Integrazione con selenio in forma organica di diete per capre in lattazione al fine di fortificarne la presenza nel latte e di verificarne gli effetti sulla flora lattica

Lo scopo di questo studio è stato quello di determinare gli effetti di una dieta per capre in lattazione integrata con differenti forme di selenio (organico e inorganico) al fine di valutarne gli effetti sulle principali caratteristiche chimico-bromatologiche del latte ed il passaggio di tale microelemento nel siero, nel latte e nel formaggio. Sono stati formati tre gruppi omogenei di capre che hanno ricevuto una stessa dieta di base non integrata; il gruppo di controllo (C) ha ricevuto quest’ultima per tutto il periodo della prova, mentre gli altri due hanno ricevuto un’integrazione di selenio sottoforma di selenio lieviti (SeL) e selenito di sodio (SeNa). I risultati hanno confermato gli effetti positivi dell’integrazione con selenio nella dieta delle capre che ha determinato un aumento del livello di selenio nel siero degli animali dei gruppi trattati, ma con una differenza significativa (P<0,005) solo tra il gruppo SeL e il gruppo C. Nel latte prodotto dagli animali di entrambi i gruppi trattati il contenuto di selenio è risultato significativamente superiore (P<0,01) rispetto al latte prodotto dai soggetti del gruppo C. I valori di selenio nei formaggi dei gruppi trattati sono risultati superiori (P<0,01) a quelli del gruppo C. Tra i gruppi trattati il gruppo SeL ha mostrato un tenore superiore di selenio (P<0,05) rispetto ai gruppi SeNa e C. Sono state realizzate tre caseificazioni per ciascun gruppo esaminato al fine di monitorare l’andamento della flora lattica che componeva lo starter autoctono. L’integrazione con selenio non ha influenzato i normali processi di caseificazione, anche se dall’elaborazione statistica, si è evidenziata una differenza significativa (P<0,01) tra il pH del latte prodotto dai soggetti del gruppo SeL rispetto a quelli dei gruppi C e SeNa. I valori di pH dei formaggi hanno mostrato differenze significative (P<0,001) sebbene pur non determinando alterazioni del pH finale del formaggio rispetto a quanto atteso. L'aggiunta di selenio nella dieta di capre in lattazione, in particolare l'integrazione con selenio-lieviti alle dosi da noi utilizzate, potrebbe essere vantaggioso per migliorare l'apporto di selenio nella dieta dell'uomo, tenendo conto che la popolazione italiana risulta tra quelle a più bassa introduzione di selenio alimentare d'Europa. Nel nostro caso il formaggio ottenuto presenta dei contenuti in selenio pari a circa 35 µg/100g pari al 65% circa dell'apporto minimo giornaliero raccomandato nell'uomo (RDA) che è pari a circa 55 µg/die. Il formaggio di capra potrebbe essere quindi una valida alternativa ad altri tipi di formaggio vista anche la sua migliore digeribilità e tollerabilità; poterne esaltare le sue qualità nutrizionali e aumentarne la sua diffusione sarebbe un valido aiuto anche per contribuire a mantenere in vita un sistema economico marginale ma sicuramente importante la conservazione di un patrimonio genetico autoctono. Ulteriori studi sono però auspicabili dei risultati ottenuti ed in particolare per gli aspetti relativi alla valutazione sensoriale dei formaggi

Oral plaque from Type 2 diabetic patients reduces the clonogenic capacity of dental pulp-derived mesenchymal stem cells

