Quantification of Trace Volatile Sulfur Compounds in Milk by Solid-Phase Microextraction and Gas Chromatography–Pulsed Flame Photometric Detection

Volatile sulfur compounds have been reported to be responsible for the sulfurous off-flavors generated during the thermal processing of milk; however, their analysis has been a challenge due to their high reactivity, high volatility, and low sensory threshold. In this study, reactive thiols were stabilized and the volatile sulfur compounds in milk were extracted by headspace solidphase microextraction, and analyzed by gas chromatography and pulsed-flame photometric detection. Calibration curves for 7 sulfur-containing compounds were constructed in milk by the standard addition technique. Raw, pasteurized, and UHT milk samples with various fat contents were analyzed. Compared with raw and pasteurized samples, UHT milk contained substantially higher concentrations of hydrogen sulfide, methanethiol, carbon disulfide, dimethyl trisulfide, and dimethyl sulfoxide. The high odor activity values calculated for methanethiol and dimethyl trisulfide suggested that these 2 compounds, in addition to dimethyl sulfide reported in a previous study, could be the most important contributors to the sulfurous note in UHT milkKeywords: volatile sulfur, milk off-flavor, solid-phase microextraction, pulsed-flame photometric detectionOriginally published in Journal of Dairy Science (http://www.journalofdairyscience.org/) and copyrighted by the American Dairy Science Association

Quantitative determination of thermally derived off-flavor compounds in milk using solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography

Many volatile compounds generated during the thermal processing of milk have been associated with cooked, stale, and sulfurous notes in milk and are considered as off-flavor by most consumers. A headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME)/gas chromatographic technique for the quantitative analysis of thermally derived off-flavor compounds was developed in this study. The extraction temperature, time, and sample amount were optimized using a randomized 23 central composite rotatable design with 2 central replicates and 2 replicates in each factorial point along with response surface methodology. Calibration curves were constructed in milk using the standard addition technique, and then used to quantify 20 off-flavor compounds in raw, pasteurized, and UHT milk samples with various fat contents. The concentrations of these volatiles in raw and pasteurized milk samples were not significantly different. However, dimethyl sulfide, 2-hexanone, 2-heptanone, 2-nonanone, 2-undecanone, 2-methylpropanal, 3-methylbutanal, heptanal, and decanal were found at higher concentrations in UHT milk as compared with raw and pasteurized milk samples. In addition, the concentration of methyl ketones was greater in UHT milk with higher fat content. The calculated odor activity values suggested that 2,3-butanedione, 2-heptanone, 2-nonanone, 2-methylpropanal, 3-methylbutanal, nonanal, decanal, and dimethyl sulfide could be important contributors to the off-flavor of UHT milk. The HS-SPME technique developed in this study is accurate and relatively simple, and can be used for the quantification of thermally derived off-flavor compounds in milk.First published in Journal of Dairy Science (http://www.journalofdairyscience.org/). Copyrighted by the American Dairy Science Association.Keywords: milk, off-flavor, solid-phase microextraction, quantificatio

A bird’s eye view over ecosystem services in Natura 2000 sites across Europe

Recent ‘New Conservation’ approaches called for more ecosystem services (ES) emphasis in conservation. We analysed data from 3757 Natura 2000 special protection areas (SPAs) and translated positive and negative impacts listed by conservation managers into indicators of the use of nine provisioning, regulating and cultural ES. Overall, the use of ES is considered by SPA managers to affect conservation goals more negatively than positively. ES associated with livestock keeping and fodder production are recorded as having the highest fraction of positive impacts on SPAs, ranging from 88% and 78% in the Boreal biogeographic region to 20% and 6% in the Mediterranean. The use of ES varied according to dominant habitat class, highlighting the dependence of specific ES on associated ecosystem functions. For instance, fibre production was the predominant ES throughout forest habitats while crop, fodder and livestock exhibit similar patterns of dominance across agricultural landscapes. In contrast, the use of wild food and recreation activities are seen as causing mainly negative effects across all habitats. Our analysis suggests that most uses of ES result in negative effects on conservation goals. These outcomes should be considered when implementing future conservation strategies

