Cover Crop for a Sustainable Viticulture: Effects on Soil Properties and Table Grape Production

Cover crops are increasingly adopted in viticulture to enhance soil quality and balance the vegetative and reproductive growth of vines. Nevertheless, this sustainable practice has been only recently used for table grape viticulture, with results often contrasting. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of a fescue (Festucaarundinacea Schreb.) cover crop on soil quality, yield, and grape qualitative parameters in a table grape vineyard (cv "Italia") located in southern Italy, comparing results with the conventional tillage. Soil organic carbon (C), total nitrogen (N), microbial biomass C (MBC), β-glucosidase (BGLU) and alkaline phosphomonoesterase (APME) activities were assessed during three growing seasons (2012–2014) and three phenological stages. The trend of soil chemical and microbiological properties was jointly influenced by the soil management system, growing season and phenological stage. Compared to conventional tillage, cover crops increased, on average, soil organic C, total N, MBC, BGLU and APME by 136%, 93%, 112%, 100% and 62%, respectively. Slight or no effects of cover crops were observed on grape quality and yield, except for 2012 (the driest season), when a yield reduction occurred. This study reveals that cover crops strongly enhance soil quality in the short-term, with potential advantages for grape production in the long-term

Longitudinal study on low-dose aspirin versus placebo administration in silent brain infarcts: the silence study

Background. We investigated low-dose aspirin (ASA) efficacy and safety in subjects with silent brain infarcts (SBIs) in preventing new cerebrovascular (CVD) events as well as cognitive impairment. Methods. We included subjects aged ≥45 years, with at least one SBI and no previous CVD. Subjects were followed up to 4 years assessing CVD and SBI incidence as primary endpoint and as secondary endpoints: (a) cardiovascular and adverse events and (b) cognitive impairment. Results. Thirty-six subjects received ASA while 47 were untreated. Primary endpoint occurred in 9 controls (19.1%) versus 2 (5.6%) in the ASA group (p=0.10). Secondary endpoints did not differ in the two groups. Only baseline leukoaraiosis predicts primary [OR 5.4 (95%CI 1.3-22.9, p=0.022)] and secondary endpoint-A [3.2 (95%CI 1.1-9.6, p=0.040)] occurrence. Conclusions. These data show an increase of new CVD events in the untreated group. Despite the study limitations, SBI seems to be a negative prognostic factor and ASA preventive treatment might improve SBI prognosis. EU Clinical trial is registered with EudraCT Number: 2005-000996-16; Sponsor Protocol Number: 694/30.06.04

Non-genetic factors modify the quantitative genetic trait lipoprotein(a) and affect its pathogenicity

Lipoprotein(a) is an LDL-like lipoparticle having the distinctive multi-kringle apolipoprotein(a). Although the physiological roles of lipoprotein(a) have been somewhat elusive, its pathological effects, closely related to plasma concentrations, have been widely studied. Several variants of the LPA gene contribute to its differential expression, and to lipoprotein(a) levels and pathogenicity. Although most of the variations in lipoprotein(a) concentrations are under genetic control, a relationship between plasma levels, apolipoprotein(a) phenotypes, anthropometric and biochemical factors, and environmental-associated events has been reported in many studies. Study of transgenic animals, which bypasses the absence of lipoprotein(a) in common laboratory animals, is an excellent model to examine the function of increased plasma lipoprotein(a) in differing pathological conditions or in cases of dietary intervention. This chapter offers an overview of some of the non-genetic factors which have modest, albeit significant, effects on lipoprotein(a) levels, also assessing their possible interactions with specific apolipoprotein(a) genotypes. The effects of estrogenreplacement therapy and dietary interventions in the modulation of lipoprotein(a) levels, and the influence of age are evaluated, taking into account their implications in the atherogenic risk. Lastly, the controversial role of lipoprotein(a) as an acute phase reactant and, in particular, its possible beneficial role in surgical trauma are discussed

