Terpene emission in tissue culture

Tissue cultured plants\u27 vessel headspace is subject to changes during subculture, and the analysis of its variation offers a non-destructive approach for monitoring plant physiology. Among the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can be released by plants and be potentially recovered in the airspace of plant tissue cultures, terpenes are very important since they can offer a snapshot of the physiological status of the plant under in vitro cultivation. Terpenes are synthesized from carbon directly shunted from the photosynthetic carbon fixation cycle and their emission is under genetic and environmental control. The experiments described in this paper propose the evaluation of the plant terpene profile in the culture\u27s headspace as an early indicator of plant stress through the characterization of plant terpene production. Monitoring of terpene emission as a plant response to mechanical stress such as plant wounding showed an increased isoprene and monoterpene emission rates in the first hour after cutting. The comparison of headspace composition of cultures of two fruit rootstocks, Colt and GF677, showed the former having higher emissions of isoprene, alpha-pinene and limonene than the latter. A decreasing emission trend was observed during subculture, apparently as a result of culture aging. The in vitro headspace analysis of different myrtle (Myrtus communis L.) clones showed a specific and distinctive terpene emission profile. VOC monitoring of in vitro culture headspace is discussed as a non-destructive approach useful for its relation with major physiological activities of culture and for the determination of the potential production of terpenes

Wood impregnated with metal chelates dissolved in organic media tested for termite resistance

Wood manufactured products are subjected to biological decay due to fungi and insects. The use of copper chelates as biocides was proposed, due to their high stability which minimizes copper leaching in the environment. Considering the remarkable effectiveness showed by copper chelates on brown rot fungi, zinc and copper chelate complexes were prepared in order to have metal chelates soluble in organic media available. The present study aimed at evaluating these metal chelates complexes as preservative agents for wood treatment against termites. Trials were performed on Reticulitermes lucifugus (Rossi) and Kalotermes flavicollis (Fabricius). Results showed that in both termite species wood consumption was significantly lower on Cu-chelates treated samples compared to untreated wood, whereas the wood slices impregnated with Zn-chelates and the organic media alone gave an intermediate response. Interestingly, in one case solvent-impregnated wood was significantly more attractive than untreated wood for both species and further investigations are being carried out to clarify this behaviour

Glycemic Control Improvement in Italian Children and Adolescents With Type 1 Diabetes Followed Through Telemedicine During Lockdown Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic

Background/Objective: To minimize the wide spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, Italy was placed in an almost complete lockdown state that forced people to \u201cstay at home\u201d. Aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of lockdown on glycemic control in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes (T1D) followed through telemedicine. Subjects/Methods: This observational study involved patients with T1D using the real-time continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) Dexcom G6\uae. Ambulatory glucose profile data from the 3-months before schools closure (November 26, 2019\u2013February 23, 2020; T0) and from the 3-months of consecutive lockdown (February 24\u2013May 18, 2020; T1) were compared. Results: Sixty-two children and adolescents (11.1 \ub1 4.37 years, 50% males) with T1D (median time disease 3.67 years) were enrolled in the study. Insulin total daily dose was unchanged, while time spent on physical activities was decreased (p<0.0001). Despite the lack of statistical significance, median value of the glucose management indicator decreased from 7.4% to 7.25%. Glucose standard deviation (p<0.0001) and coefficient of variation (p=0.001) improved across the study. Median time in range increased from 60.5% to 63.5% (p=0.008), time above range decreased from 37.3% to 34.1% (p=0.048), and time below range decreased from 1.85% to 1.45% (p=0.001). Conclusions: Overall, in our children and adolescents with T1D glycemic control improved during lockdown. Despite patients were confined to their homes and limited to exercise, our data suggest that the use of real-time CGM, the continuous parental management, and the telemedicine can display beneficial effects on T1D care

Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals and Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is the most common chronic metabolic disease in children and adolescents. The etiology of T1D is not fully understood but it seems multifactorial. The genetic background determines the predisposition to develop T1D, while the autoimmune process against -cells seems to be also determined by environmental triggers, such as endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). Environmental EDCs may act throughout dierent temporal windows as single chemical agent or as chemical mixtures. They could aect the development and the function of the immune system or of the beta-cells function, promoting autoimmunity and increasing the susceptibility to autoimmune attack. Human studies evaluating the potential role of exposure to EDCs on the pathogenesis of T1D are few and demonstrated contradictory results. The aim of this narrative review is to summarize experimental and epidemiological studies on the potential role of exposure to EDCs in the development of T1D.We highlight what we know by animals about EDCs\u2019 eects on mechanisms leading to T1D development and progression. Studies evaluating the EDC levels in patients with T1D were also reported. Moreover, we discussed why further studies are needed and how they should be designed to better understand the causal mechanisms and the next prevention interventions

