Portuguese cacholeira blood sausage: A first taste of its microbiota and volatile organic compounds

Among typical Portuguese sausages, the cacholeira blood sausage undoubtedly represents one of the most popular preparations. To the authors’ knowledge, a lack of information on both the microbiota and the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) of this blood-containing sausage emerges from the available scientific literature. This study represents the first characterization of physico-chemical, microbiological and volatile traits of Portuguese cacholeira blood sausage. To this end, ready-to-eat cacholeira blood sausages were collected from two production batches manufactured in summer (batch 1) and autumn (batch 2). Viable counts showed active microbial communities mainly composed by lactic acid bacteria, coagulase negative cocci, enterococci and eumycetes. The metataxonomic approach showed a simple bacterial composition, which was dominated by Lactobacillus sakei in both the analyzed batches (1 and 2) considered. Carnobacterium, Enterococcus, Kluyvera, Lactococcus and Serratia were found as minor genera. The mycobiota varied according to the production season. Batch 1 was dominated by Starmerella apicola, Debaryomyces hansenii and Candida tropicalis, whereas batch 2 was dominated by D. hansenii. Moreover, Aspergillus spp., Kurtzmaniella zeylanoides, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Kurtzmaniella santamariae, Brettanomyces bruxellensis and Pichia kluyveri were detected in both the batches as minority species. Seventy-two volatile compounds were identified, including esters, phenols, terpenoids, acids, alcohols, ketones, aldehydes, lactones, furans, sulphur and nitrogen compounds. Significant differences were seen in the amount of some compounds, as a feasible consequence of differences in the raw materials, artisan production and seasonality

Seasonal and spatial variability in condition of age-0+ Argentine hake Merluccius hubbsi Marini, 1933, in the San Jorge Gulf (Argentina): A bottom-up perspective

In the north Patagonian region of the Argentinean Continental Shelf, the San Jorge Gulf (SJG; 45°‐47°S, 65°30ʹ‐67°30ʹW) is the main nursery ground of age‐0+ Argentine hake Merluccius hubbsi Marini, 1933, one of the most important fishery resources in Argentina. The gulf exhibits strong seasonal and spatial fluctuations in environmental features, which might affect survival of age‐0+ individuals and recruitment to the adult population. Our main goal was to evaluate the seasonal and spatial dynamics of their nutritional status within the SJG in winter 2016, spring 2016 and summer 2017. Condition indices (relative condition factor Kn, hepatosomatic index HSI and liver lipid content %L) and diet information (feeding incidence and relative importance of prey) were combined with physical (temperature and salinity) and biological (satellite chlorophyll‐a concentration; chl‐a) data. Age‐0+ condition indices and prey intake showed significant seasonal variations, with minimum values in winter, intermediate in summer and maximum in spring, strongly coupled to the mean chl‐a concentration in each season. Herbivorous euphausiids Euphausia spp. were the preferred prey along the study period. A bottom‐up effect on condition of age‐0+ hake is suggested, manifested as lower condition values in winter, the less productive season. Spatially, better conditioned individuals matched sectors of the gulf where chl‐a concentrations were higher, coupled to the presence of frontal systems. Monitoring age‐0+ hake nutritional status is relevant in the current global change scenario, which might modify phytoplankton biomass and composition and, consequently, the herbivorous zooplankton abundances.Fil: Temperoni, Brenda. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Subsede Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Desarrollo Pesquero; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; ArgentinaFil: Massa, Agueda Elena. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Subsede Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Desarrollo Pesquero; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; ArgentinaFil: Martos, Patricia. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Ciencias Marinas; ArgentinaFil: Marrari, Marina. Ministerio de Defensa. Armada Argentina. Servicio de Hidrografía Naval. Departamento Oceanografía; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

Registro inusual de depredación múltiple del caballito de mar patagónico Hippocampus patagonicus por el tiburón gatuzo Mustelus schmitti en aguas costeras argentinas

