Antiradical activity of water soluble components in common diet vegetables

The antiradical activity of water-soluble components contained in mushrooms (Psalliota campestris), onions (Allium cepa), white cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. alba), and yellow bell peppers (Capsicum annuum) against hydroxyl radicals was tested in a chemical and biological system. The vegetable juices were obtained by centrifugation of a vegetable homogenate processed at 2 degrees C or heated at 102 degrees C. The chemical system consisted of a buffered reaction mixture composed of Fe(III)-EDTA, 2-deoxy-D-ribose, ascorbic acid, and H(2)O(2) generating the hydroxyl radical. The antiradical activity was expressed as an inhibition of deoxyribose degradation. The biological system consisted of IMR32 neuroblastoma cells exposed to H(2)O(2) in the presence or absence of the vegetable juices. Cells were pretreated for either 24 h or 1 h with the vegetable juices, and reduction of 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) was used as a cell viability assay. All vegetable juices inhibited the degradation of deoxyribose and increased the viability of H(2)O(2) treated cells. Raw mushroom juice proved to be the most active in both cases. Boiling significantly affected the activity of mushroom juice, but did not change significantly the effect on onions and yellow bell peppers, and partially increased the activity of white cabbage juice. Mushroom antiradical activity was also confirmed by a cytofluorimetric analysis.     

Toward the Identification of Novel Antimicrobial Agents: One-Pot Synthesis of Lipophilic Conjugates of N-Alkyl d- and l-Iminosugars

In the effort to improve the antimicrobial activity of iminosugars, we report the synthesis of lipophilic iminosugars 10a–b and 11a–b based on the one-pot conjugation of both enantiomeric forms of N-butyldeoxynojirimycin (NBDNJ) and N-nonyloxypentyldeoxynojirimycin (NPDNJ) with cholesterol and a succinic acid model linker. The conjugation reaction was tuned using the established PS-TPP/I₂/ImH activating system, which provided the desired compounds in high yields (94–96%) by a one-pot procedure. The substantial increase in the lipophilicity of 10a–b and 11a–b is supposed to improve internalization within the bacterial cell, thereby potentially leading to enhanced antimicrobial properties. However, assays are currently hampered by solubility problems; therefore, alternative administration strategies will need to be devised.     

Studies on umami taste. Synthesis of new guanosine 5'-phosphate derivatives and their synergistic effect with monosodium glutamate

A number of N2-alkyl and N2-acyl derivatives of guanosine 5'-phosphate (GMP) have been synthesized and tested for their synergistic effect with monosodium L-glutamate (MSG), the prototypical substance imparting umami taste to savory-based foods. Capacities to enhance the taste intensity of MSG (gamma values) were estimated through subjective comparisons of MSG/nucleotide mixtures in water with appropriate solutions of MSG alone. Assuming beta = gamma[nucleotide]/gamma[IMP], beta values of the N2-substituted GMPs were found in the range 1.2-5.7. Such values appear to be related to the chain length of the substituent in the 2-position of the purine nucleus and dependent on the replacement of a CH 2 group with an S atom and/or with an alpha-CO group. These findings indicate that the exocyclic NHR group of the guanine moiety is actively implicated in the synergism between GMP derivatives and MSG. Theoretical calculations suggest that an anti conformation is probably assumed by ribonucleotide molecules interacting with umami receptors.     

Reconstructing the history of the sand tiger shark (Carcharias taurus) in the Mediterranean Sea

