Max Scheler e la possibilità di una nuova forma di antispecismo

This article presents the ethical thought of Max Scheler, beyond its anthropocentric specificity, as a possible basis for the philosophical elaboration of an anti-speciesist ethical phenomenology, of Christian origin, which in turn presupposes for the self-understanding of our human existence a vegan and anti-speciesist ethical praxis, as a concrete form of active love as care for every life

‘Sangiovese’ and ‘Garganega’ are two key varieties of the Italian grapevine assortment evolution

Two synonymous cases have been found using a set of 11 SSR markers: ‘Garganega’ and ‘Grecanico dorato’; ‘Catarratto bianco comune’, ‘Catarratto bianco lucido’ and ‘Catarratto bianco extra lucido’. Molecular data at 36 SSR loci showed that ‘Sangiovese’ and ‘Garganega’ represent two key varieties in the Italian ampelographic assortment evolution, as they both have a first degree relationship with numerous wine varieties. ‘Sangiovese’ showed this link with ten varieties: ‘Foglia tonda’, ‘Frappato’, ‘Gaglioppo’, ‘Mantonicone’, ‘Morellino del Casentino’, ‘Morellino del Valdarno’, ‘Nerello mascalese’, ‘Susumaniello’, ‘Tuccanese di Turi’ and ‘Vernaccia nera del Valdarno’. Seven varieties resulted closely related to ‘Garganega’: ‘Trebbiano toscano’ alias ‘Ugni blanc’, ‘Albana’, ‘Empibotte’, ‘Malvasia bianca di Candia a sapore semplice’, ‘Marzemina bianca’, ‘Catarratto’ and ‘Greco del Pollino’. However, being ‘Sangiovese’ parents disputed and those of ‘Garganega’ still unknown, it was not possible to determine the univocal direction of the various crosses. Identification of the “missing” parents would allow these genealogical trees to be drawn up with greater precision.

‘Malvasia nera di Brindisi/Lecce’ grapevine cultivar (Vitis vinifera L.) originated from ‘Negroamaro’ and ‘Malvasia bianca lunga’

‘Malvasia nera di Brindisi’ and ‘Malvasia nera di Lecce’ are two of the few Malvasias with black berries and belong to the Apulian ampelographic assortment (South Italy). Their presumed synonymy has been recently ascertained with SSR markers and therefore these two black 'Malvasias' can be considered as an unique variety. We discovered that this cultivar is the cross between ‘Malvasia bianca lunga’ alias ‘Malvasia del Chianti’ and ‘Negroamaro’ by using 42 nuclear SSR. Both parents belong to the Apulian varietal resources, since centuries. So far, ‘Malvasia nera di Brindisi/Lecce’ origin has been obscure; now we may assert that this cultivar was born right in Apulia. Three sets of chloroplast SSR loci were used to determine the female and the male parent: 6 ccmp loci, already used in previous pedigree studies, 15 ccSSR loci and 2 NTCP loci, derived from tobacco. The second set of loci was sequenced in order to compare the length of the markers with the reference species where they were originally obtained: in 4 cases no microsatellite motives were detected and in other 4 cases the perfect repetition found in tobacco was not maintained in grape. Unfortunately, the three sets of markers failed to show any polymorphism. A detailed comparison of the black Malvasia morphology with its two parents showed a closer similarity to ‘Negroamaro’. Also the anthocyanin profile is in agreement with that of the black parent; its varietal aroma presents interesting levels of free and bound 2-phenylethanol, responsible for rose flavor, and of bound linalool compounds.

'Vitouska' is the progeny of 'Prosecco tondo' and 'Malvasia bianca lunga'

'Vitouska' is a minor white wine grape variety, cultivated in the Kars region and recently recovered and revaluated by local viticulturists. Its obscure origins, traditionally linked to this land, are now supported by the results obtained from the present research, which identified the two parents, 'Malvasia bianca lunga' alias 'Malvasia del Chianti' and 'Prosecco tondo'. The latter cultivar has an ancient and well-documented presence in the same growing region as 'Vitouska'. Molecular analyses have been performed with 37 nuclear microsatellite loci

Seasonal variations of the serum proteins in sheep and goats (Short Communication)

Abstract. The aim of this study was to assess the seasonal trend of the serum protein content of sheep and goats. The tested animals were six female goats (Maltese breed) and six female sheep (Valle del Belice breed). All animals were clinically healthy and not pregnant or lactating before or during the study. On blood samples, collected through an external jugular venipuncture every 30 days for 12 months, electrophoresis was performed using a semiautomated AGE system and then electrophoretic curves with the relative protein concentrations were analyzed. One way for repeated measure analysis of variance (ANOVA) was applied to determine the effect of time and by means of cosinor rythmometry, mesor (mean level), amplitude (half the range of oscillation) and acrophase (Φ, time of peak) were determined. The results showed a seasonal rhythm on Albumin and Alumin/Globulin ratio for sheep and goats, with different acrophases, winter for goats and spring for sheep. A seasonal rhythm was shown also in Alpha 2 globulins by sheep and in Beta globulins by goats. The difference in the acrophase can be attributed to a different production pattern of melatonin in goat, so the liver production of albumin is major during the winter that has a longer scotophase

