Deep Dive Into the Effects of Food Processing on Limiting Starch Digestibility and Lowering the Glycemic Response

During processing of cereal-based food products, starch undergoes dramatic changes. The objective of this work was to evaluate the impact of food processing on the starch digestibility profile of cereal-based foods using advanced imaging techniques, and to determine the effect of preserving starch in its native, slowly digestible form on its in vivo metabolic fate. Four different food products using different processing technologies were evaluated: extruded products, rusks, soft-baked cakes, and rotary-molded biscuits. Imaging techniques (X-ray diffraction, micro-X-ray microtomography, and electronic microscopy) were used to investigate changes in slowly digestible starch (SDS) structure that occurred during these different food processing technologies. For in vivo evaluation, International Standards for glycemic index (GI) methodology were applied on 12 healthy subjects. Rotary molding preserved starch in its intact form and resulted in the highest SDS content (28 g/100 g) and a significantly lower glycemic and insulinemic response, while the three other technologies resulted in SDS contents below 3 g/100 g. These low SDS values were due to greater disruption of the starch structure, which translated to a shift from a crystalline structure to an amorphous one. Modulation of postprandial glycemia, through starch digestibility modulation, is a meaningful target for the prevention of metabolic diseases.

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Iodinated poly(p-dioxanone) as a facile platform for X-ray imaging of resorbable implantable medical devices

Journal of Biomaterials Applications ◽

10.1177/0885328220912842 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 35 (1) ◽

pp. 39-48

Author(s):

Fan Zhao ◽

Haiyan Xu ◽

Wen Xue ◽

Yan Li ◽

Jing Sun ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Medical Devices ◽

Melt Spinning ◽

Imaging Techniques ◽

Fibrous Materials ◽

Hybrid Fibers ◽

Implantable Medical Devices ◽

X Ray ◽

The Impact

Currently, implantable fibrous medical devices still suffer from invisibility under current clinical imaging techniques. To address this problem, 2, 3, 5-triiodobenzoic acid (TIBA) was recruited as a contrast agent, and then a set of iodinated poly( p-dioxanone) (PPDO) fibers was fabricated via melt-spinning hybrid blends of PPDO with TIBA (PPDO/TIBA). The impact of TIBA content on the rheological behavior of blends was evaluated firstly. The physical, chemical, and thermal properties of PPDO/TIBA fibers were investigated accordingly by SEM, FTIR, DSC, and TGA. Moreover, the radiopaque property of PPDO/TIBA hybrid fibers as a potential radio-opacifying platform for medical devices was verified in vitro and in vivo. Finally, the accumulated release results of the hybrid fibers during in vitro degradation indicate the continual X-ray visibility of the hybrid fibers maintains for 22 days. This intriguing iodinated platform may pave the way for constructing fibrous materials with in-situ X-ray tracking property.

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Optimization of X-ray Investigations in Dentistry Using Optical Coherence Tomography

Sensors ◽

10.3390/s21134554 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (13) ◽

pp. 4554

Author(s):

Ralph-Alexandru Erdelyi ◽

Virgil-Florin Duma ◽

Cosmin Sinescu ◽

George Mihai Dobre ◽

Adrian Bradu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Optical Coherence Tomography ◽

Radiation Dose ◽

Imaging Techniques ◽

Image Resolution ◽

Optical Coherence ◽

X Rays ◽

High Quality ◽

X Ray

The most common imaging technique for dental diagnoses and treatment monitoring is X-ray imaging, which evolved from the first intraoral radiographs to high-quality three-dimensional (3D) Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT). Other imaging techniques have shown potential, such as Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT). We have recently reported on the boundaries of these two types of techniques, regarding. the dental fields where each one is more appropriate or where they should be both used. The aim of the present study is to explore the unique capabilities of the OCT technique to optimize X-ray units imaging (i.e., in terms of image resolution, radiation dose, or contrast). Two types of commercially available and widely used X-ray units are considered. To adjust their parameters, a protocol is developed to employ OCT images of dental conditions that are documented on high (i.e., less than 10 μm) resolution OCT images (both B-scans/cross sections and 3D reconstructions) but are hardly identified on the 200 to 75 μm resolution panoramic or CBCT radiographs. The optimized calibration of the X-ray unit includes choosing appropriate values for the anode voltage and current intensity of the X-ray tube, as well as the patient’s positioning, in order to reach the highest possible X-rays resolution at a radiation dose that is safe for the patient. The optimization protocol is developed in vitro on OCT images of extracted teeth and is further applied in vivo for each type of dental investigation. Optimized radiographic results are compared with un-optimized previously performed radiographs. Also, we show that OCT can permit a rigorous comparison between two (types of) X-ray units. In conclusion, high-quality dental images are possible using low radiation doses if an optimized protocol, developed using OCT, is applied for each type of dental investigation. Also, there are situations when the X-ray technology has drawbacks for dental diagnosis or treatment assessment. In such situations, OCT proves capable to provide qualitative images.

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Ellagitannins, Gallotannins and their Metabolites- The Contribution to the Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Food Products and Medicinal Plants

Current Medicinal Chemistry ◽

10.2174/0929867323666160919111559 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 25 (37) ◽

pp. 4946-4967 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

Anna K. Kiss ◽

Jakub P. Piwowarski

Keyword(s):

Immune Response ◽

Gastrointestinal Tract ◽

Gut Microbiota ◽

Health Effects ◽

Biological Effects ◽

Food Products ◽

Anti Inflammatory ◽

The Impact

The popularity of food products and medicinal plant materials containing hydrolysable tannins (HT) is nowadays rapidly increasing. Among various health effects attributable to the products of plant origin rich in gallotannins and/or ellagitannins the most often underlined is the beneficial influence on diseases possessing inflammatory background. Results of clinical, interventional and animal in vivo studies clearly indicate the antiinflammatory potential of HT-containing products, as well as pure ellagitannins and gallotannins. In recent years a great emphasis has been put on the consideration of metabolism and bioavailability of natural products during examination of their biological effects. Conducted in vivo and in vitro studies of polyphenols metabolism put a new light on this issue and indicate the gut microbiota to play a crucial role in the health effects following their oral administration. The aim of the review is to summarize the knowledge about HT-containing products’ phytochemistry and their anti-inflammatory effects together with discussion of the data about observed biological activities with regards to the current concepts on the HTs’ bioavailability and metabolism. Orally administered HT-containing products due to the limited bioavailability of ellagitannins and gallotannins can influence immune response at the level of gastrointestinal tract as well as express modulating effects on the gut microbiota composition. However, due to the chemical changes being a result of their transit through gastrointestinal tract, comprising of hydrolysis and gut microbiota metabolism, the activity of produced metabolites has to be taken into consideration. Studies regarding biological effects of the HTs’ metabolites, in particular urolithins, indicate their strong and structure-dependent anti-inflammatory activities, being observed at the concentrations, which fit the range of their established bioavailability. The impact of HTs on inflammatory processes has been well established on various in vivo and in vitro models, while influence of microbiota metabolites on silencing the immune response gives a new perspective on understanding anti-inflammatory effects attributed to HT containing products, especially their postulated effectiveness in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) and cardiovascular diseases.

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In vivo protein crystallization in living insect cells

Acta Crystallographica Section A Foundations and Advances ◽

10.1107/s2053273314096569 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 70 (a1) ◽

pp. C343-C343

Author(s):

Lars Redecke ◽

Marco Klinge ◽

Robert Schönherr ◽

Dirk Rehders ◽

Dominik Oberthür ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Crystal Growth ◽

Structural Biology ◽

Insect Cells ◽

Protein Crystallization ◽

Living Cells ◽

Cellular Transport ◽

Synchrotron Source ◽

X Ray ◽

The Impact

Spontaneous protein crystallization within living cells has been observed several times in nature, e.g. for storage proteins in seeds. In vivo crystal growth can also occur during gene over-expression, as particularly discovered in baculovirus-infected insect cells [1]. We have recently shown that these in vivo crystals represent valuable targets for structural biology after isolation from the cell. Applying serial crystallography techniques at an X-ray free-electron laser (XFEL) as well as using a highly brilliant synchrotron source, single crystal diffraction pattern were collected and combined to yield high-resolution structural information of the associated fully glycosylated protein [2,3]. So far, the cellular mechanisms involved in the in vivo crystallization process remain to be understood, preventing a more successful application of this novel approach. Thus, our study aims at identifying the parameters crucial for optimal crystal growth within baculovirus-infected Sf9 insect cells. Combining confocal microscopy with live-cell imaging techniques and compartment-specific staining methods, we systematically investigated the impact of the intracellular environment on in vivo crystallization by directing recombinant proteins into different cellular compartments using specific signal sequences. Moreover, the impact of cellular transport mechanisms and induced cellular stress on the quality and size of the in vivo crystals was investigated in detail. The presented results provide important insights into the process of protein crystallization within living cells and will therefore significantly contribute to increase the success rate for spontaneous crystal growth of other proteins. Considering that in vivo crystals represent highly suitable targets for structural biology, this approach offers exciting new possibilities for proteins that do not form crystals suitable for conventional X-ray diffraction in vitro.

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Main trends and research results at the unit of technology

Acta Alimentaria ◽

10.1556/aalim.38.suppl.8 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 38 (Supplement-1) ◽

pp. 117-125

Author(s):

Zs. Cserhalmi

Keyword(s):

Food Processing ◽

Food Production ◽

Energy Use ◽

New Technology ◽

Food Products ◽

Added Value ◽

Processing Technologies ◽

Nutritional Values ◽

Healthy Nutrition ◽

Production Technologies

The continuous development of food production technologies is essential because of the uninterruptedly growing food production; the transportation of these food products, which means longer and longer transport; and because of the increasing consumer demands concerning the applied technologies, which assure the safe and healthy nutrition. This modernisation trend today has already reached the development of minimally food processing technologies, which make possible the creation of food products preserving their original nutritional values and having a higher added value. Concerning the application of any new technology, it is a more and more important demand that the environmental impact should be lower compared to the earlier technologies. This lower impact can be manifested in less energy and water use, in less wastes production or in more rational energy use.

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Modelling and design of the coherence and imaging beamline I13L at the Diamond Light Source

Diamond Light Source Proceedings ◽

10.1017/s2044820110000894 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 1 (SRMS-7) ◽

Author(s):

U. H. Wagner ◽

Z. D. Pešić ◽

C. Rau

Keyword(s):

Phase Space ◽

Ray Tracing ◽

Light Source ◽

Imaging Techniques ◽

Reciprocal Space ◽

Optical Components ◽

X Ray ◽

Under Construction ◽

Tracing Techniques ◽

The Impact

I13L is a 250 m long hard X-ray beamline (6–30 keV) currently under construction at the Diamond Light Source. The beamline comprises two independent experimental endstations: one for imaging in direct space using X-ray microscopy and one for imaging in reciprocal space using coherent diffraction-based imaging techniques. This paper will discuss the coherence branch, where well-defined coherence properties and preservation of the coherent flux are important. We will demonstrate the impact of optical components and stability onto the beamline performance, using phase-space-based ray-tracing techniques. The implications onto the beamline design will be demonstrated using our in-house build quadruple crystal monochromator as an example.

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Development and Physiological Functions of the Lymphatic System - Insights from Genetic Studies of Lymphedema

Physiological Reviews ◽

10.1152/physrev.00006.2020 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Silvia Martin-Almedina ◽

Peter Mortimer ◽

Pia Ostergaard

Keyword(s):

Lymphatic System ◽

Imaging Techniques ◽

The Body ◽

Genetic Studies ◽

Disease Mechanisms ◽

Primary Lymphedema ◽

And Function ◽

The Impact

Primary lymphedema is a long-term (chronic) condition characterized by tissue lymph retention and swelling that can affect any part of the body, although it usually develops in the arms or legs. Due to the relevant contribution of the lymphatic system to human physiology, while this review mainly focusses on the clinical and physiological aspects related to the regulation of fluid homeostasis and edema, clinicians need to know that the impact of lymphatic dysfunction with a genetic origin can be wide ranging. Lymphatic gene dysfunction can affect immune function so leading to infection; it can influence cancer development and spread; and it can determine fat transport so impacting on nutrition and obesity. Genetic studies and the development of imaging techniques for the assessment of lymphatic function have enabled the recognition of primary lymphedema as a heterogenic condition in terms of genetic causes and disease mechanisms. In this review, the known biological function of several genes crucial to the development and function of the lymphatic system are used as a basis for understanding normal lymphatic biology. The disease conditions originating from mutations in these genes are discussed together with a detailed clinical description of the phenotype and the up-to-date knowledge in terms of disease mechanisms acquired from in vitro and in vivo research models.

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Functionalized Lanthanide Oxide Nanoparticles for Tumor Targeting, Medical Imaging, and Therapy

Pharmaceutics ◽

10.3390/pharmaceutics13111890 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (11) ◽

pp. 1890

Author(s):

Mohammad Yaseen Ahmad ◽

Huan Yue ◽

Tirusew Tegafaw ◽

Shuwen Liu ◽

Son Long Ho ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Medical Imaging ◽

