Optimization of an extraction method for the simultaneous quantification of sixteen polyphenols in thirty-one pulse samples by using HPLC-MS/MS dynamic-MRM triple quadrupole.

Pulses are an important source of proteins, carbohydrates, and dietary fibre, and also contain polyphenols, which are bioactive compounds with antioxidant activity. A new analytical method that uses high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) was developed for the quantification of sixteen polyphenols in thirty-one pulse varieties. Different extraction procedures were tested (acidic hydrolysis, alkaline hydrolysis and extraction without hydrolysis), and acidic hydrolysis at pH 2, extraction temperature of 20 °C and extraction time of 2 h was proven to be the best in terms of recovery percentages (99.7-107.6%). The highest polyphenol levels were found in beans, particularly black beans (459 mg kg-1) and ruviotto beans (189 mg kg-1); significant levels of polyphenols were also observed in lentils, particularly black lentils (137 mg kg-1) and quality gold lentils (132 mg kg-1). This study provides new information about legume polyphenols, offering reasons to promote legumes as part of a healthy diet.

Analysis of 17 polyphenolic compounds in organic and conventional legumes by high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection (HPLC-DAD) and evaluation of their antioxidant activity.

Consumption of legumes has become popular among health-conscious consumers due to the high levels of nutrients such as proteins, dietary fibres, minerals, vitamins and micronutrients like polyphenols. Ten legumes cultivars organically and conventionally grown were compared regarding their chemical profiles in terms of total phenolic content (TPC), total anthocyanin content (TAC), total flavonoid content (TFC) and their antioxidant capacity. The chemical profiles (i.e. free phenolics and anthocyanins) were determined with aid of new high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection (HPLC-DAD) method able to identify two individual anthocyanins and 15 polyphenols. Results showed that phenolic acids, namely gallic acid, caffeic acid, syringic acid and ferulic acid, are mainly significantly higher in the organic samples with respect to the conventional ones. All organic legumes showed a higher antioxidant capacity with respect to conventional samples with the exception of red and yellow dehulled lentils.

Determination of fourteen polyphenols in pulses by high performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection (HPLC-DAD) and correlation study with antioxidant activity and colour.

Pulses, which include lentils, beans, chickpeas, peas, and soybeans, provide an important source of proteins, dietary fibers, minerals and vitamins, as well as such important bioactive molecules as polyphenols. The presence of polyphenols is often related to the colour of the pulse and to its antioxidant activity. The aim of this work was to set up a new HPLC-DAD method for simultaneously analysing 14 polyphenolic compounds, including two anthocyanins, in different varieties of pulses and to correlate the polyphenol content with the seed coat colour and the antioxidant activity. The total content of the analysed polyphenols ranged from 3mg/kg for dehulled red lentils to 1630.5mg/kg for ruviotto beans. Samples with dark testa (or seed coat), namely black lentils and diavoli beans, had higher antioxidant activity than those with pale testa, and a positive correlation was found between total phenolic content (TPC) and IC50 for dark coloured varieties.

Human cytomegalovirus infection of the gastrointestinal tract in apparently immunocompetent patients.

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection is usually reported in immunocompromised patients. This study reports 11 cases of HCMV infection of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract diagnosed in apparently immunocompetent hosts. The median age of the patients studied was 76 years, and the major presenting symptoms were diarrhea, epigastric pain, and abdominal discomfort. The large intestine was involved in 6 cases, the stomach in 4 cases, and the lower esophagus in 1 case. Endoscopy revealed ulcers or hypertrophic folds in the GI tract and single ulcers or erosions in the colon and rectum. Light microscopy showed chronic inflammatory infiltrate in the lamina propria in all cases. The diagnosis of HCMV infection was based on the histological and immunohistochemical identification of HCMV inclusion bodies in different cell types, including epithelial, endothelial, stromal, and smooth muscle cells. Both "classical" inclusions, characterized by an "owl's eye" appearance, and atypical inclusions were found. For all patients, no apparent causes of immunodeficiency were detected at the time of diagnosis of HCMV infection. At follow-up, however, 4 patients were found to harbor a malignant tumor (ie, pancreas, lung, Vater's papilla, and extrahepatic bile duct) at an interval of 2 to 5 months after the diagnosis of HCMV infection. Especially in elderly patients, HCMV infection of the GI tract might be an early clue to the presence of immunologic defects induced by an underlying neoplasia.

Pseudoneoplastic appearance of cytomegalovirus-associated colitis in nonimmunocompromised patients: report of 2 cases.

Two cases of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) colitis with pseudoneoplastic appearance are described. Patients presented with abdominal pain, fever, and diarrhea. Colonoscopy revealed a stenosing lesion in one patient and a broad-based, vegetant mass in the other patient, and histopathological examination of colectomy specimens revealed exuberant inflammatory masses with infiltration of mononuclear cells and ulcers with granulation tissue. Typical intranuclear HCMV inclusions were numerous. Peculiar to both patients was the lack of any apparent causes of immunodeficiency, such as human immunodeficiency virus infection or previous organ transplantation.