Effect of slaughter age on meat qualitative traits of veals calves

Scopo del presente lavoro è stato quello di verificare alcune caratteristiche organolettiche e chimico bromatologhe della carne di 15 vitelli di razza Frisona. I vitelli sono stati macellati a 140, 160 e 190 giorni. I parametri analizzati non sono stati significativamente influenzati dall'età di macellazione se non per una riduzione del tenore proteico della sostanza secca a 160 giorni. Pertanto la scelta dell'età di macellazione, per il periodo studiato, può essere fatta sulla base di criteri di natura economica piuttosto che riferita ad aspetti qualitativi della carn

Effect of Outdoor Rearing System, in Floor Cage, on Meat Quality of Slow Growing Rabbits

The present work investigated the effect of two housing systems (Indoor vs. Outdoor) on the qualitative characteristics of meat deriving from “Grigia Rustica” rabbits, a slow growing local population. Forty eight growing females were divided into two groups: Indoor group, housed in indoor colony cages (cm 65x40x32 h, 4 animals per cage), and Outdoor group, in wire net floor colony cages (cm 100x150x76 h, 8 animals per cage), in outdoor pen in a wooded area. The animals received ad libitum a commercial pelleted diet plus alfa-alfa hay and were slaughtered at 103±2 days (19 animals/group). About one hour after slaughter, carcasses were put in a ventilated cold room (+4°C) and chilled for 24 hours and the loin region and the right hind leg were excised from each carcass. The following variables were measured: pHu, L* a* b* colour, water holding capacity (filter paper press method, M/T ratio) of Longissimus lumborum and Biceps femoris muscles; drip loss and cooking loss of L. lumborum muscle; chemical composition and fatty acids (FA) profile of hind leg meat. The muscles pHu values were similar within groups. The L. lumborum and B. femoris muscles of Outdoor rabbits had lower lightness (55.59 vs. 59.15 and 53.02 vs. 55.50 respectively, P<0.01) and slightly higher a* value than those derived from rabbits reared in Indoor cages, probably due to increased movement. The M/T ratio of L. lumborum and B. femoris and drip loss of L. lumborum were similar among groups; cooking loss was significantly lower in Outdoor group (15.9% vs. 18.1%). The housing system significantly affected the dry matter (25.5% vs. 24.9%), protein (22.9% vs. 22.6%) and fat contents (1.4% vs. 1.2%) that were higher in Outdoor group. The hind leg meat of the Outdoor rabbits was significantly lower in saturated fatty acids and higher in monounsaturated fatty acids while no differences was observed in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) contents. The meat showed similar n-6/n-3 ratio between experimental groups and slightly higher than the recommended value in human. In conclusion, meat from outdoor rabbits appeared less pale, showed a significant higher fat content that was probably positively related to lower cooking loss, and a positive lower content of SFA and a higher content of MUFA. Outdoor rearing seems to be a possible alternative housing system that satisfies the ethical concern of modern consumer, even furnishing good meat quality

Drop-out rate from the liver transplant waiting list due to HCC progression in HCV-infected patients treated with direct acting antivirals.

BACKGROUND & AIM: concerns about an increased hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) recurrence rate following directly acting antiviral (DAA) therapy in cirrhotic patients with a prior complete oncological response have been raised. Data regarding the impact of HCV-treatment with DAAs on waiting list drop-out rates in patients with active HCC and HCV-related cirrhosis awaiting liver transplantation (LT) are lacking. MATERIALS AND METHODS: HCV-HCC patients listed for LT between January 2015 and May 2016 at Padua Liver Transplant Centre were considered eligible for the study. After enrollment patients were divided into 2 groups, depending on whether they underwent DAAs treatment while awaiting LT or not. For each patient clinical, serological and virological data were collected. HCC characteristics were radiologically evaluated at baseline and during follow-up (FU). For transplanted patients, pathological assessment of the explants was performed and recurrence-rates were calculated. RESULTS: twenty-three patients treated with DAAs and 23 controls were enrolled. HCC characteristics at time of LT-listing were comparable between the 2 groups. Median FU was 10 and 7 months, respectively, during which 2/23 (8.7%) and 1/23 (4.3%) drop-out events due to HCC-progression were registered (p = 0.9). No significant differences in terms of radiological progression were highlighted (p = 0.16). Nine out of 23 cases (39%) and 14/23 (61%) controls underwent LT, and histopathological analysis showed no differences in terms of median number and total tumor volume of HCC nodules, tumor differentiation or microvascular invasion. During post-LT FU, 1/8 DAAs treated patient (12,5%) and 1/12 control (8,3%) experienced HCC recurrence (p = 0.6). CONCLUSIONS: Viral eradication does not seem to be associated with an increased risk of drop-out due to neoplastic progression in HCV-HCC patients awaiting LT

