ATR-FTIR and NMR spectroscopic studies on the structure of polymeric gel electrolytes for biomedical applications

The structure of polymeric gel membranes to be used as electrolytes in the recording of bioelectrical signals has been investigated by means of ATR-FTIR and ⁷Li and ¹³C MAS NMR spectroscopies. The membranes, based on PMMA, 1,2-diethoxyethane and lithium perchlorate, showed different ionic conductivity as a function of their composition. Such differences have been analyzed on the basis of spectroscopic data and the existence of interactions with the ester function in the polymeric matrix was determined. Spectroscopic data allowed to establish the optimal lithium concentration needed to achieve best ionic conductivity.     

Nutritional and physicochemical characteristics of wholemeal bread enriched with pea flour

In this work, wholemeal bread enriched with hydrated and nonhydrated pea flour was investigated. Moreover, hydrocolloids, such as hydroxypropylcellulose, agar‐agar and guar seed flour, were added to the bread to improve its organoleptic properties. The bread samples were analysed from the nutritional, microstructural and textural properties point of view, and their correlations were also evaluated. Results showed that guar gum at 2% gave the better results. In particular, the overall quality of the bread enriched with hydrated pea flour and guar gum was statistically similar to that of the CTRL reference sample (7.70). The fibres and ash content of all pea‐enriched bread samples were significantly higher compared with the CTRL sample; moreover, all functional bread samples recorded significantly lower glycaemic response with respect to the CTRL sample. In addition, the mixture of both guar gum and hydrated pea flour significantly improved the dough properties and reduced the firmness of the bread.     

Effects of hydrocolloids on chemical properties and cooking quality of gluten‐free spaghetti

The effects of different hydrocolloids on chemical composition and cooking quality of spaghetti based on maize and oat flours were investigated. Rheological and texture properties of the gluten‐free dough were also assessed. Amount of 2% of gellan gum, carboxymethylcellulose, pectin, agar, egg protein powder, tapioca starch, guar seed flour and chitosan were separately added to the formulation. The samples enriched with hydrocolloids generally showed a different rheological behaviour compared with the control samples. As regards chemical composition, spaghetti with chitosan showed a value of insoluble dietary fibres (8.0%) higher than the control ones (3.9%). Moreover, results highlighted that most hydrocolloids improved cooking quality and texture properties of spaghetti (adhesiveness, cooking loss, hardness), thus supporting their application in gluten‐free pasta.     

Engineered Lactobacillus paracasei Producing Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) Prevents Colitis in Mice

Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) is an N-acylethanolamide produced on-demand by the enzyme N-acylphosphatidylethanolamine-preferring phospholipase D (NAPE-PLD). Being a key member of the larger family of bioactive autacoid local injury antagonist amides (ALIAmides), PEA significantly improves the clinical and histopathological stigmata in models of ulcerative colitis (UC). Despite its safety profile, high PEA doses are required in vivo to exert its therapeutic activity; therefore, PEA has been tested only in animals or human biopsy samples, to date. To overcome these limitations, we developed an NAPE-PLD-expressing Lactobacillus paracasei F19 (pNAPE-LP), able to produce PEA under the boost of ultra-low palmitate supply, and investigated its therapeutic potential in a murine model of UC. The coadministration of pNAPE-LP and palmitate led to a time-dependent release of PEA, resulting in a significant amelioration of the clinical and histological damage score, with a significantly reduced neutrophil infiltration, lower expression and release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress markers, and a markedly improved epithelial barrier integrity. We concluded that pNAPE-LP with ultra-low palmitate supply stands as a new method to increase the in situ intestinal delivery of PEA and as a new therapeutic able of controlling intestinal inflammation in inflammatory bowel disease.     

Einstellung zu psychiatrisch-genetischer Forschung und pr?diktiver Diagnostik Hoffnungen und Befürchtungen von Patienten, Angeh?rigen und der Allgemeinbev?lkerung in Deutschland

