Synthesis and Antiproliferative Activity of 2,5-bis(3′-Indolyl)pyrroles,Analogues of the Marine Alkaloid Nortopsentin

2,5-bis(3′-Indolyl)pyrroles, analogues of the marine alkaloid nortopsentin, were conveniently prepared through a three step procedure in good overall yields. Derivatives 1a and 1b exhibited concentration-dependent antitumor activity towards a panel of 42 human tumor cell lines with mean IC₅₀ values of 1.54 μM and 0.67 μM, respectively. Investigating human tumor xenografts in an ex-vivo clonogenic assay revealed selective antitumor activity, whereas sensitive tumor models were scattered among various tumor histotypes.     

Mentor pollen effect on the in-vivo germination of self-incompatible apple pollen

Investigations were carried out to ascertain to what extent “mentor pollen” can influence the performance of self pollen in apple styles. Self-incompatible ‘Starkrimson’ flowers on branches, placed at room temperature or in a growth chamber, were (1) self-pollinated, (2) cross-pollinated with compatible untreated or (3) irradiated (150 krad) ‘Golden Delicious’ pollen, or (4) pollinated with a mixture (2:1 w/w) of irradiated (mentor) pollen and self pollen. After 18 h, nearly the same proportion (> 90%) of the self-incompatible pollen had germinated on the stigma and penetrated the apical part of the style as compatible pollen. However, subsequent growth of the self-pollen tubes was inhibited. After 48 h, less than 1% had reached the stylar base as compared with 21–24% of the compatible pollen tubes. Irradiation strongly impaired pollen vitality: only 1% of the tubes had reached the base of the style after 48 h. The mixture of the irradiated mentor pollen and self pollen performed better. In this case, 6.4–9.9% of the tubes was observed in the basal part of the style, inferring that tube growth of the self pollen was significantly promoted by the mentor pollen.     

Fatal septicaemia caused by Aeromonas hydrophila in a patient with cirrhosis

In this case report from Italy we describe a fatal infection caused by A. hydrophila in a 39 yr old cirrhotic patient. This pathogen was isolated as a pure single culture from the patient's blood sample. The patient died on the second day of hospitalization from overwhelming sepsis. The A. hydrophila isolate was tested for different potential virulence properties, such as invasiveness, adherence, exotoxins production, presence of fimbriae and for the patterns of resistance to a variety of antimicrobial agents. Although, the Aeromonas species are infrequently reported as a cause of human infections, the present case study confirms the capability of these pathogens to induce serious human infections.     

Protective effect of the phenolic fraction from virgin olive oils against oxidative stress in human cells

This paper reports the protective effect of the phenolic fraction extracted from extra virgin olive oils (OOPEs) against the cytotoxic effects of reactive oxygen species in human erythrocytes and Caco-2 cells, employed as model systems. Pretreatment of cells with various OOPEs, indeed, provides a remarkable protection against oxidative damages: this effect was strictly dependent on the o-diphenolic content of the extracts. Moreover, the protective effects observable in cellular systems were compared with in vitro antioxidant properties, measured by using the FRAP (ferric reducing/antioxidant power) assay; the reducing ability of OOPEs strictly parallels their o-phenolic content. The linear relationship demonstrated between biological effects and antioxidant capacity measured by the FRAP assay allows us to propose the use of this rapid colorimetric method in assessing and certifying the antioxidant power of extra virgin olive oil.     

Emergence of a new lagovirus related to Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease Virus

Since summer 2010, numerous cases of Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease (RHD) have been reported in north-western France both in rabbitries, affecting RHD-vaccinated rabbits, and in wild populations. We demonstrate that the aetiological agent was a lagovirus phylogenetically distinct from other lagoviruses and which presents a unique antigenic profile. Experimental results show that the disease differs from RHD in terms of disease duration, mortality rates, higher occurrence of subacute/chronic forms and that partial cross-protection occurs between RHDV and the new RHDV variant, designated RHDV2. These data support the hypothesis that RHDV2 is a new member of the Lagovirus genus. A molecular epidemiology study detected RHDV2 in France a few months before the first recorded cases and revealed that one year after its discovery it had spread throughout the country and had almost replaced RHDV strains. RHDV2 was detected in continental Italy in June 2011, then four months later in Sardinia.     

3-[4-(1H-Indol-3-yl)-1,3-thiazol-2-yl]-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridines,Nortopsentin Analogues with Antiproliferative Activity

A new series of nortopsentin analogues, in which the imidazole ring of the natural product was replaced by thiazole and the indole unit bound to position 2 of the thiazole ring was substituted by a 7-azaindole moiety, was efficiently synthesized. Two of the new nortopsentin analogues showed good antiproliferative effect against the totality of the NCI full panel of human tumor cell lines (~60) having GI₅₀ values ranging from low micromolar to nanomolar level. The mechanism of the antiproliferative effect of these derivatives, investigated on human hepatoma HepG2 cells, was pro-apoptotic, being associated with externalization of plasma membrane phosphatidylserine and mitochondrial dysfunction. Moreover, the compounds induced a concentration-dependent accumulation of cells in the subG0/G1phase, while confined viable cells in G2/M phase.     

