Phytochemical properties and antioxidant potential from <i>Citrus bergamia</i>, Risso (bergamot) juice extracted from three different cultivars

In plant-derived products there are naturally occuring bioactive compounds: that is, substances with or without nutritional value, having biological activity in the prevention of disease development, thus protecting human health. The following physical and nutritional properties of three bergamot cultivars (Castagnaro, Fantastico and Femminello) were determined and compared: pH, titratable acidity, vitamin C, total flavonoids, total polyphenols, antocianyn, bioactive molecules and antioxidant capacity (ABTS and DPPH assay). The comparison data, were found to be statistically different. In all juice samples analyzed the highest antioxidant capacity was found in Castagnaro juice (64.21% I of DPPH and 1.97% I of ABTS) compared to Fantastico (44.48% I of DPPH and 1.83% I of ABTS) and Femminello (33.39% I of DPPH and 1.13% I of ABTS). These differences could be attributed to the individual characteristics of these cultivars

Bioactive and Antioxidant Activity from Citrus bergamia Risso (Bergamot) Juice Collected in Different Areas of Reggio Calabria Province, Italy

The chemical composition and antioxidant activity of juice extracted from seven samples of bergamot (Citrus bergamia Risso) collected in different areas of Reggio Calabria Province were investigated. The ascorbic acid, total polyphenol, and flavonoid contents were determined. Total flavonoids and polyphenols were analyzed by ultraviolet spectra, while flavanone content was analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography. The antioxidant activity of the fractions was assessed using three representative assays: 2,2′-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline 6-sulfonic acid), 1,1-Diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl radical quenching and β-carotene bleaching test. The main flavanones were naringin, neohesperedin, and neoeriocitrin, and their average content 242.4 ± 1.8, 183.0 ± 0.6, and 247.0 ± 1.4 mg mL–1, respectively. The results showed that bergamot juice possessed a good quality and a valuable source of health promoting constituents. In fact it contained eriocitrin, naringin, neoeriocitrin, and neohesperedin, which may ..

The sea urchin embryo: A model to study Alzheimer’s beta amyloid induced toxicity

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia. The cause of AD is closely related to the accumulation of amyloid beta peptide in the neuritic plaques. The use of animal model systems represents a good strategy to elucidate the molecular mechanism behind the development of this pathology. Here we use the Paracentrotus lividus embryo to identify molecules and pathways that can be involved in the degenerative process. As a first step, we identified the presence of an antigen related to the human APP, called PlAPP. This antigen, after gastrula stage, is processed producing a polypeptide of about 10 kDa. By immunohistochemistry we localized the PlAPP antigen in some serotonin expressing cells. Similarly, after 48 or 96 h incubation, a recombinant b-amyloid peptide, rAb42, accumulates around the intestinal tube and oesophagus. In addition, incubation of sea urchin embryos with two different solutions rich in oligomers and fibrillar aggregates of rAb42 induce activation of apoptosis as detected by TUNEL assay. Moreover, we demonstrate that aggregates induce apoptosis by extrinsic pathway activation, whereas oligomers induce apoptosis both by extrinsic and intrinsic pathway activation. Utilizing an apoptotic inhibitor, caspases activation was offset and morphological damage rescued. Taken together all these observations suggest that the sea urchin may be a simple and suitable model to characterize the mechanism underlining the cytotoxicity of Ab42

Optimizing the supercritical fluid extraction process of bioactive compounds from processed tomato skin by-products

Abstract A supercritical fluid extraction (SC-CO2) was used to extract high-quality oil from tomato skin by-products. The effects of pressure and extraction time on oil yield was investigated in the study. Lycopene and β-carotene content as well as p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid, caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, vanillic acid, epicatechin, naringenin, catechin, quercetin and luteolin were estimated. The highest oil yield of 79.00% was obtained after 80 min with a pressure of 550 bar. The resulting oleoresin in carotenoids with lycopene and β-carotene content respectively of 0.86 and 1.5 mg/100 g, this oleoresin was found to be the richest. Naringenin was the most abundant flavonoid identified with a maximum content in oleoresin extracted at 550 bar (84.04 mg/kg DW) followed by caffeic acid (26.60 mg/kg DW). A moderate radical scavenging potential was further observed. Overall, results highlight that pressure is a key parameter for the extraction bioactive oleoresin from tomato skin by-products

Regional monitoring plan for the detection of allergens in food from Campania Region. First year monitoring results

Food allergens are substances able to induce an abnormal immunological response in sensitive individuals. The presence of allergens in food must be reported in tables (Directive 2003/89/EC). In this study we report the data of a monitoring plan carried out in the Campania Region during the 2012 for the detection of allergens (ovoalbumin and β-lattoglobulin) in food of different origin. The analisys were performed by means of ELISA assays. The percentage of analyzes with the presence of allegens not declared on the label is 4.3%, out of a total of 208 analyzes. It is therefore important to continue monitoring activities by the competent Authorities

