97 research outputs found
Impronta territoriale di un prodotto alimentare. La ricerca dell’Università di Ferrara in difesa del Made in Italy
No full textL’Università di Ferrara ha lavorato negli ultimi anni su metodologie innovative di analisi geochimiche per la valutazione della qualità dei prodotti agricoli italiani: mele, pere, graminacee e vino. La ricerca è rivolta principalmente alla difesa del made in Italy e alla tutela dei prodotti di origine protetta. Adesso, con il progetto “Territorialità del Prosecco”, il team costituito da: Salvatore Pepi, Luigi Sansone, Diego Tomasi, Patrick Marcuzzo e Stefano Soligo e coordinato dalla professoressa Carmela Vaccaro del Dipartimento di Fisica e Scienze della terra dell’Università di Ferrara ha messo a punto un innovativo metodo di analisi, finalizzato a definire l'unicità di uve e vini, applicato ad uno dei più importanti distretti viti-vinicoli italiani.
Il Prosecco è un vino di eccellenza, la cui denominazione fa riferimento a un territorio definito e a un certo numero di cantine e di aziende vinicole. Data la notevole richiesta del mercato, si sono rese necessarie misure di controllo che evitino contraffazioni, tagli delle uve, usi impropri o illeciti della denominazione.
In sintesi, attraverso una serie di analisi integrate che riguardano il suolo, la composizione del prodotto (uva e vino) e le sue caratteristiche qualitative, è stato possibile definire “ l’impronta territoriale” del Prosecco, ovvero le caratteristiche che un vino deve avere, se è stato davvero prodotto nel territorio e nelle cantine che fanno parte del distretto.
L’analisi del suolo riguarda le caratteritiche geochimiche del terreno, la sua tessitura, l’impronta climatica. L’analisi della composizione chimica consente il riconoscimento del prodotto e l’individuazione delle quantità di elementi minerali (calcio, magnesio, sodio, potassio, ferro, etc.) che lo caratterizzano. La stessa analisi consente di individuare la presenza o l’assenza di componenti con caratteri di tossicità, che contribuiscono a definire la qualità del prodotto.
I risultati di queste analisi costituiscono “ l’impronta territoriale ” del prodotto, impronta che non può essere falsificata. Un vino prodotto con uve provenienti da altri territori, o anche solo tagliato con uve diverse, non può avere la stessa composizione chimica del Prosecco originale, anche se solo all’apparenza la qualità è uguale.
La metodologia applicata per la definizione dell’impronta territoriale” consente valutazioni molto mirate, al punto che sullo stesso territorio i prodotti di imprese vinicole differenti hanno impronte diverse.
Al termine del progetto, dopo una fase di caratterizzazione dei prodotti di ogni cantina, ogni impresa vinicola della zona di produzione avrà la propria impronta territoriale, informazione che potrà in futuro entrare nell’etichetta e tutelare il prodotto finito
Muscarinic receptor activation modulates neurotrophic factors production in rat Schwann-like cells derived from adipose mesenchymal stem cells.
No full textMuscarinic receptor activation modulates neurotrophic factors production in rat Schwann-like cells derived from adipose mesenchymal stem cells
Piovesana R1, Faroni A2, Soligo M3, Manni L3, Reid AJ2 & Tata AM1
1Dept. Biol and Biotech. C. Darwin, University of Rome “Sapienza”, Rome, Italy; 2Blond McIndoe Lab, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK; 3Institute of Translational Pharmacology-CNR, Rome, Italy
Peripheral nerve injury is commonly caused by direct mechanical trauma. Regeneration depends on the ability of Schwann cells (SCs) to create a favourable environment, by producing neurotrophic factors. Although SCs are effective in promoting nerve regeneration, they are not a convenient source of transplantable cells to improve outcomes after injury. Mesenchymal Stem Cells derived from adipose tissue (ASCs) seem to be a promising alternative source considering their ability to differentiate towards SC phenotype (Schwann-like).
SCs express different receptors for neurotransmitters. In particular cholinergic stimulation of M2 muscarinic receptor decreases SCs proliferation whilst upregulating myelination. Previously, we demonstrated that Schwann-like cells express muscarinic receptors; in particular the M2 receptor activation resulted in decreased proliferation and reduced migration.
