114 research outputs found
Effects of the replacement of nitrates/nitrites in salami by plant extracts on colon microbiota
Salami is a cured sausage consisting of fermented and air-dried meat obtained from a mixture of meat and fat with spices and other ingredients. Excessive processed meat consumption is negatively considered because of its high fat and salt contents and few bioactive molecules. Notwithstanding, salami is largely consumed, and there is a strong interest to produce better and healthier products by substituting nitrites and nitrates with natural extracts. This work produced four different salami, two controls including nitrates and two alternative preparations where nitrates were substituted with plant extract and ascorbic acid. The products were in vitro digested with the INFOGEST protocol to simulate the oro-gastro-duodenal phase and in vitro fermented with MICODE model to simulate the colon phase. Samples were analyzed by microbiomics and metabolomics approaches to study the changes in bacterial populations and in metabolites production. The results showed that the clean-label formulations promote a general eubiosis of the intestinal microbiota, including favorable F/B ratio, the proliferation of beneficial microbial taxa (Bifidobacteriaceae), and reduction of negative microbial populations (Enterobacteriaceae). Volatilome analysis highlighted a marked production of beneficial molecules, including acetate, propionate and butyrate, and a reduction in host negative molecules such as phenol and p-cresol. Our results tell that the plant extracts could be used to replace nitrates, because the features obtained are comparable to those of controls. This work could represent an encouraging starting point for the processed meat industry for the development of clean-label formulations aimed at reducing the negative impact of these products on consumers
Three-Dimensional Acoustic Displays In A Museum Employing WFS (Wave Field Synthesis) And HOA (High Order Ambisonics)
The paper describes the sound systems and the listening rooms installed in the new "museum
of reproduced sound", actually being built in Parma, restoring an ancient church. The museum
is devoted to the exposition of a huge collection of antique radios and gramophones, but it
will also exploit the frontiers of modern methods for immersive surround reproduction: WFS
and HOA.
In the main hall, a large planar WFS loudspeaker array is employed for inviting the visitors to
enter the world of sound reproduction, providing stunning effects and emotional sounds
enveloping them from many directions.
At the end of the exposition path, a special HOA space is employed for showing the recent
developments of recording/reproduction methods started from the Ambisonics concept,
capable of creating natural reproduction of sport events, live music and other immersive
acoustical experiences; in this room also a binaural/transaural system is available.
A second, larger listening room capable of 30seats is equipped with a horizontal WFS array
covering the complete perimeter of the room. The paper describes the technology employed,
the problems encountered due to the difficult acoustical conditions (the museum was formerly
a church), and the novel software tools developed for the purpose on LINUX platforms
PMN-MDSC are a new target to rescue graft-versus-leukemia activity of NK cells in haplo-HSC transplantation
Cleaning the Label of Cured Meat; Effect of the Replacement of Nitrates/Nitrites on Nutrients Bioaccessibility, Peptides Formation, and Cellular Toxicity of In Vitro Digested Salami
Curing salts composed of mixtures of nitrates and nitrites are preservatives widely used in processed meats. Despite many desirable technological effects, their use in meat products has been linked to methemoglobinemia and the formation of nitrosamines. Therefore, an increasing "anti-nitrite feeling" has grown among meat consumers, who search for clean label products. In this view, the use of natural compounds as alternatives represents a challenge for the meat industry. Processing (including formulation and fermentation) induces chemical or physical changes of food matrix that can modify the bioaccessibility of nutrients and the formation of peptides, impacting on the real nutritional value of food. In this study we investigated the effect of nitrate/nitrite replacement with a combination of polyphenols, ascorbate, and nitrate-reducing microbial starter cultures on the bioaccessibility of fatty acids, the hydrolysis of proteins and the release of bioactive peptides after in vitro digestion. Moreover, digested salami formulations were investigated for their impacts on cell proliferation and genotoxicity in the human intestinal cellular model (HT-29 cell line). The results indicated that a replacement of synthetic nitrates/nitrites with natural additives can represent a promising strategy to develop innovative "clean label" salamis without negatively affecting their nutritional value
Decolonization of multi-drug resistant bacteria by fecal microbiota transplantation in five pediatric patients before allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: gut microbiota profiling, infectious and clinical outcomes
Immune modulation properties of zoledronic acid on TcRγΎ T-lymphocytes after TcRαÎČ/CD19-depleted haploidentical stem cell transplantation: an analysis on 46 pediatric patients affected by acute leukemia
TcRαÎČ/CD19-cell depleted HLA-haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (haplo-HSCT) represents a promising new platform for children affected by acute leukemia in need of an allograft and lacking a matched donor, disease recurrence being the main cause of treatment failure. The use of zoledronic acid to enhance TcRγΎ+ lymphocyte function after TcRαÎČ/CD19-cell depleted haplo-HSCT was tested in an open-label, feasibility, proof-of-principle study. Forty-six children affected by high-risk acute leukemia underwent haplo-HSCT after removal of TcRαÎČ+ and CD19+ B lymphocytes. No post-transplant pharmacological graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) prophylaxis was given. Zoledronic acid was administered monthly at a dose of 0.05 mg/kg/dose (maximum dose 4 mg), starting from day +20 after transplantation. A total of 139 infusions were administered, with a mean of 3 infusions per patient. No severe adverse event was observed. Common side effects were represented by asymptomatic hypocalcemia and acute phase reactions (including