Ultrasonic evaluation of the hydration degree of the orange peel

The elastic parameters of fruit and vegetables are normally monitored in quality control processes as there is a good correlation to the degrees of firmness, turgidity and humidity. These parameters have been traditionally measured by means of penetration tests, which are destructive. This has resulted in the increased attention recently given to ultrasonic techniques applied to the quality evaluation of horticultural commodities. Nevertheless, since most of the fruit and vegetables display a viscoelastic behavior, the penetration test should be considered to be quasi-static, especially when compared with the speeds associated with the ultrasonic tests. Both methods should provide different values for the elastic parameters. The aim of this work is to study this discrepancy in the values of the elastic parameters and interpret the elastodynamic behavior of the vegetable tissue under an ultrasound test. Thus, the paper presents an ultrasonic nondestructive method to evaluate the elastic parameters of the sweet orange peel at 40. kHz. The complete dehydration process of two sets of oranges (Navelina and Ortanique) was monitored for 2. months. A linear elastic solid model with viscous losses was numerically solved using a simulation scheme based on a 3D-Spherical FDTD method (Finite-Difference Time-Domain) in order to interpret the results, which proved that the elastic parameters obtained by penetration and ultrasonic tests differ. The method provides an empirical relation between the hydration state and the elastic parameters of the orange peel. Therefore, the proposed ultrasonic test reported in this work is capable of determining the hydration state of the orange simply by measuring the propagation speed of the Rayleigh waves on the orange peel, and hence, can be used as a fruit quality index during postharvest processes. © 2012 Elsevier B.V.This study was supported by the Programa de Apoyo a la Investigacion y Desarrollo (PAID-05-09-002-618), (PAID-06-10-002-295) of Universidad Politecnica de Valencia. The authors would like to thank K. Y. Foo, from the University of Birmingham and P. Malischewsky from the University Friedrich-Schiller at Jena, for the fruitful discussions regarding surface acoustic waves.Jimenez, N.; Picó Vila, R.; Camarena Femenia, F.; Redondo, J.; Roig, B. (2012). Ultrasonic evaluation of the hydration degree of the orange peel. Postharvest Biology and Technology. 67:130-137. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.postharvbio.2011.12.020S1301376

Metabolic consequences for mice lacking Endosialin: LC-MS/MS-based metabolic phenotyping of serum from C56Bl/6J Control and CD248 knock-out mice

IntroductionThe Endosialin/CD248/TEM1 protein is expressed in adipose tissue and its expression increases with obesity. Recently, genetic deletion of CD248 has been shown to protect mice against atherosclerosis on a high fat diet.ObjectivesWe investigated the effect of high fat diet feeding on visceral fat pads and circulating lipid profiles in CD248 knockout mice compared to controls.MethodsFrom 10 weeks old, CD248-/- and +/+ mice were fed either chow (normal) diet or a high fat diet for 13 weeks. After 13 weeks the metabolic profiles and relative quantities of circulating lipid species were assessed using ultra high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS) with high resolution accurate mass (HRAM) capability.ResultsWe demonstrate a specific reduction in the size of the perirenal fat pad in CD248-/- mice compared to CD248+/+, despite similar food intake. More strikingly, we identify significant, diet-dependent differences in the serum metabolic phenotypes of CD248 null compared to age and sex-matched wildtype control mice. Generalised protection from HFD-induced lipid accumulation was observed in CD248 null mice compared to wildtype, with particular reduction noted in the lysophosphatidylcholines, phosphatidylcholines, cholesterol and carnitine.ConclusionsOverall these results show a clear and protective metabolic consequence of CD248 deletion in mice, implicating CD248 in lipid metabolism or trafficking and opening new avenues for further investigation using anti-CD248 targeting agents

Understanding medical words of Greek and Latin origin

Medical students may find medical terminology daunting, because they do not understand its origins, which in many cases are rooted in Greek and Latin. We propose a simple way of classifying these terms, which we hope may prove enlightening and potentially useful. Aside from this, we hope that readers will find some of the etymologies (word origins) discussed to be diverting in and of themselves. Throughout, readers are invited to consult references for the sources of etymologies, as well as Latin and Greek dictionaries. The interested reader is invited to consult an introductory text on medical etymology

Understanding medical words of Greek and Latin origin

Medical students may find medical terminology daunting, because they do not understand its origins, which in many cases are rooted in Greek and Latin. We propose a simple way of classifying these terms, which we hope may prove enlightening and potentially useful. Aside from this, we hope that readers will find some of the etymologies (word origins) discussed to be diverting in and of themselves. Throughout, readers are invited to consult references for the sources of etymologies, as well as Latin and Greek dictionaries. The interested reader is invited to consult an introductory text on medical etymology