43 results on '"E. Tarasco"'
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2. Neonatal exchange transfusion: hereditary thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (hTTP) should be in the differential diagnosis
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E Tarasco, A S von Krogh, P Knöbl, M Matsumoto, I Hrachovinova, KD Friedman, JN George, R Schneppenheim, B Lämmle, and JA Kremer Hovinga
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- 2023
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Catalog
3. On-line preconcentration, ion chromatographic separation and spectrophotometric determination of palladium at trace level
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Corrado Sarzanini, E. Tarasco, Claudio Mucchino, and Maria Concetta Bruzzoniti
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Detection limit ,Chromatography ,Ion exchange ,Chemistry ,Organic Chemistry ,Ion chromatography ,Analytical chemistry ,Reproducibility of Results ,chemistry.chemical_element ,General Medicine ,Reference Standards ,Chromatography, Ion Exchange ,Sensitivity and Specificity ,Biochemistry ,Analytical Chemistry ,chemistry.chemical_compound ,Column chromatography ,Certified reference materials ,Spectrophotometry ,Reagent ,Derivatization ,Anion Exchange Resins ,Palladium - Abstract
A new method for the determination of Pd by ion chromatography and spectrophotometric detection has been developed. The technique is based on the separation of palladium as PdCl4(2-) by anion exchange and on the detection, at a wavelength of 407 nm, of metal as PdI4(2-) after a post-column reaction with KI. The column used was an IonPac AS4 with HCl and HClO4 eluents. The eluent concentration and composition of post-column reagent were optimised in order to obtain the best separation and sensitivity for Pd. In order to reduce the detection limit, an on-line preconcentration step, has been optimised. The method, as developed, was suitable for palladium determination within a 300 ng/l D.L. value. The method applied to a BCR reference material (CRM 277, estuarine sediment) gave satisfactory results in agreement with the certified value within a D.L. value of 1.3 microg/l for the real sample. more...
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- 2003
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4. Ion chromatography with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, a powerful analytical tool for complex matrices
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Maria Concetta Bruzzoniti, S. Cavalli, Alessandro Mangia, E. Tarasco, Corrado Sarzanini, and Claudio Mucchino
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Detection limit ,Chromatography ,Chemistry ,Elution ,Organic Chemistry ,Ion chromatography ,Analytical chemistry ,General Medicine ,Mass spectrometry ,Biochemistry ,Analytical Chemistry ,Matrix (chemical analysis) ,Column chromatography ,Inductively coupled plasma ,Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry - Abstract
A new method for palladium and platinum direct determination in environmental samples is proposed by coupling ion chromatography with quadrupole inductively coupled plasma MS. In order to optimise Pd and Pt separation and to minimise interference from matrix in real samples, several anionic and cationic stationary phases have been compared at different mobile phase compositions. In particular, the effect of acidity and of the addition of oxalic acid to the eluent on separation and detection performance has been studied, and the anion-exchange column AG11 turned out to be more suitable. After chromatographic and mass spectrometer parameter optimisation, several potential interferences and the main quality parameters of the method, according to the Eurachem-CITAC recommendations, were evaluated: the detection limit for Pt was 5 ng l(-1) while the value for Pd was 230 ng l(-1). The method was successfully employed in the determination of platinum group elements in urban road dust and atmospheric particulates and the complete absence of matrix spectral interferences was demonstrated. more...
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- 2003
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5. Ion chromatography with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, a powerful analytical tool for complex matrices estimation of Pt and Pd in environmental samples
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M C, Bruzzoniti, S, Cavalli, A, Mangia, C, Mucchino, C, Sarzanini, and E, Tarasco
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Anions ,Quality Control ,Chromatography ,Cations ,Oxalic Acid ,Spectrum Analysis ,Environmental Pollutants ,Indicators and Reagents ,Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ,Chromatography, Ion Exchange ,Sensitivity and Specificity ,Palladium ,Platinum - Abstract
A new method for palladium and platinum direct determination in environmental samples is proposed by coupling ion chromatography with quadrupole inductively coupled plasma MS. In order to optimise Pd and Pt separation and to minimise interference from matrix in real samples, several anionic and cationic stationary phases have been compared at different mobile phase compositions. In particular, the effect of acidity and of the addition of oxalic acid to the eluent on separation and detection performance has been studied, and the anion-exchange column AG11 turned out to be more suitable. After chromatographic and mass spectrometer parameter optimisation, several potential interferences and the main quality parameters of the method, according to the Eurachem-CITAC recommendations, were evaluated: the detection limit for Pt was 5 ng l(-1) while the value for Pd was 230 ng l(-1). The method was successfully employed in the determination of platinum group elements in urban road dust and atmospheric particulates and the complete absence of matrix spectral interferences was demonstrated. more...
- Published
- 2003
6. Mesoporous materials for the retention and separation of haloacetic acids
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Barbara Onida, V. Serafino, Edoardo Mentasti, Maria Concetta Bruzzoniti, Corrado Sarzanini, E. Tarasco, Edoardo Garrone, and Barbara Bonelli
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Haloacetic acids ,Conductometry ,Chemistry ,Silica gel ,Organic Chemistry ,Clinical Biochemistry ,haloacetic acids ,mesoporous sorbent ,Mesoporous silica ,Biochemistry ,Analytical Chemistry ,Mesoporous organosilica ,chemistry.chemical_compound ,Pulmonary surfactant ,medicine ,Organic chemistry ,Water treatment ,Mesoporous material ,medicine.drug - Abstract
Mesoporous silica-based materials have been synthesized and studied for applications in the environmental field. Haloacetic acids have been chosen as test compounds since they are byproducts of disinfection processes of water for human consumption. For this purpose mesoporous materials have been synthesized in acid, basic or neutral conditions. The effect of composition and synthesis conditions of mesoporous materials on their retention properties have been studied. The retention mechanism has also been elucidated in term of electrostatic interactions and as a function of the residual surfactant content in the materials. more...
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- 2002
7. Some morphological aspects of the mouthparts of Italian blood-sucking muscids (Diptera, Stomoxyinae)
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A, Giangaspero, E, Tarasco, P S, Urso, and R, Lia
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Italy ,Species Specificity ,Diptera ,Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ,Animals ,Cattle ,Head - Abstract
Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observations on the mouthparts of four species of blood-sucking muscid symbovine flies (Stomoxys calcitrans Linnaeus, Haematobia irritans Linnaeus, H. titillans Bezzi, and Haematobosca stimulans Meigen) are described. The morphology of some structures (haustellum, prestomal teeth and petiolate blades) is compared in order to draw attention to those features involved in the feeding process on the hosts. more...
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- 1996
8. Commento agli artt. 167-181
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SANDULLI, Maria Alessandra, LEONE G. E TARASCO A. L. A CURA DI, and Sandulli, Maria Alessandra
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- 2005
9. Antimicrobial Peptides (AMP) in the Cell-Free Culture Media of Xenorhabdus budapestensis and X. szentirmaii Exert Anti-Protist Activity against Eukaryotic Vertebrate Pathogens including Histomonas meleagridis and Leishmania donovani Species.
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Fodor A, Hess C, Ganas P, Boros Z, Kiss J, Makrai L, Dublecz K, Pál L, Fodor L, Sebestyén A, Klein MG, Tarasco E, Kulkarni MM, McGwire BS, Vellai T, and Hess M
- Abstract
Anti-microbial peptides provide a powerful toolkit for combating multidrug resistance. Combating eukaryotic pathogens is complicated because the intracellular drug targets in the eukaryotic pathogen are frequently homologs of cellular structures of vital importance in the host organism. The entomopathogenic bacteria (EPB), symbionts of entomopathogenic-nematode species, release a series of non-ribosomal templated anti-microbial peptides. Some may be potential drug candidates. The ability of an entomopathogenic-nematode/entomopathogenic bacterium symbiotic complex to survive in a given polyxenic milieu is a coevolutionary product. This explains that those gene complexes that are responsible for the biosynthesis of different non-ribosomal templated anti-microbial protective peptides (including those that are potently capable of inactivating the protist mammalian pathogen Leishmania donovanii and the gallinaceous bird pathogen Histomonas meleagridis ) are co-regulated. Our approach is based on comparative anti-microbial bioassays of the culture media of the wild-type and regulatory mutant strains. We concluded that Xenorhabdus budapestensis and X. szentirmaii are excellent sources of non-ribosomal templated anti-microbial peptides that are efficient antagonists of the mentioned pathogens. Data on selective cytotoxicity of different cell-free culture media encourage us to forecast that the recently discovered "easy-PACId" research strategy is suitable for constructing entomopathogenic-bacterium (EPB) strains producing and releasing single, harmless, non-ribosomal templated anti-microbial peptides with considerable drug, (probiotic)-candidate potential. more...
