Fatty acid and sensory profiles of Caciocavallo cheese as affected by management system

The effect of season of the year associated with changes in feeding and management system (pasture-based vs. confinement) on milk and cheese fatty acid profile and on sensory properties of Caciocavallo cheese was evaluated on 3 mountain dairy farms. Each farm used a pasture-based feeding system from April to June and from September to October (PS), and a confinement system for the rest of the year (CS). As a consequence of grazing, PS milk showed higher percentages of C18:3, cis-9,trans-11 conjugated linoleic acid, and trans-11 C18:1, and a reduced percentage of C16:0. The fatty acid profile of cheese largely reflected that of the corresponding raw milk from which cheese was made. This led to a significant decrease of atherogenic index in cheeses produced from cows on pasture. Based on sensory analysis, cheese from animals kept on pasture was more yellow and had a lower intensity of butter and smoked odors than did CS cheese. In addition, grazing induced a lower intensity of bitter and a higher intensity of spicy flavors compared with cheese from CS animals. In regard to texture, pasture feeding resulted in higher intensity of friability and graininess. All cheeses performed well in consumer tests; the panel found all samples more than acceptable for overall liking, and for liking according to appearance, taste/flavor, and texture. Overall liking of Caciocavallo cheese, as assessed by slope analysis, was affected primarily by taste/flavor (raw slope k=0.88) and texture (k=0.97), whereas appearance had a lesser effect (k=0.72). The acidic and sensory profiles of cheese were well discriminated, with healthier cheeses produced by grazing cows. Therefore, wider use of pasture should be promoted to accentuate this favorable feature. Based on the specific nutritional and sensory characteristics of mountain Caciocavallo cheese, particularly that obtained from grazing animals, efforts should be made to indicate the quality of this cheese to the consumer and improve product recognition.

The use of 5-aminolevulinic acid fluorescence guidance in resection of pediatric brain tumors

INTRODUCTION

Whereas in the adult population 5-Aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) fluorescence guidance has been widely accepted for improving the extent of tumor resection, the application in children remains an off-label use. Even though most pediatric study protocols require a complete resection for improving outcome parameters, only few pediatric patients have been operated with fluorescence guidance, and it remains questionable, whether and which pediatric tumors show useful fluorescence. We present casuistic reports of application of 5-ALA in children collected from three different neurosurgical departments.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In children with suspected malignant intracerebral tumor or recurrence, individual informed consent was obtained in each case from the parents. 5-ALA was administered according to the adult protocol, with 20 mg/kg, 2 h before induction of anesthesia. We retrospectively analyzed 18 patients (13 male, 5 female; age 3-18 years), using the intraoperative neurosurgical protocol, the postoperative MRI results, and the follow-up clinical examinations.

RESULTS

The use of 5-ALA fluorescence guidance proved to be safe in our group of pediatric patients. Fluorescence guidance was most useful for recurrent glioblastoma resection. Medulloblastoma tissue displayed fluorescence only inconsistently, and most pilocytic astrocytoma remained without staining. Ganglioglioma showed partial staining in the central tumor areas, without allowing the use for circumferent resection.

CONCLUSION

The off-label use of 5-ALA fluorescence guidance in pediatric patients appears to be most useful in recurrent high-grade gliomas. Fluorescence accumulation in other pediatric brain tumor entities is not predictable and should be evaluated in future clinical studies before being integrated into the current treatment protocols.

Lactobacillus gasseri SF1183 affects intestinal epithelial cell survival and growth

