Analisi dei trend epidemiologici di incidenza e prevalenza della <i>Miastenia gravis</i> nella popolazione sarda

Aim: Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a relatively rare autoimmune neuromuscular disorder. Over the last fifty years there has been a trend towards an increase of its prevalence. Last Sardinian report indicated a prevalence rate of 11.1 per 100,000 (1994) and an incidence rate of 0.8 per 100,000/year (1982-1994). We aimed to update MG incidence and prevalence in the Sardinian. Methods: Patients with diagnosis of MG according to clinical, electrophysiologic and laboratory criteria (incl., anti-AChR and MuSK antibodies) were included. The study was conducted in the provinces of Sassari and Olbia-Tempio, northern Sardinia, over the period 1996-2010. Multiple sources of information were used and data merged into one dataset for statistical analysis. The study was approved by the local Ethical Committee (N. 993/CE/2012). Results: On prevalence day (December 31, 2010) 320 MG cases were living in the study area. The overall crude prevalence was 64.9 (95%CIs, 61.0-68.9) per 100,000 inhabitants: 67.4 for males and 62.6 for females. The mean annual incidence rate was 4.60 (95%CIs 1.77-7.43) per 100,000: 4.72 for males and 4.48 for females. Conclusion: Our results indicate a relevant increase in MG incidence and prevalence in northern Sardinia as compared to previous reports, placing this area at high risk for the disease. MG incidence and prevalence increased in women, and late-onset MG predominant in men Acknowledgments: Regione Autonoma Sardegna (Assess. Sanità, Igiene, Assist. Sociale).</br

Phenolic content and radical scavenging properties of natural extracts for traditional care of domestic animals in Mediterranean areas

Extracts of plants traditionally used for treatments on animals were tested for total phenolic, non tannic phenolic, condensed tannins and total flavonoid content. Antioxidant properties were determined using 2,2’-azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS) and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) chemical assays following DMSO extraction. We also assessed the toxicity of extracts on cell viability and determined their ability to modulate the production of intracellular reactive oxygen species

Cadmium content detected in forage species growing in a heavy metal contaminated site and implications for the food chain

In the frame of a project aimed at selecting plant-microbe associations useful for phytoremediation purposes in a heavy metal (HM) polluted area in the Sulcis-Iglesiente region, we screened the accumulation of Cd and other HMs in different plant parts of several spontaneous herbaceous species occurring in a HM polluted area and grazed by ruminants, with the aim to check the potential dangers that such plant species can represent for the food chain safety

Fatty acid composition and antioxidant capacity in linseed grown as forage in Mediterranean environment

This research was aimed at studying the bromatological traits, fatty acid profile, bioactive compounds, and antioxidant capacity in linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) shoots harvested at six codified morphological stages. Quality traits were significantly related to cumulated growing degree days from seedling emergence to senescence. The crude protein and ash contents exhibited a gradual decrease and were negatively correlated with morphological stages, whereas cell wall components such as neutral, acid detergent fibers and lignin (NDF, ADF, and ADL) and ether extract (EE) showed a positive correlation. Both ABTS [(2,2'-azinobis (3- ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) diammonium salt] and DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) assays indicated a reduction in antioxidant capacities from stem extension to senescence, from 16 to 7.1, and 19 to 7 mmol TEAC/100g DW, for ABTS and DPPH, respectively. Significant linear correlation among the antioxidant activity, phenolics, NDF, ADF, ADL, and EE were found showed usually. Total phenolic (9.6-26.4 g GAE kg–1) and total flavonoid (5.2-16.7 g CE kg–1) contents were negatively related with morphological stages. The morphological stage was significantly correlated with oil content, although individual fatty acid content did not. Research gives new insights into the evolution of chemical composition of linseed shoot. Remarkable variations in quality traits, fatty acid contents, bioactive compounds, and antioxidant capacity evidence the possibility to use green linseed in animals' diet, also suggesting the exploitation of linseed plant as forage source

The Dynamics of phenolic concentration in some pasture species and implications for animal husbandry

BACKGROUND: Although secondary metabolites have often been studied considering their primary role as plant-defensive and their effect on consumers detrimental, their effects are usually dose-dependent, so it is important to consider their content at all phenological phases and in different plant organs. In this study the content of total phenolics (TotP), non-tannic phenolics (NTP) and proanthocyanidins (PA) was determined in natural populations of pasture species at defined phenological phases and in different plant organs and also in pathogen-infected plants. RESULTS: Variation in TotP, NTP and PA contentwas observed in all species, phenological phases and plant organs. Leaf blades were the organs with the highest content in all species. The content of all examined compounds increased in infected leaves, reaching themaximum when 20% of plant tissues were attacked and decreasing at higher infection levels. CONCLUSION: Delphinidin was found as an appropriate standard related to the PA structure of each plant species. PA concentrations were always in the range considered beneficial for animals, not exceeding 60 g delphinidin equivalent kg−1 dry matter. The Folin–Ciocalteu and butanol/HCl/Fe3+ assays remain the most practical methods for screening large numbers of different plant species for TotP and PA

Bioactive Compounds from Leaves and Twigs of Guayule Grown in a Mediterranean Environment

