Cardiac stromal cells on stage: From dull filler to specialized actors

Cardiac stromal cells have faced through the years a significant evolution in their definitions concerning their phenotypes, markers, and functions. They are surging to key roles in physiopathology, becoming important targets to be exploited for cardiac repair. In this perspective, we briefly discuss their role in novel therapeutic strategies for enhancing cardiac repair and regeneration.     

ALPHA-LINOLENIC ACID AND LINOLEIC ACID IN SERUM AND TISSUES AFTER FLAXSEED (Linum usitatissimum) OIL IN VIVO ADMINISTRATION

Essential fatty acids can be helpful in the prevention of several pathologies. The bioavailability of acute supplementation of different doses of flaxseed oil was studied by analyzing the level of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) and linoleic acid (LA) in serum and tissues (adipose, liver) of rats tested at 2, 4, 8 and 16 h after the administration. The amount of flaxseed oil administered at increasing doses corresponded to 1, 2.5 and 5 g ALA/kg of body weight. The corresponding fatty acid methyl esters obtained via direct methylation were quantified using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Serum ALA level increased after 1 or 2.5 g/kg. ALA was increased in both adipose and liver tissue 4 h after the administration of 1 g/kg of flaxseed oil. There was no further increase by using a higher oil dosage. LA did not change in serum at the doses used.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

The bioavailability of acute supplementation of increasing doses of flaxseed oil was examined by analyzing the level of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) (ω3) and linoleic acid (ω6) in serum and tissues (adipose, liver).These data suggest that there is a limiting step in the absorption of these fatty acids and that there is no advantage to take more than 1 g/kg of ALA supplementation. The daily use of flaxseed oil could be a good alternative in some cases to fish oil in the prevention of several pathologies.     

ANALYSIS OF THE PURINE BIOSYNTHESIS BY MATHEMATICAL LOGIC

Abstract

In this paper we collect all the results that we have obtained using the mathematical logic and the law mass action to study the purine biosynthesis. By a computer we have obtained the pathway by which each of the twenty-seven reactions can change the state of IMP, AMP, GMP, Au. With this information we can explain theoretically phenomena observed experimentally and suggest other possible experiments.     

The New Production Model: Myth and Reality of the New Employment Relation

The paper presents a framework which connects the changing natureof the employment relation to the evolution of the labour-technologyrelationship whose terms both present a dual nature. The dualityof technology results from its being both a production and aninformation and coordination tool. In turn, the duality of labourarises from recognizing a double role for the workforce: asa supplier of standardized effort (job), and as a source ofcontinuous improvement of products and processes (work). Thepaper explores the conditions which allow an efficient transactionof work within the organization, and shows how the conceptualopposition between job and work proves to be useful for readingthe ‘successful’ shift to lean production modelsby Japanese and Western companies.     

Modified atmosphere packaging to extend the shelf life of tomatoes

An experimental retail packaging system was used to compare the atmospheric com-position and relative humidity which developed within packs sealed with a range of plastic films with different permeability properties, and to study the effects of these conditions on the rate of ripening (as indicated by colour change) and sensory quality of tomatoes. In packs sealed with several polyvinylchloride (PVC) films or with K-resin (a butadiene-styrene copolymer), an atmosphere containing 3–9% CO₂+3−9% 0₂ developed within circa 3–4 days at 10 or 12.5°C. Ripening of part ripe fruit was retarded, but continued normally after the packs were perforated, with no obvious adverse effects on the smell, flavour or texture of the fruit. In packs sealed with less permeable films (e.g. cellulose acetate), the internal atmosphere equilibrated to 10–18% CO₂+ < 2% O₂, resulting in complete inhibition of ripening, a high incidence of rotting and tainting of the fruit. Very high (98% or above) relative humidity within sealed packs also encouraged fungal spoilage. The possible commercial applications and benefits of this type of modified atmosphere (MA) packaging are discussed.     

Occurrence and characterization of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from raw milk for cheesemaking

Fifty-four samples of raw milk for cheesemaking were tested for the presence of Staphylococcus aureus . Multiplex polymerase chain reactions were performed to identify presumptive isolates and the presence of enterotoxin-coding genes sea-see . The strains were tested for antibiotic resistance. Eighty strains were identified as S. aureus and 31 of these carried one or more enterotoxin genes ( sea-see ). Resistance to eritromycin, penicillin and ampicillin was widespread among isolates . Staphylococcus aureus in raw milk for cheesemaking may constitute a risk with respect to staphylococcal food poisoning from raw milk products.     

The DNA Sequence of Cosmid 14–13b from Chromosome XIV of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Reveals an Unusually High Number of Overlapping Open Reading Frames

This work is part of the effort for sequencing chromosome XIV of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Cosmid 14–13b contains a 37·8 kb insert derived from a partial Sau3A digestion of the genome, cloned into the BamHI site of the vector Pou6. The strategy used for sequencing is based on the fragmentation of the whole cosmid by sonication, followed by shotgun sequencing on an Applied Biosystem DNA sequencer. The clones with inserts corresponding to the vector were identified by dot-blot hybridization, without the need of sequencing. The analysis of the DNA sequence reveals 29 open reading frames (ORFs) longer than 300 bases. Nine ORFs are internal to some other ORFs. Similarity searches against DNA and protein data banks show that six ORFs correspond to already known yeast genes (OMP1, PSU1, MLS1, RPC19, DBP2, CYB5) and one ORF matches the sequence of a putative yeast gene (ESBP6). The cosmid sequence has been submitted to the EMBL data bank under Accession Number Z69382.©1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.