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Batista PJ, Nuzzo G, Gallo C, Carbone D, dell’Isola M, Affuso M, Barra G, Albiani F, Crocetta F, Virgili R, Mazzella V, Castiglia D, d’Ippolito G, Manzo E, Fontana A. Chemical and Pharmacological Prospection of the Ascidian Cystodytes dellechiajei. Mar Drugs 2024; 22:75. [PMID: 38393046 PMCID: PMC10890457 DOI: 10.3390/md22020075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2023] [Revised: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Marine invertebrates are a traditional source of natural products with relevant biological properties. Tunicates are soft-bodied, solitary or colonial, sessile organisms that provide compounds unique in their structure and activity. The aim of this work was to investigate the chemical composition of the ascidian Cystodytes dellechiajei, selected on the basis of a positive result in biological screening for ligands of relevant receptors of the innate immune system, including TLR2, TLR4, dectin-1b, and TREM2. Bioassay-guided screening of this tunicate extract yielded two known pyridoacridine alkaloids, shermilamine B (1) and N-deacetylshermilamine B (2), and a family of methyl-branched cerebrosides (3). Compounds 2 and 3 showed selective binding to TREM2 in a dose-dependent manner. N-deacetylshermilamine B (2), together with its acetylated analogue, shermilamine B (1), was also strongly cytotoxic against multiple myeloma cell lines. TREM2 is involved in immunomodulatory processes and neurodegenerative diseases. N-deacetylshermilamine B (2) is the first example of a polycyclic alkaloid to show an affinity for this receptor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Jatai Batista
- Bio-Organic Chemistry Unit, Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry CNR, Via Campi Flegrei 34, 80078 Naples, Italy; (P.J.B.); (C.G.); (D.C.); (M.d.); (M.A.); (G.B.); (D.C.); (G.d.); (E.M.); (A.F.)
| | - Genoveffa Nuzzo
- Bio-Organic Chemistry Unit, Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry CNR, Via Campi Flegrei 34, 80078 Naples, Italy; (P.J.B.); (C.G.); (D.C.); (M.d.); (M.A.); (G.B.); (D.C.); (G.d.); (E.M.); (A.F.)
| | - Carmela Gallo
- Bio-Organic Chemistry Unit, Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry CNR, Via Campi Flegrei 34, 80078 Naples, Italy; (P.J.B.); (C.G.); (D.C.); (M.d.); (M.A.); (G.B.); (D.C.); (G.d.); (E.M.); (A.F.)
| | - Dalila Carbone
- Bio-Organic Chemistry Unit, Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry CNR, Via Campi Flegrei 34, 80078 Naples, Italy; (P.J.B.); (C.G.); (D.C.); (M.d.); (M.A.); (G.B.); (D.C.); (G.d.); (E.M.); (A.F.)
| | - Mario dell’Isola
- Bio-Organic Chemistry Unit, Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry CNR, Via Campi Flegrei 34, 80078 Naples, Italy; (P.J.B.); (C.G.); (D.C.); (M.d.); (M.A.); (G.B.); (D.C.); (G.d.); (E.M.); (A.F.)
| | - Mario Affuso
- Bio-Organic Chemistry Unit, Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry CNR, Via Campi Flegrei 34, 80078 Naples, Italy; (P.J.B.); (C.G.); (D.C.); (M.d.); (M.A.); (G.B.); (D.C.); (G.d.); (E.M.); (A.F.)
| | - Giusi Barra
- Bio-Organic Chemistry Unit, Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry CNR, Via Campi Flegrei 34, 80078 Naples, Italy; (P.J.B.); (C.G.); (D.C.); (M.d.); (M.A.); (G.B.); (D.C.); (G.d.); (E.M.); (A.F.)
| | - Federica Albiani
- Bio-Organic Chemistry Unit, Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry CNR, Via Campi Flegrei 34, 80078 Naples, Italy; (P.J.B.); (C.G.); (D.C.); (M.d.); (M.A.); (G.B.); (D.C.); (G.d.); (E.M.); (A.F.)
| | - Fabio Crocetta
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, 80121 Naples, Italy; (F.C.); (R.V.)
