The current investigation theoretically presents a one-dimensional phononic crystal (PnC) as a fluidic sensor. The sensor under consideration aims to distinguish the concentration of acetic acid. The primary configuration of the proposed sensor is constructed with lead, epoxy, and a defect layer in the middle of the structure, that is filled with acetic acid (vinegar). As a result of the rise in density and decline in the speed of sound at a 100% concentration of acetic acid in comparison to pure water, the peak frequency of the output has shifted towards lower frequencies. Given that the maximum permissible concentration of acetic acid in water for vinegar is above 30%, sensor simulations were conducted within the concentration range of 25-35% with a step size of 1%. Interestingly, the sensitivity of the sensor exhibits a polynomial change in response to the concentration of acetic acid. Consequently, the highest level of sensitivity, which corresponds to the lowest concentration of vinegar, is recorded as 48.44 × 106 (Hz). The proposed system exhibits a remarkable value of the quality factor of 2802.91. Furthermore, the optimal figure of merit (FOM) is achieved when the concentration is at its lowest, with a value of 94.00. Furthermore, the temperature effects are taken into account for a wide range between 10 and 60 °C. A pronouncing sensitivity is obtained for all temperatures changes and the highest one reached the value of 1.57 × 106 (Hz/°C) at a temperature of 25 °C. Considering the present circumstances, the suggested sensor configuration has the potential to cater to a diverse array of other fluids, specifically their concentration and temperature, thereby offering a broad scope of applications.

The presence of antinutrients and undesirable flavours in kidney bean flour poses challenges to consumer acceptance. Although extrusion can mitigate antinutrients to some extent, its impact on reducing beany flavour in bean flour remains underexplored. This study investigated the effects of injecting acetic acid or sodium carbonate solutions at three concentration levels (0.05, 0.1, 0.15 mol/L), in conjunction with three temperature profiles (40/60/80/80/90, 40/60/80/90/110, 50/70/90/110/130 °C) and two feed moisture levels (25, 30 %), on the removal of antinutrients (condensed tannins, trypsin inhibitor activity, phytic acid, raffinose family oligosaccharides) and reduction of volatile compounds that contribute to beany flavour in whole kidney bean flour. The results showed that all concentrations of acetic acid and sodium carbonate solutions effectively reduced condensed tannins compared to water, especially at 130 °C extrusion temperature. Introducing acetic acid and sodium carbonate solutions at a concentration of 0.15 mol/L led to 72 and 90 % reduction of total raffinose family oligosaccharide content, respectively, in contrast to the 17 % reduction observed with water alone. The incorporation of sodium carbonate solution reduced the total volatile compounds by 45-58 % as compared with water (23-33 %) and acetic acid (11-27 %). This reduction was primarily due to the reduction of aldehydes, alcohols, and aromatic hydrocarbons. These results indicate that injecting sodium carbonate solution during extrusion can effectively reduce antinutrients and beany flavour compounds in kidney bean flour.

Lilium brownii var. viridulum (Longya lily) is an edible vegetable and medicinal plant with the effects of moistening lungs, relieving coughs, and removing phlegm. In this study, a homogenous mannoglucan LLP11 was purified from Longya lily using membrane ultrafiltration followed by ion exchange chromatography. The M w of LLP11 was 12.0 kDa. LLP11 exhibited a backbone of →4)-α-D-Glcp-(1 → and →4)-β-D-Manp-(1 → with a branch of T-α-D-Glcp-(1 → substituted at C-6 of →4,6)-α-D-Glcp-(1→. During the simulated digestion, LLP11 remained indigestible to digestive enzymes. Furthermore, through its interaction with the gut microbiota, LLP11 was able to significantly boost Bifidobacterium and decrease the harmful bacteria Klebsiella, that was linked to pneumonia. Additionally, LLP11 promoted the growth of B. pseudocatenulatum and B. longum and was utilized to produce acetic acid. Our findings introduced an alternative approach for the investigation of microbiota-targeted polysaccharides and underscored the potential of LLP11 as a prebiotic for supplementary treatment in respiratory diseases.

