Bydgoszcz University of Science and Technology

Plant growth regulator 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) delays the ripening of many climacteric fruits and vegetables. However, the effect of 1-MCP has been studied to a lesser extent on non-climacteric fruit, showing variable results in delaying their ripening. In the present experiment the effects of using different doses: 1, 2, 4 uL of 1-MCP per liter in the form of Vidre+ stickers (Fresh Inset) compared to control (without 1-MCP) on the quality parameters and shelf life of cv. Kordia and Regina was evaluated. One Liter clamshells of freshly picked sweet cherries were placed into a plastic bag for 24 h. After that, all clamshells were placed into a storage chamber (2–3 °C, 90–95% relative air humidity). The best results in terms of weight loss, stem browning, firmness and fruit quality after storage was obtained with samples treated with 1-MCP. Similar relationships were obtained with regard to the concentration of Vitamin C, total polyphenols, anthocyanins and the antioxidant activity FRAP. Compared to the Kordia cv., the Regina cv. was characterized by smaller losses and smaller changes in other parameters during storage.

Kombucha, a fermented tea beverage celebrated for its unique flavor and health-promoting properties, is traditionally produced from sugared tea and a symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast (SCOBY). In this study, Nashi pear (Pyrus pyrifolia) pomace, a nutrient-rich by-product of juice processing, was explored as a novel substrate for kombucha production, combining sustainability with functional innovation. Beverages were prepared using black tea or pear pomace with varying sugar concentrations (3%, 5%, 7% w/v) and fermented for six days at 22 °C. Physicochemical parameters, bioactive compounds, antioxidant activity, color, and microbial populations were systematically analyzed. Pomace-based kombucha exhibited higher initial pH (4.3–4.7) and higher initial titratable acidity compared to tea-based variants (pH 3.4–3.6). These values stabilized at 3.6–3.8 by the end of fermentation, ensuring safety while preserving bioactive stability. While tea kombucha had higher polyphenol content (943.81–967.74 mg GAE/100 mL) and antioxidant activity (52.22–99.87% DPPH scavenging), pear pomace kombucha offered moderate bioactivity (up to 435.13 mg GAE/100 mL and 33.52% DPPH scavenging) and distinctive color (significantly higher b* value reaching 42.7), along with robust microbial growth. The results demonstrate that Nashi pear pomace can serve as a functional, eco-friendly alternative substrate, transforming fruit processing waste into a value-added beverage with enhanced health-promoting properties. This approach highlights a sustainable pathway for circular economy practices in food production and introduces a promising direction for innovative kombucha formulations.

Abstract The aim of this study was to perform a comparative analysis of table egg quality in relation to the genotype and age of laying hens. A total of 180 eggs were analysed, comprising 30 eggs from Lohmann Brown hens and 30 eggs from Lohmann LSL hens at 25, 50, and 72 weeks of age. Morphometric traits (egg weight, length, width, and shape index), shell characteristics (eggshell surface area, shell thickness, and shell strength), and quantitative traits of egg components (percentage of shell, albumen, and yolk; thick albumen height; Haugh units; and yolk colour parameters L*, a*,b* and Roche score) were evaluated. In addition, feed conversion ratio, egg production rate, and total egg number per hen were recorded throughout the laying period. The results showed a significant effect of hen genotype on egg weight (Lohmann Brown: 64.70 g vs. Lohmann LSL: 59.97 g), egg length and width, egg shape index, eggshell surface area and strength, albumen proportion (65.09 vs. 63.23%), yolk proportion (24.90 vs. 26.72%), thick albumen height, Roche score, Haugh units, and yolk b* colour. Hen age significantly affected egg weight (25 weeks: 56.77 g vs. 72 weeks: 66.20 g), egg width and length, the proportion of shell, albumen (25 weeks: 65.71% vs. 50 weeks: 62.71%), and yolk, eggshell surface area (25 weeks: 70.08 cm² vs. 72 weeks: 77.58 cm²), as well as yolk colour parameters L* and a*. Significant genotype × age interactions were observed for egg weight and width, egg shape index, and also eggshell surface area and strength, Haugh units, and yolk colour parameters a* and b*.

The production of thin-walled products from thermoplastics by rotational molding (RM) has increasingly turned into polymer composites. Rotational molding (RM) is a technology that enables the manufacturing of ready-to-use products using a single-step processing method. The development of measurement technology leads to a deeper understanding of the process control-to-structure relationship. This study aims to correlate the process analysis based on the internal mold air temperature (IAT) with the structural, thermal, and mechanical properties of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) composites reinforced with two inorganic particle-shaped fillers, basalt powder (BP) and talc (T). Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) confirmed the nucleating effect of the fillers, especially T, on the HDPE matrix, which correlates with the changes in the course of the IAT curves. Despite introducing fillers with small particle size (<100 μm), the obtained porosity of the products determined by 3D computed tomography (3D CT) was maximally 0.33%. The low porosity of RM products allowed the suppression of excessive, unfavorable effects of limiting mechanical performance (minimum tensile strength of 19.4 MPa). The composites showed up to 1450 MPa (BP) and 1300 (T) MPa young modulus compared to 1150 MPa (HDPE), respectively. The obtained research results confirm the validity of introducing particle-shaped inorganic fillers not only as modifiers of physical and mechanical properties, but also of processing properties. The study supplements the current state of knowledge with information on the manufacturing of composites using specific technology RM, which utilizes low-cost inorganic fillers with high potential for industrial implementation.

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a chronic, food-driven inflammatory disorder of the esophagus in which repeated exposure to dietary antigens plays a central role, yet identification of clinically relevant food triggers remains largely empirical. In this retrospective, single-center study, molecular IgE sensitization profiles were descriptively characterized in adult patients with EoE (n = 22) and compared with an allergic control group with chronic urticaria (CU; n = 29) using component-resolved diagnostics. IgE sensitization was common in both cohorts and predominantly reflected inhalant-related, cross-reactive components, particularly PR-10 proteins (63.6% in EoE vs. 37.9% in CU). In contrast, sensitization to structurally stable food allergen components, including lipid transfer proteins and plant storage proteins, was observed in a subset of patients with EoE (31.8%) and was not detected in the control group (0%; p = 0.0015). These food-derived components are characterized by resistance to thermal processing and gastrointestinal digestion and may reflect patterns of sustained dietary exposure rather than acute IgE-mediated reactions. Consistent with previous observations, component-resolved diagnostics showed limited utility for the direct identification of trigger foods in eosinophilic esophagitis. Accordingly, the observed molecular sensitization patterns should be interpreted as descriptive and hypothesis-generating signals rather than as indicators of pathogenic mechanisms or clinical decision-making tools. The findings highlight the importance of considering molecular properties of food allergen components when interpreting sensitization profiles in chronic, non-IgE-mediated inflammatory diseases and underscore the need for prospective studies integrating standardized clinical and dietary outcomes.

Heart failure (HF) is a global health challenge affecting over 64 million people worldwide and is associated with high morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. Despite advances in therapy, outcomes remain poor, and the COVID-19 pandemic further worsened prognosis by limiting hospital access. Clinical trials demonstrated that RM improves quality of life and reduces HF-related hospitalizations, though effects on all-cause mortality remain inconsistent. The proposed project incorporates weight, blood pressure, fluid status, oxygen saturation, and two-lead ECG monitoring. Data are transmitted wirelessly to a central server, analyzed by AI algorithms, and are used to trigger automated feedback or medical intervention. This approach is supposed to minimize staff workload, enable personalized therapy adjustments, reduce costs, and provide emergency assistance. The SIRIO 10 Project represents an innovative, holistic strategy for managing chronic HF in large populations. By combining AI-powered analytics with user-friendly home-based monitoring, it has the potential to transform care delivery, improve outcomes, and enhance quality of life for patients with HF.

Abstract An approach is proposed for analyzing stresses near cracks and a punch in an anisotropic strip with a fixed base. The approach includes methodologies for evaluating stresses in a strip containing internal and edge cracks, as well as for solving frictional contact problems both for an intact strip and for a strip with cracks. Various punch geometries are considered, including those that undergo vertical displacement or rotation during loading. The stress analysis is carried out using integral equations based on Green's function solutions, which inherently satisfy the boundary conditions on straight edges. The integral equations are solved numerically using Gauss–Chebyshev and Gauss–Jacobi quadrature formulas. Test examples are presented to demonstrate the accuracy and reliability of the stress analysis near punches of different shapes and cracks.