Triple Dufourmentel hexagonal flap for scalp reconstruction.

Transposition flaps are some of the most commonly used flaps for reconstructing scalp defects. Limberg first described his rhomboid transposition flap in 1946. Dufourmentel flap was an improved version of the Limberg flap published in 1962 in which the base of the flap is widened to improve vascularisation. Transposition flaps are one of the best known and most widely used transposition flaps in reconstructive surgery. They have proven successful in different types of reconstructive and aesthetic situations as a full-thickness random transposition flap. Combination of three Dufourmentel flaps to reconstruct hexagonal defects has not been reported in the literature. It is a modification of the triple Limberg flap, in which, after removing a hexagonal defect, we reconstruct the primary defect with a triple Dufourmentel flap. This flap is very useful for reconstructing large scalp defects as it provides a large amount of skin tissue with high viability; however, given its versatility, it could be used in other anatomical areas. Ann Med Surg (Lond) 2021 7:102544; Plast Reconstr Surg 2015 136:163-164; Atlas Oral Maxillofac Surg Clin North Am 2020 28:17-22.

Ileal digestibility of amino acids in selected feed ingredients fed to young growing pigs.

An experiment was conducted to determine the standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of CP and AA in brewers rice, full-fat rice bran (FFRB), defatted rice bran (DFRB), peanut meal, sesame meal, rapeseed meal, rapeseed expellers, soybean expellers, cassava meal, and bakery meal fed to young growing pigs. Twenty-two barrows (initial BW: 14.09 ± 1.48 kg) were surgically fitted with a T-cannula in the distal ileum and randomly allotted to a replicated 11 × 4 incomplete Latin square design with 11 diets and four 7-d periods in each square. Eleven experimental diets were prepared and test ingredients were the sole source of CP and AA in 10 diets and the eleventh diet was a N-free diet used to measure basal ileal endogenous losses of CP and AA. Chromic oxide (0.4%) was included in all diets as an indigestible marker and ileal digesta were collected on day 6 and 7 of each period. Results indicated that the SID of CP and AA was greatest (P < 0.05) in brewers rice and sesame meal and least (P < 0.05) in cassava meal. The SID of indispensable AA was greater (P < 0.05) in sesame meal compared with all other ingredients except brewers rice. Full-fat rice bran had greater (P < 0.05) SID of Arg, Ile, Leu, Lys, and Met compared with DFRB. The SID of CP and most AA was not different among rapeseed meal, rapeseed expellers, and soybean expellers. Bakery meal had the least (P < 0.05) SID of most AA compared with all other ingredients, with the exception of cassava meal. The concentration of standardized ileal digestible CP was greater (P < 0.05) in sesame meal and peanut meal (482.32 and 452.44 g/kg DM, respectively) than in all other ingredients. Soybean expellers had the greatest (P < 0.05) concentration of standardized ileal digestible Lys (22.98 g/kg DM) followed by rapeseed meal (16.11 g/kg DM) and rapeseed expellers (16.17 g/kg DM). Cassava meal and bakery meal had the least (P < 0.05) concentration of standardized ileal digestible CP and most AA compared with the other ingredients. Concentrations of standardized ileal digestible CP and AA in brewers rice, FFRB, and DFRB were less (P < 0.05) than in rapeseed meal, rapeseed expellers, and soybean expellers. In conclusion, peanut meal and sesame meal have greater concentrations of standardized ileal digestible CP and most AA, with the exception of Lys, than other ingredients. Rapeseed meal, rapeseed expellers, and soybean expellers have the greatest concentrations of standardized ileal digestible Lys.

Nutrient composition and digestibility of energy and nutrients in wheat middlings and red dog fed to growing pigs.

