Saccharomyces and Non-Saccharomyces Starter Yeasts

This chapter describes the importance of yeast in beer fermentation. Initially, the differences between Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Saccharomyces pastorianus in the production of “ale” and “lager” beers are analyzed. Then, the relationships between beer nutrients and yeast growth are discussed, with special emphasis on the production of the flavor compounds. The impact of the wort composition on flocculation is also discussed. Furthermore, conventional approaches to starter yeast selection and the development of genetically modified microorganisms are analyzed. Recent discoveries relating to the use of S. cerevisiae strains isolated from different food matrices (i.e., bread and wine) and the potential for the use of non-Saccharomyces starter strains in beer production are discussed. A detailed review of the selection of starter strains for the production of specialty beers then follows, such as for gluten-free beers and biologically aged beers. Yeast recovery from top-cropping and bottom-cropping systems and the methodologies and issues in yeast propagation in the laboratory and brewery (i.e., re-pitching) are also analyzed. Finally, the available commercial preparations of starter yeast and the methods to evaluate yeast viability prior to inoculation of the must are analyzed

The role of coconut oil in treating patients affected by plaque-induced gingivitis: a pilot study

 Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate the coconut oil pulling efficacy as adjuvant in reducing plaque formation and in treating plaque-induced gingivitis. Materials and methods: A sample of 20 patients was divided into two groups: a study and a control group. In the study group, coconut oil, in form of mouthwash, was administered to a sample of patients affected by gingivitis, aged between 18 and 35. The protocol established a daily application of the product for 30 days, where clinical parameters for plaque formation and gingivitis-plaque index (PI), bleeding index (BI)-will be evaluated during the recalls on a specific periodontal chart. The control group did not associate a coadjuvant to the normal daily oral health procedures and the same clinical parameters were evaluated at t0 and after 30 days (t1). The data were statistically analyzed using Student's t-test, establishing the significance level as p < 0.05. Results: PI and BI decreased in both groups, with a more relevant and significant drop in the study group, from a mean value of PI of 58.0 to 19.3 and a mean value of BI of 33.5 to 5.0. In the control group, the values decreased, respectively, from 53.9 to 29.1 for PI, and from 33.5 to 16.2. Furthermore, no significant side effect was reported during coconut oil pulling therapy. Conclusions: The collected data showed significant and promising improvements in reducing plaque formation and gingivitis. However, further researches have to be performed to have more consistent and statistically significant data on larger samples and to fully understand the mechanisms of action and effectiveness

The evaluation of further complications after the extraction of the third molar germ: a pilot study in paediatric dentistry

Some authors suggest germectomy to prevent the impaction of mandibular third molars, which can cause anterior crowding. The aim of the study, conducted with 2 years of follow-up, was to clarify when the extraction of the germ of the third molar is optimal, together with possible post-operative complications. A new surgical approach was performed through the application of a combined suture, which can provide better wound healing. The study was performed on 25 patients with a mean age of 15.44 ± 2.06. Based on orthodontic and surgical indications, 46 germectomies were performed. Follow-ups were conducted after 1 week, 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 1 year and 2 years. All procedures were carried out by the same operator and were standardized. Data analysis was conducted using R-Software. Statistical evaluation used the chi-squared test and the Monte Carlo test. The level of significance was set as 0.05. Results showed that out of 46 germectomies, the prevalence of complications was 4.2% for two patients (8%). Both complications were observed in male patients. In the first case, the patient (at Nolla stage 7) showed delayed onset infections after four weeks; in the second case, the patient (at Nolla stage 6) showed bleeding immediately after surgery and suture. With reference to delayed onset infections, no statistically significant association was found among gender (χ2 = 0.719; p = 0.396), germ development stage (χ2 = 2.595; p = 0.658) or Winter’s classifications (χ2 = 0.046; p = 0.829); similarly, no significant associations were found among bleeding, gender (χ2 = 0.719; p = 0.396), germ development stage (χ2 = 2.595; p = 0.658) or Winter’s classification (χ2 = 0.046; p = 0.829). From our results, it is also possible to state that post-operative complications following germectomy of the mandibular third molar germ in adolescence occur in a significantly reduced percentage of patients, so this oral surgery treatment becomes a reliable surgical technique in adolescence