Guayule (Parthenium argentatum) is one of the most promising alternatives to produce natural rubber. As the guayule leaves represent a waste byproduct in the rubber extraction process, their exploitation might contribute to the valorization of the whole plant biomass. The specific aim of our study was to determine the antioxidant capacity and the content of phenolic compounds in leaves and twigs of different guayule lines cultivated in a Mediterranean environment. The antioxidant capacity and the contents of phenolic were affected significantly by guayule accession and harvest time. Overall means in twigs represented about 60% of the corresponding leaf values for antioxidant capacity as DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) and not tannic phenolic and about 55% as ABTS (2,2&prime;-azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) diammonium salt), total phenolic, tannic phenolic and total flavonoid contents. Five individual phenolic compounds were identified in methanolic extracts of leaves. Neochlorogenic acid (62.5&ndash;174.8 mg g&minus;1 DW) and chlorogenic acid (28.6&ndash;41.1 mg g&minus;1 DW) were the most abundant phenolic acids. In addition to the compounds quantified in leaves, cynarin was identified only in twigs and for the first time in guayule biomass. Our results indicate that guayule leaves and twigs represent a rich source of antioxidants for potential applications in fodder, nutraceutical and pharmacological sectors

Subterranean Clover and Sulla as Valuable and Complementary Sources of Bioactive Compounds for Rainfed Mediterranean Farming Systems

Mediterranean pasture and forage legumes are important components of sustainable production systems. Subterranean clover and sulla represent key species having proven high agronomic value and traits for production and multiple services. Our research investigated the potential of the abovementioned species as a source of phenolic compounds and antioxidants for contributing to support their full exploitation in the fodder, animal welfare, and nutraceutical sectors. Antioxidant capacity, as well as the content of total phenolic compounds and individual phenolic compounds, was determined in subterranean clover and sulla shoots at the vegetative, flower bud, flowering, and seed ripening phenological stages. The antioxidant capacity and the phenolic content were affected significantly by harvest time. In subterranean clover, 10 individual phenolic compounds were detected, and isoflavones were the most abundant (3.19–18.27 mg·g−1 DM). Eleven phenolic compounds were identified in sulla shoots, and chlorogenic acid (0.76–3.43 mg·g−1 DM) and diosmin (3.64–4.94 mg·g−1 DM) were the most represented compounds at the vegetative and flower bud stage. On the basis of our findings, a complementary utilization of both legume species is suggested; this might ensure the exploitation of all phenolic compounds in view of the potential benefits for animal production and health

Differentiation between fiber and drug types of hemp (<i>Cannabis sativa</i> L.) from a collection of wild and domesticated accessions

Accessions of wild and domesticated hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) originating from Colombia, Mexico, California, Bolivia, Thailand, Afghanistan, Serbia, Hungary, south Africa and different regions of China, were studied by means of DNA polymorphisms in order to discriminate between drug and fiber types. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) was used to partition the total genetic variance within and among populations. The significance of the variance components was tested by calculating their probabilities based on 999 random permutations. AMOVA revealed 74 % variation among accessions and 26 % within accessions, all AMOVA variation was highly significant (P &lt; 0.001). The cluster analysis of molecular data, grouped accessions into eight clusters and gave a matrix correlation value of r = 0.943, indicating a very good fit between the similarity values implied by the phenogram and those of the original similarity matrix. In this study, DNA polymorphisms could discriminate the fiber and drug types, and accessions were grouped in accordance to their classification and uses. In addition, seed size variation and micromorphological characters of seeds were studied by means of a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Seeds varied significantly in size, and were bigger in the fiber types. SEM analysis exhibited variation of micromorphological characters of seeds that could be important for discriminating the fiber or drug types

Antioxidant Contents in a Mediterranean Population of Plantago lanceolata L. Exploited for Quarry Reclamation Interventions

Plantago lanceolata L. (plantain) is an interesting multipurpose perennial species whose aerial parts are used in herbal medicine due to its precious phytochemicals and are palatable to animals. Moreover, peculiar traits such as drought tolerance, an extended growth season and a deep root system, make plantain a promising pioneer plant for quarry reclamation based on the use of native species. This study evaluated the effects of different environmental conditions and seasons on the accumulation of the bioactive compounds of its aerial organs. An autochthonous plantain population was grown in three locations in Sardinia (Italy). Leaves, peduncles and inflorescences were collected between October 2020 and July 2021. Phenolic contents and antioxidant capacity were determined. The analysis of the individual phenolic compounds was performed using liquid chromatography. In leaves, the content of total phenolics, antioxidant capacity and total flavonoids were significantly influenced by location and season. Total phenolic content ranged from 65 to 240 g gallic acid equivalent kg&minus;1, whereas total flavonoids were from 16 to about 89 g catechin equivalent kg&minus;1. Neochlorogenic, chlorogenic, cryptochlorogenic acids, verbascoside, diosmin and luteolin were identified in the methanolic extracts of leaves, peduncles and inflorescences. Verbascoside was the main antioxidant isolated from plantain extracts. Results evidenced an increasing accumulation pattern of phenolics from vegetative stage to flowering, followed by a decrement towards the seed ripening as well as site-specific differences with amounts of phenolics even 25% higher for same plantain accession