Spatial transcriptomics reveals a role for sensory nerves in preserving cranial suture patency through modulation of BMP/TGF-ß signaling.

The patterning and ossification of the mammalian skeleton requires the coordinated actions of both intrinsic bone morphogens and extrinsic neurovascular signals, which function in a temporal and spatial fashion to control mesenchymal progenitor cell (MPC) fate. Here, we show the genetic inhibition of tropomyosin receptor kinase A (TrkA) sensory nerve innervation of the developing cranium results in premature calvarial suture closure, associated with a decrease in suture MPC proliferation and increased mineralization. In vitro, axons from peripheral afferent neurons derived from dorsal root ganglions (DRGs) of wild-type mice induce MPC proliferation in a spatially restricted manner via a soluble factor when cocultured in microfluidic chambers. Comparative spatial transcriptomic analysis of the cranial sutures in vivo confirmed a positive association between sensory axons and proliferative MPCs. SpatialTime analysis across the developing suture revealed regional-specific alterations in bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) and TGF-ß signaling pathway transcripts in response to TrkA inhibition. RNA sequencing of DRG cell bodies, following direct, axonal coculture with MPCs, confirmed the alterations in BMP/TGF-ß signaling pathway transcripts. Among these, the BMP inhibitor follistatin-like 1 (FSTL1) replicated key features of the neural-to-bone influence, including mitogenic and anti-osteogenic effects via the inhibition of BMP/TGF-ß signaling. Taken together, our results demonstrate that sensory nerve-derived signals, including FSTL1, function to coordinate cranial bone patterning by regulating MPC proliferation and differentiation in the suture mesenchyme.

Bone-forming perivascular cells: Cellular heterogeneity and use for tissue repair.

Mesenchymal progenitor cells are broadly distributed across perivascular niches-an observation conserved between species. One common histologic zone with a high frequency of mesenchymal progenitor cells within mammalian tissues is the tunica adventitia, the outer layer of blood vessel walls populated by cells with a fibroblastic morphology. The diversity and functions of (re)generative cells present in this outermost perivascular niche are under intense investigation; we have reviewed herein our current knowledge of adventitial cell potential with a somewhat narrow focus on bone formation. Antigens of interest to functionally segregate adventicytes are discussed, including CD10, CD107a, aldehyde dehydrogenase isoforms, and CD140a, among others. Purified adventicytes (such as CD10+ , CD107alow , and CD140a+ cells) have stronger osteogenic potential and promote bone formation in vivo. Recent bone tissue engineering applications of adventitial cells are also presented. A better understanding of perivascular progenitor cell subsets may represent a beneficial advance for future efforts in tissue repair and bioengineering.

The case of tryptamine and serotonin in plants: a mysterious precursor for an illustrious metabolite.

Indolamines are tryptophan-derived specialized metabolites belonging to the huge and ubiquitous indole alkaloids group. Serotonin and melatonin are the best-characterized members of this family, given their many hormonal and physiological roles in animals. Following their discovery in plants, the study of plant indolamines has flourished and their involvement in important processes, including stress responses, growth and development, and reproduction, has been proposed, leading to their classification as a new category of phytohormones. However, the complex indolamine puzzle is far from resolved, particularly the biological roles of tryptamine, the early serotonin precursor representing the central hub of many downstream indole alkaloids. Tryptophan decarboxylase, which catalyzes the synthesis of tryptamine, strictly regulates the flux of carbon and nitrogen from the tryptophan pool into the indolamine pathway. Furthermore, tryptamine accumulates to high levels in the reproductive organs of many plant species and therefore cannot be classed as a mere intermediate but rather as an end product with potentially important functions in fruits and seeds. This review summarizes current knowledge on the role of tryptamine and its close relative serotonin, emphasizing the need for a clear understanding of the functions of, and mutual relations between, these indolamines and their biosynthesis pathways in plants.

Optimization of a Sustainable Protocol for the Extraction of Anthocyanins as Textile Dyes from Plant Materials.

