Color analysis of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) as potential natural colorant

Purpose: The purpose of the paper is to study the effect of color stability on introducing chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) into a colored liquid extract from saffron and determine the color quality of the extract over a nine-month period. Design/methodology/approach: Six colored liquid samples with different CDCA contents ranging from 0 to 45 Wt.% have been successfully prepared. Chromaticity (C*), color saturation (s), UV-Vis spectroscopy and coloring strength studies have been assessed to determine how CDCA influences the color properties and to study the color quality over time. The color quality was analyzed using the Commission Internationale de l’Eclairage (CIE) system. Findings: All results obtained revealed that the addition of CDCA significantly influenced the overall color performance of the saffron extraction. However, the most pronounced improvement was recorded with the use of 45 Wt.% CDCA. The sample exhibited the highest color quality at the end of nine months of storage with highest absorbance: C* value = 91.38, color saturation = 0.96 and coloring strength = 687. Practical implications: This preliminary study offers significant findings for further research focused on stability of natural colorants extracted from Spanish saffron that can provide benefits for future applications especially in coating industry, food, agriculture, medicine and others. Originality/value: The values of this work can be observed from the information and evidence provided by CIE color stability in terms of chromaticity and saturation, as well as UV-Vis spectrophotometric measurement. It showed that the addition of CDCA additive can help to prolong and enhance the natural colorant properties from Spanish saffron (Crocus sativus L.) for nine month of storage. This proved that by adding additives such as CDCA the saffron colorant can be maintained. To the best of the authors’ concern, this is the first time CDCA is used to prevent color degradation of natural colorant from saffron

Production of 316L Stainless Steel (SS316L) Foam via Slurry Method

Metal foams are a special class of porous materials with novel physical, mechanical, thermal, electrical and acoustic properties. Nowadays, 316L stainless steel (SS316L) foam is considered as one of the attractive metallic materials for biomedical applications due to its excellent mechanical properties, biocompatibility, and corrosion resistance. In this study, SS316L has been used to produce metal foams using the slurry method. The compositions of the SS316L metal powder were 40 wt% and 60 wt%, PEG (3 wt%), CMC (3 wt%) with the remainder distilled water. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) and methylcellulose (CMC) were used as a binder. The raw materials were mixed using a ball milling machine. After that, the polyurethane (PU) foams were immersed in the mixture then dried in the oven for 24 hours. Then, the samples were sintered in a box furnace at 1300oC. In order to characterize the samples, several tests were conducted such as x-ray diffraction (XRD), energy diffraction x-ray (EDX), and morphological analysis (optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM)). The most suitable composition of SS316L is 60 wt% with a sintering temperature of 1300°C which resulted in large-pored metal foam. The SS316L metal foams were successfully produced using the slurry method. However, the quality of the SS316L metal foam must be improved because it had too low a strength to undergo mechanical testing

Utilization of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) as sensitizer in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs)

Photoelectrodes of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) have been prepared using nanosized titanium dioxide that have soaked in a solution of different saffron (Crocus sativus L.) spice content in ethanol. The optimized polyacrylonitrile (PAN)-based gel polymer electrolyte with 40.93 wt.% ethylene carbonate, 37.97 wt.% propylene carbonate, 4.37 wt.% tetrapropylammonium iodide, 9.86 wt.% PAN, 1.24 wt.% 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium iodide, 4.35 wt.% lithium iodide and 1.28 wt.% iodine has been used as the electrolyte for DSSC. The electrolyte has conductivity of 2.91 mS cm−1 at room temperature (298 K). DSSCs were also sensitized with saffron solution that has been added with 30 wt.% chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) co-adsorbent and designated as DSSC P4. The solar cell converts light-to-electricity at an efficiency of 0.31%. This is 29% enhancement in efficiency for the DSSC without addition of CDCA in the saffron-ethanol solution. The DSSC exhibits current density at short-circuit (J sc ) of 1.26 mA cm−2, voltage at open circuit (V oc ) of 0.48 V and 51% fill factor. DSSC P4 also exhibits the highest incident photon-to-current density of more than 40% at 340 nm wavelength

Enhanced Heat Transfer Efficiency through Formulation and Rheo-Thermal Analysis of Palm Oil-Based CNP/SiO2 Binary Nanofluid

