Crop Level and Harvest Date Impact on Four Ontario Wine Grape Cultivars. II. Wine Aroma Compounds and Sensory Analysis

Pinot gris, Riesling, Cabernet franc and Cabernet Sauvignon from a vineyard in Virgil, Ontario, Canada were subjected by cluster thinning to two crop-level treatments (full crop, half crop), combined with threeharvest dates (commercial harvest (T0), three weeks after T0 (T1), six weeks after T0 (T2)) in a randomised experiment in 2011 and 2012, with wines produced from all treatment replicates. We hypothesised that afull crop with substantially delayed harvest date might have a greater impact on wine aroma than reducing crop level. Wine aroma volatile analysis was carried out by GC-MS, with quantification by calibration withanalytical standards prepared in model wine. Delayed harvest overcame the effects of crop reduction for almost all volatiles. Pinot gris and Riesling displayed increases in varietal aromas in the T1 and T2 wines, e.g. monoterpenes and norisoprenoids, and in esters, aldehydes and alcohols. Reduced concentrations of volatile acids and green odour compounds (e.g. 1-hexanol) with delayed harvest were also evident.  Increases in ethanol were related to increased berry sugars, but higher alcohols did not necessarily increase with harvest date. Crop level had little impact on the sensory properties of these cultivars in both seasons.  However, delayed harvest resulted in substantial sensorial changes. Due to these chemical and sensorial effects, delayed harvest is recommended, rather than crop-level reduction, to enhance wine quality in these cultivars. Extended harvest, e.g. T2 treatments, was associated with the production of benzaldehyde, diethyl acetal, and higher concentrations of higher alcohols, e.g. isoamyl alcohol and nonanol, which could be linked to pre-harvest desiccation

Prostasome-like particles in stallion semen.

Human semen contains membranous vesicles called prosta- somes. They are secreted by the prostate gland and contain large amounts of cholesterol, sphingomyelin, and Ca2. Prostasomes enhance the motility of ejaculated spermatozoa and are in- volved in a number of additional biological functions. No prostasome-like vesicles have been described in horse se- men up to now. We have demonstrated the presence of pros- tasome-like vesicles in the equine semen and characterized them as to size, morphology, and lipid composition; we have found that they are similar to human prostasomes in many re- spects. We propose that these vesicles might be important for the fecundity of horse semen. This is of interest since the success of artificial insemination is limited by the fact that stallion sperm barely survive cryopreservation

Which milk during the second year of life : A personalized choice for a healthy future?

Nutrition in early life is a crucial element to provide all essential substrates for growth. Although this statement may appear obvious, several studies have shown how the intake of micro and macronutrients in toddlers differs a lot from the recommendations of scientific societies. Protein intake often exceeds the recommended amount, while the intake of iron and zinc is frequently insufficient, as well as Vitamin D. Nutritional errors in the first years of life can negatively impact the health of the child in the long term. To date, no clear evidence on which milk is suggested during the second year of life is yet to be established. In this study, we compare the nutrient profiles of cow’s milk and specific formulas as well as nutritional risks in toddlers linked to growth and childhood obesity development. The purpose of this review is to resume the latest clinical studies on toddlers fed with cow’s milk or young children formula (YCF), and the potential risks or benefits in the short and long term

Unsaturated fatty acids, omega-3 index and hospitalization in MISC

The growing interest in Omega-3 fatty acids as diagnostic markers or new therapeutic approaches also for COVID-19 disease, led us to investigate the presence of potential correlations between Omega-3 fatty acids' levels in whole blood and days of hospitalization or admission to the paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) in 51 children with MIS-C diagnosis following SARS-CoV-2 infection. A statistically significant negative correlation was observed between days of hospitalization and docosapentaenoic acid (22:5n-3,DPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and total Omega-3 FA levels. Dividing the study group into quartiles according to Omega-3-Index (O3I), no statistically significant difference was observed with respect to the PICU admission rate. In contrast, the number of days of hospitalization in Q4 (O3I ≥ 2.51 %) was different from the number observed in groups Q1-3 (O3I < 2.51 %), with subjects showing higher O3I needing shorter hospitalizations than the subjects with lower O3I. According to previous study investigating O3I in adults affected by Sars-cov-2 we explored the levels of this nutrients in children with MIS-C. Our exploratory study shows that high DPA, DHA and O3I levels could be effective in reducing the length of hospitalization

Use of Soy-Based Formulas and Cow's Milk Allergy: Lights and Shadows.

