Optimization of α-L-arabinofuranosidase CcABF on clarification and beneficial active substances in fermented ginkgo kernel juice by artificial neural network and genetic algorithm.

This study aimed at using α-L-arabinofuranosidase CcABF to improve the clarity and active substances in fermented ginkgo kernel juice by artificial neural network (ANN) modeling and genetic algorithm (GA) optimization. A credible three-layer feedforward ANN model was established to predict the optimal parameters for CcABF clarification. The experiments proved the highest transmittance of 89.40% for fermented ginkgo kernel juice with this understanding, which exhibited a 25.56% increase over the unclarified group. With the clarification of CcABF, the antioxidant capacity in juice was enhanced with the increase of total phenolic and flavone contents, and the maximum DPPH and hydroxyl radical scavenging rates were increased by 89.71% and 26.65%, respectively. The contents of toxic ginkgolic acids declined markedly, while the active ingredients of ginkgetin and ginkgolide B showed a modest increase. Moreover, changes in free amino acids and volatile compounds improved the nutritive value and flavor of clarified fermented ginkgo kernel juice.

[Ophthalmic agents during pregnancy]. / Ophthalmika in der Schwangerschaft.

The use of ophthalmic agents during pregnancy and breastfeeding always represents an off-label use. Therefore, the use of drugs must be particularly carefully assessed with respect to the risk-benefit assessment. In this overview the literature databank of the PubMed library, pharmaceutical lists (Red List, Swiss pharmaceutical compendium), guidelines of the specialist societies the German Society of Ophthalmology (DOG), the Swiss Society of Ophthalmology (SOG), the European Glaucoma Society (EGS), the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) and internet portals (embryotox, reprotox) were inspected and recommendations for the use of ophthalmic agents during pregnancy and breastfeeding were derived. More attention should be dedicated to this topic in the specialist societies.

Biochemical characterization of a novel acid-active endopolygalacturonase for pectin depolymerization, pectic-oligomer production, and fruit juice clarification.

Endopolygalacturonases are crucial pectinases known for their efficient and sustainable pectin depolymerization activities. The present study identified a novel gene encoding endopolygalacturonase from an acidic mine tailing metagenome. The putative gene showed a maximum identity of 67.55 % with an uncharacterized peptide sequence from Flavobacterium fluvii. The gene was cloned and expressed in a heterologous host, E. coli. Biochemical characterization of the novel endopolygalacturonase enzyme variant (EPHM) showed maximum activity at 60 °C and at 5.0 pH, while retaining 50 % activity under the temperature and pH range of 20 °C to 70 °C for 6 h, and 3.0 to 10.0 for 3 h, respectively. The enzyme exhibited tolerance to different metal ions. EPHM was characterized for the depolymerization of methylated pectin into pectic oligosaccharides. Further, its utility was established for fruit juice clarification, as endorsed by high transmittance, significant viscosity reduction, and release of reducing sugars in the treated fruit juice samples.

Bioprocess optimization for food-grade cellulolytic enzyme production from sorghum waste in a novel solid-state fermentation bioreactor for enhanced apple juice clarification.

Transforming global agricultural waste into eco-friendly products like industrial enzymes through bioconversion can help address sustainability challenges aligning with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals. Present study explored the production of high-yield food-grade cellulolytic enzymes from Trichoderma reesei MTCC 4876, using a novel media formulation with a combination of waste sorghum grass and cottonseed oil cake (3:1). Optimization of physical and environmental parameters, along with the screening and optimization of media components, led to an upscaled process in a novel 6-L solid-state fermentation (SSF)-packed bed reactor (PBR) with a substrate loading of 200 g. Saturated forced aeration proved crucial, resulting in high fungal biomass (31.15 ± 0.63 mg glucosamine/gm dry fermented substrate) and high yield cellulase (20.64 ± 0.36 FPU/g-ds) and xylanase (16,186 ± 912 IU/g-ds) production at an optimal airflow rate of 0.75 LPM. The PBR exhibited higher productivity than shake flasks for all the enzyme systems. Microfiltration and ultrafiltration of the crude cellulolytic extract achieved 94% and 71% recovery, respectively, with 13.54 FPU/mL activity in the cellulolytic enzyme concentrate. The concentrate displayed stability across wide pH and temperature ranges, with a half-life of 24.5-h at 50 °C. The cellulase concentrate, validated for food-grade safety, complies with permissible limits for potential pathogens, heavy metals, mycotoxins, and pesticide residue. It significantly improved apple juice clarity (94.37 T%) by reducing turbidity (21%) and viscosity (99%) while increasing total reducing sugar release by 63% compared with untreated juice. The study also highlighted the potential use of lignin-rich fermented end residue for fuel pellets within permissible SOx emission limits, offering sustainable biorefinery prospects. Utilizing agro wastes in a controlled bioreactor environment underscores the potential for efficient large-scale cellulase production, enabling integration into food-grade applications and presenting economic benefits to fruit juice industries.

