The genus Pyrus L. (Rosaceae) in south-west Europe and North Afkica

A multivariate morphometric study of the genus Pyrus in south-west Europe and North Africa shows that five species may be recognized in the area: P. bourgaeana Decne., P. communis L., P. cordata Dew., P. spinosa Forssk, and P. nivalis Jacq. Some valuable characters for identification of these species are proposed. In particular the width of fruit peduncle, petal size, leaf width and petiole length served to discriminate the taxa. Several names such as P. gharbiona Trab., P. cossonii Rehder (|M= P. longipes Balansa ex Coss. & Durieu) and P. boisseriana Buhse, are regarded as synonyms of P. cordata , while P. marnormis Trab. of P. bourgaeana. Consequently a check-list and a key to these species are provided.     

VvPIP2;4N aquaporin involvement in controlling leaf hydraulic capacitance and resistance in grapevine

Hydraulic capacitance (C) in a plant tissue buffers the xylem tension, storing and releasing water and has been highlighted in recent years as an important factor that affects water relations such as drought tolerance and embolism formation. Aquaporins (AQPs) are well known to control leaf hydraulic resistance (Rh) but their role in the control of C is unknown. Here, we assess Rh and C on detached grapevines wild‐type (WT) (cv. Brachetto) leaves and over‐expressing the aquaporin gene VvPIP2;4N (OE). For this purpose, we developed a new method inspired from the pressure‐volume curve technique and the rehydration‐kinetic‐method, which allowed us to monitor the dynamics of dehydration and rehydration in the same leaf. The recovery after dehydration was measured in dark, light non‐transpirative conditions, light‐transpirative conditions and light‐transpirative condition adding abscisic acid. Pressurizing to dehydrate leaves in the OE line, the recorded Rh and C were respectively lower and higher than those in the WT. The same results were obtained in the dark recovery by rehydration treatment. In the presence of light, either when leaves transpired or not (by depressing vapor pressure deficit), the described effects disappeared. The change in Rh and C did not affect the kinetics of desiccation of detached leaves in dark in air, in OE plants compared to WT ones. Our study highlighted that both Rh and C were influenced by the constitutive over‐expression of VvPIP2;4N. The effect of AQPs on C is reported here for the first time and may involve a modulation of cell reflection coefficient.     

Analysis of the DNA Interaction of Copper Compounds Belonging to the Casiopeínas® Antitumoral Series

Casiopeínas® are mixed-chelate copper complexes with antitumor tested potential. Their activity, both in vitro and in vivo, as antiproliferative, cytotoxic, and genotoxic drugs has been assessed. Biological results of these copper compounds have deserved some of them entering clinical trials. Significant efforts have been devoted to the in-depth identification of their mechanism of action. Using gel electrophoresis analysis, we have previously shown that the interaction of the Casiopeínas® Cas II-gly, [Cu(4,7-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline)(glycinate)]NO₃ with DNA, triggers the cleavage of the biomolecule by a free radical mechanism. In this work, we further study the behavior of different complexes of the same Casiopeínas® series also including glycinate as co-ligand {Cas VI-gly (5,6 dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline glycinato copper(II) nitrate), Cas VII-gly (1,10-phenanthroline glycinato copper(II) nitrate), and Cas IX-gly (2,2′-bipyridine glycinato copper(II) nitrate)} and of a Casiopeínas® with a different co-ligand (Cas III-Cs; 4,7-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline salicylaldehydato-copper(II) nitrate). While all of them produce DNA degradation, the performance in the presence of a radical scavenger suggests the existence of differences in their mechanism of interaction with DNA.     

Consuming More of Daily Caloric Intake at Dinner Predisposes to Obesity. A 6-Year Population-Based Prospective Cohort Study

Background/Objectives

It has been hypothesized that assuming most of the caloric intake later in the day leads to metabolic disadvantages, but few studies are available on this topic. Aim of our study was to prospectively examine whether eating more of the daily caloric intake at dinner leads to an increased risk of obesity, hyperglycemia, metabolic syndrome, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

Subjects/Methods

1245 non-obese, non-diabetic middle-aged adults from a population-based cohort underwent a 3-day food record questionnaire at enrollment. Anthropometric values, blood pressure, blood metabolic variables, and estimated liver fat were measured at baseline and at 6-year follow-up.

Design

Prospective cohort study.

Results

Subjects were divided according to tertiles of percent daily caloric intake at dinner. A significant increase in the incidence rate of obesity (from 4.7 to 11.4%), metabolic syndrome (from 11.1 to 16.1%), and estimated NAFLD (from 16.5 to 23.8%) was observed from the lower to higher tertile. In a multiple logistic regression model adjusted for multiple covariates, subjects in the highest tertile showed an increased risk of developing obesity (OR = 2.33; 95% CI 1.17–4.65; p = 0.02), metabolic syndrome (OR = 1.52; 95% CI 1.01–2.30; p = 0.04), and NAFLD (OR = 1.56; 95% CI 1.10–2.22; p = 0.01).

Conclusions

Consuming more of the daily energy intake at dinner is associated with an increased risk of obesity, metabolic syndrome, and NAFLD.