Ricerca Bibliografica

Letteratura Scientifica

Premessa Allo scopo di individuare i principali progetti di ricerca sviluppati da Università ed Istituti italiani, nell’ambito delle tematiche nutrizione, alimentazione e sviluppo sostenibile, ed individuare specifiche competenze scientifiche in tali settori, è stata effettuata una accurata analisi della letteratura scientifica.

La ricerca è stata svolta attraverso l’uso dello SciFinder Scholar, una banca dati della CAS (divisione della American Chemical Society), che contiene la più numerosa ed aggiornata raccolta di informazioni scientifiche.

La ricerca è stata effettuata con le seguenti parole chiave: •

nutrition and sustainable development/growth

•

nutrition and food

•

food science and food technology

•

food industry

La ricerca è stata poi ristretta ai soli lavori prodotti in Italia nell’ultimo decennio (1998-2008). I risultati ottenuti sono riportati nella tabella che segue.

Numero di Pubblicazioni Ottenuto dalla Ricerca Parole-chiave nutrition and sustainable nutrition and food food science and food technology food industry

Totali

1998-2008

7506

5137

202078

Prodotte in

Reviews

Brevetti

122

35

2

100596

1712

384

57

16796

10919

284

91

4

17060

10704

216

56

12

Italia

Ricerca Bibliografica 1998­2008  

Analisi della Letteratura

L’analisi della letteratura è stata condotta allo scopo di evidenziare i punti fondamentali a cui si rivolge la ricerca scientifica nel settore dell’alimentazione, in particolare in Italia. Un primo aspetto che sicuramente emerge è la dimensione sociale ed ambientale della Scienza dell’Alimentazione, ovvero la necessità di definire una nuova Scienza dell’Alimentazione ed una nuova politica della nutrizione, maggiormente attente ai problemi sociali ed ambientali. Questa riflessione porta gli scienziati che operano nel settore verso la ricerca di una Scienza dell’Alimentazione e di politiche nutrizionali, poste in un contesto di sviluppo sostenibile. A tal fine, la ricerca è principalmente indirizzati verso i seguenti obiettivi: •

rispetto dell’ambiente: identificazione ed uso delle risorse disponibili; agricoltura sostenibile; sostenibilità in zootecnia;

•

sicurezza alimentare: tracciabilità degli alimenti in tutte le fasi della catena alimentare; sviluppo di metodi di controllo degli alimenti;

•

alimentazione e salute: corretta alimentazione per la prevenzione di patologie; gestione di patologie legate ad errate abitudini alimentari; alimentazione nella terza età; micro-nutrienti: uso e abuso.

I punti indicati non sono tra loro separati, ma strettamente interconnessi in un ciclo, che, se correttamente attuato, garantirebbe al cittadino una migliore qualità della vita.

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Ricerca Bibliografica 1998­2008  

Educazione alimentare

Corrette abitudini alimentari; Salute

alimentazione sana ed equilibrata

¾ ¾

Agricoltura e zootecnia sostenibili Igiene degli alimenti: produzione, packaging, conservazione e trasporto

Emerge inoltre la necessità di fornire al cittadino informazioni chiare e non ingannevoli

Importanza di programmi di “teaching and training”

Da questo quadro semplice quadro, appare che importanti aree di ricerca possono essere così schematizzate: • • • • • • •

Alimenti da sistemi di produzione sostenibile e a basso impatto ambientale. Ottimizzazione della catena produttiva in agricoltura. Nuove tecniche di produzione: alimenti e nutrienti. Effetti di contaminanti ambientali sulla salute: neurotossicità, allergie, etc. Influenza della nutrizione sulla salute nella terza età Impatto dell’alimentazione sulla salute Sviluppo di metodologie per la tracciabilità degli alimenti

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Ricerca Bibliografica 1998­2008  

Altre utili fonti bibliografiche sono: • APAT: “Annuario dati ambientali - edizione 2007”; • APAT: “Italian Greenhouse Inventory 1990 - 2006. National Inventory Report 2007”; • APAT - ONR: “Rapporto Rifiuti 2006”; • COM (2006) 105, 2006: “Libro Verde: una strategia per un’energia sostenibile, competitiva e sicura”; • CEFIC: “Responsible Care Annual Report: Europe 2006 - 2007”; • Federchimica: “L’industria Chimica in Italia - Rapporto 2007 - 2008”, • Federchimica: “L’Industria Chimica in Cifre, 2007 - 2008”; • ICCA: “Responsible Care 1985 - 2005”; • LEGAMBIENTE: “L’emergenza Idrica in Italia - 2007” • Ministero dell’Ambiente e della Tutela del Territorio: “Relazione sullo stato dell’ambiente - 2005”; • Ministero dello Sviluppo Economico: “Bilancio Energetico Nazionale - 2006”; • Ministero delle Infrastrutture e dei Trasporti: “Conto Nazionale delle Infrastrutture e dei Trasporti anni 2006 - 2007”. • CEFIC, Federchimica “14° Rapporto Annuale Responsible Care® - 2007”

Alcuni utili siti web: http://www.minerva.unito.it/default.htm http://www.minerva.unito.it/Chimica&industria/IndiceChimicaIndustria.htm http://www.federchimica.it/Index.aspx http://www.riflessioni.it/salute_alimentazione_naturale/index.htm Elsevier, Trends in Food Science & Technology: http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/601278/description#description European Federation of Food Science and Technology (EFFoST): http://www.effost.org/index.htm

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Ricerca Bibliografica 1998­2008  

Nutrition and Sustainable Development/Growth

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Ricerca Bibliografica 1998­2008  

5 Research Topic candidates were identified in CAPLUS and MEDLINE. using the phrase "nutrition and sustainable development" Selected 2 of 5 candidate topics. 1 reference was found containing "nutrition and sustainable development" as entered. 6887 references were found containing both of the concepts "nutrition" and "sustainable". Refine by Company Name started 150 references were found when refined by Company Name "italy"

Remove Duplicates 119 references were found (31 duplicates removed)

Refine by Publication Year started 111 references were found when refined by Publication Year "1998-2008"

Refine by Publication Year started 99 references were found when refined by Publication Year "2000-2008"

Copyrights: CAPLUS: Copyright © 2008 American Chemical Society. All Rights Reserved. (The UK patent material in this product/service is UK Crown copyright and is made available with permission. © Crown Copyright. The French (FR) patent material in this product/service is made available from Institut National de la Propriete Industrielle (INPI).) MEDLINE: Produced by the U.S. National Library of Medicine REGISTRY: Copyright © 2008 American Chemical Society. All Rights Reserved. (Some records contain information from GenBank(R). See also: Benson D.A., Karsch-Mizrachi I., Lipman D.J., Ostell J., Rapp B.A., Wheeler D.L. Genbank. Nucl. Acids Res. 28(1):15-18 (2000). Property values tagged with IC are from the ZIC/VINITI data file provided by InfoChem.) CAS Registry is a service mark of the American Chemical Society. CASREACT: Copyright © 2008 American Chemical Society. All Rights Reserved. (In addition to reactions indexed by CAS, CASREACT contains reactions derived from the following sources: ZIC/VINITI database (journals 1974-1999, patents 1982-1999) provided by InfoChem, INPI data prior to 1986, and Biotransformations database compiled under the direction of Professor Dr. Klaus Kieslich.) CHEMLIST, CHEMCATS: Copyright © 2008 American Chemical Society. All Rights Reserved.

Bibliographic Information Saffron, an alternative crop for sustainable agricultural systems. A review. Gresta, F.; Lombardo, G. M.; Siracusa, L.; Ruberto, G. Dipartimento di Scienze Agronomiche, Agrochimiche e delle Produzioni Animali, Universita de Catania, Catania, Italy. Agronomy for Sustainable Development (2008), 28(1), 95-112. Publisher: EDP Sciences, CODEN: ASDGAP ISSN: 1774-0746. Journal written in English. AN 2008:539741 CAPLUS

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Ricerca Bibliografica 1998­2008  

(Copyright (C) 2008 ACS on SciFinder (R)) Abstract Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) is an autumnal flowering geophite whose dried stigmas, well known for their arom. and coloring power, have been used since immemorial time as a spice in human nutrition, for medicinal purposes and as a dye. Many doubts remain on its origin; it was probably selected and domesticated in Crete during the Late Bronze Age. Saffron is an autotriploid geophyte species, self- and out-sterile and mostly male-sterile and therefore unable to produce seed, that reproduces by means of corms. Furthermore, it has a reverse biol. cycle compared with the majority of cultivated and spontaneous plants: flowering first in Oct.-Nov., then vegetative development until May, which means that the vegetative development is not directly important for prodn. of stigmas, but for the prodn. of new corms. Due to its unique biol., physiol. and agronomic traits, saffron is able to exploit marginal land and to be included in low-input cropping systems, representing an alternative viable crop for sustainable agriculture. Notwithstanding this great potential and the considerable increase in new generation consumer demand for saffron, the future of the plant is still uncertain. Indeed, the main obstacles to saffron prodn. are: (1) the limited areas of cultivation in countries where it is traditionally grown, (2) the great amt. of sophisticated spice, (3) management techniques executed by hand, and (4) the very high price of the spice. Here we review the main biol., genetic and ecol. traits assocd. with agronomic management techniques of saffron in relation to environmental conditions. Color, taste and aroma are the essential features on which the quality of saffron stigmas is founded. In turn, these aspects are strictly connected with the biomol. compn. of the stigmas, namely, the carotenoids and their derivs. With this in mind, the biosynthetic pathway that leads to the formation of saffron secondary metabolites and their abundance in the spice is presented, together with the biomedical properties commonly assocd. with saffron. Furthermore, a detailed overview of the more recent instrumental methods to assess the quality of saffron, strictly from a chem. point of view, will be discussed. Bibliographic Information Assessment of alternative land management practices using hydrological simulation and a decision support tool: Arborea agricultural region, Sardinia. Cau, P.; Paniconi, C. Center for Advanced Studies, Parco Scientifico e Tecnologico, POLARIS, Research and Development in Sardinia (CRS4), Pula, Italy. Hydrology and Earth System Sciences (2007), 11(6), 1811-1823. Publisher: European Geosciences Union, CODEN: HESSCF ISSN: 1027-5606. Journal written in English. AN 2008:401897 CAPLUS (Copyright (C) 2008 ACS on SciFinder (R)) Abstract Quantifying the impact of land use on water supply and quality is a primary focus of environmental management. In this work we apply a semidistributed hydrol. model (SWAT) to predict the impact of different land management practices on water and agricultural chem. yield over a long period of time for a study site situated in the Arborea region of central Sardinia, Italy. The phys. processes assocd. with water movement, crop growth, and nutrient cycling are directly modeled by SWAT. The model simulations are used to identify indicators that reflect crit. processes related to the integrity and sustainability of the ecosystem. Specifically we focus on stream quality and quantity indicators assocd. with anthropogenic and natural sources of pollution. A multicriteria decision support system is then used to develop the anal. matrix where water quality and quantity indicators for the rivers, lagoons, and soil are combined with socio-economic variables. The DSS is used to assess four options involving alternative watersheds designated for intensive agriculture and dairy farming and the use or not of treated wastewater for irrigation. Our anal. suggests that of the four options, the most widely acceptable consists in the transfer of intensive agricultural practices to the larger watershed, which is less vulnerable, in tandem with wastewater reuse, which rates highly due to water scarcity in this region of the Mediterranean. More generally, the work demonstrates how both qual. and quant. methods and information can assist decision making in complex settings. Bibliographic Information Free fatty acids as mediators of adaptive compensatory responses to insulin resistance in dexamethasone-treated rats. Novelli, Michela; Pocai, Alessandro; Chiellini, Chiara; Maffei, Margherita; Masiello, Pellegrino. Department of Experimental Pathology, University of Pisa, Italy. Diabetes/Metabolism Research and Reviews (2008), 24(2),

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Ricerca Bibliografica 1998­2008  

155-164. Publisher: John Wiley & Sons Ltd., CODEN: DMRRFM ISSN: 1520-7552. Journal written in English. AN 2008:333548 CAPLUS (Copyright (C) 2008 ACS on SciFinder (R)) Abstract Background Chronic low-dose dexamethasone (DEX) treatment in rats is assocd. to insulin resistance with compensatory hyperinsulinemia and redn. in food intake. We tested the hypothesis that the elevation in circulating free fatty acids (FFAs) induced by DEX is the common mediator of both insulin resistance and insulin hyperprodn. Methods For this purpose, an anti-lipolytic agent was administered during DEX treatment to lower lipacidemia for several hours prior to glucose and insulin tolerance tests. Leptin expression in adipose tissue (by Northern blot) and plasma leptin levels (by RIA) were also investigated to verify whether a rise in circulating leptin could be responsible for the anorectic effect of DEX. Results Our data show that a transient pharmacol. redn. of elevated plasma FFA levels abates the post-loading hyperinsulinemia and counteracts the insulin resistance induced by DEX, supporting the hypothesis that the chronic elevation in FFAs is the common mediator of DEX-induced changes. Despite enhanced leptin expression in white adipose tissue, DEX-treated rats show no significant increase in plasma leptin levels. This suggests that the anorectic effect of DEX should be mediated, at least partially, by other factors, possibly related to the influence of concomitantly elevated plasma FFA and insulin levels on the hypothalamic centers regulating feeding. Conclusions Our results sustain the idea that a prolonged increase in plasma FFA levels plays an important role in the adaptive regulation of glucose and energy homeostasis, not only by potentiating insulin secretion but also by providing a signal of 'nutrient abundance' capable of restraining food intake. Bibliographic Information Genes expressed in Blue Fin Tuna (Thunnus thynnus) liver and gonads. Chini, Valentina; Cattaneo, Anna Giulia; Rossi, Federica; Bernardini, Giovanni; Terova, Genciana; Saroglia, Marco; Gornati, Rosalba. Dipartimento di Biotecnologie e Scienze Molecolari, Universita dell'Insubria, Varese, Italy. Gene (2008), 410(1), 207-213. Publisher: Elsevier B.V., CODEN: GENED6 ISSN: 0378-1119. Journal written in English. CAN 148:441963 AN 2008:231710 CAPLUS (Copyright (C) 2008 ACS on SciFinder (R)) Abstract Blue Fin Tuna (BFT), Thunnus thynnus, has been seriously endangered by global massive overfishing and by the pollution of marine environment. Feeding and fattening of caught tuna in marine cages is a recent resource, but the development of a self-sustained aquaculture activity, being independent from the supply of wild fish, is required from both industrial and conservation perspectives. At this scope, several tech. problems have to be solved and the control of reprodn. is the cardinal one. Beside the technol. developments of farming facilities and protocols, a mol. approach seems promising for the studies of appropriate nutritional strategies, reprodn. physiol. and animal welfare, as well as lifestyle and response to endocrine disruptor pollutants. In this context, we have started an EST project on this species sequencing 2743, 2907, and 3014 clones from expression libraries of ovary, testis and liver, resp., and 1499 clones from an ovary normalized library. Thanks to this project, we have identified several sequences with known function in other organisms, but not previously described in this species. Among the new genes, 712 were found only in the expression library of the ovary, 613 in that of the testis and 318 in that of the liver, while 324 addnl. genes were shared by two or more expression libraries; other 127 genes not found in the expression libraries were obtained from the ovary normalized library. This represents a contribution to the knowledge of the mol. basis of BFT and a necessary step for facilitating further mol. studies on this species. Bibliographic Information Olsen phosphorus, exchangeable cations and salinity in two long-term experiments of north-eastern Italy and assessment of soil quality evolution. Morari, Francesco; Lugato, Emanuele; Giardini, Luigi. Dipartimento di Agronomia Ambientale e Produzioni Vegetali Agripolis, Universita di Padova, viale dell'Universita 16, Legnaro (Padova), Italy. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment (2008), 124(1-2), 85-96. Publisher: Elsevier B.V., CODEN: AEENDO ISSN: 0167-8809. Journal written in English. AN 2008:177661 CAPLUS (Copyright (C) 2008 ACS on SciFinder (R))

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Ricerca Bibliografica 1998­2008  

