The effect of cyclophosphamide on MSV-H oncogenesis.

The effect of cyclophosphamide on MSV-H oncogensis and the immune response of young mice has been investigated. A single, sublethal dose (100 and 50 mg/kg of cyclophosphamide) in 8-day-old mice given 24 h before or after MSV-H infection led to an earlier and lower incidence of tumours in comparison with controls infected only with MSV-H. The protective effect of cyclophosphamide, and the mechanism of action of both cyclophosphamide and MSV-H on the target cells, mesenchymal cells in rapid replication, as well the immunological implications of the findings are discussed

Geometric and kinematic variations along the active Pernicana fault: Implication for the dynamics of Mount Etna NE flank (Italy)

Geological and structural analyses and ground deformation measurements performed along the eastern portion of the Pernicana fault system and its splay segments allow the structural setting and the kinematic behaviour of the fault to be defined. In addition, the interrelationship between the deformation style of fault segments and the variations of the volcanic pile thickness along the fault strike are investigated using detailed sedimentary basement data. Brittle deformation dominates the N105 degrees fault segment, where the volcanic pile is more than 200 m thick, with the development of a well-defined fault plane characterised by main left-lateral kinematics. The transtensive deformation of the N105 degrees fault is partitioned eastward at Rocca Campana to a main N120 degrees segment. Here, this segment crosses a culmination of the sedimentary basement close to Vena village where the deformation pattern of the thin volcanic pile, less than 100 m thick, is influenced by the more ductile behaviour of the basement generating local short structures with different orientation and kinematics in the southern block of the fault. On the northern one, short E-W trending faults show left-lateral displacements with a minor reverse component on south-dipping planes. This kinematics is related to the oblique orientation of the N120 degrees segment with respect to the seaward motion of the NE flank of Etna. On the whole, the compressive component of the deformation affecting the N120 degrees segment of the Pernicana fault system generates a positive flower structure. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V All rights reserved

Are consumers actually willing to pay more for sustainable packaging?: A choice-based conjoint analysis

In response to the increasing emphasis on sustainability and shifting consumer awareness of environmental protection, companies are adapting their product offerings to be greener. These changes include the adoption of more sustainable packaging. While it would appear that consumers are willing to embrace eco-friendly behaviour, however, the attitude-behaviour gap – that is, the difference between the favourable attitude towards sustainable practices and the less frequent adoption – remains relevant. Furthermore, it is unclear if and how much more consumers are actually willing to pay for a product with sustainable packaging, compared to their stated intentions. This study aims to analyse the willingness to pay a premium price for sustainable packaging, focusing on actual behaviour – instead of attitudes – through an experimental study employing choice-based conjoint analysis and real food packaging. The results show that consumers are willing to spend significantly more for the packaging alternative that they believe is greener. This research intends to extend the previous literature on sustainable packaging, which focused more on the study of attitudes, providing evidence about actual pro-environmental behaviour. From a practical point of view, the article presents insight for managers and practitioners about the development of effective sustainable packaging strategies.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Virtual is so real! Consumers' evaluation of product packaging in virtual reality

Virtual Reality (VR) is shaping all human activities, and with the advent of the metaverse, buyers are going to experience new ways of doing shopping. What would happen if consumers will be asked to assess a product's attribute, i.e., packaging, in a virtual environment, instead of being able to physically hold the product, like in a traditional purchasing process? The aim of this study is to analyze consumers' evaluation of packaged products in immersive VR, manipulating packaging structural and haptic cues, and clarify potential differences with the consumers' responses in the real life. We conducted two focus groups (Study 1), with 16 participants, a mixed design experiment (Study 2), involving 167 consumers, to analyze consumers' attitudes, and a choice-based conjoint analysis (Study 3), with 41 individuals, to study actual choice behavior. The main findings reveal that consumer behavior in VR is consistent with everyday life, except for minor variations. VR proves to be an efficient and rigorous research environment, also suitable for testing sensory cues and non-tangible attributes. Finally, the article suggests managers can effectively use VR for product and packaging development, through a more sustainable process that requires fewer resources and time compared to traditional testsinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

RADIOCHRONOLOGICAL DATA WITH U/TH METHOD IN LAGUNAL /MARINE DEPOSITS OF THE NW PELOPONNESE, GREECE.

Pleistocene lagoonal sediments exposed in northwestern Peloponneses were dated by U/Th methods in Cladocora coespitosa and in Area sp. samples, were collected from the southern part of the Rion - Antirrion and western end of the Corinth grabens, which were both formed in the upper Pliocene. Our dating results, indicate a Tyrrhenian age, Upper Pleistocene, and not Lower Pleistocene ages which were reported for these sediments up until now. In particular, the absolute ages from the collected samples from Ano Kastrisi are 203.6 ±11 kyr.s, from Arachovitika 164 ± 5.8 kyr.s and from Agios George Drepanou 88.1 ± 2.3 kyr.s. The above ages belong in isotopie stages 7, 6, 5 respectively. Based on the U/Th reported ages the calculated relatives rates of uplift are, 2.8 mnvyr"1 and 4.8 mnryr"1 for the areas of Ano Kastrisi and Agios George Drepanou respectively (south-eastern margin of the Rion - Antirrion graben) and 0.4 mnryr"1 Arachovitika samples (western end of Corinth graben). The calculated different relatives rates of uplift demonstrate probably that the two grabens had a different neotectonic and paleogeographic evolution

