Correction: Effects of extruded whole-grain sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) based diets on calcium absorption and bone health of growing Wistar rats

Correction for 'Effects of extruded whole-grain sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) based diets on calcium absorption and bone health of growing Wistar rats' by María Gimena Galán et al., Food Funct., 2020, 11, 508-513, DOI: 10.1039/C9FO01817D.

Refined sorghum flours precooked by extrusion enhance the integrity of the colonic mucosa barrier and promote a hepatic antioxidant environment in growing Wistar rats

The effects of precooked-refined sorghum flour consumption on antioxidant status, lipid profile, and colonic and bone health were evaluated. Twenty-four male Wistar rats were fed with control diet (C), or red or white precooked-refined sorghum based diets (SD) for 60 days. The intake of SD was lower than that of C, but the efficiency of all diets was similar. Rats fed with SD showed lower feces excretion, cecal pH and enzyme activities (β-glucosidase, β-glucuronidase and mucinase) than C. White SD improved intestinal architecture, cell proliferation and apoptosis, upregulated ZO1 and occludin tight junction proteins and stimulated goblet cell differentiation, enhancing the integrity of the mucosa barrier in both proximal and distal colonic mucosa in a better way than red SD. Consumption of SD significantly decreased serum triglyceride levels compared with the C diet. The mineral content of the right femur was not different among diets. The liver enzyme activities (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione reductase, and glutathione peroxidase) did not show differences among diets. Liver reducing power and reduced glutathione/oxidize glutathione ratio were higher for animals consuming SD than C. It can be concluded that the consumption of precooked refined sorghum flours still has beneficial effects for health, mainly at the colonic level, despite the lower phenolics and fibre contents of refined flours with respect to whole grain flours.

Effects of extruded whole-grain sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) based diets on calcium absorption and bone health of growing Wistar rats

Apparent calcium absorption, total bone mineral content and density, and mineral contents of the right femur were studied using a growing rat model. Twenty-four male Wistar rats were fed with diets based on extruded whole grain red (RSD) or white sorghum (WSD), and control diet (CD) up to 60 days. The animals fed with sorghum diets consumed less and gained less weight compared to those fed with CD, but the efficiency of all diets was similar. Calcium intake was lower in animals fed with sorghum diets, related to the lower total intake of these animals. Apparent calcium absorption in animals fed with RSD was lower than in those fed with CD (CD: 72.7%, RSD: 51.0%, WSD: 64.8%). No significant differences in bone mineral density of total body, spin, femur, distal femur, tibia and proximal tibia were observed among the groups. However, Ca and P contents in the right femur of the rats consuming RSD were lower, indicating a certain imbalance in the metabolism of these minerals.

Modification of nutritional properties of whole rice flours (Oryza sativa L.) by soaking, germination, and extrusion

Modifications of nutritional properties (amino acids, available lysine, protein digestibility, fatty acids, fiber, inositol phosphate (IPs), free and bound phenolics, and antioxidant properties) of whole rice ingredients processed by soaking, germination, and/or extrusion cooking were evaluated. Soaking and germination reduced proteins by lixiviation and hydrolysis, respectively. Lysine was the limiting amino acid. Polyunsaturated fatty acids increased after germination. Protein digestibility was 100% for germinated rice, decreased to 75% after the extrusion process. Fiber content decreased around 73% after the extrusion of soaked and germinated flours. Soaking-extrusion combined processes produces >50% IPs reduction. Germination-extrusion produced flours with the highest antioxidant capacity (54 µmol trolox g^-1 ), which was in accordance with the highest content of free and bound phenolics (66 and 69 mg GA 100 g^-1 , respectively). Grain treatments changed nutritional properties of flours resulting in low antinutrient whole grain ingredients, which could be used to develop whole grain-based foods. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Phytic acid (PA) is an antinutrient having negative effects on mineral bioavailability and protein digestibility. There are processes such as soaking, germination, and extrusion, which alone or combined can decrease PA. However, nutritional composition and functionality of flours can change. We observed PA was highly reduced by soaking or germination combined with extrusion and antioxidant capacity and phenolic content increased in germinated and germinated-extruded flours compared to the other treatments. These modified whole grain rice flours low in anti-nutrients could be used in the production of expanded products or pre-cooked ingredients to develop whole grain based foods nutritionally improved.