Abstract Due to its food prodn. and environmental buffering functions, soil is considered a strategic target by the European Union and its quality evaluation could be used as an effective index of sustainability. The evolution of some soil chem. parameters has been studied in two long-term trials established in the early 1960s in north-eastern Italy: one (SF) comparing nutrient management treatments (i.e. org., mineral and mixed fertilizers) in lysimeters contg. widely contrasting soil types (i.e. sand, clay and peat) and the other (CR) involving a field study with crop rotation, nutrient (org. vs. mineral fertilizers), and management intensity variables. Soil was analyzed for Olsen phosphorus (Pav), exchangeable cations (Kex, Naex, Mgex and Caex) and salinity, evaluated by measuring the elec. cond. (EC). A bifactorial quality index based on fuzzy logic was then tested and applied to assess the overall soil quality and its evolution in the cropping systems. A min. dataset of chem. (pH, org. carbon, cation exchange capacity, Pav and Kex) and phys. parameters (available water content and water-filled porosity) was used to elaborate the index. In general, the use of org. fertilizer resulted in higher Pav, Kex and Mgex concns. than the mineral treatments at the same levels, whereas no differences for Naex and Caex were obsd. Salinity level was not influenced by the org. treatments probably because the consistent water drainage in the area prevented salt accumulation. The soil quality index represented the soil productivity function, explaining up to 74% of yield variability. Index comparison highlighted the pos. role of org. and mixed fertilizations in increasing and maintaining the soil quality. The bi-factorial index of soil quality based on a min. dataset is a good tool for the policy maker to evaluate the effects of management practices. However, standardization and accuracy of the soil analyses are important to reduce sources of variability that could have a strong influence on the soil quality evaluation. Bibliographic Information Nutrient fluxes in kiwifruit orchards. Tagliavini, Massimo; Scandellari, Francesca. Dipartimento di Colture Arboree, Alma Mater Studiorum Bologna University, Bologna, Italy. Acta Horticulturae (2007), 753(Proceedings of the VIth International Symposium on Kiwifruit, 2006, Volume 2), 487-494. Publisher: International Society for Horticultural Science, CODEN: AHORA2 ISSN: 0567-7572. Journal written in English. AN 2008:170774 CAPLUS (Copyright (C) 2008 ACS on SciFinder (R)) Abstract Understanding the cycling of nutrients at the orchard ecosystem scale and quantifying their fluxes between different compartments are important steps for a sustainable management of fertilization allowing improvements of the use efficiency of internal resources and a redn. of both the need for external fertilizer and the losses of nutrients from the system. This paper discusses approaches used to study biogeochem. cycles at the orchard scale, exemplified by specific data on kiwifruit from the literature. The focus is on methodol. aspects as well as on the potential use of results. Major fluxes of macronutrients considered are 1) uptake and partitioning; 2) cycling within the plant; and 3) soil return of nutrients during decompn. of vine litter. Soil nutrient uptake and partitioning within vines are assessed by excavation of plants and data on biomass of pruned wood, abscised leaves and fruit as well as their nutrient concns. Internal cycling studies have been focussed mainly on nitrogen because of the availability of the stable isotope 15N and have addressed the storage and remobilization processes between subsequent years as well as recycling between leaves and roots within a single season. Nutrient release from decompg. leaves and prunings was studied using the litter bag technique and 15N labeled material. Data on nutrient fluxes should be integrated in a model to predict fertilizer needs and the fate of internal and exogenous nutrients. Bibliographic Information Intestinal fermentation: dietary and microbial interactions. Piva, A.; Galvano, F.; Biagi, G.; Casadei, G. DIMORFIPA, Universita' degli Studi di Bologna, Ozzano Emilia, Italy. Biology of Growing Animals (2006), 4(Biology of Nutrition in Growing Animals), 3-31. Publisher: Elsevier B.V., CODEN: BGAIAB ISSN: 1570-6222. Journal; General Review written in English. AN 2008:169777 CAPLUS (Copyright (C) 2008 ACS on SciFinder (R)) Abstract

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Ricerca Bibliografica 1998­2008  

A review. The gastrointestinal tract of growing animals represents a complex and constantly changing milieu, according to the result of complex interactions between dietary ingredients (influenced by their chem. and phys. characteristics), age, prodn. stage and immune status of the animal, environment management and microflora metab. The antibiotic growth promoter era is at its endpoint and new strategies to maintain high and safe prodn. stds. are needed. In this scenario, no longer bacterial inhibition, but rather bacterial modulation should be the primary target of all research efforts. Moreover, any alternative to antibiotics should be properly studied and must fit to prodn. conditions and market requirements in order to be successful. Addn. of org. acids, prebiotics and probiotics, as well as lowering the dietary buffering capacity and direct feeding of specific nutrients to sustain intestinal mucosa functions, are all strategies that require in-depth investigation. Some efforts are in progress to assess the advantages of "combo strategies" where, for example, a blend of org. acids could cumulate the effects of the different acids on animal physiol. and microbial metab., while a symbiotic combination could maximize the efficacy of a prebiotic NDO (nondigestible oligosaccharide) by coupling it with a probiotic strain that can electively ferment it. Science in the post-antibiotic era of animal farming is facing an intriguing challenge that will give a successful return only if applicable and reliable in practical situations. Bibliographic Information Treated and untreated olive waste water application on ryegrass meadow: chemical soil properties and yielding responses. Montemurro, F.; Ferri, D.; Convertini, G.; Maiorana, M. C. R. A. Istituto Sperimentale Agronomico, Bari, Italy. Agrochimica (2007), 51(2-3), 148-159. Publisher: Pacini Editore, CODEN: AGRCAX ISSN: 00021857. Journal written in English. AN 2007:1394264 CAPLUS (Copyright (C) 2008 ACS on SciFinder (R)) Abstract A two-year expt. was carried out on a rye-grass meadow with the aim to evaluate the effect of untreated and treated Olive Waste Water (OWW) on yield and N utilization of rye-grass, and on soil chem. characteristics. In a completely randomised split-plot exptl. design with three replications, the following treatments were compared: unfertilised control (Contr); OWW at 50 m3 ha-1 (max. dose permitted by the Italian law) (OWW); OWW treated with MnOx catalyzer at 50 m3 ha-1 (T_OWW). Both wastes were also applied on soil without cultivation. The results showed that the cumulative dry matter yield was higher in T_OWW treatment in the exptl. years, confirming the possibility to use olive wastes as partial substitute of the mineral fertilisation. Although the total amt. of N distributed with T_OWW in both trial years was lower of the 44.2% than OWW treatment, the mean of N uptake of rye-grass was higher of the 39.1% in treated waste, indicating a higher bio availability of N in respect to the raw waste water. The results also highlighted that the application of olive wastes increased the level of main chem. soil nutrients and of org. carbon fractions and improved the soil properties; did not substantially raise the soil heavy metal levels; sustained the rye-grass growth. Finally, the org. carbon fractions increased significantly when the olive wastes were applied at the soil without rye-grass crop. Bibliographic Information Soil application of meat and bone meal. Short-term effects on mineralization dynamics and soil biochemical and microbiological properties. Mondini, Claudio; Cayuela, Maria Luz; Sinicco, Tania; Sanchez-Monedero, Miguel Angel; Bertolone, Eleonora; Bardi, Laura. Istituto Sperimentale per la Nutrizione delle Piante, Sezione di Gorizia, CRA, Gorizia, Italy. Soil Biology & Biochemistry (2008), 40(2), 462-474. Publisher: Elsevier B.V., CODEN: SBIOAH ISSN: 0038-0717. Journal written in English. AN 2007:1320198 CAPLUS (Copyright (C) 2008 ACS on SciFinder (R)) Abstract Meat and bone meal (MBM) utilization for animal prodn. was banned in the European Union since 2000 as a consequence of the appearance of transmissive spongiform encephalopathies. Soil application could represent a lawful and effective strategy for the sustainable recycling of MBM due to its relevant content of nutritive elements and org. matter. The effectiveness of MBM as org. fertilizer needs to be thoroughly investigated since there is a lack of knowledge about the mineralization dynamics of MBM in soil and the impact of such residues, in particular the high content of lipids, on soil biochem. and microbiol. properties. For this aim, a defatted (D) and the correspondent non-

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Ricerca Bibliografica 1998­2008  

defatted (ND) MBM were added at two rates (200 and 400 kg N ha-1) to two different moist soils and incubated at 15 and 20 C for 14 d. MBM mineralization dynamics was studied by measuring CO2 evolution. Water extractable org. C, K2SO4-extractable NO-3 and NH+4, microbial biomass ninhydrin-reactive N, enzymic activities (FDA, urease, protease, alk. phosphatase) and microbial compn. (aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, fungi) were measured 2 and 14 d after MBM addn. to the soil. The rate of CO2 evolution showed a max. 2-3 d after the addn. of MBM, followed by a decrease approaching the control. MBM mineralization was fast with, on av., 54% of total CO2 evolved in the first 4 d of incubation at 20 C. The percentage of added C which was evolved as CO2 at the end of the incubation period ranged between 8% and 16% and was affected by temp., soil type and MBM treatment (ND > D). Soil amendment with MBM caused a noteworthy increase in both extractable NH+4 and NO-3 (about 50% of added N) which was higher for ND. The addn. of MBM also enhanced microbial content and activity. Microbial biomass increased as a function of the rate of application and was higher for ND with respect to D. The increase in nos. of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria and fungi caused by MBM addn. was, in general, more pronounced with ND. Enzymic activity in amended soils showed an enhancement in nutrient availability and element cycling. At the rate of application of present work, lipids did not cause adverse effects on soil microorganisms. The potential of MBM as effective org. fertilizer was supported by the large increase in available N and the enhancement of the size and activity of soil microorganisms. Bibliographic Information Improving yield of vegetables by using soilless micro-garden technologies in peri-urban area of north-east Brazil. Gianquinto, G.; Orsini, F.; Michelon, N.; da Silva, D. F.; de Faria, F. D. Department of Environmental Agronomy and Crop Science, University of Padova, Italy. Acta Horticulturae (2007), 747(Proceedings of the VIIIth International Symposium on Protected Cultivation in Mild Winter Climates, 2006), 57-65. Publisher: International Society for Horticultural Science, CODEN: AHORA2 ISSN: 0567-7572. Journal written in English. CAN 148:494936 AN 2007:1180465 CAPLUS (Copyright (C) 2008 ACS on SciFinder (R)) Abstract In peri-urban areas, soils are not suitable for crop prodn. The adoption of soilless garden should allow to overtake this constrain. To assure soilless systems' sustainability at stakeholder level, all materials have to be inexpensive and easy to find locally, and garden management must be simple. This work reports some results attained in expts. carried out in Teresina (Brazil). Tomato and okra plants were tested for their adaptability to two soilless systems and two nutrient solns. Biometric measurements and phenol. stages were scheduled. At harvest, fruits were counted and weighed to asses yield. Nutrient soln. consumption has been measured throughout the growing period. Both tomato and okra showed interesting yield. Tomato is not grown on soil elsewhere in the nearby region, due to both limiting environmental conditions and diseases. In the condition tomato produced from 1.0 to 3.1 kg m-2 depending on soilless system and nutrient soln. Period from sowing to first harvest was particularly short in soilless grown okra, and yield varied with treatments (from 1.7 to 2.5 kg m-2). The systems appeared to be economically sustainable. Bibliographic Information Thyroid hormones in small ruminants: effects of endogenous, environmental and nutritional factors. Todini, L. Dipartimento di Scienze Ambientali - Sezione di Produzioni Animali, Universita di Camerino, Matelica, Italy. Animal (2007), 1(7), 997-1008. Publisher: Cambridge University Press, CODEN: ANIMF4 ISSN: 1751-7311. Journal; General Review written in English. CAN 147:515156 AN 2007:1159621 CAPLUS (Copyright (C) 2008 ACS on SciFinder (R)) Abstract A review. Appropriate thyroid gland function and thyroid hormone activity are considered crucial to sustain the productive performance in domestic animals (growth, milk or hair fiber prodn.). Changes of blood thyroid hormone concns. are an indirect measure of the changes in thyroid gland activity and circulating thyroid hormones can be considered as indicators of the metabolic and nutritional status of the animals. Thyroid hormones play a pivotal role in the mechanisms permitting the animals to live and breed in the surrounding environment. Variations in hormone bioactivity allow the animals to adapt their metabolic balance to different environmental conditions, changes in nutrient

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Ricerca Bibliografica 1998­2008  

requirements and availability, and to homeorhetic changes during different physiol. stages. This is particularly important in the free-ranging and grazing animals, such as traditionally reared small ruminants, whose main physiol. functions (feed intake, reprodn., hair growth) are markedly seasonal. Many investigations dealt with the involvement of thyroid hormones in the expression of endogenous seasonal rhythms, such as reprodn. and hair growth cycles in fiberproducing (wool, mohair, cashmere) sheep and goats. Important knowledge about the pattern of thyroid hormone metab. and their role in ontogenetic development has been obtained from studies in the ovine fetus and in the newborn. Many endogenous (breed, age, gender, physiol. state) and environmental factors (climate, season, with a primary role of nutrition) are able to affect thyroid activity and hormone concns. in blood, acting at the level of hypothalamus, pituitary and/or thyroid gland, as well as on peripheral monodeiodination. Knowledge on such topics mirror physiol. changes and possibly allows the monitoring and manipulation of thyroid physiol., in order to improve animal health, welfare and prodn. Bibliographic Information Chemo-biological suppression of root-infecting zoosporic pathogens in recirculating hydroponic systems. Pagliaccia, D.; Ferrin, D.; Stanghellini, M. E. Department of Plant Production, University of Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy. Plant and Soil (2007), 299(1-2), 163-179. Publisher: Springer, CODEN: PLSOA2 ISSN: 0032-079X. Journal written in English. AN 2007:1119194 CAPLUS (Copyright (C) 2008 ACS on SciFinder (R)) Abstract Zoosporic root-infecting pathogens are the most destructive organisms in enclosed environment agricultural systems which recycle irrigation water. Numerous strategies have been proposed for reducing or eliminating these pathogens from recycled irrigation water. These strategies include the following: filtration, sedimentation, chlorination, ozonation, heat, UV light, application of antimicrobial chems., suppressive potting substrates, and biol. control agents. The latter strategy has been the focus of numerous investigations but consistency in performance in disease abatement following their application has not been realized. This has been attributed, in part, to the inability of these potential biocontrol bacteria to maintain a crit. threshold population necessary for sustained biocontrol activity. That threshold population has been estd. at not less than 106 CFU g-1 of soil or root. Recently, we demonstrated that amending recycled irrigation water with specific carbon substrates (i.e., N-Serve or Truban) resulted in the selective enhancement of the indigenous fluorescent pseudomonad populations to levels at or above the presumed threshold levels necessary for disease control. In our current study, we verified the ubiquity of that response in different cultural systems involving two different host plants (i.e., cucumber and pepper) and, most significantly, we document, for the first time, significant and sustained disease abatement. Addnl., we demonstrated that nitrapyrin, the active ingredients in N-Serve and Truban, exerted direct antifungal activity whereas the inert ingredients had an indirect role in disease suppression. Specifically, the inert ingredients were responsible for the increase in the fluorescent pseudomonad population. Amending the recirculating nutrient soln. with a representative fluorescent pseudomonad isolate verified and substantiated their role in disease control. Cumulatively, our results support the hypothesis that it is possible to modify the environment to make it more conducive to the multiplication and survival of indigenous biocontrol bacteria. The resident microflora in many, if not most, habitats already contain prospective biol. control members who, if enhanced, could function as antagonists to other microorganisms in the same habitat. Bibliographic Information Elemental enteral nutrition preserves the mucosal barrier and improves the trophism of the villi after small bowel transplantation in piglets. Zonta, S.; Doni, M.; Alessiani, M.; Lovisetto, F.; Vigano, J.; Mazzilli, M.; Dominioni, T.; Podetta, M.; De Martino, M.; Scaglione, M.; Vicini, E.; Bottazzi, A.; Villa, C.; Morbini, P.; Dionigi, P. Department of Surgery, University of Pavia School of Medicine and Fondazione I.R.C.C.S. Policlinico San Matteo Hospital, Pavia, Italy. Transplantation Proceedings (2007), 39(6), 2024-2027. Publisher: Elsevier Inc., CODEN: TRPPA8 ISSN: 0041-1345. Journal written in English. CAN 147:540914 AN 2007:894023 CAPLUS (Copyright (C) 2008 ACS on SciFinder (R)) Abstract

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Ricerca Bibliografica 1998­2008  