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- 2023
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10. Entomopathogenic nematodes and their symbiotic bacteria: from genes to field uses.
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Tarasco E, Fanelli E, Salvemini C, El-Khoury Y, Troccoli A, Vovlas A, and De Luca F
- Abstract
The term "microbial control" has been used to describe the use of microbial pathogens (bacteria, viruses, or fungi) or entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) to control various insect pest populations. EPNs are among the best biocontrol agents, and major developments in their use have occurred in recent decades, with many surveys having been conducted all over the world to identify EPNs that may have potential in the management of insect pests. For nematodes, the term "entomopathogenic" means "causing disease to insects" and is mainly used in reference to the bacterial symbionts of Steinernema and Heterorhabditis ( Xenorhabdus and Photorhabdus , respectively), which cause EPN infectivity. A compendium of our multiannual experiences on EPN surveys and on their collection, identification, characterization, and use in agro-forestry ecosystems is presented here to testify and demonstrate once again that biological control with EPNs is possible and offers many advantages over chemicals, such as end-user safety, minimal damage to natural enemies, and lack of environmental pollution, which are essential conditions for an advanced IPM strategy., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest. The author ET declared that they were an editorial board member of Frontiers at the time of submission. This had no impact on the peer review process and the final decision., (Copyright © 2023 Tarasco, Fanelli, Salvemini, El-Khoury, Troccoli, Vovlas and De Luca.) more...
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- 2023
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11. XENOFOOD-An Autoclaved Feed Supplement Containing Autoclavable Antimicrobial Peptides-Exerts Anticoccidial GI Activity, and Causes Bursa Enlargement, but Has No Detectable Harmful Effects in Broiler Cockerels despite In Vitro Detectable Cytotoxicity on LHM Cells.
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Fodor A, Vellai T, Hess C, Makrai L, Dublecz K, Pál L, Molnár A, Klein MG, Tarasco E, Józsa S, Ganas P, and Hess M
- Abstract
Entomopathogenic bacteria are obligate symbionts of entomopathogenic nematode (EPN) species. These bacteria biosynthesize and release non-ribosomal-templated hybrid peptides (NR-AMPs), with strong, and large-spectral antimicrobial potential, capable of inactivating pathogens belonging to different prokaryote, and eukaryote taxa. The cell-free conditioned culture media (CFCM) of Xenorhabdus budapestensis and X. szentirmaii efficiently inactivate poultry pathogens like Clostridium , Histomonas , and Eimeria . To learn whether a bio-preparation containing antimicrobial peptides of Xenorhabdus origin with accompanying (in vitro detectable) cytotoxic effects could be considered a safely applicable preventive feed supplement, we conducted a 42-day feeding experiment on freshly hatched broiler cockerels. XENOFOOD (containing autoclaved X. budapestensis , and X. szentirmaii cultures developed on chicken food) were consumed by the birds. The XENOFOOD exerted detectable gastrointestinal (GI) activity (reducing the numbers of the colony-forming Clostridium perfringens units in the lower jejunum. No animal was lost in the experiment. Neither the body weight, growth rate, feed-conversion ratio, nor organ-weight data differed between the control (C) and treated (T) groups, indicating that the XENOFOOD diet did not result in any detectable adverse effects. We suppose that the parameters indicating a moderate enlargement of bursas of Fabricius (average weight, size, and individual bursa/spleen weight-ratios) in the XENOFOOD-fed group must be an indirect indication that the bursa-controlled humoral immune system neutralized the cytotoxic ingredients of the XENOFOOD in the blood, not allowing to reach their critical cytotoxic concentration in the sensitive tissues. more...
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- 2023
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12. Interactions between Entomopathogenic Fungi and Entomopathogenic Nematodes.
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Půža V and Tarasco E
- Abstract
Entomopathogenic fungi and entomopathogenic nematodes are globally distributed soil organisms capable of infecting and killing a vast variety of insects. Therefore, these organisms are frequently used as biocontrol agents in insect pest management. Both entomopathogenic fungi and nematodes share the soil environment and thus can infest and compete for the same insect host; however, natural co-infections are rarely found due to the cryptic soil environment. Our current knowledge on their interactions within hosts mainly comes from laboratory experiments. Because of the recent trend of combining biocontrol agents to increase their efficacy, many studies have focused on the co-application of different species of EPF and EPNs against various insect pests with variable outcomes ranging from synergistic effects and additive effects to antagonism. In addition, the effect on the development and reproduction of each pathogen varies from normal reproduction to exclusion, and generally the outcomes of the interactions are dependent on pathogen and host species, pathogen doses, and the timing of infection. The present review aims to summarize the current knowledge on the interactions of entomopathogenic fungi and nematodes within an insect host and to estimate the possible effects of the interactions on natural pathogen populations and on their use in biocontrol. more...
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- 2023
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13. Integrated Biological Control of the Sugar Beet Weevil Asproparthenis punctiventris with the Fungus Metarhizium brunneum : New Application Approaches.
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Zottele M, Mayrhofer M, Embleton H, Enkerli J, Eigner H, Tarasco E, and Strasser H
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The mass occurrence of the sugar beet weevil (Asproparthenis punctiventris, previously Bothynoderes punctiventris) has been endangering sugar beet cultivation in Austria for centuries. Exacerbated by climatic and political changes (warmer, drier spring and limited access to chemical pesticides), new approaches are needed to counter the problem. The aim of our work was to test whether the bioinsecticide Metarhizium brunneum Ma 43 (formerly M. anisopliae var. anisopliae BIPESCO 5/F52) can be used as a sustainable plant protection product against the sugar beet weevil. Our goal was to control the pest in all its development stages through multiple applications. Therefore, GranMetTM-P, a granular formulation of M. brunneum Ma 43, was applied in spring to establish the fungus in the soil, whereas GranMetTM-WP, a liquid formulation of the production strain, was used in early summer on trap ditches and leaves to target the adult weevils. Soil and plant samples as well as weevils were collected during the planting season from the trial sites to evaluate the development of the fungus and the mycosis of the treated weevils. In addition, data on hibernating weevils and their emigration from untreated field sites was collected. In all field sites, the Metarhizium spp. abundance increased above the background level (<1000 CFU g−1 soil dry weight) after application of the product. With an increasing number of treatments per plot, and thus an increased contact possibility between pest and the fungus, a rise in the mycosis rate was observed. In conclusion, the various Metarhizium application strategies, which are already available or in testing, must be implemented to ensure control in both old and new sugar beet fields. Metarhizium is a further asset in the successful control of this sugar beet pest. more...
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- 2023
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14. Involvement of a novel Pseudomonas protegens strain associated with entomopathogenic nematode infective juveniles in insect pathogenesis.
