Azimsulfuron sorption--desorption on soil

The sorption and desorption of the herbicide azimsulfuron, N-[[(4-dimethoxypyrimidin-2-yl)amino]carbonyl]1-methyl-4-(2-methyl-2H-tetrazole-5-yl)1H-pyrazole-5-sulfonamide, were studied using five soils. Sorption isotherms conformed to the Freundlich equation. It was found that pH is the main factor influencing the sorption and that the sorption on soils was negatively correlated with pH. The highest level of sorption was measured on soils with low pH and high organic carbon content. Moreover, inorganic soil colloids, for example, smectite clay minerals and iron oxides, contributed to the sorption of azimsulfuron. Desorption was hysteretic on soils with high organic and inorganic colloid contents.     

Effect of wine inhibitors on free pineapple stem bromelain activity in a model wine system

The influence of potential inhibitors, naturally present in wine, on the activity of stem bromelain was investigated in order to evaluate the applicability of this enzyme for protein stabilization in white wine. Bromelain proteolytic activity was tested against a synthetic substrate (Bz-Phe-Val-Arg-pNA) in a model wine system after adding ethanol, sulfur dioxide (SO(2)), skin, seed, and gallic and ellagic tannins at the average range of their concentration in wine. All the inhibitors of stem bromelain activity tested turned out to be reversible. Ethanol was a competitive inhibitor with a rather limited effect. Gallic and ellagic tannins have no inhibitory effect on stem bromelain activity, while both seed and skin tannins were uncompetitive inhibitors. The strongest inhibition effect was revealed for sulfur dioxide, which was a mixed-type inhibitor for the enzyme activity. This study provides useful information relative to a future biotechnological application of stem bromelain in winemaking.     

Ecology-based analysis of a recent association between Spartium junceum and 16SrV phytoplasma

An outbreak of Spartium witches’ broom (SpaWB) in Sicily prompted us to identify and characterize associated phytoplasmas. Over 80 samples of Spanish broom (Spartium junceum) and around 270 individuals of the potential vector Livilla spectabilis were collected and analysed. Single and mixed infections of 16SrV and ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma spartii’ were detected in Spanish broom samples and for the first time in L. spectabilis. The 16SrV isolates were further characterized by multilocus sequence typing (MLST) to determine their phylogenetic relationship with flavescence dorée phytoplasma (FDp) and to evaluate the risk of host-jumping to grapevine. Phylogenetic analysis of most of the analysed genes using the MLST approach grouped S. junceum 16SrV-C isolates with FDp isolates infecting grapevine and Scaphoideus titanus. Notably, phylogenetic analysis of the vmpA gene clustered the S. junceum isolates with FDp genotypes transmitted by S. titanus. This study extends the knowledge of SpaWB epidemiology, focusing on the possible risk of a 16SrV host jump from Spanish broom to grapevine. Spanish broom was identified as a reservoir and potential inoculum source of phytoplasmas that cause severe disease in cultivated crops. Furthermore, the L. spectabilis psyllid may be involved in the epidemiology of this 16SrV-C phytoplasma, although in the absence of in vivo transmission trials. The study further confirms the strong ability of phytoplasmas to adapt to new hosts and vectors, thus leading to potential phytosanitary emergencies.     

Factors affecting the contents of iridoid oleuropein in olive leaves (Olea europaea L.)

In this study, for the first time, the impact of the genetic factor on the contents of oleuropein in olive leaves was not only evaluated but the influence exerted by the color/age of leaves (green, green-yellowish, and yellow) and the collecting period (spring or autumn) was also evaluated. A repetitive high-resolution gas chromatographic quantitation method and an accurate high-performance liquid chromatographic method were developed. These analytical methods gave results showing a highly linear relationship. Samples of olive leaves were taken from seven major Italian olive cultivars, such as Dritta, Leccino, Caroleo, Coratina, Castiglionese, Nebbio, and Grossa di Cassano. Such a vegetal raw material could actually be exploited for recovering oleuropein, considered to be a high-added value molecule. This could be converted into hydrxytyrosol, a compound known to possess strong bioactive properties. Olive leaves showed considerable contents of oleuropein, which with some cultivars were even higher with respect to those present in the corresponding olive fruits (reported in the literature). The amounts of oleuropein in the collected leaves were markedly modified by the color/age and genetic factors, whereas meaningless variations were ascribable to the quantitation method and the collecting period factors. Various chemometrics, applied to the obtained analytical data, appeared to be effective in discriminating the samples on the basis of the above-examined experimental factors, thus confirming how these should be taken into account in future industrial recovery of oleuropein from olive leaves.     

