Unconventional sourced proteins in 3D and 4D food printing: Is it the future of food processing?

Following consumer trends and market needs, the food industry has expanded the use of unconventional sources to obtain proteins. In parallel, 3D and 4D food printing have emerged with the potential to enhance food processing. While 3D and 4D printing technologies show promising prospects for improving the performance and applicability of unconventional sourced proteins (USP) in food, this combination remains relatively unexplored. This review aims to provide an overview of the application of USP in 3D and 4D printing, focusing on their primary sources, composition, rheological, and technical-functional properties. The drawbacks, challenges, potentialities, and prospects of these technologies in food processing are also examined. This review underscores the current necessity for greater regulation of food products processed by 3D and 4D printing. The data presented here indicate that 3D and 4D printing represent viable, sustainable, and innovative alternatives for the food industry, emphasizing the potential for further exploration of 4D printing in food processing. Additional studies are warranted to explore their application with unconventional proteins.

Photodynamic therapy on mRNA levels in bacteria.

Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) has shown efficacy in inactivating different bacterial species by photosensitizer-induced free radical production. Despite aPDT is considered unable to cause resistant strains, enzymatic pathways for detoxification of reactive oxygen species and transmembrane photosensitizer efflux systems could cause resistance to aPDT. Resistance mechanisms can be evaluated by measurement of mRNA from by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Thus, the aim of this study was to access the mRNA level data obtained by RT-qPCR in bacterial cells submitted to photodynamic therapy. Studies performed on mRNA levels in bacteria after PDT were assessed on MEDLINE/Pubmed. The mRNA levels from genes related to various functions have been successfully evaluated in both Gram-positive and -negative bacteria after aPDT by RT-qPCR. Such an approach has improved the understanding of aPDT-induced effects, and reinforced the effectiveness of aPDT on bacteria, which can cause infections in different human tissues.

Use of ultrasound to improve the activity of cyclodextrin glycosyltransferase in the producing of ß-cyclodextrins: Impact on enzyme activity, stability and insights into changes on enzyme macrostructure.

This work explored the impact of ultrasound (US) on the activity, stability, and macrostructural conformation of cyclodextrin glycosyltransferase (CGTase) and how these changes could maximize the production of ß-cyclodextrins (ß-CDs). The results showed that ultrasonic pretreatment (20 kHz and 38 W/L) at pH 6.0 promoted increased enzymatic activity. Specifically, after sonication at 25 °C/30 min, there was a maximum activity increase of 93 % and 68 % when biocatalysis was carried out at 25 and 55 °C, respectively. For activity measured at 80 °C, maximum increase (31 %) was observed after sonication at 25 °C/60 min. Comparatively, US pretreatment at low pH (pH = 4.0) resulted in a lower activity increase (max. 28 %). These activation levels were maintained after 24 h of storage at 8 °C, suggesting that changes on CGTase after ultrasonic pretreatment were not transitory. These pretreatments altered the conformational structure of CGTase, revealed by an up to 11 % increase in intrinsic fluorescence intensity, and resulted in macrostructural modifications, such as a decrease in particle size and polydispersion index (up to 85 % and 45.8 %, respectively). Therefore, the sonication of CGTase under specific conditions of pH, time, and temperature (especially at pH 6.0/ 30 min/ 25 °C) promotes macrostructural changes in CGTase that induce enzyme activation and, consequently, higher production of ß-CDs.

STAT3 Regulates the Redox Profile in MDA-MB-231 Breast Cancer Cells.

Unbalanced redox status and constitutive STAT3 activation are related to several aspects of tumor biology and poor prognosis, including metastasis and drug resistance. The triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is listed as the most aggressive and exhibits the worst prognosis among the breast cancer subtypes. Although the mechanism of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation led to STAT3 activation is described, there is no data concerning the STAT3 influence on redox homeostasis in TNBC. To address the role of STAT3 signaling in redox balance, we inhibited STAT3 in TNBC cells and investigated its impact on total ROS levels, contents of hydroperoxides, nitric oxide (NO), and total glutathione (GSH), as well as the expression levels of 3-nitrotyrosine (3NT), nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2), and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB)/p65. Our results indicate that ROS levels depend on the STAT3 activation, while the hydroperoxide level remained unchanged, and NO and 3NT expression increased. Furthermore, GSH levels, Nrf2, and NF-κB/p65 protein levels are decreased in the STAT3-inhibited cells. Accordingly, TNBC patients' data from TCGA demonstrated that both STAT3 mRNA levels and STAT3 signature are correlated to NF-κB/p65 and Nrf2 signatures. Our findings implicate STAT3 in controlling redox balance and regulating redox-related genes' expression in triple-negative breast cancer.

