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Biomedical subjects

M Miraglia

Publications and source records attributed to M Miraglia.

29 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Evaluation of lead, cadmium, chromium, copper and zinc by atomic absorption spectroscopy in durum wheat milling products in relation to the percentage of extraction.

36 samples representative of the 1981 Italian durum wheat crop were separated by an industrial Italian milling process and the products obtained analyzed by AAS for their Pb, Cd, Cr, Cu, Zn content. The results obtained were: Pb ranging from 0.04 to 0.80 ppm, Cd from 0.02 to 1.39 ppm, Cr from 0.05 to 1.60 ppm, Cu from 1.8 to 39.7 ppm and Zn from 8.8 to 117.6 ppm. Although Cr content was relatively homogeneous, Pb, Cd, Cu and Zn distribution in the various mill products proved to be rather inhomogeneous. Maximum contamination for Pb, Cd and Cr, was appreciably lower than in previous studies.

Cadmium↗

Long-term administration of low doses of mycotoxins to poultry. 1. Residues of aflatoxin B1 and its metabolites in broilers and laying hens.

A study was performed to determine aflatoxin residues in tissues and organs of male broilers and hens that had been fed a diet contaminated with 50 micrograms/kg aflatoxin B1 (AFB1). Residue levels of AFB1, aflatoxicol (Ro), aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) and aflatoxin B2a (AFB2a) were determined by an HPLC method and, with the exception of AFB2a, were detected in the liver, kidney and thigh of both male broilers and hens. The highest levels found were for Ro in liver (1.10 and 0.60 micrograms/kg for male broilers and hens, respectively). On the other hand no detectable amounts of aflatoxins were found in any tissue after withdrawal periods of 14 and 33 days for male broilers and laying hens respectively.

Aflatoxin B1↗

Long term administration of low doses of mycotoxins in poultry. 2. Residues of ochratoxin A and aflatoxins in broilers and laying hens after combined administration of ochratoxin A and aflatoxin B1.

The effects of combined administration of ochratoxin A (OA) and aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) on the occurrence and the levels of residues of mycotoxins in poultry have been investigated. Male broilers and laying hens were fed from 14 days old with standard diets contaminated with 50 micrograms/kg OA and 50 micrograms/kg AFB1. Two groups of broilers and hens were withdrawn from contaminated feed at 37 and 88 days, respectively. At the time of sacrifice no significant lesions were found. Residues were compared with those found after administration of either toxin alone in former trials. Combined treatment resulted in higher content of OA in broiler livers (40 versus 5.0 micrograms/kg) and, to a lesser extent, in kidneys and skin, and of AFB1 in broiler liver and kidney (0.15 versus 0.02 microgram/kg and 0.40 versus 0.05 microgram/kg respectively). Laying hens showed smaller differences (0.20 versus 0.10 microgram/kg in liver and 0.32 versus 0.08 in kidneys). Withdrawal from treatment led to the almost complete disappearance of OA residues in broilers and in hens. These results show a synergistic effect of OA and AFB1, particularly in broilers.

Aflatoxin B1↗

A study of the contamination by ochratoxin A of green and roasted coffee beans.

A study was performed to evaluate the contamination by ochratoxin A in coffee beans. Twenty-nine samples of green coffee were collected from large lots of material by representative sampling. The analyses of green coffee samples showed a significantly high contamination percentage (58%) ranging from 0.2 to 15 micrograms/kg. Naturally and artificially contaminated samples were roasted at different operation times (5-6 min) to verify the percentage of destruction of the mycotoxin. The percentage ranged from 48% to 87% and from 90% to 100% in artificially and naturally contaminated samples respectively. The beverages prepared from artificially contaminated coffee using the most common types of coffee makers showed no residues of ochratoxin A.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗

Evaluation of ochratoxin A level in human milk in Italy.

In order to estimate the incidence of ochratoxin A (OA) in biological fluids, a study was carried out to determine the concentration of OA in breast milk of donor mothers in Italy. Out of 111 samples, 22 were contaminated in the range 0.1-12 micrograms/kg.

Female↗

IUPAC collaborative trial study of a method to detect genetically modified soy beans and maize in dried powder.

This paper presents results of a collaborative trial study (IUPAC project No. 650/93/97) involving 29 laboratories in 13 countries applying a method for detecting genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in food. The method is based on using the polymerase chain reaction to determine the 35S promotor and the NOS terminator for detection of GMOs. reference materials were produced that were derived from genetically modified soy beans and maize. Correct identification of samples containing 2% GMOs is achievable for both soy beans and maize. For samples containing 0.5% genetically modified soy beans, analysis of the 35S promotor resulted also in a 100% correct classification. However, 3 false-negative results (out of 105 samples analyzed) were reported for analysis of the NOS terminator, which is due to the lower sensitivity of this method. Because of the bigger genomic DNA of maize, the probability of encountering false-negative results for samples containing 0.5% GMOs is greater for maize than for soy beans. For blank samples (0% GMO), only 2 false-positive results for soy beans and one for maize were reported. These results appeared as very weak signals and were most probably due to contamination of laboratory equipment.

Agrobacterium tumefaciens↗

Pedodontists' attitudes toward parental presence during children's dental visits.

The purpose of this survey of Connecticut pedodontists was to determine the prevailing attitudes and practices of pedodontists concerning parents presence during examination and treatment visits. Response percentage was high, prompt, and strikingly bimodal, suggesting both a high degree of interest in, and strong views on, the topic as it pertains to patient management.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗

Monitoring and reinforcement to eliminate thumbsucking.

The simplicity and success of this intervention suggest that behavioral strategies such as monitoring and positive reinforcement should be applied to the problem of thumbsucking before the use of traditional dental appliance therapy in the age group studied.

Behavior Therapy↗

Chemotherapeutic agents and future fertility.

The recent progress in antiblastic therapy has achieved significant successes in the treatment of tumors, obtaining in some cases a complete recovery and very frequently a remission of the disease for a considerable number of years. Therefore the clinician has to deal with the problem of long term toxicity which always accompanies these therapies. This aspect was once considered as a secondary feature in respect to the severity of prognosis quod vitam of the subjects affected with cancer, while now, with a significant increase of survival, it is preeminent that there be the possibility to offer these patients an acceptable quality of life under both physical and social profiles. The reintroduction of patients affected with cancer or treated ones into their social and familiar functions must take into account many factors which are bound to the degree of physical integrity, to psychological conditioning and problems of resumption of working activity. Under a strictly social profile it is fundamental to have knowledge of troubles and disturbances that may involve the reproductive sphere.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

Diagnosis of endometrial carcinoma and its precursors by means of cytologic examination of jet-washing material.

Experience with cytologic examination of 138 consecutive jet washings showed the value of the technique as a method of screening for endometrial carcinoma in symptomatic and at-risk patients. In the 127 adequate specimens obtained (92%), all 16 endometrial carcinomas were diagnosed cytologically. The necessity of physician experience in sampling as well as good cytopreparatory techniques in the use of jet washings is emphasized. A dual preparatory routine, including the use of Millipore filter preparations to evaluate cellularity and the type of clusters and the use of smears on chilled slides to evaluate cellular details, was found to be optimal.

Adult↗