Search

Your search keyword '"Bertasi, B"' showing total 94 results
Start Over Author "Bertasi, B"
94 results on '"Bertasi, B"'

18. In vitro evaluation of cytotoxicity and oxidative damage induced by ochratoxin A and aflatoxin B1: protective role of antioxidants

Author

Baldi, A., Fusi, E., Sangalli, L., Rebucci, R., Losio, N., Enrico Pavoni, Bertasi, B., and Cheli, F.

Subjects
endocrine system, animal structures, technology, industry, and agriculture, food and beverages, lcsh:Animal culture, cytotoxicity, mycotoxins, antioxidants, ROS, lcsh:SF1-1100
Abstract

In animal nutrition, mycotoxins are important feed contaminants. Among them, ochratoxins (OTA) and aflatoxins (AF) have several biological activities, including acute toxicity, teratogenicity, mutagenicity, immunotoxicity and carcinogenicity (Creepy, 2002). Obviously, toxicity of mycotoxins is a risk factor not only for animals but for humans, too (Hussein et al., 2001). Deficiencies of certain nutritional factors e.g. micronutrients may predispose or enhance individuals to the toxic effects of mycotoxins (Atroshi et al., 2002). It is well known that antioxidants like vitamin E, protect cellular membranes from oxidative damage.........

Published
2011

20. Microbiological survey of raw and ready-to-eat leafy green vegetables marketed in Italy

Author

Losio, M.N., primary, Pavoni, E., additional, Bilei, S., additional, Bertasi, B., additional, Bove, D., additional, Capuano, F., additional, Farneti, S., additional, Blasi, G., additional, Comin, D., additional, Cardamone, C., additional, Decastelli, L., additional, Delibato, E., additional, De Santis, P., additional, Di Pasquale, S., additional, Gattuso, A., additional, Goffredo, E., additional, Fadda, A., additional, Pisanu, M., additional, and De Medici, D., additional

Published
2015
Full Text
View/download PDF

28. Evaluation of the protective effects of ??-tocopherol and retinol against ochratoxin A cytotoxicity.

Author

Baldi, A., Losio, M. N., Cheli, F., Rebucci, R., Sangalli, L., Fusi, E., Bertasi, B., Pavoni, E., Carli, S., and Politis, I.

Abstract

Ochratoxin A (OTA), a mycotoxin frequently present in food and feedstuffs, produces a wide range of toxic effects, including cell death via lipid peroxidation. In one human and four animal cell lines we determined the half lethal concentration (LC50) of OTA, its effect on reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and its ability to induce cytochrome p450 activity. We also examined the protective effect of ??-tocopherol and all-trans-retinol in the most sensitive cell lines (i.e. bovine mammary epithelia, for which LC50 was 0??8??g/ml (24h), and Madin Darby canine kidney, for which LC50 was 4??3??g/ml (48h)). Pre-incubation for 3h with either antioxidant significantly (P<0??05) ameliorated the OTA-induced reduction in cell viability and significantly decreased (P<0??05) ROS production. These findings indicate that oxidative stress is an important factor in OTA cytotoxicity. Supplementation with antioxidant molecules may counteract the short-term toxicity of this mycotoxin. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Published
2004
Full Text
View/download PDF

35. [In vitro study of the nephrotoxic mechanism of mercuric chloride]

Author

Mf, Aleo, Morandini F, Bettoni F, Tanganelli S, Vezzola A, Giuliani R, Steimberg N, Boniotti J, Bertasi B, Losio N, Apostoli P, and Giovanna Mazzoleni

Subjects
Glutathione Peroxidase, Dose-Response Relationship, Drug, Swine, Cell Communication, Catalase, Isoquinolines, Kidney, Glutathione, Sensitivity and Specificity, Cell Line, Enzyme Activation, Oxidative Stress, Dogs, Solubility, Mercuric Chloride, Animals, Oxidation-Reduction, Cell Division, Fluorescent Dyes
Abstract

