The effect of partial substitution of NaCl with KCl on the physicochemical, microbiological and sensory properties of Akkawi cheese.

BACKGROUND: Studies have shown a direct relationship between increased dietary sodium intake and chronic diseases such as hypertension, cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis. Potassium chloride is the most widely used salt substitute for sodium chloride in different processed foods. Akkawi cheese, commonly consumed as fresh cheese, has a semi-hard curd, chalky color, firm texture and salty flavor. The effect of partial replacement of NaCl with KCl on the chemical, textural, microbiological and sensory characteristics of fresh and mature Akkawi cheese was investigated. RESULTS: Salt treatment (NaCl reduction) had a significant effect on pH, lactic acid, sodium and potassium contents of cheeses. Texture profile analysis revealed a significant effect of salt treatment on adhesiveness, chewiness and hardness of cheese. All tested microorganisms increased with storage but in general did not differ between salt treatments, specifically between control (100% NaCl) and (70% NaCl, 30% KCl) samples. Descriptive analysis showed that salt treatment had a significant effect on bitterness, crumbliness and hardness, whereas the age of cheese was significant for color and fermented flavor. Salt treatment had no effect on acceptability variables for all experimental 2-week Akkawi samples. CONCLUSION: The above results suggest that a 30% substitution of NaCl by KCl (70% NaCl, 30% KCl brine) is acceptable.

Influence of HLA disparity, immunosuppressive regimen used, and type of kidney allograft on production of anti-HLA class-I antibodies after transplant and occurrence of rejection.

We studied the effects of HLA disparity, immunosuppressive regimen used, and the type of kidney allograft on production of anti-HLA antibodies after transplant and the occurrence of rejection episodes. Five living-unrelated donors and 4 living-related donors kidney recipients received quadruple therapy (including sirolimus and mycophenolate mofetil). Fifteen living-unrelated donors and 19 living-related donors received triple therapy (excluding sirolimus). A single bolus of 4 to 6 mg/kg rabbit anti-human T-lymphocyte immune serum was included with both regimens. Recipients were studied over a 3-year period. Human leukocyte antigen profiles were determined by DNA (SSP) typing, and anti-HLA class-I antibodies were determined by the complement-dependent microcytotoxicity assay and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The degree of HLA disparity did not appear to affect anti-HLA antibody production or the occurrences of rejection episodes. None of the patients who received quadruple therapy developed anti-HLA class-I antibodies. Two living-unrelated donors and 2 living-related donors recipients who received triple therapy developed anti-HLA class-I antibodies. One of the 2 living-unrelated donors antibody-positive patients rejected the kidney and returned to dialysis, and the other patient has normal graft function 3 years after the transplant. The 2 living-related donors patients with normal graft function were antibody-positive 1 year after the transplant but were antibody-negative at 2 and 3 years after transplant. Sirolimus appeared to inhibit production of antibodies after transplant. Moreover, use of present day immunosuppressive agents diminishes the role of HLA matching in relation to the occurrence of rejection episodes.

HLA allele associations and V-beta T-lymphocyte expansions in patients with psoriasis, harboring toxin-producing Staphylococcus aureus.

HLA alleles have been associated with psoriasis. Toxin-producing strains of Staphylococcus aureus behave as superantigens, and if present in patients, might play a role in the exacerbation of psoriatic lesions by activating certain V-beta (V beta) T-lymphocyte subsets. Allele frequencies in 22 patients and 22 controls (alleles determined by DNA/SSP typing) were used to calculate a relative risk of $4.7$ ($P < .05$) for HLA-Cw6. S aureus was isolated from the throat of 11 patients. Enterotoxins A and C were detected by agglutination in the culture filtrate of one isolate. The enterotoxin A and/or C genes were detected by PCR in 9 isolates, and transcripts were detected by RT-PCR in 7 of them. None of the isolates from controls harbored enterotoxin genes. V beta expansions were detected by RT-PCR in all 22 patients. Low or no V beta expansions were obtained in controls. The association of HLA-Cw6 with psoriasis in Lebanese concurs with that reported for other ethnic groups. Toxin-producing isolates that colonize patients might play a role in the exacerbation of psoriatic lesions.