Anthocyanins are the largest group of polyphenolic pigments in the plant kingdom. These non-toxic, water-soluble compounds are responsible for the pink, red, purple, violet, and blue colors of fruits, vegetables, and flowers. Anthocyanins are widely used in the production of food, cosmetic and textile products, in the latter case to replace synthetic dyes with natural and sustainable alternatives. Here, we describe an environmentally benign method for the extraction of anthocyanins from red chicory and their characterization by HPLC-DAD and UPLC-MS. The protocol does not require hazardous solvents or chemicals and relies on a simple and scalable procedure that can be applied to red chicory waste streams for anthocyanin extraction. The extracted anthocyanins were characterized for stability over time and for their textile dyeing properties, achieving good values for washing fastness and, as expected, a pink-to-green color change that is reversible and can therefore be exploited in the fashion industry.

Effectiveness of corticosteroid injections in Civinini-Morton's Syndrome: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this paper is to analyze the effectiveness of corticosteroid injections (CI), in combination with or without a local anaesthetic, for Civinini-Morton's Syndrome to determine which protocol could be the most appropriate among conservative treatments. METHODS: All selected articles were screened using a thorough database search of PubMed, EMBASE and SCOPUS to assess their suitability to the research focus. RESULTS: Selection produced 10 articles as full-text, for a total of 590 patients, with a mean follow-up of 14 ± 14.2 (range 3-48) months. Johnson satisfaction scale, resulting from 6 studies, scored 25.6% (range 5-38) and 39.4% (range 15-51.8), respectively completely satisfied and satisfied with minor reservations. Mean VAS, declared in 5 studies, decreased from 70.7 ± 16.5 (range 67-89) to 33.4 ± 7.6 (26-42.5) points (p < 0.01). Most common complication was skin depigmentation in 7 (2.6%) cases. CONCLUSIONS: CI appear to be a safe treatment allowing good results with a very low complications rate. A neuroma of 6.3 mm seems to be the cut-off size; below which CI could have best indications and be considered as an intermediate treatment between shoe modifications and more invasive procedures such as percutaneous alcoholization or surgery. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II, systematic review.

Effectiveness of pulmonary rehabilitation in severe asthma: a retrospective data analysis.

Background: Pulmonary Rehabilitation (PR) is a multimodal treatment that is still poorly investigated in severe asthma where respiratory symptoms remain "uncontrolled" despite intensive pharmacological therapy. Bronchiectasis and obstructive sleep apnea (OSAS) are common comorbidities which may worsen asthma control.Aim: Aim of the present study is to investigate the effectiveness of PR on functional exercise, dyspnea, and muscle fatigue in patients with severe asthma.Methods: A total of 317 patients affected from severe asthma according to GINA guidelines who underwent a multidisciplinary 3 weeks rehabilitation program with an adherence of >80% to PR and able to complete a Six Minute Walking Test (6MWT) were retrospectively included in the analysis. Pulmonary rehabilitation included endurance training, educational meetings, chest physiotherapy, breathing exercises, and psychological support. Six-minute walking distance and Borg scale for dyspnea and muscle fatigue were recorded before and after the rehabilitation.Results: A total of 371 patients were analyzed, 39 had bronchiectasis (10.5%), 163 (43.9%) OSAS and 17 had both (4.6%). PR significantly improved 6MWT distance, Borg dyspnea and muscle fatigue (p value < 0.0001 for all outcomes) and mean SpO2 recorded during 6MWT (p value < 0.0001). Median (IQR) delta 6 minute walking distance was 33 (14-60) m. 6MWT distance (p < 0.0001) and the oxygen saturation (p < 0.01) significantly improved in severe asthma with bronchiectasis and/or OSAS.Conclusions: Our study provides evidence for the first time on a large sample of patients with severe asthma that a multidisciplinary PR program is effective in terms of exercise capacity and symptoms. In addition, exercise capacity improved in the presence of bronchiectasis and/or OSAS.

Can percutaneous alcoholization of Morton's neuroma with phenol by electrostimulation guidance be an alternative to surgical excision? Long-term results.

