Effectiveness of Different Analytical Methods for the Characterization of Propolis : a Case of Study in Northern Italy

Propolis is used as folk medicine due to its spectrum of alleged biological and pharmaceutical properties and it is a complex matrix not still totally characterized. Two batches of propolis coming from two different environments (plains of Po Valley and the hilly Ligurian\u2013 Piedmont Apennines) of Northern Italy were characterized using different analytical methods: Spectrophotometric analysis of phenols, flavones and flavonols, and DPPH radical scavenging activity, HPLC, NMR, HSPME and GC\u2013MS and HPLC\u2013MS Orbitrap. Balsam and moisture content were also considered. No statistical differences were found at the spectrophotometric analysis; balsam content did not vary significantly. The most interesting findings were in the VOCs composition, with the Po Valley samples containing compounds of the resins from leaf buds of Populus nigra L. The hills (Appennines) samples were indeed characterize by the presence of phenolic glycerides already found in mountain environments. HPLC\u2013Q-Exactive-Orbitrap\uae\u2013MS analysis is crucial in appropriate recognition of evaluate number of metabolites, but also NMR itself could give more detailed information especially when isomeric compounds should be identified. It is necessary a standardized evaluation to protect and valorize this production and more research on propolis characterization using different analytical techniques

Intestinal protozoa parasites association with anemia in people from Brazilian western Amazon communities

Introduction: Nowadays intestinal parasitic infection remains an important public health trouble in Latin and South America, emphasizing the Amazon region. Furthermore, intestinal parasites have been considered important factors in etiology of nutritional anemia and malnutrition. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the intestinal parasitic infection and its possible association with anemia in people from Amazon communities. Methods: The study was a research in documentary records, descriptive, retrospective and cross-sectional, with confirmed cases of parasites infection found in State Hospital of Cacoal-Rondônia, Brazilian Western Amazon. The parameters evaluated were gender, age, race, parasites, hematocrit and hemoglobin. Results: Females where slight higher for the number of cases of parasites occurrence (51%) compared to males (49%) and children had higher parasitic index (43%) followed by adults (37%), teenagers (11%) and seniors (9%). With regards to race, pardos (brown skin color) group was the most affected by the parasites with 69% of cases, followed by caucasians (17%), indians (11%) and blacks (3%). The major parasites diagnosed were Endolimax nana (55%), Giardia lamblia (28%), Entamoeba coli (14%) and Iodamoeba bütschlii (3%). In relation to the association of intestinal parasites and anemia, children had a 60% anemia increase when compared to adults (p <0.05) and the indians increased by 100% anemia when paired against caucasians (p <0.05).Conclusion: Thus, it is suggested that attention should be given to the increase in protozoa parasitic infection prevalence in Amazonian communities and expedite the emergency of improvements in political and sanitation programs of water treatment and waste and sewer management

Variabilità all'origine e fattori di qualità : nuove esperienze analitiche perla caratterizzazione della propoli

La propoli resta una delle matrici naturali pi\uf9 complesse, la cui efficacia \ue8 direttamente correlata alla sua variabilit\ue0. Pur non esistendo standard di riferimento per il mercato, l\u2019evoluzione delle tecniche analitiche permette di realizzare comparazioni multifattoriali attraverso le quali \ue8 possibile caratterizzare le diverse produzioni e orientare le scelte degli utilizzatori (proprio come fanno le api). Un esempio di questa metodologia nel caso di studio

Coeficiente de determinação genotípico e fenotípico entre rendimento de grãos e teor de óleo de genótipos de girassol.

