Lithium (Li
+
) is a first option treatment for adult acute episodes of Bipolar Disorder (BD) and for the prophylaxis of new depressed or manic episodes. It is also the preferred choice as ...maintenance treatment. Numerous studies have shown morphological abnormalities in the brains of BD patients, suggesting that this highly heritable disorder may exhibit progressive and deleterious changes in brain structure. Since treatment with Li
+
ameliorates these abnormalities, it has been postulated that Li
+
is a neuroprotective agent in the same way atypical antipsychotics are neuroprotective in patients diagnosed with schizophrenia spectrum disorders. Li
+
’s neuroprotective properties are related to its modulation of nerve growth factors, inflammation, mitochondrial function, oxidative stress, and programmed cell death mechanisms such as autophagy and apoptosis. Notwithstanding, it is not known whether Li
+
—induced neuroprotection is related to the inhibition of its putative molecular targets in a BD episode: the enzymes inositol-monophosphatase, (IMPase), glycogen-synthase-kinase 3β (GSK3), and Protein kinase C (PKC). Furthermore, it is uncertain whether these neuroprotective mechanisms are correlated with Li
+
’s clinical efficacy in maintaining mood stability. It is expected that in a nearby future, precision medicine approaches will improve diagnosis and expand treatment options. This will certainly contribute to ameliorating the medical and economic burden created by this devastating mood disorder.
This study aimed to evaluate the volatile or lipophilic chemical profiling and the biological activities of avocado (Persea americana cv. Criollo sp.) seed extracts. Chemical profile of volatile ...compounds (GC/MS), antioxidant properties (phenolic compounds, DPPH radical scavenging activities and reducing power), and antimicrobial activity (Salmonella Typhimurium and Staphylococcus aureus) of avocado (Persea americana cv. Criollo sp.) seed extracts (ethanol and acetone) were characterized. Sixteen volatile chemical compounds were determined, including isoprenoid derivatives (estragole), esters of fatty acids (linoleic and linolenic acids), and their derivatives (9,12-Octadecadien-1-ol and 9,12,15-Octadecatrien-1-ol). Acetone was the best solvent to obtain volatile compounds from avocado seed; this extract also showed a higher reducing power (56.35 mg AAE/100 g). Maximum S. aureus and S. Typhimurium log reductions were 4.0 ± 0.3 and 1.8 ± 0.3 at the highest amount used (2000 mg/L), without significant effect (p < 0.05) of the solvent used. According to the results of the volatile chemical profiling of avocado (Persea americana cv. Criollo sp.) seed extracts, they can have potential application as antioxidant (212.75 and 183.75 mg Trolox/100 g) and antimicrobial additives.
Summary
During edible film production, several processes are carried out to maintain the probiotic viability, increasing its cost. However, fermentation to culture probiotics that will be later used ...for edible film production may increase their resistance during production, application and storage. Therefore, this study aimed to develop edible films based on potato starch or sweet potato flour and non‐fermented or fermented (Lactobacillus rhamnosus) whey solution. Edible films were evaluated for their physical, probiotic survival, antioxidant capacity and structural characteristics after 28 days of storage (4 and 20 °C). Selected films were used for covering commercial surimi to evaluate their effect on some quality properties. The edible films presented a moisture content of 12.68–18.97%, colour characteristics according to the powder used in their formulation, and a probiotic count higher than 9‐log cycles. The fermentation process improved the stability of antioxidant compounds in edible films during storage and gastrointestinal simulation. According to the handling characteristics, edible films based on potato starch (100%) and potato starch/sweet potato (90/10% and 80/20%) were formulated and applied. Although the consumers well‐accepted covered surimi, the probiotic counts were lower than 6‐log after storage, values below the threshold required to exert its beneficial effects in humans.
Edible films based on LAB‐fermented whey solution and sweet potato flour presented a probiotic count higher than 9‐log cycles and the highest content of bioactive compounds and antioxidant capacity. Applied edible films to surimi were well‐accepted by consumers; however, the probiotic counts were lower than 6‐log after storage time.
This study aimed to characterize edible films based on potato starch and fermented and non-fermented whey solutions by
Lactobacillus rhamnosus
and
Lactobacillus acidophilus
and applied the formulated ...edible films to cover Manchego-type cheese to evaluate their quality characteristics during the storage using two different secondary packages. The results indicated that among quality characteristics evaluated, thickness (0.15–0.25 mm) and tensile strength (0.19–0.30 MPa) were significantly higher (compared to control edible films) in edible films formulated with fermented whey, regardless of the lactic acid bacteria (LAB) used. After 14 days of storage, the moisture content, weight loss, and color characteristics of cheese were maintained by both edible films and linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) bags. The application of edible films with fermented whey increases (4.21–5.98 log CFU/g) the content of beneficial microorganisms in the cheese, which are maintained during the storage (> 7 log cycles) regardless of the conditions. Consumer judges did not notice the application of edible films based on fermented whey to the cheese at the beginning and after 14 days of storage (LLDPE packaging), showing scores between I like and I like much in all samples evaluated. This study demonstrated that the fermentation process of whey solution for film forming and the employment of LLDPE as secondary packaging maintain the quality characteristics of Manchego-type cheese during storage.
