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Feasible Alternative (feasible + alternative)
Selected AbstractsSelf-administered Vaginal Swabs Are a Feasible Alternative to Physician-assisted Cervical Swabs for Sexually Transmitted Infection Screening in the Emergency DepartmentACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE, Issue 4 2009Nicole Berwald MD Abstract Background:, Screening for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the emergency department (ED) is limited by the need for pelvic examination. It has been suggested that using self-administered vaginal swabs (SAVS) for this purpose may save time and resources and may be more comfortable for patients. Objectives:, The objective was to test the feasibility of using SAVS for STI screening in the ED. Methods:, This was a prospective study of female ED patients 18 to 55 years old who consented to physician-assisted cervical swab (PACS) and SAVS in two urban teaching hospitals. The ED personnel offered the test to all patients, whether or not a pelvic examination was indicated, based on their chief complaint. All specimens were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. Data are presented as mean ± standard deviation (SD). Categorical data are presented as percentages with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Patients with a positive test result for Chlamydia trachomatis and/or Neisseria gonorrhoeae were considered positive for STI. PACS were used as the criterion standard. Results:, One-hundred sixty-two subjects were enrolled from July 2006 to July 2007 (mean [±SD] age = 32 [±10] years). Eighty-one percent of patients had a genitourinary symptom (most common: vaginal bleeding/spotting). SAVS had a sensitivity of 91% (95% CI = 60% to 99%), specificity of 99% (95% CI = 95% to 99%), positive likelihood ratio of 91, and negative likelihood ratio of 0.09 in diagnosing STIs. None of the patients reported difficulty or discomfort using this technique. Conclusions:, Self-administered vaginal swabs can be utilized as a feasible alternative to PACS for STI screening in the ED. [source] Enhanced Treatment of Trace Pollutants by a Novel Electrolytic Cell,ENGINEERING IN LIFE SCIENCES (ELECTRONIC), Issue 6 2006Y. Sakakibara Abstract Continuous experiments were conducted to evaluate the electrolytic performance of a novel 3-dimensional electrolytic cell consisting of granular Pt/Ti electrodes. The electric current efficiency to decompose indigotrisulfonate was approx. 96,%, while energy consumption was one to two orders of magnitude smaller than that for O3 treatment. Furthermore, the cell was successfully applied to treat trace endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and chlorinated compounds. Energy consumption was in the range of 2 to 10 Wh/m3. From these results, it was concluded that the present electrolytic cell would be a feasible alternative to conventional oxidation processes in water treatment. [source] Testis sparing surgery for the treatment of a sequential bilateral testicular germ cell tumorINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF UROLOGY, Issue 12 2001ZIYA KIRKALI Abstract Standard therapy of sequential bilateral testis cancer is generally considered to be orchiectomy. We present a case of sequential bilateral testicular germ cell tumor treated with testis sparing surgery. The patient was disease free 50 months after surgery without local recurrence or distant metastases. Testis sparing surgery provides a better quality of life and may be considered a safe, feasible alternative in the treatment of carefully selected patients with bilateral testicular germ cell tumor. [source] Maggot debridement therapy with Lucilia cuprina: a comparison with conventional debridement in diabetic foot ulcersINTERNATIONAL WOUND JOURNAL, Issue 1 2009Aaron G Paul Abstract This is prospective case,control study of more than 18 months performed to assess the effectiveness of maggot debridement therapy (MDT) with the sterile larvae of Lucilia cuprina (a tropical blowfly maggot) for the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers. Literature thus far has only reported results with the temperate maggot, Lucilia sericata. This study documents outcome in diabetic foot wounds treated with maggot debridement versus those treated by conventional debridement alone. In this series of 29 patients treated with MDT, 14 wounds were healed, 11 were unhealed and 4 were classified under others. The control group treated by conventional debridement had 30 patients of which 18 wounds were healed, 11 unhealed and 1 classified under others. There was no significant difference in outcome between the two groups. The conclusion that can be made from this study is that MDT with L. cuprina is as effective as conventional debridement in the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers. It would be a feasible alternative to those at high risk for surgery or for those who refuse surgery. [source] Electron