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Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most prevalent neurodegenerative disorder currently affecting the ageing population. Although the aetiology of PD has yet to be fully elucidated, environmental factors such as exposure to the naturally occurring neurotoxin rotenone has been associated with an increased risk of developing PD. Rotenone inhibits mitochondrial respiratory chain (MRC) complex I activity as well as induces dopaminergic neuronal death. The aim of the present study was to investigate the underlying mechanisms of rotenone-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress in an in vitro SH-SY5Y neuronal cell model of PD and to assess the ability of pre-treatment with Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) to ameliorate oxidative stress in this model. Spectrophotometric determination of the mitochondrial enzyme activities and fluorescence probe studies of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production was assessed. Significant inhibition of MRC complex I and II–III activities was observed, together with a significant loss of neuronal viability, CoQ10 status, and ATP synthesis. Additionally, significant increases were observed in intracellular and mitochondrial ROS production. Remarkably, CoQ10 supplementation was found to reduce ROS formation. These results have indicated mitochondrial dysfunction and increased oxidative stress in a rotenone-induced neuronal cell model of PD that was ameliorated by CoQ10 supplementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oxidative stress (OS) is implicated in several chronic diseases. Extra-cellular superoxide dismutase (ec-SOD) catalyses the dismutation of superoxide anions with a protective role in endothelial cells. In chronic kidney disease (CKD), OS and thyroid dysfunction (low fT3 syndrome) are frequently present, but their relationship has not yet been investigated. This cohort study evaluated ec-SOD activity in CKD patients during haemodialysis, divided into "acute haemodialytic patients" (AH, 1–3 months of treatment) and "chronic haemodialytic patients" (CH, treated for a longer period). We also evaluated plasmatic total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and its relationships with thyroid hormones. Two basal samples ("basal 1", obtained 3 days after the last dialysis; and "basal 2", obtained 2 days after the last dialysis) were collected. On the same day of basal 2, a sample was collected 5 and 10 min after the standard heparin dose and at the end of the procedure. The ec-SOD values were significantly higher in CH vs. AH in all determinations. Moreover, the same patients had lower TAC values. When the CH patients were divided into two subgroups according to fT3 levels (normal or low), we found significantly lower ec-SOD values in the group with low fT3 in the basal, 5, and 10 min samples. A significant correlation was also observed between fT3 and ec-SOD in the basal 1 samples. These data, confirming OS and low fT3 syndrome in patients with CKD, suggest that low fT3 concentrations can influence ec-SOD activity and could therefore potentially contribute to endothelial oxidative damage in these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coastal wetlands play a fundamental role in mitigating climate change thanks to their ability to store large amounts of organic carbon in the soil. However, degraded freshwater wetlands are also known to be the first natural emitter of methane (CH4). Salinity is known to inhibit CH4 production, but its effect in brackish ecosystems is still poorly understood. This study provides a contribution to understanding how environmental variables may affect greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in coastal temperate wetlands. We present the results of over 1 year of measurements performed in four wetlands located along a salinity gradient on the northeast Adriatic coast near Ravenna, Italy. Soil properties were determined by coring soil samples, while carbon dioxide (CO2) and CH4 fluxes from soils and standing waters were monitored monthly by a portable gas flux meter. Additionally, water levels and surface and groundwater physical–chemical parameters (temperature, pH, electrical conductivity, and sulfate concentrations of water) were monitored monthly by multiparametric probes. We observed a substantial reduction in CH4 emissions when water depth exceeded the critical threshold of 50 cm. Regardless of the water salinity value, the mean CH4 flux was 5.04 gm-2d-1 in freshwater systems and 12.27 gm-2d-1 in brackish ones. In contrast, when water depth was shallower than 50 cm , CH4 fluxes reached an average of 196.98 gm-2d-1 in freshwater systems, while non-significant results are available for brackish/saline waters. Results obtained for CO2 fluxes showed the same behavior described for CH4 fluxes, even though they were statistically non-significant. Temperature and irradiance strongly influenced CH4 emissions from water and soil, resulting in higher rates during summer and spring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unoccupied aerial vehicle (UAV) monitoring surveys are used to assess a dune restoration project in the protected natural area of the Bevano River mouth on the northern Adriatic coast (Ravenna, Italy). The impacts of the installed fences to aid dune development are quantified in terms of sand volume and vegetation cover changes over 5 years using a systematic data processing workflow based on structure-from-motion (SfM) photogrammetry and the Geomorphic Change Detection (GCD) toolset applied to two drone surveys in 2016 and 2021. Accuracy assessment is performed using statistical analysis between ground-truth and model elevation data. Results show that the fence proves to be effective in promoting recovery and growth since significant sand deposition was observed along the dune foot and front – a total area of 3799 m2 , volume of 1109 m3 , and average depositional depth of 0.29 m. Progradation of around 3–5 m of the foredune and embryo development were also evident. There was a decrease in blowout features of about 155 m2 due to increased deposition and vegetation colonization. There was also an average percent increase of 160 % on wave-induced driftwood and/or debris along the beach and of 9.6 % vegetation within the fence based on the cover analysis on selected transects. Erosion of around 1439 m2 is apparent mostly at the northern portion of the structure, which could be accounted for by the aerodynamic and morphodynamic conditions around the fence and its configuration to trap sediments and efficiency in doing so. Overall, dune fencing coupled with limiting debris cleaning along the protected coast was effective. The proposed workflow can aid in creating transferable guidelines to stakeholders in integrated coastal zone management (ICZM) implementation on Mediterranean low-lying sandy coasts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seagrass meadows are a highly productive and economically important shallow coastal habitat. Their sensitivity to natural and anthropogenic disturbances, combined with their importance for local biodiversity, carbon stocks, and sediment dynamics, motivate a frequent monitoring of their distribution. However, generating time series of seagrass cover from field observations is costly, and mapping methods based on remote sensing require restrictive conditions on seabed visibility, limiting the frequency of observations. In this contribution, we examine the effect of accounting for environmental factors, such as the bathymetry and median grain size (D50) of the substrate as well as the coordinates of known seagrass patches, on the performance of a random forest (RF) classifier used to determine seagrass cover. Using 148 Landsat images of the Venice Lagoon (Italy) between 1999 and 2020, we trained an RF classifier with only spectral features from Landsat images and seagrass surveys from 2002 and 2017. Then, by adding the features above and applying a time-based correction to predictions, we created multiple RF models with different feature combinations. We tested the quality of the resulting seagrass cover predictions from each model against field surveys, showing that bathymetry, D50 , and coordinates of known patches exert an influence that is dependent on the training Landsat image and seagrass survey chosen. In models trained on a survey from 2017, where using only spectral features causes predictions to overestimate seagrass surface area, no significant change in model performance was observed. Conversely, in models trained on a survey from 2002, the addition of the out-of-image features and particularly coordinates of known vegetated patches greatly improves the predictive capacity of the model, while still allowing the detection of seagrass beds absent in the reference field survey. Applying a time-based correction eliminates small temporal variations in predictions, improving predictions that performed well before correction. We conclude that accounting for the coordinates of known seagrass patches, together with applying a time-based correction, has the most potential to produce reliable frequent predictions of seagrass cover. While this case study alone is insufficient to explain how geographic location information influences the classification process, we suggest that it is linked to the inherent spatial auto-correlation of seagrass meadow distribution. In the interest of improving remote-sensing classification and particularly to develop our capacity to map vegetation across time, we identify this phenomenon as warranting further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The consumption of food-derived products, including the regular intake of pepper, is increasingly evaluated for its potential benefits in protecting against diverse metabolic complications. The current study made use of prominent electronic databases including PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus to retrieve clinical evidence linking the intake of black and red pepper with the amelioration of metabolic complications. The findings summarize evidence supporting the beneficial effects of black pepper (Piper nigrum L.), including its active ingredient, piperine, in improving blood lipid profiles, including reducing circulating levels of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglycerides in overweight and obese individuals. The intake of piperine was also linked with enhanced antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties by increasing serum levels of superoxide dismutase while reducing those of malonaldehyde and C-reactive protein in individuals with metabolic syndrome. Evidence summarized in the current review also indicates that red pepper (Capsicum annum), together with its active ingredient, capsaicin, could promote energy expenditure, including limiting energy intake, which is likely to contribute to reduced fat mass in overweight and obese individuals. Emerging clinical evidence also indicates that pepper may be beneficial in alleviating complications linked with other chronic conditions, including osteoarthritis, oropharyngeal dysphagia, digestion, hemodialysis, and neuromuscular fatigue. Notably, the beneficial effects of pepper or its active ingredients appear to be more pronounced when used in combination with other bioactive compounds. The current review also covers essential information on the metabolism and bioavailability profiles of both pepper species and their main active ingredients, which are all necessary to understand their potential beneficial effects against metabolic diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are considered the predominant cause of death globally. An abnormal increase in biomarkers of oxidative stress and inflammation are consistently linked with the development and even progression