Ethnic Food Consumption in Italy: The Role of Food Neophobia and Openness to Different Cultures

While the ethnic food market has become increasingly important in Italy, the effects of the hybridization of consumption patterns have been slowed by a consolidated culinary tradition. This study investigates the relationships among ethnic food consumption, food neophobia, and openness to different cultures with sociodemographic characteristics. A sample of 1317 Italian consumers responded to an online survey. The sociodemographic profile of the neophobic consumer appears to substantially differ from that of the consumer with an attitude of openness. Neophobic respondents are males, are older than 55 years of age, are less educated, have children, are retired, have difficulty meeting their financial responsibilities, and do not eat ethnic food. Respondents who are more open to different cultures are young adults, are highly educated, have no children, are employed, and are consumers of ethnic food. The relationship between food neophobia and openness to different cultures is confirmed to be the relationship between these variables and ethnic food consumption. The measurement of these characteristics could serve as a crucial indicator for analyzing the willingness to accept elements of novelty in an increasingly multicultural society. Additionally, consumers with the neophobic trait and who are less open to different cultures might have a less varied diet that is essential to good health

Risk communication by health professionals:an analysis of press releasesdrafted by Italian veterinarians

The aim of this study is to analyse and evaluate the knowledge concerning risk communication acquired by veterinarians during a national training course. The study analyses 694 press releases written during the training course. Textual variables and indexes were considered to identify the linguistic structures used by veterinarians. At first, the analysis of press releases focused on the descriptive demographic variables, then stylistic and editorial variables were considered, and finally a lexicographic analysis was performed on the textual variables.The texts were found to have a moderate level of readability due to the use of scientificand technical terms. This study shows the need to improve training activities to develop effective risk communication, especially in terms of the language used, in order to facilitate interactions among veterinarians, mass media, and citizens

Preliminary “in vivo” study on peripheral venous pressure (PVP) in the equine finger in static and quasi-static movements and “foot pump” mechanism.

There is a marked interest in the mechanism and function of the finger and the hoof of the horse, but there is a lack in the literature of "in vivo" investigation of the behavior of the Peripheral Venous Pressure (PVP) in the finger and the local effect of the mechanism of the "foot pump". Two theories explain this mechanism:1)the blood is withdrawn thanks to the dilation or "elaterio" of the posterior foot region (Strasser 2001); 2)the hoof squeezes the blood during the load phase (Pollit 1996). Aim of the Study The aim of this "in vivo" preliminary work is to study the PVP in the horse foot in static and quasi-static conditions in order to investigate the effect of the mechanism of "foot pump" on the local peripheral circulation. The mechanism of the "foot pump" has been evaluated by the PVP changes in relation to the different loads on the front legs during different moviments (static and quasistatic). Materials and methods The surveys were conducted on the forelimb in "clinically healthy" horses: 7 competitive (4 shod and 3 unshod) and 3 non-competitive never shod horses. The lateral digital vein was canulated under local anesthesia and PVP measuremed after 120 min in order to exclude possible influences on the vascular tone. Local PVP was electronically evaluated with the horse’s forelimbs in static and quasi-static conditions: a)four Feet Standing, on the ground (4FS-g), examined foot lifted and loaded; b)four Feet Standing, both forelimbs on the podoblocks (4FS-p) examined foot lifted and loaded; c)standing, controlateral forelimb lifted and loaded (3FS-g); d)standing, both forelimbs on the podoblocks, controlateral forelimb lifted and loaded (3FS-p); e)standing, forelimb on the podoblocks, controlateral forelimb lifted and loaded (3FS-p); e)standing, forelimb on the podoblocks, controlateral forelimb lifted and palmar angle variation on the examined foot (-15°/0°/+15°) (3FS-a), f)four Feet Standing, head and neck turned laterally (4FS-1). The statistical analysis is performed by analysis of variance with ANOVA and t student. Result No differences in baseline values of PVP were observed between right and left limb of the same horse. Shod and unshod horses in standing position showed a significant difference (p<0,05) in PVP, independently from their competitive activity. Significant local PVP variations were recorded in the examined leg when loaded after lifting (p<0.05), both when evaluated on the ground or on the podoblock. When the examined foot was lifted (4FS-g), a significant reduction in PVP was recorded (-18,31±3.02 mmHg) after loaded. Lifting the contralateral leg in 3FS-g condition, the PVP value showed a rapid slight increase followed by a significant reduction (-11±3.4 mmHg) and a slow return to baseline. Comparing the two results, the difference is statistically significant (p<0.05). A similar variation was observed in conditions 4FS-p and 3FS-p.The lifting of one forelimb causes a concomitant involvement of the contralateral leg: the influence of this active quasi-static condition, as in 3FS-g and 3FS-p, in the horse foot may be attributed to the isometric muscular contraction rather then to the different distribution of the weight. This evidence supports the theory that attributes the "blood pumping" action to the phalangeal flexion-extension since there is a concurrent muscular action on the local vascular system and on the corium microcirculation (Pollit 1996). The study was communicated to Italian Ministry of Health 24 January 2014. Pollitt CC 1996 Eq Vet J 28,38-46. Strasser H 200