The main goals for a successful small bowel transplantation (SBTx) are the control of acute rejection and maintenance of the mucosal barrier, which plays a key role in preventing bacterial translocation and preserving absorptive capacity. According to recent evidence that sustaining enteral nutrition (EN) as rehabilitative therapy improves the integrity of the mucosal barrier after SBTx, we studied the trophic effect of a new elemental enteral soln. whose proteinic supply is represented by oligomeric-aminoacidic chains. In a swine SBTx model we studied three groups, divided by the different postoperative feeding: group 1 (n = 5): std. swine chow, group 2 (n = 5): polymeric enteral soln., group 3 (n = 5): elemental enteral soln. (Peptamen, Nestle Corp). All animals were immunosuppressed with a tacrolimus/FK778 combined oral therapy. The nutritional indexes evaluated were: body wt., episodes of diarrhea, D-xylose absorption test, and histopatol. and villi morphometric anal. Three pigs died before the end of the study, two in group 1 (pneumonia and sepsis), one in group 2 (pneumonia). Mean days of diarrhea were 15, 10, and 3 in groups 1, 2, and 3, resp. (P < .05). The final/starting wt. ratio was 1.08 for group 3 and 0.92 for group 2 (P < .05); the D-xylose curves showed a statistically significant difference for group 3 vs. the groups 2 and 1 (P < .05), as well as for the villi height (P < .01) and width (P < .05). In conclusion, elemental enteral soln., with its basic protein supply, does not require a very complex enzymic system to be metabolized. Thus, it may contribute to a faster recovery of the mucosal barrier and to limit the hypercatabolic state. Bibliographic Information Oxygen and ammonium dynamics during a farming cycle of the bivalve Tapes philippinarum. Nizzoli, Daniele; Bartoli, Marco; Viaroli, Pierluigi. Department of Environmental Sciences, Parma University, Parma, Italy. Hydrobiologia (2007), 587 25-36. Publisher: Springer, CODEN: HYDRB8 ISSN: 0018-8158. Journal written in English. AN 2007:674345 CAPLUS (Copyright (C) 2008 ACS on SciFinder (R)) Abstract Fluxes of dissolved oxygen and ammonium across the water sediment interface were measured in a control and in an exptl. area farmed with the clam Tapes philippinarum. Young clams were seeded in March 2003 at mean (.apprx.500 ind m-2) and high (.apprx.1500 ind m-2) densities in a sandy area (2100 m2) of the Sacca di Goro Lagoon, Italy. Approx. every two months, until Oct. 2003, intact sediment cores were collected and incubated in the light and in the dark and surface sediments (0-2 cm) were analyzed for org. matter and nitrogen content. Clams farming induced pronounced changes in sediment characteristics and metab. Oxygen consumption and ammonium prodn. at the high d. area were, on av., 3 to 4 and 1.9 to 4.9 folds higher than those measured in the control field resp.; rates were pos. correlated with clams biomass. Exptl. fields resulted "Net and Total Heterotrophyc" in 3 out of 4 sampling dates and clams were the major factor shifting the benthic system towards this status. In only one occasion the appearance of the macroalgae Ulva spp. pushed the system rapidly towards hyperautotrophic conditions. Our results indicated that clams have the potential to drive benthic metab. in farmed areas and to sustain macroalgal growth through regeneration of a limiting nutrient for seawater as inorg. N. Bibliographic Information Sensitivity of a coupled physical-biological model to turbulence: high-frequency simulations in a northern Adriatic station. Carniel, Sandro; Vichi, Marcello; Sclavo, Mauro. Venice Section, Institute of Marine Sciences(CNR-ISMAR), Venice, Italy. Chemistry and Ecology (2007), 23(2), 157-175. Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd., CODEN: CHECDY ISSN: 0275-7540. Journal written in English. CAN 147:490958 AN 2007:657419 CAPLUS (Copyright (C) 2008 ACS on SciFinder (R)) Abstract This paper investigates the impacts of different turbulence models on the biol. state at an ocean station in the northern Adriatic sea, named S3, comparing them with other uncertainties inherent to coupled phys.-biol. simulations. The numerical tool is a 1-D model resulting from the coupling of two advanced numerical models. The hydrodynamic part is modeled using the General Ocean Turbulence Model (www.gotm.net), in a version adopting state-of-the-art secondmoment Turbulence Closure Models (TCMs). Marine biogeochem. is parameterized with the Biogeochem. Flux Model (http://www.bo.ingv.it/bfm), which is a direct descendant of ERSEM (European Regional Sea Ecosystem Model). Results, obtained by forcing the model with hourly wind and solar radiation data and assimilating salinity casts, are

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compared against monthly observations made at the station during 2000-2001. Provided mat modern second-moment TCMs are employed, the comparisons indicate that both the phys. and the biol. dynamics are relatively insensitive to the choice of the particular scheme adopted, suggesting that TCMs have finally 'converged' in recent years. As a further example, the choice of the nutrient boundary conditions has an impact on the system evolution that is more significant than the choice of the specific TCM, therefore representing a possible limitation of the 1-D model applied to stations located in a Region of Freshwater Influence. The 1-D model simulates the onset and intensity of the spring-summer bloom quite well, although the duration of the bloom is not as prolonged as in the data. Since local dynamics appears unable to sustain the bloom conditions well into summer, phytoplankton at the station was most likely influenced by river input or advection processes, an aspect that was not found when the S3 behavior was adequately modeled using climatol. forcings. When the focus is in predicting high-frequency dynamics, it is more likely that lateral advection cannot be neglected. While the phys. state can be satisfactorily estd. at these short time scales, the accurate estn. of the biol. state in coastal regions still appears as rather elusive. Bibliographic Information Nitrogen balances at the crop and farm-gate scale in livestock farms in Italy. Bassanino, Monica; Grignani, Carlo; Sacco, Dario; Allisiardi, Erica. Department of Agronomy, Forest and Land Management, University of Turin, Grugliasco, Italy. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment (2007), 122(3), 282-294. Publisher: Elsevier B.V., CODEN: AEENDO ISSN: 0167-8809. Journal written in English. CAN 148:238329 AN 2007:656242 CAPLUS (Copyright (C) 2008 ACS on SciFinder (R)) Abstract Nutrient balances are often used to represent nutrient flows and to produce sustainability indicators. A soil surface nutrient budget (at the crop scale) and a farm-gate budget (at the farm scale) were calcd. over 41 com. Italian livestock farms. The objectives were to est. the N use efficiency of the main farm types using the two balances independently, and to assess and discuss the relationship between the two different budget methods. The N surpluses calcd. as a farmgate balance (FGBS) or at the soil surface scale (CBS) ranked livestock farms in a similar manner. The suckling cow farms (SC) showed the best sustainability, BB (beef breeding) and DC (dairy cow) farms were intermediate, while PB (pig breeding) farms were the worst due to their weaker link between breeding activities and farm crops. The CBS was mainly influenced by the manure input, while the FGBS was mainly influenced by the purchased animal feeding in the PB, BB and DC farms, and by the mineral fertilizer in the SC farms. Other information can be derived from a combination of the N flow quantified in the farm-gate balance and the crop balance; two examples are given concerning an estn. of gaseous losses and of animal N excreta for the different animal categories. Thus, even though N balances cannot be directly used to est. the actual environmental impact of different farming systems, they remain reliable indicators to help discriminate between different farm types. Bibliographic Information Soil microbial dynamics and genetic diversity in soil under monoculture wheat grown in different long-term management systems. Crecchio, Carmine; Curci, Maddalena; Pellegrino, Antonella; Ricciuti, Patrizia; Tursi, Nunzia; Ruggiero, Pacifico. Dipartimento di Biologia e Chimica Agroforestale ed Ambientale, Universita di Bari, Bari, Italy. Soil Biology & Biochemistry (2007), 39(6), 1391-1400. Publisher: Elsevier B.V., CODEN: SBIOAH ISSN: 0038-0717. Journal written in English. CAN 147:30350 AN 2007:341113 CAPLUS (Copyright (C) 2008 ACS on SciFinder (R)) Abstract Org. matter incorporation into soil can increase nutrient availability to plants but it can affect soil microbial communities. These in turn influence soil fertility and plant growth. Soil biochem. and microbiol. properties are indicators of soil quality, but there is still no consensus as to how these should be used. Recent developments in mol. biol. have provided new tools to obtain a view of the whole microbial community. The long-term impact of crop residue management on the microbial biomass, and on the activity and community structure of soil bacteria was evaluated in a clay soil of Southern Italy, where a monoculture of durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf.) was grown in semiarid conditions, and burning or incorporation of post harvest plant residues were typical practices. The role of N-

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mineral fertilization, simultaneously with the ploughing in of crop residues and during the plant growth cycle was also investigated. Total bacterial counts of viable cells, biomass C, ATP content of soil microorganisms, genetic fingerprinting of the total eubacterial community and of ammonia oxidizers were evaluated. Burning and incorporation did not affect microbial biomass C, ATP content, and total bacterial counts of viable cells although statistically relevant changes were detected among rhizosphere and bulk soil samples regardless of the crop residue management used. Mol. fingerprinting confirmed that: no significant change in the compn. and diversity of total bacteria, as well as of ammonia oxidizers was induced by the crop residue managements; that soil bacteria were more sensitive to N fertilizer application during the plant growth cycle; and that rhizosphere soil samples were significantly different from those of the bulk soil. As microbiol. and genetic factors related to soil fertility were not affected significantly, the long-term incorporation of crop residues, under the field conditions investigated, is a sustainable practice to manage post-harvest residues. Bibliographic Information Water and nitrogen use efficiency, dry matter accumulation and nitrogen uptake in fertigated processing tomato. Battilani, A. Consorzio di Bonifica di secondo grado per il Canale Emiliano Romagnolo, Bologna, Italy. Acta Horticulturae (2006), 724(Proceedings of the IXth International Symposium on the Processing Tomato, 2004), 67-74. Publisher: International Society for Horticultural Science, CODEN: AHORA2 ISSN: 0567-7572. Journal written in English. CAN 147:300329 AN 2007:190485 CAPLUS (Copyright (C) 2008 ACS on SciFinder (R)) Abstract A three year field expt. was carried out in Northern Italy (Po Valley) to assess the water and nitrogen use efficiencies (WUE & NUE) of two fertigation strategies (static and dynamic) in comparison with Non-Irrigated/Non-Fertilised and Irrigated/Non-Fertilised controls, and to define the better strategy to be applied for environmental and economical purposes in a sub-humid area on fertile soils. Dry matter accumulation and nitrogen uptake curves were calcd. to compare treatments and to verify the effectiveness and applicability of the WUE and NUE enhancement. Economical WUE and NUE values were also calcd. considering the gross margin in order to evaluate the economic selfsustainability of the proposed fertigation strategies. Fertigation efficiency and crop profitability were enhanced and non-point pollution risks reduced by applying "dynamic" fertilization principles on a daily basis. Managing the crop using dynamic criteria reduces plant nitrogen uptake and produces more fruit dry matter per g of nitrogen. Bibliographic Information Effects of long-term land use on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and glomalin-related soil protein. Bedini, Stefano; Avio, Luciano; Argese, Emanuele; Giovannetti, Manuela. Dipartimento di Biologia delle Piante Agrarie, Universita di Pisa, Pisa, Italy. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment (2007), 120(2-4), 463-466. Publisher: Elsevier B.V., CODEN: AEENDO ISSN: 0167-8809. Journal written in English. CAN 147:385168 AN 2007:164074 CAPLUS (Copyright (C) 2008 ACS on SciFinder (R)) Abstract The maintenance of soil health and productivity is a central aim of sustainable agriculture. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are soil biota fundamental for soil fertility and plant nutrition, which may be used in the evaluation of the impact of agronomic practices on soil quality. In the present study we evaluated the influence of three different land uses on AMF populations and correlated glomalin-related soil protein (GRSP) content with AMF biomass parameters, such as spore d. and biovolume. Among the differently managed sites - maize monoculture, grassland and poplar grove - maize soil showed the lowest AMF spore no. and GRSP content. The same morphol. taxa were found in the three sites, except for one addnl. morphotype in poplar grove. A good correlation between GRSP and spore biovolume was found, suggesting that GRSP may represent a useful biochem. parameter for the assessment of biol. soil fertility in sustainable agriculture. Bibliographic Information Modelling soil organic carbon dynamics in two long-term experiments of north-eastern Italy.

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Lugato, E.;

Ricerca Bibliografica 1998­2008  

Paustian, K.; Giardini, L. Dipartimento di Agronomia Ambientale e Produzioni Vegetali, Universita di Padova, Legnaro, Italy. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment (2007), 120(2-4), 423-432. Publisher: Elsevier B.V., CODEN: AEENDO ISSN: 0167-8809. Journal written in English. CAN 147:385190 AN 2007:164071 CAPLUS (Copyright (C) 2008 ACS on SciFinder (R)) Abstract Simulation models are widely used to assess the impacts of management and environmental variables on soil org. matter dynamics, to address questions on ecosystem sustainability and carbon cycling under global change. We tested the Century ecosystem model for two long-term expts. in north-eastern Italy: one (SF) comparing nutrient management treatments in small confined plots contg. widely contrasting soil types (i.e., sandy, clay and peat) and the other (CR) involving a field study with crop rotation, nutrient, and management intensity variables. The org. matter changes in the SF expt., showed a strong, linear relationship with C inputs from crop residues and added manures in the sand and clay soils, which was closely mimicked by the model. There was a net loss of soil C for all treatments in the peat soil, but the rate and overall magnitude of C losses were accurately simulated by the model, which suggested that treatment effects on soil C inputs was the major determinant of SOC dynamics in all three soils. In the CR expt. the model reasonably simulated the large initial decline (averaging about 30% of initial levels) in SOC obsd. in all treatments, as well as mean treatment effects over the course of the expt. The model predicted a general pattern of higher SOC in the high management intensity, high fertility treatment combinations and lower SOC in the low management intensity, low fertility treatments; however, obsd. soil C did not show a clear pattern related to the treatments. Simulated soil C contents were linearly related to C input levels in the different treatments while there was no significant relationship between measured soil C and C inputs based on obsd. data. Bibliographic Information Effect of recycling wood ash on microbiological and biochemical properties of soils. Perucci, Piero; Monaci, Elga; Casucci, Cristiano; Vischetti, Costantino. Dipartimento di Scienze Ambientali e delle Produzioni Vegetali, Universita Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy. Agronomy for Sustainable Development (2006), 26(3), 157165. Publisher: EDP Sciences, CODEN: ASDGAP ISSN: 1774-0746. Journal written in English. CAN 147:234121 AN 2007:63985 CAPLUS (Copyright (C) 2008 ACS on SciFinder (R)) Abstract Wood ash prodn. is increasing due to the increasing use of wood as a sustainable fuel. Wood ash can be recycled in crop soils as a source of nutrients and as a liming agent to correct soil acidity. However, the effect of wood ash on soil quality is poorly known. Here, the authors studied the effect of addn. of wood ash at 5 and 20 t ha-1 on microbial and biochem. properties in samples from the 0-30 cm surface of three neutral and two alk. agricultural soils. The samples were incubated for one year at 25 and 60% water-holding capacity. The soil microbiol. biomass (microbial biomass C and N), general microbial activity using fluorescein diacetate hydrolysis, and alk. phosphatase, arylsulfatase, catalase and o-diphenol oxidase activities were detd. periodically together with pH and elec. cond. Increases in microbial biomass C and fluorescein diacetate hydrolysis occurred at the lower wood-ash dose, whereas microbial biomass C decreased at the higher wood-ash dose over the entire period, and the fluorescein diacetate hydrolysis after 4 mo. The microbial C/N ratios of treated samples were significantly different with respect to that of the control, suggesting changes in the structure of the microbial communities. The changes in microbial biomass and microbial activity were related to the increases in pH, which induced the development of bacteria to the detriment of fungi, to the elec. cond., and to the nutrient levels after wood-ash addn. Alk. phosphatase and arylsulfatase activities were weakly inhibited at 20 t ha-1, and catalase activity was stimulated in the neutral samples and inhibited in the alk. samples. The highest odiphenol oxidase activity obsd. throughout in all of the treated samples may suggest a decrease in the mineralization process. The findings reveal that the soil biochem. parameters investigated are significantly affected only in some cases at 20 t ha-1. It is suggested that a treatment exceeding 5 t ha-1 not be recommended until the agrochem. and phys. functions of the soil are further studied. Bibliographic Information The effect of hot season and nutrition on the oxidative status and metabolic profile in dairy goats during mid

