Olive oil and longevity

Several lines of evidence point to olive oil and the olive oil-centered Mediterranean diet as conducive to longevity. The evidence stems from ecological, as well as analytic epidemiological studies assessing olive oil, monounsaturated lipids or the Mediterranean dietary pattern in relation to the incidence of, or mortality from, major common diseases, or overall mortality. Mechanistic considerations are addressed by biochemical studies, whereas randomized clinical trials provide further support to the evidence generated from observational investigations. The content of olive oil in several microcomponents with antioxidant potential, as well as its high content in monounsaturated lipids appear to be essential for the beneficial effect of this food.     

Effects of freezing preservation on mango (Mangifera indica, L.) peroxidase

This work describes the effects of freezing preservation on mango (cvs Lippens and Smith) peroxidase (E.C. 1.11.1.7); POD). Frozen mango slices showed lower levels of POD activity than raw fruits (17% cv Lippens; 50% cv Smith after 2 months storage time). A regeneration of this activity was found after 6 months of frozen storage. Regeneration continued to the end of the study (12 months) in both cultivars. During the whole period of storage, inactivation rates in Smith POD were higher than in Lippens. The isoenzymic pattern of Lippens POD showed four strongly anionic species that did not appear in the Smith pattern. The activity of these four bands is the most stable to low temperatures, and is the possible cause of the major resistence of Lippens peroxidase to freezing and frozen storage. Thus the Smith cultivar may be more suitable for freezing preservation.

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Einfluß der Gefrierlagerung auf die Aktivität der Mangoperoxidase (Mangifera indica, L.)

Zusammenfassung Diese Arbeit beschreibt die Auswirkungen der Gefrierlagerung auf die Peroxidase (E.C. 1.11.1.7) von Mangofrüchten, Sorte Lippens und Smith. Die gefrorenen Mangoscheiben wiesen niedrigere Peroxidasewerte auf als die rohen Früchte (um 17% geringer bei Lippens und um 50% bei Smith, nach zwei Monaten Lagerung). Eine Reaktivierung konnte nach sechs Monaten Tiefkühlung festgestellt werden. Diese Reaktivierung hielt bei beiden Mangosorten bis zum Ende der Untersuchung (also 12 Monate) an. Während der ganzen Lagerungszeit ließ die Inaktivierung der Peroxidase der Lippens vier stark anionische Formen erkennen, die bei der Sorte Smith nicht auftraten. Es stellte sich heraus, daß die Aktivität dieser vier Formen die größte Stabilität gegenüber tiefen Temperaturen aufweist. Wahrscheinlich ist das der Grund für die größere Widerstandsfähigkeit der Peroxidase der Sorte Lippens gegenüber Gefrieren und Tiefkühlung. Dieses Ergebnis weist auf eine bessere Eignung für die Gefrierkonservierung der Mangosorte Smith hin.

     

Effect of processing conditions on oligosaccharide profile of wheat sourdoughs

Oligosaccharide profiles in yeasted and unyeasted wheat sourdoughs inoculated withLactobacillus plantarum have been investigated. A surface response design (central composite design structure) has been used to study the effect of flour extraction rate (0.54, 1.11 and 1.68% ash content), dough yield (160, 200, and 240) and fermentation temperature (25, 30 and 35°C). Unfermented and 20 h fermented doughs were evaluated. Multivariate data analysis was used to analyse the data. Unfermented doughs contained variable amounts of glucose, fructose and maltose, but oligosaccharides with a degree of polymerization (DP) over 3 were not detected. The greatest levels of monosaccharides corresponded to yeasted sourdoughs from brown flours prepared at 30 and 35°C. Factor analysis of fermented sourdoughs showed three factors explaining 83% variability of the data. The first factor (43% variance explained) was directly related to oligosaccharides with a DP above 5, and inversely related to maltose content. Factor two (27%) was related to DP 3 and DP 4, and the third factor (16%) to glucose and fructose levels. The greatest quantities of maltose corresponded to white unyeasted sourdoughs, and the highest amounts of monosaccharides corresponded to brown unyeasted samples. On the other hand, yeasted sourdoughs contained higher amounts of oligosaccharides with DP 3 to DP 5. Samples of white flour, low consistency, yeasted and fermented at ≧30°C showed the biggest content of DP 6 and DP 7.     

Modulatory effects of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 on eye disorders: A critical review

Many studies have shown that the presence of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 in the eye is able to modulate inflammatory responses. In fact, it has been demonstrated that topical administration of vitamin D3 inhibits Langerhans cells migration from the central cornea, corneal neovascularization, and production of cytokines (i.e., interleukin-1-6-8) in experimental animals.

Moreover, both in vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated that vitamin D is a potent inhibitor of retinal neovascularization. It has been shown that calcitriol, the biologically active form of vitamin D, inhibits angiogenesis both in cultured endothelial cells and in retinas from guinea pigs with retinoblastoma or oxygen-induced ischemic retinopathy. In addition, it seems that this compound is able to prevent the progression from early to neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and, at the same time, to down-regulate the characteristic inflammatory cascade at the retinal pigment epithelium–choroid interface due to its anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory capabilities.

Furthermore, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 and its analogue, 2-methylene-19-nor-1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, are able to modulate intraocular pressure (IOP) through gene expression. Several studies have suggested a role in glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy therapies for vitamin D3.