fever, chills, malaise, and/or arthralgia) within 24â48 h from zoledronic acid infusion. The cumulative incidence of acute and chronic GvHD was 17.3% (all grade I-II) and 4.8% (all limited), respectively. Patients given 3 or more infusions of zoledronic acid had a lower incidence of both acute GvHD (8.8 vs. 41.6%, p = 0.015) and chronic GvHD (0 vs. 22.2%, p = 0.006). Transplant-related mortality (TRM) and relapse incidence at 3 years were 4.3 and 30.4%, respectively. Patients receiving repeated infusions of zoledronic acid had a lower TRM as compared to those receiving 1 or 2 administration of the drug (0 vs. 16.7%, p = 0.01). Five-year overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) for the whole cohort were 67.2 and 65.2%, respectively, with a trend toward a better OS for patients receiving 3 or more infusions (73.1 vs. 50.0%, p = 0.05). The probability of GvHD/relapse-free survival was significantly worse in patients receiving 1â2 infusions of zoledonic acid than in those given â„3 infusions (33.3 vs. 70.6%, respectively, p = 0.006). Multivariable analysis showed an independent positive effect on outcome given by repeated infusions of zoledronic acid (HR 0.27, p = 0.03). These data indicate that the use of zoledronic acid after TcRαÎČ/CD19-cell depleted haploHSCT is safe and may result in a lower incidence of acute GvHD, chronic GvHD, and TRM
Consensus on COVIDâ19 Vaccination in Pediatric Oncohematological Patients, on Behalf of Infectious Working Group of Italian Association of Pediatric Hematology Oncology
Vaccines represent the best tool to prevent the severity course and fatal consequences of the pandemic by the new Coronavirus 2019 infection (SARSâCoVâ2). Considering the limited data on vaccination of pediatric oncohematological patients, we developed a Consensus document to support the Italian pediatric hematological oncological (AIEOP) centers in a scientifically correct communication with families and patients and to promote vaccination. The topics of the Consensus were: SARSâCoVâ2 infection and disease (COVIDâ19) in the pediatric subjects; COVIDâ19 vaccines (type, schedule); who and when to vaccinate; contraindications and risk of serious adverse events; rare adverse events; third dose and vaccination after COVIDâ19; and other general prevention measures. Using the Delphi methodology for Consensus, 21 statements and their corresponding rationale were elaborated and discussed with the representatives of 31 centers, followed by voting. A high grade of Consensus was obtained on topics such as the potential risk of severe COVIDâ19 outcome in pediatric oncohematological patients, the need for vaccination as a preventative measure, the type, schedule and booster dose of vaccine, the eligibility of the patients for vaccination, and the timing, definition, and management of contraindications and serious adverse events, and other general prevention measures. All 21 of the statements were approved. This consensus document highlights that children and adolescents affected by hematological and oncological diseases are a fragile category. Vaccination plays an important role to prevent COVIDâ 19, to permit the regular administration of chemotherapy or other treatments, to perform control visits and hospital admissions, and to prevent treatment delays
Influence of gestational salt restriction in fetal growth and in development of diseases in adulthood
Myelodysplastic syndromes in children
Purpose of reviewMyelodysplastic syndromes (MDSs) are rare disorders in children, showing peculiar clinical manifestations and biological features. This review will summarize biological, genetic and clinical features of childhood MDS and will provide an update of the algorithm of treatment of the different disease variants.Recent findingsThe most recent classification of MDS includes refractory cytopenia of childhood (RCC), advanced and therapy-related MDS. Importantly, in children, these clonal hematopoietic disorders may be often associated with inherited bone marrow failure syndromes, this representing a challenge for diagnostic work-up and treatment. Moreover, germline syndromes predisposing to develop MDS/acute myeloid leukemia have been recently identified, such as those caused by mutations in GATA2, ETV6, SRP72 and SAMD9/SAMD9-L.SummaryTreatment of childhood MDS varies according to specific disease features; allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) using a Human Leukocyte antigen (HLA)-identical donor, whenever available, represents the treatment of choice for most of these children. HSCT is indicated in MDS with excess of blasts, or in therapy-related MDS. For RCC patients, HSCT is recommended for RCC associated with monosomy 7, or complex karyotype and for patients showing severe neutropenia or transfusion dependence. Novel approaches of HSCT from an HLA-haploidentical relative after selective graft manipulation allow reducing transplant-related complications
Current and future role of bispecific t-cell engagers in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Introduction: The clinical application of immunotherapy has resulted into a significant improvement in the outcome of children with relapsed/refractory B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (r/r BCP-ALL). In this setting, the use of bispecific T-cell-engager antibodies (BiTEs), such as blinatumomab, which harness the cytotoxic activity of T cells against CD19-positive lymphoblasts, has emerged as a most promising and impactful strategy. Areas covered: This review discusses the main structural and functional features of BiTEs, as well as the current status of their clinical application in childhood ALL. Moreover, future prospects to increase the efficacy of BiTEs are addressed. Expert commentary: The promising results obtained in patients with advanced BCP-ALL pave the way for further improvement in the context of less resistant/advanced disease. Future research is rapidly progressing on several aspects, including the use of blinatumomab in first-line protocols, identification of factors predicting response, use of combinatorial approaches and bioengineering of new molecules with dual specificity or increased potency, stability and half-life. The results of these studies, expected to be available in the next future, will provide further advancement in the development of effective, impactful, targeted immunotherapy for treatment of childhood BCP-ALL, with the concrete potential to revolutionize the clinical practice
- âŠ