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Protective cultures and high-pressure treatment to prevent <i>L. monocytogenes</i> growth in Ricotta Salata cheese
No full textThe general aim of this thesis was to evaluate the efficacy of the protective cultures (PCs) and High Hydrostatic Pressures (HPP) as new strategies to control Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) on Ricotta salata cheese (RS). Maximum Lm growth rate (µmax) in RS stored at +8°C was determined to evaluate the worst-case scenario. Lm µmax value was about 0.02 log/hours that fit the estimates obtained from an open source predictive software (ComBase) An in vitro test to select commercial protective cultures suitable for the challenge test was also carried out. From the 5 PCs tested, Lactobacillus plantarum and Carnobacterium spp. were chosen. A challenge test was performed on 180 under vacuum wedges of RS divided into 4 groups of 45 RS: negative controls without Lm or PCs; positive controls inoculated with a pool of 5 strains of Lm at concentration of about 100 cfu g-1; two different experimental groups inoculated with Lm strains and L. plantarum or Carnobacterium spp (106 cfu g-1). The results showed that Lm growth in RS wedges was not affected by PCs. To test the HPP treatment at 500 MPa at 10°C for 300 seconds, 108 RS wedges were inoculated with two different concentrations (103 and 105 cfu g-1) of a pool of 5 strains of Lm. While the low concentration simulated a natural contamination, the high one permitted to evaluate the reduction of Lm after the treatment. The reduction was about 3 log, but Lm was able to recovery and replicate during storage at refrigerated temperature (+4°C)
Exploring fluoride safe water drinking habits in the African Rift Valley
No full textThe relationship between naturally fluoridated groundwater and dental fluorosis has been receiving attention. However, despite recognition that several factors influence this relationship, there is a lack of systematic studies analyzing results from across the world. To fill such a gap, this global systematic review and meta-analysis try to understand what and how several factors influence this relationship. The studies were selected by searching Web of Science, PubMed, Google Scholar and Scopus databases with keywords and Boolean operators between 2007 and 2017. Meta-regression was performed based on information collected with systematic review. The systematic review show that dental fluorosis affects individuals of all ages, with the highest prevalence below 11, while the impact of other factors (gender, environmental conditions, diet and dental caries) was not clear. Meta-regressions indicate that fluoride in drinking water and temperature negatively influences dental fluorosis. Meta-analysis also suggests possible publication bias. In synthesis, results of this study highlight the negative impact of fluoride in drinking water on physical health, especially in developing countries. Technological innovation to reduce fluoride below WHO recommendation (<1.5 mg/L) can provide health benefits to affected people through interdisciplinary research
Studies on the microbial interactions involving beneficial insects and entomopathogens
Full text linkThe relationships between different bacteria and beneficial insects (i.e., honeybee and pest predators) and their interactions were investigated to assess their safety and to evaluate their application potential in beekeeping and agroecosystem management. The secretome of food-borne lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and of a honeybee-borne Brevibacillus laterosporus strain, showed significant inhibitory properties against the honeybee pathogen Paenibacillus larvae. The antagonistic action of LABs was found to be related to the production of organic acids and antimicrobial peptides. Gene expression analyses on highly active Lactobacillus plantarum strains revealed the activation of plantaricin related genes. LC-MS/MS analyses of a protein precipitate from B. laterosporus culture supernatant led to the identification of several putative antimicrobials, among which the bacteriocin laterosporulin was found to be the major component. Laboratory bioassays conducted with an entomopathogenic strain of Brevibacillus laterosporus did not cause significant lethal effects on larval instars and adults of the green lacewing Chrysoperla agilis. The effects of direct bacterial feeding observed on chrysopid egg hatching, development, fecundity and longevity were not significant. Slight sub-lethal effects were instead detected on lacewing larvae fed with B. laterosporus treated mealworm beetles (tritrophic interaction)
I Contratti di costa quali strumenti innovativi di gestione integrata delle zone costiere
No full textThis research is dedicated to the theme of integrated management of coastal zones and aims at showing the inadequacy of traditional administrative governance instruments in consideration of the human activities carried out on coastal zones, in comparison with innovative and partecipative governance models, such as coastal contracts.