‘Don’t Worry, Honey: It’s Cooked’: Addressing Food Risk during Pregnancy on Facebook Italian Posts

During pregnancy, women exposed to microbiological risks are more susceptible to contracting specific pathogens, which can lead to serious diseases both in the mother and the foetus. Food-borne diseases can be avoided to a large extent by following good practices of food manipulation and cooking. Safe eating behaviours are influenced by knowledge and perception of food risks and are constructed, among others, online. Pregnant women often use Web 2.0 to obtain and share pregnancy-related information as a strategy of collective coping with emotions through conversations. This paper explores how knowledge and perceptions of food risks during pregnancy are shared among users on Italian Facebook pages and groups. The corpus, including 648,399 items (i.e., posts), was analysed: (a) first, by means of the Reinert method, to verify to what extent issues concerning food risks are debated; and (b) second, through a manual content analysis, to observe how food risks are addressed in terms of contents and social sharing of emotions. The main results show that food risk is not among the most discussed topics, and the least known and debated food risks are the most widespread (e.g., campylobacteriosis). Sometimes, food risks, when addressed, were minimised or denied, and the belief to be ‘less at risk’ than peers for such risk (i.e., optimistic bias) was observed. The results underline the importance, for health institutions, of building a tailored communication strategy on food risks during pregnancy to promote correct food behaviours by exploiting social networks

Purchasing Habits, Sustainability Perceptions, and Welfare Concerns of Italian Consumers Regarding Rabbit Meat

Several factors drive consumer behavior in buying meat, particularly rabbit meat. The consumption of rabbits has decreased in Europe, and the main causes of this trend are an increasing association with the perception of rabbits as pets, consumers’ changes in lifestyle, and eating habits. Additionally, increasing attention is paid to ethical issues regarding animal welfare. Investigating consumers’ knowledge, perceptions, and concerns about rabbit meat production and consumption are crucial for improving market strategies. This study investigated consumers’ perspectives of rabbit meat to provide useful information to producers for promoting this sector to consumers. A mixed-methods research design was applied. Qualitative data were collected through four focus group discussions involving 32 consumers and quantitative data through a semi-structured questionnaire administered nationally and completed by 1001 consumers. The limited use of antibiotics in inbreeding and the absence of animal suffering are factors that most influence consumers’ willingness to purchase rabbit meat. Rural/domestic farms were recognized as places where animal welfare measures can be applied and have a positive influence not only on organoleptic quality but also on ethical value and food safety. The cage was perceived as unsuitable for rabbit growth and was oriented to a process of fattening based on industrial feed and antibiotics. Respondents sought information on rabbit farming during purchase, and the label was the most used tool. The rabbit meat production sector should consider these results to meet consumers’ demands and raise awareness among operators on the use of animal welfare-based farming systems, helping to build a more positive image of the rabbit meat industry

