Shelf life assessment of green asparagus packaged in polypropylene macro-perforated and micro-perforated

The very short shelf-life of asparagus (Asparagus officinalis, L.) is mainly related to its high respiratory activity which continues after harvesting. The perishable nature of the product poses the challenge to develop effective storage methods to extend its post-harvest life. The loss of quality is mainly perceived by consumers in the wrinkling of stems, hardening, loss of the green colour and brightness. The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of green asparagus ('Vegalim') packaged in polypropylene macro-perforated with a piercing density of 7 holes/cm2 and micro-perforated coextruded PP with a row of central holes spaced each 3 cm having an oxygen transmission rate of 38800 cc/m2. The quality evaluation of asparagus was assessed by measuring changes in the main physical-chemical parameters and by visually monitoring the product, during a period of 32 days of cold storage. Weight loss, instrumental texture and colour degradation were measured. Data were analysed with a specific testing software. Image analysis was performed. The weight loss of the samples, which is mainly due to moisture loss, was 16% in macro-perforated film, while it was negligible in micro-perforated film (mean value 0.4%). Maximum shear force and cutting energy were measured cutting asparagus spears into three parts: tip (0-6 cm, measured from the apex of the spear), middle portion (6-12 cm) and base (12-18 cm). For samples packaged in the macro-perforated film, hardness increased in all three parts throughout the experimental period. Shear force of the middle portion of samples packaged in micro-perforated film did not change during the 32 days of the experiment. Hue and Chroma were similar in both samples. The shelf life of refrigerated green asparagus could be extended to 32 days with packaging in micro-perforated film. In literature temperatures of 5°C were considered adequate for keeping the shelf life of asparagus about 11-14 days, it is relevant how the utilization of the correct plastic film to wrap asparagus is the goal for any companies producing this vegetable to significantly extend their marketability

Shelf life assessment of green asparagus packaged in polypropylene macro-perforated and micro-perforated

The very short shelf-life of asparagus (Asparagus officinalis, L.) is mainly related to its high respiratory activity which continues after harvesting. The perishable nature of the product poses the challenge to develop effective storage methods to extend its post-harvest life. The loss of quality is mainly perceived by consumers in the wrinkling of stems, hardening, loss of the green colour and brightness. The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of green asparagus ('Vegalim') packaged in polypropylene macro-perforated with a piercing density of 7 holes/cm2 and micro-perforated coextruded PP with a row of central holes spaced each 3 cm having an oxygen transmission rate of 38800 cc/m2. The quality evaluation of asparagus was assessed by measuring changes in the main physical-chemical parameters and by visually monitoring the product, during a period of 32 days of cold storage. Weight loss, instrumental texture and colour degradation were measured. Data were analysed with a specific testing software. Image analysis was performed. The weight loss of the samples, which is mainly due to moisture loss, was 16% in macro-perforated film, while it was negligible in micro-perforated film (mean value 0.4%). Maximum shear force and cutting energy were measured cutting asparagus spears into three parts: tip (0-6 cm, measured from the apex of the spear), middle portion (6-12 cm) and base (12-18 cm). For samples packaged in the macro-perforated film, hardness increased in all three parts throughout the experimental period. Shear force of the middle portion of samples packaged in micro-perforated film did not change during the 32 days of the experiment. Hue and Chroma were similar in both samples. The shelf life of refrigerated green asparagus could be extended to 32 days with packaging in micro-perforated film. In literature temperatures of 5°C were considered adequate for keeping the shelf life of asparagus about 11-14 days, it is relevant how the utilization of the correct plastic film to wrap asparagus is the goal for any companies producing this vegetable to significantly extend their marketability

The combined use of tocilizumab and hemoadsorption in a patient with SARS-COV-2-19-associated pneumonia: A case report

