Antioxidant response to cold stress in two oil plants of the genus Jatropha

Jatropha curcas and J. macrocarpa, suitable for production of biodiesel oil from their seeds, are able to live in arid and semi-arid regions, where most crops cannot survive. J. curcas is characterized by higher oil quality and seed yield, but it is not a good candidate for oil production in arid areas with freezing temperatures, due to its sensitiv- ity to chilling in comparison to J. macrocarpa. In this work, for the first time, the effects of cold stress and different mechanisms activated in these conditions have been studied in the two species. Seedlings were treated with low non-freezing temperatures with or without a previous acclimation period. Water status, pigment content, oxida- tive stress and antioxidant response were studied in acclimated and non-acclimated plants. The key features that differentiate J. macrocarpa from J. curcas were the ability to accumulate, at low temperatures, high concentrations of pigments and glutathione and significantly higher activities of ascorbate peroxidase. These data could explain the greater resistance to low temperatures of J. macrocarpa. A period of acclimation was not able to improve cold toler- ance of J. curcas and this confirms its limited adaptability to arid areas with freezing temperatures

Impact of TiO2 nanoparticles on Vicia narbonensis L.: potential toxicity effects

This work was aimed to provide further information about toxicology of TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) on Vicia narbonensis L., considering different endpoints. After exposure to TiO2 nanoparticle suspension (mixture of rutile and anatase, size <100 nm) at four different concentrations (0.2, 1.0, 2.0 and 4.0 ‰), the seeds of V. narbonensis were let to germinate in controlled environmental conditions. After 72 h, the extent of the success of the whole process (seed germination plus root elongation) was recorded as the vigour index, an indicator of possible phytotoxicity. After the characterisation of the hydric state of different materials, oxidative stress and enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidant responses were considered as indicators of possible cytotoxicity and to assess if damage induced by TiO2 NPs was oxidative stress-dependent. Cytohistochemical detection of in situ DNA fragmentation as genotoxicity endpoint was monitored by TUNEL reaction. The treatments with TiO2 NPs in our system induced phytotoxic effects, ROS production and DNA fragmentation. The nonenzymatic and enzymatic antioxidant responses were gradually and differentially activated and were able to maintain the oxidative damage to levels not significantly different from the control. On the other hand, the results of DNA fragmentation suggested that the mechanisms of DNA repair were not effective enough to eliminate early genotoxicity effects

Morpho-physiological plasticity contributes to tolerance of Calluna vulgaris in an active geothermal field

Geothermal alteration fields are very prohibitive environments, limiting vegetation establishment and growth. In the present study, the ecological specialisation of the pioneer plant Calluna vulgaris (L.) Hull was investigated, assuming that its ability to survive in geothermal habitats derives from a fine regulation of morpho-physiological traits. Mature leaves of C. vulgaris were sampled from plants close to a fumarole (near), and from plants living at a distance of some metres (intermediate) or ~1 km (distant) from a fumarole. Along the sampling sites, a gradient of soil-pH and temperature values occurred, with near plants facing the highest soil temperature and the lowest soil pH. A regulation of constitutive morpho-anatomical and physiological traits in response to different stress levels occurred. A progressive reduction of leaf exposed surface and hair density and mucilages, combined with a gradual increase of oxidative stress levels, of phenols and ascorbate, was observed from distant to near plants. Near plants showed an increase in stomatal density and in lignin and cuticle thickness, and the highest activity of ascorbate peroxidase. Except for high glutathione concentrations, in distant plants antioxidant machinery was consistently less active. The apparent morphological and physiological plasticity demonstrated in the present research contributed to the capability of these plants to tolerate the prohibitive, highly changing environmental conditions of the geothermal field

High Phosphate-Induced JAK-STAT Signalling Sustains Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Inflammation and Limits Calcification

Vascular calcification (VC) is an age-related complication characterised by calcium-phosphate deposition in the arterial wall driven by the osteogenic transformation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). The JAK-STAT pathway is an emerging target in inflammation. Considering the relationship between VC and inflammation, we investigated the role of JAK-STAT signalling during VSMC calcification. Human aortic smooth muscle cells (HASMCs) were cultured in high-inorganic phosphate (Pi) medium for up to 7 days; calcium deposition was determined via Alizarin staining and colorimetric assay. Inflammatory factor secretion was evaluated via ELISA and JAK-STAT members' activation using Western blot or immunohistochemistry on HASMCs or calcified aortas of Vitamin D-treated C57BL6/J mice, respectively. The JAK-STAT pathway was blocked by JAK Inhibitor I and Von Kossa staining was used for calcium deposits in murine aortic rings. During Pi-induced calcification, HASMCs released IL-6, IL-8, and MCP-1 and activated JAK1-JAK3 proteins and STAT1. Phospho-STAT1 was detected in murine calcified aortas. Blocking of the JAK-STAT cascade reduced HASMC proliferation and pro-inflammatory factor expression and release while increasing calcium deposition and osteogenic transcription factor RUNX2 expression. Consistently, JAK-STAT pathway inhibition exacerbates mouse aortic ring calcification ex vivo. Intriguingly, our results suggest an alternative link between VSMC inflammation and VC

