Computational Decision Support System for ADHD Identification

Machine Intelligence Research - Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common disorder among children. ADHD often prevails into adulthood, unless proper treatments are facilitated to...     

Preconcentration of yoghurt base by ultrafiltration for reduction in acid whey generation during Greek yoghurt manufacturing

The feasibility of applying ultrafiltration (UF) to concentrate a yoghurt base prior to fermentation during Greek yoghurt manufacturing was studied as a way of minimising acid whey (AW) generation. Two Greek yoghurts were prepared by concentrating a milk base through UF to 13.8% and 17.5% (w/w) (GY‐2, GY‐3). Production of GY‐3 resulted in zero AW discharge, while the GY‐2 production discharged 78% lower AW compared to the control (GY‐1). GY‐2 exhibited a hard gel structure, low syneresis, maximum viscosity properties and a high protein and fat content. Applying both, UF and straining, resulted yoghurts with required structural attributes while substantially reducing the generation of AW.     

Xanthophylls, Phytosterols and Pre-β1-HDL are Differentially Affected by Fenofibrate and Niacin HDL-Raising in a Cross-Over Study

Fenofibrate and extended‐release (ER) niacin similarly raise high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C) concentration but their effects on levels of potent plasma antioxidant xanthophylls (lutein and zeaxanthin) and phytosterols obtained from dietary sources, and any relationship with plasma lipoproteins and pre‐β1‐HDL levels, have not been investigated. We studied these parameters in 66 dyslipidemic patients treated for 6 week with fenofibrate (160 mg/day) or ER‐niacin (0.5 g/day for 3 week, then 1 g/day) in a cross‐over study. Both treatments increased HDL‐C (16 %) and apolipoprotein (apo) A‐I (7 %) but only fenofibrate increased apoA‐II (28 %). Lutein and zeaxanthin levels were unaffected by fenofibrate but inversely correlated with percentage change in apoB and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol and positively correlated with end of treatment apoA‐II. ApoA‐II in isolated HDL in vitro bound more lutein than apoA‐I. Xanthophylls were increased by ER‐niacin (each ~30 %) without any correlation to lipoprotein or apo levels. Only fenofibrate markedly decreased plasma markers of cholesterol absorption; pre‐β1‐HDL was significantly decreased by fenofibrate (?19 %, p < 0.0001), with little change (3.4 %) for ER‐niacin. Although fenofibrate and ER‐niacin similarly increased plasma HDL‐C and apoA‐I, effects on plasma xanthophylls, phytosterols and pre‐β1‐HDL differed markedly, suggesting differences in intestinal lipidation of HDL. In addition, the in vitro investigations suggest an important role of plasma apoA‐II in xanthophyll metabolism.