A new cylindrical borehole detector for radiographic imaging with muons.

Muon radiography is a methodology which enables measuring the mass distribution within large objects. It exploits the abundant flux of cosmic muons and uses detectors with different technologies depending on the application. As the sensitive surface and geometric acceptance are two fundamental parameters for increasing the collection of muons, the optimization of the detectors is very significant. Here we show a potentially innovative detector of size and shape suitable to be inserted inside a borehole, that optimizes the sensitive area and maximizes the angular acceptance thanks to its cylindrical geometry obtained using plastic arc-shaped scintillators. Good spatial resolution is obtained with a reasonable number of channels. The dimensions of the detector make it ideal for use in 25 cm diameter wells. Detailed simulations based on Monte Carlo methods show great cavity detection capability. The detector has been tested in the laboratory, achieving overall excellent performance.

Evaluation of the performance of the IQ-Check kits and the USDA Microbiology Laboratory Guidebook methods for detection of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) and STEC and Salmonella simultaneously in ground beef.

AIMS: To evaluate the performance of the IQ-Check kits and the USDA Microbiology Laboratory Guidebook (MLG) methods for detection of the top seven Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) (O157:H7, O26, O45, O103, O111, O121 and O145) in ground beef and both STEC and Salmonella in co-inoculated samples. METHODS AND RESULTS: Ground beef samples inoculated with ~10 CFU of STEC or both STEC and Salmonella Typhimurium were stored at 4°C for 72 h, followed by screening with the IQ-Check and BAX System kit (MLG) methods that employ different enrichment media. STEC and S. Typhimurium were detected after 12 and 18 h and their presence was confirmed by colony isolation. CONCLUSIONS: Both methods were able to detect STEC in ground beef after 12 h of enrichment in samples inoculated with low levels of the pathogen. STEC and S. Typhimurium can be detected and isolated in co-inoculated ground beef samples. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The IQ-Check methods are comparable to the MLG methods for detection of STEC and simultaneous detection of STEC and S. Typhimurium in seeded ground beef after a short enrichment time, thus the IQ-Check method can be useful for the food industry for rapid detection of these pathogens.

Effect of electrical water bath stunning on physical reflexes of broilers: evaluation of stunning efficacy under field conditions.

The effects of different amounts and frequencies of stunning sine wave alternating current were investigated under field conditions. Seven hundred and fifty broilers were stunned in an electrical water bath with an average root mean square (RMS) current of 150, 200, and 250 mA and frequencies of 200, 400, 600, 800, and 1,200 Hz. The occurrence of corneal reflex, spontaneous eye blinking, and a positive response to a painful stimulus were monitored and recorded immediately after the stunning and at 20 s post-stun. Statistical analysis showed that the electrical stunning frequency (P=0.0004), the stunning RMS current (P<0.0001) and the interaction between stunning frequency and stunning current (P<0.0001) had a significant effect on the occurrence of animals experiencing an abolition of corneal reflex at 20 s post-stun.At a current of 150 mA, the probability of a successful stun was over 90% at 200 Hz, approximately 40% at 400 Hz, and below 5% for frequencies greater than 600 Hz. So, stunning at frequencies greater than 600 Hz cannot be recommended when a RMS current of 150 mA is applied. The maximum probability of a successful stun was obtained for a current level of 200 mA at 400 Hz and for a current level of 250 mA at 400 and 600 Hz, whereas the stunning treatments at 1,200 Hz provided the lowest probability of a successful stun. Assessment of spontaneous eye blinking and responses to comb pinching confirmed the indications coming from the analysis of corneal reflex.

Mitochondrial G protein coupled receptor kinase 2 regulates proinflammatory responses in macrophages.

G-protein-coupled receptor kinase 2 (GRK2) levels are elevated in inflammation but its role is not clear yet. Here we show that GRK2 expression is dependent on NFκB transcriptional activity. In macrophages, LPS induces GRK2 accumulation in mitochondria increasing biogenesis. The overexpression of the carboxy-terminal domain of GRK2 (ßARK-ct), known to displace GRK2 from plasma membranes, induces earlier localization of GRK2 to mitochondria in response to LPS leading to increased mt-DNA transcription and reduced ROS production and cytokine expression. Our study shows the relevance of GRK2 subcellular localization in macrophage biology and its potential therapeutic properties in inflammation.

