Chronic inflammatory liver diseases and coffee intake

To review the healthy protective effects of coffee against several metabolic diseases and some types of cancer. In this short review, the possible preventive and/or therapeutic actions of coffee on liver function is focused

Detection and identification of phytoplasmas in two vineyards located in a restricted geographic area in Italy

A survey to verify the presence of grapevine yellows was carried out in a restricted area of the Marche region (central east Italy) in a small geographic area. In two locations six grapevine varieties were examined and phytoplasmas belonging to four ribosomal groups were detected by PCR/RFLP analyses. The surveyed varieties were Passerina, Pecorino, Merlot, Sangiovese, Fedit and Montepulciano. The different phytoplasmas detected were present in a scattered manner in all the varieties, but only Passerina, Pecorino and Sangiovese where shown to be infected by “bois noir” (16SrXII-A) phytoplasmas. Considering the landscape shape and the age of the vineyards the source of BN infection and of the other phytoplasmas is very likely in the surrounding environment or vineyards

Molecular variability and host distribution of ‘candidatus phytoplasma solani’ strains from different geographic origins

The knowledge of phytoplasma genetic variability is a tool to study their epidemiology and to implement an effective monitoring and management of their associated diseases. ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma solani’ is associated with “bois noir” disease in grapevines, and yellowing and decline symptoms in many plant species, causing serious damages during the epidemic outbreaks. The epidemiology of the diseases associated with this phytoplasma is complex and related to numerous factors, such as interactions of the host plant and insect vectors and spreading through infected plant propagation material. The genetic variability of ‘Ca. P. solani’ strains in different host species and in different geographic areas during the last two decades was studied by RFLP analyses coupled with sequencing on vmp1, stamp, and tuf genes. A total of 119 strains were examined, 25 molecular variants were identified, and the variability of the studied genes was linked to both geographic distribution and year of infection. The crucial question in ‘Ca. P. solani’ epidemiology is to trace back the epidemic cycle of the infections. This study presents some relevant features about differential strain distribution useful for disease monitoring and forecasting, illustrating and comparing the phytoplasma molecular variants identified in various regions, host species, and time periods

Identification and GroEL gene characterization of green petal phytoplasma infecting strawberry in Italy

none5The presence of phytoplasmas in strawberry showing malformation of the fruits together with the typical green petals symptoms was detected in some North Western Italy cultivations. Nucleic acids extracted from these plants were used in nested-PCR assays with primers amplifying 16S rDNA and GroEL sequences specific for phytoplasmas. Bands of 1.2 kb were obtained in both cases after nested-PCR assays and RFLP analyses allowed to classify the detected phytoplasmas in the aster yellows subgroup 16SrI-C, the GroELI grouping confirm all the strains from strawberry to be identical to each other and to GroELI-VI group. This is the first multigene molecular identification of strawberry green petals phytoplasmas in Italy.openContaldo N.; J.F. Mejia; S. Paltrinieri; A. Calari; A. BertacciniContaldo N.; J.F. Mejia; S. Paltrinieri; A. Calari; A. Bertaccin

Food-Based dietary guidelines around the World: Eastern Mediterranean and Middle Eastern Countries

In Eastern Mediterranean countries, undernutrition and micronutrient deficiencies coexist with overnutrition-related diseases, such as obesity, heart disease, diabetes and cancer. Many Mediterranean countries have produced Food-Based Dietary Guidelines (FBDGs) to provide the general population with indications for healthy nutrition and lifestyles. This narrative review analyses Eastern Mediterranean countries' FBDGs and discusses their pictorial representations, food groupings and associated messages on healthy eating and behaviours. In 2012, both the WHO and the Arab Center for Nutrition developed specific dietary guidelines for Arab countries. In addition, seven countries, representing 29% of the Eastern Mediterranean Region population, designated their national FBDGs. At the moment several of these guidelines are available only in the English language. In summary, Eastern Mediterranean FBDGs mainly focus on food safety, not all are available in the local Arabic language, and they do not provide specific suggestions for the large number of foreign workers and migrants

Smoking Cessation on Periodontal and Peri-Implant Health Status: A Systematic Review

Since smoking is considered among the main risk factors for the onset and progression of periodontitis and peri-implantitis, the present systematic review aimed to evaluate the effect of smoking cessation on clinical, radiographic, and gingival crevicular periodontal parameters around natural teeth and dental implants in ex-smokers compared to current and non-smokers. The study protocol was developed based on the PRISMA guidelines, the research question was formulated according to the PICO model, and the literature search was conducted through PubMed/MEDLINE, Cochrane library, and BioMed Central databases. From the 916 title/abstracts initially identified, seven articles were included in the present systematic review and assessed for quality through the ROBINS-I tool. Reported findings on clinical and crevicular periodontal parameters around natural teeth were contrasting when comparing ex-smokers to current and non-smokers; thus, individualized recommendations for previous smoker periodontal patients are currently lacking. No data on radiographic parameters were retrieved. Similarly, data on periodontal parameters around dental implants were not available, highlighting the need for focused investigations assessing the role of both smoking habit and cessation on peri-implant health status and responsiveness to treatment

Prediction of Renal Acid Load in Adult Patients on Parenteral Nutrition

Metabolic acidosis and metabolic bone disease are frequent complications in patients on parenteral nutrition (PN). A common contributor to these complications could be a daily high renal acid load. This study aims to find a method for predicting the potential total acid load (PTAL) and the pH of the compounded parenteral nutrition mixtures. The pH and titratable acidity (TA) of fifty compounded mixtures were measured. The potential metabolic acid load (PMAL) was calculated by considering the amount of nutrients that are acid producers and consumers. The PTAL of the TPN mixtures was calculated by adding TA to PMAL. Multiple linear regression analyses were used to develop a predictive model for the TA and pH of the compounded mixtures. The predicted TA and pH values of the analyzed mixtures agreed with those measured (Passing-Bablok analysis). The PTAL was >50 mmol/day for 82% of the mixtures, >75 mmol/day for 40% of the mixtures, and >100 mmol/day for 22% of the mixtures. The prediction of the renal acid load in patients on long-term PN could allow more appropriate acid-base balancing. Moreover, predicting the pH of such mixtures could be useful to pharmacists to assess the stability and compatibility of the components in the compounded mixtures