The Oxidative state of LDL is the major determinant of anti/prooxidant effect of coffee on Cu²⁺ catalysed peroxidation

Antioxidants exert contrasting effect on low density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation catalysed by metals, acting as pro-oxidants under select in vitro conditions. Through our study on the effect of coffee on LDL oxidation, we identified the parameters governing this phenomenon, contributing to the comprehension of its mechanism and discovering significant implications for correct alimentary recommendations. By measuring conjugated diene formation, we have analysed the quantitative and qualitative effects exerted by an extract of roasted coffee on LDL oxidation triggered by copper sulphate. When the relative effects of different coffee concentrations were plotted against the lag time (LT) of control LDL (C-LDL), the apparently random experimental data arranged in sensible patterns: by increasing the LT the antioxidant activity of coffee decreased progressively to become prooxidant. The critical LT, at which coffee switches from antioxidant to prooxidant, increased by increasing coffee concentration. Also the contrasting results obtained following a delayed addition of coffee to the assay, arranged in a simple pattern when referred to the LT of C-LDL: the prooxidant effect decreased to become antioxidant as the LT of C-LDL increased. The dependence of coffee effect on the LT of C-LDL was influenced by LDL but not by metal catalyst concentration. These novel findings point to the oxidative state of LDL as a major parameter controlling the anti/prooxidant effect of coffee and suggest the LT of C-LDL as a potent analytical tool to express experimental data when studying the action exerted by a compound on LDL oxidation

The Oxidative State of LDL is the Major Determinant of Anti/Prooxidant Effect of Coffee on Cu2+ Catalysed Peroxidation

Antioxidants exert contrasting effect on low density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation catalysed by metals, acting as pro-oxidants under select in vitro conditions. Through our study on the effect of coffee on LDL oxidation, we identified the parameters governing this phenomenon, contributing to the comprehension of its mechanism and discovering significant implications for correct alimentary recommendations. By measuring conjugated diene formation, we have analysed the quantitative and qualitative effects exerted by an extract of roasted coffee on LDL oxidation triggered by copper sulphate. When the relative effects of different coffee concentrations were plotted against the lag time (LT) of control LDL (C-LDL), the apparently random experimental data arranged in sensible patterns: by increasing the LT the antioxidant activity of coffee decreased progressively to become prooxidant. The critical LT, at which coffee switches from antioxidant to prooxidant, increased by increasing coffee concentration. Also the contrasting results obtained following a delayed addition of coffee to the assay, arranged in a simple pattern when referred to the LT of C-LDL: the prooxidant effect decreased to become antioxidant as the LT of C-LDL increased. The dependence of coffee effect on the LT of C-LDL was influenced by LDL but not by metal catalyst concentration. These novel findings point to the oxidative state of LDL as a major parameter controlling the anti/prooxidant effect of coffee and suggest the LT of C-LDL as a potent analytical tool to express experimental data when studying the action exerted by a compound on LDL oxidation

Metabolic remodeling of the tumor microenvironment: migration stimulating factor (MSF) reprograms myofibroblasts toward lactate production, fueling anabolic tumor growth.

Migration stimulating factor (MSF) is a genetically truncated N-terminal isoform of fibronectin that is highly expressed during mammalian development in fetal fibroblasts, and during tumor formation in human cancer-associated myofibroblasts. However, its potential functional role in regulating tumor metabolism remains unexplored. Here, we generated an immortalized fibroblast cell line that recombinantly overexpresses MSF and studied their properties relative to vector-alone control fibroblasts. Our results indicate that overexpression of MSF is sufficient to confer myofibroblastic differentiation, likely via increased TGF-b signaling. In addition, MSF activates the inflammation-associated transcription factor NFκB, resulting in the onset of autophagy/mitophagy, thereby driving glycolytic metabolism (L-lactate production) in the tumor microenvironment. Consistent with the idea that glycolytic fibroblasts fuel tumor growth (via L-lactate, a high-energy mitochondrial fuel), MSF fibroblasts significantly increased tumor growth, by up to 4-fold. Mechanistic dissection of the MSF signaling pathway indicated that Cdc42 lies downstream of MSF and fibroblast activation. In accordance with this notion, Cdc42 overexpression in immortalized fibroblasts was sufficient to drive myofibroblast differentiation, to provoke a shift towards glycolytic metabolism and to promote tumor growth by up to 2-fold. In conclusion, the MSF/Cdc42/NFκB signaling cascade may be a critical druggable target in preventing Warburg-like cancer metabolism in tumor-associated fibroblasts. Thus, MSF functions in the metabolic remodeling of the tumor microenvironment by metabolically reprogramming cancer-associated fibroblasts toward glycolytic metabolism

