Technical note: Feasibility of near infrared transmittance spectroscopy to predict cheese ripeness

The aim of the study was to evaluate the feasibility of near infrared (NIR) transmittance spectroscopy to predict cheese ripeness using the ratio of water-soluble nitrogen (WSN) to total nitrogen (TN) as an index of cheese maturity (WSN/TN). Fifty-two Protected Designation of Origin cow milk cheeses of 5 varieties (Asiago, Grana Padano, Montasio, Parmigiano Reggiano, and Piave) and different ripening times were available for laboratory and chemometric analyses. Reference measures of WSN and TN were matched with cheese spectral information obtained from ground samples by a NIR instrument that operated in transmittance mode for wavelengths from 850 to 1,050 nm. Prediction equations for WSN and TN were developed using (1) cross-validation on the whole data set and (2) external validation on a subset of the entire data. The WSN/TN was calculated as ratio of predicted WSN to predicted TN in cross-validation. The coefficients of determination for WSN and TN were >0.85 both in cross- and external validation. The high accuracy of the prediction equations for WSN and TN could facilitate implementation of NIR transmittance spectroscopy in the dairy industry to objectively, rapidly, and accurately monitor the ripeness of cheese through WSN/TN

Characterization of major and trace minerals, fatty acid composition, and cholesterol content of Protected Designation of Origin cheeses

Cheese provides essential nutrients for human nutrition and health, such as minerals and fatty acids (FA). Its composition varies according to milk origin (e.g., species and breed), rearing conditions (e.g., feeding and management), and cheese-making technology (e.g., coagulation process, addition of salt, ripening period). In recent years, cheese production has increased worldwide. Italy is one of the main producers and exporters of cheese. This study aimed to describe mineral, FA, and cholesterol content of 133 samples from 18 commercial cheeses from 4 dairy species (buffalo, cow, goat, and sheep) and from 3 classes of moisture content (hard, 45%). Mineral concentrations of cheese samples were determined by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry, and FA and cholesterol contents were determined by gas chromatography. Moisture and species had a significant effect on almost all traits: the highest levels of Na, Ca, and Fe were found in cheeses made from sheep milk; the greatest level of Cu was found in cow milk cheese, the lowest amount of K was found in buffalo milk cheese, and the lowest amount of Zn was found in goat cheeses. In all samples, Cr and Pb were not detected (below the level of detection). In general, total fat, protein, and minerals significantly increased when the moisture decreased. Buffalo and goat cheeses had the highest saturated FA content, and sheep cheeses showed the highest content of unsaturated and polyunsaturated FA, conjugated linoleic acid, and n-3 FA. Goat and sheep cheeses achieved higher proportions of minor FA than did cow and buffalo cheeses. Buffalo cheese exhibited the lowest cholesterol level. Our results confirm that cheese mineral content is mainly affected by the cheese-making process, whereas FA profile mainly reflects the FA composition of the source milk. This study allowed the characterization of mineral and FA composition and cholesterol content and revealed large variability among different commercial cheeses

Antibodies to neurofascin, contactin-1, and contactin-associated protein 1 in CIDP: Clinical relevance of IgG isotype.

Objective: To assess the prevalence and isotypes of anti-nodal/paranodal antibodies to nodal/paranodal proteins in a large chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP) cohort, compare clinical features in seronegative vs seropositive patients, and gather evidence of their isotype-specific pathogenic role. Methods: Antibodies to neurofascin-155 (Nfasc155), neurofascin-140/186 (Nfasc140/186), contactin-1 (CNTN1), and contactin-associated protein 1 (Caspr1) were detected with ELISA and/or cell-based assay. Antibody pathogenicity was tested by immunohistochemistry on skin biopsy, intraneural injection, and cell aggregation assay. Results: Of 342 patients with CIDP, 19 (5.5%) had antibodies against Nfasc155 (n = 9), Nfasc140/186 and Nfasc155 (n = 1), CNTN1 (n = 3), and Caspr1 (n = 6). Antibodies were absent from healthy and disease controls, including neuropathies of different causes, and were mostly detected in patients with European Federation of Neurological Societies/Peripheral Nerve Society (EFNS/PNS) definite CIDP (n = 18). Predominant antibody isotypes were immunoglobulin G (IgG)4 (n = 13), IgG3 (n = 2), IgG1 (n = 2), or undetectable (n = 2). IgG4 antibody-associated phenotypes included onset before 30 years, severe neuropathy, subacute onset, tremor, sensory ataxia, and poor response to intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG). Immunosuppressive treatments, including rituximab, cyclophosphamide, and methotrexate, proved effective if started early in IVIG-resistant IgG4-seropositive cases. Five patients with an IgG1, IgG3, or undetectable isotype showed clinical features indistinguishable from seronegative patients, including good response to IVIG. IgG4 autoantibodies were associated with morphological changes at paranodes in patients' skin biopsies. We also provided preliminary evidence from a single patient about the pathogenicity of anti-Caspr1 IgG4, showing their ability to penetrate paranodal regions and disrupt the integrity of the Nfasc155/CNTN1/Caspr1 complex. Conclusions: Our findings confirm previous data on the tight clinico-serological correlation between antibodies to nodal/paranodal proteins and CIDP. Despite the low prevalence, testing for their presence and isotype could ultimately be part of the diagnostic workup in suspected inflammatory demyelinating neuropathy to improve diagnostic accuracy and guide treatment. Classification of evidence: This study provides Class III evidence that antibodies to nodal/paranodal proteins identify patients with CIDP (sensitivity 6%, specificity 100%)