Mit den Fortschritten im Bereich der psychiatrisch-genetischen Forschung gehen auch intensive Diskussionen bezüglich der daraus erwachsenden Implikationen einher. Hoffnungen wie Befürchtungen gegenüber der neuen Technologie und deren Folgen werden gleichermaßen zum Ausdruck gebracht. Über die Einstellung der Bevölkerung und insbesondere der Patienten mit affektiven oder schizophrenen Erkrankungen und ihrer Angehörigen in Deutschland war bisher allerdings wenig bekannt. Daher führten wir im Rahmen des Deutschen Humangenomprojektes erstmals eine Studie durch, um die Einstellungen und ihre beeinflussenden Faktoren zu erfassen. Wir entwickelten einen Fragebogen zur Erfassung der Erwartungen, Hoffnungen und Befürchtungen sowie der die Einstellung beeinflussenden Faktoren. Hiermit wurde eine repräsentative Stichprobe von 3077 Personen aus der Allgemeinbevölkerung am Telefon befragt. Weiterhin wurden mit 316 Patienten und 163 Angehörigen persönliche standardisierte Interviews anhand des Fragebogens durchgeführt. Die Mehrzahl der Befragten hatte eine positive Einstellung zu psychiatrisch-genetischer Forschung, äußerte jedoch gleichzeitig ethische Bedenken. Übereinstimmend waren die Befragten der Ansicht, dass Informationen aus genetischen Untersuchungen vertraulich behandelt werden sollten. Kleine, aber signifikante Unterschiede zwischen den Gruppen zeigten sich bezüglich der Einstellung zu präsymptomatischer genetischer Diagnostik. Unsere Ergebnisse weisen auf eine Ambivalenz der Befragten gegenüber der psychiatrisch-genetischen Forschung und Untersuchung hin: Neben einer überwiegend positiven Einstellung wurden auch moralische Bedenken geäußert.     

The electrical state of NAFION coated electrodes emersed from liquid electrolytes

Electrodes were coated with a perfluorosulfonate polymer (NAFION). After equilibration in liquid electrolytes they were withdrawn from the electrolytes under potentiostatic control (“emersed”). The apparent work functions of the emersed coated electrodes were determined from measurements of Volta potential differences. They were conducted with Kelvin's method of the vibrating capacitor plate. The apparent work functions at constant emersion potential show the linear correlation with the logarithm of the solution concentration expected for the equilibrium potential drop across the membrane-electrolyte interface (the Donnan potential). From comparison with the apparent work function of the electrolyte, at the same potential, the surface dipole potential of the solvated polymer after the emersion is derived.     

Heterogeneous Photooxidation of Phenol by Catalytic Membranes

In this work the heterogenization in polymeric membranes of decatungstate, a photocatalyst for oxidation reactions, was reported. Solid state characterization techniques confirmed that the catalyst structure was preserved within the polymeric membranes. The catalytic membranes were successfully applied in the aerobic photo-oxidation of phenol, one of the main organic pollutants in wastewater, providing stable and recyclable photocatalytic systems. The dependence of the phenol degradation rate by the catalyst loading and transmembrane pressure was shown. By comparison with homogeneous reaction, the catalyst heterogenised in membrane appears to be more efficient concerning the rate of phenol photodegradation and mineralization.     

Effect of the lentil flour and hydrocolloids on baking characteristics of wholemeal durum wheat bread

In this study, the characterisation of functional bread based on wholemeal durum wheat flour enriched with lentil flour was investigated to find a good balance between the nutritional and organoleptic properties of the final product. In particular, the effect of different percentage of lentil flour (10%, 20% and 25%) and the type and amount of structuring agents (carboxymethyl cellulose, guar seed flour, pectin and tapioca starch) were studied by assessing the sensorial, textural and nutritional properties of the functional bread. Results showed that the increase in the lentil flour at 20% and 25% negatively affected the dough texture and the sensorial quality of the bread. The screening of different hydrocolloids on the bread sample enriched with 25% of legume flour highlighted that the guar seed flour at concentration of 2% allowed obtaining the best results in terms of sensory properties. The nutritional analysis of the optimised functional bread showed an increase in proteins and dietary fibre (total, soluble and insoluble), suggesting its high functional value and the possibility to propose it on a market that is constantly changing and attentive to health benefit of foods.     

Indoor school environments,physical activity,sitting behaviour and pedagogy: a scoping review

Physical activity levels in children are low and sitting time high, despite the health benefits of regular physical activity and limited sitting. Children spend a large proportion of their time at school, hence school-based interventions targeting physical activity and sitting behaviour may be important. Whilst some aspects of school buildings, their layout and furniture may influence children's physical activity and sitting, these effects could be intertwined with pedagogical approaches. This scoping review aims to identify gaps in the research literature regarding the influence of the indoor school environment on pedagogical approaches and on physical activity and sitting. In primary schools, it was found that physical activity can be integrated into lessons with some benefits on academic behaviour and possibly academic performance. Overall, however, the role of the indoor built environment is poorly investigated, although a handful of studies suggest that a radical change in primary school classrooms may increase physical activity and that stand-biased desks may be promising. This study provides a contribution to the emerging research fields of ‘active design’ from the perspective of indoor school design, highlighting a dearth of research, especially on sitting and for secondary education, and a lack of relevant conceptual frameworks.