Beneficial effects of bunch-zone late defoliations and shoot positioning on berry composition and colour components of wines undergoing aging in an organically-managed and rainfed Sangiovese vineyard

n the context of climate change, where high temperatures are frequent in the first phases of ripening, protecting grapevine bunches from solar radiation is essential for preserving berry composition and wine colour. The effects of bunch-zone late defoliations (DEFs) and “semi-ballerina” shoot positioning (SB) on vine physiology and grape and wine quality of organic cv. Sangiovese wines during storage were assessed in two contrasting seasons (2013 and 2014). The treatments altered neither vine physiology (leaf photosynthetic activity and stomatal conductance, stem water potential) nor vine phenology, yield, budburst and fruitfulness. Defoliations imposed at post-veraison (DEF I) and pre-harvest (DEF II), but not shoot positioning imposed at post-veraison, enhanced the concentration of berry skin flavonols at harvest, compared to an untreated control. Late defoliations and SB did not change berry weight, anthocyanins, soluble solids, pH or titratable acidity at harvest. The severity of Botrytis bunch rot was assessed in both seasons. In 2013, it was negligible regardless of the treatment. In 2014 (characterised by higher rainfall and lower average temperatures than in 2013), late defoliations (DEF I and DEF II), especially DEF I, and SB to a minor extent, limited the severity of Botrytis bunch rot. The oenological benefits of late defoliations and shoot positioning were observed during wine storage. These canopy management practices positively influenced wine components (polymeric pigments; namely short polymeric pigments) that might have a marked effect on the final colour intensity, without altering the basic chemical characteristics of the wine. When choosing the timing for carrying out defoliation in order to improve grape quality and bunch rot containment, the meteorological conditions should be properly considered. Our results may contribute to providing further recommendations for canopy management for grape growers who produce organic Sangiovese wines that undergo aging

Characterization of VOCs Emitted by Foliage of Grapevine cv. Isabella for Prospecting Innovative Cropping Systems

Volatile organic compounds play an important role in communication within plants as well as with other organisms. In this work we identified the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted from the foliage of the grapevine cv. Isabella, a largely known hybrid of Vitis vinifera × Vitis labrusca. Our data show 25 VOCs emitted by cv. Isabella. Different compound classes were found, including alcohols, hydrocarbons, esters, terpenes, ketones, and a green leaf volatile (GLV). The study highlighted differences between volatile profiles for diurnal and nocturnal treatments. The compounds: trans-3-dodecene, 5,5 dibutylnonane, ethyl 2-methyllactate, 2-hexanol, 3-ethyl-2-heptanol, 3-nonanol, and 2-nonanol, have not been previously reported for Vitis vinifera foliage. Notably, eight compounds emitted by cv. Isabella, 1-heptanol, 1-octanol, 2-hexanol, 2-nonanone, β-pinene, camphene, cis-hexenyl acetate, and phenethyl alcohol, are of relevant interest for their role in plant defense. New knowledge on the emission of these compounds in cv. Isabella can help to understand the mechanisms of pathogen tolerance of this genotype and could be an important step in prospecting innovative cropping systems

Experimental Study of the Effects of Three Types of Meat on Endothelial Function in a Group of Healthy Volunteers

