Emulsion characteristics of salad dressings as affected by caprine whey protein concentrates

Caprine whey protein concentrates (WPC) were incorporated as emulsifiers in a salad dressing. The concentrates were manufactured by ultrafiltration-diafiltration with or without previous clarification by thermocalcic precipitation. Aggregates obtained in the clarification treatment and a commercial bovine WPC were also used as emulsifiers. Good emulsifying properties of caprine products were observed. Dressings made with caprine products showed higher firmness and stability than dressings made with bovine WPC. Thermocalcic precipitation improved the properties of caprine WPC. Aggregates modified the colour of dressings contributing to a more yellowish aspect. Microstructure of emulsions was affected by the type of proteinThe authors thank the Xunta de Galicia (Galicia, Spain), GPC 2016/008 for financial supportS

Caracterización de la carne de dos aves de caza: zorzal (Turdus philomelos) y tórtola (Streptopelia turtur)

The chemical and fatty acid composition and color of wild thrush (Turdus philomelos) and turtle dove (Streptopelia turtur) meat were investigated. No significant differences in the chemical composition were observed between the meat of thrush and that of turtle dove. However, significant differences (p < 0.05) in the fatty acid composition of the three fractions (glycerides, phospholipids, and free fatty acids) and in color parameters were observed. The main fatty acid in thrush meat was oleic acid (around 30%), and the high content of docosahexaenoic acid (C-22:6n-3) (more than 10% in the three fractions) was remarkable. There was a high content of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) (more than 50%) in the turtle dove meat; the main PUFA were linoleic (C-18:2n-6) and arachidonic (C-20:4n-6) acidsSe ha estudiado la composición química, de ácidos grasos y el color de la carne de zorzal (Turdus philomelos) y tórtola (Streptopelia turtur). No se observaron diferencias significativas en la composición química entre la carne de ambas especies; sin embargo, sí se detectaron diferencias significativas (p < 0,05) en la composición de ácidos grasos de las tres fracciones lipídicas (glicéridos, fosfolípidos y ácidos grasos libres) y en los parámetros de color. El principal ácido graso en la carne de zorzal fue el ácido oleico (alrededor del 30%), siendo remarcable el alto contenido de ácido docosahexaenoico (C-22:6n-3) (mayor del 10% en las tres fracciones). La carne de tórtola presentó un alto contenido de ácidos grasos poliinsaturados (mayor del 50%), siendo los principales ácidos grasos poliinsaturados el linoleico (C-18:2n-6) y el araquidónico (C-20:4n-6)S

Osteonecrosis of the jaw as an adverse bisphosphonate event : Three cases of bone metastatic prostate cancer patients treated with zoledronic acid

Bisphosphonates offer a significant improvement in the quality of life for cancer patients; these potent inhibitors of bone resorption have been shown to markedly reduce the morbidity frequently resulting from bone metastases. Despite the success of bisphosphonates as therapeutic agents, however, toxicity in the form of osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) is a rare complication whose incidence rate has climbed in recent years. ONJ is defined as an unexpected development of necrotic bone in the oral cavity, and is commonly associated with administration of the bisphosphonates Pamidronate and Zoledronate. Clinical features include local pain, soft-tissue swelling, and/or loose teeth; ONJ is also often correlated with previous dental procedures, such as tooth extractions, during biphosphonate therapy. Although additional risk factors--such as corticosteroids, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, trauma or infection?exhibit etiological associations with ONJ, the real pathobiology has not yet been fully elucidated. Here we report our findings on all 2005 OJN cases presented at our institution resulting from bone metastatic prostate cancer treated with zoledronic acid. The incidence of ONJ is nearly 3% (3 out of 104) in these patients

Cáncer de pulmón no microcítico: quimioterapia y otros tratamientos sistémicos

Lung cancer is the most frequent neoplasia in industrialized countries and the leading cause of cancer death worldwide. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for 75-80% of lung carcinomas. Approximately one-third of these patients are diagnosed of locally advanced disease (Stage III of TNM staging system). Although surgery is the optimal treatment strategy, even in patients with stage I disease, approximately one third of them will die within 5 years, due to relapses and distant metastases. Several studies have explored the impact of neo-adyuvant chemotherapy in free disease survival and overall survival and adjuvant chemotherapy trials have been conducted to eliminate occult micrometastases and improve overall survival. In advanced disease, primary goals of therapy are palliation of symptoms as well as improvements in quality of life without high treatment-related toxicity

Novel sensing algorithm for linear read-out of bimodal waveguide interferometric biosensors

