Bisphenol A (BPA) is an environmental compounds is known to possess endocrine disruption potentia... more Bisphenol A (BPA) is an environmental compounds is known to possess endocrine disruption potentials. Bisphenol A has epigenetic effects as deregulated expression of microRNAs; such epigenetic marks can induce up/down alterations in gene expression that may persist throughout a lifetime. Bisphenol A (BPA) exposure has been documented in pregnant women, but consequences for development of offspring after BPA exposure during pregnancy are not yet widely studied. Therefore, the aim of this study was to gain a comprehensive understanding of microRNAs changes in the placenta transcriptome from pregnant women subjected to therapeutic abortion for fetal malformation and correlate the impact of gestational exposure to BPA on these developmental changes. We performed a comparative analysis of genome wide miRNA expression in placentas from pregnant women exposed to BPA using microarray technology to identify miRNAs which were aberrantly expressed in placentas from malformed fetuses. The expres...
Infants born below 2500 g are classified as low birth weight. Excess in utero exposure to cortiso... more Infants born below 2500 g are classified as low birth weight. Excess in utero exposure to cortisol has been linked to restricted fetal growth. Placental production of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 (11β-HSD2) inactivates cortisol before passage into the fetus. The present study tested the hypothesis that placental 11β-HSD2 expression is positively correlated with an individualized birth weight centile and raw birth weight, and examines the relationship between metal concentrations in placental tissue and 11β-HSD2 expression. Placentae from 191 births were collected and samples preserved to maintain mRNA profile. Placental 11β-HSD2 expression was measured via qRT-PCR. Addition samples were collected from placental tissues and uniformly dried in order to quantify 18 metals via ICP-MS (n = 160). A significant, positive correlation between 11β-HSD2 expression and individualized birth weight centile (p = 0.0321) and birth weight (p = 0.0243) was found. Additionally, maternal age and gestational age were positivity correlated with each other (p = 0.0321). Birth weight was significantly different with race, marital status, education and maternal tobacco use. Four metals (Co, Mn, Ni, Zn) demonstrated significant positive correlations (p < 0.05) with 11β-HSD2 expression. Sex specific differences were found; Co, Cu, Fe, Zn, and Ni were positively correlated with 11β-HSD2 expression in males only, no significant correlations were found in the female only sample. These data indicate that the growth potential of a fetus is related to the 11β-HSD2 expression in the placenta, and that 11β-HSD2 expression is related to the trace metals status of the mother.
Applied microbiology and biotechnology, Jan 18, 2015
Bisphenol A (BPA) plays a substantial role in industry, as it is used for polycarbonate (PC) plas... more Bisphenol A (BPA) plays a substantial role in industry, as it is used for polycarbonate (PC) plastics and epoxy resins which are required for various plastic consumer products. However, BPA is known to be an endocrine disruptor, and its influence on humans, animals, and various cell lines was addressed in diverse studies. As the burden of BPA can be increased by using disposable plastic articles and single-use technologies for cultivation, it is essential to examine the consequences of BPA presence on mammalian cells, as they are a contributing factor in the production of complex pharmaceutical therapeutics. We selected three industrially relevant cell lines and analyzed systemic effects of BPA by comparing cell culture performance in BPA-free poly-ethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG) and in PC shaking flasks. We focused on the influence of BPA on cellular growth, viability, and several metabolic parameters. In addition, we determined the product concentration and aggregation behavi...
Bisphenol A (BPA) is an environmental compounds is known to possess endocrine disruption potentia... more Bisphenol A (BPA) is an environmental compounds is known to possess endocrine disruption potentials. Bisphenol A has epigenetic effects as deregulated expression of microRNAs; such epigenetic marks can induce up/down alterations in gene expression that may persist throughout a lifetime. Bisphenol A (BPA) exposure has been documented in pregnant women, but consequences for development of offspring after BPA exposure during pregnancy are not yet widely studied. Therefore, the aim of this study was to gain a comprehensive understanding of microRNAs changes in the placenta transcriptome from pregnant women subjected to therapeutic abortion for fetal malformation and correlate the impact of gestational exposure to BPA on these developmental changes. We performed a comparative analysis of genome wide miRNA expression in placentas from pregnant women exposed to BPA using microarray technology to identify miRNAs which were aberrantly expressed in placentas from malformed fetuses. The expression changes of differential expressed miRNAs in the samples used for microarray were confirmed by qPCR . Beside, we applied various bioinformatics tools to predict the target genes of the identified miR-146a and explore their biological function and downstream pathways. We found that miR-146a was significant overexpressed and correlated significantly with BPA accumulation in the placenta from pregnant women living in a polluted area and undergoing therapeutic abortion due to fetal malformations. Beside, we applied various bioinformatics tools to predict the target genes of miR-146a and explore their biological function and downstream pathways. For the first time, we found, in humans, that miR-146a was significant over-expressed and correlated significantly with BPA accumulation in the placenta. Our results lead to the suggestion that miRNAs could be potential biomarkers to clarify the mechanisms of environmental diseases.
