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Microbial biodiversity of Sardinian oleic ecosystems
No full textThe olives are rich in microorganisms that, during the extraction process may persist in the oils and can influence their physicochemical and sensory characteristics. In this work, and for the first time, we isolated and identified microbial species, yeast and bacteria, present during the production process in four Sardinian (Italy) oleic ecosystems. Among these varieties, we found that Nera di Gonnos was associated to the highest microbial biodiversity, which was followed by Bosana, Nocellara del Belice and Semidana. Among the different microbial species isolated, some are specific of olive ecological niches, such as Cryptococcus spp and Serratia spp; and others to olive oils such as Candida spp and Saccharomyces. Some other species identified in this work were not found before in oleic ecosystems. The enzymatic analyses of yeast and bacteria showed that they have good β-glucosidase activity and yeast also showed good β-glucanase activity. The majority of bacteria presented lipolytic and catalase activities while in yeast were species-specific. Interestingly, yeast and bacteria isolates presented a high resistance to bile acid, and about 65% of the yeast were able to resist at pH 2.5 for 2 h. Finally, bacteria showed no biofilm activity compared to yeast
Physicochemical, antioxidant, DNA cleaving properties and antimicrobial activity of fisetin-copper chelates
No full textFisetin (3,3′,4′,7-tetrahydroxyflavone) metal chelates are of interest as this plant polyphenol has revealed broad prospects for its use as natural medicine in the treatment of various diseases. Metal interactions may change or enhance fisetin biological properties so understanding fisetin metal chelation is important for its application not only in medicine but also as a food additive in nutritional supplements. This work was aimed to determine and characterize copper complexes formed in different pH range at applying various metal/ligand ratios. Fisetin and Cu(II)-fisetin complexes were characterized by potentiometric titrations, UV–Vis (Ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy), EPR, ESI-MS, FTIR and cyclic voltammetry. Their effects on DNA were investigated by using circular dichroism, spectrofluorimetry and gel electrophoresis methods. The copper complex with the ratio of Cu(II)/fisetin 1/2 exhibited significant DNA cleavage activity, followed by complete degradation of DNA. The influence of copper(II) ions on antioxidant activity of fisetin in vitro has been studied using DPPH, ABTS and mitochondrial assays. The results have pointed out that fisetin or copper complexes can behave both as antioxidants or pro-oxidants. Antimicrobial activity of the compounds has been investigated towards several bacteria and fungi. The copper complex of Cu(II)/fisetin 1/2 ratio showed higher antagonistic activity against bacteria comparing to the ligand and it revealed a promising antifungal activity
Circulating levels of total cholesterol and alkaline phosphatase in healthy foals from weaning to 18 months of age vary significantly in relation to growth stage
No full textIn view of the peculiar nutritional demands of the growing foal, the concentration of selected circulating parameters may display to mirror the metabolic activity of developing tissues across growth stages, following yields of mass and size, over time. This study aimed to evaluate the possible change of selected serum biochemical parameters in foals at different growth stages and to target these parameters as potential biomarkers of body development. Twelve Anglo-Arab spring-born foals were screened from weaning to 18 months of age. Live weight and gains were analyzed according to respective growth stage and correlated with biochemical parameters. Individual double whole blood samples were collected before and after weaning and when the foals were 12 and 18 months old. Body mass and wither heights (WH of yearlings) were concomitantly recorded. Foals appeared healthy throughout the trial and showed significantly different (P < .001) levels of total serum cholesterol (TC) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in relation to growth stages. Both those metabolites showed peaks in weanlings to progressively decrease in 18 months olds. On each sampling, ALP constantly displayed to set above the upper limit of the physiological range for the adult healthy horse. Results highlighted marked statistical significance across growth stages and point to ALP and TC as biomarkers of growth stage. These findings pave the way to the interpretation of circulating metabolites associated with growth stage and encourage further experiments to validate ALP and TC as potential biomarkers for body development assessment of foals
Diversity of non-typhoidal Salmonella in Algeria
Full text linkNon-typhoidal Salmonella (NTS) are globally recognized as important pathogens associated with gastroenteritis. In most cases, humans are infected through consumption of contaminated food products, especially food of animal origin. In developing countries including Algeria, there is a lack of documentation, surveillance projects and initiatives. Thus, this has led to an underreporting of Salmonella serovars. The overall aim of this thesis was to identify the different Salmonella serovars isolated from human and poultry in Algeria, and to determine the prevalence of antimicrobial resistance in these isolates. Furthermore, full genome sequences of the isolates were analysed in silico for molecular characterization. Different serovars have been identified among the human isolates, naming S. Typhimurium as the most dominant, followed by S. Kentucky, S. Enteritidis, S. Heidelberg, S. Ohio, S. Lindenburg, S. Indiana, S. Virchow, and S. Bonn. Instead, S. Gallinarum was the only serovar found among the poultry isolates. The isolates displayed resistance to multiple antimicrobials. It was mediated by various genes encoding for resistance to β-lactam antibiotics, carbapenems, quinolones, aminoglycosides and to co-trimoxazole. Classical Salmonella genomic island 1 was identified in serovar Typhimurium, while new variant of SGI1 named SGI1-K7 was identified in serovar Kentucky. Plasmids belonging to incompatibility group FIB and FII were the most commonly identified among the isolates
Metaproteogenomic analyses of the gut microbiota in human and animal models: identification of changes induced by special diets in health and disease
Full text linkGut microbiota (GM) is known to have a role in immune system development, metabolism and protection from enteropathogen invasion. Characterizing the health-associated GM is key to formulate targeted interventions in case of dysbiotic states. As diet is one of the main factors with an impact on gut microbes, comprehending how it shapes the GM is also crucial.
