PRELIMINARY DATA ON FUMONISINS PRESENCE IN PIG LIVER

Mycotoxins are heterogeneous chemical compounds characterized by a low molecular weight and synthesized by the secondary metabolism of different molds. Fumonisins are water-soluble mycotoxins produced by Fusarium species spoiling corn and derived products. These mycotoxins can enter the food chain also through the consumption of meat of exposed animals. Fumonisins and their metabolites have been associated with several animal and human diseases. They are suspected risk factors for esophageal and liver cancers, neural tube defects and cardiovascular problems. Improved methods are needed to accurately assess fumonisin concentrations in food from vegetable and animal origin to prevent acute and chronic human exposure. The aim of the present work was to develop a sensitive and selective method for quantification and unambiguous identification of fumonisin B1 (FB1), fumonisin B2 (FB2) and their complete hydrolyzed products (HFB1 and HFB2), in order to determine their presence in pig liver. Furthermore, the developed method was applied, in order to test its efficacy, on liver samples of weaned piglets fed a diet in compliance with the FB1 and FB2 contamination limits set by EU. All the samples showed the presence of at least one of the analytes. In particular FB1 was found in 5 out of 7 samples and the average level of contamination found was 28 ppb

DETERMINATION OF FUMONIS FB1 IN MILK BY LC-MS/MS

Mycotoxins are heterogeneous chemical compounds characterized by a low molecular weight and synthesized by the secondary metabolism of different molds. Fumonisins are water-soluble mycotoxins produced by Fusarium species spoiling corn and derived products. These mycotoxins can reach the human also indirectly through the consumption of food products derived from animals fed with contaminated feed. Fumonisins have been associated with several animal and human diseases. They are suspected risk factors for esophageal and liver cancers, neural tube defects and cardiovascular problems. Improved methods are needed to accurately assess fumonisin concentrations in food from vegetable and animal origin to prevent acute and chronic human exposure. The aim of the present work was to develop a sensitive and selective method for identification and quantification of fumonisin B1 (FB1) in milk. FB1 was isolated from milk, by a single step immunoaffinity column and was detected using liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry in positive electrospray ionization (ESI+). The analysis were carried out in multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode using the two main product ions. The good performances of the proposed method can assure a correct fumonisin detection in milk even at relatively low concentrations

Design and in vitro study of a dual drug-loaded delivery system produced by electrospinning for the treatment of acute injuries of the central nervous system

Vascular and traumatic injuries of the central nervous system are recognized as global health priorities. A polypharmacology approach that is able to simultaneously target several injury factors by the combination of agents having synergistic effects appears to be promising. Herein, we designed a polymeric delivery system loaded with two drugs, ibuprofen (Ibu) and thyroid hormone triiodothyronine (T3) to in vitro release the suitable amount of the anti-inflammation and the remyelination drug. As a production method, electrospinning technology was used. First, Ibuloaded micro (diameter circa 0.95–1.20 µm) and nano (diameter circa 0.70 µm) fibers were produced using poly(L-lactide) PLLA and PLGA with different lactide/glycolide ratios (50:50, 75:25, and 85:15) to select the most suitable polymer and fiber diameter. Based on the in vitro release results and in-house knowledge, PLLA nanofibers (mean diameter = 580 ± 120 nm) loaded with both Ibu and T3 were then successfully produced by a co-axial electrospinning technique. The in vitro release studies demonstrated that the final Ibu/T3 PLLA system extended the release of both drugs for 14 days, providing the target sustained release. Finally, studies in cell cultures (RAW macrophages and neural stem cell-derived oligodendrocyte precursor cells—OPCs) demonstrated the anti-inflammatory and promyelinating efficacy of the dual drug-loaded delivery platform