Effects of the intake of white wheat bread added with garlic and resistant starch: action on calcium bioavailability and metabolic parameters of growing Wistar rats

Functional bread with resistant starch and garlic improved the metabolism of calcium and lipids and the growth of beneficial gut microbiota.

Extruded whole grain diets based on brown, soaked and germinated rice. Effects on the lipid profile and antioxidant status of growing Wistar rats. Part II

The influence of whole grain (WG) rice based diets on the lipid profile and antioxidant status was evaluated.

Extruded whole grain diets based on brown, soaked and germinated rice. Effects on cecum health, calcium absorption and bone parameters of growing Wistar rats. Part I

The influence of diets with whole rice processed ingredients on cecum health, calcium absorption and bone parameters was studied using an animal model.

Wheat bread enriched with organic calcium salts and inulin. A bread quality study

The objective of this work was to study quality parameters of enriched wheat bread with calcium citrate (Ca3CI2) or lactate (CaLA2) and inulin (In), also to optimize bread formulation. Fermentation time (tf), specific volume (Vs), browning index of crust (BI) and crumb properties (moisture, alveolus, texture) were studied. Generally, tf and Vs decreased with prebiotic increment. Ca3CI2 did not change Vs at equal inulin quantity, whereas with CaLA2 smaller breads were obtained (at 6.5 % In). Moisture of crumbs decreased with an increase in Ca3CI2 (at ≤ 6.5 %); while for CaLA2 was more influenced by the prebiotic. Up to 6.5 % In, the addition of both salts decreased crumb firmness and increased cohesiveness. Using a desirability function, the optimum calcium-prebiotic bread obtained with Ca3CI2 contained 2.40 g/kg Ca and 7.49 % In and with CaLA2 presented 1.33 g/kg Ca and 4.68 % In. Breads of high-quality with higher calcium and prebiotic quantity were able to obtain with Ca3CI2.

Not any type of rice performs equally to improve lactose-induced diarrhea characteristics in rats: is amylose an antidiarrheal factor?

The effectiveness of different types of rice in relation to their ability to accelerate diarrhea recovering was evaluated in a rat model of osmotic diarrhea (OD). Animals (90-100 g) received protein free diet until reaching up to 20% weight loss, followed by lactose rich diet (LRD) to induce osmotic diarrhea. Rats presenting osmotic diarrhea were divided into 4 groups, which received lactose rich diet for 4 days from 8 am to 8 pm, and one of three experimental products containing 6% rice flour differing in amylose content during the night: high (HA), intermediate (IA), and low (LA). A group fed stock diet containing equivalent amount of lactose was taken as control and allowed to recover spontaneously. Amylose and viscosity (cp at 25 °C, 10 rpm) of final products were determined. Effectiveness was expressed as the ratio between percentages of normal vs. diarrheic stools during the treatment. Fecal characteristics in this rat model improved only as result of feeding high amylose content (HA) type of rice. In this experimental model of osmotic diarrhea in young rats, the antidiarrheal effects of rice were strongly dependent on the type of diet used and appear to be related to its amylose content.

Chemical composition and nutritional value of unripe banana flour (Musa acuminata, var. Nanicão)

Banana flour obtained from unripe banana (Musa acuminata, var. Nanicão) under specific drying conditions was evaluated regarding its chemical composition and nutritional value. Results are expressed in dry weight (dw). The unripe banana flour (UBF) presented a high amount of total dietary fiber (DF) (56.24 g/100 g), which consisted of resistant starch (RS) (48.99 g/100 g), fructans (0.05 g/100 g) and DF without RS or fructans (7.2 g/100 g). The contents of available starch (AS) (27.78 g/100 g) and soluble sugars (1.81 g/100 g) were low. The main phytosterols found were campesterol (4.1 mg/100 g), stigmasterol (2.5 mg/100 g) and β-sitosterol (6.2 mg/100 g). The total polyphenol content was 50.65 mg GAE/100 g. Antioxidant activity, by the FRAP and ORAC methods, was moderated, being 358.67 and 261.00 μmol of Trolox equivalent/100 g, respectively. The content of Zn, Ca and Fe and mineral dialyzability were low. The procedure used to obtain UBF resulted in the recovery of undamaged starch granules and in a low-energy product (597 kJ/100 g).

