Fluid dynamic-based Engineering design of a Full-Scale Device for the improvement of Extra Virgin Olive Oil Yield and Quality by means of Combined Acoustic Cavitation and Thermal Conditioning

After some hesitations, the scientific community is jointly converging on the benefits due to the ultrasound treatment by means of mechanical effects generated by acoustic cavitation phenomena occurring into the olive oil paste proposed initially by Amirante and Clodoveo. In recent works, many authors have now confirmed that this promising emerging technology produces relevant beneficial effects if applied to the extraction process under well-controlled conditions. In the last years, the industrial applications of ultrasound (US) in the Extra-Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) extraction process are changing the paradigm of the knowledge in this field of interest due to a great effort of the research activity. In the present work, the design of the device by means a Three-Dimensional (3D) Multiphase Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) analysis was performed, which describes the ultrasound effects in the olive paste, necessary to control the US waves propagation. Thus, fluid dynamic analysis allowed to predict the flow path in the ultrasound devices, to evaluate the flow parameters of the olive paste inside the SHE and the cavitation phenomenon, with the aim to find an optimal design, capable to ensure the best ultrasounds and mixing effects. Moreover, experimental results demonstrated that the machine can guarantee an actual simultaneous improvement of the olive oil extraction yield, as well as of the product quality. Finally, the results from sensory evaluations are summarized confirming the goodness of EVOO obtained by means of US

Effects of Ultrasound and Green Synthesis ZnO Nanoparticles on Biogas Production from Olive Pomace

Abstract Agro-biomass residues can play a crucial role in promoting the fossil-fuel replacement in agro-food farms. Apulia, a region in Southern Italy, concentrates 22% of farms and 57% of total national olive and olive oil production, resulting the leader producer of the Country. So that, a high quantity of biomass (olive pomace) can be recovered from the milling process. This study investigates the biogas production that occurs during the anaerobic digestion of olive pomace by means of an ultrasound pre-treatment or by means of green synthesis of ZnO Nanoparticles mixed with olive pomace, in order to facilitate its digestion or co-digestion. Measurement of dry matter and biogas produced volume during the anaerobic process were investigated starting from 3-phase and 2-phase olive pomace by means of high specific energy and low frequency ultrasound values. The results highlight a promising influence of ultrasound pre-treatment useful at increasing the biogas yield of olive pomace

Efficacy of the new long-acting formulation of lanreotide (lanreotide Autogel) in somatostatin analogue naive patients with acromegaly

ABSTRACT. Objective: To evaluate efficacy and safety of lanreotide autogel (ATG) 120 mg injections every 4-8 weeks in somatostatin analogue-na\uefve patients with acromegaly. Design: Open, non-comparative, phase III, multicenter clinical study. Methods: Fifty-one patients (28 women, aged 19-78 yr): 39 newly diagnosed (de novo) and 12 who had previously undergone unsuccessful surgery (post-op, 11 macro and 1 micro) were studied. ATG 120 mg was initially given every 8 weeks for 24 weeks and subsequently changed according to GH levels: if !2.5 \u3bcg/l every 8 weeks (group A, 17patients); if 2.5-5 \u3bcg/l every 6 weeks (group B, 15 patients); and if >5 \u3bcg/l every 4 weeks (group C, 19 patients). Treatment duration was 48-52 weeks. The primary objective was to control GH and IGF-I levels (GH!2.5 \u3bcg/l and IGF-I normalized for age/gender). Secondary objectives were to assessGH, IGF-I, and acid-labile subunit (ALS) decrease, improvement of clinical symptoms and quality of life (QoL). Results:GH levels normalized in 32 patients (63%), similarly in de novo and post-op patients (72% vs 50%, p=0.48); in100% of group A, in 73% of group B and in 21% of group C(p<0.0001). IGF-I levels normalized in 19 patients (37%), similarly in the de novo and post-op patients (33% vs 50%,p=0.48): in 65% of group A, 33% of group B, and in 16% of group C. Circulating GH levels decreased by 80\ub117%, IGF I levels by 44\ub127%, and ALS by 30\ub117%. Symptoms (hyperhidrosis (68.6%), swelling (68.6%), asthenia (58.8%),spine arthralgia (54.9%), and paresthesias (52.9%) and QoL(from 9.1\ub17.9 to 6.1\ub16.6) significantly improved (p<0.001).No patient withdrew from the study because of adverse events (AE). The most frequent AE was diarrhea (76.2% of patients): at study end 16 mild and 1 moderate diarrhea were recorded. Gallstones developed in 12% of patients. Conclusion: ATG 120 mg in somatostatin-na\uefve patients with acromegaly controls GH secretion in 63% and IGF-I secretion in 37% during a 48-52 week period without any difference between de novo and post-op patients. The treatment was associated with improvement in clinical symptoms and QoL and with a good, safe profile. (J. Endocrinol. Invest. 32: 202-209, 2009

