Citrus limon Essential Oil: Chemical Composition and Selected Biological Properties Focusing on the Antimicrobial (In Vitro, In Situ), Antibiofilm, Insecticidal Activity and Preservative Effect against Salmonella enterica Inoculated in Carrot.

New goals for industry and science have led to increased awareness of food safety and healthier living in the modern era. Here, one of the challenges in food quality assurance is the presence of pathogenic microorganisms. As planktonic cells can form biofilms and go into a sessile state, microorganisms are now more resistant to broad-spectrum antibiotics. Due to their proven antibacterial properties, essential oils represent a potential option to prevent food spoilage in the search for effective natural preservatives. In this study, the chemical profile of Citrus limon essential oil (CLEO) was evaluated. GC-MS analysis revealed that limonene (60.7%), ß-pinene (12.6%), and γ-terpinene (10.3%) are common constituents of CLEO, which prompted further research on antibacterial and antibiofilm properties. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values showed that CLEO generally exhibits acceptable antibacterial properties. In addition, in situ antimicrobial research revealed that vapour-phase CLEO can arrest the growth of Candida and Y. enterocolitica species on specific food models, indicating the potential of CLEO as a preservative. The antibiofilm properties of CLEO were evaluated by MIC assays, crystal violet assays, and MALDI-TOF MS analysis against S. enterica biofilm. The results of the MIC and crystal violet assays showed that CLEO has strong antibiofilm activity. In addition, the data obtained by MALDI-TOF MS investigation showed that CLEO altered the protein profiles of the bacteria studied on glass and stainless-steel surfaces. Our study also found a positive antimicrobial effect of CLEO against S. enterica. The anti-Salmonella activity of CLEO in vacuum-packed sous vide carrot samples was slightly stronger than in controls. These results highlight the advantages of the antibacterial and antibiofilm properties of CLEO, suggesting potential applications in food preservation.

Postharvest wine grape dehydration: ethanol dissipation from grape and biochemical changes.

BACKGROUND: During postharvest dehydration, grapes are subject to metabolic changes including ethanol anabolism and catabolism. These changes affect the quality of the final product and ethanol production is a key step. Ethanol dissipation has never been measured during postharvest wine grape dehydration. Thus, the present study aimed to: (i) monitor ethanol dissipation and (ii) investigate chemical-biochemical changes in berries during dehydration. RESULTS: Ethanol dissipation from Raboso grapes, under controlled postharvest dehydration, was found to comprise up to 36% of weight loss (w.l.). Moreover, the activity of enzymes involved in the anaerobic metabolism of grapes was investigated. Ethanol dissipation was highly correlated with grape weight loss (r2 = 0.989). Alcohol dehydrogenase activity, responsible for the reduction of ethanol to acetaldehyde, declined significantly with w.l. Similarly, pyruvate decarboxylase and lactate dehydrogenase reduced their activity. High lipoxygenase activity was measured at 27% w.l., whereas polyphenol oxidation was constant and declined in the last sampling. CONCLUSION: Ethanol dissipation during postharvest dehydration allows for reducing anaerobic metabolism and promotes oxidative metabolism. The sensor used can be a useful commercial tool for monitoring berry metabolism. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

The effect of drug-induced sleep endoscopy on surgical outcomes for obstructive sleep apnea: a systematic review.

PURPOSE: Drug-induced sleep endoscopy (DISE) is the most widespread diagnostic tool for upper-airway endoscopic evaluation of snoring and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). However, a consensus on the effectiveness of DISE on surgical outcomes is still lacking. This study aimed to quantify the effect of DISE on surgical outcomes and to compare DISE with awake examination using the Müller Maneuver (MM). METHODS: This systematic review was performed according to the PRISMA guidelines. Published studies from the last 30 years were retrieved from the Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, SCOPUS, and PubMed databases. Studies comparing DISE with awake examination, or MM were included. Surgical success rate was defined according to Sher's criteria, achieving a postoperative apnoea-hypopnea index (AHI) value < 20 events per hour and a 50% improvement from preoperative AHI. Outcomes are presented in terms of surgical success, pre- and postoperative AHI, Epworth sleepiness score (ESS), oxygen desaturation index (ODI) and lowest oxygen saturation (LOS). RESULTS: This review included 8 studies comprising 880 patients. DISE group showed a higher LOS increase, ODI decrease, ESS decrease than non-DISE group (6.83 ± 3.7 versus 3.68 ± 2.9, p<0.001; 19.6 ± 11.2 versus 12.6 ± 10.4, p<0.001; 6.72 ± 4.1 versus 3.69 ± 3.1, p<0.001). Differences in surgical success rate were significant only between DISE and MM (64.04% versus 52.48%, p = 0.016). AHI decrease resulted higher in non-DISE than in DISE group (39.92 ± 24.7 versus 30.53 ± 21.7, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Results of this systematic review suggest that the evidence is mixed regarding a positive effect of DISE on surgical outcomes.

