Allergic reactions to genus Morus plants: a review.

Mulberry is a plant belonging to the family Moraceae, and genus Morus. Allergic sensitization to mulberries has been reported as both food allergy or respiratory allergy, and cross-reactivity between mulberries and other pollens or fruits was described. Clinically, in the articles reporting mulberry allergy, the reactions included respiratory allergy, airborne contact urticaria, anaphylaxis, oral allergy syndrome, and food induced urticaria. As far as cross-reactivity is concerned, the allergens identified thus far in mulberries include pathogenesis-related (PR)10 proteins, with sequence identity to Bet v 1 from birch, lipid transfer (LTP)1 proteins with identity with LTPs from Rosaceae family plants, panallergens groups, and also ubiquitin-like protein and cystatin-like protein. The two latter proteins account for cross-reactions with Parietaria judaica and Olea europaea. Such large cross-reactivity warrants to pay particular attention to the risk of systemic reactions to foods, particularly in subjects sensitized to birch, parietaria or olive pollens. In fact, the increasing use of mulberry as a food product, which is encouraged by its remarkable antioxidant power, expose sensitized patients to possible reactions after ingesting foods, dietary supplements or nutraceuticals containing mulberry. Mulberry allergenicity can vary according to the processing methods used since some allergens are thermostable and other loss their reactivity during heating.

Effect of chemical structure on the subglass relaxation dynamics of biobased polyesters as revealed by dielectric spectroscopy: 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid vs. trans-1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid.

The chemical structure-dynamics relationship for poly(trimethylene 2,5-furanoate) and poly(trimethylene 1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylate) was investigated via dielectric spectroscopy and compared with that of poly(trimethylene terephthalate) in order to evaluate the impact on the subglass dynamics of the chemical nature of the ring. Further comparison was accomplished with the neopentyl glycol containing counterparts: poly(neopentyl 2,5-furanoate) and poly(neopentyl 1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylate). Our study reveals a multimodal nature of the subglass ß process. For the more flexible polymers (containing cyclohexane rings) three modes for the ß process were detected. The faster mode was assigned to the relaxation of the oxygen linked to the aliphatic carbon, the slower one to the link between the aliphatic ring and the ester group, and the third mode to the aliphatic ring. For stiffer polymers (containing aromatic rings), the local modes appear more coupled. This effect is more evident in the polymers with the furan ring where essentially a single ß mode can be resolved.

Biodegradation potentiality of psychrophilic bacterial strain Oleispira antarctica RB-8(T).

The present study is focused on assessing the growth and hydrocarbon-degrading capability of the psychrophilic strain Oleispira antarctica RB-8(T). This study considered six hydrocarbon mixtures that were tested for 22days at two different cultivation temperatures (4 and 15°C). During the incubation period, six sub-aliquots of each culture at different times were processed for total bacterial abundance and GC-FID (gas chromatography-flame ionization detection) hydrocarbon analysis. Results from DNA extraction and DAPI (4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole) staining showed a linear increase during the first 18days of the experiment in almost all the substrates used; both techniques showed a good match, but the difference in values obtained was approximately one order of magnitude. GC-FID results revealed a substantial hydrocarbon degradation rate in almost all hydrocarbon sources and in particular at 15°C rather than 4°C (for commercial oil engine, oily waste, fuel jet, and crude oil). A more efficient degradation was observed in cultures grown with diesel and bilge water at 4°C.

A generalized Poisson and Poisson-Boltzmann solver for electrostatic environments.

The computational study of chemical reactions in complex, wet environments is critical for applications in many fields. It is often essential to study chemical reactions in the presence of applied electrochemical potentials, taking into account the non-trivial electrostatic screening coming from the solvent and the electrolytes. As a consequence, the electrostatic potential has to be found by solving the generalized Poisson and the Poisson-Boltzmann equations for neutral and ionic solutions, respectively. In the present work, solvers for both problems have been developed. A preconditioned conjugate gradient method has been implemented for the solution of the generalized Poisson equation and the linear regime of the Poisson-Boltzmann, allowing to solve iteratively the minimization problem with some ten iterations of the ordinary Poisson equation solver. In addition, a self-consistent procedure enables us to solve the non-linear Poisson-Boltzmann problem. Both solvers exhibit very high accuracy and parallel efficiency and allow for the treatment of periodic, free, and slab boundary conditions. The solver has been integrated into the BigDFT and Quantum-ESPRESSO electronic-structure packages and will be released as an independent program, suitable for integration in other codes.

