Evaluation of the potential interest of Italian retail distribution chains for Kamut-based products

Kamut® is a registered trademark cereal (an organic crop) whose origins are much older; it has Egyptian origins and at the present time it is grown in different areas of the world (mainly in Montana and Canada), but considering the agronomic requirements of this crop, the tests in Thailand are the most reliable. Evaluation of the interest of retail distribution chains for Kamut-based products belongs to the researches regarding the evaluation of the quality food products trade. In this case, countries involved are Thailand, one of the most important producers, and Italy, one of the most important market of the EU. Qualitative analysis technique was the most appropriate tool. This survey consisted of in-depth semi-structured interviews directed at Italian large scale retails (purchasing and marketing managers). The final information were obtained through a subjective analysis of the content of the interviews summaries, a statistical analysis of the content of the interviews and the creation of conceptual positioning maps. The awareness of the product, the communicative factor, the consumers reactions, the specific requirements of the distribution chains and production areas are some of the most important elements that can influence the creation and the development of a international trade relationship.organic products, quality food products, international trade, Italian large scale retail, qualitative analysis technique, Agribusiness, Marketing,

Risk assessment, and carcinogen mutagen for workers potentially exposed in the research laboratories of “Sapienza” University of Rome for Health Surveillance

The following work is meant to represent the evaluation of risk factors for the health of exposed workers, arising from the management of carcinogenic and mutagenic substances, through the use of algorithms. In some places of work as a research laboratory, it is more suitable a theoretical and practical methodology (algorithm) which allows a "timely" exposure assessment. The methodology developed and used is able to determine the level of risk of exposure due to a single agent and / or to more agents. Results obtained by the algorithm, have shown an higher exposure to 1 for formaldehyde (Lcanc = 1.32), while for acrylamide results obtained shows a lower exposure to 1 (Lcanc = 0.528). Although the overall exposure level of studied workers higher value to 1 (Lcanc= 1.848), the Occupational Medicine Centre of "Sapienza" - University of Rome, in agreement with the position taken by the Italian Society of Occupational Medicine and Industrial Hygiene applies health surveillance even in the presence of potential health risk reducing it among the general protection measures the health and safety of workers

Indagine esplorativa dell'atteggiamento dei consumatori europei verso riso e tapioca biologici importati dalla Thailandia

The research field is marketing of quality food products for the introduction and promotion of innovative and differentiating products in distribution places far and culturally different by the country of origin/production. In an international trade context, environmental elements (e.g. the introduction of organic agriculture) and the role of the country of origin/production could influence the consumers’ perception of the distribution places. This study is aimed at deepening the knowledge about European consumer attitudes towards Thai organic rice and tapioca. In particular, the purpose was to explore relevant attributes for the quality product perception, motivations for purchasing, limiting factors, reasonable price brackets, trust elements. In this first phase of research, a qualitative approach was used. Four focus groups were administered (in Germany, in Greece, in Italy and in Scotland) by one or two investigators and the participants were recruited using a convenience sampling method (6-8 persons each). The discussions were recorded, transcribed and analysed through a qualitative approach. Finally, an exhaustive list of semantic categories was created, explained and supported by parts of the discussions. Participants still do not know much about these products, especially about tapioca. They tend to favour the product’s nutritional aspects, followed by its taste and smell, which in any case were not deemed satisfactory; however, they want also that a series of social and environmental benefits are satisfied. In general, Thai organic rice is perceived as a “different type” of rice and tapioca as a “new product”. The most important critical issues affecting participant’s opinions include: the lack of trust in the certification process by foreign countries and the low attitude towards trying food novelties seemed due to a sense of loyalty to (or affection for) local food traditions. One of the most important trust elements is represented by the brand of the distributor, the producer and the EU and national certification bodies; in particular, participants associate some parameters of guarantee and safety to brand’s name. The information obtained could be useful in further exploring of this topic and it needs to be tested with a quantitative approach.Marketing of Quality Food Products, Differentiating Elements, International Trade Context, Focus Group, Semantic Categories, Q13,

Phenotypic and Genotypic Characterization of Staphylococcus aureus Strains from Italian Dairy Products

Staphylococcus aureus is a known major cause of foodborne illnesses, and milk and dairy products are often contaminated by enterotoxigenic strains of this bacterium. In the present study, 122 S. aureus isolates collected from different dairy products were characterised by phenotypic properties, by the distribution of genes encoding staphylococcal enterotoxins (sea, sec, sed, seg, seh, sei, sej, and sel) and by randomly amplified polymorphic DNA PCR (RAPD-PCR). Moreover, strain resistance to vancomycin and methicillin (oxacillin) was studied. The differences in the RAPD-PCR profiles obtained with the primers M13 and AP4 revealed the presence of a great genetic heterogeneity among the different S. aureus strains. Using the primer AP4 and M13, eight groups were distinguished by RAPD-PCR cluster analysis, although, except in few cases, it was not possible to correlate the isolates of different animal species (cow or ovine) with the presence of se genes. None of the isolates showed resistance to vancomycin or methicillin

