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Vegetables belonging to the Brassicaceae family (cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, brussel sprouts) are generally appreciated for their health benefits, since regular intake can prevent the occurrence of many human diseases like diabetes, cardiovascular and neurological diseases, and decreases the risk of many forms of cancer (1). The active components in Brassicaceae are mainly represented by antioxidant molecules (polyphenols, flavonoids, vitamins E and C and glucosinolates) which possess antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties and appear to contribute to chemopreventive activity in colon, stomach and lung cancer (2). The aim of this research was to analyse the antioxidants activity of Brassica oleracea var acephala (black cabbage) considering plant portions at different developmental stages. For this purpose antioxidant determinations were carried out on seeds dry or imbibed for 1, 2, 4, 7, 10 days, immediately dissected into cotyledons and embryonic axes after removal of seed coat and on plantlets grown for 14, 23, 37 days separated into cotyledons and young leaves. All the extracts were spectrophotometrically analysed for total antioxidant activity, by the electron-transfer based assays DPPH (2,2'-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) (3) and for Vitamin C (4, 5), total phenols (6) and flavonoids (7) content. Data were analyzed considering both fresh and dry weight of the different plant samples. Mass spectrometry, by using electrospray ionization, high resolution and tandem mass spectrometry, have been used to determine the analytes present in the different samples. Results generally indicated a major antioxidant activity in cotyledons of sprouts collected 4 and 10 days from imbibition when compared to dry seeds or leaves from plantlets of 37 days. Our determinations demonstrated that black cabbage sprouts were particularly rich in antioxidant molecules, in accordance with previous works carried out on Brassicaceae and on other vegetables where it was reported that sprouts have higher nutritional value when compared to the mature plants (8, 9, 10). For this reason, regular consumption of sprouts from different vegetables is recommended to get the maximum nutritional value and protective effects on human health.

Strontium titanate, SrxTiyOz (STO), thin films with various cation stoichiometries were deposited by plasma-assisted atomic layer deposition (ALD) using cyclopentadienyl-based metal precursors and oxygen plasma as counter-reactant. [Sr]/([Sr]¿+¿[Ti]) compositions ranging from 0.46 to 0.57 were obtained by changing the (SrO)/(TiO2) ALD cycle ratios. As-deposited 15–30¿nm thick SrxTiyOz films prepared at 350¿°C on Pt-coated silicon substrates were amorphous. Post-annealing at 600/650¿°C for 10¿min under N2 gas resulted in a crystallization into the perovskite phase. Stoichiometric STO and Sr-rich STO films exhibited a certain degree of (111) texture while the Ti-rich STO films showed a lower degree of crystallization. Crystallized layers exhibited a smaller band gap Eg than amorphous ones, while within the stoichiometry series the value of Eg increased with increasing Sr-content. Within the stoichiometry series Pt/STO/Pt structures with Sr-rich STO films showed the lowest leakage current densities. At 1.0¿V values of about 2¿×¿10-8 and 5¿×¿10-6¿A¿cm-2 were obtained for the as-deposited and the annealed films, respectively. Highest capacitance density was obtained for 15¿nm polycrystalline stoichiometric SrTiO3 films resulting in a capacitor equivalent thickness CET of about 0.7¿nm. Pt/SrxTiyOz/Pt capacitors with the STO being in amorphous state exhibited a positive voltage nonlinearity factor a of about 400¿ppm¿V-2, while the negative a-values for crystallized films showed a systematic variation with the stoichiometry, the degree of crystallization and the thickness of the STO layer. This demonstrates that a broad performance range of MIM capacitors is accessible by controlling the stoichiometry and the degree of crystallization of plasma-assisted ALD SrxTiyOz thin films.

In this paper we report on the first example of Fe2O3/CuO composites fabricated by a two-step vapor-phase synthetic strategy. The target route is based on the CVD of Fe2O3 nanorod arrays on Si(100) at 400 degrees C starting from Fe(hfa)(2)TMEDA (hfa=1,1,1,5,5,5-hexafluoro-2,4-pentanedionate; TMEDA=N,N,N,N-tetramethylethylenediamine), followed by radio frequency (RF) copper sputtering for various process durations, and final ex-situ annealing in air. The combined use of complementary structural, morphological, and chemical analyses give evidence of the formation of pure nanocomposite systems, characterized by the presence of the sole E-Fe2O3 and CuO phases. The unique features of the adopted approach enable an efficient surface decoration of E-Fe2O3 rods by CuO nanoparticles a few nm in diameter, resulting in an intimate contact between the two oxides, and a CuO content tunable through variations of the sole sputtering time.

