Dry Treatment Research Articles

Effectiveness of Dry Cleaning Treatments for Removing Milk Chocolate from Valve/Pipe Assemblies and Pilot-scale Chocolate Processing Equipment

Dark chocolate produced on equipment used to manufacture milk chocolate can contain milk due to cross-contact. This study evaluated the use of dry cleaning methods for removing milk chocolate residue from a butterfly or ball valve attached to a stainless steel pipe and from pilot-scale equipment used in chocolate manufacture. Milk-free dark chocolate (40 °C) was pumped through a milk chocolate-contaminated valve/pipe assembly after no cleaning, use of a pig purging treatment, or a 40 °C cocoa butter flush. Dark chocolate samples were collected at 7-sec intervals. Treatments investigated for the removal of residual milk chocolate from a conche and a ball mill included no cleaning, a 40 °C cocoa butter rinse, and wet cleaning. After cleaning, three batches of dark chocolate (40 °C) were processed in the ball mill and conche, and each batch was collected. Milk chocolate was processed on a 3-roll refiner, followed by push-through with dark chocolate (∼9 kg) with 0.3 kg samples collected at 5-min intervals. Dark chocolate samples were analyzed for milk concentrations by ELISA. Trials and analyses were completed in triplicate. Dark chocolate push-through alone resulted in milk concentrations ≥4,500 µg/g in samples obtained from the contaminated valve/pipe combinations within the first few seconds of collection, and ≥16.2 kg of dark chocolate was needed to obtain milk concentrations below the ELISA LOQ (2.5 µg/g). A pig purging treatment of the ball valve/pipe assembly resulted in milk concentrations below the ELISA LOQ. A cocoa butter flush of the butterfly valve/pipe decreased initial milk concentrations, but milk was detected until ≥18.7 kg dark chocolate purge. Milk concentrations in first batches of dark chocolate processed in a ball mill and conche without cleaning were ≥17,000 µg/g while the use of a cocoa butter rinse reduced milk levels in dark chocolate by ≥89%. Some dry cleaning treatments were effective at reducing levels of milk in dark chocolate due to cross-contact.

Surface Tuning of Transparent Electrodes with Atmospheric Pressure Plasma for Third Generation Photovoltaics

Transparent semiconductor thin films such as indium tin oxide (ITO) and fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) are commonly used in optoelectronic devices due to their favorable properties such as high conductivity and transparency and suitable work function [1]. Their use ranges from light-emitting diodes through flat panel displays up to solar cells. In this context, surface stoichiometry plays a crucial role in influencing the final properties of the final device. Therefore, efficient surface treatment has been a topic in research for years, covering a wide range of approaches from wet and dry treatments. Among these possibilities, plasma treatment remains today the most effective. In several studies [2, 3], atmospheric pressure plasma shown an increase of surface energy, decrease the contamination while enhancing the work function of both ITO and FTO. Low temperature, fast processing times, and no special requirements for working gas are the main advantages of this approach.In this study, the authors compare the effects of cold (<100°C) atmospheric pressure plasma on ITO and FTO after air and nitrogen treatment to provide deeper insight into the interaction of discharge with semiconductive materials during treatment. A coplanar dielectric barrier discharge has been used for the surface modification (more information available in [4]). For this configuration both electrodes lay in one plane, and the discharge occurs on the top of the barrier. Chemical changes in the surface were also evaluated as a function of plasma parameters without any pre-treatment of the substrates. For both studied materials, similar trends were observed at fast treatment times (<60s of plasma exposure). The plasma treatment resulted in a decrease of water contact angle from the initial 90° for ITO to 10° after 30 seconds of exposure. For FTO, the initial angle 60° was lowered to 10° after just 5 seconds of exposure, and complete hydrophilicity was obtained after 30 seconds of plasma treatment. An interesting trend in oxygen concentration measured by XPS was observed for ITO but not FTO samples. From a physical point of view, the interaction with the conductive sample affects the orientation of filaments during the surface modification. Additionally, the results suggest that for small working distances, the physical regime can vary from coplanar to volume discharge as shown in Figure 1. All changes were observed with ICCD imaging (Pi-Max 4, Princeton Instruments). Regarding the physical changes over the surface, the plasma treatment resulted in decreased roughness with no significant effect on conductivity.In conclusion, the results obtained in this study can be utilized in the manufacturing process of microelectronic devices and provide a deeper insight into how the treatment process influences discharge parameters.[1] Armstrong et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tsf.2003.08.067[2] Šimor et al. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.1513185[3] Donley et al. https://doi.org/10.1021/la011101t[3] Chaney et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0169-4332(03)00617-2 Figure 1

