Blending as a sample preparation protocol for mitigating intra- and inter-fruit heterogeneity in sensory analysis of sweetness and acidity in tomatoes.

Tomato sensory analysis typically involves assessing different fruits, and the inherent intra- and inter-fruit variability poses experimental challenges. To address this, blending emerges as a sampling protocol to minimize panelist experimental error. This study delves into intra-(locule/pericarp) and inter-fruit heterogeneity, examining the efficacy of blended samples in assessing sweetness and acidity.

From 'Farm to Fork': Exploring the Potential of Nutrient-Rich and Stress-Resilient Emergent Crops for Sustainable and Healthy Food in the Mediterranean Region in the Face of Climate Change Challenges.

In the dynamic landscape of agriculture and food science, incorporating emergent crops appears as a pioneering solution for diversifying agriculture, unlocking possibilities for sustainable cultivation and nutritional bolstering food security, and creating economic prospects amid evolving environmental and market conditions with positive impacts on human health. This review explores the potential of utilizing emergent crops in Mediterranean environments under current climate scenarios, emphasizing the manifold benefits of agricultural and food system diversification and assessing the impact of environmental factors on their quality and consumer health. Through a deep exploration of the resilience, nutritional value, and health impacts of neglected and underutilized species (NUS) such as quinoa, amaranth, chia, moringa, buckwheat, millet, teff, hemp, or desert truffles, their capacity to thrive in the changing Mediterranean climate is highlighted, offering novel opportunities for agriculture and functional food development.

Correlation of plasmatic sodium determined by the laboratory and that determined by the dialysis machine.

Introduction: Changes in plasma sodium concentration (Na, expressed in mEq/L) are common in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Hemodialysis monitors can estimate Na by using an internal algorithm based on ion dialysance measurements. The present study studies the accuracy of the correlation between the Na estimated by the dialysis monitor and that measured by the biochemistry laboratory at our center.

Contrast-induced encephalopathy in patients with advanced chronic kidney disease: What the nephrologist needs to know.

Contrast-induced encephalopathy is a neurological complication related to contrast used in endovascular procedures or computed tomography (CT). The main risk factors are arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease (CKD), hyperosmolar contrasts, the amount of infused contrast and its direct infusion in the posterior cerebral territory, or pathologies with blood-brain barrier damage. Symptomatology is non-specific and may present as altered level of consciousness, neurological focality or seizures.

Conductivity variations and changes in serum sodium concentration during dialysis related to monitor switching.

Introduction: The sodium gradient during hemodialysis sessions is one of the key factors in sodium balance in patients with dialysis-dependent chronic kidney disease; however, until the appearance of the new monitors with sodium modules, the differences between prescribed and measured sodium have been understudied. The present study aimed to compare the impact on the measured conductivity and the initial and final plasma sodium after changing the 5008 Cordiax to the new 6008 Cordiax monitor.

Material And Methods: 106 patients on hemodialysis were included.

Diversity and genetic architecture of agro-morphological traits in a core collection of European traditional tomato.

European traditional tomato varieties have been selected by farmers given their consistent performance and adaptation to local growing conditions. Here we developed a multipurpose core collection, comprising 226 accessions representative of the genotypic, phenotypic, and geographical diversity present in European traditional tomatoes, to investigate the basis of their phenotypic variation, gene×environment interactions, and stability for 33 agro-morphological traits. Comparison of the traditional varieties with a modern reference panel revealed that some traditional varieties displayed excellent agronomic performance and high trait stability, as good as or better than that of their modern counterparts.

Practical implementation and clinical benefits of the new automated dialysate sodium control biosensor.

Background: A key feature of dialysis treatment is the prescription of dialysate sodium (Na). This study aimed to describe the practical implementation of a new automated dialysate Na control biosensor and to assess its tolerance and the beneficial clinical effects of isonatraemic dialysis.

Methods: A prospective study was carried out in 86 patients who, along with their usual parameters, received the following five consecutive phases of treatment for 3 weeks each: phase 0: baseline 5008 machine; phases 1 and 2: 6008 machine without activation of the Na control biosensor and the same fixed individualized Na dialysate prescription or adjusted to obtain similar conductivity to phase 0; phases 3 and 4: activated Na control to isonatraemic dialysis (Na dialysate margins 135-141 or 134-142 mmol/L).

Phenotypic diversity and distinctiveness of the Belltall garlic landrace.

Among the Mediterranean horticultural landraces, garlic is one of the crops most threatened by genetic erosion. Due to its sexual sterility and to the incidence of seed-borne diseases, historical varieties have been widely replaced by commercial cultivars. In Catalonia, despite the historical relevance of the crop, solely the Belltall garlic landrace is cultivated for commercial purposes.

Atlas of phenotypic, genotypic and geographical diversity present in the European traditional tomato.

The Mediterranean basin countries are considered secondary centres of tomato diversification. However, information on phenotypic and allelic variation of local tomato materials is still limited. Here we report on the evaluation of the largest traditional tomato collection, which includes 1499 accessions from Southern Europe.

European traditional tomatoes galore: a result of farmers' selection of a few diversity-rich loci.

A comprehensive collection of 1254 tomato accessions, corresponding to European traditional and modern varieties, early domesticated varieties, and wild relatives, was analyzed by genotyping by sequencing. A continuous genetic gradient between the traditional and modern varieties was observed. European traditional tomatoes displayed very low genetic diversity, with only 298 polymorphic loci (95% threshold) out of 64 943 total variants.

Incidence of severe breakthrough SARS-CoV-2 infections in vaccinated kidney transplant and haemodialysis patients.

