Phenolic composition and antioxidant activity in sparkling wines: Modulation by the ageing on lees

AbstractSparkling wines (SW) have a special biological ageing on lees that is performed using two distinct methods: in the bottle (Champenoise) or in isobaric tanks (Charmat method). The objective of this study was to compare the levels of phenolic compounds, β-Glucosidase and antioxidant activity during the ageing on lees, in samples of SW produced at industrial scale by both methods. The β-Glucosidase activity has been constant over time, showing a close relationship with all the polyphenols studied (resveratrol, piceid, tyrosol, gallic, caffeic and ferulic acids), which were affected by the sur lie time. With these cross-reactions, the biological properties of the SW were also modulated. The results showed that the long period of ageing decreased the antioxidant potential in all samples. This work demonstrates that the sur lie is more important than the production method itself, due to its ability to modulate the necessary changes to achieve the specific objective

Switching between TNFα antagonists in rheumatoid arthritis: personal experience and review of the literature

The treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has evolved over the past decade with the introduction of anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) α agents, which allowed remarkable advances in controlling signs and symptoms of inflammation and in slowing joint destruction (1-3). However, some patients do not respond or show suboptimal response to the currently available anti- TNFα agents (infliximab, etanercept, and adalimumab) used either as monotherapy or in combination with methotrexate. Furthermore, patients who respond initially may lose efficacy over time (4) or develop adverse events

Analysis of allergenic residues in wines by triple quadrupole LCMS

During the winemaking are used technology coadjuvants, between them: albumin, caseinates and lysozyme. These compounds have great oenological properties, however, the presence of their residues can represent risks to people who are allergic to them because they are derived from eggs and milk. Mass spectrometry methods enables unambiguous determination of allergenic proteins at low levels in wines. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the concentrations of ovalbumin, alpha-casein, beta-casein and lysozyme in experimental wines treated with different concentrations of them by triple quadrupole liquid chromatography mass spectrometry with Jet Stream Electrospray Ionization (ESI). The wines were elaborated and treated with different concentrations of albumin, lysozyme and potassium caseinate. Bentonite and decantation were used for the removal of the fining agents. The quantification limits (LOQ) for ovalbumin, a-casein, b-casein and lysozyme were: 0.002 mg/L, 0.24 mg/L, 0.75 mg/L and 0.04 mg/L, respectively. Non residues of the proteins were identified in the experimental wines treated with the different amounts of potassium caseinate, albumin and lysozyme, analyzed in this study. These results provide an evidence of the absence of residues of caseinate, albumin and lysozyme in the concentrations tested in the wines if good treatment practices are followed

Analysis of allergenic residues in wines by triple quadrupole LCMS

During the winemaking are used technology coadjuvants, between them: albumin, caseinates and lysozyme. These compounds have great oenological properties, however, the presence of their residues can represent risks to people who are allergic to them because they are derived from eggs and milk. Mass spectrometry methods enables unambiguous determination of allergenic proteins at low levels in wines. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the concentrations of ovalbumin, alpha-casein, beta-casein and lysozyme in experimental wines treated with different concentrations of them by triple quadrupole liquid chromatography mass spectrometry with Jet Stream Electrospray Ionization (ESI). The wines were elaborated and treated with different concentrations of albumin, lysozyme and potassium caseinate. Bentonite and decantation were used for the removal of the fining agents. The quantification limits (LOQ) for ovalbumin, a-casein, b-casein and lysozyme were: 0.002 mg/L, 0.24 mg/L, 0.75 mg/L and 0.04 mg/L, respectively. Non residues of the proteins were identified in the experimental wines treated with the different amounts of potassium caseinate, albumin and lysozyme, analyzed in this study. These results provide an evidence of the absence of residues of caseinate, albumin and lysozyme in the concentrations tested in the wines if good treatment practices are followed

Pain and systemic lupus erythematosus

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease characterized by heterogeneous clinical manifestations involving virtually the entire body. The pain in SLE can have different causes. The SLE classification criteria include mainly the musculoskeletal manifestations of pain, which are commonly reported as initial symptoms of SLE, such as arthralgia, arthritis and/or myalgia. Chronic widespread pain, which is typical of fibromyalgia (FM), is frequently associated with SLE. The aim of this review is to describe widespread pain and fatigue in SLE, and the association of SLE and FM. Although secondary FM is not correlated with the disease activity, it may interfere with the daily activities of SLE patients. Therefore it is necessary to identify its symptoms and treat them promptly to improve the quality of life of patients. In conclusion, it is essential to identify the origin of pain in SLE in order to avoid dangerous over-treatment in patients with co-existing widespread pain and FM