The present work addresses the shortcomings of heat transfer fluid behavior by emphasizing solutions for improved stability, enhanced thermal properties, and environmental sustainability. The study introduces an innovative hybrid nanofluid combining silicon dioxide (SiO2) and cellulose nanoparticles (CNP) into analytical-grade Palm oil, adopting a two-step methodology. This endeavor represents a significant advancement in exploring SiO2–CNP-Palm oil hybrid nanofluids, positioning them as promising candidates for advanced heat transfer media. Physical characterization analysis confirms the successful integration of SiO2 and CNP into analytical-grade Palm oil. The nanosuspensions of CNP-Palm oil, SiO2-Palm oil, and SiO2/CNP-Palm oil are prepared at varying volume concentrations. All nanosuspensions demonstrated good stability after ultrasonication, as evidenced by optical performance and sedimentation studies, which endure for up to 60 d. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) analysis further substantiates the chemical stability, revealing no emergence of peaks associated with the diffusion of nano-additives. The thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) also affirms superior thermal stability in all nanosuspensions compared to base fluids. Rheological studies indicate that Palm oil exhibits Newtonian behavior. The nanofluid containing 0.1 w/v% SiO2/CNP nanoparticles exhibits a significant enhancement in thermal conductivity, showcasing an impressive 81.11% improvement. In addition, the nanofluid demonstrates an increase in viscosity with higher nanoparticle concentrations and decreased viscosity with rising temperatures

The Glaciozyma antarctica genome reveals an array of systems that provide sustained responses towards temperature variations in a persistently cold habitat

Extremely low temperatures present various challenges to life that include ice formation and effects on metabolic capacity. Psyhcrophilic microorganisms typically have an array of mechanisms to enable survival in cold temperatures. In this study, we sequenced and analysed the genome of a psychrophilic yeast isolated in the Antarctic region, Glaciozyma antarctica. The genome annotation identified 7857 protein coding sequences. From the genome sequence analysis we were able to identify genes that encoded for proteins known to be associated with cold survival, in addition to annotating genes that are unique to G. antarctica. For genes that are known to be involved in cold adaptation such as anti-freeze proteins (AFPs), our gene expression analysis revealed that they were differentially transcribed over time and in response to different temperatures. This indicated the presence of an array of adaptation systems that can respond to a changing but persistent cold environment. We were also able to validate the activity of all the AFPs annotated where the recombinant AFPs demonstrated anti-freeze capacity. This work is an important foundation for further collective exploration into psychrophilic microbiology where among other potential, the genes unique to this species may represent a pool of novel mechanisms for cold survival

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London

Global economic burden of unmet surgical need for appendicitis

Background: There is a substantial gap in provision of adequate surgical care in many low-and middle-income countries. This study aimed to identify the economic burden of unmet surgical need for the common condition of appendicitis. Methods: Data on the incidence of appendicitis from 170 countries and two different approaches were used to estimate numbers of patients who do not receive surgery: as a fixed proportion of the total unmet surgical need per country (approach 1); and based on country income status (approach 2). Indirect costs with current levels of access and local quality, and those if quality were at the standards of high-income countries, were estimated. A human capital approach was applied, focusing on the economic burden resulting from premature death and absenteeism. Results: Excess mortality was 4185 per 100 000 cases of appendicitis using approach 1 and 3448 per 100 000 using approach 2. The economic burden of continuing current levels of access and local quality was US $92 492 million using approach 1 and$73 141 million using approach 2. The economic burden of not providing surgical care to the standards of high-income countries was $95 004 million using approach 1 and$75 666 million using approach 2. The largest share of these costs resulted from premature death (97.7 per cent) and lack of access (97.0 per cent) in contrast to lack of quality. Conclusion: For a comparatively non-complex emergency condition such as appendicitis, increasing access to care should be prioritized. Although improving quality of care should not be neglected, increasing provision of care at current standards could reduce societal costs substantially

Pooled analysis of WHO Surgical Safety Checklist use and mortality after emergency laparotomy

