Optimisation of an oak chips-grape mix maceration process. Influence of chip dose and maceration time

[EN] Oak chips-related phenolics are able to modify the composition of red wine and modulate the colour stability. In this study, the effect of two maceration techniques, traditional and oak chips-grape mix process, on the phenolic composition and colour of Syrah red wines from warm climate was studied. Two doses of oak chips (3 and 6 g/L) at two maceration times (5 and 10 days) during fermentation was considered. Changes on phenolic composition (HPLC–DAD–MS), copigmentation/polymerisation (spectrophotometry), and colour (Tristimulus and Differential Colorimetry) were assessed by multivariate statistical techniques. The addition of oak chips at shorter maceration times enhanced phenolic extraction, colour and its stabilisation in comparison to the traditional maceration. On contrast, increasing chip dose in extended maceration time resulted in wines with lighter and less stable colour. Results open the possibility of optimise alternative technological applications to traditional grape maceration for avoiding the common loss of colour of wines from warm climate

Application of differential colorimetry to evaluate anthocyanin-flavonol-flavanol ternary copigmentation interactions in model solutions

The combined effect of anthocyanin−flavanol−flavonol ternary interactions on the colorimetric and chemical stability of malvidin-3-glucoside has been studied. Model solutions with fixed malvidin-3-glucoside/(+)-catechin ratio (MC) and variable quercetin-3-β-D-glucoside concentration (MC+Q) and solutions with fixed malvidin-3-glucoside/quercetin-3-β-Dglucoside ratio (MQ) and variable (+)-catechin concentration (MQ+C) were tested at levels closer to those existing in wines. Color variations during storage were evaluated by differential colorimetry. Changes in the anthocyanin concentration were monitored by HPLC-DAD. CIELAB color-difference formulas were demonstrated to be of practical interest to assess the stronger and more stable interaction of quercetin-3-β-D-glucoside with MC binary mixture than (+)-catechin with MQ mixture. The results imply that MC+Q ternary solutions kept their intensity and bluish tonalities for a longer time in comparison to MQ+C solutions. The stability of malvidin-3-glucoside improves when the concentration of quercetin-3-β-D-glucoside increases in MC+Q mixtures, whereas the addition of (+)-catechin in MQ+C mixtures resulted in an opposite effec

Effect of miR-660-5p in breast cancer progression

Background: Breast cancer (BC) is the most diagnosed cancer in women worldwide. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) participate in different processes of BC and their deregulation can cause them to act as oncogenes or tumor suppressors, participating in cancer progression. Using the TCGA (The Cancer Genome Atlas) database, we found that miR-660-5p significantly overexpressed and associated with poor survival in patients with this pathology. Moreover, it is reported that miR-660-5p can induce BC progression through transcription factor CP2 (TFCP2) and the downregulation of tet methylcytosine dioxygenase 2 (TET2). In this project, we propose to identify the role of miR-660-5p in proliferation, migration, invasion, angiogenesis, and the possible targets involved in these processes in BC cell lines. Methods: Basal levels of miR-660-5p were determined in BC cells MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7, and in human epithelial breast cells MCF-10A by RT-qPCR. The effect of miR-660-5p was evaluated on proliferation, migration, and invasion processes in MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells. HUVEC cells were used to assess angiogenesis. All cell lines were transfected with miR-660-5p inhibitor. Analysis of nine miRNA-target prediction databases was made to identify targets of miR-660-5p. We selected the targets genes predicted by at least three of these programs, and their expression were evaluated in MDA-MB-231 cells by RT-qPCR in a customized plate. We validated those results with Western blot. Results: We found that miR-660-5p is significantly upregulated in MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7, compared to MCF-10A cells. In addition, we observed a significant decrease in proliferation, migration, and invasion in BC cells transfected with miR-660-5p inhibitor, compared to nontreated cells and miRNA inhibitor negative control cells. Similarly, we observed a significant decrease in angiogenesis of HUVEC cells transfected with miR-660-5p inhibitor. Furthermore, of all the miR-660-5p target genes identified by prediction databases, 17 were selected, and of these, three were observed upregulated and one downregulated. We found that CD8A, LIFR and TMEM41B are reported as tumor suppressors in different types of cancer. We validated those results by Western blot, observing an increase in TMEM41B protein levels in the group of cells transfected with miR-660 inhibitor compared to nontreated cells and miRNA inhibitor negative control cells. Conclusions: The results show that miR-660-5p is upregulated and involved in proliferation, migration, invasion, and angiogenesis of BC, which may lead us to suggest that this miRNA act as an onco-miRNA. In addition, we found that TMEM41B could be a potential target of miR-660-5p