The Critical Role of Consumers in the Prevention of Foodborne Diseases: An Ethnographic Study of Italian Families

A high incidence of foodborne diseases occurs in the home setting because consumers adopt inappropriate preparation, consumption, and storage procedures. The present study applies an ethnographic approach to identify inadequate practices that could increase the incidence of foodborne diseases. Techniques related to the ethnographic approach were used: participant observation, kitchens mapping, collection of photographic material, and informal interviews in natural settings. A sample of 14 families was involved through the snowball sampling technique. This study identifies habitual practices and routine behaviour as the main risk factors. The inadequacies most frequently encountered related to the microbiological risks are incorrect handwashing, the presence in the kitchen spaces of objects unrelated to food preparation, the improper use of dishcloths and sponges, the inappropriate washing of utensils and food, the incorrect storage of food in the fridge, and the presence of children and pets without an adequate administration of the spaces. The practices that can expose consumers to chemical risk include food preservation through unsuitable containers/materials, food overcooking, and detergents contamination. The data underline the need to implement communicative and training interventions that give precise and targeted indications about correct safety practices in the home setting

Farmers’ attitudes towards antimicrobial use and awareness of antimicrobial resistance: a comparative study among turkey and rabbit farmers

We conducted a survey of attitudes towards antimicrobial use and awareness of antimicrobial resistance among turkey and rabbit farmers (N = 117 and N = 41, respectively) in Italy’s utmost turkey- and rabbit-producing region. We found either similarities or significant differences between these two livestock sectors. Most farmers of both groups (72% of turkey farmers vs 76% of rabbit farmers) reported that antimicrobials are properly used in their farms. Almost three-quarters of the farmers reported that antimicrobials solve the health problem treated for. However, 47% of turkey farmers and 78% of rabbit farmers reported that antimicrobial use could be decreased, with a 20–30% reduction being the most frequently chosen range. Genetic improvement was reported to be the main factor able to reduce antimicrobial use in turkeys, whereas improvements in feed quality and microclimate were the main factors for rabbits. Most farmers reported that high antimicrobial use may affect the quality of meat products and be hazardous to human health, but they also reported that antimicrobial resistance is mainly related to antimicrobial use in humans. In conclusion, turkey and rabbit farmers have a generally positive opinion on veterinary antimicrobial use, but also low levels of awareness of the negative impact on public health. Economic and structural factors of rabbit production industry may explain the differences observed. Farm veterinarians will be crucial to support farmers’ education and the expected transition to lower antimicrobial use while maintaining high animal health/welfare standards.Highlights 47% of turkey vs. 78% of rabbit farmers thought that antimicrobial use can be decreased A 20–30% reduction of antimicrobials was the most frequently supposed range Turkey and rabbit farmers showed a low level of awareness of the negative impact of antimicrobial usage in their farms on human healt

Comparison in vivo applications between peripheral blood-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (PB-MSCs) and platlet-rich plasma (PRP) in injured tendons of sheep

Performance horses are most at risk of tendon injuries, degenerative tendinopathy and overuse tendinitis. Novel therapies aim to restore tendon functionality by means of cell-based therapy, growth factor delivery and tissue engineering approaches. This study examined the use of autologous mesenchymal stromal cells derived from peripheral blood (PB-MSCs), platelet rich plasma (PRP) and a combination of both for ameliorating experimental lesions on deep digital flexor tendons (DDFT) of Bergamasca sheep. In particular, testing the combination of blood-derived MSCs and PRP in an experimental animal model represents one of the few studies exploring a putative synergistic action of these treatments. Effectiveness of treatments was evaluated at 30 and 120 days comparing clinical, ultrasonographic and histological features together with immunohistochemical expression of collagen types 1 and 3, and cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP). Significant differences were found between treated groups and their corresponding controls (placebo) regarding tendon morphology and extracellular matrix (ECM) composition. Our results indicate that the combined use of PRP and MSCs did not produce an additive or synergistic regenerative response and highlighted the predominant effect of MSCs on tendon healing