Gabriele Scozzafava

A new approach to antiglaucoma drugs: carbonic anhydrase inhibitors with or without NO donating moieties. Mechanism of action and preliminary pharmacology

The clinically used sulfonamide carbonic anhydrase (CA, EC 4.2.1.1) inhibitor dorzolamide (DRZ), a new sulfonamide CA inhibitor also incorporating NO-donating moieties, NCX250, and isosorbide mononitrate (ISMN) (an NO-donating compound with no CA inhibitory properties) were investigated for their intraocular pressure (IOP) lowering effects in rabbits with carbomer-induced glaucoma. NCX250 was more effective than DRZ or ISMN on lowering IOP, increasing ocular hemodynamics, decreasing the inflammatory processes and ocular apoptosis in this animal model of glaucoma. NO participate to the regulation of IOP in glaucoma, having also antiapoptotic and anti-inflammatory effects. The ophthalmic artery, both systolic and diastolic velocities, were significantly reduced in NCX250-treated eyes in comparison to DRZ treated ones, suggesting thus a beneficial effect of NCX250 on the blood supply to the optic nerve. Combining CA inhibition with NO-donating moieties in the same compound offers an excellent approach for the management of glaucoma.

Inhibition of mammalian carbonic anhydrases I-XIV with grayanotoxin III: solution and in silico studies

Abstract Grayanotoxin III (GTX3) was investigated for inhibition of all catalytically active mammalian carbonic anhydrase (CA, EC 4.2.1.1) isoforms, i.e. CA I to CA XIV. It showed micromolar inhibition (KIs of 8.01 and 6.13 µM) for cytosolic isoforms CA I and II, respectively. GTX3 showed a submicromolar inhibition (KIs in the range of 0.51–2.15 µM) for the remaining cytosolic (CA III, VII and XIII), membrane-associated/transmembrane (CA IV, IX, XII and XIV), mitochondrial (CA VA and CA VB) and secreted (CA VI) isoforms. This inhibition profile is very different from that of the sulfonamide CA inhibitors (CAIs), which possess different clinical applications. A molecular docking study for GTX3 within the active sites of CA I and II assisted to the understanding of molecular mechanism of the ligand. The interesting inhibition profile, coupled with various possibilities of interacting with the enzyme active site make this family of natural compounds attractive leads for designing novel chemotypes acting as CAIs.

Inhibition of carbonic anhydrase isozymes I and II with natural products extracted from plants, mushrooms and honey

Different natural products and secondary metabolites from mushrooms, teas, honeys, mosses, plants and seaweeds were investigated for their in vitro inhibitory effects on human carbonic anhydrase (hCA, E.C.4.2.1.1) isoforms I and II. Inhibition data were correlated with the total phenol content in the extract and investigated with the pure compounds believed to be responsible for this activity. Methanolic extracts were prepared for 17 such pure chemicals present in the natural products and for 41 diverse natural products. The IC50 values were in the range of 0.11–66.50 μg/mL against hCA I and of 0.09–54.54 μg/mL against hCA II, respectively. The total phenol content was in the range of 0.02–1318.96 (as milligrams of gallic acid equivalents) per gram of sample. These data offer new insights on possible novel classes of CA inhibitors based on natural products, possessing a range of chemical structures not present in the classical inhibitors with pharmacological applications, such as the sulfonamides and sulfamates.

Trends in food consumptions: what is happening to generation X?

Purpose – Food habits are undergoing profound changes owing to the social, economic and technological transformations. The purpose of this paper is to analyse the evolution of the food patterns of generation X in the past decade, in view of formulating a reflection on the trends of a fundamental component of society. Design/methodology/approach – Applying latent class clustering to the food spending of a representative sample of Italian consumers has made it possible to identify the principal food patterns and to interpret them in light of demographic characteristics and sociocultural changes. Findings – The results show a strengthening of dietary lifestyles displaying a high content of animal proteins, especially in consumers with low levels of education. The importance of convenience foods emerges, mainly among couples but also among families with children. The role of out of the home consumptions grows, mostly among single males. Parallel to this critical picture, the authors note the birth of a new di...

Nutraceutical olive oil: does it make the difference?

