Properties of the avocado oil extracted using centrifugation and ultrasound-assisted methods.

The aim of this work was to evaluate the technologies effect of cold extraction by centrifugation (CE) and ultrasound-assisted (US-CE) methods without adding water, on the avocado oil yield, nutritional composition, physicochemical characteristics, oxidative stability (oxidation temperature and time, besides activation energy) and accelerated shelf life regarding hexane extraction (control). The US-CE improved the physicochemical properties such as acidity, peroxides, and iodine indexes regarding CE and Control. US-CE improved the yield, nutritional quality of fatty acids, oxidative stability, shelf life, and ω-6/ω-3 ratio regarding CE. Furthermore, US-CE improved the ratio yield/time extraction of the oil and increased the oxidation temperature regarding control. The main advantage of oils extracted using CE and US-CE concerning control was higher oxidative stability. The most representative polyunsaturated fatty acids identified in all treatments were γ-linolenic and conjugated α-linolenic acids. α-linolenic acid was only detected in US-CE and control. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10068-021-00940-w.

Apatite and Portland/apatite composite cements obtained using a hydrothermal method for retaining heavy metals.

Apatite and Portland/apatite composite cements containing steelwork dusts have been prepared using a low temperature hydrothermal method (200 degrees C, 48h). The produced solids were characterized by means of XRD, IR, and SEM-EDX, and the remaining liquid was analyzed by ICP. The results clearly show the capability of these cements to inertise the heavy metals contained in steelwork dusts, that is Fe, Pb, Mo, Cr, Mn, Ni, and Zn. In the case of apatitic cements, Fe, Mg, Cr, Mn, and Pb coming from steel dust replaced Ca in the divalent cation position of the apatite structure, while Si and Mo replaced P in tetrahedral position. The average crystal size of the apatite-containing dust is smaller than in pure apatite synthesized using the same procedure, which is related to the magnesium content of the dust, since magnesium seems to inhibit the crystal growth. XRD diagrams of composite cements show only peaks corresponding to phases observed in the single cements, and in that no new phases are found. However, EDX analysis reveals the introduction of cations coming from Portland cement into the apatite structure. From the results of water analysis it could be concluded that the capability of retention is higher in composite matrices than in the pure apatite one. In conclusion, the obtained data allow stating that the proposed method, the hydrothermal synthesis of steelwork dust containing cement, is a reliable one for immobilization of toxic residues containing heavy leachable cations.

Mechanisms of enrichment of natural radioactivity along the beaches of the Camargue, France.

A field study was carried out along the Golfe du Lion, that focussed on the beaches of the Camargue, to locate the main areas where enriched U and Th are found, and to better understand the processes that concentrate radioactivity on beaches. Indeed enriched areas are observed on some Camargue beaches, where high-dose rates are recorded due to excess U and Th activity (>1000 Bq kg(-1)). The coastline was mapped by means of an aerial gamma survey and the results indicated that the main actinides deposits occurred in the Camargue area. This concentrating effect is possibly due to a greater sedimentary contribution from the River Rhone relative to other minor Mediterranean rivers. Across the along-shore profile, the variability in actinides observed at the eastern part of Beauduc spit is mainly explained by variations in heavy and light mineral contents. Such variability can be accounted for by redistribution of the sand caused by erosion/deposition processes occurring in the eastern part of the spit. Further parameters such as grain size and heavy minerals content were studied in connection with the distribution of U, Th and (40)K in the field at a more localised level (i.e. across-shore beach profile). The <200-micro m fraction contains more than 50% of the radioactivity and heavy minerals (especially zircon) are the main contributors to the high levels of external radiation. Therefore the enriched areas, where U and Th exceed 1000 Bq kg(-1), presumably result from the sorting of sand grains according to their size and density.

Simultaneous determination of propranolol and pindolol by synchronous spectrofluorimetry.

The simultaneous determination of propranolol and pindolol using synchronous fluorescence spectrometric techniques is described. The method involves measuring the natural fluorescence of these drugs in a 50% (v/v) ethanol-water medium using zero and first derivative synchronous spectrofluorimetry. Under the optimum conditions, the linear determination ranges of propanolol and pindolol are ca. 0.02-1.0 and 0.04-1.2 mug ml(-1), respectively. The results showed that propranolol and pindolol can be determined simultaneously when the concentration ratio of propranolol to pindolol varies from 1:100 to 50:1 in the mixed sample. The method has been satisfactorily applied to the determination of propranolol and pindolol in urine samples and propranolol in pharmaceutical preparations.

Analysis of binary mixtures of flufenamic, meclofenamic and mefenamic acids by derivative synchronous fluorescence spectrometry.

