Effects of peppermint extract and chitosan-based edible coating on storage quality of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) fillets

Artículo internacional en revista indizadaEdible coatings have recently been developed and applied to different food matrices, due to their numerous benefits, such as increasing the shelf life of foods, improving their appearance, being vehicles of different compounds, such as extracts or oils of various spices that have antioxidant and antimicrobial activity, as well as being friendly to the environment. The objective of this research was to develop a new edible coating based on chitosan enriched with peppermint extract and to evaluate its effectiveness to inhibit microbial development in vitro and improve both the quality and shelf life of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) during refrigerated storage (4 ± 1 C). Three treatments were used: edible coating (C + EC), edible coating +, 5% chitosan (C + ECCh) and edible coating + 1.5% chitosan + 10% peppermint (C + ECChP). Prior the coating carp fillets; the antibacterial activity and antioxidant capacity were evaluated in the peppermint extract and coating solutions. After coating and during storage, the following were determined on the fillet samples: microbiological properties, observed for ECP, an inhibition halo of 14.3 mm for Staphylococcus aureus, not being the case for Gram-negative species, for ECCh, inhibition halos of 17.6 mm, 17.1 mm and 16.5 mm for S. aureus, Salmonella typhimurium and Escherichia coli, respectively; for the ECChP, inhibition halos for S. aureus, S. typhimurium and E. coli of 20 mm, 17 mm and 16.8 mm, respectively. For the physicochemical characteristics: an increase in solubility was observed for all treatments during storage, reaching 46.7 mg SN protein/mg total protein for the control, and values below 29.1 mg SN protein/mg total protein (p C + ECCh > C + ECChP, respectively at the end of storage. For the pH, maximum values were obtained for the control of 6.4, while for the fillets with EC a maximum of 5.8. For TVB-N, the fillets with different CE treatments obtained values (p C + E C > C + ECCh > C + ECChP respectively). Total phenolic compounds in the aqueous peppermint extract were 505.55 mg GAE/100 g dried leaves, with 98.78% antioxidant capacity in the aqueous extract and 81.88% in the EC. Biomolecule oxidation (hydroperoxide content) had a significant increase (p < 0.05) in all treatments during storage, 1.7 mM CHP/mg protein in the control, to 1.4 in C + EC, 1.27 in C + ECCh and 1.16 in C + ECChP; TBARS assay values increased in the different treatments during refrigerated storage, with final values of 33.44, 31.88, 29.40 and 29.21 mM MDA/mg protein in the control; C + EC; C + ECCh and C + ECChP respectively. In SDS -PAGE a protective effect was observed in the myofibrillar proteins of fillets with ECChP). The results indicate that the C + ECCh and C + ECChP treatments extend the shelf life of 3–5 days with respect to microbiological properties and 4–5 days with respect to physicochemical characteristics. A reduction in lipid and protein oxidation products was also observed during refrigerated storage. With these findings, this is considered a promising method to increase the shelf life of fish fillets combined with refrigeration and we are able to recommend this technology for the fish processing industry.Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnologí

Current status of bacterial spot of stone fruits and almond caused by Xanthomonas arboricola pv. pruni in Spain

In 2002, typical symptoms of bacterial spot disease of stone fruits caused by Xanthomomas arboricola pv. pruni (Xap) were observed for the first time on Japanese plum in Badajoz (south-western Spain). During the following years, the pathogen was found in seven other eastern and northern Spanish provinces (Valencia, Alicante, Zaragoza, Huesca, Navarra, Lérida and Mallorca) affecting different cultivars of Japanese plum, nectarine, peach and almond. There are few previous reports of Xap on almond, the Spanish outbreaks constituting its first detection on this host in the European Union (EU). Identification of the pathogen was performed using biochemical tests, fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) profiles, conventional and real-time PCR, and hypersensitivity reaction on tobacco leaves. Pathogenicity was demonstrated by inoculation of young potted plants of peach, plum or almond and successful re-isolations from plants with symptoms. In areas where infected plants were found, eradication programs were set up since Xap has a quarantine status according to phytosanitary EU legislation.Publishe

Improving the lipid profile of beef burgers added with chia oil (Salvia hispanica L.) or hemp oil (Cannabis sativa L.) gelled emulsions as partial animal fat replacers