Altres ajuts: the ICN2 was supported by the CERCA programme of the Generalitat de Catalunya.Biosensors employing photonics integrated circuits, and specifically those that rely on interferometric evanescent wave working principles, have outstanding performances due to the extreme sensitivity exhibited in one-step and direct assay, without the need of amplification. Within the interferometric configurations, the Bimodal Waveguide (BiMW) interferometric sensor stands out due to its demonstrated sensitivity for real-life applications and the simplicity of its design. To overcome the ambiguities that arise from the periodic nature of interferometric read-outs, a new all-optical modulation and the subsequent trigonometry-based algorithm have been proposed and applied to the BiMW biosensor. This new algorithm has been successfully employed for the selective identification and quantification of the external Spike (S) protein of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Our biosensing results from this simple, quick, and user-friendly method demonstrate high sensitivity and specificity and pave the way towards a point-of-care device for general use

Measurement uncertainty of β-lactam antibiotics results: estimation and clinical impact on therapeutic drug monitoring

Background: Despite that measurement uncertainty data should facilitate an appropriate interpretation of measured values, there are actually few reported by clinical laboratories. We aimed to estimate the measurement uncertainty of some β-lactam antibiotics (β-LA), and to evaluate the impact of reporting the measurement uncertainty on clinicians' decisions while guiding antibiotic therapy. Methods: Measurement uncertainty of β-LA (aztreonam [ATM], cefepime [FEP], ceftazidime [CAZ], and piperacillin [PIP]) values, obtained by an UHPLC-MS/MS based-method, was estimated using the top-down approach called the single laboratory validation approach (EUROLAB guidelines). Main uncertainty sources considered were related to calibrators' assigned values, the intermediate precision, and the bias. As part of an institutional program, patients with osteoarticular infections are treated with β-LA in continuous infusion and monitored to assure values at least 4 times over the minimal inhibitory concentration (4×MIC). We retrospectively evaluated the impact of two scenarios of laboratory reports on clinicians' expected decisions while monitoring the treatment: reports containing only the β-LA values, or including the β-LA coverage intervals (β-LA values and their expanded measurement uncertainties). Results The relative expanded uncertainties for ATM, FEP, CAZ and PIP were lower than 26.7%, 26.4%, 28.8%, and 25.5%, respectively. Reporting the measurement uncertainty, we identified that clinicians may modify their decision especially in cases where 4×MIC values were within the β-LA coverage intervals. Conclusions: This study provides a simple method to estimate the measurement uncertainty of β-LA values that can be easily applied in clinical laboratories. Further studies should confirm the potential impact of reporting measurement uncertainty on clinicians' decision-making while guiding antibiotic therapy

Use of Eculizumab in Pediatric Patients With Transplant Associated Thrombotic Microangiopathy

Complement inhibitor; Eculizumab; Hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT)Inhibidor del complemento; Eculizumab; Trasplante de células madre hematopoyéticas (TCMH)Inhibidor del complement; Eculizumab; Trasplantament de cèl·lules mare hematopoètiques (HSCT)Background: Transplant-associated thrombotic microangiopathy (TA-TMA) is a serious complication of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) associated with high morbidity and mortality. High-risk TA-TMA (hrTA-TMA) is characterized by multifactorial endothelial damage caused by environmental stressors, dysregulation of the complement system, and genetic predisposition. Complement inhibitors have significantly decreased mortality and are the current treatment of choice. In this article, we describe our experience with the use of eculizumab in pediatric patients diagnosed with hrT-TMA after HSCT. Method: Retrospective study of pediatric patients with hrTA-TMA treated with eculizumab between January 2016 and December 2020. Results: Four pediatric patients aged 1, 12, 14, and 17 years at the time of HSCT were diagnosed with hrTA-TMA and treated with eculizumab during the study. At diagnosis, they all had renal impairment with proteinuria, and hypertension under treatment with at least two antihypertensive drugs. The patient who presented multisystemic involvement died instead of treatment. The three patients with exclusive renal involvement achieved TA-TMA resolution after treatment with eculizumab for 65, 52, and 40.6 weeks and were able to stop treatment. The two patients with follow-up data one year after eculizumab withdrawal sustained a favorable response. Eculizumab was well tolerated, and with adequate vaccination and antibiotic prophylaxis, did not increase the risk of infection. Conclusions: Eculizumab appears to be both safe and effective for the treatment of hrTA-TMA in patients with renal impairment. Early diagnosis and initiation of treatment may improve response. Eculizumab withdrawal can be contemplated in patients who achieve laboratory and clinical resolution of TA-TMA