Spouted Bed and Jet Impingement Fluidization in Food Industry

Spouted bed and jet impingement fluidization are the cases of classic fluidization modification obtained by proper distribution of the fluid and the construction of device. The condition for the realization of both fluidization types is strict determination of the apparatus dimensions and process parameters. The chapter presents the issues concerning the choice of optimal operating conditions and dimensions of working elements of devices for both spouted bed and jet impingement fluidization, as well as possibilities for analysis of heat transfer in the process. Furthermore, the examples of industrial application of spouted bed fluidization and jet impingement fluidization in food technology are presented

Equilibrium radionuclide ventriculography in the assessment of cardiotoxicity of chemotherapy and chemoradiotherapy in patients with breast cancer

BACKGROUND: Multidrug chemotherapy increases the efficacyof the treatment, but at the same time rises its cardiotoxicity. Themajority of cardiac complications are caused by anthracyclines.Radiation therapy may intensify cardiotoxicity. The aim of thisstudy was to determine early changes of cardiac function usingradionuclide ventriculography in patients with breast cancer andto compare the toxicity of AC and AT chemotherapy programs.MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 71 patientswith breast cancer between the ages of 38 and 71 years. Allpatients after surgery were qualified for chemotherapy, and for37 (52%) of them subsequent irradiation treatment was planned.Patients received chemotherapy according to the scheme: AC— 47 patients (66%) and AT — 24 patients (34%). Patients wereirradiated using a photon beam (4 to 6 MeV) and an electronbeam (6–15 MeV). In all patients, before and six months afterthe treatment, radionuclide ventriculography was performed.RESULTS: In all 71 patients a reductions in left ventricularejection fraction (EF) and in peak filling rate (PFR) as well asan increase in the end-systolic and end-diastolic volumes (ESvol,EDvol) were observed. AC chemotherapy, where cumulativeanthracycline dose was higher, significantly decreased leftventricular ejection fraction and PFR and increased ESvol. AfterAT chemotherapy the EF reduction proved to be smaller. Radiotherapydid not significantly lower the value of EF as comparedto the group of patients who underwent chemotherapy.CONCLUSIONS: Radionuclide ventriculography is a usefulmethod of evaluating the cardiotoxicity of the treatment. Earlyindicators of myocardial damage are EF, PFR, ESvol and EDvol.AC chemotherapy, where the average cumulative dose of anthracyclineswas higher, caused more cardiotoxic effects thanAT chemotherapy.Applying additional radiotherapy did not significantly increasethe cardiotoxicity of the treatment

Modeli određivanja vremena potrebnog za odmrzavanje hrane ovisno o uvjetima prerade i karakteristikama gotovog proizvoda

Determining thawing times of frozen foods is a challenging problem as the thermophysical properties of the product change during thawing. A number of calculation models and solutions have been developed. The proposed solutions range from relatively simple analytical equations based on a number of assumptions to a group of empirical approaches that sometimes require complex calculations. In this paper analytical, empirical and graphical models are presented and critically reviewed. The conditions of solution, limitations and possible applications of the models are discussed. The graphical and semi-graphical models are derived from numerical methods. Using the numerical methods is not always possible as running calculations takes time, whereas the specialized software and equipment are not always cheap. For these reasons, the application of analytical-empirical models is more useful for engineering. It is demonstrated that there is no simple, accurate and feasible analytical method for thawing time prediction. Consequently, simplified methods are needed for thawing time estimation of agricultural and food products. The review reveals the need for further improvement of the existing solutions or development of new ones that will enable accurate determination of thawing time within a wide range of practical conditions of heat transfer during processing.Toplinska i fizikalna svojstva proizvoda mijenjaju se tijekom odmrzavanja, pa je određivanje vremena odmrzavanja oduvijek predstavljalo problem. Razvijeni su različiti matematički modeli za rješavanje tog problema, počevši od relativno jednostavnih analitičkih funkcija koje polaze od niza pretpostavki, pa sve do raznih empirijskih modela što uključuju složene izračune. U ovom su radu kritički prikazani analitički, empirijski i grafički modeli. Osim toga, raspravlja se o uvjetima potrebnim za rješavanje problema, ograničenju i mogućoj primjeni modela. Grafički i polugrafički modeli izvedeni su iz numeričkih metoda. Numeričke metode nisu uvijek primjenjive jer izračuni oduzimaju puno vremena, a specijalizirani su programi i oprema uglavnom skupi. Zbog toga su za primjenu u inženjerstvu prikladniji analitičko-empirijski modeli. Ovaj revijalni prikaz potvrđuje da ne postoji jednostavna, točna i u praksi lako izvediva analitička metoda određivanja vremena odmrzavanja prehrambenih proizvoda, te da treba razviti jednostavnije metode. Zaključeno je da postojeća rješenja treba poboljšati ili treba razviti nove modele koji će omogućiti precizno određivanje vremena odmrzavanja u različitim uvjetima prijenosa topline prilikom obrade hrane

