The role of DPP4 activity in cardiovascular districts: in vivo and in vitro evidence.

The introduction of incretin hormone-based therapies represents a novel therapeutic strategy, since these drugs not only improve glycemia with minimal risk of hypoglycemia, but also have other extraglycemic beneficial effects. These agents, which are effective in improving glucose control, could also have positive effects on the incidence of cardiovascular events. The aim of this review is to summarize the present literature about the role of dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4) in cardiovascular districts, not only strictly correlated to its effect on glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) circulating levels, but also to what is known about possible cardiovascular actions. Actually, DPP4 is known to be present in many cells and tissues and its effects go beyond purely metabolic aspects. Almost always the inhibition of DPP4 activity is associated with improved cardiovascular profile, but it has shown to possess antithrombotic properties and these different effects could be connected with a site and/or species specificity of DPP4. Certainly, DPP4 seems to exert many functions, both directly and indirectly, on cardiovascular districts, opening new possibilities of prevention and treatment of complications at this level, not only in patients affected by diabetes mellitus

Development of a post-lethality treatment to reduce the risk of <i>Listeria monocytogenes</i> contamination in Ricotta salata cheese

Listeria monocytogenes contamination in Ricotta salata cheese rind is a common finding. In the last year numerous cases of food alert and even of human listeriosis associated with the consume of Ricotta salata have been reported in different Member States of the European Union and other countries. The presence of L. monocytogenes in the cheese making plant environment represent an important risk factor in the contamination of ricotta salata (i.e. post-proces contamination). L. monocytogenes is mainly localized on the rind of the product. The reduction of the risk associated with environmental contamination can be obtained through the application of post-lethality treatment. The feasibility to inactivate L. monocytogenes using water bath heat-treatment under experimental conditions has already been demonstrated by Spanu et al., (2013). The aim of this work was to optimize a water bath heat treatment, which can be used at industrial level, allowing the control of L. monocytogenes post-process contamination in Ricotta salata wheels and wedges. For each type of product was tested the efficacy of 9 time-temperature combinations on samples artificially inoculated with L. monocytogenes. On the test units were conducted microbiological, physic-chemical and sensorial analysis. The best time-temperature combination would selected taking into account the inactivation level of L. monocytogenes (the target was set at 5-log reduction), the economic sustainability of the treatment and the influence on sensory properties of the product

From Theory to Clinical Practice in the Use of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists and DPP-4 Inhibitors Therapy

Promoting long-term adherence to lifestyle modification and choice of antidiabetic agent with low hypoglycemia risk profile and positive weight profile could be the most effective strategy in achieving sustained glycemic control and in reducing comorbidities. From this perspective, vast interest has been generated by glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP-4i). In this review our ten-year clinical and laboratory experience by in vitro and in vivo studies is reported. Herein, we reviewed available data on the efficacy and safety profile of GLP-1 receptor agonists and DPP-4i. The introduction of incretin hormone-based therapies represents a novel therapeutic strategy, because these drugs not only improve glycemia with minimal risk of hypoglycemia but also have other extraglycemic beneficial effects. In clinical studies, both GLP-1 receptor agonists and DPP-4i, improve β cell function indexes. All these agents showed trophic effects on beta-cell mass in animal studies. The use of these drugs is associated with positive or neucral effect on body weight and improvements in blood pressure, diabetic dyslipidemia, hepatic steazosis markets, and myocardial function. These effects have the potential to reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease, which is a major cause of mortality in patients with diabetes

Assessment of psychological predictors of weight loss: How and what for?