It is now commonly accepted that the intestinal microbiota plays a crucial role in the gut physiology and homeostasis, and that both qualitative and quantitative alterations in the compositions of the gut flora exert profound effects on the host’s intestinal cells. In spite of this, the details of the interaction between commensal bacteria and intestinal cells are still largely unknown and only in few cases the molecular mechanisms have been elucidated. Here we analyze the effects of molecules produced and secreted by Lactobacillus gasseri SF1183 on human intestinal HCT116 cells. L. gasseri is a well known species of lactic acid bacteria, commonly associated to the human intestine and SF1183 is a human strain previously isolated from an ileal biopsy of an healthy volunteer. SF1183 produces and secretes, in a growth phase-dependent way, molecule(s) able to drastically interfere with HCT116 cell proliferation. Although several attempts to purify and identify the bioactive molecule(s) have been so far unsuccessful, a partial characterization has indicated that it is smaller than 3 kDa, thermostable and of proteinaceous nature. L. gasseri molecule(s) stimulate a G1-phase arrest of the cell cycle by up-regulation of p21WAF1 rendering cells protected from intrinsic and extrinsic apoptosis. A L. gasseri-mediated reduction of apoptosis and of cell proliferation could be relevant in protecting epithelial barrier integrity and helping in reconstituting tissutal homeostasis.

Lactobacillus gasseri SF1183 affects intestinal epithelial cell survival and growth

It is now commonly accepted that the intestinal microbiota plays a crucial role in the gut physiology and homeostasis, and that both qualitative and quantitative alterations in the compositions of the gut flora exert profound effects on the host's intestinal cells. In spite of this, the details of the interaction between commensal bacteria and intestinal cells are still largely unknown and only in few cases the molecular mechanisms have been elucidated. Here we analyze the effects of molecules produced and secreted by Lactobacillus gasseri SF1183 on human intestinal HCT116 cells. L. gasseri is a well known species of lactic acid bacteria, commonly associated to the human intestine and SF1183 is a human strain previously isolated from an ileal biopsy of an healthy volunteer. SF1183 produces and secretes, in a growth phase-dependent way, molecule(s) able to drastically interfere with HCT116 cell proliferation. Although several attempts to purify and identify the bioactive molecule(s) have been so far unsuccessful, a partial characterization has indicated that it is smaller than 3 kDa, thermostable and of proteinaceous nature. L. gasseri molecule(s) stimulate a G1-phase arrest of the cell cycle by up-regulation of p21WAF1 rendering cells protected from intrinsic and extrinsic apoptosis. A L. gasseri-mediated reduction of apoptosis and of cell proliferation could be relevant in protecting epithelial barrier integrity and helping in reconstituting tissutal homeostasis.

Pigmentation and sporulation are alternative cell fates in Bacillus pumilus SF214

Bacillus pumilus SF214 is a spore forming bacterium, isolated from a marine sample, able to produce a matrix and a orange-red, water soluble pigment. Pigmentation is strictly regulated and high pigment production was observed during the late stationary growth phase in a minimal medium and at growth temperatures lower than the optimum. Only a subpopulation of stationary phase cells produced the pigment, indicating that the stationary culture contains a heterogeneous cell population and that pigment synthesis is a bimodal phenomenon. The fraction of cells producing the pigment varied in the different growth conditions and occured only in cells not devoted to sporulation. Only some of the pigmented cells were also able to produce a matrix. Pigment and matrix production in SF214 appear then as two developmental fates both alternative to sporulation. Since the pigment had an essential role in the cell resistance to oxidative stress conditions, we propose that within the heterogeneous population different survival strategies can be followed by the different cells.

A biochemical and cellular approach to explore the antiproliferative and prodifferentiative activity of Aloe arborescens leaf extract

Aloe arborescens Miller, belonging to the Aloe genus (Liliaceae family), is one of the main varieties of Aloe used worldwide. Although less characterized than the commonest Aloe vera, Aloe arborescens is known to be richer in beneficial phytotherapeutic, anticancer, and radio-protective properties. It is commonly used as a pharmaceutical ingredient for its effect in burn treatment and ability to increase skin wound healing properties. However, very few studies have addressed the biological effects of Aloe at molecular level. The aim of the research is to provide evidences for the antiproliferative properties of Aloe arborescens crude leaf extract using an integrated proteomic and cellular biological approach. We analysed the composition of an Aloe arborescens leaf extract by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis. We found it rich in Aloe-emodin, a hydroxylanthraquinone with known antitumoral activity and in several compounds with anti-oxidant properties. Accordingly, we show that the Aloe extract has antiproliferative effects on several human transformed cell lines and exhibits prodifferentiative effects on both primary and immortalized human keratinocyte. Proteomic analysis of whole cell extracts revealed the presence of proteins with a strong antiproliferative and antimicrobial activity specifically induced in human keratinocytes by Aloe treatment supporting its application as a therapeutical agent.

