Influence Of Different Treatments Research Articles

High voltage electrostatic field and composite coating impact on the quality of Sichuan pepper

The effects of coated film (CF), high voltage electrostatic field (HVEF), and high voltage electrostatic field combined with coated film (HVEFCF) treatment on the quality of Sichuan pepper during storage at room temperature (temperature: 25 ± 2 °C, humidity: 20 ± 2%) were investigated. The pectin (1%), sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (0.5%), and ascorbic acid (0.04%) were used to prepare the CF solution. The influence of different treatments on the colour, antioxidant activity, flavor components, OH-α-sanshool content, total phenolic content (TPC), and total flavonoid content (TFC) of Sichuan pepper during storage was evaluated. The results showed that HVEFCF treatment significantly reduced the colour change and loss of antioxidant activity of Sichuan pepper during storage. Meanwhile, HVEFCF-treated Sichuan pepper reduced the loss of flavor compounds during storage. Moreover, HVEF-treated Sichuan pepper reduced the loss of TPC and TFC by 106.16% and 44.02%, respectively, after 60 days of storage compared with the control check (CK) group. Furthermore, after 60 days of storage, the amount of OH-α-sanshool in the Sichuan pepper treated with HVEFCF was 9.72 mg/g, significantly preserving the loss of numbing compounds as compared to the CK group. To summarise, HVEFCF is a simple, cheap and efficient way to reduce the quality loss of Sichuan pepper during storage, which has a wide range of application scope in the future.

Comparative Assessment of Inorganic Fertilizer and Farm Yard Manure Application on Yield, Sustainable Yield Index and Soil Physico-Chemical Properties in Cauliflower-Capsicum Cropping Sequence in Northern- Western Himalayas

ABSTRACT Continuous addition of inorganic fertilizer and farm yard manure (FYM) alone or in combination is necessary to assess the changes in yield and soil properties. Therefore, a study was conducted for consecutive two years on nutrient management with nine treatments viz. T1- control, T2-100% FYM (N equivalent basis), T3-100% N, T4-NP, T5-NK, T6-PK, T7-NPK, T8-100% NPK+ FYM (recommended Practice) and T9- 150% NPK+ FYM to assess the influence of different treatments on yield, sustainable yield index, soil physic-chemical properties and soil carbon stock and sequestration rate in cauliflower and capsicum cropping sequence. Results showed that the addition of farm yard manure alone or in a combination with chemical fertilizers contributed to higher soil organic stock and soil carbon sequestration rate. Application of 150% NPK + FYM improved the SYI of system by 49.4% over a control. This treatment increases soil carbon stock by 12.5% from 25.9 Mg ha−1 to 29.6 Mg ha−1 and recorded with maximum soil carbon sequestration rate, i.e. 2.21 Mg C m−3 year−1 over the 2 years. Thus, balanced fertilization of NPK and FYM is beneficial for the maintenance of soil physical health, improving CEC and macro and micronutrient levels.

Effect of Soaking, Germination, and Roasting on Phenolic Composition, Antioxidant Activities, and Fatty Acid Profile of Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) Seeds

This study investigates the impact of soaking, germination, and roasting under various conditions on the phenolic content, antioxidant activities, and fatty acid profile of sunflower seeds of striped and black oil seed varieties. Ferulic acid emerged as the predominant phenolic acid across all samples. The study highlights the influence of different treatments and processing conditions on the levels of phenolic acids and flavonoids. Results revealed that soaking striped seeds for 24 h and roasting black oil seeds for 6 min exhibited the highest total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC). Antioxidant activities varied, with striped seeds soaked for 24 h demonstrating the highest ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) values, while black oil seeds roasted for 6 min exhibited superior 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2’-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging activity. Oleic acid and linoleic acid were identified as major fatty acids in all processed samples, with striped seeds germinated for 24 h and black oil seeds germinated for 48 h displaying the highest concentrations. Soaking led to a reduction in both unsaturated and saturated fatty acids in both varieties. Roasting further influenced fatty acid concentrations, with a significant increase in striped seeds after 5 and 6 h of roasting, followed by a gradual decrease. Our findings suggest that incorporating appropriate processing methods, such as soaking striped seeds for 24 h and roasting black oil seeds for 6 min, enhances the potential health benefits of sunflower seeds.

