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Food Research International (Ottawa,... Nov 2023New processes are needed to produce concentrated milk feedstocks with tailored calcium content, due to the direct link between calcium concentration and final product...
New processes are needed to produce concentrated milk feedstocks with tailored calcium content, due to the direct link between calcium concentration and final product texture and functionality. Skim milk treatment with cation exchange resin 1% (w/v) or 2% (w/v) prior to ultrafiltration to a volumetric concentration factor (VCF) of 2.5 or 5 successfully decreased the calcium concentration by 20-30% and produced concentrates with solids content at ∼22-24 g 100 g at a VCF of 5. Calcium reduction partially solubilized the casein micelles, increasing the concentration of soluble protein and individual caseins, leading to decreased turbidity but increased protein hydration and hydrophobicity. Decalcification (2% (w/v) resin treatment) reduced thermal stability, significantly decreasing the denaturation temperature of α-lactalbumin and β-lactoglobulin in the milk by ∼3 °C and ∼1 °C respectively. Filtration was also altered, reducing permeation flux and the gel concentration and increased filtration time. When combined, calcium reduction and filtration altered functional properties including soluble calcium, soluble protein and sedimentable solids, with increased milk protein hydration also contributing to increased viscosity. This study provides a route to produce calcium-reduced milk concentrates with potential for use in retentate-based dairy products with tailored functionality.
Topics: Animals; Ultrafiltration; Calcium; Ion Exchange; Food Handling; Milk; Caseins; Calcium, Dietary
PubMed: 37803619
DOI: 10.1016/j.foodres.2023.113305 -
Kidney & Blood Pressure Research 2023Hemodialysis is one of the most resources consuming medical intervention. Due to its concept, the proper amount of dialysis fluid passed through dialyzer is crucial to... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Hemodialysis is one of the most resources consuming medical intervention. Due to its concept, the proper amount of dialysis fluid passed through dialyzer is crucial to obtain the expected outcomes. The most frequent source of dialysis fluid is production from liquid concentrate (delivered in containers or plastic bags) in dialysis machine. Alternatively, concentrates for dialysis may be produced in dialysis center by dilution in mixing devices dry or semidry premixed compounds connected with system of central dialysis fluid delivery system. Dialysate consumption depends on various factors like type of hemodialysis machine, session duration, prescribed flow, etc. Summary: Modern hemodialysis machines are equipped with the modules which automatically reduce flow rate of dialysis fluid to the patient blood flow and minimize dialysate consumption during preparation and after reinfusion. Smart using of available options offered by manufacturers allows to save additional portion of acid concentrate and water. The weight of concentrates to be delivered to the dialysis center is the major factor influencing the cost (financial and environmental) of transportation from the manufacturer to the final consumer. The crisis on the energy carriers market and extremely high fuel prices made the transportation cost one of the significant costs of the treatment, which must be bear by supplier and finally influence on the price of goods.
KEY MESSAGES
The careful choice of the concentrate delivery system can improve cost-effectiveness of dialysis. Such solutions implemented in dialysis unit helps make significant savings and decrease the impact on natural environment by carbon footprint reduction.
Topics: Humans; Renal Dialysis; Dialysis Solutions
PubMed: 37166319
DOI: 10.1159/000530439 -
Military Medicine Feb 2021Canadian Armed Forces adopted fibrinogen concentrate (RiaSTAP) for hemostatic resuscitation in the far-forward combat setting, given its potential benefits of reducing...
INTRODUCTION
Canadian Armed Forces adopted fibrinogen concentrate (RiaSTAP) for hemostatic resuscitation in the far-forward combat setting, given its potential benefits of reducing blood loss, blood transfusion and mortality, and its long storage stability and high portability. The current guidance recommends that RiaSTAP should be administered within 8 hours after reconstitution when stored at room temperature. However, little information about its stability is available. There is also a need to investigate the stability and efficacy of RiaSTAP after reconstitution and exposure to extreme temperatures in which our forces may operate.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
RiaSTAP was reconstituted as per manufacturer's instruction and stored at specific temperatures (-20°C, 4°C, 22°C, 35°C, 42°C, or 50°C) for up to 6 months. Reconstituted RiaSTAP was also oscillated on a rocker at 18 rpm under 22°C and 50°C. Its hemostatic function was measured using rotational thromboelastometry performed with RiaSTAP-spiked whole blood. Fibrinogen concentrations were measured by a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. Gel electrophoresis was also conducted for initial and stored samples.
RESULTS
We found no change to the hemostatic function of reconstituted RiaSTAP after storage at -20°C for 6 months. At 4°C, no obvious changes to the hemostatic effect of reconstituted RiaSTAP relative to 0 hours were seen until 1,680 hours. At 22°C, a remarkable decrease began after storage for 168 hours. Storage at 35°C significantly decreased the hemostatic effect after 144 hours, while the storage at 42°C resulted in decreased hemostatic function after 72 hours. Finally, storage at 50°C for 8 hours resulted in complete loss of hemostatic function. Compared to the hemostatic activity, the fibrinogen concentration for reconstituted RiaSTAP showed less change over time. No apparent decline in fibrinogen concentration was seen after storage at -20°C for 6 months and at 4°C for 1,680 hours. At 22°C, there were no clear alterations until 792 hours. There was a decline in fibrinogen concentration at 35°C and 42°C after 672 and 600 hours of storage, respectively. At 50°C, little amount of fibrinogen was detected by ELISA at 8 hours. Similar changes in the hemostatic effect and fibrinogen concentration over time were observed under the rocking condition in comparison with the static condition at the same temperature. The gel electrophoresis confirmed fibrinogen degradation which increased with storage temperature and time.
CONCLUSIONS
The stability of reconstituted RiaSTAP decreases with increasing storage temperature. The hemostatic function deteriorated before fibrinogen concentration and integrity were significantly altered at all temperatures for the study period except at 50°C where there was a rapid decline in both hemostatic function and fibrinogen concentration. Sample oscillation did not significantly affect its stability. The shelf life of reconstituted RiaSTAP may, therefore, be recommended accordingly when stored at different temperatures and extended to 6 days at room temperature provided that sterility is maintained.
Topics: Canada; Drug Stability; Fibrinogen; Hemostasis; Hemostatics; Humans; Temperature; Thrombelastography
PubMed: 33196820
DOI: 10.1093/milmed/usaa409 -
Separation and Purification Technology May 2020Even though numerous methods have been developed for the detection and quantification of waterborne pathogens, the application of these methods is often hindered by the...
Even though numerous methods have been developed for the detection and quantification of waterborne pathogens, the application of these methods is often hindered by the very low pathogen concentrations in natural waters. Therefore, rapid and efficient sample concentration methods are urgently needed. Here we present a novel method to pre-concentrate microbial pathogens in water using a portable 3D-printed system with super-absorbent polymer (SAP) microspheres, which can effectively reduce the actual volume of water in a collected sample. The SAP microspheres absorb water while excluding bacteria and viruses by size exclusion and charge repulsion. To improve the water absorption capacity of SAP in varying ionic strength waters (0-100 mM), we optimized the formulation of SAP to 180 g⋅L Acrylamide, 75 g⋅L Itaconic Acid and 4.0 g⋅L Bis-Acrylamide for the highest ionic strength water as a function of the extent of cross-linking and the concentration of counter ions. Fluorescence microscopy and double-layer agar plating respectively showed that the 3D-printed system with optimally-designed SAP microspheres could rapidly achieve a 10-fold increase in the concentration of () and bacteriophage MS2 within 20 min with concentration efficiencies of 87% and 96%, respectively. Fold changes between concentrated and original samples from qPCR and RT-qPCR results were found to be respectively 11.34-22.27 for with original concentrations from 10 to 10 cell·mL, and 8.20-13.81 for MS2 with original concentrations from 10 to 10 PFU·mL. Furthermore, SAP microspheres can be reused for 20 times without performance loss, significantly decreasing the cost of our concentration system.
PubMed: 32421015
DOI: 10.1016/j.seppur.2020.116540 -
Journal of Complementary & Integrative... Jun 2023The objective of this study is to determine the activity of Roxb. n-hexane, ethyl acetate, and butanol fractions as an immunomodulator and obtain the fraction that has...
OBJECTIVES
The objective of this study is to determine the activity of Roxb. n-hexane, ethyl acetate, and butanol fractions as an immunomodulator and obtain the fraction that has the potential as an immunomodulator.
METHODS
Raw 264.7 macrophages were used to asses Roxb. immunomodulatory activity. The MTT assay was chosen to measure cell viability to evaluate the cytotoxic effect on cells. ELISA method was used to measure the concentration of Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha (TNF-α) secreted by cells after being treated with Roxb. fraction. The neutral red uptake assay determined the effect of Roxb. on the phagocytic activity.
RESULTS
After Raw 264.7 macrophages were given the Hexan fraction (Hex) at concentrations of 12.5 and 25 μg/mL, there was a decrease in the concentration of IL-6, TNF-α, and the phagocytosis index of cells. Administration of the Ethyl Acetate fraction (EtOAc) at concentrations of 12.5 and 25 μg/mL on cells caused a decrease in IL-6 and TNF-α levels but did not affect the phagocytosis index. There was an increase in the level of TNF-α and the phagocytosis index after being given the Butanol fraction (BuOH) with concentrations of 12.5 and 25 μg/mL but there was a slight decrease in the level of IL-6.
CONCLUSIONS
Both Hex and EtOAc fractions could suppress immune responses through decreasing IL-6, TNF-α, and slightly decreased phagocytic activity. BuOH fraction could stimulate immunomodulatory activities through enhanced TNF-α levels and phagocytic index, but less potent in enhancing IL-6 production. The BuOH fraction could be developed as an immunostimulant.
Topics: Plant Extracts; Interleukin-6; Garcinia; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; Immunologic Factors
PubMed: 36750417
DOI: 10.1515/jcim-2022-0419 -
Water Research Feb 2023Disinfecting reclaimed water for safe reuse can produce toxic disinfection by-products such as adsorbable organic bromine (AOBr). Irradiating stored reclaimed water with...
Disinfecting reclaimed water for safe reuse can produce toxic disinfection by-products such as adsorbable organic bromine (AOBr). Irradiating stored reclaimed water with sunlight is a "green" and free method for eliminating some toxic disinfection by-products, but the effects of irradiation with sunlight on ozonated reclaimed water containing bromide are not well understood. In this study, AOBr was found at concentrations of 171-180 (µg Br)/L in ozonated reclaimed water containing bromide at a concentration of 2 (mg Br)/L and dissolved organic carbon at a concentration of ∼5 (mg C)/L. Irradiation with sunlight degraded 53-74% of the AOBr in two reclaimed water samples in 8 h, and the pseudo-first-order rate constants (k) were 0.09-0.17 h. The concentration of tribromomethane, a typical Br-containing disinfection by-product, was decreased by >96% by irradiation for 8 h (k = 0.42-0.47 h). Irradiation with sunlight decreased the toxicity of ozonated reclaimed water to Chinese hamster ovary cells. Irradiation with sunlight decreased the degree of intracellular oxidative stress and oxidative damage caused by ozonated reclaimed water. Irradiation with sunlight for 8 h decreased cytotoxicity of the ozonated reclaimed water samples by 79% and 65%. The change in AOBr concentration correlated with the change in toxicity (R=0.69, p<0.05). The relationships between sunlight wavelength and decreases in the AOBr concentration and toxicity were assessed, and it was found that UV in sunlight was predominantly responsible for decreasing the AOBr concentration and toxicity by reclaimed water. During irradiation for 8 h, UV was responsible for 65%-66% of the decrease in the AOBr concentration and 65-79% of the decrease in reclaimed water induced cytotoxicity. Irradiation with sunlight is a promising method for degrading AOBr and detoxifying ozonated reclaimed water during storage to allow the water to be reused.