New gelled emulsions (GE) based on amaranth flour mixed with chia or hemp oil were developed and used as partial pork back-fat replacer (25 and 50%) in beef burgers. The addition of GE decreased the fat content in the burgers between 12% and 33%. The use of GE decreased the amount of palmitic, stearic, and oleic fatty acids and increased the amount of linolenic (higher in amaranth-hemp GE) and α-linolenic (higher in amaranth-chia GE) fatty acids. Both GE improved the n-6/n-3 and PUFA/SFA nutritional ratios in burgers and the AI, TI, h/H indices related to healthy properties of lipid fractions. Color, water activity, pH, and texture were not affected by the addition of GE but cooking loss, shrinkage, and thickness changes were increased (higher in amaranth-hemp GE). Burgers containing amaranth-chia GE (both raw and cooked) resulted in more susceptibility to lipid oxidation than the others and also resulted in lower sensorial acceptability. As a general conclusion, the use of amaranthhemp GE as pork backfat substitute improve nutritional characteristics of the burgers without affecting technological or sensory properties

Comparación de resultados de pruebas químicas pre y post hemodiálisis en pacientes con Insuficiencia Renal Crónica atendidos en la unidad de hemodiálisis del Hospital Nacional Rosales en el período de julio a diciembre del año 2017

El propósito de esta investigación es precisamente comparar resultados de las pruebas químicas pre y post hemodiálisis en pacientes con insuficiencia renal crónica atendidos en la unidad de hemodiálisis en el Hospital Nacional Rosales en el período de julio a diciembre del año 2017

Supercritical fluid (SCF)-assisted preparation of cyclodextrin-based poly(pseudo)rotaxanes for transdermal purposes

This study aims to investigate the effect of the preparation of solid dispersions using supercritical CO2 (scCO2) on the physicochemical properties and the performance of supramolecular gels based on polymer-cyclodextrin (CD) interactions (named poly(pseudo)rotaxanes, PPR) envisaging a transdermal administration. Solid dispersions containing Soluplus®, the antihypertensive drug carvedilol (CAR), and CD (αCD or HPβCD) were prepared and characterized by HPLC, XRPD, FTIR, and DSC. PPRs prepared from solid dispersions (SCF gels) and the corresponding physical mixtures (PM gels) were analyzed regarding rheology, morphology, in vitro drug diffusion, and ex vivo drug skin permeation. The application of scCO2 led to the loss of the crystalline lattice of CAR while preserving its chemical identity. On the contrary, αCD crystals were still present in the SCF solid dispersions. SCF gels were more uniform than their corresponding PM, and the supercritical treatment resulted in changes in the rheological behavior, reducing the viscosity. CAR in vitro diffusion was significantly higher (p < 0.05) for the αCD-based SCF gel than its corresponding PM gel. Drug skin permeation showed a significant increase in drug flux from CD-based SCF gels (containing αCD or HPβCD) compared to corresponding PM gels. Additionally, the pretreatment of the skin with αCD exhibited increased CAR permeation, suggesting an interaction between αCD and the skin membrane. Results evidenced that SCF processing decisively modified the properties of the supramolecular gels, particularly those prepared with αCDOpen Access funding provided thanks to the CRUE-CSIC agreement with Springer Nature. This research was partially supported by the Brazilian agency Fundação de Apoio à Pesquisa do Estado de Goiás (FAPEG). The work was supported by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 (PID 2020-113881RB-I00), Spain, Xunta de Galicia (ED431C 2020/17), and FEDERS

Red de Seguimiento e indicadores en el Máster Universitario en Ingeniería de Telecomunicación

El profesorado de la red docente, que forma parte de la comisión académica del Máster, realizó durante el curso 2011/12 un proyecto para el estudio de los indicadores de calidad del Máster, en función de los indicadores de calidad de las Agencias acreditadoras y dependiendo de las tasas de éxito y eficacias durante el primer curso de implantación del Máster

Galanin and Neuropeptide Y Interaction Enhances Proliferation of Granule Precursor Cells and Expression of Neuroprotective Factors in the Rat Hippocampus: Role in depression and memory