The development of a bdelloid egg: a contribution after 100 years

Rotifer development has received very little attention: studies date back to the 19th century and to the first half of 20th century, and very limited contributions have been added in recent times. All information we have on rotifer embryology is mostly based on in vivo observation of developing embryos by light microscopy, and only in a minor way by classical histology. The study of rotifer embryogenesis is approached here using in vivo observation and laser confocal microscopy. We revealed cytoskeletal components (filamentous actin and tubulin) and nuclear DNA of the embryos to draw the pattern of the early development of Macrotrachela quadricornifera. Our results were then compared to the literature data, to determine a development pattern that can be generalized to the whole rotifer group. On the whole, our results agree with the general description provided by previous authors, i.e. the holoblastic unequal segmentation, the transverse furrow of the first division, the typical 16-cell stage, and the early gastrulation by epiboly. A peculiar pattern could also be seen that was interpreted as the formation of the mastax; it seemed to start from a mould of actin, visible by confocal only. The present study provides a preliminary contribution to a too-long-neglected aspect of rotifer biology

: Rapport d'activité

Rapport d'activitéLa recherche vise à définir et mettre en œuvre une méthode d’enquête et d’analyse qualitative permettant de faire émerger, à travers une approche anthropologique, des « récits de paysages » de la Seine-Saint-Denis. Il s’agit de rendre compte et d’analyser ce qui fait paysage aujourd’hui dans le département pour différentes catégories d’acteurs (habitants, acteurs territoriaux, experts paysagistes), et par ce biais explorer comment intégrer la «  perceptions des habitants  » dans les phases de diagnostic et d’analyse de l’Atlas des paysages de la Seine-Saint-Denis. Cette démarche, préconisée par la Convention Européenne du Paysage (2000), et les méthodes sur les Atlas, devenues des références ministérielles (1994 et 2015), apparaissent indispensables, notamment dans le contexte très urbanisé de ce département. Deux défis sont à relever  : rendre compte, par le biais de récits, de l’articulation des échelles de perception et d’expérience dans un territoire à la grande échelle, et participer activement et de façon expérimentale, en étroite collaboration avec les paysagistes de l’Atelier de l’Île, à la réalisation de l’Atlas.Trois moments ont structuré la recherche. D’abord, un terrain ethnographique à été conduit avec les «  habitants  » qui ont été choisis par leurs relations et leurs vécus sur ce territoire autour de la question : «  L’expérience du paysage, par quoi passe-t-elle ?  ». Cela a permis d’identifier sept catégories décrivant leurs expériences des paysages du département  : Respiration, Ennui, Hérité, Vivant, Fragile, Hostile et Potentiel. Ensuite, ces catégories ont fait l’objet d’un travail «  cartographique  » élargi à un panel d’acteurs territoriaux ainsi qu’aux paysagistes de l’Atelier de l’Île, afin de mieux saisir la complexité des enjeux et des échelles spatio-temporelles mobilisées par nos différents interlocuteurs.L’ensemble des données ainsi recueillies (entretiens, photographies, cartes, etc.) a permis de faire ressortir la richesse et la pertinence des perceptions «  habitants  » vis-à-vis des paysages de la Seine-Saint-Denis et l’intérêt de les intégrer dans le diagnostic pour la réalisation de l’Atlas

