One- and two-dimensional electrophoretic identification of IgE-binding polypeptides of Lupinus albus and other legume seeds

The prevalence of food allergies in the world population requires integrated approaches to identify new potential allergens, especially those of plant origin. The aim of this work was the allergen in vitro analysis of Lupinus albus seed proteome, a promising food protein source, and the assessment of IgE cross-reactivities with other more diffused legume species. A combination of one- and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and immunoblotting analyses with specific IgGs for band identification and lupin-sensitized patients' circulating IgEs for allergenicity studies has been used. Two lupin proteins, namely, conglutin gamma and 11S globulin basic subunits, strongly reacted with all patients' sera. Also, cross-reactivities with the homologous polypeptides of other legume species were observed. Otherwise, no reaction at all was detected with a 2S-type lupin protein. This global electrophoretic approach has allowed the identification of a new potential lupin allergen and confirmed the cross-reactivity among the legume 11S globulin basic subunits.     

Grain legume proteins and nutraceutical properties

Grain legumes are a valuable source of food proteins. Their exploitation is expected to grow in relation of a growing world's food needs. Moreover, it is currently taking place a reappraisal of the beneficial effects of legume seed dietary intake, which are the basis for various health claims. Proteins and peptides concur to the observed biological activities of legume seeds, but their effect(s) has(ve) not completely been disclosed. Aims of this review are: to report the most relevant putative positive effects of grain legumes on human health and to give an account of the current knowledge on the demonstrated legume seed protein biological activities. Specific effects on the prevention and treatment of various diseases, mostly of which are typical of the affluent countries, are reported. Examples of studies at molecular level aimed at elucidating of the underlying mechanism(s) are given. The prospects on targeted legume protein exploitation in the nutraceutical area, including the biotechnological approaches, are also considered.     

Effects of corn deficit irrigation and soil properties on water use efficiency. A 25-year analysis of a Mediterranean environment using the STICS model

This study analyses the role of variability induced by climate and soil properties (texture and total available soil water in the root zone, TAW) on the “corn deficit irrigation–water use efficiency” relation over a 25-year period, between 1981 and 2005, in three different sites located in the South of Italy. The analysis of water use efficiency was carried out by means of three indexes: crops water use efficiency (WUE_ET and WUE_T) and irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE). These indexes can be obtained by calculating the ratio between the yield and the seasonal values of evapotranspiration (ET), transpiration (T) and irrigation volume (I). After its validation, the STICS model was retained to simulate the variables required to determine these indexes.Climatic variability affected the three indexes in different ways during the 25-year period studied. The dispersion around the mean values of the water use efficiency is 17% on average for the WUE (ET or T) indexes, whereas it could reach 54% for the IWUE index. This last index is only poorly reliable due to the high variability of rainfall during the corn growing season in the Mediterranean region.For the same level of soil water deficit, TAW led to an improvement (the case of the site with a high TAW and loam–clay soil texture), a stabilisation (the case of the site with a high TAW and clay soil texture) or a decrease (the case of the site with a poor TAW and clay soil texture) in WUE_ET and WUE_T values. For the same conditions of soil water deficit and TAW, crops water use efficiency was higher in loam textured soil than in clay soil.The results derived by analyzing three indexes (WUE_ET, WUE_T and IWUE) converge to the same conclusions on the “corn deficit irrigation–water use efficiency” relation observed at the three different sites.The hypotheses which may explain the differences observed in the different sites studied in terms of water use efficiency are discussed, with the presentation of some suggestions devised for corn irrigation practices.     

: a software to evaluate model performance

The software (Integrated Resources for Evaluating Numerical Estimates) is a data analysis tool designed to provide easy access to statistical techniques for use in model evaluation. Mostly, non-replicated model estimates (E_i) are compared against non-replicated measurements (M_i). The software also allows comparing individual estimates against replicated measurements (or vice versa) and replicated estimates against replicated measurements. The evaluation of model performance is essentially based on the difference E_i−M_i, or on the correlation–regression of E_i vs. M_i (or vice versa). In addition, model evaluation by probability distributions, pattern analysis, or fuzzy-based aggregation statistics is allowed. Graphics are included in most analytical tasks. The results are displayed in separate spreadsheets and can be exported into MS Excel workbooks.     

Analysis of the ozone effect on soybean in the Mediterranean region: II. The consequences on growth, yield and water use efficiency

Soybean plants were subjected, during their growing seasons, to well-watered and water-stressed conditions, and three levels of ozone concentration (zero, low and high) in open top chambers (OTCs). At the end of the soybean growing season accumulated AOT40 values were zero, 3400 and 9000 ppb h for the filtered (control), low and high levels of ozone concentration, respectively.

