Scattered Tubular Cells Markers in Macula Densa of Normal Human Adult Kidney

Background: The scattered tubular cells (STCs) are a population of resident progenitor tubular cells with expansion, self-renewal and epithelial differentiation abilities. Although these cells are localized within the proximal (PTs) and distal (DTs) tubules in a normal adult kidney, their presence has never been demonstrated in human macula densa (MD). The purpose of the present study is to describe the presence of STCs in MD using specific markers such as prominin-1 (CD133), cytokeratin 7 (KRT7) and vimentin (VIM). Methods: We analyzed two sets of three consecutive serial sections for each sample. The first sections of each set were immunostained for nNOS to identify MD, the second sections were immune-stained for CD133 (specific STCs marker) while the third sections were analyzed for KRT7 (another STCs specific marker) and VIM (that stains the basal pole of the STCs) in the first and second sets, respectively, in order to study the co-expression of KRT7 and VIM with the CD133 marker. Results: CD133 was localized in some MD cells and in the adjacent DT cells. Moreover, CD133 was detected in the parietal epithelial cells of Bowman’s capsule and in some proximal tubules (PT). KRT7-positive cells were identified in MD and adjacent DT cells, while KRT7 positivity was mostly confined in both DT and collecting ducts (CD) in the other areas of the renal parenchyma. CD133 and KRT7 were co-expressed in some MD and adjacent DT cells. Some of the latter cells were positive both for CD133 and VIM. CD133 was always localized in the apical part of the cells, whereas the VIM expression was evident only in the cellular basal pole. Although some cells of MD expressed VIM or CD133, none of them co-expressed VIM and CD133. Conclusions: The presence of STCs was demonstrated in human adult MD, suggesting that this structure has expansion, self-renewal and epithelial differentiation abilities, similar to all other parts of renal tubules.     

Potential of the Stromal Matricellular Protein Periostin as a Biomarker to Improve Risk Assessment in Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer (PCa) ranges from indolent to aggressive tumors that may rapidly progress and metastasize. The switch to aggressive PCa is fostered by reactive stroma infiltrating tumor foci. Therefore, reactive stroma-based biomarkers may potentially improve the early detection of aggressive PCa, ameliorating disease classification. Gene expression profiles of PCa reactive fibroblasts highlighted the up-regulation of genes related to stroma deposition, including periostin and sparc. Here, the potential of periostin as a stromal biomarker has been investigated on PCa prostatectomies by immunohistochemistry. Moreover, circulating levels of periostin and sparc have been assessed in a low-risk PCa patient cohort enrolled in active surveillance (AS) by ELISA. We found that periostin is mainly expressed in the peritumoral stroma of prostatectomies, and its stromal expression correlates with PCa grade and aggressive disease features, such as the cribriform growth. Moreover, stromal periostin staining is associated with a shorter biochemical recurrence-free survival of PCa patients. Interestingly, the integration of periostin and sparc circulating levels into a model based on standard clinico-pathological variables improves its performance in predicting disease reclassification of AS patients. In this study, we provide the first evidence that circulating molecular biomarkers of PCa stroma may refine risk assessment and predict the reclassification of AS patients.     

Modeling Lung Carcinoids with Zebrafish Tumor Xenograft

Lung carcinoids are neuroendocrine tumors that comprise well-differentiated typical (TCs) and atypical carcinoids (ACs). Preclinical models are indispensable for cancer drug screening since current therapies for advanced carcinoids are not curative. We aimed to develop a novel in vivo model of lung carcinoids based on the xenograft of lung TC (NCI-H835, UMC-11, and NCI-H727) and AC (NCI-H720) cell lines and patient-derived cell cultures in Tg(fli1a:EGFP)^y1 zebrafish embryos. We exploited this platform to test the anti-tumor activity of sulfatinib. The tumorigenic potential of TC and AC implanted cells was evaluated by the quantification of tumor-induced angiogenesis and tumor cell migration as early as 24 h post-injection (hpi). The characterization of tumor-induced angiogenesis was performed in vivo and in real time, coupling the tumor xenograft with selective plane illumination microscopy on implanted zebrafish embryos. TC-implanted cells displayed a higher pro-angiogenic potential compared to AC cells, which inversely showed a relevant migratory behavior within 48 hpi. Sulfatinib inhibited tumor-induced angiogenesis, without affecting tumor cell spread in both TC and AC implanted embryos. In conclusion, zebrafish embryos implanted with TC and AC cells faithfully recapitulate the tumor behavior of human lung carcinoids and appear to be a promising platform for drug screening.     

