Value Added of Resistant Starch Maize-Based Matrices in Breadmaking: Nutritional and Functional Assessment

The ability of white (W) and yellow (Y) maize flour as basic ingredients to make nutritious and healthy breads meeting functional and sensory standards is investigated. Resistant starch (R) and common wheat flour (WF) were incorporated into formulations as single and associated extra ingredients, and dough machinability, bread nutritional and functional profiles, starch hydrolysis kinetics and keeping behaviour were assessed in blended maize matrices and compared with the maize and wheat flour counterparts. Simultaneous replacement of maize flour samples by R and WF at 40 % significantly modified textural profile, crumb grain features and firming kinetics, and free polyphenol pattern of breads thereof compared to the respective Y or W maize counterparts. Bigger specific volume (+28 % Y-R-WF, +36 % W-R-WF), softer crumb bread (−64 % Y-R-WF, W-R-WF), more aerated structure and homogeneous crumb grain, and lower and slower staling kinetics are observed in composite Y and W maize-based breads, respectively. Nutritional information on maize-based blended breads showed most appealing nutritional quality than WF breads, in terms of lower digestible starch (up to −21 % in Y-R-WF, W-R-WF, WR) and rapidly digestible starch (up to −37 % in W-R-WF), higher slowly digestible starch (up to three times in WR) and resistant starch contents (from five to six times in Y-R-WF, W-R-WF, W-R, Y-R) of medium-high sensorially rated bread matrices. All single and blended maize-based breads can be labelled as high-fibre breads (6 g dietary fibre (DF)/100 g food). According to health-related benefits and prebiotic dosage of resistant starch a daily intake of 100 g of single Y-R, W-R, W-R-WF and W-R-WF provides enough resistant starch to positively affect postprandial glucose and insulin levels, while 170 g covers the amount necessary to enhance health.The authors acknowledge the financial support of the Spanish Institutions Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) and Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (Project AGL2011-22669) for carrying out this research. The Interdepartamental Centre for Agri-Food Industrial Research (F. Balestra) and the Department of Food Science (D. Ancarani) at Alma Mater Studiorum of University of Bologna granted and funded stages performed at IATA-CSIC.Peer Reviewe

DETECTION OF MICROPLASTICS IN MARINE SEDIMENTS: RESULTS FROM THREE ITALIAN COASTS

The presence and dangerousness of microplastics (MPs) in aquatic environments is universally recognized. The MPs criticalities are tied to their small size (less than 5mm), which make most of the treatment processes used for other waste ineffective, to their persistence and poor degradability and to their presence in large and ever-increasing quantities. This research deals with the separation and identification of MP particles present within sediments of sea sand sampled in three different Italian coasts: Imperia (Liguria), Metaponto (Basilicata) and Villa San Giovanni, (Calabria). Comparison between sediment sampled from less frequented beaches and tourist ones were made too, to verify the relation with tourism or any other sources of MP pollution. The complexity of collecting and analyzing real sample, the proper counting and recognition of all MPs in the sample were deeply discussed. The importance of grain size classification and separation was highlighted [1]. The density separation method with saline solution (NaCl) was used to analyze the samples. In addition, a CaCl solution was tested to separate MP particles with higher density. Electrostatic separation method was tested too, separating the conductive fraction to the non-conductive (containing MPs) one. An increasing of MP content/g of sediment was obtained comparing the nonconductive fraction with samples subjected to densimetric separation with NaCl solution (reaching also a 82% of variation). This method could be used to reduce the volume of samples, optimizing the MP identification and counting; however, other tests could be carried out in the future taking into account that a loss of material due to the apparatus should be considered. Visual identification under microscope with a UV lamp was used to identify and count fluorescent MPs particles [2][3], subsequently verified with spectroscopy analyses using FTIR

Manganiakasakaite-(La) and Ferriakasakaite-(Ce), Two New Epidote Supergroup Minerals from Piedmont, Italy

