Development of an antioxidant formula based on peanut by-products and effects on sensory properties and aroma stability of fortified peanut snacks during storage

An antioxidant formula based on peanut skins and hulls, was developed and characterized for total and single polyphenols, and antioxidant power, considering the contribution provided by each peanut by‐product. Then, it was evaluated for its effect on sensory properties and aroma stability of peanut bars over a 100‐day period. To this purpose, snacks fortified and not with the natural additive were experimentally produced

A Configurable 64-Channel ASIC for Cherenkov Radiation Detection from Space

This work presents the development of a 64-channel application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), implemented to detect the optical Cherenkov light from sub-orbital and orbital altitudes. These kinds of signals are generated by ultra-high energy cosmic rays (UHECRs) and cosmic neutrinos (CNs). The purpose of this front-end electronics is to provide a readout unit for a matrix of silicon photo-multipliers (SiPMs) to identify extensive air showers (EASs). Each event can be stored into a configurable array of 256 cells where the on-board digitization can take place with a programmable 12-bits Wilkinson analog-to-digital converter (ADC). The sampling, the conversion process, and the main digital logic of the ASIC run at 200 MHz, while the readout is managed by dedicated serializers operating at 400 MHz in double data rate (DDR). The chip is designed in a commercial 65 nm CMOS technology, ensuring a high configurability by selecting the partition of the channels, the resolution in the interval 8–12 bits, and the source of its trigger. The production and testing of the ASIC is planned for the forthcoming months

A unique case of foreign body aspiration and recurrent pneumothorax

Paediatric foreign body aspiration can be related to a high morbidity/mortality rate, especially in young children, and pneumothorax can be a severe associated issue. We describe a case of a 13-year-old girl with recurrent pneumothorax in bilateral bullous lung, twice previously treated at our institution by robotassisted bullectomy, and once again showing same signs and symptoms. At conventional thoracoscopy an inorganic foreign body was found to be located pointing upwards the apex. We believe this may have acted as a contributory cause in the persistence of the clinical picture, despite the surgical removal of the underlying pathology

Repaired Tetralogy of Fallot: Have We Understood the Right Timing of PVR?

Despite many advances in surgical repair during the past few decades, the majority of tetralogy of Fallot patients continue to experience residual hemodynamic and electrophysiological abnormalities. The actual issue, which has yet to be solved, is understanding how this disease evolves in each individual patient and, as a result, who is truly at risk of sudden death, as well as the proper timing of pulmonary valve replacement (PVR). Our responsibility should be to select the most appropriate time for each patient, going above and beyond imaging criteria used up to now to make such a clinically crucial decision. Despite several studies on timing, indications, procedures, and outcomes of PVR, there is still much uncertainty about whether PVR reduces arrhythmia burden or improves survival in these patients and how to appropriately manage this population. This review summarizes the most recent research on the evolution of repaired tetralogy of Fallot (from adolescence onwards) and risk factor variables that may favor or delay PVR

The mechanics of congenital heart disease: from a morphological trait to the functional echocardiographic evaluation

Advances in pediatric cardiac surgery have resulted in a recent growing epidemic of children and young adults with congenital heart diseases (CHDs). In these patients, congenital defects themselves, surgical operations and remaining lesions may alter cardiac anatomy and impact the mechanical performance of both ventricles. Cardiac function significantly influences outcomes in CHDs, necessitating regular patient follow-up to detect clinical changes and relevant risk factors. Echocardiography remains the primary imaging method for CHDs, but clinicians must understand patients' unique anatomies as different CHDs exhibit distinct anatomical characteristics affecting cardiac mechanics. Additionally, the use of myocardial deformation imaging and 3D echocardiography has gained popularity for enhanced assessment of cardiac function and anatomy. This paper discusses the role of echocardiography in evaluating cardiac mechanics in most significant CHDs, particularly its ability to accommodate and interpret the inherent anatomical substrate in these conditions

Segmental and global longitudinal strain differences between Kawasaki disease and multi-system inflammatory syndrome in children

Multi-system inflammatory syndrome in children and Kawasaki disease have overlapping clinical features but comparative echocardiographic studies are lacking

Non-Invasive Imaging Assessment in Patients with Aortic Coarctation: A Contemporary Review

Coarctation of the aorta (CoA) is a congenital abnormality characterized by a narrowing of the aortic lumen, which can lead to significant morbidity and mortality if left untreated. Even after repair and despite significant advances in therapeutic management, these patients have overall reduced long-term survival due to the consequences of chronic afterload increase. Cardiovascular imaging is key from the first diagnosis to serial follow-up. In recent years, novel imaging techniques have emerged, increasing accessibility to advanced imaging modalities and enabling early and non-invasive identification of complications after repair. The aim of this paper is to provide a comprehensive review of the role of different imaging techniques in the evaluation and management of patients with native or repaired CoA, highlighting their unique strengths and limitations