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous alcoholization with phenol by electrostimulation guidance for the treatment of Morton's neuroma is proposed to determine a permanent chemical neurolysis. METHODS: 115 patients for 125 Morton's neuromas were treated. Ten patients were affected by multiple neuromas. Visual Analogue Scale and AOFAS score were used for the clinical assessment. RESULTS: The mean follow-up was 8,3 years. The pre-alcoholization VAS was 85.84 ± 12.00, while at follow-up scored 28.85 ± 31.35, showing a significant decrease improving in 113/125 cases (90.4%). Treatment was considered successful with a reduction of the VAS value superior to 50% in 89 out of 125 patients (71.2%). The mean overall AOFAS score at -up was 85.09 ± 13.41. CONCLUSIONS: Needle-electrode guided percutaneous alcoholization is an outpatient, minimally invasive procedure with low rate of complications. Better results of those obtained with traditional conservative treatments and comparable with those reported with other alcohols injections or surgical nerve excision were observed. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, retrospective case series.

Correlation between hip osteoarthritis and proximal femoral fracture site: could it be protective for intracapsular neck fractures? A retrospective study on 320 cases.

Proximal femoral fractures affect elderly people, showing high morbidity and mortality incidence resulting in a major economic burden on national healthcare systems. Understanding the causes of these injuries is of paramount importance to prevent the serious consequences of these fractures. INTRODUCTION: Hip osteoarthritis and proximal femoral fractures mainly affect elderly patients. Several authors, in their studies, tried to document a correlation between these conditions, but the results are conflicting. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between hip osteoarthritis and the fracture site. Secondly, to evaluate if the grade of osteoarthritis could influence the fracture pattern. METHODS: A retrospective study on 320 patients admitted for hip fracture between June 2015 and December 2016 was carried on. Radiographic images were evaluated, assessing the type of fracture, presence and grade of osteoarthritis according to Kellgren-Lawrence and Tönnis classifications, and their correlations. RESULTS: Osteoarthritis was found to affect the fracture site showing a higher prevalence among subjects with extracapsular than those with intracapsular fractures (p < 0.00001). Patients with radiographic signs of arthritis had mainly trochanteric fracture. Conversely, patients without arthritis more frequently presented a femoral neck fracture. This correlation was even more significant as the severity of the OA increased. CONCLUSIONS: Results support the hypothesis that hip osteoarthritis could represent a protective factor for intracapsular fractures and a risk factor for trochanteric ones. The severity of arthritis is also associated with the fracture pattern.

Untargeted and Targeted Metabolomics and Tryptophan Decarboxylase In Vivo Characterization Provide Novel Insight on the Development of Kiwifruits (Actinidia deliciosa).

Kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa cv. Hayward) is a commercially important crop with highly nutritional green fleshy fruits. The post-harvest maturation of the fruits is well characterized, but little is known about the metabolic changes that occur during fruit development. Here we used untargeted metabolomics to characterize the non-volatile metabolite profile of kiwifruits collected at different time points after anthesis, revealing profound metabolic changes before the onset of ripening including the depletion of many classes of phenolic compounds. In contrast, the phytohormone abscisic acid accumulated during development and ripening, along with two indolamines (serotonin and its precursor tryptamine), and these were monitored in greater detail by targeted metabolomics. The role of indolamines in kiwifruit development is completely unknown, so we also characterized the identity of genes encoding tryptophan decarboxylase in A. deliciosa and its close relative A. chinensis to provide insight into the corresponding biological processes. Our results indicate that abscisic acid and indolamines fulfill unrecognized functions in the development and ripening of kiwifruits.

Minimally invasive distal first metatarsal osteotomy can be an option for recurrent hallux valgus.