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a major metabolic disease and a key epigenetic risk factor for the development of additional clinical complications. Among them, periodontitis (PD), a severe inflammatory disease ascribable to a dysregulated physiology and composition of the oral microbiota, represents one of the most relevant complications. Periodontitis can impact the structure of the tooth and likely the stem and progenitor cell pool, which actively contributes to the periodontal microenvironment and homeostasis. Modifications of the oral plaque play a key role in the etiopathogenesis of PD caused by T2D. However, to what extent the biology of the progenitor pool is affected has still to be elucidated. In this short report, we aimed to explore the biological effects of oral plaque derived from T2D patients with PD in comparison to non-diabetic patients with PD. Oral plaque samples were isolated from T2D and non-diabetic subjects with PD. Dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs), derived from the premolar tooth, were conditioned for 21 days with oral plaque samples and tested for their clonogenic ability. Cultures were also induced to differentiate towards the osteogenic lineage, and ALP and osteocalcin gene expression levels were evaluated by real-time qPCR. Results have shown that the number of clones generated by DPSCs exposed to T2D oral plaque was significantly lower compared to controls (ctl). The multivariate analysis confirmed that the decreased clonogenesis was significantly correlated only with T2D diagnosis. Moreover, the effect of T2D oral plaque was specific to DPSCs. Indicators of osteogenic differentiation were not significantly affected. This study provides a new biological insight into the effects ascribable to T2D in PD

Abstract: OVERLAB

L'Abstract sintetizza l'esperienza del laboratorio di progettazione del terzo anno della Facoltà di Architettura dell'Università degli Studi di Ferrara, svolto in collaborazione con l'Università di Sarajevo. Il contributo espone un approccio metodologico innovativo e si colloca all'interno del VII Forum ProArch, tenuto a Milano il 16 e 17 novembre del 2018, per il tavolo di discussione relativo ai Modelli Alternativi per la didattica dell'Architettura

The relevance of molecular genotyping to allocate cases in a suspected outbreak of Legionella pneumonia in patients with prolonged immunosuppressive therapy

Three cases of pneumonia caused by Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 (Lp1) in immunosuppressed patients with repeated hospitalization were suspected as a healthcare-associated cluster. The environmental investigation did not reveal the presence of legionellae in the hospital patient rooms. Water samples collected from the homes of two patients were also negative for Legionella spp. In the absence of environmental strains potentially involved in the infections, we proceeded to genotype environmental Lp1 strains isolated in the hospital during routine water sampling during the decade 2009–2019 and recovered after long-term storage at −20 °C. These 'historical' strains exhibited a high grade of similarity and stability over time, regardless of the disinfection systems. The different molecular profiles shown among the clinical and environmental strains excluded a nosocomial outbreak. The study suggests that the application of molecular typing may be a useful tool to discriminate hospital vs community-acquired cases, mostly for severely immunosuppressed patients in whom the symptomatology could be insidious and the incubation period could be prolonged. Moreover, the genotyping allowed us to exclude any link between the cases. Keywords: Legionnaires' disease, Immunosuppressed patients, Sequence-based typing, Cluster, Environmental strains, Clinical strain

The ocular albinism type 1 protein, an intracellular G protein-coupled receptor, regulates melanosome transport in pigment cells

The protein product of the ocular albinism type 1 gene, named OA1, is a pigment cell-specific G protein-coupled receptor exclusively localized to intracellular organelles, namely lysosomes and melanosomes. Loss of OA1 function leads to the formation of macromelanosomes, suggesting that this receptor is implicated in organelle biogenesis, however the mechanism involved in the pathogenesis of the disease remains obscure. We report here the identification of an unexpected abnormality in melanosome distribution both in retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and skin melanocytes of Oa1-knock-out (KO) mice, consisting in a displacement of the organelles from the central cytoplasm towards the cell periphery. Despite their depletion from the microtubule (MT)-enriched perinuclear region, Oa1-KO melanosomes were able to aggregate at the centrosome upon disruption of the actin cytoskeleton or expression of a dominant-negative construct of myosin Va. Consistently, quantification of organelle transport in living cells revealed that Oa1-KO melanosomes displayed a severe reduction in MT-based motility; however, this defect was rescued to normal following inhibition of actin-dependent capture at the cell periphery. Together, these data point to a defective regulation of organelle transport in the absence of OA1 and imply that the cytoskeleton might represent a downstream effector of this receptor. Furthermore, our results enlighten a novel function for OA1 in pigment cells and suggest that ocular albinism type 1 might result from a different pathogenetic mechanism than previously thought, based on an organelle-autonomous signalling pathway implicated in the regulation of both membrane traffic and transport

