Effect of the daily ingestion of a purified anthocyanin extract fromgrape skin on rat serum antioxidant capacity

The aim of this work was to study the effect of the daily ingestion of a purified anthocyanin extract from red grape skin on rat serum antioxidant capacity (ORAC) and its safety for the intestinal epithelium. The study was carried out in rats orally administered with the extract for 10 days in either normal physiological conditions or exposed to a pro-oxidant chemical (CCl4). The oral administration of the extract significantly (P<0.05) enhanced the ORAC value of the deproteinised serum of about 50 % after 10 days of ingestion. Anthocyanin administration was also able to reverse completely the decrease in the serum ORAC activity induced by the CCl4 treatment. Experiments with Ussing chamber mounted intestine allowed to exclude any toxicity of the extract for the intestinal epithelium. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that the purified anthocyanin extract from red grape skin enhances the total antioxidant capacity of the serum in either normal physiological condition or during oxidative stress induction, revealing a protective role against the decrease in the serum antioxidant capacity induced by a pro-oxidant compound

Synergistic Effects of Trichoderma harzianum, 1,3 Dichloropropene and Organic Matter in Controlling the Root-Knot Nematode Meloidogyne incognita on Tomato

Environmental concerns raised by synthetic nematicides are encouraging integrated management strategies based on their combination with non-chemical control tools, such as biocontrol agents and/or organic amendments. In this study, the combination of the fumigant 1,3-dichloropropene (1,3-D) with a commercial formulation of the biocontrol agent Trichoderma harzianum (TH) and an organic fertilizer (OF) was investigated in two consecutive tomato crops for its effect on the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita and plant growth and yield. The application of 1,3-D was only performed on the first crop, while TH and OF were provided to both crops. Almost all treatments significantly reduced nematode infestation in both crops, though the greatest nematicidal effect was caused by a combination of the three products. The treatment with 1,3-D limited its nematicidal efficacy to the first crop only. Fumigant integration with TH and OF also resulted in the greatest increases of plant growth and yield. Therefore, the integrated management of root-knot nematodes with a soil fumigant, a bionematicide as T. harzianum and a source of organic matter demonstrated effective nematode suppression though limiting the number of chemical applications

Molecular and functional expression of high conductance Ca 2+ activated K+ channels in the eel intestinal epithelium.

none8Several types of K+ channels have been identified in epithelial cells. Among them high conductance Ca2+- activated K+ channels (BK channels) are of relevant importance for their involvement in regulatory volume decrease (RVD) response following hypotonic stress. The aim of the present work was to investigate the functional and molecular expression of BK in the eel intestine, which is a useful experimental model for cell volume regulation research. In the present paper using rat BK channel-specific primer, a RT-PCR signal of 696 pb cDNA was detected in eel intestine, whole nucleotide sequence showed high similarity (83%) to the alpha subunit of BK channel family. BK channel protein expression was verified by immunoblotting and confocal microscopy, while the functional role of BK channels in epithelial ion transport mechanisms and cell volume regulation was examined by electrophysiological and morphometric analysis on the intact tissue. BKCa channels appeared to be localized along all the plasma membrane of the enterocytes; the apical part of the villi showed the most intense immunostaining. These channels were silent in basal condition, but were activated on both membranes (apical and basolateral) by increasing intracellular Ca2+ concentration with the Ca2+ ionophore ionomycin (1 µM). BKCa channels were also activated on both membranes by hypotonic swelling of the epithelium and their inhibition by 100 nM iberiotoxin (specific BKCa inhibitor) abolished the Regulatory Volume Decrease (RVD) of the intestinal cells after hypotonic swelling. In conclusion, our results demonstrated the molecular and functional expression of high conductance Ca2+ -activated K+ channels in eel intestine; the physiological role of these channels is mainly related to the RVD response of the epithelial cells following hypotonic swelling.I.F.(2007) = 3.557; Category = CELL BIOLOGY, Quartile in category = Q2 (from ISI Web of Knowledge). Category = PHYSIOLOGY, Quartile in category = Q2 (from ISI Web of Knowledge). Recentemente citato da Physiological Reviews (Physiol. Rev. 89: 193-277, 2009)M.G. LIONETTO; RIZZELLO A; GIORDANO M.E; M. MAFFIA; DE NUCCIO F; NICOLARDI G; HOFFMANN E.K; SCHETTINO TLionetto, Maria Giulia; Rizzello, Antonia; Giordano, Maria Elena; Maffia, Michele; DE NUCCIO, Francesco; Nicolardi, Giuseppe; HOFFMANN E., K; Schettino, Trifon

