Liquid and encapsulated duckweed (Lemna minor L.) extracts differentially shape metabolomic fingerprints of packaged beef burgers during shelf-life

Oxidative deterioration and color loss are critical factors limiting the shelf-life and consumer acceptance of fresh beef burgers under modified atmosphere packaging (MAP). This study evaluated Lemna minor (duckweed) extracts, applied in liquid form (LLE) and encapsulated with gum Arabic (AGL) or maltodextrin (ML), as natural antioxidants in beef burgers stored at 4 degrees C for 14 days. Extracts were tested at 0.1 %, 0.5 %, and 1 % (w/w), and their effects were assessed through physicochemical, microbiological, and untargeted metabolomics analyses. Encapsulation yields were high (similar to 80 %) for both carriers, with gum Arabic retaining higher antioxidant capacity. The liquid extract at 1 % and the encapsulated extracts at 0.1 % were the most effective treatments, preserving redness, reducing lipid oxidation below the sensory off-flavour threshold, and limiting oxygen consumption by day 7. Conversely, higher doses of encapsulated extracts (0.5-1 %) were less effective and in some cases induced pro-oxidant effects. Untargeted metabolomics revealed modulation of oxidative biomarkers, including glutathione, hemin, and tryptamine, supporting the antioxidant role of duckweed extracts in stabilising lipid and protein oxidation pathways. No antimicrobial effect was observed. These findings indicate that duckweed extracts can serve as sustainable, plant-based antioxidants for fresh beef burgers, with recommended application levels of 0.1 % (w/w) for encapsulated forms and 1 % (w/w) for liquid extracts. This represents the first demonstration of duckweed-based antioxidants in meat systems, offering a promising alternative to synthetic preservatives and supporting the transition toward clean-label strategies in the meat industry

Earnings Dynamics, Inequality, and Firm Heterogeneity

Studies of individual earnings dynamics typically overlook firm heterogeneity, while worker and firm decompositions of earnings inequality often neglect the life cycle. We study firm effects in individual earnings dynamics for the Italian private sector population, using the covariance structure of co‐worker earnings for identification. We allow for dynamics of both worker and firm effects, as well as worker‐firm sorting and worker segregation. When workers are young, firm and worker heterogeneity explain similar shares of earnings inequality; however, over the life cycle, workers account for most of the inequality. Worker sorting across firms is substantial, especially among younger workers. Segregation accounts for most of the earnings inequality between firms

AGIS: navigare nella complessità lungo otto decenni e oltre

Il contributo analizza, nell'ambito dell'ottantesimo anniversario della costituzione dell'AGIS, Associazione Generale Italiana dello Spettacolo, come l'associazione abbia negli anni affrontato la complessità sociale, politica, economica legata alle trasformazioni del PaeseThe contribution analyses, in the context of the eightieth anniversary of the establishment of AGIS, the Italian General Association of Performing Arts, how the association has over the years addressed the social, political and economic complexity linked to the transformations of the country

Wash-out duration and lymphocyte count in switching from fingolimod to ofatumumab: A case report and literature review

Transitioning from sphingosine-1-phosphate modulators, such as fingolimod, to anti-CD20 therapies is common in patients with multiple sclerosis due to suboptimal disease control, progression, or family planning. However, the optimal washout period remains unclear, and cases of disease activity rebound following discontinuation of fingolimod have been documented. We present the case of a 43-year-old woman who developed severe rebound disease activity after transitioning from fingolimod to ofatumumab, despite a washout period of 28 days. The patient experienced a new lesion and neuropsychological impairment, which improved after treatment with high-dose methylprednisolone. Literature review highlights the complexity of factors influencing rebound, including washout duration, lymphocyte count, and disease control during fingolimod therapy. Evidence suggests that initiating ofatumumab treatment without a prolonged washout period may mitigate rebound risk

Policy-sensitive crypto assets: Event study of thematic returns around U.S. elections

This paper analyzes how thematic crypto asset categories responded to the 2024 U.S. presidential election using cumulative abnormal returns (CARs) within an event study framework. We examine four thematic categories: Made in U.S., DeFi & Real-World Assets, AI & Big Data, and World Liberty Financial. The results show significant negative CARs in the pre-election window, followed by sharp positive reversals on the election day and after the election. The most pronounced post-election recoveries appear in the Made in U.S. category with CARs over 40 %, suggesting market reassessment of regulatory expectations. Innovation-driven categories such as (World Liberty Financial, DeFi & Real-World Assets, and AI & Big Data) exhibit more muted responses. These findings underscore how political alignment influences crypto performance and offer new evidence on the pricing of political risk in digital asset markets

