Dry Dosage Forms of Add-Value Bioactive Phenolic Compounds by Supercritical CO2-Assisted Spray-Drying.

Every year, grapevine pruning produces huge amounts of residue, 90% of which are from vine shoots. These are a rich source of natural antioxidants, mostly phenolic compounds, which, when properly extracted, can give rise to added-value products. However, their lack of solubility in aqueous media and high susceptibility to thermal and oxidative degradation highly limit their bioavailability. Encapsulation in suitable carriers may have a positive impact on their bioavailability and bioactivity. Previous data on vine-shoot extraction have identified gallic acid (GA) and resveratrol (RSV) as the main phenolic compounds. In this work, model dry powder formulations (DPFs) of GA and RSV using hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) as carriers were developed using Supercritical CO2-Assisted Spray Drying (SASD). A 32 full factorial Design of Experiments investigated the solid and ethanol contents to ascertain process yield, particle size, span, and encapsulation efficiency. Amorphous powder yields above 60%, and encapsulation efficiencies up to 100% were achieved, representing excellent performances. SASD has proven to be an efficient encapsulation technique for these phenolic compounds, preserving their antioxidation potential after three months in storage with average EC50 values of 30.6 µg/mL for GA-DPFs and 149.4 µg/mL for RSV-DPF as assessed by the scavenging capacity of the DPPH radical.

Protein content and amino acids profile of pseudocereals.

Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa), amaranth (Amaranthus caudatus) and buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum) represent the main protein source in several diets, although these pseudocereals are not currently present in the FCDB nutrient profile information. The aim of this work is to characterise the AA profile of these pseudocereals and compare them with rice. Total protein content revealed to vary from 16.3g/100g (quinoa Salta) to 13.1g/100g (buckwheat) and lower values were found in rice samples (6.7g/100g). For pseudocereals the most abundant essential AA was leucine. Quinoa-Salta evidences the highest leucine content (1013mg/100g) and the minor methionine content (199mg/100g). Buckwheat was the cereal with the highest phenylalanine content (862mg/100g). Rice (Oryza sativa) presents the lowest content for all AA. Results showed pseudocereals as the best source of AA. EuroFIR guidelines where strictly followed and proved to be a crucial tool to guarantee data interchangeability and comparability.

Characterisation of nutrient profile of quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa), amaranth (Amaranthus caudatus), and purple corn (Zea mays L.) consumed in the North of Argentina: proximates, minerals and trace elements.

Quinoa, amaranth and purple corn are Andean cereals largely consumed in North of Argentina. Nutrient analysis with the purpose of inclusion in the Argentinean FCDB and e-search EuroFIR has become urgent matter. In this work proximate and mineral profile of Andean cereals cultivated in the North of Argentina were determined and compared with rice. Proximate analysis showed that Andean cereals have similar profile but significantly higher (p<0.05) than rice. Andean cereals are rich sources of iron, copper, manganese and zinc and better than rice. Phosphorus and magnesium quinoa content could contribute up to 55% of consumers DRI. Andean cereals and rice are poor sources of potassium. To guarantee the interchange of data among users and producers of FCDB component values were obtained in compliance with EuroFIR guidelines for compilation process. Present work provides necessary information to FCDB users who wish to have access to food reference analytical parameters.

Experimental approaches for the estimation of uncertainty in analysis of trace inorganic contaminants in foodstuffs by ICP-MS.

Total Diet Studies to estimate dietary exposure to food contaminants need to evaluate laboratory measurements data variance. In this process it is critical that data from analytical methods are reliable to correctly scrutinize and compare values over time and between countries. In Europe it is widely recognized that the evaluation of measurement uncertainty is an important parameter when assessing the sources of analytical data variability. Two approaches are considered to estimate uncertainty in analytical measurement. Arsenic, Lead, Chromium and Cadmium, content in several food matrix determined by Inductively Coupled Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) microwave digestion assisted, are used as examples. The aim of the present research work is to compare both approaches accepted by Eurolab and GUM: Mathematical modeling to assess uncertainty components based on a classical model (bottom up) and an empirical method (top down), based on either experimental data obtained from a single laboratory validation data or inter-laboratory data from Proficiency Testing schemes. Relative expanded uncertainty calculated by both approaches agree when U (%) <20%. These values are concordant with RSDR reported in collaborative studies of EN 15763 (2009), which were assumed as target uncertainty. The top down approach described is simple and easy to use when compared with the mathematical modeling approach providing considerable benefits to those who assess data produced by several laboratories.

[Gallbladder polyps: how should they be treated and when?].

