Yield and Quality of Mung Bean (Vigna radiata (l.) R. Wilczek) Seeds Produced in Poland

The aim of the experiment was to do field and laboratory assessments of yield and quality of mung bean (Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek) seeds cultivated in Western Poland. Mean yield of seeds per plant was higher for common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) than for mung one: 13.1 g and 2.58 g, respectively. The mean 1000 mung seeds weight was 50.9 g and their germination – 78 %. Germination capacities of seeds of both beans in the field were similar. Mung beans, compared to common bean, had much smaller seeds, started to bloom later and produced mature seeds later than the latter. Mung bean seeds had more total proteins and Magnesium and Copper than common bean seeds. In Western Poland, production of high quality mung bean seeds was possible

Consequences of stroke in the light of objective and subjective indices: A review of recent literature

Despite a significant progress in prevention, treatment and management in the past decades, stroke remains the most common disabling chronic condition in adult population. It may be a source of serious temporary or permanent consequences. These consequences should be recognised and measured for defining and implementation of remedial interventions and for optimum utilisation of health care resources. The aim of this work was to present sequels of stroke, taking into account objective and subjective indices, as documented in the recent literature of the subject. Selected data on mortality and survival following stroke were presented, the up-to-date literature was reviewed and register-based prospective studies were presented on quality of life (QoL) in post-stroke patients. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) were summed up, related to efficacy of interventions aimed at improving QoL of the patients. Moreover, the studies were reviewed on burden and QoL experienced by caregivers of post-stroke patients and results were summed up of RCT synthesis aimed at reducing the burden and at improving QoL in the caregivers. The analysed studies indicated that stroke exerts a long-term, negative effect on patients’ QoL, promoting a decrease in this measure and burdening a significant proportion of the family caregivers. The applied till now different interventions and programmes targeted at the patients and at their carers analysed in RCTs showed no or modest effects on improving of QoL or reducing the caregiver's burden

Jakość życia uwarunkowana stanem zdrowia według EQ-5D-3L u chorych w okresie 5 lat po udarze mózgu

Introduction. In recent decades prognoses for stroke survivors regarding the risk of death or serious disability have improved, primarily due to stroke units, thrombolytic therapy and mechanical thrombectomy. Long-term research concerning the course of recovery and the consequences of strokes, which apart from clinical and functional indices would also include the quality of life, is relatively scarce. For this reason it is necessary to constantly update our knowledge of various aspects of the long-term process of recovery of stroke survivors.Aim. The aim of the present study was to assess health-related quality of life in a prospective manner over a period of up to five years following a stroke.Material and Methods. The study sample consisted of 27 patients (18 men and 9 women) aged between 53 and 82, mean age of 68.77 years (SD 8.16), 3 months, 12 months and 5 years after suffering from an ischaemic stroke. Quality of life was assessed using the Euro-Quality of Life Questionnaire (EQ-5D-3L), which covers five quality of life dimensions, the summary quality of life index (EQ — index), and self-assessment of health using the VAS scale (EQ VAS).Results. Quality of life impairment in various dimensions and at various time points of the study concerned from 8% to 60% of patients. Problems occurred mainly in the “pain/discomfort” dimension, and applied to more than 40% of patients during the observation period. The lowest intensity of problems was found in the “self-care” dimension, these referred to from 7% to 14.8% of patients. Mean levels of the EQ index were rather high in all assessments (> 0.80), while those of EQ VAS were moderate (between 60 and 70 points). They did not changed significantly over the period of observation.Conclusions. The quality of life of the majority of stroke patients is relatively good, although it differs for various dimensions. The quality of life in the “non-physical” dimensions is lower than in the physical dimensions. Also the quality of life of patients 3 months after a stroke does not change significantly over the next few years. (JNNN 2019;8(2):62–68)Wstęp. W ostatnich dekadach rokowanie w udarze mózgu w znaczeniu ryzyka zgonu i ciężkiej niepełnosprawności uległo poprawie, głównie dzięki funkcjonowaniu oddziałów udarowych, stosowania leczenia trombolitycznego i trombektomii mechanicznej. Badań długoterminowych dotyczących przebiegu zdrowienia i następstw udaru, obejmujących obok wskaźników klinicznych i funkcjonalnych, również jakość życia jest stosunkowo mało. Dlatego istnieje potrzeba uaktualniania wiedzy na temat różnych aspektów długoterminowego procesu zdrowienia chorych po przebytym udarze mózgu.Cel. Celem niniejszego badania była prospektywna ocena jakości życia uwarunkowanej stanem zdrowia w okresie do pięciu lat po przebytym udarze mózgu.Materiał i metody. Badaniem objęto 27 chorych, (18 mężczyzn i 9 kobiet) w wieku od 53 do 82 lat, średnia wieku 68,77 lat (SD 8,16) po upływie 3 miesięcy, 12 miesięcy i 5 lat po udarze niedokrwiennym. Do oceny jakości życia wykorzystano Euro-Quality of Life Questionnaire (EQ-5D-3L) obejmujący pięć dziedzin jakości życia, sumaryczny wskaźnik jakości życia (EQ — index) oraz samoocenę zdrowia na skali VAS (EQ VAS).Wyniki. Ograniczenia jakości życia w różnych dziedzinach i różnych punktach czasowych badania dotyczyły od 8 do 60% chorych. Problemy występowały głównie w dziedzinie „ból/dyskomfort”, dotyczyło to ponad 40% chorych w okresie obserwacji. Najmniejsze nasilenie problemów odnotowano w dziedzinie „samoopieka”, dotyczyły one od 7 do 14,8% pacjentów. Średnie poziomy wskaźnika EQ index we wszystkich ocenach były dość wysokie (> 0,80), a EQ VAS — średnie (od 60–70 pkt). Nie uległy one istotnym zmianom w okresie obserwacji.Wnioski. Jakość życia większości chorych po udarze jest dość dobra, aczkolwiek różna w różnych dziedzinach. Jakość życia w dziedzinach „nie fizycznych” jest niższa aniżeli w dziedzinach fizycznych. Jakość życia chorych po upływie 3 miesięcy od udaru nie zmienia się istotnie w okresie kolejnych kilku lat. (PNN 2019;8(2):62–68

