UHPLC-MS/MS Method for the Analysis of 2,6 Toluene Diisocyanate and 2,4 Toluene Diisocyanate Released from Microa-gglomerated Corks in Wine

Micro-agglomerate corks, made by agglutination of cork granulate through the addition of different adhesives, represent an important slice of the market of cork stoppers. Binder glues which are polyurethane- or butadiene-based have been used since they have strong agglomerating effect. Unfortunately, polyurethane-based glues can have isocyanide end group compounds which can migrate into the wine. 2,4-toluene diisocyanate (2,4-TDI) and 2,6 toluene diisocyanate (2,6-TDI), can be found in adhesive and could migrate into wine. A simple ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) method for the determination of these active ingredients (a.is.) in wine has been developed. The method has been validated under Eurachem CITAC guidelines (Cooperation on International Traceability in Analytical Chemistry). Instrument limit of detection (LOD) and to a limit of quantification (LOQ) for 2,6 TDI and 2,4 TDI were 0.42 and 0.39 μg/L, and 1.72 and 1.57 μg/L, respectively. Four different solvents applied for recoveries showed quite different rates ranging for 2,6 TDI and 2,4 TDI from 17.96 to 88.53 %, and 40.08 to 99.18 %, respectively. Real sample analysis showed low residue levels, especially of 2,6 TDI, with values always below the LOQ. The data reported on real samples allowed to establish that from a risk management purpose, no toxicology risk can be accomplished

Growing CeO2 Nanoparticles Within the Nano-Porous Architecture of the SiO2 Aerogel

In this study, new CeO2-SiO2 aerogel nanocomposites obtained by controlled growth of CeO2 nanoparticles within the highly porous matrix of a SiO2 aerogel are presented. The nanocomposites have been synthesized via a sol-gel route, employing cerium (III) nitrate as the CeO2 precursor and selected surfactants to control the growth of the CeO2 nanoparticles, which occurs during the supercritical drying of the aerogels. Samples with different loading of the CeO2 dispersed phase, ranging from 5 to 15%, were obtained. The nanocomposites showed the morphological features typical of the SiO2 aerogels such as open mesoporosity with surface area values up to 430 m2·g−1. TEM and XRD characterizations show that nanocrystals of the dispersed CeO2 nanophase grow within the aerogel already during the supercritical drying process, with particle sizes in the range of 3 to 5 nm. TEM in particular shows that the CeO2 nanoparticles are well-distributed within the aerogel matrix. We also demonstrate the stability of the nanocomposites under high temperature conditions, performing thermal treatments in air at 450 and 900°C. Interestingly, the CeO2 nanoparticles undergo a very limited crystal growth, with sizes up to only 7 nm in the case of the sample subjected to a 900°C treatment

Determination of Pesticide Residues in IV Range Artichoke (Cynara cardunculus L.) and Its Industrial Wastes

Fourth-range products are those types of fresh fruit and vegetables that are ready for raw consumption or after cooking, and belong to organic or integrated cultivations. These products are subject to mild post-harvesting processing procedures (selection, sorting, husking, cutting, and washing), and are afterwards packaged in packets or closed food plates, with an average shelf life of 5–10 days. Artichokes are stripped of the leaves, stems and outer bracts, and the remaining heads are washed with acidifying solutions. The A LC-MS/MS analytical method was developed and validated following SANTE guidelines for the detection of 220 pesticides. This work evaluated the distribution of pesticide residues among the fraction of artichokes obtained during the industrial processing, and the residues of their wastes left on the field were also investigated. The results showed quantifiable residues of one herbicide (pendimethalin) and four fungicides (azoxystrobin, propyzamide, tebuconazole, and pyraclostrobin). Pendimethalin was found in all samples, with the higher values in leaves 0.046 ± 8.2 mg/kg and in field waste 0.30 ± 6.7 mg/kg. Azoxystrobin was the most concentrated in the outer bracts (0.18 ± 2.9 mg/kg). The outer bracts showed the highest number of residues. The industrial waste showed a significant decrease in the number of residues and their concentration

Heavy metal and metalloid accumulation in wild brown trout (Salmo trutta L., 1758 complex, Osteichthyes: Salmonidae) from a mountain stream in Sardinia by ICP-OES