of metabolic diseases, including enhanced CVD risk. Coffee is considered one of the most consumed beverages in the world, while reviewed evidence regarding its capacity to modulate biomarkers of oxidative stress and inflammation remains limited. The current study made use of prominent electronic databases, including PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus to retrieve information from randomized controlled trials reporting on any association between coffee consumption and modulation of biomarkers of oxidative stress and inflammation in healthy individuals or those at increased risk of developing CVD. In fact, summarized evidence indicates that coffee consumption, mainly due to its abundant antioxidant properties, can reduce biomarkers of oxidative stress and inflammation, which can be essential in alleviating the CVD risk in healthy individuals. However, more evidence suggests that regular/prolonged use or long term (>4 weeks) consumption of coffee appeared to be more beneficial in comparison with short-term intake (<4 weeks). These positive effects are also observed in individuals already presenting with increased CVD risk, although such evidence is very limited. The current analysis of data highlights the importance of understanding how coffee consumption can be beneficial in strengthening intracellular antioxidants to alleviate pathological features of oxidative stress and inflammation to reduce CVD risk within the general population. Also covered within the review is essential information on the metabolism and bioavailability profile of coffee, especially caffeine as one of its major bioactive compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tight interplays between physical and biotic processes in tidal salt marshes lead to self‐organization of halophytic vegetation into recurrent zonation patterns developed across elevation gradients. Despite its importance for marsh ecomorphodynamics, however, the response of vegetation zonation to changing environmental forcings remains difficult to predict, mostly because of lacking long‐term field observations of vegetation evolution in the face of changing rates of sea level rise and marsh vertical accretion. Here we present novel data of coupled marsh elevation‐vegetation distribution collected in the microtidal Venice Lagoon (Italy) over nearly two decades. Our results suggest that: (a) despite increasing absolute marsh elevations (i.e., above a fixed datum), vertical accretion rates across most of the studied marsh were not high enough to compensate for relative sea‐level rise (RSLR), thus leading to a progressive marsh drowning; (b) accretion rates ranging 1.7–4.3 mm/year are overall lower than the measured RSLR rate (4.4 mm/year) and strongly site‐specific. Accretion rates vary largely at sites within distances of a few tens of meters, being controlled by local elevation and sediment availability from eroding marsh edges; (c) vegetation responds species‐specifically to changes in environmental forcings by modifying species‐preferential elevation ranges. For the first time, we observe the consistency of a sequential vegetation‐species zonation with increasing marsh elevations over 20 years. We suggest this is the signature of vegetation resilience to changes in external forcings. Our results highlight a strong coupling between geomorphological and ecological dynamics and call for spatially distributed marsh monitoring and spatially explicit biomorphodynamic models of marsh evolution. Plain Language Summary: Salt marshes are important ecosystems currently threatened by changes in environmental forcings. We analyzed the coupled elevation‐vegetation response to relative sea‐level rise in a marsh located within the Venice lagoon (Italy) by using accurate on‐site measurements collected between 2000 and 2019. We found that the marsh elevations above a fixed datum increased over the study period. However, marsh sites were found to be gradually drowning, because sediment deposition on the marsh surface did not balance the increase in relative mean sea level. We also found that the response of halophytic vegetation to relative sea‐level rise is species‐specific. In addition, we showed that vegetation species are distributed according to a specific sequence with increasing elevations and that such sequence remained stable for nearly two decades. This suggests that vegetation species can endure rising relative sea levels, at least temporally, without significantly modifying their distribution despite marsh gradual drowning. Key Points: The imbalance between rates of marsh vertical accretion and relative sea‐level rise leads to marsh drowningDespite marsh drowning, a consistent sequence in vegetation zonation as a function of marsh elevation is maintainedThe resilience of marsh vegetation over decades is suggested for rates of sea‐level rise lower than a critical threshold [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coastal wetlands are fundamental for climate-change mitigation thanks to their ability to store large amounts of organic carbon in the soil. They also represent the first natural emitter of methane (CH4). Salinity is known to inhibit CH4 production, but its effect in brackish ecosystems is still poorly understood. Our study aims to understand how environmental variables may affect greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) in coastal temperate wetlands. We present the results of over one year of measurements performed in four wetlands located along a salinity gradient on the northeast Adriatic coast near Ravenna, Italy. Soil properties were determined by collecting soil samples, while carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) fluxes from soils and standing waters, water levels, surface, and groundwater physical-chemical parameters (temperature, pH, electrical conductivity, and sulphate concentrations of water) were monthly monitored by a portable gas flux-meter and multiparametric probes, respectively. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to investigate emergent relationships between GHGs fluxes and environmental variables. Our results suggest that, among all variables, temperature and irradiance play a significant role in CH4 emissions from water and soil whereas water column depth and salinity are limiting factors of GHGs emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) bioavailability in vivo is limited due to its lipophilic nature. Moreover, a large body of evidence in the literature shows that muscle CoQ10 uptake is limited. In order to address cell specific differences in CoQ uptake, we compared cellular CoQ10 content in cultured human dermal fibroblasts and murine skeletal muscle cells that were incubated with lipoproteins from healthy volunteers and enriched with different formulations of CoQ10 following oral supplementation. Using a crossover design, eight volunteers were randomized to supplement 100 mg/daily CoQ10 for two weeks, delivered both in phytosome form (UBQ) as a lecithin formulation and in CoQ10 crystalline form. After supplementation, plasma was collected for CoQ10 determination. In the same samples, low density lipoproteins (LDL) were extracted and normalized for CoQ10 content, and 0.5 µg/mL in the medium were incubated with the two cell lines for 24 h. The results show that while both formulations were substantially equivalent in terms of plasma bioavailability in vivo, UBQ-enriched lipoproteins showed a higher bioavailability compared with crystalline CoQ10-enriched ones both in human dermal fibroblasts (+103%) and in murine skeletal myoblasts (+48%). Our data suggest that phytosome carriers might provide a specific advantage in delivering CoQ10 to skin and muscle tissues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seagrass meadows are a highly productive and economically important shallow coastal habitat. Their sensitivity to natural and anthropogenic disturbances, combined with their importance for local biodiversity, carbon stocks and sediment dynamics, motivate a frequent monitoring of their distribution. However, generating time-series of seagrass cover from field observations is costly, and mapping methods based on remote sensing require restrictive conditions on seabed visibility, limiting the frequency of observations. In this contribution, we examine the effect of accounting for environmental factors such as the bathymetry and median grain size (D 50) of the substrate, as well as the coordinates of known seagrass patches, on the performance of a Random Forest (RF) classifier used to determine seagrass cover. Using 148 Landsat images of the Venice Lagoon (Italy) between 1999 and 2020, we trained a RF classifier with only spectral features from Landsat images and seagrass surveys, respectively from 2002 and 2017. Then, by adding the features above and applying a time-based correction on predictions, we created multiple RF models with different feature combinations. We tested the quality of the resulting seagrass cover predictions from each model against field surveys, showing that bathymetry, D 50 and coordinates of known patches exert an influence that is dependant on the training Landsat image and seagrass survey chosen. In models trained on a survey from 2017, where using only spectral features causes predictions to overestimate seagrass surface area, no significant change in model performance was observed. Conversely, in models trained on a survey from 2002, the addition of the out-of-image features and particularly coordinates of known vegetated patches greatly improves the predictive capacity of the model, while still allowing the detection of seagrass beds absent in the reference field survey. Applying a time-based correction eliminates small temporal variations in predictions, improving predictions that performed well before correction. We conclude that accounting for the coordinates of known seagrass patches, together with applying a time-based correction, has the most potential to produce reliable frequent predictions of seagrass cover. While this case study alone is insufficient to explain how geographic location information influences the classification process, we suggest that it is linked to the inherent spatial auto-correlation of seagrass meadow distribution. In the interest of improving remote sensing classification and particularly to develop our capacity to map vegetation across time, we identify this phenomenon as warranting further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carboxylative enzymes are involved in many pathways and their regulation plays a crucial role in many of these pathways. In particular, γ‐glutamylcarboxylase (GGCX) converts glutamate residues (Glu) into γ‐carboxyglutamate (Gla) of the vitamin K‐dependent proteins (VKDPs) activating them. VKDPs include at least 17 proteins involved in processes such as blood coagulation, blood vessels calcification, and bone mineralization. VKDPs are activated by the reduced form of vitamin K, naturally occurring as vitamin K1 (phylloquinone) and K2 (menaquinones, MKs). Among these, MK7 is the most efficient in terms of bioavailability and biological effect. Similarly to other trans isomers, it is produced by natural fermentation or chemically in both trans and cis. However, the efficacy of the biological effect of the different isomers and the impact on humans are unknown. Our study assessed carboxylative efficacy of trans and cis MK7 and compared it with other vitamin K isomers, evaluating both the expression of residues of carboxylated Gla‐protein by western blot analysis and using a cell‐free system to determine the GGCX activity by HPLC. Trans MK7H2 showed a higher ability to carboxylate the 70 KDa GLA‐protein, previously inhibited in vitro by warfarin treatment. However, cis MK7 also induced a carboxylation activity albeit of a small extent. The data were confirmed chromatographically, in which