Potential of a sunflower seed by-product as animal fat replacer in healthier Frankfurters

Upcycled defatted sunflower seed flour (SUN), a by-product obtained from sunflower oil extraction, was used as an animal fat replacer to develop healthier frankfurters. For that end, animal fat was replaced (~50%) with water and 2% or 4% of SUN. Nutritional composition, technological, structural and sensorial properties were evaluated. SUN incorporation led to a significant increase in protein, minerals (magnesium, potassium, copper and manganese) and a decrease in fat content (~37% less than control with all animal fat). The incorporation of SUN in frankfurters promoted the presence of phenolic compounds. Increasing SUN addition lead to an increasingly (p < 0.05) darker frankfurter colour. Samples with SUN at 4% were firmer than the control according to TPA and sensory analysis results and showed the highest lipid disorder attributed to more lipid interactions in the meat matrix. SUN addition as an animal fat replacer in frankfurters is a feasible strategy to valorise sunflower oil by-products and obtain healthier frankfurters

VIP contribution to the decidualization program: regulatory T cell recruitment

During early pregnancy, the human uterus undergoes profound tissue remodeling characterized by leukocyte invasion and production of proinflammatory cytokines, followed by tissue repair and tolerance maintenance induction. Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) is produced by trophoblast cells and modulates the maternal immune response toward a tolerogenic profile. Here, we evaluated the contribution of the VIP/VPAC to endometrial renewal, inducing decidualization and the recruitment of induced regulatory T cells (iTregs) that accompany the implantation period. For that purpose, we used an in vitro model of decidualization with a human endometrial stromal cell line (HESC) stimulated with progesterone (P4) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) simulating the inflammatory response during implantation and human iTregs (CD4+CD25+FOXP3+) differentiated from naïve T cells obtained from peripheral blood mononuclear cells of fertile women. We observed that VIP and its receptor VPAC1 are constitutively expressed in HESCs and that P4 increased VIP expression. Moreover, in HESC VIP induced expression of RANTES (CCL5), one of the main chemokines involved in T cell recruitment, and this effect is enhanced by the presence of P4 and LPS. Finally, assays of the migration of iTregs toward conditioned media from HESCs revealed that endogenous VIP production induced by P4 and LPS and RANTES production were involved, as anti-RANTES neutralizing Ab or VIP antagonist prevented their migration. We conclude that VIP may have an active role in the decidualization process, thus contributing to recruitment of iTregs toward endometrial stromal cells by increasing RANTES expression in a P4-dependent manner.Fil: Grasso, Esteban Nicolas. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; ArgentinaFil: Paparini, Daniel Esteban. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; ArgentinaFil: Agüero, Mariana. Universidad de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Mor, Gil. University of Yale; Estados UnidosFil: Perez Leiros, Claudia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; ArgentinaFil: Ramhorst, Rosanna Elizabeth. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; Argentin

Choice of three different intramedullary nails in the treatment of trochanteric fractures: outcome, analysis and consideration in midterm

paragone di 3 differenti impianti per frattura pertrocanterica femoreThe purpose of this study is to compare the results obtained using three different systems of osteosynthesis, developed for the surgical treatment of fractures of the trochanteric region of the femur, based on the principle intramedullary nailing: the Gamma nail, the Affixus nail and the ZNN nail. This is a retrospective study: 72 trochanteric fractures treated with the Gamma nail, 68 treated with the Affixus nail and 69 treated with the ZNN nail, between the years 2012 and 2014, with the prerequisite of a minimum follow-up of 18 months. The fractures were classified according to the AO system; the most commonly reported subtype was the A2 fracture. Clinical and radiographic examinations were performed, both at hospital admission and post-operatively, at 1, 3, 6, 12 and 18 months. Of the 209 patients, 171 were women and 38 were men. The average age was 83.12 years old. All three systems guaranteed an early mobilization and ambulation in most of the patients. There were no significant differences in the use of the three nails in terms of recovery of previous functional capacity, or in terms of the time required for the fracture to heal. There were no advantages encountered with the use of one intramedullary nail over another and, in particular, when observing the complications and patient outcome, there were no statistically significant differences detected

Growth hormone nadir during oral glucose load depends on waist circumference, gender and age: normative data in 231 healthy subjects.

