Curcumin-loaded zeolite as anticancer drug carrier: Effect of curcumin adsorption on zeolite structure

In this work we used a combination of different techniques to investigate the adsorption properties of curcumin by zeolite type A for potential use as an anticancer drug carrier. Curcumin is a natural water-insoluble drug that has attracted great attention in recent years due to its potential anticancer effect in suppressing many types of cancers, while showing a synergistic antitumor effect with other anticancer agents. However, curcumin is poorly soluble in aqueous solutions leading to the application of high drug dosage in oral formulations. Zeolites, inorganic crystalline aluminosilicates with porous structure on the nano- and micro-scale and high internal surface area, can be useful as pharmaceutical carrier systems to encapsulate drugs with intrinsic low aqueous solubility and improve their dissolution. Here, we explore the use of zeolite type A for encapsulation of curcumin, and we investigate its surface properties and morphology, before and after loading of the anticancer agent, using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and UV-vis spectroscopy. Results are used to assess the loading efficiency of zeolite type A towards curcumin and its structural stability after loading

Occurrence and production of furan in commercial foods

Furan (C4H4O) is a compound classified as "possibly carcinogenic to humans" by International Agency for Research on Cancer. As precursors, ascorbic acid, unsaturated fatty acids, amino acids and carbohydrates have been suggested to induce furan formation. Human exposure occurs mainly through consume of coffee, canned foods and Baby food. Average intake of furan is 1.5 μg/day for children aged 4-6 years and 27 μg/day for adults. Currently no limits for furan in food were fixed by European legislation. Since the carcinogenicity of furan, levels in food should be kept as low as reasonably achievabl

Assessment of proximal gastric accommodation in patients with functional dyspepsia

Impaired gastric accommodation is one of the most important etiologic factors in the pathophysiology of functional dyspepsia. Ultrasound is a potential alternative method to study changes in gastric volume as a reflection of gastric accommodation. Ultrasound is suitable for patients because it is a non-invasive, easily repeated and non-radioactive procedure, and a previous study has demonstrated the feasibility of 3-dimensional ultrasound in examining functional dyspepsia. The brief article by Fan et al demonstrated that both the proximal gastric area and volume, measured by 2- and 3-dimensional ultrasound respectively, were significantly smaller in patients with functional dyspepsia than in healthy controls. These results are very interesting, but we raise the relevant point that it should have been mandatory to study both changes in gastric volume and their relationship with upper gastrointestinal symptoms in functional dyspepsia. In fact, the relationship between cardinal symptoms and several pathophysiologic mechanisms in functional dyspepsia remains a matter of debate. Moreover, further evaluation of distal gastric volume that has been previously implicated in the origin of functional dyspeptic symptoms is advisable. Therefore, impaired gastric accommodation does not serve as a clear marker of the cardinal symptoms experienced by patients with functional dyspepsia in daily life

DNA wrapping around MWNTs and graphene: a SERS study

In recent years, carbon nanostructure as nanotubes (CNTs) and graphene are at the centre of a significant research effort due to the strong scientific and technological interest because of their unique physical and chemical properties: large surface area, excellent thermal and electric conductivity, high electron transfer kinetics and strong mechanical strength. Recently, a great attention has been paid to the interaction of DNA with carbon-based nanostructures such as C60, multiwalled-nanotubes (MWNTs), single-walled nanotubes (SWNTs) and graphene. The development of these studies is motivated by a wide spectrum of possible use of these materials e.g. as biosensors, drug delivery agents and diagnosis tools. In this work, we applied surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) to the study of DNA/MWNTs and DNA/graphene systems

Flexible nanocomposites based on polydimethylsiloxane matrices with dna-modified graphene filler: Curing behavior by differential scanning calorimetry

Novel silicone-based nanocomposites with varied elastic properties were prepared by blending standard polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) with a lower viscosity component (hydroxyl-terminated PDMS) and integrating a graphene nanoplatelets (GNP) filler modified by strands of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). The curing behavior of these nanocomposites was studied by dynamic and isothermal differential scanning calorimetry. The activation energies of the polymerization reactions were determined using the Kissinger method and two model-free isoconversional approaches, the Ozawa–Flynn–Wall and the Kissinger–Akahira–Sunose methods. Results show that the complex trend of the curing behavior can be described using the isoconversional methods, unveiling lower activation energies for the nanocomposites with standard PDMS matrices. The role of the DNA modification of graphene on the curing behavior is also demonstrated. The curing reactions of the nanocomposites with the PDMS matrix are favored by the presence of the GNP–DNA filler. PDMS/PDMS–OH blends generate softer nanocomposites with hardness and reduced elastic modulus that can be tuned by varying the amount of the filler