Novelty of Italian Grape Ale (IGA) beer: Influence of the addition of Gamay macerated grape must or dehydrated Aleatico grape pomace on the aromatic profile.

A new category of fruit style beer resulting from the addition of grape matrices is named Italian Grape Ale (IGA). In this paper, we report data on an experimental work to produce IGA beers, adding macerated (CO2 or N2) red Gamay grape must or Aleatico grape pomace resulting from a grape dehydration process. Our hypothesis, that these wine processes can produce volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to characterize these IGA beers which was confirmed by chemical, sensory and aromatic results. IGA beers especially the one with gas-macerated grape musts (IGA-C and IGA-N) showed higher alcohol content than ALE beer (Control) and a higher polyphenol content and antioxidant activity. As regards VOCS, IGA beers increased the concentration of some classes (i.e., alcohols, esters, norisoprenoids) and IGA-N was better characterized by specific compounds such as isobutyric acid, phenylacetate, tyrosol, ethyl hydrogen succinate. Finally, E-nose and sensory evaluation discriminated significantly all the IGA beers.

Effect of Different Packaging Strategies on the Secondary Shelf Life of Young and Structured Red Wine.

When bottled wine is opened, a completely different scenario occurs that can accelerate the oxidation of the product. This is called the secondary shelf life (SSL), which is generally shorter and less predictable than the primary shelf life (PSL). In this context, the research aim was to evaluate the changes that occur in two types of red wine during two tests to evaluate the secondary shelf life as a function of the packaging systems. The variation of Total SO2 and Free SO2 and the other chemical parameters (polyphenols, anthocyanins, proanthocyanidins, color, and volatile acidity) were used to assess the oxidation rate of the packaging samples after opening during the SSL. In both tests and for the two types of stored red wine, the polymeric cap showed the best results. The other types of closure (screw cap, natural cork, crow cap, and Tetra Brik) showed a negative trend and a reduced SSL for both red wines. Finally, the sensory results confirmed that with the polymeric cap, the SSL increases considerably compared to other capping systems. These results may be due to the technical characteristics of polymeric materials, which tend to vary slightly in shape after repeated usage.

Simplified Tool for Sizing in Minimally Invasive Mitral Annuloplasty: A Homemade Technique.

Currently, minimally invasive cardiac surgery (MICS) has been developing and has been largely approved for mitral valve surgery. The more development of MICS, the more the entire surgical setup needs to be appropriate. We developed a homemade tool for mitral annular sizing that is simple and fits the mini surgical access. It is a plastic-based foldable paper that can be easily inserted through the minithoracotomy, using a surgical forceps.

Valorization of an Old Variety of Triticum aestivum: A Study of Its Suitability for Breadmaking Focusing on Sensory and Nutritional Quality.

"Avanzi 3-Grano 23" (G23) is an old variety of Triticum aestivum from the mountain areas of Lunigiana (north Tuscany, Italy), where traditional farming communities have contributed to its success and on-farm conservation. G23 flour, traditionally used for typical food products, is characterized by particular nutritional and sensory traits but has technological properties which limit its suitability for breadmaking. The aim of this work was to evaluate how to promote the use of G23 through the optimization of bread formulation by leveraging both flour blending and the leavening system. During the preliminary test, three different mixes of G23 flour and a strong flour (C) were tested in terms of their leavening power as a function of leavening agent (baker's yeast or sourdough). The selected M2 flour, composed of G23:C (1:1 w/w), was used for further breadmaking trials and 100% C flour was utilized as a control. The sourdough bread obtained with the M2 flour (SB-M2) showed an improved sensory profile compared with the related control (SB-C). Furthermore, SB-M2 exhibited the best aromatic (high content in aldehydes, pyrazines and carboxylic acids) and phytochemical profile (total polyphenols and flavonoids content and antioxidant activity). In contrast, the use of baker's yeast, although optimal from the point of view of breadmaking, did not result in the same levels of aromatic complexity because it tends to standardize the product without valorizing the sensory and nutritional qualities of the flour. In conclusion, in the experimental conditions adopted, this old wheat variety appears to be suitable for the production of sourdough bakery products.

Nitrogen maceration of wine grape: An alternative and sustainable technique to carbonic maceration.

Carbonic maceration (CM) consists in placing intact grape bunches into a sealed tank to have a natural or artificially created carbon dioxide atmosphere. No articles have been published on the comparison between CM and nitrogen maceration (NM). Therefore, the present study aimed at testing the use of alternative maceration technique (NM) in alternative to CM, to create the conditions of anoxia on the Gamay variety. The results showed a higher concentration of polyphenols and anthocyanins in the macerated wines, especially in NM wine. Concerning VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds), the CM wine showed the highest content in esters while the total alcohol content was slightly higher in the NM wines. The CM wine had the highest content in volatile medium chain fatty acids (MCFA). E-nose measurements revealed a clear separation among the samples, and the E-nose data, in PCA computation, were generally overlapped by the PCA of VOCs analysis. The NM showed a potential as environmentally sustainable technique useful to produce a new style of macerated and aromatic wines.

3D 4K exoscope in snore surgery simulation: pre-clinical experience.

PURPOSE: The application of 3D exoscopic technology is spreading worldwide, in several surgical scenarios. In this study, we present the first-time use of the exoscopic system (VITOM® and Versacrane™) in a cadaver simulation of transoral Snore Surgery. METHODS: All participants (n = 14) were asked to perform 2 exercises that simulate tasks required in Snore Surgery, they were then administered a questionnaire assessing their evaluation of the applied exoscopic technology. Participants were divided into groups according to age and experience. RESULTS: Mean zooming and focusing time was higher in young surgeons than in seniors, and similar results were obtained for mean procedural times. The responses to the questionnaire showed that in the vast majority (86%), the exoscopic technology was well rated. CONCLUSION: The exoscope can be considered a useful tool, thanks to its magnifying power and high-definition images, as well as for its indirect ability to enhance staff involvement in the procedure and for educational purposes.

The Ultrasound Evolution of Lateral Thoracic Perforator Flaps Design and Harvest for Partial and Total Breast Reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: The lateral thoracic area is a known source for perforator flaps for partial breast reconstruction. In this paper, we report our experience in designing and harvesting lateral thoracic perforator flaps for partial and total breast reconstruction with the introduction of the "propuller" concept. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between September 2013 and August 2021, 95 flaps were performed for immediate, partial and total breast reconstruction. On a total of 95 flaps, 30 (19 thoracodorsal artery perforator(TDAP) flaps, 10 lateral intercostal artery perforator(LICAP) flaps and 1 lateral thoracic artery perforator(LTAP) flap) were harvested in the traditional fashion (control group) and 65 (57 LICAP, 2 LTAP and 6 TDAP flaps) according to the propeller concept (study group). All cases were preoperatively planned with Color-Coded Duplex Ultrasound. RESULTS: No flap losses were experienced in both groups. The mean operative time was 156 minutes (range 118-234) for the control group and 75 minutes (range 53-125) for the study group (p < 0.0001). A significantly higher number of LICAP flaps were chosen in the study group compared to control group. None of the patients had donor site complications. Patients' and Surgeons' satisfaction was high to very high. CONCLUSION: The ultrasound preoperative planning led to the development of an easier and safer method of local perforator flap harvesting, that we named as propuller design. Its novelty lies in that perforator intraoperative selection and fully skeletonization are not needed and a more efficient flap movement (propeller plus advancement) which transfers more tissue into the new breast can be achieved safely, faster and easier.

Effect of Argon as Filling Gas of the Storage Atmosphere on the Shelf-Life of Sourdough Bread-Case Study on PDO Tuscan Bread.