NaCl concentration in the medium modulates the secretion of active EmpA protease in Vibrio anguillarum at post-transcriptional level.

AIMS: This study focused on the influence of different amounts of NaCl in the medium in Vibrio anguillarum EmpA protease production at both the transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels. METHODS AND RESULTS: Vibrio anguillarum 975/I was cultivated in cM9 medium with varying concentrations of NaCl: 0·5, 1·5, 3·0%. EmpA protease was monitored in the supernatants by the skim milk test, azocasein assay and Western blot analysis. The empA gene expression was measured by real-time PCR. A mutant strain 975/I defective for the empA gene confirmed the specificity of the response for EmpA protease. Active protease production was induced by 0·5 and 1·5% NaCl-amended media; however, the strain cultivated in 3·0% NaCl was unable to secrete EmpA protease. The quantitative expression of the empA gene was very similar in all tested conditions. CONCLUSIONS: The NaCl concentration in the medium modulates the secretion of active EmpA protease in V. anguillarum at a post-transcriptional level. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: EmpA protease is one of the most important virulence factors in V. anguillarum. We demonstrated the influence of osmotic changes in the regulation of EmpA protease in the V. anguillarum 975/I strain. This finding has an important impact on the evaluation of factors determining the onset of disease in fish.

Alcanivorax borkumensis produces an extracellular siderophore in iron-limitation condition maintaining the hydrocarbon-degradation efficiency.

Obligate marine hydrocarbonoclastic bacteria possess genetic and physiological features to use hydrocarbons as sole source of carbon and to compete for the uptake of nutrients in usually nutrient-depleted marine habitats. In the present work we have studied the siderophore-based iron uptake systems in Alcanivorax borkumensis SK2 and their functioning during biodegradation of an aliphatic hydrocarbon, tetradecane, under iron limitation conditions. The antiSMASH analysis of SK2 genome revealed the presence of two different putative operons of siderophore synthetases. Search for the predicted core structures indicated that one siderophore is clearly affiliated to the family of complex oligopeptidic siderophores possessing an Orn-Ser-Orn carboxyl motif whereas the second one is likely to belong to the family of SA (salicylic acid)-based siderophores. Analyzing the supernatant of SK2 culture, an extracellular siderophore was identified and its structure was resolved. Thus, along with the recently described membrane-associated amphiphilic tetrapeptidic siderophore amphibactin, strain SK2 additionally produces an extracellular type of iron-chelating molecule with structural similarity to pseudomonins. Comparative Q-PCR analysis of siderophore synthetases demonstrated their significant up-regulation in iron-depleted medium. Different expression patterns were recorded for two operons during the early and late exponential phases of growth, suggesting a different function of these two siderophores under iron-depleted conditions.

Changes in digestive enzyme activities of red porgy Pagrus pagrus during a fasting-refeeding experiment.

An experiment was carried out in red porgy, Pagrus pagrus (Teleostei, Sparidae), to assess the effects of a 14-day fasting period, followed by refeeding to apparent satiation, on the contents of digestive enzymes (total proteases, and particularly pepsin, trypsin, chymotrypsin, carboxypeptidases A and B; amylase and lipase). Two fish groups were considered: one (indicated as fasted/refed group) was fasted for 14 days and then refed during further 7 and 15 days, and the other was fed throughout the study and was taken as a control group. The measured enzymatic values showed that fasting resulted in a generalized, not significant decrease, of the activity of digestive enzymes. Refeeding caused a significant increase for most of the assayed enzymes: total proteases both in the middle and distal intestine, pepsin in the stomach, trypsin in the middle intestine, and amylase and lipase in the proximal intestine. Nevertheless, the detection in the fasted/refed fish of enzymatic values still lower than those measured in the control fish suggested that fish experiencing short-term fasting were partially impaired in their digestive capacity.

Application of relative real-time PCR to detect differential expression of virulence genes in Vibrio anguillarum under standard and stressed growth conditions.

