Strontium isoscape of sub-Saharan Africa allows tracing origins of victims of the transatlantic slave trade.

Strontium isotope (Sr/Sr) analysis with reference to strontium isotope landscapes (Sr isoscapes) allows reconstructing mobility and migration in archaeology, ecology, and forensics. However, despite the vast potential of research involving Sr/Sr analysis particularly in Africa, Sr isoscapes remain unavailable for the largest parts of the continent. Here, we measure the Sr/Sr ratios in 778 environmental samples from 24 African countries and combine this data with published data to model a bioavailable Sr isoscape for sub-Saharan Africa using random forest regression.

Molecular and Biochemical Characterization of Olive 4-Hydroxyphenyl Pyruvate Dioxygenase Involved in the Biosynthesis of Tocopherols Present in Virgin Olive Oil.

Olive () fruit contains high amounts of tocopherols that are responsible, along with secoiridoid phenolic compounds, for most of the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of virgin olive oil. This study focuses on the molecular and biochemical characterization of olive 4-hydroxyphenyl pyruvate dioxygenase (OeHPPD) catalyzing the biosynthesis of homogentisic acid, which constitutes the phenolic residue in the tocopherol molecule. OeHPPD is a cytoplasmic enzyme with a molecular weight of 49.

Assessment of toxicity and endocrine-disrupting activity of bisphenol analogues during ozone and UV treatments in zebrafish eleutheroembryos.

In recent decades, increased regulations on the use of bisphenol A (BPA) have prompted a surge in the use of BPA alternatives. Consequently, a widespread occurrence of BPA substitutes in aquatic environments is currently being detected. While some evidence exists about the degradation of these compounds through various water treatment technologies, the evolution of the resulting toxicity and endocrine-disrupting activity during these processes remains scarcely evaluated.

A Comparison of Molecular Techniques for Improving the Methodology in the Laboratory of Pharmacogenetics.

One of the most critical goals in healthcare is safe and effective drug therapy, which is directly related to an individual's response to treatment. Precision medicine can improve drug safety in many scenarios, including polypharmacy, and it requires the development of new genetic characterization methods. In this report, we use real-time PCR, microarray techniques, and mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF), which allows us to compare them and identify the potential benefits of technological improvements, leading to better quality medical care.

Functional and Physiological Characterization of Tyrosine Decarboxylases from L. Involved in the Synthesis of the Main Phenolics in Olive Fruit and Virgin Olive Oil.

The phenolic composition of virgin olive oil (VOO) primarily depends on the phenolic content of the olive fruit. The purpose of this work was to characterize the first metabolic step in the synthesis of tyrosol (Ty) and hydroxytyrosol (HTy), whose derivatives are by far the predominant phenolics in both olive fruit and VOO. To this end, two genes encoding tyrosine/DOPA decarboxylase enzymes, and , have been identified and functionally and physiologically characterized.