THE EVOLUTION OF A TERROIR: “ICE WINE” PRODUCTION IN EMILIA ROMAGNA

L’Italia non è la zona più adatta per la produzione di Ice Wine in quanto il più delle volte non vi sono le condizioni climatiche ideali. Tuttavia alcuni viticoltori in questi anni hanno immesso sul mercato Ice Wine di buon livello. Per produrre Ice Wine nel piacentino si è cercato di scegliere le uve più tipiche del territorio da tempo utilizzate per produrre vini bianchi dolci frizzanti da tavola. Si tratta della Malvasia aromatica di Candia e del Moscato bianco. Queste uve sottoposte ad appassimento possono esprimere al meglio le potenzialità aromatiche di questi vitigni. Parole chiave: vino, Ice Wine, terroir, Colli Piacentini.Because of weather conditions Italy is not the best place to produce Ice Wine. However, during these years some viticulturists have introduced Ice Wine of good quality. To produce Ice Wine in the Piacenza area they used the same grape they employed to produce table wine: “Malvasia aromatica di Candia” and “Moscato bianco”. These types of grapes embody at their best the aromatic characteristics of these grapevines

Klebsiella pneumoniae carrying multiple alleles of antigen 43-encoding gene of Escherichia coli associated with biofilm formation

A clinical strain of Klebsiella pneumoniae typed as sequence type 307 carrying three different alleles of the flu gene encoding the Escherichia coli virulence factor antigen 43 associated with biofilm formation was detected and characterized. The flu alleles are located in the chromosome inside putative integrative conjugative elements. The strain displays the phenotypes associated with Ag43, i.e. bi-phasic colony morphology and enhanced biofilm production. Furthermore, the strain produces low amount of capsule known to affect Ag43 function. Analysis of 1431 worldwide deposited genomes revealed that 3.7% Klebsiella pneumoniae carry one or two flu alleles

Melatonin modulates swine luteal and adipose stromal cell functions

Based on our previous study in follicle, the first aim of the work was to evaluate the effect of melatonin in the swine corpus luteum. Luteal cells were exposed to 10 and 20 pg mL-1 melatonin. We evaluated the effect on proliferation (Bromo-deoxy-Uridine uptake), steroidogenesis (progesterone) and redox status by means of Griess test (nitric oxide production), WST-1 test (superoxide anion generation) and FRAP test (non-enzymatic antioxidant power). The results show a significant increase of the antioxidant power as well as a reduction of the other parameters analyzed. These data and the expression of MT2 observed in luteal cells, allow us to hypothesize a physiological role of melatonin in the regulation of corpus luteum functionality. The reproductive function is dependent on energy reserves stored in adipose tissue. Therefore, we sought to verify effect of melatonin on adipose stromal cells (ASCs). MT2 receptor expression was detected in ASCs and the presence of gene markers (PPARγ and leptin) before and after adipogenic differentiation was verified. The differentiation was significantly inhibited by melatonin, as well as cell viability. In conclusion, present results suggest that melatonin exerts a potential inhibitory action on luteal function and adipogenesis, possibly mediated by MT2

Severe Typhoid Fever Complicated by Superior Mesenteric and Splenic Vein Thrombosis

Typhoid fever (Typhoid or enteric fever) is still the most common bacterial bloodstream infection worldwide, caused by Salmonella typhi. The transmission route is indirect through passive vehicles such as contaminated water or food. Main clinical findings are a fever lasting more than three days, abdominal symptoms, leukocytosis, and anemia. Typhoid can cause a wide range of multi-organ complications. We report a particularly severe form of this infection complicated by superior mesenteric vein and splenic vein thrombosis, an extremely uncommon manifestation

A narrative review on tumor microenvironment in oligometastatic and oligoprogressive non-small cell lung cancer: a lot remains to be done

