A 100-Year Review: Milestones in the development of frozen desserts.

Ice cream has come a long way since the first snow cone was made. Innovations in a variety of areas over the past century have led to the development of highly sophisticated, automated manufacturing plants that churn out pint after pint of ice cream. Significant advances in fields such as mechanical refrigeration, chilling and freezing technologies, cleaning and sanitation, packaging, and ingredient functionality have shaped the industry. Advances in our understanding of the science of ice cream, particularly related to understanding the complex structures that need to be controlled to create a desirable product, have also enhanced product quality and shelf stability. Although significant advances have been made, there remain numerous opportunities for further advancement both scientifically and technologically.

Composition and functionality of whey protein phospholipid concentrate and delactosed permeate.

Whey protein phospholipid concentrate (WPPC) and delactosed permeate (DLP) are 2 coproducts of cheese whey processing that are currently underused. Past research has shown that WPPC and DLP can be used together as a functional dairy ingredient in foods such as ice cream, soup, and caramel. However, the scope of the research has been limited to 1 WPPC supplier. The objective of this research was to fully characterize a range of WPPC. Four WPPC samples and 1 DLP sample were analyzed for chemical composition and functionality. This analysis showed that WPPC composition was highly variable between suppliers and lots. In addition, the functionality of the WPPC varies depending on the supplier and testing pH, and cannot be correlated with fat or protein content because of differences in processing. The addition of DLP to WPPC affects functionality. In general, WPPC has a high water-holding capacity, is relatively heat stable, has low foamability, and does not aid in emulsion stability. The gel strength and texture are highly dependent on the amount of protein. To be able to use these 2 dairy products, the composition and functionality must be fully understood.

Whey protein phospholipid concentrate and delactosed permeate: Applications in caramel, ice cream, and cake.

Whey protein phospholipid concentrate (WPPC) and delactosed permeate (DLP) are 2 coproducts of cheese whey processing that are currently underutilized. Past research has shown that WPPC and DLP can be used together as a functional dairy ingredient in foods such as ice cream, soup, and caramel. However, the scope of the research has been limited to a single WPPC supplier. The variability of the composition and functionality of WPPC was previously studied. The objective of this research was to expand on the previous study and examine the potential applications of WPPC and DLP blends in foods. In ice cream, WPPC was added as a natural emulsifier to replace synthetic emulsifiers. The WPPC decreased the amount of partially coalesced fat and increased the drip-through rate. In caramel, DLP and WPPC replaced sweetened condensed skim milk and lecithin. Cold flow increased significantly, and hardness and stickiness decreased. In cake, DLP and WPPC were added as a total replacement of eggs, with no change in yield, color, or texture. Overall, WPPC and DLP can be utilized as functional dairy ingredients at a lower cost in ice cream and cake but not in chewy caramel.

Relationships Among Rheological, Sensory Texture, and Swallowing Pressure Measurements of Hydrocolloid-Thickened Fluids.

The objective of this study was to examine the relationships among three categories of measurements (rheological, sensory texture, and swallowing pressure) from fluids thickened to two different viscosities with 15 different hydrocolloids. Fluids at viscosities of 300 and 1500 cP (at 30 s(-1)) were targeted because these are the viscosities corresponding to the barium standards used in radiographic dysphagia diagnosis. Within the low viscosity (nectar) fluids (300 cP), the sensory properties thickness, stickiness, adhesiveness, mouth coating, and number of swallows were highly positively correlated with each other and highly positively correlated with the flow behavior index, n value (an indicator of shear-thinning behavior). Within the higher viscosity (thin honey) fluids (1500 cP), the sensory textures of adhesiveness, stickiness, mouth coating, and number of swallows correlated positively with rheological measures of n value. Swallowing pressures measured in the anterior oral cavity correlated negatively with the consistency coefficient k [shear stress/(shear rate) (n) ]. Samples that were more shear thinning (lower n values, higher k values) were generally perceived as less thick, with less adhesive properties (stickiness, adhesiveness, mouthcoating, and number of swallows). This information can be useful for selecting thickeners for people with dysphagia. A desirable thickener for many dysphagic patients would be one that allowed for a safe swallow by being viscous enough to reduce airway penetration, yet pleasant to drink, having the minimal perceived thickness and mouthcoating associated with greater shear thinning.

Importance of recurrence rating, morphology, hernial gap size, and risk factors in ventral and incisional hernia classification.