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lactation. Di Trana, A.; Celi, P.; Claps, S.; Fedele, V.; Rubino, R. Dipartimento di Scienze delle Produzioni Animali, Universita degli Studi della Basilicata, Potenza, Italy. Animal Science (2006), 82(5), 717-722. Publisher: CABI Publishing, CODEN: ANSCFO ISSN: 1357-7298. Journal written in English. CAN 146:141779 AN 2007:11716 CAPLUS (Copyright (C) 2008 ACS on SciFinder (R)) Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the hot season and nutrition on the oxidative status and metabolic profile of lactating goats during mid lactation. Twenty-four Red Syrian goats were allocated into three groups that were offered the following diets: natural pasture (P), pasture + 500 g/h per day of conc. (PC) and hay plus 500 g/h per day of conc. (HC). Blood samples were taken in spring (85 7 days in milk (DIM)) and summer (120 7 DIM) and assayed for reactive oxygen metabolites (ROMs), -tocopherol, glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, non-esterified fatty acids, total protein, albumin and globulin concns. and glutathione peroxidase (GHS-Px) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities. Milk yield and milk compn. were also measured. SOD, GSH-Px and ROMs levels increased during summer when temp. humidity index values were high. The increase in ROMs in the PC and HC groups could be ascribed to the improved nutritional regime and to their higher prodn. level. The markers of the oxidative status and of the metabolic profile measured in this study indicate that goats may have experienced moderate oxidative stress. It seems that, seasonal rather than nutritional factors have a more pronounced effect on oxidative status markers. Conc. supplementation sustained milk yield and may represent a useful means to extend the lactation period in dairy goats during late spring and summer. Bibliographic Information The nutritional control of ghrelin secretion in humans: the effects of enteral vs. parenteral nutrition. Prodam, Flavia; Me, Elisa; Riganti, Fabrizio; Gramaglia, Elena; Bellone, Simonetta; Baldelli, Roberto; Rapa, Anna; van der Lely, Aart Jan; Bona, Gianni; Ghigo, Ezio; Broglio, Fabio. Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Dept. of Internal Medicine, University of Turin, Turin, Italy. European Journal of Nutrition (2006), 45(7), 399-405. Publisher: Steinkopff Verlag, CODEN: EJNUFZ ISSN: 1436-6207. Journal written in English. CAN 146:99823 AN 2006:1341006 CAPLUS (Copyright (C) 2008 ACS on SciFinder (R)) Abstract Background: The nutritional control of ghrelin has not been fully clarified yet. Particularly, the influence of amino acids and lipids is controversial and, moreover, whether the intra-luminal gastric contact with nutrients is required or if the modulatory action of nutrients on ghrelin secretion is mediated by insulin is still matter of debate. Aim of the study: To clarify the role of nutrients in the control of ghrelin secretion evaluating the effects of i.v. and oral lipids and amino acids compared with glucose and fructose load in healthy subjects. Methods: A total of 6 healthy overnight-fasted volunteers underwent the following testing sessions: (a) iv arginine (ARG, 0.5 g/kg); (b) oral protein load (PRO, 50 g); (c) iv lipid-heparin infusion (Li He, Intralipid 10% 250 mL); (d) oral fat load (OIL, soy oil 40 g); (e) oral glucose load (OGL, 100 g); (f) oral fructose load (OFL, 100 g); (g) iv saline (SAL, 3 mL); (h) oral water load (WL, 200 mL). Total ghrelin, insulin, and glucose were assayed every 15 min from 0 up to +180 min. Results: WL and SAL did not modify insulin, glucose and ghrelin. ARG induced a prompt but transient increase (P < 0.05) of insulin and glucose (P < 0.01), without modifying ghrelin secretion. PRO induced a mild but sustained increase of insulin secretion (P < 0.05) without affecting glucose and ghrelin. Li-He progressively increased circulating glucose (P < 0.01) without modifying insulin and ghrelin secretion. No significant variations in circulating glucose, insulin, and ghrelin occurred after OIL. OGL significantly (P < 0.01) increased insulin and glucose levels and progressively decreased (P < 0.05) ghrelin levels. OFL induced a mild (P < 0.05) increase of insulin without modifying glucose levels. Similarly, OFL was followed by a milder decrease (P < 0.05) of ghrelin levels. Conclusions: Differently from carbohydrates and independently from their modulatory effect on insulin secretion and glucose levels, both lipids and amino acids play a negligible role in the acute control of ghrelin secretion either after acute enteral and parenteral administration. Bibliographic Information Use of biostimulants for reducing nutrient solution concentration in floating system.

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Vernieri, P.; Borghesi, E.;

Ricerca Bibliografica 1998­2008  

Tognoni, F.; Ferrante, A.; Serra, G.; Piaggesi, A. Dipartimento di Biologia delle Piante Agrarie, University of Pisa, Italy. Acta Horticulturae (2006), 718(Proceedings of the International Symposium on Models for Plant Growth, Environmental Control and Farm Management in Protected Cultivation, 2006), 477-484. Publisher: International Society for Horticultural Science, CODEN: AHORA2 ISSN: 0567-7572. Journal written in English. CAN 147:300306 AN 2006:1339848 CAPLUS (Copyright (C) 2008 ACS on SciFinder (R)) Abstract The prodn. innovations have been evolving more and more towards org., sustainable or environmental friendly systems. Contemporarily, the yield and the quality of crops must be assured. The redn. of fertilizers may be obtained by improving the nutrients uptake or their utilization by the plants. The aim of our work was to verify if the progressive redn. of nutrient soln. concn. in the floating system can be compensated by applications of a biostimulant (Actiwave, Valagro S.p.a.) without compromising the yield and the quality of vegetables. The expts. were performed on rocket (Eruca sativa Mill.) grown in floating system with std. nutrient soln. (NS100%), which was compared with nutrient solns. dild. 4 (NS25%) or 10-fold (NS10%) with or without 0.3 mL L-1 Actiwave. At harvest, yield, leaf area, root dry wt., chlorophyll, carotenoids, and leaf nitrate content were detd. Results showed that Actiwave significantly increased the nutrient uptake and nutrient use efficiency in all treatments. In fact, no statistically significant differences were found in yield between NS100% and NS25% plus 0.3 mL mL-1 Actiwave. Moreover, Actiwave reduced the leaf nitrate content and increased chlorophyll and carotenoids in all treatments. Our results indicate that Actiwave lowered the leaf nitrate content through its ability in stimulating nutrient uptake and nitrogen metab. The combination of hydroponics and biostimulants appears as a promising environmental friendly strategy for the greenhouse prodn. of high-quality vegetables. Bibliographic Information Simplified models for the water relations of soilless cultures: what they do or suggest for sustainable water use in intensive horticulture. Pardossi, A.; Malorgio, F.; Incrocci, L.; Carmassi, G.; Maggini, R.; Massa, D.; Tognoni, F. Dipartimento di Biologia delle Piante Agrarie, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy. Acta Horticulturae (2006), 718(Proceedings of the International Symposium on Models for Plant Growth, Environmental Control and Farm Management in Protected Cultivation, 2006), 425-434. Publisher: International Society for Horticultural Science, CODEN: AHORA2 ISSN: 0567-7572. Journal written in English. CAN 147:142493 AN 2006:1339842 CAPLUS (Copyright (C) 2008 ACS on SciFinder (R)) Abstract In intensive horticulture (including in this term both greenhouse cultivation and the outdoor prodn. of containerised nursery stocks) there is an increasing application of closed-loop (no-drain) soilless cultures, in consideration of their pos. environmental implications. In these systems, water use efficiency may depend on how the mineral supply is controlled. Crop modeling and the use of recently-marketed devices (like chemo-sensors) are promising tools for the development of a sort of 'on-demand' fertigation strategy. The management of closed systems is much more complicated when saline water is available to the growers, since the progressive accumulation of ions (such as Na and Cl) that are scarcely taken up by the plants, makes it necessary to discharge, more or less frequently, the recycling nutrient soln., with consequent loss of water and fertilizers. Simplified models were developed for the water relations of soilless culture and what these models , in terms of strategical, tactical or operational implementations, are suggested for a sustainable use of hydric resources, particularly in cultivations conducted under saline conditions. The anal. of the effect of salinity on crop productivity suggests that the most valuable strategy is likely the improvement of water quality, by means of desalinizsation or the use of rainwater. Nevertheless, on species with moderate tolerance to salinity, like tomato, the application of some particular procedures for the control of nutrient supply may have pos. results in terms of both crop sustainability. Bibliographic Information Identification of the first archaeal oligopeptide-binding protein from the hyperthermophile Aeropyrum pernix. Palmieri, Gianna; Casbarra, Annarita; Fiume, Immacolata; Catara, Giuliana; Capasso, Antonio; Marino, Gennaro; Onesti, Silvia; Rossi, Mose. IBP-Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Naples, Italy. Extremophiles (2006), 10(5),

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393-402. Publisher: Springer Tokyo, CODEN: EXTRFI ISSN: 1431-0651. Journal written in English. 147:67302 AN 2006:1060764 CAPLUS (Copyright (C) 2008 ACS on SciFinder (R))

CAN

Abstract The archaeon Aeropyrum pernix grows optimally at 90 C and derives energy primarily from aerobic degrdn. of complex proteinaceous substrates. The ability of these nutrients to sustain growth is generally assocd. with the presence of oligopeptide transport systems, such as the well-known protein-dependent ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters. This study is concerned with the isolation and characterization of the first archaeal oligopeptide-binding protein (OppAAp) from the extracellular medium of A. pernix. The protein shows a pI of 3.9 and a mol. mass of about 90 kDa under native conditions. By using a proteomic approach, the OppAAp-encoding gene was identified (APE1583) and about 55% of the protein amino-acid sequence was validated. The extracellular purified protein was able to efficiently bind oligopeptide substrates such as Xenopsin. The amt. of a liganded peptide to OppAAp was about 70% at 90 C using a 1/100 (wt./wt.) OppAAp/substrate ratio. Sequence comparisons showed a weak but significant similarity of OppAAp with bacterial oligopeptide binding proteins. Furthermore, APE1583 neighboring genes encode for the cognate components of an ABC transport system, suggesting that these ORFs are organized in an operon-like structure, with OppAAp as the extracellular component for the uptake of oligopeptides. Bibliographic Information Hepatocyte growth factor installs a survival platform for colorectal cancer cell invasive growth and overcomes p38 MAPK-mediated apoptosis. Fassetta, Michela; D'Alessandro, Lorenza; Coltella, Nadia; Di Renzo, Maria Flavia; Rasola, Andrea. Division of Molecular Oncology, University of Torino Medical School, Candiolo, Italy. Cellular Signalling (2006), 18(11), 1967-1976. Publisher: Elsevier B.V., CODEN: CESIEY ISSN: 0898-6568. Journal written in English. CAN 146:313829 AN 2006:1050794 CAPLUS (Copyright (C) 2008 ACS on SciFinder (R)) Abstract Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) induces invasive growth, a biol. program that confers tumor cells the capability to invade and metastasize by integrating cell proliferation, motility, morphogenesis, and survival. We here demonstrate that HGFR activation promotes survival of colorectal carcinoma (CRC) cells exposed to conditions that mimic those met during tumor progression, i.e. nutrient deprivation or substrate detachment, and following chemotherapeutic treatment. In all these conditions, a sustained activation of p38 MAPK delivers a main death signal that is overcome by cell treatment with HGF. HGF-driven survival requires the engagement of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR/p70S6K and ERK MAPK transduction pathways. Abrogation of p38 MAPK activity prevents CRC cell apoptosis also when these transduction pathways are inhibited, and treatment with HGF further increases survival. Engagement of these signaling cascades is also needed for HGF to induce CRC cell scattering, morphogenesis, motility and invasion. Activation of p38 MAPK signaling is therefore a main apoptotic switch for CRC cells in the stressful conditions encountered during tumor progression. Conversely, HGF orchestrates several biochem. pathways, which allow cell survival in these same conditions and promote the biol. responses required for tumor invasive growth. Both p38 MAPK and HGF/HGFR signaling constitute potential mol. targets for inhibiting colorectal carcinogenesis. Bibliographic Information Antimyopathic effects of carnitine and nicotine. Laviano, Alessandro; Meguid, Michael M.; Guijarro, Ana; Muscaritoli, Maurizio; Cascino, Antonia; Preziosa, Isabella; Molfino, Alessio; Fanelli, Filippo Rossi. Department of Clinical Medicine, University La Sapienza, Rome, Italy. Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition and Metabolic Care (2006), 9(4), 442-448. Publisher: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, CODEN: COCMF3 ISSN: 1363-1950. Journal; General Review written in English. CAN 146:175733 AN 2006:822236 CAPLUS (Copyright (C) 2008 ACS on SciFinder (R)) Abstract A review. The clin. course of most chronic diseases is assocd. with declined energy intake and nutrient-resistant

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progressive myopathy, characterized by accelerated proteolysis and impaired function. This anorexia/cachexia syndrome leads to deterioration of quality of life, and increased morbidity and mortality. The clin. efficacy of currently available therapeutic strategies is limited and more effective treatments are needed. Recent findings Chronic systemic inflammation, triggered and sustained by cytokines, and increased oxidative stress contribute to the pathogenesis of the anorexia/cachexia syndrome. Carnitine and nicotine have recently been tested as immunomodulating and antioxidant agents. In particular, carnitine supplementation has been shown to reduce chronic inflammation and oxidative stress in hemodialysis patients and, in cancer patients, yielding to reduced fatigue and improved outcome. Nicotine is able to induce the anti-inflammatory activity of the vagus nerve. In animal models of sepsis and cancer, the nicotine-induced supplementation resulted in better protection of nutritional status and improved survival. In the continuous effort to develop more efficacious strategies against the anorexia/cachexia syndrome, carnitine and nicotine may represent a further therapeutic tool. More clin. studies are needed, however, before their use can be routinely suggested. Bibliographic Information Short- and long-term therapeutic efficacy of nutritional therapy and corticosteroids in paediatric Crohn's disease. Canani, R. Berni; Terrin, G.; Borrelli, O.; Romano, M. T.; Manguso, F.; Coruzzo, A.; D'Armiento, F.; Romeo, E. F.; Cucchiara, S. Department of Paediatrics, University of Naples 'Federico II', Naples, Italy. Digestive and Liver Disease (2006), 38(6), 381-387. Publisher: Elsevier B.V., CODEN: DLDIFK ISSN: 1590-8658. Journal written in English. CAN 145:488503 AN 2006:640578 CAPLUS (Copyright (C) 2008 ACS on SciFinder (R)) Abstract Background: Comparative data on the therapeutic efficacy of different enteral nutrition formulas and corticosteroids to obtain clin. remission and to induce mucosal healing influencing long-term disease course in pediatric Crohn's disease are still scarce. Aims: To investigate the efficacy of nutritional therapy using three different formulas vs. corticosteroids to achieve clin. remission as well as to induce intestinal mucosal healing in active Crohn's disease children. Duration of remission and effect on growth recovery were also assessed. Patients and methods: Clin., lab., endoscopic and histol. data of all new diagnosed active Crohn's disease pediatric cases were retrospectively recorded and reviewed. Thirty-seven children (median age 12.1 years) received nutritional therapy (12 polymeric; 13 semielemental; 12 elemental diet) and 10 subjects (median age 12.4 years) received corticosteroids. Results: Similar clin. remission rate were obsd. after 8 wk of treatment: 86.5% children receiving nutritional therapy vs. 90% treated with corticosteroids. Improvement in mucosal inflammation occurred in 26 out of 37 (64.8%) patients on nutritional therapy and in 4 out of 10 (40%) children on steroids (p87%, but it is unlikely that it is able to promote max. N retention. Bibliographic Information Demographic impact of vaccination: a review. Bonanni P Public Health and Epidemiology Department, University of Florence, Viale G.B. Morgagni 48, 50134, Florence, Italy. [email protected] Vaccine (1999), 17 Suppl 3 S120-5. Journal code: 8406899. ISSN:0264-410X. Journal; Article; (JOURNAL ARTICLE); General Review; (REVIEW) written in English. PubMed ID 10559545 AN 2000027658 MEDLINE (Copyright (C) 2008 U.S. National Library of Medicine on SciFinder (R)) Abstract Vaccination is one of the most powerful means to save lives and to increase the level of health of mankind. However, the impact of immunization against the most threatening infectious agents on life expectancy has been the object of a still open debate. The main issues are: the relative influence of nutrition and infectious diseases on demographic patterns of populations; the possibility that lives saved thanks to vaccination are subsequently lost due to other competing causes of death; the positive indirect effect of immunization on other causes of death. With regard to past evidence, several data from the United Kingdom and Scandinavian countries show that the widespread use of smallpox vaccination starting at the beginning of the nineteenth century resulted in a marked and sustained decline not only of smallpox-related deaths, but also of the overall crude death rate, and contributed greatly to an unprecedented growth of European population.As to the present, it is estimated that 3 million children are saved annually by vaccination, but 2 million still die because they are not immunized. Tetanus, measles and pertussis are the main vaccine-preventable killers in the first years of life. Data from Bangladesh show that full implementation of EPI vaccines has the potential of reducing mortality by almost one half in children aged 1-4 years. Recent progress in the development of vaccines against agents responsible for much mortality in the developing countries make it possible to forecast a further substantial reduction of deaths for infectious diseases in the next century. Bibliographic Information Retrospective study of candidemia in patients with hematological malignancies. Clinical features, risk factors and outcome of 76 episodes. Pagano L; Antinori A; Ammassari A; Mele L; Nosari A; Melillo L; Martino B; Sanguinetti M; Equitani F; Nobile F; Carotenuto M; Morra E; Morace G; Leone G Istituto di Semeiotica Medica, Universita Cattolica Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy European journal of haematology (1999), 63(2), 77-85. Journal code: 8703985. ISSN:0902-4441. Journal; Article; (JOURNAL ARTICLE); (MULTICENTER STUDY);