The diagnostic role of 68Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT in the detection of neuroendocrine tumours

BACKGROUND: Positron emission tomography (PET) combined with computer tomography (CT) using 68Ga-DOTATATE is a promising method for the evaluation of patients with recognised or suspected neuroendocrine tumours (NET). The aim of this study was to assess the diagnostic value of 68Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT in the visualisation of the expression of somatostatin receptors (SSTR) and identification of new lesions. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between December 2009 and January 2011 ninety-seven patients with confirmed (88 cases) or suspected (9 cases) NET underwent 68Ga DOTATATE PET/CT. The primary, confirmed or suspected, NET localizations were: GEP tumours — 71 patients; medullary thyroid carcinoma — 4 patients; cancer of an unknown primary — 14 patients; and NET in other localisations — 8 patients. PET/CT acquisitions were performed using standard techniques, 45 to 60 minutes after the intravenous injection of 111–185 MBq 68Ga-DOTATATE. RESULTS: 68Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT detected the presence of lesions demonstrating the somatostatin receptor affinity in 50 of the 97 patients (51.5%) and was negative in 47 patients (48.5%). Among 14 patients with metastatic unknown primary cancer, in 5 patients (45.5%) the primary tumour site was identified, and in 4 patients with medullary thyroid cancer distant metastases with SSTR expression were localized in only one patient. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings confirm the diagnostic role of 68Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT as an accurate method of identifying primary tumours and distant metastases. It provides information on tumour cell receptors status, which has a significant bearing on planning target radionuclide therapy. Overall, 68Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT can be used in staging, re-staging, and in regular follow up of oncology patients. Nuclear Med Rev 2011; 14, 1: 16–2

Review of thawing time prediction models depending on process conditions and product characteristics

Determining thawing times of frozen foods is a challenging problem as the thermophysical properties of the product change during thawing. A number of calculation models and solutions have been developed. The proposed solutions range from relatively simple analytical equations based on a number of assumptions to a group of empirical approaches that sometimes require complex calculations. In this paper analytical, empirical and graphical models are presented and critically reviewed. The conditions of solution, limitations and possible applications of the models are discussed. The graphical and semi-graphical models are derived from numerical methods. Using the numerical methods is not always possible as running calculations takes time, whereas the specialized soft ware and equipment are not always cheap. For these reasons, the application of analytical-empirical models is more useful for engineering. It is demonstrated that there is no simple, accurate and feasible analytical method for thawing time prediction. Consequently, simplified methods are needed for thawing time estimation of agricultural and food products. The review reveals the need for further improvement of the existing solutions or development of new ones that will enable accurate determination of thawing time within a wide range of practical conditions of heat transfer during processing