BACKGROUND: Recurrence rate of surgical treatment of hallux valgus ranges in the literature from 2.7% to 16%, regardless of used procedure. In this study, long-term results of a minimally invasive distal osteotomy of the first metatarsal bone for treatment of recurrent hallux valgus are described. METHODS: 32 consecutive percutaneous distal osteotomies of the first metatarsal were performed in 26 patients for treatment of recurrent hallux valgus. Primary surgery had been soft tissue procedures in 8 cases (25%), first metatarsal or phalangeal osteotomies in 19 cases (59.4%) and Keller procedures in 5 cases (15.6%). RESULTS: Patients were assessed with a mean follow-up of 9.8±4.3 years. All patients reported the disappearance or reduction of the pain. The mean overall AOFAS score improved from 46.9±17.8 points to 85.2±14.9 at final follow-up. The mean hallux valgus angle decreased from 26.1±9.1 to 9.7±5.4°, the intermetatarsal angle decreased from 11.5±4.5 to 6.7±4.0°. No major complications were recorded with a re-recurrence rate of 3.1% (1 case). CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous distal osteotomy of the first metatarsal can be a reliable and safe surgical option in the recurrent hallux valgus with low complication rate and the advantages of a minimally invasive surgery. LEVELS OF EVIDENCE: IV, Retrospective Case Series.

Percutaneous distal osteotomy of lesser metatarsals (DMMO) for treatment of metatarsalgia with metatarsophalangeal instability.

BACKGROUND: Clinical and radiological results of percutaneous distal metatarsal minimally invasive osteotomy (DMMO) of the lesser rays for surgical treatment of primary metatarsalgia due to plantar overpressure with metatarsophalangeal instability are described. The aim of this prospective study was to assess the efficacy, feasibility and safety of this minimally invasive surgical (MIS) technique, verifying the possibility to lower the complication rate related to surgical exposures, to reduce operating times with comparable functional and cosmetic results to those reported with traditional open procedures. METHODS: Hundred and six consecutive percutaneous distal osteotomies without fixation (DMMO) of the second, third or fourth metatarsal bones were performed in 57 patients (70ft) with a mean age at the surgery of 60.2 years (30-81) for treatment of metatarsalgia with metatarsophalangeal instability. Patients were clinically assessed with the AOFAS and Coughlin's Scores, the latter classifying the results in relation to the patient's subjective satisfaction. RESULTS: The mean follow-up was of 45.0±13.3months (24-68). All patients reported the disappearance or reduction of the pain that they had experienced prior to the operation around the metatarsal heads. The mean overall AOFAS score improved from 42.7±13.4 points (9-77) to 92.8±8.6 points (44-100) at the time of final follow-up. Patient subjective satisfaction according to Coughlin's classification was excellent in 62ft (88.6%), good in 7ft (10.0%), fair in 0ft and poor in one foot (1.4%). CONCLUSIONS: We consider the percutaneous distal lesser metatarsal osteotomy without fixation (DMMO) a reliable surgical option in metatarsalgia due to metatarsophalangeal instability in early stages as in grade I and II according to Coughlin classification.

Bioprospecting of Artemisia genus: from artemisinin to other potentially bioactive compounds.

Species from genus Artemisia are widely distributed throughout temperate regions of the northern hemisphere and many cultures have a long-standing traditional use of these plants as herbal remedies, liquors, cosmetics, spices, etc. Nowadays, the discovery of new plant-derived products to be used as food supplements or drugs has been pushed by the exploitation of bioprospection approaches. Often driven by the knowledge derived from the ethnobotanical use of plants, bioprospection explores the existing biodiversity through integration of modern omics techniques with targeted bioactivity assays. In this work we set up a bioprospection plan to investigate the phytochemical diversity and the potential bioactivity of five Artemisia species with recognized ethnobotanical tradition (A. absinthium, A. alba, A. annua, A. verlotiorum and A. vulgaris), growing wild in the natural areas of the Verona province. We characterized the specialized metabolomes of the species (including sesquiterpenoids from the artemisinin biosynthesis pathway) through an LC-MS based untargeted approach and, in order to identify potential bioactive metabolites, we correlated their composition with the in vitro antioxidant activity. We propose as potential bioactive compounds several isomers of caffeoyl and feruloyl quinic acid esters (e.g. dicaffeoylquinic acids, feruloylquinic acids and caffeoylferuloylquinic acids), which strongly characterize the most antioxidant species A. verlotiorum and A. annua. Morevoer, in this study we report for the first time the occurrence of sesquiterpenoids from the artemisinin biosynthesis pathway in the species A. alba.

