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In this paper, we discuss the reduction of symplectic Hamiltonian systems by scaling and standard symmetries which commute. We prove that such a reduction process produces a so‐called Kirillov Hamiltonian system. Moreover, we show that if we reduce first by the scaling symmetries and then by the standard ones or in the opposite order, we obtain equivalent Kirillov Hamiltonian systems. In the particular case when the configuration space of the symplectic Hamiltonian system is a Lie group G$G$, which coincides with the symmetry group, the reduced structure is an interesting Kirillov version of the Lie–Poisson structure on the dual space of the Lie algebra of G$G$. We also discuss a reconstruction process for symplectic Hamiltonian systems which admit a scaling symmetry. All the previous results are illustrated in detail with some interesting examples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mediterranean tomato landraces adapted to arid environments represent an option to counteract drought, and to address the complexity of responses to water deficit and recovery, which is a crucial component of plant adaptation mechanisms.We investigated physiological, biochemical and molecular responses of two Mediterranean tomato landraces, 'Locale di Salina' (Lc) and 'Pizzutello di Sciacca' (Pz) under two dehydration periods and intermediate rehydration in greenhouse pot experiments.Relationship between CO2 assimilation (A) and stomatal conductance under severe water stress (gs < 0.05 mol·m−2·s−1) indicated the occurrence of stomatal and non‐stomatal limitations of photosynthesis. Gas exchange promptly recovered within 2–3 days of rehydration. ABA and gs showed a strict exponential relationship. Both leaf ABA and proline peaked under severe water stress. Lc showed higher accumulation of ABA and higher induction of the expression of both NCED and P5CS genes than Pz. Poly(ADP‐ribose) polymerase increased during imposition of stress, mainly in Lc, and decreased under severe water stress.The two landraces hardly differed in their physiological performance. Under severe water stress, gs showed low sensitivity to ABA, which instead controlled stomatal closure under moderate water stress (gs > 0.15 mol·m−2·s−1). The prompt recovery after rehydration of both landraces confirmed their drought‐tolerant behaviour. Differences between the two landraces were instead observed at biochemical and molecular levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new method is presented in this paper to pinpoint the origin of white marbles using the chemical analysis of fluids occurring as micro-inclusions in calcitic or dolomitic marbles. Beside the conventional methods usually applied for this purpose, the analyses of significant anions and cations in fluids extracted from white marbles were used to characterize different types of marbles. Using this new approach it is possible to distinguish different groups of marbles which cannot be separated isotopically. A case study was performed on the mausoleum of Belevi, close to Ephesus in Turkey, and the quarries in the area of the mausoleum. The marbles used for the architecture of the mausoleum cannot be distinguished isotopically but were split into two groups when using fluid inclusion analysis. The corresponding quarry for the high-quality marble (cella walls, columns etc.) turned out to be the Kentli Çiftliği quarry, which also supplied the marbles for the classical Artemision. According to the chemical and fluid data it can be shown, however, that neither the adjacent famous antique quarry of Belevi nor the underground mine of Kusini, some 5 km away from the mausoleum, are the sources for the marbles used for the construction or decoration of the mausoleum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Potato (Solanum tuberosum) cells were gradually, acclimated to grow at low water potential created by addition of increasing concentrations of polyethylene glycol (PEG) 8000 to the nutrient mediums While growth of cells abruptly transferred into a medium containing 20% PEG was dramatically inhibited, under the same stress intensity gradually acclimated cells were able to sustain active growth similarly to control unstressed cells. Gradual acclimation allowed the maintenance of normal cellular and subcellular membrane structure at an osmotic potential of -2.3 MPa, which caused extended membrane disruption when applied to non-acclimated control cells. Analysis of fatty acids (FAs) from control and acclimated cells revealed that the mol percentage composition of the major extra-plastidial