bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pulsed‐CO2 Laser Beam Photothermal Technology Combined with Conjugated Gold Nanoparticles for the Selective Elimination of Surface Escherichia Coli K12 from Fresh Fruits
Authors: Chee Grace , Shafel Timothy , Park Sung Hee , Jun Soojin 
Published: December 2014

AbstractsPostharvest methods for microbial decontamination of fresh produce are limited, and chemical treatment is less popular with growing concerns over toxic residues. A photothermal guiding system was developed with a pulsed‐CO2 laser and adjustable two‐ZnSe lens beam expander. The system was optimized to ensure uniform radiation of the sample with respect to pulse width (PW) and repetition time (RT) without damaging the food samples. Conjugated gold nanoparticles (GNPs) added to fruit surfaces tested the selective photothermal nanotherapy under laser radiation for enhancing treatment.Apple peel samples (1 cm2) contaminated with Escherichia coli K12 were treated at varying PW and RT for 60, 120 and 180 s. Inactivation of E. coli K12 significantly (P < 0.05) increased as the PW increased at constant RT. Also, the inactivation increased as both RT decreased and PW increased, and with the addition of the GNP. Scanning electron microscopy analysis showed structural damage of E. coli and GNP with minimal damage to fruit surfaces.Practical ApplicationsThis unique laser system could provide rapid, energy‐efficient and selective inactivation of food surface contaminants through the use of conjugated gold nanoparticles. The system's likely application is to ensure food safety in numerous segments of the U.S. food industry; it would be especially useful for producers of fresh food products. Photothermal nanotherapy provides selective heating to a localized area around the targeted bacteria without damaging the food, which makes it particularly applicable for heat‐sensitive foods, such as fruits and leafy green vegetables, and could be a desirable alternative to chemical treatments. It also has the potential to be successfully applied to liquid food samples such as water, fruit juices and other transparent liquids.
Investigation on the Applicability of the Effervescent Atomizer in Spray Drying of Foods: Influence of Liquid Viscosity on Nozzle Internal Two‐Phase Flow and Spray Characteristics
Authors: Stähle Philipp , Gaukel Volker , Schuchmann Heike P. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractThe influence of viscosity of a food‐based model liquid on the flow patterns inside an effervescent atomizer as well as on the spray was investigated. Viscosity ranged from 0.001 to 0.308 Pa·s. The flow pattern inside the atomizer changes from annular to an unfavorable slug flow for liquids with increased viscosity with increasing liquid volume flow rate. We used the time averaged Sauter mean diameter (SMD) as well as the fluctuation κt of the time‐discrete drop size around its mean to characterize the spray. For an annular flow, small values of SMD and κt are observed regardless of viscosity; but as the flow pattern transforms to slug flow, a considerable increase of SMD and κt is observed. The results indicate that the application of the effervescent atomizing principle to the tasks of food spray drying requires a specific flow pattern inside the atomizer.Practical ApplicationThe effervescent atomizer, originally invented in the field of combustion science, is reported to be capable of atomizing liquids with elevated viscosity into small drops at low gas consumption. These attributes make the atomizing principle also interesting for other techniques such as the spray drying of foods. If an implementation is possible, the atomization technique offers the potential of drying feeds with high viscosity at low gas consumption. This, in turn, opens two new possibilities in spray drying of foods: first, to save drying energy via a higher concentrated feed and, second, to prevent heat‐sensitive ingredients from damage because a lower feed temperature prior to atomization could be chosen compared with conventional atomizers. Unfortunately, an unsteady spray is reported for certain operation conditions. In this case, an application is likely to be limited.