1. Sharks are globally exposed to several anthropogenic threats, which, in many cases, have severely reduced their distribution and have impacted populations. In the Mediterranean Sea, because of its long history of exploitation and the relatively short span of scientific monitoring, reconstructing shark baselines is challenging. Many vulnerable species declined in population abundance and geographic distribution before it was possible to adequately track these changes. Consequently, for many of these species, current conservation assessments are now suffering from a severe case of shifting baseline syndrome, whereby their historical occurrence in the area is questioned.
2. The sand tiger shark (Carcharias taurus) is one of these cases. Characterized by high philopatry, restricted home range, and low interchange between populations, its Mediterranean population may have been severely impacted by the high historical fishing pressure in the region before scientific monitoring began.
3. In this study, the history of the abundance and distribution of C. taurus in the Mediterranean Sea was reconstructed through a comprehensive search of occurrence records in the literature and in museum collections. Between 1810 and 2008, 31 occurrence records and 54 publications provided information on the presence of the species in the area. These records were sparse but systematic over time and indicated occurrence hot spots in the south‐western Mediterranean Sea and in the eastern Adriatic Sea.
4. The presence of ten sightings of juveniles from a total of 18 sightings with length information suggested local parturition. Habitat and extinction models indicate that the area has suitable oceanographic conditions for the occurrence of the species and that the species cannot be considered extinct in the Mediterranean Sea. Our study suggests that there is still hope for the recovery of the species and underlines the crucial role of historical investigations to reconstruct the history of large elasmobranchs in the Mediterranean Sea.

     

Effect of 1-24ACTH administration on sheep blood granulocyte functions

The objective of the present study was to determine the efficiency of blood neutrophils (PMN) taken from sheep during acute stress. Ten healthy Charolle sheep were sampled before treatment (T0) and 1 (T1), 2 (T2), 24 (T24) and 48 (T48) hours after 1-24ACTH administration. Ten sheep serving as the controls were sampled at the same time intervals, using saline solution instead of 1-24ACTH. At each time sampling, rectal temperature, heart rate, cortisol, glucose, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), total and differential leukocyte counts were evaluated. PMN were isolated after centrifugation of whole blood and hypotonic lysis of RBC. Chemotaxis was evaluated on a modified Boyden chamber using a nitrate cellulose filter and both Zymosan activated serum (ZAS) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) as chemoattractants. Phagocytosis was measured using both non-opsonized latex beads and fluoresceinated yeasts opsonized with homologous serum. Superoxide (O(-)2) production was evaluated by measuring superoxide dismutase-inhibitable reduction of ferricytochrome C, and adherence by a colorimetric assay of acid phosphatase activity of adherent cells. The administration of 1-24ACTH induced an acute stress reaction, indicated by the presence of clinical, biochemical and hematological changes. Adherence significantly increased from T0 to T2 in treated sheep. This might be responsible for the depression of non-specific immunity in stressed animals. Studies using stressors other than 1-24 ACTH are needed to verify the influence of other components of the stress reaction on PMN functions.     

Serological response of guinea pigs to oily and aqueous inactivated vaccines containing a Brazilian isolate of the Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus (BVDV)

Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus (BVDV) is widespread in cattle in Brazil and research shows its large antigenic variability. Available vaccines are produced with virus strains isolated in other countries and may not be effective. In this study, inactivated vaccines containing the Brazilian BVDV-Ib IBSP11 isolate were developed and tested on 6 groups of 10 guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus). Animals in groups A and C received an aqueous vaccine (aluminum hydroxide); B and D groups received an oily vaccine (Montanide ISA50); Group E positive-control animals were given an imported commercial vaccine with BVDV-Ia Singer; Group F animals were sham vaccinated (negative control). Groups A, B and E received two doses, and Groups C and D, three, every 21 days. Twelve blood samples were taken, at 21-day intervals over 231 days, and evaluated for antibody titer through virus-neutralization (VN), using a homologous strain (IBSP11), and a heterologous strain (BVDV-Ia NADL). Most animals, 42 days following the first dose, seroconverted to both strains and, after the second dose, there was a significant increase of titers in all groups. The oily formulation induced greater response after the third administration. This increase was not observed with the aqueous vaccines, regardless of the virus used in the VN. Antibody decline was more rapid in animals that received aqueous vaccines. The results showed the importance of studying the influence of endemic strains of commercial vaccines, to improve the efficacy of BVD vaccination. Use of the endemic strain in vaccine formulation presented promising results, as well as the use of guinea pigs as a laboratory model.     

