Development and investigation of a non-invasive disease severity index for inflammatory bowel disease.

INTRODUCTION: The disease severity index (DSI) encapsulates the inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) burden but requires endoscopic investigations. This study developed a non-invasive DSI using faecal calprotectin (DSI-fCal) and faecal myeloperoxidase (DSI-fMPO) instead of colonoscopy. METHODS: Adults with IBD were recruited prospectively. Baseline biomarker concentrations were used to develop DSI-fCal and DSI-fMPO, and these were correlated with the original DSI, IBD-symptoms, endoscopic activity, and quality-of-life (QoL). Area under the receiver-operating-characteristics curves (AUROC) assessed DSI-fCal/DSI-fMPO as predictors of clinical and biochemical remission at six months (symptom remission and fCal <150 µg/g, respectively), and a complicated IBD-course at 24 months (disease relapse needing escalation of biologicals/immunomodulators/recurrent corticosteroids, IBD-hospitalisations/surgeries). Multivariable logistic regression assessed the utility of DSI-fCal/DSI-fMPO in predicting a complicated IBD-course at 24 months. RESULTS: In total, 171 patients were included (Crohn's disease=99, female=90, median age=46y (IQR 36-59)). DSI-fCal and DSI-fMPO correlated with the original DSI (r>0.9, p<0.001), endoscopic indices (r=0.45-0.49, p<0.001), IBD-symptoms (r=0.53-0.58, p<0.001) and QoL (r=-0.57-0.58, p<0.001). Baseline DSI-fCal (AUROC=0.79, 95% CI 0.65-0.92) and DSI-fMPO (AUROC=0.80, 95% CI 0.67-0.93) were associated with 6-month clinical and biochemical remission. DSI-fCal (AUROC=0.83, 95% CI 0.77-0.89) and DSI-fMPO (AUROC=0.80, 95% CI 0.73-0.87) performed similarly in predicting a complicated IBD-course to the original DSI (pdifference>0.05). The non-invasive DSI was independently associated with a complicated IBD-course on multivariable analyses (DSI-fCal28, aOR=6.04, 95% CI 2.42-15.08; DSI-fMPO25, aOR=7.84, 95% CI 2.96-20.73). CONCLUSIONS: The DSI-fCal and DSI-fMPO perform similarly in prognosticating the longitudinal disease course as the original DSI, whilst avoiding a need for an endoscopic assessment.

Colloidal and interfacial properties of spray dried pulse protein-blueberry polyphenol particles in model dispersion systems.

The phytochemical composition and physicochemical attributes of polyphenol-enriched protein particle ingredients produced with pulse proteins (e.g. chickpea protein, pea protein, and a chickpea-pea protein blend) and polyphenols recovered from wild blueberry pomace were investigated for colloidal and interfacial properties. Anthocyanins were the major polyphenol fraction (27.74-36.47 mg C3G/g) of these polyphenol-rich particles (44.95-62.08 mg GAE/g). Dispersions of pea protein-polyphenol particles showed a superior phase stability before and after heat treatment compared to the chickpea pea protein-polyphenol system. This observation was independent of the added amount of NaCl in the dispersion. In general, at quasi equilibrium state, pulse protein-polyphenol particles and parental pulse protein ingredients showed similar oil-water interfacial tension. However, pea protein-polyphenol particles demonstrated a reduced diffusion-driven oil-water interfacial adsorption rate constant compared to the parental pea protein ingredient. Overall, the obtained results suggest application potential of pea protein-polyphenol particles as a functional food/beverage ingredient.

Development of Spray Dried Spirulina Protein-Berry Pomace Polyphenol Particles to Attenuate Pollution-Induced Skin Damage: A Convergent Food-Beauty Approach.

