Ultrasound Time Research Articles

Retrospective Review of the Image Quality of Monoplane Transesophageal Echocardiography in Prehospital Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest: A Single Center Pilot Study

Objectives Out of Hospital Cardiac Arrest (OHCA) is a frequently encountered pathology with resultant poor outcomes in the majority of patients. Echocardiography has been utilized to help guide clinical decision making and monitor effectiveness of resuscitative efforts. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) the mainstay of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) real time resuscitative imaging has limitations, most notably is the disruption of closed chest compressions. Trans-esophageal echocardiography (TEE) is an emerging technology in emergency care and can potentially overcome these limitations but image quality and accuracy of use in the prehospital environment remains unknown. Our primary objective is to identify the accuracy of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) fellow physicians in performing TEE via the identification of key cardiac structures. Secondarily we assess image quality as well as accuracy on cardiac activity interpretation as compared to TEE-experienced cardiologists. Methods A pilot study using descriptive analysis of a retrospective case-series with specific focus on inter-rater reliability as well as pragmatic management alterations based on real-time image interpretation by EMS physicians. After focused education, 13 patients were eligible for prehospital TEE who suffering OHCA from July 2022 to June 2023. Ultrasound (US) images were interpreted by EMS fellow physicians and over-read by cardiologists with specific focus on inter-rater reliability. After collection of patients presenting data and US images, analysis was performed. Results Of 13 patients initially screened, 10 patients were included in a study with a median age of 50 years old (41–70). Three patients were excluded due to equipment malfunction or insufficient image capture. An interrater reliability identified a kappa of 0.96 with respect to identification of cardiac structures and a kappa of 0.65 for identification of cardiac activity. Conclusions In this small study of prehospital TEE, EMS fellow physicians had high inter-rater reliability in image interpretation pertaining to anatomy and cardiac activity when compared with cardiologists. Further research is needed to determine its efficacy, safety, and widespread application in the prehospital setting.

Insight into the effect of ultrasonic treatment on surface properties and flotation behavior of chalcopyrite after galvanic corrosion of grinding media and chalcopyrite

Ultrasonic treatment is an effective means to promote chalcopyrite flotation. Chalcopyrite needs to be grinded before flotation production. During the grinding process, galvanic corrosion occurs between chalcopyrite and iron grinding media. Galvanic corrosion significantly affects the efficacy of ultrasonic treatment on chalcopyrite flotation. Nonetheless, there is still a lack of research on ultrasonic treatment of chalcopyrite after galvanic corrosion. In this study, micro-flotation tests, SEM-EDS, TOF-SIMS, XPS, ICP-OES and electrochemical tests were used to study the effects of ultrasonic treatment on the surface properties and flotation behavior of chalcopyrite before and after galvanic corrosion under different ultrasonic conditions and galvanic corrosion conditions. The results show that in the absence of galvanic corrosion, short time and low power ultrasonic treatment can improve chalcopyrite floatability. However, when the chalcopyrite after strong galvanic corrosion is subjected to ultrasonic treatment, the increase of galvanic corrosion temperature, galvanic corrosion time, ultrasound power and ultrasound time result in a marked reduction of the flotation recovery of chalcopyrite. The synergistic effect of ultrasonic and galvanic corrosion significantly inhibits the flotation recovery of chalcopyrite, which may provide a new potential way for the inhibition of sulfide ore in flotation production. The research results are helpful to expand the use range of ultrasonic processing for sulfide mineral pretreatment and flotation, and provide a theoretical reference for the application of ultrasonic treatment in sulfide minerals with galvanic corrosion.

