24663 research outputs found
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Bathing seawater and sand as reservoirs of clinically relevant and antimicrobial resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae strains
No full textKlebsiella pneumoniae is included in the ESKAPE list of bacteria, which are currently considered the greatest threat to human health. It is widely distributed in the environment, including waters, soils, and plants. According to the One Health concept, it is essential to enhance our understanding of the distribution and genetic characteristics of this human pathogen in aquatic ecosystems, particularly in environments with frequent human contact, such as beaches and seawater used for recreational purposes. The aim of this study is to investigate whether bathing seawater and sand could serve as reservoirs for antimicrobial- resistant and clinically relevant K. pneumoniae strains. A total of 60 seawater and 54 sand samples were collected along the Abruzzo Region (Central Italy) shoreline during the bathing season. K. pneumoniae was detected at 13 seawater and 12 sand sites, mainly in areas heavily impacted by anthropogenic pollution and close to river mouths. Several strains belonged to sequence types (STs) of clinical interest, and one classified as ST348 was multidrug-resistant and harbored multiple antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs). All the collected strains had ARGs in their genome, several of which were located on putative plasmids or phages, enhancing the potential for their horizontal gene transfer. This study confirms that bathing seawater and sand could contribute to the selection and spread of clinically relevant K. pneumoniae, with anthropogenic pollution influencing its presence. These environments should be recognized as important reservoirs and monitored for their potential to transmit this pathogen to humans
Il processo di riforma dell’apparato amministrativo negli Stati della Monarchia ispanica nella seconda metà del XVI secolo: il Regno di Sardegna Relazioni conoscitive ed arbitrio frumentario
No full textL'evoluzione della amministrazione del Regno di Sardegna nella Corona d'Aragona fra il XIV e il XVI secolo, con particolare riguardo alle riforme di Filippo II (1556-1598) e all'iter per lo studio e la pianificazione miranti all'introduzione dell'arbitrio frumentari
Enrichment of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in a legume-based beverage through the fermentation by Lactiplantibacillus plantarum
No full textIn humans, γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is recognized as the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system and covers various others physiological functions such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antihypertensive activities, as well as positive regulation of anxiety and depression. GABA is also produced by several microorganisms, including lactic acid bacteria (LAB) which, widely used as multifunctional starter cultures to enrich fermented foods with functional properties. Thus, the aim of this study was to screen a collection of 20 Lactiplantibacillus plantarum strains, isolated from fermented foods, for their ability to produce GABA in vitro and in situ during a lab-scale fermentation aimed at producing a legume-based beverage. Initially, optimization of the culture conditions was performed considering parameters such as time and temperature (30 °C for 96 h) for growth and concentration of monosodium glutamate (0, 25, 50, 160, 270 and 400 mM), used by LAB as GABA precursor, by combining colorimetric, GABase enzymatic assay and UPLC/MS-MS analysis. Based on the results, 4 strains (C9S2, C9O4, LAB62 and LT52) were selected and combined as starters to produce a legume-based beverage naturally enriched with GABA. UPLC/MS-MS analyses showed a clear strain-specific GABA production both in vitro (C9S2, 2262.21 ± 219.4 mg/L; LAB62, 790.1 ± 9.5 mg/L; C9O4, 500.7 ± 29.0 mg/L; LT52, 408.7 ± 26.9 mg/L) and in the real food system during the lab-scale fermentation (C1, 6.98 ± 0.03 mg/L; C2, 6.92 ± 0.02 mg/L)
Crosstalk between endocannabinoids and gut microbiota in neurodevelopmental disorders
No full textThe microbiota–gut–brain axis plays a key role in the pathogenesis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD),
with gut dysbiosis contributing to altered neuroimmune signaling and increased intestinal permeability. Probiotic interventions may exert beneficial effects by modulating the endocannabinoid system
(ECS). In this study, three ASD animal models were investigated: a genetic model (Neuroligin-3 R451C knock-in (KI) mice) and two environmental models (maternal immune activation mice, MIA, and prenatal valproic acid exposure rats, VPA).
