443 research outputs found
FIGURE 3 in Leucoagaricus cupresseoides (Agaricaceae), a new species in sect. Piloselli and L. aurantiovergens and L. pseudopilatianus redescribed from Italy
No full textFIGURE 3. Leucoagaricus cupresseoides (TR gmb01484, holotype). A. Cheilocystidia; B. Basidiospores; C. Basidia. Scale bars: A = 30 μm, B = 10 μm, C = 20 μm. Line drawings by: Vincenzo Migliozzi.Published as part of Forin, Niccolò, Tatti, Alessia, Vizzini, Alfredo, Coppola, Alessandra & Migliozzi, Vincenzo, 2022, Leucoagaricus cupresseoides (Agaricaceae), a new species in sect. Piloselli and L. aurantiovergens and L. pseudopilatianus redescribed from Italy, pp. 126-140 in Phytotaxa 536 (2) on page 131, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.536.2.2, http://zenodo.org/record/625754
Effects of Italian smoking regulation on rates of hospital admission for acute coronary events: a country-wide study.
Get PDFBACKGROUND: Several studies have reported a reduction in acute coronary events (ACEs) in the general population after the enforcement of smoking regulations, although there is uncertainty concerning the magnitude of the effect of such interventions. We conducted a country-wide evaluation of the health effects of the introduction of a smoking ban in public places, using data on hospital admissions for ACEs from the Italian population after the implementation of a national smoking regulation in January 2005.
METHODS AND FINDINGS: Rates of admission for ACEs in the 20 Italian regions from January 2002 to November 2006 were analysed using mixed-effect regression models that allowed for long-term trends and seasonality. Standard methods for interrupted time-series were adopted to assess the immediate and gradual effects of the smoking ban. Effect modification by age was investigated, with the assumption that exposure to passive smoking in public places would be greater among young people. In total, 936,519 hospital admissions for ACEs occurred in the Italian population during the study period. A 4% reduction in hospital admissions for ACEs among persons aged less than 70 years was evident after the introduction of the ban (Rate Ratio [RR], 0.96; 95% Confidence Interval [CI], 0.95-0.98). No effect was found among persons aged at least 70 years (RR 1.00; 95% CI 0.99-1.02). Effect modification by age was further suggested by analyses using narrower age categories.
CONCLUSIONS: Smoke-free policies can constitute a simple and inexpensive intervention for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases and thus should be included in prevention programmes
Chromosera viola (J. Geesink & Bas) Vizzini & Ercole 2012, una espectacular especie localizada en Cataluña
Get PDFChromosera viola (J. Geesink & Bas) Vizzini & Ercole 2012. Un interessant taxón dels
Hygrophoraceae trobat a Catalunya, es descriu, comenta e il·lustraChromosera viola (J. Geesink & Bas) Vizzini & Ercole 2012. An interesting taxon
of Hygrophoraceae found in Catalonia is described, commented and illustrated.Chromosera viola (J. Geesink & Bas) Vizzini & Ercole 2012. Un interesante taxón
de Hygrophoraceae hallado en Cataluña, se describe, comenta e ilustra
DEVELOPMENT OF AN ELECTROCHEMICAL BIOSENSOR FOR FOOD SAFETY: DETECTION OF FOOD PATHOGENS
Get PDFL. monocytogenes and Campylobacter spp. are two important foodborne pathogens.
They can be acquired by ingestion of contaminated food mainly ready to eat (RTE), undercooked chicken, and milk and dairy products respectively. The symptoms are gastrointestinal disorders that can switch in a serious disease like listeriosis and campylobacteriosis in weak individuals.
The currently recommended ISO standard methods are sensitive and ensure compliance with microbiological criteria, but require long times and a lot of work.
In order to avoid recalls or economic losses, food industries need rapid protocols that can provide results in short times.
In this thesis, with the perspective to develop rapid and efficient molecular detection methods, species-specific primers and probes were designed for L. monocytogenes and C. jejuni, C. coli, C. lari, and C. upsaliensis.
For the detection of L. monocytogenes in cold-smoked salmon samples and ham factory samples designed MAR1- MARB primers were applied in PCR and qPCR protocols.