Psychopathological Burden and Quality of Life in Substance Users During the COVID-19 Lockdown Period in Italy

Background Following the development of the COVID-19 pandemic, a rigid public health strategy of reduced social contact and shelter-in-place has been adopted by the Italian Government to reduce the spread of the virus. In this paper, we aim at evaluating the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic, and the relative containment measures, have had on a real-life sample of patients suffering from substance use disorders (SUDs) and/or behavioral addictions. Methods An anonymous questionnaire was filled out by 153 addicted patients, both outpatients and residential inpatients, recruited across Italy and highly representative of the current Italian population suffering from addictions. Psychopathological burden (anxiety and depressive symptomatology, somatization, irritability, and post-traumatic symptoms), quality of life, and craving changes in daily habits were assessed. Results In our sample, we found moderate rates of depression (22.9%), anxiety (30.1%), irritability (31.6%), and post-traumatic stress (5.4%) symptoms. Psychopathological burden was globally higher among residential patients. Reported levels of craving were generally low. Discussion This study is the first attempt to collect Italian data regarding the effects of the rigid quarantine period, during the COVID-19 pandemic, on patients suffering from a SUD and/or behavioral addictions. The presence of a moderate psychopathological burden correlated to poor quality of life and low craving scores represented the main outcomes. Long-term studies, with follow-up after the end of the restrictive measures, should be considered to implement our findings

The impact of chest CT body composition parameters on clinical outcomes in COVID-19 patients

We assessed the impact of chest CT body composition parameters on outcomes and disease severity at hospital presentation of COVID-19 patients, focusing also on the possible mediation of body composition in the relationship between age and death in these patients. Chest CT scans performed at hospital presentation by consecutive COVID-19 patients (02/27/2020-03/13/2020) were retrospectively reviewed to obtain pectoralis muscle density and total, visceral, and intermuscular adipose tissue areas (TAT, VAT, IMAT) at the level of T7-T8 vertebrae. Primary outcomes were: hospitalization, mechanical ventilation (MV) and/or death, death alone. Secondary outcomes were: C-reactive protein (CRP), oxygen saturation (SO2), CT disease extension at hospital presentation. The mediation of body composition in the effect of age on death was explored. Of the 318 patients included in the study (median age 65.7 years, females 37.7%), 205 (64.5%) were hospitalized, 68 (21.4%) needed MV, and 58 (18.2%) died. Increased muscle density was a protective factor while increased TAT, VAT, and IMAT were risk factors for hospitalization and MV/death. All these parameters except TAT had borderline effects on death alone. All parameters were associated with SO2 and extension of lung parenchymal involvement at CT; VAT was associated with CRP. Approximately 3% of the effect of age on death was mediated by decreased muscle density. In conclusion, low muscle quality and ectopic fat accumulation were associated with COVID-19 outcomes, VAT was associated with baseline inflammation. Low muscle quality partly mediated the effect of age on mortality.We assessed the impact of chest CT body composition parameters on outcomes and disease severity at hospital presentation of COVID-19 patients, focusing also on the possible mediation of body composition in the relationship between age and death in these patients. Chest CT scans performed at hospital presentation by consecutive COVID-19 patients (02/ 27/2020-03/13/2020) were retrospectively reviewed to obtain pectoralis muscle density and total, visceral, and intermuscular adipose tissue areas (TAT, VAT, IMAT) at the level of T7-T8 vertebrae. Primary outcomes were: hospitalization, mechanical ventilation (MV) and/or death, death alone. Secondary outcomes were: C-reactive protein (CRP), oxygen saturation (SO2), CT disease extension at hospital presentation. The mediation of body composition in the effect of age on death was explored. Of the 318 patients included in the study (median age 65.7 years, females 37.7%), 205 (64.5%) were hospitalized, 68 (21.4%) needed MV, and 58 (18.2%) died. Increased muscle density was a protective factor while increased TAT, VAT, and IMAT were risk factors for hospitalization and MV/death. All these parameters except TAT had borderline effects on death alone. All parameters were associated with SO2 and extension of lung parenchymal involvement at CT; VAT was associated with CRP. Approximately 3% of the effect of age on death was mediated by decreased muscle density. In conclusion, low muscle quality and ectopic fat accumulation were associated with COVID-19 outcomes, VAT was associated with baseline inflammation. Low muscle quality partly mediated the effect of age on mortality

