Physicochemical and Volatile Compounds Analysis of Fruit Wines Fermented with Saccharomyces cerevisiae: FTIR and Microscopy Study with Focus on Anti-Inflammatory Potential.

The growing trend in fruit wine production reflects consumers' interest in novel, diverse drinking experiences and the increasing demand for healthier beverage options. Fruit wines made from kiwi, pomegranates, and persimmons fermented using S. bayanus Lalvin strain EC1118 demonstrate the versatility of winemaking techniques. Kiwifruit, persimmon, and pomegranate wines were analyzed using HPLC and GC-TOFMS analyses to determine their concentrations of phenolic acids and volatile compounds. These results were supported by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy to characterize and compare chemical shifts in the polyphenol regions of these wines. The wines' characterization included an anti-inflammatory assay based on NO, TNF-alpha, and IL-6 production in the RAW 264.7 macrophage model. FTIR spectroscopy predicted the antioxidant and phenolic contents in the wines. In terms of polyphenols, predominantly represented by chlorogenic, caffeic, and gallic acids, pomegranate and kiwifruit wines showed greater benefits. However, kiwifruit wines exhibited a highly diverse profile of volatile compounds. Further analysis is necessary, particularly regarding the use of other microorganisms in the fermentation process and non-Saccharomyces strains methods. These wines exhibit high biological antioxidant potential and health properties, providing valuable insights for future endeavors focused on designing healthy functional food products.

Rapid identification of Staphylococcus aureus based on a fluorescence imaging/detection platform that combines loop mediated isothermal amplification assay and the smartphone-based system.

Food associated diseases pose significant public health threat in the United States. Health risks associated with food-borne pathogens drive the need for constant monitoring of food products. An efficient method that can diagnose food-borne pathogens rapidly will be invaluable and in high demand. In this study, we showed the feasibility of a novel rapid detection platform based on fluorescence imaging/detection that combines a user-friendly, portable loop mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) reaction device and a smartphone-based detection system. The proposed platform was used to detect Staphylococcus aureus which is one of the most important food-borne pathogen especially dairy products. The complete protocol is quicker; the reaction is performed under isothermal conditions and completed in 1 h or less. Experimental results show that LAMP assays were ten-fold more sensitive than PCR-based detection. The proposed smartphone detection system was able to detect and quantify LAMP assay samples containing three different concentrations of S. aureus from 109 CFU/mL down to 103 CFU/mL. The present proof-of-concept study demonstrated that this platform offers a portable, easy to use method for measuring target pathogens with LAMP amplification.

Perfluorooctanoic acid disrupts gap junction intercellular communication and induces reactive oxygen species formation and apoptosis in mouse ovaries.

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is a member of the perfluoroalkyl acid family of compounds. Due to the presence of strong carbon-fluorine bonds, it is practically nonbiodegradable and highly persistent in the environment. PFOA has been detected in the follicular fluid of women, and positively associated with reduced fecundability and infertility. However, there are no reports concerning the experimental evaluation of PFOA on oocyte toxicity in mammals. The aim of the present study was to determine if PFOA is able to induce oxidative stress in fetal ovaries and cause apoptosis in oocytes in vitro. In addition, since inhibition of the gap junction intercellular communication (GJIC) by PFOA has been demonstrated in liver cells in vivo and in vitro, the effect of PFOA on the GJIC between the oocyte and its supportive cumulus cells was studied. Results show that PFOA induced oocyte apoptosis and necrosis in vitro (medium lethal concentration, LC50 = 112.8 µM), as evaluated with Annexin-V-Alexa 508 in combination with BOBO-1 staining. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, as assessed by DCFH-DA, increased significantly in fetal ovaries exposed to » LC50 (28.2 µM, a noncytotoxic and relevant occupational exposure concentration) and LC50 PFOA ex vivo. This perfluorinated compound also caused the blockage of GJIC in cumulus cells-oocyte complexes (COCs) obtained from female mice exposed in vivo, as evaluated by calcein transfer from cumulus cells to the oocyte. The ability of PFOA of disrupting the GJIC in COCs, generating ROS in the fetal ovary and causing apoptosis and necrosis in mammal's oocytes, might account for the reported association between increasing maternal plasma concentrations of PFOA with reduced fertility in women.

