39 research outputs found

    Textural properties of infra red dried apple slices as affected by high power ultrasound pre-treatment

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    Drying is a process frequently used in food industry, often based on the use of conventional methods using heat exchange by conduction or convection. This kind of method may lead to quality loss in structure, texture and  sensory characteristics of final products. Consequently, the need for research of new drying methods arises.  One of such methods is power ultrasound aided drying. The aim of this work was to investigate the impact of  high power ultrasound pre-treatment on drying rate and textural properties of the infra red dried apple slices.  Ultrasound device working at a frequency of 24 kHz with a power capacity of 200 W was used for ultrasound  pre-treatment. The amplitudes used for ultrasonic pre-treatment were 50 and 100%. The results showed that  the use of different amplitudes of ultrasound reduces the time of drying and allows elimination of more water  from the apple slices. Usage of 50 and 100% of ultrasonic amplitude in great extent shortened the duration of  drying (up to 40%). The results showed that hardness of samples gradually increases (50% amplitude –  97.260 N; 100% of amplitude – 217.90 N) with increase of ultrasound intensity. As a result, hardness of  untreated apple slices (41.037N) was significantly lower (p < 0.05).Key words: High power ultrasound, amplitude, drying, apple

    Elective Cancer Surgery in COVID-19-Free Surgical Pathways During the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic: An International, Multicenter, Comparative Cohort Study.

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    PURPOSE: As cancer surgery restarts after the first COVID-19 wave, health care providers urgently require data to determine where elective surgery is best performed. This study aimed to determine whether COVID-19-free surgical pathways were associated with lower postoperative pulmonary complication rates compared with hospitals with no defined pathway. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This international, multicenter cohort study included patients who underwent elective surgery for 10 solid cancer types without preoperative suspicion of SARS-CoV-2. Participating hospitals included patients from local emergence of SARS-CoV-2 until April 19, 2020. At the time of surgery, hospitals were defined as having a COVID-19-free surgical pathway (complete segregation of the operating theater, critical care, and inpatient ward areas) or no defined pathway (incomplete or no segregation, areas shared with patients with COVID-19). The primary outcome was 30-day postoperative pulmonary complications (pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, unexpected ventilation). RESULTS: Of 9,171 patients from 447 hospitals in 55 countries, 2,481 were operated on in COVID-19-free surgical pathways. Patients who underwent surgery within COVID-19-free surgical pathways were younger with fewer comorbidities than those in hospitals with no defined pathway but with similar proportions of major surgery. After adjustment, pulmonary complication rates were lower with COVID-19-free surgical pathways (2.2% v 4.9%; adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.62; 95% CI, 0.44 to 0.86). This was consistent in sensitivity analyses for low-risk patients (American Society of Anesthesiologists grade 1/2), propensity score-matched models, and patients with negative SARS-CoV-2 preoperative tests. The postoperative SARS-CoV-2 infection rate was also lower in COVID-19-free surgical pathways (2.1% v 3.6%; aOR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.36 to 0.76). CONCLUSION: Within available resources, dedicated COVID-19-free surgical pathways should be established to provide safe elective cancer surgery during current and before future SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks

    Elective cancer surgery in COVID-19-free surgical pathways during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: An international, multicenter, comparative cohort study

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    PURPOSE As cancer surgery restarts after the first COVID-19 wave, health care providers urgently require data to determine where elective surgery is best performed. This study aimed to determine whether COVID-19–free surgical pathways were associated with lower postoperative pulmonary complication rates compared with hospitals with no defined pathway. PATIENTS AND METHODS This international, multicenter cohort study included patients who underwent elective surgery for 10 solid cancer types without preoperative suspicion of SARS-CoV-2. Participating hospitals included patients from local emergence of SARS-CoV-2 until April 19, 2020. At the time of surgery, hospitals were defined as having a COVID-19–free surgical pathway (complete segregation of the operating theater, critical care, and inpatient ward areas) or no defined pathway (incomplete or no segregation, areas shared with patients with COVID-19). The primary outcome was 30-day postoperative pulmonary complications (pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, unexpected ventilation). RESULTS Of 9,171 patients from 447 hospitals in 55 countries, 2,481 were operated on in COVID-19–free surgical pathways. Patients who underwent surgery within COVID-19–free surgical pathways were younger with fewer comorbidities than those in hospitals with no defined pathway but with similar proportions of major surgery. After adjustment, pulmonary complication rates were lower with COVID-19–free surgical pathways (2.2% v 4.9%; adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.62; 95% CI, 0.44 to 0.86). This was consistent in sensitivity analyses for low-risk patients (American Society of Anesthesiologists grade 1/2), propensity score–matched models, and patients with negative SARS-CoV-2 preoperative tests. The postoperative SARS-CoV-2 infection rate was also lower in COVID-19–free surgical pathways (2.1% v 3.6%; aOR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.36 to 0.76). CONCLUSION Within available resources, dedicated COVID-19–free surgical pathways should be established to provide safe elective cancer surgery during current and before future SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks

    The impact of surgical delay on resectability of colorectal cancer: An international prospective cohort study

