Encapsulated proanthocyanidins as novel ingredients

Proanthocyanidins (OPC) are polyphenolic compounds, derivatives of flavan-3-ol flavonoids. They are abundant in grape seeds and skins, and contribute to most of the polyphenols in red wine. Proanthocyanidins from grape seed have been reported to show various health as well as technological properties. Aim of the study was to investigate the coating efficiency of maltodextrin (MD) in different molecular ratios with arabic gum (AG) on encapsulation of phenolic compounds extracted from grape pomace. The present study was planned to examine the contributions of MD, AG and OPC to the structural architecture of encapsulated OPC by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), their encapsulation efficiency and their functionality (antioxidant activity and bioavailability) by spectrophotometric assays and mass spectrometry analysis (MALDI-TOF-MS). The effect of encapsulated OPC on in vitro polyphenol digestibility was also evaluated according to the Infogest protocol. Encapsulated products were obtained by a mild ultrasonication method in controlled conditions based on the phenomenon of acoustic cavitation, and then freeze-dried. The content of coating material had significant (p>0.05) impact on particle morphology of spray-dried suspensions. SEM analysis of samples of AG/MD and AG/MD/OPC were similar and exhibited cracks and sharp edges, but samples with OPC showed a more enclosed structure. Total and Surface phenolic content of microcapsules showed the best encapsulation efficiency for samples with 4% of AG and 12% of MD. MALDI-TOF-MS characterization of encapsulated samples showed integrity of OPC components in the microcapsules with no changes with respect to original OPC. The in vitro digestion experiments showed also that composition and functionality of encapsulated OPC were better preserved along gastrointestinal digestion process. In conclusion, OPC microcapsules could be utilized both as nutraceuticals and additives in various food application

Consensus statement on surgical pathology of the aorta from the Society for Cardiovascular Pathology and the Association for European Cardiovascular Pathology: I. Inflammatory diseases

Abstract Inflammatory diseases of the aorta include routine atherosclerosis, aortitis, periaortitis, and atherosclerosis with excessive inflammatory responses, such as inflammatory atherosclerotic aneurysms. The nomenclature and histologic features of these disorders are reviewed and discussed. In addition, diagnostic criteria are provided to distinguish between these disorders in surgical pathology specimens. An initial classification scheme is provided for aortitis and periaortitis based on the pattern of the inflammatory infiltrate: granulomatous/giant cell pattern, lymphoplasmacytic pattern, mixed inflammatory pattern, and the suppurative pattern. These inflammatory patterns are discussed in relation to specific systemic diseases including giant cell arteritis, Takayasu arteritis, granulomatosis with polyangiitis (Wegener's), rheumatoid arthritis, sarcoidosis, ankylosing spondylitis, Cogan syndrome, Behcet's disease, relapsing polychondritis, syphilitic aortitis, and bacterial and fungal infections

Different Factors Affecting Human ANP Amyloid Aggregation and Their Implications in Congestive Heart Failure

Atrial Natriuretic Peptide (ANP)-containing amyloid is frequently found in the elderly heart. No data exist regarding ANP aggregation process and its link to pathologies. Our aims were: i) to experimentally prove the presumptive association of Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) and Isolated Atrial Amyloidosis (IAA); ii) to characterize ANP aggregation, thereby elucidating IAA implication in the CHF pathogenesis.A significant prevalence (85\%) of IAA was immunohistochemically proven ex vivo in biopsies from CHF patients. We investigated in vitro (using Congo Red, Thioflavin T, SDS-PAGE, transmission electron microscopy, infrared spectroscopy) ANP fibrillogenesis, starting from α-ANP as well as the ability of dimeric β-ANP to promote amyloid formation. Different conditions were adopted, including those reproducing β-ANP prevalence in CHF. Our results defined the uncommon rapidity of α-ANP self-assembly at acidic pH supporting the hypothesis that such aggregates constitute the onset of a fibrillization process subsequently proceeding at physiological pH. Interestingly, CHF-like conditions induced the production of the most stable and time-resistant ANP fibrils suggesting that CHF affected people may be prone to develop IAA.We established a link between IAA and CHF by ex vivo examination and assessed that β-ANP is, in vitro, the seed of ANP fibrils. Our results indicate that β-ANP plays a crucial role in ANP amyloid deposition under physiopathological CHF conditions. Overall, our findings indicate that early IAA-related ANP deposition may occur in CHF and suggest that these latter patients should be monitored for the development of cardiac amyloidosis

Cognitive reserve proxies for individuals with intellectual developmental disability: A scoping review

