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The effect of microwave pretreatment and moisture levels of Camelina sativa seeds on the quality of extracted oil by cold press was investigated. The seed moistures were adjusted to 2.5%, 5.0%, 7.5%, and 10.0% and pretreated with microwaves for 0, 1, 2, and 3 min. Microwave pretreatment (3 min) of the seeds with 2.5% moisture increased the oil extraction yield by ∼11% compared to the control sample. The highest amount of acidity (0.564 g FFA·g−1 oil), peroxide value (2.4 meq O2·kg−1 oil), carotenoid (5.26 mg·kg−1 oil), and browning index (0.710) were found in the oil extracted from seeds with 10% moisture and 3 min microwave pretreatment. The total phenolic compound was increased by microwave pretreatment but was mitigated by the seed moisture content, and the highest amount (208.24 mg caffeic acid·100 g−1 oil) was observed at 3 min microwave pretreatment of the seeds with 2.5% moisture. Chlorophyll content decreased by both microwave pretreatment and seed moisture content in camelina oil. Generally, the fatty acid composition of the extracted oils was not affected by the seed pretreatments. In conclusion, pretreatment of the camelina seeds before oil extraction is suggested to obtain a high oil extraction yield with a good quality oil.

Due to high antimicrobial activity against numerous microorganisms, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are being utilized in various areas. Microwave-accelerated AgNPs synthesis using Corylus avellana leaf extract was evaluated. Based on randomly central composite design, 13 mixture solutions containing different amounts of the prepared extract (0.10–0.90 mL) and 1 mM silver nitrate solution (15–25 mL) were prepared and exposed to microwave irradiation for 180 s. Response surface methodology was utilized to evaluate the effects of the two independent variables on particle size and concentration of the synthesized AgNPs, as manifested in the place of broad emission peak (λ max) and its absorbance unit, respectively. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis indicated that the two hydroxyl and carboxylic acid functional groups with reducing activity existed in the prepared extract. Dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy analyses revealed that the formed spherical AgNPs using optimum amounts of C. avellana leaf extract (0.9 mL) and 1 mM silver nitrate solution (25 mL) had minimum particle size (103.5 nm) and polydispersity index (PDI) (0.209), and maximum concentration (140 ppm) and zeta potential (−21.8 mV). Results indicated that the formed AgNPs had high fungicidal effects against the spoiled fungi of Colletotrichum coccodes and Penicillium digitatum.

In order to alter the solubility and bioavailability of various functional lipids and plant essential oils (EOs), it is possible to prepare their oil in water (O/W) nanoemulsions. Thyme O/W nanoemulsions were prepared under subcritical water conditions (at 120°C and pressure of 1.5 atm for 2 h), using Tween 20, Tween 80, saponin, Arabic gum, xanthan gum, and sodium caseinate as emulsifiers. Results indicated that nanoemulsions with minimum mean droplet size of 11.5 and 12.6 nm were produced using Tween 20 and 80, respectively. Moreover, nanoemulsions with minimum polydispersity index (0.139) and maximum mean value of zeta potential (−24.5 mV) were provided utilizing xanthan gum and saponin, respectively. Results also revealed that the prepared nanoemulsions using saponin had maximum antioxidant activity based on percentage of scavenging ability (40.6%) and bactericidal effects against Streptococcus mutans as manifested in the formed clear zone (diameter of 21 mm). Morphological assessment of all the prepared nanoemulsions demonstrated that spherical thyme nanodroplets were formed in the colloidal solutions which revealed that all the prepared nanoemulsions had high thermodynamic stability due to the minimum surface energy level of the formed nanodroplets. This can increase applications of the prepared thyme O/W nanoemulsions in the aqueous food and pharmaceutical formulations.

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized using Aloe vera leaf extract as both reducing and stabilizing agents via microwave irradiation method. The effects of the microwave exposure time and the amount of AgNO3 solution on the mean particle size and concentration of the synthesized AgNPs solution were investigated using response surface methodology. The synthesized AgNPs were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, UV-Vis spectroscopy, and dynamic light scattering. Well-dispersed and spherically fabricated AgNPs with mean particle size (46 nm) and maximum concentration (64 ppm) and zeta potential (+15.5 mV), were obtained at optimal synthesis conditions, using 9 ml of AgNO3 (1 mm) and 0.1 ml of Aloe vera extract during microwave exposure time of 360 s. The antibacterial activity of the synthesized AgNPs was tested using Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus bacteria and the obtained results indicated their significant inhibitory effects against these two Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria.

