Plastic cannulae versus metal needle cannulation in haemodialysis: Results of an international survey from the nurse perspective

Background: In haemodialysis is key to successfully obtaining cannulation of the arteriovenous fistula (AVF). The literature agrees that cannulation, failing in the initial maturation period, can lead to delayed dialysis, haematoma, scarring, needle phobia and loss of confidence in the cannulator. The introduction of plastic cannulae for haemodialysis has changed cannulation practice positively, preventing frequent complications such as infiltration or trauma. Despite that, most countries have continued to use metal cannulation, in particular in Europe. This study investigates the common use of plastic cannulae versus metal needles for cannulation in dialysis units and explores the implications of focusing on the side effects of cannulation. Methods: The study is a cross-sectional survey. A questionnaire was created by a team of experts from the European Dialysis Transplant Nurse Association/European Renal Care Association (EDTNA/ERCA) to address the study's aims and sent online to nurse members. Results: Data collected suggested a strong resistance towards using plastic cannulae, with few respondents claiming to use these cannulas. Most of the respondents were female (74%), Europeans, working in nephrology for more than 10 years and most worked in the public sector. There was a strong correlation between the use of plastic cannulae and fewer adverse events in elbow located AVF and newly created or fragile AVF. Conclusions: The results are in line with the current literature. Possible resistance to the use of the plastic device includes the difference in cost between the two devices in favour of metal needles. However, it should be considered that the lower number of adverse events, in particular infiltration and haematoma caused by the metal needle, involves a considerable saving both in money and in terms of time and distress for the patient.

Allometric Growth of Sargassum fusiforme (Ochrophyta, Fucales) Organs in the Maturation Period Based on Biomass Analysis of Samples from Gouqi Island

Sargassum fusiforme is a seaweed species that plays an important role in the diverse communities of the flora and fauna of coastal food webs. Assessments of its biomass and energy allocation in addition to allometric organ growth have important ecological value for understanding the community structure, carbon storage, and resource assessment of seaweed beds during periods in which they thrive. In this study, the morphology of Sargassum fusiforme and the biomass of organs and total organisms in the maturation period were studied, and the allometric relationships for different organs of Sargassum fusiforme were analyzed using the standardized major axis (SMA). In the maturation period of Sargassum fusiforme, branch number, height × stem diameter were the prior independent variables, and the optimum biomass was y = 0.002x1.107 (R2 = 0.923). The biomass allocation ratio of blades was the highest (38.33%), followed by stems (32.90%) and receptacles (28.77%). The growth rates of the various organs were found to differ, and the rate of biomass increase for the blades and stems tended to converge. The rate of receptacle biomass growth of Sargassum fusiforme was the highest in the maturation period, and the rate of organ biomass increase was Wb < Ws < Wt < Wr, which reflects the trade-off with energy allocation as a strategy used by Sargassum fusiforme.

Degentrification? Different Aspects of Gentrification before and after the COVID-19 Pandemic

The purpose of this study is to explore the aspects of “gentrification” and “degentrification” other than economic factors. To this end, this study focused on the gentrification situations occurring before and after the COVID-19 pandemic in the Itaewon area, South Korea, by using semantic network analysis. We analyzed news articles on the gentrification phenomenon in the Itaewon area reported in South Korea. As a result, gentrification in the Itaewon area is divided into four stages. The first stage of gentrification (2010~2014) is initial stage of gentrification. Gentrification stage 2 (2015~2017) is the period of commercialization as a gentrification growth stage. The first stage of degentrification (2018~2019) is the maturation period of gentrification. The second stage of degentrification (2019~30 June 2020) is the period of the COVID-19 pandemic. The results confirm the existing theoretical frameworks while building a more nuanced definition through operationalizing gentrification and degentrification. As with the etymology of the term, the degentrification phenomenon can only be revealed when the gentrification phenomenon is prominently displayed. This study has an implication in that it tried to phenomenologically examine the specific phenomenon of the next stage of gentrification through the term “degentrification”.

Biochemical value of berries of promising edible honeysuckle varieties for the production of functional food products

Lonicera edulis L. occupies a special place among sparsely distributed garden crops in the middle horticulture zone of Russia. The main advantages of the culture are its long maturation period, long fruiting period, high plasticity, value of the biochemical composition of berries. The paper presents experimental data on the biochemical composition of honeysuckle berries of the new generation introduced under the conditions of the Central Chernozem Region. Varieties with high levels of soluble dry substances, sugars, ascorbic acid, flavonols are noted. Prospects of obtaining functional food products using fresh honeysuckle fruits are considered. “Honeysuckle” fruit drink and low-calorie jams with high antioxidant activity are obtained.

Impact of Non-convective Zone and Lower Convective Zone Thickness on the Performance Characteristics of Salinity Gradient Solar Pond

A solar pond technology employs a layer of salinity gradient to prevent heat loss due to convection from the lower convective zone. Thus, the energy received from solar radiation is stored in a lower convective zone. The thickness of various zones significantly affects the behaviour of solar pond temperature. In this present study, a transient numerical investigation is conducted to evaluate the impact of depths of different zones on the performance characteristics of solar pond. The variation in maximum temperature and maturation period under the influence of non-convective zone and lower convective zone thickness is discussed. The energy obtained from a solar pond significantly depends on various losses associated with the zones. Thus, an assessment of conduction and ground heat loss is presented for the variation in thickness of zones. An attempt is also made to study the effect of thickness of zones on the temperature of the lower convective zone. It is found that the configuration of a smaller thickness of LCZ and a higher thickness of NCZ yields maximum LCZ temperature.

A Review of the Preservation of Hard and Semi-Hard Cheeses: Quality and Safety

Cheese is a dairy product with potential health benefits. Cheese consumption has increased due to the significant diversity of varieties, versatility of product presentation, and changes in consumers’ lifestyles. Spoilage of hard and semi-hard cheeses can be promoted by their maturation period and/or by their long shelf-life. Therefore, preservation studies play a fundamental role in maintaining and/or increasing their shelf-life, and are of significant importance for the dairy sector. The aim of this review is to discuss the most effective methods to ensure the safety and sensory quality of ripened cheeses. We review traditional methods, such as freezing, and modern and innovative technologies, such as high hydrostatic pressures, chemical and natural vegetable origin preservatives, vacuum and modified atmosphere packaging, edible coatings and films, and other technologies applied at the end of storage and marketing stages, including light pulses and irradiation. For each technology, the main advantages and limitations for industrial application in the dairy sector are discussed. Each type of cheese requires a specific preservation treatment and optimal application conditions to ensure cheese quality and safety during storage. The environmental impact of the preservation technologies and their contribution to the sustainability of the food chain are discussed.

Characterization of Cycling in a Hoolock Gibbon (Hoolock leuconedys)

Here we examine the patterns of reproductive hormones (progesterone and estrone-3 glucuronide, or E1G) in one female hoolock gibbon (<i>Hoolock leuconedys</i>) housed at the Gibbon Conservation Center, throughout the maturation period. Three hundred forty-five fecal samples were collected from the individual over a 5-year period (2012–2017) beginning at the age of 6 years and ending at the age of 11. The average measured progesterone concentration increased from 19.572 ± 1.706 ng/g feces in 2012 to 107.922 ± 12.094 ng/g feces in 2016/17 (<i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.00001). The average measured estrogen value increased from 1.234 ± 0.063 ng/g feces in 2012 to 2.783 ± 0.274 ng/g feces in 2016/17 (<i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.00001). This was accompanied by the emergence of a clear hormonal cycling pattern in the 2016/17 samples that was absent in all earlier samples. These data are consistent with the known sexual maturation period for other gibbon species, which typically occurs between the ages of 6 and 8 but shows some variation. To our knowledge, this is the first hormonal study and first data on cycle length for a hoolock gibbon.

Genotype and Maturity Stage Affect the Content and Composition of Polyamines in Tomato—Possible Relations to Plant and Human Health

Polyamines (PAs) are molecules affecting several physiological characteristics in all living organisms with cell protective effects, thereby impacting plant and human health. Here, we used HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS to evaluate the content and composition of PAs in eight tomato genotypes over their maturation period, and related the content and composition to other quality traits and possible implications for plant and human health. The tomato genotype, maturity stage and their interactions, significantly affected the content and composition of PAs. Two of the genotypes, ‘Huichol’ and ‘Rio Grande’ showed consistently lower levels of PAs than the other evaluated genotypes. The variation in content and composition of PAs among genotypes was found to vary inconsistently over the maturation period. Putrescine content in the different genotypes either did not vary significantly, increased, or showed the lowest level in the middle of the maturation period, while spermidine content decreased or did not show significant variation. The genotypes ‘HT36’ and ‘HT25’ showed high levels of PAs during red and green maturity stages, respectively, and can thereby be seen as suitable health promoting red and green candidate tomatoes. Depiction of variation of the PAs creates opportunities for breeding and production of health promoting tomato as a food or food additive.

Captive Common Marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) Are Colonized throughout Their Lives by a Community of Bifidobacterium Species with Species-Specific Genomic Content That Can Support Adaptation to Distinct Metabolic Niches

Bifidobacterium species are recognized as important, beneficial microbes in the human gut microbiome, and their ability colonize individuals at different stages of life is influenced by poorly understood interactions between host, dietary, environmental, and ecological factors. The common marmoset is an emerging nonhuman primate model with a short maturation period, making this model amenable to study of the microbiome throughout a life history.

Current role of ultrasound in hemodialysis access evaluation

Physical examination (PE) is considered the backbone before vascular access (VA) placement, during maturation period and for follow-up. However, it may be inadequate in identifying suitable vasculature, mainly in comorbid patients, or in detecting complications. This review highlights the advantages of ultrasound imaging to manage VA before placement, during maturation and follow-up. Furthermore, it analyses the future perspectives in evaluating early and late VA complications thank to the availability of multiparametric platforms, point of care of ultrasound, and portable/wireless systems. Technical improvements and low-cost systems should favor the widespread ultrasound-based VA surveillance programs. This significant turning point needs an adequate training of nephrologists and dialysis nurses and the standardization of exams, parameters, and procedures.