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Ruiu L, Marche MG, Mura ME, and Tarasco E
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- Animals, Pest Control, Biological, Insecta, Larva parasitology, Soil parasitology, Bacteria, Rhabditida, Moths parasitology
- Abstract
Background: The bioinsecticidal action of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) typically relies on their symbiosis with core bacteria. However, recent studies highlighted the possible involvement of other noncore species. We have recently isolated a novel Pseudomonas protegens strain as a major agent of septicaemia in larvae of the wax moth, Galleria mellonella, infected with a soil-dwelling Steinernema feltiae strain. The actual role of this bacterium in entomopathogenesis was investigated., Results: The association of P. protegens with nematodes appeared to be robust, as supported by its direct and repeated isolation from both nematodes and insect larvae infected for several consecutive generations. The bacterium appeared to be well-adapted to the insect haemocoel, being able to proliferate rapidly after the injection of even a small amount of living cells [100 colony forming units (CFU)] to a larva, causing its fast death. The bacterium also was able to act by ingestion against G. mellonella larvae [median lethal concentration (LC
50 ) = 4.0 × 107 CFU mL-1 ], albeit with a slower action, which supports the involvement of specific virulence factors (e.g. chitinases, Fit toxin) to overcome the intestinal barrier to the haemocoel. Varying levels of bacterial virulence were observed on diverse target Diptera and Lepidoptera., Conclusion: The soil-dwelling bacterium P. protegens appears to have evolved its own potential as a stand-alone entomopathogen, yet the establishment of an opportunistic association with entomoparasitic nematodes would represent a special competitive advantage. This finding contributes to a deeper understanding of the nematode-bacteria biocontrol agent complex and the deriving paradigm of their use as biological control agents. © 2022 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry., (© 2022 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.) more...- Published
- 2022
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15. Steinernema Africanum n. Sp. (Rhabditida, Steinernematidae), a New Entomopathogenic Nematode Species Isolated in the Republic of Rwanda.
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Machado RAR, Bhat AH, Abolafia J, Shokoohi E, Fallet P, Turlings TCJ, Tarasco E, Půža V, Kajuga J, Yan X, and Toepfer S
- Abstract
Alternatives to hazardous insecticides are urgently needed for an environmentally friendly and effective management of insect pests. One such option is the use of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN). To increase the availability of EPN with potential for biocontrol, we surveyed agricultural soils in the Republic of Rwanda and collected two Steinernema isolates. Initial molecular characterization showed that they represent a new species, for which we propose the name S. africanum n. sp. To describe this new species, we reconstructed phylogenetic relationships, calculated sequence similarity scores, characterized the nematodes at the morphological level, conducted crossing experiments, and isolated and characterized their symbiotic bacteria. At the molecular level, S. africanum n. sp. is closely related to S. litorale and S. weiseri . At the morphological level, S. africanum n. sp. differs from closely related species by the position of the nerve ring and also because the stoma and pharynx region is longer. The first-generation males have ventrally curved spicules with lanceolate manubrium and fusiform gubernaculum and the second-generation males have rounded manubrium and anteriorly hook-like gubernaculum. Steinernema africanum n. sp. does not mate or produce fertile progeny with any of the closely related species., Competing Interests: Conflicts of Interest The authors declare that no conflict of interest exists. The newly described entomopathogenic nematodes were discovered through public funds. There are no financial dependencies of authors with regard to the described nematode species., (© 2022 Machado et al. published by Sciendo.) more...
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- 2022
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16. Hereditary thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura and COVID-19: Impacts of vaccination and infection in this rare disease.
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Tarasco E, von Krogh AS, Hrdlickova R, Braschler TR, Iwaniec T, Knöbl PN, Hamada E, Pikovsky O, Farese S, Gutwein O, Kessler P, Schultz NH, von Auer C, Windyga J, Friedman K, Hrachovinova I, George JN, Matsumoto M, Schneppenheim R, Lämmle B, and Kremer Hovinga JA more...
- Abstract
Introduction: Severe COVID-19 is associated with an important increase of von Willebrand factor and mild lowering of ADAMTS13 activity that may, in the presence of a strong inflammatory reaction, increase the risk of acute thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP). Although acute episodes of immune-mediated TTP associated with COVID-19 or SARS-CoV-2 vaccination have been reported, data about clinical evolution of hereditary TTP (hTTP) during the pandemic are scarce., Method: We conducted a survey among adult patients of the International Hereditary TTP Registry about SARS-CoV-2 vaccination, COVID-19, and occurrence of acute hTTP episodes., Results: Of 122 adult hTTP patients invited to participate, 86 (70.5%) responded. Sixty-five had been vaccinated (75.6%), of which 14 had received in addition a booster, resulting in 139 individual vaccine shots. Although vaccinations in patients on plasma prophylaxis were done within 1 week of the last plasma infusion, all 23 patients treated with plasma on demand were vaccinated without prior plasma infusions. One patient on uninterrupted weekly plasma infusions presented within 3 days from his second vaccination with neurological symptoms and computed tomography scan 9 days later showed subacute ischemic/hemorrhagic frontal lobe infarction. A second male patient developed acute myocarditis after his second dose of mRNA-1273 vaccine. Twelve (14%) patients had COVID-19, associated with an acute hTTP episode in three of them: one patient had a transient ischemic attack, one a stroke, and a pregnant woman was hospitalized to intensify plasma treatment., Discussion: The risk of an acute episode triggered by COVID-19 seems higher than following vaccination in hTTP patients, who can be safely vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2., (© 2022 The Authors. Research and Practice in Thrombosis and Haemostasis published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH).) more...
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- 2022
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17. Prevalence of neuropsychiatric symptoms and stroke in patients with hereditary thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura.
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Borogovac A, Tarasco E, Kremer Hovinga JA, Friedman KD, Asch AS, Vesely SK, Prodan CI, Terrell DR, and George JN
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- ADAMTS13 Protein, Humans, Prevalence, Purpura, Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic diagnosis, Purpura, Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic epidemiology, Purpura, Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic genetics, Stroke epidemiology, Stroke genetics
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- 2022
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18. Type Strains of Entomopathogenic Nematode-Symbiotic Bacterium Species, Xenorhabdus szentirmaii (EMC) and X. budapestensis (EMA), Are Exceptional Sources of Non-Ribosomal Templated, Large-Target-Spectral, Thermotolerant-Antimicrobial Peptides (by Both), and Iodinin (by EMC).
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Fodor A, Gualtieri M, Zeller M, Tarasco E, Klein MG, Fodor AM, Haynes L, Lengyel K, Forst SA, Furgani GM, Karaffa L, and Vellai T
- Abstract
Antimicrobial multidrug resistance (MDR) is a global challenge, not only for public health, but also for sustainable agriculture. Antibiotics used in humans should be ruled out for use in veterinary or agricultural settings. Applying antimicrobial peptide (AMP) molecules, produced by soil-born organisms for protecting (soil-born) plants, seems a preferable alternative. The natural role of peptide-antimicrobials, produced by the prokaryotic partner of entomopathogenic-nematode/bacterium (EPN/EPB) symbiotic associations, is to sustain monoxenic conditions for the EPB in the gut of the semi-anabiotic infective dauer juvenile (IJ) EPN. They keep pathobiome conditions balanced for the EPN/EPB complex in polyxenic (soil, vanquished insect cadaver) niches. Xenorhabdus szentirmaii DSM16338(T) (EMC), and X. budapestensis DSM16342(T) (EMA), are the respective natural symbionts of EPN species Steinernema rarum and S. bicornutum. We identified and characterized both of these 15 years ago. The functional annotation of the draft genome of EMC revealed 71 genes encoding non-ribosomal peptide synthases, and polyketide synthases. The large spatial Xenorhabdus AMP (fabclavine), was discovered in EMA, and its biosynthetic pathway in EMC. The AMPs produced by EMA and EMC are promising candidates for controlling MDR prokaryotic and eukaryotic pathogens (bacteria, oomycetes, fungi, protozoa). EMC releases large quantity of iodinin (1,6-dihydroxyphenazine 5,10-dioxide) in a water-soluble form into the media, where it condenses to form spectacular water-insoluble, macroscopic crystals. This review evaluates the scientific impact of international research on EMA and EMC. more...
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- 2022
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19. Editorial: New Antimicrobial Peptides From Bacteria/Invertebrate Obligate Symbiotic Associations.
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Fodor A, Clarke DJ, Dillman AR, Tarasco E, and Hazir S
- Abstract
Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.
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- 2022
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20. Annual incidence and severity of acute episodes in hereditary thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura.
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Tarasco E, Bütikofer L, Friedman KD, George JN, Hrachovinova I, Knöbl PN, Matsumoto M, von Krogh AS, Aebi-Huber I, Cermakova Z, Górska-Kosicka M, Jalowiec KA, Largiadèr CR, Prohászka Z, Sinkovits G, Windyga J, Lämmle B, and Kremer Hovinga JA more...