Background: Cognitive reserve (CR) has not been studied in people with Intellectual Developmental Disability, a population with a high incidence of dementia. Commonly adopted CR proxies should be adapted to reflect more specifically the experiences of people with Intellectual Developmental Disability. Method: This scoping review intended to identify CR proxies relevant to people with this condition. Results: Some of these were the same already detected in a population without intellectual disabilities (education, occupation, physical activity, leisure, community and social activities); others were found to be specifically relevant for this population: type of schooling, parental educational level, environmental stimulation and living place. Conclusions: These proxies need to be considered in studies on CR and Intellectual Developmental Disability and in clinical practice. Research on the protective effect of CR aims to encourage policies promoting lifestyle-based educational and preventive interventions and overcome participation barriers for people with Intellectual Developmental Disability

Different expression of cytokines and receptors in bleomycin-sensitive and resistant mice

The sensitivity to the fibrosis-inducing effect of bleomycin (BLM) varies considerably from species to species, and the variability of the response in different strains of mice is well documented. The reasons for such varied responses are not known. Recent evidence indicates that the up-regulated expression of cytokines and receptors may be involved. We evaluated the expression pattern of some cytokines and of their receptors in C57Bl/6J BLM-sensitive and Balb/C BLM-resistant mice. Animals from both strains received either saline (50µl), or BLM (0.1U/50µl) intratracheally. The mice were sacrificed at various times after the treatment. The lungs were analysed for cytokine and cytokine receptors mRNA by Ribonuclease Protected Assay. A significant increased expression (over saline-treated-animals) of TNF-alpha and IL-1 beta mRNA was observed in both strains at 8 hours. However, BLM resulted in an up-regulated lung expression for TNF-alpha and IL-1 receptors, only in C57Bl/6J sensitive animals. This profile is evident from 63 hours onward. In addition to TNF-alpha, BLM also resulted in the up-regulated expression of TGF-beta in the lungs of both strains at 8 hours, and in an enhanced expression of TGF-beta receptors I and II in only C57Bl/6J mice. The up-regulation of the TGF-beta receptor expression was preceded in this strain by an increased expression of IL-4, IL-13 and IL-13 receptor alpha1 at 8 hours after BLM. The difference we observed in the cytokine profile may offer an addidional explanation for the different fibrogenic response of the two mouse strains to BLM

p66Shc is involved in promoting HIF-1alpha accumulation and cell death in hypoxic T cells.

Hypoxia results in adaptationally appropriate alterations of gene expression through the activation of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1 to overcome any shortage of oxygen. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells may be exposed to low oxygen tensions for different times as they migrate between blood and various tissues. We and others have previously shown that T-cell adaptation to hypoxia is characterized by a modulation of cytokine expression and an inhibition of T-cell activation. We have recently demonstrated that the adaptor protein p66Shc negatively regulates T-cell activation and survival. We here show that hypoxia enhances HIF-1alpha accumulation and vascular endothelial growth factor production in T cells. Hypoxic T cells expressed high levels of p21(WAF1/CIP1), of the pro-apoptotic molecules BNIP3, a classic HIF target gene, and BAX, as well as low levels of the anti-apoptotic molecule BCLxl, associated with an induction of cell death. We found out that hypoxic T cells expressed p66Shc. Furthermore, using T-cell transfectants expressing p66Shc, as well as T cells derived from mice p66Shc-/-, we defined a role of p66Shc in T-cell responses to hypoxia. Of interest, hypoxic p66Shc-positive transfectants expressed higher level of HIF-1alpha than negative controls. Thus, p66Shc may play an important role in downstream hypoxic signaling, involving HIF-1alpha protein accumulation and cell death in T lymphocytes

Early response to bleomycin is characterized by different cytokine and cytokine receptor profiles in lungs.

The sensitivity to the fibrosis-inducing effect of bleomycin varies considerably from species to species, the reasons for which are unknown. The variability of the response in different strains of mice is well documented. Recent evidence indicates that the upregulated expression of cytokines and cytokine receptors may be involved. We evaluated the expression pattern of some cytokines and their receptors in C57Bl/6J bleomycin-sensitive and Balb/C bleomycin-resistant mice. Animals from both strains received, under ether anesthesia, either saline (50 microl) or bleomycin (0.1 U/50 microl) intratracheally. At various times after the treatment, the lungs were analyzed for cytokines and cytokine receptors by histochemistry and their mRNA by RNase protection assay. A significantly increased expression of TNF-alpha and IL-1beta was observed in both strains. However, an upregulated lung expression for TNF-alpha and IL-1 receptors was observed in C57Bl/6J-sensitive animals only. This profile is evident from 63 h onward. In addition to TNF-alpha, bleomycin administration also resulted in the upregulated expression of TGF-beta in the lungs of both strains at 8 h and in an enhanced expression of TGF-beta receptors I and II in C57Bl/6J mice only. The upregulation of TGF-beta receptor expression was preceded in this strain by an increased expression of IL-4, IL-13, and IL-13 receptor-alpha (at 8 h after bleomycin) and followed by an upregulation of gp130 and IL-6. The difference we observed in the cytokine receptor profile may offer an additional explanation for the different fibrogenic response of the two mouse strains to bleomycin