High hydrostatic pressure blanching of baby spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.)

Given the high susceptibility of baby spinach leaves to thermal processing, the use of high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) is explored as a non-thermal blanching method. The effects of HHP were compared with thermal blanching by following residual activity of polyphenol oxidases and peroxidases, colour retention, chlorophyll and carotenoids content, antioxidant capacity and total polyphenols content. Spinach subjected to 700 MPa at 20 ºC for 15 min represented the best treatment among the conditions studied due to its balanced effect on target enzymes and quality indices. The latter treatment reduced enzyme activities of polyphenol oxidases and peroxidases by 86.4 and 76.7 %, respectively. Furthermore, leaves did not present changes in colour and an increase by 13.6 % and 15.6 % was found in chlorophyll and carotenoids content, respectively; regarding phytochemical compounds, retentions of 28.2 % of antioxidant capacity and 77.1 % of polyphenols content were found. Results demonstrated that HHP (700 MPa) at room temperature, when compared with thermal treatments, presented better retention of polyphenols, not significantly different chlorophyll and carotenoids content and no perceptible differences in the instrumental colour evaluated through ΔE value; therefore, it can be considered a realistic practical alternative to the widely used thermal blanching

Longitudinal data assessment of global stability index in kale leaves

ABSTRACT Kale plants are usually sold “in natura” in street markets and malls. Kale leaves can have their appearance compromised by dehydration and discoloration due to increased post-harvest time exposure. We aimed to analyze the Global Stability Index (GSI) in kale accessions by means of repeated measurement analysis and curve grouping as a complementary form of superior sample identification with regard to post-harvest preservation. Thirty kale accessions were evaluated using a randomized block design with four blocks and five plants per plot. Two commercial leaves per plant were collected, and kept on workbenches in the shade at a temperature of 18 ± 1 °C. Subsequently, the degrees of discoloration and dehydration, total chlorophyll content, and accumulated fresh mass loss were evaluated over a 15-day period. From these data, the GSI was calculated for each day of evaluation. In addition, using mixed models, thirteen co-variance structures were tested. For graphical analysis, thirteen linear and non-linear models were assessed followed by curve grouping using multivariate analysis. The GSI was efficient for differentiating accessions, which became an important tool in post-harvest studies. GSI values were not equally correlated, therefore the use of mixed models became an important approach. The unstructured matrix was the best fit to model the dependence of error. The Melow I model was the best fit for studying the GSI. The accessions UFVJM-10, UFLA-1, COM-1, UFVJM-32, COM-3, UFVJM-8, UFVJM-36 and UFVJM-24, belonging to 3 and 5 clusters, are recommended for crop cultivation and as parental material in breeding programs

Role of age and comorbidities in mortality of patients with infective endocarditis

Purpose: The aim of this study was to analyse the characteristics of patients with IE in three groups of age and to assess the ability of age and the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) to predict mortality. Methods: Prospective cohort study of all patients with IE included in the GAMES Spanish database between 2008 and 2015. Patients were stratified into three age groups:<65 years, 65 to 80 years, and = 80 years.The area under the receiver-operating characteristic (AUROC) curve was calculated to quantify the diagnostic accuracy of the CCI to predict mortality risk. Results: A total of 3120 patients with IE (1327 < 65 years;1291 65-80 years;502 = 80 years) were enrolled.Fever and heart failure were the most common presentations of IE, with no differences among age groups.Patients =80 years who underwent surgery were significantly lower compared with other age groups (14.3%, 65 years; 20.5%, 65-79 years; 31.3%, =80 years). In-hospital mortality was lower in the <65-year group (20.3%, <65 years;30.1%, 65-79 years;34.7%, =80 years;p < 0.001) as well as 1-year mortality (3.2%, <65 years; 5.5%, 65-80 years;7.6%, =80 years; p = 0.003).Independent predictors of mortality were age = 80 years (hazard ratio [HR]:2.78;95% confidence interval [CI]:2.32–3.34), CCI = 3 (HR:1.62; 95% CI:1.39–1.88), and non-performed surgery (HR:1.64;95% CI:11.16–1.58).When the three age groups were compared, the AUROC curve for CCI was significantly larger for patients aged <65 years(p < 0.001) for both in-hospital and 1-year mortality. Conclusion: There were no differences in the clinical presentation of IE between the groups. Age = 80 years, high comorbidity (measured by CCI), and non-performance of surgery were independent predictors of mortality in patients with IE.CCI could help to identify those patients with IE and surgical indication who present a lower risk of in-hospital and 1-year mortality after surgery, especially in the <65-year group