The role of 18F-FDG PET/CT in the diagnosis of recurrent colorectal cancer

Rak jelita grubego jest jednym z najczęściej występujących nowotworów złośliwych w Polsce i na świecie. Coraz częściej stosowaną i uznaną w onkologii metodą diagnostyczną jest badanie PET/CT — jedna z najnowocześniejszych metod diagnostyki obrazowej. Dzięki połączeniu obrazowania anatomicznego (CT) z obrazowaniem metabolicznym (PET) umożliwia wczesną identyfikację zmian rozrostowych, dokładną ocenę stopnia zaawansowania nowotworu. W diagnostyce wznowy raka jelita grubego badanie PET/CT z zastosowaniem fluorodeoksyglukozy (18F-FDG) ma udowodnioną wartość kliniczną. Informacje uzyskane w badaniu w istotnym stopniu wpływają na podejmowane decyzje terapeutyczne. W przypadku planowanej metastazektomii metoda ta pozwala precyzyjniej niż inne ocenić stopień zaawansowania wznowy, zlokalizować wszystkie ogniska nawrotu, a co za tym idzie, pozwala uniknąć niepotrzebnych zabiegów. Standardowo wykonywane badanie 18F-FDG PET/CT, polegające na wykonaniu badania tomografi i komputerowej tzw. low dose bez podania dożylnego środka kontrastującego, a następnie rejestracji PET i wykonaniu fuzji obu obrazów, nie dostarcza jednak wystarczających informacji dotyczących oceny stosunku guza bądź nacieku do narządów sąsiednich oraz naczyń, niezbędnych do pełnej oceny operacyjności wznowy, dostępnych w badaniu tomografi ikomputerowej z zastosowaniem dożylnego środka kontrastującego. Wykonanie badania 18F-FDG PET/CT wg schematu low dose CT, PET, a następnie CT z dożylnym podaniem środka kontrastującego umożliwia uzyskanie na podstawie jednego badania wszystkich niezbędnych informacji dotyczących operacyjności zmiany i może w przyszłości stać się badaniem z wyboru w diagnostyce wznowy raka jelita grubego.Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers worldwide, including Poland. PET/CT is a relatively new diagnostic imaging method which has gained wide acceptance in oncology. The combination of anatomical imaging (CT) and metabolic imaging (PET) enables early identification of proliferative changes and thus an accurate staging of cancer. In the diagnosis of recurrent colorectal cancer, PET/CT with fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) has proven to be of high clinical value. The information obtained in this study has a significant impact on patient management. When there is suspicion of relapse, it is important to use an effective restaging tool to accurately define the extent of the recurrence and to plan the proper therapy. In the standard protocol for the 18F-FDG PET/CT study, fused images of low dose CT (without intravenous contrastagent) and PET are performed. This approach does not provide sufficient information of local tumor or invasion to adjacent organs and vessels to enable assessment of the suitability for resectability. This information is, however, available from computed tomography when intravenous contrast agent is used. Implementation of the PET/CT protocol consisting of low dose CT, with PET followed by CT with intravenous contrast agent in the corresponding region, provides in a single study all the necessary information required to qualify patients for surgery. It may in the future become the modality of choice in the diagnosis of colorectal cancer recurrence

Clinical and genetic profile of patients with medullary thyroid cancer treated in the Cancer Centre - Institute of Oncology in Warsaw