Fortalecimiento de las capacidades a educadoras de centros infantiles en normas y protocolos de desarrollo infantil temprano en el departamento de Cochabamba / Fortalecimiento de las capacidades a educadoras de centros infantiles en normas y protocolos de desarrollo infantil temprano en el departamento de Cochabamba

En este trabajo se realizo la capacitacion a 5 de los 7 municipios del Departamento de Cochabamba Fortalecimiento las capacidades a las educadoras de centros infantiles en normas y protocolos de Desarrollo Infantil Temprano. Ya que se identifico en las Educadoras Infantiles la ausencia de información sobre el impacto que llega a tener el Desarrollo Infantil temprano en los primeros años de vida.

Indomethacin reproducibly induces metamorphosis in Cassiopea xamachana scyphistomae.

Cassiopea xamachana jellyfish are an attractive model system to study metamorphosis and/or cnidarian-dinoflagellate symbiosis due to the ease of cultivation of their planula larvae and scyphistomae through their asexual cycle, in which the latter can bud new larvae and continue the cycle without differentiation into ephyrae. Then, a subsequent induction of metamorphosis and full differentiation into ephyrae is believed to occur when the symbionts are acquired by the scyphistomae. Although strobilation induction and differentiation into ephyrae can be accomplished in various ways, a controlled, reproducible metamorphosis induction has not been reported. Such controlled metamorphosis induction is necessary for an ensured synchronicity and reproducibility of biological, biochemical, and molecular analyses. For this purpose, we tested if differentiation could be pharmacologically stimulated as in Aurelia aurita, by the metamorphic inducers thyroxine, KI, NaI, Lugol's iodine, H2O2, indomethacin, or retinol. We found reproducibly induced strobilation by 50 µM indomethacin after six days of exposure, and 10-25 µM after 7 days. Strobilation under optimal conditions reached 80-100% with subsequent ephyrae release after exposure. Thyroxine yielded inconsistent results as it caused strobilation occasionally, while all other chemicals had no effect. Thus, indomethacin can be used as a convenient tool for assessment of biological phenomena through a controlled metamorphic process in C. xamachana scyphistomae.

Continuous EPO receptor activator therapy of anemia in children under peritoneal dialysis.

The short half-life of erythropoietin (rHuEPO) leads to repeated fluctuations in hemoglobin levels and the need for frequent administration. Continuous erythropoietin receptor activator (CERA) therapy has been approved for once or twice a month in adult dialysis patients. To evaluate the efficacy and safety of CERA therapy in the management of anemia in pediatric peritoneal dialysis (PD) stable PD children under twice-a-week EPO were converted to a subcutaneous CERA, scheduled every 2 weeks. The follow-up was 6 months. The primary efficacy parameter was hemoglobin > 11 g/dL. The exclusion criteria were ferritin <100 ng/ml and Hb saturation <20%. Sixteen children, aged 9.75 ± 3.6 years, including 11 boys, participated in the study. Mean Hb level at month 0 was 10.8 ± 1.9 g/dL. A decrease in hemoglobin to 10.38 ± 1 g/dL at month 2 was observed. The CERA dose was increased from 0.86 ± 0.33 to 1.67 ± 0.4 µg/kg at month 3. The target Hb level was reached by the 3rd month. The Hb level and CERA dose were 12.2 ± 1.2 and 1.6 ± 0.67 µg/kg respectively at the end of the study. No adverse events were observed during the protocol. CERA is an effective and safe therapy for maintaining hemoglobin levels when administered twice, up to once a month, in PD children. Doses required to reach target Hb were higher than published experiences in adult populations.

Prospective clinical and radiographic results of CHARITÉ III artificial total disc arthroplasty at 2- to 7-year follow-up: a Canadian experience.

BACKGROUND: Early and intermediate results have shown that the SB CHARITÉ III total disc arthroplasty (TDA) favourably compares to spinal fusion, but is associated with fewer complications and higher levels of satisfaction. We sought to prospectively report the clinical and radiographic results of the CHARITÉ III TDA after an average of 55 months follow-up. METHODS: We conducted a prospective study of patients receiving the CHARITÉ TDA at either L4-5 or L5-S1 between April 2001 and November 2006. The primary indication for surgery was discogenic low-back pain confirmed by provocative discography. Assessment included pre- and postoperative (3, 6 and 12 mo and yearly thereafter) validated patient outcome measures and radiographic review. RESULTS: Fifty-seven of the potential 64 (89%) patients were available for complete follow-up. Their mean age was 39 (range 21-59) years. A statistically significant improvement was demonstrated between all the mean pre- and postoperative intervals for the Oswestry Disability Index, visual analogue scale for back and leg pain, and Short Form-36 health survey (p < 0.001). The mean sagittal rotation was 6.5° (range 0.5°-22.4°), and the mean intervertebral translation was 1.1 mm (range 0-2.4 mm). Subsidence of the implant was present in 44 of 53 (83%) patients with an L5-S1 disc arthroplasty. The mean subsidence was 1.7 mm (range 0-4.8 mm). CONCLUSION: The 2- to 7-year follow-up of this cohort of patients demonstrated satisfactory clinical and radiographic results in a carefully selected patient population. The radiographic assessment confirmed preservation and maintenance of motion at the replaced disc during the period of follow-up.