Fermented milk-starch and milk-inulin products as vehicles for lactic acid bacteria

Formulations using cassava starch or inulin plus milk were fermented with three different lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains: Lactobacillus plantarum D34, Lactobacillus sp. SLH6, and Streptococcus thermophilus ST4. Growth and acidification were followed in 3% powdered milk (M3), 3% milk-6% starch (M3-S6), and 3% milk-6% inulin (M3-In6). D34 and SLH6 growth was enhanced by starch in M3-S6, when compared to the count (CFU/ml) obtained in M3. Growth of all strains was promoted by inulin. All fermented products showed LAB counts of 8.0 log or higher. Carbohydrate utilization was in agreement with growth and acidification results. The highest increase in CFU in rat feces was observed in M3-S6 fermented with ST4; the D34 fermented product also increased CFU but SLH6 did not, either with starch or inulin. This suggests that ST4 and D34 strains provide a good choice to ferment the proposed formulations in order to obtain a marked improvement of natural intestinal flora.

Inulin determination for food labeling

Inulin and oligofructose exhibit valuable nutritional and functional attributes, so they are used as supplements as soluble fiber or as macronutrient substitutes. As classic analytical methods for dietary fiber measurement are not effective, several specific methods have been proposed. These methods measure total fructans and are based on one or more enzymatic sample treatments and determination of released sugars. To determine inulin for labeling purposes, we developed an easy and rapid anion-exchange high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method following water extraction of inulin. HPLC conditions included an Aminex HPX- 87C column (Bio-Rad), deionized water at 85 degrees C as the mobile phase and a refractive index detector. The tested foods included tailor-made food products containing known amounts of inulin and commercial products (cookies, milk, ice creams, cheese, and cereal bars). The average recovery was 97%, and the coefficient of variation ranged from 1.1 to 5% in the food matrixes. The obtained results showed that this method provides an easier, faster and cheaper alternative than previous techniques for determining inulin with enough accuracy and precision for routine labeling purposes by direct determination of inulin by HPLC with refractive index detection.

[In vitro analysis of the iron availability in fortified rice]

Cereals are rich in fiber but also in phytate which is considered the principal inhibitor of mineral availability. On this basis, iron availability of fortified rice, and the inhibitory effect of bran phytate was studied in: white rice fortified with electrolytic iron (ABF) from commercial origin; and mixtures of ABF plus 4.76% and 9.09% of rice bran (ABF2 and ABF3 respectively) to simulate brown rice. Samples were analysed before and after phytic acid hydrolysis with phytase: Dietary fiber and phytic acid were assessed according AOAC; iron availability, expressed as dialisable iron by the in vitro method of Kapsokefalou and Miller modified by Valencia et al.; iron content was assessed by AAS. Results showed that added bran depressed iron availability, 9.65%; 4.04% and 1.82% as expected (ABF, ABF2 and ABF3 respectively). After phytic acid hydrolysis iron availability reached 28.20%; 27.95% and 25.30% for the same samples. These values were not different. After phytic acid hydrolysis, fiber content of ABF2 and ABF3 were lower than before. However multiple regression analysis of the data showed that fiber had not influence on iron availability and that phytic acid would be the principal responsible of it. These results indicate that brown rice should have a higher level of iron fortification than in white rice or be combined with other foods that improve iron availability as meats, vegetables or fruits.