In view of this, through an integrated multi-omic approach based on 16S and shotgun metagenomics and metaproteomics, several studies were performed to obtain deeply characterized GMs in human, sheep and animal models and to shed light on specifically selected diet-GM interactions.
First, the GM of a human healthy cohort and sheep were in-depth characterized, improving insights on taxonomy, active and taxon-specific functions. Further, butyrogenesis and glutamate degradation were detected as consistently active in all human subjects, becoming potential candidates for biomarkers of intestinal health.
Second, the response of GM to caloric restriction (CR), and the GM possible changes at the onset of celiac disease (CD) were evaluated in animal models. Several changes solely due to CR were noted, regarding Lactobacillus spp. abundance and propionogenesis, while microbiota changes clearly related to the onset of CD were not observed.
Lastly, preliminary data on two pilot studies on small human populations were reported, the first based on the analysis of different diet habits and the second as an actual dietary intervention
Meccanismi di regolazione post-traduzionale del gene YAP nel corso dell'epatocancerogenesi
Full text linkAim: Previous studies showed that Yap1 is over-expressed in hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC). Yap phosphorylation,is the main mechanism to regulating its activation, and role on Hippo pathway. We hypothesized that modulation of Yap1 role in HCC depend on differences in its post-translational modification. We tested this hypothesis by analysing the relationship of post-translational deregulation of Yap1 in different subtypes of HCC,on prognostic bases and differences on genetic predisposition to the disease.
Methods: F344 and BN rats were housed and treated according to the resistant hepatocyte protocol. Six normal livers, 20 human HCC with better (HCCB) or poorer(HCCP) prognosis, and corresponding surrounding non-tumour livers were used. HepG2, Hep3B and Huh7 cell
lines were transfected with pCMV_empty vectors, pCMV6_YAP1 or Yap1 siRNA. The samples were used for genes and proteins expression studies, and additional functional experiments.
Results: We observed higher expression of Yap1/CTGF axis in dysplastic nodules and HCC-chemically-induced in F344 rats, genetically susceptible to HCC. While lesion induced in BN resistant rats, do not show or show lower increase in YAP expression, compared susceptible rats. In human HCCP, levels of YAP1, CTGF, 14-3-3, and TEAD proteins,and YAP1-
14-3-3 and YAP1-TEAD complexes were higher than in HCCB. Forced YAP1 over-expression increased cell viability in HepG2, Huh7, Hep3B cells. We observed activation of cell migration and invasivity in Huh7 cells transfected with YAP1 and inhibition of cell migration and invasivity when cells were transfected withYAP1-siRNA.
Conclusion: In conclusion, Yap1 post-translational modification favouring its ubiquitination and apoptosis characterize HCC with better prognosis, whereas condition favouring the formation of YAP1-TEAD complexes and cells survival are associated with aggressiveness
Studio dell'influenza di ingredienti alternativi utilizzati nel passato per il miglioramento qualitativo dei prodotti gluten-free
Full text linkIn the last years the number of the celiac people is notably increased, resulting in expansion demand of gluten-free products. A strict adherence to a gluten-free diet throughout a patient's lifetime is the only possible remedy at present, as no therapy is available. Nevertheless, gluten-free foods are characterized by poor quality and a high glycemic index. The aim of this work was to develop a gluten-free bread using honey as a partial or total substitute for sucrose to reduce glycemic index and at the same time increase the antioxidant activity, due to the presence of polyphenols in honey. Nine different formulations were produced, varying both the total sugar concentration and the percentage of sugar-honey replacement, accounting for a total sugar concentration of 9% based on flour, in order to evaluate the impact of both factors and their interaction on technological, nutritional and sensory properties.
Results showed that the increase of sugar concentration at the minimum level allowed to obtain an improvement of some quality indicators of the bread such as specific volume, colour and mechanical properties compared to the replacement. A 50% substitution of sucrose with honey improved the viscosimetric properties and cells distribution. Sensorial analysis on the consumer showed that honey improved sensory properties of bread. In general, at the 50 % replacement honey improved gluten-free bread properties
Luoghi, Comunità e Conoscenza: gli eventi espositivi tra partecipazione e Design
Full text linkLa presente ricerca tratta di come comunità e conoscenze trovano modo di dare vita a spazi fisici e di come il design può contribuire a questo fenomeno intervenendo sia nella definizione funzionale degli spazi che nelle dinamiche di questi processi di aggregazione.