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(RESEARCH SUPPORT, NON-U.S. GOV'T); (CLINICAL TRIAL) written in English. PubMed ID 10480286 AN 1999408163 MEDLINE (Copyright (C) 2008 U.S. National Library of Medicine on SciFinder (R)) Abstract A retrospective study of 76 episodes of candidemia in 73 patients with underlying hematological malignancy, from 1988 until 1997, has been conducted to evaluate the clinical characteristics and to ascertain the variables related to the onset and the outcome of candidemia. The most frequent malignancy was acute myeloid leukemia (29 episodes). Candidemia developed mainly during aplasia in patients refractory to chemotherapy (42%). In 65 episodes (86%) the patients were neutropenic (ANC 80% of fish oil world prodn. as feed component, while food, pharmaceutical and chem. industries use the rest. The technol., economic aspects, and worldwide market situation of fish oil prodn. are discussed. Bibliographic Information Vanillin production using metabolically engineered Escherichia coli under non-growing conditions. Barghini, Paolo; Di Gioia, Diana; Fava, Fabio; Ruzzi, Maurizio. Department of Agrobiology and Agrochemistry, University of Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy. Microbial Cell Factories (2007), 6 No pp. given. Publisher: BioMed Central Ltd., CODEN: MCFICT ISSN: 1475-2859. http://www.microbialcellfactories.com/content/pdf/1475-2859-6-13.pdf Journal; Online Computer File written in English. CAN 147:8482 AN 2007:481087 CAPLUS (Copyright (C) 2008 ACS on SciFinder (R)) Abstract Vanillin is one of the most important arom. flavor compds. used in the food and cosmetic industries. Natural vanillin is extd. from vanilla beans and is relatively expensive. Moreover, the consumer demand for natural vanillin highly exceeds the amt. of vanillin extd. by plant sources. This has led to the investigation of other routes to obtain this flavor such as the biotechnol. prodn. from ferulic acid. Studies concerning the use of engineered recombinant Escherichia coli cells as biocatalysts for vanillin prodn. are described in the literature, but yield optimization and biotransformation conditions have not been investigated in details. Effect of plasmid copy no. in metabolic engineering of E. coli for the synthesis of vanillin has been evaluated by the use of genes encoding feruloyl-CoA synthetase and feruloyl hydratase/aldolase from Pseudomonas fluorescens BF13. The higher vanillin prodn. yield was obtained using resting cells of E. coli strain JM109 harboring a low-copy no. vector and a promoter exhibiting a low activity to drive the expression of the catabolic genes. Optimization of the bioconversion of ferulic acid to vanillin was accomplished by a response surface methodol. The exptl. conditions that allowed us to obtain high values for response functions were 3.3 mM ferulic acid and 4.5 g/L of biomass, with a yield of 70.6% and specific productivity of 5.9 moles/g min after 3 h of incubation. The final concn. of vanillin in the medium was increased up to 3.5 mM after a 6-h incubation by sequential spiking of 1.1 mM ferulic acid. The resting cells could be reused up to four times maintaining the prodn. yield levels over 50%, thus increasing three times the vanillin obtained per g of biomass. Ferulic acid can be efficiently converted to vanillin, without accumulation of undesirable vanillin redn./oxidn. products, using E. coli JM109 cells

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expressing genes from the ferulic acid-degrader Pseudomonas fluorescens BF13. Optimization of culture conditions and bioconversion parameters, together with the reuse of the biomass, leaded to a final prodn. of 2.52 g of vanillin per L of culture, which is the highest found in the literature for recombinant strains and the highest achieved so far applying such strains under resting cells conditions. Bibliographic Information Inactivation of avian influenza viruses by chemical agents and physical conditions: a review. De Benedictis, P.; Beato, M. S.; Capua, I. Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, OIE, FAO and National Reference Laboratory for Avian Influenza and Newcastle Disease, Padua, Italy. Zoonoses and Public Health (2007), 54(2), 51-68. Publisher: Blackwell Verlag GmbH, CODEN: ZPHOAH ISSN: 1863-1959. Journal; General Review written in English. CAN 147:339131 AN 2007:439669 CAPLUS (Copyright (C) 2008 ACS on SciFinder (R)) Abstract A review. The recent outbreaks of avian influenza (AI) worldwide have highlighted the difficulties in controlling this disease both in developed and in developing countries. Biosecurity is considered the most important tool to prevent and control AI. In certain areas of the world, AI has become endemic and the recent outbreaks in Europe and Africa show that the epidemiol. situation is evolving in an unprecedented way. The consequences of this situation are economic losses to the poultry industry, food security issues in developing countries and a serious threat to human health, due to the direct consequences of AI infection in humans, and more alarmingly due to the risk of the generation of a new pandemic virus from the animal reservoir. In this paper, the phys. and chem. methods of inactivating AI viruses are reviewed, with particular emphasis on the practicalities of using such methods in the poultry industry. Bibliographic Information HPLC-MS validation of QualisaFoo biosensor kit for cost-effective control of acrylamide levels in Italian coffee. Gianni, Sagratini; Armando, Fabbri; Gabriella, Marucci; Massimo, Ricciutelli; Sauro, Vittori; Sergio, Ammendola. Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Universita degli Studi di Camerino, Camerino, Italy. Food Control (2007), 18(10), 1267-1271. Publisher: Elsevier B.V., CODEN: FOOCEV ISSN: 0956-7135. Journal written in English. CAN 147:520876 AN 2007:422319 CAPLUS (Copyright (C) 2008 ACS on SciFinder (R)) Abstract Acrylamide is a carcinogenic and mutagenic compd. found in many industrially processed foods and beverages, including coffee. The aim of this work is to det. the acrylamide level in some Italian coffees by using a mass spectrometry method and an enzymic test kit. Comparison of av. values in four Italian coffees detd. using the two methods permitted us to validate the results obtained with the kit, hence the kit itself, showing that acrylamide is present in low amt. The amt. of acrylamide was also detd. in other foods, by using the kit. This work shows that there is a correspondence between the two methods and that the kit provides a cost-effective method to det. the amt. of acrylamide in food. Bibliographic Information Biodegradation of Polyethoxylated Nonylphenols in Packed-Bed Biofilm Reactors. Bertin, Lorenzo; Di Gioia, Diana; Barberio, Claudia; Salvadori, Laura; Marchetti, Leonardo; Fava, Fabio. Department of Applied Chemistry and Material Science, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy. Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research (2007), 46(21), 6681-6687. Publisher: American Chemical Society, CODEN: IECRED ISSN: 0888-5885. Journal written in English. CAN 147:328874 AN 2007:358619 CAPLUS (Copyright (C) 2008 ACS on SciFinder (R)) Abstract The opportunity to apply an immobilized-cell biotechnol. process in the remediation of polyethoxylated nonylphenol (NPnEO) contaminated water was studied in this work. To this purpose, three identically configured aerobic column reactors packed with different materials (silica beads, granular activated carbon, or glass spheres) were developed,

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inoculated with the NPnEO-degrading Pseudomonas sp. strain BCb 12/3, and compared for their ability to biodegrade the two NPnEO industrial mixts. Igepal CO-520 and CO-210 fed in synthetic wastewater at concns. in the range 30-90 mg/L. The three biofilm reactors, tested under batch conditions, showed comparable degrdn. capabilities and specificities, being able to remove from 77 to 99% of the total Igepal mixts. supplied after 9 days of batch treatment. NPnEOs were mostly removed through biodegrdn., as suggested by the accumulation of two metabolites typical of NPnEO aerobic biodegrdn., such as phenol and 4-nonylphenol, and by the low NPnEO amts. recovered from the reactors at the end of the study. Fluorescent in situ hybridization and DAPI staining performed at the end of the study showed that the bacterial biofilm was well and homogeneously developed on the packed beds of the three reactors and that it was mostly composed by bacteria belonging to Gammaproteobacteria, i.e., the Proteobacteria class which includes the genus Pseudomonas. Bibliographic Information A study on PCB, PCDD/PCDF industrial contamination in a mixed urban-agricultural area significantly affecting the food chain and the human exposure. Part I: Soil and feed. Turrio-Baldassarri, Luigi; Abate, Vittorio; Alivernini, Silvia; Battistelli, Chiara Laura; Carasi, Sergio; Casella, Marialuisa; Iacovella, Nicola; Iamiceli, Anna Laura; Indelicato, Annamaria; Scarcella, Carmelo; La Rocca, Cinzia. Istituto Superiore di Sanita, Rome, Italy. Chemosphere (2007), 67(9), 1822-1830. Publisher: Elsevier Ltd., CODEN: CMSHAF ISSN: 0045-6535. Journal written in English. CAN 147:241532 AN 2007:282213 CAPLUS (Copyright (C) 2008 ACS on SciFinder (R)) Abstract This study deals with polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) and polychlorinated dibenzodioxin-dibenzofuran (PCDD/PCDF) contamination in Brescia, a city in the North-West of Italy, affecting an area with about 11,000 inhabitants. The area is close to an industrial plant that produced, in total, some 31,000 tons of PCBs. A relevant part of the polluted area is agricultural soil, where cattle were fed with polluted forage and farmers were consuming their own products, so that the contamination led eventually to human exposure. Total levels of PCDDs/Fs varied from 8 to 592 pg TEQ (WHO)/g for soil samples and when the dioxin-like PCBs (dl-PCBs) are included, the levels varied from 14.6 to 1033.7 pg TEQ (WHO)/g. In several cases, the legal limit was exceeded by more than one order of magnitude, with the highest contamination in some agricultural areas and in the surrounding zones. For the forage samples, the total levels of PCDDs/Fs varied from 0.29 to 2.04 pg TEQ (WHO)/g and, when dl-PCBs are included, this range increased from 2.04 to 4.75 pg TEQ (WHO)/g. PCB contamination of the forage through vapor condensation seemed to be relevant. The toxic contribution of dl-PCBs is always relevant and must be considered for risk management. The main component of the contamination source is probably a heavy PCB mixt., such as Aroclor 1262. The study dealt generally with the contamination transfer of PCBs, PCDDs and PCDFs from soil up to humans across the food chain. The results on soils and forage are shown, while measurements concerning the contamination of the animals fed with contaminated forage and the exposure of the farmers (through human serum analyses), as compared to the general population, will be reported in a dedicated paper. Bibliographic Information Probiotic bacteria: legislative framework-requirements to evidence basis. Pineiro, Maya; Stanton, Catherine. Food Quality and Standards Service, Nutrition and Consumer Protection Division, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Rome, Italy. Journal of Nutrition (2007), 137(3S-2), 850S-853S. Publisher: American Society for Nutrition, CODEN: JONUAI ISSN: 0022-3166. Journal written in English. AN 2007:248351 CAPLUS (Copyright (C) 2008 ACS on SciFinder (R)) Abstract Following on from the FAO/WHO Expert Consultation and Working Group outputs on probiotics and their presentation to Codex, it is hoped that these will be used as a science-based risk assessment process for managerial decision on probiotics and that the "Guidelines for the Evaluation of Probiotics in Food" will be used as a model for scientific criteria for evaluation of health claims. It is also hoped that this work will be incorporated or taken as example for the Codex draft being prepd. on health and nutrition claims and as a scientific assessment of a novel food and that the probiotic guidelines will be adopted by Industry.

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Bibliographic Information Highly purified sugar concentrate from a residue of citrus pigments recovery process. Scordino, Monica; Di Mauro, Alfio; Passerini, Amedeo; Maccarone, Emanuele. Dipartimento di OrtoFloroArboricoltura e Tecnologie Agroalimentari (DOFATA), Sezione Tecnologie Agroalimentari, Universita degli Studi di Catania, Catania, Italy. LWT--Food Science and Technology (2007), 40(4), 713-721. Publisher: Elsevier Ltd., CODEN: LSTWB3 Journal written in English. CAN 146:336791 AN 2007:106649 CAPLUS (Copyright (C) 2008 ACS on SciFinder (R)) Abstract Pigmented orange pulp wash (PW), a byproduct of citrus processing, was already studied to obtain anthocyanins and hydroxycinnamates using adsorption resins. The residue of such process was further investigated to obtain a purified sugar conc. applying a series of resin adsorptions and membrane techniques. The final product and the intermediates were characterized by chem. and microbiol. analyses. The results have shown that anthocyanins, limonoids, flavanones and hydroxycinnamates were absent in the starting material because totally removed by the treatment with the neutral polystyrene-divinylbenzene (PS-DVB) resin used to recover the pigments; the acidity was strongly reduced through a weakly basic ion-exchange matrix while the ultrafiltration (UF) process stabilized the product by removal of enzymes and microorganisms. Eighty percent of the water was eliminated by a reverse osmosis (RO) treatment, increasing the sugar concn. by four times. The final product (28 Brix) contained about 250 g/l of sugars (glucose, fructose and sucrose), 9 g/l of citric acid and 1 g/l of pectins. The conc., obtained from a residue that otherwise must be disposed, was a transparent liq. of slight amber color with a very low microbial count and could easily find application as a natural sweetener in food and beverage industries. Bibliographic Information Reactivity of NO/NO2-NH3 SCR system for diesel exhaust aftertreatment: Identification of the reaction network as a function of temperature and NO2 feed content. Ciardelli, Cristian; Nova, Isabella; Tronconi, Enrico; Chatterjee, Daniel; Bandl-Konrad, Brigitte; Weibel, Michel; Krutzsch, Bernd. Dipartimento di Chimica, Materiali e Ingegneria Chimica "G. Natta", Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy. Applied Catalysis, B: Environmental (2007), 70(1-4), 80-90. Publisher: Elsevier B.V., CODEN: ACBEE3 ISSN: 0926-3373. Journal written in English. CAN 146:211343 AN 2007:2851 CAPLUS (Copyright (C) 2008 ACS on SciFinder (R)) Abstract A systematic study of the selective catalytic redn. (SCR) reactivity of NH3 over com. V2O5-WO3/TiO2 catalyst in a wide temp. range and NO:NO2 feed ratios, covering and exceeding those of interest for industrial applications for posttreatment of diesel vehicle exhaust gases is discussed. Expts. confirmed that best deNOx efficiency was achieved with a 1:1 NO/NO2 feed ratio. Main reactions at different operating conditions were identified and an overall reaction scheme is proposed. Particular attention was paid to the role of NH4NO3, which forms rapidly at low temps., and with excess NO2, dets. a lower N2 selectivity for the deNOx process. Data are presented showing the NO/NO2-NH3 reaction system can be fully chem. interpreted according to a mechanism which involves: NO2 dimerization/disproportion and reaction with NH3 and water to yield NH4NO2 and NH4NO3; NH4NO3 redn. by NO to NH4NO2; and decompn. of NH4NO2 to N2. This scheme explains peculiar deNOx reactivity at low temp. in the presence of NO2, the optimal stoichiometry (NO/NO2 = 1:1), and obsd. selectivity to all major N-contg. products (N2, NH4NO3, HNO3, N2O). It also provides a basis to develop a mechanistic kinetic model of the NO/NO2-NH3 SCR reaction system. Bibliographic Information Influence of temperature on biofilm formation by Listeria monocytogenes on various food-contact surfaces: relationship with motility and cell surface hydrophobicity. Di Bonaventura G; Piccolomini R; Paludi D; D'Orio V; Vergara A; Conter M; Ianieri A Center of Excellence for Aging, G. d'Annunzio University Foundation, Chieti, Italy. [email protected] Journal of applied microbiology (2008), 104(6), 1552-61. Journal code: 9706280. E-ISSN:1365-2672. Journal; Article; (JOURNAL ARTICLE); (RESEARCH SUPPORT, NON-U.S.