The term saponin comes from the Latin word sapo, meaning " soap " , reflecting a readin... more The term saponin comes from the Latin word sapo, meaning " soap " , reflecting a readiness to form stable soap-like foams in aqueous solutions. The biological role of saponins is not completely understood, but they are generally considered to be part of a plant's defence system against pathogens and herbivores, particularly because of their bitter flavour. Saponins comprise aglycones and sugar, each representing about 50% of the total weight of the molecule. In quinoa, saponins are a complex mixture of triter-pene glycosides that derive from seven aglycones: oleanolic acid, hederagenin, phytolaccagenic acid, serjanic acid, 3β-hydroxy-23-oxo-olean-12-en-28-oic acid, 3β-hydroxy-27-oxo-olean-12-en-28-oic acid and 3β,23α,30β-trihydroxy-olean-12-en-28-oic acid, while the most common sugars are arabinose, glucose and galactose. Saponins are traditionally considered very antinutritional because of their haemolytic activity, and there is therefore a long-standing controversy a...
Small non-coding RNAs (sncRNAs) represent a heterogeneous group of <200nt-long transcripts com... more Small non-coding RNAs (sncRNAs) represent a heterogeneous group of <200nt-long transcripts comprising microRNAs, PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) and small-nucleolar-RNAs (snoRNAs) involved in physiological and pathological processes such as carcinogenesis and tumor progression. Aberrant sncRNA expression in cancer has been associated with specific clinical phenotypes, grading, staging, metastases development and resistance to therapy.Aim of the present work is to study the role of sncRNAs in endometrial carcinogenesis. Changes in sncRNA expression were identified by high-throughput genomic analysis of paired normal, hyperplastic and cancerous endometrial tissues obtained by endometrial biopsies (n = 10). Using smallRNA sequencing and microarrays we identified significant differences in sncRNA expression pattern between normal, hyperplastic and neoplastic endometrium. This led to the definition of a sncRNA signature (129 microRNAs, 2 of which not previously described, 10 piRNAs and...
Bisphenol A (BPA) is a weakly estrogenic compound that has been detected in a wide variety of foo... more Bisphenol A (BPA) is a weakly estrogenic compound that has been detected in a wide variety of food products and biological matrices (saliva, blood, urine, etc). Despite the potential risk of human exposure to BPA, little information exists concerning maternal and fetal exposure to BPA during pregnancy. The aim of this study is to evaluate the correlation between placental BPA concentration, infant birth weight and calculated birth weight centile, and several other maternal and infant parameters. Placental sample were collected from 200 subjects. BPA levels were measured by isotope dilution GC-MS. Additional maternal and infant data were gathered from medical charts and were potential correlates with placental BPA levels. Placental BPA concentrations ranged from 4.4 ng/g to 273.9 ng/g in oven-dried tissue (average 103.4 ± 61.8 ng/g). There was a significant negative correlation between calculated birth weight centile and levels of placental BPA (p < 0.05). Low birth weight and sma...
El término saponina se deriva de la palabra Latina sapo, que significa “jabón”, lo que refleja su... more El término saponina se deriva de la palabra Latina sapo, que significa “jabón”, lo que refleja su disposición para formar espumas estables parecidas al jabón en soluciones acuosas. El rol biológico de las saponinas no es comprendido completamente, pero generalmente son consideradas como parte del sistema de defensa de las plantas contra patógenos y herbívoros, especialmente debido a su sabor amargo. Las saponinas consisten de aglicona y azúcar, cada uno representando aproximadamente el 50% del peso total de la molécula. En la quinua, las saponinas son una mezcla compleja de glucósidos triterpénicos que se derivan de siete agliconas: ácido oleanólico, hederagenina, ácido fitolacagénico, ácido serjánico, ácido 3β-Hidroxi-23-oxo-olean-12-en-28-oico, ácido 3β-Hidroxi-27-oxo-olean-12-en-28-oico, y ácido 3β,23α,30β-Trihidroxi-olean-12-en-28-oico, mientras que los azúcares mejor representados pueden ser la arabinosa, glucosa, y galactosa. Las saponinas han sido consideradas un grave factor...
