Effect of high-hydrostatic pressure and moderate-intensity pulsed electric field on plum.

Moderate intensity pulse electric fields were applied in plum with the aim to increase bioactive compounds content of the fruit, while high-hydrostatic pressure was applied to preserve the purées. High-hydrostatic pressure treatment was compared with an equivalent thermal treatment. The addition of ascorbic acid during purée manufacture was also evaluated. The main objective of this study was to assess the effects on microorganisms, polyphenoloxidase, color and bioactive compounds of high-hydrostatic pressure, or thermal-processed plum purées made of moderate intensity pulse electric field-treated or no-moderate intensity pulse electric field-treated plums, after processing during storage. The application of moderate intensity pulse electric field to plums slightly increased the levels of anthocyanins and the antioxidant activity of purées. The application of Hydrostatic-high pressure (HHP) increased the levels of bioactive compounds in purées, while the thermal treatment preserved better the color during storage. The addition of ascorbic acid during the manufacture of plum purée was an important factor for the final quality of purées. The color and the bioactive compounds content were better preserved in purées with ascorbic acid. The no inactivation of polyphenoloxidase enzyme with treatments applied in this study affected the stability purées. Probably more intense treatments conditions (high-hydrostatic pressure and thermal treatment) would be necessary to reach better quality and shelf life during storage.

Colorectal perforation by self-induced hydrostatic pressure: a report of two cases.

BACKGROUND: Most iatrogenic colorectal perforations occur as a result of endoscopic or fluoroscopic studies. Accidents associated with hydrostatic pressure-induced perforation are rarely reported, and self-induced hydrostatic pressure is an extremely rare cause of perforation because the anal sphincter complex may provide a protective barrier against perianal hydrostatic pressure. We present two cases of rectosigmoid colon perforation secondary to self-induced hydrostatic pressure. CASE REPORTS: A 61-year-old man and a 45-year-old man presented with abdominal pain after forceful entry of tap water into the rectum, during rinsing of the anus after defecation in the first case, and during self-administered enema in the second case. Emergency operations were performed with the suspicion of hydrostatic pressure-induced rectal injury, and showed rectosigmoid mesenteric perforation in both cases. Resection of the diseased segment and end colostomy (Hartmann's procedure) was performed in the first case, and primary resection and anastomosis in the second case. The pathologic results showed abrupt loss of the colonic wall in the mesenteric border, without evidence of other inflammatory disease; these findings were consistent with acute mechanical colon injury. The postoperative course in both cases was uneventful. CONCLUSION: These cases put forth an unusual type of colorectal injury, caused specifically by hydrostatic pressure, thus adding to the available literature on hydrostatic pressure-induced injury.

The effects of high hydrostatic pressure treatment on the flavor and color of grated ginger.

High hydrostatic pressure (HHP) was applied to grated ginger in order to inactivate quality-degrading enzymes in a non-thermal manner. The effects of HHP treatment on the flavor and the color of the grated ginger were investigated just after treatment and during storage. After HHP treatment (400 MPa, 5 min), geraniol dehydrogenase (GeDH) was inactivated to less than 5%, but the activity of polyphenol oxidase (PPO) was reduced only to 37%. Heat treatment (100 °C, 10 min) inactivated GeDH to 43% and PPO to about 10%. In storage, the reduction of geranial, neral, and citronellal to the corresponding alcohols was observed in the untreated and the heat-treated ginger, while it was not in the HHP-treated grated ginger. In the HHP-treated sample, terpene aldehydes almost disappeared without the formation of the corresponding alcohols. Browning was not observed immediately after HHP treatment, while it was complete in the heat-treated sample. The color change during storage appeared to reflect the residual activity of PPO.

Perforation during hydrostatic reduction of intussusception: proposed mechanism and review of the literature.

Eight cases of children with intussusception in whom the bowel perforated during attempts at enema reduction are reviewed. Certain features in each case suggest that perforation may not be secondary to increased intraluminal pressure from the enema, but that necrotic perforated bowel is uncovered as the intussusception is reduced. A review of the basis for recommendations about the height of the enema bag during attempted reduction suggests that these guidelines are largely arbitrary and lack scientific support.

Visual evoked cortical potentials in men during compression and saturation in He-O2 equivalent to 400, 800, 1200 and 1600 feet of sea water.

Visual evoked cortical potentials and related EEG activity were recorded from subjects during rapid compression and exposure to pressures of 400, 800, 1200 and 1600 fsw. In one phase, subjects made repeated excursions to 1200 fsw from a base at 800 fsw; in the second phase, the saturated base was 1200 fsw with excursions to 1600 fsw. The results included: (1) For the visual evoked potentials, sizeable and significant decreases in amplitude and increases in latency of the response with depth; (2) Changes in the visual evoked potentials which varied systematically with depth but not with related changes in compression rate or decompression. The changes were small but consistent alterations of normal responses to visual stimulation; and (3) Theta activity in discrete EEG recordings increased progressively with depth. With all subjects showed increases in theta activity the pattern of increase varied individually.

Treatment of intussusception in children operative treatment versus hydrostatic reduction.

Intestinal intussusception is a serious abdominal emergency in infancy and childhood, with a high mortality-rate if not diagnosed and treated early. Since the management of intussusception in children is still controversial, the pro's and con's for barium enema reduction and for surgical treatment are discussed. The results of our own series of 19 patients primarily treated by barium-enema reduction compare favourably with a previous series of 14 patients treated by primary surgery.