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to verify the market potentials of health claims by means of a study that tests the effectiveness of extra-virgin olive oil promotion based on the nutraceutical indications recently authorised by European regulations. Design/methodology/approach – The methodology utilises a discrete choice experiment on a sample of Italian consumers. Market segmentation is performed by means of applying a latent-class model. Findings – The health claim proves particularly interesting for two consumer segments: the “functional claim seekers” (24 per cent) and the “reduction of disease risk claim seekers” (13 per cent). The former segment consists of young, single males who prefer more moderately priced olive oils. The latter is instead made up of elderly individuals who prefer an explicit message on disease and are oriented towards the higher price ranges. Practical implications – The potentials in implementing a promotional strategy based on the awareness of olive oil’s nutraceutical...

Territory, environment, and healthiness in traditional food choices: insights into consumer heterogeneity

Traditional foods are facing new market challenges tied to current trends in food habits and their determinants, such as the decline of domestic food preparation, the increased demand for convenience foods, the increasing importance of industrial food production, and the evolution of regulations on food safety. In this context our study aims at improving the knowledge of consumer segments in traditional foods market in order to develop better marketing strategies. The preferences for different credence attributes are investigated applying a latent class choice model to the extra-virgin olive oil market in Italy. Results show the existence of a marked heterogeneity of preferences, which determines the presence of both vertical and horizontal differentiation of the product.

Why Do We Buy Traditional Foods

ABSTRACT Consumer behavior toward traditional specialties varies according to the cultural context of consumption. It thus becomes crucial to develop marketing strategies that target segments with different levels of familiarity with food. Our article purposes to analyze the purchase drivers of traditional foods known to consumers because of their reiterated consumption. The importance of the product’s attributes, the purchasing motivations, and the information channels are studied by applying the CUB model, which utilizes a probabilistic structure that simulates the individual’s psychological mechanism in adopting a choice of preference. The case study is that of extra-virgin olive oil in Italy, where this product is a fundamental element of the culinary tradition. The results show that in the ambit of traditional specialties, in contexts of elevated familiarity, the traditional information channels of marketing are less effective and call for strategies based on a more direct connection between consumer and producer.

Food habits and the increase in ready-to-eat and easy-to-prepare products,

Abstract This chapter analyses the inclination to consume ready-to-eat and easy-to-prepare (RTE and ETP) foods by means of a literature review of the studies conducted on consumer behavior. The review highlights several key elements associated with the sphere of values and beliefs of individuals, such as curiosity to try new ways of eating, individualist food behavior, and time pressure, which act as a catalyst in the process of choosing RTE and ETP foods. From the perspective of supply emerges the importance of the qualitative characteristics of products and their market penetration, which contribute to loosening the normative barriers associated with consumption. The final section proposes a discussion on the explicative elements of the role that RTE and ETP foods assume in the scenario of consumptions in view of possible evolutions in demand.

Distribuzione organizzata vs. negozio specializzato: uno studio sulle preferenze del consumatore italiano di carne bovina

The evolution of consumer profiles highlights, for food products and specifically for beef, a growing attention to a number of specific features related to food quality and safety, and environmental and animal welfare issues. Because of this, it is more and more important to understand the consumer’s choice dynamics in order to develop differentiated marketing, commercial and communication strategies which also make use of different distribution channels. This study was conceived with the aim of analysing the different motives and purchase behaviours of beef consumers in the two main distribution channels: Modern Distribution (md) and specialised shops (butcher shops). The research is based on an internet administered questionnaire to a representative sample of 1500 beef consumers. Within the questionnaire a Visual Choice Experiment was proposed and its results were analysed using a Multinomial Logit Model. The results show different consumer characteristics in the two distribution channels which were analyzed, highlighting how the same product attributes have different meanings and relevance. Such results may supply strategic information for packaging, pricing and general commercialisation strategies to be implemented by the different agents in the distribution sector.

Il valore d’uso delle aree verdi: la stima dell’universo dei fruitori di alcuni parchi urbani fiorentini

The importance of the valuation of public goods is growing. In fact, only by determining the economic value of these assets is possible to determine the efficiency of the investments and of the maintenance. The problems in estimating the total economic value relate to two fundamental aspects: the choice and implementation of the more accurate evaluation methodology and the identification of the universe of users. In literature, in fact, the issue of the universe is often resolved by considering the number of potential users (be they the inhabitants of a city, a neighborhood, a street, etc..) and not the actual visitors. This leads to an underestimation or an overestimation of the use value of public goods. The objective of this research is to focus on this issue by proposing a specific methodological approach to correctly estimate the universe of the actual users of different urban green areas of Florence.