Analyzing the Effects of Rapid and Natural Cooling Techniques on the Quality of Hand-Shaken Green Tea Beverages.

This study compared the quality of hand-shaken green tea prepared through rapid and natural cooling methods. Cooling is crucial in preserving green tea's flavor, aroma, and nutritional components. In the rapid cooling method, green tea is freshly brewed at an initial temperature of 95 °C for 25 min, and then rapidly cooled to 18 °C for 25 min. Conversely, the natural cooling method involves brewing tea at the same initial temperature and time, but allowing it to cool gradually to 30 °C over approximately 4-5 h at room temperature. This study's findings indicate that the rapid cooling method produced green tea with a more vibrant color and improved clarity versus the natural cooling method. Sensory analysis revealed that the taste and aroma of the hand-shaken green tea prepared using rapid cooling were perceived to be more refreshing and invigorating. However, the natural cooling method preserved a higher level of chemical components, including individual catechin caffeine, total polyphenol, soluble solids, reducing sugar, and total tannins. The essential amino acid content of the rapidly and naturally cooled green tea infusions was 6.85 and 13.55 µg/mL, respectively. The γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) content was 439.82 and 457.31 µg/mL, respectively. This study's findings suggest that rapid cooling during the preparation of hand-shaken green tea enhances its overall quality. The vibrant color, improved clarity, refreshing taste, and invigorating aroma make it a preferable choice for tea enthusiasts who seek an enhanced sensory experience and excellent quality.

The Bioactive Compound Contents and Potential Protective Effects of Royal Jelly Protein Hydrolysates against DNA Oxidative Damage and LDL Oxidation.

In this study, the inhibition of DNA oxidative damage and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation of royal jelly protein (RJP) hydrolysates obtained from two commercial proteases were investigated. The results showed that the inhibition of DNA oxidative damage induced by the Fenton reaction, RJP, RJPs hydrolyzed by alcalase (RJP-A), RJPs hydrolyzed by flavourzyme (RPJ-F) and RJP two-stage hydrolysates (RPJ-AF) all had the effect of inhibiting deoxyribose oxidative damage. The inhibition effect of RJP, RJP-A, RJP-F and RJP-AF (1.0 mg/mL) were 47.06%, 33.70%, 24.19% and 43.09%, respectively. In addition, studies have also found that both RJP and RJP hydrolysates can reduce the production of 8-OH-2'-dG and the order of its inhibitory ability is RJP-AF ≒ RJP-A > RJP-F > RJP. The inhibition of DNA damage induced by bleomycin-Fe3+/ascorbic acid (Asc) with the addition of RJP, RJP-A, RPJ-F and RPJ-AF were 17.16%, 30.88%, 25.00% and 37.25%, respectively. The results of LDL oxidation inhibition showed that RJP-AF (1 mg/mL) not only had the most effective inhibitory Cu2+-induced LDL oxidation to produce a thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) but also extended the lag time of conjugated diene formation to 300 min, which was 3.3 times that of the control group.

Chromium-induced skin damage among Taiwanese cement workers.

Little research has been done on the relationships between chromium exposure, skin barrier function, and other hygienic habits in cement workers. Our purpose was to investigate chromium-induced skin barrier disruption due to cement exposure among cement workers. One hundred and eight cement workers were recruited in this study. Urinary chromium concentration was used to characterize exposure levels. The biological exposure index was used to separate high and low chromium exposure. Transepidermal water loss (TEWL) was used to assess the skin barrier function. TEWL was significantly increased in workers with high chromium exposure levels than those with low chromium exposure levels (p = 0.048). A positive correlation was also found between urinary chromium concentration and TEWL (R = 0.28, p = 0.004). After adjusting for smoking status and glove use, a significant correlation between urinary chromium concentrations and TEWL remained. Moreover, workers who smoked and had a high chromium exposure had significantly increased TEWL compared to nonsmokers with low chromium exposure (p = 0.01). Skin barrier function of cement workers may have been disrupted by chromium in cement, and smoking might significantly enhance such skin barrier perturbation with chromium exposure. Decreased chromium skin exposure and smoking cessation should be encouraged at work.

(Azido-κN){(E)-2-[1-(pyridin-2-yl)ethyl-idene-amino]-phenolato-κ(3) N,N',O}copper(II).

In the title complex, [Cu(C13H11N2O)(N3)], the Cu(II) cation is four-coordinated by an N2O donor set of the tridentate Schiff base ligand and by the terminal N atom of the azide anion, forming a slightly distorted square-planar configuration.

{5,5'-Dihydroxy-2,2'-[(2-hydroxypropane-1,3-diyl)bis(nitrilomethanylyli-dene)]diphenolato}nickel(II) dihydrate.

