Commercial Mannoproteins Improve the Mouthfeel and Colour of Wines Obtained by Excessive Tannin Extraction.

In the production of red wines, the pressing of marcs and extended maceration techniques can increase the extraction of phenolic compounds, often imparting high bitterness and astringency to finished wines. Among various oenological products, mannoproteins have been shown to improve the mouthfeel of red wines. In this work, extended maceration (E), marc-pressed (P), and free-run (F) Sangiovese wines were aged for six months in contact with three different commercial mannoprotein-rich yeast extracts (MP, MS, and MF) at a concentration of 20 g/hL. Phenolic compounds were measured in treated and control wines, and sensory characteristics related to the astringency, aroma, and colour of the wines were studied. A multivariate analysis revealed that mannoproteins had a different effect depending on the anthocyanin/tannin (A/T) ratio of the wine. When tannins are strongly present (extended maceration wines with A/T = 0.2), the MP conferred mouthcoating and soft and velvety sensations, as well as colour stability to the wine. At A/T = 0.3, as in marc-pressed wines, both MF and MP improved the mouthfeel and colour of Sangiovese. However, in free-run wine, where the A/T ratio is 0.5, the formation of polymeric pigments was allowed by all treatments and correlated with silk, velvet, and mouthcoat subqualities. A decrease in bitterness was also obtained. Commercial mannoproteins may represent a way to improve the mouthfeel and colour of very tannic wines.

Effect of Different Enological Tannins on Oxygen Consumption, Phenolic Compounds, Color and Astringency Evolution of Aglianico Wine.

BACKGROUND: In the wine industry, in addition to condensed tannins of grape origin, other commercial tannins are commonly used. However, the influence of oxygen uptake related to different tannin additions during the post fermentative phase in wine has not been completely investigated. In this study, we evaluated the influence of four different commercial tannins (namely, condensed tannins, gallotannins, ellagitannins and tea tannins) during four saturation cycles. METHOD: Wine samples were added with four different tannin classes (30 g/hL) as to have 5 different experimental samples: control, gallotannins (GT), condensed tannins (CT), ellagitannins (ET), and tea tannins (TT). The chemical composition of the four commercially available tannin mixtures was defined by means of NMR and high-resolution mass spectrometry. After the addition of tannins, each wine sample was oxidized by air over four cycles of saturation. During the experiment oxygen consumption rate (OCR), sulfur dioxide consumption, acetaldehyde production, phenolic compounds, chromatic characteristics, astringency measured by the reactivity towards saliva proteins and astringency subqualities were evaluated. RESULTS: The experiment lasted 52 days. The addition of tannins influenced the oxygen consumption on the 1st day of the saturation cycles and, in the case of TT, a higher total consumption of oxygen was also detected. Acetaldehyde increased during the experiment while the native anthocyanins decreased throughout the oxidation process. CONCLUSION: Wines added with tannins featured improved color intensities with respect to the control; the addition of TT, GT and ET slightly promoted the formation of short polymeric pigments; the astringency, determined before and at the end of the experiment, decreased in all the samples, including the control wine, and mostly in the ET and GT samples.

New insights into the formation of precipitates of quercetin in Sangiovese wines.

Wines produced from Sangiovese (sg) grapes, the most cultivated red grape variety in Italy and widely grown across the world, is often subjected to loss of clarity due to the formation of a deposit constituted by fine needle-shaped crystals. In this work, a qualitative study by 1H-NMR and 13C-NMR analysis of the deposit obtained by filtering cloudy sg wines showed that it was constituted by crystals of quercetin (Q). The analysis of hydro-alcoholic solutions (12% ethanol and pH 3.2.) and red wines added with increasing amounts of Q showed that, above 3 mgL-1 of Q, a deposit can be detected and, the time necessary for its formation depends on the medium. The comparison among sg and other 11 monovarietal wines showed that sg was the richest in Q and quercetin glycosides (GQ). Both Q and GQ decreased in the analyzed solutions over time and the decrease was faster for Q than for GQ. The controlled exposure to oxygen determined a decrease of Q higher than the 50% of the initial values. Data obtained in this study suggested that practices as micro-oxygenation and wood aging could help to decrease the amount of Q in sg wines.

Effect of yeast strain and some nutritional factors on tannin composition and potential astringency of model wines.

