Perilla frutescens (L.) Britt., widely used in Asian countries both as culinary and medicinal plant, is reported to be very rich in phenolic compounds that are beneficial for human health. Since ...perilla is almost unknown in Italy, we investigated the suitability of this species to be grown in our environments. At first, we estimated the antioxidant capacity and the phytochemical content of different cultivars, in order to explore the existing variability. Two red-leaf (‘Aka Shiso’, Tokita, and ‘Purple Zi Su’, Agrohaitai) and three green-leaf cultivars (‘Ao Shiso’, Tokita, ‘Qing Su’, Agrohaitai, and ‘Korean perilla’ of Kitazawa Seed) were sown in greenhouse in April 2008 and plants were transplanted in open field about one month later. At the marketing maturity stage (about 60 days after transplant) we detected the fresh yield, dry matter percentage, and the content of chlorophyll a+b, total phenols, anthocyanins, carotenoids, perillaldehyde and perillaketone, which are responsible for the typical flavour and are involved in the chemesthetic mechanisms of taste perception. All the cultivars performed very well and showed high antioxidant capacity, even if some differences among cultivars arose. We conclude that perilla has good prospect of becoming an innovative and functional leafy vegetable in Italy.
Abstract Background Transarterial embolization using one permanent embolic agent alone enhances tumour ischaemia and spares patients with hepatocellular carcinoma form toxic chemotherapeutic drugs. ...Purpose We assessed feasibility, tolerability and efficacy of transarterial embolization with microspheres in patients with a single node hepatocellular carcinoma. Materials and methods Eighteen consecutive patients with compensated cirrhosis, hypervascularized single hepatocellular carcinoma, in whom liver transplantation was indicated (no. = 3), or excluded from radical therapies (no. = 15), received selective transarterial embolization with microspheres. Treatment was repeated every other month until complete devascularitazion was demonstrated by computed tomography, for a maximum of 3 cycles. Results Fifty transarterial embolization courses (mean: 2.8 courses, range 1–6) were administered, corresponding to a 100% applicability rates. Initial complete response was achieved in 16 (89%) patients and confirmed by histology in 2 transplanted patients. During 21-month follow-up (range 8–36), hepatocellular carcinoma recurred in 10 (62%) patients who achieved initial complete response, and de novo tumour nodes developed in 10 (56%). No patient required analgesics and none had liver function deteriorated following transarterial embolization. Conclusions Transarterial embolization is a well-tolerated treatment for patients with early or intermediate hepatocellular carcinoma who are not suitable for radical treatment or await liver transplantation, but it allows to achieve a sustained complete response in a minority of patients.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK
Decreases in protein and changes in the free amino acid profile were ascertained in Vicia faba L. treated with chlorimuron-ethyl, imazethapyr, or propachlor. Valine, leucine, isoleucine, and total N ...were decreased by chlorimuron-ethyl and imazethapyr, while total soluble N was increased by all treatments. These changes were accompanied by decreases of the activities of acetohydroxy acid synthase (AHAS; EC 4.1.3.18), nitrite reductase (NiR; EC 1.7.7.1), glutamine synthetase (GS; EC 6.3.1.2), and glutamate synthase (NADH-GOGAT; EC 1.4.1.14). During the experimental period, the inhibition of GS activity preceded that of NiR and followed that of AHAS in samples treated with chlorimuron-ethyl or imazethapyr, while a reverse sequence was apparent in samples treated with propachlor. Therefore, the reduction in protein formation and the disturbance in free amino acid profile appears to be due to inhibition of AHAS following treatment with chlorimuron-ethyl or imazethapyr and to inhibition of NiR following treatment with propachlor. Keywords: Herbicides; acetohydroxy acid synthase; nitrate reductase; nitrite reductase; glutamine synthetase; glutamate synthase
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IJS, KILJ, NUK, PNG, UL, UM, UPUK