Strategies to Improve the Quality of Goat Yogurt: Whey Protein Supplementation and Milk Pre-Treatment with High Shear Dispersion Assisted by Ultrasound.

This work investigated the fermentation kinetics and characteristics of goat yogurt supplemented with bovine whey protein isolate (WPI) (0%, 2.5% and 5.0%) subjected to high shear dispersion (HSD) assisted by ultrasound (US). Protein supplementation and the physical processes increased the electronegativity of the zeta potential (≤60%), whereas particle size reduction was observed only with physical processes (≤42%). The addition of 2.5% WPI reduced yogurt fermentation time by 30 min. After 24 h of storage at 7 °C, lactic acid bacteria counts did not differ between samples (≥8 log CFU/mL), and the supplementation was sufficient to increase the apparent viscosity (≤5.65 times) and water-holding capacity (WHC) of the yogurt (≤35% increase). However, supplementation combined with physical processes promoted greater improvements in these parameters (6.41 times in apparent viscosity and 48% in WHC) (p < 0.05), as confirmed by the denser and better-organized protein clusters observed in microscopic evaluation. Thus, both approaches proved to be promising alternatives to improve goat yogurt quality. Therefore, the decision to adopt these strategies, either independently or in combination, should consider cost implications, the product quality, and market demand.

Does photobiomodulation alter mitochondrial dynamics?

Mitochondrial dysfunction is one of the leading causes of disease development. Dysfunctional mitochondria limit energy production, increase reactive oxygen species generation, and trigger apoptotic signals. Photobiomodulation is a noninvasive, nonthermal technique involving the application of monochromatic light with low energy density, inducing non-thermal photochemical effects at the cellular level, and it has been used due to its therapeutic potential. This review focuses on the mitochondrial dynamic's role in various diseases, evaluating the possible therapeutic role of low-power lasers (LPL) and light-emitting diodes (LED). Studies increasingly support that mitochondrial dysfunction is correlated with severe neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's, Huntington's, Alzheimer's, and Charcot-Marie-Tooth diseases. Furthermore, a disturbance in mitofusin activity is also associated with metabolic disorders, including obesity and type 2 diabetes. The effects of PBM on mitochondrial dynamics have been observed in cells using a human fibroblast cell line and in vivo models of brain injury, diabetes, spinal cord injury, Alzheimer's disease, and skin injury. Thus, new therapies aiming to improve mitochondrial dynamics are clinically relevant. Several studies have demonstrated that LPL and LED can be important therapies to improve health conditions when there is dysfunction in mitochondrial dynamics.

Aplicabilidade prática de parâmetros clínicos utilizados pelo enfermeiro na monitorização de pacientes em ventilação mecânica / Practical applicability of clinical parameters used by nurses in monitoring mechanically ventilated patients / Aplicabilidad práctica de parámetros clínicos utilizados por los enfermeros en el monitoreo de pacientes con ventilación mecánica

Objetivo: Descrever os parâmetros validados por enfermeiros relacionando com a sua prática assistencial na monitorização de pacientes críticos sob ventilação mecânica. Métodos: Estudo descritivo-exploratório, de abordagem quantitativa, cujos dados foram discutidos à luz da Resolução Conselho Federal de Enfermagem n. 639/2020 e de parâmetros clínicos obtidos validados por enfermeiros intensivistas. Resultados: Os parâmetros validados foram discutidos em termos de sua aplicabilidade clínica para o alcance da competência monitorização respiratória, um dos itens presentes na referida resolução como privativa do enfermeiro. Criou-se um quadro com os parâmetros gerais para a monitorização respiratória/ventilatória por enfermeiros, com alvo clínico e local de obtenção do parâmetro no ventilador mecânica, para colaborar com a sua usabilidade. Conclusão: Apresentou-se a aplicabilidade de parâmetros validados por enfermeiros na assistência aos pacientes sob ventilação mecânica. Pondera-se sua contribuição para maior qualidade na assistência, melhores desfechos clínicos, assim como, evitar complicações associadas à ventilação mecânica. (AU)

