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

Morphological and Optical Modification of Melanosomes in Fish Integuments upon Oxidation

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as superoxide radicals O2−, hydroxyl radicals OH−, and hydrogen peroxide H2O2 may have detrimental effects on marine organisms, including their integuments and visual appearances. Although some studies have described the impact of ROS on marine ecosystems and species ecology, the influence on the optical response of the integuments of marine species and on their visual appearances remains unknown. In this article, we used histology and optical characterisation to show, for the first time, that skin melanophores (melanin-containing chromophores) of the coral reef fish, Stegastes apicalis, change their shapes and fluorescent proprieties upon oxidation with H2O2 radicals. Our observations also suggest that pheomelanosomes may occur in fish integuments, where, previously, it was thought that fish melanosomes only contain eumelanin. This investigation relied on light and electron microscopy and steady-state fluorimetry, as well as time-resolved streak imaging systems. We suggest that the changes in the morphological and spectral characteristics of melanophores can be used as a marker of physiological stress induced by environmental factors such as ROS. Moreover, S. apicalis may be used as a potential model for studying the interaction between the surrounding environment and natural organisms in biologically diverse ecosystems, such as the Great Barrier Reef in Australia

Fractal Nature Bridge between Neural Networks and Graph Theory Approach within Material Structure Characterization

Many recently published research papers examine the representation of nanostructures and biomimetic materials, especially using mathematical methods. For this purpose, it is important that the mathematical method is simple and powerful. Theory of fractals, artificial neural networks and graph theory are most commonly used in such papers. These methods are useful tools for applying mathematics in nanostructures, especially given the diversity of the methods, as well as their compatibility and complementarity. The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of existing results in the field of electrochemical and magnetic nanostructures parameter modeling by applying the three methods that are "easy to use": theory of fractals, artificial neural networks and graph theory. We also give some new conclusions about applicability, advantages and disadvantages in various different circumstances

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

Chromium content in the meat of male Saanen goat kids from Vojvodina (Northern Serbia)

Goats, the earliest ruminant to be domesticated, are traditional sources of meat, milk, fibre, leather, related products of animal origin and as draught and pack animals. Meat is the major product of the goat. Meat quality is the sum of all sensory, nutritive, technological and hygienic-toxicological factors of meat. The aims of this study were to investigate the chromium content of four different muscles (M. psoas major, M. longissimus dorsi, M. semimembranosus and M. triceps brachii) of Saanen goat male kids and to determine whether the chromium contents differed between the muscles. Chromium content was determined using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES), after dry ashing mineralisation. The studied muscles did not significantly differ (P >0.05) with respect to chromium content. The chromium content ranged from 0.012 to 0.067 mg/100 g, with an average of 0.026 mg/100 g

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