Minimally Invasive Approach to Ureteral Stricture in Transplant Kidney by Periodic Retrograde Ureteral Stent Placement and Exchange.

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of minimally invasive treatment of ureteral strictures and describe the technique that we used for retrograde placement of ureteral stent in transplant kidneys. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We reviewed the medical cards of all transplant kidney patients with persistent ureteral strictures who were managed with periodical ureteral stent placement and balloon dilatation between 2008 and 2016. Different maneuvers that were used to overcome the difficulties for retrograde ureteral stent placement and exchange were discussed. Clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of the study cohort were analyzed. RESULTS: Between 2008 and 2016, a total of 1026 transplantations were performed in our clinic, and ureteral stricture was found in 13 patients (1.26%). Of the 13 patients, 8 were treated with periodic ureteral stent insertion and balloon dilatation. Ureteral stent insertion or stent exchange was performed in 52 transplant renal units. The overall success rate of retrograde ureteral stent insertion at the first attempt was 75% and stent exchange success rate was 100%. Renal function remained stable in all patients during a median follow-up of 41 months (range, 13-60 months). No other local or systemic complication was encountered and no stent encrustation was noted. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic management of ureteral stricture by periodical retrograde ureteral stent replacement and balloon dilatation is safe, effective, and highly successful in transplant patients who are not eligible for open reconstructive surgery.

Flexible Ureterorenoscopy and Laser Lithotripsy for the Treatment of Allograft Kidney Lithiasis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of flexible ureterorenoscopy (F-URS) and laser lithotripsy for the treatment of allograft kidney lithiasis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In a retrospective analysis of 897 consecutive renal transplantations that were performed at our center between February 2008 and December 2014, 6 patients were found to have allograft lithiasis. F-URS and laser lithotripsy were performed 6 times on 5 patients (twice for 1 patient who had stone recurrence after 6 months). Percutaneous nephrolithotomy was used for the remaining patient. Patient demographics and stone characteristics (age, sex, stone size, stone analysis, location, history of shockwave lithotripsy) and perioperative measures (duration of operation, fluoroscopic imaging, success and complication rates) were reviewed. In addition, the technical difficulties of standard F-URS procedures in transplanted kidneys were reviewed and some facilitative techniques were defined to increase the success rate. RESULTS: A total of 5 patients underwent 6 F-URS procedures and laser lithotripsy operations for renal graft lithiasis. The mean stone size was 9.2 mm (7.5-11 mm). The mean operation and fluoroscopy times were calculated as 55 minutes (40-70 minutes) and 57.5 seconds (40-80 seconds), respectively. Treatment was successful in all patients and no severe complications or mortality occurred. One patient experienced transient hematuria and recovered within 36 hours. CONCLUSION: F-URS is a safe, effective, and minimally invasive treatment modality for small- and medium-sized stones in allograft kidney lithiasis.

Hot and cold water infusion aroma profiles of Hibiscus sabdariffa: fresh compared with dried.

UNLABELLED: Calyxes from the Roselle plant (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) were used to prepare cold (22 °C for 4 h) and hot (98 °C for 16 min) infusions/teas from both fresh and dried forms. Aroma volatiles were extracted using static headspace SPME and analyzed using GC-MS and GC-O with 2 different columns (DB-5 and DB-Wax). Totals of 28, 25, 17, and 16 volatiles were identified using GC-MS in the dried hot extract (DHE), dried cold extract (DCE), fresh hot extract (FHE), and fresh cold extract (FCE) samples, respectively. In terms of total GC-MS peak areas DHE ≫ DCE > FHE ≫ FCE. Nonanal, decanal, octanal, and 1-octen-3-ol were among the major volatiles in all 4 beverage types. Thirteen volatiles were common to all 4 teas. Furfural and 5-methyl furfural were detected only in dried hibiscus beverages whereas linalool and 2-ethyl-1-hexanol were detected only in beverages from fresh hibiscus. In terms of aroma active volatiles, 17, 16, 13, and 10 aroma active volatiles were detected for DHE, DCE, FHE, and FCE samples, respectively. The most intense aroma volatiles were 1-octen-3-one and nonanal with a group of 4 aldehydes and 3 ketones common to all samples. Dried samples contained dramatically higher levels of lipid oxidation products such as hexanal, nonanal, and decanal. In fresh hibiscus extracts, linalool (floral, citrus) and octanal (lemon, citrus) were among the highest intensity aroma compounds but linalool was not detected in any of the dried hibiscus extracts. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Hibiscus teas/infusions are one of the highest volume specialty botanical products in international commerce. The beverage is consumed for both sensory pleasure and health attributes and is prepared a number of ways throughout the world. Although color and taste attributes have been examined, little information is known about its aroma volatiles and no other study has compared extractions from both fresh and dried as well as extraction temperature differences. This is also, apparently, the first study to identify the aroma active volatiles in hibiscus beverages using GC-olfactometry. Manufacturers and consumers will now have a better understanding of why hibiscus teas prepared in different ways from either fresh or dried forms have a different flavor quality and intensity.

