Monitoring cheese ripening by single-sided nuclear magnetic resonance.

The noninvasive, longitudinal study of products and food processing is of interest for the dairy industry. Here, we demonstrated that single-sided nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) can be used for noninvasive monitoring of the cheese ripening process. The maturation of soft-ripened Camembert-like molded cheese samples was monitored for 20 d measuring 1-dimensional and 2-dimensional NMR relaxation and diffusion data at various depths, ranging from the hard surface layer to the soft center. Gelation and gel shrinkage were observed throughout ripening, and a complete loss of free water signal was observed at the cheese rind. Transversal (T2) relaxation distributions include 3 components that evolve with ripening time and position, corresponding to water inside the casein gel network, water trapped in casein, and fat. Two-dimensional T1-T2 relaxation experiments provided enhanced resolution of the 3 components, allowing quantification of the relative proportions of each phase. Furthermore, diffusion (D)-T2 relaxation correlation experiments revealed the bimodal size distribution of fat globules. The study demonstrated that single-sided NMR can provide spatially resolved signal intensity, relaxation, and diffusion parameters that reflect structural changes during the ripening process and can be exploited to understand and monitor the ripening of cheeses.

Natural course of hematogenous pyogenic osteomyelitis (a retrospective study of 110 cases).

Hundred and ten consecutive cases in acute and various stages of chronicity were studied. Incidence regarding age, sex, bone affected and complications was established. The optimum way to manage osteomyelitis in different stages was sought. It was found that in acute stage early decompression of bone leads to resolution of disease. Hip involvement leads to necrosis of capital epiphysis and should be treated on an emergency basis. In the sub-acute stage it is necessary to protect the weakened bone. In chronic stage, we suggest sequestrectomy only after adequate involucrum has formed properly. Antibiotics in acute stage should be instituted as early as possible and should be continued for three weeks after the fever subsides. Antibiotics in sub-acute and chronic stage are given only in cases of reactivation of infection and around the time of surgery. Surgery, when required should be performed without too much soft tissue damage especially the covering periosteum. But repeated surgery should be avoided as they lead to cicatrization of muscles and further sequestration of bone.