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Biomedical subjects

A Spinella

Publications and source records attributed to A Spinella.

11 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Total synthesis of bioactive peptides and depsipeptides from marine opisthobranch molluscs.

This chapter covers the synthetic aspects of both linear or cyclic peptides and depsipeptides isolated from opisthobranch molluscs. In many cases, synthetic effort not only determined the absolute stereostructure of these compounds but also made it possible to supply sufficient amounts for the evaluation of pharmacological activities. A summary of the synthetic work associated with each compound is reported after a short description of its natural source and biological properties. Discussion in the text concentrates on key reactions and synthetic efficiency.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Regional Italian allele frequencies at nine short tandem repeat loci.

An Italian population study was performed on the loci D3S1358, vWA, FGA, TH01, TPOX, CSF1PO, D5S818, D13S317, D7S820 and a portion of the X-Y homologous gene Amelogenin for gender determination using the AmpFlSTR Profiler kit (PE Biosystems, Foster city, CA). This study was done on a population of 618 unrelated Italian individuals from 18 regions in Italy (except for Valle d'Aosta and Sardinia) to determine allele frequencies for each STR locus, and to evaluate STR technology for developing an Italian Offender DNA database.

Alleles↗
PubMed2001

The metabolism of nicotinamide in human liver cirrhosis: a study on N-methylnicotinamide and 2-pyridone-5-carboxamide production.

OBJECTIVES: Nicotinamide methylation followed by urinary excretion of N-methylnicotinamide increases in cirrhotic patients, despite the derangement of the overall methylation processes in liver disease. The rise in N-methylnicotinamide could depend, at least in part, on a reduced transformation of this molecule into 2-pyridone-5-carboxamide. The aim of this study was to investigate this hypothesis. METHODS: Serum and urinary levels (mean +/- SEM) of N-methylnicotinamide and urinary excretion of 2-pyridone-5-carboxamide were measured in 10 healthy controls and 10 patients with liver cirrhosis in basal conditions and after a nicotinamide oral load (1.5 mg/kg body weight). RESULTS: N-methylnicotinamide serum levels increased significantly (p < 0.01) in cirrhotic patients compared to controls, both as basal values (0.43 +/- 0.07 nmol/ml; 0.15 +/- 0.01) and as area under the curve 5 h after a nicotinamide load (cirrhotics: 562.4 +/- 50.5 nmol/ml x min; controls: 314.4 +/- 23.8). Twenty-four-hour urinary excretion of N-methylnicotinamide and 2-pyridone-5-carboxamide was also significantly (p < 0.05) increased in cirrhotic patients versus controls, both in basal conditions (N-methylnicotinamide: 82.0 +/- 8.4 micromol, 48.8 +/- 4.8; 2-pyridone-5-carboxamide: 129.3 +/- 23.0, 64.6 +/- 9.8) and after a nicotinamide oral load (N-methylnicotinamide: 290.1 +/- 23.1, 180.8 +/- 7.4; 2-pyridone-5-carboxamide: 694.7 +/- 32.5, 391.0 +/- 21.9). Moreover, 24 h N-methylnicotinamide/2-pyridone-5-carboxamide ratio was similar in patients and controls (basal: 0.78 +/- 0.39, 0.90 +/- 0.51; load: 0.42 +/- 0.11, 0.48 +/- 0.16). CONCLUSIONS: In cirrhotic patients nicotinamide methylation is increased, as shown by the rise in urinary N-methylnicotinamide and 2-pyridone-5-carboxamide that is concurrent and proportional (constant 24-h metabolite ratio). The hyperfunction of this methylating pathway might play a protective role against the toxic effect of intracellular accumulation of nicotinamide deriving from the catabolic state of cirrhosis.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Italian population allele and genotype frequencies for the AmpliType PM and the HLA-DQ-alpha loci.

The distribution of six genetic loci analyzed by PCR using the commercial AmpliType PM (PolyMarker) kit (Perkin Elmer, Norwalk, CT) was evaluated in 200 unrelated Italian individuals. The examined loci included: Group-specific component (Gc) (1), D7S8 (2), hemoglobin G gammaglobin (HBGG) (3), glycophorin A (GYPA) (4), low density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) (5), and HLA DQ-alpha (6). The AmpliType PM Kit analysis is based on the reverse dot blot format and the results are interpreted by reading the pattern of blue dots which determine the alleles present at each locus. The population data collected allow the implementation of AmpliType PM into routine casework.

