Impact of Clarified Apple Juices with Different Processing Methods on Gut Microbiota and Metabolomics of Rats.

The consumption of processed foods has increased compared to that of fresh foods in recent years, especially due to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Here, we evaluated the health effects of clarified apple juices (CAJs, devoid of pectin and additives) processed to different degrees, including not-from-concentrate (NFC) and from-concentrate (FC) CAJs. A 56-day experiment including a juice-switch after 28 days was designed. An integrated analysis of 16S rRNA sequencing and untargeted metabolomics of cecal content were performed. In addition, differences in the CAJs tested with respect to nutritional indices and composition of small-molecule compounds were analyzed. The NFC CAJ, which showed a higher phenolic content resulting from the lower processing degree, could improve microbiota diversity and influence its structure. It also reduced bile acid and bilirubin contents, as well as inhibited the microbial metabolism of tryptophan in the gut. However, we found that these effects diminished with time by performing experiment extension and undertaking juice-switching. Our study provides evidence regarding the health effects of processed foods that can potentially be applied to public health policy decision making. We believe that NFC juices with a lower processing degree could potentially be healthier than FC juice.

Effects of pomegranate juice (Punica Granatum) on inflammatory biomarkers and complete blood count in patients with COVID-19: a structured summary of a study protocol for a randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVES: This study is conducted to investigate efficacy of pomegranate juice on inflammatory biomarkers, C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin 6(IL-6), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and complete blood count (CBC) in hospitalized patients with mild to moderate coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID- 19). TRIAL DESIGN: This is a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel 2-arm (1:1 ratio) clinical trial. PARTICIPANTS: Patients with COVID-19 admitted to hospitals in Yasuj City, Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province, Iran. INCLUSION CRITERIA: Informed consent Patients 18 years of age or older Diagnosis of COVID-19 based on real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test EXCLUSION CRITERIA: Pregnancy or lactation Immunoglobulin A (IgA) level <61 mg/dl Disseminated intravascular coagulation or any other types of coagulopathy Severe congestive heart failure Participation in any clinical trial within 30 days prior to enrollment in this RCT Other contraindications determined by the specialist. INTERVENTION AND COMPARATOR: Intervention: 500 ml pomegranate juice and standard of care hospital treatment for COVID-19 Comparator: matching placebo containing 500 ml of red water and standard of care hospital treatment for COVID-19 Both intervention and comparator to be taken twice a day, after lunch and dinner, for 14 days. CRITERIA FOR DISCONTINUING: Transfer of patients to intensive care unit (ICU) Death Unwillingness to continue participating in the study MAIN OUTCOMES: The main outcomes of this study are levels of inflammatory biomarkers, CRP, IL-6, ESR, and CBC after 14 days of treatment. RANDOMIZATION: Eligible patients will be randomly assigned into the intervention or control group in a 1:1 ratio. Randomization will be performed based on 8 permuted blocks with block sizes of 6 and they will be stratified according to sex and age categories. Randomization sequences will be prepared by the trial's pharmacist using computer-generated random numbers. BLINDING (MASKING): This study is a double-blind clinical trial (participant, researcher). The pomegranate juice and placebo juice are packaged in identical bottles, and the researcher and all the patients will be unaware of the study assignment until the end of the study. To ensure blinding, the randomization sequences will be kept in identical, opaque, sealed, and sequentially numbered envelopes. NUMBERS TO BE RANDOMIZED (SAMPLE SIZE): The calculated total sample size is 48 patients, with 24 patients assigned into each group. TRIAL STATUS: The protocol is Version 1.0, on March 3, 2021. Recruitment started on February 28, 2021, and is anticipated to be completed by May 21, 2021. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The Name of registering trial Effects of Pomegranate Juice (Punica Granatum) on Inflammatory Biomarkers and CBC in Patients with COVID-19: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial. Iranian registry of clinical trials (IRCT) Registration Number: IRCT20150711023153N2 Date of Trial Registration February 28, 2021, retrospectively registered FULL PROTOCOL: The full protocol is attached as an additional file, accessible from the Trials҆ website (Additional file 1). In the interest of expediting dissemination of this material, the familiar formatting has been eliminated; this Letter serves as a summary of the key elements of the full protocol.

Remote psychophysical evaluation of olfactory and gustatory functions in early-stage coronavirus disease 2019 patients: the Bologna experience of 300 cases.

BACKGROUND: An objective evaluation of coronavirus disease 2019 in the first days of infection is almost impossible, as affected individuals are generally in home quarantine, and there is limited accessibility for the operator who should perform the test. To overcome this limitation, a recently validated psychophysical self-administered test was used, which can be performed remotely in the assessment of early-stage coronavirus disease 2019 patients. METHODS: Olfactory and gustatory functions were objectively assessed in 300 patients in the first 7 days from coronavirus disease 2019 symptom onset. RESULTS: Seventy per cent of the patients presented olfactory and/or gustatory disorders. The dysfunctions detected were mainly complete anosmia (47 per cent) or ageusia (38 per cent). A significant correlation was found between taste dysfunction and female gender (odds ratio = 1.936, p = 0.014) and fever (odds ratio = 2.132, p = 0.003). CONCLUSION: The psychophysical evaluation protocol proposed is an effective tool for the fast and objective evaluation of patients in the early stages of coronavirus disease 2019. Chemosensitive disorders have been confirmed to be frequent and early symptoms of the coronavirus infection, and, in a significant number of cases, they are the first or only manifestation of coronavirus disease 2019.