NsLTP1 and NsLTP2 isoforms in soft wheat (Triticum aestivum Cv. Centauro) and farro (Triticum dicoccon Schrank) bran

Isoforms of nonspecific lipid-transfer protein 1 (nsLTP1) and nonspecific lipid-transfer protein 2 (nsLTP2) were investigated in bran tissues isolated from caryopses of two cereal crops quite relevant for the Italian market, the cultivar Centauro of soft wheat (Triticum aestivum) and Italian emmer or farro (Triticum dicoccon Schrank). By sequential separation of the bran extracts on cation-exchange and gel filtration chromatographies, fractions containing only proteins belonging to the nsLTP1 and nsLTP2 classes were obtained. The proteins were roughly identified by SDS-PAGE and by immunoreactions in Western blotting experiments. By MALDI-MS and RP-HPLC/ESI-MS analyses we were able to show the presence of several LTP1 and LTP2 isoforms in the investigated species. Bioinformatic searches based on the determined Mr indicated that (i) two nsLTP1s already identified in T. aestivum have Mr and number of Cys residues identical to that of a 9.6 kDa protein present both in soft wheat cv. Centauro and in farro; (ii) two isoforms of nsLTP2 detected in T. aestivum have the same Mr and number of Cys residues of two 7 kDa proteins found in Centauro; and (iii) a nsLTP1 detected in Ambrosia artemisiifolia has Mr and number of Cys residues coincident to that of a 9.9 kDa protein found both in soft wheat cv. Centauro and in farro.     

Chemometric classification of Apulian and Slovenian wines using 1H NMR and ICP-OES together with HPICE data

High-performance ion chromatography exclusion, inductively coupled plasma emission spectroscopy, and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements were carried out in combination with chemometrics on 33 wine samples coming from three Slovenian wine-growing regions and from Apulia (southern Italy). The chemometric classification of wines according to their geographical origin was obtained with a nearly 100% degree of achievement. The discriminating potential of the (1)H NMR and of the other analytical determinations has been estimated separately. The best prediction of wines has been obtained with NMR data.     

Level of trace elements in Pteridophytes growing on serpentine and metalliferous soils

A screening of Pteridophytes growing on serpentine and metalliferous soils in Northern Italy was carried out to assess the ability of these plants to tolerate or accumulate trace elements of toxicological interest. Few data are available on metal tolerance/accumulation of terrestrial ferns growing in the Mediterranean region, and several species presented here have never been investigated for this purpose. The trace‐element composition (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb, Zn) and P content of aerial parts of plants (12 fern and 2 horsetail species) and of their associated soils were measured. An analysis of the relationship between element concentrations in soil and in shoot revealed a significant correlation only for Zn (p < 0.05). Hierarchical cluster analysis based on element concentrations in plant aerial parts showed two outliers, viz. Equisetum ramosissimum Desf., showing the highest levels of Cr, Fe, Cu, Ni, and As, and Nephrolepis cordifolia C. Presl., showing the highest Pb value. The bioaccumulation factor exceeded 1 only for Cd in two species, Athyrium filix‐femina and Dryopteris filix‐mas. However, also in these cases the corresponding values of the metal in the shoots were below the thresholds for hyperaccumulators. The examined Pteridophytes seem to have developed their adaptation prevalently through mechanisms of tolerance based on metal exclusion. None of these plant species seem suitable for phytoextraction, but N. cordifolia, Pteridium aquilinum ssp. aquilinum, and E. ramosissimum have potential to be used for stabilization and restoration of soils rich in heavy metals.     

Glycoalkaloid content and chemical composition of potatoes improved with nonconventional breeding approaches

This paper reports the results of chemical analyses performed on two distinct groups of new potato genotypes. The first group contained five clones transformed with the gene ech42 encoding for an endochitinase. The second included 21 interspecific hybrids between the cultivated potato Solanum tuberosum and the wild species S. commersonii, obtained either by somatic fusion or by sexual hybridization. Tubers from transgenic plants were analyzed for several morphological and biochemical parameters to ascertain the substantial equivalence between the transgenic genotypes and the original cultivar Désirée. The interspecific hybrids were analyzed for the same parameters in order to identify genotypes with novel improved chemical characteristics and with low levels of glycoalkaloids deriving from the wild species and potentially hazardous to human health. For transgenic tubers, the results provided evidence that indicates the substantial equivalence between the transgenic genotypes and the cultivated control for the considered traits. The results suggest that chitinase gene insertion did not alter other metabolic pathways of potato tubers and did not cause unintentional pleiotropic effects. As far as interspecific hybrids are concerned, wide variability for all of the parameters analyzed was found. For some useful traits (e.g., soluble solids and proteins, dry matter content) the interspecific hybrids performed better than both the cultivated control and the wild species. In a number of genotypes, glycoalkaloid levels were close to or lower than those of the control varieties, suggesting that selection for low glycoalkaloid content is possible. The results also indicated that glycoalkaloids from S. commersonii may be lost rapidly. Indeed, some hybrids were found to have the same glycoalkaloid profile as S. tuberosum. Finally, the results showed that among the parameters considered, glycoalkaloid content is the most sensitive to variation. Therefore, glycoalkaloid determination should be used for routine control of genotypes produced by interspecific hybridization.     