Alleles↗
PubMed1992

4-acetylaplykurodin B and aplykurodinone B, two ichthyotoxic degraded sterols from the Mediterranean mollusk Aplysia fasciata.

Two ichthyotoxic lactones, 4-acetylaplykurodin B [1] and aplykurodinone B [2], were isolated from the external parts of the body of the mollusk Aplysia fasciata. Their structures, determined by spectroscopic and chemical means, are closely related to aplykurodin B [3] previously isolated from Aplysia kurodai. The interconversion of delta- and gamma-lactones in the aplykurodin derivatives has been also investigated.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

A novel multifunctional metabolic pathway in a marine mollusc leads to unprecedented prostaglandin derivatives (prostaglandin 1,15-lactones).

The discovery of high levels of prostaglandin (PG) 1,15-lactones of both the E and F series and their co-existence with PGs has been recently described in the opisthobranch mollusc Tethys fimbria. The present study was undertaken in order to investigate the biosynthesis of these novel natural PG derivatives in vivo using radiolabelled precursors, and to gain a preliminary understanding of their biological role. PGE2 1,15-lactone was shown to be produced from both PGE2 and PGF2 alpha in the mollusc mantle and appeared to be quickly transferred to the mollusc dorsal appendices (cerata). The detachment of the latter during the typical defence behaviour of T. fimbria was accompanied by the conversion of PGE2 and PGE3 1,15-lactones back to the corresponding PGs. Both PGE2 and PGE2 1,15-lactone were also shown to be biosynthesized from arachidonic acid. Lactones of the F series were present as 11-acetyl derivatives in T. fimbria mantle and as 9- and 11-fatty acyl esters in the mollusc egg-mass and reproductive gland, and their biosynthesis from PGF2 alpha was demonstrated in all of these tissues. A multiple biological role of PG 1,15-lactones in T. fimbria defensive behaviour, smooth muscle contraction and egg production/fertilization control is hypothesized. The high amounts of PG derivatives found in T. fimbria and the biosynthetic studies described herein indicate that this marine mollusc may be a useful model for future studies on PG biosynthesis.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

A marine mollusc provides the first example of in vivo storage of prostaglandins: prostaglandin-1,15-lactones.

Prostaglandin-(PG) 1,15-lactones and, in smaller amounts, free acids, were isolated from both the mantle and the dorso-lateral appendices of the opisthobranch mollusc Tethys fimbria. In vivo conversion of PGs into the corresponding lactones and accumulation of PGE2- and PGE3-1,15-lactones in the appendages were shown. The detachment of these appendages from the molested mollusc caused the in vivo conversion of PGE2- and PGE3-lactones back to PGE2 and PGE3 respectively, thus providing the first example of a mechanism by which prostaglandins can be stored and, when needed, released.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Non-equilibrium pH gradient electrophoresis (NEPHGE) on ultrathin polyacrylamide gels containing separators: improved erythrocyte phosphoglucomutase (PGM) and esterase D (EsD) diagnosis in red cell lysates and bloodstains.

Two rapid and reliable electrophoretic techniques for PGM1 and EsD typing on ultrathin polyacrylamide gels are described. They have been based on non-equilibrium pH gradient electrophoresis and on the addition of chemical spacers (EPPS for PGM1 and HEPES for EsD) to the gel mixture.

Blood Stains↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Insect antifeedant activity and hot taste for humans of selected natural and synthetic 1,4-dialdehydes.

The antifeedant activity towards larvae of Leptinotarsa decemlineata and Spodoptera littoralis and the hot taste for the human tongue have been determined for natural and synthetic 1,4-dialdehydes. Among the bicyclic dialdehydes the biological activity has been found to be dependent on the distance between the two aldehyde groups; tricyclic and pentacyclic dialdehydes are inactive in both tests. A short synthetic route to (-)- and (+)-polygodial is reported.

Aldehydes↗