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Buffalo milk contributes to 13% of the world milk production and is abundantly produced in Southern Italy regions. Buffalo milk is appreciated for its nutritive properties and is highly suitable for the manufacturing of wide range of dairy products. Several studies showed many bioactive peptides in different dairy species such as bovine, ovine and caprine milk, but few studies have been conducted on the buffalo dairy products (1). The present work is focused on the identification of bioactive peptides released after in vitro simulated gastrointestinal digestion of protein fraction isolated from buffalo-milk dairy products by ultra- and nanofiltration pilot plant. The gastrointestinal digests of protein fractions were monitored by RP-UHPLC-DAD, while, the peptide identification was carried out by UHPLC-Orbitrap-based tandem mass spectrometry. 165 peptides were identified in Yoghurt, 152 in Scamorza, 146 in Mozzarella, 136 in Grana and Ricotta and 120 in Ice Cream samples (1). The peptides belong to both buffalo caseins (αs1-, β-, k-CN) and whey proteins (α-LA, β-LG). Six G.I. digests of dairy products were tested in a model of oxidative stress using IEC-6 cells. Among them, buffalo ricotta cheese was the most active. UHPLC-PDA-MS/MS analysis revealed the presence of two abundant β-lactoglobulin peptides (BRP: YVEELKPTPEGDL, f:60-72 and BRP2: SFNPTQL, f:168-174). To confirm the hypothesized chemical structures and study their specific biological activity, the peptides were synthesized by conventional solid-phase peptide synthesis methods. The antioxidant potential of the identified peptides was then evaluated in a model of hydrogen peroxide induced oxidative stress in IEC-6 cell line. The peptides reduce ROS release and increase nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 activation and the expression of antioxidant cytoprotective factors such as heme oxygenase 1, NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase 1 and superoxide dismutase (2). The bioavailability of β-lactoglobulin peptides was evaluated in intestinal transport studies through Caco-2 cell monolayer. Only BRP2 showed equal bi-directional transport and linear permeability, suggesting that it was mainly absorbed through passive diffusion. In addition to its local effects, administration of BPR2 on mice mesenteric arteries counteracts the Angiotensin II-induced vasoconstriction by Nrf2 nuclear translocation, reduction of active form of Ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1 (Rac1) and NADPH oxidase activity. The analysis at molecular level of treated vessels showed an induction of Nrf2 translocation to nucleus associated with increased expression of MnSOD and Rac1 deactivation. The data indicate how protein fraction of buffalo ricotta cheese could be an important source of antioxidant compounds, as well as YVEELKPTPEGDL and SFNPTQL peptides could be considered as an “ingredient” for nutraceuticals formulations and functional and personalized foods, in order to prevent the onset of some gastrointestinal pathologies and cardiovascular diseases

New insights in pediatrics in 2021: choices in allergy and immunology, critical care, endocrinology, gastroenterology, genetics, haematology, infectious diseases, neonatology, neurology, nutrition, palliative care, respiratory tract illnesses and telemedicine

In this review, we report the developments across pediatric subspecialties that have been published in the Italian Journal of Pediatrics in 2021. We highlight advances in allergy and immunology, critical care, endocrinology, gastroenterology, genetics, hematology, infectious diseases, neonatology, neurology, nutrition, palliative care, respiratory tract illnesses and telemedicine

Impact of SARS-CoV-2 on dentistry: a review of literature.

OBJECTIVE: SARS-CoV-2 is a new Coronavirus identified as the cause of Corona- virus disease in 2019 (COVID-19). The epidemic spread in China and beyond its borders, involv- ing 114 countries with more than 5 million dead. On March 11, the WHO declared the spread of SARS-CoV-2 to be a pandemic and encouraged nations to adopt harsh restrictive measures. Therefore, patients more and more often turn to dental offices only for emergencies. Healthcare professionals, including dentists, are at high in- fectious risk. In fact, the closeness to the oral cavity and nasopharynx and the use of drills or ultrasonic devices that cause aerosol release, make dental professions at high risk of bacterial and viral infections. The way patients are treat- ed has changed. In fact, it should be mandato- ry to carry out a pre-treatment telephone triage and the use of mouthwashes to reduce bacterial load. In the current pandemic, it is necessary to adopt specific safety protocols that can protect dental operators as well as limit the spread of the virus. The purpose of this review is to pres- ent an overview on ways to reduce the risk of SARS-CoV-2 contagion in dentistry by focusing on the immediate situation as well as by look- ing towards the future. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To reach the review purpose, we selected a series of studies using keywords “COVID-19” OR “SARS-CoV-2” in association with “dentistry” AND “safety proto- cols” AND “healthcare procedures” AND “individ- ual protection dispositive” AND “air transmission” AND “droplet”. We selected papers exclusively in English language, up to 1st January 2022. RESULTS: During future phases of the pan- demic, everywhere in the World, it is necessary to impose all dentistry team both a serological screening and the vaccination, as already estab- lished for all health staff in Italy. CONCLUSIONS: For own safety, it is an import- ant for the whole dentistry category constantly update the devices and the protocols adopted, as well as monitoring the real infectious threats, which may occur

The Utility of Capsicum annuum L. in Internal Medicine and In Dentistry: A Comprehensive Review