Usefulness of volunteer data to measure the large scale decline of “common” toad populations

Measuring a species decline is pivotal to evaluate their conservation status, but an accurate assessment of demographic trends requires observations collected across broad spatial and temporal scales. Volunteers can help to collect information over large scales, but their data may be affected by heterogeneity for sampling efforts and protocols, which may influence detection probability. Ignoring this issue may conduct to misleading conclusions. Here we show that data collected by different volunteer groups can be integrated with measures of sampling efforts, to obtain information on large scale demographic trends. We collected data on 33 common toad (Bufo bufo) populations across Italy for the period 1993–2010. We used two approaches (meta-analysis; analysis of average change in population size) to evaluate the overall demographic trend. We incorporated measures of volunteer sampling efforts into analyses, to take into account changes in detection probability. Toad abundance significantly declined in the last decade. From 2000 to 2010, 70% of populations showed a strong decline, and only 10% increased. Trends were heterogeneous among populations, but taking into account sampling effort reduced heterogeneity by 40%. We detected a 76% cumulative average decline of toad populations, despite an increasing mean sampling effort. The widespread toad decline rises concern for its future, also because the causes remain unclear. Volunteer data can be extremely useful to identify large scale population trends, if information on sampling effort are recorded and used to adjust counts.     

Hypolipemic and hypoglycaemic activity of bergamot polyphenols: From animal models to human studies

Bergamot juice produces hypolipemic activity in rats though the mechanism remains unclear. Here we investigated on the effect of bergamot extract (BPF) in diet-induced hyperlipemia in Wistar rats and in 237 patients suffering from hyperlipemia either associated or not with hyperglycaemia. BPF, given orally for 30 days to both rats and patients, reduces total and LDL cholesterol levels (an effect accompanied by elevation of cHDL), triglyceride levels and by a significant decrease in blood glucose. Moreover, BPF inhibited HMG-CoA reductase activity and enhanced reactive vasodilation thus representing an efficient phytotherapeutic approach in combating hyperlipemic and hyperglycaemic disorders.     

Simulating N leaching in furrow irrigated corn

Crop simulation models are increasingly used to evaluate the effect of alternative agricultural practices on crop yields and the environment. Difficulty in obtaining concise field data often requires that simulation results reflect a single point assumed to represent average field condition. Results of this study indicate that the single point analysis can have significant effects upon estimates of nitrogen leaching and crop yield under various surface irrigation practices. Practices considered illustrate the effects of differences in infiltration along the row, between irrigations, and between irrigated sets. Attempts to add intermediate realism in describing the irrigation system may not improve yield and leaching estimates over the single point simulation when compared to simulation results where even more realism is introduced.     

Plasma and milk kinetic of eprinomectin and moxidectin in lactating water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis)

The pharmacokinetics and mammary excretion of moxidectin and eprinomectin were determined in water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) following topical administration of 0.5mgkg(-1). Following administration of moxidectin, plasma and milk concentrations of moxidectin increased to reach maximal concentrations (C(max)) of 5.46+/-3.50 and 23.76+/-16.63ngml(-1) at T(max) of 1.20+/-0.33 and 1.87+/-0.77 days in plasma and milk, respectively. The mean residence time (MRT) were similar for plasma and milk (5.27+/-0.45 and 5.87+/-0.80 days, respectively). The AUC value was 5-fold higher in milk (109.68+/-65.01ngdayml(-1)) than in plasma (23.66+/-12.26ngdayml(-1)). The ratio of AUC milk/plasma for moxidectin was 5.04+/-2.13. The moxidectin systemic availability (expressed as plasma AUC values) obtained in buffaloes was in the same range than those reported in cattle. The faster absorption and elimination processes of moxidectin were probably due to a lower storage in fat associated with the fact that animals were in lactation. Nevertheless, due to its high excretion in milk and its high detected maximum concentration in milk which is equivalent or higher to the Maximal Residue Level value (MRL) (40ngml(-1)), its use should be prohibited in lactating buffaloes. Concerning eprinomectin, the C(max) were of 2.74+/-0.89 and 3.40+/-1.68ngml(-1) at T(max) of 1.44+/-0.20 and 1.33+/-0.0.41 days in plasma and milk, respectively. The MRT and the AUC were similar for plasma (3.17+/-0.41 days and 11.43+/-4.01ngdayml(-1)) and milk (2.70+/-0.44 days and 8.49+/-3.33ngdayml(-1)). The ratio of AUC milk/plasma for eprinomectin was 0.76+/-0.16. The AUC value is 20 times lower than that reported in dairy cattle. The very low extent of mammary excretion and the milk levels reported lower than the MRL (20ngml(-1)) supports the permitted use of eprinomectin in lactating water buffaloes.     

