757 research outputs found
Vine-1 retrotransposon-based S-SAP (sequence-specific amplified polymorphism) for Vitis vinifera L genotyping
No full textThe sequence-specific amplification polymorphism (S-SAP) method,derived from the amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP)technique, produces amplified fragments containing retrotransposonlong terminal repeat (LTR) sequence at one end and a host restrictionsite at the other. The development and application of this procedure tothe LTR of the Vine-1 element from grapevine is reported. Twoprimers derived from one of the LTR sequences flanking theretrotransposon were used in combination with MseI degeneratedprimers on 15 grapevine accessions. S-SAP results were compared withAFLP data. The heterozygosity and gene diversity values were higherfor S-SAP than for the AFLP procedure. Results show that S-SAPamplification is effective in identifying polymorphisms and defininggenetic distances among cultivars, and could be used for fingerprintingand for Traminer clone identification. To the contrary Vine-1retrotransposon-based S-SAP was not able to distinguish Pinotclones
Activated partial thromboplastin time correlates with methoxyhydroxyphenylglycol in acute myocardial infarction patients : therapeutic implications for patients at cardiovascular risk
No full textBACKGROUND/AIM: Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is associated with increased coagulation which in the presence of unstable atheroma or endothelial damage leads to occlusive coronary vessel thrombosis. AMI is usually characterized by increased levels of catecholamines. It is possible there may be a link between catecholamines and hypercoagulation, but this still remains to be determined. In the current study we sought to verify whether hypercoagulation is associated with hypersympathetic activity in AMI patients, and whether there is a correlation between increased Methoxyhydroxyphenylglycol (MOPEG) levels (a metabolite of catecholamines) and shorter APTT (a marker of hypercoagulation).
RESULTS: Shorter APTT values were detected in the plasma of AMI patients, which had also increased MOPEG levels. A linear correlation between APTT and MOPEG values was observed. High levels of the coagulation marker prothrombin (fragments 1+2) were also found.
CONCLUSION: Shortened APTT demonstrates hypercoagulation and high MOPEG levels indicate increased catecholamine metabolism. A direct correlation between APTT and MOPEG was found herein, demonstrating a link between catecholamines and the process of coagulation. Catecholamines may interact with the α2-adrenergic receptors located on platelets and convert factor XII to XIIa or through the kallikrein-kinin system, they may activate factor XII. The activation of factor XII initiates the intrinsic coagulation pathway, which is monitored by APTT. It is suggested to control patients with a shortened APTT and increased sympathetic activity with the aim of preventing secondary coagulation and cardiovascular accidents by administering anti-thrombotic and anti-adrenergic agents
Novel antioxidant agents deriving from molecular combinations of vitamins C and E analogues: 3,4-dihydroxy-5(R).
No full textMolecular combinations of two antioxidants (i.e., ascorbic acid and the pharmacophore of alpha-tocopherol), namely the 2,3-dihydroxy-2,3-enono-1,4-lactone and the chromane residues, have been designed and tested for their radical scavenging activities. When evaluated for their capability to inhibit malondialdehyde (MDA) production in rat liver microsomal membranes, the 3,4-dihydroxy-5R-2(R,S)-(6-hydroxy-2,5,7,8-tetramethylchroman-2(R,S)yl-methyl)-1,3]dioxolan-4S-yl]-5H-furan-2-one (11a-d), exhibited an interesting activity. In particular the 5R,2R,2R,4S and 5R,2R,2S,4S isomers (11c,d) displayed a potent antioxidant effect compared to the respective synthetic alpha-tocopherol analogue (5) and natural alpha-tocopherol or ascorbic acid, used alone or in combination. Moreover, the mixture of stereoisomers 11a-d also proved to be effective in preventing damage induced by reperfusion on isolated rabbit heart, in particular at the higher concentration of 300 microM. In view of these results our study represents a new approach to potential therapeutic agents for applications in pathological events in which a free radical damage is involved. Design, synthesis and preliminary biological activity are discussed
I farmaci antimuscarinici non selettivi : considerazioni sul loro impiego nella broncopneumopatia cronica ostruttiva (BPCO)
No full textA number of data from animal models and humans supports the theory that alteration of parasympathetic neuronal control of respiratory smooth muscle may increase bronchoconstriction in response to vagal stimulation, leading to airway hyperresponsiveness. Even if the mechanism/s of this phenomenon, particularly evident in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), is unknown, impairment of pulmonary parasympathetic control may play an important role. Nowadays the treatment of this condition with anticholinergic drugs has reached a great success. On this ground, the future for inhaled anticholinergic drugs for the treatment of COPD appears to remain in their combination with β2-agonists and phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitors. Non selective antimuscarinic compounds could be a good choice, since M2 muscarinic receptors on airway smooth muscle inhibit the formation of cyclic adenosine monophosphate. Moreover, a sufficient blockade of M3 muscarinic receptors would antagonize the increase of acetylcholine release due to the inhibition of neuronal M2 muscarin
Factors involved in sudden coagulation observed in patients with acute myocardial infarction
