Gastrointestinal digestion of olive leaf waste from olive mill production chain in a simulator of the gastrointestinal tract.

BACKGROUND: Currently, olive leaves are considered waste, although their high phenolic content makes them a source of antioxidants that could be used directly. The aim of this work was to study the behavior of phenolic compounds contained in olive leaf from the olive mill production chain during their gastrointestinal digestion. RESULTS: Phenolic compounds in the gastric digestion analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection-mass spectrometry increased by 58% to 314.5% compared to the meal, while in the intestinal stage they ranged from 1.87 to 9.04 times higher. An increase of between 187% and 903% in bioaccessibility of phenolic compounds in the intestinal phase was observed, except for verbascoside. Furthermore, such compounds were fully bioavailable, except for apigenin-7-O-glucoside, which showed a bioavailability of 56%. CONCLUSION: The current study showed that the concentration of oleuropein, apigegin-7-O-glucoside, hydroxytyrosol hexoside and hydroxytyrosol contained in olive leaf continued to be extracted during the gastrointestinal digestion process. Furthermore, the results obtained with respect to their bioaccessibility and bioavailability suggest a good disposition to pass into the bloodstream where they could exert beneficial effects. Therefore, these results are promising for olive leaf becoming a consumable by-product that could be directly ingested through a simple infusion. © 2024 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Performance comparison of a flow cytometry immunoassay for intracellular cytokine staining and the QuantiFERON® SARS-CoV-2 test for detection and quantification of SARS-CoV-2-Spike-reactive-IFN-γ-producing T cells after COVID-19 vaccination.

PURPOSE: We compared the performance of an in-house-developed flow cytometry assay for intracellular cytokine staining (FC-ICS) and a commercially-available cytokine release assay (the QuantiFERON® SARS-CoV-2 Test [QF]) for detection and quantification of SARS-CoV-2-Spike (S)-reactive-IFN-γ-producing T cells after COVID-19 vaccination. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The sample included 141 individuals (all male; median age, 42 years; 20-72) who had been fully vaccinated with the Comirnaty® COVID-19 vaccine (at a median of 114 days; 34-145). Prior to vaccination, 91 were categorized as being SARS-CoV-2-naïve and 50 as SARS-CoV-2-experienced. A whole blood-based FC-ICS using 15-mer overlapping peptides encompassing the entire SARS-CoV-2 S protein was used for enumeration of virus-specific IFN-γ-producing CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. The QF test (Ag1 for CD4+ T cells and Ag2 for CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in combination) was carried out following the manufacturer's instructions. RESULTS: The FC-ICS and the QF assays returned significantly discordant qualitative results in both the entire cohort (P<0.001 with QF Ag1 and QF Ag2) and in SARS-CoV-2-naïve participants alone (P=0.005 and P=0.01, respectively). Discrepant results mostly involved FC-ICS positive/QF negative specimens. Overall, no correlation was found either between SARS-CoV-2 IFN-γ- CD4+ T-cell frequencies and IFN-γ levels measured in the QF Ag1 tube (P=0.78) or between the sum of SARS-CoV-2 IFN-γ CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell frequencies and IFN-γ levels quantified in the QF Ag2 tube. CONCLUSION: The data suggest a greater sensitivity for the FC-ICS assay than the QF test, and urge caution when comparing SARS-CoV-2 T-cell immune responses assessed using different analytical platforms.

Oleuropein Degradation Kinetics in Olive Leaf and Its Aqueous Extracts.

Although olives leaves are currently considered a waste material from oil mills, they have great potential to be transformed into by-products due to their high oleuropein content. Oleuropein is a glycoside precursor of hydroxytyrosol, which is the phenolic compound with the highest antioxidant capacity in nature and which is associated with multiple health benefits. For this reason, the demand for oleuropein is growing in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic and food sectors. The objective of this study is to determine the stability of oleuropein in olive leaves from oil mills in solid and aqueous forms under different conditions of temperature, relative humidity and lighting. The results indicate that the degradation of oleuropein conforms well to first-order kinetics. The rate constants at the temperatures tested in the aqueous extracts indicate activation energies from RTl to 80 °C and from 7 °C to 14 °C, as the degradation reactions were different in these ranges. Furthermore, olive leaf powder stored at any temperature with an RH ≥ 57% showed greater stability after six months, which is an encouraging result for the storage and transformation of this waste in oil mills.

