Sardinian fermented sausage traditional production process: a preliminary survey in eight establishments.

This study aimed to conduct a preliminary investigation in eight Sardinian fermented sausage (SFS) production plants to acquire knowledge about the differences in the applied technological process and their influence on the safety and sensory characteristics of the finished product. Two audits were conducted in each plant to evaluate structural characteristics and process technologies; 72 samples of SFS at the end of seasoning and 48 environmental samples were analyzed. , spp.

Pathogenic profile and antimicrobial resistance of Escherichia coli, Escherichia marmotae and Escherichia ruysiae detected from hunted wild boars in Sardinia (Italy).

The objective of this study was to evaluate the occurrence of E. coli in hunted wild boars in Sardinia (Italy) and to further characterize the isolates with Whole Genome Sequencing to assess the genetic relatedness and the presence of virulence and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes. Samples were taken from 66 wild boars between 2020 and 2022 slaughtered in five hunting houses.

Hunted Wild Boars in Sardinia: Prevalence, Antimicrobial Resistance and Genomic Analysis of and .

The objective of this investigation was to evaluate and prevalence in wild boars hunted in Sardinia and further characterize the isolates and analyse antimicrobial resistance (AMR) patterns. In order to assess slaughtering hygiene, an evaluation of carcasses microbial contamination was also carried out. Between 2020 and 2022, samples were collected from 66 wild boars hunted during two hunting seasons from the area of two provinces in northern and central Sardinia (Italy).

Effect of Commercial and Autochthonous Bioprotective Cultures for Controlling Contamination of Pecorino Sardo Dolce PDO Cheese.

The composition and physicochemical characteristics of short-aged Pecorino Sardo PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) cheese makes it permissive to growth. The PDO product specification stipulates that this cheese is produced with whole sheep's milk inoculated with cultures from the area of origin. Therefore, the use of bioprotective cultures for the inhibition of pathogens in PDO cheeses is allowed only if autochthonous microorganisms are used.

Evaluation of vacuum packaging for extending the shelf life of Sardinian fermented sausage.

or Sardinian fermented sausage is a traditional dry-fermented sausage included in the list of traditional food products of Sardinia (Italy). At the request of some producing plants, the possibility of extending the shelf life of the vacuum-packed product up to 120 days was evaluated. Manufacturing of 90 samples, representing 3 different batches of Sardinian fermented sausage was carried out in two producing plants (A and B).

Preliminary data on the microbial profile of dry and wet aged bovine meat obtained from different breeds in Sardinia.

This study aimed to evaluate the influence of dry and wet aging on microbial profile and physicochemical characteristics of bovine loins obtained from four animals of two different breeds, namely two Friesian cull cows and two Sardo-Bruna bovines. During dry and wet aging aerobic colony count, , mesophilic lactic acid bacteria, , molds and yeasts, , and , pH and water activity (a) were determined in meat samples collected from the internal part of the loins. Moreover, the microbial profile was determined with sponge samples taken from the surface of the meat cuts.

Use of commercial protective cultures in portioned sheep milk cheeses to control .

The main objective of this study was to innovate soft and semi-cooked sheep milk cheese production processes with the use of a commercial protective culture able to control growth. A freeze-dried commercial culture of was tested in DS cheese and PS cheese, two types of pasteurized sheep milk, raw-paste cheeses aged for no less than 20 and 30 days respectively. In the first step, tests were conducted to identify the most suitable matrix for the growth of in order to create a subculture that could be used at industrial cheese-making plants.

Comparison of Activity of Commercial Protective Cultures and Thermophilic Lactic Acid Bacteria against A New Perspective to Improve the Safety of Sardinian PDO Cheeses.

contamination that occurs during and post-processing of dairy products is a serious concern for consumers, and bioprotective cultures can be applied to control the growth of the pathogen in sheep milk cheeses. However, to respect specifications provided for protected designation of origin (PDO) cheeses, only autochthonous microorganisms can be used as bioprotective cultures in these products. This in vitro study aimed to evaluate thermophilic lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolated from sheep milk as bio-preservative agents to control growth in PDO cheese.

A Satellite-Free Centromere in Chromosome 10.

In mammals, centromeres are epigenetically specified by the histone H3 variant CENP-A and are typically associated with satellite DNA. We previously described the first example of a natural satellite-free centromere on chromosome 11 (ECA11) and, subsequently, on several chromosomes in other species of the genus . We discovered that these satellite-free neocentromeres arose recently during evolution through centromere repositioning and/or chromosomal fusion, after inactivation of the ancestral centromere, where, in many cases, blocks of satellite sequences were maintained.

Robertsonian Fusion and Centromere Repositioning Contributed to the Formation of Satellite-free Centromeres During the Evolution of Zebras.

Centromeres are epigenetically specified by the histone H3 variant CENP-A and typically associated with highly repetitive satellite DNA. We previously discovered natural satellite-free neocentromeres in Equus caballus and Equus asinus. Here, through ChIP-seq with an anti-CENP-A antibody, we found an extraordinarily high number of centromeres lacking satellite DNA in the zebras Equus burchelli (15 of 22) and Equus grevyi (13 of 23), demonstrating that the absence of satellite DNA at the majority of centromeres is compatible with genome stability and species survival and challenging the role of satellite DNA in centromere function.

Selection of commercial protective cultures to be added in Sardinian fermented sausage to control .