- NBFC—National Biodiversity Future Center, Piazza Marina 61, 90133 Palermo, Italy;
| | - Riccardo Virgili
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, 80121 Naples, Italy; (F.C.); (R.V.)
- NBFC—National Biodiversity Future Center, Piazza Marina 61, 90133 Palermo, Italy;
- Laboratory of Bio-Organic Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Department of Biology, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via Cupa Nuova Cinthia 21, 80126 Napoli, Italy
| | - Valerio Mazzella
- NBFC—National Biodiversity Future Center, Piazza Marina 61, 90133 Palermo, Italy;
- Ischia Marine Centre, Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, 80077 Naples, Italy
| | - Daniela Castiglia
- Bio-Organic Chemistry Unit, Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry CNR, Via Campi Flegrei 34, 80078 Naples, Italy; (P.J.B.); (C.G.); (D.C.); (M.d.); (M.A.); (G.B.); (D.C.); (G.d.); (E.M.); (A.F.)
| | - Giuliana d’Ippolito
- Bio-Organic Chemistry Unit, Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry CNR, Via Campi Flegrei 34, 80078 Naples, Italy; (P.J.B.); (C.G.); (D.C.); (M.d.); (M.A.); (G.B.); (D.C.); (G.d.); (E.M.); (A.F.)
| | - Emiliano Manzo
- Bio-Organic Chemistry Unit, Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry CNR, Via Campi Flegrei 34, 80078 Naples, Italy; (P.J.B.); (C.G.); (D.C.); (M.d.); (M.A.); (G.B.); (D.C.); (G.d.); (E.M.); (A.F.)
| | - Angelo Fontana
- Bio-Organic Chemistry Unit, Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry CNR, Via Campi Flegrei 34, 80078 Naples, Italy; (P.J.B.); (C.G.); (D.C.); (M.d.); (M.A.); (G.B.); (D.C.); (G.d.); (E.M.); (A.F.)
- Laboratory of Bio-Organic Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Department of Biology, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via Cupa Nuova Cinthia 21, 80126 Napoli, Italy
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Vegni J, Zappaterra M, Davoli R, Virgili R, Simoncini N, Schivazappa C, Cilloni A, Zambonelli P. Application of a non-invasive tool and identification of genetic markers in swine to enhance ham quality: a preliminary study. Animal 2023; 17:100864. [PMID: 37327525 DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2023.100864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Revised: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023] Open
Abstract
A genome-wide association study (GWAS) was performed as a preliminary step to identify regions potentially related to ham quality traits. In this research, genomic information was obtained from 238 commercial hybrid pigs utilising the GeneSeek® Genomic Profiler genome-wide porcine genotyping array. Carcasses were tested for hot weight, the thickness of backfat and loin, and lean meat percentage. The corresponding fresh hams were assayed for weight and ultimate pH; the activities of Cathepsin B and Ferrochelatase of Semimembranosus muscle were determined through fluorimetric methods. The lean meat percentage of fresh ham (LMPH), salt absorbed after first (SALT1) and overall salting stages (SALT) were estimated online by the Ham Inspector™ apparatus. Hams were processed in compliance with the procedures established for Protected Designation of Origin Parma ham, and ham weight losses were measured at the main processing stages. Hot carcass weights showed a significant negative correlation with their lean meat percentage and LMPH, while LMPH was correlated positively with carcass lean meat, SALT1, SALT, and weight losses. The GWAS detected genome-wide association for 12 single nucleotide polymorphisms with Ferrochelatase activity. The results obtained in this preliminary study were achieved by combining innovative and non-destructive technologies for screening hams under processing, measures of enzymatic muscle properties relevant to dry-cured ham quality, and genomic information obtained through a GWAS. Additional studies carried out in a larger number of pigs have been planned to investigate the effect of gene variants of Ferrochelatase activity in the dry-cured ham's quality with main reference to colour development and to confirm the GWAS results obtained in this study.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Vegni
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Agroalimentari (DISTAL), Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Viale Fanin 46, I-40127 Bologna, Italy
| | - M Zappaterra
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Agroalimentari (DISTAL), Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Viale Fanin 46, I-40127 Bologna, Italy
| | - R Davoli
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Agroalimentari (DISTAL), Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Viale Fanin 46, I-40127 Bologna, Italy
| | - R Virgili
- SSICA - Stazione Sperimentale per l'Industria delle Conserve Alimentari, Viale Faustino Tanara 31/A, I-43121 Parma, Italy
| | - N Simoncini
- SSICA - Stazione Sperimentale per l'Industria delle Conserve Alimentari, Viale Faustino Tanara 31/A, I-43121 Parma, Italy
| | - C Schivazappa
- SSICA - Stazione Sperimentale per l'Industria delle Conserve Alimentari, Viale Faustino Tanara 31/A, I-43121 Parma, Italy
| | - A Cilloni
- Fratelli Galloni S.p.A, Via Roma, 84, I-43013 Langhirano, Parma, Italy
| | - P Zambonelli
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Agroalimentari (DISTAL), Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Viale Fanin 46, I-40127 Bologna, Italy.
