Effect of olive-processing technology on the utilization of olive mill pomace as a soil amendment

In the Mediterranean basin, the treatment and disposal of olive mill pomace (OMP) remain a salient environmental issue for the olive oil-producing industry. This study assesses the effects of olive-processing technology (three-phase and two-phase systems) on the potential use of OMP as a soil amendment. Samples from 12 Croatian olive mills were analyzed for their total phenolic content (TPC), residual oil fraction, and elemental concentration. The samples were profiled using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and structurally characterized using scanning electron microscopy-energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). Compared to three-phase samples, two-phase OMP was more acidic (pH 4.5 vs. 5.0), with a higher TPC (3835 vs. 1576 mg/kg fresh weight), oil content (11.7% vs. 7.5% d.w., where d.w. is dry weight), electrical conductivity (EC, 5.1 vs. 3.0 mS/cm), and levels of calcium (Ca, 1.34 vs. 1.20 g/kg d.w.) and copper (Cu, 10.4 vs. 7.0 mg/kg d.w.). Similar values of carbon/nitrogen (C/N; 61 vs. 72), N (10 vs. 8.1 g/kg d.w.), phosphorus (1040 vs. 691 mg/kg d.w.), and potassium (K, 13.7 vs. 8.1 g/kg d.w.) were observed. The amounts of chromium, copper, nickel, and zinc were below EC limits in both cases. The EDS mapping revealed that Ca was concentrated at sharp-edged OMP particles while K was evenly distributed, suggesting that pelletized OMP compost is preferable for amending soil to obtain a homogeneous distribution of nutrients. It was also possible to distinguish between OMPs based on oil and lignin absorption bands in their FT-IR spectra. According to the obtained results, composting is recommended for both types of OMP to produce a safe product for amendment purposes.

Platelet transfusion practice and related transfusion reactions in a large teaching hospital

BACKGROUND

Platelet transfusion practice varies widely since many aspects of platelet concentrate (PC) use have not been definitively determined. The objectives of this retrospective study were to present platelet transfusion practice and evaluate PC and patient characteristics, as well as their association with transfusion reaction (TR) rate.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Platelet transfusions over a 5-year period were analysed regarding PC characteristics (the ABO and RhD compatibility, product type, and storage duration), patient characteristics (most responsible diagnosis, age, and gender), and TR type.

RESULTS

A total of 46,351 PCs were transfused: 76.4% whole blood-derived (WBD) and 23.6% single donor apheresis (SDA). Three thousand seven hundred seventy-six patients received platelet transfusions: 24.7% paediatric and 75.3% adult patients, 79.6% outpatients and 20.4% inpatients. As much as 63.1% of all transfused PCs were fresh (stored for≤3 days), 98.0% ABO-identical, and 87.3% of all PCs given to RhD- patients were RhD-. PCs were mainly transfused to haemato-oncology (76.8%) and cardiovascular surgery patients (6.5%). Overall, 84 (0.18%) TRs were reported, with allergic TRs (ATRs) being the most common. Although PC ABO compatibility and storage duration, as well as patient age and gender, showed differences in TR rate, only the use of PCs in platelet additive solution (PAS) showed a statistically significant reduction of TRs (P<0.001).

CONCLUSION

Transfusion practice at the University Hospital Centre Zagreb resulted in almost all patients receiving ABO and RhD identical PCs, and most of them were fresh PCs. The most important factor affecting the incidence of TRs was platelet storage solution. The use of PAS effectively reduced the rate of TRs, particularly allergic TRs.

Fruit quality and volatile compound composition of processing tomato as affected by fertilisation practices and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi application

The effects of different fertilisation treatments with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) inoculation on AMF root colonisation, fruit yield, nutrient and total phenol contents, volatile compound composition, and sensory attributes of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) were investigated. Mineral, organic, and mineral + organic fertiliser application positively affected tomato yield (35%-50%) and phosphorus concentration (24%-29%) compared with controls. AMF application had a significant impact on the total nitrogen (+9%), manganese (+12%), and hydrophilic phenol (+8%) contents in the fruit. Volatile compounds were affected by the interactive effects of fertilisation and AMF application. The response of tomato fruit sensory quality indicators was relatively modest, with only a few sensory characteristics affected to a lesser extent. Although tomato showed susceptibility to field-native AMF, particular combinations of fertilisation and AMF inoculation were more effective at improving the quality parameters of tomatoes under field conditions applied in this study.

