Effect of acacia exudate gum on milk gel fermentation of flavoured synbiotic yoghurt enriched with Daucus carota L. ssp. sativus var. atrorubens Alef fibre

Obogaćivanje jogurta i drugih mliječnih proizvoda dodatkom vlakana i probiotičkih bakterija poprima sve veći interes u proizvodnji funkcionalne hrane s dodanom vrijednosti. U ovom istraživanju mlijeko fermentirano uz dodatak gumastog sekreta bagrema i pulpe crne mrkve (Daucus carota L. ssp. sativus var. atrorubens Alef) imalo je puno kraće vrijeme fermentacije u usporedbi s drugim vrstama mlijeka fermentiranim sojevima Streptococcus thermophilus, Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus, Lactobacillus acidophilus i Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis. Dodatak potencijalnih prebiotika povećao je kohezivnost i indeks viskoznosti te smanjio indeks sinereze u uzorcima sinbiotičkog jogurta. Ocje¬njivanje senzorskih svojstava je pokazalo da dodatak funkcionalnih sastojaka poboljšava teksturu te su tijekom hladnog skladištenja tako obogaćeni proizvodi postizali veće ocjene.Fortifying yoghurt or dairy products with fibres and probiotic bacteria is an increasing interest to create functional foods with health benefits and improve their functionality. In this study milk fermented with acacia exudate gum and black carrot (Daucus carota L. ssp. sativus var. atrorubens alef) pulp components had a significantly shorter fermentation time than the others in milk fermented with Streptococcus thermophilus, Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus, Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis. Potential prebiotic addition increased the cohesiveness, index of viscosity and decreased the index of syneresis in synbiotic yoghurt samples. Sensory evaluation showed that incorporation of functional components increased satisfactory texture, and had sensory characteristics with high scores during cold storage

Akromegalia może wiązać się z zaburzeniami rozkurczu dolnego zwieracza przełyku (LES)

  Introduction: Although prolonged small intestine and colonic transit time has been demonstrated in acromegaly patients, the influence of acromegaly on oesophagus motility and the pathological mechanisms involved are still not clarified. We aimed to investigate manometric measurements to ascertain whether oesophagus motility is affected in active acromegaly patients. Material and methods: The study was performed in an institutional referral centre at a tertiary care hospital. Twenty-three acromegaly patients (mean age 43.2 ± 13.2 years) and 25 sex- and age-matched healthy control subjects (mean age 48.6 ± 7.9 years) were recruited to a case-control study. Oesophageal manometry was performed using MMS (Medical Measurement Systems, Netherlands) Solar GI — Air Charged Intelligent Gastrointestinal Conventional Manometry. Results: In manometric measurements the lower oesophageal sphincter pressure was 18 ± 7 mmHg in acromegaly patients and 15.6 ± 4.4 mm Hg in controls, and there was no significant difference (p = 0.17). The percentage of relaxation was 64.8% and 81.8%, respectively, and it was significantly lower in acromegaly patients than in controls (p < 0.001). Additionally, the duration of relaxation was found to be 4 ± 1.9 seconds and 5 ± 1.7 seconds in patients and controls, respectively (p = 0.049). Conclusions: Our study has demonstrated a significant reduction in the percentage and duration of lower oesophageal sphincter relaxation in oesophagus motility even in acromegaly patients without any gastrointestinal symptoms. Further clinical and pathophysiological studies are required to clarify the underlying mechanisms of gastrointestinal motility disorders in acromegaly. (Endokrynol Pol 2015; 66 (4): 308–312)    Wstęp: Chociaż u pacjentów chorujących na akromegalię wykazano wydłużony czas pasażu żołądkowo-jelitowego, wpływ akromegalii na motorykę przełyku oraz powiązane z tym mechanizmy patologiczne nadal nie są wyjaśnione. Celem pracy było zbadanie za pomocą pomiarów manometrycznych czy motoryka przełyku ulega zmianie u pacjentów z aktywną akromegalią. Materiał i metody: Badanie przeprowadzono w ośrodku referencyjnym w szpitalu specjalistycznym. Dwudziestu trzech pacjentów chorujących na akromegalię (śr. wiek 43,2 ± 13,2 lat) oraz w grupie kontrolnej 25 osób dopasowanych pod względem płci i wieku (śr. wiek 48,6 ± 7,9 lat) zostało zakwalifikowanych do badania kliniczno-kontrolnego. Manometrię przełyku wykonano za pomocą MMS (Medical Measurement Systems, Holandia) Solar GI. Wyniki: W pomiarach manometrycznych u pacjentów ciepiących na akromegalię, ciśnienie dolnego zwieracza przełyku wynosiło 18 ± 7 mm Hg, a u osób kontrolnych wynosiło ono 15,6 ± 4,4 mm Hg, nie było więc znaczącej różnicy między grupami (p = 0,17). odsetek rozkurczu wynosił odpowiednio 64,8% i 81,8% i był on znacznie niższy u pacjentów z akromegalią (p < 0,001). Ponadto, długość trwania rozkurczu wynosiła odpowiednio 4 ± 1,9 sek. i 5 ± 1,7 sek. (p = 0,049). Wnioski: Niniejsze badanie wykazało znaczną redukcję odsetka i czasu trwania rozkurczu dolnego zwieracza przełyku w motoryce przełyku, nawet u pacjentów z akromegalią bez objawów żołądkowo-jelitowych. Należy przeprowadzić dalsze badania kliniczne i patofizjologiczne, aby wyjaśnić mechanizmy leżące u podłoża zaburzeń motoryki żołądkowo-jelitowej u pacjentów chorujących na akromegalię. (Endokrynol Pol 2015; 66 (4): 308–312)