In this study, we aimed to understand whether abiotic factors affect the expression of virulence genes in Vibrio anguillarum. We observed the in vitro responses of two Mediterranean strains of V. anguillarum to temperature, NaCl and iron concentration changes. We monitored growth performance and gene transcription levels by comparing the results obtained under stressed conditions (temperatures of 5 °C, 15 °C and 37 °C; NaCl concentrations of 3% and 5%; and iron depletion and excess) with those obtained under standard growth conditions (25 °C, 1.5% NaCl and 0.6 µm of iron). The results showed that the strains respond differently. The strain 975/I was most strongly affected by conditions of 15 °C and iron depletion; these conditions induced increased transcription levels of empA, angR and fatA. Growth of the strain 17/I was inhibited at 15 °C and in iron depletion conditions; this strain also showed dramatic changes in the transcription levels of toxR and tonB2 under increased NaCl concentrations. These results demonstrate that environmental stress affects the expression of virulence genes in V. anguillarum that have implications for the competitiveness, stress tolerance and the ability of V. anguillarum to cause infection.

Pulmonary angiocentric lymphoma (lymphomatoid granulomatosis) in a donkey.

A 36-year-old donkey developed dyspnoea, pyrexia, hypoalbuminaemia and oedema. Following continued clinical deterioration the donkey was humanely destroyed. Grossly, there were numerous nodules (5-10mm) scattered throughout the lung. Microscopically, the lung was infiltrated by an angiocentric and bronchocentric to diffuse mixed population of small mature and atypical lymphocytes, histiocytes, plasma cells and fewer eosinophils. The infiltrate was composed of numerous small mature and fewer atypical CD3(+) T lymphocytes. Low numbers of CD20(+) and CD79a(+) B cells, some atypical, accompanied the T cells. These infiltrates were consistent with an angiocentric lymphoma and resembled lymphomatoid granulomatosis, an Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated human tumour. Immunohistochemistry for EBV latent membrane protein and polymerase chain reaction analysis for equine gamma herpesvirus DNA were negative. To the authors' knowledge this is the first case of angiocentric lymphoma reported in a donkey and the first case of lymphomatoid granulomatosis-type disease in an animal in which possible concurrent infection with a gamma herpesvirus has been investigated.

X-ray magnetic circular dichroism measurements in Ni up to 200 GPa: resistant ferromagnetism.

The structural stability of fcc Ni over a very large pressure range offers a unique opportunity to experimentally investigate how magnetism is modified by simple compression. K-edge x-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) shows that fcc Ni is ferromagnetic up to 200 GPa, contradicting recent predictions of an abrupt transition to a paramagnetic state at 160 GPa. Density functional theory calculations point out that the pressure evolution of the K-edge XMCD closely follows that of the p projected orbital moment rather than that of the total spin moment. The disappearance of magnetism in Ni is predicted to occur above 400 GPa.

Characterization of chitinolytic bacteria and histological aspects of Shell Disease Syndrome in European spiny lobsters (Palinurus elephas) (Fabricius 1787).

The present research reports the first description of Shell Disease Syndrome in European spiny lobsters Palinurus elephas (Fabricius 1787), which occurred in an experimental aquaculture facility in Sicily (Italy). Both bacterial characterization and histopathological examination of the exoskeleton at site of lesions was carried out. Infected specimens showed tail fan erosions, and in one case uropod ulceration and complete loss of periods. Identified species included: Listonella anguillarum 50.5%, Vibrio parahaemolyticus 27.5% and Vibrio alginolyticus 22%. Microscopic evaluation of lesions indicate the presence of inflammatory responses, which include melanization and pseudomembrane formation, similar to those described for other crustaceans affected by SDS.

Fine structure of spermatozoa in the blackspot sea bream Pagellus bogaraveo (Brünnich, 1768) with some considerations about the centriolar complex.

Scanning and transmission electron microscopy were used to investigate the fine structure of the sperm of the sparid fish Pagellus bogaraveo. The spermatozoon of P. bogaraveo belongs, like that of the other sparid fish, to the teleostean "type I" spermatozoon with the flagellar axis insert perpendicular to the nuclear fossa. It has an ovoidal head, a short, cylindrically shaped midpiece and a long tail region. The nucleus reveals a deep invagination (nuclear fossa), in which the centriolar complex is located, and a satellite nuclear notch shaped like a golf club. The two centrioles are perpendicular to each other and show a conventional "9+0" pattern. The distal centriole is attached to the nuclear envelope by means of basal feet and radial fibers made of electron-dense material. Below the basal plate, plasma membrane pinches in, and the necklace, a specialized connection joining axonemal doublets to the plasma membrane, is visible. The short midpiece houses one mitochondrion. The flagellum is perpendicularly and eccentrically with respect to the nucleus and contains the conventional "9+2" axoneme.

