Early Diagnosis of Fibromyalgia Using Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy Combined with Chemometrics.

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic muscle pain disorder that shares several clinical features with other related rheumatologic disorders. This study investigates the feasibility of using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) as a fingerprinting approach to diagnose FM and other rheumatic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), osteoarthritis (OA), and chronic low back pain (CLBP). Blood samples were obtained on protein saver cards from FM (n = 83), non-FM (n = 54), and healthy (NC, n = 9) subjects. A semi-permeable membrane filtration method was used to obtain low-molecular-weight fraction (LMF) serum of the blood samples. SERS measurement conditions were standardized to enhance the LMF signal. An OPLS-DA algorithm created using the spectral region 750 to 1720 cm-1 enabled the classification of the spectra into their corresponding FM and non-FM classes (Rcv > 0.99) with 100% accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity. The OPLS-DA regression plot indicated that spectral regions associated with amino acids were responsible for discrimination patterns and can be potentially used as spectral biomarkers to differentiate FM and other rheumatic diseases. This exploratory work suggests that the AuNP SERS method in combination with OPLS-DA analysis has great potential for the label-free diagnosis of FM.

Discovery of a natural cyan blue: A unique food-sourced anthocyanin could replace synthetic brilliant blue.

The color of food is critical to the food and beverage industries, as it influences many properties beyond eye-pleasing visuals including flavor, safety, and nutritional value. Blue is one of the rarest colors in nature's food palette-especially a cyan blue-giving scientists few sources for natural blue food colorants. Finding a natural cyan blue dye equivalent to FD&C Blue No. 1 remains an industry-wide challenge and the subject of several research programs worldwide. Computational simulations and large-array spectroscopic techniques were used to determine the 3D chemical structure, color expression, and stability of this previously uncharacterized cyan blue anthocyanin-based colorant. Synthetic biology and computational protein design tools were leveraged to develop an enzymatic transformation of red cabbage anthocyanins into the desired anthocyanin. More broadly, this research demonstrates the power of a multidisciplinary strategy to solve a long-standing challenge in the food industry.

Invited review: Acid whey trends and health benefits.

In recent years, acid whey production has increased due to a growing demand for Greek yogurt and acid-coagulated cheeses. Acid whey is a dairy by-product for which the industry has long struggled to find a sustainable application. Bulk amounts of acid whey associated with the dairy industry have led to increasing research on ways to valorize it. Industry players are finding ways to use acid whey on-site with ultrafiltration techniques and biodigesters, to reduce transportation costs and provide energy for the facility. Academia has sought to further investigate practical uses and benefits of this by-product. Although modern research has shown many other possible applications for acid whey, no comprehensive review yet exists about its composition, utilization, and health benefits. In this review, the industrial trends, the applications and uses, and the potential health benefits associated with the consumption of acid whey are discussed. The proximal composition of acid whey is discussed in depth. In addition, the potential applications of acid whey, such as its use as a starting material in the production of fermented beverages, as growth medium for cultivation of lactic acid bacteria in replacement of commercial media, and as a substrate for the isolation of lactose and minerals, are reviewed. Finally, the potential health benefits of the major protein constituents of acid whey, bioactive phospholipids, and organic acids such as lactic acid are described. Acid whey has promising applications related to potential health benefits, ranging from antibacterial effects to cognitive development for babies to human gut health.

Color profiles and stability of acylated and nonacylated anthocyanins as novel pigment sources in a lipstick model: A viable alternative to synthetic colorants.

Cosmetics, such as lipstick, can affect an individual's perception of attractiveness and morale. Consumer concern with the safety of synthetic colorants has made the need for alternative natural color sources increasingly urgent. Our goal was to evaluate the feasibility of anthocyanin (ACN) extracts as colorants in lipstick formulations. Lipstick formulations were colored with ACN-rich materials. Accelerated environmental testing typical of the cosmetic industry were used: incubation at 20°, 37°, and 45°C for 12 weeks and temperature abuse cycles between 20°/37°C or -20°/20°C. Color (CIELab) and total monomeric ACN (pH-differential) changes were monitored to determine shelf stability of the product. All formulations exhibited acceptable color for lipsticks. Shelf stability was determined to exceed 2 year based on the accelerated testing conditions. Formulations containing cyanidin as their main ACN were the most stable (elderberry, purple corn, and purple sweet potato). ACNs could be used as suitable alternatives to synthetic colorants in lipid-based topical formulations.

Emergency department triage performance timing. A regional multicenter descriptive study in Italy.