Migration and morphological transformation patterns of heavy metals on sludge cells and extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) under the influence of different treatments.

The impediment of sludge resource utilization stems from the presence of heavy metals within the sludge matrix. To optimize heavy metal removal techniques from undried sludge, it is essential to study the distribution of heavy metals in the sludge flocs structure and the changes in morphology in the sludge cells after different treatments. In this study, the sludge was subjected to chemical treatments using citric acid (CA), EDTA, and saponin, as well as electrokinetic treatment at 2 V/cm. The distribution and migration of Cu, Ni, and Zn in sludge flocs after various treatment methods were analyzed. The heavy metals were found to migrate from intracellular to extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) without causing extensive sludge cell lysis. They gradually diffused outward with the dispersion of the EPS layer. The migration efficiency of the three heavy metals in the sludge flocs was Zn, Ni, and Cu. This was mainly related to the initial distribution and morphology of the heavy metals. Under the influence of chemicals and an electric field, the acid-soluble and reducible heavy metals in the cells partially migrated to the EPS, while the stable heavy metals transformed into an unstable state. Furthermore, the order of chemical reagents in terms of their effect on the migration efficiency of heavy metals was CA > EDTA > Saponin, owing to the varying binding strengths of heavy metals and their impact on the degree of loosening of the EPS. Especially after CA treatment a greater proportion of Cu, Ni, and Zn were transferred from the cells to the EPS. The acidification effect near the anode during electrokinetic treatment intensifies the migration of heavy metals. This study provides basic research for subsequent engineering optimization aimed at removing heavy metals from sludge.

Low-alcohol wine made from uvaia (Eugenia pyriformis Cambess): Influence of ultrasound-assisted enzymatic pre-treatment on its bioactive properties

The uvaia (Eugenia pyriformis Cambess) is a Brazilian native fruit that has potential for the preparation of low-alcohol beverages. Ultrasound-assisted enzymatic treatments can be applied in the steps which precede the fermentation, aiming the extraction of bioactive compounds. Thus, the goal of this study was to evaluate the influence of different treatments using pectinase and ultrasound on the bioactive properties of uvaia wine. The uvaia wine treated with pectinase and ultrasound showed the highest levels of malic acid, total phenolic compounds, and antioxidant activity. In the in vitro digestion, the treatment with pectinase and ultrasound increased the antioxidant activity (ABTS) by 50% and showed the highest p-coumaric acid content in the intestinal phase. This work is a pioneer in the preparation of low-alcohol uvaia wine using pre-fermentation treatments with enzyme and ultrasound which, when simultaneously applied, optimized the chemical characteristics of this beverage.

Influence of organic fertilization on growth and yield of strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) in Kabete and Mbooni areas, Kenya

Strawberries are a valuable crop in Kenya with the potential for significant economic contributions. However, strawberry production in the country has been facing considerable challenges, impacting its economic potential. This study examined the influence of organic manure on strawberry growth and characteristics in Kabete and Mbooni areas in Kenya. The study used a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Treatments included livestock manure (well composted mixture of chicken, goat, and cow manure), bokashi manure, and a control, coded as LivManure, BokManure and Control, respectively. Growth parameters including leaf area, number of white flowers and number of runners, as well as yield parameters such as the number and weight of strawberries were assessed from the 3rd to 10th week after transplanting, during the short rain season of 2021. Using R statistical software, linear models were fitted to datasets from both study sites and analyzed using one-way ANOVA, followed by post-hoc tests for multiple comparisons. The rigorous analysis of the Kabete and Mbooni datasets provided insightful revelations about the influence of different treatments on strawberry characteristics, and geographical disparities between the two regions. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) outcomes unveiled significant treatment effects in both sites, with F(2,69) = 62.57, p < 0.001 for Kabete and F(2,69) = 49.02, p < 0.001 for Mbooni, highlighting distinct influences of treatments on log values within each group. Post hoc analyses, including Tukey tests and bootstrap comparisons robustly validated the significant differences among the three treatments in each site, supported by p-values <0.001. Effect sizes were also employed to reinforce the findings, and planned contrasts were set to gain more power in the analysis of variance. Comparison between Kabete and Mbooni indicated a significant difference of 9.78 units, with Mbooni area exhibiting significantly higher strawberry characteristics compared to Kabete. The results showed that LivManure treatment had the highest mean in both sites, followed by BokManure and Control treatments, respectively. These findings have important implications for agriculture, and highlight the potential benefits of using LivManure treatment to improve strawberry characteristics in similar agroclimatic settings. These observations can be attributed to the beneficial effects of livestock manure on soil health, which include buffering of the soil reaction, provision of essential plant nutrients and enhancement of soil faunal activities. Balanced use of livestock manure is recommended to enhance soil macro and micronutrients, and soil reaction for improved growth and yield of strawberry.

