Bio-Based Hydrogel and Aerogel Composites Prepared by Combining Cellulose Solutions and Waterborne Polyurethane

Hydrogel composites can be prepared from cellulose-based materials and other gel materials, thus combining the advantages of both kinds of material. The aerogel, porous material formed after removing the water in the hydrogel, can maintain the network structure. Hydrogel and aerogel have high application potential. However, low mechanical strength and weight loss of cellulose hydrogel due to the water dehydration/absorption limit the feasibility of repeated use. In this study, cellulose hydrogels were prepared using microcrystalline cellulose (MC), carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), and hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC) as raw materials. Waterborne polyurethane (WPU) was added during the preparation process to form cellulose/WPU composite hydrogel and aerogel. The influence of the cellulose type and WPU addition ratio on the performance of hydrogel and aerogel were investigated. The results show that the introduction of WPU can help strengthen and stabilize the structure of cellulose hydrogel, reduce weight loss caused by water absorption and dehydration, and improve its reusability. The mixing of cellulose and WPU at a weight ratio of 90/10 is the best ratio to make the cellulose/WPU composite aerogel with the highest water swelling capacity and heat resistance.

Lyophilized Symbiotic Mitigates Mucositis Induced by 5-Fluorouracil

Mucositis is an adverse effect of cancer chemotherapies using 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU). It is characterized by mucosal inflammation, pain, diarrhea, and weight loss. Some studies reported promising healing effects of probiotic strains, when associated with prebiotics, as adjuvant treatment of mucositis. We developed a lyophilized symbiotic product, containing skimmed milk, supplemented with whey protein isolate (WPI) and with fructooligosaccharides (FOS), and fermented by Lactobacillus casei BL23, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum B7, and Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus B1. In a mice 5-FU mucositis model, this symbiotic lyophilized formulation was able to reduce weight loss and intestinal permeability. This last was determined in vivo by quantifying blood radioactivity after oral administration of 99mTc-DTPA. Finally, histological damages caused by 5-FU-induced mucositis were monitored. Consumption of the symbiotic formulation caused a reduced score of inflammation in the duodenum, ileum, and colon. In addition, it decreased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, IL-17, and TNF-α in the mice ileum. The symbiotic product developed in this work thus represents a promising adjuvant treatment of mucositis.

POTENTIAL OF JAMBLANG (Syzygium cumini L.) LEAF EXTRACT ON BODY WEIGHT OF WISTAR RATS METABOLIC SYNDROME MODEL

Jamblang (Syzygium cumini L.) leaves contain several phytochemical compounds. These phytochemicals are thought to have roles as antihyperglycemic, antihyperlipidemic, and antioxidant agents. This study aims to prove that there is an effect of giving ethanolic extract of jamblang leaves on body weight (BW) of metabolic syndrome (MS) Wistar rats induced by high-fat high-fructrose diet (HFFD) and injection of Streptozotocin (STZ)-Nicotinamide (Na), to determine different doses effect on the weight of Wistar rats. Laboratory experimental research with pre-post test control group. Samples were 8 weeks male Wistar (Rattus noverigicus) weighing 150-200 grams chosen by purposive random sampling method. Thirty rats were divided into 5 groups, each consisting of 6 rats. Normal group, metabolic syndrome group, 3 treatment groups MS were given jamblang leaf extract 100 mg/KgBW, 150mg/KgBW, 200mg/KgBW for 28 days. Data were analyzed by one way ANOVA test and repeated ANOVA test. The study showed an ethanolic extract of Jamblang leaves can reduce weight loss in Wistar rats with a metabolic syndrome model, and that the best dose used in this experiment is 150 mg/kgBW per day in Wistar rats with a metabolic syndrome model.

P-OGC84 Impact of routine feeding via jejunostomy after oesophagectomy

Background Oesophageal cancer is the 8th most common cancer worldwide, with oesophagectomy remaining the mainstay curative treatment, despite significant associated morbidity and mortality. Postoperative weight loss remains a significant problem and is directly correlated to poor prognosis. Measures such as the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) programme and intraoperative jejunostomy feed placement have looked to tackle this. Our aim was to investigate the impact of supplemental jejunostomy feed in practice on mortality, length of hospital stays and postoperative weight loss in a high-volume regional centre. Methods Patients undergoing oesophagectomy between January 2012 - December 2014 and January 2016 - December 2019 in a national tertiary oesophagogastric unit were included retrospectively. Variables measured included comorbidities, operation, histopathology, weights (pre- and post-operatively), length of hospital stay, postoperative complications and mortality. Survival data were analysed using R Studio, Inc. Results 566 patients were included. Median age at diagnosis was 66 years (30-85). Majority of cases included were adenocarcinoma (72.6%), or squamous cell carcinoma (22.3%). Within the two study groups, severe weight loss > 10% of pre-operative weight was seen in 38.6% and 4.87% of patients discharged without and with jejunostomy feeds at 3 months, respectively. At 6 months, severe weight-loss was seen in 47.6% and 0.64% of patients discharged without and with jejunostomy feeds, respectively. Median length of stay was 15 days (7-92) and 12 days (6-338) for patients discharged without and with jejunostomy feeds, respectively. Overall median survival in patients discharged without jejunostomy was 52 months (p = 0.035), and in those discharged with jejunostomy, 48 months (p = 0.044). Conclusions Postoperative malnutrition has associated poor outcomes. Perioperative nutritional support, to include postoperative jejunal feeding post-discharge can reduce weight loss, and influence survival as well as length of hospital stay. Further randomised trials are needed in order to optimise recovery and morbidity in patients post-oesophagectomy.

The therapeutic promises of Lianhuaqingke in the mice model of coronavirus pneumonia (HCoV-229E and SARS-CoV-2)

Background Lianhuaqingke (LHQK) has been approved for the treatment of acute tracheobronchitis and exerts a broad-spectrum antiviral effect in our previous study. Methods Acute pneumonia caused by HCoV-229E was modeled in BALB/c mice. The anti-viral effect of LHQK was assessed by measuring the lung index and virus titer of lung tissues. The expression levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in lung tissues and peripheral blood were measured by ELISA. The morphological changes of lung tissues were observed by H&E staining. The subsets of Th cells were assayed by the flow cytometry, including Th0, Th1, Th2, Treg, and Th17. The expression level of MUC5AC in 16HBE cells treated with TNFα was measured by ELISA. Immunofluorescence staining for β-IV tubulin was used to identify the airway epithelial ciliary in the condition-cultured RTE cells treated with TNFα. The direct antiviral effect of LHQK was assessed in vitro in Vero E6 infected by SARS-CoV-2, validated in vivo in the COVID-19 model of hACE2 transgenic mouse by detecting the lung index, the SARS-CoV-2 virus load, and the morphological changes of lung tissues. Results LHQK reduced the weight loss and the lung index by inhibiting the HCoV-229E replication and reducing the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in lung tissues. An assay for the Th cell subsets in peripheral blood revealed that LHQK could reduce the ratio of Th1/Th2 and increase the Treg/Th17 ratio in a dose-dependent way, which indicated that LHQK could coordinate the Th-mediated immune responses against the virus. In in vitro injury by TNFα, LHQK inhibited MUC5AC expression in 16HBE cells and increased the number of β-IV tubulin positive staining cells in the condition-cultured RTE cells. In the SARS-CoV-2-infected mice, LHQK could reduce weight loss, inhibit viral replication, and alleviate lung tissue damage. Conclusions Our results demonstrate that LHQK exerts therapeutic effects on pneumonia caused by HCoVs (HCoV-229E and SARS-CoV-2) in mice, and that the anti-HCoV effects might depend on its immunomodulatory capacities. All these results suggest that LHQK serves as a potential adjuvant for anti-HCoV therapies.

Physiological Changes of Bamboo (Fargesia yunnanensis) Shoots During Storage and the Related Cold Storage Mechanisms

The mechanisms for physiological senescence in bamboo shoots after harvest remain unclear. This study investigated physiological changes in Fargesia yunnanensis shoots during storage at different temperatures. The relationship between morphological and physiological changes in bamboo shoots during storage was also analyzed. The results show that cold storage can reduce weight loss, browning, respiration rates, and sugar degradation in bamboo shoots; decrease related enzymatic activities; and inhibit the increase in lignin and cellulose content. The quality of bamboo shoots declines more during the first 3d after harvesting than it does during subsequent periods. The increase in the degree of lignification and fibrosis is the main reason for senescence and for the decline in quality of bamboo shoots after harvest. The bamboo shoots under RT conditions began browning during the third 3d of storage, with a browning rate of 688gkg−1 even in the upper parts; the increase in shoot browning degrees significantly decreased the quality. Low temperatures had better inhibitory effects on browning than they did on lignification and fibrosis. Nonstructural carbohydrates in bamboo shoots are degraded and flow into sheath and shoot respiration, phenols, and shoot fibrosis and lignification at room temperature, but only flow into sheath respiration, shoot fibrosis, and lignification at cold temperature. Soluble protein and free amino acids are primarily distributed into shoot and sheath respiration and into phenols at room temperature, but that process is well inhibited at cold temperature. Bamboo shoots, once removed from cold storage, should be consumed rapidly because enzyme activity recovers quickly. This research provides new theoretical information on the preservation of bamboo shoots.

Image Analysis Reveals That Lenticel Damage Does Not Result in Black Spot Development but Enhances Dehydration in Persea americana Mill. cv. Hass during Prolonged Storage

Black spot corresponds to a physiological disorder of the type of oxidative stress that occurs after the prolonged postharvest storage of Persea americana Mill. cv. Hass fruit. Industry tends to confuse this disorder with pathogen attack (Colletotrichum gloeosporioides), chilling injury, mechanical damage during harvest and transport or lenticel damage. The main objectives of this research were: (i) to develop a method to assess and differentiate lenticel damage and black spot and (ii) to study the correlation between mechanical damage and lenticel damage on the development of black spot. Avocado fruits from different orchards were evaluated at two sampling times using different harvesting systems (conventional and appropriate) and at two times of the day (a.m. or p.m.). Here, we report a method based on image analysis to differentiate and quantify lenticel damage and black spot disorder. In addition, the results show that conventional harvest increased lenticel damage and lenticel damage did not correlate with black spot development but correlated with increased weight loss during prolonged postharvest storage. These results have important commercial implications since the appropriate harvesting of avocado cv. Hass would not only control the incidence of lenticel damage, which would be an advantage in terms of external quality, but also reduce weight loss during transport to distant markets.

Nutricionista otimizando a qualidade de vida do paciente oncológico

RESUMO A intervenção nutricional adequada promove bem-estar, controle de sintomas e melhora da qualidade de vida dos pacientes. Logo, o nutricionista deve orientar o paciente e sua família sobre a terapia nutricional em uso, além de fornecer orientações e esclarecimentos, a fim de prolongar a sobrevida, reduzir a perda de peso e melhorar a qualidade de vida. ABSTRACT The adequate nutritional intervention promotes well-being, control of symptoms and improvement of the quality of life of patients. Therefore, the nutritionist should guide the patient and his family about the nutritional therapy being used, in addition to providing guidance and clarification, in order to prolong survival, reduce weight loss and improve quality of life.

PHYSICOCHEMICAL CHANGES OF DWARF BANANA (Musa acuminata) DURING VACUUM PACKAGING STORAGE

Banana is tropical fruit contain health nutrition and fiber. Dwarf banana is one of type banana that well growth in Indonesia, particularly in Lampung Province. However, its economic value become exported commodities is limited by its short shelf life. In this study, the physicochemical changes were observed under vacuum packaging storage, in order to know the potency of vacuum packaging to prolong the shelf life of dwarf banana. The results showed that the vacuum packaging could reduce weight loss compare to other treatments. The maintenance of green color by vacuum packaging was also showed positive result. Furthermore, the dwarf banana under vacuum packaging storage was also showed lowest TSS, in other words, the dwarf maturity could be delayed. These results suggested the vacuum packaging could be used as potential packaging for dwarf banana Keywords: dwarf banana, vacuum packaging, postharvest, physicochemical properties