Shelf-life of chilled cut orange determined by sensory quality

The shelf-life of chilled cut orange was evaluated in terms of physical and chemical quality characteristics, microbial contamination and sensorial acceptability. After minimal processing (peeling and cutting), fresh orange was stored in air at 4 °C. Evaluations were performed at different times of storage. The respiration rate of the fresh-cut orange was also evaluated. No significant increase was noticed in relation to the whole fruit which means that this was not the factor responsible for an accelerated deterioration of the product. During the first eight days of storage the major quality parameters remain almost unchangeable, except for titratable acidity which decreased around 36% and ascorbic acid content which decreased around 22%. With respect to microbial contamination low temperature determined a considerable shelf-life (15 days). Sensory quality was the parameter which determined the shelf-life of cut orange to five days at 4 °C due to flavour changes

A report on a survey among Portuguese Association of Interventional Cardiology associates regarding ionizing radiation protection practices in national interventional cath-labs

Introduction and objectives: Concerns surrounding the consequences of ionizing radiation (IR) have increased in interventional cardiology (IC). Despite this, the ever-growing complexity of diseases as well as procedures can lead to greater exposure to radiation. The aim of this survey, led by Portuguese Association of Interventional Cardiology (APIC), was to evaluate the level of awareness and current practices on IR protection among its members. Methods: An online survey was emailed to all APIC members, between August and November 2021. The questionnaire consisted of 50 questions focusing on knowledge and measures of IR protection in the catheterization laboratory. Results were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: From a response rate of 46.9%, the study obtained a total sample of 159 responses (156 selected for analysis). Most survey respondents (66.0%) were unaware of the radiation exposure category, and only 60.4% reported systematically using a dosimeter. A large majority (90.4%) employed techniques to minimize exposure to radiation. All participants used personal protective equipment, despite eyewear protection only being used frequently by 49.2% of main operators. Ceiling suspended shields and table protectors were often used. Only two-thirds were familiar with the legally established limit on radiation doses for workers or the dose that should trigger patient follow-up. Most of the survey respondents had a non-certified training in IR procedures and only 32.0% had attended their yearly occupational health consultation. Conclusions: Safety methods and protective equipment are largely adopted among interventional cardiologists, who have shown some IR awareness. Despite this, there is room for improvement, especially concerning the use of eyewear protection, monitoring, and certification. Keywords: Cardiologia de intervenção; Dosimeter; Dosímetro; Equipamentos de proteção; Intervention cardiology; Ionizing radiation; Limites de dose; Protective equipment; Radiação ionizante; Safety methods; Técnicas de minimização.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Ticagrelor Loading on ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction: Interaction With Prodromal Angina on Infarct Size and Clinical Events

Introduction:Ticagrelor might reduce infarct size by exerting a more potent antiplatelet effect or by promoting a potential conditioning stimulus in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients. Pre-infarction angina (PIA) is an effective preconditioning stimulus that reduces ischemia-reperfusion injury. Because little is known on the interaction of PIA in STEMI-patients loaded with ticagrelor, we sought to determine if patients loaded with ticagrelor had improved clinical outcomes as compared to clopidogrel and to study if it is modulated by the presence of PIA. Methods:From 1272 STEMI patients submitted to primary percutaneous coronary intervention and treated with clopidogrel or ticagrelor from January 2008 to December 2018, 826 were analyzed after propensity score matching. Infarct size was estimated using peak creatine kinase (CK) and troponin T (TnT), and clinical impact was evaluated through cumulative major cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) at 1-year follow-up. Matched patients and their interaction with PIA were analyzed. Results:Patients loaded with ticagrelor had lower peak CK [1405.50 U/L (730.25-2491.00), P < .001] and TnT [3.58 ng/mL (1.73-6.59), P < .001)], regardless of PIA. The presence of PIA was associated with lower CK (P = .030), but not TnT (P = .097). There was no interaction between ticagrelor loading and PIA (P = .788 for TnT and P = .555 for CK). There was no difference in MACCE incidence between clopidogrel or ticagrelor loading (P = .129). Cumulative survival was also similar between clopidogrel or ticagrelor, regardless of PIA (P = .103). Conclusion:Ticagrelor reduced infarct sizes independently and without a synergic effect with PIA. Despite reducing infarct size, clinical outcomes were similar across both groups.The author(s) disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: The UMIBis funded by the Foundation of Science and Technology (FCT) Portugal (UIDB/00215/2020; UIDP/00215/2020; LA/P/0064/2020)