The Comparison of Wheat Growth Indicators Under the Influence of Different Treatments of Cold Plasma and Plasma-Activated Water

The Comparison of Wheat Growth Indicators Under the Influence of Different Treatments of Cold Plasma and Plasma-Activated Water

Influence of Different Treatments on the Structure and Conversion of Silicon Species in Rice Straw to Tetraethyl Orthosilicate (TEOS).

The production of tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) from biomass provides a new way for TEOS production and biomass valorization. In this study, rice straw was treated using different fractionation methods, and the content, state, and reactivity of Si in the treated samples were investigated. It was found that acid treatment and ethanol extraction kept most Si in the biomass, while alkali treatment caused significant Si loss. Si was mainly present in the SiOx , Si-O-C, and Si-O-Si states in the surface of raw rice straw, cellulose and Klason lignin. The results showed that the Si-O-Si state in rice straw was beneficial for the formation of TEOS. The removal of lipids from rice straw facilitated the production of TEOS, giving the highest TEOS yield of 76.2 %. In contrast, the production of TEOS from other samples became difficult; the simultaneous conversion of the three organic components of rice straw also facilitated the production of TEOS.

Galactoglucomannan oligosaccharides mitigate cadmium toxicity in maize protoplasts by improving viability and cell wall regeneration

To avoid human health endangerment via the food chain, the investigation of Cd's effects on plant growth and development, and the discovery of various compounds that would mitigate the toxic effects of Cd, are essential. Galactoglucomannan oligosaccharides (GGMOs) are biologically active compounds, which improve the growth and development of plants. Therefore, the impact of GGMOs on the mitigation of Cd toxicity on maize (Zea mays L.) protoplasts was the main objective of this research. Here, protoplast viability, de novo cell wall regeneration on protoplasts' surface and Cd-uptake by protoplasts were studied. To study the influence of different treatments over time, the protoplasts were sampled on various days during the 14-day-long cultivation. The medium containing 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, 6-benzylaminopurine, and GGMOs in a 10−9 M concentration with a pH of 3.8 was found to be optimal for protoplast cultivation. The toxic effect of Cd2+, which was evident already on the 2nd day of cultivation, resulted in decreased protoplast viability, the de novo cell wall regeneration, and in increased Cd-uptake. However, the application of GGMOs on Cd-stressed protoplasts increased cell wall regeneration. Fully or partly regenerated cell walls decreased the uptake of Cd2+ through the plasma membrane and improved protoplast viability. This is the first study that confirmed that biologically active oligosaccharides promote cell wall regeneration on the protoplast surface in both non-stress and Cd-stress conditions.

The effect of irrigation with treated and untreated wastewater on the yield and chemical composition of essential oil of Mentha spicata L. and Rosmarinus officinalis L.

