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Abstract: The use of natural antioxidants in the food industry has increased in the last years and there is a growing interest in improving the extraction processes using GRAS (general recognize as safe) solvents. In this work the extraction of antioxidants from rosemary with ethanol and water as solvents has been studied using different extraction processes (conventional, microwave assisted – MAE – and ultrasound assisted – USAE –) and plant pretreatments (deoiled and milled, deoiled and fresh plant). Total phenolic compounds in the extracts were determined by the Folin–Ciocalteu assay and HPLC with UV detection was employed for the quantitation of the main antioxidant compounds: rosmarinic acid and carnosic acid. The antioxidant activity of the extract was determined by the DPPH scavenging assay. The double pretreatment, deoiling by solvent free microwave extraction (SFME) and milling, has shown to be essential to overcome inner mass transfer limitations. Extraction efficiency can be additionally enhanced by microwave and ultrasound assisted extraction process, being this latter more significant in aqueous extracts. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Fifteen soya bean genotypes from maturity groups IV, V and VI were planted on three dates at Manfredi Experimental Station — INTA, C6rdoba Province, Argentina. Seeds were harvested at maturity and evaluated for seed infection by Fusarium spp. and Diaporthe/Phomopsis complex, and for physical and chemical parameters. There was a significant negative correlation between planting date (PD) and fungal incidence (P = 0.05). A higher percentage of fungal incidence at earlier PD was consistent with lower seed weight and volume, higher oil content and no change in protein content. The highest values of fungal incidence were associated with increased oleic acid and decreased linoleic and linolenic acid contents. These results suggest that planting late maturity cultivars or delaying the planting of early and mid-season cultivars may reduce seed infection by Fusarium spp. and Diaporthe/Phomopsis complex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1. Eggs from wild and captive populations of Greater Rhea (Rhea americana) were studied to determine their physical and chemical characteristics. 2. Significant differences were found among populations in almost all chemical parameters studied, whereas within physical parameters only shell weight (as a proportion of the entire egg) and density showed differences. 3. Eggs from wild populations had the highest protein and linolenic acid and the lowest total lipid contents, while cholesterol levels of these eggs and of those from the largest captive area were the lowest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Identifying distinct dimensions of negative symptoms in First Episode Schizophrenia (FES) might result in a better understanding and treatment of this invalidating symptomatology. Objectives: Aim of this study was to examine negative symptom structure in FES patients using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). Methods: All 147 participants, aged 12-35 years, completed the PANSS and the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) scale. A principal component analysis with varimax rotation was performed to investigate PANSS negative symptomstructure in the FES total sample. Results: A 2-factormodel (i.e. "Expressive Deficits" and "Asociality" dimensions) was identified. Only "Expressive Deficits" domain had a significant negative correlation with baseline GAF score. Conclusions: This bipartite solution seems to be adequate to describe the phenomenological variety of negative symptoms experienced by FES individuals at the point of entry in early intervention services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the pressure-temperature (P-T) behavior of reactive mixtures composed of lactalbumin and water under subcritical and isochoric conditions. The impact of density on the P-T behavior was investigated for an initial lactalbumin composition of 5%, covering a density range of 0.7597 g/mL to 0.85620 g/mL. Additionally, the effect of varying lactalbumin concentrations, ranging from 3% to 15% (w/w), at a constant initial density of 0.831 g/mL, was also studied. Isochoric lines and density values of the reactive mixtures were compared to those of pure water under identical pressure and temperature conditions in all experiments. Furthermore, the total soluble solids (TSS) content was analyzed after each experiment, along with the thermal stability of amino acids subjected to prolonged reaction periods and high temperatures. • Density and composition significantly influence P-T behavior of studied mixtures. • Linear P-T relationship observed, with