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Food Research International (Ottawa,... Nov 2023Chickpeas are an agriculturally-important legume that are an excellent source of protein, fiber, and minerals. Developing chickpea-based snacks could provide consumers...
Chickpeas are an agriculturally-important legume that are an excellent source of protein, fiber, and minerals. Developing chickpea-based snacks could provide consumers with snack products rich in protein and other nutrients. In this study, chickpea puree (high moisture content) and cracker (low moisture content) were each produced with large (7 mm sieve; coarse) or small (2 mm sieve; fine) particle size to investigate the impact of initial particle size and moisture content on particle breakdown, starch hydrolysis, and protein hydrolysis during in vitro digestion. All treatments underwent static in vitro oral digestion, dynamic gastric digestion in the Human Gastric Simulator (HGS), and static in vitro small intestinal digestion. The emptying rate from the HGS was significantly (p < 0.05) higher for fine puree compared to the other treatments, due to higher saturation ratio and smaller initial particle size. The reducing sugars and free amino groups released (representing starch and protein hydrolysis, respectively) from fine puree were higher than coarse puree, and fine cracker was higher than coarse cracker due to the influence of initial particle size. For example, after 360 min total in vitro digestion, the starch hydrolysis of the fine cracker (48.1 ± 3.2%) was significantly higher than (p < 0.05) the coarse cracker (36.3 ± 5.8%). Overall, crackers had higher protein and starch hydrolysis compared to puree in the liquid phase during digestion. The study showed that both the smaller initial particle size and drying significantly (p < 0.05) increased the particle size reduction during gastric digestion and starch and protein digestibility in chickpea-based snacks.
Topics: Humans; Starch; Cicer; Snacks; Particle Size; Water; Digestion
PubMed: 37803531
DOI: 10.1016/j.foodres.2023.113201 -
Toxins Jul 2023Sample homogeneity dictates whether analyzing a test portion of an entire sample can provide representative information about incurred mycotoxins. In this study, we...
Sample homogeneity dictates whether analyzing a test portion of an entire sample can provide representative information about incurred mycotoxins. In this study, we evaluated particle-size-distribution-based homogeneity of laboratory mycotoxin samples using laser diffraction particle size analysis and International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Guide 35: 2017. Incurred whole corn, compound feed, peanut butter, and wheat flour (500 g each) were comminuted using wet, cryogenic, or dry milling. We used a sample dividing (riffling) device to obtain representative subsamples (25 g each) and developed a laser diffraction particle size analysis procedure by optimizing key parameters such as the refractive index, absorption, and stirring rate. The homogeneity of the particle size distribution within laboratory subsamples was characterized using the optimized laser diffraction procedure. An assessment of homogeneity was also performed for individual mycotoxins in each incurred matrix sample following the procedure described in ISO Guide 35. The concentrations of the incurred mycotoxins were determined using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Within- and between-subsample variances of incurred aflatoxin B1 in peanut butter; deoxynivalenol in corn, compound feed, and wheat flour; and fumonisins in compound feed corroborated that when the particle size measurements were less than 850 µm, mycotoxins concentrations were consistent across independent test portions, which was confirmed using an analysis of variance (F-test). This study highlights the benefits of laser diffraction particle size analysis and suggests its use as a test procedure to evaluate homogeneity in new sample commodities.
Topics: Mycotoxins; Particle Size; Flour; Food Contamination; Triticum; Zea mays
PubMed: 37505719
DOI: 10.3390/toxins15070450 -
Environment International May 2024Ambient air ultrafine particles (UFP, particles with a diameter <100 nm) have gained significant attention in World Health Organization (WHO) air quality guidelines and... (Review)
Review
Ambient air ultrafine particles (UFP, particles with a diameter <100 nm) have gained significant attention in World Health Organization (WHO) air quality guidelines and European legislation. This review explores UFP concentrations and particle number size distributions (PNC-PNSD) in various transportation hotspots, including road traffic, airports, harbors, trains, and urban commuting modes (walking, cycling, bus, tram, and subway). The results highlight the lack of information on personal exposure at harbors and railway stations, inside airplanes and trains, and during various other commuting modes. The different lower particle size limits of the reviewed measurements complicate direct comparisons between them. Emphasizing the use of instruments with detection limits ≤10 nm, this review underscores the necessity of following standardized UFP measurement protocols. Road traffic sites are shown to exhibit the highest PNC within cities, with PNC and PNSD in commuting modes driven by the proximity to road traffic and weather conditions. In closed environments, such as cars, buses, and trams, increased external air infiltration for ventilation correlates with elevated PNC and a shift in PNSD toward smaller diameters. Airports exhibit particularly elevated PNCs near runways, raising potential concerns about occupational exposure. Recommendations from this study include maintaining a substantial distance between road traffic and other commuting modes, integrating air filtration into ventilation systems, implementing low-emission zones, and advocating for a general reduction in road traffic to minimize daily UFP exposure. Our findings provide important insights for policy assessments and underscore the need for additional research to address current knowledge gaps.
Topics: Particulate Matter; Particle Size; Transportation; Environmental Monitoring; Air Pollutants; Vehicle Emissions; Air Pollution; Humans; Cities
PubMed: 38678934
DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2024.108696 -
Drug Delivery Dec 2023Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) is usually considered more efficacious in the local treatment of parenchyma-sparing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). At...
Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) is usually considered more efficacious in the local treatment of parenchyma-sparing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). At present, embolic agents commonly used in TACE, include DC pellets, Hepasphere, Lipiodol, etc. Except that iodine oil is a viscous fluid embolic agent, other solid microsphere particles used clinically range from 70 to 700 µm, among which 100 to 300 µm is the most commonly used. With the technology development of micro-invasive interventional therapy, the specific distal embolization through TACE to occlude tumor arterial blood supply in patients with HCC is also required more accurately. Effective terminal embolization is considered to be a preferred option for TACE therapy due to significantly improving the survival rate of patients and preserving liver function. In this article, we prepared the multifunctional multivesicular liposomes (IVO-DOX-MVLs) (<100 µm) that can simultaneously encapsulate ioversol and doxorubicin based on the high-phase transition temperature () lipid ingredients, and evaluated its local artery embolization and therapeutic effect in rabbit VX-2 tumor model. The influence of particle size on occlusion and therapeutic effect of MVLs on rabbit VX-2 liver tumor models were well evaluated, including the tumor volume change, tumor growth rate, and necrosis rate, which were evaluated by magnetic resonance (MR). MVL samples with average particle size distribution of 50-60 µm exhibited fewer off-target embolization. Through TACE, IVO-DOX-MVLs were directly transported to the tumor tissues, playing roles of embolization performance, CT imaging effect, and local tumor killing effect. The feasibility of MVLs as a multifunctional embolic agent in its clinical application can be further improved by optimization of lipid composition and preparation process.
Topics: Animals; Rabbits; Liver Neoplasms; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular; Liposomes; Particle Size; Chemoembolization, Therapeutic; Ethiodized Oil; Doxorubicin
PubMed: 36644796
DOI: 10.1080/10717544.2022.2157519 -
BMJ Open Respiratory Research Sep 2023Inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs) are associated with an increased risk of pneumonia among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The introduction of... (Observational Study)
Observational Study
Inhalation devices and inhaled corticosteroids particle size influence on severe pneumonia in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a nationwide cohort study.
BACKGROUND
Inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs) are associated with an increased risk of pneumonia among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The introduction of extrafine particle ICS has aimed to improve the distribution of medicine in the airways by altering deposition within the lungs, potentially affecting efficacy and side effects. It remains unclear if extrafine particle ICS administration alters the risk of pneumonia compared with standard particle size ICS.
METHODS
An observational cohort study including all Danish COPD outpatients receiving ICS from 2010 to 2017. The primary outcome was pneumonia hospitalisation in the different ICS particle dosing regimens. The primary analysis was an adjusted Cox proportional hazards model. For sensitivity analysis, a subgroup analysis of patients receiving spray devices was done. Further, we created a propensity score matched cohort, in which we matched for the same covariates as adjusted for in the main analysis.
RESULTS
A total of 35 691 patients were included of whom 1471 received extrafine particle ICS. Among these patients, 4657 were hospitalised due to pneumonia. Patients with COPD receiving extrafine particle ICS had a lower risk of hospitalisation due to pneumonia compared with patients receiving standard particle size ICS in our primary analysis (HR 0.75; 95% CI 0.63 to 0.89; p=0.002), subgroup analysis (HR 0.54; 95% CI 0.45 to 0.65; p<0.0001) and the propensity-matched population (HR 0.72; 95% CI 0.60 to 0.87; p=0.0006).
INTERPRETATION
The use of extrafine particle ICS administration was associated with a lower risk of pneumonia hospitalisation in patients with COPD compared with those who received standard size treatment.
Topics: Humans; Cohort Studies; Particle Size; Administration, Inhalation; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive; Adrenal Cortex Hormones; Pneumonia; Nebulizers and Vaporizers
PubMed: 37775111
DOI: 10.1136/bmjresp-2023-001814 -
Biology Open Sep 2023The webbed foot structure of mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) exhibits effective anti-subsidence properties when walking on soft ground. To investigate the effects of...
The webbed foot structure of mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) exhibits effective anti-subsidence properties when walking on soft ground. To investigate the effects of quartz sand particle size and thickness on joint angles and the movement patterns of webbed feet, we created a testing substrate with quartz sand and utilized high-speed cameras and kinematic analysis tools for data acquisition. Mallards mainly adjusted the tarsometatarso-phalangeal joint (TMTPJ) during touch-down and lift-off stages in response to increasing particle size or enhanced ground roughness. Conversely, adjustments to the intertarsal joint (ITJ) predominantly took place during mid-stance. Conversely, mallards predominantly adjusted the ITJ during touch-down and lift-off when coping with increased quartz sand thickness, with TMTPJ adjustments mainly occurring at touch-down. As quartz sand particle size increased, the TMTPJ angle increased, the ITJ angle decreased, toe closure advanced, and the duty factor decreased throughout the entire stride cycle. In contrast, increasing quartz sand thickness led to more delayed TMTPJ adjustments, slower webbed foot closure, and an increased duty factor throughout the stride cycle. Mallards modify their leg posture to notably decrease the touch-down foot angle upon encountering sandy terrain. This action subsequently forms a depression beneath their feet, contributing to sand consolidation and limiting flow. During the stance phase, the mallard's weight is distributed across the webbed foot, generating minimal pressure and preventing significant subsidence while walking on sandy ground.
Topics: Quartz; Sand; Biomechanical Phenomena; Particle Size; Lower Extremity
PubMed: 37605960
DOI: 10.1242/bio.060012 -
Journal of Aerosol Medicine and... Oct 2023Significant evidence suggests that SARS-CoV-2 can be transmitted via respiratory aerosols, which are known to vary as a function of respiratory activity. Most animal...
Significant evidence suggests that SARS-CoV-2 can be transmitted via respiratory aerosols, which are known to vary as a function of respiratory activity. Most animal models examine disease presentation following inhalation of small-particle aerosols similar to those generated during quiet breathing or speaking. However, despite evidence that particle size can influence dose-infectivity relationships and disease presentation for other microorganisms, no studies have examined the infectivity of SARS-CoV-2 contained in larger particle aerosols similar to those produced during coughing, singing, or talking. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to assess the influence of aerodynamic diameter on the infectivity and virulence of aerosols containing SARS-CoV-2 in a hamster model of inhalational COVID-19. Dose-response relationships were assessed for two different aerosol particle size distributions, with mass median aerodynamic diameters (MMADs) of 1.3 and 5.2 μm in groups of Syrian hamsters exposed to aerosols containing SARS-CoV-2. Disease was characterized by viral shedding in oropharyngeal swabs, increased respiratory rate, decreased activity, and decreased weight gain. Aerosol particle size significantly influenced the median doses to induce seroconversion and viral shedding, with both increasing ∼30-fold when the MMAD was increased. In addition, disease presentation was dose-dependent, with seroconversion and viral shedding occurring at lower doses than symptomatic disease characterized by increased respiratory rate and decreased activity. These results suggest that aerosol particle size may be an important factor influencing the risk of COVID-19 transmission and needs to be considered when developing animal models of disease. This result agrees with numerous previous studies with other microorganisms and animal species, suggesting that it would be generally translatable across different species. However, it should be noted that the absolute magnitude of the observed shifts in the median doses obtained with the specific particle sizes utilized herein may not be directly applicable to other species.
Topics: Animals; Cricetinae; COVID-19; Mesocricetus; Administration, Inhalation; Particle Size; SARS-CoV-2; Respiratory Aerosols and Droplets; Patient Acuity
PubMed: 37262184
DOI: 10.1089/jamp.2022.0072 -
Animals : An Open Access Journal From... Jul 2023This study investigates the effect of grinding methods, including roller mill, hammer mill, and two-stage grinding, on the particle size distribution of corn and the...