Mutation Research/Fundamental and Molecular Mechanisms of Mutagenesis, 2015
Over 50% of the causes of fetal malformations in humans are still unknown. Recent evidence sugges... more Over 50% of the causes of fetal malformations in humans are still unknown. Recent evidence suggests the relationship between environmental exposure to endocrine disruptors and fetal malformations. Our study aims to establish the role of Bisphenol A (BPA), if any, in altering human reproduction. We enrolled 151 pregnant women who were divided into two groups: case group (CS, n=101), women with established diagnosis of developmental defect, and control group (CL, n=50), pregnant women with normally developed fetus. Total, free and conjugated BPA were measured in their blood using GC-MS with isotopic dilution. The results show a correlation between environmental exposure to BPA and the genesis of fetal malformations. Conjugated BPA, which was higher in the CL, casts light on the hypothesis that a reduced ability to metabolize the chemical in the mother can concur to the occurrence of malformation. In a more detailed manner, in case of chromosomal malformations, the average value of free BPA appears to be nearly three times greater than that of the controls. Similarly, in case of central and peripheral nervous system non-chromosomal malformations, the value of free BPA is nearly two times greater than that of the controls.
ABSTRACT Mineral nutrients play a fundamental role in the biochemical and physiological functions... more ABSTRACT Mineral nutrients play a fundamental role in the biochemical and physiological functions of biological systems. Cereals may especially be an important source of essential minerals in view of their large daily intake both for human health and nutrition. Sorghum, among the cereals, is a major crop being used for food, feed and industrial purposes worldwide. The objective of this study was to determine the mineral contents in grains of seven white food-grade sorghum hybrids, bred and adapted for growth in the central USA and grown in a Mediterranean area of Southern Italy. The seven hybrids were analyzed for grain ash and for minerals contents. Nutritionally, essential macro-, micro-and trace elements content were investigated. The analysis of essential elements was performed by mass spectrometry using a mix solution of internal isotopes standard. The results demonstrated that food-grade sorghum was characterized by high Mg, Fe and Zn content, high K:Na ratio and low Ca:P ratio, compared to other crops, due to the fact that the grain mineral contents of crop species are influenced by the effects of genotypes and environments. Significant variations in the essential elements content were found among the hybrids which allowed us to divide them into three distinct groups on the basis of their mineral profile by cluster analysis. These results are discussed with reference to the importance of minerals in human nutrition and suggest that, like wheat, it is possible to plan research programs for the improvement and selection of sorghum hybrids with high micronutrients content.
The aim of this study is to evaluate and compare sexual satisfaction with the use of three types ... more The aim of this study is to evaluate and compare sexual satisfaction with the use of three types of hormonal contraceptives. We have evaluated the sexological profile of 23 patients, treated with a subdermal hormonal contraceptive containing 68 mg etonogestrel. We have compared this profile to that of other two groups of previously studied patients: one consisting of 26 women treated with a vaginal ring releasing 120 µg/day of etonogestrel and 15 µg/day of ethinylestradiol (EE) and one consisting of 25 women treated with an oral contraceptive containing 20 µg of EE and 150 µg of desogestrel. A further group of 25 women, not in treatment with any type of hormonal contraceptive, has been studied as control group. The Interviewer Rating of Sexual Function (IRSF) has been completed by the patients at the beginning of the study and after cycles of 3 and 6 months of contraceptive usage. All three types of hormonal contraceptives have increased positive indicators of patients' sexual l...
CAPÍTULO: 6.14. TÍTULO: Quinoa Experimentation and Production in Turkey *Corresponding author: At... more CAPÍTULO: 6.14. TÍTULO: Quinoa Experimentation and Production in Turkey *Corresponding author: Attila YAZAR yazarat@cu.edu.tr ATTILA YAZAR1; ÇIĞDEM INCEKAYA1; METIN SEMIH SEZEN2; SERVET TEKIN3. 1Irrigation and Agricultural Structures Department, Çukurova University, Adana, Turkey 2Water Management Division, Soil and Water Resources Unit in Tarsus, Alata Horticultural Research Institute, Mersin, Turkey 3Biosystem Engineering Department, Sütçüimam University, Kahramanmaraş, Turkey The purpose of this chapter is to provide information on improving food crop production in the arid and semi-arid regions especially in the semi-arid Mediterranean region of Turkey, influenced by multiple abiotic stresses, by strengthening a diversified crop production and introducing new climateproof crops and cultivars with improved stress tolerance such as quinoa. These stresses are becoming even more pronounced under changing climate, predicted to result in drier conditions, increasing temperatures, and ...
Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, 2015
Overweight/obesity prevalence has increased dramatically worldwide. Recent evidence suggests slee... more Overweight/obesity prevalence has increased dramatically worldwide. Recent evidence suggests sleep deprivation/fragmentation, fructose-exceedingly rich diets, and exposure to endocrine disruptors (eg, bisphenol A, BPA) as emerging additional factors involved in pathomechanisms and in the treatment resistance of obesity and its complications. Our study focuses on these factors for further preventive/therapeutic approaches in paediatric obesity. Fifty-four Italian children (cases: n = 31 overweight/obese; controls: n = 23 normal weight) were clinically/anthropometrically characterised. Parents completed questionnaires on the relation between obesogenic factors and childhood obesity. BPA was measured by gas chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry on early morning urine samples. Correlations between the continuous variables were analysed using Spearman rank correlation. Sleep deprivation/fragmentation, nocturnal breathing problems, and daytime sleepiness increased with increasing body mass index, correlating with the presence of clinical markers of metabolic syndrome (eg, acanthosis nigricans). Frequency of sugar-enriched drink consumption and the amount of fructose per portion and/or per week increased, paralleling the ponderal excess and all the other anthropometric parameters. In the entire sample population, free and total BPA levels increased paralleling the body mass index increase (r &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt; 0.8), whereas the conjugate demonstrated the opposite trend. The re-use of disposable plastic showed a positive correlation with urinary BPA levels. Despite its exploratory nature, the results of our pilot study confirm the close relation between certain factors and paediatric obesity, underscoring their role as emerging targets for prevention and therapy.
The aim of this research was to explain the direct plant growth-promoting activity of Trichoderma... more The aim of this research was to explain the direct plant growth-promoting activity of Trichoderma harzianum strain T-22 (T22), hypothesizing the involvement of different classes of plant growth regulators. Seven days after the transfer to root-inducing medium, in vitro-cultured shoots of GiSeLa6 Ò (Prunus cerasus 9 P. canescens) were inoculated with T22. Root and shoot growth were significantly affected by T22 (?76 and ?61%, respectively). Ten days after inoculation, the levels of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), trans-zeatin riboside (t-ZR), dihydrozeatin riboside (DHZR), gibberellic acid (GA3) and abscisic acid (ABA) were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. The results showed that after T22-inoculation, IAA and GA3 significantly increased in both leaves (?49 and ?71%, respectively) and roots (?40 and ?143%, respectively) whereas t-ZR decreased (-51% in leaves and -37% in roots). Changes in DHZR were observed in T22inoculated roots (-32%) but not in leaves, whereas the levels of ABA did not differ between the two treatments. The extraction method allowed the simultaneous extraction of phytohormones. There is evidence that the change in phytohormone levels is one of the direct mechanism by which T22 promotes rooting and shoot growth, with notable advantages for rootstock production during nursery processes.
The polyphenolic composition, antioxidant properties and multielement profile of selected red win... more The polyphenolic composition, antioxidant properties and multielement profile of selected red wines from Morocco were evaluated. The polyphenolic contents resulted higher than those reported elsewhere for the same variety of wines; the highest quantity was found in Cabernet Sauvignon, followed by Merlot, and last by Syrah wine. All of the wines tested showed very similar anthocyanin and flavonol patterns: individual compound contents resulted generally higher in comparison to conventional wines. The content of trans-resveratrol was significantly higher than that of cis-resveratrol in all of the wine samples. Particularly, Merlot showed the highest concentration of trans-resveratrol while Syrah exhibited the highest levels of cis-resveratrol. Reducing capacity resulted higher than antiradical property for all of the wines. The metal concentrations were below the official limits. The elemental pattern of wines were very similar, excepted V, Mn, Fe, Cu, As and Mo, for which Syrah markedly differed from the other wine samples.
Abstracts / Digestive and Liver Disease 47S (2015) e237-e276 e253 retardation bilateral cataract ... more Abstracts / Digestive and Liver Disease 47S (2015) e237-e276 e253 retardation bilateral cataract with visual impairment and hypertension). In one of them, three doses of Rtx (375 mg/m 2 ) allowed to suspend immunosuppressive drugs and reduce PDN, maintaining remission for 25 months. PDN associated with Rapamycin was restarted, for a relapse with only a partial remission. Two additional doses of Rtx again induced and maintained remission, which still persists on PDN 0.12 mg/kg/day and azathioprine 2.38 mg/kg/day. Treatment with seven doses of Rtx induced remission in the other patient, with PDN sparring up to 0.26 mg/kg/48 h associated with 1.31 mg/kg/day of azathioprine. Treatment with Rtx was well tolerated, with, as only side effect a persistent and asymptomatic hypogammaglobulinaemia.
