Search Results (37)

This study investigates the nutritional and chemical profile of cricket (Acheta domesticus) flour, evaluating its potential as a sustainable and highly nutritious food source. Cricket flour, with a protein content of approximately 60%, offers a significantly higher nutritional value compared to many traditional food sources. It is particularly rich in essential amino acids, making it a valuable and sustainable protein alternative. Additionally, the flour is rich in minerals such as potassium, calcium, magnesium, copper, and zinc. The administration of 100 g of cricket flour would exceed the recommended daily intake for adults for most nutrients, making its incorporation into more traditional foods such as bread and pasta at low percentages feasible, easily compensating for any imbalances and increasing their nutritional values. We found that an addition of a mere 10% of cricket flour to produce an experimental pasta fulfilled half of the recommended daily intake values for protein, lipids, and minerals. Chemical analyses of the pure cricket flour revealed only trace amounts of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and linear alkanes, with concentrations well below safety thresholds established for other food categories, indicating that cricket flour is safe for human consumption. The study’s findings confirm that cricket flour is a promising sustainable protein source, and its integration into classic foods could safely contribute to alleviating iron and copper deficiencies as well as malnutrition. Full article

This review article on atypically displaced meniscal tears serves as a critical reminder for radiologists and orthopedic surgeons. It highlights and details uncommon lesions that may be overlooked during MRI evaluation and/or arthroscopic exploration. The knowledge of their existence can enable radiologists to critically assess any meniscal abnormality, keeping in mind its possible arthroscopic presentation. This is essential for assisting the surgeon in making an accurate preoperative diagnosis. In fact, these atypical lesions pose great challenges to surgeons in terms of the technical aspects of their treatment. Often, they could require additional arthroscopic portals for their identification or the need for special devices or instrumentations for the repair. Knowing these challenges in advance is thus imperative for properly planning a proficient surgery. The correct diagnosis and description of tear patterns, including extent and location, allow optimal pre-operative planning with the choice of the indicated approach. Radiologists should know how to recognize menisci tears, even with atypical dislocation patterns. Particularly, in the case of ‘minus’ detection or thickness reduction in a meniscus, the possible displaced fragment should be carefully searched for, even in atypical sites. Full article

This systematic review critically evaluates the efficacy of enzyme- and protein-containing toothpastes in augmenting saliva’s inherent protective mechanisms. Adhering to PRISMA guidelines and having been registered under PROSPERO (CRD42024558854), a comprehensive literature search was conducted across PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus, employing a PICO-structured query with the MeSH terms “enzymes”, “proteins”, and “toothpaste”. The inclusion criteria were restricted to in vivo human studies, published in English within the last 10 years, assessing the gingival effects of these toothpastes. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane RoB 2.0 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and ROBINS-I for non-randomized controlled trials (N-RCTs). From an initial pool of 62 articles, three studies met the inclusion criteria: two RCTs exhibiting low to medium risk of bias and one N-RCT with low risk of bias. The analysis suggests that enzyme- and protein-enriched toothpastes may contribute to improved gingival health following 12 weeks and 12 months of use. However, the hypothesized effect against extrinsic black stains was not substantiated within the selected studies. These findings, while promising, are constrained by the limited number of included studies, necessitating further investigations to validate these observations and explore the broader implications of enzyme- and protein-based oral care formulations. Full article

Background/Objectives: Tralokinumab, a fully human monoclonal antibody targeting IL-13, has shown efficacy and safety in clinical trials and real-life studies for atopic dermatitis (AD). However, data on its effectiveness across AD phenotypes are limited. Methods: A multicentric study evaluated tralokinumab’s efficacy over 52 weeks in 416 severe AD patients. EASI (Eczema Area and Severity Index), P-NRS (Pruritus Numerical Rating Scale), DLQI (Dermatology Life Quality Index), and ADCT (Atopic Dermatitis Control Tool) were recorded up to 52 weeks of treatment. Results: The EASI, P-NRS, DLQI, and ADCT trends across phenotypes showed significant improvement in all phenotype subgroups. By week 16, classical and generalized lichenoid phenotypes showed the highest EASI improvements compared to the generalized inflammatory (75.0 vs. 45.5 [p < 0.001] and 79.3 vs. 45.5 [p < 0.001]), with most achieving EASI-75 (p < 0.001, χ² = 25.96). By week 24, generalized lichenoid reached 100% EASI improvement, significantly outperforming other phenotypes. The highest EASI-75 rates were seen in classical, generalized lichenoid, and portrait/head and neck phenotypes (p = 0.016, χ² = 13.85). No significant differences were observed at weeks 32, 40, or 52. Conclusions: Our results suggest that tralokinumab’s durability and tolerability are consistent across the various phenotypes. The classical and generalized lichenoid were the fastest phenotypes to improve. However, given the uneven distribution of phenotypes and the gradual reduction in patient numbers over time, larger prospective studies are essential to confirm the observed trends. Full article

