Could infertility related stress and anxiety of both partners influence women's ovarian response to stimulation during ICSI treatment?

Postharvest quality and sensory attributes of ‘pesca di bivona’ peaches (Prunus persica L.) during storage

“Pesca di Bivona” ‘Murtiddara’, ‘Bianca’, ‘Agostina’, and ‘Settembrina’ are non-melting white flesh peach landraces characterized by a persistent aroma and excellent flavour highly appreciated by Italian consumers. The aim of this work was to assess the persistence of their quality and sensory profiles after storage at 0 °C for 28 days, using destructive and non-destructive analyses. The IAD index, measured either at harvest or at fruit removal from cold storage, was correlated to TSS, TA and firmness of all the landraces. ‘Settembrina’ and ‘Agostina’ harvested at the right ripening time (50.5 ± 4.3 N) and stored at 0 °C during 4 weeks kept harvest quality in terms of sensorial attributes, …

Could infertility-related stress and anxiety of both partners influence the success of infertility treatment?.

Effects of xanthan gum and calcium ascorbate treatments on color and nutritional quality of fresh cut pear fruit

Edible coatings may be used to extend the shelf life of fresh-cut fruit products by controlling respiration and transpiration reducing overall quality decay. In this study, the effects of xanthan gum, combined with calcium ascorbate treatment, on color and nutritional quality of fresh-cut pear fruit were investigated. Fresh-cut pear fruit were processed with dipping for 4 different treatments: 2% xanthan gum solution with 2% calcium ascorbate (XAC); 2% xanthan gum solution (XAN); 2% ascorbate calcium solution (CAL) and distilled water for control (CTR). Fruit treated were stored at 5°C for 3, 5, 7 and 10 days. At each storage period, visual quality and flavor score, ascorbic acid and phenol…

Matrix Metalloproteinases (MMPs), Their Genetic Variants and miRNA in Mitral Valve Diseases: Potential Biomarker Tools and Targets for Personalized Treatments

Mitral valve diseases (MVD)s, comprising congenital and acquired forms, are characterized by a diverse etiology, pathophysiology, prevalence, and incidence. In industrialized countries, the acquired forms represent 2.5% of all cardiovascular diseases, with a marked augmentation after the age of 65 years. In addition, all forms of MVDs (i.e., degenerative forms) have a difficult clinical management. The major challenge is 'the early diagnosis', and echocardiographic analysis has been shown inappropriate for diagnosing MVD in moderate forms. Thus, there is a strong need to identify more appropriate biomarker tools to diagnose MVDs at early clinical stage before complications occur and worsen …

The fertility problem inventory (FPI): a validation study of the Italian version

Use of chemical treatments to reduce browning color of white fresh-cut peaches, harvested in summer and late crop

Fresh-cut white peach is very perishable and discoloration or browning are the main factors affecting consumer acceptability loss. Color and appearance attract the consumer to a product and can help in impulse purchase. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of two different edible coatings formulations in preserving freshcut fruit of the early ripening ‘Murtiddara’ and the late ripening ‘Settembrina’ peach landraces, belonging to the ‘Pesca di Bivona’ varietal population. Fruit sampled at commercial harvest stage, after cutting and dipping in different solutions with ascorbate calcium (ASC) and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) were stored for 3, 5, 7 and 12 days at 5°C and…

Impact of Prosthesis-Patient Mismatch after Mitral Valve Replacement

Background and aim of the study: The study aim was to determine the impact of prosthesis-patient mismatch (PPM) on early and late clinical outcomes, left atrial and ventricular remodeling, late tricuspid valve regurgitation and pulmonary hypertension (PH) in patients after mitral valve replacement (MVR). Methods: A total of 46 patients (mean age 66 ± 9.3 years) with mitral valve diseases and undergoing isolated MVR was enrolled in the study. The mitral valve effective orifice area (EOA) was determined using the continuity equation and indexed for the patient’s body surface area (EOAi). PPM was defined as EOAi ≤1.2 cm2/m2. PH was defined as a systolic pulmonary artery pressure (sPAP) >40 mmH…

Analysis of attachment and anxiety in couples experiencing infertility using the Actor Partner Interdependence Model (APIM).

Use of xanthan gum and calcium ascorbate to prolong cv. Butirra pear slices shelf life during storage

After cut, pear fruit (Pyrus communis L.) during shelf-life can be subjected to colour and flavour changes. To maintain flesh colour and firmness, different technologies could be employed during shelf-life, such as chemical, physical and edible coating treatments. In the present study, the effects of two edible coating formulations containing xanthan gum and calcium ascorbate on fresh-cut pear fruit were investigated. After harvest, 200 fruits were cut and coated with Xanthan Gum (XAN) and distilled water or Xanthan gum + Calcium Ascorbate (ASC), respectively, while control (CTR) pear fruit slices were soaked in distilled water and lastly packed in polyethylene terephthalate (PET) packages …

The role of mucilage of Opuntia ficus-indica Mill. on sweet cherry fruit during storage

Sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) is an important crop from temperate areas and is widespread and much appreciated by the consumers when the pedicel is green. The objective of this work was to evaluate the quality of sweet cherry fruit treated with a mucilage coating, extracted from cladodes of Opuntia ficus-indica L. Mill (OFI). The cultivar ‘Ferrovia’ was harvested at the commercial ripeness stage from an orchard in Puglia (Italy), stored for 14 days at 2°C and RH 92% and to evaluated by the variation of color and other qualitative parameters such as physical-chemical, nutraceutical and sensory analysis. Fruits were transferred at 10°C to postharvest laboratory of University of Palermo after…

Notch 1 pathway and EPCs in bicuspid aortic valve: is their interplay involved in the ascending aortic aneurysm onset?