oybean (Glycine max) is a species of legume native to East Asia and used in childhood diet for over 2,000 years in the East. Soy protein formulas have been available for almost a century. Nowadays, the increase in cow's milk allergy and vegetarian dietary preferences are driving consumers toward cow's milk alternatives. In this paper, we reviewed the nutritional composition of soy-based infant formula and discussed their possible use in pediatric age, mainly focusing on prevention and treatment of cow's milk allergy. Protein quality is determined by digestibility and amino acid content. Purified or concentrated vegetable proteins (e.g., soy protein and gluten) have high digestibility (>95%), similar to those of animal ones. For some intact vegetable products (e.g., whole cereals and pulses), protein digestibility is lower (80-90%). Food processing and heat treatment also influence protein digestibility. Considering these data, we tried to evaluate the possible use of soybean and derivatives in pediatric age, including the nutritional composition of soy formulas and the clinical indications for their use. Moreover, since plant-based beverages are being perceived as healthy by consumers and their use is growing on the market, we recommend that soy drink should not be used as a substitute for infant formulas or cow's milk in children younger than 24 months

Blood fatty acids profile in mis-c children

MIS-C (multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children) linked to SARS-CoV-2 infection, is a pathological state observed in subjects younger than 21 years old with evidence of either current SARS-CoV-2 infection or exposure within the 4 weeks prior to the onset of symptoms, the presence of documented fever, elevated markers of inflammation, at least two signs of multisystem involvement, and, finally, lack of an alternative diagnosis. They share with adult COVID-19 patients the presence of altered markers of inflammation, but unlike most adults the symptoms are not pulmonary but are affecting several organs. Lipid mediators arising from polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) play an important role in the inflammatory response, with arachidonic acid-derived compounds, such as prostaglandins and leukotrienes, mainly pro-inflammatory and ω3 PUFA metabolites such as resolvins and protectins, showing anti-inflammatory and pro-resolution activities. In order to assess potential alterations of these FA, we evaluated the blood fatty acid profile of MIS-C children at admission to the hospital, together with biochemical, metabolic and clinical assessment. All the patients enrolled showed altered inflammatory parameters with fibrinogen, D-dimer, NT-proBNP, ferritin, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), C-reactive protein (CRP) and TrygIndex levels over the reference values in all the subjects under observation, while albumin and HDL-cholesterol resulted below the normal range. Interestingly, linoleic acid (LA), arachidonic acid (AA) and the ω3 PUFA docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) results were lower in our study when compared to relative amounts reported in the other studies, including from our own laboratory. This significant alteration is pointing out to a potential depletion of these PUFA as a result of the systemic inflammatory condition typical of these patients, suggesting that LA-and AA-derived metabolites may play a critical role in this pathological state, while ω3 PUFA-derived pro-resolution metabolites in these subjects may not be able to provide a timely, physiological counterbalance to the formation of pro-inflammatory lipid mediators. In conclusion, this observational study provides evidence of FA alterations in MIS-C children, suggesting a significant contribution of ω6 FA to the observed inflammatory state, and supporting a potential dietary intervention to restore an appropriate balance among the FAs capable of promoting the resolution of the observed inflammatory condition

Metabolic derangement in pediatric patient with obesity : The role of ketogenic diet as therapeutic tool

Obesity is defined as a condition characterized by an excessive fat accumulation that has negative health consequences. Pediatric obesity is associated with an increased risk for many diseases, including impaired glycemic and lipidic control that may lead to the development of chronic, and potentially disabling, pathologies, such as type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and cardiovascular events, in adult life. The therapeutic strategy initially starts with interventions that are aimed at changing lifestyle and eating behavior, to prevent, manage, and potentially reverse metabolic disorders. Recently, the ketogenic diet (KD) has been proposed as a promising dietary intervention for the treatment of metabolic and cardiovascular risk factors related to obesity in adults, and a possible beneficial role has also been proposed in children. KD is very low in carbohydrate, high in fat, and moderate to high in protein that may have the potential to promote weight loss and improve lipidic derangement, glycemic control, and insulin sensitivity. In this review, we present metabolic disorders on glycemic and lipidic control in children and adolescents with obesity and indication of KD in pediatrics, discussing the role of KD as a therapeutic tool for metabolic derangement. The results of this review may suggest the validity of KD and the need to further research its potential to address metabolic risk factors in pediatric obesity

Polycystic ovary syndrome in insulin‐resistant adolescents with obesity : The role of nutrition therapy and food supplements as a strategy to protect fertility