Objective: To describe the respiratory/ventilatory parameters validated by nurses relating to their care practice in critical patients on mechanical ventilation. Methods: Descriptive-exploratory study with quantitative approach, whose data were discussed based on COFEN Resolution 639/2020 and clinical parameters obtained validated by critical care nurses. Results: The validated parameters were discussed in terms of clinical applicability for achieving the competence "respiratory monitoring", one of the items present in the aforementioned resolution as private nurse care. A framework was created with the general parameters for respiratory/ventilatory monitoring by nurses, with clinical target and location of obtaining the parameter on the mechanical ventilator, to collaborate with its usability. Conclusion: The applicability of parameters validated by nurses in care of mechanically ventilated patients was presented. Its contribution to better quality care and clinical outcomes, as well as avoiding complications associated with mechanical ventilation. (AU)

Objetivo: describir los parámetros respiratorios/ventilatorios validados por enfermeros relacionando con su práctica asistencial en pacientes críticos con ventilación mecánica. Métodos: investigación descriptiva-exploratoria con abordaje cuantitativo, cuyos datos fueron discutidos en la Resolución COFEN 639/2020 y de parámetros clínicos obtenidos y validados por enfermeros intensivistas. Resultados: los parámetros validados fueron discutidos en términos de su aplicabilidad clínica para el alcance de la competencia "monitoreo respiratorio", uno de los ítems presentes en la referida resolución como exclusiva del enfermero. Se creó un cuadro con los parámetros generales para el monitoreo respiratorio/ventilatorio por enfermeros, con objetivo clínico y lugar de obtención del parámetro en el ventilador mecánico, para colaborar con su usabilidad. Conclusión: se presentó la aplicabilidad de parámetros validados por enfermeros en la asistencia a pacientes con ventilación mecánica. Se pondera su contribución para una mayor calidad en la asistencia, mejores desenlaces clínicos y, también, para evitar complicaciones asociadas con la ventilación mecánica. (AU)

Analysis of Factors Related to the Success of Pediatric Kidney Transplantation: A 35 Years Experience.

BACKGROUND: Despite the significant improvement results over the past 20 years, pediatric kidney transplantation remains a challenge. Chronic rejection, thrombosis, and recurrence of the primary disease are frequent causes of graft loss that have been little studied. Therefore, our objective is to analyze factors related to a better prognosis, which can be used to improve future strategies to allow higher pediatric transplant success rates. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study with patients under 15 years old submitted for kidney transplantation at the Hospital das Clínicas da UNICAMP between January 1, 1987, and January 1, 2022. Age, patient weight, time and type of dialysis, use of anticoagulation, complications, ischemia time, and donor weight were analyzed and related to graft loss. The significance level adopted for the statistical tests was 5%. RESULTS: One hundred ninety-two medical records were anaThe mean follow-up time was 11 years, and the mean graft duration was ration 8.5 years. The main causes of graft loss were chronic dysfunction, thrombosis, and acute cellular rejection. Thrombosis presented significantly with the donor's body mass index and second transplantation. There was no correlation between the analyzed variables and chronic dysfunction or acute cellular rejection. DISCUSSION: Thrombosis remains the main cause of early graft loss, followed by acute cellular rejection. Measures such as thrombophilia screening and thromboprophylaxis have been proposed to improve results. However, they are still not standardized. CONCLUSION: The main causes of graft loss were chronic dysfunction, thrombosis, and acute cellular rejection. Only the thrombosis was related to the donor's body mass index and a second transplantation.