This experiment was designed to determine nutrient composition and apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of GE, DM, OM, and NDF and the concentration of DE and ME in 10 sources of wheat middlings and in 1 source of red dog that were obtained from different flour mills in the United States. Twelve growing pigs (initial BW: 31.0 ± 1.0 kg) were randomly allotted to a 12 × 8 Youden square design with 12 dietary treatments and eight 14 d periods. Pigs were individually housed in metabolism crates for total collection of feces and urine. A basal diet based on corn and soybean meal, and 11 diets containing corn, soybean meal, and 39.4% of one of the 10 sources of wheat middlings or of red dog were formulated. The ATTD of GE, DM, OM, and NDF in all diets was calculated using the direct procedure, and the ATTD of GE, DM, OM, and NDF in each source of wheat middlings or red dog was calculated by difference. Values for DE and ME were calculated as well. The average concentration of CP was 17.67% in wheat midlings and 17.0% in red dog, and the concentration of acid hydrolyzed ether extract (AEE) and total dietary fiber (TDF) was 2.44 and 13.90% in red dog, but 4.07 and 36.45% in wheat middlings. Red dog also contained more starch (42.98%) than wheat middlings (20.28%). Red dog had greater bulk density (498.5 g/L) and smaller particle size (146 µm) compared with wheat middlings (315.1 g/L and 783 µm). The average ATTD of GE, DM, OM, and NDF in wheat middlings (67.2%, 71.2%, 72.9%, and 53.0%, respectively) was less (P < 0.05) than in red dog (79.35%, 82.9%, 86.6%, and 58.7%, respectively). The average concentrations of DE and ME in wheat middlings were 2,990 and 2,893 kcal/kg DM, and these values were less (P < 0.05) than the DE and ME in red dog (3,408 and 3,292 kcal/kg DM). In conclusion, wheat middlings contains more fiber and less starch than red dog and the ATTD of GE and nutrients is greater in red dog than in wheat middlings. As a consequence, concentrations of DE and ME are greater in red dog than in wheat middlings.

The Frequency of HLA-B27 in a Colombian Population with Signs of Spondyloarthritis.

BACKGROUND: The strong association between HLA-B27 and spondyloarthritis (SpA) has demonstrated that typing the HLA-B27 antigen is a crucial step in diagnosis and aids in defining the progression and severity of disease. OBJECTIVE: To describe the frequency of HLA-B27 in Colombian individuals with clinical manifestations associated with SpA. MATERIALS AND METHODOLOGY: We retrospectively analyzed 4109 HLA-B27 typing requests to the Hospital Militar Central and the Instituto de Referencia Andino from Colombian individuals with clinical signs suggestive of SpA between 2009 and 2012. We used basic digital cytometry followed by Polymerase Chain Reaction with sequence specific primers when confirmation was needed. We determined the frequency of HLA-B27 in the population and levels of association of HLA-B27 with SpA. RESULTS: Our population included 1585 men (36.8%) and 2524 women (61.4%). The predominant age range was between 19 and 45 years (49.9%). The majority (95.4%) of the study population came from the Andean region and eastern plains. The most frequent clinical manifestations were peripheral. Only a small fraction (12.1%) of the 4109 subjects was HLA-B27 positive. Of those, 56.9% were male, and 54.7% were between 19 and 45 years old. In contrast, when rheumatologists referred the HLA B27, 64% were found to be positive. CONCLUSION: The frequency of the HLA-B27 allele in individuals with clinical signs suggestive of SpA was low, in accordance with the lower prevalence found in Colombian patients diagnosed with SpA compared to American and European population.

Satisfacción del paciente y complicaciones en pacientes con artroplastia primaria de rodilla manejados con un protocolo de cirugía ambulatoria entre 2015 y 2016 / Patient satisfaction and complications in patients undergoing primary knee arthroplasty managed with an outpatient surgery protocol between 2015 and 2016

Introducción El remplazo total de rodilla se encuentra clasificado como una cirugía ortopédica mayor, donde varias complicaciones han sido descritas. Este estudio muestra cómo este procedimiento manejado con un protocolo de cirugía ambulatoria es seguro para el paciente y no aumenta la frecuencia de complicaciones. Materiales y métodos Estudio observacional descriptivo tipo cohorte transversal. Se incluyeron pacientes con clasificación ASA I-II, índice de masa corporal<35 y edad<80 años, sometidos a reemplazo total de rodilla primario con diagnóstico de artrosis operados desde 1 de septiembre de 2015 al 31 de diciembre de 2016. Se recolectó información demográfica, historia médica, dolor postoperatorio, satisfacción del paciente en la primera consulta postoperatoria y la presencia de complicaciones en los siguientes 30 días del procedimiento. Resultados Se evaluaron 143 pacientes con clasificación ASA I 19 pacientes (13.3%) y ASA II 124 (86.7%), 83 (58%) mujeres y 60 (42%) hombres con un promedio de edad de 66,6 (DS 9.2) años, índice de masa corporal promedio de 27.3 (DS 3.6), calificación de Oxford preoperatoria de 33.3 (DS8.4), el promedio de dolor el primer día postoperatorio en reposo fue de 1,1 (DS 1,4) y con el movimiento fue de 2,5 (DS 1.8) y el promedio de satisfacción de la experiencia de la cirugía de manera ambulatoria en una escala de 0 a 10 fue en promedio de 8.6 (1.5). Hubo 4 (2.8%) reingresos a urgencias por causas no relacionadas al procedimiento ambulatorio. Discusión En pacientes seleccionados, el reemplazo total de rodilla con manejo mediante protocolo de cirugía ambulatoria es seguro, aumenta el confort y la satisfacción de los pacientes y sus familias. Nivel de Evidencia IIl.

