scholarly journals Post-harvest quality of fresh-marketed tomatoes as a function of harvest periods

2005 ◽  
Vol 62 (5) ◽  
pp. 446-451 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcos David Ferreira ◽  
André Toshiro Oshima Franco ◽  
Ricardo Freitas Kasper ◽  
Antonio Carlos Oliveira Ferraz ◽  
Sylvio Luiz Honório ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Weight Loss ◽  
Mechanical Damage ◽  
Harvest Time ◽  
Ripening Stage ◽  
Lower Weight ◽  
Fruit Damage ◽  
Harvesting Process ◽  
Time Required ◽  
The Impact

Losses on tomato business chain start at harvest, a two-months period. At the beginning of the harvest, fruits concentrate at the basal part of the plant, then in the middle, and finally at the top, and undergo changes in diameter and maturity indexes as harvest progresses. The aim of this work was to evaluate the impact of handling at three different periods: (I) 15 days, (II) 30 days, and (III) 45 days after the beginning of harvest. Tomatoes were ordinarily grown and harvested in to bamboo baskets, and transferred to plastics boxes. Fruits were classified according to ripening stage and diameter, and evaluated for mechanical damage and external defects caused by harvesting procedures. The time required for the harvest operation was measured; damage to fruits (%) and weight loss (%), caused either in the field and/or during the harvesting process, were taken into consideration and related to the final quality of fruit after storage for 21 days. The same methodology was used all through the production and harvest cycle. The highest % fruit damage occurred during period II, a longer harvest time than the other two periods. Fruits not submitted to handling showed lower weight loss than handled fruits. Fruits harvested in period II and stored for 21 days showed higher losses due to mechanical injury.

The Impact of Insect Infestation on Stored Purpled Cocoa Beans

2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 176-181 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Tettey
Keyword(s):  
Weight Loss ◽  
Insect Population ◽  
Insect Infestation ◽  
Percentage Weight Loss ◽  
Cocoa Beans ◽  
Significant Damage ◽  
Percentage Weight ◽  
Fermentation Period ◽  
The Impact

Under-fermentation of cocoa beans produces purple beans. The fermentation period is 6 to 7 days but some cocoa farmersunder-ferment their cocoa beans leading to the development of purple cocoa beans. This study determined the impact of insectinfestation on stored purple cocoa beans. Wet cocoa beans were fermented for 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 days to produce the purple beans.Ephestia cautella and Tribolium castaneum, both singly and in combination, were introduced into the cocoa beans and storedfor different (30, 60, 90 and 120 days) period. Insect population, percentage weight loss and the contaminants produced bythese insects were determined. Cocoa beans infested with E. cautella alone had the highest population of 297.0 ± 22.7. Beansfermented for 3 days had the lowest insect population both singly and in combination after 120 days of storage. The highestpercentage weight loss was recorded in cocoa beans fermented for one day (10.1 ± 1.87%) and 4 days (10.1 ± 8.74%). T.castaneum did not cause much damage to the cocoa beans but E. cautella alone caused significant damage to stored cocoabeans. Insect infestation and poor fermentation contribute significantly to the reduction in quality of cocoa beans.

A prospective study of the impact of weight loss and the systemic inflammatory response on quality of life in patients with inoperable non-small cell lung cancer

Lung Cancer ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 40 (3) ◽  
pp. 295-299 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hazel R Scott ◽  
Donald C McMillan ◽  
Duncan J.F Brown ◽  
Lynn M Forrest ◽  
Colin S McArdle ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Lung Cancer ◽  
Weight Loss ◽  
Inflammatory Response ◽  
Prospective Study ◽  
Small Cell ◽  
Small Cell Lung ◽  
A Prospective Study ◽  
The Impact

scholarly journals Quality of Life before and after Sleeve Gastrectomy in Lebanese Population

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Marwan Alkassis ◽  
Fady Gh Haddad ◽  
Joseph Gharios ◽  
Roger Noun ◽  
Ghassan Chakhtoura
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Bariatric Surgery ◽  
Weight Loss ◽  
Sleeve Gastrectomy ◽  
Sexual Pleasure ◽  
Life Questionnaire ◽  
Before And After ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Impact

