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Environmental household exposures to asbestos and occurrence of pleural mesothelioma.

We reviewed the certificates of 39,650 deaths which occurred in the period 1975-1988 in Leghorn and of 45,900 in La Spezia (Italy) in the period 1958-1988. In total 262 cases have been recorded as pleural mesothelioma. The main occupational exposures occurred in the shipbuilding industry. Regarding non-occupational exposures to asbestos, 13 cases of mesothelioma were found in women who had washed the work clothes of their relatives at home; we also found other domestic uses of asbestos which were rarely or never discussed previously in the literature: six cases might be explained by the installation of fireproof or non-conductive materials in the domestic environment. These exposures probably are more frequent than realized until now.

Asbestos↗

Concord grape juice supplementation reduces blood pressure in Korean hypertensive men: double-blind, placebo controlled intervention trial.

Many of the flavonoids found in grapes and grape products such as juice or wine have been known to exert antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, platelet inhibitory and arterial relaxing effects either in vitro, in animal studies and in human trials. This study was designed to test the effect of Concord grape juice consumption on altering blood pressure in hypertensive patients. Forty subjects were given 5.5 ml/kg body weight/day of either Concord grape juice (CGJ) or a calorie-matched placebo drink every day for 8 weeks. Blood pressure (BP) was measured on weeks 0, 4 and 8. Compared to baseline, in the CGJ group systolic BP was reduced on average by 7.2 mm Hg (p = 0.005) and diastolic BP was reduced on average by 6.2 mm Hg (p = 0.001) at the end of 8 weeks. Comparable changes in the group getting the placebo product were -3.5 mm Hg (NS) and -3.2 mm Hg (p = 0.05) Consuming Concord grape juice, which is high in polyphenolic compounds, may favorably affect BP in hypertensive individuals.

Blood Pressure↗

The antioxidative function, preventive action on disease and utilization of proanthocyanidins.

Proanthocyanidins, which belong to a class of polyphenols, are widely distributed throughout the plant kingdom. Most people ingest trace amounts of proanthocyanidins through foods such as red wine and cranberry juice. However, the functional properties of proanthocyanidins have been little understood. Since 1983, we have studied the antioxidative functions, preventive actions on diseases and utilization of proanthocyanidins. The antioxidative activities of proanthocyanidins were found to be much stronger than vitamin C or vitamin E in aqueous systems. The mechanisms for their antioxidative actions were shown to involve radical scavenging, quenching, and enzyme-inhibiting actions. The preventive actions of proanthcyanidins on diseases relating to reactive oxygen species was examined using animal tests. Proanthocyanidin-rich grape seed extract was showed to have preventive actions on diseases such as atherosclerosis, gastric ulcer, large bowel cancer, cataracts and diabetes. In human intervention trials, grape seed extract was shown to have preventive effects on the increase in lipid peroxides in human plasma after exercise and on muscle fatigue after training. The uses and manufacturing techniques of proanthocyanidin products were subsequently developed. The products were launched as antioxidants in food additives, ingredients in nutritional supplements, and cosmetics.

Animals↗

Kinetic model for nitrogen-limited wine fermentations.

A physical and mathematical model for wine fermentation kinetics has been developed to predict sugar utilization curves based on experimental data from wine fermentations with various initial nitrogen and sugar concentrations in the juice. The model is based on: (1) yeast cell growth limited by nitrogen; (2) sugar utilization rates and ethanol production rates proportional solely to the number of viable cells; and (3) a death rate for cells proportional to alcohol content. All but one parameter in the model can be estimated from existing data. However, experiments to find this final parameter, a constant describing cell death, indicate that cell death may not be the critical factor in determining fermentation kinetics as cell viability remains significant until sugar utilization has ceased. The model, nevertheless, predicts a transition from normal to sluggish to stuck fermentations as initial nitrogen levels decrease. It also predicts that fermentations with high initial Brix levels may go to completion when supplemented with nitrogen in the form of ammonia. Therefore, we hypothesize that the model is valid but that ethanol causes the yeast cells to become inactive while remaining viable. Experimental verification of the model has been performed using flask-scale experiments. The model has also been used to evaluate the possibility of using nitrogen or viable cell additions to avoid or correct problem (i.e., sluggish or stuck) fermentations.

