Are quinoa proteins a promising alternative to be applied in plant-based emulsion gel formulation?

Emulsion gels are structured emulsion systems that behave as soft solid-like materials. Emulsion gels are commonly used in food-product design both as fat replacers and as delivery carriers of bioactive compounds. Different plant-derived proteins like soy, chia, and oat have been used in emulsion gel formulation to substitute fat in meat products and to deliver some vegetable dyes or extracts. Quinoa protein isolates have been scarcely applied in emulsion gel formulation although they seem to be a promising alternative as emulsion stabilizers. Quinoa protein isolates have a high protein content with a well-balanced amino acid profile and show good emulsifying and gelling capabilities. Unlike quinoa starch, quinoa protein isolates do not require any chemical modification before being used. The present article reviews the state of the art in food emulsion gels stabilized with vegetable proteins and highlights the potential uses of quinoa proteins in emulsion gel formulation.Fil: Lingiardi, Nadia. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmaceuticas. Departamento de Química y Física; Argentina. Universidad del Centro Educativo Latinoamericano; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario; ArgentinaFil: Galante, Micaela. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmaceuticas. Departamento de Química y Física; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario; ArgentinaFil: de Sanctis, Mariana. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas; ArgentinaFil: Spelzini, Darío. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmaceuticas. Departamento de Química y Física; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario; Argentin

The effect of carrageenan on the acid-induced aggregation and gelation conditions of quinoa proteins

This work aimed to study the effect of the presence of Carrageenan (Carr) on the quinoa proteins (QP) structure and acid-induced aggregation. Carr significantly influenced the pH-solubility profile, the effect of the thermal treatment of QP, the fluorescence emission spectra. The QP dispersions were acidified by the addition of glucono-δ-lactone (GDL); the initial soluble aggregates became into smaller structures that close to the isoelectric point, formed larger aggregates due to the neutralization of QP charges. The QP acid-induced aggregation process as well as the size of the aggregates was affected differentially depending on the Carr concentration added. The QP concentration and pH required to form gels were determined by a qualitative procedure absence and presence of different Carr concentrations. The least QP concentration to form gels was decreased by the presence of Carr; in addition, the pH range of gelation was more acid. Acid-induced aggregation process seems to be a competition between QP-QP and QP-Carr interaction, and both biopolymers are synergically responsible for the formation of the gel matrix.Fil: Montellano Duran, Natalia. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas. Área Fisicoquímica; Argentina.Fil: Montellano Duran, Natalia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET); Argentina.Fil: Galante, Micaela. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas. Área Fisicoquímica; Argentina.Fil: Galante, Micaela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET); Argentina.Fil: Galante, Micaela. Universidad Católica Argentina. Facultad Católica de Química e Ingeniería del Rosario; Argentina.Fil: Spelzini, Darío. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas. Área Fisicoquímica; Argentina.Fil: Spelzini, Darío. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET); Argentina.Fil: Spelzini, Darío. Universidad Católica Argentina. Facultad Católica de Química e Ingeniería del Rosario; Argentina.Fil: Boeris, Valeria. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas. Área Fisicoquímica; Argentina.Fil: Boeris, Valeria. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET); Argentina.Fil: Boeris, Valeria. Universidad Católica Argentina. Facultad Católica de Química e Ingeniería del Rosario; Argentina

Microstructural and textural properties of rennet-induced milk protein gel: Effect of guar gum

The knowledge of the effect of polysaccharide addition on the textural properties of milk protein gels is important for foodstuff engineering design. Therefore, the microstructure, texture, and water-holding capacity of rennet-induced milk protein gel with and without the addition of different concentrations of guar gum (GG) were determined. It was found that the presence of GG changed the microstructure of rennet-induced milk gel. The addition of a GG concentration higher than 0.075% w/v led to a discontinuous protein network. Changes in the structure of the gel samples are reflected in the texture perception and their capability of water retention. When a limit GG concentration of 0.15% w/v was exceeded, a very weak gel sample was obtained. The results demonstrated that different milk protein gel microstructures can be created by the addition of different concentrations of GG.Fil: Galante, Micaela. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmaceuticas. Departamento de Química y Física; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario; ArgentinaFil: Boeris, Valeria. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmaceuticas. Departamento de Química y Física; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario; Argentina. Pontificia Universidad Católica Argentina "Santa María de los Buenos Aires"; ArgentinaFil: Alvarez, Estela Mari. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmaceuticas. Departamento de Química y Física; ArgentinaFil: Risso, Patricia Hilda. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmaceuticas. Departamento de Química y Física; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias; Argentin

Low temperature delays the effects of ischemia in Bergmann glia and in cerebellar tissue swelling

