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Background: Loquat cultivars cultivated in Southern Italy are very appreciated by consumers for their sensorial characteristics, such as persistent aroma and taste. Apposite maturity indexes for peeling and processing loquat fruit were investigated to increase diffusion of minimally processed loquat. The genotype's effect on the minimally processed loquat fruit shelf life and quality harvested at commercial maturity (80% yellow color) was investigated on peeled fruit stored at 5 °C for 10 days. The role of sugars, organic acids and phenols composition was observed through in depth qualitative analysis. In addition, several qualitative analyses were carried out to determine the quality of minimal processed fruit. Results: Loquat fruits harvested at commercial ripening stage performed very good palatability and flesh color persistency. Late ripening fruits genotypes shown a low rate of pulp oxidation and quality decay, while early ripening fruits were not suitable for fresh-cut. Genotype had a great influence on weight loss, β-carotene content, fruit respiration, ascorbic acid and total phenols content during the shelf life. Conclusions: This work shows how the amount of the composition of sugars and organic acids as an intrinsic characteristic of genotype influences the quality of loquat fruits minimal processed. The higher values of glucose, sorbitol and ascorbic acid accumulated in the cv 'Nespolone Trabia' contributed to a reduction in chilling injury and oxidative stress after cutting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: A common and frequent complication of diabetes is diabetic foot ulcers (DFU), which can have high treatment costs and severe adverse events. This study aims to evaluate the effects of wound duration on wound healing and the impact on costs, including treatment with a new sucrose octasulfate dressing compared with a control dressing. Method: Based on the Explorer study (a two-armed randomised double-blind clinical trial), a cost-effectiveness analysis compared four different patient groups distinguished by their wound duration and additionally two DFU treatment options: a sucrose octasulfate dressing and a neutral dressing (as control). Clinical outcomes and total direct costs of wound dressings were evaluated over 20 weeks from the perspective of the Social Health Insurance in Germany. Simulation of long-term outcomes and costs were demonstrated by a five cycle Markov model. Results: The results show total wound healing rates between 71% and 14.8%, and direct treatment costs for DFU in the range of €2482–3278 (sucrose octasulfate dressing) and €2768–3194 (control dressing). Patients with a wound duration of ≤2 months revealed the highest wound healing rates for both the sucrose octasulfate dressing and control dressing (71% and 41%, respectively) and had the lowest direct treatment costs of €2482 and €2768, respectively. The 100-week Markov model amplified the results. Patients with ≤2 months' wound duration achieved wound healing rates of 98% and 88%, respectively and costs of €3450 and €6054, respectively (CE=€3520, €6864). Sensitivity analysis revealed that the dressing changes per week were the most significant uncertainty factor. Conclusion: Based on the findings of this study, early treatment of DFU with a sucrose octasulfate dressing is recommended from a health economic view due to lower treatment costs, greater cost-effectiveness and higher wound healing rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oral sucrose is included in almost all recommendations for treatment of pain in newborns, but evidence if multiple doses might be more effective than a single standard dose is lacking. We designed a single-centre, double-blind, randomised, controlled trial. We enrolled preterm infants needing the heel prick procedure. Each enrolled infant was randomised to receive a single standard dose of sucrose 2 min before or a double dose of sucrose 2 min before, and 30 s after heel prick. Primary outcome was the efficacy of the two interventions tested by the premature infant pain profile-PIPP scale obtained at 30 s, 60 s, and 120 s after heel prick. Secondary outcome was the evaluation of the concordance between the PIPP scale and other pain scores more feasible in clinical practice. Seventy-two infants were randomised. No difference in pain perception as measured by the PIPP scale was found between the groups: median PIPP values 4.0(IQR 3.0-4.0) vs 3.0(IQR 3.0-4.0) at baseline; 6.0(IQR 5.0-10.0) vs 6.0(IQR 4.0-8.5) at 30 s; 6.0(IQR 4.0-7.0) vs 5.0(IQR 4.0-8.5) at 60 s and 5.0(IQR 4.0-7.0) vs 5.0(IQR 4.0-7.5) at 2 min, in the experimental and standard treatment groups, respectively (p = 0.9020). There was no correlation between PIPP scores and other pain scales.Conclusion: We do not recommend doubling