Descriptive Profile Research Articles

Descriptive sensory profiling of thandai using principal component analysis

Thandai being nutrient crammed pabulum is relished as a traditional milk-based beverage in India. Being indigenous drink, international and national level research work and the literature pertaining to the same is not available. Thus, the present study was undertaken to investigate and characterize the sensory attributes of commercially available thandai using Quantitative Descriptive Analysis (QDA) and Principal Component Analysis (PCA). QDA revealed statistically significant (p<0.05) difference in sensory attributes of thandai amongst the market samples. PCA identified three significant principal components that accounted for 93.01 per cent of the variation in the sensory data. Correlation matrix revealed many linear relationships between independent terms of sensory attributes.

Effect of Aging Vessel (Clay-Tinaja versus Oak Barrel) on the Volatile Composition, Descriptive Sensory Profile, and Consumer Acceptance of Red Wine

Consumers look for unique wines, offering pleasant experiences. Wine producers need to open new markets and are targeting countries with fewer traditions in drinking red and complex wines, such as Poland, Russia and Germany. The use of less popular aging vessels (e.g., clay-tinajas) will help in creating unique wines. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the aging vessel on the volatile and sensory profiles and consumer acceptance of red wine in Spain and Poland (model of potential new markets). Three wines were studied: (i) wine A, aged in a clay-tinaja with non-permeable coating); (ii) wine B, aged in clay-tinaja without coating; and (iii) wine C, aged in oak barrels (control). The key families in the volatile profiles were esters (wines B and C) and organic acids and terpenes (wine A). Wine A was described as sour and bitter, wine B had a distinctive mineral note, and wine C had a complex profile with typical wood notes. Finally, wines C and A were the preferred ones for Spanish and Polish consumers, respectively. Clay-tinaja wine A can be a good option to introduce clay-tinaja wines in Polish and similar markets because it is a unique product and fulfills the sensory demands/habits of Polish consumers.

Effect of agar and gellan gum on structured guava (Psidium guajava L.): Rheological behavior and gastrointestinal digestion in vitro

Structured guava (SG) was produced by inducing gelation of guava pulp adding agar and gellan gum (GG). The rheological properties, as well as in vitro bioaccessibility of ascorbic acid (AA), total antioxidant activity (TAA) and total extractable polyphenols (TEP) were investigated. The results illustrated that the SG gel network made from agar and low acyl gellan (LAG) was completely developed at temperatures close to 20 °C. LA75/HA25 showed higher elastic behavior in time sweep. The AA analysis of the pulp and SG revealed that these compounds remained practically unchanged after gastrointestinal digestion in vitro (GID), with a higher bioaccessibility percentage. The average values of TAA and TEP of the structured products were close to those of the guava pulp, with no interference from the use of agar and GG. The Optimized Descriptive Profile showed that the hydrocolloid used influenced the sensory attributes of the SG, changing the texture and appearance.

The Sensory Quality and the Textural Properties of Functional Oolong Tea-Infused Set Type Yoghurt with Inulin.

Set type yoghurts are characterised by a semi-solid texture, which is created during the fermentation process. The tea infusion in this type of yoghurt production can influence the quality of the final product. Therefore, the aim of the experiment was to evaluate the influence of the addition of 3, 6 and 9% inulin to oolong tea-infused yoghurts on the sensory quality. It has been evaluated by trained experts using a Quantitative Descriptive Profile analysis and by consumers using hedonic scaling, as well as on instrumentally evaluated features such as texture, stability and visual parameters. The addition of oolong tea to yoghurt resulted in positive changes in the perception of sweet, peach and nectar odours and flavours, and also creaminess, as well as negative changes in the presence of a bitter taste, the whey presence and a colour intensification towards dark cream (p ≤ 0.05). The addition of inulin to the tested oolong tea yogurts caused a decrease in the whey presence and brightened the yoghurt’s colour (6% and 9%, p ≤ 0.05, respectively), as well as an improved creaminess and an increase in the sweet taste of the yoghurt. It was also observed that the addition of oolong tea deteriorated the instrumentally evaluated texture of the set yoghurts, while inulin at a higher concentration (9%, p ≤ 0.05) increased the firmness and adhesiveness. Moreover, the addition of inulin also had a positive effect on the yoghurt’s stability. The addition of inulin to oolong tea-infused set yoghurts may be valuable both as a source of prebiotic fibre in functional products and as a factor improving the quality of these products.

