Search Results (153)

The present research features an experimental comparative design and the objective of this work was to determine the susceptibility to microbiological contamination in fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) and the FAME–water interface of residual and refined lard, large volume simulating storage conditions as fuel supply chain, and to identify the microorganisms developed. The plates were seeded according to ASTM E-1259 and the instructions provided by the manufacturer of the Bushnell Haas agar. Microbiological growth was observed at the FAME–water interface of FAME obtained from residual lard. Using the MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry technique, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Streptomyces violaceoruber bacteria were identified in the residual lard FAMEs, with the latter being previously reported in FAMEs. The implications of microorganism development on the physicochemical quality of FAMEs are significant, as it leads to an increase in the acid index, which may negatively impact metals by inducing corrosion. The refined lard FAMEs did not show any development of microorganisms. The present research concluded that residual lard tends to be more prone to microbiological attack if the conditions of water and temperature affect microbial growth. The findings will contribute to the knowledge base for a safer introduction of FAMEs into the biofuel matrix. Full article

Thermal-processed foods like baked, smoked, and fried products are popular for their unique aroma, taste, and color. However, thermal processing can generate various contaminants via Maillard reaction, lipid oxidation, and thermal degradation, negatively impacting human health. This review summarizes the formation pathways, influencing factors, and tracing approaches of potential hazards in thermally processed foods, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), heterocyclic aromatic amines (HAAs), furan, acrylamide (AA), trans fatty acids (TFAs), advanced glycation end-products (AGEs), sterol oxide. The formation pathways are explored through understanding high free radical activity and multiple active intermediates. Control patterns are uncovered by adjusting processing conditions and food composition and adding antioxidants, aiming to inhibit hazards and enhance the safety of thermal-processed foods. Full article

Introduction: Among aortic diseases in children, congenital defects such as coarctation of the aorta (CoA), interrupted aortic arch (IAA), hypoplastic aortic arch (HAA), and hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) predominate. Tissue patches are applied in pediatric cardiovascular surgery for the repair of congenital aortic defects as a filling material to replenish missing tissue or as a substitute material for the complete reconstruction of the vascular wall along the course of the vessel. This retrospective single-center study aimed to present the safety and feasibility of extracellular matrix (ECM) biological scaffolds in pediatric aortic surgery. Patients and methods: There were 26 patients (17 newborns and nine children), who underwent surgical procedures in the Department of Pediatric Cardiac Surgery (Poznań, Poland) between 2023 and 2024. The patients’ population was divided into two subgroups according to the hemodynamic nature of the primary diagnosis of the congenital heart defect and the performed pediatric cardiovascular surgery. The first group included 18 (72%) patients after aortic arch repair for interrupted aortic arch and/or hypoplastic aortic arch, while the second group included seven (28%) patients after aortopulmonary anastomosis. In the first group, patches were used to reconstruct the aortic arch by forming an artificial arch with three separate patches sewn together, primarily addressing the hypoplastic or interrupted segments. In the second group, patches were applied to augment the anastomosis site between the pulmonary trunk and the aortic arch, specifically at the connection points in procedures, such as the Damus–Kaye–Stansel or Norwood procedures. The analysis was based on data acquired from the national cardiac surgery registry. Results: The overall mortality in the presented group was 15%. All procedures were performed using median sternotomy with a cardiopulmonary bypass. The cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and aortic cross-clamp (AoX) median times were 144 (107–176) and 53 (33–79) min, respectively. There were two (8%) cases performed in deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (DHCA). The median postoperative stay in the intensive care unit (ICU) was 284 (208–542) h. The median mechanical ventilation time was 226 (103–344) h, including 31% requiring prolonged mechanical ventilation support. Postoperative acute kidney failure requiring hemodiafiltration (HDF) was noticed in 12% of cases. Follow-up data, collected via routine transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and clinical assessments over a median of 418 (242.3–596.3) days, showed no evidence of patch-related complications such as restenosis, aneurysmal dilation, or calcification in surviving patients. One patient required reintervention on the same day due to a significantly narrow ascending aorta, unrelated to patch failure. No histological data from explanted patches were available, as no patches were removed during the study period. The median (Q1–Q3) hospitalization time was 21 (16–43) days. Conclusions: ProxiCor^® biological patches derived from the extracellular matrix can be safely used in pediatric patients with congenital aortic arch disease. Long-term follow-up is necessary to confirm the durability and growth potential of these patches, particularly regarding their resistance to calcification and dilation. Full article

