Extraction of astaxanthin from microalga Haematococcus pluvialis in red phase by using generally recognized as safe solvents and accelerated extraction

Abstract Solvent Extraction was tested to extract astaxanthin from Haematococcus pluvialis in red phase (HPR), by investigating effects of solvents, extraction pressure and temperature. Astaxanthin isomers were identified and quantified in the extract. The performances of acetone and ethanol, Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) solvents, were explored. Negligible effect of pressure was found, while with increasing extraction temperature astaxanthin recovery increased till a maximum value, beyond which thermal degradation seemed to be greater than the positive effect of temperature on extraction. Furthermore, to maximize the extraction yield of astaxanthin, mechanical pre-treatment of HPR biomass was carried out and several extraction runs were consecutively performed. Experimental results showed that after the mechanical pre-treatment the astaxanthin recovery strongly increased while a single extraction run of 20 min was sufficient to extract more than 99% of total astaxanthin extracted. After pre-treatment, maximum recovery of about 87% was found for acetone (pressure = 100 bar; temperature = 40 °C; total time = 60 min)

Risk factors associated with adverse fetal outcomes in pregnancies affected by Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19): a secondary analysis of the WAPM study on COVID-19.

Objectives To evaluate the strength of association between maternal and pregnancy characteristics and the risk of adverse perinatal outcomes in pregnancies with laboratory confirmed COVID-19. Methods Secondary analysis of a multinational, cohort study on all consecutive pregnant women with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 from February 1, 2020 to April 30, 2020 from 73 centers from 22 different countries. A confirmed case of COVID-19 was defined as a positive result on real-time reverse-transcriptase-polymerase-chain-reaction (RT-PCR) assay of nasal and pharyngeal swab specimens. The primary outcome was a composite adverse fetal outcome, defined as the presence of either abortion (pregnancy loss before 22 weeks of gestations), stillbirth (intrauterine fetal death after 22 weeks of gestation), neonatal death (death of a live-born infant within the first 28 days of life), and perinatal death (either stillbirth or neonatal death). Logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate parameters independently associated with the primary outcome. Logistic regression was reported as odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI). Results Mean gestational age at diagnosis was 30.6+/-9.5 weeks, with 8.0% of women being diagnosed in the first, 22.2% in the second and 69.8% in the third trimester of pregnancy. There were six miscarriage (2.3%), six intrauterine device (IUD) (2.3) and 5 (2.0%) neonatal deaths, with an overall rate of perinatal death of 4.2% (11/265), thus resulting into 17 cases experiencing and 226 not experiencing composite adverse fetal outcome. Neither stillbirths nor neonatal deaths had congenital anomalies found at antenatal or postnatal evaluation. Furthermore, none of the cases experiencing IUD had signs of impending demise at arterial or venous Doppler. Neonatal deaths were all considered as prematurity-related adverse events. Of the 250 live-born neonates, one (0.4%) was found positive at RT-PCR pharyngeal swabs performed after delivery. The mother was tested positive during the third trimester of pregnancy. The newborn was asymptomatic and had negative RT-PCR test after 14 days of life. At logistic regression analysis, gestational age at diagnosis (OR: 0.85, 95% CI 0.8-0.9 per week increase; pPeer reviewe

Maternal and perinatal outcomes of pregnant women with SARS-CoV-2 infection.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the maternal and perinatal outcomes of pregnancies affected by SARS-CoV-2 infection. METHODS: This was a multinational retrospective cohort study including women with a singleton pregnancy and laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection, conducted in 72 centers in 22 different countries in Europe, the USA, South America, Asia and Australia, between 1 February 2020 and 30 April 2020. Confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection was defined as a positive result on real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay of nasopharyngeal swab specimens. The primary outcome was a composite measure of maternal mortality and morbidity, including admission to the intensive care unit (ICU), use of mechanical ventilation and death. RESULTS: In total, 388 women with a singleton pregnancy tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 on RT-PCR of a nasopharyngeal swab and were included in the study. Composite adverse maternal outcome was observed in 47/388 (12.1%) women; 43 (11.1%) women were admitted to the ICU, 36 (9.3%) required mechanical ventilation and three (0.8%) died. Of the 388 women included in the study, 122 (31.4%) were still pregnant at the time of data analysis. Among the other 266 women, six (19.4% of the 31 women with first-trimester infection) had miscarriage, three (1.1%) had termination of pregnancy, six (2.3%) had stillbirth and 251 (94.4%) delivered a liveborn infant. The rate of preterm birth before 37 weeks' gestation was 26.3% (70/266). Of the 251 liveborn infants, 69/251 (27.5%) were admitted to the neonatal ICU, and there were five (2.0%) neonatal deaths. The overall rate of perinatal death was 4.1% (11/266). Only one (1/251, 0.4%) infant, born to a mother who tested positive during the third trimester, was found to be positive for SARS-CoV-2 on RT-PCR. CONCLUSIONS: SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnant women is associated with a 0.8% rate of maternal mortality, but an 11.1% rate of admission to the ICU. The risk of vertical transmission seems to be negligible. © 2020 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology

Ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration cytology of a primary lymph node leiomyoma: a flexible procedure for a complex case

A primary lymph node leiomyoma diagnosed by fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is reported

Microalgae Valorisation via Accelerated Solvent Extraction: Optimization of the Operative Conditions