Functional effect of miR-1307-3p on breast cancer progression

Background: MiRNAs are non-coding RNA molecules and its function is the regulation of gene expression. In cancer, the deregulation of miRNAs allows them to act as oncogenes or tumor suppressors. From an analysis of the expression of miRNAs in breast cancer (BC) in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), it was identified that miR-1307-3p is significantly overexpressed in the tumor tissue compared to healthy tissue from patients. So far, in BC, it has only been reported that this miRNA inhibits SMYD4 and that it is involved in resistance to cisplatin through its effect on Mdm4. In this project we propose to identify the role of miR-1307-3p in proliferation, migration, invasion, angiogenesis, and possible targets involved in these processes in BC cells. Methods: RT-qPCR was used to evaluate basal levels of miR-1307-3p in the BC cell lines MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7, and the human epithelial breast MCF-10A cells. Later, we determined the effect of miR-1307-3p on proliferation, migration, and invasion in MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7, and angiogenesis in the HUVEC endothelial cells. All assays were carried out using the miR-1307-3p inhibitor. Then, nine miRNA-target prediction databases were analyzed to identify potential miR-1307-3p target genes, and their expression was analyzed by RT-qPCR in a designed 384-well plate. Finally, the targets that presented an alteration in their expression were evaluated by western blot. Results: We found that miR-1307-3p is overexpressed in MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7, compared to MCF-10A cells. We also identified that transfection with the miR-1307-3p inhibitor causes a significant decrease in the processes of proliferation, migration, invasion, and angiogenesis, when compared with untreated or negative control transfected cells. For its part, prediction databases analysis allowed us to identify 19 potential targets of miR-1307-3p. We also found that 2 genes were overexpressed, CIC and PRM2. Finally, we found an overexpression of PRM2 protein. Conclusions: MiR-1307-3p is overexpressed in BC cells. Furthermore, miR-1307-3p induces the processes of proliferation, migration and invasion in BC cells, and angiogenesis in HUVEC cells. These observations suggest that miR-1307-3p can acts as an onco-miRNA. In addition, a potential new target of miR-1307-3p was found, PRM2 which has not been previously reported in breast cancer. Further analysis to verify and validate the implication of this miR-1307-3p target are needed to understand its importance in BC

Immunotherapy with CAR-T cells in paediatric haematology-oncology

Despite being a rare disease, cancer is the first cause of mortality due to disease during the paediatric age in the developed countries. The current, great increase in new treatments, such as immunotherapy, constitutes a new clinical and regulatory paradigm. Cellular immunotherapy is one of these types of immunotherapy. In particular, the advanced therapy drugs with chimeric antigen receptors in the T-lymphocytes (CAR-T), and particularly the CAR-T19 cells, has opened up a new scenario in the approach to haematology tumours like acute lymphoblastic leukaemia and the B-Cell lymphomas. The approval of tisagenlecleucel and axicabtagene ciloleucel by the regulatory authorities has led to the setting up of the National Plan for Advanced Therapies-CAR-T drugs in Spain. There is evidence of, not only the advantage of identifying the centres most suitable for their administration, but also the need for these to undergo a profound change in order that their healthcare activity is extended, in some cases, to the ability for the in-house manufacture of these types of therapies. The hospitals specialised in paediatric haematology-oncology thus have the challenge of progressing towards a healthcare model that integrates cellular immunotherapy, having the appropriate capacity to manage all aspects relative to their use, manufacture, and administration of these new treatments.A pesar de ser una enfermedad rara, el cáncer es la primera causa de mortalidad por enfermedad durante la edad pediátrica en los países desarrollados. En este momento, la irrupción de nuevos tratamientos como la inmunoterapia constituye un nuevo paradigma clínico y regulatorio. Uno de estos tipos de inmunoterapia es la inmunoterapia celular. En particular, los medicamentos de terapia avanzada con receptores antigénicos quiméricos en los linfocitos T (CAR-T), y en concreto las células CAR-T19, han supuesto un nuevo escenario en el abordaje de los tumores hematológicos, como la leucemia aguda linfoblástica y los linfomas de células tipo B. La aprobación por las autoridades regulatorias de tisagenlecleucel y axicabtagene ciloleucel,ha impulsado la puesta en marcha del Plan Nacional de Terapias Avanzadas-Medicamentos CAR-T en España, evidenciándose no solo la conveniencia de identificar los centros más adecuados para su administración, sino la necesidad de que estos sufran una profunda transformación para que su actividad asistencial se extienda en algunos casos a la capacidad de fabricación propia de este tipo de terapias. Los hospitales especializados en hematooncología pediátrica tienen por tanto el reto de evolucionar hacia un modelo asistencial que integre la inmunoterapia celular,dotándose de capacidad propia para gestionar todos los aspectos relativos al uso, fabricación y administración de estos nuevos tratamientos.Fundación CRIS contra el cáncer

Relationship between the Sensory-Determined Astringency and the Flavanolic Composition of Red Wines

[EN] The relationship between the proanthocyanidin profile and the perceived astringency was assessed in 13 commercial Tempranillo red wines. The concentration and compositional information were obtained by liquid chromatography with diode array detection coupled to electrospray ionization mass spectrometry after acid-catalyzed depolymerization of wine proanthocyanidins in the presence of excess phloroglucinol. Statistical analysis of the results showed significant correlations between sensory and chemical determinations. Astringency was more affected by the subunit composition than by the total concentration or the average degree of polymerization of wine proanthocyanidins. Higher proportions of epicatechin (EC) subunits in extension positions and gallocatechin (GC) subunits in terminal positions were shown to increase astringency. On the contrary, the amount of epigallocatechin (EGC) in both extension and terminal positions was negatively correlated with the perceived astringency

