In vivo antitumoural activity and composition of an oil extract of Brazilian propolis

The present study aimed to evaluate in vivo and in vitro the antitumoural activity of a propolis extract obtained with edible vegetable oil and its fractions and also to investigate its chemical composition by LC–MS and LC–MS/MS. To evaluate the toxicological aspects related to the propolis extract treatment, hematological, biochemical, histopathological and morphological analyses of treated animals were performed. All propolis extracts showed an in vivo antitumour activity in the experimental model with a moderate toxicity effect at experimental exposure levels. The oil extract was as effective as the ethanolic extract at inhibiting tumour growth. In vitro assays showed that the whole oil extract produced better inhibition of tumour cells than its fractions. LC–MS and LC–MS/MS identified four phenolic acids and three flavonoids. The anticancer potential of the oil extract of propolis has been demonstrated and the edible vegetable oil was shown as an attractive alternative solvent to extract bioactive natural propolis components.     

Secretome from Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells-Derived Endothelial Cells Promotes Wound Healing in a Type-2 Diabetes Mouse Model

Tissue regeneration is often impaired in patients with metabolic disorders such as diabetes mellitus and obesity, exhibiting reduced wound repair and limited regeneration capacity. We and others have demonstrated that wound healing under normal metabolic conditions is potentiated by the secretome of human endothelial cell-differentiated mesenchymal stem cells (hMSC-EC). However, it is unknown whether this effect is sustained under hyperglycemic conditions. In this study, the wound healing effect of secretomes from undifferentiated human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSC) and hMSC-EC in a type-2 diabetes mouse model was analyzed. hMSC were isolated from human Wharton’s jelly and differentiated into hMSC-EC. hMSC and hMSC-EC secretomes were analyzed and their wound healing capacity in C57Bl/6J mice fed with control (CD) or high fat diet (HFD) was evaluated. Our results showed that hMSC-EC secretome enhanced endothelial cell proliferation and wound healing in vivo when compared with hMSC secretome. Five soluble proteins (angiopoietin-1, angiopoietin-2, Factor de crecimiento fibroblástico, Matrix metallopeptidase 9, and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor) were enriched in hMSC-EC secretome in comparison to hMSC secretome. Thus, the five recombinant proteins were mixed, and their pro-healing property was evaluated in vitro and in vivo. Functional analysis demonstrated that a cocktail of these proteins enhanced the wound healing process similar to hMSC-EC secretome in HFD mice. Overall, our results show that hMSC-EC secretome or a combination of specific proteins enriched in the hMSC-EC secretome enhanced wound healing process under hyperglycemic conditions.     

Development of bakery products for greater adult consumption based on wheat and rice flour

The present investigation was developed as a contribution to Guatemalan's elderly food and nutrition. Its main objective was to evaluate the chemical, nutritional and sensory quality of bread prepared from the partial substitution of wheat flour with rice flour. Wheat flour substitutions with rice flour in the order of 15, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60% were evaluated. Differences with the control (100% wheat bread) were found during the process of preparation, as well as texture, volume, height, weight and specific volume. Important effects in dough handling were noted specifically in the 40, 50 and 60% rice bread. Thus, a sandy texture was found in breads of higher rice levels. The bread protein quality increased with the level of substitution; however the protein quality difference between the wheat bread and the bread with 60% rice flour did not achieve statistical significance. Based on a statistical analysis of the physical properties the bread with 30 and 40% rice flour was selected, and through a preference test between these last two, the 30% rice flour bread was selected as the sample best suited to the present study's purposes. This bread was not different to wheat bread in many nutritional parameters, although in others it showed to be superior. Each serving size of bread has a weight of 80 grams (2 slices) that contributes adequate quantity of calories, protein and sodium, although a little less dietary fiber than 100% wheat bread.     