The short shelf-life of PDO Tuscan bread limits its distribution to markets close to the production area, affecting its commercial success and the economic return by supply chain operators. While the application of MAP to store bread is widely accepted, the suitability of this technique to extend the shelf life of the PDO Tuscan bread is still to be explored. Furthermore, to the best of our knowledge no data are available in the literature about the use of argon as filling gas neither in pure atmosphere nor in combination with CO2. In this context, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different modified packaging atmospheres on the shelf-life of sourdough bread. Slices of bread were stored individually in plastic bags at 23 °C in five different atmospheres (Ar (100%), N2 (100%), CO2 (100%), Mix CO2/N2 (70% CO2, 30% N2), Mix CO2/Ar (70% CO2, 30% Ar)), and Air was selected as a control. To select the best storage conditions, both chemical-physical, rheological, and organoleptic features were evaluated. Results showed that pure gases (CO2, N2, Ar) displayed good qualities as storage atmospheres compared to Air. In contrast, both Mix CO2/N2 and Mix CO2/Ar were the best in slowing down the staling process, thus doubling the shelf-life of bread, compared to other atmospheres. In conclusion, argon, as a preservation atmosphere, seems to be the best solution to extend the shelf-life of PDO Tuscan bread.

Analysis of potential risk factors in the survival of patients with primary retroperitoneal liposarcoma.

INTRODUCTION: The present work is an observational study of a series of variables regarding overall survival and disease-free survival in patients diagnosed with primary liposarcoma. METHODS: The study is prospective with retrolective data collection that includes all patients with primary liposarcoma referred to Hospital Son Espases University Hospital, Palma de Mallorca, Spain from January 1990 to December 2019. RESULTS: The study includes 50 patients and the compartment surgery was performed in 18 patients (36%) of cases. The mean overall survival of the sample was 15.57 years (95% CI: 12.02-19.12) and the mean disease-free survival was 6.70 years (95% CI: 4.50-8.86). CONCLUSION: Compartment surgery has not shown benefits in terms of overall survival and disease-free survival. The ASA classification (≥3) predicts a poor prognosis in both overall survival and disease-free survival. Resection with free margins, described on the pathological results and defined in this work as R0, show better disease-free survival.

Lymphatic Tissue Transfer: Ultrasound-Guided Description and Preoperative Planning of Vascularised Lymph Nodes, Lymphatic Units, and Lymphatic Vessels Transfers.

BACKGROUND: The modern concept of lymphatic transfer includes vascularised lymph node transfer (VLNT), lymphatic vessels transfer (lymph interpositional flap transfer, LIFT) and lymphatic system transfer (vascularised lymph nodes and afferent lymphatics, LYST). The aim of this paper was to report our experience with different types of lymphatic transfer. PATIENTS AND METHOD: From June 2016 to June 2020, 30 consecutive patients affected by extremity lymphedema and 15 patients affected by post-traumatic lower extremity soft tissue defects, underwent lymphatic transfer (VLNT, LYST or LIFT). All cases were preoperatively evaluated by both high frequency and ultra-high frequency ultrasound. Flap features were recorded, as well as qualitative and quantitative outcomes at 1 year postoperative. RESULTS: The mean postoperative lymphedema index reduction was 7.2 ± 5.7 for upper extremity and 20.7 ± 7.1 for lower extremity. No dismission of compression garments occurred, 12 patients (26%) referred more stable results of physical treatment and 1 case showed a 1-class compression reduction. All the LIFTs aimed as preventive did not develop post-traumatic lymphedema. In all cases of distal placement of VLNT and/or LYST, patients were dissatisfied with the aesthetic appearance of reconstruction, while no donor site scar disappointment was referred. CONCLUSION: When LVA is not feasible, LTT may represent a valid treatment option. This report was aimed at comprehensively describing and assessing how different lymphatic tissue transfer modalities may fulfil the different reconstructive needs of lymphedema patients.

Chemical vs. Enzymatic Refining to Produce Peanut Oil for Edible Use or to Obtain a Sustainable and Cost-Effective Protector for Stored Grains against Sitophilus zeamais (Coleoptera: Curculionidae).