Neuropeptide Y(NPY) Y1 receptor (Y1R) and galanin (GAL) receptor 2 (GALR2) interact in brain regions responsible for mood control and learning and memory processes, emphasizing the hippocampus. The current study assesses the sustained memory performance and antidepressive-like effects induced by GALR2 and NPYY1R agonists coadministration and their neurochemical hippocampal correlates. Object-in-place task and forced swimming test were conducted together with in situ proximity ligation assay (PLA) to manifest the formation of GALR2/Y1R heteroreceptor complexes. We evaluated cell proliferation through a 5-Bromo-2’-deoxyuridine (BrdU) and PCNA expression study within the hippocampus. The GalR2 agonist M1145 and GAL were demonstrated to act with the Y1R agonist to improve memory retrieval and antidepressive-like actions at 24 hours in both tasks, enhancing the cell proliferation in the DG of the hippocampus through BrdU and PCNA expression and the GALR2/Y1R heteroreceptor complexes upon agonist coactivation. Our results may provide the basis for developing heterobivalent agonist pharmacophores targeting Y1R-GALR2 heterocomplexes. It involves especially the neuronal precursor cells of the dentate gyrus in the hippocampus for the novel treatment of Alzheimer’s disease or depression.Supported by the UMA18-FEDERJA-100 and Proyecto Jovenes Investigadores (B1-2019_04) and Proyecto Puente (B4-2021) UMA , Spain to MN. Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Galanin and Neuropeptide Y Interaction Enhances Proliferation of Granule Precursor Cells and Expression of Neuroprotective Factors in the Rat Hippocampus with Consequent Augmented Spatial Memory

Dysregulation of hippocampal neurogenesis is linked to several neurodegenereative diseases, where boosting hippocampal neurogenesis in these patients emerges as a potential therapeutic approach. Accumulating evidence for a neuropeptide Y (NPY) and galanin (GAL) interaction was shown in various limbic system regions at molecular-, cellular-, and behavioral-specific levels. The purpose of the current work was to evaluate the role of the NPY and GAL interaction in the neurogenic actions on the dorsal hippocampus. We studied the Y1R agonist and GAL effects on: hippocampal cell proliferation through the proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), the expression of neuroprotective and anti-apoptotic factors, and the survival of neurons and neurite outgrowth on hippocampal neuronal cells. The functional outcome was evaluated in the object-in-place task. We demonstrated that the Y1R agonist and GAL promote cell proliferation and the induction of neuroprotective factors. These effects were mediated by the interaction of NPYY1 (Y1R) and GAL2 (GALR2) receptors, which mediate the increased survival and neurites’ outgrowth observed on neuronal hippocampal cells. These cellular effects are linked to the improved spatial-memory effects after the Y1R agonist and GAL co-injection at 24 h in the object-in-place task. Our results suggest the development of heterobivalent agonist pharmacophores, targeting Y1R–GALR2 heterocomplexes, therefore acting on the neuronal precursor cells of the DG in the dorsal hippocampus for the novel therapy of neurodegenerative cognitive-affecting diseasesThis research was funded by the UMA18-FEDERJA-100 (Junta de Andalucía), Proyecto Jovenes Investigadores (B1-2019-04), Proyecto puente (B4-2021-06), Universidad de Málaga, Spain, to M.N. Swedish Medical Research Council, Sweden (62X-00715-50-3), to K.F., by Stiftelsen Olle Engkvist Byggmästare to K.F., and by Hjärnfonden, Sweden (F02018-0286), Hjärnfonden, Sweden (F02019-0296), and Karolinska Institutet Forskningsstiftelser, Sweden, to D.O.B.-E. D.O.B.-E. belongs to the “Academia de Biólogos Cubanos” group, Cuba. Partial funding for open access charge: Universidad de Málag

Composition of lower urinary tract stones in canines in Mexico City

11th International symposium on urolithiasis, Nice, France, 2–5 September 2008 Urological Research (2008) 36:157–232. doi:10.1007/s00240-008-0145-5. http://www.springerlink.com/ content/x263655772684210/fulltext.pdf.Effective long-term management of urolithiasis depends on identification and manipulation of factors contributing to initial stone formation; identification of these factors depends on accurate identification of the mineral composition of the urolith involved. The purpose of this study was to determine the chemical composition of uroliths obtained from the low urinary tract of dogs in Mexico City. One hundred and five cases of urolithiasis were studied in which stones were surgically obtained from the low urinary tracts of dogs treated in different hospitals. The chemical composition of the uroliths was quantita- tively and qualitatively determined by stereoscopic microscopy, IR-spectroscopy, scanning electron micros- copy and X-ray microanalysis. Age of animals ranged from 4 months to 14 years, with a median of 5 years. Compo- sition and distribution of the uroliths were struvite 38.1%,calcium oxalate 26.7%, silica 13.3%, urate 7.6%, mixed 11.4%, compounds 1.9%, and cystine 1%. Most uroliths were found in pure breed dogs (75.2%); 23 different breeds were identified, and more than half of the submissions were from breeds of small size. In our study, the frequency of struvite, calcium oxalate, cystine, urates, mixed and com- pounds stones are in agreement with papers that report on dog populations in America and Europe, but a higher fre- quency of silica uroliths was observed in Mexico City dogs.This work has been partially supported by a project of Waltham Foundation in Mexico