High pressure homogenization: A promising approach to expand food applications of chia mucilage.

Two chia mucilages with different viscosities, obtained by extraction conditions optimized in a previous work, were homogenized by high pressure homogenization (HPH). Particle size, molecular weight, zeta potential, FTIR spectrum, rheological properties, water absorption capacity, water holding capacity and iron binding capacity were determined on both mucilages treated and without treatment. Homogenization led to a significant reduction in viscosity respect to chia mucilage controls, which can be related to the decrease in particle size and molecular weight.

Comparison of the Chemical Composition of Six Canihua () Cultivars Associated with Growth Habits and after Dehulling.

The canihua () is a native Andean crop that stands out for its high content of protein, fiber, and minerals and that has a good fatty acid profile. We studied six canihuas cultivars, which were compared according to their proximate, mineral, and fatty acid composition. Based on the form of stems, termed growth habit, they belonged to two groups: decumbent (, , , and ) and ascending ( and ).

Unraveling the relationship between conditions of ultrasonic-assisted extraction of chia mucilage and viscosity.

Background: The application of chia mucilage still remains restricted due to the difficulty in achieving high extraction yields. The effect of ultrasonic-assisted extraction (UAE) conditions (temperature, seed:water ratio and time) on the rheological properties of chia mucilage extracts and the relation to the proportion of translucent phase (TP) and opaque phase (OP) of the mucilage in the extract were evaluated.

Results: UAE allowed the efficient extraction of chia mucilage from chia seeds.

Perceived risk of infection and death from COVID-19 among community members of low- and middle-income countries: A cross-sectional study.

Risk perceptions of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are considered important as they impact community health behaviors. The aim of this study was to determine the perceived risk of infection and death due to COVID-19 and to assess the factors associated with such risk perceptions among community members in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) in Africa, Asia, and South America. An online cross-sectional study was conducted in 10 LMICs in Africa, Asia, and South America from February to May 2021.

Vaccine hesitancy among communities in ten countries in Asia, Africa, and South America during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Vaccine hesitancy is considered one of the greatest threats to the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination programs. Lack of trust in vaccine benefits, along with concerns about side effects of the newly developed COVID-19 vaccine, might significantly contribute to COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. The objective of this study was to determine the level of vaccine hesitancy among communities in particular their belief in vaccination benefits and perceived risks of new vaccines.

Iron-caseinglycomacropeptide complexes: Characterization and application in beverages.

Complexing iron with organic compounds has been considered an alternative strategy to mitigate the problems associated with the level of bioavailable iron and the acceptability of products supplemented with this mineral. CMP contains specific amino acids associated with iron binding. The present study aims to optimize the conditions of Fe/CMP complex formation and understand the molecular basis of interactions between CMP and iron ions.

Molecules produced by probiotics prevent enteric colibacillosis in pigs.

Background: With the advent of antimicrobial resistance in animal pathogens, novel methods to combat infectious diseases are being sought. Among these, probiotics have been proposed as a means of promoting animal health but problems with their use has been reported. Research has demonstrated that bioactive molecules produced during the growth of certain probiotics interfere with bacterial cell-to-cell communication, which consequently results in an attenuation of virulence in a number of pathogens, including E.

Modification of foaming properties of soy protein isolate by high ultrasound intensity: Particle size effect.

The effect of high intensity ultrasound (HIUS) may produce structural modifications on proteins through a friendly environmental process. Thus, it can be possible to obtain aggregates with a determined particle size, and altering a defined functional property at the same time. The objective of this work was to explore the impact of HIUS on the functionality of a denatured soy protein isolate (SPI) on foaming and interfacial properties.

Experimental design for the optimization of the derivatization reaction in determining chlorophenols and chloroanisoles by headspace-solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry.

The paper shows some tools (its interpretation and usefulness) to optimize a derivatization reaction and to more easily interpret and visualize the effect that some experimental factors exert on several analytical responses of interest when these responses are in conflict. The entire proposed procedure has been applied in the optimization of equilibrium/extraction temperature and extraction time in the acetylation reaction of 2,4,6-trichlorophenol; 2,3,4,6-tetrachlorophenol, pentachlorophenol and 2,4,6-tribromophenol as internal standard (IS) in presence of 2,4,6-trichloroanisole, 2,3,5,6-tetrachloroanisole, pentachloroanisole and 2,4,6-trichloroanisole-d5 as IS. The procedure relies on the second order advantage of PARAFAC (parallel factor analysis) that allows the unequivocal identification and quantification, mandatory according international regulations (in this paper the EU document SANCO/12495/2011), of the acetyl-chlorophenols and chloroanisoles that are determined by means of a HS-SPME-GC/MS automated device.

Optimization of headspace experimental factors to determine chlorophenols in water by means of headspace solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry and parallel factor analysis.

In this work an analytical procedure based on headspace solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC/MS) is proposed to determine chlorophenols with prior derivatization step to improve analyte volatility and therefore the decision limit (CCα). After optimization, the analytical procedure was applied to analyze river water samples. The following analytes are studied: 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP), 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (2,4,6-TrCP), 2,3,4,6-tetrachlorophenol (2,4,6-TeCP) and pentachlorophenol (PCP).

Usefulness of a PARAFAC decomposition in the fiber selection procedure to determine chlorophenols by means SPME-GC-MS.

In this work, a procedure based on solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry is proposed to determine chlorophenols in water without derivatization. The following chlorophenols are studied: 2,4-dichlorophenol; 2,4,6-trichlorophenol; 2,3,4,6-tetrachlorophenol and pentachlorophenol. Three kinds of SPME fibers, polyacrylate, polydimethylsiloxane, and polydimethylsiloxane/divinylbenzene are compared to identify the most suitable one for the extraction process on the basis of two criteria: (a) to select the equilibrium time studying the kinetics of the extraction, and (b) to obtain the best values of the figures of merit.

D-optimal designs and N-way techniques to determine sulfathiazole in milk by molecular fluorescence spectroscopy.

The present work proposes an analytical procedure to determine sulfathiazole in milk by using molecular fluorescence spectroscopy. For this sulfonamide the European Union in Regulation 37/2010 has established a maximum residue limit in milk of 100 μg kg(-1). The study includes the effect of six factors on the recovery of sulfathiazole.

Progesterone effects on cell growth of U373 and D54 human astrocytoma cell lines.

Astrocytomas are the most frequent primary brain tumors and constitute a leading cause of cancer-related deaths. We studied the effects of progesterone and its antagonist, RU486, on cell growth of two human astrocytoma cell lines with different evolution grade (U373, grade III; and D54, grade IV). Progesterone receptor expression was determined by Western blot.

Long-term immune dysfunction after radiotherapy to the head and neck area.

Background: Hematological side effects are not generally expected due to radiotherapy involving limited radiation fields; however, patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCH and N) receiving radiation therapy frequently have chronic intraoral infections. Xerostomia has been implicated as a cause of it, but local or systemic immune alterations are not usually considered.

Methods: With the purpose of evaluating the impact of radiotherapy treatment to different anatomic sites on immune function, 70 patients were evaluated during and after radiotherapy: 50 cases with SCCH and N, 10 with squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix (SCCUC) and 10 patients with central nervous system tumors (CNS).

Immunological approach in the evaluation of regional lymph nodes of patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

In cancer, regional lymph node (LN) cells are one of the first components of the immune system to have contact with tumor cells or their products. Therefore, the phenotype and functional properties of hematopoietic cells present within the tumor-draining LN are important to understanding their role in the control of malignant cells. Based on the locoregional metastatic behavior of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCH&N) region, we analyzed tumor-draining lymph nodes from SCCH&N patients to obtain insights into regional tumor immunity.