Design and functionality of dense protein particles

Food products that contain high levels of protein can help to control food intake and to maintain a healthy body weight due to their strong satiating properties. They are also beneficial in the nutrition of elderly and commonly used in medical nutrition. Preparation of food products at high protein concentrations is difficult, mainly due to protein aggregation, occurring during processing and storage. A possible route in controlling this aggregation is using pre-fabricated protein structures, such as protein particles with controlled internal and surface properties. The aim of this thesis was to design dense protein particles and to study their properties and functionality at high protein concentrations. Dense protein particles were prepared through two-step emulsification. The average diameter of the protein particles was in the order of a few micrometers and protein was homogeneously distributed throughout the particles. Particles were spherical when formed at pH 6.8, whereas they were irregular and had a cauliflower-like appearance when formed at pH 5.5. Particles formed at pH 5.5 had a higher internal protein concentration (~ 39% w/v), than the particles formed at pH 6.8 (~ 18.5% w/v). The rheological properties and heat stability of the particle dispersions were shown to be strongly influenced by the type of the particle. The properties of concentrated whey protein particle dispersions in different dispersing media were also addressed. The results indicated that protein particles swell during heat treatment, which considerably influences their rheological properties. It was also observed that the type and the concentration of the stabilizer present in the dispersing media alters the rheological properties, as well as the heat stability at high particle volume fractions. Functionality of protein particles was addressed both for liquid and gelled systems. It was shown that, protein particles can considerably increase the protein concentration of (model) drinks. After heat treatment at 90 oC for 30 min, no change in the viscosity of the protein particles dispersions (particles prepared at pH 5.5) was observed at a total protein concentration of about 18% (w/w), whereas a WPI solution already gelled under the same heating conditions at protein concentrations around 11% (w/w). The gelled systems containing dense protein particles at high protein concentrations (16-22% w/w) were investigated. Incorporation of dense whey protein particles, in a whey protein gel, while keeping the total protein concentration constant, led to a lower storage modulus (G’). A total protein increase between 25 to 55% (w/w) could be obtained in the presence of whey protein particles, without significantly changing the G' of the gels. The gels were also fractured at lower strain values in the presence of protein particles compared to the WPI gels, without added particles, at the same protein concentration. These results show that protein particles can be used to improve the heat stability and as well they are promising candidates for the formation of high protein foods with improved textural properties. In conclusion, this thesis has made significant progress in understanding the properties of protein particles at high protein concentrations and their potential for the development of high protein foods.</p

Nanoscale addressing and manipulation of neutral atoms using electromagnetically induced transparency

We propose to integrate dark-state based localization techniques into a neutral atom quantum computing architecture and numerically investigate two specific schemes. The first scheme implements state-selective projective measurement by scattering photons from a specific qubit with very little cross talk on the other atoms in the ensemble. The second scheme performs a single-qubit phase gate on the target atom with an incoherent spontaneous emission probability as low as 0.01. Our numerical simulations in rubidium (Rb) atoms show that for both of these schemes a spatial resolution at the level of tens of nanometers using near-infrared light can be achieved with experimentally realistic parameters

Normalized periprostatic fat MRI measurements can predict prostate cancer aggressiveness in men undergoing radical prostatectomy for clinically localised disease

Periprostatic and pelvic fat have been shown to influence prostate cancer behaviour through the secretion of chemokines and growth factors, acting in a paracrine mode. We have measured periprostatic fat volume (PFV) with normalisation to prostate gland volume on pelvic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and have correlated this with grade (Gleason score; GS) and pathological staging (pT) of prostate cancer (PCa) following radical prostatectomy (RP). PFV was determined using a segmentation technique on contiguous T1-weighted axial MRI slices from the level of the prostate base to the apex. The abdominal fat area (AFA) and subcutaneous fat thickness (SFT) were measured using T1-weighted axial slices at the level of the umbilicus and the upper border of the symphysis pubis, respectively. PFV was normalised to prostate volume (PV) to account for variations in PV (NPFV=PFV/PV). Patients were stratified into three risk groups according to post-operative GS: ≤6, 7(3+4), and ≥7(4+3). NPFV was significantly different between the groups (p=0.001) and positively correlated with post-operative GS (ρ=0.294, p&lt;0.001). There was a difference in NPFV between those with upgrading of GS from 6 post prostatectomy (2.43±0.98; n=26) compared to those who continued to be low grade (1.99±0.82; n=17); however, this did not reach statistical significance (p=0.11)

Effects of some indigenous plant extracts on mortality of the root lesion nematode, Pratylenchus thornei Sher & Allen

