The health benefits of fruits are attributable in part to their bioactive components such as phenolics and pectic polysaccharides. By-products derived from kiwifruit processing can be a good source of such bioactive compounds. Extracts were produced using different concentrations of ethanol in water (0%, 30%, 50%, 74% and 96% v ⁄ v) from by-products (skin, residue and pulp) of the green-fleshed kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa 'Hayward') juicing process. The amounts of phenolic compounds and uronic acid (UA) as well as the phenolic composition in each extract were determined. Results show that different by-products contained different concentrations of phenolics and pectic polysaccharides. Based on total phenolic contents, 96% v ⁄ v ethanol appeared to be the best extraction medium. The 30% or 74% ethanolic dilution was the second best medium for phenolic extraction from skin and pulp ⁄ residue, respectively. Water was a good medium for extracting satisfactory quantities of phenolics as well as the highest concentration of pectic polysaccharides. Phenolic profiling by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to detect individual phenolic compounds in an extract. Results using HPLC showed that alkali pre-treatment has improved the extraction efficiency of phenolics as a function of alkali concentration, fruit tissue type, extraction media, byproduct preparation method, and class of polyphenols. As a result more efficient methods for both extraction and characterisation of polyphenols could be evaluated.

Cardiac amyloidosis (CA) is a unique disease entity involving an infiltrative process, typically resulting in a restrictive cardiomyopathy with diastolic heart failure that ultimately progresses to systolic heart failure. The two most common subtypes are light-chain and transthyretin amyloidosis. Early diagnosis of this disease entity, especially light-chain CA subtype, is crucial, as it portends a poorer prognosis. This review focuses on the clinical utility of the various imaging modalities in the diagnosis and differentiation of CA subtypes. This review also aims to highlight the key advances in each of the imaging modalities in the diagnosis and prognostication of CA.

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Background: Cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy are at increased risk of adverse cardiovascular events particularly if their treatment regimen includes a cardiotoxic agent. The aim of our study was to evaluate the cardiovascular risk profiles of patients in a cohort with solid organ malignancies on chemotherapy and their incidence of adverse cardiovascular events. Methods: Consecutive patients with diagnosis of solid organ malignancy undergoing chemotherapy at a tertiary institution (2015-2018) were retrospectively reviewed for subsequent major adverse cardiovascular outcomes during or post-treatment. Demographics, clinical comorbidities, malignancy history and chemotherapy regimens were analysed. Cardiovascular risk was categorised into traditional risk factors (tRF: hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hypercholesterolaemia and smoking) and non-traditional risk factors (ntRF: obstructive sleep apnoea and chronic kidney disease). MACE included acute myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, arrhythmias or strokes. Results: Of 300 patients (61.85613.80yrs, 58% female) followed for a median period of 28-months, 39/300 (13%) patients experienced MACE. Patients with pre-existing cardiac disease 53 (18%) had the highest incidence of MACE (26%). Patients without pre-existent cardiac disease (n=247) were divided into Group 1 (n=80): No tRF or ntRF, Group 2 (n=122): tRF only, Group 3 (n=12): ntRF only and Group 4 (n=33): tRF and ntRF. Group 1 was free of MACE events. Incidence of MACE in Group 2 was 9%, Group 3 was 14% and Group 4 was 3%. Conclusions: Patients with pre-existent cardiac disease or risk factors are at risk of cardiovascular events in this population. Aggressive risk factor reduction in this population may be required to curb poor outcomes.

glycoprotein-1 antibody consistent with a diagnosis of antiphospholipid syndrome. Given the chronic thromboemboli with associated pulmonary remodelling, riociguat was commenced, later changed to sildenafil in combination with long-term warfarin therapy and she was discharged with excellent recovery. Discussion/Conclusion: We present a rare case of nearfatal acute on chronic sub-massive pulmonary emboli, with successful open clot retrieval to prevent catastrophic paradoxical embolism. Rare cases such as these highlight the importance of multidisciplinary involvement and shared decision-making.