Inaktiveringsstudie av Listeria and Bacillus i et modellprodukt prosessert ved en ny varmebehandlingsmetode og høytrykk

Thermal processing is a common method for controlling foodborne pathogens in various ready-to-eat (RTE) products. Traditional processes that involve static heating often result in undesirable quality changes in foods. These changes are due to slow heat penetration under conductive heating. Recent technologies such as agitating retorts or HPP can be an alternative for improving food quality through reduced processing time and overall heat load. Nevertheless, such novel technologies need to be thoroughly investigated with microbial inactivation studies to ensure that food safety requirements are met. The overall aim of this PhD thesis was to investigate the effects of novel agitating retort and combined high pressure-temperature processing on elimination of Listeria and Bacillus in a model soup (pH 6.1). In this context, the effects of process parameters such as processing time, pressure and heating mode (agitated/static) on microbial survival were studied. Applicability of the classical thermal death model and response surface methodology (RSM) on agitating retort and combined high pressure-temperature processing was assessed, respectively. The same model soup (pH 6.1) was used for all experiments as the food substrate.Prosessering ved bruk av varmebehandling er en vanlig metode for å kontrollere og inaktivere patogene mikroorganismer i ulike ferdigretter. Tradisjonelle prosesser som involverer statisk varme resulterer ofte i uønskede kvalitetsendringer i mat. Disse endringene er forårsaket av lav varmegjennomgang under konduktiv varmeoverføring. Relativt nye teknologier som autoklavering med risting og høytrykksprosessering (HP) kan benyttes som alternativer for å forbedre matkvaliteten som følge av redusert prosesseringstid og samlet varmebelastning. Denne nyere type teknologier må bli nøye undersøkt med hensyn på mikrobiell inaktivering for å sikre at matsikkerhetskrav blir ivaretatt. Hovedmålsettingen for denne PhD oppgaven har vært å undersøke effekten av autoklavering med risting og høytrykksprosessering med varme (HP-varme), og deres effekt på eliminering av Listeria og Bacillus i en modellsuppe (pH 6.1). Mikrobiell overlevelse ble studert ved å variere ulike parametere som: temperatur, prosesseringstid, trykk og risting eller statisk varme. Anvendelse av klassisk varmeinaktivering og RSM modeller for autoklaver med risting og HP-varme har blitt undersøkt. Den samme modellsuppen ble benyttet som modellprodukt i alle eksperimentene

Measurement of primary hemostasis potential with platelet function analyzer to investigate the predictive effect on post-operative blood loss in cyanotic and acyanotic pediatric patients

Aim: To investigate hemostatic parameters, including primary hemostasis potential in twenty pediatric patients with or without cyanosis undergoing cardio-pulmonary bypass (CPB) and cardiac surgery to repair congenital defects. Methods: The platelet function analyzer is an instrument that provides a rapid, in vitro, quantitative measurement of platelet adhesion and aggregation in whole blood flowing through a small aperture under high shear conditions. Other parameters monitored included blood loss, prothrombin time, anti-thrombin 3 activity, and fibrinogen and D-dimer levels. Additionally, hematocrit and albumin levels were monitored to assess the level of hemodilution during CPB. Results: Both, cyanotic and acyanotic pediatric patients had evidence of supranormal primary hemostasis potential. Although, measurements in cyanotic patients exhibited a higher percentage ratio, this was found to be statistically insignificant between cyanotic and acyanotic patients (collagen-epinephrine p=0.07 and, collagen and adenosine diphosphate (ADP) p=0.248). While, in preoperative period, measurements of primary hemostasis potential, coagulation and fibrinolytic system parameters demonstrated no statistically significant difference between cyanotic and acyanotic patients, measurement of prothrombin time, international normalized ratio and thrombin time levels significantly changed in cyanotic patients, after the operation (p<0,05). Longer cardio-pulmonary bypass time in cyanotic patients could be responsible for this indifference. Conclusion: The results of our study suggest that the platelet function analyzer system may be an indicator that it can predict bleeding in the postoperative period