Seahorses (Genus Hippocampus) are rarely reported as prey items. Their low population numbers, their ability to blend with the environment and their low palatability are the features making them an unsuitable option for predators. Five individuals of the Patagonian seahorse Hippocampus patagonicus were found in the stomach of a single narrownose smooth-hound shark Mustelus schmitti from a sample of 959 stomachs analyzed. This rare record in a single stomach out of hundreds analyzed suggests that these individuals might have clustered in a group which was detected by the opportunistic M. schmitti.Los caballitos de mar (Género Hippocampus) raramente son reportados como presas. Su baja densidad poblacional, su habilidad para confundirse entre su entorno y su baja palatabilidad son características que los hacen una opción poco atractiva para depredadores. Cinco individuos del caballito de mar patagónico Hippocampus patagonicus fueron encontrados en un único estómago del análisis de una muestra de 959 estómagos del tiburón gatuzo Mustelus schmitti. Este inusual registro en un solo estómago de los cientos analizados sugiere que los caballitos de mar se encontraban agrupados cuando fueron detectados por el tiburón de hábitos oportunistas M. schmitti

Antifungal activity of essential oils on yeast isolates from filling creams [Attività anti fungina di oli essenziali su isolati di lievito da creme di farcitura]

SUMMARY Yeasts can be responsible for the alteration of a wide range of foods due to their physiological and metabolic characteristics. In recent times, the demand for products without traditional preservatives has increased, thus leading to difficulties in guaranteeing the necessary microbiological stability. In this study the effectiveness of essential oils of lime, ginger, lemongrass, mandarin, cinnamon, orange and lemon on 21 cultures of Zygosaccharomyces bailii isolated from filling creams was evaluated. The results showed a significantly greater effectiveness of the essential oil of cinnamon. Although significantly less effective than cinnamon oil, citronella essential oil has also shown good activity. It is noteworthy that 100% of the isolates have shown not susceptibility to both the essential oils of ginger and mandarin. Although the results are encouraging, the sensory impact that could limit the applicability of tested oils in the food field remains to be verified. SOMMARIO I lieviti possono essere responsabili dell’alterazione di una vasta gamma di alimenti per via delle loro caratteristiche fisiologiche e metaboliche. In tempi recenti, è aumentata la richiesta di prodotti privi dei tradizionali conservanti, con conseguenti difficoltà da parte dei produttori nel garantire la necessaria stabilità microbiologica. Nel presente studio è stata valutata l’efficacia degli oli essenziali di lime, zenzero, citronella, mandarino, cannella, arancio e limone su 21 colture di Zygosaccharomyces bailii isolate da creme di farcitura. I risultati hanno mostrato una significativa maggiore efficacia dell’olio essenziale di cannella. Sebbene di significativa minore efficacia rispetto all’olio di cannella, anche l’olio essenziale di citronella ha mostrato una discreta attività. Appare inoltre importante sottolineare che il 100% degli isolati ha mostrato di non essere sensibile agli oli essenziali di zenzero e mandarino. Sebbene i risultati siano incoraggianti, rimane ancora da verificare l’impatto sensoriale che potrebbe limitare l’applicabilità degli oli testati in campo alimentare

Decoding cancer’s camouflage: epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity in resistance to immune checkpoint blockade

Epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity (EMP) of cancer cells contributes to cancer cell heterogeneity, and it is well established that EMP is a critical determinant of acquired resistance to cancer treatment modalities including radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and targeted therapies. Here, we aimed to explore how EMP contributes to cancer cell camouflage, allowing an ever-changing population of cancer cells to pass under the radar of our immune system and consequently compromise the effect of immune checkpoint blockade therapies. The ultimate clinical benefit of any combination regimen is evidenced by the sum of the drug-induced alterations observed in the variety of cellular populations composing the tumor immune microenvironment. The finely-tuned molecular crosstalk between cancer and immune cells remains to be fully elucidated, particularly for the spectrum of malignant cells along the epithelial to mesenchymal axis. High-dimensional single cell analyses of specimens collected in ongoing clinical studies is becoming a key contributor to our understanding of these interactions. This review will explore to what extent targeting EMP in combination with immune checkpoint inhibition represents a promising therapeutic avenue within the overarching strategy to reactivate a halting cancer-immunity cycle and establish a robust host immune response against cancer cells. Therapeutic strategies currently in clinical development will be discussed