Philosophy of Nutrition. A Historical, Existential, Phenomenological Perspective

The paper develops a philosophy of nutrition, based on the idea that nutrition is the fundamental condition of possibility of the existence: being presupposes eating. Eating meat historically presupposes preying, hunting or fishing, that is killing other animals. This violence is at the roots of our civilisation: it transformed human way of life, human way of being. Violence over other species then spreads as violence at the level of the same human, social, relationships. Violence over other species has been called “work” and now the division of work allows the majority of individuals for a life without preying and without violence and so for spreading a new way of thinking and feeling, a new way of living. A new antispeciesist ethics become possible, based on a vegan style of living

Pen shell Pinna nobilis L. (Mollusca: Bivalvia) from different peculiar environments: adaptive mechanisms of osmoregulation and neurotransmission

The pen shell Pinna nobilis (Linnaeus, 1758) is the largest endemic bivalve mollusc of the Mediterranean Sea, listed as an endangered species in the European Union. Because no information is available about the adaptation of pen shells to different habitats, herein the fundamental conditions of adaptation of P. nobilis to peculiar natural environments, such as the Strait of Messina (SM) and the meromictic Faro Lake (FL; Sicily, Italy), were explored by assessing the morphology, mucous production, osmoregulation and neurotransmission of their gills. Although gills of the pen shells from both sites exhibited a regular morphology, a higher presence of acid mucous cells was detected in P. nobilis from FL than SM, as well as higher levels of osmolytes but without interfering the osmoregulatory processes. About the functioning of gills, the cholinergic (i.e. acetylcholine and AChE) neuronal system was unaltered between individuals from the two sites, whereas the GABAergic neurotransmission (i.e. 4-aminobutyrate or GABA) was significantly augmented in gills of P. nobilis from FL than SM. This may be an adaptive response to hypoxic conditions in FL, as supported by the increased hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF-1α) in gills of pen shells from FL than SM. Noteworthy, this study reports for the first time the presence of the GABA neurotransmitter within the metabolite profile, obtained by application of a protonic Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (1H NMR)-based metabolomics approach, of a marine bivalve. Therefore, GABA may be suggested as a metabolite biomarker in pen shells. Overall, findings from this study provide new insights on the behavioural and adaptive responses of the pen shell Pinna nobilis settled in different peculiar environments

Investigations on the identity of ‘Canaiolo bianco’ and other white grape varieties of central Italy

During research for the rescue and description of grapevine germplasm in central Italy, 28 white accessions were collected, 10 of them sharing the name ‘Canaiolo bianco’ but having different morphological and yield characteristics. ‘Canaiolo bianco’ is listed as essential in the specifications for some D.O.C.G. and D.O.C. Tuscan wines, but its correct identity is not clear. With the aim to identify and characterize our samples and to pinpoint what the true-to-type ‘Canaiolo bianco’ is, we described these accessions using a multidisciplinary approach, encompassing DNA analysis, ampelographic, phyllometric, phenological and yield descriptions. Moreover we collected as much historical information as possible about them. The 28 accessions investigated were grouped in 8 varieties with very distinct traits. The research has provided useful information for clarifying various cases of synonymy and homonymy. Moreover, we hypothesize that the true to type ‘Canaiolo bianco’ corresponds to the so called ‘Drupeggio’.

Influence of different nitrate and iron availabilities on phosphoenolpiruvate carboxilase and malate dehydrogenase in roots of maize (Zea mays L.) plants

The effect of the different nitrate (NO3) availability on some enzymatic activities has been evaluated in iron (Fe) deficient and iron sufficient maize plants (Zea mays L.) in order to evaluate the induction of Fe sensitiveness to enzymatic activities. The apoplast reactions may be altered due to the different nitrate availability. Two experimental tests were done on maize plants grown in nutrient solution with different NO3 availability and with Fe-sufficiency and Fedeficiency. Phosphoenolpiruvate carboxilase (PEPcase) and malate dehydrogenase activities, for the reaction determined in citosol, by NO3 uptake, showed different responses according to Fe availability. The different nitrate availability caused a difference in the acid content. These results justifies the higher energy demand to activate membrane carriers under stress conditions for the reduced nitrate availability

Recognition and genotyping of minor germplasm of Friuli Venezia Giulia revealed high diversity

The wealth of vine varieties that used to exist in Friuli Venezia Giulia has been progressively lost. In order to ascertain the current situation regarding vine germplasm in the region, between 2001 and 2008, a wide-ranging study was conducted of recovery, conservation and molecular characterization with microsatellite markers (SSR) of accessions of minor germplasm at risk of erosion or extinction. A total of 178 accessions were analyzed and 93 varieties identified. Of these, 44 are already registered in the Italian Catalogue, 8 have been imported and are well-known foreign varieties even if not registered in the Italian Catalogue, 38 are potentially autochthonous and of these only 15 are described or at least cited in the literature; there are no hypotheses on the remaining three. In order to obtain information on possible genetic similarities, three types of software were used to process the molecular data, but only Structure allowed the existence of two principal groupings to be hypothesized for some of the presumed Friuli autochthons: one that gravitates around ‘Prosecco’ and the other around ‘Refoscone’.