Nine Saccharomyces cerevisiae cultures, isolated from different sources, were tested for their ability to reduce tannins reactive towards salivary proteins, and potentially responsible for wine astringency. Strains were preliminary genetically characterized and evaluated for physiological features of technological interest. Laboratory-scale fermentations were performed in three synthetic media: CT) containing enological grape tannin; CTP) CT supplemented with organic nitrogen sources; CTPV) CTP supplemented with vitamins. Adsorption of total tannins, tannins reactive towards salivary proteins, yellow pigments, phenolics having antioxidant activity, and total phenols, characterizing the enological tannin, was determined by spectrophotometric methods after fermentation. The presence of vitamins and peptones in musts greatly influenced the adsorption of tannins reactive towards salivary proteins (4.24 g/L gallic acid equivalent), thus promoting the reduction of the potential astringency of model wines. With reference to the different phenolic classes, yeast strains showed different adsorption abilities. From a technological point of view, the yeast choice proved to be crucial in determining changes in gustative and mouthfeel profile of red wines and may assist winemakers to modulate colour and astringency of wine.

Chip electrophoresis as a novel approach to measure the polyphenols reactivity toward human saliva.

Saliva is a biological fluid with a multifunctional role that makes it interesting in terms of research and diagnostic possibilities. In food research, human saliva represented a useful tool by which we measure the tactile sensation elicited by polyphenol-rich beverages called astringency. A method based on SDS-PAGE analysis of saliva before and after the binding reaction with wine polyphenols has been successfully used in previous studies for measuring wine astringency by means of the saliva precipitation index. In this work, chip electrophoresis was used alternatively to SDS-PAGE and results were compared. Chip electrophoresis provides a very good reproducibility for wine and grape astringency. Moreover, this approach is much faster than the conventional SDS-PAGE method requiring several hours for an analysis. Another advantage over traditional gel is lower sample and reagent volume requirements, as well as the lower and less toxic wastes, contributing benefits to health and environment. The application of this novel method allowed, using the principal component analysis, to distinguish grapes and wines according to the saliva precipitation index and structural characteristics determined by the phoroglucinolysis analysis.

Exploring cheese and red wine pairing by an in vitro simulation of tasting.

The cheese wine pairing is a beloved combination subject to a certain subjectivity due to sensorial, psychological, chemical, and cultural factors. This work represents a first attempt to explore the in vitro interactions between cheese, wine, and saliva to objectively measure the pairing. Two experimental red wines obtained from the same grape cultivar and four different cheeses were studied for their composition. Binding reactions between wine and cheese were carried out in three simulated tasting trials and, after precipitation, the wine phenolic content, Saliva Precipitation Index (SPI), and total proteins were evaluated. The optimal pairing (OP) was calculated considering the decrease in salivary and cheese proteins by wine, defined as the cleansing effect; the decrease in astringency due to the cheese, measured by the SPI, and the coating fat which would remain in mouth after eating a piece of cheese. Based on obtained results, the semi-hard cheese was identified as the best pairing option for the two experimental red wines. The differences in the phenolic content between the two wines were instead not enough to show a significant influence on the OP. The in vitro cheese wine pairing can contribute to understanding of wine tasting but it is only a part of the puzzle. However, this first contribution paves the way for additional studies on the molecular and chemical interactions involved in aroma and textural perception in simulated trials.

A look upon the adsorption of different astringent agents to oral models: Understanding the contribution of alternative mechanisms in astringency.

Salivary proteins precipitation by interaction with polyphenols is the major mechanism for astringency. However, alternative mechanisms seem involved in the perception of different subqualities of astringency. In this study, adsorption of four astringent agents to in vitro oral models and their sensory properties were assessed. Overall, green tea infusion and tannic acid have shown a higher adsorption potential for models with oral cells and absence of saliva. Alum and grape seed extract presented higher adsorption in models with presence of oral cells and saliva. Multiple factor analysis suggested that adsorption may represent important mechanisms to elicit the astringency of alum. Models including saliva, were closely associated with overall astringency and aggressive subquality. Models with cells and absent saliva were closely associated with greenness, suggesting a taste receptor mechanism involvement in the perception. For the first time a correlation between an oral-cell based assay and astringency sensory perception was shown.