Topics: Cricetinae; Animals; Bromine; Water; Sunlight; Bromides; CHO Cells; Cricetulus; Water Pollutants, Chemical; Disinfection; Water Purification
PubMed: 36580801
DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2022.119512 -
Biological & Pharmaceutical Bulletin 2023Methylmercury (MeHg) is a well-known environmental pollutant that has harmful effects on the central nervous systems of humans and animals. The molecular mechanisms of...
Methylmercury (MeHg) is a well-known environmental pollutant that has harmful effects on the central nervous systems of humans and animals. The molecular mechanisms of MeHg-induced neurotoxicity at low concentrations are not fully understood. Here, we investigated the effects of low-concentration MeHg on the cell viability, Ca homeostasis, and α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptor subunit GluA2 levels, which determine Ca permeability of AMPA receptors, in rat primary cortical neurons. Exposure of cortical neurons to 100 and 300 nM MeHg for 7 d resulted in a decrease in GluA2 levels, an increase in basal intracellular Ca concentration, increased phosphorylation levels of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 and p38, and decreased cell viability. Moreover, glutamate stimulation exacerbated the decrease in cell viability and increased intracellular Ca levels in MeHg-treated neurons compared to control neurons. MeHg-induced neuronal cell death was ameliorated by 1-naphthyl acetyl spermine, a specific antagonist of Ca-permeable, GluA2-lacking AMPA receptors. Our findings raise the possibility that decreased neuronal GluA2 levels and the subsequent increase in intracellular Ca concentration may contribute to MeHg-induced neurotoxicity.
Topics: Animals; Rats; Calcium; Cells, Cultured; Glutamic Acid; Homeostasis; Methylmercury Compounds; Neurons; Receptors, AMPA
PubMed: 36724957
DOI: 10.1248/bpb.b22-00744 -
Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland) Nov 2021This review examines several molecular mechanisms underpinning oxidative stress in ruminants and their effects on blood and milk oxidative traits. We also investigate... (Review)
Review
This review examines several molecular mechanisms underpinning oxidative stress in ruminants and their effects on blood and milk oxidative traits. We also investigate strategies to alleviate or repair oxidative damages by improving animal immune functions using novel feed additives. Microbial pathogenic cells, feeding management, and body condition score were some of the studied factors, inducing oxidative stress in ruminants. The predominance of spp. (24.22%), spp. (21.37%), spp. (4.99%), spp., (2.64%), spp. (2.33%), and spp. (1.86%) was found in the microbiome of mastitis cows with a decrease of d-mannose and increase of xanthine:guanine ratio when increased. Diversity of energy sources favoring the growth of make it a keystone taxon contributing to metritis. Ruminal volatile fatty acids rose with high-concentrate diets that decreased the ruminal pH, causing a lysis of rumen microbes and release of endotoxins. Moreover, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) concentration, malondialdehyde (MDA), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities increased in high concentrate cows accompanied by a reduction of total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and catalase (CAT) activity. In addition, albumin and paraoxonase concentrations were inversely related to oxidative stress and contributed to the protection of low-density and high-density lipoproteins against lipid peroxidation, protein carbonyl, and lactoperoxidase. High concentrate diets increased the expression of MAPK pro-inflammatory genes and decreased the expression of antioxidant genes and proteins in mammary epithelial tissues. The expression levels of NrF2, NQO1, MT1E, UGT1A1, MGST3, and MT1A were downregulated, whereas NF-kB was upregulated with a high-grain or high concentrate diet. Amino-acids, vitamins, trace elements, and plant extracts have shown promising results through enhancing immune functions and repairing damaged cells exposed to oxidative stress. Further studies comparing the long-term effect of synthetic feed additives and natural plant additives on animal health and physiology remain to be investigated.
PubMed: 34943022
DOI: 10.3390/antiox10121918 -
Epilepsy & Behavior : E&B Oct 2020The objective of the study was to describe the effect of the vaginal ring and transdermal patch on lamotrigine serum levels in women with epilepsy.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of the study was to describe the effect of the vaginal ring and transdermal patch on lamotrigine serum levels in women with epilepsy.
