Conversion of Ammonia to Hydrazine Induced by High-Frequency Ultrasound.

Hydrazine is a chemical of utmost importance in our society, either for organic synthesis or energy use. The direct conversion of NH to hydrazine is highly appealing, but it remains a very difficult task because the degradation of hydrazine is thermodynamically more feasible than the cleavage of the N-H bond of NH . As a result, any catalyst capable of activating NH will thus unavoidably decompose N H .

Primary Step Towards In Situ Detection of Chemical Biomarkers in the UNIVERSE via Liquid-Based Analytical System: Development of an Automated Online Trapping/Liquid Chromatography System.

The search for biomarkers in our solar system is a fundamental challenge for the space research community. It encompasses major difficulties linked to their very low concentration levels, their ambiguous origins (biotic or abiotic), as well as their diversity and complexity. Even if, in 40 years' time, great improvements in sample pre-treatment, chromatographic separation and mass spectrometry detection have been achieved, there is still a need for new in situ scientific instrumentation.

Development of liquid chromatography high resolution mass spectrometry strategies for the screening of complex organic matter: Application to astrophysical simulated materials.

The present work aims at developing two LC-HRMS setups for the screening of organic matter in astrophysical samples. Their analytical development has been demonstrated on a 100-µg residue coming from the photo-thermo chemical processing of a cometary ice analog produced in laboratory. The first 1D-LC-HRMS setup combines a serially coupled columns configuration with HRMS detection.

The effect on the transcriptome of Anemone coronaria following infection with rust (Tranzschelia discolor).

In order to understand plant/pathogen interaction, the transcriptome of uninfected (1S) and infected (2I) plant was sequenced at 3'end by the GS FLX 454 platform. De novo assembly of high-quality reads generated 27,231 contigs leaving 37,191 singletons in the 1S and 38,393 in the 2I libraries. ESTcalc tool suggested that 71% of the transcriptome had been captured, with 99% of the genes present being represented by at least one read.

A founder MLH1 mutation in Lynch syndrome families from Piedmont, Italy, is associated with an increased risk of pancreatic tumours and diverse immunohistochemical patterns.

The MLH1 c.2252_2253delAA mutation was found in 11 unrelated families from a restricted area south-west of Turin among 140 families with mutations in the mismatch repair genes. The mutation is located in the highly conserved C-terminal region, responsible for dimerization with the PMS2 protein.

Ectopic expression of Kxhkn5 in the viviparous species Kalanchoe × Houghtonii induces a novel pattern of epiphyll development.

KxhKN5 (class 1 KNOX gene) was cloned from Kalanchoe × houghtonii with strong tendency to form epiphylls on leaves. KxhKN5 appear to be homologue of BP of A. thaliana on the basis of phylogeny, expression and phenotype analysis.

A unique MSH2 exon 8 deletion accounts for a major portion of all mismatch repair gene mutations in Lynch syndrome families of Sardinian origin.

Lynch syndrome is an autosomal-dominant hereditary condition predisposing to the development of specific cancers, because of germline mutations in the DNA-mismatch repair (MMR) genes. Large genomic deletions represent a significant fraction of germline mutations, particularly among the MSH2 gene, in which they account for 20% of the mutational spectrum. In this study we analyzed 13 Italian families carrying MSH2 exon 8 deletions, 10 of which of ascertained Sardinian origin.

Expression of KxhKN4 and KxhKN5 genes in Kalanchoë blossfeldiana 'Molly' results in novel compact plant phenotypes: towards a cisgenesis alternative to growth retardants.

Many potted plants like Kalanchoë have an elongated natural growth habit, which has to be controlled through the application of growth regulators. These chemicals will be banned in the near future in all the EU countries. Besides their structural functions, the importance of homeotic genes to modify plant architecture appears evident.

Genetic variation at 9p22.2 and ovarian cancer risk for BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers.

Background: Germline mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes are associated with increased risks of breast and ovarian cancers. Although several common variants have been associated with breast cancer susceptibility in mutation carriers, none have been associated with ovarian cancer susceptibility. A genome-wide association study recently identified an association between the rare allele of the single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs3814113 (ie, the C allele) at 9p22.