In conclusion, this review summarizes our current knowledge on the potential use of vitamin D3 in the protection and treatment of ocular diseases in ophthalmology.     

gef Gene Expression in MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cells is Associated with a Better Prognosis and Induction of Apoptosis by p53-Mediated Signaling Pathway

Breast cancer research has developed rapidly in the past few decades, leading to longer survival times for patients and opening up the possibility of developing curative treatments for advanced breast cancer. Our increasing knowledge of the biological pathways associated with the progression and development of breast cancer, alongside the failure of conventional treatments, has prompted us to explore gene therapy as an alternative therapeutic strategy. We previously reported that gef gene from E. coli has shown considerable cytotoxic effects in breast cancer cells. However, its action mechanism has not been elucidated. Indirect immunofluorescence technique using flow cytometry and immunocytochemical analysis were used to detect breast cancer markers: estrogen (ER) and progesterone (PR) hormonal receptors, human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 proto-oncogene (c-erbB-2), ki-67 antigen and p53 protein. gef gene induces an increase in ER and PR expressions and a decrease in ki-67 and c-erbB-2 gene expressions, indicating a better prognosis and response to treatment and a longer disease-free interval and survival. It also increased p53 expression, suggesting that gef-induced apoptosis is regulated by a p53-mediated signaling pathway. These findings support the hypothesis that the gef gene offers a new approach to gene therapy in breast cancer.     

Neuroprotective Effect of Melatonin: A Novel Therapy against Perinatal Hypoxia-Ischemia

One of the most common causes of mortality and morbidity in children is perinatal hypoxia-ischemia (HI). In spite of the advances in neonatology, its incidence is not diminishing, generating a pediatric population that will require an extended amount of chronic care throughout their lifetime. For this reason, new and more effective neuroprotective strategies are urgently required, in order to minimize as much as possible the neurological consequences of this encephalopathy. In this sense, interest has grown in the neuroprotective possibilities of melatonin, as this hormone may help to maintain cell survival through the modulation of a wide range of physiological functions. Although some of the mechanisms by which melatonin is neuroprotective after neonatal asphyxia remain a subject of investigation, this review tries to summarize some of the most recent advances related with its use as a therapeutic drug against perinatal hypoxic-ischemic brain injury, supporting the high interest in this indoleamine as a future feasible strategy for cerebral asphyctic events.     

Improving the control of food production in catering establishments with particular reference to the safety of salads

Food production in four school kitchens was checked in order to improve food safety by establishing a self-regulated control system based on good manufacturing practices (GMPs) and as an introduction to hazard analysis and critical control points (HACCP). A form, which referred to different aspects such as the cleanliness of the installations, personnel hygiene and the prevention of cross-contamination, was used to obtain the necessary data. Furthermore, foods thought to be of high risk were periodically collected for microbiological analysis. Samples for microbiological examination were taken from cutting boards, tables, machines, knives and ingredients (on-line sampling). We used the results as a basis to train foodhandlers to improve the safety of salad preparation, in accordance with GMPs, observing that hygiene improvement depended on chlorine levels in the rinsing water. We also designed several controls for raw materials, cold storage, freezers and available chlorine levels in water. At the end of the study period, we observed a decrease in microbial populations of examined samples, which indicated that the knowledge of hygiene practices on the part of foodhandlers represents a critical control point, as defined by the EC Directive 93/43/EEC on Hygiene of Food Stuffs.     

Testing software components for integration: a survey of issues and techniques

Component‐based development has emerged as a system engineering approach that promises rapid software development with fewer resources. Yet, improved reuse and reduced cost benefits from software components can only be achieved in practice if the components provide reliable services, thereby rendering component analysis and testing a key activity. This paper discusses various issues that can arise in component testing by the component user at the stage of its integration within the target system. The crucial problem is the lack of information for analysis and testing of externally developed components. Several testing techniques for component integration have recently been proposed. These techniques are surveyed here and classified according to a proposed set of relevant attributes. The paper thus provides a comprehensive overview which can be useful as introductory reading for newcomers in this research field, as well as to stimulate further investigation. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Immobilization of Lathyrus cicera Amine Oxidase on Magnetic Microparticles for Biocatalytic Applications

Amine oxidases are enzymes belonging to the class of oxidoreductases that are widespread, from bacteria to humans. The amine oxidase from Lathyrus cicera has recently appeared in the landscape of biocatalysis, showing good potential in the green synthesis of aldehydes. This enzyme catalyzes the oxidative deamination of a wide range of primary amines into the corresponding aldehydes but its use as a biocatalyst is challenging due to the possible inactivation that might occur at high product concentrations. Here, we show that the enzyme’s performance can be greatly improved by immobilization on solid supports. The best results are achieved using amino-functionalized magnetic microparticles: the immobilized enzyme retains its activity, greatly improves its thermostability (4 h at 75 °C), and can be recycled up to 8 times with a set of aromatic ethylamines. After the last reaction cycle, the overall conversion is about 90% for all tested substrates, with an aldehyde production ranging between 100 and 270 mg depending on the substrate used. As a proof concept, one of the aldehydes thus produced was successfully used for the biomimetic synthesis of a non-natural benzylisoquinoline alkaloid.