Correlating Comprehensive Two-dimensional Gas Chromatography Volatile Profiles of Chocolate with Sensory Analysis

The identification of key components relevant to sensory perception of quality from commercial chocolate samples was accomplished after chemometric processing of GC×GC-MS (Comprehensive Two-dimensional Gas Chromatography with Mass Spectrometric Detection) profiles corresponding to HS-SPME (Headspace Solid Phase Microextraction) extracts of the samples. Descriptive sensory evaluation of samples was carried out using Optimized Descriptive Profile (ODP) procedures, where sensory attributes of 24 commercial chocolate samples were used to classify them in two classes (low and high chocolate flavor). 2D Fisher Ratio analysis was applied to four-way chromatographic data tensors (1st dimension retention time 1tR × 2nd dimension retention time 2tR × m/z × sample), to identify the crucial areas on the chromatograms that resulted on ODP class separation on Principal Component Analysis (PCA) scores plot. Comparing the relevant sections of the chromatograms to the analysis of the corresponding mass spectra, it was possible to assess that most of the information regarding the sample main sensory attributes can be related to only 14 compounds (2,5-dimethylpyrazine, 2,6-dimethyl-4-heptanol, 1-octen-3-ol, trimethylpyrazine, β-pinene, o-cimene, 2-ethyl-3,5-dimethylpyrazine, tetramethylpyrazine, benzaldehyde, 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene, 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one, limonene, benzeneethanol and 1,1-dimethylbutylbenzene) among the complex blend of volatiles found on these extremely complex samples.

Guy\u2019s and St Thomas NHS Foundation active surveillance prostate cancer cohort: a characterisation of a prostate cancer active surveillance database

BackgroundThe routine clinical use of serum prostatic specific antigen (PSA) testing has allowed earlier detection of low-grade prostate cancer (PCa) with more favourable characteristics, leading to increased acceptance of management by active surveillance (AS). AS aims to avoid over treatment in men with low and intermediate-risk PCa and multiple governing bodies have described several AS protocols. This study provides a descriptive profile of the Guy’s and St Thomas NHS Foundation Trust (GSTT) AS cohort as a platform for future research in AS pathways in PCa.MethodsDemographic and baseline characteristics were retrospectively collected in a database for patients at the GSTT AS clinic with prospective collection of follow-up data from 2012. Seven hundred eighty-eight men being monitored at GSTT with histologically confirmed intermediate-risk PCa, at least 1 follow-up appointment and diagnostic characteristics consistent with AS criteria were included in the profile. Descriptive statistics, Kaplan-Meier survival curves and multivariable Cox proportion hazards regression models were used to characterize the cohort.DiscussionA relatively large proportion of the cohort includes men of African/Afro-Caribbean descent (22%). More frequent use of magnetic resonance imaging and trans-perineal biopsies at diagnosis was observed among patients diagnosed after 2012. Those who underwent trans-rectal ultrasound diagnostic biopsy received their first surveillance biopsy 20 months earlier than those who underwent trans-perineal diagnostic biopsy. At 3 years, 76.1% men remained treatment free. Predictors of treatment progression included Gleason score 3 + 4 (Hazard ratio (HR): 2.41, 95% Confidence interval (CI): 1.79–3.26) and more than 2 positive cores taken at biopsy (HR: 2.65, CI: 1.94–3.62). A decreased risk of progressing to treatment was seen among men diagnosed after 2012 (HR: 0.72, CI: 0.53–0.98).ConclusionAn organised biopsy surveillance approach, via two different AS pathways according to the patient’s diagnostic method, can be seen within the GSTT cohort. Risk of patients progressing to treatment has decreased in the period since 2012 compared with the prior period with more than half of the cohort remaining treatment free at 5 years, highlighting that the fundamental aims of AS at GSTT are being met. Thus, this cohort is a good resource to investigate the AS treatment pathway.

