Stigmatization is common in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and correlates with quality of life.

Background And Aims: Stigmatization is a well-documented problem of some diseases. Perceived stigma is common in alcohol-related liver disease and hepatitis C, but little information exists on stigma in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Aim of the study was to investigate frequency and characteristics of perceived stigma among patients with NAFLD.

Impact of alcohol consumption on clinical aspects of gambling disorder.

Similarities between gambling disorder and substance use disorders have been extensively described. To date, however, few studies using large clinical samples have been carried out that reliably assess the relationship between different levels of alcohol consumption and gambling disorders. The present study aimed to assess the impact of baseline alcohol consumption levels on the clinical profile in a large sample of treatment-seeking individuals.

Using common mycorrhizal networks for controlled inoculation of Quercus spp. with Tuber melanosporum: the nurse plant method.

The high cost and restricted availability of black truffle spore inoculum for controlled mycorrhiza formation of host trees produced for truffle orchards worldwide encourage the search for more efficient and sustainable inoculation methods that can be applied globally. In this study, we evaluated the potential of the nurse plant method for the controlled inoculation of Quercus cerris and Quercus robur with Tuber melanosporum by mycorrhizal networks in pot cultures. Pine bark compost, adjusted to pH 7.

Comparative study of mycorrhizal susceptibility and anatomy of four palm species.

A morphological and anatomical study of the root systems of the palm species Brahea armata S. Watson, Chamaerops humilis L., Phoenix canariensis Chabaud and Phoenix dactylifera L.

Butyric acid-based feed additives help protect broiler chickens from Salmonella Enteritidis infection.

Sodium butyrate is a sodium salt of a volatile short-chain fatty acid (butyric acid) used to prevent Salmonella Enteritidis infection in birds. Three groups of fifty 1-d-old broilers each were fed the following diets: T0 = standard broiler diet (control); T1 = standard broiler diet supplemented with 0.92 g/kg of an additive with free sodium butyrate (Gustor XXI B92); and T2 = standard broiler diet supplemented with 0.

Ultrastructural localization of acid phosphatase in arbusculate coils of mycorrhizal Phoenix canariensis roots.

Acid phosphatase (ACP) activity has been detected in roots of mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal Phoenix canariensis. This enzyme was ultrastructurally localized in arbusculate coils for the first time. This localization was carried out using a cerium-based method, which minimizes non-specific precipitation.

Autofluorescence detection of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal structures in palm roots: an underestimated experimental method.

The aim of this study was to reassess the use of autofluorescence for evaluating AM colonization in mycorrhizal roots in the light of criticisms of this method that affirmed that only metabolically inactive arbuscules autofluoresce. It was also investigated whether other mycorrhizal structures, such as hyphae, vesicles and spores, could be detected by autofluorescence, and whether the autofluorescence pattern of AM fungal structures could be exploited methodologically, for example, in the detection and sorting of spores by flow cytometry. Mycorrhizal roots of the palm species Brahea armata, Chamaerops humilis, Phoenix canariensis and Phoenix dactylifera were sectioned and observed by means of fluorescence microscopy.

Mycorrhizal synthesis of Lactarius indigo (Schw.) Fr. with five Neotropical pine species.

This paper describes for the first time the ectomycorrhiza synthesized between two Guatemalan strains of Lactarius indigo (Schw.) Fr. and the Neotropical species Pinus ayacahuite var.

[Cultural characteristics of some ectomycorrhizal fungi in pure culture].

Macro and microscopic features for 21 species of ectomycorrhizal fungi are presented, with regard to their particular importance as possible taxonomic criteria. The culture media used are MMN and BAF. Cultural characteristics of some of our isolates, like color or morphology of the mycelia, were comparable to those observed by different authors for the same species, or species which are closely related taxonomically, as for example Boletus satanas and Lactarius deliciosus in BAF media, or Hebeloma edurum, Lycoperdon perlatum, Paxillus atrotomentosus, Rhizopogon roseolus and Suillus collinitus in MMN media.

Characterization and chromosomal organization of the murD-murC-ftsQ region of Corynebacterium glutamicum ATCC 13869.

The sequence of a 4.6-kb region of DNA from Corynebacterium glutamicum ATCC 13869 lying upstream from the ftsQ-ftsZ region has been determined. The region contains four genes with high similarity to the murD, ftsW, murG, and murC genes from different microorganisms.

Different pharmacological properties of two equipotent antagonists (clozapine and rauwolscine) for 5-HT2B receptors in rat stomach fundus.

On the basis of the previously demonstrated constitutive activity in natural systems and the possibility of specific ligand-induced conformations, the aims of this study were: (i) to characterize the effects of two competitive antagonists (rauwolscine, RAU and clozapine, CLO) with very similar potencies for 5-HT(2B) receptors in a natural system (rat stomach fundus), and (ii) to evaluate a new method for detecting ligand-specific generated conformations through the study of the effects of RAU and CLO in 5-HT efficacy and in the time course of the response to the agonists. RAU and CLO behaved as competitive antagonists and showed similar potencies (pA(2) 7.56+/-0.

Morphological characterization of the mycorrhiza formed by Helianthemum almeriense Pau with Terfezia claveryi Chatin and Picoa lefebvrei (Pat.) Maire.

This work presents the first anatomical description of the mycorrhizal systems of Helianthemum almeriense, and of the structure and ultrastructure of the mycorrhizae formed by this plant species with the ascomycetes Terfezia claveryi and Picoa lefebvrei. Four different mycorrhizal systems are described, the club-shaped mycorrhiza being the most abundant. The type of mycorrhiza formed depended on the mycorrhiza culture conditions, but not on the fungal species.

Antioxidant activity of edible fungi (truffles and mushrooms): losses during industrial processing.

