Chemical and physical changes induced by cold plasma treatment of foods: A critical review.

Cold plasma treatment is an innovative technology in the food processing and preservation sectors. It is primarily employed to deactivate microorganisms and enzymes without heat and chemical additives; hence, it is often termed a "clean and green" technology. However, food quality and safety challenges may arise during cold plasma processing due to potential chemical interactions between the plasma reactive species and food components. This review aims to consolidate and discuss data on the impact of cold plasma on the chemical constituents and physical and functional properties of major food products, including dairy, meat, nuts, fruits, vegetables, and grains. We emphasize how cold plasma induces chemical modification of key food components, such as water, proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, vitamins, polyphenols, and volatile organic compounds. Additionally, we discuss changes in color, pH, and organoleptic properties induced by cold plasma treatment and their correlation with chemical modification. Current studies demonstrate that reactive oxygen and nitrogen species in cold plasma oxidize proteins, lipids, and bioactive compounds upon direct contact with the food matrix. Reductions in nutrients and bioactive compounds, including polyunsaturated fatty acids, sugars, polyphenols, and vitamins, have been observed in dairy products, vegetables, fruits, and beverages following cold plasma treatment. Furthermore, structural alterations and the generation of volatile and non-volatile oxidation products were observed, impacting the color, flavor, and texture of food products. However, the effects on dry foods, such as seeds and nuts, are comparatively less pronounced. Overall, this review highlights the drawbacks, challenges, and opportunities associated with cold plasma treatment in food processing.

Reconstruction of Orbital Exenteration Defects with Cross-median Forehead Flaps.

The aim of this study was to examine the role of forehead flaps in the reconstruction of orbital defects after exenteration. Patients undergoing orbital exenteration and reconstruction using median forehead flaps from January 2002 to August 2019 were enrolled in this retrospective study. All the patients were evaluated for wound complications, functional results, and tumor relapse. In total, 105 patients completed the study. Twenty-nine complications in 24 of these patients were assessed. The most common complications were wound dehiscence (11%), partial necrosis of the flap (6%), and bleeding (4%). A major complication occurred in two patients (2%), necessitating surgical correction. Only one patient had a local relapse. Sixty patients received osseointegrated implants, and 58 of them were treated with facial prostheses. The follow-up periods ranged from 6 to 189 months. Thus, forehead flap reconstruction after exenteration is a reliable method with a low complication rate. This technique can be used for primary or secondary reconstruction, and excellent long-term functional results can be achieved. A relapse-oriented follow-up is certainly possible.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) delivery approaches in regenerative medicine.

The utilization of growth factors in the process of tissue regeneration has garnered significant interest and has been the subject of extensive research. However, despite the fervent efforts invested in recent clinical trials, a considerable number of these studies have produced outcomes that are deemed unsatisfactory. It is noteworthy that the trials that have yielded the most satisfactory outcomes have exhibited a shared characteristic, namely, the existence of a mechanism for the regulated administration of growth factors. Despite the extensive exploration of drug delivery vehicles and their efficacy in delivering certain growth factors, the development of a reliable predictive approach for the delivery of delicate growth factors like Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) remains elusive. VEGF plays a crucial role in promoting angiogenesis; however, the administration of VEGF demands a meticulous approach as it necessitates precise localization and transportation to a specific target tissue. This process requires prolonged and sustained exposure to a low concentration of VEGF. Inaccurate administration of drugs, either through off-target effects or inadequate delivery, may heighten the risk of adverse reactions and potentially result in tumorigenesis. At present, there is a scarcity of technologies available for the accurate encapsulation of VEGF and its subsequent sustained and controlled release. The objective of this review is to present and assess diverse categories of VEGF administration mechanisms. This paper examines various systems, including polymeric, liposomal, hydrogel, inorganic, polyplexes, and microfluidic, and evaluates the appropriate dosage of VEGF for multiple applications.

Processed meat products and snacks consumption in ADHD: A case-control study.