Second-derivative synchronous fluorescence spectrometry was used to develop a simple, rapid and sensitive spectrofluorimetric method for the determination of binary mixtures of the nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs flufenamic (FFA), meclofenamic (MCFA) and mefenamic (MFA) acids in serum and pharmaceutical formulations. The method is based on the intrinsic fluorescence of these compounds in chloroform. A Deltalambda=105 nm was used for the resolution of FFA-MFA and MFA-MCFA mixtures, whereas the FFA-MCFA mixture was determined at Deltalambda=40 nm. Serum samples are treated with trichloroacetic acid to remove the proteins, and the analytes are extracted in chloroform prior to determination. Pharmaceutical preparations were analysed without prior separation steps.

Fluorimetric determination of chloroxine using manual and flow-injection methods.

A reliable and highly sensitive method is described for the determination of chloroxine in pharmaceutical preparations. It involves the formation of a complex between chloroxine and aluminum(III) in a micellar medium. The complex is a very fluorescent species, and there is a linear relationship between chloroxine concentration and fluorescence intensity over the range 2.0 x 10(-8)-5.1 x 10(-5) mol l-1. The limit of detection is 5 x 10(-9) mol l-1. The method can be easily adapted to a flow system using a three-channel manifold, the peak height being proportional to the chloroxine concentration over the range 5.6 x 10(-7)-5.6 x 10(-5) mol l-1. Manual and flow-injection procedures permit the determination of chloroxine in the presence of chlorquinaldol, and have been successfully applied to the determination of chloroxine in pharmaceutical preparations.

Selective determination of naproxen in the presence of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in serum and urine samples using room temperature liquid phosphorimetry.

A very simple, rapid and highly sensitive method is described for determining naproxen in serum and urine. This method is based on room temperature phosphorescence of naproxen in sodium dodecylsulphate micelles, with thallium(I) providing the external heavy atom and sodium sulphite acting as the oxygen scavenger. Under the optimum and experimental conditions, the range of application is 0.09-4.5 micrograms ml-1 and the limit of detection is 0.03 micrograms ml-1. The most relevant characteristic of this method is its great selectivity, e.g. naproxen can be determined in the presence of other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). The clinical applicability of this procedure has been tested, analysing naproxen in serum and urine samples. The analytical recoveries and inter- and intra assay precision data obtained demonstrate the usefulness of this procedure when used with very complex samples.

[Ischemic accident caused by thrombosis of a venous angioma. Apropos of a case]. / Accident ischémique par thrombose d'un angiome veineux. A propos d'un cas.

Authors report one case of cerebral ischemic accident by thrombosis of a venous angioma of brain. This kind of malformation is quite unusual and was considered by most authors as unable to involve supratentorial ischemic complications. This case seems to be the first reported in the literature and demonstrates that venous brain ischemic accidents can result from venous angioma of the brain.

[X-ray computed tomographic and angiographic aspects of venous angiomas of the brain. Apropos of 15 cases]. / Aspect tomodensitométrique et angiographique des angiomes veineux du cerveau. A propos de 15 cas.

Clinical, computed tomography and angiography investigations were conducted in 15 cases of venous angioma of brain. These rare malformations (70 cases reported) are often asymptomatic or are revealed by the onset of epileptic seizures. The scanner produced images suggestive of a vascular malformation in 80% of cases. However, the purely venous character of the angioma and its exact site require confirmation supplied by angiography only, the lesion provoking characteristic images from the latter examination.

Avocado, sunflower and olive oils as replacers of pork back-fat in burger patties: effect on lipid composition, oxidative stability and quality traits.

The present study investigates the effects of avocado, sunflower and olive oils used as back-fat replacers, on the fatty acid composition, oxidative stability, volatiles profile and color and texture properties of cooked pork patties. The vegetable oils modified the fatty acid profiles of the patties by lowering the percentages of SFA (from 36.96% to ~25.30%) and reducing the atherogenic index (from 0.41 to ~0.24). Vegetable oils had higher amounts of antioxidant compounds such as tocopherols (10.8-53.9 mg/100 g) than back-fat (5.9 mg/100 g). Consistently, patties manufactured with the oils had significantly lower amounts of lipid and protein oxidation products than control patties. Avocado oil contributed with specific aroma-active terpenes to patties and had a significant impact on particular color and texture parameters. The results from this study highlight the technological applications of the vegetable oils as food ingredients in the design of healthier meat commodities.

Avocado by-products as inhibitors of color deterioration and lipid and protein oxidation in raw porcine patties subjected to chilled storage.