Carbohydrate Metabolism↗

Pattern analysis techniques to process fermentation curves: application to discrimination of enological alcoholic fermentations.

In fermentation processes, kinetic curves are generally aimed at control purposes. However, these curves could also contain information about inherent features of the product (such as origin, quality, etc.). This article presents several pattern analysis techniques used to classify fermentation curves. An application to alcoholic fermentation is presented as an illustration: it aims at retrieving the origin of a must from its fermentation curve. The fermentation kinetics of five vineyard musts, harvested over 9 years on the same parcels, were recorded. From these curves two sets of variables were generated: The first (p(1)) gathers all the kinetic curve points. The second (p(2)) contains a restrained number of variables, generated by the expert knowledge of the enologist. The set p(2) was processed by two very different techniques: a linear one (factorial discriminant analysis) and a nonlinear one (artificial neural networks). The set p(1) was processed by a new chemometric technique, the discriminant partial least-squares regression. For all the sets and the techniques used the selection of variables was studied. The interest in the latter is largely demonstrated both by theoretical and practical discussions. The discrimination results (up to 94% of good predictions) enhance the interest of the on-line measurements and their use in such pattern analysis tools.

Algorithms↗

A simple non invasive computerized method for the assessment of bone repair within osteoconductive porous bioceramic grafts.

Single energy X-ray imaging, due to its low cost and flexibility, is one of the most used and common technique to assess bone state and bone remodeling over time. Standardized X-ray images are needed to compare sets of radiographs for semi-quantitative analyses of tissue remodeling. However, useful mathematical modeling for the analysis of high level radiographic images are not easily available. In order to propose a useful evaluation tool to a wide clinical scenario, we present an innovative calibration algorithm for a semi-quantitative analysis of non-standardized digitized X-ray images. For calibration on a unique standardization scale, three time invariant regions (ROI) of radiographs were selected and analyzed. The accuracy of the normalization method for X-ray films was successfully validated by using an aluminum step wedge for routine X-ray exposures as tool to standardize serial radiographs (Pearson correlation test: R(2) = 0.96). This method was applied to investigate the progression of the new bone deposition within ceramic scaffolds used as osteoconductive substitute in large bone defects taking advantage of a large animal model. This innovative image-processing algorithm allowed the identification and semi-quantification of the bone matrix deposited within the implant. The osteo-integration at the bone-implant interface was also investigated. A progressively increasing bone tissue deposition within the porous bioceramic implant and a progressive osteo-integration was observed during the 12 months of the trial.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗

Mixed micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography separation of depolymerized grape procyanidins.

Oligomeric procyanidins are potent antioxidant polyphenols of potential interest as disease-preventing agents. Their efficiency depends on the size and composition of their oligomeric structures. The mean degree of polymerization of these compounds is usually estimated by thiolysis with thiol-alpha-toluene followed by analysis using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). We show the development of a mixed micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC) method for the separation of the major components obtained after thiolysis with cysteamine (catechins and their cysteamine conjugates). MEKC studies using sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS as pseudostationary phase led to long migration times, e.g., with 100 mM SDS, at pH 7, the solutes were separated in about 40 min), while the use of sodium cholate (SC) produced an elution window relatively short. Using a mixed micellar SC-SDS system (50 mM phosphate at pH 7 containing 40 mM SC and 10 mM SDS), it is possible to separate these compounds in less than 15 min. The proposed method is useful to separate the major components of the thiolysate in effluents from food processing (e.g., skins and seeds from grape and apple) considered as potential procyanidin sources.

Biflavonoids↗

Micellar electrokinetic chromatography estimation of size and composition of procyanidins after thiolysis with cysteine.

This paper describes the characterization of procyanidin mixtures by acid depolymerization in the presence of cysteine (thiolysis with cysteine) and micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC). Reversed-phase liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) and MEKC were investigated for the separation of the major components of the depolymerized mixtures (catechins and their cysteinyl derivatives). The solutes could only be effectively separated using MEKC. Two background electrolytes (BGEs) are recommended: (i) 50 mM phosphate at pH 7, containing 40 mM sodium cholate (SC) and 10 mM sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS); (ii) a BGE with the same composition but containing only 50 mM SDS. The MEKC procedures here reported, are cheap, reliable and fast, and their potential in the determination of the size and composition in procyanidin mixtures has been shown. The proposed MEKC methods were validated by comparison with our intralaboratory reference RP-HPLC method using cysteamine as thiol donor.