Common breast cancer susceptibility alleles and the risk of breast cancer for BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers: implications for risk prediction.

The known breast cancer susceptibility polymorphisms in FGFR2, TNRC9/TOX3, MAP3K1, LSP1, and 2q35 confer increased risks of breast cancer for BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation carriers. We evaluated the associations of 3 additional single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), rs4973768 in SLC4A7/NEK10, rs6504950 in STXBP4/COX11, and rs10941679 at 5p12, and reanalyzed the previous associations using additional carriers in a sample of 12,525 BRCA1 and 7,409 BRCA2 carriers. Additionally, we investigated potential interactions between SNPs and assessed the implications for risk prediction.

Metabolic response to cold and freezing of Osteospermum ecklonis overexpressing Osmyb4.

The constitutive expression of the rice Osmyb4 gene in Arabidopsis plants gives rise to enhanced abiotic and biotic stress tolerance, probably by activating several stress-inducible pathways. However, the effect of Osmyb4 on stress tolerance likely depends on the genetic background of the transformed species. In this study, we explored the potential of Osmyb4 to enhance the cold and freezing tolerance of Osteospermum ecklonis, an ornamental and perennial plant native to South Africa, because of an increasing interest in growing this species in Europe where winter temperatures are low.

Evaluation of a candidate breast cancer associated SNP in ERCC4 as a risk modifier in BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers. Results from the Consortium of Investigators of Modifiers of BRCA1/BRCA2 (CIMBA).

Background: In this study we aimed to evaluate the role of a SNP in intron 1 of the ERCC4 gene (rs744154), previously reported to be associated with a reduced risk of breast cancer in the general population, as a breast cancer risk modifier in BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers.

Methods: We have genotyped rs744154 in 9408 BRCA1 and 5632 BRCA2 mutation carriers from the Consortium of Investigators of Modifiers of BRCA1/2 (CIMBA) and assessed its association with breast cancer risk using a retrospective weighted cohort approach.

Results: We found no evidence of association with breast cancer risk for BRCA1 (per-allele HR: 0.

Common variants in LSP1, 2q35 and 8q24 and breast cancer risk for BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers.

Genome-wide association studies of breast cancer have identified multiple single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that are associated with increased breast cancer risks in the general population. In a previous study, we demonstrated that the minor alleles at three of these SNPs, in FGFR2, TNRC9 and MAP3K1, also confer increased risks of breast cancer for BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation carriers. Three additional SNPs rs3817198 at LSP1, rs13387042 at 2q35 and rs13281615 at 8q24 have since been reported to be associated with breast cancer in the general population, and in this study we evaluated their association with breast cancer risk in 9442 BRCA1 and 5665 BRCA2 mutation carriers from 33 study centres.

TSC1 and TSC2 deletions differ in size, preference for recombinatorial sequences, and location within the gene.

Large TSC gene rearrangements are not rare findings in tuberous sclerosis. Interestingly, all deletions, duplications and inversions so far described involve TSC2, none being associated with TSC1. In order to shed light on the structural basis of the preferential DNA rearrangements in TSC2 over TSC1 and to assess, in an unselected patient population, the prevalence of large re-arrangements in both TSC loci, we screened 202 tuberous sclerosis patients consecutively referred at our center.

Evaluation of resistance in Osteospermum ecklonis (DC.) Norl. plants transgenic for the N protein gene of tomato spotted wilt virus.

 The nucleocapsid protein (N) gene of tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) was inserted into Osteospermum ecklonis via Agrobacterium tumefaciens leaf strips co-cultivation. Sixteen primary transformant clones of two O. ecklonis genotypes were analysed.

Induction of micronuclei and of enzyme-altered foci in the liver of female rats exposed to progesterone and three synthetic progestins.

