Frictional Properties of Soaps with the Addition of Ground Hazelnut Shells.

The search for new technologies and related new biological materials for use in the cosmetics industry requires many studies and analyses of not only chemical but also physical properties. This study attempts to assess the properties of soap produced with the addition of crushed hazelnut shells. This additive is intended to improve the friction properties of the soap, which in turn enhances the quality of removing impurities from the skin. Friction tests for wet and dry skin were performed on an appropriately designed measuring station using the Texture Analyser XT plus device. The obtained results indicate an increase in dynamic friction value compared to the control sample. This work proposes an unconventional use of ground hazelnut shells as one of the additives in soap production to improve its quality.

The Influence of Micronization on the Properties of Black Cumin Pressing Waste Material.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of micronization on the characteristics of black cumin pressing waste material. The basic composition, amino acid, and fatty acid content of the raw material-specifically, black cumin pressing waste material-were determined. The samples were micronized in a planetary ball mill for periods ranging from 0 to 20 min. The particle sizes of micronized samples of black cumin pressing waste material were then examined using a laser analyzer, the Mastersizer 3000. The structures of the produced micronized powders was examined by X-ray diffraction. Additionally, the FTIR (Fourier-transform infrared) spectra of the micronized samples were recorded. The measurement of phenolic and antiradical properties was conducted both before and after in vitro digestion, and the evaluation of protein digestibility and trypsin inhibition was also conducted. The test results, including material properties, suggest that micronization for 10 min dramatically reduced particle diameters (d50) from 374.7 to 88.7 µm, whereas after 20 min, d50 decreased to only 64.5 µm. The results obtained using FTIR spectroscopy revealed alterations, especially in terms of intensity and, to a lesser extent, the shapes of the bands, indicating a significant impact on the molecular properties of the tested samples. X-ray diffraction profiles revealed that the internal structures of all powders are amorphous, and micronization methods have no effect on the internal structures of powders derived from black cumin pressing waste. Biochemical analyses revealed the viability of utilizing micronized powders from black cumin pressing waste materials as beneficial food additives, since micronization increased total phenolic extraction and antiradical activity.

Walnut Flour as an Ingredient for Producing Low-Carbohydrate Bread: Physicochemical, Sensory, and Spectroscopic Characteristics.

Walnut flour (WF) is a nutrient-rich source that can be used as an alternative for individuals on a gluten-free diet. This study aimed to assess the physical, chemical, and sensory changes in low-carbohydrate bread when supplemented with WF. Molecular-level changes were also examined using ATR-FTIR spectra. The bread recipe, containing buckwheat and flaxseed, was enriched with WF at levels ranging from 5% to 20%. The addition of WF resulted in increased loaf volume and decreased baking loss. Enriched bread samples showed higher protein content, while fat and available carbohydrate content decreased. Additionally, WF incorporation led to a decrease in crumb brightness and an increase in redness (from 23.1 to 25.4) and yellowness (from 23.8 to 26.7). WF also increased crumb hardness and chewiness. Moreover, the tested additives primarily influenced the intensity of FTIR spectra, indicating changes in protein, carbohydrate, and fat content, with increased band intensity observed in the protein region. We particularly recommend bread with a WF content of 15%. This type of bread is characterized by high consumer acceptance. Furthermore, compared to bread without the addition of WF, it has a higher content of phenolic compounds, protein, and fat by approximately 40%, 8%, and 4%, respectively. The antioxidant activity of this bread, determined using the ABTS and DPPH methods, is also significantly higher compared to the control bread.

Influence of Perinatal Factors on Gene Expression of IAPs Family and Main Factors of Pluripotency: OCT4 and SOX2 in Human Breast Milk Stem Cells-A Preliminary Report.

Due to their therapeutic potential, mesenchymal stem cells are the subject of intensive research on the use of their potential in the treatment of, among others, neurodegenerative diseases or immunological diseases. They are among the newest in the field of medicine. The presented study aimed to evaluate the expression of eight genes from the IAP family and the gene regulating IAP-XAF1-in stem cells derived from human milk, using the qPCR method. The relationships between the expression of genes under study and clinical data, such as maternal age, maternal BMI, week of pregnancy in which the delivery took place, bodyweight of the newborn, the number of pregnancies and deliveries, and the time elapsed since delivery, were also analyzed. The research was carried out on samples of human milk collected from 42 patients hospitalized in The Clinic of Obstetrics and Perinatology of the Independent Public Clinical Hospital No. 4, in Lublin. The conducted research confirmed the expression of the following genes in the tested material: NAIP, BIRC2, BIRC3, BIRC5, BIRC6, BIRC8, XIAP, XAF1, OCT4 and SOX2. Moreover, several dependencies of the expression of individual genes on the maternal BMI (BIRC5, XAF1 and NAIP), the time since childbirth (BIRC5, BIRC6, XAF1 and NAIP), the number of pregnancies and deliveries (BIRC2, BIRC5, BIRC6 and XAF1), the manner of delivery (XAF1 and OCT4), preterm labor (BIRC6 and NAIP) were demonstrated. Additionally, we found positive relationships between gene expression of BIRC7, BIRC8 and XAF1 and the main factors of pluripotency: SOX2 and OCT4. This work is the first to investigate the expression of genes from the IAPs family in mother's milk stem cells.