BACKGROUND
Previous studies demonstrate that oral hormonal contraceptives containing synthetic estrogen increase lamotrigine clearance through induction of glucuronidation. This leads to variable lamotrigine serum concentrations throughout monthly cycles in women who are on combined oral contraceptives (COCs). The effects of estrogen-containing nonoral hormonal contraceptive methods, including the vaginal ring and transdermal patch, on lamotrigine pharmacokinetics are not well described.
METHODS
Retrospective chart review was performed to identify serum lamotrigine levels drawn from women with epilepsy while on the active phase of vaginal ring or transdermal patch and while off contraception. Wilcoxon signed-rank tests for paired data were used to compare the difference in dose-corrected lamotrigine concentration in plasma between values while on hormonal contraception to those while off contraception in patients using a vaginal ring.
RESULTS
Six patients were using the vaginal ring, and one patient was using the transdermal patch. Lamotrigine dose-corrected concentrations were decreased during the active phase of the vaginal ring compared with concentrations during the period off contraception (p = .04). There was one patient without a decrease in concentration, but the other five patients on the vaginal ring had a decrease in dose-corrected lamotrigine concentration ranging from 36 to 70% while on the vaginal ring. Similarly, one patient using the transdermal patch had a decrease of 37% in dose-corrected lamotrigine concentration while on the patch.
CONCLUSIONS
The findings support that the vaginal ring contraceptive method decreases lamotrigine concentrations during the active phase of treatment. This has important implications for contraceptive counseling and maintaining therapeutic levels in women of childbearing age with epilepsy.
Topics: Adult; Anticonvulsants; Contraceptive Agents, Female; Contraceptive Devices, Female; Drug Interactions; Epilepsy; Female; Humans; Lamotrigine; Middle Aged; Retrospective Studies; Transdermal Patch; Young Adult
PubMed: 32575009
DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2020.107162 -
Journal of Dairy Science May 2022Micro- and nano-bubbles (MNB) have unique properties and have attracted great attention in the past 2 decades, offering prospective applications in various disciplines....
Micro- and nano-bubbles (MNB) have unique properties and have attracted great attention in the past 2 decades, offering prospective applications in various disciplines. The first objective of this study was to investigate whether venturi-style MNB generation is capable of producing sufficient bulk MNB. A nanoparticle tracking system was used to measure the bubble concentration and particle size of MNB-treated deionized water. The MNB-treated deionized water had a bubble concentration of 3.76 × 10 particles/mL (∼350 million bubbles/mL more compared with control) and a mean particle size of 249.8 nm. The second objective of this study was to investigate the effects of MNB treatment on the microstructure and functional properties of milk protein concentrate (MPC) dispersions. Reconstituted MPC dispersions (21%, wt/wt) without air injection were considered as control (C-MPC), and MPC dispersions passed through the MNB system were considered as MNB-treated (MNB-MPC) dispersions. Control and MNB-MPC dispersions were evaluated in terms of rheological behavior and microstructure. The microscopic observations of MNB-MPC dispersions showed less aggregated microstructures and greater structural differences compared with C-MPC dispersions, therefore lowering the viscosity. The viscosity of MNB-MPC at a shear rate of 100 s significantly decreased to 57.58 mPa·s (C-MPC: 162.40 mPa·s), a net decrease in viscosity by ∼65% after MNB treatment. Additionally, MPC dispersions were spray dried after the MNB treatment, and the resultant MNB-MPC powders were characterized and compared with the control MPC in terms of rehydration characteristics and microstructure. Focused beam reflectance measurement of the MNB-MPC powders indicated lower counts of large particles (150-300 μm) during dissolution, signifying that MNB-MPC powders exhibited better rehydration properties than the C-MPC powders. This study, therefore, recommends the possibility of using MNB treatment for more efficient drying while improving the functional properties of the resultant MPC powders.
Topics: Animals; Desiccation; Milk Proteins; Particle Size; Powders; Spray Drying; Water
PubMed: 35282920
DOI: 10.3168/jds.2021-21341