Aims: The aims of this work were to (i) use a bacteriocin produced by Lactobacillus curvatus 32Y active against Listeria monocytogenes to activate polythene films by different methods, (ii) ...implement a large‐scale process for antilisterial polythene films production and (iii) verify the efficacy of the developed films in inhibiting the growth of L. monocytogenes during the storage of meat products.
Methods and Results: The film was made active by using the antilisterial bacteriocin 32Y by Lact. curvatus with three different procedures: soaking, spraying and coating. The antimicrobial activity of the activated films was tested in plate assays against the indicator strain L. monocytogenes V7. All the used procedures yielded active polythene films although the quality of the inhibition was different. The coating was therefore employed to develop active polythene films in an industrial plant. The antimicrobial activity of the industrially produced films was tested in experiments of food packaging involving pork steak and ground beef contaminated by L. monocytogenes V7 at roughly 103 CFU cm−2 and gram respectively. The results of the challenge tests showed the highest antimicrobial activity after 24 h at 4°C, with a decrease of about 1 log of the L. monocytogenes population.
Conclusions: Antimicrobial packaging can play an important role in reducing the risk of pathogen development, as well as extending the shelf life of foods.
Significance and Impact of the Study: Studies of new food‐grade bacteriocins as preservatives and development of suitable systems of bacteriocin treatment of plastic films for food packaging are important issues in applied microbiology and biotechnology, both for implementing and improving effective hurdle technologies for a better preservation of food products.
The purpose of the study was to investigate the abnormalities of cortical lamination observed in temporal lobe specimens obtained during surgery for intractable temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) with ...hippocampal sclerosis. Specifically, we aimed to 1) correlate high-field ex vivo MRI with histopathologic analysis and 2) evaluate the effect of tissue fixation on image contrast.
A cohort of 13 specimens was considered. T2-weighted imaging and relaxometry were performed during and after fixation using a 7-T experimental scanner. After imaging, the specimens were studied with histopathologic (Black Gold myelin fiber staining) and immunohistochemical (NeuN neuronal staining) methods in order to explore the correspondence between MRI and histopathologic features.
The principal findings of this study are that 1) superior MRI contrast is obtained among the cortical layers using completely fixed specimens as opposed to recently excised tissue, 2) the intensity of the T2-weighted MRI signal is lowest (hypointensity) at the site of highest fiber concentration and cellular density, and highest (hyperintensity) when the density of fibers and cells is lowest, and 3) the MRI signal is altered in presence of abnormal cortical lamination (focal cortical dysplasia type IA).
High resolution ex vivo MRI enables the study of intracortical organization in normal and pathologic areas. Comparisons between MRI, NeuN, and Black Gold indicate that the differences apparent in T2-weighted images are mainly related to fiber concentration, although neuronal density might also play a role.
To evaluate the effect of a bacteriocin-activated polythene film on resting and growing populations of Listeria monocytogenes. The active polythene films were industrially obtained by coating a ...solution of bacteriocin 32Y from Lactobacillus curvatus upon the surface of the film to be in contact with the packaged material. The behaviour of live Listeria populations was examined in liquid suspensions directly in contact with the bacteriocin-activated film, packed in antimicrobial film, and in a challenge test of storage of frankfurters superficially contaminated by L. monocytogenes and packed in antimicrobial film. In all the experiments, live and dead cells of L. monocytogenes were counted in epifluorescence microscopy after viable staining, which proved to be a suitable method to evaluate the action of bacteriocins on populations of L. monocytogenes. The results showed that the direct contact between active film surface and L. monocytogenes cells is effective for a fast and irreversible inactivation of the population by determining a direct cell disruption. This was confirmed by the results of the challenge test indicating that the antimicrobial package was effective in inhibiting the growth and survival of the pathogen on the surface of frankfurters during storage. The use of the antimicrobial film is encouraged especially for solid food products where the superficial contaminants come immediately in contact with the antimicrobial film. A fast inactivation of the bacterial population, coupled with appropriate conditions of storage, can improve the quality and safety and prolong the shelf-life of the food products packed in antimicrobial films.