Introduction: Given the increased COVID-19 observed in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) and haemodialysis patients, several studies have tried to establish the efficacy of mRNA vaccines in these populations by evaluating their humoral and cellular responses. However, there is currently no information on clinical protection (deaths and hospitalizations), a gap that this study aims to fill.

Methods: Observational prospective study involving 1,336 KTRs and haemodialysis patients from three dialysis units affiliated to Hospital Clínic of Barcelona, Spain, vaccinated with two doses of mRNA-1273 (Moderna) or BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech) SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines.

Impact of insulin therapy before donation on graft outcomes in pancreas transplantation: An analysis of the OPTN/UNOS database.

Aims: Information on the impact of insulin therapy before pancreas donation on pancreas outcomes is scarce. We aim to explore the influence of insulin therapy before donation on recipient and pancreas graft survival.

Methods: Registry study including 12,841 pancreas recipients from the OPTN/UNOS registry performed between 2000 and 2017.

Treatment of Chronic Spinal Cord Injury in Dogs Using Amniotic Membrane-Derived Stem Cells: Preliminary Results.

Introduction: Intervertebral disc diseases (IVDD) represent the majority of neurological attendance and responsible for the most cases of paralysis in dogs. Treatments currently used do not show satisfactory results in patients with more severe and chronic neurological manifestations.

Methods: To promote nerve and muscular recovery, as well as improve quality of life, we aimed to create a double-blind test method, associating spinal decompression surgery and allogeneic transplantation of amniotic membrane-derived stem cells (AMSCs) in dogs with chronic IVDD.

Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT in patients with occult biochemical recurrence of prostate carcinoma and negative F-Choline PET/CT. Preliminary assessment of its clinical use.

Objective: To assess the clinical usefulness of 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT studies in patients with occult biochemical recurrence of prostate carcinoma, with negative or inconclusive radiologic and 18 F-Choline PET/CT imaging studies.

Material And Methods: Retrospective descriptive study. The first 14 patients with a history of prostate carcinoma, treated with curative intent and presenting suspicion of biochemical recurrence with low PSA values (<3 ng/mL) were selected.

Mucormycosis associated with COVID-19 in two kidney transplant patients.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) predisposes patients to bacterial and fungal superinfections due to the impairment of the immunological system. Among the associated opportunistic fungal infections, mucormycosis is one of the least frequent but with the highest mortality. We describe two cases of mucormycosis in two kidney transplant recipients, while they were hospitalized for SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia, with rhinosinusal and musculoskeletal involvement, respectively.

Acute renal replacement therapy in critically ill octogenarian or older patients: prognostic factors and renal outcomes.

Background: The number of octogenarians or older patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) has been growing over the past several years. The aim of this study is to assess factors associated with acute renal replacement therapy (ARRT) requirement in these patients and the impact of this therapy on 90-day mortality. We also aimed to identify prognostic factors associated with mortality risk in the group of patients that required ARRT.

Pluripotent stem cells proliferation is associated with placentation in dogs.

Pluripotent stem cells have been studied as source of cells for regenerative medicine and acquire or genetic diseases, as an innovative therapy. Most tissues have stem cells populations, however in few quantities or impossible to be used during adult life, which lead to scientists look for new sources. Thus, this study aimed to analyze the presence of pluripotent cells in the uterus and placenta, following up non-pregnant, pregnant (begin, middle, and final), and postpartum periods in dogs.

Characterization and Immunomodulation of Canine Amniotic Membrane Stem Cells.

Purpose: Amniotic membrane stem cells have a high capacity of proliferation, cell expansion, and plasticity, as well as immunomodulatory properties that contribute to maternal-fetal tolerance. Owing to the lack of research on human amniotic membrane at different gestational stages, the canine model is considered ideal because of its genetic and physiological similarities. We aimed to characterize the canine amniotic membrane (CAM) cell lineage in different gestational stages and evaluate the expression of immunomodulatory genes.

Role of boost radiotherapy for local control of pure ductal carcinoma in situ after breast-conserving surgery: a multicenter, retrospective study of 622 patients.

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of boost radiotherapy on ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence (IBTR) for ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) after breast-conserving surgery and whole breast radiotherapy (WBRT) with or without boost.

Methods And Materials: Retrospective, multicentre study of 622 patients (624 tumors) diagnosed with pure DCIS from 1993-2011.

Results: Most tumors (377/624; 60.

Xenotransplantation of canine spermatogonial stem cells (cSSCs) regulated by FSH promotes spermatogenesis in infertile mice.

Background: Xenotransplantation of spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) has become a popular topic in various research fields because manipulating these cells can provide insights into the mechanisms associated with germ cell lines and the entire spermatogenesis process; moreover, these cells can be used in several biotechnology applications. To achieve successful xenotransplantation, the in vitro microenvironment in which SSCs are cultured should be an ideal microenvironment for self-renewal and similar to the in vivo testicular microenvironment. The age of the donor, the correct spermatogenesis cycle, and the quality of the donor tissue are also important.

Nutritional values of raw and cooked 'calçots' (Allium cepa L. resprouts), an expanding crop.

Background: 'Calçot' is the Catalan name for the immature floral stems of second-year onion resprouts of the Blanca Tardana de Lleida (BTL) landrace. Highly appreciated for their sensory attributes, these resprouts are typically consumed after roasting on an open fire. Now new preparations are appearing, helping to expand the market for 'calçots'.

Plant Genebanks: Present Situation and Proposals for Their Improvement. the Case of the Spanish Network.

Genebanks were created by the middle of the twentieth century to preserve cultivated biodiversity when landraces began to be substituted by modern varieties. This move was generally accepted as a necessary step to safeguard the future. After about 75 years of collecting and maintaining genetic resources, the increasing ability of biotechnology to create new variability brings the roles of genebanks in the present and near future into question.