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JDS Communications Nov 2023The objective of this research was to evaluate the suitability of whey permeate powder for ice cream. Three white mixes were formulated with equivalent total solids,...
The objective of this research was to evaluate the suitability of whey permeate powder for ice cream. Three white mixes were formulated with equivalent total solids, fat, and carbohydrates, but different concentrations of lactose and added sugar. Vanilla ice creams contained either reduced lactose (RL, 3.8% lactose and 17% added sugar), standard lactose (SL, 5.8%; 15%), or high lactose (HL, 7.8%; 13%). Trained panelists evaluated 8 body and texture, and 6 flavor characteristics through 10 mo of storage. All ice creams maintained low mean scores (<4.0/15.0 cm) for crumbly, lacks freshness, nonfat dry milk flavor, and whey, and moderate mean scores (5.0-8.3/15.0 cm) for gummy, melt rate, melt viscosity, sweet, and vanilla flavor for 10 mo. In mo 1 and 10, consumers in Iowa (n = 94, n = 55) and in mo 4 and 6, consumers in Kansas (n = 44; n = 56) rated the acceptability of the ice creams. Overall acceptability, flavor, and texture acceptability for products did not significantly differ until mo 10, when HL mean scores decreased lower than SL ice cream mean scores. The lower scores are attributed to crumbly and sandy texture defects, noted by trained panelists, only for HL ice cream stored 10 mo. The research demonstrates that whey permeate powder can be used to produce ice creams of acceptable quality for up to 10 mo.
PubMed: 38045891
DOI: 10.3168/jdsc.2023-0382 -
Global Change Biology Oct 2023Episodic tree mortality can be caused by various reasons. This study describes climate-driven tree mortality and tree growth in the Black Forest mountain range in...
Episodic tree mortality can be caused by various reasons. This study describes climate-driven tree mortality and tree growth in the Black Forest mountain range in Germany. It is based on a 68-year consistent data series describing the annual mortality of all trees growing in a forest area of almost 250 thousand ha. The study excludes mortality caused by storm, snow and ice, and fire. The sequence of the remaining mortality, the so-called "desiccated trees," is analyzed and compared with the sequence of the climatic water balance during the growing season and the annual radial growth of Norway spruce in the Black Forest. The annual radial growth series covers 121 years and the climatic water balance series 140 years. These unique time series enable a quantitative assessment of multidecadal drought and heat impacts on growth and mortality of forest trees on a regional spatial scale. Data compiled here suggest that the mortality of desiccated trees in the Black Forest during the last 68 years is driven by the climatic water balance. Decreasing climatic water balance coincided with an increase in tree mortality and growth decline. Consecutive hot and dry summers enhance mortality and growth decline as a consequence of drought legacies lasting several years. The sensitivity of tree growth and mortality to changes in the climatic water balance increases with the decreasing trend of the climatic water balance. The findings identify the climatic water balance as the main driver of mortality and growth variation during the 68-year observation period on a landscape-scale including a variety of different sites. They suggest that bark beetle population dynamics modify mortality rates. They as well provide evidence that the mortality during the last 140 years never was as high as in the most recent years.
Topics: Animals; Trees; Forests; Seasons; Coleoptera; Droughts; Water; Climate Change
PubMed: 37551846
DOI: 10.1111/gcb.16897 -
Pharmaceutics Aug 2023In this work, a non-isothermal pore network (PN) model with quasi-steady vapor transport and transient heat transfer is presented for the first time for the application...
In this work, a non-isothermal pore network (PN) model with quasi-steady vapor transport and transient heat transfer is presented for the first time for the application of primary freeze drying. The pore-scale resolved model is physically based and allows for the investigation of correlations between spatially distributed structure and transport conditions. The studied examples were regular PN lattices with a significantly different structure, namely a spatially homogeneous PN, also denoted as monomodal PN, and a PN with significant structure variation, referred to as bimodal PN because of its bimodal pore size distribution. The material properties selected for the solid skeleton in this study are equivalent to those of maltodextrin. The temperature ranges applied here were -28 °C to -18 °C in the PN and -42 °C in the surrounding environment. The environmental vapor pressure was 10 Pa. The PNs were dried with constant temperature boundary conditions, and heat was transferred at the top side by the vapor leaving the PN. It is shown how the structural peculiarities affect the local heat and mass transfer conditions and result in a significant widening of the sublimation front in the case of the bimodal PN. The possibility of spatially and temporally resolved front structures is a unique feature of the PN model and allows the study of situations that are not yet described by classical continuum approaches, namely heterogeneous frozen porous materials. As demonstrated by the thin layers studied here, the pore-scale simulations are of particular interest for such situations, such as in lyomicroscopes or collagen scaffolds, where a length-scale separation between dry and ice-saturated regions is not possible.
PubMed: 37631345
DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15082131 -
Animal Reproduction Science Sep 2023This study aimed to investigate the effects of storing horse semen either in a dry shipper (≤ -150 °C) or on dry ice (≤ -78 °C) for up to 14 days. A total of 264...
This study aimed to investigate the effects of storing horse semen either in a dry shipper (≤ -150 °C) or on dry ice (≤ -78 °C) for up to 14 days. A total of 264 frozen semen straws from male horses (n = 8) stored in liquid nitrogen were transferred on day 0 (d0) to a dry shipper or a dry ice styrofoam box. On d1, d3, d7, d10, and d14, straws from the dry shipper and dry ice were returned to the liquid nitrogen container. Semen was evaluated by CASA for total (TMot), progressive motility (PMot) and sperm velocity parameters, by fluorescence microscopy for percentage of membrane-intact sperm (SYBR14/PI), high mitochondrial membrane potential (HMMP; JC1) and DNA fragmentation. Temperature inside the containers was monitored continuously. Until d7, no changes were observed in TMot, PMot, and membrane-intact spermatozoa. Thereafter, all three parameters decreased in semen stored on dry ice but not in a dry shipper (time p < 0.001, time x shipping device p < 0.001). The HMMP decreased continuously over time in both containers with a more pronounced decrease on dry ice compared to the dry shipper (shipping device p < 0.01, time p < 0.001, time x device p < 0.001). The DNA fragmentation increased on d10-14 on dry ice and d14 in the dry shipper (time p < 0.001, time x device p < 0.01). In conclusion, frozen horse semen can be safely stored for up to 7 days on dry ice. Sperm DNA integrity and HMMP, however, were adversely affected after 14 days in both shipping devices.
Topics: Male; Horses; Animals; Semen; Temperature; Dry Ice; Sperm Motility; Spermatozoa; Cryopreservation; Semen Preservation; Nitrogen
PubMed: 37499284
DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2023.107307 -
Health Science Reports Sep 2023Winter endurance athletes have a high prevalence of exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) and asthma, probably due to repeated and prolonged inhalation of cold and...
BACKGROUND AND AIMS
Winter endurance athletes have a high prevalence of exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) and asthma, probably due to repeated and prolonged inhalation of cold and dry air. Heat- and moisture-exchanging devices (HME) warm and humidify inhaled air and prevent EIB. The aim of this study was to share cross-country skiers and biathletes' experiences of training and competition in low temperatures, views on temperature limits, usage of HME, and consequences of cold exposure on their health.
METHODS
Eleven Swedish World Championship or Olympic medalists in cross-country skiing and biathlon were interviewed and transcripts were analyzed using qualitative content analysis.
RESULTS
Participants described how cold temperatures predominantly affected the airways, face, and extremities. During training, extreme cold was managed by choosing warmer clothing, modification of planned sessions, use of HME, delaying training, or changing location. In competition, participants described limited possibility for such choices and would prefer adjustment of existing rules (i.e., more conservative temperature limits), especially since they understood elite skiing in low temperatures to present an occupational hazard to their health. Participants had at times used HMEs during training in cold environments but described mixed motives for their use-that HMEs warm and humidify cold inhaled air but introduce additional resistance to breathing and can cause problems due to mucus and ice build-up. Skiers also perceived that they had become more sensitive to cold during the latter part of their careers.
CONCLUSIONS
The present study gives a unique insight into the "cold" reality of being an elite athlete in skiing and biathlon. Cold exposure results in negative health consequences that are preventable, which means that rules must be followed, and organizers should acknowledge responsibility in protecting athletes from occupational hazards. Development of evidence-based guidelines for protection of athletes' respiratory health should be a focus for future translational research.
PubMed: 37662540
DOI: 10.1002/hsr2.1511 -
Journal of Pain and Symptom Management Nov 2023Thirst and xerostomia are significant and highly distressing symptoms experienced by patients receiving palliative and end-of-life care.
CONTEXT
Thirst and xerostomia are significant and highly distressing symptoms experienced by patients receiving palliative and end-of-life care.
OBJECTIVES
Determine a reduction of thirst intensity and perceptions of dry mouth on a numerical scale following both the experimental intervention (mini mint ice cubes) and control (plain ice chips).
METHODS
Cross-over Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) to assess the effectiveness of novel intervention in the treatment of dry mouth and the sensation of thirst in palliative care patients.
RESULTS
Patients rated the severity of their symptoms of dry mouth and thirst using a numeric rating scale (NRS). On commencing the study and preintervention, all patients suffered severe dry mouth and thirst (≥5/10). Mint and plain ice cubes produced improvement of symptoms immediately after interventions. Results from dry mouth ratings show, a decrease of 1.6 points for plain ice cubes (P < 0.0001), on average, ratings for mint ice cubes decreased 3.7 (P < 0.0001). For the sensation of thirst, the plain ice cube intervention group rating decreased 1.7 points (P < 0.006), ratings for mint ice cubes decreased 3.4 points (P < 0.0001). The average decrease in dry mouth and thirst intensity scores from preintervention to postintervention were significantly greater for mint ice cubes (P < 0.05) and 86.6% of patients preferred mint ice cubes.
CONCLUSION
This trial found that while usual mouth care and the intervention were both able to reduce the intensity of dry mouth and the sensation of thirst, the mint intervention had a greater response.
PubMed: 37562697
DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2023.08.005 -
The Effect of Cold Oral Applications in the Management of Postoperative Thirst: A Systematic Review.Journal of Perianesthesia Nursing :... Mar 2024Thirst is one of the most bothersome symptoms experienced by surgical patients. Effective thirst intervention and management in the Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) and... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE
Thirst is one of the most bothersome symptoms experienced by surgical patients. Effective thirst intervention and management in the Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) and hospital wards is critical because patients are less sedated and more aware than in the past. There is a need to review the literature on the identification and management of thirst in the inpatient and PACU settings. The aim of this systematic review was to examine the available evidence on the effectiveness of oral cold applications on thirst in postoperative patients.
DESIGN
This was a systematic review study. Articles in PUBMED, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, TÜBİTAK-ULAKBİM, and TRDizin databases between January 2008 and January 2023 that included oral cold applications to relieve the thirst of patients in the postoperative period were included.
METHODS
The PICOT-SD (Patients Interventions Comparison Outcome Time-Study Design) method was used as an eligibility criterion for inclusion in the study. The eligibility criteria included that the articles were written in English-Turkish and within the target dates, the studies included nursing interventions, the primary outcome of the studies was thirst, and the study sample included postoperative patients. The risk of bias was assessed using the RoB2 tool developed by Cochrane.
FINDINGS
A total of 254 articles were retrieved from the databases using the specified keywords. 244 articles did not meet the study criteria: 30 were excluded because they were not interventional studies, 61 were not conducted in a postoperative population, 56 were duplicates, and 79 were not on a related topic. A total of 10 studies consisting of randomized controlled trials and quasi-experimental articles met the criteria for our review. Oral cold applications effectively reduced the thirst rate of postoperative patients and improved their health-related quality of life. The intervention has also been shown to reduce other anesthesia-related complications.
CONCLUSIONS
This systematic review concluded that cold oral applications have promising effects on thirst, dry mouth, and health-related quality of life. Cold oral applications are cost-effective and suitable for large-scale health care applications.
PubMed: 38556965
DOI: 10.1016/j.jopan.2023.11.014 -
Frontiers in Microbiology 2023The Antarctic McMurdo Dry Valleys are geologically diverse, encompassing a wide variety of soil habitats. These environments are largely dominated by microorganisms,...
INTRODUCTION
The Antarctic McMurdo Dry Valleys are geologically diverse, encompassing a wide variety of soil habitats. These environments are largely dominated by microorganisms, which drive the ecosystem services of the region. While altitude is a well-established driver of eukaryotic biodiversity in these Antarctic ice-free areas (and many non-Antarctic environments), little is known of the relationship between altitude and microbial community structure and functionality in continental Antarctica.
METHODS
We analysed prokaryotic and lower eukaryotic diversity from soil samples across a 684 m altitudinal transect in the lower Taylor Valley, Antarctica and performed a phylogenic characterization of soil microbial communities using short-read sequencing of the 16S rRNA and ITS marker gene amplicons.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Phylogenetic analysis showed clear altitudinal trends in soil microbial composition and structure. Cyanobacteria were more prevalent in higher altitude samples, while the highly stress resistant Chloroflexota and Deinococcota were more prevalent in lower altitude samples. We also detected a shift from Basidiomycota to Chytridiomycota with increasing altitude. Several genera associated with trace gas chemotrophy, including and , were widely distributed across the entire transect, suggesting that trace-gas chemotrophy may be an important trophic strategy for microbial survival in oligotrophic environments. The ratio of trace-gas chemotrophs to photoautotrophs was significantly higher in lower altitude samples. Co-occurrence network analysis of prokaryotic communities showed some significant differences in connectivity within the communities from different altitudinal zones, with cyanobacterial and trace-gas chemotrophy-associated taxa being identified as potential keystone taxa for soil communities at higher altitudes. By contrast, the prokaryotic network at low altitudes was dominated by heterotrophic keystone taxa, thus suggesting a clear trophic distinction between soil prokaryotic communities at different altitudes. Based on these results, we conclude that altitude is an important driver of microbial ecology in Antarctic ice-free soil habitats.
