Insights into Cytotoxic Behavior of Lepadins and Structure Elucidation of the New Alkaloid Lepadin L from the Mediterranean Ascidian Clavelina lepadiformis

The chemical investigation of the Mediterranean ascidian Clavelina lepadiformis has led to the isolation of a new lepadin, named lepadin L, and two known metabolites belonging to the same family, lepadins A and B. The planar structure and relative configuration of the decahydroquinoline ring of lepadin L were established both by means of HR-ESIMS and by a detailed as extensive analysis of 1D and 2D NMR spectra. Moreover, microscale derivatization of the new alkaloid lepadin L was performed to assess the relative configuration of the functionalized alkyl side chain. Lepadins A, B, and L were tested for their cytotoxic activity on a panel of cancer cell lines (human melanoma [A375], human breast [MDA-MB-468], human colon adenocarcinoma [HT29], human colorectal carcinoma [HCT116], and mouse myoblast [C2C12]). Interestingly, a deeper investigation into the mechanism of action of the most cytotoxic metabolite, lepadin A, on the A375 cells has highlighted its ability to induce a strongly inhibition of cell migration, G2/M phase cell cycle arrest and a dose-dependent decrease of cell clonogenity, suggesting that it is able to impair self-renewing capacity of A375 cells.     

Fusarium species and chemotypes associated with fusarium head blight and fusarium root rot on wheat in Sardinia

Environmental conditions in Sardinia (Tyrrhenian Islands) are conducive to fusarium root rot (FRR) and fusarium head blight (FHB). A monitoring survey on wheat was carried out from 2001 to 2013, investigating relations among these diseases and their causal agents. FHB was more frequently encountered in the most recent years while FRR was constantly present throughout the monitored period. By assessing the population composition of the causal agents as well as their genetic chemotypes and EF‐1α polymorphisms, the study examined whether the two diseases could be differentially associated to a species or a population. Fusarium culmorum chemotypes caused both diseases and were detected at different abundances (88% 3‐ADON, 12% NIV). Fusarium graminearum (15‐ADON genetic chemotype) appeared only recently (2013) and in few areas as the causal agent of FHB. In F. culmorum, two haplotypes were identified based on an SNP mutation located 34 bp after the first exon of the EF‐1α partial sequence (60% adenine, 40% thymine); the two populations did not segregate with the chemotype but the A‐haplotype was significantly associated with FRR in the Sardinian data set (P = 0·001), suggesting a possible fitness advantage of the A‐haplotype in the establishment of FRR that was neither dependent on the sampling location nor the sampling year. The SNP determining the Sardinian haplotype is distributed worldwide. The question whether the A‐haplotype segregates with characters facilitating FRR establishment will require further validation on a specifically sampled international data set.     

The genome of the African trypanosome Trypanosoma brucei

African trypanosomes cause human sleeping sickness and livestock trypanosomiasis in sub-Saharan Africa. We present the sequence and analysis of the 11 megabase-sized chromosomes of Trypanosoma brucei. The 26-megabase genome contains 9068 predicted genes, including approximately 900 pseudogenes and approximately 1700 T. brucei-specific genes. Large subtelomeric arrays contain an archive of 806 variant surface glycoprotein (VSG) genes used by the parasite to evade the mammalian immune system. Most VSG genes are pseudogenes, which may be used to generate expressed mosaic genes by ectopic recombination. Comparisons of the cytoskeleton and endocytic trafficking systems with those of humans and other eukaryotic organisms reveal major differences. A comparison of metabolic pathways encoded by the genomes of T. brucei, T. cruzi, and Leishmania major reveals the least overall metabolic capability in T. brucei and the greatest in L. major. Horizontal transfer of genes of bacterial origin has contributed to some of the metabolic differences in these parasites, and a number of novel potential drug targets have been identified.     