Utilizzo di apparecchiature elastodontiche: caso clinico = Use of elastodontic appliances: a case report

Obiettivi Scopo del lavoro \ue8 presentare un caso clinico trattato con apparecchiature elastodontiche. Materiali e metodi La paziente presenta un quadro di grave seconda classe scheletrica e deep bite scheletrico in fase dinamica di crescita tale da richiedere un trattamento ortopedico-funzionale al fine di guidare e stimolare la crescita mandibolare. \uc8 stato applicato il dispositivo OCCLUS-o-GUIDE\uae serie H, che presenta un morso di costruzione preformato rilevato 5 mm oltre il rapporto di testa a testa. Risultati Dal controllo radiografico e clinico dopo il trattamento \ue8 emersa la risoluzione del quadro clinico. Conclusioni L\u2019utilizzo del dispositivo elastodontico \ue8 una valida opzione terapeutica per la risoluzione di situazioni cliniche di seconda classe e deep bite in fase di crescita.Objectives The aim of this article is to present a case treated with elastodontic appliances. Materials and methods The patient, who was in the active growth phase, presented a severe deep bite (skeletal class II), which required orthopedic treatment to stimulate and guide mandibular growth. She was treated with an OCCLUS-o-GUIDE\uae type H, which is designed so that the mandible in the set-up is advanced 5 mm from the maxilla into a Class III relation. Results Treatment with the elastodontic appliance resulted in clinical and radiographic resolution of the malocclusion. Conclusions The use of elastodontic appliances can be a valid treatment option for the resolution of skeletal class II deep bite in growing patients

Plant design and risk assessment of syngas molten carbonate fuel cells

This paper aims at a preliminary assessment of accident risk connected to a fuel cells plant fed with syngas, for electric energy production. The syngas is produced by heavy refinery residues gasification, within a downstream oil plant; subsequently, it is added with pressurized water vapour and cleaned-up, so as to obtain the gaseous mixture to feed the molten carbonate fuel cell unit (MCFC). The proposed approach was developed according to a multi-step procedure, based on the following partially superimposed phases: process development and plant design; primary risk analysis; plant control system design and secondary risk analysis. In particular, dangerous compounds and critical units were identified, together with related critical events. Among these events, the most conservative accident scenario has been analysed, taking into account its causes, consequences and probability of occurrence. Based on the obtained results, a new plant control system has been proposed, according to the multiple layers of protections philosophy. The approach allows operating the plant according to the project intents during normal operations and to shut it down promptly in case of dangerous deviations. The presented methodology can represent a useful tool in fuel cell risk evaluation, so as to identify and analyse possible hazardous deviations, establishing as well effective corrective actions for risk prevention and mitigation

Cholesterol, fatty acid profile, and mineral content of commercial cheeses predicted by near-infrared transmittance spectroscopy

Cheese supplies bioactive peptides, fatty acids (FA), minerals, and vitamins essential for human health. Common laboratory analyses of these components are expensive and time consuming. Near-infrared spectroscopy is a rapid, objective, non-destructive, and cheap method to determine several composition traits. However, heterogeneity of cheese, and low concentration of FA and minerals make their prediction difficult. This study aimed to develop prediction models for cholesterol, FA profile, and mineral content of commercial European cheeses using near infrared transmittance (NIT) spectroscopy. A total of 145 ground cheese samples from different dairy species and ripening time (fresh to 24 mo) were scanned with a NIT spectrophotometer every 2 nm from 850 to 1,050 nm wavelength. Sample spectra were matched with absolute content of cholesterol, FA, and mineral reference data to develop prediction models. Modified partial least squares regressions were validated through external validation after dividing the data in calibration (75%) and external validation (25%) sets. Cheese moisture, fat, protein, total solids, and cholesterol averaged 43.24 \ub1 0.97%, 27.24 \ub1 0.47%, 24.87 \ub1 0.54%, 56.76 \ub1 0.97%, and 0.07 \ub1 0.001%, respectively. Cholesterol content was inadequately predicted, exhibiting a coefficient of determination of external validation (R2ExV) of 0.50 and a residual prediction deviation of external validation (RPDExV) of 1.36. Satisfactory models were developed for saturated, unsaturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated FA, and myristic, palmitic, oleic, and some minor FA (R2ExV from 0.87 to 0.97; RPDExV from 2.74 to 4.73). Promising predictions were obtained for Ca, Na, P, S, Mg, Zn, and Cu (R2ExV from 120.94 to 0.83; RPDExV from 123.73 to 2.35). Results of the present study are a prelude to the at-line utilization of prediction models for the most abundant cheese FA and minerals