Copper anchored to amino-group functionalized silica gel as wood preservative against brown-rot decay

The aim of this research was to realize new potential wood preservatives against fungal decay, with low environmental impact and well fixed into the wood.Pinus sylvestris L. wood samples were impregnated by silica xerogels functionalized with amino groups able to link copper through coordinative interactions. In this study tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) and 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES), in different ratios, and linked with copper or not, were utilized to impregnate wood samples, in order to evaluate the factors responsible for the efficacy against the brown rot Coniophora puteana. The fixation to the wood was evaluated through the leaching procedure (EN 84) and the variation on the effectiveness against this fungus.The sol-gel processes TEOS/APTES, ratio 1:1, with or without copper, leached or not leached, showed a good effectiveness against fungus C. puteana

Hypospadias: clinical approach, surgical technique and long-term outcome

Background: Hypospadias is one of the most common congenital abnormalities in male newborn. There is no universal approach to hypospadias surgical repair, with more than 300 corrective procedures described in current literature. The reoperation rate within 6–12 months of the initial surgery is most frequently used as an outcome measure. These short-term outcomes may not reflect those encountered in adolescence and adult life. This study aims to identify the long-term cosmetic, functional and psychosexual outcomes. Methods: Medical records of boys who had undergone surgical repair of hypospadias by a single surgical team led by the same surgeon at a single centre between August 2001 and December 2017 were reviewed. Families were contacted by telephone and invited to participate. Surgical outcome was assessed by combination of clinical examination, a life-related interview and 3 validated questionnaires (the Penile Perception Score-PPS, the Hypospadias Objective Score Evaluation-HOSE, the International Index of Erectile Function-5-IIEF5). Outcomes were compared according to age, severity of hypospadias, and respondent (child, parent and surgeon). Results: 187 children and their families agreed to participate in the study. 46 patients (24.6%) presented at least one complication after the repair, with a median elapsed time of 11.5 months (6.5–22.5). Longitudinal differences in surgical corrective procedures (p < 0.01), clinical approach (p < 0.01), hospitalisation after surgery (p < 0.01) were found. Cosmetic data from the PPS were similar among children and parents, with no significant differences in child’s age or the type of hypospadias: 83% of children and 87% of parents were satisfied with the cosmetic result. A significant difference in functional outcome related to the type of hypospadias was reflected responses to HOSE amongst all groups of respondents: children (p < 0.001), parents (p=0.02) and surgeon (p < 0.01). The child’s HOSE total score was consistently lower than the surgeon (p < 0.01). The HOSE satisfaction rate on functional outcome was 89% for child and 92% for parent respondents. Conclusion: Surgeons and clinicians should be cognizant of the long-term outcomes following hypospadias surgical repair and this should be reflected in a demand for a standardised approach to repair and follow-up

Relationships between intensity and liking for chemosensory stimuli in food models: a large-scale consumer segmentation

16openInternationalBothThis study, which was conducted as part of the Italian Taste project, was aimed at exploring the relationship between actual liking and sensory perception in four food models. Each food model was spiked with four levels of prototypical tastant (i.e., citric acid, sucrose, sodium chloride, capsaicin) to elicit a target sensation (TS) at an increasing perceived intensity. Participants (N = 2258; 59% women, aged 18–60) provided demographic information, a stated liking for 40 different foods/beverages, and their responsiveness to tastants in water. A food-specific Pearson’s coefficient was calculated individually to estimate the relationship between actual liking and TS responsiveness. Considering the relationship magnitude, consumers were grouped into four food-specific clusters, depending on whether they showed a strong negative (SNC), a weak negative (WNC), a weak positive (WPC), or a strong positive correlation (SPC). Overall, the degree of liking raised in parallel with sweetness responsiveness, fell as sourness and pungency perception increased, and showed an inverted U-shape relationship with saltiness. The SNC clusters generally perceived TSs at higher intensities, except for sourness. Clusters were validated by associating the level of stated liking towards food/beverages; however, some unexpected indications emerged: adding sugar to coffee or preferring spicy foods differentiated those presenting positive correlations from those showing negative correlations. Our findings constitute a step towards a more comprehensive understanding of food preferences.openEndrizzi, I.; Cliceri, D.; Menghi, L.; Aprea, E.; Charles, M.; Monteleone, E.; Dinnella, C.; Spinelli, S.; Pagliarini, E.; Laureati, M.; Torri, L.; Bendini, A.; Toschi, T.G.; Sinesio, F.; Predieri, S.; Gasperi, F.Endrizzi, I.; Cliceri, D.; Menghi, L.; Aprea, E.; Charles, M.; Monteleone, E.; Dinnella, C.; Spinelli, S.; Pagliarini, E.; Laureati, M.; Torri, L.; Bendini, A.; Toschi, T.G.; Sinesio, F.; Predieri, S.; Gasperi, F

