Erratum: Formation of a Spin Texture in a Quantum Gas Coupled to a Cavity [Phys. Rev. Lett. 120, 223602 (2018)].

This corrects the article DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.120.223602.

Formation of a Spin Texture in a Quantum Gas Coupled to a Cavity.

We observe cavity mediated spin-dependent interactions in an off-resonantly driven multilevel atomic Bose-Einstein condensate that is strongly coupled to an optical cavity. Applying a driving field with adjustable polarization, we identify the roles of the scalar and the vectorial components of the atomic polarizability tensor for single and multicomponent condensates. Beyond a critical strength of the vectorial coupling, we infer the formation of a spin texture in a condensate of two internal states from the analysis of the cavity output field. Our work provides perspectives for global dynamical gauge fields and self-consistently spin-orbit coupled gases.

Crossing Over from Attractive to Repulsive Interactions in a Tunneling Bosonic Josephson Junction.

We explore the interplay between tunneling and interatomic interactions in the dynamics of a bosonic Josephson junction. We tune the scattering length of an atomic ^{39}K Bose-Einstein condensate confined in a double-well trap to investigate regimes inaccessible to other superconducting or superfluid systems. In the limit of small-amplitude oscillations, we study the transition from Rabi to plasma oscillations by crossing over from attractive to repulsive interatomic interactions. We observe a critical slowing down in the oscillation frequency by increasing the strength of an attractive interaction up to the point of a quantum phase transition. With sufficiently large initial oscillation amplitude and repulsive interactions, the system enters the macroscopic quantum self-trapping regime, where we observe coherent undamped oscillations with a self-sustained average imbalance of the relative well population. The exquisite agreement between theory and experiments enables the observation of a broad range of many body coherent dynamical regimes driven by tunable tunneling energy, interactions and external forces, with applications spanning from atomtronics to quantum metrology.

New evidence of cutaneous leishmaniasis in north-eastern Italy.

BACKGROUND: Human leishmaniasis is on increase in the Mediterranean Europe. However, the exact prevalence of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is largely unknown as underdiagnosis and under reporting are common. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate epidemiological, clinicopathological and microbiological aspects of CL cases occurring in the Bologna Province, north-eastern Italy. METHODS: We performed a retrospective, observational study on CL cases diagnosed in the Bologna Province between January 2013 and December 2015. RESULTS: During 2013-2015, 30 cases of CL were identified in the Bologna Province with an average incidence of 1.00/100 000, with an increase of fourfold to 12-fold as compared to previous years. 16 of 30 (53%) CL cases presented as single, typical lesions. CL diagnosis was carried out by histological and molecular techniques, although in 7 of 29 (24%) PCR-positive cases, amastigotes were not visible on histology. CONCLUSIONS: We report new evidence of CL cases in a focal area of north-eastern Italy in 2013-2015. Our study highlights the importance of CL surveillance in the Mediterranean basin and emphasizes the need for the molecular laboratory surveillance of CL in endemic areas.

Survey of laboratory-acquired infections around the world in biosafety level 3 and 4 laboratories.

Laboratory-acquired infections due to a variety of bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungi have been described over the last century, and laboratory workers are at risk of exposure to these infectious agents. However, reporting laboratory-associated infections has been largely voluntary, and there is no way to determine the real number of people involved or to know the precise risks for workers. In this study, an international survey based on volunteering was conducted in biosafety level 3 and 4 laboratories to determine the number of laboratory-acquired infections and the possible underlying causes of these contaminations. The analysis of the survey reveals that laboratory-acquired infections have been infrequent and even rare in recent years, and human errors represent a very high percentage of the cases. Today, most risks from biological hazards can be reduced through the use of appropriate procedures and techniques, containment devices and facilities, and the training of personnel.

Increased number of cases of Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) infection imported from the Caribbean and Central America to northern Italy, 2014.

This report describes an increased number of cases of Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) infection imported in northern Italy (Emilia-Romagna region) during the period May-September 2014, indicating that the recent spread of CHIKV and its establishment in the Caribbean and in central America, resulted in a high number of imported cases in Europe, thus representing a threat to public health. From May to September 2014, 14 imported cases of CHIKV infection were diagnosed; the patients were returning to Italy from Dominican Republic (n = 6), Haiti (n = 3), Guadeloupe (n = 2), Martinique (n = 1), Puerto Rico (n = 1) and Venezuela (n = 1). Phylogenetic analysis performed on the envelope protein (E1) gene sequences, obtained from plasma samples from two patients, indicated that the virus strain belongs to the Caribbean clade of the Asian genotype currently circulating in the Caribbean and Americas. The rise in the number of imported cases of CHIKV infection should increase healthcare professionals' awareness of the epidemiological situation and clinical presentation of CHIKV infection in order to enhance surveillance and early diagnosis in the forthcoming season of vector activity in Europe and North America.

Characterization of skin lesions induced by skin-tropic α- and ß-papillomaviruses in a patient with epidermodysplasia verruciformis.

