Profiling of phenol content and microbial community dynamics during pâté olive cake fermentation

In this study, different microbial strains, as single and mixed-cultures, were used to ferment the pâté olive cake (POC), a by-product of olive oil processing. In particular, strains belonging to Candida boidinii, Wickerhamomyces anomalus and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum were used. The fermentation was carried out on diluted (3:2) POC without and with glucose (2% w/v) addition. Furthermore, phenolic compounds were monitored during fermentation in POC added with glucose differetly inoculated and the microbial community, at the end of fermentation, was evaluated by Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) techniques. Data highlighted that inoculated samples showed an hydroxytyrosol content higher than the un-inoculated controls. In particular, during fermentation the sample inoculated with C. boidinii, both in single and in mixed culture together with L. plantarum, increased the hydroxytyrosol content by 275 and 261 mg/L, respectively, after 8 days, to reach the highest content at the end of fermentation. Metagenomic analysis revealed a low abundance of 16S ribosomal RNA genes and fungal ITS in all samples at any sampling times. Furthermore, at the end of fermentation, all samples exhibited a different bacterial community with a decrease in acetic acid bacteria and an increase in Lactobacillaceae biodiversity. Finally, no effect was detected in any samples on fungal metagenomic profile, where Dipodascus geotrichum was found dominant both at initial and final fermentation. In conclusion, the present study confirmed that selected cultures can drive the fermentation and have an impact on the phenolic profile.This study was conducted within a Ph.D. research programme in Biotecnologie (XXXV cycle) by Paola Foti who received a grant ‘Dottorato innovativo con caratterizzazione industriale, PON RI 2014–2020’, titled ‘Olive oil by-products as a new functional food and source of nutritional food ingredients’ from the Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment (Scientific Tutors: C.C. Cinzia Caggia; Flora V. Romeo and Cinzia L. Randazzo). Authors thank the Azienda Olearia Consoli Pasquale & F.lli s.n.c (Adrano, CT), partner of the doctoral programme, to kindly supply the POC. The present study was partially supported by a regional funding Progetto di investimento 144511020025. P.O. FESR SICILIA 2014/2020, 2019–2021, Azione 1.1.3 - Sostegno alla valorizzazione economica dell’innovazione attraverso la sperimentazione e l’adozione di soluzioni innovative nei processi, nei prodotti e nelle formule organizzative, nonch ́e attraverso il finanziamento dell’industrializzazione dei risultati della ricerca: VERIFICO, Project number: 07TP1039000074info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Botulinum toxin treatment in glaucomatous patients: a pilot study

PURPOSE: The purpose was to evaluate the efficacy of the treatment of iatrogenic entropion (IE), in patients affected by primary open angle glaucoma (POAG), by botulinum toxin injections (BTI). PATIENTS AND METHODS: 20 patients of the "Glaucoma Center" of the Hospital "Umberto I" (Rome) were examined. These patients had POAG and used prostaglandin analogues (PA). Mean age was 75.5 years old (range 68-83); they had been suffering from PAOG since 10 years and were not affected by other relevant systemic diseases. One to three BTI were made into the lower orbicularis muscle using a 0.3 G needle (0.025 to 0.05 units for each injection site). RESULTS: The results were particularly significant in 18 out of 20 patients. Two patients showed slight improvements. A rating scale ranging from 0 to 6 points (0 corresponded to 'no effect' and 6 to the 'complete' resolution of the entropion) was used to evaluate the goals of the treatment. The average rating was 5.37 points. CONCLUSIONS: The entropion due to glaucoma therapy with PA can be successfully treated with BTI in the orbicularis muscle, despite offering temporary therapeutic effects