Ribavirin-Induced Anemia in Hepatitis C Virus Patients Undergoing Combination Therapy

The current standard of care for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection – combination therapy with pegylated interferon and ribavirin – elicits sustained responses in only ∼50% of the patients treated. No alternatives exist for patients who do not respond to combination therapy. Addition of ribavirin substantially improves response rates to interferon and lowers relapse rates following the cessation of therapy, suggesting that increasing ribavirin exposure may further improve treatment response. A key limitation, however, is the toxic side-effect of ribavirin, hemolytic anemia, which often necessitates a reduction of ribavirin dosage and compromises treatment response. Maximizing treatment response thus requires striking a balance between the antiviral and hemolytic activities of ribavirin. Current models of viral kinetics describe the enhancement of treatment response due to ribavirin. Ribavirin-induced anemia, however, remains poorly understood and precludes rational optimization of combination therapy. Here, we develop a new mathematical model of the population dynamics of erythrocytes that quantitatively describes ribavirin-induced anemia in HCV patients. Based on the assumption that ribavirin accumulation decreases erythrocyte lifespan in a dose-dependent manner, model predictions capture several independent experimental observations of the accumulation of ribavirin in erythrocytes and the resulting decline of hemoglobin in HCV patients undergoing combination therapy, estimate the reduced erythrocyte lifespan during therapy, and describe inter-patient variations in the severity of ribavirin-induced anemia. Further, model predictions estimate the threshold ribavirin exposure beyond which anemia becomes intolerable and suggest guidelines for the usage of growth hormones, such as erythropoietin, that stimulate erythrocyte production and avert the reduction of ribavirin dosage, thereby improving treatment response. Our model thus facilitates, in conjunction with models of viral kinetics, the rational identification of treatment protocols that maximize treatment response while curtailing side effects

Hilando generaciones y moda

El proyecto Hilando Generaciones y Moda tiene como objetivo principal fomentar el intercambio y la convivencia intergeneracional entre jóvenes del ITESO y adultos mayores que acuden al Centro Tapatío de Atención al Adulto Mayor, ubicado en Guadalajara, Jalisco. La problemática que se busca resolver con este proyecto es la falta de interacción y comunicación entre estas dos generaciones, lo que puede llevar a la desconexión y aislamiento social de los adultos mayores, así como a una falta de perspectiva y comprensión por parte de los jóvenes sobre las experiencias y desafíos que enfrentan las personas mayores. El proyecto busca romper con estas barreras mediante la realización de actividades que promuevan la convivencia y el aprendizaje mutuo entre ambas generaciones, permitiendo la integración social y emocional de los adultos mayores, así como el desarrollo de habilidades sociales y empáticas en los jóvenes. A través de la interacción y el diálogo entre ambas generaciones, se espera generar un ambiente de respeto y valoración hacia la sabiduría y experiencia de los adultos mayores, así como una comprensión más profunda de las realidades sociales y culturales que enfrentan. A lo largo del semestre hicimos distintas actividades relacionadas con moda, que fueron propuestas por nosotros mismos. Estos talleres pensados en los adultos mayores nos dejarían productos que reflejaran la identidad de cada adulto y con los que después haremos una exposición final. Nuestras primeras actividades con los adultos fueron hacer un collage y un esqueleto exquisito, en el que hablarían sobre ellos y podríamos conocerlos mejor. Después tuvimos un taller de joyería en el CETAM, donde los adultos crearon dijes personalizados. La siguiente actividad fue un taller de creación y personalización de playeras. Para esta, los adultos nos visitaron en el ITESO, donde compartimos desayuno, baile y creatividad con las pinturas para personalizar cada playera. Este semestre colaboramos con Andrés Moreno, stylist y creador de Vintage Ceremony. Andrés nos asesoró en nuestro camino para nuestra siguiente actividad: una sesión de fotos que buscó resaltar la identidad de cada adulto mayor. En esta sesión de fotos contamos con patrocinio de peinado y maquillaje. Nuestra última actividad será la exposición final, donde mostraremos los resultados de todas las actividades, como prendas hechas por los alumnos de moda (con telas diseñadas por ellos, inspiradas en los adultos).ITESO, A.C

