Survival Analysis to Predict How Color Influences the Shelf Life of Strawberry Leather.

Color change of fruit-based products during storage is an important quality parameter to determine their shelf life. In this study, a combination of relative humidity (RH) and illumination was evaluated on the stability of strawberry leathers. Samples were conditioned at 25 °C, in chambers with RH of 22.5% and 52.3% and under two levels of illumination (no illumination and with a light-emitting diode (LED) illumination at 1010 lx). Samples were analyzed during storage by instrumental color measurements, total anthocyanin content, and consumers' acceptance/rejection of the product color. Current-status survival analysis was performed to estimate the sensory-based shelf-life of the strawberry leather. The chromatic parameters (a* and ΔE* values) and anthocyanin content changed with increasing storage time and RH, fitting a first-order fractional conversion model. Samples conditioned at the higher RH showed a higher reduction of a* values and anthocyanins losses when stored under LED illumination than those without illumination. The increase of RH resulted in a faster increase of the consumer rejection probability and a shorter shelf life of the strawberry leather. For 50% of consumers' rejection, the sensory shelf life of the strawberry leather equilibrated at 22.5% RH was estimated as at least 54 days, while it was reduced to approximately 2 days at 52.3% RH. The red chromatic parameter (a* value) strongly correlated to the percentage of consumer rejection in all storage conditions, suggesting that this analytical parameter can be useful as a predictor of strawberry leather's shelf life. Therefore, the results of this study show the applicability of an approach that integrates instrumental and sensory data to acquire faster information on color changes during the storage of strawberry leather and product shelf-life prediction.

Spectrum crispness sensory scale correlation with instrumental acoustic high-sampling rate and mechanical analyses.

Mechanical and acoustical instrumental tests can help to predict and compare the sensory crispness of food products. This study proposed a method to correlate crispness sensory analyses to instrumental parameters using the standard products of the Spectrum Crispness Sensory Scale. An acoustic system was developed with a high-sampling rate for characterizing food crispness. Force-displacement and acoustic signals were measured during penetration and compression tests of the products in the Spectrum Scale. A band-pass filter suppressed the texture analyzer's engine and gearbox noise. High correlations were obtained between acoustical and sensory parameters in both tests; however, the penetration test better differentiated the products. The high-sampling rate acoustical measurement system was capable of discriminate crispy products, although the trained sensory panel was still more sensitive to small differences.

Crescimento e desenvolvimento infantil em crianças hospitalizadas: atuação do enfermeiro / Child growth and development in hospitalized children: nurse's performance

Objetivo: descrever a experiência sobre a atuação da enfermagem frente aos marcos de desenvolvimento infantil e a orientação aos familiares para o conhecimento e acompanhamento eficaz do desenvolvimento. Metodologia: estudo descritivo de abordagem qualitativa, do tipo relato de experiência, realizado em um Hospital de Referência de uma capital do Nordeste no período de Abril de 2018 durante a disciplina de Saúde da Criança e do Adolescente. Resultados: É essencial a elaboração de ações para o conhecimento e acompanhamento dos pais e cuidadores ao desenvolvimento das crianças para a promoção de um ambiente seguro e suscetível ao estímulo do potencial de cada criança. Conclusão: O enfermeiro é responsável por realizar e orientar os pais e cuidadores a importância do acompanhamento e desenvolvimento infantil. O acompanhamento é primordial para a detecção precoce de atrasos motores, cognitivos ou psicossociais, sendo possível perceber sinais e sintomas com a correta orientação, através do cartão de vacina no qual a criança recebe após o nascimento, e quando bem orientados os pais evitam atrasos ou um diagnostico tardio.

Objective: to describe the experience about nursing performance in relation to child developmental milestones and guidance to family members for knowledge and effective monitoring of development. Methodology: this is a descriptive study of a qualitative approach, type of experience report, carried out in a Reference Hospital of a capital of the Northeast in the period of April 2018 during the discipline of Child and Adolescent Health. Results: it is essential to develop actions for the knowledge and monitoring of parents and caregivers to the development of children to promote a safe environment and susceptible to stimulate the potential of each child. Conclusion: nurses are responsible for conducting and guiding parents and caregivers on the importance of child follow - up and development. Follow-up is essential for the early detection of motor, cognitive or psychosocial delays, and it is possible to perceive signs and symptoms with the correct orientation through the vaccine card that the child receives after birth, and when well-oriented parents avoid delays or a late diagnosis.