Objective  (i) To analyse the predictors of GH suppression after standard glucose load (oGTT) in the healthy population and (ii) to establish the 97th percentile of GH nadir post-oGTT according to these variables. Design  Analytical, retrospective. Measurements  GH nadir after oGTT. Subjects  Two hundred and thirty-one healthy subjects (113 women, 118 men 15-80 years) were studied. Results  The GH nadir after glucose load ranged from 0·01 (<assay detection limit) to 0·65 μg/l was higher in women and was inversely correlated with age, BMI, waist circumference, waist/hip, total cholesterol, triglycerides, basal and maximal glucose and basal insulin levels and directly correlated with basal GH levels, IGF-I SDS and HDL-cholesterol (P values ranging 0·004-<0·0001). On multistep regression analysis, the best predictors of nadir GH levels were waist circumference (t = -9·64, P < 0·0001), gender (t = -3·86, P = 0·0001) and age (t = -3·63, P = 0·0003). The results of comparative analysis among subjects grouped according to these variable showed different results in GH nadir in premenopausal women with waist circumference ≤88 cm (97th percentile 0·65 μg/l), in premenopausal women with waist circumference ≤88 cm and in men of any age with waist circumference ≤102 cm (97th percentile 0·33 μg/l) and in subjects of either gender and any age with waist circumference >88 cm in women and 102 cm in men (97th percentile 0·16 μg/l). Conclusions  The results of this study show that GH nadir after oGTT should be analysed according to gender, menopausal status and waist circumference. The GH cut-off should be limited to the assay used

VIP treatment prevents embryo resorption by modulating efferocytosis and activation profile of maternal macrophages in the CBAxDBA resorption prone model

Successful embryo implantation occurs followed by a local pro-inflammatory response subsequently shifted toward a tolerogenic one. VIP (vasoactive intestinal peptide) has embryotrofic, anti-inflammatory and tolerogenic effects. In this sense, we investigated whether the in vivo treatment with VIP contributes to an immunosuppressant local microenvironment associated with an improved pregnancy outcome in the CBA/J × DBA/2 resorption prone model. Pregnancy induced the expression of VIP, VPAC1 and VPAC2 in the uterus from CBA/J × DBA/2 mating females on day 8.5 of gestation compared with non-pregnant mice. VIP treatment (2 nmol/mouse i.p.) on day 6.5 significantly increased the number of viable implantation sites and improved the asymmetric distribution of implanted embryos. This effect was accompanied by a decrease in RORγt and an increase in TGF-β and PPARγ expression at the implantation sites. Moreover, VIP modulated the maternal peritoneal macrophages efferocytosis ability, tested using latex beads-FITC or apoptotic thymocytes, displaying an increased frequency of IL-10-producer F4/80 cells while did not modulate TNF-α and IL-12 secretion. The present data suggest that VIP treatment increases the number of viable embryos associated with an increase in the efferocytic ability of maternal macrophages which is related to an immunosuppressant microenvironment.Fil: Gallino, Lucila. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; ArgentinaFil: Calo, Guillermina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; ArgentinaFil: Hauk, Vanesa Cintia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; ArgentinaFil: Fraccaroli, Laura Virginia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; ArgentinaFil: Grasso, Esteban Nicolas. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; ArgentinaFil: Vermeulen, Elba Monica. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Medicina Experimental. Academia Nacional de Medicina de Buenos Aires. Instituto de Medicina Experimental; ArgentinaFil: Perez Leiros, Claudia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; ArgentinaFil: Ramhorst, Rosanna Elizabeth. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; Argentin

Differential migration and activation profile of monocytes after trophoblast interaction

