This study explored, for the first time, the chemical composition and in vitro antioxidant and antibacterial activities of a caper leaf essential oil (EO) emulsion for possible food applications as a natural preservative. The EO was extracted by hydrodistillation from the leaves of growing wild in the Aeolian Archipelago (Sicily, Italy) and exhibited a pungent, sulphurous odour. The volatile fraction of the emulsion, analysed by SPME-GC-MS, consisted of over 100 compounds and was dominated by compounds with recognised antibacterial and antioxidant properties, namely dimethyl tetrasulfide (18.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThis research aimed to develop a new time, energy, and cost-saving production process for obtaining dried powder from floral buds. Four different trials, including dry salting with 40% NaCl (for 10 days and 40 days) and brine salting with 18% NaCl (at room temperature for 3 days and at 60 °C for 6 h), were carried out, and two different air-drying temperatures (40 and 50 °C) were used. The effects on chemical and sensory characteristics were investigated and compared with traditional undried caper samples.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFContext: Ten. (Brassicaceae) is an edible plant with very limited available information. Previous studies have demonstrated the polyphenolic profile and the antioxidant and cytotoxic properties of the leaf and flowering top hydroalcoholic extracts.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFHemp seed flour (HSF) is a by-product of the hemp oil production process and is a valuable source of protein, dietary fiber, minerals, and vitamins. In line with sustainable food production and a circular economy, this research aimed to utilize HSF as fortifying ingredient in the production of , a typical Italian potato-based fresh pasta, and to investigate the effects of the addition on the quality and consumers' acceptability of the enriched products. Three formulations have been developed using 5-20% HSF in substitution of soft wheat flour.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: In immunocompromised patients, SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine has been used in Italy from the beginning of the vaccination campaign, but several studies have shown that the serological response of onco-hematological patients was reduced compared to healthy subjects, due to the state of immunosuppression because of both underlying disease and administered therapy.
Methods: We evaluated the association of anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike IgG titers in 215 hematological patients with clinical and demographic variables to verify if it was possible to identify predictive parameters of serological response, as well as using a control group, consisting of healthy health workers of San Carlo Hospital in Potenza. Anti-SARS-CoV2 IgG titers were evaluated after 30-45 days post second dose vaccine using chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay technology.
In continuation of research conducted on species of the spontaneous flora of Sicily (Italy) belonging to the Brassicaceae family, subsp. was selected. It is an edible species utilized in Sicilian traditional medicine.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFL. cv. Moscato includes different varieties mainly used to produce sweet wines, such as fortified wines.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: In recent years, mini-watermelons have increased in popularity. To maintain production and quality standards, various agronomic techniques have been applied. For the Cucurbitaceae family, grafting technique has been used to improve resistance to abiotic stresses, crop productivity and fruit qualitative characteristics.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFKabuki make-up syndrome (KMS; OMIM#147920) is a multiple congenital anomalies/mental retardation syndrome of unknown cause, first described independently by Niikawa and Kuroki. It is characterized by a peculiar facial appearance, mild to moderate mental retardation, skeletal abnormality, joint laxity, short stature, and unusual dermatoglyphic patterns. Several additional malformations (eg, cleft palate), cardiovascular defects, genitourinary and gastrointestinal tract anomalies, otologic and ophthalmologic abnormalities, and recurrent infections are also frequently present.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFA 46,XYq 8-year-old male was referred for microcephaly, growth, and mental retardation, hypotonia, genital hypoplasia, and dysmorphisms. FISH analysis showed that the rearranged Y chromosome originated from an unbalanced translocation of Xq27.3-qter onto the deleted Yq11.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe aim of our study was to measure, at delivery, maternal and cord blood cadmium levels (by means of atomic absorption spectrometry) in 45 healthy non-smoking pregnant women exposed to a low cadmium challenge, and to evaluate the relationship between these cadmium levels and the birth weight of the infants. Our results showed fairly low cadmium levels in maternal blood, in accordance with the fact that all women enrolled in this study lived in areas with low toxic metal contamination and that they did not smoke during their pregnancy. Furthermore, a highly significant direct correlation was found between maternal and cord blood cadmium concentrations.
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