Glucosinolate content and myrosinase activity evolution in three maca (Lepidium meyenii Walp.) ecotypes during preharvest,harvest and postharvest drying

Glucosinolate profiles, glucosinolate contents and myrosinase activity were evaluated in yellow, red and black hypocotyls of maca during pre-harvest, at harvest and during post-harvest drying. At harvest, six glucosinolates (GLs) were identified: 5-methylsulfinylpentyl, 4-hydroxybenzyl, benzyl, 3-methoxybenzyl, 4-hydroxy-3-indolylmethyl and 4-methoxy-3-indolylmethyl, of which benzyl glucosinolate was the most abundant in the three ecotypes, representing 80% of the total GLs. A significant increase in GLs was observed for the three ecotypes during the 90 days before harvest and during the 15–30 days of post-harvest drying. This was followed by an important decrease of GLs during the 30–45 day period, which was attributed to cell breakdown, due to fluctuations in temperatures during the drying process, and was correlated with a high myrosinase action. During the last period of post-harvest drying, GLs were much lower and correlated to lower myrosinase activity and lower maca hypocotyl humidity. A combination of artisanal and other processing techniques should be utilised, in order to best preserve maca glucosinolates.     

Altered Follicular Fluid Metabolic Pattern Correlates with Female Infertility and Outcome Measures of In Vitro Fertilization

Nearly 40–50% of infertility problems are estimated to be of female origin. Previous studies dedicated to the analysis of metabolites in follicular fluid (FF) produced contrasting results, although some valuable indexes capable to discriminate control groups (CTRL) from infertile females (IF) and correlate with outcome measures of assisted reproduction techniques were in some instances found. In this study, we analyzed in blind FF of 35 control subjects (CTRL = patients in which inability to obtain pregnancy was exclusively due to a male factor) and 145 IF (affected by: endometriosis, n = 19; polycystic ovary syndrome, n = 14; age-related reduced ovarian reserve, n = 58; reduced ovarian reserve, n = 29; unexplained infertility, n = 14; genetic infertility, n = 11) to determine concentrations of 55 water- and fat-soluble low molecular weight compounds (antioxidants, oxidative/nitrosative stress-related compounds, purines, pyrimidines, energy-related metabolites, and amino acids). Results evidenced that 27/55 of them had significantly different values in IF with respect to those measured in CTRL. The metabolic pattern of these potential biomarkers of infertility was cumulated (in both CTRL and IF) into a Biomarker Score index (incorporating the metabolic anomalies of FF), that fully discriminated CTRL (mean Biomarker Score value = 4.00 ± 2.30) from IF (mean Biomarker Score value = 14.88 ± 3.09, p < 0.001). The Biomarker Score values were significantly higher than those of CTRL in each of the six subgroups of IF. Posterior probability curves and ROC curve indicated that values of the Biomarker Score clustered CTRL and IF into two distinct groups, based on the individual FF metabolic profile. Furthermore, Biomarker Score values correlated with outcome measures of ovarian stimulation, in vitro fertilization, number and quality of blastocysts, clinical pregnancy, and healthy offspring. These results strongly suggest that the biochemical quality of FF deeply influences not only the effectiveness of IVF procedures but also the following embryonic development up to healthy newborns. The targeted metabolomic analysis of FF (using empowered Redox Energy Test) and the subsequent calculation of the Biomarker Score evidenced a set of 27 low molecular weight infertility biomarkers potentially useful in the laboratory managing of female infertility and to predict the success of assisted reproduction techniques.     

Crystalline structure and crystallization of stereoisomeric polyamides derived from arabinaric acid

The pair of stereoisomeric polyamides PA-6dAr and PA-6lAr, as well as the racemic stereocopolyamide PA-6dlAr was synthesized from hexamethylenediamine and 2,3,4-tri-O-methyl-arabinaric acid (d, l and their equimolar mixture, respectively). All these polyamides were aregic, thermally stable and display high crystallinity. The combined analysis by X-ray and electron diffraction revealed that the all three polyamides adopted the same crystal structure, which consists of a rhombic lattice with the chains in a highly contracted conformation capable of accommodating efficiently the sugar moiety in the space. The Avrami kinetic analysis revealed that copolyamide PA-6dlAr crystallized isothermally much slower than the optically homogeneous polyamides. A parallel study carried out on the racemic mixture of PA-6dAr and PA-6lAr evidenced that this mixture has a crystal structure and displays a thermal behavior similar to their separated components, and that its crystallization rate is intermediate between them and the racemic copolyamide PAdlAr.     

Changes in the redox status of the brain in an experimental glaucoma model

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the redox status changes of primary visual targets in the rat brain of a high pressure-induced glaucoma model. The animal model consisted of inducing ocular hypertension by cauterizing two episcleral veins on the left eye. The markers of oxidative damage and the oxidative balance evaluated in the brain seven days postoperative were: nitrites concentration, levels of non-enzymatic antioxidants and antioxidant enzymes activity.
The increase in the nitrite content, which could be the result of the enhancement in the production of nitrogen species, and in the activity of NADPH oxidase in the glaucoma group could lead to an increase on lipid and protein damage.
The decrease on the non-enzymatic antioxidants and the compensatory increase of the superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities could be a consequence of the increase of oxidative processes. The decrease in the activity of glutathione reductase leads to a decrease in the recycling of thiol groups.
We suggest that oxidative stress can possibly acts as a risk factor for neurodegeneration in the brain. Therapeutic strategies to stop the progression of the disease in glaucoma should also be considered the central neuronal degeneration beyond the retina and the optic nerve.     