Isolation and Characterization of Starch from Bamboo Culm (Guadua flabellata)

Starch was isolated from bamboo culm in 8.5% yield. The starch was characterized by poligonal granules ranging in size from 1 to 12 μm and an amylose content of 24%. The granules were compact, with a density of 1.531 g/cm³. This, probably, reflected in low swelling power and solubility in water and poor solubility in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). Brabender amylogram indicated an initial pasting temperature of 75°C and a high susceptibility to breakdown by thermal and/or mechanical shear.     

o-xylene hydrogenation on supported ruthenium catalysts

The influence of the support on the surface properties and catalytic activity of finely divided ruthenium catalysts is reported. The catalysts were prepared using an organometallic precursor, Ru(acac)₂, and three different supports, Al₂O₃, TiO₂ and SiO₂. In order to study the influence of the particle size on the catalytic performance, the effect of the calcination temperature was also evaluated. XPS suggests that the state of ruthenium is essentially Ru⁰, and chemisorption measurements indicate a decrease in metal dispersion from catalysts supported on Al₂O₃ > TiO₂ > SiO₂. The turnover number in the o-xylene hydrogenation showed significant differences depending on the support and on the particle size. Additionally, an increase in the selectivity to cis-dimethylcyclohexane with particle size was observed. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Microbiological assessment of the Gouda-type cheese-making process in a Venezuelan industry

The adoption of the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) system is necessary to assure the safety of the product in the cheese-making industry. The compliment of pre-requisite programs as Good Manufacture Practices (GMPs) and Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures (SSOPs) are required before the implementation of the HACCP plan. GMPs are the standards related to equipments, tools, personnel, etc. SSOPs are the procedures related to hygiene and sanitation of the plant and workers. The aim of this study was to assess the compliment of the pre-requisite programs and the microbiological conditions of the Gouda type cheese-making process in a Venezuelan processing plant before designing a HACCP plan. Samples were: (a) raw milk, pasteurized milk, curd and ripened cheese, (b) water, (c) environment of the production areas and ripening premises, (d) equipments before and after sanitation, (e) food handlers. Microbiological analyses were done according to COVENIN standards. This study showed that even though pasteurization process was effective to kill pathogen bacteria of the raw milk and the water was safe, however there are deficient manufacture practices in the hygiene as well as in sanitation of the plant and food handlers. Prerequisite programs (GMP-SSOP) of this industry need to be well established, controlled and evaluated.     

Evaluation of emu oil extraction methods and their effects on physical and rheological behavior

In this study we evaluated the efficiency of six extraction methods for emu fat based on the quantification of yield, color, density, refraction index, and rheological behavior. Both physical methods (Bain Marie, rotary evaporator, fusion, ultrasound, and microwave) and chemical methods (solvents) were evaluated. Oil properties were compared with commercial emu oil as a reference. Solvent‐based extraction produced the greatest yield (72.8%). Among the physical methods, the greatest yield was produced by the ultrasound method (42.8%). In general, properties were similar to those reported for vegetable oils. The rotary evaporator method showed the greatest difference in total color (ΔE) in comparison with a commercially‐produced reference, while the fusion method showed the smallest ΔE. No statistically significant differences were found between the density and refraction index of the treated samples and those of the reference. Kinematic viscosity increased significantly in samples extracted via microwave method. All samples displayed pseudoplastic behavior. The data showed a good fit to the power law model (R² > 0.90). The consistency coefficient and flow behavior index were determined for all methods. Practical applications: Therapeutic applications for oil have been posited for emu oil. In pharmaceutical products, oils are used as emollients and as carriers for medicinal substances. The practical importance of an oil depends on its physical properties, thus a thorough understanding of those physical properties is very important for identifying potential applications. These properties are affected by the extraction method employed; the present paper evaluates the effects of a range of extraction methods on yield efficiency, as well as physical and rheological properties. Novel extraction methods such as ultrasound and microwave are also evaluated in this study.     

Neurological and Epigenetic Implications of Nutritional Deficiencies on Psychopathology: Conceptualization and Review of Evidence

In recent years, a role for epigenetic modifications in the pathophysiology of disease has received significant attention. Many studies are now beginning to explore the gene–environment interactions, which may mediate early-life exposure to risk factors, such as nutritional deficiencies and later development of behavioral problems in children and adults. In this paper, we review the current literature on the role of epigenetics in the development of psychopathology, with a specific focus on the potential for epigenetic modifications to link nutrition and brain development. We propose a conceptual framework whereby epigenetic modifications (e.g., DNA methylation) mediate the link between micro- and macro-nutrient deficiency early in life and brain dysfunction (e.g., structural aberration, neurotransmitter perturbation), which has been linked to development of behavior problems later on in life.