An ecological study on the relationship between supply of beds in long-term care institutions in Italy and potential care needs for the elderly

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The ageing population in Europe is putting an ever increasing demand on the long-term care (LTC) services provided by these countries. This study analyses the relationship between the LTC institutional supply of beds and potential care needs, taking into account the social and health context, the supply of complementary and alternative services, along with informal care.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>An observational, cross-sectional, ecological study was carried out. Statistical data were obtained from the Italian National Institute of Statistics and Ministry of Health. Indicators, regarding 5 areas (Supply of beds in long term care institutions, Potential care needs, Social and health context, Complementary and alternative services for the elderly, Informal care), were calculated at Local Health Unit (LHU) level and referred to 2004.</p> <p>Two indicators were specifically used to measure supply of beds in long term care institutions and potential care needs for the elderly. Their values were grouped in tertiles. LHU were classified according to the combination of tertiles in three groups: A. High level of supply of beds in long term care institutions associated with low level of potential care needs; B. Low level of supply of beds in long term care institutions associated with high level of potential care needs; C. Balanced level of supply of beds in long term care institutions with potential care needs. For each group the indicators of 5 areas were analysed.</p> <p>The Index Number (IN) was calculated for each of these indicators.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Specific factors that need to be carefully considered were highlighted in each of the three defined groups. The highest level of alternative services such as long-stay hospital discharges in residence region (IN = 125), home care recipients (HCR) (IN = 123.8) were reported for Group A. This group included North regions. The highest level of inappropriate hospital discharges in (IN = 124.1) and out (IN = 155.8) the residence region, the highest value of families who received help (IN = 106.4) and the lowest level of HCR (IN = 68.7) were found in Group B. South regions belong to this group. The highest level of families paying a caregiver (IN = 115.8) was shown in Group C. Central regions are included in third group.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Supply of beds in long term care institutions substantially differs across Italian regions, showing in every scenario some imbalances between potential care needs and other studied factors. Our study suggests the need of a comprehensive rethinking of care delivery "system".</p

Effect of bombesin on plasma insulin, pancreatic glucagon, and gut glucagon in man

The effect of bombesin on insulin, pancreatic glucagon, and gut glucagon was investigated in eight healthy volunteers and two pancreatectomized patients. Bombesin, infused iv at the constant rate of 5 ng kg-1, produced a sharp and statistically significant rise in the plasma insulin concentration. The peak was reached at 5 min (26 ± 2.17 μU/ml; P<0.005 vs. basal values), followed by a prolonged and statistically significant (P<0.05) decrease in blood glucose. Pancreatic glucagon rapidly rose to a maximal value of 80.5 ± 7.6 pmol/liter (P<0.005 vs. basal values). In contrast with the prompt increase in insulin and glucagon plasma levels, the peak in gut glucagon concentration (55.8 ± 4.6 pmol/liter; P<0.005 vs. basal values) was reached 30 min after bombesin infusion was discontinued. In the two pancreatectomized patients, bombesin induced an increase in gut glucagon concentrations only. The results presented indicate that bombesin acts directly on the A and B cells of the pancreas, influencing glucose homeostasis; however, more complex mechanisms seem to be involved in gut glucagon secretion.link_to_subscribed_fulltex