Skala Northwick Park Dependency Score — nowe narzędzie do wykorzystania w praktyce pielęgniarskiej

Introduction. Evaluation of functional limitations in patients with ischemic stroke is essential in planning suitable nursing care. The main aim of all nursing procedures taken is to ensure the safety of patients, to provide the best, individualized care fulfilling patients’ needs and to support recovery process, considering the necessary number of nursing staff and time needed for these procedures. A tool helpful in the process of diagnosis and planning care is the Northwick Park Dependency Score — NPDS.Aim. The aim of the present study is to describe the Polish version of this scale and to assess its usefulness by comparing the NPDS with the Barthel Index — considered the “golden standard” for assessing patient’s disability and dependency.Material and Methods. The study included 100 elderly ischemic stroke patients aged 60 to 99 years (mean 76.1, SD 9.07). To assess patient’s dependency and thus the need of nursing care, the NPDS Scale was used. Functional status of patients was assessed with the Barthel Index, and the neurological state using the NIHSS.Results. Most items in NPDS, are similar to the items of the BI. However, the NPDS includes additional important questions regarding cognitive functions, communication and behavioral dysfunctions. It allows to estimate the number of nursing staff and their scope of competences necessary for providing care as well as time needed for particular nursing activities. There is a strong correlation between individual modules in the NPSD and the BI sales (r ≈ 0.90). Nevertheless, these are not interchangeable. The high correlation coefficient confirms the validity of the Polish version of the NPDS.Conclusions. NPDS is a simple and useful tool in nursing care allowing to plan the activities based on objective indicators. Despite many similarities it is not a substitute for the popular Barthel Scale. Therefore, the NPDS should be promoted in the nursing environment as a possible work tool. (JNNN 2018;7(1):4–11)Wstęp. Ocena ograniczeń funkcjonalnych u pacjenta z udarem niedokrwiennym mózgu jest podstawą zaplanowania odpowiedniej opieki pielęgniarskiej.Cel. Celem podejmowanych działań pielęgnacyjnych jest zapewnienie bezpieczeństwa, zaspokojenie potrzeb chorego i pomoc w procesie zdrowienia z uwzględnieniem niezbędnej ilości personelu pielęgniarskiego oraz czasu koniecznego do realizacji tych działań. Narzędziem ułatwiającym zarówno proces rozpoznania pielęgniarskiego, jak i planowania opieki jest Skala Zależności Northwick Park (The Northwick Park Dependency Score — NPDS). Celem pracy była charakterystyka polskiej wersji tej skali oraz porównanie jej ze Skalą Barthel — tzw. „złotym standardem” do oceny niesprawności i zależności pacjenta.Materiał i metody. Badaniem objęto 100 osób starszych z udarem niedokrwiennym mózgu w wieku od 60 do 99 lat (śr. 76,1, SD 9,07). Do określenia stopnia zależności pacjenta a tym samym zapotrzebowania na opiekę pielęgniarską wykorzystano skalę NPDS. Stan funkcjonalny chorych oceniono za pomocą Indeksu Barthel (BI), a stan neurologiczny za pomocą skali NIHSS.Wyniki. Większość pytań w NPDS — BCN i BI jest tożsama. NPDS jest bogatsza o pytania dotyczące funkcjonowania poznawczego, komunikowania się i zaburzeń behawioralnych. Pozwala również określić liczbę personelu i zakres kompetencji niezbędnych do zapewnienia opieki oraz czas potrzebny na wykonanie określonych czynności przy chorym. Istnieje bardzo silna korelacja pomiędzy poszczególnymi modułami skali NPDS i BI (r ≈ 0.90) tym niemniej narzędzia te nie są całkowicie zamienne. Wysoki współczynnik korelacji, będący mirą trafności teoretycznej jest wskaźnikiem poprawności psychometrycznej polskiej wersji skali NPDS.Wnioski. Skala NPDS jest prostym i przydatnym w praktyce pielęgniarskiej narzędziem ułatwiającym planowanie opieki w oparciu o obiektywne wskaźniki. Pomimo zbliżonej zawartości, nie jest substytutem popularnej Skali Barthel. Zasadnym jest rozpropagowanie NPDS w środowisku pielęgniarskim, jako potencjalnego narzędzia pracy. (PNN 2018;7(1):4–11

