Influence of Preparation and Processing Methods on the Physico-chemical Properties of Oryctes rhinoceros Larvae

The growing world population with increasingly demanding consumers has led to considering insects as part of are normal diet since they are good sources of proteins, and could therefore potentially contribute to global food security. This study produced Oryctes rhinoceros L. larvae powder and investigated the impact of preparation and processing methods (degutted; roasted and dried) on some quality parameters of O. rhinoceros larvae powder. Each batch was prepared with and without their gut respectively. Physico-chemical analyses were determined on the powder, while sensory evaluation was carried out on the whole O. rhinoceros larvae using standard procedures. Moisture content of the powders ranged from 3.57 - 5.66%, protein content (51.60 - 62.65%), fat (8.71 – 12.67%), ash (3.97 - 10.25%), fibre (15.57 - 19.52%) and carbohydrate (0.12 - 6.56%). The results of functional properties revealed a range of 2.64 – 2.98 mg/g for water absorption capacity, oil absorption capacity of 2.43- 2.70 mg/g and bulk density of 0.48 – 0.51 g/mL. Processing (roasting and oven drying) had no significant effect on the sensory and physico-chemical properties of whole O. rhinoceros larvae and O. rhinoceros larvae powder, while the removal of the gut significantly contributed to the improvement of the quality and sensory appeal of O. rhinoceros larvae

Optimization of Drying-Infusion-Drying Processes in Kilishi Production

Aims: To apply Box-Behnken Response Surface Methodology in obtaining optimum conditions for first drying and infusion-second drying stages in Kilishi production. Study Design: Thin slices/strips of beef were subjected to drying under varying conditions. Moisture Loss and Yield was determined. Place and Duration of Study: UNIBEN Kilishi factory, University of Benin, Edo, Nigeria; Food Processing Laboratory, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria between December 2014 and June 2015. Methodology: The independent variables for the first drying stage were meat thickness (3 mm – 5 mm), drying temperature (40 – 60°C) and drying time (3 – 5 h) with moisture loss being the response. For the infusion-second stage drying, the independent variables were ingredient concentration (50 – 70%), infusion time (20 – 40 min), drying temperature (40 - 60°C) and drying time (4 – 6 h) while the response was apparent yield. Surface and Contour maps were generated. Results: The optimum conditions for first stage drying were 3 mm meat thickness, 60°C drying temperature and a drying time of 3 h, with an optimum moisture loss of 63.19%. For the infusion-second drying process, the optimum conditions were 66% ingredient concentration, 20 min infusion time, 60°C drying temperature and drying time of 4 h with optimum yield of 62%. The processing time was reduced from 72 hours to 7.5 h. Conclusion: These conditions obtained can be employed for large scale industrial processing

Meta-Analysis Comparing Outcomes of Catheter Ablation for Ventricular Arrhythmia in Ischemic Versus Nonischemic Cardiomyopathy

BACKGROUND: Catheter ablation is an effective treatment for ventricular arrhythmia (VA) in ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM). However, results in non-ICM (NICM) patients are not satisfactory, and studies comparing differences between NICM and ICM are limited. We conducted a meta-analysis of procedural characteristics and long-term outcomes of catheter ablation for VA, comparing results between ICM and NICM. METHODS: Studies in the PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases were systematically reviewed. Four studies reporting comparison of catheter ablation of VA between ICM and NICM were examined. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used to appraise study quality. A random-effects model with inverse variance method was used for comparisons. RESULTS: Epicardial approach was significantly more undertaken for the NICM group than in the ICM group (odds ratio [OR]: 0.13; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.09-0.18; P \u3c .00001). Mean ablation time (P = .54), fluoroscopy time (P = .55), and procedural time (P = .18) did not differ significantly between the ICM and NICM groups. Procedural failure rates (OR: 0.46; 95% CI: 0.24-0.89; P = .02) and VA recurrence rates (risk ratio [RR]: 0.68; 95% CI: 0.46-1.01; P = .06) were significantly higher in the NICM group than in the ICM group. However, all-cause mortality (RR: 1.37; 95% CI: 0.75-2.49; P = .31) did not differ significantly between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Procedural failure and VA recurrence rates were significantly higher in the NICM group, despite significantly more frequent epicardial access. These highlight the limitations of catheter ablation for VA in NICM, given our current knowledge

On the Performance of Dirichlet Prior Mixture of Generalized Linear Mixed Models for Zero Truncated Count Data

In this study, the performance of Dirichlet Process Mixture of Generalized Linear Mixed Models (DPMGLMMs) was examined against some competing models for fitting zero-truncated count data. The Bayesian models such as Monte Carlo Markov Chain GLMMs, Bayesian Discrete Weibull and the frequentists models such as Zero truncated Poisson, Zero truncated Binomial and Zero truncated Geometric models were compared with the proposed DPMGLMMs model. Simulation and life count data from health domain was used to compare the performance of DPMGLMM with the Bayesian and frequentist models considered in this study. The results showed that the DPMGLMM outperformed other models considered for fitting count data that is truncated at zero

On COVID-19 Vaccination in Nigeria: An Empirical Study

This study assessed the knowledge and perception of Nigerians about COVID-19 vaccination. A cross-sectional survey was conducted comprising Health and Non-health workers in Nigeria. The knowledge, attitude, and perception of respondents on COVID- 19 vaccination in Nigeria was obtained through an online. Logistic regression was employed to determine which factor imparted on COVID-19 vaccination decision. The study showed a significant relationship between COVID-19 vaccination and immigration requirements. The survey showed that 74.07%of the health workers had been vaccinated, while 47.06% of non-Health Workers had been vaccinated. This study recommends that Governments at all levels should create more awareness of the importance of COVID-19 vaccination to increase the number of vaccinated individuals

Meta-Analysis Comparing WatchmanTM and Amplatzer Devices for Stroke Prevention in Atrial Fibrillation

Background: For patients with atrial fibrillation who are at high risk for bleeding or who cannot tolerate oral anticoagulation, left atrial appendage (LAA) closure represents an alternative therapy for reducing risk for thromboembolic events. Objectives: To compare the efficacy and safety of the Amplatzer and WatchmanTM LAA closure devices. Methods: A meta-analysis was performed of studies comparing the safety and efficacy outcomes of the two devices. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used to appraise study quality. Results: Six studies encompassing 614 patients were included in the meta-analysis. Overall event rates were low for both devices. No significant differences between the devices were found in safety outcomes (i.e., pericardial effusion, cardiac tamponade, device embolization, air embolism, and vascular complications) or in the rates of all-cause mortality, cardiac death, stroke/transient ischemic attack, or device-related thrombosis. The total bleeding rate was significantly lower in the WatchmanTM group (Log OR = −0.90; 95% CI = −1.76 to −0.04; p = 0.04), yet no significant differences was found when the bleeding rate was categorized into major and minor bleeding. Total peridevice leakage rate and insignificant peridevice leakage rate were significantly higher in the WatchmanTM group (Log OR = 1.32; 95% CI = 0.76 to 1.87; p \u3c 0.01 and Log OR = 1.11; 95% CI = 0.50 to 1.72; p \u3c 0.01, respectively). However, significant peridevice leakages were similar in both the devices. Conclusions: The LAA closure devices had low complication rates and low event rates. Efficacy and safety were similar between the systems, except for a higher percentage of insignificant peridevice leakages in the WatchmanTM group. A randomized controlled trial comparing both devices is underway, which may provide more insight on the safety and efficacy outcomes comparison of the devices

Influence of Preparation and Processing Methods on the Physico-chemical Properties of <i>Oryctes rhinoceros</i> Larvae

The growing world population with increasingly demanding consumers has led to considering insects as part of are normal diet since they are good sources of proteins, and could therefore potentially contribute to global food security. This study produced Oryctes rhinoceros L. larvae powder and investigated the impact of preparation and processing methods (degutted; roasted and dried) on some quality parameters of O. rhinoceros larvae powder. Each batch was prepared with and without their gut respectively. Physico-chemical analyses were determined on the powder, while sensory evaluation was carried out on the whole O. rhinoceros larvae using standard procedures. Moisture content of the powders ranged from 3.57 - 5.66%, protein content (51.60 - 62.65%), fat (8.71 – 12.67%), ash (3.97 - 10.25%), fibre (15.57 - 19.52%) and carbohydrate (0.12 - 6.56%). The results of functional properties revealed a range of 2.64 – 2.98 mg/g for water absorption capacity, oil absorption capacity of 2.43- 2.70 mg/g and bulk density of 0.48 – 0.51 g/mL. Processing (roasting and oven drying) had no significant effect on the sensory and physico-chemical properties of whole O. rhinoceros larvae and O. rhinoceros larvae powder, while the removal of the gut significantly contributed to the improvement of the quality and sensory appeal of O. rhinoceros larvae.</jats:p