Microwave technology has a potential application in the extraction of zinc from sulphide ores, knowledge of the dielectric properties of these ores plays a major role in the microwave design and simulation for any process. The dielectric properties of zinc sulfide concentrate for two different apparent densities—1.54 and 1.63 g/cm³—have been measured by using the resonance cavity perturbation technique at 915 and 2450 MHz during the roasting process for the temperature ranging from room temperature to 850 °C. The variations of dielectric constant, the dielectric loss factor, the dielectric loss tangent and the penetration depth with the temperature, frequency and apparent density have been investigated numerically. The results indicate that the dielectric constant increases as the temperature increases and temperature has a pivotal effect on the dielectric constant, while the dielectric loss factor has a complicated change and all of the temperature, frequency and apparent density have a significant impact to dielectric loss factor. Zinc sulfide concentrate is high loss material from 450 to 800 °C on the basis of theoretical analyses of dielectric loss tangent and penetration depth, its ability of absorbing microwave energy would be enhanced by increasing the apparent density as well. The experimental results also have proved that zinc sulfide concentrate is easy to be heated by microwave energy from 450 to 800 °C. In addition, the experimental date of dielectric constant and loss factor can be fitted perfectly by Boltzmann model and Gauss model, respectively.

Fifty-eight Karacabey Merino lambs were used to evaluate the effects of feeding system (triticale pasture, oat pasture, or stall fed), birth type (single or multiple), gender (male or female) and birth year (2016 or 2017) on various carcass and meat quality characteristics. Stall lambs had higher conformation (CS) and fatness scores (FS), meat L* and h* values than both pasture groups, possibly as a result of higher fat content, while oat pasture lambs had the most tender meat. Single lambs had higher CS, FS and Longissimus thoracis muscle section area, while females had higher subcutaneous and non-carcass fat depositions, over their counterparts. Both single born lambs and 2016 born lambs had a higher meat a* and C* values than their counterparts. In conclusion, a pasture-based feeding system is thought to be more suitable for Karacabey Merino than stall feeding system, for those who prefer leaner meat and/or meat products. However, it should not be ignored that stall fed lambs showed a better fattening performance in terms of conformation and fatness, in the same period.

Background: Arthroscopic revision rotator cuff repair (ARRCR) is challenging. Biologic strategies seem to be promising. The aim was to evaluate the effectiveness of combination of microfractures of the greater tuberosity, augmentation with collagen patch graft, and platelet concentrate injections in ARRCR. Methods: A retrospective comparative study was conducted on patients that underwent ARRCR with minimum two-years follow-up. Patients in the augmentation group underwent ARRCR combined with microfractures, collagen patch graft, and postoperative subacromial injections of platelet concentrate. A standard rotator cuff repair was performed in the control group. Primary outcome: Constant Murley score (CMS). Secondary outcomes: disease-specific health-related quality of life by using the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) score; assessment of tendon integrity with magnetic resonance at least six months after surgery. Significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: Forty patients were included. Mean follow-up was 36.2 + 8.7 months. The mean CMS was greater in the augmentation group (p = 0.022). No differences could be found for DASH score. Healing failure rate was higher in the control group (p = 0.002). Conclusion: Biologic augmentation of ARRCR by combination of microfractures, collagen patch graft and subacromial injections of platelet concentrate is an effective strategy in improving tendon healing rate.

The main objective of this study is to compare and investigate the proximate, sensory parameters of the biscuits fortified with (1) whey protein concentrate (WPC), (2) isolated soy protein (ISP) at various proportions as a source of protein enrichment. The fortified biscuits were analysed for sensory and proximate analysis. The study evaluated and compared the effect of fortifying whey protein concentrate and isolated soy protein at various proportions T0 control (0%), T1 (5%), T2 (10%), T3 (15%), T4 (20%). The protein content in both WPC and ISP samples tends to increase, but much higher in WPC formulated biscuits. At 20% WPC the protein content peaked to 29.11%, other nutritional components such as fat, ash, fibre and moisture content of WPC samples increased significantly, whereas no such significant changes were observed and only linear increase of protein content were in ISP fortified samples. The sensory analysis of ISP fortified samples were acceptable up to 10% proportion, exceeding 10% showed unacceptable results, on comparison WPC biscuits were acceptable at all proportions, more desirable at 20% WPC. Conclusively, fortifying biscuits with either WPC or ISP might be a source of protein without any significant effect on the quality of biscuits.

