Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Della Sicilia

The assessment of metal contamination in aquatic species represents an important tool to monitor the risk of exposure for these species in relation to marine pollution. Crabs are the sentinel species of the aquatic environment and are very sensitive to metal exposure because these inorganic contaminants can be easily absorbed into their exoskeleton and migrate into their inner tissues. The aim of this study was to assess the content of metals and metalloids (Hg, Pb, Cd, As, Cr, Mn and Ni) in species of warty crab (Eriphia verrucosa), brown crab (Cancer pagurus), and marbled crab (Pachygrapsus marmoratus), mainly distributed along the Mediterranean coastlines. The investigations, carried out on several parts of crabs (carapace and the related pulp, gills, claws and bronchial muscle) showed the presence of residual levels of metals and metalloids (Mn > Pb > Hg > As > Ni > Cr > Cd), correlated to the distribution of these elements in the marine environment and to the specific biological features of crabs. However, the values of Metal Pollution Index (MPI) suggested a low level of contamination of the marine ecosystem where these species were found, and the coefficient of correlation (K), a specific parameters of toxicological risk assessment, was indicative of crab health status. However, the residual levels of Hg, Pb and As above the MRL in all analyzed crab species underlined the importance of continuous monitoring studies on the safety of these sea-foods.

Background: Common bile duct (CBD) treatments are often associated with complications, limiting long-term efficacy. To overcome these issues, polymeric grafts have been suggested as promising alternatives, since they are highly customizable, biocompatible, and may reduce side effects frequency. Methods: A systematic review was conducted, interrogating MEDLINE and Cochrane Library. Next, an in vivo study involved 20 pigs, which underwent a former controlled biliary injury. To repair the defect, a α,β-Poly(N-2-hydroxyethyl)-DL-Aspartamide (PHEA)–Polylactic-acid (PLA)–Polycaprolactone (PCL) scaffold was implanted. The animals were sacrificed at one and three months for gross and histological examinations, to assess tissue integration and healing outcomes. Results: The systematic review highlighted that such scaffolds have shown promising results in CBD regeneration, both in single and joined applications. These findings were confirmed by the in vivo study, where the use of such scaffolds—particularly, the planar ones—led to safe and complete bile duct regeneration. Histological analysis revealed lymphomonocytic infiltrates and neovascularization, while microscopic examination showed progressive scaffold degradation accompanied by biliary tissue regeneration. Conclusions: Experimental results are consistent with the literature, confirming the potential of such polymeric scaffolds in aiding complete CBD regeneration and being reabsorbed shortly after. Still, further studies are needed to fully validate their translational application. PROSPERO ID: CRD420251115056.

The presence of mycotoxins in cheese is a significant concern due to their potential health risks. Mycotoxins can contaminate cheese through two main routes: indirectly via contaminated animal feed, and/or directly, because of mold growth on dairy products. It has been reported that cheese may contain metabolites of aflatoxin B1 such as aflatoxin M1 (AFM1), aflatoxicol (AFL), and, its precursor, sterigmatocystin (STC). This study presents a reliable method for the simultaneous determination of AFM1, AFL, and STC in cheeses made from ovine, goat, or buffalo milk. The method was developed using single liquid extraction, clean-up by an immunoaffinity column (IAC), and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) determination. The method was subjected to initial validation according to EU regulations, which outline the required performance parameters and criteria of analytical methods for official food control. The limits of quantification (LOQs) of the method for AFM1, AFL, and STC are 2.0 ng/kg, 5.0 ng/kg, and 1.0 ng/kg, respectively. The method was applied in a study for the assessment of mycotoxin transfer from milk to cheeses and also their growth.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a debilitating joint condition affecting millions of people worldwide, triggering painful chondral defects (CDs) that ultimately compromise the overarching patients' quality of life. Currently, several reconstructive cartilage techniques (RCTs) (i.e.: matrix-assisted autologous chondrocytes implantation has been developed to overcome the total joint replacement limitations in the treatment of CDs. However, there is no consensus on the effectiveness of RCTs in the long term, as they do not provide adequate pro-regenerative stimuli to ensure complete CDs healing. In this study, we describe the biofabrication of an innovative scaffold capable to promote the CDs healing by delivering pro-regenerative hypoxic cues at the cellular/tissue level, to be used during RCTs. The scaffold is composed of a gelatin methacrylate (GelMA) matrix doped with hypoxic seeds of GelMA functionalized with a fluorinated oxadiazole (GelOXA), which ensures the delivery of hypoxic cues to human articular chondrocytes (hACs) embedded within the scaffold. We found that the GelMA/GelOXA scaffold preserved hACs viability, maintained their native phenotype, and significantly improved the production of type II collagen. Besides, we observed a reduction in type I and type X collagen, characteristic of unhealthy cartilage. These findings pave the way for the regeneration of healthy, hyaline-like cartilage, by delivering hypoxic cues even under normoxic conditions. Furthermore, the GelMA/GelOXA scaffold's ability to deliver healing signals directly to the injury site holds great potential for treating OA and related CDs, and has the potential to revolutionize the field of cartilage repair and regenerative medicine.

