The effect of sous vide packaging with rosemary essential oil on storage quality of fresh-cut potato

Selection of suitable raw materials and technologies are essential for the fresh-cut segment, since they represent key factors to be competitive in the modern markets. This study aimed at assessing the suitability of six early potato cultivars, grown in an experimental field, for minimal processing. In particular, the sous vide packaging method, in association with rosemary essential oil (REO), was evaluated as a strategy for the quality preservation of sliced potatoes. Physical, mechanical, chemical, microbiological and sensory characteristics were monitored in order to estimate qualitative changes of the product over refrigerated storage. Results demonstrated that the synergic use of REO and sous vide packaging had a positive effect on texture, and limited the growth of mesophilic bacteria and Enterobacteriaceae over the storage period; it also ensured a certain retention of ascorbic acid, total polyphenol content, and antioxidant activity. Hence, the proposed technological strategy could represent a valid solution for the preservation of sliced potatoes, contributing to limit, for the most suitable cultivars identified as Fontane and Marabel, the quality decrease until 11 days of cold storage

Applications of Monte Carlo methods to special radiotherapeutic techniques

Monte Carlo (MC) methods are considered one of the most powerful and precise approaches to study and solve medical physics issues. They, indeed, can be applied in all the situations where to use deterministic algorithms is infeasible or impossible. Surprising improvements in computer technology have promoted a wide diffusion of this technique, giving rise to the born of several Monte Carlo codes, such as the GEANT4 toolkit. In this paper we show some of the applications we developed using GEANT4. In particular, the simulation of two different radiotherapy techniques, such as proton/ion therapy and stereotactic radiosurgery will be discussed. In the first case we show the main features of our last public version of the GEANT4 Hadrontherapy program, also discussing the issues related to the nuclear fragmentation. In the second case, we show the procedures followed for the simulation of a Gamma Knife device, in order to validate the Treatment Planning System (TPS) used for the dose computation

The Flexible Plasma Trap (FPT) for the production of overdense plasmas

Electron Cyclotron Resonance Ion Sources are currently the most efficient ionsources among those used in facilities dedicated to nuclear physics. The needfor a more flexible magnetic field and RF injection system suggested to designand develop a different type of plasma trap, named Flexible Plasma Trap (FPT).The magnetic field of FPT is generated by means of three coils while microwavesin the range 4-7 GHz can be injected by three different inputs, one placedalong the axis and two placed radially. FPT can work in different plasmaheating schemes so it will be an ideal tool for studies of plasma andmultidisciplinary physics. Moreover, a microwave launcher has been designed andinstalled to the FPT for launching microwaves with a variable tilt angle withrespect to the magnetic field. This paper describes the characteristics of theFPT along with the preliminary results of plasma diagnostics

Saccharomyces hybrids as a tool for improving the quality of Moscato di Siracusa DOC wine

The study aimed to evaluate four Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains, one intraspecific S. cerevisiae hybrid, and five interspecific S. cerevisiae×S. uvarum hybrids with respect to the quality of Moscato di Siracusa DOC wine by comparing them with a commercial Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain. Most of the interspecific hybrids maintained volatile acidity (VA) at very low levels, produced high concentrations of glycerol, malic and succinic acid, and yielded the highest concentration of positive sensory attributes. On the basis of the results of these experimental fermentation trials, a real opportunity to produce special wines employing S. cerevisiae×S. uvarum hybrids is proposed.The study aimed to evaluate four Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains, one intraspecific S. cerevisiae hybrid, and five interspecific S. Cerevisiae×S. uvarum hybrids with respect to the quality of Moscato di Siracusa DOC wine by comparing them with a commercial Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain.Most of the interspecific hybrids maintained volatile acidity (VA) at very low levels, producedhigh concentrations of glycerol, malic and succinic acid, and yielded the highest concentrationof positive sensory attributes.On the basis of the results of these experimental fermentation trials, a real opportunity to producespecial wines employing S. cerevisiae×S. uvarum hybrids is proposed

Study Design and Evaluation of Risk Minimization Measures: A Review of Studies Submitted to the European Medicines Agency for Cardiovascular, Endocrinology, and Metabolic Drugs