BACKGROUND: There is limited evidence on the natural course of ventral and incisional hernias and the results of hernia repair, what might partially be explained by the lack of an accepted classification system. The aim of the present study is to investigate the association of the criteria included in the Wuerzburg classification system of ventral and incisional hernias with postoperative complications and long-term recurrence. METHODS: In a retrospective cohort study, the data on 330 consecutive patients who underwent surgery to repair ventral and incisional hernias were analyzed. The following four classification criteria were applied: (a) recurrence rating (ventral, incisional or incisional recurrent); (b) morphology (location); (c) size of the hernial gap; and (d) risk factors. The primary endpoint was the occurrence of a recurrence during follow-up. Secondary endpoints were incidence of postoperative complications. Independent association between classification criteria, type of surgical procedures and postoperative complications was calculated by multivariate logistic regression analysis and between classification criteria, type of surgical procedures and risk of long-term recurrence by Cox regression analysis. RESULTS: Follow-up lasted a mean 47.7 ± 23.53 months (median 45 months) or 3.9 ± 1.96 years. The criterion "recurrence rating" was found as predictive factor for postoperative complications in the multivariate analysis (OR 2.04; 95 % CI 1.09-3.84; incisional vs. ventral hernia). The criterion "morphology" had influence neither on the incidence of the critical event "recurrence during follow-up" nor on the incidence of postoperative complications. Hernial gap "width" predicted postoperative complications in the multivariate analysis (OR 1.98; 95 % CI 1.19-3.29; ≤5 vs. >5 cm). Length of the hernial gap was found to be an independent prognostic factor for the critical event "recurrence during follow-up" (HR 2.05; 95 % CI 1.25-3.37; ≤5 vs. >5 cm). The presence of 3 or more risk factors was a consistent predictor for "recurrence during follow-up" (HR 2.25; 95 % CI 1.28-9.92). Mesh repair was an independent protective factor for "recurrence during follow-up" compared to suture (HR 0.53; 95 % CI 0.32-0.86). CONCLUSIONS: The ventral and incisional hernia classification of Dietz et al. employs a clinically proven terminology and has an open classification structure. Hernial gap size and the number of risk factors are independent predictors for "recurrence during follow-up", whereas recurrence rating and hernial gap size correlated significantly with the incidence of postoperative complications. We propose the application of these criteria for future clinical research, as larger patient numbers will be needed to refine the results.

Moisture and shelf life in sugar confections.

From hardening of marshmallow to graining of hard candies, moisture plays a critical role in determining the quality and shelf life of sugar-based confections. Water is important during the manufacturing of confections, is an important factor in governing texture, and is often the limiting parameter during storage that controls shelf life. Thus, an understanding of water relations in confections is critical to controlling quality. Water content, which is controlled during candy manufacturing through an understanding of boiling point elevation, is one of the most important parameters that governs the texture of candies. For example, the texture of caramel progresses from soft and runny to hard and brittle as the moisture content decreases. However, knowledge of water content by itself is insufficient to controlling stability and shelf life. Understanding water activity, or the ratio of vapor pressures, is necessary to control shelf life. A difference in water activity, either between candy and air or between two domains within the candy, is the driving force for moisture migration in confections. When the difference in water activity is large, moisture migration is rapid, although the rate of moisture migration depends on the nature of resistances to water diffusion. Barrier packaging films protect the candy from air whereas edible films inhibit moisture migration between different moisture domains within a confection. More recently, the concept of glass transition, or the polymer science approach, has supplemented water activity as a critical parameter related to candy stability. Confections with low moisture content, such as hard candy, cotton candy, and some caramels and toffees, may contain sugars in the amorphous or glassy state. As long as these products remain below their glass transition temperature, they remain stable for very long times. However, certain glassy sugars tend to be hygroscopic, rapidly picking up moisture from the air, which causes significant changes that lead to the end of shelf life. These products need to be protected from moisture uptake during storage. This review summarizes the concepts of water content, water activity, and glass transition and documents their importance to quality and shelf life of confections.

Chemotherapy affects the pattern of failure after shear loading of the proximal tibial growth plate.

