Fitness of Karyotypes in DROSOPHILA PSEUDOOBSCURA

In the dynamics of the survival of chromosomal polymorphism selection may be operating at the genic level, at the chromosomal level or at the supergene level. Tests designed to distinguish between these levels were run on Drosophila pseudoobscura. There was no evidence for heterosis, a necessary requirement for gene-determined chromosomal polymorphism. A strong chromosmal selection was observed. No evidence was found for the presence within one locality of more than a single superallele for each supergene (= gene order). These results are compared to those found by others.     

Biosynthesis of the sesquiterpenoid ageratriol

Ageratriol is biosynthesized from agerol through a diepoxide derivative. Mevalonic acid incorporation revealed that the formation of the isopropenylic double bond is not stereospecific.     

Apricot Melanoidins Prevent Oxidative Endothelial Cell Death by Counteracting Mitochondrial Oxidation and Membrane Depolarization

The cardiovascular benefits associated with diets rich in fruit and vegetables are thought to be due to phytochemicals contained in fresh plant material. However, whether processed plant foods provide the same benefits as unprocessed ones is an open question. Melanoidins from heat-processed apricots were isolated and their presence confirmed by colorimetric analysis and browning index. Oxidative injury of endothelial cells (ECs) is the key step for the onset and progression of cardiovascular diseases (CVD), therefore the potential protective effect of apricot melanoidins on hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative mitochondrial damage and cell death was explored in human ECs. The redox state of cytoplasmic and mitochondrial compartments was detected by using the redox-sensitive, fluorescent protein (roGFP), while the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) was assessed with the fluorescent dye, JC-1. ECs exposure to hydrogen peroxide, dose-dependently induced mitochondrial and cytoplasmic oxidation. Additionally detected hydrogen peroxide-induced phenomena were MMP dissipation and ECs death. Pretreatment of ECs with apricot melanoidins, significantly counteracted and ultimately abolished hydrogen peroxide-induced intracellular oxidation, mitochondrial depolarization and cell death. In this regard, our current results clearly indicate that melanoidins derived from heat-processed apricots, protect human ECs against oxidative stress.     

Cultivable fungi present in deep-sea sediments of Antarctica: taxonomy,diversity, and bioprospecting of bioactive compounds

Extremophiles - We accessed the culturable mycobiota present in marine sediments at different depths in Antarctica Ocean. Acremonium fusidioides, Penicillium allii-sativi, Penicillium chrysogenum,...     

The role of miRNA-221 and miRNA-126 in patients with benign metastasizing leiomyoma of the lung: an overview with new interesting scenarios

Molecular Biology Reports - Benign metastasizing leiomyoma (BML) is a rare disease characterized by extrauterine benign leiomyomatosis in patients with a previous or concomitant history of uterine...     

Effects of 90 min of manual repetitive work on skin temperature and median and ulnar nerve conduction parameters: A pilot study in normal subjects

To test whether the influence of manual activity should be considered when interpreting the results of nerve conduction study (NCS) of the upper limbs performed during work shifts, we evaluated the short-term effect of 90-min repetitive manual work on NCS parameters. Twenty-eight healthy volunteers underwent NCS of the dominant limb at the end of an interview (T₀), after a 30-min rest in sitting position (T₁) and after performing a standardized 90-min manual task (T₂). The task was designed to simulate typical assembly and packing activities. No significant differences were observed for skin temperature (Ts) and NCS parameters between T₀ and T₁. Significantly (p < 0.001) higher Ts mean values were found at T₂ as compared to the previous tests for both females and males. The regression analysis showed an association between temperature variation and nerve conduction velocity values for the median and ulnar nerve at T₂ as compared to T₁. In females, a reduction of the mean sensory nerve action potential (SNAP) amplitude at T₂ was recorded, whereas an opposite trend was observed among males. Manual work is able to influence hand Ts and to modify NCS parameters. SNAP amplitudes changes suggest gender differences in peripheral nerve characteristics that deserve further investigation.