steeper isochores at higher density. • Mixtures density can be assumed equal to pure water at same T and P conditions. • Mixtures pressure can significantly differ than that of pure water at same T and ρ. • Phenylalanine showed high thermal stability below 240 °C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Walnut and almond kernels are highly nutritious mainly due to their high oil contents. In this study, 3³ factorial experimental designs were used to optimize processes for oil extraction by screw-pressing at industrial scale. Experimental designs included seed moisture content (SMC), and restriction die (RD) as the main processing parameters. Theoretical models were scanned against experimental data in order to optimize oil extraction conditions. The response variables analyzed were oil yield (OY), fine solid content (FC) in oil, and oil quality parameters. Fitted models for OY indicated maximum predicted values similar to the highest experimental values. Walnut oil extractions showed a maximum OY (84.5 ± 2.3 %) at 7.21% SMC, and 10 mm RD. For almond kernels, maximum OY (71.9 ± 3.5%) was obtained at 9.42% SMC, and 12 mm RD. Chemical quality parameters from both oils were in the ranges stated in Codex (FAO/WHO) standards for virgin (non-refined) oils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The aim of this retrospective study is to evaluate patient profile, feasibility, and acute toxicity of RadioTherapy (RT) delivered by VERO® in the first 20 months of clinical activity. Methods: Inclusion criteria: 1) adult patients; 2) limited volume cancer (M0 or oligometastatic); 3) small extracranial lesions; 4) treatment between April 2012 and December 2013 and 5) written informed consent. Two techniques were employed: intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT). Toxicity was evaluated using Radiation Therapy Oncology Group/European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (RTOG/EORTC) criteria. Results: Between April 2012 and December 2013, 789 consecutive patients (957 lesions) were treated. In 84% of them one lesion was treated and in 16% more than one lesion were treated synchronously/metachronously; first radiotherapy course in 85%, re-irradiation in 13%, and boost in 2% of cases. The treated region included pelvis 46%, thorax 38%, upper abdomen 15%, and neck 1%. Radiotherapy schedules included <5 and >5 fractions in 75% and 25% respectively. All patients completed the planned treatment and an acceptable acute toxicity was observed. Conclusions: RT delivered by VERO® was administrated predominantly to thoracic and pelvic lesions (lung and urologic tumours) using hypofractionation. It is a feasible approach for limited burden cancer offering short and well accepted treatment with favourable acute toxicity profile. Further investigation including dose escalation and other available VERO® functionalities such as real-time dynamic tumour tracking is warranted in order to fully evaluate this innovative radiotherapy system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Argentina, the climatic pattern of the olive production areas is characterised by a marked water deficit during winter and spring months. A field experiment was carried out to evaluate the effect of water availability during the pre-flowering-flowering period on vegetative, reproductive and yield responses of olive trees grown in central Argentina. From the end of autumn to mid-spring, four irrigation treatments were imposed to olive trees ( Olea europaea, cv. Arbequina and Manzanilla) at 0, 25, 50 and 75% estimated crop evapotranspiration ( ETc). Also, a control treatment was kept at 100% ETc for the entire year. For the first crop year evaluated, water deficit applied at early June, approximately 4 months prior to bloom, reduced the vegetative shoot growth and delayed the flowering time, resulting in shortening of the fruit maturation period and, ultimately, decreased fructification. Trees irrigated with high (75% of ETc) and full (100% of ETc) winter-spring water supply presented significantly higher values of flower density, fruit density and final fruit yield which resulted in water productivity (kg fruits mm−1 of irrigation/ha) enhancements of about 500% (cv. Arbequina) and 330% (cv. Manzanilla) with respect to those obtained from the corresponding unirrigated treatments. Differences between treatments in oil content and composition were primarily attributed to variations in fruit maturity. Differences in fatty acid composition were stronger in cv. Arbequina where a gradual increase in oleic acid content was registered in parallel to the increase in irrigation water supply. From a practical stand point, results obtained from most of the analysed parameters were quite similar for both T75 and T100 treatments. Thus, the possible convenience of irrigation at T75% ETc should be considered since it may warrant profitable olive production while saving a considerably quantity of irrigation water in the olive production area in central Argentina. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The encapsulation of antioxidants with biocompatible polymers is essential for their protection against degradation factors like light and oxygen, and facilitates its solubility in the target medium. This work presents the co-precipitation of an ethanolic extract of rosemary leaves by supercritical antisolvent (SAS) process in poloxamers in order to improve the aqueous solubility of the extract. In a first step, the precipitation of antioxidants by SAS was studied in the range of temperatures from 25 to 50°C and pressures from 8 to 12MPa. Total content of polyphenols was quantified according to the Folin–Cicalteu method. Also HPLC analyses were performed to verify the presence of some of the major rosemary antioxidants, carnosic and rosmarinic acid. The dissolution rate of rosemary polyphenols from particles was measured in isotonic phosphate buffer solution (pH=6.8). The encapsulation of the extract was successfully achieved with a yield up to 100%. The total polyphenolic content was dissolved from the encapsulated product, in the aqueous medium, after 1h, whereas only 15% of the antioxidants of the pure precipitate were dissolved after 8h. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

S. Ronchi, B. Vischioni, M. Bonora, V. Vitolo, M.R. Fiore, A. Iannalfi, A. Barcellini, S. Molinelli, S. Russo, D. Maestri, M. Ciocca, L. Preda, F. Valvo, Poster: Clinical track: Head and Neck PO-0850: Proton Beam Reirradiation In Head And Neck Patients at CNAO: preliminary results. [Extracted from the article]

• Suitability of spring deficit irrigation (SDI) in intensive hedgerow olive orchards. • SDI may be effective to control vegetative growth in hedgerow orchards. • SDI could delay pruning needs in young hedgerow orchards. • SDI allows saving irrigation water without decreasing fruit and oil yields. • Irrigation treatments at 25 and 50% of ETC enhance water productivity. This study was aimed to evaluate the effect of regulated deficit irrigation (RDI), applied from mid-spring to early summer, on physiological parameters, vegetative growth and productivity in an intensive hedgerow olive orchard located in a non-traditional (marked winter-spring water-deficit) olive growing region. The experiments were carried out during three crop seasons by using four years old (7 m × 3.5 m) 'Genovesa' olive trees. Three RDI treatments (T25, T50 and T75) were applied as a percentage of crop evapotranspiration (25, 50 and 75% ETc, respectively) during the period from fruit set to pit hardening. Also, a control treatment was irrigated at 100% ETc during the whole crop season. Under the analyzed environmental conditions, stomatal conductance was less sensitive in young leaves than in mature leaves against changes in water availability. This fact should be considered when being used as benchmarks in olives trees submitted to water deprivation during periods with marked water constraint. Regarding vegetative parameters, significant reductions in apical vegetative shoot growth, trunk cross-sectional area and canopy volume were found in less irrigated treatments (T25 and T50) with respect to most irrigated ones (T75 and T100). Moreover, the strongest effects of deficit irrigation were observed when pruning was applied at the end of the second crop season evaluated. Both fruit and oil yields were barely affected by water availability. Although in the first crop season evaluated the fruit yield was greater in the full-irrigation treatment – which could be due to the age of the olive trees -, at the end of the whole experimental period (three crop years) the mean values from this yield component did not present significant differences among all irrigation treatments. Similarly, water availability did not affect oil yield (kg/ha); no significant differences were found among irrigation treatments in any of the crop seasons analyzed. The effects of water availability on productive parameters were more evident when analyzed as an estimated productive response; the total water productivity, calculated on both fruit weight and oil weight bases, gave the highest values in the most restrictive irrigation treatment. Overall, findings from this study could be of interest for olive cultivation in regions with dry spring period and for intensive hedgerow orchards suited to over-row harvesters. Imposing water restriction during this period could be suitable for achieving sustainable fruit and oil productivity while saving considerable amount of irrigation water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]