INTRODUCTION: Tibial bones are shorter and less resistant to shear forces after treatment with doxorubicin, methotrexate, or cisplatin. We investigated the pattern of failure after shear loading of the proximal tibial growth plate in rats treated with these chemotherapeutic agents. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Male Wistar rats from the age of 4 weeks were given doxorubicin intravenously at 15 mg/m2 body surface area (BSA), methotrexate 60 mg/m2 BSA, or cisplatin 7.5 mg/m2 BSA. There was one nontreated control group fed ad libitum an d a diet control group for each drug-treated group. At the age of 13 weeks the tibial bones were dissected. The proximal growth plate was shear loaded to failure in the posteroanterior direction. The pattern of failure through the growth plate was examined. RESULTS: In rats fed ad libitum the failure pattern ran mainly through the transitional zone between proliferating and hypertrophic chondrocytes, but the pattern of failure showed considerable variability. The pattern in rats treated with methotrexate or cisplatin and that in their diet controls were comparable. In rats treated with doxorubicin the fracture ran mainly through the trabecular zone. CONCLUSIONS: Doxorubicin affects the pattern of failure after shear loading of the proximal tibial growth plate, but methotrexate and cisplatin do not. Special attention should be paid to epiphyseal injuries in children treated with doxorubicin.

Factors affecting solubility of calcium lactate in aqueous solutions.

Calcium lactate (CaL2) crystal formation on the surface of cheese continues to be a widespread problem for the cheese industry despite decades of research. To prevent those crystals from forming, it is necessary to keep the concentration of CaL2 below saturation level. The limited data available on the solubility of CaL2 at conditions appropriate for the storage of cheese are often conflicting. In this work, the solubility of L(+)-CaL2 in water was evaluated at 4, 10, and 24 degrees C, and the effects of salt and pH at those temperatures were investigated. The effects of additional calcium and lactate ions on solubility also were studied. The results suggested that temperature and the concentration of lactate ions are the main factors influencing the solubility of CaL2, with the other parameters having limited effect.

Ice cream structural elements that affect melting rate and hardness.

Statistical models were developed to reveal which structural elements of ice cream affect melting rate and hardness. Ice creams were frozen in a batch freezer with three types of sweetener, three levels of the emulsifier polysorbate 80, and two different draw temperatures to produce ice creams with a range of microstructures. Ice cream mixes were analyzed for viscosity, and finished ice creams were analyzed for air cell and ice crystal size, overrun, and fat destabilization. The ice phase volume of each ice cream were calculated based on the freezing point of the mix. Melting rate and hardness of each hardened ice cream was measured and correlated with the structural attributes by using analysis of variance and multiple linear regression. Fat destabilization, ice crystal size, and the consistency coefficient of the mix were found to affect the melting rate of ice cream, whereas hardness was influenced by ice phase volume, ice crystal size, overrun, fat destabilization, and the rheological properties of the mix.

Effects of milk powders in milk chocolate.

The physical characteristics of milk powders used in chocolate can have significant impact on the processing conditions needed to make that chocolate and the physical and organoleptic properties of the finished product. Four milk powders with different particle characteristics (size, shape, density) and "free" milk fat levels (easily extracted with organic solvent) were evaluated for their effect on the processing conditions and characteristics of chocolates in which they were used. Many aspects of chocolate manufacture and storage (tempering conditions, melt rheology, hardness, bloom stability) were dependent on the level of free milk fat in the milk powder. However, particle characteristics of the milk powder also influenced the physical and sensory properties of the final products.

The effect of chemotherapy on the morphology of the growth plate and metaphysis of the growing skeleton.

AIM: To establish the effect of three single chemotherapeutic agents on the growing skeleton, male Wistar rats were studied. METHODS: From the age of 4 weeks the rats were given iv doxorubicin (DOX) 15 mg/m(2) body surface area (BSA), methotrexate (MTX) 60 mg/m(2) BSA or cisplatin (CDDP) 7.5 mg/m(2) BSA. One non-treated control group was fed ad libitum (ad lib) and for every drug-treated group there was a diet-control group. After dissection at 13 weeks of age, morphology of the proximal tibial growth plate and metaphysis were studied. RESULTS: Compared to the ad lib group, DOX significantly decreased and MTX increased growth plate height (P<0.05). CDDP decreased height of the proliferating layer (P<0.05). Trabecular volume was decreased in the DOX and CDDP treated rats compared to the ad lib group (P=0.054). Compared to the diet control group trabecular bone volume was unaffected in the DOX group and decreased in the MTX and CDDP group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Doxorubicin causes growth plate thinning, methotrexate increases growth plate height and cisplatin does not affect growth plate height. All three chemotherapeutic agents decrease the trabecular volume of the proximal tibial metaphysis. Part of the effect of DOX, MTX and CDDP is related to the treatment induced malnutrition.

Effect of cooling rate on nucleation behavior of milk fat--sunflower oil blends.

