Volatile and sensory characterization of roast coffees - Effects of cherry maturity.

Immature coffee cherries produce roast coffees with lower hedonic scores than those produced from mature cherries, but variation in volatile and sensory characteristics over a range of maturities is not well studied. In this work, cherries from two coffee cultivars (Caturra, Catimor) were sorted into seven maturity stages from fully immature (Stage 1, green) to fully overripe (Stage 7, purple). Volatile profiles of Stage 1 roast coffee had lower concentrations of carbohydrate degradation products and higher concentrations of N-heterocycles and phenols. Differences in volatiles among Stage 2 (partially immature, yellow-green) and subsequent stages were insignificant (p > 0.05) or else minor. Principle component analysis of the volatile data set also distinguished Stage 1 from other stages. Similarly, a trained cupping panel reported significantly lower sensory scores for Stage 1 as compared to Stages 2-7, but few differences among Stages 2-7. Thus, partially mature and overripe cherries may be appropriate for specialty coffee.

Chemokine receptor expression on infiltrating lymphocytes from abdominal aortic aneurysms: role of CXCR4-CXCL12 in lymphoid recruitment.

This is a study to define the profile of chemokine receptors expressed on isolated infiltrating lymphocytes in human abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs), and to examine their role in lymphoid recruitment. AAA T-lymphocytes were CXCR4-positive, CCR7-negative and partially CXCR3 and CCR5-positive. Functionally, AAA T-cells were proinflammatory effector cells, as they produced IFN-gamma and granzyme A. AAA B-lymphocytes were CXCR4-positive and exhibited low CXCR5 expression. A relevant feature of infiltrating T- and B-lymphocytes was the high intensity of CXCR4 expression and the capability to migrate to CXCL12. CXCL12-producing cells were found in the adventitia of AAA. These cells were CD45-negative and partially VCAM-1 and DR-positive. In summary, the present results suggest that CXCR4, expressed on infiltrating lymphocytes, and CXCL12, expressed on stromal cells, is involved in the recruitment of lymphocytes within the arterial wall in AAA.

Organellar proteomics of human platelet dense granules reveals that 14-3-3zeta is a granule protein related to atherosclerosis.

Dense granules, a type of platelet secretory organelle, are known to accumulate high concentrations of small molecules such as calcium, adenine nucleotides, serotonin, pyrophosphate, and polyphosphate. Protein composition of these granules has been obscure, however. In this paper, we use proteomics techniques to describe, for the first time, the soluble protein composition of platelet dense granules. We have isolated highly enriched human platelet dense granule fractions that have been analyzed using two proteomics methods. Using this approach, we have identified 40 proteins, and most of them, such as actin-associated proteins, glycolytic enzymes, and regulatory proteins, have not previously been related to the organelle. We have focused our efforts on studying 14-3-3zeta, a member of a conserved family of proteins that interact with hundreds of different proteins. We have demonstrated that 14-3-3zeta is localized mostly on dense granules and that it is secreted after platelet activation. As some proteins secreted from activated platelets could promote the development of atherosclerosis and thrombosis, we have studied the expression of 14-3-3zeta in sections of human abdominal aorta of patients with aneurysm, identifying it at the atherosclerotic plaques. Together, our results reveal new details of the composition of the platelet dense granule and suggest an extracellular function for 14-3-3zeta associated with atherosclerosis.

Characterisation of T and B lymphocytes infiltrating abdominal aortic aneurysms.

Cellular infiltrates consisting mainly of lymphocytes are commonly present in the arterial wall in abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). However, despite this, the precise nature of these populations has to date not been described in detail. The aim of this study was to perform an exhaustive phenotypic characterisation of the infiltrating lymphocytes in order to define the inflammatory process that develops in AAA. For this purpose, AAA-infiltrating lymphocytes from 25 fresh aneurysm wall samples and, as a control, peripheral blood (PB) lymphocytes from the same patients were purified. The expression of lineage specific markers, maturation molecules, activation antigens and adhesion molecules on T and B lymphocytes was examined by triple-colour immunofluorescence and flow cytometry analysis. The phenotype of AAA-infiltrating lymphocytes was compared with that of PB of the patients with AAA. The results reveal that AAA-infiltrating B and T lymphocytes consist of activated memory cells, with specific homing properties. In addition, they express molecules of B-T co-stimulation and, occasionally, exhibit phenotypical features indicative of the ectopic formation of lymphoid structures. These findings are discussed in the light of the similarities shared with the lymphoid infiltration occurring in other chronic autoimmune/inflammatory disorders.