Spray drying (SD) microencapsulation of phytochemicals from berry pomaces with Spirulina protein (SP) was incorporated into a cosmeceutical topical formulation to mitigate pollution skin damage. Initially, microparticles produced with SP and polyphenols recovered from fruit pomaces (elderberry SP-EB and muscadine grape SP-MG) were characterized regarding physicochemical and phytochemical content (polyphenol load, carotenoid and phycocyanin contents and antioxidant activity). SP had low total phenolic content (7.43 ± 0.23 mg GAE/g DW), but complexation with elderberry or muscadine grape pomaces polyphenols led to a substantial increase (27.63 ± 1.15 SP-EB and 111.0 ± 2.6 mg GAE/g DW SP-MG). SP-MG particles had higher anthocyanin (26.87 ± 1.25 mg/g) and proanthocyanidin (9.02 ± 0.74 mg/g) contents compared to SP-EB particles. SP-MG were prioritized to prepare a topical gel to attenuate skin oxinflammatory markers and prevent skin barrier disruption using ex vivo human biopsies exposed to diesel engine exhaust (DEE). The immunofluorescence results showed increased oxidative protein damage and inflammation associated with impaired skin barrier function after DEE exposure while topical application of gel formulated with SP-MG mitigated these effects. Overall, this study demonstrated that protein-polyphenol complexation is a synergistic strategy to stabilize and deliver residual fruit/algae phytoactives into cosmeceutical products for skin health applications.

Protective Effects of Polyphenol-Rich Extracts against Neurotoxicity Elicited by Paraquat or Rotenone in Cellular Models of Parkinson's Disease.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder involving motor symptoms caused by a loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra region of the brain. Epidemiological evidence suggests that anthocyanin (ANC) intake is associated with a low risk of PD. Previously, we reported that extracts enriched with ANC and proanthocyanidins (PAC) suppressed dopaminergic neuron death elicited by the PD-related toxin rotenone in a primary midbrain culture model. Here, we characterized botanical extracts enriched with a mixed profile of polyphenols, as well as a set of purified polyphenolic standards, in terms of their ability to mitigate dopaminergic cell death in midbrain cultures exposed to another PD-related toxicant, paraquat (PQ), and we examined underlying neuroprotective mechanisms. Extracts prepared from blueberries, black currants, grape seeds, grape skin, mulberries, and plums, as well as several ANC, were found to rescue dopaminergic neuron loss in PQ-treated cultures. Comparison of a subset of ANC-rich extracts for the ability to mitigate neurotoxicity elicited by PQ versus rotenone revealed that a hibiscus or plum extract was only neuroprotective in cultures exposed to rotenone or PQ, respectively. Several extracts or compounds with the ability to protect against PQ neurotoxicity increased the activity of the antioxidant transcription factor Nrf2 in cultured astrocytes, and PQ-induced dopaminergic cell death was attenuated in Nrf2-expressing midbrain cultures. In other studies, we found that extracts prepared from hibiscus, grape skin, or purple basil (but not plums) rescued defects in O2 consumption in neuronal cells treated with rotenone. Collectively, these findings suggest that extracts enriched with certain combinations of ANC, PAC, stilbenes, and other polyphenols could potentially slow neurodegeneration in the brains of individuals exposed to PQ or rotenone by activating cellular antioxidant mechanisms and/or alleviating mitochondrial dysfunction.

Protective effects of polyphenol-rich extracts against neurotoxicity elicited by paraquat or rotenone in cellular models of Parkinson's disease.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder involving motor symptoms caused by a loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra region of the brain. Epidemiological evidence suggests that anthocyanin (ANC) intake is associated with a low risk of PD. Previously, we reported that extracts enriched with ANC and proanthocyanidins (PAC) suppressed dopaminergic neuron death elicited by the PD-related toxin rotenone in a primary midbrain culture model. Here, we characterized botanical extracts enriched with a mixed profile of polyphenols, as well as a set of purified polyphenolic standards, in terms of their ability to mitigate dopaminergic cell death in midbrain cultures exposed to another PD-related toxicant, paraquat (PQ), and we examined underlying neuroprotective mechanisms. Extracts prepared from blueberries, black currants, grape seeds, grape skin, mulberries, and plums, as well as several ANC, were found to rescue dopaminergic neuron loss in PQ-treated cultures. Comparison of a subset of ANC-rich extracts for the ability to mitigate neurotoxicity elicited by PQ versus rotenone revealed that a hibiscus or plum extract was only neuroprotective in cultures exposed to rotenone or PQ, respectively. Several extracts or compounds with the ability to protect against PQ neurotoxicity increased the activity of the antioxidant transcription factor Nrf2 in cultured astrocytes, and PQ-induced dopaminergic cell death was attenuated in Nrf2-expressing midbrain cultures. In other studies, we found that extracts prepared from hibiscus, grape skin, or purple basil (but not plums) rescued defects in O 2 consumption in neuronal cells treated with rotenone. Collectively, these findings suggest that extracts enriched with certain combinations of ANC, PAC, stilbenes, and other polyphenols could potentially slow neurodegeneration in the brains of individuals exposed to PQ or rotenone by activating cellular antioxidant mechanisms and/or alleviating mitochondrial dysfunction.