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- Adolescent, Adult, Age of Onset, Aged, Child, Child, Preschool, Female, Humans, Infant, Infant, Newborn, Male, Middle Aged, Severity of Illness Index, Blood Component Transfusion, Genetic Diseases, Inborn epidemiology, Genetic Diseases, Inborn therapy, Plasma, Purpura, Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic epidemiology, Purpura, Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic therapy, Registries
- Abstract
Hereditary thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (hTTP) is a rare thrombotic microangiopathy characterized by severe congenital ADAMTS13 deficiency and recurring acute episodes causing morbidity and premature death. Information on the annual incidence and severity of acute episodes in patients with hTTP is largely lacking. This study reports prospective data on 87 patients from the Hereditary TTP Registry (clinicaltrials.gov #NCT01257269) for survival, frequency, and severity of acute episodes from enrollment until December 2019. The 87 patients, followed up for a median of 4.2 years (range, 0.01-15 years), had a median age at overt disease onset and at clinical diagnosis of 4.6 years and 18 years (range, 0.0-70 years for both), respectively. Forty-three patients received regular plasma prophylaxis, whereas 22 did not, and treatment changed over time or was unknown in the remaining 22. Forty-three patients experienced 131 acute episodes, of which 91 (69%) occurred in patients receiving regular prophylaxis. This resulted in an annual incidence of acute episodes of 0.36 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.29-0.44) with regular plasma treatment and of 0.41 (95% CI, 0.30-0.56) without regular plasma treatment. More than one-third of acute episodes (n = 51) were documented in children <10 years of age at enrollment and were often triggered by infections. Their annual incidence of acute episodes was significantly higher than in patients aged >40 years (1.18 [95% CI, 0.88-1.55] vs 0.14 [95% CI, 0.08-0.23]). The prophylactic plasma infusion regimens used were insufficient to prevent acute episodes in many patients. Such regimens are burdensome, and caregivers, patients, and their guardians are reluctant to start regular plasma infusions, from which children particularly would benefit., (© 2021 by The American Society of Hematology.) more...
- Published
- 2021
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21. Biological Control and Insect Pathology.
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Tarasco E and De Luca F
- Abstract
Agro-forestry intensification is one of the main drivers of the global biodiversity crisis and decline in arthropods and particularly insects [...].
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- 2021
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22. Molecular Characterization and Functional Analysis of the Hb-hsp 90-1 Gene in Relation to Temperature Changes in Heterorhabditis bacteriophora .
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Fanelli E, Troccoli A, Tarasco E, and De Luca F
- Abstract
Understanding how entomopathogenic nematodes respond to temperature changes and have adapted to the local environment is crucial to improve their potential as biocontrol agents. In order to improve understanding of Heterorhabditis bacteriophora 's potential adaptability to future climate changes, full-length cDNA and the corresponding gene of heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) were isolated and fully characterized. The reproductive potential of the Apulian strain of H. bacteriophora increased when the temperature rose from 23 to 30°C, but no reproduction was found at 12°C. Expression analyses revealed that Hb-hsp 90-1 was differentially expressed in Infective Juveniles (IJs) and adults (hermaphrodites, females and males). Up-regulation of Hb-hsp 90-1 was higher during the recovery process in Galleria mellonella larvae than adults, thus confirming the protective role of Hb-hsp 90-1 in coping with the host environment. Silencing of Hb-hsp 90-1 resulted in a significant reduction (76%) in the expression level. Silenced IJs took longer than untreated nematodes to infect G. mellonella , showing that Hb-hsp 90-1 could be also involved in chemosensation. Furthermore, the number of adults and IJs recovered from G. mellonella infected with silenced nematodes and incubated at 30°C was higher than that obtained from G. mellonella infected with untreated nematodes. These data confirm the crucial role of Hb-hsp 90-1 allowing acclimation to increased temperatures and modulation of the recovery process., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2021 Fanelli, Troccoli, Tarasco and De Luca.) more...
- Published
- 2021
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23. Evaluation of Indigenous Entomopathogenic Nematodes as Potential Biocontrol Agents against Popillia japonica (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) in Northern Italy.
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Torrini G, Paoli F, Mazza G, Simoncini S, Benvenuti C, Strangi A, Tarasco E, Barzanti GP, Bosio G, Cutino I, Roversi PF, and Marianelli L
- Abstract
The natural presence of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) has been investigated in the Piedmont region (Northern Italy) in areas infested by the Japanese beetle Popillia japonica . Thirty-nine out of 155 soil samples (25.2%) were positive for EPNs. Most of the samples contained only steinermatids (92.3%), 5.1% contained heterorhabditids, and one sample (2.6%) contained both genera. All the recovered isolates were identified at species level both morphologically and molecularly. Steinernema carpocapsae was the most abundant and it was mainly distributed in open habitats, such as perennial meadows, uncultivated soils, and cropland, characterized by sandy loam soil texture and acidic pH. Steinernema feltiae has been found associated mainly with closed habitats such as coniferous and deciduous woodland, characterized by sandy loam-texture and extremely acidic soil. The three isolates of Heterorhabditis bacteriophora were collected only in open habitats (perennial meadows and uncultivated fields) characterized by strongly acidic soils with sandy loam texture. The virulence of all EPN natural strains was evaluated by laboratory assays against P. japonica third-instar larvae collected during two different periods of the year (spring, autumn). The results showed that larval mortality was higher for pre-wintering larvae than post-wintering ones. The five more promising EPN isolates were tested in the semi-field assay in which H. bacteriophora natural strains have been shown to be more efficient in controlling P. japonica grubs. All of these results are finally discussed considering the use of these natural EPNs as biological control agents against P. japonica , within an eco-friendly perspective of management. more...
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- 2020
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24. Insights from the Hereditary Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura Registry: Discussion of Key Findings Based on Individual Cases from Switzerland.
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Kremer Hovinga JA, Braschler TR, Buchkremer F, Farese S, Hengartner H, Lovey PY, Largiadèr CR, Mansouri Taleghani B, and Tarasco E
- Subjects
- Female, Humans, Male, Registries, Switzerland, Purpura, Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic diagnosis
- Abstract
The Hereditary TTP Registry is an international cohort study for patients with a confirmed or suspected diagnosis of hereditary thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (hTTP) and their family members. Hereditary TTP is an ultra-rare blood disorder (prevalence of ∼1-2 cases per million), the result of autosomal-recessively inherited congenital ADAMTS13 (a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with a thrombospondin type 1 motif, member 13) deficiency (ADAMTS13 activity <10% of the normal), and associated with yet many unanswered questions. Until December 2017, the Hereditary TTP Registry had enrolled 123 confirmed hTTP patients. Their median age at disease onset was 4.5 years (range: 0-70) and at clinical diagnosis 16.7 years (range: 0-69), a difference that highlights the existing awareness gap in recognizing hTTP. The systematic collection of clinical data of individual patients revealed their substantial baseline comorbidities, as a consequence of recurring TTP episodes in the past. Most notable was the high proportion of patients having suffered from premature arterial thrombotic events, mainly transient ischemic attacks, ischemic strokes, and to a lesser extent myocardial infarctions. At 40 to 50 years of age and above, more than 50% of patients had suffered from at least one such event, and many had experienced arterial thrombotic events despite regular plasma infusions every 2 to 3 weeks that supplements the missing plasma ADAMTS13. The article by van Dorland et al. (Haematologica 2019;104(10):2107-2115) and the ongoing Hereditary TTP Registry cohort study were recognized with the Günter Landbeck Excellence Award at the 50th Hemophilia Symposium in Hamburg in November 2019, the reason to present the Hereditary TTP Registry in more detail here., Competing Interests: J.A.K.H. is a member of advisory board of Shire, member of the Takeda group of companies and of Ablynx, now part of Sanofi. All honoraria are paid to her employer, Insel Gruppe AG, Bern, Switzerland. The other authors have nothing to declare., (Thieme. All rights reserved.) more...
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- 2020
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25. Hypertension in patients with hereditary thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura.
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Borogovac A, Tarasco E, Hovinga JAK, and George JN
- Abstract
Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.
- Published
- 2020
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26. Body weight-dependent and independent improvement in lipid metabolism after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass in ApoE*3Leiden.CETP mice.