Introduction. Obesity is increasing worldwide and in Lebanon with a negative impact on the quality of life. The primary objective of this study is to measure the quality of life in obese subjects before and after bariatric surgery, depending on age, sex, and degree of weight loss. A secondary objective is to determine the impact of bariatric surgery on comorbidities associated with obesity. Materials and methods. Patients undergoing laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy for BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2 between August 2016 and April 2017 were included. Participants completed the Moorehead-Ardelt Quality of Life Questionnaire II (MA II) prior to operation and one year after. Statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS statistics version 20.0. Results. 75 patients participated in the study. The majority were women (75%), and the mean age was 36.3 years. The mean weight loss was 36.57 kg (16–76). Initially, the total MA II score was −0.33 ± 0.93. Postoperatively, it increased to 1.68 ± 0.62 (p≤0.001). All MA II parameters improved after surgery (p≤0.001), but this improvement was independent of age and sex. Improvement in self-esteem, physical activity, work performance, and sexual pleasure was influenced by the degree of weight loss (p≤0.001). All comorbidities associated with obesity regressed significantly after sleeve gastrectomy (p<0.05) with the exception of gastroesophageal reflux and varicose veins of the lower limbs. Conclusion. Sleeve gastrectomy improves quality of life and allows reduction of comorbidities.

scholarly journals Physical and metabolic alterations in "Prata Anã" banana induced by mechanical damage at room temperature

2011 ◽  
Vol 68 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-36 ◽  
Author(s):  
Victor Martins Maia ◽  
Luiz Carlos Chamhum Salomão ◽  
Dalmo Lopes Siqueira ◽  
Rolf Puschman ◽  
Virgílio Jamir Gonçalves Mota Filho ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Weight Loss ◽  
Enzyme Activity ◽  
Electrolyte Leakage ◽  
Room Temperature ◽  
Soluble Sugar ◽  
Mechanical Damage ◽  
Fresh Weight ◽  
Physiological Level ◽  
Metabolic Alterations ◽  
The Impact

Bananas respond at the physical and physiological level to mechanical damage. Mechanical injuries cause alterations in color and flavor, tissue softening, faster ripening, increased weight loss, increased invasion of microorganisms, and higher enzyme activity in the affected area. The purpose of this study was to verify the physical and metabolic alterations in 'Prata Anã' bananas induced by mechanical stress at room temperature. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized, split-plot in time design, consisting of one control and four mechanical injury types: cutting, abrasion, impact and compression, sampled over time. The percentage of accumulated and daily fresh weight loss, electrolyte leakage from the injured peel region, total soluble sugar and starch contents and enzyme activity of polyphenoloxidase and peroxidase were measured. The damage caused by cutting and abrasion resulted in the highest percentage of fresh weight loss. All types of mechanical damage increased electrolyte leakage during the evaluation period, in comparison with the control. The impact damage anticipated the ripening, besides affecting the conversion of starch into total soluble sugars in the pulp. By impact and abrasion injuries, the polyphenoloxidase and peroxidase activity in the peel was increased by up to 231% and 90%, and 618% and 956%, respectively, compared to the control.

scholarly journals The Impact of Foliar Application of Calcium Fertilizers on the Quality of Highbush Blueberry Fruits Belonging to the ‘Duke’ Cultivar

2012 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 163 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ireneusz Dariusz OCHMIAN
Keyword(s):  
Chemical Composition ◽  
Calcium Chloride ◽  
Foliar Application ◽  
Fruit Size ◽  
Mechanical Damage ◽  
Calcium Content ◽  
Highbush Blueberry ◽  
The West ◽  
The Impact

The studies were conducted in the period of 2010-2011, in the Laboratory of Orcharding at the West Pomeranian University of Technology in Szczecin, and related to the bushes of the highbush blueberry of the Duke cultivar. The authors examined the impact of foliar calcium fertlizers (Calcinit, Calcium chloride, Fruton Calcium Calcium, Folanx®Ca29 Lebosol Calcium Forte Calcium Forte) on the fruit size and firmness, their chemical composition, content of macronutrients in the foliage and fruits, and their colour. It was found that the applied fertlizers have varied impact on the examined attributes. The bushes sprayed with the Lebosol Calcium Forte and Calcinit preparations had big fruits with a high content of K and Mg, and dark foliage. The application of the Lebosol Calcium Forte fertilizer increased the content of polyphenols and vitamin C in the fruits. The smallest amounts of such compounds were determined in the fruits sprayed with the Calcinit fertilizer. The highest firmness and resistance to mechanical damage were achieved in the case of the fruits collected from the bushes sprayed with the foliar fertlizers containing calcium chloride, such as Fruton Calcium and Folanx Ca29. It was determined that the application of the calcium preparations resulted in the increase of the calcium content in the fruits and foliage. The highest amounts of this element were determined in the case of the plants sprayed with the Folanx Ca29 and Lebosol Calcium Forte preparations.

