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JPGN Reports Feb 2024Abnormalities of gastric function in children with esophageal atresia (EA) could potentially contribute to gastrointestinal symptoms and reduced quality of life (QOL)....
OBJECTIVES
Abnormalities of gastric function in children with esophageal atresia (EA) could potentially contribute to gastrointestinal symptoms and reduced quality of life (QOL). Therefore, we aimed to determine the feasibility and clinical usefulness of gastric function testing in children with EA.
METHODS
The validated PedsQL Gastrointestinal Symptoms Questionnaire (PedsQL-GI) was completed to assess gastrointestinal symptoms and symptom-related QOL. Gastric emptying and gastric myoelectrical activity were studied using C-gastric emptying octanoic acid breath test (C-GEBT) and surface electrogastrography (EGG). Correlations between C-GEBT and EGG parameters and PedsQL-GI scores were investigated.
RESULTS
Fifteen patients (four males) were included (median age: 6 [3.0-8.5] years). Mean PedsQL-GI scores as reported by the children were comparable to the healthy population. However, parents reported a diminished QOL. Gastric function tests (gastric emptying and/or surface EGG) showed abnormalities in 12 patients (80%). Patients with abnormal slow waves showed abnormal gastric emptying coefficient more often. There was no significant association between C-GEBT nor EGG results and PedsQL-GI scores.
CONCLUSIONS
C-GEBT and EGG can be used to evaluate gastric function in patients with EA. Abnormal gastric function tests were present in 80% of our cohort. However, abnormal gastric function did not significantly correlate with reported gastrointestinal symptom-related QOL.
PubMed: 38545272
DOI: 10.1002/jpr3.12021 -
Food Chemistry Nov 2023In the current research, a fast and sustainable air-assisted hydrophobic magnetic deep eutectic solvent-based dispersive liquid phase microextraction followed by UV-Vis...
An air-assisted dispersive liquid phase microextraction method based on a hydrophobic magnetic deep eutectic solvent for the extraction and preconcentration of melamine from milk and milk-based products.
In the current research, a fast and sustainable air-assisted hydrophobic magnetic deep eutectic solvent-based dispersive liquid phase microextraction followed by UV-Vis spectrophotometry measurements was optimized for the extraction and determination of melamine in milk and milk-based products. The central composite design was applied for the optimization of factors affecting the recovery of melamine. Quantitative extraction of melamine was achieved using hydrophobic magnetic deep eutectic solvents prepared from a mixture of octanoic acid, aliquat-336, and cobalt(II) chloride. The optimum conditions for extraction were found as follows: 6 extraction cycles, pH 8.2, extraction solvent volume 260 µL, and acetone volume 125 µL.Interestingly, a centrifugation step was not required to achieve phase separation. Under the optimum conditions, melamine was determined in the linear range of 3-600 ng mL, the limit of detection (3S/m) of 0.9 ng mL, and the enrichment factor of 144. The validation of the method was investigated by the analysis of reference materials. Consequently, the method was successfully applied for the analysis of melamine residues in milk and milk-based products.
Topics: Animals; Solvents; Deep Eutectic Solvents; Liquid Phase Microextraction; Milk; Magnetic Phenomena; Limit of Detection
PubMed: 37329792
DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2023.136573 -
Nanoscale Mar 2024Several established procedures are now available to prepare zinc blende CdSe nanoplatelets. While these protocols allow for detailed control over both thickness and...
Several established procedures are now available to prepare zinc blende CdSe nanoplatelets. While these protocols allow for detailed control over both thickness and lateral dimensions, the chemistry behind their formation is yet to be unraveled. In this work, we discuss the influence of the solvent on the synthesis of nanoplatelets. We confirmed that the presence of double bonds, as is the case for 1-octadecene, plays a key role in the evolution of nanoplatelets, through the isomerization of the alkene, as confirmed by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. Consequently, 1-octadecene can be replaced as a solvent (or solvent mixture), however, only by one that also contains α protons to CC double bonds. We confirm this synthesis of nanoplatelets in hexadecane spiked with a small amount of 1-octadecene, and in the aromatic solvent 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene (tetralin). At the same time, the chemical reaction leading to the formation of nanoplatelets occurs to some extent in saturated solvents. A closer examination revealed that an alternative formation pathway is possible, through interaction of carboxylic acids, such as octanoic acid, with selenium. Next to shedding more light on the synthesis of CdSe nanoplatelets, fundamental understanding of the precursor chemistry paves the way to use optimized solvent admixtures as an additional handle to control the nanoplatelet synthesis, as well as to reduce potential self-polymerization hurdles observed with 1-octadecene.