Obesity is a multifactorial disease and the prominent factors playing a role in its pathogenesis are biological, environmental and psychological. There is a growing interest in understanding psychological functioning of obese subjects and the influence of psychological factors on treatment outcome. The aim of the present narrative review is to critically analyze the current literature, in order to point out the most common psychological constructs studied in obesity and to give an overview of the main existing tools investigating psychological features which have been considered significant for the prediction of success in weight loss and maintenance programs in obese patients. In this framework, the most common psychological constructs studied are: self-motivation, self-efficacy, locus of control, health related quality of life, self-esteem, self-control, concerns about body image, outcome expectations, and personality traits. These features have been explored through a wide variety of psychometric instruments. However, as an overall, studies evaluating the association between psychological features and treatment outcome failed to give consistent results. A possible explanation may consist on the fact that many tools widely used to explore psychological features were not specifically designed for obese patients and none of them was comprehensive of all possible psychological features involved. The identification of well-defined sub-groups of patients and the validation of more reliable and comprehensive tools, specifically designed for obese subjects, should be forecasted in order to reach a better knowledge of psychological functioning of obese individuals and to improve the outcome of weight loss programs

La représentation politique des minorités linguistiques

Le Südtiroler Volkspartei en Haut Adige, l’Union Valdôtaine en Vallée d’Aoste et le Partito Sardo d’Azione en Sardaigne sont les principaux exemples de partis ethnorégionalistes historiques en Italie. Ces acteurs ont joué un rôle politique principalement au niveau régional, bien qu’ils aient tous obtenu à maintes reprises une représentation au sein du parlement national. Dans le cadre de cette représentation politique à multiples niveaux, cette étude vise à analyser les spécificités des systèmes de représentations disponibles pour chacune de ces trois principales communautés linguistiques minoritaires en Italie: celle parlant la langue sarde en Sardaigne, celle germanophone dans la région italienne du Trentin-Haut Adige et la communauté francophone au Vallée d’Aoste. Le rôle de la langue en tant que vecteur identitaire qui permet de renforcer la cohésion des groupes minoritaires qui se mobilisent est examiné ici. L’étude vise aussi à analyser dans quelle mesure la langue est un objectif politique qui guide l’action des trois groupes en question et des partis qui les représentent.The Südtiroler Volkspartei in South Tyrol, the Union Valdôtaine in the Aosta Valley and the Partito Sardo d’Azione in Sardinia are the main examples of historical ethno-regionalist parties in Italy. These political actors have played a central role mainly within regional party and political systems, but they all have also obtained representation in the national parliament several times. Within the framework of the multi-level institutional setting of the Italian State, this study aims at investigating the patterns of political representation of the three mentioned linguistic minorities: the Sardinian-speaking linguistic minority within the Sardinia region, the German-speaking one in South Tyrol and the French-speaking one in the Aosta Valley. The role of language as an identity catalyst, which can enhance the internal cohesion of the mobilized minority groups, is examined here. This study aims also at assessing to what extent the language represents a political goal of the three mobilized groups and of the parties that claim to represent them

Microbiological challenge testing for Listeria monocytogenes in ready-to-eat food: a practical approach

Food business operators (FBOs) are the primary responsible for the safety of food they place on the market. The definition and validation of the product’s shelf-life is an essential part for ensuring microbiological safety of food and health of consumers. In the frame of the Regulation (EC) No 2073/2005 on microbiological criteria for foodstuffs, FBOs shall conduct shelf-life studies in order to assure that their food does not exceed the food safety criteria throughout the defined shelf-life. In particular this is required for ready-to-eat (RTE) food that supports the growth of Listeria monocytogenes. Among other studies, FBOs can rely on the conclusion drawn by microbiological challenge tests. A microbiological challenge test consists in the artificial contamination of a food with a pathogen microorganism and aims at simulating its behaviour during processing and distribution under the foreseen storage and handling conditions. A number of documents published by international health authorities and research institutions describes how to conduct challenge studies. The authors reviewed the existing literature and described the methodology for implementing such laboratory studies. All the main aspects for the conduction of L. monocytogenes microbiological challenge tests were considered, from the selection of the strains, preparation and choice of the inoculum level and method of contamination, to the experimental design and data interpretation. The objective of the present document is to provide an exhaustive and practical guideline for laboratories that want to implement L. monocytogenes challenge testing on RTE food