OBJECTIVES: We explored the time employed by nurses to perform the ED triage process in the clinical setting. Moreover, we assessed the influences on triage timing performance exerted by variables related to nurses, local EDs' features, and by interruptions. METHODS: This is a multicenter prospective descriptive-explorative study performed in 11 EDs of the Tuscany region (Italy), using a 5 tier triage system. The sample was made up of 1/3 of nurses working in each ED. Sampling was performed by a stratified proportional randomization (length of service classes: <5 years; 5-10 years; >10 years). Triage nurses were observed during their triage work-shift. RESULTS: In 2014, 120 nurses were observed, during 1114 triage processes. The timings of triage phases were: waiting time to triage, median 2.55 min (IQR 1.28-5.03 min; range 0.1-56.25 min); triage duration, median 2.58 min (IQR 1.36-4.35 min; range 0.07-50 min). 400 interruptions were recorded (35.9%). In 9.9% there were 2 interruptions at least. There were significant differences in the medians of triage duration among the years of nurses' triage experience (P < 0.001). The presence of interruption was significantly associated with the increasing of the time intervals in all the triage phases (P < 0.0001). Finally, we recorded significant differences in all the triage time phases between the EDs. CONCLUSION: We found that the nurses triage time performances are similar to other triage systems in the world.

Parámetros bioquímicos, hematológicos y productividad de conejos alimentados con dietas normo e hipoproteica / Biochemical and hematological parameters and productivity of rabbits fed low and normo-protein diets / Parámetros bioquímicos, hematológicos e produtividade de coelhos alimentados com dietas normoproteica e hipoproteica

El objetivo del presente trabajo fue realizar un modelo experimental con la finalidad de evaluar la bioquímica sanguínea, hematología e índices de productividad de conejos alimentados con dietas normo e hipoproteica. Los conejos (n= 24), con distintos grados de cruzamiento entre raza Californiana y Neocelandesa, destetados, edades (rango) de 30-34 días, pesos corporales (rango) de 730-770 g fueron separados aleatoriamente en dos grupos (NP y HP). El grupo NP fue alimentado con balanceado comercial (17% PB) y el HP con un alimento formulado con cereales y algunos de sus subproductos, de manera que su porcentaje de proteína bruta (PB) fuera de 12,2%. A los animales se los pesó semanalmente, se estimó el consumo semanal de alimento y se reco­lectaron muestras sanguíneas cada 14 días durante 8 semanas. Los índices productivos (crecimiento, rendimiento, conformación, despiece de la canal) fueron diferentes entre los animales de las dieta NP vs. HP (p < 0.05). El contenido de urea en plasma fue el parámetro bioquímico que permitió rela­cionar la alimentación normo e hipoproteica y la producción. En conclusión, los resultados obtenidos mostraron que el nivel de proteínas en la dieta de conejos produce modificaciones en sus índices de productividad.

The objective of this work was to study growth, yield, conformation, carcass cutting and representative biochemical and hematological parameters of protein metabolism in an experimental model in rabbits fed on low-protein and normal protein diets. Rabbits (n= 24), with varying degrees of cross between California and New Zealand breeds, weaned at 30-34 days (range), with 730-770 g body weight (range) were randomly separated into two groups (NP and HP). HPs were fed on a diet of grain and some of their by-products so that their percentage of crude protein (CP) was 12.2%. NPs were fed commercial feed (17% CP). The animals were weighed weekly, weekly food consumption was estimated, and blood samples were collected every 14 days until the end of the trials (8 weeks). Productive parameters (growth, yield, conformation, cutting of the carcass) were significantly different between NP vs HP animals (p < 0.05). Urea content in plasma was the biochemical parameter that made it possible to relate hypoproteic and normal diet and production. The results confirm that the level of protein in rabbit diet causes changes in their productivity.

O objetivo do presente trabalho foi realizar um modelo experimental com a finalidade de avaliar a bio­química sanguínea, hematologia e índices de produtividade de coelhos alimentados com dietas normoproteica e hipoproteica. Os coelhos (n= 24), com diversos graus de cruzamento entre raça Californiana e Neozelandesa, desmamados, idades (faixa) de 30-34 dias, pesos corporais (faixa) de 730-770 g foram separados aleatoriamente em dois grupos (NP e HP). O grupo NP foi alimentado com balanceado comercial (17% PB) e o HP com um alimento formulado com cereais e alguns de seus subprodutos, de maneira que seu percentual de proteína bruta (PB) fosse de 12,2%. Os animais foram pesados semanalmente, estimou-se o consumo semanal de alimento e foram coletadas amostras sanguíneas a cada 14 dias durante 8 semanas. Os índices produtivos (crescimento, rendimento, conformação, separação da carcaça em partes) foram diferentes entre os animais das dietas NP vs. HP (p < 0.05). O conteúdo de ureia em plasma foi o parâmetro bioquímico que permitiu relacionar a alimentação normoproteica e hipoproteica e a produção. Em conclusão, os resultados obtidos mostraram que o nível de proteínas na dieta de coelhos produz modificações em seus índices de produtividade.