The success of the Primitivo variety underscores the critical need for the managing of clone genetic conservation, utilization, and improvement. By combining genomic and environmental data, breeders can better predict the performance of varieties, thereby improving breeding efficiency and enabling more targeted development of high-quality grapevine cultivars. In this study, 35 Primitivo clones were analysed, including selected and certified clones that have been propagated over several years in Apulia. Genetic variability among the Primitivo clones was assessed through genotyping by sequencing. Using 38,387 filtered SNPs, pairwise identity-by-state (IBS) analysis demonstrated the uniqueness of the 35 clones (IBS < 0.75), indicating a high degree of variability among the samples. Genetic diversity analysis revealed three primary groups, which were differentiated based on geographic origin. The clones from Gioia del Colle were grouped into two distinct clusters, which aligns with the observed variation in grape-related traits. The fixation index (F_ST > 0.50) identified numerous loci putatively associated with stress responses and developmental traits, including genes involved in key plant biological processes, stress response regulation, and adaptation to environmental conditions such as glutamate receptors, auxin, and ethylene signalling. Full article

Background: Little has been written in the literature about the clinical comparison between the single use of chlorhexidine (CHX) and its combination with cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC). The purpose of this study is to compare the clinical effectiveness of two at-home antiseptic regimens. Methods: Healthy subjects scheduled for dental surgery were enrolled. After the surgery, patients were randomly allocated to the first group (group A), which received a manual ultrasoft toothbrush (Mentadent Professional^®), an antiseptic toothpaste with 0.12% CHX and Vitamin B3 (Mentadent Professional Azione Intensiva Gengive^®), and an antiseptic mouthwash with 0.12% CHX and 0.07% CPC. The second group (group B) solely received an antiseptic mouthwash with 0.2% CHX in conjunction with an anti-discoloration system (Curasept ADS/DNA^®) and were encouraged to use their usual toothbrush and toothpaste. Patients were instructed to use the products twice a day and to rinse for 30 s. On day 7, patients were examined for the early healing score (EHS), visual plaque index (VPI) of the sutures, numerical rating scale (NRS), and mouthwash taste. Results: Group A showed a statistically significant level of EHS and taste satisfaction. VPI and NRS were different but not significant among the studied groups. Conclusions: The regimen based on CHX used in conjunction with vitamin B3 in the toothpaste and CPC in the mouthwash resulted in superior clinical outcomes and satisfaction compared to CHX alone. Full article

Background: Ustekinumab (UST) is an interleukin-12/interleukin-23 receptor antagonist approved for the treatment of Crohn’s disease (CD). Only limited real-life data on the long-term outcomes of CD patients treated with UST are available. This study assessed UST’s long-term effectiveness and safety in a large population-based cohort of moderate to severe CD patients. Methods: This was a multicenter, retrospective, observational cohort study that included both naïve and biologic-experienced patients treated with UST who achieved clinical remission or clinical response after at least one year of treatment. Clinical activity was scored according to the Harvey–Bradshaw Index (HBI). The primary endpoints were the maintenance or achievement of clinical remission after a further 12-month period of treatment, defined as an HBI of ≤5, and safety. Other endpoints included steroid-free remission, mucosal healing (MH), steroid discontinuation, and the need for treatment optimization during the follow-up. Results: Out of 562 CD patients, after an overall 24-month follow-up, clinical remission was present in 450 (80.0%) patients, and at 12 months, clinical remission was observed in 417/437 (95.4%) patients; 33/125 (26.4%) showed clinical response at 12 months (p = 0.000). A total of 38/103 (36.9%) patients achieved MH. Only 2.1% (12/562), 3% (17/562), and 1.1% (6/562) of patients required surgery, optimization, and re-induction, respectively. Adverse events occurred in eight patients (1.42%). According to a multivariate analysis, the only predictor of long-term remission was the presence of remission at the 12-month follow-up (p = 0.000). Conclusions: Long-term treatment with UST presents good efficacy and safety profiles in CD patients, especially for patients who achieve remission after one year. Full article

