Fetal Undernutrition Modifies Vascular RAS Balance Enhancing Oxidative Damage and Contributing to Remodeling

Fetal stress is known to increase susceptibility to cardiometabolic diseases and hypertension in adult age in a process known as fetal programming. This study investigated the relationship between vascular RAS, oxidative damage and remodeling in fetal programming. Six-month old Sprague-Dawley offspring from mothers that were fed ad libitum (CONTROL) or with 50% intake during the second half of gestation (maternal undernutrition, MUN) were used. qPCR or immunohistochemistry were used to obtain the expression of receptors and enzymes. Plasma levels of carbonyls were measured by spectrophotometry. In mesenteric arteries from MUN rats we detected an upregulation of ACE, ACE2, AT₁ receptors and NADPH oxidase, and lower expression of AT₂, Mas and MrgD receptors compared to CONTROL. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure and plasma levels of carbonyls were higher in MUN than in CONTROL. Vascular morphology evidenced an increased media/lumen ratio and adventitia/lumen ratio, and more connective tissue in MUN compared to CONTROL. In conclusion, fetal undernutrition indices RAS alterations and oxidative damage which may contribute to the remodeling of mesenteric arteries, and increase the risk of adverse cardiovascular events and hypertension.     

PDGF/PDGFR: A Possible Molecular Target in Scleroderma Fibrosis

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a clinically heterogeneous disorder of the connective tissue characterized by vascular alterations, immune/inflammatory manifestations, and organ fibrosis. SSc pathogenesis is complex and still poorly understood. Therefore, effective therapies are lacking and remain nonspecific and limited to disease symptoms. In the last few years, many molecular and cellular mediators of SSc fibrosis have been described, providing new potential options for targeted therapies. In this review: (i) we focused on the PDGF/PDGFR pathway as key signaling molecules in the development of tissue fibrosis; (ii) we highlighted the possible role of stimulatory anti-PDGFRα autoantibodies in the pathogenesis of SSc; (iii) we reported the most promising PDGF/PDGFR targeting therapies.     

A simple DNA extraction method suitable for PCR detection of genetically modified maize

BACKGROUND: The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a powerful tool that is being increasingly used for detection of transgenic DNA. PCR requires only a minute quantity of template, but sensitive and accurate testing requires DNA of sufficient purity and free from inhibitors such as plant polysaccharides. Several standard protocols are available for this purpose, but they usually involve several steps, imply destruction of the maize kernel, or are time‐consuming. Our aim was to develop a fast and simple extraction method to isolate a raw DNA‐containing solution from maize tissues suitable for use as a template in a PCR‐based detection assay with specific oligonucleotides directed to the identification of event MON810. RESULTS: The NaOH‐based DNA extraction method we report here is time‐saving (5 min) and can be used to isolate DNA‐containing solutions from a small maize leaf portion (down to 1 mg) or from a single overnight‐germinated kernel. PCR performed with selected primers yielded reproducible detection of transgenic DNA. CONCLUSION: The main advantages of the procedure are the quick extraction step, the possibility of non‐destructive testing of maize kernels, and the robustness of the PCR‐based detection, a consequence of the selection of MON810‐matching oligonucleotides yielding intense and highly specific amplicons. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry     

DNA barcoding as a new tool for food traceability

Food safety and quality are nowadays a major concern. Any case of food alteration, especially when reported by the media, has a great impact on public opinion. There is an increasing demand for the improvement of quality controls, hence addressing scientific research towards the development of reliable molecular tools for food analysis. DNA barcoding is a widely used molecular-based system, which can identify biological specimens, and is used for the identification of both raw materials and processed food. In this review the results of several researches are critically analyzed, in order to exploit the effectiveness of DNA barcoding in food traceability, and to delineate some best practices in the application of DNA barcoding throughout the industrial pipeline. The use of DNA barcoding for food safety and in the identification of commercial fraud is also discussed.     

