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The aim of this study is to compare the accuracy of Airgo™, a non-invasive wearable device that records breath, with respect to a gold standard. In 21 healthy subjects (10 males, 11 females), four parameters were recorded for four min at rest and in different positions simultaneously by Airgo™ and SensorMedics 2900 metabolic cart. Then, a cardio-pulmonary exercise test was performed using the Erg 800S cycle ergometer in order to test Airgo™’s accuracy during physical effort. The results reveal that the relative error median percentage of respiratory rate was of 0% for all positions at rest and for different exercise intensities, with interquartile ranges between 3.5 (standing position) and 22.4 (low-intensity exercise) breaths per minute. During exercise, normalized amplitude and ventilation relative error medians highlighted the presence of an error proportional to the volume to be estimated. For increasing intensity levels of exercise, Airgo™’s estimate tended to underestimate the values of the gold standard instrument. In conclusion, the Airgo™ device provides good accuracy and precision in the estimate of respiratory rate (especially at rest), an acceptable estimate of tidal volume and minute ventilation at rest and an underestimation for increasing volumes.

Background Increasing functional residual capacity (FRC) or tidal volume (V T ) reduces airway resistance and attenuates the response to bronchoconstrictor stimuli in animals and humans. What is unknown is which one of the above mechanisms is more effective in modulating airway caliber and whether their combination yields additive or synergistic effects. To address this question, we investigated the effects of increased FRC and increased V T in attenuating the bronchoconstriction induced by inhaled methacholine (MCh) in healthy humans. Methods Nineteen healthy volunteers were challenged with a single-dose of MCh and forced oscillation was used to measure inspiratory resistance at 5 and 19 Hz (R 5 and R 19 ), their difference (R 5-19 ), and reactance at 5 Hz (X 5 ) during spontaneous breathing and during imposed breathing patterns with increased FRC, or V T , or both. Importantly, in our experimental design we held the product of V T and breathing frequency (BF), i.e , minute ventilation (V E ) fixed so as to better isolate the effects of changes in V T alone. Results Tripling V T from baseline FRC significantly attenuated the effects of MCh on R 5 , R 19 , R 5-19 and X 5 . Doubling V T while halving BF had insignificant effects. Increasing FRC by either one or two V T significantly attenuated the effects of MCh on R 5, R 19 , R 5-19 and X 5 . Increasing both V T and FRC had additive effects on R 5 , R 19 , R 5-19 and X 5 , but the effect of increasing FRC was more consistent than increasing V T thus suggesting larger bronchodilation. When compared at iso-volume, there were no differences among breathing patterns with the exception of when V T was three times larger than during spontaneous breathing. Conclusions These data show that increasing FRC and V T can attenuate induced bronchoconstriction in healthy humans by additive effects that are mainly related to an increase of mean operational lung volume. We suggest that static stretching as with increasing FRC is more effective than tidal stretching at constant V E , possibly through a combination of effects on airway geometry and airway smooth muscle dynamics.

The secondary shelf life (SSL) is defined as the time after package opening during which the food product retains a required level of quality. The SSL, indicated in labels as “best if used within x days after opening”, could lead to domestic food waste if not correctly evaluated. In this context, the SSL of two brands of industrial shelf-stable pesto products (with an indicated SSL of 5 days) was studied through a domestic use simulation performed in five households under two scenarios simulating real opening and storage conditions. The quality of pesto after opening was assessed through microbiological and sensory analyses, determination of instrumental colour parameters, pH and volatiles profiling. For both pesto sauces tested, a SSL ≥ 20 days was proven. Irrespective of the intensity of use (scenarios 1 and 2), the pesto was microbiologically stable: the maximum count for total aerobic mesophilic bacteria (TMB) observed during 20 days of storage was 9.64 ± 1.7 × 102 CFU/g, starting from a commercially stable product. Colour parameters L* and ΔE did not change significantly during storage (p > 0.05), while the a* and BI values significantly changed (p < 0.05) during the first 5 days, and then stabilized during the rest of the household storage. Nevertheless, the slight colour modifications were not perceived by the sensory panel. Moreover, sensory assessors were not able to discern pesto samples stored for up to 20 days after first opening, from a just-opened reference sample, proving that the sensory appreciation of pesto was not influenced by the time after opening. The results of this study suggest the possibility to significantly extend or even omit the SSL indications for industrial pesto sauces. The objective assessment of SSL could have impressive practical outcomes both for the industry and the end user. The elongation of the SSL on the food label might increase food sustainability, thanks to the potential reduction of food wastes, thus giving added value to the commercial products. In addition, the end user could benefit the increase of the useful period for the food consumption after first opening, with significant domestic food waste reduction, reduced household stock turnover and consequent cost savings.