Optimization of adenosine và cordycepin extraction from cordyceps

Adenosine and cordycepin are bioactive compounds with health benefits. Therefore, both substances are often used to assess the quality of Cordyceps products. The optimization of the extraction conditions to determine adenosine and cordycepin from products containing Cordyceps (powder, extract, and capsule samples) were studied. The samples were prepared using an ultrasound-assisted extraction, the solvent was methanol and quantification of adenosine and cordycepin by HPLC-PDA. Optimization of adenosine and cordycepin extraction conditions by Response surface methodology using the Box-Behnken design, and by using design expert software. The experimental matrix includes 17 experiments of 3 investigation factors with the running range: material/solvent ratio (1:10-1:50 g/mL), methanol concentration (5-25%), ultrasound time (30-90 minutes). The results showed the optimal conditions for the extraction of adenosine and cordycepin for Cordyceps powder samples are the ratio of raw materials:solvent = 1:40 (g/mL), methanol concentration of 17.5% and ultrasound time is 70 minutes, the mean contents of adenosine and cordycepin were 24.15 and 330.78 mg/100g, the optimal methanol concentration for the extraction process is 15% for Cordyceps extract samples, those in their were: 158.30 and 1050.78 mg/100g, the most appropriate methanol concentration is 50% for Cordyceps capsule samples, while those in their were: 23.98 mg/100g and 213.21 mg/100g, relatively. This study provides an efficient analysis method to determine the optimal extraction conditions of adenosine and cordycepin from products containing Cordyceps that can be used as a basis for evaluating the quality of these products.

Valorization of Vaccinium corymbosum waste from the extraction of bioactive compounds: Nanoparticles synthesis and applications

This study presents the biogenic synthesis of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs), zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs), and iron oxide nanoparticles (FeO NPs) using V. corymbosum extracts as a reducing agent, varying the ultrasound extraction times (t1 = 20 min, t2 = 15 min, t3 = 10 min). Ag NPs exhibited an antimicrobial efficiency of 98.2 %, being most effective with t2 due to their smaller size. ZnO NPs demonstrated the best thermal stability with t1, and FeO NPs showed optimal magnetic properties with t3. The reduction of methylene blue by ZnO and FeO NPs was significant, with ZnO-t1 and FeO-t3 standing out. The nanoparticles exhibited distinctive optical characteristics and adequate morphology, depending on the extraction time. This work highlights the feasibility of using natural extracts to synthesize nanoparticles, promoting sustainable methods in nanoscience and nanotechnology. Future research should focus on the functionalization of NPs to expand their applications.

Extraction of camptothecin and 10-hydroxycamptothecin from Camptotheca acuminata fruits by natural deep eutectic solvent

A natural deep eutectic solvent-based ultrasound-assisted simultaneous extraction (NADES-UAE) of camptothecin (CPT) and 10-hydroxycamptothecin (10-HCPT) was established. The 1.31 mg of CPT and 1.66 mg of 10-HCPT were obtained from each gram of the fruit powder of Camptotheca acuminata under the optimum conditions with a water content of 20%, a liquid-solid ratio of 12 mL/g and an ultrasound time of 20 min. The recovery efficiencies of CPT and 10-HCPT after AB-8 resin enrichment were 70.5% and 74.8%, respectively. The stronger interaction between NADES3 which was screened from 12 kinds of NADES and target components compared with methanol or water was demonstrated using molecular dynamics simulation. Moreover, the recovered NADES3 could be reused at least 4 times. The present research provided an efficient, environment-friendly, and sustainable method for extracting and recovering CPT and 10-HCPT from the fruits of C. acuminata.

Quantitative Determination of the Cytotoxic Compounds in Different Organs of Arctium minus (Hill) Bernh. by LC-HRESIMS Using Respond Survey Methodology.

