Influence of Growth Conditions on Plasmid DNA Production

Filomena Silva,Luis Passarinha,Fani Sousa,Joao A. Queiroz,Fernanda C. Domingues 한국미생물 · 생명공학회 2009 Journal of microbiology and biotechnology Vol.19 No.11

otective Effect of Pimpinella anisoides Ethanolic Extract and Its Constituents on Oxidative Damage and Its Inhibition of Nitric Oxide in Lipopolysaccharide-Stimulated RAW 264.7 Macrophages

Filomena Conforti,Rosa Tundis,Mariangela Marrelli,Federica Menichini,Giancarlo A. Statti,Bruno De Cindio,Francesco Menichini,Peter J. Houghton 한국식품영양과학회 2010 Journal of medicinal food Vol.13 No.1

The present study shows for the first time the chemical profile and the in vitro properties (antioxidant and inhibition of nitric oxide [NO] production) of the aromatic plant Pimpinella anisoides V Brig. (Family Apiaceae). The ethanolic extract of the fruits is characterized by 23 major components. Fourteen monoterpenes, two sesquiterpenes, one fatty acid, five methyl esters and one aldehyde were identified. Among them the most abundant components were the monoterpenes trans-anethole (54.5%), limonene (13.5%), and sabinene (4.4%). The extract showed significant antioxidant activity (50% inhibitory concentration [IC50], 3.02mg/mL) using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl test. The test for inhibition of NO production was performed using the murine monocytic macrophage cell line RAW 264.7. The ethanolic extract had significant activity with an IC50 value of 72.7μg/mL, and this might indicate that it would have an anti-inflammatory effect in vivo. Among the pure compounds that most effectively inhibited lipopolysaccharide-induced NO production were the most abundant constituents, trans-anethole and limonene, with IC50 values of 102.7μg/mL and 70.1μg/mL, respectively. The cytotoxic effect of P. anisoides extract and pure compounds in the presence of lipopolysaccharide (1μg/mL) was evaluated but found to be negligible.

Identifying the Combinations of Conditions Affecting Well-being Communities in Korea

Filomena Maggino,이승종,기영화,오영균,최영출 한국비교정부학회 2018 한국비교정부학보 Vol.22 No.4

The main purpose of this study has been to introduce the community well-being indicators developed and constructed by the Community Well-being Institute of Korea and to demonstrate specific configuration models explaining well-being communities in 27 local communities in Korea, in order to (1) portray the causal connections among factors affecting well-being communities and (2) to suggest policy implications by heeding which each local community can strengthen its level of community well-being. Following the requirements of the QCA model specification, we converted the actual value of each variable to a 1 and 0 score using the TOSMANA software program, produced a truth table, and derived the one configuration explaining well-being community in Korea.

Biochemical Composition, Antimicrobial Activities,and Anti–Quorum-Sensing Activities of Ethanol and Ethyl Acetate Extracts from Hypericum connatum Lam. (Guttiferae)

Florinda Fratianni,Filomena Nazzaro,Aurelio Marandino,Maria del Rosario Fusco,Raffaele Coppola,Vincenzo De Feo,Laura De Martino 한국식품영양과학회 2013 Journal of medicinal food Vol.16 No.5

We studied the polyphenol composition and antioxidant activity of the ethanolic and ethyl acetate extracts of Hypericum connatum (Guttiferae), in addition to their antimicrobial and antiquorum-sensing (AQS) properties. The extracts exhibited a similar polyphenol content and a notable antioxidant activity, which was stronger in the ethanolic extract (EC50=3.2 μg/mL). Ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography analyses revealed different polyphenol profiles, with rutin and apigen being the main components of the ethanolic extract and caffeic acid, (–)-epicatechin and p-coumaric acid being abundant in the ethyl acetate extract. The ethyl acetate extract exhibited a more effective antimicrobial activity than the ethanolic extract against the pathogens Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. For the first time, AQS activity was detected in H. connatum: the ethanolic extract inhibited the production of violacein, a quorum-sensing–regulated pigment, in a Chromobacterium violaceum tester strain, without interfering with its growth.