Macrophages at the maternal-placental interface coordinate opposite demands under the control of trophoblast cells such as the response against pathogens on one hand, and apoptotic cell clearance and wound healing with the production of suppressor cytokines. Here, we investigated whether trophoblast cells induce maternal monocyte activation towards an alternative activated macrophage profile and whether bacterial or viral stimuli modulate their migratory properties. We used an in vitro model of the maternal-placental interface represented by co-cultures of CD14+ cells isolated from fertile women with first trimester trophoblast cell line (Swan-71 cells) in the presence or absence of pathogen associated molecular pattern (PAMP) stimuli lipopolysaccharide (LPS), peptidoglycan (PGN) or poly [I:C]). Maternal CD14+ cells showed increased CD16 and CD39 expression, both markers associated to an alternative activation profile, with no changes in CD80 expression after trophoblast cell interaction. These changes were accompanied by increased IL-10 and decreased IL-12 production by CD14+ cells. After stimulation with LPS, PGN or poly [I:C], monocytes co-cultured with trophoblast cells had lower production of TNF-α and IL-1β compared with non co-cultured monocytes. Interestingly, monocyte migration towards trophoblast cells was prevented in the presence of LPS or PGN but not after 24h of stimulation with poly [I:C]. LPS or PGN also decreased CCR5, CXCL-8 and CCL5 expression. Finally, trophoblast cells co-cultured with monocytes in the presence of pathological stimuli failed to increase chemokine expression, indicating a bidirectional effect. In conclusion, trophoblast might 'instruct' maternal monocytes to express an alternative activation profile and restrain their early recruitment under pathological threats as one of the first strategies to avoid potential tissue damage at the maternal-placental interface.Fil: Grasso, Esteban Nicolas. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; ArgentinaFil: Paparini, Daniel Esteban. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; ArgentinaFil: Hauk, Vanesa Cintia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; ArgentinaFil: Salamone, Gabriela Veronica. Academia Nacional de Medicina de Buenos Aires. Instituto de Invest. Hematológicas "mariano R. Castex". Departamento de Inmunología y Medicina Experimental. Div.de Inmunología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Medicina Experimental. Academia Nacional de Medicina de Buenos Aires. Instituto de Medicina Experimental; ArgentinaFil: Perez Leiros, Claudia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; ArgentinaFil: Ramhorst, Rosanna Elizabeth. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; Argentin

Official control and self-monitoring: Data agreement report in the integrated food safety system of an Italian dairy chain

Abstract The dairy industry's silos is a critical point in the safety and quality control system. However, limited scientific evidence is available on measurement agreement between the milk analyses done by official control bodies and the self-monitoring analyses done by milk processing industries. Milk production data from a milk processing plant were collected for four months and analyzed by an official control body and the dairy company for freezing point, total bacterial count, somatic cell count, and for fat, lactose and protein percentages. Correlation and Bland-Altman analysis showed a good agreement between the two determinations for most of the variables (Spearman's rho > 0.82 for Somatic cell count, Fat% and Protein %), while low agreement was found for total bacterial counts (Spearman's rho =0.78). It was found that the difference between total bacterial counts was influenced by collecting route, time between sampling and analysis, and milk temperature inside the truck tank

Nutritional Surveillance in Tuscany: eating habits at breakfast, mid-morning and afternoon snacks among 8-9 y-old children