Arctium minus (Hill) Bernh., commonly known as "Burdock", is a species within the Arctium genus of the Asteraceae family. Determining the optimum extraction conditions to obtain a concentrated extract with targeted active ingredients guides the most efficient use of natural products. Herein, ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) was optimized by using response surface methodology (RSM) to extract bioactive compounds from different organs of A. minus. Furthermore, phytochemical composition of extracts of the A. minus was investigated by using liquid chromatography-high resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (LC-HRESIMS), antioxidant potential by using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), diazanium;3-ethyl-2-[(3-ethyl-6-sulfonato-1,3-benzothiazol-2-ylidene)hydrazinylidene]-1,3-benzothiazole-6-sulfonate (ABTS), CUPRAC, and metal chelation assays, and cytotoxic activities by using human breast cancer cell line (MDA-MB-231) and hepatocellular carcinoma cancer cell line (HepG2), and compared against conventional methods; Soxhlet and maceration. The RSM was employed to investigate the influence of ultrasound power, extraction time, and extraction temperature on the antioxidant potential assessed by the DPPH free radical scavenging assay. In UAE of A. minus leaves, flowers, and branches, the conditions resulting in the minimum IC50 values: 20 °C for 6 min at 50 W for leaves, 20 °C for 3 min at 100 W for flowers, and 20 °C for 3 min at 100 W for branches. Chlorogenic acid was identified as the major phenolic compound in the extracts obtained by UAE, with concentrations of 24,666.96 μg/g in leaves, 1054.92 μg/g in flowers, and 3,501.24 μg/g in branches. Flowers of A. minus had significantly higher levels of arctiin and arctigenin than those of leaves and branches. Extracts from leaves and flowers were more effective against MDA-MB-231 and HepG2 cancer cell lines than arctiin and arctigenin.

Influence of ultrasound frequency, processing time, and cold temperature on quality characteristics of mutton subjected to ultrasonic nano-cooling with a preservative film

Refrigeration slows down microbial growth and oxidation in mutton, but it is not enough on its own to fully prevent spoilage. To promote preservation, this research evaluated the effectiveness of combining ultrasound treatment, nanocomposite packaging, and cold storage ― a method known as ultrasonic nano-cooling (UNC) on quality of mutton. Various ultrasound frequencies (40 and 80 kHz) and processing times (2–4 minutes) were applied to process the mutton. Thereafter, the products were packaged in nanocomposite film, made from sorghum starch and Azadirachta indica gum nanoparticles, and then stored under cold temperature condition: 2°C, 4°C, and 6°C. Analysis of the physical and biochemical properties revealed significant improvements in quality due to UNC preservation compared to the control (p < 0.05). Notably, the total bacterial load dropped from 5.4 × 10⁶ CFU/g in the control to 1.9 × 10⁶ CFU/g at 2°C with 80 kHz ultrasound after 4 minutes. This effect may be due to enhanced cavitation effects at higher frequencies, which, according to previous studies, can disrupt microbial cell walls. Lipid oxidation reduced from 0.45 mg MDA/kg to 0.20 mg MDA/kg, likely due to minimized thermal degradation and oxidative reactions, facilitated by lower temperatures and effective packaging. Water holding capacity increased from 70 % to 85 %, due to improved muscle fiber structure from ultrasound treatment, which aids moisture retention. The pH remained steady between 5.8 and 6.0, reflecting minimal spoilage and effective microbial control. This study demonstrates that UNC preservation is an effective method for extending mutton shelf life, aligning with the demand for high-quality, long-lasting mutton products.

Green biorefinery of walnut husk: Phenolic extraction and ethanol production

Microwave and ultrasound techniques were utilized on walnut green husk (WGH) to extract valuable phenolic compounds and enhance the residual biomass's susceptibility to hydrolysis for subsequent ethanol production. The aim was to optimize process variables in order to achieve an integrated biorefinery with the zero-waste-base standpoint. For microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), four-time levels (0.5, 1.0, 2.0, and 5 min) and power settings (300, 450, 600, and 800 W) were tested. Ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) was conducted at a frequency of 28 kHz and power of 100 W over varying time intervals (2, 6, 10, 14, 18, and 22 min). Generally, higher power settings and longer extraction times produced higher contents. Specifically, the maximum total phenolic content (TPC) (220.13 mg GAE/g-DW), total flavonoid content (TFC) (63.21 mg catechin/g-DW), and DPPH scavenging activity (86.13 %) were achieved using the highest power and longest extraction time for MAE. Similarly, the longest UAE time resulted in the highest TPC (214.32 mg GAE/g-DW), highest TFC (58.44 mg catechin/g-DW), and DPPH scavenging activity (76.15 %). Moreover, increased microwave power and longer extraction times favored glucose and ethanol yields, with maximum yields of 55.30 % and 36.67 %, respectively, obtained at 800 W for 5 min. For UAE, the highest glucose and ethanol yields (52.33 % and 34.16 %, respectively) were obtained at 22 min. Conversely, lower extraction times and power settings for microwave, as well as shorter ultrasound times, were beneficial for lignin removal. The application of MAE and UAE in the WGH biorefinery process enhanced the extraction of phenolics and improved biomass hydrolysis, leading to more efficient, sustainable, and economically viable production of biofuels and bioproducts.