Background Total Knee Replacement is classified as major orthopedic surgery, where several complications have been described. The study shows how this procedure managed with an ambulatory surgery protocol is safe for the patient and does not increase the frequency of complications. Materials & Methods Transverse cohort descriptive observational study. We included patients with ASA I-II classification, Body Mass Index<35 and age<80 years, who underwent total primary knee replacement with diagnosis of severe osteoarthritis. Information related to postoperative pain, patient satisfaction at the first postoperative visit and the presence of complications were collected within 30 days of the procedure. Results A total of 143 patients with anesthesia classification ASA I 19 patients (13.3%) y ASA II 124 (86.7%), 83 (58%) women y 60 (42%) men average age 66,6 (DS 9.2) years, average body mass index 27.3 (DS 3.6), Oxford knee score before surgery 33.3 (8.4), pain first day post surgery at rest 1,1 (DS 1,4) and with movement 2,5 (DS 1.8), average satisfaction of the surgery experience on an outpatient basis in an scale of 0 a 10 was 8.6 (DS1.5). There were 4 (2.8%) readmissions to the emergency room for reasons not related to the outpatient protocol. Discussion In selected patients, total knee replacement with outpatient surgery protocol is safe, increases comfort and satisfaction of patients and their families. Evidence Level III.

The ileal digestibility of most amino acids is greater in red dog than in wheat middlings when fed to growing pigs.

The objective of this experiment was to determine the apparent ileal digestibility (AID) and the standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of CP and AA in 10 sources of wheat middlings and in 1 source of red dog. Ten diets that each contained 1 of the 10 sources of wheat middlings and 1 diet that contained red dog as the only source of protein and AA were formulated. An N-free diet was used to determine basal endogenous losses of CP and AA. Chromic oxide (0.4%) was added to all diets as an indigestible marker. Twelve pigs (BW: 29.23 ± 1.5 kg) were fitted with a T-cannula in the distal ileum. Pigs were allotted to a 12 × 8 Youden square design with 12 diets and eight 7-d periods. The initial 5 d of each period was the adaptation period, but ileal digesta were collected on the last 2 d of each period. Results indicated that the AID of CP in wheat middlings was 31.1 ± 6.9%, but the AID of CP in red dog (47.0%) was greater ( < 0.05) than the average AID of CP for wheat middlings. The AID of indispensable AA in wheat middlings ranged from 30.1 ± 5.4% for Lys to 67.7 ± 2.2% for His, and the AID of indispensable AA in red dog ranged from 53.7% in Val to 86.2% for Met. The average SID of CP in wheat middlings was 61.5 ± 5.1%, and there were no differences among the 10 sources of wheat middlings, but the SID of CP in red dog (78.5%) was greater ( < 0.05) than in wheat middlings. The SID of Arg, His, and Asp in wheat middlings was 81.4 ± 2.7%, 77.7 ± 2.1%, and 66.4 ± 2.7%, respectively, and no differences among sources of wheat middlings were observed for these AA. The SID of Met (73.6 ± 1.8%) and the SID of Ala (54.8 ± 4.9%) tended ( = 0.071 and = 0.090, respectively) to be different among sources of wheat middlings, and the SID of all other AA was different ( < 0.05) among the 10 sources of wheat middlings. There were no differences between red dog and wheat middlings for the SID of Arg, His, and Ser, and the SID of Cys was less ( < 0.05) in red dog than in wheat middlings, but for all other AA, the SID in red dog was greater ( < 0.05) than in wheat middlings. In conclusion, wheat middlings and red dog contain approximately the same quantities of AA, but the AID and SID of CP and most AA in red dog are greater than in wheat middlings.