Objective: In this review, we aim to collect and discuss available data about the role and composition of tumor microenvironment (TME) in oligometastatic (OMD) and oligoprogressive (OPD) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Furthermore, we aim to summarize the ongoing clinical trials evaluating as exploratory objective the TME composition, through tissue and/or blood samples, in order to clarify whether TME and its components could explain, at least partially, the oligometastatic/oligoprogressive process and could unravel the existence of predictive and/or prognostic factors for local ablative therapy (LAT).Background: OMD/OPD NSCLC represent a heterogeneous group of diseases. Several data have shown that TME plays an important role in tumor progression and therefore in treatment response. The crucial role of several types of cells and molecules such as immune cells, cytokines, integrins, protease and adhesion molecules, tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) has been widely established. Due to the peculiar activation of specific pathways and expression of adhesion molecules, metastatic cells seem to show a tropism for specific anatomic sites (the so-called "seed and soil" hypothesis). Based on this theory, metastases appear as a biologically driven process rather than a random release of cancer cells. Although the role and the function of TME at the time of progression in patients with NSCLC treated with tyrosine-kinase inhibitors and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have been investigated, limited data about the role and the biological meaning of TME are available in the specific OMD/OPD setting.Methods: Through a comprehensive PubMed and ClinicalTrials.gov search, we identified available and ongoing studies exploring the role of TME in oligometastatic/oligoprogressive NSCLC.Conclusions: Deepening the knowledge on TME composition and function in OMD/OPD may provide innovative implications in terms of both prognosis and prediction of outcome in particular from local treatments, paving the way for future investigations of personalized approaches in both advanced and early disease settings

Infections and Immunotherapy in Lung Cancer: A Bad Relationship?

Infectious diseases represent a relevant issue in lung cancer patients. Bacterial and viral infections might influence the patients' prognosis, both directly affecting the immune system and indirectly impairing the outcome of anticancer treatments, mainly immunotherapy. In this analysis, we aimed to review the current evidence in order to clarify the complex correlation between infections and lung cancer. In detail, we mainly explored the potential impact on immunotherapy outcome/safety of (1) bacterial infections, with a detailed focus on antibiotics; and (2) viral infections, discriminating among (a) human immune-deficiency virus (HIV), (b) hepatitis B/C virus (HBV-HCV), and (c) Sars-Cov-2. A series of studies suggested the prognostic impact of antibiotic therapy administration, timing, and exposure ratio in patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors, probably through an antibiotic-related microbiota dysbiosis. Although cancer patients with HIV, HBV, and HCV were usually excluded from clinical trials evaluating immunotherapy, some retrospective and prospective trials performed in these patient subgroups reported similar results compared to those described in not-infected patients, with a favorable safety profile. Moreover, patients with thoracic cancers are particularly at risk of COVID-19 severe outcomes and mortality. Few reports speculated about the prognostic implications of anticancer therapy, including immunotherapy, in lung cancer patients with concomitant Sars-Cov-2 infection, showing, to date, inconsistent results. The correlation between infectious diseases and immunotherapy remains to be further explored and clarified in the context of dedicated trials. In clinical practice, the accurate and prompt multidisciplinary management of lung cancer patients with infections should be encouraged in order to select the best treatment options for these patients, avoiding unexpected toxicities, while maintaining the anticancer effect

Integrating supportive care into the multidisciplinary management of lung cancer: we can't wait any longer

Introduction: Due to important achievements in terms of diagnostic and therapeutic tools and the complexity of the disease itself, lung cancer management needs a multidisciplinary approach. To date, the classical multidisciplinary team involves different healthcare providers mainly dedicated to lung cancer diagnosis and treatments. Nevertheless, the underlying disease and related treatments significantly impact on patient function and psychological well-being. In this sense, supportive care may offer the best approach to relieve and manage patient symptoms and treatment-related adverse events. Areas covered: Evidence report that exercise, nutrition, smoking cessation and psychological well-being bring many benefits in patients with lung cancer, from both a physical and socio-psychological points of view, and potentially improving their survival. Nevertheless, supportive care is rarely offered to patients, and even less frequently these needs are discussed within the multidisciplinary meeting. Expert opinion: Integrating supportive care as part of the standard multidisciplinary approach for lung cancer involves a series of challenges, the first one represented by the daily necessity of specialists, such as kinesiologists, dietitians, psycho-oncologists, able to deliver a personalized approach. In the era of precision medicine this is an essential step forward to guarantee comprehensive and patient-centered care for all patients with lung cancer