Cholesterol photosensitised oxidation of horse meat slices stored under different packaging films

The effect of the type of packaging film (transparent vs. light-protecting red film) was evaluated on the formation of cholesterol oxidation products (COPs) in refrigerated horse meat slices stored in retail conditions under light exposure for 8 h. In meat wrapped with a transparent film, COPs increased from 233 (control) to 317 μg/g of fat, whereas the red film delayed cholesterol oxidation and offered protection against COPs formation, since COPs decreased from 173 (control) to 139 μg/g of fat after 8 h of light exposure. In addition, light opened the epoxy ring and led to the formation of triol, which was actually absent at T_0. A proper packaging film may represent a useful strategy to retard oxidative degradation in a light-sensitive, high pigment- and fat-containing food, such as horse meat.     

Chemical and microbiological quality of sugar cane juice influences the concentration of ethyl carbamate and volatile congeners in cachaça

The aim of this study was to assess the influence of heat treatment of sugar cane juice, supplementation with urea and double distillation on the concentration of volatile congeners (acetic aldehyde, ethyl acetate, n‐propyl, isobutyl and isoamyl alcohols and acetic acid) and contaminants (methanol, 1‐propyl and 2‐butyl alcohols, copper, and ethyl carbamate) in cachaça. Samples of fresh sugar cane juice, sugar cane juice submitted to heat treatment and contaminated sugar cane juice were supplemented (or not) with urea and fermented. The washes so obtained underwent single and double distillation. Supplementation with urea stimulated ethyl carbamate formation. The distilled products that originated from contaminated worts presented higher concentration of acetic acid and ethyl carbamate. Double distillation reduced the concentration of contaminants. The best quality pot still cachaça was obtained employing heat treatment of sugar cane juice, nonsupplementation with urea and double distillation. Copyright © 2015 The Institute of Brewing & Distilling     

Non-destructive evaluation of ripening and quality traits in apples using a multiparametric fluorescence sensor

BACKGROUND: The detection of pigments and colourless flavonoids in apples can provide a useful indication of fruit quality. Optical methods are preferable because they are fast and non‐destructive. In this study, a fluorescence‐based portable sensor was used in order to non‐invasively determine the content of chlorophylls, anthocyanins and flavonols in Fuji, Granny Smith and Golden Delicious apple cultivars. The aim was to define new non‐destructive optical indices of apple quality. RESULTS: The anthocyanin index (ANTH) in Fuji was higher in the sunny (i.e. sun‐exposed) side of the fruit compared to the shady side. For all cultivars, the flavonol index (FLAV) was higher in the sunny side compared with the shady side. The chlorophyll index (CHL) for the shady sides of Granny Smith and Golden Delicious was significantly higher than for the sunny sides. Fine linear regressions were found between the ANTH, FLAV and CHL indices and the actual anthocyanin, flavonol and chlorophyll concentrations, respectively, which were determined destructively on the apple peel extracts. A negative correlation was found between the apple sugar content and the chlorophyll fluorescence in the far‐red spectral band. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that a single multiparametric fluorescence‐based sensor can provide valuable non‐destructive markers of ripening and quality in apples. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Influence of genotype,harvest time and plant part on polyphenolic composition of globe artichoke [Cynara cardunculus L. var. scolymus (L.) Fiori]

Globe artichoke is an ancient herbaceous plant native to the Mediterranean Basin. The edible part of the plant (head) is particularly rich in polyphenols, whose therapeutic properties are well documented. A field experiment was conducted in Sicily (south Italy) to examine the influence of genotype and harvest time on the polyphenol content and profile of different head parts. The concentrations of 19 phenolic compounds were determined by HPLC-DAD-ESI/MSⁿ analysis. It was observed that individual phenolic substances were preferentially accumulated in specific head parts and genotypes. Apigenin 7-O-glucuronide was found to be the major flavonoid, with 6298 mg kg⁻¹ DM in ‘Romanesco clone C3’ receptacle, whereas chlorogenic acid represented the main caffeoylquinic acid, reaching 14841 mg kg⁻¹ DM in the inner bracts of ‘Violetto di Sicilia’. Our findings prove also the influence of climatic conditions on the phenolic profile and thus suggest giving specific consideration to harvest time.     

Serum-Free Cultures: Could They Be a Future Direction to Improve Neuronal Differentiation of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells?

Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) are undifferentiated cells with multilinear potential, known for their immunomodulatory and regenerative properties. Although the scientific community is working to improve their application, concerns limit their use to repair tissues following neurological damage. One of these obstacles is represented by the use of culture media supplemented with fetal bovine serum (FBS), which, due to its xenogenic nature and the risk of contamination, has increased scientific, ethical and safety problems. Therefore, the use of serum-free media could improve MSC culture methods, avoiding infectious and immunogenic transmission problems as well as MSC bioprocesses, without the use of animal components. The purpose of our review is to provide an overview of experimental studies that demonstrate that serum-free cultures, along with the supplementation of growth factors or chemicals, can lead to a more defined and controlled environment, enhancing the proliferation and neuronal differentiation of MSCs.