Health benefits of bluefin tuna consumption: (Thunnus thynnus) as a case study.

Consumers are increasingly interested in food products with high nutritional value and health benefits. For instance, fish consumption is linked with diverse positive health benefits and the prevention of certain widespread disorders, such as obesity, metabolic syndrome, or cardiovascular diseases. These benefits have been attributed to its excellent nutritional value (large amounts of high-quality fatty acids, proteins, vitamins, and minerals) and bioactive compounds, while being relatively low-caloric. Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus tynnus) is one of the most consumed species worldwide, motivated by its good nutritional and organoleptic characteristics. Recently, some organizations have proposed limitations on its consumption due to the presence of contaminants, mainly heavy metals such as mercury. However, several studies have reported that most specimens hold lower levels of contaminants than the established limits and that their richness in selenium effectively limits the contaminants' bioaccessibility in the human body. Considering this situation, this study aims to provide baseline data about the nutritional composition and the latest evidence regarding the beneficial effects of Atlantic bluefin tuna consumption. A review of the risk-benefit ratio was also conducted to evaluate the safety of its consumption, considering the current suggested limitations to this species' consumption.

Application of fermentation for the valorization of residues from Cactaceae family.

Cactaceae family is well-known for their adaptations to drought and arid environments. This family, formed by four subfamilies (Cactoideae, Opuntioideae, Pereskioideae, and Maihuenioideae) are known for being leafless stem succulent plants with numerous spines, and their commercial fruits, distinguished by their bright colors and their skin covered with bracts. Some of these species have been traditionally used in the food industry (e.g., pitaya, cactus, or prickly pear) or as pharmaceuticals to treat specific diseases due to their active properties. The processing of these fruits leads to different residues, namely pomace, skin, spines, and residues from cladodes; besides from others such as fruits, roots, flowers, mucilage, and seeds. In general, Cactaceae species produce large amounts of mucilage and fiber, although they can be also considered as a source of phenolic compounds (phenolic acids, flavonols and their glycosides), alkaloids (phenethylamines derived betalains), and triterpenoids. Therefore, considering their high content in fiber and fermentable carbohydrates, together with other target bioactive compounds, fermentation is a potential valorization strategy for certain applications such as enzymes and bioactive compounds production or aroma enhancement. This review will comprise the latest information about Cactaceae family, its potential residues, and its potential as a substrate for fermentation to obtain active molecules with application in the food industry.

Characterization of the physicochemical, thermal and rheological properties of cashew kernel starch.

The study aimed to characterize physicochemical, thermal, and rheological properties of cashew nut starch (CNS) and then compare the obtained results with the properties of potato and corn starches. CNS showed higher gelatinization temperatures (112.29 °C) than those noted for potato and maize starches (78.44-94.65 °C). In addition, CNS had higher peak viscosity (19.03 mPa·s) than high amylose corn starch. The static shear rheological test indicated that the CNS followed a pseudoplastic behavior. In addition, CNS sample showed a thixotropic patter, which was less pronounced than that observed for potato starch, but higher than the value reported for high amylose corn starch. These results demonstrated that the shear resistance of CNS was lower than high amylose corn starch, but higher than potato starch. The storage and loss modulus (G' and G", respectively) of the CNS were higher than those reported for the rest of samples. In this line, elastic properties were predominant in CNS sample. In conclusion, results from this study provided insight into physicochemical and structural properties of cashew nut starch, which could represent a preliminary step for its future application in food processing.

Main bioactive phenolic compounds in marine algae and their mechanisms of action supporting potential health benefits.

Given the growing tendency of consumers to choose products with natural ingredients, food industries have directed scientific research in this direction. In this regard, algae are an attractive option for the research, since they can synthesize a group of secondary metabolites, called phenolic compounds, associated with really promising properties and bioactivities. The objective of this work was to classify the major phenolic compounds, compare the effectiveness of the different extractive techniques used for their extraction, from traditional systems (like heat assisted extraction) to the most advance ones (such as ultrasound, microwave or supercritical fluid extraction); the available methods for identification and quantification; the stability of the enriched extract in phenolic compounds and the main bioactivities described for these secondary metabolites, to offer an overview of the situation to consider if it is possible and/or convenient an orientation of phenolic compounds from algae towards an industrial application.

Novel biopreservatives to enhance the safety and quality of strawberry juice.

Pomegranate extract, vanillin and geraniol were studied as natural antimicrobials on strawberry juice. Strawberry juice was treated with each agent at two concentrations: pomegranate extract at 180 and 360 µg/mL; vanillin at 2.5 and 5 mg/mL; and geraniol at 0.6 and 1.2 µL/mL. After being treated, juices were stored at 5 °C and microbiological, physicochemical and sensory studies were carried out. Also, a second batch of juice was inoculated with Escherichia coli O157:H7 (10(5) CFU/mL) before being treated, to safety study. Geraniol and vanillin, at both concentrations tested, were highly effective in reducing the native microflora on strawberry juice (more than 3 log cycles), extending the microbiological shelf-life of the product. Moreover, both antimicrobials improved the product safety by reducing inoculated E. coli O157:H7. Furthermore, vanillin showed a significant increase in polyphenol content compared to untreated juice. On the other hand, pomegranate extract applied at the highest concentration showed important reductions on mesophilic and psychrophilic bacteria, but no effect on yeast and molds and inoculated E. coli. Even though vanillin and geraniol incorporation on strawberry juice had a negative effect on its sensory quality, pomegranate extract had no impact on the sensory attributes evaluated. Combinations of the biopreservatives could be studied in order to decrease the concentration of the antimicrobials, reducing the effects on strawberry juice sensory characteristics.

[Effects of oxygen inhalation therapy on blood and phonomechanography in patients with heart disease, lung disease and cardiorespiratory insufficiency]. / Effetti emogasanalitici e fonomeccanografici della ventiloterapia con ossigeno in pazienti cardiopatici, pneumopatici e con insufficienza cardiorespiratoria.

Arterial PaO2 and some phonomechanographic indices were studied during and after a period of 40-60-100% oxygen breathing in fourteen patients (six with pulmonary insufficiency, four with cardiac disease and four with cardiorespiratory insufficiency). Arterial PaO2 was measured at the beginning, every five minutes during and many times after the ventilation. Myocardial performance was also measured by sistolic time: isovolumetric contraction time, left ventricular expulsive time, preejection pressure, deformation time. The authors discuss the modifications of these indices and the clinical involvement of O2 breathing.

[Presentation of 25 cases of post-irradiation lesions of the brachial plexus and their treatment]. / Presentazione di 25 casi di lesioni postirradiatorie del plesso brachiale e loro trattamento

A study was carried out on a series of 25 patients who were operated on for breast cancer and who submitted to postoperative radiotherapy, in which lesions of the brachial nervous plexus from ionizing radiations were obtained. In almost all the cases, 24 out of 25, various symptoms such as paresthesiae, pain, and motorial disturbances, were observed even one year after the completion of the treatment. Motorial troubles, which in 13 cases were not detected at the moment of the diagnosis of the other lesions, always occurred later. Etiopathogenesis and diagnosis of these lesions have been considered, as well as the possibility of lowering the incidence of such troubles. The conclusion can be drawn that useful results can be obtained, to a certain extent, only if therapeutic treatment is performed early: in most cases, however, the lesions showed a progressive evolution.