Valorization of citrus waste for circular economy: A case study on bergamot pomace as sorbent for Cd2+ removal and source of added value compounds

The potential of bergamot pomace for the development of materials able to efficiently remove cadmium(II) from water and for the recovery of bioactive compounds has been explored. To this purpose, raw bergamot waste resulting after industrial essential oil and juice extraction was mechanically ground, desiccated, pretreated with various chemicals (e.g. NaOH, HNO3, H2O2, H2O, 2-propanol) and dried up to constant weight thus affording solid samples that were characterized by ATR FT-IR spectroscopy. The solutions recovered after the pomace pretreatments were investigated by means of HPLC in combination with PDA and MS detectors to assess the residual content of bioactive components, e.g., phenolic and oxygenated heterocyclic compounds (OHCs). Potentiometric studies were performed on suspensions at t = 25 °C, I = 0.10 mol dm−3 in NaNO3(aq) to investigate pomace acid-base properties and binding ability towards Cd2+ ions. Sorption efficiency was investigated by means of kinetic and isotherm batch experiments and resulted to be 92 ± 7 mg g−1. Once loaded, sorbent reusability was tested by performing metal stripping cycles using various desorbents (HCl, HNO3, L-GLDA, S,S-EDDS, EDTA) with an efficiency of ∼ 60% after one cycle. The equilibrium Cd2+ concentration in solution was determined by differential pulse voltammetry and ICP-OES

Morphological evaluation of cardoon (Cynara cardunculus L.): assessing biodiversity for applications based on tradition, innovation and sustainability

Selected cardoon cultivars established in the “Serra da Estrela” region were analysed to evaluate morphological characteristics related principally to the production of cardoon flowers, which are a compulsory ingredient for particular Mediterranean PDO cheese regions. The biodiversity of twelve cardoon cultivars installed in an experimental field were evaluated over three growing seasons using thirty-four morphological descriptors. Statistically significant differences were found between cultivars for twenty-four morphological characteristics which indicate a wide genetic diversity. The relationship among the cultivars and characteristics was analysed using principal component analysis. A three dimensional template was found to be very significant and explained 71% of the total variation. The first component is dominated positively by plant height, diameter of stalk, inflorescence characteristics and flower production, while the second component is positively dominated by leaf characteristics. Cultivars A26, D32 and D33, present a plant architecture simultaneously well adapted for flower production, ease of harvesting and plant biomass. These characterizations and understandings can be useful for a plant breeding programme to develop cultivars for innovative potential applications besides flowers, and also for application by other cheese producers in Mediterranean regions.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

A randomized, controlled, prospective trial to evaluate the haemostatic effect of Lyostypt versus Surgicel in arterial bypass anastomosis: "COBBANA" trial

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The development of suture hole bleeding at peripheral arterial bypass anastomoses using PTFE graft prostheses is a common problem in peripheral vascular surgery. Traditionally the problem is managed by compression with surgical swabs and reversal heparin or by using several haemostatic device (e.g. different forms of collagen, oxidized cellulose, gelatine sponge, ethylcyanoacrylate glue or fibrin) with various success. Preclinical data suggest that the haemostatic effect of collagen is stronger than that of oxidized cellulose, but no direct clinical comparison of their hemostatic performance has been published so far.</p> <p>Design</p> <p>This randomized, controlled, prospective trial evaluates the haemostatic effect of Lyostypt versus Surgicel in arterial bypass anastomosis. 28 patients undergoing an elective peripheral vascular reconstruction due to peripheral vascular disease will be included. Suture hole bleeding occurring at the arterial bypass anastomosis using a PTFE prostheses will be stopped by the application of Lyostypt and/or Surgicel. The proximal anastomoses will be randomized intraoperatively. The patients will be allocated into 4 different treatment groups. Group1 Lyostypt distal/Surgicel proximal; Group 2: Lyostypt proximal/Surgicel distal; Group 3: Surgicel distal and proximal; Group 4: Lyostypt distal and proximal. Primary endpoint of the study is time to haemostasis. Secondary endpoints are the number of intraoperatively used haemostatic devices, postoperative mortality within 30 days as well as the intraoperative efficacy rating of the two devices evaluated by the surgeon. As a safety secondary parameter, the local and general complication occurring till 30 ± 10 days postoperatively will also be analysed. After hospital discharge the investigator will examine the enrolled patients again at 30 days after surgery.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>The COBBANA trial aims to assess, whether the haemostatic effect of Lyostypt is superior to Surgicel in suture hole bleedings of arterial bypass anastomoses.</p> <p>Trial registration</p> <p>NCT00837954</p

