Polyphenolic Profile and Antioxidant Activity of Green Extracts from Grape Pomace Skins and Seeds of Italian Cultivars.

The possibility of industrial exploitation of winemaking products, as for all byproducts of vegetal origin, constantly deals with a raw material (grape pomace, GP) whose chemical composition and functional properties vary over time depending on the varietal and geographical origin of the grapes, the climatic conditions (vintage effect), and the winemaking technique. This work studied the compositional variability of polyphenolic skin and seed extracts from GP derived from white and red winemaking of different Italian grape varieties. The total polyphenolic content (GAE), the main classes of polyphenolic compounds, and the DPPH index were determined. Seed extracts were always richer in total polyphenols and condensed tannins and had higher antiradical activity (DPPH) than skin extracts: 144-298 mg GAE/g d.w. extract for skins and 327-540 mg GAE/g for seeds; the DPPH values were 1.77-3.40 mg AAE/g for skins and 3.10-10.48 mg AAE/g for seeds. Furthermore, it was verified that the evaluation of the GAE index of seed extracts, offering a good estimate of the antiradical properties (DPPH index), could represent a simple and rapid method for selecting the best lots of seeds to be used. Conversely, GP skins could be used as flour in the food industry due to their high content of dietary fiber and the presence of flavonols, which possess very interesting functional properties. Important differences in the flavonols profile were observed both between cultivars and between unfermented and fermented pomace.

Assessment of pregnancy dietary intake and association with maternal and neonatal outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Maternal dietary habits are contributors of maternal and fetal health; however, available data are heterogeneous and not conclusive. METHODS: Nutrient intake during pregnancy was assessed in 503 women with uncomplicated pregnancies, using the validated Food Frequency Questionnaire developed by the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC-FFQ). RESULTS: In all, 68% of women had a normal body mass index at the beginning of pregnancy, and 83% of newborns had an appropriate weight for gestational age. Maternal pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI), gestational weight gain (GWG), and placental weight were independently correlated with birth weight. GWG was not related to the pre-pregnancy BMI. EPIC-FFQ evaluation showed that 30% of women adhered to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) ranges for macronutrient intake. In most pregnant women (98.1%), consumption of water was below recommendations. Comparing women with intakes within EFSA ranges for macronutrients with those who did not, no differences were found in BMI, GWG, and neonatal or placental weight. Neither maternal nor neonatal parameters were associated with the maternal dietary profiles. CONCLUSIONS: In our population, maternal pre-pregnancy BMI, GWG, and placental weight are determinants of birth weight percentile, while no association was found with maternal nutrition. Future studies should explore associations through all infancy. IMPACT: Maternal anthropometrics and nutrition status may affect offspring birth weight. In 503 healthy women, maternal pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI), gestational weight gain (GWG), and placental weight were independently correlated to neonatal birth weight. GWG was not related to the pre-pregnancy BMI. In all, 30% of women respected the EFSA ranges for macronutrients. Neither maternal nor neonatal parameters were associated with maternal dietary profiles considered in this study. Maternal pre-pregnancy BMI, GWG, and placental weight are determinants of neonatal birth weight percentile, while a connection with maternal nutrition profiles was not found.

Extensive Placental Methylation Profiling in Normal Pregnancies.

The placental methylation pattern is crucial for the regulation of genes involved in trophoblast invasion and placental development, both key events for fetal growth. We investigated LINE-1 methylation and methylome profiling using a methylation EPIC array and the targeted methylation sequencing of 154 normal, full-term pregnancies, stratified by birth weight percentiles. LINE-1 methylation showed evidence of a more pronounced hypomethylation in small neonates compared with normal and large for gestational age. Genome-wide methylation, performed in two subsets of pregnancies, showed very similar methylation profiles among cord blood samples while placentae from different pregnancies appeared very variable. A unique methylation profile emerged in each placenta, which could represent the sum of adjustments that the placenta made during the pregnancy to preserve the epigenetic homeostasis of the fetus. Investigations into the 1000 most variable sites between cord blood and the placenta showed that promoters and gene bodies that are hypermethylated in the placenta are associated with blood-specific functions, whereas those that are hypomethylated belong mainly to pathways involved in cancer. These features support the functional analogies between a placenta and cancer. Our results, which provide a comprehensive analysis of DNA methylation profiling in the human placenta, suggest that its peculiar dynamicity can be relevant for understanding placental plasticity in response to the environment.

