Extraction and characterization of chitin and chitosan from crustacean by-products: Biological and physicochemical properties

Chitin has been extracted from two Tunisian crustacean species. The obtained chitin was transformed into the more useful soluble chitosan. These products were characterized by their biological activity as antimicrobial and antifungal properties. The tested bacterial strains were Escherichia coli American Type Cell Culture (ATCC) 25922, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27950 and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923. Four fungi strains were also tested Candida glabrata, Candida albicans, Candidaparapsilensis and Candida kreusei. Squilla chitosan showed a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) against the different fungi exceptionally for C. kreusei. Their antioxidant activity was investigated with 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity and inhibition of linoleic acid peroxidation. Parapenaeus longirostris Chitosan showed the highest radical scavenging properties. Chitin and chitosan produced were also characterized with Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR).Key words: Antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, chitin, chitosan, crustacean

In Vitro Bioactivity of Astaxanthin and Peptides from Hydrolisates of Shrimp (Parapenaeus longirostris) By-Products: From the Extraction Process to Biological Effect Evaluation, as Pilot Actions for the Strategy "From Waste to Profit"

Non-edible parts of crustaceans could be a rich source of valuable bioactive compounds such as the carotenoid astaxanthin and peptides, which have well-recognized beneficial effects. These compounds are widely used in nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals, and their market is rapidly growing, suggesting the need to find alternative sources. The aim of this work was to set up a pilot-scale protocol for the reutilization of by-products of processed shrimp, in order to address the utilization of this valuable biomass for nutraceutical and pharmaceuticals application, through the extraction of astaxanthin-enriched oil and antioxidant-rich protein hydrolysates. Astaxanthin (AST) was obtained using "green extraction methods," such as using fish oil and different fatty acid ethyl esters as solvents and through supercritical fluid extraction (SFE), whereas bioactive peptides were obtained by protease hydrolysis. Both astaxanthin and bioactive peptides exhibited bioactive properties in vitro in cellular model systems, such as antioxidant and angiotensin I converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activities (IA). The results show higher astaxanthin yields in ethyl esters fatty acids (TFA) extraction and significant enrichment by short-path distillation (SPD) up to 114.80 ± 1.23 µg/mL. Peptide fractions of <3 kDa and 3-5 kDa exhibited greater antioxidant activity while the fraction 5-10 kDa exhibited a better ACE-IA. Lower-molecular-weight bioactive peptides and astaxanthin extracted using supercritical fluids showed protective effects against oxidative damage in 142BR and in 3T3 cell lines. These results suggest that "green" extraction methods allow us to obtain high-quality bioactive compounds from large volumes of shrimp waste for nutraceutical and pharmaceutical applications

Outcome of Quality of Life for Women Undergoing Autologous versus Alloplastic Breast Reconstruction following Mastectomy:A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: This review aimed to meta-analyze the quality of life of alloplastic versus autologous breast reconstruction, when measured with the BREAST-Q. Methods: An electronic PubMed and EMBASE search was designed to find articles that compared alloplastic versus autologous breast reconstruction using the BREAST-Q. Studies that failed to present BREAST-Q scores and studies that did not compare alloplastic versus autologous breast reconstruction were excluded. Two authors independently extracted data from the included studies. A standardized data collection form was used. Quality was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. The mean difference and 95 percent confidence intervals between breast reconstruction means were estimated for each BREAST-Q subscale. Forest plots and the I2statistic were used to assess heterogeneity and funnel plot publication bias. The Z test was used to assess overall effects. Results: Two hundred eighty abstracts were found; 10 articles were included. Autologous breast reconstruction scored significantly higher in the five subscales than alloplastic breast reconstruction. The Satisfaction with Breasts subscale indicated the greatest difference, with a mean difference of 6.41 (95 percent CI, 3.58 to 9.24; I2= 70 percent). The Satisfaction with Results subscale displayed a mean difference of 5.52. The Sexual Well-Being subscale displayed a mean difference of 3.85. The Psychosocial Well-Being subscale displayed a mean difference of 2.64. The overall difference in physical well-being was significant, with high heterogeneity (mean difference, 3.33; 95 percent CI, 0.18 to 6.48; I2= 85). Conclusion: Autologous breast reconstruction had superior outcomes compared with alloplastic breast reconstruction as measured by the BREAST-Q

The Effect of Smoking and Body Mass Index on The Complication Rate of Alloplastic Breast Reconstruction