Ultrasonic pre-treatment to enhance drying of potentially probiotic guava (Psidium guajava): Impact on drying kinetics, Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG viability, and functional quality.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of ultrasound (US) on the drying acceleration of potentially probiotic guava, including its impact on drying kinetics, probiotic (Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG) viability, and functional quality of the product during drying. To perform US pre-treatments, one group of samples were first pre-treated by US (38 W/L, 25 kHz) for 15 and 30 min and then immersed in the probiotic solution for 15 or 30 min, and another group of samples were submerged in the probiotic solution simultaneously applying US (US-assisted) for 15 and 30 min. After pre-treatments, the samples were convectively dried at 60 °C. Based on the results, all US pre-treatments improved the drying rate (up to 59%) and reduced the drying time (up to 31%) to reach 25% moisture compared to non-sonicated samples. The reduction in drying time (from ∼6 h to ∼4 h for US pre-treated samples) was crucial for maintaining the probiotic viability in the dehydrated guavas. These samples showed counts of 6.15 to 7.00 CFU∙g-1 after 4 h, while the control samples reached counts of 4.17 to 4.45 CFU∙g-1 after 6 h. US pre-treatment did not affect the color parameters of the samples before drying (p > 0.05). The functional compounds were reduced during drying (p < 0.05), however, all US pre-treated samples had lower reductions in vitamin C content (up to 20%), phenolic compounds (up to 41%) and antioxidant capacity (up to 47%) compared to control samples (up to 52%, 81% and 61%, respectively). Therefore, US pre-treatment (highlighting the US-assisted probiotic incorporation for 30 min) reduced the drying time for guava slices and minimized the thermal impact on probiotic viability and functional compounds, being a strategy to produce potentially probiotic dehydrated guava.

Impact of ultrasound and protease addition on the fermentation profile and final characteristics of fermented goat and sheep cheese whey.

Goat (GCW) and sheep cheese whey (SCW) are cheese by-products that can be fermented to develop a new product. However, the limited nutrient availability for lactic acid bacteria (LAB) growth and the low stability of whey are challenges. This work evaluated the addition of protease and/or ultrasound-assisted fermentation as tools to improve GCW and SCW fermentation and the final quality of the products. Results showed that the US/protease increased by 23-32% pH decline rate (for SCW only) and modified the separation of cream (≤ 60% for GCW) and whey (≤ 80% for both whey sources, with higher values for GCW) during storage, explained by changes in the microstructure protein, fat globules, and their interactions. Furthermore, the whey source/composition (mainly lower fat content in SCW) affected the destabilization rate and the LAB viability loss (1.5-3.0 log CFU/mL), caused by nutrient depletion and low tolerance at pH ~ 4.0. Finally, exploratory results showed that fermentation under sonication (with/without protease) resulted in 24-218% higher antioxidant activity in vitro than unfermented samples. Therefore, fermentation associated with proteases/sonication can be an interesting strategy to modify GWC and SCW, and the final process chosen depends on the desired changes in whey. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13197-023-05767-3.

Use of maltodextrin, sweet potato flour, pectin and gelatin as wall material for microencapsulating Lactiplantibacillus plantarum by spray drying: Thermal resistance, in vitro release behavior, storage stability and physicochemical properties.

Different plant products and co-products have been studied as wall materials for the microencapsulation of probiotics due to the need for new lost-cost, abundant, and natural materials. In this study, microparticles were developed by spray drying using different combinations of conventional materials such as maltodextrin, pectin, gelatin, and agar-agar with unconventional materials such as sweet potato flour to microencapsulate Lactiplantibacillus plantarum. The microparticles obtained were evaluated for encapsulation efficiency, thermal resistance, and rupture test. The most resistant microparticles were characterized and evaluated for probiotic viability during storage and survival to in vitro gastrointestinal conditions. Microparticles A (10 % maltodextrin, 5 % sweet potato flour, and 1 % pectin) and B (10 % maltodextrin, 4 % sweet potato flour, and 2 % gelatin) showed high thermal resistance (>59 %) and survival in acidic conditions (>80 %). L. plantarum in microparticles A and B remained viable with counts > 6 log CFU.g-1 for 45 days at 8 °C and -18 °C and resisted in vitro gastrointestinal conditions after processing with counts of 8.38 and 9.10 log CFU.g-1, respectively. Therefore, the selected microparticles have great potential for application in different products in the food industry, as they promote the protection and distribution of probiotic microorganisms.

Análise das intercorrências no transporte inter-hospitalar da pessoa em situação crítica / Analysis of intercurrences in the inter-hospital transport of critically ill patients