Two new monoclinic (P21/m) epidote supergroup minerals manganiakasakaite-(La) and ferriakasakaite-(Ce) were found in the small Mn ore deposit of Monte Maniglia, Bellino, Varaita Valley, Cuneo Province, Piedmont, Italy. Manganiakasakaite-(La) occurs as subhedral grains embedded in pyroxmangite. Its empirical formula is A(1)(Ca0.62Mn2+0.38) A(2)(La0.52Nd0.08Pr0.07Ce0.07Y0.01Ca0.25) M(1)(Mn3+0.52Fe3+0.28Al0.18V3+0.01) M(2)Al1.00 M(3)(Mn2+0.60Mn3+0.27Mg0.13) T(1−3)(Si2.99Al0.01) O12 (OH), corresponding to the end-member formula CaLaMn3+AlMn2+(Si2O7)(SiO4)O(OH). Unit-cell parameters are a = 8.9057(10), b = 5.7294(6), c = 10.1134(11) Å, β = 113.713(5)°, V = 472.46(9) Å3, Z = 2. The crystal structure of manganiakasakaite-(La) was refined to a final R1 = 0.0262 for 2119 reflections with Fo > 4σ(Fo) and 125 refined parameters. Ferriakasakaite-(Ce) occurs as small homogeneous domains within strongly inhomogeneous prismatic crystals, where other epidote supergroup minerals coexist [manganiandrosite-(Ce), “androsite-(Ce)”, and epidote]. Associated minerals are calcite and hematite. Its empirical formula is A(1)(Ca0.64Mn2+0.36) A(2)(Ce0.37La0.17Nd0.06Pr0.03Ca0.35□0.02) M(1)(Fe3+0.61Al0.39) M(2)Al1.00 M(3)(Mn2+0.64Mn3+0.33Fe3+0.02Mg0.01) T(1−3)Si3.01 O12 (OH), the end-member formula being CaCeFe3+AlMn2+(Si2O7)(SiO4)O(OH). Unit-cell parameters are a = 8.9033(3), b = 5.7066(2), c = 10.1363(3) Å, β = 114.222(2)°, V = 469.66(3) Å3, Z = 2. The crystal structure of ferriakasakaite-(Ce) was refined to a final R1 = 0.0196 for 1960 unique reflections with Fo > 4σ(Fo) and 124 refined parameters

Influence of chitosan on thermal, microstructural and rheological properties of rice and wheat flours-based batters

[EN] Wheat flour replacement by rice flour is a key strategy in gluten-free batter production. Rice flour needs hydrocolloids to offset the development of the network of the mix. In this context, the aim of this work was to analyze the influence of chitosan (0-1 g/100 g of batter) addition on the microstructural, rheological and thermal properties of wheat:rice flours batters (100:0; 70:30, 30:70 and 0:100 (g/g)). Results showed that increasing replacement of wheat flour by rice one decreased the consistency (K) and the yield stress (To), and increased the flow behavior index (n) because of the absence or lower gluten content. However, the addition of only 0.25 g/100 g chitosan to rice flour formulation (0:100 (g/g)) increased its viscosity (from 371 to 1006 mPa s), exhibiting a rheological behavior similar to wheat flour formulation (100:0 (g/g) (1050 mPa s)). Chitosan enhanced consistency and structural agglomeration, and the interaction among ingredients, especially in batters with high content of rice flour (30:70 and 0:100 (g/g)). Lastly, chitosan incorporation did not significantly modify thermal properties, excepting in rice-flour batters (0:100 (g/g)), reducing T-m, Delta H-m, and thus, increasing the bound water content (from 17 to 32 g/100 g). (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.The authors want to acknowledge the financial support of Universitat Politecnica de Valencia for the scholarship to support Mariola Sansano Tomas' PhD studies and the mobility grant to University of Bologna (Italy).Sansano, M.; Heredia Gutiérrez, AB.; Glicerina, V.; Balestra, F.; Romani, S.; Andrés Grau, AM. (2018). Influence of chitosan on thermal, microstructural and rheological properties of rice and wheat flours-based batters. LWT - Food Science and Technology. 87:529-536. doi:10.1016/j.lwt.2017.09.036S5295368

New bread formulation with improved rheological properties and longer shelf-life by the combined use of transglutaminase and sourdough

The combined use of the protein reticulating enzyme transglutaminase (TGase) and a selected microbial consortium of Lactobacillus sanfranciscensis and Candida milleri for improving the rheological properties, aroma, and shelf-life of a bakery product was evaluated. A microbial TGase, showing the highest activity over a wide temperature range on different protein substrates, was selected among different types. Results showed that this TGase was able to produce isodipeptide bonds, especially in the gluten fraction, leading to the formation of protein aggregates, which improved the structure of a sourdough bakery product. The microbial TGase in combination with sourdough exhibited a positive synergistic effect allowing the production of flavor-enriched bread, with rheological properties similar to those of standard bread

Simulation of the Impact on the Workload of the Enlargement of the Clinical Staff of a Specialistic Reference Center.