The genus of root lesion nematodes (RLN), Pratylenchus, feeds and reproduces in the root cortex of many plant species. RLN was reproduced on carrot culture by using a pure culture. In vitro tests were carried out to determine the effects of plant extracts from three indigenous plants: henbane, Hyoscyamus niger; bead-tree, Melia azedarah and common cocklebur, Xanthium strumarium on P. thornei (the major wheat root-lesion nematode). The nematodes were exposed for 12, 24, 48, 72 and 96 hrs in three concentrations of plant extracts. The effect of plant extracts was performed using the suspensions of P. thornei (100 nematodes ml-1) in distilled water. Distilled water was used as a control. All dishes were kept at 28±2°C. The plant extracts of H. niger, M. azedarah and X. strumarium exhibited highly promising mortality rate (100%) after 72 hours of exposure time. The result of this study suggests the studied plant extracts to be used for reducing the P. thornei population. © 2016, Egyptian Society for Biological Control of Pests. All rights reserved

Requirements for modelling tools for teaching

Modelling is an important activity in software development and it is essential that students learn the relevant skills. Modelling relies on dedicated tools and these can be complex to install, configure, and use—distracting students from learning key modelling concepts and creating accidental complexity for teachers. To address these challenges, we believe that modelling tools specifically aimed at use in teaching are required. Based on discussions at a working session organised at MODELS 2023 and the results from an internationally shared questionnaire, we report on requirements for such modelling tools for teaching. We also present examples of existing modelling tools for teaching and how they address some of the requirements identified

Cortical morphology changes in default mode network regions as predictors of cognitive decline in relation to amyloid and tau deposits

Alzheimer’s disease can be classified based on amyloid, tau and neurodegeneration status. The Default Mode Network is notably vulnerable to these processes, making early structural alterations in this network of particular interest for identifying prodromal biomarkers. In this longitudinal cross-sectional study, we analysed data from 279 participants in the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (mean age = 73.7 ± 9 years, 53.2% males). Structural measures—sulcal depth, gyrification and cortical thickness—were extracted for all Default Mode Network regions. Their ability to predict memory performance (encoding, retrieval and recall) was tested at baseline and 2-year follow-up by means of multiple linear regression models, which were all corrected for the risk of multiple comparisons. Covariates included Mini Mental State Examination scores, amyloid status and regional tau burden, to examine interactions with structural changes. Our results showed distinct Default Mode Network alteration patterns based on tau burden and amyloid status, highlighting patterns of morphological features with different susceptibility to proteinopathy. In individuals with concordant (both positive or both negative) amyloid and tau status, preserved structural integrity and complexity were linked to better cognitive performance and appeared protective against decline. However, mainly negative associations were instead observed in individuals with discordant amyloid or tau status (i.e. positive for only either amyloid or tau accumulation). We discuss these findings as a possible reflection of a mismatch between abnormal protein accumulation and structural damage in these populations. The multimodal nature of this study helps clarifying the heterogeneous findings reported in existing literature regarding structural integrity and cognitive outcomes in Alzheimer’s disease

Mammary tuberculosis – importance of recognition and differentiation from that of a breast malignancy: report of three cases and review of the literature

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>While tuberculosis of the breast is an extremely uncommon entity seen in western populations, it accounts for up to 3% of all treatable breast lesions in developing countries.</p> <p>Case presentations</p> <p>We reviewed three female cases of mammary tuberculosis that were diagnosed and treated in Turkey during the same calendar year. All three patients presented with a painful breast mass. In all cases, fine needle aspiration was nondiagnostic for mammary tuberculosis. However, the diagnosis of mammary tuberculosis was confirmed by histopathologic evaluation at the time of open surgical biopsy. All three patients were treated with antituberculous therapy for six months. At the end of the treatment period, each patient appeared to be clinically and radiologically without evidence of residual disease.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The diagnosis of mammary tuberculosis rests on the appropriate clinical suspicion and the histopathologic findings of the breast lesion. Its recognition and differentiation from that of a breast malignancy is absolutely necessary. Antituberculous chemotherapy, initiated immediately upon diagnosis, forms the mainstay of treatment for mammary tuberculosis.</p

Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging to detect synchronous uterine endometrial and endocervical adenocarcinoma

Synchronous endometrial and cervical cancer is a very rare condition. This report describes a case of a 46-year-old woman who presented with a cervical mass that measured 5.6 cm along its longest diameter, whose biopsy analysis revealed an endocervical mucinous adenocarcinoma. She was classified as having an IB2 cervical carcinoma and treated with concurrent chemoradiation plus hysterectomy. Pathological and immunohistochemical analysis of the surgical specimens revealed a synchronous endometrioid grade 2 adenocarcinoma in the endometrium, and a well-differentiated mucinous adenocarcinoma in the cervix. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies performed prior to treatment were reviewed and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps were generated. The ADC values demonstrated distinct signal intensity differences between the endometrial and endocervical tumors. In conclusion, diffusion-weighted MRI and ADC maps can help to distinguish the site of origin of synchronous tumors