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La tutela del consumatore e i prodotti tipici con particolare riferimento alla tutela europea dell’oliva ascolana del Piceno\ud The protection of the consumer and the typical products with particular reference to the protection of the olive Ascolana Piceno
No full textIl titolo della tesi e le argomentazioni da approfondire si sono prestate alla suddivisione del presente lavoro in due parti: la prima affronta le problematiche inerenti la tutela del consumatore con particolare riferimento al consumatore alimentare, nozione introdotta dal regolamento CE 178/2002, la seconda la tutela dell’oliva Ascolana del Piceno DOP.\ud
In particolare, dopo una breve trattazione dell’evoluzione della tutela del consumatore in ambito europeo, si delinea la figura di consumatore come accolta nel Codice del consumo evidenziando che la sua tutela trova in questo una normativa che assume un ruolo centrale nell’ordinamento giuridico pur se affiancata da discipline specifiche per ciascun settore di consumo. Altresi', si provvede ad esaminare la nozione di consumatore alimentare come introdotta dal regolamento CE 178/2002 in cui si disciplinano strumenti giuridici peculiari atti a garantire un elevato livello di sicurezza e protezione del consumatore stante la natura primaria degli interessi sottesi all’alimento. \ud
La trattazione prosegue affrontando il problema della consapevolezza della scelta dell’alimento in relazione al suo essere bene a consumo “necessitato” e avente carattere “indifferenziato”, evidenziando che l’applicazione della normativa sulle pratiche commerciali sleali deve tener conto di tale specificita'. La tematica dei prodotti tipici trattata riguarda l’esame di una possibile nozione di tipicita' in cui comprendere i prodotti DOP, IGP e STG ed i prodotti agroalimentari tradizionali o PAT, evidenziando, in particolare per le DOP e le IGP, profili di differenziazione con i marchi collettivi geografici. \ud
La seconda parte e' esclusivamente incentrata sulla tutela dell’oliva Ascolana del Piceno. Dopo un preambolo sul significato di denominazione di origine protetta, si affrontano la questione della qualificazione del prodotto come trasformato o non trasformato, necessaria ai fini dell’inquadramento nella filiera dei prodotti ortofrutticoli alla luce della normativa ministeriale sui consorzi di tutela, e il problema della tutela della denominazione Ascolana del Piceno in riferimento all’esistenza di un prodotto analogo, l’oliva all’Ascolana.\ud
In particolare si affronta il problema della genericita' del nome “Ascolana del Piceno” e del nome “oliva all’Ascolana” per stabilire se il secondo sia compatibile e quindi utilizzabile liberamente dai produttori. In merito, stante il forte dubbio della compatibilita' delle due denominazioni, la tesi si conclude con la proposta, in analogia con quanto gia' accaduto per il prodotto aceto balsamico di Modena, di chiedere anche per l’oliva all’ascolana il riconoscimento dell’IGP a tutela sia della DOP stessa oliva ascolana del Piceno sia dei consumatori che possono essere indotti in confusione dalle due denominazioni che si riferiscono a prodotti simili pur se molto diversi. \ud
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The title of the thesis and the arguments for further consideration were given to the subdivision of this work into two parts: the first deals with the problems concerning consumer protection with particular reference to food consumption, a concept introduced by EC Regulation 178/2002, the second the protection of the olive Ascolana Piceno DOP. \ud
In particular, after a brief discussion of the evolution of consumer protection in Europe, outlining the figure of the consumer as accepted in the Code of consumers show that its protection is in this legislation that plays a central role in the legal system while if accompanied by specific disciplines for each sector of consumption. Also, we shall examine the concept of food consumption as introduced by EC Regulation 178/2002 in which the governing legal instruments peculiar to ensure a high level of safety and consumer protection given the primary nature of the interests underlying the food. \ud
The discussion continues by addressing awareness of food choice in relation to his being a good consumer "need" that has the "undifferentiated", noting that the application of the rules on unfair commercial practices must take into account this specificity. The theme of the products we sell on the examination of a possible notion of typicality which include the PDO, PGI and TSG products and traditional food or PAT, highlighting, in particular for PDO and PGI, profiles of differentiation with Geography collective marks. \ud
The second part is exclusively focused on the protection of the olive Ascolana Piceno. After a preamble about the significance of protected designation of origin, addressing the issue of qualification of the product as processed or unprocessed, which is necessary for classification in the chain of fruit and vegetables according to the rules on ministerial associations for the protection and the problem of protection of the name of Ascolana Piceno in reference to the existence of a similar product, the olive all'Ascolana. \ud
In particular, it addresses the generality of the name of Ascolana Piceno "and the name" oil all'Ascolana "to determine if the second is compatible and therefore freely usable by the producers. In this respect, given the strong doubt about the compatibility of the two denominations, the thesis concludes with the proposal, in analogy to what happened to the product balsamic vinegar of Modena, to ask for the olive all'ascolana recognition Indication allowing protection of the PDO of the same oil Ascoli Piceno both consumers may be confused by the two names that refer to similar although very different.\u