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Virgili R, Poliseno A, Pirro S, Reimer JD. A Draft Genome Sequence of Dorometra sesokonis (Antedonidae, Comatulida, Crinoidea, Echinodermata). Biodivers Genomes 2023; 2023:10.56179/001c.72775. [PMID: 36936677 PMCID: PMC10019518 DOI: 10.56179/001c.72775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/21/2023]
Abstract
We present the complete genome sequence of Dorometra sesokonis. Genome sequencing was performed on genetic material from a single wild-collected individual. The sequence reads were assembled using a de novo method followed by a finishing step. The raw and assembled data are publicly available via GenBank.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riccardo Virgili
- Molecular Invertebrate Systematics and Ecology Laboratory, Graduate School of Engineering and Science, University of the Ryukyus, 1 Senbaru, Nishihara, Okinawa 903-0213, Japan
- Department of Integrated Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Naples, Italy
- Department of Biology, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Angelo Poliseno
- Molecular Invertebrate Systematics and Ecology Laboratory, Graduate School of Engineering and Science, University of the Ryukyus, 1 Senbaru, Nishihara, Okinawa 903-0213, Japan
| | | | - James Davis Reimer
- Molecular Invertebrate Systematics and Ecology Laboratory, Graduate School of Engineering and Science, University of the Ryukyus, 1 Senbaru, Nishihara, Okinawa 903-0213, Japan
- Tropical Biosphere Research Center, University of the Ryukyus, Nishihara, Okinawa, Japan
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Riccardi A, Colletti A, Virgili R, Cerrano C. Diversity and behavior of sea slugs (Heterobranchia) in the rocky tide pools of Conero Riviera (western Adriatic Sea). The European Zoological Journal 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/24750263.2022.2095047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- A. Riccardi
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell’Ambiente (DiSVA), Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - A. Colletti
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell’Ambiente (DiSVA), Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - R. Virgili
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell’Ambiente (DiSVA), Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy
- Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Naples, Italy
| | - C. Cerrano
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell’Ambiente (DiSVA), Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy
- Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Naples, Italy
- Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Roma, Italy
- Fano Marine Center, Fano (PU), Italy
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Rizzo L, Minichino R, Virgili R, Tanduo V, Osca D, Manfredonia A, Consoli P, Colloca F, Crocetta F. Benthic litter in the continental slope of the Gulf of Naples (central-western Mediterranean Sea) hosts limited fouling communities but facilitates molluscan spawning. Mar Pollut Bull 2022; 181:113915. [PMID: 35868237 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.113915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2022] [Revised: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Seafloor pollution by benthic litter is an emerging phenomenon, although debris colonization by biota remains largely unexplored. We characterized the litter of the continental slope (~400-600 m) of the Gulf of Naples (Mediterranean) and investigated its fouling biota through integrative taxonomic approaches. Plastic pieces (82 %) with land-based origin (96 %) and limited sizes (10-20 cm) were the items most commonly encountered, suggesting a transfer to deep waters through floating and sinking. The majority of the items were not fouled, and the debris hosted an impoverished biota, leading to hypothesize that benthic litter supports wide communities only in shallow waters. Higher colonization rates were observed for gastropod and cephalopod eggs with no preference for materials and sizes, suggesting that even small pieces of soft plastic provide a spawning habitat for molluscs and affect species' connectivity in the deep-sea ecosystem. Holistic approaches are necessary to evaluate interactions between litter and biota.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Rizzo
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, I-80121 Napoli, Italy; Institute of Sciences of Food Production, National Research Council, Via Monteroni, I-73025 Lecce, Italy.