Capsaicin is a chili peppers extract, genus Capsicum, commonly used as a food spice. Since ancient times, Capsaicin has been used as a "homeopathic remedy" for treating a wild range of pathological conditions but without any scientific knowledge about its action. Several studies have demonstrated its potentiality in cardiovascular, nephrological, nutritional, and other medical fields. Capsaicin exerts its actions thanks to the bond with transient receptor potential vanilloid subtype 1 (TRPV1). TRPV1 is a nociceptive receptor, and its activation starts with a neurosensitive impulse, responsible for a burning pain sensation. However, constant local application of Capsaicin desensitized neuronal cells and leads to relief from neuropathic pain. In this review, we analyze the potential adjuvant role of Capsaicin in the treatment of different pathological conditions either in internal medicine or dentistry. Moreover, we present our experience in five patients affected by oro-facial pain consequent to post-traumatic trigeminal neuropathy, not responsive to any remedy, and successfully treated with topical application of Capsaicin. The topical application of Capsaicin is safe, effective, and quite tolerated by patients. For these reasons, in addition to the already-proven beneficial actions in the internal field, it represents a promising method for the treatment of neuropathic oral diseases

Nobiletin and xanthohumol sensitize colorectal cancer stem cells to standard chemotherapy

Colorectal cancer (CRC) mortality is mainly caused by patient refractoriness to common anti-cancer therapies and consequent metastasis formation. Besides, the notorious toxic side effects of chemotherapy are a concurrent obstacle to be tackled. Thus, new treatment approaches are needed to effectively improve patient outcomes. Compelling evidence demonstrated that cancer stem cells (CSCs) are responsible for treatment failure and relapse. New natural treatment approaches showed capabilities to selectively target the CSC subpopulation by rendering them targetable by standard cytotoxic compounds. Herein we show the anti-cancer properties of the polymethoxyflavones and prenylflavonoids extracted from Citrus sinensis and Humulus lupulus, respectively. The natural biofunctional fractions, singularly and in combination, reduced the cell viability of CRC stem cells (CR-CSCs) and synergized with 5-fluorouracil and oxaliplatin (FOX) chemotherapy. These phenomena were accompanied by a reduced S and G2/M phase of the cell cycle and upregulation of cell death-related genes. Notably, both phytoextracts in combination with FOX thwarted stemness features in CR-CSCs as demonstrated by the impaired clonogenic potential and decreased Wnt pathway activation. Extracts lowered the expression of CD44v6 and affected the expansion of metastatic CR-CSCs in patients refractory to chemotherapy. Together, this study highlights the importance of polymethoxyflavones and prenylflavonoids as natural remedies to aid oncological therapies

Measurement of ϒ production in pp collisions at √s = 2.76 TeV

The production of ϒ(1S), ϒ(2S) and ϒ(3S) mesons decaying into the dimuon final state is studied with the LHCb detector using a data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 3.3 pb−1 collected in proton–proton collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of √s = 2.76 TeV. The differential production cross-sections times dimuon branching fractions are measured as functions of the ϒ transverse momentum and rapidity, over the ranges pT < 15 GeV/c and 2.0 < y < 4.5. The total cross-sections in this kinematic region, assuming unpolarised production, are measured to be σ (pp → ϒ(1S)X) × B ϒ(1S)→μ+μ− = 1.111 ± 0.043 ± 0.044 nb, σ (pp → ϒ(2S)X) × B ϒ(2S)→μ+μ− = 0.264 ± 0.023 ± 0.011 nb, σ (pp → ϒ(3S)X) × B ϒ(3S)→μ+μ− = 0.159 ± 0.020 ± 0.007 nb, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second systematic

The GAPS Programme at TNG XXXVI. Measurement of the Rossiter-McLaughlin effect and revising the physical and orbital parameters of the HAT-P-15, HAT-P-17, HAT-P-21, HAT-P-26, HAT-P-29 eccentric planetary systems

Context. The measurement of the spin-orbit alignment of hot Jupiters, including a range of orbital and physical properties, can provide information about the evolution of the orbits of this special class of giant planets.Aims. We aim to refine the orbital and physical parameters and determine the sky-projected planet orbital obliquity ? of five eccentric (e ? 0.1–0.3) transiting planetary systems: HAT-P-15, HAT-P-17, HAT-P-21, HAT-P-26, and HAT-P-29, whose parent stars have an effective temperature between 5100 K < Teff < 6200 K. Each of the systems hosts a hot Jupiter, except for HAT-P-26, which hosts a Neptune-mass planet.Methods. We observed transit events of these planets with the HARPS-N spectrograph, obtaining high-precision radial velocity measurements that allow us to measure the Rossiter–McLaughlin effect for each of the target systems. We used these new HARPS-N spectra and archival data, including those from Gaia, to better characterise the stellar atmospheric parameters. The photometric parameters for four of the hot Jupiters were recalculated using 17 new transit light curves, obtained with an array of medium-class telescopes, and data from the TESS space telescope. HATNet time-series photometric data were checked for the signatures of rotation periods of the target stars and their spin axis inclination.Results. From the analysis of the Rossiter-McLaughlin effect, we derived a sky-projected obliquity of ? = 13° ± 6°, ? = -26.3° ± 6.7°, ? = -0.7° ± 12.5°, ? = -26° ± 16°, for HAT-P-15 b, HAT-P-17 b, HAT-P-21 b, and HAT-P-29 b, respectively. Based on theoretical considerations, these small values of ? should be of primordial origin, with the possible exception of HAT-P-21. Due to the quality of the data, we were not able to fully constrain ? for HAT-P-26 b, although a prograde orbit is favoured (? = 18° ± 49°). The stellar activity of HAT-P-21 indicates a rotation period of 15.88 ± 0.02 days, which allowed us to determine its true misalignment angle ? = 25° ± 16°. Our new analysis of the physical parameters of the five exoplanetary systems returned values compatible with those existing in the literature. Using TESS and the available transit light curves, we reviewed the orbital ephemeris for the five systems and confirmed that the HAT-P-26 system shows transit timing variations, which may tentatively be attributed to the presence of a third body