Summary
Garlic peel extracts (GPE) are known to have excellent physiological activity, but research on the pre‐processing of garlic peel (GP) to enhance their bioactivity is limited. The aim of this ...study was to evaluate the effect of two pretreatments applied to GP, such as fermentation with
Lactobacillus plantarum
and heat processing (10 min roasting) and two extraction solvents (70% v/v ethanol and methanol), on the total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), antioxidant capacity (AC), and antimicrobial activity (AA) of GPE. Results showed that GPE contained appreciable quantities of TPC (50.41 ± 0.19 mg
GAE
/g) and TFC (47.58 ± 1.69 mg
GAE
/g), but were further improved by both biological and thermal pretreatments along with their AC and AA against food‐spoilage strains (
Escherichia coli
,
Salmonella typhimurium
,
Staphylococcus aureus
, and
Listeria innocua
). Ethanolic extract of 48 h‐fermented GP achieved the highest TPC (140.65 ± 0.47 mg
GAE
/g), TFC (68.8 ± 1.80 mg
QE
/g), TEAC‐DPPH (288.88 ± 6.98 μmol
TE
/g), TEAC‐ABTS (638.39 ± 5.35 μmol
TE
/g), and the lowest MIC (1.25 ± 0.0 mg/mL), showing that the increase in TPC was strong‐positive correlated to AC (Pearson's
r
> 0.97) and to AA (Pearson's
r
> 0.90). These findings revealed an innovative approach for the valorisation of garlic residues through a bioconversion process, which enhances their potential as a source of antioxidant and antimicrobial agents for possible food applications.
This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the impregnation‐osmodehydration with Hibiscus sabdariffa extracts on the bioactive compounds and sensory acceptance of apple wedges. The physicochemical ...characteristics, color, total anthocyanins (TA), total phenolic compounds (TPC), and antioxidant capacity (AC) of pretreated and convective dried apple wedges were analyzed at the beginning and after 28 days of storage with and without light exposure. Pretreatments with Hibiscus sabdariffa extracts significantly affected (p < .05) the physicochemical, color, and antioxidant characteristics of apple wedges, increasing their TPC and AC in the range of 77.0–95.1% and 103.7–120.9%, respectively, which is associated with the high anthocyanins content (290.2 ± 10.1 mg cyanidin/100 g) of the Hibiscus sabdariffa extract. Moreover, convective drying concentrated the bioactive compounds of apple wedges. Although color and antioxidant characteristics were affected by the storage time, a lesser effect was observed stored under dark conditions. Impregnated‐osmodehydrated apple wedges were well‐accepted by the consumers.
Practical applications
This research shows applications for developing healthy snacks.
Roselle flower may be used in fresh fruit to improve its antioxidant characteristics.
The impregnation process is a technique used to introduce solutes into a food matrix. It is employed to enrich foods with bioactive and/or functional compounds, resulting in healthier food products.
This review aims to evaluate the state of saffron's main bioactive compounds and their relationship with its commercial quality. Saffron is the commercial name for the dried red stigmas of the
L. ...flower. It owes its sensory and functional properties mainly to the presence of its carotenoid derivatives, synthesized throughout flowering and also during the whole production process. These compounds include crocin, crocetin, picrocrocin, and safranal, which are bioactive metabolites. Saffron's commercial value is determined according to the ISO/TS3632 standard that determines their main apocatotenoids. Other techniques such as chromatography (gas and liquid) are used to detect the apocarotenoids. This, together with the determination of spectral fingerprinting or chemo typing are essential for saffron identification. The determination of the specific chemical markers coupled with chemometric methods favors the discrimination of adulterated samples, possible plants, or adulterating compounds and even the concentrations at which these are obtained. Chemical characterization and concentration of various compounds could be affected by saffron's geographical origin and harvest/postharvest characteristics. The large number of chemical compounds found in the by-products (flower parts) of saffron (catechin, quercetin, delphinidin, etc.) make it an interesting aromatic spice as a colorant, antioxidant, and source of phytochemicals, which can also bring additional economic value to the most expensive aromatic species in the world.