Low-Carbohydrate, High-Protein, and Gluten-Free Bread Supplemented with Poppy Seed Flour: Physicochemical, Sensory, and Spectroscopic Properties.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to determine the effect of poppy seed flour (PF) on the physicochemical and spectroscopic properties of low-carbohydrate, high-protein, and gluten-free bread. METHODS: The changes at the molecular level were assessed in bread using attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR). Bread prepared with buckwheat, flaxseed, and pea protein was enriched with PF at a concentration of 5-15%. RESULTS: The results showed that the pasting parameters of dough supplemented with PF were significantly decreased compared to the control sample. The obtained bread samples were characterized by good quality and had 14.6% of carbohydrate, 16.3% of protein, 10.2% of fiber, and 4.0% of fat, with a caloric value of 177 kcal/100 g. The addition of PF had little influence on crumb mechanical properties. The ATR-FTIR analyses revealed spectral changes in the region related to protein and carbohydrate structures, as well as changes in band intensity characteristic of α-1,4-glycoside and α-1,6-glycoside bonds. The analyses showed that the main starch skeleton remained clearly visible. CONCLUSIONS: PF up to 10% can be potentially applied as a functional ingredient in the production of bread based on buckwheat and linseed flour. Such low-carbohydrate bread can be particularly useful to diabetics.

Black Cumin Pressing Waste Material as a Functional Additive for Starch Bread.

The aim of the study was to determine the effect of the addition of black cumin (Nigella sativa L.) pressing waste (BCW) and black cumin seeds (BCS) on the properties of starch bread. The control bread was prepared from wheat starch (100%) with a gluten-free certificate, plantain husk (5%), and guar gum (2%). BCS and BCW were added between 0 and 10% of wheat starch. We determined the physicochemical properties, color, texture, and sensory properties of the prepared bread. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis was performed to detect the phenolic compounds in the bread. The bread prepared with 6% BCS and 4% BCW had a significantly higher volume than the starch control bread did. Sensory analysis (taste) showed that BCS and BCW could be added up to 4% and 8%, respectively. The addition of BCS and BCW reduced the brightness of the crumb. A significant decrease in the L * index of the crumb was observed from 50.9 for the control bread to 34.1 and 34.0 for bread with 10% BCS and BCW, respectively. The addition of BCS and BCW decreased the hardness, elasticity, and chewiness of the starch bread crumb. Starch bread enriched with BCS and BCW was characterized by a higher content of 2-hydroxybenzoic acid, 2-hydroxyphenyl acetic acid, and 4-hydroxyphenyl acetic acid.

Physico-chemical properties of an innovative gluten-free, low-carbohydrate and high protein-bread enriched with pea protein powder.

The study aimed to determine the effect of pea protein powder on the pasting behavior and physico-chemical properties including the composition of amino and fatty acids of gluten-free bread with low-carbohydrate content. The control bread recipe was based on buckwheat flour (50 g) and flaxseed flour (50 g) as main flours. Additionally, the improving additives for this control bread such as psyllium husk (4 g), potato fiber (2 g), and guar gum (2 g) were used. The mixture of base flour was supplemented with the addition of pea protein powder (PPP) in the amount ranging from 5 to 25%. The results of Visco analyzes measured by RVA apparatus showed that the addition of 10% PPP to the control bread did not significantly differentiate peak viscosity and pasting temperature which was at the level 3115 cP and 3149 cP and 50 °C, respectively. Supplementation of low-carbohydrate bread with 10% of PPP was acceptable and significantly increased the content of all analyzed amino acids, as well as the amount of α-linolenic acid concerning the control bread. The lowest value of chemical score was observed for leucine. The EAAI (essential amino acid index) value increased from 34 to 40 when the optimal protein supplement was added. The developed gluten-free, low-carbohydrate, and high protein bread was characterized by contents of carbohydrate of 16.9%, protein of 17.1%, fiber of 13.7%, fat of 3.3% and its calorific value was 194 kcal/100 g.

