High genetic diversity detected in the endemic Primula apennina Widmer (Primulaceae) using ISSR fingerprinting

Primula apennina Widmer is endemic to the North Apennines (Italy). ISSR were used to detect the genetic diversity within and among six populations representative of the species distribution range. High levels of genetic diversity were revealed both at population percentage of polymorphic band (PPB = 75.92%, H _S = 0.204, H _pop = 0.319) and at species level (PPB = 96.95%, H _T = 0.242, H _sp = 0.381). Nei gene diversity statistics (15.7%), Shannon diversity index (16.3%) and AMOVA (14%) detected a moderate level of interpopulation diversity. Principal coordinate and Bayesian analyses clustered the populations in three major groups along a geographic gradient. The correlation between genetic and geographic distances was positive (Mantel test, r = 0.232). All together, these analyses revealed a weak but significant spatial genetic structure in P. apennina, with gene flow acting as a homogenizing force that prevents a stronger differentiation of populations. Conservation measures are suggested based on the observed pattern of genetic variability.     

Isolation and expression analysis of low temperature-induced genes in white poplar (Populus alba)

Poplar is an important crop and a model system to understand molecular processes of growth, development and responses to environmental stimuli in trees. In this study, we analyzed gene expression in white poplar (Populus alba) plants subjected to chilling. Two forward suppression-subtractive-hybridization libraries were constructed from P. alba plants exposed to low non-freezing temperature for 6 or 48 h. Hundred and sixty-two cDNAs, 54 from the 6-h library and 108 from the 48-h library, were obtained. Isolated genes belonged to six categories of genes, specifically those that: (i) encode stress and defense proteins; (ii) are involved in signal transduction; (iii) are related to regulation of gene expression; (iv) encode proteins involved in cell cycle and DNA processing; (v) encode proteins involved in metabolism and energetic processes; and (vi) are involved in protein fate.Different expression patterns at 3, 6, 12, 24, 48 h at 4 °C and after a recovery of 24 h at 20 °C were observed for isolated genes, as expected according to the class in which the gene putatively belongs. Forty-four of 162 genes contained DRE/LTRE cis-elements in the 5′ proximal promoter of their orthologs in Populus trichocarpa, suggesting that they putatively belong to the CBF regulon. The results contribute new data to the list of possible candidate genes involved in cold response in poplar.     

Effect of radiofrequency electromagnetic field exposure on in vitro models of neurodegenerative disease

In this work we tested viability, proliferation, and vulnerability of neural cells, after continuous radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic fields exposure (global system for mobile telecommunications (GSM) modulated 900 MHz signal at a specific absorption rate (SAR) of 1 W/kg and maximum duration 144 h) generated by transverse electromagnetic cells. We used two cellular systems, SN56 cholinergic for example, SN56 cholinergic cell line and rat primary cortical neurons, and well‐known neurotoxic challenges, such as glutamate, 25‐35AA beta‐amyloid, and hydrogen peroxide. Exposure to RF did not change viability/proliferation rate of the SN56 cholinergic cells or viability of cortical neurons. Co‐exposure to RF exacerbated neurotoxic effect of hydrogen peroxide in SN56, but not in primary cortical neurons, whereas no cooperative effects of RF with glutamate and 25‐35AA beta‐amyloid were found. These data suggest that only under particular circumstances exposure to GSM modulated, 900 MHz signal act as a co‐stressor for oxidative damage of neural cells. Bioelectromagnetics 30:564–572, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Testosterone action on erythropoiesis does not require its aromatization to estrogen: Insights from the testosterone and estrogen treatment of two aromatase-deficient men

Androgens act on erythropoiesis, but the relative role of testosterone (T) and estradiol (E₂) on erythropoietic parameters in men is a poorly investigated issue. In order to evaluate separately the effects on erythropoiesis of high-dose T administration alone and of physiological dose of E₂ administration alone two adult men with aromatase deficiency were assessed before and during each treatment. Blood cell count, hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Hct), erythrocyte mean cell volume (MCV), erythrocyte mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), erythrocyte mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), serum ferritin, iron and total iron-binding capacity (TIBC), serum erythropoietin, serum total testosterone and estradiol were evaluated. Hb, Hct and red cell count rose during testosterone treatment, consistently with the increase in circulating testosterone, but failed to increase during estradiol treatment. A decrease in Hb, Hct and red cell count was recorded in one of the two subjects during estradiol treatment, with a concomitant decrease in serum testosterone. Circulating T alone is capable of and sufficient to influence erythropoiesis, especially at supraphysiological dosage, while circulating E₂ have not the same effect on erythropoietic parameters, suggesting the hypothesis that the erythropoietic changes induced by androgens are not mediated via its aromatization to estrogens.     

