72% of the EU production; 345,000 ha), and Egypt and Turkey among the extra-EU countries (almost totality of the production; 789,000 ha). Traditionally, rice is grown under continuous flooding; thus, it requires more water than non-ponded crops. On the other hand, rice is strategic for food security in some countries such as Egypt, and human consumption in the whole Mediterranean is steadily increasing.</p><p>The MEDWATERICE project (PRIMA-Section 2-2018; https://www.medwaterice.org/), which started in April 2019, aims to explore the sustainability of innovative rice irrigation methods and technologies in the Mediterranean basin, in order to reduce rice water use and environmental impacts, and to extend rice cultivation outside of traditional paddy areas to meet the growing demand. The MEDWATERICE consortium includes universities, research centres and private companies operating in the Mediterranean area (IT, ES, PT, EG, TR, IL). Case studies (CSs) are implemented in pilot farms of the countries involved in the project. Tested alternative irrigation methods and technologies adopted in each CS are being tailored to local conditions using a participatory action research approach through the establishment of Stake-Holder Panels in each country, which include regional authorities, water managers, farmers’ associations and consultants, and private companies of the rice production chain. Irrigation strategies experimented in the pilot farms and compared to the continuous flooding (considered as the ‘reference’ irrigation method in all CSs), are: dry seeding and delayed flooding, alternate wetting and drying, lengthening of drying periods, reduction in irrigation inflow/outflow, hybrid irrigation, multi-nozzle sprinkler irrigation, surface and sub-surface drip irrigation, and waste-water reuse through sub-surface drip irrigation. For each irrigation solution, innovative technologies and the most appropriate rice varieties and agronomic practices are tested to minimize impacts of irrigation water reduction on yield quantity and quality. Data collected at the farm level are extrapolated to the irrigation district level to support water management decisions and policies. Indicators for quantitative assessment of environmental, economic and social sustainability of the irrigation options are also being defined. Outcomes produced by MEDWATERICE are expected to generate knowledge on how to improve sustainability of rice production in the countries of the Mediterranean area, with particular attention to the adoption of water-saving techniques.</p><p>During the conference, approaches and methodologies adopted and developed within the project, and results obtained so far will be presented, with particular attention to the experimentation conducted in the pilot farms, to the methods for the upscaling the achievements to the irrigation district scale, and to the set of indicators for quantifying economic, environmental and social sustainability of irrigation methods and technologies currently under definition.</p>

Archaeological Survey in the Mediterranean Basin: A Review of Recent Research

1982 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
pp. 87-98 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen L. Dyson
Keyword(s):  
World War Ii ◽  
Mediterranean Basin ◽  
Mediterranean Area ◽  
Western Mediterranean ◽  
Archaeological Survey ◽  
World War ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
The Mediterranean Basin

The aim of this article is to describe and discuss the use of archaeological survey in the Mediterranean area during recent decades. Emphasis will be placed on research conducted since World War II, and I will concentrate primarily on Greece and the Western Mediterranean. In this context, surveys centering on later prehistoric and historic periods will receive most attention. Note that even within these areas of concentration, this article cannot claim to be exhaustive. It is my intention to discuss the highlights of this rapidly developing field.

scholarly journals Comparison of two different sea-salt aerosol schemes as implemented in air quality models applied to the Mediterranean Basin

2010 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 30999-31038
Author(s):  
P. Jimenez-Guerrero ◽  
O. Jorba ◽  
M. T. Pay ◽  
J. P. Montavez ◽  
S. Jerez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dry Deposition ◽  
Wet Deposition ◽  
Mediterranean Basin ◽  
Surface Wind ◽  
Mediterranean Area ◽  
Sea Salt ◽  
Target Area ◽  
Transport Models ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
The Mediterranean Basin