Modeling of urea degradation in white and rosé wines by acid urease

The specific activity of a whole cell acid urease preparation was tested in five wines manufactured in the Apulia region of Italy in the 2003 vintage at both short and long treatment times, thus confirming the validity of the pseudo-first-order kinetic model to describe urea removal in real wines. The ratio between the experimental pseudo-first-order kinetic rate constant (kIe) for any real wine tested and that (kI) referred to a model wine solution having the same composition and pH reduced from about 0.21 to 0.02 as the overall content of phenolic compounds (P) increased from 109 to 853 g m-3 of gallic acid equivalent (GAE). The specific inhibitory effect of such compounds was explained by accounting for the equilibrium constant (KP) of the reaction of polyphenols with acid urease, which was found to be about 21 g of GAE m-3 for the real wines tested, whereas it ranged from about 16 to 45 g of GAE m-3 when the model wine solution was enriched with tannins extracted from grape seeds or skins, respectively. A sequential experimental procedure consisting of accelerated acid urease tests at high doses of enzyme followed by accelerated ethyl carbamate tests on the resulting acid urease treated wine was recommended to assess preliminarily the technoeconomic feasibility of the acid urease hydrolytic process for the wine of concern. Keywords: Acid urease; real and model wines; phenolics; pseudo-first-order kinetic rate constant; inhibitory effect; urea degradation kinetics.     

Cone beam computed tomography in the diagnosis of temporomandibular joint alterations in cats

The aim of this study was to describe the use of cone beam computed tomography as an auxiliary method to diagnose changes to the temporomandibular joints in cats. We used five cats of various ages, breeds and genders that showed clinical signs consistent with changes in the temporomandibular joint. Cone beam computed tomography enables a complete and thorough examination of the temporomandibular joints by allowing the evaluation of selected images as a whole. It also enables the identification of all anatomical structures and any changes that may be present. The results showed that this method is effective in confirming or ruling out changes in the temporomandibular joint in cats, such as disjunctions of the palatine raphe; fractures of the mandibular symphisis, zygomatic bone and condylar; and dental resorption.     

Adaptation of the tropical hybrid Euphorbia × lomi Rauh to the exposure to the Mediterranean temperature extremes

Poysean (Euphorbia × lomi Rauh) has been introduced in the Mediterranean countries as an ornamental plant for indoor uses. When used outdoor, few information is available about its ability to withstand the Mediterranean temperature extremes. An experiment in an open stand was performed to evaluate poysean tolerance to the winter and summer temperatures of the thermo Mediterranean climate and its ornamental value for urban greening. Two genotypes of poysean (Nguen Muang, NM; and Soi Budsanin, SB) with similar bracts and flower colours were grown at either 2 or 3 plants per pot during 23 months. Number of flower racemes and leaves per plant and plant height were recorded monthly. Overall ornamental value of each pot was scored by means of a panel test (PT) performed by independent examiners. Score assignment was homogeneous between examiners. On average, NM showed a 36% lower number of flower racemes, but a 30% higher ornamental value than SB. During fall and beginning of the winter, NM showed a higher number of flower racemes per plant than SB. Increasing plant density from 2 to 3 plants per pot did not influence flower racemes and leaves per plant. From March to November of the second year, number of flower racemes in NM was similar to the first year, whereas SB flower production was markedly higher, which can be due to a genotypic difference to Mediterranean temperature tolerance. Correlation between number of flower racemes per pot and ornamental value was higher in SB than NM, which suggest that in NM flower abundance contribute less to the pot ornamental value. The present data suggest that poysean is able to withstand the Mediterranean temperature extremes and still produces flower racemes during winter, which indicate it as a suitable ornamental plant in outdoor applications.     

Time trend in reference evapotranspiration: analysis of a long series of agrometeorological measurements in Southern Italy

This study aims to evaluate the potential effects of the climatic variations on the reference evapotranspiration (ET₀) and, consequently, on the crop water requirements in the Apulian Tavoliere, one of the largest irrigated districts of Southern Italy. To reach this purpose, both climatic parameters (air temperature and rainfall) and estimated water requirements of ??processing?? tomato (among the most representative irrigated crops in the district since the mid-1970s and, therefore, chosen as a study-case) were analyzed in order to find out if a time trend exists or does not. The analysis covered the period from 1957 to 2008. The analysis showed that the rainfall amounts decreased (?3.4 mm per year in the analyzed period), while air temperature increased (0.18 °C and 0.25?°C per decade for minimum and maximum, respectively). As a consequence of the climatic variation during the considered period, a growth trend of the ET₀ (1.4 mm per year) and water deficit (3.2 mm per year) took place. As a consequence, the water amounts for irrigating the same crop in the considered period were growing. This increased consumption is in agreement with the perception of the farmers of the district but never documented. Through the FAO AquaCrop model, the tomato irrigation water requirements have been simulated during the considered period. The trend analysis of the seasonal evapotranspiration values simulated in 52 years confirmed the increase in tomato water requirements (0.7 mm per year).     

