Acidic hydrothermal processing of wheat using citrate buffer largely enhances iron and zinc bioaccessibility and bioavailability to Caco-2 cells.

Phytate chelates iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) in wheat. A multifactorial experiment showed that hydrothermal processing (45-60 °C, pH 4.0-6.

Investigation of the link between first-order kinetic models of the in vitro digestion of native starches and the accompanying changes in their crystallinity and structure.

Starch is the main source of dietary energy for humans. In order to understand the mechanisms governing native starch in vitro digestion, digestion data for six starches [wheat, maize, (waxy) maize, rice, potato and pea] of different botanical sources were fitted with the most common first-order kinetic models, i.e.

The particle sizes of milled wheat fractions affect the starch digestibility and quality parameters of wire-cut cookies made thereof.

Slow digestion of starch is linked to various health benefits. The impact of wheat particle size on starch digestibility and quality of wire-cut cookies was here evaluated by including four soft wheat fractions [ flour (average diameter, 83 μm), fine farina (643 μm), coarse farina (999 μm) and bran (1036 μm)] in the recipe. The susceptibility of starch in these fractions to digestion decreased with increasing particle size, resulting in a 76% lower digestion rate for coarse farina than for flour as found with the single first-order kinetic model.

Induction of Maize Starch Gelatinization and Dissolution at Low Temperature by the Hydrotrope Sodium Salicylate.

Complete aqueous dissolution of starch requires the use of temperatures exceeding 100 °C. During and after cooling of the resultant aqueous solutions, starch polymers precipitate by aggregation and crystallization. Low-temperature gelatinization and dissolution of maize starch (MS) is induced, and the stability of the resultant solutions is enhanced when they contain the hydrotrope sodium salicylate (NaSal).

A safe and easy-to-use ultrasound-guided hydrodissection technique for the carpal tunnel syndrome: a minimally invasive approach.

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), compression of the median nerve lying deep under the flexor retinaculum, is the most common entrapment neuropathy of the upper limb. After a failure of conservative treatments, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and splinting, interventional techniques are required. Hydrodissection is an injection technique that separates the nerve from the surrounding tissue.

Associations Between Mobile Health Technology use and Self-rated Quality of Life: A Cross-sectional Study on Older Adults with Cognitive Impairment.

Quality of life (QoL) is affected even at early stages in older adults with cognitive impairment. The use of mobile health (mHealth) technology can offer support in daily life and improve the physical and mental health of older adults. However, a clarification of how mHealth technology can be used to support the QoL of older adults with cognitive impairment is needed.

Attitudes and Use of Information and Communication Technologies in Older Adults With Mild Cognitive Impairment or Early Stages of Dementia and Their Caregivers: Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Information and communication technologies are promising tools to increase the quality of life of people with dementia or mild cognitive impairment and that of their caregivers. However, there are barriers to their use associated with sociodemographic factors and negative attitudes, as well as inadequate knowledge about technologies.

Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze technophilia (attitudes toward new technologies) and the use of smartphones and tablets along with associated factors in people with dementia/mild cognitive impairment and their caregivers.

Dynamics of ascorbic acid content in apple (Malus x domestica) during fruit development and storage.

Vitamin C is a crucial antioxidant and cofactor for both plants and humans. Apple fruits generally contain low levels of vitamin C, making vitamin C content an interesting trait for apple crop improvement. With the aim of breeding high vitamin C apple cultivars it is important to get an insight in the natural biodiversity of vitamin C content in apple fruits.

Single-Cell Immune Competency Signatures Associate with Survival in Phase II GVAX and CRS-207 Randomized Studies in Patients with Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer.

The identification of biomarkers for patient stratification is fundamental to precision medicine efforts in oncology. Here, we identified two baseline, circulating immune cell subsets associated with overall survival in patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer who were enrolled in two phase II randomized studies of GVAX pancreas and CRS-207 immunotherapy. Single-cell mass cytometry was used to simultaneously measure 38 cell surface or intracellular markers in peripheral blood mononuclear cells obtained from a phase IIa patient subcohort ( = 38).

The Impact of Hydro-Priming and Osmo-Priming on Seedling Characteristics, Plant Hormone Concentrations, Activity of Selected Hydrolytic Enzymes, and Cell Wall and Phytate Hydrolysis in Sprouted Wheat ( L.).

Priming improves the seed germination rate and grain yield. Before this work was executed, little, if any, research has been reported on priming wheat for improving its nutritional properties. The impact of hydro-priming and osmo-priming using solutions with different water potentials on selected hydrolytic enzyme activities and their breakdown of starch, cell wall materials, and phytates during subsequent sprouting was studied here.

Clinical Response of Live-Attenuated, Expressing Mesothelin (CRS-207) with Chemotherapy in Patients with Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma.

Purpose: Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is an aggressive cancer associated with poor prognosis. CRS-207 is a live-attenuated engineered to express mesothelin, a tumor-associated antigen highly expressed in MPM. CRS-207 induces antitumor immune responses and increases susceptibility of neoplastic cells to immune-mediated killing.

The Effects of the Digital Platform Support Monitoring and Reminder Technology for Mild Dementia (SMART4MD) for People With Mild Cognitive Impairment and Their Informal Carers: Protocol for a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Many countries are witnessing a trend of growth in the number and proportion of older adults within the total population. In Europe, population aging has had and will continue to have major social and economic consequences. This is a fundamentally positive development where the added life span is of great benefit for both the individual and the society.

Impact of Cereal Seed Sprouting on Its Nutritional and Technological Properties: A Critical Review.

Sprouting induces activation and de novo synthesis of hydrolytic enzymes that make nutrients available for plant growth and development. Consumption of sprouted grains is suggested to be beneficial for human health. Positive consumer perceptions about sprouted cereals have resulted in new food and beverage product launches.