Space For Children: improving mastery and reducing negative emotions about COVID-19 in youth via mobile interactive storytelling.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has been a complex event for children and adolescents, significantly impacting their daily activities. In this scenario, our study aims at verifying if "Space for Children," an ad-hoc developed game based on interactive storytelling about the pandemic, can increase mastery and reduces negative emotions about COVID-19. METHODS: The app Space for Children has been sponsored and spread online by email and social media platforms for a limited time period (from May 2021 to January 2022). Before and after the interactive storytelling, participants answered two questionnaires containing a couple of critical questions regarding their emotional state and their perceived mastery about COVID-19. RESULTS: Two hundred thirty-six participants (M=116; F=120) between 7 and 12 years old completed the Space for Children interactive experience. Our results show a significant effect of the game experience on emotional state and perceived mastery regarding COVID-19. Indeed, before the interactive storytelling unpleasant emotional states prevail (reported by 77% of participants) while after the game a clear prevalence of pleasant emotions emerges (reported by 68% of participants). Regarding perceived mastery, results show that self-reported very expert participants passed from 49% to 88%. All the results hold irrespective of age group and sex. CONCLUSIONS: This study presents preliminary findings that highlight the potential benefits of utilizing new technologies based on Interactive Storytelling for Children to effectively convey age-appropriate information about complex real-life events, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, while also mitigating associated negative emotional responses.

Multivariate prediction of Saliva Precipitation Index for relating selected chemical parameters of red wines to the sensory perception of astringency.

Astringency is an essential sensory attribute of red wine closely related to the saliva precipitation upon contact with the wine. In this study a data matrix of 52 physico-chemical parameters was used to predict the Saliva Precipitation Index (SPI) in 110 Italian mono-varietal red wines using partial least squares regression (PLSr) with variable selection by Variable Importance for Projection (VIP) and the significance of regression coefficients. The final PLSr model, evaluated using a test data set, had 3 components and yielded an R2test of 0.630 and an RMSEtest of 0.994, with 19 independent variables whose regression coefficients were all significant at p < 0.05. Variables selected in the final model according to the decreasing magnitude of their absolute regression coefficient include the following: Procyanidin B1, Epicatechin terminal unit, Total aldehydes, Protein content, Vanillin assay, 520 nm, Polysaccharide content, Epigallocatechin PHL, Tartaric acid, Volatile acidity, Titratable acidity, Catechin terminal unit, Proanthocyanidin assay, pH, Tannin-Fe/Anthocyanin, Buffer capacity, Epigallocatechin PHL gallate, Catechin + epicatechin PHL, and Tannin-Fe. These results can be used to better understand the physico-chemical relationship underlying astringency in red wine.

Long-term clinical and MRI follow-up in two POMT2-related limb girdle muscular dystrophy (LGMDR14) patients.

INTRODUCTION: POMT2-related limb girdle muscular dystrophy (LGMDR14) is a rare muscular dystrophy caused by mutations in the POMT2 gene. Thus far only 26 LGMDR14 subjects have been reported and no longitudinal natural history data are available. CASE REPORT: We describe two LGMDR14 patients followed for 20 years since infancy. Both patients presented a childhood-onset, slowly progressive pelvic girdle muscular weakness leading to loss of ambulation in the second decade in one patient, and cognitive impairment without detectable brain structural abnormalities. Glutei, paraspinal, and adductor muscles were the primarily involved muscles at MRI. DISCUSSION: This report provides natural history data on LGMDR14 subjects, with a focus on longitudinal muscle MRI. We also reviewed the LGMDR14 literature data, providing information on the LGMDR14 disease progression. Considering the high prevalence of cognitive impairment in LGMDR14 patients, a reliable application of functional outcome measures can be challenging, therefore a muscle MRI follow-up to assess disease evolution is recommended.