pairing and chemical bonds.JOURNAL OF COMPUTATIONAL CHEMISTRY, Issue 12 2005Electron fluctuation, pair localization in ELF domains Abstract This article reports the numerical comparison of the quantities characterizing the extent of electron fluctuation and pair localization in the domains determined by the direct minimization of electron fluctuation with the domains resulting from the partitioning of the molecules based on the topological analysis of the so-called electron localization function (ELF). Such a comparison demonstrates that the ELF partitioning can be regarded as a feasible alternative to computationally much more demanding direct optimization of minimum fluctuation domains. This opened the possibility of the systematic scrutiny of the electron pair model of the chemical bond, and as it was demonstrated, the previous pessimistic claims about the applicability of this model are not completely justified. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem 26: 1205,1213, 2005 [source] Overcoming the barriers experienced in conducting a medication trial in adults with aggressive challenging behaviour and intellectual disabilitiesJOURNAL OF INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY RESEARCH, Issue 1 2010P. Oliver-Africano Abstract Background Aggressive challenging behaviour in people with intellectual disability (ID) is frequently treated with antipsychotic drugs, despite a limited evidence base. Method A multi-centre randomised controlled trial was undertaken to investigate the efficacy, adverse effects and costs of two commonly prescribed antipsychotic drugs (risperidone and haloperidol) and placebo. Results The trial faced significant problems in recruitment. The intent was to recruit 120 patients over 2 years in three centres and to use a validated aggression scale (Modified Overt Aggression Scale) score as the primary outcome. Despite doubling the period of recruitment, only 86 patients were ultimately recruited. Conclusions Variation in beliefs over the efficacy of drug treatment, difficulties within multidisciplinary teams and perceived ethical concerns over medication trials in this population all contributed to poor recruitment. Where appropriate to the research question cluster randomised trials represent an ethically and logistically feasible alternative to individually randomised trials. [source] Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery Versus Percutaneous Coronary Intervention with Drug-Eluting Stent Implantation in Patients with Multivessel Coronary DiseaseJOURNAL OF INTERVENTIONAL CARDIOLOGY, Issue 1 2007ZHEN KUN YANG M.D. Background: Drug-eluting stents (DES) constitute a major breakthrough in restenosis prevention after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). This study compared the clinical outcomes of PCI using DES versus coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) in patients with multivessel coronary artery disease (MVD) in real-world. Methods: From January 2003 to December 2004, 466 consecutive patients with MVD underwent revascularization, 235 by PCI with DES and 231 by CABG. The study end-point was the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) at the first 30 days after procedure and during follow-up. Results: Most preoperative characteristics were similar in the two groups, but left main disease (24.7% vs 2.6%, P<0.001) and three-vessel disease (65% vs 54%, P = 0.02) were more prevalent in CABG group. The number of coronary lesions was also greater in CABG group (3.7 ± 1.1 vs 3.3 ± 1.1, P<0.001). Despite higher early morbidity (3.9% vs 0.8%, P = 0.03) associated with CABG, there were no significant differences in composite MACEs at the first 30 days between the two groups. During follow-up (mean 25±8 months), the incidence of death, myocardial infarction, or cerebrovascular event was similar in both groups (PCI 6.3% vs CABG 5.6%, P = 0.84). However, bypass surgery still afforded a lower need for repeat revascularization (2.8% vs 10.4%, p = 0.001). Consequently, overall MACE rate (14.5% vs 7.9%, P = 0.03) remained higher after PCI. Conclusion: PCI with DES is a safe and feasible alternative to CABG for selected patients with MVD. The reintervention gap was further narrowed in the era of DES. Aside from restenosis, progression of disease needs to receive substantial emphasis. [source] The biopharmaceutical aspects of nasal mucoadhesive drug deliveryJOURNAL OF PHARMACY AND PHARMACOLOGY: AN INTERNATI ONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCE, Issue 1 2001Michael Ikechukwu Ugwoke Nasal drug administration has frequently been proposed as the most feasible alternative to parenteral injections. This is due to the high permeability of the nasal epithelium, allowing a higher molecular mass cut-off at approximately 1000 Da, and the rapid drug absorption rate with plasma drug profiles sometimes almost identical to those from intravenous injections. Despite the potential of nasal drug delivery, it has a number of limitations. In this review, the anatomy and physiology of the nasal cavity, as well as ciliary beating and mucociliary clearance as they relate to nasal drug absorption, are introduced. The rationale for nasal drug delivery and its limitations, some factors that influence nasal drug absorption, and the experimental models used in nasal drug delivery research are also reviewed. Nasal mucoadhesion as a promising method of nasal absorption enhancement is discussed, and factors that influence mucoadhesion, as well as safety of nasal mucoadhesive drug delivery systems are reviewed in detail. Nasal drug administration is presently mostly used for local therapies within the nasal cavity. Anti-allergic drugs and nasal decongestants are the most common examples. However, nasal drug administration for systemic effects has been practised since ancient times. Nasally-administered psychotropic drugs by native Americans, the use of tobacco snuffs, and nasal administration of illicit drugs such as cocaine are all well known (Illum & Davis 1992). Nowadays, the nasal cavity is being actively explored for systemic administration of other therapeutic agents, particularly peptides and proteins (Illum 1992; Edman & Bjork 1992), as well as for immunization purposes (Lemoine et al 1998). To better understand the basis for nasal drug absorption and factors that can influence it, a brief review of the anatomy and physiology of the nose is appropriate. [source] Robot Assisted Laparoscopic Pyeloplasty: a review of the current statusTHE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ROBOTICS AND COMPUTER ASSISTED SURGERY, Issue 1 2007Ketul K. Shah Abstract Background Over the last decade minimally invasive endourologic and laparoscopic techniques have become the first line therapies for primary UPJ obstruction. Robotic assisted laparoscopic pyeloplasty for the correction of ureteropelvic junction has achieved outcomes comparable to those of open and laparoscopic techniques. We present a comprehensive review of the current literature of robotic assisted pyeloplasty. Methods We performed a systemic review of all the current literature examining demographic data, intra operative parameters and post-operative outcomes. Results In most published series in the literature, the operative time ranges from 122 to 300 minutes and the operative time ranges from 27 to 77 ml. Most series considers subjective improvement in the symptoms and improved drainage on post-operative diuretic renal scan as the measures of success. The reported success rates vary from 89 to 100%. Conclusion Robotic pyeloplasty is a feasible alternative to laparoscopic pyeloplasty. Short-term results indicate equivalent outcomes with the laparoscopic procedure. Long-term studies are still needed to compare robotic and open pyeloplasty outcomes, and to define the role of robotic pyeloplasty in a cost prohibitive health care system. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Minimal access thyroid surgery: technique and report of the first 25 casesANZ JOURNAL OF SURGERY, Issue 5 2004Jessica E. Gosnell Background: Minimal access thyroid surgery, using various techniques, is increasingly being reported. The present study reviews our experience with thyroid surgery using a lateral focused mini-incision approach, and assesses its safety and feasibility. Methods: The study group comprised all patients undergoing minimal access thyroid surgery (MATS) during the period May 2002,May 2003. Data were prospectively gathered, including patient demographics, indication for surgery, operation performed, nodule size, final pathology, and complications. Exclusion criteria for this procedure included: family history of thyroid cancer, previous neck irradiation or surgery, carcinoma on fine needle aspiration, presence of significant thyroiditis, multinodular goitre, and nodule size >3 cm. The operation was carried out through a 2.5-cm lateral incision placed directly over the nodule, with exposure gained by dissecting the plane between the sternomastoid muscle and the lateral edge of the strap muscles. Results: Twenty-five patients underwent MATS, 22 women and three men. Nineteen patients underwent hemithyroidectomy, five underwent isthmectomy, and one underwent local nodule excision. The average measured incision size was 2.63 cm at the end of the procedure. The average nodule size was 2.2 cm, and the average thyroid lobe resected measured 4.7 cm in maximal length. Final pathology revealed benign nodules in 21 patients and four thyroid cancers (two follicular and two papillary). There was one wound infection and two patients had temporary recurrent laryngeal nerve neuropraxia. Conclusion: Minimal access thyroid surgery is a safe and feasible alternative to open thyroid surgery in selected cases. [source] Virtual Reality Triage Training Provides a Viable Solution for Disaster-preparednessACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE, Issue 8 2010Pamela B. Andreatta EdD ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE 2010; 17:870,876 © 2010 by the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine Abstract Objectives:, The objective of this study was to compare the relative impact of two simulation-based methods for training emergency medicine (EM) residents in disaster triage using the Simple Triage and Rapid Treatment (START) algorithm, full-immersion virtual reality (VR), and standardized patient (SP) drill. Specifically, are there differences between the triage performances and posttest results of the two groups, and do both methods differentiate between learners of variable experience levels? Methods:, Fifteen Postgraduate Year 1 (PGY1) to PGY4 EM residents were randomly assigned to two groups: VR or SP. In the VR group, the learners were effectively surrounded by a virtual mass disaster environment projected on four walls, ceiling, and floor and performed triage by interacting with virtual patients in avatar form. The second group performed likewise in a live disaster drill using SP victims. Setting and patient presentations were identical between the two modalities. Resident performance of triage during the drills and knowledge of the START triage algorithm pre/post drill completion were assessed. Analyses included descriptive statistics and measures of association (effect size). Results:, The mean pretest scores were similar between the SP and VR groups. There were no significant differences between the triage performances of the VR and SP groups, but the data showed an effect in favor of the SP group performance on the posttest. Conclusions:, Virtual reality can provide a feasible alternative for training EM personnel in mass disaster triage, comparing favorably to SP drills. Virtual reality provides flexible, consistent, on-demand training options, using a stable, repeatable platform essential for the development of assessment protocols and performance standards. [source] Self-administered Vaginal Swabs Are a Feasible Alternative to Physician-assisted Cervical Swabs for Sexually Transmitted Infection Screening in the Emergency DepartmentACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE, Issue 4 2009Nicole Berwald MD Abstract Background:, Screening for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the emergency department (ED) is limited by the need for pelvic examination. It has been suggested that using self-administered vaginal swabs (SAVS) for this purpose may save time and resources and may be more comfortable for patients. Objectives:, The objective was to test the feasibility of using SAVS for STI screening in the ED. Methods:, This was a prospective study of female ED patients 18 to 55 years old who consented to physician-assisted cervical swab (PACS) and SAVS in two urban teaching hospitals. The ED personnel offered the test to all patients, whether or not a pelvic examination was indicated, based on their chief complaint. All specimens were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. Data are presented as mean ± standard deviation (SD). Categorical data are presented as percentages with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Patients with a positive test result for Chlamydia trachomatis and/or Neisseria gonorrhoeae were considered positive for STI. PACS were used as the criterion standard. Results:, One-hundred sixty-two subjects were enrolled from July 2006 to July 2007 (mean [±SD] age = 32 [±10] years). Eighty-one percent of patients had a genitourinary symptom (most common: vaginal bleeding/spotting). SAVS had a sensitivity of 91% (95% CI = 60% to 99%), specificity of 99% (95% CI = 95% to 99%), positive likelihood ratio of 91, and negative likelihood ratio of 0.09 in diagnosing STIs. None of the patients reported difficulty or discomfort using this technique. Conclusions:, Self-administered vaginal swabs can be utilized as a feasible alternative to PACS for STI screening in the ED. [source] Laparoscopic cytoreductive nephrectomy with cytokine therapy for metastatic renal cell carcinomas compared with open nephrectomyASIAN JOURNAL OF ENDOSCOPIC SURGERY, Issue 3 2010T Fujita Abstract Introduction: We retrospectively reviewed and compared the operation records and long-term results of patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) who underwent laparoscopic cytoreductive nephrectomy and those who underwent open procedure. Methods: A total of 75 patients with mRCC who underwent cytoreductive nephrectomy between 1997 and 2007 were studied: 23 patients in the laparoscopy group (LCN group) and 52 in the open group (OCN group). Most patients received interferon-based cytokine therapy after surgery. Patients with tumor thrombus in the inferior vena cava were excluded from this study. Results: Operating time in the LCN group was significantly longer than in the OCN group (320.3 min vs 269.6 min, P=0.049). Blood loss was less in the LCN group (527.8 ml) than in the OCN group (1372.3 ml, P=0.072). Convalescence was shorter in the LCN group (18.1 d) than in the OCN group (32.9 d, P<0.0001). Median follow-up periods were 15 months (range 2,110 months) and 17 months (range 1,103 months) in the LCN group and OCN group, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups with regard to disease-specific patient survival and progression-free survival. Conclusions: Laparoscopic cytoreductive nephrectomy is a feasible alternative for patients with mRCC because its benefits include less blood loss and shorter convalescence. In addition, the long-term oncological results of laparoscopic cytoreductive nephrectomy are comparable to those of the open procedure. [source] Oral versus Intravenous Opioid Dosing for the Initial Treatment of Acute Musculoskeletal Pain in the Emergency DepartmentACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE, Issue 12 2008James R. Miner MD Abstract Objectives:, The objective was to compare the time to medication administration, the side effects, and the analgesic effect at sequential time points after medication administration of an oral treatment strategy using oxycodone solution with an intravenous (IV) treatment strategy using morphine sulfate for the initial treatment of musculoskeletal pain in emergency department (ED) patients. Methods:, This was a prospective randomized clinical trial of patients >6 years old who were going to receive IV morphine sulfate for the treatment of musculoskeletal pain but did not yet have an IV. Consenting patients were randomized to have the treating physician order either 0.1 mg/kg morphine sulfate IV or 0.125 mg/kg oxycodone orally in a 5 mg/5 mL suspension as their initial treatment for pain. The time from the placement of the order to the administration of the medication was recorded. Pain was measured using a 100-mm visual analog scale (VAS) and recorded at 0, 10, 20, 30 and 40 minutes after drug administration. Results:, A total of 405 eligible patients were identified during the study period; 328 (81.0%) patients consented to be in the study. A total of 158 patients were randomized to the IV morphine sulfate treatment group, and 162 were randomized to the oral oxycodone treatment group. Of the patients who were randomized to IV therapy, 34 were withdrawn from the study prior to drug administration; leaving 125 patients in the IV group for analysis. Of the patients who randomized to oral therapy, 22 were withdrawn from the study prior to drug administration, leaving 140 patients for analysis. No serious adverse events were detected. There was a 12-minute difference between the median time of the order and the administration of oral oxycodone (8.5 minutes) and IV morphine (20.5 minutes). The mean percent change in VAS score was larger for patients in the IV therapy group than those in the oral therapy group at 10 and 20 minutes. At 30 and 40 minutes, the authors could no longer detect a difference. The satisfaction scale score was higher after treatment for the morphine group (median = 4; interquartile range [IQR] = 4 to 5) than for the oxycodone group (median = 4; IQR = 2 to 5; p = 0.008). Conclusions:, The oral loading strategy was associated with delayed onset of analgesia and decreased patient satisfaction, but a shorter time to administration. The oral loading strategy using an oxycodone solution provided similar pain relief to the IV strategy using morphine 30 minutes after administration of the drug. Oral 0.125 mg/kg oxycodone represents a feasible alternative to 0.1 mg/kg IV morphine in the treatment of severe acute musculoskeletal pain when difficult or delayed IV placement greater than 30 minutes presents a barrier to treatment. [source] Plant-produced human growth hormone shows biological activity in a rat modelBIOTECHNOLOGY PROGRESS, Issue 2 2009Shailaja Rabindran Abstract Plants have been shown to be efficient systems for expressing a wide range of recombinant proteins from various origins. Here, using a plant virus-based expression vector to produce human growth hormone (hGH) in Nicotiana benthamiana plants, we demonstrate, for the first time, that the plant-produced hGH (pphGH) is biologically active in a hypophysectomized rat model. We observed an average weight gain of ,17 g per animal in a group of 10 animals that were injected subcutaneously with pphGH with 60 ,g/dose for 10 days. With the increasing demand for hGH, accompanied with the need to make this recombinant protein available to a wider population at a more reasonable cost, plants provide a feasible alternative to current production platforms. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 2009 [source] Aggressive digital papillary adenocarcinoma: a reviewCLINICAL & EXPERIMENTAL DERMATOLOGY, Issue 2 2010H.-C. Hsu Summary Vigorous treatment of aggressive digital papillary adenocarcinoma (ADPA), including amputation, has been recommended by most authors, but the appropriateness and effectiveness of excision as an alternative to amputation has not been systematically evaluated. To evaluate the appropriateness and effectiveness of excision as an alternative to amputation in the treatment of ADPA, we reviewed the clinical presentations, treatments and patient outcomes presented in case reports on ADPA available on Ovid MEDLINE. We also assessed the results of immunohistochemical staining for proliferation markers in one patient in order to explain the nonaggressive nature of ADPA noted in that patient. Except for the duration of lesions, there was no significant difference in clinical outcome between the excision and amputation groups. We also found that p63 may be a useful marker for distinguishing primary ADPA from metastatic adenocarcinomas. In addition, the intensity of Ki67 expression in tumour cells may be a marker of aggressive behaviour and thus be helpful in therapeutic decision-making. Wide excision with or without sentinel lymph-node biopsy is a feasible alternative to amputation. It should be considered in patients who present with a long-standing history of ADPA without evidence of underlying bone invasion or distant metastasis and with low-intensity expression of proliferation markers. [source] CI Implementation: An Empirical Test of the CI Maturity ModelCREATIVITY AND INNOVATION MANAGEMENT, Issue 4 2006Frances Jørgensen There are a number of tools available for organizations wishing to measure and subsequently develop Continuous Improvement (CI). In this article, we review and evaluate a well-accepted CI development model, namely the CI Maturity Model (Bessant and Caffyn, 1997), against data collected from the 2nd Continuous Improvement Network Survey and a number of empirical cases described in the literature. While the CI Maturity Model suggests that CI maturation ought to be a linear process, the findings in this article suggest that there are feasible alternatives for companies to develop CI capability. [source] Computational framework for predictive biodegradationBIOTECHNOLOGY & BIOENGINEERING, Issue 6 2009Stacey D. Finley Abstract As increasing amounts of anthropogenic chemicals are released into the environment, it is vital to human health and the preservation of ecosystems to evaluate the fate of these chemicals in the environment. It is useful to predict whether a particular compound is biodegradable and if alternate routes can be engineered for compounds already known to be biodegradable. In this work, we describe a computational framework (called BNICE) that can be used for the prediction of novel biodegradation pathways of xenobiotics. The framework was applied to 4-chlorobiphenyl, phenanthrene, ,-hexachlorocyclohexane, and 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene, compounds representing various classes of xenobiotics with known biodegradation routes. BNICE reproduced the proposed biodegradation routes found experimentally, and in addition, it expanded the biodegradation reaction networks through the generation of novel compounds and reactions. The novel reactions involved in the biodegradation of 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene were studied in depth, where pathway and thermodynamic analyses were performed. This work demonstrates that BNICE can be applied to generate novel pathways to degrade xenobiotic compounds that are thermodynamically feasible alternatives to known biodegradation routes and attractive targets for metabolic engineering. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2009; 104: 1086,1097. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source] Control of Pathogenic and Spoilage Microorganisms in Fresh-cut Fruits and Fruit Juices by Traditional and Alternative Natural AntimicrobialsCOMPREHENSIVE REVIEWS IN FOOD SCIENCE AND FOOD SAFETY, Issue 3 2009Rosa M. Raybaudi-Massilia ABSTRACT:, Traditional antimicrobials have been extensively used for many years. However, consumers are currently demanding wholesome, fresh-like, and safe foods without addition of chemically synthesized preservatives. The application of novel natural antimicrobials to assure safety of fresh-cut fruits and unpasteurized juices while preventing quality loss is a promising alternative. The effectiveness of these natural substances added to fruit derivatives has been studied by different researchers. Antimicrobials of animal (lactoperoxidase, lysozyme, and chitosan), plant (essential oils, aldehydes, esters, herbs, and spices), and microbial origin (nisin) can be used to effectively reduce pathogenic and spoilage microorganisms in fresh-cut fruits and fruit juices. Nevertheless, the use of these compounds at a commercial level is still limited due to several factors such as impact on sensory attributes or, in some cases, regulatory issues concerning their use. Therefore, extensive research on the effects of each antimicrobial on food sensory characteristics is still needed so that antimicrobial substances of natural origin can be regarded as feasible alternatives to synthetic ones. [source] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||