Evaluation of the Pollutant Content in Road Runoff First Flush Waters

Road runoff waters are able to convey a number of organic and inorganic pollutants originated by different non-point sources and by the road surface itself. Such pollutants can enter aquatic systems, thus contributing to water and soil contamination. This study was aimed at evaluating the pollutant content in first flush runoff waters from a highway located in Central Italy. A water sampling apparatus was devised able to collect only the first 10 L of runoff water. Water samples were analyzed by atomic absorption spectroscopy, ion chromatography, and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in order to determine metals, ions, and polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons, respectively. Soil samples were collected as well for metal and hydrocarbon determination. Results obtained in a field experiment carried out in two different seasons and in two different sites along the highway are reported. The study was extended to water samples collected in a strip of the same road not yet in use. Results obtained showed a temporal and a spatial variability due to the different period rainfall and to sites features, respectively. Within such a variability, a substantial agreement, in terms of order of magnitude, with other studies carried out in European sites was observed.     

Fermentation by selected sourdough lactic acid bacteria to decrease coeliac intolerance to rye flour

A pool of selected lactic acid bacteria was used to ferment suspensions of rye flour. Two-dimensional electrophoresis showed that 109 of the 129 ethanol-soluble rye polypeptides were hydrolysed almost totally by lactic acid bacteria. Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization—time of flight mass spectrometry and reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography analysis confirmed the hydrolysis of prolamins. After 48 h fermentation, no prolamin polypeptides were recognized by R5-Western analysis. HPLC analysis of glutelin polymers showed a very low bacterial proteolysis but a pH dependent hydrolysis probably due to activation of rye enzymes. Prolamins were extracted from rye flour and used to produce a peptic–tryptic (PT)-digest for in vitro tests with K 562 (S) sub-clone and Caco-2/TC7 cells of human origin. The PT-digest was also treated with lactic acid bacteria before assay. The Minimal Agglutinating Capacity increased ca. 8-times when K 562 (S) sub-clone cells were exposed to rye PT-digest treated with lactic acid bacteria. Hydrolysis of rye PT-digest by lactic acid bacteria decreased the toxicity of PT-digest itself towards Caco-2/TC7 cells as estimated by cell viability, caspase-3 activity and release of nitric oxide. Rye prolamins and glutelins were extracted from doughs and subjected to PT digestion. Compared to PT-digests from chemically acidified dough, coeliac jejunal biopsies exposed to the PT-digest from the dough fermented by lactic acid bacteria did not show an increase of the infiltration of CD3⁺ intraepithelial lymphocytes. The same was found for epithelial cell Fas expression. Long-time fermentation of dough by selected lactic acid bacteria could be considered as a potential tool to decrease the risk of rye contamination of gluten-free products for coeliac patients.     

Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Novel 3-Alkylpyridine Marine Alkaloid Analogs with Promising Anticancer Activity

Cancer continues to be one of the most important health problems worldwide, and the identification of novel drugs and treatments to address this disease is urgent. During recent years, marine organisms have proven to be a promising source of new compounds with action against tumoral cell lines. Here, we describe the synthesis and anticancer activity of eight new 3-alkylpyridine alkaloid (3-APA) analogs in four steps and with good yields. The key step for the synthesis of these compounds is a Williamson etherification under phase-transfer conditions. We investigated the influence of the length of the alkyl chain attached to position 3 of the pyridine ring on the cytotoxicity of these compounds. Biological assays demonstrated that compounds with an alkyl chain of ten carbon atoms (4c and 5c) were the most active against two tumoral cell lines: RKO-AS-45-1 and HeLa. Micronucleus and TUNEL assays showed that both compounds are mutagenic and induce apoptosis. In addition, Compound 5c altered the cellular actin cytoskeleton in RKO-AS-45-1 cells. The results suggest that Compounds 4c and 5c may be novel prototype anticancer agents.     

Cytotoxic and antimicrobial activity of pseudopterosins and seco-pseudopterosins isolated from the octocoral Pseudopterogorgia elisabethae of San Andrés and Providencia Islands (Southwest Caribbean Sea)

To expand the potential of pseudopterosins and seco-pseudopterosins isolated from the octocoral Pseudopterogorgia elisabethae of San Andrés and Providencia islands (southwest Caribbean Sea), we report the anti-microbial profile against four pathogenic microorganisms (Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans) and report a more complete cytotoxic profile against five human cells lines (HeLa, PC-3, HCT116, MCF-7 and BJ) for the compounds PsG, PsP, PsQ, PsS, PsT, PsU, 3-O-acetyl-PsU, seco-PsJ, seco-PsK and IMNGD. For the cytotoxic profiles, all compounds evaluated showed moderate and non-selective activity against both tumor and normal cell lines, where PsQ and PsG were the most active compounds (GI₅₀ values between 5.8 μM to 12.0 μM). With respect to their anti-microbial activity the compounds showed good and selective activity against the Gram-positive bacteria, while they did not show activity against the Gram-negative bacterium or yeast. PsU, PsQ, PsS, seco-PsK and PsG were the most active compounds (IC₅₀ 2.9–4.5 μM) against S. aureus and PsG, PsU and seco-PsK showed good activity (IC₅₀ 3.1–3.8 μM) against E. faecalis, comparable to the reference drug vancomycin (4.2 μM).     

