Current evidence on urbanicity and the impact of neighbourhoods on anxiety and stress-related disorders.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To synthesize recent knowledge on the association of urbanization (and neighbourhood factors) and anxiety and stress-related disorders. RECENT FINDINGS: The quality of urban neighbourhoods and neighbourhood factors - physical (e.g. green space), social (e.g. social cohesion) and biological (e.g. stress response) factors - are directly linked to the presence and severity of anxiety disorders, although data on posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are pauce. Preliminary data indicate that architectural and space design elements in PTSD can either increase anxiety and lead to trauma triggers or relieve symptoms and reinforce safety. In addition, there is emerging evidence that being raised in urban environments with a wide range of microbial exposure dampens the immune response to psychosocial stressors. SUMMARY: Evidence points to a higher prevalence of anxiety disorders and PTSD in urban environments. Current research is focused on the role of neighbourhood factors in prevention and treatment. Few studies have assessed comprehensive treatment models in urban populations and the potential moderating role of these factors on treatment outcomes. Several lines of inquiry are starting to address how urban living impacts on biological stress regulation pathways. As urbanization continues, improved understanding of urban mental health is central to informing mental health promotion policies.

Expression of recombinant puroindolines for the treatment of staphylococcal skin infections (acne vulgaris).

Puroindolines are antimicrobial peptides that occur in wheat seed, and are characterized by broad antimicrobial activity. We describe the heterologous expression of puroindoline A and B in the Origami strain of Escherichia coli. The recombinant puroindolines showed the same antimicrobial activity on Staphylococcus epidermidis as compared to the native peptides (MIC(90)=30microgml(-1)). The bactericidal activity was 125microgml(-1) for recombinant puroindoline A and 42microgml(-1) for recombinant puroindoline B. Neither protein shows in vitro haemolytic activity or toxicity towards the murine macrophage cell line J774, but they are able to kill intracellular staphylococci. Our preliminary results suggest that recombinant puroindolines deserve further attention as alternatives to the conventional antibiotics in the control of S. epidermidis skin infections.

Use of molecular markers and flow cytometry to preserve ancient Annurca apple germplasm.

The old Annurca apple cultivar (Malus domestica), particularly appreciated for its peculiar flavor and crispy flesh, was studied in order to preserve its ancient germplasm. Twelve clones of Annurca were analyzed using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and simple-sequence repeat (SSR) markers. Two out of 30 RAPD primers and nine out of ten SSR primers were able to discriminate all the clones analyzed. Data were confirmed by measuring DNA content using flow cytometry. The results provide a good procedure to improve germplasm field management, in order to removing redundant material in the Annurca collection. This represents an efficient way to create a data bank in order to preserve the genetic variability of the Annurca cultivar.

Quantification of gliadin levels to the picogram level by flow cytometry.

BACKGROUND: Celiac disease is a widely prevalent enteropathy caused by intolerance to gliadin, one of the gluten proteins. We developed two methods for the analysis of gliadin levels. Both methods use flow cytometry and rat antibodies against a 16-residue peptide of gliadin. The peptide is common to the alpha-, beta-, gamma-, and omega-gliadins. METHODS: In the one-site assay, the antigen (gliadin standard or food extract) was adsorbed on 3-mum latex particles. Sensitized particles were then incubated, in this order, with rat anti-gliadin peptide antibodies and anti-rat immunoglobulin G antibodies labeled with fluorescein isothiocyanate. In the two-site assay, the antigen was trapped on the latex particles by rat anti-gliadin antibodies and then measured by the same antibodies labeled with fluorescein. RESULTS: Detection limits were 1 ng/ml for the one-site assay and 10 pg/ml for the two-site assay. The two-site assay displayed gliadin at concentrations above the limit proposed by the Codex Alimentarius in 2 of 40 gluten-free products. CONCLUSION: There is a growing concern that gliadin, even when present in gluten-free foods within the limit fixed by the Codex Alimentarius, over the long term may become toxic to patients with celiac disease. The techniques described in this study provide an opportunity to further decrease the acceptable limit of gliadin in gluten-free foods.