Objective. Our objective was to assess the proportion of false-positive CHD cases at the first-trimester evaluation of the fetal heart, performed by experienced operators. Methods. This multicenter retrospective study included of pregnant women with suspicion of CHDs during first-trimester screening for aneuploidies. In all cases, the fetal heart assessments were performed by obstetricians with extensive experience in first-trimester scanning, following an extended protocol proposed by SIEOG national guidelines, which included an axial view of the fetal abdomen and chest to assess visceral situs and evaluation of the four-chamber view (4CV) and three-vessel trachea view (3VTV) with color Doppler. In all suspected cases, fetal echocardiography was offered within 16 and/or at 19–22 weeks’ gestation. Results. From a population of 4300 fetuses, 46 CHDs were suspected. Twenty-four cases were excluded from this analysis because the parents opted for early termination of the pregnancies due to associated structural and/or genetic anomalies. For the remaining 22, echocardiography was performed by 16 weeks in 14 cases (64%) and after 16 weeks in 8 cases. In 19 cases (86.4%), a fetal cardiologist confirmed the presence of a CHD. In three cases (13%), the cardiac anatomy was found to be normal at the fetal echocardiography and postnatally. Conclusions. This study shows that the proportion of false-positive cases at the first-trimester ultrasound examination of the fetal heart, performed by experienced operators, may carry a higher risk of false-positive diagnosis than expected. Therefore, this issue must be discussed in instances where a CHD is suspected at the first-trimester screening. Full article

Several chemical analytical methods were applied to characterize the chemical structure of polysaccharides extracted from discarded apples and pomegranate peels using hydrodynamic cavitation methods in a circular economy perspective. In particular, the purity of the polysaccharides and the degrees of acetylation and methylation were evaluated by proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (¹H-NMR) analysis; simple sugars and galacturonic acid were analyzed simultaneously by High-Performance Anion Exchange Chromatography—Pulsed Amperometric Detector (HPAEC-PAD); the molecular weight of the extracted polysaccharides was determined by High-Performance Size Exclusion Chromatography-Refractive Index Detector (HPSEC-RID). The results showed a negligible presence of co-precipitated proteins/tannins, easily removed by dialysis, as well as other co-precipitated molecules such as monosaccharides and organic acids. Polysaccharides from apples consisted mainly of pectic material with a prevalence of homogalacturonans. Polysaccharides from pomegranate peels showed greater compositional variability with significant amounts of arabinose and galactose, a lower content of pectin, and the presence of rhamnogalacturonans I. Both polysaccharides were highly methylated and differed in the degree of acetylation, which could lead to different properties. Polysaccharides from apples presented two main molecular weights (>805 kDa and 348–805 kDa, respectively), while those from pomegranate peel showed a major fraction at 348 kDa and minor fractions < 23 kDa. In conclusion, the research tools proposed by this study have allowed defining the macrostructure of polysaccharides in a quick and efficient way to valorize these food by-products. Full article

Honey’s chemical and sensory characteristics depend on several factors, including its botanical and geographic origins. The consumers’ increasing interest in monofloral honey and honey with a clear indication of geographic origin make these types of honey susceptible to fraud. The aim was to propose an original chemometric approach for honey’s botanical and geographic authentication purposes. The volatile fraction of almost 100 Italian honey samples (4 out of which are from Greece) from different regions and botanical origins was characterized using HS-SPME-GC-MS; the obtained data were combined for the first time with a genetic algorithm to provide a model for the simultaneous authentication of the botanical and geographic origins of the honey samples. A total of 212 volatile compounds were tentatively identified; strawberry tree honeys were those with the greatest total content (i.e., 4829.2 ng/g). A greater variability in the VOCs’ content was pointed out for botanical than for geographic origin. The genetic algorithm obtained a 100% correct classification for acacia and eucalyptus honeys, while worst results were achieved for honeydew (75%) and wildflower (60%) honeys; concerning geographic authentication, the best results were for Tuscany (92.7%). The original combination of HS-SPME-GC-MS analysis and a genetic algorithm is therefore proposed as a promising tool for honey authentication purposes. Full article

According to the DSM-5, neurodevelopmental disorders represent a group of heterogeneous conditions, with onset during the developmental period, characterized by an alteration of communication and social skills, learning, adaptive behavior, executive functions, and psychomotor skills. These deficits determine an impairment of personal, social, scholastic, or occupational functioning. Neurodevelopmental disorders are characterized by an increased incidence and a multifactorial etiology, including genetic and environmental components. Data largely explain the role of genetic and environmental factors, also through epigenetic modifications such as DNA methylation and miRNA. Despite genetic factors, nutritional factors also play a significant role in the pathophysiology of these disorders, both in the prenatal and postnatal period, underscoring that the control of modifiable factors could decrease the incidence of neurodevelopmental disorders. The preventive role of nutrition is widely studied as regards many chronic diseases, such as diabetes, hypertension, and cancer, but actually we also know the effects of nutrition on embryonic brain development and the influence of prenatal and preconceptional nutrition in predisposition to various pathologies. These factors are not limited only to a correct caloric intake and a good BMI, but rather to an adequate and balanced intake of macro and micronutrients, the type of diet, and other elements such as exposure to heavy metals. This review represents an analysis of the literature as regards the physiopathological mechanisms by which food influences our state of health, especially in the age of development (from birth to adolescence), through prenatal and preconceptional changes, underlying how controlling these nutritional factors should improve mothers’ nutritional state to significantly reduce the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders in offspring. We searched key words such as “maternal nutrition and neurodevelopmental disorders” on Pubmed and Google Scholar, selecting the main reviews and excluding individual cases. Therefore, nutrigenetics and nutrigenomics teach us the importance of personalized nutrition for good health. So future perspectives may include well-established reference values in order to determine the correct nutritional intake of mothers through food and integration. Full article

