Studio preliminare sulla tipologia della vegetazione sommersa del Canale di Sicilia e isole vicine

Abstract

Preliminary studies on the marine phythobenthic communities in the Straits of Sicily and adjacent islands. — The results of algological researches carried out by the Gruppo di Algologia of the S.B.I. in the Straits of Sicily and adjacent islands are reported. 288 species have been collected, 275 of which have been identified: 160 were Rhodophyta, 62 Phaeophyta, 32 Chlorophyta, 16 Cyanophyta and 2 Angiospermae. The vegetational research leads to the following conclusions: 1 - the harbour areas (Pantelleria, Malta: loc. 1 and 11) show a nitrophile vegetation, particulary near La Valletta where an almost pure population of Pterocladia pinnata is found; 2 - there are important biogeographical differences between Pelagie islands (Lampedusa, Linosa) and Pantelleria. In fact the former ones have an algal flora composed mostly of eastern mediterranean species, whilst the latter shows strong affinities with the north-african basin, as is demonstrated by the rich well developed belt of Cystoseira sedoides; 3 - several species of atlantic origin, such as Callophyllis laciniata, Peyssonnelia coriacea, P. inamoena and Castagnea chordariaeformis, have been found on the banks (loc. 3, 6, 7).     

Are Rod Outer Segment ATP-ase and ATP-Synthase Activity Expression of the Same Protein?

Vertebrate retinal rod outer segments (OS) consist of a stack of disks surrounded by the plasma membrane, where phototransduction takes place. Energetic metabolism in rod OS remains obscure. Literature described a so-called Mg²⁺-dependent ATPase activity, while our previous results demonstrated the presence of oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) in OS, sustained by an ATP synthetic activity. Here we propose that the OS ATPase and ATP synthase are the expression of the same protein, i.e., of F₁F_o-ATP synthase. Imaging on bovine retinal sections showed that some OXPHOS proteins are expressed in the OS. Biochemical data on bovine purified rod OS, characterized for purity, show an ATP synthase activity, inhibited by classical F₁F_o-ATP synthase inhibitors. Moreover, OS possess a pH-dependent ATP hydrolysis, inhibited by pH values below 7, suggestive of the functioning of the inhibitor of F1 (IF1) protein. WB confirmed the presence of IF1 in OS, substantiating the expression of F₁F_o ATP synthase in OS. Data suggest that the OS F₁Fo ATP synthase is able to hydrolyze or synthesize ATP, depending on in vitro or in vivo conditions and that the role of IF1 would be pivotal in the prevention of the reversal of ATP synthase in OS, for example during hypoxia, granting photoreceptor survival.     

Vgamma9/Vdelta2 T lymphocytes in Italian patients with Behçet's disease: evidence for expansion,and tumour necrosis factor receptor II and interleukin-12 receptor beta1 expression in active disease

Beh?et's disease is a multisystem disease in which there is evidence of immunological dysregulation. It has been proposed that gamma/delta T cells are involved in its pathogenesis. The aim of the present study was to assess the capacity of gamma/delta T cells with phenotype Vgamma9/Vdelta2, from a group of Italian patients with Beh?et's disease, to proliferate in the presence of various phosphoantigens and to express tumour necrosis factor (TNF) and IL-12 receptors. Twenty-five patients and 45 healthy individuals were studied. Vgamma9/Vdelta2 T cells were analyzed by fluorescence activated cell sorting, utilizing specific monoclonal antibodies. For the expansion of Vgamma9/Vdelta2 T cells, lymphocytes were cultured in the presence of various phosphoantigens. The expression of TNF receptor II and IL-12 receptor beta1 was evaluated with the simultaneous use of anti-TNF receptor II phycoerythrin-labelled (PE) or anti-IL-12 receptor beta1 PE and anti-Vdelta2 T-cell receptor fluorescein isothiocyanate. There was a certain hierarchy in the response of Vgamma9/Vdelta2 T cells toward the different phosphoantigens, with the highest expansion factor obtained with dimethylallyl pyrophosphate and the lowest with xylose 1P. The expansion factor was fivefold greater in patients with active disease than in those with inactive disease or in control individuals. TNF receptor II and IL-12 receptor beta1 expressions were increased in both patients and control individuals. The proportion of Vgamma9/Vdelta2 T cells bearing these receptors was raised in active disease when Vgamma9/Vdelta2 T cells were cultured in the presence of dimethylallyl pyrophosphate. These results indicate that Vgamma9/Vdelta2 T cell activation is correlated with disease progression and probably involved in the pathogenesis.     