Supratotal resection in low grade gliomas (LGGs) : feasibility and clinical impact

Surgical strategy for LGGs aims at maximal tumor removal and at the maintainance of patient full integrity, performing resection according to functional boundaries. Maximal resection is accomplished to reach tumor borders as visibile in volumetric FLAIR (total resection) and when possible even further (supratotal resection). Maximal tumor resection (GTR) is associated with prolonged progression free survival (PFS) and malignant progression free survival (MPFS). While these goals are reached when a GTR is obtained, the feasibility, the clinical and oncological impact of supratotal resection is still a matter of debate. In this work we explore the feasibility of supratotal resection, its short and long term on patient performance, and its oncological impact. A series of 375 LGGS were submitted to surgery according to functional boundaries with intraoperative neurophysiology and neuropsychology. The extent of resection was evaluated on volumetric FLAIR images. The number of cases in which a total or supratotal resection was reached, tumor volume and location, the duration of surgery, the technical adjunts needed, and the rate of surgical complication were assessed. The percentage of immediate and permanent post operative deficits were evaluated by neurologic and neuropsychological evaluation. A separate group of 75 patients submitted to total and supratotal resection were followed up for at least 7 yrs (mean 8 yrs, 7\u20139 yrs) to evaluate the impact on PFS and MPFS. A total and supratotal resection were obtained in 95 and 94 patients, with tumors located in both dominant and non dominant hemisphere. Supratotal resection was obtained mainly in frontal lobe tumor (52%), but reached also in temporal (20%), insular (20%) and parietal (5%) tumors. Median tumor volume was 18,8 cm3. 33,3% tumors were oligodendroglioma. No difference in term of duration of surgery, technical adjunt needed to perform the procedure, and no complications were registered. The rate of immediate post operative deficits was comparable and related to functional tumor location. No neurological permanent deficits were documented. The neuropsychological evaluation showed a difference at 1 month, with an moderate increase of deficits in the supratotal group, but no differences at 6 months evaluation (10% and 8%, mostly memory and attention deficits). In the group of patients with longer followup no recurrence were observed in the subgroup of patients submitted to supratotal resection while 78% of patients in the subgruop of total resection recurred within 7 years and in 25% showed with malignant transformation. Supratotal resection when performed according to functional boundaries is a feasible and safe procedure to be considered in each case of LGGs. The oncological followup suggests a stronger impact of the supratotal resection on the natural history of the disease wich should be confirmed with a further longer follow up

Development of modified atmosphere packages on the quality of sicilian kale (Brassica oleracea var. acephala) shoots

Since some decades, and also in the present global economic crisis, the requestfor fresh-cut products has showed an increasing trend, and its productive chainrepresent one of the most remunerative activity of agriculture. In this frame wepointed our attention to diversify fresh-cut vegetable items by several minor and/orunderutilized crops and in some case by wild species gathered and utilized asvegetables in Sicily. Kale (Brassica oleracea var. acephala) shoots seem to be of greatinterest for fresh-cut production both for its environmental friendly growing techniquesand nutraceutical properties, as it is rich in antioxidants compounds asascorbic acid, total polyphenols, carotenoids and glucosinolates. The use of low level ofoxygen (O2) and of high level of carbon dioxide (CO2) atmosphere appeared useful formaintain quality and extend shelf-life for several vegetables. In this condition theplant reduces respiration process that involves a complex biochemical reactions,delayed ripening and senescence and also reduces fungal development. Besides,refrigeration is important for elongate the shelf-life but modified atmospherepackaging (MAP) is an important complementary technique to apply. We studied akale Sicilian type evaluating three modified atmospheres (air, 70% N2:30% CO2;100% CO2), three temperature levels (0, 4 and 8°C) during three storage times (0, 3and 7 days). Every day, the percentages of oxygen and carbon dioxide, colourparameters (CIE L*, a* and b*) and dry weight of the shoots were monitored. Resultsshowed the best shoots quality utilizing 70% N2:30% CO2 storage atmosphere at 4°C,the product is kept in good condition for all seven days. This study has improvedknowledge about the respiration process and variation of color of kale shoots inrelation to modified atmospheres packaging, temperature and time