Reducing endogenous tau ameliorates amyloid beta-induced deficits in an Alzheimer's disease mouse model

Many potential treatments for Alzheimer's disease target amyloid-beta peptides (Abeta), which are widely presumed to cause the disease. The microtubule-associated protein tau is also involved in the disease, but it is unclear whether treatments aimed at tau could block Abeta-induced cognitive impairments. Here, we found that reducing endogenous tau levels prevented behavioral deficits in transgenic mice expressing human amyloid precursor protein, without altering their high Abeta levels. Tau reduction also protected both transgenic and nontransgenic mice against excitotoxicity. Thus, tau reduction can block Abeta- and excitotoxin-induced neuronal dysfunction and may represent an effective strategy for treating Alzheimer's disease and related conditions.     

Performance of peach and plum based rootstocks of different vigour on a late peach cultivar in replant and calcareous conditions

The field performance of fifteen peach and plum based rootstocks of different vigour (Adesoto, Evrica, Garnem, GF 677, HM-2, Krymsk^® 1, PAC 9801-02, PAC 960, PAC 9907-02, PAC 9917-26, PAC-MUT, PADAC 9907-23, ROOTPAC^® 40, ROOTPAC^® 70 and Tetra) grafted with ‘Calrico’ cultivar was compared after 7 years of establishment on an Armillaria infested replant site. ‘Calrico’ is a selected clone of “Calanda” late peach cultivar. Differences in parameters such as tree survival, leaf chlorophyll content, vigour, yield, cumulative yield, yield efficiency and fruit size were analyzed among rootstocks. All PAC 9801-02 and Tetra trees survived and the mortality rate was low in Evrica, PADAC 9907-23 and ROOTPAC^® 40. The rest of genotypes showed higher mortality rates. Leaf chlorophyll concentration was higher when grafted on Adesoto and Evrica and lower when grafted on PAC 9907-02 and PAC 9917-26. Garnem and PADAC 9907-23 were the most vigorous rootstocks. The highest yield efficiency was induced by Krymsk^® 1 and PAC 9801-02 due to their lower vigour. The highest fruit weight was also induced by Krymsk^® 1 but its cumulative yield was low. Other rootstocks that showed high fruit weight and cumulative yields were ROOTPAC^® 70 and Tetra. Overall, Evrica, PAC 9801-02, ROOTPAC^® 40 and Tetra were among the best adapted to soil sickness and calcareous soil showing a good agronomic performance. The first three rootstocks (Evrica, PAC 9801-02, ROOTPAC^® 40) also exhibited a high capacity to control tree vigour associated with high yield efficiency.     

Characterization of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) grown with biopesticides and deltamethrin

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the physico-chemical characteristics and the post-harvest loss of mass of curly lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) cv. Verônica that was grown in a protective environment with applications of biopesticides. The curly lettuce was treated by spraying with neem oil, cassava flour wastewater (manipueira), biofertiliser or the control treatment of deltamethrin. We determined the weight, circumference, dry matter, ash, crude protein, total phenols and minerals profile for the heads of lettuce. After harvesting, the lettuce was packed into opened plastic bags and kept at 5 °C for 5 days to evaluate its weight loss. No differences were observed among the treatments for the physico-chemical parameters. The lettuce that was sprayed with manipueira or biofertiliser had the greatest weight loss during storage. The achievement of similar yields with cheaper products suggests a benefit of using organic bioinsecticides.     

Radical scavenging capacity and antimutagenic properties of purified proteins from Solanum betaceum fruits and Solanum tuberosum tubers

In this study, antioxidant activities in free-radical-mediated oxidative systems and the genotoxic/antigenotoxic effects of two proteins with molecular mass around 17 kDa, purified from Solanum betaceum fruits (cyphomine) and Solanum tuberosum tubers (solamarine), were investigated. Both proteins inhibited uric acid formation with IC(50) values between 55 and 60 μg/mL, and both proteins were able to reduce oxidative damage by scavenging hydroxyl radicals and superoxide anion in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, the DPPH? reduction assay showed SC(50) values of 55-73 μg/mL. Cyphomine and solamarine were able to retain their antioxidant activity after heat treatment at 80 °C for 15 min. Allium cepa and Salmonella /microsome assays showed no genotoxic and mutagenic effects. Solamarine showed an antimutagenic effect against a direct mutagen (4-nitro-o-phenylenediamine). Consequently, the present study showed that the investigated proteins are promising ingredients for the development of functional foods with a beneficial impact on human health and an important source for the production of bioactive peptides.     

