Role of cardiotrophin-1 in the regulation of metabolic circadian rhythms and adipose core clock genes in mice and characterization of 24-h circulating CT-1 profiles in normal-weight and overweight/obese subjects.

Cardiotrophin (CT)-1 is a regulator of glucose and lipid homeostasis. In the present study, we analyzed whether CT-1 also acts to peripherally regulate metabolic rhythms and adipose tissue core clock genes in mice. Moreover, the circadian pattern of plasma CT-1 levels was evaluated in normal-weight and overweight subjects.

Evaluation of the rabbit liver by direct portography and contrast-enhanced computed tomography: anatomical variations of the portal system and hepatic volume quantification.

Background: The study was aimed at: (1) describing the incidence of anatomic variations of the portal system in the rabbit using direct portography; and (2) estimating the liver volume and caudate lobe volume by using contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) in the same animal model.

Methods: Forty-six New Zealand white rabbits were included. All of them underwent direct portography and unenhanced CECT.

Thermotolerance responses in ripening berries of Vitis vinifera L. cv Muscat Hamburg.

Berry organoleptic properties are highly influenced by ripening environmental conditions. In this study, we used grapevine fruiting cuttings to follow berry ripening under different controlled conditions of temperature and irradiation intensity. Berries ripened at higher temperatures showed reduced anthocyanin accumulation and hastened ripening, leading to a characteristic drop in malic acid and total acidity.