A Microscopic and Metabolomic Description of Stip-affected Tissue in New Mexico Pod-type Pepper

Stip is a physiological disorder that affects certain pepper (Capsicum annuum) cultivars, most notably bell-pod types. It has been attributed in the literature to nutrient imbalances, temperature extremes, and/or other environmental stressors. Symptoms present as brown, black, and yellow ovoid-shaped necrotic lesions ≈0.5 to 1.2 cm long by 0.5 cm wide. Between 2014 and 2015, symptomatic and asymptomatic pods were harvested from 15 commercial farms in southern New Mexico. Fluorescent microscopy comparisons of harvested symptomatic tissue revealed a unique fluorescent signature and the absence of chlorophyll. A new spectral peak centered around 560 nm was observed in symptomatic tissue. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analyses of these tissues detected significant differences in 13 metabolites, of which several have been associated with fruit maturation and/or senescence. This report represents the first combination of a detailed microscopic description and metabolite profile of field-grown symptomatic plants with this disorder.

RESPUESTAS EMOCIONALES EN CONSUMIDORES DE QUESO DE ZACAZONAPAN Y PROBABILIDAD DE CONSUMO DURANTE MADURACIÓN

Las emociones y su medición en consumidores permiten diferenciar productos y predecir la elección del consumidor. El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar las emociones generadas por consumidores de queso de Zacazonapan, para distinguir quesos con diferentes características físicas, químicas y sensoriales, pero con la misma aceptabilidad y estimar el tiempo máximo de maduración del queso por la probabilidad de consumo cuando esta sea igual al 50%. La hipótesis por probar fue que las muestras de queso de Zacazonapan con diferencias físicas, químicas y sensoriales, a pesar de tener la misma aceptabilidad se pueden diferenciar a través de las emociones de los consumidores y la probabilidad de consumo disminuye con la maduración. Para el análisis de las variables físicas y químicas se aplicó un diseño completamente al azar, para la aceptabilidad e intensidad de emociones un diseño de bloques completos al azar, y un análisis de supervivencia para la aceptación del queso con diferente maduración. A quesos de cinco queserías (A, B, C, D y E) se les determinó pH, composición química parcial, magnitud de diferencia (d’) entre dos pares de quesos, perfil descriptivo, aceptabilidad, e intensidad de emociones. Solo al queso C se le determinó vida útil sensorial; existió diferencia significativa (p≤0.05) en las variables físicas y químicas, excepto en pH. Los quesos con aceptabilidad mayor fueron A, B, C y E. El queso A se relacionó con el atributo astringencia, B y C con cualidad arenosa, sequedad, dureza y friabilidad mientras que D y E con granulosidad, sal y cualidad masticable. Los quesos A y C con la misma aceptabilidad se diferenciaron a través de las emociones: activo, amable, amigable, seguro y tranquilo. Quesos con un tiempo de maduración mayor a 78 d presentaron una probabilidad de aceptación menor al 50%.

Biomechanical upper-extremity performance tests and isokinetic shoulder strength in collision and contact athletes

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was threefold (1) to assess the reliability of three upper-extremity performance tests: a countermovement push up, press jump and drop box land, performed on a set of dual-force plates (2) to examine whether there was an association between isokinetic dynamometry and the performance tests in a non-injured cohort of collision/contact athletes and (3) to establish a normal descriptive profile of the vertical ground reaction forces from the performance tests, in a cohort of contact/collision athletes. The study was split into two sub-sections; the inter-day reliability of three upper-extremity performance tests (n = 21) and a descriptive, correlation study investigating the relationship between isokinetic dynamometry and performance tests metrics (n = 39). We used intraclass correlation coefficients (absolute agreement, 2-way mixed-effects model) with 95% confidence intervals to quantify inter-day reliability of all variables. We used Pearson correlation coefficients to investigate associations between isokinetic strength and vertical ground reaction force asymmetry variables. Inter-day reliability was moderate-to-excellent for the upper-extremity performance tests (ICC 0.67–0.97). There was no statistically significant correlation between external and internal rotational peak torque and the variables of CPMU, PJ and BDL (r range = .02–.24).These upper-extremity tests are reliable for use with male contact/collision athletes.