Machine learning aplicado a remote sensing: aplicaciones en gobernanza digital para el desarrollo sustentable

El presente trabajo muestra las problemáticas abordadas mediante tecnologías de Machine Learning aplicadas a Remote Sensing, las que pueden servir de soporte a la gobernanza digital para el desarrollo sustentable. Para ello se realiza una revisión bibliográfica de la utilización de estas dos tecnologías con el fin de mostrar cuáles son los avances alcanzados en el área, en qué se está trabajando y cuáles son las aplicaciones relacionadas con la gobernanza electrónica para el desarrollo sustentable.Trabajo presentado por el Instituto de Investigación y Transferencia en Tecnología (ITT

Embelin binds to human neuroserpin and impairs its polymerisation

Neuroserpin (NS) is a serpin inhibitor of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) in the brain. The polymerisation of NS pathologic mutants is responsible for a genetic dementia known as familial encephalopathy with neuroserpin inclusion bodies (FENIB). So far, a pharmacological treatment of FENIB, i.e. an inhibitor of NS polymerisation, remains an unmet challenge. Here, we present a biophysical characterisation of the effects caused by embelin (EMB a small natural compound) on NS conformers and NS polymerisation. EMB destabilises all known NS conformers, specifically binding to NS molecules with a 1:1 NS:EMB molar ratio without unfolding the NS fold. In particular, NS polymers disaggregate in the presence of EMB, and their formation is prevented. The NS/EMB complex does not inhibit tPA proteolytic activity. Both effects are pharmacologically relevant: firstly by inhibiting the NS polymerisation associated to FENIB, and secondly by potentially antagonizing metastatic processes facilitated by NS activity in the brain

Influenza della parziale introduzione di fonti proteiche alternative alla soia su alcuni parametri metabolici e immunologici in suini all'ingrasso

È stato effettuato uno studio sugli effetti della parziale sostituzione della soia nella dieta di suini pesanti nella fase di ingrasso su alcuni parametri metabolici e immunologici. La prova è stata condotta su 30 femmine omogenee per età e peso, divise in tre gruppi sperimentali: in un gruppo la fonte proteica era rappresentata dalla soia mentre negli altri due questa è stata par- zialmente sostituita con il 20% di pisello (Pisum sativum L.) e il 18% di favino (Vicia faba L. var. minor). Durante la prova, che ha avuto la durata di sei mesi, sono stati effettuati tre prelievi ematici: all’inizio (T0), in una fase intermedia (T1) e prima del- la macellazione (T2). I parametri analizzati sono stati: ALP, ALT, AST, bilirubina totale, colesterolo, glucosio, NEFA, proteine totali, trigliceridi, GGT, albumina, attività battericida del siero, complemento, lisozima. I risultati hanno evidenziato differenze significative imputabili alla dieta solo per i NEFA (p&lt;0,05), mentre più numerosi sono risultati i parametri influenzati dal periodo di campionamento: colesterolo, trigliceridi, battericidia (p&lt;0,05), ALP, glucosio, lisozima (p&lt;0,01). Alcuni dei parametri esaminati risultano fuori dal range di normalità indipendentemente dalla dieta e dal momento di campionamento. Dai risultati ottenuti si può osservare che le diete utilizzate non hanno comportato variazioni nel profilo metabolico e immunologico e dei suini nella fase di ingrasso

BRCA1 genetic testing in 106 breast and ovarian cancer families from southern Italy (Sicily): a mutation analyses.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the contribution of germline BRCA1 mutations in the incidence of hereditary and familial Breast Cancer (BC) and/or Ovarian Cancer (OC) in patients from Southern Italy (in the region of Sicily) and to identify a possible association between the higher frequency of BRCA1 mutations and a specific familial profile. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: A consecutive series of 650 patients with BC and/or OC diagnosed between 1999 and 2005 were recruited from the Southern Italian region of Sicily, after interview at the "Regional Reference Centre for the Characterization and Genetic Screening of Hereditary Tumors" at the University of Palermo. Genetic counselling allowed us to recruit a total of 106 unrelated families affected with breast and/or ovarian cancer screened for mutations occurring in the whole BRCA1 gene by automatic direct sequencing. RESULTS: Germline BRCA1 mutations were found in 17 of 106 (16%) Sicilian families. The HBOC profile had a major frequency (66%) of mutations (P < 0.01). A total of 28 sequence variants was identified. Seven of these were pathogenic, 5 unknown biological variant (UV) and 16 polymorphisms. We also identified a pathological mutation (4843delC) as a possible Sicilian founder mutation. CONCLUSIONS: The present study is the first BRCA1 disease-associated mutations analysis in Southern Italian families. The early age of onset of such tumors and the association with the HBOC familial profile could be two valid screening factors for the identification of BRCA1 mutation carriers. Finally, we identified a BRCA1 mutation with a possible founder effec

