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Nutritionally enriched fresh pasta was prepared from semolina fortified with Vicia faba flour. Three addition levels were tested (10, 30 and 50%) and plain pasta (100% semolina) was used as a control. Enriched pasta showed lower cooking time, and higher dry matter loss, but with a similar water uptake. The shape of the pasta was not significantly affected by the cooking process. Color parameters indicated comparable brightness between samples and higher redness values for enriched pasta. The incorporation of broad-bean flour resulted in a significant increase in protein levels (21% against 13.7% in 50% enriched pasta and the control, respectively), fiber, resistant starch (from 1.4% in the control to 2.5% in 50% pasta), ash and minerals (calcium, iron and zinc). The mineral dietary reference intake contributions were higher in fortified pasta, and the enrichment percentage of 30% was the highest level, allowing improved iron availability. In vitro percent protein digestibility increased proportionally with the broad-bean substitution level. The rate of starch hydrolysis was reduced upon broad-bean enrichment, resulting in lower glycemic index (GI) for enriched pasta (91.9, 83.4 and 71.3 in 10%, 30% and 50% pasta, respectively) compared to traditional pasta (95.9) and white bread (100)., This work was financially supported by the Project PROMETEO/2012/064 from the Generalitat Valenciana, Spain. The internship grant of Karima Tazrart from the Université Abderrahmane Mira Bejaia, Algeria is gratefully acknowledged

Skin contamination by alpha-emitting actinides is a risk to workers during nuclear fuel production and reactor decommissioning. Also, the list of items for potential use in radiological dispersal devices includes plutonium and americium. The actinide chemical form is important and solvents such as tributyl phosphate, used to extract plutonium, can influence plutonium behavior. This study investigated skin fixation and efficacy of decontamination products for these actinide forms using viable pig skin in the Franz cell diffusion system. Commonly used or recommended decontamination products such as water, cleansing gel, diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid, or octadentate hydroxypyridinone compound 3,4,3-LI(1,2-HOPO), as well as diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid hydrogel formulations, were tested after a 2-h contact time with the contaminant. Analysis of skin samples demonstrated that more plutonium nitrate is bound to skin as compared to plutonium-tributyl phosphate, and fixation of americium to skin was also significant. The data show that for plutonium-tributyl phosphate all the products are effective ranging from 80 to 90% removal of this contaminant. This may be associated with damage to the skin by this complex and suggests a mechanical/wash-out action rather than chelation. For removal of americium and plutonium, both Trait Rouge cleansing gel and diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid are better than water, and diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid hydrogel is better than Osmogel. The different treatments, however, did not significantly affect the activity in deeper skin layers, which suggests a need for further improvement of decontamination procedures. The new diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid hydrogel preparation was effective in removing americium, plutonium, and plutonium-tributyl phosphate from skin; such a formulation offers advantages and thus merits further assessment.

Two kinds of pasta were produced: dry Maccheronccinis pasta and fresh Cicatellis pasta. Four formulations were made for each type: control pasta made with 100% semolina and enriched pasta containing different levels of broad bean flour. Thermal properties were measured using Differential Scanning Calorimetry and revealed that only dried pasta induced gelatinization peaks. Enriched samples had higher T0, Tp and Tc values but lower gelatinization enthalpy than the control. Retrogradation temperature tended to decrease as the level of bean flour increase, both in dry and fresh pasta. The Rapid Visco Analyser data revealed significantly (p, This work was financially supported by the Project PROMETEO/2017/189 from the Generalitat Valenciana, Spain.

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This study investigated the effect of Maccheronccini fortification with different levels (10, 30 and 50 %) of broad bean flour (Vicia faba) on its nutritional and technological quality. Incorporation of the legume flour significantly increased protein, dietary fibre and mineral contents of produced pasta (P < 0.05). The mineral and protein dietary reference intake (DRI) contributions were higher in enriched pasta considering an intake of 200 g day−1 person−1 (cooked pasta). Cooking losses were relatively low regardless of the substitution level. Colour parameters of produced pasta indicated comparable brightness and higher redness values for enriched pasta. Higher levels of phytates were also found which could compromise iron bioavailability as was predicted through phytate/mineral molar ratios which remained higher than the inhibitory threshold values for calcium and iron intestinal absorption. Enriched pasta showed significantly lower glycaemic index and slightly greater per cent protein digestibility as regard to the control. Produced Maccheronccini pasta had good technological properties with regard to colour and cooking behaviour. Moreover, contribution to DRIs and nutritional value were enhanced upon broad bean flour addition., This work was financially supported by the Project PROMETEO/2012/064 from the Generalitat Valenciana, Spain. The internship grant of Karima Tazrart from the Université Abderrahmane Mira Bejaia, Algeria, is gratefully acknowledged. The authors would like to thank Paolo Diflumeri and Paola D’Agnello from Belladauna Company for their help in the optimization and production of pasta.

To evaluate skin penetration and retention of americium (Am) and plutonium (Pu), in different chemical forms relevant to the nuclear industry and to treatment by chelation.Percutaneous penetration of different Am and Pu forms were evaluated using viable pig skin with the Franz cell diffusion system. The behavior of the complex Pu-tributyl phosphate (Pu-TBP), Am or Pu complexed to the chelator Diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA) and the effect of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) was assessed. Radioactivity was measured in skin and receiver compartments. Three approaches were used to visualize activity in skin including the recent iQID technique for quantification.Transfer of Am was 24-fold greater than Pu and Pu-TBP complex penetration was enhanced by 500-fold. Actinide-DTPA transfer was greater than the Am or Pu alone (17-fold and 148-fold, respectively). The stratum corneum retained the majority of activity in all cases and both DMSO and TBP enhanced skin retention of Am and Pu, respectively. Histological and bioimaging data confirmed these results and the iQID camera allowed the quantification of skin activity.Skin penetration and fixation profiles are different depending on the chemical actinide form. Altered behavior of Pu-TBP and actinide-DTPA complexes reinforces the need to address decontamination protocols.

Actinides are alpha-emitting radioactive elements handled by nuclear industry workers and are part of the NRBC threat (nuclear, radiological, biological, and chemical). Skin contamination represents a major exposure route for these radioelements. Skin decontamination is therefore essential to prevent any dispersion of contamination and systemic absorption through the skin. This work focused the evaluation of skin penetration behavior of two actinides: americium and plutonium, in different forms, in an ex vivo model, pig ear skin. The decontamination efficacy of various products was tested on this model as well as an in vitro model of bovine hide powder. The efficacy of a new DTPA hydrogel formulation was also tested. The localization of in different skin layers was carried out using various imaging techniques: emulsion autoradiography, solid track autoradiography, TASTRAK or iQID camera. Data showed differences in penetration, retention and localization profiles of the different actinides used in moderately soluble aqueous solution or in a solvent mixture. In addition, the latter modifies skin structure that is associated with an increase in skin penetration. Radioactivity activity measurements in skin layers agreed well with distribution as shown by the different autoradiography techniques. The results of decontamination protocols showed an equal efficacy of the soap (Trait rouge®) as compared to DTPA, that is used for decorporation therapy and also for decontamination. The hydrogel formulation showed a superior efficacy for the treatment of organic solutions and demonstrates the interest for development of other pharmaceutical formulations; Les actinides sont des radioéléments couramment manipulés par les travailleurs de l'industrie nucléaire et font partie de la menace NRBC (nucléaire, radiologique, biologique, chimique). La contamination cutanée représente une voie d'exposition majeure de ces agents radiologiques. La décontamination de la peau est donc cruciale pour empêcher une dispersion de la contamination et l'absorption systémique du contaminant par la peau. Ce travail s'est attaché à évaluer les profils de pénétration cutanée de deux actinides : l'américium et le plutonium, sous différentes formes, dans un modèle d'étude ex vivo, la peau d'oreille de porc. L'efficacité de décontamination de différents produits usuels a également été testée sur ce modèle, mais aussi sur un modèle in vitro de poudre de couche cornée bovine. Pour compléter l'étude de la décontamination, l'efficacité d'une formulation d'hydrogel de DTPA a également été testée. La détermination de la distribution de la contamination dans la peau a été réalisée à l'aide de différentes techniques d'imagerie : l'autoradiographie par émulsion, le TASTRAK ou encore l'iQID camera. Les résultats ont montré une grande différence dans les profils de pénétration et de rétention des actinides lorsqu'ils sont en solution aqueuse modérément soluble ou en solution organique dans un mélange de solvant. De plus, cette dernière forme modifie fortement la structure cutanée, menant à une forte augmentation de la pénétration cutanée. Les résultats des protocoles de décontamination montrent une efficacité égale du savon (Trait rouge®) comparé au DTPA, qui est le traitement décorporant utilisé également en décontamination. La formulation en hydrogel présente une efficacité supérieure pour le traitement de solutions organiques et met en évidence l'intérêt de développer d'autres formulations galéniques

The accident in Fukushima has emphasized the need to increase the capacity of health protection for exposed workers, first responders, and the general public in a major accident situation with release of radioactivity. Skin contamination is one of the most probable risks following major nuclear or radiological incidents, but this risk also exists and incidents can happen in industry, research laboratories, or in nuclear medicine departments. The aim of this paper is to provide an overview of the products currently used after skin contamination in order to highlight the needs and ways to improve the medical management of victims. From this review, it can be observed that the current use of these radiological decontamination products is essentially based on empiricism. In addition, some of these products are harsh and irritating, even toxic, possibly damaging the skin barrier. In some emergency situations in which clean water is in short supply, most of the current products cannot be used. Research on the mechanisms of action of decontaminating products is needed to develop a decontamination strategy.