phospholipids (PLs) was basically unchanged, but both phosphatidylcholine (PC) and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) were more saturated in acclimated cells. The decrease in unsaturation occurred primarily at the expense of linoleic acid (18:2) in the PE fraction. A significant increase in the percentage content of palmitic acid (16:0) of the PIE fraction was also detected in acclimated cells. Membrane microviscosity, as determined by diphenyl-hexatriene (DPH) labelling, was higher in PEG-acclimated cells, as expected from the lower degree of unsaturation of membrane FAs found in acclimated cells. The steady-state transcript levels of a Δ9-stearoyl-acyl carrier protein-desaturase and a Δ12-oleoyl-desaturase gene decreased in acclimated cells, suggesting that the variation in the level of FA unsaturation was at least partially associated with down regulation of the expression of these genes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Rising antibiotic resistance requires the evaluation of new and effective therapies., Aims: To test the efficacy and safety of the new bismuth-containing quadruple therapy in patients infected with Helicobacter pylori., Material and Methods: Consecutive H. pylori-positive dyspeptic patients were enrolled, either naïve or with previous failure treatment. Patients were treated with Pylera ® (three-in-one capsules containing bismuth subcitrate potassium 140 mg, metronidazole 125 mg, and tetracycline 125 mg) three capsules q.i.d. plus omeprazole 20 mg or esomeprazole 40 mg b.i.d. for 10 days. Eradication was confirmed using an urea breath test (at least 30 days after the end of treatment). Efficacy was assessed by UBT and safety by means of treatment-emergent adverse events., Results: One hundred and thirty-one patients were included in the study: 42% of patients were naïve, and 58%, with previous failure treatment. H. pylori eradication was achieved in 124 patients (94.7%, 95% confidence intervals (CIs) 89.3-97.8) in ITT population. In the PP population, the percentage was 97.6% (95%, CIs 93.3-99.2). No difference in eradication rate was found either between naïve and previously treated patients (92.7% vs 96.0%, P=.383), or smoking and nonsmoking ones, or in patients taking omeprazole or esomeprazole. Treatment-emergent adverse events occurred in 35 patients (26.7%, 95% CIs 19.9-34.9). They were mild in all cases except in four, who discontinued the study due to diarrhea (three patients) and diffuse urticarial rush (one patient)., Conclusions: Pylera ® achieved a remarkable eradication rate in clinical practice, irrespective if it was used as first treatment or as a rescue therapy. Treatment-emergent adverse events were uncommon generally mild., (© 2017 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Objective: To assess whether R788, an orally bioavailable small molecule inhibitor of spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk)-dependent signaling, could modulate disease in lupus-prone (NZB x NZW)F1 (NZB/NZW) mice via inhibition of Fc receptor (FcR) and B cell receptor signaling., Methods: R788 was administered to NZB/NZW mice before and after disease onset. Proteinuria, blood urea nitrogen levels, and autoantibody titers were examined periodically, and overall survival and renal pathologic features were assessed following long-term treatment (24-34 weeks). The distribution and immunophenotype of various splenic T cell and B cell subpopulations were evaluated at the time of study termination. Arthus responses in NZB/NZW mice pretreated with R788 or Fc-blocking antibody (anti-CD16/32) were also examined., Results: When R788 was administered prior to or after disease onset, it delayed the onset of proteinuria and azotemia, reduced renal pathology and kidney infiltrates, and significantly prolonged survival of lupus-prone NZB/NZW mice; autoantibody titers were minimally affected throughout the study. Dose-dependent reductions in the numbers of CD4+ activated T cells expressing high levels of CD44 or CD69 were apparent in spleens from R788-treated mice. Minimal effects on the numbers of naive T cells expressing CD62 ligand and total CD8+ T cells per spleen were observed following long-term drug treatment. R788 pretreatment resulted in reduced Arthus responses in NZB/NZW mice, similar to results obtained in mice pretreated with FcR-blocking antibody., Conclusion: We demonstrate that a novel Syk-selective inhibitor prevents the development of renal disease and treats established murine lupus nephritis. These data suggest that Syk inhibitors may be of therapeutic benefit in human lupus and related disorders.