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Tomato fruit has assumed the status of ‘functional food’ due to the association between its consumption and a reduced likelihood of certain types of cancers and CVD. The nutraceutical value of tomatoes can be affected by the cultivation conditions, e.g. the phytochemical content of the fruits may increase with the establishment of beneficial mycorrhizal symbioses in the plants. A multidisciplinary study was carried out to gain knowledge on the antioxidant, oestrogenic/anti-oestrogenic and genotoxic activity of tomato fruits produced by mycorrhizal plants. The present results showed that the symbiosis positively affected the growth and mineral nutrient content of tomato plants and enhanced the nutritional and nutraceutical value of tomato fruits through modifications of plant secondary metabolism, which led to increased levels of lycopene in fruits obtained from mycorrhizal plants, compared with controls. Moreover, such changes did not result in the production of mutagenic compounds, since tomato extracts induced no in vitro genotoxic effects. Fruit extracts, both hydrophilic and the lipophilic fractions, originating from mycorrhizal plants strongly inhibited 17-β-oestradiol–human oestrogen receptor binding, showing significantly higher anti-oestrogenic power compared with controls. The present study shows that beneficial plant symbionts, such as mycorrhizal fungi, can lead to the production of safe and high-quality food, which is an important societal issue strongly demanded by both consumers and producers.

How appendages, such as plant leaves or animal limbs, develop asymmetric shapes remains a fundamental question in biology. Although ongoing research has revealed the genetic regulation of organ pattern formation, how gene activity ultimately directs organ shape remains unclear. Here, we show that leaf dorsoventral (adaxial-abaxial) polarity signals lead to mechanical heterogeneity of the cell wall, related to the methyl-esterification of cell-wall pectins in tomato and Arabidopsis . Numerical simulations predicate that mechanical heterogeneity is sufficient to produce the asymmetry seen in planar leaves. Experimental tests that alter pectin methyl-esterification, and therefore cell wall mechanical properties, support this model and lead to polar changes in gene expression, suggesting the existence of a feedback mechanism for mechanical signals in morphogenesis. Thus, mechanical heterogeneity within tissue may underlie organ shape asymmetry. Mechanical heterogeneity due to differences in methyl-esterification of cell wall pectins is sufficient to produce asymmetric leaf morphology, as predicted by a mathematical model and validated in Arabidopsis and tomato.

Background: Some patients with Japanese cedar pollen (JCP)-induced allergic rhinitis develop pollen-food allergy syndrome (PFAS) as a reaction to tomato fruit. Pollen allergen-specific subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) is reportedly beneficial for some associated food allergies; however, the reported changes in food allergen-specific immunoglobulin (Ig)E and IgG 4 levels are inconsistent. Here, we investigated immunologic reactivity to tomato fruit after JCP-based SCIT. Methods: Twenty-three children (aged 6-17 years) with JCP-induced allergic rhinitis and sensitized to tomato (serum tomato fruit-specific IgE level >0.34 UA/ml) received JCP-based SCIT. Basophil activation by tomato and JCP extracts and serum-specific IgE and IgG 4 levels against these allergens were determined before and after 4 or 5 months of maintenance SCIT. Basophil activation was assessed by monitoring CD203c upregulation on flow cytometry. Results: JCP-based SCIT significantly reduced the basophil activation caused by tomato fruit (p = 0.03) and JCP (p < 0.001) extracts. JCP-specific IgG 4 levels markedly increased after SCIT (p < 0.001), whereas tomato fruit-specific IgG 4 levels did not. After SCIT, no significant changes were observed in specific IgE levels for tomato fruit (p = 0.11) or JCP (p = 0.19). Conclusions: Tomato fruit-specific basophil activation decreases after JCP-based SCIT, suggesting that it is efficacious in relieving and preventing the symptoms of PFAS in patients with JCP-induced allergic rhinitis.

