PALEOCENE TO LOWER EOCENE LARGER FORAMINIFERAL ASSEMBLAGES FROM CENTRAL ITALY: NEW REMARKS ON BIOSTRATIGRAPHY

We present the micropaleontological record on ongoing research on Paleogene larger foraminifers from Central Italy collected in the field work for the realization of the geological sheet 348 “Antrodoco” of the Geological Map of Italy 1:50.000 scale. The work provides an examination of the biostratigraphic potential of selected taxa with emphasis on rotaliids. Ornatorotalia is documented for the first time from the Paleocene. Possible new species of Miscellanea, Ornatorotalia, and Rotalia are figured and described in open nomenclature

Structural aspects of the Mucor bacilliformis proteinase, a new member of the aspartyl-proteinase family

Bovine chymosin is considered the best milk-clotting enzyme for cheese manufacture; however, the thermophilic Mucor pusillus proteinase is also used nowadays. We herein report structural aspects of the aspartyl proteinase from the local mesophilic Mucor bacilliformis strain. Sequence data indicate a high similarity degree to those of other family members. The protein is monomeric, not glycosylated, has two disulfide bridges, and mainly includes beta structure. A molecular model was built by using the Rhizopus chinensis proteinase structure as the template. Sequence analysis and comparison of our model with bovine chymosin and M. pusillus proteinase structures, indicate that the M. bacilliformis proteinase is at a similar evolutionary distance on a sequence level; as regards tertiary structure, the M. bacilliformis proteinase superimposes on the bovine chymosin structure in a fashion similar to that of the M. pusillus proteinase. Overall results suggest that this novel proteinase can be utilized as a good milk-clotting enzyme in the dairy industry.Fil: Machalinski, Claudia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Química y Físico-Química Biológicas "Prof. Alejandro C. Paladini". Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Química y Físico-Química Biológicas; ArgentinaFil: Pirpignani, Maria L.. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Química y Físico-Química Biológicas "Prof. Alejandro C. Paladini". Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Química y Físico-Química Biológicas; ArgentinaFil: Marino, Cristina Ester. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Química y Físico-Química Biológicas "Prof. Alejandro C. Paladini". Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Química y Físico-Química Biológicas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires. Fundación Instituto Leloir. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Mantegazza, Adriana Rita. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires. Fundación Instituto Leloir. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Biscoglio, Mirtha Josefa. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Química y Físico-Química Biológicas "Prof. Alejandro C. Paladini". Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Química y Físico-Química Biológicas; Argentin

Differences in chemical, physical and microbiological characteristics of Italian burrata cheeses made in artisanal and industrial plants of Apulia Region

The burrata cheese is a traditional product from Southern Italy, consisting of an envelope of pasta filata (stretched curd) filled with cream and pasta filata strips (usually leftovers from mozzarella production). Physical [water activity (aw), pH], chemical (moisture, NaCl content) and microbiological [total viable count (TVC), Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella spp., Yersinia enterocolitica, Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli, Enterobacteriaceae, coagulase-positive staphylococci] characteristics of burrata cheeses manufactured in artisanal and industrial plants were evaluated. The artisanal burrata showed lower aw values in the filling and the final product. The same was recorded in the filling for the moisture, probably due to differences between the types of cream used in the artisanal and the industrial cheesemaking. The pH value of the filling differed between the two groups but no difference was recorded in the final product. Microbiological differences were also recorded, with higher values for TVC and E. coli in artisanal than industrial burrata. All samples were negative for the other microbialdeterminations, with the exception of coagulase-positive staphylococci and Y. enterocolitica, which were detected in artisanal burrata. Differences in cheesemaking process were probably responsible for the strong variability of the physical and chemical data between the two cheeses; furthermore, differences in the hygienic features were also recorded. Even though artisanal products showed lower aw and pH values and higher NaCl concentration, the higher E. coli loads highlighted the need for a more accurate compliance with hygienic procedures along the artisanal cheesemaking process

DESAFIANDO AS INFINDÁVEIS VEREDAS

Durante la década de 70, Silviano Santiago, viviendo en Estados Unidos, preve  las nuevas tendencias literarias con el ensayo “O entre-lugar do discurso latino-americano” (SANTIAGO, 2000), en el cual, establece una relación antropofágica que vuelve un lector, devorador de libros, en escritor. Sin embargo, lo que se quiere aclarar, a través de este estudio, es la extraordinaria capacidad de Guimarães Rosa en “prever” tales tendencias. Pues, escribiendo “Grande sertão: veredas”, casi quince años antes de la teoría de Santiago, consigue ubicarlo en un nivel literario hasta entonces desconocido para la literatura brasileña y, porque no, latinoamericana.Durante a década de 70, Silviano Santiago, vivendo nos Estados Unidos, antecipa as novas tendências literárias com o ensaio “O entre-lugar do discurso latino-americano” (SANTIAGO, 2000), no qual, estabelece uma relação antropofágica que transforma um leitor, devorador de livros, em escritor. Entretanto, o que se pretende aclarar, através deste artigo, é a extraordinária capacidade de Guimarães Rosa em “prever” tais tendências, pois, escrevendo “Grande sertão: veredas”, quase quinze anos antes do livro de Silviano Santiago, consegue situá-lo em um patamar literário até então desconhecido para a literatura brasileira e, porque não, latino-americana

