Dataset on antioxidant metabolites and enzymes activities of freshly harvested sweet cherries (Prunus avium L.) of Campania accessions

In this article, we reported the original data obtained by the study of metabolites and enzymes involved in sweet cherry antioxidant system. We measured hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and malondialdehyde (MDA), which are indicator of oxidative stress. Moreover, we measured the concentration of reduced and oxidized ascorbate and glutathione that are involved in ROS detoxification together with phenolics, anthocyanins and tocopherols. Among antioxidant enzymes, we analyzed the activities of ascorbate peroxidase (APX; EC 1.11.1.11), and the soluble and bound forms of polyphenol oxidase (PPO; EC 1.10.3.1) and guaiacol peroxidase (POD; EC 1.11.1.7). The data reported in this paper are related to the research article âMetabolic characterization and antioxidant activity in sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) Campania accessionsâ, authored by Mirto et al. (2018) [1]

Glutathione-Ascorbate cycle and lipid peroxidation in fruit of sweet cherry landraces of Campania region (Italy). XIV FISV CONGRESS Book of abstracts, Rome (Italy).

Fresh fruits are living organs that continue their metabolism even after harvest. The advanced stages of ripening culminate into the senescence process, that eventually leads to the death of fruit. Several works highlight the importance of antioxidant metabolism in relation to the fruit quality and shelf-life: fruit ripening is accompanied by a progressive increase in oxidative stress that is controlled by a related induction of the antioxidant scavenging systems. Dysfunctioning of such systems in the later stages of ripening causes an increase of oxidation, that is among the most important factors of fruit decay, favouring also parasite attack and development. High antioxidant metabolite levels, in fact, could delay senescence and preserve nutritional and nutraceutical characteristics, significantly reducing fruit loss and cost. Sweet cherries fruits are excellent sources of phytochemicals: nutraceuticals and antioxidants. It has been demonstrated that the eating of cherries reduces the risk of cancer and the joint pains, and protects from cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. The aim of this work was to characterize glutathione-ascorbate cycle as well as lipid peroxidation in mature fruits of the sweet cherry germoplasm of Campania region and their involvment in post harvest storage. Fruits from cherry landraces of Campania region were collected at commercial maturity and used for the analyses. Glutathione as ascorbate contents differed among the landraces as welle as glutathione reductase. Differences were also found in the lipid peroxidation activities using the MDA test. . the data of glutathione level and redox state and gluthione peroxidase, ascorbate level and redox state as ascorbate peroxidase activities, tocophrols and polyphenols, two groups of landraces have been evidenced. The first showed high polyphenol oxidases activities, that could indicate a higher risk of developing oxidative stress and, consequently, a higher susceptibility to the oxidative degradation during shelf-life. The second showed high ascorbic acid and tocopherols contents, and low polyphenol oxidase activities. The high metabolites concentration could reduce the risk of oxidative damages during storage, therefore they could show a longer shelf-life than the other tested fruits. These characteristics were probably due to endogenous characteristics, making these landraces particularly interesting for breeding programs aimed to improve sweet cherry shelflife, highlighting also the value of genetic heritage of sweet cherry of Campania region

Durum wheat seedling responses to simultaneous high light and salinity involve a fine reconfiguration of amino acids and carbohydrate metabolism

