E-sensing systems for shelf life evaluation: A review on applications to fresh food of animal origin

The quality of fresh food of animal origin, as meat, fish, dairy products, and eggs, is pivotal for consumers and producers; however, due to the action of microorganisms, enzymes, and oxidation during storage, fresh foods are subject to spoilage. Chemical and sensory parameters are shelf life indicators requiring innovative evaluation methods, as those currently used, are expensive, laborious and rather technical. E-sensing devices, overcome many of these drawbacks. This paper overviews the shelf life assessment of fresh food of animal origin by esensing. The fundamentals of electronic eye, electronic nose, electronic tongue and data analysis are reviewed in the first part, whereas their application for shelf life evaluation, considering them individually or in combination by data fusion, are considered in the second part

Prediction of Olive Chemical Characteristics by FT-NIR Spectroscopy

Chemical characteristics of olive fruits change during the ripening period and definitely affect the quality of the oil. A rapid and nondestructive method for predicting these characteristics is of paramount importance for the quality design of the end product. However, spectroscopic determination of quality parameters in intact olives is less frequent than other fruits (Fernández-Espinosa, 2016). Thus, this work aimed at predicting water, oil, and total polyphenol content (TPC) for different cultivars of olives by means of FT-NIR spectroscopy. In particular, 267 olive samples belonging to 13 different cultivars and collected during three harvesting years were analysed in diffuse reflectance by an FT-NIR spectrometer (12,500–3,600 cm-1; 8 cm-1 resolution; 32 scans). Samples were analysed as single olives (20 olives per sample) by a fibre optic probe and as aliquots (100 g each) by an integrating sphere (2 aliquots per sample). Chemical analyses were performed as reported by Trapani et al. (2016). Spectra were sample-based averaged and pretreated to develop PLS regression models validated both by cross-validation and external prediction (30% of samples selected by Kennard-Stone algorithm). Moisture, oil, and TPC content ranges were 39.5–85.3%, 2.1–26.0%, and 2.5–60.6 g/kg, respectively. Good PLS models were obtained for all the chemical parameters, with prediction R2 ranging from 0.78 to 0.84 and maximum RMSEP values of 4.3%, 3.0%, and 8.5 g/kg for moisture, oil, and TPC, respectively. Similar results were obtained for both of the sample presentation forms, suggesting applicability of FT-NIR spectroscopy for chemical characterization of olive fruits both in-field and on-line

SUPERCHILL! Study of ice crystal formation in beef

A conference abstract from NIRItalia online 2021 in English and Italian.First author gratefully acknowledges receiving funding from Progetto Professionalità "Ivano Becchi" – Fondazione Banca del Monte di Lombardia (2017)

Monitoring Chemical Changes of Coffee Beans During Roasting Using Real-time NIR Spectroscopy and Chemometrics

Variations occurring in coffee beans during roasting are ascribable to several chemical-physical phenomena: to quickly track the whole process and to ensure its reproducibility, a process analytical technology (PAT) approach is needed. In this study, a method combining in-line Fourier transform near-infrared (FT-NIR) spectroscopy and chemometric modelling was investigated to get real-time and practical knowledge about the roasting effects on coffee’s chemical-physical composition. In-line spectra were acquired by inserting a NIR probe into a laboratory coffee roaster, running twenty-four roasting experiments, planned spanning different coffee species (Arabica and Robusta), four roasting temperature settings (TS1–TS4) and times (650–1580 s). Multivariate curve resolution-alternate least squares (MCR-ALS) was used to model the chemical-physical changes occurring during the roasting process, and information about maximum rate, acceleration and deceleration of the process was obtained, also highlighting potential effects due to the different roasting temperatures and coffee varieties. The proposed approach provides the groundwork for direct real-time implementation of rapid, non-invasive automated monitoring of the roasting process at industrial scale

Assessment of pulmonary vascular anatomy: comparing augmented reality by holograms versus standard CT images/reconstructions using surgical findings as reference standard