Determination of the Variability of Biophenols and Mineral Nutrients in Olive Leaves with Respect to Cultivar, Collection Period and Geographical Location for Their Targeted and Well-Timed Exploitation

The interactive effects of cultivar, collecting period, and geographical location on the content and composition of biophenols and macro and micronutrients in olive (Olea europaea L.) leaf were investigated. Leaves of six cultivars were collected at three periods in two locations in Croatia. The leaves of Istarska bjelica cultivar had the greatest biophenol (oleuropein) potential, especially those sampled in January and in March at the location of Pag. All the cultivars yielded leaves with the highest concentration of biophenols in March, which coincided with the pruning period. Except for high oleuropein concentration in Istarska bjelica, flavonoids were found to be most useful for differentiating olive leaves according to cultivar. Verbascoside turned out to be the most potent differentiator of collecting periods, while phosphorus and zinc turned out to be most useful for differentiating locations. Despite different agroecological conditions at the two locations, cultivar exhibited a significant effect on olive leaf nutrient composition, which was certainly causally related to that of the biophenols. The results obtained showed that it is possible to plan more well-timed and efficient exploitation of biophenols from olive leaf based on the knowledge about the interactive effects of the three studied factors.

Effect of Different Clarification Methods on Volatile Aroma Compound Composition of Virgin Olive Oil

This study investigates the effect of industrial scale filtration of fresh monovarietal virgin olive oil from Buža and Istarska bjelica cultivars on their volatiles, total phenols and sensory characteristics, and compares the oil samples clarified by filtration with those clarified by natural sedimentation/decantation after six months of storage. Filtration had a different effect on volatiles from the oil samples obtained from different cultivars. In the oil from Buža cultivar immediately after filtration only the amount of (Z)-2-pentenol slightly increased, but in Istarska bjelica the oil filtration affected eight compounds (the amount of hexanal, (E)-2-pentenal, (Z)-3-hexenal, (Z)-2-pentenol and (Z)-3-hexen-1-ol increased, while of hexyl acetate, (E)-2-penten-1-ol and (E)-2-hexen-1-ol decreased). In fresh filtered oil from Buža cultivar a slight decrease of total phenols was observed, while in those from Istarska bjelica the decrease was sharp, causing a decrease in the pungency and bitterness. Sedimentation/decantation had advantages over oil filtration of both cultivars, due to improved effect on the preservation of the sensory profile and the level of total phenols. Tentative aroma profiles based on odorant series obtained from the odour activity values were compared to the actual olive oil sensory profiles. These results could have a high level of applications in the olive oil industry for the optimization of the technology for obtaining monovarietal virgin olive oil with preserved specific and typical sensory characteristics, but also may serve experts to choose an appropriate virgin olive oil clarification method prior to analysis of volatile compounds.

Inter-Varietal Diversity of Typical Volatile and Phenolic Profiles of Croatian Extra Virgin Olive Oils as Revealed by GC-IT-MS and UPLC-DAD Analysis

Despite having an interesting native olive gene pool and a rapidly emerging olive oil industry, monovarietal extra virgin olive oils (EVOO) from Croatia are relatively unexplored. To investigate the inter-varietal diversity of typical volatile and phenolic profiles of Croatian EVOO, 93 samples from six olive (Olea europaea L.) varieties were subjected to gas chromatography-ion trap mass spectrometry (GC-IT-MS) and ultra-performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection (UPLC-DAD), respectively. Quantitative descriptive sensory analysis was also performed. Analysis of variance extracted many relevant exclusive or partial discriminators between monovarietal EVOOs among the identified volatile compounds and phenols. Successful differentiation model with a 100% correct classification was built by linear discriminant analysis, while the most typical volatiles for each monovarietal EVOO were confirmed by partial least squares discriminant analysis. Diverse typical sensory attributes among the EVOOs were tentatively ascribed to the variations in the composition of volatiles and phenols. It was proven that the approach that comprises GC-IT-MS and UPLC-DAD analysis may provide additional objective information about varietal origin and typicity which successfully complement those obtained by sensory analysis. The approach was characterized as universal in nature, with a significant potential to contribute in strengthening the varietal identities and position on the market of monovarietal and Protected Denomination of Origin (PDO) EVOO.

