Substrate contribution on free radical scavenging capacity of carotenoid extracts produced from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Blakeslea trispora</Emphasis> cultures

Blakeslea trispora produces carotenoids mixtures consisting mainly of lycopene, γ-carotene and β-carotene, together with trace amounts of other carotenoid precursors. The yield of these carotenoids and their composition are greatly affected by culture substrate. The scavenging capacity of carotenoids extract from cultures of B. trispora growing in various substrates was estimated using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl method. Fractions enriched in β-carotene, γ-carotene and lycopene, obtained after column chromatography in alumina basic II, were also examined. Substrates containing starch and oils mixture, Ni²⁺, and that with pantothenic acid presented higher antioxidant activity. An increase in the antioxidant activity of the crude carotenoid extract compared to that of the isolated fractions enriched in β-carotene, γ-carotene and lycopene respectively, observed in most samples, indicated a possible synergistic effect. The results are of interest and by expanding this study to more substrates and other microorganisms- producing antioxidants, a formulation of extract with high free radical scavenging potential could be produced.     

Sunbathing,a possible risk factor of murine typhus infection in Greece

BackgroundThere are few studies about the presence of murine typhus in Greece. Our objective was to conduct a large scale retrospective investigation to determine the clinical and epidemiological features of patients diagnosed with murine typhus in Greece.Methodology/Principal findingsFrom 2012 to 2019 serum samples from hospitalized patients and outpatients throughout Greece suspected for murine typhus infection were tested by immunofluorescence assay for Rickettsia typhi. Immunofluorescence positive samples obtained since 2016 were also tested by qPCR targeting R. typhi. Clinical and epidemiological data were retrospectively collected for the patients with confirmed murine typhus. Overall, we tested 5,365 different patients and, in total, 174 patients from all geographic regions of Greece were diagnosed with murine typhus. The most frequently reported sign or symptom was fever (89%), followed by headache (84%) and rash (81%). The classical triad of fever, headache, and rash was present in 72% of patients during their illness. Severe infections with complications including acute renal failure or septic shock were not recorded. The majority of cases (81%) occurred during May–October and peaked in June and September. Most of patients (81%) infected in Athens, recalled that their only activity the last weeks before symptoms onset was swimming on the beach and 59% of them also reported an insect bite while sunbathing.Conclusions/SignificanceOur results may reflect the reemergence of murine typhus in Greece and we highlight the importance of awareness of this difficult-to-recognize undifferentiated febrile illness.     

Association between Low‐Molecular Weight Apolipoprotein(a) Isoforms and Obesity in Italian Women

Objective: Low‐molecular weight (MW) apolipoprotein(a) [apo(a)] isoforms are closely associated with an increased incidence of atherothrombotic disease, prevalence of which is higher in obese individuals, particularly in women. The hypothesis of this study was to assess whether there are differences in the distribution of apo(a) phenotypes between obese patients and healthy controls. Research Methods and Procedures: One hundred three obese Italian women (BMI ≥ 30.0 kg/m²) were enrolled in the study, and apo(a) phenotyping was performed in all subjects. The prevalence of low‐MW apo(a) isoforms, detected in plasma samples of our obese women, was compared with that found in a control group of 84 normal‐weight, never‐obese (BMI < 25.0 kg/m²), age‐matched women. Results: The distribution of apo(a) isoforms in the population of obese women was significantly different from that found in normal‐weight female subjects. In particular, the percentage of subjects in the obese group with at least one apo(a) isoform of low MW was significantly higher than that in the control group (51.4% vs. 32.1%, p = 0.0079). Discussion: Our results seem to suggest the possibility that small‐sized apo(a) isoforms may be used together with other traditional risk factors to better assess the overall predisposition to atherothrombotic disease in obese women.     

Does fragmented river connectivity alter the reproductive behavior of the potamodromous fish Alburnus vistonicus?

Blocked riverine spawning migration routes constitute one of the main threats of potamodromous fish that require well-connected habitats of high quality to maintain their unique life-history form. Alburnus vistonicus, a potamodromous species inhabiting the Vistonis freshwater system in northern Greece, manages to cope with wide salinity fluctuations in Vistonis Lake, but the impact of the fragmented connectivity of the lake’s two main freshwater suppliers, Kosynthos and Kompsatos rivers, has not been assessed. We analyzed the species whole reproductive cycle and we divided it into phases. Cyclicity was observed in gonadosomatic index and oocyte diameter, while total fecundity remained constant prior to the onset of the spawning season. Stomach fullness and condition factor differed among the surveyed habitats. Successful spawning and multiple spawning were verified, as well as spawning migration and potamodromy. However, mature females with markers of recent spawning activity were captured also in the lake, suggesting spawning occurrence in the lake or a previously undocumented oscillatory behavior between the lake and the rivers during the spawning season and between sequential spawning events. Either behavior may serve as a mechanism to overcome the restricted spawning migration routes due to the fragmented river connectivity.

     

Small heat shock proteins in ageing and age-related diseases

Small heat shock proteins (sHSPs) are gatekeepers of cellular homeostasis across species, preserving proteome integrity under stressful conditions. Nonetheless, recent evidence suggests that sHSPs are more than molecular chaperones with merely auxiliary role. In contrast, sHSPs have emerged as central lifespan determinants, and their malfunction has been associated with the manifestation of neurological disorders, cardiovascular disease and cancer malignancies. In this review, we focus on the role of sHSPs in ageing and age-associated diseases and highlight the most prominent paradigms, where impairment of sHSP function has been implicated in human pathology.