Background: We compared computed tomography (CT) images and holograms (HG) to assess the number of arteries of the lung lobes undergoing lobectomy and assessed easiness in interpretation by radiologists and thoracic surgeons with both techniques. Methods: Patients scheduled for lobectomy for lung cancer were prospectively included and underwent CT for staging. A patient-specific three-dimensional model was generated and visualized in an augmented reality setting. One radiologist and one thoracic surgeon evaluated CT images and holograms to count lobar arteries, having as reference standard the number of arteries recorded at surgery. The easiness of vessel identification was graded according to a Likert scale. Wilcoxon signed-rank test and κ statistics were used. Results: Fifty-two patients were prospectively included. The two doctors detected the same number of arteries in 44/52 images (85%) and in 51/52 holograms (98%). The mean difference between the number of artery branches detected by surgery and CT images was 0.31 ± 0.98, whereas it was 0.09 ± 0.37 between surgery and HGs (p = 0.433). In particular, the mean difference in the number of arteries detected in the upper lobes was 0.67 ± 1.08 between surgery and CT images and 0.17 ± 0.46 between surgery and holograms (p = 0.029). Both radiologist and surgeon showed a higher agreement for holograms (κ = 0.99) than for CT (κ = 0.81) and found holograms easier to evaluate than CTs (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Augmented reality by holograms is an effective tool for preoperative vascular anatomy assessment of lungs, especially when evaluating the upper lobes, more prone to anatomical variations. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04227444 Relevance statement: Preoperative evaluation of the lung lobe arteries through augmented reality may help the thoracic surgeons to carefully plan a lobectomy, thus contributing to optimize patients’ outcomes. Key points: • Preoperative assessment of the lung arteries may help surgical planning. • Lung artery detection by augmented reality was more accurate than that by CT images, particularly for the upper lobes. • The assessment of the lung arterial vessels was easier by using holograms than CT images. Graphical Abstract: (Figure presented.)

Comparison of two multimodal intramuscular anaesthetic protocols in uncooperative feline patients: effects on sedation and echocardiographic measurements

ObjectivesThe aims of this study were to compare the sedative effect, feasibility of venous angiocatheter placement and influence on heart rate (HR), systemic blood pressure (SBP) and echocardiographic variables of two multimodal anaesthetic protocols in uncooperative cats; and to compare their influence on HR, SBP and echocardiographic variables 20 mins after sedation and after elective ovariectomy. MethodsEighteen stray female cats randomly received intramuscular (IM) ketamine (2 mg/kg) and methadone (0.3 mg/kg) plus dexmedetomidine (7 mu g/kg; group D, n = 9) or alfaxalone (2 mg/kg; group A, n = 9). A sedation score (0-15 [from none to good sedation]) was assigned at 5 mins, 10 mins, 15 mins and 20 mins after IM injection. Venous angiocatheter placement and echocardiographic examination feasibility scores (both from 0 to 3 [from very difficult to very easy]) were recorded at 20 mins. Echocardiography, HR and blood pressure measurements (Doppler and oscillometric methods) were performed at 20 mins and at the end of surgery. ResultsSedation and angiocatheter feasibility scores did not differ significantly between groups (P >0.05); the feasibility score of echocardiographic examination was higher in cats in group D (P = 0.01). HR was higher in group A at 20 mins and after surgery (P <0.05). The systolic arterial pressure obtained with the Doppler method was statistically significantly higher in cats in group D than in group A at 20 mins (P = 0.01), while postoperatively there were no differences between groups. Cats in group D showed significantly higher atrial diameters (P <0.05) and slower atrial flows (P = 0.04) compared with group A; ventricular thickness and atrial function did not differ between groups (P >0.05). Most echocardiographic variables were not different at 20 mins vs postoperatively. Conclusions and relevanceBoth protocols allowed for effective sedation; however, cats in group D presented alterations in some echocardiographic measurements; the use of alfaxalone, combined with ketamine and methadone, is recommended to obtain a reliable echocardiographic evaluation in uncooperative cats

Hydrogeological parameterisation of the Daruvar thermal aquifer: integration of fracture network analysis and well testing

Highly fractured Mesozoic carbonate rocks are the main reservoir of many geothermal resources in northern Croatia, being of environmental, cultural, and economic value for the local and regional communities. The Daruvar thermal springs (temperatures < 50°C) represent the outflow area of an intermediate scale, tectonically controlled, hydrothermal system hosted in Triassic carbonate rocks. Several investigations have been conducted in the Daruvar area detailing the architecture of regional and local fracture networks and quantifying the hydrogeological parameters of the thermal aquifer. In this work, an integrated approach based on structural and hydrogeological investigations was employed to model the network of fractures in the reservoir and quantify its impact on the hydraulic properties. Structural investigations were conducted in the Batinjska Rijeka quarry, considered as an outcrop analogue of the thermal aquifer, employing both a classical field approach and the virtual quantitative analysis of a 3D digital outcrop model. Structural analysis of the digital outcrop model allowed identification of two sub-vertical systems of discontinuities, dipping to the NW and the WSW respectively, in accordance with the data collected through direct field measurements. The main geometric features of the discontinuity network and their statistical distributions were employed to construct discrete fracture network models at both the outcrop scale (approximately 100 m) and the aquifer scale in Daruvar (approximately 700 m). Calibration of the input parameters allowed modelling of porosity and permeability values that reproduce the field values assessed through pumping tests, well tests, and well logging. This work highlights the importance of integrating geological and hydrogeological investigations to obtain a more reliable reconstruction and quantification of the processes driving the fluid flow in fractured aquifers and affecting the spatial distribution of their hydraulic properties