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Tarasco E, Boyle CN, Pellegrini G, Arnold M, Steiner R, Hornemann T, Nasias D, Kardassis D, Whiting L, and Lutz TA
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- Animals, Apolipoproteins E genetics, Blood Glucose metabolism, Disease Models, Animal, Eating physiology, Liver chemistry, Liver physiology, Male, Metabolic Syndrome physiopathology, Mice, Mice, Transgenic, Body Weight physiology, Gastric Bypass, Lipid Metabolism physiology, Weight Loss physiology
- Abstract
Background/objectives: The incidence of obesity and metabolic syndrome (MetS) has rapidly increased worldwide. Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) achieves long-term weight loss and improves MetS-associated comorbidities. Using a mouse model with a humanized lipoprotein metabolism, we elucidated whether improvements in lipid and glucose metabolism after RYGB surgery are body weight loss-dependent or not., Subjects/methods: Male ApoE*3Leiden.CETP (ApoE3L.CETP) mice fed Western type diet for 6 weeks underwent RYGB or Sham surgery. Sham groups were either fed ad libitum or were body weight-matched (BWm) to the RYGB mice to discriminate surgical effects from body weight loss-associated effects. Before and after surgery, plasma was collected to assess the metabolic profile, and glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity were tested. Twenty days after surgery, mice were sacrificed, and liver was collected to assess metabolic, histological and global gene expression changes after surgery., Results: RYGB induced a marked reduction in body weight, which was also achieved by severe food restriction in BWm mice, and total fat mass compared to Sham ad libitum mice (Sham AL). Total cholesterol, non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) and ceramide were strongly reduced 20 days after surgery in RYGB compared to BWm mice. Glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity improved 13 days after surgery similarly in RYGB and BWm mice. Liver histology confirmed lipid reduction in RYGB and BWm mice while the transcriptomics data indicated altered genes expression in lipid metabolism., Conclusions: RYGB surgery improves glucose metabolism and greatly ameliorates lipid metabolism in part in a body weight-dependent manner. Given that ApoE3L.CETP mice were extensively studied to describe the MetS, and given that RYGB improved ceramide after surgery, our data confirmed the usefulness of ApoE3L.CETP mice after RYGB in deciphering the metabolic improvements to treat the MetS. more...
- Published
- 2019
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27. Molecular profiling of nematode associates with Rhynchophorus ferrugineus in southern Italy.
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De Luca F, Fanelli E, Oreste M, Scarcia G, Troccoli A, Vovlas A, Trisciuzzi N, and Tarasco E
- Abstract
A survey of nematodes associated with the red palm weevil Rhynchophorus ferrugineus was conducted in southern Italy in 2015 and 2016 in order to create a species inventory and obtain data about nematode biodiversity. A total of 70 insect samples (pupae and adults) were collected from infested Phoenix canariensis , Phoenix dactylifera , and Chamaerops humilis palms in three Italian Regions: sampling took place at 11 locations in Apulia, 1 in Basilicata, and 1 in Sardinia regions. Individual insects were dissected to determine nematode presence, and different nematode species were also recovered from red palm weevil cocoons collected at the sites in Apulia. Individual nematodes were molecularly identified by sequencing the ITS, D2-D3 expansion domains of the 28SrRNA gene and the mitochondrial COI and inferring the phylogenetic relationships. The insect-associated nematofauna identified belonged to the families Rhabditidae, Cephalobidae, and Diplogastridae. Just two nematode species, Teratorhabditis synpapillata and Mononchoides macrospiculum , were always found in association with adult insects and cocoons taken from all sampling sites. This paper reports on the biodiversity of the nematodes associated with R. ferrugineus and on current knowledge of the specific habitat of specialized and divergent entomophilic nematodes., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest., (© 2019 The Authors. Ecology and Evolution published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.) more...
- Published
- 2019
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28. Significant changes in hepatic transcriptome and circulating miRNAs are associated with diet-induced metabolic syndrome in apoE3L.CETP mice.
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Nasias D, Evangelakos I, Nidris V, Vassou D, Tarasco E, Lutz TA, and Kardassis D
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- Animals, Circulating MicroRNA genetics, Diet, Fat-Restricted adverse effects, Dietary Fats metabolism, Disease Models, Animal, Fatty Liver metabolism, Gene Expression Profiling methods, Male, Mice, Obesity metabolism, Diet, High-Fat adverse effects, Liver metabolism, Metabolic Syndrome genetics, Metabolic Syndrome metabolism
- Abstract
Long-term exposure to excess dietary fat leads to obesity and the metabolic syndrome (MetS). The purpose of the present study was to identify global changes in liver gene expression and circulating miRNAs in a humanized mouse model of diet-induced MetS. Male apoE3L.CETP mice received a high-fat diet (HFD) or a low-fat diet (LFD) for different time periods and the progression of MetS pathology was monitored. A separate group of mice was divided into responders (R) or nonresponders (NR) and received HFD for 16 weeks. We found that mice receiving the HFD developed manifestations of MetS and displayed an increasing number of differentially expressed transcripts at 4, 8, and 12 weeks compared with mice receiving the LFD. Significantly changed genes were functionally annotated to metabolic diseases and pathway analysis revealed the downregulation of genes in cholesterol and fatty acid biosynthesis and upregulation of genes related to lipid droplet formation, which was in line with the development of hepatic steatosis. In the serum of the apoE3L.CETP mice we identified three miRNAs that were upregulated specifically in the HFD group. We found that responder mice have a distinct gene signature that differentiates them from nonresponders. Comparison of the two diet intervention studies revealed a limited number of common differentially expressed genes but the expression of these common genes was affected in a similar way in both studies. In conclusion, the characteristic hepatic gene signatures and serum miRNAs identified in the present study provide novel insights to MetS pathology and could be exploited for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes., (© 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.) more...
- Published
- 2019
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29. Unsilencing of native LepRs in hypothalamic SF1 neurons does not rescue obese phenotype in LepR-deficient mice.
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Senn SS, Le Foll C, Whiting L, Tarasco E, Duffy S, Lutz TA, and Boyle CN
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- Animals, Body Composition, Brain metabolism, Diet, High-Fat, Diterpenes, Feeding Behavior, Female, Gene Expression Regulation drug effects, Gene Silencing, Immunohistochemistry, Leptin administration & dosage, Leptin blood, Leptin pharmacology, Male, Mice, Mice, Knockout, Receptors, Leptin genetics, STAT3 Transcription Factor metabolism, Hypothalamus cytology, Leptin metabolism, Neurons metabolism, Obesity, Receptors, Leptin metabolism
- Abstract
Leptin receptor (LepR) signaling in neurons of the ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus (VMH), specifically those expressing steroidogenic factor-1 (SF1), have been proposed to play a key role in controlling energy balance. By crossing LepR-silenced (LepR
loxTB ) mice with those expressing SF1-Cre, we unsilenced native LepR specifically in the VMH and tested whether SF1 neurons in the VMH are critical mediators of leptin's effect on energy homeostasis. LepRloxTB × SF1-Cre [knockout (KO)/Tg+] mice were metabolically phenotyped and compared with littermate controls that either expressed or were deficient in LepRs. Leptin-induced phosphorylated STAT3 was present in the VMH of KO/Tg+ mice and absent in other hypothalamic nuclei. VMH leptin signaling did not ameliorate obesity resulting from LepR deficiency in chow-fed mice. There was no change in food intake or energy expenditure when comparing complete LepR-null mice with KO/Tg+ mice, nor did KO/Tg+ mice show improved glucose tolerance. The presence of functional LepRs in the VMH mildly enhanced sensitivity to the pancreatic hormone amylin. When maintained on a high-fat diet (HFD), there was no reduction in diet-induced obesity in KO/Tg+ mice, but KO/Tg+ mice had improved glucose tolerance after 7 wk on an HFD compared with LepR-null mice. We conclude that LepR signaling in the VMH alone is not sufficient to correct metabolic dysfunction observed in LepR-null mice. more...- Published
- 2019
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30. Phenotypical heterogeneity in responder and nonresponder male ApoE*3Leiden.CETP mice.
