Vocalizations and morphology: interpreting the divergence among populations of Chough Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax and Alpine Chough P. graculus

Capsule Differences in vocalizations among populations are mostly explained on morphological bases, but historical factors may have played a significant role in differentiation processes.

Aims To investigate the relationships among vocal and morphological variation in two corvids: Chough and Alpine Chough.

Methods We used data from 11 populations of Chough and seven populations of Alpine Chough spanning the Palearctic distribution of the two species. Three data sets (morphometry, spectrotemporal parameters of trill calls and acoustic repertoire) were analysed and their variation compared with uni- and multivariate techniques.

Results In both species, morphological differences among populations were correlated to spectro-temporal variation of trills; in particular, frequencies of calls were negatively correlated to wing length (an indicator of body size). By considering only co-existing populations of the two species, the magnitude of morphological and spectrotemporal divergence was similar.

Conclusions In both species, birds from populations with similar morphology uttered similar call types and trills with close spectrotemporal features. In particular, larger-sized populations, as expressed by wing length, emitted lower pitched calls. However, the fact that dissimilarities in repertoire and morphology were correlated cannot be explained only by appealing to functional explanations, as the observed intraspecific morphological variability does not seem to be high enough to promote consistent changes in the pool of calls. In this case, historical factors might have contributed to the present pattern of differentiation.     

A class of pyrrole derivatives endowed with analgesic/anti-inflammatory activity

We report the synthesis and bio-pharmacological evaluation of a class of pyrrole derivatives featuring a small appendage fragment (carbaldehyde, oxime, nitrile) on the central core. Compound 1c proved to be extremely effective in vivo, showing an interesting anti-nociceptic profile that is comparable to reference compounds already marketed, hence representing a great stimulus for a further improvement of this class of molecules.     

Extra-virgin olive oil diet and mild physical activity prevent cartilage degeneration in an osteoarthritis model: an in vivo and in vitro study on lubricin expression

Mediterranean diet includes a relatively high fat consumption mostly from monounsaturated fatty acids mainly provided by olive oil, the principal source of culinary and dressing fat. The beneficial effects of olive oil have been widely studied and could be due to its phytochemicals, which have been shown to possess anti-inflammatory properties. Lubricin is a chondroprotective glycoprotein and it serves as a critical boundary lubricant between opposing cartilage surfaces. A joint injury causes an initial flare of cytokines, which decreases lubricin expression and predisposes to cartilage degeneration such as osteoarthritis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of extra-virgin olive oil diet and physical activity on inflammation and expression of lubricin in articular cartilage of rats after injury. In this study we used histomorphometric, histological, immunocytochemical, immunohistochemical, western blot and biochemical analysis for lubricin and interleukin-1 evaluations in the cartilage and in the synovial fluid. We report the beneficial effect of physical activity (treadmill training) and extra-virgin olive oil supplementation, on the articular cartilage. The effects of anterior cruciate ligament transection decrease drastically the expression of lubricin and increase the expression of interleukin-1 in rats, while after physical activity and extra-virgin olive oil supplemented diet, the values return to a normal level compared to the control group. With our results we can confirm the importance of the physical activity in conjunction with extra-virgin olive oil diet in medical therapy to prevent osteoarthritis disease in order to preserve the articular cartilage and then the entire joint.     

Novel thiol- and thioether-containing amino acids: cystathionine and homocysteine families

Natural l-homocysteine and l,l-cystathionine, along with a series of unnatural analogues, have been prepared from l-aspartic and l-glutamic acid. Manipulation of the protected derivatives provided ω-iodoamino acids, which were used in thioalkylation reactions of sulfur nucleophiles, such as the ester of l-cysteine and potassium thioacetate.     