We applied a joint survey approach integrating time domain electromagnetic soundings and single‐station ambient vibration surveys in the Middle Aterno Valley (MAV), an intermontane basin in central ...Italy and the locus of the 2009 L'Aquila earthquake. By imaging the buried interface between the infilling deposits and the top of the pre‐Quaternary bedrock, we reveal the 3‐D basin geometry and gain insights into the long‐term basin evolution. We reconstruct a complex subsurface architecture, characterized by three main depocenters separated by thresholds. Basin infill thickness varies from ~200–300 m in the north to more than 450 m to the southeast. Our subsurface model indicates a strong structural control on the architecture of the basin and highlights that the MAV experienced considerable modifications in its configuration over time. The buried shape of the MAV suggests a recent and still ongoing predominant tectonic control by the NW‐SE trending Paganica‐San Demetrio Fault System (PSDFS), which crosscuts older ~ENE and NNE trending extensional faults. Furthermore, we postulate that the present‐day arrangement of the PSDFS is the result of the linkage of two previously isolated fault segments. We provide constraints on the location of the southeastern boundary of the PSDFS, defining an overall ~19 km long fault system characterized by a considerable seismogenetic potential and a maximum expected magnitude larger than M 6.5. This study emphasizes the benefit of combining two easily deployable geophysical methods for reconstructing the 3‐D geometry of a tectonically controlled basin. Our joint approach provided us with a consistent match between these two independent estimations of the basin substratum depth within 15%.
Key Points
3‐D imaging of a fault‐controlled basin architecture via time domain electromagnetic and ambient vibration surveys
Complex subsurface architecture characterized by buried faults and depocenters separated by thresholds
Insights into the long‐term Paganica‐San Demetrio Fault System evolution and behavior (2009 L'Aquila earthquake fault)
A genetic linkage map of European chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.) based on RAPD, ISSR and isozyme markers was constructed using the two-way pseudo-testcross strategy. A total of 96 individuals from ...a F^sub 1^ full-sib family was genotyped with 381 molecular markers (311 RAPDs, 65 ISSRs, 5 isozymes). Markers in testcross configuration, segregating 1:1, were used to establish two separate maternal and paternal maps including 187 and 148 markers, respectively. The markers identified 12 linkage groups based on the haploid number of chestnut. The female and male framework maps reached a total length of 720 and 721 cM (Kosambi), respectively, representing a 76% and 68% coverage of the overall genome. A total of 46 markers, found in intercross configuration, segregating 3:1 and 1:2:1, were used to identify homologous linkage groups between parental maps; out of 12 linkage groups 11 could be joined. RAPD and ISSR markers showed a good and comparable reliability, allowing for the first time the establishment of a saturated linkage map for European chestnut. These maps will be a starting point for studies on the structure, evolution and function of the chestnut genome. Identification of QTLs for adaptive traits in chestnut will be the primary target.PUBLICATION ABSTRACT
We provide a database of the surface ruptures produced by the 26 December 2018 Mw 4.9 earthquake that struck the eastern flank of Mt. Etna volcano in Sicily (southern Italy). Despite its relatively ...small magnitude, this shallow earthquake caused about 8 km of surface faulting, along the trace of the NNW-trending active Fiandaca Fault. Detailed field surveys have been performed in the epicentral area to map the ruptures and to characterize their kinematics. The surface ruptures show a dominant right-oblique sense of displacement with an average slip of about 0.09 m and a maximum value of 0.35 m. We have parsed and organized all observations in a concise database, with 932 homogeneous georeferenced records. The Fiandaca Fault is part of the complex active Timpe faults system affecting the eastern flank of Etna, and its seismic history indicates a prominent surface-faulting potential. Therefore, this database is essential for unravelling the seismotectonics of shallow earthquakes in volcanic areas, and contributes updating empirical scaling regressions that relate magnitude and extent of surface faulting.
