Application of a functional mathematical index for antibacterial and anticarcinogenic effects of tea catechins

Tea leaves produce secondary metabolites that are involved in the defense of the plants against invading pathogens. In the case of green teas, these metabolites are polyphenolic compounds called catechins. Previous studies developed a mathematical formula called functional mathematical index (FMI) that was used to describe the quality of different olive oils and potatoes in terms of compositional parameters and antioxidative properties of individual components. This study extends the development of the FMI concept to define an "optimum tea" based on reported relationships between the content of structurally different catechins of a large number of teas and their dual beneficial effects: antimicrobial activities against a foodborne pathogen and inhibition of human cancer cell lines. The described mathematical approach may be useful for predicting relative beneficial effects of new teas based on their catechin content.     

Effects of hunting with hounds on a non-target species living on the edge of a protected area

The impact of hunting on wildlife is a complex phenomenon which varies in space and across time, and yet limited knowledge is available on it. This is especially the case of the indirect effects of hunting on the behaviour of target as well as non-target species. Here we analyze how hunting affected the spatial behaviour of 62 radiocollared roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) in a protected area adjacent to areas where hunting with hounds (target species: wild boar and hares) and stalking with rifles from high seats without dogs (target species: roe deer) were permitted during the hunting season. Our results showed that hunting caused a significant increase in the home range size of monitored deer, as well as a “reserve effect”, whereby roe deer used the protected area as a refuge from hunters. These behavioural responses were significant only at times when hunting with hounds was conducted, even though roe deer was not the target species of this technique. Reactions to the perceived risk of predation varied among age and sex classes, with yearling being more sensitive and using the protected area more than adults. As shown in our study, hunting harassment provoked by drives with hounds significantly affects the behaviour of non-target species. Therefore, the use of long-legged hounds represents a variable that should be carefully evaluated by wildlife managers in their management plans and conservation policies, especially when endangered or vulnerable species are present.     

The origin of rhizomania resistance in sugar beet

In the last 35 years, breeding has greatly reduced the damages caused by rhizomania in sugar beet crops. After the first encouraging results using the Alba genotypes, the cultivar Rizor represented a substantial step forward and has given good yield improvement in diseased fields in many parts of the world. The original variety and subsequent improved versions continued to offer good performances for about a decade, after which it was surpassed by other hybrids derived in part from the Rizor itself. Further progress in terms of sugar production became possible in 1986, when the Holly monogerm lines were released in USA and Europe. In spite of the incomplete information about the genealogy of the first resistant materials,many evidences and the molecular analyses on the different genotypes suggest a possible common progenitor and lineage. The resistant cultivars have kept the yield at an adequate level, allowing cultivation to continue in countries where the disease has reached epidemic proportions. The case of rhizomania resistance in sugar beet can therefore be considered as one of the most important achievements in plant breeding. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Electrochemotherapy for the treatment of squamous cell carcinoma in cats: a preliminary report

Squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) of the skin are commonly described in cats. Reported treatments include surgery, radiation therapy and photodynamic therapy. This preliminary study reports on the management of these lesions combining the local administration of bleomycin (plus hyaluronidase for a more uniform distribution) with permeabilizing biphasic electric pulses. Nine cats with SCC graded T(2)-T(4) were treated over a 5 year period, and each cat received two sessions of electrochemotherapy (ECT) 1 week apart. The side effects of this treatment were minimal and limited to mild erythema of the nose. Seven of the cats (77.7%) had a complete response lasting up to 3 years. ECT seems to be a safe and effective option for the treatment of feline sun-induced squamous cell carcinomas and warrants further investigation.     

Coupling an oceanographic model to a Fishery Observing System through mixed models: the importance of fronts for anchovy in the Adriatic Sea

Anchovy, Engraulis encrasicolus, forms the basis of Italian small pelagic fisheries in the Adriatic Sea. The strong dependence of this stock on environmental factors and the consequent high variability makes the dynamics of this species particularly complicated to model. Weekly geo‐referenced catch data of anchovy obtained by means of a Fishery Observing System (FOS) from 2005 to 2011 were referred to a 0.2 × 0.2 degree grid (about 20 km²) and associated with the environmental parameters calculated by a Regional Ocean Modelling System, AdriaROMS. Generalized Additive Mixed Models (GAMM) with and without random effects were used to identify a relationship between abundance in the catch and oceanographic conditions. The outcomes of models with no random effects, with random vessel effects and with the random vessel and random week‐of‐the‐year effects were examined. The GAMM incorporating a random vessel and week‐of‐the‐year effect were selected as the best model on the basis of the Akaike information criteria (AIC). This model indicated that catches (abundance) of anchovy in the Adriatic Sea correlate well with low temperatures, salinity fronts and sea surface height, and allowed the identification of areas where high concentrations of this species are most likely to occur. The results of this study demonstrate that GAMM are a useful tool to combine geo‐referenced catch data with oceanographic variables and that the use of a mixed‐model approach with spatial and temporal random effects is an effective way to depict the dynamics of marine species.     

