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The objective of this study was to investigate the presence of culturable bacteria, endotoxins (LPS) and lipoteichoic acid (LTA) levels in teeth with normal vital pulp (NVP) with intact crowns (IC) and those with coronal restoration (CR) limited to the enamel level. A total of 20 teeth indicated for endodontic treatment due to prosthetic reasons were selected. Samples were collected from the root canals. The levels of cultivable bacteria, LPS and LTA were assessed. Statistical analyses were performed at significance level set at 5%. None of the teeth presented microbial growth. In the IC group, the LPS levels were limited to the lowest concentration of LPS. On the contrary, higher LPS and LTA levels were detected in teeth with CR. It was concluded that teeth with NVP and IC were negative for bacteria, LPS and LTA; while teeth with CR were positive for bacterial virulence factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Olive leaves represent a waste from the olive oil industry which can be reused as source of polyphenols. The most representative phenolic compound of olive leaves is the secoiridoid oleuropein, followed by verbascoside, apigenin‐7‐O‐glucoside, luteolin‐7‐O‐glucoside, and simple phenols. The attention towards these compounds derives above all from the large number of studies demonstrating their beneficial effect on health, in fact olive leaves have been widely used in folk medicine in the Mediterranean regions. Moreover, the growing demand from consumers to replace the synthetic antioxidants, led researchers to conduct studies on the addition of plant bioactives in foods to improve their shelf‐life and/or to obtain functional products. The current study overviews the findings on the addition of polyphenol‐rich olive leaf extract (OLE) to foods. In particular, the effect of OLE addition on the antioxidant, microbiological and nutritional properties of different foods is examined. Most studies have highlighted the antioxidant effect of OLE in different food matrices, such as oils, meat, baked goods, vegetables, and dairy products. Furthermore, the antimicrobial activity of OLE has been observed in meat and vegetable foods, highlighting the potential of OLE as a replacer of synthetic preservatives. Finally, several authors studied the effect of OLE addition with the aim of improving the nutritional properties of vegetable products, tea, milk, meat and biscuits. Advantages and drawbacks of the different use of OLE were reported and discussed. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Resistant starch (RS) is the portion of starch that escapes gastrointestinal digestion and acts as a substrate for fermentation of probiotic bacteria in the gut. Aside from enhancing gut health, RS contributes to a lower glycemic index. A genome‐wide association study coupled with targeted gene association studies was conducted utilizing a diverse panel of 281 resequenced Indica rice lines comprising of ~2.2 million single nucleotide polymorphisms. Low‐to‐intermediate RS phenotypic variations were identified in the rice diversity panel, resulting in novel associations of RS to several genes associated with amylopectin biosynthesis and degradation. Selected rice lines encoding superior alleles of SSIIa with medium RS and inferior alleles with low RS groups were subjected to detailed transcriptomic, metabolomic, non‐starch dietary fibre (DF), starch structural and textural attributes. The gene regulatory networks highlighted the importance of a protein phosphatase alongside multiple genes of starch metabolism. Metabolomics analyses resulted in the identification of several metabolite hubs (carboxylic acid, sugars and polyamines) in the medium RS group. Among DF, mannose and galactose from the water‐insoluble fraction were found to be highly associated with low and medium RS lines, respectively. Starch structural analyses revealed that a moderate increase in RS is also linked to an elevation of amylose 1 and amylose 2 fractions. Although rice lines with medium RS content negatively affected textural and viscosity properties in comparison to low RS, the textural property of medium RS lines was in the same acceptable range as IR64, a rice mega variety popular in Asia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transient seismicity at active volcanoes poses a significant risk in addition to eruptive activity. This risk is powered by the common belief that volcanic seismicity cannot be forecast, even on a long term. Here we investigate the nature of volcanic seismicity to try to improve our forecasting capacity. To this aim, we consider Ischia volcano (Italy), which suffered similar