Active coating and modified-atmosphere packaging to extend the shelf life of Fior di Latte cheese

In this work the combination of active coating and modified-atmosphere packaging (MAP) was used to prolong the shelf life of Fior di Latte cheese. The active coating was based on sodium alginate (8% wt/vol) containing lysozyme (0.25 mg/mL) and EDTA, disodium salt (Na(2)-EDTA, 50 mM). The MAP was made up of 30% CO(2), 5% O(2), and 65% N(2). The speed of quality loss for the Fior di Latte cheese, stored at 10 degrees C, was assessed by monitoring pH and weight loss, as well as microbiological and sensorial changes. Results showed that the combination of active coating and MAP improved Fior di Latte cheese preservation, increasing the shelf life to more than 3 d. In addition, the substitution of brine with coating could allow us to gain a double advantage: both preserving the product quality and reducing the cost of its distribution, due to the lower weight of the package.

Shelf life of Stracciatella cheese under modified-atmosphere packaging

The aim of this work is to evaluate the shelf life of Stracciatella cheese packaged in a protective atmosphere, using 4 different CO(2):N(2):O(2) gas mixtures [50:50:0 (M1), 95:5:0 (M2), 75:25:0 (M3), and 30:65:5 (M4) vol/vol] and stored at 8 degrees C. Cheese in traditional tubs and under vacuum were used as the controls. Results showed that the modified-atmosphere packaging, in particular M1 and M2, delayed microbial growth of spoilage bacteria, without affecting the dairy microflora, and prolonged the sensorial acceptability limit.

A two-stage genome-wide association study of sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

The cause of sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is largely unknown, but genetic factors are thought to play a significant role in determining susceptibility to motor neuron degeneration. To identify genetic variants altering risk of ALS, we undertook a two-stage genome-wide association study (GWAS): we followed our initial GWAS of 545 066 SNPs in 553 individuals with ALS and 2338 controls by testing the 7600 most associated SNPs from the first stage in three independent cohorts consisting of 2160 cases and 3008 controls. None of the SNPs selected for replication exceeded the Bonferroni threshold for significance. The two most significantly associated SNPs, rs2708909 and rs2708851 [odds ratio (OR) = 1.17 and 1.18, and P-values = 6.98 x 10(-7) and 1.16 x 10(-6)], were located on chromosome 7p13.3 within a 175 kb linkage disequilibrium block containing the SUNC1, HUS1 and C7orf57 genes. These associations did not achieve genome-wide significance in the original cohort and failed to replicate in an additional independent cohort of 989 US cases and 327 controls (OR = 1.18 and 1.19, P-values = 0.08 and 0.06, respectively). Thus, we chose to cautiously interpret our data as hypothesis-generating requiring additional confirmation, especially as all previously reported loci for ALS have failed to replicate successfully. Indeed, the three loci (FGGY, ITPR2 and DPP6) identified in previous GWAS of sporadic ALS were not significantly associated with disease in our study. Our findings suggest that ALS is more genetically and clinically heterogeneous than previously recognized. Genotype data from our study have been made available online to facilitate such future endeavors.

A new single-nucleotide deletion of PMP22 in an HNPP family without recurrent palsies

In this study we describe four patients from the same kindred who were affected by an autosomal-dominantly inherited peripheral neuropathy. They presented an unusual combination of clinical, electrophysiological, and pathological findings in association with a new mutation of the PMP22 gene. Clinically, three patients had carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms and one patient had late-onset peroneal atrophy. Motor and sensory nerve conduction velocities were reduced without focal slowing at entrapment sites. Nerve biopsy disclosed diffuse hypomyelination with focal thickening of the myelin sheath in some fibers. Sequence analysis of the PMP22 gene showed a single-nucleotide deletion (227delG) in the affected patients. This mutation, which has not been reported previously, leads to an open reading frame shift and probably to a truncated and unstable PMP22 protein. We conclude that this novel 227delG mutation of PMP22 gives a mild form of hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsy with atypical clinical and electrophysiological findings.