a slight carboxylative activity of cis MK7H2 was demonstrated, comparable with both K1H2 and oxidized trans MK7 but less than trans MK7H2. For the first time, a difference of biological activity between cis and trans configuration of menaquinone‐7 has been reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Myalgia and new-onset of type 2 diabetes have been associated with statin treatment, which both could be linked to reduced coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) in skeletal muscle and impaired mitochondrial function. Supplementation with CoQ10 focusing on levels of CoQ10 in skeletal muscle and mitochondrial function has not been investigated in patients treated with statins. To investigate whether concomitant administration of CoQ10 with statins increases the muscle CoQ10 levels and improves the mitochondrial function, and if changes in muscle CoQ10 levels correlate with changes in the intensity of myalgia. 37 men and women in simvastatin therapy with and without myalgia were randomized to receive 400 mg CoQ10 daily or matched placebo tablets for eight weeks. Muscle CoQ10 levels, mitochondrial respiratory capacity, mitochondrial content (using citrate synthase activity as a biomarker), and production of reactive oxygen species were measured before and after CoQ10 supplementation, and intensity of myalgia was determined using the 10 cm visual analogue scale. Muscle CoQ10 content and mitochondrial function were unaltered by CoQ10 supplementation. Individual changes in muscle CoQ10 levels were not correlated with changes in intensity of myalgia. CoQ10 supplementation had no effect on muscle CoQ10 levels or mitochondrial function and did not affect symptoms of myalgia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oxidative and inflammatory damage underlie several conditions related to male infertility, including varicocele. Free light chains of immunoglobulins (FLCs) are considered markers of low-grade inflammation in numerous diseases. Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), a lipidic antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compound, is involved in spermatozoa energy metabolism and motility. We aimed to evaluate FLCs' seminal levels in patients with varicocele in comparison to control subjects and to correlate them with CoQ10 and Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC) in human semen. Sixty-five patients were enrolled. Semen analysis was performed; patients were divided into three groups: controls, 12 normozoospermic patients, aged 34 (33–41) years; varicocele (VAR), 29 patients, aged 33 (26–37) years; and idiopathic, 24 oligo-, astheno- and oligoasthenozoospermic patients aged 37 (33.5–40.5) years. FLCs (κ and λ) were assayed by turbidimetric method; CoQ10 by HPLC; TAC by spectrophotometric method. λ FLCs showed a trend toward higher levels in VAR vs. controls and the idiopathic group. VAR showed a trend toward lower κ FLCs levels vs. the other two groups. When comparing κ/λ ratio, VAR showed significantly lower levels vs. controls and idiopathic. Moreover, CoQ10 seminal levels showed higher levels in VAR and idiopathic compared to controls. Data reported here confirm lower levels of κ/λ ratio in VAR and suggest a possible application in personalized medicine as clinical biomarkers for male infertility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the last two decades Pinna nobilis, the largest bivalve mollusk endemic to the Mediterranean Sea, has recolonized the tidal flats of some coastal lagoons along the Italian Adriatic coast. In this study, we investigate the influence of tides on the spatial distribution and density of a P. nobilis population developing on a tidal flat of the Venice lagoon (NE Italy) by exploiting remote sensing technologies. Our results show that there is a threshold topographic elevation (about 0.5 m below mean sea level for the studied tidal flat) above which the number and duration of emersions become limiting factors of P. nobilis abundance. Above this elevation, the population density decreases sharply. Densely populated areas tend to occur in tidal flat depressions, where the duration and frequency of emersions are low. We find, however, that the population density has large spatial variability in response to other factors, such as the seagrass percentage cover. The density of the shells increases with increasing seagrass percentage cover, and the dense P. nobilis population (0.8–2.68 N/m2) grows within the Cymodocea nodosa meadow that has a high seagrass percentage cover (>85%). However, within the seagrass meadow with the highest percentage cover, the bivalve preferentially colonizes the portion closest to the main channel, a possible source of nutrients. The shift to C. nodosa—dominated meadows in the Venice lagoon occurred during the last two decades has probably facilitated the observed colonization by P. nobilis. Our findings provide management information for protection and/or restoration of P. nobilis in coastal lagoons. Plain Language Summary: Pinna nobilis is the largest mollusk of the Mediterranean Sea and strictly protected by European laws. Recently this species has been attacked by pathogens which are causing mass mortality events. In early 2021, the P. nobilis population of the Venice lagoon (Italy) was attacked and is in risk of disappearing. Thanks to a survey performed using a drone in the summer of 2020, we studied the pre‐epidemic distribution of the P. nobilis population colonizing a tidal flat. We found that exposure to limited emersions is a key factor for the bivalve survival as emersions can cause desiccation. Another key factor is the seagrass percentage cover: P. nobilis tends to colonize dense portions of the seagrass meadows, often close to the channels, which are a potential source of food. Until early 2021, when the pathogens attacked, the population growth has been likely facilitated by a constant expansion of Cymodocea nodosa, a subtropical