The valorisation of microalgae for the production of valuable biomolecules, for their use in several fields, such as cosmetic, pharmaceutical and animal food, by applying technologies able to avoid any kind of alteration of the biomolecule, is becoming a priority research topic. Several techniques can be used, among them Accelerated Solvent Extraction (ASE) with Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) solvents is an interesting technology. This paper deals with Accelerated Solvent Extraction investigations for extraction of lutein (C40H56O2, carotenoid belonging to the xanthophylls group) from Haematococcus pluvialis in red phase with a mechanical pre-treatment method to break the cell wall. Experiments were carried out by comparing performance of several solvents both conventional as Chloroform:Methanol (1:1) and Hexane (class 2 according to FDA classification) and solvents normally accepted in the pharmaceuticals and food industry as Acetone and Ethanol (class 3 of FDA classification) by varying extraction conditions (pressure, temperature and time)

Serum In Vivo and In Vitro Activity of Single Dose of Ertapenem in Surgical Obese Patients for Prevention of SSIs

Background Despite progress made in the control of postoperative infections, the incidence of surgical site infections (SSIs) is still high. An improper perioperative antibiotic use can expose patients to the risk of resistant microorganisms, and, in surgical obese patients, the drug dosage and infusion time are critical points. The aim of our study was to evaluate the effectiveness of ertapenem in the prophylaxis of SSIs in obese patients undergoing general or bariatric surgery. Methods A total of 63 obese patients, candidates for several surgical interventions, were enrolled and divided into two groups. Patients received antibiotic prophylaxis before surgery: the case group received venous infusion of ertapenem; the control group received standard prophylaxis. Serum samples were tested for antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Results After single-dose ertapenem in obese patients, we registered in vitro activity of sera against the growth of nonextended beta lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis, Citrobacter freundii, Enterobacter cloacae, and non-ESBL-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae. Moreover, methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus viridans were also inhibited. We found in vivo efficacy according to clinical monitoring: at the weekly and monthly follow-ups, one patient in the case group and six patients in the control group presented superficial incisional SSIs. Conclusions These preliminary results are suggestive of the efficacy of ertapenem in perioperative prophylaxis of SSIs in obese patients; however, they need to be confirmed by further investigations and more defined trials

Diagnostic, Management, and Neonatal Outcomes of Colorectal Cancer during Pregnancy: Two Case Reports, Systematic Review of Literature and Metanalysis

Objective: Colorectal cancer (CRC) during pregnancy is a rare occurrence, with a reported incidence of 0.8 cases per 100,000 pregnancies. Managing CRC during pregnancy poses substantial challenges for clinicians: the diagnosis is often complicated and delayed due to symptom overlap with pregnancy-related manifestations, and medical imaging is constrained by safety concerns for the foetus. Methods: This article presents two cases of advanced CRC diagnosed and managed during pregnancy. Additionally, we conducted a systematic review of the literature to assess diagnostic and prognostic factors involved in CRC in pregnant individuals. The systematic review, with pre-registration and approval through Prospero, involved an extensive search of medical databases (Pubmed, Web of Science, Scopus and Scholar) and statistical analysis using t-test for continuous variables and chi square for dichotomous variables. Results: A total of 1058 studies were identified. After applying exclusion criteria, sixty-six studies were included. Women whose initial symptoms were severe abdominal pain not responsive to common medical treatments and constipation (acute abdomen) had a mean gestational age at delivery lower than those who presented with paucisymptomatic onset. In our study groups, women who underwent chemotherapy during pregnancy had a higher mean gestational age at delivery and did not experience worse neonatal outcomes compared to those who did not undergo chemotherapy. Conclusions: CRC during pregnancy poses unique diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. Collaborative efforts among various medical disciplines are essential to manage CRC during pregnancy

The Role of Hormonal Replacement Therapy in BRCA Mutated Patients: Lights and Shadows

All cancers develop as a result of mutations in genes. DNA damage induces genomic instability and subsequently increases susceptibility to tumorigenesis. Women who carry mutations of BRCA 1 and BRCA2 genes have an augmented risk of breast and ovarian cancer and a markedly augmented probability of dying because of cancer compared to the general population. As a result, international guidelines recommend that all BRCA1\2 mutation carriers be offered risk-reducing bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy at an early age to reduce the risk of cancer and decrease the mortality rate of this high-risk population. NCCN guidelines recommend risk-reducing bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy in pre-menopausal women, between 35–40 years in BRCA1 mutation carriers and between 40–45 years in BRCA2 mutation carriers. Unfortunately, the well-documented reduction of cancer risk is counterbalanced by early sterility and premature ovarian failure with an early onset of secondary menopausal syndromes such as neuromotor, cardiovascular, cognitive and urogenital deficiency. Hormonal replacement therapy significantly compensates for hormonal deprivation and counteracts menopausal syndrome morbidity and mortality; however, some data suggest a possible correlation between hormonal medications and cancer risk, especially in BRCA1\2 carriers who undergo long-term regimens. Conversely, short-term treatment before the age of natural menopause does not appear to increase the cancer risk in BRCA1 mutation carriers without a personal history of breast cancer after prophylactic surgery. Few data are available on BRCA2 mutation carriers and more well-designed studies are needed. In conclusion, clinicians should propose short-term hormone replacement therapy to BRCA 1 carriers to counteract hormonal deprivation; personalized counselling should be offered to BRCA2 mutation carriers for a balance between the risks and benefits of the treatment