Variability of 4-Monomethylsterols and 4,4'-Dimethylsterols in Olive Oil and Their Use as Indicators of Olive Variety, Ripening Degree, and Oil Storage Temperature

To investigate the variability of 4-monomethylsterols and 4,4'-dimethylsterols in olive oil as a result of variety, ripening, and storage temperature, 36 samples were subjected to gas chromatography with flame ionization detection (GC-FID) and with mass spectrometric detection (GC-MS), and results were processed by univariate and multivariate statistics. Relative amounts (percent) of β-amyrin, cycloartenol, and 24-methylenecycloartanol accounted for the most variation due to variety, while citrostadienol (percent) and 24-methylenecycloartanol (milligrams per 100 g) were strongly affected by ripening. Multivariate statistics differentiated olive oils regardless of storage conditions, which implied the possibility to use 4-monomethyl- and 4,4'-dimethylsterols as indicators of variety and ripening degree for fresh and stored oils. Absolute changes in 4-monomethyl- and 4,4'-dimethylsterols after storage were of a much smaller magnitude, meaning the investigated olive oils essentially retained health-beneficial features that derive from these compounds. Relative changes caused by storage were specific for each storage temperature and were useful in discriminating oils by linear discriminant analysis.

Effects of age and time of day of sampling on proximate and fatty acid composition of whole eggs from two strains of laying hens

Abstract. The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of breed (Naked Neck – NN – and Lohmann Brown – LB), age (46 to 49 weeks) and the time of day of sampling (morning eggs – M – and afternoon eggs – A) on the proximate and fatty acid composition of whole eggs. Eggs of commercial hens (LB) had significantly (P < 0.001) less fat, ash and protein and lower dry-matter content (more water content) compared to the autochthonous breed (NN). The NN eggs contained significantly (P < 0.001) more SFA (saturated fatty acid) and less PUFA (polyunsaturated fatty acid) than LB ones, while the share of the eggs' total n-3 fatty acids did not differ significantly between breeds. The share of total MUFA (monounsaturated fatty acid) significantly (P = 0.011) decreased, while the share of total PUFA, n-6 and n-6 / n-3 ratio significantly increased (P < 0.001; P < 0.001; P = 0.032, respectively) with age of hens. Additionally, compared with morning eggs, afternoon eggs had a significantly (P = 0.046) higher share of total n-6 fatty acids. PCA (principal component analysis) offered a good separation of the samples according to breed and age when two first principal component were extracted. PC1 was positively related to parameters of proximate composition and SFA content, while PC2 was positively determined by PUFA, n-6 and n-3 content. Eggs of autochthonous hens (NN) were located in the positive area of PC1, whereas those from the commercial hens (LB) were in the negative quarter, which indicates opposite characteristics.

Antidiabetogenic effect of pentoxifylline is associated with systemic and target tissue modulation of cytokines and nitric oxide production

We have shown recently that xanthine derivative pentoxifylline (PTX) downregulates an inflammatory autoimmune process triggered in genetically susceptible Dark Agouti rats by multiple low doses of streptozotocin (MLD-SZ, 20 mg/kg/day ip for 5 days). We studied the cellular and molecular consequences of PTX treatment during MLD-SZ-induced diabetes with special emphasis on local vs. systemic production of inflammatory mediators. Administration of PTX (200 mg/kg/day for 10 days) during induction of the disease reduced clinical signs of diabetes and protected rats from development of destructive intrainsulitis. Pentoxifylline did not affect diabetogenic effect of single high dose of SZ (100 mg/kg SZ). Ex vivo analysis of the islets of Langerhans performed in early disease development revealed that PTX downregulates production of proinflammatory cytokines IFN-gamma and TNF, as well as inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression and NO production. In addition, PTX treatment suppressed splenocyte autoreactivity, as well as the frequency of cells expressing IL-2R and MHC class II antigens. There was no evidence of any changes in proportion of ICAM-1 and LFA-1 expressing splenocytes in comparison to control MLD-SZ-treated animals. In contrast to suppressed intraislet production, high peripheral expression of both iNOS mRNA and NO was found in MLD-SZ rats treated with PTX. Taken together, the data indicate that the effect on both systemic and intra-islet production of NO, suppression of autoreactive cell activation and of local type 1 cytokine release may contribute to the therapeutic benefit achieved by PTX in the rat.