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    AIM: The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has provided a unique opportunity to explore the impact of surgical delays on cancer resectability. This study aimed to compare resectability for colorectal cancer patients undergoing delayed versus non-delayed surgery. METHODS: This was an international prospective cohort study of consecutive colorectal cancer patients with a decision for curative surgery (January-April 2020). Surgical delay was defined as an operation taking place more than 4 weeks after treatment decision, in a patient who did not receive neoadjuvant therapy. A subgroup analysis explored the effects of delay in elective patients only. The impact of longer delays was explored in a sensitivity analysis. The primary outcome was complete resection, defined as curative resection with an R0 margin. RESULTS: Overall, 5453 patients from 304 hospitals in 47 countries were included, of whom 6.6% (358/5453) did not receive their planned operation. Of the 4304 operated patients without neoadjuvant therapy, 40.5% (1744/4304) were delayed beyond 4 weeks. Delayed patients were more likely to be older, men, more comorbid, have higher body mass index and have rectal cancer and early stage disease. Delayed patients had higher unadjusted rates of complete resection (93.7% vs. 91.9%, P = 0.032) and lower rates of emergency surgery (4.5% vs. 22.5%, P < 0.001). After adjustment, delay was not associated with a lower rate of complete resection (OR 1.18, 95% CI 0.90-1.55, P = 0.224), which was consistent in elective patients only (OR 0.94, 95% CI 0.69-1.27, P = 0.672). Longer delays were not associated with poorer outcomes. CONCLUSION: One in 15 colorectal cancer patients did not receive their planned operation during the first wave of COVID-19. Surgical delay did not appear to compromise resectability, raising the hypothesis that any reduction in long-term survival attributable to delays is likely to be due to micro-metastatic disease

    Understanding the somatic consequences of depression: biological mechanisms and the role of depression symptom profile

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    Serum testosterone concentration in combat-related chronic posttraumatic stress disorder.

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    AIM: The primary aim of this study was to assess the testosterone levels of soldiers with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), without considering their comorbid conditions, compared with the ones in the control group with combat experience. The secondary aim was to determine whether there was a difference in testosterone levels when the same group of soldiers with PTSD was divided according to their comorbid conditions into those with major depressive disorder (MDD) or alcohol dependence (ETOH) compared to the soldiers with PTSD with no comorbid conditions and the controls. METHODS: We analyzed serum testosterone in soldiers with PTSD without the division according to comorbid conditions (n = 66) in comparison to the controls (n = 34). We also analyzed testosterone in pure PTSD (n = 17), PTSD comorbid with MDD (n = 18), PTSD comorbid with ETOH (n = 31), and in the controls. RESULTS: Soldiers with PTSD, without considering comorbid conditions, did not show any difference in testosterone levels in comparison to the controls. However, when we divided the same PTSD sample based on comorbid conditions, pure PTSD showed significantly higher serum testosterone levels in comparison to PTSD comorbid with MDD, comorbid with ETOH, or controls. Also, there was no difference in testosterone levels between the PTSD groups with comorbid MDD, with comorbid ETOH, and the controls. ConcluSIONS: We did not find any differences in testosterone levels between the soldiers with PTSD without considering comorbid conditions and the controls. Considering comorbid conditions, soldiers with PTSD without comorbid conditions had higher testosterone levels compared to soldiers with PTSD with comorbid MDD or ETOH, or the controls

    Infrared digital thermography of scrotum in early selection of progressive varicocele

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    a b s t r a c t Varicocele is frequent but correctable cause of male infertility. Varicocelectomy is the most commonly performed operative procedure for varicocele. Majority of varicocele patients do not have fertility problem, therefore surgical correction is not recommended in all prevalent cases. On the other hand, varicocele is a progressive condition in some cases and individual with varicocele is at risk for developing impairment which can ultimately lead to semen deterioration and consequent infertility. Selection of patients with varicocele that will progress and cause infertility is beyond our current diagnostic capabilities. Diagnostic assessment of varicocele depends on physical examination and scrotal ultrasound/doppler. Infrared digital thermography of scrotum is a non-invasive and objective diagnostic method for early varicocele detection by means of temperature measurement on the scrotal skin surface. The criteria for diagnostic use of scrotal thermography were recently presented. We hypothesize that the infrared digital thermography of scrotum could be the cornerstone in detection of varicoceles that tend to progress with impairment of semen quality and will require surgical correction, among all prevalent varicocele cases. Ă“ 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Introduction Varicocele is a dilatation of pampiniform venous plexus within the spermatic cord. A clinical varicocele is found in about 15% of all adult males Arising problem that requires solution is well-timed selection of men with varicoceles that tends to progress and to impair semen quality. These are progressive deterioration of semen quality (PDSQ) varicoceles. Selected PDSQ varicoceles that will develop infertility would clearly require surgical treatment. Diagnostic proposal for that kind of selection is still absent Infrared digital thermography of scrotum is sensitive noninvasive diagnostic tool for early varicocele detection by means of temperature measurement on the scrotal skin surface. Despite the fact that it is an objective and short diagnostic method, it was sporadically used in clinical practice during past. Lack of complete diagnostic parameters and high cost were considered as the main reasons. Recent study suggested diagnostic criteria for thermography of scrotum for varicocele detection 0306-9877/$ -see front matter
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