OBJECTIVE: Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has been linked to "unhealthy" food consumption, but the studies in this area are insufficient. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between ADHD/related symptoms and processed meat products and snack consumption. METHODS: This study was conducted on 390 children aged between 6 and 17 with 169 ADHD (38 Girls, 131 Boys) and 221 healthy controls (93 Girls, 128 Boys). Food consumption was evaluated by a modified food frequency questionnaire, including 18 food containing processed meat products and snacks. ADHD symptoms were evaluated by the teacher and parent Turgay DSM-IV-Based Child and Adolescent Disruptive Behavioral Disorders Screening and Rating Scale (T-DSM-IV-Scale) and Conners' Rating Scale (CPRS, CTRS). RESULTS: Children with ADHD consumed more processed meat products, milk-based desserts, and chocolate-sweets than controls (p<0.05). A positive correlation was observed between the ADHD symptom scores and the consumption amount of all snacks, the amount of chocolate-sweets consumption, the frequency of consumption of sujuk, chocolate, jelly beans, sweets, cakes, and chocolate spread (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Children with ADHD consume more foods rich in saturated fat and sugar than their healthy peers. Processed food consumption of children with ADHD may be associated with ADHD symptoms.

An evaluation of IR spectroscopy for authentication of adulterated turmeric powder using pattern recognition.

Turmeric powder is a widely consumed spice, making it an attractive target for adulteration, which is not easily detected. The study examined the simultaneous use of IR spectroscopy in combination with controlled (PCA) and uncontrolled (PLS-DA and CMCA) pattern recognition techniques to detect and classify Sudan Red, starch and metanil yellow fraud in turmeric powder nondestructively. The results showed that the two major peaks in turmeric powder at 1625 cm-1 and 1600 cm-1 are not present in Sudan Red, starch and metanil yellow because these materials lack this functional group. Data distribution at the two PC locations showed clearly scattered clusters according to the four mixing studied models (turmeric powder, turmeric powder-Sudan Red mixture, turmeric powder-starch mixture and turmeric powder-metanil yellow mixture), but there was a clear overlap between turmeric powder and turmeric powder - Sudan red mixture. Both PLS-DA and SIMCA supervised methods showed satisfactory discrimination. The results also showed that in all the sample groups, when the samples were classified by PLS-DA, the values were higher compared to the SIMCA model. The overall precision of the SIMCA and PLS-DA classifier were 82% and 92%, respectively. However, when considering only two main categories adulterated (the samples at the groups 2, 3 and 4) and pure (the samples at the group 1), an acceptable degree of separation between the resulting classes was obtained. Consequently, IR spectroscopy with pattern recognition methods was found to be a promising tool for nondestructive grouping of turmeric powder samples with different types of adulteration in turmeric powder.

Determination of texture properties of banana fruit cells with an atomic force microscope: A case study on elastic modulus and stiffness.

Characterization of biological materials with their elasto-mechanical properties is considered essential for understanding their nature. In addition, elasto-mechanical studies at the macroscale are frequently used to determine these characteristics by a resistance measurement such as the Magness-Taylor penetration test or compression test using an Instron Universal Mechanical Testing Machine. In this regard, the atomic force microscopy (AFM) was presented as a new method for identifying the alterations of elasto-mechanical properties at a nanoscale. Therefore, the present study estimated the elastic modulus and stiffness of the cell walls which were isolated from the banana mesocarp with AFM-based nanoindentation. Then, the elastic modulus of a cell and stiffness were determined by analyzing the force-separation curves using the theory of Hertz and the mechanics of Sneddon. Using two tips of the distinct radius of the curvature (10 and 10,000 nm), it was revealed that the tip geometry significantly affected the measured elasto-mechanical properties. Further, the elastic modulus was around 95 ± 45 and 18.5 ± 12.5 kPa for the sharper tip (R = 10 nm) and a bead (R = 10,000 nm) tips, respectively. Furthermore, a large variability was considered regarding the elasto-mechanical property (>100%) among the cells which were sampled from the same region in the fruit. Therefore, the AFM can be highly suitable for evaluating the structure-related properties of biological materials at the cellular and subcellular scales by combining nano elasto-mechanical properties with topography imaging.

Interaction of FKBP5 variant rs3800373 and city living alters the neural stress response in the anterior cingulate cortex.

