Impact of Cold Storage on Bioactive Compounds and Their Stability of 36 Organically Grown Beetroot Genotypes.

In order to exploit the functional properties of fresh beetroot all year round, maintaining the health-benefiting compounds is the key factor. Thirty-six beetroot genotypes were evaluated regarding their content of total dry matter, total phenolic compounds, betalain, nitrate, and total soluble sugars directly after harvest and after cold storage periods of one and four months. Samples were collected from two field experiments, which were conducted under organic conditions in Southwestern Germany in 2017 and 2018. The outcome of this study revealed a significant influence of genotype (p < 0.05) on all measured compounds. Furthermore, significant impacts were shown for storage period on total dry matter content, nitrate, and total phenolic compounds. The medians of nitrate content based on the genotypes studied within the experiment ranged between 4179 ± 1267-20,489 ± 2988 mg kg-1 DW (dry weight), and that for the total phenolic compounds varied between 201.45 ± 13.13 mg GAE 100 g-1 DW and 612.39 ± 40.58 mg GAE 100 g-1 DW (milligrams of gallic acid equivalents per 100 g of dry weight). According to the significant influence of the interactions of storage period and genotype on total soluble sugars and betalain, the decrease or increase in the content of the assessed compounds during the cold storage noted to be genotype-specific. Therefore, to benefit beetroots with retained quality for an extended time after harvest, selection of the suitable genotype based on the intended final use is recommended.

Simulation of the θ' Precipitation Process with Interfacial Anisotropy Effects in Al-Cu Alloys.

The effects of anisotropic interfacial properties and heterogeneous elasticity on the growth and ripening of plate-like θ'-phase (Al2Cu) in Al-1.69 at.% Cu alloy are studied. Multi-phase-field simulations are conducted and discussed in comparison with aging experiments. The precipitate/matrix interface is considered to be anisotropic in terms of its energy and mobility. We find that the additional incorporation of an anisotropic interfacial mobility in conjunction with the elastic anisotropy result in substantially larger aspect ratios of the precipitates closer to the experimental observations. The anisotropy of the interfacial energy shows comparably small effect on the precipitate's aspect ratio but changes the interface's shape at the rim. The effect of the chemo-mechanical coupling, i.e., the composition dependence of the elastic constants, is studied as well. We show that the inverse ripening phenomenon, recently evidenced for δ' precipitates in Al-Li alloys (Park et al. Sci. Rep. 2019, 9, 3981), does not establish for the θ' precipitates. This is because of the anisotropic stress fields built around the θ' precipitates, stemming from the precipitate's shape and the interaction among different variants of the θ' precipitate, that disturb the chemo-mechanical effects. These results show that the chemo-mechanical effects on the precipitation ripening strongly depend on the degree of sphericity and elastic isotropy of the precipitate and matrix phases.

Quantitative Shape-Classification of Misfitting Precipitates during Cubic to Tetragonal Transformations: Phase-Field Simulations and Experiments.

The effectiveness of the mechanism of precipitation strengthening in metallic alloys depends on the shapes of the precipitates. Two different material systems are considered: tetragonal γ'' precipitates in Ni-based alloys and tetragonal θ' precipitates in Al-Cu-alloys. The shape formation and evolution of the tetragonally misfitting precipitates was investigated by means of experiments and phase-field simulations. We employed the method of invariant moments for the consistent shape quantification of precipitates obtained from the simulation as well as those obtained from the experiment. Two well-defined shape-quantities are proposed: (i) a generalized measure for the particles aspect ratio and (ii) the normalized λ2, as a measure for shape deviations from an ideal ellipse of the given aspect ratio. Considering the size dependence of the aspect ratio of γ'' precipitates, we find good agreement between the simulation results and the experiment. Further, the precipitates' in-plane shape is defined as the central 2D cut through the 3D particle in a plane normal to the tetragonal c-axes of the precipitate. The experimentally observed in-plane shapes of γ''-precipitates can be quantitatively reproduced by the phase-field model.

Bioactive Compounds and Total Sugar Contents of Different Open-Pollinated Beetroot Genotypes Grown Organically.