Resumo: Na escolha de cultivares de girassol é necessário verificar não apenas o seu potencial produtivo (kg ha-1), mas também, o teor de óleo em sua semente. A associação entre esses dois caracteres pode ser estimada com base em coeficientes de determinação. Seu valor pode indicar a tendência dos programas de melhoramento genéticos em selecionar cultivares com alto teor de óleo, além do acréscimo em rendimento. O objetivo do presente estudo foi estimar os coeficientes de determinação fenotípicos e genotípicos entre rendimento de grãos e teor de óleo de genótipos de girassol avaliados em ensaios de competição de cultivares conduzidos no Brasil. Os dados analisados foram obtidos da Rede de Ensaios de Avaliação de Genótipos de Girassol, entre 2006 e 2010. Os ensaios foram conduzidos em delineamento de blocos ao acaso, com quatro repetições. As estimativas dos coeficientes de determinação fenotípicos e genotípicos entre os caracteres foram obtidas como descrito por Vencovsky e Barriga (1992). Neste estudo, os coeficientes de determinação genotípicos foram, geralmente, superiores aos fenotípicos e não altos. Isto indica que os genótipos com alto rendimento de grãos avaliados na Rede de Ensaios de Avaliação de Genótipos de Girassol, conduzidos por diferentes programas de melhoramento, não estão tendendo a apresentar baixos teores de óleo. Abstract: In the selection of sunflower cultivars is necessary to check not only yield (kg ha'), but the oil content in the achenes. The relationship between these two characters can be estimated by coefficients of determination. Their value may indicate the trend of breeding programs to select cultivars with high oil content in addition to increase in yield. The objective of the present study was to estimate genotypic and phenotypic coefficient of determination between yield and oil content of sunflower genotypes evaluated in trials in Brazil. The data was obtained from the National Sunflower Trials from 2006 to 2010.The trials were established under randomly block designs with four replications. The estimative genotypic and phenotypic coefficient of determination between the characters was obtained according Vencovsky and Barriga (1992). In this study, the genotypic coefficients of determination were usually greater than the phenotypic, but they were not high. This indicates that the genotypes with high yield evaluated in the National Sunflower Trials, conducted by different breeding programs, are not tending to have low oil content

Coeficiente de determinação genótipico e fenotípico entre rendimento de grãos e teor de óleo de genótipos de girassol.

Na escolha de cultivares de girassol é necessário verificar não apenas o seu potencial produtivo (kg ha-1), mas também, o teor de óleo em sua semente. A associação entre esses dois caracteres pode ser estimada com base em coeficientes de determinação. Seu valor pode indicar a tendência dos programas de melhoramento genéticos em selecionar cultivares com alto teor de óleo, além do acréscimo em rendimento. O objetivo do presente estudo foi estimar os coeficientes de determinação fenotípicos e genotípicos entre rendimento de grãos e teor de óleo de genótipos de girassol avaliados em ensaios de competição de cultivares conduzidos no Brasil. Os dados analisados foram obtidos da Rede de Ensaios de Avaliação de Genótipos de Girassol, entre 2006 e 2010. Os ensaios foram conduzidos em delineamento de blocos ao acaso, com quatro repetições. As estimativas dos coeficientes de determinação fenotípicos e genotípicos entre os caracteres foram obtidas como descrito por Vencovsky e Barriga (1992). Neste estudo, os coeficientes de determinação genotípicos foram, geralmente, superiores aos fenotípicos e não altos. Isto indica que os genótipos com alto rendimento de grãos avaliados na Rede de Ensaios de Avaliação de Genótipos de Girassol, conduzidos por diferentes programas de melhoramento, não estão tendendo a apresentar baixos teores de óleo. GENOTYPIC AND PHENOTYPIC COEFFICIENT OF DETERMINATION BETWEEN YIELD AND OIL CONTENT OF SUNFLOWER GENOTYPES. In the selection of sunflower cultivars is necessary to check not only yield (kg ha-182), but the oil content in the achenes. The relationship between these two characters can be estimated by coefficients of determination. Their value may indicate the trend of breeding programs to select cultivars with high oil content in addition to increase in yield. The objective of the present study was to estimate genotypic and phenotypic coefficient of determination between yield and oil content of sunflower genotypes evaluated in trials in Brazil. The data was obtained from the National Sunflower Trials from 2006 to 2010.The trials were established under randomly block designs with four replications. The estimative genotypic and phenotypic coefficient of determination between the characters was obtained according Vencovsky and Barriga (1992). In this study, the genotypic coefficients of determination were usually greater than the phenotypic, but they were not high. This indicates that the genotypes with high yield evaluated in the National Sunflower Trials, conducted by different breeding programs, are not tending to have low oil content

Ti-Zr-Si-Nb nanocrystalline alloys and metallic glasses: Assessment on the structure, thermal stability, corrosion and mechanical properties

The development of novel Ti-based amorphous or \u3b2-phase nanostructured metallic materials could have significant benefits for implant applications, due to improved corrosion and mechanical characteristics (lower Young's modulus, better wear performance, improved fracture toughness) in comparison to the standardized \u3b1+\u3b2 titanium alloys. Moreover, the devitrification phenomenon, occurring during heating, could contribute to lower input power during additive manufacturing technologies. Ti-based alloy ribbons were obtained by melt-spinning, considering the ultra-fast cooling rates this method can provide. The titanium alloys contain in various proportions Zr, Nb, and Si (Ti60Zr10Si15Nb15, Ti64Zr10Si15Nb11, Ti56Zr10Si15Nb19) in various proportions. These elements were chosen due to their reported biological safety, as in the case of Zr and Nb, and the metallic glass-forming ability and biocompatibility of Si. The morphology and chemical composition were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, while the structural features (crystallinity, phase attribution after devitrification (after heat treatment)) were assessed by X-ray diffraction. Some of the mechanical properties (hardness, Young's modulus) were assessed by instrumented indentation. The thermal stability and crystallization temperatures were measured by differential thermal analysis. High-intensity exothermal peaks were observed during heating of melt-spun ribbons. The corrosion behavior was assessed by electrocorrosion tests. The results show the potential of these alloys to be used as materials for biomedical applications

Ex situ bioengineering of the rat thyroid using as a scaffold the three-dimensional (3D) decellularized matrix of the glandular lobe: clues to the organomorphic principle

Recently, we designed a bioreactor system for bioengineering ex situ (i.e. on the laboratory bench) a bioartificial thyroid gland suitable for transplantation. It is based on the organomorphic principle, i.e. the bioreactor mimics the macro-microscopic architecture of the thyroid stromal-vascular scaffold (SVS). To prove the reliability of this approach, we have initiated a pilot study using as a model the rat thyroid, and its natural decellularized 3D matrix to be eventually recellularized up to formation of a viable 3D thyroid lobe ex situ. Sprague-Dawley male rats (220-240 g) were used as thyroid donors. After penthobarbital anesthesia, rats were thyroidectomised and thyroid matrixes obtained by decellularization of the native SVS. Initially, we applied a sequence of liquid N2 freezing at - 80°C / thawing at 4°C for a total of 72 h, various washings with 0.02% trypsin / 0.05% EDTA for 1 h at 37°C, 3% Triton X-100 for 72 h at 4°C, and 4% deoxycholic acid for 24 h at 4°C, followed by sterilization with 0.1% peracetic acid, and 1% penicillin / streptomycin / fungizone for 24 h. Test matrixes were made electrondense with uranium / bismuth / lead counterstaining, and analyzed by microtomography (microTC). Primary thyroid cultures were prepared using enzymatic breaking of the native thyroid tissue. Cells were seeded at 19.000 / cm 2, and grown 72 h in low-glucose DMEM supplemented with 10% FBS / 5% FCS. Following trypsinization, 450.000 cells were harvested to coat the inner surface of the matrix. After 7 and 14 days, colonized matrixes were fixed in aldheydes and processed for light (LM), transmission (TEM) and scanning electron (SEM) microscopy. Culture supernatants were collected every 48 h, and thyroid hormones assessed with chemiluminescent immunoassays. Complete decellularization and maintenance of the 3D architecture of the thyroid SVS were achieved. Thyroid-derived cells were found to aggregate, link and give rise to intracytoplasmic cavities up to follicular coating, whereas secretory de-differentiation occurred. These results show that the 3D matrix of the rat thyroid can be used as a natural scaffold to recellularize the thyroid lobe with progenitor-like elements, supporting the validity of the organomorphic principle for ex situ bioengineering of a bioartificial thyroid gland. Grants FIL09, PRIN082008ZCCJX4, FIRB2010RBAP10MLK