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder in young reproductive‐aged women. PCOS is often associated with obesity and impairs reproductive health. Even though several theories have been proposed to explain the pathogenic mechanism of PCOS, the role of insulin resistance (IR) as a key etiological component, independently of (but amplified by) obesity, is well recognized. The consequent hyperinsulinemia activates excessive ovarian androgen production, leading to PCOS. Additionally, the state of chronic inflammation related to obesity impacts ovarian physiology due to insulin sensitivity impairment. The first‐line treatment for adolescents with obesity and PCOS includes lifestyle changes; personalized dietary interventions; and, when needed, weight loss. Medical nutrition therapy (MNT) and the use of specific food supplements in these patients aim at improving symptoms and signs, including insulin resistance and metabolic and reproductive functions. The purpose of this narrative review is to present and discuss PCOS in adolescents with obesity, its relationship with IR and the role of MNT and food supplements in treatment. Appropriate early dietary intervention for the management of adolescents with obesity and PCOS should be considered as the recommended approach to restore ovulation and to protect fertility

ILSI Europe Systematic Review: The Impact of Digestible and Nondigestible Carbohydrate Consumption for Toddlers (1–4 Years) in Relation to Health Outcomes

Context Early dietary habits play a crucial role in shaping long-term health outcomes. Understanding the effects of different carbohydrate types on physiological markers is essential for developing evidence-based nutritional guidelines for toddlers.Objective The aim was to systematically evaluate the impact of both digestible and nondigestible carbohydrate intake during early childhood (1-4 years of age) on various health outcomes, including growth patterns, metabolic parameters, and the development of risk of cardiovascular diseases.Data Sources PubMed, Embase, and CENTRAL databases were searched up to April 2022 to identify studies investigating carbohydrate consumption in toddlers.Data Extraction The types of carbohydrates consumed, their sources, and their associations with growth parameters and metabolic markers were extracted. Thirty-one publications, including 18 cohort studies and 2 randomized controlled trials, were included.Data Analysis The risk of bias was assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. A narrative synthesis was performed, with a visual summary table of the direction of effects.Conclusion In toddlers, the negative impact on health risks later in life is more pronounced for digestible dietary carbohydrate intake in liquid forms, such as sugar-sweetened beverages and fruit juice, compared with solid forms. Higher nondigestible carbohydrate (dietary fiber) intake during early childhood showed a beneficial trend on later lipid profile. Further studies are required to comprehensively assess the effect of digestible and nondigestible carbohydrate intake in toddlers on cognitive and psychomotor development, infections, bowel function, and gut microbiota

Is chemically reactive membrane crystallisation faciliated by heterogeneous primary nucleation? Comparison with conventional gas-liquid crystallisation for ammonium bicarbonate precipitation in a CO2-NH3-H2O system

In this study, membrane crystallisation is compared to conventional gas-liquid crystallisation for the precipitation of ammonium bicarbonate, to demonstrate the distinction in kinetic trajectory and illustrate the inherent advantage of phase separation introduced by the membrane to crystallising in gas-liquid systems. Through complete mixing of gas and liquid phases in conventional crystallisation, high particle numbers were confirmed at low levels of supersaturation. This was best described by secondary nucleation effects in analogy to mixed suspension mixed product removal (MSMPR) crystallisation, for which a decline in population density was observed with an increase in crystal size. In contrast, for membrane crystallisation, fewer nuclei were produced at an equivalent level of supersaturation. This supported growth of fewer, larger crystals which is preferred to simplify product recovery and limit occlusions. Whilst continued crystal growth was identified with the membrane, this was accompanied by an increase in nucleation rate which would indicate the segregation of heterogeneous primary nucleation from crystal growth, and was confirmed by experimental derivation of the interfacial energy for ammonium bicarbonate (σ, 6.6 mJ m-2), which is in agreement to that estimated for inorganic salts. The distinction in kinetic trajectory can be ascribed to the unique phase separation provided by the membrane which promotes a counter diffusional chemical reaction to develop, introducing a region of concentration adjacent to the membrane. The membrane also lowers the activation energy required to initiate nucleation in an unseeded solution. In conventional crystallisation, the high nucleation rate was due to the higher probability for collision, and the gas stripping of ammonia (around 40% loss) through direct contact between phases which lowered pH and increased bicarbonate availability for the earlier onset of nucleation. It is this high nucleation rate which has restricted the implementation of gas-liquid crystallisation in direct contact packed columns for carbon capture and storage. Importantly, this study evidences the significance of the membrane to governing crystallisation for gas-liquid chemical reactions through providing controlled phase separation