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Bell peppers (Capsicum annuum L.) in various stages of maturity are widely used in the diets of individuals and in the food industry; they are consumed both fresh and after thermal processing. However, every type of processing impacts the overall textural and bioactive characteristics of this plant-based food. In order to quantify the changes in the bioactive substances and color-structural characteristics that occur during selected heat treatments (contact grilling, roasting, roasting combined with microwaving, and steam cooking) of bell peppers at three maturity stages (green, yellow, and red), analyses of antioxidant activity, reducing sugar content, polyphenolic compound content, textural properties, and color coordinates in the L*a*b* system were carried out. Some of the processes used, such as contact grilling (15.43 mg GAE/g d.b.) and roasting combined with microwaving (15.24 mg GAE/g d.b.), proved to be beneficial as the total polyphenol content of green peppers (2.75 mg GAE/g d.b.) increased. The roasting (3.49 mg TE/g d.b.) and steaming (6.45 mg TE/g d.b.) methods decreased the antioxidant activity of yellow bell peppers (14.29 mg TE/g d.b.). Meanwhile, the roasting (0.88 mg Glc/g d.b.), contact-grilling (2.19 mg Glc/g d.b.), simultaneous microwaving and roasting (0.66 mg Glc/g d.b.), and steaming (1.30 mg Glc/g d.b.) methods significantly reduced the content of reducing sugars and reducing substances in red bell peppers (4.41 mg Glc/g d.b.). The studies proved that in order to preserve the antioxidant and bioactive properties of bell peppers, it is necessary to consider the use of appropriately selected heat treatments, depending on the different stages of maturity. The proper selection of adequate thermal treatment can not only increase digestibility, but also improve the bioavailability of bioactive substances from this raw material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With a suitable milling system, it is achievable to produce wholegrain flours that match the granulation and technological properties of refined flours while maintaining a complete nutritional profile. This process also minimizes the generation of additional industrial waste. This study aimed to characterize wholemeal flours with a fine granulation size of less than 160 µm: wheat (MWF), rye (MRF), spelt (MSF), barley (MBF), buckwheat (MBWF), and sorghum (MSGF). For comparison, the plain wheat flour type 530 (T530) was analyzed. The flours were assessed in terms of their chemical compositions and alpha amylase activities (the Falling Number assay), pasting properties (amylograph and a Rapid Visco Analyser (RVA)), water absorption using a farinograph, and technological quality based on their water (WRC) and sodium carbonate solvent retention capacity (SRC) profiles. Among the micronized wholemeal flours, wheat flour (MWF) exhibited the highest nutritional value, greatest water absorption, and highest final gelatinization temperature, but had the lowest energy value, carbohydrate content, water SRC, and sodium carbonate SRC. Wholemeal rye flour (MRF) displayed the lowest nutrient content and the highest amylolytic activity, water absorption, and sodium carbonate SRC. The plain wheat flour type 530 (T530) had the lowest water absorption. Special buckwheat flour (MBWF) showed the highest energy value due to its elevated carbohydrate content, along with the lowest sugar and TDF contents, amylolytic activity, and pasting temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of edible insects in the human diet is gaining importance because they are characterized by high nutritional value, and their cultivation is much more environmentally friendly than traditional livestock farming. The objective of this study was to determine the chemical and nutritional fat profile of selected edible insects as follows: house cricket (Acheta domesticus adult), field cricket (Gryllus bimaculatus adult), mealworm (Tenebrio molitor larvae), and palm weevil (Rhynchophorus ferrugineus larvae) which are now commercially available worldwide. Additionally, the degree of implementation of nutrition standards for selected nutrients by these insects was assessed. Freeze-dried insects were studied using infrared-attenuated total reflectance mid-infrared spectroscopy for basic differentiation. The content of fat and fatty acids was determined, and dietary indicators were calculated. The spectroscopic findings align with biochemical data, revealing that Rhynchophorus ferrugineus larvae contain the highest fat content and the least protein. Unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs) predominated in the fat of the assessed insects. The highest content of saturated fatty acids (SFAs), along with the lowest content of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), was observed in the larvae of the Rhynchophorus ferrugineus species. From a nutritional standpoint, Tenebrio molitor larvae exhibit the most favorable indicators, characterized by minimal athero- and thrombogenic effects, along with an optimal balance of hypo- and hypercholesterolemic acids. Knowledge of the composition and quantities of fats in different insect species is valuable for planning and preparing meals with accurate nutritional profiles, among other applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

У статті наведено результати досліджень ультраструктури зародків в’юна Мisgurnus fossilis L. на стадіях першого та десятого поділів бластомерів у середовищі інкубації з 2-хлоро-3-гідрокси-1,4-нафтохінона та амідними похідними (ФО-1 і ФО-2) у концентраціях 10-5 М та 10-7 М. Дія досліджуваних сполук у концентрації 10-5 М призводить до значних ультраструктурних змін клітинних органел, гіпертрофії гранулярного й агранулярного ендоплазматичного ретикулуму, дезорганізації мітохондрій, підвищення кількості лізосом.