This study investigates the effect of grinding methods, including roller mill, hammer mill, and two-stage grinding, on the particle size distribution of corn and the effect of corn particle size on the nutrient digestibility of native chickens in Southwest China. The roller mill, hammer mill, and a combination of the hammer mill and roller mill were used to obtain corn with various coarseness. Corn with different coarseness obtained using a combination of the hammer mill and roller mill was fed to Chahua chicken No. 2-type chickens (CHC2s). A total of 192 CHC2s in weeks 12 and 19 were randomly allocated to eight groups in triplicate. The results show that the geometric mean diameter (d) and the geometric standard deviation (S) were significantly ( < 0.05) affected by the grinding methods. The S obtained when using a sieve of 2.0 mm in a hammer mill was lower ( < 0.05) than that obtained using a 4.5 mm sieve. Combining the roller mill and hammer mill increased the uniformity of the particle size when grinding coarse particles. For fine particles, the d and S obtained when using the hammer mill were significantly lower ( < 0.05) than those obtained when using the roller mill and two-stage grinding method. Reducing the particle size of the corn (<900 µm) significantly increased the dry matter, crude protein, amino acid digestibility, and apparent metabolizable energy in the chicken in weeks 12 and 19. Fine particles significantly increased the crude protein digestibility of the CHC2s at week 12, while there was no significant effect on the crude protein and amino acid digestibility in the CHC2s at week 19. In conclusion, different grinding methods can affect the particle size distribution. For a coarse particle size, combining the roller mill and hammer mill tends to produce a more uniform particle size. Finely ground corn (between 700 µm and 900 µm) improved the dry matter (DM), apparent metabolizable energy (AME), and crude protein (CP) digestibility of the CHC2s at week 12. An increased particle size did not impact the CP and amino acid (AA) digestibility of the CHC2s at week 19.
PubMed: 37508140
DOI: 10.3390/ani13142364 -
Analytical Chemistry Jul 2023Acoustophoresis has become a powerful tool to separate microparticles and cells, based on their material and biophysical properties, and is gaining popularity in...
Acoustophoresis has become a powerful tool to separate microparticles and cells, based on their material and biophysical properties, and is gaining popularity in clinical and biomedical research. One major application of acoustophoresis is to measure the compressibility of cells and small organisms, which is related to their contents. The cell compressibility can be extracted from the acoustic mobility, which is the main output of acoustic migration experiments, if the material properties and sizes of reference particles, the size of the cells, and the surrounding medium are known. Accurate methods to measure and calibrate the acoustic energy density in acoustophoresis systems are therefore critical. In this Perspective, polystyrene microparticles have become the most commonly used reference particles in acoustophoresis, due to their similar biophysical properties to cells. We utilized a two-step focusing method to measure the relative acoustic mobility of polystyrene beads of various sizes and colors and present a quantitative analysis of the variation in acousto-mechanical properties of polystyrene microparticles, showing a large spread in their material properties. A variation of more than 25% between different particle types was found. Thus, care is required when relying on polystyrene particles as a reference when characterizing acoustofluidics systems or acousto-mechanical properties of cells.
Topics: Polystyrenes; Microfluidic Analytical Techniques; Particle Size; Acoustics; Cell-Derived Microparticles
PubMed: 37363950
DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.3c01156 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Nov 2023Cyetpyrafen is a compound that lacks inherent uptake and systemic translocation activity. If mites do not come into direct contact with the pesticide solution on leaves,...
Cyetpyrafen is a compound that lacks inherent uptake and systemic translocation activity. If mites do not come into direct contact with the pesticide solution on leaves, the efficacy cannot be achieved. Controlling the particle size can potentially play a crucial role in the manifestation of efficacy. In this study, high-throughput formulation technology was used to systematically screen a large number of adjuvants to obtain cyetpyrafen formulations. The particle size of the active ingredient in the formulation was measured. By examining the dynamic light scattering and contact angle, we simulated the actual process of the efficacy transmission of cyetpyrafen formulations against . Our results showed that the activity of cyetpyrafen increases as the particle size decreases, suggesting that reducing the particle size can enhance the coverage and deposition on crop leaves, and further improve the dispersion efficiency and enhance spreading capabilities. Furthermore, controlling the particle size at 160 nm resulted in an LC value of 0.2026, which is approximately double than that of the commercial product. As a novel pesticide for mites, our study presents the most effective cyetpyrafen formulation in practice. Our findings provide valuable insights into controlling other mite species that pose a threat to agricultural products.
Topics: Animals; Pesticides; Particle Size; Agriculture; Mites; Lethal Dose 50
PubMed: 37959851
DOI: 10.3390/molecules28217432