Psychosocial stress effects of urban living are associated with substantially increased risk for schizophrenia, mood and anxiety disorders, by altering stress-induced activity in the amygdala and pregenual anterior cingulate cortex (ACC). Genetic factors are likely to modulate the impact of city living on stress processing. Growing evidence suggests a key role of FKBP5, a co-chaperone regulating the glucocorticoid receptor sensitivity, in the etiology of stress-related disorders. Here we investigated the interaction of city living and genetic variation in FKBP5 (rs3800373) on neural activity in stress-sensitive brain systems. Functional magnetic resonance imaging was performed in 31 healthy young adults using the Montreal Imaging Stress Task. Subjects were divided into groups depending on the number of inhabitants of their current residency. There was a significant main effect of city living on neural activity in the amygdala-hippocampus complex, replicating prior findings. Moreover, we found an interaction between rs3800373 and city living modulating responses in the bilateral subgenual ACC and right pregenual ACC. Specifically, only city dwellers carrying the FKBP5 minor risk allele showed increased stress responses in the subgenual and pregenual ACC when compared to those living in small towns. A significant gene-environment interaction on neural stress responses in the amygdala or hippocampus was only found in FKBP5 major allele carriers. These results point to a potential role of the FKBP5 rs3800373 minor risk allele in predisposing those who live in bigger cities to changes of functional responsivity in the pre- and subgenual ACC, thereby increasing the risk for developing stress-related mental disorders.

Experimental study on classical and metaheuristics algorithms for optimal nano-chitosan concentration selection in surface coating and food packaging.

In this study the Lagrange interpolation optimization algorithm based on two variables with respect to all experimental replicates (POA), was compared with two other heuristics methods (WOA and GOA). Modification of the apple surface by an edible nano coating solution in food packaging was used as case study. The experiment was performed as a factorial test based on completely randomized design by 100 permutations data sets. Results showed a significant difference between the three optimization methods (POA, WOA and GOA) which indicates the necessity of optimization and also efficiency of the present POA. The optimum result by POA, similar to a rose petal property, could rise 72% in surface contact angle (CA). The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images of the derived surfaces showed almost a uniform spherical nanoparticles morphology. Remarkable advantages of this new approach are no additional material requirement, healthful, easy, inexpensive, fast and affordable technique for surface improvement.

Modeling oxygen and organic matter concentration in the intensive rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) rearing system.

Dissolved oxygen (DO) as one of the most fundamental parameters of water quality plays a vital role in aquatic life. This study was conducted to predict DO, biological oxygen demand (BOD), and chemical oxygen demand (COD) in an intensive rainbow trout rearing system with different biomass (B). The multilayer perceptron (MLP) and the radial basis function (RBF) neural networks were employed for evaluating the impacts of food parameters (crude protein (CP), consumed feed (CF)), fish parameters (different values of B, and weight gain (WG)), and water quality parameters including temperature (T) and flow rate (Q) on variation of DO, BOD, and COD concentrations. This study's results showed that although both MLP and RBF neural networks are capable to estimate DO, BOD, and COD concentrations, RBF neural network showed better performance compared to MLP neural network. The results of sensitivity analysis indicated that the parameter CF has the highest effect on DO concentration estimation. Independent variables CF, CP, WG, and B showed the highest to the lowest rank of impacts on BOD estimation, respectively. The results also illustrated a decreasing trend of the effects on the estimation error of COD changes simulation by all independent variables, including B, T, WG, CF, CP, and Q, respectively. RBF neural network based on better stability and generalization ability with average root mean square error (RMSE) and mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) values of less than 0.12 and 3% was superior to MLP in DO, BOD, and COD concentration prediction. Moreover, CF was identified as the most effective factor in estima12tion process. Based on the present study results, there are direct relationships between DO, BOD, and COD concentrations and water quality parameters, fish parameters, and food parameters. Food parameters relative to fish and water quality parameters imposed the greatest effects. Improvement in feeding process such as application of intelligence feeding methods and change in fish diet and feeding time can considerably reduce losses in production system. Graphical abstract.

Priapism With Methylphenidate Use in a Preschool-Aged Boy Resolved With Switching to Atomoxetine.