Antifungal activity of chili pepper extract with potential for the control of some major pathogens in grapevine

BACKGROUND

In recent years, biofungicides have drawn increasing interest in vineyards for a more sustainable integrated and copper-limited pest management. Among alternatives, botanicals could represent valuable tools, being rich sources of biologically active compounds. Conversely to the well-known antioxidant and biological properties in relation to health benefits, investigation on bioactivity of hot pungent Capsicum sp. products against fungal phytopathogens in vineyards is still scarce. Therefore, the present study aimed at exploring the biologically active compounds profile of a chili pepper (Capsicum chinense Jacq.) pod extract and its antimicrobial properties against some of the major fungal and Oomycetes pathogens of grapevine, including Botrytis cinerea Pers., Guignardia bidwellii (Ellis) Viala & Ravaz and Plasmopara viticola (Berk. & M.A. Curtis) Berl. & De Toni.

RESULTS

The ethyl acetate-extracted oleoresin from the most pungent varieties was rich in capsaicinoids and polyphenols (371.09 and 268.5 μg mg⁻¹ dry weight, respectively). Capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin, hydroxycinnamic and hydroxybenzoic acids and quercetin derivatives were the most abundant, while carotenoids represented only a minor fraction. The oleoresin was efficient to inhibit all three pathogenic fungi and ED₅₀ values were determined, evidencing that G. bidwellii was the more sensitive (0.233 ± 0.034 mg mL⁻¹).

CONCLUSION

The results suggested a potentiality of chili pepper extract for the control of some important grapevine pathogens, their possible application being helpful for the recommended limitation in extensive use of copper in vineyard. The complex mixture of high amounts of capsaicinoids, associated to specific phenolic acids and other minor bioactive components might contribute to the observed antimicrobial action of chili pepper extract. © 2023 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.     

New dates of a Northern Italian loess deposit (Monte Orfano,Southern pre-Alps,Brescia)

Journal of Soils and Sediments - Loess in Northern Italy has been usually considered deposited during the MIS 4-2 period, which corresponds to the last Pleistocene glacial cycle. In particular, no...     

Accumulation and erosion of Mars' south polar layered deposits

Mars' polar regions are covered with ice-rich layered deposits that potentially contain a record of climate variations. The sounding radar SHARAD on the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter mapped detailed subsurface stratigraphy in the Promethei Lingula region of the south polar plateau, Planum Australe. Radar reflections interpreted as layers are correlated across adjacent orbits and are continuous for up to 150 kilometers along spacecraft orbital tracks. The reflectors are often separated into discrete reflector sequences, and strong echoes are seen as deep as 1 kilometer. In some cases, the sequences are dipping with respect to each other, suggesting an interdepositional period of erosion. In Australe Sulci, layers are exhumed, indicating recent erosion.     

Genetic variability for protein content and S-aminoacids in broad-beans (Vicia faba L.)

Summary Approximately 600 different samples of the broad bean collection have been evaluated for crude protein content of the seeds.111 samples were also evaluated for S-aminoacids. The values ranged from 19.5 to 34.0 for protein content and 0.97 to 1.45 for half-cystine and 0.62 to 0.99 for methionine. Protein content was negatively correlated with seed weights, highest values been found in the small seeded samples of Ethiopia and Afghanistan. Mediterranean samples exibited quite large variability. S-aminoacid per protein unit were negatively correlated with the protein content and determination coefficients had intermediate values. Sulphur aminoacids expressed as % of dry seed weight were positively correlated with protein content, but determination values were rather low. Analyses of protein and sulphur aminoacids in seeds from a 10×10 diallel cross scheme gave information on genetic mechanisms involved in the character's control; additive and non additive components of variance were significant, indicating difficulties in practical breeding programmes.

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Genetische Variabilität des Gehalts an Rohprotein und schwefelhaltigen Aminosäuren bei Ackerbohnen (Vicia faba L.)

Zusammenfassung Fast 600 Sortimentsnummern der Ackerbohnenkollektion wurden auf den Rohproteingehalt der Samen untersucht, 111 auch auf den auf Gehalt an schwefelhaltigen Aminosäuren. Der Rohproteingehalt schwankt von 19,5 bis 34,0%, der Gehalt an Cystein von 0,97 bis 1,45% und der an Methionin von 0,62 bis 0,99%. Der Rohproteingehalt war negativ mit dem Samengewicht korreliert, die höchsten Werte wurden bei den kleinsamigen Sippen aus Äthiopien und Afghanistan gefunden. Die Sippen aus dem Mittelmeergebiet zeigen eine sehr große Variabilität. Der relative Gehalt an S-haltigen Aminosäuren war negativ mit dem Rohproteingehalt korreliert und das Bestimmtheitsmaß hatte mittlere Werte. Der absolute Gehalt an S-haltigen Aminosäuren war positiv mit dem Rohproteingehalt korreliert, aber das Bestimmtheitsmaß war niedriger.Die Analysen des Rohproteingehaltes sowie des Gehaltes an schwefelhaltigen Aminosäuren der Samen (von F₁-Pflanzen) aus einem 10×10 Diallel-Kreuzungsschema ergaben Informationen über genetische Mechanismen in der Kontrolle der Merkmale; die additive und die nicht additive Varianzkomponente waren signifikant und offenbaren die Schwierigkeiten in den praktischen Züchtungsprogrammen.

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, , (Vicia faba)

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