Microeconomic and Geo-physical Data Integration for Agri-environmental Analysis, Georeferencing FADN Data: A Case Study in Italy

The authors, inside a TAPAS action, have developed a methodology - based on the integration between FADN data with statistical, administrative and cartographic information - to improve the production of statistical data related to agricultural policies impact on land and environment. This methodology allows - using Geographic Information System (GIS) technology - to produce and organise data at geographical level. Data spatially referenced respond to the specific needs of agri-environmental analysis and problems, mostly related to specific areas (environmental vulnerability areas), inside defined boundaries (e.g. river basin). The GIS is implemented with several cartographic layers (Topographic and cadastral maps, land use, soils, water sources, climate, Digital Terrain Model etc.) and is related to the regional FADN database.agricultural statistics, agri-environment, FADN, GIS, TAPAS, DPSIR, Environmental Economics and Policy, C81, O13, Q21,

Fatty Acid Profile and Antimicrobial Activity of Rubus ulmifolius Schott Extracts Against Cariogenic Bacterium Streptococcus mutans

Abstract: The wild edible species Rubus ulmifolius is normally known as a source of several functional- natural compounds used in the traditional diet in several parts of the world. At present, few data are available in the literature about the biological property of its leaves, normally rich in phenolic acids, fatty acids, and other organic compounds with potential antimicrobial activity. Following this hypothesis, we have investigated the antibacterial activity of different dried leaved extracts against the main cariogenic bacterium, Streptococcus mutans. Standard antimicrobial-antibiofilm methods (MIC, MBC, MBIC) were performed to evaluate each extract's antimicrobial profile. In addition, the fatty acids (FA) quali-quantitative profile of R. ulmifolius leave extracts was assessed by reversed-phase HPLC-DAD/ELSD analysis. The results showed that the behavior of this bacterium with different extracts was strictly related to extraction method type, even though it was not related to fatty acid amount and composition, in fact, all the extracts showed similar, qualitative FA patterns, characterized by a concentration in the range from (25 to 36) % of saturated compounds. The methanolic extract showed the better result as antibacterial MIC 6.25 %. These preliminary results encourage further studies for the use of R. ulmifolius in mouthwashes or toothpaste with great anticaries activity

Effective Surgical Management of a Large Serous Ovarian Cyst in a Morbidly Obese Middle-Aged Woman: A Case Study and Literature Review

Background: In contemporary gynecological practice, encountering giant ovarian tumors is a rarity. While most are benign and of the mucinous subtype, the borderline variant only accounts for approximately 10% of these cases. This paper addresses the paucity of information about this specific subtype, emphasizing critical elements of managing borderline tumors that can pose life-threatening complications. Additionally, a review of other documented cases of the borderline variant in the literature is also included to foster a deeper understanding of this uncommon condition. Case Report: We present the multidisciplinary management of a 52-year-old symptomatic woman with a giant serous borderline ovarian tumor. Preoperative assessment showed a multiloculated pelvic-abdominal cyst responsible for compression of the bowel and retroperitoneal organs, and dyspnea. All tumor markers were negative. Together with anesthesiologists and interventional cardiologists, we decided to perform a controlled drainage of the cyst of the tumor, to prevent hemodynamic instability. Subsequent total extrafascial hysterectomy, contralateral salpingo-oophorectomy, and abdominal wall reconstruction, followed by admission to the intensive care unit, were also conducted by the multidisciplinary team. During the postoperative period, the patient experienced a cardiopulmonary arrest and acute renal failure, which were managed by dialysis. After discharge, the patient underwent oncologic followup, and after 2 years, she was found to be completely recovered and disease free. Conclusions: Intraoperative controlled drainage of Giant ovarian tumor fluid, planned by a multidisciplinary management team, constitutes a valid and safe alternative to the popular choice of “en bloc” tumor resection. This approach avoids rapid changes in body circulation, which are responsible for intraoperative and postoperative severe complications

Advances in Sardinian Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal crops through phytochemical and biological approaches

Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal is widely used in the Indian traditional system of medicine to promote general health, wellness, and longevity. Its pharmacological properties are attributed to a group of molecules called withanolides, among which Withaferin A holds great interest for its anti-carcinogenic action. For this reason, numerous studies in recent years have focused on different metabolic or genetic engineering solutions to increase its yield. Here, we present the Sardinian chemotype of Withania somnifera as a potential crop for the extraction of Withaferin A. W. somnifera was cultivated from Sardinian wild germplasm collected in the northeast of the island. After 18 months, the leaves and the roots were collected and their methanolic extract was analyzed by HPLC. 0.3 mg/g DW of Withanolide A (WA), 1.0 mg/g DW of Withanolide B (WB) and 17.7 mg/g DW of Withaferin A (WF) were detected in the leaf sample, while lower values were detected in the roots (0.1 mg/g WF, 0.3 WA mg/g, 0.1 mg/g WB, 0.2 mg/g WO). This research not only confirms the high Withaferin A content found in the wild population leaves, but shows how they are reproducible in cultivated specimens, highlighting Sardinian W. somnifera leaves as a potential source of high-content Withaferin A products. Finally, we focused on the leaves extract by characterizing the phenolic and flavonoid content, as well as the in-vitro antioxidant capacity by DPPH and ABTS assays, revealing a significant amount of phenolic compounds and a related free radical scavenging activity. The leaves extract was further characterized for its anti-aging properties for potential cosmetic application, by the inhibition of tyrosinase, elastase, and collagenase enzymes

