EFFECT OF (BIO-)TECHNOLOGICAL APPROACHES ON BRAN TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF CEREAL PRODUCTS

The design of foods enriched in dietary fiber has recently received great attention among academia and food industry, since in many European countries the daily intake of dietary fiber is much lower than the recommended levels (25 g; EFSA, 2010). Being a staple food category, cereal products may represent a valid resource to satisfy the optimal amount of soluble and insoluble fiber and other bioactive components. Despite the nutritional benefits, the incorporation of fiber into flour negatively affects the textural and sensory properties of bread and pasta products. This PhD project dealt with the application of physical and/or biotechnological strategies to modify the structural properties of peculiar macromolecules (such as non-starch-polysaccharides or proteins) to enhance the quality of fiber-enriched foods. Samples from the outermost layers of cereals and pseudocereals particularly rich in bioactive compounds (e.g. purple wheat and buckwheat) were included in pasta or bread after treatment and evaluated in terms of technological behavior. The first part of the thesis regarded the application of a two-step debranning process to purple wheat that allowed the selective recovery of bioactive compounds, such as fiber and phenolic compounds. Debranned fractions from the first and the second step were used separately to produce fiber-enriched pasta. Bran from conventional milling was also used as a control. Both fractions had higher or comparable content in total and soluble fiber than bran. Moreover, both of them exhibited a higher ferric reducing-antioxidant power (FRAP) than bran, whereas the highest amount of anthocyanins was found in the first fraction. When compared with pasta enriched in bran, the samples enriched either in the first or second fraction had similar FRAP values and higher amount of anthocyanins, while retaining a fair cooking quality. In the second part of the thesis micronization was applied to buckwheat bran to evaluate the effect of granulometry on dough/bread quality. The role of coarse and fine buckwheat bran enrichment on wheat dough was studied at increasing levels (5, 10, 20%). Dough and bread properties were negatively affected by the interplay of bran addition level and particle size. The thermo-mechanical behavior of dough was found to be mainly related to starch phase transitions during heating with no regards of particle size. Front-face fluorescence studies reveled differences in gluten structural arrangement and solvation with a distinct effect of particle size. Despite the better or similar dough rheological properties (e.g. elasticity, resistance to extension, extensibility), bread enriched in fine bran had lower baking quality in comparison with samples enriched in coarse bran, in terms of loaf specific volume and crumb softness. Concerning the texture, the variations in the perceived crumb hardness were mainly related to changes in crumb density. The application of an adapted Ashby-Gibson model to correct hardness values for the variation in density revealed that the mechanical properties of the solid crumb matrix were controlled by the differences in moisture and in bran volume fraction. Buckwheat bran was used also to evaluate the effects of superheated steam (SS) on bran properties. SS is an innovative technology that has allowed drying of many food matrices while limiting collateral effect on the product. After screening the process conditions, the selected treated bran samples (120 \ub0C, 140 \ub0C, or 160 \ub0C; 40 min; 0.7 aw) were incorporated into high-enriched dough (20%) and their influence on the rheological properties and on the baking quality were considered. The treatment deeply affected the chemical/physical properties of buckwheat bran. In particular, changes in water affinity were progressively observed with increasing temperature, also due to the formation of protein aggregates. These modifications influenced the thermo-mechanical properties of high-bran enriched doughs that reflected baking behavior. When appropriate setting was chosen (temperature: 160 \ub0C) SS treatment increased buckwheat bran performances in terms of specific volume and crumb softness in comparison with untreated bran. The last part of the thesis regarded the use of specific enzymatic treatment (i.e. pectinases and cellulases) to decrease the size of non-starch-polysaccharide chains, aiming at mitigating the worsening effects of fiber on enriched products. Either coarse buckwheat bran or SS bran (treated at 140 \ub0C; 40 min; 0.7 aw) were used. From a technological standpoint, the preliminary bran treatment with cellulases could be a feasible solution to produce bread enriched in buckwheat bran. Besides this, no synergistic effect was observed between SS treatment and enzymatic treatment. Future studies will include the assessment of the effects of bran-treatments on the macromolecular structure of fiber, to define not only its rheological performance but also its nutritional functionality