The growing interest of consumers in healthy organic products has increased the attention to the organic production of beetroot. In this regard, six field experiments were conducted in 2017 and 2018 in three different locations under the specific conditions of organic agriculture, and fifteen beetroot genotypes, including one F1 hybrid as a commercial control and one breeding line, were compared regarding the content of the total dry matter, total soluble sugar, nitrate, betalain, and total phenolic compounds in order to investigate the genetic potential of new and existing open-pollinated genotypes of beetroot regarding the content of their bioactive compounds. The results of this study indicated a significant impact of genotype (p < 0.05) on all measured compounds. Furthermore, results revealed a significant influence of the interactions of location × year (p < 0.05) on the beetroot composition, and, thus, the role of environmental conditions for the formation of tested compounds. The total dry matter content (TDMC) of beetroots varied between 14.12% and 17.50%. The genotype 'Nochowski', which possessed the highest total soluble sugar content with 14.67 °Bx (Brix), was among the genotypes with the lowest nitrate content. On the contrary, the cylindrical-shaped genotype 'Carillon RZ' (Rijk Zwaan), indicated the lowest sugar content and the highest nitrate concentration. The amount of total phenolic compounds ranged between 352.46 ± 28.24 mg GAE 100 g-1 DW (milligrams of gallic acid equivalents per 100 g of dry weight) and 489.06 ± 28.24 mg GAE 100 g-1 DW for the red-colored genotypes which is correlated with the high antioxidant capacity of the investigated genotypes. Due to the specifics of the required content of bioactive compounds for various products, the selection of suitable genotypes should be aligned with the intended final utilization.

Agronomic performance of new open pollinated experimental lines of broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. italica) evaluated under organic farming.

In order to develop new open pollinating cultivars of broccoli for organic farming, two experiments were conducted during fall 2015 and spring 2016. This study was aimed at comparing the agronomic performance of eleven new open pollinating breeding lines of broccoli to introduce new lines and to test their seasonal suitability for organic farming. Field experiments were carried out at the organic research station Kleinhohenheim of the University of Hohenheim (Stuttgart-Germany). Different agronomic traits total biomass fresh weight, head fresh weight, head diameter, hollow-stem, fresh weight harvest index and marketable yield were assessed together with commercial control cultivars. The data from both experiments were analyzed using a two-stage mixed model approach. In our study, genotype, growing season and their interaction had significant effects on most traits. Plants belonging to the fall growing season had bigger sizes in comparison to spring with significantly (p< 0.0001) higher biomass fresh weight. Some experimental lines had significant lower head fresh weight in spring in comparison to the fall season. The high temperature during the harvest period for the spring season affected the yield negatively through decreasing the firmness of broccoli heads. The low average minimum temperatures during the spring growing season lead to low biomass fresh weight but high fresh weight harvest index. Testing the seasonal suitability of all open pollinating lines showed that the considered fall season was better for broccoli production. However, the change in yield between the fall and the spring growing season was not significant for "Line 701" and "CHE-MIC". Considering the expression of different agronomic traits, "CHE-GRE-G", "Calinaro" and "CAN-SPB" performed the best in the fall growing season, and "CHE-GRE-G", "CHE-GRE-A", "CHE-BAL-A" and "CHE-MIC" and "Line 701" were best in the spring growing season, specifically due to the highest marketable yield and proportion of marketable heads.

Development of a near-infrared spectroscopy method (NIRS) for fast analysis of total, indolic, aliphatic and individual glucosinolates in new bred open pollinating genotypes of broccoli (Brassica oleracea convar. botrytis var. italica).

This study describes the development of near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) calibration to determine individual and total glucosinolates (GSLs) content of 12 new-bred open-pollinating genotypes of broccoli (Brassica oleracea convar. botrytis var. italica). Six individual GSLs were identified using high-performance-liquid chromatography (HPLC). The NIRS calibration was established based on modified partial least squares regression with reference values of HPLC. The calibration was analyzed using coefficient of determination in prediction (R2) and ratio of preference of determination (RPD). Large variation occurred in the calibrations, R2 and RPD due to the variability of the samples. Derived calibrations for total-GSLs, aliphatic-GSLs, glucoraphanin and 4-methoxyglucobrassicin were quantitative with a high accuracy (RPD=1.36, 1.65, 1.63, 1.11) while, for indole-GSLs, glucosinigrin, glucoiberin, glucobrassicin and 1-methoxyglucobrassicin were more qualitative (RPD=0.95, 0.62, 0.67, 0.81, 0.56). Overall, the results indicated NIRS has a good potential to determine different GSLs in a large sample pool of broccoli quantitatively and qualitatively.