Vitamin D status in the first-trimester: effects of Vitamin D deficiency on pregnancy outcomes

Objective: To assess serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] in the first trimester and to determine the factors affecting deficiency levels and its association with pregnancy outcomes.Methods: Serum 25(OH)D concentrations were measured at 11-14 weeks’ gestation in 229 singleton pregnancies using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.Results: The median serum 25(OH)D concentration was 10.8 ng/mL and 45.9% of women had severe vitamin D deficiency with concentrations of <10 ng/mL. Logistic regression analysis revealed that covered dressing style, lack of multivitamin intake, season of blood sampling (November-April) were factors associated with 25(OH)D deficiency. There was a negative correlation between 25(OH)D levels and gestational age at sampling. Low 25(OH)D levels were not associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. Higher rate of cesarean section (CS) was noted in women with 25(OH)D ≥10 ng/mL compared to those with 25(OH)D < 10mg/ml ( p= 0.01).Conclusion: A high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was observed in early pregnancy which was related to dress code, use of multi-vitamins and season at sampling. Low 25(OH)D levels were not related with adverse pregnancy outcomes. Women with severe vitamin D deficiency were more likely to deliver vaginally.Keywords: 25-hydroxyvitamin D; pregnancy outcome; vitamin D deficienc

The Effect of Apocynin on Motor and Cognitive Functions in Experimental Alzheimer’s disease.

Scope: We investigated the potential beneficial effect of Apocynin (APO) on motor and cognitive functions in experimental Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Materials and Methods: Experimental AD was induced in rats by intraventricular streptozotocin (STZ) injection. Sham group received artificial cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Both groups were randomly divided into two subgroups. One of the subgroups received intraperitoneal APO for while the other had normal saline (NS). The animals were evaluated with rotarod, accelerod and Water-Maze tests before and after the treatment. Additionally, biochemical markers of oxidative stress such as malondialdehyde (MDA) and reduced glutathione (GSH) were analyzed from brain specimens. Standard histological evaluation and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to evaluate the neural damage. Results: The difference between STZ+NS in comparison with CSF+NS, CSF+APO and STZ+APO were statistically significant on 30 and 40 rpm on rotarod test. GSH levels, accelerod and Water-Maze test results were not statistically significant between subgroups. However, MDA differences between STZ+NS in comparison with CSF+NS, CSF+APO and STZ+APO were statistically significant. Hemotoxilene eozine staining and TEM results showed apocynins protective effect. Conclusion: These results indicate that APO can provide neuro-protective effect for motor but not for cognitive performance in experimental AD.   Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease, Streptozotocin, Apocynin, Rotarod test, Accelerod test, Water-Maze test</p

P.C.N. and Arena Meet Hotel

This paper deals with the analysis of a hotel facility to determine opportunity for improvements using the Process Chain Network (P.C.N.) in combination with the Arena simulation software. The information presented is based on the authors’ personal experiences as guests at hotels, and presented in a final project assignment in the MBA Production and Operations Management course

Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry U-Pb Dating of Detrital and Magmatic Zircons of Glacial Diamictites and Pebbles in Late Ordovician Sediments of the Taurides and Southeast Anatolian Autochthon Belt, Turkey: Indications for Their Arabian-Nubian Provenance