Indigo (Indigo suffruticosa Mill.) seed germination to improve commercial viability

Indigo suffruticosa Mill., commonly known as Guatemalan indigo or anil indigo, is being investigated as a regenerative rotational crop that is used to produce natural plant-based dyes in the USA. The fashion and textile industry currently rely on harmful synthetic dyes to color fabric. To improve the viability of Indigo and to minimize production costs, methods to improve Indigo seed germination rates will benefit the quality, crop yields, and enable large scale field plantings.This study was initiated to develop a methodology of treating seeds to increase seed germination rates of Guatemalan Indigo and decrease fungal seed pathogens. All studies were conducted on the currently available commercial Indigo varieties. Sterilization and germination methods included: ethanol and bleach sterilization, mechanical scarification (coffee grinder, belt sander), gibberellic acid, dry heat, freezing, distilled water soaking, and boiling water. Each treatment was replicated four times for each of the various times and temperatures tested. The dry heat method at 80°C for 30 min resulted in the highest average germination rate of 83 %. Trials demonstrated that the dry heat method was the only treatment that resulted in higher germination rates than control treatment with an average of only 64 % germination. Dry heat at 90°C across all time intervals (30 min, 1 h, and 2 h) showed no results higher than 34 % germination. Pre-treating seed with 10 min soak in 10 % bleach resulted in complete control of surface pathogens with no decrease in seed germination. The boiling water method for 30 sec also lead to higher germination rates but may prove too difficult in larger volumes. Other methods of sterilization, gibberellic acid, freezing, mechanical scarification, and long-term soaking resulted in average germination percentages equal to or less than the control of no treatment. The dry heat method should be applied 2 h before planting. Applying a 10 min bleach sterilization step and dry heat treatment will greatly improve germination of Indigo and will allow for a commercially viable protocol to be created. This will allow natural indigo to compete with inexpensive synthetic dyes, enabling producers to direct seed indigo rather than costly transplant production.

Physicochemical properties and flavor substances analyses of refined beef tallow with dry fractionation treatment

Dry fractionation represents a significant technique for separation of diverse fractions from beef tallow. The objective of this study was to undertake a systematic investigation of alterations in physicochemical properties, crystallization behavior, thermal properties, and flavor compounds that occur during the beef tallow dry fractionation process. The solid component yielded at 40, 30, and 15 °C were 44.88%, 33.72%, and 13.04% respectively, with an 8.36% liquid content at 15 °C, which was consistent with the characteristics of saturated fatty acids content. The β – β’ transformation in the dry fractionation process was clearly revealed by X-ray diffraction. Differential scanning calorimetry curves exhibited alterations in exothermic and endothermic peak, as well as enthalpy. Electronic nose identified short-chain compounds, aldehydes, ketones, and nitrogen-containing substances as flavor compounds. Volatile compounds were quantified using HS-SPME-GC–MS. Overall, dry fractionation produces beef tallow fractionated compounds with diverse physicochemical properties and aromatic-active substances, thereby expanding its potential utilization.

Treatment of dry eyes with lifitegrast 5% before cataract surgery: A prospective trial