Fuel cells represent an appealing avenue for harnessing eco-friendly energy. While their fuel supply traditionally stems from water electrolysis, an environmentally conscious approach also involves utilizing low-weight alcohols like methanol and ethanol. These alcohols, concentrated from sustainable sources within the enological by-product distillation process, offer a noteworthy contribution to the circular economy. This study delved into evaluating the efficacy of distillery fractions in powering methanol fuel cells. Beyond their energy-generation potential, the performed GC-MS analysis unveiled appreciable quantities of acetic acid resulting from the partial oxidation of ethanol. This revelation opens the door to intriguing possibilities, including the recovery and repurposing of novel compounds such as short-chain fatty acids (predominantly acetic acid), ketones, and aldehydes—establishing a link between sustainable energy production and the emergence of valuable by-product applications.

Background: The pandemic and lockdown caused a slowdown or halt in many work activities across sectors, including academic research, which had to adapt lab procedures to lockdown restrictions. This study aimed to assess an innovative approach to sensory analysis that aligned with the pandemic’s constraints and could enhance traditional methods even in normal conditions. Methods: Remote training of judges was conducted to test the method’s effectiveness. Sensory evaluation of sous-vide chicken breast fillets was conducted at different temperatures (60, 70, 80 °C) and time combinations (60, 90, 120, 150 min), compared to a control (boiled at 100 °C for 60 min). Judges tasted 6 out of 13 randomized samples, recording intensities on a cloud-based sensory card. Results: Judges demonstrated good repeatability and panel homogeneity (RSD ≤ 30%). Significant differences (p < 0.05) in olfactory and flavor characteristics were noted among samples. Higher-temperature samples had stronger boiled meat and chicken flavors, and sous-vide samples showed greater juiciness, especially LT2 and LT3. Conclusions: The remote home-tasting approach proved effective in distinguishing key differences in meat characteristics based on cooking conditions. This method’s reliability and adaptability make it a promising alternative to lab-based sensory evaluation, ensuring research continuity in restrictive conditions and broadening potential for decentralized studies.

It is not known whether parasympathetic outflow simultaneously acts on bronchial tone and cardiovascular system waxing and waning both systems in parallel, or, alternatively, whether the regulation is more dependent on local factors and therefore independent on each system. The aim of this study was to evaluate the simultaneous effect of different kinds of stimulations, all associated with parasympathetic activation, on bronchomotor tone and cardiovascular autonomic regulation. Respiratory system resistance (Rrs, forced oscillation technique) and cardio-vascular activity (heart rate, oxygen saturation, tissue oxygenation index, blood pressure) were assessed in 13 volunteers at baseline and during a series of parasympathetic stimuli: O2 inhalation, stimulation of the carotid sinus baroreceptors by neck suction, slow breathing, and inhalation of methacholine. Pure cholinergic stimuli, like O2 inhalation and baroreceptors stimulation, caused an increase in Rrs and a reduction in heart rate and blood pressure. Slow breathing led to bradycardia and hypotension, without significant changes in Rrs. However slow breathing was associated with deep inhalations, and Rrs evaluated at the baseline lung volumes was significantly increased, suggesting that the large tidal volumes reversed the airways narrowing effect of parasympathetic activation. Finally inhaled methacholine caused marked airway narrowing, while the cardiovascular variables were unaffected, presumably because of the sympathetic activity triggered in response to hypoxemia. All parasympathetic stimuli affected bronchial tone and moderately affected also the cardiovascular system. However the response differed depending on the nature of the stimulus. Slow breathing was associated with large tidal volumes that reversed the airways narrowing effect of parasympathetic activation.

In experimental conditions alveolar fluid clearance is controlled by alveolar β2-adrenergic receptors. We hypothesized that if this occurs in humans, then non-selective β-blockers should reduce the membrane diffusing capacity (DM), an index of lung interstitial fluid homeostasis. Moreover, we wondered whether this effect is potentiated by saline solution infusion, an intervention expected to cause interstitial lung edema. Since fluid retention within the lungs might trigger excessive ventilation during exercise, we also hypothesized that after the β2-blockade ventilation increased in excess to CO2 output and this was further enhanced by interstitial edema. 22 healthy males took part in the study. On day 1, spirometry, lung diffusion for carbon monoxide (DLCO) including its subcomponents DM and capillary volume (VCap), and cardiopulmonary exercise test were performed. On day 2, these tests were repeated after rapid 25 ml/kg saline infusion. Then, in random order 11 subjects were assigned to oral treatment with Carvedilol (CARV) and 11 to Bisoprolol (BISOPR). When heart rate fell at least by 10 beats·min(-1), the tests were repeated before (day 3) and after saline infusion (day 4). CARV but not BISOPR, decreased DM (-13 ± 7%, p = 0.001) and increased VCap (+20 ± 22%, p = 0.016) and VE/VCO2 slope (+12 ± 8%, p<0.01). These changes further increased after saline: -18 ± 13% for DM (p<0.01), +44 ± 28% for VCap (p<0.001), and +20 ± 10% for VE/VCO2 slope (p<0.001). These findings support the hypothesis that in humans in vivo the β2-alveolar receptors contribute to control alveolar fluid clearance and that interstitial lung fluid may trigger exercise hyperventilation.

Economists and marketing scholars have devoted considerable attention to studying the underlying factors, diverse forms, and potential consequences of embedded advertising, which involves blending marketing communications with media content in a way that appears non-promotional. In most countries, the disclosure of embedded advertising to consumers is required by law. However, instances of inadequate disclosure are frequent. Our study examines the factors that influence hidden advertising, which refers to embedded advertising without proper disclosure, by analysing the characteristics of cases handled by the Italian Competition Authority between 1993 and 2022. Among the factors considered, firm size emerges as the sole consistent determinant affecting the likelihood of non-compliance. When the media outlet and the advertiser possess similar sizes, the probability of infringement tends to be higher.

The QuEChERS approach was optimized for extracting cholesterol oxidation products in cheese, followed by LC-APCI-MS/MS analysis. Optimization of the method, including evaluations of saponification step, sample weight, and d-SPE purification resulted in good recoveries for each analyte, ensuring a reliable determination of these contaminants in cheese samples. In addition, the method was successfully validated by testing linearity of response, analytical limits (LOD and LLOQ), and precision. Sliced cheese samples wrapped in various packaging materials underwent a challenging test to simulate refrigerated storage conditions under fluorescent light, inducing photo-oxidative stress. The validated QuEChERS method revealed that only seasoned hard cow’s cheese showed an increase in the concentration of 7-ketocholesterol and its chemical precursors, 7β-hydroxycholesterol, and 7α-hydroxycholesterol, reaching levels of 0.45, 0.35, and 0.35 µg g−1, respectively. Conversely, opaque packaging and the use of a double film were found to be effective in preventing the formation of COPs in cheese samples subjected to photo-oxidative stress, such as smoked cheese and melted cheese slices (sottilette). A trade-off must be found between ensuring cheese protection and meeting the consumer’s desire to see the product.

Heterophile antibodies, which can arise from infections, autoimmune disorders, or exposure to animal antigens, can interfere with immunoassays. These antibodies can cross-react with the test reagents used in troponin assays, causing a false elevation in troponin levels. The paper describes a case of a 37-year-old male drug abuser admitted to the emergency room with chest pain. A series of troponin measurements performed using different assays gave discrepant results. Only thanks to the use of Scantibodies HBT tubes, which remove heterophile antibodies, was it possible to make a correct diagnosis of troponin negativity. In conclusion, a correct laboratory/clinical approach to the identification of heterophile antibody interference is essential for accurate troponin testing in order to avoid false positive results. Implementing neutralizing tests can significantly improve the reliability of these diagnostic assays, ensuring better patient outcome.