Anticipating EGFR Targeting in Early Stages of Lung Cancer: Leave No Stone Unturned

Background: The current treatment landscape of early stage lung cancer is rapidly evolving, particularly in EGFR mutant non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), where target therapy is moving to early stages. In the current review, we collected the available data exploring the impact of EGFR targeting in both neoadjuvant and adjuvant settings, underlying lights and shadows and discussing the existing open issues. Methods: We performed a comprehensive search using PubMed and the proceedings of major international meetings to identify neoadjuvant/adjuvant trials with EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) in NSCLC. Results: Limited data are available so far about the activity/efficacy of neoadjuvant TKIs in EGFR mutant NSCLC, with only modest downstaging and pathological complete response rates reported. Differently, the ADAURA trial already proposed osimertinib as a potential new standard of care in resected NSCLC harboring an activating EGFR mutation. Conclusion: Anticipating targeted therapy to early stage EGFR mutant NSCLC presents great opportunities but also meaningful challenges in the current therapeutic/diagnostic pathway of lung cancer care. Appropriate endpoint(s) selection for clinical trials, disease progression management, patients' and treatment selection, as well as need to address the feasibility of molecular profiling anticipation, represent crucial issues to face before innovation can move to early stages

Pasta Structure Affects Mastication, Bolus Properties, and Postprandial Glucose and Insulin Metabolism in Healthy Adults

Background: Structure and protein-starch interactions in pasta products may be responsible for lower postprandial glycemic responses compared with other cereal foods. Objective: We tested the effect on postprandial glucose metabolism induced by two pasta products, couscous and bread, through their structural changes during mastication and simulated gastric digestion. Methods: Two randomized controlled trials (n = 30/trial) in healthy normal weight adults (23.9 and 23.0 kg/m2) evaluated postprandial glucose metabolism modulation to 50g of available carbohydrate portions of durum wheat semolina spaghetti, penne, couscous, and bread. A mastication trial involving 26 normal weight adults was conducted to investigate mastication processes and changes in particle size distribution and microstructure (light microscopy) of boluses after mastication and in vitro gastric digestion. Results: Both pasta products resulted in lower areas under the 2h-curve for blood glucose (-40% for spaghetti and -22% for penne vs couscous; -41% for spaghetti and -30% for penne vs bread), compared with the other grain products (P < 0.05). Pasta products required more chews (spaghetti: 34 \ub1 18; penne: 38 \ub1 20; bread: 27 \ub1 13; couscous: 24 \ub1 17) and longer oral processing (spaghetti: 21 \ub1 13 s; penne: 23 \ub1 14 s; bread: 18 \ub1 9 s; couscous: 14 \ub1 10 s) than bread or couscous (P < 0.01). Pastas contained more large particles (46-67% of total particle area) compared to bread (0-30%) and couscous (1%) after mastication and in vitro gastric digestion. After in vitro gastric digestion, pasta samples still contained large areas of non-hydrolyzed starch embedded within the protein network, protein in bread and couscous was almost entirely digested, and starch was hydrolyzed. Conclusions: Preservation of the pasta structure during mastication and gastric digestion explains slower starch hydrolysis and, consequently, lower postprandial glycemia compared to bread or couscous prepared from the same durum wheat semolina flour in healthy adults. Postprandial in vivo trials were registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT03098017 & NCT03104686.Clinical Trial Registry: NCT03098017 & NCT03104686 www.clinicaltrials.gov