Today, the lack of quality water supply has led to the tendency to use unconventional water to irrigate agricultural products. Considering the importance and application of essential oils of mint plants in various pharmaceutical, food, and health industries and also considering the approach of using unconventional waters in the cultivation of medicinal plants, the present study aimed to investigate and compare the chemical composition of essential oils of two species of Mentha spicata L. and Rosmarinus officinalis L. which was designed and implemented for the first time under the influence of different treatments of municipal and industrial wastewater. For this purpose, first R. officinalis cuttings and roots of M. spicata were prepared and after preparing and leveling the ground, in the spring of 2020, it was transferred to the planting site and planted in the form of creek and ridges. The treatments studied in this study included well water (WW), treated municipal wastewater (TMW), untreated municipal wastewater (UMW), treated industrial wastewater (TIW), and untreated industrial wastewater (UIW) in a randomized complete block design with four repeat runs. After watering the plants continuously for 3months, the plant branches were collected and transferred to the laboratory for drying. After extracting the essential oil by water distillation (Clevenger) method, the analysis and identification of the compounds were performed by a chromatograph coupled with a mass spectrometer (GC/MS). The results showed that the highest and lowest yields of M. spicata belonged to the samples treated with UMW and WW, respectively. Also, R. officinalis essential oil irrigated with UMW and UIW had the highest and lowest yields, respectively. The number of essential oil compounds in of M. spicata was between 5 and 19 and in R. officinalis between 14 and 23 under different treatments. The results of the analysis of essential oil compounds showed that D-carvone (57.77-57.44%) and D-limonene (8.70-26.65%) for M. spicata and α-pinene (26.12-34.85%), 1,8-cineole (18.95-23.70%), and camphene (9.93-12.80%) for R. officinalis were predominant compounds in all studied treatments. The results show that UMW is a suitable and efficient treatment to have the best quantity of M. spicata essential oil and the best quality and quantity of R. officinalis essential oil.

Influence of Different Treatments and Conditions on Optical Properties of Monolithic Zirconia: A Systematic Review

The present systematic review aimed to evaluate the influence of different treatments and conditions on the optical properties of monolithic zirconia. An electronic search was performed using the following databases: PubMed (National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, MD, USA), Web of Science (Clarivate, London, UK), Scopus (Elsevier, Amsterdam, Netherlands), Google Scholar (Google, Mountain View, CA, USA), and Embase (Elsevier, Amsterdam, Netherlands), with no restrictions on publication year and language. Based on the PICO format, the primary research question of this review was: “What is the impact of different treatments and conditions on the optical properties of monolithic zirconia?” From 145 relevant articles, 12 studies were chosen for systematic review (qualitative synthesis). A modified version of the “Guidelines for Reporting Pre-Clinical In-Vitro Studies on Dental Materials” was used to assess the overall quality of the included studies and any bias within them. The included studies assessed the optical properties (such as color stability, translucency, and surface gloss) of monolithic zirconia and other relevant ceramic materials using different treatments and conditions including aging (i.e., artificial, simulated, chemical, and hydrothermal), grinding/occlusal adjustment, glazing/external staining, toothbrushing, bleaching, and artificial gastric acid exposure. All the included studies (100%) reported a significant decrease (p &lt; 0.05) in the optical properties of monolithic zirconia samples as compared to those of other relevant ceramic materials. Overall, different treatments and conditions had a negative impact on the optical properties of monolithic zirconia. In conclusion, the optical features assessed for monolithic zirconia, such as color stability, translucency, and surface gloss, appeared to be significantly compromised by different treatments and conditions including aging, grinding/occlusal adjustment, glazing/external staining, toothbrushing, bleaching, and artificial gastric acid exposure. However, the change was clinically not perceivable in 25% (n = 3/12) of the included studies. Due to the heterogenic parameters in the included studies, it is recommended to perform future studies using standardized conditions with different stains of zirconia over an extended duration to obtain conclusive evidence.

Effects of different amounts of straw return and nitrogen fertilizer application on soil CO2 emission from maize fields.