Abstract Objective: The objective of the study was to evaluate the impact of dry eye treatment on intraocular lens (IOL) biometry measurements and postoperative refractive outcome. Design: This study involves a prospective interventional study. Participants: Consecutive patients with dry eye disease undergoing cataract surgery were included in the study. Materials and Methods: All participants underwent a comprehensive dry eye assessment including the ocular surface disease index (OSDI) questionnaire, Schirmer’s test without anesthesia, corneal fluorescein staining, and conjunctival lissamine green staining. Optical biometry was performed using swept-source optical coherence tomography (IOL Master® 700, Zeiss), and corneal aberrometry was measured using a scanning-slit aberrometer (OPD SCAN III, Nidek). Diagnosis of dry eye was made according to Dry Eye Workshop II. Patients received 6 weeks of treatment of lifitegrast 5% and preservative-free artificial tear eye drops and had repeat testing at the end of 6 weeks. The change in subjective and objective dry eye tests and biometry measurements and the difference in target and postoperative refraction before and after treatment were compared. Results: Forty eyes of 21 patients were included in the study. Subjectively, OSDI improved from 26.35 ± 6.24 at baseline to 20.97 ± 8.41 after treatment (P = 0.03). Objectively, corneal staining improved from 1.42 ± 1.78 at baseline to 0.39 ± 0.67 after treatment (P = 0.006). No changes were observed in Schirmer’s test without anesthesia, conjunctival staining, or corneal aberrometry (P &gt; 0.05). Repeated biometry after dry eye treatment showed a change in IOL power difference ≥0.5 diopters in 50% (20) of eyes. Mean absolute error was within 0.25D in 87.5% (35) of eyes after treatment compared to 67.5% at baseline (P = 0.05). Conclusion: Dry eye treatment leads to subjective symptom improvement and changes in IOL power calculations and postoperative refractive outcomes. Assessing and treating patients for dry eyes before cataract surgery is important in maximizing refractive outcomes.

Optimisation of dry heat treatment conditions for modification of faba bean (Vicia faba L.) starch

Faba bean is a protein-rich starchy grain that is underutilised in the UK. The starch of faba bean can be modified using environmentally friendly methods like dry heat treatment (DHT) to enhance functional and its physicochemical properties. This study investigated the impact of dry heat temperature and time on the structure, functional and physicochemical properties of faba bean starch (FBS) using a two-factor central composite rotatable design. Factors (DHT temperature:100–150 °C and DHT time:0.5–5 h) with their respective α mid-point values led to 13 experimental runs. Selected pasting and functional properties were measured as response variables. Corn starch was included as a reference and compared with the FBS modified using the optimized conditions. DHT increased peak (approx. 2205–2267 cP), final (approx. 3525–3642 cP) and setback (approx. 1887–1993 cP) viscosities but decreased the amylose content of FBS. Colour, as measured by lightness value, morphology and crystalline type were not altered but the starches showed a loss of order and an increase in crystallinity after DHT. FBS appeared resilient to DHT but showed higher swelling power and pasting properties compared to the corn starch control. The optimum DHT conditions to produce starch with desirable properties are a temperature of 100 °C for 0.1716 h, with a desirability factor of 66 %.

Three-dimensional mass transfer modeling and phenolic chemistry exploration for ultrasound-assisted and microwave drying of goji berry

Herein, goji berries were pretreated with sodium carbonate (Na2CO3) and then dried via ultrasound-assisted air drying or microwave drying. Water migration and phenolic chemistry of goji berries were studied under drying. A three-dimensional ellipsoid water transport model, accounting for porosity and temperature fluctuations, was established to explore the intricacies of the drying mechanism. Generally, microwave drying promoted interior water transport compared to ultrasound drying. Among all the drying methods, microwave drying at 240 W (MW-240 W) exhibited the highest De (from 7.34 × 10−9 to 9.61 × 10−9 m2/s) and kc (6.78 × 10−4 m/s) values. The goji berries received a considerably high water content gradient between its surface and center within the first 2 s of all the drying treatments. Microwave drying diminished the water content gradient earlier than air drying and ultrasound-assisted air drying treatments. Furthermore, most correlations observed among phenolics, oxidase activity, and cell wall pectin did not align with the established theories, highlighting the highly nonlinear nature of phenolic chemistry during goji berry drying. This study provides a three-dimensional model to study the mass transfer mechanism of goji berries and analyzes the evolution of polyphenols during the drying process.

