Rapid Tomato Volatile Profiling by Using Proton‐Transfer Reaction Mass Spectrometry (PTR‐MS)

Abstract: The availability of rapid and accurate methods to assess fruit flavor is of utmost importance to support quality control especially in the breeding phase. Breeders need more information and analytical tools to facilitate selection for complex multigenic traits such as flavor quality. In this study, it is shown that proton‐transfer reaction mass spectrometry (PTR‐MS) is a suitable method to monitor at high sensitivity the emission of volatiles determining the tomato aromatic profile such as hexanal, hexenals, methanol, ethanol, and acetaldehyde. The volatiles emitted by 14 tomato varieties (at red stage) were analyzed by 2 solvent‐free headspace methods: solid‐phase microextraction/gas chromatography MS and PTR‐MS. Multivariate statistics (principal component analysis and cluster analysis) of the PTR‐MS results allow an unambiguous separation between varieties, especially with a clear fingerprinting separation between the different tomato types: round truss, cocktail, and cherry tomatoes. PTR‐MS was also successfully used to monitor the changes in volatile profiles during postharvest ripening and storage. Practical Application: These results show that proton‐transfer reaction mass spectrometry (PTR‐MS) is suited to monitor at high sensitivity the emission of a large number of volatiles that describe the tomato aroma profile. This technology can easily monitor and quantify compounds related to ripening and/or senescence so that it can be used to improve the breeding of new fruit and vegetable cultivars based on volatiles. Moreover, PTR‐MS can be used to monitor changes in volatile profile during ripening and storage.     

Explaining the failure of the Dutch innovation system for biomass digestion—A functional analysis

Since the 1970s research on energy conversion technologies, such as biomass digestion, has been carried out in the Netherlands. However, after 30 years biomass digestion has not been implemented on large scale. The aim of this paper is to create insight into the underlying factors of this troublesome trajectory by applying the ‘Functions of Innovation Systems’ framework. This results in clear understanding of the (lack of) activities that took place in the innovation system of biomass digestion and the role of government policy in both inducing and blocking this development. The analysis provides several lessons to take into account when developing policies for the acceleration of the development and diffusion of biomass energy.     

SYBRGreenER™ Real-Time PCR to detect almond in traces in processed food

Because food ingredients are sometimes considered as causative factors in IgE mediated food allergies, DNA-based tests may prove to be very useful to establish whether allergenic species have been used in foodstuffs production. The development of two SYBR^®GreenER™ Real-Time PCR assays, targeting Pru 1 and rbcL genes, based on melting curve analysis, to detect allergen species in food has been presented. Applicability of these methods was assessed with several commercial products containing processed almond.     

The Conceptual Model of Well-Being Management Based on Achieving Requisite Personal Holism

Organizations should look at humans as multilayered, not only as professional entities. In synergy, not only individually, we define humans as: (1) physical, (2) mental, (3) social, (4) spiritual, and (5) economic entities, marked by requisitely holistic patterns of relatively permanent characteristics, due to which individuals differ from each other; they differ also as specialized professionals. All these and other attributes form synergies. On this basis, the behavior of individuals who are willing to practice interdisciplinary cooperation becomes socially responsible and they have a high level of well-being.

Individuals as well as organizations seek requisite personal holism (RPH) on the one hand and psychic well-being (PWB) on the other hand. Thus, individuals implement individual techniques and organizations implement special strategies, programs, and actions in the frame of human resource management (HRM). That is how organizations in the frame of HRM, more specifically in the frame of management well-being, are developing special programs for managing PWB. These programs are based on their RPH and organizations might help employees to feel respected and valued in their work settings, without regard to their culture, religion, ethnicity, gender, age, disability, or other individual differences. The most-often applied programs of the kind include: (1) stress management programs, (2) diversity management programs, (3) wellness programs, (4) employee assistance programs, and (5) programs for personal growth.     

Enhanced antibacterial effect of silver nanoparticles obtained by electrochemical synthesis in poly(amide-hydroxyurethane) media

In the present study, we report enhanced antimicrobial properties of 29 and 23 nm silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) obtained by electrochemical synthesis in poly(amide-hydroxyurethane) media. Antibacterial activity assessed by disk diffusion method indicates that silver nanoparticles produced inhibition zones for both Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus depending on silver concentration. The bacterial growth curve performed in the presence of silver nanoparticles showed a stronger antibacterial effect at lower concentrations than those described in the earlier reports. The effect was both dose and size dependent and was more pronounced against Gram negative bacteria than Gram positive one. The smallest Ag NPs used had a bactericidal effect resulting in killing E. coli cells. Scanning electron microscopy analysis indicated major damage and morphology changes of the silver nanoparticles treated bacterial cells. The major mechanism responsible for the antibacterial effect probably consists in clusters formation and nanoparticles anchorage to the bacterial cell surface.     

The Effect of the Ionizing Radiation on Hydroxyapatite–Polydimethylsiloxane Layers

The bio hydroxyapatite (HAp) was used from a long time in different medical and environmental applications. The HAp layers with a uniform surface were used for various medical applications such as orthopedic and dental metal implants. In this work, we reported on the influence of X‐ray radiation on the structural and morphological properties of composite layers based on HAp and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) deposited on titanium substrates. The HAp:PDMS layers were investigated by different complementary methods such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and glow discharge optical emission spectrometry (GDOES). FTIR spectral analysis showed that the molecular structure of the coatings was not changed after their irradiation even though, the depth profile analysis performed by GDOES indicated a depletion of Ca and P elements from the HAp:PDMS irradiated samples. By SEM, we showed that the morphological features of the coatings were also changed, as the irradiated layers are delaminated. The biological assays confirmed that the antibacterial activity of HAp:PDMS composite layers increased after irradiation. The results obtained in this study highlighted that the biological properties of HAp:PDMS layers could be influenced by irradiation. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 59:2406–2412, 2019. © 2019 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Autonomic Nervous System in Obesity and Insulin-Resistance—The Complex Interplay between Leptin and Central Nervous System

The role of the autonomic nervous system in obesity and insulin-resistant conditions has been largely explored. However, the exact mechanisms involved in this relation have not been completely elucidated yet, since most of these mechanisms display a bi-directional effect. Insulin-resistance, for instance, can be caused by sympathetic activation, but, in turn, the associated hyperinsulinemia can activate the sympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system. The picture is made even more complex by the implicated neural, hormonal and nutritional mechanisms. Among them, leptin plays a pivotal role, being involved not only in appetite regulation and glucose homeostasis but also in energy expenditure. The purpose of this review is to offer a comprehensive view of the complex interplay between leptin and the central nervous system, providing further insights on the impact of autonomic nervous system balance on adipose tissue and insulin-resistance. Furthermore, the link between the circadian clock and leptin and its effect on metabolism and energy balance will be evaluated.     

Clearance of the SARS-CoV-2 Virus in an Immunocompromised Patient Mediated by Convalescent Plasma without B-Cell Recovery

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a contagious disease caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). This case report presents a patient who had difficulty eradicating the corona virus due to being treated with Rituximab, which depletes B lymphocyte cells and therefore disables the production of neutralizing antibodies. The combined use of external anti-viral agents like convalescent plasma, IVIG and Remdesivir successfully helped the patient’s immune system to eradicate the virus without B-cell population recovery. In vitro studies showed that convalescent plasma is the main agent that helped in eradicating the virus.