Understanding the effects of different amounts of straw returning and nitrogen fertilizer application on soil CO2 emission from maize field can provide theoretical support for carbon sequestration and CO2 emission reduction and the implementation of black soil region conservation plan. Three rates of straw returning were set up in the semi-arid area of northwest Liaoning Province, China, i.e. 3000 (S1), 6000 (S2) and 9000 kg·hm-2(S3, full amount of straw returned to the field); crossed with three nitrogen fertilizer application rates in the sub-region, respectively, i.e. 105 (N1), 210 (N2, conventional nitrogen application rate) and 420 kg N·hm-2(N3). In addition, there was a control treatment (CK) without nitrogen fertilizer and straw returning. Soil samples were collected after 4 years field experiment with maize plantation. The influence of different treatments on maize field soil CO2 emission and the relationship between CO2 emission and soil dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and microbial biomass carbon (MBC) were investigated in an incubation experiment. The results showed that both of straw returning and nitrogen fertilizer application promoted soil CO2 emission in maize field, which were increased significantly with the increases of straw returning amount and nitrogen application amount. Nitrogen fertilizer application was the most important factor promoting soil CO2 emission in maize field. Straw returning combined with nitrogen fertilizer promoted soil CO2 emission by increasing microbial biomass and increasing DOC consumption. MBC and DOC stimulated soil CO2 emission significantly in maize field, and were mainly affected by their contents in the early stage of incubation. From the perspective of ensuring the fertilization of straw return to the field while reducing CO2 emissions, results from our experiment showed that 210 kg N·hm-2 conventional nitrogen application in combination with 6000 kg N·hm-2 straw returning (N2S2) was the most promising mode in the semi-arid area of northwest Liaoning Province.

On three-dimensional SPH modelling of large-scale landslides

Lagrangian particle-based smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) is increasingly widely used in landslide modelling. This paper investigates four important issues not addressed by previous studies on SPH modelling of large-scale landslides, i.e., convergence property, influence of constitutive parameters, scale effect and friction reduction, and influence of different treatments of the viscous effect. The GPU-acceleration technique is employed to achieve high-resolution three-dimensional (3D) modelling. The Baige landslide is investigated by comparing numerical results with field data, and detailed analyses on the four issues are provided. Suggestions on particle resolution, constitutive parameter, and formulations of viscous discretization are also presented for future SPH modelling of large-scale landslides.

Assessing the Capability of Chemical Ameliorants to Reduce the Bioavailability of Heavy Metals in Bulk Fly Ash Contaminated Soil.

In-situ rehabilitation of fly ash at dumping sites has rarely been addressed for crop production due to growth-related constraints, largely of heavy metal (HM) contamination in soils and crops. Current communication deals with a novel approach to identify a suitable management option for rejuvenating the contaminated soils. In this background, a 60-days incubation experiment was conducted with different fly ash-soil mixtures (50 + 50%, A1; 75 + 25%, A2; 100 + 0%, A3) along with four ameliorants, namely, lime (T1), sodium sulphide (T2), di-ammonium phosphate (T3), and humic acid (T4) at 30 ± 2 °C to assess the ability of different fly ash-soil-ameliorant mixtures in reducing bio-availability of HMs. Diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA)-extractable bio-available HM contents for lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni), and chromium (Cr) and their respective ratios to total HM contents under the influence of different treatments were estimated at 0, 15, 30, 45, and 60 days of incubation. Further, the eco-toxicological impact of different treatments on soil microbial properties was studied after 60 days of experimentation. A1T1 significantly recorded the lowest bio-availability of HMs (~49–233% lower) followed by A2T1 (~35–133%) among the treatments. The principal component analysis also confirmed the superiority of A1T1 and A2T1 in this regard. Further, A1T1 achieved low contamination factor and ecological risk with substantial microbial biomass carbon load and dehydrogenase activity. Thus, liming to fly ash-soil mixture at 50:50 may be considered as the best management option for ameliorating metal toxicity. This technology may guide thermal power plants to provide the necessary package of practices for the stakeholders to revive their contaminated lands for better environmental sustainability.

The Properties of OPEFB Cellulose Nanofibrils Produced by A Different Mode of Ultrafine Grinding