In present work, we have characterised the effects mediated by muscarinic receptors on neurotrophic factors (NFs) expression and production. The selective activation of M2 receptors by arecaidine propargyl ester (APE) caused a significant decrease of the transcript levels for NFs (NGF, BDNF and GDNF), while the non-selective agonist muscarine did not influence NFs mRNA expression. By custom made Elisa Assay, we analysed the production of two different NGF forms, precursor (proNGF) and mature NGF (mNGF). APE treatment induced a decreased release of both NGF forms, whereas muscarine treatment stimulated an increased release of mNGF. Western blot analysis indicated that both agonists caused a significant decrease in the expression of the proNGF isoform at 25 kDa, which is likely involved in the modulation of apoptotic processes.
The data obtained suggest a relevant role of muscarinic receptors in the modulation of NFs production in Schwann-like cells. In particular the ability of both muscarinic agonists to negatively modulate the proNGF isoform, thereby suggesting a neuroprotective role of muscarinic receptors towards regenerating axons
Outlining a selection procedure for Saccharomyces cerevisiae isolated from grape marc to improve fermentation process and distillate quality
No full textGerm-Layer Specification and Control of Cell Growth by Ectodermin, a Smad4 Ubiquitin Ligase
No full textTGF-beta signaling is essential for development and proliferative homeostasis. During embryogenesis, maternal determinants act in concert with TGF-beta signals to form mesoderm and endoderm. In contrast, ectoderm specification requires the TGF-beta response to be attenuated, although the mechanisms by which this is achieved remain unknown. In a functional screen for ectoderm determinants, we have identified Ectodermin (Ecto). In Xenopus embryos, Ecto is essential for the specification of the ectoderm and acts by restricting the mesoderm-inducing activity of TGF-beta signals to the mesoderm and favoring neural induction. Ecto is a RING-type ubiquitin ligase for Smad4, a TGF-beta signal transducer. Depletion of Ecto in human cells enforces TGF-beta-induced cytostasis and, moreover, plays a causal role in limiting the antimitogenic effects of Smad4 in tumor cells. We propose that Ectodermin is a key switch in the control of TGF-beta gene responses during early embryonic development and cell proliferation
Electroacupuncture in rats normalizes the diabetes‐induced alterations in the septo‐hippocampal cholinergic system
No full textDiabetes induces early sufferance in the cholinergic septo-hippocampal system, characterized by deficits in learning and memory, reduced hippocampal plasticity and abnormal pro-nerve growth factor (proNGF) release from hippocampal cells, all linked to dysfunctions in the muscarinic cholinergic modulation of hippocampal physiology. These alterations are associated with dysregulation of several cholinergic markers, such as the NGF receptor system and the acetylcholine biosynthetic enzyme choline-acetyl transferase (ChAT), in the medial septum and its target, the hippocampus. Controlled and repeated sensory stimulation by electroacupuncture has been proven effective in counteracting the consequences of diabetes on cholinergic system physiology in the brain. Here, we used a well-established Type 1 diabetes model, obtained by injecting young adult male rats with streptozotocin, to induce sufferance in the septo-hippocampal system. We then evaluated the effects of a 3-week treatment with low-frequency electroacupuncture on: (a) the expression and protein distribution of proNGF in the hippocampus, (b) the tissue distribution and content of NGF receptors in the medial septum, (c) the neuronal cholinergic and glial phenotype in the septo-hippocampal circuitry. Twice-a-week treatment with low-frequency electroacupuncture normalized, in both hippocampus and medial septum, the ratio between the neurotrophic NGF and its neurotoxic counterpart, the precursor proNGF. Electroacupuncture regulated the balance between the two major proNGF variants (proNGF-A and proNGF-B) at both gene expression and protein synthesis levels. In addition, electroacupuncture recovered to basal level the pro-neurotrophic NGF receptor tropomyosin receptor kinase-A content, down-regulated in medial septum cholinergic neurons by diabetes. Electroacupuncture also regulated ChAT content in medial septum neurons and its anterograde transport toward the hippocampus. Our data indicate that repeated sensory stimulation can positively affect brain circuits involved in learning and memory, reverting early impairment induced by diabetes development. Electroacupuncture could exert its effects on the septo-hippocampal cholinergic neurotransmission in diabetic rats, not only by rescuing the hippocampal muscarinic responsivity, as previously described, but also normalizing acetylcholine biosynthesis and NGF metabolism in the hippocampus
Convergence of p53 and TGF-beta signaling networks.
