Konvektivno sušenje parčića ploda batata (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam), zavisnost od predtretmana

The dried of pieces of sweet potatoes (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam) was carried in experimental convective cabinet drier with loess. This vegetable was rich in beta carotene and was not sufficiently in our countries. The dried process was carried at 55oC, and weight changes were measured every 15 minutes. Were performed three pretreatments: dried with pretreatment, blanched with the 1% vitamin C and 5% NaCl and without pretreatment. Blanched was carried in water at 60oC, for 3 minutes. The moisture content of raw sweet potato was 76.40%, but in dried material value from 16.90 to 19.59%, respectively. Rehydration values were measure of the quality of the dried process. The best results were obtained to dried small pieces of sweet potato without pretreatment, than rehydration was 83.37%.Sušenje parčića ploda batata (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam) ili slatkog krompira vršeno je u eksperimentalnoj konvektivnoj sušari sa lesama. Ova povrtarska biljka bogata je beta karotenom, a nedovoljno se koristi u našoj zemlji. Proces sušenja odvijao se na 55oC, a merena je promena mase na svakih 15 minuta. Rađena su tri predtretmana blanširanjem: bez dodataka (predtretman I), sa dodatkom 1% vitamina C (predtretman II), sa dodatkom 5% NaCl (predtretman III) i sušenje bez predtretmana (kontrola). Blanširanje je vršeno u destilovanoj vodi temperature 60oC za 3 minuta, sa i bez dodataka. Sadržaj vlage u sirovom plodu batatu bio je 76,40%, a u osušenom materijalu kretao se od 16,90 do 19,59 %. Stepen rehidratacije korišćen je kao mera kvaliteta procesa sušenja. Najbolji rezultati dobijeni su kod sušenja parčića ploda batata bez predtretmana, čiji je stepen rehidratacije bio 83,37%

What differs former, light and heavy smokers? Evidence from a post-conflict setting

Background: Evidence suggests that people who live in regions affected by the armed conflict are more likely to smoke. Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess factors associated with smoking status in a sample of students in the northern Kosovo province. Materials and methods: A total of 514 students enrolled in University in Kosovska Mitrovica, Kosovo, were recruited between April to June 2015 at Student Public Health Center during mandatory health checks. Participants filled in socio-demographic and behavioral questionnaire and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Based on responses about smoking, students were categorized in non-smokers, former smokers, light smokers (1-13 cigarettes/day) and heavy smokers (> 13 cigarettes/ day). Results: Of 514 students, 116 (22.6%) classified themselves as smokers. Higher education level of fathers (Odds ratio [OR]=2.89, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.30-6.44, p=0.009), not living with smokers (OR=0.42, 95%CI 0.15-0.97, p=0.017) and longer exposure to second hand smoke (OR=1.07, 95%CI 1.01-1.13, p=0.036) was associated with former smoking. Studying medical and natural sciences (OR=2.07, 95%CI 1.05-4.18, p=0.040), consuming alcohol (OR=2.98, 95%CI 1.19-10.03, p=0.020), living with smokers (OR=2.88, 95%CI 1.49-5.56, p=0.002), longer exposure to second hand smoke (OR=1.06, 95%CI 1.01-1.11, p=0.019) and having a more intense depressive symptoms (OR=1.08, 95%CI 1.03-1.13, p=0.002) was associated with light smoking. Being male (OR=0.22, 95%CI 0.07-0.41, p=0.001), older (OR=1.47, 95%CI 1.21-1.78, p=0.001), living with smokers (OR=3.78, 95%CI 1.69-8.07, p=0.001), longer daily exposure to second-hand smoke (OR=1.10, 95%CI 1.04-1.16, p=0.001), and having more severe depressive symptoms (OR=1.12, 95%CI 1.07-1.18, p=0.001) were associated with heavy smoking. Conclusion: Smoking prevention and cessation programs should include the entire community, because exposure to environmental second hand smoke may facilitate initiation and more intense smoking. Screening of student smokers for depression should be prioritized in the process of rebuilding the framework for primary and secondary prevention in the post-conflict period

The effects of a meldonium pre-treatment on the course of the faecal-induced sepsis in rats

Sepsis is a life-threatening condition caused by the dysregulated and overwhelming response to infection, accompanied by an exaggerated pro-inflammatory state and lipid metabolism disturbance leading to sequential organ failure. Meldonium is an anti-ischemic and anti-inflammatory agent which negatively interferes with lipid metabolism by shifting energy production from fatty acid oxidation to glycolysis, as a less oxygen-demanding pathway. Thus, we investigated the effects of a four-week meldonium pre-treatment on faecal-induced sepsis in Sprague-Dawley male rats. Surprisingly, under septic conditions, meldonium increased animal mortality rate compared with the meldonium non-treated group. However, analysis of the tissue oxidative status did not provide support for the detrimental effects of meldonium, nor did the analysis of the tissue inflammatory status showing anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, and anti-necrotic effects of meldonium. After performing tissue lipidomic analysis, we concluded that the potential cause of the meldonium harmful effect is to be found in the overall decreased lipid metabolism. The present study underlines the importance of uninterrupted energy production in sepsis, closely drawing attention to the possible harmful effects of lipid-mobilization impairment caused by certain therapeutics. This could lead to the much-needed revision of the existing guidelines in the clinical treatment of sepsis while paving the way for discovering new therapeutic approaches