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is one of the most extensively consumed vegetables but, unfortunately, it is also able to induce allergic reactions. In the past, it has been shown that the choice of tomato cultivar significantly influenced the allergic reaction of tomato allergic subjects. In this study we investigated the allergenic potential of the cultivated tomato line M82 and of two selected lines carrying small chromosome regions from the wild species Solanum pennellii (i.e. IL7-3 and IL12-4). We evaluated the positive interactions of IgEs of allergic subjects in order to investigate the different allergenic potential of the lines under investigation. We used proteomic analyses in order to identify putative tomato allergens. In addition, bioinformatic and transcriptomic approaches were applied in order to analyse the structure and the expression profiles of the identified allergen-encoding genes. These analyses demonstrated that fruits harvested from the two selected introgression lines harbour a different allergenic potential as those from the cultivated genotype M82. The different allergenicity found within the three lines was mostly due to differences in the IgE recognition of a polygalacturonase enzyme (46 kDa), one of the major tomato allergens, and of a pectin methylesterase (34 kDa); both the proteins were more immunoreactive in IL7-3 compared to IL12-4 and M82. The observed differences in the allergenic potential were mostly due to line-dependent translational control or post-translational modifications of the allergens. We demonstrated, for the first time, that the introgression from a wild species (S. pennellii) in the genomic background of a cultivated tomato line influences the allergenic properties of the fruits. Our findings could support the isolation of favorable wild loci promoting low allergenic potential in tomato.

Tomatoes may have beneficial effects on prostate health. Efficacy trials would require long-term adherence to high levels of tomato product (TP) consumption. Therefore, factors that affect adherence in men most at risk and whether increased consumption of TP negatively affects diet and health are important concerns. Cancer-free African–American (AA) men (n 36) with mean serum prostate-specific antigen of 7·4 sd 5·6) ng/ml were randomised to consume one serving of TP/d or a control diet for 3 months. Mean intervention group lycopene intake rose to 464 %, with negligible control group increase. Plasma lycopene levels rose by 53 and 40 % in the intervention group in months 1 and 3, respectively (P< 0·0001), with no control group change. The intervention group's barriers to adherence score was inversely associated with both dietary (r − 0·49, P= 0·02) and plasma lycopene concentration (r − 0·37, P= 0·02). Their TP disadvantage score negatively correlated with the 3-month plasma lycopene concentrations (r − 0·37, P= 0·008) and their weekly incentives and impediments were remarkably stable, ‘concern for prostate health’ being the most consistent over time. ‘Liking tomatoes’ and ‘study participation’ decreased in citation frequency at weeks 6 and 9, respectively. No major shifts occurred in dietary cholesterol or saturated fat, with no adverse effects on gastrointestinal complaints, serum total cholesterol, body weight or blood pressure. Lower socio-economic status AA men at higher prostate cancer risk can successfully achieve a whole food intervention goal with a corresponding rise in plasma lycopene concentrations, with no adverse effects on self-selected diet quality or health parameters.

Background: In some subjects, specific foods trigger anaphylaxis when exercise follows ingestion (specific food-dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis, FDEIAn). Skin test and/or RAST positivity to foods suggest an IgE-mediated pathogenic mechanism. Others suffer from anaphylaxis after all meals followed by exercise, regardless of the food eaten (nonspecific FDEIAn). We sought to identify the culprit foods with a diagnostic protocol. Methods: We collected detailed histories and performed skin prick tests (SPT) with 26 commercial food allergens, prick plus prick tests (P+P) with 15 fresh foods (including 9 assessed with SPT), and RAST for 31 food allergens. Treadmill stress tests were administered after a meal without any positive food (food plus exercise challenge, FEC). Results: Among the 54 patients, 6 could not recall any suspect food. The other 48 suspected a specific food in at least one episode. The most frequent were tomatoes, cereals and peanuts. Fifty-two subjects were positive to at least one food (22 to more than 20), whereas 2 showed no positive results. All suspect foods were positive. SPT, P+P and RAST displayed different degrees of sensitivity. Each test disclosed some positivities not discovered by others. Two subjects reacted to FEC. Overall, 48 patients probably had specific FDEIAn and the other 6 nonspecific FDEIAn. Conclusions: It is useful to test both in vivo and in vitro an extensive panel of foods. Avoidance of foods associated with skin test and/or RAST positivity for at least 4 h before exercise has prevented further episodes in all our patients with specific FDEIAn.