Plant–environment interactions through a functional traits perspective: a review of Italian studies

Italy is among the European countries with the greatest plant diversity due to both a great environmental heterogeneity and a long history of man–environment interactions. Trait-based approaches to ecological studies have developed greatly over recent decades worldwide, although several issues concerning the relationships between plant functional traits and the environment still lack sufficient empirical evaluation. To draw insights on the association between plant functional traits and direct and indirect human and natural pressures on the environmental drivers, this article summarizes the existing knowledge on this topic by reviewing the results of studies performed in Italy adopting a functional trait approach on vascular plants, bryophytes and lichens. Although we recorded trait measurements for 1418 taxa, our review highlighted some major gaps in plant traits knowledge: Mediterranean ecosystems are poorly represented; traits related to belowground organs are still overlooked; traits measurements for bryophytes and lichens are lacking. Finally, intraspecific variation has been little studied at community level so far. We conclude by highlighting the need for approaches evaluating trait–environment relationship at large spatial and temporal scales and the need of a more effective contribution to online databases to tie more firmly Italian researchers to international scientific networks on plant traits

Effects of different feeding systems of Apuan Alps goat population on growth rate and puberty age

Only 50-60% of Apuan Alps goat population, kept on pasture, reachs puberty within the first year of life. To increase this percentage a feeding trial was carried out. Twelve goats were divided into two groups homogeneous for birth weight (P: 2.38±0.12 kg; S: 2.38±0.11 kg). Goats of group P were fed mother's milk and supplemented with alfalfa hay and maize grain until the age of 90 days. Then they were kept on pasture at 500-1700m a.s.l. in Apuan Alps park. Goats of group S were kept indoor and fed replaced milk and supplemented with alfalfa hay and mixed feed (16.5% CP) until the age of 90 days. Then they were fed alfalfa hay and thesame mixed feed. All animals were weighed every 15 days until the end of the trial at 8 months of age. The data analysis showed a significant (P=0.017; SEM=1.46) final live weight differences between animals of group P (26.2 kg) and group S (32.2 kg). Average daily gain of group S (113 g/d) was significant higher (P<0.0001; SEM=7.1) than that of group P (97 g/d). Puberty age was reached only by 4 animals of group P (287±6.4 d) and by all animals of group S (246±9.4 d). All these animals were pregnant and gave birth except a subject of group P that aborted late. The trial showed a positive effect of intensive feeding on the number of animals reaching puberty during the first year of age

Chronic subdural haematoma associated with arachnoid cyst of the middle fossa in a soccer player: Case report and review of the literature

Introduction: Arachnoid cyst (AC) is a congenital, benign, extra-axial lesion often found incidentally on intracranial imaging and makes up almost 1% of all intracranial masses. It arises from the splitting of arachnoid membranes with components similar to the cerebrospinal fluid. It&rsquo;s reported that AC can be complicated by chronic subdural haematoma in athletes with repeated head injuries. Case report: we describe a case of a soccer player with an AC that underwent surgery for a chronic subdural haematoma with full recovery. Material and method: From a PubMed research, we found 14 relevant studies reporting a total of 15 patients who met the inclusion criteria: playing soccer, subdural hematoma and arachnoid cyst. Results: Patients underwent different surgical treatment. In the case of hygroma with no midline shift, a conservative treatment was performed. In all cases the reported follow up was a full recovery. Discussion: Soccer is not usually considered a contact sport related to a high risk of head trauma or shaking head. From our review we can postulate that a soccer player with AC has an augmented risk to have a subdural haemorrhage, more rarely intracerebral haemorrhage. Conclusion: ACs are common meningeal abnormalities. They may bleed after minor head trauma, although it is rare. Asymptomatic patients with known AC should be monitored by a neurosurgeon and decision to engage this patient in soccer sport participation is still controversial