This paper reports heavy metal and metalloid accumulation in wild brown trout (Salmo trutta L., 1758 complex) raised in freshwater and uncontaminated Sardinia system (Italy). Metals are widespread pollutants of aquatic systems, and their contamination can originate from anthropogenic activities such as industrial waste, agricultural and domestic environments, and geochemical release. Fish has a relevant position within the human diet; moreover, fishes can accumulate metals, making them a valuable tool as biomarkers for risk assessment studies. The concentration of 22 metals and metalloids after chemical digestion was assessed by inductively coupled plasma-optic emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) in both the guts and the edible part (EP, muscle + skin) of brown trout. The results, expressed as μg g−1, showed different levels of accumulation in the EP and guts, following the series Cu > Zn > Ba > Al > Sr > Fe > Pb and Fe > Al > Hg > As > Mn > Cu > Ba > B > Zn > Pb, respectively. PCA analysis showed a fairly good correlation between the total lipid and SAFA content and Cd, Hg, and Pb accumulation in the gut. Non-carcinogenic risk assessment, expressed as THQ (target hazard quotient), showed values far below 1 for all metals in muscles, while high As and Hg contamination of the gut draws attention to possible health risks which should be discarded from the fish before consumption. TR (target cancer risk) values showed alarmingly high values for As and Cd when the fish were consumed entirely (gut + EP), while Pb levels were far below the safety levels

Influence of the technological process on the biochemical composition of fresh roe and bottarga from liza ramada and mugil cephalus

Bottarga is a high-priced delicacy with high nutritional value, and, in Italy, bottarga from mullets has been recognized to be a traditional food product. The flathead grey mullet Mugil cephalus and the thinlip grey mullet Liza ramada are the main cultured grey mullets in the Mediterranean Sea. In this study, fresh roe and bottarga from these two species were investigated to evaluate the influence of the technological process and the species on their biochemical composition and health advantages. The 1 h/200 g salting-out step did not increase the levels of NaCl in the bottarga, although it highly decreased the levels of some heavy metals like Cu and Al. Processing of fresh roe in bottarga led to an essential modification of the lipid fraction, following a general series of monousatturated fatty acid (MUFA)> poliunsutturated fatti acid (PUFA) > saturated fatty acid (SAFA) and an increase in both !3 and !6 in Liza ramada. Moreover, bottarga showed higher levels of squalene and cholesterol and an increased Essential Amino Acid/Total Amino Acid ratio (EAA/TAA) in both species. In addition to the nutritional benefits for the consumer, the process proposed in this study may represent a reliable tool for local producers to obtain a final bottarga with both a reproducible biochemical composition and organoleptic characteristics

Materiali per un atlante corologico dei vegetali in Sardegna

Scopo della ricerca è la predisposizione di una banca dati delle specie vegetali (cormofite) presenti sul territorio della Sardegna, estendibile, eventualmente, anche ad alghe, funghi, licheni e briofite

Effects of industrial processing on pesticide multiresidues transfer from raw tomatoes to processed products

Pesticides are broadly used to improve food safety, although they can lead to adverse health effects on consumers. Various food processing approaches, at the industrial or domestic level, have been found to highly reduce the amount of pesticide residues in most food materials. In this work, samples of raw tomatoes were collected directly from the field and processed at the industrial level to produce purée, triple concentrated paste, fine pulp, and diced tomatoes. A multiresidue method based on a modified QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged e Safe) sample preparation, followed by liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry analysis (LC‐MS/MS) for the assessment of 116 pesticides residues, was used. The analytical method has been validated according to SANTE indications. The recovery yields ranged from 75.5% to 115.3%, repeatability (RSDr) ranged from 3.4% to 18.3%, while reproducibility (RSDwR) ranged from 5.4% to 19.8%. The limit of quantifications (LOQs) ranged from 2.35 μg kg−1 for benthiavalicarb to 6.49 μg kg−1 for allethrin. A total of 159 raw tomato samples were collected from the field. The analysis showed the presence of 46 pesticides with azoxystrobin and chlorantraniliprole the most represented. On the other hand, all industrially processed samples showed values ≤ LOD, confirming that post‐harvest processes can lead to a decrease in pesticide residues from agricultural commodities