Mechanistic insights into the superoxide–cytochrome c reaction by lysine surface scanning

This study summarizes results which have been obtained by a mutational study of human cytochrome c. The protein can be used as a recognition element in analytical assays and biosensors for superoxide radicals since ferricytochrome c reacts with superoxide to form ferrocytochrome c and oxygen. Here lysine mutagenesis of the distal surface (i.e., of exposed residues around the Met80 axial ligand) of human cytochrome c was pursued to evaluate the effect of the surface charges on the reaction rate with the superoxide anion radical and on the redox properties of the heme protein. The latter feature is particularly relevant when the protein is immobilized on a negatively charged self-assembled monolayer on an electrode to be used as a biosensor. The observed effects of the mutations are rationalized through structural investigations based on solution NMR spectroscopy and computational analysis of the surface electrostatics. The results suggest the presence of a specific path that guides superoxide toward an efficient reaction site. Localized positive charges at the rim of the entry channel are effective in increasing the reaction rate, whereas diffused positive charges or charges far from this area are not effective or are even detrimental, resulting in a misguided approach of the anion to the protein surface.     

Functional and molecular insights into KSRP function in mRNA decay

KSRP is a single strand nucleic acid binding protein that controls gene expression at multiple levels. In this review we focus on the recent molecular, cellular, and structural insights into the mRNA decay promoting function of KSRP. We discuss also some aspects of KSRP-dependent microRNA maturation from precursors that are related to its mRNA destabilizing function. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: RNA Decay mechanisms.     

Extracellular Sphingosine-1-Phosphate: A Novel Actor in Human Glioblastoma Stem Cell Survival

Glioblastomas are the most frequent and aggressive intracranial neoplasms in humans, and despite advances and the introduction of the alkylating agent temozolomide in therapy have improved patient survival, resistance mechanisms limit benefits. Recent studies support that glioblastoma stem-like cells (GSCs), a cell subpopulation within the tumour, are involved in the aberrant expansion and therapy resistance properties of glioblastomas, through still unclear mechanisms. Emerging evidence suggests that sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) a potent onco-promoter able to act as extracellular signal, favours malignant and chemoresistance properties in GSCs. Notwithstanding, the origin of S1P in the GSC environment remains unknown. We investigated S1P metabolism, release, and role in cell survival properties of GSCs isolated from either U87-MG cell line or a primary culture of human glioblastoma. We show that both GSC models, grown as neurospheres and expressing GSC markers, are resistant to temozolomide, despite not expressing the DNA repair protein MGMT, a major contributor to temozolomide-resistance. Pulse experiments with labelled sphingosine revealed that both GSC types are able to rapidly phosphorylate the long-chain base, and that the newly produced S1P is efficiently degraded. Of relevance, we found that S1P was present in GSC extracellular medium, its level being significantly higher than in U87-MG cells, and that the extracellular/intracellular ratio of S1P was about ten-fold higher in GSCs. The activity of sphingosine kinases was undetectable in GSC media, suggesting that mechanisms of S1P transport to the extracellular environment are constitutive in GSCs. In addition we found that an inhibitor of S1P biosynthesis made GSCs sensitive to temozolomide (TMZ), and that exogenous S1P reverted this effect, thus involving extracellular S1P as a GSC survival signal in TMZ resistance. Altogether our data implicate for the first time GSCs as a pivotal source of extracellular S1P, which might act as an autocrine/paracrine signal contributing to their malignant properties.     

The key role of “Moscato bianco” and “Malvasia aromatica di Parma” in the parentage of traditional aromatic grape varieties

A great number of flavored grape varieties, of significant oenological potential, are traditionally cultivated in north-western Italy, besides the renowned “Moscato bianco” (syn. “Muscat à petits grains blancs”). Understanding their origin, besides its historical and scientific interest, would help to increase market appeal and consequently facilitate the commercial exploitation of these products. Twenty-four aromatic genotypes were investigated for their identity, kinship relations, and genetic origins through molecular markers (SSR and SNPs) supported by plant morphology and historical information. Flavored grape genotypes from other regions, possible ancestors, and reference cultivars of known pedigree were also included in the analysis. Kinship analysis used a likelihood-based approach (IBS, IBD, relatedness coefficients, and likelihood ratios) to achieve strong statistical support. The analyses revealed two possible leading genitors, in turn closely related by a parent/offspring relationship: “Moscato bianco” and “Malvasia aromatica di Parma,” a female grape cultivar that is today almost extinct. The outlined molecular and statistical approach could be applied for the investigation on the origin of ancient traditional cultivars of other vegetative propagated species.