64 research outputs found
A repeated chromosomal DNA sequence is amplified as a circular extrachromosomal molecule in rice (Oryza sativa L.)
No full textThe plasmid pE10 is a pBR322-derived plasmid carrying a 4.5 kb rice (Oryza sativa L.) repeated DNA sequence. The cloned sequence has been shown to be amplified in cultured rice cells. The analysis of practically intact chromosomal rice DNA molecules by pulsed field gel electrophoresis has now shown that the amplification is associated with the appearance of extrachromosomal molecules. In fact, pE10 hybridizes exclusively with unfractionated DNA from leaf protoplasts, while it recognizes predominantly an extrachromosomal DNA molecule (ECD) of about 45 kb and its multiples in the case of protoplasts from cultured cells. Insensitivity to the action of the exonuclease Bal31 suggests that the molecule is circular. Analysis of restriction endonuclease products with both standard horizontal and pulsed field gel electrophoresis suggest that the extrachromosomal DNA, and its chromosomal counterpart, is composed of tandemly repeated units of about 7 kb. Thus, the smaller extrachromosomal circle should contain 6–7 repeats, while the sequence cloned in pE10 is a subset of this repeat. The extrachromosomal DNA represents about 1 % of total rice DNA and its level of amplification is not affected by the different phases of growth in culture
A repeated chromosomal DNA sequence is amplified as a circular extrachromosomal molecule in rice (Oryza sativa L.)
No full textThe plasmid pE10 is a pBR322-derived plasmid carrying a 4.5 kb rice (Oryza sativa L.) repeated DNA sequence. The cloned sequence has been shown to be amplified in cultured rice cells. The analysis of practically intact chromosomal rice DNA molecules by pulsed field gel electrophoresis has now shown that the amplification is associated with the appearance of extrachromosomal molecules. In fact, pE10 hybridizes exclusively with unfractionated DNA from leaf protoplasts, while it recognizes predominantly an extrachromosomal DNA molecule (ECD) of about 45 kb and its multiples in the case of protoplasts from cultured cells. Insensitivity to the action of the exonuclease Bal31 suggests that the molecule is circular. Analysis of restriction endonuclease products with both standard horizontal and pulsed field gel electrophoresis suggest that the extrachromosomal DNA, and its chromosomal counterpart, is composed of tandemly repeated units of about 7 kb. Thus, the smaller extrachromosomal circle should contain 6-7 repeats, while the sequence cloned in pE10 is a subset of this repeat. The extrachromosomal DNA represents about 1% of total rice DNA and its level of amplification is not affected by the different phases of growth in culture
Circadian rhythmicity of serum lipids concentrations in elderly and young people: a particulare methodological approach of serum lipids evaluation.
No full textComunic. al “30° Congresso Nazionale della Società Italiana di Biochimica Clinica e Biologia Molecolare Clinica (SIBioC)”, Venezia 6-9 Ottobre 1998
Biotecnologie vegetali: strategie nell'ingegneria genetica per le specie ortofrutticole.
No full textCircadian organization of serum electrolytes in physiological aging
No full textAge-related structural and neurochemical changes occurring in the central nervous system have been related to changes in some rhythmometric parameters. In spite of their clinical importance, only a few studies have investigated the modifications over time of serum electrolytes in senescence. The aim of our study was to evaluate the circadian pattern of serum potassium, chloride, sodium, calcium and phosphorus in 30 clinically healthy elderly subjects, with no cognitive impairment, and to compare the findings with those given by 24 healthy young controls. The subjects were synchronized as regards their daily activities, sleeping/waking habits, time/quality of meals and dietary electrolyte intake. After an overnight fast, samples were taken beginning at 08.00 and every 4 h there-after until 20.00, and every 2 h from 20.00 to 04.00. Both the young and the elderly subjects exhibited statistically significant circadian rhythms for all serum electrolytes considered. Our findings suggest that circadian organization of serum electrolytes is maintained in physiological aging, even though it should be noted that sodium and phosphorus acrophases differed significantly in the two experimental groups
Circadian temporal organization of lipidic fractions in elderly people. Entrainment to the dietary schedule
No full textBackground and aims: Changes in some rhythmometric parameters have been reported in the elderly as a consequence of both structural and neurochemical changes occurring in the central nervous system. Since alterations of lipid and lipoprotein metabolism are directly involved in several age-related disorders, the aim of this study was to investigate the circadian temporal organization of some important lipidic fractions (total cholesterol, triacylglycerol, apolipoprotein A1 and B) in physiological aging. Methods: Thirty old hospitalized subjects were synchronized for daily activities, sleeping/waking habits, and time/quality of meals. Twenty-four healthy young individuals served as controls. After an overnight fast, samples were taken beginning at 08:00 every 4 hours until 20:00, and every 2 hours from 20:00 to 04:00. Rhythmometric data were analyzed by single and population mean Cosinor analysis, and by ANOVA; the comparison of the rhythm's parameters between elderly and young subjects was carried out by the Mesor test and the amplitude-acrophase using Hotelling's test. Results: Elderly subjects exhibited statistically significant circadian rhythms for total cholesterol (p<0.00002), triacylglycerol (p<0.000001), apo A-1 (p<0.0013), and apo B (p<0.0104). Young subjects also exhibited statistically significant daily fluctuations for total cholesterol (p<0.0003), triacylglycerol (p<0.03), apo A-1 (p<0.002) and apo B (p<0.003). The mean level of apo B rhythm was higher in old subjects than in controls. Conclusions: These data suggest that the circadian temporal organization of lipidic fractions is maintained in physiological aging and underline the importance of the feeding schedule as a powerful synchronizer of the daily lipidic profile
Driving habits in patients with dementia: a report from Alzheimer’s disease assessment units in northern Italy
Get PDFThe aim of this study was to characterize the driving
behavior of a sample of patients with dementia.
Demographic and clinical characteristics and parameters considered to be the most significant predictors of driving ability were collected. Of the total 198 patients enrolled, 172 were still driving. Many subjects (30-65%) were found to have modified their driving habits (reducing driving time and mileage, avoiding driving at night and during rush hours, sticking to familiar routes). The patients’ own rating of their driving ability was significantly higher than their care-givers’ rating (51% versus 29%). Crash history was not a significant variable. The patients’ restriction of their driving increased significantly (p<0.01) with age and increasing worsening of cognitive, functional and behavioral variables. In the absence of a gold standard for determining fitness to drive, the patients’ driving habits were self-regulated and, in particular, regulated by their caregivers. Age and
degree of dementia can be considered among the best predictors of driving safety
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