Spray-drying microencapsulation of blackcurrant and cocoa polyphenols using underexplored plant-based protein sources.

The performance of buckwheat protein (BK) and chia seed protein (CP) as drying carriers for the microencapsulation of polyphenols extracted from blackcurrant pomace and cocoa powder was investigated. Four experimental groups were evaluated (BK-BC: blackcurrant pomace extract with buckwheat protein; CP-BC: blackcurrant pomace extract with chia:pea protein blend; BK-CC: cocoa extract with buckwheat protein; and CP-CC: cocoa extract with chia:pea protein blend) to determine physicochemical attributes, phytochemical content, antioxidant activity, and polyphenol in vitro bioaccessibility. Nonconventional, underexploited protein sources such as chia/pea protein blend and buckwheat protein efficiently produced functional microparticles with attractive color and texture, low hygroscopicity (<20% increase in moisture content when exposed to 86% relative humidity for 1 week), solubility above 50% at pH 7 and 10, and uniform particle size (29 < D4,3  < 56 µm). Besides this, the protein-polyphenol microparticles concentrated and protected health-relevant polyphenol content. Anthocyanins were detected in blackcurrant treatments (around 20 mg cyanidin-3-O-glucoside equivalents/g), while proanthocyanidins (PAC) were the most prevalent polyphenols in cocoa treatments (>100 mg PAC B2/g). Monomers were the main class of PAC in both BK-CC and CP-CC treatments. All protein-polyphenol treatments reduced both reactive oxygen species and nitric oxide production in lipopolysaccharide-activated cells (p < 0.05). The polyphenol recovery index was high (>70%) for both oral and gastric phases, and BK-derived groups had better bioaccessibility index compared to BC or CC alone (noncomplexed). This research provided a framework for delivery of high-value ingredients to attend to an emerging market centered on protein-rich, clean label plant-based food products. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Practical Application: The protein-polyphenol complexation is a robust method to produce phytochemical-rich food ingredients for the food industry with enhanced physicochemical, sensory, and bioaccessibility performance. In this study, we investigated practical aspects regarding the production and quality of protein-polyphenol particles, such as the spray-drying efficiency, phytochemical content, physicochemical attributes, antioxidant activity, and polyphenol bioaccessibility. This study unveils the potential of underexplored buckwheat and chia seeds (alone or combined with pea protein) as encapsulation carriers for fruit polyphenols to diversify the protein options available for products directed to the wellness market.

Boosting the Bioaccessibility of Dietary Bioactives by Delivery as Protein-Polyphenol Aggregate Particles.

Protein-polyphenol aggregate particles concurrently fortify a functional food product with healthy dietary proteins and concentrated polyphenols. However, what impact does ingestion of aggregate particles have on ultimate health relevance of either the polyphenolic molecules in the matrix or the protein molecules? Because human health benefits are contingent on bioavailability after ingestion, the fate of these molecules during transit in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) will dictate their utility as functional food ingredients. This brief review explores diverse applications of protein-polyphenol particles in the food industry and the bioaccessibility of both bioactive polyphenolic compounds and edible proteins. Evidence to date suggests that complexation of phytoactive polyphenolics effectively enhances their health-relevant impacts, specifically because the phytoactives are protected in the protein matrix during transit in the GIT, allowing intact, non-degraded molecules to reach the colon for catabolism at the gut microbiome level, a prerequisite to realize the health benefits of these active compounds.