Mercury (Hg), one of the most diffused and hazardous organ-specific environmental contaminants, exists in a wide variety of physical and chemical states, each of which with unique characteristics of target organ specificity. Exposure to Hg vapour and to organic mercurials specifically affects the CNS, while the kidney is the target organ for inorganic Hg compounds. Despite the increasing number of studies, the molecular bases of the nephrotoxic potential of Hg has not, up to now, been clarified, even if there is evidence suggesting that the ability of the metal to interact with proteins (thiol groups) or to generate oxygen radicals may play a major role. Within this context, the aim of the present study was to investigate, in vitro, the mechanism(s) of the early nephrotoxic potential of mercury chloride (HgCl2), one of the most diffused and biologically active mercury (Hg2+) compounds. For this purpose, two kidney-derived in vitro systems (the MDCK and the LLC-PK1 cell lines) were tested for their sensitivity to the salt, and MDCK was chosen as the most suitable in vitro model for our study. As possible biological markers of the organ-specific toxicity of the metal we analysed: i) critical biochemical parameters related to oxidative stress conditions (effect of Hg2+ on the anti-oxidant status of the cell), and ii) gap-junctional function (GJIC).Classical toxicity tests (MTT and NR) were used for assessing the sensitivity (IC50) of LLP-CK1 and MDCK cell lines to the mercuric salt. Complete solubilisation of the salt in the culture media was verified by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The influence of the metal on cell growth rate and viability were evaluated by conventional proliferation assays. For the following mechanistic studies, cells were exposed for different time periods (4 to 72 hours) to non-cytotoxic (0.1-50 microM) HgCl2 concentrations. The biochemical analysis of the pro-oxidant properties of the mercuric compound was performed by the measurement of anti-oxidant cellular defences against H2O2 [catalase (Cat), glutathione peroxidase (Gpx), and total glutathione (GSH)]. The influence of the metal on the GJIC capacity of MDCK cells was assessed by the "microinjection/dye-coupling" assay.Among the two kidney-derived in vitro systems, MDCK cell line was the most specifically sensitive to the toxic effect of HgCl2: it was, consequently, chosen as a "tubular cell model" for the following experimental steps. Tested for various time periods at increasing concentrations, the HgCl2 effect on MDCK cell proliferation and viability was found to be time- and dose-related. For concentrationsor = 50 microM, HgCl2 inhibits MDCK cell growth rate, being this effect significant (50% in respect to untreated controls) from the 24th from the beginning of the treatment, while, for concentrations50 microM, the metal causes cell death. Concerning the influence of HgCl2 on MDCK anti-oxidant defences, the most interesting results were obtained by analysing the influence of the mercury salt on the GSH cell content and Gpx activity. Both were, in fact, significantly affected by the presence of the mercury ion. HgCl2 also induced a rapid, dose- and time-related inhibitory effect on the GJIC capacity of the cells.Even if further investigations are needed to better clarify the possible causal relationship between our findings, they indicate that: a) MDCK cells represent a suitable in vitro model for the study of Hg nephrotoxicity; b) GJIC function is, among those considered in our study, one of the most sensitive biological endpoints for investigating the mechanism(s) of Hg2+ specific toxicity.