Gestating sows have greater digestibility of energy in full fat rice bran and defatted rice bran than growing gilts regardless of level of feed intake.

The first objective of this experiment was to test the hypothesis that apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of GE and nutrients in full fat rice bran (FFRB) and defatted rice bran (DFRB) determined in gestating sows is greater if feed is provided at 1.5 × the ME required for maintenance than at 3.5 × the ME requirement. The second objective was to test the hypothesis that the ATTD of GE and nutrients and the concentrations of DE and ME in FFRB and DFRB is not different between growing gilts and gestating sows if both groups of animals are fed 3.5 × the maintenance requirement for ME. Forty eight gestating sows (parity 2 to 6) were allotted to 3 diets and 2 levels of feed intake (i.e., 1.5 or 3.5 × the maintenance requirement for ME) in a randomized complete block design, with 4 blocks of 12 sows and 2 replicate sows per block for a total of 8 replicate sows per diet. Twenty four growing gilts (51.53 ± 3.1 kg BW) were randomly allotted to the same 3 diets, but all gilts were fed at 3.5 × the maintenance requirement for ME. A basal diet containing corn and soybean meal and 2 diets that consisted of 60% basal diet and 40% FFRB or DFRB were used. Results of the experiment indicated that there were no effects of level of feed intake of sows on ATTD of GE, DM, OM, or NDF, or on concentrations of DE and ME. However, concentrations of DE and ME were greater ( < 0.05) in FFRB than in DFRB regardless of feed intake level. The ATTD of GE, OM, DM, and NDF of diets containing FFRB or DFRB was less ( < 0.05) than in the basal diet, regardless of the physiological stage of the animals. However, the ATTD of GE, OM, and NDF of the basal diet and diets containing FFRB or DRFB was greater ( < 0.05) in gestating sows than in growing gilts. Concentrations of DE and ME in the diets were also greater ( < 0.05) if determined in gestating sows than in growing gilts. The ATTD of GE and the concentrations of DE and ME of FFRB were greater ( < 0.05) than in DFRB and these values were also greater ( < 0.05) in gestating sows than in growing gilts. In conclusion, the level of feed intake by gestating sows did not affect the digestibility of GE and nutrients or the concentrations of DE and ME in diets or in FFRB or DFRB, but the ATTD of GE and the concentration of DE and ME in diets and in FFRB and DFRB were greater in gestating sows than in growing gilts.

Nutritional value of soy protein concentrate ground to different particle sizes and fed to pigs.

Two experiments were conducted to determine the standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of CP and AA and concentrations of DE and ME in soy protein concentrate (SPC) ground to 3 particle sizes and in soybean meal and fish meal when fed to weanling pigs. An additional experiment was conducted to determine effects on growth performance and blood characteristics of including SPC in diets fed to weanling pigs. In Exp. 1, a N-free diet and diets containing soybean meal, fish meal, or SPC ground to a mean particle size of 70, 180, or 700 µm as the only source of AA were fed to 6 barrows (initial BW: 12.90 ± 1.51 kg) that had a T-cannula installed in the distal ileum. In Exp. 2, 36 barrows (13.70 ± 1.86 kg BW) were allotted to a randomized complete block design with 6 diets and 6 replicate pigs per diet. A corn-based diet and diets containing corn and soybean meal, fish meal, or SPC ground to the 3 particle sizes were used. In Exp. 3, 160 pigs (initial BW: 7.06 ± 1.07 kg) were allotted to 4 dietary treatments with 8 pens per treatment and 5 pigs per pen. Pigs were fed one of 4 diets during phase 1 (d 0 to 14 postweaning), and a common diet in phase 2 (d 14 to 28 postweaning). The 4 diets used in phase 1 included a control diet containing fish meal and spray-dried plasma protein, and diets in which fish meal, spray-dried plasma protein, or both fish meal and spray-dried plasma protein were replaced by SPC ground to 180 µm. Results of Exp. 1 indicated that the SID of His, Lys, and Thr tended ( < 0.10) to be greater in SPC ground to 180 µm than in soybean meal, and the SID of Arg, Ile, Phe, and Trp was greater ( < 0.05) in SPC ground to 70 or 180 µm than in soybean meal. There were no differences in the DE and ME (DM-basis) among corn, soybean meal, fish meal, and SPC ground to 70, 180, or 700 µm. Results of Exp. 3 indicated that growth performance of pigs fed the 4 experimental diets in phase 1 was not different in phase 1, phase 2, or in the entire experiment. In conclusion, grinding SPC to approximately 180 µm maximizes SID of indispensable AA without impacting ME and diets based on soybean meal and SPC as the main protein sources may be fed to pigs during the initial 2 wk postweaning without affecting growth performance.

Litter assessment on 99 Cuban beaches: A baseline to identify sources of pollution and impacts for tourism and recreation.

Litter presence was assessed on the entire Cuban coastline, and includes 99 beaches from all Cuban regions, during field work carried out in 2012 and 2015. A standard method verified in several countries was applied, which classified beaches for nine types of litter into four grades (A-excellent to D-poor). Almost half of the Cuban beaches obtained excellent cleanliness scores, although many needed to be better managed. In this baseline, the most common types of residue were general litter (8% grade D and 35% grades B/C) and potentially harmful litter (<68% with grade A). Resort beaches and those with international visitors showed the best litter management. Tourism Impacts seems to be related to visitor origin therefore choices to develop sustainable tourism in rural and village beaches (64%) appears low, if beach cleaning gross investment is focused on resort beaches (24%). Finally, this paper highlights geographical distribution and types of litter patterns.

Effects of full fat or defatted rice bran on growth performance and blood characteristics of weanling pigs.

The objective of this experiment was to determine the effect of increased concentrations of full fat rice bran (FFRB) or defatted rice bran (DFRB) in diets without or with supplementation of an exogenous xylanase on growth performance and blood characteristics in weanling pigs. A total of 532 pigs (9.3 ± 0.5 kg initial BW) were allotted to 14 diets in 4 blocks and 8 replicate pens per diet in a randomized complete block design. There were 4 or 5 pigs per pen. A basal diet containing corn, soybean meal, and whey powder and 6 diets containing corn, soybean meal, whey powder, and 10, 20, or 30% FFRB or 10, 20, or 30% DFRB were used. Seven additional diets that were similar to the initial 7 diets with the exception that they also contained 16,000 units/kg of microbial xylanase were also formulated. On the last day of the 23-d experiment, 2 blood samples were collected from 1 pig in each pen. Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), IgA, and peptide YY (PYY) were measured in plasma samples and blood urea nitrogen (BUN), total protein, and albumin were measured in serum samples. Initial and final BW were not affected by the inclusion level of FFRB or DFRB or by the addition of xylanase. The ADFI linearly decreased ( < 0.05) as inclusion of FFRB increased in diets and there was a tendency ( = 0.08) for reduced ADFI as DFRB was increased in the diets. Pigs fed diets containing DFRB had greater ADFI ( < 0.05) than pigs fed diets containing FFRB. The ADG increased and then decreased (quadratic, < 0.05) with increasing level of FFRB or DFRB in the diets. The G:F linearly and quadratically increased ( < 0.05) as the inclusion of FFRB increased, and the G:F was greater ( < 0.05) in pigs fed diets containing FFRB than in pigs fed diets containing DFRB. The concentration of BUN linearly decreased ( < 0.05) when pigs were fed diets containing increasing levels of FFRB or DFRB. There was a tendency for the concentrations of TNF-α and PYY to linearly decrease ( = 0.09 and = 0.075, respectively) as the inclusion of FFRB increased in the diet. In conclusion, ADG of weanling pigs was not affected by at least 20% FFRB or DFRB and inclusion of 30% DFRB had no effect on the G:F whereas 30% FFRB increased the G:F. However, microbial xylanase did not influence growth performance under the conditions of this experiment and there was minimal influence of rice coproducts or xylanase on blood characteristics.

Effects of microbial xylanase on digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, neutral detergent fiber, and energy and the concentrations of digestible and metabolizable energy in rice coproducts fed to weanling pigs.

