The aim of the present study was to develop and characterize edible films produced from whey protein concentrate (WPC) and plasticized with different contents of glycerol (Gly) and/or trehalose (Tre) ...in order to evaluate new edible film formulations for their potential use in food packaging applications. Additionally, potential changes in the film mechanical properties during storage at ambient and freezing conditions were considered. Moisture content, solubility, thickness, transparency, microstructure, colour parameters, and mechanical properties were assessed. The films incorporated with Tre were more insoluble in water than WPC/Gly films, being more suitable for food applications. WPC/Gly and WPC/Tre films were clear enough to be used as see-through packaging. However, when Tre was included into WPC/Gly film formulations, film opacity increased. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images suggested that this phenomenon may be related to the growth of Tre crystals in the film matrix. Moreover, when Tre concentration increased in the WPC/Gly matrix, film surface was more heterogeneous. Interestingly, the presence of Tre in WPC-based films was effective in preventing Maillard reaction after heating. WPC/Tre films were the most rigid but the least stable for storage, resulting more susceptible to rupture and cracking. Only WPC/Gly and WPC/Gly-Tre 8% films were rather flexible, manageable, and stable up to 90 days of storage under ambient and freezing conditions. These findings can be used to better design applications of edible films containing plasticizers that may crystallize over time in order to optimize film formulation in a rational manner towards their eventual application as food packaging.
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•Tre was effectively used as a plasticizer to develop WPC-based edible films.•WPC/Tre films were transparent and highly rigid.•Tre added into WPC/Gly film negatively affected optical and mechanical properties.•Storage at ambient or freezing conditions of WPC-based films was evaluated.•Tre proved to be effective in preventing the Maillard reaction in WPC-based films.
Abstract
We summarize the second radio synchrotron background workshop, which took place on 2022 June 15–17 in Barolo, Italy. This meeting was convened because available measurements of the diffuse ...radio zero level continue to suggest that it is several times higher than can be attributed to known Galactic and extragalactic sources and processes, rendering it the least well-understood electromagnetic background at present and a major outstanding question in astrophysics. The workshop agreed on the next priorities for investigations of this phenomenon, which include searching for evidence of the radio Sunyaev–Zel’dovich effect, carrying out cross-correlation analyses of radio emission with other tracers, and supporting the completion of the 310 MHz absolutely calibrated sky map project.
In this work, chitosan films were prepared by a casting/solvent evaporation methodology using pectin or hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose to form polymeric matrices. Miconazole nitrate, as a model drug, ...was loaded into such formulations. These polymeric films were characterized in terms of mechanical properties, adhesiveness, and swelling as well as drug release. Besides, the morphology of raw materials and films was investigated by scanning electron microscopy; interactions between polymers were analyzed by infrared spectroscopy and drug crystallinity studied by differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffraction. In addition, antifungal activity against cultures of the five most important fungal opportunistic pathogens belonging to
Candida
genus was investigated. Chitosan:hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose films were found to be the most appropriate formulations in terms of folding endurance, mechanical properties, and adhesiveness. Also, an improvement in the dissolution rate of miconazole nitrate from the films up to 90% compared to the non-loaded drug was observed. The
in vitro
antifungal activity showed a significant activity of the model drug when it is loaded into chitosan films. These findings suggest that chitosan-based films are a promising approach to deliver miconazole nitrate for the treatment of candidiasis.
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is the most prevalent infectious agent causing neurological dysfunction in the developing brain. This study analysed the different patterns of tissue damage, particularly in the ...brain, of fetuses with documented CMV infection. We studied 45 fetuses at 20-21 weeks of gestation with congenital CMV infection documented by invasive positive prenatal diagnosis. At the time of amniocentesis, abnormal ultrasound findings had been recorded for 13 of the 45 fetuses (29%). Histological and immunohistochemical characterization was performed on the placenta, brain, heart, lung, liver, kidney, and pancreas. The different degrees of brain damage were correlated with tissue viral load, inflammatory response, placental functionality, and extramedullary haematopoiesis. Even though a high CMV load was detected in all amniotic fluids, brain infection occurred in only 62% of the fetuses and with different degrees of severity. Tissues with a low viral load showed a globally weak inflammatory response, and fetuses had only mild brain damage, whereas tissues with a high CMV load showed prominent infiltration of the activated cytotoxic CD8+ T-lymphocytes responsible for immune-mediated damage. Furthermore, severe placental infection was associated with diffuse villitis and necrosis, consistent with functional impairment and possible consequent hypoxic cerebral damage. Brain injury induced by CMV congenital infection may be the result of uncontrolled viral replication, immune-mediated damage by cytotoxic CD8+ T-lymphocytes, and, in the presence of placental insufficiency, fetal hypoxia.