Real-world experience of ocrelizumab in multiple sclerosis in a Spanish population.

OBJECTIVE: Pivotal trial have shown that patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) receiving ocrelizumab had better outcomes. However, data on ocrelizumab in clinical practice are limited. The aim of this study was to evaluate the preliminary safety profile and effectiveness of ocrelizumab treatment for multiple sclerosis (MS) in a real-world clinical setting. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study including consecutive patients from nine public hospitals in south-eastern Spain who received ocrelizumab after it was approved. RESULTS: A total of 228 MS patients were included (144 with relapsing-remitting MS [RRMS], 25 secondary progressive MS [SPMS], and 59 primary progressive MS [PPMS]). Median follow-up period was 12 months (range, 1-32). No evidence of disease activity (NEDA) status at year 1 was achieved in 91.2% of the relapsing MS (RMS) population, while disability progression was detected in 37.5% of the PPMS patients (median follow-up period, 19 months). The most common adverse events reported were infusion-related reactions and infections, with the most common infections being urinary tract infections followed by upper respiratory infections and COVID-19. INTERPRETATION: The preliminary results in our real-world setting show that ocrelizumab presented excellent results in suppressing disease activity with a favorable and consistent safety profile.

Evaluación formativa mediante el portafolio de 4 promociones de residentes de medicina de familia y comunitaria de la Unidad Docente de Murcia / Training evaluation using the four courses portfolio in primary care residents of a Teaching Unit in Murcia

Objetivo: Evaluar el cumplimiento y la calidad de los 10 grupos de tareas formativas previstas en el modelo de portafolio formativo que realizan todos los residentes de la Unidad Docente de Medicina de Familia y Comunitaria de Murcia. Diseño: Estudio transversal realizado con los portafolios cumplimentados y entregados por todos los residentes en mayo de 2011. Participantes: Todos los residentes que en ese momento se estaban formando en la unidad docente (131). Método: Se establecen 10 grupos de tareas formativas de las recomendadas por la comisión nacional de la especialidad. Se evalúa el cumplimiento de cada una de ellas en cada uno de los portafolios. Se calcula la frecuencia de cumplimiento para cada tarea formativa. Se califica la calidad de la realización de cada una de las tareas, de 0 (muy deficiente) a 10 puntos (excelente). Resultados: Respecto al grado de cumplimiento, las tareas que más se cumplen: cumplimentar correctamente el libro del residente y utilizar la guía de competencias, ambas con un99,24%; seguidas de la elaboración de informes de reflexión sobre las estancias formativas. Todas las tareas obtienen un porcentaje de cumplimiento superior al 67%. El porcentaje medio de cumplimiento es del 86,49%. Todas las tareas obtienen una nota media superior a 7 (notable).La calificación media global fue de 7,80 puntos. Conclusiones: El grado de cumplimiento de las tareas previstas en el portafolio por los residentes es muy satisfactorio. Es necesario seguir insistiendo en la mejora de la realización del portafolio (AU)

Objective: To evaluate the performance and quality of the 10 groups of training tasks envisaged in the portfolio training model undertaken by all residents of the Primary Care Teaching Unit in Murcia. Design: A cross-sectional study was conducted on the portfolios provided and completed by all residents in May 2011.ParticipantsAll residents who were in training at that time (131). Method: Ten groups of training tasks were established from those recommended by the National Commission for the specialty. The performance of each one in each of the portfolios was evaluated, and the compliance for each training task was calculated. The quality of the performance of each of the tasks was given a score, 0 points (very poor) to 10 points (excellent). Results: As regards compliance, the tasks that were most performed were: filling in the Resident book correctly and using the resident skills guide, both with 99.24%, followed by reflection reports on the training visits. All tasks had a compliance rate higher than 67%. The mean percentage of compliance was 86.49%. All tasks obtained an average score greater than 7 (outstanding). The overall mean score was 7,8 points. Conclusions: The level of perfomance of the tasks set out in the portfolio by the residents was very satisfying. It is necessary to continue working on improving the performance of the portfolio (AU)