Background
Over the past few years, treatment of burn scars with lipofilling has shown encouraging clinical results in terms of texture, color, softness, and quality of skin patterns. This clinical ...application has been widened to include treatment for scars resulting from surgical correction of cicatricial ectropion. In fact, although standard surgery with flaps and skin grafts can grant significant functional and cosmetic improvements, these often are not complete because of secondary surgical scars.
Methods
The case of a 43-year-old man with cicatricial outcomes from chemical burns and subsequent surgical repair of medial ectropion in the lower eyelid is reported. The scar area was treated with injection of adipose tissue harvested from abdominal subcutaneous fat and processed according to Coleman’s technique.
Results
At the 1-year follow-up assessment after lipostructure, the patient no longer reported xeroftalmia and epiphora. He had experienced complete functional recovery with excellent cosmetic results.
Conclusions
Lipostructure of cicatricial ectropion seems to complete and improve the results of the standard surgical approach, and its long-lasting benefits are in keeping with the theoretical basis of this procedure.
Aims: The aim of this study was to determine the proteolytic activities of Staphylococcus xylosus strains on sarcoplasmic and myofibrillar proteins in order to evaluate the suitability of selected ...strains as starter cultures in the processing of a dry fermented pork sausage.
Methods and Results: The proteolytic activity of 27 strains of Staphylococcus xylosus on sarcoplasmic and myofibrillar proteins was determined by agar plate method, o‐phtaldialdehyde (OPA) spectrophotometric assay and sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS‐PAGE). Four strains were selected for the formulation of six starter cultures to use in the production of ‘Naples type’ salami. The proteolytic contribution of starters was determined by SDS‐PAGE, comparing the protein profile of inoculated sausages with that of uninoculated sausages after 0, 15 and 33 days of ripening. The results showed that the proteolytic activity of some strains, determined by the agar plate method, were not confirmed by electrophoretic and spectrophotometric assays. In fact, of 24 strains of Staphylococcus xylosus able to hydrolyse muscle protein extracts on agar plate, only 12 strains were shown to change SDS‐PAGE profile of pork proteins. The SDS‐PAGE profile of sarcoplasmic proteins extracted from all sausages showed that the major changes were produced with starters S3, S4 and S5 after 15 days of ripening. Also myofibrillar proteins undergo major changes after 15 days of ripening and the protein profiles showed the same pattern in all samples, except for the sausages produced with starter S4.
Conclusions: The results of this work showed that the muscle protein extracts hydrolysis test is suitable for preliminary screening of Staphylococcus xylosus strains on the basis of their proteolytic activity. However, evaluation of muscle protein hydrolysis in a food model system could then be more appropriate for selecting micro‐organisms for use as starter cultures for fermented sausages.
Significance and Impact of the Study: The potential of the findings is discussed with reference to the formulation of starter cultures for the dry fermented sausages production.
The distribution of haplotypic diversity of 38 European chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.) populations was investigated by PCR/RFLP analysis of regions of the chloroplast and mitochondrial genomes in ...order to shed light on the history of this heavily managed species. The rapid expansion of chestnut starting from 3000 years ago is strongly related to human activities such as agricultural practice. This demonstrates the importance of human impact, which lasted some thousands of years, on the present‐day distribution of the species. No polymorphism was detected for the single mitochondrial analysed region, while a total of 11 different chloroplast (cp) haplotypes were scored. The distribution of the cpDNA haplotypes revealed low geographical structure of the genetic diversity. The value of population subdivision, as measured by GSTc, is strikingly lower than in the other species of the family Fagaceae investigated. The actual distribution of haplotypic diversity may be explained by the strong human impact on this species, particularly during the Roman civilization of the continent, and to the long period of cultivation experienced during the last thousand years.
PDF
