The impact of controlled ovarian stimulation hormones on the metabolic state and endocannabinoid system of human cumulus cells

Different Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) formulation and Luteinizing Hormone (LH) are used in Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) to induce follicles development and oocytes maturation, but it is still under debate which protocol is to be preferred. In the present study, the different effects on cumulus cells (CCs) of three controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) protocols, based on urinary FSH, recombinant FSH, or human Menopausal Gonadotropin (hMG) administration, were assessed. CCs were obtained from 42 normal-responders women undergoing COS, randomly divided into three groups according to the used gonadotropin formulation. Differences were found in the expression of genes belonging to the endocannabinoid system (the receptors CNR1, CNR2 and TRPV1, and the enzymes involved in the metabolisms of anandamide, NAPE-PLD and FAAH, and 2-acylglycerol, DAGL and MAGL); consistently, changes in lipid (PPARα, and FASN) and carbohydrate (GLUT1 and GLUT9) metabolisms, in CCs’ macromolecules composition (highlighted by Fourier Transform Infrared Microspectroscopy, FTIRM), and in the number of retrieved oocytes were found. For the first time, statistically significant evidence on the differences related to each COS protocol on the endocannabinoid system, metabolism and macromolecular composition of CCs was found, representing a proof of concept to be further confirmed in a larger cohort of patients

Probiotic treatment reduces appetite and glucose level in the zebrafish model.

The gut microbiota regulates metabolic pathways that modulate the physiological state of hunger or satiety. Nutrients in the gut stimulate the release of several appetite modulators acting at central and peripheral levels to mediate appetite and glucose metabolism. After an eight-day exposure of zebrafish larvae to probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus, high-throughput sequence analysis evidenced the ability of the probiotic to modulate the microbial composition of the gastrointestinal tract. These changes were associated with a down-regulation and up-regulation of larval orexigenic and anorexigenic genes, respectively, an up-regulation of genes related to glucose level reduction and concomitantly reduced appetite and body glucose level. BODIPY-FL-pentanoic-acid staining revealed higher short chain fatty acids levels in the intestine of treated larvae. These results underline the capability of the probiotic to modulate the gut microbiota community and provides insight into how the probiotic interacts to regulate a novel gene network involved in glucose metabolism and appetite control, suggesting a possible role for L. rhamnosus in the treatment of impaired glucose tolerance and food intake disorders by gut microbiota manipulation

Caratterizzazione DRIFT e TG-DTA di sostanze umiche estratte da un suolo ammendato con reflui oleari.

Scopo del lavoro \ue8 stato quello di caratterizzare, mediante l\u2019analisi spettroscopica (DRIFT) e termica (TG-DTA), la componente umica di un suolo ammendato con polpa di oliva (OP) reflui dell\u2019estrazione dell\u2019olio extravergine d\u2019oliva a due fasi e di due effluenti dalla fermentazione della OP per la produzione di idrogeno (EH2) e di metano (ECH4). I risultati ottenuti dalla sperimentazione hanno dimostrato che i) le prove in vaso di ammendamento con OP ed EH2 non hanno indotto significative modificazioni strutturali della componente umica nativa; ii) \ue8 possibile supporre che la biomassa del suolo possa essere stata il principale utilizzatore dei substrati impedendo in questo modo la formazione di nuovi HA; iii) i cambiamenti strutturali osservati nella prova con ECH4 indicano una forte interazione chimica con gli AU nativi ipotizzabile con una scarsa biodisponibilit\ue0 di ECH4 alla biomassa del suolo

EFFICACY AND TOXICITY OF 5-FLUOROURACIL AND FOLATES IN ADVANCED COLON CANCER

From February 1987 to December 1988, 34 patients with histologically confirmed advanced colorectal carcinoma were entered in a phase II trial with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and folinic acid, for evaluation of treatment effectiveness and toxicity. Our data confirmed that the association 5-FU and folates represents an effective and moderately tolerated palliative treatment, with diarrhea being the only dose-limiting toxicity

Leaf uptake and tree partitioning of urea-N as affected by concentration and volume of sprayed solution and leaf age of apple trees

Among the factors affecting leaf penetration of urea, its concentration in the sprayed solution likely plays a major effect. The present study aimed to (1) asses the leaf absorption of nitrogen deriving from different combinations of carrier water volume and concentration of 15N labeled urea and (2) test the hypothesis that basal and apical leaves have different abilities to take up urea. The experiment was carried out in July 2000, under field conditions in an apple orchard - cv. Golden D. on M9, 3000 tree/ha - located in the upper Adige Valley (South Tyrol, Italy). Different combinations of labeled (10% atom 15N) urea concentration (4, 20 and 40 g L-1) and sprayed volumes (1500, 300 and 150 L ha-1) were used to apply similar amounts of N per tree in all the treatments (0.925 g N tree -1). Basal and apical leaves were sampled at: 1, 5, 24, 48 and 120 hrs after treatment and analyzed for total N and 15N. Leaves intercepted on average 24 mg labeled N m-2, regardless of the treatment and leaf age. Leaf N uptake within 48 hrs was highest when urea was sprayed at the lowest concentration. At the end of the studied period (120 hrs), however, no differences in the percentage of intercepted N recovered in the leaves was recorded. Apical leaves were more effective in taking up N than basal ones so that at the end of the investigated period they had absorbed as much as 32% more N than basal leaves

The bioturbation by sea turtles in Italian mussel farms: first national data collection

Sea turtles play a role as sources of disturbance in mussel farms. The increase in the number and distribution of mussel farms has resulted in ever-increasing bioturbation by sea turtles. Although it is now well known among aquaculture operators that the bioturbation of mussel farms by sea turtles causes several damages and a significant economic loss that is not estimated yet, currently there are no data available on this matter to support this evidence. This represents a knowledge gap not only from an ecological and biological point of view but also for the management of mussel farms that bring a considerable economic income for several regions in Italy (estimated around 74 972 t) . In the present study, the frequency of Mytilus galloprovincialis ingestion was inspected from the digestive tract content of Caretta caretta, and an assessment questionnaire was designed and submitted to 32 aquaculture operators involved in mussel farming in Italy. The data collected were processed to investigate the incidence of the phenomenon, including possible common factors among the farming plants. The results clearly show that mussel is a frequent food preyed on by C. caretta and that the bioturbation of this species is increasingly causing remarkable damage to Italian mussel farmers. As mussel farms plays an important ecological role drawing a mixed trophic activity, it’s crucial to gather data on the species interacting with farming plants to preserve the ecological balance along with the economic activity