Aggregation and Sedimentation Stability of Nanoscale Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework (ZIF‐8) Nanocomposites for Antimicrobial Agent Delivery Applications

ABSTRACTThe applications of nanoscale zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIF‐8) for antimicrobial drug delivery depend on the aqueous suspension stability of the ZIF‐8 which is influenced by their crystallinity, size, shape, aggregation, and surface chemistry. This study evaluated the stability of ZIF‐8 nanoparticles in terms of their aggregation and sedimentation characteristics. ZIF‐8 nanocomposites were synthesized with methanol via sonication at 30°C for 1 h. The effect of drying methods (oven drying at 80°C, and vacuum drying at 35°C), number of washing steps (0 = no wash, 1, 2, 3), and washing medium (washing with water and ethanol instead of methanol, and redispersion in water and ethanol) on the suspension stability was evaluated. The impact of added xanthan gum (XG) and poly‐L‐lysine (PL) as suspension media was also evaluated. ZIF‐8 nanoparticles were also synthesized using ethanol and suspended in PL. % transmittance and zeta potential were measured for freshly prepared ZIF‐8 suspensions in PL and after freeze‐drying and resuspending in water. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and x‐ray diffraction (XRD) analysis were utilized for the assessment of the crystallinity, structure, and morphology of the samples. Antibacterial activity was evaluated by disc diffusion test against Escherichia coli. Dried methanol‐synthesized ZIF‐8 nanoparticles did not suspend in water; only the ZIF‐8 nanoparticles synthesized with reduced washing times and no drying treatment were resuspended in the water, XG and PL solutions. Instead, the ethanol‐synthesized ZIF‐8 nanoparticles were resuspended in water even after being washed three times and dried in a vacuum oven. SEM and TEM images and XRD patterns showed that alcohol can form well‐defined ZIF‐8 nanoparticles. FTIR spectra showed that ZIF‐8 had typical peaks of ZIF‐8 reported by others. Although particle size increased, the PL coating provided a 32.22% increase in zeta potential of ZIF‐8 nanoparticles from 36.25 to 47.93 mV (p &lt; 0.05) and prevented aggregation and sedimentation of the nanoparticles without changing their morphology. All the tested ZIF‐8 nanoparticles showed antibacterial activity with the PL‐coated ZIF‐8 having the highest effect followed by the ZIF‐8 nanoparticles synthesized in ethanol.

TRPV4 activation in human corneal epithelial cells promotes membrane mucin production

Given that the corneal epithelium is situated on the outermost part of the eye, its functions can be influenced by external temperatures and chemical substances. This study aimed to elucidate the expression profile of chemosensory receptors in corneal epithelial cells and analyze their role in eye function regulation. A comprehensive analysis of 425 chemosensory receptors in human corneal epithelial cells-transformed (HCE-T) revealed the functional expression of TRPV4. The activation of TRPV4 in HCE-T cells significantly increased the expression of membrane-associated mucins MUC1, MUC4, and MUC16, which are crucial for stabilizing tear films, with efficacy comparable to the active components of dry eye medications. The present study suggests that TRPV4, which is activated by body temperature, regulates mucin expression and proposes it as a novel target for dry eye treatment.

A Comparison Analysis of Quality and Metabolic Compounds in Lilies with Different Drying Treatments.

The present study aimed to investigate the variations in the nutritional composition, antioxidant capacity, and metabolite profile of lilies subjected to different drying treatments, including vacuum freeze drying (VFD), hot air drying (HAD), vacuum drying (VD), and infrared drying (ID). The results show that VFD provided better preservation of the original coloration and displayed the highest levels of total amino acid content, total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, and polysaccharide and alkaloid content. Our results reveal that VFD treatment can be employed to obtain high-quality lilies with desirable appearance characteristics and nutrient compositions. Metabolomics analysis identified a total of 464 metabolites from various dried lilies. Differential metabolite screening found 150 differential metabolites across all pairwise comparisons. Hierarchical clustering analysis (HCA) indicated that lilies subjected to VFD treatment exhibited a higher abundance of steroids, saponin, flavonoids, and phenolic glycoside, whereas those subjected to HAD, VD, or ID treatments showed relatively elevated levels of specific amino acids or derivatives. This study elucidates the significant impact of various drying treatments on the quality and metabolic profile of lilies, thereby providing valuable insights for enhancing the nutritional quality of processed lilies.