seagrass species. The expansion of C. nodosa has probably been promoted by a small but constant increase of the water temperature during the last two decades. Our findings provide management information for the protection and/or restoration of P. nobilis in coastal lagoons. Key Points: In tidal systems, Pinna nobilis distribution is strongly affected by the bottom topography and the duration and frequency of emersionThere is a significant positive correlation between the density of P. nobilis and seagrass coverSummer time monitoring of P. nobilis using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) is not effective when the tidal flats are emerged and seagrass leaves obscure the shells [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Statins are prescribed for the treatment of elevated cholesterol, but they may negatively affect metabolism, muscle performance, and the response to training. Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) supplementation may alleviate these effects. Combined simvastatin and CoQ10 treatment during physical training has never been tested. We studied the response to 8 weeks training (maximal oxygen uptake (V̇O2max${\dot{V}_{{{\rm{O}}_{\rm{2}}}{\rm{max}}}}$), fat oxidation (MFO), the workload at which MFO occurred, and muscle strength) in statin naive dyslipidaemic patients who received simvastatin (40 mg/day) with (S + Q, n = 9) or without (S + Pl, n = 10) CoQ10 supplementation (2 × 200 mg/day) or placebo (Pl + Pl, n = 7) in a randomized, double‐blind placebo‐controlled study. V̇O2max${\dot{V}_{{{\rm{O}}_{\rm{2}}}{\rm{max}}}}$ and maximal workload increased with training (main effect of time, P < 0.05). MFO increased from 0.29 ± 0.10, 0.26 ± 0.10, and 0.38 ± 0.09 to 0.42 ± 0.09, 0.38 ± 0.10 and 0.48 ± 0.16 g/min in S + Q, S + Pl, and Pl + Pl, respectively (main effect of time, P = 0.0013). The workload at MFO increased from 75 ± 25, 56 ± 23, and 72 ± 17 to 106 ± 25, 84 ± 13 and 102 ± 31 W in S + Q, S + Pl, and Pl + Pl, respectively (main effect of time, P < 0.0001). Maximal voluntary contraction and rate of force development were unchanged. Exercise improved aerobic physical capacity and simvastatin with or without CoQ10 supplementation did not inhibit this adaptation. The similar increases in MFO and in the workload at which MFO occurred in response to training shows that the ability to adapt substrate selection and oxidation rates is preserved with simvastatin treatment, despite the potential negative impact of simvastatin at the mitochondrial level. CoQ10 supplementation does not augment this adaptation. Key points: Simvastatins are prescribed for treatment of elevated cholesterol, but they may negatively affect metabolism, muscle performance and the response to training.Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) supplementation may alleviate some of these effects.We found that simvastatin treatment does not negatively affect training‐induced adaptations of substrate oxidation during exercise.Likewise, maximal oxygen uptake increases with physical training also in patients in treatment with simvastatin.CoQ10 supplementation in simvastatin‐treated patients presents no advantage in the adaptations to physical trainingSimvastatin treatment decreases plasma concentrations of total CoQ10, but this can be alleviated by simultaneous supplementation with CoQ10 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• UNICAM-1 and NAMI-A show a clear mitochondrial target. • UNICAM-1 shows a much lower toxicity profile compared to cisplatinum. • UNICAM -1 is more efficacy to impair mitochondrial functionality than NAMI-A. • UNICAM-1 is more potent than NAMI-A to imbalance cellular redox status. Platinum-based compounds are the most widely used anticancer drugs but, their elevated toxicity and chemoresistance has stimulated the study of others, such as ruthenium-based compounds. NAMI-A and UNICAM-1 were tested in vitro , comparing the mechanisms of toxicity, in terms of mitochondrial functionality and cellular oxidative stress. UNICAM-1, showed a clear mitochondrial target and a cytotoxic dose-dependent response thanks to its ability to promote an imbalance of cellular redox status. It impaired directly mitochondrial respiratory chain, promoting mitochondrial superoxide anion production, leading to mitochondrial membrane depolarization. All these aspects, could make UNICAM-1 a valid alternative for chemotherapy treatment of breast cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is well known for its beneficial effects in cardiovascular disease (CVD); however, reported evidence has not been precisely synthesized to better inform on its impact in protecting against cardiovascular‐related complications in diabetic patients. Materials and Methodology: The current meta‐analysis included randomized controlled trials published in the past 5 years reporting on the effect of CoQ10 on metabolic and CVD‐related risk profiles in individuals with diabetes or metabolic syndrome. We searched electronic databases such as MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, Scopus and EMBASE for eligible studies. In addition to assessing the risk of bias and quality of evidence, the random and fixed‐effect models were used to calculate the standardized mean difference and 95% confidence intervals for metabolic parameters and CVD outcomes. Results: Overall, 12 studies met the inclusion criteria, enrolling a total of 650 patients. Although CoQ10 supplementation did not statistically affect all metabolic profiles measured, it significantly reduced CVD‐risk‐related indexes such as total cholesterol and low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) levels in diabetic patients when compared to those on placebo [SMD = 0.13, 95% CI (0.03; 0.23), Chi2 = 43.62 and I2 = 29%, P =.07]. Conclusions: The overall results demonstrated that supplementation with CoQ10 shows an enhanced potential to lower CVD risk in diabetic patients by reducing