Large Dimension and Low-Cost Fe-SMA Rods

The effects on sample size on abnormal grain growth in inexpensive FeMnAlNi shape memory alloy (SMAs) wires and rod were investigated. It was shown that repeated heat treatments between single phase (bcc) and two phase (bcc + fcc) region resulted in abnormal grains with bamboo structure both in small sized wires and large diameter rods. Microstructural features were investigated using electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) and it was found that 0.5 mm wires possess strong [011] texture whereas, large diameter rods have random texture after grain growth heat treatments

Integrated Health Monitoring of Transportation Structures with Magnetic Fe-SMA Wires

In this work, the magnetization response of FeMnAlNi superelastic shape memory alloys (SMAs) is investigated under stress. Wires with a diameter of 0.5 mm were subjected to repeated abnormal grain growth heat treatments in order to obtain bamboo structured oligocrystalline grains that are necessary for superelasticity. Solution heat treated wires were aged at 200ºC for 3 h to strengthen the austenite matrix. Tensile cyclic tests were performed at room temperature until failure, while the magnetization response of the wires was monitored using a hall sensor during loading and unloading in each cycle. It is observed that after each cycle, overall magnetization of the alloy decreases once the irrecoverable strain is introduced after large deformations and magnetization of the sample is inversely correlated with the irrecoverable strain. The findings of this work show that the magnetic shift in Fe-SMAs under deformation can be used a health monitoring tool in next generation structures to detect large deformations and cracks

Relationship between maternal blood ceruloplasmin level, catalase and myeloperoxidase activity and neural tube defects

Objectives: The exact pathogenesis of neural tube defects (NTDs) is poorly understood. We aimed at evaluating maternal anti-oxidant capacity (ceruloplasmin level, myeloperoxidase and catalase activity) in pregnancies complicated by NTDs. Material and methods: Fifty-four mothers with NTD-affected pregnancies and 61 healthy mothers, matched for gestational age, were recruited. Maternal venous blood samples were obtained after detailed fetal ultrasound examination to measure myeloperoxidase, catalase activity and ceruloplasmin levels. The clinical characteristics of all participants were collected. Results: Maternal blood catalase activity was significantly lower in the study group (117.1 ± 64.8 kU/L) as compared to controls (152.2 ± 110.6 kU/L) (p = 0.044). Maternal blood ceruloplasmin levels were also significantly lower in the study group (180.5 ± 37.7 U/L) as compared to controls (197.9 ± 35.9 U/L) (p = 0.012). Myeloperoxidase activity was similar in both groups (112.6 ± 22.2 U/L vs. 113.6 ± 38.1 U/L) (p = 0.869). Conclusions: In the present study, maternal blood ceruloplasmin level and catalase activity were found to be lower in NTD-affected pregnancies as compared to healthy controls. Thus, it seems safe to conclude that impaired antioxidant capacity may play a role in the development of NTDs during pregnancy, in addition to the genetic, environmental and metabolic factors