The effect of cooling rate on the crystallization behavior of mixes of high-melting milk fat fraction (HMF) and sunflower oil (SFO) was studied by following nucleation with laser-polarized turbidimetry. The initial crystals were photographed, and their thermal and polymorphic behaviors, as well as chemical composition, were investigated by calorimetry, X-ray diffraction, and capillary gas chromatography. Activation energies of nucleation were calculated using the Fisher-Turnbull equation. Despite small differences in Mettler dropping points for different ratios of SFO to HMF, induction times were significantly different between samples and were shorter at a slow cooling rate for the same supercooling. Rapidly cooled samples required more time at crystallization temperature to crystallize than slowly cooled samples because molecular organization prior to nuclei formation took place under different conditions. Regardless of cooling rate or composition, all crystals were in the beta' polymorph. However, morphology, thermal behavior, and chemical composition showed differences with cooling rate. Activation free energies of nucleation were of the same order of magnitude as those published for hydrogenated SFO.

Interactions of milk fat and milk fat fractions with confectionery fats.

The objectives of this study were to provide a better understanding of the effects of triacylglycerol (TAG) and non-TAG components (minor lipids) of milk fat on phase and crystallization behavior of binary mixtures of palm kernel oil (PKO) and the physical properties of corresponding compound coatings. Binary mixtures of a fractionated PKO with the different milk fats were examined for melting profiles, crystallization kinetics, and crystalline microstructures, and polymorphic changes during storage. Compound coatings were made with equivalent binary fat mixtures and measured for hardness and bloom formation. Milk fat and milk fat fractions affected crystallization rates of fractionated PKO, depending on the melting point of the fat. High-melting components resulted in more rapid crystallization, whereas the original milk fat and low-melting components inhibited crystallization. The crystal structure (e.g., number, size, shape) of the PKO crystals was influenced significantly by the addition of milk fat fractions and was influenced by the presence or absence of the minor lipids in milk fat. Milk fat and milk fat fractions had a softening effect on fractionated PKO, which was apparent in the binary mixtures as well as the compound coatings. In general, as the solid fat content (at 25 degrees C) of the binary mixtures increased, the hardness of the respective coatings increased. This also was related to an increased rate of bloom formation during storage.

Compositional effects on milk fat crystallization.

Seasonal and regional variability in milk fat composition causes differences in crystallization behavior, which can, for example, result in variability in fractionation efficiency and physical properties of butter. However, the specific compositional causes of variability in milk fat crystallization behavior are still only poorly understood. In this work, the seasonal and regional variations in composition of anhydrous milk fat were analyzed and related to crystallization behavior. Although there were no clear-cut trends in chemical composition (triacylglycerol, fatty acid, and minor lipid profiles) among the milk fats, significant differences in crystallization behavior were observed. For anhydrous milk fat samples made from sweet cream and obtained from the same milk supply through a period of 14 mo, no significant trends in either composition or crystallization behavior were observed. This suggests that seasonal variability of milk fat may be reduced by current feeding strategies in the United States. More detailed examination of the triacylglycerol profiles led to the conclusion that the relative contents of certain triacylglycerol combinations correlated well with crystallization behavior. In particular, the ratio of higher-melting to lower-melting triacylglycerols could be used to predict crystallization behavior. Higher ratios of higher-melting triacylglycerols led to higher crystallization rate.

Effect of single chemotherapeutic agents on the growing skeleton of the rat.

BACKGROUND: To establish the effect of chemotherapeutics on the growing skeleton, male Wistar rats were studied. DESIGN: Between the ages of 4 and 13 weeks the rats were given i.v. doxorubicin 15 mg/m2 body surface area (BSA), methotrexate 60 mg/m2 BSA or cisplatin 7.5 mg/m2 BSA. For each group of drug-treated rats there was a diet-matched control group that was injected with a placebo only. Rats fed ad libitum served as the basic control group for length and weight growth. Body weight and tibial length were measured weekly. Kidney and liver weight were determined at the end of the study. RESULTS: Weight gain and length growth were significantly decreased in the diet controlled groups (P < 0.05). Doxorubicin reduced length growth with 4.12 mm or 18% (P < 0.05). Methotrexate reduced length growth with 1.11 mm or 5% (P < 0.05). Length growth in the cisplatin treated rats did not differ from the diet controls. CONCLUSIONS: Doxorubicin and methotrexate decrease length growth in the rat tibia by, respectively, 18% and 5%. Cisplatin does not affect length growth. The decrease in growth might be a direct effect of doxorubicin and methotrexate on the tibial growth plate and metaphysis, but may be more pronounced due to the malnutrition.

Cannabis (hemp) positive skin tests and respiratory symptoms.