No full textp53 is a protein with many talents. One of the most fundamental is the ability to act as essential growth checkpoint that protects cells against cellular transformation. p53 does so through the induction of genes leading to growth arrest or apoptosis. Most of the studies focusing on the mechanisms of p53 activity have been performed in cultured cells upon treatment with well-established p53-activating inputs, such as high doses of radiations, DNA-damaging drugs and activated oncogenes. However, how the tumor suppressive functions of p53 become concerted with the extracellular cues arriving at the cell surface during tissue homeostasis, remains largely unknown. Intriguingly, two recent papers have shed new light into this unexplored field, indicating that p53 plays a key role in TGF-beta-induced growth arrest and, unexpectedly, in the developmental effects of TGF-beta in early embryos. Here we review and comment on these findings and on their implications for cancer biology
Functional and anatomical outcome of anterior and posterior vaginal prolapse repair with prolene mesh
No full textObjective To evaluate the effects of prolene mesh on urinary, bowel and sexual function in prolapse surgery. Design Prospective observational study on consecutive women. Setting Two referral uorgynaecological units in Italy. Population Women requiring prolapse repair for anterior or posterior vaginal prolapse. Methods All women were assessed for urinary, bowel, prolapse symptoms and dyspareunia pre- and postoperatively. Urodynamics was performed in selected cases. Surgery consisted of an anterior or posterior repair plus a prolene mesh. Follow up was after 1, 6 and 12 months. The ANOVA test was used for statistical analysis. Main outcome measures Vaginal anatomical restoration, urinary, bowel and sexual function. Results We recruited 63 women ( mean age 63 years) with a mean follow up of 17 months. Anatomically, the success rate was 94%. Thirty-two women had an anterior repair. Among this group, the sexual activity rate did not alter but dyspareunia increased by 20%. Urge and stress incontinence did not change postoperatively but urgency improved in 10% and 13% had vaginal erosion of the mesh. Thirty-one women had a posterior repair. Among this group, sexual activity decreased by 12% and dyspareunia increased in 63%. Constipation improved in 15% and anal incontinence in 4%, and 6.5% of women had vaginal erosion of the mesh and one required mesh removal for pelvic abscess. Conclusions Although this study shows good anatomical results with the use of prolene mesh for prolapse repair, there was a high rate of morbidity. We believe that the use of prolene mesh should be abandoned
Recensione a Stefano Agosti, Una lunga complicità. Scritti su Andrea Zanzotto, Milano, Il Saggiatore, 2015
No full textUna lunga complicità raccoglie i saggi di Stefano Agosti sull’opera di Andrea Zanzotto, scritti nell’arco di un fertile dialogo pluridecennale fra il critico e il poeta. Il titolo serba memoria della celebre raccolta dei contributi critici di Contini su Montale, Una lunga fedeltà (Torino 1974), e nel contempo quella «complicità» segnala i termini di un confronto basato su affinità profonde fra Agosti, ora professore emerito dell’Università Ca’ Foscari di Venezia, e Zanzotto, il poeta che condusse la propria intera esistenza da «isolato» nella specola di Pieve di Soligo. Proprio da quella Heimat hölderliniana (F. Bandini, Zanzotto dalla «Heimat» al mondo, in Le poesie e le prose scelte, Milano, Mondadori, 1999, p. LXI), l’inesauribile ricerca poetica di Zanzotto sarà in grado di abbracciare il dispiegarsi dell’esistente in tutte le sue contraddizioni, attraverso un rapporto mai pacificato con il linguaggio e con un «esser-ci» tutto umano al quale soltanto la poesia può restituire un senso
Double incontinence in urogynecologic practice: A new insight
No full textOBJECTIVES: This study was undertaken to evaluate the prevalence of anal incontinence in an urogynecologic setting and to investigate the relationship between lower urinary tract dysfunction and anal incontinence. STUDY DESIGN: The study included 504 women referred to our urogynecologic outpatient clinic who were prospectively investigated and asked specific questions on anal incontinence. Clinical and instrumental data were compared between women with urinary incontinence and with double incontinence, with further analysis for subgroups in the anal incontinent group of women (passive/urge). For continuous variables, the Wilcoxon rank sum test was used, and the Fisher exact test was applied to dicotomic variables. Logistic regression was used for categorical data. A level of P<.005 was considered significant. RESULTS: Of the investigated women, 20.2% were also anally incontinent. Women with double incontinence showed higher scores for urinary urgency (P =.010), which reached the established level of significance only in the subgroup with urge anal incontinence (P =.003). In this group, a higher prevalence of detrusor overactivity was observed. CONCLUSION: Anal incontinence is highly prevalent among women with lower urinary tract disorders. The existence of subgroups of patients having different kinds of anal and urinary disorders should be taken into consideration both for research purposes and for new treatment perspectives
Le facies evaporitiche della crisi di salinità messiniana: radioattività naturale della Formazione Gessoso-Solfifera della Maiella (Abruzzo, Italia centrale)
No full textThis paper deals with the natural radioactivity (NRD) of the
Gessoso-Solfifera Fm outcropping in the North Western flank of the
Maiella Mts. In the study area, the Gessoso-Solfifera Fm is characterized
by sulfate evaporites correlated to the Lower Evaporites in
Sicily (DECIMA & WEZEL, 1971, 1973; MCKENZIE, 1985; DECIMA et
alii, 1988) and to the Vena del Gesso in the northern Apennines (VAI
& RICCI LUCCHI, 1977; ROVERI et alii, 2001; 2003; 2004). Above the
Messinian evaporites, brownish marls, micritic- and brecciated-limestones
rest unconformably on an erosional surface (the intra-
Messinian unconformity).