Research on the enhancement material and culture method of soil aggregates composed of feldspathic sandstone and sand

The Mu Us Sandy Land is a region characterized by wind-blown sand and soil erosion in northern China. To enhance the soil quality of this area, various organic materials were incorporated into the mixed soil at a volume ratio of 1:2 for feldspathic sandstone to sand. Culture was conducted in the field and under constant temperature conditions in laboratory culture chambers. Four treatments were established in the experiment, each calculated based on weight ratio and controlled (with no organic material added, CK); single application of straw (5% straw, P1); single application of biochar (5% biochar, P2); combined application of biochar and straw (5% biochar + 5% straw, P3). After 90 days of culture, soil samples were collected for analysis of various indicators such as soil aggregate particle size distribution, water stability of soil aggregates, mean weight diameter, mean geometric diameter, and fractal dimension using dry sieving and wet sieving methods. The objective is to establish a scientific basis and provide technical support for addressing the challenges associated with compound soil and implementing rational fertilization measures. The research results indicate that: (1) The quantity of aggregates > 0.25 mm under different treatments follows the order CK < P1 < P2 < P3, and the differences between treatments are significant (P < 0.05); (2) Soil water stability, mean weight diameter (MWD), mean geometric diameter (GMD), and fractal dimension of soil aggregates in compound soil with different organic material additions are superior to the control, and the effect of biochar on improving soil aggregates is better than that of corn straw. The combined application of both significantly improves the effect compared to single applications. In both culture modes, under wet sieving, the P3 treatment shows the highest MWD and GMD of soil aggregates, with an increase ranging from 3.45% to 85% and 4.55% to 38.46%, respectively, compared to other treatments. (3) The trend of fractal dimension among treatments is consistent: P3 < P2 < P1 < CK, and the differences between treatments are significant (P < 0.05). Moreover, there is a good negative correlation linear equation relationship between the fractal dimension (y) and WR > 0.25 (x) of compound soil, with a correlation coefficient of up to 0.9851. In conclusion, the incorporation of organic materials can effectively enhance the proportion of macroaggregates in compound soil consisting of Feldspathic sandstone and sand, thereby improving soil stability and erosion resistance. The optimal outcome is achieved through the combined application of biochar and straw. Indoor culture proves to be more effective than field culture, while wet sieving accurately reflects the structural characteristics of compound soil under both dry and wet sieving treatments.

Evaluation of Different Drying Treatments with Respect to Essential Oil Components, Phenolic and Flavonoid Compounds, and Antioxidant Capacity of Ajowan (Trachyspermum ammi L.).

Ajowan (Trachyspermum ammi L.) is considered a valuable spice and medicinal herb. In this study, the essential oil content and composition of the aerial parts of ajowan were investigated under different drying treatments (sun, shade, oven at 45 °C, oven at 65 °C, microwave, and freeze drying). Moreover, the phenolic content, flavonoid content, and antioxidant capacity of samples were also assessed. Fresh samples produced the highest essential oil content (1.05%), followed by those treated under sun (0.7%) and shade drying (0.95%). Based on gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), thirty compounds were determined in which thymol (34.84-83.1%), carvacrol (0.15-32.36%), p-cymene (0.09-13.66%), and γ-terpinene (3.12-22.58%) were the most abundant. Among the drying methods, freeze drying revealed the highest thymol content, followed by drying in a 45 °C oven. The highest TPC (total phenolic content) and TFC (total flavonoid content) were obtained in the fresh sample (38.23 mg TAE g-1 dry weight (DW)) and in the sample oven-dried at 45 °C (7.3 mg QE g-1 DW), respectively. Based on the HPLC results, caffeic acid (18.04-21.32 mg/100 gDW) and ferulic acid (13.102-19.436 mg/100 g DW) were the most abundant phenolic acids, while among flavonoids, rutin constituted the highest amount (10.26-19.88 mg/100 gDW). Overall, freeze drying was the most promising method of drying for preserving the phenolic (TPC) and flavonoid (TFC) compounds and oil components.

A highly selective inhibitor of discoidin domain receptor-1 (DDR1-IN-1) protects corneal epithelial cells from YAP/ACSL4-mediated ferroptosis in dry eye.