Circulating levels of AGEs and soluble RAGE isoforms are associated with all-cause mortality and development of cardiovascular complications in type 2 diabetes: a retrospective cohort study

none10noopenSabbatinelli, Jacopo; Castiglione, Stefania; Macrì, Federica; Giuliani, Angelica; Ramini, Deborah; Vinci, Maria Cristina; Tortato, Elena; Bonfigli, Anna Rita; Olivieri, Fabiola; Raucci, AngelaSabbatinelli, Jacopo; Castiglione, Stefania; Macrì, Federica; Giuliani, Angelica; Ramini, Deborah; Vinci, Maria Cristina; Tortato, Elena; Bonfigli, Anna Rita; Olivieri, Fabiola; Raucci, Angel

Guideline proposal for pharma companies to manage pharmacovigilance activities in digital media

Internet has become a central part of our everyday lives. Digital media are integrated in our daily routines and play a critical role in the dissemination of public health information and disease prevention guidelines. For this reason, digital activities are becoming more and more impacting in pharma company activities and this is an increasing trend after the pandemic period. Managing digital activities from pharmacovigilance (PV) perspective may have challenges linked to correct assessment of the activities and application of PV rules: this was underlined in recent publications, where the need to have more specific guidelines linked to digital activities management was evidenced. Considering this scenario and the continuous evolution of the digital activities, the SIMEF PV working group decided to work on a proposal guideline to provide support to PV departments in pharma companies, suggesting a framework to manage sponsored digital activities (i.e., website, web apps, social media webpage, chatbots) impacting potential collection of adverse events (AEs). The purpose of this guideline is to provide useful instructions on how to manage PV requirements for digital activities, suggesting potential solutions for assessing initiatives, creating governance framework, conducting a correct vendor management, and suggesting practical approaches for AEs reporting and follow-up. The aim of this document is also to trigger a broader discussion among relevant stakeholders on which PV guidelines may be useful and appropriate considering this continuous evolving scenario

Effects of Zinc Oxide Particles with Different Sizes on Root Development in Oryza sativa

Given the consistent release of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles into the environment, it is urgent to study their impact on plants in depth. In this study, grains of rice were treated with two different concentrations of ZnO nanoparticles (NP-ZnO, 10 and 100 mg/L), and their bulk counterpart (B-ZnO) were used to evaluate whether ZnO action could depend on particle size. To test this hypothesis, root growth and development assessment, oxidative stress parameters, indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) content and molecules/enzymes involved in IAA metabolism were analyzed. In situ localization of Zn in control and treated roots was also performed. Though Zn was visible inside root cells only following nanoparticle treatment, both materials (NP-ZnO and B-ZnO) were able to affect seedling growth and root morphology, with alteration in the concentration/pattern of localization of oxidative stress markers and with a different action depending on particle size. In addition, only ZnO supplied as bulk material induced a significant increase in both IAA concentration and lateral root density, supporting our hypothesis that bulk particles might enhance lateral root development through the rise of IAA concentration. Apparently, IAA concentration was influenced more by the activity of the catabolic peroxidases than by the protective action of phenols

Natural ageing of wheat seeds

Seed natural ageing is accompanied by the loss of the ability to germinate and by a reduction in viability. Viability loss is associated with damage to the DNA, changes in the synthesis of RNA and in enzymatic patterns. The loss of viability, in Triticum durum, is accompanied in imbibed seeds, among other components, by a reduced synthesis and poly(A) polymerase activity. Both young and aged germinating endosperms showed a different pattern of proteolytic activities. Among the factors which influence the longevity of seeds, the most important ones are temperature and moisture content, thus seed ageing is closely linked to storage conditions. In Triticum durum the protective action of low temperature against the degradation process during storage has been shown. A close correlation between the germination rate and capability to synthesise poly(A)+RNA and the integrity of the rRNA molecules may be considered to exist in embryos. Recent data show that the seed viability loss is associated with a progressive membrane deterioration in parallel with changes in RNases and nucleases activities. The damage observed in embryos and endosperms of aged seeds is not found in the cold stored seeds of the same age

Is medicinal ketamine associated with urinary dysfunction issues? Assessment of both the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the UK Yellow Card Scheme pharmacovigilance database-related reports

© John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd. This is the accepted version of the article published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1111/luts.12355Objective - A range of associated urinary dysfunction (KIU) issues have been typically described in ketamine misusers. Conversely, more knowledge is needed in terms of medicinal ketamine-related urological disturbances. since ketamine prescribing is being increasingly considered for a range of medical and psychopathological conditions. Methods - To assess medicinal ketamine-induced uropathy issues, we aimed at analyzing both the 2005-2017 European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the 2006-2018 UK Yellow Card Scheme (YCS) pharmacovigilance databases. Results - A total number (e.g., all categories) of 11,632 EMA ketamine-related adverse drug reaction (ADR) reports were here identified. Out of these, some 9,971 ADRs (e.g., 85.7% of the total) were judged as ‘suspect’ and were here analyzed. Some 1,758 ADRs (17.7% of 9,971, corresponding to 194 individual patients) referred to urological issues, relating to either kidney/ureter (922 ADRs) or bladder/urethra (837 ADRs). Ketamine was the sole drug administered in 156/194 (80.4%) cases/patients. Although most cases occurred in the 1 month-1 year time frame following the start of ketamine prescribing, in 30 cases the ADR occurred within 48 hours. Most ADR-related cases resolved, although both sequelae (18 cases) and fatalities (79/1,758; 4.5%) were recorded. Overall, YCS data were consistent with EMA findings, with some 50/217 (23%) ADRs referring to renal/urinary disorders. Conclusions - Current data may only represent a gross underestimate of the KIU real prevalence issues. It is here suggested that chronic treatment involving higher doses/repeated exposure to ketamine be restricted to the context of controlled trials or clinical audits.Peer reviewe