Exploitation of \u3ba-carrageenan aerogels as template for edible oleogel preparation.

In the current research, oleogels were prepared by using \u3ba-carrageenan aerogels as template. In particular, hydrogels containing increasing concentration (0.4, 1.0, and 2.0% w/w) of \u3ba-carrageenan were firstly converted into alcoholgel and subsequently dried by using supercritical CO2 to obtain aerogels. The latter were porous and structurally stable materials with high mechanical strength. The polymer content affected the aerogel structure: increasing the initial k-carrageenan concentration a coarser structure with larger polymer aggregates was obtained. However, the aerogel obtained at intermediate polymer concentration resulted the firmest one, probably due to the formation of a less aerated and more isotropic structure. Aerogels demonstrated a reduced capacity of water vapor sorption, remaining glassy and porous at room temperature at relative humidity lower than 60%. Aerogels showed a good capacity of oil absorption. The maximum oil loading capacity (about 80%) was obtained for aerogel containing the highest \u3ba-carrageenan content. Thus, it can be concluded that aerogels based on the structuring of water soluble polymers have potential as material for oil absorption and delivery. \ua9 2017 Elsevier Lt

Omega-3 Enriched Biscuits with Low Levels of Heat-Induced Toxicants: Effect of Formulation and Baking Conditions

Unconventional formulation and baking conditions were exploited for obtaining omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids enriched biscuits. A monoglyceride-flaxseed oil\u2013water gel was used to obtain biscuits which had physical and chemical properties analogous to those of a control sample prepared with palm oil. To reduce fat oxidation and acrylamide and furan formation, the dough was baked at different temperature, time and pressure (i.e. varying from 101.33 to 0.15 kPa) conditions according to a central composite design. Baking at high temperature and reduced pressure allowed to obtain biscuits with acceptable water content and colour, while minimizing omega-3 fatty acids oxidation and acrylamide and furan formation. The biscuits best responding to these characteristics were obtained by applying the combination 174 \ub0C-3.99 kPa-45 min. The low pressure generated inside the oven likely exerted a stripping effect towards acrylamide and furan as well as oxygen thus preventing toxicants to accumulate and lipid oxidation to occur. This study highlighted that the use of monoglyceride-flaxseed oil\u2013water gel combined with baking under reduced pressure is potentially applicable at the industrial level to obtain nutritionally enhanced biscuits, while simultaneously preventing the occurrence of degradation reactions and toxic molecules formation. Due to the worldwide diffusion of cereal-based foods, including sweet biscuits, this formulation and process strategy could have a great economic impact. \ua9 2015, Springer Science+Business Media New York

Efficient management of the water resource in the fresh-cut industry: Current status and perspectives

Among the different food industries, fresh-cut produce manufacturing is one of the major water-intensive, due to the huge consumption of potable water to perform washing operations required to guarantee the safety and quality of the product. Reducing the water footprint of washing is thus a challenge for fresh-cut industries and food researchers. This review paper examines the current status of the water resource management in the fresh-cut industry and critically describes a comprehensive approach to the improvement of the water use efficiency by implementing strategies of water recirculation, reuse and recycling. In particular, advantages and limitations of chlorine and chlorine-free disinfectants to reduce water turnover in washing tanks were considered. In addition, particular attention was focussed on innovative technological solutions, based on either physical or chemical stresses, which could be exploited individually or in combination to treat wastewater deriving from fresh-cut washing and allow its recycling within the processing plant. \ua9 2015 Elsevier Lt

Technical Considerations to Avoid Microvascular Complications during Groin Lymph Node Free Flap Transfer

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β-Carotene degradation kinetics as affected by fat crystal network and solid/liquid ratio

