Quality characteristics of cereal-based foods enriched with different degree of polymerization inulin: A review

Vegetables, cereals and fruit are foods rich in fibre with beneficial and nutritional effects as their consumption reduces the onset of degenerative diseases, especially cardiovascular ones. Among fibres, inulin, oligofructose or fructooligosaccharide (FOS) are the best-studied. Inulin is a generic term to cover all linear β(2-1) fructans, with a variable degree of polymerization. In this review a better understanding of the importance of the degree of polymerization of inulin as a dietary fibre, functions, health benefits, classifications, types and its applications in the food industry was considered in different fortified foods. Inulin has been used to increase the nutritional and healthy properties of the product as a sweetener and as a substitute for fats and carbohydrates, improving the nutritional value and decreasing the glycemic index, with the advantage of not compromising taste and consistency of the product. Bifidogenic and prebiotic effects of inulin have been well established, inulin-type fructans are fermented by the colon to produce short-chain fatty acids, with important local and systemic actions. Addition of inulin with different degrees of polymerization to daily foods for the production of fortified pasta and bread was reviewed, and the impact on sensorial, technological and organoleptic characteristics even of gluten-free bread was also reported.

A Functional End-Use of Avocado (cv. Hass) Waste through Traditional Semolina Sourdough Bread Production

In recent years, a main goal of research has been to exploit waste from agribusiness industries as new sources of bioactive components, with a view to establishing a circular economy. Non-compliant avocado fruits, as well as avocado seeds and peels, are examples of promising raw materials due to their high nutritional yield and antioxidant profiles. This study aimed to recycle avocado food waste and by-products through dehydration to produce functional bread. For this purpose, dehydrated avocado was reduced to powder form, and bread was prepared with different percentages of the powder (5% and 10%) and compared with a control bread prepared with only semolina. The avocado pulp and by-products did not alter organoleptically after dehydration, and the milling did not affect the products' color and retained the avocado aroma. The firmness of the breads enriched with avocado powder increased due to the additional fat from the avocado, and alveolation decreased. The total phenolic content of the fortified breads was in the range of 2.408-2.656 mg GAE/g, and the antiradical activity was in the range of 35.75-38.235 mmol TEAC/100 g (p < 0.0001), depending on the percentage of fortification.

[The use of n-3 fatty acids in chronic juvenile arthritis]

Juvenile Chronic Arthritis (JCA) is a chronic disease still lacking of a complete therapeutic solution. Therapy traditionally used consists of non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and in some selected cases of gold salt and immuno-suppressive agents. Recently it has been described the possibility of a dietary supplementation of n-3 fatty acids in addition to conventional pharmacotherapy. The aim of our study is to demonstrate the real efficacy of this dietary supplementation on JCA symptoms. The group of 16 patients treated, compared to a control group of 16 patients, has shown a significative decrease of CRP.

[Dichloromethylenbiphosphonic acid in the therapy of myositis ossificans progressive (MOP)]

The authors report 3 cases of myositis ossificans progressiva (MOP) treated with i.v. dichloromethylenbiphosphonic acid. Two of these patients presented a severe development of the disease so that they could not walk anymore. After a few months of treatment with dichloromethylenbiphosphonic acid (300 mg/die for 10 continual days every month) sufficient recovery in motor capacity was achieved that walking was possible again. The favourable effect of therapy has been shown only by clinical features because there is no biological marker to monitor in the follow-up. During the treatment no side effect or modification of the markers of liver and kidney activity was observed.

[Mammary duct ectasia in children]

Authors describe two uncommon cases of infantile mammary duct ectasia (EDM). This disease, first reported in 1983, is characterized by dilatation of the subareolar duct system, and by phlogistic reaction and fibrosis. In the medical literature only 8 cases have been reported, but probably its frequency is undervalued due to the scarce general knowledge of this pathology. The differential diagnosis is reviewed.

[A case of organic psychosis in dermatomyositis. Etiopathogenetic hypothesis]

The authors describe a girl affected by dermatomyositis, with a quick and grave evolution, which required urgent tracheostomy to reduce the dysphagic symptoms. During the observation the patient showed psychotic symptoms. After the revision of literature, in which no such complication has ever been described, the authors propose an etiopathogenetic interpretation for a generalized acute psycho-organic syndrome, supposing a cerebral hypoxic damage, as vasculitic manifestation, probably complicated by symptoms of hysterical conversion, due to the isolation of the patient in the Department of Intensive Therapy and to the severe physical conditions.