This study investigated the involvement of discoidin domain receptor (DDR) in dry eye and assessed the potential of specific DDR inhibitors as a therapeutic strategy for dry eye by exploring the underlying mechanism. Dry eye was induced in Wistar rats by applying 0.2% benzalkonium chloride (BAC), after which rats were treated topically for 7 days with DDR1-IN-1, a selective inhibitor of DDR1. Clinical manifestations of dry eye were assessed on Day-7 post-treatment. Histological evaluation of corneal damage was performed using haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. In vitro, immortalized human corneal epithelial cells (HCECs) exposed to hyperosmotic stress (HS) were treated with varying doses of DDR1-IN-1 for 24 h. The levels of lipid peroxidation in dry eye corneas or HS-stimulated HCECs were assessed. Protein levels of DDR1/DDR2 and related pathways were detected by western blotting. The cellular distribution of acyl-CoA synthetase long chain family member 4 (ACSL4) and Yes-associated protein (YAP) was evaluated using immunohistochemistry or immunofluorescent staining. In dry eye corneas, only DDR1 expression was significantly up-regulated compared with normal controls. DDR1-IN-1 treatment significantly alleviated dry eye symptoms in vivo. The treatment remarkably reduced lipid hydroperoxide (LPO) levels and suppressed the expression of ferroptosis markers, particularly ACSL4. Overexpression or reactivation of YAP diminished the protective effects of DDR1-IN-1, indicating the involvement of the Hippo/YAP pathway in DDR1-targeted therapeutic effects. This study confirms the significance of DDR1 in dry eye and highlights the potential of selective DDR1 inhibitor(s) for dry eye treatment.

Effect of dry heat and heat moisture treatments on physicochemical and functional properties of finger millet flour and effect of their substitution on characteristics of prepared bread

Effect of dry heat and heat moisture treatments on physicochemical and functional properties of finger millet flour and effect of their substitution on characteristics of prepared bread

Evolution of Quality Parameters and Bioactivity of Actinidia chinensis cv. Sungold (Kiwifruit) Slices Subjected to Different Drying Conditions Storage for 4 Months.

The present study aimed to investigate the impact on nutritional and functional properties of dried kiwifruit (Actinidia chinensis cv. Sungold) slices during conservation for 120 days in sealed containers in the dark at 25 °C. For this purpose, kiwifruits slices were dried at two different temperatures, 40 and 55 °C, for 30 and 25 h, respectively. Fresh and dried kiwi slices were analyzed for their pH, activity water, total solid soluble (TSS), color, titratable acidity, total phenols (TPC) and flavonoids content (TFC), organic acids, and radical scavenging activities. Analysis carried out on the dehydrated samples showed a good aptitude of kiwi material towards the drying process. Particularly, it has been observed that the drying treatment at low temperature helped to preserve the nutraceutical properties of the fruits. In fact, samples treated at 40 °C (KLT) showed at day 0 (T0) the highest TPC and TFC with values of 979.42 Gallic Acid Equivalents (GAE)/100 g of dried weight (dw) and 281.84 mg catechin equivalents (CTE)/100 g dw even if compared with fresh kiwi slices sample (FKF). Moreover, KLT also exhibited the highest values of antioxidant activity (1657 mmol Trolox/100 g dw). After 120 days storage, all dried samples showed a high ascorbic acid content (429-339 mg/100 g dw fruits) and only a slight variation of physicochemical parameters. Textural Parameters (hardness, springiness, cohesiveness, gumminess, and chewiness), apart from resilience results, showed significant differences between kiwifruit dried at 55 °C and at 50 °C (KLT and KHT, respectively). Color and aroma intensity were the main sensory descriptors with higher scores.

Low-rank coal upgrading to optimize its utilization as fuel

Abstract Indonesia’s coal resources and reserves are mostly categorized as low-rank coal, lignite and sub-bituminous coals. Most of them have a high content of moisture, a low calorific value, and a high tendency to low-temperature oxidation and self-combustion, making them difficult to transport over long distances. To increase the utilization of the low-rank coals, a drying treatment was carried out by heating the coal at a temperature and pressure of 160°C and 3.5 Bar respectively for about 15 minutes. Two low-rank coal samples, from South Sumatra (A coal) and South Kalimantan (B coal) were used in this research. The result indicates that the degree of dewatering of A coal is 89.00% while B coal is 95.5%. B Coal has a higher inherent moisture content which generally has more capillary water which is relatively easier to remove. The higher the degree of dewatering the higher the calorific value degree of improvement. The calorific value of the A coal increased by 27.16% and the B coal increased by 40.65%. The combustion characteristic obtained from the thermogravimetry-differential thermal analysis shows that the A and B upgraded coals have a lower tendency to spontaneous combustion than that of the raw coals.