Background and Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of smoking and body mass index on the occurrence of complications after alloplastic breast reconstruction. Materials and Methods: A consecutive series of 56 patients treated with immediate or delayed alloplastic breast reconstruction, including six cases combined with latissimus dorsi flap, at three hospitals between 2012 and 2018 were included. Complications were scored and defined according to Clavien–Dindo. To evaluate the impact of smoking, body mass index, and other potential risk factors on the occurrence of any and severe complications, univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were applied to estimate odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. Results: In 56 patients, 22 patients had a complication. As much as 46% of smokers had severe complications compared to 18% of non-smokers. Of patients with body mass index ⩾ 25, 40% had severe complications compared to 10% with body mass index < 25. Smokers had eight times more chance of developing severe complications than non-smokers (ORadjusted = 8.0, p = 0.02). Patients with body mass index ⩾ 25 had almost 10 times more severe complications compared to patients with body mass index ⩽ 25 (ORadjusted = 9.9, p = 0.009). No other risk factors were significant. Conclusion: Smoking and body mass index ⩾ 25 both increased the complication rate to such an extent that patients should be informed about their increased risk for complications following alloplastic breast reconstruction and on these grounds surgeons may delay alloplastic breast reconstruction. It is an ethical dilemma whether one should deny overweight and obese patients and those who smoke an immediate alloplastic breast reconstruction. For both life style interventions, adequate guidance should be made available

Short-term Quality of Life after Autologous Compared to Alloplastic Breast Reconstruction:A Prospective Study

BACKGROUND: The aim of this prospective multi-center study was to evaluate whether autologous breast reconstruction (BR) leads to lower short-term Quality of Life (QoL) compared to alloplastic BR, due the more physically demanding surgery and increased risk of severe complications of autologous BR.METHODS: Changes in QoL following BR were measured in this prospective multi-center study using the Breast-Q questionnaire which was administered preoperatively, and at six weeks and six months postoperatively. Characteristics and complications, classified according to Clavien-Dindo (CD), were compared between alloplastic and autologous groups. Profile plots and generalized Linear regression models were constructed to analyze the Breast-Q subscales over time for both BR groups.RESULTS: Preoperatively, women undergoing autologous BR scored lower on all Breast-Q scales compared to women undergoing alloplastic BR, regardless whether they underwent immediate or delayed BR. Women undergoing autologous BR scored higher at six weeks and six months postoperative on "satisfaction with breasts" (p=0.001), "psychosocial well-being" (p=0.024) and "sexual well-being" (p=0.007). Postoperative "physical well-being: chest" was similar between both groups (p=0.533). CD grade ≥III complications occurred more often among women in the autologous group (27% versus 12%, p=0.042). Complications were not associated with worse Breast-Q scores on any of the subscales.CONCLUSION: In contrast to our expectations and despite the higher incidence of severe complications and lower preoperative breast satisfaction and QoL scores, women undergoing autologous BR have higher levels of breast satisfaction, and psychosocial and sexual well-being, both at six weeks and six months after BR compared to women undergoing alloplastic BR.</p

Short-term Quality of Life after Autologous Compared to Alloplastic Breast Reconstruction:A Prospective Study

BACKGROUND: The aim of this prospective multi-center study was to evaluate whether autologous breast reconstruction (BR) leads to lower short-term Quality of Life (QoL) compared to alloplastic BR, due the more physically demanding surgery and increased risk of severe complications of autologous BR.METHODS: Changes in QoL following BR were measured in this prospective multi-center study using the Breast-Q questionnaire which was administered preoperatively, and at six weeks and six months postoperatively. Characteristics and complications, classified according to Clavien-Dindo (CD), were compared between alloplastic and autologous groups. Profile plots and generalized Linear regression models were constructed to analyze the Breast-Q subscales over time for both BR groups.RESULTS: Preoperatively, women undergoing autologous BR scored lower on all Breast-Q scales compared to women undergoing alloplastic BR, regardless whether they underwent immediate or delayed BR. Women undergoing autologous BR scored higher at six weeks and six months postoperative on "satisfaction with breasts" (p=0.001), "psychosocial well-being" (p=0.024) and "sexual well-being" (p=0.007). Postoperative "physical well-being: chest" was similar between both groups (p=0.533). CD grade ≥III complications occurred more often among women in the autologous group (27% versus 12%, p=0.042). Complications were not associated with worse Breast-Q scores on any of the subscales.CONCLUSION: In contrast to our expectations and despite the higher incidence of severe complications and lower preoperative breast satisfaction and QoL scores, women undergoing autologous BR have higher levels of breast satisfaction, and psychosocial and sexual well-being, both at six weeks and six months after BR compared to women undergoing alloplastic BR.</p