Lactic acid bacteria and yeasts from wheat sourdoughs of the Marche region

The need for a greater diversification of baked products has given rise to the on-going search for yeast and lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains with optimal baking potential. Thirty-six yeasts and 118 LAB, isolated from nine type I sourdoughs that were sampled in bakeries located in the Marche region (central Italy), were molecularly and phenotypically characterized. The polyphasic approach used revealed the biodiversity of the microbial communities investigated and two yeasts and ten LAB cultures with the potential to be used in sourdough bread-making processes were identified

Metabolomic Study of Dactylis glomerata Growing on Aeolian Archipelago (Italy)

The Aeolian Islands (Italy) are a volcanic archipelago in the Tyrrhenian Sea comprising seven main islands, among which are two active volcanoes. The peculiar geological features and the wide variety of environments and soils have an important impact on native plants, and in particular, the Aeolian populations of Dactylis glomerata (a perennial cool-season bunchgrass) exhibit remarkable phenotypic variability. Considering that environmental drivers also strongly affect the production of plant metabolites, this work aimed at comparing the metabolomic profiles of D. glomerata (leaves) harvested at different altitudes on four islands of the Aeolian archipelago, namely: Lipari, Vulcano, Stromboli and Panarea. Samples were analyzed by 1H NMR profiling, and data were treated by PCA. Samples collected on Stromboli were very different from each other and from the samples collected in the other islands. Through an OPLS model, using altitude as the y variable, it emerged that the concentration of proline, glycine betaine, sucrose, glucose and chlorogenic acid of D. glomerata growing on Stromboli decreased at increasing altitude. Conversely, increasing altitude was associated with an increment in valine, asparagine, fumaric acid and phenylalanine

Pregnancy in advanced (≥ 40) and very advanced (≥ 45) reproductive age: Maternal and fetal risks

Aim of the study. The aim of our study is to evaluate the pregnancy complications, mode of delivery and neonatal outcome in women of advanced reproductive age (≥ 40 years) and very advanced reproductive age (≥ 45 years). Methods and materials. We selected 343 patients aged ≥ 40 years who subsequently gave birth at the Department of Obstetrics- Gynecology at the Policlinico Umberto I in Rome, between 2010 and 2011. We selected a control group of 527 patients aged between 25 and 35 who gave birth in the same period. After excluding twin pregnancies and intrauterine deaths, the study sample is made up of 312 patients, subdivided into two subgroups according to age: 40-44 years (group A: 274 patients) and age ≥ 45 years (group B: 38 patients), while the control group includes 510 patients. For each group we evaluated the pregnancy outcomes (chronic maternal diseases, gestational maternal diseases, obstetric complications), delivery (mode of delivery, gestational age at birth) and neonatal outcome (birth weight and Apgar). Obstetric history (parity and previous cesarean section), mode of onset of pregnancy (spontaneous or assisted reproductive technology) and duration of the hospital stay were reported. Results. We found in women over 40 compared to the control group a significant increase in the frequency of both chronic and gestational maternal diseases: diabetes mellitus (2.6% vs 0.4%), chronic hypertension (6.1% vs 2%), gestational diabetes (9% vs 2.5%), gestational hypertension (8.7% vs 2%); and of obstetric complications: oligohydramnios (7.4% vs 3.7%), intrauterine growth restricion-IUGR (6.7% vs 2.5 %); an increase of cesarean section (70.2% vs 48.2 %) and an increased risk of neonatal complications such as prematurity (20.8% vs 7.5%), low birth weight (17.3% vs 10.6%) and Apgar score less than 7 at the first minute (7.4% vs 1.6%) were evidenced in the study group. We found no significant differences in the frequency of preeclampsia, placental disorders (placenta previa, placental abruption), instrumental delivery. Considering only the group over 40, the comparison between group A (40-44 years) and group B (≥ 45 years) showed a significantly increased frequency of preeclampsia (1.5% vs 13.2%), gestational hypertension (5.8% vs 28.9%), cesarean section (67.2% vs 92.1%), low birth weight (15% vs 34.2%), prematurity (19.3% vs 31.6%) and Apgar score less than 7 at the first minute (5.8% vs 18.4%) in the patients ≥ 45 years. No significant differences emerged for maternal chronic diseases (hypertension, diabetes), for gestational diabetes, obstetric complications (oligohydramnios, IUGR, placental disorders) and instrumental delivery. Conclusions. The pregnancy in age ≥ 40 is associated with an increased risk for the majority of the maternal-fetal complications, but it is mostly over 45 years that the increase of frequency of gestational diseases involving the cardiovascular system becomes highly prevalent (gestational hypertension and preeclampsia); fetal complications such as low birth weight and prematurity are increased. © Copyright 2014, CIC Edizioni Internazionali, Roma