Portulaca oleracea L. (Purslane) extracts display antioxidant and hypoglycaemic effects

Purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) is a member of the family Portulacaceae. Due to its many health benefits, it is listed in a World Health Organization database. The aim of this work is to investigate the purslane extracts for their chemical profile and bioactivity. In this study, two different solvents (MeOH/H2O and EtOH) were applied to fresh and dried leaves. The extracts were analysed using HPLC-DAD. Phenolic acids (caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid and ferulic acid) and flavonoids (apigenin, kaempferol, luteolin, quercetin, isorhamnetin, kaempferol-3-O-glucoside and rutin) were identified in all samples. Quercetin and p-coumaric acid were the most abundant compounds. Total antioxidant activity was measured by using the ABTS and DPPH tests, and the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay. Hypoglycaemic properties were investigated via the inhibition of carbohydrate-hydrolysing enzymes, α-amylase and α-glucosidase. Fresh hydroalcoholic purslane extract exhibited the highest radical scavenging potential in both ABTS and DPPH test (IC50 values of 52.86 and 66.98 μg/mL, respectively), whereas dried hydroalcoholic purslane extract showed the highest α-glucosidase inhibitory potential (IC50 value of 45.05 μg/mL). Collectively these data show the health properties of this widely consumed salad plant

Nuove opzioni terapeutiche per la malattia renale policistica

Abstract non disponibil

Identification of a New Complement Factor H Mutation in a Patient With Pregnancy-Related Acute Kidney Injury

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Flow cytometric immunobead assay for detection of BCR-ABL1 fusion proteins in chronic myleoid leukemia: Comparison with FISH and PCR techniques

Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) is characterized by a balanced translocation juxtaposing the Abelson (ABL) and breakpoint cluster region (BCR) genes. The resulting BCR-ABL1 oncogene leads to increased proliferation and survival of leukemic cells. Successful treatment of CML has been accompanied by steady improvements in our capacity to accurately and sensitively monitor therapy response. Currently, measurement of BCR-ABL1 mRNA transcript levels by real-time quantitative PCR (RQ-PCR) defines critical response endpoints. An antibody-based technique for BCR-ABL1 protein recognition could be an attractive alternative to RQ-PCR. To date, there have been no studies evaluating whether flow-cytometry based assays could be of clinical utility in evaluating residual disease in CML patients. Here we describe a flow-cytometry assay that detects the presence of BCR-ABL1 fusion proteins in CML lysates to determine the applicability, reliability, and specificity of this method for both diagnosis and monitoring of CML patients for initial response to therapy. We show that: i) CML can be properly diagnosed at onset, (ii) follow-up assessments show detectable fusion protein (i.e. relative mean fluorescent intensity, rMFI%&gt;1) when BCR-ABL1IS transcripts are between 1-10%, and (iii) rMFI% levels predict CCyR as defined by FISH analysis. Overall, the FCBA assay is a rapid technique, fully translatable to the routine management of CML patients

Colorectal cancer after bariatric surgery (Cric-Abs 2020): Sicob (Italian society of obesity surgery) endorsed national survey

Background The published colorectal cancer (CRC) outcomes after bariatric surgery (BS) are conflicting, with some anecdotal studies reporting increased risks. The present nationwide survey CRIC-ABS 2020 (Colo-Rectal Cancer Incidence-After Bariatric Surgery-2020), endorsed by the Italian Society of Obesity Surgery (SICOB), aims to report its incidence in Italy after BS, comparing the two commonest laparoscopic procedures-Sleeve Gastrectomy (SG) and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (GBP). Methods Two online questionnaires-first having 11 questions on SG/GBP frequency with a follow-up of 5-10 years, and the second containing 15 questions on CRC incidence and management, were administered to 53 referral bariatric, high volume centers. A standardized incidence ratio (SIR-a ratio of the observed number of cases to the expected number) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) was calculated along with CRC incidence risk computation for baseline characteristics. Results Data for 20,571 patients from 34 (63%) centers between 2010 and 2015 were collected, of which 14,431 had SG (70%) and 6140 GBP (30%). 22 patients (0.10%, mean age = 53 +/- 12 years, 13 males), SG: 12 and GBP: 10, developed CRC after 4.3 +/- 2.3 years. Overall incidence was higher among males for both groups (SG: 0.15% vs 0.05%; GBP: 0.35% vs 0.09%) and the GBP cohort having slightly older patients. The right colon was most affected (n = 13) and SIR categorized/sex had fewer values &lt; 1, except for GBP males (SIR = 1.07). Conclusion Low CRC incidence after BS at 10 years (0.10%), and no difference between procedures was seen, suggesting that BS does not trigger the neoplasm development