Effects of dense phase carbon dioxide pasteurization on the physical and quality attributes of a red grapefruit juice.

Red grapefruit juice was treated with continuous dense phase carbon dioxide (DPCD) equipment to inactivate yeasts and molds and total aerobic microorganisms. A central composite design was used with pressure (13.8, 24.1, and 34.5 MPa) and residence time (5, 7, and 9 min) as variables at constant temperature (40 degrees C), and CO(2) level (5.7%) after experimentally measuring CO(2) solubility in the juice. Five log reduction for yeasts and molds and total aerobic microorganisms occurred at 34.5 MPa and 7 min of treatment. A storage study was performed on the fresh juice DPCD treated at these conditions. degrees Brix, pH, titratable acidity (TA), pectinesterase (PE) inactivation, cloud, color, hue tint and color density, total phenolics, antioxidant capacity, and ascorbic acid were measured after the treatment and during 6 wk storage at 4 degrees C. During storage, the DPCD-treated juice showed no growth of total aerobic microorganisms and yeasts and molds. Cloud increased (91%) while percent PE inactivation was partial (69.17%). No significant (alpha= 0.05) differences were detected between treated and untreated samples for degrees Brix, pH, and TA. Treated juice had higher lightness and redness and lower yellowness. No significant differences (alpha= 0.05) were detected for the hue tint values while the color density value was higher for the treated samples compared to the untreated. The treatment and the storage did not affect the total phenolic content of the juice. Slight differences were detected for the ascorbic acid content and the antioxidant capacity. The experimental results showed evidence that the treatment can maintain the physical and quality attributes of the juice, extending its shelf life and safety.

Microbial inactivation kinetics during high-pressure carbon dioxide treatment: nonlinear model for the combined effect of temperature and pressure in apple juice.

Isobaric and isothermal semi-logarithmic survival curves of natural microflora in apple juice treated with high-pressure carbon dioxide at 7, 13, and 16 MPa pressures and 35, 50, and 60 degrees C temperatures were fitted with a nonlinear equation to find the values of the coefficient b(P), b(T), n(P), and n(T). Profiles of the model parameters were obtained as a function of pressure and temperature. The model fitted with good agreement(R(2) > 0.945), the survival curves. An empirical equation was proposed to describe the combined effects of pressure and temperature. The equation, derived from a power law model, was written in the form: log(10) S(t) = -log(e) [C(0)+C(1) x exp (K(T) x (T-T(C))-C(2) x exp (K(P) x (P-P(C))) x t (C(3)xT(2)+C(4)xT+C(5)). The proposed model fitted the experimental data well. At 7 MPa and 50 and 60 degrees C, 13 MPa and 35 and 60 degrees C, 16 MPa and 35 degrees C, the model provided (log)10 reduction residual values (observed value-fitted value) lower than 0.284 showing a good agreement between the experimental and the predicted survival levels.

Measurement of high-pressure carbon dioxide solubility in orange juice, apple juice, and model liquid foods.