Detection, accumulation, distribution, and depletion of furaltadone and nifursol residues in poultry muscle, liver, and gizzard

Nitrofurans were broadly used as an extremely effective veterinary antibiotic especially in pig and poultry production farms. Because of fears of the carcinogenic effects on humans, the nitrofurans were banned from use in livestock production in many countries, including the European Union. The present study examines the accumulation, distribution, and depletion of furaltadone and nifursol and of their tissue-bound metabolites [3-amino-5-morpholinomethyl-2-oxazolidinone (AMOZ) and 3,5-dinitro-salicylic acid hydrazine (DNSAH), respectively, in poultry edible tissues (muscle, liver, and gizzards) following administration to chickens of therapeutic and subtherapeutic concentrations of both compounds. Nitrofurans determination was performed by high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, respectively, for feeds and for poultry tissues. Furaltadone and nifursol, in very low concentrations, were found in samples of muscle, liver, and chicken's gizzard collected from slaughtered animals after 5 weeks of treatment and no withdrawal time period. When a withdrawal time period of 3 weeks was respected, no detectable nitrofuran parent compounds was observed in all of the studied matrices. For AMOZ, concentrations of 270 μg/kg in meat, 80 μg/kg in liver, and 331 μg/kg in gizzard were determined after administration of a medicated feed with furaltadone (132 mg/kg), 3 weeks after withdrawal of treatment. For DNSAH, the concentration values obtained are much lower than those observed for AMOZ. For meat, liver, and gizzard, DNSAH concentrations of 2.5, 6.4, and 10.3 μg/kg, respectively, were determined, after administration of a medicated feed with nifursol (98 mg/kg), 3 weeks after withdrawal of treatment. The gizzard could be considered a selected matrix for nitrofuran residues evaluation in poultry, due to its capacity of retaining either nitrofuran parent compounds or metabolites in higher concentrations, regardless of the administered dose or of the respected withdrawal time period.     

Activity and process stability of purified green pepper (Capsicum annuum) pectin methylesterase

Pectin methylesterase (PME) from green bell peppers (Capsicum annuum) was extracted and purified by affinity chromatography on a CNBr-Sepharose-PMEI column. A single protein peak with pectin methylesterase activity was observed. For the pepper PME, a biochemical characterization in terms of molar mass (MM), isoelectric points (pI), and kinetic parameters for activity and thermostability was performed. The optimum pH for PME activity at 22 degrees C was 7.5, and its optimum temperature at neutral pH was between 52.5 and 55.0 degrees C. The purified pepper PME required the presence of 0.13 M NaCl for optimum activity. Isothermal inactivation of purified pepper PME in 20 mM Tris buffer (pH 7.5) could be described by a fractional conversion model for lower temperatures (55-57 degrees C) and a biphasic model for higher temperatures (58-70 degrees C). The enzyme showed a stable behavior toward high-pressure/temperature treatments.     

Volatile compounds of Psidium salutare (H.B.K.) Berg. fruit

Volatile compounds were isolated from Psidium salutare fruits by simultaneous steam distillation-solvent extraction according to the Likens-Nickerson procedure. Compounds were identified by capillary GC and GC-MS. One hundred and fifty compounds were identified in the aroma concentrate, from which limonene, myrcene, and alpha-pinene were found to be the major constituents in the fruit.     

Nutrient and persistent pollutant deposition on the Bothnian Bay ice and snow fields

A study of atmospheric deposited nutrients and some persistent pollutants has been carried out on the ice and snow fields of the subarctic Bothnian Bay, the northernmost basin of the Baltic Sea. Total amounts of 600, 500 and 400 tons NO₃-N, NH₄-N and N_org-N, respectively are deposited in the snow while the corresponding amounts for P_tot-P is 40 tons. The corresponding amount for PCB and lindane are 1.0 and 0.2 kg, respectively. The measurements were carried out on the snow-covered ice four to six weeks old. A part of the deposited snow has been incorporated -into the snow-ice and an attempt to estimate its mean thickness and its amount of nutrients has been made. The total amounts now reach 1700, 1300 and 1100 tons of NO₃-N and NH₄-N and N_org-N, respectively in the snow and ice together. The results obtained support the use of land-based stations in estimates of seasonal atmospheric nutrient deposition to the Bothnian Bay. The observed concentrations of chloroorganic compounds correspond to those land-based observations reported from the same latitude in the northern hemisphere and reported in literature.     

Pine processionary caterpillar Thaumetopoea pityocampa as a new threat for relict Mediterranean Scots pine forests under climatic warming

The wide distribution of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) in Europe includes two relict populations in southern Spain (Sierra Nevada and Sierra de Baza), belonging to the subspecies nevadensis. These populations are isolated in high mountains, which tends to protect them from the attack of a severe defoliating Mediterranean pest, the pine processionary moth Thaumetopoea pityocampa. However, as a consequence of climate change, the pine processionary caterpillar has increasingly attacked populations of this pine in recent years. This work describes the detrimental effects of defoliation by the pine processionary caterpillar in P. sylvestris subsp. nevadensis in Sierra Nevada. Defoliation strongly reduced pine growth as well as all the reproductive parameters measured (female and male cone production, mature cone size, seed production and seed weight), in addition to some deaths. If winter temperatures continue to increase, the pine processionary caterpillar will have a dangerous impact in these relict pine populations, by further reducing the pine's weak regeneration capacity. We suggest some mitigation actions based on managing habitat structure, in order to reduce or avoid such negative impacts.