Il valore giuridico delle pubblicazioni scientifiche on line
No full textSOMMARIO: 1. Premessa. Perche' c'interroghiamo sul “valore giuridico” delle pubblicazioni scentifiche? – 2. La “nozione” di pubblicazione scientifica – 3. Le nuove norme sulla valutazione delle pubblicazioni scientifiche - 4. Qualche riflessione conclusiv
Pathogenetical mechanism and development of a new diagnostic kit for the parrot proventricular dilatation disease
Get PDFPDD is a progressive disease often fatal, that occurs in several parrot species but a common susceptibility of all parrots is suspected. It also may occur in non psittacine bird like, gooses, hawks, doves tucans and flamingos. The ill birds develop gastrointestinal or central nervous system signs. These presentation can be occur like a combination of both or alone. The clinical signs are caused by histological nervous lesions, characterized by a\ud
non suppurative encephalomyelitis and/or perineural lymphoplasmacytic infiltrates around peripheral nerves. The intramural neural plexa of digestive tract were constanctly involved.\ud
The diagnosis is characterized by inconsistent clinical laboratory findings. A presumptive diagnosis of PDD is often based on anamnestic information, contrast radiographs,\ud
fluoroscopy in PDD suspect birds. Until now the only specific and reliable method used for the diagnosis is the crop biopsy. The presence of characteristic histological perineural infiltrates are strongly suggestive of the disease and necessary for a definitive diagnosis.\ud
Until now the etiology and the pathogenesis are unclear, even if, many Authors suppose the potential role of unclear virus as the causative agent of PDD.\ud
The different aspects of this disease show a lot of analogies with the human Guillain Barrè syndrome, so we have focalised the our study to clarify the pathogenesis. To do this, we investigated if the PDD can be an autoimmune disease and if a possible presence of the blood antiganglioside antibodies can be the starter of this autoimmune pathological mechanism, like was observed in more than 50% of the GBS’s cases
Donkey milk nutraceutical characteristics: A biochemical evaluation of nutritious and clinical properties
Get PDFCOMUNI(CIT)TÀ - Practices and settlements of contemporary communities
No full textThe city has always been overwhelmed by a double current of desires; that for the city to be a mother and womb, and at the same time a machine and instrument. The desire to resolve such a contradiction is a cruel utopia. It is necessary instead to record this contradiction and give it\ud
shape (M. Cacciari).\ud
This is necessary today more than ever, at a time when the simbolic value of the city is being progressively lost, thereby creating a territory devoid of Nomos, a territory of General Intellect. Such intellect is abstract,\ud
consisting of a network of events connected by hybrid landscapes which are considered a form of "in-mediate" (void of intermediation) communication. It is a territory drowned in dispersion, whose cognitive flow identifies the "common" nature of its traversed landscapes.\ud
The inhabitants of these territories undergo the combined action of the virtualisation of relationships and the specialisation of ways of life. Such a broad range of "flexibility" leads to an increased sense of insecurity,\ud
whilst the chances of regenerating those conditions of closeness, stability and security at the root of traditional concepts of urban community, seem to be reduced to nothing. Further, the function of the urban machine\ud
becomes lost in the scope of the network, as the contemporary citizen's need to feel secure from the worrying desire for multiplicity is increasingly\ud
affirmed. If globalisation produces a sense of uprooting, insecurity and frailty, then it is through globalisation that communities return to the scene with a new role; when confronting the crisis of the public sphere, communities offer themselves as pillars to support the global citizen in\ud
the enormous ghetto of a capitalist society (Z. Bauman).\ud
Of course such reference can no longer refer to the classic definition of community as active and caring, a definition whose traces seem to be difficult to shed (A. Bagnasco) in relation to the processes of radicalisation of modernity. Such processes have not only highlighted postmodern individualism or the reciprocal distancing of individuals in a metropolitan void, but also the return of ephemeral, fragile communities in search of a varied yet not too heterogeneous world, whose purpose is to allow the momentary sharing of concerns which have been individually\ud
experienced.\ud
The thirst for multiplicity which accompanies identity politics and which is intended as an affirmation of the principle of characterisation, is destined to be placated in the anonymity of the species, in a sign of excess\ud
collectivity as compared to individuality (the individual is secondary to characterisation). It is the problem of the individual in a multitude, as he/she abandons into oblivion his/her sense of self in order to create illusory community compensations, such as unity. It is an attempt at combining the liberty of experiencing the contemporary city, conceived as an a la carte menu, with a collective project directed at recognising any common shared vanishing point. It is neither atomistic isolation, nor the rebirth of communitarianism, so that the individual is significant only as a member of a micro-community upon which rights and significance are dependent. There exist however, new and even conflicting reasoning, practices, attempts, non ideological community projects, lenticular archipelagoes of limited and circumscribed microcosms showing signs of\ud
