A ready-to-use antifungal starter culture improves the shelf life of packaged bread.

Fungal spoilage is the main cause of economic loss in the baking industry. In this study, we developed a ready-to-use biopreserver (slurry [SL]) for nonsliced packed bread by using selected antifungal lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and low-cost ingredients that are compatible with the food matrix. Four LAB strains (Lactobacillus brevis CRL 772, L. brevis CRL 796, L. plantarum CRL 778, and L. reuteri CRL 1100) tested in bread preservation were able to inhibit Penicillium sp. growth and lengthen shelf life twofold with respect to breads prepared using only Saccharomyces cerevisiae (2 days shelf life). The best biopreservation effect (5 days shelf life) was obtained with 40% antifungal slurry SL778 containing L. plantarum CRL 778; this was as effective as 0.2% calcium propionate (PCa). The antifungal effect of SL778 was related to the synthesis of acetic and phenyllactic acid as well as lactic acid, which was produced at a high concentration (31.2 mmol/kg) and lowered the pH of the dough, favoring the undissociated fraction of the organic acids. The combination of the starter SL778 with 0.4% PCa extended the shelf life of packaged bread to 24 days, 2.6-fold longer than breads prepared with only 0.4% PCa.

Functionality of exopolysaccharides produced by lactic acid bacteria in an in vitro gastric system.

AIMS: To evaluate whether slime-exopolysaccharides (EPS) or capsular-polysaccharide (CPS) production could protect the polymer-producing strains Streptococcus thermophilus CRL 1190 and Lactobacillus casei CRL 87 against the harsh conditions of an in vitro gastric system (GS). EPS stability on the GS was studied. METHODS AND RESULTS: An in vitro GS model containing human saliva and gastric juice was standardized. Polymer functionality on the cell viability and metabolic activity of the EPS-producing strains in the GS acidic conditions was evaluated. Two isogenic EPS/CPS deficient mutants were used for comparison. EPS or CPS conferred no significant protection on the cell viability of the studied strains after passage through the GS conditions. However, the phospho- and beta-galactosidase activities of the EPS(+) strains were higher than those of the EPS(-). Cytoplasmic alterations in the wild-type and mutant strains and partial degradation of both EPS were detected. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of EPS/CPS protected the metabolic activity of the assayed LAB strains, but had no effect on survival at low pH. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The presence of EPS/CPS as well as polymer resistance to the harsh conditions of the human GS could impact positively in probiotic strains to exert their properties in the host.

Fermentation enhances the content of bioactive compounds in kidney bean extracts.

The influence of solid (SSF) or liquid state fermentation (LSF) for 48 and 96 h on the production of water soluble extracts from kidney beans was investigated. SSF was carried out by Bacillus subtilis, whilst LSF was performed either by natural fermentation (NF) or by Lactobacillus plantarum strain (LPF). SSF extracts showed high soluble phenolic compound content (31-36 mg/g) and antioxidant activity (508-541 µg trolox equivalents/g), whilst LSF extracts exhibited potential antihypertensive activity due to their large γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) content (6.8-10.6 mg/g) and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitory (ACEI) activity (>90%). Therefore, fermentation can be considered as a valuable process to obtain bioactive ingredients from kidney beans, which could encourage their utilisation in the formulation of added-value functional foods.

Effects of sodium polystyrene sulfonate on gingival plaque: microbiological investigation and clinical follow-up.

A new antiplaque agent was tested on nine subjects. The antiplaque agent, a 5% aqueous solution (p/v) of sodium polystyrene sulfonate, applied on the tooth surfaces by daily topical application for two weeks, caused a statistically significant 30% reduction of plaque index (PI), with corresponding reduction of total bacteria and qualitative modifications of plaque formation with reduction of Gram-negative bacteria.

[Hemopexin and immunoglobulins in benign and malignant ascites. Experience in 66 patients]. / "Hemopexina e inmunoglobulinas en las ascitis benignas y malignas. Experiencia en 66 pacientes".

Sixty six patients with ascites of different etiologies were studied. Both serum and peritoneal fluids were examined through proteic electrophoresis, being the haemopexin determined in the peritoneal fluids. Immunoglobulins usually show high values in neoplastic effusions, especially igG (x +/- ES = 928.57 +/- 86.87 mg/dl) and IgA (x +/- ES = 157 +/- 17.84 mg/dl). However, the highest determinations were found in those of the congestive heart failures. The quotients obtained from the ascites immunoglobulin/serum immunoglobulin ratio are useful from a statistics point of view, though their practical value is limited. No plasma/ascites correlation was observed either in cirrhotic or in neoplastic patients. Quantification of haemope in proved to be conclusive in differential diagnosis. The 100% of benign ascites (cirrhosis, congestive heart failure and kidney failure) showed lower values than 170 mg/dl while 90.5% of neoplastic patients showed higher figures than said value. The average was 30.79 +/- 5.31 mg/dl for cirrhotic patients and 205.19 +/- 9.62 mg/dl for neoplastic patients with a statistically significative different for both groups (p less than 0.001). There is a high probability that its determination could show the etiology of the process. It was useful not only in cases of both neoplastic and cirrhotic ascites but also in those which had a cardiac origin, in which it showed intermediate values (mean +/- ES = 83.75 +/- 15.77 mg/dl). We feel that its incorporation to the routine followed when studying peritoneal effusions will afford a quick etiologic orientation.

