Detection of natural killer T cells in mice infected with Rickettsia conorii

Little information is available regarding the role of natural killer T (NKT) cells during the early stage of Rickettsia conorii infection. Herein, C3H/HeN mice were infected with the Malish 7 strain of R. conorii. Splenocytes from these mice were analysed in the early stage of the infection by flow cytometry and compared with uninfected controls. Our results showed an increase in NKT cells in infected mice. Additionally, NKT interleukin (IL)-17(+) cells increased three days after infection, together with a concurrent decrease in the relative amount of NKT interferon (IFN)-\u3b3(+) cells. We also confirmed a higher amount of NK IFN-\u3b3(+) cells in infected mice. Taken together, our data showed that NKT cells producing Il-17 increased during the early stage of rickettsial infection. These results suggest a connection between IL-17(+) NKT cells and vasculitis, which is the main clinical symptom of rickettsiosi

Influence of storage on the volatile profile, mechanical, optical properties and antioxidant activity of strawberry spreads made with isomaltulose

[EN] This work represents the final step of a series of studies on the formulation of strawberry products with partial replacement of sucrose by healthier sugars such as fructose and isomaltulose. Previously, quality parameters of the formulated products such as colour, texture, rheology, aromatic profile and sensory evaluation were assessed. As a final step, in the present work, the volatile profile evolution of a strawberry spread-product during 90 days of storage at room temperature (20 °C), and its relation with some physicochemical properties (aw, pH, texture and colour) and antioxidant activity as well as anthocyanin content were studied. Most of the volatile compounds modified their concentration during storage; some of them totally disappeared but 13 new compounds were formed: (methyl-2-methyl butyrate, E-2-butenal, 2-butenal-2-methyl, 2-buten-1-ol, 2-penten-1-ol, 2-etil-1-hexanol, 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one, acetic acid, propanoic-2-methyl acid, butyric acid and butyric-2-methyl acid). Storage led to a dark pink colour and an increase in consistency and adhesiveness while the antioxidant activity considerably increased (from 18±2% to 94±2% DPPH inhibition). Levels of citric acid and pectin influenced colour, texture and antioxidant activity as well as retention and formation of aromatic compounds, especially in fructose isomaltulose products. Correlations via a PLS were found between the aromatic profile of the products after storage and some of their quality parameters such as texture, colour and antioxidant content. Future research might involve correlation and identification of specific volatiles with different quality parameters.Authors would like to thank Ministry of Science and Education's General directorate of Research (AGL2008-01745/ALI) for the financial support given to this investigation.Peinado Pardo, I.; Rosa Barbosa, EM.; Heredia Gutiérrez, AB.; Escriche Roberto, MI.; Andrés Grau, AM. (2016). Influence of storage on the volatile profile, mechanical, optical properties and antioxidant activity of strawberry spreads made with isomaltulose. Food Bioscience. 14:10-20. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fbio.2016.02.001S10201

Cardiotoxicity of Freon among refrigeration services workers: comparative cross-sectional study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Freon includes a number of gaseous, colorless chlorofluorocarbons. Although freon is generally considered to be a fluorocarbon of relatively low toxicity; significantly detrimental effects may occur upon over exposure. The purpose of the present study is to investigate whether occupational exposure to fluorocarbons can induce arterial hypertension, myocardial ischemia, cardiac arrhythmias, elevated levels of plasma lipids and renal dysfunction.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>This comparative cross-sectional study was conducted at the cardiology clinic of the Suez Canal Authority Hospital (Egypt). The study included 23 apparently healthy male workers at the refrigeration services workshop who were exposed to fluorocarbons (FC 12 and FC 22) and 23 likewise apparently healthy male workers (unexposed), the control group. All the participants were interviewed using a pre-composed questionnaire and were subjected to a clinical examination and relevant laboratory investigations.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>There were no significant statistical differences between the groups studied regarding symptoms suggesting arterial hypertension and renal affection, although a significantly higher percentage of the studied refrigeration services workers had symptoms of arrhythmias. None of the workers had symptoms suggesting coronary artery disease. Clinical examination revealed that the refrigeration services workers had a significantly higher mean pulse rate compared to the controls, though no significant statistical differences were found in arterial blood pressure measurements between the two study groups. Exercise stress testing of the workers studied revealed normal heart reaction to the increased need for oxygen, while sinus tachycardia was detected in all the participants. The results of Holter monitoring revealed significant differences within subject and group regarding the number of abnormal beats detected throughout the day of monitoring (p < 0.001). There were no significant differences detected in the average heart rate during the monitoring period within subject or group. Most laboratory investigations revealed absence of significant statistical differences for lipid profile markers, serum electrolyte levels and glomerular lesion markers between the groups except for cholesterol and urinary β2-microglobulin (tubular lesion markers) levels which were significantly elevated in freon exposed workers.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Unprotected occupational exposure to chlorofluorocarbons can induce cardiotoxicity in the form of cardiac arrhythmias. The role of chlorofluorocarbons in inducing arterial hypertension and coronary artery diseases is unclear, although significantly elevated serum cholesterol and urinary β2-microglobulin levels raise a concern.</p