The Mohawk homeobox gene represents a marker and osteo-inhibitory factor in calvarial suture osteoprogenitor cells.

The regeneration of the mammalian skeleton's craniofacial bones necessitates the action of intrinsic and extrinsic inductive factors from multiple cell types, which function hierarchically and temporally to control the differentiation of osteogenic progenitors. Single-cell transcriptomics of developing mouse calvarial suture recently identified a suture mesenchymal progenitor population with previously unappreciated tendon- or ligament-associated gene expression profile. Here, we developed a Mohawk homeobox (MkxCG; R26RtdT) reporter mouse and demonstrated that this reporter identifies an adult calvarial suture resident cell population that gives rise to calvarial osteoblasts and osteocytes during homeostatic conditions. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-Seq) data reveal that Mkx+ suture cells display a progenitor-like phenotype with expression of teno-ligamentous genes. Bone injury with Mkx+ cell ablation showed delayed bone healing. Remarkably, Mkx gene played a critical role as an osteo-inhibitory factor in calvarial suture cells, as knockdown or knockout resulted in increased osteogenic differentiation. Localized deletion of Mkx in vivo also resulted in robustly increased calvarial defect repair. We further showed that mechanical stretch dynamically regulates Mkx expression, in turn regulating calvarial cell osteogenesis. Together, we define Mkx+ cells within the suture mesenchyme as a progenitor population for adult craniofacial bone repair, and Mkx acts as a mechanoresponsive gene to prevent osteogenic differentiation within the stem cell niche.

Pneumomediastinum in COVID-19: Risk factors and outcomes from a multicentre case-control study.

BACKGROUND: An increased incidence of pneumomediastinum has been observed among patients hospitalized with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia. The study aimed to identify risk factors for COVID-19-associated pneumomediastinum and investigate the impact of pneumomediastinum on clinical outcomes. METHODS: In this multicentre retrospective case-control study, we included consecutive patients with COVID-19 pneumonia and pneumomediastinum hospitalized from March 2020 to July 2020 at ten centres; then, we identified a similarly sized control group of consecutive patients hospitalized with COVID-19 pneumonia and respiratory failure who did not develop pneumomediastinum during the same period. Clinical, laboratory, and radiological characteristics, as well as respiratory support and outcomes, were collected and compared between the two groups. Risk factors of pneumomediastinum were assessed by multivariable logistic analysis. RESULTS: Overall 139 patients with pneumomediastinum and 153 without pneumomediastinum were analysed. Lung involvement ≥75 %, consolidations, body mass index (BMI) < 22 kg/m2, C-reactive protein (CRP) > 150 mg/L, D-dimer >3000 ng/mL FEUs, and smoking exposure >20 pack-year were all independently correlated with the occurrence of pneumomediastinum. Patients with pneumomediastinum had a longer hospital stay (mean ± SD 31.2 ± 20.2 days vs 19.6 ± 14.2, p < 0.001), higher intubation rate (73/139, 52.5 % vs 27/153, 17.6 %, p < 0.001), and in-hospital mortality (68/139, 48.9 % vs 36/153, 23.5 %, p < 0.001) compared to controls. CONCLUSIONS: Extensive lung parenchyma involvement, consolidations, low BMI, high inflammatory markers, and tobacco exposure are associated with a greater risk of pneumomediastinum in COVID-19 pneumonia. This complication significantly worsens the outcomes.

Untargeted Metabolomics Analysis of the Orchid Species Oncidium sotoanum Reveals the Presence of Rare Bioactive C-Diglycosylated Chrysin Derivatives.