Double-Duty Actions: Seizing Program and Policy Opportunities to Address Malnutrition in all its Forms

Actions to address different forms of malnutrition are typically managed by separate communities, policies, programmes, governance structures, and funding streams. In contrast, double duty actions, which aim to simultaneously tackle both undernutrition and problems of overweight, obesity and diet-related non-communicable diseases (DR-NCDs) have been proposed as a way to effectively address malnutrition in all its forms in a more holsitic way. This paper identifies ten double duty actions that have strong potential to reduce the risk of both undernutrition and obesity/DR-NCDs. It does so by : 1) summarizing evidence on common drivers of different forms of malnutrition; 2) documenting examples of unintended harm caused by some undernutrition-focused programmes on obesity/DR-NCDs; and 3) highlighting a few examples of first double duty actions undertaken to tackle multiple forms of malnutrition. We find that undernutrition and obesity/DR-NCDs are intrinsically linked through early life nutrition; dietary quality; food environments; and socioeconomic factors. There is some evidence that undernutrition-focused programs have raised risks of poor quality diets and obesity/DR-NCDs, especially in countries undergoing a rapid nutrition transition. The paper builds on this evidence to develop a framework to guide the design of double duty approaches and strategies, and defines the first steps needed to deliver them. With a clear package of double duty actions now identified, there is an urgent need to move forward with double duty actions to address malnutrition in all its forms

Phenolic profile and antioxidative properties of the beefsteak fungus Fistulina hepatica

The phenolic composition of the edible beefsteak fungus Fistulina hepatica was determined by HPLC/DAD. The results showed a profile composed by caffeic, p-coumaric and ellagic acids, hyperoside and quercetin. Ellagic acid was the main compound in this species. Beefsteak fungus was also investigated for its capacity to act as a scavenger of DPPH radical and reactive oxygen species (superoxide radical, hydroxyl radical and hypochlorous acid). Good results were obtained against DPPH and superoxide radicals and hypochlorous acid but a prooxidant effect was observed for hydroxyl radical

Sweet cherries from Fundão possess antidiabetic potential and protect human erythrocytes against oxidative damage

Cherries are one of the most appreciated summer fruits due to their attractive colour, sweet taste, high water content, low level of calories and composition in bioactive compounds which, in turn, are important to prevent some pathologies like diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and cancer. In this work we evaluated the phenolic profile and biological potential of 5 varieties of sweet cherries from Fundão region (Portugal) (Saco, Sweetheart, Satin, Maring and Hedelfinger). A total of 23 phenolic compounds were identified by LC-DAD and distributed by the several classes: 6 anthocyanins, 1 hydroxybenzoic acid, 8 hydroxycinnamic acids, 3 flavan-3-ols and 5 flavonols. Maring revealed higher contents in anthocyanins, while Hedelfinger was the richest in non-coloured phenolics. The antioxidant capacity was evaluated against DPPH and nitric oxide radicals. Hedelfinger was the most active against DPPH• (IC50=12.1μg/mL) and Maring against nitric oxide (IC50=140.9μg/mL). Afterwards, antidiabetic capacity was evaluated through the inhibition of α-glucosidase activity, pointing Hedelfinger as the most active (IC50=10.3μg/mL). The capacity of Saco extracts to inhibit the hemoglobin oxidation and the hemolysis of human erythrocytes was also evaluated. Both assays revealed a concentration-dependent inhibitory effect (IC50=38.6μg/mL and IC50=73.0μg/mL, respectively). The results obtained in this study allow us to conclude that sweet cherries possess a great biological potential, and further investigation should be done to promote commercialization and encourage its use in food supplements and in new pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Pharmacological potential of methylxanthines: Retrospective analysis and future expectations

Methylated xanthines (methylxanthines) are available from a significant number of different botanical species. They are ordinarily included in daily diet, in many extremely common beverages and foods. Caffeine, theophylline and theobromine are the main methylxanthines available from natural sources. The supposedly relatively low toxicity of methylxanthines, combined with the many beneficial effects that have been attributed to these compounds through time, generated a justified attention and a very prolific ground for dedicated scientific reports. Methylxanthines have been widely used as therapeutical tools, in an intriguing range of medicinal scopes. In fact, methylxanthines have been/were medically used as Central Nervous System stimulants, bronchodilators, coronary dilators, diuretics and anti-cancer adjuvant treatments. Other than these applications, methylxanthines have also been hinted to hold other beneficial health effects, namely regarding neurodegenerative diseases, cardioprotection, diabetes and fertility. However, it seems now consensual that toxicity concerns related to methylxanthine consumption and/or therapeutic use should not be dismissed. Taking all the knowledge and expectations on the potential of methylxanthines into account, we propose a systematic look at the past and future of methylxanthine pharmacologic applications, discussing all the promise and anticipating possible constraints. Anyways, methylxanthines will still substantiate considerable meaningful research and discussion for years to come.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio