Neoformation of antioxidants in glycation model systems treated under subcritical water extraction conditions

In this work, the possibility of finding newly formed Maillard reaction products produced as a result of the subcritical water extraction (SWE) conditions is explored. Simplified powdered glycation model systems were prepared mixing amino acid (Lys, Arg or Ala) and glucose in a molar ratio 1:4. Samples constituted by glucose or amino acids alone were also prepared as controls. SWE was carried out at room temperature, 100 °C and 200 °C and 100 bar of pressure for 20 min. Different assays were performed in order to determine the extent of glycation by analyzing the decrease of free amino groups and/or the formation of Maillard reaction products (early, advanced and end products). Namely, formation of early colorless Maillard reaction products, Amadori compounds, was detected by ESI-MS; advanced glycation end products (AGEs) were detected by measuring the fluorescence intensity (λ_ex = 360 nm, λ_em = 460 nm) while end brown products were detected by reading the absorbance at 360 and 420 nm. Besides, the antioxidant capacity of the aqueous extracts was determined by using ABTS and ORAC_FL assays. Results obtained indicated the occurrence of the Maillard reaction under our specific extraction conditions. Early, advanced and end products were detected in the samples. Caramelization of sugar also occurred. As expected, the extent of the non-enzymatic browning depended on the intensity of the thermal treatment. Additionally, data on antioxidant activity suggested the formation of neoantioxidants. These compounds were predominantly formed at 200 °C. In conclusion, this report demonstrates the formation of antioxidant compounds in simplified glycation model systems under SWE conditions.     

Comparison of four freely available frameworks for image processing and visualization that use ITK

Most image processing and visualization applications allow users to configure computation parameters and manipulate the resulting visualizations. SCIRun, VoIView, MeVisLab, and the Medical Interaction Toolkit (MITK) are four image processing and visualization frameworks that were built for these purposes. All frameworks are freely available and all allow the use of the ITK C++ library. In this paper, the benefits and limitations of each visualization framework are presented to aid both application developers and users in the decision of which framework may be best to use for their application. The analysis is based on more than 50 evaluation criteria, functionalities, and example applications. We report implementation times for various steps in the creation of a reference application in each of the compared frameworks. The data-flow programming frameworks, SCIRun and MeVisLab, were determined to be best for developing application prototypes, while VoIView was advantageous for nonautomatic end-user applications based on existing ITK functionalities, and MITK was preferable for automated end-user applications that might include new ITK classes specifically designed for the application     

Antioxidant synergism between tocopherols and ascorbyl palmitate in cooked, minced turkey

In an attempt to reduce oxidative deterioration, including the development of warmed-over flavour (WOF), in cooked, minced turkey meat, a combined strategy using natural antioxidants and modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) was adapted. Tocopherols (200 ppm) each significantly reduced lipid oxidation during 9 days of cold storage (5° C), measured as 2-thiobarbituric-acid-reactive substances (TBARS). Synergism between the two antioxidants was demonstrated as an increasing relative reduction in TBARS values over time when both antioxidants were added, as opposed to the almost constant relative reduction when only one antioxidant was added. Notably, this synergism depended on the availability of O₂, and was found to be most significant for atmospheric packaging (21% O₂, 79% N₂) and most significant towards the end of the storage period. A reduced O₂ content in the packages (mixture of O₂ and N₂, initially: 1.0% O₂ or 0.03% O₂) had a more pronouced effect on oxidative deterioration than addition of antioxidants. However, during the 9 days of storage, meat balls with the synergistic mixture added, and packed in 1% O₂, had TBARS values of 50 compared to 270 mol malondialdehyde/kg for meat balls without antioxidants packed in 21% O₂. This level of reduction in lipid oxidation is comparable with that of meat balls without antioxidants packed in a virtually O₂-free atmosphere.

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Antioxidativer Synergismus zwischen Tocopherolen und Ascorbylpalmitat in gekochtem, gehacktem Putenfleisch

Zusammenfassung Um die oxidative Veränderung sowie die Entwicklung von Warmed-Over Flavour (WOF) in gekochtem, gehacktem Putenfleisch zu reduzieren, wurde eine Strategie mit natürlichen Antioxidanten sowie MAP (Verpackung in modifizierter Atmosphäre) erprobt. Tocopherole (200 ppm, aus Sojaöl extrahiert) und Ascorbylpalmitat (200 ppm) reduzierten beide die Lipidoxidation signifikant während einer Kühllagerung von 9 Tagen bei 5° C, gemessen als 2-thiobarbitursäure-reaktive Substanzen (TBARS). Ein Synergismus zwischen diesen beiden Anti-Oxidanten zeigte sich mit der Lagerzeit, wenn beide Antioxidanten zugesetzt waren, im Gegensatz zu einer nahezu konstanten Reduktion, wenn lediglich ein Antioxidant zur Verwendung kam. Dieser Synergismus ist signifikant bei atmosphärischer Verpackung (21% O₂; 79% N₂) und gegen Ende des Versuchs. Ein reduzierter O₂-Gehalt in den Packungen (1,0% O₂ bzw. 0,03% O₂) hatte einen höheren Effekt als eine Beigabe von Antioxidanten. Während der 9 Tage Lagerungszeit erreichten Fleischklöße unter Zugaben der synergistischen Mischung und verpackt unter 1% O₂/99% N₂ nur TBARS-Werte von 50 verglichen mit 270 mol Malondialdehyde/kg für das gleiche Produkt — ohne Antioxidanten — und verpackt unter 21% O₂; dies entspricht einer Reduktion der Lipidoxidation vergleichbar zu Fleischklößen ohne Antioxidanten unter nahezu O₂-freier Atmosphäre.