Diprosopus, craniorachischisis, arthrogryposis, and other associated anomalies in a stillborn lamb

Congenital malformations with multiple anomalies have been described infrequently in the veterinary literature. A stillborn male crossbred lamb with diprosopus, craniorachischisis, and arthrogryposis was examined macroscopically and histopathologically in this study. The left head was smaller than the right head. Micrencephaly, agnathia, and a rudimentary tongue, which was adherent to the palate, were present in the left head. Micrencephaly, brachygnathia superior, and cleft palate were present in the right head. Cerebellar agenesis and spinal cord hypoplasia were observed. The cerebrums and the spinal cord were covered with a tapering membranous structure. Neural and dermal tissues were noted to intervene upon microscopic examination of this structure. Disorganization of neurons was observed in both cerebrums, though it was more severe in the left one. This case demonstrates many congenital defects occurring together in a lamb

Maternal serum ischemia-modified albumin as an oxidative stress biomarker in preterm pre-labor rupture of membranes

Objectives: To evaluate the maternal serum ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) concentration as an oxidative stress biomarker in pregnancies complicated by preterm pre-labor rupture of membranes (PPROM) without maternal clinical infection and compare these results with healthy pregnancies. Material and methods: The present cohort study included 40 pregnancies complicated by PPROM and 49 similar gestational age healthy pregnancies in the third trimester of gestation. Maternal venous blood specimens were obtained at the day of first diagnosis. Maternal serum IMA level was assayed with an Albumin Cobalt Binding test. The subjects were followed up until delivery and perinatal outcomes were recorded. Results: The maternal serum IMA concentrations were significantly higher in the study group (0.56 ± 0.05 absorbance units) as compared to controls (0.54 ± 0.03 absorbance units) (p = 0.020). The maternal serum IMA concentrations were not significantly correlated with the initial maternal white blood cell count (r: 0.118, p = 0.269) and C-reactive protein levels (r: 0.066, p = 0.541). The maternal serum IMA concentrations were negatively correlated with gestational age at delivery (r: –0.248, p = 0.019), birthweight (r: –0.247, p = 0.020) and Apgar scores (r: –0.200, p = 0.049; r: –0.245, p = 0.020). The threshold value of maternal serum IMA concentration above 0.55 absorbance units indicated the pregnancy complicated by PPROM by 57.5% sensitivity and 57.1% specificity (Area under curve 0.613, confidence interval 0.50–0.73). Conclusions: The current study supported for the first time that there is an association between increased maternal serum IMA levels and the development of PPROM in the third trimester of gestation without maternal clinical infection. Elevated maternal serum IMA levels may alert the obstetrician about poor ongoing perinatal outcomes in the early phase of PPROM before increased maternal C-reactive protein and white blood cell count

Large Dimension and Low-Cost Fe-SMA Rods

The effects on sample size on abnormal grain growth in inexpensive FeMnAlNi shape memory alloy (SMAs) wires and rod were investigated. It was shown that repeated heat treatments between single phase (bcc) and two phase (bcc + fcc) region resulted in abnormal grains with bamboo structure both in small sized wires and large diameter rods. Microstructural features were investigated using electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) and it was found that 0.5 mm wires possess strong [011] texture whereas, large diameter rods have random texture after grain growth heat treatments

Electrochemical Tau Protein Immunosensor Based on MnS/GO/PANI and Magnetite-incorporated Gold Nanoparticles

Herein, electrochemical tau protein immunosensor based on manganese sulfide nanoparticles/graphene oxide/polyaniline (MnS/GO/PANI) and magnetite-incorporated gold nanoparticles (AuNPs@Fe3O4) was constructed. After the modification of the glassy carbon electrode (GCE) with MnS/GO/PANI, the immobilization and conjugation of anti-Tau capture antibody and antigen Tau protein were successfully completed on MnS/GO/PANI/GCE, respectively. Then, the conjugation of anti-Tau secondary antibody was carried out to AuNPs@Fe3O4 as signal amplification via amino-gold affinity and the eventual immunosensor was accomplished by the distinctive interactions of electrode platform and signal amplification. Final immunosensor demonstrated the quantification limit (LOQ) of 1.0x10(-13) M and the detection limit (LOD) of 1.0x10(-14) M