Cerebral ischemia results in oxygen and glucose deprivation that most commonly occurs after a reduction or interruption in the blood supply to the brain. The consequences of cerebral ischemia are complex and involve the loss of metabolic ATP, excessive K+ and glutamate accumulation in the extracellular space, electrolyte imbalance, and brain edema formation. So far, several treatments have been proposed to alleviate ischemic damage, yet few are effective. Here, we focused on the neuroprotective role of lowering the temperature in ischemia mimicked by an episode of oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD) in mouse cerebellar slices. Our results suggest that lowering the temperature of the extracellular ‘milieu’ delays both the increases in [K+]e and tissue swelling, two dreaded consequences of cerebellar ischemia. Moreover, radial glial cells (Bergmann glia) display morphological changes and membrane depolarizations that are markedly impeded by lowering the temperature. Overall, in this model of cerebellar ischemia, hypothermia reduces the deleterious homeostatic changes regulated by Bergmann glia

Metodologías verdes para la obtención de extractos a partir de hojas de Prosopis ruscifolia Griseb (vinal)

El Prosopis ruscifolia Griseb, conocido popularmente como “vinal”, es una leguminosa autóctona que crece en la zona del Parque Chaqueño Argentino. El vinal presenta elevada tolerancia a la salinidad y al estrés hídrico, y fue declarado “plaga nacional para la agricultura” por su capacidad colonizadora. Es por ello que se invirtieron importantes esfuerzos para controlar y erradicar los “vinalares” y, ante la dificultad de combatir su avance, esta leguminosa se ha convertido en objeto de estudio para promover el aprovechamiento de sus recursos. En particular, las hojas de vinal (HV) se utilizan en la medicina tradicional argentina por sus reconocidas actividades terapéuticas debido a la presencia de polifenoles (Pol) con elevada actividad antioxidante, que se sintetizan en las hojas cuando la planta es sometida a estrés salino. Actualmente, ha aumentado la demanda de antioxidantes naturales para su uso como nutracéuticos y por la industria de alimentos en reemplazo de los antioxidantes sintéticos. Sin embargo, el empleo de los Pol provenientes de HV está limitado solo a la medicina tradicional, no siendo aprovechado por la industria, debido a que la extracción de estos compuestos involucra el uso de solventes orgánicos, tales como etanol y/o metanol, proceso que resulta poco conveniente para la industria de los alimentos. Es por ello que actualmente se intenta reemplazar estos métodos extractivos tradicionales por otros que resulten ser más amigables con el medio ambiente por utilizar solventes acuosos, y que también permitan reducir los tiempos de extracción y el consumo energético con altos rendimientos para la recuperación de compuestos de interés. Estas nuevas metodologías se conocen como “métodos de extracción verde”. El objetivo de este trabajo fue obtener extractos de HV (EHV), ricos en Pol empleando métodos de extracción amigables con el ambiente, para ser potencialmente incorporados a un alimento como antioxidantes naturales.The Prosopis ruscifolia Griseb, popularly known as "vinal," is a native legume that grows in the Parque Chaqueño Argentino region. It exhibits high tolerance to salinity and water stress and has been declared a "national pest for agriculture" due to its colonizing ability. Significant efforts have been invested in controlling and eradicating "vinalares," and due to the difficulty in combating its spread, this legume has become a subject of study to promote the use of its resources. In particular, vinal leaves (VL) are used in traditional Argentine medicine due to their recognized therapeutic activities, which are attributed to the presence of polyphenols (Pol) with high antioxidant activity. These polyphenols are synthesized in the leaves when the plant is subjected to saline stress. There is currently an increased demand for natural antioxidants for use as nutraceuticals, and by the food industry to replace synthetic antioxidants. However, the use of polyphenols from VL is limited to traditional medicine because the extraction of these compounds involves the use of organic solvents such as ethanol and/or methanol, a process deemed inconvenient for the food industry. Therefore, efforts are underway to replace these traditional extraction methods with environmentally friendly alternatives that use aqueous solvents. These aim to reduce extraction times and energy consumption while achieving high yields for the recovery of compounds of interest. These new methodologies are known as "green extraction methods." The objective of this study was to obtain VL extracts (VLE), rich in polyphenols, using environmentally friendly extraction methods, with the potential to be incorporated into food as natural antioxidants.Fil: Migoni, Ariana Gisela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas; Argentina. Universidad de Concepción del Uruguay. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas;Fil: Galante, Micaela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas; ArgentinaFil: Hidalgo, María Eugenia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas; Argentin