Pseudocereali e insetti delle derrate

PSEUDO-CEREALS AND FOODSTUFF INSECTS Among plants which can be used in human nutrition, the so-called pseudocereals are gaining in popularity due to their high nutritional value and other properties. The grains of these plants can be consumed as such or transformed into flour to obtain bread, pasta or other derivatives, in the place of traditional cereals or added to them. Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willdenow), amaranth (Amaranthus spp.), and buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench), as well as chia (Salvia hispanica L.), which is an oily seed, are plants originating in continents such as Asia and Latin America and until recently unknown to most people; they represent an interesting topic of research from the agronomic point of view and find an increasing diffusion in our agribusiness sector. Their cultivation is increasing in various European countries, including Italy, and - like other crops - they are susceptible to attack by pests after harvest. As for all other foodstuffs, the hygiene and protection of these "new" foods from attack and pollution, even if only temporary, cannot be neglected or ignored. Our laboratory research has investigated the susceptibility of pseudocereals and chia to attack by some common foodstuff beetles and moths known for their more or less marked polyphagy: Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) (Col. Bostrichidae), Sitophilus granarius (L.) (Col. Dryophthoridae), Tenebrio molitor L. (Col. Tenebrionidae) and Plodia interpunctella (H\ufcbner) (Lep. Pyralidae). Results revealed significant differences in the timescale and means of infestation and larval development: S. granarius and R. dominica grew only on buckwheat, while on chia, amaranth and quinoa no signs of infestation were ever observed; P. interpunctella grew on all seeds except amaranth, with high larval trophic activity and damage, but most larvae died between 60 and 90 days after the beginning of the infestation. Similarly, T. molitor larvae in trophic activity were observed on all the grains, but they never fully developed and drastically decreased during the test. Investigations into palatability and the dynamics of infestation during the storage phase of pseudocereals in optimal conditions for insects are a first step to further knowledge on the conservation of these new foodstuffs and the risks of contamination to which they are subject

Mortality of stored-food beetle larvae exposed to a controlled atmosphere enriched with nitrogen and containing above-minimum levels of oxygen

Insect pests of stored foodstuffs can cause different types of damage. The larval stage is often the chief culprit, causing serious damage to food commodities while being the most resistant to hypoxic treatments. Knowledge of the response to treatment during each development stage is necessary for pest management programs. This research aimed to evaluate the possibility of using a nitrogen controlled atmosphere as an alternative to biocide treatments against larvae of five important species of stored-food beetles (Coleoptera), and to improve the effects of hypoxia at above-minimum oxygen levels (O2 > 1%), with changing temperatures and relative humidity levels, given that several studies have shown that lowering the relative humidity and increasing the temperature improves the effectiveness of controlled atmosphere treatments. The species tested were Sitophilus granarius (Linnaeus), Oryzaephilus surinamensis (Linnaeus), Stegobium paniceum (Linnaeus), Trogoderma inclusum LeConte and Tribolium confusum Jacquelin du Val. Larvae were exposed to atmospheres containing low percentages of oxygen (3%, 5%), at four different relative humidities (15%, 35%, 55%, 75%) and two different temperatures (23°C, 30°C) for 7 days. Total mortality was achieved in very few cases, and only under the most unfavorable conditions of the lowest levels of relative humidity and oxygen content. Results varied from species to species, so it is evident that the efficacy of treatment by controlled atmosphere is species-dependent

Uso di atmosfere controllate a medio-basso tenore di ossigeno per il controllo delle larve di coleotteri delle derrate

