The effect of seasoning with herbs on the nutritional, safety and sensory properties of reduced-sodium fermented Cobrançosa cv. table olives

This study aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of seasoning Cobrancosa table olives in a brine with aromatic ingredients, in order to mask the bitter taste given by KCl when added to reduced-sodium fermentation brines. Olives were fermented in two different salt combinations: Brine A, containing 8% NaCl and, Brine B, a reduced-sodium brine, containing 4% NaCl + 4% KCl. After the fermentation the olives were immersed in seasoning brines with NaCl (2%) and the aromatic herbs (thyme, oregano and calamintha), garlic and lemon. At the end of the fermentation and two weeks after seasoning, the physicochemical, nutritional, organoleptic, and microbiological parameters, were determined. The olives fermented in the reduced-sodium brines had half the sodium concentration, higher potassium and calcium content, a lower caloric level, but were considered, by a sensorial panel, more bitter than olives fermented in NaCl brine. Seasoned table olives, previously fermented in Brine A and Brine B, had no significant differences in the amounts of protein (1.23% or 1.11%), carbohydrates (1.0% or 0.66%), fat (20.0% or 20.5%) and dietary fiber (3.4% or 3.6%). Regarding mineral contents, the sodium-reduced fermented olives, presented one third of sodium, seven times more potassium and three times more calcium than the traditional olives fermented in 8% NaCl. Additionally, according to the panelists' evaluation, seasoning the olives fermented in 4% NaCl + 4% KCl, resulted in a decrease in bitterness and an improvement in the overall evaluation and flavor. Escherichia coli and Salmonella were not found in the olives produced.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Day of admission and risk of myocardial infarction mortality in a cardiac care unit in Basrah, Iraq

Background: Among many factors that may affect the in.hospital mortality among acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients admitted to the cardiac care unit (CCU), the day and time of admission have been reported to play some role, but such relationship is controversial.Objective: The objective of the following study is to assess the effect of the day and time of admission on in-hospital mortality of patients with AMI.Subjects and Methods: Retrospective analysis of data of all patients with AMI who were admitted to the CCU in Al-Sadr Teaching Hospital, Basrah, Iraq during 2010 was conducted.Results: A total of 419 patients were included in this analysis. The mean age of patients was 62.4 } 11.6 years, 64.9% of them were men. Admission during weekdays was greater than that during weekends (63.2% vs. 36.8%). Admission during off hours was greater than that during regular-hours (59.9% vs. 41.1%). Weekend admissions were more likelyto be presenting with ST elevation myocardial infarction, complications and hypotension. A likewise pattern of baseline characteristics was found among patients admitted at the off-hours time. The overall in-hospital mortality rate was 16.5%. The weekend admission was associated with a higher unadjusted hospital mortality rate than that for weekday admission (23.4% vs. 12.5%, respectively; odds ratio [OR], 2.14; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.27.3.61; P = 0.004). In multivariate analyzes, no statistically significant difference in mortality was found between weekend and weekday admissions (OR, 0.658; 95% CI,  0.311.1.392). Whereas, off.hours admission was significantly associated with a higher mortality (25.5% vs. 3%; P < 0.001), adjusted OR, 12.178; 95% CI, 3.846.38.442.Conclusion: Of predictors for the in-hospital outcome of AMI, day of admission had no significant influence on mortality, whereas off-hour admission was associated with an increased risk of AMI in-hospital mortality.Key words: In-hospital mortality, myocardial infarction, weeken

High Effective Coverage of Vector Control Interventions in Children After Achieving Low Malaria Transmission in Zanzibar, Tanzania.

\ud \ud Formerly a high malaria transmission area, Zanzibar is now targeting malaria elimination. A major challenge is to avoid resurgence of malaria, the success of which includes maintaining high effective coverage of vector control interventions such as bed nets and indoor residual spraying (IRS). In this study, caretakers' continued use of preventive measures for their children is evaluated, following a sharp reduction in malaria transmission. A cross-sectional community-based survey was conducted in June 2009 in North A and Micheweni districts in Zanzibar. Households were randomly selected using two-stage cluster sampling. Interviews were conducted with 560 caretakers of under-five-year old children, who were asked about perceptions on the malaria situation, vector control, household assets, and intention for continued use of vector control as malaria burden further decreases. Effective coverage of vector control interventions for under-five children remains high, although most caretakers (65%; 363/560) did not perceive malaria as presently being a major health issue. Seventy percent (447/643) of the under-five children slept under a long-lasting insecticidal net (LLIN) and 94% (607/643) were living in houses targeted with IRS. In total, 98% (628/643) of the children were covered by at least one of the vector control interventions. Seasonal bed-net use for children was reported by 25% (125/508) of caretakers of children who used bed nets. A high proportion of caretakers (95%; 500/524) stated that they intended to continue using preventive measures for their under-five children as malaria burden further reduces. Malaria risk perceptions and different perceptions of vector control were not found to be significantly associated with LLIN effective coverage While the majority of caretakers felt that malaria had been reduced in Zanzibar, effective coverage of vector control interventions remained high. Caretakers appreciated the interventions and recognized the value of sustaining their use. Thus, sustaining high effective coverage of vector control interventions, which is crucial for reaching malaria elimination in Zanzibar, can be achieved by maintaining effective delivery of these interventions