In the title complex, [Ni(C17H16N2O5)]·2H2O, the Ni(II) ion is four-coordinated by two azomethine N and two phenolato O atoms of the tetradentate Schiff base ligand in a slightly distorted square-planar geometry. In the six-membered ring containing the metal, the azomethine N atoms and the three C atoms of the connecting 1,3-di-amino-propane-2-ol, all atoms except the metal are disordered over two sets of sites with an occupacy ratio of 0.566 (3):0.434 (3). The central C atom of the major component is significantly out of the mean plane of the remaing atoms while the conformation of this ring in the minor component is noticeably different. In the crystal, O-H⋯O hydrogen bonds involving the lattice water mol-ecules and the hy-droxy groups are observed.

Di-aqua-{2,2'-dimeth-oxy-6,6'-[(1E,1'E)-propane-1,3-diylbis(aza-nylyl-idene)bis-(methanylyl-idene)]diphenolato}nickel(II).

In the mol-ecule of the title compound, [Ni(C19H20N2O4)(H2O)2], the central Ni(II) ion lies on a mirror plane and is surrounded by an N2O4 coordination set in the form of a distorted octa-hedron defined by the O atoms of two water mol-ecules and by two phenolic O and two imine N atoms of the tetra-dentate Schiff base ligand. In the crystal, O-H⋯O hydrogen bonds between the water mol-ecules and the phenolic and meth-oxy O atoms of neighbouring mol-ecules lead to the formation of rods propagating parallel to [100].

Dichlorido{N'-[(pyridin-2-yl)methyl-idene-κN]acetohydrazide-κN',O}copper(II).

In the title compound, [CuCl(2)(C(8)H(9)N(3)O)], the Cu(II) atom has a distorted square-pyramidal CuCl(2)N(2)O coordination geometry. The tridentate acetohydrazide ligand occupies three basal positions, the fourth basal position being defined by a chloride anion at a distance of 2.2116 (6) Å. The second chloride anion is in the apical position and forms a longer Cu-Cl distance of 2.4655 (7) Å. Inter-molecular N-H⋯Cl hydrogen bonds are present in the crystal, leading to the formation of chains along [10[Formula: see text]].

{N'-[1-(2-Pyrid-yl)ethyl-idene-κN]benzo-hydrazidato-κN',O}{N'-[1-(2-pyrid-yl)ethyl-idene-κN]benzohydrazide-κN',O}copper(II) trichloro-acetate.

In the title complex, [Cu(C(14)H(13)N(3)O)(C(14)H(12)N(3)O)](CCl(3)COO), the central Cu(II) ion exhibits a distorted octa-hedral geometry with the two ligands coordinating in an meridional format. The N(4)O(2) ligand environment is defined by two benzoyl O atoms, two pyridyl N atoms and imino N atoms. As evidenced by the bond lengths, the two benzohydrazone ligands exist in distinctively different forms, one of them as a regular neutral ligand and the other as an anionic enolate arising from deprotonation. The much longer Cu-O bond and longer Cu-N bond lengths in the neutral benzohydrazone ligand imply weak ligation in comparison with the anionic enolate form. The acute angles of the five-membered rings cause a significant deviation from a regular octa-hedral geometry.

Occupational hand dermatitis among cement workers in Taiwan.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Occupational dermatitis among cement workers is a major occupational health concern. The two most important occupational hazards for cement workers are irritant and allergic cement contact dermatitis. The objective of this study was to investigate the severity of occupational cement contact dermatitis and the common allergens among cement workers in Taiwan. METHODS: A total of 97 cement workers from the Cement Workers' Association of Tainan City and County participated in this study. A structured questionnaire was used to evaluate the demographic data and work-related activities of these cement workers. A complete skin examination was conducted, and skin manifestations were assessed by a dermatologist. Allergens from European Standard Tray (Chemotechnique Diagnostic AB, Sweden) with a total of 25 substances were used for patch testing. RESULTS: Our results showed that 65 out of 97 cement workers were suffering from occupational cement hand contact dermatitis. The most affected skin area was the hand. Thickening of the dorsal surface of the hand, especially around the metacarpophalangeal joint area, and hyperkeratosis of the palm were the major skin manifestations. The results of the patch test showed that 24 out of 97 were allergic to potassium dichromate, nine were allergic to thiuram mix, nine were allergic to fragrance mix and seven were allergic to cobalt chloride. The final diagnosis, based on the results of the skin examination and the patch test, showed that 43 of 97 cement workers had irritant cement contact dermatitis and 22 had allergic cement contact dermatitis. CONCLUSION: We conclude that occupational cement hand dermatitis among cement workers is an important and severe issue in Taiwan, and the most common allergens among cement workers are potassium dichromate, thiuram mix, fragrance mix and cobalt chloride. The high positive rate of chromium hypersensitivity among cement workers reflects the urgency to regulate the addition of ferrous sulfate to cement in Taiwan.