An experimental system to measure the carbon dioxide (CO(2)) solubility in liquids at different pressures was designed and tested. Pressure and temperature were controlled in the system, and the design assured an accurate measurement of solubility. Experimental measurements of CO(2) solubility were performed in pure water, model solutions (ascorbic acid-sugars-water, citric acid-sugars-water), and in commercial orange juice (OJ) and apple juice (AJ), as a function of pressure (7.58 to 15.86 MPa) at constant temperature (40 degrees C). Aspen simulation software was used to predict the solubility in simple cases. All experimental results and predictions from simulations were compared with literature data. Measurements of CO(2) solubility in pure water were not significantly different than the literature. CO(2) solubility (g/100 g of liquid) results in the model liquids and in the juices were lower than for pure water, due to the presence of solutes. The software simulation was able to predict the CO(2) solubility in the model systems at low pressures.

Image analysis based quantification of bacterial volume change with high hydrostatic pressure.

Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images of Staphylococcus aureus 485 and Escherichia coli O157:H7 933 were taken after pressure treatments at 200 to 400 MPa. Software developed for this purpose was used to analyze SEM images and to calculate the change in view area and volume of cells. Significant increase in average cell view area and volume for S. aureus 485 was observed in response to pressure treatment at 400 MPa. Cell view area for E. coli O157:H7 933 significantly increased at 325 MPa, the maximum pressure treatment tested against this pathogen. In contrast to S. aureus, cells of E. coli O157:H7 exhibited significant increase in average view area and volume at 200 MPa. The pressure-induced increase in these parameters may be attributed to modifications in membrane properties, for example, denaturation of membrane-bound proteins and pressure-induced phase transition of membrane lipid bilayer.

Quantifying nonhomogeneous colors in agricultural materials part I: method development.

Measuring the color of food and agricultural materials using machine vision (MV) has advantages not available by other measurement methods such as subjective tests or use of color meters. The perception of consumers may be affected by the nonuniformity of colors. For relatively uniform colors, average color values similar to those given by color meters can be obtained by MV. For nonuniform colors, various image analysis methods (color blocks, contours, and "color change index"[CCI]) can be applied to images obtained by MV. The degree of nonuniformity can be quantified, depending on the level of detail desired. In this article, the development of the CCI concept is presented. For images with a wide range of hue values, the color blocks method quantifies well the nonhomogeneity of colors. For images with a narrow hue range, the CCI method is a better indicator of color nonhomogeneity.

Quantifying nonhomogeneous colors in agricultural materials. Part II: comparison of machine vision and sensory panel evaluations.

The average colors of mangos and apples were measured using machine vision. A method to quantify the perception of nonhomogeneous colors by sensory panelists was developed. Three colors out of several reference colors and their perceived percentage of the total sample area were selected by untrained panelists. Differences between the average colors perceived by panelists and those from the machine vision were reported as DeltaE values (color difference error). Effects of nonhomogeneity of color, and using real samples or their images in the sensory panels on DeltaE were evaluated. In general, samples with more nonuniform colors had higher DeltaE values, suggesting that panelists had more difficulty in evaluating more nonhomogeneous colors. There was no significant difference in DeltaE values between the real fruits and their screen image, therefore images can be used to evaluate color instead of the real samples.

Carbon monoxide treatments to impart and retain muscle color in tilapia fillets.

Carbon monoxide (CO) has been used for improving the color of muscle foods. In the current study, we compared the postmortem treatment of tilapia fillets with 100% CO and euthanasia of live tilapia with CO for their ability to stabilize the color of white and red muscle of tilapia fillets. Both postmortem CO treatment and CO euthanasia were effective in increasing the redness (a* value) and lightness (L* value) of tilapia white and red muscle. Fillets obtained from CO-euthanized tilapia showed significantly higher a* and L* values during 1 mo of frozen storage at -20 degrees C and subsequent thawing and storage at 4 degrees C for 18 d. The amount of CO present in the red and white muscles decreased during the 18 d of storage at 4 degrees C. There was no significant difference in the pH, drip, or thaw loss of CO-treated tilapia fillets compared to the untreated fillets.

