Genomica in Sanità Pubblica. Evidenze scientifiche e prospettive di integrazione nella pratica della prevenzione

I miglioramenti registrati negli ultimi anni nella qualità del sequenziamento di nuova generazione, nella riduzione dei costi associati e in una complessiva evoluzione delle scienze omiche, hanno favorito lo sviluppo della medicina personalizzata o di precisione. Ad oggi, anche a livello di popolazione si possono ottenere dei benefici rilevanti attraverso tale approccio. La Sanità Pubblica di precisione consiste nel fornire il giusto intervento, alla popolazione che ne ha necessità, nel momento e con le modalità opportune. Significa, quindi, promuovere metodologie accurate per identificare e misurare le patologie ma anche le esposizioni, i comportamenti e la suscettibilità. La Sanità Pubblica di precisione è in evoluzione e non è legata semplicemente a geni, trattamenti e malattia ma alla precisa identificazione e risposta ai bisogni di salute. È necessario, quindi, discutere dell’inclusione delle scienze omiche in Sanità Pubblica. La medicina si è evoluta da un modello di diagnosi e trattamento basato essenzialmente sui sintomi ad uno sempre più dipendente dalla definizione bioinformatica di profili di rischio e/o patologici. Tali profili sono delineati mediante la produzione di informazioni attingendo a solide banche dati biologiche con il supporto dell’intelligenza artificiale. D’altra parte l’evoluzione nella pratica sanitaria è un processo complesso che include, tra l’altro, la sostenibilità dei costi sanitari, la valutazione dell’efficienza nella pratica clinica, l'integrazione dei nuovi progressi tecnologici e la rimodulazione dell'organizzazione dei servizi. Nel Gruppo di Lavoro Genomica in Sanità Pubblica della SItI, attivo dal 2012, sono coinvolti prevalentemente docenti universitari ma anche operatori del Ministero della Salute e dei Dipartimenti di Prevenzione. In questo special issue illustriamo alcuni argomenti di ricerca trattati. Non stupirà l’eterogeneità dei temi proposti vista la trasversalità delle scienze omiche in molteplici aspetti della salute umana. In particolare sono illustrati esempi che vanno dalla prevenzione di tumori ad alta incidenza, alla prevenzione di patologie infettive, sia per gli aspetti acuti che cronici, tenendo conto di caratteristiche genetiche ed epigenetiche della popolazione. Inoltre, illustriamo le prospettive di integrazione offerte allo studio del microbiota umano nella prevenzione. Procediamo con la discussione delle modalità di valutazione dei test genetici e genomici per la loro integrazione nell’offerta del Servizio Sanitario Nazionale. Infine, è illustrato il coinvolgimento della popolazione nell’impiego delle tecnologie omiche al fine di promuovere un cambiamento culturale nei confronti delle tecnologie disponibili e nella tutela della salute individuale e collettiva

Collagen-Catechin Interactions: a NMR Approach

This work focuses on understanding at molecular level the mechanism of interaction between collagen and catechin. Interactions were investigated by NMR measurements both in solution and in solid state. It was also explored the possibilities offered by NMR to characterize the effect of catechin on the stability of collagen to oxidation. Collagen type I fibres were used throughout the study. Collagen was treated with two different concentration of catechin. Oxidation was carried out by incubation of collagen solution with three different oxidation systems (Fe(II)/H2O2; Cu(II)/H2O2; NaOCl/H2O2). High resolution 1D 1H and 2D spectroscopy were recorded at 30°C on Bruker Avance 400. Solid state NMR experiments were performed by a Bruker spectrometer equipped with a CP-MAS accessory. Data obtained from 1D and 2D proton NMR and 13C CP MAS spectroscopy pointed out that interactions between collagen and catechin preferentially occurred between catechin B ring and the amino acids proline and hydroxyproline. Oxidation studies carried out by metal/H2O2 systems on collagen showed that both iron and copper were able to interact with collagen by site specific attak. Oxidation studies performed on collagen in interaction with catechin pointed out that the ligand was able to protect collagen proline from oxidation by metal/H2O2 systems. The protective effect of catechin towards collagen oxidation was markedly evident for the copper oxidation system

Sustainable management of secondary raw materials from the marine food-chain: A case-study perspective

The feasibility of exploiting secondary raw materials from marine food-chains as a source of molecules of nutritional interest, to create high-value food products and to meet nutritional challenges, is described in this report. A reduction in food waste is urgent as many sectors of the food industry damage the environment by depleting resources and by generating waste that must be treated. The project herein described, deals with the recovery of natural molecules, omega-3 fatty acids (EPA, DHA) and of \u3b1-tocopherol, from fish processing by-products. This would promote the sustainable development of new food products for human nutrition, as well as nutraceuticals. The growing awareness of increasing omega-3 fatty acids intake, has focused attention on the importance of fish as a natural source of these molecules in the diet. Therefore, a study on the concentration of these bioactive compounds in such matrices, as well as new green methodologies for their recovery, are necessary. This would represent an example of a circular economy process applied to the seafood value chain. Fish processing by-products, so far considered as waste, can hopefully be reutilized as active ingredients into food products of high added-value, thus maximizing the sustainability of fish production

Fruit attributes, phenolic compounds, antioxidant and antiproliferative activity of strawberries (Fragaria ananassa, 'Favette') grown by biodynamic and conventional agriculture methods

The fruit characteristics, level of some phenolic compounds (phenolic acids, flavonols) and antioxidant capacity were determined in strawberries (Fragaria ananassa L., \u2018Favette\u2019) grown by conventional and biodynamic agricultural methods. In addition, the in vitro bioactivity of biodynamic and conventional strawberry extracts, in terms of antiproliferative activities in human colon carcinoma (Caco-2) cells, was also evaluated. The strawberry extracts of both the cultivation types inhibited the proliferation of Caco-2 cells in a concentrationdependent manner, with biodynamic strawberries exhibiting the highest antiproliferative activity. Biodynamic strawberries showed a markedly higher concentration of phenolic acids and slightly higher amounts of both quercetin and kaempferol compared with conventional strawberries. Although strawberries are an important vehicle of bioactive molecules, being a rich source of phenolic substances, a clear correlation between antiproliferative activity and these compounds or antioxidant activity was not observed. Studies to further characterize antioxidant/bioactive profiles in biodynamic strawberries compared with conventional strawberries are necessary to explain the observed differences in the antiproloferative capacit

Role of catechin on collagen type I stability upon oxidation. A NMR approach

The study focuses on the understanding, at molecular level, the mechanism of interaction between protein and flavonoids. Collagen and catechin interactions were investigated by NMR in solution and solid state. The effect of catechin on the stability of collagen to oxidation was also explored. Collagen was treated with two concentrations of catechin solutions. Oxidation was carried out by incubation of collagen solution with three oxidation systems: Fe(II)/H2O2, Cu(II)/H2O2, and NaOCl/H2O2. The effects of oxidation systems were evaluated by high resolution 1 D and 2 D proton spectroscopy and solid state NMR (13C CP MAS) experiments. Interactions between collagen and catechin preferentially occur between catechin B ring and the amino acids Pro and Hyp of collagen. Results showed that both iron and copper oxidation systems were able to interact with collagen by site specific attack. Moreover, catechin protects collagen proline from oxidation by metal/H2O2 systems, preventing copper and iron approach to collagene molecule;this behaviour was more evident for the copper/H2O2 system