| | - Riccardo Minichino
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, I-80121 Napoli, Italy
| | - Riccardo Virgili
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, I-80121 Napoli, Italy
| | - Valentina Tanduo
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, I-80121 Napoli, Italy
| | - David Osca
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, I-80121 Napoli, Italy
| | - Alessandro Manfredonia
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, I-80121 Napoli, Italy
| | - Pierpaolo Consoli
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Pace, Contrada Porticatello 29, I-98167 Messina, Italy
| | - Francesco Colloca
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Via Po 25c, I-00198 Roma, Italy
| | - Fabio Crocetta
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, I-80121 Napoli, Italy.
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Pinna A, Saccani G, Schivazappa C, Simoncini N, Virgili R. Revision of the cold processing phases to obtain a targeted salt reduction in typical Italian dry-cured ham. Meat Sci 2020; 161:107994. [DOI: 10.1016/j.meatsci.2019.107994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2019] [Revised: 10/21/2019] [Accepted: 10/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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Aller J, Abalos M, Acuña F, Virgili R, Requena F, Cancino A. Birth of live llama (Lama glama) derived from embryo transfer storage at 5°C for 24h. Small Rumin Res 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.smallrumres.2015.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Pinna A, Schivazappa C, Virgili R, Parolari G. Effect of vaccination against gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) in heavy male pigs for Italian typical dry-cured ham production. Meat Sci 2015. [PMID: 26225931 DOI: 10.1016/j.meatsci.2015.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate immunocastration (vaccination against GnRH using Improvac® vaccine), as an alternative to surgical castration in heavy male pigs (average live weight 165 ± 10 kg), used in the production of Italian typical dry-cured ham. A total of 60 Landrace × Large White male pigs were assigned to three groups of 20 units, including one group of surgically castrated (SC), and two of immunocastrated pigs, with two (IC2) or three (IC3) vaccine treatments, respectively. The groups were compared for green ham traits, processing weight losses, chemo-physical, and sensory properties of dry-cured hams. While IC3 were not different (P>0.05) from SC group, IC2 hams were found to differ (P<0.05) both from SC and IC3 groups in ham traits, final weight losses, texture and sensory boar taint in finished hams. Therefore, vaccination with three doses could be taken into account to control boar taint in the manufacturing of typical Italian dry-cured ham.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Pinna
- SSICA - Stazione Sperimentale per l'Industria delle Conserve Alimentari, Viale Faustino Tanara 31/A, 43121, Parma, Italy
| | - C Schivazappa
- SSICA - Stazione Sperimentale per l'Industria delle Conserve Alimentari, Viale Faustino Tanara 31/A, 43121, Parma, Italy
| | - R Virgili
- SSICA - Stazione Sperimentale per l'Industria delle Conserve Alimentari, Viale Faustino Tanara 31/A, 43121, Parma, Italy.