Late Ordovician (Hirnantian) glacio-marine deposits in the Central and Eastern Taurides and Southeast Anatolian Autochthon Belt (SAAB) in Turkey are mainly composed of diamictites, subrounded granitic pebbles, and rounded/subrounded lonestone pebbles. The granitic pebbles are dated as 576.5 ± 3.3, 576.7 ± 5.7, 598.4 ± 7.5, 717.5 ± 8.0, 789.5 ± 3.7, and 964.6 ± 4.6 Ma. The geochemical signatures and dated granitic pebbles in the Central and Eastern Taurides are interpreted to have been derived from the Late Neoproterozoic granitoids/metagranitic rocks of the Arabian-Nubian Shield (ANS; the Sinai Peninsula and the Eastern Desert of Egypt). The youngest 206Pb/238U ages in the diamictites (499.1 ± 4.2 Ma in the SAAB, 530.5 ± 5.3 Ma in the Eastern Taurides, and 562.5 ± 5.4 Ma in the Central Taurides) and in the lonestones (528.2 ± 4.5 Ma in the Central Taurides, 530.8 ± 5.2 Ma in the Eastern Taurides) indicate that detrital zircons were directly transported mainly from the northern margin of Gondwana and/or Arabia during the Late Ordovician, not from peri-Gondwanan parts of the European margin. Kernel/probability density diagrams of zircon ages from the lonestone pebbles in the Eastern and Central Taurides are interpreted as evidence for their derivation from Late/Middle Cambrian siliciclastic rocks in the Israeli part of the Sinai Peninsula. The provenance of detrital zircon populations in the diamictites in the Central and Eastern Taurides is directly correlated with magmatic activity of the Elat (Taba)–Feiran island arc, the Sa’al island arc, and the postcollisional magmatic suites in the Sinai Peninsula (Egypt). However, the corresponding successions in the SAAB have more abundant Late Cryogenian age components, suggesting the Ha’il/Afif/Ad Dawadimi/Ar-Rayn terranes of the eastern Arabian Shield as their provenance. These distinctive age patterns indicate that glacio-marine successions in the SAAB had different paleogeographic positions than their equivalent units in the Central and Eastern Taurides during deposition of the Late Ordovician glacio-marine units

Evaluation of Trace Element Levels and Antioxidant Metabolism in Cattle with Cutaneous Papillomatosis

Background: Cutaneous papillomas are benign proliferative neoplasms. The aetiology and pathogenesis of the disease are very complex. Papillomatosis lesions can be detected anywhere on the body, frequently appearing on the surface of the head, neck, teats, udder, external genital mucosa and upper part of the gastrointestinal tract. The disease is not life threatening but due to loss of productivity, owners often cull animals with papillomatosis. The relationships between trace elements, heavy metals and cancer are still researching. The aim of this study was the evaluation of the relationships between trace elements and antioxidant metabolism, and cutaneous papillomatosis, in cattle.Materials, Methods &amp; Results: Eleven cattle with cutaneous papillomatosis and 10 healthy cattle constituted the study group and control group, respectively. Clinical examinations were performed on all animals. Blood samples were collected and Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Se, Zn, As, B, Ni, Si and Co levels were determined. The analyses were conducted with an inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrophotometer. In addition, catalase (CAT), glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA) and ceruloplasmin (Cp) concentrations were measured. The Ni, Si and MDA levels of the study group were significantly higher than those of the control group (P &lt; 0.05) but the Se levels of the study group were significantly lower than in the control group (P &lt; 0.05). The normality of the data was determined with the Shapiro-Wilk Test and the Independent Samples t-Test or Mann-Whitney U test was used for statistical comparison of the groups.Discussion: Trace elements are essential components of biological systems. The levels of trace elements, such as Cu, Co, I, Se, Zn and Mn, which are affected by grazing activity, influence ruminants’ reproductive performance and other production parameters. The elements Al, As, Cr, Ni and Sn are also presumed to be essential for ruminant metabolism, although sufficient research data are not available. In the present study, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Zn, As, B and Co levels were not significantly different between the papilloma and control groups. Se is an important trace element for skin health. This study revealed a mean serum Se level in animals with papillomatosis that was significantly lower than in the healthy group. Although the mode of anticancer activity of Se is not clear, some factors, such as antioxidant protection, improved immune system surveillance, carcinogen detoxification, modulation of cell proliferation and inhibition of tumour cell invasion and angiogenesis, are important. Ni is classified as a toxic heavy metal. In addition, it could be carcinogenic to humans. Ni level was two times higher in the papillomatosis group than in the healthy animals, in the present study. This result may indicate that Ni has a role in the genesis of papillomatosis in cattle. Si injection can cause inflammation, granulomas and cancer. There are few reports about Si levels in animals and the significant difference in the Si levels in cattle with cutaneous papillomatosis reported in this study may be a new indicator for the disease. The skin contains antioxidant molecules that include GSH, alpha-tocopherol or vitamin E, ascorbic acid or vitamin C, glutathione peroxidases, glutathione reductase, glutathione S-transferases (GSTs), superoxide dismutases (SODs), CAT and quinine reductase. There is strong interaction between ROS and/or their oxidant products and antioxidant molecules in the skin. In this study, although MDA levels were higher in the study group than in the control group, there was no significant difference between the groups in their CAT levels, and also in the GSH and CP levels. In conclusion, these results may evidence the systemic effects of papillomatosis on trace element levels and on oxidant metabolism in cattle