Nickel is widely used in industrial processes and plays a crucial role in many applications. However, most of the nickel resource mainly exists as nickel oxide in laterite nickel ore with complex composition, resulting in difficulty in upgrading the nickel content using physical separation methods. In this study, high-grade ferronickel concentrates were obtained through a carbothermal reduction and magnetic separation using laterite nickel ore and anthracite as raw materials. The effects of different types of additives (CaF2, Na2SO4 and H3BO3), carbon ratio (nc/no in metal oxides) and grinding time on the recoveries and grades of ferronickel concentrates were experimentally investigated, along with the microstructure and chemical composition of the products. CaF2 was proved to be the primary active additive in the aggregation and growth of the ferronickel particles, and the improvement of the grade of the product. Under the optimal conditions of CaF2 addition of 12 wt.%, carbon ratio of 1.4, and grinding time of 240 s, high-grade magnetically separable ferronickel concentrate with nickel grade 8.93 wt.% and iron grade 63.96 wt.% was successfully prepared. This work presents a practical method for the highly efficient recovery and utilization of iron and nickel from low-grade laterite nickel ore, contributing to the development of strategies for the sustainable extraction and utilization of nickel resources.

Micellar Casein Concentrate (MCC) is manufactured from microfiltration (MF) of skim milk utilizing ceramic or polymeric membrane filtration. While ceramic filtration has higher efficiency, use of polymeric is cost effective and the process is familiar to several US dairy processors. The aim of the present study was to develop an optimized membrane filtration process to produce MCC using spiral wound polymeric membrane filtration (SW MF) system by systematic selection of transmembrane pressure (TMP) and level of diafiltration (DF). Using skim milk as feed material, preliminary lab-scale MF experiments were conducted using 0.5 µm polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membrane. Three TMP (34.5, 62.1, and 103.4 kPa) and three levels of DF (70, 100, and 150%) along with a process without DF as control were used in the study. Effect of TMP and effectiveness of DF on flux rates, SP removal, casein to total protein (CN/TKN) ratio, casein to true protein (CN/TP) ratio, rejection of casein (rej CN) and SP (rej SP) were evaluated. At all TMP values used in the study, the overall flux (O Flux) increased with the level of DF. Highest O Flux of 30.77 liter per meter square per hour (LMH) was obtained with 34.5 kPa pressure and 150% DF. The impact of DF was more pronounced at lower pressures than at the higher pressures used in the study. With controlled DF, instantaneous flux was maintained within 80% of initial flux for the entire process run. For all the experiments, casein has a rejection of 0.97 to 1.0, while serum protein has the lowest rejection of 0.10 at 34.5 kPa pressure and 150% DF level. Use of 34.5 kPa and DF level of 150 % contributed to 81.45% SP removal, and casein to true protein ratio of 0.96. SP removal data from the lab-scale experiments were fitted into a mathematical model using DF and square of TMP as factors. The model predicts SP removal within 90-95% of actual SP removal got from the pilot plant experiments.