MORTALITY OF STORED-FOOD BEETLE LARVAE EXPOSED TO A CONTROLLED ATMOSPHERE ENRICHED WITH NITROGEN AND CONTAINING ABOVE-MINIMUM LEVELS OF OXYGEN Insect pests of stored foodstuffs can cause different types of damage. The larval stage is often the chief culprit, causing serious damage to food commodities while being the most resistant to hypoxic treatments. Knowledge of the response to treatment during each development stage is necessary for pest management programs. This research aimed to evaluate the possibility of using a nitrogen controlled atmosphere as an alternative to biocide treatments against larvae of five important species of stored-food beetles (Coleoptera), and to enhance the negative effects of hypoxia at above-minimum oxygen levels (O2 > 1%), with changing temperatures and relative humidity levels, given that several studies have shown that lowering the relative humidity and increasing the temperature improves the effectiveness of controlled atmosphere treatments. The species tested were Sitophilus granarius (Linnaeus), Oryzaephilus surinamensis (Linnaeus), Stegobium paniceum (Linnaeus), Trogoderma inclusum LeConte and Tribolium confusum Jacquelin du Val. Larvae were exposed to atmospheres containing low percentages of oxygen (3%, 5%), at four different relative humidities (15%, 35%, 55%, 75%) and two different temperatures (23\ub0C, 30\ub0C) for 7 days. Total mortality was achieved in very few cases, and only under the most unfavorable conditions of the lowest levels of relative humidity and oxygen content. Results varied from species to species, so it is evident that the efficacy of treatment by means of controlled atmosphere is species-dependent

Evaluation of novel ecofriendly synergists for insecticide formulations against Blattella germanica (L.)

Blattella germanica (L.) is a common pest of anthropic environments. Cockroach infestations are associated with poor sanitation, particularly around food-handling facilities, causing damages and contaminations. Furthermore, this species is responsible for transmitting microorganisms which implicate medical and hygienic problems. In this study, carried out in the framework of the European project "Ecosyn" (Ecofriendly synergists for insecticide formulations, funded by the 7th Framework Program of the European Union, contract no. 605740), the synergists PBO and some of its new derivatives were combined with two insecticides to assess any possible effect. The cypermethrin was assayed using a contact test in vials, leaving the insects with the products for 30 minutes, evaluating the knock-down effect every 5 minutes. Then, cockroaches were transferred in untreated vials and mortality was assessed 24 hours later. In general, the synergists did not influence the knock-down effect but caused a significant increase in mortality compared to the insecticide used alone. The S-methoprene effect was evaluated feeding virgin females for a week with moist baits containing insecticide and synergist. After mating with untreated males, every day mortality and appearance, abortion or hatching of ootheca were assessed. Although differences among various synergists were observed, the treated cockroaches showed a delay in ootheca production, an increase in its abortion and a reduction in the number of births

Preliminary observations on the susceptibility of pseudo-cereals and other new grains for the European market to the attack of stored product beetles

Until a few years ago, pseudo-cereals and some other plants (originating either from Latin America or from Asia or Africa) of interest as food were almost unknown in Europe, but recently they have attracted the attention of researchers because of their growing diffusion in the agri-food industry. In the human diet, pseudo-cereals such as quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willdenow), amaranth (Amaranthus spp.) and buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench) are appreciated for some properties including high nutritional values; similarly chia (Salvia hispanica L.), which is an oily seed, and teff (Eragrostis tef (Zuccagni) Trotter), which is instead a cereal, have interesting nutritional profiles. The grains of these plants can be consumed in the place of traditional cereals, as such or transformed into flour to obtain bread, pasta or other derivatives. Their cultivation is increasing in various countries of Europe, including Italy and, as for all (other) cereals, they are susceptible to attack by pests after harvest. This aspect cannot be ignored. Our laboratory research has investigated the susceptibility of pseudocereals, chia and teff to attack by some common stored-product beetles and moths known for their more or less marked polyphagy: Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) (Bostrichidae), Sitophilus granarius (L.) (Dryophthoridae), Tenebrio molitor (L.) (Tenebrionidae) and Plodia interpunctella (H\ufcbner) (Pyralidae). Results revealed significant differences in the timescale and means of infestation and larval development: S. granarius and R. dominica grew only on buckwheat; P. interpunctella grew on all seeds except amaranth, with high larval trophic activity, but most larvae died between 60 and 90 days after the beginning of the infestation. T. molitor larval activity was observed on all the grains and the life cycle was not interrupted. This study, still underway, is a first step towards optimizing the storage methods of these new products and to understanding their main risks of infestation and ntamination