New approaches to Food Safety: study on food preservation and quality markers

In the last decades, the food market globalization, the introduction of novel foods, and growing demand for minimally processed, fresh-cut and ready-to-eat products have made the food chain more complex, increasing the risk of microbiological contamination. To obtain healthy food and prevent human foodborne diseases, research in the field of food science has focused on innovative food preservation technologies and study of quality markers. Actually, reduction in temperature, pH, water activity and the application of heat are the major preservation techniques employed to prevent or delay spoilage and are increasingly associated with hurdle technologies. The aim of the studies presented in this dissertation is to describe and analyze innovative food technologies and procedures to extent the shelf-life, assuring food hygiene and minimizing the impact on the quality properties of food. The Chapter I was focused on the biopreservation that rationally exploits the antimicrobial potential of naturally occurring (micro-) organisms in food and/or their metabolites. As alternative preservation technology, the aim of the study was to develop active biobased packaging incorporated natamycin as antimicrobial agent. Two active films based on chitosan (1,5% w/v)and methylcellulose (3% w/v) enriched with natamycin were prepared by casting. The migration kinetics of the antimicrobial agent were studied in the food simulant 95% ethanol (v/v) at different temperatures. The diffusion (DP) and partition coefficients were calculated by using a mathematical model based on Fick's Second Law. Natamycin was determined in the food simulant by reversed-high performance liquid chromatography with diode-array detection (HPLC-DAD). For microbiological analysis, cheese samples were completely covered with the films, stored at 20°C for 7 days, and then analyzed for molds and yeasts. Results showed that the release of natamycin from chitosan based film was slower if compared with methylcellulose film at the same temperature (P<0.05). Accordingmold/yeast count significant differences (P<0.05) were observed between chitosan film containing natamycin (7.91 log CFU/g) and polyethylene film, used as blank. Both chitosan and methylcellulose films seem to show good physical properties. Moreover, the good compatibility of natamycin with chitosan, low diffusion coefficient, and antimicrobial properties indicated that the film has great potential to be used in antimicrobial packaging, such as in cheese wrappings to inhibit mold spoilage. The application of antimicrobial agents to packaging materials could be useful to prevent the growth of microorganisms on the product surface and to improve microbial food safety. Chapter II reviewed a research regarding the influence of the pre-slaughter stress on animal welfare and poultry meat quality. The study investigated the effects of electrical stunning parameters on the quality of poultry meat in Ross commercial broilers processed either without stunning (NS Lot), or by combining high (HV Lot), and mid-voltage (MV Lot), with two frequencies of 1000 and 800 Hz. As pre-slaughter stress markers and quality meat indicators, physicochemical (pH, peroxides) and histological parameters (glycogen reserve, muscle damages) were investigated. Results showed as the use of high frequencies stunning conditions increased lactate production, induced a gradual pH decline(P<0.05), reduced the muscle oxidative activity(P<0.05), improving meat quality. To assess animal welfare and quality poultry meat, pH monitoring and measurement of superoxide radical production, might be considered markers easier to use under practical conditions at poultry slaughterhouse. In Chapter III, new models and approaches applied to decontamination of the poultry meat issue were described. Treatments of decontamination of poultry carcasses might assure food safety and the reduction of human foodborne infections. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of an experimental ozone gaseous treatment during the storage of chilled poultry carcasses by determination of biogenic amines as quality index. Physicochemical (pH determination), sensorial (panel test, questionnaire, and a scoring system), and chemical analysis (biogenic amines) were carried out. Amines were extracted with perchloric acid, derivative with dansylchloride, and separated by HPLC with a fluorescence detector. Results showed a gradual increase of pH values in poultry meat of treated and simply chilled carcasses. Ozonized carcasses showed acceptable sensory quality until to 20th day and lower levels of putrescine (32.37 mg/kg) and cadaverine (132.30 mg/kg). On the contrary, simply chilled poultry carcasses showed unacceptable sensory quality and a significant increase of putrescine and cadaverine at 15th day. Higher levels of putrescine (53.63 mg/kg) and cadaverine (175.20 mg/kg) were reached at 20t day of storage. If authorized, an ozone treatment during the storage of chilled poultry meat can induce a reduction of microbial contamination. Putrescine and cadaverine levels appeared to be useful to control the effectiveness of the ozone treatment on meat quality, to highlight, as quality index, the loss of poultry meat freshness, before sensorial meat changes. The novel and ambitious goal for optimal food preservation is the multitarget preservation of foods, in which intelligently applied gentle hurdles will have a synergistic effect. The application of innovative preservation methods with the monitoring of food quality by the use of markers could contribute to reach the purpose

