Influence of canopy-applied chitosan on the composition of organic cv. Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon berries and wines

The effects of canopy-applied chitosan on grapes and derived wine were evaluated in an organically managed mature vineyard. The experiment was performed on Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon red grape cultivars, the application of a chitosan solution was compared to water spraying. Each treatment was applied 3 times (beginning and end of veraison, and pre-harvest) in a randomized block experimental design. Significant differences in (+)-catechin, (-)-epicatechin and procyanidin B2 amounts in berries and wines were detected in Cabernet Sauvignon but not in Sangiovese. Chitosan did not influence the berry skin anthocyanin and flavonol amount or t-resveratrol concentration in both skins and wines. A considerable increase in γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), together with some other amino acids, ammonium and amines was observed in the berry flesh of cv. Cabernet Sauvignon. The increase in phenolic acids and nitrogenous compounds, especially GABA, in the pulp of Cabernet Sauvignon grapes suggests changes in stress response

Glyphosate impacts on polyphenolic composition in grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) berries and wine

Glyphosate is the most widespread herbicide for weed management, being extensively used in viticulture. In this study we tested, under field conditions, the effects of glyphosate applications on the quality of berry and wine, from cv. Ancellotta (Vitis vinifera L.), with particular regard to anthocyanin concentration and composition. Ripening and growth were monitored by analyzing berry technological parameters and weight. Additionally, microvinifications were performed, in order to analyze the concentration of anthocyanins, other flavonoids and phenolic acids in wine. Our findings indicated that, at harvest, both pH and anthocyanin concentration were significantly lower and titratable acidity higher in berries collected from vines of plots under glyphosate-treatment compared with those of non-treated parcels. Data suggest that treatment with glyphosate did not change the concentration of anthocyanins, other flavonoids and phenolic acids in the wine. Our results indicate that treatment with glyphosate may affect fruit metabolism and nutritional value in non-target plants

CARD11 dominant negative mutation leads to altered human Natural Killer cell homeostasis

: Dominant negative mutations in CARD11 have been reported in patients with immune dysregulation, severe atopic features, and variable T cell alterations. Data on Natural killer (NK) cells from affected patients are lacking. We report on a 12-year-old boy with severe atopic dermatitis, food induced anaphylaxis and hypogammaglobulinemia harbouring a novel de novo heterozygous variant c.169G > A; p.Glu57Lys in CARD11. The dominant negative effect of this mutation was confirmed on both CD4+ and CD8+. CTLA4+Foxp3+CD4+ Tregs were severely reduced. Patient's NK cells showed reduced expression of NKp46, NKG2D and CD69. Patient's CD56bright NK cells showed in vitro impaired production of IFN-γ. Steady state pS6 levels on patient's NK cells were increased and remained elevated upon IL2 + IL12 + IL18 overnight stimulation. Overall, the effect of CARD11 mutation on mTORC1 differs between T and NK cells. These findings may explain the increased susceptibility to viral infections and the reduced immune surveillance in affected patients

ENOCHAR: LA CONSERVAZIONE DEL CARBONIO IN VITICOLTURA

Dato il crescente interesse che il biochar ottiene come prodotto di risulta di diverse filiere di trattamento di sottoprodotti, residui \u2013 e in generale biomasse \u2013 appare necessario avviare una sperimentazione volta a confermarne gli effetti agronomici in condizioni di campo e in ambiente temperato. Un crescente numero di lavori scientifici tratta la sperimentazione agronomica del biochar ma, generalmente, per esperimenti di breve termine o per test in vaso e con biochar molto diversificati, che portano spesso a risultati contrastanti e incerti. Il progetto Enochar intende valutare gli effetti dell\u2019applicazione al suolo di biochar \u2013 da solo o in miscela con ammendanti prodotti da impianto di compostaggio che tratta scarti agroalimentari di origine naturale (Enomondo, Societ\ue0 del gruppo Caviro) \u2013, sulla fertilit\ue0 e sulle propriet\ue0 fisiche del suolo, sulla risposta vegeto-produttiva della vite in condizioni di campo nel medio-lungo termine (5-7 anni), nonch\ue9 sul prodotto finale: il vino. Il programma di monitoraggio e lo studio degli effetti dell\u2019applicazione del biochar e delle sue miscele hanno lo scopo di: - acquisire conoscenze agronomiche specifiche per orientare le scelte degli utilizzatori finali e offrire un campo visita agli agricoltori e agli operatori della filiera viti-vinicola - fornire prove ed evidenze scientifiche per i decisori - stimolare un\u2019economia del biochar e quindi collaborare con tutti gli stakeholder chiave coinvolti nel ciclo di vita. La scelta della filiera vitivinicola \ue8 legata all\u2019importanza della viticultura in Emilia-Romagna e alla conseguente abbondanza dei suoi residui (Greggio et al., 2019). In particolare, Enochar si pone l\u2019obiettivo di ottenere: - evidenze scientifiche circa l\u2019efficacia dell\u2019applicazione del biochar in viticoltura a medio-lungo termine - il know-how specifico circa le tecniche di produzione del biochar, le modalit\ue0 e le dosi di somministrazione in campo, nonch\ue9 i metodi e macchinari per la distribuzione - la promozione della conoscenza del biochar al fine di predisporre le basi per una produzione sistematica e di qualit\ue0 di biochar, partendo dai residui di potatura della vite