Epidermodysplasia verruciformis (EV) is a rare, lifelong, autosomal recessive skin disease associated with an unusual susceptibility to infections with ubiquitous ß-human papillomaviruses (ß-HPVs), and in some cases also skin-tropic α genotypes. In this case report, HPV infection patterns were correlated with pathology and clinical manifestations of skin lesions from a patient with EV, without loss-of-function mutations in the EVER genes. HPV infection was investigated by both polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and laser capture microdissection (LCM) PCR, alongside immunofluorescence for the viral proteins E4 and L1. Analysis of eyebrow hair bulbs revealed multiple ß-genus HPV infections, including HPV20 and HPV24, which were consistently found in all 11 skin lesions on the patient. Six lesions were also positive for the skin tropic α-genotype, HPV27. Clear-cut differences between two wart-like lesions, one caused by a skin-tropic α-genotype and the other by ß-genotypes (as detected by LCM PCR) are shown, including the high cellular proliferation rate in ß-HPV-induced lesions. Widespread expression of the early protein E4 was also evident in skin lesions positive for HPV20 by LCM PCR in both tumours and nearby intraepidermal proliferative areas. L1 expression was restricted to areas of intraepidermal proliferation showing productive infection. The patient's inability to control HPV infections is conclusive to the uncontrolled replication of few genotypes from both α and ß genera, which cause proliferative lesions with clear-cut clinical and histological features.

The experience of West Nile virus integrated surveillance system in the Emilia-Romagna region: five years of implementation, Italy, 2009 to 2013.

Predicting West Nile virus (WNV) circulation and the risk of WNV epidemics is difficult due to complex interactions of multiple factors involved. Surveillance systems that timely detect virus activity in targeted areas, and allow evidence-based risk assessments may therefore be necessary. Since 2009, a system integrating environmental (mosquitoes and birds) and human surveillance has been implemented and progressively improved in the Emilia-Romagna region, Italy. The objective is to increase knowledge of WNV circulation and to reduce the probability of virus transmission via blood, tissue and organ donation. As of 2013, the system has shown highly satisfactory results in terms of early detection capacity (the environmental surveillance component allowed detection of WNV circulation 3­4 weeks before human cases of West Nile neuroinvasive disease (WNND) occurred), sensitivity (capacity to detect virus circulation even at the enzootic level) and area specificity (capacity to indicate the spatial distribution of the risk for WNND). Strong correlations were observed between the vector index values and the number of human WNND cases registered at the province level. Taking into consideration two scenarios of surveillance, the first with environmental surveillance and the second without, the total costs for the period from 2009 to 2013 were reduced when environmental surveillance was considered (EUR 2.093 million for the first scenario vs EUR 2.560 million for the second). Environmental surveillance helped to reduce costs by enabling a more targeted blood unit testing strategy. The inclusion of environmental surveillance also increased the efficiency of detecting infected blood units and further allowed evidence-based adoption of preventative public health measures.

Human and entomological surveillance of Toscana virus in the Emilia-Romagna region, Italy, 2010 to 2012.

Toscana virus (TOSV), transmitted by phlebotomine sandflies, is recognised as one of the most important causes of viral meningitis in summer in Mediterranean countries. A surveillance plan based on both human and entomological surveys was started in 2010 in the Emilia-Romagna region, Italy. Clinical samples from patients with neurological manifestations were collected during 2010 to 2012. The surveillance protocol was improved during these years, allowing the detection of 65 human infections. Most of these infections were recorded in hilly areas, where sandflies reach the highest density. Entomological sampling around the homes of the patients resulted in a low number of captured sandflies, while later sampling in a hilly area with high number of human cases (n=21) resulted in a larger number of captured sandflies. Using this approach, 25,653 sandflies were sampled, of which there were 21,157 females, which were sorted into 287 pools. TOSV RNA was detected by real-time PCR in 33 of the pools. The results highlighted the role of Phlebotomus perfiliewi as the main vector of TOSV and a potential link between vector density and virus circulation. This integrated system shows that an interdisciplinary approach improves the sensitiveness and effectiveness of health surveillance.

Ongoing outbreak of visceral leishmaniasis in Bologna Province, Italy, November 2012 to May 2013.

An increased number of autochthonous visceral leishmaniasis (VL) cases has recently been reported in Bologna Province in northern Italy. Over six months from November 2012 to May 2013, 14 cases occurred, whereas the average number of cases per year was 2.6 (range: 0-8) in 2008 to 2012. VL was diagnosed in a median of 40 days (range: 15-120) from disease onset. This delay in diagnosis shows the need for heightened awareness of clinicians for autochthonous VL in Europe.

Post-ARDS pulmonary fibrosis in patients with H1N1 pneumonia: role of follow-up CT.

