CONVEGNO LA RICERCA PER L’AGRICOLTURA BIOLOGICA E BIODINAMICA: UNA VISIONE DI INSIEME

This Conference was organized by the Italian Ministry of Agriculture and was aimed to an overview of the Research in Organic Farming in Italy. This event was adapted for the presentation of FAVORDENONDE Project

CONVEGNO LA RICERCA PER L’AGRICOLTURA BIOLOGICA E BIODINAMICA: UNA VISIONE DI INSIEME

This Conference was organized by the Italian Ministry of Agriculture and was aimed to an overview of the Research in Organic Farming in Italy. This event was adapted for the presentation of FAVORDENONDE Project

Effect of pressing method on the sensory quality of organic apple juice

There is a need for alternative, gentle processing methods that can be used for processing of organic food products. The pressing methods used for organic apple juice include the slow rack-and-frame press and the faster water press or belt press. The aim was to evaluate the influence of these three pressing methods on the sensory quality of cloudy organic apple juice produced from two apple cultivars

Effect of tomato variety, cultivation, climate and processing on Sola l 4, an allergen from Solanum lycopersicum

Tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum) are one of the most consumed vegetables worldwide. However, tomato allergies in patients suffering from birch pollen allergy occur frequently. Due to highly similar protein structures of the tomato allergen Sola l 4 and the major birch pollen allergen Bet v 1, patients cross-react with allergenic proteins from tomato as well as other fruits or vegetables. The aim of this study was to quantify Sola l 4 in various tomatoes differing in color, size and shape for identification of varieties with a reduced allergen level. Therefore, an indirect competitive ELISA using a specific polyclonal Sola l 4 antibody was developed. In addition, two varieties, both cultivated either conventionally or organically and furthermore dried with different methods, were analyzed to investigate the influence of the cultivation method and processing techniques on Sola l 4 level. Within 23 varieties, Sola l 4 content varied significantly between 0.24 and 1.71 μg Sola l 4/g FW. The tomato cultivars Rugantino and Rhianna showed the significantly lowest level, whereas in cultivars Farbini and Bambello the significantly highest concentration was determined. Drying of tomatoes in the oven and by sun resulted in a significant decrease. The thermal instability was verified for the recombinant Sola l 4 emphasizing the results for the native protein in dried tomato samples. Overall, the Sola l 4 content is cultivar-dependent and no correlation between color and Sola l 4 amount was found. During the drying process of tomatoes Sola l 4 level was significantly reduced due to thermal instability. Growing conditions have a minor effect whereas seasonal effects show a more pronounced impact. These findings could extend the knowledge about the allergen level of different tomato varieties and may help to improve food safety to potentially increase the life quality of patients suffering from birch pollen allergy

Effect of the Strawberry Genotype, Cultivation and Processing on the Fra a 1 Allergen Content

Birch pollen allergic patients show cross-reactivity to vegetables and fruits, including strawberries (Fragaria × ananassa). The objective of this study was to quantify the level of the Fra a 1 protein, a Bet v 1-homologous protein in strawberry fruits by a newly developed ELISA, and determine the effect of genotype, cultivation and food processing on the allergen amount. An indirect competitive ELISA using a specific polyclonal anti-Fra a 1.02 antibody was established and revealed high variability in Fra a 1 levels within 20 different genotypes ranging from 0.67 to 3.97 μg/g fresh weight. Mature fruits of red-, white- and yellow-fruited strawberry cultivars showed similar Fra a 1 concentrations. Compared to fresh strawberries, oven and solar-dried fruits contained slightly lower levels due to thermal treatment during processing. SDS-PAGE and Western blot analysis demonstrated degradation of recombinant Fra a 1.02 after prolonged (>10 min) thermal treatment at 99 ◦ C. In conclusion, the genotype strongly determined the Fra a 1 quantity in strawberries and the color of the mature fruits does not relate to the amount of the PR10-protein. Cultivation conditions (organic and conventional farming) do not affect the Fra a 1 level, and seasonal effects were minor

MIDI 2015 Milan Demonstrative Initiatives. Innovative Solutions for Food Processes, Preservation, Safety and Control, 8 September 2015

The CREA research unit for the processes of the food industry in Milan (CREA-IAA), the structure of the Council for Agricultural Research and Economics, in collaboration with other institutions and small and medium-sized enterprises, and sponsored by the Scientific Committee EXPO - Milan, it triggered a series of events at its facility to transfer activities of research results, demonstration and information. With the initiative MIDI (Milan Demonstrative Iniziatives) CREA has proposed the main purpose of transferring the results of public research to EXPO visitors in a context that sees the synergistic action of public and private partners to support the revival of competitiveness of micro , small and medium-sized Italian companies

Effect of pressing method on the sensory quality of organic apple juice

There is a need for alternative, gentle processing methods that can be used for processing of organic food products. The pressing methods used for organic apple juice include the slow rack-and-frame press and the faster water press or belt press. The aim was to evaluate the influence of these three pressing methods on the sensory quality of cloudy organic apple juice produced from two apple cultivars

Smartphone use and addiction during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic: cohort study on 184 Italian children and adolescents

