Effects of blenderized watermelon with the rind on satiety, postprandial glucose, and bowel movement, with sensory evaluation

Watermelon is a well-liked fruit containing bioactive compounds and nutrients. Watermelon research on metabolic diseases often involves flesh, yet rind is less explored. This study examined effects of watermelon with rind on satiety, postprandial glucose, and bowel movement with a sensory evaluation in healthy adults. The study included 21 participants (age 23.6 ± 5.7y, BMI 22.6 ± 2.8 kg/m2) in a randomized double-blind crossover design. Participants consumed one cup of blenderized watermelon with and without rind separated by a one-week washout period. Sensory analysis included 23 semi-trained panelists to complete a triangle and a 7-point hedonic scale test. Results revealed significant increase in satiety for both trials over time, with more fullness for watermelon with rind (P < 0.05). Rind stabilized glucose response compared to flesh (P < 0.001). No bowel movement differences were found for either trial. Most sensory panelists (91 %) identified the sample of watermelon with rind in the triangle test (P < 0.001). Higher ratings in color, consistency, smell, flavor, and sweetness for watermelon compared to watermelon with rind (P < 0.01). Overall acceptance was significantly higher for watermelon compared to watermelon with rind (P < 0.001). Findings suggest health-promoting effects of watermelon rind on satiety and glucose, but higher acceptance for watermelon flesh vs watermelon flesh with rind. Future studies should investigate potential benefits of rind in disease prevention and attenuation. Advancement in food technologies is also needed to increase palatability to promote rind consumption

Dry Eye-Related Visual Blurring and Irritative Symptoms and Their Association with Depression and Anxiety in Eye Clinic Patients

<p><i>Purpose</i>: Dry eye is a common condition known to have many systemic co-morbidities. We aim to report the frequency of depression and anxiety suspects in eye clinic patients and explore the association between dry eye signs and symptoms with depression and anxiety.</p> <p><i>Materials and methods</i>: Adult outpatients were recruited from dry a public tertiary ophthalmology specialist center. Participants underwent socio-demographic and dry eye symptoms questionnaires, fluorescein dye tear break-up time (TBUT), fluorescein dye corneal staining and Schirmer’s test. Rasch analysis was used to internally validate the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) and determine its psychometric properties.</p> <p><i>Results</i>: A total of 96 participants (mean age 54.5 ± 10.8; 64.1% women) were recruited. The mean score for the CES-D was 12.1 ± 9.8 with 28 participants (31.5%) having a score of above 16 (published threshold). The mean score for depression-associated questions in the HADS was 3.6 ± 3.6 with 13 participants (14.1%) having a score ≥8. The mean score for the anxiety-associated questions in the HADS was 5.3 ± 3.6 with 24 participants (26.1%) having score ≥8. There was a weak inverse correlation between Schirmer’s test and CES-D scores. Elevated depression scores from the CES-D were significantly associated with visual blurring but not irritation, in dry eye patients with low TBUT.</p> <p><i>Conclusions</i>: In conclusion, specific types of dry eye symptoms, particularly those with increased frequency of visual blurring were associated with symptoms of depression. The optical aberrations induced by dry eye, associated with tear instability, may predispose to depressive tendency.</p

Influence of encapsulated Lactobacillus plantarum and eugenol on the physicochemical properties and microbial community of fresh-cut apples

This study aimed to evaluate the application of encapsulated L. plantarum and eugenol as potential biocontrol agents in sliced apples. The combined encapsulated L. plantarum and eugenol treatment was more effective than separate encapsulated L. plantarum and eugenol treatments, with regards to browning inhibition and consumers panel test. The application of encapsulated L. plantarum and eugenol reduced the decline of the physicochemical qualities of the samples, and improved the ability of antioxidant enzymes to scavenge reactive oxygen species. Furthermore, reductions in the growth of L. plantarum of only 1.72 log CFU/g were observed after 15 days of storage at 4 °C for samples treated with encapsulated L. plantarum and eugenol. Results suggest the combined encapsulated L. plantarum and eugenol appears to be a promising method to protect fresh-cut apples from food-borne pathogens while maintaining the visual appearance

Blue light attenuates TGF-β2-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition in human lens epithelial cells via autophagy impairment

Abstract Background Pathogenesis of posterior capsular opacification (PCO) was related to pathological epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of lens epithelial cells (LECs). It has been reported that blue light could have an effect on EMT. This study aims to elucidate the role and potential mechanism of autophagy in EMT after blue light exposure in LECs. Methods HLE-B3 cells were treated with TGF-β2 with different concentration and time to induce EMT as a model of PCO in vitro. Cells were exposed to blue light with or without TGF-β2. The expression levels of EMT-associated markers were analyzed by qRT-PCR, western blotting and cell migration ability was determined by transwell migration assay and wound healing assay. The expressions of autophagy-related proteins were analyzed by western blotting, immunofluorescence and transmission electron microscopy. Rapamycin and chloroquine were utilized in cells for autophagy activation and inhibition. Results TGF-β2 induced autophagy activation during EMT progression in HLE-B3 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Blue light exposure inhibited TGF-β2-induced EMT characterized by inhibited expression of EMT related markers and reduced migration capacity. Meanwhile, blue light exposure impaired autophagy activated by TGF-β2. Furthermore, Autophagy activation with rapamycin rescued EMT attenuated by blue light. Autophagy inhibition with chloroquine reduced TGF-β2-induced EMT in HLE-B3 cells. Conclusion Blue light exposure had inhibited effects on TGF-β2-induced EMT in LECs through autophagy impairment, which provides a new insight on prevention and treatment of PCO

