Freeze-Drying for the Reduction of Fruit and Vegetable Chain Losses: A Sustainable Solution to Produce Potential Health-Promoting Food Applications.

Freeze-drying fresh vegetables and fruits may not only prevent post-harvest losses but also provide a concentrated source of nutrients and phytochemicals. This study focused on the phenolic composition of different freeze-dried products derived from horticultural crop remains (HCRs) in the vegetable and fruit production chain. These products may be considered as a potential health-promoting solution for preventing post-harvest fruit spoiling and losses.

Rooting, Growth, and Root Morphology of the Cuttings of L. (cv. "Dottato"): Cutting Types and Length and Growth Medium Effects.

The fig tree ( L.) has gained renewed interest for its climate resilience and the health benefits of its fruit, driving demand for high-quality nursery plants. However, suboptimal propagation techniques limit the nursery production of figplants.

Behavior of Olive Genotypes Against Quick Decline Syndrome (QDS) Caused by subsp. in Apulia.

subsp. (), a quarantine pathogen in the European Union, severely threatens Mediterranean olive production, especially in southern Italy, where Olive Quick Decline Syndrome (OQDS) has devastated Apulian olive groves. This study addresses the urgent need to identify resistant olive genotypes by monitoring 16 potentially tolerant genotypes over six years, assessing symptom severity and bacterial load.

Effects of Dietary Habits on Markers of Oxidative Stress in Subjects with Hashimoto's Thyroiditis: Comparison Between the Mediterranean Diet and a Gluten-Free Diet.

Background: The Mediterranean diet (MedD) exerts anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects that are beneficial in autoimmune thyroid diseases (ATD). Recently, a gluten-free diet (GFD) has been proposed for non-celiac patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT), but its usefulness is under debate. The present pilot study evaluates the effects of these two dietary regimes, with a focus on redox homeostasis, in HT.

Effects of the Mediterranean Diet on the Components of Metabolic Syndrome Concerning the Cardiometabolic Risk.

Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of risk factors, including abdominal obesity, insulin resistance, hypertension, dyslipidemia (intended as an increase in triglyceride levels and a reduction in HDL cholesterol levels), and elevated fasting glucose, that increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. With the rising prevalence of metabolic syndrome, effective dietary interventions are essential in reducing these health risks. The Mediterranean diet, rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and olive oil and moderate in fish and poultry, has shown promise in addressing metabolic syndrome and its associated components.

Exploring Gender Differences in the Effects of Diet and Physical Activity on Metabolic Parameters.

Background: Gender differences in metabolic response to lifestyle interventions remain poorly explored. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of a six-month Mediterranean diet (MD) intervention combined with regular physical activity on metabolic parameters in overweight adults.

Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted in an obesity clinic in Rome, Italy, involving overweight adults (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m) motivated to improve their lifestyle.

The Interplay Between Gut Microbiota, Adipose Tissue, and Migraine: A Narrative Review.

Background: Migraine, a prevalent neurovascular disorder, affects millions globally and is associated with significant morbidity. Emerging evidence suggests a crucial role of the gut microbiota and adipose tissue in the modulation of migraine pathophysiology, particularly through mechanisms involving neuroinflammation and metabolic regulation.

Material And Methods: A narrative review of the literature from 2000 to 2024 was conducted using the PubMed database.

The Role of Maintaining Nutritional Adequacy Status and Physical Activity in Onco-Nephrology: Not a Myth Anymore, but a Reality.

Physical Activity (PA) provides numerous biological and psychological benefits, especially for cancer patients. PA mitigates treatment side effects, influences hormones, inflammation, adiposity, and immune function, and reduces symptoms of anxiety, depression, and fatigue. This study evaluates the impact of PA on these positive outcomes.

Very-Low-Absorbable Geraniol for the Treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A "Real-World" Open-Label Study on 1585 Patients.

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a very-low-absorbable geraniol formulation, administered as a food supplement, in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in a real-world setting in Italy.

Methods: This open-label study was conducted in Italy on patients diagnosed with IBS and treated for 4 weeks with 240 mg/day of Palmarosa essential oil, absorbed on 960 mg of ginger root powder to obtain a very-low-absorbable geraniol formulation. Baseline characteristics, including demographic and symptoms were recorded using the IBS Severity Scoring System (IBS-SSS).