Plantas hospederas de los virus más importantes que infectan el melón, Cucumis melo (Cucurbitaceae) en Costa Rica

Las especies hospederas naturales de los virus (PRSV, WMV-2, CMV y ZYMV) que infectan el cultivo de melón (Cucumis melo L.) para la exportación en Costa Rica se identificaron en plantaciones comerciales de dos fincas ubicadas, una en la provincia de Guanacaste, y la otra en la provincia de Puntarenas. En ambas fincas se cultiva el melon con irrigación durante la época seca, pero su manejo cultural es diferente. La finca A con una larga trayectoria en el cultivo de melón en rotación con maíz, sorgo y arroz, y con poco control de malezas; mientras que la finca B con una corta trayectoria en la producción del melón y un mayor control de malezas. La diversidad de especies vegetales fue estudiada en cuadrantes de 100 m2 en cinco diferentes comunidades de plantas previamente seleccionadas en la finca A (cultivo, canal de drenaje, charral, potrero mejorado, y semi-bosque) y tres en la finca B (cultivo, charral, pastizal natural, semi-bosque). El número de cuadrantes estudiados dependió del área total cultivada en cada una de las fincas. Todas las especies de plantas representadas en cada cuadrante se recolectaron e identificaron pero solo aquellas especies que presentaron síntomas virales en el campo fueron analizadas por ELISA para determinar la presencia de los cuatro virus estudiados. La diversidad de especies, porcentaje de cobertura y época de aparición de las especies hospederas fue monitoreada durante un año calendario en cinco fechas diferentes. Un total de 86 y 72 especies de plantas fueron identificadas en las fincas A y B respectivamente. Catorce encontradas positivas por lo menos para uno de los cuatro virus. Los cuatro virus fueron encontrados en cada finca en cada fecha de muestreo indicando que la permanencia y abundancia de algunas especies hospederas garantiza la permanencia de los cuatro virus en el campo como fuente de inóculo primario para la próxima siembra. Varias especies de plantas hospederas silvestres previamente no informadas en la literatura fueron encontradas para PRSV, WMV-2 y ZYMV.Natural hosts of four melon viruses (cucumber mosaic virus o CMV, papaya ringspot virus o PRSV, watermelon virus 2 o WMV-2 and zucchini yellow mosaic virus o ZYMV) were identified in two commercial melon farms in Costa Rica. The farms differed in management practices. Farm A had a long history of melon production in rotation with corn, sorghum and rice. Weed control was poor. Farm B was previously used as pastureland, had a shorter history of melon production, and was frequently plowed for weed control. Plant species diversity was monitored in 100 m2 quadrants on each farm over a one year period. In addition to the cultivated areas, four distinct plant communities (improved pasture field, drainage ditches, secondary forest and fallow field) in farm A, and three (spontaneus mixed species pasture field, fallow field and secondary forest) in farm B were included in the study. The number of quadrants sampled was dependent on the total cultivated area on each farm. Five sampling dates were selected during rainy and dry seasons and transition periods between seasons. Plants of each species represented in the quadrants were collected at each sampling date and identified using reference collections. Four plants of each species showing virus-like symptoms in the field were tested for the presence of the four viruses by ELISA. The total number of plant species, and the percent ground cover of each species infected at least with one of the viruses were recorded on each of the five sampling dates. A total of 86 and 72 plant species were identified in sites A and B, respectively. Fourteen plant species, 16% of the total plant species represented in site A, and six species in site B (8%) were found to be infected with at least one of the four melon viruses at different times throughout the year. All four viruses were detected in each location at each of the five sampling dates, indicating that weed species naturally occurring in and around areas of commercial melon production serve as reservoirs for the melon viruses and ensure the survival of the viruses from one production season to the next. Several new host species of three of the melon viruses (PRSV, WMV-2 and ZYMV) were identified. Previously unreported hosts of PRSV included Tridax procumbens, Cleome viscosa, Cleome spinosa, Malvaviscus arboreus and Sida rhombifolia. New hosts of WMV-2 included C. viscosa, Crotum argenteus, Musa pardisiaca and Ponsetia heterophylla. New hosts of ZYMV included Guazuma ulmifolia, Rauvolfia tetraphylla, Malachra alceifolia, Boerhavia diffusa, P. heterophylla and C. viscosa

Heart Rate and Mortality in Patients With Acute Symptomatic Pulmonary Embolism

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