Mineral profile of “fino” wines using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry methods

Fifty wines from the Denomination of origin (DO) of Condado de Huelva were analysed for mineral content by measuring 12 elements (Al, Ba, Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, P, Sr and Zn) using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES). Samples were previously digested by heating with H₂O₂/HNO₃ mixture. The results obtained showed that metal data set were non-normally distributed and accordingly, non-parametric statistics were applied. The average levels (medians) of these elements found in the samples are as follows, in mg/L: 2.54 (Al); 0.06 (Ba); 82.58 (Ca); 0.21 (Cu); 3.53 (Fe); 865.34 (K); 68.87 (Mg); 0.71 (Mn); 32.77 (Na); 71.61 (P); 0.48 (Sr); 0.56 (Zn). The interrelation of metal couples was studied through the Spearman non-parametric sample correlation, being Fe/Al, P/Mg, and Zn/Ba the most important correlations established. As a result of this study, we can suggest that the contribution to the safety intake limits (per week) of the studied elements through the wine consumption is not significant. Actually, they range between 0.1% in Fe and 11.9% in Mg, for normal drinkers.     

Effect of APE1 T2197G (Asp148Glu) Polymorphism on APE1, XRCC1, PARP1 and OGG1 Expression in Patients with Colorectal Cancer

It has been hypothesized that genetic variation in base excision repair (BER) might modify colorectal adenoma risk. Thus, we evaluated the influence of APE1 T2197G (Asp148Glu) polymorphism on APE1, XRCC1, PARP1 and OGG1 expression in normal and tumor samples from patients with colorectal cancer. The results indicate a downregulation of OGG1 and an upregulation of XRCC1 expression in tumor tissue. Regarding the anatomical location of APE1, OGG1 and PARP-1, a decrease in gene expression was observed among patients with cancer in the rectum. In patients with or without some degree of tumor invasion, a significant downregulation in OGG1 was observed in tumor tissue. Interestingly, when taking into account the tumor stage, patients with more advanced grades (III and IV) showed a significant repression for APE1, OGG1 and PARP-1. XRCC1 expression levels were significantly enhanced in tumor samples and were correlated with all clinical and histopathological data. Concerning the polymorphism T2197G, GG genotype carriers exhibited a significantly reduced expression of genes of the BER repair system (APE1, XRCC1 and PARP1). In summary, our data show that patients with colorectal cancer present expression changes in several BER genes, suggesting a role for APE1, XRCC1, PARP1 and OGG1 and APE1 polymorphism in colorectal carcinogenesis.     

Synthesis of Novel Niobium Aluminide-Based Composites

A reactive sintering process has been used to produce almost fully dense composites with interpenetrating networks of NbAl₃ and Al₂O₃. The process involves the reaction synthesis of niobium aluminides and Al₂O₃ from compacts of intensively milled aluminum and Nb₂O₅ powder mixtures. During carefully controlled heating under an inert atmosphere, the oxide reduction by aluminum to form niobium aluminides and Al₂O₃ proceeds at temperatures below the melting point of aluminum. At temperatures of >1000°C, the reaction-formed niobium aluminides and Al₂O₃ sinter. The present paper discusses processing parameters, such as attrition milling, the heating cycle, and the metal:ceramic ratio in the starting mixture, that control microstructure development and mechanical properties.     

Preparation of Benzylamine by Highly Selective Reductive Amination of Benzaldehyde Over Ru on an Acidic Activated Carbon Support as the Catalyst

Platinum particles (<1.5 nm) have been shown to behave as bases in their interaction with -alumina. FTIR spectra of adsorbed pyridine probe molecules showed that the acid strength of the -alumina was decreased by the presence of (<1.5 nm) Pt particles. Ammonium chloride treatment converts the primary Pt clusters to H _x Pt _y Cl _z intermediates that de-anchor from the support. Consequently, agglomeration to 8 nm Pt particles was observed following treatment in hydrogen at a relatively mild temperature. For the treated catalyst the IR data of absorbed pyridine show a 3 cm^-1 increase relative to the original Pt/-Al₂O₃ catalyst, indicating a strengthening of the acidity. Changes in the Pt particle size were confirmed by FTIR spectroscopy of CO absorbed onto the Pt particles before and after treatment. Consecutive CO and pyridine probe adsorption demonstrated the electronic interplay between the Pt particles and the support. Pyridine adsorption onto the -alumina support of a Pt/Al₂O₃ catalyst pre-dosed with CO produces a nearly 40 cm^-1 lowering of the CO peak position, indicative of CO bond weakening. In the case of CO adsorbed onto a catalyst pre-dosed with pyridine, a shift in the pyridine IR spectrum was only observed from the original highly dispersed catalyst.