Background: There is a relationship between atherosclerotic risk factors and increased vascular production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Oxidized LDL and ROS may directly cause endothelial dysfunction by reducing endothelial nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability. The semi-essential amino acid L-arginine is the only substrate for NO synthesis in vascular endothelial cells. Therefore, this amino acid improves endothelial function and plays a role in the prevention and/or treatment of multiple cardiovascular diseases: atherosclerosis, hypertension, diabetes and so on. To determine the effects of three different protein matrices (250 g Fillet of Beef, FB; Chicken Raised on the Ground, CRG; Free-Range Chicken, FRC) with a known content of arginine on the cardiovascular workload, vascular compliance and urinary excretion of some parameters of endothelial function as TGF–Beta, NO (nitrate e nitrite) in a group of healthy volunteers. Materials and methods: We enrolled 10 men to study the behavior of Systolic, Diastolic, Mean, and Pulse Blood Pressure, of Vascular Resistances, of Macro and Micro Vascular Elasticity, of urinary excretion of TGF-β and Nitric Oxide as ratio of creatinine before and after two hours of each meal. The cardiovascular parameters are determined by HDI/Pulse Wave CR 2000 (Hypertension Diagnostic Inc, Eagan, MN); TGF-β is analysed by Elisa method (R&D Systems) and NO by colorimetric method (Cayman). Results and Conclusion: The protein meal packed with CRG causes a significant decrease in diastolic blood pressure mean pressure and vascular resistance in urinary excretion of TGF. FB resulted in a significant decrease in vascular resistance and urinary excretion of NO, while significantly increasing the Pulse Pressure, heart rate and urinary excretion of TGF-β. FRC resulted in a significant reduction of macrovascular elasticity; increase the urinary excretion of TGF and Pulse Pressure. We can conclude that CRG meat looks better both in terms of metabolic and cardiovascular load especially at endothelial level

Effect of Gabapentin in a Neuropathic Pain Model in Mice Overexpressing Human Wild-Type or Human Mutated Torsin A

Background: DYT1 dystonia is the most common form of early-onset inherited dystonia, which is caused by mutation of torsin A (TA) belonging to the "ATPases associated with a variety of cellular activities" (AAA + ATPase). Dystonia is often accompanied by pain, and neuropathic pain can be associated to peripherally induced movement disorder and dystonia. However, no evidence exists on the effect of gabapentin in mice subjected to neuropathic pain model overexpressing human normal or mutated TA. Methods: Mice subjected to L5 spinal nerve ligation (SNL) develop mechanical allodynia and upregulation of the alpha 2 delta-1 L-type calcium channel subunit, forming a validated experimental model of neuropathic pain. Under these experimental conditions, TA is expressed in dorsal horn neurons and astrocytes and colocalizes with alpha 2 delta-1. Similar to this subunit, TA is overexpressed in dorsal horn 7 days after SNL. This model has been used to investigate (1) basal mechanical sensitivity; (2) neuropathic pain phases; and (3) the effect of gabapentin, an alpha 2 delta-1 ligand used against neuropathic pain, in non-transgenic (NT) C57BL/6 mice and in mice overexpressing human wild-type (hWT) or mutant (hMT) TA. Results: In comparison to non-transgenic mice, the threshold for mechanical sensitivity in hWT or hMT does not differ (Kruskal-Wallis test = 1.478; p = 0.4777, although, in the latter animals, neuropathic pain recovery phase is delayed. Interestingly, gabapentin (100 mg/Kg) reduces allodynia at its peak (occurring between post-operative day 7 and day 10) but not in the phase of recovery. Conclusions: These data lend support to the investigation on the role of TA in the molecular machinery engaged during neuropathic pain

O cultivo da macieira na Itália: porta-enxertos, cultivares, adubação e irrigação

A Itália é um dos principais países produtores de maçãs na Europa, destinada principalmente ao consumo in natura no mercado nacional e internacional. A produção e a qualidade dos frutos é dependente da cultivar, do porta-enxerto e das práticas de manejo, como a adubação e a irrigação adotado no pomar. Esta revisão tem por objetivo reportar as principais cultivares e porta-enxertos de macieira e o manejo da adubação e irrigação e suas atualizações em pomares de macieira da Itália. Os programas de melhoramento genético nesse país envolveram a seleção de cultivares e porta-enxertos de macieira que permitem a obtenção de altas produtividades e frutos de qualidade exigida pelo mercado consumidor. No manejo da adubação e irrigação, os nutrientes e a água têm sido fornecidos em quantidades próximas a real necessidade das plantas, proporcionando nutrição adequada, produção satisfatória e frutos de boa qualidade, além de evitar, sempre que possível, as perdas de nutrientes e água no ambiente