The pandemic seen through the eyes of the youngest people: evaluating psychological impact of the early COVID-19 related confinement on children and adolescents through the analysis of drawings and of an e-survey on their parents.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 is having a significant impact on long term children' and adolescents' psychological health. We aimed to evaluate the direct early psychological and behavioural signs related to the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak and related confinement on children and adolescents. METHODS: Children and adolescents' drawings were collected for a limited time window (16th March-10th April 2020) and analyzed. Their parents were asked in the following month to answer a qualitative e-survey on somatic complaints and behavioral changes of the participating children/adolescents. RESULTS: Ninety-eight drawings by children/adolescents (mean age 7.01±2.83 years) were analysed. Analyses of the 98 drawings reported signs of trauma in all (of them, 60.2% with moderate-to high levels). Children aged 3-5 years were more impacted, followed by preadolescents/adolescents aged 11-17 years. Parents reported somatic complaints in the 71.1% of their children/adolescents: the most frequent were increased appetite (35.6%), abdominal pain (20.0%) and headache (20.0%). Behavioral changes were observed in 77.8% of subjects: increased appetite (35.6%), abdominal pain (20.0%) and headache (20.0%) were more represented. CONCLUSIONS: Early psychological distress related to COVID-19 pandemic was observed both in children and in adolescents by the analysis of drawings and confirmed by their parents. Implementation of mental health-care services for preventing future psychopathological problems is mandatory.

Cutting edge: TGF-beta1 and IL-15 Induce FOXP3+ gammadelta regulatory T cells in the presence of antigen stimulation.

Several subsets of alphabeta regulatory T cells (Tregs) have been described and studied intensively, but the potential regulatory role of gammadelta T cells remains largely unclear. Lymphocytes expressing gammadelta TCR are involved in both innate and adaptive immune responses, and their major adult human peripheral blood subset (Vgamma9Vdelta2) displays a broad reactivity against microbial agents and tumors. In this study we report that gammadelta T lymphocytes with regulatory functions (Vdelta2 Tregs) are induced in vitro in the presence of specific Ag stimulation and cytokines (TGF-beta1 and IL-15). These cells express FOXP3 and, similarly as alphabeta Tregs, suppress the proliferation of anti-CD3/anti-CD28 stimulated-PBMC. Phenotypic and functional analyses of Vdelta2 Tregs will very likely improve our understanding about the role of gammadelta T cells in the pathogenesis of autoimmune, infectious, and neoplastic diseases.

Differences in Astringency Subqualities Evaluated by Consumers and Trained Assessors on Sangiovese Wine Using Check-All-That-Apply (CATA).

The astringency of red wine represents an important factor of quality and liking evaluation by consumers, but it is sometimes associated to a negative feature. We studied the differences in astringency subqualities of Sangiovese wines between consumers and trained assessors. Wines belonging to three denominations (Chianti Classico, Toscana, Morellino di Scansano) and a Chianti Classico specification (Chianti Riserva), from three price ranges (low, medium, high) were evaluated. Regular wine consumers and trained panel assessed the wines applying the Check-All-That-Apply (CATA) questionnaire relative to six astringency attributes (silk, velvet, dry, aggressive, hard, mouthcoat). Differences between panels were more associated with the high-price wines, which were characterised by negative subqualities for consumers. Preference maps revealed that mouthcoat was the term mainly associated with consumers' liking, while other subqualities as persistent, rich, and full-body, provided by the trained assessors, may represent the drivers of liking for Sangiovese wine. This study has demonstrated that a trained sensory panel provides highly valuable information regarding the mouthfeel characteristics of Sangiovese wines and the attributes driving consumer liking.

Impact of the COVID-19 Outbreak on the Behavior of Families in Italy: A Focus on Children and Adolescents.