44. The rapid spread of SARS-COV-2 Omicron variant in Italy reflected early through wastewater surveillance

Author

La Rosa, G., Iaconelli, M., Veneri, C., Mancini, P., Bonanno Ferraro, G., Brandtner, D., Lucentini, L., Bonadonna, L., Rossi, M., Grigioni, M., Suffredini, E., Giuseppe, Bucciarelli, Paolo, Torlontano, Giuseppe, Michele La Bianca, Rosa Anna Cifarelli, Achille, Palma, Giovanna La Vecchia, Giuseppe, Lauria, Rosanna, Brienza, Patrizia, Montenegro, Angelo, D'Argenzio, Luigi, Cossentino, Renato, Olivares, Antonio, Pizzolante, Giovanna, Fusco, Alessandra, Tosco, Amalia, Porta, Francesca, Pennino, Triassi, Maria, Paola, Angelini, Laura De Lellis, Daniele, Nasci, Giovanni, Alborali, Nicoletta, Formenti, Flavia, Guarneri, Nadia, Fontani, Giulia, Nani, Franca, Palumbo, Gianluca, Borlone, Marco, Guercio, Lisa, Gentili, Marika, Mariuz, Gabriella, Trani, Anna, Pariani, Carla, Ancona, Doriana Antonella Giorgi, Irene, Ferrante, Monica, Monfrinotti, Silvia, Riosa, Valeria, Capparuccini, Maria Teresa Scicluna, Antonella, Mariaconcetta, Arizzi, Giancarlo, Cecchini, Claudio, Ottaviano, Elena, Nicosia, Elena, Grasselli, Giorgia, Allaria, Alberto, Izzotti, Stefano, Rosatto, Emanuela, Ammoni, Danilo, Cereda, Marina Nadia Losio, Barbara, Bertasi, Andrea, Aliscioni, Desdemona, Oliva, Sara, Castiglioni, Silvia, Schiarea, Ettore, Zuccato, Manuela, Antonelli, Arianna, Azzellino, Francesca, Malpei, Andrea, Turolla, Sandro, Binda, Pellegrinelli, Laura, Valeria, Primache, Clementina, Cocuzza, Andrea, Franzetti, Giorgio, Bertanza, Maria Luisa Callegari, Luigi, Bolognini, Fabio, Filippetti, Marta, Paniccia, Francesca, Ciuti, Sara, Briscolini, Silvia, Magi, Michele, Colitti, Carmen, Montanaro, Giuseppe, Aprea, Maria Grazia Cerroni, Bartolomeo, Griglio, Renza, Berruti, Mauro, Cravero, Angela, Costa, Manila, Bianchi, Lucia, Decastelli, Angelo, Romano, Fabio, Zuccon, Elisabetta, Carraro, Cristina, Pignata, Silvia, Bonetta, Giuseppe Di Vittorio, Onofrio, Mongelli, Osvalda De Giglio, Francesca, Apollonio, Francesco, Triggiano, Maria Teresa Montagna, Nicola, Ungaro, Mario, Palermo, Carmelo Massimo Maida, Walter, Mazzucco, Simona De Grazia, Giovanni, Giammanco, Giuseppa, Purpari, Margherita, Ferrante, Antonella, Agodi, Martina, Barchitta, Piergiuseppe, Cala’, Carducci, Annalaura, Verani, Marco, Federigi, Ileana, Giulia, Lauretani, Sara, Muzio, Matteo, Ramazzotti, Alberto, Antonelli, Enrica, Ricci, Giovanni, Santoro, Ermanno, Federici, Maya, Petricciuolo, Sofia, Barigelli, Mauro, Ruffier, Francesca, Borney, Eric, Grange, Florida, Damasco, Francesca, Russo, Gisella, Pitter, Vanessa, Groppi, Franco, Rigoli, Marco, Zampini, Tatjana, Baldovin, Irene, Amoruso, Elena, Mengon, Maria, Cadonna, Mattia, Postinghel, Francesco, Pizzo, Alessandra, Schiavuzzi, Francesca, Cutrupi, Paola, Foladori, Serena, Manara, Lorella, Zago, Alberta, Stenico, Anna-Maria, Prast., La Rosa, G, Iaconelli, M, Veneri, C, Mancini, P, Bonanno Ferraro, G, Brandtner, D, Lucentini, L, Bonadonna, L, Rossi, M, Grigioni, M, Suffredini, E, Bucciarelli, G, Torlontano, P, Aprea, G, La Bianca, M, Cifarelli, R, Palma, A, La Vecchia, G, Lauria, G, Brienza, R, Montenegro, P, D'Argenzio, A, Cossentino, L, Olivares, R, Pizzolante, A, Fusco, G, Tosco, A, Porta, A, Pennino, F, Maria, T, Angelini, P, De