Plants are valuable sources of secondary metabolites with pharmaceutical properties, but only a small proportion of plant life has been actively exploited for medicinal purposes to date. Underexplored plant species are therefore likely to contain novel bioactive compounds. In this study, we investigated the content of secondary metabolites in the flowers, leaves and pseudobulbs of the orchid Oncidium sotoanum using an untargeted metabolomics approach. We observed the strong accumulation of C-diglycosylated chrysin derivatives, which are rarely found in nature. Further characterization revealed evidence of antioxidant activity (FRAP and DPPH assays) and potential activity against neurodegenerative disorders (MAO-B inhibition assay) depending on the specific molecular structure of the metabolites. Natural product bioprospecting in underexplored plant species based on untargeted metabolomics can therefore help to identify novel chemical structures with diverse pharmaceutical properties.

TIAM1 acts as an actin organization regulator to control adipose tissue-derived pericyte cell fate.

Pericytes are multipotent mesenchymal precursor cells that demonstrate tissue-specific properties. In this study, by comparing human adipose tissue- and periosteum-derived pericyte microarrays, we identified T cell lymphoma invasion and metastasis 1 (TIAM1) as a key regulator of cell morphology and differentiation decisions. TIAM1 represented a tissue-specific determinant between predispositions for adipocytic versus osteoblastic differentiation in human adipose tissue-derived pericytes. TIAM1 overexpression promoted an adipogenic phenotype, whereas its downregulation amplified osteogenic differentiation. These results were replicated in vivo, in which TIAM1 misexpression altered bone or adipose tissue generation in an intramuscular xenograft animal model. Changes in pericyte differentiation potential induced by TIAM1 misexpression correlated with actin organization and altered cytoskeletal morphology. Small molecule inhibitors of either small GTPase Rac1 or RhoA/ROCK signaling reversed TIAM1-induced morphology and differentiation in pericytes. In summary, our results demonstrate that TIAM1 regulates the cellular morphology and differentiation potential of human pericytes, representing a molecular switch between osteogenic and adipogenic cell fates.

Tppp3+ synovial/tendon sheath progenitor cells contribute to heterotopic bone after trauma.

Heterotopic ossification (HO) is a pathological process resulting in aberrant bone formation and often involves synovial lined tissues. During this process, mesenchymal progenitor cells undergo endochondral ossification. Nonetheless, the specific cell phenotypes and mechanisms driving this process are not well understood, in part due to the high degree of heterogeneity of the progenitor cells involved. Here, using a combination of lineage tracing and single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), we investigated the extent to which synovial/tendon sheath progenitor cells contribute to heterotopic bone formation. For this purpose, Tppp3 (tubulin polymerization-promoting protein family member 3)-inducible reporter mice were used in combination with either Scx (Scleraxis) or Pdgfra (platelet derived growth factor receptor alpha) reporter mice. Both tendon injury- and arthroplasty-induced mouse experimental HO models were utilized. ScRNA-seq of tendon-associated traumatic HO suggested that Tppp3 is an early progenitor cell marker for either tendon or osteochondral cells. Upon HO induction, Tppp3 reporter+ cells expanded in number and partially contributed to cartilage and bone formation in either tendon- or joint-associated HO. In double reporter animals, both Pdgfra+Tppp3+ and Pdgfra+Tppp3- progenitor cells gave rise to HO-associated cartilage. Finally, analysis of human samples showed a substantial population of TPPP3-expressing cells overlapping with osteogenic markers in areas of heterotopic bone. Overall, these data demonstrate that synovial/tendon sheath progenitor cells undergo aberrant osteochondral differentiation and contribute to HO after trauma.

TrkA-mediated sensory innervation of injured mouse tendon supports tendon sheath progenitor cell expansion and tendon repair.