[Fever in rheumatological diseases]. / Fieber bei rheumatologischen Erkrankungen.

Fever is a frequent and important symptom in patients with rheumatological diseases and can be an expression of activity of the underlying rheumatological disease. There is great variability in the incidence of fever as a symptom of the disease between individual diseases. The growing understanding of the molecular signatures of the diseases can help to explain these discrepancies: A genetic overactivation of potently pyrogenic cytokines is the reason why fever is nearly always present in autoinflammatory syndromes. In contrast, fever is less common in polyarthritis and myositis and mostly limited to severe courses of disease. In the diagnostic work-up of fever, frequent differential diagnoses, such as infections, malignancies, side effects of drugs and hypersensitivity reactions should be considered. This article provides an overview of the physiology of the development of fever, describes the relevance of fever in individual rheumatological diseases and proposes a workflow for the clinical clarification of rheumatological patients who present with fever.

Statistical versus neural network-embedded swarm intelligence optimization of a metallo-neutral-protease production: activity kinetics and food industry applications.

An integrated approach involving response surface methodology (RSM) and artificial neural network-ant-colony hybrid optimization (ANN-ACO) was adopted to develop a bioprocess medium to increase the yield of Bacillus cereus neutral protease under submerged fermentation conditions. The ANN-ACO model was comparatively superior (predicted r2 = 98.5%, mean squared error [MSE] = 0.0353) to RSM model (predicted r2 = 86.4%, MSE = 23.85) in predictive capability arising from its low performance error. The hybrid model recommended a medium containing (gL-1) molasses 45.00, urea 9.81, casein 25.45, Ca2+ 1.23, Zn2+ 0.021, Mn2+ 0.020, and 4.45% (vv-1) inoculum, for a 6.75-fold increase in protease activity from a baseline of 76.63 UmL-1. Yield was further increased in a 5-L bioreactor to a final volumetric productivity of 3.472 mg(Lh)-1. The 10.0-fold purified 46.6-kDa-enzyme had maximum activity at pH 6.5, 45-55 °C, with Km of 6.92 mM, Vmax of 769.23 µmolmL-1 min-1, kcat of 28.49 s-1, and kcat/Km of 4.117 × 103 M-1 s-1, at 45 °C, pH 6.5. The enzyme was stabilized by Ca2+, activated by Zn2+ but inhibited by EDTA suggesting that it was a metallo-protease. The biomolecule significantly clarified orange and pineapple juices indicating its food industry application.

A thermostable xylanase hydrolyzes several polysaccharides from Bacillus altitudinis JYY-02 showing promise for industrial applications.

Polysaccharides have attracted immense attention as the largest source of bioactive compounds. Its bioavailability and bioactivity can be improved by utilizing degradation enzymes to reduce their molecular weight and viscosity. In this study, a 654 bp gene encoding xylanase was screened from the genome of Bacillus altitudinis JYY-02 and overexpressed in Escherichia coli Rosetta (DE3). The recombinant xylanase with a molecular weight of 27.98 kDa was purified (11.7-fold) using Ni-NTA affinity chromatography, with a 43.6% final yield. Through molecular docking, Glu, Arg, Tyr, and Trp were found to be the main amino acids involved in the interaction between xylanase and xylobiose. The effects of pH, temperature, metal ions, and substrates on xylanase activity were determined, and the results showed that the highest catalytic activity was displayed at pH 6.5, 50 °C temperature, with Cu2+ as an activator and xylan as the substrate. The Km (substrate concentration that yields a half-maximal velocity) and Vmax (maximum velocity) of recombinant xylanase were 6.876 mg/mL and 10984.183 µmol/mg∙pr/min, respectively. The recombinant xylanase was thermostable, with 85% and 39% of the enzymatic activity retained after 1 h at 60 °C and 1 h at 90 °C, respectively. The recombinant xylanase demonstrated a significant clarifying effect on fruit juices.