Aldehyde dehydrogenases of the subfamily 1A (ALDH1A) are enzymes necessary for the oxidation of all-trans or 9-cis retinal to retinoic acid (RA). Retinoic acid and its derivatives are important for normal development and maintenance of epithelia, reproduction, memory, and immune function in adults. Moreover, in recent years, it has been demonstrated that ALDH1A members are also expressed and functional in several human cancers where their role is not limited to the synthesis of RA. Here, we review the current knowledge about ALDH1A3, one of the 1A isoforms, in cancers with an emphasis on two of the deadliest tumors that affect humans: glioblastoma multiforme and mesothelioma. In both tumors, ALDH1A3 is considered a negative prognostic factor, and its level correlates with excessive proliferation, chemoresistance, and invasiveness. We also review the recent attempts to develop both ALDH1A3-selective inhibitors for cancer therapy and ALDH1A3-specific fluorescent substrates for fluorescence-guided tumor resection. Full article

Caries and periodontitis are the most prevalent oral diseases worldwide. Major factors contributing to the development of these oral conditions include poor oral hygiene, dental biofilm formation, high carbohydrates diet, smoking, other systemic diseases, and genetic factors. Various preventive measures have been established to mitigate the risk of caries and periodontal disease development. The present review aims to discuss the role of the probiotics Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Lactobacillus plantarum in the prevention and treatment of caries and periodontal diseases. The study was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines and was registered on PROSPERO. The search involved PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus and considered the PICO format. Studies were screened by two reviewers independently, and disagreements were solved by consensus with a third reviewer. Data extraction included details about the type of probiotics, strains, and purpose of administration. A total of 15 RCTs were included, of which just 1 was about tooth cavities. Overall, 87% of the included studies were good-quality papers regarding the Jadad Scale. Several studies agreed on the potential of probiotics L. rhamnosus and L. plantarum, both alone and combined, to prevent and improve clinical outcomes in caries and periodontal treatments, weaker evidence is provided for the microbiological benefit. Full article

Certain food by-products, including not-good-for-sale apples and pomegranate peels, are rich in bioactive molecules that can be collected and reused in food formulations. Their extracts, rich in pectin and antioxidant compounds, were obtained using hydrodynamic cavitation (HC), a green, efficient, and scalable extraction technique. The extracts were chemically and physically characterized and used in gluten-free and vegan cookie formulations to replace part of the flour and sugar to study whether they can mimic the role of these ingredients. The amount of flour + sugar removed and replaced with extracts was 5% and 10% of the total. Physical (dimensions, color, hardness, moisture content, water activity), chemical (total phenolic content, DPPH radical-scavenging activity), and sensory characteristics of cookie samples were studied. Cookies supplemented with the apple extract were endowed with similar or better characteristics compared to control cookies: high spread ratio, similar color, and similar sensory characteristics. In contrast, the pomegranate peel extract enriched the cookies in antioxidant molecules but significantly changed their physical and sensory characteristics: high hardness value, different color, and a bitter and astringent taste. HC emerged as a feasible technique to enable the biofortification of consumer products at a real scale with extracts from agri-food by-products. Full article

Diabetes can trigger an increase in cytokine levels leading to the production of C-reactive protein and fibrinogen. These molecules promote subclinical inflammation, causing the expression of adhesive molecules and endothelial dysfunction. Despite the lack of a comprehensive panel for single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) for interleukins associated with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), understanding the inflammatory role of SNPs is crucial because periodontitis, the sixth complication of diabetes, is influenced via these genetic variations. This review focuses on the interleukin levels in T1DM patients with and without periodontitis, with a particular focus on childhood and on SNPs when reported. A search of PubMed and Scopus identified 21 relevant studies from the past five years. Several ILs were analyzed, emphasizing that T1DM still needs to be thoroughly explored regarding an IL polymorphisms panel; however, the last five years have led to the increased independence of this condition, causing autonomous inflammatory effects, which require further investigation. The periodontitis and T1DM association in children and adolescents represents a severe gap in the literature that should be filled; this scarce presence of studies serves as motivation for further clinical research. Full article