Terpene emission in tissue culture

Tissue cultured plants\u27 vessel headspace is subject to changes during subculture, and the analysis of its variation offers a non-destructive approach for monitoring plant physiology. Among the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can be released by plants and be potentially recovered in the airspace of plant tissue cultures, terpenes are very important since they can offer a snapshot of the physiological status of the plant under in vitro cultivation. Terpenes are synthesized from carbon directly shunted from the photosynthetic carbon fixation cycle and their emission is under genetic and environmental control. The experiments described in this paper propose the evaluation of the plant terpene profile in the culture\u27s headspace as an early indicator of plant stress through the characterization of plant terpene production. Monitoring of terpene emission as a plant response to mechanical stress such as plant wounding showed an increased isoprene and monoterpene emission rates in the first hour after cutting. The comparison of headspace composition of cultures of two fruit rootstocks, Colt and GF677, showed the former having higher emissions of isoprene, alpha-pinene and limonene than the latter. A decreasing emission trend was observed during subculture, apparently as a result of culture aging. The in vitro headspace analysis of different myrtle (Myrtus communis L.) clones showed a specific and distinctive terpene emission profile. VOC monitoring of in vitro culture headspace is discussed as a non-destructive approach useful for its relation with major physiological activities of culture and for the determination of the potential production of terpenes

Pituitary Macroadenoma and Severe Hypothyroidism: The Link between Brain Imaging and Thyroid Function

In case of primary hypothyroidism, reactive pituitary hyperplasia can manifest as pituitary (pseudo) macroadenoma. We report the case of a 12-year-old boy who was evaluated for impaired growth velocity and increased body weight. Because of low insulin-like growth factor 1 levels and poor response to the growth hormone stimulation test, brain magnetic resonance imaging was performed and a pituitary macroadenoma was found. Treatment with levothyroxine was started, and thyroid function was evaluated approximately every 40 days to titrate the dosage. After few months of therapy, the size of the macroadenoma decreased and growth hormone secretion normalized. The pituitary returned to normal size in approximately 5 years. The boy went through puberty spontaneously and reached a normal adult height. In a patient affected by primary hypothyroidism, reactive pituitary hyperplasia can cause growth hormone deficiency; however, growth hormone secretion usually normalizes after starting levothyroxine treatment. Pituitary macroadenoma can be difficult to distinguish from severe pituitary hyperplasia; however, pituitary macroadenomas are rare in childhood, and our clinical case underlines how the hormonal evaluation is essential to achieve a correct diagnosis and prevent unnecessary surgery in a context of pituitary mass

Copper anchored to amino-group functionalized silica gel as wood preservative against brown-rot decay

The aim of this research was to realize new potential wood preservatives against fungal decay, with low environmental impact and well fixed into the wood.Pinus sylvestris L. wood samples were impregnated by silica xerogels functionalized with amino groups able to link copper through coordinative interactions. In this study tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) and 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES), in different ratios, and linked with copper or not, were utilized to impregnate wood samples, in order to evaluate the factors responsible for the efficacy against the brown rot Coniophora puteana. The fixation to the wood was evaluated through the leaching procedure (EN 84) and the variation on the effectiveness against this fungus.The sol-gel processes TEOS/APTES, ratio 1:1, with or without copper, leached or not leached, showed a good effectiveness against fungus C. puteana

Childhood Vaccinations and Type 1 Diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is the most common paediatric endocrine disease, and its frequency has been found to increase worldwide. Similar to all conditions associated with poorly regulated glucose metabolism, T1D carries an increased risk of infection. Consequently, careful compliance by T1D children with schedules officially approved for child immunization is strongly recommended. However, because patients with T1D show persistent and profound limitations in immune function, vaccines may evoke a less efficient immune response, with corresponding lower protection. Moreover, T1D is an autoimmune condition that develops in genetically susceptible individuals and some data regarding T1D triggering factors appear to indicate that infections, mainly those due to viruses, play a major role. Accordingly, the use of viral live attenuated vaccines is being debated. In this narrative review, we discussed the most effective and safe use of vaccines in patients at risk of or with overt T1D. Literature analysis showed that several problems related to the use of vaccines in children with T1D have not been completely resolved. There are few studies regarding the immunogenicity and efficacy of vaccines in T1D children, and the need for different immunization schedules has not been precisely established. Fortunately, the previous presumed relationship between vaccine administration and T1D appears to have been debunked, though some doubts regarding rotavirus vaccines remain. Further studies are needed to completely resolve the problems related to vaccine administration in T1D patients. In the meantime, the use of vaccines remains extensively recommended in children with this disease

High levels of shading as a sustainable application for mitigating drought, in modern apple production

The sustainability of reducing light in apple orchards under well-watered (ww) and water stress (ws) conditions was evaluated for water relations, plant gas exchanges, fruit growth, yield determinants, and fruit quality over three years. A black (B) 28% shading net was compared with two different 50% shading nets: red (R) and white (W). Each net was combined with two irrigation regimes (ww and ws) based on plant water status. Under ww and ws conditions, increasing shade from 28% to 50% was not detrimental for plant gas exchanges, yield, or quality over three years. Higher shade improved plant water status regardless of irrigation regime. Higher shading could be considered sustainable in apple orchards over several seasons. Fruit quality was more sensitive to plant water status than to light reduction. ws increased fruit soluble solid content and relative dry matter, regardless of shading, and this was positively reflected in consumer’s preference. When water availability is limited, increasing shading to 50% can help save water and maintain high-quality yields associated with water stress. Given the likely reductions of water availability in agriculture, growers and consultants may consider shading apple orchards as a sustainable and safe horticultural technique to save water

Impaired GH Secretion in Patients with SHOX Deficiency and Efficacy of Recombinant Human GH Therapy.