Characterization of high purity lycopene from tomato wastes using a new pressurized extraction approach

In this paper, a method for the extraction of high purity lycopene from tomato wastes is presented. The method is based on a pressurized extraction that uses the Extractor Naviglio, and it is performed in the 0.7-0.9 MPa range. Tomato skin, the byproduct deriving from manufacturing of tomato, in a water dispersion, are used as starting material. Lycopene is transferred, for the effect of the high pressure used, in the form of molecular aggregates into the water as a dispersion, while apolar compounds remain in the matrix. The aggregates are easily purified in a single subsequent step by using methanol, thus, obtaining lycopene at 98% chromatographic purity or higher. A new stationary phase, phenyl-hexyl silicone, and a simple water/acetonitrile gradient were used for HPLC analysis of lycopene. The extract was characterized by UV-Vis spectrophotometry, (1)H NMR, (13)C NMR, and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. An average recovery of 2.8 mg lycopene/kg tomato waste can be obtained after 4 hours of extraction and using tap water as the extracting liquid. The recovery percentage was of about 10%. The exhausted tomato byproduct can be easily dried and used in agriculture or as feeding for animals.     

Group-type and fingerprint analysis of roasted food matrices (coffee and hazelnut samples) by comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography

The present study is focused on the volatile fraction of roasted hazelnut and coffee samples, differing in botanical origins, morphological characteristics, and roasting treatments, selected as challenging matrices. Volatile components, sampled by headspace solid phase microextraction (HS-SPME), were analyzed by GC x GC-qMS, and separation results were adopted to classify, correlate, and/or compare samples and evaluate processing effects. The high-complexity sample profiles were interpreted through different methods: a group-type characterization, a direct fingerprint comparison, and a template matching to extract useful and consistent information, and advantages and limits of each specific approach were critically evaluated. The group-type analysis, focused on several known botanical and technological markers, enabled sample comparison and characterization based on their quali-quantitative distribution; it is highly reliable, because of the authentic standard confirmation, and extends the comparative procedure to trace and minor components. Fingerprint approaches (i.e., direct fingerprint comparison and template matching), on the other hand, extended sample comparisons and correlations to the whole volatiles offering an increased discrimination potential and improved sensitivity due to the wider analyte pattern considered. This study demonstrates the ability of comprehensive GC to further explore the complexity of roasted samples and emphasizes the advantages of, and the need for, a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach to interpret the increased level of information provided by GC x GC separation in its full complexity.     

Effects of blood orange juice intake on antioxidant bioavailability and on different markers related to oxidative stress

Orange juice is a source of antioxidants that might afford in vivo protection from oxidative stress. To test this hypothesis, we carried out a human intervention study with blood orange juice containing high amounts of vitamin C, anthocyanins, and carotenoids. Sixteen healthy female volunteers were enrolled in a crossover study and were given 600 mL/day of blood orange juice or a diet without juice for 21 days. Before and after each intervention period, plasma vitamin C, cyanidin-3-glucoside, and carotenoids were quantified. Furthermore, plasma antioxidant capacity, malondialdehyde concentration in plasma, 11-dehydrotromboxane B(2) urinary excretion, and lymphocyte DNA damage were evaluated as biomarkers of oxidative stress. Blood orange juice consumption determined a significant increase in plasma vitamin C, cyanidin-3-glucoside, beta-cryptoxanthin, and zeaxanthin. Also, lymphocyte DNA resistance to oxidative stress was improved whereas no effect was observed on the other markers that we analyzed. In turn, these results suggest that blood orange juice is a bioavailable source of antioxidants, which might moderately improve the antioxidant defense system; however, the long-term effects of its consumption are to be further investigated.     

Antipredator responses to overhead fright stimuli in hatchery-reared and wild European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax L.) juveniles

In this study, shoals of hatchery‐reared and wild sea bass juveniles (Dicentrarchus labrax L.) were tested for differences in their antipredator responses towards a visual (shadow) and a mechanical (dummy bill) overhead stimulus. Two behavioural variables – distance from the bottom and freezing duration – were measured during post‐stimulus phases of each test and compared between wild and hatchery‐reared shoals, composed of 10 juveniles each. The results showed that in both hatchery‐reared and wild juveniles, stimulus exposure elicited a significant decrease in the mean shoal distance from the bottom. Similarly, individuals from both groups engaged a freezing reaction, but the mean freezing duration was significantly higher in wild‐ than in hatchery‐reared juveniles. Results are discussed in the light of their relevance for the enhancement of restocking programmes.