Biflavonoids↗

Analyses of phenolic compounds by microemulsion electrokinetic chromatography.

In this study, a microemulsion electrokinetic chromatography (MEEKC) method was developed to analyze and detect 13 phenolic compounds (syringic acid, p-cumaric acid, vanillic acid, caffeic acid, gallic acid, 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, (+)-catechin, (-)-epigallocatechin, (-)-epicatechin gallate, (-)-epigallocatechin gallate, (-)-epicatechin, and (-)-gallocatechin), which are present in many plant-derived foods. The effects of cosurfactant, organic modifier, and oil were examined in order to optimize the separation of these phenolic compounds. The amounts of cosurfactant (cyclohexanol) and organic modifier (acetonitrile) were determined as the major influence on the separation selectivity, while the type of oil partially affected the separation resolution of the phenolic compounds. A highly efficient MEEKC separation method was achieved within 14 min by using a microemulsion solution of pH 2.0 containing 2.89% w/v SDS, 1.36% w/v heptane, 7.66% w/v cyclohexanol, and 2% w/v ACN. Furthermore, the present work could demonstrate that the nature of the oil phase has a significant influence on the separation selectivity of phenolic compounds.

Acetonitriles↗

Optimization of protein extraction and solubilization for mature grape berry clusters.

Protein extraction from grape berries has been challenging, particularly in mature berries, which can have sugar concentrations as high as 26%. Grape skins and seeds contain large amounts of polyphenols, which can also interfere with efficient protein extraction. In plants, two extraction protocols, TCA/acetone-based and phenol-based methods, have been mainly used to extract proteins from different organs or tissues on many species. However, few results have been reported for grape berry clusters. We wanted to determine which of these protocols was optimal for berry clusters in order to achieve both efficient protein extraction and high spot resolution on 2-D gels. Four protocols, derived from either TCA/acetone or phenol procedures, were tested on mature Cabernet Sauvignon whole berry clusters. The phenol-based protocols were superior to the TCA/acetone methods, showing larger protein yields and greater spot resolution on 2-D gels. One method was clearly superior to the rest, a phenol-based extraction method combined with resuspension in the presence of both urea and thiourea as chaotropes. A total of 81 spots were excised and identified following MALDI-TOF/TOF MS analyses. Their identification helped further characterize the specificity of each extraction procedure.

Acetone↗

Radiation effects on soluble metabolites in cultured HeLa cells examined by 1H MRS: changes in concentration of glutathione and of lipid catabolites induced by gamma rays and proton beams.

Cultured HeLa cells were irradiated with a single acute dose of either gamma rays (40 Gy) or low-energy proton beams (20 Gy). (1)H magnetic resonance spectra of intact cells harvested at different times after irradiation and of the correspondent perchloric acid (PCA) extracts prepared at different times after irradiation were run. Selected signals from glutathione and lactate were examined with the aim of investigating effects of irradiation on antioxidative stores and on mitochondrial activity. An increase of signal intensity of glutathione (GSH) takes place at 15 and 24 hr after irradiation, while a decrease of its signal intensity, accompanied by an increase of that of free glutamate, starts appearing 48 hr after irradiation. Lactate signal increases 48 hr after irradiation. Signals from lipid catabolites were also examined to explore their sensitivity in predicting the response to radiotherapy. Intensity ratios of signals of glycerophosphorylcholine and choline to that of phosphorylcholine increase with time after irradiation. Irradiating cells with gamma rays or proton beams at half a dose produces effects comparable to the metabolic variations presented here. The present experiments allow more insight into the complex pattern of the changes of GSH by irradiation and indicate that magnetic resonance spectroscopy signals from GSH, glutamate, lactate, and lipid catabolites are affected by irradiation. Finally, these data represent a first indication that the relative biological efficiency for some metabolic damage of low-energy proton beams with respect to gamma rays can reach a value of 2.

Flow Cytometry↗

Grape seed extract inhibits advanced human prostate tumor growth and angiogenesis and upregulates insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3.