Contrast Agents ◽

Tumor Targeting ◽

Imaging Techniques ◽

Tumor Therapy ◽

Mri Contrast Agents ◽

Mri Contrast ◽

Lanthanide Oxide ◽

X Ray

Recent progress in functionalized lanthanide oxide (Ln2O3) nanoparticles for tumor targeting, medical imaging, and therapy is reviewed. Among the medical imaging techniques, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an important noninvasive imaging tool for tumor diagnosis due to its high spatial resolution and excellent imaging contrast, especially when contrast agents are used. However, commercially available low-molecular-weight MRI contrast agents exhibit several shortcomings, such as nonspecificity for the tissue of interest and rapid excretion in vivo. Recently, nanoparticle-based MRI contrast agents have become a hot research topic in biomedical imaging due to their high performance, easy surface functionalization, and low toxicity. Among them, functionalized Ln2O3 nanoparticles are applicable as MRI contrast agents for tumor-targeting and nontumor-targeting imaging and image-guided tumor therapy. Primarily, Gd2O3 nanoparticles have been intensively investigated as tumor-targeting T1 MRI contrast agents. T2 MRI is also possible due to the appreciable paramagnetic moments of Ln2O3 nanoparticles (Ln = Dy, Ho, and Tb) at room temperature arising from the nonzero orbital motion of 4f electrons. In addition, Ln2O3 nanoparticles are eligible as X-ray computed tomography contrast agents because of their high X-ray attenuation power. Since nanoparticle toxicity is of great concern, recent toxicity studies on Ln2O3 nanoparticles are also discussed.

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Biomechanical Models of the Hip – a Validation Study Based on 10 CT-Datasets

10.29007/rxxb ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Jörg Eschweiler ◽

Malte Asseln ◽

Philipp Damm ◽

Maximilian C.M Fischer ◽

Klaus Radermacher

Keyword(s):

Hip Joint ◽

Long Term Results ◽

Patient Specific ◽

Anatomical Landmarks ◽

Joint Mechanics ◽

X Ray ◽

Biomechanical Models ◽

In Vivo Measurements ◽

The Impact

Consideration of the pre- and post-operative magnitude of the hip joint force R and its orientation Ɵ is of major importance for satisfactory long-term results in total hip arthroplasty. R and Ɵ can be computed by using biomechanical models with adapted geometrical/ anthropometrical parameters taken from clinical X-ray images. The objective of this study was to evaluate the models of Pauwels and Debrunner based on digital reconstructed-radiographs (central projection) from 10 CT-datasets of patients treated with telemetric hip-implants by a comparison to corresponding in-vivo measurements.R and Ɵ were computed for 10 patients with patient-specific geometric/anthropometric parameters. The model adaption was based on 28 anatomical landmarks. The root-mean-square-error of R is smaller for Debrunner (0.59/vs./0.66), and for Ɵ it is smaller for Pauwels’ (4.47/vs./7.78).Mathematical models provide potentially valuable information regarding hip joint mechanics. Regarding R, in all of the 10 patients the predictions of Pauwels’ model are consistently higher than the in-vivo measurements. Debrunner computed R in 8 cases higher and in 2 cases lower than the corresponding in-vivo forces. Pauwels’ and Debrunner showed similar tendencies: in 8 cases an overestimation of R and in 2 cases contrary results. Regarding Ɵ we found that in 5 cases the predictions of Pauwels’ are consistently higher than the in-vivo measurements and also contrary to Debrunner.As previous studies showed, an unambiguous identification of most landmarks in a 2D X-ray image is difficult. The impact of the pelvic tilt on the computational result was not considered in our study. Further investigation of this aspect is part of our ongoing work.

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Effects of Cold Plasma on Food Quality: A Review

Foods ◽

10.3390/foods7010004 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 7 (1) ◽

pp. 4 ◽

Cited By ~ 66

Author(s):

◽

Keyword(s):

Food Quality ◽

Cold Plasma ◽

Food Products ◽

Life Extension ◽

Future Research ◽

Processing Technologies ◽

Food Components ◽

Negative Impacts ◽

Traditional Processing ◽

The Impact

Cold plasma (CP) technology has proven very effective as an alternative tool for food decontamination and shelf-life extension. The impact of CP on food quality is very crucial for its acceptance as an alternative food processing technology. Due to the non-thermal nature, CP treatments have shown no or minimal impacts on the physical, chemical, nutritional and sensory attributes of various products. This review also discusses the negative impacts and limitations posed by CP technology for food products. The limited studies on interactions of CP species with food components at the molecular level offers future research opportunities. It also highlights the need for optimization studies to mitigate the negative impacts on visual, chemical, nutritional and functional properties of food products. The design versatility, non-thermal, economical and environmentally friendly nature of CP offers unique advantages over traditional processing technologies. However, CP processing is still in its nascent form and needs further research to reach its potential.

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