Topinambur – a plant with a wide range of uses

Topinambur (Helianthus tuberosus L.) stał się w ostatnich latach obiektem rosnącego zainteresowania jako surowiec spożywczy, paszowy i przemysłowy. Do bezpośredniego wykorzystania tej rośliny nadają się zarówno bulwy bogate we fruktany, jak i część nadziemna. Bulwy o jasnej skórce chętnie są wykorzystywane do celów kulinarnych w formie surowej, jak i po obróbce. Duże znaczenie ma także użytkowanie pastewne topinamburu, czy to w postaci bulw czy np. kiszonki z łodyg, którymi mogą być skarmiane zwierzęta. Natomiast zapotrzebowanie na bogate w węglowodany, odnawialne surowce roślinne spowodowało, że topinambur posiada coraz większe znaczenie jako źródło energii. Celem pracy było wykazanie, że topinambur ze względu m.in. na swój skład chemiczny, wysoką wydajność bulw i części nadziemnej, minimalne wymagania uprawowe, stanowi atrakcyjny surowiec do wykorzystania w przemyśle spożywczym, farmaceutycznym czy do produkcji etanolu, przy równoczesnej możliwości wykorzystania wszystkich części roślinyJerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus L.) has become an object of growing interest in recent years both as a food, feed and industrial raw material. Both the inulin-rich tubers and the above-ground part are suitable for direct use of this plant. The light-skinned tubers are readily used for culinary purposes in raw form as well as after processing. Also of great importance is the forage use of Jerusalem artichoke, whether in the form of tubers or, for example, stem silage, which can be fed to animals. On the other hand, the demand for carbohydrate-rich, renewable plant materials has made Jerusalem artichoke increasingly important as an energy source. The aim of this study was to demonstrate that Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus L.), due to, among other things, its chemical composition, high yield of tubers and above-ground parts, and minimal cultivation requirements, is an attractive raw material for use in the food industry, pharmaceutical industry or for ethanol production, while at the same time all parts of the plant can be used

Influence of green tea added to Cherry wine on phenolic content, antioxidant activity and alpha-glucosidase inhibition during an In vitro gastrointestinal digestion

