1,721,010 research outputs found
The good health of Bacchus : melatonin in grapes, the unveiled myth
No full textThe first detection of melatonin in grapes appeared in 2006 with the questioning title 'Melatonin content in grape: myth or panacea?'. Then, in a Letter to the Editor of Journal of Pineal Research, the lead journal covering all aspects of physiology, pathophysiology and endocrinology of melatonin in vertebrates (and all other species), dated 2009, panacea triumphed on myth (the title was 'Melatonin in grape, not just a myth, maybe a panacea') (Iriti, 2009). This meant that, despite the preliminary and incomplete reports regarding melatonin in grapes, a new tessera was added to the mosaic of the complex grape chemistry, further substantiating the health potential of grape products. Since then, melatonin and its isomers were detected both in red and white wines, and a number of exciting papers elucidated that both endogenous and exogenous factors may influence the biosynthesis and accumulation of these indoleamines in grapevine tissues and organs, namely varietal differences, phenological stages, day-night cycle and agrochemical treatments. Probably and similar to polyphenols and other secondary metabolites, many other environmental parameters may regulate melatonin production in grapevine, including climatic conditions, plant-microbe interactions and agricultural practices. On the other hand, because of the paucity of data on the physiological and pathophysiological roles of melatonin in grapevine, we can only hypothesize: from studies on other plants, we predict melatonin is involved in protection from oxidative and abiotic stresses
Is There any Relationship Between the Type of Alcoholic Beverage and Oral Cancer? : Focus on Red Wine in an European Perspective
Get PDFSince decades, it has been suggested that regular, moderate consumption of red wine, a major component of Mediterranean diet, at main meals, may contribute to explain the healthy properties attributed to this traditional dietary style. Despite preclinical in vitro/in vivo data have shown many significant pharmacological activities of grape phytochemicals, mostly polyphenols, evidence in humans is still debated. This lack of consensus may be due to the equilibrium between the two main components of wine relevant for health: alcohol and phytochemicals. Because ethanol is a major risk factor in oral carcinogenesis, in this commentary, we briefly discuss the relationship between the type of alcoholic beverage and oral cancer in European countries
Macchie bianche o leucoplachia? Quando preoccuparsi?
No full textMaterials and methods. Three main international databases (PubMed, Embase and Scopus) were consulted to retrieve relevant articles on this issue.Results and conclusions. Several oral conditions may appear as "white lesions" on oral mucosa, without necessarily being referred to leukoplakia, nor associated to a higher risk of malignant transformation. Clinicians are therefore expected to formulate appropriate differential diagnoses as well as to manage these patients. The most complex cases will be referred to oral medicine specialists and explanations will be given as to the nature of leukoplakia and the relevant treatment options, currently still under debate in the international scientific community.Objectives. Oral leukoplakia is a quite frequent lesion of the oral mucosa, easily detectable during dental practice. The World Health Organization includes this condition among potentially malignant disorders, exposing patients to a significant risk of developing oral cancer. The purpose of the present monograph is to provide the dentist with the necessary tools for proper diagnosis and management of patients affected by leukoplakia
Grape bioactives for human health
No full textThe grape is one of the most valuable crop in the world, mainly produced in the European Mediterranean countries. Grape phytochemistry is quite complex due to hundreds of phytochemicals occurring in the berry tissues, including polyphenols. Grape seed extracts, rich in proanthocyanidines, resveratrol and grape juice are the most extensive grape polyphenols and products investigated as cardioprotective agents, both for primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular diseases. From the available data, it seems that their administration may exert health benefits, by reducing the levels of a number of markers of cardiovascular risk. However, the paucity of biokinetics data on metabolism and bioavailability of grape polyphenols in healthy subjects as well as in patients at risk of or with cardiovascular diseases represents a major drawback of the research in the field of grape bioactives for human health
Tissue-engineered skin substitutes : an overview
No full textExtensive skin loss and chronic wounds are still a significant challenge to clinicians: even if injured epidermis is normally able to self-renew, deep injuries can cause negative regulation of the wound healing cascade, leading to chronic wound formation. Skin-autografting surgical procedures are often limited by the poor availability of healthy tissue, whereas the use of non-self-tissues for allografts presents some severe risks. Tissue-engineered skin substitutes have recently become viable as a suitable alternative to auto- and allografts. However, biologists, biochemists, and technical engineers are still struggling to produce complex skin substitutes that can readily be transplanted in large quantities. The ambitious goal is now to construct a dermoepidermal substitute that rapidly vascularizes and optimally supports a stratifying epidermal graft on a biodegradable matrix. This review analyzes these aspects in light of the available literature and the authors' experience
Degradable polymers may improve dental practice
No full textThe use of biomaterials in dentistry is more widespread than in any other medical field in terms of both amount and variety. Most of them were not originally designed for dental applications but for other medical applications or, sometimes, for no medical purposes. Among these materials, biodegradable materials play an important role, especially in bone regeneration and in periodontal surgery. This paper briefly reviews some degradable polymers developed as tools for the treatment of periodontal and bone diseases. We discuss materials previously applied in other industrials contexts, such as polyesters, methylcellulose, and chitosan and we provide perspectives for their use in periodontal regeneration
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