The protection and the sustainable management of coastal zones represents a matter of great concern that, since the 1980’s, has resulted in a different methodological approach to implement the sustainable development’s principle through the integrated of environmental, economic and social resources.
The research analyses, at first, the traditional administrative instruments highlighting the condition of substantial separation between the typical sectors of maritime property management, urban planning and landscape discipline, and the fragmentation between statal, regional, and local competences and the implementation tools. This approach, as authoritatively observed, has so far produced disappointing results and the need to implement an organic protection action have prevailed, in line with the Protocol on Integrated Management of Mediterranean Coastal Areas. The Protocol requires a profound reconsideration of the coastal area, and a holistic approach to the issues of protection and sustanaible uses in coastal areas, overcoming the traditional administrative model articulated, as mentioned above, for separeted administrative areas. This new interdisciplinary approach is being implemented, relatively recently, through orderly, adaptive and participatory models, which stand side by side - without replacing - to the traditional planning tools of applicable urban planning. These tools are called "coastal contracts" and it will be the goal of this research to demonstrate their enormous potential as possible models for implementing local integrated coastal zone management policies
Effect of melatonin treatment on reproductive activity and immune response in Sarda sheep breed
Full text linkThe aims of the present thesis were to evaluate the effect of melatonin treatment (MELOVINE subcutaneous implant 18 mg melatonin) in different aspects of livestock of Sarda sheep breed (considering season, lactating periods, male replacement during mating perdiod, puberty, different melatonin receptor genotype, milk yield and mammary immune system). This study was conducted in different farms located in Sardinia and similar for raising condition and animals managment, involving a great number of sheep. The data confirmed that melatonin is able to advance reproductive recovery in Sarda sheep breed in spring. Furthermore, the most suitable time to perform the melatonin treatment for the best response to the male effect is April-May. Melatonin treatment should be performed 3 or 4 months after lambing, in order to obtain optimal reproductive results. A weekly substitution of the males and their treatment with melatonin guarantees a better reproductive efficiency both in the adult ewes and in the ewe lambs. Another interesting conclusion is that treatment with melatonin in lactating sheep does not change the quantity and quality of milk and decreases the number of somatic cells, suggesting that this molecule can preserve health of the mammary gland. In conclusion, this thesis has provided many results directly applicable in Sarda sheep farms in order to improve reproductive efficiency, furthermore can give a new starting point to the development of research
Analysis of the uncertainties in modeling and inventoring greenhouse gases and particulates from vegetation burning fire emissions
No full textWildland fires are one of the most source of disturbances causing ecological degradation, contributing to ecosystem changes and affecting all biosphere components. They represent one of the most significant sources of emissions in atmosphere of trace gases and aerosol particles, with a significant impact on air quality, human health, operational safety, altering the carbon budget and affecting climate change. According to the equation first proposed by Seiler and Crutzen (1980), fire emission estimation use information on the amount of burned biomass, the emission factors associated with each specific chemical species, the burned area and the combustion efficiency. Still, simulating emission from forest fires is affected by several errors and uncertainties, due to the different assessment approach to characterize the various parameters involved in the equation. For example, regional assessment relied on fire-activity reports from forest services, with assumptions regarding the type of vegetation burned, the characteristics of burning, and the burned area. Over the last decades, several studies have focused on the estimation of global fire emissions of many gaseous and particulate species through the application of several methodologies. Improvements and new advances in remote sensing, experimental measurements of emission factors, fuel consumption models, fuel load evaluation, and spatial and temporal distribution of burning are a valuable help for predicting and quantifying accurately the source and the composition of fire emissions.
but despite new advances in modelling and improvement of the knowledge of fires and the connected emissions have been made, due to the use of different approaches and datasets used for fire emissions components, several uncertainties and errors still exist, and a multi-year comprehensive inventory of the fire incidence and inherent fire emissions in Italy is missing.