Associations with Taste, Diet, and Health in an Italian Population.

Background/objectives: The SNP has previously been associated with sweet taste, diet, and health status, although never comprehensively in a single study. Also, associations between and sweet taste might be body mass index (BMI)-dependent. Therefore, this study aimed to conduct a comprehensive investigation of and sweet taste intensity and liking, food liking, and diet and health status whilst considering BMI.

Multidimensional Assessment of Orthorexia Nervosa: A Case-Control Study Comparing Eating Behavior, Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet, Body Mass Index, Psychological Symptoms, and Autonomic Arousal.

The research on orthorexia nervosa (ON) has thoroughly outlined the connection between it and various mental disorders, including obsessive-compulsive disorders and eating disorders, in addition to stress. However, research has not considered psychophysical stress and other measures of psychophysical health, such as adherence to the Mediterranean diet. This cross-sectional and case-control research involved 63 students from the University of Parma, aged between 18 and 49 years.

Associations Between Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet and Incident Sarcopenia in Prospective Cohort Studies.

The loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength, known as sarcopenia, is prevalent in older adults and linked to an increased risk of disability, frailty, and early mortality. Muscle health is crucial for the functionality and independence of older adults. As the aging population continuously grows, finding cost-effective strategies for preventing and treating sarcopenia is an important public health priority.

The Impact of a Very-Low-Calorie Ketogenic Diet on Monocyte Subsets of Patients with Obesity: A Pilot Study.

Obesity is closely linked to chronic low-grade inflammation and the development of cardio-metabolic comorbidities. Monocyte subsets, which are crucial in immune responses, have been reported to be altered in individuals with obesity, potentially exacerbating inflammation. Although very-low-calorie ketogenic diets (VLCKDs) are recognized for their efficacy in promoting weight loss and improving metabolic health, their impact on circulating monocyte subsets remains poorly understood.

Psychological-Emotional Aspect and Lifestyle in Professional Males Rugby Athletes.

Background: Recent research emphasizes the importance of integrating psychological-emotional factors with nutrition and body composition in athletes. This study investigates the correlations between these aspects in 36 professional rugby players, aiming to identify relationships that could optimize sports performance and overall well-being.

Methods: The study sample included 36 male athletes (mean age: 24.

In Vitro and In Vivo Antioxidant and Immune Stimulation Activity of Wheat Product Extracts.

Background/objectives: Inflammation and oxidative stress are the main pathogenetic pathways involved in the development of several chronic degenerative diseases. Our study is aimed at assessing the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity of hydroalcoholic extracts obtained from wheat and its derivatives.

Methods: The content of total phenolic and total flavonoid compounds and antioxidant activity were carried out by ABTS and DPPH assays.

Genetic Variants and Lifestyle Factors in Androgenetic Alopecia Patients: A Case-Control Study of Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms and Their Contribution to Baldness Risk.

Unlabelled: Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) found to be associated with Androgenetic Alopecia (AGA) to date, are characterized by an apparent reduced penetrance into the phenotype suggesting a role of other factors in the etiology of AGA.

Objective: We conducted a study to investigate the role of specific allelic variants in AGA controlling for nutritional and lifestyle factors.

Methods: Individual patterns of SNPs present in the baldness susceptibility locus at 20p11 (rs1160312 and rs6113491) or close to the androgen receptor (AR) gene in chromosome X (rs1041668) were investigated in 212 male subjects.

Amino Acid Patterns in Children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder: A Preliminary Biochemical Evaluation.

Background: The metabolism of plasma amino acid (AA) in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has been extensively investigated, yielding inconclusive results. This study aims to characterize the metabolic alterations in AA profiles among early-diagnosed children with ASD and compare the findings with those from non-ASD children.

Methods: We analyzed plasma AA profiles, measured by ion exchange chromatography, from 1242 ASD children (median age = 4 years; 81% male).

Near-Death Quality of Life in Cancer Patients on Home Parenteral Nutrition.

The impact of home parenteral nutrition (HPN) on the quality of life (QoL) of cancer patients has been previously investigated. However, scarce data are available regarding near-death QoL in patients with cancer receiving HPN. This study aims to investigate the changes of QoL in these patients in the last two months before death.

Eosinophilic Esophagitis and Cow's Milk: Mechanisms, Challenges, and Treatment Perspectives.