Possible Hematological Changes Associated with Acute Gastroenteritis among Kindergarten Children in Gaza

Background: Gastroenteritis is considered one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in children especially in developing countries. It is a major childhood problem in Gaza and one of the most common etiologic agents of iron deficiency anemia (IDA).Aim: This study was conducted to investigate possible changes in blood parameters that are associated with gastroenteritis infection among kindergarten children in Gaza.Subjects and Methods: A cross‑sectional case–control study was performed including kindergarten children suffering from gastroenteritis and matched healthy control group. Types of etiological agents were identified using standard microbiological and serological procedures. Blood samples were collected for estimation of complete blood count and for determination of serum iron, total iron binding capacity (TIBC), and transferrin saturation. Independent sample t‑test was used for comparisons and performed using SPSS software version 17(Chicago Illinois USA).Results: The prevalence of enteric pathogens among cases (88.5% [85/96]) was significantly higher than in asymptomatic controls (11.1% [6/54]). The most common enteric pathogens isolated were Entamoeba histolytica (28% [42/91]) and Giardia lamblia (26.7% [40/91]). Blood tests revealed that 21.8% (21/96) of cases and 14.8% (8/54) of controls had IDA, which were not significantly different. Meanwhile, a significant difference was found between the TIBC and hemoglobin in cases compared to controls. Conclusion: This study indicates that gastroenteritis infection could be considered as a common health problem in kindergarten children in Gaza, and it is possibly associated with changes in hemoglobin concentration and TIBC.Keywords: Acute gastroenteritis, Gaza, hematological changes, Iron deficiency, Kindergarte

Formyl Peptide Receptor as a Novel Therapeutic Target for Anxiety-Related Disorders

Formyl peptide receptors (FPR) belong to a family of sensors of the immune system that detect microbe-associated molecules and inform various cellular and sensorial mechanisms to the presence of pathogens in the host. Here we demonstrate that Fpr2/3-deficient mice show a distinct profile of behaviour characterised by reduced anxiety in the marble burying and light-dark box paradigms, increased exploratory behaviour in an open-field, together with superior performance on a novel object recognition test. Pharmacological blockade with a formyl peptide receptor antagonist, Boc2, in wild type mice reproduced most of the behavioural changes observed in the Fpr2/3(-/-) mice, including a significant improvement in novel object discrimination and reduced anxiety in a light/dark shuttle test. These effects were associated with reduced FPR signalling in the gut as shown by the significant reduction in the levels of p-p38. Collectively, these findings suggest that homeostatic FPR signalling exerts a modulatory effect on anxiety-like behaviours. These findings thus suggest that therapies targeting FPRs may be a novel approach to ameliorate behavioural abnormalities present in neuropsychiatric disorders at the cognitive-emotional interface

Bench-to-bedside review : targeting antioxidants to mitochondria in sepsis

Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Use of urethral catheters for diagnostic peritoneal lavage in blunt abdominal trauma

Background: Diagnostic peritoneal lavage (DPL) has been reported to be a reliable  diagnostic tool in assessing the need for liparotomy in blunt abdominal trauma (BAT) with a diagnostic accuracy of more thin 95% when using a peritoneal lavage catheter (PLC). The aim of this study was to determine the diagnostic accuracy of the procedure when small urethral catheters are used as an alternative to the PLC.Methods: Open diagnostic peritoneal lavage was performed in 115 patients with blunt abdominal trauma in whom clinical assessment for intra-abdominal injury was uninformative. Two-way silicon-coated rubber Foley urethral catheters size 12Fr  were used as substitutes for peritoneal lavage catheter. Peritoneal effluent fluid was analysed both macroscopically and by the laboratory estimation of the white and red blood cell counts and amylase levels.Results: A total of 27 Patients (23.5%) had positive DPL results while three  (2.6%) had clinically doubtfur equivocal DPL results. Both groups were subjected to exploratory laparotomy. The rest of cases (73.9%) improved on non-operative   (conservative) management. The diagnostic accuracy was 97.6% for macroscopic  and 99.1% for laboratory assessment. There were no complications attributed to DPL. There was a significant association between the DPL results and the laparotomy   findings <p=0.000). Macroscopic assessment of DPL results was also found to be a reliable diagnostic method in blunt abdominal trauma (p<0.001).Conclusion: In emergency situations, small urethral catheters size 12Fr are a useful and safe alternative to peritoneal lavage catheters as diagnostic tools in blunt abdominal trauma.Key words: Urethral catheter, diagnostic, peritoneal lavage, emergency

Persistent hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia of infancy: long-term follow-up after surgical treatment