Optimization of Polyphenol Extraction Conditions from Rhizomes of Curcuma zedoaria with Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Diabetic Activities In Vitro

The recovery of polyphenol compounds is seen as an arduous task because polyphenol compounds are available as free aglycones, as sugar or ester conjugates, or as polymers with several monomeric components. The response surface method (RSM) as a tool to optimize the factors that affect extraction efficacy as well as to obtain maximum recovery of the compounds of interest. This study optimizes ultrasound-assisted polyphenol extraction from Curcuma zedoaria rhizomes using response surface methodology (RSM). Three variables were considered: Ethanol concentration (70 - 90 %, v/v), temperature (60 - 80 °C), and ultrasound time (15 - 25 min). Data were analyzed by ANOVA, yielding an R2 of 0.9993, a significant interaction effect (p &lt; 0.0001), and an insignificant lack-of-fit test (p = 0.6684). Optimal conditions for maximum polyphenol content (TPC = 31.05 ± 0.53 mg GAE/g powder) were 80.02 % ethanol, 68 °C, 20.47 min ultrasound time, and 1/10 (w/v) raw material/solvent ratio. Experimental values matched RSM predictions, confirming successful extraction optimization from Curcuma zedoaria rhizomes. The polyphenol-rich optimum extract from Curcuma zedoaria rhizomes has been studied for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory properties in vitro. The results were found, the optimum extract of Curcuma zedoaria rhizomes could perform effective neutralization activities of free radicals performed in DPPH test (IC50 = 5.89 ± 0.23 µg/mL), NO· (IC50 = 5.89 ± 0.23 µg/mL) and ABTS·+ (IC50 = 8.28 ± 0.12 µg/mL). Besides, this optimum extract had the ability to protect red blood cell membranes and inhibit protein denaturation due to heat with IC50 times values ​​such as 29.06 ± 0.35 and 30.24 ± 0.32 µg/mL. In addition, it also significantly inhibited α-amylase, α-glucosidase enzyme activities with IC50 values ​​of 5.89 ± 0.23 and 9.62 ± 0.11 μg/mL, respectively. This investigation showed that the polyphenol-rich optimum extract from Curcuma zedoaria rhizomes was a promising antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic agent. HIGHLIGHTS Using ultrasound and the Box-Behnken design to extract polyphenols from Curcuma zedoaria rhizomes can speed up and improve extraction efficiency. The goal of this study is to maximize the extraction parameters for polyphenols from the rhizomes of Curcuma zedoaria. There is strong agreement between the experimental data and the model that predicts the polyphenol content in the Box-Behnken design. In vitro biological activities such as anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic and antioxidant properties are significantly correlated with polyphenol concentration. The findings of our investigation show a noteworthy enhancement in the bioavailability of polyphenol compounds through increased extraction efficiency and bioactivity. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Drying kinetics of camellia oleifera seeds under hot air drying with ultrasonic pretreatment