Effect of high pressure treatment on the quality of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and mahi mahi (Coryphaena hippurus).

High pressure processing (HPP) is becoming a promising seafood preservation method. The objective was to investigate the effect of HPP on quality of rainbow trout and mahi mahi during cold storage. Skinless fillets treated with different pressures (150, 300, 450, and 600 MPa for 15 min) and stored at 4 degrees C were analyzed at 1, 3, and 6 d storage. Red muscle was analyzed for lipid oxidation products by measuring thiobarbituric reactive substances (TBARS) and whole muscle was analyzed for total aerobic count, texture profile analysis, and color. A pressure of 300 MPa effectively inactivated the initial microbial population in rainbow trout (6-log reduction). However, inactivation of the initial population on mahi mahi was only about 4-log reduction at the same pressure. Microbial growth was significantly retarded after HPP. Color results showed that redness (a* value) of rainbow trout at 300 MPa and above was significantly (P < 0.05) lower compared to mahi mahi. TBARS values for rainbow trout increased with increased pressure, whereas the same trend was not seen for mahi mahi where maximum oxidation was found at 300 MPa and then declined. This study demonstrates the usefulness of HPP in seafood processing and the influence of species variation on processing parameters. The optimum HPP conditions for influencing lipid oxidation, microbial load, and color changes were found to be 300 MPa for rainbow trout and 450 MPa for mahi mahi.

[Contemporary approaches to evaluation of psychosomatic status in patients with alimentary tract diseases].

The authors present the results of psychosomatic status evaluation performed in 159 patients with biliary dyskinesia, chronic gastritis, and somatoform disturbances. The examination was done using questionnaires, scales, and computer methods. Computer diagnostic methods were proved to be most effective and allowed for quantitative evaluation of psychosomatic disturbances in patients with gastrointestinal diseases.

Changes in brown eggshell color as the hen ages.

The color of eggshells from eggs laid by commercial-type Hy-Line brown hens 25 wk of age was studied over a period of 10 mo. Color measurements were made by a color machine vision system and were analyzed using a mixed model to calculate between and within hen variances and to investigate the effect of time on shell color. Hens laid eggs with lighter colored shells as the flock aged, as evidenced by the lightness (L*) values increasing in time. A decrease in pigmentation was associated with a decrease in the amount of redness (a*) in the eggshell. When L* and a* values were corrected for egg weight, the rate of change in the L* and a* values decreased, indicating that size of the egg was a major factor affecting the color of the eggshell. These findings quantified the observations that older hens lay lighter colored eggs due to an increase in egg size associated with no proportionate change in the quantity of pigment deposited over the shell surface. Using a 2-stage sampling analysis and the variances between and within hens, sample sizes required to estimate the color of eggshells within 5% of the true mean were calculated. Accordingly, 11 eggs would need to be collected from each of the 51 hens housed for a study of brown eggshell color using the L*, a*, and b* (yellowness) coordinates.

Input and central processing expressed in ERP and heart rate changes to rare target and rare nontarget stimuli.

Whether late positive components of event-related potentials (ERPs) parallel changes in heart rate (HR) indicative of attention/orienting to rare stimuli has been debated. In the present study, a three-stimulus design was used, with rare target, rare nontarget, and frequent standard stimuli delivered under identical conditions except that instructions to subjects described the targets to which subjects should respond but did not describe the nontargets. In Experiment 1, stimuli varied among modalities; in Experiment 2, auditory stimuli were employed. Both ERPs and HR were consistent with automatic processing preceding two stages of controlled processing. Rare stimuli evoked larger parietal P300 and initial HR deceleration than standards. Presumably because of load-reducing effects of long interstimulus intervals, targets and nontargets were not distinguished before a late slow wave and a late phase of HR acceleration. Neither rare stimulus elicited a recognizable frontal P3a.

Lateral asymmetries in infant melody perception.