Physiological responses to starvation in the European eel (Anguilla anguilla): effects on haematological, biochemical, non-specific immune parameters and skin structures.

The physiological effects of short-term starvation on some haematological, biochemical and non-specific immune response parameters together with the histological structure of the skin, were investigated in the European eel, Anguilla anguilla. Blood haemoglobin and haematocrit, serum glucose and cortisol, hemolysins, haemagglutinins, and lysozyme in the plasma, kidney and epidermal extract, were measured in fish after 31, 42 and 58 days of starvation, and compared to those of fed fish. Starvation did not affect haemoglobin and haematocrit values, while an increase in glucose and cortisol levels was found in starved eels by day 42. Haemolytic and haemagglutinating activities decreased in starved eels. On the other hand, starvation caused an increase in the lysozyme content in the epidermal extracts, while no significant variations were observed in kidney and plasma. On the whole, no major changes in metabolic, haematological and non-specific immune parameters were observed when short-term (less than 2 months) starvation was applied to the European eel, suggesting an adaptive response to starvation, rather than a typical alarm-stress response, allowing this species to withstand food deprivation.

The erythropoietin and regenerative medicine: a lesson from fish.

BACKGROUND: Erythropoietin (EPO), the main haematopoietic growth factor for the proliferation and differentiation of erythroid progenitor cells, is also known for its angiogenic and regenerative properties. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, we aimed to test the regenerative effects of EPO administration in an experimental model of Sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) subjected to amputation of the caudal fin. RESULTS: Erythropoietin-treated fishes (3000 UI of human recombinant EPO-alpha immediately after cutting and after 15 days) showed an increased growth rate of their fins compared with those untreated (anova variance: P: 0.01 vs. P: 0.04). By analysing fin length at established times (15 and 30 days after cut), EPO-treated fishes always showed an increased length compared with untreated ones (T-15: 1.1 +/- 0.2 vs. 0.7 +/- 0.2 cm, P: 0.03; T-30: 1.9 +/- 0.3 vs. 1.2 +/- 0.2 cm, P: 0.01). Moreover, exogenous EPO administration induced an enormous increase in EPO-blood levels at each observation time (T-15: 2240 +/- 210 vs. 16.7 +/- 1.8 mU mL(-1), P < 0.001; T-30: 2340 +/- 190 vs. 17.1 +/- 1.9 mU mL(-1), P < 0.001), whereas these levels remained quite unmodified in untreated fishes. Immunochemical analyses performed by confocal laser scanning microscopic observations showed an increased expression of EPO-receptors and PECAM-1 (an endothelial surface marker of vessels sprout) in the regenerating tissue, whereas no signs of inflammation or fibrosis were recognisable. CONCLUSIONS: All these findings confirm EPO as a new factor involved in regenerative processes, also suggesting a potential, future utility for new therapeutical applications in the field of human regenerative medicine.

Rice protein-concentrate meal as a potential dietary ingredient in practical diets for blackspot seabream Pagellus bogaraveo: a histological and enzymatic investigation.

Field and laboratory studies were conducted to evaluate the intestinal responses to partial replacement of fish meal with rice protein concentrate (RPC) in practical diets for blackspot seabream Pagellus bogaraveo. Two experimental diets were formulated to be isoproteic and isoenergetic with an increasing level of RPC (20 and 35%, respectively) and were tested against a fish meal-based control diet (RPC0). The diets showed similar features for growth performances and both intestinal histology and digestive enzymes. This study confirmed that RPC does not induce intestinal mucosa alterations in this fish. The dietary RPC supplement caused a significant increase in trypsin activity, whereas lipase activity was reduced.

Bioremediation of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylenes-contaminated soil: a biopile pilot experiment.

