Characterization of genetic biodiversity with Vitis vinifera L. Sangiovese and Colorino genotypes by AFLP and ISTR DNA marker technology

A comparison between two recently developed, PCR-based DNA marker technologies (amplified fragment length polymorphism, AFLP; inverse sequence-lagged repeat analysis, ISTR) was carried out in a group of 19 Vitis vinifera L. accessions, including 13 putative Sangiovese-related grapevines and 6 ''coloured'' ecotypes whose fruits are of importance for conferring intense red colour to the wine. A large amount of polymorphic DNA fragments was revealed by both molecular techniques: 8 different AFLP and 5 ISTR primer combinations generated 264 and 249 polymorphic markers, respectively. Similarity relationships among the accessions were described by cluster analysis. The AFLP analysis revealed the existence of a uniform group for the Sangiovese (SG) ecotypes showing a high degree of genetic relatedness for the members of this cultivar. Among the coloured ecotypes (CLR), variability was more evident. Only the so called Colorino americano ecotype significantly diverged from both groups. ISTR analysis confirmed the genetic dissimilarity of Colorino americano and the existence of the SG and CLR groups, but in addition detected a higher proportion of polymorphism among the Sangiovese accessions compared to AFLP analysis. Sangiovese forte and Saragiolo apparently differed from the other SG-related grapevines in agreement with AFLP results. It is possible that the observed genetic dissimilarity between Sangiovese forte, Saragiolo and other SG-related types could be interpreted by the putative polyclonal origin of many grapevine cultivars, a concept which is generally accepted by the grapevine research community. Both AFLP and ISTR appear to represent innovative, efficient and sensitive molecular tools for investigating genetic diversity among Vitis vinifera ecotypes and for the eventual identification of clones

Analisi farmacoeconomica del trattamento di pazienti psicotici cronici con olanzapina, antipsicotici atipici e neurolettici tipici: uno studio regionale

BACKGROUND: Psychotic disorders are a ravaging and costly mental illness. Treatment of these disorders involves pharmacological and non pharmacological resources. Pharmacological therapy with antipsychotic drugs contribute strongly to relieve psychotic patients symptoms. By the end of 90’s the new atypical antipsychotic have been introduced. This kind of drugs is supposed to be more effective but also more expensive compared with the old typical neuroleptics. OBJECTIVE: To compare costs and outcomes associated with 12 months treatment of psychotic disorders using typical and atypical antipsychotics in addition to psychiatric services. Moreover to extend the same comparison among the atypical drugs currently used in the clinical practice (olanzapine, risperidone, quetiapine and clozapine). METHODS AND PATIENTS: A multicentre observational study was carried out in 131 patients affected by psychotic disorders (schizophrenia and bipolar). Data were collected with reference to patients followed by several Psychiatric Services of Regione Puglia (Italy). Patients were classified in five groups (typical neuroleptics, olanzapine, risperidone, quetiapine and clozapine) according to their main antipsychotic therapy. Treatment outcomes had been assessed during 12 months of observation considering the patients improvement in their work and social functioning. For these patients we analyzed pharmacological, non pharmacological (medical/ nurse visits, social assistance, rehabilitative sessions) and hospital interventions, choosing the perspective of the Italian Mental Health Centers for costs attribution. Moreover indirect costs (caregiver) and private assistance to the patient had been evaluated for each group of treatment. The study is based on the observation of real clinical behaviours; therefore patients are not randomised to different treatments. RESULTS: The analysis of treatment outcomes didn’t generate significant differences among the groups despite a positive trend in terms of work functioning in favor of olanzapine. The pharmacological interventionts evidentiated an economic significant advantage (

Interruzione del trattamento nei pazienti con schizofrenia che ricevono olanzapina o aripiprazolo: metanalisi degli studi clinici controllati

BACKGROUND: In schizophrenia the drop-out rate can be used as proxy of effectiveness. The drop-out evaluation is also important considering the relevant economic impact for NHS of an antipsychotic therapy discontinuation in terms of patient hospitalization and other related healthcare resources consumption. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the differences in the rates of drop-out from clinical trials between olanzapine and aripiprazole. METHODS: Literature search was based on MEDLINE, on Iowa-IDIS and Drugdex databases (1966-Dec 2004). Analysis included 12 randomized controlled trials (3.778 patients), 8 for olanzapine (2.559 patients) and 4 for aripiprazole (1.219 patients). RCT inclusion criteria were: a) Patients affected by schizophrenia; b) Randomized assignment to olanzapine or aripiprazole treatment group; c) Number of patients included in the treatment group higher than 100; d) Drop-out frequency evaluation between 4th and 26th weeks of follow-up. RESULTS: The rate of treatment discontinuation was greater for aripiprazole than for olanzapine (42,2% vs. 31,6% respectively). The comparison between drop-out percentages is statistically significant (

The rat glucocorticoid receptor integration in Nicotiana langsdorffii genome affects plant responses to abiotic stresses and to arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis

The present study reports evidence of the pleiotropic effects caused by the insertion of the rat glucocorticoid receptor (GR) into the genome of Nicotiana langsdorffii. Transgenic N. langsdorffii-GR plants and the wild-type genotypes were analysed for their phenotypic and physiological characteristics. The integration of the GR gene affected flowering, growth habit, leaf morphology and stomatal pattern. Furthermore, GR plants showed an increased tolerance to heavy metal, drought and heat stress as evidenced by electrolyte leakage and by cell dedifferentiation and differentiation capability after recovery from stress treatments. We also monitored the establishment of the beneficial symbiosis between transgenic plants and the mycorrhizal fungus Funneliformis mosseae whose presymbiotic growth was significantly reduced by root exudates of N. langsdorffii-GR plants. The observed pleiotropic responses of transgenic plants may be a consequence of the hormonal imbalance, putatively due to the interaction of the GR receptor with the host genetic background. Our findings suggest that N. langsdorffii-GR plants can be used as a functional model system for the study of plant responses to a series of environmental stimuli