Donkey's milk caseins characterization

In the recent years the interest around donkey's milk had a marked increase since it has been demonstrated that this milk can be used for feeding of infants affected by dairy cow's milk protein intolerance (Businco et al., 2000; Iacono et al., 1992)

Protein fraction characterization of sheep milk from the Comisana breed

This study investigated on the protein fractions characterization of sheep milk obtained by Comisana breed. Milk samples collected by 94 sheep were subjected to RP-HPLC analysis, in order to determine caseins and seroproteins contents. A total seroproteins content of 17.0 g/l was determined, while the total casein content was 39.0 g/l. The seroproteins content was further investigated by RP-HPLC, determining an α-lactalbumin content of 1.6 g/l, higher if compared to dairy cow’s milk, and two variants of β-lactoglobulin, with a content respectively of 16.7 g/l and 11.0 g/l. Since the RP-HPLC did not permit an accurate separation of the different variants of caseins, other studies are currently in progress using a proteomic approach

Pharmacogenetic considerations for optimizing tacrolimus dosing in liver and kidney transplant patients

The introduction of tacrolimus in clinical practice has improved patient survival after organ transplant. However, despite the long use of tacrolimus in clinical practice, the best way to use this agent is still a matter of intense debate. The start of the genomic era has generated new research areas, such as pharmacogenetics, which studies the variability of drug response in relation to the genetic factors involved in the processes responsible for the pharmacokinetics and/or the action mechanism of a drug in the body. This variability seems to be correlated with the presence of genetic polymorphisms. Genotyping is an attractive option especially for the initiation of the dosing of tacrolimus; also, unlike phenotypic tests, the genotype is a stable characteristic that needs to be determined only once for any given gene. However, prospective clinical studies must show that genotype determination before transplantation allows for better use of a given drug and improves the safety and clinical efficacy of that medication. At present, research has been able to reliably show that the CYP3A5 genotype, but not the CYP3A4 or ABCB1 ones, can modify the pharmacokinetics of tacrolimus. However, it has not been possible to incontrovertibly show that the corresponding changes in the pharmacokinetic profile are linked with different patient outcomes regarding tacrolimus efficacy and toxicity. For these reasons, pharmacogenetics and individualized medicine remain a fascinating area for further study and may ultimately become the face of future medical practice and drug dosing

Post-test simulations for the NACIE-UP benchmark by STH codes

This paper illustrates the results obtained in the last phase of the NACIE-UP benchmark activity foreseen inside the EU SESAME Project. The purpose of this research activity, performed by system thermal–hydraulic (STH) codes, is finalized to the improvement, development and validation of existing STH codes for Heavy Liquid Metal (HLM) systems. All the participants improved their modelling of the NACIE-UP facility, respect to the initial blind simulation phase, adopting the actual experimental boundary conditions and reducing as much as possible sources of uncertainty in their numerical model. Four different STH codes were employed by the participants to the benchmark to model the NACIE-UP facility, namely: CATHARE for ENEA, ATHLET for GRS, RELAP5-3D© for the “Sapienza” University of Rome and RELAP5/Mod3.3(modified) for the University of Pisa. Three reference tests foreseen in the NACIE-UP benchmark and carried out at ENEA Brasimone Research Centre were analysed from four participants. The data from the post-test analyses, performed independently by the participant using different STH codes, were compared together and with the available experimental results and critically discussed

Cold asphalt contaning 100% reclamed asphalt. A sustainable technology for cycle paths and maintenance intervations

Both the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (Next Generation EU Program) and the development strategies for Smart Cities focus on cycle and pedestrian paths. Their pavements must be safe, durable and sustainable and considering the need to preserve the resources that Planet Earth offers to humans, it is essential to opt for innovative construction technologies that allow recycling methods without necessarily involving the addition of first-use materials. In the field of road infrastructure, the recovery of material deriving from the demolition of old pavements (RA - Reclaimed Asphalt) is only possible thanks to the use of specific products. A state-of-the-art rejuvenator is currently being used for the construction of cycling paths with 100% cold-mixed RA. This product is currently being studied for the INFRAROB project: “Maintaining integrity, performance and safety of the road infrastructure through autonomous robotized solutions and modularization” (Horizon 2020) with particular reference to “potholes patching” materials. Some technical data of the experiences developed to date are shown below

Biomarkers of oxidative and nitrosative damage in Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common type of dementia in the elderly. Products of oxidative and nitrosative stress (OS and NS, respectively) accumulate with aging, which is the main risk factor for AD. This provides the basis for the involvement of OS and NS in AD pathogenesis. OS and NS occur in biological systems due to the dysregulation of the redox balance, caused by a deficiency of antioxidants and/or the overproduction of free radicals. Free radical attack against lipids, proteins, sugars and nucleic acids leads to the formation of bioproducts whose detection in fluids and tissues represents the currently available method for assessing oxidative/nitrosative damage. Post-mortem and in-vivo studies have demonstrated an accumulation of products of free radical damage in the central nervous system and in the peripheral tissues of subjects with AD or mild cognitive impairment (MCI). In addition to their individual role, biomarkers for OS and NS in AD are associated with altered bioenergetics and amyloid-beta (Aβ) metabolism. In this review we discuss the main results obtained in the field of biomarkers of oxidative/nitrosative stress in AD and MCI in humans, in addition to their potential role as a tool for diagnosis, prognosis and treatment efficacy in AD. © 2009 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved

Raja asterias population assessment in FAO GFCM GSA17 area

Population structure and distribution of the starry ray, Raja asterias, were described based on data collected during yearly rapido trawl surveys (SoleMon), between 2005 and 2014 in the Northern and Central Adriatic Sea. A total of 306 individuals were caught, sex ratio was 1.04:1 in favor of males and length-weight relationships were obtained for the whole sample. Following the MEDITS scale, maturity was estimated, observing a higher number of immature individuals. Relative abundance significantly increased during the recent period with the highest values recorded at 5-30 m depths. Such increase could be related to the response of R. asterias to climatic change or to the decrease  in fishing pressure in the area. Clear spatial segregation of individuals depending on their life stage was observed, with immature individuals inhabiting the coastal areas and adults more abundant at depths greater than 40 m. The comparison of the result of the present study with MEDITS survey outcomes in terms of  distribution patterns, persistence areas of adults and juveniles and abundances indices, evidences that SoleMon survey seems to be more suitable in defining such features of the stock, likely due to the greater catchability of the rapido trawl in respect to the MEDITS trawl net. However, further investigations are needed to identify factors affecting the increasing abundance of this species, and develop an action plan for spatial management of fishing activities