Caratteristiche merceologiche e conservabilità di alcune cultivar di melo del germoplasma locale

Although in Sardina apple is not cultivated at an industrial scale, a rilevant number of local cultivar with excellent characteristics are present. At the experimental station of Oristano are held in collection some 30 accessions from the local germplasm. In this trial the authors studied the main commercial aspects of some cultivars and their attitude to cold storage. Amoung the early ripening cultivars, which in general showed to be not very suitable for storage, must be cited for the flavour and the aspect of the fruits "Appio di Sassari", "Mela Rosa", "Miali", "De Ferru" and "Mela di Bonarcado" apples, whilst very suitable for long term storage were "Bianca di Aritzo", "Appio Rosseggiante" and "Laconi B" apples. "Appio di Sassari" and "Miali" are well known and appreciated all over Sardinia, especially in Sassari province, while the others are known only at local scale. Furthers studies related to bio-agronomic traits, in order to promote a large scale diffusion of the best cultivars of the local germplasm, or at least, a first introduction in specialised orchard for the less known ones. Sebbene in Sardegna la coltivazione del melo non sia molto diffusa, sono presenti nell'Isola un numero considerevole di vecchie varietà locali con caratteristiche qualitative di pregio. Parte di esse e mantenuta in collezione presso l'azienda sperimentale dell'Istituto, sita ad Oristano. Nella presente nota vengono riportati gli attributi qualitativi di maggior interesse commerciale e la risposta alla frigoconservazione di alcune di esse. In particolare, tra le cultivar precoci meritano una citazione per la bontà dei frutti e per le peculiari caratteristiche organolettiche la mela "Appio di Sassari", la "Mela "Rosa", la "Miali", la "De Ferru" e la "Mela di Bonarcado", mentre, tra le tardive sono interessanti per la buona serbevolezza la "Bianca di Aritzo", la "Appio Rosseggiante", e la "Laconi B". Alcunee varietà, come la "Miali" e la "Appio di Sassari", sono da tempo apprezzate a livello locale e godono di una certa fama tra i consumatori, altre, invece, sono conosciute solo in areali molto ristretti. Ulteriori osservazioni sul comportamento bio-agronomiche saranno utili per i vivaisti e gli agricoltori nell'ottica di una lora diffusione oltre i confini locali (Miali ed Appio di Sassari) o di una loro prima introduzione in coltura specializzata

Pulmonary Hypertension in Dialysis Patients: A Cross-Sectional Italian Study

Introduction. Pulmonary hypertension (PHT) is an independent predictor of mortality. The aim of this study was to relate pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP) to the cardiovascular status of dialysis patients. Methods. 27 peritoneal dialysis (PD) and 29 haemodialysis (HD) patients (60 ± 13 years, 37 males, dialysis vintage was 40 ± 48 months) had PAP measured by echocardiography. Clinical and laboratory data of the patients were recorded. Results. PHT (PAP > 35 mmHg) was detected in 22 patients (39%; PAP 42 ± 6 mmHg) and was diagnosed in 18.5% of PD patients and 58.6% of HD patients (P = .0021). The group of subjects with PH had higher dialysis vintage (63 ± 60 versus 27 ± 32 months, P = .016), interdialytic weight gain (2.1 ± 1 versus 1.3 ± 0.9 Kg, P = .016), lower diastolic blood pressure (73 ± 12 versus 80 ± 8 mmHg, P = .01) and ejection fraction (54 ± 13 versus 60 ± 7%, P = .021) than the patients with normal PAP. PAP was correlated positively with diastolic left ventricular volume (r = 0.32, P = .013) and negatively with ejection fraction (r = −0.54, P < .0001). PHT was independently associated with dialysis vintage (OR 1.022, 95% CI 1.002–1.041, P = .029) and diastolic blood pressure (OR 0.861, 95% CI 0.766–0.967, P = .011). Conclusions. PHT is frequent in dialysis patients, it appears to be a late complication of HD treatment, mainly related to cardiac performance and cardiovascular disease history