the dose during heel prick.What is Known:• Oral sucrose is included in almost all international position papers and recommendations for the treatment of mild to moderate pain in newborns, associated with non-nutritive sucking and facilitated tucking• Premature infant pain profile (PIPP) scale is the gold standard for evaluation of pain in preterms but it is difficult to use in clinical practiceWhat is New:• Repeating a dose of 24% sucrose is not effective in reducing pain during the recovery phase of a skin breaking procedure• Other pain scales, easier to use in clinical practice, are not comparable with PIPP for the evaluation of procedural pain in preterms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To evaluate recurrence after a 1-year follow-up period of healed diabetic foot ulcers after treatment with sucrose octasulfate impregnated dressing. Method: Forty-four patients with neuroischaemic DFU after the healed with sucrose octasulfate impregnated dressing were prospectively follow-up during 1-year. Patients were assessed monthly in the specialized out-patient clinics following the International Working Group Guidelines. Reulceration, minor, major amputation and death were recorded during this period. Additionally, TcpO2 value was measured using TCM400 device (Radiometer, Copenhagen) after 1 year of healing. Results / Discussion: During the follow-up period 14 patients (28%) suffered from a reulceration event, of whom 7 (14%) required a minor amputation, and 4 (8%) required major amputation. Additionally, 7 (14%) patients died. Patients with impaired microcirculation at inclusion (<30mmHg) showed an increase of tcpO2 values from day 0, 20.20 ± 5.38mmHg to healing, 31.28 ± 13.74mmHg, (p=0.023) and these tcpO2 increasing remained constant after 1 year of ulcer healing, 33.66 ± 13.83 mmHg (p=0.011). Those patients who suffer a reulceration in the follow-up had tcpO2 values lower 27.90 ± 17.35 mmHg compared to nonreulceration patients 41.63 ± 12.81 mmHg, (p=0.048). After adjusting the analyses, we observed that neuroischemic patients that had impaired microcirculation after the 1-year followup period resulted in more reulceration events, 8 (57.1%) compared with neuroischemic patients with normal microcirculation status, 6 (42.9 %), (p=0.013). Conclusion: This study suggests that the application of a sucrose octasulfate impregnated dressing may improve clinical characteristics of the foot in patients with impaired microcirculation status and thus, it could prevent further reulceration events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The presence of devitalized tissue in the wound bed is a physical barrier to healing, and debridement should be the primary intervention. The combined use of sucrose octasulfate with TLC-Ag healing matrix and polyabsorbent fibers showed a superior ability to debride non-viable tissue, protecting the edges and granulation tissue, compared to the exclusive use of TLC-Ag healing matrix. Case series was carried out, in wounds of adults, children and neonates, with the objective of demonstrating the effectiveness of this procedure, with reduction of pain in the debridement and improvement of quality of life. Method: Case series were carried out, using this combination until complete debridement of non-viable tissue, without any other debridement technique. Polyurethane was used as a dressing for exudate management. In paediatrics, treatment was performed every 48 hours and in adults every 72 hours. We made 30 cases in adults, in sternotomy and saphenectomy. In paediatrics were made 10 cases and in neonatology 12 cases, in sternotomy and thoracotomy. Results / Discussion: All wounds were completely covered with devitalized tissue, no relevant signs of infection. With the application of this combination, debridement was completed after 3 to 4 treatments on average, without pain for the patient and with an increase in healing. All wounds healed in about 3 weeks, resulting from surgical wound dehiscence. There were no complications or side effects, with rapid debridement in a short period of time. Conclusion: Debridement is a procedure that can be very painful, however the use of material that can promote it, painlessly and effectively, is an asset in the management of complex wounds and incrementing healing. This combination may be the answer for fast and effective healing, with protection of granulation tissue and removal of devitalized tissue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Diabetes is a progressive disease whose prevalence in Spain reaches 10.5% of the population, the second highest rate in Europe1. A frequent complication is diabetic foot ulcer (DFU), which highly impairs patient's quality of life and places an enormous economic burden on the healthcare system. Sucrose Octosulfate dressing has previously demonstrated to