scholarly journals Dietary and herbal supplements for weight loss: assessing the quality of patient information online

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeremy Y. Ng ◽  
Saad Ahmed ◽  
Catherine Jiayi Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Weight Loss ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
The United States ◽  
Consumer Health Information ◽  
Consumer Health ◽  
High Quality ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Given the high prevalence of dietary and herbal supplement (DHS) use in tandem with the growing ease of internet access, patients commonly search online for consumer health information about these products. One common reason for DHSs use includes weight loss. Healthcare providers need to be aware of the quality of online information about DHSs for weight loss so they can adequately counsel their patients and provide them with guidance surrounding the identification of high-quality information resources. This study aimed to assess the quality of online DHSs consumer health information for weight loss that a “typical” patient might access online. Methods Six search terms were used to generate the first 20 websites on the Google search engine in four countries: Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States (n = 480 websites). After applying exclusion criteria, eligible websites were quality assessed using the DISCERN instrument. This tool is comprised of 16 questions, each evaluated on a 5-point scale. The averages and standard deviations for each DISCERN instrument item, in addition to overall summed scores between 15 and 75 were calculated. Results Across 87 eligible websites, the mean summed score was 44.80 (SD = 11.53), while the mean overall DISCERN score of each website was 2.72 (SD = 0.99). In general, websites detailed and achieved their specified aims and described treatment benefits. However, most websites failed to describe the impact of treatment on overall quality of life and the impact of a no treatment option. The highest-scoring websites were largely government or health portal websites, while the lowest-scoring websites were largely commercial in nature. Conclusion High variability in DISCERN instrument scores was found across all websites assessed. Healthcare providers should be aware of the fact that their patients may be accessing misinformation online surrounding the use of DHSs for weight loss. Therefore, it is important for healthcare providers to ensure that they are providing their patients with guidance on how to identify high-quality resources online, in order that safe, effective, and evidence-based decisions are made surrounding the use of DHSs for weight loss.

scholarly journals A conditional linear Gaussian network to assess the impact of several agronomic settings on the quality of Tuscan Sangiovese grapes

2017 ◽  
Vol 54 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-42
Author(s):  
Alessandro Magrini ◽  
Stefano Di Blasi ◽  
Federico Mattia Stefanini
Keyword(s):  
Harvest Time ◽  
Young Consumers ◽  
Management Techniques ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Gaussian Network ◽  
Vegetative Season ◽  
Canopy Management

Summary In this paper, a Conditional Linear Gaussian Network (CLGN) model is built for a two-year experiment on Tuscan Sangiovese grapes involving canopy management techniques (number of buds, defoliation and bunch thinning) and harvest time (technological and late harvest). We found that the impact of the considered treatments on the color of wine can be predicted still in the vegetative season of the grapevine; the best treatments to obtain wines with good structure are those with a low number of buds; the best treatments to obtain fresh wines suitable for young consumers are those with technological rather than late harvest, preferably with a high number of buds, and anyway with both defoliation and bunch thinning not performed.

scholarly journals ­Isochoric refrigeration of food products

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chenang Lyu ◽  
Gabriel Nastase ◽  
Gideon Ukpai ◽  
Alexandru Serban ◽  
Boris Rubinsky
Keyword(s):  
Weight Loss ◽  
Cell Damage ◽  
Mechanical Damage ◽  
Microscopic Analysis ◽  
Food Products ◽  
Food Preservation ◽  
Enzymatic Browning ◽  
World Population ◽  
Quality Of Food

Background: Food preservation is essential to the growing world population, food economy. Freezing is a commonly used method for food preservation. While extending the life of the product, freezing has detrimental effects. It is causing loss of food weight and is causing changes in food quality, e.g. enzymatic browning. Method: Freezing of food is usually done under constant atmospheric pressure (isobaric). We have developed a new technology in which biological materials are preserved at subfreezing temperatures in an isochoric (constant volume) system. Experiments were performed with a food product, potato, in a thermodynamic isochoric device designed by us, that is robust and has no moving parts. Results: We have shown that under similar storage conditions, freezing to -5°C, the isochoric preserved potato experienced no weight loss and limited enzymatic browning. In contrast the -5°C isobaric frozen potato experienced substantial weight loss and substantial enzymatic browning. Microscopic analysis, shows that the mechanism responsible for the different results is related to the integrity of the cell and the cell membrane, which are maintain during freezing in the isochoric system and lost during freezing in the isobaric system. Discussion: The main mechanism of cell damage during isobaric freezing are the increase in extracellular osmolality and the mechanical damage by ice crystals. In contrast, during isochoric freezing the cells in the preserved material are under conditions in which the intracellular osmolality is comparable to the extracellular osmolality and they are not affected by ice mechanical damage. The conditions during isochoric freezing result in improved quality of the preserved food products. Conclusion: We have shown that the quality of food products preserved by isochoric freezing is better than the quality of food preserved to the same temperature in isobaric conditions. This is only a preliminary study on isochoric preservation of food. However, it illustrates the potential of the technology.