Background/Aims: Mutations of the short stature homeobox-containing (SHOX) gene on the pseudoautosomal region of the sex chromosomes cause short stature. GH treatment has been recently proposed to improve height in short patients with SHOX deficiency. The aim of this study was to evaluate GH secretion and analyze growth and safety of recombinant human GH (rhGH) therapy in short children and adolescents with SHOX deficiency. Patients and Design: We studied 16 patients (10 females; 9.7 ± 2.9 years old; height -2.46 ± 0.82 standard deviation score, SDS) with SHOX deficiency. All subjects underwent auxological evaluations, biochemical investigations, and were treated with rhGH (0.273 ± 0.053 mg/kg/week). Results: Impaired GH secretion was present in 37.5% of the studied subjects. Comparing baseline data with those at the last visit, we found that rhGH treatment improved growth velocity SDS (from -1.03 ± 1.44 to 2.77 ± 1.95; p = 0.001), height SDS (from -2.41 ± 0.71 to -1.81 ± 0.87; p < 0.001), and IGF-1 values (from -0.57 ± 1.23 to 0.63 ± 1.63 SDS, p = 0.010) without affecting body mass index SDS. Height SDS measured at the last visit was significantly correlated with chronological age (r = -0.618, p = 0.032), bone age (r = -0.582, p = 0.047) and height SDS (r = 0.938, p < 0.001) at the beginning of treatment. No adverse events were reported on rhGH therapy which was never discontinued. Conclusion: These data showed that impaired GH secretion is not uncommon in SHOX deficiency subjects, and that rhGH therapy may be effective in increasing height in most of these patients independent of their GH secretory status, without causing any adverse events of concern

Relationships between intensity and liking for chemosensory stimuli in food models: a large-scale consumer segmentation

16openInternationalBothThis study, which was conducted as part of the Italian Taste project, was aimed at exploring the relationship between actual liking and sensory perception in four food models. Each food model was spiked with four levels of prototypical tastant (i.e., citric acid, sucrose, sodium chloride, capsaicin) to elicit a target sensation (TS) at an increasing perceived intensity. Participants (N = 2258; 59% women, aged 18–60) provided demographic information, a stated liking for 40 different foods/beverages, and their responsiveness to tastants in water. A food-specific Pearson’s coefficient was calculated individually to estimate the relationship between actual liking and TS responsiveness. Considering the relationship magnitude, consumers were grouped into four food-specific clusters, depending on whether they showed a strong negative (SNC), a weak negative (WNC), a weak positive (WPC), or a strong positive correlation (SPC). Overall, the degree of liking raised in parallel with sweetness responsiveness, fell as sourness and pungency perception increased, and showed an inverted U-shape relationship with saltiness. The SNC clusters generally perceived TSs at higher intensities, except for sourness. Clusters were validated by associating the level of stated liking towards food/beverages; however, some unexpected indications emerged: adding sugar to coffee or preferring spicy foods differentiated those presenting positive correlations from those showing negative correlations. Our findings constitute a step towards a more comprehensive understanding of food preferences.openEndrizzi, I.; Cliceri, D.; Menghi, L.; Aprea, E.; Charles, M.; Monteleone, E.; Dinnella, C.; Spinelli, S.; Pagliarini, E.; Laureati, M.; Torri, L.; Bendini, A.; Toschi, T.G.; Sinesio, F.; Predieri, S.; Gasperi, F.Endrizzi, I.; Cliceri, D.; Menghi, L.; Aprea, E.; Charles, M.; Monteleone, E.; Dinnella, C.; Spinelli, S.; Pagliarini, E.; Laureati, M.; Torri, L.; Bendini, A.; Toschi, T.G.; Sinesio, F.; Predieri, S.; Gasperi, F

All-optical packet/circuit switching-based data center network for enhanced scalability, latency, and throughput

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Efficiency assessment of hybrid coatings for natural building stones : advanced and multi-scale laboratory investigation

The efficiency of a hybrid patented consolidant (PAASi) and two commercially available hybrid coatings (a consolidant named AlSiX and a hydrophobic product named WS3) properly modified was assessed on a calcarenite substrate. Test routines based on standard recommendations were first applied to evaluate the performances of the consolidant and protective treatments, while the investigation of additional aspects such as penetration depth and interaction with the substrate was achieved by a multi-scale approach based on classic intrusion methods (mercury intrusion porosimetry) and Drilling Resistance Measurement System (DRMS), combined with non-invasive imaging techniques (X-ray computed micro-tomography and neutron radiography) and small angle neutron scattering (SANS). A distinct interaction of the products with the pore network of the stone was quantified in the range 0.007–200 µm. Their effects on capillary water absorption were also visualized with neutron imaging. The suitability of the products on the selected substrate was discussed, highlighting also how the applied routine can support conservation material studies. The results indicated that the Al-Si-based product led to unwanted effects. Alternative application methods and/or curing procedures have to be explored to overtake these undesirable changes. On the contrary, the polyamidoamine-based product seemed to be more suitable for calcarenite substrates conservation. The performances of the hydrophobic coating, when used in combination with consolidants, were strictly influenced by the pre-consolidation of the substrate