[The effect of in vivo blockade of interleukin-1 and interferon-gamma on the autoimmune syndrom in the experimental model of graft versus host disease]

The acute graft versus host disease (GVHD) is induced in sublethaly irradiated (AOxDA)F1 hybrid rats following transfer of parental AO spleen cells. However, when recipients were treated with anti-CD8 mAb on days -4, -2, 0, 4 and 8 in relation to parental cell transfer, acute GVHD converts to a chronic GVHD with an autoimmune phenomena. Diseased animals produce antinuclear antibodies and display glucose intolerance curves that are significantly abnormal. Histological examination of pancreata from diseased animals revealed milde insulitis with concomitant islet destruction. By using this model of anti-CD8 mAb treated animals we have investigated the role of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and interleukin-1 (IL-1) in the complex pathology associated with GVHD. For this purpose, during the first 10 days of GVHD induction, we applied in vivo treatment with either anti-IFN-gamma mAb or with specific inhibitor of IL-1 activity (IL-1 INH). Treatment of F1 recipients with mAb to rat IFN-gamma resulted in an acceleration of glucose intolerance. In contrast to this, treatment of recipients with macrophage-derived IL-1 INH fully normalized their impaired glucose tolerance. Our data suggest that TH1 cells and their cytokine IFN-gamma down-regulate diabetes-like syndrom in chronic GVHD, while either IL-1 alone or IL-1 dependent TH2 cells support these processes. This further indicates the possibility to manipulate chronic GVHD-related immunopathological processes by blocking corresponding cytokines.

[The effect of specific interleukin-1 receptor blockade on hematopoietic stem cell proliferation]

Interleukin-1 plays a key role in the regulation of hematopoiesis. One of the major controlling mechanisms of IL-1 activites is mediated through IL-1ra. In this report we investigated whether IL-1ra might function as a true negative growth regulator of hematopoietic cells. The effect of rIL-1ra on the proliferation of early- and late-appearing CFU-S was assessed in regenerating bone marrow during the recovery after sublethal damage by X-irradiation. To this, regenerating bone marrow cells of CBA/H mice, obtained 3 days after 2 Gy irradiation, were preincubated 90 min to 5 hr with increasing concentrations of rIL-1ra (5-100 ng/ml). To determine the proliferative activity of CFU-Sd12 and CFU-Sd8, cytosine-arabinoside was added for the last 1 hr of incubation. The results revealed significant dose-dependent inhibition of CFU-Sd12, but not of CFU-Sd8 cycling after IL-1 receptor blackade with rIL-1ra over 10 ng/ml. The data implicate IL-1 receptor involvement in the proliferative activity of hematipoietic stem cells, but suggest that prevention of cell cycling by IL-1ra depends on the position of target cells in the heterogenous stem cell compartment.

[Analysis of genetically determined susceptibility to experimental allergic encephalomyelitis in autoimmune diabetes mellitus in rats]

Back cross animals were obtained by mating DA rats, which are highly susceptible to the induction of experimental low-dose streptozotocin induced diabetes, and AO rats, which are resistant to both diseases. Susceptibility to the induction of EAE in AO and DA rats correlates with IL-2 production. after 7 cycles of mating and selection for DA-susceptibility to EAE, the number of EAE susceptible animals decreased, and animals were uniformly resistant to diabetes induction. IL-2 testing revealed lower IL-2 activities in the supernatants of lymphocytes from these animals in comparison to DA rats. Our results reveal the dissociation of genes involved in the regulation of the susceptibility to EAE and autoimmune diabetes. In addition, IL-2 testing, even though argues against the critical role of IL-2, does not preclude the necessity of this lymphokine in the pathogenesis of EAE.

