Enteric Viruses and Fecal Bacteria Indicators to Assess Groundwater Quality and Suitability for Irrigation.

According to Italian Ministerial Decree No. 185 of 12 June 2003, water is considered suitable for irrigation if levels of fecal bacteria (i.e.

Identification of HEV in symptom-free migrants and environmental samples in Italy.

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is considered an emerging pathogen in industrialized countries. The occurrence of HEV genotypes in samples of faeces from asymptomatic migrants arriving on the coasts of South Italy and environmental samples was investigated. Analyses of sequences were used to compare human and environmental genotypes.

Mutagenic Tests Confirm That New Acetylacetonate Pt(II) Complexes Induce Apoptosis in Cancer Cells Interacting with Nongenomic Biological Targets.

New platinum(II) complexes [PtCl(O,O'-acac)(L)] (1) and [Pt(O,O'-acac)(γ-acac)(L)] (2) (L = DMSO, a; DMS, b) containing a single chelated (O,O'-acac) (1), or one chelated and one σ-bonded (γ-acac) acetylacetonate (2) have been synthesized. The new Pt(II) complexes exhibited high in vitro cytotoxicity on cisplatin sensitive and resistant cell lines and showed negligible reactivity with nucleobases (Guo and 5'-GMP) but selective substitution of DMSO/DMS with soft biological nucleophiles, such as L-methionine. In order to assess the ability of the new complexes with respect to cisplatin to induce apoptosis by interaction with nongenomic targets, the Ames' test, a standard reverse mutation assay, was carried out on two Salmonella typhimurium strains (TA98 and TA100).

Widespread microbiological groundwater contamination in the South-eastern Salento (Puglia-Italy).

In the Salento peninsula (Puglia Region, South-East Italy), underground waters are a fundamental resource for the population because they constitute the principal reservoir for drinking water and irrigation. They are, however, affected by overexploitation. The risk factors in the Salento arise mainly from anthropic activities, especially tourism and agriculture (leaking wells, sewage and inadequate waste disposal procedures).

Microbial and nutritional aspects on the production of live feeds in a fish farming industry.

Aquaculture is an enterprise in constant development, in particular relating to its effect on the environment and also the quality of its products. It represents a valid alternative to traditional fishing, facing the increasing demand for fish products. To guarantee to the consumer a product of high nutritional, organoleptic and hygienic quality, it is fundamental to monitor every phase of the fish farming industry, isolating the potential risk points.