Aim The aim of this study was to investigate the long-term outcome of six children with persistent hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia of infancy (PHHI) after pancreatectomy who have been followed since 1990 at the Riyadh Military Hospital, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.Patients and methods Data from six patients were retrospectively analyzed from chart review. PHHI was diagnosed on the basis of having high-insulin levels and low-glucose levels and a high insulin-to-glucose ratio. Lactate, pyruvate, ammonia, and urinary organic acid levels were recorded and tandem mass spectrometry screening was performed. The patients were assessed radiologically by MRI of the brain and by ultrasound examination of the abdomen. Patients who failed medical therapy underwent near-total pancreatectomy.Results Hypoglycemic convulsion was the most common presenting complaint. None of the patients responded to medical treatment and thus underwent surgery. Two patients still had hypoglycemic episodes after surgery, requiring medical treatment. However, they underwent subsequent surgery because of unresponsiveness to medical therapy. Three patients developed diabetes. None of them had malabsorption, and two patients later developed epilepsy.Conclusion The earlier the age at diagnosis, the better the neurological outcome. Delayed surgery might be associated with higher risk of development of diabetes. Near-total (90–95%) pancreatectomy is the treatment of choice for PHHI not responsive to medical treatment.Keywords: Near-total pancreatectomy, outcome, persistent hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia of infanc

Absence of system xc⁻ on immune cells invading the central nervous system alleviates experimental autoimmune encephalitis

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune demyelinating disease that affects the central nervous system (CNS), leading to neurodegeneration and chronic disability. Accumulating evidence points to a key role for neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and excitotoxicity in this degenerative process. System x(c)- or the cystine/glutamate antiporter could tie these pathological mechanisms together: its activity is enhanced by reactive oxygen species and inflammatory stimuli, and its enhancement might lead to the release of toxic amounts of glutamate, thereby triggering excitotoxicity and neurodegeneration. Methods: Semi-quantitative Western blotting served to study protein expression of xCT, the specific subunit of system x(c)-, as well as of regulators of xCT transcription, in the normal appearing white matter (NAWM) of MS patients and in the CNS and spleen of mice exposed to experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an accepted mouse model of MS. We next compared the clinical course of the EAE disease, the extent of demyelination, the infiltration of immune cells and microglial activation in xCT-knockout (xCT(-/-)) mice and irradiated mice reconstituted in xCT(-/-) bone marrow (BM), to their proper wild type (xCT(+/+)) controls. Results: xCT protein expression levels were upregulated in the NAWM of MS patients and in the brain, spinal cord, and spleen of EAE mice. The pathways involved in this upregulation in NAWM of MS patients remain unresolved. Compared to xCT(+/+) mice, xCT(-/-) mice were equally susceptible to EAE, whereas mice transplanted with xCT(-/-) BM, and as such only exhibiting loss of xCT in their immune cells, were less susceptible to EAE. In none of the above-described conditions, demyelination, microglial activation, or infiltration of immune cells were affected. Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate enhancement of xCT protein expression in MS pathology and suggest that system x(c)- on immune cells invading the CNS participates to EAE. Since a total loss of system x(c)- had no net beneficial effects, these results have important implications for targeting system x(c)- for treatment of MS

Bioinspired Polymerization of Quercetin to Produce a Curcumin-Loaded Nanomedicine with Potent Cytotoxicity and Cancer-Targeting Potential in Vivo

Nanomedicine has had a profound impact on the treatment of many diseases, especially cancer. However, synthesis of multifunctional nanoscale drug carriers often requires multistep coupling and purification reactions, which can pose major scale-up challenges. Here, we leveraged bioinspired oxidation-triggered polymerization of catechols to synthesize nanoparticles (NPs) from the plant polyphenol quercetin (QCT) loaded with a hydrophobic anticancer drug, curcumin, and functionalized with poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) for steric stabilization in one reaction step. NPs were formed by base-catalyzed oxidative self-polymerization of QCT in the presence of curcumin and thiol-terminated PEG upon mixing in a universal solvent (dimethyl sulfoxide), followed by self-assembly with the gradual addition of water. Dynamic light scattering and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy were used to confirm NP PEGylation. Drug loading was verified by UV–vis spectroscopy. Curcumin-loaded NPs were efficiently internalized by CT26 murine colon cancer cells as determined by flow cytometry and confocal microscopy. NPs also demonstrated sustained release and potent cytotoxicity in vitro. Moreover, in vivo imaging of CT26 tumor-bearing Balb/c mice following tail vein injection of DiR-labeled QCT NPs showed steady tumor accumulation of the NPs up to 24 h. This was further supported by significant tumor uptake of curcumin-loaded QCT NPs as measured by flow cytometry analysis of tumor homogenates. Our findings present a greener synthetic route for the fabrication of drug-loaded surface-functionalized NPs from poorly water-soluble plant polyphenols such as QCT as promising anticancer delivery systems