Introduction: Studies measuring the effectiveness of risk minimization measures (RMMs) submitted by pharmaceutical companies to the European Medicines Agency are part of the post-authorization regulatory requirements and represent an important source of data covering a range of medicinal products and safety-related issues. Their objectives, design, and the associated regulatory outcomes were reviewed, and conclusions were drawn that may support future progress in risk minimization evaluation. Methods: Information was obtained from risk management plans, study protocols, clinical study reports, and assessment reports of 157 medicinal products authorized for cardiovascular, endocrinology, and metabolic indications. We selected observational studies measuring, as outcomes o

Adherence to Antihypertensive Medications andCardiovascular Morbidity Among Newly DiagnosedHypertensive Patients

Background—Nonadherence to antihypertensive treatment is a common problem in cardiovascular prevention and may influence prognosis. We explored predictors of adherence to antihypertensive treatment and the association of adherence with acute cardiovascular events. Methods and Results—Using data obtained from 400 Italian primary care physicians providing information to the Health Search/Thales Database, we selected 18 806 newly diagnosed hypertensive patients 35 years of age during the years 2000 to 2001. Subjects included were newly treated for hypertension and initially free of cardiovascular diseases. Patient adherence was subdivided a priori into 3 categories— high (proportion of days covered, 80%), intermediate (proportion of days covered, 40% to 79%), and low (proportion of days covered, 40%)—and compared with the long-term occurrence of acute cardiovascular events through the use of multivariable models adjusted for demographic factors, comorbidities, and concomitant drug use. At baseline (ie, 6 months after index diagnosis), 8.1%, 40.5%, and 51.4% of patients were classified as having high, intermediate, and low adherence levels, respectively. Multiple drug treatment (odds ratio, 1.62; 95% CI, 1.43 to 1.83), dyslipidemia (odds ratio, 1.52; 95% CI, 1.24 to 1.87), diabetes mellitus (odds ratio, 1.40; 95% CI, 1.15 to 1.71), obesity (odds ratio, 1.50; 95% CI, 1.26 to 1.78), and antihypertensive combination therapy (odds ratio, 1.29; 95% CI, 1.15 to 1.45) were significantly (P0.001) associated with high adherence to antihypertensive treatment. Compared with their low-adherence counterparts, only high adherers reported a significantly decreased risk of acute cardiovascular events (hazard ratio, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.40 to 0.96; P0.032). Conclusions—The long-term reduction of acute cardiovascular events associated with high adherence to antihypertensive treatment underscores its importance in assessments of the beneficial effects of evidence-based therapies in the population. An effort focused on early antihypertensive treatment initiation and adherence is likely to provide major benefits

Assessing the risk of osteonecrosis of the jaw due to bisphosphonate therapy in the secondary prevention of osteoporotic fractures

here is evidence that the use oral bisphosphonates can lead to osteronecrosis of the jaws (ONJ). Although the occurrence of ONJ appears rare among oral bisphosphonates (BPs) users, it is important to know that it exists and can be opportunely minimized. Introduction: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the association between BPs prescribed for the secondary prevention of osteoporotic fractures and the occurrence of ONJ. Methods: An Italian record linkage claims database with a target population of around 18 million individuals (6 million over 55 years of age) constituted the data source. We conducted a nested case-control study within a cohort of individuals aged 55+ years old, who were discharged from hospitals with a primary diagnosis of incident osteoporotic fracture. The date related to the discharge diagnosis of ONJ was the index date. Conditional logistic regression for matched data was fitted to estimate the odds ratio (OR) along with 95 % confidence intervals (95 % CI) for the likely association between use of BPs and the risk of ONJ. Results: Any one of the 61 ascertained cases of ONJ (incidence rate, 36.6 per 100,000 person-years) was matched to 20 controls for a total of 1120 controls. When the exposure to BPs was modeled according to recency (i.e., exposure time window prior to the index date) of use, the adjusted OR (95 % CI) for current users was 2.8 (1.3-5.9) against never users. The cumulative use of BPs has shown to increase the incidence of ONJ among patients with primary osteoporotic fractures, although not statistically significant risk has been observed. Conclusions: Although the risk of BP-related ONJ appears low in non-oncological indications, it is important to be aware that it exists and to know how it may be predicted and possibly minimized