life, making every place more or less adapt to transformation.\ud
Community is intended therefore in terms of trace and thread, and is a project initiated by a tension which has reached its utopian limit. It is the uncertain and never predeteminable result of the work of intermediary\ud
figures, capable of creating new ties and exposing the signs of relational benefits.\ud
New forms of cohabitation are therefore born, which cater to both interests and fears, at times in illusory awareness and at times in community spirit. Enclaves are therefore born in the form of themed or cohousing communities, or in the form of the latest digitally derived virtual\ud
territories for parallel lives. This represents the aggregation of inhabitants without an ideological structure, as neo-tribes (M. Maffesoli) constituted\ud
by heterogeneous subjects in search of sociability, or subjects sheltered by a market which defends their status, and who respond to the collapse of the value of public space by conquering new relational spaces.\ud
In the cyberspace (M. Gerosa)\ud
What is the nature of these relational spaces? What answers does the project provide to these new questions about living? Of living with? In what way do the current mechanisms for the planning and formation of\ud
communities offer the possibility to build an urban space with meaning? What practices are used for the construction of these spaces, and what is the architecture of this "new city utopia" which is made up of a succession of communities
Proteasomes modulation: implications in neurodegenerative diseases and cancer
Get PDFIntracellular proteolysis is critical for controlling pathways such as cell cycle, cell growth and differentiation, apoptosis, regulation of transcriptional factors, carcinogenesis, removal of misfolded or damaged proteins, immune and inflammatory response. Consequently, alteration in protein degradation processes would inevitably lead to pathologic conditions. In fact, the accumulation of damaged proteins promotes the formation of toxic aggregates which alter normal cellular metabolism ultimately triggering apoptotic events. The main structure responsible for the degradation of most of the cytosolic and nuclear proteins in eukaryotic cells is the proteasome. This complex regulates several cellular pathways such as genes transcription, signal transduction, the immune response, carcinogenesis, cell division, DNA repair, morphogenesis of neuronal networks, biogenesis of organelles and apoptotic processes. Among proteasome substrates are included oxidized, damaged and misfolded proteins, the inhibitor of nuclear factor κB (NFκB; IκB), the tumor suppressor p53, the cyclin‐dependent kinase inhibitors p21 and p27 and the proapoptotic protein Bax. All these activities make the proteasomal complex an\ud
attractive field of research particularly for its implications in the onset of neurodegenerative diseases and cancer. In fact, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and prion disorders present an altered proteasome functionality as a common hallmark that further contributes to the deposition of toxic protein aggregates. Furthermore, the modulation of proteasome activity is also considered a\ud
potential strategy to control cancer progression through the induction of apoptotic event in cancer cells.\ud
The aim of our studies is to further investigate the role of this complex in these disorders following two main lines of research.Initially, we have tried to better elucidate the interplay between the proteasome and those proteins involved in the onset of neurodegenerative diseases, such as amyloidbeta and prions. We have investigated the effects of different forms of amyloid aggregates on proteasome functionality both in isolated complexes and in neuronal\ud
cells obtaining a compromised activity, particularly in the presence of oligomeric structures. Then, analyzing brain regions of scrapie‐affected sheep compared to age matched healthy animals, we have measured proteasome activity and evaluated the intracellular localization of the complex and of the prion protein. Interestingly, we have observed an increased proteasome activity in affected animals and a coprecipitation and co‐localization of the two proteins, suggesting that prions affect substrate trafficking and modulate proteasome functionality. Regarding the modulation of proteasomal complexes in cancer, we have paid great attention to the effects of natural molecules, especially polyphenols, on its expression and catalytic activities and to the relation with the induction of apoptotic pathways.\ud
In detail, both in silico and in vitro studies have been used to gain insight into the proteasome/polyphenols interaction. We have characterized wheat sprout extracts\ud
for their polyphenolic content and then tested the effects on isolated and cellular proteasomes. Furthermore, we have separated two wheat sprout extract components, a polyphenol and a protein fraction and observed an in vitro inhibitory effect on proteasome activity from both components. Then, a comparative study of the effect of such components on both normal and tumor cells has been conducted and, interestingly, tumor cells have shown a significantly higher degree of proteasome impairment and apoptosis induction.\ud
