Optimisation of the determination of deoxynivalenol in wheat flour by HPLC and a comparison of four clean-up procedures.

The determination of deoxynivalenol (DON) in wheat flour by liquid chromatography with photodiode array (PDA) detection was optimised. Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to determine the optimum chromatographic conditions for the determination of DON. The influence of three variables, acetonitrile (ACN) volume in mobile phase (9.5-24.5, v/v), flow rate (0.5-1.5 ml min-1) and wavelength (215-221 nm) on DON peak area was evaluated. The best separation was achieved using a symmetry column (150×3.9 mm; particle size 5 µm) by isocratic elution (1.0 ml min-1) and a mobile phase consisting of ACN/water in the ratio 17:83 (v/v). UV detection was performed at 218 nm. Linear calibration curves were constructed in the concentration range 1-1000 ng ml-1. The detection limit measured as the signal-to-noise ratio (3:1) was 0.03 ng ml-1. RSM results showed that the experimental data could be adequately fitted to a second-order polynomial model with multiple regression coefficients (R2) of 0.968. The efficiency of four clean-up procedures for wheat flour extract was compared. Recovery of DON using a Mycosep #225 column was highest with a value of 99%, while that of Mycosep #227 was 65%. In contrast, DON recovery using immunoaffinity columns (IAC) and an Oasis® HLB column was only 53 and 42%, respectively. The trueness of the method using the Mycosep #225 column was established with a certified reference material CRM 379. The result obtained from three replicates was 0.66±0.04 µg g-1 and the certified value was 0.67 µg g-1

Natural occurrence of deoxynivalenol (DON) in wheat based noodles consumed in Malaysia

In this first study performed in noodle samples consumed in Malaysia for the presence of deoxynivalenol (DON), a total of 135 sample of noodles, comprised of instant noodle, yellow alkaline noodle and white salted noodle, were randomly collected from food stores and analyzed for DON using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with a PDA (photodiode array) detector at 218 nm. The objective of this study was to investigate the DON contamination levels in different types of wheat-based noodle consumed in Peninsular Malaysia. An acetonitrile:water (17:83 v/v) mixture was used as a mobile phase and clean-up was accomplished with a Mycosep 225 column. There was a high variation in the DON concentrations in all types of noodle group as well as between brands. Only one sample of instant and yellow alkaline noodle each were contaminated with DON, at concentrations of 1.003 and 1.243 ng/g, respectively. The minimum detectable concentration for the DON was 0.627 ng/g in instant noodle. In the case of white salted noodle, none of the samples contained any detectable amount of DON. The results indicate a low occurrence of DON mycotoxins in commercial noodle products in Malaysia

Force Eruption of Mandibular Second Incisor in an 11- Year Old Boy: A Technical Report

There is a great challenge in the treatment of deeply fractured and un-restorable teeth among dentists. Orthodontic force eruption is a method of treatment for these teeth to preserve natural root system and periodontal structures. This technical report is a new modification of this procedure presented in an 11- year old boy with deeply fractured left second mandibular incisor. The fractured teeth were treated with root canal therapy and a file #80 was modified to become a hook cemented into the fractured tooth. Anterior teeth were splinted and used as anchorage to help the root extrusion. 1-year follow up of the tooth showed the convenience of the treatment. This simple and low-cost method can be an acceptable alternative to the current high cost techniques, achieving the same results

Assessing the impact of employing machine learning-based baseline load prediction pipelines with sliding-window training scheme on offered flexibility estimation for different building categories

The present study is focused on assessing the impact of the performance of baseline load prediction pipelines on the estimation (by the grid operator) accuracy of the flexibility offered by different categories of buildings. Accordingly, the corresponding impact of employing different machine learning (ML) algorithms, with sliding-window and offline training schemes, for hour-ahead baseline load prediction has been investigated and compared. Using a smart meter measurements dataset, training window sizes and the most promising pipeline for each building category are first identified. Next, the consumption profiles of five buildings (belonging to each category), with the regular operation (baseline load) and while offering flexibility, are physically simulated. Finally, the identified pipelines are used for predicting the baseline loads, and the resulting error in estimating the provided flexibility is determined. Obtained results demonstrate that the identified most promising prediction pipeline (extra trees algorithm with a sliding window of 5 weeks) offers a notably superior performance compared to that of offline training (average R2 score of 0.91 vs. 0.87). Employing these pipelines permits estimating the provided flexibility with acceptable accuracy (flexibility index's mean relative error between -2.45% to +2.79%), permitting the grid operator to guarantee fair compensation for buildings' offered flexibility

Improved bounds on the size of the smallest representation of relation algebra 326532_{65} with the aid of a SAT solver