Esquemas terapéuticos en la erradicación del helicobacter pylory / Therapeutic outlines in the helicobacter pylory erradication

Para conocer costo-beneficio de alternativas terapéuticas contra helicobacter pylori y la situación de un medicamento efectivo y barato como metronidazol, se estudiaron 192 pacientes (enero 1995-junio 1996) según siete esquemas terapéuticos: 1)Ranitidina+ Tetraciclina+ Bismuto; 2)Ranitidina+ Tetraciclina+ Metronidazol; 3) Ranitidina+ Amoxicilina+ Metronidazol; 4)Omeprazol+ Amoxicilina; 5)Omeprazol+ Amoxicilina+ Metronidazol; 6)Omeprazol+ Amoxicilina+ Claritromicina; 7)Lansoprazol+ Claritromicina. Se identificó la bacteria con: test de ureasa y tinción de hemotoxilina-eosina. Controles endoscopios y biopsias se realizaron antes del tratamiento y 30 días después. Resultados analizados estadísticamente (Chi cuadrado, test de fisher y cálculo de odds ratio), esquemas con ranitidina tuvieron éxito en erradicación de la bacteria menor al 70 por ciento, al igual que la terapia omeprazol con amoxicilina. Los que incluyeron omeprazol, amoxicilina, metronidazol, claritromicina o lansoprazol con claritromicina fueron alrededor del 90 por ciento. No existe tratamiento que erradique la bacteria en 100 por ciento. Todos los esquemas son costosos, más los que utilizan inhibidores de la bomba o claritromicina, pero su beneficio es mayor. Metronidazol demostró que asociado con amoxicilina, no solo es mejor tolerado sino más efectivo, constituyéndose en fármaco útil, inclusive por bajo costo. El esquema más recomendable por costobeneficio, sería omeprazol, amoxicilina y metronidazol. Finalmente el tiempo de administración debe disminuirse.

Esquemas terapéuticos para la erradicación del helicobacter pylori / Therapeutic schemes for the eradication of helicobacter pylori

Objetivos y Métodos.- Establecer el costo beneficio de diversas alternativas terapéuticas contra el helicobacter pylori y reconocer la real situación de un medicamento efectivo y barato como es el metrodinazol, que ha sido empleado con éxito en otras instituciones. Se estudiaron, entre ene. 1995 y jun. 1996, 192 pacientes que fueron asignados a 7 esquemas terapéuticos: 1) Ranitidina + Tetraciclina + Bismuto; 2) Ranitidina + Tetraticlina + Metrodinazol; 3) Ratidina + Amoxiclina + Metrodinazol; 4) Omeprazol + Amoxicilina; 5) Ompeprazol + Amoxicilina + Metrodinazol; 6) Omeprazol + Amoxicilina + Claritromicina; 7) Lansoprazol + Claritromicina. La identificación de la bacteria se realizó mediante el test de ureasa y la histopatología con tinción de hematoxilina-eosina. Los controles endoscópicos y toma de biopsias se realizaron antes del tratamiento y 30 días después de terminado el mismo. Resultados.- Los esquemas que utilizaron ranitidina tuvieron un éxito en la erradicación de la bacteria por debajo del 70 mxciento, al igual que la terapia doble de Omeprazol con Amoxicilina. Los demás, que incluyeron omeprazol, amoxicilina, metrodinazol, claritromicina, o lansoprazol con claritromicina fueron de alrededor del 90xciento. Conclusiones.- No existe aún el tratamiento que erradique la bacteria en el 100xciento. Todos los esquemas son costosos, mucho más los que utilizan inhibidores de la bomba o claritromicina, no obstante, su beneficio es mayor. El metrodinazol demostró que en asociación con la amoxicilina, no solo que es mejor tolerado sino que es más efectivo, constituyéndose en fármaco útil en nuestro medio, inclusive por su bajo costo. El esquema más recomendable por su costo-beneficio en nuestro medio sería la terapia triple con omeprazol, amoxicilina y metronidazol. Finalmente el tiempo de administración se debe disminuir como ya se observa en otros centros asistenciales.