BACKGROUND: We have noted several patients who had rhinitis and/or asthma symptoms when exposed to Cannabis plants in the summer months. Cannabis plants are common in the Midwest. OBJECTIVES: To examine whether Cannabis might be a clinically important allergen, we determined Cannabis pollination patterns in the Omaha area for 5 years, the prevalence of skin test positivity, and the association with respiratory symptoms. METHODS: Airborne Cannabis (and other weed) pollens were collected using a Rotorod air impactor, and pollen counts were done using a standardized protocol. RESULTS: Measurable Cannabis pollen count was not recorded until the last 2 weeks of July. Peak pollination typically occurred during mid- to late-August, and comprised up to 36% of the total pollen counts. Cannabis pollen was not observed after mid-September. To determine the prevalence of skin test positivity, we added Cannabis to the multi-test routine skin test battery. Seventy-eight of 127 patients tested (61%) were skin test positive. Thirty of the 78 patients were randomly selected to determine if they had allergic rhinitis and/or asthma symptoms during the Cannabis pollination period. By history, 22 (73%) claimed respiratory symptoms in the July through September period. All 22 of these subjects were also skin test positive to weeds pollinating during the same period as Cannabis (ragweed, pigweed, cocklebur, Russian thistle, marsh elder, or kochia). CONCLUSIONS: The strong association between skin test reactivity, respiratory symptoms, and pollination period suggests that Cannabis could be a clinically important aeroallergen for certain patients and should be further studied.

Cytoskeletal maturation in cultured hippocampal slices.

We have studied the expression of genes for neuronal microtubule-associated proteins in organotypic hippocampal slice cultures using immunoblotting and polymerase chain reaction combined with reverse transcription on a single-slice basis. We found that for microtubule-associated protein 2 and tau the same developmental transition from embryonic to adult splice variants occurs in the cultures as has been described previously in intact brain. This finding indicates that the maturation profile of these proteins is not determined by extrinsic inputs but by a cell-autonomous programme or local factors within the hippocampus. Our study corroborates previous data for the maturation of hippocampal slice cultures and is also the first biochemical analysis on the level of the neuronal cytoskeleton of this widely used model system for the hippocampus.

Preprotachykinin-A gene expression occurs transiently in the developing rat endocrine pancreas and can be regulated in RINm5F cells.

We have reported previously that the rat insulinoma cell lines, RINm5F and RINr1046-38, express the preprotachykinin(PPT)-A gene, which encodes the tachykinin peptides, substance P and neurokinin A. Because endocrine cells of the adult rat pancreas do not appear to express PPT-A, we investigated whether the gene is expressed by rat pancreatic endocrine cells during development. We used immunohistochemistry, employing different substance P and neurokinin A antibodies, to show that many endocrine cells of the fetal and neonatal rat pancreas synthesise these products of PPT-A gene expression. Colabeling experiments revealed that a significant number of both insulin-containing and non-insulin-containing cells express tachykinins. After postnatal day 20, the number of tachykinin-immunoreactive pancreatic islet cells declines and, as already reported, none were detected in the adult rat pancreas. The transient expression of PPT-A by the developing endocrine pancreas is a novel finding. Substance P and neurokinin A are known to have trophic actions and may serve as growth factors during pancreatic islet development. PPT-A gene expression by RINm5F and RINr1046-38 cells is further evidence that these cells resemble developing pancreatic endocrine cells. They are potentially valuable as unique models for studying the regulation of tachykinin biosynthesis. We provide evidence in this study, using quantitative PPT-A messenger RNA analysis, that PPT-A expression in RINm5F cells may be up-regulated by activation of protein kinase C, down-regulated by activation of glucocorticoid receptors, and is not significantly affected by changes in intracellular cAMP levels.

Characterisation of the expression and post-translational processing of the preprotachykinin-I gene and the regulated release of tachykinins by the RINm5F cell-line.

Normal transcription and postranslational processing of the preprotachykinin (PPT)-I gene and regulated release of substance P and neurokinin A by the rat pancreatic endocrine cell-line, RINm5F, has been demonstrated, using radioimmunoassays (RIAs), reversed-phase (rp)HPLC and Northern blot analysis. This is the first stable cell-line found to express the PPT-I gene and provides an opportunity for investigating PPT-I gene expression and tachykinin biosynthesis. RIN5mF cells are a model for the pancreatic beta-cell, which is not known to exhibit PPT-I gene expression which may, therefore, be a feature of the transformed state of these cells. These data may imply that the tachykinins are important in pancreatic islet embryogenesis.