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GOV'T) written in English. PubMed ID 18194252 AN 2008330688 U.S. National Library of Medicine on SciFinder (R))

In-process for MEDLINE (Copyright (C) 2008

Abstract AIMS: To assess the ability of Listeria monocytogenes to form biofilm on different food-contact surfaces with regard to different temperatures, cellular hydrophobicity and motility. METHODS AND RESULTS: Forty-four L. monocytogenes strains from food and food environment were tested for biofilm formation by crystal violet staining. Biofilm levels were significantly higher on glass at 4, 12 and 22 degrees C, as compared with polystyrene and stainless steel. At 37 degrees C, L. monocytogenes produced biofilm at significantly higher levels on glass and stainless steel, as compared with polystyrene. Hydrophobicity was significantly (P < 0.05) higher at 37 degrees C than at 4, 12 and 22 degrees C. Thirty (68.2%) of 44 strains tested showed swimming at 22 degrees C and 4 (9.1%) of those were also motile at 12 degrees C. No correlation was observed between swimming and biofilm production. CONCLUSIONS: L. monocytogenes can adhere to and form biofilms on food-processing surfaces. Biofilm formation is significantly influenced by temperature, probably modifying cell surface hydrophobicity. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACTS OF THE STUDY: Biofilm formation creates major problems in the food industry because it may represent an important source of food contamination. Our results are therefore important in finding ways to prevent contamination because they contribute to a better understanding on how L. monocytogenes can establish biofilms in food industry and therefore survive in the processing environment. Bibliographic Information Biodiversity of Aspergillus species in some important agricultural products. Perrone G; Susca A; Cozzi G; Ehrlich K; Varga J; Frisvad J C; Meijer M; Noonim P; Mahakarnchanakul W; Samson R A Institute of Sciences of Food Production, CNR, Via Amendola, 122/O 70126 Bari, Italy Studies in mycology (2007), 59 53-66. Journal code: 8411984. ISSN:0166-0616. Journal; Article; (JOURNAL ARTICLE) written in English. PubMed ID 18490950 AN 2008327501 In-process for MEDLINE (Copyright (C) 2008 U.S. National Library of Medicine on SciFinder (R)) Abstract The genus Aspergillus is one of the most important filamentous fungal genera. Aspergillus species are used in the fermentation industry, but they are also responsible of various plant and food secondary rot, with the consequence of possible accumulation of mycotoxins. The aflatoxin producing A. flavus and A. parasiticus, and ochratoxinogenic A. niger, A. ochraceus and A. carbonarius species are frequently encountered in agricultural products. Studies on the biodiversity of toxigenic Aspergillus species is useful to clarify molecular, ecological and biochemical characteristics of the different species in relation to their different adaptation to environmental and geographical conditions, and to their potential toxigenicity. Here we analyzed the biodiversity of ochratoxin producing species occurring on two important crops: grapes and coffee, and the genetic diversity of A. flavus populations occurring in agricultural fields. Altogether nine different black Aspergillus species can be found on grapes which are often difficult to identify with classical methods. The polyphasic approach used in our studies led to the identification of three new species occurring on grapes: A. brasiliensis, A. ibericus, and A. uvarum. Similar studies on the Aspergillus species occurring on coffee beans have evidenced in the last five years that A. carbonarius is an important source of ochratoxin A in coffee. Four new species within the black aspergilli were also identified in coffee beans: A. sclerotioniger, A. lacticoffeatus, A. sclerotiicarbonarius, and A. aculeatinus. The genetic diversity within A. flavus populations has been widely studied in relation to their potential aflatoxigenicity and morphological variants L- and S-strains. Within A. flavus and other Aspergillus species capable of aflatoxin production, considerable diversity is found. We summarise the main recent achievements in the diversity of the aflatoxin gene cluster in A. flavus populations, A. parasiticus and the non-toxigenic A. oryzae. Studies are needed in order to characterise the aflatoxin biosynthetic genes in the new related taxa A. minisclerotigenes and A. arachidicola. Bibliographic Information Production of feruloyl esterases and xylanases by Talaromyces stipitatus and Humicola grisea var. thermoidea

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on industrial food processing by-products. Mandalari G; Bisignano G; Lo Curto R B; Waldron K W; Faulds C B Sustainability of the Food Chain Exploitation Platform, Institute of Food Research, Norwich Research Park, Colney, Norwich NR4 7UA, United Kingdom; Department of Pharmacobiology, University of Messina, Viale Annunziata, 98100 Messina, Italy Bioresource technology (2008), 99(11), 5130-3. Journal code: 9889523. ISSN:0960-8524. Journal; Article; (JOURNAL ARTICLE) written in English. PubMed ID 17951057 AN 2008324553 In-process for MEDLINE (Copyright (C) 2008 U.S. National Library of Medicine on SciFinder (R)) Abstract Feruloyl esterase (FAE) and xylanase activities were detected in culture supernatants from Humicola grisea var. thermoidea and Talaromyces stipitatus grown on brewers' spent grain (BSG) and wheat bran (WB), two agro-industrial by-products. Maximum activities were detected from cultures of H. grisea grown at 150rpm, with 16.9U/ml and 9.1U/ml of xylanase activity on BSG and WB, respectively. Maximum FAE activity was 0.47U/ml and 0.33U/ml on BSG and WB, respectively. Analysis of residual cell wall material after microbial growth shows the preferential solubilisation of arabinoxylan and cellulose, two main polysaccharides present in BSG and WB. The production of low-cost cell-wall-deconstructing enzymes on agro-industrial by-products could lead to the production of low-cost enzymes for use in the valorisation of food processing wastes. Bibliographic Information Review article: future research on coeliac disease - a position report from the European multistakeholder platform on coeliac disease (CDEUSSA). Troncone R; Ivarsson A; Szajewska H; Mearin M L Department of Paediatrics and European Laboratory for Investigation of Food Induced Diseases, University Federico II, Naples, Italy. (Members of European Multistakeholder Platform on CD (CDEUSSA)) [email protected] Alimentary pharmacology & therapeutics (2008), 27(11), 1030-43. Journal code: 8707234. E-ISSN:1365-2036. Journal; Article; (JOURNAL ARTICLE); (RESEARCH SUPPORT, NON-U.S. GOV'T) written in English. PubMed ID 18315588 AN 2008290983 In-process for MEDLINE (Copyright (C) 2008 U.S. National Library of Medicine on SciFinder (R)) Abstract BACKGROUND: CDEUSSA is a Specific Support Action project from the Sixth Framework Programme Priority of the European Union (EU). Its aim is to bring together basic and applied research in the area of coeliac disease (CD). This paper reviews the main issues that are a result of the CDEUSSA initiative. AIM: To identify the major issues in need of investigation in the areas of clinical aspects, treatment, prevention and public health. METHODS: Key stakeholders, representing a wide range of knowledge with crucial importance for CD research and practice, have participated in two workshops aimed at identifying and proposing to the EU, as high priority research, topics in the areas of clinical aspects, treatment, prevention and public health. RESULTS: In public health, the overall goal should be to improve quality of life of the European population by implementing primary prevention strategies, early diagnosis and improved treatments for CD. New treatment strategies need to be developed. The option of primary prevention should be fully explored, which requires combined epidemiological, clinical and basic scientific research efforts. Such studies should also consider the importance of gene-environment interactions in the development of CD. Increased knowledge is needed on the natural history of CD. Diagnostic criteria need to be revised. CONCLUSIONS: To achieve these goals, a collaboration of the stakeholders is fundamental, including research and patient organizations, as well as industries within both diagnostics and food production. Bibliographic Information Remediation of waters contaminated with ionic herbicides by sorption on polymerin. Sannino F; Iorio M; De Martino A; Pucci M; Brown C D; Capasso R Dipartimento di Scienze del Suolo, della Pianta, dell'Ambiente e delle Produzioni Animali, Facolta di Scienze Biotecnologiche, Universita di Napoli Federico II Via Universita 100, 80055 Portici, Napoli, Italy Water research (2008), 42(3), 643-52. Journal code: 0105072. ISSN:0043-1354. Journal; Article; (JOURNAL ARTICLE); (RESEARCH SUPPORT, NON-U.S. GOV'T) written in English. PubMed ID 17904611 AN 2008144087 MEDLINE (Copyright (C) 2008 U.S. National Library of Medicine on SciFinder (R)) Abstract

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This study investigated the sorption of paraquat and 2,4-D on polymerin, the humic acid-like fraction of olive mill wastewater. Effects of pH, contact time, initial concentration and sorbent dosage on the sorption of both herbicides were studied. The sorption mechanism of paraquat on polymerin was consistent with the ion exchange of this herbicide with Ca, Mg and K natively occurring in the sorbent; in contrast, 2,4-D was bound to polymerin by hydrogen bonding. Simulated wastewaters contaminated with paraquat were purified after three sorption cycles on polymerin renewed at each cycle, at a solid/liquid ratio of 0.5, whereas those containing 2,4-D showed a maximal residue removal of 44% after two sorption cycles at the same ratio. The possible application of this model to other water-soluble herbicides, as well as the possible exploitation of polymerin as a bio-filter for the decontamination of pollution point sources is briefly discussed. Bibliographic Information Investigation on virucidal activity of chlorine dioxide. experimental data on feline calicivirus, HAV and Coxsackie B5. Zoni R; Zanelli R; Riboldi E; Bigliardi L; Sansebastiano G Department of Public Health, Sec. Hygiene, University of Parma, Italy Journal of preventive medicine and hygiene (2007), 48(3), 91-5. Journal code: 9214440. ISSN:1121-2233. Journal; Article; (JOURNAL ARTICLE) written in English. PubMed ID 18274345 AN 2008116583 MEDLINE (Copyright (C) 2008 U.S. National Library of Medicine on SciFinder (R)) Abstract INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of ClO2 with regard to viruses which show a particular resistance to oxidizing agent such as HAV and Norwalk and Norwalk-like viruses, and which play an important role in the epidemiology of viral foodborne diseases. In the food industry, disinfection of processing systems and equipment is a very important instrument to prevent secondary contamination and to guarantee food safety. Among disinfectants, chlorine dioxide (ClO2) presents a good efficacy at wide range of pH values, its action is rapid and generates few reaction byproducts if compared to hypoclorite. Experimental studies have highlighted that ClO2 shows a good bactericidal activity and it is also active towards viruses. Furthermore, the low concentrations and low contact times required to obtain microbial load reduction are favourable elements for the application of this compound in the industrial sanitizing practices. METHODS: As it is impossible to cultivate the Norwalk virus in vitro, we tested the resistance of Feline calicivirus (F9 strain) vs. ClO2, in comparison with HAV (strain HM-175) and Coxsackie B5. Chlorine dioxide was used at concentrations ranging from 0.2 to 0.8 mg/l in water solution, at pH 7 and at +20 degrees C. Viral suspensions were added to disinfecting solution and, at pre-set times, were sampled to undergo to titration after blocking the disinfectant action with thiosulphate 0.05 M. On the basis of the data obtained, for each virus and in relation to different concentrations, mean reduction times were calculated for 99%, 99.9% and 99.99% using the regression analysis model. RESULTS: As regards Feline calicivirus, at a concentration of 0.8 mg/l of ClO2, we obtained the complete elimination of the viral titre in 2 min while 30 min were required at concentrations of 0.2 mg/l. Coxsackie B5 showed a similar behaviour, being completely inactivated in 4 min with 0.4 mg/l of ClO2 and after 30 min at a concentration of 0.2 mg/l. Inactivation was quicker for HAV, which was eliminated after only 30 sec at a concentration of 0.8 mg/l and after 5 min at 0.4 mg/l. CONCLUSION: Our data show that for complete inactivation of HAV and Feline calicivirus, concentrations > or = 0.6 mg/l are required. This observation is true for Coxsackie B5 too, but this virus has shown a good sensitivity at all concentration tested according to regression analysis results. For Feline calicivirus and HAV, at low concentrations of disinfectant, prolonged contact times were needed to obtain a 99.99% reduction of viral titres (about 16 and 20 minutes respectively). Bibliographic Information Are FPCIs a source of increased risk for children? Results of a multicenter, experimental study comparing children's behaviour with FPCIs and toys. Donati C; Benelli B; Consonni N; Fabregant M; Mantyla T; Carelli G; Corradetti R; Snidero S; Scarinzi C; Morra B; Gregori D Italian Institute of Toy Safety, Como, Italy Journal of safety research (2007), 38(5), 589-96. Journal code: 1264241. ISSN:0022-4375. Journal; Article; (JOURNAL ARTICLE); (MULTICENTER STUDY); (RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL); (CLINICAL TRIAL) written in English. PubMed ID 18023644 AN 2007688678 MEDLINE (Copyright (C) 2008 U.S. National Library of Medicine on SciFinder (R))

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Abstract INTRODUCTION: Food Products Containing Inedibles (FPCIs) are believed to represent a source of higher choking risk in children. The aim of this study was to set up a controlled study, conducted on children aged 3-6 in a laboratory setting, in order to understand their behavior when interacting with FPCIs (with reference to mouthing activities, double nature recognition, and toy assembling ability). METHOD: The experimental phase was divided into two sessions: a FPCI session and a Toy session, to which 247 children were randomly assigned. During these sessions children were observed in order to catch their mouthing activity according to the two types of objects available to them (FPCIs and Toys). RESULTS: This study shows that: (a) children's behavior with respect to toys contained in FPCIs and toys presented alone is not significantly different; (b) children's ability to distinguish between the edible and non-edible part of the FPCI was very high; and (c) mouthing episodes of the inedible parts were negligible and comparable between FPCIs and toys presented alone. This strongly suggests that, with respect to choking risk, FPCIs are not per se distinguishable from toys containing small parts. IMPACT ON INDUSTRY: Restrictions on the sale of FPCIs with small toys exist in the U.S. market. In Europe, FPCIs are allowed to be on sale, under the condition that, in case, they will follow the general regulatory requirements of small toys packaged and sold alone. In this case, they must provide age warnings and labels. Our findings do not justify the different attention that toys in FPCIs are at times afforded by regulators when compared to "stand alone" toys. Bibliographic Information Multiplex PCR for the identification and serotyping of L. monocytogenes isolated from sheep cheese-processing plants. De Santis E P L; Pilo A L; Cosseddu A M; Canu N A; Scarano C; Marongiu P Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy. [email protected] Veterinary research communications (2007), 31 Suppl 1 359-63. Journal code: 8100520. ISSN:0165-7380. Journal; Article; (JOURNAL ARTICLE) written in English. PubMed ID 17682914 AN 2007597553 MEDLINE (Copyright (C) 2008 U.S. National Library of Medicine on SciFinder (R)) Bibliographic Information Evaluation of HACCP plans of food industries: case study conducted by the Servizio di Igiene degli Alimenti e della Nutrizione (Food and Nutrition Health Service) of the local health authority of Foggia, Italy. Panunzio Michele F; Antoniciello Antonietta; Pisano Alessandra; Rosa Giovanna Food and Nutrition Health Services, Local Health Authority, Foggia, Italy. [email protected] International journal of environmental research and public health (2007), 4(3), 228-32. Journal code: 101238455. E-ISSN:1660-4601. Journal; Article; (JOURNAL ARTICLE) written in English. PubMed ID 17911662 AN 2007590593 In-process for MEDLINE (Copyright (C) 2008 U.S. National Library of Medicine on SciFinder (R)) Abstract With respect to food safety, many works have studied the effectiveness of self-monitoring plans of food companies, designed using the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) method. On the other hand, indepth research has not been made concerning the adherence of the plans to HACCP standards. During our research, we evaluated 116 self-monitoring plans adopted by food companies located in the territory of the Local Health Authority (LHA) of Foggia, Italy. The general errors (terminology, philosophy and redundancy) and the specific errors (transversal plan, critical limits, hazard specificity, and lack of procedures) were standardized. Concerning the general errors, terminological errors pertain to half the plans examined, 47% include superfluous elements and 60% have repetitive subjects. With regards to the specific errors, 77% of the plans examined contained specific errors. The evaluation has pointed out the lack of comprehension of the HACCP system by the food companies and has allowed the Servizio di Igiene degli Alimenti e della Nutrizione (Food and Nutrition Health Service), in its capacity as a control body, to intervene with the companies in order to improve designing HACCP plans. Bibliographic Information A case of malignant mesothelioma in a rice-starch factory.