Vitamin D status in the first-trimester: effects of Vitamin D deficiency on pregnancy outcomes.

Objective: To assess serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] in the first trimester and to determine the factors affecting deficiency levels and its association with pregnancy outcomes. Methods: Serum 25(OH)D concentrations were measured at 11-14 weeks\u2019 gestation in 229 singleton pregnancies using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Results: The median serum 25(OH)D concentration was 10.8 ng/mL and 45.9% of women had severe vitamin D deficiency with concentrations of &lt;10 ng/mL. Logistic regression analysis revealed that covered dressing style, lack of multivitamin intake, season of blood sampling (November-April) were factors associated with 25(OH)D deficiency. There was a negative correlation between 25(OH)D levels and gestational age at sampling. Low 25(OH)D levels were not associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. Higher rate of cesarean section (CS) was noted in women with 25(OH)D 6510 ng/mL compared to those with 25(OH)D &lt; 10mg/ml ( p= 0.01). Conclusion: A high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was observed in early pregnancy which was related to dress code, use of multi-vitamins and season at sampling. Low 25(OH)D levels were not related with adverse pregnancy outcomes. Women with severe vitamin D deficiency were more likely to deliver vaginally

Association between inflammation and cigarette smoking in cardiac remodeling after acute myocardial infarction

Objective: In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between smoking and adverse cardiac remodeling after ST-elevation MI (STEMI), and the association between smoking and inflammatory markers, including cytokine levels. Methods: Forty-three patients admitted to the emergency department between June 2015 and June 2020 who were diagnosed with STEMI for the first time and underwent successful primary percutaneous coronary intervention were included in the study. Inflammatory markers (interferon (IFN)-α, -γ, -β, interleukin (IL)-6R-α, and soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor (sTNFR)-1,-2) were measured on the first day and two weeks post-MI. Left ventricular volume and functions were evaluated using cardiac magnetic resonance imaging at two weeks and six months post-STEMI. Adverse remodeling (AR) was defined as an increase in left ventricular (LV) end-diastolic volume >12%. Results: The AR ratio (65% vs. 30.4%; p= 0.024) and the levels of each inflammatory marker on the first-day post-STEMI were higher in the smokers' group than in the non-smokers' group. Smoking (OR= 4.46; p= 0.032) and IFN-β (OR= 1.07; p=0.023) levels on the first-day post-MI were independent predictors of AR. Also, smoking (β(SE)= 8.96(2.74); p=0.002), increased neutrophil levels (β±SE= 1.72(0.66); p= 0.013) and increased LDL levels (β(SE) = 0.07(0.03); p=0.031) were independent predictors of elevated IFN-β levels. Conclusion: Baseline inflammatory marker levels and incidence of AR post-STEMI were higher in smokers. Smoking can contribute to the development of AR by increasing the severity of inflammation at the onset of acute STEMI