Dynamics of the Fermentation Process and Chemical Profiling of Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) Wines Obtained by Different Cultivar×Yeast Combinations

Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) is one of the historical tree crops in the Mediterranean region and is nowadays commercialized for its beneficial properties in the form of fruits, juice, jams and, in some East countries, as fermented juice (pomegranate wine). However, pomegranate wines are not established as a common beverage in Western countries. In this work, we produced pomegranate wines using two cultivars and two yeasts (Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain Clos and S. cerevisiae ex-bayanus strain EC1118) with contrasting characteristics. A comprehensive chemical profile of the wines was obtained. Notable differences were observed in the function of the cultivars and the yeasts. Different cultivar×yeast combinations provided wines with clearly different chemical profiles and specific features in the patterns of organic acids, phenolics, and volatile compounds. This highlights the opportunity to obtain tailored pomegranate wines with desired chemical profiles and, consequently, sensory properties, through management optimization of pomegranate winemaking. In this view, pomegranate wines have the potential to become an established beverage in Western countries

Cultivar-Dependent Effects of Non-Saccharomyces Yeast Starter on the Oenological Properties of Wines Produced from Two Autochthonous Grape Cultivars in Southern Italy

Global warming poses a threat to winemaking worldwide, especially in dry–warm regions such as Southern Italy. Must fermentation with non-Saccharomyces yeast starter is a possible approach to limit the negative effects of climate change, leading to desirable effects such as an increase in total acidity and/or aroma improvement. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the use of a non-Saccharomyces starter (Lachancea thermotolerans) on the chemical and sensory properties of wines obtained by the the fermentation of two autochthonous Apulian grape cultivars, namely Bombino nero and Minutolo, as compared to the traditional Saccharomyces cerevisiae-driven fermentation. Bombino and Minutolo wines fermented with either Lachancea thermotolerans or Saccharomyces cerevisiae were characterized for their oenological parameters, volatile profiles, and sensory properties. Both chemical and sensory properties were affected by the yeast starter. Inoculation of L. thermotolerans increased sensory complexity, with different floral and sweet-like attributes for both cultivars. Bombino nero, a neutral cultivar, showed a clear effect on wine composition, with both an increase in lactic acid and a change in the volatile profile. On the contrary, the impact of L. thermotolerans was partially masked in Minutolo due to the strong primary aroma background of this highly terpenic cultivar. In this work, we evidenced a notable cultivar × yeast interaction, showing how generalizations of the effects of non-Saccharomyces yeasts on vinification are difficult to achieve, as they show a cultivar-specific outcome

Endovascular repair of popliteal artery aneurysms: an Italian multicenter study

PURPOSE: The aim of our study is to assess the effectiveness of popliteal artery aneurysm (PAA) endovascular treatment. BASIC PROCEDURES: We retrospectively evaluated 48 high-surgical-risk patients that presented at our three departments with evidence of popliteal artery aneurysms, both symptomatic and asymptomatic, and were therefore treated by deployment of stent graft. Immediate technical success was 100%. No periprocedural complications occurred. MAIN FINDINGS: During a mean follow-up of 24.5 months (range 6-72), 12/48 occlusions of stent graft occurred, five of which occurred in the first 30 days after the procedure while other seven occurred during long-term follow-up. Primary stent patency rate was 70.8% and secondary stent patency rate was 89.6% at 1 year. No limb amputation was witnessed. CONCLUSIONS: According to our experience, endovascular approach appeared as an effective treatment for popliteal artery aneurysms, as it appeared affected by a low rate of peri- and post-procedural complications. It could be proposed as treatment of choice in patients with high surgical risk

Endovascular treatment of femoro-popliteal disease with the Supera stent: results of a multicenter study

Even though many types of stents have been tested in superficial femoral artery (SFA) and popliteal artery (PA), the vast majority of these devices have provided an unsatisfactory outcome, probably due their unsuitable anatomical and physiological characteristics. The Supera peripheral stent (Abbott Vascular, Santa Rosa, CA, USA) is a braided interwoven nitinol device specifically designed for treating atherosclerotic lesions of the femoro-popliteal segment. The aim of this multicenter retrospective study was to describe the effectiveness of Supera stents in the management of femoral-popliteal atherosclerotic lesions and to critically analyze our findings in the context of current and past literature

The Indigo System in acute lower-limb malperfusion (INDIAN) registry. Protocol

Background: Acute lower limb ischemia (ALLI) poses a major threat to limb survival. For many years, surgical thromboembolectomy was the mainstay of treatment. Recent years have brought an endovascular revolution to the management of ALLI. It seems that the newly designed endovascular thrombectomy devices may shift treatment recommendations toward endovascular options. This protocol study aims to collect evidence supporting the latest hypothesis. Objective: The devices under investigation are the Penumbra/Indigo Systems (Penumbra Inc). The objective of this clinical investigation is to evaluate, in a controlled setting, the early safety and effectiveness of the devices and to define the optimal technique for the use of these systems in patients with confirmed peripheral acute occlusions. Methods: This study will be an interventional prospective trial of patients with a diagnosis of ALLI treated with Penumbra/Indigo devices. This project is intended to be a national platform where every physician invited to participate could register his or her own data procedure. The primary outcome is the technical success of thromboaspiration with the Indigo System. Assessment of vessel patency will be recorded using the Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) score classifications before and after use of the device. Clinical success at follow-up is defined as an improvement of Rutherford classification at 1-month follow-up of one class or more as compared to the preprocedure Rutherford classification. Secondary endpoints include the following: (1) safety rate at discharge, defined as the absence of any serious adverse events; (2) primary patency at 1 month, defined as a target lesion without a hemodynamically significant stenosis or reocclusion on duplex ultrasound (>50%) and without target lesion reintervention within 1 month; and (3) limb salvage at 1 month. Results: The study is currently in the recruitment phase and the final patient is expected to be treated by the end of March 2019. A total of 150 patients will be recruited. Analyses will focus on primary and secondary endpoints. Conclusions: These new endovascular thrombectomy devices that are specifically designed for peripheral intervention in this difficult set of patients, as those under investigation in the proposed registry, may offer improved clinical outcomes with lower rates of major systemic and local complications. Following completion of this study, it is expected that the value of the Indigo Thrombectomy System in the treatment of ALLI will be better defined. As a result, a shift of treatment recommendations toward endovascular options may be observed in the near future