Cherries are a good source of bioactive compounds, with high antioxidant activity as well as nutritional and therapeutic importance. In this study, cherry wines enriched with green tea infusion (mild and concentrated) were produced, and their biological properties were evaluated. During winemaking, the main vinification parameters (alcohol, reducing sugars, acidity, total polyphenol content) as well biological activity (antioxidant activity, alpha-glucosidase inhibition potential) were determined. An in vitro digestion process was also performed to evaluate the impact of the gastrointestinal environment on the biological stability of the wines, and to analyze the interactions of wine-intestinal microflora. The addition of green tea to the cherry wine significantly increased the total polyphenol content (up to 2.73 g GAE/L) and antioxidant activity (up to 22.07 mM TE/L), compared with the control wine. However, after in vitro digestion, a reduction in total polyphenols (53–64%) and antioxidant activity (38–45%) were noted. Wines fortified with green tea expressed a stronger inhibition effect on intestinal microflora growth, of which E. coli were the most sensitive microorganisms. The tea-derived bioactive compounds significantly increased the potential of alpha-glucosidase inhibition. The proposed wines could be a good alternative type of wine, with an increased polyphenol content and the potential to control the insulin response supporting therapy for diabetes

Supplementation of beer with Pinus sylvestris L. shoots extracts and its effect on fermentation, phenolic content, antioxidant activity and sensory profiles

Background: The aim of this study was to determine the role of Pinus sylvestris L. shoots in the development of antioxidant and sensory features of wheat beer. Results: After storage, the alcohol content of the experimental beer was 4.04%v/v, and its bitterness was 15.83 IBU (bitterness units). Higher levels of bitterness were found compared to the control beer. Other analyzed fermentation parameters (extract, degree of fermentation) and physicochemical parameters (pH, titratable acidity, color) were similar for both types of beer. The addition of pine shoots at the brewing stage affected the profile of biologically active compounds - both polyphenolic acids and flavonols. The content of both groups of those compounds was almost 30% higher in the sample with pine shoots compared to the control sample. The sensory evaluation confirmed the high attractiveness of the beer with pine shoots. During the three-month storage period, the tested samples were microbiologically stable. Conclusions: It was concluded that pine shoots may be an attractive functional addition to flavored craft beer. It can increase both sensory attractiveness and quantity of bioactive compounds, which results in functional properties such as antioxidant potential.How to cite: Dziedziński M, Stachowiak B, Kobus-Cisowska J, et al. Supplementation of beer with Pinus sylvestris L. shoots extracts and its effect on fermentation, phenolic content, antioxidant activity and sensory profiles. Electron J Biotechnol 2023;63. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejbt.2023.01.001

Nutritional Value and Biological Activity of Gluten-Free Bread Enriched with Cricket Powder

Cricket powder, described in the literature as a source of nutrients, can be a valuable ingredient to supplement deficiencies in various food products. Work continues on the implementation of cricket powder in products that are widely consumed. The aim of this study was to obtain gluten-free bread with a superior nutritional profile by means of insect powder addition. Gluten-free breads enriched with 2%, 6%, and 10% of cricket (Acheta domesticus) powder were formulated and extensively characterized. The nutritional value, as well as antioxidant and β-glucuronidase activities, were assessed after simulated in vitro digestion. Addition of cricket powder significantly increased the nutritional value, both in terms of the protein content (exceeding two-, four-, and seven-fold the reference bread (RB), respectively) and above all mineral compounds. The most significant changes were observed for Cu, P, and Zn. A significant increase in the content of polyphenolic compounds and antioxidant activity in the enriched bread was also demonstrated; moreover, both values additionally increased after the digestion process. The total polyphenolic compounds content increased about five-fold from RB to bread with 10% CP (BCP10), and respectively about three-fold after digestion. Similarly, the total antioxidant capacity before digestion increased about four-fold, and after digestion about six-fold. The use of CP also reduced the undesirable activity of β-glucuronidase by 65.9% (RB vs. BCP10) in the small intestine, down to 78.9% in the large intestine. The influence of bread on the intestinal microflora was also evaluated, and no inhibitory effect on the growth of microflora was demonstrated, both beneficial (Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus) and pathogenic (Enterococcus and Escherichia coli). Our results underscore the benefits of using cricket powder to increase the nutritional value and biological activity of gluten-free food products