Abstract. A number of attempts have been made to incorporate sea-salt aerosols (SSA) source functions in chemistry transport models with varying results according to the complexity of the scheme considered. This contribution compares the inclusion of two different SSA algorithms in two chemistry transport models: CMAQ and CHIMERE. The main goal is to examine the differences in average SSA mass and composition and to study the seasonality of the prediction of SSA when applied to the Mediterranean area with high resolution in a reference year. Dry and wet deposition schemes are also analyzed to better understand the differences observed between both models in the target area. The applied emission algorithm in CHIMERE uses a semi-empirical formulation which obtains the surface emission rate of SSA as a function of the surface wind speed cubed and particle size. The emission parameterization included within CMAQ is somehow more sophisticated, since fluxes of SSA are corrected with relative humidity. In order to evaluate their strengths and weaknesses, the participating algorithms as implemented in the chemistry transport models were evaluated against AOD measurements from Aeronet and available surface measurements in Southern Europe and the Mediterranean area, showing biases around −0.003 and −1.2 μg m−3, respectively. The results indicate that both models represent accurately the patterns and dynamics of SSA and its non-uniform behavior in the Mediterranean basin, showing a strong seasonality. The levels of SSA vary strongly across the Western and the Eastern Mediterranean, reproducing CHIMERE higher annual levels in the Aegean Sea (12 μg m−3) and CMAQ in the Gulf of Lion (9 μg m−3). The large difference found for the ratio PM2.5/total SSA in CMAQ and CHIMERE is also investigated. The dry and wet removal rates are very similar for both models despite the different schemes implemented. Dry deposition essentially follows the surface drag stress patterns, meanwhile wet deposition is more scattered over the continent. CMAQ tends to provide larger amounts of SSA dry deposition over the Northern Mediterranean (0.7–1.0 g m−2 yr−1), meanwhile the Southeastern Mediterranean accounts for the maximum annual dry deposition in the CHIMERE model (0.9–1.5 g m−2 yr−1). The wet deposition is dominated by the accumulation mode and is strongly correlated to the precipitation patterns, showing CMAQ a higher wet deposition/total deposition ratio over coastal mountain chains. The results of both models constitute a step towards increasing the understanding of the SSA dynamics in a complex area as the Mediterranean.

scholarly journals Some Reports of Paratethyan Ostracods from the Central Mediterranean Area

2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Temani R
Keyword(s):  
Brackish Water ◽  
Mediterranean Basin ◽  
Mediterranean Area ◽  
Messinian Salinity Crisis ◽  
Central Mediterranean ◽  
Marine Fauna ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
First Time ◽  
The Mediterranean Basin

Uppermost Miocene stratigraphic sections have been sampled in Sicily and eastern Tunisia. Some of the stratigraphic levels contained in them are related to the continentalization phase (“Lago Mare”) of the Mediterranean Basin, which occurred at the end of the Messinian Salinity Crisis. Within these levels, ostracod associations reflecting fresh or brackish water environments are reported here for the first time. Species considered to be Paratethyan in affinity lived in these environments. The discovery, both in Sicily and Tunisia, of species such as C agrigentina, A propinqua, and M. punctate, suggests that the Sicilian Channel did not prevent the migration of the non-marine fauna from NW to SE in the Paleomediterranean area during the Post Evaporitic Phase

scholarly journals Occurrence of Stem-Pitting Strains of Citrus tristeza virus in Croatia

Plant Disease ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 89 (3) ◽  
pp. 342-342 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Černi ◽  
D. Škorić ◽  
M. Krajačić ◽  
Ž Gatin ◽  
C. Santos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mediterranean Basin ◽  
Citrus Tristeza Virus ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Cp Gene ◽  
Plant Pathol ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
Tristeza Virus ◽  
Stem Pitting ◽  
The Mediterranean Basin ◽  
Citrus Tristeza

