Identification of Tuber magnatum Pico DNA markers by RAPD analysis

Summary Different species of truffle were studied in order to identify species-specific markers. The isolation of two Tuber magnatum Pico markers is reported. One of these could be used as a probe in dot blot hybridization, allowing the development of a rapid test able to identify Tuber magnatum species.     

Role of pulmonary epithelial arginase-II in activation of fibroblasts and lung inflammaging

Elevated arginases including type-I (Arg-I) and type-II isoenzyme (Arg-II) are reported to play a role in aging, age-associated organ inflammaging, and fibrosis. A role of arginase in pulmonary aging and underlying mechanisms are not explored. Our present study shows increased Arg-II levels in aging lung of female mice, which is detected in bronchial ciliated epithelium, club cells, alveolar type 2 (AT2) pneumocytes, and fibroblasts (but not vascular endothelial and smooth muscle cells). Similar cellular localization of Arg-II is also observed in human lung biopsies. The age-associated increase in lung fibrosis and inflammatory cytokines, including IL-1β and TGF-β1 that are highly expressed in bronchial epithelium, AT2 cells, and fibroblasts, are ameliorated in arg-ii deficient (arg-ii^−/−) mice. The effects of arg-ii^−/− on lung inflammaging are weaker in male as compared to female animals. Conditioned medium (CM) from human Arg-II-positive bronchial and alveolar epithelial cells, but not that from arg-ii^−/− cells, activates fibroblasts to produce various cytokines including TGF-β1 and collagen, which is abolished by IL-1β receptor antagonist or TGF-β type I receptor blocker. Conversely, TGF-β1 or IL-1β also increases Arg-II expression. In the mouse models, we confirmed the age-associated increase in IL-1β and TGF-β1 in epithelial cells and activation of fibroblasts, which is inhibited in arg-ii^−/− mice. Taken together, our study demonstrates a critical role of epithelial Arg-II in activation of pulmonary fibroblasts via paracrine release of IL-1β and TGF-β1, contributing to pulmonary inflammaging and fibrosis. The results provide a novel mechanistic insight in the role of Arg-II in pulmonary aging.     

Use of sequence characterised amplified region and RAPD markers in the identification of the white truffle Tuber magnatum Pico

Isolates of white truffles were identified as Tuber magnatum Pico species using a pair of primers selected from a sequence characterised amplified region (SCAR) and a specific random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) marker. The present study reveals that PCR-fragment-pattern polymorphisms, the construction of probes and couples of primers from one or more of these polymorphic fragments may provide a useful and rapid tool for identifying species of ectomycorrhizal fungi in addition to conventional methods (morphological parameters).     

Divergent neural substrates of inhibitory control in binge eating disorder relative to other manifestations of obesity

Objective:

An important endeavor involves increasing our understanding of biobehavioral processes underlying different types of obesity. The current study investigated the neural correlates of cognitive control (involving conflict monitoring and response inhibition) in obese individuals with binge eating disorder (BED) as compared to BMI‐matched non‐BED obese (OB) individuals and lean comparison (LC) participants. Alterations in cognitive control may contribute to differences in behavioral control over eating behaviors in BED and obesity.

Design and Methods:

Participants underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging while completing the Stroop color‐word interference task.

Results and Conclusions:

Relative to the OB and LC groups, activity in the BED group was differentiated by relative hypoactivity in brain areas involved in self‐regulation and impulse control. Specifically, the BED group showed diminished activity in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC), inferior frontal gyrus (IFG), and insula during Stroop performance. In addition, dietary restraint scores were negatively correlated with right IFG and vmPFC activation in the BED group, but not in the OB or HC groups. Thus, BED individuals' diminished ability to recruit impulse‐control‐related brain regions appears associated with impaired dietary restraint. The observed differences in neural correlates of inhibitory processing in BED relative to OB and LC groups suggest distinct eurobiological contributions to binge eating as a subgroup of obese individuals.     

Focus: Sex and Gender Health: Gender-related Differences in Inhibitory Control and Sustained Attention among Adolescents with Prenatal Cocaine Exposure

Adolescence and prenatal cocaine exposure can impact risk-taking. In this study, we evaluated risk-taking and gender-related differences in adolescents with prenatal cocaine exposure in terms of electrophysiological correlates of inhibitory control and sustained attention. No differences related to gender were found within measures of risk-taking, or electrophysiological response relating to risk-taking. Greater responses during inhibition versus attention trials support previous studies, with boys showing the largest responses. Gender-related differences were found when comparing the trials before and after frustration was induced, with greater initial attention indices for girls in both trial types and greater sustained attention for both genders during inhibition trials and for boys during attention trials. These data suggest neural correlates of response inhibition show important gender-related differences in this population. Considering these relationships allows us to further understand underlying processes among adolescents who, as a group, tend to be more inclined toward greater risk behaviors.     

Effects of high static magnetic field exposure on different DNAs

The effects of magnetic fields produced by permanent magnets on different DNA sources were investigated in vivo and in vitro. Escherichia coli DNA, plasmid, and amplification products of different lengths were used as the magnetic field target. The in vivo assays did not reveal any DNA alterations following exposure, demonstrating the presence of cell dependent mechanisms, such as the repair system and the buffering action of the heat shock proteins DNA K/J (Hsp 70/40). The in vitro assays displayed interactions between the magnetic field and DNA, revealing principally that magnetic field exposure induces DNA alterations in terms of point mutations. We speculate that the magnetic field can perturb DNA stability interacting with DNA directly or potentiating the activity of oxidant radicals. This genotoxic effect of the magnetic field, however, is minimized in living organisms due to the presence of protective cellular responses.     

Suture materials and other factors associated with tissue reactivity, infection, and wound dehiscence among plastic surgery outpatients

The most common complications in plastic surgery are tissue reactivity, infections, and wound dehiscence. In the literature, there are only a few studies with sample sizes large enough and methods of statistical analysis appropriate for evaluating the role of suture materials in inducing such complications. In the 1000 plastic surgery outpatients in this study, the association of different suture materials, individual patient characteristics, surgeon skill, and wound site and length with postoperative wound complications (i.e., tissue reactivity, infection rate, and wound dehiscence) were investigated. No substantial differences were found between the different suture materials and suturing techniques. A moderate increase in the risk of tissue reactivity for silk and polyglactin 910 and a protective effect of thinner internal sutures were observed. In multivariate analysis, such differences were not statistically significant. Male sex [odds ratio (OR), 1.7; 95 percent confidence interval (CI), 1.06 to 2.72] and older age (OR, 2.34; 95 percent CI, 1.36 to 4.05) were found to be the most important risk factors for tissue reactivity and infection rate (male sex: OR, 5.1; 95 percent CI, 1.7 to 15.9; older age: OR, 5.6; 95 percent CI, 1.9 to 16), whereas younger age was associated with an increased risk of dehiscence (OR, 3.06; 95 percent CI, 1.41 to 6.65). Wounds on the lower limbs showed a lower risk of tissue reactivity and wounds on the back a higher risk of dehiscence. Wound length was associated with the risk of tissue reactivity in one-layer sutures (OR, 2.92; 95 percent CI, 1.51 to 5.65). An increased risk of both tissue reactivity (OR, 1.53; 95 percent CI, 1.03 to 2.27) and dehiscence (OR, 2.44; 95 percent CI, 1.1 to 5.43) was observed for operations performed by less-experienced surgeons. Rather than factors related to suture materials and different surgical techniques, and with the exception of surgeon experience, general characteristics of the patients (i.e., sex and age) and of the wounds (i.e., length and site) seemed to be primarily responsible for local wound complications.