[Interleukin 1 receptor antagonists prevent the induction of experimental insulin-dependent autoimmune diabetes]

During the induction of diabetes with multiple low-dose of streptozotocin (40-45 mg/kg body weigh for 5 consecutive days) starting from day 3, CBA mice were injected repeatedly (10 daily injections) with either rat IL-1 inhibitor (IL-1 INH) derived from glucocorticoid-treated macrophages, or with recombinant DNA produced human IL-1 receptor antagonist (rIL-1ra). Althow not showing identity with each other, both agents by neutralisation of the activity of endogenous IL-1 interfered with the induction of diabetes. While control streptozotocin-treated mice developed sustained hyperglicemia with the late onset, histologically characterized with insulitis and islet cell destruction, mice injected with rat IL-1 INH, either in a form of dialyzed crude macrophage supernatant or partialy enriched 50-100 kDa fraction, remained normoglycemic. In agreement with diabetic status, insulitis and islet cell destruction were not observed in IL-1 INH treated mice. Human IL-1ra had milder, althow also significant protective effect. Our results, thus, suggest that IL-1 mediated immunopathogenic and/or inflammatory processes which lead to insulin-dependent diabetes, may be modulated by specific in vivo blockade of IL-1 receptors.

[Autologous blood transfusion in orthopedic surgery patients]

During a 16-month period, blood for autologous transfusion treatment was taken in 186/788 (23.6%) orthopedic patients. Vasovagal reactions during blood withdrawal were observed in 8.6% of patients. Transfusiologic treatment with autologous blood alone was carried out in 134 (72%) patients. In 36 (19.4%) patients, homologous blood was given in addition to autologous blood. Withdrawal of the required blood unites could not be completed in 33 (17.7%) patients. In this group of patients, the need of homologous blood transfusion was highest (39.3%). In 98.3% of patients, mean values of hemoglobin and hematocrit immediately before the surgical procedure exceeded 100 g/L and 30%, respectively.

[Immunosuppressive factors in the blood in patients during the development of various kidney diseases]

Sera of patients suffering from Balkan nephropathy, pyelonephritis and glomerulonephritis inhibit lectin-induced T-cell proliferation in vitro. Immunosuppressive factors were registered in the patients' sera during the early stage of the existing disease, and their activity was not in correlation with the degree of renal insufficiency. Serum inhibitors revealed their activity during the early phase of T-cell activation and had no effect on T-cell proliferation and DNK synthesis. Inhibitor activity was registered even if sera were not present in cell culture continuously but only 6 hours of preincubation; then their action was irretrievable.

Serum immunoinhibitory factors in stroke patients

Immunoinhibitory factors in the sera of stroke patients were studied by an analysis of their capacity to influence the in vitro proliferative response of T cells. The evidence was obtained that the sera from stroke patients exhibited inhibitory activity on T cell proliferation. Although the nature of these inhibitory factors was not analyzed, it was clearly shown that their activity correlated with the degree of neurological defects, indicating that their determination may be of some prognostic value.

Regeneration of spleen colony-forming cells and granulocyte-monocyte progenitors in T-cell deprived mice treated with cyclophosphamide

The role of T cells in regeneration of CFU-S(d8) and GM-CFU was investigated in adult Cy treated mice. CBA mice were deprived of T cells by adult thymectomy and irradiation (TIR) and treated with 200 mg/kg Cy. The type of CFU-S(d8) and GM-CFU regeneration curve after Cy was not different from that found in nonthymectomized, irradiated (NIR) mice. The activity of a stimulator of CFU-S(d8) proliferation was increased to the same degree in the bone marrow of both TIR and NIR mice. However CFU-S(d8) recovered to a higher level in TIR than in NIR mice. The results presented demonstrate that T-cell depletion in adult mice influences CFU-S(d8) growth.