The ability of deep eutectic solvent systems to extract bioactive compounds from apple pomace

The objective of this study was to examine the bioactivity of extracts from apple pomace obtained by non-conventional green extraction methods (DES systems). Bioactivity was antioxidant capacity and ability to stimulate insulin secretion from pancreatic beta-cells. The antioxidant capacity of extracts was examined using the DPPH and the FRAP assay. Impact of the extracts on cell viability and insulin secretion were examined using the BRIN-BD11 cell line. ChCl:EG(1:4) extracts resulted in high antioxidant capacity in the DPPH assay (80.1% inhibition versus 11.3%). Extracts obtained from the classical systems demonstrated an ability to promote insulin secretion significantly higher than the positive control, p < 0.05. ChCl:EG(1:4) extracts stimulated insulin secretion to a lesser extent. Overall, the data provides evidence for the potential of DES systems to extract bioactive compounds from apple pomace that have relevance for metabolic health. Further optimisation of the extraction procedures should be tailored to the desired bioactive properties

Transmembrane potential of rat hepatocytes in primary monolayer culture

Transmembrane potentials of rat hepatocytes in primary monolayer culture on collagen gels were measured with glass microelectrodes. Potentials for cells in culture for 23-30 h comprised two populations. The mean ± SD for a population of stable low potentials was -9.7 ± 2.0 mV (n = 93). This was compared with -23.6 ± 9.4 mV (n = 42), the mean value for stable potentials that followed spontaneous increases in the low potentials, 0.5-2.0 min after the impalement. The estimated input resistance increased during these spontaneous hyperpolarizations. In some cells, after 48 h in culture, the transmembrane potential oscillated rhythmically, with an amplitude of 25 mV and a period of 7 min. Suffusing the cells with 120 mM potassium chloride decreased the potential and eliminated the oscillations. The stable high potentials were considered more accurate estimates of the hepatocyte transmembrane potential, based on comparison with values for intact liver. Low potentials may have resulted from current leaking through an electrode shunt resistance, followed by an increase in potential as the membrane \u27sealed\u27 the shunt pathway. However, these events may also reflect cells capable of two stable transmembrane potentials

Evaluating and Improving the Visualisation of CHOOSE, an Enterprise Architecture Approach for SMEs

International audienceEnterprise architecture (EA) serves as a means to improve business-IT and strategy-operations alignment in an organisation. While it is a fairly mature domain in large enterprises, the need for EA in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) has only been recently addressed. As SMEs have different characteristics and cope with specific problems, a different approach is essential to enable a successful adoption of EA. In order to meet these particular requirements of SMEs, the EA approach CHOOSE has been developed. In previous research, emphasis has been put on refining the method and metamodel of CHOOSE and on the development of supporting software tools. However, the visual notation of CHOOSE has not been investigated yet, while the form of representation has a great impact on the cognitive effectiveness of a diagram. This paper assesses the current visualisation of CHOOSE, describes alternatives and conducts an experimental comparison

CHOOSE: Towards a metamodel for enterprise architecture in small and medium-sized enterprises

Enterprise architecture (EA) is a coherent whole of principles, methods, and models that are used in the design and realization of an enterprise's organizational structure, business processes, information systems, and infrastructure. Recent research indicates the need for EA in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), important drivers of economy, as they struggle with problems related to a lack of structure and overview of their business. However, existing EA frameworks are perceived as too complex and no EA approach adapted to an SME context exists. Therefore, this paper presents the CHOOSE metamodel for EA in SMEs that is developed and evaluated during action research in a Belgian SME. This metamodel is based on the essentials of EA frameworks and is kept simple to be usable in an SME context. The final CHOOSE metamodel includes only four essential concepts (goal, actor, operation, object), one for each most frequently used EA focus. An extract from the CHOOSE model from the Belgian SME is presented as an example. Finally, the CHOOSE metamodel is evaluated according to the EA essentials and the requirements for EA in an SME context

Priority topics for European multidisciplinary guidelines on the management of chronic kidney disease in older adults

PURPOSE: To identify and prioritize potential topics to be addressed in the development of European multidisciplinary guidelines on the management of chronic kidney disease stage 3b-5 in older patients. METHODS: We composed a list of 47 potential guideline topics by reviewing the literature, consulting online 461 nephrologists and 107 geriatricians, and obtaining expert input. A multidisciplinary panel of twelve experts then prioritized the topics during a face-to-face consensus meeting, following a nominal group technique structure with two voting rounds. Topics were rated on a 9-point scale ranging from 1 ('not at all important') to 9 ('critically important'). RESULTS: The highest rating (median; range) was assigned to 'Screening and referral' (8.5; 2.0). Eight topics shared the second highest rating with a median priority score of 8.0 (2.0) and included 'Starting dialysis or not' and 'Accurate assessment of renal function.' 'Targets for and treatment of diabetes' received the lowest rating with (3.0; 6.0). CONCLUSIONS: This joint initiative of the European Renal Association-European Dialysis Transplant Association (ERA-EDTA) and the European Union Geriatric Medicine Society (EUGMS) prioritized the development of guidance on interdisciplinary referral of older patients with chronic kidney disease stage 3b-5. Future guidance will therefore focus on identifying prognostic scores to predict death and progression to end-stage renal disease, as well as accurate tests for assessment of renal function in older kidney patients. This will contribute to more informed treatment decision making in this growing patient population