BACKGROUND: Primary Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) testing offers higher sensitivity and specificity over Visual Inspection using Acetic acid (VIA) in cervical cancer screening. Self-sampling is a promising strategy to boost participation and reduce disparities. However, concerns about the initial costs hinder HPV testing adoption in low and middle-income countries. This study assesses the cost-utility of home-based HPV self-sampling versus VIA for cervical cancer screening in India.
METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in East district, Sikkim, India, comparing the costs and utility outcomes of population-based cervical cancer screening through VIA and primary HPV screening through self-sampling. Cost-related data were collected from April 2021 to March 2022 using the bottom-up micro-costing method, while utility measures were collected prospectively using the EuroQoL-5D-5L questionnaire. The utility values were converted into quality-adjusted life days (QALDs) for an 8-day period. The willingness to pay threshold (WTP) was based on per capita GDP for 2022. If the calculated Incremental Cost-Effectiveness Ratio (ICER) value is lower than the WTP threshold, it signifies that the intervention is cost-effective.
RESULTS: The study included 95 women in each group of cervical cancer screening with VIA & HPV self-sampling. For eight days, the QALD was found to be 7.977 for the VIA group and 8.0 for the HPV group. The unit cost per woman screened by VIA and HPV self-testing was ₹1,597 (US$ 19.2) and ₹1,271(US$ 15.3), respectively. The ICER was ₹-14,459 (US$ -173.6), which was much below the WTP threshold for eight QALDs, i.e. ₹ 4,193 (US$ 50.4).
CONCLUSIONS: The findings support HPV self-sampling as a cost-effective alternative to VIA. This informs policymakers and healthcare providers for better resource allocation in cervical cancer screening in Sikkim.

Foods contaminants pose a challenge for food producers and consumers. Due to its spontaneous formation during heating and storage, hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) is a prevalent contaminant in foods rich in carbohydrates and proteins. Colorimetric assays, such as the Seliwanoff test, offer a rapid and cost-effective method for HMF quantification but require careful optimization to ensure accuracy. We addressed potential interference in the Seliwanoff assay by systematically evaluating parameters like incubation time, temperature, and resorcinol or hydrochloric acid concentration, as well as the presence of interfering carbohydrates. Samples were analyzed using a UV-Vis spectrophotometer in scan mode, and data obtained were validated using HPLC, which also enabled quantification of unreacted HMF for assessing the protocol\'s accuracy. Incubation time and hydrochloric acid percentage positively influenced the colorimetric assay, while the opposite effect was observed with the increase in resorcinol concentration. Interference from carbohydrates was eliminated by reducing the acid content in the working reagent. HPLC analyses corroborated the spectrophotometer data and confirmed the efficacy of the proposed method. The average HMF content in balsamic vinegar samples was 1.97 ± 0.94 mg/mL. Spectrophotometric approaches demonstrated to efficiently determine HMF in complex food matrices. The HMF levels detected in balsamic vinegars significantly exceeded the maximum limits established for honey. This finding underscores the urgent need for regulations that restrict contaminant levels in various food products.

UNASSIGNED: Ulcerative colitis, an inflammatory bowel disease, is characterized by a status of oxidative stress and inflammation. Rutin is a natural flavonoid with many pharmacological activities and its role in acetic acid-induced ulcerative colitis through the high mobility group B1 (HMGB1)/ toll-like receptor-4 (TLR4)/ myeloid differentiation primary response protein 88 (MYD88)/ nuclear factor-kB (NF-kB) signaling pathway needs to be explored.
UNASSIGNED: Four experimental groups were divided into control group, rutin group: treated with 100 mg/kg/day rutin orally for 10 days, acetic acid (AA) group: given intracolonic instillation of AA to induce ulcerative colitis, and acetic acid with rutin treatment (AA/Rutin) group.
UNASSIGNED: Acetic acid caused a marked increase in the colon weight/length ratio and induced colonic histopathological changes, leading to a marked rise in the colonic histopathological scores. Acetic acid exhibited a significant rise in LDH and CRP serum levels as well as TOS colonic levels, accompanied by a marked decline in TAS colonic contents compared to the control group. Moreover, AA-induced activation of the HMGB1/TLR4/MYD88/NF-kB signaling pathway. Rutin demonstrated a significant decrease in the colon weight/length ratio, ameliorated the colonic histopathological changes induced by AA, and exhibited a marked decline in the colonic histopathological scores. Rutin showed a significant decrease in serum LDH, and CRP levels as well as colonic TOS contents when compared with the AA group. Rutin suppressed the colonic activation of the HMGB1/TLR4/MYD88/NF-kB signaling pathway.
UNASSIGNED: Rutin could be a promising coloprotective agent against AA-induced ulcerative colitis by targeting the HMGB1/TLR4/MYD88/NF-kB signaling pathway.

BACKGROUND: Vital pulp therapy maintained functionality, vitality, and asymptomatic teeth. Compared to normal root canal treatment, pulpotomy was more helpful for irreversible pulpitis in adult permanent teeth. The research was aimed to assess effectiveness of vital pulp therapy using mineral trioxide aggregate with Apple Vinegar and Ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid (17%) for five minutes in adult carious exposed pulp of permanent teeth.
METHODS: Forty patients between 18 and 50 years old with a clinical diagnosis of symptomatic irreversible pulpitis but no periapical radiolucency were then divided randomly into two groups based on the irrigation method; ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid or apple vinegar. If pulpal bleeding could not be managed in less than six minutes, the assigned procedure was abandoned. After mineral trioxide aggregate application as a pulpotomy agent, glass ionomer and composite restoration were placed. Using a visual analogue scale, the pre and post-operative pain were recorded after 2,6,24,48, and 72 h. Success was assessed using radiographic and clinical examination data at three, six, and twelve months.
RESULTS: The success rate was discovered to be non-statistically significant in both groups after a year follow-up. Apple vinegar had a lower mean value than ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid at the preoperative baseline pain level, which was significant.Postoperatively, the ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid group reported the greatest mean value after two hours while Apple vinegar group reported the lowest mean values after 48 h (P < 0.05). After 72 h, pain level recorded insignificant difference.
CONCLUSIONS: Apple vinegar yielded a marginally successful outcome but substantially improved pain alleviation.
BACKGROUND: The trial was registered in Clinical trials.gov with this identifier NCT05970536 on 23/7/2023.

Rahnella aquatilis causes seafoods to spoil by metabolizing sulfur-containing amino acids and/or proteins, producing H2S in products. The type II secretion system (T2SS) regulates the transport of proteases from the cytoplasm to the surrounding environment and promotes bacterial growth at low temperatures. To prevent premature fish spoilage, new solutions for inhibiting the T2SS of bacteria should be researched. In this study, global transcriptome sequencing was used to analyze the spoilage properties of R. aquatilis KM05. Two of the mapped genes/coding sequences (CDSs) were matched to the T2SS, namely, qspF and gspE, and four of the genes/CDSs, namely, ftsH, rseP, ptrA and pepN, were matched to metalloproteases or peptidases in R. aquatilis KM05. Subinhibitory concentrations of citric (18 µM) and acetic (41 µM) acids caused downregulation of T2SS-related genes (range from - 1.0 to -4.5) and genes involved in the proteolytic activities of bacteria (range from - 0.5 to -4.0). The proteolytic activities of R. aquatilis KM05 in vitro were reduced by an average of 40%. The in situ experiments showed the antimicrobial properties of citric and acetic acids against R. aquatilis KM05; the addition of an acidulant to salmon fillets limited microbial growth. Citric and acetic acids extend the shelf life of fish-based products and prevent food waste.

This study investigated the effect of calcium chloride (CaCl2) combined with acetic acid (AA) pretreatment on the oil absorption of potato chips and explored the possible mechanisms influencing oil absorption. Results indicated that compared with hot water blanching, the combination of 0.3% CaCl2 blanching and AA soaking for 2-8 h pretreatment was found to reduce oil content by 10.52%-12.68% and significantly improve the crispness and color of fried potato chips. Microstructural and textural analyses revealed that the main reason for the reduction in oil content was the promotion of pectin gelation in the cell wall by CaCl2 and AA. However, it was observed that prolonged AA soaking time and high-concentration CaCl2 blanching led to an increase in total oil content and decrease in brittleness. Based on the results of surface roughness and moisture content analyses, it was suggested that the CaCl2 and AA pretreatments affected surface roughness and moisture content, thereby increasing oil absorption and reducing brittleness during frying.

Three environmentally friendly organic acids, acetic acid, citric acid and oxalic acid, were used to treat citrus insoluble dietary fiber (CIDF) in present study, aiming to explore the changes in structural properties as well as their inhibitory effects on starch digestion. The results showed that organic acid treatment significantly reduced the particle size of all three CIDFs, with rougher and folded surfaces, improved crystallinity and thermal stability. During in vitro digestion, it was found that organic acid treatment could increase the particle size and viscosity of digestion, and also effectively enhance the inhibitory ability of α-glucosidase activity, resulting in a further blockage of starch digestion. The starch digestion in oxalic acid-treated group (with 3 wt% addition) was significantly reduced by 18.72 % compared to blank group and 9.05 % compared to untreated. These findings provide evidence of the potential of organic acid-treated insoluble dietary fiber as a functional food.