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed individuals' lifestyles to a great extent, particularly in Italy. Although many concerns about it have been highlighted, its impact on children and adolescents has scarcely been examined. The purpose of this study was to explore behavioral consequences and coping strategies related to the pandemic among families in Italy, by focusing on developmental ages from the caregivers' perspective, 3 weeks into quarantine. An exploratory cross-sectional online survey was conducted over 14 days. Google Forms was employed to conduct the survey. Demographic variables and pre-existing Psychological Weaknesses (PsW) were asked. Adults' sleep difficulties (SleepScore) and coping strategies during quarantine were assessed. Behavioral changes related to quarantine of both subjects completing the form (COVIDStress) and their children (when present) were questioned. Of the 6,871 respondents, we selected 6,800 valid questionnaires; 3,245 declared children aged under 18 years of age (caregivers). PsWs were recognizable in 64.9% among non-caregivers and in 61.5% of caregivers, with a mean PsW score of 1.42 ± 1.26 and 1.30 ± 1.25 over 3 points, respectively. The 95.5% of the non-caregivers and the 96.5% of caregivers presented behavioral changes with a mean COVIDStress of 3.85 ± 1.82 and 4.09 ± 1.79 over 8, respectively (p<0.001). Sleep difficulties were present in the 61.6% of the non-caregivers and in the 64.4% of the caregivers (p < 0.001), who showed higher SleepScores (2.41 ± 1.26 against 2.57 ± 1.38 points over 6, p < 0.001). COVIDStress (and SleepScore) strongly correlated with PsW (p < 0.001). Caregivers observed behavioral changes in their children in the 64.3% of the <6 years old and in 72.5% of 6-18 years old. Caregivers' discomfort related to quarantine (COVIDStress, SleepScore) was strongly associated to behavioral changes in both age groups of <6 and 6-18 (p < 0.001). Presence of caregivers' coping strategies was less associated to behavioral changes in the <6 sample (p = 0.001) but not in the 6-18 (p = 0.06). The COVID-19 pandemic has adversely impacted families in Italy with regard to behavioral changes, especially in high-risk categories with PsWs and caregivers, especially the ones with children aged <6 years. While coping strategies functioned as protective factors, a wide array of stress symptoms had implications for children's and adolescents' behaviors. It is recommended that public children welfare strategies be implemented, especially for higher-psychosocial-risk categories.

Gestar, parir e não se tornar mãe: recusas, impossibilidades e violações no contexto da Covid-19 / To gestate, give birth and not become a mother: refusals, impossibilities and violations in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic / Gestar, parir y no convertirse en madre: rechazos, imposibilidades y violaciones en el contexto de la Covid-19

Com o intuito de chegar aos motivos que levam pessoas à entrega voluntária, escolhemos a comarca do Rio de Janeiro, RJ - Brasil - como lócus privilegiado. O caminho metodológico utilizado para a presente pesquisa foi a análise documental sobre ações de destituição de poder familiar e extinção de poder familiar que tramitaram a partir da promulgação da Lei n. 13.509/17, com atenção especial ao contexto pandêmico. A partir de reflexões propostas por Ferreira e Lowenkron, a coleta e análise desses documentos foi realizada levando em conta que a produção, a escrita e a circulação dos autos são tecnologias de fabricação das realidades. A partir das multiplicidades de vozes sobre os motivos para a entrega voluntária, construímos três eixos de análise: (1) a impossibilidade do cuidado; (2) a recusa da maternidade, a resignação e a indiferença; e (3) a violência institucional.(AU)

This study sought to understand the reasons for "voluntary surrender" in the district of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. We performed a document analysis of termination of parental rights actions and extinction of parental rights actions that took place after the promulgation of Law 13509/17, focusing on the context of the Covid-19 pandemic. Drawing on the reflections of Ferreira and Lowenkron, data collection and document analysis was performed bearing in mind that the production, writing and circulation of writs are reality manufacturing technologies. Based on the multiplicity of voices speaking about the motives, we defined three core themes of analysis: (1) the impossibility of care; (2) the refusal of motherhood, resignation and indifference; and (3) institutional violence.(AU)

Con el objetivo de llegar a los motivos que llevan a las personas a la "entrega voluntaria", elegimos la comarca de Río de Janeiro/RJ - Brasil como locus privilegiado. El camino metodológico fue el análisis documental sobre acciones de destitución de poder familiar y extinción de poder familiar que se tramitaron a partir de la promulgación de la Ley nº 13.509/17, con atención especial al contexto pandémico. A partir de reflexiones propuestas por Ferreira y Lowenkron, la colecta y análisis de esos documentos se realizó llevando en consideración que la producción, la redacción y la circulación de los autos son tecnologías de fabricación de las realidades. A partir de las multiplicidades de voces sobre los motivos, construimos tres ejes de análisis: (1) la imposibilidad del cuidado, (2) el rechazo de la maternidad, la resignación y la indiferencia y (3) la violencia institucional.(AU)

Evolution of Sangiovese Wines With Varied Tannin and Anthocyanin Ratios During Oxidative Aging.

