The potential of front-face fluorescence spectroscopy coupled with chemometric techniques, namely multiple linear regression (MLR) applied on parallel factor (PARAFAC) scores and partial least ...squares (PLS), was tested on Lebanese olive oil samples possessing natural variability within their chemical parameters. Ninety-six olive oil samples have been harvested at different dates and from two seasons, processed using different extraction methods, collected from different altitudes and other factors that can increase the variability of the samples’ chemical composition. Fluorescence excitation-emission matrices (EEM) of the collected samples were measured, and the relationship between them and the chemical parameters was examined. Twenty-two MLR regression models based on PARAFAC scores were generated, the majority of which showed a good correlation coefficient (R > 0.7 for ten predicted variables). A second model using PLS on the unfolded EEM was also conducted to improve the regression and to assess if it can handle the variability in hand. However, similar results, with a slight improvement over the MLR model, were obtained. In a non-experimental design, such variability may hinder the potentials of front-face fluorescence; however average to good MLR and PLS models were obtained, predicting the Lebanese olive oil deterioration quality parameters and fatty acid content.
Background
Although multinational clinical trials frequently use patient-reported outcomes to measure efficacy, measurement equivalence across cultures and languages, a scientific requirement, is ...rarely tested. Clinically accessible accounts are rare; exemplars are needed.
Objective
To develop and test a Turkish version of the Multiple Sclerosis Walking Scale (MSWS-12v2) as a clinical exemplar for examining measurement equivalence.
Methods
The MSWS-12v2 Turkish (MSWS-12v2T) was developed using recognised methods for linguistic equivalence. Rasch measurement theory was used to examine measurement performance (multiple tests of targeting, scale performance, and person measurement) and measurement equivalence (differential item functioning). UK data (n = 3310) were used for comparisons and differential item functioning testing.
Results
One hundred and twenty-four people from two Turkish centres completed the MSWS-12v2T. Rasch measurement theory evidence supported MSWS-12v2T as reliable (person separation = 0.96) and valid (thresholds ordered; no concerning item misfit, bias, or person misfit). However, four items demonstrated significantly different performance between UK and Turkish samples. These item differences significantly affected scores (person measurements) at the group-level (p < 0.001). Individual person differences were less pronounced.
Conclusions
Linguistic equivalence does not guarantee measurement equivalence; independent testing is required. Rasch measurement theory enables sophisticated and unique examinations of cross-cultural measurement equivalence and we recommend this be tested routinely in pivotal multiple sclerosis clinical trials.
Microalgae provide valuable bio-components with economic and environmental benefits. The monitoring of microalgal production is mostly performed using different sensors and analytical methods that, ...although very powerful, are limited to qualified users. This study proposes an automated Raman spectroscopy-based sensor for the online monitoring of microalgal production. For this purpose, an in situ system with a sampling station was made of a light-tight optical chamber connected to a Raman probe. Microalgal cultures were routed to this chamber by pipes connected to pumps and valves controlled and programmed by a computer. The developed approach was evaluated on
under different culture conditions at a laboratory and an industrial algal platform. As a result, more than 4000 Raman spectra were generated and analysed by statistical methods. These spectra reflected the physiological state of the cells and demonstrate the ability of the developed sensor to monitor the physiology of microalgal cells and their intracellular molecules of interest in a complex production environment.
Food waste is one of the main problems contributing to climate change, as its piling up in landfills produces the greenhouse gas methane. Food waste occurs at every stage of food production; however, ...a major source of food waste occurs at businesses that supply food to consumers. Industry 4.0 technologies have shown promise in helping to reduce food waste in food supply chains. However, more innovative technologies, such as Raman spectroscopy, hold great promise in helping to reduce food waste, although this has largely been ignored in the literature. In this context, we propose a portable Raman platform to monitor food quality during transportation. The developed system was tested in conditions mimicking those present in a refrigerated truck by analyzing chicken samples stored at temperatures of 4 °C. Raman spectra were acquired for non-packaged and packaged samples over the duration of 30 days resulting in 6000 spectra. The analysis of Raman spectra revealed that the system was able to detect noticeable changes in chicken quality starting on day six. The main Raman bands contributing to this change are amide I and tyrosine. The proposed system will offer the potential to reduce food losses during transportation by consistently checking the food quality over time.
The prevalence of Campylobacters was studied in a poultry farm and along the slaughtering chain. Fifteen swabs from a farm and 75 samples (swabs and rinsates) from its slaughterhouse were collected. ...All the faecal and cloacal farm swabs were contaminated by
and
against 50% for breast swabs.
had a concentration of 6.26, 6.34 and 5.38 Log
CFU/mL in faecal, cloacal and breast swabs respectively. Rinsates showed an almost constant concentration of Campylobacters (6 Log
CFU/mL) with a predominance of the presumptive
.
was found in 22% of eviscerated samples. Faecal coliforms and
, used as indicators, were detected in all samples (5.46 and 5.15 Log
CFU/mL, respectively). Final chilling and chlorine (50 ppm) treatments decreased them to acceptable levels, unlike for Campylobacters. Further investigation of the dynamics of Campylobacters and their response to prevention and treatment measures is required.
Blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome (BRBNS) is a rare disease characterized by vascular malformations mostly involving skin and gastrointestinal tract. This disease is often associated with sideropenic ...anemia and occult bleeding.
We report the case of chronic severe anemia in an old patient under oral anticoagulation treatment for chronic atrial fibrillation.
At admission, the patient also presented fever and increased laboratory parameters of systemic inflammation (ferritin 308 mcg/L, C-reactive protein (CRP) 244 mg/L). A small bluish-colored lesion over the left ear lobe was observed. Fecal occult blood test was negative as well as other signs of active bleeding. Lower gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed internal hemorrhoids and multiple teleangiectasias that were treated with argon plasma coagulation. Videocapsule endoscopy demonstrated multiple bluish nodular lesions in the small intestine. Unexpectedly, chronic severe anemia due to systemic inflammation was diagnosed in an old anticoagulated patient with BRNBS. The patient was treated with blood transfusions, hydration, antibiotic treatment, and long-acting octreotide acetate, without stopping warfarin. Fever and inflammation disappeared without any acute gastrointestinal bleeding and improvement of hemoglobin levels at three-month follow up.
This is the oldest patient presenting with chronic anemia, in which BRNBS was also diagnosed. Surprisingly, anemia was mainly caused by systemic inflammation instead of chronic gastrointestinal bleeding. However, we would recommend investigating this disease also in old subjects with mild signs and symptoms.
In order to study the early stages of nanofuzz growth in fusion-plasma-facing tungsten, mirror-polished high-purity tungsten was exposed to 80eV helium at 1130°C to a fluence of 4×1024Hem−2. The ...previously smooth surface shows morphology changes, and grains form one of four qualitatively different morphologies: smooth, wavy, pyramidal or terraced/wide waves. Combining high-resolution scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observations to determine the morphology of each grain with quantitative measurement of the grain’s orientation via electron backscatter diffraction in SEM shows that the normal-direction crystallographic orientation of the underlying grain controls the growth morphology. Specifically, near-〈001〉 || normal direction (ND) grains formed pyramids, near-〈114〉 to 〈112〉 || ND grains formed wavy and stepped structures and near-〈103〉 || ND grains remained smooth. Comparisons to control specimens indicate no changes to underlying bulk crystallographic texture, and possible explanations of the structure growth, particularly loop-punching, are discussed. Future developments to control tungsten texture via thermomechanical processing, ideally obtaining a sharp near-〈103〉 || ND processing texture, may delay the formation of nanofuzz.
JC virus (JCV) is an opportunistic virus known to cause progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy. Anti-JC virus (Anti-JCV) antibody prevalence in a large, geographically diverse, multi-national ...multiple sclerosis (MS) cohort was compared in a cross-sectional study. Overall, anti-JCV antibody prevalence was 57.6%. Anti-JCV antibody prevalence in MS patients ranged from approximately 47% to 68% across these countries: Norway, 47.4%; Denmark, 52.6%; Israel, 56.6%; France, 57.6%; Italy, 58.3%; Sweden, 59.0%; Germany, 59.1%; Austria, 66.7% and Turkey, 67.7%. Prevalence increased with age (from 49.5% in patients < 30 years of age to 66.5% in patients ≥ 60 years of age; p < 0.0001 comparing all age categories), was lower in females than in males (55.8% versus 61.9%; p < 0.0001) and was not affected by prior immunosuppressant or natalizumab use.
The impact of harvest period on the quality parameters, polyphenols, fatty acids, sterols, and volatile compounds of Lebanese olive oil from the Soury variety was investigated in this study. Two ...groups of olive oil were compared, each with a specific harvest date. HD1 was harvested in October, whereas HD2 was picked in November. The analysis of both olive oil categories showed that HD2 witnessed a significant increase in all quality parameters except K270 and a decrease in total polyphenol content from 138 mg/mL to 44 mg/mL. Oleic and linoleic acids had an inverse relation, where the former decreased and the latter increased with the harvest date's advancement. Palmitic acid in both groups was higher than the standards set for extra virgin olive oil. The relative amount of β -Sitosterol was mainly found to decrease, while those of stigmasterol, ∆5,24 -stigmastadienol, ∆7 -stigmastenol, and ∆7 -avenasterol increased with delaying harvest time. As for the volatile compounds, principle component analysis was used on the flash GC data to differentiate HD1 from HD2. Ethanol was found mostly characterizing HD2, whereas HD1 was influenced by 1-hexanol and (E,E)-2,4-decadienal. It can be concluded that the Soury variety should be harvested early, and a delay would result in the declassification of Lebanese olive oil quality from extra virgin to virgin olive oil.
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