Oven-drying and decontamination effects on crude protein concentration and in vitro crude protein digestibility of yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae).

The study aims to assess the impact of oven-drying and decontamination on crude protein concentration and in vitro crude protein digestibility of yellow mealworms. Two kilograms of 12-wk-old mealworm larvae were subjected to freezing prior to the drying process. Approximately 1.5kg of mealworm larvae were divided into 3 groups and exposed to oven-drying at temperatures of 50 °C for 36h, 60 °C, and 70 °C for 24h each. At intervals of 2h, sets of 3 replicates were withdrawn to record water loss. Consistent weight stabilization was observed at 36h for 50 °C (T50), 18h for 60 °C (T60), and 14h for 70 °C (T70). The remaining 0.5kg of mealworm larvae was divided and dried under treatments T50, T60, and T70. Each treatment was then split into 2 portions, with one portion subjected to 90 °C for 15min (denoted as T50-90, T60-90, T70-90) to eliminate microbial contamination. The 6 treatments were then used to determine concentrations of dry matter, crude ash, crude protein, pre-caecal protein digestibility, and dry matter residues after neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, and acid detergent lignin treatments. No interaction was observed between drying and decontamination treatments (P > 0.17). Pre-caecal crude protein digestibility increased with decreasing temperature (T50: 58% crude protein; T60: 51% crude protein; T70: 50% crude protein). Therefore, lower temperatures for longer times preserve crude protein digestibility. These findings are crucial for understanding how drying temperature and time impact protein bioavailability.

Reconstruction of the historic time course of blood-borne virus contamination of clotting factor concentrates, 1974-1992.

Factor VIII and IX clotting factor concentrates manufactured from pooled plasma have been identified as potent sources of virus infection in persons with hemophilia (PWHs) in the 1970s and 1980s. To investigate the range and diversity of viruses over this period, we analysed 24 clotting factor concentrates for several blood-borne viruses. Nucleic acid was extracted from 14 commercially produced clotting factors and 10 from nonremunerated donors, preserved in lyophilized form (expiry dates: 1974-1992). Clotting factors were tested by commercial and in-house quantitative PCRs for blood-borne viruses hepatitis A, B, C and E viruses (HAV, HBV, HCV, HEV), HIV- types 1/2, parvoviruses B19V and PARV4, and human pegiviruses types 1 and 2 (HPgV-1,-2). HCV and HPgV-1 were the most frequently detected viruses (both 14/24 tested) primarily in commercial clotting factors, with frequently extremely high viral loads in the late 1970s-1985 and a diverse range of HCV genotypes. Detection frequencies sharply declined following introduction of virus inactivation. HIV-1, HBV, and HAV were less frequently detected (3/24, 1/24, and 1/24 respectively); none were positive for HEV. Contrastingly, B19V and PARV4 were detected throughout the study period, even after introduction of dry heat treatment, consistent with ongoing documented transmission to PWHs into the early 1990s. While hemophilia treatment is now largely based on recombinant factor VIII/IX in the UK and elsewhere, the comprehensive screen of historical plasma-derived clotting factors reveals extensive exposure of PWHs to blood-borne viruses throughout 1970s-early 1990s, and the epidemiological and manufacturing parameters that influenced clotting factor contamination.