Background: The lives of many children and adolescents are today increasingly influenced by new technological devices, including smartphones. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic occurred in a time of outstanding scientific progress and global digitalization. Young people had relevant adverse psychological and behavioral effects due to the COVID-19 pandemic, mainly related to infection control measures, which led them to spend more time at home and with major use of technological tools. The goal this study proposes is to evaluate health and social outcomes of smartphone overuse among Italian children and adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic, analyzing patterns and aims of utilization, as well as the eventual presence and degree of addiction. Methods: This study was based on a self-report and anonymous questionnaire, which was administered to 184 Italian school-age (6–18 years) children and adolescents during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. The test was electronically (email, whatsapp) explained and sent by pediatricians either directly to older children (middle and high school), or indirectly, through the help of teachers, to younger ones (primary school). All participants spontaneously and voluntarily joined the present study. The survey was made by 4 sections, and designed to know and outline modalities (frequency, patterns and aims) of smartphone use, adverse outcomes, and related parental behaviors, also in order to reveal the eventual occurrence and degree of addiction. The same information, related to the pre-epidemic period, was also investigated and analyzed. Results: The data obtained revealed a significantly greater adhesion to the questionnaire by females, likely reflecting higher attention and interest than boys to initiatives relating to health education. Our study showed more frequent smartphone use among Italian children and adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic, compared to the pre-epidemic period. This may be related to the social distancing measures adopted during the months under investigation. The present survey also outlined the changing patterns and aims in the use of smartphones among young people, which allowed to limit some effects of the crisis. Indeed, they were used for human connection, learning and entertainment, providing psychological and social support. Finally, it was observed a significant increase of overuse and addiction. This led to many clinical (sleep, ocular and musculoskeletal disorders), psychological (distraction, mood modification, loss of interest) and social (superficial approach to learning, isolation) unfavorable outcomes. Conclusions: Pediatricians and health care professionals should be aware of the potential risks related to inappropriate use of smartphones. They should monitor, in cooperation with parents, possible associated adverse effects, in order to early recognize signs and symptoms suggestive, or at high risk, for addiction. They must carry out, as well, the necessary interventions to prevent and/or lower the detrimental impact of smartphone overuse on children and adolescents’ health, oriented to sustain adequate physical and psychological development as well as social relationships

Potential of delphinidin-3-rutinoside extracted from Solanum melongena L. as promoter of osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 function and antagonist of oxidative damage

Purpose: Increasing evidence suggests the potential use of natural antioxidant compounds in the prevention/treatment of osteoporosis. This study was undertaken to investigate the effects of purified delphinidin-3-rutinoside (D3R), isolated from Solanum melongena L., on osteoblast viability and differentiation in basal conditions and its ability to protect MC3T3-E1 cells against oxidative damage induced by tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP). Methods: MC3T3-E1 osteoblastic cells were treated with D3R (10 1211\u201310 125 M for 24 h), followed by treatment with t-BHP (250 \ub5M for 3 h). To test cell viability, MTT test was performed. Apoptotic cells were stained with Hoechst-33258 dye. Cytoskeleton rearrangement was stained with FICT-labelled phalloidin. Intracellular ROS production was measured using dichlorofluorescein CM-DCFA. The reduced glutathione to oxidized glutathione ratio (GSH/GSSG) contents was measured according to the OPT fluorimetric assay. Results: D3R (10 129 M) significantly increases viability of MC3T3-E1 cells and promotes osteoblast differentiation by increasing the expression of type I collagen, alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin. Pre-treatment with D3R (10 129 M) significantly prevented t-BHP-induced osteoblastic dysfunction and changes in the cytoskeleton organization by decreasing intracellular ROS and preventing the reduction in GSH/GSSG. D3R did not significantly modify the expression of Osteoprotegerin/RANKL system activated by t-BHP suggesting a lack of effect of D3R on osteoblast/osteoclast crosstalk. D3R protective effects against t-BHP-induced osteoblastic dysfunction were mediated by the PI3K/Akt pathway since they were completely prevented by LY294002, a PI3K/Akt specific inhibitor. Conclusions: These findings indicate that D3R protects MC3T3-E1 cells from oxidative damage and suggest the potential utility of dietary D3R supplement to prevent osteoblast dysfunction in age-related osteoporosis

European collaboration on health Technology assessment: looking backward and forward

The establishment of health technology assessment (HTA) has been an important topic in Europe for many years. There have been a series of activities starting with first projects in 1994 leading to joint actions from the European Network of HTA (EUnetHTA) ending in 2021. This long interval of engagement with HTA structures, methodology, and processes by all member states led to a reliable basis for European collaboration in HTA. This article shows milestones and developments from EUR-ASSESS in 1994 through the progress of EUnetHTA and the accompanying EU-HTA-Network up to the recent elaboration of the EU-HTA-Regulation. With the EU-HTA-Regulation HTA collaboration is taken out of the trial phase of more than 15 years. Through the previous EU HTA collaboration, the appreciation and understanding of the differences and complexities behind the HTA processes in the EU healthcare systems have improved. It is now necessary to make the final steps toward a sustainable European Network for HTA.S