BackgroundMild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) occurs at a higher frequency among military personnel than among civilians. A common symptom of mTBIs is cognitive dysfunction. Health care professionals use neuropsychological assessments as part of a multidisciplinary and best practice approach for mTBI management. Such assessments support clinical diagnosis, symptom management, rehabilitation, and return-to-duty planning. Military health care organizations currently use computerized neurocognitive assessment tools (NCATs). NCATs and more traditional neuropsychological assessments present unique challenges in both clinical and military settings. Many research gaps remain regarding psychometric properties, usability, acceptance, feasibility, effectiveness, sensitivity, and utility of both types of assessments in military environments. ObjectiveThe aims of this study were to explore evidence regarding the use of NCATs among military personnel who have sustained mTBIs; evaluate the psychometric properties of the most commonly tested NCATs for this population; and synthesize the data to explore the range and extent of NCATs among this population, clinical recommendations for use, and knowledge gaps requiring future research. MethodsStudies were identified using MEDLINE, Embase, American Psychological Association PsycINFO, CINAHL Plus with Full Text, Psych Article, Scopus, and Military & Government Collection. Data were analyzed using descriptive analysis, thematic analysis, and the Randolph Criteria. Narrative synthesis and the PRISMA-ScR (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses extension for Scoping Reviews) guided the reporting of findings. The psychometric properties of NCATs were evaluated with specific criteria and summarized. ResultsOf the 104 papers, 33 met the inclusion criteria for this scoping review. Thematic analysis and NCAT psychometrics were reported and summarized. ConclusionsWhen considering the psychometric properties of the most commonly used NCATs in military populations, these assessments have yet to demonstrate adequate validity, reliability, sensitivity, and clinical utility among military personnel with mTBIs. Additional research is needed to further validate NCATs within military populations, especially for those living outside of the United States and individuals experiencing other conditions known to adversely affect cognitive processing. Knowledge gaps remain, warranting further study of psychometric properties and the utility of baseline and normative testing for NCATs.

Objective The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted ongoing challenges to optimal supportive end-of-life care for adults living in long-term care (LTC) facilities. A supportive end-of-life care approach emphasises family involvement, optimal symptom control, multidisciplinary team collaboration and death and bereavement support services for residents and families. Community-based and palliative care specialist physicians who visit residents in LTC facilities play an important role in supportive end-of-life care. Yet, perspectives, experiences and perceptions of these physicians remain unknown. The objective of this study was to explore barriers and facilitators to optimal supportive end-of-life palliative care in LTC through the experiences and perceptions of community-based and palliative specialist physicians who visit LTC facilities.Design Qualitative study using semi-structured interviews, basic qualitative description and directed content analysis using the COM-B (capability, opportunity, motivation - behaviour) theoretical framework.Setting Residential long-term care.Participants 23 physicians who visit LTC facilities from across Alberta, Canada, including both in urban and rural settings of whom 18 were community-based physicians and 5 were specialist palliative care physicians.Results Motivation barriers include families’ lack of frailty knowledge, unrealistic expectations and emotional reactions to grief and uncertainty. Capability barriers include lack of symptom assessment tools, as well as palliative care knowledge, training and mentorship. Physical and social design barriers include lack of dedicated spaces for death and bereavement, inadequate staff, and mental health and spiritual services of insufficient scope for the population.Conclusion Findings reveal that validating families’ concerns, having appropriate symptom assessment tools, providing mentorship in palliative care and adapting the physical and social environment to support dying and grieving with dignity facilitates supportive, end-of-life care within LTC.