Negative pressure wound therapy for the treatment of sternal wound infections after cardiac surgery.

We retrospectively collected and analysed data from patients with sternal wound infections between 1995 and 2001, which were treated with different wound management strategies, and compared them with our patients from 2002 to 2011, who were treated with the sternal negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT). From 1995 to 2001, a total of 198 patients (group A) with a mean age of 65 ± 10 years developed sternal wound infection (67% deep) after cardiac surgery. Wound management consisted of surgical debridement and immediate sternal closure or open packing. From 2002 to 2011, a total of 326 patients (group B) (71% deep) were managed with NPWT at the time of surgical debridement. Total mortality was 10% in group A and 3·6% in group B. Recurrence rates were 34 and 8·5%, respectively, for the groups A and B. The meantime of NPWT was 11 days. In group B patients, 75% proceeded to sternal closure. With the introduction of NPWT, the treatment of sternal wound infections could be substantially improved. Particularly, the high recurrence rates could be minimised; furthermore, the goal to salvage the sternal bone is facilitated.

A randomized, double-blind comparison of licorice versus sugar-water gargle for prevention of postoperative sore throat and postextubation coughing.

BACKGROUND: One small study suggests that gargling with licorice before induction of anesthesia reduces the risk of postoperative sore throat. Double-lumen tubes are large and thus especially likely to provoke sore throats. We therefore tested the hypothesis that preoperative gargling with licorice solution prevents postoperative sore throat and postextubation coughing in patients intubated with double-lumen tubes. METHODS: We enrolled 236 patients having elective thoracic surgery who required intubation with a double-lumen endotracheal tube. Patients were randomly assigned to gargle 5 minutes before induction of anesthesia for 1 minute with: (1) Extractum Liquiritiae Fluidum (licorice 0.5 g); or (2) Sirupus Simplex (sugar 5 g); each diluted in 30 mL water. Sore throat and postextubation coughing were evaluated 30 minutes, 90 minutes, and 4 hours after arrival in the postanesthesia care unit, and the first postoperative morning using an 11-point Likert scale by an investigator blinded to treatment. RESULTS: The incidence of postoperative sore throat was significantly reduced in patients who gargled with licorice rather than sugar-water: 19% and 36% at 30 minutes, 10% and 35% at 1.5 hours, and 21% and 45% at 4 hours, respectively. The corresponding estimated treatment effects (relative risks) were 0.54 (95% CI, 0.30-0.99, licorice versus sugar-water; P = 0.005), 0.31 (0.14-0.68) (P < 0.001), and 0.48 (0.28-0.83) (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Licorice gargling halved the incidence of sore throat. Preinduction gargling with licorice appears to be a simple way to prevent a common and bothersome complication.

Extended videoscopic robotic thymectomy with the da Vinci telemanipulator for the treatment of myasthenia gravis: the Vienna experience.

Surgical treatment of myasthenia gravis should include the complete resection of the thymus with the whole fatty tissue adherent to the pericardium for immunologic as well as oncologic reasons. The aim of the current study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of robotic approach. A total of 18 patients with myasthenia gravis (mean age 44 years) have been operated robotically via a left-sided approach. Preoperative MGFA (Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America) classification was: Class I n=4, Class IIa n=4, Class IIb n=5, and Class IIIa n=3, IIIb n=2. Total endoscopic resection was feasible in 17/18 patients. One patient had to be converted due to bleeding. In the remaining patients, operative time was 175 min, intensive care unit (ICU) one day, hospital stay four days. In all patients it was possible to perform an extended thymic resection. MGFA post-intervention status after a mean of 18 months follow-up showed complete stable remission n=5, pharmacologic remission n=4, minimal manifestations n=5, unchanged n=1. Complete endoscopic thymus surgery with the da Vinci surgical system enables a complete and extended resection of all thymic tissue in the mediastinum. Due to the minimal trauma, patients can return to full activity within a short time.