The aim of this research was to study beta-carotene degradation kinetics into lipid systems containing different fat crystal networks in the presence of increasing liquid oil amounts. To this purpose, fat blends containing liquid saturated medium chain triacylglycerols (MCT) with increasing content of saturated monoglycerides (MG), tripalmitin (PPP) and tristearin (SSS) were added with 0.6 mg/g beta-carotene. The fat crystal networks formed in the fat blends were characterized by using polarized light microscopy and synchrotron X-ray diffraction (XRD). In addition, A-carotene degradation was monitored during storage in the dark at 20 degrees C. Results highlighted that fat crystallization could differently affect beta-carotene stability. In bulk SSS and PPP, beta-carotene degradation proceeded at comparable rate, whereas when the saturated liquid oil MCT is included in the fat network, the rate of oxidation slightly decreased. Interestingly, the oxidation rate was not significantly affected by the solid/liquid ratio of the systems. A completely different behavior was observed in MG containing systems: the rate of beta-carotene oxidation was in every case significantly lower than that observed in SSS and PPP containing samples. Also in this case, the MG protective effect was independent on its content in the fat mixtures.Peer reviewe

Compreensão da religiosidade/espiritualidade para concluintes do curso de Enfermagem de uma universidade confessional

A religiosidade/espiritualidade (R/E) tem sido uma dimensão cada vez mais presente na assistência de Enfermagem, o que contrasta com o seu emprego nos espaços formativos como a Universidade. Este estudo teve por objetivo conhecer as vivências religiosas-espirituais produzidas a partir de diferentes religiões entre os concluintes de um curso de Enfermagem. Participaram deste estudo qualitativo 13 estudantes que responderam a um questionário com questões abertas e fechadas. A idade dos respondentes variou de 18 a 39 anos e apenas um afirmou não possui religião. A R/E é compreendida como uma dimensão positiva para a maioria dos respondentes, podendo ser empregada no futuro cuidado de Enfermagem. No entanto, destaca-se que essa discussão ainda não tem sido suficientemente explorada na Universidade, o que pode explicar sentidos muito diferentes sobre a R/E nesses estudantes e, consequentemente, dificultando a sua corporificação para uma assistência mais humanizada e integral

Treatment of hypertrophic scars and keloids using an intralesional 1470 nm bare-fibre diode laser: a novel efficient minimally-invasive technique

Hypertrophic and keloid scars result from abnormal wound healing and can have a variable response to a number of available treatment modalities. The evolution of laser treatments in recent years has shown a wide range of clinical applications including their use in the treatment of scars. We investigated the effectiveness of a 1470 nm diode laser using an intralesional optical fibre delivery device in the treatment of hypertrophic and keloid scars. We evaluated its safety and efficacy as a novel and minimally invasive treatment alternative for scar modulation and volume reduction. A prospective cohort study was performed involving 21 patients with hypertrophic scars (HS) (n = 9) and keloids (n = 12) resulting from various aetiology. Patients were treated with one to three treatment sessions. Comprehensive evaluations were performed using the Vancouver Scar Scale, Doppler ultrasound, Cutometer, Mexameter and PeriCam PSI. Scar thickness was reduced by an average of 0.308 ± 0.138 cm (p < 0.001). In particular the two subgroups showed a significant 27.7% and 28.2% reduction in scar thickness of HS and Keloids, respectively. Scar firmness showed a significant improvement of 1.2% (p < 0.05) for HS, though for keloids this was 0.4% (p = 0.26). Keloids had a significant reduction in pigmentation at 21.3%. Blood perfusion had a significant reduction of 29.6% in HS and 22.7% in Keloids. Overall VSS total score improvement of 42% in the HS and at 37.9% in the Keloid subgroup. No adverse events such as hypo/hyperpigmentation, skin infection, or recurrence were reported. This study shows that the intralesional 1470 nm bare-fibre diode laser significantly improved hypertrophic and keloid scars based on both subjective and objective analyses and supports this type of laser therapy as a safe and effective minimally-invasive treatment option

Upfront intensive chemo-immunotherapy with autograft in 199 adult mantle cell lymphoma patients : prolonged survival and cure potentiality at long term

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