In well-watered conditions, an increase in ozone concentration led to a reduction in leaf area, dry matter and reproductive organs. Whereas, an increase in ozone had no effect on plants in water-stressed conditions. At a high level of ozone concentration, there was a 47% reduction in yield and a 25% reduction in WUE in comparison with the control treatment. The reduction in yield was due to a lower number of pods per plant and 1000-grain weight. Despite changes in the grain yield, the yield quality was not altered by ozone.

During the 3-year study, AOT40 was significantly correlated with the leaf area and the final above-ground dry matter. The latter was less sensitive to ozone than leaf area. These results were reliable and would be useful in soybean yield-prediction models.

Finally, the conclusion highlights the reliability of the approach adopted, which was to make observations on various time scales (hourly, daily and entire crop cycle).     

Water use efficiency of crops cultivated in the Mediterranean region: Review and analysis

Improvement of water use efficiency (WUE) of field crops in the Mediterranean region is an imperative imposed by the critical situation of water resources of the region, as well as by the demographical increment. This review reports the experimental data concerning WUE of 16 species cultivated in the region. The species include cereals, leguminous, horticultural and industrial crops. This review however underlines that WUE data of fruit trees are lacking, despite they represent one of the main productions of the Mediterranean agriculture.

In this region, the large range of WUE values observed, for the same species, can be ascribed mainly to: (i) fertilizers and water management (water regime, mineral supply and water quality); (ii) plant factors (species, variety and sensitivity of growth stage to the stress); and (iii) environmental factors (climate, atmospheric pollution, soil texture and climate change). The conclusion highlights the actual gap concerning WUE in the Mediterranean region. This gap will constitute a field of research designated to ameliorate WUE of agriculture in this region.     

Progesterone supplementation during multiple ovulation treatment in buffalo species (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Bubalus bubalis</Emphasis>)

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of exogenous progesterone supplementation on superovulatory response in buffaloes that has undergone a multiple ovulation program. Fourteen Mediterranean buffaloes were divided into two groups and received a 4-day decreasing dosage of an equal mixture of 500 IU of FSH and LH starting on day 8 of the cycle. In group A (n = 7) a progesterone-releasing intravaginal device was removed on day 8, whereas in group B (n = 7) it was left till day 10, when PGF_2a {\hbox{PG}}{{\hbox{F}}_{{2}\alpha }} was administered. Eighty hours later, buffaloes were artificially inseminated and after 6 days they undergone uterine flushing. A higher (P < 0.05) number of corpora lutea (8.3 vs. 5.7) and embryo/flushing/buffalo (2.3 vs. 1.3) were recorded in group B vs. group A if responsive buffaloes are considered (n = 12) and the number of corpora lutea was highly correlated with the number of embryos (r = 0.65; P < 0.05). In conclusion, progesterone supplementation during the first 2 days of the superovulation treatment seems to enhance the recovery rate in buffalo species. A high ovulation rate, associated with a high number of corpora lutea, can represent a parameter for estimating embryo recovery.     

Cone beam computed tomography and intraoral radiography for diagnosis of dental abnormalities in dogs and cats

The development of veterinary dentistry has substantially improved the ability to diagnose canine and feline dental abnormalities. Consequently, examinations previously performed only on humans are now available for small animals, thus improving the diagnostic quality. This has increased the need for technical qualification of veterinary professionals and increased technological investments. This study evaluated the use of cone beam computed tomography and intraoral radiography as complementary exams for diagnosing dental abnormalities in dogs and cats. Cone beam computed tomography was provided faster image acquisition with high image quality, was associated with low ionizing radiation levels, enabled image editing, and reduced the exam duration. Our results showed that radiography was an effective method for dental radiographic examination with low cost and fast execution times, and can be performed during surgical procedures.     

Molecular identification of bacteria associated with canine periodontal disease

Hsp90 is a molecular chaperone that is involved in diverse cellular processes including protein folding/repairing and signal transduction. Edwardsiella tarda is a serious fish pathogen that affects fish aquaculture worldwide. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential importance of HtpG, the prokaryotic homologue of Hsp90, in the pathogenesis of E. tarda. E. tarda HtpG is 627-residue in length and contains domain structures that are conserved among Hsp90 family members. Quantitative real time RT-PCR analysis indicated that expression of htpG is induced by heat shock and oxidative stress. Recombinant HtpG (rHtpG) purified from Escherichia coli exhibits apparent ATPase activity, which is optimal at 40°C. Mutation of htpG (i) affects bacterial growth at elevated temperature and renders the cells more sensitive to stress induced by reactive oxygen species, (ii) causes dramatic reduction in blood dissemination and general bacterial virulence, (iii) weakens the ability of E. tarda to block head kidney macrophage activation and to resist against the bactericidal effect of macrophages, and (iv) upregulates the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in macrophages. Taken together, these results indicate that HtpG is a biologically active protein that is required for E. tarda to cope with various stress conditions especially that encountered in vivo the host system during infection.