[Training evaluation using the four courses portfolio in primary care residents of a Teaching Unit in Murcia]. / Evaluación formativa mediante el portafolio de 4 promociones de residentes de medicina de familia y comunitaria de la Unidad Docente de Murcia.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the performance and quality of the 10 groups of training tasks envisaged in the portfolio training model undertaken by all residents of the Primary Care Teaching Unit in Murcia. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study was conducted on the portfolios provided and completed by all residents in May 2011. PARTICIPANTS: All residents who were in training at that time (131). METHOD: Ten groups of training tasks were established from those recommended by the National Commission for the specialty. The performance of each one in each of the portfolios was evaluated, and the compliance for each training task was calculated. The quality of the performance of each of the tasks was given a score, 0 points (very poor) to 10 points (excellent). RESULTS: As regards compliance, the tasks that were most performed were: filling in the Resident book correctly and using the resident skills guide, both with 99.24%, followed by reflection reports on the training visits. All tasks had a compliance rate higher than 67%. The mean percentage of compliance was 86.49%. All tasks obtained an average score greater than 7 (outstanding). The overall mean score was 7,8 points. CONCLUSIONS: The level of perfomance of the tasks set out in the portfolio by the residents was very satisfying. It is necessary to continue working on improving the performance of the portfolio.

Effects of glatiramer acetate on spasticity in previously interferon-beta-treated and treatment-naive patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis: a prospective, nonrandomized, open-label, uncontrolled, observational pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Treatment with interferon-beta (IFN-beta) has been related to worsening of muscle spasticity in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). However, there are no specific data on the effects of glatiramer acetate (GA) on spasticity. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to assess the effects of GA on spasticity in patients with relapsing-remitting MS who had been previously treated with IFN-beta or were treatment naive. METHODS: Two cohorts of MS patients with spasticity who were about to begin treatment with GA at the approved dosage (20 mg/d) were enrolled in the study: patients who were being switched from IFN-beta due to adverse events or lack of efficacy (cohort 1) and patients who were treatment naive (cohort 2). The follow-up periods for cohorts 1 and 2 were 18 and 12 months, respectively. Patients' physical condition was assessed at baseline and at the end of follow-up using the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS), Penn Spasm Frequency Scale (PSFS), Global Pain Score (GPS), Adductor Tone Rating Scale, Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), and neurophysiologic tests (latency and amplitude of the Hoffmann reflex [H reflex] in the soleus, and ratio of maximum H reflex to maximum motor response [H/M ratio] in the lower limb). The frequency and severity of adverse events were recorded throughout follow-up, and investigators rated the causal relationship to GA (unrelated, unlikely, possibly, or probably). RESULTS: Twenty-eight patients were included in the study, 13 in cohort 1 and 15 in cohort 2. All patients were white. Cohort 1 was 76.9% female, with a mean (SD) age of 39.85 (9.25) years; cohort 2 was 66.7% female, with a mean age of 40.73 (11.52) years. Cohort 1 had significant reductions from baseline to the end of follow-up in mean scores on the MAS for the right hemibody (from 1.85 [0.61] to 1.18 [0.60]; P = 0.002) and left hemibody (from 1.86 [0.55] to 1.27 [0.65]; P = 0.045), PSFS (from 2.00 [0.91] to 0.36 [0.81]; P = 0.002), and GPS (from 47.69 [13.94] to 24.09 [17.15] mm; P = 0.002). The changes from baseline were not significant on the mean Adductor Tone Rating Scale, EDSS, H-reflex latency or amplitude on either side, or lower-limb H/M ratio on either side. Cohort 2 had significant reductions from baseline in H-reflex latency on the left side (from 30.31 [2.44] to 28.75 [2.01]; P = 0.005) and H/M ratio on the right side (from 0.45 [0.15] to 0.35 [0.19]; P = 0.025). There were no significant changes in mean scores on the MAS for either hemibody, PSFS, GPS, Adductor Tone Rating Scale, EDSS, H-reflex latency on the right side, H-reflex amplitude on either side, or lower-limb H/M ratio on the left side. Sixteen patients experienced a total of 28 adverse events. Seven mild adverse events were considered related to GA: local reaction at the injection site (3 patients); headache/migraine, anxiety, and skin reaction (1 patient each); and an unspecified adverse drug reaction (1 patient). Two serious adverse events (pyelonephritis and pyrexia) occurred during the study, neither of them considered related to GA. CONCLUSIONS: In this pilot study in patients with relapsing-remitting MS, GA treatment did not increase spasticity. Furthermore, the results suggest that GA may reduce spasticity in patients previously treated with IFN-beta. These findings support the conduct of large randomized controlled trials of the effects of GA on spasticity.