Polyphenolic Composition and In Vitro Antioxidant Activity of Red Grape Seeds as Byproducts of Short and Medium-Long Fermentative Macerations.

The polyphenolic composition and antioxidant activity of grape seeds, as byproducts of red winemaking, depend on various factors, such as grape cultivar, vintage effect, grape maturity and winemaking methods. In the present work, the influence of the maceration length on the polyphenolic and antioxidant characteristics of the seeds of four Italian red grape cultivars ('Barbera', 'Grignolino', 'Nebbiolo', and 'Uvalino'), sampled from the fermentation tanks after short (two days) and medium-long (7-21 days) macerations, was studied with spectrophotometric methods, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and three different antioxidant assays (2,2'-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and 2,2 diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH)). The total polyphenolic content (gallic acid equivalent (GAE)) of the seeds sampled after short macerations ranged between 24.5 and 60.1 mg/g dry weight (DW), and it dropped to 20.0-37.5 mg/g DW after medium-long macerations. The polyphenolic profile of the shortly macerated seeds was related to the varietal characteristics, while, after longer macerations, the influence of the maceration length prevailed on the cultivar effect. The multiple in vitro antioxidant activity tests (ABTS, FRAP and DPPH), although based on different mechanisms capable of highlighting behavioral differences between the different polyphenolic compounds, were highly correlated with each other and with the polyphenolic parameters; the qualitative differences between the matrices in the polyphenolic profile were probably less important than the quantitative differences in the polyphenolic content. The relations with the polyphenolic content were linear, except for the Efficient Concentration (EC20) parameter, whose relation was better described by a hyperbolic equation.

Use of potassium polyaspartate for stabilization of potassium bitartrate in wines: influence on colloidal stability and interactions with other additives and enological practices.

The research was aimed at verifying the efficacy of potassium polyaspartate (KPA), added at bottling, for prevention of the precipitation of potassium bitartrate (KHT). The stability of KHT was determined with the mini-contact test and the cold test. The effect of KPA on the colloidal stability of white and red wines was also studied. Turbidity, color, and total anthocyanins and flavonoids (red wines only) were monitored. In the first experiment, the stabilizing effect of KPA added at bottling, with or without Arabic gum, tannins, and filtration (0.45 µm cut-off), was studied in comparison with metatartaric acid (MTA). KPA proved to have good stabilizing efficacy for prevention of KHT precipitation and maintained its effect in all trials after 1 year of bottle aging. On the contrary, all the trials with MTA became unstable after 6 months. Moreover, KPA did not modify wine turbidity and color. The filtration (0.45 µm cut-off) did not reduce its stabilizing efficacy. In the second experiment, the effect of KPA added to a white and a red wine, respectively clarified with casein and gelatin or vegetal protein and/or bentonite, was studied. KPA did not cause any increase in turbidity or appreciable changes in the color of the white wines of the different trials. A preliminary treatment with bentonite can prevent the possible formation of haze in red wines after the addition of KPA. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: KPA prevented the precipitation of KHT in unstable white and red wines. The stabilizing effect persisted after 1 year of bottle aging. The oenologist does not need to adopt special prescriptions when using KPA in combination with Arabic gum or tannins in prebottling operations. A treatment with bentonite prevented the appearance of turbidity in red wines after the addition of KPA.

Relationship between polyphenolic content, antioxidant properties and oxygen consumption rate of different tannins in a model wine solution.

The polyphenolic content and the antioxidant capacity of seven tannins with different botanical origin were measured with spectrophotometric methods (Folin-Ciocalteu, Total Polyphenols Index, DPPH, FRAP), HPLC (phloroglucinolysis), voltammetric analysis (Linear Sweep Voltammetry, LSV). The oxygen consumption rate (OCR) was measured in an oxygen saturated model wine solution, containing transition metals and metabisulphite, with a noninvasive luminescence-based technology. The results showed a high variability in polyphenolic concentration related to the botanical origin of tannins. The OCR determined over 21 days was described by quadratic equations, with coefficients varying with tannin botanical origin, dose and SO2 concentration. The tannins ranked differently for antioxidant capacity, depending on the kind of test. The oxygen consumption parameters were positively correlated only with the LSV data measured with anodic current between 100 and 1200 mV (LSV1200mV) and with the FRAP index.