Lellis, L, Nasci, D, Alborali, G, Formenti, N, Guarneri, F, Fontani, N, Nani, G, Palumbo, F, Borlone, G, Guercio, M, Gentili, L, Mariuz, M, Trani, G, Pariani, A, Ancona, C, Giorgi, D, Ferrante, I, Monfrinotti, M, Riosa, S, Capparuccini, V, Scicluna, M, Cersini, A, Arizzi, M, Cecchini, G, Ottaviano, C, Nicosia, E, Grasselli, E, Allaria, G, Izzotti, A, Rosatto, S, Ammoni, E, Cereda, D, Losio, M, Bertasi, B, Aliscioni, A, Oliva, D, Castiglioni, S, Schiarea, S, Zuccato, E, Antonelli, M, Azzellino, A, Malpei, F, Turolla, A, Binda, S, Laura, P, Primache, V, Cocuzza, C, Franzetti, A, Bertanza, G, Callegari, M, Bolognini, L, Filippetti, F, Paniccia', M, Ciuti, F, Briscolini, S, Magi, S, Colitti, M, Montanaro, C, Cerroni, M, Griglio, B, Berruti, R, Cravero, M, Costa, A, Bianchi, M, Decastelli, L, Romano, A, Zuccon, F, Carraro, E, Pignata, C, Bonetta, S, Di Vittorio, G, Mongelli, O, De Giglio, O, Apollonio, F, Triggiano, F, Montagna, M, Ungaro, N, Palermo, M, Maida, C, Mazzucco, W, De Grazia, S, Giammanco, G, Purpari, G, Ferrante, M, Agodi, A, Barchitta, M, Cala', P, Carducci, A, Verani, M, Federigi, I, Lauretani, G, Muzio, S, Ramazzotti, M, Antonelli, A, Ricci, E, Santoro, G, Federici, E, Petricciuolo, M, Barigelli, S, Ruffier, M, Borney, F, Grange, E, Damasco, F, Russo, F, Pitter, G, Groppi, V, Rigoli, F, Zampini, M, Baldovin, T, Amoruso, I, Mengon, E, Cadonna, M, Postinghel, M, Pizzo, F, Schiavuzzi, A, Cutrupi, F, Foladori, P, Manara, S, Zago, L, Stenico, A, Prast, A, La Rosa G., Iaconelli M., Veneri C., Mancini P., Bonanno Ferraro G., Brandtner D., Lucentini L., Bonadonna L., Rossi M., Grigioni M., Bucciarelli G., Torlontano P., Aprea G., La Bianca M., Cifarelli R.A., Palma A., La Vecchia G., Lauria G., Brienza R., Montenegro P., D'Argenzio A., Cossentino L., Olivares R., Pizzolante A., Fusco G., Tosco A., Porta A., Pennino F., Maria T., Angelini P., De Lellis L., Nasci D., Alborali G., Formenti N., Guarneri F., Fontani N., Nani G., Palumbo F., Borlone G., Guercio M., Gentili L., Mariuz M., Trani G., Pariani A., Ancona C., Giorgi D.A., Ferrante I., Monfrinotti M., Riosa S., Capparuccini V., Scicluna M.T., Cersini A., Arizzi M., Cecchini G., Ottaviano C., Nicosia E., Grasselli E., Allaria G., Izzotti A., Rosatto S., Ammoni E., Cereda D., Losio M.N., Bertasi B., Aliscioni A., Oliva D., Castiglioni S., Schiarea S., Zuccato E., Antonelli M., Azzellino A., Malpei F., Turolla A., Binda S., Laura P., Primache V., Cocuzza C., Franzetti A., Bertanza G., Callegari M.L., Bolognini L., Filippetti F., Paniccia' M., Ciuti F., Briscolini S., Magi S., Colitti M., Montanaro C., Cerroni M.G., Griglio B., Berruti R., Cravero M., Costa A., Bianchi M., Decastelli L., Romano A., Zuccon F., Carraro E., Pignata C., Bonetta S., Di Vittorio G., Mongelli O., De Giglio O., Apollonio F., Triggiano F., Montagna M.T., Ungaro N., Palermo M., Maida C.M., Mazzucco W., De Grazia S., Giammanco G., Purpari G., Ferrante M., Agodi A., Barchitta M., Cala' P., Carducci A., Verani M., Federigi I., Lauretani G., Muzio S., Ramazzotti M., Antonelli A., Ricci E., Santoro G., Federici E., Petricciuolo M., Barigelli S., Ruffier M., Borney F., Grange E., Damasco F., Russo F., Pitter G., Groppi V., Rigoli F., Zampini M., Baldovin T., Amoruso I., Mengon E., Cadonna M., Postinghel M., Pizzo F., Schiavuzzi A., Cutrupi F., Foladori P., Manara S., Zago L., Stenico A., Prast A.-M., Suffredini E., and Triassi, M

