Effect of golden and brown linseed fibre on wheat flour pasting, dough properties and bread quality

Wheat flour was enhanced by linseed fibre, characterised by granulation 500–700 μm. Using seeds from 2015 flax harvest, linseed fibre was gained from two golden and one brown linseed varieties (Amon, Raciol and Recital, respectively). Additions at levels 2.5% and 5.0% affected amylases activity and protein technological quality softly, evaluated by Falling Number and Zeleny sedimentation tests, respectively. Both brown and yellow linseed fibre significantly supported extensograph elasticity of non-fermented dough. Baking potential of composites tested evaluated as extensograph energy significantly decreased about 7–18%, likely owing to dilution of dough gluten skeleton. Pasting behaviour of flour composites reflected a hydrophilic character of non-traditional material – amylograph viscosity was elevated from 590 units to ca 700 units by Amon and Recital fibre, and to ca 930 units by Raciol fibre. Pasting profiles of flour composites, recorded by using of Rapid Visco Analyser, confirmed this finding. Dough fermentation was represented by maturograph test, during which the tested samples were differentiated in part according to the dough resistance. Reflecting small modifications in dough visco-elastic properties, specific volumes of bread buns were similar trough whole sample set. A weak worsening of buns vaulting reflected a partial disruption of dough gluten skeleton. Consumer’s quality of all enhanced bread variants was evaluated in category acceptable, determined as crumb penetration (values higher than 20 mm)

Impact of treatment on damage and hospitalization in elderly patients with microscopic polyangiitis and granulomatosis with polyangiitis

OBJECTIVE: Age is a risk factor for organ damage, adverse events, and mortality in microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) and granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA). However, the relationship between treatment and damage, hospitalizations, and causes of death in elderly patients is largely unknown. METHODS: Consecutive patients from Sweden, England, and the Czech Republic diagnosed between 1997 and 2013 were included. Inclusion criteria were a diagnosis of MPA or GPA and age 75 years or more at diagnosis. Treatment with cyclophosphamide, rituximab, and corticosteroids the first three months was registered. Outcomes up to two years from diagnosis included vasculitis damage index (VDI), hospitalization, and cause of death. RESULTS: Treatment data was available for 167 of 202 patients. At two years, 4% had no items of damage. There was a positive association between VDI score at two years and Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score at onset, and a negative association with treatment using cyclophosphamide or rituximab. Intravenous methylprednisolone dose was associated with treatment-related damage. During the first year, 69% of patients were readmitted to hospital. MPO-ANCA positivity and lower creatinine levels decreased the odds for readmission. The most common cause of death was infection, and this was associated with cumulative oral prednisolone dose. CONCLUSION: Immunosuppressive treatment with cyclophosphamide or rituximab in elderly patients with MPA and GPA was associated with development of less permanent organ damage and was not associated with hospitalization. However, higher doses of corticosteroids during the first three months was associated with treatment-related damage and fatal infections

Functional electrical stimulation-assisted cycle ergometry in the critically ill: protocol for a randomized controlled trial

This is the final version. Available from BMC via the DOI in this record. Background: Intensive care unit (ICU)-acquired weakness is the most important cause of failed functional outcome in survivors of critical care. Most damage occurs during the first week when patients are not cooperative enough with conventional rehabilitation. Functional electrical stimulation-assisted cycle ergometry (FES-CE) applied within 48 h of ICU admission may improve muscle function and long-term outcome. Methods: An assessor-blinded, pragmatic, single-centre randomized controlled trial will be performed. Adults (n = 150) mechanically ventilated for 7 days of critical care will be randomized (1:1) to receive either standard of care or FES-CE-based intensified rehabilitation, which will continue until ICU discharge. Primary outcome: quality of life measured by 36-Item Short Form Health Survey score at 6 months. Secondary outcomes: functional performance at ICU discharge, muscle mass (vastus ultrasound, N-balance) and function (Medical Research Council score, insulin sensitivity). In a subgroup (n = 30) we will assess insulin sensitivity and perform skeletal muscle biopsies to look at mitochondrial function, fibre typing and regulatory protein expression. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02864745. Registered on 12 August 2016.Grant Agency for Research in Healthcar

Rituximab in adult minimal change disease and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis - What is known and what is still unknown?