| | - G Parolari
- SSICA - Stazione Sperimentale per l'Industria delle Conserve Alimentari, Viale Faustino Tanara 31/A, 43121, Parma, Italy
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Dall'asta C, Galaverna G, De Dea Lindner J, Virgili R, Neviani E, Dossena A. A new validated HPLC-FLD method for detecting ochratoxin A in dry-cured meat and in blue cheese. Mycotoxin Res 2013; 23:132-7. [PMID: 23605991 DOI: 10.1007/bf02951509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2007] [Accepted: 08/28/2007] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
In the present study, a fast and sensitive method for the quantification of ochratoxin A in two lipidicproteic food matrices has been developed. In particular, the sample preparation procedure has been optimized for dry-cured meat products and blue cheeses and tested for several validation parameters (LOD, LOQ, recovery, repeatability and within-laboratory precision). The procedure has been then applied to several dry-cured meat products and blue cheeses from the market.Ochratoxin A has been occasionally found in dry-cured and smoked ham from the market and the contamination occurred both in the outer and in the inner part of the products. Concerning the blue cheese, the occurrence of ochratoxin A is reported for the first time: OTA was occasionally found at low levels (0.1-3 μg/kg) in commercial samples of Roquefort from France and Gorgonzola from Italy, opening a new issue for risk assessment and quality control.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Dall'asta
- Department of Industrial and Organic Chemistry, V.le G. P. Usberti 17/A, Italy,
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Abstract
Thirty light Parma hams were tested for muscle lipolytic activity (acid and neutral lipase activity) and free fatty acid (FFA) amounts in M. semimembranosus and biceps femoris, during progressive phases (0, 3, 6, 10 months) of dry-cured ham manufacturing. No correlation was found between the activities of acid and neutral lipases in fresh M. semimembranosus, while during processing the activities were positively related (p<0.1), probably due to effects of muscle composition changes on lipolytic activities. In each processing step tested, acid lipase activities were higher in the M. semimembranosus than in the M. biceps femoris, and FFA amounts varied accordingly, the only exception being for the very dehydrated 10-month old M. semimembranosus, which yielded lower FFA than in the corresponding M. biceps femoris. FFAs in the end product correlated positively with acid and neutral lipase activities of green ham, suggesting that FFA production could be influenced by both raw meat properties and muscle composition during processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- C S Vestergaard
- Stazione Sperimentale per l'Industria delle Conserve Alimentari, Viale F. Tanara 31/A, 43100 Parma, Italy
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Fantazzini P, Gombia M, Schembri P, Simoncini N, Virgili R. Use of Magnetic Resonance Imaging for monitoring Parma dry-cured ham processing. Meat Sci 2009; 82:219-27. [PMID: 20416754 DOI: 10.1016/j.meatsci.2009.01.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2008] [Revised: 11/11/2008] [Accepted: 01/09/2009] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Protocols were developed to apply Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) to the dry-curing of Italian Parma ham. NMR relaxation analyses were performed on dry-cured hams at different processing stages to evaluate the ranges of variation of (1)H relaxation times T(1) and T(2) in representative ham muscle tissues, due to dehydration and salt uptake. MRI maps of the same ham sections were acquired, allowing T(1) and T(2) average values to be computed in selected Regions of Interest (ROI) inside muscle Semimembranosus, Semitendinosus and Biceps femoris. Chloride and moisture were determined by conventional chemical methods on the same ROIs, and MRI T(1) and T(1)/T(2) ratio were selected in a model (R(2)=0.90, P<0.05) fitting the salt content of the analysed muscle cores. Short Time Inversion Recovery (STIR) sequences were also applied to green and cured hams, but on fresh samples only, a bright image, displaying a clear separation between lean and fat tissue, was obtained.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Fantazzini
- Department of Physics, University of Bologna, Viale C. Berti Pichat 6/2, I-40127 Bologna, Italy
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Russo V, Fontanesi L, Scotti E, Beretti F, Davoli R, Nanni Costa L, Virgili R, Buttazzoni L. Single nucleotide polymorphisms in several porcine cathepsin genes are associated with growth, carcass, and production traits in Italian Large White pigs. J Anim Sci 2008; 86:3300-14. [PMID: 18708606 DOI: 10.2527/jas.2008-0920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
To identify DNA markers associated with performance, carcass, and meat production traits including muscle postmortem cathepsin activity, several porcine genes encoding for lysosomal proteinases (cathepsin B, CTSB; cathepsin D, CTSD; cathepsin F, CTSF; cathepsin H, CTSH; cathepsin L, CTSL; and cathepsin Z, CTSZ) and for a cathepsin inhibitor (cystatin B) were investigated. Single nucleotide polymorphisms were identified in CTSD, CTSH, CTSL, and CTSZ genes with a combination of in silico expressed sequence tag database mining and single-strand conformation polymorphism analysis. Sequencing and PCR-RFLP protocols were used to validate the identified polymorphisms. Allele frequencies at these loci were investigated in Italian Large White, Landrace, Duroc, Piétrain, Belgian Landrace, Hampshire, and Meishan breeds. Genotyping CTSD and CTSH markers made it possible to genetically map these genes to SSC 2 and 7, respectively. Markers in CTSD, CTSH, CTSL, and CTSZ genes, together