Efficient and scalable clarification of Orf virus from HEK suspension for vaccine development.

The Orf virus (ORFV) is a promising vector platform for the generation of vaccines against infectious diseases and cancer, highlighted by its progression to clinical testing phases. One of the critical steps during GMP manufacturing is the clarification of crude harvest because of the enveloped nature and large size of ORFV. This study presents the first description of ORFV clarification process from a HEK suspension batch process. We examined various filter materials, membrane pore sizes, harvest timings, and nuclease treatments. Employing the Ambr® crossflow system for high-throughput, small-volume experiments, we identified polypropylene-based Sartopure® PP3 filters as ideal. These filters, used in two consecutive stages with reducing pore sizes, significantly enhanced ORFV recovery and addressed scalability challenges. Moreover, we demonstrated that the time of harvest and the use of a nuclease play a decisive role to increase ORFV yields. With these findings, we were able to establish an efficient and scalable clarification process of ORFV derived from a suspension production process, essential for advancing ORFV vaccine manufacturing.

Healthcare professionals' attitudes towards the termination of pregnancy: a qualitative analysis of survey data in Northern Ireland.

Abortion was decriminalised in Northern Ireland in October 2019. Following decriminalisation, the new regulations set out legal provision for abortion up until 12 weeks, with conditions thereafter. This cross-sectional descriptive survey, conducted in late 2019 in Northern Ireland, gathered the views of health professionals on decriminalisation, and their willingness to provide abortion services. This article provides a thematic analysis of answers to narrative questions from the online survey, and identifies priority areas of engagement with healthcare professionals. We assess how healthcare professional roles and responsibilities, abortion procedures, the foetus, and women and pregnant people were discursively constructed by respondents who are willing or unwilling to provide abortion services in Northern Ireland. We identify a narrow understanding of 'harm', and gendered norms of women as irresponsible or duplicitous, as inhibitory factors to the normalisation of abortion services in Northern Ireland.

Immobilization of Enological Pectinase on Magnetic Sensitive Polyamide Microparticles for Wine Clarification.

The use of free pectinases as clarification biocatalysts constitutes a well-established practice in the large-scale production of various types of wines. However, when in the form of free enzymes, the recovery and reusability of pectinases is difficult if not impossible. To address these limitations, the present study focuses on the noncovalent adsorption immobilization of a commercial pectinolytic preparation onto highly porous polyamide 6 (PA6) microparticles, both with and without magnetic properties, prepared via activated anionic polymerization. The two pectinase complexes resulting after immobilization underwent comparative activity and kinetic studies, contrasting them with the free enzyme preparation. In comparison with the free enzyme, the PA6-immobilized pectinase complexes exhibited more than double the specific activity toward the pectin substrate. They displayed a slightly higher affinity to the substrate while acting as faster catalysts that were more resistant to inhibition. Furthermore, the immobilized complexes were applied in the clarification process of industrial rosé must, whereby they demonstrated accelerated performance as compared with the free enzyme. Moreover, the PA6-immobilized pectinase biocatalysts offered the potential for three consecutive cycles of reuse, achieving complete rosé must clarification within relevant timeframes in the range of 3-36 h. All these results suggest the potential industrial application of the pectinases noncovalently immobilized upon PA6 microparticles.

Patient values in patient-provider communication about participation in early phase clinical cancer trials: a qualitative analysis before and after implementation of an online value clarification tool intervention.

BACKGROUND: Patients with advanced cancer who no longer have standard treatment options available may decide to participate in early phase clinical trials (i.e. experimental treatments with uncertain outcomes). Shared decision-making (SDM) models help to understand considerations that influence patients' decision. Discussion of patient values is essential to SDM, but such communication is often limited in this context and may require new interventions. The OnVaCT intervention, consisting of a preparatory online value clarification tool (OnVaCT) for patients and communication training for oncologists, was previously developed to support SDM. This study aimed to qualitatively explore associations between patient values that are discussed between patients and oncologists during consultations about potential participation in early phase clinical trials before and after implementation of the OnVaCT intervention. METHODS: This study is part of a prospective multicentre nonrandomized controlled clinical trial and had a between-subjects design: pre-intervention patients received usual care, while post-intervention patients additionally received the OnVaCT. Oncologists participated in the communication training between study phases. Patients' initial consultation on potential early phase clinical trial participation was recorded and transcribed verbatim. Applying a directed approach, two independent coders analysed the transcripts using an initial codebook based on previous studies. Steps of continuous evaluation and revision were repeated until data saturation was reached. RESULTS: Data saturation was reached after 32 patient-oncologist consultations (i.e. 17 pre-intervention and 15 post-intervention). The analysis revealed the values: hope, perseverance, quality or quantity of life, risk tolerance, trust in the healthcare system/professionals, autonomy, social adherence, altruism, corporeality, acceptance of one's fate, and humanity. Patients in the pre-intervention phase tended to express values briefly and spontaneously. Oncologists acknowledged the importance of patients' values, but generally only gave 'contrasting' examples of why some accept and others refuse to participate in trials. In the post-intervention phase, many oncologists referred to the OnVaCT and/or asked follow-up questions, while patients used longer phrases that combined multiple values, sometimes clearly indicating their weighing. CONCLUSIONS: While all values were recognized in both study phases, our results have highlighted the different communication patterns around patient values in SDM for potential early phase clinical trial participation before and after implementation of the OnVaCT intervention. This study therefore provides a first (qualitative) indication that the OnVaCT intervention may support patients and oncologists in discussing their values. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Netherlands Trial Registry: NL7335, registered on July 17, 2018.

Combined Effects of Clarifying Agents Improve Physicochemical, Microbial and Sensorial Qualities of Fresh Indian Gooseberry (Phyllanthus emblica L.) Juice during Refrigerated Storage.

Using clarifying agents is essential in the production of fruit juice. This study utilized gelatin and bentonite as clarifying agents to improve the quality and shelf-life of Indian gooseberry juice (IGBJ). Different treatments were prepared using varying levels of gelatin and bentonite alone or in combination (1.5-2 mg/mL and 1-2 mg/mL, respectively). The untreated IGBJ was used as a control. The results showed the combined treatment of 1.5 mg/mL gelatin and 1 mg/mL bentonite significantly (p ≤ 0.05) improved the transmittance, △E value, total acidity, vitamin C, and antioxidant activity of the IGBJ sample. During storage for 49 days at 4 °C, the quality changes in the IGBJ were minimal with the use of 1.5 mg/mL gelatin and 1 mg/mL bentonite compared to the control (p > 0.05). The treated samples showed no signs of spoilage bacteria, yeast, or mold during cold storage. The combined use of gelatin and bentonite (1.5 mg/mL gelatin and 1 mg/mL bentonite) was found to effectively preserve the sensory quality, bioactivity, and color properties of IGBJ, thereby extending its shelf-life. Thus, gelatin and bentonite can be used as preferred filtering aids for quality and shelf-life extension in the food industry, as they have synergistic effects.

Rewriting the Story of Mid- and Late-Life Family Caregiving: Applying a Narrative Identity Framework.

Family caregivers of older people with health needs often provide long-term, intensive support. Caregivers are, in turn, shaped by these caregiving experiences. According to the narrative identity framework, self-narratives from lived experiences influence self-beliefs and behaviors. We assert that family caregiving experiences, filtered through individuals' memory systems as self-narratives, provide substantial scaffolding for navigating novel challenges in late life. Self-narratives from caregiving can guide positive self-beliefs and behaviors, leading to constructive health-focused outcomes, but they also have the potential to guide negative self-beliefs or behaviors, causing adverse consequences for navigating late-life health. We advocate for incorporating the narrative identity framework into existing caregiving stress models and for new programs of research that examine central mechanisms by which caregiving self-narratives guide self-beliefs and behavioral outcomes. To provide a foundation for this research, we outline 3 domains in which caregiving self-narratives may substantially influence health-related outcomes. This article concludes with recommendations for supporting family caregivers moving forward, highlighting narrative therapy interventions as innovative options for reducing the negative consequences of maladaptive caregiving self-narratives.

Accentuating patient values in shared decision-making: A mixed methods development of an online value clarification tool and communication training in the context of early phase clinical cancer trials.

OBJECTIVE: In the shared decision-making (SDM) process for potential early phase clinical cancer trial participation, value clarification is highly recommended. However, exploration and discussion of patient values between patients and oncologists remains limited. This study aims to develop an SDM-supportive intervention, consisting of a preparatory online value clarification tool (OnVaCT) and a communication training. METHODS: The OnVaCT intervention was developed and pilot-tested by combining theoretical notions on value clarification, with interview studies with patients and oncologists, focus groups with patient representatives and oncologists, and think aloud sessions with patients, following the Medical Research Council (MRC) framework for complex interventions. These human-centered methodologies enabled a user-centered approach at every step of the development process of the intervention. RESULTS: This study shows relevant patient values and oncologists' perspectives on value exploration and discussion in daily practice. This has been combined with theoretical considerations into the creation of characters based on real-life experiences of patients in the OnVaCT, and how the tool is combined with a communication training for oncologists to improve SDM.

Alteration of volatile profiles in heat-sterilized cloudy muskmelon juice as affected by pectin fractions.

BACKGROUND: Flavor is considered as a key quality attribute of fruit juice affecting consumer acceptance. During processing, the flavor loss of cloudy juice always occurs due to the variations of juice cloud particles. Pectin, a major component of cloud particles, plays an important role in cloud stability. In this work, we focused on the effects of variation of three pectin fractions caused by gentle centrifugation and clarification on the physicochemical properties, volatile content and sensory profile of heat-sterilized muskmelon cloudy juice. RESULTS: Centrifugation treatment reduced the total soluble solids and viscosity of cloudy juice and increased cloud stability. With centrifugation increased, the contents of most monosaccharides in the three pectin fractions were reduced. Most aroma-active aldehydes and alcohols, such as (2E,6Z)-nonadienal, 1-octen-3-ol and (E)-non-2-enal, after gentle centrifugation and clarification, were maintained, but most esters were decreased. The volatile compositions were highly related to the three pectin fractions. The addition of chelator-soluble pectin and sodium carbonate-soluble pectin could decrease the formation of dimethyl trisulfide and dimethyl disulfide in clarified juice, thereby improving the sensory profile. CONCLUSION: The results suggested that endogenous chelator-soluble pectin and sodium carbonate-soluble pectin can be used in heat-sterilized fruit juice to improve flavor quality, with an emphasis on a significant reduction in volatile sulfur compounds. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Concentration of clarified pool by single-pass tangential flow filtration to improve productivity of protein A capture step: Impact of clarification strategies.

Protein A capture chromatography remains a high-cost and relatively low-productivity step for downstream processing of monoclonal antibodies. As bioprocessing transitions toward intensified processes, maximizing the efficiency of individual steps is key to achieving economic targets. This study was performed to assess the impact of inline concentration of clarified cell culture fluid (CCF), using single-pass tangential flow filtration, on protein A chromatography purification productivity. CCF with varying levels of impurities and turbidity were obtained dependent upon the clarification method. These CCFs were concentrated and processed over a protein A capture step. Productivity increases of 1.8- to 2.6-fold were achieved as compared to a protein A capture step with no CCF concentration. Achieving such targeted improvements requires careful consideration of the multiple components in the clarification strategy before implementation.

'Vaccine as a cheat sheet': a metaphor gone awry on Facebook.

COVID-19 vaccine-related conspiracy narratives skyrocketed in social media in the first year of the pandemic. Science communicators have tried to debunk false information as did Vlad Mixich, a Romanian public health expert, who tried to explain on Facebook why the vaccine cannot modify the human DNA. Drawing on the literature on metaphor as a discourse phenomenon, this paper uses a discourse-led approach to metaphor analysis to identify and analyze the metaphors used by Mixich to explain how vaccines work and the mRNA technology underlying the COVID-19 vaccine. A particular metaphor is then given special attention: 'vaccine as a cheat sheet'. The author of the Facebook post seems to use this metaphor deliberately both to clarify vaccine-related information and to mock people susceptible to false information about the vaccine. This paper shows that while the 'cheating' metaphor simplifies abstract knowledge and allows the audience to engage with a complex topic, it also has potential to amplify vaccine-related polarization.

The meaning of preparedness for informal caregivers of older adults: A concept analysis.

AIM: To examine the concept of preparedness over time in research with informal caregivers of older adults. DESIGN: Concept analysis. METHODS: Rodgers' evolutionary method of concept analysis was used to guide this theoretical paper due to the dynamic nature of preparedness, which is influenced by both context and time. Using Rodgers' inductive approach, concept elements were derived from a content analysis of included studies. In the final step, to generate hypotheses and implications regarding the concept, the conceptual structure of preparedness of informal caregivers of older adults was connected to a theoretical problem in the nursing discipline using the Caregiving Stress Process Framework. DATA SOURCES: Four databases (EBSCO CINAHL, Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid PsycINFO and Scopus) were searched in November 2022 and updated in September 2023. No date limits were set for searching, as the intent was to analyse possible variations of the concept over time. RESULTS: The attributes of preparedness include self-confidence, having knowledge, skills and abilities to perform daily tasks, handling emotions and developed over time. These attributes can be compared with the stressors outlined in the Caregiving Stress Process Framework (i.e., the moment the caregiver identifies some 'stressor'; something that prevents them from feeling confident in their preparedness). CONCLUSION: The concept of preparedness of informal caregivers of older adults is defined as caregiver's self-confidence about their current competence related to the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform daily tasks, and to handle emotions over time. To link the concept to a theoretical perspective, we propose adaptations to a well-known theory, the Caregiving Stress Process Framework. Future research on caregiving preparedness needs to avoid circular definitions and work with the attributes of preparedness to support caregivers. IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PROFESSION AND/OR PATIENT CARE: This paper contributes to the development of interventions that focus on the health and preparedness of informal caregivers of older adults. Clarifying the concept of preparedness helps nurses to support caregivers since it is then known which aspects are included in the preparedness of caregivers (e.g., daily tasks and handling emotions). A more fulsome understanding of preparedness supports us to see beyond stressors of caregiving. IMPACT: This study addresses informal caregivers of older adults' preparedness to provide care. We synthesized existing definitions that have been used in research with this population to propose a robust conceptualization of the concept of preparedness, which contributes to better understanding of how preparedness can be supported. REPORTING METHOD: We were unable to locate a reporting method related to this kind of work (concept analysis). PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: Not applicable as no new data generated.

Using digital platforms to promote a healthcare provider community of practice for abortion care in Uganda.

BACKGROUND: A community of practice (CoP) is defined as a group of people who share a concern, set of problems, or a passion about a topic, and who deepen their knowledge and expertise by interacting on an ongoing basis. The paper presents a case study on the design, implementation and management of a CoP. The objective is to share experiences, opportunities, challenges and lessons learnt in using digital platforms for clinical mentorships to establish a CoP that promotes enhanced service provision of abortion care. METHODS: We employed competence-based training and ongoing virtual mentorship for abortion care, employing the abortion harm reduction model, and using several digital platforms to create and nurture community of practice for abortion care. Using the Capability-Opportunity-Motivation for Behavior (COM-B) model and textual data analysis, we evaluated the performance of the CoP as a tool to support abortion care, using data from in-depth interviews and information shared on the platforms. The data was analyzed by thematic analysis using text data analytical approach. RESULTS: CoPs have much unrealized potential for networking to improve abortion care, as they are more inclusive, interactive and equalizing than typical webinars, yet less expensive and can complement (though not replace) physical mentorships. CoPs' focus on sharing best practices and creating new knowledge to advance professional practice, faces challenges of maintaining regular interaction on an ongoing basis. CoP members need to share a passion for their practice and mutual trust is key to success. CONCLUSION: Though it faced initial challenges of connectivity, and limited interaction, the CoP approach using digital platforms promoted shared experiences, personal connections, communication, collaboration and application of knowledge for improved abortion care.