Exploitation of sea fennel (Crithmum maritimum L.) for manufacturing of novel high-value fermented preserves

Sea fennel (Crithmum maritimum L.) contains several bioactive compounds like vitamin C, polyphenols, essential oils, and fatty acids. The present study was aimed at exploring the lactic acid fermentation of sea fennel sprouts by the selection and inoculation of multiple strain starters to produce laboratory-scale prototypes and, subsequently, a pilot-scale prototype. A rapid pH reduction was seen in the laboratory-scale prototypes, mainly due to lactic acid production. Linoleic and α-linolenic acids were the most abundant detected fatty acids, while among volatile compounds monoterpene hydrocarbons prevailed. Fruity, pungent and yogurt notes emerged from the sensory analysis. The analysis of the pilot-scale prototype confirmed the physico-chemical data collected from the laboratory scale prototypes, except for a slower acidification. In addition, a decrease in antioxidant activity and content of vitamin C, fiber and total polyphenols was seen during fermentation, whereas sensory analysis revealed a kerosene-like note, a salty flavor, and a crunchy consistency. No coagulase positive staphylococci and botulinum toxin-producing clostridia were detected. The results overall collected highlighted the great potential of sea fennel and selected lactic acid bacteria starters to produce high value, safe and microbiologically stable preserves

Effects of Venous Angioplasty on Cerebral Lesions in Multiple Sclerosis: Expanded Analysis of the Brave Dreams Double-Blind, Sham-Controlled Randomized Trial

Purpose: To evaluate if jugular vein flow restoration in various venographic defects indicative of chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI) in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients can have positive effects on cerebral lesions identified using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Materials and Methods: The Brave Dreams trial (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT01371760) was a multicenter, randomized, parallel group, double-blind, sham-controlled trial to assess the efficacy of jugular venoplasty in MS patients with CCSVI. Between August 2012 and March 2016, 130 patients (mean age 39.9\ub110.6 years; 81 women) with relapsing/remitting (n=115) or secondary/progressive (n=15) MS were randomized 2:1 to venography plus angioplasty (n=86) or venography (sham; n=44). Patients and study personnel (except the interventionist) were masked to treatment assignment. MRI data acquired at 6 and 12 months after randomization were compared to the preoperative scan for new and/or >30% enlargement of T2 lesions plus new gadolinium enhancement of pre-existing lesions. The relative risks (RR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) were estimated and compared. In a post hoc assessment, venograms of patients who underwent venous angioplasty were graded as \u201cfavorable\u201d (n=38) or \u201cunfavorable\u201d (n=30) for dilation according to the Giaquinta grading system by 4 investigators blinded to outcomes. These subgroups were also compared. Results: Of the 130 patients enrolled, 125 (96%) completed the 12-month MRI follow-up. Analysis showed that the likelihood of being free of new cerebral lesions at 1 year was significantly higher after venoplasty compared to the sham group (RR 1.42, 95% CI 1.00 to 2.01, p=0.032). Patients with favorable venograms had a significantly higher probability of being free of new cerebral lesions than patients with unfavorable venograms (RR 1.82, 95% CI 1.17 to 2.83, p=0.005) or patients in the sham arm (RR 1.66, 95% CI 1.16 to 2.37, p=0.005). Conclusion: Expanded analysis of the Brave Dreams data that included secondary/progressive MS patients in addition to the relapsing/remitting patients analyzed previously showed that venoplasty decreases new cerebral lesions at 1 year. Post hoc analysis confirmed the efficacy of the Giaquinta grading system in selecting patients appropriate for venoplasty who were more likely to be free from accumulation of new cerebral lesions at MRI