O transporte inter-hospitalar da pessoa em situação crítica é um procedimento frequente face à necessidade de meios complementares de diagnóstico e terapêutica com elevado nível de diferenciação. Embora represente um risco adicional para o doente, o planeamento adequado é fundamental para a diminuição da ocorrência de complicações. Objetivos: Analisar as intercorrências no transporte inter-hospitalar da pessoa em situação critica do Serviço de Urgência Geral de um Centro Hospitalar da região norte de Portugal de julho de 2020 a março de 2021. Métodos: Estudo transversal retrospetivo, de natureza quantitativa. Realizado em 48 doentes provenientes do Serviço de Urgência Geral de um Centro Hospitalar da região norte de Portugal, sujeitos a transporte inter-hospitalar, por via terrestre, entre julho de 2020 a março de 2021. A recolha de dados decorreu no mês de julho e agosto de 2021. Como instrumento de recolha de dados foi elaborada uma grelha de registos, tendo por base a folha de registo de transporte inter-hospitalar. O tratamento de dados foi no programa Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) versão 25.0., com recurso às estatísticas, descritiva e inferencial. O estudo obteve parecer favorável da Comissão de ética R.2644 de 25.06.2021. Resultados: Amostra maioritariamente do sexo masculino (60,4%), no grupo etário entre os 18-64 anos (39,6%), com uma média de idades de 66,75±20,26 anos. A duração média do tempo de transporte foi de 64,11±08,18 minutos. A especialidade de origem mais frequente foi a neurologia (64,4%), a de destino a neurocirurgia (52,1%), com o diagnóstico do sistema nervoso (54,2%). Escala de coma de Glasgow com 15 pontos (60,4%) e com ventilação espontânea (47,9%). Registaram-se 79,2% de intercorrências, sendo que destas 80,9% foram clínicas e a mais frequente foi a tensão arterial ≥ 140mmHg (47,9%), no sexo masculino (63,2%), com idade entre os 75-84 anos (100%), com o diagnóstico do sistema nervoso (84,6%) e a especialidade de origem a neurologia. Verificou-se diferença, estatística significativa, entre as intercorrências clínicas e a especialidade de origem (p=0,033). As intercorrências não clínicas foram de (19,1%) e a mais frequente foi a exteriorização do cateter venoso periférico (16,7%) e no grupo etário superior 85 anos (45,5%) verificando-se uma associação, estatisticamente significativa entre as intercorrências não clinicas e o grupo etário (p=0,007). Conclusão: Verificou-se maior frequência de intercorrências clínicas, no sexo masculino, com idade entre os 75-84 anos e com alterações neurológicas, associando-se com a especialidade de origem. As não clínicas foram mais frequentes nos mais idosos. Sugerimos uma monitorização, dos parâmetros vitais mais frequente ou mesmo invasiva neste grupo etário, bem como vigilância do estado de consciência destes doentes. A realização de outros estudos com amostras maiores e preferencialmente prospetivos.

The inter-hospital transport of the critically ill person is a frequent procedure given the need for complementary means of diagnosis and therapy with a high level of differentiation. Although it represents an additional risk for the patient, proper planning is essential to reduce the occurrence of complications. Objectives: To analyze the intercurrences in the inter-hospital transport of the person in a critical situation of the General Emergency Service of a Hospital Center in the northern region of Portugal from July 2020 to March 2021. Methods: Retrospective cross-sectional study of a quantitative nature. Performed on 48 patients from the General Emergency Department of a Hospital Center in the northern region of Portugal, subject to inter-hospital transport, by land, between July 2020 and March 2021. Data collection took place in July and August 2021. As a data collection instrument, a grid of records was prepared, based on the inter-hospital transport record sheet. Data processing was done using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25.0., using descriptive and inferential statistics. The study obtained a favorable opinion from the Ethics Committee R.2644 de 25.06.2021. Results: The sample was mostly male (60.4%), in the age group between 18-64 years (39.6%), with a mean age of 66.75±20.26 years. The mean duration of transport time was 64.11±08.18 minutes. The most frequent specialty of origin was neurology (64.4%), that of destination neurosurgery (52.1%), with the diagnosis of the nervous system (54.2%). Glasgow Coma Scale with 15 points (60.4%) and with spontaneous ventilation (47.9%). There were 79.2% of complications, of which 80.9% were clinical and the most frequent was blood pressure ≥ 140mmHg (47.9%), in males (63.2%) and aged between 75-84 years (100%), with the diagnosis of the nervous system (84.6%) and the specialty of origin neurology. There was a statistically significant difference between clinical complications and the specialty of origin (p=0.033). Non-clinical complications were (19.1%) and the most frequent was the externalization of the peripheral venous catheter (16.7%) and in the age group over 85 years (45.5%) there was a statistically significant association between non-clinical complications and age group (p=0.007). Conclusion: There was a higher frequency of clinical complications, in males, aged between 75- 84 years and with neurological alterations, associated with the specialty of origin. Non-clinical ones were more frequent in the elderly. We suggest a more frequent or even invasive monitoring of vital parameters in this age group, as well as monitoring the state of consciousness of these patients. Carrying out other studies with larger and preferably prospective samples.

