Selection of tomato landraces with high fruit yield and nutritional quality under elevated temperatures.

BACKGROUND: Global warming and extreme or adverse events induced by climatic fluctuations are an important threat for plants growth and agricultural production. Adaptability to environmental changes prevalently derives from a large set of genetic traits affecting physiological and agronomic parameters. Therefore, the identification of genotypes that are good yield performer at high temperatures is becoming increasingly necessary for future breeding programs. Here, we analyzed the performances of different tomato landraces grown under elevated temperatures in terms of yield and nutritional quality of the fruit. Finally, we evaluated the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of fruit extracts from the tomato landraces selected. RESULTS: The tomato landraces analyzed here in a hot climate differed in terms of yield performance, physicochemical parameters of fruit (pH, titratable acidity, degrees Brix, firmness), bioactive compounds (ascorbic acid, carotenoids, and polyphenols), and anti-inflammatory potential. Three of these landraces (named E30, E94, and PDVIT) showed higher fruit quality and nutritional value. An estimated evaluation index allowed identification of PDVIT as the best performer in terms of yield and fruit quality under high temperatures. CONCLUSION: The analyses performed here highlight the possibility to identify new landraces that can combine good yield performances and fruit nutritional quality at high temperatures, information that is useful for future breeding programs. © 2020 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Opacification patterns of cardiac masses using low-mechanical index contrast echocardiography: comparison with histopathological findings.

BACKGROUND: Two-dimensional echocardiography is the main noninvasive imaging tool to identify cardiac masses but is unable to provide detailed tissue characterization. AIM: The aim of the study was to assess the ability of low mechanical index (MI) contrast echocardiography to detect presence and amount of tissue vascularization as validated by histopathology study of cardiac masses. METHODS AND RESULTS: Twelve consecutive patients (5 females and 7 males, age range 51-82 years) underwent conventional and contrast two-dimensional echocardiography with low MI. By contrast echocardiography, mass enhancement was classified as absent (suggesting thrombus), partial, or complete (suggesting vascularized mass, both with early or late >20 cycles of opacification) as compared to the adjacent myocardium. The precise nature of the cardiac masses was provided by histopathology examination and/or by resolution after anticoagulation therapy during follow-up. Presence, type, and degree of mass vascularization were assessed by histology, immunohistochemistry, and morphometric analysis. Among the 12 cases, mass enhancement was absent, late and peripheral, late and partial, and early and complete in three cases each. Cardiac masses consisted of thrombus (three), secondary malignant cardiac tumor (three), myxoma (three), papillary fibroelastoma (two), and cavernous hemangioma (one). At histology, cardiac hemangioma had the highest degree of vascularization, at difference from thrombi which were not vascularized, and data were in keeping with contrast echocardiography findings. CONCLUSIONS: Low MI contrast echocardiography is an easy, noninvasive cardiac imaging tool to assess cardiac mass vascularization. The degree of contrast enhancement and time to opacification are highly variable among cardiac masses and correspond to different extent of vascularization.

Detection of mycobacterial DNA by a specific and simple lateral flow assay incorporating cadmium selenide quantum dots.

Cadmium selenide quantum dots have been incorporated to a lateral flow assay for the specific and very simple detection of different mycobacterial DNA targets within only a few minutes, bypassing the complexity of conventional DNA hybridization assays. The method extends our previous work on protein detection using an identical procedure.

Guidance for diagnosis and treatment of acute angioedema in the emergency department: consensus statement by a panel of Italian experts.

Angioedema attacks, characterized by the transient swelling of the skin and mucosae, are a frequent cause of visits to the emergency department. Swellings of the oral cavity, tongue, or larynx can result in life-threatening airway obstruction, while abdominal attacks can cause severe pain and often lead to unnecessary surgery. The underlying pathophysiologic process resulting in increased vascular permeability and plasma extravasation is mediated by vasoactive molecules, most commonly histamine and bradykinin. Based on the mediator involved, distinct angioedema forms can be recognized, calling for distinct therapeutic approaches. Prompt recognition is challenging for the emergency physician. The low awareness among physicians of the existence of rare forms of angioedema with different aetiologies and pathogenesis, considerably adds to the problem. Also poorly appreciated by emergency personnel may be the recently introduced bradykinin-targeted treatments. The main objective of this consensus statement is to provide guidance for the management of acute angioedema in the emergency department, from presentation to discharge or hospital admission, with a focus on identifying patients in whom new treatments may prevent invasive intervention.