Understanding factors associated with sarcopenic obesity in older African women from a low-income setting: a cross-sectional analysis

BackgroundHigh rates of food insecurity, obesity and obesity-related comorbidities in ageing South African (SA) women may amplify the risk of developing sarcopenic obesity. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and correlates of sarcopenic obesity and its diagnostic components [grip strength, appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM) and body mass index (BMI)] in older SA women from a low-income setting.MethodsThis cross-sectional study recruited black SA women between the ages of 60–85 years (n = 122) from a low-income community. Testing included a fasting blood sample (markers of cardiometabolic risk, HIV), whole body and regional muscle and fat mass (dual-energy absorptiometry x-ray), anthropometry, blood pressure, functional movement tests, current medication use, demographic and health questionnaires, physical activity (PA; accelerometery), household food insecurity access scale, and a one-week quantified food frequency questionnaire. Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (FNIH) criteria (grip strength and ASM, adjusted for BMI) were used to classify sarcopenia. Participants with sarcopenia alongside a BMI of > 30.0 kg/m2 were classified as having sarcopenic obesity. Prevalence using other criteria (European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People, Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia and the International Working Group for Sarcopenia) were also explored.ResultsThe prevalence of sarcopenia was 27.9%, which comprised of sarcopenia without obesity (3.3%) and sarcopenic obesity (24.6%). Other classification criteria showed that sarcopenia ranged from 0.8–14.7%, including 0.8–9.8% without obesity and 0–4.9% with sarcopenic obesity. Using multivariate-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) those with sarcopenic obesity presented with a descriptive profile of higher C-reactive protein, waist circumference, food security and sedentary time than women without sarcopenic obesity (p = 0.046). A similar profile described women with low BMI-adjusted grip strength (p < 0.001).ConclusionsThe majority of women with sarcopenia were also obese (88%). We show a large discrepancy in the diagnostic criteria and the potential for significantly underestimating the prevalence of sarcopenia if BMI is not adjusted for. The main variables common to women with sarcopenic obesity were higher food security, lower PA and chronic inflammation. Our data highlights the importance of addressing obesity within these low-income communities to ensure the prevention of sarcopenic obesity and that quality of life is maintained with ageing.

Gene expression profiling in normal cytogenetic acute myeloid leukaemia of Malay patient

Background: Insight into recent molecular analyses of patients with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) and a normal cytogenetic have revealed a striking heterogeneity with regard to the presence of acquired changes in gene expression. Nano String technology which is aimed to identify descriptive profiling of normal cytogenetic AML in differentially expressed genes involved in the different pathways in normal cytogenetic AML patients.&#x0D; Materials and method: Blood samples were obtained from eight at diagnosis patients with normal cytogenetics AML, two follow-up patients and two normal healthy controls prior to RNA extractions. RNA gene expression assay was performed using Nano Stringn Counter® Pan Cancer Pathway Panel (Nanostring Technologies, Seattle, Washington). Briefly, 100 ng of each total RNA sample was used as input into then Counter Pan Cancer Pathway Panel sample preparation. Data was extracted using then Counter RCC Collector and raw data output was imported into nSolver v2.6 analysis software for data analysis.&#x0D; Results: The age range was from 13-69 years, with a median age-range of 41 years. We found the most enriched up regulated genes in newly diagnosed normal cytogenetic AML enlisted MPO (7.25 log FC), FLT3 (5.02 log FC), MYCN (4.99 log FC), MYB (4.74 log FC), ITGA9 (4.48 log FC), KIT (4.41 log FC), MCM2 (3.47 log FC), RAD51 (3.40 log FC), CCNA2 (3.37 log FC) and PROM1 (3.24 log FC) which those commonly be found in AML cases. For highly expressed down regulated genes were GZMB (-5.80 log FC), IL8 (-5.79 log FC), TNFRSFSF10C (-5.03 log FC), LEF1 (-4.82 log FC), IL2RB (-4.70 log FC), IL7R (-4.44 log FC), BCL2A1 (-4.15 log FC), RASGRP1 (-4.13 log FC), IL1R2 (-4.00 log FC) and HSPA6 (-3.99 log FC).&#x0D; Discussion and conclusion: Nano String required smaller amounts of starting material, and can perform mRNA expression profiling with digital precision, therefore the results do not require further validation by another method. MPO expression was significantly associated with disease-free survival (DFS). Previous report demonstrated that the groups by the MPO expression in the intermediate cytogenetic risk group showed a significant difference in DFS (p&lt;0.001). A study by Valk et al., (2004) showed FLT3, a hematopoietic growth factor receptor, is the most common molecular abnormality in AML. The presence of such mutations in FLT3 and elevated expression of the transcription factor EVI1 confer a poor prognosis. N-MYC expression levels in AML samples from patients with favorable, intermediate, or unfavorable prognosis were compared with that in CD34+ cells from four healthy bone marrow donors. The most highly down regulated gene in newly diagnosed AML goes to Granzyme B (GZMB) which involved in cytolytic activity that showed high correlation with other transcripts expressed in activated cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) and natural killer (NK) cells as well as lymphocyte activation-related gene validating it as a robust and specific metric of active cellular immunity. Increased expression of IL-8 and/or its receptors has been characterized in cancer cells, endothelial cells, infiltrating neutrophils, and tumor-associated macrophages, suggesting that IL-8 may function as a significant regulatory factor within the tumor microenvironment.&#x0D; Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol.20(3) 2021 p.556-562