Camellia oleifera seeds with high moisture content are prone to decay, leading to oil rancidity and seriously affecting subsequent processing and tea oil quality. Thus, an efficient drying method is needed. Hot air drying with ultrasonic pretreatment is a potential drying method for camellia oleifera seeds. In this paper, the effects of key parameters such as ultrasound power, ultrasound pretreatment time, and hot air drying temperature on the moisture ratio of camellia oleifera seeds, as well as the changes in microstructure of both seed shell and seed kernel, and the main quality parameters such as peroxide value and acid value of tea oil were explored. Results showed that the shorter the ultrasound pretreatment time, the greater the ultrasound power, the higher the temperature, the faster the drying rate, and the shorter the drying time. The drying time and specific energy consumption was reduced by up to 26.7 % and 16.8 % with the ultrasonic pretreatment, respectively. The optimal ultrasonic pretreatment time is 2 min, and the ultrasonic power is 300 W. A Genetic Algorithm Optimized Backpropagation Artificial Neural Network (GA-BP-ANN) drying model was proposed to predict the changes in moisture ratio during the drying process of camellia oleifera seeds to provide guidance for the development of intelligent drying system. The experimental results showed that the proposed drying model had a good predictive performance, with an RMSE of 0.0076969 and an R2 of 99.909 %, which can accurately estimate the effect of ultrasonic pretreatment on hot air drying. The research results of this study are expected to reduce post-harvest losses of camellia oleifera fruits and provide theoretical support for the development of drying systems of camellia oleifera seeds and similar agricultural products.

Abortion Return Rates and Wait Times Before and After Texas' Executive Order Banning Abortion During COVID-19.

Objectives. To assess the associations between the executive order that Texas governor Greg Abbott issued on March 22, 2020, postponing procedures deemed not immediately medically necessary, and patients' access to abortion care in Texas. Methods. We used 17 515 individual-level patient records from 13 Texas abortion facilities for matched periods in 2019 and 2020 to examine differences in return rates for abortion after completion of a state-mandated ultrasound and median wait times between ultrasound and abortion visits for those who returned. Results. Patients were less likely to return for an abortion if they had an ultrasound while the executive order was under effect (82.8%) than in the same period in 2019 (90.4%; adjusted odds ratio = 2.06; 95% confidence interval = 1.12, 3.81). Compared with patients at or before 10.0 weeks' gestation at ultrasound, patients at more than 10 weeks' gestation had higher odds of not returning for an abortion or, if they returned, experienced greater wait times between ultrasound and abortion visits. Conclusions. Texas' executive order prohibiting abortion during the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted patients' access to care and disproportionately affected patients who were past 10 weeks' gestation. (Am J Public Health. Published online ahead of print August 15, 2024:e1-e11. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2024.307747).

Discover the secrets of salty taste in Manila clam (Ruditapes philippinarum): MALDI-TOF MS and flavor fingerprint

In this work, the ultrasound-assisted enzymatic (UAE) conditions for salty compounds from Manila clam were optimized using a combination of fractional factorial design (FFD) and Box-Behnken design (BBD). The optimum protein extraction rate (40.13 ± 0.37), DH (25.92 ± 0.78), and salty score (4.01 ± 0.02) of salty extract were achieved with a solid-liquid ratio of 1:4 (w/w), hydrolysis temperature of 49 °C, and ultrasound time of 10 min. Sensory results showed that the UAE hydrolysates exhibited pronounced saltiness (6.25 ± 0.03) and umami (6.62 ± 0.03), with an impressively low detection threshold for salty taste at 69 mmol/L. The electronic tongue analysis revealed that the UAE hydrolysate had a distinct saltiness (3.73 ± 0.05), umami (8.96 ± 0.02) and richness (0.83 ± 0.00). The molecular weights of the peptides in the UAE solution were 84.497 Da, 211.710 Da, 380.530 Da, 568.644 Da and 830.696 Da, respectively. It was rich in alcohols, ketones and furans, and total of 79 volatile compounds (VOCs) were identified. After ultrasonic pretreatment, the content of organic acids was significantly increased, the content of succinic acid was 8.5 ± 0.24, and the content of malic acid was 4.68 ± 0.07. In conclusion, ultrasound-assisted enzymatic is an effective treatment for the extraction of salty compounds.

Rapid Synthesis and Evaluation of Resveratrol-Piperazine Cocrystals by Ultrasound and Microwave Methods.