The objective of this experiment was to test the hypothesis that the apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of DM, OM, fiber, and GE by weanling pigs and the concentration of DE and ME in full-fat rice bran (FFRB), defatted rice bran (DFRB), brown rice, and broken rice is improved if microbial xylanase is added to the diet. Eighty pigs (13.6 ± 0.8 kg initial BW) were allotted to 10 diets with 8 replicate pigs per diet in a randomized complete block design with 2 blocks of 40 pigs. A basal diet based on corn and soybean meal and 4 diets containing corn, soybean meal, and each of the 4 rice coproducts were formulated. The rice coproducts and corn and soybean meal were the only sources of energy in the diets. Five additional diets that were similar to the initial 5 diets with the exception that they also contained 16,000 units of xylanase (Econase XT-25; AB Vista, Marlborough, UK) were also formulated. All diets also contained 1,500 units of microbial phytase (Quantum Blue 5G; AB Vista). The DE and ME and the ATTD of DM, OM, fiber, and GE in diets and ingredients were calculated using the direct method and the difference method, respectively. Results indicated that the concentrations of DE and ME (DM basis) in FFRB and DFRB increased ( < 0.05) if xylanase was used. Broken rice had a greater ( < 0.05) concentration of DE and ME than FFRB and DFRB if no xylanase was added to the diets, but if xylanase was used, no differences in ME among FFRB, brown rice, and broken rice were observed. The ATTD of DM was greater ( < 0.05) in ingredients with xylanase than in ingredients without xylanase and there was a tendency ( = 0.067) for the ATTD of OM to be greater if xylanase was used. The ATTD of NDF in FFRB was greater ( < 0.05) when xylanase was added than if no xylanase was used, whereas the ATTD of NDF in DFRB was not affected by the addition of xylanase. In conclusion, if no xylanase was used, broken rice and brown rice have greater concentrations of DE and ME than FFRB and DFRB, and these values were not increased by microbial xylanase. However, xylanase increased the concentration of DE and ME (DM basis) in FFRB and DFRB.

Effects of microbial phytase on the apparent and standardized total tract digestibility of phosphorus in rice coproducts fed to growing pigs.

The objectives of this experiment were to determine the apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) and the standardized total tract digestibility (STTD) of P and the effect of microbial phytase on ATTD and STTD of P in full-fat rice bran (FFRB), defatted rice bran (DFRB), brown rice, broken rice, and rice mill feed when fed to pigs. Ninety-six barrows (initial BW of 19.4 ± 1.4 kg) were allotted to 12 diets with 8 replicate pigs per diet in a randomized complete block design. A basal diet based on corn and soybean meal was formulated. Five additional diets containing corn, soybean meal, and each rice coproduct were also formulated, and the ratio between corn and soybean meal in these diets was similar to that in the basal diet. Six additional diets that were similar to the initial 6 diets with the exception that 1,000 units of microbial phytase were added to the diets were also formulated. The ATTD and STTD of P were calculated for each diet using the direct procedure, and the ATTD and STTD of P in each rice coproduct were calculated using the difference procedure. Results of the experiment indicated that the concentration of P in feces was reduced (P < 0.05) from pigs fed diets with microbial phytase compared with pigs fed diets without phytase. No differences were observed between the basal diet and the broken rice diet, but the ATTD and the STTD of P in those diets was greater (P < 0.05) than in all other diets both without and with phytase. Among the rice coproducts, the greatest (P < 0.05) ATTD and STTD of P were observed for broken rice regardless of inclusion of phytase. If no microbial phytase was used, the values for STTD of P in brown rice, FFRB, DFRB, and rice mill feed were not different, but if microbial phytase was included in the diet, ATTD and STTD of P in brown rice was greater (P < 0.05) than in FFRB, DFRB, and rice mill feed. The STTD of P in brown rice, FFRB, and rice mill feed was greater (P < 0.05) if microbial phytase was used than if no microbial phytase was used. Addition of microbial phytase to the diets also increased (P < 0.05) the ATTD of Ca regardless of the rice coproducts used. In conclusion, the STTD of P is greater in broken rice than in all other rice coproducts. The STTD of P in brown rice, FFRB, DFRB, and rice mill feed is relatively low due to the high concentration of phytate in these ingredients, but addition of microbial phytase will increase the STTD of P in most rice coproducts.

Nonlinear Ehrenfest's urn model.

Ehrenfest's urn model is modified by introducing nonlinear terms in the associated transition probabilities. It is shown that these modifications lead, in the continuous limit, to a Fokker-Planck equation characterized by two competing diffusion terms, namely, the usual linear one and a nonlinear diffusion term typical of anomalous diffusion. By considering a generalized H theorem, the associated entropy is calculated, resulting in a sum of Boltzmann-Gibbs and Tsallis entropic forms. It is shown that the stationary state of the associated Fokker-Planck equation satisfies precisely the same equation obtained by extremization of the entropy. Moreover, the effects of the nonlinear contributions on the entropy production phenomenon are also analyzed.

Nutritive and xenobiotic compounds in the alien algae Undaria pinnatifida from Argentine Patagonia.

Seaweeds have been used as food since ancient times. The edible brown algae Undaria pinnatifida is native to northeast Asia; however, in 1992, the first specimens in Patagonian environments were found and, since then, have rapidly expanded. The main object of this study was to determine, for the first time in Argentina, the nutritive composition and concentrations of trace elements and hydrocarbons in these alien algae and evaluate their usefulness as food. Sexually mature U. pinnatifida samples were collected at 10-m depth in the Nuevo and San José gulfs. The first site is influenced by activities from Puerto Madryn city, and the latter place was considered as the control. Protein, dietary fiber, and mineral concentrations were similar in both gulfs and in the same order as in eastern countries. Crude protein, indigestible fiber, and calcium and magnesium concentrations were greatest in blade; lipid concentration was greatest in sporophyll; and sodium and potassium concentrations were greatest in midrib. Amino acids showed the greatest concentrations in blades, and these were greater than those reported in kelp from Japan. Cadmium (Cd), arsenic, mercury, and hydrocarbons were detected, but only Cd showed concentrations that could be a risk for consumption. In Argentina, maximum acceptable levels of these contaminants in seaweeds are not established.

Generalized entropy production phenomena: a master-equation approach.

The time rate of generalized entropic forms, defined in terms of discrete probabilities following a master equation, is investigated. Both contributions, namely entropy production and flux, are obtained, extending works carried previously for the Boltzmann-Gibbs entropy to a wide class of entropic forms. Particularly, it is shown that the entropy-production contribution is always non-negative for such entropies. Some illustrative examples for known generalized entropic forms in the literature are also worked out. Since generalized entropies have been lately associated with several complex systems in nature, the present analysis should be applicable to irreversible processes in these systems.

Entropy production and nonlinear Fokker-Planck equations.

The entropy time rate of systems described by nonlinear Fokker-Planck equations--which are directly related to generalized entropic forms--is analyzed. Both entropy production, associated with irreversible processes, and entropy flux from the system to its surroundings are studied. Some examples of known generalized entropic forms are considered, and particularly, the flux and production of the Boltzmann-Gibbs entropy, obtained from the linear Fokker-Planck equation, are recovered as particular cases. Since nonlinear Fokker-Planck equations are appropriate for the dynamical behavior of several physical phenomena in nature, like many within the realm of complex systems, the present analysis should be applicable to irreversible processes in a large class of nonlinear systems, such as those described by Tsallis and Kaniadakis entropies.

Nuclear translocation of haeme oxygenase-1 is associated to prostate cancer.

The role of oxidative stress in prostate cancer has been increasingly recognised. Acute and chronic inflammations generate reactive oxygen species that result in damage to cellular structures. Haeme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) has cytoprotective effects against oxidative damage. We hypothesise that modulation of HO-1 expression may be involved in the process of prostate carcinogenesis and prostate cancer progression. We thus studied HO-1 expression and localisation in 85 samples of organ-confined primary prostate cancer obtained via radical prostatectomy (Gleason grades 4-9) and in 39 specimens of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). We assessed HO-1 expression by immunohistochemical staining. No significant difference was observed in the cytoplasmic positive reactivity among tumours (84%), non-neoplastic surrounding parenchyma (89%), or BPH samples (87%) (P=0.53). Haeme oxygenase-1 immunostaining was detected in the nuclei of prostate cancer cells in 55 of 85 (65%) patients but less often in non-neoplastic surrounding parenchyma (30 of 85, 35%) or in BPH (9 of 39, 23%) (P<0.0001). Immunocytochemical and western blot analysis showed HO-1 only in the cytoplasmic compartment of PC3 and LNCaP prostate cancer cell lines. Treatment with hemin, a well-known specific inducer of HO-1, led to clear nuclear localisation of HO-1 in both cell lines and highly induced HO-1 expression in both cellular compartments. These findings have demonstrated, for the first time, that HO-1 expression and nuclear localisation can define a new subgroup of prostate cancer primary tumours and that the modulation of HO-1 expression and its nuclear translocation could represent new avenues for therapy.