Probiotic potential and safety assessment of type strains of Weissella and Periweissella species

Although numerous strains belonging to the Weissella genus have been described in the last decades for their probiotic and biotechnological potential, others are known to be opportunistic pathogens of humans and animals. Here, we investigated the probiotic potential of two Weissella and four Periweissella type strains belonging to the species Weissella diestrammenae, Weissella uvarum, Periweissella beninensis, Periweissella fabalis, Periweissella fabaria, and Periweissella ghanensis by genomic and phenotypic analyses, and performed a safety assessment of these strains. Based on the results of the survival to simulated gastrointestinal transit, autoaggregation and hydrophobicity characteristics, as well as adhesion to Caco-2 cells, we showed that the P. beninensis, P. fabalis, P. fabaria, P. ghanensis, and W. uvarum type strains exhibited a high probiotic potential. The safety assessment, based on the genomic analysis, performed by searching for virulence and antibiotic resistance genes, as well as on the phenotypic evaluation, by testing hemolytic activity and antibiotic susceptibility, allowed us to identify the P. beninensis type strain as a safe potential probiotic microorganism

Perinatal asphyxia and hypothermic treatment from the endocrine perspective

IntroductionPerinatal asphyxia is one of the three most important causes of neonatal mortality and morbidity. Therapeutic hypothermia represents the standard treatment for infants with moderate-severe perinatal asphyxia, resulting in reduction in the mortality and major neurodevelopmental disability. So far, data in the literature focusing on the endocrine aspects of both asphyxia and hypothermia treatment at birth are scanty, and many aspects are still debated. Aim of this narrative review is to summarize the current knowledge regarding the short- and long-term effects of perinatal asphyxia and of hypothermia treatment on the endocrine system, thus providing suggestions for improving the management of asphyxiated children.ResultsInvolvement of the endocrine system (especially glucose and electrolyte disturbances, adrenal hemorrhage, non-thyroidal illness syndrome) can occur in a variable percentage of subjects with perinatal asphyxia, potentially affecting mortality as well as neurological outcome. Hypothermia may also affect endocrine homeostasis, leading to a decreased incidence of hypocalcemia and an increased risk of dilutional hyponatremia and hypercalcemia.ConclusionsMetabolic abnormalities in the context of perinatal asphyxia are important modifiable factors that may be associated with a worse outcome. Therefore, clinicians should be aware of the possible occurrence of endocrine complication, in order to establish appropriate screening protocols and allow timely treatment

Purification of artichoke polyphenols by using membrane filtration and polymeric resins

The present study aimed at evaluating the potential of an integrated process based on the use of membrane technology and adsorbent resins for the recovery, concentration and purification of phenolic compounds from artichoke wastewaters. In particular, artichoke wastewaters coming from the blanching step were pre-treated by ultrafiltration (UF) in order to remove suspended solids and macromolecular compounds. The UF permeate was submitted to a nanofiltration (NF) process producing a concentrated fraction enriched in phenolic and sugar compounds. Three different macroporous resins were tested through adsorption/desorption methods to produce purified phenolic fractions with high antioxidant activity. Samples produced in UF, NF and adsorption desorption tests were assayed for phenolic composition (chlorogenic acid and apigenin 7-O-glucoside), sugar composition (fructose, glucose and sucrose) and antioxidant activity. Among the three different tested resins, the S 7968 offered the best performance in terms of adsorption/desorption ratio for chlorogenic acid, with a total adsorption/desorption yield (TADY) of 63.39%; for the apigenin 7-O-glucoside the S 7968 and the S 2328 resins showed a TADY in the range 68.31-78.45%. (c) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.Authors acknowledge the Vicerrectorado de Investigacion of the "Universitat Politecnica de Valencia" for the financial support (project 1965) from the call "Proyectos de Nuevas Lineas de Investigacion Mul-tidisciplinares (PAID05-11)".Conidi, C.; Rodríguez López, AD.; Garcia-Castello, EM.; Cassano, A. (2015). Purification of artichoke polyphenols by using membrane filtration and polymeric resins. Separation and Purification Technology. 144(1):153-161. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seppur.2015.02.025S153161144

Polyphenols from artichoke heads (Cynara cardunculus (L.) subsp. scolymus Hayek): in vitro bio-accessibility, intestinal uptake and bioavailability

Bioavailability of artichoke head polyphenols after simulated physiological digestion process and intestinal absorption.</p