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Tarasco E, Pellegrini G, Whiting L, and Lutz TA
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- Animals, Cells, Cultured, Feeding Behavior, Glucose metabolism, Liver metabolism, Male, Metabolic Syndrome metabolism, Metabolic Syndrome physiopathology, Mice, Apolipoproteins E genetics, Biological Variation, Population, Cholesterol Ester Transfer Proteins genetics, Disease Models, Animal, Metabolic Syndrome genetics
- Abstract
The metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a major health issue worldwide and is associated with obesity, insulin resistance, and hypercholesterolemia. Several animal models were used to describe the MetS; however, many of them do not mimic well the MetS pathophysiology in humans. The ApoE*3Leiden.CETP mouse model overcomes part of this limitation, since they have a humanised lipoprotein metabolism and a heterogeneous response to MetS, similar to humans. The reported heterogeneity among them and their common classification refer to responder (R) and nonresponder (NR) mice; R mice show increased body weight, cholesterol, and triglycerides levels, whereas NR mice do not show this expected phenotype when fed a Western type diet. To define better the differences between R and NR mice, we focused on feeding behavior, body weight gain, glucose tolerance, and lipid parameters, and on an extensive pathological examination along with liver histology analysis. Our data confirmed that R mice resemble the pathological features of the human MetS: obesity, dysplipidemia, and glucose intolerance. NR mice do not develop the full dysmetabolic phenotype because of a severe inflammatory hepatic condition, which may heavily affect liver function. We conclude that R and NR mice are metabolically different and that NR mice have indications of severely impaired liver function. Hence, it is critical to identify and separate the respective mice to decrease data heterogeneity. Clinical chemistry and histological analysis should be used to confirm retrospectively the animals' classification. Moreover, we point out that NR mice may not be an appropriate control for studies involving ApoE*3Leiden.CETP R mice. NEW & NOTEWORTHY When compared with some other animal models, ApoE*3Leiden.CETP mice are better models to describe the metabolic syndrome. However, there is phenotypic heterogeneity between "responder" and "nonresponder" mice, the latter showing some evidence of hepatic pathology. A full phenotypic characterization and eventually postmortem analysis of the liver are warranted. more...
- Published
- 2018
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31. Sensitive quantification of the somatostatin analog AP102 in plasma by ultra-high pressure liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and application to a pharmacokinetic study in rats.
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Eugster PJ, Boyle CN, Prod'hom S, Tarasco E, Buclin T, Lutz TA, Harris AG, and Grouzmann E
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- Animals, Calibration, Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid, Injections, Subcutaneous, Male, Peptides, Cyclic chemistry, Peptides, Cyclic pharmacology, Rats, Rats, Sprague-Dawley, Reproducibility of Results, Solid Phase Extraction, Somatostatin blood, Somatostatin chemistry, Somatostatin pharmacokinetics, Somatostatin pharmacology, Tandem Mass Spectrometry, Peptides, Cyclic blood, Peptides, Cyclic pharmacokinetics, Receptors, Somatostatin agonists, Somatostatin analogs & derivatives
- Abstract
AP102 is a di-iodinated octapeptide somatostatin agonist (SSA) designed to treat acromegaly and neuroendocrine tumors. A sensitive and selective method was validated for the quantification of AP102 in plasma following the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidelines. Sample preparation was performed using solid-phase extraction microplates. Chromatographic separation was achieved on an ultra-high pressure liquid chromatography (UHPLC) C18 column in 6.0 minutes. The compounds were quantified using multiple reaction monitoring on a tandem quadrupole mass spectrometer with
13 C,15 N-labeled AP102 as internal standard. Calibration ranged from 50 to 10000 pg/mL. The lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) was measured at 20 pg/mL, and robust analytical performances were obtained with trueness at 99.2%-100.0%, intra-assay imprecision at 2.5%-4.4%, and inter-assay imprecision at 8.9%-9.7%. The accuracy profiles (total error) built on the 3 concentrations levels showed accuracy within the 70%-130% range. AP102 is remarkably stable since no proteolytic fragments were detected on plasma samples analyzed by Orbitrap-MS. Pharmacokinetic studies were conducted in rats, after single dose (1, 3, and 10 μg/kg, sc) and continuous subcutaneous administration (osmotic minipumps for 28 days, 3.0 or 10.0 μg/kg/h). AP102 showed a rapid absorption by the subcutaneous route (Tmax : 15-30 minutes) and a fast elimination (t1/2 : 33-86 minutes). The PK profile of AP102 exhibited a mean clearance of 1.67 L/h and a mean distribution volume at steady state of 7.16 L/kg, about 10-fold higher than those observed with other SSA or non- and mono-iodinated AP102. LogD7.4 determination confirmed the lipophilic properties of AP102 that might influence its distribution in tissues., (Copyright © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.) more...- Published
- 2018
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32. Inhibition of Vascular c-Jun N-Terminal Kinase 2 Improves Obesity-Induced Endothelial Dysfunction After Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass.
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Doytcheva P, Bächler T, Tarasco E, Marzolla V, Engeli M, Pellegrini G, Stivala S, Rohrer L, Tona F, Camici GG, Vanhoutte PM, Matter CM, Lutz TA, Lüscher TF, and Osto E
- Subjects
- Animals, Cardiovascular Diseases etiology, Cardiovascular Diseases physiopathology, Disease Models, Animal, Endothelium, Vascular drug effects, Injections, Subcutaneous, Male, Neuroprotective Agents, Obesity complications, Obesity enzymology, Oxidative Stress, Phosphorylation, Rats, Rats, Wistar, Cardiovascular Diseases drug therapy, Endothelium, Vascular physiopathology, Gastric Bypass adverse effects, Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 9 antagonists & inhibitors, Obesity surgery, Peptides administration & dosage, Vasodilation physiology
- Abstract
Background: Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) reduces obesity-associated comorbidities and cardiovascular mortality. RYGB improves endothelial dysfunction, reducing c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) vascular phosphorylation. JNK activation links obesity with insulin resistance and endothelial dysfunction. Herein, we examined whether JNK1 or JNK2 mediates obesity-induced endothelial dysfunction and if pharmacological JNK inhibition can mimic RYGB vascular benefits., Methods and Results: After 7 weeks of a high-fat high-cholesterol diet, obese rats underwent RYGB or sham surgery; sham-operated ad libitum-fed rats received, for 8 days, either the control peptide D-TAT or the JNK peptide inhibitor D-JNKi-1 (20 mg/kg per day subcutaneous). JNK peptide inhibitor D-JNKi-1 treatment improved endothelial vasorelaxation in response to insulin and glucagon-like peptide-1, as observed after RYGB. Obesity increased aortic phosphorylation of JNK2, but not of JNK1. RYGB and JNK peptide inhibitor D-JNKi-1 treatment blunted aortic JNK2 phosphorylation via activation of glucagon-like peptide-1-mediated signaling. The inhibitory phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate-1 was reduced, whereas the protein kinase B/endothelial NO synthase pathway was increased and oxidative stress was decreased, resulting in improved vascular NO bioavailability., Conclusions: Decreased aortic JNK2 phosphorylation after RYGB rapidly improves obesity-induced endothelial dysfunction. Pharmacological JNK inhibition mimics the endothelial protective effects of RYGB. These findings highlight the therapeutic potential of novel strategies targeting vascular JNK2 against the severe cardiovascular disease associated with obesity., (© 2017 The Authors. Published on behalf of the American Heart Association, Inc., by Wiley.) more...
- Published
- 2017
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33. Effect of AP102, a subtype 2 and 5 specific somatostatin analog, on glucose metabolism in rats.