Progesterone (PG) and three structurally similar synthetic progestins-norethisterone (NE), allylestrenol (AE), and dydrogesterone (DG)-have been compared for their ability to induce the formation of micronuclei and of enzyme-altered foci in the liver of female rats. In the micronucleus assay, carried out in rats given a single p.o.

In vitro evaluation of the cytotoxic, hemolytic and clastogenic activities of Rhizostoma pulmo toxin(s).

Cytotoxic, hemolytic and clastogenic activities of Rhizostoma pulmo toxin(s) contained in the jelly tissue free of nematocysts were investigated in mammalian cells with in vitro procedures. At the concentration of 37.6 microg/ml the tissue protein produced the death of 50% V79 cells; a similar potency was observed in terms of hemolytic activity.

Induction of micronuclei and initiation of enzyme-altered foci in the liver of female rats treated with cyproterone acetate, chlormadinone acetate, or megestrol acetate.

The synthetic anti-androgen and progestin cyproterone acetate (CPA), recently found to be genotoxic for the liver, and two structurally similar progestins, chlormadinone acetate (CMA) and megestrol acetate (MGA), have been compared for clastogenic and tumor-initiating activities in female rats. In the micronucleus assay, carried out in rats given a single p.o.

Evaluation of DNA-damaging, clastogenic, and promoting activities of metoclopramide and procainamide in rats.

The DNA-damaging and clastogenic activities of metoclopramide (MCA) and procainamide (PCA), two substituted benzamides not systematically tested for genotoxicity before clinical use, were investigated in rats given a single high oral dose (500 mg/kg) of these drugs. Neither MCA nor PCA induced DNA fragmentation in liver, kidney, gastric mucosa, spleen, and bone marrow, as detected by the alkaline elution technique. Moreover, neither drug increased the frequency of micronucleated hepatocytes and the frequency of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes in the bone marrow of partially hepatectomized rats.

In vitro and in vivo testing of hydralazine genotoxicity.

Hydralazine (HDZ), a p.o. effective antihypertensive drug, was evaluated for its genotoxic effects in both rodent and human cultured cells and in the intact rat.

Resistance to tospoviruses in Nicotiana benthamiana transformed with the N gene of tomato spotted wilt virus: correlation between transgene expression and protection in primary transformants.

Nicotiana benthamiana was transformed with the nucleoprotein (N) gene of an Italian isolate of tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV). Forty-five T1 primary transformant lines were analyzed for the expression of N protein and for resistance to TSWV and three other tospoviruses: impatiens necrotic spot virus (INSV), groundnut bud necrosis virus (GBNV), and groundnut ringspot virus (GRSV). Thirteen of these lines were further characterized.

Low clastogenic activity in vivo of the N-nitroso derivatives of 5 beta-adrenergic-blocking drugs proved to be potent genotoxins in vitro.

The N-nitroso derivatives formed by the in vitro reaction of 5 beta-adrenergic-blocking drugs with sodium nitrite and previously found to induce DNA fragmentation and repair in primary cultures of both rat and human hepatocytes were tested for their ability to exert a clastogenic effect in vivo. In partially hepatectomized rats given by gavage a single dose of 1000 mg/kg, all 5 N-nitroso derivatives caused a statistically significant increase in the frequency of micronucleated hepatocytes, the clastogenic potencies of NO-propranolol, NO-metoprolol, and NO-nadolol being slightly greater than those of NO-atenolol and NO-sotalol. In contrast, none of them produced a significant increase in the frequency of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes in the bone marrow and the spleen.

Comparison in human and rat hepatocytes of the DNA-damaging activity of five chemicals probably carcinogenic to humans.

Five chemicals-acrylonitrile, adriamycin, bischloroethyl nitrosourea, phenacetin and procarbazine-classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer as probably carcinogenic to humans were assayed for DNA-damaging activity in primary cultures of human and rat hepatocytes in order to assess possible interspecies differences that might cast doubt on the extrapolation to humans of results obtained in rodents. DNA damage was measured by the alkaline elution technique. In the range of subtoxic concentrations indicated, dose-related increases in the frequencies of DNA single-strand breaks were induced in cells of both species by acrylonitrile (1.