Comparison on Well-Being, Engagement and Perceived School Climate in Secondary School Students with Learning Difficulties and Specific Learning Disorders: An Exploratory Study

none6noopenLombardi, Elisabetta; Traficante, Daniela; Bettoni, Roberta; Offredi, Ilaria; Vernice, Mirta; Sarti, DanielaLombardi, Elisabetta; Traficante, Daniela; Bettoni, Roberta; Offredi, Ilaria; Vernice, Mirta; Sarti, Daniel

Influence of polyphenols from olive mill wastewater on the gastrointestinal tract, alveolar macrophages and blood leukocytes of pigs

In the last years, great importance has been given to the beneficial effects of polyphenols. Among the most relevant health promoting effects, there is the capacity to reduce the amount of free radicals and stimulate the immune response. In this study, polyphenols extracted from olive mill wastewater (OMWW), were fed to adult 'Casertana' pigs during the finishing period. No significant differences in the length of the jejunum-ileum villi and the depth of the colon crypts were detected between control and polyphenols fed pigs. Instead, intra-epithelial and lamina propria leukocytes were more abundant in pigs fed polyphenols (p < .05). Cyclooxygenase-2 immunoreactivity in the gastrointestinal tract, employed as marker of inflammation, was more intense in the control group. Superoxide anion production in primary cell cultures of both blood leukocytes and alveolar macrophages was lower in pigs fed polyphenols (p < .05). Taken together these data indicate that, according to our in vitro studies, OMWW polyphenols seem to be potent antioxidants, while the interpretation of the in vivo experiments is more problematic and further studies are necessary on the interactions between bioactive feed compounds and intestinal status. Such studies can contribute to a better understanding of both positive and negative interactions in vivo and to the identification of new functional feeds.HIGHLIGHTS The effects of polyphenols extracted from olive mill wastewater (OMWW) have been studied in pigs. Gut morphology, inflammation and immune response were investigated. OMWW polyphenols act as potent antioxidants

Dual Diagnosis Patients First Admitted to a Psychiatric Ward for Acute Psychiatric Patients: 2-Year Period 2003–2004 versus 2013–2014

Dual diagnosis (DD) is the coexistence of severe mental illness (SMI) and substance use disorder (SUD). The increase of DD observed in recent years has important implications for mental health services organization. The aim of this study is to assess the prevalence and features of DD over a decade, comparing the periods 2003–2004 and 2013–2014. We performed a retrospective study retrieving sociodemographic and clinical data from the medical records of patients at their first admission to the Psychiatric Ward of University Hospital “Maggiore della Carità” in Novara, Italy. Patients with SMI and comorbid SUD (SMI-SUD) and patients with SMI without comorbidity (SMI) were compared in the two periods, 2003–2004 versus 2013–2014. SMI-SUD patients in both 2-year periods were more likely to be male, younger, unemployed, living with parents (or alone, for the 2013–2014 period) rather than with a family of their own, and single (or divorced, in 2003–2004). The 2003–2004 patients were more frequently diagnosed with a personality disorder, whereas the 2013–2014 patients had mixed diagnoses. We have found differences in the possible predictors of substance abuse in the two periods as well: in both periods, male gender was associated with an increased risk of DD, whereas age >61 years was associated with decreased risk. Only in the first period (2003–2004) was having a university degree associated with a decreased risk of DD, whereas the diagnosis of a personality disorder was associated with an increased risk of DD; on the contrary, in the second period (2013–2014), living in a protective environment was associated with a decreased risk of DD. The identification of changes in the prevalence of first admission DD patients and their clinical and sociodemographic features may help to highlight an evolving pattern of substance use and to identify possible risk factors that may be the target of prevention and treatment approaches

Ferulago campestris Essential Oil as Active Ingredient in Chitosan Seed-Coating: Chemical Analyses, Allelopathic Effects, and Protective Activity against the Common Bean Pest Acanthoscelides obtectus

Ferulago campestris is an aromatic plant, distributed in Mediterranean Europe, and a source of essential oils (EOs) regarded as promising alternatives to synthetic herbicides and pesticides. F. campestris EO, hydrodistilled and analyzed, was tested for its antigerminative activity and for its effect on radicle elongation, hydrogen peroxide concentration, and lipid peroxidation on four infesting weed species (Papaver rhoeas, Taraxacum campylodes, Poa annua, and Setaria verticillata) and on Phaseolus vulgaris. Its repellent ability was also tested against Acanthoscelides obtectus, a pest commonly affecting P. vulgaris during storage. Moreover, a chitosan coating layer was developed with the addition of F. campestris EO and tested for its toxic and oviposition-deterring effects against A. obtectus. Myrcene, -pinene, and -terpinene were detected as the main compounds in F. campestris EO. The EO demonstrated a selective in vitro antigerminative activity towards the weed species, without affecting the bean seeds. Moreover, the chitosan coating layer exerted a dose-dependent repellent effect against A. obtectus adults, thus effectively protecting the bean seeds, while preserving their germinative ability. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on a chitosan–EO coating proposed with the aim of protecting bean seeds for sowing from insect attack