Functional Beverages: The Emerging Side of Functional Foods

In recent times, there has been growing recognition of the key role of foods and beverages in disease prevention and treatment. Thus, the production and consumption of functional foods has gained much importance as they provide a health benefit beyond the basic nutritional functions. At present, beverages are by far the most active functional food category because of convenience and possibility to meet consumer demands for container contents, size, shape, and appearance, as well as ease of distribution and storage for refrigerated and shelf‐stable products. Moreover, they are an excellent delivering means for nutrients and bioactive compounds including vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, ω‐3 fatty acids, plant extracts, and fiber, prebiotics, and probiotics. However, in most cases, specific concerns have been raised over their safety. This review reports on the scientific advances in the emerging area of functional beverages with a focus on commercially available products, as well as on the potential health benefits related to their consumption.     

Analysis of the Subtropical Blackberry Cultivar Potential in Jelly Processing

In Brazil, there are numerous blackberry cultivars under cultivation, however, only a few cultivars, such as the Guarani, are displayed/used for processing. In this context the aim of this work was to study the effects of different Brazilian blackberry cultivars (Guarani, Brazos, Comanche, Tupy, Cherokee, Caingangue, and Choctaw) on the physicochemical characteristics, texture profiles and the consumer acceptance of the resulting jelly to identify the potential use of these cultivars in the jelly industry. It is feasible to produce blackberry jellies with the Tupy, Comanche, Brazos, Guarani, and Choctaw cultivars because these jellies demonstrated good acceptability combined with good productivity. Consumers were shown to have a preference for a less adhesive, more acidic jelly. This study provides a useful insight about the Brazilian blackberry cultivar potential in jelly processing.     

Assessment of air pollution sources in an industrial atmosphere using principal component and multilinear regression analysis

Aerosol samples collected in the industrial area of Estarreja, Portugal, were used to assess the source classes responsible for the particulate levels observed in the local atmosphere. Principal Component Analysis was applied separately to the concentrations of aerosol constituents and meteorological variables to obtain the number of Principal Components and to verify the influence of weather conditions on ambient air quality. The technique led to the conclusion that soil and transport emissions represent important aerosol sources even in this industrial environment. The quantitative contribution of each source class was calculated using Multilinear Regression Analysis; 37% of the aerosol mass had a soil origin, 8% was from sea spray, 18% resulted from transport emissions and 24% contained ammonium salts. Twelve percent of total suspended particle (TSP) mass could not be explained by any of the six Principal Components retained. Ammonium salts and two other minor Principal Components seem to result mainly from industrial emissions. More specific information about the contribution of each particular source was not possible with this technique.     

A national programme for the control of acute respiratory infections

In 1989 Egypt set up a programme to combat acute respiratory infections among children aged under 5 years. The present article indicates what has been achieved and the lessons that have been learnt.     

Characterization and properties of treated smectites

Two natural smectite clays named BC and AC were thermal and chemically treated. Apart from smectite, quartz and kaolinite, BC clay also contains calcite, whereas illite and higher quartz content is found in AC. Treatment at 823 K leads to a collapse of the smectite structure. Treating with H₂SO₄ or NaOH also leads to the elimination of calcite and Al and Si ions. The higher swelling capacity of BC clay is in accordance with its higher cation exchange capacity.${\gamma }_S^d$ values for both smectites decreases with the applied treatments. The surface acid–base constants determined for BC clay are higher than those obtained for AC independently of the applied treatment. This result together with the higher nanorugosity index, has been attributed to the higher quartz of the AC clay. Moreover, it has been observed that the cationic exchange capacity increases in both clays with the acidity of the surface.     

Shape memory behavior of Ti–Ta and its potential as a high-temperature shape memory alloy

In this study, the effect of Ta content on shape memory behavior of Ti–Ta alloys was investigated. The shape memory effect was confirmed in Ti–(30–40)Ta alloys. The martensitic transformation start temperature (M_s) decreased by 30 K per 1 at.% Ta. The amount of ω phase formed during aging decreased with increasing Ta. A stable high-temperature shape memory effect was confirmed for Ti–32Ta (M_s = 440 K) during thermal cycling between 173 and 513 K. On the other hand, the high-temperature shape memory effect of Ti–22Nb, which has a similar M_s to Ti–32Ta, exhibited poor stability due to the large amount of ω phase formed during thermal cycling. It is suggested that Ti–Ta is an attractive candidate for the development of novel high-temperature shape memory alloys.     