Phenolic Composition and Antimicrobial and Antiquorum Sensing Activity of an Ethanolic Extract of Peels from the Apple Cultivar Annurca

Florinda Fratianni,Raffaele Coppola,Filomena Nazzaro 한국식품영양과학회 2011 Journal of medicinal food Vol.14 No.9

This study investigated the phenolic composition and antioxidant capacity of an ethanolic extract from the peel of the Annurca (Malus domestica var. Annurca), which is widespread in the Campania region of southern Italy. The antimicrobial effect of the extract on different pathogens was also examined. The potential antiquorum sensing activity of the extract was tested by using the microorganism Chromobacterium violaceum. Ultra-performance liquid chromatography revealed that rutin, epicatechin, dicaffeoylquinic acid, and caffeic acid were the most abundant phenolic compounds in the extract; these compounds constituted 27.43%, 24.93%, 16.14%, and 15.3% of the total phenols, respectively. The test for 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl free radical–scavenging activity showed that the extract possessed an impressive antioxidant capacity (50% effective concentration of 2.50 μg/g of product). Furthermore, the extract clearly exhibited antimicrobial activity against Bacillus cereus (11- to 14-mm diameter of inhibition halo, depending on the strain) and Escherichia coli serotype O157:H7 (10-mm diameter of inhibition halo). No activity was observed against the probiotic lactobacilli tested or against Staphylococcus aureus. Antiquorum sensing activity was reported for the first time for apple extracts. In conclusion, these results indicate the potential of this extract for treating some microbial infections through cell growth inhibition or quorum sensing antagonism, thereby validating the health benefits of apples.

Delayed puberty versus hypogonadism: a challenge for the pediatrician

Mauro Bozzola,Elena Bozzola,Chiara Montalbano,Filomena Andreina Stamati,Pietro Ferrara,Alberto Villani 대한소아내분비학회 2018 Annals of Pediatirc Endocrinology & Metabolism Vol.23 No.2

Constitutional delay of growth and puberty (CDGP) is the most common cause of delayed puberty (DP), is mainly found in males, and is characterized by short stature and delayed skeletal maturation. A family history of the subject comprising the timing of puberty in the parents and physical examination may provide clues regarding the cause of DP. Delayed onset of puberty is rarely considered a disease in either sex. In fact, DP usually represents a common normal variant in pubertal timing, with favorable outcomes for final height and future reproductive capacity. In adolescents with CDGP, a linear growth delay occurs until immediately before the start of puberty, then the growth rate rapidly increases. Bone age is often delayed. CDGP is a diagnosis of exclusion; therefore, alternative causes of DP should be considered. Functional hypogonadotropic hypogonadism may be observed in patients with transient delay in hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis maturation due to associated conditions including celiac disease, inflammatory bowel diseases, kidney insufficiency, and anorexia nervosa. Permanent hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (pHH) showing low serum value of testosterone or estradiol and blunted follicle-stimulating hormones (FSH) and luteinizing hormones (LH) levels may be due to abnormalities in the central nervous system. Therefore, magnetic resonance imaging is necessary to exclude morphological abnormalities and neoplasia. Moreover, pHH may be isolated, as observed in Kallmann syndrome, or associated with other hormone deficiencies, as found in panhypopituitarism. Baseline or gonadotropin-releasing hormone pituitary stimulated gonadotropin level is not sufficient to easily differentiate CDGP from pHH. Low serum testosterone in male patients and low estradiol values in female patients, associated with high serum FSH and LH levels, suggest a diagnosis of hypergonadotropic hypogonadism. A genetic analysis can reveal a chromosomal abnormality (e.g., Turner syndrome or Klinefelter syndrome). In cases where the adolescent with CDGP is experiencing psychological difficulties, treatment should be recommended.

Biochemical Characteristics and Biological Properties of Annurca Apple Cider

Florinda Fratianni,Alfonso De Giulio,Alfonso Sada,Filomena Nazzaro 한국식품영양과학회 2012 Journal of medicinal food Vol.15 No.1

Our work aimed to investigate the phenolic composition and antioxidant capacity of the de-alcoholized extract of cider obtained from the Annurca apple (Malus domestica var. Annurca). The antimicrobial effect of the extract against different pathogens, including Chronobacter sakazakii, was also examined. The extract’s potential anti-quorum-sensing (AQS) activity was assessed using the test microorganism Chromobacterium violaceum. Biochemical analysis of the extract using ultra-performance liquid chromatography revealed catechin and caffeic acid as the most abundant polyphenols present,which represented about 35.5% and 36.6% of the total phenolics identified, respectively. An antioxidant capacity was also found (50% effective concentraiton = 10 lL). The extract exhibited clear antimicrobial activity against all strains used in the experiments. Escherichia coli and Bacillus cereus were the most sensitive bacteria to the antimicrobial activity. The extract also inhibited the growth of the emergent pathogen strain C. sakazakii. The AQS activity of apple cider is reported here for the first time. In conclusion, our results demonstrate some biological properties of the apple cider and contribute to reinforcing the potential of the apple and its derivatives as functional components of the diet.