The genetic diversity of some representative taxa of the door snail tribe Delimini R. Brandt, 1956 (Clausiliidae) from the Mid-Mediterranean areas was investigated. The analysis was carried out on 60 cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) partial sequences from the genera Mauritanica O. Boettger, 1879; Sicania Tomlin, 1929; Siciliaria Vest, 1867; and Stigmatica O. Boettger, 1877 combined with 51 homologous sequences available for the same tribe retrieved from GenBank. Moreover, the shell and genital morphology of a few selected taxa were examined to redefine their systematic position. Key topics can be summarized as follows: (i) a revision of the phylogenetic relationships among Mauritanica, Sicania, Siciliaria, and Stigmatica is discussed; (ii) the new monospecific genus Benoitiella gen. n. is proposed for Mauritanica scarificata from the island of Marettimo; (iii) Mauritanica cossoni is re-allocated to the genus Siciliaria; (iv) within the genus Siciliaria, S. septemplicata and S. leucophryna revealed a more significant heterogeneity than expected so far; (v) Siciliaria leucophryna nordsiecki n. ssp. is described; (vi) a new systematics of the Siciliaria alcamoensis group is proposed; (vii) Siciliaria a. vigil n. ssp. and S. a. aegestana n. ssp. are described; (viii) the timing of the Delimini radiation in the Mediterranean is explored; and (ix) some biogeographic hypotheses on the origins and evolution of the taxa under study are suggested.

Antioxidants are the most popular active ingredients in anti-aging cosmetics as they can restore the physiological radical balance and counteract the photoaging process. Instead of adding pure compounds into the formulations, some “precious” vegetable oils could be used due to their content of tocopherols, phenols, vitamins, etc., constituting a powerful antioxidant unsaponifiable fraction. Here, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy coupled with spin trapping was proven to provide a valid method for evaluating the antioxidant properties and the oxidative resistance of vegetable oils which, following UV irradiation, produce highly reactive radical species although hardly detectable. Extra virgin olive oil, sweet almond oil, apricot kernel oil, and jojoba oil were then evaluated by using N-t-butyl-α-phenylnitrone as a spin trapper and testing different UV irradiation times followed by incubation for 5 to 180 min at 70 °C. The EPR spectra were manipulated to obtain quantitative information useful for comparing the different tested samples. As a result, the knowledge acquired via the EPR analyses demonstrated jojoba oil as the best of the four considered oils in terms of both starting antioxidant ability and oxidative stability overtime. The obtained results confirmed the usefulness of the EPR spin trapping technique for the main proposed purpose.

Italy is the third largest producer of Opuntia fruits in the world after Mexico and the United States, and 97.72% of these fruits produced by Italy are grown in Sicily. The use of prickly pear fruits or juice leads to a high production of by-products. In this study, ensiling was chosen to preserve prickly pear peels (PPPs) and "pastazzo" (PPS) mixed with 12% wheat bran. PPP silage presented a lower DM than PPS silage (20.03 vs. 41.37%; p < 0.01), as well as aNDFom (25.31 vs. 66.66% DM; p < 0.01), but had the best protein content (12.02 vs. 9.55% DM; p < 0.01). For both by-products, fermentation proceeded rapidly with increasing temperature, with the temperature for PPS (38 °C) being higher than that for the PPP (30 °C). Mesophilic LAB (lactic acid bacteria) were detected at higher levels than thermophilic LAB, and rod counts were higher than cocci counts. The detected organic acids and silage pH indicate an optimal fermentation process for these by-products. PPP silage had a higher polyphenol content than PPS silage (30.24 vs. 24.22 mg GAE/g DM; p < 0.01) and, consequently, also higher antioxidant activity. The results of this study on the mineral composition and macro- and micro-nutrients in silage highlight that these by-products are sources of minerals, with high levels of potassium, calcium, and magnesium.

Cattle productivity, whether in terms of meat yield or milk production, is intricately regulated by a multitude of factors. Among them, hormone concentrations play a significant role, reflecting the complex interplay between endocrine regulation and physiological processes that ultimately determine the efficiency and yield of production. High concentrations of 5-hydroxytriptamine (5-HT) are associated with a reduced metabolic load at the onset of lactation and a lower milk yield. Thyroid hormones (THs) and cortisol also affect several metabolic pathways, including carbohydrate, protein, and lipid metabolism. The aim of this study was to assess if milk or meat aptitudes and age influence circulating 5-HT, THs, and cortisol concentrations, investigating the possible interactions among these parameters. The research was performed on 46 healthy cows of three different breeds. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) methods were used to quantify circulating 5-HT and cortisol concentrations, and an immunochemiluminescent analyzer was used for THs. For parameters exhibiting non-normal distributions, an ANCOVA model using age, aptitude, and their interaction as fixed factors was applied. Significant lower T3 concentrations were recorded in dairy cows than in meat cows. Moreover, T4 significantly decreased with advancing age both in cows aimed at milk and meat production. Lastly, T4 was positively correlated with T3 and 5-HT in meat production-oriented cows.

The article is well-written; however, I have a few small suggestions that I believe could improve the work:In the text, "The percentage of people who used antibiotics without a medical prescription ranged from 31.7% to 71.7%, with a median of 46.7%, and the highest percentage reported...", indicate the exact number of data points instead of "highest percentage."It is crucial to specify the reasons why antibiotics might be administered in doses lower than the standard.This aspect is fundamental for understanding the potential consequences, both positive and negative, of such practice.For instance, there might be considerations related to reducing side effects or preventing the development of bacterial resistance.The following sentence should be in the results section instead of in the methods section: "Following our search, 849 articles were identified (Figure 2).Duplicates were removed, and 770 records were excluded based on incompatible titles and abstracts.Other articles were excluded because the article's outcome was not relevant to our objectives (3), only abstract data was available (11), three were reports (no primary data), and one was a field test."

An interesting paper that describes a significant issue. It is well structured and organized. The data considered are of great importance given that it concerns a vulnerable species. I think it can be considered for publication.