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Tarasco E, Seebeck P, Pfundstein S, Daly AF, Eugster PJ, Harris AG, Grouzmann E, Lutz TA, and Boyle CN
- Subjects
- Animals, Glucose Tolerance Test, Growth drug effects, Growth Hormone blood, Hormones metabolism, Infusions, Subcutaneous, Insulin blood, Male, Rats, Rats, Sprague-Dawley, Glucose metabolism, Receptors, Somatostatin drug effects, Somatostatin analogs & derivatives, Somatostatin pharmacology
- Abstract
Purpose: Somatostatin analogs are widely used to treat conditions associated with hormonal hypersecretion such as acromegaly and metastatic neuroendocrine tumors. First generation somatostatin analogs, such as octreotide and lanreotide, have high affinity for somatostatin receptor subtype 2 (SSTR2), but have incomplete efficacy in many patients. Pasireotide targets multiple SSTRs, having the highest affinity for SSTR5, but causes hyperglycemia and diabetes mellitus in preclinical and clinical studies. AP102 is a new somatostatin analogs with high affinity at both SSTR2 and SSTR5. We aimed to characterize the effects of AP102 vs. pasireotide on random and dynamic glucose levels, glucoregulatory hormone concentrations and growth axis measures in healthy Sprague-Dawley rats., Methods: Three doses of each compound were evaluated under acute conditions (1, 10, and 30 µg/kg s.c.), and two doses during a chronic (4-week) infusion (3 and 10 µg/kg/h s.c.)., Results: Neither acute nor chronic AP102 administration altered blood glucose concentrations or dynamic responses following an intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test. In contrast, acute and chronic pasireotide dosing increased random and post-intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test blood glucose measures, compared to vehicle-treated controls. Both AP102 and pasireotide acutely suppressed growth hormone levels, although insulin-like growth factor-1 and somatic growth was suppressed to a greater extent with pasireotide., Conclusions: AP102 is a new dual SSTR2/SSTR5-specific somatostatin analog that acutely reduces growth hormone but does not cause hyperglycemia during acute or chronic administration in a healthy rat model. Further studies in diabetic animals and in humans are necessary to determine the potential utility of AP102 in the clinical setting. more...
- Published
- 2017
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34. Activity changes of antioxidant and detoxifying enzymes in Tenebrio molitor (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) larvae infected by the entomopathogenic nematode Heterorhabditis beicherriana (Rhabditida: Heterorhabditidae).
- Author
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Li X, Liu Q, Lewis EE, and Tarasco E
- Subjects
- Acetylcholinesterase metabolism, Animals, Glutathione Transferase metabolism, Insect Control, Larva enzymology, Larva growth & development, Larva parasitology, Pest Control, Biological methods, Tenebrio growth & development, Insect Proteins metabolism, Rhabditoidea physiology, Tenebrio enzymology, Tenebrio parasitology
- Abstract
Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) of the genera Steinernema and Heterorhabditis are lethal parasites of many insect species. To investigate defensive mechanisms towards EPNs in relation to antioxidative and detoxifying enzymes, we chose Tenebrio molitor (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) as experimental insect. We studied the activity changes of superoxide dismutases (SODs), peroxidases (PODs), and catalases (CATs), as well as tyrosinase (TYR), acetylcholinesterase (AChE), carboxylesterase (CarE), and glutathione S-transferase (GSTs) for 40 h in T. molitor larvae infected with Heterorhabditis beicherriana infective juveniles (IJs) at 5 rates (0, 20, 40, 80, and 160 IJs/larva). We found that when T. molitor larvae infected with H. beicherriana at higher rates (80 and 160 IJs/larva), SOD activity quickly increased to more than 70 % higher than that control levels. The activities of POD and CAT increased after 24 h. TYR activity increased slowly at lower rates of infection for 16 h, followed by a slight decrease, and then increasing from 32 to 40 h. The other detoxifying enzymes (GST, CarE, and AChE) were enhanced at lower infection rates, but were inhibited at higher rates. Our results suggested that host antioxidative response and detoxification reactions played a central role in the defensive reaction to EPNs, and that this stress which was reflected by the higher level enzymes activity contributed to the death of hosts. Further study should explore the exact function of these enzymes using different species of EPNs and investigate the links between enzyme activity and host susceptibility to EPNs. more...
- Published
- 2016
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35. Comments on the morphology and biology of Pammene castanicola Trematerra & Clausi, 2009 (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae: Grapholitini).
- Author
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Clausi M, Leone D, Oreste M, and Tarasco E
- Subjects
- Aesculus, Animal Structures anatomy & histology, Animal Structures growth & development, Animals, Body Size, Female, Fruit parasitology, Herbivory, Italy, Larva anatomy & histology, Larva classification, Larva growth & development, Male, Moths classification, Organ Size, Weevils classification, Moths anatomy & histology, Moths growth & development, Weevils anatomy & histology, Weevils growth & development
- Abstract
Many insects are reported to damage cultivated chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.; Fagaceae) in Italy, but the most important pests of chestnut fruits are weevils (Curculio elephas Gyll. and Curculio glandium Marsh.; Curculionidae) and tortricid moths (Pammene and Cydia; Tortricidae) (Pollini, 1998, Speranza, 1999). The larvae of the tortricid pests develop internally, tunnelling in the fruits and eating the endocarp (Rotundo et al. 1991), which significantly reduces nut quality and commercial value. The most damaging tortricid moths in the Italian chestnut industry are Pammene fasciana (Linnaeus) (the early chestnut moth), Cydia fagiglandana (Zeller) (the intermediate chestnut moth), and Cydia splendana (Hübner) (the late chestnut moth) (Pedrazzoli et al. 2012). Pammene castanicola Trematerra & Clausi, 2009 was recently described from chestnut woods near Etna Vulcan, Sicily (Trematerra and Clausi 2009), and it is known only from the vicinity of the type locality. It is similar to Pammene fasciana in morphological and biological features, and it was previously misidentified as P. fasciana. We provide observations on the biology and larval development and present detailed descriptions and illustrations of the mature larva of P. castanicola, with comments on the differences between P. castanicola and P. fasciana. more...
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- 2016
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36. Glutaminase activity determines cytotoxicity of L-asparaginases on most leukemia cell lines.
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Parmentier JH, Maggi M, Tarasco E, Scotti C, Avramis VI, and Mittelman SD
- Subjects
- Cell Line, Tumor, Helicobacter pylori enzymology, Humans, Asparaginase metabolism, Glutaminase metabolism, Leukemia pathology
- Abstract
L-Asparaginase (ASNase) is a front-line chemotherapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), which acts by deaminating asparagine and glutamine. To evaluate the importance of glutaminase activity, we exploited a recently developed mutant of Helicobacter pylori ASNase (dm HpA), with amino acid substitutions M121C/T169M. The mutant form has the same asparaginase activity as wild-type but lacks glutaminase activity. Wild-type and dm HpA were compared with the clinically used ASNases from Escherichia coli (l-ASP) and Erwinia chrysanthemi (ERWase). Asparaginase activity was similar for all isoforms, while glutaminase activity followed the rank order: ERWase>l-ASP>wild-type HpA>dm HpA. Cytotoxic efficacy of ASNases was tested on 11 human leukemia cell lines and two patient-derived ALL samples. Two cell lines which we had previously shown to be asparagine-dependent were equally sensitive to the asparaginase isoforms. The other nine lines and the two patient-derived samples were more sensitive to isoforms with higher glutaminase activities. ERWase was overall the most effective ASNase on all cell lines tested whereas dm HpA, having the lowest glutaminase activity, was the least effective. These data demonstrate that asparaginase activity alone may not be sufficient for ASNase cytotoxicity, and that glutaminase activity may be required for full anti-leukemic efficacy., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.) more...
- Published
- 2015
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37. Biodiversity of entomopathogenic nematodes in Italy.
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Tarasco E, Clausi M, Rappazzo G, Panzavolta T, Curto G, Sorino R, Oreste M, Longo A, Leone D, Tiberi R, Vinciguerra MT, and Triggiani O
- Subjects
- Animals, DNA, Helminth, DNA, Ribosomal Spacer chemistry, DNA, Ribosomal Spacer genetics, Ecosystem, Italy, Molecular Sequence Data, Nematoda genetics, Sequence Analysis, DNA, Biodiversity, Nematoda classification, Nematoda isolation & purification, Rhabditida parasitology
- Abstract
An investigation was carried out on the distribution and biodiversity of steinernematid and heterorhabdtid entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN) in nine regions of Italy in the period 1990-2010. More than 2000 samples were collected from 580 localities and 133 of them yielded EPN specimens. A mapping of EPN distribution in Italy showed 133 indigenous EPN strains belonging to 12 species: 43 isolates of Heterorhabditis bacteriophora, 1 of H. downesi, 1 of H. megidis, 51 of Steinernema feltiae, 12 of S. affine, 4 of S. kraussei, 8 of S. apuliae, 5 of S. ichnusae, 3 of S. carpocapsae, 1 of S. vulcanicum, 3 of Steinernema 'isolate S.sp.MY7' of 'S. intermedium group' and 1 of S. arenarium. Steinernematids are more widespread than heterorhabditids and S. feltiae and H. bacteriophora are the most commonly encountered species. Sampling sites were grouped into 11 habitats: uncultivated land, orchard, field, sea coast, pinewood, broadleaf wood, grasslands, river and lake borders, caves, salt pan and moist zones; the soil texture of each site was defined and the preferences of habitat and soil texture of each species was assessed. Except for the two dominant species, S. feltiae and H. bacteriophora, EPN occurrence tends to be correlated with a specific vegetation habitat. Steinernema kraussei, H. downesi and H. megidis were collected only in Sicily and three of the species recently described - S. apuliae, S. ichnusae and S. vulcanicum - are known only from Italy and seem to be endemic. more...