Sardinian fermented sausage "Salsiccia Sarda" is a Mediterranean-style, semi-dry, fermented, RTE product, representing the main pork meat product in Sardinia (Italy). The high variability that characterizes the technological processes applied in different production plants results in sausages with different chemico-physical features sometimes permissive for the growth of . In order to guarantee the hygienic-sanitary quality of the final product and to innovate the manufacturing process, the main objective of this study was to evaluate the use of different commercial protective cultures to control growth in the Sardinian fermented sausage.

Molecular Dynamics and Evolution of Centromeres in the Genus Equus.

The centromere is the chromosomal locus essential for proper chromosome segregation. While the centromeric function is well conserved and epigenetically specified, centromeric DNA sequences are typically composed of satellite DNA and represent the most rapidly evolving sequences in eukaryotic genomes. The presence of satellite sequences at centromeres hampered the comprehensive molecular analysis of these enigmatic loci.

Effect of oral cholecalciferol in a murine model of celiac disease: A dose ranging study.

Previous studies have shown a relationship between vitamin D and celiac disease (CD), however little evidence is available examining the direct effects of vitamin D on pathological features of this disease. In this study we evaluated the effect of oral administration of different doses of native vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) in enteropathic mice. Female non-obese diabetic (NOD)/ShiLt.

Telomeric-Like Repeats Flanked by Sequences Retrotranscribed from the Telomerase RNA Inserted at DNA Double-Strand Break Sites during Vertebrate Genome Evolution.

Interstitial telomeric sequences (ITSs) are stretches of telomeric-like repeats located at internal chromosomal sites. We previously demonstrated that ITSs have been inserted during the repair of DNA double-strand breaks in the course of evolution and that some rodent ITSs, called TERC-ITSs, are flanked by fragments retrotranscribed from the telomerase RNA component (TERC). In this work, we carried out an extensive search of TERC-ITSs in 30 vertebrate genomes and identified 41 such loci in 22 species, including in humans and other primates.

Trend of occurrence and serotypes in Sardinian pig slaughterhouses.

The aim of this study was to evaluate prevalence and serotypes in four Sardinian pig slaughterhouses. Moreover, a population study was conducted with pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). The results were compared with previous investigations carried out during years 2008 and 2014.

Enumeration of and determination of spp. and verotoxigenic in shellfish ( and ) harvested in Sardinia, Italy.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the occurrence of spp., Verotoxigenic (VTEC) and enumerate in shellfish ( and ) collected before and after depuration from two class B harvesting areas located in Sardinia (Italy). All the samples were analyzed for spp.

Insertion of Telomeric Repeats in the Human and Horse Genomes: An Evolutionary Perspective.

Interstitial telomeric sequences (ITSs) are short stretches of telomeric-like repeats (TTAGGG)n at nonterminal chromosomal sites. We previously demonstrated that, in the genomes of primates and rodents, ITSs were inserted during the repair of DNA double-strand breaks. These conclusions were derived from sequence comparisons of ITS-containing loci and ITS-less orthologous loci in different species.

Exploring the Specificity of Rationally Designed Peptides Reconstituted from the Cell-Free Extract of toward Mn(II) and Cu(II).

A series of five rationally designed decapeptides [DEHGTAVMLK (DP1), THMVLAKGED (DP2), GTAVMLKDEH (Term-DEH), TMVLDEHAKG (Mid-DEH), and DEHGGGGDEH (Bis-DEH)] have been studied for their interactions with Cu(II) and Mn(II) ions. The peptides, constructed including the most prevalent amino acid content found in the cell-free extract of (DR), play a fundamental role in the antioxidant mechanism related to its exceptional radioresistance. Mn(II) ions, in complex with these peptides, are found to be an essential ingredient for the DR protection kit.

CENP-A binding domains and recombination patterns in horse spermatocytes.

Centromeres exert an inhibitory effect on meiotic recombination, but the possible contribution of satellite DNA to this "centromere effect" is under debate. In the horse, satellite DNA is present at all centromeres with the exception of the one from chromosome 11. This organization of centromeres allowed us to investigate the role of satellite DNA on recombination suppression in horse spermatocytes at the stage of pachytene.

Automatic detection and sonification of nonmotor generalized onset epileptic seizures: Preliminary results.

Long-term video-EEG monitoring has improved diagnosis and treatment of epilepsy, especially in children. However, the amount of data neurophysiologists must analyze has grown remarkably. The main purpose of this paper is to provide a diagnostic support to speed up and ease EEG interpretation for a specific application concerning absence seizures, a type of non-motor generalized epileptic seizures.

Microbiological and physicochemical properties of smoked ricotta cheese during refrigeration and temperature abuse storage.

In the last years changes occurred in the production process of , a traditional smoked, salted and sometimes ripened ricotta cheese, produced in Sardinia. Fresher, slightly smoked and with reduced salt content products, were introduced into the market to meet changes in consumer's preferences for milder products. The present study of durability was conducted on an innovative fresh and smoked industrial product, also characterized by the small size and the packaging in modified atmosphere.

Satellite DNA at the Centromere is Dispensable for Segregation Fidelity.

The typical vertebrate centromeres contain long stretches of highly repeated DNA sequences (satellite DNA). We previously demonstrated that the karyotypes of the species belonging to the genus are characterized by the presence of satellite-free and satellite-based centromeres and represent a unique biological model for the study of centromere organization and behavior. Using horse primary fibroblasts cultured in vitro, we compared the segregation fidelity of chromosome 11, whose centromere is satellite-free, with that of chromosome 13, which has similar size and a centromere containing long stretches of satellite DNA.