Effect of two sous-vide cooking methods on physicochemical characteristics of Longissimus thoracis muscle from pigs fed with or without extruded linseed

Meat is recognised as a highly nutritive food. With cooking, the meat enhances its nutritional value and becomes more digestible. However, high cooking temperatures lead to several chemical modifications in meat. Therefore, there is an increasing interest in sous-vide cooking. The aim of this research was to study the influence of two sous-vide cooking methods on physicochemical characteristics of Longissimus thoracis (LT) muscle from 24 pigs fed with two different diets: control group (C) had a basal barley/ soybean diet; in the linseed group (L), 5% of extruded linseed replaced the same amount of barley. At 24 h post mortem, LT muscles were sliced, vacuum sealed and stored at −18 °C until analysis. Samples were cooked in water bath at two different combinations of temperature and time: ‘A’ 80 °C of the bath water as long as the core temperature of the pork reached 70 °C; ‘B’ 60 °C for 15 h. After the cooking process, the samples were kept under refrigeration (2 °C) for 24 h. The day after, cooking loss, colour, pH, microbial growth and tenderness were determined. Microbial growth was analysed also in the raw meat. Statistical analysis was performed by means of ANOVA, using the GLM procedure of SAS. Dietary treatment (C vs. L) and cooking condition (A vs. B) were used as independent variables. Dietary treatments did not produce significant differences in pH, colour, cooking loss and tenderness. Colour parameters were affected by cooking method: a* values of the internal part of the sample and b* values of the external part were higher for the samples cooked at 60 °C (a* 4.74 vs. 3.97 for B and A, respectively, p<.05; b* 17.79 vs. 15.84, p<.01). The A cooking method led to higher (p<.01) shear force values (5.03 vs. 3.30 kg). The microbial load in the raw meat was significantly different (p<.05) between dietary treatments: C group showed higher total viable count (4.56 vs. 4.14 log10) and Enterobacteriaceae (2.65 vs. 1.94 log10) respect to L group. Low microbial growth was detected for both cooking methods. Total viable count was 0.50 log10 for A cooking method and 0.64 log10 for B, without significant differences among them. No Enterobacteriaceae growth was detected. Also, no differences were found for pH and cooking loss between A and B. Both cooking methods generated a meat safe from contamination. The B method: low temperature for long time also, generated tender meat

Riordino e aggiornamento tassonomico della "Collezione di Malacologia Ecologica" di Pietro Parenzan - Prima parte

Collection was realized dredging sea bottoms along the coasts of Apulia and through specimens exchange activities with other famous malacologists. The present work represents a first contribution to the restitution of the historical and documentary heritage named "Ecological Malacology Collection" by the Prof. P. Parenzan to the scientific community. Such a purpose has been pursued through photographic documentation, ordering and conservation renewal activities, but also through the realization of a digital catalogue and by a modernization of the taxonomical positioning of specimens which, by now, is limited to 1241 mono specific shell groups (on a total of 6794)

CHARACTERISTICS OF LIPIDS FROM IMMUNOCASTRATED MEDIUM-HEAVY PIGS FED EITHER A RESTRICTED DIET OR AD LIBITUM

We studied the feeding level-related variations in lipid characteristics in the adipose tissues of pigs. The lipid content, fatty acid profile, oxidative stability, iodine value, thrombogenic and atherogenic indices were determined in individual samples from 24 immunocastrated males (Duroc x Large White), fed either restricted or ad libitum. In backfat, feed restriction increased the polyunsaturated fatty acid proportion and iodine value and lowered the thrombogenic and atherogenic indices. Intramuscular lipid content was reduced by restriction, which did not affect either the fatty acid composition or the oxidative stability in both raw and cooked muscle. Feed restriction improved the nutritional quality of lipids without impairing their technological attributes

Physicochemical Characterization of Pectin-Gelatin Biomaterial Formulations for 3D Bioprinting.

AbstractDeveloping biomaterial formulations with specific biochemical characteristics and physical properties suitable for bioprinting of 3D scaffolds is a pivotal challenge in tissue engineering. Therefore, the design of novel bioprintable formulations is a continuously evolving research field. In this work, the authors aim at expanding the library of biomaterial inks by blending two natural biopolymers: pectin and gelatin. Cytocompatible formulations are obtained by combining pectin and gelatin at different ratios and using (3‐glycidyloxypropyl)trimethoxysilane (GPTMS) as single crosslinking agent. It is shown that the developed formulations are all suitable for extrusion‐based 3D bioprinting. Self‐supporting scaffolds with a designed macroporosity and micropores in the bioprinted struts are successfully obtained by combining extrusion‐based bioprinting and freeze‐drying. The presence of gelatin in these formulations allows for the modulation of porosity, of water uptake and of scaffold stiffness in respect to pure pectin scaffolds. Results demonstrate that these new biomaterial formulations, processed with this specific approach, are promising candidates for the fabrication of tissue‐like scaffolds for tissue regeneration