Triclosan-coated sutures for the reduction of sternal wound infections: economic considerations.

BACKGROUND: Sternal wound infections are a major complication after cardiac surgery in terms of morbidity and cost increase. To decrease the incidence of infection, we evaluated triclosan-coated sutures for the closure of the sternal incision, as it is known that most of the surgical site infections are related to the incision site. METHODS: From May to December 2005, a total of 479 patients underwent a cardiac surgical procedure. From those, 103 patients were closed with triclosan-coated suture material (cost per patient $30 [in United States dollars]), whereas the remaining 376 patients had their incision closed with noncoated sutures (cost per patient $21). RESULTS: During the study period, 24 patients had superficial (n = 10) or deep (n = 14) sternal wound infections (cost per patient $11,200). All those patients were closed with conventional suture material. In the triclosan group, no wound infection or dehiscence was observed during hospital stay and follow-up visits. CONCLUSIONS: Triclosan-coated sutures might be valuable in the reduction of sternal wound infections and avoid the suture being a risk factor for surgical site infections. The increased cost of the coated suture material has to be weighed against the enormous cost of sternal wound infections caused directly by the cost of care as well as indirectly through the loss of economic productivity.

Primary or delayed closure for the treatment of poststernotomy wound infections?

OBJECTIVE: The methods of primary versus delayed wound closure for the treatment of sternal wound infections after cardiac surgery were retrospectively compared. METHODS: From January 2001 to March 2003, 132 patients (median age 66 years, male to female ratio 88:44) with sternal wound infection after cardiac surgery were treated at our department. After thorough debridement, 35 patients received preconditioning of the wound before implementation of definitive therapy; the remainder (97 patients) were treated with immediate closure. RESULTS: From the 35 patients with preconditioning, 19 patients proceeded to delayed primary closure, whereas the remaining 14 patients were referred to plastic reconstruction with a pectoralis muscle flap. Primary success rate in this group was 100%. In the immediate primary closure group, 33 patients experienced 1 or more therapy failures, resulting in a recurrence rate of 39%. Fifteen patients received a pectoralis muscle flap as definite treatment modality. CONCLUSIONS: Immediate primary closure is associated with a high rate of local infection recurrence. Surgical debridement and conditioning of the wound until resolution of infections with delayed primary closure or plastic reconstruction is suggested as the more appropriate treatment modality, with promising results.

The vacuum-assisted closure system for the treatment of deep sternal wound infections after cardiac surgery.

BACKGROUND: The VAC system (vacuum-assisted wound closure) is a noninvasive active therapy to promote healing in difficult wounds that fail to respond to established treatment modalities. The system is based on the application of negative pressure by controlled suction to the wound surface. The method was introduced into clinical practice in 1996. Since then, numerous studies proved the effectiveness of the VAC System on microcirculation and the promotion of granulation tissue proliferation. METHODS: Eleven patients (5 men, 6 women) with a median age of 64.4 years (range 50 to 78 years) with sternal wound infection after cardiac surgery (coronary artery bypass grafting = 5, aortic valve replacement = 5, ascending aortic replacement = 1) were fitted with the VAC system by the time of initial surgical debridement. RESULTS: Complete healing was achieved in all patients. The VAC system was removed after a mean of 9.3 days (range 4 to 15 days), when systemic signs of infection resolved and quantitative cultures were negative. In 6 patients (54.5%), the VAC system was used as a bridge to reconstructive surgery with a pectoralis muscle flap, and in the remaining 5 patients (45.5%), primary wound closure could be achieved. Intensive care unit stay ranged from 1 to 4 days (median 1 day). Duration of hospital stay varied from 13 to 45 days (median 30 days). In-hospital mortality was 0%, and 30-day survival was 100%. CONCLUSIONS: The VAC system can be considered as an effective and safe adjunct to conventional and established treatment modalities for the therapy of sternal wound infections after cardiac surgery.