In this paper, we shed new light on the spectrum of relation algebra $32_{65}$. We show that 1024 is in the spectrum, and no number smaller than 20 is in the spectrum. In addition, we derive upper and lower bounds on the smallest member of the spectra of an infinite class of algebras derived from $32_{65}$ via splitting.Comment: 14 page

Effect of food additives on deoxynivalenol (DON) reduction and quality attributes in steamed-and-fried instant noodles

The effect of food additives reduction on quality attributes in steamed-and-fried instant noodles was investigated. Three additives, l-ascorbic acid, l-cysteine, and sodium bisulfite, were evaluated for their effect on deoxynivalenol (DON) reduction and sensory acceptability of instant noodles. After screening the different concentrations of three food additives, the maximum reduction of DON was optimized for the following concentration ranges: l-ascorbic acid, 0–100 μg/g; l-cysteine, 0–300 μg/g; and sodium bisulfite, 0–200 μg/g. The experimental results were fitted to a second-order polynomial model, which gave a coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.987. The results indicated that the overall optimal condition resulting in the maximum DON reduction in instant noodles was obtained at the following combined level: sodium bisulfite, 167 μg/g; l-cysteine, 254 μg/g; and l-ascorbic acid, 23 μg/g. The sensory evaluation of noodles with the optimal condition of additives showed that the overall acceptability was in the range of “like slightly” and was not significantly (P > 0.05) different from the control sample. The optimized protocol produced a mixture that can reduce DON in instant noodles up to 67%. Modifying the processing of instant noodles by using additives may be useful to reduce the risk of DON exposure via instant noodles

Feasibility and efficacy of bypassing the right ventricle and pulmonary circulation to treat right ventricular failure: an experimental study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Right ventricular failure (RVF) and -support is associated with poor results. We aimed for a new approach of right - sided assistance bypassing the right ventricle and pulmonary circulation in order to better decompress the right ventricle and optimize left ventricular filling.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>From a microaxial pump (Abiomed), a low resistance oxygenator (Maquet and Novalung) and two cannulas (28 and 27 Fr) a system was set up and evaluated in an ovine model (n = 7). Connection with the heart was the right and left atrium. One hour the system was operated without RVF and turned of again. Then a RVF was induced and the course with the system running was evaluated. Complete hemodynamic monitoring was performed as well as echocardiography, flow measurement and blood gas analysis.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The overall performance of the system was reliable. Without RVF no relevant changes of hemodynamics occurred; blood gases were supra normal. In RVF a cardiogenic shock developed (MAP 35 ± 13 mmHg, CO 1,1 ± 0,7 l/min). Immediately after starting the system the circulation normalized (significant increase of MAP to 85 ± 13 mmHg, of CO to 4,5 ± 1,9). Echocardiography also revealed right ventricular recovery. After stopping the system, RVF returned.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Bypassing the right ventricle and pulmonary circulation with an oxygenating assist device, which may offer the advantages of enhanced right ventricular decompression and augmented left atrial filling, is feasible and effective in the treatment of acute RVF. Long time experiments are needed.</p

Long-term survival in patients with non-small cell lung cancer and synchronous brain metastasis treated with whole-brain radiotherapy and thoracic chemoradiation

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Brain metastases occur in 30-50% of Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients and confer a worse prognosis and quality of life. These patients are usually treated with Whole-brain radiotherapy (WBRT) followed by systemic therapy. Few studies have evaluated the role of chemoradiotherapy to the primary tumor after WBRT as definitive treatment in the management of these patients.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We reviewed the outcome of 30 patients with primary NSCLC and brain metastasis at diagnosis without evidence of other metastatic sites. Patients were treated with WBRT and after induction chemotherapy with paclitaxel and cisplatin for two cycles. In the absence of progression, concurrent chemoradiotherapy for the primary tumor with weekly paclitaxel and carboplatin was indicated, with a total effective dose of 60 Gy. If disease progression was ruled out, four chemotherapy cycles followed.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Median Progression-free survival (PFS) and Overall survival (OS) were 8.43 ± 1.5 and 31.8 ± 15.8 months, respectively. PFS was 39.5% at 1 year and 24.7% at 2 years. The 1- and 2-year OS rates were 71.1 and 60.2%, respectively. Three-year OS was significantly superior for patients with N0-N1 stage disease vs. N2-N3 (60 vs. 24%, respectively; Response rate [RR], 0.03; <it>p</it>= 0.038).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Patients with NSCLC and brain metastasis might benefit from treatment with WBRT and concurrent thoracic chemoradiotherapy. The subgroup of N0-N1 patients appears to achieve the greatest benefit. The result of this study warrants a prospective trial to confirm the benefit of this treatment.</p