Dietary intake of many fruits and vegetables has been shown to be associated with reduced risk of cancer. We investigated the in vivo efficacy of grape seed extract (GSE, patented as Traconol) against prostate cancer (PCA) and associated molecular events. Athymic nude mice were implanted with hormone-refractory human prostate carcinoma DU145 cells and fed with 100 and 200 mg/kg/day (5 days/week) doses of GSE for 7 weeks. At the end of experiment, tumors were immunohistochemically analyzed for cell proliferation, apoptosis and angiogenesis. Our data show that GSE feeding strongly inhibited tumor growth that accounted for 59-73% (p < 0.001) inhibition in tumor volume and 37-47% (p < 0.05) decrease in tumor weight at the end of the experiment. It did not show any significant change in body weight gain profile and diet consumption. Immunohistochemical analysis of tumors showed that GSE decreases proliferation index by 51-66% (p < 0.001) and increases apoptotic index by 3-4-fold (p < 0.001). CD31 staining for endothelial cells, showed decrease in intratumoral microvasculature in GSE-fed group of mice. Control tumors showed 64.0 +/- 1.6 CD31 positive cells/400x field compared to 23.2 +/- 0.9 and 15.7 +/- 0.08 (p < 0.001) CD31 positive cells in 100 and 200 mg/kg doses of GSE-treated tumors, respectively. GSE strongly inhibited (47-70%, p < 0.05) vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) secretion in conditioned medium by DU145 cells. Recently, the circulating level of insulin-like growth factor binding protein (IGFBP)-3 is shown to inversely related with PCA risk, growth and prognosis. Consistent with this, we observed 6-7-fold (p < 0.001) increase in tumor-secreted levels of IGFBP-3 after GSE feeding. In other immunohistochemical studies, compared to controls, tumor xenografts from GSE-fed groups of mice showed a moderate decrease in VEGF but an increase in IGFBP-3 levels. These findings suggest that GSE possesses in vivo anticancer efficacy against hormone-refractory human PCA, which is associated with its antiproliferative, proapoptotic and antiangiogenic activities together with upregulation of IGFBP-3.

Angiogenesis Inhibitors↗

Biochemical and NMR studies on structure and release conditions of RNA-containing vesicles shed by human colon adenocarcinoma cells.

Large amounts of particulate material, mostly lipid vesicles, are released by human colon adenocarcinoma HCT-8R cells when they are packed at high density in saline solution. RNA is also present in the released structures. Vesicle sheding is displayed only by healthy and viable cells. The process, in our experimental conditions, lasts up to 40 min, and can be restored by supplementing cells with nutrients and oxygen. RNA and lipids give rise to IH and 3IP NMR signals. The process is somehow related to a thermotropic transition observed by means of IH NMR spectroscopy for peculiar lipid domains in the plasma membrane. Analysis of 3IP NMR spectra of the phosphodiester groups, upon pH variation, indicates strong interaction between RNA and proteins in an assembled structure. A constant amount of polyA+ RNA can be recovered from the vesicles. The electrophoretic pattern and in vitro protein synthesis indicate that mRNA can be isolated as a functionally active molecule with a major 5 Kb fraction.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Cisplatin impairs antioxidant system and causes oxidation in rat kidney tissues: possible protective roles of natural antioxidant foods.