[Alcoholic hepatitis in an internal medicine service]. / Hepatitis alcohólica en un servicio de clínica médica.

Twenty patients with alcoholic hepatitis are studied. It is remarked the low frequency of this disease in patients admitted to the Internal Medicine Ward. Jaundice forms were the most frequent. Clinical, humoral and histological characteristics are analyzed. World literature is reviewed bringing up-to- date this research.

[Liver cirrhosis and pregnancy. An infrequent association. A rare case of liver cirrhosis with 3 pregnancies]. / Cirrosis hepática y embarazo. Asociación poco frecuente. Un caso raro de cirrosis hepatica con tres embarazos.

A chronic etylist 46 year old female patient with a chronic active hepatitis of a probable alcoholic origin in presented. Between 1983 an 1987 she became pregnant three times and had normal children. We suggest probable hypotheses for etiology of hepatic cirrhosis, hypogonadism and sterility.

Efficacy of subcutaneous epoetin-zeta on anemia in renal transplant recipients: a single-center experience.

BACKGROUND: Persistent or "de novo" anemia (plasma hemoglobin<11 g/dL) may complicate the graft outcome in a significant number of renal transplant recipients. We describe a single-center experience with epoetin-zeta (EPO-Z), the biosimilar form for epoetin-alfa. METHODS: Twenty patients were included in the study, 10 in treatment with different erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESA) and shifted to EPO-Z (shift group) and 10 who started EPO-Z treatment for anemia (naive group). All the patients had stable renal function and normal values of main inflammation markers and were prospectively followed up for 12 months. Iron supplements were administered during the study, as needed. RESULTS: In the shift group, mean plasma hemoglobin levels>11 g/dL were maintained for the entire 1-year follow-up period, with average EPO-Z doses 3.4% higher than the corresponding doses of previous ESA; in the naive group, the target value was reached between the first and third months and remained stable throughout the study. Mean corpuscular volume did not vary in either group. No change was observed in glomerular filtration rate, nor in proteinuria or in main laboratory data. No drug-related side effect was reported. CONCLUSIONS: EPO-Z may be considered a valid alternative to different ESAs in renal transplant recipients, with an interesting pharmaco-economic profile, considering its lower cost.

Prostate volume and growth during testosterone replacement therapy is related to visceral obesity in Klinefelter syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: Klinefelter syndrome (KS) is a chromosomal alteration characterized by increased risk of metabolic syndrome, mainly caused by visceral obesity. In the last years, obesity has been studied as a potential risk factor for prostate disease and recently a link has been demonstrated between visceral adiposity with prostate volume. The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between obesity and prostate volume and growth during testosterone therapy in KS subjects. DESIGN AND METHODS: We evaluated reproductive hormones, metabolic parameters, anthropometric measures, PSA, and prostate volume in 121 naïve non-mosaic KS patients and 60 age-matched healthy male controls. Fifty-six KS hypogonadic subjects were treated with testosterone-gel 2% and reevaluated after 18 months of treatment. RESULTS: Prostate volume in KS was positively related to waist circumference (WC). The KS group with WC ≥94 cm had significantly higher prostate volume, BMI, insulin plasma levels, homeostasis model assessment index, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and glycemia with respect to the KS group with WC <94 cm. After testosterone replacement therapy, only hypogonadic KS men with WC ≥94 cm had a statistically significant increase in prostate volume. Furthermore, in untreated KS subjects, prostate volume showed a statistically significant increase after 18 months of follow-up only in subjects with WC ≥94 cm. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that visceral obesity, insulin resistance, and lipid and glucose metabolism alterations are associated with prostate volume and growth during testosterone replacement therapy in KS, independently from androgen or estrogen levels. These latter findings might provide the basis for a better management and follow-up of KS subjects.

Exopolysaccharide biosynthesis by Lactobacillus helveticus ATCC 15807.

Exopolysaccharide (EPS) production and the activities of the enzymes involved in sugar nucleotide biosynthesis in Lactobacillus helveticus ATCC 15807 under controlled pH conditions were investigated. Batch fermentations using lactose as energy source showed higher EPS synthesis by L. helveticus ATCC 15807 at pH 4.5 with respect to pH 6.2, the enzyme alpha-phosphoglucomutase (alpha-PGM) being correlated with both total and specific EPS production. When glucose was used as carbon source instead of lactose, the lower EPS synthesis obtained was linked to a decrease in alpha-PGM and galactose 1-phosphate-uridyltransferase (GalT) activities, the reduction of the latter being more pronounced. Higher EPS production by L. helveticus ATCC 15807 at the acidic constant pH of 4.5 requires that both alpha-PGM and GalT activities are high. These enzymes are needed to synthesize UDP-glucose and UDP-galactose for supplying the corresponding monomers for EPS biosynthesis. Although differences are observed in EPS production by this strain regarding the energy source (lactose or glucose), the monomeric composition of the polymers produced is independent of the carbohydrate used. The obtained results contribute to a better understanding of the physiological factors that affect EPS biosynthesis by lactobacilli, which could help in the correct handling of the fermentation parameters within the fermented dairy industry.