Patients with schizophrenia present with deficits in specific areas of cognition. These are quantifiable by neuropsychological testing and can be clinically observable as negative signs. ...Concomitantly, they self-administer nicotine in the form of cigarette smoking. Nicotine dependence is more prevalent in this patient population when compared to other psychiatric conditions or to non-mentally ill people. The target for nicotine is the neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR). There is ample evidence that these receptors are involved in normal cognitive operations within the brain. This review describes neuronal nAChR structure and function, focusing on both cholinergic agonist-induced nAChR desensitization and nAChR up-regulation. The several mechanisms proposed for the nAChR up-regulation are examined in detail. Desensitization and up-regulation of nAChRs may be relevant to the physiopathology of schizophrenia. The participation of several subtypes of neuronal nAChRs in the cognitive processing of non-mentally ill persons and schizophrenic patients is reviewed. The role of smoking is then examined as a possible cognitive remediator in this psychiatric condition. Finally, pharmacological strategies focused on neuronal nAChRs are discussed as possible therapeutic avenues that may ameliorate the cognitive deficits of schizophrenia.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the structural, physical, and antifungal characteristics of starch edible films added with nanocomposites and Mexican oregano (
Schauer) essential oil (EO). ...Starch edible films were formulated with Mexican oregano EO (0%, 1%, or 2%
/
) and bentonite or halloysite (2%). Physical properties such as
* (luminosity), hue, film thickness, and O
and CO
permeability were determined. Structural analysis was carried out via atomic force microscopy (AFM). Antifungal activity against
spp., and
spp. was evaluated. The addition of EO and nanocomposites reduced luminosity, providing color to the edible films. Film thickness increased through the addition of EO concentration. O
and CO
permeability was increased by bentonite/EO films, and for halloysite films, CO
permeability decreased as EO concentration increased. The addition of EO with both nanocomposites shows an evident morphological change in film structure, decreasing pore density and increasing pore size. In general, Mexican oregano EO added to edible starch films has an adequate fungicidal effect. The most sensitive microorganism tested was
Edible films added with Mexican oregano EO and nanocomposites show better physical and antifungal properties due to an adequate structural change in the biopolymer matrix.
Background Chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) represents the final stage of peripheral arterial disease. Approximately one-third of patients with CLTI are not eligible for conventional surgical ...treatments. Furthermore, patients with advanced stage of CLTI are prone to amputation and death. Thus, an effective therapeutic strategy is urgently needed. In this context, autologous bone marrow mononuclear cell (auto-BM-MNC) and allogeneic mesenchymal stem cells represent a promising therapeutic approach for treating CLTI. In this study, we compared the safety and beneficial therapeutic effect of auto-BM-MNC versus allogeneic Wharton jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells (allo-WJ-MSCs) in diabetic patients with CLTI. Methods We performed a randomized, prospective, double-blind and controlled pilot study. Twenty-four diabetic patients in the advanced stage of CLTI (4 or 5 in Rutherford's classification) and a transcutaneous oxygen pressure (TcPO.sub.2) below 30 mmHg were randomized to receive 15 injections of (i) auto-BM-MNC (7.197 x 10.sup.6 + or - 2.984 x 10.sup.6 cells/mL) (n = 7), (ii) allo-WJ-MSCs (1.333 x 10.sup.6 cells/mL) (n = 7) or (iii) placebo solution (1 mL) (n = 10), which were administered into the periadventitial layer of the arterial walls under eco-Doppler guidance. The follow-up visits were at months 1, 3, 6, and 12 to evaluate the following parameters: (i) Rutherford's classification, (ii) TcPO.sub.2, (iii) percentage of wound closure, (iv) pain, (v) pain-free walking distance, (vi) revascularization and limb-survival proportion, and (vii) life quality (EQ-5D questionnaire). Results No adverse events were reported. Patients with CLTI who received auto-BM-MNC and allo-WJ-MSCs presented an improvement in Rutherford's classification, a significant increase in TcPO.sub.2 values, a reduction in the lesion size in a shorter time, a decrease in the pain score and an increase in the pain-free walking distance, in comparison with the placebo group. In addition, the participants treated with auto-BM-MNC and allo-WJ-MSCs kept their limbs during the follow-up period, unlike the placebo group, which had a marked increase in amputation. Conclusions Our results showed that patients with CLTI treated with auto-BM-MNC and allo-WJ-MSCs conserved 100% of their limb during 12 months of the follow-up compared to the placebo group, where 60% of participants underwent limb amputation in different times. Furthermore, we observed a faster improvement in the allo-WJ-MSC group, unlike the auto-BM-MNC group. Trial registration This study was retrospectively registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05631444). Keywords: Peripheral arterial disease, Chronic limb-threatening ischemia, Cell therapy, Autologous bone marrow mononuclear cells and allogenic Wharton jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells
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