Generation of induced pluripotent stem cells from human cord blood using OCT4 and SOX2

Mouse and human fibroblasts were the first cell types successfully reprog- rammed by ectopic expression of OCT4, SOX2, KLF4, and c-MYC (OSKM) (Lowry et al., 2008; Maherali et al., 2007; Park et al., 2008; Takahashi et al., 2007; Taka- hashi and Yamanaka, 2006; Yu et al., 2007). Further studies have shown that the age, origin, and cell type used have a deep impact on the reprogramming effi- ciency, eventually requiring the expres- sion of fewer factors and/or reducing the timing of the whole process. In general, stem cells are rare and difficult to access and isolate in large numbers (neural stem cells, for instance [Kim et al., 2008, 2009c]) and, therefore, represent a com- plicated target for reprogramming. How- ever, Cord Blood (CB) could represent an alternative and readily accessible source of stem cells. Here, we describe reprog- ramming of CB cells to pluripotency by retroviral transduction of four (OSKM), three (OSK), and as few as two (OS) tran- scription factors, without the need for additional chemical compounds

Feasibility and outcomes after dose reduction of immunochemotherapy in young adults with Burkitt lymphoma and leukemia: results of the BURKIMAB14 trial

High dose -intensive or infusional intermediate -dose immunochemotherapy is highly effective treatment for Burkitt lymphoma irrespective of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. However, toxicities of these regimens are relevant, especially in older adults and elderly patients. The prospective multicenter BURKIMAB14 trial included four to six blocks of immunochemotherapy according to stage (localized: 1 and 2 non -bulky; advanced: 2 bulky, 3, 4) and age, with dose reduction in patients >55 years old. Dose -intensity of chemotherapy was reduced in patients 55 years old had a significantly higher treatment -related mortality despite dose reduction of chemotherapy. With a median follow-up of 3.61 years the 4 -year OS probability was 73% (range, 63-81%). Age (55 years) and stage (localized vs. advanced) had prognostic significance. No significant differences in OS were observed in HIV -positive versus HIV -negative patients. The results of BURKIMAB14 are similar to those of other dose -intensive immunochemotherapy trials. Age >55 years and advanced stage, but not HIV infection, were associated with poor survival. Dose reduction of chemotherapy in young adults in CMR is safe and does not impact outcomes (clinicaltrials gov. Identifier: NCT05049473)

Genome-wide transcriptional profiling of pulmonary functional sequelae in ARDS- secondary to SARS-CoV-2 infection

Background: Up to 80% of patients surviving acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) secondary to SARS-CoV- 2 infection present persistent anomalies in pulmonary function after hospital discharge. There is a limited un-derstanding of the mechanistic pathways linked to post-acute pulmonary sequelae. Aim: To identify the molecular underpinnings associated with severe lung diffusion involvement in survivors of SARS-CoV-2-induced ARDS. Methods: Survivors attended to a complete pulmonary evaluation 3 months after hospital discharge. RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) was performed using Illumina technology in whole-blood samples from 50 patients with moderate to severe diffusion impairment (DLCO<60%) and age- and sex-matched individuals with mild-normal lung function (DLCO≥60%). A transcriptomic signature for optimal classification was constructed using random forest. Transcriptomic data were analyzed for biological pathway enrichment, cellular deconvolution, cell/tissue-specific gene expression and candidate drugs. Results: RNA-seq identified 1357 differentially expressed transcripts. A model composed of 14 mRNAs allowed the optimal discrimination of survivors with severe diffusion impairment (AUC=0.979). Hallmarks of lung sequelae involved cell death signaling, cytoskeleton reorganization, cell growth and differentiation and the immune response. Resting natural killer (NK) cells were the most important immune cell subtype for the pre-diction of severe diffusion impairment. Components of the signature correlated with neutrophil, lymphocyte and monocyte counts. A variable expression profile of the transcripts was observed in lung cell subtypes and bodily tissues. One upregulated gene, TUBB4A, constitutes a target for FDA-approved drugs. Conclusions: This work defines the transcriptional programme associated with post-acute pulmonary sequelae and provides novel insights for targeted interventions and biomarker development.MCGH is the recipient of a predoctoral fellowship from the University of Lleida. MM is the recipient of a predoctoral fellowship (PFIS: FI21/00187) from Instituto de Salud Carlos III. AC is supported by Instituto de Salud Carlos III (Sara Borrell 2021: CD21/00087). DdGC has received financial support from Instituto de Salud Carlos III (Miguel Servet 2020: CP20/00041), co-funded by the European Social Fund (ESF) “Investing in your future”. IML is supported by a Miguel Servet contract (CPII20/00029) from the Instituto de Salud Carlos III, co-funded by the European Social Fund (ESF) “Investing in your future”. CIBERES is an initiative of the Instituto de Salud Carlos III. This work is supported by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (COV20/00110), co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) “A way to make Europe”. Supported by: Programa de donaciones "estar preparados"; UNESPA (Madrid, Spain) and Fundación Francisco Soria Melguizo (Madrid, Spain). Funded by: La Fundació La Marató de TV3, project with code 202108–30/ 31. COVIDPONENT is funded by the Institut Català de la Salut and Gestió de Serveis Sanitaris. This research was funded in part by a grant (PI19/01805) from the Instituto de Salud Carlos III, co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) “A way to build Europe” and by the Fundación Rioja Salu