An Overview Regarding Pharmacogenomics and Biomarkers Discovery: Focus on Breast Cancer.

Breast cancer represents a health concern worldwide for being the leading cause of cancer- related women's death. The main challenge for breast cancer treatment involves its heterogeneous nature with distinct clinical outcomes. It is clinically categorized into five subtypes: luminal A; luminal B, HER2-positive, luminal-HER, and triple-negative. Despite the significant advances in the past decades, critical issues involving the development of efficient target-specific therapies and overcoming treatment resistance still need to be better addressed. OMICs-based strategies have marked a revolution in cancer biology comprehension in the past two decades. It is a consensus that Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) is the primary source of this revolution and the development of relevant consortia translating pharmacogenomics into clinical practice. Still, new approaches, such as CRISPR editing and epigenomic sequencing are essential for target and biomarker discoveries. Here, we discuss genomics and epigenomics techniques, how they have been applied in clinical management and to improve therapeutic strategies in breast cancer, as well as the pharmacogenomics translation into the current and upcoming clinical routine.

Use of physical processes to maximize goat milk cream hydrolysis: Impact on structure and enzymatic hydrolysis.

This study evaluated the use of ultrasound (US), high-shear dispersion (HSD), stirring (ST), and low or high pressure homogenization (LPH or HPH) technologies to modify the goat milk cream (GMC) structure, focusing on improving the enzymatic hydrolysis of its lipids. The GMC structure was evaluated, as well as its creaming and emulsion stability index (ESI). The processed GMC was hydrolyzed by lipase at 50 °C for 300 min, and the fatty acids concentration (FAC) was evaluated over the reaction. ST, HPH, and HSD showed âˆ¼ 90% lower emulsion destabilization, 10 times higher ESI, and smaller fat globule size than unprocessed GMC. The pretreatments increased the hydrolysis rate up to 2.4 times and the final FAC up to 8.7 times. ST (4 min), HPH (40 MPa) and HSD (5 min/ 25,000 rpm) showed the best results, which were correlated with the changes in the GMC structure. The results suggest that the physical treatments impacted the substrate structure, favoring enzyme activity and accelerating the hydrolysis degree. Therefore, the application of physical processes can be an interesting strategy to enhance the hydrolysis of GMC, aiming to produce compounds of industrial interest.

Ultrasound-assisted enzymatic hydrolysis of goat milk casein: Effects on hydrolysis kinetics and on the solubility and antioxidant activity of hydrolysates.

This study evaluated the ability of ultrasound (US) bath to improve the hydrolysis of goat milk casein (GMC) by three commercial proteases (Alcalase, Brauzyn and Flavourzyme) using assisted reactions at 60 °C for up to 300 min. Process performance was evaluated based on the rate reaction, final hydrolysis degree, solubility, and antioxidant activity of the hydrolysates. For all enzymes, the US-assisted reaction increased the rate of GMC hydrolysis (up to 120%), the hydrolysis degree (23-48%), and the small peptides formed, i.e., those soluble in trichloroacetic acid (TCA) (up to 40%). Consequently, US-assisted GMC hydrolysis improved the solubility of the hydrolyzed product (up to a 35.7% increase after 300 min of reaction) and, compared to conventional hydrolysis, reduced the time to achieve the maximum solubility by up to 10 times. Regarding the in vitro antioxidant activity, especially for Alcalase, the technology promoted a higher scavenging capacity of 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) (p < 0.05), thus 10-fold accelerating the production of antioxidant peptides, according to ABTS assays (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the US-assisted enzymatic reaction is a promising technology to improve the hydrolysis rate and yield of the process of obtaining hydrolysates from GMC. Moreover, these hydrolysates showed high solubility and good in vitro antioxidant activity, which demonstrates the potential to be used as food ingredient with nutritional and techno-functional appeal.

Lessons from transmissible cancers for immunotherapy and transplant.

