1,721,010 research outputs found
Studi sulla sensibilità al gusto salato da soluzioni o preparazioni semisolide addizionate di cloruro di sodio
No full textLa riduzione dell’introito giornaliero di sale rientra tra gli attuali dettami di una corretta alimentazione. Nel corso di esperienze da noi condotte in passato sulla soglia di percezione del gusto salato sono emerse alcune variabili, ad es. di natura ambientale, in grado di influenzare le risposte sensoriali individuali. La presente indagine è stata da noi realizzata su un gruppo di 18 volontari, sostanzialmente omogeneo per caratteristiche antropiche ed allenati secondo le regole dell’analisi sensoriale degli alimenti col sistema del “panel-test”1. Sono stati utilizzati i seguenti materiali: acqua di tipo oligominerale, con R.F. a 180 °C di 172,9 mg/L (Na< 2mg/L); NaCl FU; saccarosio FU; aspartame USP 98%; crema di riso “Miluris” (Milupa, preparata secondo le istruzioni del produttore). Le prove effettuate hanno riguardato: determinazione della soglia di percezione del salato e della funzione Risposta allo stimolo-[NaCl] sia in soluzioni saline che in creme di riso aggiunte di sale, influenza della T ambiente, influenza reciproca tra NaCl e edulcoranti (saccarosio, aspartame) e influenza della quota altimetrica (800 mt slm). I valori soglia medi di percezione salina erano: in soluzioni acquose 0.057± 0.021 g NaCl/100 ml e in creme di riso 0.27±0,016 g/100 g. Un incremento di T ambiente di 9°C ha prodotto un innalzamento di tali soglie del 30% in soluzioni saline e del 18% nelle creme di riso, mentre effetto opposto si è avuto per aggiunta di edulcoranti in concentrazione equivalente (saccarosio vs. aspartame). Le funzioni Risposta /[NaCl] hanno mostrato andamenti crescenti tendenti a saturazione per [NaCl] più alte, come già noto1,2. L’effetto reciproco salato/dolce in crema di riso addizionate di NaCl e saccarosio ha prodotto esaltazione della sensibilità (dolce vs. salato e viceversa) per basse concentrazioni dell’altro componente, ma depressione per concentrazioni alte. Infine da esperienze effettuate nella stessa giornata in località collinare e in pianura è stato registrato: a) innalzamento della soglia del 34% da soluzioni saline, passando da pianura a collina; b) effetto simile ma più lieve in creme di riso; c) abbassamento medio generale nelle risposte per ogni [NaCl]. Tenendo presente anche l’effetto della variazione della T il risultato evidenzia una sensibilità al gusto salato marcatamente minore in quota collinare (800 mt slm) rispetto alla pianura ed offre lo spunto per approfondire gli aspetti connessi alla sensibilità al salato, cosa rilevante per soggetti a rischio (anziani in cui spesso è presente disgeusia e ipertensione). 1C. Pompei,M. Lucisano 2002 Introduzione all’analisi sensoriale degli alimenti. Ed.Tecnos s.r.l. (Milano); 2J.G. Fodor, et al.1999 J.Can.Med.Ass. 160 (9), S29-S34
Hyaluronidase contributes to early inflammatory events induced by electrotransfer in mouse skeletal muscle
No full textElectrotransfer of genes is one of the preferred strategies used to deliver plasmid DNA into skeletal muscle. In our experience, the combination of hyaluronidase (HYA) with electrotransfer (ET) of DNA vaccine enhances transfection of muscular fibers and increases expression of the encoded antigen. However, the contribution of HYA to the inflammatory reaction induced by ET, and its role in supporting ET adjuvancy, has never been investigated. We analyzed the events occurring in the first 2 weeks after electrotransfer to mouse muscle in the presence of HYA, to verify whether HYA contributes to the local inflammatory response induced by ET. Our results demonstrate that HYA amplifies the ET effect in terms of inflammatory cell recruitment enhancing the early release of interleukin (IL)-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α, and IL-6 cytokines. In contrast, HYA does not induce helper T cell type 1 and 2 cytokine production, confirming that the DNA vaccine is indispensable to induce mediators of antigen-specific immune responses. We observed inflammatory cell migration in the muscle treated with HYA plus ET in a time window between days 4 and 7 after cytokine induction. These observations are important in the choice of prime-boost intervals for optimizing ET-based DNA vaccination protocols. Because HYA contributes to vaccine spread and enhances the proinflammatory effect of ET in muscle we strongly support the use of HYA to potentiate DNA vaccine efficacy. © Copyright 2013, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc
Influenza di vari fattori sulla sensibilità al gusto salato da soluzioni o preparazioni semisolide addizionate di cloruro di sodio
No full textAbstract Sensitivity threshold of salt taste values from aqueous solutions of sodium chloride or instant rice-cream preparations, together to the corresponding response to stimulus vs. NaCl concentration functions were evaluated by panel-test method (18 volunteers) were evaluated in different conditions, that is: two different (8-9°C) environment temperatures, addition of fixed amounts of sweeteners (sucrose or Aspartame) and in a 800 meters on s.l. place vs. 0 meters on s.l.. Baseline values agree with literature data. Sucrose or aspartame, at experimented concentrations caused slight but not negligible threshold values lowering with respect these values. Increase of 8-9 °C caused in every case a marked enhancement of the threshold values. The functions of response vs. concentration of NaCl gave non linearly increasing trends, but in agreement with the above data. Finally, minor sensitivity of salt taste was obtained in experiments carried out at 800 mt on s.l. with respect to those at 0 mt on s.l. Keywords: panel-test; salt taste threshold; sweeteners; sensorial analysi
Going Beyond Counting First Authors in Author Co-citation Analysis
Full text linkThe present study examines one of the fundamental aspects of author co-citation analysis (ACA) - the way co-citation
counts are defined. Co-citation counting provides the data on which all subsequent statistical analyses and mappings
are based, and we compare ACA results based on two different types of co-citation counting - the traditional type that