Two probes, ListCapt and ListE, were tested for the detection of Listeria monocytogenes. The ListCapt probe was applied on a DNA-biosensor based on the organic electrochemical transistor (OECT), after preliminary optimization tests with dot blot assay. Instead, the ListE probe was applied on a DNA- electrochemical biosensor based on voltammetry.
Samples of cold-smoked salmon (CSS) and Ham factories samples (from food and environment) were analyzed by electrochemical biosensors. In parallel to molecular methods, AFNOR validated Listeria PrecisTM method (ISO standard equivalent method) was applied to the food samples, to compare traditional plate count methods to molecular techniques, in both traditional and molecular approaches. L. monocytogenes was detected in only one of the tested CSS samples. Instead, six samples from ham factories were positive to the presence of L. monocytogenes. Both PCR and qPCR protocols allowed the detection of L. monocytogenes, confirming the capability of primers to detect the pathogen from a complex matrix. However, an enrichment step of 24 h was necessary.
After dot blot protocol optimization to assess specificity and sensitivity of oligonucleotide probes were employed to evaluate the development of a DNA-electrochemical biosensor based on OECT and voltammetry. The studies have been made with promising results, anticipating the prospective potential of the system for label-free DNA sensing.
For the detection of Campylobacter spp. designed primers CampyP were applied in PCR and qPCR protocols in 20 chicken meat samples. The probe CampyP3 was tested for the detection of Campylobacter spp. and was applied to a DNA-electrochemical biosensor based on voltammetry.
Chicken meat samples were analyzed by the electrochemical biosensor. In parallel to molecular method, ISO 10272-1:2006 was applied to food samples, to compare traditional plate count methods to molecular techniques. With both traditional and molecular approaches, Campylobacter was detected in five tested samples.
Both PCR and qPCR protocols allowed the detection of Campylobacter spp., confirming the capability of primers to detect the pathogen matrix without enrichment for the application of qPCR technique. After dot blot protocol optimization, to assess specificity and sensitivity CampyP3 was employed to evaluate the development of a DNA-electrochemical biosensor based on OECT and voltammetry. After the optimization, some food samples were analyzed and confirmed the data obtained by ISO and qPCR
A tight interaction between the native seagrass Cymodocea nodosa and the exotic Halophila stipulacea in the Aegean Sea highlights seagrass holobiont variations.
Get PDFSeagrasses harbour bacterial communities with which they constitute a functional unit called holobiont that responds as a whole to environmental changes. Epiphytic bacterial communities rapidly respond to both biotic and abiotic factors, potentially contributing to the host fitness. The Lessepsian migrant Halophila stipulacea has a high phenotypical plasticity and harbours a highly diverse epiphytic bacterial community, which could support its invasiveness in the Mediterranean Sea. The current study aimed to evaluate the Halophila/Cymodocea competition in the Aegean Sea by analysing each of the two seagrasses in a zone where these intermingled, as well as in their monospecific zones, at two depths. Differences in holobionts were evaluated using seagrass descriptors (morphometric, biochemical, elemental, and isotopic composition) to assess host changes, and 16S rRNA gene to identify bacterial community structure and composition. An Indicator Species Index was used to identify bacteria significantly associated with each host. In mixed meadows, native C. nodosa was shown to be affected by the presence of exotic H. stipulacea, in terms of both plant descriptors and bacterial communities, while H. stipulacea remained almost unchanged. This study provided evidence of the competitive advantage of H. stipulacea on C. nodosa in the Aegean Sea and suggests the possible use of associated bacterial communities as a descriptor of native seagrass sustainability
Use of fresh vegetable discards as sea urchin diet: effect on gonad index and quality
No full textThis study evaluated the exploitation of unprocessed agricultural discards in
the form of fresh vegetable leaves as a diet for the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus through
the assessment of their effects on gonad yield and quality. A stock of wild-caught P. lividus
was fed on discarded leaves from three different species (Beta vulgaris, Brassica oleracea,
and Lactuca sativa) and the macroalga Ulva lactuca for 3 months under controlled conditions.