Subjects
Omicron, RT-qPCR, SARS-CoV-2, Sewage, Variant, Wastewater-based epidemiology, Wastewater-Based Epidemiological Monitoring, Environmental Engineering, COVID-19, Wastewater, Pollution, Humans, RNA, Viral, Waste Water, SARS-Cov2, Environmental Chemistry, RNA, Viral, wastewater based epidemiology, Waste Management and Disposal, Human, Omicron, RT-qPCR, SARS-CoV-2, Sewage, Variant, Wastewater-based epidemiology
Abstract

The SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant emerged in South Africa in November 2021, and has later been identified worldwide, raising serious concerns. A real-time RT-PCR assay was designed for the rapid screening of the Omicron variant, targeting characteristic mutations of the spike gene. The assay was used to test 737 sewage samples collected throughout Italy (19/21 Regions) between 11 November and 25 December 2021, with the aim of assessing the spread of the Omicron variant in the country. Positive samples were also tested with a real-time RT-PCR developed by the European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), and through nested RT-PCR followed by Sanger sequencing. Overall, 115 samples tested positive for Omicron SARS-CoV-2 variant. The first occurrence was detected on 7 December, in Veneto, North Italy. Later on, the variant spread extremely fast in three weeks, with prevalence of positive wastewater samples rising from 1.0% (1/104 samples) in the week 5-11 December, to 17.5% (25/143 samples) in the week 12-18, to 65.9% (89/135 samples) in the week 19-25, in line with the increase in cases of infection with the Omicron variant observed during December in Italy. Similarly, the number of Regions/Autonomous Provinces in which the variant was detected increased from one in the first week, to 11 in the second, and to 17 in the last one. The presence of the Omicron variant was confirmed by the JRC real-time RT-PCR in 79.1% (91/115) of the positive samples, and by Sanger sequencing in 66% (64/97) of PCR amplicons. In conclusion, we designed an RT-qPCR assay capable to detect the Omicron variant, which can be successfully used for the purpose of wastewater-based epidemiology. We also described the history of the introduction and diffusion of the Omicron variant in the Italian population and territory, confirming the effectiveness of sewage monitoring as a powerful surveillance tool.

Published
2022

45. CHARACTERIZATION OF STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS ISOLATES FROM TRADITIONAL DAIRY PRODUCTS OF SMALL-SCALE ALPINE FARMS.

Author

FILIPELLO, V., TILOLA, M., ZANI, L., BERTASI, B., LUINI, M. V., and FINAZZI, G.

Subjects
*STAPHYLOCOCCUS aureus, *DAIRY products, *HILL farming, *METHICILLIN, *ENTEROTOXINS
Abstract

This study investigated the prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus in raw milk dairy products handcrafted in traditional alpine small-scale farms, and characterised the enterotoxigenicity and resistance to methicillin. Among the analysed samples, 69% exceeded the international microbiological recommendations. The highest counts were observed for cheese or fatty products (~106 cfu/g). Conversely, lower contamination levels concerned raw milk and whey cheese (~102 cfu/g). A total of 163 S. aureus isolates were collected, and the prevalence of MRSA was low (1.7%) but not negligible. The finding of enterotoxins genes in 67% of the isolates is of concern for the public health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Published
2019

46. Behaviour of Listeria monocytogenes in packaged water buffalo mozzarella cheese

Author

Guido Finazzi, Barbara Bertasi, Raffaela Riu, Paolo Daminelli, P. Boni, M. N. Losio, Valentina Pizzamiglio, Andrea Serraino, Federica Giacometti, Finazzi G., Daminelli P., Serraino A., Pizzamiglio V., Riu R., Giacometti F., Bertasi B., Losio M.N., and Boni P.