Among the various existing techniques, enzymatic degumming represents a process that is establishing itself as a valid alternative to the more classic chemical processes. Moreover, vegetable oils of various origins have been gaining more consideration as sustainable and affordable protectants for cereals and pulses against the attack of several insect pests. Sitophilus zeamais (Motschulsky) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is one of the key pests of cereal crops in the field and in stored and processed cereal products. Based on these highlighted issues, the overall aim of this research was twofold: (i) firstly, the effectiveness of the enzymatic degumming process was evaluated through the use of three different enzymes in order to verify the possible industrial application within the SALOV company as an alternative to the conventional chemical process; (ii) in a second phase, the possible use of the innovative refined oils was explored for sustainable stored grain protection towards S. zeamais. The results obtained confirm the strong possibility of applying the enzymatic process, which is innovative and, in a chemical way, more sustainable than the classical one. Regarding the toxicity towards S. zeamais, the crude peanut oil and the chemically refined peanut oil had lower LC50 values (1.836 and 1.372 g kg-1, respectively) than the oils rectified through enzymatic degumming (LC50 from 2.453 to 4.076 g kg-1), and, therefore, they can be suggested as sustainable stored grain protectants.

Application of Five Different Chlorella sp. Microalgal Strains for the Treatment of Vegetation Waters Derived from Unconventional Oil Extractions Enriched with Citrus Byproducts.

The Mediterranean diet has, among its cornerstones, the use of olive oil for its nutraceutical and organoleptic properties. Despite the numerous merits, olive-oil mill wastewater (OMWW), which is generated by the olive-oil extraction process, is one of the most serious environmental pollutants in the Mediterranean countries. The polluting potential of OMWW is due to its high content of tannins, polyphenols, polyalcohols, pectins and lipids. In order to close the recovery cycle of a fortified citrus olive oils previously developed, we tested the ability of five microalgae of the Chlorella group (SEC_LI_ChL_1, CL_Sc, CL_Ch, FB and Idr) in lowering the percentage of total phenolic compounds in vegetation water. This was obtained with three different extraction processes (conventional, and lemon and orange peels) at three concentrations each (10%, 25% and 50%). The results showed that strains Idr, FB and CL_Sc from the Lake Massaciuccoli can tolerate vegetation water from conventional and lemon peel extractions up to 25%; these strains can also reduce the phenolic compounds within the tests. The application of microalgae for OMWW treatment represents an interesting opportunity as well as an eco-friendly low-cost solution to be developed within companies as a full-scale approach, which could be applied to obtain a fortified microalgal biomass to be employed in nutraceutical fields.

Lymphaticovenular Anastomosis for Advanced-Stage Peripheral Lymphedema: Expanding Indication and Introducing the Hand/Foot Sign.

BACKGROUND: Effective lymphaticovenular anastomosis (LVA) requires identification of functioning lymphatics, which are not always visible with contrast-based imaging in advanced-stage lymphedema patients. Ultrasound (US) allows to identify preoperatively functioning lymphatic vessels even in limbs severely affected by lymphedema. Moreover, in our experience, we observed an interesting clinical sentry in advanced-stage lymphedema patients, the hand/foot sign that is analyzed in this paper. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From January 2016 to January 2019, 76 consecutive advanced-stage secondary lymphedema patients underwent LVA. Preoperative planning included lymphoscintigraphy, indocyanine-green lymphography (ICG-L) and US. Patients' features, the hand/foot sign (preservation of more normal skin on the dorsum of the hand or foot), lymphatic degeneration, quantitative, qualitative, and composite outcomes at 1-year follow-up were evaluated. RESULTS: An average number of 3±0.1 LVA was performed in upper limb lymphedema (ULL) (range 2-5, 47 patients) and of 4±1.08 LVAs in lower limb lymphedema (LLL) cases (range 4-7, 29 patients). The composite outcome was positive in 45 cases (59.7%). The "negative" hand /foot sign was significantly associated with presence of functioning lymphatic channels. The incidence of adverse outcomes was significantly higher in patients with positive hand/foot sign. CONCLUSION: Patients with no functioning lymphatic vessels detectable by lymphoscintigraphy and ICG-L may still have functioning lymphatic channels that can be identified preoperatively by ultra-high-frequency ultrasound and salvaged by LVA. The "hand/foot sign" is a simple clinical sentry that appears to be correlated with higher probability of being able to localize functional lymphatics for potential lymphovenous bypass surgery.