Rare Mesenchymal Tumors of the Pelvis: Imaging and Pathologic Correlation.

Most pelvic tumors originate from the organs. Less commonly, tumors can arise from the various anatomic pelvic compartments and are comprised of mesenchymal tissue: muscles, connective tissue, vessels, lymphatics, and fat. Among some of the rarer entities are benign tumors (eg, angiomyxoma, cellular angiofibroma, and desmoid fibromatosis), malignant tumors (eg, sarcoma), and tumors that can manifest as benign or malignant (eg, solitary fibrous tumor or nerve sheath tumor). Because these tumors are uncommon and often manifest with nonspecific clinical features, imaging (usually MRI) is an initial step in the evaluation. Radiologists interpreting these images are asked to help narrow the differential diagnosis and assess the likelihood of malignancy for treatment planning. Thus, the MRI report should include the imaging features that would indicate the underlying tissue histology for pathologic diagnosis as well as a description of the anatomic extent and pattern of growth. The authors describe multiple locally aggressive benign and malignant mesenchymal tumors and highlight characteristic clinical and imaging features that enable the radiologist to narrow the differential diagnosis. The anatomic spaces of the pelvis are reviewed with illustrations to aid the radiologist in describing these tumors, which often span multiple pelvic compartments. Tumor appearance at T2-weighted, diffusion-weighted, and postcontrast MRI is summarized and illustrated with correlation at CT or fluorodeoxyglucose PET/CT, when available. MRI features that correspond to specific types of tissue (eg, myxoid, fibrous, or vascular) are highlighted and correlated with images from pathologic evaluation. Online supplemental material is available for this article. ©RSNA, 2021.

Neuroprotective mechanisms of red clover and soy isoflavones in Parkinson's disease models.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by nigrostriatal degeneration and the spreading of aggregated forms of the presynaptic protein α-synuclein (aSyn) throughout the brain. PD patients are currently only treated with symptomatic therapies, and strategies to slow or stop the progressive neurodegeneration underlying the disease's motor and cognitive symptoms are greatly needed. The time between the first neurobiochemical alterations and the initial presentation of symptoms is thought to span several years, and early neuroprotective dietary interventions could delay the disease onset or slow PD progression. In this study, we characterized the neuroprotective effects of isoflavones, a class of dietary polyphenols found in soy products and in the medicinal plant red clover (Trifolium pratense). We found that isoflavone-rich extracts and individual isoflavones rescued the loss of dopaminergic neurons and the shortening of neurites in primary mesencephalic cultures exposed to two PD-related insults, the environmental toxin rotenone and an adenovirus encoding the A53T aSyn mutant. The extracts and individual isoflavones also activated the Nrf2-mediated antioxidant response in astrocytes via a mechanism involving inhibition of the ubiquitin-proteasome system, and they alleviated deficits in mitochondrial respiration. Furthermore, an isoflavone-enriched soy extract reduced motor dysfunction exhibited by rats lesioned with the PD-related neurotoxin 6-OHDA. These findings suggest that plant-derived isoflavones could serve as dietary supplements to delay PD onset in at-risk individuals and mitigate neurodegeneration in the brains of patients.

Blueberry Extracts as a Novel Approach to Prevent Ozone-Induced Cutaneous Inflammasome Activation.