Comparison of the physicochemical and volatile composition of wine fractions obtained by two different dealcoholization techniques.

Three wines (a Rosé wine, a Pelaverga and a Barbera red wines) were dealcoholized at 5% v/v ethanol with two different techniques: membrane contactor (MC) and distillation under vacuum (D). The influence of the treatments on the physicochemical composition and aromatic profile of the dealcoholized fractions was investigated. The main difference between the two techniques was the concentration grade reached by the dealcoholized fractions, which was 5-6times higher with D than with MC due to the concomitant loss of water. The main fixed compounds (organic acids, cations, polyphenols, anthocyanins) were not lost during the dealcoholization, while the losses of volatile compounds were relevant. Finally, the δ18O isotopic ratio was studied. The δ18O isotope ratio increased with D and decreased with MC. At the same time the δ18O isotope ratio fell within legal limits when the final ethanol content was adjusted to 2% by blending with dealcoholized fractions.

Impaired Angiogenic Potential of Human Placental Mesenchymal Stromal Cells in Intrauterine Growth Restriction.

UNLABELLED: Human placental mesenchymal stromal cells (pMSCs) have never been investigated in intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). We characterized cells isolated from placental membranes and the basal disc of six IUGR and five physiological placentas. Cell viability and proliferation were assessed every 7 days during a 6-week culture. Expression of hematopoietic, stem, endothelial, and mesenchymal markers was evaluated by flow cytometry. We characterized the multipotency of pMSCs and the expression of genes involved in mitochondrial content and function. Cell viability was high in all samples, and proliferation rate was lower in IUGR compared with control cells. All samples presented a starting heterogeneous population, shifting during culture toward homogeneity for mesenchymal markers and occurring earlier in IUGR than in controls. In vitro multipotency of IUGR-derived pMSCs was restricted because their capacity for adipocyte differentiation was increased, whereas their ability to differentiate toward endothelial cell lineage was decreased. Mitochondrial content and function were higher in IUGR pMSCs than controls, possibly indicating a shift from anaerobic to aerobic metabolism, with the loss of the metabolic characteristics that are typical of undifferentiated multipotent cells. SIGNIFICANCE: This study demonstrates that the loss of endothelial differentiation potential and the increase of adipogenic ability are likely to play a significant role in the vicious cycle of abnormal placental development in intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). This is the first observation of a potential role for placental mesenchymal stromal cells in intrauterine growth restriction, thus leading to new perspectives for the treatment of IUGR.

Use of polyaspartate as inhibitor of tartaric precipitations in wines.

All additives used to stabilize wines against the precipitations of potassium bitartrate have some limits: metatartaric acid (MTA) is effective but very unstable, carboxymethylcellulose is stable and effective in white wines but affects color stability in red wines, mannoproteins have a variable effectiveness depending on wine composition. This work was aimed at testing the effect of new stabilizing products on tartaric precipitations, focusing on the use of Na and K polyaspartate salts (PASPs). The effectiveness of 4 different PASPs and 1 MTA added to red and white wines was compared using the mini-contact test and cold test. The dose effect and the stability of the products over time were also studied. The PASPs showed a similar stabilizing effect and a longer stability over time compared to MTA. PASPs can be considered interesting as additives for wine tartaric stabilization. Further work is in progress to better characterize their enological properties.

Influence of the matrix composition on the volatility and sensory perception of 4-ethylphenol and 4-ethylguaiacol in model wine solutions.