Immigration and adverse pregnancy outcomes in an Italian free care hospital

Introduction: The ever-increasing wave of immigration in Italy has posed demanding challenges in the management of the new multiethnic obstetric population. The aim of this study was to compare pregnancy and perinatal outcomes between immigrants and the native population in an Italian public hospital. Materials and Methods: Singleton pregnant women (≥ 24 weeks of gestation) who delivered during a 3-year period in an Italian free care hospital were included. Long-term (≥ 2 years of residence) immigrant patients were divided into 4 groups according to their ethnic origin: Europeans, Asians, Latin Americans, and Africans. Perinatal indicators of obstetric outcomes were collected and compared between immigrants and Italians. Results: Of the 3556 patients included, 1092 were immigrants and 2464 Italians. The immigrant cohort experienced a higher rate of macrosomia (1.8% vs 0.6%; p = 0.001), very low birth weight (1.3% vs 0.6%; p = 0.048), very early preterm delivery (1.4% vs 0.4%; p = 0.048), and gestational diabetes mellitus (1.8% vs 0.5%; p = 003) compared with the native population. The overall rate of cesarean sections was greater among Italians (56% vs 45.8%; p < 0.001). Among ethnic groups, Europeans and Latin Americans reported a higher rate of preterm delivery (20.2% and 19%, respectively; p < 0.001). Latin Americans carried also a greater risk of fetal macrosomia (3.6%; p < 0.008), while the rate of very low birth weight was higher among Europeans and Africans (2% and 1.8%, respectively; p < 0.04). Conclusion: Obstetricians should pay special attention to the potential disparities in pregnancy outcomes between immigrants and the native population. Future efforts should focus on reducing preterm delivery and glucose dysmetabolism among pregnant immigrants

A Critical Issue in Lung Cancer Cytology and Small Biopsies: DNA and RNA Extraction from Archival Stained Slides for Biomarker Detection through Real Time PCR and NGS—The Experience in Pathological Anatomy Unit

The handling of biomaterials is crucial for precision medicine in advanced-stage lung patients with only cytology or small biopsies available. The main purpose of the study was to evaluate the quantity and quality of nucleic acids extracted from mixed stained slides (MSSs), including H&E, IHC and FISH, compared to the extraction from unstained slides (USs). A series of 35 lung adenocarcinoma surgical samples was selected to set up the method and the technical approach was validated in a series of 15 small biopsies and 38 cytological samples. DNA extracted from MSSs was adequate in all samples and the Real Time PCR was successful in 30/35 surgical samples (86%), 14/15 small biopsies (93%), and 33/38 cytological samples (87%). NGS using DNA extracted from MSSs was successful in 18/35 surgical samples (51%), 11/15 small biopsies (73%), and 26/38 cytological samples (68%). RNA extracted from MSSs was unsatisfactory in all cases showing an inadequate degree of fragmentation. Our technical approach based on the recovery of stained slides could represent a strategic way forward for DNA-based biomarker testing in lung cancer cases without biomaterials. The RNA extracted from MSSs did not represent a successful approach