Primary forms of minimal change disease and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis are rare podocytopathies and clinically characterized by nephrotic syndrome. Glucocorticoids are the cornerstone of the initial immunosuppressive treatment in these two entities. Especially among adults with minimal change disease or focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, relapses, steroid dependence or resistance are common and necessitate re-initiation of steroids and other immunosuppressants. Effective steroid-sparing therapies and introduction of less toxic immunosuppressive agents are urgently needed to reduce undesirable side effects, in particular for patients whose disease course is complex. Rituximab, a B cell depleting monoclonal antibody, is increasingly used off-label in these circumstances, despite a low level of evidence for adult patients. Hence, critical questions concerning drug-safety, long-term efficacy and the optimal regimen for rituximab-treatment remain unanswered. Evidence in the form of large, multicenter studies and randomized controlled trials are urgently needed to overcome these limitations

Evaluation of Non-Fermented Dough from Wheat/Barley/Hemp Composites

Basic wheat-barley flour premixes (70 : 30 and 50 : 50) were enhanced by 5 and 10% of dehulled and hulled hemp seeds wholemeal or by 2 types of hemp fine flour. Barley flour (BF) decreased both protein content and quality by approximately 1.5 and 50%, respectively. In blends, hemp fine flour containing recovered protein level back. BF lowered amylases activity by about 20–25% in maximum; hemp products had no significant effect. Farinograph water absorption was magnified by additions of both alternative flours. Considerable shortening of dough stability and decrease of resistance against over-mixing occurred for all flour tri-composites. Extensigraph dough elasticity increased and extensibility diminished. After dough resting taking 30 min, extensigraph energy of the control sample fell from 141 cm2 to a half as barley flour portion increased. In cereal composites, hemp products demonstrated reversal tendencies. BF lowered water suspension viscosity, but hemp wholemeal H4 and especially fine hemp flour H7 caused a recovery of amylograph maxima to level comparable with wheat control. Correlation analysis confirmed analytical and rheological data agreement – the extensigraph elasticity or energy could be predicted according to the Zeleny value, or the amylograph maximum according to the Falling Number (r = 0.79, 0.90, and 0.65, respectively; P = 99.9%)

Changes in baking quality of composite wheat/hemp flour detected by means of mixolab

The quality of wheat-hemp composites prepared with different amounts of hemp flour (5, 10, 15 and 20%) was characterised by the mixolab rheological test. The present study is related to three defatted hemp flour types addition, K1 and K2 gained from seeds bred conventionally, and K3 in bio-planting regime. Wheat flour of good baking quality was provided by a Czech commercial mill. Besides the mixolab profiles, basic baking quality parameters were also determined. By analytical methods, protein content, Zeleny’s value and Falling Number were determined. Dough baking quality was tested with the help of three rheological apparatuses, namely farinograph, extensigraph and amylograph. Moreover, laboratory baking test was performed, and specific bread volume was calculated. Mixolab torque data was strongly affected by substitution level than hemp flour type. The most precise distinguishing of samples was observed during the mixing and starch retrogradation phases of the test. Correlation analysis confirmed proper relationships between mixolab and rheological parameters related both to protein properties (C1, C2, C1–C2 vs. farinograph and extensigraph ones) and starch or starch gel properties (C3, C4, C5 vs. amylograph ones). In the former case, the strongest relationship was found between C1 and the dough development time (−0.80, p < 99%), while in the latter between the amylase activity estimation (C3–C4) and the amylograph viscosity maximum (−0.87, p < 99%). Bread specific volume could be predicted by all five basic mixolab C’s. The best fitting correlation was found for C3 readings (starch gelatinization rate, r = 0.87, p < 99%), while links of C1 or C2 (maximum torque as gluten strength and protein weakening) were softer (r = 0.73 and 0.70, respectively, p < 99%)