trans-Resveratrol, Quercetin, (+)-Catechin, and (-)-Epicatechin Content in South Italian Monovarietal Wines: Relantionship with Maceration Time and Marc Pressing during Winemaking

The concentrations of trans-resveratrol, (+)-catechin, (-)-epicatechin, and quercetin were evaluated by means of high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection in red wines obtained from Aglianico, Piedirosso, and Nerello Mascalese grapes. The trans-resveratrol and epicatechin concentrations did not differ significantly between experimental wines. The concentration of quercetin in Nerello Mascalese wines was more than twice that observed in Aglianico and Piedirosso wines. Nerello Mascalese wines also significantly differed from other wines in the (+)-catechin content, which was significantly higher than those found in the other two wines. During maceration, the maximum extraction of trans-resveratrol was reached after 12 days for Aglianico and Piedirosso, after which a decline was observed. On the contrary, in the case of Nerello Mascalese, the concentration of trans-resveratrol increased steadily throughout the whole maceration process. After 2 days of maceration, the maximum concentration of quercetin was observed in Aglianico must, whereas the maximum quercetin extraction was reached after 12 days for Piedirosso and 17 days for Nerello Mascalese. The maximum levels of (+)-catechin and (-)-epicatechin were generally observed after 12 days of maceration for all wines, although a decline of (-)-epicatechin occurred after maximum extraction in Aglianico and Piedirosso wines. Following marc pressing, a significant increase in the concentration of trans-resveratrol for Aglianico, (+)-catechin and (-)-epicatechin for Piedirosso, and (-)-epicatechin for Nerello Mascalese was observed

Retrospective analysis of the cholesterol levels in a european mid-latitude population between 2007 and 2018: Controversies and therapeutic implications

Background and aim of the work: Coronary heart disease is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in developed countries and its association with LDL-cholesterol has been well established. During the last decades statin therapy, and an healthy lifestyle, has proven highly effective in reducing cardiovascular event rates. Yet, there is still controversy among national guidelines and clinical practice with regard to LDL-cholesterol measurements. The aim of this study was to verify whether significant changes in cholesterol levels were observed over a relatively long (12 years) period. We also compared the Friedewald-calculated with directly-measured LDL cholesterol in order to verify whether the two methods were equivalent. Meth-ods: We retrospectively analyzed 288000 data (total cholesterol, HDL, LDL both directly-measured and Friedewald-calculated, and triglycerides), from 57600 individuals, collected at the San Raffaele Hospital in Milan between 2007 and 2018. Data were statistically analyzed using a linear regression over the 12 years long period of time. Results: We observed a general decreasing trend in total cholesterol (and an increasing trend in HDL) and a decrease in triglycerides only in the male group. Directly-measured LDL did not cor-relate well with calculated LDL. Conclusion: The total cholesterol decrease and the corresponding increment in HDL was attributed to either an increased use of statin and/or an improvement of the general population dietary habits. The latter was further confirmed by the decrease in triglycerides observed in the male group. Based on our data, an alternative method for assessing atherogenics lipoproteins level has been proposed. (www.actabiomedica.it)

Routine blood analysis greatly reduces the false-negative rate of RT-PCR testing for COVID-19

Background: The COVID-19 outbreak is now a pandemic disease reaching as much as 210 countries worldwide with more than 2.5 million infected people and nearly 200.000 deaths. Amplification of viral RNA by RT-PCR represents the gold standard for confirmation of infection, yet it showed false-negative rates as large as 15-20% which may jeopardize the effect of the restrictive measures taken by governments. We previously showed that several hematological parameters were significantly different between COVID-19 positive and negative patients. Among them aspartate aminotransferase and lactate dehydrogenase had pre-dictive values as large as 90%. Thus a combination of RT-PCR and blood tests could reduce the false-negative rate of the genetic test. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 24 patients showing multiple and inconsistent RT-PCR, test during their first hospitalization period, and compared the genetic tests results with their AST and LDH levels. Results: We showed that when considering the hematological parameters, the RT-PCR false-negative rates were reduced by almost 4-fold. Conclusions: The study represents a preliminary work aiming at the development of strategies that, by combining RT-PCR tests with routine blood tests, will lower or even abolish the rate of RT-PCR false-negative results and thus will identify, with high accuracy, patients infected by COVID-19. (www.actabiomedica.it)