Bisphenol A (BPA) is an environmental compounds is known to possess endocrine disruption potentia... more Bisphenol A (BPA) is an environmental compounds is known to possess endocrine disruption potentials. Bisphenol A has epigenetic effects as deregulated expression of microRNAs; such epigenetic marks can induce up/down alterations in gene expression that may persist throughout a lifetime. Bisphenol A (BPA) exposure has been documented in pregnant women, but consequences for development of offspring after BPA exposure during pregnancy are not yet widely studied. Therefore, the aim of this study was to gain a comprehensive understanding of microRNAs changes in the placenta transcriptome from pregnant women subjected to therapeutic abortion for fetal malformation and correlate the impact of gestational exposure to BPA on these developmental changes. We performed a comparative analysis of genome wide miRNA expression in placentas from pregnant women exposed to BPA using microarray technology to identify miRNAs which were aberrantly expressed in placentas from malformed fetuses. The expres...
Infants born below 2500 g are classified as low birth weight. Excess in utero exposure to cortiso... more Infants born below 2500 g are classified as low birth weight. Excess in utero exposure to cortisol has been linked to restricted fetal growth. Placental production of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 (11β-HSD2) inactivates cortisol before passage into the fetus. The present study tested the hypothesis that placental 11β-HSD2 expression is positively correlated with an individualized birth weight centile and raw birth weight, and examines the relationship between metal concentrations in placental tissue and 11β-HSD2 expression. Placentae from 191 births were collected and samples preserved to maintain mRNA profile. Placental 11β-HSD2 expression was measured via qRT-PCR. Addition samples were collected from placental tissues and uniformly dried in order to quantify 18 metals via ICP-MS (n = 160). A significant, positive correlation between 11β-HSD2 expression and individualized birth weight centile (p = 0.0321) and birth weight (p = 0.0243) was found. Additionally, maternal age and gestational age were positivity correlated with each other (p = 0.0321). Birth weight was significantly different with race, marital status, education and maternal tobacco use. Four metals (Co, Mn, Ni, Zn) demonstrated significant positive correlations (p &amp;amp;lt; 0.05) with 11β-HSD2 expression. Sex specific differences were found; Co, Cu, Fe, Zn, and Ni were positively correlated with 11β-HSD2 expression in males only, no significant correlations were found in the female only sample. These data indicate that the growth potential of a fetus is related to the 11β-HSD2 expression in the placenta, and that 11β-HSD2 expression is related to the trace metals status of the mother.
Applied microbiology and biotechnology, Jan 18, 2015
Bisphenol A (BPA) plays a substantial role in industry, as it is used for polycarbonate (PC) plas... more Bisphenol A (BPA) plays a substantial role in industry, as it is used for polycarbonate (PC) plastics and epoxy resins which are required for various plastic consumer products. However, BPA is known to be an endocrine disruptor, and its influence on humans, animals, and various cell lines was addressed in diverse studies. As the burden of BPA can be increased by using disposable plastic articles and single-use technologies for cultivation, it is essential to examine the consequences of BPA presence on mammalian cells, as they are a contributing factor in the production of complex pharmaceutical therapeutics. We selected three industrially relevant cell lines and analyzed systemic effects of BPA by comparing cell culture performance in BPA-free poly-ethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG) and in PC shaking flasks. We focused on the influence of BPA on cellular growth, viability, and several metabolic parameters. In addition, we determined the product concentration and aggregation behavi...
Bisphenol A (BPA) is an environmental compounds is known to possess endocrine disruption potentia... more Bisphenol A (BPA) is an environmental compounds is known to possess endocrine disruption potentials. Bisphenol A has epigenetic effects as deregulated expression of microRNAs; such epigenetic marks can induce up/down alterations in gene expression that may persist throughout a lifetime. Bisphenol A (BPA) exposure has been documented in pregnant women, but consequences for development of offspring after BPA exposure during pregnancy are not yet widely studied. Therefore, the aim of this study was to gain a comprehensive understanding of microRNAs changes in the placenta transcriptome from pregnant women subjected to therapeutic abortion for fetal malformation and correlate the impact of gestational exposure to BPA on these developmental changes. We performed a comparative analysis of genome wide miRNA expression in placentas from pregnant women exposed to BPA using microarray technology to identify miRNAs which were aberrantly expressed in placentas from malformed fetuses. The expression changes of differential expressed miRNAs in the samples used for microarray were confirmed by qPCR . Beside, we applied various bioinformatics tools to predict the target genes of the identified miR-146a and explore their biological function and downstream pathways. We found that miR-146a was significant overexpressed and correlated significantly with BPA accumulation in the placenta from pregnant women living in a polluted area and undergoing therapeutic abortion due to fetal malformations. Beside, we applied various bioinformatics tools to predict the target genes of miR-146a and explore their biological function and downstream pathways. For the first time, we found, in humans, that miR-146a was significant over-expressed and correlated significantly with BPA accumulation in the placenta. Our results lead to the suggestion that miRNAs could be potential biomarkers to clarify the mechanisms of environmental diseases.
