Meiotic double strand breaks repair in sexually reproducing eukaryotes: We are not all equal.

The defining event of meiosis is prophase-I, during which the maternal and paternal chromosome find each other in the nucleus, pair, and align in a process called “synapses of the homologues”. Their faithful segregation during the first meiotic division (MI) requires meiotic recombination and in particular at least one crossing over (CO) per pair of homologous chromosomes. COs are needed, not only to generate diversity within a population, but (along with sister chromatids cohesion) to form the chiasmata that are the physical connection between the homologues that ensures their faithful segregation at metaphase-I. Our understanding of recombination in higher eukaryotes has comes from studies in model organisms such as yeasts, flies and worms. Although there are clear differences among organisms, most of the genes and proteins that are required in these processes are conserved and have orthologues in mammals. However, their null mutations in mice (Mus musculus) do not always display the same phenotype as in lower eukaryotes, indicating that along with the increased complexity of the genome, same genes have acquired new or partially overlapping functions. In this review we will focus on the main genes and protein products which are required for meiotic recombination, comparing the simple metazoan C. elegans and the mouse, underlying divergences and similarities between these organism

Physical properties and antimicrobial activity of bioactive film based on whey protein and Lactobacillus curvatus 54M16 producer of bacteriocins

The objective of the work was to study the viability and antimicrobial activity of bacteriocin-producing lactic acid bacteria (LAB) incorporated into whey protein/inulin/gelatine (WP) edible films in presence or absence of nutrient (modified MRS broth). Moreover, the role of the cell on the film structure and properties has been investigated. The results of the work showed that WP-based films were able to ensure a high viability of the bacteriocin-producing strain L. curvatus 54M16 during 28 days of storage at 4 °C. The addition of nutrient in the film matrix slightly affected the viability of the cells, but it was critical for the antimicrobial activity of the films. Films in presence of nutrient showed a good antimicrobial activity against L. innocua C6 as in vitro system as on cooked ham. The presence of LAB has a significant effect on the structure of the film: it reduced the viscosity of the film forming solution and improved the elasticity and the percentage of elongation. Whereas, no effect was observed for water vapour transmission rate and solubility. Thus, WP-based films in presence of modified MRS broth can be used as effective delivery and carrier systems for lactic acid bacteria to develop bioactive edible film or coating with antimicrobial properties

Aglianico and Fiano wines obtained with an autochthonous non-Saccharomyces yeast

Non-Saccharomyces yeasts are microorganisms that play a prominent role in the fermentation dynamics, composition and flavour of wine. The principal aromatic compounds responsible for varietal aroma in wine are terpenes; of these, the monoterpenes represent the oenologically most important group in terms of volatility and odour, if they are present in a free form. The glycosidically bound forms can be converted into compounds with free odours by hydrolysis with the glycosidases produced by yeasts. We performed a screening of non-Saccharomyces yeasts present in the grapes and must of Aglianico and Fiano cultivars typical of South Italy (Irpinia), which have a high extra-cellular glycosidase activity. Among the species analysed was a strain belonging to Rhodotorula spp. that showed the highest glycosidase activity, an increased free terpene fraction and, simultaneously, little modification of the bouquet. The isolated yeast was subsequently utilized for experimental winemaking processes of Aglianico and Fiano wines. The results demonstrated that the obtained wines had a more intense floral aroma and some sweet and ripened fruit notes

The Shine-Dalgarno hybrid during initiation of translation and elongation

It was unknown whether a synthetic Shine-Dalgarno (SD) oligonucleotide labelled with ³²P at its 5'-end ([³²P]oct) would be able to reach the anti-SD sequence of 16S rRNA at the early stages of translation only or during elongation. To verify this, [³²P]oct was incubated with 30S ribosomal subunits (RSUs), 70S ribosomes and polysomes, separately, while the SD/anti-SD binding was checked in them through sucrose gradients. The anti-SD sequence resulted highly available in 30S RSUs and sufficiently available in ribosomes. In both 30S RSUs and ribosomes, the addition of a model 002 mRNA in equimolar proportions displaced [³²P]oct for about 50 %. However, in ribosomes the presence of initiation factors (IFs) and fMet-tRNA influence neither the binding of [³²P]oct nor the competition coming from mRNA. In polysomes, [³²P]oct was unable to hybridize the anti-SD sequence, in agreement with the hypothesis that mRNA and 16S rRNA are involved in the SD/anti-SD interaction also during elongation.Невідомо, чи будуть синтетичні олігонуклеотиди Шайна-Дальгарно (SD) мічені ³² P по 5'-кінця ([ ³² P]-окт) досягати анти-SD послідовності 16S рРНК на ранній стадії трансляції або тільки під час елонгації. Дла перевірки даної гіпотези, [ ³² P] окт інкубували з 30S субодиницями рибосом (RSUs) і 70S рибосом і полісом, окремо, SD / анти-SD зв'язування детектувати в градієнти сахарози. Анти-SD послідовності призвело високої доступності в 30-і RSUs і досить доступні в рибосоми. В обох 30S RSUs і рибосом, додавання модель 002 мРНК в еквімолярних кількостей зміщені [ ³² P] окт близько 50%. Тим не менш, в рибосомах присутність факторів ініціації (МФ) і fMet-тРНК не впливають на зв'язування [ ³² P] окт і не конкурують з мРНК. У полісоми, [ ³² P] окт не зміг провести гібридизацію анти-SD послідовності, відповідно до гіпотезою, що мРНК і 16S рРНК беруть участь в SD / анти-SD взаємодія також під час елонгації.Неизвестно, будут ли синтетические олигонуклеотиды Шайна-Дальгарно (SD) меченные ³²P по 5'-концу ([³²P]-окт) достигать анти-SD последовательности 16S рРНК на ранней стадии трансляции или только во время элонгации. Дла проверки данной гипотезы, [³²P] окт инкубировали с 30S субъединицами рибосом (RSUs) и 70S рибосом и полисом, по отдельности, SD / анти-SD связывание детектировали в градиенты сахарозы. Анти-SD последовательности привело высокой доступности в 30-е RSUs и достаточно доступны в рибосомы. В обоих 30S RSUs и рибосом, добавление модель 002 мРНК в эквимолярных количеств смещены [³²P] окт около 50%. Тем не менее, в рибосомах присутствие факторов инициации (МФ) и fMet-тРНК не влияют на связывание [³²P] окт и не конкурируют с мРНК. В полисоме, [³²P] окт не смог провести гибридизацию анти-SD последовательности, в соответствии с гипотезой, что мРНК и 16S рРНК участвуют в SD / анти-SD взаимодействие также во время элонгации

