Random amplified polymorphic DNA and amplified ribosomal DNA spacer polymorphism: powerful methods to differentiate Streptococcus thermophilus strains

66 inpatients who met the DSM-III-R and ICD-10 criteria for paranoid schizophrenia-active phase were assessed using the SAPS and CDS in order to establish interrelations between depressive and positive symptomatology. The results were then analyzed in reference do particular items of the scale CDS and the three stages of examinations. Numerous positive correlations were found between depressive symptoms and the symptoms from the subscale of Delusions and Hallucinations SAPS (Delusions of Sin or Guilt, of Mind Reading, of Being Controlled, of Reference, Somatic Delusions and Hallucinations) and negative correlations with the symptoms from the subscale of Positive Formal Thought Disorder.     

Monitoring the oxidative modification of lipoprotein(a) by capillary zone electrophoresis

Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] is a recognized risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. It is made of a lipoprotein particle containing apoB100 linked by a single disulfide bridge to apolipoprotein(a), a glycosylated protein with a variable mass. Some authors suggest that oxidative modification could explain the contribution of Lp(a) in the development of atheromatous lesions in a comparable way to low‐density lipoproteins (LDL). Recently, the use of capillary electrophoresis to measure the variations in the relative electrophoretic mobility (REM) of LDL subjected to copper oxidation has been proposed. The aim of this work is to employ this method also to monitor the copper‐induced oxidative modification of Lp(a). Migration of Lp(a) was monitored by absorption at 200 nm in a 50 mmol/L tricine, 100 mmol/L methylglucamine, pH 9.7 run buffer. Contrary to the conventional slab gel methods, our procedure provides a rapid and reproducible means to measure the electrophoretic mobility of Lp(a) (migration time <10 min with a CV% <0.5).     

One‐Step Catalytic Enantioselective α‐Quaternary 5‐Hydroxyproline Synthesis: An Asymmetric Entry to Highly Functionalized α‐Quaternary Proline Derivatives

The highly enantioselective cascade reaction between N‐protected α‐cyanoglycine esters and α,β‐unsaturated aldehydes is disclosed. The reaction represents a one‐step entry to polysubstituted 5‐hydroxyproline derivatives having a quaternary α‐stereocenter generally in high yields with up to >95:5 dr and 99:1 er. It is also a direct catalytic two‐step entry to functionalized α‐quaternary proline derivatives.     

Suitability of selected autochthonous lactic acid bacteria cultures for Pecorino Sardo Dolce cheese manufacturing: influence on microbial composition,nutritional value and sensory attributes

The use of an autochthonous starter culture made up by Streptococcus thermophilus, Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis, Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus casei in the production of experimental Pecorino Sardo Dolce PDO resulted in a high presence of presumptive mesophilic lactococci and lactobacilli, ~10 log colony‐forming units (cfu), and in significantly higher amount of total free amino acids and free fatty acids, 195.1 vs 178.9 and 328.6 vs 191.8 mg/100 g of experimental vs control cheese (made using a commercial starter) respectively. The experimental cheese also displayed better sensory properties such as taste and aftertaste.     

Portrait of Cancer Stem Cells on Colorectal Cancer: Molecular Biomarkers,Signaling Pathways and miRNAome

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of cancer death worldwide, and about 20% is metastatic at diagnosis and untreatable. Increasing evidence suggests that the heterogeneous nature of CRC is related to colorectal cancer stem cells (CCSCs), a small cells population with stemness behaviors and responsible for tumor progression, recurrence, and therapy resistance. Growing knowledge of stem cells (SCs) biology has rapidly improved uncovering the molecular mechanisms and possible crosstalk/feedback loops between signaling pathways that directly influence intestinal homeostasis and tumorigenesis. The generation of CCSCs is probably connected to genetic changes in members of signaling pathways, which control self-renewal and pluripotency in SCs and then establish function and phenotype of CCSCs. Particularly, various deregulated CCSC-related miRNAs have been reported to modulate stemness features, controlling CCSCs functions such as regulation of cell cycle genes expression, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, metastasization, and drug-resistance mechanisms. Primarily, CCSC-related miRNAs work by regulating mainly signal pathways known to be involved in CCSCs biology. This review intends to summarize the epigenetic findings linked to miRNAome in the maintenance and regulation of CCSCs, including their relationships with different signaling pathways, which should help to identify specific diagnostic, prognostic, and predictive biomarkers for CRC, but also develop innovative CCSCs-targeted therapies.     