Fieldtrips and Virtual Tours as Geotourism Resources: Examples from the Sesia Val Grande UNESCO Global Geopark (NW Italy)

In the 20th anniversary year of the European Geopark Network, and 5 years on from the receipt of the UNESCO label for the geoparks, this research focuses on geotourism contents and solutions within one of the most recently designated geoparks, admitted for membership in 2013: the Sesia Val Grande UNESCO Global Geopark (Western Italian Alps). The main aim of this paper is to corroborate the use of fieldtrips and virtual tours as resources for geotourism. The analysis is developed according to: i) geodiversity and geoheritage of the geopark territory; ii) different approaches for planning fieldtrip and virtual tours. The lists of 18 geotrails, 68 geosites and 13 off-site geoheritage elements (e.g., museums, geolabs) are provided. Then, seven trails were selected as a mirror of the geodiversity and as container of on-site and off-site geoheritage within the geopark. They were described to highlight the different approaches that were implemented for their valorization. Most of the geotrails are equipped with panels, and supported by the presence of thematic laboratories or sections in museums. A multidisciplinary approach (e.g., history, ecology) is applied to some geotrails, and a few of them are translated into virtual tours. The variety of geosciences contents of the geopark territory is hence viewed as richness, in term of high geodiversity, but also in term of diversification for its valorization

Assessment of power spectral density of microvascular hemodynamics in skeletal muscles at very low and low-frequency via near-infrared diffuse optical spectroscopies

In this work, we used a hybrid time domain near-infrared spectroscopy (TD-NIRS) and diffuse correlation spectroscopy (DCS) device to retrieve hemoglobin and blood flow oscillations of skeletal muscle microvasculature. We focused on very low (VLF) and low-frequency (LF) oscillations (i.e., frequency lower than 0.145 Hz), that are related to myogenic, neurogenic and endothelial activities. We measured power spectral density (PSD) of blood flow and hemoglobin concentration in four muscles (thenar eminence, plantar fascia, sternocleidomastoid and forearm) of 14 healthy volunteers to highlight possible differences in microvascular hemodynamic oscillations. We observed larger PSDs for blood flow compared to hemoglobin concentration, in particular in case of distal muscles (i.e., thenar eminence and plantar fascia). Finally, we compared the PSDs measured on the thenar eminence of healthy subjects with the ones measured on a septic patient in the intensive care unit: lower power in the endothelial-dependent frequency band, and larger power in the myogenic ones were observed in the septic patient, in accordance with previous works based on laser doppler flowmetry

The interplay of conditional NCAM-knockout and chronic unpredictable stress leads to increased aggression in mice

Abstract The neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) is a key regulator of brain plasticity. Substantial evidence indicates that NCAM is down-regulated by exposure to sustained stress and chronic stress seems to lead to increased aggression. In addition, constitutional NCAM deletion in mice has been shown to lead to increased intermale aggression and altered emotionality Forebrain-specific postnatal NCAM knockout was previously shown to impair cognitive function, particularly when animals were exposed to subchronic stress, but the effects on emotional and social behavior remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the potential interplay of a forebrain-specific postnatal NCAM deletion and exposure to different lengths of repeated stress (i.e., subchronic: 14 days; chronic: 29 days) on aggressive and emotional behavior. Our results show that postnatal deletion of NCAM in the forebrain leads to increased aggression and altered emotionality depending on the duration of stress, whereas conditional NCAM knockout has no basal impact on these behaviors. These findings support the involvement of NCAM in the regulation of emotional and aggressive behaviors, suggesting that diminished NCAM expression might be a critical vulnerability factor for the development of these behavioral alterations under repeated exposure to stres

Current trends on subtotal petrosectomy with cochlear implantation in recalcitrant chronic middle ear disorders