Carbohydrate-active enzymes from pigmented Bacilli: a genomic approach to assess carbohydrate utilization and degradation

Background

Spore-forming Bacilli are Gram-positive bacteria commonly found in a variety of natural habitats, including soil, water and the gastro-intestinal (GI)-tract of animals. Isolates of various Bacillus species produce pigments, mostly carotenoids, with a putative protective role against UV irradiation and oxygen-reactive forms.

Results

We report the annotation of carbohydrate active enzymes (CAZymes) of two pigmented Bacilli isolated from the human GI-tract and belonging to the Bacillus indicus and B. firmus species. A high number of glycoside hydrolases (GHs) and carbohydrate binding modules (CBMs) were found in both isolates. A detailed analysis of CAZyme families, was performed and supported by growth data. Carbohydrates able to support growth as the sole carbon source negatively effected carotenoid formation in rich medium, suggesting that a catabolite repression-like mechanism controls carotenoid biosynthesis in both Bacilli. Experimental results on biofilm formation confirmed genomic data on the potentials of B. indicus HU36 to produce a levan-based biofilm, while mucin-binding and -degradation experiments supported genomic data suggesting the ability of both Bacilli to degrade mammalian glycans.

Conclusions

CAZy analyses of the genomes of the two pigmented Bacilli, compared to other Bacillus species and validated by experimental data on carbohydrate utilization, biofilm formation and mucin degradation, suggests that the two pigmented Bacilli are adapted to the intestinal environment and are suited to grow in and colonize the human gut.

[Giant sacral schwannoma with pelvic extension. Therapeutic strategy. Apropos of a case]

A 48-year-old woman was admitted for acute urinary retention. Clinical pelvic examination disclosed a voluminous retro-rectal mass. Plain X-rays, pelvic echography, computerized tomography and MRI were all consistent demonstrating the presence of a 15cm-diameter lesion in the pelvic space with sacral erosion at S3-S4 and extension in the sacral canal up to S2. After a preoperative embolization, the tumor was removed in a two-stage procedure. First, an anterior transabdominal approach dissected the superior and lateral aspects of the tumor. To make easier the intra-abdominal dissection and to avoid any rectosigmoid necrosis, hysterectomy and rectosigmoid section with an end-colostomy were performed. Lastly, a piecemeal removal of the whole tumor was achieved using a posterior approach. At 6 months postoperatively, she recovered a satisfactory urinary control and the colo-rectal anastomosis was then successfully performed. Clinically only a slight hypesthesia of the left perineum was present. In the recent literature, 21 cases were described with similar clinical presentation and similar technical problems to achieve a complete treatment. In the discussion, details of the surgical anterior and posterior approaches are given. Before deciding the most appropriate surgical approach for such a mass, a biopsy is useful to determine whether total removal is relevant. A preoperative embolization can help to reduce the duration of the procedure and the loss of blood.

[Thoracic spondylotic myelopathies. Apropos of 4 new cases]

Four cases of thoracic spondylotic myelopathy are reported, one man and three women, respectively 61, 66, 67 and 76 years old. Clinical presentation was numbness and weakness in the lower limbs in two cases, weakness alone in one and numbness alone in the last one. Diagnosis was settled by both myelography and CT-myelogram in three cases, by both MRI and CT-scan in the other one. The involved thoracic levels were both T9-T10 and T10-T11 for two cases and T11-T12 for the other one. The stenosis was due to hypertrophic ossification of the ligamentum flavum in three cases and to osteophytic changes in one. A laminectomy was performed for each patient and three patients had a significant recovery and the fourth a mild one. Thoracic myelopathy is an uncommon disease which requires a meticulous study of myelogram and now MRI to be recognized and to be cured by laminectomy. As for cervical myelopathy, it results from mechanical and ischemic factors which can lead to a definitive myelomalacia.