Rumen-protected methionine during the peripartal period in dairy cows and its effects on abundance of major species of ruminal bacteria

Background: Extensive degradation of amino acids in the rumen via microbial deamination decreases the postruminal availability of dietary indispensable amino acids. Together with the normal decrease in voluntary dry matter intake(DMI) around parturition in dairy cows, microbial metabolism contributes to a markedly negative balance of indispensable amino acids, including methionine which may be the first-limiting for milk production. The main objective of the current study was to profile changes in major bacterial species with key functions in cel ulose and hemicel ulose digestion, xylan breakdown, proteolytic action, propionic acid production, lactate utilization and ruminal biohydrogenation in cows supplemented with rumen-protected Methionine(SM; Smartamine M, Adisseo NA, Alpharetta,GA, USA) from-23 through 30 d relative to parturition. Because ~90% of the methionine in SM bypasses the rumen,~10% of the methionine is released into the rumen and can be utilized by microbes.Results: As expected, there was an increase in overall DMI after parturition(Day, P 0.05) during which cows consumed on average 19.6 kg/d versus 13.9 kg/d in the prepartum period. The postpartum diet contained greater concentrations of lipid and highly-fermentable carbohydrate from corn grain, which likely explains the increases in the relative abundance of Anaerovibrio lipolytica, Megasphaera elsdenii, Prevotella bryantii, Selenomonas ruminantium,Streptococcus bovis, and Succinimonas amylolytica. Despite similar DMI prepartum, cows fed SM had greater(Treatment × Day, P 0.05) abundance prepartum of Fibrobacter succinogenes, Succinimonas amylolytica, and Succinivibrio dextrinosolvens. However, the greater DMI in cows fed SM after parturition(19.6 kg/d versus 13.9 kg/d) was associated with lower abundance of Fibrobacter succinogenes(2.13 × 10-3 versus 2.25 × 10-4) and Selenomonas ruminantium(2.98 × 10-1 versus 4.10 × 10-1). A lower abundance(Day, P 0.05) was detected on d 20 compared with d-10 for Fibrobacter succinogenes and Succinivibrio dextrinosolvens. The relative abundance of Butyrivibrio proteoclasticus and Eubacterium ruminantium was stable across treatment and time.(Continued from previous page)Conclusions: In diets with proper balance of rumen-degradable protein and fermentable carbohydrate, the smal fraction of Methionine released from the rumen-protected supplement did not seem to compromise growth of major bacterial species in the rumen. In fact, it had a positive effect on 3 major species prepartum when DMI was similar between groups. Because the actual requirements of Methionine(and Lysine, for example) by the cow during the transition period are unknown, it appears warranted to study the rumen microbiome as it relates to supply of rumen-protected amino acids.     

The effects of prednisone on haemostasis in leishmaniotic dogs treated with meglumine antimoniate and allopurinol

Thirty dogs naturally infected with Leishmania infantum were studied in order to determine the effects of treatment on haemostatic function. The animals were divided randomly into two treatment groups: Group 1 received meglumine antimoniate and allopurinol; Group 2 dogs were given the same treatment plus prednisone. Ten healthy animals were used as untreated controls. Clinical examination and determination of platelet aggregation, coagulation factors and biochemical parameters were undertaken before treatment and after 15, 30 and 60 days. A significant improvement in platelet aggregation was detected after 60 days in Group 1, but only after 15 days in Group 2. In both treated groups, platelet aggregation was lower than in the control group at the end of the study. The results suggest that prednisone may be a useful tool in the treatment of haemostatic disorders during canine leishmaniosis. The potential benefits and risks due to the use of corticosteroids in the treatment of leishmaniosis are discussed.