Diode versus CO2 laser therapy in the treatment of high labial frenulum attachment: a pilot randomized, double-blinded clinical trial

Background: The labial frenula are triangular plicas departing from the alveolar mucosa and attaching themselves at different heights of the gingiva. Sometimes a high attachment can determine a gingival recession. The most suitable surgical resolution is the use of laser devices. The aim of this study was to compare the labial frenulectomy through the use of Diode and CO2 laser techniques in pediatric patients with a high labial frenulum attachment, clarifying at the same time the preventive role of the surgical treatment to avoid further recession. Methods: A pilot randomized, double-blinded clinical trial was conducted to compare both the surgical advantages and the preventive treatment of laser technology using two different wavelengths within a population of pediatric patients with a high labial frenulum attachment. Different parameters intra and post-surgery were taken into account (Bleeding, Wound Healing, Gingival Recession, Periodontal pocket and Numerical Scale Value for pain) to compare Diode versus CO2 laser therapy. Results: Although both the laser devices provide a good performance in the post-operative period, the Diode laser shows better results (p < 0.001) in three of the five parameters evaluated. Conclusions: From the results it was found that the Diode Laser device is more suitable compared to the CO2 device

Conjugated linoleic acid and hepatic lipogenesis in mouse: role of the mitochondrial citrate carrier

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is able to reduce adiposity by affecting lipid metabolism. In particular, CLA administration to mice reduces body fat mass with a concomitant lipid accumulation in the liver. We investigated the effects of CLA on the activity of the mitochondrial citrate carrier (CIC), which is implicated in hepatic lipogenesis. The transport activity of the CIC, measured both in intact mitochondria and in the proteoliposomes, progressively increased with the duration of CLA feeding. An increase in the CIC activity of approximately 1.7-fold was found in 16 week CLA-treated mice with respect to control animals. A kinetic analysis showed a 1.6-fold increase in the V(max) of citrate transport but no change in the K(m) value. Western blot experiments revealed an increase of approximately 1.7-fold in the expression of CIC after CLA treatment. A strict correlation between the increase in CIC activity and the stimulation of the cytosolic lipogenic enzymes was also found. These data indicate that the CIC may play a role in the onset of hepatic steatosis in CLA-fed mice by supplying the carbon source for de novo fatty acid synthesis

Quantification of HIV-1 proviral DNA in patients with undetectable plasma viremia over long-term highly active antiretroviral therapy

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Prevalence of sleep-disordered breathing in children referring for first dental examination. A multicenter cross-sectional study using pediatric sleep questionnaire

Background: Sleep-related breathing disorders (SRDB) are a group of pathological conditions characterized by a dysfunction of the upper airways. The value of SRDB’s prevalence, in the pediatric population, ranges from 2 to 11% depending on the different methodologies used in measure and the difficulties in the diagnosis. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of SRDB using the Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire (PSQ). Methods: 668 patients were enrolled from the Department of Oral and Maxillo-Facial Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy and from the Unit of Integrated Pediatric Dentistry, University of Murcia, Spain. The questionnaires were administered to patients with no previous orthodontic and surgical treatment who attended on the first visit at the two units of pediatric dentistry. Data regarding general health status were extracted from the standard anamnestic module for first visit. Prevalence and logistic regression models were computed. Results: The ages ranged from 2 to 16 years old (average 7 years old). The prevalence of SRDB was 9.7% for the entire sample. The models showed a positive correlation between three variables (snoring, bad habits, and anxiety) and SRDB. Conclusions: The prevalence obtained demonstrates the relevance of sleep disorders in the pediatric population and highlights the central role of pediatric dentists in the earlier diagnosis of these disorders