Antimicrobial activity of immobilized lysozyme on plasma-treated polyethylene films

In this study we tested the antimicrobial activity of polyethylene films modified by means of plasma processes that were followed by the chemical immobilization of lysozyme, an antimicrobial enzyme. To chemically immobilize the enzyme in its active form at the surface of polyethylene, substrates that had been plasma treated under different experimental conditions were soaked in lysozyme solutions at different concentrations. The immobilization of the enzyme was checked, and the antimicrobial activity of the films was investigated by observing the death rate of Micrococcus lysodeikticus cells suspended in phosphate buffer in contact with the films. The results clearly indicate that plasma-treated films loaded with lysozyme are active against the selected microorganism. A modified version of the Gompertz equation was used to quantitatively valuate the dependence of the antimicrobial activity of the films under both plasma treatment conditions and lysozyme concentrations.

Influence of biotic and abiotic factors on the distribution and abundance of Culicoides imicola and the Obsoletus Complex in Italy

Culicoides imicola Kieffer (Culicoides, Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) is the principal vector of bluetongue virus (BTV) to ruminant livestock in southern Europe. The secondary potential vectors are Culicoides obsoletus (Meigen) and Culicoides scoticus Downes and Kettle of the Obsoletus Complex, Culicoides pulicaris (Linnaeus) of the Pulicaris Complex and Culicoides dewulfi Goetghebuer of the subgenus Avaritia Fox. Between 2000 and 2004 >38,000 light-trap collections were made for Culicoides across Italy including the islands of Sardinia and Sicily. Mapping of the 100 largest collections of C. imicola and of the Obsoletus Complex showed them to be disjunct overlapping in only 2% of the 200 municipalities selected. For each municipality the average values were calculated for minimum temperature, aridity index, altitude, terrain slope, normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI) and percentage forest cover. A factor analysis identified two principal factors ('biotic' and 'abiotic') and explained 84% of the total variability; a discriminant analysis classified correctly 87.5% of the observations. The results indicate adult populations of C. imicola to occur in more sparsely vegetated habitats that are exposed to full sunlight, whereas species of the Obsoletus Complex favour a more shaded habitat, with increased green leaf density. Heliophily and umbrophily, by shortening or lengthening the respective adult life cycles of these two vectors, will likely impact on the ability of each to transmit BTV and is discussed in the light of the current outbreak of BTV across the Mediterranean Basin.

Occurrence of two NOS isoforms in the developing gut of sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax (L.)

In this work we have examined the appearance and distribution of nitric oxide synthase (NOS), with histochemical, immunohistochemical and biochemical methods, during development of the sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) gut. The data showed that both the calcium-calmodulin dependent neuronal isoform (nNOS) and calcium-independent inducible isoform (iNOS) are present in the larval gut of sea bass. The nNOS-immunoreactivity was present in the epithelial cells and enteric nerve cells of gut both in the 8-day-old specimens and in the 24-day-old-larvae. In the adult nNOS-immunoreactivity disappeared from epithelial cells, remaining in the wall intramural neurons and fibers. The iNOS-immunoreactivity was present in the epithelial cells of 24-day-old-larvae and was not detectable in the adult gut. Western blot analysis and determination of NOS activity also demonstrated the presence of the two NOS isoforms, nNOS and iNOS, in the gut of 24-day-old specimens. The presumably different roles played by the two isoforms of enzyme are discussed. The presence of nNOS isoform in the gut enteric neurons of the same larval stages of D. labrax in which we previously demonstrated the presence of substance P and Vasoactive Intestinal Polypeptide (VIP), may suggest that all these three components of the motility control system are already present in the larval phase. Nitric oxide (NO) may be also involved in the early immune response. The present results on the occurrence of iNOS isoform in epithelial gut cells of the same regions in which the gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) will differentiate, may suggest for NO a role in early defence mechanisms, before the establishment of immune responses in GALT. Finally, the developmental and regional differences in nNOS and iNOS expression also suggest a regulatory role in development and differentiation of the sea bass gut.

Effect of lemon extract on foodborne microorganisms

A quantitative investigation was conducted on the antimicrobial effect of lemon extract against some food spoilage microorganisms: yeasts, Bacillus species, and lactic acid bacteria. Growth kinetics and dose-response profiles were determined from experimental data obtained with a suitable macrodilution methodology based on a turbidimetric technique. Growth and no-growth status of microbial suspensions were expressed in terms of noninhibitory concentration (NIC) and MIC. Lemon extract was effective in inhibiting the growth of the investigated vegetative cells and spores of microorganisms; effects were similar for bacteria and yeasts. The NICs for all microorganisms were very small, at around 10 ppm. Based on MICs, among the Bacillus species, the more resistant was Bacillus licheniformis. For yeasts, Saccharomyces cerevisiae was the least resistant, and similar results were obtained for Pichia subpelliculosa. Candida lusitaniae had an MIC of more than 100 ppm. Both Lactobacillus species were more resistant to lemon extract; concentrations necessary to provoke complete inhibition were approximately 150 ppm.