Citrus is grown in Croatia (approximately 1,500 ha of citrus groves) on the Dalmatian Coast and Islands between 42 and 43°30′N. The major species, Citrus unshiu Marc. (Satsuma mandarin), is grafted on trifoliate rootstock. The presence of Citrus tristeza virus (CTV) in Satsumas in the Neretva Valley Region was previously reported (3). During the course of a biomolecular characterization of isolates from Croatia, 15 budsticks were collected from field-infected, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)-positive sources during the autumn of 2003 near Kaštela, Split, Metković (Neretva Valley), and on the island of Vis. Isolates were propagated by graft transmission to Madam Vinous sweet orange (SwO) and maintained in an insect-proof greenhouse at 21 to 33°C. Eight months later, the bark of terminal twigs was peeled off, and the wood was examined for the occurrence of pits. Typical tristeza stem-pitting (SP) was observed in four isolates originating from cvs. Fukumoto navel, Washington navel, and Ichimaru Satsuma and C. wilsonii. The bark from the infected sources was analyzed using immunocapture reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) with primers CTV1 and CTV10 (1), targeting the whole coat protein (CP) gene. The PCR products of the expected size (669 nucleotides) were obtained and TA cloned (pGEM-T Easy Vector; Promega, Madison, WI) in E. coli cells. Thirty-two clones harboring the CTV CP gene were sequenced. Two of the SP isolates contained four genomic variants that differed an average of 2.0% from the severe SwO SP strains SY568 and Nuaga (4) from California and Japan, respectively. The other two SP isolates contained four variants that differed as little as 1.6% from the severe SwO SP from India, CTV-Puna, and CTV-Bangalore (2). The net average distance between these two clusters of sequences is 5.2%. One sequence from each of the four SP isolates was deposited in GenBank (Accession Nos. AY791841 to AY791844). These findings were confirmed by direct observation of SP symptoms in a Satsuma orchard in the Neretva Valley during the spring of 2004. No other conspicuous symptoms that could be attributed to CTV were observed in the field. Most Satsumas were introduced to the Neretva Region from Japan between 1964 and 1984. Together with the fact that the related Nuaga strain was also isolated from Satsumas in Japan (4), our results suggest that SwO SP strains were introduced into Croatia at the same time and have been spreading for several decades. It has been generally believed that this kind of CTV strains either do not exist in the Mediterranean basin or, when found (e.g., Spain), are immediately eradicated. The findings reported here suggest that the epidemiological scenario for the Mediterranean Basin requires revision. References: (1) G. Nolasco et al. Eur. J. Plant Pathol. 108:293, 2002. (2) A. Roy et al. Arch. Virol. 148:707, 2003. (3) A. Šarić and I. Dulić. Agric. Conspectus Sci. 55:171, 1990. (4) G. Suastika et al. J. Gen. Plant Pathol. 67:73, 2001.

scholarly journals Preliminary objective regionalization of the Mediterranean basin derived from surface-wave tomography

1997 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
M. D. Martínez ◽  
X. Lana ◽  
J. Badal ◽  
J. A. Canas ◽  
L. Pujades
Keyword(s):  
Group Velocity ◽  
Mediterranean Basin ◽  
Group Velocity Dispersion ◽  
Structural Characteristics ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Mediterranean Area ◽  
Wave Tomography ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
Homogeneous Regions ◽  
The Mediterranean Basin

An objective regionalization of the Mediterranean basin is derived from a tomographic study based on the fundamental mode of Rayleigh waves. The database is formed by seismic wavetrains recorded at very-broadband stations belonging to MedNet and other cooperative stations, located in the Mediterranean area. The data treatment consists of application of spectral filtering techniques aimed to determine path-averaged group velocities, computation of local group velocity maps for some periods and classification of the studied area in several homogeneous regions according to Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Average Linkage (AL) algorithms. Finally, the group velocity dispersion curves representing each homogeneous region are compared and possible correlation between these regions and seismotectonic and structural characteristics are discussed.

scholarly journals Vector-borne nematode diseases in pets and humans in the Mediterranean Basin: An update

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 1630-1643 ◽  
Author(s):  
Djamel Tahir ◽  
Bernard Davoust ◽  
Philippe Parola
Keyword(s):  
Mediterranean Basin ◽  
One Health ◽  
Companion Animals ◽  
Temporal Distribution ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Mediterranean Area ◽  
Parasitic Nematodes ◽  
Vector Borne ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
The Mediterranean Basin