Integration of the optimized descriptive profile and temporal dominance of sensations methodologies

AbstractThe multi‐attribute temporal analysis temporal dominance of sensations (TDS) allows for obtaining a qualitative explanation of the interaction and order of perception of the sensory attributes of a product. Considering the need for quantitative complementation of TDS data and a shorter analysis time to obtain a more complete sensory profile, it was proposed that the evaluators who performed the optimized descriptive profile (ODP) also evaluate the samples using the TDS, seeking to integrate the two sensory methodologies. For this, the sensory profile of five grape beverages with different sucrose concentrations and dilution factors was evaluated using the ODP and TDS methodologies. Integration of the ODP and TDS methodologies proved to be adequate, by optimizing the time required for obtaining the complete quantitative profile of the beverages, complemented by the order of perception of the attributes during the evaluation. This allowed for a more comprehensive analysis of the food matrix sensory profile.Practical applicationsThe association between the methodologies temporal dominance of sensations (TDS) and optimized descriptive profile (ODP) permitted the identification of a sensory profile via different approaches, providing better interpretations of the evaluations. The differences between the intensity of attributes in a traditional descriptive analysis (punctual) and dominance perceptions in a temporal analysis, is justified when observed that the most intense attributes are not always those that dominate on the palate while food is ingested (taste over time). Acquisition of the more ample sensory profile (ODP + TDS) allows for better understanding the attributes identified by the panelists. Therefore, when using this sensory analysis industries may be able to reformulate and improve their products, monitoring the interaction of ingredients with evaluator's perceptions.

DEVELOPMENT OF LEXICAL SEMANTIC AMONG PRESCHOOL EGYPTIAN ARABIC-SPEAKING CHILDREN

Background: Lexical-semantic development for preschool children has several applications in research design, assessment, and intervention that were very difficult to obtain before. In English and most Indo-European languages, there is a long tradition of examining aspects of child language by computing different developmental indices from spontaneous language samples and through applying different language tests. However, for the Arabic language, these aspects are lacking in this valuable area of research. Bridging this gap, this work provided the first comprehensive study of the Arabic language lexical-semantic development among preschool Egyptian Arabic speaking children.Aim of the work: to provide a descriptive profile of the lexical-semantic development among the preschool Egyptian Arabic-speaking children.Subjects and methods: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted on 120 typically developed Egyptian Arabic-speaking children. Children were randomly selected by inclusion and exclusion criteria in the age range between 2-4 years. Children were assessed by the lexical-semantic subtest of the standardized Egyptian Arabic Semantic Test (EAST). Children’s total score and scores of the receptive and expressive aspects of the lexical-semantic subtest of EAST were calculated and compared to determine the development of the lexical-semantic among the 4 age-groups.Results: A statistically significant difference was found between lexical-semantic growth among the 4 age groups. Lexical semantic growth is positively correlated to the chronological age of the participated children.Conclusion: The lexical-semantic develops as early as the age of 2 years. Noun classes and verbs started to be identified by children at the age of 2 years. As children grow; noun vocabulary increases both expressively and receptively. Adjectives started to be acquired at age of 2.6 to 3 years and were mostly identified by the age of 3 to 3.6 years.