Purpose: Data from epidemiological and experimental studies suggest that dietary protein intake may play a role in inhibiting prostate and breast cancer by modulating the IGF/AKT/mTOR pathway. In this study we investigated the effects of diets with different protein content or quality on prostate and breast cancer. Experimental Design: To test our hypothesis we assessed the inhibitory effect of protein diet restriction on prostate and breast cancer growth, serum PSA and IGF-1 concentrations, mTOR activity and epigenetic markers, by using human xenograft cancer models. Results: Our results showed a 70% inhibition of tumor growth in the castrate-resistant LuCaP23.1 prostate cancer model and a 56% inhibition in the WHIM16 breast cancer model fed with a 7% protein diet when compared to an isocaloric 21% protein diet. Inhibition of tumor growth correlated, in the LuCaP23.1 model, with decreased serum PSA and IGF-1 levels, down-regulation of mTORC1 activity, decreased cell proliferation as indicated by Ki67 staining, and reduction in epigenetic markers of prostate cancer progression, including the histone methyltransferase EZH2 and the associated histone mark H3K27me3. In addition, we observed that modifications of dietary protein quality, independently of protein quantity, decreased tumor growth. A diet containing 20% plant protein inhibited tumor weight by 37% as compared to a 20% animal dairy protein diet. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that a reduction in dietary protein intake is highly effective in inhibiting tumor growth in human xenograft prostate and breast cancer models, possibly through the inhibition of the IGF/AKT/mTOR pathway and epigenetic modifications.

[Zr(NEtMe)2(guan-NEtMe2)2], a recently developed compound, was investigated as a novel precursor for the atomic layer deposition (ALD) of ZrO2. With water as the oxygen source, the growth rate remained constant over a wide temperature range, whereas with ozone the growth rate increased steadily with deposition temperature. Both ALD processes were successfully developed: the characteristic self-limiting ALD growth mode was confirmed at 300 °C. The growth rates were exceptionally high, 0.9 and 1.15 Å/cycle with water and ozone, respectively. X-ray diffraction (XRD) indicated that the films were deposited in the high-permittivity cubic phase, even when grown at temperatures as low as 250 °C. Compositional analysis performed by means of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) demonstrated low carbon and nitrogen contamination (

Italy is leader in the production of chicory (Cichorium spp.) foods. Typical vegetables such as endive and escarole (C. endivia var. latifolium and var. chrispum) and "puntarelle" (C. intybus subsp. foliosum) are mainly consumed as fresh or minimally processed food. The project CISIA (Integrated Knowledge for the Agro-food Sustainability and Innovation for the made in Italy produce) is sustained by governmental and SMEs and aims at assessing the identity and traceability of local varieties (Lazio and Puglia shires) and at enhancing their nutritive and economic value by "olistic" approaches targeted to specific metabolites and gene pathways. The profiles of quality metabolite, related gene transcription and allelic variability will be used to fingerprint and valorise escarole, endive and "puntarelle" cultivars. In this context, the brassinosteroid (BR) pathway was widely investigated, considering that anti-cancer/anti-cholesterol properties of BR can impact on food quality and cultivar selection/marketing. The BR content of edible products (leaves) was quantified by Mass spectrometry in a set of patented and local cultivars and used to rank for BR accumulation. The BR biosynthetic and catabolic genes of C. intybus and C. endivia were identified by de novo transcriptome assembly of sequences obtained by Next Generation Sequencing. The comparison of BR gene expression pattern among the different cultivars will be combined with BR metabolic profile changes. Finally, variations of structural gene (SNP) and metabolite contents will be tested as markers for discrimination and traceability.