earthquakes along its uplifted resurgent block. We show that this seismicity marks an acceleration of decades‐long subsidence of the resurgent block, driven by degassing of magma that previously produced the uplift, a process not observed at other volcanoes. Degassing will continue for hundreds to thousands of years, causing protracted seismicity and will likely be accompanied by moderate and damaging earthquakes. The possibility to constrain the future duration of seismicity at Ischia indicates that our capacity to forecast earthquakes might be enhanced when seismic activity results from long‐term magmatic processes, such as degassing Plain Language Summary: Seismic events that take place in volcanic areas are influenced by multiple volcanic processes, so seismicity is difficult to forecast. Sometimes seismicity may follow a recurrent behavior in time and mechanism. Therefore, understanding the main processes active at volcanoes may help to understand the causes of seismicity and contribute to forecast. The volcanic island of Ischia (Italy) shows decades‐long subsidence of its surface up to 1.2 cm/yr and experienced several destructive earthquakes in the last centuries. We use a multidisciplinary approach of mechanical and thermal simulations to understand the active processes and, in turn, to give insights on the causes of such seismicity. We find that the intense degassing of a magmatic body at 2 km depth drives the island‐scale subsidence and causes the observed recurrent seismicity. Our simulations show that degassing will continue for hundreds/thousands years. These results highlight that if seismicity is caused by recognizable magmatic processes, such as degassing, the capacity to forecast earthquakes at volcanoes may be significantly enhanced. Key Points: About 30 years of leveling data show constant rate subsidence of the resurgent block at Ischia (Italy)Mechanical and thermo‐petrological simulations indicate magmatic degassing as main cause of the subsidence of the resurgent blockSeismicity marks an acceleration of decades‐long subsidence, driven by degassing that will continue for hundreds/thousands years [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Reliably generating rice varieties with low glycaemic index (GI) is an important nutritional intervention given the high rates of Type II diabetes incidences in Asia where rice is staple diet. We integrated a genome‐wide association study (GWAS) with a transcriptome‐wide association study (TWAS) to determine the genetic basis of the GI in rice. GWAS utilized 305 re‐sequenced diverse indica panel comprising ~2.4 million single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) enriched in genic regions. A novel association signal was detected at a synonymous SNP in exon 2 of LOC_Os05g03600 for intermediate‐to‐high GI phenotypic variation. Another major hotspot region was predicted for contributing intermediate‐to‐high GI variation, involves 26 genes on chromosome 6 (GI6.1). These set of genes included GBSSI, two hydrolase genes, genes involved in signalling and chromatin modification. The TWAS and methylome sequencing data revealed cis‐acting functionally relevant genetic variants with differential methylation patterns in the hot spot GI6.1 region, narrowing the target to 13 genes. Conversely, the promoter region of GBSSI and its alternative splicing allele (G allele of Wxa) explained the intermediate‐to‐high GI variation. A SNP (C˃T) at exon‐10 was also highlighted in the preceding analyses to influence final viscosity (FV), which is independent of amylose content/GI. The low GI line with GC haplotype confirmed soft texture, while other two low GI lines with GT haplotype were characterized as hard and cohesive. The low GI lines were further confirmed through clinical in vivo studies. Gene regulatory network analysis highlighted the role of the non‐starch polysaccharide pathway in lowering GI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Determination of the total phenolic content (TPC) in olive oils is of great interest, as phenolic compounds affect the health benefits, sensory attributes and oxidative stability of olive oils. The aim of this study was to explore the feasibility of direct front‐face fluorescence measurements coupled with chemometrics for developing multivatiate models for discrimination between virgin olive oils with low and high TPC and determination of TPC concentration. Results: Parallel factor analysis and principal component analysis of fluorescence excitation–emission matrices (EEMs) of virgin olive oils revealed different fluorescent properties for samples with low and high TPC. A perfect discrimination of oils with low and high TPC was achieved using partial least squares (PLS) discriminant analysis. The best regression model for the prediction of TPC was based on the PLS analysis of the unfolded entire EEMs (R2 = 0.951, RPD = 4.0). Conclusions: The results show the potential of fluorescence spectroscopy for direct screening of virgin olive oils for TPC. This may contribute to the development of fast screening methods for TPC assessment, providing an alternative to conventional assays. The procedure is environmentally friendly and fulfils the requirements for green analytical chemistry. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Several workers have studied the effect of harvest time on chemical and nutritional composition of almonds, but the results are partly conflicting, probably due to differences in the cultivars considered and to different agronomic and climatic conditions in the growing areas. In this paper, the influence of harvest time and cultivar on the chemical and nutritional composition of almonds (Prunus dulcis (Mill). D.A. Webb) were evaluated. Ten cultivars were considered, grown in the same orchard and subjected to the same agronomical regime. Almonds were collected at two different harvest times: (i) when the fruits were unripe, but already edible, and showed green and moist hull; and (ii) when the fruits were ripe, with dry brown hull. The analyses of proximate composition, fatty acid profile, total phenolic compounds, and antioxidant activity were carried out. RESULTS: Lipid content increased (P < 0.001) during ripening, while both protein and carbohydrate content decreased (P < 0.01). Fatty acid composition showed a not univocal behavior during ripening and was highly influenced by cultivar. Total phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity varied among cultivars but increased during ripening with the exception of cv Marcona. The 'Genco' and 'Francolì' cultivars were found to be phenolic rich. CONCLUSION: Harvest time and cultivar significantly influenced the chemical and nutritional composition of almonds. Genotype strongly influenced fatty acid composition and total phenolic compounds. The changes of bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity suggest that the synthesis of antioxidants also occurs in the last stage of ripening. Unripe almonds, a valuable niche product, showed interesting nutritional value. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Nowadays, olive oil extraction is basically achieved by means of two‐phase decanters, which allow a reduction of water consumption and the leaching of phenolic compounds. Despite this, most of the working settings derive from studies carried out on three‐phase decanters. Hence, the aim of the present study was to assess the influence of two‐phase decanter feed pipe position (FP) on the extraction efficiency and chemical‐sensory characteristics of virgin olive oil. Three different positions were considered: at 825 mm (FP1), 610 mm (FP2) and 520 mm (FP3) from the outlet of the oily phase. RESULTS: Position FP3 allowed the highest oil recovery (up to 10%), the lowest percentage of oil in the olive pomace and, in general, a regular trend in terms of oil extraction efficiency. However, the oily must that came out of the decanter was not completely clean in terms of residual content of solid sediment and water. The feeding position partially affected the profile of antioxidant compounds. CONCLUSION: In two‐phase decanters, loading the olive paste close to the outlet of the oily phase is recommended to increase the extraction efficiency without jeopardizing the chemical‐sensory characteristics of virgin olive oil. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lipid oxidation remains a major challenge for the food industry and for researchers. Current methods and knowledge often fail to adequately represent what is consistently observed in real systems. Practical experience strongly suggests the need for new paradigms to fully comprehend lipid oxidation. This viewpoint article aims to mention some critical aspects of current approaches in evaluating lipid oxidation in food systems, and to search for new epistemological and therefore experimental approaches by adopting an interdisciplinary perspective. Herein, suggestions are formulated for a holistic perspective by combining elements ranging from philology to community ecology and systems biology. Lipids undergoing oxidation are compared to ecological communities and living systems, to be considered as a whole, whose patterns change with space and time. As omics is an inductive, hypothesis‐generating, circular approach, involving multiparametric analysis, data integration/fusion, and multivariate statistical analysis (both supervised and unsupervised), it could thus provide a useful contribution to better understanding of oxidation and antioxidation processes, enabling laboratory results to be matched with what is observed in real complex foods. Practical applications: There is still a large gap between the wealth of natural compounds with antioxidant activity and the availability of natural products able to prevent rancidity in food products. Moreover, healthy, highly unsaturated fatty acids still require appropriate methods to monitor oxidative spoilage. Dispersed systems and multidomain foods pose new daily challenges regarding oxidation assessment and control. These are critical issues in the food industry, indicating the need to identify a new approach to lipid oxidation in food systems, and this viewpoint article is a contribution to the ongoing debate. A new epistemological paradigm for lipid oxidation in food systems. It consists of the reiteration of hypothesis‐generating studies (oxidomics), requiring multiparametric, comprehensive profiling of the oxidation patterns (oxidome) and their changes. The outcome is a progressive improvement in the knowledge of complex systems and the selection of appropriate predisposition, prognostic and diagnostic marker patterns for the oxidation process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monitoring or preventing oxidation processes in foods, particularly heterogeneous systems or highly oxidizable lipids, has become a primary issue. Traditional approaches often fail in pursuing this aim. At the same time, the prediction in laboratory of the efficacy of antioxidant molecules and technologies often fails when challenging reality. A change in the traditional paradigm used to conceive oxidation processes and their monitoring could be a key. In the present work, an “omics” approach is suggested for the evaluation of oxidation in food lipids and of the role played by minor compounds. This holistic and comprehensive, hypothesis‐generating approach is applied to a typical research case: highly‐purified olive oil added with increasing amounts of purified free fatty acids (FFA). A comprehensive profile (“oxidome”) of oxidation products is outlined during the accelerated oxidation. The pathways considered are FFA and triacyglycerol oxidation, triacyglycerol polymerization, volatile compounds formation as well as their further oxidation. FFA affectes the overall balance of the oxidation pathways and consequently causes a drift in the evolution of the pattern of oxidation products. The balance between accelerating activity of FFA toward triacylglycerol oxidation and their high susceptibility to undergo oxidation turnes out to be dose‐dependent and time‐related, and shiftes the resulting oxidation profile of the oil. The omics approach to oxidation products profiling provides new insight into oxidation processes. “Oxidomics” could be helpful to deepen the insight into unresolved issues of oxidation, going beyond the usual single‐ or few‐marker approach. Practical Applications: This research suggests a new paradigm for approaching food lipid oxidation. Unresolved practical issues regarding food spoilage and shelf‐life, waste reduction, keeping of healthy properties are increasing along the increasing formulation of complex and dispersed systems, use of healthy highly unsaturated fatty acids and bioactive antioxidants, attention paid by consumers and industries to nutritional, sensory, health properties of foods. The new paradigm suggests going beyond the usually adopted single‐ or few‐marker approach and to consider the pattern of oxidation reactions and products as a whole, in order to better describe and predict its changes and the effects of external factors as well as added molecules. “Oxidomics” is a new paradigm for lipid oxidation, with a holistic approach to the system and evaluating a pattern of oxidation products and its changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND Few studies have investigated the effects of frozen storage on processed vegetables. The present study evaluates its effects on the quality characteristics of non-thermally stabilized tomato-based pâtés compared to thermally stabilized pâtés stored at room temperature. Two different types of tomato-based pâtés were analyzed in terms of bio-active compounds, as well as colorimetric parameters and oxidative degradation just after processing and also after 4, 8 and 12 months of storage. RESULTS Thermal treatment mainly affected the colorimetric parameters and oxidative degradation, whereas its effects on bio-active compounds became more visible and significant during storage. Freezing allowed in both pâtés to maintain significantly higher a* values than storage at room temperature, whereas brightness, which is linked to residual activities of different enzymes, varied during storage according to the ingredient formulation. During storage, oxidative degradation of the lipid fraction was more marked in the pâté containing a lower quality oil, and less marked when the absence of thermal treatment was combined with frozen storage. CONCLUSION Freezing could represent a viable alternative way to preserve high-quality products over time. An optimal combination of blanching, freezing rate, storage and thawing conditions will provide the best results in terms of the quality/price ratio. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The capability of different spectroscopic techniques in estimation of adulteration of extra virgin olive oil with mild deodorized and refined olive oils was investigated. The visible absorption and ultraviolet-visible fluorescence spectra were distinctly different for oils of different quality grades. Differences in the near- and mid-IR absorption spectra were less pronounced and could only be revealed by principal component analysis. The calibration models for estimation of adulterant oil in the blends obtained using partial least squares (PLS) and principal component regression (PCR) showed similar performance using all of the examined spectroscopic techniques. The simultaneous analysis of combined spectra using concatenated matrix did not improve the calibration results. The prediction parameters for the set of 20 samples were: R2>0.96, the relative error of prediction (REP) was in the range 5.6-12.0%. The RPD (ratio of the SD of reference values to RMSEP) were in the range of 5.1-10.9, indicating that all models were at least suitable for quality control. MIR, NIR, VIS absorption and fluorescence spectra of extra virgin, mild deodorized and refined olive oils were characterized. Multivariate regression analysis of spectra using PCR and PLS methods enabled quantification of adulterant concentration in the blends of extra virgin olive oil with mild deodorized and refined olive oils. The calibration models showed similar performance using all of the examined spectroscopic techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Detailed neurosonography with transabdominal and transvaginal approach was performed at 29-34 weeks including the measurement of cerebellar vermis, corpus callosum, insula, Sylvian fissure and parieto-occipital, cingulate and calcarine sulci. Offspring exposed to maternal gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) are at increased risk of neurocognitive impairment, However, it is unknown whether prenatal brain differences could be already observed in fetuses of GDM. Results Fetuses of GDM mothers showed significant differences in cortical development with reduced Sylvian fissure/HC*100 (3.8 versus 4.5, p < 0.001) and larger insula width/HC*100 (9.3 versus 8,6 p < 0.001) compared to controls. [Extracted from the article]

OP04.05: Does umbilical vein blood flow affect cortical development in late fetal growth-restricted fetuses? Results FGR fetuses showed significant differences in brain development with a smaller CC/HC*100 (12,2 versus13.9 p < 0.001) reduced Sylvian fissure/HC*100 (4.2 versus 4.6, p < 0.01) and larger insula width/HC*100 (9.1 versus 8.7 p < 0.05) compared to controls. Conclusions Fetuses with late FGR had an abnormal brain development and the difference was more marked in the FGR subgroup with expected poorer brain oxygenation. [Extracted from the article]

An experimental investigation was carried out in order to get more information about the influence of decanter processing parameters on the quality of the extracted extra virgin olive oil. In particular, both two- and three-phases decanter, set up at two different differential speeds between drum and cochlea (Dn16 and Dn11), were considered. The determinations of the free fatty acids, peroxide value, spectrophotometric constants, phenols, tocopherols, carotenoids, chlorophylls, and antioxidant activity were carried out on samples, as well as sensory and volatile compounds analyses. The obtained results showed that increasing the Dn, the oils obtained were more pungent and richer in aldehydes and antioxidant compounds; whereas the oils extracted at lower drum speeds were more bitter and showed higher peroxide and K270 values, as well as higher amounts of volatile compounds related to aldehydes oxidation. Moreover, the addition of water, made when working at three-phases, decreased significantly the level of phenolic compounds, but allowed to retain more tocopherols and carotenoids. On the other hand, the extraction with the three-phase