Poor health related quality of life and unhealthy lifestyle habits in weight-loss treatment-seeking youth

Obesity is associated with unhealthy lifestyle behaviors and poor Health Related Quality of Life (HRQOL). The cumulative effect of lifestyle behaviors on HRQOL has been demonstrated in chronically ill adolescents, but not in adolescents with obesity. The present study aimed to assess the association between HRQOL and adherence to the Mediterranean Diet (MD) and/or low levels of physical activity (PA) in a large sample of outpatient adolescents with overweight or obesity seeking weight loss treatment. Four-hundred-twenty participants were enrolled from 10 Italian outpatient clinics. The demographics and anthropometric features, KIDMED scores, and exercise levels of the participants were collected, together with parental features. The HRQOL was assessed by the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL™), Adolescents Version 4.0. PedsQL total score and functioning subscales were lower in adolescents who reported one or two unhealthy habits. Compared with the high/intermediate groups, the risk of low HRQOL was twice as high for each unit increase in BMI SDS, while the percentage was reduced by 12.2% for every unit increase in the KIDMED score and by 32.3% for each hour increase of exercise. The clustering of these two unhealthy behaviors conferred a 120% higher risk of low HRQOL. Similarly, adolescents displaying better diet quality and/or a physically more active lifestyle have better physical and psychological functioning. Further studies are needed to disclose whether these characteristics may be predictive of better adherence to weight loss treatment

Poor health related quality of life and unhealthy lifestyle habits in weight-loss treatment-seeking youth

Obesity is associated with unhealthy lifestyle behaviors and poor Health Related Quality of Life (HRQOL). The cumulative effect of lifestyle behaviors on HRQOL has been demonstrated in chronically ill adolescents, but not in adolescents with obesity. The present study aimed to assess the association between HRQOL and adherence to the Mediterranean Diet (MD) and/or low levels of physical activity (PA) in a large sample of outpatient adolescents with overweight or obesity seeking weight loss treatment. Four-hundred-twenty participants were enrolled from 10 Italian outpatient clinics. The demographics and anthropometric features, KIDMED scores, and exercise levels of the participants were collected, together with parental features. The HRQOL was assessed by the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL™), Adolescents Version 4.0. PedsQL total score and functioning subscales were lower in adolescents who reported one or two unhealthy habits. Compared with the high/intermediate groups, the risk of low HRQOL was twice as high for each unit increase in BMI SDS, while the percentage was reduced by 12.2% for every unit increase in the KIDMED score and by 32.3% for each hour increase of exercise. The clustering of these two unhealthy behaviors conferred a 120% higher risk of low HRQOL. Similarly, adolescents displaying better diet quality and/or a physically more active lifestyle have better physical and psychological functioning. Further studies are needed to disclose whether these characteristics may be predictive of better adherence to weight loss treatment

Age-Period-Cohort Analysis of 1990–2003 Incidence Time Trends of Childhood Diabetes in Italy: The RIDI Study

OBJECTIVE - To investigate age-period-cohort effects on the temporal trend of type 1 diabetes in children age 0-14 years in Italian registries. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS - This report is based on 5,180 incident cases in the period 1990-2003 from the Registry for Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus in Italy (RIDI). Multilevel (random intercept) Poisson regression models were used to model the effects of sex, age, calendar time, and birth cohorts on temporal trends, taking into account the registry-level variance component. RESULTS - The incidence rate was 12.26 per 100,000 personyears and significantly higher in boys (13.13 [95% CI 12.66-13.62]) than in girls (11.35 [10.90-11.82]). Large geographical variations in incidence within Italy were evident; incidence was highest in Sardinia, intermediate in Central-Southern Italy, and high in Northern Italy, particularly in the Trento Province, where the incidence rate was 18.67 per 100,000 person-years. An increasing temporal trend was evident (2.94% per year [95% CI 2.22-3.67]). With respect to the calendar period 1990-1992, the incidence rates increased linearly by 15, 27, 35, and 40% in the following time periods (P for trend < 0.001). With respect to the 1987-1993 birth cohort, the incidence rate ratio increased approximately linearly from 0.63 (95% CI 0.54-0.73) in the 1975-1981 cohort to 1.38 (1.06-1.80) in the 1999-2003 cohort. The best model, however, included sex, age, and a linear time trend (drift). CONCLUSIONS - Large geographical variations and an increasing temporal trend in diabetes incidence are evident among type 1 diabetic children in Italy. Age-period-cohort analysis shows that the variation over time has a linear component that cannot be ascribed to either the calendar period or the birth cohort