Subjects
WATER BUFFALO MOZZARELLA CHEESE, LISTERIA MONOCYTOGENES, Chemistry, business.industry, Food preservation, Contamination, medicine.disease_cause, Food safety, Shelf life, Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, SHELF-LIFE, Lactic acid, chemistry.chemical_compound, Listeria monocytogenes, Water buffalo, medicine, Conditioning, Food science, business, CONDITIONING LIQUID, FOOD SAFETY
Abstract

Aims: The aim of the study was to evaluate the behaviour of Listeria monocytogenes in the conditioning liquid of packaged water buffalo mozzarella cheese (WBMC). Methods and Results: The conditioning liquid was contaminated with L. monocytogenes, and the contaminated samples were stored at four different storage temperatures: 5 and 10°C for 22 days; 20°C for 9 days; 20°C for 3 days and then at 5°C for 6 days. The results showed that L. monocytogenes concentration decreased when contaminated samples were stored at 5°C. When WBMC was stored at 20°C and at 10°C, L. monocytogenes started to grow after a lag phase of 3 and 10 days, respectively. When samples were stored at variable temperature conditions, L. monocytogenes numbers showed a lag phase of 5 days. Conclusions: Use of a conditioning liquid characterized by acidity and a correct storage temperature is able to counteract pathogen replication during shelf life. A high concentration of lactic acid bacteria was associated with effective control of L. monocytogenes but the role of lactic acid bacteria in WBMC conditioning liquid requires further investigation. Significance and Impact of the Study: According to European regulations, food producers should be able to justify decision-making on the shelf life assigned to their products, taking into account reasonable storage conditions and use by consumers. The results of the trial yielded information for producers of WBMC and similar cheeses for decision-making on product shelf life.

Published
2011

47. Behaviour of Escherichia coli O157:H7 during the manufacture and ripening of an Italian traditional raw goat milk cheese

Author

Stefano D’Amico, Elena Cosciani-Cunico, Paolo Daminelli, Federica Giacometti, Barbara Bertasi, Elena Dalzini, Chiara Sfameni, Marina Nadia Losio, Cosciani Cunico E., Dalzini E., D'Amico S., Sfameni C., Bertasi B., Losio M.N., Giacometti F., and Daminelli P.

Subjects
biology, lcsh:TP368-456, E. coli O157, food and beverages, Ripening, Raw milk, Laboratory scale, biology.organism_classification, medicine.disease_cause, Challenge test, Verotoxin Escherichia coli, Raw goat milk cheese, cheese, lcsh:Food processing and manufacture, Starter, fluids and secretions, challenge test, medicine, Potential source, Food science, Capra, Escherichia coli, Food Science, Farmer cheese
Abstract

Formagelle di capra is a raw goat cheese produced from whole chilled goat milk; traditional technology involving unpasteurised milk and indigenous lactic starter cultures is employed for its production in Italy. The purpose of this study was to assess the behaviour of Escherichia coli O157:H7 during the manufacturing and ripening of this raw goat milk cheese. Raw milk was experimentally inoculated with E. coli O157:H7 in a laboratory scale plant and the count was monitored during production and 30 days of ripening required for this cheese. Results showed that E. coli O157:H7 count increased to more than 1.5 Log cfu g–1 during cheese production and remained constant until the end of ripening. The evidence that E. coli O157:H7 is able to survive during the manufacturing and ripening process suggests that the 30-day ripening period alone is insufficient to eliminate levels of viable E. coli O157:H7 in Formaggelle di capra cheese and that the presence of low numbers of E. coli O157:H7 in milk destined for the production of raw goat milk cheeses could represent a potential source of infection for humans and a threat for consumers.

Published
2014

48. Contamination source identification for the prompt management of a gastroenteritis outbreak caused by norovirus in drinking water in Northern Italy.

Author

Arnaboldi S, Righi F, Mangeri L, Galuppini E, Bertasi B, Finazzi G, Varisco G, Ongaro S, Gandolfi C, Lamera R, Amboni P, Rota E, Balbino D, Colombo C, Gelmi M, Boffelli A, Gasparri S, Filipello V, and Losio MN