Potential microbial remediation of pyrene polluted soil: the role of biochar

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a large group of compounds composed of two or more aromatic rings. They are extremely toxic pollutants largely produced by anthropogenic activities and characterised by high persistence in the environment. Soils contaminated by PAHs could be depolluted by bioremediation techniques, an effective in-situ procedure which provides the addition of exogenous substrates able to sustain and enhance the autochthonous soil microflora and the allochthon microbial inoculum. Our research aims to study the effects of biochar, produced by slow pyrolysis of olive pomace, as a bio-stimulant of soil microflora or support for the colonisation of the allochthon Trichoderma harzianum, on degradation of pyrene used here as model molecule for the PAH family. Biochar is considered an excellent soil conditioner because of its positive effect on soil physical and chemical properties and its positive interaction with soil microorganisms. Autochthonous microbial growth, T. harzianum growth and microbial pyrene-degradation activity were surveyed in soil samples spiked with 50 ppm of pyrene and incubated for up to 28 days. Pyrene concentration was reduced by ~70% in 28 days in both bioaugmentation and biostimulation tests. Olive mill pomace biochar did not interfere with pyrene bioavailability and did not affect microbial pyrene-degrading activity. The T. harzianum did not display a distinctive ability in degrading pyrene and partially inhibited the endogenous soil microflora

Cover Crop for a Sustainable Viticulture: Effects on Soil Properties and Table Grape Production

Cover crops are increasingly adopted in viticulture to enhance soil quality and balance the vegetative and reproductive growth of vines. Nevertheless, this sustainable practice has been only recently used for table grape viticulture, with results often contrasting. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of a fescue (Festucaarundinacea Schreb.) cover crop on soil quality, yield, and grape qualitative parameters in a table grape vineyard (cv “Italia”) located in southern Italy, comparing results with the conventional tillage. Soil organic carbon (C), total nitrogen (N), microbial biomass C (MBC), β-glucosidase (BGLU) and alkaline phosphomonoesterase (APME) activities were assessed during three growing seasons (2012–2014) and three phenological stages. The trend of soil chemical and microbiological properties was jointly influenced by the soil management system, growing season and phenological stage. Compared to conventional tillage, cover crops increased, on average, soil organic C, total N, MBC, BGLU and APME by 136%, 93%, 112%, 100% and 62%, respectively. Slight or no effects of cover crops were observed on grape quality and yield, except for 2012 (the driest season), when a yield reduction occurred. This study reveals that cover crops strongly enhance soil quality in the short-term, with potential advantages for grape production in the long-term

Early matrix metalloproteinase-9 concentration in the first 48 h after aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage predicts delayed cerebral ischaemia: An observational study

International audienceBACKGROUND: Delayed cerebral ischaemia from vasospasm is an important cause of complications and death after aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage. There is currently no established biomarker for identifying patients at high risk of delayed cerebral ischaemia.ăOBJECTIVE: Considering the important role of inflammation in the pathogenesis of delayed cerebral ischaemia, we investigated whether matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) may be an efficient biomarker for predicting elayed cerebral ischaemia after subarachnoid haemorrhage.ăDESIGN: Single-centre prospective observational study.ăSETTING: Neuroscience Critical Care Unit of a teaching hospital.ăPARTICIPANTS: Thirty consecutive patients with severe subarachnoid haemorrhage requiring external ventricular drainage were enrolled during 2013 and 2014.ăINTERVENTIONS: Blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were sampled within the first 24 h and between 48 and 72 h after admission. We evaluated the activity and concentrations of MMP-9 and endothelin-1 with zymography and ELISA. Patients were allocated to groups with delayed cerebral ischaemia (n = 16) or without delayed cerebral ischaemia (n = 14).ăRESULTS: Within 24 h, median [interquartile range] MMP-9 concentrations in CSF were significantly higher in patients with delayed cerebral ischaemia (47 [21 to 102] ng ml) than in those without delayed cerebral ischaemia (4 [2 to 13] ng ml, P = 0.001). CSF MMP-9 activity and endothelin-1 concentrations were correlated (r = 0.6, P = 0.02). The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves were 0.73 (95% confidence interval [0.53 to 0.87]) and 0.91 (95% confidence interval [0.75 to 0.98]) for MMP-9 concentrations in plasma and CSF, respectively, at 24 h to predict delayed cerebral ischaemia CSF MMP-9 concentrations more than 14.3 ng ml at 24 h predicted the occurrence of delayed cerebral ischaemia with a sensitivity and specificity of 88 and 86%, respectively. After multivariate logistic analysis, only CSF MMP-9 concentrations at 24 h predicted the occurrence of delayed cerebral ischaemia (P = 0.01).ăCONCLUSION: MMP-9 concentrations in both plasma and CSF, measured within 48 h after subarachnoid haemorrhage, were highly predictive of the occurrence of delayed cerebral ischaemia within the first 2 weeks.ăTRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT02397759