The term saponin comes from the Latin word sapo, meaning " soap " , reflecting a readin... more The term saponin comes from the Latin word sapo, meaning " soap " , reflecting a readiness to form stable soap-like foams in aqueous solutions. The biological role of saponins is not completely understood, but they are generally considered to be part of a plant's defence system against pathogens and herbivores, particularly because of their bitter flavour. Saponins comprise aglycones and sugar, each representing about 50% of the total weight of the molecule. In quinoa, saponins are a complex mixture of triter-pene glycosides that derive from seven aglycones: oleanolic acid, hederagenin, phytolaccagenic acid, serjanic acid, 3β-hydroxy-23-oxo-olean-12-en-28-oic acid, 3β-hydroxy-27-oxo-olean-12-en-28-oic acid and 3β,23α,30β-trihydroxy-olean-12-en-28-oic acid, while the most common sugars are arabinose, glucose and galactose. Saponins are traditionally considered very antinutritional because of their haemolytic activity, and there is therefore a long-standing controversy a...
Small non-coding RNAs (sncRNAs) represent a heterogeneous group of <200nt-long transcripts com... more Small non-coding RNAs (sncRNAs) represent a heterogeneous group of <200nt-long transcripts comprising microRNAs, PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) and small-nucleolar-RNAs (snoRNAs) involved in physiological and pathological processes such as carcinogenesis and tumor progression. Aberrant sncRNA expression in cancer has been associated with specific clinical phenotypes, grading, staging, metastases development and resistance to therapy.Aim of the present work is to study the role of sncRNAs in endometrial carcinogenesis. Changes in sncRNA expression were identified by high-throughput genomic analysis of paired normal, hyperplastic and cancerous endometrial tissues obtained by endometrial biopsies (n = 10). Using smallRNA sequencing and microarrays we identified significant differences in sncRNA expression pattern between normal, hyperplastic and neoplastic endometrium. This led to the definition of a sncRNA signature (129 microRNAs, 2 of which not previously described, 10 piRNAs and...
Bisphenol A (BPA) is a weakly estrogenic compound that has been detected in a wide variety of foo... more Bisphenol A (BPA) is a weakly estrogenic compound that has been detected in a wide variety of food products and biological matrices (saliva, blood, urine, etc). Despite the potential risk of human exposure to BPA, little information exists concerning maternal and fetal exposure to BPA during pregnancy. The aim of this study is to evaluate the correlation between placental BPA concentration, infant birth weight and calculated birth weight centile, and several other maternal and infant parameters. Placental sample were collected from 200 subjects. BPA levels were measured by isotope dilution GC-MS. Additional maternal and infant data were gathered from medical charts and were potential correlates with placental BPA levels. Placental BPA concentrations ranged from 4.4 ng/g to 273.9 ng/g in oven-dried tissue (average 103.4 ± 61.8 ng/g). There was a significant negative correlation between calculated birth weight centile and levels of placental BPA (p < 0.05). Low birth weight and sma...
El término saponina se deriva de la palabra Latina sapo, que significa “jabón”, lo que refleja su... more El término saponina se deriva de la palabra Latina sapo, que significa “jabón”, lo que refleja su disposición para formar espumas estables parecidas al jabón en soluciones acuosas. El rol biológico de las saponinas no es comprendido completamente, pero generalmente son consideradas como parte del sistema de defensa de las plantas contra patógenos y herbívoros, especialmente debido a su sabor amargo. Las saponinas consisten de aglicona y azúcar, cada uno representando aproximadamente el 50% del peso total de la molécula. En la quinua, las saponinas son una mezcla compleja de glucósidos triterpénicos que se derivan de siete agliconas: ácido oleanólico, hederagenina, ácido fitolacagénico, ácido serjánico, ácido 3β-Hidroxi-23-oxo-olean-12-en-28-oico, ácido 3β-Hidroxi-27-oxo-olean-12-en-28-oico, y ácido 3β,23α,30β-Trihidroxi-olean-12-en-28-oico, mientras que los azúcares mejor representados pueden ser la arabinosa, glucosa, y galactosa. Las saponinas han sido consideradas un grave factor...