FOLFOX6 and bevacizumab in non-optimally resectable liver metastases from colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND: In patients with colorectal liver metastases (CLM) R0 resection significantly improves overall survival (OS). METHODS: In this report, we present the results of a phase II trial of FOLFOX6+bevacizumab in patients with non-optimally resectable CLM. Patients received six cycles of FOLFOX6+ five of bevacizumab. Patients not achieving resectability received six additional cycles of each. A PET-CT was performed at baseline and again within 1 month after initiating treatment. RESULTS: From September 2005 to July 2009, 21 patients were enrolled (Male/Female: 15/6; median age: 65 years). An objective response (OR) was documented in 12 cases (57.1%; complete responses (CRs): 3, partial response (PR): 9); one patient died from toxicity before surgery. Thirteen patients underwent radical surgery (61.9%). Three (23%) had a pathological CR (pCR). Six patients (46.1%) experienced minor postsurgical complications. After a median 38.8-month follow-up, the median OS was 22.5 months. Patients achieving at least 1 unit reduction in Standard uptake value (SUV)max on PET-CT had longer progression-free survival (PFS) (median PFS: 22 vs 14 months, P=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: FOLFOX6+bevacizumab does not increase postsurgical complications, yields high rates of resectability and pCR. Early changes in PET-CT seem to be predictive of longer PFS

Sorafenib in patients with advanced biliary tract carcinoma: a phase II trial

BACKGROUND: Advanced biliary tract carcinoma has a very poor prognosis, with chemotherapy being the mainstay of treatment. Sorafenib, a multikinase inhibitor of VEGFR-2/-3, PDGFR-beta, B-Raf, and C-Raf, has shown to be active in preclinical models of cholangiocarcinoma. METHODS: We conducted a phase II trial of single-agent sorafenib in patients with advanced biliary tract carcinoma. Sorafenib was administered at a dose of 400 mg twice a day. The primary end point was the disease control rate at 12 weeks. RESULTS: A total of 46 patients were treated. In all, 26 (56%) had received chemotherapy earlier, and 36 patients completed at least 45 days of treatment. In intention-to-treat analysis, the objective response was 2% and the disease control rate at 12 weeks was 32.6%. Progression-free survival (PFS) was 2.3 months (range: 0-12 months), and the median overall survival was 4.4 months (range: 0-22 months). Performance status was significantly related to PFS: median PFS values for ECOG 0 and 1 were 5.7 and 2.1 months, respectively (P=0.0002). The most common toxicities were skin rash (35%) and fatigue (33%), requiring a dose reduction in 22% of patients. CONCLUSIONS: Sorafenib as a single agent has a low activity in cholangiocarcinoma. Patients having a good performance status have a better PFS. The toxicity profile is manageable

Prognostic role of EGFR gene copy number and KRAS mutation in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer treated with preoperative chemoradiotherapy

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), evaluated by immunohistochemistry, has been shown to have prognostic significance in patients with colorectal cancer. Gene copy number (GCN) of EGFR and KRAS status predict response and outcome in patients treated with anti-EGFR therapy, but their prognostic significance in colorectal cancer patients is still unclear.We have retrospectively reviewed the baseline EGFR GCN, KRAS status and clinical outcome of 146 locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) patients treated with preoperative chemoradiotherapy. Pathological response evaluated by Dworak's tumour regression grade (TRG), disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were analysed.Tumour regression grade 4 and TRG3-4 were achieved in 14.4 and 30.8\% of the patients respectively. Twenty-nine (19.9\%) and 33 patients (19.2\%) had an EGFR/nuclei ratio >2.9 and CEP7 polisomy >50\% respectively; 28 patients (19.2\%) had a KRAS mutation. Neither EGFR GCN nor KRAS status was statistically correlated to TRG. 5-year DFS and OS were 63.3 and 71.5\%, respectively, and no significant relation with EGFR GCN or KRAS status was found.Our data show that EGFR GCN and KRAS status are not prognostic factors in LARC treated with preoperative chemoradiation

Selected Schizosaccharomyces pombe Strains Have Characteristics That Are Beneficial for Winemaking