Single-Center-Single-Blinded Clinical Trial to Evaluate the Efficacy of a Nutraceutical Containing Boswellia Serrata, Bromelain, Zinc, Magnesium, Honey, Tyndallized Lactobacillus Acidophilus and Casei to Fight Upper Respiratory Tract Infection and Otitis Media

Some nutraceuticals have been studied as supportive treatment for fighting upper respiratory tract infection and middle ear disease. Our study aims at evaluating the effect of a specific oral supplementation in the treatment of pediatric otits media. The subjects were randomly assigned by the physician (single-blinded study) to one of three groups: Control Group (CG), Treatment Group 1 (TG1), or Treatment Group 2 (TG2). Both TG were treated with Flogostop Duo (for 20 days—TG1 or 30 days—TG2) in combination with the standard treatment, while CG underwent standard treatment only. The standard treatment was nasal aerosol with Fluticasone and Mucolytic, and nasal washing with hypertonic solution. All patients were analyzed by otoscopy, impedance, fibroscopy, and pure auditory test at the baseline (T0), after 20 days (T1) and 35 days (T2). 120 children were included in the study, 40 in the CG, 40 in the TG1, and 40 in the TG2. Both TG1 and TG2 presented statistically significant differences with respect to controls in otoscopy, impedance, fibroscopy, and PTA at T2. The otoscopy improved at T2 with statistically significant value only in TG2. The impedance and fibroscopy improved at T1 both in TG1 and TG2 compared to CG. A statistically significant improvement was observed in TG2 at T2 in comparison to both CG and TG1. Statistically significant differences were observed in PTA at T2 only compared with controls. This study confirmed the efficacy of nutraceutical as supporting therapy in the upper respiratory tract infection in children. In particular, the supplement containing Boswellia serrata and Bromelain, which are molecules with strong anti-inflammatory and pain-control capacities, could add the benefit without the adverse effects which are related to NSAID us

Discriminating the-long distance dispersal of fine ash from sustained columns or near ground ash clouds: the example of the Pomici di Avellino eruption (Somma-Vesuvius, Italy).

Ash samples from tephra layers correlated with the Pomici di Avellino (Avellino Pumice) eruption of Somma-Vesuvius were collected in distal archives and their composition and particle morphology investigated in order to infer their behaviour of transportation and deposition. Differences in composition and particle morphologies were recognised for ash particles belonging to the magmatic Plinian and final phreatomagmatic phases of the eruption. The ash particles were dispersed in opposite directions during the two different phases of the eruption, and these directions are also different from that of coarse-grained fallout deposits. In particular, ash generated during magmatic phase and injected in the atmosphere to form a sustained column shows a prevailing SE dispersion, while ash particles generated during the final phreatomagmatic phase and carried by pyroclastic density currents show a general NW dispersion. These opposite dispersions indicate an ash dispersal influenced by both high and low atmosphere dynamics. In particular, the magmatic ash dispersal was first driven by stratospheric wind towards NE and then the falling particles encountered a variable wind field during their settling, which produced the observed preferential SE dispersal. The wind field encountered by the rising ash clouds that accompanied the pyroclastic density currents of the final phreatomagmatic phase was different with respect to that encountered by the magmatic ash, and produced a NW dispersal. These data demonstrate how ash transportation and deposition are greatly influenced by both high and low atmosphere dynamics. In particular, fine-grained particles transported in ash clouds of small-scale pyroclastic density currents may be dispersed over distances and cover areas comparable with those injected into the stratosphere by Plinian, sustained columns. This is a point not completely addressed by present day mitigation plans in case of renewal of activity at Somma-Vesuvius, and can yield important information also for other volcanoes potentially characterised by explosive activity