A fast and very selective flow-through phosphorescence optosensor was designed and characterized for the determination of the fungicide thiabendazole in water samples. For the first time, ...thiabendazole was determined using a flow-through optosensor based on the phosphorescence signals obtained when it is retained in a solid support. While thiabendazole does not phosphoresce in packing materials commonly used to fill the flow-cell, significant emission signals are observed when it is retained on nylon powder in the presence of iodide and sulfite. The experimental set-up was based on a flow-injection manifold coupled to an on-line phosphorescence detector containing nylon powder packed in a conventional flow-cell. Potassium iodide and sodium sulfite were added to sample aliquots to improve the thiabendazole phosphorescence and injected in the flow manifold using water as carrier. After the phosphorescence emission was registered, the analyte was eluted from the packed nylon with a 65% (v/v) methanol–water mixture. Optimal instrumentation, experimental and flow conditions were evaluated. Using a sample volume of 2000
μL, the analytical signal showed a very good linearity in the range 12.9–110
ng
mL
−1, with a detection limit of 4.5
ng
mL
−1, and a sample throughput of about 14 samples per hour. The effects of the presence of concomitant species in the thiabendazole phosphorescence signal were studied, and a comparison with the fluorescence nylon-powder optosensor was carried out and discussed. Finally, the applicability of the proposed optosensor was tested in water samples, and satisfactory recoveries ranging between 97% and 105% were obtained.
A measles outbreak occurred from November 2015 to April 2016 in two northern Italian regions, affecting the Roma/Sinti ethnic population and nosocomial setting. Overall, 67 cases were reported. ...Median age of 43 cases in three Roma/Sinti camps was four years, nosocomial cases were mainly adults. The outbreak was caused by a new measles virus B3.1 variant. Immunisation resources and strategies should be directed at groups with gaps in vaccine coverage, e.g. Roma/Sinti and healthcare workers.
This paper presents the development of a new flow-injection system combined with solid-surface fluorescence detection for the determination of the widely used fungicide thiabendazole. Nylon powder ...was probed as a novel solid support for building the optosensor. The method is based on the on-line immobilization of thiabendazole onto nylon in a continuous flow system, followed by the measurement of its native fluorescence. Aqueous samples are directly injected in a water carrier, resulting in a very simple and economical method. The analytical figures of merit obtained using 1500
μL of sample and 75% methanol (v/v) as eluting solution were: linear calibration range from 8 to 120
ng
mL
−1 (the lowest value corresponds to the quantitation limit), relative standard deviation, 0.9% (
n
=
5) at a level of 64
ng
mL
−1, limit of detection calculated according to 1995 IUPAC recommendations is to 2.8
ng
mL
−1, and sampling rate of 14
samples
h
−1. The potential interference from other agrochemicals, metal ions and common anions, and the viability of determining thiabendazole in real water samples were also evaluated.
Background
In 28 pediatric allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (allo‐HSCT) recipients, we aimed to evaluate: (i) the impact of routine Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) DNA monitoring on the ...development of EBV‐related post‐transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (EBV‐PTLD); (ii) the incidence of EBV infection and the potential risk factors; and (iii) the suitability of whole blood (WB) as clinical specimen to monitor the risk of patients to develop EBV‐PTLD.
Methods
Quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction assay was performed on WB samples for all patients. EBV DNA quantification also in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) samples was adopted for the patients at higher risk of developing EBV‐PTLD (≥10,000 copies/mL WB).
Results
High EBV DNAemia levels were observed in 37.5% of the actively infected recipients (57.1%). Severe aplastic anemia, matched‐unrelated donor transplant, the reduced‐intensity conditioning regimen and, to a lesser extent, the in vivo T‐cell depletion with anti‐thymocyte immunoglobulin were associated with high viral load. A significant correlation between EBV DNA levels in WB and PBMC samples was obtained (r = 0.755, P < 0.001). A similar kinetics of EBV DNA in the 2 blood compartments was observed. Clinically, both specimen types appeared to be equally informative to assess the risk of patients to develop PTLD. On the basis of EBV DNAemia levels, in 3 patients (10.7%) immunosuppressive therapy was reduced and 1 patient (3.5%) received early treatment for probable EBV disease. No patients developed EBV‐PTLD.
Conclusion
WB proved to be a suitable clinical specimen to monitor EBV DNA load after allo‐HSCT for the management of EBV infection and PTLD prevention.
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