Effects of maturation and processing technologies on nutritional and sensory qualities of Itrana table olives

In the present study, we evaluated the nutritional and sensory characteristics of table olives of the Italian doubleaptitude olive cultivar (<i>Olea europaea</i> L. cv. Itrana) processed as green (Oliva bianca di Itri) and black (Oliva di Gaeta) table olives with modified Greek methods of preparation. One method provides an initial step of immersion in water to stimulate the growth of specific microflora which contributes to the debittering of the fruits. After 15-45 days, salt is added to the liquid in quantities not exceeding 8 kg per 100 kg of fresh olives. Another method entails the immersion of fruits directly in brine utilizing double-salting (half the amount of NaCl was added immediately and the remaining part after 15 days). All the information derived from chemico-physical, nutritional and sensory data have separated the samples into four groups according to techno-processings, ripening stage and storage. Double-salting is the method which assures the best results.<br><br>En el presente estudio se evalúan las características nutricionales y sensoriales de la variedad Itrana de aceituna (<i>Olea europaea</i> L.) de doble uso, elaborada en verde (Oliva Bianca di Itri) y en negro (Oliva di Gaeta), utilizando métodos griegos modificados al efecto. Un método consiste en una etapa inicial de inmersión en agua para favorecer el crecimiento de una flora específica que contribuye al endulzado de los frutos. Después de 15-45 días se añade sal a la solución en una cantidad que no exceda 8 kg por 100 g de fruto fresco. Otro procedimiento consiste en colocar directamente las aceitunas en salmuera utilizando un sistema de adición de la sal en dos etapas (la mitad de la sal se añade inmediatamente y el resto a los 15 días). Toda la información derivada de los análisis fisico-químicos, nutricionales y sensoriales ha permitido la separación de las muestras en cuatro grupos según la tecnología de elaboración, el estado de madurez y el almacenamiento. El proceso de adición de sal en dos etapas (“double salting”) fue el procedimiento que dio mejores resultados

Dual mechanism of brain injury and novel treatment strategy in maple syrup urine disease

Maple syrup urine disease (MSUD) is an inherited disorder of branched-chain amino acid metabolism presenting with lifethreatening cerebral oedema and dysmyelination in affected individuals. Treatment requires life-long dietary restriction and monitoring of branched-chain amino acids to avoid brain injury. Despite careful management, children commonly suffer metabolic decompensation in the context of catabolic stress associated with non-specific illness. The mechanisms underlying this decompensation and brain injury are poorly understood. Using recently developed mouse models of classic and intermediate maple syrup urine disease, we assessed biochemical, behavioural and neuropathological changes that occurred during encephalopathy in these mice. Here, we show that rapid brain leucine accumulation displaces other essential amino acids resulting in neurotransmitter depletion and disruption of normal brain growth and development. A novel approach of administering norleucine to heterozygous mothers of classic maple syrup urine disease pups reduced branched-chain amino acid accumulation in milk as well as blood and brain of these pups to enhance survival. Similarly, norleucine substantially delayed encephalopathy in intermediate maple syrup urine disease mice placed on a high protein diet that mimics the catabolic stress shown to cause encephalopathy in human maple syrup urine disease. Current findings suggest two converging mechanisms of brain injury in maple syrup urine disease including: (i) neurotransmitter deficiencies and growth restriction associated with branchedchain amino acid accumulation and (ii) energy deprivation through Krebs cycle disruption associated with branched-chain ketoacid accumulation. Both classic and intermediate models appear to be useful to study the mechanism of brain injury and potential treatment strategies for maple syrup urine disease. Norleucine should be further tested as a potential treatment to prevent encephalopathy in children with maple syrup urine disease during catabolic stress

Static and Dynamic Lung Volumes in Swimmers and Their Ventilatory Response to Maximal Exercise

Purpose While the static and dynamic lung volumes of active swimmers is often greater than the predicted volume of similarly active non-swimmers, little is known if their ventilatory response to exercise is also different. Methods Three groups of anthropometrically matched male adults were recruited, daily active swimmers (n = 15), daily active in fields sport (Rugby and Football) (n = 15), and recreationally active (n = 15). Forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), and maximal voluntary ventilation (MVV) was measured before and after exercise to volitional exhaustion. Results Swimmers had significantly larger FVC (6.2 ± 0.6 l, 109 ± 9% pred) than the other groups (5.6 ± 0.5 l, 106 ± 13% pred, 5.5 ± 0.8, 99% pred, the sportsmen and recreational groups, respectively). FEV1 and MVV were not different. While at peak exercise, all groups reached their ventilatory reserve (around 20%), the swimmers had a greater minute ventilation rate than the recreational group (146 ± 19 vs 120 ± 87 l/min), delivering this volume by breathing deeper and slower. Conclusions The swimmers utilised their larger static volumes (FVC) differently during exercise by meeting their ventilation volume through long and deep breaths