Methodological Approaches To Assess Innate Immunity and Innate Memory in Marine Invertebrates and Humans

open8Assessing the impact of drugs and contaminants on immune responses requires methodological approaches able to represent real-life conditions and predict long-term effects. Innate immunity/inflammation is the evolutionarily most widespread and conserved defensive mechanism in living organisms, and therefore we will focus here on immunotoxicological methods that specifically target such processes. By exploiting the conserved mechanisms of innate immunity, we have examined the most representative immunotoxicity methodological approaches across living species, to identify common features and human proxy models/assays. Three marine invertebrate organisms are examined in comparison with humans, i.e., bivalve molluscs, tunicates and sea urchins. In vivo and in vitro approaches are compared, highlighting common mechanisms and species-specific endpoints, to be applied in predictive human and environmental immunotoxicity assessment. Emphasis is given to the 3R principle of Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research and to the application of the ARRIVE guidelines on reporting animal research, in order to strengthen the quality and usability of immunotoxicology research data.openAuguste, Manon; Melillo, Daniela; Corteggio, Annunziata; Marino, Rita; Canesi, Laura; Pinsino, Annalisa; Italiani, Paola; Boraschi, DianaAuguste, Manon; Melillo, Daniela; Corteggio, Annunziata; Marino, Rita; Canesi, Laura; Pinsino, Annalisa; Italiani, Paola; Boraschi, Dian

Urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin as an early predictor of prolonged intensive care unit stay after cardiac surgery.

Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) is a protein of lipocalin family highly expressed in various pathologic states and is an early biomarker of acute kidney injury in cardiac surgery. We performed an observational study to evaluate the role of NGAL in predicting postoperative intensive care stay in high-risk patients undergoing cardiac surgery. We enrolled 27 consecutive patients who underwent high-risk cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. Urinary NGAL (uNGAL) was measured before surgery, at intensive care unit (ICU) arrival and 24 h later. Univariate and multivariate predictors of ICU stay were performed. uNGAL was 18.0 (8.7–28.1) ng/mL at baseline, 10.7 (4.35–36.0) ng/mL at ICU arrival and 29.6 (9.65–29.5) 24 h later. The predictors of prolonged ICU stay at the multivariate analysis were body mass index (BMI), uNGAL 24 h after surgery, and aortic cross-clamp time. The predictors of high uNGAL levels 24 h after at a multivariate analysis were preoperative uNGAL and logistic European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation. At a multivariate analysis the only independent predictors of prolonged ICU stay were BMI, uNGAL 24 h after surgery and aortic cross-clamp time

Telomerase expression in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients

n/

Efficacy of a New Hypotonic Oral Rehydration Solution Containing Zinc and Prebiotics in the Treatment of Childhood Acute Diarrhea: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of a hypotonic oral rehydration solution (ORS) containing zinc and prebiotics for treatment of acute diarrhea in children. Study design: We conducted a single-blind, prospective, controlled trial including children (age range, 3-36 months) with acute diarrhea randomly assigned to standard hypotonic ORS (group 1) or to new hypotonic ORS containing zinc and prebiotics (group 2). The main outcome was the rate of resolution of diarrhea at 72 hours. Results: A total of 60 children in group 1 (34 male; mean age, 18.58 months; 95% CI, 15.5-21.6) and 59 in group 2 (36 male; mean age, 19.26 months; 95% CI, 15.9-22.6) completed the study protocol. The rate of diarrhea resolution at 72 hours was higher in group 2 (50% versus 72.9%, P = .010). Total ORS intake in the first 24 hours was higher in group 2 (50 mL/kg; 95% CI, 41-59 versus 22 mL/kg; 95% CI, 17-29; P < .001). The mean number of missed working days by the parents of children in group 2 was lower (0.39; 95% CI, 0.08-0.70 versus 1.45; 95% CI 1.02-1.88; P < .001). Fewer patients in group 2 needed adjunctive drugs for the treatment of diarrhea 6/59 versus 19/60, P = .004. No adverse events were observed in either of the two groups. Conclusion: The addition of zinc and prebiotics to ORS limits diarrhea duration in children. Copyright © 2011 Mosby Inc. All rights reserved

How Volatile Compounds, Oxidative Profile and Sensory Evaluation Can Change with Vacuum Aging in Donkey Meat

This study aims to improve knowledge on donkey meat and the vacuum aging effect on the Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), oxidative profile and status and the sensory characteristics. Ten 18-month old Martina Franca donkeys’ male foals were involved in the trial. Longissimus thoracis (LT) muscle was extracted from each left half carcass, between the fourth and the ninth rib. Each muscle was divided into five sections, vacuum packaged, stored at 2 C, and randomly assigned to one of the dierent aging time (1, 3, 6, 9, and 14 days of aging). Volatile compounds, oxidation parameters, and antioxidant enzymes were analysed, and a sensory test was performed. A nested one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed for aging time as an independent variable. Significance was set at p &lt; 0.05. Aldehydes are the most produced VOCs, but no changes were observed during vacuum aging (p &gt; 0.05). Nitrogen compounds increased during aging (p &lt; 0.01). TBARs and hydroperoxides did not change during the storage, whereas the protein carbonyls increased (p &lt; 0.05). Vacuum aging slowed down lipid oxidation and put in evidence the presence of protein oxidation and degradation, influencing the VOCs productions and sensory evaluation