Peripheral neurons terminate at the surface of tendons partly to relay nociceptive pain signals; however, the role of peripheral nerves in tendon injury and repair remains unclear. Here, we show that after Achilles tendon injury in mice, there is new nerve growth near tendon cells that express nerve growth factor (NGF). Conditional deletion of the Ngf gene in either myeloid or mesenchymal mouse cells limited both innervation and tendon repair. Similarly, inhibition of the NGF receptor tropomyosin receptor kinase A (TrkA) abrogated tendon healing in mouse tendon injury. Sural nerve transection blocked the postinjury increase in tendon sensory innervation and the expansion of tendon sheath progenitor cells (TSPCs) expressing tubulin polymerization promoting protein family member 3. Single cell and spatial transcriptomics revealed that disruption of sensory innervation resulted in dysregulated inflammatory signaling and transforming growth factor-ß (TGFß) signaling in injured mouse tendon. Culture of mouse TSPCs with conditioned medium from dorsal root ganglia neuron further supported a role for neuronal mediators and TGFß signaling in TSPC proliferation. Transcriptomic and histologic analyses of injured human tendon biopsy samples supported a role for innervation and TGFß signaling in human tendon regeneration. Last, treating mice after tendon injury systemically with a small-molecule partial agonist of TrkA increased neurovascular response, TGFß signaling, TSPC expansion, and tendon tissue repair. Although further studies should investigate the potential effects of denervation on mechanical loading of tendon, our results suggest that peripheral innervation is critical for the regenerative response after acute tendon injury.

Indolamine accumulation and TDC/T5H expression profiles reveal the complex and dynamic regulation of serotonin biosynthesis in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.).

Tryptamine and serotonin are indolamines that fulfill diverse biological functions in all kingdoms of life. Plants convert l-tryptophan into tryptamine and then serotonin via consecutive decarboxylation and hydroxylation reactions catalyzed by the enzymes tryptophan decarboxylase (TDC) and tryptamine 5-hydroxylase (T5H). Tryptamine and serotonin accumulate to high levels in the edible fruits and seeds of many plant species, but their biological roles in reproductive organs remain unclear and the metabolic pathways have not been characterized in detail. We identified three TDC genes and a single T5H gene in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) by homology-based screening and confirmed their activity by heterologous expression in Nicotiana benthamiana. The co-analysis of targeted metabolomics and gene expression data revealed complex spatiotemporal gene expression and metabolite accumulation patterns that suggest the involvement of the serotonin pathway in multiple biological processes. Our data support a model in which SlTDC1 allows tryptamine to accumulate in fruits, SlTDC2 causes serotonin to accumulate in aerial vegetative organs, and SlTDC3 works with SlT5H to convert tryptamine into serotonin in the roots and fruits.

In Vitro Sprouted Plantlets of Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad Shown to Possess Interesting Levels of Cucurbitacins and Other Bioactives against Pathogenic Fungi.

Cucurbitacins, structurally different triterpenes mainly found in the members of Cucurbitaceae, possess a vast pharmacological potential. Genus Cucurbita, Cucumis, and Citrullus are affluent in these bioactive compounds, and, amongst them, Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad. is widely exploited in folk medicine, since a huge number of diseases are successfully treated with organic and aqueous extracts obtained from different organs and tissues of the plant. The well-known pharmacological activities of such species have been attributed to its peculiar composition, which includes cucurbitacins and other bioactive molecules; thus, owing to its high importance as a valuable natural resource for pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals, C. colocynthis propagation and multiplication protocols are considered significant, but the exploitation of its phytochemical potential is limited by the restricted cultivation conditions and the low rate of seed germination in the natural environment; in fact, the assessment of accumulation rate of specific phytochemicals under controlled conditions is still missing. Axenically sprouted plantlets obtained without the use of culture media or the addition of hormones have been evaluated here for the production of bioactive compounds and relevant bioactive features. Our results proved that derived organic extracts contain cucurbitacins and other bioactives, show antioxidant potential, and exert activity against some pathogenic fungi (Candida krusei, C. albicans, C. parapsilosis, C. glabrata, and Aspergillus flavus), supporting the feasibility of a methodology intended to scale-up cultivation of this species as a source of pharmaceutically interesting compounds, achievable from plantlets cultivated under laboratory conditions.