Cellulose Nanofibrils (CNFs) was resulted from deconstruction of the hierarchical structure of cellulose. CNFs are commonly obtained by mechanical fibrillation, such as ultrafine grinding processes and its variation. Nevertheless, the influence of different treatments on the properties of the resulting CNF especially from variety of ultrafine grinding mode has not been reported. This study investigates the properties of cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) produced from bleached pulp oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) Kraft pulp through an ultrafine grinder with two different treatments in the fibrillation process. These two treatments were: 1) ultrafine grinder with increasing gaps distances; -30, -50, -70, and -90 µm with five cycles in every gap, 2) ultrafine grinder on constant gaps (-30µm) with increasing grinding cycles: 5, 10, 15, 30, and 40 cycles through the grinder. The influence of the treatment was evaluated through particle size distribution, crystallinity index, and morphological properties. The result showed that the increasing gaps treatment efficiently improved the size uniformity of CNFs, length 147-139.5 nm, and scanning electron microscope micrograph confirmed that the diameter of CNF was smaller with the increasing grinding gaps than increasing grinding cycles. However, the increasing cycle’s treatment produced CNF with a higher crystallinity index. The crystallinity index (CrI) of the CNF decreased from 71.27 to 62.25% with increasing gaps, whereas the CrI of the CNF from increasing cycles was 69.35%. This study provides a valuable guideline for determining the appropriate process to produce CNF especially by mechanical grinding using ultrafine grinder from OPEFB according to the desired result.

Solubilization of hemicellulose and fermentable sugars from bagasse, stalks, and leaves of sweet sorghum

Sweet sorghum is alternative biomass for ethanol and value-added molecules production due to its large production of juice and bagasse. The present study used sweet sorghum bagasse, stalk, and leaves to determine the influence of different treatments for hemicellulose solubilization (glucuronoarabinonoxylan), xylose and glucose production. Hemicellulose solubilization was performed using alkaline methods with 6% and 10 % (w/v) H2O2, 10 % (w/w) NaOH, and 10 % (w/w) KOH, and xylose produced with 1% (w/w) H2SO4. Untreated bagasse, stalks, and leaves of sweet sorghum presented a cellulose proportion of 43.58 %, 42.23 %, and 35.09 %; the hemicellulose proportion was 24.51 %, 22.14 %, and 20.51 %, and of lignin was 26.22 %, 20.92 %, and 19.93 %, successively. The hemicellulose solubilization yield varied from 17.79 % with stalk pretreatment with 6% H2O2 and 96.8 % with 10 % NaOH. Enzymatic hydrolysis resulted in yield greater than 90 % for all biomasses pretreated with 10 % H2O2 and above 80 % for biomasses pretreated with 10 % KOH. Considering the solubilization yield and the chemical composition, the hemicellulose from the bagasse and stalks with 10 % NaOH was the most effective in the solubilization. This condition is also an advantage for enzymatic hydrolysis purposes of the pretreated materials. However, it is important to observe that hydrogen peroxide resulted in a high hemicellulose yield with colorless, requiring lower washing step.

Flavor of rapeseed oil: An overview of odorants, analytical techniques, and impact of treatment.

As one of the three major vegetable oils in the world, rapeseed oil is appreciated for its high nutritional value and characteristic flavor. Flavor is an essential attribute, determining rapeseed oil quality and consumer acceptance. The present manuscript provides a systematic literature review of recent advances and knowledge on the flavor of rapeseed oil, which focuses on aroma-active as well as off-flavor compounds, flavor analysis techniques (i.e., extraction, qualitative, quantitative, sensory, and chemometric methods), and effects of treatments (storage, dehulling, roasting, microwave, flavoring with herbs, refining, and oil heating) on flavor from sensory and molecular perspectives. One hundred thirty-seven odorants found in rapeseed oil from literature are listed and possible formation pathways of some key aroma-active compounds are also proposed. Future flavor analysis techniques will evolve toward time-saving, portability, real-time monitoring, and visualization, which aims to obtain a "complete" flavor profile of rapeseed oil. The changes of volatile compounds in rapeseed oil under different treatments are summarized in this view. Studies to elucidate the influence of different treatments on the formation of aroma-active compounds are needed to get a deeper understanding of factors leading to the variations of rapeseed oil flavor.