Intraoperative ultrasound with contrast medium in resective pancreatic surgery: a pilot study

Background. The introduction of contrast-enhanced ultrasound has been a major innovation in liver and pancreatic imaging. Previous studies have validated its intraoperative use during liver surgery, while there is a lack of data regarding its use during pancreatic surgery. The purpose of the present study was to prospectively evaluate the possible role of contrast-enhanced intraoperative ultrasound (CEIOUS) during resective pancreatic surgery for primary lesion characterization and intraoperative staging. Materials and Methods. Thirty-four patients (70% males, mean age 67.9 years) were selected for pancreatic surgery between October 2006 and July 2009. All patients underwent intraoperative ultrasound with intravenous injection of 4.8 mL sulfur-hexafluoride microbubbles. Location of the primary tumor, relation to the main vessels, contrast medium uptake modalities, presence of liver metastases, and multifocal pancreatic involvement were evaluated. The majority of operations were pancreatoduodenectomies (70.6%) performed for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (64.7%). Results. Additional lesions were detected by ultrasound in six patients (17.6%: liver metastases in four patients, a hemangioma in one patient, and a further pancreatic lesion in one patient). In five of these patients (5/34, 14.7%) surgical management was modified by these findings. All these new findings were diagnosed before injection of contrast medium, except for a metastasis from a neuroendocrine tumor; the characterization of the hemangioma was possible only after contrast injection. Intraoperative findings regarding location of primary tumor, relation to the main vessels, and lesion characterization did not differ from those obtained with preoperative imaging. Conclusions. In our experience intraoperative ultrasound is a valid technique for intraoperative staging prior to pancreatic resection; it is unclear whether, in pancreatic surgery, the addition of contrast enhancement adds any benefit to traditional intraoperative ultrasound

Janus kinase inhibitors: between prescription authorization and reimbursability

Following the restrictions on the reimbursability of Janus kinase inhibitors introduced by the Italian Medicines Agency, the Italian Society of Rheumatology has drafted this document to shed light on the clinical conditions and reimbursability criteria set out in the prescription forms

Early Lupus Project - A multicentre Italian study on systemic lupus erythematosus of recent onset

Background Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease with a high degree of variability at onset that is problematic for a correct and prompt diagnosis. We undertook this project with the purpose of collecting an inception cohort of Italian patients with recent-onset SLE, in order to obtain information on the main clinical and serological characteristics at the beginning of the disease. In this first report we describe the characteristics of this cohort at study entry. Methods All patients with a diagnosis of SLE (1997 ACR criteria) and a disease duration less than 12 months were consecutively enrolled between 1 January 2012 and 31 December 2013 in a multicentre prospective study. Information on clinical and serological characteristics at study entry and then every six months was collected into a specific electronic database. Statistical analysis was performed by means of the Openstat program. Results Among 122 patients enrolled (103F) 94.3% were Caucasians. Mean age (SD) of patients at study entry was 37.3 (14.3) years, mean age at disease onset was 34.8 (14.3) years, mean age at diagnosis was 36.9 (14.3) years, and mean disease duration was 2.9 (3.9) months. The frequency of the manifestations included in the 1997 ACR criteria was as follows: ANA 97.5%, immunologic disorders (anti-dsDNA, anti-Sm, antiphospholipid antibodies) 85.2%, arthritis 61.8%, haematologic disorders 55.7%, malar rash 31.1%, photosensitivity 29.5%, serositis 27%, renal disorders 27%, oral/nasal ulcers 11.5%, neurologic disorders 8.2%, and discoid rash 5.7%. The cumulative frequency of mucocutaneous symptoms was 77.8%. At enrolment, autoantibody frequency was: ANA 100%, anti-dsDNA 83.6%, anti-SSA 28%, anticardiolipin 24.5%, anti-nRNP 20.4%, anti-beta2GPI 17.2%, lupus anticoagulant 16.3%, anti-Sm 16%, and anti-SSB 13.1%. Conclusions In this paper we describe the main clinical and serological characteristics of an Italian inception cohort of patients with recent-onset SLE. At disease onset, mucocutaneous manifestations, arthritis and haematologic manifestations were the most frequent symptoms; ANA, anti-dsDNA and complement reduction were the most frequent laboratory findings. Our data confirm that the diagnosis of SLE is a challenging one, and that SLE is a severe disease even at onset, since the majority of patients require at least a hospitalization before the diagnosis