Lo stress ossidativo è la conseguenza diretta dell'azione dannosa esercitata da elevate quantità di radicali liberi (agenti ossidanti) su cellule, tessuti e macromolecole biologiche. Nel nostro organismo esiste un delicato equilibrio fra produzione e "smaltimento" dei radicali liberi da parte dei sistemi antiossidanti endogeni e quando i livelli di ossidazione superano le capacità detossificanti dei sistemi di difesa, le specie radicaliche reagiscono e danneggiano molte molecole biologiche, con conseguenze deleterie sulle funzioni cellulari. Evidenze sperimentali hanno dimostrato come una completa ed equilibrata alimentazione può migliorare le difese dell'organismo in termini di apporto di molecole antiossidanti e la ricerca biomedica, nel settore della nutrizione, è oggi interessata a definire i composti più attivi della dieta ed a comprenderne i meccanismi d'azione a livello molecolare e cellulare. A tal proposito la nostra attenzione è stata rivolta al ruolo di un integratore alimentare, commercialmente denominato Lisosan G nella protezione dal danno ossidativo. Scopo del nostro lavoro è stato determinare l'attività antiossidante e l'attività antiemolitica del Lisosan G in un modello sperimentale ex-vivo di eritrociti umani in cui è stato indotto un processo ossidativo mediante trattamento con il 2,2'-azobis(2-amidinopropane)hydrochloride (AAPH), un generatore di radicali liberi. I risultati ottenuti dimostrano che il Lisosan G riduce in modo dose-dipendente i radicali generati dall'AAPH mostrando la miglior efficacia alla dose più elevata pari a 25 mg/ml; inoltre il Lisosan G protegge l'eritrocita dall'emolisi ossidativa indipendentemente dalla dose utilizzata. I risultati ottenuti si possono spiegare con le molte componenti antiossidanti presenti nel Lisosan G inclusa una discreta quantità di acido lipoico che è presente alla concentrazione di 66 mg/Kg di Lisosan G. In conclusione, un'integrazione alimentare con Lisosan G può contribuire a migliorare il sistema antiossidante nell'uomo con un effetto positivo sulla salute.

n-Dodecane and fatty acids were good inducers of cytochrome P450 (CYP) and the x-hydroxylase of lauric acid, which is a marker for x-hydroxylation of n-alkanes, in Trichoderma harzianum. A cDNA, containing an ORF of 1520 bp, encoding a CYP52 of 520 amino acids, was isolated by RACE. Another n-alkane-inducible CYP was identified by LLC-MS/MS analysis of a microsomal protein band induced by n-dodecane in a library of T. harzianum. This suggests that T. harzianum has a CYP-dependent conversion of alkanes to fatty acids allowing their incorporation into lipids.

Il Lisosan G che si ritrova sia in acqua che in polvere è un lisato di grano, probiotico completamente naturale e biologico ottenuto da una particolare lavorazione di cruschello e germe di grano. E' commercializzato da Agrisan (Larciano, PT) ed è registrato presso il Ministero della Salute come integratore alimentare. Tra le principali componenti presenti nel Lisosan G troviamo una consistente presenza di vitamina B e tocoferoli, utili antiossidanti e oligoelementi coinvolti in diversi processi biochimici, nonchè una significativa presenza di acidi grassi poliinsaturi. Ricco di aminoacidi, di minerali (Magnesio, Calcio, Ferro, Fosforo, Zinco, Rame, Selenio,ecc.) di acidi Omega 3 ed Omega 6, di vitamine del gruppo PP ed E il Lisosan G è stato ideato per restituire vitalità agli alimenti depauperati dai processi di raffinazione, elaborazione, precottura e conservazione. E' noto che i prodotti vegetali soprattutto se assunti a dosi elevate possono presentare un effetto tossico per l'uomo; a tal proposito sono noti effetti cardio e neurotossici di alcuni composti vegetali. Per questo motivo sono stati eseguiti sul Lisosan G studi per capire se questo prodotto o componenti in esso presenti potessero presentare una eventuale tossicità intrinseca. Gli studi effettuati hanno dimostrato assenza di tossicità ed incapacità di interferire con gli enzimi del metabolismo dei farmaci da parte del Lisosan G che perciò può essere assunto anche dalle persone sotto terapia farmacologica. Inoltre il lisosan G ha mostrato un effetto di protezione a livello epatico, renale e del microcircolo. Si è evidenziato che ha anche una capacità antimutagena. Considerati i risultati sperimentali complessivi possiamo ipotizzare che un'alimentazione che contempli anche l'assunzione di Lisosan G possa migliorare lo stato di salute di una persona.

Strontium titanate (SrTiO3, STO) films were deposited by plasma-assisted ALD using cyclopentadienyl-based Sr- and Ti-precursors with O2 plasma as the oxidizing agent. Spectroscopic ellipsometry (SE) was employed to determine the thickness and the optical properties of the layers. As determined from Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS), [Sr]/([Sr]+[Ti]) ratios ranging from 0.42 to 0.68 were achieved for 30‐40 nm thick films by tuning the [SrO]/[TiO2] ALD cycle ratio. Films deposited at 250◦ Cw ere amorphous and required post-deposition annealing to crystallize into the ultrahigh-k perovskite structure. The crystallinity of the films after rapid thermal annealing strongly depended on the film composition as observed by X-ray diffraction measurements. Using RBS data for a set of as-deposited samples, an optical constant library was built to determine the film stoichiometry from SE directly for the amorphous as-deposited films. After rapid thermal annealing the crystalline phase could be determined from the position of critical points of the measured dielectric function and the estimation of the stoichiometry was also possible for crystallized layers. These results open up a new way to use SE as a real-time characterization method to monitor and tune the STO film composition and crystallinity.