Italian guidelines for primary headaches: 2012 revised version

The first edition of the Italian diagnostic and therapeutic guidelines for primary headaches in adults was published in J Headache Pain 2(Suppl. 1):105–190 (2001). Ten years later, the guideline committee of the Italian Society for the Study of Headaches (SISC) decided it was time to update therapeutic guidelines. A literature search was carried out on Medline database, and all articles on primary headache treatments in English, German, French and Italian published from February 2001 to December 2011 were taken into account. Only randomized controlled trials (RCT) and meta-analyses were analysed for each drug. If RCT were lacking, open studies and case series were also examined. According to the previous edition, four levels of recommendation were defined on the basis of levels of evidence, scientific strength of evidence and clinical effectiveness. Recommendations for symptomatic and prophylactic treatment of migraine and cluster headache were therefore revised with respect to previous 2001 guidelines and a section was dedicated to non-pharmacological treatment. This article reports a summary of the revised version published in extenso in an Italian version

Mass transfer and phenolic profile of strawberries upon refrigerated osmodehydration. Transferencia de masa y perfil fen\uf3lico de las fresas cuando son osmo-deshidratadas por refrigeraci\uf3n

Whole strawberries were osmodehydrated at low temperature (5\ub0C) in a sucrose syrup (500 g/kg of solution) for different processing times (24, 48, 72, 96, and 120 h); after the treatment, water loss, solid gain, and weight reduction were recorded. Next, the osmodehydrated samples were frozen, and after a 5-month storage at -18\ub0C they were analyzed for drip loss, titratable acidity, refractometric index, pH, and sensory acceptance. The phenolic profile of the samples was characterized by means of high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). After thawing, osmodehydrated samples presented a high acceptability for consumers. In addition, they presented drip loss values that were inversely correlated with the processing time, with 120-h samples presenting negligible drip loss after thawing. The processing time influenced the final quality of strawberries, and samples treated for 24\u201348 h were very suitable for direct consumption after thawing, in substitution of fresh strawberries. The samples treated for 72\u2013120 h also presented characteristics that may render them suitable for applications in the food industry

Mass transfer and phenolic profile of strawberries upon refrigerated osmodehydration

Whole strawberries were osmodehydrated at low temperature (5 degrees C) in a sucrose syrup (500 g/kg of solution) for different processing times (24, 48, 72, 96, and 120 h); after the treatment, water loss, solid gain, and weight reduction were recorded. Next, the osmodehydrated samples were frozen, and after a 5-month storage at - 18 degrees C they were analyzed for drip loss, titratable acidity, refractometric index, pH, and sensory acceptance. The phenolic profile of the samples was characterized by means of high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). After thawing, osmodehydrated samples presented a high acceptability for consumers. In addition, they presented drip loss values that were inversely correlated with the processing time, with 120-h samples presenting negligible drip loss after thawing. The processing time influenced the final quality of strawberries, and samples treated for 24-48 h were very suitable for direct consumption after thawing, in substitution of fresh strawberries. The samples treated for 72 120 h also presented characteristics that may render them suitable for applications in the food industry