Synthesis and preliminary biological characterization of a new potential I-Radioligand for dopamine and serotonin receptors

The synthesis and a preliminary biological characterization of a new class of N-benzyl-aminoalcohols which have serotonin (5-HT₂) and dopamine (D₂) receptor affinity is described. In vitro competition binding studies were conducted with the new molecules and ³H-spiperone on crude membrane preparation from rat striatum and frontal cortex. One of these compounds, 3-benzylamino-1-(4-fluoro-2-iodophenyl)-propan-1-ol (6f), whose IC₅₀ values are in the micromolar range for both the D₂ and 5-HT₂ receptors, was prepared in iodine-125 labelled form (6i) by nucleophilic substitution of the bromine atom of 3-benzylamino-1-(2-bromo-4-fluorophenyl)-propan-1-ol (6d). In the in vivo studies, conducted on rats, the radiolabelled molecule 6i shows a good capacity to cross the blood–brain barrier (BBB) with a mean value of first pass cerebral extraction (E) of ca. 50% when the regional cerebral blood flow, measured with microsphere technique, is in the experimental animal's physiologic range (0.8–1 mL/min/g). A preliminary in vitro autoradiographic distribution on coronal rat brain slices of the radioiodinated molecule showed that it was preferentially localized in the striatum and in the cerebral regions rich in dopamine- and serotonin receptors, even if a high non-specific binding was observed.     

Chloroplast fine structure in the japonica-2 maize mutant exposed to continuous illumination. 2. The white tissues.

Exposure to continuous illumination causes an enhancement of thylakoid swelling in the mesophyll chloroplasts of the white tissues of the japonica-2 maize mutant. In the bundle sheath plastids the effects of continuous illumination are striking and intriguing, because a regular honeycomb-like fret of membranes is formed from a provesicular body. No interpretation of this fret of membranes is, at present, possible.     

High‐Throughput DNA sequencing of ancient wood

Reconstructing the colonization and demographic dynamics that gave rise to extant forests is essential to forecasts of forest responses to environmental changes. Classical approaches to map how population of trees changed through space and time largely rely on pollen distribution patterns, with only a limited number of studies exploiting DNA molecules preserved in wooden tree archaeological and subfossil remains. Here, we advance such analyses by applying high‐throughput (HTS) DNA sequencing to wood archaeological and subfossil material for the first time, using a comprehensive sample of 167 European white oak waterlogged remains spanning a large temporal (from 550 to 9,800 years) and geographical range across Europe. The successful characterization of the endogenous DNA and exogenous microbial DNA of 140 (~83%) samples helped the identification of environmental conditions favouring long‐term DNA preservation in wood remains, and started to unveil the first trends in the DNA decay process in wood material. Additionally, the maternally inherited chloroplast haplotypes of 21 samples from three periods of forest human‐induced use (Neolithic, Bronze Age and Middle Ages) were found to be consistent with those of modern populations growing in the same geographic areas. Our work paves the way for further studies aiming at using ancient DNA preserved in wood to reconstruct the micro‐evolutionary response of trees to climate change and human forest management.     

Tree seedling response to LED spectra: implications for forest restoration

We found that different spectra, provided by light-emitting diodes or a fluorescent lamp, caused different photomorphological responses depending on tree seedling type (coniferous or broad-leaved), species, seedling development stage, and seedling fraction (shoot or root). For two conifers (Picea abies and Pinus sylvestris) soon after germination (≤40 days), more seedling growth was related to a lower ratio of red-to-far-red (R:FR) light. As growth continued to 120 days, spectra with a greater complement of blue light yielded more growth. Roots showed more plasticity to light spectra than shoots. In general for the evergreen broad-leaved Quercus ilex, spectra with additional R:FR than for conifers yielded more growth in the first 57 days. Subsequently as seedlings grew, shoot growth appeared to be influenced less by light source than roots, with root length showing the greatest responses. Our results suggest that manipulating light spectra to foster desired seedling traits may be another tool for use in the production of high-quality seedlings as defined through the Target Plant Concept. Such seedlings are needed for restoration of the two billion hectares of degraded forestland, especially on harsh sites such as those found in the Mediterranean region, and to sequester carbon to mitigate climate change.     

Interleukin 1 in oviductal tissues of viviparous, oviparous, and ovuliparous species of amphibians

In previous reports, we have shown that interleukin 1 (IL1), a cytokine associated with implantation in mice, is also expressed in reproductive tissues of viviparous squamate reptiles and cartilaginous fishes. In the present study, we investigated the expression of IL1B and its functional membrane receptor type I (IL1R1) in amphibians, a class of vertebrates that is characterized by different reproductive modes, including internal and external fertilization. In particular, we investigated the oviductal tissues of the aplacental viviparous Salamandra lanzai, the oviparous Triturus carnifex, and the ovuliparous Bufo bufo. In immunohistochemistry with anti-human IL1B and IL1R1 polyclonal antibodies we found that in S. lanzai, most cells in the uterine mucosa were immunoreactive for IL1B and IL1R1. In T. carnifex, IL1B and IL1R1 were present in ciliated luminal cells, and there was evidence of IL1B in glandular cells. In B. bufo, the expression of IL1B and IL1R1 was limited to the apical cytoplasm of the ciliated oviductal cells. Western blot analysis showed that a putative mature form of IL1B, similar to that seen in mammals, was present in the oviductal tissues of S. lanzai, whereas different forms, which probably correspond to an inactive pro-IL1B protein, were found in T. carnifex and B. bufo. A band that corresponded to the predicted 80-kDa human IL1R1 was found in S. lanzai and T. carnifex. Although the present study shows that IL1B and IL1R1 expression occurs in all reproductive modes, the differential expression patterns noted between ovuliparity and oviparity and viviparity may reflect the different roles of IL1 in the various reproductive modes.     

Animal xenodiversity in Italian inland waters: distribution, modes of arrival, and pathways

The paper provides a list of the non-indigenous animal species occurring today in Italian inland waters. Xenodiversity was found to amount to 112 species (64 invertebrates and 48 vertebrates), which contribute for about 2% to the inland-water fauna in Italy. Northern and central regions are most affected, and Asia, North America, and the rest of Europe are the main donor continents. The large majority of non-indigenous species entered Italy as a direct or indirect effect of human intervention. A difference between invertebrates and vertebrates was found for their mode of arrival (unintentional for invertebrates and intentional for vertebrates). Accidental transport, in association with both fish (for aquaculture or stock enhancement) and crops, has been the main vector of invertebrate introductions, whereas vertebrates were mostly released for stocking purposes. Overall stock enhancement (47.92%) and culture (37.5%) prevailed over the other pathways. Seventeen and 7 species of our list are included among the 100 worst invasive species of Europe (DAISIE) and of the world (IUCN), respectively. For some (but not all) non-indigenous species recorded in Italy the multilevel impact exerted on the recipient communities and ecosystems is known, even if rarely quantified, but knowledge on their chronic impact is still missing. Additional research is needed to provide criteria for prioritizing intervention against well established invaders and identify which new potential invader should be targeted as “unwanted”.     

Hominoid chromosomal rearrangements on 17q map to complex regions of segmental duplication

Background  

Chromosomal rearrangements, such as translocations and inversions, are recurrent phenomena during evolution, and both of them are involved in reproductive isolation and speciation. To better understand the molecular basis of chromosome rearrangements and their part in karyotype evolution, we have investigated the history of human chromosome 17 by comparative fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and sequence analysis.