Mutation Research/Fundamental and Molecular Mechanisms of Mutagenesis, 2015
Over 50% of the causes of fetal malformations in humans are still unknown. Recent evidence sugges... more Over 50% of the causes of fetal malformations in humans are still unknown. Recent evidence suggests the relationship between environmental exposure to endocrine disruptors and fetal malformations. Our study aims to establish the role of Bisphenol A (BPA), if any, in altering human reproduction. We enrolled 151 pregnant women who were divided into two groups: case group (CS, n=101), women with established diagnosis of developmental defect, and control group (CL, n=50), pregnant women with normally developed fetus. Total, free and conjugated BPA were measured in their blood using GC-MS with isotopic dilution. The results show a correlation between environmental exposure to BPA and the genesis of fetal malformations. Conjugated BPA, which was higher in the CL, casts light on the hypothesis that a reduced ability to metabolize the chemical in the mother can concur to the occurrence of malformation. In a more detailed manner, in case of chromosomal malformations, the average value of free BPA appears to be nearly three times greater than that of the controls. Similarly, in case of central and peripheral nervous system non-chromosomal malformations, the value of free BPA is nearly two times greater than that of the controls.
ABSTRACT Mineral nutrients play a fundamental role in the biochemical and physiological functions... more ABSTRACT Mineral nutrients play a fundamental role in the biochemical and physiological functions of biological systems. Cereals may especially be an important source of essential minerals in view of their large daily intake both for human health and nutrition. Sorghum, among the cereals, is a major crop being used for food, feed and industrial purposes worldwide. The objective of this study was to determine the mineral contents in grains of seven white food-grade sorghum hybrids, bred and adapted for growth in the central USA and grown in a Mediterranean area of Southern Italy. The seven hybrids were analyzed for grain ash and for minerals contents. Nutritionally, essential macro-, micro-and trace elements content were investigated. The analysis of essential elements was performed by mass spectrometry using a mix solution of internal isotopes standard. The results demonstrated that food-grade sorghum was characterized by high Mg, Fe and Zn content, high K:Na ratio and low Ca:P ratio, compared to other crops, due to the fact that the grain mineral contents of crop species are influenced by the effects of genotypes and environments. Significant variations in the essential elements content were found among the hybrids which allowed us to divide them into three distinct groups on the basis of their mineral profile by cluster analysis. These results are discussed with reference to the importance of minerals in human nutrition and suggest that, like wheat, it is possible to plan research programs for the improvement and selection of sorghum hybrids with high micronutrients content.
The aim of this study is to evaluate and compare sexual satisfaction with the use of three types ... more The aim of this study is to evaluate and compare sexual satisfaction with the use of three types of hormonal contraceptives. We have evaluated the sexological profile of 23 patients, treated with a subdermal hormonal contraceptive containing 68 mg etonogestrel. We have compared this profile to that of other two groups of previously studied patients: one consisting of 26 women treated with a vaginal ring releasing 120 µg/day of etonogestrel and 15 µg/day of ethinylestradiol (EE) and one consisting of 25 women treated with an oral contraceptive containing 20 µg of EE and 150 µg of desogestrel. A further group of 25 women, not in treatment with any type of hormonal contraceptive, has been studied as control group. The Interviewer Rating of Sexual Function (IRSF) has been completed by the patients at the beginning of the study and after cycles of 3 and 6 months of contraceptive usage. All three types of hormonal contraceptives have increased positive indicators of patients' sexual l...
CAPÍTULO: 6.14. TÍTULO: Quinoa Experimentation and Production in Turkey *Corresponding author: At... more CAPÍTULO: 6.14. TÍTULO: Quinoa Experimentation and Production in Turkey *Corresponding author: Attila YAZAR yazarat@cu.edu.tr ATTILA YAZAR1; ÇIĞDEM INCEKAYA1; METIN SEMIH SEZEN2; SERVET TEKIN3. 1Irrigation and Agricultural Structures Department, Çukurova University, Adana, Turkey 2Water Management Division, Soil and Water Resources Unit in Tarsus, Alata Horticultural Research Institute, Mersin, Turkey 3Biosystem Engineering Department, Sütçüimam University, Kahramanmaraş, Turkey The purpose of this chapter is to provide information on improving food crop production in the arid and semi-arid regions especially in the semi-arid Mediterranean region of Turkey, influenced by multiple abiotic stresses, by strengthening a diversified crop production and introducing new climateproof crops and cultivars with improved stress tolerance such as quinoa. These stresses are becoming even more pronounced under changing climate, predicted to result in drier conditions, increasing temperatures, and ...
Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, 2015
Overweight/obesity prevalence has increased dramatically worldwide. Recent evidence suggests slee... more Overweight/obesity prevalence has increased dramatically worldwide. Recent evidence suggests sleep deprivation/fragmentation, fructose-exceedingly rich diets, and exposure to endocrine disruptors (eg, bisphenol A, BPA) as emerging additional factors involved in pathomechanisms and in the treatment resistance of obesity and its complications. Our study focuses on these factors for further preventive/therapeutic approaches in paediatric obesity. Fifty-four Italian children (cases: n = 31 overweight/obese; controls: n = 23 normal weight) were clinically/anthropometrically characterised. Parents completed questionnaires on the relation between obesogenic factors and childhood obesity. BPA was measured by gas chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry on early morning urine samples. Correlations between the continuous variables were analysed using Spearman rank correlation. Sleep deprivation/fragmentation, nocturnal breathing problems, and daytime sleepiness increased with increasing body mass index, correlating with the presence of clinical markers of metabolic syndrome (eg, acanthosis nigricans). Frequency of sugar-enriched drink consumption and the amount of fructose per portion and/or per week increased, paralleling the ponderal excess and all the other anthropometric parameters. In the entire sample population, free and total BPA levels increased paralleling the body mass index increase (r &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt; 0.8), whereas the conjugate demonstrated the opposite trend. The re-use of disposable plastic showed a positive correlation with urinary BPA levels. Despite its exploratory nature, the results of our pilot study confirm the close relation between certain factors and paediatric obesity, underscoring their role as emerging targets for prevention and therapy.
The aim of this research was to explain the direct plant growth-promoting activity of Trichoderma... more The aim of this research was to explain the direct plant growth-promoting activity of Trichoderma harzianum strain T-22 (T22), hypothesizing the involvement of different classes of plant growth regulators. Seven days after the transfer to root-inducing medium, in vitro-cultured shoots of GiSeLa6 Ò (Prunus cerasus 9 P. canescens) were inoculated with T22. Root and shoot growth were significantly affected by T22 (?76 and ?61%, respectively). Ten days after inoculation, the levels of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), trans-zeatin riboside (t-ZR), dihydrozeatin riboside (DHZR), gibberellic acid (GA3) and abscisic acid (ABA) were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. The results showed that after T22-inoculation, IAA and GA3 significantly increased in both leaves (?49 and ?71%, respectively) and roots (?40 and ?143%, respectively) whereas t-ZR decreased (-51% in leaves and -37% in roots). Changes in DHZR were observed in T22inoculated roots (-32%) but not in leaves, whereas the levels of ABA did not differ between the two treatments. The extraction method allowed the simultaneous extraction of phytohormones. There is evidence that the change in phytohormone levels is one of the direct mechanism by which T22 promotes rooting and shoot growth, with notable advantages for rootstock production during nursery processes.
The polyphenolic composition, antioxidant properties and multielement profile of selected red win... more The polyphenolic composition, antioxidant properties and multielement profile of selected red wines from Morocco were evaluated. The polyphenolic contents resulted higher than those reported elsewhere for the same variety of wines; the highest quantity was found in Cabernet Sauvignon, followed by Merlot, and last by Syrah wine. All of the wines tested showed very similar anthocyanin and flavonol patterns: individual compound contents resulted generally higher in comparison to conventional wines. The content of trans-resveratrol was significantly higher than that of cis-resveratrol in all of the wine samples. Particularly, Merlot showed the highest concentration of trans-resveratrol while Syrah exhibited the highest levels of cis-resveratrol. Reducing capacity resulted higher than antiradical property for all of the wines. The metal concentrations were below the official limits. The elemental pattern of wines were very similar, excepted V, Mn, Fe, Cu, As and Mo, for which Syrah markedly differed from the other wine samples.
Abstracts / Digestive and Liver Disease 47S (2015) e237-e276 e253 retardation bilateral cataract ... more Abstracts / Digestive and Liver Disease 47S (2015) e237-e276 e253 retardation bilateral cataract with visual impairment and hypertension). In one of them, three doses of Rtx (375 mg/m 2 ) allowed to suspend immunosuppressive drugs and reduce PDN, maintaining remission for 25 months. PDN associated with Rapamycin was restarted, for a relapse with only a partial remission. Two additional doses of Rtx again induced and maintained remission, which still persists on PDN 0.12 mg/kg/day and azathioprine 2.38 mg/kg/day. Treatment with seven doses of Rtx induced remission in the other patient, with PDN sparring up to 0.26 mg/kg/48 h associated with 1.31 mg/kg/day of azathioprine. Treatment with Rtx was well tolerated, with, as only side effect a persistent and asymptomatic hypogammaglobulinaemia.
Uploads
Papers by Jacopo Troisi