Processing of avocados generates an important amount of by-products such as peels and seeds that are rich in bioactive substances with proven radical suppressing activities. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of peel and seed extracts from two avocado varieties-'Hass' and 'Fuerte'-as inhibitors of lipid and protein oxidation and color deterioration of raw porcine patties during chilled storage (4 °C/15 days). Avocado extracts significantly (p<0.05) reduced the loss of redness and the increase of lightness during storage of porcine patties. 'Fuerte' extracts were more efficient at inhibiting discoloration of chilled patties than 'Hass' extracts. Patties treated with avocado extracts had significantly lower amounts of TBA-RS than control ones throughout the storage. 'Hass' avocado extracts significantly inhibited the formation of protein carbonyls in chilled patties at day 15. The present results highlight the potential usage of extracts from avocado by-products as ingredients for the production of muscle foods with enhanced quality traits.

Partial replacement of pork back-fat by vegetable oils in burger patties: effect on oxidative stability and texture and color changes during cooking and chilled storage.

UNLABELLED: The present study was aimed to examine the impact of partial back-fat replacement (50%) by avocado (A), sunflower (S), and olive (O) oil on the chemical composition, oxidative stability, color, and texture of porcine burger patties (10% fat) subjected to oven cooking (170 °C/18 min) and chilling (+ 4 °C/15 d). The addition of vegetable oils caused a significant reduction of saturated fatty acids and a concomitant enrichment in unsaturated fatty acids. The incorporation of vegetable oils to porcine patties caused a significant reduction of TBARS formed as a result of cooking and the subsequent chilling. The usage of vegetable oils as back-fat replacers had no impact on the formation of protein carbonyls. Porcine patties with A- and O-patties displayed a more favorable ratio between volatiles contributing to rancidity and those contributing pleasant odor notes. Treated and control patties underwent similar discoloration during processing. The usage of vegetable oils and particularly, avocado and olive oils, as back-fat replacers, could be an interesting strategy to improve the nutritional and technological properties of porcine patties. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: The present study highlights the potential nutritional and technological benefits of replacing animal fat by vegetable oils in porcine patties subjected to cooking and chilling. The industrial application of vegetable oils in processed meat products would meet the current consumers' interest towards healthier food products. In addition, the usage of avocado oil would contribute to boost the avocado industry by providing an additional value to a by-product of great biological significance.

Post-operative angiographic control. B. Main angiographic appearances after vertebral and internal carotid artery surgery.

The authors report 144 post-operative angiographic controls of carotid and vertebral artery surgery performed from 1979 to 1983. They describe the most common post-operative appearances they have observed and compare them to those reported in the literature.

Spectrofluorimetric flow injection method for the individual and successive determination of L-cysteine and L-cystine in pharmaceutical and urine samples.

A flow injection configuration is proposed for the determination of L-cysteine and L-cystine individually and for mixtures of both analytes. The procedure is based on the rapid oxidation of L-cysteine by thallium(III) with concomitant formation of fluorescent thallium(I). The inclusion of a selecting valve and of a copper-coated cadmium column in the configuration allows the successive determination of two analytes. Linear calibration graphs were obtained between 5 x 10(-6) and 5 x 10(-5) mol dm-3 of L-cysteine and between 2 x 10(-6) and 2 x 10(-5) mol dm-3 of L-cystine. The applicability of the method to the determination of L-cysteine and L-cystine in pharmaceutical preparations was demonstrated by investigating the effect of potential interferents and by the analysis of commercial preparations. The method was successfully applied to the determination of L-cysteine and L-cystine in urine samples.

Determination of norfloxacin in real samples by different spectrofluorimetric techniques.

Simple, rapid, accurate and sensitive spectrofluorimetric methods for the determination of norfloxacin are described. The methods are based on the reaction of this drug with aluminium(III) ion to form a strongly fluorescent complex. Fluorescence properties of the AlIII-norfloxacin complex were used for the determination of this drug in pharmaceutical preparations. First-derivative constant wavelength synchronous fluorescence spectrometry was used for the determination of norfloxacin in the presence of nalidixic acid. The determination of norfloxacin in urine without the need of tedious pre-separation was achieved by using zero-crossing second-derivative synchronous fluorescence spectrometry.

Spontaneous vertebro-vertebral arterio-venous fistula associated with fibro-muscular dysplasia. Report of two cases.

Extracranial vertebral arteriovenous fistulae of non traumatic origin are extremely rare. The authors report two cases of spontaneous vertebro-vertebral arteriovenous fistulae associated with fibromuscular dysplasia. They discuss the relation-ship between arteriovenous fistulae and fibro-muscular dysplasia, and the specific problems of treatment in these two cases.