Chromogranin- and Somatostatin-containing Neuroendocrine Cells in the Porcine Uterus An Immunocytochemical Study

Endocrine cells scattered in organic mucosae were defined "Neuroendocrine" (NE) cells because they constitute a section of the Diffuse Neuroendocrine System (DNES). Such cells have never been evidentiated in the normal endometrium. By means of histochemical and immunohistochemical techniques, NE cells, some of which contain the hormone somatostatin, are described in the glandular epithelium of the uterine horn in non-pregnant, non-castrated, young and adult sows. As is known, the uterine horn is the organ of pregnancy in the pig. The localization, distribution and morphology of the uterine NE and somatostatin-containing cells are reported and the importance of their function, in the pregnant and non-pregnant porcine uterus, is discussed.     

Presence and Distribution of Urocortin and Corticotrophin‐Releasing Hormone Receptors in the Bovine Thyroid Gland

Urocortin (UCN), a 40 amino acid peptide, is a corticotrophin‐releasing hormone (CRH)‐related peptide. The biological actions of CRH family peptides are mediated via two types of G‐protein‐coupled receptors, CRH type 1 (CRHR1) and CRH type 2 (CRHR2). The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of UCN, CRHR1 and CRHR2 by immunoprecipitation, Western blot, immunohistochemistry and RT‐PCR in the bovine thyroid gland. Immunoprecipitation and Western blot analysis showed that tissue extracts reacted with the anti‐UCN, anti‐CRHR1 and anti‐CRHR2 antibodies. RT‐PCR experiments demonstrated that mRNAs of UCN, CRHR1 and CRHR2 were expressed. UCN immunoreactivity (IR) and CRHR2–IR were found in the thyroid follicular and parafollicular cells and CRHR1‐IR in the smooth muscle of the blood vessels. These results suggest that a regulatory system exists in the bovine thyroid gland based on UCN, CRHR1 and CRHR2 and that UCN plays a role in the regulation of thyroid physiological functions through an autocrine/paracrine mechanism.     

Role of soil properties in sewage sludge toxicity to soil collembolans

Soil properties are one of the most important factors explaining the different toxicity results found in different soils. Although there is knowledge about the role of soil properties on the toxicity of individual chemicals, not much is known about its relevance for sewage sludge amendments. In particular little is known about the effect of soil properties on the toxicity modulation of these complex wastes. In addition, in most studies on sewage sludges the identity of the main substances linked to the toxicity and the influence of soil properties on their bioavailability remains unknown.In this study, the toxicity of a sewage sludge to the soil collembolan Folsomia candida was assessed in nine natural soils from agricultural, grassland and woodland sites, together with the OECD soil. Correlations between the relative toxicity of sludge for collembolans in the different soils and their physical and chemical soil properties were assessed in order to identify the main compounds responsible for the effects observed. Furthermore, the relationships between the toxic effects to collembolans and water-soluble ions released by sludge, pH and electric conductivity were also assessed, together with the modulating effects of soil properties.Sludge toxicity was directly linked to the water extractable ammonium, which explained most of the mortality of the collembolans, and part of the inhibition of reproduction. For the last endpoint, nitrite also contributed significantly to the inhibition observed. The varied levels in water extractable ammonium in the different soils at equal dosages seem to be, in turn, modulated by some soil properties. Higher organic carbon contents were associated with lower toxicity of sludge, both for survival and reproduction, probably related to its higher ammonium sorption capacity. In addition, for reproduction, increasing the C/N ratio and pH appeared to increase the toxicity, probably due to both the greater difficultly in nitrification and the known unsuitability of alkaline soils for this species.     