Changes in phenolic compounds, chromatic characteristics, acetaldehyde, and protein-reactive tannins associated with oxidative aging were studied in Sangiovese wines with varied tannin T/anthocyanin A ratios. For this purpose, three Sangiovese vineyards located in Tuscany were considered in the 2016 vintage. To obtain wines with different T/A ratios, two red wines were produced from each vinification batch: a free run juice with a lower T/A ratio and a marc pressed wine with a higher T/A ratio. An overall of six wines with T/A ratios ranging between 5 and 23 were produced. An oxidation treatment (four saturation cycles) was applied to each wine. Average and initial oxygen consumption rates (OCR) were positively correlated to VRF/mA (vanilline reactive flavans/monomeric anthocyanins) and T/A ratios while OCRs were negatively related to the wine content in monomeric and total anthocyanins. The higher the A content was, the greater the loss of total and free anthocyanins. A significant lower production of polymeric pigments was detected in all pressed wines with respect to the correspondant free run one. A gradual decrease of tannin reactivity toward saliva proteins after the application of oxygen saturation cycles was detected. The results obtained in this experiment indicate that VRF/mA and T/A ratios are among the fundamental parameters to evaluate before choosing the antioxidant protection to be used and the right oxidation level to apply for a longer shelf-life of red wine.

Metabolic and RNA profiling elucidates proanthocyanidins accumulation in Aglianico grape.

Aglianico grapes are known for their high content of proanthocyanidins (PAs), which are responsible for the astringency of wines derived from this cultivar. However, the accumulation of PAs and their genetic control during berry development remain largely unexplored. This work aimed to monitor astringency-causing PAs in Aglianico berries and correlate them with the expression of 14 key genes. Berries were collected during ripening and dissected in skins and seeds. PAs were fractionated and the content of total phenolics, flavans, anthocyanins, tannins reactive towards salivary proteins and tannin structural composition were evaluated. The results provided evidence that PAs were more abundant in seeds than in skins as expected, with differences in the structural composition between tissues, which did not varied during ripening. Expression analysis showed that Aglianico is able to accumulate polyphenols due to its ability to modulate key genes in a tissue-specific manner.

Performance of a protein extracted from potatoes for fining of white musts.

In this study, the potentiality of Patatin (P), a protein extracted from potato, as must fining agent was investigated on musts obtained from two South Italy grape cultivars (Falanghina and Greco). Besides P, fining agents as bentonite (B) and potassium caseinate (C) were assayed at different concentrations. The rate of sedimentation, the decline of turbidity during time, the absorbance at 420 nm, the GRP (grape reaction products) and hydroxycinnamic acids (HCA) concentrations were determined. The comparative trials showed that P is a suitable fining agent to prevent browning and decrease haze during must settling because its effect on grape phenolics, brown pigments and turbidity is comparable and/or better than that detected for C. Its use as single fining agent or in combination with B depends on must characteristics.

Vγ9Vδ2 T-Cell Polyfunctionality Is Differently Modulated in HAART-Treated HIV Patients according to CD4 T-Cell Count.

Alteration of γδ T-cell distribution and function in peripheral blood is among the earliest defects during HIV-infection. We asked whether the polyfunctional response could also be affected, and how this impairment could be associated to CD4 T-cell count. To this aim, we performed a cross-sectional study on HIV-infected individuals. In order to evaluate the polyfunctional-Vγ9Vδ2 T-cell response after phosphoantigen-stimulation, we assessed the cytokine/chemokine production and cytotoxicity by flow-cytometry in HAART-treated-HIV+ persons and healthy-donors. During HIV-infection Vγ9Vδ2-polyfunctional response quality is affected, since several Vγ9Vδ2 T-cell subsets resulted significantly lower in HIV+ patients in respect to healthy donors. Interestingly, we found a weak positive correlation between Vγ9Vδ2 T-cell-response and CD4 T-cell counts. By dividing the HIV+ patients according to CD4 T-cell count, we found that Low-CD4 patients expressed a lower number of two Vγ9Vδ2 T-cell subsets expressing MIP-1ß in different combinations with other molecules (CD107a/IFNγ) in respect to High-CD4 individuals. Our results show that the Vγ9Vδ2 T-cell-response quality in Low-CD4 patients is specifically affected, suggesting a direct link between innate Vγ9Vδ2 T-cells and CD4 T-cell count. These findings suggest that Vγ9Vδ2 T-cell quality may be indirectly influenced by HAART therapy and could be included in a new therapeutical strategy which would perform an important role in fighting HIV infection.