Scoping review protocol of service delivery-related interventions to improve maternal and newborn health in low-income and middle-income countries

IntroductionThis review will explore the characteristics of service delivery-related interventions to improve maternal and newborn health in low-income and middle-income countries, comparing three common framing approaches of these interventions (referred...

Insumos farmacêuticos ativos irregulares no Brasil: análise descritiva de 2011 a 2019

Introdução: Os insumos farmacêuticos ativos (IFA) correspondem à parte farmacológica do medicamento e a demanda por esses produtos tem gerado grandes lucros para as indústrias farmoquímicas. Por fazerem parte essencial da cadeia produtiva de medicamentos, os IFA estão sujeitos à fiscalização pela Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária (Anvisa) no Brasil. Objetivo: Realizar análise descritiva dos IFA recolhidos no Brasil entre 2011 e 2019, por meio do website da Anvisa na subseção de “produtos irregulares”. Método: Foram obtidos resultados de variáveis denominadas: empresas, motivos, produtos e ações fiscalizadoras. Os resultados foram apresentados como frequências absoluta ou relativa e, dessa forma, traçou-se o perfil descritivo dos insumos irregulares. Resultados: A maioria (80,0%) das empresas com IFA recolhidos é de origem internacional, sendo Índia e China os países predominantes. A frequência de inspeções realizadas pela Anvisa nas empresas apresentou forte correlação com a quantidade de insumos apreendidos (r = 0,89). As principais motivações de recolhimento de IFA são a deficiência nas Boas Práticas de Fabricação (BPF), ausência de registro e contaminação por nitrosaminas. Dos 95 insumos irregulares avaliados, os antimicrobianos e os anti-hipertensivos (antagonistas de angiontensina II) apresentaram as maiores frequências de recolhimentos. Conclusões: A Anvisa está alinhada aos padrões de qualidade de outras agências regulatórias internacionais e tem cumprido com eficiência seu objetivo institucional de garantir e promover a saúde da população brasileira no que concerne à fiscalização de IFA utilizados na produção de medicamentos.

Insights into Drivers of Liking for Avocado Pulp (Persea americana): Integration of Descriptive Variables and Predictive Modeling.

Trends in new food products focus on low-carbohydrate ingredients rich in healthy fats, proteins, and micronutrients; thus, avocado has gained worldwide attention. This study aimed to use predictive modeling to identify the potential sensory drivers of liking for avocado pulp by evaluating acceptability scores and sensory descriptive profiles of two commercial and five non-commercial cultivars. Macronutrient composition, instrumental texture, and color were also characterized. Trained panelists performed a descriptive profile of nineteen sensory attributes. Affective data from frequent avocado adult consumers (n = 116) were collected for predictive modeling of an external preference map (R2 = 0.98), which provided insight into sensory descriptors that drove preference for particular avocado pulps. The descriptive map explained 67.6% of the variance in sensory profiles. Most accepted pulps were from Hass and Colin V-33; the latter had sweet and green flavor notes. Descriptive flavor attributes related to liking were global impact, oily, and creamy. Sensory drivers of texture liking included creamy/oily, lipid residue, firmness, and cohesiveness. Instrumental stickiness was disliked and inversely correlated to dry-matter and lipids (r = −0.87 and −0.79, respectively). Color differences (∆Eab*) also contributed to dislike. Sensory-guided selection of avocado fruits and ingredients can develop products with high acceptability in breeding and industrialization strategies.

Study of the influence of line scale length (9 and 15cm) on the sensory evaluations of two descriptive methods.

The line scale is widely used in different lengths to quantify the intensity of descriptors in sensory evaluation. Since studies related to its size are still limited the objective was to determine what variables of descriptive sensory evaluation can be influenced when different scale length is considered in two different methods: Optimized Descriptive Profile (ODP) (low degree of training) and Conventional Profile (CP) (high degree of training). Five chocolate samples were evaluated by two panels, one using the 9cm and the other using the 15cm line scale. The panels performed the sensory analysis using the ODP and after the CP method. The following criteria were investigated: interaction between sample and evaluator, discriminative capacity, repeatability of results, and frequency of score use on the unstructured scale. The influence of scale length on sensory responses was similar in the two methods (ODP and CP). When comparing the two scales in both methods, it was observed that the 15cm scale resulted in an improvement in discriminative capacity, reduction of interaction and the evaluators tended to distribute their ratings more evenly across this scale length. The repeatability of results showed a slight tendency to be better on the 9cm scale.