Laccase stabilized on ß-D-glucan films on the surface of carbon black/gold nanoparticles: A new platform for electrochemical biosensing.

In this study, (1→3)(1→6)-ß-D-glucan (botryosphaeran) from Botryosphaeria rhodina MAMB-05 was used, for the first time, to immobilize laccase on a carbon black paste electrode modified with gold nanoparticles. The physicochemical characterization of the proposed laccase-biosensor was performed using transmission electron microscopy and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The performance of this novel bio-device was evaluated by choosing hydroquinone as a typical model of a phenolic compound. For hydroquinone determination, experimental variables such as enzyme concentration, pH and operational parameters of the electroanalytical technique were optimized. From square-wave voltammograms, a linear dependence between the cathodic current peak and the hydroquinone concentration was observed within the range 2.00-56.5µmolL-1, with a theoretical detection limit of 0.474µmolL-1. The proposed method was successfully applied to determine hydroquinone in dermatological cream, and samples from biological and environmental niches. The proposed biosensor device presented good selectivity in the presence of uric acid, various inorganic ions, as well as other phenolic compounds, demonstrating the potential application of this biosensing platform in complex matrices. Operational and analytical stability of the laccase biosensor were evaluated, and demonstrated good intra-day (SD=0.3%) and inter-day (SD=3.4%) repeatability and long storage stability (SD=4.9%).

Quality parameters and thermogravimetric and oxidative profile of Muruci oil ( Byrsonima crassifolia L.) obtained by supercritical CO2

Abstract These researches aimed determine the quality parameters, the nutritional profile, and the thermogravimetric and oxidative behavior of Muruci (Byrsonima crassifolia L .) oil obtained by supercritical CO2 extraction. The results showed an average oil yield of 5.50%. The acidity and peroxide values show good quality and conservation standards, according to the Brazilian legislation. The fatty acid profile indicates a predominance of unsaturated fatty acids with levels above 60%, highlighting the presence of fatty acids omega-6 and omega-9. The thermogravimetric curves showed oil stability at temperatures around 200 °C and exothermic peaks characteristic of mass loss close to 250 °C. The data of oxidative induction time determined by the Rancimat method showed thermal oxidative stability of 20.85 h for the oil obtained. The Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopic profile evidenced chemical compounds with predominantly unsaturated structures, confirming its fatty acid profile. Based on the results of the oil analysis, it is possible to recognize the potential of this species in terms of nutritional, functional, and thermo-oxidative stability aspects.

Psicoterapia de casal: ambiguidade na demanda de tratamento e manejo clínico / Couple's psychotherapy: ambiguity in treatment and clinical management / Psicoterapia de pareja: ambigüedad en la demanda del tratamento y manejo clínico

O presente trabalho tem como objetivo investigar a demanda de tratamento em psicoterapia de casal, buscando compreender as repercussões das contradições entre a queixa inicial e as questões latentes na condução do encaminhamento, bem como o manejo clínico necessário diante da ambiguidade do pedido de ajuda. Desenvolvemos uma investigação clínico-qualitativa, a partir de um estudo de caso. O atendimento ocorreu em uma clínica-escola de uma universidade privada da cidade do Rio de Janeiro. A psicoterapia de casal transcorreu em coterapia, durante três meses, com frequência de uma vez por semana, estando em supervisão semanalmente. Verificamos que, muitas vezes, a demanda do casal por tratamento é fortemente ambígua, podendo desencadear impasses para o psicoterapeuta, como intensas inquietações na condução das intervenções terapêuticas e dúvidas na indicação adequada de tratamento.

This study aims to investigate the demand for treatment in couples psychotherapy. It seeks to understand the repercussions of contradicting initial complaints and latent issues in the conduct requiring referral, as well as the necessary clinical management due to the ambiguity in the request for help. We developed a clinical-qualitative investigation, based on a case study. The treatment took place at a private university school-clinic in the city of Rio de Janeiro. The couples psychotherapy occurred in co-therapy, once a week for three months with weekly supervisions. We verified that the couples' demand for treatment is often very ambiguous, which can lead to deadlocks for the psychotherapist, such as intense concerns about the conduct of therapeutic interventions and doubts regarding the recommendations for the adequate treatment.

El presente trabajo tiene como objetivo investigar la demanda de tratamiento en psicoterapia de parejas. Busca comprender las repercusiones de las contradicciones entre la queja inicial y las cuestiones latentes en la orientación del tratamiento, como el manejo clínico necesario ante la ambigüedad de la solicitud de ayuda. Desarrollamos una investigación clínico-cualitativa, basada en un estudio de caso. El caso tuvo lugar en una clínica-escuela de una universidad privada en la ciudad de Rio de Janeiro. La psicoterapia de pareja transcurrió en coterapia, una vez por semana durante tres meses con supervisión semanal. Verificamos que, a menudo, la demanda de la pareja por el tratamiento es fuertemente ambigua, pudiendo desencadenar dificultad al psicoterapeuta, como las preocupaciones intensas sobre la realización de intervenciones terapéuticas y las dudas con respecto a las recomendaciones de tratamiento adecuadas.

Description of the complexity of prescribed medication regimens in primary health care of Ribeirão Preto - SP

Introduction: Pharmacotherapy is the main therapeutic resource for the management of diseases. However, the number of drugs prescribed, dose frequency, and mode of administration can make the treatment more complex and influence treatment outcomes. The aim of this study was to measure the complexity of prescribed medication regimens in primary health care (PHC) services in Ribeirão Preto, Brazil. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 1,009 participants: 889 from primary health units and 120 from family health units in Ribeirão Preto, Brazil. Treatment complexity was assessed using the Medication Regimen Complexity Index (MRCI). Results: MRCI mean scores were 12.5 points (SD = 9.3) and dose frequency was the major contributor to increase the score. The complexity of pharmacotherapy showed a significant correlation with the number of prescribed medications (r = 0.93, p < 0.01), but not with patients' age (r = 0.28, p < 0.01). There is also no difference in complexity between the sexes (p = 0.83) and the types of primary health care service (p = 0.31). An analysis of variance revealed that patients with lower levels of education receive more complex prescriptions (p < 0.01). Conclusions: The pharmacotherapy prescribed in PHC services from Ribeirão Preto, Brazil is complex, and there is a need to concentrate efforts and adopt strategies to simplify drug prescription without compromising patient's clinical status.

Physicochemical and structural characteristics of rice starch modified by irradiation.

This work evaluated the physicochemical and structural properties of rice starch of the cultivars IAC 202 and IRGA 417 modified by irradiation. Starch samples were irradiated by (60)Co in doses 1, 2 and 5kGy, on a rate of 0.4kGy/h. A control not irradiated was used for comparison. The granule morphology and A-type X-ray diffraction pattern were not altered by irradiation. There was an increase in amylose content, carboxyl content and acidity with irradiation. Gamma radiation did not affect the thermal properties of IAC202, but increased gelatinization temperature of IRGA417, in the higher dose (5kGy). The number of long chains of amylopectin was reduced and short chains were increased for IAC202, whereas for IRGA 417, the opposite was observed, probably due to cross-linking of starch chains. Starches had their physicochemical and structural properties modified by irradiation differently.

Effect of heat-moisture treatment on the structural, physicochemical, and rheological characteristics of arrowroot starch.

The effect of heat-moisture treatment on structural, physicochemical, and rheological characteristics of arrowroot starch was investigated. Heat-moisture treatment was performed with starch samples conditioned to 28% moisture at 100 ℃ for 2, 4, 8, and 16 h. Structural and physicochemical characterization of native and modified starches, as well as rheological assays with gels of native and 4 h modified starches subjected to acid and sterilization stresses were performed. Arrowroot starch had 23.1% of amylose and a CA-type crystalline pattern that changed over the treatment time to A-type. Modified starches had higher pasting temperature and lower peak viscosity while breakdown viscosity practically disappeared, independently of the treatment time. Gelatinization temperature and crystallinity increased, while enthalpy, swelling power, and solubility decreased with the treatment. Gels from modified starches, independently of the stress conditions, were found to have more stable apparent viscosities and higher G' and G″ than gels from native starch. Heat-moisture treatment caused a reorganization of starch chains that increased molecular interactions. This increase resulted in higher paste stability and strengthened gels that showed higher resistance to shearing and heat, even after acid or sterilization conditions. A treatment time of 4 h was enough to deeply changing the physicochemical properties of starch.