Background Developmental defects of enamel (DDE), such as amelogenesis imperfecta (AI), may present with tooth discolouration that is of aesthetic concern to the affected individual. Children and young people with DDE may therefore seek dental interventions to improve their dental appearance. The most commonly employed approaches include microabrasion, bleaching and/or placement of composite resin veneers. Case report A 13-year-old girl with hypomature AI requested treatment for the ‘marks’ on her teeth which were having a negative impact on her social interactions. Clinical examination revealed generalised dense white opacities, and a microabrasion approach was performed on 11, 12 and 13 using a commercial preparation of 6.6 % hydrochloric acid. Concerningly, the girl’s father phoned the next day reporting that his daughter’s teeth had turned ‘orange’. An urgent review revealed that the treated teeth had indeed become an orange colour. Further enquiry found that the patient had eaten a tomato pizza immediately after her dental treatment and this was believed to have caused the severe extrinsic staining. The patient was provided with a 16 % carbamide peroxide preparation for night-time use in a laboratory-made tray. A 2-week review revealed complete resolution of the staining. Follow-up Direct composite resin restorations were subsequently provided for the girl’s maxillary anterior teeth to achieve an optimal cosmetic result and she has remained pleased with her dental appearance. Conclusion Clinicians should be aware of the potential for extrinsic staining following microabrasion or tooth bleaching. Patients should be advised against consuming coloured food and drink for at least 48 h after their treatment.

Genetic engineering of food crops has significantly influenced the agricultural productivity over the past two decades. It has proved a valuable tool, offering crops with higher yields, improved nutritional quality, resistance against pesticides, herbicides and tolerance against abiotic stresses. However, the safety assessment of genetically engineered (GE) crops is prerequisite before introduction into human food chain. The present study was aimed to assess the toxicity and allergenicity of leaf curl virus resistant GE tomato compared to its wild-type species. Balb/c mice fed with genetically engineered or wild-type tomato did not show significant differences in growth, body weight (P > 0.05) and food consumption when compared with control mice. Values for serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase and serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase, urea and cholesterol were comparable in GE and wild-type tomato fed mice. Mice immunized with GE or wild-type tomato extract showed low IgE response. Lung histology of ovalbumin fed mice showed bronchoconstriction with eosinophilic infiltration whereas GE or wild-type tomato showed no cellular infiltration with normal airways. Genetically engineered and wild-type tomato sensitized mice demonstrated similar IL-4 release in splenic cell culture supernatant. GE and wild tomato extract on ELISA showed comparable IgE binding (P > 0.05) with food allergic patients' sera. In conclusion, genetically engineered tomato showed no toxicity in mice and allergenicity is similar to the wild-type tomato.

Background: Although the tomato fruit (Lycopersicon esculentum) has been widely investigated for breeding purposes, there have been few studies on tomato allergenicity. We attempted to identify the tomato fruit allergens and to compare the concentrations of IgE-binding proteins among the different growth stages with sodium dodecylsulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and immunoblotting. Methods: An immunoblot experiment on tomato fruit extracts was performed using sera from 11 patients with oral allergy syndrome (OAS) to tomatoes. Bands reacting with IgE from more than half of the OAS patients’ sera were excised and subjected to determination of N-terminal amino acid sequences using the automated Edman degradation method. Moreover, we compared the concentrations of these proteins at each growth stage of the tomato fruit with SDS-PAGE and immunoblotting. Results: Four proteins binding with IgE from more than half of the OAS patients’ sera were determined to be polygalacturonase 2A (PG2A), β-fructofuranosidase, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and pectinesterase (PE). The concentrations of PG2A, β-fructofuranosidase and PE were highest in the red ripening stage with both SDS-PAGE and immunoblotting. Conclusion: The concentrations of 3 of 4 tomato allergens increased during ripening.