The NRD measurements have been carried out in three quarrysections:
1) the Buzzi-Unicem (Trovigliano); 2) the Lafargessi (Trovigliano);
3) the Colle di Votta (Abbateggio). Combining the stratigraphy
of these different sections, a composite stratigraphic column,
which starts from the pre-evaporitic euxinic shales and up to the
base of the post-evaporitic deposits, can be reconstructed.
For each quarry-sections, the field gamma-ray profile has been
obtained with a 20 cm regularly-spaced measurement of the gamma
ray emission. Field NRD measurements and spectral acquisition
have been done by using the portable spectrometer áRainbow 7010
MCAâ, equipped with a gamma scintillator having a NaI (Tl) 2~2
crystal as detector.
Different NRD values, in terms both of count per second (Cps)
measured in the field and of Uppm, Thppm, % K2O from laboratory
analyses, allow us to recognize some NRD facies, which correspond
to the main lithofacies within the Messinian deposits of the Maiella
Mts. In terms of NRD values we have been able to distinguish the
following facies (fig. 8): a) limestone . 20 Cps, 2.58 Uppm, 0.33 Thppm,
1.01 % K2O; b) massive selenite with carbonate . 11.1 Cps, 0.74 Uppm,
no detectable Thppm, 0.38 % K2O; c) massive selenite . 7.13 Cps, 0.30
Uppm, no detectable Thppm, 0.40 % K2O; d) giant selenite . 6.95 Cps,
0.07 Uppm, 0.08 Thppm, 0.33 % K2O; e) euxinic shale . 49 Cps, 4.76
Uppm, 1.19 Thppm, 13.48 % K2O; f) sapropel . 33 Cps, 1.04 Uppm, 1.52
Thppm, 18.57 % K2O; g) branching selenite . 8.3 Cps, 0.52 Uppm, 0.11
Thppm, 1.16 % K2O; h) gypsarenites . 9.1 Cps, 0.88 Uppm, 0.19 Thppm,
1.16 % K2O; i) fine laminated gypsarenites . 10.3 Cps, 0.95 Uppm, 0.43
Thppm, 5.43 % K2O; l) brecciated limestone . 42 Cps, 5.29 Uppm, 0.21
Thppm, 0.89 % K2O.
In the gamma-ray profiles (figs. 5, 6 and 7), the NRD signal
allows us to distinguish each evaporitic cycle, characterized by low
values of radioactivity, separated by sapropel horizons that show
high gamma-ray emission.
The gamma-ray profile of Colle di Votta section allows us to distinguish
the Messinian evaporitic succession from the lower portion
of the post-evaporitic Messinian deposits. In fact, the evaporitic and
post-evaporitic Messinian deposits are characterized by different
background values of the gamma-ray profile, which are about 10
Cps and 20-30 Cps, respectively.
In terms of Thppm/Uppm ratio, the main lithofacies of the Gessoso-
Solfifera Fm show different values (tab. 1 and fig. 9b). Generally,
sapropel are characterized by Thppm/Uppm . 1. On the contrary,
limestones and gypsum deposits are characterized by values
of Thppm/Uppm <<1. These differences in the Thppm/Uppm ratio
could be related to changes in the detrital input into the sedimentary
basin. In this frame, values of Thppm/Uppm <<1 could be
referred to decrease in the input of extra-basinal detrital grains and
to the formation of authigenic U-minerals (ADAMS & WEAVER,
1958). On the contrary, Thppm/Uppm . 1 could correspond to an
increase in the input of detrital grains into the sedimentary basin.
Changing of the Thppm/Uppm ratio in the stratigraphic section could
also indicate alternation between humid (Thppm/Uppm . 1) and arid
(Thppm/Uppm <<1) conditions.
In conclusion, NRD analyses could supply information about
several parameters connected with the evolution of sedimentary
basin, such as: abundance of organic matter, redox condition, detrital
input, climatic changes, etc. Thus, NRD field and laboratory
investigations on stratigraphic sections could be a useful tool for
basin analysi
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