Synthesis and characterization of hybrid copper-chitosan nano-antimicrobials by femtosecond laser-ablation in liquids

An innovative one-step approach based on femtosecond laser ablation synthesis in aqueous solution is presented for the development of copper nanoparticle-chitosan (CuNP-CS) nano-antimicrobials. The influence of the CS concentration has been assessed, in order to tune the morphological and chemical features of the as-prepared nanomaterial. CuNP-CS hybrid nanocolloids have been characterized by TEM and XPS techniques. Ultrafine and almost monodisperse CuNPs are obtained at a CS concentration of 1 g/L

Increased levels of the megakaryocyte and platelet expressed cysteine proteases stefin A and cystatin A prevent thrombosis

International audienceIncreased platelet activity occurs in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and such platelet dysregulation likely originates from altered megakaryopoiesis. We initiated identification of dysregulated pathways in megakaryocytes in the setting of T2DM. We evaluated through transcriptomic analysis, differential gene expressions in megakaryocytes from leptin receptor-deficient mice (db/db), exhibiting features of human T2DM, and control mice (db/+). Functional gene analysis revealed an upregulation of transcripts related to calcium signaling, coagulation cascade and platelet receptors in diabetic mouse megakaryocytes. We also evidenced an upregulation (7-to 9.7-fold) of genes encoding stefin A (StfA), the human ortholog of Cystatin A (CSTA), inhibitor of cathepsin B, H and L. StfA/CSTA was present in megakaryocytes and platelets and its expression increased during obesity and diabetes in rats and humans. StfA/CSTA was primarily localized at platelet membranes and granules and was released upon agonist stimulation and clot formation through a metalloprotease-dependent mechanism. StfA/CSTA did not affect platelet aggregation, but reduced platelet accumulation on immobilized collagen from flowing whole blood (1200 s −1). In-vivo, upon laser-induced vascular injury, platelet recruitment and thrombus formation were markedly reduced in StfA1-overexpressing mice without affecting bleeding time. The presence of CA-074Me, a cathepsin B specific inhibitor significantly reduced thrombus formation in-vitro and in-vivo in human and mouse, respectively. Our study identifies StfA/CSTA as a key contributor of platelet-dependent thrombus formation in both rodents and humans

Leukocyte- and endothelial-derived microparticles: a circulating source for fibrinolysis.: Fibrinolytic microparticles

International audienceBACKGROUND: We recently assigned a new fibrinolytic function to cell-derived microparticles in vitro. In this study we explored the relevance of this novel property of microparticles to the in vivo situation. DESIGN AND METHODS: Circulating microparticles were isolated from the plasma of patients with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura or cardiovascular disease and from healthy subjects. Microparticles were also obtained from purified human blood cell subpopulations. The plasminogen activators on microparticles were identified by flow cytometry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays; their capacity to generate plasmin was quantified with a chromogenic assay and their fibrinolytic activity was determined by zymography. RESULTS: Circulating microparticles isolated from patients generate a range of plasmin activity at their surface. This property was related to a variable content of urokinase-type plasminogen activator and/or tissue plasminogen activator. Using distinct microparticle subpopulations, we demonstrated that plasmin is generated on endothelial and leukocyte microparticles, but not on microparticles of platelet or erythrocyte origin. Leukocyte-derived microparticles bear urokinase-type plasminogen activator and its receptor whereas endothelial microparticles carry tissue plasminogen activator and tissue plasminogen activator/inhibitor complexes. CONCLUSIONS: Endothelial and leukocyte microparticles, bearing respectively tissue plasminogen activator or urokinase-type plasminogen activator, support a part of the fibrinolytic activity in the circulation which is modulated in pathological settings. Awareness of this blood-borne fibrinolytic activity conveyed by microparticles provides a more comprehensive view of the role of microparticles in the hemostatic equilibrium