This study was aimed at investigating the influence of ethanol, wine polyphenols and yeast extract on the volatility of 4-ethylphenols in red wines. The use of solid-phase microextraction with short extraction times for the study of the headspace composition, revealed a strong influence of ethanol and polyphenols on reducing the volatility of 4-ethylphenols in a model wine. At the same time, the influence of ethanol and polyphenols on the perception of the "Brett character" (stable, manure, horse sweat and phenolic notes) due to 4-ethylphenols was evaluated by sensory analysis. Polyphenols and ethanol were found to have a significant influence on the olfactory perception of the tainted wines. On the contrary, a direct influence of yeast extract on the volatility of 4-ethylphenols was not observed, although some results suggested that the effectiveness of polyphenols in reducing the volatility of 4-ethylphenols could be limited by the presence of yeast proteins.

Analytical and sensory characterization of the aroma of "Langhe D.O.C. Nebbiolo" wines: influence of the prefermentative cold maceration with dry ice.

The present work concerns the determination of the volatile compounds, as well as the description of the olfactory characteristics, of "Langhe DOC Nebbiolo" wines produced through the prefermentative cold maceration with dry ice, on full scale (30 quintals) in private cellars. The free volatile compounds and those obtained by enzymatic and chemical hydrolysis of the glycosilated precursors were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Among free volatile compounds, a loss of alcohols with 6 carbon atoms in the cryo-macerated trials was observed. The cryo-maceration technique, when correctly applied, increased the floral and fruity notes (blackberry, cherry, and plum). This increase is related to the extraction of polyphenolic compounds (maceration effect), but no volatile compounds, neither in free form, nor produced by enzymatic hydrolysis of the glycosilated precursors, can discriminate the wines according to their content of polyphenols. Only some compounds produced by chemical hydrolysis of the precursors can discriminate the wines (statistically significant differences): 3-hydroxy-ß-damascone, methylvanillate, and blumenol C. These compounds, however, form during aging and do not have any influence on young wines aroma.

Violence: sex workers / Violência: profissionais do sexo

Objective - This is a descriptive exploratory with a qualitative approach. Aimed to verify the perceptions of sex workers in developing its activities in relation to violence in the sexual, physical or emotional scope. Methods - The survey was conducted on the seafront in São Vicente municipality, SP, commonly used for local activities of sex workers, where the total sample consisted of 19 female sex workers. The procedures of data collection were recorded interviews mediated by an informal leader, a militant approach to education prevention of STD/ AIDS in the same city that is also sex worker. After collecting data, the interviews were transcribed and grouped into categories of analysis. Results - Were compared the results, on which it was observed that the females sex workers are more susceptible to suffer any kind of violence, in order that the female is more fragile, like the role of women in Brazilian society. It was observed that the vast majority of sex workers had suffered some type of violence, from physical to symbolic, being predominant the physical aggression. Conclusion - It is possible to state that the objectives were achieved and we hope that this research might contribute to improving the conditions of activity, aimed at awareness of society and reduce violence suffered by them.

Objetivo - Trata-se de uma pesquisa descritiva exploratória, de campo, com abordagem qualitativa. O objetivo foi verificar as percepções dos profissionais do sexo no desenvolvimento de suas atividades no que se refere às violências sejam de âmbito sexual, física ou emocional. Métodos - A pesquisa foi realizada na orla marítima no município de São Vicente, SP, local comumente utilizado para atividades das profissionais do sexo, sendo que a amostra total foi constituída de 19 profissionais do sexo do gênero feminino. Os procedimentos da coleta de dados foram de entrevistas gravadas mediada por uma líder informal, militante de um projeto educativo de prevenção de DST/AIDS do mesmo município que é também profissional do sexo. Após a coleta de dados, as entrevistas foram transcritas e agrupadas em categorias de análise. Resultados - Considerou-se frente aos resultados que as profissionais do sexo do gênero feminino são mais suscetíveis a sofrer qualquer tipo de violência, tendo em vista, que o sexo feminino é mais frágil, como o papel da mulher na sociedade brasileira. Verificou-se que a grande maioria das profissionais do sexo sofreu algum tipo de violência, desde simbólica até física, sendo predominante a agressão física. Conclusão - É possível afirmar que os objetivos foram atingidos, e espera-se que esta pesquisa possa vir a contribuir com a melhoria nas condições da atividade, visando à conscientização da sociedade e diminuição da violência sofrida por estas.