Low–fat high–protein fermented milk product with oat extract as a nature stabilizer

Nowadays, the use of plant components in terms of their pronounced functional properties is of high relevance. Oat extract contains gums, β–glucans, vitamins (A, B1, B5, B9, PP, H), minerals (Fe, I, K, Si, Mn, Cu, Mo, etc.) and essential amino acids. It has been proven that a long–term use of β–glucans showed the reduction of the risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes and the regulation of cholesterol and blood sugar. β glucans also have immunoprotective, anti–inflammatory, antimicrobial, prebiotic effects and improve intestinal motility. The aim of study was to develop the technology of low–fat high–protein fermented milk product with functional characteristics. Oat extract was used as a natural stabilizer and a source of β–glucans. Maceration technique was used for the extraction. The recommended extraction parameters were established and physicochemical characteristics of the extract were studied. The recommended doses of oat extract when introduced into milk and the optimal heat treatment conditions of the milk–oat mixture were determined. The influence of temperature on the gel–forming properties of oat extract was investigated. The effect of oat extract on rheological behavior, water–holding ability and shelf life of the finished product was studied. Regular consumption of lactic acid microorganisms has a positive effect on the digestive system and metabolism. Based on the organoleptic characteristics and physicochemical changes during the fermentation process in comparison with the control sample (without oat extract), the recommended starter culture combinations (Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactococcus lactis subsp, Lactobacillus bulgaricus) were proposed

Left ventricular remodelling early after surgical correction of mitral regurgitation: stroke volume maintenance

Aim. Mitral valve surgery results in the left ventricular (LV) remodelling and adjustment to the new preload and afterload. This study evaluated the dynamics ofLVgeometry and function immediately after surgical correction of mitral valve (MV) degenerative prolapse. Material and methods. This prospective study included 40 patients: 25 after MV surgery and 15 after coronary artery bypass graft surgery. The latter group served as controls, in order to assess potential impact of cardiopulmonary bypass and cardioplegic arrest onLV function. All participants underwent intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography, before and after cardiopulmonary bypass, after protamine infusion and hemodynamic stabilisation. Simultaneous pulmonary catheterisation ensured that the echocardiographic data were obtained in similar hemodynamic conditions. Results. Immediately after MV surgery,LV fractional area change decreased from 65±7% to 52±% (p<0,001). End-diastolic LV area decreased from 21,3±5,3 to 19,4±4,5 cm 2 (p=0,005), while end-systolic LV area increased from 7,5±2,3 to 9,3±2,5 cm 2 (p<0,001). Stroke volume, measured by the thermodilution method, did not change (54±12% and 57±0%; p=0,5). In the control group,LV fractional area change (54±12% and 57±10%; p=0,19), end-diastolicLV area (16,6±6,2 and 15,7±5,0 cm 2; p=0,32), and stroke volume (72±29 and 65±19 ml; p=0,15) were similar before and after cardiopulmonary bypass; there was only some reduction in end-systolicLVarea (7,9±4,4 and 6,9±3,2 cm 2; p=0,03). Conclusion. Early after MR surgery,LV fractional area change statistically decreased, primarily due to an increase in end-systolicLVdimensions. It could be one of the compensatory mechanisms to prevent acute increase in stroke volume and subsequent MR after MV surgery

Association between bicuspid aortic valve morphotype and regional dilatation of the aortic root and trunk

Thoracic aortic disease, including thoracic aor- tic aneurysm (TAA), is frequently seen in patients with bicuspid aortic valve (BAV). We hypothesized that BAV morphotype would be associated with aortic aneurysm phe- notypes but that other patient variables would signiicantly modify this relationship. 829 patients between 18 and 90 years with BAV and available raw imaging of the aortic valve and the ascending aorta to its mid-portion prior to aortic valve and aortic surgery were examined. The sinuses of Valsalva and proximal ascending aorta were measured from 2-dimensional co-planar echocardiographic images. We observed strong associations between patient habitus and raw and normalized dimensions of the aortic root and ascending aorta. Patients with R–L morphotype presented at an older age with larger aortic root but similar ascend- ing aortic dimensions. After accounting for patient mor- phometric characteristics and severity of aortic valve dis- ease, patients with R–L valve morphotype were marginally more likely to have an aortic root aneurysm (86% vs. 78%; P=0.043), deined as aortic root dimension Z score ≥3 We observed only small diferences in aortic dimensions between BAV morphotypes, that are eclipsed by variation in patient habitus. We interpret these indings to mean that BAV patients will not likely beneit from therapies based on aortic valve morphotype. Rather, we propose that all BAV patients should undergo longitudinal follow-up, inde- pendent of valve morphotype. Guidelines for aortic surgery based upon dimensions alone may be improved by con- sidering patient characteristics such as age, body size and other characteristics