Archivio storico per la provincia di Salerno. A.1, n.s., n.1(1932)

A.1,n.s.,n.1(1932): Carucci C., Presentazione, P.1-5; Soprano D., Onorando Francesco Spirito, P.7-10; Trifone R., La lex et Romanorum consuetudo nelle carte salernitane del sec. 13., P.11-25; Saavedra Y Ramirez A. (duca di Rivas), Viaggio alle rovine di Pesto (traduz. di G. Calabritto), P.27-52; Paesano V., Eboli municipio romano in una iscrizione del II secolo, P.53-58; La Provincia onora i suoi grandi, P.59; Il monumento a Giovanni da Procida, P.59-63; Fiore M. [et.al.], Le denominazioni stradali della città di Salerno, P.64-86; Carucci C., La Provincia di Principato Citra vista attraverso i documenti della sua storia, P.87-94

Food Hygiene Surveillance in Italy: Is Food Ice a Public Health Risk?

Food ice is used as an ingredient or as a coolant in drinks and in the storage of food, especially fishery products. Studies show that ice can be polluted both by chemical substances and by bacteria and fungi. In particular, the presence of fungi in these food matrices has acquired an important role in Public Health, as it can represent a risk factor for fungal complications in immunocompromised subjects. In the present study we evaluated the hygiene–sanitary quality of food ice from public and collective catering establishments in a large area of Southern Italy, investigating the mandatory parameters (Escherichia coli, coliform and Enterococci) and some accessory parameters (Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and fungi) provided for Italian Legislative Decree 31/01. Although 54.5% of samples were compliant, the results highlight a vast contamination of food ice by bacteria and fungi. In particular, 95.8% of samples were contaminated by fungi, stressing no difference between compliant and non-compliant samples. Their presence is generally attributable to the poor sanitation conditions in the production and/or administration phase and to the incorrect sanitization and ordinary maintenance procedures. It seems appropriate to suggest the need to carry out a specific risk assessment with respect to the self-control plan

Investigations on the Efficacy of Ozone as an Environmental Sanitizer in Large Supermarkets

Awareness of the importance of the microbial contamination of air and surfaces has increased significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of bacteria and fungi in the air and on surfaces within some critical areas of large supermarkets with and without an ozonation system. Surveys were conducted in four supermarkets belonging to the same commercial chain of an Apulian city in June 2021, of which two (A and B) were equipped with an ozonation system, and two (C and D) did not have any air-diffused remediation treatment. There was a statistically significant difference in the total bacterial count (TBC) and total fungal count (TFC) in the air between A/B and C/D supermarkets (p = 0.0042 and p = 0.0002, respectively). Regarding surfaces, a statistically significant difference in TBC emerged between A/B and C/D supermarkets (p = 0.0101). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study evaluating the effect of ozone on commercial structures in Italy. Future investigations, supported by a multidisciplinary approach, will make it possible to deepen the knowledge on this method of sanitation, in light of any other epidemic/pandemic waves

SARS-CoV-2 RNA and Supermarket Surfaces: A Real or Presumed Threat?

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) emerged in March 2020 in Italy, leading to the pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) that continues to cause high global morbidity and mortality in human populations. Numerous studies have focused on the spread and persistence of the virus in the hospital setting. New scientific evidence shows that SARS-CoV-2 is present in different community environments. Although aerosol is one of the main routes of transmission for SARS-CoV-2, indirect contact through virus-contaminated surfaces could also play a key role. The survival and persistence of SARS-CoV-2 on surfaces appear to be influenced by the characteristics of the material, temperature, and humidity. In this study, we investigated the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA on surfaces in 20 supermarkets throughout the Apulia region during the lockdown period. We collected a total of 300 swab samples from various surfaces including supermarket scales, trolley handles, refrigerator and freezer handles, and keyboards. In total, 13 (4.3%) surfaces were positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA contamination, with shopping trolley handles being the most frequently contaminated. This study showed that contamination in public spaces can occur, so we remark the importance to adopt adequate preventive measures, including environment ventilation, careful surfaces sanitation, hand hygiene, and correct usage of masks, to reduce the likelihood of virus transmission