Olhares em direção a La Plata em tempos de COVID-19

Este artículo examina el impacto de la pandemia de COVID-19 en el Área Metropolitana de Buenos Aires, con un enfoque en la ciudad de La Plata. Se analiza la implementación de las medidas sanitarias desde marzo de 2019 y se destaca que los barrios más vulnerables han experimentado una mayor agudización de la problemática. El gobierno nacional ha proporcionado subsidios y programas de asistencia para mitigar los efectos de la pandemia. La comunidad local se ha involucrado en iniciativas de ayuda, como la creación de comedores comunitarios. Además, la Universidad Nacional de La Plata ha desempeñado un papel importante en acciones de inclusión educativa y colaboración con la comunidad.Facultad de Arte

Olhares em direção a La Plata em tempos de COVID-19

Este artículo examina el impacto de la pandemia de COVID-19 en el Área Metropolitana de Buenos Aires, con un enfoque en la ciudad de La Plata. Se analiza la implementación de las medidas sanitarias desde marzo de 2019 y se destaca que los barrios más vulnerables han experimentado una mayor agudización de la problemática. El gobierno nacional ha proporcionado subsidios y programas de asistencia para mitigar los efectos de la pandemia. La comunidad local se ha involucrado en iniciativas de ayuda, como la creación de comedores comunitarios. Además, la Universidad Nacional de La Plata ha desempeñado un papel importante en acciones de inclusión educativa y colaboración con la comunidad.Facultad de Arte

A Light-Controlled Allosteric Modulator Unveils a Role for mGlu4 Receptors During Early Stages of Ischemia in the Rodent Cerebellar Cortex

Metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGlus) are G Protein coupled-receptors that modulate synaptic transmission and plasticity in the central nervous system. Some act as autoreceptors to control neurotransmitter release at excitatory synapses and have become attractive targets for drug therapy to treat certain neurological disorders. However, the high degree of sequence conservation around the glutamate binding site makes the development of subtype-specific orthosteric ligands difficult to achieve. This problem can be circumvented by designing molecules that target specific less well conserved allosteric sites. One such allosteric drug, the photo-switchable compound OptoGluNAM4.1, has been recently employed to reversibly inhibit the activity of metabotropic glutamate 4 (mGlu4) receptors in cell cultures and in vivo. We studied OptoGluNAM4.1 as a negative modulator of neurotransmission in rodent cerebellar slices at the parallel fiber – Purkinje cell synapse. Our data show that OptoGluNAM4.1 antagonizes pharmacological activation of mGlu4 receptors in a fully reversible and photo-controllable manner. In addition, for the first time, this new allosteric modulator allowed us to demonstrate that, in brain slices from the rodent cerebellar cortex, mGlu4 receptors are endogenously activated in excitotoxic conditions, such as the early phases of simulated cerebellar ischemia, which is associated with elevated levels of extracellular glutamate. These findings support OptoGluNAM4.1 as a promising new tool for unraveling the role of mGlu4 receptors in the central nervous system in physio-pathological conditions

Correction to: Two years later: Is the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic still having an impact on emergency surgery? An international cross-sectional survey among WSES members

Background: The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic is still ongoing and a major challenge for health care services worldwide. In the first WSES COVID-19 emergency surgery survey, a strong negative impact on emergency surgery (ES) had been described already early in the pandemic situation. However, the knowledge is limited about current effects of the pandemic on patient flow through emergency rooms, daily routine and decision making in ES as well as their changes over time during the last two pandemic years. This second WSES COVID-19 emergency surgery survey investigates the impact of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on ES during the course of the pandemic. Methods: A web survey had been distributed to medical specialists in ES during a four-week period from January 2022, investigating the impact of the pandemic on patients and septic diseases both requiring ES, structural problems due to the pandemic and time-to-intervention in ES routine. Results: 367 collaborators from 59 countries responded to the survey. The majority indicated that the pandemic still significantly impacts on treatment and outcome of surgical emergency patients (83.1% and 78.5%, respectively). As reasons, the collaborators reported decreased case load in ES (44.7%), but patients presenting with more prolonged and severe diseases, especially concerning perforated appendicitis (62.1%) and diverticulitis (57.5%). Otherwise, approximately 50% of the participants still observe a delay in time-to-intervention in ES compared with the situation before the pandemic. Relevant causes leading to enlarged time-to-intervention in ES during the pandemic are persistent problems with in-hospital logistics, lacks in medical staff as well as operating room and intensive care capacities during the pandemic. This leads not only to the need for triage or transferring of ES patients to other hospitals, reported by 64.0% and 48.8% of the collaborators, respectively, but also to paradigm shifts in treatment modalities to non-operative approaches reported by 67.3% of the participants, especially in uncomplicated appendicitis, cholecystitis and multiple-recurrent diverticulitis. Conclusions: The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic still significantly impacts on care and outcome of patients in ES. Well-known problems with in-hospital logistics are not sufficiently resolved by now; however, medical staff shortages and reduced capacities have been dramatically aggravated over last two pandemic years