A multidisciplinary consensus on the morphological and functional responses to immunotherapy treatment

The implementation of immunotherapy has radically changed the treatment of oncological patients. Currently, immunotherapy is indicated in the treatment of patients with head and neck tumors, melanoma, lung cancer, bladder tumors, colon cancer, cervical cancer, breast cancer, Merkel cell carcinoma, liver cancer, leukemia and lymphomas. However, its efficacy is restricted to a limited number of cases. The challenge is, therefore, to identify which subset of patients would benefit from immunotherapy. To this end, the establishment of immunotherapy response criteria and predictive and prognostic biomarkers is of paramount interest. In this report, a group of experts of the Spanish Society of Medical Oncology (SEOM), the Spanish Society of Medical Radiology (SERAM), and Spanish Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SEMNIM) provide an up-to-date review and a consensus guide on these issues

THE APPLICATION OF COLLAGEN SHEET IN OPEN WOUND HEALING*

Introduction There are occasions in surgery that require use of a temporary cover for raw wounds. These include skin loss secondary to burns, trauma, amputation, chronic ulcer, leprosy, and skin graft sites. The body needs its own regeneration time, while complications consequent to loss of skin cover can always occur. The orderly ingrowth of epithelium over denuded areas needs a layer of collagen sheet to act as the scaffold on which to grow and arrange itself. Denuded areas are unable to provide this effectively, leading to formation of extensive scars and even keloids. It is for these purposes that denuded areas need a temporary cover until such time that the body is able to manufacture a cover of its own. 1 Desamidation of bovine collagen is a novel idea for preparing chemically modified collagen, which is largely unutilized. Desamidation of these wastes offers an alternative source of solubilized collagen with a much higher yield. 2 Our aim is to apply desamidated collagen as a biomaterial to evaluate the utility of collagen, particularly as a drug delivery device, as a haemostat, and as a wound cover. We evaluated the utility of vitamin A, vitamin C, 50% glucose, and gentamiicin locally applied onto the open wound. Any biomaterial should ensure non-toxicity to the biological environment where it is applied. Case study The patient, S.S., 80 years old, was admitted for hospitalization owing to pain in the toes of both feet, the pain being specifically acute in the second toe of the left foot and the middle toe of the right foot. The patient did not state any vascular system discomforts, in terms of circulation malfunctioning in the lower extremities. The pains started after chiropodist treatment, i.e. after cutting and treatment of the nails on the patient&apos;s toes. The patient was examined by a surgeon in another hospital and subsequently admitted into our healthcare facility. On examination, we ascertained: • insufficient circulation in the second toe of the left foot and the middle toe of the right foot • distal necrosis and infection on the tips of the toes Therapy and observation Surgical treatment of the wound • Debridement was performed up to the healthy tissue together with resection of the tips of the distal phalanges on the affected toes using local anaesthesia. • The wound was left open. • The following were locally applied onto the open wound: vitamin A (1 ml), vitamin C (5 ml), 50% glucose (10 ml), and gentamicin, subsequently followed by a collagen sheet-biological cover (layer). • The rest of the vitamin A, vitamin C, 50% glucose, and gentamicin was applied over the biological cover. • The wound was then covered by five-layer gauze. • The patient was discharged from hospital and carried on his normal working activities, but with some restrictions in terms of walking, with the aim of preventing mechanical sliding of the collagen cover on the wound. • Wound bandaging in the first month was performed Annals of Burns and Fire Disasters -vol. XVIII -n. 3 -September 2005 151 THE APPLICATION OF COLLAGEN SHEET IN OPEN WOUND HEALING* Lazovic G., Colic M., Grubor M., Jovanovic M. Centre for Burns, Plastic, and Reconstructive Surgery, Clinical Centre of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia and Montenegro SUMMARY. The aim of this paper is describe the application of desamidated collagen as a biomaterial in order to evaluate the utility of collagen, particularly as a drug delivery device, as a haemostat, and as a wound cover. W e also evaluated the utility of vitamin A, vitamin C, 50% glucose, and gentamicin locally applied onto the open wound. Any biomaterial should ensure non-toxicity to the biological environment where it is applied. We point out the utility of vitamin A, vitamin C, 50% glucose, and gentamicin locally applied onto the open wound with a biological covering. Collagen sheet is becoming evident in our ongoing studies. We are convinced that collagen sheets are very useful in first-and second-degree burns. The cost factor comes down and the * This paper was presented a