Map- vs. homology-based cloning for the recessive gene ol-2 conferring resistance to tomato powdery mildew

The recessive gene ol-2 confers papilla-associated and race-non-specific resistance to tomato powdery mildew caused by Oidium neolycopersici. In order to facilitate marker assisted selection (MAS) in practical breeding programmes, we identified two simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers and one cleaved amplified polymorphic sequence (CAPS) marker which are linked to the resistance locus and co-dominantly inherited. Aiming to provide a base for ol-2 positional cloning, we used a large segregating F₂ population to merge these markers with all the ol-2 linked amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP^®) markers previously identified in an integrated genetic map. By screening a tomato bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) library, we detected two BAC clones containing two expressed sequence tags (ESTs) homologous to the gene mlo, responsible for powdery mildew resistance in barley, as well as an ol-2-linked marker. Chromosomal mapping by Fluorescence in situ Hybridization (FISH) revealed major signals of the two BAC DNAs in the pericentromeric heterochromatin of the short arm of chromosome 4, in the same region where the ol-2 gene was previously mapped. The genetic and cytogenetic co-localisation between ol-2 and tomato mlo-homologue(s), in addition to the similarity of ol-2 and mlo resistances for both genetic and phytopathological characteristics, suggests that ol-2 is likely a mlo-homologue. Thus, a homology-based cloning approach could be more suitable than positional cloning for ol-2 isolation.     

Management of downy mildew of sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum) caused by Peronospora belbahrii by means of resistance inducers, fungicides, biocontrol agents and natural products

To control downy mildew of sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.), incited by Peronospora belbahrii Thines, a number of compounds were tested in 2011 and 2012 under glasshouse conditions. These included copper-based fungicides, biocontrol agents, and compounds previously reported to induce resistance in plants to pathogens. Results were compared with those provided by fungicides registered for downy mildew control in Italy. The tested compounds were used alone or applied in rotation in spray programs. In all trials, the greatest reduction in disease incidence and severity was found with treatments that included metalaxyl-M?+?copper hydroxide, a mineral fertilizer ‘Alexin’, mandipropanid, and azoxystrobin. The glucohumates activator complex and acibenzolar-S-methyl also provided significant disease control (P?<?0.05). The mineral fertilizer Alexin, the glucohumates activator complex and acibenzolar-S significantly reduced disease incidence and severity 20 days after the last treatment compared with the untreated control (P?<?0.05). Among the copper-based products, the greatest reductions in disease incidence and severity were provided by copper hydroxide with terpenic alcohols and copper oxychloride?+?copper hydroxide. The mineral fertilizer Kendal and prohexadione-Ca, as well as mustard oil, partially reduced disease incidence and severity compared with the untreated control (P?<?0.05), whereas the biocontrol agent Bacillus subtilis QST 713 and thyme oil extract were not effective in two out of three trials. When different combinations of various products used in rotation were tested, effective control was found either using a rotation of fungicides with compounds that can induce resistance, as well as by using rotation with different resistance-inducing compounds on their own.     

Heritability and genetic correlations between rumination time and production traits in Holstein dairy cows during different lactation phases

So far, rumination has been used as a proxy for monitoring dairy cow health at farm level. However, investigating its genetic aspects as well as its correlation with other important productive traits may turn this management tool into a new informative selection criterion. However, scientific evidences on genetic correlation among rumination time (RT) and milk production and milk composition are still scarce. Therefore, the objective of this study was to estimate the heritability of RT across three lactation phases and its genetic correlation with milk production, milk composition and somatic cell count (SCC). Results of our study showed that heritability for RT was 0.34 and was constant across lactation. The mean genetic correlations between RT and milk production and composition traits were 0.07 (milk production), ?0.07 (protein yield), ?0.31 (fat yield), and ?0.32 (fat/protein ratio). The mean genetic correlation between RT and the SCC was 0.05.