PubMed: 38450545
DOI: 10.1039/d3nr05157a -
The Science of the Total Environment Sep 2023The ecological hazards of perfluoro octanoic acid (PFOA, a typical perfluoroalkyl substances) have been continually reported in constructed wetlands (CWs) for wastewater...
Comparison of eco-improvement on constructed wetlands with nano zero valent iron introduction under different levels of PFOA stress: Perspectives on plant, microbe, and PFOA removal.
The ecological hazards of perfluoro octanoic acid (PFOA, a typical perfluoroalkyl substances) have been continually reported in constructed wetlands (CWs) for wastewater treatment. In present study, nano zero valent iron (nZVI) was adopted to alleviate PFOA stress at different levels (1 and 10 mg/L) in CWs. It was revealed that the effects of nZVI on specific ecological parameters varied at different PFOA dosages. PFOA influenced plant photosynthetic and antioxidant parameters with significant concentration-dependence. NZVI addition caused more obvious promotion of chlorophyll (25.30-31.84 %) and reduction of catalase (172.64 %) and malondialdehyde (83.01 %) with 10 mg/L PFOA exposure. For microbe, nZVI was prone to stimulate enzyme activities under 1 mg/L PFOA, in which the relative activity of dehydrogenase, urease, phosphatase, and four nitrogen cycling enzymes increased by 86.25-375.56 %, 43.10-71.16 %, 1.52-29.38 %, and 4.49-315.18 %. However, nZVI caused more abundant of functional bacteria (like nitrifying bacteria and phosphorus-accumulating organisms) and function genes (like amoA, hao, and ppx) with PFOA at 10 mg/L. On the whole, changes in bacterial community confirmed the enhancement potential of nZVI on ammonium and phosphorous removal. PFOA removal at 10 mg/L was higher compared to 1 mg/L, resulting from higher abundance of class Gammaproteobacteria, and nZVI addition further contributed to the highest removal efficiency (73.54 %). This study provided evidence on nZVI as a possible manner for optimizing eco-function in CWs with PFOA stress at different levels.
Topics: Iron; Wetlands; Antioxidants
PubMed: 37257599
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.164052 -
Heliyon Feb 2024World tree nut production has increased rapidly by around 50 % in the past decade; however, nut defects cause losses. For example, we know that brown centres are a...
World tree nut production has increased rapidly by around 50 % in the past decade; however, nut defects cause losses. For example, we know that brown centres are a major internal discolouration defect in macadamia nuts and are linked to the storage of nut-in-shell under improper conditions at high temperature and humidity. However, key chemical changes in brown centre kernels have not been described. In this study, we compared brown centres and white kernels from: 1) samples that were "induced" in the laboratory by storing at high moisture concentration; and 2) samples that were dried immediately after harvest using industry best practice methods recommended by the Australian Macadamia Society (AMS). We measured the moisture concentration, sugar concentration, fatty acid concentration, peroxide value, nutrient concentration and volatile compounds of induced and AMS samples. Our results showed that storing nut-in-shell macadamia under wet and hot conditions increased brown centres compared with samples immediately dried using the AMS regime, 10.33 % vs 1.44 %, respectively. Induced brown centres had significantly higher moisture concentrations than induced white centres. Volatile compounds including nonanoic acid, octanoic acid and 2,3 butanediol were identified and associated with brown centre formation in macadamia kernels and the initiation of lipid oxidation. Our results suggest sugar hydrolysis and the Maillard reaction are associated with brown centres both in laboratory induced samples and those formed using industry best practice drying methods. Our study suggests improper drying and storage at high temperature and high humidity are likely to result in brown centre formation. We recommend brown centre losses can be reduced by appropriate drying and storage practices.
PubMed: 38356544
DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e25221 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Feb 2024Non-Saccharomyces (NSc) yeasts have great potential in improving wine qualities. In this study, two NSc and two (Sc) samples were tested on their performance of...
Non-Saccharomyces (NSc) yeasts have great potential in improving wine qualities. In this study, two NSc and two (Sc) samples were tested on their performance of mono-inoculated and composite culture in the fermentation of Chunjian citrus wine. The cell count, Brix degree, total sugar, total acidity, alcohol level, pH value, color intensity (CI), and tonality were determined to evaluate the contribution of NSc to the quality of citrus wine in the mixed fermentation. Volatile compounds were analyzed by HS-SPME-GC-MS, and sensory evaluation was carried out. During the 9-day fermentation, the mixed-culture wine exhibited a higher cell concentration than the pure culture. After the fermentation, mixed-culture wine specifically decreased the concentrations of unfavorable volatile compounds, such as isobutanol and octanoic acid, and increased favorable volatile compounds, including ethyl octanoate, ethyl decanoate, and phenylethyl acetate. The quality category of the citrus wine was improved compared with the Sc mono-inoculated wines, mainly in regard to aroma, retention, and sweetness. The study shows that the mixed fermentation of NSc and Sc has positive impacts on reducing alcohol level and total acidity and increasing CI. The present work demonstrates that the mixed fermentation of NSc and Sc has enormous beneficial impacts on improving the quality of citrus wine.
Topics: Saccharomyces cerevisiae; Saccharomyces; Wine; Fermentation; Ethanol
PubMed: 38474538
DOI: 10.3390/molecules29051028 -
Chemistry and Physics of Lipids Jan 2024The use of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy for studying lipid digestion in vitro most often consists of quantifying lipolysis products after they have been...
The use of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy for studying lipid digestion in vitro most often consists of quantifying lipolysis products after they have been extracted from the reaction medium using organic solvents. However, the current sensitivity level of NMR spectrometers makes possible to avoid the extraction step and continuously quantify the lipids directly in the reaction medium. We used real-time H NMR spectroscopy and guinea pig pancreatic lipase-related protein 2 (GPLRP2) as biocatalyst to monitor in situ the lipolysis of monogalactosyl diacylglycerol (MGDG) in the form of mixed micelles with the bile salt sodium taurodeoxycholate (NaTDC). Residual substrate and lipolysis products (monogalactosyl monoacylglycerol (MGMG); monogalactosylglycerol (MGG) and octanoic acid (OA) were simultaneously quantified throughout the reaction thanks to specific proton resonances. Lipolysis was complete with the release of all MGDG fatty acids. These results were confirmed by thin layer chromatography (TLC) and densitometry after lipid extraction at different reaction times. Using diffusion-ordered NMR spectroscopy (DOSY), we could also estimate the diffusion coefficients of all the reaction compounds and deduce the hydrodynamic radius of the lipid aggregates in which they were present. It was shown that MGDG-NaTDC mixed micelles with an initial hydrodynamic radius r of 7.3 ± 0.5 nm were changed into smaller micelles of NaTDC-MGDG-MGMG of 2.3 ± 0.5 nm in the course of the lipolysis reaction, and finally into NaTDC-OA mixed micelles (r of 2.9 ± 0.5 nm) and water soluble MGG. These results provide a better understanding of the digestion of galactolipids by PLRP2, a process that leads to the complete micellar solubilisation of their fatty acids and renders their intestinal absorption possible.
Topics: Animals; Guinea Pigs; Micelles; Hydrolysis; Galactolipids; Bile Acids and Salts; Lipolysis; Fatty Acids; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; Digestion
PubMed: 37981224
DOI: 10.1016/j.chemphyslip.2023.105361 -
Food Science and Biotechnology Jan 2024A new method of high-power pulsed microwave (HPPM) was applied to accelerate the aging of blueberry wine. The color changes of blueberry wines during aging were...
A new method of high-power pulsed microwave (HPPM) was applied to accelerate the aging of blueberry wine. The color changes of blueberry wines during aging were investigated through Chemical Wine Age and CIE-LAB measurement. Results showed that the blueberry wines treated by HPPM at low frequencies (50 and 100 Hz) exhibited improved color characteristics with * value reaching 47.04 at 100 Hz, an increased maturity of wine body, and a shortened chemical wine age from 90 days to 75 days. Moreover, the aroma changes determined by GC-MS showed that HPPM accelerated the formation of esters in blueberry wine, which were increased by 18.44% and 56.97% respectively under the conditions of 50 and 150 Hz. The formation of acid substances was reduced compared with the original wine, with contents of acetic acid, caproic acid, and octanoic acid of 29.46 µg/mL, 15.60 µg/mL, 17.74 µg/mL, respectively, displaying an enhanced wine flavor.
PubMed: 38186622
DOI: 10.1007/s10068-023-01325-x -
Journal of Molecular Graphics &... Dec 2023Physicochemical properties of the binary mixtures based on Caprylic acid: Quaternary ammonium salts (QAS) (7:3 mol ratio) are investigated using MD simulations....
Physicochemical properties of the binary mixtures based on Caprylic acid: Quaternary ammonium salts (QAS) (7:3 mol ratio) are investigated using MD simulations. Considering the hydrophobic character of eutectic solvents based on long-chain fatty acids, the stability of the binary mixtures was investigated in the adjacent water. In order to investigate the effect of water on intermolecular interactions in binary mixtures, the structural properties of the binary mixtures in the pure state and adjacent to water were investigated at 310 K. Assessed structural properties include the combined distribution functions (CDFs), the radial distribution functions (RDFs), the angular distribution functions (ADFs), and the Hydrogen bonding network between HBA and HBD and Spatial distribution functions (SDF). We aimed to represent the structural stability of eutectic solvents based on Caprylic acid and Quaternary ammonium salts (QAS) as a function of the alkyl chain length of cations, the evidence was found for the interaction between the chloride anion leads to the transition of HBA to the water-rich phase. The alkyl chain length of cations of Quaternary ammonium salts shows the stability of eutectic solvents in the adjacent water.
Topics: Water; Caprylates; Deep Eutectic Solvents; Salts; Solvents; Quaternary Ammonium Compounds
PubMed: 37660617
DOI: 10.1016/j.jmgm.2023.108561 -
Nutritional Neuroscience Mar 2024Computer-based analysis of motility was used as a measure of amyloid-β (Aβ) proteotoxicity in the transgenic strain GMC101, expressing human Aβ in body wall muscle...
Computer-based analysis of motility was used as a measure of amyloid-β (Aβ) proteotoxicity in the transgenic strain GMC101, expressing human Aβ in body wall muscle cells. Aβ-aggregation was quantified to relate the effects of caprylic acid (CA) to the amount of the proteotoxic protein. Gene knockdowns were induced through RNA-interference (RNAi). Moreover, the estimation of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels, the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and oxygen consumption served the evaluation of mitochondrial function. CA improved the motility of GMC101 nematodes and reduced Aβ aggregation. Whereas RNAi for orthologues encoding key enzymes for α-lipoic acid and ketone bodies synthesis did not affect motility stimulation by CA, knockdown of orthologues involved in β-oxidation of fatty acids diminished its effects. The efficient energy gain by application of CA was finally proven by the increase of ATP levels in association with increased oxygen consumption and MMP. In conclusion, CA attenuates Aβ proteotoxicity by supplying energy via FAO. Since especially glucose oxidation is disturbed in Alzheimer´s disease, CA could potentially serve as an alternative energy fuel.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Caenorhabditis elegans; Alzheimer Disease; Caprylates; Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins; Amyloid beta-Peptides; Adenosine Triphosphate; Disease Models, Animal
PubMed: 36800228
DOI: 10.1080/1028415X.2023.2180870