Sensitivity of Aedes aegypti adults (Diptera: Culicidae) to the vapors of Eucalyptus essential oils

Vapors of essential oils extracted from various species of Eucalyptus (E. gunnii, E. tereticornis, E. grandis, E. camaldulensis, E. dunnii, E. cinerea, E. saligna, E. sideroxylon, E. globulus ssp. globulus, E. globulus ssp. maidenii, E. viminalis and the hybrids E. grandis × E. tereticornis and E. grandis × E. camaldulensis) and their major components were found to be toxic to Aedes aegypti adults, the yellow fever mosquito.An aliquot of each oil was placed in a cylindrical test chamber and the number of knocked-down mosquitoes was recorded as function of time. Knockdown time 50% was then calculated. Results showed that E. viminalis had the fastest knockdown time at of 4.2 min, on the same order as dichlorvos, a standard knockdown agent. A correlation was observed between the content of 1,8-cineole in the Eucalyptus essential oils and the corresponding toxic effect.The correlation between KT₅₀ values and calculated vapor pressures of the essential oil components showed that the fumigant activity of simple organic compounds in insects is correlated with their volatility.     

Chemical and microbiological characteristics of rice husk bedding having distinct depths and used for growing–finishing swine

This study compared the effects of different bedding depths on the chemical and microbiological characteristics of the bedding material used to raise pigs during growing and finishing. The experiment was conducted in two pens housing 5 pigs from 60 to 145 days of age, with rice husk beddings 0.50 or 0.25 m deep. Four lots of pigs (replicates) were raised over time in each bedding depth: each bedding was used by two consecutive lots. Bedding samples were collected quarterly to determine the most probable number (MPN) of thermophilic and mesophilic bacteria, fungi and actinomycetes. Contents of N, P, K, C, organic, mineral and dry matter, C:N ratio and pH were also determined. The MPN of thermophilic bacteria was higher for the 0.50 m than for the 0.25 m bedding (p < 0.05). The compost of 0.25 m deep bedding had a higher N, P and K content than that from the 0.50 m bedding (p < 0.05). Thus, the use of the 0.25 m deep bedding would be recommended due to its greater agronomical value in comparison with the deeper bedding.     

Novel N-hydroxybenzamide-based HDAC inhibitors with branched CAP group

Ongoing effort to gather further knowledge about the structural requirements on histone deacetylase inhibitors led to the synthesis of novel N-hydroxybenzamide-based HDAC inhibitors 1a–o, introducing branched hydrophobic groups at the capping group, and their inhibition activity against HDACs and anti-proliferation activity in four tumor cell lines were determined. Compounds 1j–o were further tested against recombinant human HDAC1 and HDAC4 to evaluate their selectivity profile. This work further suggests that the chemical nature of the capping group is critical for subtle discrimination between the class I and the class II HDAC isoforms.     

Soluble polyphenols: Synthesis and bioavailability of 3,4′,5-tri(α-d-glucose-3-O-succinyl) resveratrol

We report the development of a chemical modification method of general applicability to polyphenols, which increases solubility to influence absorption. Glucosyl groups were added to the resveratrol kernel via a succinate linker, yielding 3,4′,5-tri-(α-d-glucose-3-O-succinyl) resveratrol. The construct was only slowly hydrolyzed in acid and at pH 6.8, but it was destroyed by blood esterases in less than 1 h. In rats its administration resulted in a blood concentration versus time curve shifted to longer times in comparison to resveratrol, a useful modulation of pharmacokinetics. The area-under-curve parameter and the metabolite mix were similar to those of resveratrol. The method may be advantageously employed to solubilize other polyphenols and to make them more palatable.     

The coiled coil-helix-coiled coil-helix proteins may be redox proteins

A number of nuclear encoded proteins are imported in to the intermembrane space of mitochondria where they adopt a coiled coil-helix-coiled coil-helix (CHCH) fold. Two disulfide bonds formed by twin CX₃C or CX₉C motifs stabilize this fold. Some of these proteins are also characterized at their N-termini by the presence of two additional cysteine residues which can perform oxidoreductase or metallochaperone functions or both. This fold represents the most ‘minimal’ oxidoreductase domain described so far.