Activated Phosphoinositide 3-Kinase Delta Syndrome 1: Clinical and Immunological Data from an Italian Cohort of Patients

Activated phosphoinositide 3-kinase delta syndrome 1 (APDS-1) is a recently described inborn error of immunity caused by monoallelic gain-of-function mutations in the PIK3CD gene. We reviewed for the first time medical records and laboratory data of eight Italian APDS-1 patients. Recurrent sinopulmonary infections were the most common clinical feature at onset of disease. Seven patients presented lymphoproliferative disease, at onset or during follow-up, one of which resembled hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH). Genetic analysis of the PIK3CD gene revealed three novel mutations: functional testing confirmed their activating nature. In the remaining patients, the previously reported variants p.E1021K (n = 4) and p.E525A (n = 1) were identified. Six patients were started on immunoglobulin replacement treatment (IgRT). One patient successfully underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), with good chimerism and no GVHD at 21 months post-HSCT. APDS-1 is a combined immune deficiency with a wide variety of clinical manifestations and a complex immunological presentation. Besides IgRT, specific therapies targeting the PI3K delta pathway will most likely become a valid aid for the amelioration of patients' clinical management and their quality of life

Prevalence, characteristics, and treatment of fatigue in oncological cancer patients in Italy. a cross-sectional study of the Italian Network for Supportive Care in Cancer (NICSO)

Background: Fatigue is one of the most distressing symptoms of cancer patients. Its characteristics and impact on quality of life have not been fully explored and treatment of cancer-related fatigue in Italian oncological centers has not been codified. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out on all patients attending for any reason the 24 participating centers in two non-consecutive days. Patients with fatigue filled out the Brief Fatigue Inventory (BFI) questionnaire and reported any pharmacological or non-pharmacological treatment for fatigue. Results: From October 2014 to May 2015, 1394 cancer patients agreed to participate in the study. Fatigue was referred by 866 (62.1%) of patients; its duration was > 4 months in 441 patients (50.9%). In the investigators’ opinion, the most important (probable or almost sure) determinants of fatigue were reduced physical activity (271 patients), anxiety (149), pain (131), insomnia (125), anemia (123), and depression (123). Fatigue of moderate/severe intensity was reported by 43%/29.2% of patients, while usual fatigue in the last 24 h by 45%/33.1%, and the worst fatigue in the last 24 h by 33%/54.8%, respectively. Concerning the impact on quality of life, fatigue interfered moderately/severely with general activity in 30.8%/38.6% of patients, with mood in 26.1%/32.8%, with the ability to work in 27.9%/35.6%, with normal work in 26.7%/38.9%, with relationships with others in 21%/23.4% and with the ability to amuse themselves in 22.2%/33.1%. Only 117/866 patients (13.5%) received a pharmacological treatment represented by a corticosteroid in 101 patients (86.3%) while 188 patients (21.7%) received a non-pharmacological treatment such as physical exercise (120 patients, 63.8%) and various alimentary supplements (52 patients, 27.6%). Conclusions: Cancer-related fatigue is frequently reported by oncological patients; its intensity and impact on quality of life is relevant