Literature review: sinus pericranii

Sinus pericranii is a rare circumscribed fluctuating vascular swelling of the scalp that communicates with the intracranial venous system. It has been associated with other intracranial vascular malformations. The tumour is usually round, fluctuant, nonpulsatile, and disappears with compression. Its size increases during manoeuvers that increase the intracranial pressure. Approximately 100 cases were reported in the literature. The antecedents, different surgical procedures, differential diagnoses, and associated malformations were reviewed.

[Nutrient content in raw and processed foods derived from cereals and legumes. I: Centesimal composition and energetic value]

Proximate composition and metabolizable energy of raw and processed foods derived from cereals and legumes, were determined. Results can be used to revise the out of day national composition table, to incorporate data of ash, new data of dietary fiber obtained by an enzimatic hydrolysis method, asimilable carbohydrates and metabolizable energy. They also replace the composition of various foods which were compiled from foreing tables. Difference observed on values of lipids in those foods with low lipid content, are imputed to the solvents used in the extraction.

[Ultrasonography in spinal dysraphism and tethered cord]

Spinal dysraphism is relatively common in children and includes a wide spectrum of congenital anomalies in the normal closure of the posterior elements of the spine. The prognosis will depend mostly on early diagnosis and treatment. Occult spinal dysraphism may present without external anomalies and the diagnosis could be suspected lately, when neurological symptoms are present and often irreversible. Occult spinal dysraphism is frequently associated to a tethered cord, most commonly secondary to the presence of a lipoma. Ultrasonography has been proven highly sensitive in the detection of intraspinal anomalies, especially in the diagnosis of tethered cord, in children under two years of age due to lack of ossification of the posterior elements of the spine. Today ultrasonography should be the examination of choice in all those patients in whom some kind of spinal dysraphism is suspected. We report our experience with three infants with occult spinal dysraphism in whom diagnosis was initially made by US and later on proved by either computed tomography, magnetic resonance or myelography. All of them had corrective surgery and neurological abnormalities were not detected afterwards.

Cloverleaf skull syndrome

4 cases of cloverleaf skull syndrome are reported and analyzed after a brief review of the literature is presented. It is noted that reported cases of surgical management of this entity are extraordinarily rare. The rather characteristic displacement of intracranial contents suggests early onset of craniosynostosis (in intrauterine life) and that hydrocephalus is not an invariable complication present at the time of birth. Rather, it appears that the hydrocephalus is secondary to obliteration of the cortical subarachnoid spaces and the presence of a cranial ring. Total craniectomy proved to be a satisfactory treatment, one which was responsible for the reversal of hydrocephalus. Early detection and treatment of this rather rare malformation results in acceptable cosmetic and neurologic improvement.

Micro-abscesses and presumptive inflammatory nodules of the brain

Sixteen cases of micro-abscesses and presumptive inflammatory nodules of the brain are analyzed. The increasing frequency of cortico-subcortical small nodular lesions diagnosed by CT scan, as well as the number of cases successfully treated with antibiotics, are stressed. In the authors opinion, initial antibiotic treatment with a high possibility of a cure is indicated in patients with a presumptive inflammatory cortico-subcortical nodular lesions diagnosed by CT scan.

Gamma-encephalography in the diagnosis of subdural effusions in infancy and childhood

The results of the use of gamma-encephalography (GEG) as a diagnostic tool in a group of 28 patients with subdural effusions and 46 membranes confirmed at surgery are presented. 27 patients were submitted to bilateral surgical expolorations and 1 was unilaterally explored. Positive GEG: membranes were present in 34, in 8 the test was nonconclusive and there were 4 false-negatives. Negative GEG: membranes were absent in 6, 1 case was nonconclusive and 2 were false-positive tests. Therefore, from 28 patients with 46 membranes the GEG was correct in two thirds of the cases, it was nonconclusive in 9 cases and the image did not confirm the surgical findings in 6 cases (false-positive or false-negative). The results suggest that the presence of a medium or thick membrane almost always results in a positive image, whereas the presence of a thin membrane leads to a nonconclusive result or in some cases a false-negative one. The general data from the literature correlates well with the present series.