At present, wine is generally produced using Saccharomyces yeast followed by Oenococus bacteria to complete malolactic fermentation. This method has some unsolved problems, such as the management of highly acidic musts and the production of potentially toxic products including biogenic amines and ethyl carbamate. Here we explore the potential of the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe to solve these problems. We characterise an extensive worldwide collection of S. pombe strains according to classic biochemical parameters of oenological interest. We identify three genetically different S. pombe strains that appear suitable for winemaking. These strains compare favourably to standard Saccharomyces cerevisiae winemaking strains, in that they perform effective malic acid deacidification and significantly reduce levels of biogenic amines and ethyl carbamate precursors without the need for any secondary bacterial malolactic fermentation. These findings indicate that the use of certain S. pombe strains could be advantageous for winemaking in regions where malic acid is problematic, and these strains also show superior performance with respect to food safety

Use of Schizosaccharomyces strains for wine fermentation? Effect on the wine composition and food safety

Schizosaccharomyceswas initially considered as a spoilage yeast because of the production of undesirable metabolites such as acetic acid, hydrogen sulfide, or acetaldehyde, but it currently seems to be of great value in enology.o ced Nevertheless, Schizosaccharomyces can reduce all of the malic acid in must, leading to malolactic fermentation. Malolactic fermentation is a highly complicated process in enology and leads to a higher concentration of biogenic amines, so the use of Schizosaccharomyces pombe can be an excellent tool for assuring wine safety. Schizosaccharomyces also has much more potential than only reducing the malic acid content, such as increasing the level of pyruvic acid and thus the vinylphenolic pyranoanthocyanin content. Until now, few commercial strains have been available and little research on the selection of appropriate yeast strains with such potential has been conducted. In this study, selected and wild Sc. pombe strains were used along with a Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain to ferment red grape must. The results showed significant differences in several parameters including non-volatile and volatile compounds, anthocyanins, biogenic amines and sensory parameters

Alcohol-Related Context Modulates Performance of Social Drinkers in a Visual Go/No-Go Task: A Preliminary Assessment of Event-Related Potentials

Background Increased alcohol cue-reactivity and altered inhibitory processing have been reported in heavy social drinkers and alcohol-dependent patients, and are associated with relapse. In social drinkers, these two processes have been usually studied separately by recording event-related potentials (ERPs) during rapid picture presentation. The aim of our study was to confront social drinkers to a task triggering high alcohol cue-reactivity, to verify whether it specifically altered inhibitory performance, by using long-lasting background picture presentation. Methods ERP were recorded during visual Go/No-Go tasks performed by social drinkers, in which a frequent Go signal (letter “M”), and a rare No-Go signal (letter “W”) were superimposed on three different types of background pictures: neutral (black background), alcohol-related and non alcohol-related. Results Our data suggested that heavy social drinkers made more commission errors than light drinkers, but only in the alcohol-related context. Neurophysiologically, this was reflected by a delayed No-Go P3 component. Conclusions Elevated alcohol cue-reactivity may lead to poorer inhibitory performance in heavy social drinkers, and may be considered as an important vulnerability factor in developing alcohol misuse. Prevention programs should be designed to decrease the high arousal of alcohol stimuli and strengthen cognitive control in young, at-risk individuals.This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.SCOPUS: ar.jinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Riflessioni su alcune scelte traduttive in lingua inglese (Morris, Tinker, Tolkien, Heaney e Porter)

This essay takes into account some English translations of the Old English poem Beowulf. Matter of specific investigation is the passage of the coming of Grendel to the Danes' court Heorot. As the translations of Beowulf are countless, only specific and emblematic cases – both in prose and verse – are analysed. Then, the translations by William Morris, Chancey Brewster Tinker, J.R.R. Tolkien, Seamus Heaney and John Porter are compared trying to ascertain the approach of those translators to the Old English text and furthermore the intentions they had in rendering the poem into Modern English. The big problem that all the translators consciously tackled was the chronological and linguistic distance of Beowulf that had to be solved in some way. Choices and strategies differ from one version to another, but every solution demonstrates a specific attention to the musicalness of the original together with a deep awareness for the tradition that the Old English poem embodies