Presence of a functional (TTAGG)(n) telomere-telomerase system in aphids.

The structure of the telomeres of four aphid species (Acyrthosiphon pisum, Megoura viciae, Myzus persicae and Rhopalosiphum padi) was evaluated by Southern blotting and fluorescent in situ hybridization, revealing that each chromosomal end consists of a (TTAGG)(n) repeat. The presence of a telomerase coding gene has been verified successively in the A. pisum genome, revealing that aphid telomerase shares sequence identity ranging from 12% to 18% with invertebrate and vertebrate homologues, and possesses the two main domains involved in telomerase activity. Interestingly, telomerase expression has been verified in different somatic tissues suggesting that, in aphids, telomerase activity is not as restricted as in human cells. The study of telomeres in a M. persicae strain with a variable chromosome number showed that aphid telomerase can initiate the de novo synthesis of telomere sequences at internal breakpoints, resulting in the stabilization of chromosomal fragments.

[See & treat emergency department: the shift from doctors to nurses with advanced skills. A literature review]. / See & treat in pronto soccorso: dal medico all'infermiere con competenze avanzate. Una revisione della letteratura.

AIM: Overcrowding and long waiting times are among the chronic problems of emergency Departments. The effectiveness and safety of See and Treat approach were assessed searching the available literature. METHOD: The following key words were searched in Medline: See and Treat, Minor Injuries Unit, Fast Track, Emergency Department, and Emergency Nurse Practitioner selecting articles in English and Italian. RESULTS: The 21 articles selected include 15 original studies, 2 systematic reviews and 3 letters. The large majority of the studies support the implementation of an advanced nurse practitioner (ANP) to screen patients and reduce waiting times for patients with minor codes. Although the results of the studies come to the same conclusion, the methodological quality is weak and the costs of the implementation of an ANP need to be further explored. DISCUSSION: To implement a minor injury service the role and competences of ANPs need to be discussed, together with role boundaries with medical doctors. Patients should be able to choose if they prefer to be visited by a doctor. Guidelines and protocols should be implemented and strictly followed.

Anthocyanin-rich grape extract blocks breast cell DNA damage.

Anthocyanins, belonging to the flavonoid family of phytochemicals, have received attention as agents that may have potential in preventing chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases and certain cancers. In the present study, an anthocyanin-rich extract from Concord grapes [referred to as Concord grape extract (CGE)] and the anthocyanin delphinidin were evaluated for their capacity to inhibit DNA adduct formation due to the environmental carcinogen benzo[a]pyrene (BP) in MCF-10F cells, a noncancerous, immortalized human breast epithelial cell line. CGE at 10 and 20 microg/mL and delphinidin at 0.6 microM concentrations significantly inhibited BP-DNA adduct formation. This was associated with a significant increase in activities of the phase II detoxification enzymes glutathione S-transferase and NAD(P)H:quinone reductase 1. In addition, these grape components also suppressed reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation, but did not induce antioxidant response element-dependent transcription. Taken together, these data suggest that CGE and a component grape anthocyanin have breast cancer chemopreventive potential due in part to their capacity to block carcinogen-DNA adduct formation, modulate activities of carcinogen-metabolizing enzymes, and suppress ROS in these noncancerous human breast cells.

Inhibition of rat mammary tumorigenesis by concord grape juice constituents.

The effects of Concord grape juice constituents on the promotion of chemically induced rat mammary tumor development and on the proliferation of a rat mammary adenocarcinoma cell line were studied. Isocaloric grape juice formulations provided in the drinking fluid of rats at concentrations of 489 and 651 mg of phenolics/dL of fluid significantly inhibited mammary adenocarcinoma multiplicity compared to controls. Final tumor mass also was significantly decreased for animals provided these two grape juice concentrations compared to controls. In addition, DNA synthesis of the rat mammary adenocarcinoma RBA cell line was significantly inhibited in a dose-dependent manner for cells treated with a grape extract, with an IC50 dose of approximately 14 micrograms of phenolics/mL. This inhibition of DNA synthesis was not accompanied by changes in 8-oxodeoxyguanosine formation or by substantial cell cycle arrest. These studies thus indicate that Concord grape juice constituents can inhibit the promotion stage of 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA)-induced rat mammary tumorigenesis, in part by suppressing cell proliferation.