[Does primary care intervention have an impact in the place of death for patients in a palliative care program?].

Objectives: To determine whether there is a link between the place of death and the type of health-care provider: Primary Healthcare Team (PHT), Home Palliative Care Support Team (HPCST), or both. To identify other variables that may affect the place of death.

Design Of Study: Descriptive, observational, retrospective study.

Study of the minor fraction of virgin olive oil by a multi-class GC-MS approach: Comprehensive quantitative characterization and varietal discrimination potential.

For the first time, a multi-class GC-MS method was applied to perform the quantitative-profiling of the minor fraction of VOOs (considering >40 compounds) in a single run. This comprehensive methodology has demonstrated a remarkable profiling ability on five groups of compounds (phenolic and triterpenic compounds, tocopherols, sterols and free fatty acids) with wide range of polarities/volatilities and chemical entities. After the complete analytical validation of the method, 32 VOO samples from eight different cultivars (some of them very scarcely studied before) were analyzed and the quantitative results were subjected to both non-supervised and supervised multivariate statistics for testing the capability of the determined VOO minor compounds to discriminate the varietal origin of the samples.

Characterization of New Olive Fruit Derived Products Obtained by Means of a Novel Processing Method Involving Stone Removal and Dehydration with Zero Waste Generation.

As a result of an innovative olive fruit processing method involving stone removal and dehydration, a new kind of olive oil and olive flour are generated. The main objective of this work was to accomplish the comprehensive characterization of the minor compounds of both products and to evaluate the effect of the dehydration temperature on their composition. To this end, olive oil and flour samples obtained through the novel processing method were analyzed and compared with "conventional" virgin olive oils (VOO).

New insight into phenolic composition of chayote (Sechium edule (Jacq.) Sw.).

Chayote, the fruit of Sechium edule (Jacq.) Swartz, is known for culinary applications and in traditional medicine. A great number of its health benefits have been related to its phenolic composition.

Evaluating the reliability of specific and global methods to assess the phenolic content of virgin olive oil: Do they drive to equivalent results?

Despite the huge number of different published methodologies, there is an open debate regarding which one is the most convenient analytical strategy for the determination of phenolic compounds from virgin olive oils. Diverse technical issues together with the disparity of criteria regarding results expression cause a lot of confusion. Herewith, a systematic comparison between specific (a powerful and LC-MS method) and global methodologies (the Folin-Ciocalteau (FC) colorimetric assay, the International Olive Council (IOC) method and hydrolysis plus HPLC-DAD) has been carried out.

Establishing the Phenolic Composition of L. Leaves from Cultivars Grown in Morocco as a Crucial Step Towards Their Subsequent Exploitation.

In Morocco, the recovery of olive agro-industrial by-products as potential sources of high-added value substances has been underestimated so far. A comprehensive quantitative characterization of olive leaves' bioactive compounds is crucial for any attempt to change this situation and to implement the valorization concept in emerging countries. Thus, the phenolic fraction of olive leaves of 11 varieties ('Arbequina', 'Hojiblanca', 'Frantoio', 'Koroneiki', 'Lechín', 'Lucque', 'Manzanilla', 'Picholine de Languedoc', 'Picholine Marocaine', 'Picual' and 'Verdal'), cultivated in the Moroccan Meknès region, was investigated.

Development of a folic acid molecularly imprinted polymer and its evaluation as a sorbent for dispersive solid-phase extraction by liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry.

This work shows the development of a molecularly imprinted polymer to determine folic acid (FA) in food extracts by using dispersive solid-phase extraction and liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Herewith, combinations of monomers (methacrylic acid (MAA), 4-vinylpyridine (4VPy) and vinylbenzyl trimethylammonium chloride (VBTMAC)) and crosslinkers (ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) and divinyl benzene (DVB)) were tested in appropriate solvents. Isotherm tests revealed that the MIP with the highest affinity was obtained by combining VBTMAC and EGDMA.

Unravelling the Distribution of Secondary Metabolites in L.: Exhaustive Characterization of Eight Olive-Tree Derived Matrices by Complementary Platforms (LC-ESI/APCI-MS and GC-APCI-MS).

In order to understand the distribution of the main secondary metabolites found in L., eight different samples (olive leaf, stem, seed, fruit skin and pulp, as well as virgin olive oil, olive oil obtained from stoned and dehydrated fruits and olive seed oil) coming from a Picudo cv. olive tree were analyzed.

Leaf removal at veraison stage differentially affects qualitative attributes and bioactive composition of fresh and dehydrated grapes of two indigenous Cypriot cultivars.

Background: The effect of leaf removal on postharvest performance of dehydrated grapes has been poorly analyzed. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of leaf removal at veraison stage on the metabolites of fresh and dehydrated grapes of two indigenous Cypriot cultivars ('Mavro' and 'Xynisteri'), which are destined for the production of 'Commandaria', a protected designation of origin (PDO) premium sweet wine.