The World Health Organization estimates that 7 million people die every year due to pollution exposure. Among the different pollutants to which living organism are exposed, ozone (O3) represents one of the most toxic, because its location which is the skin is one of the direct tissues exposed to the outdoor environment. Chronic exposure to outdoor stressors can alter cutaneous redox state resulting in the activation of inflammatory pathways. Recently, a new player in the inflammation mechanism was discovered: the multiprotein complex NLRP1 inflammasome, which has been shown to be also expressed in the skin. The topical application of natural compounds has been studied for the last 40 years as a possible approach to prevent and eventually cure skin conditions. Recently, the possibility to use blueberry (BB) extract to prevent pollution-induced skin toxicity has been of great interest in the cosmeceutical industry. In the present study, we analyzed the cutaneous protective effect of BB extract in several skin models (2D, 3D, and human skin explants). Specifically, we observed that in the different skin models used, BB extracts were able to enhance keratinocyte wound closure and normalize proliferation and migration responses previously altered by O3. In addition, pretreatment with BB extracts was able to prevent ozone-induced ROS production and inflammasome activation measured as NRLP1-ASC scaffold formation and also prevent the transcripts of key inflammasome players such as CASP1 and IL-18, suggesting that this approach as a possible new technology to prevent cutaneous pollution damage. Our data support the hypothesis that BB extracts can effectively reduce skin inflammation and be a possible new technology against cutaneous pollution-induced damage.

Enhanced stability of berry pomace polyphenols delivered in protein-polyphenol aggregate particles to an in vitro gastrointestinal digestion model.

Stability of protein-polyphenol aggregate particles, created by complexing polyphenols from blueberry and muscadine grape pomaces with a rice-pea protein isolate blend, was evaluated in an in vitro gastrointestinal model. Recovery index (RI; % total phenolics present post-digestion) was 69% and 62% from blueberry and muscadine grape protein-polyphenol particles, compared to 23% and 31% for the respective pomace extracts. Anthocyanins RI was 52% and 42% from particles (6% and 13% from pomace extracts), and proanthocyanidins RI was 77% and 73% from particles (25% and 14% from pomace extracts), from blueberry and grape, respectively. Protein-polyphenol particle digests retained 1.5 to 2-fold higher antioxidant capacity and suppressed the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, iNOS, IL6, and IL1ß, compared to unmodified extract digests, which only suppressed IL6. Protein-polyphenol particles as a delivery vehicle in foods may confer better stability during gastrointestinal transit, allow protected polyphenols to reach the gut microbiota, and preserve polyphenol bioactivity.

Phenolic content, anti-inflammatory properties, and dermal wound repair properties of industrially processed and non-processed acai from the Brazilian Amazon.

Acai fruit is recognized for its health promoting properties. However, there is still a need to address the effects of industrial processing on this fruit. In this study, phenolic content, anti-inflammatory properties and dermal wound repair properties of 20 acai samples, before and after industrial processing, from various Amazon regions were investigated. Acai pulp was rich in total phenolics (18.9-58.8 mg g-1) and proanthocyanins (9.8-43.1 mg g-1), but contained trace anthocyanins (up to 0.1 mg g-1). Industrially processed samples lost substantial amounts of proanthocyanidins (up to 83.2%), while the anthocyanins inherently present were greatly enriched after processing (20-fold higher). Non-processed acai pulp extracts protected against early inflammation response which was correlated with proanthocyanidins, by significantly inhibiting nitric oxide production and suppressing pro-inflammatory gene expression including interleukin-1ß, cyclooxygenase-2, nitric oxide synthase, and interleukin-6. The promotion of dermal wound repair of acai seed and pulp extracts was mainly contributed by anthocyanins and other bioactive compounds. The anti-inflammatory effect was diminished but wound healing effect was retained after pulp processing, suggesting the processing technology needs to be improved to maintain biological properties of acai fruit.

Alaskan Berry Extracts Promote Dermal Wound Repair Through Modulation of Bioenergetics and Integrin Signaling.

