Texture Profile Analysis of Sliced Cheese in relation to Chemical Composition and Storage Temperature

The quantitative relationships among chemical composition, storage temperature, and texture of cheese were not fully understood. In this study, the effects of composition and temperature on textural properties of eight common varieties of sliced cheese were examined. The textural properties of sliced cheeses, including firmness, cohesiveness, adhesiveness, springiness, chewiness, and resilience, were measured by texture profile analysis after storage at 4 and 25 ∘ C for 4 h. Multivariate logistic regression models were established to describe the quantitative relationships of textural properties (dependent variables) to chemical composition and storage temperature (independent variables) of sliced cheeses. Results showed that protein, fat, moisture, and sodium chloride contents as well as storage temperature significantly affected the texture of sliced cheeses ( < 0.05). In particular, fat in the dry matter and moisture in the nonfat substances were negatively correlated with firmness of sliced cheeses ( < 0.05). As storage temperature rose from 4 to 25 ∘ C, the average values of firmness, chewiness, and resilience substantially declined by 42%, 45%, and 17%, respectively ( < 0.05). This study provided reference data for adjusting chemical composition and storage temperature of common cheese products to obtain favorable texture for Chinese consumers, which thereby facilitated the localization of cheese industry in Chinese market

Texture Profile Analysis of Sliced Cheese in relation to Chemical Composition and Storage Temperature

The quantitative relationships among chemical composition, storage temperature, and texture of cheese were not fully understood. In this study, the effects of composition and temperature on textural properties of eight common varieties of sliced cheese were examined. The textural properties of sliced cheeses, including firmness, cohesiveness, adhesiveness, springiness, chewiness, and resilience, were measured by texture profile analysis after storage at 4 and 25°C for 4 h. Multivariate logistic regression models were established to describe the quantitative relationships of textural properties (dependent variables) to chemical composition and storage temperature (independent variables) of sliced cheeses. Results showed that protein, fat, moisture, and sodium chloride contents as well as storage temperature significantly affected the texture of sliced cheeses (P<0.05). In particular, fat in the dry matter and moisture in the nonfat substances were negatively correlated with firmness of sliced cheeses (P<0.05). As storage temperature rose from 4 to 25°C, the average values of firmness, chewiness, and resilience substantially declined by 42%, 45%, and 17%, respectively (P<0.05). This study provided reference data for adjusting chemical composition and storage temperature of common cheese products to obtain favorable texture for Chinese consumers, which thereby facilitated the localization of cheese industry in Chinese market

Development and validation of a nomogram model for predicting clinical pregnancy in endometriosis patients undergoing fresh embryo transfer

Abstract Purpose To construct and validate a nomogram model for predicting clinical pregnancy in individuals with endometriosis undergoing fersh embryo transfer (ET). Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 1630 individuals with endometriosis who underwent in vitro fertilization (IVF) with fresh embryo transfer at the Reproductive Medicine Center of Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital from January 2018 to January 2022. The research population was sorted into two groups through random sampling, namely, the model group (n = 1141) and the validation group (n = 489), with a ratio of 7:3. Univariate analysis was utilized to determine the influencing factors for clinical pregnancy in the model group. The LASSO algorithm was utilized to select the optimal matching factors, which were then included in a multifactorial forward stepwise logistic regression to determine independent influencing factors and develop a nomogram. The discrimination, accuracy, and clinical efficacy of the prediction model were analyzed utilizing the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, calibration curve, and clinical decision curve. Results Through multivariate-logistic-regression analysis, these factors were identified as independent influencing factors for the clinical pregnancy in endometriosis patients undergoing fresh embryo transfer: female age (OR = 0.933, 95% CI = 0.902–0.965, P  0.05). The clinical decision curve demonstrated that both the model and the validation groups achieved maximum net benefit at threshold probability values of 0.08–0.96 and 0.16–0.96, indicating good clinical efficacy within this range of threshold probabilities. Conclusion Female age, ASRM stage, postoperative to IVF duration, stimulation protocol, AFC, AMH, number of oocytes retrieved, number of high-quality cleavage embryos and number of transferred embryos are independent influencing factors for the clinical pregnancy rate in individuals with endometriosis receiving fresh embryo transfer. The nomogram model based on these factors demonstrates good clinical predictive value and efficacy, providing a basis for clinical prognosis, intervention, and individualized medical treatment planning

Vitamin D supplementation prior to in vitro fertilisation in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a protocol of a multicentre randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial

Introduction Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the leading causes of female infertility, affecting around 5% of women of childbearing age in China. Vitamin D insufficiency is common in women with PCOS and is associated with lower live birth rates. However, evidence regarding the effectiveness of vitamin D supplementation in women with PCOS is inconclusive. This multicentre randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of vitamin D supplementation prior to in vitro fertilisation (IVF) on the live birth rate in women with PCOS.Methods and analysis We plan to enrol women with PCOS scheduled for IVF. After informed consent, eligible participants will be randomised in a 1:1 ratio to receive oral capsules of 4000 IU vitamin D per day or placebo for around 12 weeks until the day of triggering. All IVF procedures will be carried out routinely in each centre. The primary outcome is live birth after the first embryo transfer. The primary analysis will be by intention-to-treat analysis. To demonstrate or refute that treatment with vitamin D results in a 10% higher live birth rate than treatment with placebo, we need to recruit 860 women (48% vs 38% difference, anticipating 10% loss to follow-up and non-compliance, significance level 0.05 and power 80%).Ethics and dissemination This study has been approved by the Ethics Committee in Women’s Hospital of Zhejiang University on 2 March 2020 (reference number: IRB-20200035-R). All participants will provide written informed consent before randomisation. The results of the study will be submitted to scientific conferences and a peer-reviewed journal.Trial registration number NCT04082650