with mutations we previously reported in cystatin B, CTSB, and CTSF genes, were genotyped in an Italian Large White sib-tested population (272 or 482 animals). For these animals, meat quality traits (cathepsin B activity, pH measured at 2 h postmortem, pH measured at 24 h postmortem, glycogen, lactate, and glycolytic potential of semimembranosus muscle) and EBV for ADG, lean cuts (LC), backfat thickness (BFT), ham weight (HW), and feed:gain ratio (FGR) were determined. Analyzed markers did not show any association with muscle cathepsin B activity. Thus, it could be possible that different genes, other than these investigated candidates, affect this trait, which is correlated with the excessive softness defect of dry-cured hams. The results of association analysis confirmed the effects we already reported in another study for CTSF on ADG (P = 0.008), LC (P = 0.001), and BFT (P = 0.02). Moreover, CTSD was associated with ADG, LC (P < 0.0001), BFT, HW, and FGR (P < 0.001); CTSH was associated with FGR (P = 0.026); and CTSZ was associated with ADG (P = 0.006), LC (P = 0.01), HW (P = 0.024), and FGR (P = 0.029). The biochemical and physiological functions of the lysosomal proteinases, together with the results obtained in our investigation, suggest that the cathepsin gene family might play important roles affecting economic traits in pigs.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Russo
- Dipartimento di Protezione e Valorizzazione Agroalimentare, Sezione di Allevamenti Zootecnici, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Bologna, 42100 Reggio Emilia, Italy
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Simoncini N, Rotelli D, Virgili R, Quintavalla S. Dynamics and characterization of yeasts during ripening of typical Italian dry-cured ham. Food Microbiol 2007; 24:577-84. [PMID: 17418308 DOI: 10.1016/j.fm.2007.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2006] [Revised: 12/22/2006] [Accepted: 01/02/2007] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The evolution of the yeast population during manufacturing and ripening of dry-cured Parma ham was investigated. Contamination levels ranged from 10(5) to 10(7) cfu/g on muscle surface, 10(4) to 10(6) cfu/g on covering fat and exceeded 10(7) cfu/g on spreadable fat mince ("sugna"). Two hundred and sixty one yeast isolates underwent identification test, showing that the predominant species of yeast population during the whole maturing process were Debaryomyces hansenii, Candida zeylanoides, Debaryomyces maramus, and to a lesser extent, Candida famata and Hyphopichia burtonii. The species Candida catenulata, Candida guilliermondii, Candida edax and other genera like Cryptococcus and Wingea were occasionally found. The yeast counts and species distribution changed according to the stage of processing and to the ham sampling location. At the end of the cold phase, the washing procedure was effective in lowering the yeast count in muscle and fat surface layers, but during the next ageing stages, yeast colonization of unskinned ham muscle increased again, though species distribution changed if compared to previous manufacturing phases. The ripening steps taken into account from the end of the cold phase to the final outcome, were always characterized by more than one yeast species, suggesting that yeasts other than Debaryomyces spp. could play a remarkable role on the sensory and safety properties of typical Italian dry-cured ham.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Simoncini
- Stazione Sperimentale per l'Industria delle Conserve Alimentari, V.le F. Tanara, 31/A, 43100 Parma, Italy
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Virgili R, Saccani G, Gabba L, Tanzi E, Soresi Bordini C. Changes of free amino acids and biogenic amines during extended ageing of Italian dry-cured ham. Lebensm Wiss Technol 2007. [DOI: 10.1016/j.lwt.2006.03.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Virgili R, Degni M, Schivazappa C, Faeti V, Poletti E, Marchetto G, Pacchioli MT, Mordenti A. Effect of age at slaughter on carcass traits and meat quality of Italian heavy pigs1. J Anim Sci 2003; 81:2448-56. [PMID: 14552371 DOI: 10.2527/2003.81102448x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Barrows and gilts (n = 128) from four breed crosses were used to investigate the effect of age at slaughter on carcass traits, proteolytic enzyme activity, and meat and fat quality. Pigs were blocked by breed cross into four blocks, and within blocks, one pen (eight barrows and eight gilts) was assigned randomly to be slaughtered at either 8 or 10 mo of age. Pigs were fed a corn-barley-soybean meal finisher diet from 104 +/- 2.5 d of age (37.7 +/- 0.33 kg BW) to the appropriate slaughter age. Carcasses from older (10 mo) pigs had lower (P < 0.01) muscularity indexes and lean cut yields than those of younger (8 mo) pigs, but dressing percentage and longissimus muscle area increased (P < 0.01) with age. Older pigs produced a redder (P < 0.01) and darker (P < 0.05) semimembranosus, with lower (P < 0.01) ultimate pH and cathepsin B and B + L activities, as well as higher (P < 0.01) aminopeptidase hydrolyzing activity than younger pigs. Moreover, the longissimus muscle of pigs slaughtered at 10 mo of age had lower (P < 0.01) drip and cooking loss percentages than that from pigs slaughtered at 8 mo of age. Ham subcutaneous fat from 10-mo-old pigs had greater (P < 0.05) percentages of oleic acid and lower (P < 0.01) proportions of moisture, linoleic, and linolenic acids than subcutaneous fat from pigs slaughtered at 8 mo of age. Results from this study indicate that fresh hams from pigs slaughtered at 10 mo of age would be more suitable for the production of high-quality, Italian, dry-cured hams.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Virgili
- Stazione Sperimentale per l'Industria delle Conserve Alimentari, 43100 Parma, Italy.
