Wild artichoke prevents the age-associated loss of vasomotor function

Endothelial dysfunction, which is more often observed in conduit arteries such as the aorta, carotid, femoral, and brachial arteries, is largely due to alterations in cellular signal transduction initiated by an escalating cycle of damage triggered by oxidative stress. This phenomenon is exacerbated in the elderly, where a progressive loss of vascular endothelial function and concurrent loss of vasomotor control is frequent. In a previous study, we demonstrated that the wild artichoke (Cynara cardunculus) is able to increase the production of the vasorelaxant factor nitric oxide by cultured aortic endothelial cells. We now extended that study to verify (1) the vasorelaxant potential of C. cardunculus on isolated rat aortic rings and (2) whether the vasomodulating properties of C. cardunculus are maintained in vivo, after administration to aged rats. The results demonstrate that the wild artichoke and its main components, namely, luteolin and apigenin, improve aortic relaxation when added to the incubation bath. Moreover, the feeding of wild artichoke [10 mg (kg of polyphenols)(-1) day(-1)] to aged rats significantly restores proper vasomotion, to a degree similar to that observed in young animals. This study provides further justification to the advice to consume wild greens as part of a balanced diet and suggests that close attention should be paid to the diet of the elderly, because it can effectively modulate important parameters of cardiovascular risk.     

Characterization of the lipoxygenases in some olive cultivars and determination of their role in volatile compounds formation

Enzymatic extracts from olive pulp (Olea europea L.) were used to characterize lipoxygenase (LOX) activity in order to determine its role in the biogenesis of the volatile compounds that influence the aroma of extra virgin olive oil. The LOX activity was tested spectrophotometrically at an optimal pH of 6.0 in three olive cultivars, Ascolana Tenera, Kalamata, and FS17. The trend of the LOX activity was determined as a function of pH and temperature; the kinetic constants of the enzyme were also determined. The highest LOX activity was observed in the FS17 fruit, which had the highest concentrations of C(5) and C(6) compounds (aldehydes, alcohols, and ketones), followed by Kalamata and Ascolana T., respectively. Given the direct relationship between enzymatic activity and the quantity of aromas measured in the fruit, it is hypothesized that olive LOX is involved in the formation of C(5) and C(6) volatile compounds. To study the mechanism of the movement of the aromas from the fruit to the oil, which was obtained by simple mechanical extraction, the headspace of the oil for each cultivar was analyzed as well as the aromatic composition in order to compare it with the aromas of the fruit.     

Relationships between an Italian Strawberry Ecotype and its Ancestor using RAPD Markers

Random-amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers were used to evaluate genetic variability among populations of an Italian strawberry ecotype, and to determinate genetic relationships between genotypes and their putative ancestor. A total of 65 selections and one cultivar ‘Madame Moutot’ (MM), were analysed to evaluate genetic variability present in Etna mountain area and to confirm as MM was one of the cultivars that originated the ecotype. A total of 222 RAPD markers was obtained using 16 decamer primers and 6 longer primers, 90.8% of the markers obtained by selected primers resulted polymorphic at least within analysed genotypes. RAPDs were used to calculate genetic similarity coefficients and to generate dendrograms representing genetic relationships among genotypes analysed. Cluster analysis displays as RAPD polymorphisms were able to characterize the genotype variability among closely related groups. The data show as MM could be considered the ancestral genotypes introduced in that area. The results obtained confirm that RAPD markers could be used as reliable markers to perform phylogenetic studies in Fragaria×ananassa Duch. ex Rozier. Giuseppe Bertino and Piero Spada - Coauthor involved in genotype selection and field management     

Purification and isotopic signatures (<Emphasis Type="Italic">δ</Emphasis><Superscript>13</Superscript>C, <Emphasis Type="Italic">δ</Emphasis><Superscript>15</Superscript>N, Δ<Superscript>14</Superscript>C) of soil extracellular DNA

The aim of this work was to obtain pure extracellular DNA molecules so as to estimate their longevity in soil by an isotope-based approach. Extracellular DNA molecules were extracted from all horizons of a forest soil and purified by the procedure of Davis (Purification and precipitation of genomic DNA with phenol–chloroform and ethanol. In: Davis LG, Dibner MD, Battey JF (eds) Basic methods in molecular biology. Appleton & Lange, Norwalk, 16–22, 1986) without (DNA1) or with (DNA2) a successive treatment with binding resins followed by elution. The two differently purified DNA samples were compared for their A₂₆₀/A₂₈₀ ratio, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification and natural abundance of stable (¹³C and ¹⁵N) and radioactive (¹⁴C) isotopes. The purity index and the PCR amplification did not differentiate the efficiency of the two purification procedures. The isotopic signature of DNA was more sensitive and was strongly affected by the purification procedures. The isotopic measurements showed that the major contaminant of extracellular DNA1 was the soil organic matter (SOM), even if it is not possible to exclude that the similar δ ¹³C, δ ¹⁵N and Δ¹⁴C values of DNA and SOM could be due to the use of SOM-deriving C and N atoms for the microbial synthesis of DNA. For extracellular DNA2, extremely low values of Δ¹⁴C were obtained, and this was ascribed to the presence of fossil fuel-derived substances used during the purification, although in amounts not revealed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis. The fact that it is not possible to obtain contaminant-free DNA molecules and the potential use of soil native organic compounds during the microbial synthesis of DNA make it not achievable to estimate the age of soil extracellular DNA by radiocarbon dating.     