No full textCoronary artery diseases (CAD) evolving into acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is associated with coagulation and thrombotic occlusion of coronary vessels in the presence of unstable atheroma. The atheromatous plaque becomes unstable when it is infiltrated by monocytes, macrophages and neutrophils capable of secreting proteases that induce plaque erosion, rupture and initialize the coagulation process. The aim of this study was (a) to analyse the plasma of patients with AMI for the presence of proteases that may activate rapid coagulation, (b) to evaluate coagulation markers as prothrombin fragment (F1+2) and antithrombin III and (c) to find an interrelation between proteases and coagulation markers. The examined plasma showed high values of prothrombin fragment (F1+2) and low levels of antithrombin III. These markers showed a highly significant negative-correlation. The plasma also exhibited increased levels of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) which were positively-correlated with the prothrombin fragment (F1+2). MMP-9 seems to cause the coagulation activity by increasing the level of prothrombin fragment (F1+2) and the consumption of antithrombin III. The examined plasma also exhibited high levels of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), which is known to modulate MMP-9 activity. The high plasma levels of MMP-9 and NGAL can be attributed to plaque instability and appear to activate sudden coagulation. MMP-9 and NGAL, in the presence of altered values of prothrombin fragment (F1+2) and antithrombin III in AMI patients, seem to be suitable markers to be studied in unstable plaque patients, for the prediction and prevention of acute coronary syndrome
Survey on yeast biodiversity in Georgian vineyards: a still pristine environment for the selection of non S. cerevisiae wine strains
No full textIn recent years, wine market is undergoing a change due to the ever-growing request to improve the sensory features and nutritional properties of the final product. Most wine production is based on the use of starter cultures consisting of selected strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, able to ensure quick and safe fermentations. However, the reduced number of really different starters can led to a wine standardization resulting in flattening of taste. In order to gain innovative characteristics of quality, the research is looking for new yeasts to be employed as starters (Ciani et al., 2010). The present work had the double aim to investigate the yeast biodiversity in Georgia, an ancient and geographically isolated wine region where the use of starter cultures is still not spread, and to select non-conventional yeast species as new starter cultures. The isolation of yeasts was carried out by sampling grapes, musts and wines in six Georgian areas. One hundred and seventy six isolates were identified by ITS RFLP as described by Vigentini et al. (2009) and partial sequencing of D1/D2 domain 26S rDNA. In total, 14 different species were identified: S. cerevisiae (36.4%), Hanseniaspora gulliermondi and Metshnikowia pulcherrima (about 20%), Cryptococcus flavescensis (8%), Cryptococcus carnescens and Torulaspora delbrueckii (about 3%), Candida intermedia, Pichia guilliermondi and Pichia kluyveri (about 2%), Candida gotoi, Issatchenkia terricola, Cystofilobasidium infirmominiatum, Kluyveromyces marxianus and Hanseniaspora osmophila (≤ 1%). The screening involved the analysis of technological traits (alcohol and SO2 tolerance, acetic acid, glycerol and H2S production). One K. marxianus and one T. delbrueckii strains with interesting features, were inoculated in two different musts to investigate the oenological potential. Significant differences in the aromatic profiles were observed by GC/MS analysis between the strains and, in particular, they both produced compounds such as 3-methyl-1- butanol, 2-phenylethanol, ethyl hexanoate, ethyl octanoate, ethyl decanoate and ethyl 9-decenoate in amounts higher than the commercial S. cerevisiae cultures, used as reference. Micro-vinification experiments revealed that both strains are viable up to about 13% (v/v) alcohol in co-presence with the S. cerevisiae strains naturally present in musts. In conclusion, these strains proved to be promising for future application as wine non-conventional starter cultures
Pretreatment with tetrandrine has protective effects against isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarction in rabbits
No full textTetrandrine, the active principle of Stephania tetrandra radix extracts, has broad pharmacological activity, including effects on the cardiovascular system: it has been shown to reduce the size of acute myocardial infarction in rats undergoing coronary vessel ligation and to improve heart lesions in the constriction/reperfusion model by means of mechanisms involving peroxidation, calcium antagonism and coagulation. The aim of this study was to investigate whether tetrandrine has anti-infarction, antioxidant and anticoagulant effects in rabbits treated with isoproterenol, a drug capable of causing peroxide generation, calcium overload and coagulation alterations, and inducing myocardial infarction. The results showed that pretreatment with tetrandrine protects against the myocardial injuries caused by isoproterenol. It counteracted the appearance of myocardial necrotic lesions and ischemic electrocardiographic modifications, such as ST segment alterations, prevented the appearance of the plasma cardiac necrosis markers c-troponin I and myoglobin, lowered malondialdehyde levels, and prolonged partial thromboplastin time. The protective effects of tetrandrine can be attributed to its antioxidant action in lowering peroxide levels and its ability to counteract coagulating activity. Tetrandrine seems to offer full protection against myocardial infarction experimentally induced by the non-invasive treatment of rabbits with isoprotenerol
Retopology and simplification of reality-based models for finite element analysis
No full textReality-based 3D techniques and Finite Element Analysis share the way the object under investigation is discretized. Although their purpose, the generation methods and the quality metrics are different, both of them ground on the concept of mesh. Unfortunately, a mesh derived from a reality-based technique are not suitable to be used in a finite element solver directly. This paper aims at comparing different methods to prepare computational mesh of geometries derived from non-contact reality-based technologies. A benchmark test object has been acquired with different devices, a triangulation laser scanner, a multi-stripe triangulation scanner and a digital camera, and post processed in order to fix artifacts. Then, two different decimation approaches have been used: a triangular simplification and retopology. The acquired geometry, before and after the simplifications, has been compared with a CAD model employed as reference: mean and standard deviation between the nominal and the acquired geometries have been tracked. Finally, a tensile test has been simulated making use of a general-purpose finite element analysis software and the results have been compared with the exact solution
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