     

Comparison of proteomic biomarker panels in urine and serum for ovarian cancer diagnosis

Purpose : The purposes of this study were to confirm previously found candidate epithelial ovarian cancer biomarkers in urine and to compare a paired serum biomarker panel and a urine biomarker panel from the same study cohort with regard to the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) area under the ROC curve (AUC) values. Experimental design : Four significant urine biomarkers were confirmed among 130 pelvic mass patients in the present study. The four biomarkers form a potential urine biomarker panel. From the same study cohort, the potential urine biomarker panel was compared to a serum biomarker panel, consisting of seven proteins/peptides, OvaRI. Results : Multivariate analysis of the urine panel demonstrated a significant differentiation (p<0.0001) between epithelial ovarian cancer patients and patients with benign ovarian pelvic masses. The ROC AUC of the urine panel was 0.84 and the ROC AUC of OvaRI was 0.83. Combining the urine panel with OvaRI demonstrated a significant contribution from both, for urine peaks, OR=2.12 and for OvaRI, OR=1.39; the ROC AUC of this model was 0.88. Conclusions and clinical relevance : We demonstrated that both urine and serum can be used individually or in combination to potentially aid in ovarian cancer diagnostics. Urine proteomic profiling could provide biomarkers for the non‐invasive test required in clinical practice.     

Fast Screening Method to Determine Hop’s Phytoestrogens in Beer

A novel, fast, and simple method to determine three phytoestrogens [xanthohumol (XN), isoxanthohumol (IXN), and 8-prenylnaringenin (8PN)] in beer samples by high-performance liquid chromatography with diode-array detection has been developed. The selected method involves purification by solid phase extraction and separation achieved on a C₁₈ column by using a gradient elution program. This consists of a mixture of acetonitrile, water, and methanol (all of them with 1% of acetic acid) at a flow ratio of 1 mL/min. The detection wavelengths were set at 370 nm for XN and 280 nm for IXN and 8PN. Average analyte recoveries were higher than 75% with relative standard deviations lower than 5%. The detection limits were between 0.01 and 0.08 mg/L, and the quantitation limits were between 0.02 and 0.15 mg/L. The method has been validated and applied to the analysis of several types of commercial beers obtained from local markets, where results showed the presence of IXN and 8PN in most of the samples and the absence of XN. Thus, the presented method gives to brewing chemists a validated, reliable, fast, and affordable analytical tool to identify and quantify the three most important hop’s prenylflavonoids in beer.     

Fournier gangrene: our experience

OBJECTIVE: Fournier's gangrene is a necrotizing fasciitis involving the genitoperineal region caused by the synergistic action of aerobic and anaerobic pathogens. It is a rapidly progressing disease and carries a high mortality. Our experience with Fournier's gangrene is presented. METHODS: Herein we describe 11 cases of Fournier's gangrene that were diagnosed and treated from 1991 to 1996. The most important predisposing factor was diabetes mellitus and the most common triggering factor was a perianal condition. RESULTS/CONCLUSIONS: The survival rate was high (81%) and can be ascribed to early diagnosis, aggressive and rapid surgical treatment with debridement, resection of the necrotic areas, drainage, simultaneous broad spectrum antibiotic therapy and frequent local treatment.     

Probability based modelling and assessment of an existing post-tensioned concrete slab bridge

This paper presents the application of probabilistic techniques to the load capacity assessment of a post-tensioned concrete slab bridge which was built in 1959 outside Copenhagen. The bridge failed to demonstrate the required capacity following a deterministic assessment and as such was deemed to require repair or replacement. Following the Danish Roads Directorates stated policy of performing probabilistic assessment, where deemed beneficial, prior to repairing or replacing, the structure was probabilistically assessed according to the newly developed Danish guideline for Reliability Based Classification of the Load Carrying Capacity of Existing Bridges. The paper presents the techniques employed in modelling the critical limit state, as well as the statistical techniques employed in modelling loads, resistance and associated uncertainties. Ultimately, the structure was shown to have sufficient load carrying capacity and as such the scenario of expensive repairs or replacement was avoided, with significant financial benefits to the bridge owner.     

Breast cancer screening: first round in the population-based program in Valencia, Spain. Collaborative Group of Readers of the Breast Cancer Screening Program of the Valencia Community

PURPOSE: To analyze the results of round 1 of the population-based Valencia Breast Cancer Screening Program. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this program, 78,224 (72.98%) of the 107,178 women invited (aged 45-65 years) underwent screening. Complementary views were obtained in 5,771 women (7.38%). Among the total population studied, 3,502 (4.48%) underwent short-term mammographic follow-up studies; 3,898 (4.98%) underwent additional studies and treatment at hospitals. Five hundred eighty-seven women (0.75%) underwent biopsy. RESULTS: Cancer was detected in 334 patients (4.27 cancers per 1,000 women [3.24 per 1,000 women aged 45-49 years, 6.30 per 1,000 women aged 60-65 years]; six patients with lobular carcinoma in situ excluded). The estimated sensitivity was 89%; specificity, 99%. The positive predictive value of mammography was 8.56%; of mammography with additional examinations, 26.82%; and of biopsy, 56.89%. Forty-one patients (12.28%) had ductal carcinoma in situ; 284 (85.03%) had infiltrating carcinoma. In 73 (25.70%) of the 284 patients, infiltrating carcinomas were smaller than 1 cm. Two hundred twenty-five patients (76.27%) had no lymph node involvement. One hundred seventy-nine (61.09%) had stage 0 or 1 cancer. CONCLUSION: Results are consistent with other published results; differences are due to methods and patient population characteristics.