Varicella: epidemiological aspects and vaccination coverage in the Veneto Region

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>With the control of many infections through national vaccination programmes, varicella is currently the most widespread preventable childhood disease in industrialized nations. In 2005 varicella vaccination was added to the Veneto Region routine immunization schedule for all children at 14 months of age and 12 year-old susceptible adolescents through an active and a free of charge offer. To evaluate parameters at the start of the programme, we conducted a study to describe the epidemiology of varicella infection and coverage rates for varicella vaccine in the Veneto Region (North-East Italy).</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We examined incidence rates and median age of case patients in the Veneto Region for 2000-2007 period using two data sources: the mandatory notification of infections diseases and the Italian Paediatric Sentinel Surveillance System of Vaccine Preventable Diseases. Corrected coverage rates were calculated from data supplied by the Public Health and Screening Section of the Regional Department for Prevention.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In the Veneto Region from 2000 to 2007, a total of 99,351 varicella cases were reported through mandatory notifications, mostly in children under 15 years of age. The overall standardised annual incidence ranged from 2.0 to 3.3 per 1,000 population, with fluctuations from year to year. The analysis by geographic area showed a similar monthly incidence rate in Italy and in the Veneto Region. The vaccination average adherence rate was 8.2% in 2004 cohort, 63.5% in 2005 cohort and 86.5% in 2006 cohort. Corrected coverage rates were 8.1% in 2004 cohort, 59.9% in 2005 cohort and 70.0% in 2006 cohort, respectively.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Data from passive and active surveillance systems confirm that varicella is a common disease which each year affects a large proportion of the population, mainly children. Uptake of the varicella vaccination programme was strikingly good with average coverage rates of about 70% after only 3 years. Sustained implementation of existing vaccine policies is needed to warrant any significant reduction of varicella incidence in the Veneto Region. Continued surveillance will be important to monitor the impact of the recently introduced mass vaccination policy.</p

Colorectal Cancer Stage at Diagnosis Before vs During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Italy

IMPORTANCE Delays in screening programs and the reluctance of patients to seek medical attention because of the outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 could be associated with the risk of more advanced colorectal cancers at diagnosis. OBJECTIVE To evaluate whether the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic was associated with more advanced oncologic stage and change in clinical presentation for patients with colorectal cancer. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This retrospective, multicenter cohort study included all 17 938 adult patients who underwent surgery for colorectal cancer from March 1, 2020, to December 31, 2021 (pandemic period), and from January 1, 2018, to February 29, 2020 (prepandemic period), in 81 participating centers in Italy, including tertiary centers and community hospitals. Follow-up was 30 days from surgery. EXPOSURES Any type of surgical procedure for colorectal cancer, including explorative surgery, palliative procedures, and atypical or segmental resections. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The primary outcome was advanced stage of colorectal cancer at diagnosis. Secondary outcomes were distant metastasis, T4 stage, aggressive biology (defined as cancer with at least 1 of the following characteristics: signet ring cells, mucinous tumor, budding, lymphovascular invasion, perineural invasion, and lymphangitis), stenotic lesion, emergency surgery, and palliative surgery. The independent association between the pandemic period and the outcomes was assessed using multivariate random-effects logistic regression, with hospital as the cluster variable. RESULTS A total of 17 938 patients (10 007 men [55.8%]; mean [SD] age, 70.6 [12.2] years) underwent surgery for colorectal cancer: 7796 (43.5%) during the pandemic period and 10 142 (56.5%) during the prepandemic period. Logistic regression indicated that the pandemic period was significantly associated with an increased rate of advanced-stage colorectal cancer (odds ratio [OR], 1.07; 95%CI, 1.01-1.13; P = .03), aggressive biology (OR, 1.32; 95%CI, 1.15-1.53; P &lt; .001), and stenotic lesions (OR, 1.15; 95%CI, 1.01-1.31; P = .03). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE This cohort study suggests a significant association between the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and the risk of a more advanced oncologic stage at diagnosis among patients undergoing surgery for colorectal cancer and might indicate a potential reduction of survival for these patients

Olive Mill Wastewater Fermented with Microbial Pools as a New Potential Functional Beverage

Olive mill wastewater (OMWW) represents a by–product but also a source of biologically active compounds, and their recycling is a relevant strategy to recover income and to reduce environmental impact. The objective of the present study was to obtain a new functional beverage with a health–promoting effect starting from OMWW. Fresh OMWW were pre–treated through filtration and/or microfiltration and subjected to fermentation using strains belonging to Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, Candida boidinii and Wickerhamomyces anomalus. During fermentation, phenolic content and hydroxytyrosol were monitored. Moreover, the biological assay of microfiltered fermented OMWW was detected versus tumor cell lines and as anti-inflammatory activity. The results showed that in microfiltered OMWW, fermentation was successfully conducted, with the lowest pH values reached after 21 days. In addition, in all fermented samples, an increase in phenol and organic acid contents was detected. Particularly, in samples fermented with L. plantarum and C. boidinii in single and combined cultures, the concentration of hydroxytyrosol reached values of 925.6, 902.5 and 903.5 mg/L, respectively. Moreover, biological assays highlighted that fermentation determines an increase in the antioxidant and anti–inflammatory activity of OMWW. Lastly, an increment in the active permeability on Caco-2 cell line was also revealed. In conclusion, results of the present study confirmed that the process applied here represents an effective strategy to achieve a new functional beverage