Eosinophilic esophagitis is a chronic, antigen-driven, immune-mediated disease characterized by esophageal dysfunction and significant eosinophilic infiltration. Its rising incidence and prevalence over recent decades reflect both increased clinical awareness and the influence of environmental factors such as dietary patterns and allergen exposure. Among food allergens, cow's milk proteins are the most commonly implicated triggers, contributing to esophageal inflammation through complex immunological pathways involving both IgE-mediated and non-IgE-mediated mechanisms.

Relationship Between the Gut Microbiome, Tryptophan-Derived Metabolites, and Osteoarthritis-Related Pain: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis.

Introduction: Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most prevalent form of arthritis and affects over 528 million people worldwide. Degenerative joint disease involves cartilage degradation, subchondral bone remodeling, and synovial inflammation, leading to chronic pain, stiffness, and impaired joint function. Initially regarded as a "wear and tear" condition associated with aging and mechanical stress, OA is now recognized as a multifaceted disease influenced by systemic factors such as metabolic syndrome, obesity, and chronic low-grade inflammation.

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic in the Interrelationships Among Mental Health, Nutritional Status and Lifestyle Factors of Older Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study in the Pre- and Post-Covid Periods.

Background/objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to detrimental effects on diverse aspects of the mental and physical health of the general population worldwide. The elderly are more susceptible to COVID-19 infection compared to younger age groups. In this aspect, the purpose of the current survey is to evaluate the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the interrelationships among the sociodemographic and anthropometric characteristics, depressive behavior, quality of life, cognition status, physical activity and nutritional status of older adults.

Celiac Disease: A Transitional Point of View.

Celiac disease (CeD) is a chronic, lifelong, multifactorial, polygenic, and autoimmune disorder, characteristically triggered by exposure to the exogenous factor "gluten" in genetically predisposed individuals, with resulting duodenal inflammation and enteropathy, as well as heterogeneous multisystemic and extraintestinal manifestations. The immunopathogenesis of CeD is complex, favored by a peculiar human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genetic predisposition, leading to gluten presentation by antigen-presenting cells to CD4+ T helper (Th) cells, T cell-B cell interactions, and production of specific antibodies, resulting in the immune-mediated killing of enterocytes and, macroscopically, in duodenal inflammation. Here, the most relevant correlations between cellular and molecular aspects and clinical manifestations of this complex disease are reviewed, with final considerations on nutritional aspects for disease management.

Early Optimal Parenteral Nutrition During NICU Stay and Neurodevelopmental Outcomes in Very Preterm Infants: State of the Art.

Background: Preterm infants (PIs) are more susceptible to neurodevelopmental impairment compared with term newborns. Adequate postnatal growth has been associated with improved neurocognitive outcomes; therefore, optimization of nutrition may positively impact the neurodevelopment of PIs.

Objective: This study focused on macronutrient parenteral nutrition (PN) intake during the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit stay and their associations with neurodevelopmental outcomes in PIs in the first two years of life.

Herbal and Dietary Supplements as Adjunctive Treatment for Mild SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Italy.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, several observational studies proved a certain efficacy of nutraceuticals, herbal products, and other dietary supplements as adjuvant therapies used alongside antiviral drugs. Although their use has not been widespread in Italy, according to preliminary evidence, many supplements with demonstrated immunomodulatory effects, such as vitamins C and D, herbal medicines and essential oils, might relieve the respiratory symptoms of COVID-19, since SARS-CoV-2 can activate inflammasome-mediated inflammatory signaling pathways. Other observational studies have shown that herbal treatments, such as and ginseng, help alleviate respiratory symptoms and reduce serum levels of inflammatory cytokines, which are typically overexpressed in both adult and pediatric SARS-CoV-2 patients.

Non-Celiac Gluten/Wheat Sensitivity-State of the Art: A Five-Year Narrative Review.

Non-celiac gluten/wheat sensitivity (NCGWS) is a syndrome for which pathogenesis and management remain debated. It is described as a condition characterized by gastrointestinal and extra-intestinal symptoms rapidly occurring after gluten ingestion in subjects who have had celiac disease or wheat allergy excluded. To date, the diagnosis of NCGWS is challenging as no universally recognized biomarkers have been yet identified, nor has a predisposing genetic profile been described.