total cholesterol and LDL. Moreover, the beneficial effects of CoQ10 in lowering the CVD risk are associated with its ameliorative properties against oxidative stress and improving endothelial health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cardiovascular diseases represent the leading cause of death and moderate physical exercise is associated with a reduction in cardiovascular risk. The aim of the study was to evaluate the correlation between the amount of exercise recorded daily by a wearable gravitometer for 3 months and selected biochemical and clinical parameters. Nineteen sedentary type 2 diabetics were recruited and distributed into three homogenous groups, low, medium, and high exercise, according to the level of physical exercise monitored and expressed as MOVEs. Data showed an inverse correlation between MOVEs and oxidative stress indexes and a significant improvement in paraoxonase-1 activities and endothelial functionality. Decrease of visceral/total adipose tissue ratio, systolic blood pressure and a down-regulation of the inflammatory microRNA-146a in high exercise group were observed. Finally, a decrease of glycosylated hemoglobin and an up-regulation of the angiogenic microRNA-130a in medium exercise one was obtained. In this study, precise daily monitoring permitted to underline the importance of the amount of physical activity to counteract some cardiovascular risk factors persisting in diabetes. Finally, it identifies new microRNA biomarkers for future investigation on the same topic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peatlands play a key role in the global carbon cycle, sequestering and releasing large amounts of carbon. Despite their importance, a reliable method for the quantification of peatland thickness and volume is still missing, particularly for peat deposits located in the tropics given their limited accessibility, and for scales of measurement representative of peatland environments (i.e., of hundreds of km2). This limitation also prevents the accurate quantification of the stored carbon as well as future greenhouse gas emissions due to ongoing peat degradation. Here we present the results obtained using the airborne electromagnetic (AEM) method, a geophysical surveying tool, for peat thickness detection at the landscape scale. Based on a large amount of data collected on an Indonesian peatland, our results show that the AEM method provides a reliable and accurate 3‐D model of peatlands, allowing the quantification of their volume and carbon storage. A comparison with the often used empirical topographic approach, which is based on an assumed correlation between peat thickness and surface topography, revealed larger errors across the landscape associated with the empirical approach than the AEM method when predicting the peat thickness. As a result, the AEM method provides higher estimates (22%) of organic carbon pools than the empirical method. We show how in our case study the empirical method tends to underestimate the peat thickness due to its inability to accurately detect the large variability in the elevation of the peat/mineral substrate interface, which is better quantified by the AEM method. Plain Language Summary: Peatlands store in their soils about the same amount of carbon present in the vegetation biomass. Peat degradation due to human interventions (as for example soil drainage) and fires that occur during severe droughts release several gigatons of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases (GHGs) every year. The accurate assessment of the carbon stored in peatlands is of key importance to implement effective strategies to mitigate climate change, promoting conservation actions, and avoiding potential GHG emissions. In this research, we compare two methods that allow us to construct a 3‐D model of peatlands. Applying the methods to a large study site in Indonesia, we show how a geophysical method called airborne electromagnetics allows for a more accurate quantification of the peat volume and the organic carbon pool. Key Points: The airborne electromagnetic (AEM) method can detect both the top and the bottom of a peatland over large areas at high spatial resolutionA correlation between the peat thickness and surface topography is common in some dome‐shaped peatlands around the worldThe peatland 3‐D model retrieved with AEM is superior if compared to the empirical approach that links peat thickness to only soil elevation [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the importance of peatlands as carbon reservoirs, a reliable methodology for the detection of peat volumes at regional scale is still missing. In this study we explore for the first time the use of airborne electromagnetic (AEM) to detect and quantify peat thickness and extension of two bogs located in Norway, where peat lays over resistive bedrock. Our results show that when calibrated using a small amount of field measurements, AEM can successfully detect peat volume even in less ideal conditions, that is, relatively resistive peat over resistive substrata. We expect the performance of AEM to increase significantly in presence of a conductive substratum without need of calibration with field data. The organic carbon content retrieved from field surveys and laboratory analyses combined with the 3‐D model of the peat extracted from AEM allowed us to quantify the total organic carbon of the selected bogs, hence assessing the carbon pool. Plain Language Summary: Wetlands hide a secret. We may know them for their beauty and valuable ecological services, but the real treasure of these environments is hidden underground. It is the carbon pool that these ecosystems build every day, inch by inch, subtracting carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and storing it underground. This process forms a dark soil extremely rich in organic matter that we call "peat." Peatlands around the world store almost the same amount