In this work, we first carried out a comprehensive literature of fire emission, highlighting the principal methodologies and related uncertainties. Then, we estimated the FE derived from fires that occurred in Italy during the period 2007-2017, using an integrated methodology combining a fire emissions model with spatial and non-spatial inputs related on fire characteristics, vegetation and weather conditions. Finally, through the analysis of six forest fires occurred in Italy at particular severe conditions during 2017, we evaluated the main sources of uncertainties in the estimation of fire emissions combining two fire size information sources, and two methods for identifying fire severity and thus fuel consumption.
This study provides insight to better inform a long-standing fire incidence in Italy and the resulting effects. Our results are valuable for providing data for emissions source models coupled with dispersion models and decision support systems, crucial for air quality managements, mitigation of wildland fire environmental effects, and to assist decision makers in prescribed fire activities in order to help the development of more accurate emissions inventories at a national scale and in the framework of Kyoto Protocol reporting activities for the LULUCF (Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry) sector
Studio dell’associazione tra infezione da HPV e tumori extra-cervicali nella popolazione del Nord Sardegna: aspetti epidemiologici, isto-patologici, molecolari e di Sanità Pubblica
Full text linkMore than 100 types of human papillomaviruses (HPVs) have been identified and classified as high- or
low-risk according to their oncogenic potential. The mechanism by which HPV leads to malignant
transformation is likely mediated by2 viral oncogenes, E6 and E7, which are associated with
uncontrolled cellular growth.
About4.5% of cancers are attributable to HPV infection with 640,000 casesglobally.Increasing evidence
suggest a correlation between HPV-infection and anogenital cancer (anal, vulvar, vaginal, penile), headneck
cancer (pharynx, throat, palate, nose) and, furthermore, prostate, bladder and breast cancer.Anal
and penile cancers are a relative rare diseases in the general population, however, an increasing trends
was reported during last decades in more developed countries.
Based on this background, the aim of the present study was to assess:
- prevalence and distribution of HPV infection in anal and penile cancers
- diagnostic and prognostic role of p16 and E6 transcript, as surrogate markers of HPV
infections.
An observational, retrospective mono-center study was carried out in North Sardinia, between 2002-
2018. Epidemiological and clinical variables were collected to assess their potential prognostic role.
The results obtained confirmed the etiological role of HPV in penile and anal cancer (28.1% and 79%,
respectively) with a predominance of HPV-16 genotype.
Our study supports the adoption of vaccination strategies in both women and men to prevent HPV
related diseases and risk of recurrence in the high risk population. Further studies are needed to better
clarify the prognostic role of HPV/p16 status
Implementazione di nuove strategie diagnostiche per la prevenzione del cervico-carcinoma
No full textAim: The introduction of HPV-testing in cervical cancer screening has brought the growing of interest in the use of self-sampling to simplify and to increase the coverage of screening programs. The aim of the study was to evaluate HPV detection by a new diagnostics kit molecular using different types of self-collected samples compared to physician-collected samples.
Methods: Self-collected vaginal samples using FLOQSwabs® (Copan), HerSwab® (Eve-medical), Evalynbrush®(Rovers Medical Devices), first void urine Colli-Pee™ (Novosanis) and physician administered cervical samples were collected from women referred to colposcopy at the Gynaecology Outpatients Clinic of San Gerardo Hospital, Monza, Italy. Samples were processed at the Microbiology Laboratory of the University Milano-Bicocca. Nucleic acid extraction was carried out by means NucliSENS®easyMAG (bioMérieux) and HPV was detected using Anyplex II HPV28 (Seegene) and HPV OncoPredict prototype that was used to assess samples cellularity and normalized hrHPV genotype-specific viral load. To evaluate the self-sampling level of satisfaction and acceptability, participants were asked to complete a self-administered questionnaire.