Structural elucidation of phototransformation products of azimsulfuron in water

The photodegradation of the sulfonylurea herbicide azimsulfuron, N-[[(4,6-dimethoxypyrimidin-2-yl)amino]carbonyl]-1-methyl-4-(2-methyl-2H-tetrazole-5-yl)-1H-pyrazole-5-sulfonamide (AZS), was studied in water at different wavelengths and in the presence of photocatalysts. AZS was rapidly degraded by UV light, affording three photoproducts. The main product, accounting for about 70% of photodegraded herbicide, was identified as 6-amino-5-[(4,6-dimethoxypyrimidin-2-yl)methylamino]-1,5,6,8-tetrahydro-7-oxa-8lambda(6)-tia-1,2,5,6-tetraza-azulen-4-one (ADTA) by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. With simulated sunlight irradiation, the reaction was slower and 2-amino-4,6-dimethoxypyrimidine (DPA) and 1-methyl-4-(2-methyl-2H-tetrazole-5-yl)-1H-pyrazole-5-sulfonamide (MPS), arising from a photohydrolytic cleavage of the sulfonylurea bridge, were the only byproducts observed. The reactions followed first-order kinetics. The addition of dissolved organic matter (DOM) did not modify significantly the AZS photodegradation rate. The presence of Fe2O3 accelerated more than twice the reaction rate affording two major products, DPA and MPS, together with minor amounts of N-[[(5-hydroxy-4,6-dimethoxypyrimidin-2-yl)amino]carbonyl]-1-methyl-4-(2-methyl-2H-tetrazole-5-yl)-1H-pyrazole-5-sulfonamide (AZS-OH). The greatest degradation rate was detected in the presence of TiO2. Only the photohydroxylation product AZS-OH was observed, which was transformed rapidly into oxalic acid.     

On the origin of artichoke and cardoon from the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cynara</Emphasis> gene pool as revealed by rDNA sequence variation

The evolutionary history of artichoke and cultivated cardoon and their relationships to wild allies of the genus Cynara are not fully understood yet. To try resolve the evolutionary patterns leading to the domestication of these two crops, a study of molecular evolution was undertaken. The species C. cardunculus, including artichoke, cultivated and wild cardoon, together with four wild Cynara species were taken into consideration. Internal (ITS) and external (ETS) rDNA transcribed spacers were used as markers of nuclear genome, the psbA-trnH spacer as a marker of chloroplast genome. Sequences were analysed using phylogenetic analysis packages. Molecular data indicate that the whole genus is quite recent and that the domestication of artichoke and cultivated cardoon, crops diverging for reproduction system and use, are independent events which diverge in time and space. As for wild Cynara species, an evolutionary pattern consistent with their present geographical distribution was hypothesized in relation to the climatic changes occurring in the Mediterranean during the last 20 millennia: C. humilis and C. cornigera appeared to have differentiated first, C. syriaca and C. baetica were differentiated in a second period, while C. cardunculus showed to be the most recent and plastic species. The high plasticity of C. cardunculus has not only allowed its nowadays wide distribution, but has also given the potential for domestication. Dedicated to the memory of Richard Neville Lester (1937–2006) who greatly contributed to the understanding of the evolution, domestication, and genetic resources of eggplants as well as to the biosystematics and taxonomy of allied species. IGV Publication N. 78 of the Institute of Plant Genetics, CNR     

Chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan-4: a biomarker and a potential immunotherapeutic target for canine malignant melanoma

Chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan-4 (CSPG4), also known as high molecular weight-melanoma associated antigen (HMW-MAA), is a membrane-bound chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan highly expressed by human melanoma cells. This phylogenetically conserved tumour antigen plays an important biological role in human melanoma, where it is used as a marker to diagnose forms with unusual characteristics, such as desmoplastic melanoma, and to detect melanoma cells in lymph nodes and peripheral blood, and as a target for immunotherapy because of its restricted distribution in normal tissues. To identify suitable targets to develop novel approaches of treating canine melanoma, CSPG4 was studies to see whether it is expressed in canine malignant melanomas. Immunohistochemical staining of 65 canine malignant melanomas with an anti-human CSPG4-specific antibody detected CSPG4 in 37 cases (56.9%). Positive staining was more frequent, albeit not significantly, in amelanotic compared to melanotic tumours and was statistically associated with tumours having both melanin and the epithelioid histotype. The frequency of CSPG4 expression was similar to that of other melanoma antigens used as diagnostic markers for canine malignant melanoma, such as Melan A and the protein recognized by the PNL2 monoclonal antibody. The results suggest that CSPG4 constitutes a new potential immunohistochemical marker of canine malignant melanoma and may represent an immunotherapeutic target as in humans.