decanter determined a more perceivable fruity note and higher levels of trans-2-hexenal, but only in the oils obtained at higher speeds. The oils obtained with the two-phase decanter were more pungent and richer of volatiles related to this sensory note. Practical application: The results of this paper help to understand the influence of decanter processing parameters (differential speeds between drum and cochlea, working at two and three-phases) on the quality of the extracted oil. Technical innovation in decanters would enable real-time adjustments of working parameters in function of the different raw material characteristics. Extra virgin olive oil extraction carried out by two-phase and three-phase decanter, both working at two differential speeds between drum and cochlea. Effects on the chemical properties of the obtained oils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The lipid fraction of bakery products undergoes a significant degradation during baking, with an increase in undesirable oxidised substances, that can act as catalysts for further oxidative reactions during storage reducing the product shelf life. The use of extra virgin olive oil in bakery products rich in fat in place of refined oils was studied, assessing the evolution of the oxidative and hydrolytic degradation during storage. Two-way analysis of variance, followed by Tukey's HSD test for multiple comparisons, covariance and principal component analyses were carried out to compare the effect of the type of oils. The data obtained showed that the evolution of the oxidation levels in the analysed samples during storage was related to the type of oil used in the production process. Particularly, the use of extra virgin olive oil led to significantly lower values of hydroperoxides, ultraviolet absorption constants, triacylglycerol oligopolymers and oxidised triacylglycerols. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extramedullary plasmacytoma is the uncommon phenomenon of a plasma cell neoplasm occurring outside of the bone marrow. Primary plasmacytoma is a rare occurrence in the gastrointestinal tract and exceptional to originate in the esophagus.We present a novel case of a 62-year-old man who presented to our emergency department with chest pain. A cardiovascular workup was negative, and an endoscopy was subsequently performed. The endoscopy findings showed evidence of Grade IV esophagitis with ulcerations extending from 25 cm to 32 cm. Histopathological examination revealed marked acute and chronic inflammation, granulation tissue, and overlying necroinflammatory exudate. However, sheets of plasma cells, some with prominent nucleoli, were also seen. Immunohistochemically, the plasma cells expressed CD138 and MUM1 and were IgG kappa restricted. A bone marrow biopsy was performed which was negative for involvement. This is a novel case of esophageal plasmacytoma diagnosed on endoscopy in a patient presenting with acute chest pain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have previously demonstrated how to transform the conventional method of hybridoma production and screening into a fast, high-throughput technology. Nevertheless, there were still open questions related to automated procedures and immunization protocols that we address now by comparing the hybridoma production work-flow in automated and manually executed processes. In addition, since the animals' antibody responses to single or multiple antigen challenge affect monoclonal antibody throughput, different immunization and fusion strategies were tested. Specifically, the results obtained with multiplexing (multiple target antigens injected into a single animal) and single antigen immunization followed by splenocyte pooling immediately before fusion were compared with conventional methods. The results presented here demonstrate that the optimal protocol consists of automated somatic-cell fusion and hybridoma dilution followed by manual plating of hybridoma cells. Additionally, more specific and productive hybridoma clones were obtained with multiplexed immunization in a single animal with respect to the splenocyte pooling from single antigen immunized animals. However, in terms of overall antibody yield, the conventional method consisting of single immunization for each single animal assured ten times more specific hybridoma cell lines than the strategy based on the multiple antigen immunization followed by separate fusion step. In conclusion, the most productive approach for recovering a large number of suitable antibodies relies on single antigen immunization followed by automated fusion and dilution steps and manual plating. © 2011 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 