Distinct Immunophenotypes in the DNA Index-Based Stratification of Pediatric B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.

Background/objectives: B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) presents a challenge in hematological malignancies due to its heterogeneity, which impacts treatment outcomes. Stratification based on the DNA index (DNAi) categorizes patients into favorable prognosis (hyperploid), standard prognosis (normoploid), and uncertain or poor prognosis (hypoploid) groups. In this study, we explored whether specific immunophenotypic markers are associated with each DNAi-based group and their potential connection to prognostic categories, aiming to provide new insights that may contribute to a better understanding of prognosis in B-ALL.

The relevance of a potential bioactive ingredient: The milk fat globule membrane.

The milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) is the surrounding membrane of the triacyl glyceride-dense fat globules in milk. The native MFGM is a tri-layer structure formed during the biosynthesis of lipids in the rough endoplasmic reticulum of lactocytes within the mammary gland. It is composed of a phospholipid tri-layer, cholesterol, many proteins, glycosylated proteins, and various lipids (Brink and Lönnerdal, 2020).

Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio and Cytokine Profiling as Predictors of Disease Severity and Survival in Unvaccinated COVID-19 Patients.

Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, identifying reliable biomarkers for predicting disease severity and patient outcomes in unvaccinated individuals is essential. This study evaluates the efficacy of key hematological markers, including leukocyte and neutrophil counts, Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR), and cytokine profiles (IL-6, INF-γ, TNF-α, IL-17A, CCL2, and CXCL10) for predicting the necessity for mechanical ventilation and assessing survival probabilities.

Methods: We conducted an in-depth analysis on a cohort of COVID-19 patients, emphasizing the relationship between NLR, cytokine profiles, and clinical outcomes, utilizing routine leukocyte counting and cytokine quantification by flow cytometry.

Chemical transesterification of coconut and corn oils using different metal hydroxides as catalysts to determine the chemical and physiochemical changes to the oils.

Background: The transesterification of butteroil has been shown to alter its lipid chemistry and thus alter the crystallization of the fat. The reaction kinetics and resulting crystallization of the butteroil differ depending on the nature of the catalyst used. Modeling the reaction with vegetable oils is a simpler method for the analysis of resulting products to understand the chemical and physiochemical changes that occur based on catalyst selection.

Preventative Effects of Milk Fat Globule Membrane Ingredients on DSS-Induced Mucosal Injury in Intestinal Epithelial Cells.

The goblet cells of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) produce glycoproteins called mucins that form a protective barrier from digestive contents and external stimuli. Recent evidence suggests that the milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) and its milk phospholipid component (MPL) can benefit the GIT through improving barrier function. Our objective was to compare the effects of two digested MFGM ingredients with or without dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced barrier stress on mucin proteins.

Reduction in the antigenicity of beta-lactoglobulin in whole milk powder via supercritical CO treatment.

Cow milk allergy is a common phenomenon experienced in early childhood (<5 yr of age) with an average occurrence rate of roughly 2.5%. The most prevalent allergen in cow milk is believed to be β-LG.

Evaluation of kefir grain microbiota, grain viability, and bioactivity from fermenting dairy processing by-products.

Four dairy foods processing by-products (acid whey permeate [AWP], buttermilk [BM], sweet whey permeate [SWP], and sweet whey permeate with added milk fat globule ingredient [SWP+MFGM]) were fermented for 4 wk and compared with traditional kefir milks for production of novel kefir-like dairy products. Sweet whey permeates and SWP supplemented with 1.5% milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) proved to be the most viable by-products for kefir grain fermentation, exhibiting diverse abundance of traditional kefir microorganisms and positive indicators of bioactive properties.

Milk phospholipids protect subsp. during digestion and enhance polysaccharide production.

subsp. is associated with the gut microbiota of breast-fed infants. promotes intestinal barrier and immune function through several proposed mechanisms, including interactions between their surface polysaccharides, the host, and other gut microorganisms.

Invited review: Properties of β-galactosidases derived from Lactobacillaceae species and their capacity for galacto-oligosaccharide production.

β-galactosidase (enzymatic class 3.2.1.

Partition of milk phospholipids during ice cream manufacturing.

The distribution of phospholipids (PL) within the fat and serum phase of ice cream manufacturing was evaluated through partition coefficients (K) after mixing, pasteurization, freezing, and hardening. Ice creams containing about 40.41 ± 3.

Enhanced probiotic potential of OSU-BDGOA1 through co-culture with bdgo-ym6.

Introduction: Due to the increasing consumer demand for the development and improvement of functional foods containing probiotics, new probiotic candidates need to be explored as well as novel means to enhance their beneficial effects. OSU-BDGOA1 is a strain isolated from kefir grains that has demonstrated probiotic traits. This species is the main inhabitant of kefir grains and is responsible for the production of an exopolysaccharide (EPS) whit vast technological applications and potential bioactivities.

Draft genome sequence of OSU-BDGOAK2 and OSU-BDGOA1, kefir grain isolates with potential antibacterial activity.

We present the draft genome sequence and assembly of OSU-BDGOAK2 and OSU-BDGOA1 isolated from kefir grains that exhibited antibacterial activity against ATCC 25922, ATCC 51742, and ATCC 1222. Genome analysis of both strains revealed gene clusters encoding bacteriocins.

Milk-Fat-Globule-Membrane-Enriched Dairy Milk Compared with a Soy-Lecithin-Enriched Beverage Did Not Adversely Affect Endotoxemia or Biomarkers of Gut Barrier Function and Cardiometabolic Risk in Adults with Metabolic Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Crossover Trial.