To be or not to be translational.

Translational Research means different things to different people, but it seems crucial to almost everyone. This discipline, although defined differently in academia, regulatory institutions, and industry, shares the fundamental vision of Translational Medicine, which efficiently and effectively translates basic scientific findings relevant to human disease into knowledge that benefits patients. In the present perspective, we collected commentaries and descriptions about Translational Medicine to stimulate discussion and better understand what Translational Medicine is.

Heavy metals in canned tuna from Italian markets.

Fish is a good source of nutrients for humans but can pose a risk to human health because of the possible presence of some xenobiotics such as heavy metals and persistent organic contaminants. Constant monitoring is needed to minimize health risks and ensure product quality and consumer safety. The aim of the present study was to use atomic absorption spectrometry to determine the concentrations of some heavy metals (Hg, Pb, and Cd) in tuna packaged in different kinds of packages (cans or glass) in various countries (Italy and elsewhere). Concentrations of Cd and Hg were within the limits set by European Commission Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006 and in many samples were below the detection limit. Pb concentrations exceeded European limits in 9.8% of the analyzed samples. These results are reassuring in terms of food safety but highlighted the need to constantly monitor the concentrations of heavy metals in fish products that could endanger consumer health.

Proteomics analysis for the identification of three species of Thunnus.

The genus Thunnus comprises many species, some of higher quality and commercial value for their excellent organoleptic features, while others of lower quality and value. Consequently, these species are subjected to frequent fraudulent substitution. Increasing trade in fillet and minced fish makes the identification of external anatomical and morphological features of fish impossible. Proteomics was used for the identification of three Thunnus species. Muscle extracts were evaluated by both mono- and two-dimensional electrophoresis and mass spectrometric techniques. Preliminary results demonstrate that the tested species displays a high degree of polymorphism, making possible an accurate identification.

Innovations in seafood preservation and storage.

The increasing amount of farmed fish cannot be easily absorbed by the market as only fresh fish. The production and promotion of value-added fresh and processed fish products, which could fulfil consumers' present demands, may represent a solution to this problem. The aim of this paper is to review some of the most recent technologies, such as surface decontamination, use of "natural" additives and compounds, active packaging, used or experimented with to prolong shelf life, while ensuring the safety of fresh fish and fishery products.

The post degree training of the veterinary hygienist.

Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 states that each stage of production- from the primary production to the processing and distribution of feed and food- must be considered as a unique process, as each stage has a potential impact on food safety, animal health, plant health and environment. Aim of this paper is to discuss the different instruments and objectives of post-degree training of the veterinary hygienist and the ways that these may enable him/her to become updated, informed and competent in order to manage the different problems of food production in relation to the implications of the total food chain and not only of single stages and to apply the proper control measures at each step in order to protect human health.

Identification of cow's milk in "buffalo" cheese by duplex polymerase chain reaction.

A duplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was developed to identify the milk of bovine and buffalo species in cheese products, particularly in mozzarella cheese, a typical Italian cheese made from buffalo's milk. Two sets of primers were designed on the basis of the alignment of the sequence codifying mitochondrial cyt b available in the GenBank database. The primers proved to be species-specific, giving rise to 279-bp (bovine) and 192-bp (buffalo) amplified fragments. Since the amplification conditions for bovine and buffalo primers were identical, a duplex PCR was successfully applied to identify the two species in a single reaction step. This technique, when used to test cheese products from the retail trade, allowed the detection of partial or even total substitution of cow's milk for buffalo's milk, in some cases in samples of cheese misleadingly labeled "pure buffalo" mozzarella.

Evaluation of musk contamination of freshwater fish in Italy by accelerated solvent extraction and gas chromatography with mass spectrometric detection.