2011 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We propose a simple and flexible framework for the crossing hazards problem. The method is not confined to two-sample problems, but may also work with continuous exposure variables whose effect changes its sign at some time-point of the observed follow-up time. Penalized partial likelihood estimation relies upon the assumption of a smooth hazard ratio via low-rank basis splines with a conventional difference penalty to ensure smoothness, and additional ad hoc penalties to obtain restricted estimates useful in the context of crossing hazards. The framework naturally also leads to a statistical test that has good power for revealing a global effect under several alternatives, including crossing hazards. We provide the results from a real-data analysis and from some simulations to illustrate empirically the performance of the proposed approach as compared with the possible alternatives. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Therapeutic vaccination against idiotype is a promising strategy for immunotherapy of B-cell malignancies. We have previously shown that CDR3-based DNA immunization can induce immune response against lymphoma and explored this strategy to provide protection in a murine B-cell lymphoma model. Here we performed vaccination employing as immunogen a naked DNA fusion product. The DNA vaccine was generated following fusion of a sequence derived from tetanus toxin fragment C to the VHCDR3109-116 epitope. Induction of tumor-specific immunity as well as ability to inhibit growth of the aggressive 38C13 lymphoma and to prolong survival of vaccinated mice has been tested. We determined that DNA fusion vaccine induced immune response, elicited a strong protective antitumor immunity, and ensured almost complete long-term tumor-free survival of vaccinated mice. Our results show that CDR3-based DNA fusion vaccines hold promise for vaccination against lymphoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aromatic rice is highly prized by most rice consumers, and many countries cultivate traditional and improved aromatic varieties. 2-Acetyl-1-pyrroline (2AP) is the major aromatic compound in rice, and is believed to accumulate because of an eight-base-pair (8-bp) deletion in an allele at the fragrance locus. In this study, 2AP was quantified and the presence or absence of the fragrance allele ( fgr) was determined in 464 samples of traditional varieties of rice from the T.T. Chang Genetic Resources Centre at the International Rice Research Institute. It was shown that a number of aromatic varieties, primarily from South and South-East Asia, do not carry the 8-bp deletion, but 2AP was identified in both raw and cooked rice of these varieties. We suggest that the 8-bp deletion in fgr is not the only cause of aroma, and at least one other mutation drives the accumulation of 2AP. The amount of 2AP in most uniform fgr genotypes was not significantly different from that in aromatic n fgr genotypes, but several fgr genotypes, primarily from South Asia, reproducibly accumulated exceptionally large amounts of 2AP. We suggest that the mutation leading to 2AP in aromatic n fgr varieties possibly originated several times and, through either domestication or evolution, the fgr gene and other alleles leading to 2AP have combined in South Asia, leading to several highly aromatic traditional varieties. The identification of multiple mutations for 2AP will enable rice breeding programmes to select actively for multiple genetic sources of 2AP, leading to the development of highly aromatic and, consequently, high-quality varieties of rice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper introduces Bivariate Distributed Lags Models (BDLMs) to investigate synergic effect of temperature and airborne particles on mortality. These models seem particulary attractive since they allow to model interactions between such environmental variables accounting for possible delayed effects. A B-spline framework is used to approximate the coefficient surface of the temperature-by-pollutant interaction and possible alternatives are also discussed. A case study of mortality time-series data in Palermo, Italy, is presented to illustrate the model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights a roundtable convened to discuss angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors as it relates to both blood pressure control and issues of end-organ protection. Difference of ACE inhibitors over other hypotensive drugs; Approaches in using ACE inhibitor in hypertensive and proteinuric patients with chronic kidney disease; Importance of ACE inhibition in nonproteinuric patient.