Inter-annual variations of planktonic food webs in the northern Adriatic Sea

The temporal dynamics of microphytoplankton, microzooplankton and mesozooplankton were monitored over 37 months in the Adriatic Sea in order to identify alterations in the plankton structures, which can lead to, or enhance the production of macro-aggregates, that affected the entire northern basin in summers 2000 and 2002, and to assess any negative effects of mucilage on plankton temporal patterns. Samples were collected monthly, from June 1999 to July 2002, on three transects at 9 stations across the northern and central Adriatic Sea. Besides the high year-to-year variations in abundances and taxonomical composition, plankton communities only showed a clear seasonal succession during 2001, when since April a grazing food web developed and was able to control large sized phytoplankton increase. In spring-summer 2000 and 2002 consumer abundances remained quite low and the dominant mesozooplankton summer species (Penilia avirostris) did not reach its usual summer maximum. The lack of an efficient top control was more evident on the northernmost transect, where generally grazing food web prevails over the microbial one. A large part of the microphytoplankton blooms, although not particularly intense, was exported to the bottom in the particulate phase, where it was processed by bacteria, enhancing the production of refractory dissolved material.     

In vitro toxicity evaluation of hydrogel–carbon nanotubes composites on intestinal cells

Composite materials based on carbon nanotubes (CNT) and polymeric hydrogels have become the subject matter of major interest for use as carriers in drug delivery research. The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro cytotoxicity of the hydrogel–carbon nanotube–chitosan (hydrogel–CNT–CH) composites on intestinal cells. Oxidized CNT were wrapped with chitosan (CH), Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR) analysis suggest that oxidized CNT interact with CH. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images show a CH layer lying around CNT. Chitosan wrapped CNT were incorporated to poly (acrylamide‐co‐acrylic acid) hydrogels. Swelling behavior in buffers at different pH were evaluated and revealed a significantly lower swelling when it is exposed to a acid buffer solution (pH 2.2). Mechanical properties were evaluated by measurements of elasticity and the material with CNT showed better mechanical properties. The incorporation and liberation of Egg Yolk Immunoglobulin from hydrogel–CNT–CH were also assessed and it revealed an improved performance. To evaluate the effect of these nanocomposites on cellular redox balance, intestinal cells were exposed to hydrogel–CNT–CH composites and antioxidant enzymes were assessed. Cytotoxicity and apoptosis were also evaluated. Hydrogel–CNT–CH composites induce no oxidative stress and there were no evidence of cytotoxicity or cell death. These preliminary findings suggest that hydrogel–CNT–CH composites show improved properties and good biocompatibility in vitro making these biomaterials promising systems for drug delivery purposes. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 41370.     

Effect of food processing of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) IKMP‐5 on the level of phenolics,phytate, iron and zinc

Pearl millet is consumed as a staple food in semi‐arid tropical regions. With a view to upgrading the micronutrient status of pearl millet‐based foods, the effects of single operations and of porridge preparation scenarios on levels and in vitro solubility (IVS) of iron and zinc and mineral complexing factors (phytates: inositol phosphates and phenolic compounds) were tested. Disc milling of grain may add significant iron but this is not necessarily IVS iron. Soaking of grains results in a 25% loss of iron, but also facilitates endogenous phytate degradation, particularly when combined with milling and cooking. Germination and lactic acid fermentation both result in partial phytate degradation. Cooking does not decompose phytates, but results in complex formation of phenolic compounds as measured by a significant reduction in reactive hydroxyl groups. Because of its different distribution in the grain, zinc is generally less affected than iron. Phytate reduction by endogenous phytases is inhibited at low pH as caused by fermentation. Kanwa (alkaline rock salt) could be a functional cooking ingredient as a source of minerals and to react with phenolic substances. The relative IVS of iron was doubled by germination of grain and increased 3‐fold by fermentation of wholemeal slurry. Zinc IVS tended to increase on cooking with kanwa, but decreased in cooked fermented flour. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry     

Adipose-derived mesenchymal stem/stromal cells: from the lab bench to the basic concepts for clinical translation

In the last years, much work has shown that the most effective repair system of the body is represented by stem cells, which are defined as undifferentiated precursors that own unlimited or prolonged self-renewal ability, which also have the potential to transform themselves into various cell types through differentiation.All tissues that form the body contain many different types of somatic cells, along with stem cells that are called ‘mesenchymal stem (or stromal) cells’ (MSC). In certain circumstances, some of these MSC migrate to injured tissues to replace dead cells or to undergo differentiation to repair it.The discovery of MSC has been an important step in regenerative medicine because of their high versatility. Moreover, the finding of a method to isolate MSC from adipose tissue, so called ‘adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells’ (ASC), which share similar differentiation capabilities and isolation yield that is greater than other MSC, and less bioethical concerns compared to embryonic stem cells, have created self-praised publicity to procure almost any treatment with them. Here, we review the current techniques for isolation, culture and differentiation of human ASC (hASC), and describe them in detail. We also compile some advantages of the hASC over other stem cells, and provide some concepts that could help finding strategies to promote their therapeutic efficiency.     

Tara gum–bovine sodium caseinate acid gels: Stabilisation of W/W emulsions

Microstructural, rheological, and textural behaviour of tara gum–bovine sodium caseinate aqueous mixtures and their acid gels were evaluated. Acid gels with different microstructures and texture were obtained. These results can be related to a competition between the protein acid gelation process and the segregative phase separation. Depending on the concentration ratio of both biopolymers, a continuous protein gel network or a water‐in‐water emulsion stabilised by acid gelation was observed. These findings may be used to address the development of new food‐grade gels with different textures and also for the obtention of protein microgels to encapsulate hydrophilic compounds.