Quality of care and patient satisfaction are important aspects of high standard care. If clinical staff is subject to an elevated workload there is a possible decrease of both. This justifies the development of tools to quantify the workload and to find organizational changes that will normalize it. We have previously developed a simulation system to quantify the workload of the staff working in a regional reference center for the treatment of bleeding and hemorrhagic disorders. The goal of this new work is to simulate, through an agent-based model, the impact of adding a physician to the staff. Ten sets of initial parameters were defined to simulate ten typical weeks. Results show that the introduction of the new physician together with a second ambulatory room can reduce the workload of all the staff to the expected 8-hour. In this situation, in which the staff workload does not exceed the daily capacity, we may suppose that an increase in the quality of care and patient satisfaction will be possible

Inhibition of HIV-1 replication in macrophages by red blood cell-mediated delivery of a heterodinucleotide of azidothymidine and 9-(R)-2-(phosphono methoxypropyl)adenine.

Monocyte-derived macrophages (M/M) are considered important in vivo reservoirs for different kinds of viruses, including HIV. Hence, therapeutic strategies are urgently needed to protect these cells from virus infection or to control viral replication. In this paper, we report the synthesis, target delivery and in vitro efficacy of a new heterodinucleotide (AZTpPMPA), able to inhibit HIV-1 production in human macrophages. AZTpPMPA consists of two established anti-HIV drugs [zidovudine (AZT) and tenofovir (PMPA)] chemically coupled together by a phosphate bridge. This drug is not able to prevent p24 production when administered for 18 h to M/M experimentally infected with HIV-1 Bal (inhibition 27%), but can almost completely suppress virus production when given encapsulated into autologous erythrocytes (inhibition of p24 production 97%). AZTpPMPA is slowly converted to PMPA, AZT monophosphate and AZT (36 h half-life at 37°C) by cell-resident enzymes. Thus AZTpPMPA should be considered a new prodrug of AZT and PMPA that is able to provide stechiometric amounts of both nucleoside analogues to macrophage cells and to overcome the low phosphorylating activity of M/M for AZT and the modest permeability of PMPA

Multiplicities of charged pions and unidentified charged hadrons from deep-inelastic scattering of muons off an isoscalar target

Multiplicities of charged pions and unidentified hadrons produced in deep-inelastic scattering were measured in bins of the Bjorken scaling variable $x$, the relative virtual-photon energy $y$ and the relative hadron energy $z$. Data were obtained by the COMPASS Collaboration using a 160 GeV muon beam and an isoscalar target ($^6$LiD). They cover the kinematic domain in the photon virtuality $Q^2$ > 1(GeV/c$)^2$, $0.004 < x < 0.4$, $0.2 < z < 0.85$ and $0.1 < y < 0.7$. In addition, a leading-order pQCD analysis was performed using the pion multiplicity results to extract quark fragmentation functions

Multiplicities of charged kaons from deep-inelastic muon scattering off an isoscalar target

Precise measurements of charged-kaon multiplicities in deep inelastic scattering were performed. The results are presented in three-dimensional bins of the Bjorken scaling variable x, the relative virtual-photon energy y, and the fraction z of the virtual-photon energy carried by the produced hadron. The data were obtained by the COMPASS Collaboration by scattering 160 GeV muons off an isoscalar 6LiD target. They cover the kinematic domain View the MathML source in the photon virtuality, 0.0045 GeV/c2 in the invariant mass of the hadronic system. The results from the sum of the z -integrated K+ and K 12 multiplicities at high x point to a value of the non-strange quark fragmentation function larger than obtained by the earlier DSS fit

Clinical Features, Cardiovascular Risk Profile, and Therapeutic Trajectories of Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Candidate for Oral Semaglutide Therapy in the Italian Specialist Care

Introduction: This study aimed to address therapeutic inertia in the management of type 2 diabetes (T2D) by investigating the potential of early treatment with oral semaglutide. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted between October 2021 and April 2022 among specialists treating individuals with T2D. A scientific committee designed a data collection form covering demographics, cardiovascular risk, glucose control metrics, ongoing therapies, and physician judgments on treatment appropriateness. Participants completed anonymous patient questionnaires reflecting routine clinical encounters. The preferred therapeutic regimen for each patient was also identified. Results: The analysis was conducted on 4449 patients initiating oral semaglutide. The population had a relatively short disease duration (42%  60% of patients, and more often than sitagliptin or empagliflozin. Conclusion: The study supports the potential of early implementation of oral semaglutide as a strategy to overcome therapeutic inertia and enhance T2D management