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Russo V, Fontanesi L, Davoli R, Nanni Costa L, Cagnazzo M, Buttazzoni L, Virgili R, Yerle M. Investigation of candidate genes for meat quality in dry-cured ham production: the porcine cathepsin B (CTSB) and cystatin B (CSTB) genes. Anim Genet 2002; 33:123-31. [PMID: 12047225 DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2052.2002.00835.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Excessive softness is a serious defect of dry cured hams which seems related to high activity of lysosomal cysteine proteinases, such as cathepsin B, in fresh pork muscles a few days after slaughtering. As it has been shown that cathepsin B activity has a moderate heritability in Italian Large White pigs we started a candidate gene approach to identify the gene(s) that affect(s) this parameter. Here, we studied two candidate genes: cathepsin B (CTSB) and cystatin B (CSTB). We amplified and sequenced porcine DNA fragments for these two genes that were used to identify polymorphisms by SSCP and polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis. Four and two alleles were detected at the CTSB and CSTB loci, respectively. Sequencing of the CSTB alleles showed a missense mutation that changes a codon for aspartic acid into a codon for asparagine in exon 3 of the gene. Allele frequencies for the two loci differed among the pig breeds studied (Large White, Landrace, Duroc, Belgian Landrace, Hampshire, Piétrain, Meishan, Cinta Senese, Casertana, Calabrese and Nero di Sicilia). Linkage, somatic cell hybrid panel and radiation hybrid panel analyses assigned CTSB to porcine chromosome (Sscr) 14 and CSTB to Sscr 13. The markers identified at the CTSB and CSTB loci were used in association studies with several traits of economic importance including parameters that may indicate the suitability of pig meat to produce dry-cured hams. Significant associations were observed between CTSB and back-fat thickness and between CSTB and average daily gain. In this study, cathepsin B activity was not associated with the polymorphisms identified at the CTSB and CSTB loci.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Russo
- DIPROVAL, Sezione di Allevamenti Zootecnici, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Bologna, Via F.lli Rosselli, Villa Levi - Coviolo, Reggio Emilia, Italy
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Schivazappa C, Degni M, Nanni Costa L, Russo V, Buttazzoni L, Virgili R. Analysis of raw meat to predict proteolysis in Parma ham. Meat Sci 2002; 60:77-83. [DOI: 10.1016/s0309-1740(01)00109-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2000] [Revised: 04/12/2001] [Accepted: 04/18/2001] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Francalanci P, Eymard-Pierre E, Dionisi-Vici C, Boldrini R, Piemonte F, Virgili R, Fariello G, Bosman C, Santorelli FM, Boespflug-Tanguy O, Bertini E. Fatal infantile leukodystrophy: a severe variant of CACH/VWM syndrome, allelic to chromosome 3q27. Neurology 2001; 57:265-70. [PMID: 11468311 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.57.2.265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To describe clinical and neuropathologic studies and linkage analysis on two sisters with a severe form of leukodystrophy. METHODS A detailed study was performed on the second sister. Genotyping markers for chromosome 3, including eight additional markers surrounding the vanishing white matter (VWM) locus, were used. RESULTS During the first year of life, two sisters developed a severe neurologic condition after an intercurrent infection. It was accompanied by irritability and stupor with rapid loss of their motor abilities. Results of extensive metabolic studies were negative. Brain MRI showed severe and diffuse abnormalities of the encephalic white matter. Neuropathologic examination showed a severe lack of myelin with diffuse vacuolating white matter lesions in the brain, associated with an increased density of oligodendrocytes and a reduced number of astrocytes on morphometric analysis. In sharp contrast, the spinal cord white matter was preserved. The affected sibpairs shared a common haplotype for a broad region in chromosome 3. They were homozygous between markers D3S1565 and D3S3669, including the VWM locus. CONCLUSIONS This condition is an unusual variant of childhood ataxia with diffuse central hypomyelination (CACH)/VWM, with characteristic shrinking and perivascular clustering of astrocytes. Haplotype analysis suggests that this variant is allelic to the VWM locus located on chromosome 3q27.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Francalanci