of carbon that is present in the atmosphere. The problem is that, spoiling peat, the carbon is released as carbon dioxide and we have less carbon stored underground and more greenhouse gasses in atmosphere. The first step we should take in order to protect peatlands is to find effective methodologies to map them. In this study, we use an instrument carried by a helicopter that allows us to explore under the soil surface. We show for the first time that this technology, called airborne electromagnetics, can be used to quantify the peat stored underground in boreal peatlands. Thanks to this methodology, we can now map large areas and calculate the amount of carbon stored in peatlands, which is the first step toward implementing better conservation policies. Key Points: Airborne electromagnetic can be successfully used to estimate peat thickness and extension even over resistive substrataThe 3‐D geometry and volume of selected Norwegian bogs were determinedThe carbon pool is determined by combining the 3‐D peatland model with the soil organic carbon content retrieved from field/laboratory analyses [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aspalathin is a rooibos flavonoid with established blood glucose lowering properties, however, its efficacy to moderate complications associated with hepatic insulin resistance is unknown. To study such effects, C3A liver cells exposed to palmitate were used as a model of hepatic insulin resistance. These hepatocytes displayed impaired substrate metabolism, including reduced glucose transport and free fatty acid uptake. These defects included impaired insulin signaling, evident through reduced phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase/ protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT) protein expression, and mitochondrial dysfunction, depicted by a lower mitochondrial respiration rate. Aspalathin was able to ameliorate these defects by correcting altered substrate metabolism, improving insulin signaling and mitochondrial bioenergetics. Activation of 5ʹ-adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) may be a plausible mechanism by which aspalathin increases hepatic energy expenditure. Overall, these results encourage further studies assessing the potential use of aspalathin as a nutraceutical to improve hepatocellular energy expenditure, and reverse metabolic disease-associated complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Physical exercise significantly impacts the biochemistry of the organism. Ubiquinone is a key component of the mitochondrial respiratory chain and ubiquinol, its reduced and active form, is an emerging molecule in sport nutrition. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of ubiquinol supplementation on biochemical and oxidative stress indexes after an intense bout of exercise. Methods: 21 male young athletes (26 + 5 years of age) were randomized in two groups according to a double blind cross-over study, either supplemented with ubiquinol (200 mg/day) or placebo for 1 month. Blood was withdrawn before and after a single bout of intense exercise (40 min run at 85% maxHR). Physical performance, hematochemical parameters, ubiquinone/ubiquinol plasma content, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) level, mitochondrial membrane depolarization, paraoxonase activity and oxidative DNA damage were analyzed. Results: A single bout of intense exercise produced a significant increase in most hematochemical indexes, in particular CK and Mb while, on the contrary, normalized coenzyme Q10 plasma content decreased significantly in all subjects. Ubiquinol supplementation prevented exercise-induced CoQ deprivation and decrease in paraoxonase activity. Moreover at a cellular level, in peripheral blood mononuclear cells, ubiquinol supplementation was associated with a significant decrease in cytosolic ROS while mitochondrial membrane potential and oxidative DNA damage remained unchanged. Discussion: Data highlights a very rapid dynamic of CoQ depletion following intense exercise underlying an increased demand by the organism. Ubiquinol supplementation minimized exercise-induced depletion and enhanced plasma and cellular antioxidant levels but it was not able to improve physical performance indexes or markers of muscular damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In a shallow dissipative tidal system, interventions that modify the local morphology in one location of the basin may quickly affect the surrounding areas, promoting strong changes in their morphology. If the localized modification persists over time, it may produce far‐field morphological modifications at delayed times. These modifications may have an impact on the local mean sea level and on tidal range, affecting the fate of salt marshes with implications for their survival. In this study, we investigate the effect of two anthropic interventions performed between the end of the nineteenth century and the beginning of the twentieth century in the northern Venice lagoon (Italy): the construction of jetties at one inlet and the removal of reed barriers protecting a fish farm in the inner lagoon. Using a 2‐D numerical model to reproduce the hydrodynamics of different historical lagoon configurations and a zero dimensional model of marsh vertical accretion, we investigate the effect of these interventions on the salt marshes of the northern lagoon basin. Interestingly, our results show that the increased depth at the inlet induced by the jetties lowered the local mean sea level of nearby areas and increased the tidal range, producing a temporary positive feedback on the stability of the marshes in proximity of the inlet. On the contrary, in the inner lagoon areas characterized by extremely low marshes, the removal of reed barriers delimiting a fish farm may have reduced the sediment fluxes thus contributing to the drowning of large marsh surfaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]