In the genetic model, we evaluated the potential therapeutic effects of two selected food-borne Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (LP) strains using a multidisciplinary approach. Behavioral assessments were followed by analyses of intestinal permeability markers (through qRT-PCR), synaptic proteins (by western blotting), circulating endocannabinoid levels (via UPLC/MS-MS) and their brain receptor transcript expression, and gut microbiota composition (16S rRNA gene sequencing). The potential
neurobehavioral therapeutic effects as well as the amelioration of the intestinal integrity due to the same LP treatment was investigated also in the MIA model.
In the VPA model, the endogenous content of endocannabinoids and endocannabinoid-related lipids was quantified in medial prefrontal cortex and nucleus accumbens in order to verify the role of ECS. Our results demonstrate that LP strains are capable not only of attenuating behavioral deficits but also of restoring intestinal barrier integrity in both the KI and MIA models. The reduction of endocannabinoid levels in the VPA model supports the hypothesis that core ASD deficits may originate from early
dysfunctions in the ECS. Additionally, the treatment with fenofibrate revealed a mitigated social impairment in VPA-exposed rats.
These findings open new avenues for the development of both dietary and pharmacological therapies aimed at alleviating the core symptoms of ASD. The translational goal is to formulate functional foods enriched with specific LP strains to integrate into the diet of neurodivergent individuals
Social identity and intent to try cultured-meat: beyond locavorism and cultural openness
No full textPurpose – Despite the growing research on cultured meat, the psychological factors influencing consumer
behaviour are still underexplored. This study investigates how anticipated social identification, openness to
other cultures and locavorism shape behavioural intentions toward cultured meat. The findings aim to inform
strategies for promoting alternative proteins, especially in contexts where food identity plays a key role.
Design/methodology/approach – In December 2023, we fielded a nationwide online survey to a quotarepresentative
sample of 800 Italians (age, gender, region) recruited via a professional market-research panel, in
line with ESOMAR standards. The questionnaire measured attitudes toward cultured meat and examined how
social identification, openness to other cultures and locavorism relate to willingness to try (WTT), to eat
regularly and to substitute conventional meat.
Findings – Anticipated social identification with prospective cultured-meat consumers positively influences
three behavioural intentions: WTT, willingness to consume regularly and willingness to substitute farmed meat
with cultured meat. Openness to other cultures is positively associated with the willingness to consume cultured
meat regularly. In contrast, locavorism does not significantly influence behavioural intentions, suggesting that
local food preferences may not conflict with the acceptance of cultured meat.
Originality/value – This study advances the literature by jointly testing anticipated social identification,
locavorism and openness to other cultures, rarely examined together, in a meat-centric setting (Italy, 2023 ban).
We find stage-differentiated effects across WTT, eat regularly and substitute, clarifying psychological pathways
to acceptance. The results provide actionable guidance for policy and practice and a basis for future research on
food identity and innovation
Transport Properties of Self-Assembling G-Hydrogels: Evidence for a Tunable Fickian Diffusivity
No full textThe mixing of Guanosine (Gua) and Guanosine 5′-monophosphate (GMP) in water in selected compositions yields highly hydrated, transparent, and self-healing self-assembled supramolecular G-hydrogels, attractive for biomedical applications. This work investigates how hydrogel composition affects solute transport, including diffusion, binding, loading, and release properties, using a set of fluorescent probes with varying size and polarity. Although small/wide-angle X-ray scattering techniques showed that no structural changes are induced by probe addition, even when intercalation into G-quadruplexes is expected, the internal mesh structure of the hydrogel, modulated by the Gua:GMP ratio, directly impacts probe diffusivity and loading. Tighter networks (e.g., 1:1) slow diffusion and enhance retention compared to looser configurations (e.g., 1:4). Moreover, UV-visible titrations revealed markedly different binding affinities (Kb ≈ 5.7 × 104 M-1 for DAPI, 8.0 × 103 M-1 for ThT, and 1.4 × 102 M-1 for RhB), which are expected to result in lower diffusion coefficients and slower release, especially for DAPI and ThT. Indeed, diffusion coefficients, obtained via fluorescence recovery after photobleaching and time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy, reach 90, 20, and 60 μm2/s for