Musk compounds play an important role as perfuming agents for household chemicals, detergents and cosmetics. It has been demonstrated that the oral absorption of these compounds in humans is significant in the case of contaminated fish. In this study we developed a new extraction procedure, using an accelerated solvent extraction system and a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry detection method, for the determination of 1,3,4,6,7,8-hexahydro-4,6,6,7,8,8-hexamethylcyclopenta [g]-2-benzopyran, 7-acetyl-1,1,3,4,4,6-hexamethyltetralin, 4-acetyl-1,1-dimethyl-6-tert.-butylindan, 6-acetyl 1,2,3,3,5-hexamethylindan and 5-acetyl-1,1,2,6-tetramethyl-3-isopropylindan in freshwater fish samples, collected from several Italian rivers and one lake. 6,7-Dihydro-1,1,2,3,3-pentamethyl-4-(5H)-indanon was used as internal standard. The method provides a rapid and highly extraction procedure, and is sensitive in determining these musk compounds in freshwater fish samples. This is the first report on the contamination from musk compounds in freshwater fish collected in Italy.

Synovial fluid as a matrix of selection in the detection of beta-adrenergic agonist drugs in carcases and fresh meat.

Previous papers have supported the hypothesis that beta-agonist drugs could accumulate in those tissues with a high content of mucopolysaccharides. Based on our preliminary findings, between October and December 1993 we randomly sampled 534 samples of synovial fluids drawn from the knee joint of fresh carcasses. After a preliminary extraction able to break down the water domains of mucopolysaccharides and the interactions between the matrix and the drugs, samples were concentrated on diatomaceous earth and then screened on two different ELISA plates. We confirmed the structure of suspected fluids by GC-MS (HFBA derivatization), according to EC criteria. Of the 57 samples screened as positive (10.6% of the total), 51 (9.5%) were fully confirmed, while for six it was not possible to identify the drug. The results suggest that the analysis of synovial fluids is an adequate tool to monitor the misuse of beta-adrenergic drugs in animal production, especially when target organs such as liver and kidney are not available for sampling.

Método para evaluar el sistema de control de la frecuencia cardíaca durante el ejercicio / A method for assessing the control system of heart rate during exercise

Se presenta un método que permite evaluar cuantitativamente el sistema de control de la frecuencia cardíaca durante el ejercicio, a partir de una función que describe sus propiedades dinámicas. Cada sujeto bajo estudio fue sometido a una secuencia seudoaleatoria de cargas físicas y estados de reposo durante 19 min (señal de entrada) y simultáneamente se midió el cambio de la frecuencia cardíaca en intervalos de 5 s (señal de salida). La función se estimó a partir de la autocorrelación de la señal de entrada y la correlación cruzada entre la señal de entrada y la señal de salida. Los valores estimados se trasladaron al dominio de la frecuencia y se representaron en un diagrama lagoritmico. El método se aplicó en 10 sujetos normales de ambos sexos y en 4 pacientes: 2 con corazón trasplantado y 2 que tenían marcapasos con autorregulación. La metodología desarrollada es válida en sujetos normales y sus resultados, en los pacientes estudiados, sugieren su empleo para seguir evolutivamente el restablecimiento de la función reguladora de la frecuencia cardíaca en sujetos con corazón trasplantado y en el control de calidad de marcapasos con autorregulación

Método para evaluar el sistema de control de la frecuencia cardíaca durante el ejercicio / A ethod for assessing the control system of heart rate during exercise

Se presenta un método que permite evaluar cuantitativamente el sistema de control de la frecuencia cardíaca durante el ejercicio, a partir de una función que describe sus propiedades dinámicas. Cada sujeto bajo estudio fue sometido a una secuencia seudoaleatoria de cargas físicas y estados de reposo durante 19 min (señal de entrada) y simultáneamente se midió el cambio de la frecuencia cardíaca en intervalos de 5 s (señal de salida). La función se estimó a partir de la autocorrelación de la señal de entrada y la correlación cruzada entre la señal de entrada y la señal de salida. Los valores estimados se trasladaron al dominio de la frecuencia y se representaron en un diagrama lagoritmico. El método se aplicó en 10 sujetos normales de ambos sexos y en 4 pacientes: 2 con corazón trasplantado y 2 que tenían marcapasos con autorregulación. La metodología desarrollada es válida en sujetos normales y sus resultados, en los pacientes estudiados, sugieren su empleo para seguir evolutivamente el restablecimiento de la función reguladora de la frecuencia cardíaca en sujetos con corazón trasplantado y en el control de calidad de marcapasos con autorregulación