Prevalence Of Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders According To Rome III Criteria In Italian Morbidly Obese Patients

The relationship between GI symptoms and obesity has yet to be completely clarified. Aim. To determine in a morbidly obese southern Italy adult population the prevalence of Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders (FGID) and its association with the presence of a Binge Eating (BE) behavior pattern. Methods. Consecutive obese patients eligible for bariatric surgery and 100 Healthy Controls (HC) were recruited. All participants were questioned and scored for the presence of FGID according to Rome III criteria and for the presence or the frequency-intensity of a number of upper and lower GI symptoms. BE behavior pattern was assessed. Results. One-hundred obese patients met the inclusion criteria. The prevalence of FGID was similar between obese patients and HC. There was a significant association between obese patients with BE behavior and postprandial distress syndrome (P = 0.04). Moreover, a significantly higher frequency-intensity score for epigastric fullness (1.23 ± 0.45 versus 0.35 ± 0.13, P = 0.01) was found in obese patients with BE behavior compared to obese patients without. Conclusions. Obese patients with a BE behavior pattern showed a significantly higher prevalence of postprandial distress syndrome. A greater knowledge of the GI symptoms associated with obesity along with the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying will be important in the clinical management of these patients

Hot topic: Bisphenol A in cow milk and dietary exposure at the farm level.

Chemical hazards may enter the milk chain during primary production. The study, for the first time, investigated the occurrence of bisphenol A (BPA) levels in cow milk samples collected on the farm following manual or mechanical milking and from the cooling tank. We applied a new monitoring model based on the identification of the hazards at each stage of the milk chain to identify potential pathways for contamination along the milk chain. We evaluated exposure to BPA through milk consumption based on detected contamination levels and the temporary tolerable daily intake established by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). Milk samples (n = 72) were analyzed using liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. The mean BPA concentrations were 0.757 µg/L in manually milked samples, 0.580 µg/L in mechanically milked samples, and 0.797 µg/L in milk from the cooling tank. Bisphenol A occurred in the milk chain as a result of different stages of milking, and reached the highest levels at the end of the milk chain. Although the dietary intake of BPA was below the EFSA's temporary tolerable daily intake, exposure to BPA, even at low doses, through milk consumption represents a public health concern. Therefore, to ensure milk safety, new monitoring plans should be applied based on the identification of hazards at each stage of the milk chain

Hybrid carbon nanocomposites made of aerospace-grade epoxy showing synergistic effects in electrical properties and high processability

In this work, we investigate the processability and the volumetric electrical properties of nanocomposites made of aerospace-grade RTM6, loaded with different carbon nanoparticles. Nanocomposites with graphene nanoplatelets (GNP), single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) and hybrid GNP/SWCNT in the ratio 2:8 (GNP2SWCNT8), 5:5 (GNP5SWCNT5) and 8:2 (GNP8SWCNT2) were manufactured and analyzed. The hybrid nanofillers are observed to have synergistic properties as epoxy/hybrid mixtures showed better processability than epoxy/SWCNT, while maintaining high values of electrical conductivity. On the other hand, epoxy/SWCNT nanocomposites present the highest electrical conductivities with the formation of a percolating conductive network at lower filler content, but very large viscosity values and filler dispersion issues, which significantly affect the final quality of the samples. Hybrid nanofiller allows us to overcome the manufacturing issues typically associated with the use of SWCNTs. The combination of low viscosity and high electrical conductivity makes the hybrid nanofiller a good candidate for the fabrication of aerospace-grade nanocomposites with multifunctional properties

Anhedonia and functional dyspepsia in obese patients: Relationship with binge eating behaviour

Obese patients (Ob) with a binge eating disorders (BED) behavior pattern have a higher prevalence of postprandial distress syndrome (PDS) compared to Ob without a BED behavior pattern, while an increase of PDS has been described in Ob after sleeve gastrectomy (SG). Hedonic response to a meal is dissociable from satiation in healthy subjects. Anhedonia is the lowered ability to experience pleasure. There are no studies investigating the presence of anhedonia in Ob with and without SG and its relationship to PDS symptoms