Objective: Following tonsillectomy, postoperative pain and hemorrhage from the tonsillar bed are causes of significant morbidity. Intracapsular tonsillectomy with Coblation is suggested to minimize such morbidity while remaining efficacious in long‐term outcomes. This systematic review and meta‐analysis assessed short‐term morbidity and long‐term outcomes from intracapsular tonsillectomy with Coblation, focusing primarily on posttonsillectomy hemorrhage. Data Sources: Medline, Embase, and the Cochrane Library. Review Methods: Guided by PRISMA guidelines, studies on intracapsular tonsillectomy with Coblation published between December 2002 and July 2022 evaluating frequency of posttonsillectomy hemorrhage were screened. Studies without primary data were excluded. Meta‐analysis was conducted using the random‐effect model. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients who experienced posttonsillectomy hemorrhage. The secondary outcomes were posttonsillectomy pain, the proportion requiring revision tonsillectomy, and severity of sleep‐disordered breathing measured by polysomnography outcomes. Results: From 14 studies there were 9821 patients. The proportion of total posttonsillectomy hemorrhage was 1.0% (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.5%‐1.6%, n = 9821). The proportion experiencing primary hemorrhage, secondary hemorrhage, and those requiring further tonsil surgery were 0.1% (95% CI 0.0%‐0.1%; study n = 7), 0.8% (95% CI 0.2%‐1.4%; study n = 7), and 1.4% (95% CI 0.6%‐2.2%; study n = 6), respectively. Mean reduction in apnea‐hypopnea index was –16.0 events per hour (95% CI −8.8 to −23.3, study n = 3) and mean increase in oxygen nadir was 5.9% (95% CI 2.6%‐9.1%, study n = 3). Conclusion: Intracapsular tonsillectomy with Coblation has been demonstrated to have a low rate of posttonsillectomy hemorrhage. Data regarding long‐term tonsil regrowth and need for reoperation were encouraging of the efficacy of this technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Skin grafting reflects a common dermatological procedure for closing skin defects. Patient education is important for managing expectation and optimising skin graft take. While health information is increasingly accessed on the internet, there are no existing studies assessing their quality. Methods: The first 25 results from Google, Microsoft Bing and Yahoo! search engines using the term 'skin graft' were analysed using a variety of standard instruments. Readability was assessed using the Flesch–Kincaid Grade score (FKG), Gunning Fog Index (GFI), Simple Measure of Gobbledygook (SMOG) and the New Dale‐Chall Readability Index (NDC). Reliability was assessed using the DISCERN instrument and credibility with the Journal of the American Medical Association Benchmark Criteria (JAMA). Transparency was identified by presence of the Health On the Net Foundation Code certification (HON‐code). Results: Seventy‐five websites were identified. After exclusion, forty‐three remaining websites were analysed with average FKG, GFI and SMOG scores of 7.8, 10.1 and 10.7, respectively. The average NDC was 5.9. The average reliability was fair with a DISCERN score based on the first 15 questions of the instrument of 42.6. The mean JAMA score was 2, and 9 websites displayed the HON‐code certificate. Conclusions: Readability, reliability and credibility of online health information regarding skin grafting can be improved. Health care providers should critically assess existing online patient information or develop alternative material to educate patients undergoing skin graft surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Intracranial aneurysms are common. Receiving this diagnosis can have a profound impact on patients and their families and this is compounded by the nuanced complexities around their management. An overwhelming majority of patients research health information using the internet. Patient‐centred care and informed consent requires patients to have access to information that is readable and reliable. The aim of this study was to assess the readability and reliability of online health information about intracranial aneurysms. Method: A Google search was conducted using the terms 'brain aneurysm', 'cerebral aneurysm', and 'intracranial aneurysm' and the first 75 websites were screened for assessment. The readability of each website was assessed using the Flesch reading ease score (FRE), the Flesch–Kincaid grade level (FKGL), the gunning fog index (GFI) and the simple measure of gobbledygook (SMOG) indices. Reliability was assessed using the DISCERN instrument and the Journal of the American Medical Association benchmark criteria (JAMA). Results: Following exclusion, 36 websites were analyzed. The websites collectively scored as 'difficult' readability and 'poor' reliability on average. Statistically significant differences in readability were observed between websites categorized as patient health information and commercial compared with academic and physician. Differences in readability were also observed between search results of 'brain aneurysm' compared with 'intracranial aneurysm'. Conclusion: The readability and reliability of online health information about intracranial aneurysms is suboptimal. Health professionals must ensure their patients are well informed which includes directing them to high quality resources which are readable and reliable and use layperson‐oriented language during the consultation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]