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A molecular diagnostic technique (polymerase chain reaction enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [PCR-ELISA]) for detection of Erwinia amylovora was developed. The protocol is based on the immunoenzymatic determination of PCR products. For in vitro amplification, we used previously published primers able to detect the cryptic plasmid pEA29, which is ubiquitous in E. amylovora. Amplicons were labeled with 11-digoxigenin (DIG)-dUTP during the amplification reaction, captured by hybridization to a biotinylated oligonucleotide in streptavidin-coated ELISA microplates, and then detected with anti-DIG-Fab′-peroxidase conjugated antibodies. The specificity of the assay was verified using E. amylovora strains from different host plants and geographical origins in addition to other plant-associated bacteria (either phytopathogenic or saprophytic) belonging to the genera Erwinia, Pseudomonas, and Agrobacterium. In detection threshold experiments with pure cultures, as few as 30 and 3 CFU/reaction tube were detected when the ABTS (colorimetric) and ECL (chemiluminescent) detection assays, respectively, were used. PCR-ELISA coupled with chemiluminescent detection was able to detect as few as 4 × 102 CFU/g of artificially infested pear twigs. The assay was further shown to be suitable for detection of E. amylovora in naturally infected plant organs, and the results were compared to those obtained using standard PCR assays with electrophoretic separation of amplicons.

(1) Background: It is recommended that an athlete, in order to ensure correct nutrition and performance, should consume between 1.2 and 2.0 g/kg/day of protein, while the daily recommended protein intake for a non-athlete is 0.8and 0.9 mg/kg/day. It is unclear if athletes living in Mediterranean countries are able to meet protein requirements without supplementation, since Mediterranean diet de-emphasizes meat and meat products. (2) Methods: 166 athletes (125 males) enrolled between 2017 and 2019 were required to keep a dietary journal for three consecutive days (2 workdays and 1 weekend day). Athletes had to be &gt, 18 years old, train in a particular sport activity more than 3 h a week and compete at least at an amateur level. Journal data were collected and then translated into macro-nutrient content (grams of protein, carbohydrates, and lipids) by a nutritionist. (3) Results: The protein intake reported by this specific population vary slightly from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND), Dietitians of Canada (DC), and the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) joint statement recommendation level. Average protein levels without protein supplementation fell within the protein guidelines. Counterintuitively, the intake among those who supplemented their diet with protein was higher compared with those who did not, even when excluding the contribution of supplements. Although the majority of subjects participating in the study were able to meet protein intake recommended for athletes without protein supplementation, 27% of athletes were below the guideline range. (4) Conclusions: these data suggest that athletes&rsquo, nutrition should be more often evaluated by a nutritionist and that they will benefit from increasing their nutritional knowledge in order to make better food choices, resorting to protein supplementation only when effectively needed.

Altered martial indices before orthopedic surgery are associated with higher rates of complications and greatly affect the patient&rsquo, s functional ability. Oral supplements can optimize the preoperative martial status, with clinical efficacy and the patient&rsquo, s tolerability being highly dependent on the pharmaceutical formula. Patients undergoing elective hip/knee arthroplasty were randomized to be supplemented with a 30-day oral therapy of sucrosomial ferric pyrophosphate plus L-ascorbic acid. The tolerability was 2.7% among treated patients. Adjustments for confounding factors, such as iron absorption influencers, showed a relevant response limited to older patients (&ge, 65 years old), whose uncharacterized Hb loss was averted upon treatment with iron formula. Older patients with no support lost &minus, 2.8 &plusmn, 5.1%, while the intervention group gained +0.7 &plusmn, 4.6% of circulating hemoglobin from baseline (p = 0.019). Gastrointestinal diseases, medications, and possible dietary factors could affect the efficacy of iron supplements. Future opportunities may consider to couple ferric pyrophosphate with other nutrients, to pay attention in avoiding absorption disruptors, or to implement interventions to obtain an earlier martial status optimization at the population level.

Il contributo consiste nella traduzione del saggio già pubblicato nel volume italiano Balduzzi L., Pironi T. (a cura di) (2017), L'osservazione al nido. Una lente a più dimensioni per educare lo sguardo, Milano Franco Angeli. Il contributo si inserisce nel dibattito sul valore e sulle funzioni del tirocinio formativo dalla prospettiva dei futuri docenti ed educatori, investigando i vissuti e le rappresentazioni che tale esperienza ha rappresentato nel corso del percorso di formazione universitaria per educatori nei servizi per l’infanzia. Esso rende conto degli esiti di uno studio esplorativo sul tema del tirocinio degli studenti del corso di studio in Educatore nei servizi per l’infanzia, prendendo in esame caratteristiche strutturali, pregi e limiti di questa esperienza. A partire da questi dati empirici nel saggio si sviluppano anche riflessioni critiche e proposte di sviluppo. L’indagine si è svolta nella seconda parte dell’a.a. 2014/2015 e ha previsto l’impiego di un questionario composto da domande a risposta aperta inerenti l’esperienza di tirocinio una volta conclusa dagli studenti. Non ci si è focalizzati solo su punti di forza e di criticità circa l’organizzazione del tirocinio, ma anche sulle rappresentazioni dello stesso da parte dei tirocinanti, il legame con le discipline presenti nel curricolo di studi, le consapevolezze acquisite dagli studenti attraverso l’interconnessione tra teoria e pratica e infine i loro suggerimenti in proposito.

Preclinical and clinical studies suggest that many food molecules could interact with drug transporters and metabolizing enzymes through different mechanisms, which are predictive of what would be observed clinically. Given the recent incorporation of dietary modifications or supplements in traditional medicine, an increase in potential food-drug interactions has also appeared. The objective of this article is to review data regarding the influence of food on drug efficacy. Data from Google Scholar, PubMed, and Scopus databases was reviewed for publications on pharmaceutical, pharmacokinetic, and pharmacodynamic mechanisms. The following online resources were used to integrate functional and bioinformatic results: FooDB, Phenol-Explorer, Dr. Duke's Phytochemical and Ethnobotanical Databases, DrugBank, UniProt, and IUPHAR/BPS Guide to Pharmacology. A wide range of food compounds were shown to interact with proteins involved in drug pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic profiles, starting from drug oral bioavailability to enteric/hepatic transport and metabolism, blood transport, and systemic transport/metabolism. Knowledge of any food components that may interfere with drug efficacy is essential, and would provide a link for obtaining a holistic view for cancer, cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, or neurological therapies. However, preclinical interaction may be irrelevant to clinical interaction, and health professionals should be aware of the limitations if they intend to optimize the therapeutic effects of drugs.