Results: Leaf removal led to a reduction of soluble solids, titratable acidity, aroma potential and most of the phenolic groups in the musts of both cultivars.

Evaluation of two sterically directed attachments of biomolecules on a coaxial nanofibre membrane to improve the development of optical biosensors.

In this study, we have optimised the sterically directed attachment of biomolecules on the surface of coaxial membranes prepared by co-electrospinning which have been proved to be a material with very high performance for the development of biosensors with optical oxygen transduction. Uricase has been used as model enzyme. Two sterically directed strategies: a) covalent attachment via maleimide, and b) affinity bonding via biotin-streptavidin interaction, have been tested in order to preserve the enzymatic activity of uricase and to improve the analytical figures of merits on the determination of uric acid.

Deep insight into the minor fraction of virgin olive oil by using LC-MS and GC-MS multi-class methodologies.

Several analytical methods are available to evaluate virgin olive oil (VOO) minor compounds; however, multi-class methodologies are yet rarely studied. Herewith, LC-MS and GC-MS platforms were used to develop two methods capable of simultaneously determine more than 40 compounds belonging to different VOO minor chemical classes within a single run. A non-selective and highly efficient liquid-liquid extraction protocol was optimized for VOO minor components isolation.

Characterization of bioactive compounds of Annona cherimola L. leaves using a combined approach based on HPLC-ESI-TOF-MS and NMR.

Annona cherimola Mill. (cherimoya) has widely been used as food crop. The leaves of this tree possess several health benefits, which are, in general, attributed mainly to its bioactive composition.

A metabolic fingerprinting approach based on selected ion flow tube mass spectrometry (SIFT-MS) and chemometrics: A reliable tool for Mediterranean origin-labeled olive oils authentication.

Selected Ion flow tube mass spectrometry (SIFT-MS) in combination with chemometrics was used to authenticate the geographical origin of Mediterranean virgin olive oils (VOOs) produced under geographical origin labels. In particular, 130 oil samples from six different Mediterranean regions (Kalamata (Greece); Toscana (Italy); Meknès and Tyout (Morocco); and Priego de Córdoba and Baena (Spain)) were considered. The headspace volatile fingerprints were measured by SIFT-MS in full scan with HO, NO and O as precursor ions and the results were subjected to chemometric treatments.

A multifunctional material based on co-electrospinning for developing biosensors with optical oxygen transduction.

A multifunctional material based on co-electrospinning has been developed as a basic material for the development of biosensors with optical oxygen transduction. It is based on coaxial nanofibres: inner fibres containing an oxygen sensitive dye and outer fibres containing aldehyde groups to allow the formation of Schiff bases with the amino groups of the enzyme. The resulting material preserves the oxygen sensing properties of the inner optical transducer as well as exhibits a high capacity for immobilizing molecules on its surface.

Use of HPLC- and GC-QTOF to determine hydrophilic and lipophilic phenols in mango fruit (Mangifera indica L.) and its by-products.

Mango industry processing generates high quantities of mango by-products such as peels and seeds (35%-60% of the fruit). Indeed, it is known that mango and its by-products contain different families of bioactive compounds that possess several health benefits. Thus, the aim of this study has been the determination of different families of phenolic derivatives (free and bound phenolic compounds and alk(en)ylresorcinols (ARs)) in mango edible part and its by-products (peel, seed and seed husk) from three different cultivars.

Development and validation of LC-MS-based alternative methodologies to GC-MS for the simultaneous determination of triterpenic acids and dialcohols in virgin olive oil.

Pentacyclic triterpenes are minor, but very relevant compounds found in virgin olive oil (VOO). A rapid and reliable LC-MS method for determining the triterpenic acids and dialcohols (after ultrasound assisted extraction) from VOO has been developed, giving an alternative to the widely used GC (FID/MS) methodologies. The analytical parameters of the proposed method were exhaustively checked, establishing limits of detection (from 1 to 95µg/l) and quantification, precision (RSD values for inter-day repeatability were found between 4.

Phenolic Compounds Profiling of Virgin Olive Oils from Different Varieties Cultivated in Mendoza, Argentina, by Using Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry.

The aim of this work was to achieve a preliminary characterization of the profile of the phenolic fraction of virgin olive oils (VOOs) from Maipú (Mendoza, Argentina). Thus, 25 commercial VOO samples from Arauco, Arbequina, Picual, Frantoio, Changlot, Empeltre, Nevadillo, Manzanilla, and Coratina (both monovarietals and blends) were analyzed using LC-ESI-QTOF MS and LC-ESI-IT MS for identification and quantification purposes, respectively. A rapid LC method (15 min) accomplished quantitative information about a total of 40 phenolic compounds, including secoiridoid derivatives, which have not been evaluated before in samples coming from the subregion so-called Maipú (Mendoza province, Argentina).

Comparison of Two Stationary Phases for the Determination of Phytosterols and Tocopherols in Mango and Its By-Products by GC-QTOF-MS.