Early palliative care versus usual haematological care in multiple myeloma: retrospective cohort study

Objectives Although early palliative care (EPC) is beneficial in acute myeloid leukaemia, little is known about EPC value in multiple myeloma (MM). We compared quality indicators for palliative and end of life (EOL) care in patients with MM receiving EPC with those of patients who received usual haematological care (UHC).Methods This observational, retrospective study was based on 290 consecutive patients with MM. The following indicators were abstracted: providing psychological support, assessing/managing pain, discussing goals of care, promoting advance care plan, accessing home care services; no anti MM treatment within 14 and 30 days and hospice length of stay >7 days before death; no cardiopulmonary resuscitation, no intubation, <2 hospitalisations and emergency department visits within 30 days before death. Comparisons were performed using unadjusted and confounder adjusted regression models.Results 55 patients received EPC and 231 UHC. Compared with UHC patients, EPC patients had a significantly higher number of quality indicators of care (mean 2.62 +/- 1.25 vs 1.12 +/- 0.95; p<0.0001)); a significant reduction of pain intensity over time (p<0.01) and a trend towards reduced aggressiveness at EOL, with the same survival (5.3 vs 5.46 years; p=0.74)).Conclusions Our data support the value of integrating EPC into MM routine practice and lay the groundwork for future prospective comparative studies

Cryoglobulinemic vasculitis in primary Sj\uf6gren's Syndrome: Clinical presentation, association with lymphoma and comparison with Hepatitis C-related disease

Objective: To describe the clinical spectrum of cryoglobulinemic vasculitis (CV) in primary Sj\uf6gren's syndrome (pSS), investigate its relation to lymphoma and identify the differences with hepatitis C virus (HCV) related CV. Methods: From a multicentre study population of consecutive pSS patients, those who had been evaluated for cryoglobulins and fulfilled the 2011 classification criteria for CV were identified retrospectively. pSS-CV patients were matched with pSS patients without cryoglobulins (1:2) and HCV-CV patients (1:1). Clinical, laboratory and outcome features were analyzed. A data driven logistic regression model was applied for pSS-CV patients and their pSS cryoglobulin negative controls to identify independent features associated with lymphoma. Results: 1083 pSS patients were tested for cryoglobulins. 115 (10.6%) had cryoglobulinemia and 71 (6.5%) fulfilled the classification criteria for CV. pSS-CV patients had higher frequency of extraglandular manifestations and lymphoma (OR=9.87, 95% CI: 4.7\u201320.9) compared to pSS patients without cryoglobulins. Purpura was the commonest vasculitic manifestation (90%), presenting at disease onset in 39% of patients. One third of pSS-CV patients developed B-cell lymphoma within the first 5 years of CV course, with cryoglobulinemia being the strongest independent lymphoma associated feature. Compared to HCV-CV patients, pSS-CV individuals displayed more frequently lymphadenopathy, type II IgMk cryoglobulins and lymphoma (OR = 6.12, 95% CI: 2.7\u201314.4) and less frequently C4 hypocomplementemia and peripheral neuropathy. Conclusion: pSS-CV has a severe clinical course, overshadowing the typical clinical manifestations of pSS and higher risk for early lymphoma development compared to HCV related CV. Though infrequent, pSS-CV constitutes a distinct severe clinical phenotype of pSS