Background The World Health Organization (WHO) Surgical Safety Checklist has fostered safe practice for 10 years, yet its place in emergency surgery has not been assessed on a global scale. The aim of this study was to evaluate reported checklist use in emergency settings and examine the relationship with perioperative mortality in patients who had emergency laparotomy. Methods In two multinational cohort studies, adults undergoing emergency laparotomy were compared with those having elective gastrointestinal surgery. Relationships between reported checklist use and mortality were determined using multivariable logistic regression and bootstrapped simulation. Results Of 12 296 patients included from 76 countries, 4843 underwent emergency laparotomy. After adjusting for patient and disease factors, checklist use before emergency laparotomy was more common in countries with a high Human Development Index (HDI) (2455 of 2741, 89.6 per cent) compared with that in countries with a middle (753 of 1242, 60.6 per cent; odds ratio (OR) 0.17, 95 per cent c.i. 0.14 to 0.21, P <0001) or low (363 of 860, 422 per cent; OR 008, 007 to 010, P <0.001) HDI. Checklist use was less common in elective surgery than for emergency laparotomy in high-HDI countries (risk difference -94 (95 per cent c.i. -11.9 to -6.9) per cent; P <0001), but the relationship was reversed in low-HDI countries (+121 (+7.0 to +173) per cent; P <0001). In multivariable models, checklist use was associated with a lower 30-day perioperative mortality (OR 0.60, 0.50 to 073; P <0.001). The greatest absolute benefit was seen for emergency surgery in low- and middle-HDI countries. Conclusion Checklist use in emergency laparotomy was associated with a significantly lower perioperative mortality rate. Checklist use in low-HDI countries was half that in high-HDI countries.Peer reviewe

Identification of six new susceptibility loci for invasive epithelial ovarian cancer.

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified 12 epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) susceptibility alleles. The pattern of association at these loci is consistent in BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers who are at high risk of EOC. After imputation to 1000 Genomes Project data, we assessed associations of 11 million genetic variants with EOC risk from 15,437 cases unselected for family history and 30,845 controls and from 15,252 BRCA1 mutation carriers and 8,211 BRCA2 mutation carriers (3,096 with ovarian cancer), and we combined the results in a meta-analysis. This new study design yielded increased statistical power, leading to the discovery of six new EOC susceptibility loci. Variants at 1p36 (nearest gene, WNT4), 4q26 (SYNPO2), 9q34.2 (ABO) and 17q11.2 (ATAD5) were associated with EOC risk, and at 1p34.3 (RSPO1) and 6p22.1 (GPX6) variants were specifically associated with the serous EOC subtype, all with P < 5 × 10(-8). Incorporating these variants into risk assessment tools will improve clinical risk predictions for BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers.COGS project is funded through a European Commission's Seventh Framework Programme grant (agreement number 223175 ] HEALTH ]F2 ]2009 ]223175). The CIMBA data management and data analysis were supported by Cancer Research.UK grants 12292/A11174 and C1287/A10118. The Ovarian Cancer Association Consortium is supported by a grant from the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund thanks to donations by the family and friends of Kathryn Sladek Smith (PPD/RPCI.07). The scientific development and funding for this project were in part supported by the US National Cancer Institute GAME ]ON Post ]GWAS Initiative (U19 ]CA148112). This study made use of data generated by the Wellcome Trust Case Control consortium. Funding for the project was provided by the Wellcome Trust under award 076113. The results published here are in part based upon data generated by The Cancer Genome Atlas Pilot Project established by the National Cancer Institute and National Human Genome Research Institute (dbGap accession number phs000178.v8.p7). The cBio portal is developed and maintained by the Computational Biology Center at Memorial Sloan ] Kettering Cancer Center. SH is supported by an NHMRC Program Grant to GCT. Details of the funding of individual investigators and studies are provided in the Supplementary Note. This study made use of data generated by the Wellcome Trust Case Control consortium, funding for which was provided by the Wellcome Trust under award 076113. The results published here are, in part, based upon data generated by The Cancer Genome Atlas Pilot Project established by the National Cancerhttp://dx.doi.org/10.1038/ng.3185This is the Author Accepted Manuscript of 'Identification of six new susceptibility loci for invasive epithelial ovarian cancer' which was published in Nature Genetics 47, 164–171 (2015) © Nature Publishing Group - content may only be used for academic research