Resveratrol-piperazine cocrystals have been obtained by ultrasound (US) and microwave-assisted (MW) techniques, using the solution and slurry-based methods, to study the influence of the synthesis method on the resulting cocrystal properties, and scalability of the processes. The potential of these cocrystals is represented by the unique properties of their components, resveratrol, and piperazine, which could be also used in veterinary practice. Resveratrol has antimicrobial, antiviral and anticarcinogenic properties, while piperazine can be used in the treatment of parasitic infections. The influence of ultrasound and microwave-assisted treatment was studied by varying synthesis parameters such as reaction time, temperature, and US or MW power. The main advantage of using these methods is represented by shorter synthesis time compared to conventional methods, resulting in the direct formation of the cocrystals. All samples were obtained in high purity, above 97%. Cocrystal yield correlated positively with ultrasound reaction time, while temperature was not found to influence the microwave synthesis yield up to 50°C, in the case of solution-based methods. MW and US-assisted solution-based methods lead to yields between 52.9 and 68.1%. In the case of the slurry-based method, a minimum reaction time of 5 min leads to the formation of cocrystals with high purity. The resveratrol-piperazine cocrystal's solubility and in vitro antibacterial activity were also evaluated, showing promising results. Ultrasound and microwave-assisted techniques offer a viable alternative for synthesizing resveratrol-piperazine cocrystals with short reaction times, high yield, and purity, suitable for scalable resveratrol-piperazine cocrystals.

A comparison of venturi and peristaltic based phacoemulsification efficiency in routine femtosecond laser cataract surgery

OBJECTIVETo compare the efficiency of venturi and peristaltic pump phacoemulsification systems in patients undergoing routine laser cataract surgery. DESIGNSingle center, non-randomized clinical study. PARTICIPANTSThe study compared consecutive eyes with moderate nuclear sclerosis undergoing routine laser cataract surgery at the Outpatient Eye Center, Mercy Health System, Springfield, MO, USA. METHODSEach surgery utilized the same femtosecond laser settings. Surgeries were performed with either a venturi or peristaltic vacuum system by a single surgeon (WJS). The EFX, percent power, ultrasound time (UST), the total time that the phaco tip was in the eye (phaco tip in/out time, PIOT) and the surgery time (speculum in/out time) were recorded. Exclusions and intraoperative complications were also analyzed. RESULTS995 eyes were included in the study. The EFX in the venturi eyes (1.7±1.3; n=521) compared to peristaltic eyes (2.1±1.4; n=474) was lower (p <0.0001). Similarly, the UST in the eyes performed with the venturi system versus the peristaltic system was reduced (32.4±22.3 sec vs. 40.7± 25.7 sec; p <0.0001). The PIOT in the venturi group compared to the peristaltic group was less (71.1±31.1 sec vs. 79.1±36.1 sec; p = 0.0002). The case time (speculum in/out time) was lower for the venturi eyes (307.2±68.8 sec vs. 311.6±53.6 sec; p=0.268). CONCLUSIONIn eyes undergoing routine laser cataract surgery, use of the venturi pump system was more efficient compared to peristaltic pump system based on energy use and time, and there was no significant difference in complications.

A combination of left ventricular outflow tract velocity time integral and lung ultrasound to predict mortality in ST elevation myocardial infarction.

Development of ventricular failure and pulmonary edema is associated with a worse prognosis in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). We aimed to evaluate the prognostic ability of a novel classification combining lung ultrasound (LUS) and left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) velocity time integral (VTI) in patients with STEMI. LUS and LVOT-VTI were performed within 24h of admission in STEMI patients. A LUS combined with LVOT-VTI (LUV) classification was developed based on LUS with < or ≥ 3 positive zone scans, combined with LVOT-VTI > or ≤ 14. Patients were classified as A (< 3zones/ > 14cm VTI), B (≥ 3zones/ > 14cm VTI), C (< 3zones/ ≤ 14cm VTI) and D (≥ 3zones/ ≤ 14cm VTI). Primary outcome was occurrence of in-hospital mortality. Development of cardiogenic shock (CS) within 24h was also assessed. A total of 308 patients were included. Overall in-hospital mortality was 8.8%, while mortality for LUV A, B, C, and D was 0%, 3%, 12%, and 45%, respectively. The area under the curve (AUC) for predicting in-hospital mortality was 0.915. Moreover, after exclusion of patients admitted in Killip IV, at each increasing degree of LUV, a higher proportion of patients developed CS within 24h: LUV A = 0.0%, LUV B 5%, LUV C = 12.5% and LUV D = 30.8% (p < 0.0001). The AUC for predicting CS was 0.908 (p < 0.001). In a cohort of STEMI patients, LUV provided to be an excellent method for prediction of in-hospital mortality and development of CS. LUV classification is a fast, non-invasive and very user-friendly ultrasonographic evaluation method to stratify the risk of mortality and CS.

Impact of ultrasound process on cassava starch nanoparticles and Pickering emulsions stability

Using green techniques to convert native starches into nanoparticles is an interesting approach to producing stabilizers for Pickering emulsions, aiming at highly stable emulsions in clean label products. Nanoprecipitation was used to prepare the Pickering starch nanoparticles, while ultrasound technique has been used to modulate the size of these nanoparticles at the same time as the emulsion was developed. Thus, the main objective of this study was to evaluate the stabilizing effect of cassava starch nanoparticles (SNP) produced by the nanoprecipitation technique combined with ultrasound treatment carried out in the presence of water and oil (more hydrophobic physicochemical environment), different from previous studies that carry out the mechanical treatment only in the presence of water. The results showed that the increased ultrasound energy input could reduce particle size (117.58 to 55.75 nm) and polydispersity (0.958 to 0.547) in aqueous dispersions. Subsequently, Pickering emulsions stabilized by SNPs showed that increasing emulsification (ultrasonication) time led to smaller droplet sizes and monomodal size distribution. Despite flocculation, long-term ultrasonication (6 and 9 min) caused little variation in the droplet size after 7 days of storage. The cavitation effects favored the interaction between oil droplets through weak attraction forces and particle sharing, favoring the Pickering stabilization against droplet coalescence. Our results show the potential to use only physical modifications to obtain nanoparticles that can produce coalescence-stable emulsions that are environmentally friendly.

Effect of ultrasound/CaCl2 co-treatment on the microstructure, gelatinization, and film-forming properties of high amylose corn starch

The effect of ultrasound/CaCl2 co-treatment on aggregation structure, thermal stability, rheological, and film properties of high amylose corn starch (HACS) was investigated. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images revealed the number of starch fragments and malformed starch granules increased after co-treatment. The differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) results showed the co-treated HACS got a lower gelatinization temperature (92.65 ± 0.495 °C) and enthalpy values (ΔH, 4.14 ± 0.192 J/g). The optical microscope images indicated that lesser Maltase crosses were observed in co-treated HACS. The results of X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) indicated ultrasound influenced the compactness of amorphous zone and CaCl2 damaged the crystalline region of HACS granules. Additionally, the rheology properties of HACS dispersion demonstrated the apparent viscosity of co-treated dispersion increased as the ultrasound time prolonged. The mechanical strength and structural compactness of HACS films were improved after ultrasound treatment. The mechanism of ultrasound/CaCl2 co-treatment improved the gelatinization and film-forming ability of HACS was that (i) ultrasound wave loosened the HACS granules shell, promoted the treatment of CaCl2 on HACS granules, and (ii) ultrasound wave improved the uniform distribution of HACS dispersion, increased the interaction between CaCl2 and starch chains during the process of film-forming.