El pensamiento reflexivo a través de las metodologías narrativas: experiencias de innovación en educación superior

Coordinació: Marta Sabariego PuigEste cuaderno es fruto de dos proyectos concedidos en las convocatorias de ayudas a la investigación en docencia universitaria (REDI- CE14-1511 y REDICE16-1660). Están centrados en el estudio de las metodologías de carácter narrativo y (auto)biográfico (Suárez, 2011) sobre el pensamiento reflexivo para el desarrollo personal y profesional del alumnado universitario. Ambos proyectos han permitido la consolidación de una comunidad de práctica, una red interuniversitaria e interdisciplinar de profesorado docente e investigador que tiene como finalidad profundizar en la base teórica, la sistematización y la validación de las experiencias de innovación para el fomento del pensamiento reflexivo a través de las metodologías narrativas. El cuaderno es el producto del análisis colectivo de las experiencias desarrolladas y los resultados obtenidos, vinculando la investigación con la innovación para una docencia de calidad que nos lleve a pensar sobre el valor de una de las vías más importantes para construir y reconstruir significados en las actividades de enseñanza y aprendizaje que se plantean en el espacio universitario: la reflexión. El texto está organizado en dos secciones. La primera recoge tres apartados teóricos sobre la fundamentación conceptual del pensamiento reflexivo, las características de los espacios de aprendizaje favorables al desarrollo de esta competencia básica para el aprendizaje en la Universidad y el valor de los dispositivos narrativos diseñados. La segunda sección engloba diez experiencias innovadoras que ilustran el desarrollo de un aprendizaje más reflexivo en el alumnado vía escritura narrativa. Finalmente, el cuaderno concluye con propuestas para contribuir a la renovación y validación de una actividad docente organizada y estructurada a este efecto en la educación superio

Título en español.

Activated charcoals are used in rum-processing for the specific removal of detrimental components such as tannins and furfuraldehyde, and for the elimination of excessive color. Other rum components are also removed in this process in varying degrees. In this study five commercial brands of activated charcoals were evaluated to determine their removal capacity for different rum components. Efforts were made also to determine the best way to use and reactivate charcoals to attain their maximum efficiency in rum-processing. In the study of the best ways of utilizing the charcoal the following aspects were investigated: The capacity of various doses of different charcoals in removing congeners and color from rums; the effect of two consecutive charcoal treatments; the effectiveness of adding a single total dose vs. an incremental dose; the minimum contact time between charcoal and sample; the removal capacity of a given charcoal in rum aged for different periods of time. In general the charcoals used have very similar capacities for the removal of congeners and color in rums. Charcoals CC-2, CC-3, CC-4, and CC-5 have some advantages over charcoals CC-6 and CC-7 in the removal of color. The following methods for reactivating the used charcoal were studied: washing the used charcoal with water, washing the used charcoal with water followed by flushing the mixture with steam; and direct heating at different temperatures. The reactivation by direct heating at 300° C. for 30 minutes was found to be the best. By this process a charcoal sample was reactivated and reused consecutively four times without a significant loss in its capacity for removing color and tannins. The data are presented by means of tables and graphs. A discussion of the results is included.El carbón activado se usa en la elaboración de los rones para eliminarles los componentes perjudiciales, como son los taninos y el furfural, y para quitarles el color excesivo. Durante este proceso, también se extraen en mayor o menor grado otros componentes. En este estudio se evaluaron cinco carbones activados comerciales para determinar su capacidad de remover los diferentes componentes del ron. Se trató, además, de determinar el mejor modo de emplear y reactivar el carbón para obtener la máxima eficiencia en la elaboración de los rones. Los resultados se presentan en una serie de tablas y gráficas incluyéndose, además, una discusión sobre los mismos. En el estudio de la mejor utilización del carbón los aspectos siguientes fueron estudiados: El uso de varias dosis de distintos carbones para remover congenéricos y color; el uso de dos dosis consecutivas; el efecto de usar una dosis total o parcial; el tiempo mínimo de contacto entre el carbón y la muestra de ron; la capacidad de remover congenéricos y color dependiendo de la edad del ron. En general los carbones estudiados tuvieron capacidades similares para remover congenéricos y color en el ron. Los carbones CC-2, CC-3, CC-4 y CC-5 presentan ventajas sobre los carbones CC-6 y CC-7 para remover color. Para reactivar el carbón usado se estudiaron métodos de lavado con agua, lavado seguido de vapor directo y calentamiento a distintas temperaturas. La reactivación calentando en una mufla a 300 °C. por 30 minutos resultó la más ventajosa, pudiéndose por este proceso reactivar 4 veces consecutivas un mismo carbón sin una pérdida significativa de la capacidad de remover color y taninos. Los resultados se presentan en una serie de tablas y gráficas y se incluye una discusión de los mismos

Polyphenols and Food Quality

Polyphenols and Food Qualit