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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
Get PDFNon-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
Get PDFGut 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
Get PDFAim: 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
Get PDFIn 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
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
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
Studio della virulenza di Staphylococcus spp isolati da protesi mammarie
Get PDFIn recent years the use of breast surgery, has undergone an exponential increase, both for aesthetic and reconstructive purposes. The main complication as a result of these interventions is due to the bacterial colonization of the breast implants resulting in infection of the affected site. As a result of the diagnosis of an infection, the only possible therapy involves the removal of the implant followed by antibiotic treatment. The main culprits of such infections are Staphylococcus spp. It was possible to study the pathogenicity of these strains from a genetic point of view by identifying specific virulence genes such as icaA, bhp, kdp, agrD, IS256 and IS257. Moreover, it has been studied their adhesive capacity both on epithelioid Caco2 cells and on all types of prosthetic surfaces, comparing with ATCC control samples. Their ability to produce biofilms was compared with ATCC strains, clinical control samples and skin-isolated specimens of healthy voluntary women has also been studied. The study has made it possible to broaden the knowledge of these particular infections hitherto poorly studied and to lay the basis for future interventions of prevention and advancement in the diagnostic and surgical methods