Nitric oxide represses the Arabidopsis floral transition

The correct timing of flowering is essential for plants to maximize reproductive success and is controlled by environmental and endogenous signals. We report that nitric oxide (NO) repressed the floral transition in Arabidopsis thaliana. Plants treated with NO, as well as a mutant overproducing NO (nox1), flowered late, whereas a mutant producing less NO (nos1) flowered early. NO suppressed CONSTANS and GIGANTEA gene expression and enhanced FLOWERING LOCUS C expression, which indicated that NO regulates the photoperiod and autonomous pathways. Because NO is induced by environmental stimuli and constitutively produced, it may integrate both external and internal cues into the floral decision.     

Arbutin-2'-sulphonyl from the infusion of Ilex theezans leaves

A sulphate arbutin derivative was isolated from the leaves of Ilex theezans, an adulterant of mate (Ilex paraguariensis). The structure was determined by spectral analysis.     

Cytotoxicity of withanolides isolated from Acnistus arborescens

A new withanolide identified by spectroscopic analysis as 12β-acetoxy-4-deoxy-5,6-deoxy-Δ⁵–withanolide D and Withanolide D, were isolated from the leaves of Acnistus arborescens. Cytotoxic activity of these two compounds against human tumor cell lines HT-29, MCF-7, MKN-45, HEp-2, HeLa, U-937 and two human normal fibroblast cultures, Fib04 and Fib05, were assessed. Withanolide D presented in vitro cytotoxic activity against tumor cell lines at the low micromolar range (LC₅₀:1.0 to 1.69 µM) and showed a slightly lower activity against Fib04, suggesting moderated selectivity among tumoral and normal cells. No cytotoxic effect was observed for 12β-acetoxy-4-deoxy-5,6-deoxy-Δ⁵–withanolide D.     

Technological parameters of water curing affect postharvest physiology and storage of marrons (Castanea sativa Mill., Marrone fiorentino)

Little is known about the biochemistry of the marron (Castanea sativa cv Marrone fiorentino) when it is soaked in water for the curing process; the immersion treatment time is still empirical and based on traditional knowledge. A study was carried out by keeping marrons in water for 7 d at 14 °C. Tap water and acid water (pH 3) were used in the following water/marron ratios 1:1, 1:2, and 3:2. After curing, the marrons were moved to air storage at room temperature (20 °C and 90% RH) for 1 week (shelf-life), and at 0 °C and 90% RH for 60 d. A large accumulation of carbon dioxide in the head space of the glass jar where the marrons were kept, was observed during water soaking, above all in samples in acid water with a water/marron ratio 1:2. In the first 5 d of water curing, a significant increase in acetaldehyde concentration and phenol content was measured in the marron pulp and subsequently, both compounds declined. Ethanol decreased slightly or remained constant. During the following week of shelf-life, the lowest respiration rate was measured in 1:1 and 1:2 samples while the highest rate was measured in acid water samples. SSC (solid soluble contents) increased in marrons soaked in acid water but remained constant under shelf-life conditions. SSC, ethanol, acetaldehyde and polyphenols did not change following storage at 0 °C for 2 months, but acid water samples showed a higher percentage of decayed marrons. Finally, it is possible to define some technological parameters. The immersion time of marrons in water must be at least 5 and no longer than 7 d, in order to avoid cell destruction. A water/marron ratio of 1:1 is advised. Using acid water, the samples with the ratios of 1:2 and 1:1 showed higher polyphenol and sugar contents. However, the metabolic response of these marrons was assumed to be a “stress response” to acid water.     

Deep weathering and landscape evolution in a tropical plateau

The thick weathering profiles of humid tropical areas are an important, yet generally neglected, source of information on landscape evolution. Six complete profiles of the weathering mantle were sampled by drilling on the three stepped levels of the Campos do Jordão Plateau, on the NW flank of the Continental Rift of Southeastern Brazil. Mineralogical and micromorphological analyses of drill core samples, complemented by geochemical interpretations and by previous data on the upper saprolite, indicate continuity of a general lateritic trend during the entire process of mantle formation. Lateritization phases of different intensity were defined and considered to reflect adjustment to changes in environmental conditions created by the gradual uplift of the plateau to its present position. Older and more superficial materials related to intense lateritic weathering are characterized by allitization with direct formation of gibbsite from silicates, probably related to tropical climates existing immediately before the formation of the continental rift, during the Paleogene, and also before any significant increase in altitude. Monosialitization phase with general kaolinitization and restricted indirect formation of gibbsite from silicates could be associated to less aggressive climates that followed the Neogene (Miocene?) accentuation of uplift rates along the continental rift. The changes produced by uplift in the tropical climate eventually favored the development of a podzolization trend in soils above 1800 m.