PubMed: 37555066
DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1203216 -
Advanced Emergency Nursing JournalHeat-related illnesses, namely, heatstroke is on the rise and is a public health concern nationally and internationally. Heatstroke is generally considered to be a core...
Heat-related illnesses, namely, heatstroke is on the rise and is a public health concern nationally and internationally. Heatstroke is generally considered to be a core body temperature greater than 40 °C (104 °F) with dry, hot skin, and central nervous system manifestations. Heatstroke is characterized by a systemic inflammatory response that leads to multiple-organ dysfunction and ultimately death if not treated in a timely manner. Rapid recognition and cooling are imperative, as mortality is high, especially in the elderly. There are many cooling methods that have been studied that include cold-water immersion, tarp-assisted cooling with oscillation (TACO), evaporative cooling (misting/fanning), commercial ice packs, cooling vests and jackets, cold showers, and ice sheets. Although cold-water immersion is the fastest method for cooling, it is not usually feasible in an emergency department (ED). TACO is the most feasible and effective cooling method for EDs. It is vital that EDs have a specific plan in place before implementing TACO, as it requires 30-40 gallons of ice water, a tarp or waterproof sheet, core temperature monitoring, and an ample number of ED staff members to oscillate the water over the patient. Further research is needed to study TACO in the ED setting. As the incidence of heatstroke is expected to increase in the coming years, EDs must have a plan in place to rapidly recognize and treat patients with heatstroke so that patients will have improved outcomes and reduced mortality.
Topics: Humans; Aged; Heat Stroke; Emergency Service, Hospital; Water; Public Health
PubMed: 37501272
DOI: 10.1097/TME.0000000000000470 -
International Journal of Molecular... Sep 2023Coconut is an important tropical and subtropical fruit and oil crop severely affected by cold temperature, limiting its distribution and application. Thus, studying its...
Coconut is an important tropical and subtropical fruit and oil crop severely affected by cold temperature, limiting its distribution and application. Thus, studying its low-temperature reaction mechanism is required to expand its cultivation range. We used growth morphology and physiological analyses to characterize the response of coconuts to 10, 20, and 30 d of low temperatures, combined with transcriptome and metabolome analysis. Low-temperature treatment significantly reduced the plant height and dry weight of coconut seedlings. The contents of soil and plant analyzer development (SPAD), soluble sugar (SS), soluble protein (SP), proline (Pro), and malondialdehyde (MDA) in leaves were significantly increased, along with the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT), and the endogenous hormones abscisic acid (ABA), auxin (IAA), zeatin (ZR), and gibberellin (GA) contents. A large number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) (9968) were detected under low-temperature conditions. Most DEGs were involved in mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway-plant, plant hormone signal transduction, plant-pathogen interaction, biosynthesis of amino acids, amino sugar and nucleotide sugar metabolism, carbon metabolism, starch and sucrose metabolism, purine metabolism, and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis pathways. Transcription factors (TFs), including WRKY, AP2/ERF, HSF, bZIP, MYB, and bHLH families, were induced to significantly differentially express under cold stress. In addition, most genes associated with major cold-tolerance pathways, such as the ICE-CBF-COR, MAPK signaling, and endogenous hormones and their signaling pathways, were significantly up-regulated. Under low temperatures, a total of 205 differentially accumulated metabolites (DAMs) were enriched; 206 DAMs were in positive-ion mode and 97 in negative-ion mode, mainly including phenylpropanoids and polyketides, lipids and lipid-like molecules, benzenoids, organoheterocyclic compounds, organic oxygen compounds, organic acids and derivatives, nucleosides, nucleotides, and analogues. Comprehensive metabolome and transcriptome analysis revealed that the related genes and metabolites were mainly enriched in amino acid, flavonoid, carbohydrate, lipid, and nucleotide metabolism pathways under cold stress. Together, the results of this study provide important insights into the response of coconuts to cold stress, which will reveal the underlying molecular mechanisms and help in coconut screening and breeding.
Topics: Humans; Transcriptome; Cocos; Seedlings; Cold-Shock Response; Plant Proteins; Gene Expression Profiling; Hormones; Sugars; Nucleotides; Lipids; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant
PubMed: 37834015
DOI: 10.3390/ijms241914563