Various wild berry species endemic to Alaska and the circumpolar North that exhibit unique medicinal properties have long been appreciated by indigenous Arctic communities. Traditional use of Alaskan berry preparations in the treatment of skin wounds is recorded but has not been scientifically evaluated. Alaskan wild berries feature diverse phytochemical compositions that contain a variety of bioactive polyphenols exhibiting anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties, making them ideal for wound healing interventions and natural anti-aging cosmeceutical formulations. Given increasing interest in identifying biologically active plant constituents for wound care and cosmeceutical applications, the objective of this study was to screen several wild berry species endemic to Alaska and the circumpolar Artic for wound healing and in the crude, polyphenol-enriched, and further fractionated extracts of: Empetrum nigrum (crowberry), Vaccinium uliginosum (bog blueberry), and V. vitis-idaea (low-bush cranberry or lingonberry). A cell migration assay with human dermal fibroblasts (HDFa) was performed to model promotion of wound closure, revealing that bog blueberry extract most actively promoted migration, whereas divergent effects observed with other berry extracts were related to compositional disparities. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated inflammatory response variables measured in RAW 264.7 macrophages [reactive oxygen species (ROS), NO production, prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (COX-2), and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression] were suppressed by most extracts/fractions, but especially bog blueberry and proanthocyanidin (PAC) fractions. Wild berry germplasm contained abundant complex flavonoid structures such as PAC and anthocyanins (ANCs), associated with enhanced repair and inflammatory resolution in these models. Next, underlying mechanisms by which PACs and bioactive metabolites (B2 dimer and epicatechin) could influence wound repair and tissue regeneration were examined. PAC metabolites promoted scratch-wound closure and appeared to exert the highest impacts on early stages of wound healing through stimulating mitochondrial bioenergetics (basal respiration, ATP production, and maximum respiratory capacity) and upregulating expression of important extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins (integrin-ß1 and collagen type I α2 chain). Targeting cellular bioenergetics and integrin-mediated cell-ECM signaling with bioactives from Alaskan wild berries shows considerable therapeutic promise to treat chronic skin wounds and inflammatory skin disorders, as well as more generally to support regenerative healing responses and restore function in a variety of tissue and organ settings after injury or aging.

Anti-inflammatory and wound healing properties of polyphenolic extracts from strawberry and blackberry fruits.

The polyphenolic profiles by HPLC-TOF-MS of strawberry 'San Andreas' and blackberry 'Black Satin' crude extracts (CE) were analyzed. Anthocyanin-enriched fractions (AEFs) and proanthocyanidin-enriched fractions (PEFs) were prepared, and all samples were probed for in vitro anti-inflammatory and wound healing effects in a LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophage model and in a skin fibroblast migration and proliferation assay, respectively. Blackberry samples exhibited higher ROS reduction than strawberry's (up to 50% ROS suppression). Berries CEs exhibited 20% inhibition in Cox-2 gene expression, while AEFs and PEFs were inactive at the same concentration. Strawberry AEF and PEF were more active against IL-1ß and IL-6 gene expressions than the similar fractions from blackberry, where PEF was more active than AEF (75% suppression by strawberry PEF). Moreover, berry PEFs were the active polyphenol fraction against iNOS gene expression (50% and 65% gen suppression by strawberry and blackberry PEF, respectively), mirroring results of NO synthesis suppression. The cell migration potential of berry polyphenolics was associated with anthocyanins. AEFs showed fibroblast migration around 50% of that registered for the positive control. Results obtained in this work highlight the anti-inflammatory properties of berry polyphenolics, especially due to proanthocyanidins. Moreover, promising results were obtained about the effects of berry anthocyanins on wound healing.

Increased Plasma Levels of Gut-Derived Phenolics Linked to Walking and Running Following Two Weeks of Flavonoid Supplementation.

Using a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, parallel group design, this investigation determined if the combination of two weeks of flavonoid supplementation (329 mg/day, quercetin, anthocyanins, flavan-3-ols mixture) and a 45-minute walking bout (62.2 ± 0.9% VO2max (maximal oxygen consumption rate)) enhanced the translocation of gut-derived phenolics into circulation in a group of walkers (n = 77). The walkers (flavonoid, placebo groups) were randomized to either sit or walk briskly on treadmills for 45 min (thus, four groups: placebo⁻sit, placebo⁻walk, flavonoid⁻sit, flavonoid⁻walk). A comparator group of runners (n = 19) ingested a double flavonoid dose for two weeks (658 mg/day) and ran for 2.5 h (69.2 ± 1.2% VO2max). Four blood samples were collected (pre- and post-supplementation, immediately post- and 24 h post-exercise/rest). Of the 76 metabolites detected in this targeted analysis, 15 increased after the 2.5 h run, and when grouped were also elevated post-exercise (versus placebo⁻sit) for the placebo⁻ and flavonoid⁻walking groups (p < 0.05). A secondary analysis showed that pre-study plasma concentrations of gut-derived phenolics in the runners were 40% higher compared to walkers (p = 0.031). These data indicate that acute exercise bouts (brisk walking, intensive running) are linked to an increased translocation of gut-derived phenolics into circulation, an effect that is amplified when combined with a two-week period of increased flavonoid intake or chronic training as a runner.

