Quantification of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Commonly Consumed Salami in Brazil

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are organic compounds that have been found in different food categories, and meat products can have high concentrations of PAHs, since the technological processes to which they are subjected, such as smoking, can produce several compounds. Considering the risk that these compounds can bring to the population's health, it is essential to develop an accurate and reliable method to evaluate the contamination of PAHs in products of animal origin. The objective of this study was to optimize and validate a method for the quantification of 4 PAHs (benz[a]anthracene, chrysene, benzo[b]fluoranthene, and benzo[a]pyrene) in salami. The methodology included saponification, liquid­liquid extraction, solid-phase purification, and quantification by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography. The effects of saponification parameters were investigated by experimental design, whereas the model obtained by regression analysis was considered satisfactory with the dissolution solvent of potassium hydroxide providing the highest global sum of areas. In validation, the parameters studied were adequate and within European and INMETRO Guidelines limits. The evaluation of 22 samples indicated that 27% were contaminated with at least one of the 4 PAHs, and benz[a]anthracene being the prevalent one with content varying between < 1.00 and 17.58 µg/kg. Two samples showed PAHs contamination above the maximum tolerable limit in the European Commission Regulation.

The austral-most record of the genus Haemagogus Williston (Diptera: Culicidae)

Abstract INTRODUCTION: The genus Haemagogus Williston is restricted to Central America and North and middle of South America and it includes numerous species of yellow fever virus vectors. METHODS: Adult female and larvae mosquitoes were collected using hand aspirators and dipper and pipette, respectively. RESULTS: The first record of a species of Haemagogus and particularly of Haemagogus spegazzinii was from La Pampa, Argentina. With this registry, the number of species found in La Pampa province rises to 18. CONCLUSIONS: New information on breeding sites for the species and implications of this new record suggest a possible extension of distribution in the near future.

Tratamiento laparoscópico resectivo por endometriosis severa con compromiso colorrectal: factibilidad y seguridad / Laparoscopic resective treatment for severe endometriosis with colorectal involvement: feasibility and safety

Introducción: La endometriosis intestinal es una forma severa de esta entidad, afectando hasta un 12% de estas pacientes. Su tratamiento quirúrgico resulta difícil debido a la distorsión anatómica que genera, más aún cuando el abordaje es el laparoscópico. Objetivo: Analizar la factibilidad y seguridad terapéutica de las resecciones colorrectales laparoscópicas por endometriosis severa. Diseño: Observacional retrospectivo de una base de datos prospectiva. Material y métodos: Pacientes operadas con diagnóstico de endometriosis con compromiso colorrectal a las cuales se les realizó una resección intestinal entre enero de 2003 y septiembre de 2013. Resultados: De 1343 casos operados, 17 pacientes fueron intervenidas por endometriosis severa con compromiso colorrectal. Edad media 35 años (rango 23 - 47), IMC medio 22 kg/m2 (rango 18 – 35).El segmento frecuentemente afectado fue el recto (52%) y la unión rectosigmoidea (30%).En 9 pacientes se realizó una resección anterior baja, 4 de ellas requirieron ostomía derivativa; 5 pacientes recibieron una Resección anterior alta y 3 pacientes una hemicolectomía derecha. Tiempo operatorio medio 187 min (rango 60 - 360) y el sangrado operatorio medio 90cc (rango 20 - 500). Índice de conversión 11%. No se registraron complicaciones intraoperatorias. Estadía hospitalaria media 4 días (rango 2 - 10).Morbilidad global 23%.Se observaron complicaciones postoperatorias mayores en 1 caso (dehiscencia anastomótica) y menores en 3 casos (retención urinaria). No se registró readmisión hospitalaria y la mortalidad fue nula. Conclusiones: El tratamiento laparoscópico de la endometriosis intestinal severa es una opción factible y segura. En centros entrenados, puede ser adoptada como primera opción en el manejo de la endometriosis pelviana con severo compromiso colorrectal.

Background: Deep infiltrating endometriosis with bowel involvement is an aggressive form of endometriosis with an incidence up to 12%.It´s surgical management represents a challenge because of the distortion of the anatomy this entity produces, even more so when the approach is laparoscopical. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and security of colorectal laparoscopic resections for bowel endometriosis. Materials and methods: All patients presenting to the Department of Colorectal Surgery with bowel endometriosis from January 2003 to September 2013 were identified from a prospective database and retrospectively analyzed. Results: From 1343 colorectal laparoscopic procedures, 17 patients received surgery because of bowel endometriosis. Median age 35 years (range 23 to 47) and median BMI 22 kg/m2 (range 18 to 35). The most affected segments included Rectum 52% and the Rectosigmoid junction 30%. Resections included 9 low anterior resections (4 of them required fecal diversion), 5 High anterior resections and 3 Right Hemicolectomies. Median operating time was 187 minutes (range 60 to 360). Conversion rate 11%. Median length of stay was 4 days (range 2 to 10). There were none intraoperative complications. Global morbidity rate was 23%. Postoperative major complications occurred in 5.8%: one patient presented an anastomotic leak. There were 3 minor complications consistent of urinary retentions. There were no readmissions and mortality rate was nule. Conclusions: Laparoscopic surgery of bowel endometriosis is a feasible and safe therapeutic option. In trained centers, it can be adopted as the first option in the management of deep infiltrating pelvic endometriosis with bowel involvement.