Aerobic exercise has both neuroprotective and neurorehabilitative benefits. However, the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood and need to be investigated, especially in postmenopausal women, who are at increased risk of age-related disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease and stroke. To advance our understanding of the potential neurological benefits of aerobic exercise in aging women, we examined anatomical and functional responses that may differentiate women of varying cardiorespiratory fitness using neuroimaging and neurophysiology. A total of 35 healthy postmenopausal women were recruited (59 ± 3 years) and cardiorespiratory fitness estimated (22–70 mL/kg/min). Transcranial magnetic stimulation was used to assess -aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate (Glu) receptor function in the primary motor cortex (M1), and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) was used to quantify GABA and Glu concentrations in M1. Magnetic resonance imaging was used to assess mean cortical thickness (MCT) of sensorimotor and frontal regions, while the microstructure of sensorimotor and other white matter tracts was evaluated through diffusion tensor imaging. Regression analysis revealed that higher fitness levels were associated with improved microstructure in pre-motor and sensory tracts, and the hippocampal cingulum. Fitness level was not associated with MCT, MRS, or neurophysiology measures. These data indicate that, in postmenopausal women, higher cardiorespiratory fitness is linked with preserved selective white matter microstructure, particularly in areas that influence sensorimotor control and memory.

The natural gums used as high molecular weight oleogelators are mainly polysaccharides that deliver a broad spectrum of possible utilization methods when structuring liquid fats to solid forms. The review discusses a natural gums’ structuring and gelling behavior to capture the oil droplets and form the water/oil gelling emulsions basing on their structural conformation, internal charge, and polymeric characteristics. The specific parameters and characteristics of natural gums based oleogels are also discussed. In the future, oleogels may eliminate saturated and trans fats from food products and allow the production of low-fat products, thus reducing the environmental damage caused by the excessive use of palm oil. The increasing knowledge of molecular interaction in polysaccharide chains of natural gums allows to apply more sustainable and wiser strategies towards product formulation. Innovative solutions for using oleogels based on natural polysaccharide biopolymers let incorporate them into the food matrix and replace fats completely or create blends containing the source of fats and the addition of the oleogel. The profound insight into molecular characteristics of natural gums in the function of being oleogelators is presented.

The purpose of the article is to improve the model of the enterprise (institution, organization) management process on the basis of general management functions. The graphic model of the process of management according to the process-structured management is presented. It has been established that in today's business environment, the model of the management process should include such general management functions as: 1) controlling the achievement of results; 2) planning based on the main goal; 3) coordination and corrective actions (in the system of organization of work and production); 4) action as a form of act (conscious, volitional, directed); 5) accounting system (accounting, statistical, operational-technical and managerial); 6) diagnosis (economic, legal) with such subfunctions as: identification of the state and capabilities; analysis (economic, legal, systemic) with argumentation; assessment of the state, trends and prospects of development. The prospect of further research in this direction is: 1) the formation of a system of interrelation of functions and management methods, taking into account the presented research results; 2) development of the model of effective and efficient communication business process of the enterprise.

The article analyses approaches to formation of the export potential of industry on the micro- and meso-levels. A number of factors influencing the formation of the export potential of industry on the micro- and meso-levels has been considered. It was found that the components of the export potential of industry on the micro- and meso-levels are factors, capabilities (potential), and resources. It has been suggested to perceive the defining resources of formation of the export potential of industrial enterprises as: personnel, production, financial-investment, innovation, marketing, information, organizational, and managerial. It has been found that the main resources of export potential of the industry of region include: production, raw material, natural, financial, investment, social, and innovation. There is a number of opportunities that contribute to the formation of the export potential of the region’s industry, in particular: labor, industrial, financial, raw material, natural, investment, innovation, social, information, and organizational-managerial.

The purpose of the article is to determine the place, the role and features of cybernetic security and improve the business intelligence scheme in the system of diagnosing economic security of the enterprise. It had been found out that: 1) the term “cybernetic security of an enterprise” should be understood as the state of the protection of the cybernetic space of the whole enterprise or individual objects of its information infrastructure (computer system, computer data, etc.) from the risk of external cybernetic influence, which ensures their sustainable development and the formation of prospects, as well as timely detection, prevention and neutralization of real and potential cybernetic interruptions and threats to the interests of the enterprise; 2) the main components of cybernetic security in the system of diagnostics of economic security of the enterprise are: investigation of information and telecommunication systems and cryptosystems of the opposing sides; cybernetic effects; protection of information sphere. It was established that the main task of business intelligence in the system of diagnosing economic security of the enterprise is the verification of the reliability of business information, the provision of cybernetic protection of information resources, information and communication technologies and systems and the elimination of the possibility of misinformation of senior management by the managers of the middle level, suppliers, marketing intermediaries, clientele, competitors or contact audiences of the enterprise. The prospect of further research in this direction is the development of a system of goals of the polycriterial diagnostics of the activity (economic diagnostics) of the enterprise (on the basis of the isolation and systematization of its diagnostic purposes), taking into account the presented results of the study.

The prevalence of gastritis in humans is constantly growing and a prediction of an increase in this health problem is observed in many countries. For this reason, effective dietary therapies are sought that can alleviate the course of this disease. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of chemically pure oat beta-glucan preparations with different molar masses, low or high, used for 30 days in patients with histologically diagnosed chronic gastritis. The study enrolled 48 people of both genders of different ages recruited from 129 patients with a gastritis diagnosis. Before and after the therapy, hematological, biochemical, immunological and redox balance parameters were determined in the blood and the number of lactic acid bacteria and SCFA concentrations in the feces. Our results demonstrated a beneficial effect of oat beta-glucans with high molar mass in chronic gastritis in humans, resulting in reduced mucosal damage and healthy changes in SCFA fecal concentration and peripheral blood serum glutathione metabolism and antioxidant defense parameters. This fraction of a highly purified oat beta-glucan is safe for humans. Its action is effective after 30 days of use, which sheds new light on the nutritional treatment of chronic gastritis.

The market for gluten-free products is experiencing significant growth due to the increase in the number of gluten/wheat affected patients diagnosed, but largely as a result of the emergence of a new niche market dedicated for consumers who optionally avoid gluten. Native flours are perceived as viable alternative for industrially used starch and hydrocolloids blends, mainly due to their lack of vitamins and minerals, which are abundant in non-refined raw materials. Edible inks for on-demand printing are under significant consideration, while texture building capacity remains an issue. As heat-moisture treatment has proved to be useful for stabilizing the pasting and rheological behavior of various native flours, HMT supported by microwave heating was investigated as printable ink stabilizers. For Spanish and Polish buckwheat flours and two different varieties of teff (white and brown) flour pasting, structural and textural characteristics after the microwave supported heat moisture treatment in 30% of initial moisture content were evaluated. The peak viscosity was reduced by 54% and 60% for Polish and Spanish flour, respectively, while for teff, the reduction was 15% and 43% for the white and brown varieties, respectively. Significant improvement in viscoelastic modulus G' (for Polish and Spanish buckwheat flour, 32% and 16%, respectively; for white and brown tef varieties, 14% and 18%, respectively) was observed for all the treated samples regardless of the species or variety; this resulted in better performance during 3D printing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to characterize special micronized wholemeal flours with a fine granulation size of less than 160 μm. The flours under investigation included wheat, rye, spelt, barley, buckwheat, sorghum, and teff. Various parameters were investigated to characterize the flours, including moisture, energy value, fat, carbohydrates, sugars, total protein, ash, and total dietary fiber (TDF). The falling number of the flours was assessed using the Hagberg–Perten method. Furthermore, the pasting properties of tested flours were analyzed using an amylograph, and a Rapid Visco Analyser (RVA). The water absorption of the wholemeal flours was examined using a farinograph. Additionally, the technological quality of the tested material was assessed based on the water (WRC) and sodium carbonate Solvent Retention Capacity (SRC) profile. Among the analyzed micronized flours, special wheat flour (WWF) had the highest nutritional value, and rye flour (WRF) was characterized by the lowest nutrient content and the highest amylolytic activity. The lowest levels of water absorption were found in special teff flour (WTF). The lowest TDF content and amylolytic activity were found in special buckwheat flour (WBWF). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background: The incidence of Crohn’s disease (CD) is increasing worldwide, and it has currently become a serious public health issue in society. The treatment of CD continues throughout a patient’s lifetime, and therefore, it is necessary to develop new, effective treatment methods, including dietotherapy. The present study aimed to determine the effects of consumption of oat beta-glucans with different molar mass on colon inflammation (colitis) in the early stages of 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced CD in an animal model. Methods: Sprague–Dawley rats (control and TNBS-induced CD) were divided into three dietary groups and fed for 3 days (reflecting acute inflammation) or 7 days (reflecting remission) with a feed containing 1% low (βGl) or high (βGh) molar mass oat beta-glucan or a feed without this polysaccharide. The level of colon inflammatory markers and the expression of cytokines and their receptor genes were measured by ELISA and RT-PCR methods, respectively. Results: Acute inflammation or remission (3 or 7 days after TNBS administration, respectively) stages of experimentally induced CD were characterized by an increase in the level of inflammatory markers (IL-1, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, TNF-α, CRP, MPO, COX, and PGE2) and the disruption of some cytokine signaling pathways as well as macro- and microscopic changes of colon tissue. The consumption of oat beta-glucans reduced the level of inflammatory markers and recovered the signaling pathways and histological changes, with stronger effects of βGl after 7 days of colitis. Conclusions: Dietary oat beta-glucans can reduce colitis at the molecular and organ level and accelerate CD remission.

The effects of histamine in 1 mg/kg and 8 mg/kg doses that correspond to the doses causing pathological effects at experimental conditions and of sodium hypochlorite in 5 mg/l dose – the lowest concentration of sodium hypochlorite that affects a body by oral administration, on the key enzymes of blood plasma antioxidant system were studied. It was found that histamine used in both concentrations intensified superoxide dismutase activity for 14 days. The simultaneous injections of histamine and sodium hypochlorite caused significant activation of superoxide dismutase in rats. Sodium hypochlorite received by rats with drinking solution caused the same effect. The catalase activity of blood plasma was not significantly affected by histamine, and its activity was significantly increased only under the influence of biogenic amine in 1 mg/kg dose on the 7th day of the experiment. Sodium hypochlorite caused a decline in catalase activity both in intact animals and in animals that received histamine injections subcutaneously. The injection of histamine in 1 mg/kg dose caused an increase in glutathione peroxidase activity on the 1st and 7th day of the experiment. Histamine in 8 mg/kg dose caused the intensification of glutathione peroxidase activity only on the 1st day, followed by the inhibition on the 14th day of the experiment. Sodium hypochlorite received by rats with drin­king solution led to general lowering of glutathione peroxydase activity in blood plasma.

The antiinflammatory activity of purified oat 1-3,1-4-β-d-glucan against acute gastritis (sodium deoxycholate induced) model in rats was investigated as second part of experiment studying impact of oat β-glucan on inflammatory states in gastrointestinal tract (first part was related to enteritis). 48 rats (Spraque-Dawley males, two groups – control and gastritis) were fed high and low molecular weights (MW) β-glucan. Antioxidant defense parameters – SOD, TAS, GSH, GSSG and inflammation markers – TBARS, TNF-α, IL-10 and IL-12 were analyzed. Strong activity of both fractions was observed; high MW β-glucan caused high TNF-α decrease in both experimental groups while low MW β-glucan decreased the concentration of IL-10 in gastritis group. Both fractions significantly support innate antioxidant defense of stomach tissue not only in gastritis but in healthy state as well. The results reveal the potential therapeutic activity of purified oat β-glucan in acidic environment of stomach at acute gastritis states.

This artcle’s aim is to examine a dependency between local government administraton at a municipal level and the level of local entrepreneurship. This paper atempts to answer the queston of whether the size of the local government administraton has features of stmulant or de-stmulant in the process of setng up a business. In other words, does the size of public administraton at a local level (municipal level) have a positve or negatve impact on creatng new business enttes? This is important due to at least a couple of reasons. First of all, the current research achievements are not extensive, when it comes to the publicatons that link entrepreneurship and the size of local government administraton. Secondly, the problem of entrepreneurship determinants consttutes stll topical and not fully investgated (or explained) aspects of local economy development. Thirdly and fnally, the authors of this artcle have proposed and copyrighted an approach to the quantfcaton of the size of local government administraton, modifying commonly used measures of local public administraton. Thus, this artcle fts not only into the explanaton of the entrepreneurship phenomenon and its determinants, but also contributes to the development of knowledge about dependencies between the size of local selfgovernment and the entrepreneurship level. It expands the knowledge resource on analyzed dependencies and re-orients current approaches to similar research.

Abstract A single bout of aerobic exercise modulates corticospinal excitability, intracortical circuits, and serum biochemical markers such as brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and insulin‐like growth factor 1 (IGF‐1). These effects have important implications for the use of exercise in neurorehabilitation. Here, we aimed to determine whether increases in cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) induced by 18 sessions of high‐intensity interval training (HIIT) over 6 weeks were accompanied by changes in corticospinal excitability, intracortical excitatory and inhibitory circuits, serum biochemical markers and working memory (WM) capacity in sedentary, healthy, young males. We assessed motor evoked potential (MEP) recruitment curves for the first dorsal interosseous (FDI) both at rest and during tonic contraction, intracortical facilitation (ICF), and short‐interval intracortical inhibition (SICI) using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). We also examined serum levels of BDNF, IGF‐1, total and precursor (pro) cathepsin B (CTSB), as well as WM capacity. Compared to pretraining, CRF was increased and ICF reduced after the HIIT intervention, but there were no changes in corticospinal excitability, SICI, BDNF, IGF‐1, total and pro‐CTSB, and WM capacity. Further, greater CRF gains were associated with larger decreases in total and pro‐CTSB and, only in Val/Val carriers, with larger increases in SICI. Our findings confirm that HIIT is efficacious in promoting CRF and show that corticospinal excitability, biochemical markers, and WM are unchanged after 18 HIIT bouts in sedentary males. Understanding how aerobic exercise modulates M1 excitability is important in order to be able to use exercise protocols as an intervention, especially in rehabilitation following brain injuries.