At the beginning and end of the experiment, total and gonad weight were measured,
while gonad and diet total carbon (C%), nitrogen (N%), d13C, d15N, carbohydrates,
lipids, and proteins were analyzed. The results showed that agricultural discards provided
for the maintenance of gonad index and nutritional value (carbohydrate, lipid, and protein
content) of initial specimens. L. sativa also improved gonadic color. The results of this
study suggest that fresh vegetable discards may be successfully used in the preparation of
more balanced diets for sea urchin aquaculture. The use of agricultural discards in prepared
diets offers a number of advantages, including an abundant resource, the recycling of
discards into new organic matter, and reduced pressure on marine organisms (i.e., macroalgae) in the production of food for cultured organisms
FIGURE 7. Leucoagaricus pseudopilatianus. A in Leucoagaricus cupresseoides (Agaricaceae), a new species in sect. Piloselli and L. aurantiovergens and L. pseudopilatianus redescribed from Italy
No full textFIGURE 7. Leucoagaricus pseudopilatianus. A. Basidiomes in the natural habitat coll. MV LeuPil023; B. Basidiospores in Congo Red coll. MV LeuPil023; C. Cheilocystidia coll. MV LeuPil023; D. Cheilocystidia coll. PAD H0061558 (isotype L. pseudopilatianus); E. Cheilocystidia coll. TR MV41/96 (holotype Leucoagaricus pseudopilatianus var. rugosoreticulatus); F. Pileus covering elements coll. MV LeuPil023. Scale bars: A = 1 cm, B = 10 μm, C = 30 μm, D = 25 μm, E = 20 μm, F = 30 μm. Photos: A–C, F by Vincenzo Migliozzi; D–E by Niccolò Forin.Published as part of Forin, Niccolò, Tatti, Alessia, Vizzini, Alfredo, Coppola, Alessandra & Migliozzi, Vincenzo, 2022, Leucoagaricus cupresseoides (Agaricaceae), a new species in sect. Piloselli and L. aurantiovergens and L. pseudopilatianus redescribed from Italy, pp. 126-140 in Phytotaxa 536 (2) on page 137, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.536.2.2, http://zenodo.org/record/625754
Diagnostic approach and epidemiology of Microbial Keratitis: findings from an Italian Tertiary Care center
Get PDFRapid identification of causative microorganisms of microbial keratitis (MK) and knowledge of the most common local pathogens are prerequisites for rational antimicrobial therapy. We retrospectively reviewed the characteristics of MK diagnosed at the IRCCS Arcispedale Santa Maria Nuova of Reggio Emilia (Italy) in a 5-years period, where the Ophthalmologist Unit is a reference center for corneal infections. During the study period, 183 MK were evaluated through corneal scrapings cultures. The positivity rate was 54,1%. A total of 107 microorganisms have been isolated: Acanthamoeba species was the etiologic agent in 19 cases. Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus were more frequently isolated in bacterial keratitis, while Fusarium spp., Candida albicans, and Alternaria alternata were predominant among the fungal isolates. Strict cooperation between ophthalmologists and clinical microbiologists is advisable to allow the best diagnostic approach for MK
FIGURE 5. Leucoagaricus aurantiovergens. A in Leucoagaricus cupresseoides (Agaricaceae), a new species in sect. Piloselli and L. aurantiovergens and L. pseudopilatianus redescribed from Italy
No full textFIGURE 5. Leucoagaricus aurantiovergens. A. Basidiomes in the natural habitat coll. MVBB34; B. Basidiospores in Congo Red coll. MVBB34; C. Cheilocystidia coll. MVBB34; D. Cheilocystidia coll. PAD H0061557 (isotype L. aurantiovergens); E. Cheilocystidia coll. TR MV36/97 (holotype Leucoagaricus pseudopilatianus var. roseodiffractus); F. Pileus covering elements coll. MVBB34. Scale bars: A = 1 cm, B = 10 μm, C = 30 μm, D = 20 μm, E = 25 μm, F = 30 μm. Photos: A–C, F by Vincenzo Migliozzi; D–E by Niccolò Forin.Published as part of Forin, Niccolò, Tatti, Alessia, Vizzini, Alfredo, Coppola, Alessandra & Migliozzi, Vincenzo, 2022, Leucoagaricus cupresseoides (Agaricaceae), a new species in sect. Piloselli and L. aurantiovergens and L. pseudopilatianus redescribed from Italy, pp. 126-140 in Phytotaxa 536 (2) on page 134, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.536.2.2, http://zenodo.org/record/625754
- …