Fibrin rich of platelets (PRF^®) of Choukroun represents a new step in the therapeutic concept of platelet gel with a simplified processing and biochemical changes little artificial. A valid method of preparation of the PRF must effectively separate the plates by erythrocytes and concentrate without damaging or lysing the plates themselves. In this study the experimental design is to standardize the production of L-PRF in horse directing it to human production. Our hypothesis is that the L-PRF is easy to produce in the horse, without modifications of the human protocol, thus allowing a better standardization of the human protocol. A new device for the preparation and the standardization of L-PRF clots and membranes is the L-PRF Wound Box^®. The optical microscopy, most cell bodies were highlighted concentrated in the proximal portion of each membrane, the last 1/4 was observed at the center; the distal part had only residual traces of cell bodies. The L-PRF will form constantly when the phases described above are strictly adhered to. The success of the art L-PRF depends entirely on the speed of blood collection and transfer in centrifuge within a minute and by a temperature of centrifugation and compression is higher than 21°C (between 21 and 30°C). Our experiments on the horse will no doubt be able to improve our understanding on wound healing, in particularly in chronic skin lesions therapy.

The aim of this study was to investigate succinic acid production from lactose concentrate, a by-product of cheese-making, using Actinobacillus succinogenes and Basfia succiniciproducens. Although the capability of these strains to metabolize different sugars is already known, their application in the conversion of lactose bears high potential for optimization. With regard to B. succiniciproducens this approach is completely novel. In particular the influence of the mediums sugar concentration and its supplementation with yeast extract to prevent a lack of proteins and vitamins were examined. Lactose based media containing sugar concentrations between 20 and 65 g L-1 and 5 g L-1 yeast extract were fermented, whereby both strains showed comparable performances. The best results in succinic acid yield and acid concentration, 0.57 g g-1 initial sugar and 23 g L1, were achieved at an initial sugar concentration of 43 g L-1. The necessity of yeast extract was demonstrated using the sugar optimized medium without supplementation. As a result, yield and concentration of succinic acid dropped to 0.34 g g-1 and 13 g L-1, the sugar consumption decreased from more than 99 to less than 55 %. Therefore the supplementation amount of 5 g L-1 yeast extract can be regarded as well-balanced.

The supposition is that the usage of fibrin rich in leukocytes and platelets advanced (A-PRF) in ulcerative osteomyelitis of the diabetic foot allows rehabilitation from this critical illness. In this investigation, the focus was to normalize the use of PRF in patients with osteomyelitis not amputated, to use this second generation platelet concentrate as a regeneration enabler. The researchers submitted and utilized A-PRF membranes (1300 g × 8 min) in 7 patients (all diabetics) with osteomyelitis and cutaneous injury for 6 months. The membranes, in combination with the supernatant fluid produced by stress, have been integrated into the skin lesion down to the bone after surgical debridement. The advancement of the lesions after some period of time has been analyzed. All seven subjects had a Probe-to-Bone positive assay; MRI indicated a cortico-periosteal coagulation and/or foci of cortico-spongeous osteolysis contiguous to the lesion. Gram-positive bacterium were identified in our procedures in 52% of cases. Gram+ Cocci, for example, S. Aureus (15.6%), S. Hemolytic (12.1%), S. Viridans (7.1%), and Gram-negative Bacteria, for example, Pseudomonas (10.6%), Proteus (7.8%), Enterobacter (5.7%) are present. Candida Albicans is active in 2.8%. The blood count shows no relevant differences. To date, cutaneous lesions have cured in 6 of the seven subjects treated (one patient for more than five years) without any evidence of infection or recurrence. The results obtained on our subjects indicate that PRF membranes may be a therapeutic option in this problematic disease.

Background/Objectives: In the efficacy of L-Prf on complications in lower impacted third molar surgery, it's not known which method increases the effect of L-Prf on postoperative complications when using primary and secondary closure methods with L-Prf. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of using L-PRF in patients undergoing impacted lower third molar surgery with either primary or secondary closure techniques. Methods: This prospective, randomised, double-blind, split-mouth clinical trial was conducted in patients with bilateral lower impacted third molars of similar position. The study had 2 groups. Primary closure was performed in group 1 and secondary closure in group 2. Group 1 closure technique was applied to one side of the patients and group 2 closure technique was applied to the other side at different times. A total of 45 patients were evaluated during the study period. 9 of these patients were excluded from the study due to alveolitis and failure to attend regular control visits. Results: Of the 36 patients included in the study, 23 were female and 13 were male and the mean age was 22.42±3.36 years. The secondary closure group had lower VAS scores at hour 6 (p&lt;0.05). Pain decreased more in the primary closure group when comparing changes between the VAS scores at 6 hours and 7 days (p&lt;0.05). Conclusions: The results of this study, showing that both secondary and primary closure are effective with similar outcomes in terms of pain, swelling and trismus, should be supported by future prospective clinical trials.

In order to study the effects of irradiation on the physicochemical properties and digestion behavior of chickpea protein, chickpea protein concentrate (CPC) was treated with electron beam irradiation (EBI) at doses of 5, 10, 15 and 20 kGy, respectively. After irradiation, protein solubility first increased at 10 kGy and 15 kGy, and then decreased at higher dose of 20 kGy. This was supported by SDS-PAGE where the intensity of major protein bands first increased and then decreased. Increased does of EBI generally led to greater oxidative modification of proteins in CPC, indicated by reduced sulfhydryls and increased carbonyls. In addition, protein structure was modified by EBI shown by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis where α-helix generally decreased and β-sheet increased. Although the protein digestibility was not significantly affected by EBI, the peptidomic analysis of the digests revealed significant difference among CPC irradiated with varying doses. A total of 337 peptides were identified from CPC irradiated with 0 kGy, 10 kGy and 20 kGy, respectively, with 18 overlapping peptides and 60, 29 and 40 peptides specific to the groups of 0, 10 and 20 kGy respectively. Theoretical calculation showed that the distribution of peptide length, hydrophobicity, net charge, and C-terminal residues were affected by irradiation. The 2, 2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging activity showed a marginal decrease with increasing dose of irradiation. In conclusion, EBI led to oxidative modification and structural changes of the chickpea protein, which subsequently affected the physicochemical properties of peptides obtained from in-vitro digestion of CPC despite of similar digestibility.

Here, a process for leaching vanadium from calcified roasting pellets (CPVC) of vanadium-titanium iron concentrate by a two-stage sulfuric acid cycle was proposed. When the silicon removal acid concentration of the pellet in the first stage was 1.5 mol/L, the solid-liquid ratio was 6: 1, the silicon removal acid concentration of the leaching solution was 3.0 mol/L, and the standing time was 48 h, the silica gel formation time was 23 h, the filtration time was 70 s, and the loss rates of vanadium and iron were 1.52% and 0.17%, respectively. When the acid concentration was 2 mol/L, at room temperature, using a leaching time of 28 days, and a solid-liquid ratio of 5: 1 in the second stage, the total leaching rates of vanadium and iron were 75.52% and 0.71%, respectively. The concentration of vanadium in the leaching solution reached 6.80 g/L, and vanadium was directly precipitated without extraction. After secondary roasting, the crushing strength of the pellets reached 2250 N, which met the requirement for blast furnace iron making. The Eh-pH diagrams of the V-Fe-H2O system at different temperatures were plotted. Thermodynamically, it was difficult to selectively leach vanadium and iron by changing the conventional acid leaching conditions. In addition, the pellets before and after leaching were analyzed. The grade of iron in the pellets increased slightly after leaching, and the main phases in the pellets remained as Fe2O3 and Fe9TiO15. The S in the sulfuric acid solution entered the leached pellets during the acid leaching reaction and was removed by the secondary roasting of the leached pellets.

The current study aimed to investigate the effects of feeding silage of Napier Pakchong 1 fermented with mung bean concentrate on production performance, nutrient digestibility, carcass yield, and meat quality of male dairy goats. Silage made for experimental treatments was prepared as follows: Treatment 1 (T1) containing 100% Napier Pakchong 1 grass (without mung bean concentrate added) as a control, while Treatment 2 (T2) and Treatment 3 (T3) containing 90% and 80% Napier Pakchong 1 grass, respectively, mixed with 10% and 20% mung bean concentrate, respectively. Fifteen weaned male Saanen-growing goats were assigned to 3 experimental treatments in a completely randomized design; the study lasted for 150 days. The nutritive value of feed, production performance, nutrient digestibility, blood urea nitrogen, carcass yield and dressing, basic meat quality, and composition of meat were collected or analyzed. The results found that the goats fed with the silage made from Napier Pakchong 1 added 10% and 20% mung bean concentrate showed improvements in nutritive value, growth rate, key nutrient digestibility, blood urea nitrogen, carcass yield, the water-holding capacity of cooked meat, and fat content in meat. However, adding 10% mung bean concentrate had a trend of more beneficial value added into the production chain of male Saanen dairy goats for meat purposes. Thus, silage made from Napier Pakchong 1 fermented with 10% mung bean concentrate as a roughage source for male Saanen dairy goats intended for meat purposes is recommended.

Large ruminant production is associated with high greenhouse gas emissions (GHGe) intensity, with the highest in southeast Asia being Laos at 102.9 CO2eq/kg meat produced, compared with average global meat emissions intensity of 33 CO2eq/kg. As recent studies in Laos identified emissions control molasses blocks (ECBs) achieved abatement of 470kg CO2eq/20kg block consumed, a study was conducted with a supplement mix with reported methane reducing properties, containing plant tannins and citral extract, salt, molasses and water. Groups of housed dairy buffalo (n=7) and pasture-fed grazing beef cows (n=11) were randomly selected, body condition scores estimated (BCS:1-5) and baseline nasa-oral methane eructation measured daily for 2 weeks. All animals were offered 300-400g/day of the mix for a month, with buffalo accessing abundant fresh cut forages whereas the grazing cows accessing rice straw and pasture declining in quality and quantity due to severe drought. The buffalo consumed all of the mix and retained their BCS of 3, whereas the cattle consumed between 200-300g/day of the mix and their BCS declined from 1.5 to 1.0 during the trial. Analysis of data points (buffalo n=309; cattle n=378) found average methane concentration (AMP) per animal of both cohorts increased over the 2 week baseline period, then declined during the supplementation period by 36% in the buffalo and 18% in cattle cohorts.

Beef meat production in Uruguay is based on pasture or concentrate feeding systems, leading to differences in meat quality. The objective of this study was to compare the oxidative and color stability during refrigerated retail display of beef meat from these two systems. For this, ten Aberdeen Angus steers were reared and fed on pasture and other ten were finished on a concentrate diet. After slaughter, the Semimembranosus muscle was cut into slices and put in a refrigerated showcase for 3, 6, and 9 days simulating commercial conditions. The β-carotene, α-tocopherol, and fatty acid content were determined before the display, and the lipid and protein oxidation, color parameters, and heme iron content were determined before and during the display. Meat from steers fed pasture had a lower content of intramuscular fat, monounsaturated fatty acids, n-6/n-3 ratio, lipid and protein oxidation, L* and a* values, and a higher content of linolenic acid, DHA, total n-3, β-carotene, and α-tocopherol. In conclusion, meat from pasture-fed steers was more stable during the retail display, which can probably be explained by a higher content of antioxidant compounds, such as β-carotene and α-tocopherol, and presented a healthier fatty acid profile.

Three isoenergetic diets differing on their fishmeal/ soy protein concentrate (SPC) ratio were assessed on tissue growth and energy budget of juvenile crabs Scylla serrata in postmolt stages (PMolt) and in intermolt stages (IMolt). The average growth rate on dry matter basis, were 2.064 ± 0.324% and 0.492 ± 0.08% initial BW.day-1 during PMolt and IMolt stages respectively. The efficiency in feed conversion (FCE, %), protein retention (PRE, %) and energy retention (ERE, %) were similar for the 3 experimental diets. However, FCE, PRE and ERE in PMolt stages were 4 to 5 times higher than in IMolt stages. Feed intake, energy and protein required for growth in PMolt stages were obviously higher than in IMolt stages. The energy budgets (%total energy intake) were marginally affected by diet but were significantly affected by the molt stage. Maintenance energy was lower in PMolt stages (49.84 ± 4.9%) than in IMolt stages (83.33 ± 2.45%). The excess of maintenance energy in IMolt stages represents the portion set aside for next molt: shell energy content (4.97 ± 0.31%) and energy for ecdysis (± 28%). Conversely, recovery energy was significantly higher in PMolt stages (34.39 ± 0.99%) than in IMolt stages (8.33 ± 1.7%). In conclusion SPC sustained good tissue growth and good feed utilization and can be used as a main source of dietary protein for crab juveniles in captivity.

Alveolar bone atrophy after tooth extraction presents significant difficulties when planning delayed-immediate implant treatment to replace a lost tooth. Socket augmentation is an effective therapy that limits the post extraction volumetric changes and facilitates implant placement whilst reducing the need for staged grafting. However, socket augmentation and osteoconductive graft conversion is a slow process that could take 4-6 months. PRF and its variants have significant bio-enhancement effect on wound healing and regeneration through release of platelet drived growth factors, bioactive substances, cytokines. Leukocytes in PRF also play a significant role in enhancing tissue regeneration as part of osteo-immune response. Use of PRF during socket augmentation is highly effective in enhancing extraction site healing and graft integration by angiogenesis, cell proliferation, recruitment, and differentiation through release of growth factors and bioactive substances mediated by platelets and leukocytes. PRF with SA is recommended as an adjunct to SA as a sole biomaterial or in combination with xenograft or allograft bone substitutes to enhance tissue regeneration and to reduce risk of infection, osteitis and postoperative pain in extraction sockets

A recent study published in Nature Medicine (Mautner et al., Nat Med 2023 Nov 2. doi: 10.1038/s41591-023-02632-w. Epub ahead of print) reported findings regarding a four-arm parallel, multicenter, single-blind, randomized, controlled clinical trial with 480 patients, aimed at comparing the therapeutic effectiveness of orthobiologic interventions against corticosteroid injections for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis (OA). The study concluded that, one-year post-treatment, all orthobiologic therapies examined were equivalent in effectiveness to each other and to corticosteroid injections. While we commend the scope and methodological rigor of the trial, the publication could be enhanced by a more comprehensive presentation of data to support the conclusions drawn. Particularly, the omission of baseline data for primary outcomes, the missing context to evaluate absolute values, the lack of discussion regarding interindividual variability, and the unexpectedly favorable results for corticosteroids that contrast the established literature, are areas that merit additional examination and insight. Here we aim to highlight these points for consideration, and advocate for the release of supplementary data to facilitate a comprehensive understanding and utilization of this rich dataset.

In the event of an abrupt sunlight reduction scenario there is a time window that occurs between when food stores would likely run out for many countries (~6 months or less) and ~1 year when resilient foods are scaled up. A promising temporary resilient food is leaf protein concentrate (LPC). Although it is possible to extract LPC from tree biomass (e.g. leaves and needles), neither the yields nor the toxicity of the protein concentrates for humans from the most common tree species has been widely investigated. To help fill this knowledge gap, this study uses high-resolution mass spectrometry and an open source toolchain for non-targeted screening of toxins on five common North American coniferous species: Western Cedar, Douglas Fir, Ponderosa Pine, Western Hemlock, and Lodgepole Pine. The yields for LPC extraction from the conifers ranged from 1% to 7.5%. The toxicity screenings confirm that these trees may contain toxins that can be consumed in small amounts and additional studies including measuring the quantity of each toxin are needed. The results indicate that LPC is a promising candidate to be used as resilient food, but future work is needed before LPCs from conifers can be used as a wide-scale human food.