TECTONICS AND SEDIMENTATION WITHIN A MESSINIAN FOREDEEP IN THE CENTRAL APENNINES, ITALY

The Marche-Abruzzi thrust system is part of the Central Apennine fold-and-thrust belt of mainland Italy. Our study area covers the SE portion of the Umbria-Marche-Abruzzi region and the northern part of the Gran Sasso Mountains. A thick pile of turbidites is exposed in this area; they were deposited within a Messinian foredeep in front of the evolving fold-and-thrust belt. We have used regional structural interpretations together with unpublished well-log and seismic data to construct a cross-section across the external portion of the thrust system.
Our work suggests that: (i) deformation of the sediments in the Messinian foredeep began shortly after their deposition, and continued until the late Pliocene; (ii) the restored (pre-deformation) width of the basin was approximately twice that of the present-day basin, and the depocentre migrated eastwards at a rate of about 4 cm/yr; (iii) the geometry and physiography of the Messinian foredeep were controlled by a number of longitudinal and transverse structural features which may be related to foreland ramp activity or to differential flexuring of the Apulian lithosphere, respectively.     

Oxidative stability of polyunsaturated fatty acids: effect of squalene

The propensity of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) to undergo oxidation plays an important role in the integrity of biological membrane and lipid containing foods. The ability of squalene (SQ), a naturally occurring dehydrotriterpene present in animal and plant tissues, to protect linoleic, linolenic, arachidonic and docosahexaenoic acids against temperature‐dependent autoxidation and UVA (ultraviolet A, 320‐380 nm) mediated oxidation was assessed. The oxidation of PUFAs was protected in varying degrees, with highest protection observed for linolenic, arachidonic and docosahexaenoic acids. Linoleic acid was less protected. At a molar ratio of 7:1 (PUFA:SQ) the inhibition of the oxidation process was 22% in the presence of linoleic acid and about 50% in presence of the other PUFAs tested. The different protection exerted by SQ against PUFAs with different degrees of unsaturation may be accounted for by the higher stability of octadecadienoic acid hydroperoxide isomers compared with respective PUFA hydroperoxides. Observing mild UVA‐mediated oxidation and the temperature‐dependent autoxidation reactions we found similarities in the oxidation pattern and the protection exerted by SQ. These findings suggest that the reaction of autoxidation is predominant and SQ acts mainly as peroxyl radical scavenger.     

Possible optimal configurations for the ZECOMIX high efficiency zero emission hydrogen and power plant

Coal use for electricity generation will continue growing in importance. In the present work the optimization of a high efficiency and zero emissions coal-fired plant, which produces both hydrogen and electricity, has been developed. The majority of this paper concerns an integration of gasification unit, which is characterized by coal hydrogasification and carbon dioxide (CO₂) separation, with a power island, where a high-hydrogen content syngas is burnt with pure oxygen stream. Another issue is the high temperature CO₂ desorption. Because of the elevated temperature heat supply, the regeneration process affects the overall performance of ZECOMIX plant. An advanced steam cycle characterized by a medium pressure steam compressor and expander has been considered for power generation. A preliminary study of different components leads to analyze possible routes for optimization of the whole plant. The plant equipped with a CO₂ capture unit could reach efficiency close to 50%. The simulations of a thermodynamic model were carried out using the software ChemCAD.

This study is a part of a larger research project, named ZECOMIX, led by ENEA (Italian Research Agency for New technologies, Energy and Environment), other partners being ANSALDO and different Italian Universities. It is aimed at analyzing an integrated hydrogen and power production plant.     

Genome size and AT content in Anguilliformes

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of midaglizole (MID) and interactions of MID with beta 2-agonists on bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR). Thirteen patients with mild asthma were randomized with respect to whether they were taking oral beta 2-agonists, and the investigators were blinded to patients' regular drug regimens. Histamine challenge test was performed before and after oral administration of MID for 1 week (300 mg/day). There was a significant increase in PC20 values in asthmatic subjects on regular therapy with beta 2-agonists (p < 0.05), whereas asthmatics not taking beta 2-agonists showed no significant change in PC20. These results suggest that MID may participate in improved BHR in the presence of beta 2-agonists and play some role in enhancing the effects of beta 2-agonists.