Growth and exopolysaccharide production by Lactobacillus helveticus ATCC 15807 in an adenine-supplemented chemically defined medium.

AIMS: To analyse the exopolysaccharide (EPS) production by Lactobacillus helveticus ATCC 15807 in a chemically defined medium (CDM) and the effect of nutrients and stress culture conditions on cell growth and EPS formation. METHODS AND RESULTS: Cultures were conducted in CDM: (i) containing essential and nonessential bases and vitamins; (ii) without nonessential bases and vitamins [Simplified CDM (SCDM)]; (iii) SCDM supplemented individually with vitamins and bases. The influence of carbohydrates, pH and osmotic culture conditions on growth and polymer formation was analysed. Adenine and lactose stimulated both growth and EPS production. Constant pH fermentations (4.5 and 6.2) did not improve EPS synthesis while NaCl and glycerol were detrimental for growth and polymer formation. In all media the EPS monomer composition was glucose and galactose (2.5 : 1). CONCLUSIONS: A SCDM containing adenine and lactose was optimal for cell growth and EPS formation by Lact. helveticus ATCC 15807. Controlled pH (6.2 and 4.5) and osmotic stress culture conditions did not improve polymer production. The EPS characteristics were identical in all media. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This work provides a better knowledge on EPS synthesis by Lact. helveticus. A CDM to perform regulation studies on EPS production by Lact. helveticus species is now available.

Citrate catabolism and production of acetate and succinate by Lactobacillus helveticus ATCC 15807.

The citrate metabolism of Lactobacillus helveticus ATCC 15807 was studied under controlled-pH fermentations at pH 4.5 and pH 6.2. The micro-organism was able to co-metabolize citrate and lactose at both pH from the beginning of growth, which enhanced the rate of lactose consumption and lactic acid production, compared with cultures without citrate. The effect of citrate on cell growth was dependent on the balance between the ratio of dissociated to non-dissociated forms of the acetic acid produced and the extra ATP gained by the cells, both facts related to the citrate metabolism. The citrate catabolism determined a change in the fermentation pattern of L. helveticus ATCC 15807 from homolactic to a mixed-acid profile, regardless of the external pH. Within this new fermentation pattern, acetate was the major product formed (13-20 mM), followed by succinate (2.4-3.7 mM), while acetoine, dyacetile or butanediol were not detected. The mixed-acid profile displayed by L. helveticus ATCC 15807 was linked to NADH(2) oxidase activity rather than the acetate kinase enzyme.

[Multiple myeloma: etiopathogenetic and clinical aspects]. / Il mieloma multiplo: aspetti eziopatogenetici e clinici.

The A.A. analyze etiopathogenetic and clinical-diagnostical aspects of Multiple Myeloma, reserving particular attention to oral manifestations that often represent the first sign of the disease.

[Electrophysiology of the cell. 3. The electrical component in cellular metabolism]. / Elettrofisiologia della cellula. Nota III. La componente elettrica nel metabolismo cellulare.

The Authors succiently summarize a few elements of cellular electrophysiology in the sphere of influence's study of the electric stimuli on the replacement calcium in the peripheric feed-back of the bony structures.

[Electrophysiology of the cell. 2. Action potentials]. / Elettrofisiologia della cellula. Nota II: Potenziale d'azione.

In the sphere of re-examination cellular electrophysiology, the authors propose again the action's potential concepta of celle about a point of view prevalently electric.

[Stomatitis in the pediatric age group]. / Stomatiti in età pediatrica.

The AA. describe the most common stomatitis in childhood.

[Electrophysiology of the cell. 1. Overview]. / Elettrofisiologia della cellula. Nota I: Generalità.

The Authors summarize very concisely and in a very simple way, the ionic characteristics and the importance of the ionic and electric exchanges, in general, in the cellular membrane and structures.

[Familial dysautonomia (Riley-Day syndrome)]. / La disautonomia familiare (Sindrome di Riley-Day).

The A.A. outline the familial dysautonomia describing its natural history, etiology, pathology and the clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic principles.

[Respiratory and deglutition pathology in malocclusion]. / Patologia della respirazione e della deglutizione nelle malocclusioni.

The Authors, in this work, describe the ripercussions fixed by the pathology of the first respiratory organs and of the deglutition both at expense of maxillo-facial development and at systematic-level; by beginning from physiologic mechanisms, the most frequent causes of the oral respiration and the atypic deglutition are analysed.