Nonostante l’enfasi con cui oggi sempre più spesso si sottolinea la natura impersonale ed intangibile del sapere – e la crescente immaterialità dei supporti con cui se ne distribuiscono le codificazioni – gli spazi specificamente attrezzati per la divulgazione e per la creazione di esperienze culturali continuano ad essere vivaci luoghi di incontro e di dialogo.
Secondo Z. Bauman, viviamo una epoca in cui la società si caratterizza per rappresentare i propri membri come individui e dove l’appartenenza ad una determinata comunità non è data dal luogo, dalla genealogia o dalla tradizione ma è il frutto di una scelta personale, spesso di carattere transitorio. In questo contesto l’esistenza di dinamiche di aggregazione sociale – intorno a progetti di lungo periodo e con una marcata dimensione locale – rappresenta un interessante fenomeno in controtendenza e sta generando interessanti sperimentazioni anche nelle contemporanee modalità di gestione culturale, sollecitando la creazione di nuovi spazi attrezzati per la condivisione del sapere. Sempre secondo Bauman, la Cultura contemporanea è orientata alla soddisfazione di esigenze individuali, agendo spesso come tranquillante per sedare le ansie personali più che come stimolante collettivo. Alcune delle sperimentazioni in atto nel campo della gestione culturale cercano di contrastare questa tendenza dominante attraverso dinamiche di carattere partecipativo. Queste iniziative, che attraversano le diverse tipologie di istituzioni tradizionalmente destinate alla cultura ed all’istruzione come Musei, Archivi, Biblioteche, Teatri … sembrano condividere un approccio comune, quello di considerare la partecipazione a processi ed eventi culturali come parte della costruzione di una critica del presente, adottando in questo modo una prospettiva gramsciana nella quale anche lo sguardo al passato ha senso nella misura in cui ci consente di “evitare di credere che tutto ciò che esiste è naturale esista”.[quaderni del carcere]
La ricerca si centra specificamente su una delle molte modalità attraverso le quali i processi di partecipazione, che coinvolgono comunità locali, stanno generando una nuova domanda di spazi per la condivisione del sapere. Ci riferiamo alle iniziative che contemplano la realizzazione di un evento espositivo. Si tratta di un fenomeno relativamente recente nel panorama della gestione culturale che pur mantenendo un carattere marginale si sta progressivamente consolidando. Queste esperienze, in grado di esprimere un enorme potenziale comunicativo, presentano spesso forti elementi di criticità quando vengono inserite in un processo di carattere partecipativo. Gli eventi espositivi rappresentano in questo senso un campo di osservazione privilegiato per poter analizzare il contributo dei progettisti coinvolti professionalmente in una iniziativa culturale di questa natura. Il quadro di riferimento adottato per questa analisi è quello suggerito in varie occasioni da Ezio Manzini; in un contesto in cui i processi di progettazione tendono a coinvolgere un sempre maggiore numero di soggetti diventa cruciale analizzare le relazioni che si instaurano tra i designer esperti ed il resto dei portatori di interesse implicati in questa progettualità diffusa.
Lo scopo della ricerca è mettere in evidenza le peculiarità delle iniziative legate ad un evento espositivo rispetto alle esperienze di co-design, e design aperto, che si sono sviluppate in altri contesti e, in termini più generali, in relazione con altri processi di tipo collaborativo nati nell’ambito delle dinamiche di innovazione sociale. Il nostro contributo riguarda quindi la natura delle relazioni tra luoghi comunità e conoscenze nel contesto delle iniziative culturali che hanno come obiettivo la valorizzazione dei beni comuni ed il processo di apprendimento sociale necessario per imparare (di nuovo) a gestirli
Intestinal granular cells of a cartilaginous fish, thornback ray <i>Raja clavata</i>: morphological characterization and expression of different molecules
No full textThis investigation aims to fill gaps in our understanding of the intestinal immune cells of elasmobranchs. Whole digestive tracts of fifteen thornback ray Raja clavata were provided by a trawl fleet from the Gulf of Asinara (Sardinia, western Mediterranean Sea). Histochemical, immunohistochemical and ultrastructural observations were conducted on the spiral intestine. Three types of granular cells were identified; type I in epithelium, types II and III in lamina propria-submucosa, with each of them containing cytoplasmic granules with different ultrastructural characteristics. Data on size and density of each granular cell type are provided. Immunostaining of intestinal sections showed the reactivity of the granular cells: type I cells were positive for lysozyme, mast cell tryptase and tumor necrosis factor-ɑ based on antibody staining; type III cells were immune-reactive to anti-interleukin 6 antibody, whilst type II cells were negative to all the antibodies used. Comparison of each granular cell type with immune cells of teleosts or mammals and an hypothesis on their nature and function are reported. A potential role for granular cells in intestinal cellular immunity is also discussed with respect to type I and type III cells having similarities to Paneth cells and neutrophils, respectively