Finally, considering their role in the carcinogenic process and in determining an enhancement in the cellular oxidative status, we have investigated if aflatoxins, a particular class of mycotoxins, and extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields may affect the proteasome, in order to evaluate if this complex takes part in their cellular harmful effects. On this regard, studies have been conducted both on isolated and cellular proteasomes.\ud
Globally, our results further demonstrate an involvement of the proteasome in numerous human pathologies, supporting the idea that it may play a strategic role as a therapeutic target for the treatment of such disorders
Evaluation of the activity of the immune system and age-related tissue markers in Turquoise killifish \ud (Nothobranchius furzeri, Jubb 1971) \ud and their role in cell ageing\ud
Get PDFCurrently the Turquoise Killifish is considered the best animal model suitable for aging research. \ud
This annual fish, from south east Africa, shows an exceptionally adaptive behaviour to dry periods: indeed, due to this extreme environmental characteristics, the life cycle of Nothobranchius furzeri is very fast, with an average lifespan of just about 8-9 weeks, making this species (more similar to highly developed vertebrates than nematodes or fruit flies) highly practical for aging studies. \ud
The present study has evaluated the activity of the immune system as well as the expression of AGE-RAGE system, cell-damage related proteins (Bcl2, p53), mitosis activity marker (PCNA), and pro-apoptosis activity by T.U.N.E.L. method on the liver of four lifespan-specific strains of Turquoise Killifish (Nothobranchius furzeri, Jubb 1971), correlating the results with aging processes and tumor incidence. Some groups underwent caloric restriction in order to module their expected lifespan.\ud
The results demonstrated an increase of age-related lesions along with the age in all the strains tested, due to a decrease of cellular-turn-over. This aspect was also influenced by the strain of the fish: longest lifespan strains showed later the similar lesions than short lifespan strains. Moreover caloric restriction groups showed lower incidence and severity of hepatic degeneration than control groups. Furthermore, there was a linear correspondence between the age of the model and its expected lifespan with the incidence and severity of neoplasm. The same relationship could be found in the expression of cell-damage related proteins (p53, Bcl2), age-related markers (AGE-RAGE system) and pro-apoptosis activity, as well as in the development of neoplasms. These results demonstrated the high feasibility of this fish as an excellent model to study the effects of aging processes and cancer genesis.\u
Computational approaches to model the cell cycle, a complex biological system
No full textThe main goal of this thesis was to investigate possible computational approaches useful to study the cell cycle, a biological complex systems.\ud
The complexity of this biological process mainly relies in the number of components (genes and proteins), their interactions and regulations, from which the global activity of the system depends.\ud
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In this context I proposed a bioinformatic and computational framework for the investigation of various aspects of the cell cycle. On the one hand a solution useful to deal with the complexity of the huge amount of data concerning the cell cycle, essential for carry on the research in a systems biology perspective has been implemented. On the other hand, I faced the complexity related to the cell cycle modeling and I selected two different methods to simulate the same process, a mathematical deterministic one and a computational hybrid one.\ud
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The first step of this thesis was the development of a resource, the Cell Cycle Database, which integrates information about genes and proteins involved in the cell cycle process, stores complete models of the interaction networks and allows the mathematical simulation over time of the quantitative behavior of each component.\ud
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Afterwards, two different modeling approaches were chosen to cope with the complexity of the same biological pathway, that is the G1 to S transition in the mammalian cell cycle process. The former is a deterministic mathematical approach, based on ordinary differential equation systems, the latter is an hybrid computational approach, based on the double nature of this biological process which results from the combination of continuous dynamics and discrete events.\ud
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Moreover this thesis faced with the parameter estimation, a crucial problem in the modeling process which is related to the complexity in determining the constant values involved in the kinetic reactions of the models. An automated parameter estimation tool was implemented on cell cycle models and it is embedded in the cell cycle integrated system.\ud
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In conclusion, the research presented in this thesis concerns two fundamental aspects in computational systems biology: the data integration useful to understand in depth the biological process under investigation and the development of mathematical and computational models for the cell cycle processes. In this context I proposed a set of interesting challenges related to mathematical modeling in biology, such as the definition of the mathematical model which best fits with experimental biological data, the analysis of emergent properties of the modeled biological system, the application of alternative and innovative modeling techniques to approach the simulation of this complex system