This study aims to elucidate the molecular mechanism(s) of cisplatin nephrotoxicity and the possible protective effects of antioxidant food supplementation on this toxicity. Twenty eight rats were used throughout the study. Cisplatin was administered intraperitoneally (i.p.) in a single dose (10 mg kg(-1)). Antioxidant food supplementation was started 3 days before cisplatin treatment. In each group (control, cisplatin, cisplatin plus dried black grape and cisplatin plus tomato juice), there were seven animals. Rats were killed 72 h after treatment. The kidneys were removed and prepared for biochemical and histopathological investigations. Oxidant (sensitivity to oxidation, xanthine oxidase enzyme and malondialdehyde level) and antioxidant (superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase enzymes, and antioxidant potential value) parameters were measured in kidney tissues of the groups. Histopathological examination was also performed. Significant decreases were measured in the renal activities of catalase and glutathione peroxidase enzymes. There was, however, a significant increase in the activity of xanthine oxidase enzyme in the cisplatin-treated animals compared with the control group. The kidney tissue malondialdehyde levels were found to be increased, but sensitivity to oxidation and antioxidant potential values to be decreased in the cisplatin group. In the food supplemented groups, it has been observed that black grape eliminated oxidant stress by increasing antioxidant potential, but tomato did not. Histopathological examination results also revealed significant damage in the kidney tissues from the cisplatin-treated rats. In the black grape group, significant improvements were observed compared with the cisplatin group. In the tomato group, there were also some improvements but to a lesser degree compared with the black grape group. The results suggest that cisplatin treatment causes significant oxidant load to the kidneys through both xanthine oxidase activation and impaired antioxidant defense system, which resulted in accelerated oxidation reactions in the kidney tissue. It is proposed that supplementation of some foods such as black grape which has resveratrol as an antioxidant can provide significant protection against cisplatin nephrotoxicity.

Animals↗

Some advances in the knowledge of grape, wine and distillates chemistry as achieved by mass spectrometry.

Mass spectrometry plays a very important role in acquiring knowledge of the chemistry of grape and its derivative products. By liquid mass spectrometry, anthocyanins of grape were studied, and in hybrid grape extracts, delphinidin, cyanidin, petunidin and malvidin 3-O-(6-O-p-coumaroyl)-5-O-diglucosides were found. A semiquantitative procedure to estimate the amounts and percentages of monoglucoside and diglucoside anthocyanins without chromatography was developed. By gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC/MS), aroma compounds of grape, wine and the distillate Italian grappa were studied, and molecular structures characterized. The representative aroma profile of Muscat grape was characterized by 23 terpenols, present in both free and bonded form, and direct correlation between aroma and genetic profile permitted to distinguish between different Muscat grape varieties. Aroma of Italian grappa resulted from and was characterized by several compounds linked to the grape variety, such as vitispiranes, terpenols, ethyl cinnamate, salicylic esters, benzaldehyde and farnesol. Synthesis of O-(2,3,4,5,6-pentafluorobenzyl)-hydroxylamine (PFBOA) derivatives and GC/MS analysis resulted in a sensitive and selective method to study carbonyl compounds at the low levels occurring in wine.

Food Technology↗

Characterization of must and wine of six varieties of grapes by direct infusion electrospray ionization mass spectrometry.

Samples of must derived from six different varieties of grapes taken during the fermentation process, as well as the respective wine samples directly after the end of the malolactic fermentation, were analyzed by direct infusion negative ion mode electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). Diagnostic ions for must were different from those of wine samples, although small variations for each of the grape varieties were also detected. The addition of unfermented must or sugar to wine could also be clearly detected. The spectra were acquired in a few minutes per sample, indicating that ESI-MS can be used for high-throughput analysis of samples and should prove useful for quality control during and after the fermentation process.

Species Specificity↗

Species identification and comparative molecular and physiological analysis of Candida zemplinina and Candida stellata.

Strains of the recently described yeast species Candida zemplinina have been identified in botrytized grapes and musts in geographically distant areas. C. zemplinina is almost indistinguishable from C. stellata, another yeast common in fermenting botrytized wines. In this work a specific PCR-RFLP method is described for the differentiation of the two species. It is also shown that both species have three chromosomes, display chromosomal length polymorphism, and C. zemplinina has a smaller genome. C. zemplinina is acidogenic, highly osmotolerant, grows much better than C. stellata in the presence of ethanol and at low temperatures.

Acids↗

Synthesis, characterization, and analytical studies of adosupine, a potential new drug for urinary incontinence.

The synthesis and the spectroscopic characterization of a new potential drug for urinary incontinence, adosupine, is described. Adosupine and its potential synthesis impurities were analyzed by a new HPLC method that was developed with a C18 reversed-phase column. The analysis was made under isocratic conditions, with a mobile phase of acetonitrile:water (15:85, v/v). Resolution of all synthesis impurities was allowed. The method was also applied to stability studies of adosupine in solid state and in solution under different conditions. With the conditions used, only one degradation product was shown by HPLC analysis; it was isolated, characterized, and identified as the hydrolysis product of the lactam ring present in the adosupine structure.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