Modelling the event-based hydrological response of olive groves on steep slopes and clayey soils under mulching and tillage management using the SCS-CN,Horton and USLE-family models

The SCS-CN, Horton and USLE-family models are used worldwide, but few examples are available for olive groves on steep and clayey soils under mulching of pruning residues. We evaluate the accuracy in predicting runoff and soil loss of a steep (20%) and clayey olive grove subject to three soil conservation practices: mechanical tillage (MT), mulching with pruning residues (NTR) and standard protection (SP), measured at plot scale in Southern Italy during 30 months under natural rainfall. The models were calibrated by adjusting the Curve Numbers (for the SCS-CN model) and the C-factors (MUSLE and USLE-M); the Horton model was not calibrated. The model performance was assessed by qualitative and quantitative procedures. In all practices, the SCS-CN was more accurate for runoff predictions (mean difference of 7% compared with corresponding observations) compared with the Horton (mean difference of 30%). For soil erosion, the MUSLE showed better performance in soils subject to MT or total protection (differences lower than 10%), while the USLE-M was more reliable to simulate soil loss in mulched plots (differences of 8%). A set of Curve Numbers (95 for MT, 70 for SP and 85 for NTR) and C-factors (0.4 for MT, 0.2 for SP and 0.1 for NTR) are proposed for applications in steep slope and clayey soil olive orchards using the SCS-CN and USLE proposed models, respectively. Validation exercises in other environmental experimental conditions would enhance the export these models for runoff and erosion control in agricultural soils treated with mulching.     

High Rate Composting with Innovative Process Control

Despite the variety of composting plants present on the market, the design and operation of composting systems to improve the rate of the process and quality of end products are still an objective that has not been achieved. The composting process evolves through a thermophilic phase followed by a mesophilic one. The metabolism of microorganisms involved in the process is deeply disturbed by environmental changes like temperature, oxygen level and moisture. The aim of this study was to carry out a composting process in two separate reactors: the first, only in the thermophilic phase, with the purpose of pathogen destruction and decomposition by selected thermophilic microorganisms; the second, only in the mesophilic phase, to perform the main microbial transformations with a higher rate of volatile solids destruction. The results confirmed that maintaining constant the main parameters which affect the process, the microbial activity is enhanced. In the two-phase process, the evolution of parameters like moisture, organic carbon, humified organic matter, organic N, C/N and germination index (phytotoxicity) is more rapid relative to the single phase process. Also pathogen destruction is improved with the complete elimination of Faecal coliforms and Enterobacteriaceae and with a stronger reduction of Faecal streptococci.     

Profile of fatty acid lipid fractions of omega-3 fatty acid-enriched table eggs

The omega-3 fatty acid (FA) enrichment of yolk is a key means one of the main objectives to improve the nutraceutical properties of eggs. We evaluated the effect of the dietary inclusion of extruded linseed fed to laying hens on the fatty acid composition of the polar and non-polar lipid classes of the eggs. Two groups of 36 Lohmann White Leghorn layers (65 weeks old) were each fed one of two different diets for a period of 12 weeks. The two diets consisted of a conventional cereal-based diet concentrate (C) and a diet concentrate containing 5% linseed (L). The inclusion of linseed in the diet increased the content of α-linolenic (C18:3n-3), eicosapentaenoic (C20:5n-3) and docosahexaenoic (C22:6n-3) acids in neutral lipids, while a concomitant decrease in arachidonic acid (C20:4n-6) was observed. As regards the polar fraction, the fatty acid composition was slightly affected by the dietary treatments except for C18:0 (+1.14 fold), C18:2n-6 (+1.23 fold), C18:3n-3 (+2.8 fold) and C22:6n-3 (+1.41 fold). Principal component analysis demonstrated that very long-chain FAs were more representative of polar lipids, except for C20:5n-3, while neutral lipids were characterized by dietary n-3 FA (C18:3n-3).