The SARS-COV-2-19-associated respiratory involvement is caused by the massive release of inflammatory cytokines ultimately leading to interstitial pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). In the absence of an effective antiviral treatment, a reasonable causal approach could be constituted by the neutralization of these substances. The authors describe the clinical course of a patient with SARSCOV- 2-19 interstitial pneumonia treated with the combination of an anti-interleukin 6 (IL-6) agent (tocilizumab) and hemoadsorption (HA). This combination was used to abate the surge of inflammatory mediators leading to the lung damage. Blood levels of IL-6 and C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured before the initiation of the treatment and in the following 3 days. At the end of the treatment, the values of IL-6 and CRP decreased from 1,040 to 415 pg/mL and from 229 to 59 mg/L, respectively. The gas exchanges and the chest imaging rapidly improved, and the patient was extubated 10 days later. The combination of tocilizumab and HA could be valuable in the treatment of SARS-COV-2-19-associated pneumonia and ARDS that are caused by the release of inflammatory mediators

A Bayesian reanalysis of the Standard versus Accelerated Initiation of Renal-Replacement Therapy in Acute Kidney Injury (STARRT-AKI) trial

Background Timing of initiation of kidney-replacement therapy (KRT) in critically ill patients remains controversial. The Standard versus Accelerated Initiation of Renal-Replacement Therapy in Acute Kidney Injury (STARRT-AKI) trial compared two strategies of KRT initiation (accelerated versus standard) in critically ill patients with acute kidney injury and found neutral results for 90-day all-cause mortality. Probabilistic exploration of the trial endpoints may enable greater understanding of the trial findings. We aimed to perform a reanalysis using a Bayesian framework. Methods We performed a secondary analysis of all 2927 patients randomized in multi-national STARRT-AKI trial, performed at 168 centers in 15 countries. The primary endpoint, 90-day all-cause mortality, was evaluated using hierarchical Bayesian logistic regression. A spectrum of priors includes optimistic, neutral, and pessimistic priors, along with priors informed from earlier clinical trials. Secondary endpoints (KRT-free days and hospital-free days) were assessed using zero–one inflated beta regression. Results The posterior probability of benefit comparing an accelerated versus a standard KRT initiation strategy for the primary endpoint suggested no important difference, regardless of the prior used (absolute difference of 0.13% [95% credible interval [CrI] − 3.30%; 3.40%], − 0.39% [95% CrI − 3.46%; 3.00%], and 0.64% [95% CrI − 2.53%; 3.88%] for neutral, optimistic, and pessimistic priors, respectively). There was a very low probability that the effect size was equal or larger than a consensus-defined minimal clinically important difference. Patients allocated to the accelerated strategy had a lower number of KRT-free days (median absolute difference of − 3.55 days [95% CrI − 6.38; − 0.48]), with a probability that the accelerated strategy was associated with more KRT-free days of 0.008. Hospital-free days were similar between strategies, with the accelerated strategy having a median absolute difference of 0.48 more hospital-free days (95% CrI − 1.87; 2.72) compared with the standard strategy and the probability that the accelerated strategy had more hospital-free days was 0.66. Conclusions In a Bayesian reanalysis of the STARRT-AKI trial, we found very low probability that an accelerated strategy has clinically important benefits compared with the standard strategy. Patients receiving the accelerated strategy probably have fewer days alive and KRT-free. These findings do not support the adoption of an accelerated strategy of KRT initiation

Regional Practice Variation and Outcomes in the Standard Versus Accelerated Initiation of Renal Replacement Therapy in Acute Kidney Injury (STARRT-AKI) Trial: A Post Hoc Secondary Analysis.

ObjectivesAmong patients with severe acute kidney injury (AKI) admitted to the ICU in high-income countries, regional practice variations for fluid balance (FB) management, timing, and choice of renal replacement therapy (RRT) modality may be significant.DesignSecondary post hoc analysis of the STandard vs. Accelerated initiation of Renal Replacement Therapy in Acute Kidney Injury (STARRT-AKI) trial (ClinicalTrials.gov number NCT02568722).SettingOne hundred-fifty-three ICUs in 13 countries.PatientsAltogether 2693 critically ill patients with AKI, of whom 994 were North American, 1143 European, and 556 from Australia and New Zealand (ANZ).InterventionsNone.Measurements and main resultsTotal mean FB to a maximum of 14 days was +7199 mL in North America, +5641 mL in Europe, and +2211 mL in ANZ (p p p p p p p p = 0.007).ConclusionsAmong STARRT-AKI trial centers, significant regional practice variation exists regarding FB, timing of initiation of RRT, and initial use of continuous RRT. After adjustment, such practice variation was associated with lower ICU and hospital stay and 90-day mortality among ANZ patients compared with other regions