Examination of the Peleg and Normand equation during relaxation of wheat: The effect of holding time.

In this study, we analyzed the effect of the duration of relaxation experiments on the parameters of the model proposed by Peleg and Normand. The relaxation experiments were conducted for individual intact wheat kernels in compression. Single kernels were initially loaded with a force of 20 N, then maintained at a constant deformation over time of 300 s. For the following time intervals 0-10, 0-20, 0-30, 0-40, 0-50, 0-60, 0-120, 0-180, 0-240, and 0-300 s coefficients k1 , k2 and Y(t) were determined according to the Normand and Peleg equation. The effect of time was compared at variable wheat moisture ranging from 8 to 20%. For longer holding times, the relaxed force was higher and the decay parameter, Y(t), decreased. The coefficient k1 increased proportionally with increase in the time of relaxation from ~3.3 to 23.3 s. The values of coefficient k2 declined for longer experiments, and the decline was relatively quick for up to 60 s and then asymptotically diminished. The effect of time on the decay parameter Y(t) and coefficients k1 and k2 depended on the moisture of kernels. The accuracy of the models was significantly different for the studied holding times. The highest standard error of the estimate was evidenced for 10 s experiments, and its minimum was noted at times close to 120-180 s.

Analysis of paternity exclusions in the material collected by the Department of Forensic Medicine, Medical University of Bialystok in 2008-2017.

AIM OF THE STUDY: Analysis of frequency and structure of paternity exclusions in the material collected by the Department of Forensic Medicine, Medical University of Bialystok in 2008-2017. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The paper is based on paternity test reports involving alleged father-child-mother trios. In a total of reviewed 958 cases, 187 exclusions were identified. The analysis was carried out on the basis of the results of DNA tests. DNA extraction was performed using QIAamp DNA Mini Kit (Qiagen) and DNA quantitation using Quantifiler Human DNA Quantification Kit and 7500 Real-Time PCR System (Applied Biosystems). AmpFLSTR Identifiler PCR Amplification Kit and a PCR System 9700 thermal cycler (Applied Biosystems) were used for DNA amplification. RESULTS: Over the analyzed period, the number of paternity tests was nearly halved, whereas the percentage of exclusions in individual years varied significantly (33.9-13.3%), with the average of 26.3%. The highest efficiency of exclusions was observed for D18S51 (0.7166) and FGA (0.7059), and the least effective system was TPOX (0.3048). CONCLUSIONS: The applied set of markers has been demonstrated to be an efficient tool in genetic paternity tests in the context of the recommended rules of exclusion.

The occurrence of killer activity in yeasts isolated from natural habitats.

Yeast's ability to restrict the growth and kill other yeasts, fungi and bacteria has been known for over 50 years. Killer activity was detected in yeasts deposited in the world collections or isolated from natural habitats. In this study, isolates from the forest environment, leaves of fruit trees, flower petals, cereals and frozen fruit have been screened in terms of their killer activities. Killer activity was tested on strains belonging to six yeast species: Candida, Rhodotorula, Pichia, Pachysolen, Yarrowia, Trichosporon. The reference strains were Kluyveromyces lactis Y-6682 and Kluyveromyces marxinanus Y-8281, well-known to be sensitive to yeast killer toxins. Among one hundred and two tested strains, 24 (23.5% of isolates) showed positive killer action, and 10 (9.8% of the isolates) a weak killer action against at least one sensitive reference strain. The highest killer activity was observed among isolates from forest soil and flowers.

[Treatment problems of idiopathic arterial pulmonary hypertension--case report]. / Problemy terapii idiopatycznego totniczego nadcisnienia plucnegoski--opis przypadku.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is characterized by elevations in the pulmonary arterial pressure and the vascular resistance in pulmonary placenta. One of the kinds of the pulmonary hypertension is the idiopathic arterial pulmonary hypertension, which etiology is not known. Below we present the case of 51 year old woman with idiopathic arterial pulmonary hypertension. Due to worsening shortness of breath occurring at night and heart palpitations, the noninvasive and invasive diagnostics were conducted. The diagnostics have shown a dilatation of the right atrium and ventricle, widening of the pulmonary vessels with the pressure in the pulmonary artery 108 mmHg, and moderate regurgitation of tricuspid valve and pulmonary artery. In spite of the treatment, increasing right sided heart failure was the cause of patient's further hospitalization. After the introduction of Ambrisentan therapy, her condition has improved. She waited for a lung transplant. The last exacerbation of ascites was probably a result of the cessation of the use of the above mentioned drug. Then there was a sudden cardiac arrest and, despite of the treatment the patient has died.