Real-Time Monitoring of Volatile Compounds Losses in the Oven during Baking and Toasting of Gluten-Free Bread Doughs: A PTR-MS Evidence

Producción CientíficaLosses of volatile compounds during baking are expected due to their evaporation at the high temperatures of the oven, which can lead to a decrease in the aroma intensity of the final product, which is crucial for gluten-free breads that are known for their weak aroma. Volatiles from fermentation and lipids oxidation are transferred from crumb to crust, and they flow out to the air together with Maillard and caramelisation compounds from the crust. In this study, the release to the oven of volatile compounds from five gluten-free breads (quinoa, teff and rice flours, and corn and wheat starches) and wheat bread during baking and toasting was measured in real-time using proton transfer reaction-time of flight-mass spectrometry (PTR-ToF-MS). Baking showed different volatile release patterns that are described by bell-shaped curves, plateaus and exponential growths. Flour-based breads had the higher overall volatile release during baking, but also high ratios in the final bread, while starch-based breads showed high pyrazine releases due to moisture losses. Meanwhile, toasting promoted the release of volatile compounds from the bread matrix, but also the additional generation of volatiles from Maillard reaction and caramelisation. Interestingly, gluten-free breads presented higher losses of volatiles during baking than wheat bread, which could partially explain their weaker aroma.Autonomous Province of Trento grant (ADP 2018 and ADP 2020

Autophagy generates citrullinated peptides in human synoviocytes: a possible trigger for anti-citrullinated peptide antibodies

OBJECTIVES: Autophagy may represent a functional processing event that creates a substrate for autoreactivity. In particular, autophagy may play a role in the pathogenesis of RA, since autophagy is a key cellular event involved in the generation of citrullinated peptides, with consequent breakage of tolerance. Thus, in RA, autophagy may be the common feature in several situations (including smoking, joint injury and infection) that may drive the adaptive responses to citrullinated self-proteins. The aim of this study was the analysis, in vitro, of the role of autophagy in the generation of citrullinated peptides and, in vivo, of the relationship between autophagy and the production of anti-CCP antibodies (Abs). METHODS: For autophagy induction, fibroblast-like synoviocytes, primary fibroblasts and monocytes were stimulated with tunicamycin or rapamycin. Peptidyl arginine deiminase activity was tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and protein citrullination was evaluated by western blotting. The main citrullinated RA candidate antigens, vimentin, α-enolase and filaggrin, were demonstrated by immunoprecipitation. The relationship between autophagy and anti-CCP Abs was analysed in 30 early-active RA patients. RESULTS: Our results demonstrated in vitro a role for autophagy in the citrullination process. Cells treated with tunicamycin or rapamycin showed peptidyl arginine deiminase 4 activation, with consequent protein citrullination. Immunoblotting and immunoprecipitation experiments, using specific Abs, identified the main citrullinated proteins: vimentin, α-enolase and filaggrin. In vivo, a significant association between levels of autophagy and anti-CCP Abs was observed in treatment-naïve early-active RA patients. CONCLUSION: These findings support the view that the processing of proteins in autophagy generates citrullinated peptides recognized by the immune system in RA

Proton transfer reaction mass spectrometry: a green alternative for food volatilome profiling

Proton transfer reaction mass spectrometry (PTR-MS) has been developed for the direct, high sensitivity and high time resolution monitoring of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Although PTR-MS development was not guided by greenness goals, most of its features perfectly fit within the green analytical chemistry (GAC) principles, making PTR-MS an intrinsically green analytical technique. Indeed, in its basic implementation, it does not require solvents or non-renewable carrier gases and, in principle, distilled water, used to feed the source where precursors ions are formed, is the only consumable. Food science and technology and agroindustry are amongst the fields where PTR-MS has been successfully exploited. Here we review and discuss, with emphasis on the GAC requirements, the potential of PTR-MS as a tool for both fundamental research and industrial applications in different food-related themes: i) food consumption and sensory, ii) bioprocess monitoring, iii) traceability, iv) quality control, and v) high-throughput food volatilome phenotyping. The outcome of all these related studies indicates PTR-MS both as a complementary tool to gas chromatographic methods and as a valuable technique when reduced analysis time, high sensitivity and/or on-line measurement are require

Role of Kamut® brand khorasan wheat in the counteraction of non-celiac wheat sensitivity and oxidative damage

It has been suggested that ancient grains show lower immunogenic properties and therefore can be introduced in the diet of non-celiac wheat-sensitive people. In the present study we investigated the possible difference in inflammation caused by feeding ancient Kamut® wheat pasta (KP) compared to modern durum wheat pasta (WP) to rats. The effect of the two experimental diets on the oxidative status was also compared in basal condition and after an exogenous oxidative stress. In rats fed WP the histological evaluation of the duodenum morphology evidenced a flattened mucosa, an unusual shape and shortening of the villi, and a high lymphocyte infiltration, while no modifications were detected in KP fed animals. The fecal metabolite profiling was differently modified by the two diets, suggesting significant changes in the gut microflora. Furthermore, the results confirmed previous data on the antioxidant protection in rats by Kamut® wheat foods. It is conceivable that Kamut® components can act through a hormetic effect, eliciting an adaptive response that protects the organism against both oxidative stress and inflammatio