Usual source of healthcare and use of sexual and reproductive health services by female sex workers in Brazil.

The fact of having a usual source of care can improve access to health services and preventive activities. The article aimed to estimate the proportion of factors associated with usual source of care among female sex workers. This was a socio-behavioral survey with 4,328 female sex workers, ≥ 18 years, in 12 Brazilian cities. Female sex workers were recruited by the respondent-driven sampling method (RDS). A descriptive profile was performed of the female sex workers who had usual source of care and the association was analyzed between usual source of care and indicators of access to HIV prevention and reproductive health. As effect measure, the study used adjusted odds ratio (OR) in a logistic regression model. The data were weighted by the RDS-II estimator. 71.5% of the female sex workers reported having a usual source of care, and of these, 54.3% cited primary healthcare (PHC) as their main usual source of care. Among female sex workers 18-24 years of age, there was an association between usual source of care and having a Pap smear test (OR = 2.27; 95%CI: 1.66-3.12), seven or more prenatal visits (OR = 2.56; 95%CI: 1.30-5.03), and the use of a contraceptive method (OR = 1.64; 95%CI: 1.09-2.46). Among female sex workers ≥ 25 years, there was an association between usual source of care and attending talks on sexually transmitted infections (STIs) (OR = 1.45; 95%CI: 1.12-1.89), prior knowledge of post-exposure prophylaxis (OR = 1.32; 95%CI: 1.02-1.71), and history of Pap smear test (OR = 1.92; 95%CI: 1.54-2.40). The study's results showed that female sex workers have PHC as their main usual source of care. usual source of care can also positively impact care and activities in reproductive health and prevention of HIV and STIs in this population group.

Flavour stability of sterilised chickpeas stored in pouches

The increasing need for sustainable food choices places a demand on developing palatable foods from lower impact production and with a suitable shelf-life. In this context, knowledge of the sensory properties of whole sterilised chickpeas is required to be able to make them more attractive to the consumers. The sensory quality of chickpeas is largely dependent on the aroma and flavour, which can be influenced by storage conditions. In this study, sterilised chickpeas in two different packaging materials with different oxygen permeabilities, stored up to 52 weeks at ambient temperature (20 °C) were investigated using both descriptive sensory profiling and gas chromatography – mass spectrometry – olfactometry analysis (GC-MS-O). During storage, intense, sulphury and meat-like aromas decreased in intensity, while with longer storage time hay-like, green-like and potato-like flavours and aromas became more apparent. A total of 40 odour-active volatiles were detected, of which some had properties reminiscent of the chickpea flavour profiles. However, no clear relationships could be established between these odorants and the sensory changes observed during storage by descriptive sensory analysis. It was concluded that, significant changes in the sensory attributes of sterilised chickpeas occurred during 52 weeks of storage, but that packaging material does not seem to largely influence the sensory attributes during storage.

Epidemiology of newborn transport in India - The reality check

Background: Transporting sick neonates from the periphery to a tertiary care unit is a challenge and transport-related factors can have a bearing on their survival. These factors influence ultimate survival in resource poor settings. Objectives: The objective is to evaluate the transport characteristics for sick newborns from peripheral centers to tertiary care referral hospital. Methods: A prospective study was done with sick newborns transported to our tertiary care teaching hospital over a period of 1 year. The transport logistics were recorded in detail and analyzed. The analyses were repeated for preterm and term babies separately. Results: There were 36.32% preterm babies in the study cohort of 961 newborns. The descriptive profile of the newborns enrolled in the study has been presented along with descriptive summary of the newborn transport logistics. Approximately 23% of babies were born to teen age mothers. Some prereferral counseling was done for only about 20% babies and <1% had vitals monitored during transport. Prereferral stabilization was scarce and around 41% babies had labored breathing or gasping at admission. As many as, 47% babies had no prereferral intervention and 31% had no referral notes; in only 3.3% instances, there was clear prior intimation to the referral unit. Conclusion: Sick newborn transport logistics are to be improved for reducing neonatal mortality in resource poor settings.