Quality and quality changes during refrigerated storage in diploid and triploid oysters from Orbetello Lagoon (Italy)

AbstractThe aim of this study was to evaluate the chemical and nutritional characteristics and quality decay during storage of diploid and triploid Pacific oysters (Crassostrea gigas) reared in Orbetello Lagoon (Grosseto, Italy), a site subject to high variations in environmental parameters. Specimens of diploid (D) and triploid (T) oysters of commercial size and similar age were sampled from an oyster farm (Soc. Coop. GIGAS) in autumn 2005 and in winter, spring and summer 2006. At each sampling date, D (n=60) and T (n=60) oysters were individually weighed, divided into 4 lots, stored under refrigerated conditions (+4°C), and analysed at different times after harvest (1, 3, 7 and 10 days). Oysters were individually weighed again at the different times, measured for maximum length, width and thickness, and opened. The weight of the soft part and shell and the volume of intervalvar liquor were recorded. pH of soft part, gill and mantle colour (CIE L*, a* and b*, Minolta Chromameter) and chemical characteris..

Incidence of temporomandibular joint clicking in adolescents with and without unilateral posterior cross-bite: a 10-year follow-up study

Among different malocclusions, posterior cross-bite is thought to have a strong impact on the correct functioning of the masticatory system. The association between unilateral posterior cross-bite (UPCB) and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) clicking, however, remains still controversial. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the presence of UCPB during early adolescence increases the risk of reporting TMJ clicking after a long-term follow-up. A longitudinal survey design was carried out in a group of 12-year-old young adolescents, who were examined at baseline for TMJ clicking sounds and unilateral posterior cross-bite. After 10 years, 519 subjects could be reached by a telephone survey. Standardised questions were used to collect self-reported TMJ sounds and to determine whether participants had received an orthodontic treatment. Logistic regression analysis revealed a significant association between unilateral posterior cross-bite and subjectively reported TMJ clicking (odds ratio = 6·0; 95% confidence limits = 3·4-10·8; P < 0·0001). The incidence of TMJ clicking was 12%. At a ten-year follow-up, self-reports of TMJ clicking were significantly associated with the presence of UPCB at baseline, but not with the report of having received an orthodontic treatment. Within the limitation of this study, the presence of unilateral posterior cross-bite in young adolescents may increase the risk of reporting TMJ sounds at a 10-year follow-up. The provision of an orthodontic treatment, however, does not appear to reduce the risk of reporting TMJ sounds

Perspectives on next steps in classification of oro-facial pain - part 1: role of ontology

The purpose of this study was to review existing principles of oro-facial pain classifications and to specify design recommendations for a new system that would reflect recent insights in biomedical classification systems, terminologies and ontologies. The study was initiated by a symposium organised by the International RDC/TMD Consortium Network in March 2013, to which the present authors contributed. The following areas are addressed: problems with current classification approaches, status of the ontological basis of pain disorders, insufficient diagnostic aids and biomarkers for pain disorders, exploratory nature of current pain terminology and classification systems, and problems with prevailing classification methods from an ontological perspective. Four recommendations for addressing these problems are as follows: (i) develop a hypothesis-driven classification structure built on principles that ensure to our best understanding an accurate description of the relations among all entities involved in oro-facial pain disorders; (ii) take into account the physiology and phenomenology of oro-facial pain disorders to adequately represent both domains including psychosocial entities in a classification system; (iii) plan at the beginning for field-testing at strategic development stages; and (iv) consider how the classification system will be implemented. Implications in relation to the specific domains of psychosocial factors and biomarkers for inclusion into an oro-facial pain classification system are described in two separate papers

Beyond DNA origami: the unfolding prospects of nucleic acid nanotechnology

Nucleic acid nanotechnology exploits the programmable molecular recognition properties of natural and synthetic nucleic acids to assemble structures with nanometer‐scale precision. In 2006, DNA origami transformed the field by providing a versatile platform for self‐assembly of arbitrary shapes from one long DNA strand held in place by hundreds of short, site‐specific (spatially addressable) DNA ‘staples’. This revolutionary approach has led to the creation of a multitude of two‐dimensional and three‐dimensional scaffolds that form the basis for functional nanodevices. Not limited to nucleic acids, these nanodevices can incorporate other structural and functional materials, such as proteins and nanoparticles, making them broadly useful for current and future applications in emerging fields such as nanomedicine, nanoelectronics, and alternative energy. WIREs Nanomed Nanobiotechnol 2012, 4:139–152. doi: 10.1002/wnan.170 For further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website .Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/90282/1/170_ftp.pd

Quality traits of Procambarus clarkii (girard) related to sex and refrigerated storage