Changes to Airborne Pollen Counts across Europe

A progressive global increase in the burden of allergic diseases has affected the industrialized world over the last half century and has been reported in the literature. The clinical evidence reveals a general increase in both incidence and prevalence of respiratory diseases, such as allergic rhinitis (common hay fever) and asthma. Such phenomena may be related not only to air pollution and changes in lifestyle, but also to an actual increase in airborne quantities of allergenic pollen. Experimental enhancements of carbon dioxide (CO2) have demonstrated changes in pollen amount and allergenicity, but this has rarely been shown in the wider environment. The present analysis of a continental-scale pollen data set reveals an increasing trend in the yearly amount of airborne pollen for many taxa in Europe, which is more pronounced in urban than semi-rural/rural areas. Climate change may contribute to these changes, however increased temperatures do not appear to be a major influencing factor. Instead, we suggest the anthropogenic rise of atmospheric CO2 levels may be influentia

Poor sleep quality may trigger cognitive deficits after recovery from COVID-19

ObjectiveIn the present study, we aimed to assess the cognition of post-COVID-19 condition (PCC) participants in relation to their subjective sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, PSQI) and to analyse possible moderators of this effect, such as quality of life (European Quality of Life-5 Dimensions, EQ-5D), fatigue (Chadler Fatigue Questionnaire, CFQ), cognitive reserve (Cognitive Reserve Questionnaire, CRC), and subjective cognitive complaints (Memory Failures of Everyday Questionnaire, MFE-30).MethodsWe included 373 individuals with PCC and 126 healthy controls (HCs) from the NAUTILUS Project (NCT05307549 and NCT05307575) who were assessed with a comprehensive neuropsychological battery and various questionnaires.ResultsWe found that PCC participants with poor sleep quality had a 4.3% greater risk of immediate verbal memory deficits than those with good sleep quality, as indicated by the greater odds ratio (OR) of 1.043 and confidence interval (CI) of 1.023–1.063. Additionally, their risk of immediate verbal memory disorders was multiplied by 2.4 when their EQ-5D score was low (OR 0.33; CI 0.145–0.748), and they had a lower risk of delayed visual memory deficits with a greater CRC (OR 0.963; CI 0.929–0.999). With respect to processing speed, PCC participants with poor sleep quality had a 6.7% greater risk of deficits as the MFE increased (OR 1.059; CI 1.024–1.096), and the risk of slowed processing speed tripled with a lower EQ-5D (OR 0.021; CI 0.003–0.141).ConclusionThese results indicate that poor subjective sleep quality is a potential trigger for cognitive deficits. Therapeutic strategies to maximize sleep quality could include reducing sleep disturbances and perhaps cognitive impairment in PCC individuals

Famílies botàniques de plantes medicinals

Facultat de Farmàcia, Universitat de Barcelona. Ensenyament: Grau de Farmàcia, Assignatura: Botànica Farmacèutica, Curs: 2013-2014, Coordinadors: Joan Simon, Cèsar Blanché i Maria Bosch.Els materials que aquí es presenten són els recull de 175 treballs d’una família botànica d’interès medicinal realitzats de manera individual. Els treballs han estat realitzat per la totalitat dels estudiants dels grups M-2 i M-3 de l’assignatura Botànica Farmacèutica durant els mesos d’abril i maig del curs 2013-14. Tots els treballs s’han dut a terme a través de la plataforma de GoogleDocs i han estat tutoritzats pel professor de l’assignatura i revisats i finalment co-avaluats entre els propis estudiants. L’objectiu principal de l’activitat ha estat fomentar l’aprenentatge autònom i col·laboratiu en Botànica farmacèutica