Backgroud_AIM: Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) is frequently associated with development of ascending aortic aneurysm, even if the underlying mechanisms remain to be clarified. Here, we investigated if a deregulation of Notch1 signaling pathway and endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) number is associated with BAV disease and an early ascending aortic aneurysm (AAA) onset. Methods: To this aim,70 subjects with BAV (M/F 50/20; mean age: 58.8±14.8 years) and 70 subjects with tricuspid aortic valve (TAV)(M/F 35/35; mean age: 69.1±12.8 years), AAA complicated or not, were enrolled. Multiparametric flow cytometry analyses, plasma amount assessments, gene expressions, and tissue protein semiquantitati…

Il ficodindia, stato attuale e prospettive della coltura e dell’uso dei suoi frutti

Il ficodindia continua ad essere una realtà importante in alcune zone semi-aride della Sicilia, arrivando sui mercati anche con la denominazione di origine protetta e, in diversi casi, con la produzione biologica. Negli ultimi venticinque anni il modello italiano è stato largamente utilizzato come punto di riferimento tecnico in tutti i nuovi impianti diffusi ormai in Nord Africa o in California, Cile, Argentina, Sud Africa e nel Vicino Oriente. Tentativi di diffusione esistono anche in India, mentre nel Corno d’Africa c’è ormai una produzioni stabile e importante su diverse migliaia di ettari. Questa specie continua ad avere un ruolo fondamentale, se non insostituibile, nelle regioni semi-…

Study on consumer preferences for quality attributes of fig fruit after storage at room temperature

Fig (Ficus carica L.) is a nutritious fruit, rich in fiber, potassium, calcium, and iron. It is an important source of vitamins, amino acids, antioxidants and phenolic compounds that contribute to a healthy diet. In addition to Asian countries, fig is cultivated in the Mediterranean basin, where quality fruit has been produced since ancient times. Sicily in southern Italy traditionally cultivated ‘San Giovanni’ figs, but fig consumption has decreased. This cultivar is very interesting for its intrinsic qualities and its appreciation after storage by consumers could help its commercialization. The objective of this study is to know consumer preferences for quality attributes of ‘San Giovanni…

Use of xanthan gum as edible coating to prolong shelf life of cactus pear fruit

The objective of this work was to elucidate the effect of xanthan gum-based edible coating C35H49O29 on the quality of cactus pear fruit (Opuntia ficus-indica). The research was conducted in 2018, on O. ficus-indica ‘Bianca’ fruit, coming from second bloom “scozzolatura”. After harvest, 100 fruits were coated with a xantan gum (XAN) and distilled water and on other 100 fruits were immersed in distilled water (CTR). All fruits were stored at 6±0.5°C with RH 90% for 30 days. Every 7 days, visual quality browning index score, flesh colour, total soluble solids (TSS), total acidity (TA), ascorbic acid and total phenols were measured. During cold storage, fruit treated with XAN (p<0.05) showe…

Gene expression profiling of cumulus oophorus cells reveals altered pathways in patients with endometriosis

Effect of mucilage edible coating on fresh-cut nectarine cultivar ‘Big Bang’

The mucilage (OFI) obtained from cladodes of cactus pear (Opuntia ficus-indica) is useful to produce natural edible coatings to improve the shelf life of fruits. Edible coatings could be used to extend the shelf life of fresh-cut for products. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of (OFI) on quality of ‘Big Bang' nectarine slices. After cutting, nectarine slices were dipped in three different solutions: 1) distilled water, mucilage, glycerol (MC); 2) distilled water, mucilage, glycerol, Tween 20 (TW); 3) distilled water as control (CTR) and were stored for 3, 5, 7 and 12 days at 5°C and 90% RH, in polyethylene terephthalate (PET) packages under passive modified atmosphere condit…

Color and sensory changes in fresh cut pear during storage comparing ‘Coscia’ and ‘Butirra’, cultivated in southern Italy

Pear (Pyrus communis L.) cultivars ‘Coscia’ and ‘Butirra’, cultivated in southern Italy are characterized very excellent by aroma and texture. Visual appearance is the primary descriptor that determines the acceptance of fresh-cut pears. Softening is another important quality parameter which considerably influences the acceptance of fresh-cut pears. The aim of this work was to study the effect of genotype on shelf life and quality of fresh-cut pear fruit harvested at commercial maturity stage. After cutting, pear fruit samples were stored under passive atmosphere at 5±1°C for 3, 5, 7 and 12 days. Fruit color (L*, a*, b*, ΔE), consistence, solid soluble, titratable acidity, CO2 and O2 packag…

The role of attachment style, state-anxiety and partners concerns in predicting infertility-related stress in couples undergoing their first IVF treatment