The red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii, Girard) is the most widespread alien species in Europe. Imported from Louisiana to southern Spain in 1973, where at present it is reared in crayfish farm and also diffused in the wild, it was introduced into Italy in the '80s and is now well established in natural environments of northern and central Italy. Naturalization of this alien species poses risks for aquatic ecosystems and its use as food may be a way to limit its spreading. The aim of this study was to analyse the morphological, mercantile and biochemical characteristics of male and female specimens of Procambarus clarkii and to evaluate changes in qualitative traits during refrigerated storage. Specimens of red swamp crayfish collected in a river, after a rearing period of 85 days in tanks, were harvested, killed by hypothermia and refrigerated (1°C). Male (n=31) and female (n=26) specimens were separated and measured for total body and abdomen length, 1 (n=10), 3 (n=16), 8 (n=16) and 10 days (n=15) after harvesting. They were weighed, sectioned to separate claws and tails (shell-on), which were weighed individually and their colour parameters (lightness, L*; chromaticity indexes, a* and b*) measured in dorsal and ventral sites. A pooled sample consisting of tail muscle of 2-3 specimens having the same storage times was homogenized and analysed for total lipids, qualitative and quantitative fatty acid composition and malondialdehyde (MDA). The other tails (shell-on) were steamed, the exoskeleton removed and abdominal muscles (shell-off tails) analysed for colour parameters in dorsal and ventral sites, and for free water (by compression method). Data was analysed by GLM using the SAS Package, with sex, storage time and relative interaction (except for data of chemical analysis) as fixed effects. Females and males differed in total (p<0.05) and abdominal (p<0.01) length (8.65 vs 8.27cm and 4.32 vs 4.04cm, respectively) and in body weight (corrected for cheliped weight, due their lack in some cases; 16.35 vs 13.89g; p<0.05), however the cooked-meat yield of shell-on tails was similar (46.53 vs 42.93%; p=0.19). Regarding colour parameters, the two sexes only differed in L*, which was significantly greater in males in the different sites of measurement, except the ventral site of raw shell-on tails. Males and females showed a similar water holding capacity of abdominal meat (mean 10.78±6.33cm2). No differences between the sexes were recorded for total lipids (mean 1.05±0.14%), MDA content and fatty acid profile (means SFA: 22.16%, MUFA: 28.40%, PUFAn6: 20.39%; PUFAn3: 28.80%; EPA: 18.24%; DHA: 7.17%). During refrigerated storage, a significant decrease in water holding capacity of muscle (free water increasing from 14.07 to 26.15cm2 on days 1 and 10, respectively; p<0.001) and in cooked-meat yield (from 50.92 to 39.11% on days 1 and 10, respectively; p<0.01) and sharp changes in cooked tail muscle colour parameters were noticed. The latter body part showed a significant decrease (p<0.001) in a* and b* at the dorsal site and in L* at the ventral site (77.74 and 49.14 on days 1 and 10, respectively) with increasing storage. During the refrigerated storage of the whole crayfish the changes recorded for the examined parameters indicate the quality decay, particularly after the 3rd day

Effects of experimental insoles on body posture, mandibular kinematics and masticatory muscles activity. A pilot study in healthy volunteers

BACKGROUND: It has been hypothesized that different plantar sensory inputs could influence the whole body posture and dental occlusion but there is a lack of evidence on this possible association. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effects of experimental insoles redistributing plantar pressure on body posture, mandibular kinematics and electromyographic (EMG) activity of masticatory muscles on healthy subjects. METHODS: A pilot study was conducted on 19 healthy volunteers that wore custom-made insoles normalizing the plantar pressure distribution for 2 weeks. Body posture parameters were measured by means of an optoelectronic stereophotogrammetric analysis; mandibular kinematics was analyzed by means of gothic arch tracings; superficial EMG activity of head and neck muscles was performed. Measurements were carried out 10 days before the insertion of the insoles, immediately before the insertion, the day after, 7 and 14 days after, in four different exteroceptive conditions. RESULTS: The outcomes of the present study show that insoles do not modify significantly over time the parameters of body posture, SEMG activity of head and neck muscles and mandibular kinematics. CONCLUSIONS: In this pilot study the experimental insoles did not significantly influence the body posture, the mandibular kinematics and the activity of masticatory muscles during a 14-day follow up perio

Perspectives on next steps in classification of oro-facial pain - part 2: role of psychosocial factors

This study was initiated by a symposium, in which the present authors contributed, organised by the International RDC/TMD Consortium Network in March 2013. The purpose of the study was to review the status of biobehavioural research - both quantitative and qualitative - related to oro-facial pain (OFP) with respect to the aetiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis and management of OFP conditions, and how this information can optimally be used for developing a structured OFP classification system for research. In particular, we address representation of psychosocial entities in classification systems, use of qualitative research to identify and understand the full scope of psychosocial entities and their interaction, and the usage of classification system for guiding treatment. We then provide recommendations for addressing these problems, including how ontological principles can inform this process

Morphological, nutritional and safety traits of bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) reared in floating cages

To evaluate the influence of fattening on morphological, nutritional and safety characteristics, two lots of bluefin tuna were sampled before (November: 2 C, 4 ?) and after 5 months of fattening (April: 5 C, 5 ?). The specimens, after death, were refrigerated and analysed at different times over the period of a week for morphological and flesh physico-chemical parameters in six muscle sites. Tuna sampled in April had greater body weight (44.04 vs 36.41kg), trunk length (52.21 vs 48.22cm) and minimum and maximum circumferences (13.74 vs 12.77 and 94.90 vs 89.10cm). No differences in other linear measures or body components were found. Fattening did not influence flesh colour or total lipid content, producing small differences in its chemical composition: greater C18:0, C18:1n9 and PUFAn6 percentages; higher putrescine and histamine (0.489 vs 0.335 and 0.666 vs 0.370mg/kg) but lower spermine and spermidine (10.598 vs 17.387 and 2.420 vs 3.928mg/kg) levels. Large differences in physico-chemical parameters were found between muscle sites and a significant interaction between sampling date and muscle site indicated non homogeneous changes in chemical composition of dorsal, ventral and red muscle after fattening. Sex only influenced fat content in viscera (C 12.84 vs ? 9.84%)

Draft Genome Sequence of Lactobacillus plantarum Lp90 Isolated from Wine

Contains fulltext : 155072.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access)Here, we describe the draft genome sequence and annotation of Lactobacillus plantarum strain Lp90, the first sequenced genome of a L. plantarum strain isolated from wine. This strain has a noticeable ropy phenotype and showed potential probiotic properties. The genome consists of 3,324,076 bp (33 contigs) and contains 3,155 protein coding genes, 34 pseudogenes, and 84 RNA genes