Introduction.The prevalence of overweight and obesity in children is rapidly increasing in many countries. For that it has been interesting to investigate the eating habits of 8-9 y-old Tuscany children by paying attention to their meals frequency per day and their food choices in total and in relation to children?s Body Mass Index (BMI) classes. In addition we considered some environment factors that could affect the children eating behaviours, such as mother?s BMI and their education level. Methods. A statistical sample of 3,076 (1,583 males, 1,493 females), 8-9 year-old school-children was collected; weight and height were measured using standardized personnel and instruments. BMI classes were calculated using Cole et al.?s cutoff for children and adolescents. In order to evaluate the consumption frequency of individual meals and various foods, a Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) was used, which was completed by the children themselves at school. A self-administered questionnaire revealed the weight and height of parents and their educational levels. Three educational levels were established: high, medium and low. Results. The results showed that 92.3% of children ate breakfast from 4-7 times a week, the vast majority at home, while only 3% declared consuming breakfast never or almost never. The most preferred breakfast consisted of milk and biscuits for all children?s BMI classes. 95.9% of children reported having mid-morning snack at school; fruit juice and tea are the most frequently consumed liquid foods, and pizza, salami sandwiches and pre-packaged snacks are the most frequently consumed solid foods in all BMI classes. 93.6% ate afternoon snack for the most part at home, even if 12% of children reported consuming it elsewhere; fruit juice and tea with pizza, sandwiches and pre-packaged snacks are still the most highly consumed foods by all children?s BMI classes. The consumption frequency of breakfast (P inf. 0.001), mid-morning (P inf. 0.05) and afternoon snack (P inf. 0.05) of 8-9 y-old Tuscany children decrease with increase the children?s BMI classes. The same tendency may be noted for the consumption frequency of breakfast in relation to mother?s BMI (P inf. 0.05) and their education level (P inf. 0.05). This data strengthens the thesis that some home environments can affect the children?s eating behaviours. Conclusion. No substantial differences in food choices at the meals analyzed were determined among normal weight, over weight and obese children. Children of normal weight had a greater tendency to consume meals more regularly. Mother?s BMI and their education level can have influence on children?eating behaviours

Laparoscopic gynecological surgery under minimally invasive anesthesia: a prospective cohort study

The purpose of this study is to assess the feasibility and the perioperative outcomes of laparoscopic gynecological surgery in regional anesthesia (RA) from the point of view of the surgeon, anesthesiologist and patient. This is a prospective cohort study comprising sixty-six women planned to undergo gynecologic laparoscopy surgery for benign pathology at tertiary care gynecolgical center of the University Federico II of Naples. Women were assigned, according to their preference, to either RA (Group A) or general anesthesia (GA) (Group B). Surgical, anesthesiologic and postoperative recovery data were recorded. Postoperative pain was considered as the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes included mobilization, length of hospital stay, global surgeons and patient satisfaction, intraoperative pain assessment in Group A. Immediate postoperative pain was significantly lower in Group A 0 vs 2 (p &lt; 0.001), with no significant differences at 24 h. The secondary outcome demonstrated early patient's mobilization (p &lt; 0.001) as well as early discharge (p &lt; 0.001) and greater patient's satisfaction for the Group A. In these patients, a maximum pain score of 3 points out of 5 was recorded through the entire surgery. RA showed to decrease the impact of surgical stress and to guarantee a quicker recovery without compromising surgical results. Although several surgical approaches can be employed to treat different conditions, RA technique could be a viable option for well-selected patients affected by gynecological diseases

Neuroimmune aspects of Sjögren's syndrome: Role of VIP/VPAC system in immune and salivary gland epithelial cell function

Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by salivary and lacrimal gland dysfunction although extraglandular manifestations are also found. Suitable study models and in vitro cell culture designs are used to approach SS pathogenic mechanisms. Cellular and molecular pathways involved in gland homeostasis loss and the autoimmune response are focused in the search of novel drug targets and biomarkers. Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) has trophic, pro-secretory and immunomodulatory effects in several chronic and autoimmune disease models. Here we review evidence pointing to its role as an endogenous modulator of gland homeostasis at early stages of the disease. Particularly, mechanisms involving VIP/VPAC system in the course of salivary function impairment in the non obese diabetic (NOD) mouse model of Sjögren's syndrome are described.Fil: Hauk, Vanesa Cintia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; ArgentinaFil: Calafat, Mario Jose. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; ArgentinaFil: Grasso, Esteban Nicolas. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; ArgentinaFil: Fraccaroli, Laura Virginia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; ArgentinaFil: Paparini, Daniel Esteban. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; ArgentinaFil: Ramhorst, Rosanna Elizabeth. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; ArgentinaFil: Perez Leiros, Claudia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; Argentin