Two experiments investigated lateral asymmetries in infants' perception of contour-altered and contour-preserved melody changes. In the first study, 40 infants (8.5 months old) of right-handed parents were trained to respond to binaural melody changes with a head turn toward mechanized toy reinforcers. The subsequent test phase included monaural left-ear and right-ear presentations of the familiar melody and of a changed melody. Infants who heard a contour-altered change showed a left-ear advantage, whereas infants who heard a contour-preserved change showed a right-ear advantage. These effects were replicated with a different set of melodies in the second study. The pattern of lateralization for detection of melody changes in infants of right-handed parents resembles that previously found in right-handed adults and may reflect more general hemispheric processing differences in the early organization of auditory information processing.

Do words facilitate object categorization in 9-month-old infants?

Previous research reveals that novel words highlight object categories for preschoolers and infants as young as 12 months. Three experiments extend these findings to 9-month-olds. Infants were familiarized to slides of animals (e.g., rabbits). Infants in the Word condition heard infant-directed word phrases ("a rabbit") and infants in the Tone condition heard tones. During familiarization, infants' visual fixation was enhanced on trials with sounds (either words or tones), relative to silent trials. On test trials, a new exemplar from the familiar category (e.g., rabbit) was paired with a novel animal (e.g., pig). Infants in the Word condition showed greater attention to novelty than those in the Tone condition. A third group of infants who heard content-filtered words responded similarly to infants in the Word condition. Implications of the facilitative effects of words and content-filtered words on object categorization are discussed within a framework describing infants' emerging appreciation of language over the first year of life.

Affective influences on startle in five-month-old infants: reactions to facial expressions of emotions.

Convergent methodologies from studies of fear-potentiated startle in animals and studies of affective modulation of reflex blinks in humans were adapted in order to investigate infants' sensitivity to affective information conveyed by facial expressions of emotion. While 5-month-old infants viewed photographic slides of faces posed in happy, neutral, or angry expressions, a brief acoustic noise burst was presented to elicit the blink component of human startle. Blink size was augmented during the viewing of angry expressions and reduced during happy expressions. Infants did not show marked changes in behavioral reactions to the positive, neutral, and negative slides, although motor activity was slightly reduced during negative slides. Results suggest that, by 5 months, infants react to affective information conveyed by unfamiliar human faces. Potential mechanisms mediating the influence of affective stimuli on reflex excitability are considered.

Salience of fear/threat in the affective modulation of the human startle blink.

Affective valence modulates the magnitude of the human startle blink such that blinks are reduced by positive affect and enhanced by negative affect. Do different negative contents similarly potentiate startle? Our first study compared the effects of slides selected to depict positive, neutral, frightening, or disgusting scenes. Blink magnitude was significantly facilitated during frightening pictures and attenuated during positive pictures, but blinks during disgusting pictures did not differ from the neutral condition. Replicating previous work, skin conductance magnitude and baseline EMG activity were greater during affective than neutral scenes. In an additional group of 12 subjects, both reaction times for whether slide content was positive or negative and subsequent picture recall were similar for frightening and disgusting pictures. A follow-up study replicated the blink results for subjects who viewed the same picture set and for subjects who viewed only positive, neutral, and disgusting pictures. These results suggest that scenes depicting fear or threat may be especially salient in the affective augmentation of human startle.

Autonomic correlates of illness imagery.

Psychophysiological responses to imagery of self-relevant illness threats were examined for high and low extreme groups of hypervigilants and health care utilizers. Heart rate, skin conductance, and respiration were the physiological measures recorded; self-reports of perceived illness vulnerability, negative affect, image clarity, and image realness were the psychological measures obtained. Responses to neutral, exercise, and illness threat scenes were compared. Hypervigilants showed an increased heart rate response to imagery of illness scenes, whereas all other groups returned more quickly to baseline levels. The results are similar to those reported by Lang for snake phobics. They also lend some support to Horowitz's theory of intrusive imagery, in which self-relevant, anxiety-provoking events tend to continuously intrude upon one's thoughts, and this intrusive imagery was reflected cardiovascularly. There could be several possible underlying mechanisms for these findings.