Two different gas chromatography coupled to quadrupole-time of flight mass spectrometry (GC-QTOF-MS) methodologies were carried out for the analysis of phytosterols and tocopherols in the flesh of three mango cultivars and their by-products (pulp, peel, and seed). To that end, a non-polar column ((5%-phenyl)-methylpolysiloxane (HP-5ms)) and a mid-polar column (crossbond trifluoropropylmethyl polysiloxane (RTX-200MS)) were used. The analysis time for RTX-200MS was much lower than the one obtained with HP-5ms.

Metabolic profiling approach to determine phenolic compounds of virgin olive oil by direct injection and liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry.

A LC-MS method involving direct injection of extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO) - after a simple dilution - for determining its phenolic compounds has been developed. Optimization of the most appropriate solvent for sample dilution, selection of the optimum oil/solvent ratio, and establishment of column cleaning strategy and maximum number of injections were some of the most relevant steps. Then, the analytical parameters of the method were evaluated, establishing LOD (from 3.

Health Effects of Psidium guajava L. Leaves: An Overview of the Last Decade.

Today, there is increasing interest in discovering new bioactive compounds derived from ethnomedicine. Preparations of guava ( L.) leaves have traditionally been used to manage several diseases.

UHPLC/MS-based approach for the comprehensive metabolite profiling of bean (Vicia faba L.) by-products: A promising source of bioactive constituents.

Today, by-products generated from the agro-industrial practices are considered a key source of bioactive and functional components, that can be used for their nutritional and added value properties. New aspects concerning the use of these wastes as by-products in food production additives or supplements with high nutritional and medicinal value have gained substantial interest, due to their possession of economically high-value products. In this sense, the present study describes a thorough characterization of phytochemical compounds from hydro-methanolic extract of broad beans testa by using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) hyphenated with quadrupole-time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (QTOF-MS).

AMPK modulatory activity of olive-tree leaves phenolic compounds: Bioassay-guided isolation on adipocyte model and in silico approach.

Scope: Olive-tree polyphenols have demonstrated potential for the management of obesity-related pathologies. We aimed to explore the capacity of Olive-tree leaves extract to modulate triglyceride accumulation and AMP-activated protein kinase activity (AMPK) on a hypertrophic adipocyte model.

Methods: Intracellular triglycerides and AMPK activity were measured on the hypertrophic 3T3-L1 adipocyte model by AdipoRed and immunofluorescence microscopy, respectively.

In-Depth Two-Year Study of Phenolic Profile Variability among Olive Oils from Autochthonous and Mediterranean Varieties in Morocco, as Revealed by a LC-MS Chemometric Profiling Approach.

Olive oil phenolic fraction considerably contributes to the sensory quality and nutritional value of this foodstuff. Herein, the phenolic fraction of 203 olive oil samples extracted from fruits of four autochthonous Moroccan cultivars ("Picholine Marocaine", "Dahbia", "Haouzia" and "Menara"), and nine Mediterranean varieties recently introduced in Morocco ("Arbequina", "Arbosana", "Cornicabra", "Frantoio", "Hojiblanca", "Koroneiki", "Manzanilla", "Picholine de Languedoc" and "Picual"), were explored over two consecutive crop seasons (2012/2013 and 2013/2014) by using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. A total of 32 phenolic compounds (and quinic acid), belonging to five chemical classes (secoiridoids, simple phenols, flavonoids, lignans and phenolic acids) were identified and quantified.

Alternatives to conventional thermal treatments in fruit-juice processing. Part 2: Effect on composition, phytochemical content, and physicochemical, rheological, and organoleptic properties of fruit juices.

Traditional thermal techniques may cause losses in nutritional quality and phytochemical contents, and also in physicochemical, rheological, and organoleptic properties of processed fruit juices. This paper provides an overview of the effect on these qualities by the use of alternatives to traditional thermal treatments in fruit-juice processing, for three key operations in fruit-juice production such as microbial inactivation, enzyme inactivation, and juice-yield improvement. These alternatives are UV light, high-intensity light pulses, γ-irradiation, pulsed electric fields, radiofrequency electric fields, Ohmic heating, microwave heating, ultrasound, high hydrostatic pressure, supercritical carbon dioxide, ozonation, and flash-vacuum expansion.

Alternatives to conventional thermal treatments in fruit-juice processing. Part 1: Techniques and applications.

This paper provides an overview of alternatives to conventional thermal treatments and a review of the literature on fruit-juice processing for three key operations in fruit-juice production such as microbial inactivation, enzyme inactivation, and juice yield enhancement, these being radiation treatments (UV light, high-intensity light pulses, γ-irradiation), electrical treatments (pulsed electric fields, radiofrequency electric fields, ohmic heating), microwave heating, ultrasound, high hydrostatic pressure, inert gas treatments (supercritical carbon dioxide, ozonation), and flash-vacuum expansion. The nonthermal technologies discussed in this review have the potential to meet industry and consumer expectations. However, the lack of standardization in operating conditions hampers comparisons among different studies, and consequently ambiguity arises within the literature.