The antioxidant properties of two raw truffles (Terfezia claveryi Chatin and Picoa juniperi Vittadini) and five raw mushrooms (Lepista nuda, Lentinus edodes, Agrocybe cylindracea, Cantharellus lutescens, and Hydnum repandum) were tested by subjecting these truffles and mushrooms to different industrial processes (freezing and canning) and comparing them with common food antioxidants (alpha-tocopherol [E-307], BHA [E-320], BHT [E-321], and propyl gallate [E-310]) with regard to their ability to inhibit lipid oxidation. All of the truffles and mushrooms analyzed exhibited higher percentages of oxidation inhibition than did the food antioxidants according to assays based on lipid peroxidation (LOO*), deoxyribose (OH*), and peroxidase (H2O2). Frozen samples exhibited a small reduction in free radical scavenger activity, but the results did not show a significant difference (P < 0.

Monophenolase activity of latent Terfezia claveryi tyrosinase: Characterization and histochemical localization.

The monophenolase activity of Terfezia claveryi tyrosinase (EC 1.14.18.

Influence of pH on the binding of diphenylmethylenepiperidines by 5-HT2B receptors in rat stomach fundus.

Cyproheptadine is one of the compounds exhibiting the highest activity at 5-HT2B receptors. In a previous work we analysed the relevance of the amino group in diphenylmethylenepiperidines (DPMP), which are open cyproheptadine analogues. Only compounds containing N-H or N-methyl motifs, showed significant 5-HT2B activity.

The cell division genes ftsQ and ftsZ, but not the three downstream open reading frames YFIH, ORF5 and ORF6, are essential for growth and viability in Brevibacterium lactofermentum ATCC 13869.

The three ORFs (YFIH, ORF5 and ORF6) located downstream of the cell division genes ftsQ and ftsZ in Brevibacterium lactofermentum were disrupted by single homologous recombination events between internal fragments of the corresponding genes and the chromosomal sequences. The phenotypes of the disrupted mutants were similar to that of the wild type, suggesting that these genes are dispensable for growth and viability. However, using different plasmid constructs, it was not possible to obtain disrupted ftsZ or ftsQ mutants by single crossover events.

Control of serotonergic neurons in rat brain by dopaminergic receptors outside the dorsal raphe nucleus.

We studied the control of dorsal raphe (DR) serotonergic neurons by dopaminergic transmission in rat brain using microdialysis and single unit extracellular recordings. Apomorphine (0.5-3.

Partial purification, characterization, and histochemical localization of fully latent desert truffle (Terfezia claveryi Chatin) polyphenol oxidase.

In the present paper, a fully latent polyphenol oxidase (PPO) from desert truffle (Terfezia claveryi Chatin) ascocarps is described for the first time. The enzyme was partially purified by using phase partitioning in Triton X-114 (TX-114). The achieved purification was 2-fold from a crude extract, with a 66% recovery of activity.

Genetic variability of Pisolithus isolates associated with native hosts and exotic eucalyptus in the western Mediterranean region.

• Genetic diversity and host specificity of Pisolithus is reported here in exotic (Eucalyptus) and native hosts in the western Mediterranean region. • Polymorphism in the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences of the nuclear rDNA of Pisolithus was analysed. Sequences for 17 isolates associated with native Mediterranean hosts and Eucalyptus were compared with those in the GenBank DNA database using distance and parsimony methods.

Distribution of the histamine H(2) receptor in monkey brain and its mRNA localization in monkey and human brain.

The distribution of histamine H(2) receptor mRNA was determined by in situ hybridization histochemistry in human and monkey brain. In the case of monkey brain, we combined this technique with receptor ligand autoradiography to compare the distribution of mRNA and receptor binding sites. [(125)I]Iodoaminopotentidine ([(125)I]-APT), a reversible, high specific activity antagonist with high affinity and selectivity for the H(2) receptor, was used for receptor autoradiography.

GABAB-RI receptors in serotonergic neurons: effects of baclofen on 5-HT output in rat brain.

The activation of GABAB receptors hyperpolarizes 5-HT neurons and reduces cell firing. In situ hybridization showed the presence of the GABAB-RI receptor transcript in virtually all 5-HT neurons of the dorsal and median raphe nuclei (DR and MnR, respectively) whereas the GAD transcript was present mainly outside these nuclei. The systemic administration of baclofen increased the in vivo 5-HT release in the DR, MnR and several projection areas.

Identification, characterization, and chromosomal organization of the ftsZ gene from Brevibacterium lactofermentum.

The ftsZ gene was cloned from the chromosomal DNA of Brevibacterium lactofermentum by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using two oligonucleotides designed from two conserved regions found in most of the previously cloned and sequenced ftsZ genes from other microorganisms. ftsZ is a single-copy gene in corynebacteria and is located downstream from ftsQ and murC, indicating linkage between genes involved in peptidoglycan synthesis (mur genes) and genes involved in cell division (fts genes). The organisation of the cluster is similar to that in Streptomyces and different from those of Escherichia coli or Bacillus subtilis because ftsA is not located upstream of ftsZ.

Synthesis, affinity at 5-HT2A, 5-HT2B and 5-HT2C serotonin receptors and structure-activity relationships of a series of cyproheptadine analogues.

Cyproheptadine is a drug that shows high affinity for type 2 (5-HT2) receptors. We studied a series of compounds obtained by modification of the tricyclic system of Cyp (dibenzocycloheptadiene): 2f (thioxanthene), 2g (xanthene), 2h (dihydrodibenzocycloheptadiene), 2j (diphenyl), 2i (fluorene), and 3b (phenylmethyl). Their activities at the rat cerebral cortex 5-HT2A receptor were (pKi +/- S.