Propri\ue9t\ue9s psichom\ue9triques de l\u2019\ue9chelle Alarme D\ue9tresse B\ue9b\ue9 (ADBB) appliqu\ue9e \ue0 81 enfants italiens

The aim of this study is to validate the Alarm Distress Baby Scale (ADBB), designed to assess relational withdrawal in infants aged 2-24 months, on a sample of 81 Italian children. The study has been carried out in the General Paediatric Outpatient Clinic of the University General Hospital Agostino Gemelli in Rome. Both paediatricians and psychologists used the ADBB scale during ordinary paediatric check-ups. First and second axes of the Zero-To-Three scale were used as Gold Standards. The cut-off of 5 and over (4/5) yielded the best validity (0.82) and specificity (0.85), as was previously found in the French validation. Axis II DC O-3 R disorders in the mother-infant interaction always lead to a positive ADBB score. ADBB scores over the threshold were associated with maternal postpartum depression. Positive correlations between infant birth type, breast-feeding, current psychiatric pathology in the mother, and total ADBB scores were found. These data confirm that both children born by caesarian, feeling less pain, and breastfed children, who had more intense physical contacts with the maternal body, and children having good relationship with the caregiver, tend to socialize better. The present study further confirms the psychometrical qualities and the clinical value of the ADBB scale and emphasizes the importance of being able to assess maternal postpartum depression when the infant shows signs of relational withdrawal

Relationship between maternal pathology and infant social withdrawal: Analysis of a 268-outpatient population

Objective: Sustained withdrawal is a sign of infant distress and may be determined by extreme condi- tions like organic pathology or relationship problems. The Alarm Distress Baby Scale is the best instrument to identify withdrawal in infants between 2 and 24 months of age. The aim of this study was to assess the association between infant social withdrawal behavior and maternal pathology in the perinatal period. Method: The target sample of the study was 134 mo- ther-child couples examined at the Policlinico Agos- tino Gemelli General Pediatric Outpatient Clinic and Psychiatric Outpatient Clinic, in Rome. We analyzed the relationship between withdrawal behavior and psychological and organic prenatal/postnatal pathol- ogy, using the Chi Square exact test. Results: When the mother suffers from both organic and psycho- logical pathologies in the perinatal period, the risk of withdrawal is increased: the probability of infant withdrawal behavior is increased by maternal or- ganic postnatal pathology by 14 times, by maternal psychological postnatal pathology by 9 times, and by maternal psychological postnatal depression, meas- ured by Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, by almost 4 times. Conclusion: Increased or sustained withdrawal reactions can be observed in unsatisfac- tory mother-child interaction. Maternal risk factors should be strictl

Fatty acid and mineral composition of Italian local goat breeds

This study investigated chemical, fatty acid (FA) and mineral composition of milk from 5 Italian goat breeds: Garganica (GA), Girgentana (GI), Jonica (JO), Maltese (MA) and Mediterranean-red (MR), and 1 cosmopolitan breed (Saanen, SA). A total of 39 multiparous dairy goats reared in the same herd were sampled monthly during lactation. Milk chemical composition, FA and minerals (n=237) were determined by Fourier Transform infrared, gas-chromatography and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy, respectively. Data were analysed using a mixed linear model that accounted for breed, week of lactation and parity as fixed effects, and animal and residual as random terms. Local breeds (LB) produced less (P<0.05) milk (1.40, 1.40, 1.20, 1.06 and 1.25 kg/d for JO, MA, RM, GI and GA, respectively) than SA (1.82 kg/d). Milk fat (%) did not differ (P>0.05) among breeds. Saturated FA and C16:0 were the most abundant FA in milk (75.5 and 23.5% of identified FA, respectively). Mainly differences between SA and GI where observed (P<0.05) for some individual and group of FA. Milk of SA had greater (P<0.05) C14:0 and C16:0, and lower (P<0.05) C18:0, C18:1n9, Unsaturated FA (UFA) and Monounsaturated FA (MUFA) than GI milk. On average, SA milk had greater (P<0.05) conjugated linoleic acid content than milk of LB (1.10 vs 0.88% of identified FA, respectively). Concerning mineral composition (ppm), goat milk was richer in Ca (1,073), P (794) and Na (364). Differences among breeds where observed (P<0.05) only for Na, P, Mg and Zn. Week of lactation affected (P<0.05) all the studied traits, whereas parity affected (P<0.05) the UFA and MUFA content. This study is a first characterization of milk FA and mineral composition of Italian goat breeds reared in the same herd. Results might be useful for biodiversity issues and to valorise the dairy products of those local breeds