Characteristics and patterns of care of endometrial cancer before and during COVID-19 pandemic

Objective: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak has correlated with the disruption of screening activities and diagnostic assessments. Endometrial cancer (EC) is one of the most common gynecological malignancies and it is often detected at an early stage, because it frequently produces symptoms. Here, we aim to investigate the impact of COVID-19 outbreak on patterns of presentation and treatment of EC patients. Methods: This is a retrospective study involving 54 centers in Italy. We evaluated patterns of presentation and treatment of EC patients before (period 1: March 1, 2019 to February 29, 2020) and during (period 2: April 1, 2020 to March 31, 2021) the COVID-19 outbreak. Results: Medical records of 5,164 EC patients have been retrieved: 2,718 and 2,446 women treated in period 1 and period 2, respectively. Surgery was the mainstay of treatment in both periods (p=0.356). Nodal assessment was omitted in 689 (27.3%) and 484 (21.2%) patients treated in period 1 and 2, respectively (p<0.001). While, the prevalence of patients undergoing sentinel node mapping (with or without backup lymphadenectomy) has increased during the COVID-19 pandemic (46.7% in period 1 vs. 52.8% in period 2; p<0.001). Overall, 1,280 (50.4%) and 1,021 (44.7%) patients had no adjuvant therapy in period 1 and 2, respectively (p<0.001). Adjuvant therapy use has increased during COVID-19 pandemic (p<0.001). Conclusion: Our data suggest that the COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on the characteristics and patterns of care of EC patients. These findings highlight the need to implement healthcare services during the pandemic

Practice patterns and 90-day treatment-related morbidity in early-stage cervical cancer

To evaluate the impact of the Laparoscopic Approach to Cervical Cancer (LACC) Trial on patterns of care and surgery-related morbidity in early-stage cervical cancer

Switching to dual/monotherapy determines an increase in CD8+ in HIV-infected individuals: An observational cohort study

Background: The CD4/CD8 ratio has been associated with the risk of AIDS and non-AIDS events. We describe trends in immunological parameters in people who underwent a switch to monotherapy or dual therapy, compared to a control group remaining on triple antiretroviral therapy (ART). Methods: We included patients in Icona who started a three-drug combination ART regimen from an ART-naïve status and achieved a viral load ≤ 50 copies/mL; they were subsequently switched to another triple or to a mono or double regimen. Standard linear regression at fixed points in time (12-24 months after the switch) and linear mixed model analysis with random intercepts and slopes were used to compare CD4 and CD8 counts and their ratio over time according to regimen types (triple vs. dual and vs. mono). Results: A total of 1241 patients were included; 1073 switched to triple regimens, 104 to dual (72 with 1 nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI), 32 NRTI-sparing), and 64 to monotherapy. At 12 months after the switch, for the multivariable linear regression the mean change in the log10 CD4/CD8 ratio for patients on dual therapy was -0.03 (95% confidence interval (CI) -0.05, -0.0002), and the mean change in CD8 count was +99 (95% CI +12.1, +186.3), taking those on triple therapy as reference. In contrast, there was no evidence for a difference in CD4 count change. When using all counts, there was evidence for a significant difference in the slope of the ratio and CD8 count between people who were switched to triple (points/year change ratio = +0.056, CD8 = -25.7) and those to dual regimen (ratio = -0.029, CD8 = +110.4). Conclusions: We found an increase in CD8 lymphocytes in people who were switched to dual regimens compared to those who were switched to triple. Patients on monotherapy did not show significant differences. The long-term implications of this difference should be ascertained

Low-Energy Physics in Neutrino LArTPCs

In this white paper, we outline some of the scientific opportunities and challenges related to detection and reconstruction of low-energy (less than 100 MeV) signatures in liquid argon time-projection chamber (LArTPC) detectors. Key takeaways are summarized as follows. 1) LArTPCs have unique sensitivity to a range of physics and astrophysics signatures via detection of event features at and below the few tens of MeV range. 2) Low-energy signatures are an integral part of GeV-scale accelerator neutrino interaction final states, and their reconstruction can enhance the oscillation physics sensitivities of LArTPC experiments. 3) BSM signals from accelerator and natural sources also generate diverse signatures in the low-energy range, and reconstruction of these signatures can increase the breadth of BSM scenarios accessible in LArTPC-based searches. 4) Neutrino interaction cross sections and other nuclear physics processes in argon relevant to sub-hundred-MeV LArTPC signatures are poorly understood. Improved theory and experimental measurements are needed. Pion decay-at-rest sources and charged particle and neutron test beams are ideal facilities for experimentally improving this understanding. 5) There are specific calibration needs in the low-energy range, as well as specific needs for control and understanding of radiological and cosmogenic backgrounds. 6) Novel ideas for future LArTPC technology that enhance low-energy capabilities should be explored. These include novel charge enhancement and readout systems, enhanced photon detection, low radioactivity argon, and xenon doping. 7) Low-energy signatures, whether steady-state or part of a supernova burst or larger GeV-scale event topology, have specific triggering, DAQ and reconstruction requirements that must be addressed outside the scope of conventional GeV-scale data collection and analysis pathways