Living with phenylketonuria in adulthood: the PKU ATTITUDE study

Dietary treatment is the cornerstone of therapy for phenylketonuria (PKU), but adherence to low- phenylalanine diet progressively decreases after adolescence. We designed a survey to characterize the dietary habits of Italian adult PKU patients and to identify psychological factors influencing disease perception and adherence to diet. Participants to the survey (n = 111; response rate 94%) were asked to complete a structured questionnaire. Patients appeared to have an altered perception and awareness of the disease. About 40% of them did not consider PKU a disease and, despite declaring regular monitoring of phenylalanine levels (85%), nearly half of them reported a high plasma value over the last 6 months (>600 μmol/L, 48%) or were unable to specify it (31%). Adherence to PKU diet was unsatisfactory, with increased consumption of natural protein sources and reduced daily use of amino-acid supplements (<4–5 times/day in 82% patients). In addition to the intrinsic characteristics of AA formula (palatability, ease of use), the most important factor influencing their consumption was the increased social pressure associated with their use (55%). Plasma phenylalanine periodical measurements (61%) and examinations at metabolic centers (49%) were considered relevant for compliance to diet. In Italian adult PKU patients dietary management was found to be inadequate, likely due to inappropriate perception and knowledge of the disease, and lack of awareness of the negative impact of poor metabolic control in adult life. Clinicians should consider implementing more intense and tailored educational measures, as well as structured transitional care processes

Quality of life aspects of a low protein diet using GMP in patients with phenylketonuria

Objective: To assess some quality of life (QOL) aspects of a low protein diet, using glycomacropeptide (GMP) as a protein substitute in patients with phenylketonuria (PKU). Methods: This was a multicentre, prospective observational cohort, study. Metabolic control, nutritional parameters, and dietary adherence were assessed in patients with PKU before (T0), and six months after (T6) starting a low protein diet using GMP. Selected items from the PKUQOL questionnaire were used to assess patients’ acceptance of their modified diet. Results: 18 patients from three Italian Centres, completed the study. With the exception of LDL-cholesterol and vitamin 25OH-D concentrations, there were no differences between T0 and T6 in metabolic or nutritional parameters. Data suggested that patients have a good acceptance of protein substitutes containing GMP, probably because of their improved palatability. Conclusions: According to our patients’ responses to items related to dietary regimen, GMP based protein substitutes do not appear to significantly affect QOL

The newly discovered Odyssea Drift (Ross Sea): preliminary results

The Hillary Canyon is one of the main conduits for dense shelf water forming in the Ross Sea, over-flowing the shelf edge and transforming into the Antarctic Bottom Water (AABW). The main changes in past ocean circulation are recorded in the adjacent sediment drift. A wealth of data was acquired on the drift west of the Hillary Canyon during the 2017 OGS Explora expedition, which included the PNRA ODYSSEA and EUROFLEETS ANTSSS projects. The multi-disciplinary dataset acquired includes: single channel seismics, sub-bottom profiling, multibeam bathymetry, gravity and box cores, XBT launching, water sampling, CTD, L-ADCP, ADCP-VM, turbidity and florescence profiling. The sediment drift, which we named Odyssea Drift, is elongated in the NNE direction with dimensions of several tens of km. Prominent landslide scars and a giant landslide deposit, over 70 ms thick and spanning 200 km2, are visible on the drift. The sediment cores evidence well-developed cross beddings suggesting the effect of vigorous bottom currents. The oceanographic data show a ⇠200 m thick layer, near the bottom, with AABW characteristics (potential temperature &lt; 0 C). The deeper layer displays also a strong velocity, mainly flowing along the isobaths. The energetic mixing between the along slope currents, mainly CDW, and the RSBW coming from the basin interior increase the turbidity of the bottom boundary layer. Our results will be merged with those obtained from the 2018 IODP drilling expedition 374 to develop a conceptual model of sediment deposition relating to marine-based ice sheet and oceanic processes along the Ross Sea continental margin occurring through the Neogene and Quaternary

Food, flavouring and feed plant traditions in the Tyrrhenian sector of Basilicata, Italy

BACKGROUND: Research was carried out in the years 2002–2003 into food, flavouring and feed folk traditions of plants in the Tyrrhenian part of the Basilicata region (southern Italy). This area was colonized in ancient times by Greeks. Data was collected through field interviews, especially of farmers. METHODS: Field data were collected through structured interviews. The informants, numbered 49, belonged to families which had strong links with the traditional activities of the area. RESULTS: 61 taxa are cited, belonging to 26 botanical families, amongst which 44 used as food or flavouring and 22 for animal alimentation. Besides 7 taxa are involved in rituals especially connected with agriculture and plant growth. CONCLUSION: The preservation of some rituals especially concerning agricultural plants is noteworthy in the area, together with a certain degree of continuity in food uses. Knowledge and rediscovery of recipes in human and animal diet could represent an economic potential for the area

Investigation on Palette and Techniques of Some High Middle-age Codices by Raman Microscopy

to be published in E-PRESERVATION SCIENCE, http//www.E-PRESERVATIONSCIENCE.OR

An investigation on the palette and techniques of some high medieval codices by Raman microscopy

a non-desctructive investigation of inks and pigments used in late antiquity and in medievasl codices. Inks from Pompeii and codices have been compared. A change in the use of pigments is observable between the 9th and the 12th centuries in the production of the scriptorium of Nonantola

I Taccuini dei Piranesi alla Biblioteca Estense Universitaria di Modena: studio no distruttivo dei materiali e delle tecniche e ipotesi per la conservazione

Sono state analizzate molte carte dei due codici dei Piranesi conservati alla Estense Universitaria di Modena. Si sono identififati i materiali grafici e si suggeriscono ipotesi per la conservazione delle rubriche

Sessione S 15. Polar region on a changing planet: learning from the past, exploring the future

Sessione S 15. Polar region on a changing planet: learning from the past, exploring the future The polar areas are complex, interlinked systems whose environmental changes driven by climate variations have a fundamental impact on the rest of the planet. Ice melting associated to increasing atmospheric and ocean surface temperatures, is responsible for progressive sea level rise threatening coastal urbanization and infrastructures, and alteration of the atmosphere-ocean coupling system responsible for precipitation patterns around the world. The information about past climate changes are especially guarded in the glacial and geological records of the polar areas, very sensitive also to small temperature changes which can lead to large environmental feedback. This session welcomes contributions reporting the state-of-the-art in polar sciences, including geology, oceanography, glacial geology and geomorphology, glaciology and related modelling exploring the future climatic trend of polar region