Sperm whale codas may encode individuality as well as clan identity

The research was funded by the Danish Research Council; the Carlsberg Foundation; Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT); Fundo Regional da Ciência, Tecnologia (FRCT) through research projects TRACE-PTDC/MAR/74071/2006 and MAPCET-M2.1.2/F/012/2011 [Fundo Europeu de Desenvolvimento Regional, the Competitiveness Factors Operational (COMPETE), Quadro de Referência Estratégico Nacional (QREN) European Social Fund, and Proconvergencia Açores/European Union Program]; Aarhus University; Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution; University of Southern Denmark and University of La Laguna. We acknowledge funds provided by FCT to MARE – Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre (UID/MAR/04292/2013) and Instituto do Mar at University of the Azores and by the FRCT – Government of the Azores pluriannual funding. C.O. was funded by FCT (SFRH/BD/37668/2007). M.A.S. was supported by an FCT postdoctoral grant (SFRH/BPD/29841/2006) and is currently supported by POPH, QREN European Social Fund and the Portuguese Ministry for Science and Education, through an FCT Investigator grant. M.J. is supported by the Marine Alliance for Science and Technology Scotland (MASTS) and a Marie Curie Career Integration Grant. D.M.W. was funded by a Ph.D. stipend from the Oticon Foundation, Denmark.Sperm whales produce codas for communication that can be grouped into different types according to their temporal patterns. Codas have led researchers to propose that sperm whales belong to distinct cultural clans, but it is presently unclear if they also convey individual information. Coda clicks comprise a series of pulses and the delay between pulses is a function of organ size, and therefore body size, and so is one potential source of individual information. Another potential individual-specific parameter could be the inter-click intervals within codas. To test whether these parameters provide reliable individual cues, stereo-hydrophone acoustic tags (Dtags) were attached to five sperm whales of the Azores, recording a total of 802 codas. A discriminant function analysis was used to distinguish 288 5 Regular codas from four of the sperm whales and 183 3 Regular codas from two sperm whales. The results suggest that codas have consistent individual features in their inter-click intervals and inter-pulse intervals which may contribute to individual identification. Additionally, two whales produced different coda types in distinct foraging dive phases. Codas may therefore be used by sperm whales to convey information of identity as well as activity within a social group to a larger extent than previously assumed.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

SH3BGRL3 binds myosin 1c and is involved in MDA-MB-231 cell migration

SH3BGRL3 is a gene belonging to SH3BGR family, it is ubiquitously expressed and encodes for a 93 AA thiorerodoxin-like protein evolutionarily conserved. A proteomic study reported that SH3BGRL3 binds the cytoplasmatic domain of ERBB2 receptor. On this basis we performed immuno-staining experiments in FLAG-SH3BGRL3 transfected SKBR3 cell line that showed SH3BGRL3 and ERBB2 co-localization. Nonetheless, co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) of ERBB2 using FLAG-SH3BGRL3 as bait and vice versa was not achievable. Therefore, to investigate SH3BGRL3 potential interactors we performed Co-IP experiments from SKBR3 lysates transfected with FLAG-SH3BGRL3 followed by mass spectrometry analysis. The results revealed myosin 1c (Myo1c) as a candidate interactor. Subsequent Co-IP experiments followed by WB analysis validated the interaction between the two proteins. To map the interaction site we performed Co-IP experiments using SKBR3 cells co-transfected with FLAG-SH3BGRL3 and HA tagged deletion mutants of Myo1c that showed SH3BGRL3 binding to the neck region of Myo1c. Since Myo1c neck region binds calmodulin in a Ca2+ dependent way, we assessed if the binding was Ca2+ dependent also for SH3BGRL3. The experiments showed that SH3BGRL3 binds the Myo1c neck in presence of Ca2+, differently from calmodulin that binds it in absence of Ca2+. Myo1c is a motor protein involved, among its different functions, in cell membrane dynamics. Thus we investigated SH3BGRL3 involvement in cell migration using MDA-MB-231 cell line. We transfected MDA-MB-231 cells with FLAG-SH3BGRL3 and performed immuno-staining and Co-IP experiments that showed co-localization and interaction of Myo1c and SH3BGRL3. Accordingly, we performed migration assays using boyden chambers after silencing or not SH3BGRL3 expression by means siRNAs. The results showed a statistically significant decrease in migration capacity of silenced cells respect to controls. Our data show that SH3BGRL3 binds Myo1c neck region in a Ca2+ dependent way and that this interaction is involved in cell migration in our model