Descrição demográfica, clínica e anatomopatológica das microcirurgias de laringe: estudo retrospectivo no Hospital Britânico de Buenos Aires

Objective: Laryngeal microsurgery is a procedure indicated in benign laryngeal lesions; it is also a diagnostic tool in patients with dysphonia or in cases where malignancy is suspected. Methodology: Retrospective study in which clinical records, surgical protocols, videoestroboscopies, and pathology documents of patients under laryngeal microsurgery between 2011 and 2016 were reviewed. Univariate analysis was performed using Chi squared test (p &lt; 0.05). Results: Mean age was 51.2 ± 6.6 years, males were the most frequently intervened. Smoking was the most common comorbidity. The main macroscopic lesions observed were premalignant and malignant, polyps and cysts; in the pathology, polyps, carcinomas, and cysts were found. Polyps were the most frequent lesions found in both genders (33% vs 45%, p = 0.03). In patients with a smoking comorbidity, polyps were the most common lesion in both women and men (46% vs. 30%, p = 0.02). A greater presence of carcinomas was described in males over 60 with a history of smoking (33% vs 15%, p = 0.0001). Conclusions: Polyps, cysts, and carcinomas were mainly found in males over 60. A greater presence of carcinomas was described in male patients with a history of smoking.Objetivo: la microcirugía laríngea es un procedimiento terapéutico en lesiones benignas de laringe, diagnóstico en pacientes con disfonías de evolución variable y en casos de sospecha de malignidad. El objetivo de este estudio es describir las características de los pacientes intervenidos por microcirugía laríngea y las lesiones observadas en un servicio de otorrinolaringología en Argentina. Metodología: estudio retrospectivo. Se realizó la revisión de protocolos quirúrgicos, historias clínicas, videoestroboscopias computarizadas y documentos de anatomía patológica. Análisis univariado descriptivo con utilización de la t de Student o la Chi- cuadrado, según las características de las variables (p &lt;0.005 para significacia estadística). Resultados: el sexo masculino fue el más intervenido, con una edad media de 51.2 ± 6.6 años. El antecedente de tabaquismo fue el más frecuente. Las principales lesiones macroscópicas fueron premalignas y malignas, pólipos y quistes. En la anatomía patológica se encontraron pólipos, carcinomas y quistes. En ambos sexos la lesión más frecuente fue el pólipo (33% vs. 45%, p =0.03). En pacientes con antecedente de tabaquismo la lesión más común fue pólipo, en ambos géneros, en menores de 60 años (46% vs. 30%, p =0.02), mientras en mayores de 60 años fue el carcinoma (33% vs. 15%, p&nbsp; &lt; 0.001). Conclusiones: en población masculina en sexta década de la vida se encontró principalmente presencia de pólipos, quistes y carcinomas. En pacientes de este género, con antecedente de tabaquismo, se describe mayor presencia de carcinomas.Objetivo: a microcirurgia laríngea é um procedimento terapêutico em lesões benignas de laringe, diagnóstico em pacientes com disfonias de evolução variável e em casos de suspeita de malignidade. O objetivo deste estudo é descrever as características dos pacientes intervindos por microcirurgia laríngea e as lesões observadas num serviço de otorrinolaringologia na Argentina. Metodologia: estudo retrospectivo. Se realizou a revisão de protocolos cirúrgicos, histórias clínicas, videoestroboscopias computorizadas e documentos de anatomia patológica. Análise univariado descritivo com utilização da t de Student ou a Chi- quadrado, segundo as características das variáveis (p&nbsp; &lt; 0.005 para significância estatística). Resultados: o sexo masculino foi o mais intervindo, com uma idade média de 51.2 ± 6.6 anos. O antecedente de tabaquismo foi o mais frequente. As principais lesões macroscópicas foram pré-malignas e malignas, pólipos e quistos. Na anatomia patológica se encontraram pólipos, carcinomas e quistos. Em ambos sexos a lesão mais frequente foi o pólipo (33% vs. 45%, p =0.03). Em pacientes com antecedente de tabaquismo a lesão mais comum foi pólipo, em ambos gêneros, em menores de 60 anos (46% vs. 30%, p =0.02), enquanto em maiores de 60 anos foi o carcinoma (33% vs. 15%, p &lt;0.001). Conclusões: na população masculina na sexta década da vida se encontrou principalmente presença de pólipos, quistos e carcinomas. Em pacientes deste gênero, com antecedente de tabaquismo, se descreve maior presença de carcinomas

La spettroscopia NIR per determinare il grado di maturazione delle olive: confronto tra uno spettrofotometro vis/NIR e uno FT-NIR