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De Zotti Renata; Fiorito Antonio

Clinical Unit of

Ricerca Bibliografica 1998­2008  

Occupational Medicine, Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste General Hospital, Via della Pieta' 19, 34129, Trieste, Italy. [email protected] International archives of occupational and environmental health (2007), 80(8), 743-5. Journal code: 7512134. ISSN:0340-0131. (CASE REPORTS); Journal; Article; (JOURNAL ARTICLE) written in English. PubMed ID 17387504 AN 2007560102 MEDLINE (Copyright (C) 2008 U.S. National Library of Medicine on SciFinder (R)) Abstract INTRODUCTION: Recent reports of cases of malignant mesothelioma (MM) in "non-traditional" areas of employment are an indication of the numerous occasions in which exposure to asbestos has occurred in the workplace. We describe an unusual case of occupational exposure to asbestos to stress the importance of careful history taking when assessing a patient's work history, especially in generic occupations in which there is apparently no exposure to asbestos. CASE REPORT: Malignant mesothelioma was diagnosed in a woman worker employed in a factory making rice starch. She had worked in the storehouse of the factory for approximately 40 years. From circumstantial interviews with relatives and workmates, it emerged that her job involved retrieving, for re-use, the jute sacks in which the rice was transported. More than one source remembered distinctly that some of the sacks had "Asbestos" written on the outside. DISCUSSION: This case provides further confirmation of the importance of careful history taking among workers with mesothelioma to avoid failing to diagnose occupational disease. It also highlights the risk of asbestos exposure represented by recycling asbestos-contaminated sacks in both occupational and non-occupational settings. Bibliographic Information Leptospirosis: occupational risk in the chain of food of animal origin. Colavita G; Paoletti M Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Agro-Alimentari Ambientali e Microbiologiche Universita degli Studi del Molise, Campobasso, Italy. [email protected] Giornale italiano di medicina del lavoro ed ergonomia (2007), 29(1), 21-4. Journal code: 9712708. ISSN:1592-7830. (ENGLISH ABSTRACT); Journal; Article; (JOURNAL ARTICLE); General Review; (REVIEW) written in Italian. PubMed ID 17569414 AN 2007357739 MEDLINE (Copyright (C) 2008 U.S. National Library of Medicine on SciFinder (R)) Abstract Leptospirosis is a worldwide zoonotic infection. The source of infection in humans is usually either direct or indirect contact with the urine of infected animals. Occupation is a significant risk factor for humans. Direct contact with infected animals accounts for most infections in farmers, veterinarians, abattoir workers, meat inspectors. The highest risk is associated with swine farming, slaughterhouse and meat industry workers. Most cases are diagnosed by serology. Leptospirosis may be prevented trought appropriate hygiene, sanitization, animal husbandry. It is essential to educate people working with animals or animal tissues about measures for reducing the risk of exposure to Leptospira. Protective clothing provided included an apron, gloves and rubber boots. When the risk is high, serologic testing are useful also. Bibliographic Information Application of automated ribotyping to support the evaluation of Listeria monocytogenes sources in a Taleggio cheese producing plant. de Cesare A; Manfreda G; Macri M; Cantoni C Department of Food Science, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Via S. Giacomo 9, 40126 Bologna, Italy. [email protected] Journal of food protection (2007), 70(5), 1116-21. Journal code: 7703944. ISSN:0362-028X. Journal; Article; (JOURNAL ARTICLE) written in English. PubMed ID 17536669 AN 2007325084 MEDLINE (Copyright (C) 2008 U.S. National Library of Medicine on SciFinder (R)) Abstract In March 2005, Listeria monocytogenes was detected on the rinds of Taleggio cheeses produced in an Italian plant. To identify the pathogen source, 154 rinds of cheeses that had been manually and automatically salinated and 52 environmental swabs collected from salting equipment, ripening cloths, and ripening boxes were tested for L. monocytogenes. Twenty-seven strains isolated from cheese samples and 16 strains isolated from environmental

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samples were genotyped by EcoRI and PvuII automated ribotyping. The microbiological results revealed a significant incidence of contamination of cheeses that were automatically salinated and contamination on the salting equipment, ripening cloths, and boxes. All cheese and environmental strains had the same EcoRI and PvuII ribotyping profiles, designated 153-204-S5 and 153-210-S-2, respectively. The only exception were three Taleggio strains, isolated from the same lot of product, that had EcoRI and PvuII ribotyping profiles designated 153-289-S6 and 153-214-S-5, respectively. Strains with EcoRI profile 153-204-S5 were classified as DUP-ID 1045 and serotype 1/2a, whereas strains with EcoRI profile 153-289-S6 were classified as DUP-ID 1034 and serotype 1/2b. The microbiological and molecular typing data collected in this study suggest that the source of the L. monocytogenes contamination in the Taleggio plant under study was the automated salting equipment. The isolate DUP-IDs were used to trace the introduction of potentially dangerous strains, such as those characterized as DUP-ID 1034, in the processing plant. Bibliographic Information Penicillium populations in dry-cured ham manufacturing plants. Battilani Paola; Pietri V Amedeo; Giorni Paola; Formenti Silvia; Bertuzzi Terenzio; Toscani Tania; Virgili Roberta; Kozakiewicz Zofia Institute of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Universita Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Via Emilia Parmense, 84, 29100 Piacenza, Italy. [email protected] Journal of food protection (2007), 70(4), 975-80. Journal code: 7703944. ISSN:0362-028X. Journal; Article; (JOURNAL ARTICLE); (RESEARCH SUPPORT, NON-U.S. GOV'T) written in English. PubMed ID 17477269 AN 2007269253 MEDLINE (Copyright (C) 2008 U.S. National Library of Medicine on SciFinder (R)) Abstract Seven ham manufacturing plants were sampled for 1 year to assess the mycoflora present in the air and on hams, with special attention given to potential mycotoxin producers. Temperature and relative humidity were recorded in the ripening rooms. Maturing rooms held hams from 2 to 3 through 6 to 7 ripening months, and aging rooms held hams for the following 6 to 7 months, until the 14-month ripening point, when they were ready for the market. Mean temperatures and relative humidities registered during the study were 14.9 degrees C and 62.4%, respectively, in maturing rooms and 16.3 degrees C and 57.6% in aging rooms. Aspergilli and penicillia, potential mycotoxin producers, were isolated in all the plants from the air and the ham. Aspergilli represented 5% of the isolates, while penicillia were largely dominant, with Penicillium nalgiovense being the most represented species (around 60% of the penicillia), followed by Penicillium nordicum, with 10 and 26% of the penicillia isolated, respectively, from the air or the ham. Ochratoxin A production ability, checked in vitro at 250C, was observed in 50% of the P. nordicum isolates obtained both from the air and the ham. Air and ham surface contamination by penicillia was greater in the ripening rooms, where higher temperatures were registered. A certain correlation was also observed between air and ham surface contamination. On the basis of this study, P. nordicum, the ochratoxin A producer that is notable on proteinaceous substrates, is normally present in ham manufacturing plants in Italy, even though not a dominant species. Further studies are necessary to clarify and ensure if dry-curing conditions minimize the potential risk of ochratoxin A formation in the product. Bibliographic Information Vanillin production using metabolically engineered Escherichia coli under non-growing conditions. Barghini Paolo; Di Gioia Diana; Fava Fabio; Ruzzi Maurizio Department of Agrobiology and Agrochemistry, University of Tuscia, via Camillo de Lellis-snc, 01100 Viterbo, Italy. [email protected] Microbial cell factories (2007), 6 13. Journal code: 101139812. E-ISSN:1475-2859. Journal; Article; (JOURNAL ARTICLE) written in English. PubMed ID 17437627 AN 2007252079 MEDLINE (Copyright (C) 2008 U.S. National Library of Medicine on SciFinder (R)) Abstract BACKGROUND: Vanillin is one of the most important aromatic flavour compounds used in the food and cosmetic industries. Natural vanillin is extracted from vanilla beans and is relatively expensive. Moreover, the consumer demand for natural vanillin highly exceeds the amount of vanillin extracted by plant sources. This has led to the investigation of other routes to obtain this flavour such as the biotechnological production from ferulic acid. Studies concerning the use of engineered recombinant Escherichia coli cells as biocatalysts for vanillin production are described

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in the literature, but yield optimization and biotransformation conditions have not been investigated in details. RESULTS: Effect of plasmid copy number in metabolic engineering of E. coli for the synthesis of vanillin has been evaluated by the use of genes encoding feruloyl-CoA synthetase and feruloyl hydratase/aldolase from Pseudomonas fluorescens BF13. The higher vanillin production yield was obtained using resting cells of E. coli strain JM109 harbouring a low-copy number vector and a promoter exhibiting a low activity to drive the expression of the catabolic genes. Optimization of the bioconversion of ferulic acid to vanillin was accomplished by a response surface methodology. The experimental conditions that allowed us to obtain high values for response functions were 3.3 mM ferulic acid and 4.5 g/L of biomass, with a yield of 70.6% and specific productivity of 5.9 micromoles/g x min after 3 hours of incubation. The final concentration of vanillin in the medium was increased up to 3.5 mM after a 6-hour incubation by sequential spiking of 1.1 mM ferulic acid. The resting cells could be reused up to four times maintaining the production yield levels over 50%, thus increasing three times the vanillin obtained per gram of biomass. CONCLUSION: Ferulic acid can be efficiently converted to vanillin, without accumulation of undesirable vanillin reduction/oxidation products, using E. coli JM109 cells expressing genes from the ferulic acid-degrader Pseudomonas fluorescens BF13. Optimization of culture conditions and bioconversion parameters, together with the reuse of the biomass, leaded to a final production of 2.52 g of vanillin per liter of culture, which is the highest found in the literature for recombinant strains and the highest achieved so far applying such strains under resting cells conditions. Bibliographic Information Proliferative peritoneal and pleural cestodiasis in a cat caused by metacestodes of Mesocestoides sp. Anatomohistopathological findings and genetic identification. Eleni C; Scaramozzino P; Busi M; Ingrosso S; D'Amelio S; De Liberato C Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Regioni Lazio e Toscana, Via Appia Nuova 1411, 00178 Rome, Italy Parasite (Paris, France) (2007), 14(1), 71-6. Journal code: 9437094. ISSN:1252-607X. (CASE REPORTS); Journal; Article; (JOURNAL ARTICLE) written in English. PubMed ID 17432059 AN 2007224666 MEDLINE (Copyright (C) 2008 U.S. National Library of Medicine on SciFinder (R)) Abstract A 10-year-old female cat was brought to Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Regioni Lazio e Toscana for postmortem examination. The animal used to live, together with 26 other cats, in the big terrace of an apartment at the 8th floor in Rome; and was always fed with industrial pet food. Anamnesis referred balance troubles, vomit and convulsions, during a couple of days, followed by sudden death. At necropsy, the cat presented mucoid rhinitis, purulent tracheitis, small areas of pneumonia, dark spots in the liver, catarrhal-hemorrhagic gastritis, fibrinous enteritis and meningeal hyperemia. Thoracic and abdominal cavities were completely invaded by hundreds of larval stages of cestodes. The same parasites were also included in nodules in pancreatic, lung and kidney parenchyma. Microscopic examination of parasites allowed their identification as larval stages (metacestodes) of cestodes of the genus Mesocestoides. The molecular genotyping of the metacestodes indicates a close relationship with members of the genus Mesocestoides, although a significant variation was found with respect to the available sequences of other species of the genus. Bibliographic Information System of indexes and indicators for the quality evaluation of HACCP plans based on the results of the official controls conducted by the Servizio di Igiene degli Alimenti della Nutrizione (Food and Nutrition Health Service) of the Local Health Authority of Foggia, Italy. Panunzio Michele F; Antoniciello Antonietta; Pisano Alessandra Food and Nutrition Health Services, Local Health Authority, Foggia, Italy. [email protected] International journal of environmental research and public health (2007), 4(1), 34-8. Journal code: 101238455. ISSN:1661-7827. (COMPARATIVE STUDY); Journal; Article; (JOURNAL ARTICLE); (VALIDATION STUDIES) written in English. PubMed ID 17431313 AN 2007222707 MEDLINE (Copyright (C) 2008 U.S. National Library of Medicine on SciFinder (R)) Abstract Within the realm of evaluating self-monitoring plans, developed based on the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control

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Points (HACCP) method and adopted by food companies, little research has been done concerning the quality of the plans. The Servizio di Igiene degli Alimenti e della Nutrizione (Food and Nutrition Health Service) of the Local Health Authority of Foggia, Italy, has conducted research with the aim to adopt a system of indexes and indicators for the qualitative evaluation of HACCP plans. The critical areas considered were the following: simplicity, specificity, feasibility and adherence. During the period from January 2004 to June 2005, the evaluation grid was used in examining 250 HACCP self-monitoring plans of food companies. For the analysis of the determining factor four groups were considered, with reference to HACCP self-monitoring plans designed: group 1 - with the aid of a qualified team; group 2 - with the aid of an unqualified team; group 3 - with the aid of an unqualified expert; group 4 - without the aid of an expert. The mean values of the measures elaborated decrease towards insufficiency moving from group 1 to group 4. In particular, collaboration by teams of unqualified experts brought about drafting unacceptable HACCP plans on the levels of specificity and adherence, with respect to the HACCP method. The method proposed of the analysis of the indexes and indicators beginning with an evaluation sheet can also help the individual company to better adjust contribution by internal or external professionals to the company.

54 references were found when refined by Publication Year "2006" Bibliographic Information Electrodialysis applications in the food industry. Fidaleo, Marcello; Moresi, Mauro. Department of Food Science and Technology, University of Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy. Advances in Food and Nutrition Research (2006), 51 265-360. Publisher: Elsevier, CODEN: AFNREL ISSN: 1043-4526. Journal written in English. AN 2008:400094 CAPLUS (Copyright (C) 2008 ACS on SciFinder (R)) Abstract This paper reviews the most recent innovations in electrodialysis (ED) modules and/or processes that appear to affect the food and drinks industries in the short-medium term, together with their basic mass transport equations that might help ED unit design or optimization. Future perspectives for ED processing in the food sector are also outlined. Bibliographic Information Anthocynanins as potential antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agents. Longo, Luigia; Vasapollo, Giuseppe. Dipartimento di Ingegneria dell'Innovazione, Universita di Lecce, Lecce, Italy. Editor(s): Govil, J. N.; Singh, V. K.; Ahmad, Khalil. Recent Progress in Medicinal Plants (2006), 14 31-57. Publisher: Studium Press, LLC, Houston, Tex CODEN: 69KLGO Conference; General Review written in English. AN 2008:295805 CAPLUS (Copyright (C) 2008 ACS on SciFinder (R)) Abstract Anthocyanins are phenolic compds. belonging to the flavonoid family and responsible for the color of many flowers, fruits and berries. In the last decades, interest in this kind of pigments has increased because of their possible utilization as natural food colorants and esp. as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agents. Grapes and byproducts from the wine industry, as well as other fruits such as strawberries, bilberries, cranberries, cherries, have traditionally been used as important sources of anthocyanins. Recently, the berries of some shrubs and trees which grow wild in the Mediterranean area have drawn attention since they could be new and interesting sources to obtain exts. rich in anthocyanins for their use in food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. Bibliographic Information From environment to food: the case of PCB. La Rocca, Cinzia; Mantovani, Alberto. Dipartimento di Sanita Alimentare ed Animale, Istituto Superiore di Sanita, Rome, Italy. Annali dell'Istituto Superiore di Sanita (2006), 42(4), 410-416. Publisher: Istituto Superiore di Sanita, CODEN: AISSAW ISSN: 0021-2571. Journal; General Review written in English. CAN 147:270274 AN 2007:537441 CAPLUS (Copyright (C) 2008 ACS on SciFinder (R))

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Abstract A review. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) are ubiquitary microcontaminants. Because of both lipid soly. and the absence of adequate metabolic pathway in the organisms, PCB tend to bioaccumulate along the trophic chains. PCB may affect the endocrine, nervous and immune systems; the biol. activities are related to chem. structure, particular concern has arisen about a group of "dioxin-like" congeners. Feed is the major way of PCB exposure of farm animals. PCB bioaccumulation is related to the lipid content of tissues, particularly in fat tissues, in meat, liver and are transferred into milk and eggs. More than 90% of human exposure derives from foods of animal origin. A recent episode of PCB contaminating pastures occurring in the industrial municipality of Brescia (Northern Italy) is presented as an example of feed-food-human transfer chain. Farm animals and human exposure to dioxin-like and non dioxin-like PCB congeners is discussed in relationship to their toxicol. effects, with special attention to vulnerable groups, such as children. Finally, considerations on risk assessment and management are reported. Bibliographic Information Exploitation of by-products (solid wastes) from tomato processing to obtain high value antioxidants. Sandei, L.; Leoni, C. SSICA-Parma-Stazione Sperimentale per l'Industria delle Conserve Alimentari, Parma, Italy. Acta Horticulturae (2006), 724(Proceedings of the IXth International Symposium on the Processing Tomato, 2004), 249257. Publisher: International Society for Horticultural Science, CODEN: AHORA2 ISSN: 0567-7572. Journal written in English. CAN 147:233746 AN 2007:190500 CAPLUS (Copyright (C) 2008 ACS on SciFinder (R)) Abstract Several companies worldwide are interested in carrying out the industrial extn. of carotenoids (lycopene, beta-carotene and others) from tomato wastes (peels and seeds) in order to meet the requirements of the international nutraceutical (food additives), pharmaceutical and cosmetic markets. This project investigated the theor. capacity of a large area in Northern Italy with many tomato processing factories, to obtain carotenoids from tomato solid wastes and the possibility of reducing the degrdn. of these pigments via isomerization and oxidn. under different processing conditions. The wastes collected from 16 tomato processing factories operating in the Pianura Padana area were analyzed and stabilized with different pre-treatments in order to improve the yield of the subsequent extn. process (CO2 SFE). Bibliographic Information Compact gas heater/mixer for special applications: theoretical approach and experimental verification. Di Matteo, Umberto. Universita Telematica Guglielmo Marconi, Rome, Italy. Heat and Technology (Pisa, Italy) (2006), 24(2), 151-157. Publisher: Edizioni ETS, CODEN: HETEEE ISSN: 0392-8764. Journal written in English. CAN 146:186400 AN 2007:152319 CAPLUS (Copyright (C) 2008 ACS on SciFinder (R)) Abstract A particular double fluid and phase transition heat exchanger and gas mixer characterized by a coil shape is proposed and studied. The system may be used for special applications where peculiar geometrical constraints must be achieved. The exchanger was firstly proposed for feeding an original small size modular molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC) patented (patent no.: PG 2003 A 0019) by researchers of the University of Perugia. Because of the small size and compact geometry of the patented MCFC stack, a custom system for natural gas and water introduction is required. Natural gas must be heated (stack temp. is 650 ) and mixed with steam in order to obtain gas reforming into hydrogen and meanwhile anodic humidification which is required to extend MCFC life. Theor. results were verified by exptl. investigations. The proposed heat exchanger design approach may be applied to any devices which requires high temps. feeding gases, such as any fuel cell type or reforming industrial plants. Bibliographic Information Characterization and biological activity of essential oils from fourteen Labiatae species. Stefanini, I.; Piccaglia, R.; Marotti, M.; Biavati, B. Department of Agroenvironmental Sciences and Technologies, Bologna University,