Wstęp: Celem pracy jest analiza wyników badań genetycznych: rozkładu lokalizacji i częstości mutacji oraz ujawnienie korelacji prezentowanych klinicznie fenotypów u chorych z rakiem rdzeniastym tarczycy (MTC, medullary thyroid carcinoma), wykazanie różnic między postacią sporadyczną i dziedziczną, a także określenie odrębności występujących w grupie chorych pozostających pod stałą obserwacją ośrodka autorów niniejszej pracy. Materiał i metody: W Centrum Onkologii w Warszawie w latach 1997-2005, leczono 212 chorych z rakiem rdzeniastym tarczycy. U większości z nich wykonano badanie genetyczne DNA uzyskanego z leukocytów krwi obwodowej w celu zidentyfikowania mutacji genu RET i ustalenia postaci MTC. Badaniu DNA poddano także krewnych chorych z rodzinnym rakiem rdzeniastym tarczycy, aby wyodrębnić bezobjawowych nosicieli od osób nieobciążonych patogenną mutacją. Wyniki: W grupie chorych, u których zakończono analizę genetyczną, mutacje w genie RET stwierdzono w 46 przypadkach (22%). U pozostałych chorych nie ujawniono patogennej mutacji i rozpoznano sporadycznego MTC. Zespół mnogiej gruczolakowatości wewnątrzwydzielniczej typu 2A i rodzinnego typu MTC (MEN 2A/FMTC, multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A/familial type of MTC syndrome) rozpoznano u 44 pacjentów, natomiast zespół mnogiej gruczolakowatości wewnątrzwydzielniczej typu 2B (MEN 2B, multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2B) - u 2 osób. W trakcie badania porównano wiek rozpoznania i wieloogniskowość raka u chorych ze sporadycznym i rodzinnym MTC. Uzyskane wyniki korelują z danymi z innych ośrodków. Natomiast, rozkład lokalizacji mutacji i ich częstość, a także niektóre dane kliniczne, takie jak częstość ujawnienia guza chromochłonnego nadnerczy jako pierwszej patologii z zespołu wielogruczołowego, różnią się od prezentowanych w literaturze i wymagają znalezienia przyczyn. Wnioski: Badanie mutacji genu RET jest wiarygodnym narzędziem diagnostycznym i należy je traktować jako badanie przesiewowe u wszystkich chorych z MTC i innymi składowymi zespołu wielogruczołowego.Introduction: The aim of this study was to analyse the distribution and frequency of mutations and their correlations with clinical phenotypes of patients with MTC, to reveal the differences between sporadic and familial type of MTC, and to describe the phenotypes of patients. Materials and methods: 212 patients with medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) were treated in Cancer Centre in Warsaw between 1997 and 2005. In most patients, DNA isolated from peripheral blood leukocytes was tested for RET gene mutations by sequencing and accordingly MTC form was assessed. Genetic testing was performed in the relatives of patients with familial MTC in order to distinguish asymptomatic mutation carriers from noncarriers. Results: RET gene mutations were identified in 46 patients (22%). The others were found noncarriers and sporadic MTC was diagnosed. MEN 2A/FMTC syndrome (multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A/ familial type of MTC) was diagnosed in 44 patients, MEN 2B syndrome (multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2B) in 2 patients. In patients with sporadic and familial MTC, age at diagnosis and multifocal occurrence was analysed, and the results were found to be in accordance with those of other research centres. However, the distribution and frequency of mutations, as well as some clinical data, such as the frequency of pheochromocytoma occurrence as the first manifestation of MEN syndrome, differed from the published data, and further studies are necessary to reveal the reasons of these differences. Conclusions: DNA testing for RET gene mutations is reliable as a diagnostic tool and therefore it should be performed for screening of all patients with MTC or other diseases of MEN syndrome

Primary carcinoma of the thyroid growing in thyreoglossal duct cyst: presentation of two cases

Pozostałości przewodu tarczowo-językowego (TGDR, thyroglossal duct remnants), najczęśćiej torbiele, są najbardziej powszechną postacią zaburzeń rozwojowych tarczycy. W około 1–2% torbieli przewodu tarczowo-językowego dochodzi do transformacji nowotworowej, przy czym w ponad 90% przypadków stwierdza się raka brodawkowatego tarczycy. W niniejszej pracy zaprezentowano dwa przypadki pierwotnego raka brodawkowatego tarczycy w obrębie TGDR u młodych dziewcząt. Autorzy przedstawili związane z tym rozpoznaniem problemy diagnostyczne i terapeutyczne oraz przytoczyli współczesne poglądy na postępowanie w podobnych przypadkach.Thyroglossal duct remnants (TGDR), most often cysts, are the most common type of developmental abnormalities of the thyroid gland. In about 1 to 2% of TGDR neoplastic transformation occurs. Papillary carcinoma of the thyroid may be encountered in over 90% of such cases. Two cases of primary papillary carcinoma of the thyroid in TGDR in young girls are presented. The diagnostic and therapeutic problems are shared, and up-to-date management guidelines in similar cases are discussed