Surgical management of gynecomastia: Experience of a general surgery center

Aim. Gynecomastia is a common finding in male population of all ages. The aim of our study was to present our experience and goals in surgical treatment of gynecomastia. Patients and Methods. Clinical records of patients affected by gynecomastia referred to our Department of Surgery between September 2008 and January 2015 were analyzed. 50 patients were included in this study. Results. Gynecomastia was monolateral in 12 patients (24%) and bilateral in 38 (76%); idiopathic in 41 patients (82%) and secondary in 9 (18%). 39 patients (78%) underwent surgical operation under general anaesthesia, 11 (22%) under local anaesthesia. 3 patients (6%) presented recurrent disease. Webster technique was performed in 28 patients (56%), Davidson technique in 16 patients (32%); in 2 patients (4%) Pitanguy technique was performed and in 4 patients (8%) a mixed surgical technique was performed. Mean surgical time was 80.72±35.14 minutes, median postoperative stay was 1.46±0.88 days. 2 patients (4%) operated using Davidson technique developed a hematoma, 1 patient (2%) operated with the same technique developed hypertrophic scar. Conclusions. Several surgical techniques are described for surgical correction of gynecomastia. If performed by skilled general surgeons surgical treatment of gynecomastia is safe and permits to reach satisfactory aesthetic results

A study of blow-ups in the Keller-Segel model of chemotaxis

We study the Keller-Segel model of chemotaxis and develop a composite particle-grid numerical method with adaptive time stepping which allows us to accurately resolve singular solutions. The numerical findings (in two dimensions) are then compared with analytical predictions regarding formation and interaction of singularities obtained via analysis of the stochastic differential equations associated with the Keller-Segel model

Mesoporous Phosphate-Based Glasses Prepared via Sol-Gel

In the present study, a mesoporous phosphate-based glass (MPG) in the P2O5-CaO-Na2O system was synthesised, for the first time, using a combination of sol-gel chemistry and supramolecular templating. A comparison between the structural properties, bioactivity and biocompatibility of the MPG with a non-porous phosphate-based glass (PG) of analogous composition prepared via the same sol-gel synthesis method, but in the absence of a templating surfactant is also presented. Results indicate that the MPG has enhanced bioactivity and biocompatibility compared to the PG, despite having similar local structure and dissolution properties. In contrast to the PG, the MPG shows formation of hydroxyl carbonate apatite (HCA) on its surface after 24 hours of immersion in simulated body fluid. Moreover, MPG shows enhanced viability of Saos-2 osteosarcoma cells after 7 days of culturing. This suggests that textural properties (porosity and surface area) play a crucial role in the kinetics of HCA formation and in interaction with cells. Increased efficiency of drug loading and release over non-porous PG systems was proved using the antimicrobial tetracycline hydrochloride as a drug model. This study represents a significant advance in the field of mesoporous materials for drug delivery and bone tissue regeneration as it reports, for the first time, the synthesis, structural characterisation and biocompatibility of mesoporous calcium phosphate glasses.In the present study, a mesoporous phosphate-based glass (MPG) in the P2O5-CaO-Na2O system was synthesised, for the first time, using a combination of sol-gel chemistry and supramolecular templating. A comparison between the structural properties, bioactivity and biocompatibility of the MPG with a non-porous phosphate-based glass (PG) of analogous composition prepared via the same sol-gel synthesis method, but in the absence of a templating surfactant is also presented. Results indicate that the MPG has enhanced bioactivity and biocompatibility compared to the PG, despite having similar local structure and dissolution properties. In contrast to the PG, the MPG shows formation of hydroxyl carbonate apatite (HCA) on its surface after 24 hours of immersion in simulated body fluid. Moreover, MPG shows enhanced viability of Saos-2 osteosarcoma cells after 7 days of culturing. This suggests that textural properties (porosity and surface area) play a crucial role in the kinetics of HCA formation and in interaction with cells. Increased efficiency of drug loading and release over non-porous PG systems was proved using the antimicrobial tetracycline hydrochloride as a drug model. This study represents a significant advance in the field of mesoporous materials for drug delivery and bone tissue regeneration as it reports, for the first time, the synthesis, structural characterisation and biocompatibility of mesoporous calcium phosphate glasses