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine the correct therapeutic management for patients with gallbladder polyps (GPs), what type of surveillance should be employed and how to differentiate between benign and malignant polyps in addition to also to providing reassurance in cases of "cancerophobia". STUDY DESIGN: This was a 5-years retrospective study. LOCATION: The study was conducted at a Surgery Department at the Hospitais da Universidade de Coimbra. POPULATION: We analyzed all patients operated on at the Surgery Service II from January 2003 to December 2007 who had had a preoperative diagnosis of GP. METHODS: Clinicopathological correlations were traced for all patients. The following were analyzed: demographic data, clinical presentation, principal symptoms, associated pathologies, supplementary tests and diagnoses. RESULTS: We studied 93 patients, 91 of whom had benign polyps and two of whom had malignant polyps. Of the 91 benign polyps, 73 (78.5%) were cholesterol polyps, 14 (15%) were hyperplastic and two (2.2%) were adenomas. Two (2.2%) patients had malignant polyps, both adenogallbladder carcinomas. The mean diameter of benign polyps was 6 mm and 40 (43%) patients had multiple lesions. The mean diameter of malignant and premalignant polyps taken together was 18.8 mm, all were single polyps and the mean age of this patient subset was 57.7 years. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that the surgical option for GPs is cholecystectomy and that this should only be undertaken in cases where there are clinical signs of GP; polyps with diameters greater than 10 mm; fast-growing polyps; sessile polyps or wide-based polyps; polyps with long pedicles; patient aged over 50; concurrent gallstones; polyps of the gallbladder infundibulum or abnormal gallbladder wall ultrasound.

Pólipos da vesícula biliar: como e quando tratar? / Management of gallbladder polyps

OBJETIVO: O objetivo do estudo é saber qual a orientação terapêutica para os doentes com pólipos vesiculares (PVs), que tipo de vigilância realizar, saber diferenciar entre um pólipo benigno e um pólipo maligno e proporcionar uma tranquilização em relação à "cancrofobia". Tipo de estudo: Realizou-se um estudo retrospectivo de cinco anos. Local: O estudo foi realizado nos Hospitais da Universidade de Coimbra, num Serviço de Cirurgia. População: Foram estudados todos os doentes operados no Serviço de Cirurgia II com o diagnóstico pré-operatório de PV, entre janeiro de 2003 e dezembro 2007. MÉTODOS: Foi feita correlação clínico-patológica de todos os doentes. Feita avaliação: de dados demográficos, da apresentação clínica, dos principais sintomas, das patologias associadas e exames complementares de diagnóstico realizados. RESULTADOS: Foram estudados 93 doentes, sendo que em 91 doentes tratava-se de pólipos benignos e em dois doentes de pólipos malignos. Dos 91 pólipos benignos, 73 (78,5 por cento) eram pólipos de colesterol, 14 (15 por cento) hiperplasias e dois (2,2 por cento) adenomas. Em dois (2,2 por cento) doentes tratava-se de pólipos malignos, adenocarcinoma da vesícula biliar. O diâmetro médio dos pólipos benignos é de 6 mm, 40 (43 por cento) doentes apresentavam lesões múltiplas. Nos pólipos malignos e pré-malignos (adenomas) o diâmetro médio é de 18,8 mm, são todas lesões solitárias e a idade média destes doentes é de 57,7 anos. CONCLUSÃO: Conclui-se que o tratamento cirúrgico dos PVs é a colecistectomia e só deve ser realizado quando existe: clínica relacionada com o PV; pólipos de diâmetro superior a 10 mm; crescimento do pólipo num curto espaço de tempo; pólipo séssil ou base de inserção larga; pólipo com longo pedículo; idade do doente superior a 50 anos; coexistência de litíase vesicular; pólipos localizados no infundíbulo da vesícula ou alterações ecográficas na parede vesicular.

OBJECTIVE: Appropriate treatment and timing hinge on whether the lesion is benign or malignant. Study: A five years retrospective descriptive analysis was performed. Location : Department of General Surgery in Hospitals of the University of Coimbra. Patients: We present a series of 93 consecutive patients who had elective surgery for known gallbladder polyps, treated from January 2003 to December 2007. METHODS: An analysis was performed using clinical and radiological files of patients electively treated for gallbladder polyp. Ninety-three consecutive patients were evaluated, treated and followed in a Department of General Surgery in a Central Hospital in that period. Biographic, clinical and radiological data were compiled. RESULTS: In 91 patients a benign lesion was found. Two (2.16 percent) patients had adenocarcinoma. Among benign polyps, 73 (78,5 percent) were cholesterol polyps, 14 (15 percent) were hyper-plastic and 2 (2.19 percent) were premalignant adenomas. Mean diameter of benign polyps, excluding adenomas, was 6 mm. In 40 (43 percent) patients, multiple lesions were found. The mean diameter in the subset of malignant and premalignant polyps was 18.8 mm, in all instances these were found to be single lesions; and mean age at presentation was 57,7 years. CONCLUSION: Cholecystectomy is the appropriate surgical treatment for gallbladder polyps, when removal is warranted. Patients benefitting from surgery are those who are symptomatic, whose polyps exceed 10 mm in diameter and , have shown to be enlarging, to be sessile or broad-based, to have long pedicles;and also have . infundibular polyps, coexisting gallstones or changes on the gallbladder wall appearance at ultrasonography.