SARS-CoV-2 and Public Transport in Italy

Although direct contact is considered the main mode of transmission of SARS-CoV-2, environmental factors play an important role. In this study, we evaluated the presence of SARS-CoV-2 on bus and train surfaces. From the buses, we took samples from the following areas: handrails used to enter or exit the bus, stop request buttons and handles next to the seats. From the trains, the sampled surfaces were handrails used to enter or exit the train, door open/close buttons, handles next to the seats, tables and toilet handles. SARS-CoV-2 was detected on 10.7% of the tested surfaces overall, 19.3% of bus surfaces and 2% of train surfaces (p < 0.0001). On the buses, the most contaminated surfaces were the handles near the seats (12.8%), followed by door open/close buttons (12.5%) and handrails (10.5%). Of the five analyzed transport companies, bus companies were the most contaminated, in particular, companies C (40%) and B (23.3%). A greater number of positive samples were found among those taken at 10:00 a.m. and 10:55 a.m. (45% and 40%, respectively). The presence of the virus on many bus surfaces highlights how the sanitation systems on public transport currently in use are not sufficient to limit the spread of SARS-CoV-2

Rassegna storica salernitana. N.s. A.21, n.2(2004)

La Società Salernitana di Storia Patria aderisce al progetto EleA e autorizza la pubblicazione del fascicoloN.s. A.21, n.2(2004): D'Angelo, S., Uno sconosciuto insediamento protostorico in località Affrontata dello Specchio di Sarno, P. 11 ; Luongo, R., L'esercito di Spartaco nella regione dei Monti Picentini, P. 21 ; Capriolo, G., Frammenti in scrittura beneventana da protocolli notarili di Scala, P. 33 ; Gaglione, M., Marmi trecenteschi di San Lorenzo Maggiore in Napoli (parte prima), P. 55 ; D'Alessio, M. T., Simboli e presenze dei Sanseverino nella Certosa di Padula, P. 83 ; Trifone, G. P., La pastoralità giudiziale: il Tribunaleecclesiastico di Amalfi, P. 97 ; Sofia, F., Vagabondi e forestieri nella Salerno settecentesca, P. 133 ; Casella, M., Don Arcangelo Rotunno, la Conciliazione e la Sacra Congregazione dell'Indice in un episodio del 1888, P. 165 ; Falzo, S., Genesi della "ideologia" del fascismo, P. 195 ; Barra, V., Renato Angiolillo e Oreste Mosca alla direzione de "Il Tempo" (1944-1948), P. 213 ; Caputo, V., Imprenditoria e filantropia italiana in Sào Paulo: Ermelino Matarazzo, P. 237 ; D'Acunti, V., Nota sull'abbazia di Santa Maria di Cadossa e il Priorato Gerosolimitano di Venosa, P. 257 ; De Simone, V., Il significato di archiepiscopio e altre questioni, P. 267 ; Ferraro, S., Le cinquecentine di Vìco Equense durante l'episcopato di Paolo regio (1583-1607), P. 275 ; Taglé, M. R., Paestum nell'immaginario di Vìncenzo Cilento, P. 301 ; Bracco, V., Riappare "La Certosa di Padula" di monsignor Sacco, P. 309 ; D'Episcopo, F., La collina di Giovi e i "Castellani", P. 313 ; De Simone, V., L'eruzione del Vesuvio del 1631 e il terremoto del 1627 nelle note del notaio Giovanni Antonio Ferro, P. 317 ; Russo, N., Don Giuseppe Brandileone chiede un impiego, P. 323 D'Angelo, A., Nostos: itinerari della memoria, P. 329 ; Colucci, R., Convegno Internazionale di Studi su Filangieri e Franklin. Dalla Costituzione degli Stati Uniti alla Carta fondamentale europea (15 giugno 2004), P. 343 ; Marini, G., De Falco, L., XXV Congresso Internazionale di Studi Umanistici: "Le ragioni della poesia nell'Umanesimo", Sassoferrato 30 giugno-3 luglio 2004, P. 353 ; Abbamonte, G., Il teatro greco. Interpretazioni e prospettive di ricerca. Convegno Internazionale di Studi. Napoli 17-18 settembre 2004, P. 361.Sul recto del frontespizio: fasc. 42 della Nuova Serie (annata LXIV dalla fondazione