The emergence of horizontal transmission of cancer between vertebrates is an issue that interests scientists and medical society. Transmission requires: (i) a mechanism by which cancer cells can transfer to another organism and (ii) a repressed immune response on the part of the recipient. Transmissible tumors are unique models to comprehend the responses and mechanisms mediated by the major histocompatibility complex (MHC), which can be transposed for transplant biology. Here, we discuss the mechanisms involved in immune-mediated tissue rejection, making a parallel with transmissible cancers. We also discuss cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in cancer immunotherapy and anti-rejection therapies.

Mango and carrot mixed juice: a new matrix for the vehicle of probiotic lactobacilli.

This study evaluated the pH, acidity, soluble solids, color, dietary fiber, sensory acceptance and the viability of Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus acidophilus in mango and carrot mixed juices. In addition, this study verified the resistance of L. plantarum that presented greater viability to the gastrointestinal tract simulated in vitro. Three formulations were elaborated (varying the pulps concentration) and the products were stored at 8 °C for 35 days. No difference was found in the total soluble solids and color of the products during storage time at 8 °C. A reduction in pH and an increase in acidity were observed in all samples during storage, probably due to the fermentative action of probiotics, which negatively influenced acceptance after 35 days of storage. On the other hand, juices with a higher concentration of mango pulp were more accepted and may be a strategy to improve the acceptance of fermented juices. Microorganisms showed greater viability in juices that had higher amount of carrot pulp, probably due to the higher fiber content in these samples. During the 35-day shelf life, all juices with L. plantarum maintained counts above 7 log CFU mL-1 after gastrointestinal conditions simulation. Therefore, mango and carrot mixed juice showed to be as a good vehicle for probiotic bacteria and meets the needs of consumers looking for functional, healthy, non-dairy and low-sugar foods.

Development of a mixed jussara and mango juice with added Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG submitted to sub-lethal acid and baric stresses.

This study evaluated the interference of sub-lethal acid (SLA) stress and high isostatic pressure (HIP) stress on the survival of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) in mixed jussara and mango juice with the pH adjusted to 3.0 and 3.5, during 90 days of storage at 6 °C. The SLA stress at pH 4.0 previously applied to the LGG cells had no effect on the survival of this bacterium in mixed jussara and mango juices. On the other hand, the application of 200 MPa/5 min/25 °C treatment to LGG cells was shown to be efficient in the cross protection of this bacterium in an acid medium. Pressures above 400 MPa/5 min/25 °C caused a reduction in the viability in an acid medium and lower pressures (< 100 MPa) showed similar results compared to control treatment in the LGG survival. No changes in pH, acidity and soluble solids were observed in mixed juices. In addition, these products showed elevated levels of anthocyanins, phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacity. This highlights the capacity of the HIP process to promote the cross protection of LGG in an acid medium.

Current advances in the diagnosis and personalized treatment of breast cancer: lessons from tumor biology.

Breast cancer treatment has advanced enormously in the last decade. Most of this is due to advances reached in the knowledge regarding tumor biology, mainly in the field of diagnosis and treatment. This review brings information about how the genomics-based information contributed to advances in breast cancer diagnosis and prognosis perspective, as well as presents how tumor biology discoveries fostered the main therapeutic approaches available to treat such patients, based on a personalized point of view.

Low Plasmatic 25-hydroxyvitamin D at Diagnosis is Associated with Axillary Invasion, Chemoresistance and Metastasis in Women with Breast Cancer.

PURPOSE: In this study, we investigated the circulating levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) in Brazilian women with breast cancer in samples collected at diagnosis, and correlated these with clinicopathological parameters relevant to disease prognosis. METHODS: This study involved 147 women diagnosed with infiltrative ductal carcinoma whose peripheral blood samples were collected, to have 25(OH)D levels measured in plasma. RESULTS: Our findings indicated that circulating 25(OH)D levels at diagnosis were insufficient in patients with breast cancer. Further, 25(OH)D reduced plasmatic levels at diagnosis correlated significantly with poor prognosis parameters, including axillar positivity, chemoresistance and metastasis. Patients bearing triple-negative tumors also presented reduced 25(OH)D in plasma when compared to those who carried Luminal tumors. Our data suggest relevant correlations when 25(OH)D is reduced in plasma at diagnosis, such as advanced disease with axillar positivity, chemoresistance with advanced disease, early age at diagnosis with high histological grade and dead with axilla positivity. CONCLUSIONS: Altogether, our findings reinforce that 25(OH)D reduction can be a plausible marker of disease prognosis in breast cancer.