promote wound healing. This study aims to evaluate the cost-effectiveness and cost-utility of this dressing in Spain. Method: A Markov model with a time horizon of 40 years was designed. Outcomes included ulcer-free life years gained (UALYs/ DFU) and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs). Direct healthcare costs were included obtained from national healthcare cost databases. Deterministic sensitivity analyses and probabilistic analyses were performed using a Montecarlo simulation. Results / Discussion: The results of the 40-year analysis estimate a cost saving of €1,940.73 per patient with a gain of 0.77 QALYs (sW/DFU) and 0.66 QALYs, with Sucrose Octasulphate treatment being a dominant alternative compared to neutral dressing treatment. Treatment with Sucrose Octasulfate generates a higher quality of life, since patients spend more time with the ulcer closed and infections are reduced. This cost-effectiveness is higher in recent wounds (<2 months duration), suggesting the sooner the treatment is applied, the higher the savings. Conclusion: Sucrose Octasulphate treatment is cost-effective in diabetic foot ulcer and therefore it should be the first-choice treatment for these patients. The sooner the treatment is implemented, the better is the clinical outcome for patient and the greater the saving for the Spanish National Health System. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The recommended etiological treatment of venous leg ulcers (VLUs) is compression therapy, so it was decided to combine a new multicomponent compression system in one bandage with sucrose octasulfate dressing as local treatment. We evaluate efficacy, tolerance and acceptability of this new compression system for patients with VLUs. Method: Monocentric, prospective, non-comparative clinical trial. Eligible participants had a recalcitrant VLU, including grafted ulcers. For a period of 12 weeks, patients wore the multicomponent compression system day and night, providing high working pressure and moderate resting pressure. Clinical assessments, wound measurement and photographs were planned at weeks 0, 2, 4, 8 and 12. The primary endpoint was complete epithelialisation after 12 weeks of treatment. Secondary endpoints included wound area reduction, frequency of dressing changes, global performance score, tolerance, and physician's overall satisfaction with the evaluated compression system. Results / Discussion: A cohort of 20 patients were recruited. After 12 weeks of treatment, wound closure was reported in most patients. Compared to previous compression systems, most patients reported more ease in wearing shoes, and greater satisfaction and comfort with this new system. No serious adverse events related to the device occurred. At the final visit, the majority of the physicians were 'very satisfied' or 'satisfied' with the new compression system. Conclusion: The combination of the new multicomponent compression system in one bandage and sucrose octasulfate dressings has been shown to promote rapid healing of VLUs and to be well tolerated and accepted. It appears to be a viable alternative to existing compression systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the Puglia region, a multicolor landrace called the yellow-purple Polignano carrot has been cultivated since 1940 by local smallholder farmers and has been added to the Slow Food list of traditional products. Composition analyses of these carrots were carried out including carbohydrate assay, inorganic cations, nitrate content, and dry weight of each colour. Besides, antioxidant activity, β-carotene, total phenols and carotenoid content on the full carrots and on the cortex and inner core separated tissues were determined. The same analyses were performed on a commercial carrot cultivar. On average, total glucose, fructose, and saccharose content was 22% lower in the yellow-purple Polignano carrot than in the commercial one. In addition, the highest contributor to the relative sweetness in the yellow-purple Polignano carrot was fructose (43.5%), which affects its wellknown taste, as well as its glycemic index. As for the nutritional parameters, purple carrots showed the highest content in antioxidant activity, total phenols, carotenoids and β-carotene, mainly detected in the cortex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry 2011; 21: 119-125 In schoolchildren the most commonly decayed primary teeth are molars affecting proximal adjacent surfaces especially. To determine whether a more acidic plaque in response to sucrose challenge is detected in children with more carious lesions. Plaque pH measurements, using the microtouch technique, were carried out in interproximal spaces between primary molars, in 157 high caries risk children (314 sites and caries status of the 628 proximal surfaces recorded). The area under the curve (AUC and AUC) was analyzed. The AUC and the AUC showed a statistically significant difference between plaque adjacent to proximal surfaces with or without caries. Differences for AUC and AUC were recorded between one decayed surface compared to two decayed surfaces ( P < 0.01) whereas a statistical significant difference was only observed for AUC, when the areas under the curve were obtained near one decayed surface compared to two sound surfaces ( P = 0.04). The higher acidogenicity of the dental plaque found in presence of a proximal carious lesion in primary maxillary molars represents an additional risk factor for the adjacent surface. This finding may help clinicians in treatment decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The free amino acid asparagine and the reducing sugars glucose and fructose has been reported to serve as precursors for the heat-induced formation of potentially toxic acrylamide in a variety of plant-based food. To contribute to our knowledge about the levels of these precursors, we used ion-exchange chromatography to measure free asparagine and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to measure free glucose, fructose, and sucrose in 9 potato varieties sold at retail in Italy and in 22 varieties sold in the United States. Asparagine levels (in mmol/kg of fresh wt) ranged from 1.17 for the Agata potatoes to 57.65 Russet potatoes, a 49.3-fold variation from lowest to highest value. The corresponding levels for fructose ranged from 1.73 (Finger-ling Ozette) to 33.63 (Red), a 19.4-fold variation from the lowest to the highest value. For glucose, the concentration ranged from 1.11 (Jelli) to 34.73 (Yukon Gold B) potatoes, a 31.3-fold variation from lowest to highest value. The corresponding values for sucrose ranged from 1.16 (Fingerling Ozette) to 40.61 (Marabel) potatoes, a 35-fold variation. The American potato varieties Kennebec, White, and Fingerling Ozette and the Italian potato varieties Agria, Merit, and Marabel had very low levels of both asparagine and reducing sugars. The results may enable consumers, restaurants, and processors to select commercial potatoes with low levels of acrylamide precursors for baking or frying. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Twelve Italian cases of mesothelioma (all the cases but one from the Emilia Romagna Region), following exposure to asbestos used in sugar refinery plants, are reported. Eleven cases arose in workers occupationally exposed, and one in the daughter of an exposed worker, following family contact. Eleven of the cases were pleural and one peritoneal. In the 11 cases following occupational exposure the average latency time was 36.0 (range 23-48) years, and the average age at onset was 63.4 years. In the case which followed family contact, the latency time and the age of the onset were 37 years. This represents the largest series of cases of mesothelioma due to the asbestos present in sugar refinery plants reported to date in the scientific literature. While these cases demonstrate the risk of asbestos mesothelioma in the sugar refinery industry, they in no way give the dimension of the pathological effects of asbestos (and man-made mineral fibres) used in this industry. To assess this risk further research is suggested.

The well known associations of breast cancer with fertility patterns and diet are interdependent and it is difficult to estimate the extent to which breast cancer is related to diet. This was attempted by analysing breast cancer rates in populations of single (never married) women for which the contribution of childbearing would be small. Age specific breast cancer rates for single women showed the same variation by country, social class, urban-rural area and with time, as did the corresponding rates for married women, suggesting that common or related factors determined breast cancer rates in single and married women. Also, dietary correlations of breast cancer rates at 55-64 years, around 1960, were not sifnificantly different for single women and the general female population. This supported the view that the dietary associations with breast cancer, observed in larger studies of general female populations, did not arise indirectly from an association with childbearing rates. It was pointed our that the positive association of breast cancer with sugar, observed for single and for all women, was accopanied by a negative association with starch. These opposite associations with two forms of varbohydrate seemed inconsistent on general nutritional grounds and could be explained as arising indirectly to the association of breast cancer with affluence. Otherwise, it would seem necessary to establish a nutritional difference between starch and sugar, which could reasonably influence breast cancer rates, before the association was accepted as indicating cause.