Influence of Ingesting a Flavonoid-Rich Supplement on the Metabolome and Concentration of Urine Phenolics in Overweight/Obese Women.

This study evaluated the effect of ingesting a flavonoid-rich supplement (329 mg/d) on total urine phenolics and shifts in plasma metabolites in overweight/obese female adults using untargeted metabolomics procedures. Participants (N = 103, 18-65 y, BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2) were randomized to flavonoid (F) or placebo (P) groups for 12 weeks with blood and 24 h urine samples collected prestudy and after 4 and 12 weeks in a parallel design. Supplements were prepared as chewable tablets and included vitamin C, wild bilberry fruit extract, green tea leaf extract, quercetin, caffeine, and omega 3 fatty acids. At 4 weeks, urine total phenolics increased 24% in F versus P with similar changes at 12 weeks (interaction effect, P = 0.041). Groups did not differ in markers of inflammation (IL-6, MCP-1, CRP) or oxidative stress (oxLDL, FRAP). Metabolomics data indicated shifts in 63 biochemicals in F versus P with 70% from the lipid and xenobiotics superpathways. The largest fold changes in F were measured for three gut-derived phenolics including 3-methoxycatechol sulfate, 3-(3-hydroxyphenyl)propanoic acid sulfate, and 1,2,3-benzenetriol sulfate (interaction effects, p ≤ 0.050). This randomized clinical trial of overweight/obese women showed that 12 weeks ingestion of a mixed flavonoid nutrient supplement was associated with a corresponding increase in urine total phenolics and gut-derived phenolic metabolites.

Wild blueberry polyphenol-protein food ingredients produced by three drying methods: Comparative physico-chemical properties, phytochemical content, and stability during storage.

Particulate colloidal aggregate food ingredients were prepared by complexing wheat flour, chickpea flour, coconut flour and soy protein isolate with aqueous wild blueberry pomace extracts, then spray drying, freeze drying, or vacuum oven drying to prepare dry, flour-like matrices. Physico-chemical attributes, phytochemical content and stability during storage were compared. Eighteen anthocyanins peaks were identified for samples. Spray dried matrices produced with soy protein isolate had the highest concentration of polyphenols (156.2mg GAE/g) and anthocyanins (13.4mg/g) and the most potent DPPH scavenging activity (714.1µmolesTE/g). Spray dried blueberry polyphenols complexed with protein were protected from degradation during 16weeks at 4°C and 20°C. Soy protein isolate more efficiently captured and stabilized wild blueberry pomace phytochemicals than other protein sources. Overall, spray drying the blueberry extracts complexed with protein proved to be an environment-friendly strategy to produce stable functional ingredients with multiple applications for the food industry.

Pneumonostomy in the Surgical Management of Hydatid Cyst of the Lung.