Durum wheat plants are extremely sensitive to drought and salinity during seedling and early development stages. Their responses to stresses have been extensively studied to provide new metabolic targets and improving the tolerance to adverse environments. However, most of these studies have been performed in growth chambers under low light (300–350 μmol m–2 s–1 PAR, LL). However, in nature plants have to face frequent fluctuations of light intensities that often exceed their photosynthetic capacity (900–2000 μmol m–2 s–1). In this study we investigated the physiological and metabolic changes potentially involved in osmotic adjustment and antioxidant defense in durum wheat seedlings under high light (HL) and salinity. The combined application of the two stresses decreased the water potential and stomatal conductance without reducing the photosynthetic efficiency of the plants. Glycine betaine synthesis was inhibited, proline and glutamate content decreased, while GABA, amides and minor amino acids increased. The expression level and enzymatic activities of Δ1-pyrroline-5-carboxylate synthetase, asparagine synthetase and glutamate decarboxylase, as well as other enzymatic activities of nitrogen and carbon metabolism, were analyzed. Antioxidant enzymes and metabolites were also considered. The results showed that the complex interplay seen in durum wheat plants under salinity at LL was simplified: glycine betaine and antioxidants did not play a main role. On the contrary, the fine tuning of few specific primary metabolites (GABA, amides, minor amino acids and hexoses) remodeled metabolism and defense processes, playing a key role in the response to simultaneous stresses.Durum wheat plants are extremely sensitive to drought and salinity during seedling and early development stages. Their responses to stresses have been extensively studied to provide new metabolic targets and improving the tolerance to adverse environments. Most of these studies have been performed in growth chambers under low light [300–350 µmol m−2 s−1 photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), LL]. However, in nature plants have to face frequent fluctuations of light intensities that often exceed their photosynthetic capacity (900–2000 µmol m−2 s−1). In this study we investigated the physiological and metabolic changes potentially involved in osmotic adjustment and antioxidant defense in durum wheat seedlings under high light (HL) and salinity. The combined application of the two stresses decreased the water potential and stomatal conductance without reducing the photosynthetic efficiency of the plants. Glycine betaine (GB) synthesis was inhibited, proline and glutamate content decreased, while γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), amides and minor amino acids increased. The expression level and enzymatic activities of Δ1-pyrroline-5-carboxylate synthetase, asparagine synthetase and glutamate decarboxylase, as well as other enzymatic activities of nitrogen and carbon metabolism, were analyzed. Antioxidant enzymes and metabolites were also considered. The results showed that the complex interplay seen in durum wheat plants under salinity at LL was simplified: GB and antioxidants did not play a main role. On the contrary, the fine tuning of few specific primary metabolites (GABA, amides, minor amino acids and hexoses) remodeled metabolism and defense processes, playing a key role in the response to simultaneous stresses

Clinical characteristics and outcomes of vaccinated patients hospitalised with SARS-CoV-2 breakthrough infection: Multi-IPV, a multicentre study in Northern Italy

Background: Despite the well-known efficacy of anti-COVID-19 vaccines in preventing morbidity and mortality, several vaccinated individuals are diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 breakthrough infection, which might require hospitalisation. This multicentre, observational, and retrospective study aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics and outcomes of vaccinated vs. non-vaccinated patients, both hospitalised with SARS-CoV-2 infection in 3 major hospitals in Northern Italy. Methods: Data collection was retrospective, and paper and electronic medical records of adult patients with a diagnosed SARS-CoV-2 infection were pseudo-anonymised and analysed. Vaccinated and non-vaccinated individuals were manually paired, using a predetermined matching criterion (similar age, gender, and date of hospitalisation). Demographic, clinical, treatment, and outcome data were compared between groups differing by vaccination status using Pearson’s Chi-square and Mann-Whitney tests. Moreover, multiple logistic regression analyses were performed to assess the impact of vaccination status on ICU admission or intra-hospital mortality. Results: Data from 360 patients were collected. Vaccinated patients presented with a higher prevalence of relevant comorbidities, like kidney replacement therapy or haematological malignancy, despite a milder clinical presentation at the first evaluation. Non-vaccinated patients required intensive care more often than their vaccinated counterparts (8.8% vs. 1.7%, p = 0.002). Contrariwise, no difference in intra-hospital mortality was observed between the two groups (19% vs. 20%, p = 0.853). These results were confirmed by multivariable logistic regressions, which showed that vaccination was significantly associated with decreased risk of ICU admission (aOR=0.172, 95%CI: 0.039–0.542, p = 0.007), but not of intra-hospital mortality (aOR=0.996, 95%CI: 0.582–1.703, p = 0.987). Conclusions: This study provides real-world data on vaccinated patients hospitalised with COVID-19 in Northern Italy. Our results suggest that COVID-19 vaccination has a protective role in individuals with higher risk profiles, especially regarding the need for ICU admission. These findings contribute to our understanding of SARS-CoV-2 infection outcomes among vaccinated individuals and emphasise the importance of vaccination in preventing severe disease, particularly in those countries with lower first-booster uptake rates