1. In this study, the expression and inducibility of CYP2C33, 2C42, 2C49, 2B22, 3A22, 3A29 and 3A46 were investigated at activity and /or transcriptional level in liver, kidney, small intestine, respiratory and olfactory nasal mucosa of control and phenobarbital (PB)-treated pigs. 2. PB treatment resulted in an up-regulation of mRNA levels of all analysed CYPs in liver, of CYP2C42 and 2C49 in kidney, of CYP2C42, 2C49, CYP2B22 and CYP3As in small intestine. 3. In liver microsomes from PB-treated pigs, these transcriptional activations were accompanied by an increase of various marker activities of human CYP2B6, CYP3As CYP2C9, CYP2C19. Among the extrahepatic tissues, a significant induction by PB was observed only in kidney for the marker activities of CYP2C9. 4. Taken together, our results demonstrated that the PB administration in pig induced at least in liver, in addition to CYP2B22 and 3As, the expression of CYP2C33, 2C42 and 2C49 at transcriptional and activity levels. 5. Furthermore our findings showed that the catalytic activities of porcine CYP2Cs are different amongst those observed and with respect to the human counterparts. Thus, the use of pig as a model for humans in studies with drugs either substrates and/or inducers of CYP2Cs should be considered carefully.

In recent years a great attention has been focused in Europe on the importance of food safety and the relation between diet and health. Moreover, worldwide changes in population lifestyle, together with modifi cations in food processing, production and distribution contributed to the eating habits of Western populations and to their reaction to recent public health emergencies. As an example, the real or alleged dioxin contamination that affected several industrialized countries has increased the interest of Authorities, producers and consumers on topics such as food safety and risks for human health deriving from contaminated food. The annual report of the European Commission Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) summarizes notifi cations on food contaminations occurred in different countries. Data analyses provided a useful tool to develop future effi cient programs for food control. In this context, a working group of the PIAS project studied how specifi c classes of environmental contaminants (e.g, pesticides, metals, dioxins) may affect human health through the food chain. Their results are presented in this Chapter. A special section has been dedicated to highlight issues of major interest in this fi eld, such as the determination of heavy metals and dioxins in food matrixes and biological samples; experimental models to assess the harmful effect of contaminants on human reproduction; the role of cytochrome P450 in xenobiotics metabolism. The last section of this Chapter proposes a research programme aimed at integrating aspects already faced in current literature as independent issues, but rarely considered in a holistic approach. The competences needed to pursue this goal are covered by the Italian National Research Council or by the involvement of other Italian or international institutions. The fi nal proposal targets the youth and intends to determine the cause-effect relationship between the presence of contaminants in the diet, their accumulation in humans and the risk of chronic diseases. Key issues, such as bioavailability and adaptive response (hormesis), will be explored using suitable experimental models to suggest a functional link, at molecular level, between the onset of specifi c diseases and the concentrations of contaminants measured in food.

Assieme ai metodi di conservazione naturale come alcol, aceto, sale, affumicamento, zucchero, le civiltà del passato utilizzavano anche estratti naturali per insaporire o conservare meglio i cibi. Tutte queste sostanze possono essere considerate precursori degli attuali additivi. Gli Egizi utilizzavano coloranti e aromi per rendere più appetitosi certi alimenti e i Romani usavano nitrato di potassio, le spezie e i coloranti per conservare e migliorare l’aspetto dei cibi. A partire dagli anni 50 gli sviluppi della scienza e della tecnologia alimentare hanno portato alla scoperta di molte nuove sostanze, chiamate additivi, che possono svolgere varie funzioni e che sono ora facilmente disponibili. Vi sono, per esempio, gli emulsionanti della margarina, i dolcificanti contenuti nei prodotti a basso contenuto calorico ed un ampio ventaglio di conservanti ed antiossidanti che permettono di rallentare il deterioramento e l’irrancidimento del prodotto, conservandone integro il sapore. Poiché la definizione di additivo, può suscitare nel consumatore atteggiamenti di diffidenza occorre sottolineare che molti additivi sono costituenti naturali di alimenti: ad es. l’acido citrico, la lecitina, le pectine, i tocoferoli.