West Nile virus transmission. results from the integrated surveillance system in Italy, 2008 to 2015

IIn Italy a national Plan for the surveillance of imported and autochthonous human vector-borne diseases (chikungunya, dengue, Zika virus disease and West Nile virus (WNV) disease) that integrates human and veterinary (animals and vectors) surveillance, is issued and revised annually according with the observed epidemiological changes. Here we describe results of the WNV integrated veterinary and human surveillance systems in Italy from 2008 to 2015. A real time data exchange protocol is in place between the surveillance systems to rapidly identify occurrence of human and animal cases and to define and update the map of affected areas i.e. provinces during the vector activity period from June to October. WNV continues to cause severe illnesses in Italy during every transmission season, albeit cases are sporadic and the epidemiology varies by virus lineage and geographic area. The integration of surveillance activities and a multidisciplinary approach made it possible and have been fundamental in supporting implementation of and/or strengthening preventive measures aimed at reducing the risk of transmission of WNV trough blood, tissues and organ donation and to implementing further measures for vector control

Consensus-based recommendations for the management of juvenile localised scleroderma

In 2012, a European initiative called Single Hub and Access point for paediatric Rheumatology in Europe (SHARE) was launched to optimise and disseminate diagnostic and management regimens in Europe for children and young adults with rheumatic diseases. Juvenile localised scleroderma (JLS) is a rare disease within the group of paediatric rheumatic diseases (PRD) and can lead to significant morbidity. Evidence-based guidelines are sparse and management is mostly based on physicians' experience. This study aims to provide recommendations for assessment and treatment of JLS. Recommendations were developed by an evidence-informed consensus process using the European League Against Rheumatism standard operating procedures. A committee was formed, mainly from Europe, and consisted of 15 experienced paediatric rheumatologists and two young fellows. Recommendations derived from a validated systematic literature review were evaluated by an online survey and subsequently discussed at two consensus meetings using a nominal group technique. Recommendations were accepted if ≥80% agreement was reached. In total, 1 overarching principle, 10 recommendations on assessment and 6 recommendations on therapy were accepted with ≥80% agreement among experts. Topics covered include assessment of skin and extracutaneous involvement and suggested treatment pathways. The SHARE initiative aims to identify best practices for treatment of patients suffering from PRDs. Within this remit, recommendations for the assessment and treatment of JLS have been formulated by an evidence-informed consensus process to produce a standard of care for patients with JLS throughout Europe

Severe and Persistent Depletion of Circulating Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells in Patients with 2009 Pandemic H1N1 Infection

Background: Dysregulation of host immune responses plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of severe 2009 pandemic H1N1 infection. Whether H1N1 virus could escape innate immune defense in vivo remains to be investigated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the pattern of innate immune response during human 2009 H1N1 infection. We performed the enumeration of circulating myeloid dendritic cells (mDC) and plasmacytoid DC (pDC) in blood from patients with H1N1 pneumonia shortly after the onset of symptoms and during follow-up at different intervals of time. The analysis of CD4 and CD8 count, CD38 T-cell activation marker and serum cytokine/chemokine plasma levels was also done. Methodology/Principal Findings: Blood samples were collected from 13 hospitalized patients with confirmed H1N1-related pneumonia at time of admission and at weeks 1, 4, and 16 of follow-up. 13 healthy donors were enrolled as controls. In the acute phase of the disease, H1N1-infected patients exhibited a significant depletion in both circulating pDC and mDC in conjunction with a decrease of CD4 and CD8 T cell count. In addition, we found plasmatic hyperproduction of IP-10 and RANTES, whereas increase in T-cell immune activation was found at all time points. When we assessed the changes in DC count over time, we observed a progressive normalization of mDC number. On the contrary, H1N1-infected patients did not achieve a complete recovery of pDC count as values remained lower than healthy controls even after 16 weeks of follow-up. Conclusions: H1N1 disease is associated with a profound depletion of DC subsets. The persistence of pDC deficit for several weeks after disease recovery could be due to H1N1 virus itself or to a preexisting impairment of innate immunity