BACKGROUND: Priapism is a persistent unwanted erection that is not linked with sexual stimulation. A number of previous case reports have shown priapism with methylphenidate (MPH) use, especially in adolescence and preadolescence period. In all of these cases, the unwanted erections ceased after the medication was discontinued and no further attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder medication was initiated. Hereby, we present the case of a boy who had priapism episodes with MPH, which resolved with switching to atomoxetine (ATX). CASE REPORT: A 5-year, 10-month-old medically healthy boy was diagnosed with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and was prescribed methylphenidate immediate-release (10 mg/d). Two weeks later, his family communicated and reported penile erection episodes since the initiation of MPH. With the suspect of a medication-induced adverse reaction, MPH was discontinued and priapism resolved within a week. Thereafter, 10 mg/d of ATX was initiated. Four-week follow-up with ATX treatment revealed that the medication was tolerated well, and priapism or any other adverse effect was not reported. CONCLUSIONS: This case report suggests that ATX may be safely used in some children who experienced priapism with MPH. Future studies are needed to clarify the risk factors and etiologic mechanisms of this adverse reaction.

Integrated 68Gallium Labelled Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen-11 Positron Emission Tomography/Magnetic Resonance Imaging Enhances Discriminatory Power of Multi-Parametric Prostate Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

PURPOSE: To evaluate diagnostic accuracy of integrated 68Gallium labelled prostate-specific membrane antigen (68Ga-PSMA)-11 positron emission tomography (PET)/MRI in patients with primary prostate cancer (PCa) as compared to multi-parametric MRI. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 22 patients with recently diagnosed primary PCa underwent clinically indicated 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT for initial staging followed by integrated 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/MRI. Images of multi-parametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI), PET and PET/MRI were evaluated separately by applying Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System (PIRADSv2) for mpMRI and a 5-point Likert scale for PET and PET/MRI. Results were compared with pathology reports of biopsy or resection. Statistical analyses including receiver operating characteristics analysis were performed to compare the diagnostic performance of mpMRI, PET and PET/MRI. RESULTS: PET and integrated PET/MRI demonstrated a higher diagnostic accuracy than mpMRI (area under the curve: mpMRI: 0.679, PET and PET/MRI: 0.951). The proportion of equivocal results (PIRADS 3 and Likert 3) was considerably higher in mpMRI than in PET and PET/MRI. In a notable proportion of equivocal PIRADS results, PET led to a correct shift towards higher suspicion of malignancy and enabled correct lesion classification. CONCLUSION: Integrated 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/MRI demonstrates higher diagnostic accuracy than mpMRI and is particularly valuable in tumours with equivocal results from PIRADS classification.

Spectral Beam Shaping in Unenhanced Chest CT Examinations: A Phantom Study on Dose Reduction and Image Quality.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine the optimal tube potential for unenhanced chest computed tomographies (CTs) with age-related phantoms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three physical anthropomorphic phantoms (newborn, 5-year-old child, and adult) were scanned on a third-generation dual-source CT using CAREkV in semi-mode and CAREDose4D (ref. KV: 120; ref. mAs 50). Scans were performed with all available tube potentials (70-150 kV and Sn150 kV). The lowest volume computed tomography dose index (CTDIvol) was selected to perform additional Sn100-kV scans with matched and half (Sn100-half) CTDIvol value. Image quality was evaluated on the basis of contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR). RESULTS: For the newborn phantom, 70-110 kV was selected as the optimal range (0.36-0.37 mGy). Using Sn150 kV led to an increase in radiation dose (0.75 mGy) without improving CNR (96.9 vs 101.5). Sn100-half showed a decrease in CNR (73.1 vs 101.5). The lowest CTDIvol for the child phantom was achieved between 100 and 120 kV (0.78-0.80 mGy). Using Sn150 kV increased radiation dose (1.02 mGy) without improvement of CNR (92.4 vs 95.8). At Sn100-half CNR was decreased (61.4 vs 95.8). For adults, 140 and 150 kV revealed the lowest CTDIvol (2.68 and 2.67 mGy). The Sn150 kV scan delivered comparable CNR (54.4 vs 56.6), but a lower CTDIvol (2.08 mGy). At Sn100-half CNR was comparable to the 150 kV scan (58.1 vs 56.6). CONCLUSION: Unenhanced chest CT performed at 100 kV or 150 kV with tin filtration enables radiation dose reduction for the adult phantom, but not for the pediatric phantoms.