- Published
- 2015
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38. Oscheius onirici sp. n. (Nematoda: Rhabditidae): a new entomopathogenic nematode from an Italian cave.
- Author
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Torrini G, Mazza G, Carletti B, Benvenuti C, Roversi PF, Fanelli E, De Luca F, Troccoli A, and Tarasco E
- Subjects
- Animals, Caves, DNA, Helminth genetics, DNA, Intergenic genetics, Female, Italy, Male, Nematoda genetics, Phylogeny, Polymerase Chain Reaction, Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length, Species Specificity, Nematoda classification, Nematoda ultrastructure
- Abstract
Oscheius onirici sp. n. (Nematoda: Rhabditidae) was isolated from a karst cave soil of Central Italy. Molecular and morphological analyses were performed. Total DNA was extracted from individual nematodes and the mitochondrial COI, the ITS containing region, the D2-D3 expansion domains of the 28S rRNA gene and the 18S rRNA gene were amplified and sequenced. BLAST search at NCBI by using all molecular markers revealed that this taxon is similar to Oscheius species. Phylogenetic trees of ITS, 28S and 18S rDNA revealed that O. onirici sp. n. belongs to Dolichura-group. Oscheius onirici sp. n. is characterized by small body size and stoma rhabditoid type. Female reproductive system is amphidelphic. Males are rare with peloderan bursa, spicules slender and small, nine pairs of papillae of different lengths, arranged in a 1+1+1/3+3 pattern. Entomopathogenicity bioassay revealed that this nematode is capable of infecting larvae of Galleria mellonella and Tenebrio molitor. more...
- Published
- 2015
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
39. Mosquitoes LTR retrotransposons: a deeper view into the genomic sequence of Culex quinquefasciatus.
- Author
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Marsano RM, Leronni D, D'Addabbo P, Viggiano L, Tarasco E, and Caizzi R
- Subjects
- Algorithms, Animals, Computational Biology methods, Evolution, Molecular, Genome, Genomics, Insect Vectors, Models, Genetic, Open Reading Frames, Phylogeny, Sequence Analysis, DNA, Species Specificity, Culex genetics, Culicidae genetics, Retroelements, Terminal Repeat Sequences
- Abstract
A set of 67 novel LTR-retrotransposon has been identified by in silico analyses of the Culex quinquefasciatus genome using the LTR_STRUC program. The phylogenetic analysis shows that 29 novel and putatively functional LTR-retrotransposons detected belong to the Ty3/gypsy group. Our results demonstrate that, by considering only families containing potentially autonomous LTR-retrotransposons, they account for about 1% of the genome of C. quinquefasciatus. In previous studies it has been estimated that 29% of the genome of C. quinquefasciatus is occupied by mobile genetic elements.The potential role of retrotransposon insertions strictly associated with host genes is described and discussed along with the possible origin of a retrotransposon with peculiar Primer Binding Site region. Finally, we report the presence of a group of 38 retrotransposons, carrying tandem repeated sequences but lacking coding potential, and apparently lacking "master copy" elements from which they could have originated. The features of the repetitive sequences found in these non-autonomous LTR retrotransposons are described, and their possible role discussed.These results integrate the existing data on the genomics of an important virus-borne disease vector. more...
- Published
- 2012
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
40. Blowing a nose black and blue.
- Author
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Gelardi M, Fiorella ML, Tarasco E, Passalacqua G, and Porcelli F
- Subjects
- Adult, Animals, Female, Humans, Myiasis diagnosis, Myiasis physiopathology, Nasal Lavage, Nose Diseases diagnosis, Nose Diseases physiopathology, Cosmetics adverse effects, Insecta, Myiasis etiology, Nose Diseases etiology
- Published
- 2009
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
41. Steinernema ichnusae sp. n. (Nematoda: Steinernematidae) a new entomopathogenic nematode from Sardinia Island (Italy).
- Author
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Tarasco E, Mrácek Z, Nguyen KB, and Triggiani O
- Subjects
- Animals, Female, Italy, Male, Phylogeny, Rhabditida anatomy & histology, Rhabditida classification, Rhabditida genetics
- Abstract
A new Steinernema species was isolated from three different sandy soil samples along the Platamona Beach, in the north-west coast of Sardinia Island (Italy). This new species is characterized by the following morphological characters: infective third-stage juvenile with a body length of 866+/-61 (767-969)microm, distance from head to excretory pore of 63+/-2.7 (59-68)microm, tail length of 81+/-3.2 (76-89)microm, ratio E (%) 77+/-3.4 (68-83); male tail with a mucron only in the second generation, spicule length of 66+/-1.4 (64-67)microm and gubernaculum length of 44+/-1.4 (43-46)microm in the first generation male; female of first generation with a slight vulval protrusion and ratio D (%) of 53+/-4.0 (47-63). The new species differs distinctly from the related species (S. feltiae, S. kraussei, S. litorale, S. oregonense and S. cholashanense) in some morphometric values such as percentage of hyaline portion, ratios of gubernaculum/spicule length, spicule head length/width. The DNA analyses of the internal transcribed spacers and D2D3 regions show that the studied nematode isolates are a new species. Cross hybridisation tests with S. feltiae, S. kraussei, S. litorale, S. weiseri and S. oregonense showed that these species were reproductively isolated. more...
- Published
- 2008
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
42. Liquid chromatographic methods for chloral hydrate determination.
- Author
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Bruzzoniti MC, Mentasti E, Sarzanini C, and Tarasco E
- Subjects
- Reproducibility of Results, Sensitivity and Specificity, Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet, Water Supply analysis, Chloral Hydrate analysis, Chromatography, Ion Exchange methods
- Abstract
Liquid chromatographic methods, based on reversed-phase (RP) and anion-exchange mechanisms, have been developed for chloral hydrate determination. Both methods are preceeded by derivatization of chloral hydrate. For RP separations, different reagents [namely dansylhydrazine and o-(4-nitrobenzyl)hydroxylamine] have been studied, but the best results have been achieved using 1,2-benzenedithiol with UV detection at 220 nm. The anion-exchange method is based on derivatization with NaOH to form sodium formate that is then analyzed by anion-exchange, with suppressed conductivity detection. Derivatization conditions were optimized in order to reach the best yield of reaction. The optimization of the procedure allowed to determine chloral hydrate with detection limits as low as 0.2 microg/l with good linearity and reproducibility. The anion-exchange method was also applied for chloral hydrate determination in a drinking water sample. A preconcentration procedure has also been studied. more...
- Published
- 2001
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
43. Some morphological aspects of the mouthparts of Italian blood-sucking muscids (Diptera, Stomoxyinae).
- Author
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Giangaspero A, Tarasco E, Urso PS, and Lia R
- Subjects
- Animals, Cattle parasitology, Diptera ultrastructure, Head anatomy & histology, Italy, Microscopy, Electron, Scanning, Species Specificity, Diptera anatomy & histology
- Abstract
Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observations on the mouthparts of four species of blood-sucking muscid symbovine flies (Stomoxys calcitrans Linnaeus, Haematobia irritans Linnaeus, H. titillans Bezzi, and Haematobosca stimulans Meigen) are described. The morphology of some structures (haustellum, prestomal teeth and petiolate blades) is compared in order to draw attention to those features involved in the feeding process on the hosts. more...
- Published
- 1996
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