Background Pneumonostomy in the surgical treatment of bilateral hydatid cyst of the lung(HCL) was described by Anand et al. This study presents the comparative long-term results of pneumonostomy for simple and complicated HCL. Methods and Patients The pneumonostomy technique was applied to both open and minimally invasive operations. The cyst was opened, endocyst removed, and any bronchial openings closed. The pericyst was closed over a 20-French Malecot tube, which was exteriorized and connected to an underwater seal. The tube was removed after 3 weeks by which time a well-established tract had formed. Hospital records of 26 children with 30 HCL who underwent pneumonostomy between 2001 and 2014 were reviewed and followed up. Patients were analyzed in two groups:group1 comprised uncomplicated and group2 complicated HCL. There was a statistically significant difference in the age at presentation in the two groups. The groups were comparable with respect to presenting symptoms, sex ratio, and side or size of cyst. Results Six(20%) children with surgical complications were graded by Clavien-Dindo classification. Three(10%) children qualified as grade 1 and did not require pharmacologic or surgical therapy. Three(10%) children had grade 3 complications; two developed empyema and one pneumothorax. There were no prolonged air leaks. Children with complicated cysts did not require longer hospitalization. Follow-up was possible in 80.76% of the children. The mean duration of follow-up was 21.3 months (interquartile range, 5-63 months). There were no postoperative recurrences or disease-related mortality. Conclusion Pneumonostomy is a safe and effective technique for dealing with the residual cavity in large complicated cysts and bilateral HCL.

Polyphenols isolated from Acacia mearnsii bark with anti-inflammatory and carbolytic enzyme inhibitory activities.

The present study was designed to characterize the polyphenols isolated from Acacia mearnsii bark crude extract (B) and fractions (B1-B7) obtained by high-speed counter-current chromatography (HSCCC) and evaluate their anti-inflammatory and carbolytic enzymes (α-glucosidase and α-amylase) inhibitory activities. Fractions B4, B5, B6, B7 (total phenolics 850.3, 983.0, 843.9, and 572.5 mg·g-1, respectively; proanthocyanidins 75.7, 90.5, 95.0, and 44.8 mg·g-1, respectively) showed significant activities against reactive oxygen species (ROS), nitric oxide (NO) production, and expression of pro-inflammatory genes interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated mouse macrophage cell line RAW 264.7. All the extracts suppressed α-glucosidase and α-amylase activities, two primary enzymes responsible for carbohydrate digestion. A. mearnsii bark samples possessed significantly stronger inhibitory effects against α-glucosidase enzyme (IC50 of 0.4-1.4 µg·mL-1) than the pharmaceutical acarbose (IC50 141.8 µg·mL-1). B6 and B7 (IC50 17.6 and 11.7 µg·mL-1, respectively) exhibited α-amylase inhibitory activity as efficacious as acarbose (IC50 15.4 µg·mL-1). Moreover, B extract, at 25 µg·mL-1, significantly decreased the non-mitochondrial oxidative burst that is often associated with inflammatory response in human monocytic macrophages.

In vitro lipolytic, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of roasted pistachio kernel and skin constituents.

A comprehensive phytochemical analysis was conducted on pistachios to identify the differential contributions of skin and kernel phytochemicals to in vitro bioactivity. Qualitative and quantitative analyses of skin and kernel non-polar extracts (SNP and KNP, respectively) indicated that the major components are fatty acids (696.36 and 879.70 mg g-1), phytosterols (16.08 and 4.28 mg g-1), and γ-tocopherol (304.17 and 397.10 µg g-1). Analysis of the skin and kernel polar extracts (SP and KP, respectively) showed that skin accumulated higher levels of phenolic compounds, especially flavan-3-ols, compared to the kernel. An (epi)catechin hexoside was the major component in SP and KP (9.8 mg g-1 and 3.3 mg g-1, respectively). Flavan-3-ols with different degrees of polymerization were detected in SP, but only the monomers were identified in the KP. Quercetin glycosides were the major flavonols present in both SP and KP. Bioassays with 3T3L1 mouse adipocytes demonstrated that all extracts decreased lipid accumulation, with SNP demonstrating the highest activity (17% inhibition). Bioassay guided fractionation of SNP indicated that the lipolytic activity was highest in the fraction consisting of linoleic acid (20%), linolenic acid (10%), and ß-sitosterol (50%). Radical scavenging assays indicated that all pistachio extracts significantly inhibited ROS, while SP was the most inhibiting to NO production in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. Gene expression profiles associated with inflammation (IL6, iNOS, and COX2) were characterized in the LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages after treatment with pistachio extracts. SP and KP were the most potent to inhibit the expression of COX2. The SNP had the strongest effect in decreasing non-mitochondrial oxidative burst associated with inflammatory response in macrophages.