Results: The data obtained showed an excellent high-risk HPV (hrHPV) detection concordance compared to cervical sample for self-collected vaginal and urine sample. From questionnaire analysis, the majority of women confirmed to have no problems in using all types of self-samples. Preliminary data using HPV OncoPredict prototype indicate an adequate cellularity for all sample types. The mean normalized viral load showed differences observed among different hrHPV genotypes as well as sample types.
Conclusion: Preliminary results showed a high degree of concordance between clinical administered cervical sample and vaginal and urine self-collected sample. This could be a good alternative to improve screening coverage specially for hard to reach women that otherwise could avoid this crucial preventive examination due to high costs, embarrassment, discomfort and anxiety. HPV OncoPredict prototype preliminary evaluation showed promising results for the accurate determination of both sample cellularity and hrHPV viral load in both cervical and self-collected samples
Nanotechnology applications: from bone regeneration to cancer therapy
No full textNanotechnology is still one of the best promises to overcome the major challenges of modern medicine. In this work, we identified innovative nanotools as potential candidates in two main biomedical applications: bone regeneration and cancer treatment.
Knowing the correlation between the immune system function and the bone regeneration, nanomaterials able to combine and sustain an immune-mediated bone renewal are still missing. Considering the promising use of graphene, we exploited the intrinsic immune-characteristics of a specific Graphene Oxide (GO) and the well-known osteoinductive capacity of Calcium Phosphates (CaP) in a novel unique biocompatible nanomaterial called maGO-CaP (Monocytes Activator Graphene Oxide conjugated with Calcium Phosphates). This new material demonstrates, by performing in vitro and in vivo analysis, its ability to induce osteoinductive stimuli capable to increase bone regeneration.
A very important challenge in medical research is the fight against cancer. In this context, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) represent a promising nano-tool able to offer an interesting option for cancer therapy. We proposed a “green” synthesis method to produce AgNPs, using Artemisia arborescens extracts. We investigated the potential antiproliferative and anticancer proprieties of Artemisia-AgNPs using several approaches, from cell cycle analysis to RNA-sequencing, demonstrating the potentiality of Artemisia-AgNPs as a suitable candidate agent in cancer research
Molecular characterisation of mutations giving rise to β-thalassemia in Vietnam
No full textIntroduction: Thalassemias (thal) are the most common monogenic diseases worldwide. The spectrum of β-thal mutations among Vietnamese populations indicates a noticeable heterogeneity.
Purpose: to define the molecular basis of mutations affecting β-globin gene in Central Vietnam, and the phenotype/genotype relationship in β-thal patients.
Patients and methods: 226 subjects (138 β-thal carriers, 57 patients affected by β-thal intermedia and 31 affected by β-thal major) were examined by sequencing of β-globin genes. 88 patients were evaluated for α-thal genes and the -158(C>T) polymorphism at the Gγ-globin gene.
Result: 12 mutations were observed. Four resulted the most common: the HbE, cd 17(A>T), cds 41/42(-TTCT) and IVS-I-1(G>T) accounting for 86.94%. Less frequent were: cds 71/72(+A), -28(A>G), cd 95(+A), cd 26(G>T), observed in 11.46% of chromosomes, whereas the -198(A>G), -72(T>A), -50(G>A) and cds 14/15 (+G) resulted rare. The βE/βE, βE/β+, β+/β+ genotypes were observed in mildly affected patients, whereas the βo/βo resulted limited to thal major ones. The coinheritance of α-thal undoubtedly ameliorates the severity of the disease. No clear correlation was observed between -158 (C>T) Gγ polymorphism and severity of β-thal.
Conclusion: The allelic frequencies of β-thal mutations observed in Central Vietnam appears to be quite different with respect to those observed in other Vietnamese regions as well as to SEA countries. These results will impact future large screening campaigns