Vector-borne diseases (VBDs) are among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in humans and animals. The scale of VBDs is increasing worldwide, including in the Mediterranean Basin, a region exposed to climate changes. Indeed, weather conditions may influence the abundance and distribution of vectors. The vector-borne nematode diseases of dogs and cats, such as dirofilariosis, onchocercosis, thelaziosis, Cercopithifilaria, and Acanthocheilonema infections, are some of these vectorized diseases, several of which are zoonoses. They are all caused by parasitic nematodes transmitted by arthropods, including mosquitoes (Dirofilaria spp.), black flies (Onchocerca lupi), drosophilids (Thelazia callipaeda), ticks (Acanthocheilonema dracunculoides and Cercopithifilaria bainae), and fleas and lice (Acanthocheilonema reconditum). The control and prevention of these infections and diseases require a multidisciplinary approach based on strengthening collaboration between the different actors in the fields of health, research, sociology, economics, governments and citizens, to improve human, animal, and ecosystem health. This is the concept of "one health." The review aimed to provide a general update on the spatial and temporal distribution of vector-borne nematodes diseases affecting companion animals and humans, as well as the vectors involved in the Mediterranean area. Simultaneously, certain epidemiological parameters, diagnosis, treatment, and control of these diseases based on the "one health" concept will also be discussed.

scholarly journals An overview of pool and spa regulations in Mediterranean countries with a focus on the tourist industry

2014 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 359-371 ◽  
Author(s):  
Athena Mavridou ◽  
Olga Pappa ◽  
Olga Papatzitze ◽  
Athena Blougoura ◽  
Panagiotis Drossos
Keyword(s):  
Geographical Area ◽  
Mediterranean Area ◽  
Positive Answer ◽  
Tourist Industry ◽  
Specific Topic ◽  
Tourist Destination ◽  
Mediterranean Countries ◽  
Grand Total ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
The Mediterranean Basin

The Mediterranean area is densely populated and a very popular tourist destination. This study aimed at gathering up-to-date information on current national pool and spa regulations. We formulated and duly distributed to 20 Mediterranean countries a questionnaire divided into two sections: for pool and spa facilities, respectively. The questionnaire was formulated in such a way that a positive answer would imply that the specific topic was addressed effectively. While all 20 countries responded to the swimming-pool-related questionnaire, only 11 of these countries reported the existence of spa-related regulations. When combining the response overall of all countries for pool and spa facilities together, of a grand total of 606 answers, 183 (30.2%) were positive. The positive answers in the pool section of the questionnaire were 29% of the total of 420 answers while positive answers in the spa section of the questionnaire were fewer (27.8% of the total of 176 answers). The countries were grouped by geographical area of the Mediterranean basin where they are situated. Also, the questions were grouped into broad thematic categories. The paper presents conclusions drawn on the basis of the data received according to these geographical and thematic groupings.

Molecular epidemiology of bluetongue virus serotype 4 isolated in the Mediterranean Basin between 1979 and 2004

2007 ◽  
Vol 125 (2) ◽  
pp. 191-197 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emmanuel Breard ◽  
Corinne Sailleau ◽  
Kyriaki Nomikou ◽  
Chris Hamblin ◽  
Peter P.C. Mertens ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Epidemiology ◽  
Bluetongue Virus ◽  
Mediterranean Basin ◽  
Virus Serotype ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
The Mediterranean Basin

scholarly journals Development and Validation of A Competitive ELISA Based on Virus-Like Particles of Serotype Senecavirus A to Detect Serum Antibodies

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manyuan Bai ◽  
Rui Wang ◽  
Shiqi Sun ◽  
Yun Zhang ◽  
Hu Dong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Expression System ◽  
Antibody Test ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Virus Like Particles ◽  
Specificity And Sensitivity ◽  
Indirect Immunofluorescent Assay ◽  
Viral Particles ◽  
Test Kit ◽  
Development And Validation

Abstract Virus-like particles (VLPs) are high-priority antigens with highly ordered repetitive structures, which are similar to natural viral particles. We have developed a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA) for detecting antibodies directed against Senecavirus A (SVA). Our assay utilizes SVA VLPs that were expressed and assembled in an Escherichia coli expression system as the coating antigens. VLPs have better safety and immunogenicity than intact viral particles or peptides. The VLP-based cELISA was used to test 342 serum samples collected from different pig farms, and the results showed that its specificity and sensitivity were 100% and 94%, respectively. The consistency rates of cELISA with the BIOSTONE AsurDx™ Senecavirus A (SVA) Antibody Test Kit and an indirect immunofluorescent assay were 90.0% and 94.2%, respectively. Therefore, this VLP-based cELISA can be effectively and reliably used for the detection and discrimination of SVA infection in serum samples.

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