Characterisation of lactic acid bacteria isolated from the Georgian,yoghurt‐like Matsoni

Matsoni is a traditional Caucasian fermented milk product, characterised by a lactic acid bacteria (LAB) microbiota. Objectives of the present study were to isolate and identify the LAB of Matsoni samples collected from various Georgian areas and to study their technological characteristics. About 300 LAB from 71 samples of Matsoni were isolated and characterised. The species most representatives were Lactobacillus delbrueckii, Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus rhamnosus. This study highlighted a high degree of biodiversity and a specific geographical distribution of the dominant LAB present in artisanal Matsoni. Some strains showed technological features useful to design a multistrain starter culture for Matsoni.     

Selection of Streptococcus thermophilus strains able to produce exopolysaccharides in milk

A collection of 139 Streptococcus thermophilus strains was genetically screened by PCR targeting some genes involved in exopolysaccharide (EPS) biosynthesis. Twenty‐nine strains were found to be PCR positive and were grown in skim milk to highlight their ropy character, that is the ability to efficiently thicken the milk cultures and minimise syneresis. Three strains producing a skim milk culture with apparent viscosities of 275 ± 14, 340 ± 21 and 510 ± 42 mPa.s, significantly higher than the average value (135 ± 87.3 mPa.s), were selected. EPS from milk cultures of these three strains was extracted and quantified from 84.4 to 209.2 mg/L.     

Determination of Over 350 Multiclass Pesticides in Jams by Ultra-High Performance Liquid Chromatography Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (UHPLC-TOFMS)

In this study, a screening method was developed using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-TOFMS) for multiclass pesticide analysis in jam samples. The method was based on an experimental database with retention time/accurate mass data for the 353 selected analytes. Compound identification was based on retention time and the accurate mass measurements of the protonated molecules. The limits of detection were below 10 μg kg^?1 for 90 % of the studied compounds. The proposed method was successfully applied to evaluate the presence and concentration levels of over 350 multiclass pesticides in a total of 54 jam market samples collected in Spain from different companies. Results found were in compliance with the current regulations with the exception of a sample, which contained monocrotophos. Forty-one percent of the samples were found free of pesticides; 26 % of the samples contained only one pesticide while 33 % contained at least two or more pesticides.     

Patterns of adolescents' participation in organized activities: Are sports best when combined with other activities?

Although many adolescents participate in sports and other types of organized activities, little extant research explores how youth development outcomes may vary for youth involved in different combinations of activities. The present study uses the Child Development Supplement of the Panel Study of Income Dynamics, a large, nationally representative sample, to compare activity patterns of adolescents ages 10–18 years (n = 1,711). A cluster analytic technique revealed 5 activity clusters: sports-focused, sports plus other activities, primarily school-based activities, primarily religious youth groups, and low activity involvement. Activity patterns were examined in conjunction with 5 categories of youth development outcomes, including competence (e.g., academic ability), confidence (e.g., self-concept of ability), connections (e.g., talking with friends), character (e.g., externalizing behavior problems), and caring (e.g., prosocial behavior). Results showed that those who participated only in sports had more positive outcomes compared with those who had little or no involvement in organized activities, but less positive outcomes compared with those who participated in sports plus other activities. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Aquaporin-4 Mediates Permanent Brain Alterations in a Mouse Model of Hypoxia-Aged Hydrocephalus

Aquaporin-4 (AQP4) is the principal water channel in the brain being expressed in astrocytes and ependymal cells. AQP4 plays an important role in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) homeostasis, and alterations in its expression have been associated with hydrocephalus. AQP4 contributes to the development of hydrocephalus by hypoxia in aged mice, reproducing such principal characteristics of the disease. Here, we explore whether these alterations associated with the hydrocephalic state are permanent or can be reverted by reexposure to normoxia. Alterations such as ventriculomegaly, elevated intracranial pressure, and cognitive deficits were reversed, whereas deficits in CSF outflow and ventricular distensibility were not recovered, remaining impaired even one month after reestablishment of normoxia. Interestingly, in AQP4^−/− mice, the impairment in CSF drainage and ventricular distensibility was completely reverted by re-normoxia, indicating that AQP4 has a structural role in the chronification of those alterations. Finally, we show that aged mice subjected to two hypoxic episodes experience permanent ventriculomegaly. These data reveal that repetitive hypoxic events in aged cerebral tissue promote the permanent alterations involved in hydrocephalic pathophysiology, which are dependent on AQP4 expression.     

Electrospun poly(<Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">d</Emphasis>/<Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">l</Emphasis>-lactide-<Emphasis Type="Italic">co</Emphasis>-<Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">l</Emphasis>-lactide) hybrid matrix: a novel scaffold material for soft tissue engineering

Electrospinning is a long-known polymer processing technique that has received more interest and attention in recent years due to its versatility and potential use in the field of biomedical research. The fabrication of three-dimensional (3D) electrospun matrices for drug delivery and tissue engineering is of particular interest. In the present study, we identified optimal conditions to generate novel electrospun polymeric scaffolds composed of poly-d/l-lactide and poly-l-lactide in the ratio 50:50. Scanning electron microscopic analyses revealed that the generated poly(d/l-lactide-co-l-lactide) electrospun hybrid microfibers possessed a unique porous high surface area mimicking native extracellular matrix (ECM). To assess cytocompatibility, we isolated dermal fibroblasts from human skin biopsies. After 5 days of in vitro culture, the fibroblasts adhered, migrated and proliferated on the newly created 3D scaffolds. Our data demonstrate the applicability of electrospun poly(d/l-lactide-co-l-lactide) scaffolds to serve as substrates for regenerative medicine applications with special focus on skin tissue engineering.     

The effects of interfacial interactions on lamellar morphologies in thin and ultrathin films and nanocomposites of LLDPE

The transition from edge-on to flat-on morphology under confinement in spin-cast pristine and carbon nanofiber (CNF) or nanoclay (NC) filled linear low-density polyethylene thin films is investigated with emphasis on the surface interaction component. The morphology transition is observed by scanning probe microscopy and is linked to melting point depression and shear modulus decrease at the corresponding transition. A thermodynamic model, based on Gibbs’ free energy of crystallization according to Hoffman’s crystallization theory, is proposed to account for these phenomena. Particularly, the model can predict the confined film thickness at the morphology transition and, in part, the extent of melting point downshifting.     

IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 in Inflammatory Cachexia

Inflammation induces a wide response of the neuroendocrine system, which leads to modifications in all the endocrine axes. The hypothalamic–growth hormone (GH)–insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) axis is deeply affected by inflammation, its response being characterized by GH resistance and a decrease in circulating levels of IGF-1. The endocrine and metabolic responses to inflammation allow the organism to survive. However, in chronic inflammatory conditions, the inhibition of the hypothalamic–GH–IGF-1 axis contributes to the catabolic process, with skeletal muscle atrophy and cachexia. Here, we review the changes in pituitary GH secretion, IGF-1, and IGF-1 binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3), as well as the mechanism that mediated those responses. The contribution of GH and IGF-1 to muscle wasting during inflammation has also been analyzed.