Release of Al by hydroxy-interlayered vermiculite and hydroxy-interlayered smectite during determination of cation exchange capacity in fine earth and rock fragments fractions

The fine earth (<2 mm) and rock fragments (>2 mm) fractions of two soils derived from Oligocene sandstone have been examined to assess the origin of the discrepancies between cation exchange capacity (CEC) and effective CEC (ECEC). The soils differ in terms of acidity: soil A is more acid than soil B. When the A samples are treated with BaCl₂, the solution became sufficiently acid (pH < 4·5) to dissolve and to maintain Al in solution. From these samples more Al is released than base cations. Aluminium was continuously replenished even after 192 h, so that the ECEC was always larger than the CEC. Samples from soil B contain less H and Al ions, and the BaCl₂ solution could not lower the pH below 5·0. In these samples little Al is released, and the base cations dominate the exchangeable pool of ions. This Al can be considered to be exchangeable, and a good agreement exists between the ECEC and the CEC. The source of non-exchangeable Al in the A samples is the OH-Al polymers of the hydroxy-interlayered vermiculite (HIV) and hydroxy-interlayered smectite (HIS) that tend to dissolve during the BaCl₂ treatments. In the less acid B samples the Al polymers are not affected by BaCl₂ treatment. Different results were obtained when the clays, extracted from an Na-dispersed suspension, were treated with BaCl₂ solution. Because the clays are no longer acid, no H⁺ is released, and the OH-Al polymers are not dissolved. Therefore, the saturating ions play an important role in the dissolution of the OH-Al polymers and cause differences between the CEC and ECEC. We discount organic matter and specifically Al-organo complexes as a source of non-exchangeable Al. Both A and B soils contain very similar pyrophosphate-extractable Al, but show substantial differences in the amount of exchangeable Al.     

Application of multielement stable isotope ratio analysis to the characterization of French, italian, and spanish cheeses

The stable isotope ratios (delta13C, delta15N, and delta34S of casein and delta13C and delta18O of glycerol) measured by IRMS of French, Italian, and Spanish cheeses are presented and discussed. Variability factors such as animal-feeding regimen, geographical origin, and climatic and seasonal conditions were studied to check the possibilities of cheese characterization offered by each isotopic parameter. Delta13C values of both casein and glycerol appeared to be strongly correlated to the amount of maize in the animal diet. Delta15N and delta34S of casein proved to be mostly influenced by the geoclimatic conditions of the area (aridity, closeness to the sea, altitude). Delta18O of glycerol was more dependent on the geographical origin of the cheeses and on climatic/seasonal parameters. By applying a multivariate stepwise canonical discriminant analysis, good discrimination possibilities for the different European cheeses were obtained, confirmed by the classification analysis, when >90% of the samples were correctly reclassified.     

Discovery of a major D-loop replication origin reveals two modes of human mtDNA synthesis

Mammalian mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) replication has long been considered to occur by asymmetric synthesis of the two strands, starting at the multiple origins of the strand-displacement loop (D-loop). We report the discovery of a major replication origin at position 57 in the D-loop of several human cell lines (HeLa, A549, and 143B.TK-) and immortalized lymphocytes. The nascent chains starting at this origin, in contrast to those initiated at the previously described origins, do not terminate prematurely at the 3' end of the D-loop but proceed well beyond this control point, behaving as "true" replicating strands. This origin is mainly responsible for mtDNA maintenance under steady-state conditions, whereas mtDNA synthesis from the formerly identified D-loop origins may be more important for recovery after mtDNA depletion and for accelerating mtDNA replication in response to physiological demands.     

Observing others: multiple action representation in the frontal lobe

Observation of actions performed by others activates monkey ventral premotor cortex, where action meaning, but not object identity, is coded. In a functional MRI (fMRI) study, we investigated whether other monkey frontal areas respond to actions performed by others. Observation of a hand grasping objects activated four frontal areas: rostral F5 and areas 45B, 45A, and 46. Observation of an individual grasping an object also activated caudal F5, which indicates different degrees of action abstraction in F5. Observation of shapes activated area 45, but not premotor F5. Convergence of object and action information in area 45 may be important for full comprehension of actions.