Comparative evaluation of phosphorus accumulation and partitioning in seeds of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

There is an increasing attention towards common bean due to its health benefits, prevention to human diseases and as ingredient for functional or fortified foods. Phosphorus, an essential element for plant growth, is mainly stored in seeds as phytic acid (Phy). Phy is negatively associated with mineral bioavailability, but, at the same time, is a natural antioxidant. Accumulation and partitioning of phosphorus were analysed in seeds of ten Italian common bean landraces for three subsequent growing seasons. Some important seed quality traits were also evaluated. For comparative purposes, the landrace harvests of two growing locations were analysed. A wide variation of total and phytic phosphorus contents was recorded among the landraces. Moreover, P accumulation and partitioning between Phy and inorganic P, as well as seed quality traits, resulted strongly affected by growing location. Statistically significant increases of Phy levels were recorded for harvests obtained outside the traditional area of cultivation. These results highlight how the cultivation of a landrace outside of its traditional area will appreciably affect harvest quality

Surgical treatment of patients with acute cholecystitis: Tokyo Guidelines

Cholecystectomy has been widely performed in the treatment of acute cholecystitis, and laparoscopic cholecystectomy has been increasingly adopted as the method of surgery over the past 15 years. Despite the success of laparoscopic cholecystectomy as an elective treatment for symptomatic gallstones, acute cholecystitis was initially considered a contraindication for laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The reasons for it being considered a contraindication were the technical difficulty of performing it in acute cholecystitis and the development of complications, including bile duct injury, bowel injury, and hepatic injury. However, laparoscopic cholecystectomy is now accepted as being safe for acute cholecystitis, when surgeons who are expert at the laparoscopic technique perform it. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy has been found to be superior to open cholecystectomy as a treatment for acute cholecystitis because of a lower incidence of complications, shorter length of postoperative hospital stay, quicker recuperation, and earlier return to work. However, laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis has not become routine, because the timing and approach to the surgical management in patients with acute cholecystitis is still a matter of controversy. These Guidelines describe the timing of and the optimal surgical treatment of acute cholecystitis in a question-and-answer format

Comparative evaluation of phosphorus accumulation and partitioning in seeds of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

There is an increasing attention towards common bean due to its health benefits, prevention to human diseases and as ingredient for functional or fortified foods. Phosphorus, an essential element for plant growth, is mainly stored in seeds as phytic acid (Phy). Phy is negatively associated with mineral bioavailability, but, at the same time, is a natural antioxidant. Accumulation and partitioning of phosphorus were analysed in seeds of ten Italian common bean landraces for three subsequent growing seasons. Some important seed quality traits were also evaluated. For comparative purposes, the landrace harvests of two growing locations were analysed. A wide variation of total and phytic phosphorus contents was recorded among the landraces. Moreover, P accumulation and partitioning between Phy and inorganic P, as well as seed quality traits, resulted strongly affected by growing location. Statistically significant increases of Phy levels were recorded for harvests obtained outside the traditional area of cultivation. These results highlight how the cultivation of a landrace outside of its traditional area will appreciably affect harvest quality

Notes about the uses of plants by one of the last healers in the Basilicata Region (South Italy)

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The paper refers to the knowledge and uses of plants and to the linked ritual practices as referred by Matteo (It.<it>‘Zì Matteo’,</it> En. <it>‘Uncle Matthew’</it>), one of the last elder healers in the Basilicata Region (South Italy). Particular attention is also paid to the uses of <it>‘Vruca’</it> (<it>Tamarix gallica</it> L.) as a medicinal and magical plant used to heal common warts on various parts of the body.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>After obtaining prior informed consent, we collected data through an open interview about the uses of the plants and on the associated ritual practices. For each species, data were collected that included the vernacular names, preparation, plant parts utilized and their method of use.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The uses of 52 taxa are described. Among these, 43 are or were employed medicinally, eight as culinary foodstuffs, and 4 for domestic, handicraft or ethnoveterinary uses.</p> <p>Among the major findings: the ritual and magical use of <it>Tamarix gallica</it> L. to heal warts is described in detail; so far, no records of similar use were found in any Italian ethnobotanical studies conducted in southern Italy.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Phytotherapy in the Basilicata region is practiced by elderly people who resort to medicinal plants for mild illnesses; we interviewed one of those traditional healers who is very experienced in the field, and possesses rich ethno-pharmacological knowledge.</p

Hepatopancreas mitochondria of Mytilus galloprovincialis: Effect of zinc ions on mitochondrial bioenergetics and metabolism

Oxygen uptake, respiratory complexes, and metabolic activities have been studied in mitochondria isolated from the hepatopancreata of Mytilus galloprovincialis collected in the "Mar Grande" of Taranto (Ionian Sea, Italy). Although exposure to 5.0 μg Zn2+/L resulted in a significant increase of states 3 and 4 respiration with glutamate + pyruvate as respiratory substrate, it was found that the exposure of mussels to different concentrations of Zn2+ (2.5-7.5 μg/L) neither inhibited mitochondrial respiration nor exerted any inhibitory effect on representative mitochondrial dehydrogenases. It rather stimulates these activities, producing an extra synthesis of adenosine triphosphate by hepatopancreas mitochondria and possibly increasing its availability in the cytoplasmic compartment. This might be considered as a specific strategy utilized by the mussel to cope with variations in the heavy metals content of the marine environment, and it could be used to detect toxic effects. © TÜBİTAK

Migrants and Religion: Paths, Issues, and Lenses A Multidisciplinary and Multi-Sited Study on the Role of Religious Belongings in Migratory and Integration Processes

Despite the worldwide dramatic spread of religious-based discriminations, persecutions, and conflicts, both official data and academic literature have underestimated their role as a root cause of contemporary migrations. This multidisciplinary study aims to overcome this gap. Through an unprecedented collection of theoretical analysis and original empirical evidence, the book provides unique data and insights on the role of religion in the trajectories of asylum seekers and migrants \u2013 from the analysis of the religious geography of sending countries to the role of spirituality as a factor of resilience and adaptation. By enhancing both academic and political debate on these issues, the book offers the possibility of regaining awareness of the close link between religious freedom and the quality of democracy