Pulse Pressure and Presence of Coronary Artery Calcification

Background: Coronary calcification (CAC) is found in early stages of CKD. Pulse pressure (PP) predicts CAC in dialysis patients. This study evaluates the accuracy of PP in predicting CAC in patients not yet on dialysis (CKD patients)

Inside circular economy challenges: “green” application to valorise olive mill wastewater

The food waste valorisation is a challenging opportunity for a green, sustainable, and competitive development of industry. The transition towards more sustainable food systems, as a new “Farm to Fork Strategy”, requires the involvement of all actors of the food system with the final goal to provide healthy, adequate, safe, nutritious, and sustainable food to everyone, taking into account the three pillars of sustainability: environmental, economic and societal. Olive oil production is the main agro-industrial activity in Mediterranean countries, and it is associated with the generation of a large volume of byproducts. The olive mill wastewater (OMWW), represent a by-product rich in bioactive compounds (hydroxytyrosol and tyrosol) and their recycling is a relevant strategy to recover income and to reduce environmental impact. The aim of the present study was to obtain a new functional beverage with a health-promoting effect starting from OMWW. Microfiltered samples of OMWW were subjected to fermentation using different strains, such us Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, Candida boidinii and Wickerhamomyces anomalus in different combinations. During fermentation, phenolic content was monitored and at the end of fermentation organic acids were evaluated. Moreover, the biological activities of microfiltered fermented OMWW samples on HepG2 cell line and Caco-2 cell line were explored. In addition, transepithelial transport through Caco-2 monolayer and cyclooxygenase activity inhibition (oCOX-1 and human COX-2) were evaluated. The results showed that in all OMWW fermented samples an increase in phenol and organic acid contents was detected. In detail, the concentration of hydroxytyrosol reached values of 925.6, 902.5 and 903.5 mg/L in samples fermented with L. plantarum and C. boidinii in single and combined cultures, respectively. Moreover, biological assays showed an increment in active permeability on Caco-2 cell line and an increase of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities for all samples. In conclusion, the present study confirmed that the OMWW represents an effective matrix to formulate a new functional beverage with health benefit

Thyroid-specific transcription factors control Hex promoter activity

The homeobox-containing gene Hex is expressed in several cell types, including thyroid follicular cells, in which it regulates the transcription of tissue- specific genes. In this study the regulation of Hex promoter activity was investigated. Using co- transfection experiments, we demonstrated that the transcriptional activity of the Hex gene promoter in rat thyroid FRTL-5 cells is ∼10-fold greater than that observed in HeLa and NIH 3T3 cell lines (which do not normally express the Hex gene). To identify the molecular mechanisms underlying these differences, we evaluated the effect of the thyroid- specific transcription factor TTF-1 on the Hex promoter activity. TTF-1 produced 3–4-fold increases in the Hex promoter activity. Gel- retardation assays and mutagenesis experiments revealed the presence of functionally relevant TTF-1 binding sites in the Hex promoter region. These in vitro data may also have functional relevance in vivo, since a positive correlation between TTF-1 and Hex mRNAs was demonstrated in human thyroid tissues by means of RT–PCR analysis. The TTF-1 effect, however, is not sufficient to explain the difference in Hex promoter activity between FRTL-5 and cells that do not express the Hex gene. For this reason, we tested whether Hex protein is able to activate the Hex promoter. Indeed, co-transfection experiments indicate that Hex protein is able to increase the activity of its own promoter in HeLa cells ∼4-fold. TTF-1 and Hex effects are additive: when transfected together in HeLa cells, the Hex promoter activity is increased 6–7-fold. Thus, the contemporary presence of both TTF-1 and Hex could be sufficient to explain the higher transcriptional activity of the Hex promoter in thyroid cells with respect to cell lines that do not express the Hex gene. These findings demonstrate the existence of direct cross-regulation between thyroid-specific transcription factors