Abscisic acid crosstalk with auxin and ethylene in biosynthesis and degradation of inulin-type fructans in chicory.

The effect of different hormones on fructan accumulation and the genes regulating biosynthesis and degradation is known; however, information on hormonal interaction mechanisms for fructan content and mean degree of polymerization (mDP) is limited. Cell suspension cultures of chicory were prepared and treated with abscisic acid (ABA), auxin (AUX), ethylene (ETH), ABA + AUX or ABA + ETH, then inulin concentration, mDP of inulin and expression of FAZY genes was determined. A low concentration of AUX and ETH increased fructan content, while a high concentration of AUX and ETH decreased it. Exogenous ABA increased mDP of inulin and this coincided with the low expression of 1-FEHII. In hormone interactions, ABA changed and adjusted the effect of both AUX and ETH. ABA, together with a low level of AUX and ETH, resulted in a decrease in inulin content and increase in mDP, which coincided with low expression of FEHII. ABA together with a high level of AUX and ETH caused an increase in inulin content with a lower mDP, which coincided with high expression of biosynthesis (1-FFT) and degradation (1-FEHII) genes. The effect of both AUX and ETH was almost the same, although the effect of ETH was more severe. ABA had a modulating role in combinations with AUX and ETH. Among biosynthesis and degradation genes, the expression of 1-FEHII was more affected by these hormones.

Antioxidant effects of supercritical fluid garlic extracts in canned artichokes.

The effects of adding supercritical carbon dioxide extracts of garlic (at two different concentrations of allicin) on select chemical indices in extra-virgin olive oil used to canned artichokes were studied. Tests were performed after processing and over a storage period of 1 year. A sensorial test was also conducted on the canned artichokes to establish the impact on flavor (in particular perceptions of rancidity and garlic flavor). Acidity, peroxide levels and p-anisidine values were measured as quality analytical parameters. Radical scavenging activity was also evaluated using the DPPH assay. The samples containing supercritical garlic extracts were compared with several other formulations, including control sample (prepared by mixing artichokes with powdered chili pepper and fresh garlic), artichokes with only garlic or only chili pepper, and artichokes treated with the synthetic antioxidant BHT. The results suggested that the allicin extract may be superior, or at least comparable, with BHT in preserving canned artichokes as demonstrated by its positive effects on oxidative stability and sensory profile.

The effect of dietary alfalfa and flax sprouts on rabbit meat antioxidant content, lipid oxidation and fatty acid composition.

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of dietary supplementation with flax and alfalfa sprouts on fatty acid, tocopherol and phytochemical contents of rabbit meat. Ninety weaned New Zealand White rabbits were assigned to three dietary groups: standard diet (S); standard diet+20g/d of alfalfa sprouts (A); and standard diet+20g/d of flax sprouts (F). In the F rabbits the Longissimus dorsi muscle showed a higher thio-barbituric acid-reactive value and at the same time significantly higher values of alpha-linolenic acid, total polyunsaturated and n-3 fatty acids. Additionally n-3/n-6 ratio and thrombogenic indices were improved. The meat of A rabbits showed intermediate values of the previously reported examined parameters. Dietary supplementation with sprouts produced meat with a higher total phytoestrogen content. The addition of fresh alfalfa and flax sprouts to commercial feed modified the fat content, fatty acid and phytochemical profile of the meat, but the flax ones worsened the oxidative status of meat.

Manifestaciones reumatológicas y sistémicas en pacientes con enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal / Rheumatological and systemic manistestations in patients with inflammatory bowel disease

Introducción: La Enfermedad Inflamatoria Intestinal (EII) comprende la Enfermedad de Crohn (EC) y la Colitis Ulcerosa (CU). La frecuencia del compromiso sistémico en la EII es entre 20 y 40%, y las manifestaciones más frecuentes son las dermatológicas, oculares, articulares y hepatobiliares. Ante la falta de datos sobre la frecuencia y características de dichas manifestaciones en nuestra población, decidimos evaluar la prevalencia de las manifestaciones clínicas extraintestinales en pacientes argentinos con diagnóstico de EII, evaluar sus características, determinar su asociación con la CU y/o EC y examinar el compromiso axial radiológico de estos pacientes. Materiales y métodos: Se estudiaron 95 pacientes consecutivos con diagnóstico establecido de EII. Se completó un cuestionario registrando datos demográficos y clínicos de la EII. Dos médicos realizaron un examen físico completo reumatológico. Se realizaron radiografías de columna lumbar y cervical, pelvis panorámica y sacroilíacas por técnica de Fergusson puntuadas según criterios de New York. Las radiografías fueron leídas por un investigador independiente que desconocía los datos clínicos de los pacientes. Resultados: Se incluyeron 95 pacientes, 39,9% eran de sexo masculino. La edad mediana fue de 37 años y la mediana de tiempo de evolución de la EII fue de 6 años. En relación al diagnóstico, 75,8% tenían CU y 22,11% EC; un paciente presentaba ambos diagnósticos (CU y EC) y otro tenía enfermedad intestinal indiferenciada. Las manifestaciones no reumatológicas más frecuentes fueron: úlceras orales 38,9%, uveítis 10,5%, cervicitis/uretritis 8,4%, eritema nodoso 6,3%, psoriasis 2,1% y pioderma gangrenoso 1,1%. En cuanto a las manifestaciones reumatológicas: lumbalgia inflamatoria 44,2%, artritis periférica 27,4%, talalgia 24,2%, dactilitis 13,7% y entesitis 11,6%...

ntroduction:Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) includes Crohn’sDisease (CD) and Ulcerative Colitis (UC). The frequency of systemicinvolvement in IBD is between 20 and 40%, and most common mani-festations are dermatologic, ocular, articular and hepatobiliary. In theabsence of data on the frequency and characteristics of such eventsin our population, we decided to evaluate the prevalence of extrain-testinal manifestations in argentinian patients diagnosed with IBD,evaluate their characteristics, determine its association with UC and/or CD and examine the radiographic engagement of these patients.Materials and Methods:95 consecutive patients with an estab-lished diagnosis of IBD were included. A questionnaire was com-pleted collecting demographic and clinical data of IBD patients. Twophysicians performed a complete rheumatological examination. Ra-diographs were read by an independent investigator blinded to theclinical data of patients.Results:95 patients were included, 39.9% were male. The medianage was 37 years and median duration of IBD was 6 years. 75.8%had UC and 22.11% CD, one patient had both diagnoses (UC and CD)and one had undifferentiated intestinal disease. The most frequentnon-rheumatological manifestations were 38.9% oral ulcers, uveitis10.5%, cervicitis/urethritis 8.4%, erythema nodosum 6.3%, psoria-sis 2.1% and pyoderma gangrenosum 1.1%. As for rheumatologicalmanifestations: inflammatory back pain 44.2%, peripheral arthritis27.4%, heel pain 24.2%, dactylitis 13.7% and enthesitis 11.6%. Nosignificant differences in the frequency of these manifestations be-tween different types of IBD were observed. Sacroiliitis with greaterthan or equal to 2 graduation was detected in 23.8% of patients, andthis was significantly more frequent in patients with CD...