A potential site for trapping photogenerated holes on rutile TiO(2) surface as revealed by EPR spectroscopy: an avenue for enhancing photocatalytic activity.

Rutile TiO(2) nanoparticles with new sites for effectively trapping photogenerated holes have been prepared by reacting the TiO(2) nanoparticles prepared in hydrogen atmosphere with molecular oxygen at elevated temperatures. The observed g values and the occurrence of (47)Ti and (49)Ti octet hyperfine pattern allowed us to assign this EPR active center to surface oxygen centered anion radical with two coordinating titaniums. The effective trapping of photogenerated holes by these new sites inhibits the electron-hole recombination and results in an enhanced photocatalytic activity under visible light by a factor of 2.5 compared with samples prepared parallel in air. Oxidation of reduced TiO(2) apparently is a simple low-cost and promising route for improving the photoactivity of TiO(2).

Effect of hand dermatitis on the total body burden of chromium after ferrous sulfate application in cement among cement workers.

BACKGROUND: Ferrous sulfate (FeSO(4)) added to cement has been used to reduce the prevalence of dermatitis in workers. However, the effect of dermatitis on the total uptake of chromium in cement with or without FeSO(4) has not been previously explored. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to compare the urinary chromium levels before and after FeSO(4) addition among cement workers with or without hand dermatitis. METHODS: Thirty-five male workers were recruited in this study for two consecutive years: 2003 without using FeSO(4) and 2004 after adding FeSO(4). Urinary chromium was used as a biomarker to estimate the total body burden of chromium. RESULTS: Urinary chromium concentration showed significant decreases after FeSO(4) was used, and a larger decrease of urinary chromium was observed in workers with hand dermatitis than for those without hand dermatitis. Moreover, a significant decrease of urinary chromium was observed in workers with hand dermatitis in both 2003 and 2004. CONCLUSION: FeSO(4) decreases the total body burden of chromium, especially in workers with severe and continuous hand dermatitis.

The total body burden of chromium associated with skin disease and smoking among cement workers.

BACKGROUND: Hand eczema and other skin diseases have been associated with the exposure of chromium among cement workers. Studies on skin disease and other factors associated with the body burden of chromium are limited. OBJECTIVE: The present study investigated the role of skin disease and smoking in the association with body burden of chromium among cement workers. METHODS: Forty-five workers (38 men and 7 women) were recruited for this study and interviewed to obtain information on demographic status, lifestyle, employment history, and affecting factors. Urine samples were collected to measure the urinary chromium concentration to represent the body burden of chromium. RESULTS: The average urinary chromium concentration was approximately 6 times higher in non-smoking workers with hand eczema than in non-smoking workers with no skin disease (45.5 vs. 7.6 microg/L). The average chromium level increase to 87.0 microg/L for smokers with the disease. Compared with workers with no hand eczema, the odds ratio of having urinary chromium concentration exceeding the biological exposure index level significantly increased to 11.6 (95% CI=1.3-102.2) for non-smoking workers with skin disease, and to 48.0 (95% CI=4.5-510.8) for smoking workers with skin disease. The multiple regression analysis showed that the use of gloves may reduce significantly the chromium exposure. CONCLUSIONS: Inadequate protection and personal behavior increase the internal dose of chromium in cement workers. Total body burden of chromium are higher among cement workers with skin disease and smoking habit. These workers deserve intervention education on personal hygiene to reduce the exposure of chromium.

Microwave-assisted acid hydrolysis of toluene diamine conjugates in urine samples for biomarkers in toluene diisocyanate analysis.

Toluene diamines (TDAs) in urine have been used widely to determine the amount of toluene diisocyanate (TDI) absorbed by humans. Conventional hydrolysis to prepare a sample of urine takes approximately 16h. An attempt is made to apply microwave-assisted heating (MAH) to reduce the duration of analysis. Urine collected from rats exposed to a mixture of 2,4- and 2,6-TDI was diluted with non-exposed human urine 1/1250-, 1/500- and 1/250-fold. The urine samples were hydrolyzed by both conventional heating and MAH. The hydrolysis efficiency obtained using MAH significantly exceeded that obtained using conventional heating. Hydrolysis by MAH required only 20min, 48 times faster than with conventional heating. The use of the MAH method in hydrolysis was demonstrated to be reproducible, timesaving and efficient technique in measuring the concentration of urinary TDAs.