scholarly journals The impact of angling experience on the efficiency of float fishing using different hook types

2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-46
Author(s):  
Tomasz K. Czarkowski ◽  
Andrzej Kapusta
Keyword(s):  
The Mean ◽  
Catch Rates ◽  
Time Required ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Mean Time

Abstract The aim of the study was to compare the catch efficiency of novice and experienced anglers float fishing with different hook types. The mortality of fish that were caught and released was determined based on the experience of the angler and the type of hook used. The mean catch rates of the experienced angler was 46.7 fish per hour, while that of the novice angler was 33.7 fish per hour. The landing efficiency of fish using hooks with micro-barbs was higher than that with barbless hooks. Angling experience had a significant impact on the mean time required to unhook caught fish and also on the mortality of the fish released. The lowest mortality was noted in fish caught by experienced anglers fishing with barbless hooks. The results of the study suggest that angling experience does not have a great impact on parameters characterizing the quality of angling catches. The efficiency of float fishing performed by novice and experienced anglers was similar. Differences were noted in the time required to unhook the fish and in the mortality of the fish released.

Cachexia in treatment-naïve gynecological cancer patients: Prevalence, predictors, and clinical associations.

2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e17576-e17576
Author(s):  
Niamh O'Donoghue ◽  
Charlie Sullivan ◽  
Claire Thompson ◽  
Feras Abu Saadeh ◽  
Waseem Kamran ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Weight Loss ◽  
Length Of Stay ◽  
Functional Status ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Gynaecological Cancer ◽  
Composition Analysis ◽  
Gynaecological Malignancy ◽  
The Impact

e17576 Background: Cancer cachexia is associated with considerable morbidity and mortality, yet its prevalence in gynaecological malignancy is unknown. Prevalence of cachexia in de novo gynaecological cancer patients and the impact of cachexia on clinical parameters and patient-reported outcomes were investigated. Methods: A prospective, exploratory study of newly diagnosed gynaecological cancer patients was conducted at St. James’s Hospital, the largest treatment provider for gynaecological malignancy in the Republic of Ireland. Patients recently diagnosed with a gynaecological cancer were eligible. Demographics, oncological history, Clavien Dindo Classification and length of stay were collected from participants’ medical record. A questionnaire completed by participants on 3 consecutive days collected data on height, weight, weight history, recent dietary intake, nutritional impact symptoms and functional status. Cachexia was defined using the criteria established in 2011 (Fearon and Strasser et al, 2011). Participants’ staging computed tomography scans were utilised for body composition analysis. Descriptive statistics, Mann Whitney U tests and Chi-square were used to summarise and identify significant associations between variables. Logistic regression was used to model predictors of cachexia. The European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Quality of Life Core Questionnaire in conjunction with EORTC gynaecological cancer-specific modules assessed quality of life. Results: A total of 94 participants were recruited. All five gynaecological cancers were represented. Prevalence of cachexia was 21.4% and was highest in patients with cervical cancer. Any weight loss in the previous month was predictive of developing cachexia. Low albumin and anorexia were associated with cachexia, although neither reached significance. Median post-operative length of stay for cachectic patients was 5 days (range 1-57) compared to 4 days (range 0-27) for non-cachectic patients (p = 0.682). 60% of cachectic patients had some post-operative complication. Cachectic patients were more symptomatic and had lower functional status in all quality of life categories, with the exception of emotional function. Conclusions: As prevalence of cachexia in this population is at least 22%, we strongly recommend screening for cachexia at all clinical assessments. Although weight loss and body mass index can identify the majority of cachectic patients, skeletal muscle mass index should also be included where possible. Its incorporation into standard radiology assessment of cancer patients would be optimal. Further research is warranted in a larger population to fully elucidate the predictors of cachexia. Quality of life is a useful means to monitor symptoms and functional status which may contribute to or exacerbate cachexia.

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