Influence of Subtropical Region Strawberry Cultivars on Jelly Characteristics

At the end of the production period of strawberries grown in subtropical regions, postharvest durability is severely diminished due to rising temperatures which compromises the commercialization of fresh fruit. An ideal option would be to process strawberries in the form of preserves, jams, and jellies. Along this line it becomes extremely important to conduct a survey of which cultivars grown in subtropical regions are more suitable for processing in the form of jelly, as well as to understand what the consumer profile is for this product. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of different strawberry cultivars grown in subtropical regions of Brazil (Camarosa, Festival, San Andreas, Oso Grande, Camino Real, and Albion) on the physicochemical characteristics, rheological properties and sensory acceptance of the resulting jelly in order to identify cultivars with the greatest potential for industrial use. The strawberry cultivars presented different physicochemical characteristics which resulted in jellies with different physicochemical and rheological characteristics. In this study, however, we verified that all cultivars have potential to be processed in the form of jelly due to good acceptance of all formulations prepared. In general consumers prefer a lighter‐colored strawberry jelly, with a less intense red color, more acidic, and less consistent/firm.     

Improved loquat (Eriobotrya japonica Lindl.) cultivars: Variation of phenolics and antioxidative potential

Leaves and fruits (peel and flesh) of six improved cultivars (‘Mizuho’, ‘Néctar de Cristal’, ‘Mizauto’, ‘Mizumo’, ‘Centenária’ and ‘NE-3’) of loquat (Eriobotrya japonica Lindl.) were studied for their phenolic composition and antioxidant capacity. The analysis by HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS/MS allowed the identification of 18 compounds (8 hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives and 10 flavonoid glycosides). The quantification of the identified compounds revealed distinct profiles amongst the three analysed materials. Loquat leaves exhibited the lowest amounts of phenolics. 3- And 5-caffeoylquinic, and 5-feruloylquinic acids were the major compounds. Generally, ‘Mizauto’ cultivar presented the highest phenolic content. All loquat materials exhibited DDPH scavenging capacity, in a concentration-dependent manner, the leaves being the most active one. This effect seems to be related to the flavonoid content.     

The Interplay between PARP Inhibitors and Immunotherapy in Ovarian Cancer: The Rationale behind a New Combination Therapy

Ovarian cancer (OC) has a high impact on morbidity and mortality in the female population. Survival is modest after platinum progression. Therefore, the search for new therapeutic strategies is of utmost importance. BRCA mutations and HR-deficiency occur in around 50% of OC, leading to increased response and survival after Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors (PARPis) administration. PARPis represent a breakthrough for OC therapy, with three different agents approved. On the contrary, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), another breakthrough therapy for many solid tumors, led to modest results in OC, without clinical approvals and even withdrawal of clinical trials. Therefore, combinations aiming to overcome resistance mechanisms have become of great interest. Recently, PARPis have been evidenced to modulate tumor microenvironment at the molecular and cellular level, potentially enhancing ICIs responsiveness. This represents the rationale for the combined administration of PARPis and ICIs. Our review ought to summarize the preclinical and translational features that support the contemporary administration of these two drug classes, the clinical trials conducted so far, and future directions with ongoing studies.     

Mast Cell Cytokines in Acute and Chronic Gingival Tissue Inflammation: Role of IL-33 and IL-37

Much evidence suggests autoimmunity in the etiopathogenesis of periodontal disease. In fact, in periodontitis, there is antibody production against collagen, DNA, and IgG, as well as increased IgA expression, T cell dysfunction, high expression of class II MHC molecules on the surface of gingival epithelial cells in inflamed tissues, activation of NK cells, and the generation of antibodies against the azurophil granules of polymorphonuclear leukocytes. In general, direct activation of autoreactive immune cells and production of TNF can activate neutrophils to release pro-inflammatory enzymes with tissue damage in the gingiva. Gingival inflammation and, in the most serious cases, periodontitis, are mainly due to the dysbiosis of the commensal oral microbiota that triggers the immune system. This inflammatory pathological state can affect the periodontal ligament, bone, and the entire gingival tissue. Oral tolerance can be abrogated by some cytokines produced by epithelial cells and activated immune cells, including mast cells (MCs). Periodontal cells and inflammatory–immune cells, including mast cells (MCs), produce cytokines and chemokines, mediating local inflammation of the gingival, along with destruction of the periodontal ligament and alveolar bone. Immune-cell activation and recruitment can be induced by inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-1, TNF, IL-33, and bacterial products, including lipopolysaccharide (LPS). IL-1 and IL-33 are pleiotropic cytokines from members of the IL-1 family, which mediate inflammation of MCs and contribute to many key features of periodontitis and other inflammatory disorders. IL-33 activates several immune cells, including lymphocytes, Th2 cells, and MCs in both innate and acquired immunological diseases. The classic therapies for periodontitis include non-surgical periodontal treatment, surgery, antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, and surgery, which have been only partially effective. Recently, a natural cytokine, IL-37, a member of the IL-1 family and a suppressor of IL-1b, has received considerable attention for the treatment of inflammatory diseases. In this article, we report that IL-37 may be an important and effective therapeutic cytokine that may inhibit periodontal inflammation. The purpose of this paper is to study the relationship between MCs, IL-1, IL-33, and IL-37 inhibition in acute and chronic inflamed gingival tissue.