Utility of an in-line somatic cell count sensor for selecting cows for dry-cow therapy

Minimizing the use of antimicrobials at the end of lactation (dry cow therapy, DCT) requires categorization of cows as likely infected or uninfected. While microbiology is the gold standard for such categorization, the costs of doing so mean that indirect tests such as somatic cell count (SCC) are commonly used. An in-line SCC sensor (SenseHub In Line Somatic Cell Count, in-line SCC) is commercially available but its utility to differentiate cows eligible for dry cow therapy has not been assessed. This prospective diagnostic accuracy study was undertaken to define the sensitivity (Se) and specificity (Sp) of SenseHub SCC against cow-composite milk samples submitted for conventional microbiology. A secondary objective was to assess the utility of SenseHub SCC compared with the maximum (max DHI SCC) or last (last DHI SCC) SCC determined from cow-composite milk samples collected as part of routine herd production recording at monthly intervals throughout lactation. Cows (n = 1,544) from 4 spring-calving, predominantly pasture-fed dairy herds from 3 regions of New Zealand had cow-composite milk samples collected following aseptic teat end preparation immediately before or after the final milking of lactation. These samples were submitted for routine microbiology. The microbiology data from approximately half the cows (n = 770; training data set) were randomly selected after blocking for intramammary infection (IMI) status within herd and these data were used to determine the optimal predictor for indicating IMI from the in-line SCC data by maximizing the area under the receiver operator curve (AUC). The average of the in-line SCC over the final 12 weeks of lactation (in-line 12wSCC) was found to be the best predictor and used for further analyses. The Se and Sp of the in-line SCC for any IMI or for a major pathogen IMI (defined as presence of Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus dysgalactiae or Streptococcus uberis) was calculated using the test data set (n = 774). The AUC for the maximum and last DHI SCC were compared with that of the in-line 12wSCC. The cow-level prevalence of any IMI or a major IMI across the entire population was 50.6% and 14.2%, respectively. At a cutpoint of 150,000 cells/mL, Se and Sp of the in-line 12wSCC for any IMI was 0.68 (95%CI 0.64-0.72) and 0.71 (95% CI 0.65-76), respectively, and the Se and Sp for a major pathogen IMI was 0.89 (95%CI 0.82-0.95) and 0.51 (95% CI 0.47-0.55), respectively. The AUC for a major pathogen IMI was 0.82 (95% CI 0.79-0.86), 0.82 (95% CI 0.78-0.86) and 0.84 (95% CI 0.90-0.97) for in-line 12wSCC, max DHI SCC and last DHI SCC, respectively. These AUC did not differ and the AUC for the in-line 12wSCC was non-inferior to that of the last and maximum HT SCC (both P < 0.001). It was concluded that the in-line 12wSCC had an AUC, Se and Sp not different from DHI SCC data and hence this test has utility in selecting cows for different dry cow therapy treatments.

Multifunctional cerium oxide nanozymes with high ocular surface retention for dry eye disease treatment achieved by restoring redox balance

Dry eye disease (DED) is a kind of multifactorial ocular surface disease that displays ocular discomfort, visual disturbance, and tear film instability. Oxidative stress is a fundamental pathogenesis in DED. An imbalance between the reactive oxygen species (ROS) level and protective enzyme action will lead to oxidative stress, cell dysfunction, tear hyperosmolarity, and inflammation. Herein, a multifunctional cerium oxide nanozyme with high ocular surface retention property was designed to neutralize over-accumulated ROS and restore redox balance. Cerium oxide nanozymes were fabricated via branched polyethylenimine-graft-poly (ethylene glycol) nucleation and dispersion, followed by phenylboronic acid (PBA) functionalization (defined as Ce@PB). Due to the dynamic chemical bonding formation between the PBA segment and the cis-diol groups in the mucin layer of the tear film, Ce@PB nanozymes possess good adhesive capability to the ocular surface, thus extending the drug's retention time. On the other hand, Ce@PB nanozymes could mimic the cascade processes of superoxide dismutase and catalase to maintain intracellular redox balance. In vitro and in vivo studies suggest that such multifunctional nanozymes possess good biocompatibility and hemocompatibility. More importantly, Ce@PB nanozymes treatment in the animal model could repair corneal epithelial defect, increase the number of goblet cells and promote tear secretion, thus achieving an effective treatment for DED. Statement of significance•PBA-functionalized bPEI-g-PEG-based cerium oxide (Ce@PB) nanozymes were designed and fabricated.•The Ce@PB nanozymes have superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) enzyme-like activity scavenging excessive intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS).•The Ce@PB nanozymes demonstrate extended retention on the ocular surface and can effectively treat dry eye disease.