Fabrication of AlZn4SiPb/Steel Clad Sheets by Roll Bonding: Their Microstructure and Mechanical Properties

An AlZn4SiPb/steel clad composite was prepared via roll bonding at room temperature. The influence of solution and aging treatment on the structure and performance of the clad composite was investigated. The results show that the Al/steel clad composites exhibited satisfactory interfacial adhesion. Pb of the aged Al matrix was spheroidized and uniformly dispersed. An uneven interfacial transition area with a thickness of 30&ndash;150 nm was observed for the aged sample. Some rod-shaped nanoscale &beta;&rsquo; phases occurred in the aged Al matrix. After the solution and aging treatment, the steel layer recovered, and the &gamma;-fibre texture increased. The tensile strength for individual Al alloy layer improved. The yield ratio of the aged clad sheet was lower than that of the initial sample. The tensile strength values of the composites were consistent with the computed values from the rule of mixture. The interfacial bonding strength of the initial sample was 70 MPa; the aged sample greatly improved and reached 130 MPa in strength

Fabrication of AlZn4SiPb/Steel Clad Sheets by Roll Bonding: Their Microstructure and Mechanical Properties

An AlZn4SiPb/steel clad composite was prepared via roll bonding at room temperature. The influence of solution and aging treatment on the structure and performance of the clad composite was investigated. The results show that the Al/steel clad composites exhibited satisfactory interfacial adhesion. Pb of the aged Al matrix was spheroidized and uniformly dispersed. An uneven interfacial transition area with a thickness of 30–150 nm was observed for the aged sample. Some rod-shaped nanoscale β’ phases occurred in the aged Al matrix. After the solution and aging treatment, the steel layer recovered, and the γ-fibre texture increased. The tensile strength for individual Al alloy layer improved. The yield ratio of the aged clad sheet was lower than that of the initial sample. The tensile strength values of the composites were consistent with the computed values from the rule of mixture. The interfacial bonding strength of the initial sample was 70 MPa; the aged sample greatly improved and reached 130 MPa in strength

A Review of Intraocular Pressure (IOP) and Axial Myopia

The pathogenesis of myopia is driven by genetic and environmental risk factors. Accommodation not only alters the curvature and shape of the lens but also involves contraction of the ciliary and extraocular muscles, which influences intraocular pressure (IOP). Scleral matrix remodeling has been shown to contribute to the biomechanical susceptibility of the sclera to accommodation-induced IOP fluctuations, resulting in reduced scleral thickness, axial length (AL) elongation, and axial myopia. The rise in IOP can increase the burden of scleral stretching and cause axial lengthening. Although the accommodation and IOP hypotheses were proposed long ago, they have not been validated. This review provides a brief and updated overview on studies investigating the potential role of accommodation and IOP in myopia progression

Effect of respiratory muscle training in patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Objectives: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a prevalent respiratory disorder characterized by progressive airflow limitation. This meta-analysis aims to evaluate the effectiveness of respiratory muscle training (RMT) on key pulmonary function parameters, inspiratory muscle strength and quality of life in patients with stable COPD. Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted in the databases including PubMed, Cochrane, Web of Science, Embase, and ClinicalTrials.gov, from their inception to June 12, 2023. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the impact of RMT on stable COPD were included for meta-analysis. Results: In total, 12 RCTs involving 453 participants were included in the meta-analysis. RMT demonstrated a significant increase in maximal inspiratory pressure (PImax, MD, 95% CI: 14.34, 8.17 to 20.51, P < 0.001) but not on maximal expiratory pressure (PEmax). No significant improvement was observed in 6-Min walk test (6MWT), dyspnea, forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), forced vital capacity ratio (FVC) and quality of life between RMT and control groups. However, subgroup analysis revealed a significant negative effect of RMT alone on FEV1/FVC (MD, 95% CI: 2.59, −5.11 to −0.06, P = 0.04). When RMT was combined with other interventions, improvements in FEV1/FVC and FEV1 were found, although not statistically significant. Conclusion: RMT can effectively improve maximal inspiratory pressure in stable COPD patients, but the effect is slight in improving lung function, dyspnea and quality of life. It is recommended to combine with other treatment strategies to comprehensively improve the prognosis of COPD patients

A narrative review of the evaluation and selection of instruments which assess self-efficacy amongst patients with essential hypertension

Hypertension is a chronic disease that is mostly managed by the patients themselves inbetween consultation with their physicians. Self-efficacy, which is an individual’s belief in their capabilities to produce given attainments, is a desirable quality to enable the person to take charge of their health and any long-term illness. Assessment of self-efficacy is thus pivotal in developing a holistic patient-centric care plan to optimize their disease control. For hypertension, self-efficacy is associated with better self-care and outcomes of the disease. This literature review aims to identify self-efficacy assessment instruments, evaluate their origin, quality and development, compare their strengths and limitations, and applicability in specific target population. Searches performed using PubMed, Scopus and The Cochrane Library eventually yielded 34 relevant articles and 12 instruments. All instruments were validated in specific populations. Two instruments were specific to hypertension, two instruments measured multiple domains of self-management, while medication adherence was the most common single domain assessed. To select an appropriate instrument, one should take into consideration the clinical context and study design. An algorithm is proposed to facilitate the selection of instrument that is best suited for the specific purpose