Recombinant promotes tumor rejection by CD8 T cell-dependent remodeling of the tumor microenvironment.

Agents that remodel the tumor microenvironment (TME), prime functional tumor-specific T cells, and block inhibitory signaling pathways are essential components of effective immunotherapy. We are evaluating live-attenuated, double-deleted expressing tumor antigens (LADD-Ag) in the clinic. Here we show in numerous mouse models that while treatment with nonrecombinant LADD induced some changes in the TME, no antitumor efficacy was observed, even when combined with immune checkpoint blockade.

The impact of steeping, germination and hydrothermal processing of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) grains on phytate hydrolysis and the distribution, speciation and bio-accessibility of iron and zinc elements.

Chelation of iron and zinc in wheat as phytates lowers their bio-accessibility. Steeping and germination (15 °C, 120 h) lowered phytate content from 0.96% to only 0.

Motor cortex stimulation does not lead to functional recovery after experimental cortical injury in rats.

Background: Motor impairments are among the major complications that develop after cortical damage caused by either stroke or traumatic brain injury. Motor cortex stimulation (MCS) can improve motor functions in animal models of stroke by inducing neuroplasticity.

Objective: In the current study, the therapeutic effect of chronic MCS was assessed in a rat model of severe cortical damage.

Cell-Based Delivery of Interleukin-13 Directs Alternative Activation of Macrophages Resulting in Improved Functional Outcome after Spinal Cord Injury.

The therapeutic effects of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) transplantation following spinal cord injury (SCI) to date have been limited. Therefore, we aimed to enhance the immunomodulatory properties of MSCs via continuous secretion of the anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-13 (IL-13). By using MSCs as carriers of IL-13 (MSC/IL-13), we investigated their therapeutic potential, compared with non-engineered MSCs, in a mouse model of SCI.

Intracerebral transplantation of interleukin 13-producing mesenchymal stem cells limits microgliosis, oligodendrocyte loss and demyelination in the cuprizone mouse model.

Background: Promoting the neuroprotective and repair-inducing effector functions of microglia and macrophages, by means of M2 polarisation or alternative activation, is expected to become a new therapeutic approach for central nervous system (CNS) disorders in which detrimental pro-inflammatory microglia and/or macrophages display a major contribution to the neuropathology. In this study, we present a novel in vivo approach using intracerebral grafting of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) genetically engineered to secrete interleukin 13 (IL13-MSC).

Methods: In the first experimental setup, control MSC and IL13-MSC were grafted in the CNS of eGFP bone marrow chimaeric C57BL/6 mice to histologically evaluate IL13-mediated expression of several markers associated with alternative activation, including arginase1 and Ym1, on MSC graft-recognising microglia and MSC graft-infiltrating macrophages.

Comparative study of total shoulder arthroplasty versus total shoulder surface replacement for glenohumeral osteoarthritis with minimum 2-year follow-up.

Background: Compared with total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA), total shoulder surface replacement (TSSR) may offer the advantage of preservation of bone stock and shorter surgical time, possibly at the expense of glenoid component positioning and increasing lateral glenohumeral offset. We hypothesized that in patients treated for osteoarthritis with a sufficient rotator cuff, TSA and TSSR patients have comparable functional outcome, glenoid component version, and lateral glenohumeral offset.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study with a minimum of 2 years of follow-up.

Direct nematicidal effects of methyl jasmonate and acibenzolar-S-methyl against Meloidogyne incognita.

The aim of this study was to examine the nematicidal properties of two defence inducers against the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita. A direct-contact bioassay was applied to evaluate the nematicidal effects of acibenzolar-S-methyl (ASM) and methyl jasmonate (MEJA) on second-stage juveniles (J2). Nematodes were incubated in different concentrations of these compounds, and the numbers of immobile nematodes were counted after 24 and 48 h post incubation.

Long-Term Motor Deficits after Controlled Cortical Impact in Rats Can Be Detected by Fine Motor Skill Tests but Not by Automated Gait Analysis.

Animal models with constant, long-lasting motor deficits together with the right tests to assess behavioral abnormalities are needed to study the effectiveness of potential therapies to restore motor functions. In the current study, controlled cortical impact (CCI) was applied in rats to induce damage to the forelimb area of the motor cortex and the dorsal striatum. Motor behavior was assessed before and after CCI, using fine motor skill tests such as the adhesive removal test, the cylinder test, and the Montoya staircase test as well as the automated gait analysis system CatWalk XT over a 6 week period.

Interleukin-25 is detrimental for recovery after spinal cord injury in mice.

Background: The cytokine, interleukin (IL)-25, is thought to be critically involved in inducing a type 2 immune response which may contribute to regeneration after central nervous system (CNS) trauma. We investigated whether applying recombinant IL-25, locally or systemically, in a mouse model of spinal cord injury (SCI) improves functional and histological recovery.

Findings: Repeated systemic administration of IL-25 did not influence functional recovery following SCI.

In Vivo Interleukin-13-Primed Macrophages Contribute to Reduced Alloantigen-Specific T Cell Activation and Prolong Immunological Survival of Allogeneic Mesenchymal Stem Cell Implants.

Transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) into injured or diseased tissue-for the in situ delivery of a wide variety of MSC-secreted therapeutic proteins-is an emerging approach for the modulation of the clinical course of several diseases and traumata. From an emergency point-of-view, allogeneic MSCs have numerous advantages over patient-specific autologous MSCs since "off-the-shelf" cell preparations could be readily available for instant therapeutic intervention following acute injury. Although we confirmed the in vitro immunomodulatory capacity of allogeneic MSCs on antigen-presenting cells with standard coculture experiments, allogeneic MSC grafts were irrevocably rejected by the host's immune system upon either intramuscular or intracerebral transplantation.