Innovative Active Packaging Systems to Prolong the Shelf Life of Mozzarella Cheese

In this work the effectiveness of different antimicrobial packaging systems on the microbial quality decay kinetics during storage of Mozzarella cheese was evaluated. Lemon extract, at 3 different concentrations, was used as active agent, in combination with brine and with a gel solution made of sodium alginate. Shelf life tests were run at 15 degrees C to simulate thermal abuse. The cell load of spoilage and dairy functional microorganisms were monitored at regular time intervals during storage. By fitting the experimental data through a modified version of the Gompertz equation, the shelf life of dairy products packaged in the different systems was calculated. Results show an increase in the shelf life of all active packaged Mozzarella cheeses, confirming that the investigated substance may exert an inhibitory effect on the microorganisms responsible for spoilage phenomena without affecting the functional microbiota of the product.

Effects of 5 Hz subthreshold magnetic stimulation of primary motor cortex on fast finger movements in normal subjects

We evaluated the effects of high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on motor performance and motor learning of a rapid index finger movement. Two groups of healthy right-handed subjects underwent either "real" rTMS (1800 stimuli over the first dorsal interosseous (FDI) muscle hot spot given at 5 Hz and intensity of 90% of resting motor threshold-RMT) or "sham" stimulation. Both groups performed 60 rapid abductions of the right index finger before and after rTMS. The kinematic variables measured were amplitude, duration, peak velocity and peak acceleration. We also evaluated RMT and motor-evoked potential (MEP) amplitude before, 5 and 30 min after rTMS. In both groups practice significantly increased peak velocity, peak acceleration and amplitude and decreased movement duration independently from the type of intervention ("real" and "sham"). "Real" rTMS significantly increased cortical excitability as measured by MEP amplitude whereas "sham" rTMS did not. In our study, 5 Hz rTMS failed to improve either the motor performance or the motor learning of a rapid index-finger abduction despite the increase in cortical excitability of the primary motor cortex. Since motor behaviour engages a distributed cortical and subcortical neuronal network, excitatory conditioning of the primary motor cortex is probably not sufficient to influence the behavioural output.

Use of lemon extract to inhibit the growth of malolactic bacteria

The potential use of lemon extract as a natural preservative to inhibit the growth of Oenococcus oeni and Lactobacillus plantarum, microorganisms involved in the malotactic fermentation of wine, was studied. Growth tests were run at 30 degrees C using laboratory media. Carbon dioxide concentration in the vial headspace was used as metabolic activity index of the investigated microorganisms. The MIC and the noninhibiting concentration (NIC) were calculated for each microorganism. Results suggest that lemon extract was active on each phase of the growth cycle for the tested microorganisms. It was also shown that lemon extract exhibits a nonlinear dose-related inhibitory effect on microbial growth. In particular, the active compound could be added at concentrations slightly higher than the NIC levels in order to appreciably slow down the microbial growth rate as well as to reduce the maximum microbial growth level.

Development and Validation of a Competitive ELISA Kit for the Serological Diagnosis of Ovine, Caprine and Bovine Brucellosis

A competitive ELISA (Brucella-Ab c-ELISA) was standardized and validated for the detection of Brucella antibodies in cattle, sheep and goat sera using a monoclonal antibody (MAb 4B5A) produced against Brucella melitensis biotype 2. The specificity and sensitivity of the assay were 100% to a 67.5% cut-off point (B/Bo%). When compared with an indirect ELISA, the Brucella-Ab c-ELISA did not demonstrate cross-reactions when testing positive sera for antibodies to some Enterobacteriaceae. A comparison was made between the Brucella-Ab c-ELISA and the complement fixation and Rose Bengal tests. Results demonstrated that the Brucella-Ab c-ELISA is a valuable tool for the serological diagnosis of bovine and ovine/caprine brucellosis.