Full-fat dairy milk may protect against cardiometabolic disorders, due to the milk fat globule membrane (MFGM), through anti-inflammatory and gut-health-promoting activities. We hypothesized that a MFGM-enriched milk beverage (MEB) would alleviate metabolic endotoxemia in metabolic syndrome (MetS) persons by improving gut barrier function and glucose tolerance. In a randomized crossover trial, MetS persons consumed for two-week period a controlled diet with MEB (2.

Effects of Fructose and Palmitic Acid on Gene Expression in Larvae: Implications for Neurodegenerative Diseases.

One of the largest health problems worldwide is the development of chronic noncommunicable diseases due to the consumption of hypercaloric diets. Among the most common alterations are cardiovascular diseases, and a high correlation between overnutrition and neurodegenerative diseases has also been found. The urgency in the study of specific damage to tissues such as the brain and intestine led us to use to study the metabolic effects caused by the consumption of fructose and palmitic acid in specific tissues.

Food matrix impacts bioaccessibility and assimilation of acid whey-derived milk fat globule membrane lipids in Caco-2 cells.

The milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) imparts human health benefits ranging from improved immune system, gut, and brain function to improved cardiometabolic health. The industry's growing interest in introducing MFGM-enriched foods requires scientific evidence that the benefits derived from this compound are not affected by the formulation or processes that may alter its function, such as the digestion process. In this study, the impact of food matrices and supplementation levels on the bioaccessibility and assimilation of MFGM lipids in cell culture was investigated.

Metagenomic analysis and antibacterial activity of kefir microorganisms.

The microbiota composition of kefir grain and milk kefir was assessed via a metagenomic approach. Significant microorganisms were isolated and identified using molecular methods. A safety assessment was conducted based on antibiotic susceptibility and blood hemolysis.

Efficient in vitro digestion of lipids and proteins in bovine milk fat globule membrane ingredient (MFGMi) and whey-casein infant formula with added MFGMi.

The relative immaturity of the infant digestive system has the potential to affect the bioavailability of dietary lipids, proteins, and their digested products. We performed a lipidomic analysis of a commercial bovine milk fat globule membrane ingredient (MFGMi) and determined the profile of lipids and proteins in the bioaccessible fraction after in vitro digestion of both the ingredient and whey-casein-based infant formula without and with MFGMi. Test materials were digested using a static 2-phase in vitro model, with conditions simulating those in the infant gut.

Impact of ultra-shear technology on quality attributes of model dairy-pea protein dispersions with different fat levels.

This study investigated the impact of ultra-shear technology (UST) processing on dairy-pea protein dispersions with different fat levels. Raw milk, skim milk, and cream, as well as model dispersions with combinations of dairy products and pea protein (i.e.

Screening and characterization of β-galactosidase activity in lactic acid bacteria for the valorization of acid whey.

β-Galactosidase is an enzyme produced by some strains of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) commonly found in dairy products; however, industrial demand for these enzymes is still low. Acid whey (AW), a lactose-rich byproduct, has large output from cottage cheese and remains unexploited. The purpose of this study was to understand the production mechanism of β-galactosidase from LAB using AW as a culture medium.

Functional, textural, and rheological properties of mixed casein micelle and pea protein isolate co-dispersions.

In the midst of rising consumer health and environmental concerns, pea protein has increased in popularity as an alternative to animal-origin proteins. However, the use of pea protein in food systems is largely hindered by its poor functionality, including low solubility. The objective of this study was to measure the textural, functional, and rheological properties of a mixed plant- and animal-based protein system.

Characterization and Evaluation of Proteolysis Products during the Fermentation of Acid Whey and Fish Waste and Potential Applications.

Reduction of waste in the food industry is critical to sustainability. This work represents one strategy of valorizing waste streams from the dairy (acid whey) and fisheries industries (fish waste) using fermentation. The main approach was to characterize the peptides produced by this fermentation under three conditions: (1) fermentation without adding inoculum; (2) with the addition of a single lactic acid bacterial strain; and (3) the addition of a consortium of lactic acid bacteria.

High baseline expression of IL-6 and IL-10 decreased CCR7 B cells in individuals with previous SARS-CoV-2 infection during BNT162b2 vaccination.

The current pandemic generated by SARS-CoV-2 has led to mass vaccination with different biologics that have shown wide variations among human populations according to the origin and formulation of the vaccine. Studies evaluating the response in individuals with a natural infection before vaccination have been limited to antibody titer analysis and evaluating a few humoral and cellular response markers, showing a more rapid and intense humoral response than individuals without prior infection. However, the basis of these differences has not been explored in depth.

Characterization and Cellular Uptake of Peptides Derived from Digestion of Meat Analogues Produced by a Sustainable Extrusion Process.

Whether proteins in meat analogues (MAs) have the ability to provide equivalent nutrition as those in animal meat remains unknown. Herein, a MA was produced by high-moisture extrusion using soy and wheat proteins. The physicochemical properties, digestion, and cellular uptake of the released peptides were systematically compared between the MA and the chicken breast (CB).

Invited review: Milk kefir microbiota-Direct and indirect antimicrobial effects.

Kefir is a fermented dairy product with well recognized probiotic properties. Recently, consumer interest in fermented products with probiotic microorganisms has increased due to the accumulating evidence of the effects of kefir microorganisms on the modulation of gut microbiota and their antimicrobial activity. Although the health properties of kefir have been reviewed in other works, the present review addresses the antimicrobial effects of kefir microbiota and associated compounds.