Silencing of ascorbate oxidase results in reduced growth, altered ascorbic acid levels and ripening pattern in melon fruit.

Ascorbate oxidase (AO, EC 1.10.3.

Biochemical and histological characterization of succulent plant Tacitus bellus response to Fusarium verticillioides infection in vitro.

We present changes in Tacitus bellus antioxidative system that specifically correspond to subsequent phases of hemibiotroph Fusarium verticillioides infection revealed by histological analysis. T. bellus response to spore germination 6 h post inoculation (hpi), manifested as first oxidative burst, was characterized by transient decrease in malondialdehyde (MDA) content, transient increase in catalase (CAT), low level of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) activity, as well as with transient decrease in total antioxidant capacity (TAC), total phenol content (TPC) and phenylalanine ammonium lyase activity (PAL), and no changes in polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity, or phenolic profile.

Growth inhibition of fungus Phycomyces blakesleeanus by anion channel inhibitors anthracene-9-carboxylic and niflumic acid attained through decrease in cellular respiration and energy metabolites.

Increasing resistance of fungal strains to known fungicides has prompted identification of new candidates for fungicides among substances previously used for other purposes. We have tested the effects of known anion channel inhibitors anthracene-9-carboxylic acid (A9C) and niflumic acid (NFA) on growth, energy metabolism and anionic current of mycelium of fungus Phycomyces blakesleeanus. Both inhibitors significantly decreased growth and respiration of mycelium, but complete inhibition was only achieved by 100 and 500 µM NFA for growth and respiration, respectively.

Vanadate influence on metabolism of sugar phosphates in fungus Phycomyces blakesleeanus.

The biological and chemical basis of vanadium action in fungi is relatively poorly understood. In the present study, we investigate the influence of vanadate (V5+) on phosphate metabolism of Phycomyces blakesleeanus. Addition of V5+ caused increase of sugar phosphates signal intensities in 31P NMR spectra in vivo.

Lipoprotein(a) in cardiovascular diseases.

Lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) is an LDL-like molecule consisting of an apolipoprotein B-100 (apo(B-100)) particle attached by a disulphide bridge to apo(a). Many observations have pointed out that Lp(a) levels may be a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Lp(a) inhibits the activation of transforming growth factor (TGF) and contributes to the growth of arterial atherosclerotic lesions by promoting the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells and the migration of smooth muscle cells to endothelial cells.

Bifidobacterium longum with fructo-oligosaccharides in patients with non alcoholic steatohepatitis.

Background: Increased exposure to intestinal bacterial products may contribute to the pathogenesis of non alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Bifidobacteria are predominant bacterial species in the human gut microbiota and have been considered to exert a beneficial effect on human health by maintaining the equilibrium of the resident microbiota.

Aims: To evaluate the effects of Bifidobacterium longum with fructo-oligosaccharides (Fos) in the treatment of NASH.

L-carnitine supplementation to diet: a new tool in treatment of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis--a randomized and controlled clinical trial.

Objectives: Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a known metabolic disorder of the liver. No treatment has been conclusively shown to improve NASH or prevent disease progression. The function of L-carnitine to modulate lipid profile, glucose metabolism, oxidative stress, and inflammatory responses has been shown.

Human chitotriosidase polymorphism is associated with human longevity in Mediterranean nonagenarians and centenarians.

Human phagocyte-specific chitotriosidase (CHIT-1) is a chitinolytic enzyme associated with several diseases involving macrophage activation. Previous studies have demonstrated that a high activity of Chit could have widespread effects on atherosclerosis, cardiovascular disease and dementia. The 24-bp duplication in the CHIT-1 gene is associated with a deficiency in enzymatic activity.

Effects of simvastatin and carnitine versus simvastatin on lipoprotein(a) and apoprotein(a) in type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Aim: The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of simvastatin and L-carnitine coadministration versus simvastatin monotherapy on lipid profile, lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) and apoprotein(a) (Apo(a)) levels in type II diabetic patients.

Patients/methods: In this double-blind, randomized clinical trial, 75 patients were assigned to one of two treatment groups for 4 months. Group A received simvastatin monotherapy; group B received L-carnitine and simvastatin.