Exposure to fine and ultrafine particles from secondhand smoke in public places before and after the smoking ban, Italy 2005

Background

A smoking ban in all indoor public places was enforced in Italy on 10 January 2005.

Methods

We compared indoor air quality before and after the smoking ban by monitoring the indoor concentrations of fine (<2.5 μm diameter, PM_2.5) and ultrafine particulate matter (<0.1 μm diameter, UFP). PM_2.5 and ultrafine particles were measured in 40 public places (14 bars, six fast food restaurants, eight restaurants, six game rooms, six pubs) in Rome, before and after the introduction of the law banning smoking (after 3 and 12 months). Measurements were taken using real time particle monitors (DustTRAK Mod. 8520 TSI; Ultra‐fine Particles Counter‐TRAK Model 8525 TSI). The PM_2.5 data were scaled using a correction equation derived from a comparison with the reference method (gravimetric measurement). The study was completed by measuring urinary cotinine, and pre‐law and post‐law enforcement among non‐smoking employees at these establishments

Results

In the post‐law period, PM_2.5 decreased significantly from a mean concentration of 119.3 μg/m³ to 38.2 μg/m³ after 3 months (p<0.005), and then to 43.3 μg/m³ a year later (p<0.01). The UFP concentrations also decreased significantly from 76 956 particles/cm³ to 38 079 particles/cm³ (p<0.0001) and then to 51 692 particles/cm³ (p<0.01). Similarly, the concentration of urinary cotinine among non‐smoking workers decreased from 17.8 ng/ml to 5.5 ng/ml (p<0.0001) and then to 3.7 ng/ml (p<0.0001).

Conclusion

The application of the smoking ban led to a considerable reduction in the exposure to indoor fine and ultrafine particles in hospitality venues, confirmed by a contemporaneous reduction of urinary cotinine.     

Effect of stocking density and group size on growth performance,carcass traits and meat quality of outdoor-reared rabbits

The effect of stocking density (16 rabbits/m², 5 rabbits/m², 2.5 rabbits/m², n = 60, Experiment 1) and group size (4 rabbits/cage, 8 rabbits/cage, 16 rabbits/cage, n = 88, Experiment 2) on productive performance, carcass and meat quality of a slow-growing rabbit population reared outdoors was investigated in two experiments. The highest stocking density induced the highest skin percentage. Lower stocking densities showed lower lightness of Biceps femoris and higher redness of Longissimus lumborum muscles. Four rabbits/cage group (Experiment 2) showed the highest daily weight gain and slaughter weight and the lowest skin percentage. The muscles of 16 rabbits/cage showed significantly higher pHu than 8 and 4 rabbits/cage. BF of 16 and 4 rabbits/cage showed higher L* value. Productive performance and meat quality of rabbits reared outdoors improved in low group size while stocking density needs more experiments. The best combination of density, group size and total available surface that showed the best production and carcass traits was of 5 rabbits/m², 4 rabbits/cage, and 0.8 m².     

Techno-functional properties of dry-fractionated plant-based proteins and application in food product development: a review

Dry-fractionated protein concentrates are gaining attention because they are produced using a versatile and sustainable technology, which can be applied to a wide range of plant material. To facilitate their utilization in new product development, it is crucial to obtain a comprehensive overview of their techno-functional properties. The present review aims to examine the techno-functional properties of dry-fractionated protein concentrates and describe their primary applications in food products, considering the published works in the last decade. The techno-functional properties of proteins, including water absorption capacity, emulsifying and foaming properties, gelling ability or protein solubility, are relevant factors to consider during food formulation. However, these properties are significantly influenced by the extraction technology, the type of protein and its characteristics. Overall, dry-fractionated proteins are characterized by high protein solubility, high foaming ability and foam stability, and high gelling ability. Such properties have been exploited in the development of food, such as bakery products and pasta, with the aim of increasing the protein content and enhancing the nutritional value. Additionally, innovative foods with distinctive textural and nutritional characteristics, such as meat and dairy analogues, have been developed by using dry-fractionated proteins. The results indicate that the study of these ingredients still needs to be improved, including their application with a broader range of plant materials. Nevertheless, this review could represent an initial step to obtaining an overview of the techno-functional properties of dry-fractionated proteins, facilitating their use in foods. © 2023 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.     