Objective. To establish the safety and effectiveness of subtotal petrosectomy with cochlear implantation in patients affected by chronic middle ear disorders to refractory to previous surgical treatments. Methods. A multicentre, retrospective study was conducted on patients affected by recalcitrant chronic middle ear disorders who underwent cochlear implantation in combi-nation with subtotal petrosectomy. Patients’ details were collected from databases of 11 Italian tertiary referral centres. Additionally, a review of the most updated literature was carried out. Results. 55 patients were included with a mean follow-up time of 44 months. Cholestea-toma was the most common middle ear recurrent pathology and 50.9% of patients had an open cavity. 80% of patients underwent a single stage surgery. One case of explantation for device failure was reported among the 7 patients with post-operative complications. Conclusions. Subtotal petrosectomy with cochlear implantation is a benchmark for management of patients with recalcitrant chronic middle ear disorders. A single stage procedure is the most recommended strategy. Optimal follow-up is still debated. Further studies are required to investigate the role of this surgery in paediatric patients

In vivo characterization of the optical and hemodynamic properties of the human sternocleidomastoid muscle through ultrasound-guided hybrid near-infrared spectroscopies

Objective. In this paper, we present a detailed in vivo characterization of the optical and hemodynamic properties of the human sternocleidomastoid muscle (SCM), obtained through ultrasound-guided near-infrared time-domain and diffuse correlation spectroscopies. Approach. A total of sixty-five subjects (forty-nine females, sixteen males) among healthy volunteers and thyroid nodule patients have been recruited for the study. Their SCM hemodynamic (oxy-, deoxy- and total hemoglobin concentrations, blood flow, blood oxygen saturation and metabolic rate of oxygen extraction) and optical properties (wavelength dependent absorption and reduced scattering coefficients) have been measured by the use of a novel hybrid device combining in a single unit time-domain near-infrared spectroscopy, diffuse correlation spectroscopy and simultaneous ultrasound imaging. Main results. We provide detailed tables of the results related to SCM baseline (i.e. muscle at rest) properties, and reveal significant differences on the measured parameters due to variables such as side of the neck, sex, age, body mass index, depth and thickness of the muscle, allowing future clinical studies to take into account such dependencies. Significance. The non-invasive monitoring of the hemodynamics and metabolism of the sternocleidomastoid muscle during respiration became a topic of increased interest partially due to the increased use of mechanical ventilation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Near-infrared diffuse optical spectroscopies were proposed as potential practical monitors of increased recruitment of SCM during respiratory distress. They can provide clinically relevant information on the degree of the patient's respiratory effort that is needed to maintain an optimal minute ventilation, with potential clinical application ranging from evaluating chronic pulmonary diseases to more acute settings, such as acute respiratory failure, or to determine the readiness to wean from invasive mechanical ventilation.</p

Multi-laboratory efforts for the standardization of performance assessment of diffuse optics instruments - The BitMap Exercise

A multi-laboratory exercise, involving 29 diffuse optical instruments, aimed at performance assessment of diffuse optics instruments on standardized protocols is presented. The overarching methodology and future actions will also be discussed

A multi-laboratory comparison of photon migration instruments and their performances – the BitMap Exercise

Performance assessment and standardization are indispensable for instruments of clinical relevance in general and clinical instrumentation based on photon migration/diffuse optics in particular. In this direction, a multi-laboratory exercise was initiated with the aim of assessing and comparing their performances. 29 diffuse optical instruments belonging to 11 partner institutions of a European level Marie Curie Consortium BitMap1 were considered for this exercise. The enrolled instruments covered different approaches (continuous wave, CW; frequency domain, FD; time domain, TD and spatial frequency domain imaging, SFDI) and applications (e.g. mammography, oximetry, functional imaging, tissue spectroscopy). 10 different tests from 3 well-accepted protocols, namely, the MEDPHOT2, the BIP3, and the nEUROPt4 protocols were chosen for the exercise and the necessary phantoms kits were circulated across labs and institutions enrolled in the study. A brief outline of the methodology of the exercise is presented here. Mainly, the design of some of the synthetic descriptors, (single numeric values used to summarize the result of a test and facilitate comparison between instruments) for some of the tests will be discussed.. Future actions of the exercise aim at deploying these measurements onto an open data repository and investigating common analysis tools for the whole dataset