Kwapa: Gente del río. Estrategias transmedia de impacto social

PAP Alter Código produce materiales de interacción audiovisual que se organizan en un universo transmedia, trabaja con personas de todas las edades, su meta es difundir representaciones no estigmatizantes de grupos socialmente desfavorecidos, además de compartir esta visión a todo aquel que colabore en el proyecto. En la temporada de verano 2023, el equipo Alter CÓDIGO continuó con el desarrollo del videojuego “A la orilla del río”, para ello la organización del trabajo se dividió en múltiples áreas tanto como comunitarias como digitales para dar una mayor profundidad al producto. Los avances más significativos van desde una versión más actualizada del guion, storyboards, una primera animación, un demo, este último de lo que sería el gameplay, y un minijuego. Asimismo, se muestra la vinculación comunitaria e impacto social que se logró con el desarrollo de los talleres de intervención fotográfica con niños acerca de su territorio. Paralelamente se aborda la creación de redes sociales y página web para la difusión del proyecto por fuera del PAP. En los dos meses de trabajo se cumplieron con los ideales del Proyecto de Aplicación Profesional y se logró una difusión transmedia. A pesar de que el proyecto aún no llega a su finalización, los avances y el alcance superaron las metas que se otorgaron al inicio de la temporada.ITESO, A.C

Pollinator-flower interactions in gardens during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown of 2020

During the main COVID-19 global pandemic lockdown period of 2020 an impromptu set of pollination ecologists came together via social media and personal contacts to carry out standardised surveys of the flower visits and plants in gardens. The surveys involved 67 rural, suburban and urban gardens, of various sizes, ranging from 61.18° North in Norway to 37.96° South in Australia, resulting in a data set of 25,174 rows, with each row being a unique interaction record for that date/site/plant species, and comprising almost 47,000 visits to flowers, as well as records of flowers that were not visited by pollinators, for over 1,000 species and varieties belonging to more than 460genera and 96plant families. The more than 650 species of flower visitors belong to 12 orders of invertebrates and four of vertebrates. In this first publication from the project, we present a brief description of the data and make it freely available for any researchers to use in the future, the only restriction being that they cite this paper in the first instance. The data generated from these global surveys will provide scientific evidence to help us understand the role that private gardens (in urban, rural and suburban areas) can play in conserving insect pollinators and identify management actions to enhance their potential

Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

Funder: European Society of Intensive Care Medicine; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100013347Funder: Flemish Society for Critical Care NursesAbstract: Purpose: Intensive care unit (ICU) patients are particularly susceptible to developing pressure injuries. Epidemiologic data is however unavailable. We aimed to provide an international picture of the extent of pressure injuries and factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries in adult ICU patients. Methods: International 1-day point-prevalence study; follow-up for outcome assessment until hospital discharge (maximum 12 weeks). Factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injury and hospital mortality were assessed by generalised linear mixed-effects regression analysis. Results: Data from 13,254 patients in 1117 ICUs (90 countries) revealed 6747 pressure injuries; 3997 (59.2%) were ICU-acquired. Overall prevalence was 26.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 25.9–27.3). ICU-acquired prevalence was 16.2% (95% CI 15.6–16.8). Sacrum (37%) and heels (19.5%) were most affected. Factors independently associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries were older age, male sex, being underweight, emergency surgery, higher Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, Braden score 3 days, comorbidities (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, immunodeficiency), organ support (renal replacement, mechanical ventilation on ICU admission), and being in a low or lower-middle income-economy. Gradually increasing associations with mortality were identified for increasing severity of pressure injury: stage I (odds ratio [OR] 1.5; 95% CI 1.2–1.8), stage II (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.4–1.9), and stage III or worse (OR 2.8; 95% CI 2.3–3.3). Conclusion: Pressure injuries are common in adult ICU patients. ICU-acquired pressure injuries are associated with mainly intrinsic factors and mortality. Optimal care standards, increased awareness, appropriate resource allocation, and further research into optimal prevention are pivotal to tackle this important patient safety threat