Near and Mid Infrared Spectroscopy to Detect Malolactic Biotransformation of Oenococcus oeni in a Wine-Model

The aim of this work was to verify the potential of infrared （IR） spectroscopy in near and mid regions to detect the beginning of the malolactic fermentation （MLF） occurring in a model-wine and the further cells autolysis. MLF in wine is a secondary biotransformation due to lactic acid bacteria that usually occurs spontaneou,;ly or after starter inoculation at the end of alcoholic fermentation. Nowadays, it is desirable to supply winemakers with a new rapid and non-destructive approach to monitor MLF progress and 1R spectroscopy technology appears to be suitable for this purpose. The transformation of L-malic acid into L-lactic acid was carried out by inoculating a synthetic wine with an Oenococcus oeni culture and it was monitored through microbiological and chemical methods. At the same time, Fourier transform near infrared （FT-NIR） spectral data, in diffusive transflection mode using an optic probe, and FT-IR spectra, using an germanium crystal attenuated total reflectance （ATR） cell, were collected. Principal component analysis of the spectra was able to identify absorption bands related to the key molecular modifications that took place during the L-malic acid transformation. Thus, the samples were discriminated according to the fermentation phase. Although this study is a preliminary approach, results confirm that near infrared （NIR） and mid infrared （MIR） spectroscopy could be successfully applied to detect the start of MLF and the autolysis of the lactic acid bacteria （LAB） cells.     

The ultrasmoothness of diamond-like carbon surfaces

The ultrasmoothness of diamond-like carbon coatings is explained by an atomistic/continuum multiscale model. At the atomic scale, carbon ion impacts induce downhill currents in the top layer of a growing film. At the continuum scale, these currents cause a rapid smoothing of initially rough substrates by erosion of hills into neighboring hollows. The predicted surface evolution is in excellent agreement with atomic force microscopy measurements. This mechanism is general, as shown by similar simulations for amorphous silicon. It explains the recently reported smoothing of multilayers and amorphous transition metal oxide films and underlines the general importance of impact-induced downhill currents for ion deposition, polishing, and nanopattering.     

Leukemia inhibitory factor protein and receptors are expressed in the bovine adrenal cortex and increase cortisol and decrease adrenal androgen release

The release of adrenal steroids during acute stress is primarily regulated by adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). In contrast, during chronic inflammatory stress additional factors are involved in regulating adrenal function. Leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) is a pleiotropic cytokine that increases ACTH release from the pituitary. In addition, LIF and LIF receptors (LIFR) are expressed in the human adrenal cortex and the human adrenocortical tumor cell line H295R. Furthermore, LIF increases basal and ACTH-stimulated cortisol release from H295R cells. However, the expression of LIF and LIFR in non-human adrenal glands and the effects of LIF on the release of cortisol from adrenal cells of non-human species have not been determined. Furthermore, the effects of LIF on adrenal androgen release from all species are unknown. In this study, immunohistochemistry, Western blots, RT-PCR, and nucleotide sequencing was utilized to demonstrate that LIF and its receptor are expressed throughout the bovine adrenal cortex. Although LIF did not modify basal cortisol release from dispersed cells isolated from the bovine adrenal zona fasciculate, this cytokine increased ACTH-stimulated release of cortisol from these cells in a manner dependent on the LIF concentration and exposure interval. In contrast, LIF in a concentration-dependent and time-dependent manner decreased basal and ACTH-stimulated adrenal androgen release from dispersed cells isolated from the bovine adrenal zona reticularis. Because LIF release increases during inflammatory stress and this cytokine stimulates adrenal cortisol release and inhibits adrenal androgen release, this cytokine may play an important role in regulating the release of adrenal steroids during inflammatory stress.     

"Time sweet time": circadian characterization of galectin-1 null mice

Background  

Recent evidence suggests a two-way interaction between the immune and circadian systems. Circadian control of immune factors, as well as the effect of immunological variables on circadian rhythms, might be key elements in both physiological and pathological responses to the environment. Among these relevant factors, galectin-1 is a member of a family of evolutionarily-conserved glycan-binding proteins with both extracellular and intracellular effects, playing important roles in immune cell processes and inflammatory responses. Many of these actions have been studied through the use of mice with a null mutation in the galectin-1 (Lgals1) gene. To further analyze the role of endogenous galectin-1 in vivo, we aimed to characterize the circadian behavior of galectin-1 null (Lgals1 ^-/-) mice.     

Genetic diversity of 16SrIII group phytoplasmas in Argentina. Predominance of subgroups 16SrIII-J and B and two new subgroups 16SrIII-W and X