This article is a response to a paper, published last year in this journal, by Grace, Nind, de Haas and Hope. The authors sought to “question how we create knowledge and challenge underlying assumptions about valid forms of knowing” (p. 3). Their focus is on inclusive research with people who have profound intellectual and multiple disabilities (PIMDs). They describe their approach as “being with”, aligned with the experience of meaning, as opposed to doing research with people, which they locate in knowledge extraction. Recognising the authors’ commitment to foregrounding the personhood of people with PIMDs, a critique is developed in order to open a debate around issues of ethical research practices, decolonisation and conceptualisation of ‘deep knowledge’. Full article

Background/Objectives: The foot posture index (FPI-6) is a practical clinical tool for evaluating standing foot posture using six specific criteria. Although widely used, its reliability and correlation with radiographic parameters remain uncertain. This study aimed to assess the inter-rater reliability of the FPI-6, in both asymptomatic individuals and patients with foot and ankle symptoms, and to examine its correlation with radiographic measurements. Methods: We included 40 asymptomatic male volunteers (group A) and 60 symptomatic patients (group B). Four raters independently assessed the FPI-6 scores, and inter-rater reliability was evaluated using the intraclass correlation coefficient. Radiographic parameters included the talocalcaneal angle (TCA) on anteroposterior (AP) and lateral views, talonavicular coverage angle (TNCA), AP talo-first metatarsal angle (TMA), hindfoot alignment angle (HAA), calcaneal pitch angle (CPA), and Meary’s angle (MA). Correlations between the FPI-6 and radiographic measurements were analyzed using Pearson’s correlation (r). Results: The FPI-6 showed good to excellent inter-rater reliability in both groups, with higher consistency in group B and among experienced raters. The total FPI-6 score significantly correlated with TNCA (r = 0.665), AP TMA (r = 0.453), lateral TCA (r = 0.369), MA (r = 0.570), and HAA (r = −0.773) (all p < 0.001). Group B demonstrated overall stronger correlations between the FPI-6 and radiographic measurements compared to group A (TNCA: 0.664 vs. 0.258; AP TMA: 0.542 vs. 0.139; lateral TCA: 0.492 vs. −0.101; MA: 0.544 vs. 0.172; and HAA: −0.712 vs. −0.374). Conclusions: With careful application, the FPI-6 is a reliable and valid tool for clinical assessment of foot posture, especially in settings without immediate access to radiographs. Full article

Heterocyclic aromatic amines (HAAs), known for their mutagenic and carcinogenic potential, are formed during the heating of protein-rich food items. Detecting HAAs swiftly and accurately poses challenges due to complex food matrices and low HAA concentrations. In this study, a simple and efficient magnetic solid-phase extraction (MSPE) strategy was developed for the simultaneous isolation and enrichment of three HAAs such as 2-amino-3,4,8-trimethylimidazo [4,5-f]quinoxaline (4,8-DiMeIQx), 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo [4,5-f]quinoxaline (MeIQx), and 2-amino-3-methylimidazo [4,5-f]quinoline (IQ) in processed meats, employing the magnetic covalent organic framework Fe₃O₄@MOF-545-AMSA as an adsorbent. It was synthesized via a solvothermal method, with Fe₃O₄ as the magnetic core. Its building blocks are as follows: zirconium (Zr) as the coordination metal ion, tetrakis(4-carboxyphenyl)porphyrin and benzoic acid as organic ligands, and aminomethanesulfonic acid (AMSA). This composite captures targeted HAAs efficiently by exploiting the unique porous MOF-545-AMSA structure, specific metal–ligand coordination, and AMSA’s amino and sulfonic acid groups. The quantification of HAAs was achieved through the combination of Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatography–Tandem Mass Spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) and MSPE, demonstrating satisfactory linearity (R² ≥ 0.9917), high recovery rates (83.7–111.0%), and low detection limits (0.1–1.0 μg/kg). Moreover, an automated high-throughput detection system was developed using MSPE to assess the presence of HAAs in meat products. Full article

The prevention of human infectious diseases associated with waterborne pathogens is reliant on the effective disinfection of water supplies by drinking water treatment plants and adequately maintained distribution networks. For decades, the chlorination of water has safeguarded public health, where chlorine is broadly applied in both water disinfection and food production facilities, including the dairy industry, from farm to fork. The identification of chlorine disinfection byproducts in water supplies and dairy food produce is of great concern, however, due to their cytotoxic, genotoxic, mutagenic, teratogenic, and potential endocrine-disrupting activity. The association between the trihalomethanes (THMs) and haloacetic acids (HAAs) and tumour formation is documented and has led to the implementation of maximum contaminant levels enforced by the European Union. Furthermore, chlorine resistance in bacterial species is associated with multidrug resistance in clinically relevant pathogens, where antibiotic- and biocidal-resistant genes are also environmental pollutants. Increasing the concentration of chlorine to surmount this resistance will ultimately lead to increasing concentrations of byproducts in both water and food products, exceeding the EU requirements. This article provides insight into chlorine DBPs as a toxicological public health risk and the relationship between chlorine resistance and antibiotic resistance in microbes relevant to dairy food production. Full article

Background/Objectives: Hindfoot valgus malalignment, characterized by the lateral deviation of the calcaneus and medial tilting of the talus, disrupts hindfoot biomechanics and increases strain on subtalar joint. This study evaluates weightbearing and non-weightbearing imaging modalities to identify dynamic alignment changes and their diagnostic implications. This study aims to (1) quantify changes in subtalar joint parameters between non-weightbearing computed tomography (NWBCT) and weightbearing computed tomography (WBCT) in patients with hindfoot valgus; (2) evaluate correlations between WBCT and standard radiographic parameters; and (3) identify radiographic predictors of subtalar joint status during weightbearing. Methods: We reviewed 70 patients with confirmed hindfoot valgus malalignment (hindfoot valgus angle >5°), identified through radiographic measurements. Of these, 32 underwent both NWBCT and WBCT, while 38 underwent WBCT alone. Hindfoot alignment angle (HAA) and hindfoot alignment ratio (HAR) were measured on hindfoot alignment radiographs, while heel valgus angle (HVA), talocalcaneal distance (TCD), subtalar joint subluxation (SL) and calcaneofibular distance (CF) were assessed on CT. Results: WBCT revealed significant increases in HVA and SL (both, p < 0.001) and decreases in TCD and CF (p < 0.001 and p = 0.002, respectively) compared to NWBCT, reflecting dynamic subtalar joint changes under weightbearing conditions. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis identified hindfoot alignment angle (HAA) as the most reliable predictor of talocalcaneal osseous contact, with a cutoff value of >9.25° based on Youden’s index, yielding a sensitivity of 73% and specificity of 81.8%. Inter- and intra-observer reliabilities for all parameters were excellent (ICC > 0.81). Conclusions: WBCT provides critical insights into subtalar joint dynamics under physiological loads, surpassing NWBCT in assessing weightbearing-induced alignment changes. Although standard radiographic parameters, particularly HAA, can serve as reliable, cost-effective predictors of subtalar joint pathology in resource-limited settings, WBCT should still be preferred when available, especially in patients with significant malalignment or when detailed dynamic evaluation is needed to guide clinical decision-making. Full article

This article investigated the composition and content of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in cumin from three Xinjiang origins (Hami, Turpan, and Hetian) at different processing temperatures. VOCs varied with temperature and origin, but alcohols and terpenes were predominant in all samples. Hetian cumin exhibited the highest VOC content and stability under specific treatments, divided into an ambient temperature treatment (AMB) and a 70 °C heat treatment. A cluster analysis revealed high similarity between replicates and significant differences among the samples. A Venn diagram comparison showed that 70 °C processing reduced the number of common VOCs among the three origins from 36 to 19, which is a decrease of 47.22%, indicating a significant impact of heating on cumin VOCs and possibly promoting the formation of new compounds. Finally, utilizing the varying abilities of different types of polyphenols to inhibit heterocyclic aromatic amines (HAAs), six polyphenolic compounds, identified as sesamin, 6-caffeoylsucrose, apigenin, eschweilenol C, kaempferol glucuronide, and luteolin, were preliminarily determined to play an active role in the β-carboline HAA simulation system. Full article

This study employs DFT at the APFD/def2-TZVP level, with SMD solvation in THF, to investigate the catalytic activation of methane by [(κ³-CNC)Fe(N₂O)]²⁺ cation complexes. The catalytic mechanism encompasses three key steps: oxygen atom transfer (OAT), hydrogen atom abstraction (HAA), and oxygen radical rebound (ORR). The computational results identify OAT as the rate-determining step, with activation barriers of −10.2 kcal/mol and 5.0 kcal/mol for κ¹-O- and κ¹-N-bound intermediates in the gas and solvent phases, respectively. Methane activation proceeds via HAA, with energy barriers of 16.0–25.2 kcal/mol depending on the spin state and solvation, followed by ORR, which occurs efficiently with barriers as low as 6.4 kcal/mol. The triplet (S = 1) and quintet (S = 2) spin states exhibit critical roles in the catalytic pathway, with intersystem crossing facilitating optimal reactivity. Spin density analysis highlights the oxyl radical character of the Fe^IV=O intermediate as being essential for activating methane’s strong C–H bond. These findings underscore the catalytic potential of CNC-ligated iron complexes for methane functionalization and demonstrate their dual environmental benefits by utilizing methane and reducing nitrous oxide, a potent greenhouse gas. Full article

Desertification is one of the most severe environmental issues facing the world today, and effective desertification monitoring is critical for understanding its dynamics and developing prevention and control strategies. Although numerous studies on desertification monitoring using remote sensing have been conducted, there remain differences in indicator selection, and a unified monitoring system has yet to be established. In this study, we constructed the Desertification Composite Index (DCI) using Landsat satellite images, integrating six remote sensing indicators reflecting the natural and ecological characteristics of desertified areas. We also incorporated 383 UAV imagery datasets to accurately identify and analyze the spatial and temporal distributions of desertification in the Ring-Tarim Basin from 1990 to 2020 and subsequently assess its spatiotemporal trends. The results show the following: (1) The constructed DCI was used to identify desertification in 2020, achieving an overall accuracy of 0.86 and a Kappa coefficient of 0.8, indicating that the DCI is suitable for extracting regional desertification information. (2) From 1990 to 2020, the area of desertification decreased significantly, with an average annual reduction rate of −0.0022 ha/a, indicating continuous ecological improvement. Despite localized deterioration, the overall trend was one of “general improvement and local containment.” (3) GeoDetector-based analysis showed that cultivated land area and land use type were the primary single-factor drivers of desertification. The interaction between cultivated land and vegetation type exhibited a synergistic effect as a two-factor driver. (4) Desertification in the Ring-Tarim Basin is primarily influenced by human activities. Appropriate management and intervention measures, efficient and intensive cropland management, and rational land use planning can help develop effective strategies to combat desertification. Full article

Frequent consumption of processed meat has been classified as carcinogenic to humans by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (Group 1), while red meat has been classified as probably carcinogenic (Group 2A). Mutagenic and carcinogenic compounds formed by heating in protein-rich food include, among others, heterocyclic aromatic amines (HAAs). Modifying the heat treatment of meat and using natural additives with antioxidant properties can lead to a reduction in their formation. The aim of this study was to determine polar HAAs (imidazoquinolines, IQ and MeIQ; imidazoquinoxalines, 8-MeIQx and 4,8-DiMeIQx; and phenylimidazopyridine, PhIP) in pork loin prepared without additives and with three types of dried fruit (apricots, cranberries, and prunes), baked in a roasting bag. HAAs were isolated from meat samples by solid-phase extraction. Quantitative analysis was performed by high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection (FLD) and a diode array detector (DAD). Only two HAAs, 8-MeIQx and PhIP, were detected in extracts isolated from meat samples. The total content of these compounds in meat roasted without additives was 5.9 ng/g. Using a dried fruit stuffing content of 200 g/kg of meat reduced these concentrations in dishes prepared with prunes, apricots, and cranberries by 42%, 47%, and 77%, respectively. Full article