Predicting the Growth Kinetics of Total Microflora in Kimchi Powder‐Treated Pork Snack Sticks
Authors: Kim Hyoun Wook , Heo Chan , Han Doo‐Jeong , Kim Cheon‐Jei , Kim Kee‐Tae , Park Beom‐Young , Ahn Dong Uk , Paik Hyun‐Dong 
Published: December 2014

AbstractThe purpose of this research was to apply mathematical models to predict the effect of kimchi powder on the growth of spoilage microflora in pork snack sticks. Kimchi powder was added to the pork sticks at concentrations of 0% (control, C), 1% (T1), 2% (T2) and 3% (T3) of total content. Microbiological analysis was performed at the end of the drying process (day 0) and after 15, 30, 45, 60 and 90 days of storage at 25C. The obtained data were applied to the Baranyi growth model. Application of up to 2% kimchi powder to pork snack sticks had no effect on the initial and maximal bacterial counts, but 3% of kimchi powder reduced the lag time (tlag) and extended the maximum specific growth rate (μmax) of total plate count, anaerobic bacteria and lactic acid bacteria significantly. Mathematical models developed on the basis of the Baranyi model were useful in predicting natural microflora in the pork snack sticks during storage.Practical ApplicationsMany kinds of jerky have become diversified and industrialized recently and kimchi, fermented vegetable, has been known to have various antimicrobial effects. Kimchi powder‐treated pork jerky has higher consumer acceptability because of its spicy taste. However, the possibility of contamination of microflora in terms of food safety can be high through manufacture and distribution in industry. The predictive model suggested in this study can be used to control the possibility of microfloral contamination in restructured pork jerky products supplemented with kimchi powder as basic information.
Critical Assessment of the Time‐to‐Detection Method for Accurate Estimation of Microbial Growth Parameters
Authors: Baka Maria , Noriega Estefanía , Stamati Ioanna , Logist Filip , Van Impe Jan F.M. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractThe time‐to‐detection (TTD) method is a rapid and high throughput approach for the estimation of microbial growth parameters (maximum specific growth rate μmax and lag phase duration λ), which relies on optical density (OD) measurements. The performance of this method depends on several factors that are often selected in an arbitrary way. In this work, a sensitivity analysis was performed to assess the effect of several key factors on the resulting output data of this method with Listeria monocytogenes. The factors showing higher influence on the results include (1) the calibration curve relating viable plate counts and OD data; (2) the approach to estimate TTD values; (3) the detection limit of OD measurements; and (4) the range of the initial cell concentrations considered (Ni). In general, lag phase (λ) estimates were more sensitive than maximum specific growth rate (μmax) estimates. The approach to estimate TTD values and the OD detection limit was the most influential factors for the μmax and λ estimation. This work has illustrated that, despite all the advantages of the TTD method, there are crucial steps in experimental design and data processing that significantly influence its output in terms of lag phase duration and maximum specific growth rate.Practical ApplicationsThis study contributes to understanding which are the most influential factors on the output of time‐to‐detection (TTD) method. These factors can be considered throughout different steps of the method, experimental design, data processing and growth parameter estimation. Guidelines are provided about how the selection of the factors assessed should be made and which variables – i.e., research scope, materials and equipment available for experimental and analytical steps – should be considered. In addition, some limitations of the method regarding the range and quality of the experimental data when implementing an automated global fitting are described. Overall, the performance of the TTD method and the accuracy of microbial growth parameters estimation will be improved.
Antimicrobial Activity, Antibiotic Resistance and the Safety of Lactic Acid Bacteria in Raw Milk Valtellina Casera Cheese
Authors: Morandi S. , Silvetti T. , Miranda Lopez J.M. , Brasca M. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractThe study involved 75 autochthonous lactic acid bacteria (LAB) obtained from Valtellina Casera Protected Designation of Origin cheese and provides data on their antibiotic resistance (AR), antimicrobial activity and safety aspects. High biodiversity was revealed, assigning the isolates to 16 species. In the curd Streptococcus thermophilus was predominant, while Enterococcus and the Lactobacillus casei group prevailed in ripened cheese. One Lactobacillus rhamnosus was resistant to penicillin G. The presence of 19 tetracycline‐resistant strains indicates that tetracycline resistance is emerging in dairy sources. Seven Enterococcus faecalis, one Lactococcus garvieae and one Lactoc. lactis subsp. lactis showed the presence of the int gene that is responsible for the transfer of tetracycline resistance. Six En. faecalis inhibited Listeria monocytogenes and closely related LAB, and four of these harbored the entAS48 gene. Genes associated with virulence factors were detected in En. faecalis but not in En. faecium. A low spread of AR in wild LAB and a low occurrence of safety hazards in enterococci strains were highlighted.Practical ApplicationIn recent years, raw milk cheese have received increasing attention for their microbial biodiversity and as a source of food bio‐preservatives, but they could also provide a vehicle for antibiotic resistance. The results of this study showed that wild microbiota of Valtellina Casera cheese is characterized by an important activity inhibiting growth of Listeria monocytogenes. These probably actively contribute to ensure the safety and quality of this cheese. The presence of tetracycline resistance among En. faecalis and Str. thermophilus may indicate that this resistance is emergent in dairy sources, a point that needs further investigation. En. faecium from artisanal Valtellina Casera cheese did not show antibiotic resistance and did not harbor any of the virulence genes associated to the hospital‐associated clade according to European Food Safety Authority.