The use of point of care gastric ultrasound and anesthesia management in pediatric patients with preoperative fasting non-adherence scheduled for elective surgical procedures: a retrospective study

BackgroundFailure to adhere to perioperative fasting requirements increases aspiration risk and can lead to delay or cancellation of surgery. Point of care gastric ultrasound may guide decision-making to delay, cancel or proceed with surgery.MethodsThis study aimed to describe gastric contents using point of care gastric ultrasound in pediatric patients with known fasting guideline violations presenting for elective surgery. This was a single-center retrospectivechart review of gastric ultrasound scans in patients presenting for elective surgeries with “nothing by mouth” violation (per fasting guidelines) or unclear fasting status. The primary outcome is description of gastric contents using point of care ultrasound. The ultrasound findings were classified as low-risk for aspiration (empty, clear fluid < 1.5 ml/kg), high-risk (solids, clear fluid > 1.5 ml/kg), or inconclusive study. Gastric ultrasound findings were communicated to the attending anesthesiologist. For patients proceeding without delay the estimated time saved was defined as the difference between ultrasound scan time and presumed case start time based on American Society of Anesthesiologists fasting guidelines.ResultsWe identified 106 patients with a median age of 4.8 years. There were 31 patients (29.2%) that had ultrasound finding of high-risk gastric contents. These patients had cases that were delayed, cancelled or proceeded with rapid sequence intubation. Sixty-six patients (62.3%) were determined to be low-risk gastric contents and proceeded with surgery without delay. For these patients, a median of 2.6 h was saved. No aspiration events were recorded for any patients.ConclusionsIt is feasible to use preoperative point of care gastric ultrasound to determine stomach contents and risk-stratify pediatric patients presenting for elective surgical procedures with fasting non-adherence. Preoperative gastric ultrasound may have a role in determining changes in anesthetic management in this patient population.

Effects of Transglutaminase-Induced β-Conglycinin Gels on Intestinal Morphology and Intestinal Flora in Mice at Different High-Intensity Ultrasound Pretreatment Time.

TGase-7S gels prepared after different HIU pretreatment times were used to intervene in healthy mice to analyze their effects on growth characteristics and intestinal morphology, and 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing was applied to fecal samples to investigate the effects of the gel on the structure and diversity of intestinal flora in mice. The results showed that the intestinal tissues of mice in different treatment groups showed better integrity, and the intake of gel increased the length of small intestinal villi in mice, among which the 30-gel group had the highest value of villi length (599.27 ± 44.28) μm (p < 0.05) and showed the neatest and tightest arrangement, indicating that the intake of gel did not have adverse effects on the intestinal tract. The effect of gel ingestion on the diversity of the intestinal microbial community structure was more significant, positively promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria such as Desferriobacterium, Synechococcus, and Bifidobacterium. In addition, the ingestion of the gel improved the intestinal health of mice by altering the physiological functions of the intestinal flora and modulating their participation in various metabolic pathways. The above findings provide some theoretical value for the safety of 7S gel in food applications.

Green extraction of carotenoids from canistel (Lucuma nervosa) pulps using ultrasound-assisted fatty acid-based deep eutectic solvents: Optimization and mechanism

This study aimed to develop an eco-friendly and high-efficiency method for extracting carotenoids from canistel pulps (CPs) by ultrasound-assisted natural fatty acids-based deep eutectic solvents (DESs). The DES consisting of menthol and capric acid (Men-CaA, 2:1) resulted in the highest total carotenoids content (TCC) of 614 ± 3 μg β-carotene equivalent (β-CE)/g DW. The conditions of ultrasound-assisted Men-CaA extraction were then further optimized by using response surface methodology (RSM). The maximum extraction yield of TCC (831.0 ± 0.3 μg β-CE/g DW) was achieved under the conditions of ultrasonic power of 320 W, liquid to solid ratio (L/S) of 6:1, temperature of 40℃, and ultrasound time of 18 min. In addition, ultrasound significantly intensified the extraction of carotenoids from CPs. The carotenoids compositions in CPs were also identified using UPLC-QTRAP-MS/MS for the first time. Men-CaA extract exhibited much higher content of lycopene (499 ± 1 μg/g DW) compared to the acetone and corn oil extracts. Molecular dynamic simulation confirmed that more non-covalent bonds were found between Men-CaA and lycopene. Overall, an ultrasound-assisted eco-friendly fatty acids-based eutectic solvent method was successfully developed for highly efficient extraction of carotenoids from agricultural by-products.