Background/Objectives: IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is one of the most common forms of glomerulonephritis leading to renal failure. MicroRNAs have been shown to play an important role in the pathogenesis and clinical course of IgA nephropathy; therefore, they offer the possibility of noninvasive diagnosis of this disease and have some value in predicting disease prognosis. This study aimed to evaluate the plasma levels of miR-148a-3p, miR-425-3p, and miR-20a-5p in patients with IgA nephropathy and their correlation with selected clinical parameters. Methods: This study included 44 patients with IgA nephropathy and 46 control subjects. Results: The results of our study indicated that in patients with IgA nephropathy, the increased plasma levels of miR-148a-3p and miR-425-3p correlated negatively with eGFR values. According to the Haas classification, plasma levels of miR-20a-5p were statistically significantly increased in patients with histopathological changes classified as Stages 3, 4, and 5 compared with patients with histopathological changes classified as Stages 1 and 2. Conclusions: The results of our study suggest the possible involvement of miR-148a-3p, miR-425-3p, and miR-20a-5p in the pathogenesis of IgA nephropathy. Full article

Hybrid systems consisting of highly transparent channels of low-dimensional semiconductors between superconducting elements allow the formation of quantum electronic circuits. Therefore, they are among the novel material platforms that could pave the way for scalable quantum computation. To this aim, InAs two-dimensional electron gases are among the ideal semiconductor systems due to their vanishing Schottky barrier; however, their exploitation is limited by the unavailability of commercial lattice-matched substrates. We show that in situ growth of superconducting aluminum on two-dimensional electron gases forming in metamorphic near-surface InAs quantum wells can be performed by molecular beam epitaxy on GaAs substrates with state-of-the-art quality. Adaptation of the metamorphic growth protocol has allowed us to reach low-temperature electron mobilities up to 1.3 × 10⁵ cm²/Vs in Si-doped InAs/In_0.81Ga_0.19As two-dimensional electron gases placed 10 nm from the surface with charge density up to 1 × 10¹²/cm². Shubnikov-de Haas oscillations on Hall bar structures show well-developed quantum Hall plateaus, including the Zeeman split features. X-ray diffraction and cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy experiments demonstrate the coexistence of (011) and (111) crystal domains in the Al layers. The resistivity of 10-nm-thick Al films as a function of temperature was comparable to the best Al layers on GaAs, and a superconducting proximity effect was observed in a Josephson junction. Full article

Heterocyclic aromatic amines (HAAs), formed during the cooking of meat, are potential human carcinogens, underscoring the need for long-lived biomarkers to assess exposure and cancer risk. Frequent consumption of well-done meats containing 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP), a prevalent HAA that is a prostatic carcinogen in rodents and DNA-damaging agent in human prostate cells, has been linked to aggressive prostate cancer (PC) pathology. African American (AA) men face nearly twice the risk for developing and dying from PC compared to White men. We previously demonstrated that scalp hair is a reliable biospecimen for measuring PhIP intake using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. This study aimed to determine whether PhIP dietary intake is higher in AA men, potentially contributing to this health disparity. Healthy AA men were found to have a significantly higher mean hair PhIP level (2.12-fold) than White men on free-choice diets. However, this difference was not statistically significant after adjusting for melanin content. Further research is needed to understand how hair pigmentation, follicular density, and other morphological features of hair influence PhIP accumulation. These insights can improve the accuracy of using hair PhIP levels as a biomarker for exposure and its potential associations with cancer risk. Full article