GA‐ANN and ANFIS Models and Salmonella Enteritidis Inactivation by Ultrasound
Authors: Soleimanzadeh Bahman , Hemati Leila , Yolmeh Mahmoud , Salehi Fakhreddin 
Published: December 2014

AbstractIn this study, adaptive neuro‐fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) and genetic algorithm–artificial neural network (GA‐ANN) models were used to predict inactivation of Salmonella enteritidis by ultrasound. The effect of amplitude levels, duty cycles and irradiation time of ultrasound on inactivation of S. enteritidis was investigated. The inactivation rate of S. enteritidis was increased by intensifying the amplitude levels and the best inactivation was achieved at 37.5 μm amplitude that S. enteritidis population was reduced to 1.67 cfu/mL. The high inactivation rate of S. enteritidis was achieved under duty cycle of 0.7:0.3, with reduction of population to 1.02 cfu/mL. The overall agreement between ANFIS predictions and experimental data was also very good (R2 = 0.974). The developed GA‐ANN, which included 12 hidden neurons, could predict S. enteritidis population with low mean squared error, normalized mean squared error and mean absolute error equal to 0.083, 0.023 and 0.200, respectively. The results indicated that both GA‐ANN and ANFIS models could give good prediction for the population of S. enteritidis. Sensitivity analysis results showed that ultrasound time was the most sensitive factor for the prediction of S. enteritidis population.Practical ApplicationsMicrobial inactivation by thermal treatment does damage to the organoleptic properties of foods. However, using ultrasound (US) for microbial inactivation minimizes this change. Generally, the advantages of US over thermal treatment are minimal flavor loss, significant energy saving and greater homogeneity.
Gestational diabetes mellitus: Confusion among medical doctors caused by multiple international criteria
Authors: Agarwal Mukesh M. , Shah Syed M. , Al Kaabi Juma , Saquib Shabnam , Othman Yusra 
Published: December 2014

AbstractAimThe aim of this study was to appraise the current regional practices of screening, diagnosis and follow‐up of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) because the approach to GDM is frequently inconsistent.Material and MethodsA 21‐item questionnaire was distributed to physicians taking care of pregnant women in seven hospitals in the United Arab Emirates and one hospital in Oman. Besides assessing their attitudes towards testing for GDM, the questionnaire assessed familiarity with the Hyperglycemia and Pregnancy Outcome study and the International Association of Diabetes in Pregnancy Study Groups GDM guidelines.ResultsOne hundred and forty‐eight (93%) of the 159 questionnaires distributed to the medical doctors (106 [72%] obstetricians and 42 [28%] internists) were returned. For GDM screening, six hospitals used five different tests; two hospitals utilized one single test. For GDM diagnosis, six hospitals employed the 2‐h, 75‐g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) (four different criteria) while two hospitals used the 3‐h, 100‐g OGTT (single criteria). For post‐delivery follow‐up, the 2‐h, 75‐g OGTT and fasting plasma glucose were accepted by 103 (70%) and 38 (26%) of the 148 medical doctors, respectively. Ninety‐eight (69%) of 143 responding physicians were aware of the Hyperglycemia and Pregnancy Outcome study, while 85 (61%) of 140 responders were familiar with the guidelines of the International Association of Diabetes in Pregnancy Study Groups; this knowledge was independent of specialty, seniority, academia, years in practice or country trained.ConclusionsAlthough this study is parochial, its implications are global; that is, further education of caregivers would make the discordant approach to GDM (within and between hospitals) more harmonious and improve the obstetric care of pregnant women.
Selection and concentration of obstetric facilities in Japan: Longitudinal study based on national census data
Authors: Matsumoto Masatoshi , Koike Soichi , Matsubara Shigeki , Kashima Saori , Ide Hiroo , Yasunaga Hideo 
Published: December 2014

AbstractAimA shortage of obstetricians with increased workload is a social problem in Japan. In response, the government and professional bodies have accelerated the ‘selection and concentration’ of obstetric facilities. The aim of this study was to evaluate the recent trend of selection and concentration.MethodsWe used data on the number of deliveries and of obstetricians in each hospital and clinic in Japan, according to the Static Survey of Medical Institutions in 2005, 2008 and 2011. To evaluate the inter‐facility equality of distribution of the number of deliveries, number of obstetricians and number of deliveries per obstetrician, Gini coefficients were calculated.ResultsThe number of obstetric hospitals decreased by 20% and the number of deliveries per hospital increased by 26% between 2005 and 2011. Hospital obstetricians increased by 16% and the average number of obstetricians per hospital increased by 19% between 2008 and 2011. Gini coefficient of deliveries has significantly decreased. In contrast, Gini coefficient of deliveries per obstetrician has significantly increased. The degree of increase in obstetricians and of decrease in deliveries per obstetrician was largest at the hospitals with the highest proportion of cesarean sections. The proportion of obstetric hospitals with the optimal volume of deliveries and obstetricians, as defined by Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology, was 4% in 2008, and it had doubled to 8.1% 3 years later.ConclusionThe selection and concentration of obstetric facilities is progressing rapidly and effectively in Japan.
Length polymorphism in the Period 3 gene is associated with sleepiness and maladaptive circadian phase in night‐shift workers
Authors: Drake Christopher L. , Belcher Ren , Howard Ryan , Roth Thomas , Levin Albert M. , Gumenyuk Valentina 
Published: December 2014

SummaryThe objective of the current study was to determine if night‐shift workers carrying the five‐repeat variant of the Period 3 gene show elevated levels of nocturnal sleepiness and earlier circadian phase compared with homozygotes for the four‐repeat allele. Twenty‐four permanent night‐shift workers were randomly selected from a larger study. Participants took part in an observational laboratory protocol including an overnight multiple sleep latency test and half‐hourly saliva collection for calculation of dim‐light melatonin onset. Period 3–/5 shift workers had significantly lower multiple sleep latency test during overnight work hours compared with Period 34/4 workers (3.52 ± 23.44 min versus 10.39 ± 6.41 min, P = 0.003). We observed no significant difference in sleepiness during early morning hours following acute sleep deprivation. Long‐allele carriers indicated significantly higher sleepiness on the Epworth Sleepiness Scale administered at 17:00 hours (12.08 ± 2.55 versus 8.00 ± 1.94, P < 0.001). We observed a significantly earlier melatonin onset in Period 3–/5 individuals compared with Period 34/4 shift workers (20:44 ± 6:37 versus 02:46 ± 4:58, P = 0.021). Regression analysis suggests that Period 3 genotype independently predicts sleepiness even after controlling for variations in circadian phase, but we were unable to link Period 3 to circadian phase when controlling for sleepiness. Period 3–/5 shift workers showed both subjective and objective sleepiness in the pathological range, while their Period 34/4 counterparts showed sleepiness within normal limits. Period 3–/5 night workers also show a mean circadian phase 6 h earlier (i.e. less adapted) than Period 34/4 workers. Because Period 3–/5 workers have maladaptive circadian phase as well as pathological levels of sleepiness, they may be at greater risk for occupational and automotive accidents. We interpret these findings as a call for future research on the role of Period 3 in sleepiness and circadian phase, especially as they relate to night work.
Stability of the gorilla microbiome despite simian immunodeficiency virus infection
Authors: Moeller Andrew H. , Peeters Martine , Ayouba Ahidjo , Ngole Eitel Mpoudi , Esteban Amadine , Hahn Beatrice H. , Ochman Howard 
Published: December 2014

AbstractSimian immunodeficiency viruses (SIVs) have been discovered in over 45 primate species; however, the pathogenic potential of most SIV strains remains unknown due to difficulties inherent in observing wild populations. Because those SIV infections that are pathogenic have been shown to induce changes in the host's gut microbiome, monitoring the microbiota present in faecal samples can provide a noninvasive means for studying the effects of SIV infection on the health of wild‐living primates. Here, we examine the effects of SIVgor, a close relative of SIVcpz of chimpanzees and HIV‐1 of humans, on the gut bacterial communities residing within wild gorillas, revealing that gorilla gut microbiomes are exceptionally robust to SIV infection. In contrast to the microbiomes of HIV‐1‐infected humans and SIVcpz‐infected chimpanzees, SIVgor‐infected gorilla microbiomes exhibit neither rises in the frequencies of opportunistic pathogens nor elevated rates of microbial turnover within individual hosts. Regardless of SIV infection status, gorilla microbiomes assort into enterotypes, one of which is compositionally analogous to those identified in humans and chimpanzees. The other gorilla enterotype appears specialized for a leaf‐based diet and is enriched in environmentally derived bacterial genera. We hypothesize that the acquisition of this gorilla‐specific enterotype was enabled by lowered immune system control over the composition of the microbiome. Our results indicate differences between the pathology of SIVgor and SIVcpz/HIV‐1 infections, demonstrating the utility of investigating host microbial ecology as a means for studying disease in wild primates of high conservation priority.
Emerging treatments in Neurogastroenterology: relamorelin: a novel gastrocolokinetic synthetic ghrelin agonist
Authors: Camilleri M. , Acosta A. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractBackgroundSynthetic ghrelin agonists, predominantly small molecules, are being developed as prokinetic agents that may prove useful in the treatment of gastrointestinal motility disorders. Relamorelin (RM‐131) is a pentapeptide synthetic ghrelin analog that activates the growth hormone secretagogue (GHS)‐1a (also called the ghrelin) receptor with approximately sixfold greater potency than natural ghrelin. The ability of relamorelin to stimulate growth hormone (GH) release is comparable to that of native ghrelin. Relamorelin has enhanced efficacy and plasma stability compared to native ghrelin.PurposeIn this review, we discuss the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and potential indications for relamorelin. Relamorelin is administered subcutaneously, dosed daily or twice daily. Relamorelin is being studied for the treatment of patients with gastrointestinal motility disorders. Phase IIA pharmacodynamic studies have demonstrated acceleration of gastric emptying in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and type 2 DM (T2DM) and upper gastrointestinal symptoms. In a phase IIA study in patients with diabetic gastroparesis, relamorelin accelerated gastric emptying and significantly improved vomiting frequency compared to placebo and improved other symptoms of gastroparesis in a prespecified subgroup of patients with vomiting at baseline. In patients with chronic idiopathic constipation with defined transit profile at baseline, relamorelin relieved constipation and accelerated colonic transit compared to placebo. These characteristics suggest that this new ghrelin analog shows great promise to relieve patients with upper or lower gastrointestinal motility disorders.
Normative values in esophageal high‐resolution manometry
Authors: Herregods T. V. K. , Roman S. , Kahrilas P. J. , Smout A. J. P. M. , Bredenoord A. J. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractBackgroundEsophageal high‐resolution manometry (HRM) has rapidly gained much popularity worldwide. The Chicago Classification for esophageal motility disorders is based on a set of normative values for key metrics that was obtained using one of the commercially available HRM systems. Thus, it is of great importance to evaluate whether these normative values can be used for other HRM systems as well.PurposeIn this review, we describe the presently available HRM systems, the currently known normative thresholds and the factors that influence them, and assess the use of these thresholds. Numerous factors including the type of HRM system, demographic factors, catheter diameter, body position during testing, consistency of bolus swallows, and esophageal length have an influence on the normative data. It would thus be ideal to have different sets of normal values for each of these factors, yet at the moment the amount of normative data is limited. We suggest broadening the normal range for parameters, as this would allow abnormal values to be of more significance. In addition, we suggest conducting studies to assess the physiological relevance of abnormal values and stress that for each system different normative thresholds may apply.