PROBLEM: Nitric oxide (NO), an important mediator of the inflammatory response, is involved in several reproductive processes including pregnancy and labor. Uterus, placenta and fetal membranes are significant sources of NO. Presently, there is no information on factors regulating NO production by fetal membranes. METHOD OF STUDY: Human fetal membranes at term gestation were cultured for 24 hr in the presence of oxytocin. The concentrations of NO metabolites nitrites in culture medium were determined by the Griess reaction. The presence of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) was determined by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and Western blot. RESULTS: Oxytocin increased nitrite release by fetal membranes. Messenger ribonucleic acid iNOS expression was also enhanced by oxytocin. These effects were more marked in tissues obtained after labor than before labor. CONCLUSIONS: Oxytocin exerts an overall stimulatory effect on NO release by fetal membranes. This action might be of relevance in the biomolecular processes leading to parturition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Host–parasite relationships in root-knot disease of spinach caused by Meloidogyne incognita race 1 were studied under glasshouse conditions. Nematode-induced mature galls were large and usually contained one or more females and egg masses with eggs. Feeding sites were characterized by the development of giant cells containing granular cytoplasm and many hypertrophied nuclei. The cytoplasm in these giant cells was aggregated alongside the thickened cell walls. Stelar tissues within galls appeared disorganized. The relationship between initial nematode population density ( Pi) in a series from 0–128 eggs and second-stage juveniles per cm3 soil and growth of spinach cv. Symphony F1 seedlings was tested under glasshouse conditions. A Seinhorst model [ y = m + (1 −  m) z P–T] was fitted to fresh top- and total plant-weight data for inoculated and control plants. Tolerance limits ( T) of spinach cv. Symphony F1 to M. incognita race 1 for fresh top and total plant weights were 0·25 and 0·5 eggs and second-stage juveniles per cm3 soil, respectively. The minimum relative values for fresh top and total plant weights were zero in both cases at Pi ≥ 32 eggs and second-stage juveniles per cm3 soil. Root galling was least at low initial population densities and greatest at 16 eggs and second-stage juveniles per cm3 soil. Maximum nematode reproduction rate was 33·1-fold at the lowest Pi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper deals with fitting piecewise terms in regression models where one or more break-points are true parameters of the model. For estimation, a simple linearization technique is called for, taking advantage of the linear formulation of the problem. As a result, the method is suitable for any regression model with linear predictor and so current software can be used; threshold modelling as function of explanatory variables is also allowed. Differences between the other procedures available are shown and relative merits discussed. Simulations and two examples are presented to illustrate the method. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We discuss some issues relevant to paper of Clegg and co-authors published in Statistics in Medicine; 28, 3670-3682. Emphasis is on computation of the variance of the sum of products of two estimates, slopes and breakpoints. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor is presented regarding a clinical case of prostate hair granuloma observed during a retrospective study of prostatic carcinoma.

Atenolol is a relatively selective beta1-adrenoceptor blocking agent devoid of partial agonist or membrane stabilizing properties.1,2 The drug is not significantly bound to plasma proteins and it is excreted in the urine unchanged.3,4 The elimination half-life in subjects with normal renal function is six to seven hours.3,5 However, since the elimination of the drug is closely related to glomerular filtration rate (GFR), its half-life is prolonged in subjects with impaired renal function proportionately to the decrease in GFR.6 In dialysis patients, there is very little elimination of the drug during the interdialytic period. The apparent plasma half-life of atenolol in these patients ranges between 42 and 73 hours.7-10 However, during a standard hemodialysis procedure of four hours, plasma concentration decreases by approximately 50%.10 No data are available on the effects of peritoneal dialysis on the elimination half-life of this drug. The purpose of this study was to determine the plasma half-life of this drug in patients treated with chronic peritoneal dialysis or chronic hemodialysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reports on the registration of the ILC 10765 and ILC 10766 chickpea germplasm lines resistant to cyst nematode, with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Origins of the germplasm; Description and appearance.

Atopic dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory disease that mainly affects children, causing a strong impact on the quality of life. The most affected subjects live in urban areas or in developed countries, with prevalence increased up to 15%-20% in children and from 1% to 3% in adults during the past 30 years. Most adults had the first signs of illness before the age of 5, many of them before the age of 1. Many therapies in use are associated with side effects and often induce intolerance; therefore, many studies are based on the search for topical products that have an effective benefit, are well tolerated and appreciated by patients. Natural products are expected to have promising prospects in the management of atopy. Cardiospermum halicacabum is a member of the Sapindaceae family that seems to express its cortisone-like anti-inflammatory activity by activating phospholipase A2 while maintaining the stability of cell membranes, an effect due to the presence of phytosterols, having an affinity for lipids in the epidermis and cell membranes. We report our experience during a 15 days observational clinical study aimed to demonstrate efficacy and safety of the treatment with HALICAR: a cream containing C. halicacabum. Clinical data indicates that the treatment with HALICAR leads to positive effects in subjects with dermatitis of various degrees, regardless of which concomitant treatment is considered., (© 2020 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)