Obbiettivi Negli ultimi anni, nel settore olivicolo è cresciuto l’interesse verso lo sviluppo di metodiche analitiche alternative a quelle tradizionali, più rispettose dell’ambiente e in grado di fornire risposte rapide e applicabili anche in campo. In questo contesto, la spettroscopia NIR si rivela uno strumento efficace. L’obiettivo di questo lavoro è stato lo sviluppo di applicazioni basate sulla spettroscopia vis-NIR e FT-NIR per monitorare la maturazione delle olive in campo. La rapida valutazione dell’indice di maturazione è infatti determinante per individuare il momento più opportuno per la raccolta delle olive, al fine di ottenere una buona resa produttiva e una buona qualità dell’olio. Questo lavoro è parte di un progetto AGER (Progetto Agroalimentare e Ricerca), denominato “Sustainability of the Olive-Oil System - S.O.S.”, il cui obiettivo è quello di migliorare e rafforzare la sostenibilità della filiera dell’olio extravergine di oliva in Italia. Metodologia Sono state analizzate cinque cultivar di olive (Cima di Melfi, Oliva Rossa, Corsicana, Semidana e Sivigliana) raccolte a diversi stadi di maturazione. Le olive sono state classificate in base all’indice di maturazione utilizzando due metodi diversi e sono stati inoltre acquisiti gli spettri vis-NIR (400–1023 nm), con strumento da campo, e FT-NIR (900–2560 nm) mediante spettrometro da banco. Dopo pretrattamento mediante smoothing, i dataset ottenuti da ciascuno strumento (1020 spettri) sono stati analizzati mediante Principal Component Analysis (PCA). Sugli spettri pretrattati mediante smoothing, Standard Normal Variate (SNV) e trasformazione in derivata prima è stato poi applicato il metodo di classificazione Partial Least Square – Discriminant Analysis (PLS-DA), con l’obiettivo di creare modelli in grado di classificare correttamente le olive in 4 classi di maturazione (Classe 1-> olive totalmente verdi; Classe 2-> olive con meno del 50% di superfice invaiata; Classe 3-> olive con più del 50% di superfice invaiata; Classe 4 -> olive totalmente invaiate.). Sono stati elaborati due dataset, uno completo, contenente gli spettri di tutte le olive analizzate, e un dataset specifico per le olive della cv. Cima di Melfi (180 spettri). Risultati Dall’analisi qualitativa, mediante PCA, si è individuato un andamento dei campioni di olive analizzati in funzione dell’indice di maturazione (PC1) e una suddivisione per provenienza e/o varietà (PC2). Per quanto riguarda la classificazione, i migliori valori di accuratezza in validazione sono stati registrati per gli spettri acquisiti nel vis-NIR e pretrattati mediante SNV, sia per la classificazione delle 1020 olive totali (95.20±4.88%), sia per quelle appartenenti alla cv. Cima di Melfi (92.33±5.86%). Con gli spettri FT-NIR si sono registrati dei valori di accuratezza inferiori, pari a 84.41±6.11% per gli spettri totali (pretrattamento di smoothing) e a 82.98±7.65% per quelli della cv. Cima di Melfi (pretrattatamento SNV). La classificazione delle olive in campo mediante applicazione della spettroscopia NIR appare quindi possibile in modo rapido, accurato ed oggettivo

NEK1 haploinsufficiency worsens DNA damage, but not defective ciliogenesis, in C9ORF72 patient-derived iPSC-motoneurons

The hexanucleotide G4C2 repeat expansion (HRE) in C9ORF72 gene is the major cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD), leading to both loss- and gain-of-function pathomechanisms. The wide clinical heterogeneity among C9ORF72 patients suggests potential modifying genetic and epigenetic factors. Notably, C9ORF72 HRE often co-occurs with other rare variants in ALS/FTD-associated genes, such as NEK1, which encodes for a kinase involved in multiple cell pathways, including DNA damage response and ciliogenesis. In this study, we generated induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and differentiated motoneurons (iPSC-MNs) from an ALS patient carrying both C9ORF72 HRE and a NEK1 loss-of-function mutation to investigate the biological effect of NEK1 haploinsufficiency on C9ORF72 pathology in a condition of oligogenicity. Double mutant C9ORF72/NEK1 cells showed increased pathological C9ORF72 RNA foci in iPSCs and higher DNA damage levels in iPSC-MNs compared to single mutant C9ORF72 cells, but no effect on DNA damage response. When we analysed the primary cilium, we observed a defective ciliogenesis in C9ORF72 iPSC-MNs which was not worsened by NEK1 haploinsufficiency in the double mutant iPSC-MNs. Altogether, our study shows that NEK1 haploinsufficiency influences differently DNA damage and cilia length, potentially acting as a modifier at biological level in an in vitro ALS patient-derived disease model of C9ORF72 pathology