Euphorbia characias Latex Amine Oxidase and Peroxidase: Interacting Enzymes?

This minireview deals the enzymatic transformation of some amino acids as arginine and ornithine, amines as tyramine, putrescine, spermine and spermidine, and other substances as nitric oxide and thiocyanate. These reactions, catalyzed by two proteins purified from the latex of Euphorbia characias, a copper/quinone containing amine oxidase and a cationic peroxidase, show enzymatic activity interactions probably occurring between these proteins in Euphorbia latex.     

Depression Dimensions: Integrating Clinical Signs and Symptoms from the Perspectives of Clinicians and Patients

Background

Several studies have recognized that depression is a multidimensional construct, although the scales that are currently available have been shown to be limited in terms of the ability to investigate the multidimensionality of depression. The objective of this study is to integrate information from instruments that measure depression from different perspectives–a self-report symptomatic scale, a clinician-rated scale, and a clinician-rated scale of depressive signs–in order to investigate the multiple dimensions underlying the depressive construct.

Methods

A sample of 399 patients from a mood disorders outpatient unit was investigated with the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS), and the Core Assessment of Psychomotor Change (CORE). Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) were used to investigate underlying dimensions of depression, including item level analysis with factor loadings and item thresholds.

Results

A solution of six depression dimensions has shown good-fit to the data, with no cross-loading items, and good interpretability. Item-level analysis revealed that the multidimensional depressive construct might be organized into a continuum of severity in the following ascending order: sexual, cognitive, insomnia, appetite, non-interactiveness/motor retardation, and agitation.

Conclusion

An integration of both signs and symptoms, as well as the perspectives of clinicians and patients, might be a good clinical and research alternative for the investigation of multidimensional issues within the depressive syndrome. As predicted by theoretical models of depression, the melancholic aspects of depression (non-interactiveness/motor retardation and agitation) lie at the severe end of the depressive continuum.     

Nutrigerontology: a key for achieving successful ageing and longevity

During the last two centuries the average lifespan has increased at a rate of approximately 3 months/year in both sexes, hence oldest old people are becoming the population with the fastest growth in Western World. Although the average life expectancy is increasing dramatically, the healthy lifespan is not going at the same pace. This underscores the importance of studies on the prevention of age-related diseases, in order to satisfactorily decrease the medical, economic and social problems associated to advancing age, related to an increased number of individuals not autonomous and affected by invalidating pathologies. In particular, data from experimental studies in model organisms have consistently shown that nutrient signalling pathways are involved in longevity, affecting the prevalence of age-related loss of function, including age-related diseases. Accordingly, nutrigerontology is defined as the scientific discipline that studies the impact of nutrients, foods, macronutrient ratios, and diets on lifespan, ageing process, and age-related diseases. To discuss the potential relevance of this new science in the attainment of successful ageing and longevity, three original studies performed in Sicily with local foods and two reviews have been assembled in this series. Data clearly demonstrate the positive effects of nutraceuticals, functional foods and Mediterranean Diet on several biological parameters. In fact, they could represent a prevention for many age-related diseases, and, although not a solution for this social plague, at least a remedy to alleviate it. Thus, the possibility to create a dietary pattern, based on the combined strategy of the use of both nutraceuticals and functional foods should permit to create a new therapeutic strategy, based not only on a specific bioactive molecule or on a specific food but on a integrated approach that, starting from the local dietary habits, can be led to a “nutrafunctional diet” applicable worldwide.