Encyclopedia of agriculture and food systems III ed. Volume 5: Food, Agriculture, Society

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Sex differences in pain in 2 large and diverse US databases

Introduction: Sex differences have been recognized as significant influences on disease suceptibility and progression. Objectives: This study aimed to assess sex differences in pain prevalence using 2 large and diverse US data sources, All of Us and Epic Cosmos. Methods: Pain concepts, labels used to describe type, chronicity, and body locations in electronic health records, were identified from 254,639 individuals in All of Us and 292,549,808 in Epic Cosmos data. Prevalence ratios (PRs) and 95% confidence intervals comparing the prevalence between females and males were computed to determine sex differences in each pain concept, in each data set. Ratios >1 and <1 denoted higher prevalence among females and males, respectively. Results: The search yielded 195 pain concepts available in both All of Us and Epic Cosmos. Of these, 72.9% in All of Us and 82.6% in Epic Cosmos showed higher prevalence among females. Higher prevalence among men was observed in 8.9% (All of Us) and 13.3% (Epic Cosmos) of pain concepts, mainly involving the chest, lower limbs, and inguinal region. Between 4.1% and 18.2% of the concepts did not show evidence of differences in prevalence by sex. Only one conditions displayed opposing direction in PRs, possibly due to differences in sample composition and/or variation in clinical assignment criteria for pain concepts. Conclusion: Higher pain prevalence among females in the United States was observed for most pain concepts in 2 large and diverse databases. These results underscore the importance of pain research, prevention, and management approaches stratified by sex

I reati familiari con vittima minore

Il contributo approfondisce il sistema di reati a tutela del minore all'interno della comunità familiare

“Vieni da Nonna Tua, Vieni!” A commentary on the social construction of grandmothers and its impact on older women’s lives

Grandmother represents a biological denomination and a social construct with important implications in the everyday life of individuals worldwide. This concept is particularly important in occidental communities, with considerable emphasis on African, and South European and American countries, while it seems to have a lower, but not irrelevant, influence in North American communities [1]. The role grandmothers exert is multifactorial and involves multiple spheres of societies’ organization

Chronic Styrene Exposure Causes Oxidative Stress, Neuroinflammation, and Hippocampal Memory Dysfunction via NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation

Several studies focused on the molecular mechanisms linking oxidative stress and inflammation, due to their crucial role in different pathological conditions, including neurodegenerative disorders. Here, we studied the link between redox unbalance and neuroinflammation in a model of styrene-induced toxicity in the hippocampus. We used a rat model of chronic styrene exposure to assess its impact on hippocampal function. Behavioral tests were performed to evaluate recognition and spatial memory. Molecular and histological analyses were carried out to measure ROS production, inflammatory markers (COX-2, TNF-α, IL-1β), and immunoreactivity for IBA-1 and GFAP. Synaptic alterations, activation of pro-apoptotic pathways, and NLRP3 inflammasome levels were also evaluated. We found that toxic exposure to styrene can affect both recognition and spatial memory by causing functional, morphological, and molecular alterations in the hippocampus. Indeed, we observed increased ROS production and elevated levels of inflammatory markers, as well as increased IBA-1 and GFAP immunoreactivity, suggesting an activation of the immune system with the involvement of microglia and astrocytes in the hippocampus of styrene-treated animals. These findings were associated with molecular and structural synaptic alterations and activation of pro-apoptotic pathways. Moreover, we pointed out the possible involvement of inflammasome activation in mediating oxidative-inflammatory damage, and we documented an increased level of NLRP3 inflammasome after styrene exposure. Our data provide novel experimental evidence of styrene-induced memory dysfunctions, demonstrating that exposure to this toxic compound can impinge on the hippocampus through a mechanism involving the ROS-driven inflammation, activating the NLRP3 inflammasome axis. From a translation point of view, our results indicate that styrene exposure can be a high-risk factor for developing cognitive deficits and suggest considering the ROS/NLRP3 pathway as a target to prevent/attenuate neurotoxicity