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Ricerca Bibliografica 1998­2008  

Italy. Acta Horticulturae (2006), 723(Proceedings of the Ist International Symposium on the Labiatae: Advances in Production, Biotechnology and Utilisation, 2006), 221-226. Publisher: International Society for Horticultural Science, CODEN: AHORA2 ISSN: 0567-7572. Journal written in English. CAN 147:230684 AN 2007:89997 CAPLUS (Copyright (C) 2008 ACS on SciFinder (R)) Abstract The Labiatae family is rich in plants that are sources of essential oils having arom. notes and biol. properties. Considering the interest in natural products for cosmetic, perfumery, food and pharmacol. industry, the deeper knowledge of the potentiality of different arom. plants can give results of economic importance. In our work, the essential oils of fourteen species were evaluated for their qualiquant. compn. and biol. activity. The species analyzed are: basil (Ocimum basilicum L.), beebalm (Monarda didyma L.), pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium L.), spearmint (Mentha spicata L.), headed savory (Thymus capitatus Hoffm.et Link), calamint (Calamintha nepeta L.), winter savory (Satureja montana L.), savory (Satureja cuneifolia Ten.), thymbra (Thymbra sintenisii Bornm. et Aznav. ssp. isaurica P.H. Davis), a cultivated rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L) and four wild rosemaries harvested in different Italian locations: Elba Island (Tuscany), Sicily, Abruzzo and Calabria. The oils, obtained by steam-distn. of fresh aerial part of the plants harvested at full flowering stage, were characterized by GC-MS, tested for antimicrobial property by detg. the minimal inhibitory concn. (MIC) and for the antioxidant activity by -carotene bleaching test. Each species was characterized by a peculiar qualiquant. compn. and all the oils contained compds. with established biol. activity. Headed savory exerted the highest antimicrobial control also at low concns. Basil and rosemary from Elba Island evidenced a great antioxidant capability comparable to that of -tocopherol used as ref. antioxidant agent. Bibliographic Information Carotenoid, chlorophyll and chlorophyll-derived compounds in pistachio kernels (Pistacia vera L.) from Sicily. Giuffrida, D.; Saitta, M.; La Torre, L.; Bombaci, L.; Dugo, G. Dipartimento di Chimica Organica e Biologica, Facolta di Scienze, Universita di Messina, Messina, Italy. Italian Journal of Food Science (2006), 18(3), 309-316. Publisher: Chiriotti Editori sas, CODEN: ITFSEY ISSN: 1120-1770. Journal written in English. CAN 147:141976 AN 2006:1320350 CAPLUS (Copyright (C) 2008 ACS on SciFinder (R)) Abstract The compn. of carotenoid, chlorophyll, and chlorophyll-derived compds. in Sicilian pistachio kernels (Pistacia vera L.) was investigated. In all, 13 compds. were identified and quantified using reversed-phase liq. chromatog. with photodiode array detection with a C-30 column. Internal kernel color is an important visual quality characteristic for the food processing industry. Chlorophyll a was the major component (54.14 ppm), followed by chlorophyll b (30.2 ppm). Lutein (29.14 ppm) and pheophytin a (25.68 ppm) were also well represented. Pheophytins a and b, neoxanthin, luteoxanthin and violaxanthin were identified in pistachio nuts for the first time. The presence of a carotenoid ester was also detected. The ratio between the two isochromic pigment fractions, namely the chlorophyll and the carotenoid fractions, was 2.7, clearly showing the prevalence of the green color; the chlorophyll a/chlorophyll b and the lutein/ carotene ratios were of 1.8 and 4.1, resp. These parameters, along with other anal. parameters, could be used as indicators of typicality in Sicilian pistachio nuts. The presence of a specific pigment profile in nuts could, in fact, be used to guarantee the typicality of the product, since the quality control of food also requires a precise knowledge of the pigment compn. of the original product. Bibliographic Information CcpA affects expression of the groESL and dnaK operons in Lactobacillus plantarum. Castaldo, Cristiana; Siciliano, Rosa A.; Muscariello, Lidia; Marasco, Rosangela; Sacco, Margherita. Dipartimento di Scienze Ambientali, Seconda Universita di Napoli, Caserta, Italy. Microbial Cell Factories (2006), 5 No pp. given. Publisher: BioMed Central Ltd., CODEN: MCFICT ISSN: 1475-2859. http://www.microbialcellfactories.com/content/pdf/1475-2859-535.pdf Journal; Online Computer File written in English. CAN 146:136290 AN 2006:1316352 CAPLUS (Copyright (C) 2008 ACS on SciFinder (R)) Abstract

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Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are widely used in food industry and their growth performance is important for the quality of the fermented product. During industrial processes changes in temp. may represent an environmental stress to be overcome by starters and non-starters LAB. Studies on adaptation to heat shock have shown the involvement of the chaperon system-proteins in various Gram-pos. bacteria. The corresponding operons, namely the dnaK and groESL operons, are controlled by a neg. mechanism involving the HrcA repressor protein binding to the cis acting element CIRCE. In this study, the authors studied adaptation to heat shock in the lactic acid bacterium Lactobacillus plantarum. The LM3-2 strain, carrying a null mutation in the ccpA gene, encoding the catabolite control protein A (CcpA), showed a lower percent of survival to high temp. with respect to the LM3 wild type strain. Among proteins differentially expressed in the two strains, the GroEL chaperon was more abundant in the wild type strain compared to the mutant strain under std. growth conditions. Transcriptional studies showed that class I heat shock operons were differentially expressed upon heat shock in both strains. Indeed, the dnaK and groESL operons were induced about two times more in the LM3 strain compared to the LM3-2 strain. Anal. of the regulatory region of the two operons showed the presence of cre sequences, putative binding sites for the CcpA protein. The authors concluded that the L. plantarum dnaK and groESL operons are characterized by the presence of the cis acting sequence CIRCE in the promoter region, suggesting a neg. regulation by the HrcA/CIRCE system, which is a common type of control among the class I heat shock operons of Gram-pos. bacteria. The authors found an addnl. system of regulation, based on a pos. control exerted by the CcpA protein, which would interact with cre sequences present in the regulatory region of the dnaK and groESL operons. The absence of the CcpA protein results in a lower induction of the chaperon coding operons, with a consequent lower percent of survival of the LM3-2 mutant strain population with respect to the wild type when challenged with a heat insult. Bibliographic Information Genotoxicity and carcinogenicity of acrylamide: a critical review. Carere, Angelo. Dipartimento di Ambiente e Connessa Prevenzione Primaria, Istituto Superiore di Sanita, Rome, Italy. Annali dell'Istituto Superiore di Sanita (2006), 42(2), 144-155. Publisher: Istituto Superiore di Sanita, CODEN: AISSAW ISSN: 0021-2571. Journal; General Review written in English. CAN 146:178469 AN 2006:1291583 CAPLUS (Copyright (C) 2008 ACS on SciFinder (R)) Abstract A review. In 2002, public health concerns were raised by Swedish studies showing that relatively high levels of acrylamide were formed during the frying, roasting, or baking of a variety of foods, including potatoes, cereal products and coffee at temps. above 120 C. Acrylamide possesses a range of hazardous properties, the key effects being carcinogenicity, genotoxicity, neurotoxicity and reproductive toxicity. Acrylamide is clearly carcinogenic in studies in animals, in which it causes increased tumor incidence at a variety of sites. Although the mechanisms for tumor induction in exptl. animals have not yet fully elucidated, the in vivo genotoxicity at gene and chromosome level in somatic and germ cells in rodents cannot be discounted from contributing to it. At this time, there is no information to indicate any significant difference between rodents and humans in sensitivity to cancer formation from acrylamide. The present available epidemiol. studies of human industrial and accidental exposures have to be considered not suitable for use in the cancer risk assessment of acrylamide in food, due to several limitations. In reviewing the genotoxicity and carcinogenicity of acrylamide, the author has taken into account also the evaluations made by the IARC in 1994, the FAO/WHO in 2002 by the European Commission Scientific Committee on Food (SCF) in 2002 and by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additive (JECFA) in 2005. Bibliographic Information Development of a complete kinetic model for the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis over Co/Al2O3 catalysts. Visconti, Carlo Giorgio; Tronconi, Enrico; Lietti, Luca; Zennaro, Roberto; Forzatti, Pio. Dipartimento di Chimica, Materiali e Ingegneria Chimica "G.Natta", Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy. DGMK Tagungsbericht (2006), 2006-4(Proceedings of the DGMK/SCI-Conference "Synthesis Gas Chemistry", 2006), 255-262. Publisher: Deutsche Wissenschaftliche Gesellschaft fuer Erdoel, Erdgas und Kohle, CODEN: DGTAF7 ISSN: 1433-9013. Journal written in English. CAN 146:524499 AN 2006:1263351 CAPLUS (Copyright (C) 2008 ACS on SciFinder (R))

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Abstract A global kinetic model of the FTS over a Co/Al2O3 state-of-the-art catalyst is developed in a fixed bed micro-reactor under conditions relevant to industrial operation (temp., 210-235 C; pressure, 8-25 bar; H2/CO feed molar ratio, 1.82.7; gas hourly space velocity, 2000-7000 cm3(STP)/h/gcatalyst). On the basis of proposed reaction mechanisms, developed according to the carbide theory and the alkyl mechanism, the kinetic expressions for n-paraffins and olefins formation are derived. Both the calcd. CO conversion and the hydrocarbons distribution (up to N = 49) in FTS reaction are satisfactorily predicted. Bibliographic Information Nickel quantification in serum by a validated sector-field inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry method: assessment of tentative reference values for an Italian population. Bocca, Beatrice; Forte, Giovanni; Ronchi, Anna; Gaggeri, Raffaella; Alimonti, Alessandro; Minoia, Claudio. Department for Environmental and Primary Prevention, Istituto Superiore di Sanita, Rome, Italy. Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry (2006), 20(22), 3289-3294. Publisher: John Wiley & Sons Ltd., CODEN: RCMSEF ISSN: 0951-4198. Journal written in English. CAN 146:39835 AN 2006:1258396 CAPLUS (Copyright (C) 2008 ACS on SciFinder (R)) Abstract The daily exposure to Ni from food, industrial processes, jewellery and coins makes the detn. of Ni in human serum an important way to monitor the health status in non-occupationally exposed subjects. To this end, a method based on sector-field inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry was developed and validated. The limits of detection (LoD) and quantification (LoQ), sensitivity, linearity range, trueness, repeatability, within-lab. reproducibility, and robustness were the considered issues of the validation process. The uncertainty assocd. with the measurements was also calcd., according to the Eurachem/Citac Guide. The method LoD and LoQ were 0.03 and 0.09 ng/mL-1, linearity was over two order of magnitude, trueness was -3.57%, and the repeatability and reproducibility showed relative std. deviations equal to 4.56% and 6.52%, resp. The relative expanded uncertainty was 21.8% at the Ni levels found in the general population. The tentative ref. value for serum Ni was 0.466 0.160 ng/mL-1 with a related interval between 0.226 and 1.026 ng/mL-1. Bibliographic Information Cyclodextrins as food additives and in food processing. Cravotto, Giancarlo; Binello, Arianna; Baranelli, Enzo; Carraro, Paolo; Trotta, Francesco. Dipartimento di Scienza e Tecnologia del Farmaco, Universita di Torino, Turin, Italy. Current Nutrition & Food Science (2006), 2(4), 343-350. Publisher: Bentham Science Publishers Ltd., CODEN: CNFSCQ ISSN: 1573-4013. Journal; General Review written in English. CAN 147:29698 AN 2006:1198869 CAPLUS (Copyright (C) 2008 ACS on SciFinder (R)) Abstract A review discussing the applications of cyclodextrins (CDs) in food manuf., focusing on the tech. advantages of their use in food processing and as food additives. Their beneficial effects essentially derive from the ability to form stable inclusion complexes with sensitive lipophilic nutrients and constituents of flavor and taste. Toxicol. data are examd. and an assessment of CDs from the standpoint of safety for human consumption is made. Regulations are covered, showing a general trend towards a wider acceptance of CDs as food additives. The growing health consciousness of consumers and expanding market for functional foods and nutraceutical products are opening up to CDs a promising future in food industry. Bibliographic Information Improving the extraction of -tocopherol-enriched oil from grape seeds by supercritical CO2. Optimization of the extraction conditions. Bravi, M.; Spinoglio, F.; Verdone, N.; Adami, M.; Aliboni, A.; D'Andrea, A.; De Santis, A.; Ferri, D. Dipartimento di Ingegneria Chimica, Universita di Roma "La Sapienza", Rome, Italy. Journal of Food Engineering (2006), Volume Date 2007, 78(2), 488-493. Publisher: Elsevier B.V., CODEN: JFOEDH ISSN:

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0260-8774. Journal written in English. ACS on SciFinder (R))

CAN 146:315445

AN 2006:1158741

CAPLUS (Copyright (C) 2008

Abstract In this work milled grape seeds from Vitis Vinifera were leached with supercrit. carbon dioxide (SC-CO2) to assess the opportunity to obtain and -tocopherol-enriched oil, having many potential uses in both the pharmaceutical and food industry. The extns. were carried out at the pressure of 25 MPa without pre-soaking to better reflect the prospective operation mode in a forthcoming industrial use. The obtained results were evaluated in terms of total amt. of oil and total amt. of -tocopherol extd. from milled grape seeds as a function of particle size, extn. temp. and CO2 to seed mass ratio. The optimal extn. conditions were found to be 80 and ground seed fragment size in the range 300-425 m; under these conditions the extd. oil contains as much as 265 ppm -tocopherol. All the obtained results were compared to those of n-hexane extn.: the -tocopherol concn. in the oil extd. with SC-CO2 is higher than that obtained by n-hexane, while the overall oil yield is lower. Bibliographic Information Use of DNA-based tracers for surface identification of commercial products including foodstuff and horticultural products by PCR. Franchi, Alberto. (Avvocato Alberto Franchi, Italy). Eur. Pat. Appl. (2006), 15pp. CODEN: EPXXDW EP 1717321 A1 20061102 Designated States R: AT, BE, CH, DE, DK, ES, FR, GB, GR, IT, LI, LU, NL, SE, MC, PT, IE, SI, LT, LV, FI, RO, MK, CY, AL, TR, BG, CZ, EE, HU, PL, SK, BA, HR, IS, YU. Patent written in English. Application: EP 2005-425272 20050429. Priority: . CAN 145:434395 AN 2006:1151013 CAPLUS (Copyright (C) 2008 ACS on SciFinder (R)) Patent Family Information Patent No. EP 1717321

Kind A1

Priority Application EP 2005-425272

Date Application No. Date 20061102 EP 2005-425272 20050429 R: AT, BE, CH, DE, DK, ES, FR, GB, GR, IT, LI, LU, NL, SE, MC, PT, IE, SI, LT, LV, FI, RO, MK, CY, AL, TR, BG, CZ, EE, HU, PL, SK, BA, HR, IS, YU

20050429

Abstract The present invention relates to the use of DNA-based tracer for surface identification of com. products including foodstuff and horticultural products by PCR. The tracer comprises at least one DNA cloning vector in which one or more DNA fragments are inserted which are mutually different at least in terms of length or sequence, wherein the inserted DNA is primary DNA, each inserted fragment has a length of at least 50 base pairs and the inserts are at least two if the inserted DNA is derived entirely from the product to be identified. The tracer also comprises at least one agent that is adapted to allow application of vectors to the surface of product needed to be identified. The agent may include waxes or reins of vegetable or chem. origin and mixts. thereof typically used in the food industry, liq. and/or semiliquid substances of vegetable, animal, mineral and/or chem. origin normally used in the food sector, flours or powders of vegetable, animal, chem. or mineral origin and one or more adhesives that can be used for food. In a particular embodiment, DNA-based tracers were used for identification of apples by PCR. Bibliographic Information Effect of feed length on settleability, substrate uptake and storage in a sequencing batch reactor treating an industrial wastewater. Dionisi, D.; Majone, M.; Levantesi, C.; Bellani, A.; Fuoco, A. Department of Chemistry, University of Rome "La Sapienza", Rome, Italy. Environmental Technology (2006), 27(8), 901-908. Publisher: Selper Ltd., Publications Division, CODEN: ENVTEV ISSN: 0959-3330. Journal written in English. CAN

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146:31872 AN 2006:1136642 CAPLUS (Copyright (C) 2008 ACS on SciFinder (R)) Abstract Performance of 2 sequencing batch reactors (SBR) treating the same industrial wastewater (contg. formic acid, ethylene glycol, methanol) operated at 2 different feed lengths were compared. The 2 SBR were operated in parallel under the same org. load (0.85 g COD/L-day) and sludge age (.apprx.10 days) conditions; the only difference was length of the feed: