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Studies have consistently shown an association of the Le Fort I osteotomy with undesirable adverse events in the nasolabial region, including lengthening and thinning of the upper lip, a reduction in upper vermilion exposure, and nasal base enlargement. Various minimally invasive techniques have been developed based on knowledge collected over recent decades on the aetiopathogenesis of these aesthetic impairments. The common scope of these techniques is to reduce the damage to the facial soft tissues and achieve a sound and spontaneous healing process, avoiding those procedures that are commonly used to counteract undesirable aesthetic changes. This paper provides a summary of the aetiopathogenesis of these adverse events, as well as an overview of current concepts in minimally invasive surgically assisted rapid maxillary expansion (miSARME)., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest None., (Copyright © 2024 International Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: Scalp full-thickness defects reconstruction following the resection of skin carcinoma poses significant challenges due to scalp anatomy complexity and limited vascularity. Despite various techniques available, including tissue expansion and local flaps, no single method stands as the gold standard. Moreover, cases requiring adjuvant radiotherapy further complicate reconstruction, demanding durable solutions. This study explores the efficacy of Integra ® Dermal Regeneration Template Single Layer (Integra DRTSL) followed by split-thickness skin grafting (STSG) in one-stage scalp reconstruction post oncologic resection., Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on patients undergoing this procedure from January 2020 to October 2023. Surgical outcomes, including graft take rates, complications, and adjuvant therapy tolerability, were assessed., Results: Results demonstrated successful reconstruction in the majority of cases, with a complete graft take rate of 77% and minimal complications. Notably, the single-stage approach facilitated timely initiation of adjuvant therapy, crucial for oncologic management. Healing times were notably reduced (< 60 days), enabling early radiotherapy commencement. No local recurrences were observed during the 16-month follow-up., Conclusion: The use of Integra DRTSL with STSG in one-stage reconstruction presents a promising alternative, offering optimal cosmetic and functional outcomes with low complication rates. This approach streamlines the reconstruction process, ensuring timely adjuvant therapy initiation and maximizing patient outcomes, especially in the context of scalp cutaneous tumors requiring radiotherapy., Clinical Trial Number: This research was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki and approved by the Ethics Committee of University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli" (protocol code N. 0013333, 29 April 2021)., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Current concepts in orthognathic surgery focus on not just rectifying dentoskeletal irregularities but also improving facial aesthetic and function. In this respect, nasal reshaping holds extraordinary significance in determining surgery effectiveness and patient satisfaction. Facial preoperative evaluations emphasize the paramount functional and aesthetic impacts of caudal septum in tip reshaping. Deviations in this anatomical subunit could lead to significant nasal obstructions and aesthetic changes as twisted nasal tip, affecting projection, rotation, and columellar-alar relationship. These considerations are essential in orthofacial surgery, as maxillary movements might exacerbate or worsen preexisting nasal tip deformity. In this paper, we aim to describe a novel and innovative minimally invasive approach presenting a detailed account of a rhinoseptoplasty in which the entire nasal tip reshaping procedure was performed intraorally during orthognathic surgery. The technique focused on achieving optimal nasal tip projection and rotation, centering, and stabilization through strategic maneuvers such as incremental dissection of maxillary spine chondroperiosteal junction, superoposterior strut preservation, vertical and caudal septum resection, and anterior nasal spine tip support. Techniques including subnasal drilling and septal stabilization suture are detailed. Specific attention is given to addressing deficiencies in posterior septal angle and labiocolumellar relationship. Postoperative care is described and subjective evaluations were performed to assess patient and surgeon satisfaction with facial symmetry and overall aesthetic improvements. In our experience, the described approach offers valuable surgical finesse to orthognathic surgery, effectively targeting caudal septum deviations and nasal tip droopy. Its unique perspective enhances both functional and aesthetic results, particularly in the context of profiloplasty. No external nasal incision was performed and the totality of nasal tip reshaping was scarless and performed through an intraoral approach. Surgical precision in execution of this novel and tailored surgical approach has been shown to have a profound impact for enhancing outcomes of orthofacial surgery procedure., Competing Interests: None declared., (Thieme. All rights reserved.)

Objective: Tissue-resident memory cells (Trm) are a subset of T cells residing persistently and long-term within specific tissues that contribute to persistent inflammation and tissue damage. We characterised the phenotype and function of Trm and the role of CD103 in primary Sjogren's syndrome (pSS)., Methods: In both pSS and non-pSS sicca syndrome patients, we examined Trm frequency, cytokine production in salivary glands (SG) and peripheral blood (PB). We also analysed Trm-related gene expression in SG biopsies through bulk and single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq). Additionally, we investigated Trm properties in an immunisation-induced animal model of pSS (experimental SS, ESS) mouse model and assessed the effects of Trm inhibition via intraglandular anti-CD103 monoclonal antibody administration., Results: Transcriptomic pSS SG showed an upregulation of genes associated with tissue recruitment and long-term survival of Trm cells, confirmed by a higher frequency of CD8 + CD103 + CD69 + cells in pSS SG, compared with non-specific sialadenitis (nSS). In SG, CD8 + CD103 + Trm contributed to the secretion of granzyme-B and interferon-γ, CD8 + Trm cells were localised within inflammatory infiltrates, where PD1+CD8+ T cells were also increased compared with nSS and MALT lymphoma. scRNAseq of PB and pSS SG T cells confirmed expression of CD69, ITGAE, GZMB, GZMK and HLA-DRB1 among CD3 + CD8 + SG T cells. In the SG of ESS, CD8 + CD69 + CD103 + Trm producing Granzyme B progressively expanded. However, intraglandular blockade of CD103 in ESS reduced Trm, reduced glandular damage and improved salivary flow., Conclusions: CD103 + CD8 + Trm cells are expanded in the SG of pSS and ESS, participate in tissue inflammation and can be therapeutically targeted., Competing Interests: Competing interests: RT has filed provisional patents surrounding technology for targeting DCs for antigen-specific tolerance (US patent 9017697 B2: 2006, PCT/AU2013/000303) and is developing immunotherapy to target DCs to suppress autoimmune disease in collaboration with CSL. AB-M and AB are employees of CSL. The other authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2024. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

With the increasing use of sustainable energy sources, the electric scooter has become a widely used vehicle. The aim of the study is to analyse the types of facial fracture related to road traffic accidents to outline the need for dedicated road rules. An observational, retrospective, multicentre study was carried out at the Maxillofacial Surgery Units of six Italian hospitals. Fifty patients (mean age was 34.76 years) from January 2020 to January 2024 were enrolled. The severity of trauma was evaluated by the Facial Injury Severity Scale (FISS) by Bagheri et al. Most of the accidents occurred during the day and the weekend in spring or summer; 24 drivers collided with infrastructures or pedestrians, while 26 involved other vehicles. A total of 33 vehicles were rented, and 17 were privately owned. A total of 43 subjects were not wearing helmets, five patients were drunk, and three patients took drugs. In order of frequency, the facial fractures involved: zygomatico-maxillary-orbital complex (ZMOC) (n = 16), mandibular condyle (n = 13), nasal bone (n = 11), orbit floor (n = 8), and mandibular body (n = 7). Fractures such as Le Fort I (n = 4), naso-orbito-ethmoidal NOE (n = 4) and mandibular ramus (n = 4) were less common. Other types of facial fracture were rare. Thirty patients reported multiple facial fractures. The vast majority of the cases showed a low severity grade FISS score. Fifteen patients suffered polytrauma. The mean hospitalisation time was 8.3 days. As accidents with electric scooters are increasing, it is important to characterise the most frequent facial fractures to improve patient management and encourage the introduction of new road rules., (Copyright © 2024 The British Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The cacao fruit is a rich source of polyphenols, including flavonoids and phenolic acids, which possess significant health benefits. The accurate identification and quantification of these bioactive compounds extracted from different parts of the cacao fruit, such as pods, beans, nibs, and cacao shells, require specific treatment conditions and analytical techniques. This review presents a comprehensive comparison of extraction processes and analytical techniques used to identify and quantify polyphenols from various parts of the cacao fruit. Additionally, it highlights the environmental impact of these methods, exploring the challenges and opportunities in selecting and utilizing extraction, analytical, and impact assessment techniques, while considering polyphenols' yield. The review aims to provide a thorough overview of the current knowledge that can guide future decisions for those seeking to obtain polyphenols from different parts of the cacao fruit.

Introduction: Despite the progress made in multidisciplinary care, there has been little improvement in the oncologic outcomes of oral cavity squamous cell carcinomas (OSCCs). In the latest edition of the TNM staging, "depth of invasion" (DOI) has recently been introduced as one of the criteria for determining the T stage, alongside other factors. DOI is widely recognized as an independent risk factor for nodal metastases and is a crucial consideration in the preoperative staging of OSCCs, along with measurements of tumor thickness (TT). While various diagnostic methods exist for assessing DOI, intraoral ultrasonography (IOUS) has gained popularity for its efficacy in evaluating OSCCs. Methods: This study sought to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy and reliability of ultrahigh-frequency ultrasound (UHFUS) in assessing oral cavity lesions compared to histopathological analysis. Results: The results revealed strong reliability in ultrasonographic measurements (ICC TT: 0.94; ICC DOI: 0.97) and distinct ultrasonographic features specific to different oral pathologies. This highlights the potential of UHFUS as a non-invasive imaging tool for precise diagnostic evaluations. Conclusions: Despite limitations such as a small sample size and focus on specific lesions, these promising results suggest that UHFUS could significantly enhance oral lesion diagnostics. Further research involving larger cohorts is necessary to validate and build upon these initial findings.

Oral Potentially Malignant Disorder (OPMD) is a significant concern for clinicians due to the risk of malignant transformation. Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC) is a common type of cancer with a low survival rate, causing over 200,000 new cases globally each year. Despite advancements in diagnosis and treatment, the five-year survival rate for OSCC patients remains under 50%. Early diagnosis can greatly improve the chances of survival. Therefore, understanding the development and transformation of OSCC and developing new diagnostic methods is crucial. The field of oral medicine has been advanced by technological and molecular innovations, leading to the integration of new medical technologies into dental practice. This study aims to outline the potential role of non-invasive imaging techniques and molecular signatures for the early detection of Oral Malignant and Potentially Malignant Disorders.

For decades, oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) has been one of the most prevalent and mortal cancers worldwide. The gold standard for OSCC diagnosis is still histopathology but this narrative multidisciplinary review has the aim to explore the literature about conventional OSCC prognostic indicators related to the pTNM stage at the diagnosis such as the depth of invasion and the lymphovascular invasion associated with distant metastasis as indicators of poor life expectancy. Despite its multifactorial nature and recognizable precursors, its diagnosis at the early stages is still challenging. We wanted to highlight the importance of the screening as a primary weapon that a stomatologist should consider, intercepting all at-risk conditions and lesions associated with OSCC and its early stages. This narrative review also overviews the most promising imaging techniques, such as CT, MRI, and US-echography, and their application related to clinical and surgical practice, but also the most-investigated prognostic and diagnostic tissue and salivary biomarkers helpful in OSCC diagnosis and prognostic assessment. Our work highlighted remarkable potential biomarkers that could have a leading role in the future. However, we are still far from defining an appropriate and concrete protocol to apply in clinical practice. The hope is that the present and future research will overcome these limitations to benefit patients, clinicians, and welfare.

(1) Background: In surgical procedures for maxillofacial tumours, it is challenging to preserve functional and cosmetic properties in the affected patients. The use of fat grafting is considered as a valuable alternative to overcome postoperative aesthetic asymmetry problems. (2) Methods: In this study, we enrolled thirty patients with parotid gland tumours in which a partial or complete parotidectomy was performed with positioning in the parotid bed of autologous dermis-fat grafts. We evaluated the satisfaction rate of the patients and the objective efficacy in solving the deformity by comparing MRI data before and after surgery. (3) Results: Twenty-six patients showed a satisfying cosmetic result with proper facial symmetry between the affected side and the healthy one. Two patients presented mild postsurgical complications such as haematomas, and two patients reported temporary weakness of the facial nerve related to the parotidectomy. (4) Conclusions: Based on the imaging data obtained via MRI before and after surgery, we can assess that the employment of fat grafts in parotidectomy surgical procedures gives good cosmetic results and does not affect the post operative management and follow up of oncologic patients.

(1) Background: Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaws (MRONJ) is an adverse drug reaction characterized by progressive bone disruption and necrosis in the mandibular and/or maxillary bones. It occurs in individuals who have received antiresorptive drugs without prior radiotherapy. Since its first reported cases in the USA in 2003, extensive literature has emerged worldwide, leading to significant advancements in understanding MRONJ's pathogenesis and management. (2) Results: This article aims to compare the current national recommendations provided by the Italian Society of Maxillofacial Surgery (SICMF)/Italian Society of Oral Pathology and Medicine (SIPMO) and the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS). (3) Conclusions: Historically, the AAOMS advocated for a more conservative approach compared to the Italian guidelines. However, in their 2022 update, the AAOMS adopted a different perspective based on reported evidence, highlighting the advantages of early surgical treatment. Despite resolving some initial controversies, differences still exist between the two sets of recommendations, particularly regarding diagnosis and staging.

Metastases from lung cancer to the oral cavity and to the head and neck generally are very infrequent and usually manifest in advanced stages of the disease. Even more rarely, they are the first sign of an unknown metastatic disease. Nevertheless, their occurrence always represents a challenging situation both for clinicians, in the management of very unusual lesions, and for pathologists, in the recognition of the primary site. We retrospectively studied 21 cases of metastases to the head and neck from lung cancer (sixteen males and five females, age range 43-80 years; eight cases localized to the gingiva [two of these to the peri-implant gingiva], seven to the sub-mandibular lymph nodes, two to the mandible, three to the tongue, one case to the parotid gland; in eight patients, metastasis was the first clinical manifestation of an occult lung cancer) and proposed a wide immunohistochemical panel for a proper identification of the primary tumor histotype, including CK5/6, CK8/18, CK7, CK20, p40, p63, TTF-1, CDX2, Chromogranin A, Synaptophysin, GATA-3, Estrogen Receptors, PAX8, PSA. Furthermore, we collected data from previously published studies and narratively reviewed the relevant literature.

Oral mucositis is a common and most debilitating complication associated with cancer therapy. Despite the significant clinical and economic impact of this condition, there is little to offer to patients with oral mucositis, and the medications used in its management are generally only palliative. Given that mucositis is ultimately a predictable and, therefore, potentially preventable condition, in this study we appraised the scientific literature to evaluate effective methods of prevention that have been tested in randomised controlled trials (RCTs). Published high-level evidence shows that multiple preventative methods are potentially effective in the prevention of oral mucositis induced by radiotherapy, chemotherapy, or both. Anti-inflammatory medications (including benzydamine), growth factors and cytokines (including palifermin), cryotherapy, laser-and-light therapy, herbal medicines and supplements, and mucoprotective agents (including oral pilocarpine) showed some degree of efficacy in preventing/reducing the severity of mucositis with most anticancer treatments. Allopurinol was potentially effective in the prevention of radiotherapy-induced oral mucositis; antimicrobial mouthwash and erythropoietin mouthwash were associated with a lower risk of development of severe oral mucositis induced by chemotherapy. The results of our review may assist in highlighting the efficacy and testing the effectiveness of low-cost, safe preventative measures for oral mucositis in cancer patients.

(1) Background: Oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMD) represent a fundamental challenge for clinicians, considering the possibility of progression into oral epithelial dysplasia (OED) and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Several studies have examined the expression of miRNAs in humans as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers. Among these, miR-21, miR-27b, and miR-181b proved to be promising. This cohort study evaluated the different expressions of those miRNAs in the saliva of patients with OPMD and OSCC. (2) Methods: Patients with a clinical diagnosis of OPMD and/or OSCC were enrolled; saliva samples were collected; miRNAs were extracted and quantified via qRT-PCR was performed. Data were analyzed by subgroups based on the histopathological diagnosis (OSCC and the grade of OED) using the ΔΔCt method. Saliva from 10 healthy donors was used as the control. One-way ANOVA and Kruskal-Wallis tests were performed to assess the differences between groups. (3) Results: 23 patients for the OPMD group (6 with no dysplasia, 7 with low-grade, and 10 with high-grade dysplasia) and 10 with OSCC were analyzed. MiR-21 did not show any variation among groups; miR-27b was under-expressed in dysplastic lesions ( p = 0.046); miR-181b was upregulated in high-grade dysplasia ( p = 0.006), increasing with the degree of dysplasia, and decreasing in OSCCs. (4) Conclusions: Salivary miR-27b and miR-181b could be promising biomarkers for oral dysplasia. Further studies are needed to clarify their feasibility.

Temporary facial nerve palsy after parotid tumor surgery ranges from 14 to 65%, depending on surgery, tumor type, and subsite. The study aimed to evaluate the role of Kabat physical rehabilitation in the outcomes of patients affected by severe facial nerve palsy following parotid gland surgery. The results and clinical data of two groups, Kabat and non-Kabat (control), were statistically compared. Descriptive statistics, the multiple linear regression model, difference in difference approach, and the generalized linear model were used. F-Test, Chi-square test, McFadden R-squared, and adjusted R-squared were used to assess the significance. The results showed that the House-Brackmann (HB) stage of patients who had physiotherapy performed were lower than the control group. The decrease of HB staging in the Kabat group at 3 months was -0.71 on average, thus the probability of having a high HB stage decreased by about 13% using Kabat therapy. The results are statistically significant, and indicated that when the Kabat rehabilitation protocol is performed, mainly in the cases of a high-grade HB score, the patients showed a better and faster improvement in postoperative facial nerve palsy.

Abstract: The compulsory use of helmet by motorcyclists has lowered the incidence of facial trauma, but there are few studies evaluating the effects of different helmet types on such injuries. The authors collected retrospective data from the medical records of 287 motorcyclists presenting facial injuries treated at the maxillofacial surgery department of the "University Magna Graecia" of Catanzaro city in South Italy between 1 January 2007 and 1 August 2018. Patients were wearing 2 types of crash helmets at the time of the trauma, full face ones or open-face ones, and were compared using the Facial Injury Severity Scale (FISS). Those wearing open-face helmet were 3 times more than those wearing full-face helmet, with a higher FISS score.The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of Italy's compulsory helmet law on the change in helmet use and in particular if protection offered by helmets w4as different according to helmet type. The authors correlated the FISS scores among motorcyclists wearing these 2 tipologies of crash helmet., Competing Interests: The authors report no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2020 by Mutaz B. Habal, MD.)

Background: Primary branchiogenic carcinoma (PBC) is an extremely rare and poorly documented disease developed from a brachial cleft cyst., Case: A 51-year-old patient was referred to our unit for an upper neck mass. PBC was confirmed in accordance with Kahfif's diagnostic criteria. Prophylactic selective neck dissection was performed in a second-stage surgery to ensure the complete removal of the neoplasm. Branchiogenic origin with lymphoid tissue was confirmed in the "host cyst" after histological examination and no other tumors were found elsewhere. Regular follow up documented no relapse 12 months after surgery., Conclusions: Although rare, PBC must be suspected in presence of cervical masses, especially in patients older than 40 years. A standardized treatment algorithm still lacks, but prophylactic selective neck dissection could be considered as the first line choice after the diagnosis has been confirmed., (© 2020 The Authors. Cancer Reports published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Soybean is one of the greatest crops in the world, with about 348.7 million tons being produced in 2018. Soybean hull is a by-product produced during the processing of soybean to obtain flour and oil. Though not being actually exploited, it is a source of polyphenols with antioxidant activity. Here, the extraction of polyphenols from soybean hull was performed by means of an alkaline hydrolysis treatment, which was optimized by the response surface methodology. At the optimal region, a total phenolic content of 0.72 g gallic acid equivalents per 100 g of soybean hull was obtained with an antioxidant activity of 2.17 mmoles of Trolox equivalents. Polyphenols responsible for the antioxidant activities were identified by LC-MS, including phenolic acids, anthocyanins, stilbenes, and the two main isoflavones of soybean, daidzein and genistein, in their non-glycosylated form. Other alternative extraction methods based on Aspergillus oryzae fermentation and α-amylase hydrolysis are also proposed., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: To analyze psychological profiles, pain, and oral symptoms in patients with oral lichen planus (OLP)., Materials and Methods: 300 patients with keratotic OLP (K-OLP; reticular, papular, plaque-like subtypes), 300 patients with predominant non-keratotic OLP (nK-OLP; erythematosus atrophic, erosive, ulcerative, bullous subtypes), and 300 controls were recruited in 15 universities. The number of oral sites involved and oral symptoms were recorded. The Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), Total Pain Rating Index (T-PRI), Hamilton Rating Scales for Depression and for Anxiety (HAM-D and HAM-A), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) were administered., Results: The OLP patients, especially the nK-OLP, showed higher scores in the NRS, T-PRI, HAM-D, HAM-A and PSQI compared with the controls (p-value < .001 ** ). A positive correlation between the NRS, T-PRI, HAM-A, HAM-D, and PSQI was found with the number of oral symptoms and number of oral sites involved. Pain was reported in 67.3% of nK-OLP and 49.7% of K-OLP cases with poor correspondence between the site of lesions and the site of the symptoms., Conclusions: Mood disorders are frequently associated with OLP with an unexpected symptomatology correlated with the number of oral symptoms and with the extension of disease suggesting a peripheral neuropathy., (© 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Introduction: The management of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the tongue represents the most demanding treatment planning in head and neck surgery. Ablation followed by free flap reconstruction is considered the gold standard, but not all patients are suitable for this strategy. The aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive view of surgical reconstruction possibilities in patients not eligible for free flaps., Methods: Following PRISMA recommendations, a systematic literature review was conducted searching for original papers that investigated outcomes of patients treated by surgical ablation for tongue SCC followed by reconstruction with local or pedicled flaps. Selected papers were read and data extracted for qualitative analysis., Results: Twenty articles met the inclusion/exclusion criteria. The study design was case series in sixteen papers, cohort study in the remaining four. Four different local flaps (BMM, FAMM, NLIF, SMIF) and four regional flaps have been discussed in included studies (IHF, SFIF, SCM, PMMC)., Conclusion: The improved anatomical knowledge makes local flaps a reliable alternative to free tissue transfer in cases requiring small-/medium-sized defects. Regional flaps still represent cornerstones in reconstruction of the tongue. Ease of execution, costs-to-benefit ratio, low-rate complications, minimal donor site morbidity represent the best advantages choosing local/regional flaps.

A method for the simultaneous determination of three commonly used coccidiostats in chicken liver was developed, comprising a multi-residue QuEChERS (quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged and safe) extraction step, and a liquid chromatography-ultra violet-fluorescence (HPLC-UV/FL) analysis. The QuEChERS extraction was optimized using an experimental design approach that includes a screening step to obtain the critical variables, an optimization step using multiple response surface analysis and the calculation of a desirability parameter. The optimized method was validated with fortified samples, reaching an average recovery of 91% and an overall precision of 5.5% (mean of three analytes at three levels). Limits of detection calculated on fortified samples were 20 µg kg -1 for lasalocid, 15 µg kg -1 for nicarbazin and 120 µg kg -1 for diclazuril. These values resulted at least one order of magnitude lower than the maximum allowed residue limit (MRL) of the studied coccidiostats for chicken liver., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Phenolic compounds are highly valuable products that remain trapped in grape pomace, an abundant winery by-product. Therefore, efficient extraction procedures of these compounds represent a route for grape pomace valorisation. Here we performed a screening of the factors affecting the aqueous enzymatic extraction of phenolic compounds from Syrah grape pomace, including the following independent variables: temperature, pH, pectinase, cellulase and tannase; and a subsequent optimization through response surface methodology. At the optimal region, the enzymatic treatment enhanced the extraction yield of phenolics by up to 66% and its antioxidant capacity by up to 80%, reducing the incubation time and enzyme doses in respect to previous studies. We found that tannase raises the antioxidant capacity of the extract by the liberation of gallic acid, while cellulose favours the liberation of p-coumaric acid and malvidin-3-O-glucoside. We also tested the procedure in different grape pomace varieties, verifying its wide applicability., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The determination of trypsin inhibitor (TI) activity is of importance to evaluate the nutritional value of soybean flours. An analytical method, which involves a continuous spectrophotometric rate determination for trypsin activity against the substrate N-benzoyl-DL-arginine p-nitroanilide, is proposed as an alternative to the standard discontinuous assay. Stopping the reaction with acetic acid and a centrifugation/filtration step to decrease turbidity are not required, thus reducing costs and sample preparation time. The TI activity of different flour samples, determined by both assays, demonstrated to be statistically comparable, irrespective of the TI concentration level. The coefficients of variation of the novel method did not exceed 8% at any concentration level. The curves of progress reaction showed a non-linear behavior in samples without TI. A reduction of incubation time from 10min to 2min increased the method sensitivity and extended its linear range. A more economical, faster and simpler assay was developed., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Room-temperature phosphorescence excitation-emission matrices and multiway methods have been analyzed as potential tools for screening oil samples, based on full matrix information for polyaromatic hydrocarbons. Crude oils obtained from different sources of similar geographic origin, as well as light and heavy lubricating oils, were analyzed. The room-temperature phosphorescence matrix signals were processed by applying multilayer perceptron artificial neural networks, parallel factor analysis coupled to linear discriminant analysis, discriminant unfolded partial least-squares, and discriminant multidimensional partial least-squares (DN-PLS). The ability of the latter algorithm to classify the investigated oils into four categories is demonstrated. In addition, the combination of DN-PLS with residual bilinearization allows for a proper classification of oils containing unsuspected compounds not present in the training sample set. This second-order advantage concept is applied to a classification study for the first time. The employed approach is fast, avoids the use of laborious chromatographic analysis, and is relevant for oil characterization, identification, and determination of accidental spill sources.

The triflates and pivalates of 3 alpha-hydroxymethyl-6-substituted-2,2-dimethylpenam sulfones 3, 5; methyl and benzyl 6-substituted penicillanates 6-9 and 3-exo-methylene-6-substituted-2,2-dimethylpenam sulfone 4 were synthesized. These novel compounds were evaluated as elastase inhibitors using porcine pancreatic elastase. The effects that structural modifications of substituents on C-3 and C-6 in the penam nucleus have on elastase activity were examined and several similarities and distinctions were identified when compared to the reported penicillin esters and amides elastase inhibitors.