P201 Evaluation of the role of anti-TNF in stabilizing the progression of intestinal lesions in Crohn’s disease using the Lemann Index

Abstract Background The Lemann Index (LI) was developed to assess cumulative digestive tract damage in patients with Crohn’s disease (CD), independently of clinical and biological activity. Recently, therapeutic goals in CD have focused on achieving mucosal healing and deep remission rather than simple symptom control, thus requiring prevention of progression of intestinal damage. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of different treatments on the progression of structural damage, using the LI. Methods we retrospectively included all patients with CD, followed in our center during the period between January 2016 and January 2020. The LI was calculated from the first (LI1) and the last (LI2) clinical consultations. The evolution of (LI1-LI2) or Delta LI (DLI) was recorded. Results 112 patients with CD were collected, of which 53.6% were female. The mean age at diagnosis was 33.29 years [15–63]. Active smoking was found in 34 patients (30.4%). Regarding the localization of CD, it was ileal (L1 according to the Montreal classification), colonic (L2), and ileocolonic (L3) in respectively 16.1%, 42.9% and 41%. The disease phenotype was inflammatory (B1) in 60.7%, stricturing (B2) in 21.42%, and penetrating (B3) in 17.85%. The initial flare was judged to be severe in 33.9% of cases, moderate in 55.4% of cases and mild in 10.7% of cases, with a mean CDAI of 305.21 [115–493]. Regarding maintenance treatment, 51.8% of patients (n = 58) were on Azathioprine, 23.2% (n = 26) were on aminosalicylates, and 25% (n = 28) were on anti-TNF, including 42, 9% under combination therapy. The median follow-up was 36.82 ± 16.83 months, with no difference between the groups. During follow-up, the mean LI increased significantly from 3.34 [0.58–8.82] to 7.82 [0.62–32.6] in the azathioprine group (p = 0.0001), from 2.0 [0.58–6.52] to 3.91 [0.6–14.03] in the Aminosalicylates group (p = 0.001) and from 3.79 [1.05–8.42] to 10.01 [2.58–33.08] in the Anti-TNF group (p = 0.0001). The mean DLI was -4.48 for the Azathioprine group, -1.9 for the Salicylates group and -6.14 for the Anti-TNF group, with no statistically significant difference (p = 0.16). Conclusion In patients with CD, the LI tends to increase over time. In our series, the use of Anti-TNF α does not appear to be able to reduce the progression of intestinal lesions, compared to other therapies.

Construction and preparation of nitrogen-doped porous carbon material based on waste biomass for lithium-ion batteries

Biomass derived carbon materials have been widely studied as electrodes in energy storage devices due to their renewable nature, low-cost and tunable physical/chemical properties. However, the influences of different treatments for biomass derived carbon materials are still lack of in-depth discussion. In this work, we investigate the effects of the treatment for biomass on the structure and composition of the resulted carbon materials. Especially, the optimal N-doped porous carbon (NPCCS), which was fabricated by H2SO4-assisted hydrothermal treatment and subsequent pyrolysis process using corn silk as raw material, shows a unique interconnected layered nanostructure with ultra-high nitrogen content (18.79 at%). As a result, the NPCCS electrode displays excellent cycling stability and outstanding rate performance in lithium-ion half-cell test and shows high first reversible specific capacity of 523.6 mAh g−1 in full-cell test. This work provides some guidance for preparing biomass derived carbon materials with superior electrochemical performance for the applications in advanced energy storage devices.

Combination of Extrusion and Fermentation with Lactobacillus plantarum and L. uvarum Strains for Improving the Safety Characteristics of Wheat Bran.

Processed wheat bran (W) is of great importance for food and feed. Consequently, the biosafety of W should be evaluated and improved with valorisation strategies. This study tested a design combining extrusion (at temperature of 115 and 130 °C; screw speeds of 16, 20, and 25 rpm) and fermentation with Lactobacillus plantarum and L. uvarum strains for the valorisation of W to provide safer food and feed stock. The influence of different treatments on biogenic amine formation, mycotoxin content, and free amino acids, as well as acidity, microbiological parameters, and sugar concentration, were analysed. This research showed that a combination of extrusion and fermentation with selected strains can change several aspects of W characteristics. There was a significant effect of applied treatments on acidity and the microbiological parameters of W, as well as biogenic amines content. The lowest total mycotoxin concentration (29.8 µg/kg) was found in extruded (130 °C; 25 rpm) and fermented with L. uvarum sample. Finally, the combination of the abovementioned treatments can be confirmed as a prospective innovative pre-treatment for W, capable of potentially enhancing their safety characteristics and composition.