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This study aimed to develop yerba mate extracts (YME, Ilex paraguariensis) as active ingredients for a UVC‐light‐preserved (892 mJ/cm2; 50°C) sports drink (SD) and the sports gel derived from it (SG). Aqueous ultrasound‐assisted extractions (US; 20 KHz, 750 W) of yerba mate leaves were performed at varying temperatures (T: 20, 40, and 50 °C) and acoustic energy densities (AED: 0,.11, and.23 W/mL). Total polyphenol (TPC) extraction kinetics were characterized using the Spiro and Jago, Linares, and Peleg models. The Spiro and Jago model accurately described the extraction kinetic curves. An empirical correlation was found between its rate constant and the variables T and AED, reaching its maximum value at 50°C–.23 W/mL, with no further TPC extraction beyond 4 minutes (4.20 g GAE/L). For comparison purposes, the conditions 20°C/.23 W/mL/7 min (3.33 g GAE/L) and 100°C/0 W/mL/5 min (control) were also structurally and physiochemically compared. During the extraction, intraparticle diffusion was one of the major mechanisms limiting the extraction rate. With AED and T, the intraparticle coefficient increased significantly. The US‐assisted process generated extracts with greater wettability, hygroscopicity, more natural color, and similar content of relevant xanthin alkaloids and polyphenols, compared to the control. SEM micrographs revealed that the US‐assisted extract's porosity increased with AED and T. The UV‐C processing of SD was successfully validated through microbial challenge assays. YME (20°C/.23 W/mL/7 min) addition turned SD and SG greener and raised their flavonoid content (SD: 5.2‐fold and SG: 19.6‐fold) and TPC (SD: 5.5‐fold and SG: 5.3‐fold). The DPPH and ABTS total antioxidant activity for SD and SG increased by 3.1–3.4‐fold and 16.8–57.9‐fold, respectively. SD‐YM and SG‐YM were well‐accepted and described in a consumer field test. The developed YMEs can be a natural source of xanthine alkaloids and polyphenols, thereby replacing the synthetic additives typically employed in sports nutrition products. Practical applications: The growing consumer belief in natural extracts' ability to promote health and wellness is driving the global market for botanical extracts. Yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis St Hill) is a healthier alternative to coffee and tea, with higher antioxidant capacity and proven health benefits. The proposed extraction method eliminates the need for high temperature and prolonged treatments, preserving the nutritional value of yerba mate leaves. Furthermore, it eliminates waste generation, perfectly aligning with sustainable practices. The optimized US‐assisted extraction resulted in high‐quality physicochemical extracts with significant functional activity. Amateur athletes are increasingly looking for products to enhance their performance that are both natural and effective. In this context, the developed extracts can serve as natural additives for sports nutrition products, which typically include synthetic caffeine and other compounds aimed at enhancing alertness, arousal, and energy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction:Almost half of veterans (44.6%) seen in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs outpatient setting are diagnosed with hypertension (HTN). Because of the widespread nature of HTN, use of virtual visits has the potential to improve blood pressure (BP) management. This evaluation assessed the effectiveness of video blood pressure visits (VBPVs) in the management of HTN in veterans enrolled in Veterans Health Administration primary care. Methods:The program was implemented within the existing veteran-centered medical home. VBPVs are scheduled where the nurse observes veterans taking their BP and provides teaching or counseling. A national training curriculum was delivered to local nurse champions through Microsoft Teams. We analyzed improvement in BP over a 2-year period. We also captured actions taken by nurses during the VBPV by searching the electronic notes. Ratings of training and comments were summarized using feedback forms completed after training. Results:In total, 81,476 veterans participated in VBPVs over 2 years. Of those, 44,682 veterans had an existing ICD-10 code related to HTN. Of the 18,078 veterans who had a pre- and post-VBPV BP, the average change to systolic measurement was −10.6 mm Hg (range −82 to 78). Average change to diastolic measurement was −4.61 mm Hg (range −59 to 55). Most interventions addressed medication management (77%). Nurses' evaluations of the program were positive. Conclusions:Video visits provide reliable and convenient veteran-centered care. Such visits enable care when unanticipated interruptions occur such as the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. In addition to medication management, nurse-led interventions such as counseling on lifestyle changes can be effective in HTN management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Consumers are seeking healthier alternatives to traditional confectioneries. They value the use of sugar replacers, more natural ingredients and/or environmentally friendly preservation technologies. UV-C light is considered an emerging alternative to thermal pasteurization that leaves no residue and requires minimal energy. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of novel sweetener combinations and juice UV-C assisted by mild heat treatment (UV-C/H) on the physicochemical, microbiological, morphological, rheological and sensory properties of orange juice pectin-based confectioneries stored at 5 ± 1 °C for 35 days. RESULTS: For orange juice processing, UV-C/H (pilot-scale Dean-flow reactor; 892 mJ cm-2; 50 ± 1 °C) and thermal (T-coil, 80 ° C; 6 min) treatments were used. Low-calorie confectionery gels were elaborated using the treated juices, low-methoxyl pectin and various sweetener combinations. UV-C/H and T-coil effectively inactivated juice native microbiota. The proposed formulations, derived from a previous Box--Behnken optimization study, included partial (F1: 3%-sucrose-S + 0.019%-rebaudioside-A-RA) or complete sucrose replacement (F2: 5.5%-erythritol-E + 0.019%-RA), and one control (C:10%-S). In general, the microbiota of the gels prepared with the UV-C/H or T-coil treated juices did not recover during storage. The physicochemical and mechanical parameters of the formulations were significantly influenced by the choice of sweetener and the duration of storage. The gel surface got smoother and had fewer holes when the sucrose level dropped, according to a scanning electron microscopy study. The UV-C/H-treated samples did not differ in acceptability, whereas the measured sensory attributes approached ideal levels. F1 and F2 showed distinctive temporal-dominance-of-sensations profiles, mainly dominated by sweetness and orange taste, respectively. However, consumers perceived sourness and astringency in C during consumption. CONCLUSION: The present study provides significant evidence in support of the development of confectionery gels F1 and F2 made from fruit juice treated by UV-C light assisted by mild heat and combinations of sucrose-alternative sweeteners. In terms of the properties investigated, these confectionery gels were comparable to, or even outperformed the full-sucrose option. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) are clinically linked major neurodegenerative diseases. Notably, TAR DNA-binding protein-43 (TDP43) accumulations are hallmark pathologies of FTD/ALS and mutations in the gene encoding TDP43 cause familial FTD/ALS. There are no cures for FTD/ALS. FTD/ALS display damage to a broad range of physiological functions, many of which are regulated by signaling between the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and mitochondria. This signaling is mediated by the VAPB-PTPIP51 tethering proteins that serve to recruit regions of ER to the mitochondrial surface so as to facilitate inter-organelle communications. Several studies have now shown that disrupted ER-mitochondria signaling including breaking of the VAPB-PTPIP51 tethers are features of FTD/ALS and that for TDP43 and other familial genetic FTD/ALS insults, this involves activation of glycogen kinase-3β (GSK3β). Such findings have prompted suggestions that correcting damage to ER-mitochondria signaling and the VAPB-PTPIP51 interaction may be broadly therapeutic. Here we provide evidence to support this notion. We show that overexpression of VAPB or PTPIP51 to enhance ER-mitochondria signaling corrects mutant TDP43 induced damage to inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) receptor delivery of Ca2+ to mitochondria which is a primary function of the VAPB-PTPIP51 tethers, and to synaptic function. Moreover, we show that ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), an FDA approved drug linked to FTD/ALS and other neurodegenerative diseases therapy and whose precise therapeutic target is unclear, corrects TDP43 linked damage to the VAPB-PTPIP51 interaction. We also show that this effect involves inhibition of TDP43 mediated activation of GSK3β. Thus, correcting damage to the VAPB-PTPIP51 tethers may have therapeutic value for FTD/ALS and other age-related neurodegenerative diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The consequences at the family level of having a child with enteric stoma have been a matter of deep concern in the nursing practice. This type of stoma is performed in children as an adjunctive procedure in the treatment of a congenital, pathological and traumatic problem but there is evidence to suggest that this functional change has an impact on different aspects of everyday family life. Objective: To identify evidence in the literature on the impact of enteric stoma (ileostomy and colostomy) for the child and for his family. Method: A literature review of 14 research projects which address the experiences of the Family and the child with ostomy located in the Cinahl, Medline, Ovid, Proquest, Lilacs, and Dedalus databases. Result: through the analysis it may be concluded that, although health professionals believe that stomata are a technology of low complexity, for child and family they do not have the same meaning, because they alter the lifestyle and the family’s dynamics. Conclusions: test results indicated there is need for understanding the subject, in order to contribute in building knowledge, aimed at implementing interventions that consider the impact of stoma on the child and on his family.Las consecuencias para la familia de tener un hijo con estoma entérico han sido objeto de numerosas inquietudes en la práctica de enfermería. Este tipo de estoma se realiza en los niños como un procedimiento coadyuvante en el tratamiento de un problema de origen congénito, patológico o traumático, pero hay evidencias que indican que esta modificación funcional tiene impacto en diferentes aspectos de la vida cotidiana de la familia. Objetivo: identificar las evidencias en la literatura médica sobre el impacto de un estoma entérico (ileostomía y colostomía) para el niño y su familia. Método: revisión bibliográfica de 14 investigaciones que abordan las vivencias de la familia y el niño ostomizado, localizadas en las bases de datos Cinahl, Medline, Ovid, Proquest, Lilacs y Dedalus. Resultados: mediante el análisis realizado se puede concluir que, pese a que los profesionales de la salud consideran que los estomas son una tecnología de baja complejidad, para el niño y la familia no tienen el mismo significado ya que alteran el estilo de vida y la dinámica familiar. Conclusiones: los resultados del análisis indicaron que hay necesidad de comprensión sobre el tema, con el fin de contribuir a la construcción del conocimiento, dirigido a la implementación de intervenciones que consideren el impacto del estoma sobre el niño y su familia.As conseqüências para a família de ter um filho com estoma entérico são objeto de numerosas inquietudes na prática da enfermagem. Este tipo de estoma é realizado nas crianças como um procedimento coadjuvante no tratamento de um problema de origem congênita, patológica ou traumática, mas existem evidências que indicam que essa modificação funcional impacta em diferentes aspectos da vida cotidiana da família. Objetivo: identificar as evidências na literatura médica sobre o impacto de um estoma entérico (ileostomia e colostomia) para a criança e sua família. Método: revisão bibliográfica de 14 pesquisas que abrangem as vivências da família e da criança ostomizada, localizadas nos bancos de dados Cinahl, Medline, Ovid, Proquest, Lilacs e Dedalus. Resultados: mediante a análise realizada podemos concluir que, embora os profissionais da saúde considerem que os estomas são uma tecnologia de baixa complexidade, não significa o mesmo para a criança e a família, pois o procedimento altera o estilo de vida e a dinâmica familiar. Conclusões: os resultados da análise demonstram a necessidade de compreender melhor o tema, visando contribuir para a construção de conhecimento, voltados para a implementação de intervenções que considerem o impacto do estoma sobre a criança e sua família.