Twelve Argentinean 16SrIII (X-disease)-group phytoplasma strains were analyzed. Ten of them, detected in daisy (Bellis perennis), garlic (Allium sativum), ‘lagaña de perro’ (Caesalpinia gilliesii), periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus), ‘rama negra’ (Conyza bonariensis), ‘romerillo’ (Heterothalamus alienus), summer squash (Cucurbita maxima var. zapallito) and tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), are new phytoplasma strains while two strains, detected in garlic and China tree (Melia azedarach), have been previously described. The plants showed typical symptoms of phytoplasma diseases, such as leaf size reduction, proliferation, stunting and virescence. The identification and genetic diversity analysis of the phytoplasmas were performed based on 16S rDNA and ribosomal protein gene sequences. The classification into 16Sr groups and subgroups was established by actual and virtual RFLP analysis of the PCR products (R16F2/R16R2) compared with reference strains. According to the classification scheme, strains HetLL and ConWB-A and B represent two new subgroups 16SrIII-W and X, respectively. On the other hand, strains CatLL, TomLL and CaesLL are related to subgroup 16SrIII-B, and strains BellVir, TomRed, CucVir and GDIII-207 are related to subgroup 16SrIII-J. Ribosomal protein genes were amplified using primers rpF1/rpR1 and rpIIIF1/rpIIIR1. RFLP analysis performed with AluI, DraI and Tru1I (MseI isoschizomer) distinguished three new rp profiles within subgroup 16SrIII-B, one for subgroup 16SrIII-J, and one shared with strains of the new subgroups 16SrIII-W and X. The phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rDNA and ribosomal protein gene sequences confirmed the separation of HetLL and ConWB strains in two new subgroups and the close relatedness among subgroup J phytoplasmas, which have been detected only in South America.     

Lipophilic Toxins in Wild Bivalves from the Southern Gulf of California,Mexico

Most of the shellfish fisheries of Mexico occur in the Gulf of California. In this region, known for its high primary productivity, blooms of diatoms and dinoflagellates are common, occurring mainly during upwelling events. Dinoflagellates that produce lipophilic toxins are present, where some outbreaks related to okadaic acid and dinophisystoxins have been recorded. From January 2015 to November 2017 samples of three species of wild bivalve mollusks were collected monthly in five sites in the southern region of Bahía de La Paz. Pooled tissue extracts were analyzed using LC-MS/MS to detect lipophilic toxins. Eighteen analogs of seven toxin groups, including cyclic imines were identified, fortunately individual toxins did not exceed regulatory levels and also the total toxin concentration for each bivalve species was lower than the maximum permitted level for human consumption. Interspecific differences in toxin number and concentration were observed in three species of bivalves even when the samples were collected at the same site. Okadaic acid was detected in low concentrations, while yessotoxins and gymnodimines had the highest concentrations in bivalve tissues. Although in low quantities, the presence of cyclic imines and other lipophilic toxins in bivalves from the southern Gulf of California was constant.     

Molecular Analysis of Phytophthora infestans (Mont.) de Bary from Chapingo,Mexico. Phylogeographic Referential

An Andean origin of Phytophthora infestans was originally based on written records, and recently inferred from mitochondrial and nuclear gene genealogies, which emphasize a common South American origin of the European isolates, and absence of the I-b haplotype in Mexico (recently identified in Tlaxcala, Mexico). In order to compare such results, we sequenced the nuclear genes β-tubulin, Ras, and Intron Ras, and rDNA ITS regions in 24 P. infestans genotypes isolated, identified, and selected, during three crop growing cycles in Chapingo, Mexico. The pathogen showed homology and 100 % sequence similarities to the ones reported for the Andes and Europe β-tubulin, Ras, and Intron Ras genes. Results for the ITS region were inconclusive. The molecular oomycete similarities from the three geographical regions (South America, Europe, and Mexico), and the Mexican genotypes characteristics reported in the species supports the hypothesis of the location of P. infestans diversity and a center of dispersal in the central highlands of Mexico.     

A simple molecular method for discriminating common filarial nematodes of dogs (Canis familiaris)

Accurate diagnosis of canine filariosis is essential for choosing correct therapeutic approach. Therefore, reliable methods for discriminating among the different filarial infections in dogs are needed. The authors report simple and highly specific molecular methods that identify the three most common filarial nematodes of European dogs: Dirofilaria immitis, D. repens and Acanthocheilonema (syn. Dipetalonema) reconditum, based on (1) PCR amplifications of mitochondrial DNA (12S rDNA and coxI) with general filarial primers followed by digestion with restriction enzymes that generates band polymorphisms clearly discriminating the three species and (2) PCR amplifications with species-specific primers to support the restriction analysis, in particular in the case of multiple infections.     

Full season efficacy of moxidectin microsphere sustained release formulation for the prevention of heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) infection in dogs

The authors report the efficacy of an injectable, moxidectin sustained release (SR) formulation for the prevention of canine heartworm infection in endemic areas in northern and central Italy. Three field trials were carried out on a total of 324 dogs. Two hundred forty-three dogs were treated with moxidectin SR 6 months apart and 81 dogs (positive controls) with moxidectin tablets given monthly for 5 consecutive months during the risk season each year throughout the study. Results of testing for microfilariae and circulating adult female antigens were negative for all the experimentally treated dogs at the 6, 7, 11 and 19 months after the last injection. No adverse reactions to moxidectin SR were observed but a moderate pain at palpation and swelling (5-6 cm) at the injection site after the first treatment. In the study areas, prevalence of Dirofilaria immitis infection calculated by testing dogs which had no preventive treatment in the previous transmission season ranged from 33 to 63%. This study confirms the efficacy and safety of injectable, moxidectin SR formulation in the prevention of heartworm infection in dogs and demonstrates that the prophylactic efficacy lasts for the full season and strongly suggests that the product gives 1-year protection.