Redox homeostasis as a target for new antimycobacterial agents

Despite early treatment with antimycobacterial combination therapy, drug resistance continues to emerge. Maintenance of redox homeostasis is essential for Mycobacterium avium (M. avium) survival and growth. The aim of the present study was to investigate the antimycobacterial activity of two pro-glutathione (pro-GSH) drugs that are able to induce redox stress in M. avium and to modulate cytokine production by macrophages. Hence, we investigated two molecules shown to possess antiviral and immunomodulatory properties: C4-GSH, an N-butanoyl GSH derivative; and I-152, a prodrug of N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) and β-mercaptoethylamine (MEA). Both molecules showed activity against replicating M. avium, both in the cell-free model and inside macrophages. Moreover, they were even more effective in reducing the viability of bacteria that had been kept in water for 7 days, proving to be active both against replicating and non-replicating bacteria. By regulating the macrophage redox state, I-152 modulated cytokine production. In particular, higher levels of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β), IL-18 and IL-12, which are known to be crucial for the control of intracellular pathogens, were found after I-152 treatment. Our results show that C4-GSH and I-152, by inducing perturbation of redox equilibrium, exert bacteriostatic and bactericidal activity against M. avium. Moreover, I-152 can boost the host response by inducing the production of cytokines that serve as key regulators of the Th1 response

Hyperkinetic stereotyped movements in a boy with biallelic CNTNAP2 variants

SCV was supported by a Max Planck Research Group awarded by the Max Planck Gesellschaft, a Human Frontiers Science Program Grant (RGP0058/2016), and a UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship (MR/T021985/1). MA was supported by an International Max Planck Research School (IMPRS) PhD Fellowship from the Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics.Background:  Heterozygous variants in CNTNAP2 have been implicated in a wide range of neurological phenotypes, including intellectual disability (ID), epilepsy, autistic spectrum disorder (ASD), and impaired language. However, heterozygous variants can also be found in unaffected individuals. Biallelic CNTNAP2 variants are rarer and cause a well-defined genetic syndrome known as CASPR2 deficiency disorder, a condition characterised by ID, early-onset refractory epilepsy, language impairment, and autistic features. Case-report : A 7-year-old boy presented with hyperkinetic stereotyped movements that started during early infancy and persisted over childhood. Abnormal movements consisted of rhythmic and repetitive shaking of the four limbs, with evident stereotypic features. Additional clinical features included ID, attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), ASD, and speech impairment, consistent with CASPR2 deficiency disorder. Whole-genome array comparative genomic hybridization detected a maternally inherited 0.402 Mb duplication, which involved intron 1, exon 2, and intron 2 of CNTNAP2 (c.97 +?_209-?dup). The affected region in intron 1 contains a binding site for the transcription factor FOXP2, potentially leading to abnormal CNTNAP2 expression regulation. Sanger sequencing of the coding region of CNTNAP2 also identified a paternally-inherited missense variant c.2752C > T, p.(Leu918Phe). Conclusion : This case expands the molecular and phenotypic spectrum of CASPR2 deficiency disorder, suggesting that Hyperkinetic stereotyped movements may be a rare, yet significant, clinical feature of this complex neurological disorder. Furthermore, the identification of an in-frame, largely non-coding duplication in CNTNAP2 points to a sophisticated underlying molecular mechanism, likely involving impaired FOXP2 binding.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

Multidimensional Impact of Mediterranean Diet on IBD Patients

Malnutrition with the accumulation of fat tissue and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are conditions associated with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Visceral fat and NAFLD-related liver dysfunction can both worsen intestinal inflammation. Because the Mediterranean diet (Md) has been shown to ameliorate both obesity and NAFLD, the aim of this study was to analyze the impact of Md on the nutritional state, liver steatosis, clinical disease activity, and quality of life (QoL) in IBD patients