FITC-dextran, ThT, and RhB, respectively. Probe release kinetics, modeled via Weibull fitting, indicated sustained release with characteristic times (τ) between 9.6 and 23.2 h and β ≈ 1 in 1× PBS, consistent with predominantly Fickian diffusion. Remarkably, switching to 10× PBS significantly accelerated release (τ reduced by ≈ 40-50%), suggesting that ionic strength and/or pH changes critically affect not only probe-hydrogel interactions but also the internal gel architecture, altering porosity, mesh size, and network tortuosity, thus enhancing molecular mobility. Overall, the G-hydrogel system offers a structurally tunable and composition-dependent platform capable of finely regulating molecular transport and release profiles, making it highly suitable for controlled drug delivery and adaptive biomaterial applications
Luigi Sandirocco, rec. a Mario Sirimarco (a cura di) Appunti sull’esperienza giuridica. Giuseppe Capograssi, Lanciano 2025
No full textLo studioso riprende il pensiero di Giuseppe Capograssi (1889-1956) e la concezione filosofica del sistema giuridico nell’esperienza comune, i cui valori dimostrano anche in epoca contemporanea la profondità e l'attualità. Un contributo significativo per comprendere l’individuo, le sue azioni, le interrelazioni e le aspirazioni. La vita, insomma, in tutte le sue complesse e straordinarie sfaccettature, che ha al centro la storia che diventa persona, essere ed esperienza
Development of multifunctional yeast probiotic efervescent tablets from bioconversion of mangosteen pericarp juice: a potential approach to enhance health benefts
No full textThis study presents a potential approach to produce efervescent tablets with yeast probiotic and bio-converted mangosteen pericarp juice (MPEj), aiming to deliver both multifunctional health benefts and appealing color. The process involved fermenting MPEj with Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. boulardii to modify its composition and increase the yeast population.
Subsequently, the bio-converted MPEj and yeast cells were separated to generate powdered forms for producing efervescent tablets. Through response surface methodology, varying MPEj and nitrogen source concentrations revealed the optimal
condition: 20% MPEj and 0.5% nitrogen source, yielding a yeast viability of 8.67±0.24 CFU/mL When scaling up yeast
fermentation, both fask and bioreactor demonstrated similar trend, with bioreactor exhibiting notably enhanced growth rates in MPEj as well as signifcant changes in TSS, TTA, and pH during fermentation. After fermentation, MPEj displayed
increased antioxidant activity, altered phenolic content, increased isoleucine levels, and presence of propionate, indicating biotransformation driven by yeast. Efervescent tablets met quality standards and demonstrated enhanced yeast survival in simulated gastrointestinal conditions. Moreover, surface property testing, specifcally hydrophobicity, revealed improved adherence to intestinal cells, suggesting the potential for prolonged gastrointestinal retention. This study underscores promising application of MPEj fermentation with yeast probiotic in developing functional probiotic tablets with enhanced health benefts
Progressive Needs of Patients with Intellectual Disabilities in Aging: Exploratory Study by Health Professionals in Italian Residential-Care Organization
No full textObjective: The research project aimed to examine the views and perspectives of community workers for older
people with intellectual disabilities (≥50 years), with the aim of exploring and documenting the most important
support needs in all Quality domains of life of their old patients with intellectual disabilities.
Methods: N.113 participants are working as health professionals in the residential-care organizations for people
with intellectual disabilities in Italy. A survey online on the QoL model was developed exploring following domains:
Personal development, Self-determination, Interpersonal relationships, Social inclusion, Rights, Emotional wellbeing,
Physical well-being, Material well-being and Existential well-being.
Results: According to the participants, older people with intellectual disabilities experience support needs in all 8
examined QoL domains: all of them seemed high relevance. The support needs within the domains of emotional
well-being, physical well-being, were rated as being of the greatest importance for this population, whereas those
within the domains of personal develoment, existensial wellbeing, social inclusion were rated as being least important
from almost invovled pofessionals.
Conclusions: The increasing of longevity and applying lifestile medicine, the clinical and social community is detecting
the need to support better and funciotnally that patients; the other part, the managing of people with intellectual
disabilities experience in dedicated community could be impacted negatively to the age-related difficulties as well
leading to augmentation and changes in their daily support needs