AIMS: In this study, we evaluated the removal efficiency of fuel hydrocarbons from a jet fuel contaminated area using bioaugmentation treatment in biopile. METHODS AND RESULTS: The hydrocarbon analysis of the sample revealed total hydrocarbons mainly constituted by benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylenes (BTEX) and heavy aliphatic hydrocarbons. Enrichments of soil sample were performed with BTEX, pristane and fuel JP-5, respectively, selected hydrocarbon-degrading strains, namely Acinetobacter sp., Pseudomonas sp. and Rhodococcus sp. Three hundred litres of culture containing 10(8) cell ml(-1) of each strain and nutrients sprayed on the biopile allowed a removal of 90% of total hydrocarbons in 15 days. Bioremediation process was monitored by observation of the respiration rate and the bacterial abundance and GC-MS analysis. CONCLUSIONS: The efficiency of the treatment in the biopile was considerable. The assessment of microbial activity during the experiment is necessary for interventions targeted to improve environmental parameters such as humidity, temperature, pH and nutrients for optimization of the bioremediation process. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: A better knowledge of microbial successions at oil-polluted sites is essential for environmental bioremediation. Data obtained in biopile study improve our understanding of processes occurring during oil pollution.

Rice protein concentrate meal as potential dietary ingredient in practical diets for blackspot seabream (Pagellus bogaraveo).

The aim of this study was to evaluate the performances and the flesh quality of Pagellus bogaraveo fed with diets containing rice protein concentrate [RPC, 70% crude protein (CP) and 10% ether extract]. Three isoproteic and isoenergetic (CP 47%, 22 MJ/kg DM) diets were formulated with an increasing level of RPC: 0%, 20% and 35%. The fish (mean weight 75 g) from the Messina Straits were randomly distributed in 12 tanks (3 diets x 4 replications, 10 fish/tank). The daily ratio (1.5% of the fish biomass) was updated every 15 days. Biomass gain showed an opposite trend to the RPC diet inclusion. No differences appeared in the somatic indexes. Differences appeared between fatty acid profiles of the dorsal muscle. Fatty acid of series n-6 increased and fatty acid of series n-3 decreased in fillets of fish fed with increasing levels of RPC. The inclusion of RPC in the diets, as a partial replacement of fish meal (20%), is possible without affecting the growth performance and fillet quality.

Fine structure of spermatozoa in the gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata Linnaeus, 1758) (Perciformes, Sparidae).

Scanning and transmission electron microscopy were used to investigate the fine structure of the sperm of the sparid fish Sparus aurata L. The mature spermatozoon of gilthead sea bream belongs, like that of the other sparid fish, to a "type I" as defined by Mattei (1970). It has a spherical head which lacks an acrosome, a short, irregularly-shaped midpiece and a long cylindrical tail. The nucleus reveals a deep invagination (nuclear fossa) in which the centriolar complex is located. The two centrioles are approximately perpendicular to each other and show a conventional "9+0" pattern. The proximal centriole is associated with a cross-striated cylindrical body lying inside a peculiar satellite nuclear notch which appears as a narrow invagination of the nuclear fossa. The distal centriole is attached to the nuclear envelope by means of a lateral plate and radial fibres made of an electron-dense material. The short midpiece houses one mitochondrion. The flagellum is inserted perpendicularly into the base of the nucleus and contains the conventional 9+2 axoneme.

Fine structure of spermatozoa in the common pandora (Pagellus erythrinus Linnaeus, 1758) (Perciformes, Sparidae).

Scanning and transmission electron microscopy were used to investigate the fine structure of the sperm of the Sparid fish Pagellus erythrinus L. The spermatozoon of pandora has a spherical head lacking an acrosome, a cone-shaped midpiece and a long tail. The midpiece houses a single mitochondrion. The centriolar complex lies inside the nuclear fossa and is composed of a proximal and a distal centriole which are arranged at right angles to each other. The flagellum is inserted medio-laterally into the head, contains the conventional 9+2 axoneme and possesses one pair of lateral fins. On the basis of its ultrastructural organization, the pandora sperm can be regarded as an evolved form of the primitive spermatozoon found in Teleosts. According to the morphological classification proposed by Mattei (1970), the sperm of pandora belongs to a "type I" designation, like that of the other Sparid fish.

Hemangiosarcoma of the third eyelid in a dog.

Abstract A case of hemangiosarcoma of the third eyelid in a 7-year-old Caucasian Sheepdog is reported. A voluminous red mass protruding from the free edge of the third eyelid in the right eye was present. The mass and the free edge of the third eyelid were surgically excised. On histopathologic examination the tumor was seen to infiltrate the propria of the third eyelid and was composed of neoplastic mesenchymal cells forming irregular channels containing blood. These plump cells showed moderate anisocytosis and anisokaryosis with a low mitotic index. The surgical wound healed successfully and after 9 months there had been no recurrence. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first hemangiosarcoma of the third eyelid reported in the dog.