PURPOSE: Our aim was to evaluate the evolution of 20 patients with H1N1 pneumonia, focusing our attention on patients with severe clinical and radiological findings who developed post-acute respiratory distress syndrome (post-ARDS) pulmonary fibrosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty adult patients (nine women and 11 men; mean age 43.5 ± 16.4 years) with a diagnosis of H1N1 infection confirmed by pharyngeal swab came to our attention from September to November 2009 and were followed up until September 2010. All patients were hospitalised in consideration of the severity of clinical findings, and all underwent chest X-ray. Twelve of them underwent at least one computed tomography (CT) scan of the chest. RESULTS: In 75% of cases (15/20), there was complete resolution of the clinical and radiological findings. Twenty-five percent of patients (5/20) developed acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), which progressed to predominantly peripheral pulmonary fibrosis in 10% (2/20; one died and one had late-onset pulmonary fibrosis, documented on day 68). Moreover, in one patient with a CT diagnosis of pulmonary fibrosis, we observed progressive regression of radiological findings over 4 months of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with H1N1 pneumonia, post-ARDS pulmonary fibrosis is not a rare complication. Therefore, a CT scan should be performed in all patients with severe clinical findings. Our study demonstrated that in these patients, fibrosis could present a different spatial distribution and a different temporal trend, with delayed late onset; moreover, in one case, the signs of interstitial lung disease partially regressed over time. Therefore, CT should be considered not only in the diagnostic stage, but also during the follow-up.

Rapid increase of carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae strains in a large Italian hospital: surveillance period 1 March - 30 September 2010.

The first case of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae in Italy was reported in 2009. We performed a study over a period of seven months in 2010 to survey the circulation of Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemases (KPC) ina 1,500-bed university hospital in northern Italy and report the presence and rapid increase of these multidrug-resistant bacteria. The results raise a major concern about these pathogens and demonstrate the urgent need for infection control and antibiotic stewardship programmes.

Outbreak of NDM-1-producing Enterobacteriaceae in northern Italy, July to August 2011.

Between July 2011 and August 2011, the New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase 1 (NDM-1) gene was detected in Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli isolates obtained from six patients hospitalised in four healthcare facilities in northern Italy. The patient who had been hospitalised in New Delhi, India, from February to May 2011 and subsequently in the Bologna area, Italy, from May to July 2011, may have been the source of the outbreak. Our findings suggest ongoing spread of this carbapenem-resistance gene in Italy and highlight the need for intensive surveillance.

Long distance optical transport of ultracold atoms: A compact setup using a Moiré lens.

We present a compact and robust setup to optically transport ultracold atoms over long distances. Using a focus-tunable moiré lens that has recently appeared in the market, we demonstrate transport of up to a distance of 465 mm. A transfer efficiency of 70% is achieved with a negligible temperature change at 11 µK. With its high thermal stability and low astigmatism, the moiré lens is superior to fluid-based varifocal lenses. It is much more compact and stable than a lens mounted on a linear translation stage, allowing for simplified experimental setups.

Usutu virus infection in a patient who underwent orthotropic liver transplantation, Italy, August-September 2009.

We report a case of Usutu virus (USUV)-related illness in a patient that underwent an orthotropic liver transplant (OLT). Post transplant, the patient developed clinical signs of a possible neuroinvasive disease with a significant loss of cerebral functions. USUV was isolated in Vero E6 cells from a plasma sample obtained immediately before the surgery, and USUV RNA was demonstrated by RT-PCR and sequencing. This report enlarges the panel of emerging mosquito-borne flavivirus-related disease in humans.

Colonization and infection due to carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae in liver and lung transplant recipients and donor-derived transmission: a prospective cohort study conducted in Italy.

OBJECTIVES: A prospective cohort study was conducted in Italy in order to describe the microbiologic aspects of colonization/infection by carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) in donors and recipients of lung and liver transplants and the possible CPE transmission from donors to recipients. METHODS: Between 15 January 2014 and 14 January 2015, all recipients of solid organ transplants (SOT) at ten lung and eight liver transplantation centres and the corresponding donors were enrolled. Screening cultures to detect CPE were performed in donors, and screening and clinical cultures in recipients with a 28-day microbiologic follow-up after receipt of SOT. Detection of carbapenemase genes by PCR, genotyping by multilocus sequence typing, and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and whole-genome sequencing were performed. RESULTS: Of 588 screened donors, 3.4% were colonized with CPE. Of the liver first transplant recipients (n = 521), 2.5% were colonized before receipt of SOT and 5% acquired CPE during follow-up. CPE colonization was higher in lung first transplant recipients (n = 111, 2.7% before SOT and 14.4% after SOT). CPE infections occurred in 1.9% and 5.3% of liver or lung recipients, respectively. CPE isolates were mostly Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase (KPC)-producing K. pneumoniae belonging to CG258. Three events of donor-recipient CPE transmission, confirmed by whole-genome sequencing and/or pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, occurred in lung recipients: two involving K. pneumoniae sequence type 512 and one Verona integron-encoded metallo-ß-lactamase (VIM)-producing Enterobacter aerogenes. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed a low risk of donor-recipient CPE transmission, indicating that donor CPE colonization does not necessarily represent a contraindication for donation unless colonization regards the organ to be transplanted. Donor and recipient screening remains essential to prevent CPE transmission and cross-infection in transplantation centres.