Abstract

In June 2022, a gastroenteritis outbreak occurred in a town in Northern Italy, possibly associated with the ingestion of norovirus from public drinking water. Noroviruses are highly infectious RNA viruses, with high stability in the environment. They are the primary cause of non-bacterial gastroenteritis worldwide, and despite the fact that the disease is mainly self-limiting, norovirus infection can lead to severe illness in the immunocompromised, the elderly and children. Immediately after the notification of the suspected norovirus outbreak, faecal specimens were collected from hospitalised patients, and water samples were collected from public drinking fountains in the affected area, to confirm the presence of norovirus. Norovirus was detected in 80 % (95 % CI 0.58-0.91) of the faecal specimens, and in 50 % (95 % CI 0.28-0.72) of the water samples using RT (reverse transcription) Real-time PCR. The identification of GII genotype in all samples confirmed public drinking water as the source of norovirus contamination. In addition, in one faeces and one water sample, the co-presence of genotypes GI and GII was detected. The strains were typed by sequencing, with most of them belonging to the genotype GII.3. Immediately after the confirmation of norovirus contamination in public drinking water, the local competent authorities applied safety measures, resulting in a decline in number of cases. Moreover, after the application of disinfection protocols in the water plant, the sampling was repeated with negative results for norovirus in the affected area. However, positive samples were found in the neighbouring area (prevalence 10.00 %, 95 % CI 0.02-0.40) and in the water spring (prevalence 50.00 %, 95 % CI 0.21-0.78), suggesting norovirus persistence and spread from the water source. The prompt identification of the source of contamination, and collaboration with the local authorities guided the implementation of proper procedures to control viral spread, resulting in the successful control of the outbreak., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2024 The Authors.)

Published
2024
Full Text
View/download PDF

49. Mammalian and avian species quantification in homogenized foods: real time PCR and digital PCR as tools for label compliance controls.

Author

Barbara B, Michela T, Lucia M, Roberto B, Veronica C, Alessandra S, Sonia S, Raffaella B, Pavoni E, Marina Nadia L, and Simone P

Subjects
Animals, Mammals genetics, Food Labeling, Food Analysis methods, Birds genetics, Meat analysis, Polymerase Chain Reaction methods, Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction methods, Chickens genetics
Abstract

Currently food fraud and authenticity of products composition are topics of great concern; ingredients quantification could allow to identify small amounts of contaminats or voluntary addition of improper components. Many molecular methods are available for species identification in foodstuffs but, for a better application, they should not be affected by the interference of other ingredients. The main purpose of this work was to verify the Real Time PCR and the Digital PCR (dPCR) quantification performances on baby food samples, specifically selected for their high miscibility to limit variability; chicken was selected as target to verify the performance of quantification of methods after having spiked the same quantity in different baby foods. The other aims were: (1) to verify a constant genome copies ratio existence between mammalian and avian species (2) to verify the dPCR performance, set up on housekeeping, to quantify mammalian and avian species in commercial products. Digital PCR showed fewer differences respect to Real Time PCR, at the same 15% w/w chicken spiking level. Despite the constant difference between mammalian and avian genome copies, in samples with the same spiking weight, the confidence intervals increasing towards the extreme values, made impossible to use genome copies ratio as a sort of correction factor between species. Finally, the dPCR system using the myostatin housekeeping gene to determine the chicken content seemed reliable to verify the labelling compliance in meat-based commercial products., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Published
2024
Full Text
View/download PDF

50. First Report of Pinnatoxin-G (PnTX-G) in a Marine-Coastal Area of the Adriatic Sea Associated with the Presence of the Dinoflagellate Vulcanodinium rugosum .

Author

Cangini M, Dall'Ara S, Rubini S, Bertasi B, Rizzi P, Dell'Orfano G, Milandri S, Manfredini S, Baldini E, and Vertuani S

Subjects
Humans, France, Italy, Alkaloids, Dinoflagellida, Spiro Compounds
Abstract

This study reports the first detection of the marine neurotoxin pinnatoxin-G (PnTX-G) in clams collected in the northwestern Adriatic Sea (Italy). It also represents the first report of the potential toxin-producing dinoflagellate, Vulcanodinium rugosum , in Italian seas. This result, from the coasts of the Emilia-Romagna Region, indicates a successful colonization process, reflecting conditions in France where V. rugosum was initially documented. In this case, the concentration of PnTXs was very low, making further sampling necessary to fully understand the extent of the phenomenon. Discussions on the need to obtain more data to support a proper risk assessment and the need to implement a monitoring program that includes emerging marine biotoxins are also included.

Published
2024
Full Text
View/download PDF

Catalog

Books, media, physical & digital resources
See catalog results