EFFECTIVENESS OF VACUUM DEVICES FOR HOME STORAGE OF RAINBOW TROUTS FROM GAME FISHING LAKES

The aim of this work was to study the effectiveness of vacuum devices for home storage of rainbow trouts from sport fishing lakes located near Avellino, in the South of Italy. The trout were divided in two groups: one was vacuum-packaged by using a "Food Vacuum System", while the other was stored in plastic trays covered with plastic wrap. Both the fish samples were stored at 4°C for 6 days. Rainbow trout purchased in a local supermarket were used as control. The trout quality was evaluated by microbiological, chemical and sensory analyses. Fatty acids and volatile compounds were characterized by GC and SPME-GC/MS. Results proved the efficiency of the vacuum system in preserving the quality characteristics of the trout, limiting the formation of off-odors and off-flavors related to spoilage and oxidative processes

miR-196a Is Able to Restore the Aggressive Phenotype of Annexin A1 Knock-Out in Pancreatic Cancer Cells by CRISPR/Cas9 Genome Editing

Annexin A1 (ANXA1) is a Ca2+-binding protein that is involved in pancreatic cancer (PC) progression. It is able to mediate cytoskeletal organization maintaining a malignant phenotype. Our previous studies showed that ANXA1 Knock-Out (KO) MIA PaCa-2 cells partially lost their migratory and invasive capabilities and also the metastatization process appeared affected in vivo. Here, we investigated the microRNA (miRNA) profile in ANXA1 KO cells finding that the modification in miRNA expression suggests the significant involvement of ANXA1 in PC development. In this study, we focused on miR-196a which appeared down modulated in absence of ANXA1. This miRNA is a well known oncogenic factor in several tumour models and it is able to trigger the agents of the epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), like ANXA1. Our results show that the reintroduction in ANXA1 KO cells of miR-196a through the mimic sequence restored the early aggressive phenotype of MIA PaCa-2. Then, ANXA1 seems to support the expression of miR-196a and its role. On the other hand, this miRNA is able to mediate cytoskeletal dynamics and other protein functions promoting PC cell migration and invasion. This work describes the correlation between ANXA1 and specific miRNA sequences, particularly miR-196a. These results could lead to further information on ANXA1 intracellular role in PC, explaining other aspects that are apart from its tumorigenic behaviour

Centro Regionale di Castanicoltura: dieci anni di attività in Piemonte

To improve the R&D strategies in chestnut cultivation and to further develop the chestnut industry, the University of Torino, Dept. of Agriculture, Forestry and Food, with the financial support of the Piemonte Region, established in 2005 the Chestnut Regional Centre, located in Chiusa Pesio (Cuneo Province, North Western Italy). The Piemonte Region supported the institution of the Centre with human resources and structures (nurseries, land to realize the arboretum). The main activity of the Centre is the research, on several fields, including chestnut germplasm, advanced propagation techniques, optimization of cultural prac-tices, pest and diseases management, extension service activities. In the Centre, a germplasm collection of chestnut genetic variability has been established on a 3 ha surface. Main local and national cultivars are included, with several European varieties from Portugal, Spain, France, Switzerland and other accessions from U.S.A., China, and Japan. The collection is in progress and will be completed in the next years. A newsletter published in English and Italian informs researchers, technicians and growers periodically. The Centre aims to become a national conservatory of the chestnut biodiversity and a reference center for research activities on Castanea specie

Risk factors for intracerebral hemorrhage in patients with atrial fibrillation on NOACs for stroke prevention

Background and Purpose: Clinical trials on stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation have consistently shown clinical benefit from either warfarin or non–vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs). NOAC-treated patients have consistently reported to be at lower risk for intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) than warfarin-treated patients. The aims of this prospective, multicenter, multinational, unmatched, case-control study were (1) to investigate for risk factors that could predict ICH occurring in patients with atrial fibrillation during NOAC treatment and (2) to evaluate the role of CHA2DS2-VASc and HAS-BLED scores in the same setting. Methods: Cases were consecutive patients with atrial fibrillation who had ICH during NOAC treatment. Controls were consecutive patients with atrial fibrillation who did not have ICH during NOAC treatment. As within the CHA2DS2-VASc and HAS-BLED scores there are some risk factors in common, several multivariable logistic regression models were performed to identify independent prespecified predictors for ICH events. Results: Four hundred nineteen cases (mean age, 78.8±8.1 years) and 1526 controls (mean age, 76.0±10.3 years) were included in the study. From the different models performed, independent predictors of ICH were increasing age, concomitant use of antiplatelet agents, active malignancy, high risk of fall, hyperlipidemia, low clearance of creatinine, peripheral artery disease, and white matter changes. Low doses of NOACs (given according to label or not) and congestive heart failure were inversely associated with the risk of ICH. HAS-BLED and CHA2DS2-VASc scores performed poorly in predicting ICH with areas under the curves of 0.496 (95% CI, 0.468-0.525) and 0.530 (95% CI, 0.500-0.560), respectively. Conclusions: Several risk factors were associated to ICH in patients treated with NOACs for stroke prevention but not HAS-BLED and CHA2DS2-VASc scores