Unexpected effects of biphosphonates in in vitro models of activated CLL cells

Recent studies suggest that the commonly prescribed anti-osteoporosis drugs bisphosphonates (BPs) might also exhibit antitumor activity. We investigated a possible anticancer effect of BPs on B-chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells obtained from peripheral blood of 26 CLL patients. Zoledronate, etidronate and clodronate were administered in vitro simultaneously to following activation stimuli: i) CD40L-expressing fibroblasts, ii) soluble recombinant CD40L produced in our laboratory +IL-4, iii) CpG ODN 2006+IL-15 with or without bone marrow stromal cells (BMSC). CLL cell viability, activation/proliferation were monitored by flow cytometry. We unexpectedly observed that BPs generated a protective effect from spontaneous apoptosis in 11/26 (42%) patients (viability + 18%-392%) and an augmentation in CLL cell activation/proliferation in 61% of the samples (S+G2M phase: +100%±25). Interestingly, protection from spontaneous apoptosis or increment of cell activation, required the presence of either fibroblasts, BMSC or autologous Nurse Like Cells (NLC). We thus hypothesized that supportive cells are involved in the BPs effects either through cell-cell interactions with leukemic cells or T cells, or through soluble factors release in the medium. Functional experiments with transwells suggest that stromal cells, in presence of Clodronate, release soluble factors in the medium that may probably concur to the unexpected Clodronate-mediated enhancement of CLL cell activation/proliferation. This work is in progress and several critical questions on the mechanisms are still unanswered. Nevertheless, the phenomenological data argue that caution should be taken when administering BPs against osteoporosis in elderly persons, who could have Monoclonal B Lymphocytosis or CLL

CX3CR1 Is Expressed by Human B Lymphocytes and Meditates CX3CL1 Driven Chemotaxis of Tonsil Centrocytes

Background: Fractalkine/CX(3)CL1, a surface chemokine, binds to CX(3)CR1 expressed by different lymphocyte subsets. Since CX(3)CL1 has been detected in the germinal centres of secondary lymphoid tissue, in this study we have investigated CX(3)CR1 expression and function in human naive, germinal centre and memory B cells isolated from tonsil or peripheral blood.Methodology/Principal Findings: We demonstrate unambiguously that highly purified human B cells from tonsil and peripheral blood expressed CX(3)CR1 at mRNA and protein levels as assessed by quantitative PCR, flow cytometry and competition binding assays. In particular, naive, germinal centre and memory B cells expressed CX(3)CR1 but only germinal centre B cells were attracted by soluble CX(3)CL1 in a transwell assay. CX(3)CL1 signalling in germinal centre B cells involved PI3K, Erk1/2, p38, and Src phosphorylation, as assessed by Western blot experiments. CX(3)CR1(+) germinal centre B cells were devoid of centroblasts and enriched for centrocytes that migrated to soluble CX(3)CL1. ELISA assay showed that soluble CX(3)CL1 was secreted constitutively by follicular dendritic cells and T follicular helper cells, two cell populations homing in the germinal centre light zone as centrocytes. At variance with that observed in humans, soluble CX(3)CL1 did not attract spleen B cells from wild type mice. OVA immunized CX(3)CR1-/- or CX(3)CL1-/- mice showed significantly decreased specific IgG production compared to wild type mice.Conclusion/Significance: We propose a model whereby human follicular dendritic cells and T follicular helper cells release in the light zone of germinal centre soluble CX(3)CL1 that attracts centrocytes. The functional implications of these results warrant further investigation

Abundance and distribution of sperm whales in the Canary Islands : can sperm whales in the Archipelago sustain the current level of ship-strike mortalities?

Funding was provided through an agreement between the Canary Islands Government and the Spanish Ministries of the Environment and Defence. Additional survey effort on the Amanay, Banquete and Concepción seamounts was funded by the Fundación Biodiversidad-MAGRAMA via the LIFE-INDEMARES project.Sperm whales are present in the Canary Islands year-round, suggesting that the archipelago is an important area for this species in the North Atlantic. However, the area experiences one of the highest reported rates of sperm whale ship-strike in the world. Here we investigate if the number of sperm whales found in the archipelago can sustain the current rate of ship-strike mortality. The results of this study may also have implications for offshore areas where concentrations of sperm whales may coincide with high densities of ship traffic, but where ship-strikes may be undocumented. The absolute abundance of sperm whales in an area of 52933 km2, covering the territorial waters of the Canary Islands, was estimated from 2668 km of acoustic line-transect survey using Distance sampling analysis. Data on sperm whale diving and acoustic behaviour, obtained from bio-logging, were used to calculate g(0) = 0.92, this is less than one because of occasional extended periods when whales do not echolocate. This resulted in an absolute abundance estimate of 224 sperm whales (95% log-normal CI 120-418) within the survey area. The recruitment capability of this number of whales, some 2.5 whales per year, is likely to be exceeded by the current ship-strike mortality rate. Furthermore, we found areas of higher whale density within the archipelago, many coincident with those previously described, suggesting that these are important habitats for females and immature animals inhabiting the archipelago. Some of these areas are crossed by active shipping lanes increasing the risk of ship-strikes. Given the philopatry in female sperm whales, replacement of impacted whales might be limited. Therefore, the application of mitigation measures to reduce the ship-strike mortality rate seems essential for the conservation of sperm whales in the Canary Islands.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe