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Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) allows for analysis of cardiac function and myocardial tissue characterization. Increased left ventricular mass (LVM) is an independent predictor of cardiovascular events; however, the diagnosis of left ventricular hypertrophy and its prognostic value strongly depend on the LVM indexation method. Evaluation of the quantity and distribution of late gadolinium enhancement assists in clinical decisions on diagnosis, cardiovascular assessment, and interventions, including the placement of cardiac implantable electronic devices and the choice of an optimal procedural approach. Novel CMR techniques, such as T1 and T2 mapping, may be used for the longitudinal follow-up of myocardial fibrosis and myocardial edema or inflammation in different groups of patients, including patients with systemic sclerosis, myocarditis, cardiac sarcoidosis, amyloidosis, and both ischemic and non-ischemic cardiomyopathy, among others. Moreover, CMR tagging and feature tracking techniques might improve cardiovascular risk stratification in patients with different etiologies of left ventricular dysfunction. This review summarizes the knowledge about the current role of CMR in diagnostics and cardiovascular risk assessment to enable more personalized approach in clinical decision making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Due to their gluten‐free dietary needs, celiac patients cannot find bread with the required texture characteristics. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of psyllium powder in the production of rice‐based, gluten‐free bread rolls. In this case, five different bread rolls were produced by adding different proportions (0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100%) of psyllium powder combinations to bread dough made with rice flour. Moisture and ash content, colour values, volume, symmetry and uniformity indices, textural properties and sensory properties were taken into consideration. It was observed that the addition of psyllium powder gave the bread rolls a spongy structure and decreased the hardness values. As the amount of psyllium powder in the dough formulation increased, darkening in colour and increase in moisture values were observed. In addition, the bread sample psyllium powder and rice flour ratios (1:1) had the largest volume index value (98.67 mm), while the same product received the highest score in SAW techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Egg yolk is a highly effective natural emulsifier used in various food products. Its emulsifying properties are influenced by food product chemical conditions, and processing methods. Nevertheless, to effectively utilize egg yolk in food products, a more comprehensive understanding of these factors is crucial. This review discusses recent developments regarding how factors like pH, ionic strength, thermal treatments, enzymatic treatments, and novel non-thermal treatments affect egg yolk emulsifying properties. It also explores the underlying mechanisms involved in egg yolk emulsification. Food products involve different ingredients leading to varying pH values and ionic strength, which affect egg yolk protein adsorption and emulsion stability. Processing steps like thermal treatment can damage egg yolk proteins, reducing their emulsifying capabilities and leading to unstable products. Incorporating sugar, salt, and amino acids can enhance egg yolk's resistance to heat and preserve its ability to form stable emulsions. As an alternative to thermal treatment, non-thermal techniques such as high-pressure processing and high-intensity ultrasound can be employed to preserve egg yolk. Furthermore, forming egg yolk–polysaccharide complexes can enhance egg yolk emulsifying properties. These advancements have facilitated the creation of egg yolk-based products such as high internal phase Pickering emulsions (HIPEs), low-fat mayonnaise, and egg yolk gels. A comprehensive understanding of the emulsifying mechanisms and factors involved in egg yolk will be instrumental in improving food quality and creating novel egg yolk-based products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The bat algorithm (BA) has emerged as a promising meta-heuristic approach, demonstrating its efficiency in tackling diverse optimization problems across the areas such as engineering design, issues with economic load dispatch, power and energy systems, image processing, and medicinal applications. Due to its potential to increase grid resilience, decrease greenhouse gas emissions, and increase energy efficiency, the incorporation of distributed generation (DG) into contemporary power systems has drawn a lot of interest. This paper presents technique for the optimal allocation of DG units, aiming to address existing challenges and improve the overall performance of the power system. The proposed BA technique combines advanced optimization algorithms with comprehensive power system modelling to identify the optimal locations and capacities for DG installation. Key factors are taken into account to formulate a multi-objective optimization problem that includes minimizing power losses, enhancing voltage stability, and minimizing the environmental impact while considering economic feasibility. The algorithm is applied on standard IEEE 33 and 69 bus systems as test cases and a result has been discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Egg yolk is a highly effective natural emulsifier used in various food products. Its emulsifying properties are influenced by food product chemical conditions, and processing methods. Nevertheless, to effectively utilize egg yolk in food products, a more comprehensive understanding of these factors is crucial. This review discusses recent developments regarding how factors like pH, ionic strength, thermal treatments, enzymatic treatments, and novel non-thermal treatments affect egg yolk emulsifying properties. It also explores the underlying mechanisms involved in egg yolk emulsification. Food products involve different ingredients leading to varying pH values and ionic strength, which affect egg yolk protein adsorption and emulsion stability. Processing steps like thermal treatment can damage egg yolk proteins, reducing their emulsifying capabilities and leading to unstable products. Incorporating sugar, salt, and amino acids can enhance egg yolk’s resistance to heat and preserve its ability to form stable emulsions. As an alternative to thermal treatment, non-thermal techniques such as high-pressure processing and high-intensity ultrasound can be employed to preserve egg yolk. Furthermore, forming egg yolk–polysaccharide complexes can enhance egg yolk emulsifying properties. These advancements have facilitated the creation of egg yolk-based products such as high internal phase Pickering emulsions (HIPEs), low-fat mayonnaise, and egg yolk gels. A comprehensive understanding of the emulsifying mechanisms and factors involved in egg yolk will be instrumental in improving food quality and creating novel egg yolk-based products.

Vaccines are major disease-controlling tools in human and animal practices. Vaccination controlled or even eradicated a long list of diseases worldwide. Classic viral vaccines are usually composed of live or inactivated whole viruses and have been produced for many years. However, they are unsuccessful, especially in persistent infections, fast-evolving viruses, complex and compound antigens, and emerging agents. Novel vaccine development technologies such as DNA, protein, or viral vector vaccines have revolutionized vaccine development and opened a new horizon for study and research in vaccine research and production vision. Newly-developed vaccines, or even most traditional ones, are based on new technologies, especially in human diseases where cost and complications in production can be ignored. However, in animal health, especially for commercial poultry production, the cost of development, simplicity, and mass application of large-scale production cannot be overlooked. In recent years, the significance of producing novel vaccines has been highlighted in parallel with technological advancement, especially with emerging novel variants of infectious bronchitis viruses--serious poultry pathogens for years. In this review, we will introduce some studies on novel vaccine development techniques and investigate the results of those vaccines in the protection of chickens and their clinical outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant by-products being cost effective, readily available and potential source of various bioactive compounds coupled with non-extractable polyphenols are increasingly gaining attention among consumers. Rice bran, a by-product produced after milling rice kernels possess numerous health benefits due to its high nutritional value, in addition to be highly used as animal feed. Rice bran also is a rich source of dietary fiber, sterols, vitamins and various antioxidants. The present review is focused on the different types of bioactive compounds, chemical and nutritional constituents present in rice bran. Potential health benefits and biological activities of rice bran such as treatment against diabetes, cancer, inflammation have been emphasized. Various processing techniques of rice bran like ohmic heating, microwave heating, infrared heating, acid treatment and extrusion are also discussed in detail. Rice bran have the potential to be used in food sector as bioactive compound carrier, flavor enhancer, oil extraction, emulsifying agent, foaming agent and protein stabilizer.

Saffron is considered as most prominent food product used in medicine, flavouring and colouring substances due to its bioactive compounds that have health-boosting characteristics. Saffron has been cultivated to get flower and obtain metabolites from dried stigma. The main phytochemicals found in saffron are picrocrocin, safranal, kaempferol, phenol, flavonoid, delphinidin and crocetin which shows good bioactivity and antioxidant capacity. However, the quantity and quality of bioactive compounds vary with extraction techniques used. Extraction of bioactive compounds from saffron requires continued searching for extraction technique s that are ecologically and economically feasible. Conventional extraction methods are time-consuming and require a huge quantity of solvents. Therefore, novel extraction techniques have been developed to extract bioactive compounds from saffron, which can decrease the extraction time as well as solvent consumption to improve the extract quality and extraction yield. This review discusses the development of promising techniques for the extraction bioactive compounds from saffron, which could be utilized in the value-added products (food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The incorporation of coral species with massive (e.g., boulder, brain) morphologies into reef restoration is critical to sustain biodiversity and increase coral cover on degraded reef ecosystems. However, fragments and colonies of massive corals outplanted in Miami-Dade County, Florida, US, can experience intense predation by fish within the first week of outplanting, resulting in >70% mortality. Here, we tested for the first time the potential benefit of feeding corals powdered Dictyota, a brown reef alga that is chemically defended against grazing, to determine if exposure to Dictyota can confer chemical protection to coral fragments and reduce the impacts of fish predation after outplanting. We found that feeding corals every 2 to 3 days for 2 months with dried and powdered Dictyota prior to outplanting significantly reduced predation levels on Orbicella faveolata and Montastraea cavernosa fragments (with less than 20% of the fragments experiencing predation up to 1-month postoutplanting). We also found that a single exposure to Dictyota at a high concentration 1 to 2 days prior to outplanting significantly reduced predation for six coral species within the first 24 h following outplanting. Thus, feeding corals dry Dictyota ex situ prior to outplanting appears to confer protection from fish predation during the critical first days to weeks after outplanting when predation impacts are commonly high. This simple and cheap method can be easily scaled up for corals kept ex situ prior to outplanting, resulting in an increase in restoration efficiency for massive corals in areas with high fish predation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The incorporation of coral species with massive (e.g., boulder, brain) morphologies into reef restoration is critical to sustain biodiversity and increase coral cover on degraded reef ecosystems. However, fragments and colonies of massive corals outplanted in Miami-Dade County, Florida, US, can experience intense predation by fish within the first week of outplanting, resulting in >70% mortality. Here, we tested for the first time the potential benefit of feeding corals powdered Dictyota, a brown reef alga that is chemically defended against grazing, to determine if exposure to Dictyota can confer chemical protection to coral fragments and reduce the impacts of fish predation after outplanting. We found that feeding corals every 2 to 3 days for 2 months with dried and powdered Dictyota prior to outplanting significantly reduced predation levels on Orbicella faveolata and Montastraea cavernosa fragments (with less than 20% of the fragments experiencing predation up to 1-month post-outplanting). We also found that a single exposure to Dictyota at a high concentration 1 to 2 days prior to outplanting significantly reduced predation for six coral species within the first 24 h following outplanting. Thus, feeding corals dry Dictyota ex situ prior to outplanting appears to confer protection from fish predation during the critical first days to weeks after outplanting when predation impacts are commonly high. This simple and cheap method can be easily scaled up for corals kept ex situ prior to outplanting, resulting in an increase in restoration efficiency for massive corals in areas with high fish predation.

Banking investment plays a significant role in economic improvement of any country. It is the objective of every investment to get some positive return on expectation of investors. Although there are various banking investment options but people still invest in traditional investment avenues. The paper mainly focuses on Effects on Novel Techniques on Individuals Decision towards Banking Investment options in the Indian Scenario. The study consist sample size of 100 respondents and convenient sampling technique is used. From the findings it can be concluded that out of eight novel features only two Trustworthy securities and Value loyalty benefits has an impact based upon gender category through correlation analysis. It is further tested into regression analysis test with age by these two critical features extracted from the correlation acceptance value. The regression test reveals that these predominant variables of Trustworthy securities and Value loyalty benefits has no impact towards age in the scenario of Indian banking investment platform novel techniques and innovations associated with challenges aspects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Viscosity is a novel parameter, recently introduced in the use of elastographic techniques, correlating to shear-wave dispersion. The purpose of this study was to provide normal reference viscosity values for the peripheral muscles in healthy volunteers. This prospective study included 38 subjects who underwent US examinations between November 2021 and January 2022. Measurements were taken on the calf and the deltoid muscles in both pre- and post-contraction states. The age range was 21–29 years, with a median of 26 years. The SWE and ViPLUS values in the deltoid muscles were significantly higher than in the soleus muscles in both pre- and post-contraction sets (p = 0.002). There were statistically significant differences between the pre- and post-contraction values for both the SWE and ViPLUS values in the subgroup analysis. The ICC estimates and the 95% confidence intervals were based on a mean rating (k = 2), an absolute agreement, and a two-way random-effects model, demonstrating excellent agreement between the measurements taken by the two examiners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Camera traps (CTs), used in conjunction with capture–mark–recapture analyses (CMR; photo‐CMR), are a valuable tool for estimating abundances of rare and elusive wildlife. However, a critical requirement of photo‐CMR is that individuals are identifiable in CT images (photo‐ID). Thus, photo‐CMR is generally limited to species with conspicuous pelage patterns (e.g., stripes or spots) using lateral‐view images from CTs stationed along travel paths. Pumas (Puma concolor) are an elusive species for which CTs are highly effective at collecting image data, but their suitability to photo‐ID is controversial due to their lack of pelage markings. For a wide range of taxa, facial features are useful for photo‐ID, but this method has generally been limited to images collected with traditional handheld cameras. Here, we evaluate the feasibility of using puma facial features for photo‐ID in a CT framework. We consider two issues: (1) the ability to capture puma facial images using CTs, and (2) whether facial images improve human ability to photo‐ID pumas. We tested a novel CT accessory that used light and sound to attract the attention of pumas, thereby collecting face images for use in photo‐ID. Face captures rates increased at CTs that included the accessory (n = 208, χ2 = 43.23, p ≤ .001). To evaluate if puma faces improve photo‐ID, we measured the inter‐rater agreement of 5 independent assessments of photo‐ID for 16 of our puma face capture events. Agreement was moderate to good (Fleiss’ kappa = 0.54, 95% CI = 0.48–0.60), and was 92.90% greater than a previously published kappa using conventional CT methods. This study is the first time that such a technique has been used for photo‐ID, and we believe a promising demonstration of how photo‐ID may be feasible for an elusive but unmarked species.

Camera traps (CTs), used in conjunction with capture–mark–recapture analyses (CMR; photo‐CMR), are a valuable tool for estimating abundances of rare and elusive wildlife. However, a critical requirement of photo‐CMR is that individuals are identifiable in CT images (photo‐ID). Thus, photo‐CMR is generally limited to species with conspicuous pelage patterns (e.g., stripes or spots) using lateral‐view images from CTs stationed along travel paths. Pumas (Puma concolor) are an elusive species for which CTs are highly effective at collecting image data, but their suitability to photo‐ID is controversial due to their lack of pelage markings. For a wide range of taxa, facial features are useful for photo‐ID, but this method has generally been limited to images collected with traditional handheld cameras. Here, we evaluate the feasibility of using puma facial features for photo‐ID in a CT framework. We consider two issues: (1) the ability to capture puma facial images using CTs, and (2) whether facial images improve human ability to photo‐ID pumas. We tested a novel CT accessory that used light and sound to attract the attention of pumas, thereby collecting face images for use in photo‐ID. Face captures rates increased at CTs that included the accessory (n = 208, χ2 = 43.23, p ≤.001). To evaluate if puma faces improve photo‐ID, we measured the inter‐rater agreement of 5 independent assessments of photo‐ID for 16 of our puma face capture events. Agreement was moderate to good (Fleiss' kappa = 0.54, 95% CI = 0.48–0.60), and was 92.90% greater than a previously published kappa using conventional CT methods. This study is the first time that such a technique has been used for photo‐ID, and we believe a promising demonstration of how photo‐ID may be feasible for an elusive but unmarked species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Radioembolization is a well-established treatment for primary and metastatic liver cancer. There is increasing interest in personalized treatment planning supported by dosimetry, as it provides an opportunity to optimize dose delivery to tumor and minimize nontarget deposition, which demonstrably increases the efficacy and safety of this therapy. However, the optimal dosimetry procedure in the radioembolization setting is still evolving; existing data are limited as few trials have prospectively tailored dose based on personalized planning and predominantly semi-empirical methods are used for dose calculation. Since the pretreatment or "scout" procedure forms the basis of dosimetry calculations, an accurate and reliable technique is essential. 99m Tc-MAA SPECT constitutes the current accepted standard for pretreatment imaging; however, inconsistent patterns in published data raise the question whether this is the optimal agent. Alternative particles are now being introduced to the market, and early indications suggest use of an identical scout and treatment particle may be superior to the current standard. This review will undertake an evaluation of the increasingly refined dosimetric methods driving radioembolization practices, and a horizon scanning exercise identifying alternative scout particle solutions. Together these constitute a compelling vision for future treatment planning methods that prioritize individualized care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biofilms are formed by the congregation of one or more types of microorganisms that can grow on a firm surface. Dental plaque is one of the most commonly forming biofilms in the oral cavity and appears as a slimy layer on the surface of the teeth. In general, the formation is slow, but biofilms are very adaptive to the changing environment, and a mature biofilm can cause many health-related problems in humans. These biofilms remain unaffected by antibiotics as they do not allow the penetration of antibiotics. Moreover, the increased level of virulence and antibiotic resistance of microorganisms in the oral biofilm or dental plaque has made its clinical management a serious challenge worldwide. Chlorhexidine-like antimicrobial drugs have been partially effective in removing such organisms; however, the precise and continuous elimination of these microorganisms without disturbing the normal microbial flora of the oral cavity is still a challenge. This review paper focuses on the process of oral biofilm formation, related complications, development of drug-resistant bacteria in these biofilms, and their effective management by the use of different novel techniques, available from various published research and review articles.

We present a novel technology for monitoring changes in aquifer depth using handpump vibration data. This builds on our previous works using data to track handpump usage and facilitate handpump maintenance systems in rural parts of Kenya. Our motivation is to develop a cost-effective and scalable infrastructure to monitor shallow aquifers in regions where handpumps are already part of water infrastructure, but where traditional sources of groundwater monitoring data may be limited or non-existent. The data is generated using accelerometer sensors attached to the handles of nine handpumps in the study site in Kenya, instrumented for a year. These time-series data from handpumps are individually modelled using machine learning methods to track the changes in the water level with respect to the bottom of the rising main. Results show promise in modelling handpump vibration data with machine learning approaches to provide useful aquifer monitoring information from the “accidental infrastructure” of community handpumps. This technology is intended to complement existing hydrogeological modelling, and one of our key future goals is to integrate these machine learning outputs with hydrogeological information to develop more refined and robust models for shallow aquifer monitoring.

Biofilms are formed by the congregation of one or more types of microorganisms that can grow on a firm surface. Dental plaque is one of the most commonly forming biofilms in the oral cavity and appears as a slimy layer on the surface of the teeth. In general, the formation is slow, but biofilms are very adaptive to the changing environment, and a mature biofilm can cause many health-related problems in humans. These biofilms remain unaffected by antibiotics as they do not allow the penetration of antibiotics. Moreover, the increased level of virulence and antibiotic resistance of microorganisms in the oral biofilm or dental plaque has made its clinical management a serious challenge worldwide. Chlorhexidine-like antimicrobial drugs have been partially effective in removing such organisms; however, the precise and continuous elimination of these microorganisms without disturbing the normal microbial flora of the oral cavity is still a challenge. This review paper focuses on the process of oral biofilm formation, related complications, development of drug-resistant bacteria in these biofilms, and their effective management by the use of different novel techniques, available from various published research and review articles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The routine use of evidence-based upper limb rehabilitation interventions after stroke has the potential to improve function and increase independence. Two such interventions are Constraint Induced Movement Therapy and Robot Assisted Therapy. Despite evidence to support both interventions, their use within the National Health Service appears, anecdotally, to be low. We sought to understand user perceptions in order to explain low uptake in clinical practice. Methods: A combination of a cross-sectional online survey with therapists and semi-structured interviews with stroke patients was used to explore uptake and user opinions on the benefits, enablers and barriers to each intervention. Findings: The therapists surveyed reported low use of Constraint Induced Movement Therapy and Robot Assisted Therapy in clinical practice within the Scottish National Health Service. Barriers identified by therapists were inadequate staffing, and a lack of training and resources. Interviews with stroke patients identified themes that may help us to understand the acceptability of each intervention, such as the impact of motivation. Conclusion: Barriers to the uptake of Constraint Induced Movement Therapy and Robot Assisted Therapy within the clinical setting were found to be similar. Further qualitative research should be completed in order to help us understand the role patient motivation plays in uptake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was aimed to determine the influence of dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma with a plasma intensity (20 and 40 kV) and treatment times (0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 min) on the physicochemical, structural and antioxidant properties of bovine serum albumin (BSA) solution. In results, the free sulphydryl content, pH and free amino group contents, while carbonyl groups and surface hydrophobicity were increased after the plasma treatment. After plasma treatment, there is also an increase in the DPPH and FRAP assay that was associated with the changes in the structure of the peptides chain. The complementary techniques were employed to identify the protein structural modifications by plasma treatment. These changes were more severe at the most extended treatment duration and plasma intensity. The high energetic and oxidising species carried by plasma may have significant associations on the structural and physical properties of BSA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In South Africa, bovine tuberculosis threatens some of Africa’s most iconic wildlife species, including the cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus). The lack of antemortem diagnostic tests for this species strongly hinders conservation efforts. We report use of antemortem and postmortem diagnostic assays to detect Mycobacterium bovis infection in a cheetah.

Milk is highly perishable and deteriorates rapidly during storage. Although the thermal processing technologies successfully inactivate many enzymes and microorganisms up to a required level, they can negatively affect the natural flavour of dairy foods and decrease their nutritional value. Alternative nonthermal technologies have been established as an interesting approach to produce safe and healthy dairy products, without compromising their nutritional quality. These techniques have the ability to inactivate milk enzymes without affecting the milk quality. In addition, the combination of two different nonthermal techniques and mild heating has proven to be more effective to provide safety to milk when compared to the treatments alone. This review aims to evaluate the impact of nonthermal technologies, in particular, ultrasound, pulsed electric field, high‐pressure processing and ultraviolet irradiation on milk enzymes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The depletion of fossil fuels and the negative impacts of their extraction and combustion on the environment have encouraged scientists and industrial stakeholders to explore the development of alternative, renewable energy resources such as bio-oil, which can be produced from biomass by fast pyrolysis. The main disadvantages of crude bio-oils derived from fast pyrolysis are their poor quality caused by the presence of water and oxygen compounds, high viscosity, instability during storage, and their low heating value and high acidity (corrosiveness). To overcome these shortcomings and improve the properties of bio-oils, several techniques have been proposed. The present review provides an in-depth survey of recent studies in the field of fast pyrolysis of biomass and bio-oil upgrading. Different methods and various processes, including novel techniques such as those making use of plasma reactor and microwave-assisted approach, the use of algae as biomass, and pyrolysis under supercritical conditions, are reviewed to explore and critically assess the proposed improvements. We also examine recent advances in the field of bio-oil upgrading, focusing on chemical and catalytic processes such as the combination of fast pyrolysis, bio-oil upgrading utilizing zeolite and nonzeolite catalysts, and computational simulation methods. Finally, we assess recent progress in the improvement of the properties of the ultimate product and review the pros and cons of pyrolysis and upgrading techniques for bio-oils. We conclude with a section examining future challenges, perspectives, as well as the commercial feasibility/viability of fast pyrolysis and bio-oil upgrading.Due to energy crisis and environmental issues, biofuel production is inevitable in the near future. In this regard, one of the most significant methods is fast pyrolysis of biomass (lignocellulosic materials such as woody biomass, agricultural waste, and algae) and bio-oil upgrading. Various physical and chemical techniques such as hydrodeoxygenation, in situ and ex situ catalytic upgrading, plasma reactor, and microwave-assisted process are reviewed by taking a look at the challenges and solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Meat, which has an important place in human diet, has brought concerns about safety and economic loses together with its consumption due to the content and composition of its fat, susceptibility to spoilage and food poisonings. In health conscious societies, meat products have gained a negative image because of its link with several diseases, especially cancer. In this review, alternative techniques which could be applied pre- or post-slaughter in order to improve the quality of meat and meat products by providing natural, healthy, more functional, more nutritious and safer products while discharging quality variations, worries and disadvantages conditions are reviewed. Pre-slaughter stage includes quality focused genetic approaches and feeding strategies on live animals. Post slaughter stage deals with obtained meat and novel techniques about its preparations for further processes, processing and packaging steps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Staphylococcus aureus main factors involved in pathogeny are featured. • Novel sensing approaches with a focus on the targets exploited are highlighted. • The performances and practicability of the sensors are evaluated. • Commercial testing tools are discussed together with future strategies. Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is accountable for a wide variety of clinical disease with a high rate of morbidity and mortality around the globe. It has a leading place into the ESKAPE group that includes six pathogens and exhibit multidrug resistance and are the major cause of healthcare associated infections: Enterococcus faecium, S. aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa , and Enterobacter spp. A critical overview regarding the development of sensors for both S. aureus and his, more dangerous alter ego, Methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) was presented focusing on the bacteria targets starting with the detection of the whole cell, up to specific wall components, toxins or other virulence factors. The literature data was systematically assessed having in sight the design of the sensing platforms, the analytical performances, and possible courses of action to be implemented in real practice as point-of-care (POC) devices. Moreover, a distinct section was dedicated to commercially available devices and out of the box approaches, namely the use of bacteriophages as an alternative to antimicrobial therapy and as sensors modifiers. The reviewed sensors and devices were discussed in terms of their suitability for different biosensing applications, in early screening of contamination regarding food analysis, environmental monitoring and in clinical diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The final success of an IVF attempt depends on several steps and decisions taken during the ovarian stimulation, the oocyte retrieval, the embryo culture and the embryo transfer. The final selection of the embryos most likely to implant is the final step in this process and the responsibility of the lab. Apart from strict morphologic criteria that historically have been used in embryo selection, additional information on genetic, metabolomic and morphokinetic characteristics of the embryo is recently combined to morphology to select the embryo most likely to produce a pregnancy. In this manuscript, we review the most recent information on the current methods used for embryo selection presenting the predictive capability of each one. Methods: A literature search was performed on Pubmed, Medline and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews for published studies using appropriate key words and phrases with no limits placed on time. Results: It seems that the combination of morphologic criteria in conjunction to embryo kinetics as documented by time-lapse technology provides the most reliable information on embryo quality. Blastocyst biopsy with subsequent comprehensive chromosome analysis allows the selection of the euploid embryos with the higher implantation potential. Conclusion: Embryo time-lapse imaging and blastocyst biopsy combined to comprehensive chromosome analysis are the most promising technologies to increase pregnancy rates and reduce the possibility of multiple pregnancies. However, further studies will demonstrate the capability of routinely using these technologies to significantly improve IVF outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The diagnosis of celiac disease has long been based on the demonstration of gluten-induced small-bowel mucosal damage. However, due to the constantly increasing disease prevalence and limitations in the histology-based criteria there is a pressure towards more serology-based diagnostics. The serological tools are being improved and new non-invasive methods are being developed, but the constantly refined endoscopic and histologic techniques may still prove helpful. Moreover, growing understanding of the disease pathogenesis has led researchers to suggest completely novel approaches to celiac disease diagnostics regardless of disease activity. In this review, we will elucidate the most recent development and possible future innovations in the diagnostic techniques for celiac disease. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Purpose To investigate the feasibility of high temporal resolution quantitative perfusion imaging of bladder tumors performed simultaneously with conventional multi-phase MR urography (MRU) using a novel free-breathing continuously acquired radial MRI sequence with compressed-sensing reconstruction. Methods 22 patients with bladder lesions underwent MRU using GRASP (Golden-angle RAdial Sparse Parallel) acquisition. Multi-phase contrast-enhanced abdominopelvic GRASP was performed during free-breathing (1.4 × 1.4 × 3.0 mm 3 voxel size; 3:44 min acquisition). Two dynamic datasets were retrospectively reconstructed by combining different numbers of sequentially acquired spokes into each dynamic frame: 110 spokes per frame for 25-s temporal resolution (serving as conventional MRU for clinical interpretation) and 8 spokes per frame for 1.7-s resolution. Using 1.7-s resolution images, ROIs were placed within bladder lesions and normal bladder wall, a femoral artery arterial input function was generated, and the Generalized Kinetic Model was applied. Results Biopsy/cystectomy demonstrated 16 bladder tumors (13 stage ≥ T2, 3 stage ≤ T1) and 6 benign lesions. All lesions were well visualized using 25-s clinical multi-phase images. Using 1.7-s resolution images, K trans was significantly higher in tumors (0.38 ± 0.24) than normal bladder (0.12 ± 0.02 = 8, p < 0.001) or benign lesions (0.15 ± 0.04, p = 0.033). Ratio between K trans of lesions and normal bladder was nearly double for tumors than benign lesions (4.3 ± 3.4 vs. 2.2 ± 1.6), and K trans was nearly double in stage ≥ T2 than stage ≤ T1 tumors (0.44 ± 0.24 vs. 0.24 ± 0.24), although these did not approach significance (p = 0.180–0.209), possibly related to small sample size. Conclusion GRASP allows simultaneous quantitative high temporal resolution perfusion of bladder lesions during clinical MRU examinations using only one contrast injection and without additional scan time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review examines methods for culling small numbers of poultry on farm, considering both common techniques and methods that are yet to be tested on poultry. The aim of this review is to inform the design of experiments that will assess the pros and cons of culling techniques. The methods reviewed include manual and mechanical cervical dislocation, crushing methods (such as burdizzos or pliers), percussive devices, blunt force trauma and a brain-stem piercing device. Previous work on these approaches, of which there is a limited dataset, has relied on behavioural and brain activity as proxy measures of unconsciousness (insensibility) and death, however there remains some uncertainty as to when birds can be considered unequivocally insensible. These factors will be considered when deciding which of the methods will be recommended to be taken forward for further assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]