Isolation and catalytic actions of polyphenoloxidase from sunflower seeds (Helianthus annuus)

In the last few decades, biotechnological applications of phenoloxidase enzymes have become an area of significant interest. In this study, sunflower seeds, seedlings and defatted mill cake were investigated as possible plant source of polyphenoloxidase (PPO). Noticeable variation of chlorogenic acid concentration in each raw material has undoubtedly proven that only sunflower seedlings have significant amounts of active PPO. The activity of the enzymes was assessed by measuring the molar decrease of caffeic acid. Isolated protein powders from each raw material confirmed the presence of PPO only in the seedlings. Catalytic action of the PPO of seedlings was compared to that of the commercial laccase from Trametes versicolor. Sunflower PPO was selectively active on caffeic and chlorogenic acids, less active on ferulic acid and not active on mono-phenols and gallic acid. Conversely, laccase was highly active on all the assessed phenols. PPO activity was good in a large range of pH (4–8), whilst it was approximately halved in solutions containing 35% ethyl alcohol (v/v), 500 mg L⁻¹ citric acid and finally 200 mg L⁻¹ sulphur dioxide. In conclusion, sunflower seedlings can be considered a potential and interesting plant source of PPO. Sunflower PPO could be used to oxidise selectively o-diphenols, for example in alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages.     

Expression of urokinase plasminogen activator receptor in resting and activated bovine neutrophils

Changes in urokinase-plasminogen activator (u-PA) and u-PA receptor (u-PAR) expression at the protein and mRNA level in resting neutrophils and in neutrophils activated by phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) were examined. Low amounts of u-PA were found intracellularly or membrane-bound in resting neutrophils. However, incubation of resting neutrophils with purified exogenous u-PA (10 IU/ml) revealed extensive binding of u-PA to cell membranes. Excess amino-terminal fragment of the u-PA molecule, a proteolytically inactive fragment of u-PA (amino acids 1-135) blocked binding of exogenous u-PA to the cell membrane. These results, collectively, indicate that the binding of u-PA is specific and that resting neutrophils have unoccupied u-PA receptors on their cell membrane. Addition of PMA led to an increase (P < 0.01) in total cell-associated, membrane-bound u-PA activity and u-PA mRNA expression by bovine neutrophils. In contrast. PMA increased u-PAR mRNA levels but this was accompanied by a decrease (2.5-fold; P < 0.01) in free, unoccupied u-PA binding sites. No significant effects on total cell-associated or membrane-bound u-PA were found when neutrophils were treated with 4-phorbol 12,13 didecanoate, a phorbol ester that does not activate protein kinase C (PKC). Furthermore, addition of 1-(5-isoquinolinesylphonyl)-2-methlylpiperazine dihydrochloride (H-7), a potent PKC inhibitor, blocked the effect of PMA on total cell-associated u-PA activity. Thus, PKC plays a role in the modulation of u-PA and u-PAR by PMA in bovine neutrophils.     

Effect of vitamin E supplementation on neutrophil function, milk composition and plasmin activity in dairy cows in a commercial herd

Fifty-six Holstein dairy cows from a commercial dairy herd in the Northern part of Greece were used to determine the effect of vitamin E supplementation on immune parameters, milk composition and milk quality. Cows were assigned to one of two experimental groups: control (no vitamin E supplementation) and vitamin E supplementation. Supplementation of vitamin E started 4 weeks prior to and continued up to 12 weeks after parturition. Supplementation included daily oral administration of vitamin E at 3000 i.u./cow prepartum and was reduced to 1000 i.u./cow post partum. Blood samples were collected weekly for 8 weeks starting 4 weeks before parturition, neutrophils were isolated and the following parameters were determined in neutrophils activated by phorbol myristate acetate: total cell-associated and membrane-bound urokinase plasminogen activator (u-PA) activity and superoxide production. Milk samples were collected weekly and fat, protein, lactose, somatic cell count (SCC), plasmin and plasminogen-derived activity were determined. Activated neutrophils isolated from cows that received supplemental vitamin E had higher (P<0.01) total and membrane-bound u-PA activities during the first 3 weeks after parturition and higher (P<0.01) superoxide production during week 1 prepartum and week 1 post partum compared with the corresponding values of activated neutrophils isolated from control cows. Vitamin E supplementation had no effect (P=0.28) on plasminogen-derived activity in milk. Milk obtained from cows that received supplemental vitamin E had SCC lower by 25% (P<0.05) and plasmin lower by 30% (P<0.01) than corresponding values in milk obtained from control cows. The reduction in plasmin as a result of vitamin E supplementation is very beneficial to the dairy industry because plasmin reduces the cheese-yielding capacity of milk, affects the coagulating properties of milk and its overall ability to withstand processing during cheesemaking. In conclusion, vitamin E supplementation had positive effects on the function of bovine neutrophils and milk quality in a commercial dairy herd.     

Sardinian honeys as sources of xanthine oxidase and tyrosinase inhibitors

Sardinian honeys obtained from different floral sources (Arbutus, Asphodelus, Eucalyptus, Thistle, and Sulla) were evaluated for their ability to inhibit tyrosinase and xanthine oxidase enzymes and for their antioxidant activity. Physicochemical parameters, total phenolic, and flavonoids content were also determined. Honey from Arbutus flowers had the highest antioxidant activity followed by Eucalyptus and Thistle ones. These three honeys showed good tyrosinase and xanthine oxidase inhibition properties. Thus, these Sardinian honeys could have a great potential as antioxidant sources for pharmaceutical and cosmetic applications.