only counts the first one among a cited work's authors on the one hand and a non-traditional type that takes into
account the first 5 authors of a cited work on the other hand. Results indicate that the picture produced through this non-traditional author co-citation counting contains more coherent author groups and is therefore considerably clearer. However, this picture represents fewer specialties in the research field being studied than that produced through the traditional first-author co-citation counting when the same number of top-ranked authors is selected and analyzed. Reasons for these effects are discussed
Variations on the Author
Full text link“Variations on the Author” discusses two of Eduardo Coutinho’s recent films (Um Dia na Vida, from 2010, and Últimas Conversas, posthumously released in 2015) and their contribution to the general question of documentary authorship. The director’s filmography is characterized by a consistent yet self-effacing form of authorial self-inscription: Coutinho often features as an interviewer that rather than express opinions propels discourses; an interviewer that is good at listening. This mode of self-inscription characterizes him as an author who is not expressive but who is nonetheless markedly present on the screen. In Um Dia na Vida, however, Coutinho is completely absent form the image, while Últimas Conversas, on the contrary, includes a confessional prologue that moves the director from the margins to the center of his films. This article examines the ways in which these works stand out in the filmography of a director who offers new insights into the notion of cinematic authorship
Appropriate Similarity Measures for Author Cocitation Analysis
Full text linkWe provide a number of new insights into the methodological discussion about author cocitation analysis. We first argue that the use of the Pearson correlation for measuring the similarity between authors’ cocitation profiles is not very satisfactory. We then discuss what kind of similarity measures may be used as an alternative to the Pearson correlation. We consider three similarity measures in particular. One is the well-known cosine. The other two similarity measures have not been used before in the bibliometric literature. Finally, we show by means of an example that our findings have a high practical relevance.information science;Pearson correlation;cosine;similarity measure;author cocitation analysis
Strategies for effective naked-DNA vaccination against infectious diseases
No full textTo date, vaccination is an active area of investigation for its application to a great variety of human diseases including infections and cancer. In particular, naked-DNA vaccination has arisen as effective strategy in the preventive medicine field with promising future prospects. The ability of plasmid DNA to activate the humoural and the cellular arms of the immune system against the encoded antigen have resulted in intensive study of new strategies aimed at increasing the DNA vaccine immunogenicity. Nevertheless, plasmid-based vaccines emerged as a safer and advantageous alternative with respect to viral vector vaccines. Recent advances in both the immunological and biotechnological research field made it possible to enhance significantly the DNA vaccine potency. Most of these approaches are based on both the discovery of novel delivery systems and the implementation of plasmid constructs, achieved through genetic engineering. In this review, we will describe some of the most relevant patents issued in the last ten years, supporting the progress made in naked-DNA vaccination against infectious diseases. © 2008 Bentham Science Publishers Ltd
Adjuvants in vaccines and for immunisation: Current trends
No full textVaccines represent one of the most successful strategies in medical science. From the mechanistic perspective, vaccination works by manipulating the immune response through selecting, activating and expanding the memory of B and T cells. To determine the magnitude and quality of immune response, suitable vaccine adjuvants are required; therefore, much effort is going into finding new, effective and non-toxic adjuvant formulations focussed on the activation of key immune targets for inducing a long-term, potent and safe immune response. Significant research is being done in this area, to develop new classes of vaccines for use not only against infectious diseases, but also in the treatment of autoimmune disorders, allergies, chronic inflammatory diseases and cancer. Here the authors review and classify some of the main vaccine adjuvants on the basis of their immunomodulating properties on the immune system. © 2007 Informa UK Ltd
Enhanced portal flow velocity and volume following Iloprots treatment.
No full textBACKGROUND:
Iloprost, a prostacyclin analog, reduces hepatic microcirculatory damage after ischemia-reperfusion injury in animal liver models. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether the portal flow velocity changes after Iloprost infusion in patients with systemic sclerosis and Raynaud's phenomenon, who usually have increased risk of microvascular thrombosis and transient liver disturbances.
PATIENTS AND METHODS:
Fifteen patients (3 males and 12 females, median age 58 years, range 47-66 years), with systemic sclerosis and Raynaud's phenomenon, were exclusively treated with an infusion of Iloprost (2 ng/kg/min, 6 h/day) for 5 days. In each subject, the portal flow velocity (PV, cm/sec) and portal flow volume (PFV, mL/min) were obtained by using portal color Doppler ultrasonography equipment.
RESULTS:
Iloprost administration significantly (p<0.001) increased both the PV (23.6+/-3.4 cmlsec vs. 29.1+/-3.9 cm/sec) and PFV (1748.8+/-310. 7 mL/min vs. 2254.9+/-404.1 mL/min) values.
CONCLUSION:
Hepatic perfusion significantly improved after Iloprost administration, suggesting that such treatment might be useful in preventing vascular complications in patients with systemic sclerosis. Iloprost improves the portal hemodynamics, favoring local microvascular patency, and its effectiveness may be safely monitored by using portal color Doppler ultrasonography
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