Light as a Trigger and a Probe of the Internal Dynamics of Living Organisms

Rajendra Bajpai,Emilio Del Giudice,Filomena Finelli,Fritz-Albert Popp,Klauss-Peter Schlebusch,Larissa Brizhik 사단법인약침학회 2010 Journal of Acupuncture & Meridian Studies Vol.3 No.4

It has been reported that the colors perceived behind closed eyes provide an indication of the psychophysical state of a subject. We discuss this phenomenon in the light of recently developed approaches to living organisms, based on the interplay between matter organization, biochemistry and electrodynamics.

State of the art on the physical mapping of the Y-chromosome in the Bovidae and comparison with other species — A review

Rossetti Cristina,Genualdo Viviana,Incarnato Domenico,Mottola Filomena,Perucatti Angela,Pauciullo Alfredo 아세아·태평양축산학회 2022 Animal Bioscience Vol.35 No.9

The next generation sequencing has significantly contributed to clarify the genome structure of many species of zootechnical interest. However, to date, some portions of the genome, especially those linked to a heterogametic nature such as the Y chromosome, are difficult to assemble and many gaps are still present. It is well known that the fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) is an excellent tool for identifying genes unequivocably mapped on chromosomes. Therefore, FISH can contribute to the localization of unplaced genome sequences, as well as to correct assembly errors generated by comparative bioinformatics. To this end, it is necessary to have starting points; therefore, in this study, we reviewed the physically mapped genes on the Y chromosome of cattle, buffalo, sheep, goats, pigs, horses and alpacas. A total of 208 loci were currently mapped by FISH. 89 were located in the malespecific region of the Y chromosome (MSY) and 119 were identified in the pseudoautosomal region (PAR). The loci reported in MSY and PAR were respectively: 18 and 25 in Bos taurus, 5 and 7 in Bubalus bubalis, 5 and 24 in Ovis aries, 5 and 19 in Capra hircus, 10 and 16 in Sus scrofa, 46 and 18 in Equus caballus. While in Vicugna pacos only 10 loci are reported in the PAR region. The correct knowledge and assembly of all genome sequences, including those of genes mapped on the Y chromosome, will help to elucidate their biological processes, as well as to discover and exploit potentially epistasis effects useful for selection breeding programs. The next generation sequencing has significantly contributed to clarify the genome structure of many species of zootechnical interest. However, to date, some portions of the genome, especially those linked to a heterogametic nature such as the Y chromosome, are difficult to assemble and many gaps are still present. It is well known that the fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) is an excellent tool for identifying genes unequivocably mapped on chromosomes. Therefore, FISH can contribute to the localization of unplaced genome sequences, as well as to correct assembly errors generated by comparative bioinformatics. To this end, it is necessary to have starting points; therefore, in this study, we reviewed the physically mapped genes on the Y chromosome of cattle, buffalo, sheep, goats, pigs, horses and alpacas. A total of 208 loci were currently mapped by FISH. 89 were located in the malespecific region of the Y chromosome (MSY) and 119 were identified in the pseudoautosomal region (PAR). The loci reported in MSY and PAR were respectively: 18 and 25 in Bos taurus, 5 and 7 in Bubalus bubalis, 5 and 24 in Ovis aries, 5 and 19 in Capra hircus, 10 and 16 in Sus scrofa, 46 and 18 in Equus caballus. While in Vicugna pacos only 10 loci are reported in the PAR region. The correct knowledge and assembly of all genome sequences, including those of genes mapped on the Y chromosome, will help to elucidate their biological processes, as well as to discover and exploit potentially epistasis effects useful for selection breeding programs.

Autotransplantation combined with orthodontic treatment: a case involving the maxillary central incisors with root resorption after traumatic injury

Manuel Marques Ferreira,Hugo M. Ferreira,Filomena Botelho,Eunice Carrilho 대한치과보존학회 2015 Restorative Dentistry & Endodontics Vol.40 No.3

Traumatic dental injury can result in avulsion of anterior teeth. In young patients, it is a challenge to the dental professional because after replantation, late complications such as ankylosis require tooth extraction. Although prosthetic and orthodontic treatment, and implant placement have been described as the options for intervention, autogenous tooth transplantation could be an effective procedure in growing patients if there is a suitable donor tooth available. This case presents the treatment of a patient who suffered a traumatic injury at 9 years old with avulsion of tooth 21, which had been replanted, and intrusion of tooth 11. Both teeth ankylosed; thus they were removed and autotransplantation of premolars was carried out. After transplantation, the tooth underwent root canal treatment because of pulpal necrosis. Orthodontic treatment began 3 months after transplantation and during 7 years' follow-up the aesthetics and function were maintained without signs of resorption.