Modelling the Effect of Temperature on Respiration Rate of Fresh Cut Papaya (Carica papaya L.) Fruits.

A respiration rate (RR) model based on Peleg’s equation was developed for predicting RRs of fresh cut papaya. Respiration data for fresh cut papaya at 3/4 maturity were generated at temperatures 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30°C using a closed system. RRs was found to be significantly influenced by storage temperature and increased from 0.021 to 0.289 mL[O2]/kg·h and 0.063 to 0.393 mL[CO2]/kg·h as a function of O2 and CO2 gas concentrations, respectively. Peleg’s constant K 1 and K 2 were obtained from linear regression analysis using GraphPad Prism 5.0 software and regression coefficients have good fit with values close to unity. The model was verified to assess the capability of its predictability of the RRs over the temperatures. There was good agreement with the experimentally estimated RRs. Information derived from the model can contribute in the design of successful modified atmospheric systems for storage of fresh cut papaya

Characteristics of pediatric patients with sports-related concussions: A single site retrospective review

PURPOSE: Sports-related concussion (SRC) cases have increased among children in the last decade. Differences in concussion symptoms, presentation, and follow-up care exist when comparing demographics. The aim of this study was to explore SRC within the pediatric population. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of patients ≤ 18 years old diagnosed with SRC at a New Orleans stand-alone children\u27s hospital from January 2007 to December 2021 was performed. T-test and Fisher\u27s exact test were used for relationship between outcomes and sports, demographics, setting, insurance, and follow-up care. RESULTS: Children who sustained SRC at practice were more likely to be male (p = 0.0311) and younger (p \u3c 0.0001). Cheerleading was more likely to have injuries during practice (p \u3c 0.0001). Medicaid/uninsured patients were more likely to be referred from the emergency department (ED) (p = 0.001), have longer length of follow-ups (p = 0.0489), and have more missed appointments (p = 0.0062). However, the total number of follow-ups between insurance types did not differ (p = 0.3084). CONCLUSION: SRC incidence is situation and time dependent. Medicaid/uninsured patients are more likely to be evaluated at the ED, miss appointments, and have a longer length of follow-up to attain the same number of appointments. Exploring the nuances of SRC within this population will improve management and outcomes

Cholecystitis secondary to Salmonella typhi: a rare pathology with an unreported management option—a case report and literature review

Background: This report describes the presentation and course of treatment for one of the youngest reported cases of empyema of the gallbladder. Given the rare occurrence of this disease process, we elected to proceed with a systematic review of the literature. This is only the 7th case series discussing pediatric empyema of the gallbladder due to Salmonella typhi in the literature, and the second case ever reported in the USA. Case presentation: We report a case of a previously healthy 13-month-old girl who presented with diffuse peritonitis and equivocal imaging studies. Diagnostic laparoscopy revealed purulent peritonitis. The gallbladder was distended with intraluminal pus. Laparoscopy was converted to laparotomy to facilitate exposure, and a cholecystostomy tube was placed. Cultures from the fluid were positive for Salmonella typhi. The patient received a 14-day course of intravenous Ceftriaxone followed by 14 days of oral amoxicillin and clavulanate. A cholangiogram performed 8 weeks after surgery confirmed normal biliary anatomy. The cholecystostomy tube was removed. The patient recovered uneventfully and is doing well over 9 months later. Conclusion: There is no consensus on treatment with options reported ranging from medical management with antibiotic therapy to more invasive procedures such as cholecystostomy tube or cholecystectomy. Less invasive management options are an alternative for Salmonella cholecystitis

Effect of the re-use of the osmotic solution on the stability of osmodehydro-refrigerated grapefruit

Osmotic dehydration (OD) of grapefruit (55 degrees Brix sucrose solution, 30 degrees C) was carried out to obtain 75 g water/100 g sample in the final product. Although the grapefruit was replaced each time, the osmotic solution (OS) was reused for five OD cycles, with or without pasteurization. The samples obtained in cycles 1, 3 and 5, were stored at 10 degrees C. Changes in degrees Brix, water content, water activity, pH, total acidity, ascorbic acid content, cation concentration, respiration rate and total microbial counts at different storage times were analyzed and compared to fresh-cut grapefruit stored under the same conditions. During OD, a partial loss of the natural soluble substances present in the fruit was observed. In terms of the dehydration level reached by the fruit, it is possible to reuse the OS in up to 5 OD, without any reconcentration treatment. Nevertheless, it is advisable to pasteurize the OS before each cycle in order to obtain a product with a shelf-life of between 7 and 12 days in refrigeration, depending on the number of cyclesThe authors thank the Ministerio de Ciencia y Tecnologia and the Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER) for the financial support throughout the project AGL2005-05994.Moraga Ballesteros, MJ.; Moraga Ballesteros, G.; Martínez Navarrete, N. (2011). Effect of the re-use of the osmotic solution on the stability of osmodehydro-refrigerated grapefruit. Food Science and Technology. 44(1):35-41. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lwt.2010.05.018S354144

Injúrias mecânicas e seus efeitos na qualidade de melancias armazenadas em condição ambiente

As injúrias mecânicas constituem uma das principais causas de perdas pós-colheita dos produtos hortícolas. Avaliou-se os efeitos de diferentes injúrias mecânicas sobre a qualidade de melancias 'TopGun®'. Foram testados três tipos de lesões: impacto (os frutos caíram de uma altura de 20 cm); compressão (os frutos ficaram sob a pressão de um peso de 294 N durante 10 horas); corte (feito com lâminas apropriadas). Após esses tratamentos, os frutos injuriados e os do controle (intactos) foram armazenados em condições de ambiente (25±1°C, 65±5% UR). As avaliações foram feitas a cada 4 dias, determinando-se a aparência, a perda de massa fresca, os teores de sólidos solúveis, de acidez titulável e de ácido ascórbico, coloração interna e atividade respiratória. Durante o armazenamento de 15 dias, as lesões mostraram-se prejudiciais à qualidade e à aparência dos frutos, em especial naqueles submetidos ao corte e ao impacto. Notou-se também escurecimento na polpa destes frutos. Perda de massa fresca também foi observada durante este período e foi agravada quando os frutos foram submetidos ao impacto. O teor de sólidos solúveis e o ácido ascórbico diminuíram ao longo do período de armazenamento. A atividade respiratória aumentou logo nas primeiras horas em frutos submetidos às injúrias de corte e impacto.Mechanical injuries are the main cause of losses in the post harvest of horticultural products. The effect of different mechanical injuries was evaluated on the quality of watermelons 'TopGun®'. The impact was evaluated when the injury was made by allowing the product to fall from 20 cm height on a hard and plane surface, compression of fruits under a weight of 294N and cutting the fruits with an appropriate blade. After this, the injuried and intact fruits were stored at room temperature (25+1ºC, 65+5%RH). The evaluations were performed every 4 days, for appearance, loss of fresh mass, the content of soluble solids, titratable acidity, ascorbic acid, internal color and respiratory activity. During the storage period of 15 days, the injuries prejudiced the quality and the apearance of the fruits, mainly those submitted to the cut and impact, presenting the worst quality, affecting the chemical parameteres, the appearance and reducing the days of possible comercialization. The pulp turned slightly darker. Loss of fresh mass also was observed during this period and became worst on the fruit submited to the impact. The content of soluble solids and ascorbic acid reduced through the storage period. The respiratory activity was afected in the first hours of analisis by the cut and the impact