- Division of Pathology, Bambino Gesu' Research Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
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Virgili R, Parolari G, Bolzoni L, Barbieri G, Mangia A, Careri M, Spagnoli S, Panari G, Zannoni M. Sensory-Chemical Relationships in Parmigiano-Reggiano Cheese. Lebensm Wiss Technol 1994. [DOI: 10.1006/fstl.1994.1098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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Parolari G, Virgili R, Schivazappa C. Relationship between cathepsin B activity and compositional parameters in dry-cured hams of normal and defective texture. Meat Sci 1994; 38:117-22. [DOI: 10.1016/0309-1740(94)90100-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/1993] [Revised: 07/01/1993] [Accepted: 08/08/1993] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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Virgili R, Parolari G. Quality control in the meat industry by multivariate statistics. The case of raw ham. Meat Sci 1991; 29:83-96. [DOI: 10.1016/0309-1740(91)90025-l] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/1988] [Revised: 02/05/1990] [Accepted: 03/08/1990] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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Armani E, Dossena A, Marchelli R, Virgili R. Copper(II) complexes of diamino-diamido-type ligands as chiral eluents in the enantiomeric separation of D,L-dansylamino acids by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. J Chromatogr A 1988; 441:275-86. [PMID: 3410919 DOI: 10.1016/s0021-9673(01)83871-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
For purpose of studying the mechanism of chiral recognition in high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) (reversed phase), a model system is proposed, i.e., copper(II) complexes of diamino-diamido-type ligands containing L-amino acids (AA-NN-n) which added to the eluent are able to perform the enantiomeric resolution of dansylamino acids on C8 and C18 columns. Being potentially tetradentate, this system should be more liable to give an apical or outer-sphere interaction with the enantiomer rather than a simultaneous dechelation of two binding sites, as in the classical ligand-exchange mechanism. This model allows the variation of several parameters, such as the structural and electronic features of the initial complexes, their relative stabilities and lipophilicities and their correlation with enantioselectivity in HPLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Armani
- Istituto di Chimica Organica dell'Università, Parma, Italy
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Virgili R, Bernhard CA. [Sampling and determination of aldehydes in ambient air]. Soz Praventivmed 1984; 29:203-4. [PMID: 6485572 DOI: 10.1007/bf02075878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
A method for the determination of aldehydes involving the formation of their 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazones on solid adsorbents and subsequent HPLC/UV analysis with internal standard was tested with dynamically generated samples and applied in a few real situations. The sampling train is suitable for personal sampling.
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Caputo L, Boiceff T, Virgili R. [Electroencephalographic considerations on a group of pilots with extensive experience]. Minerva Med 1965; 56:3846-8. [PMID: 5847347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
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Cati P, Virgili R. [Gonioscopic and electroencephalographic contribution to the study of megalocornea]. Boll Ocul 1965; 44:305-25. [PMID: 5862008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
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Virgili R, Zardi O, Cati P. [Serologic research for toxoplasmosis performed on the entire population of a psychiatric hospital]. Nuovi Ann Ig Microbiol 1964; 15:613-8. [PMID: 5832887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
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