Exome sequencing (ES) has become a primary tool for diagnosing neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs), yet the interpretation of genetic variants in large, heterogeneous cohorts presents significant challenges that automated pipelines often fail to resolve. This study showcases the complexities and novel findings derived from a decade-long analysis of 419 Italian NDD patient-parent trios. While ES established a molecular diagnosi...

In recent years, biocontrol agents (BCAs) have gained attention as sustainable alternatives or complements to synthetic chemicals for managing phytopathogens and enhancing plant growth. In this study, six bacterial strains were evaluated as BCAs against Rhizoctonia solani (RS), a soil-borne pathogen affecting economically important crops. Two strains ( Bacillus sp. B04A33 and Psychrobacillus sp. B04A42) were isolated from maiz...

Biological invasions are a well-documented driver of marine biodiversity change, yet quantitative frameworks to classify invasion stages and guide management remain limited. In the Adriatic Sea, the Atlantic blue crab ( Callinectes sapidus ) is an invasive alien species (IAS) which is widely distributed, reportedly altering ecosystem function and impacting local socio-ecological wellbeing. In response to these challenges, this...

Key message Using genome-wide association analysis in a barley germplasm panel, we identified root trait QTLs, domestication-driven morphological shifts, and candidate genes to guide breeding for improved root ideotypes in modern cultivars. Abstract Root system architecture (RSA) determines the plant’s ability to anchor to soil and absorb water and nutrients, thereby affecting productivity and stress tolerance. In this study,...

Sepsis and septic shock are major causes of global mortality. Analyzing trends in incidence, in-hospital mortality (IHM), and length of stay (LOS) is critical to improve patient outcomes. This retrospective study examined the impact of sepsis on patients admitted to St. Anna University Hospital in Ferrara, Italy, from 2003 to 2022. Inclusion criteria were patients aged ≥ 18, admitted through the Emergency Department with a con...

Purpose A three-year study was carried out in a steep vineyard to study inter-annual and within-season vigor variability by proximal sensing. Methods Each season, vigor maps were obtained around veraison when a full canopy status was achieved; in 2021 and 2022, within-season vigor variability was assessed at 9 and 8 dates. Every year, main yield components, grape composition and pruning weight were determined. In 2022, dynamic...

Marine litter represents a growing threat to marine biodiversity, particularly to cetaceans, yet its impacts on these sentinel species remain insufficiently quantified. This study provides the first comprehensive, transboundary assessment of litter ingestion in stranded cetaceans along the Italian coastline and across the wider Adriatic basin, including Croatia and Slovenia, between 2009 and 2023. Through harmonized post-morte...