Bomba Rice Conservation with a Natural Biofilm.

The chemical composition of commercial Syzygium aromaticum, Cinnamomum verum, and Laurus nobilis essential oils as well as their antifungal activity against four pathogenic fungi isolated from Mediterranean rice grains has been investigated. Eighty nine compounds accounting for between 98.5 and 99.4% of the total essential oil were identified. The phenylpropanoids eugenol (89.37 ± 0.29%) and eugenol (56.34 ± 0.41%), followed by eugenol acetate (19.48 ± 0.13%) were, respectively, the main compounds in clove and cinnamon essential oils, whereas large amounts of the oxygenated monoterpenes 1,8-cineole (58.07 ± 0.83%) and α-terpinyl acetate (13.05 ± 0.44%) were found in bay leaf essential oil. Clove and cinnamon oils showed the best antifungal activity results against all tested fungi. Against Alternaria alternata, clove essential oil displayed the best antifungal effect, whereas against Curvularia hawaiiensis, cinnamon essential oil was more active. Both essential oils showed a similar antifungal effect towards Fusarium proliferatum and Fusarium oxysporum. In vitro studies in inoculated rice grains showed that clove and cinnamon totally inhibited pathogenic fungal development after 30 days of incubation. In vivo studies showed that eugenol used with a polysaccharide such as agar-agar formed a fine coat which wraps the inoculated rice grains, creating a natural biofilm and reducing the development of all pathogenic fungi (80-95%) for 30 days.

Commercial Origanum compactum Benth. and Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume essential oils against natural mycoflora in Valencia rice.

Chemical composition of commercial Origanum compactum and Cinnamomum zeylanicum essential oils and the antifungal activity against pathogenic fungi isolated from Mediterranean rice grains have been investigated. Sixty-one compounds accounting for more than 99.5% of the total essential oil were identified by using gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Carvacrol (43.26%), thymol (21.64%) and their biogenetic precursors p-cymene (13.95%) and γ-terpinene (11.28%) were the main compounds in oregano essential oil, while the phenylpropanoids, eugenol (62.75%), eugenol acetate (16.36%) and (E)-cinnamyl acetate (6.65%) were found in cinnamon essential oil. Both essential oils at 300 µg/mL showed antifungal activity against all tested strains. O. compactum essential oil showed the best antifungal activity towards Fusarium species and Bipolaris oryzae with a total inhibition of the mycelial growth. In inoculated rice grains at lower doses (100 and 200 µg/mL) significantly reduced the fungal infection, so O. compactum essential oil could be used as ecofriendly preservative for field and stored Valencia rice.

HIV practitioners in Madrid and New York improving inclusion of underrepresented populations in research.

Practitioners have frequent contact with populations underrepresented in scientific research--ethnic/racial groups, sexual minorities and others at risk for poor health and whose low participation in research does not reflect their representation in the general population. Practitioners aspire to partner with researchers to conduct research that benefits underrepresented groups. However, practitioners are often overlooked as a work force that can help erase inclusion disparities. We recruited (n = 282) practitioners (e.g. physicians, social workers, health educators) to examine associations between their attitudes toward research purposes, risks, benefits and confidentiality and their involvement in recruitment, interviewing and intervention facilitation. Participants worked in community-based agencies in Madrid and New York City (NYC), two large and densely populated cities. We used cross-sectional data and two-sample tests to compare attitudes toward research and practitioner involvement in recruiting, interviewing and facilitating interventions. We fit logistic regression models to assess associations between practitioner attitudes toward ethical practices and recruitment, interviewing and facilitating interventions. The likelihood of recruiting, interviewing and facilitating was more pronounced among practitioners agreeing more strongly with ethical research practices. Though Madrid practitioners reported stronger agreement with ethical research practices, NYC practitioners were more involved in recruiting, interviewing and facilitating interventions. Practitioners can be trained to improve attitudes toward ethical practices and increase inclusion of underrepresented populations in research. Funders and researchers are encouraged to offer opportunities for practitioner involvement by supporting research infrastructure development in local agencies. Practices that promise to facilitate inclusion herein may be used in other countries.

IGF-1 levels in different stages of liver steatosis and its association with metabolic syndrome.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the hepatic manifestation of the metabolic syndrome related to insulin resistance. Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) is mainly produced by hepatocytes and its secretion is stimulated by growth hormone. Our aim was to assess possible changes in IGF-1 levels in patients with different ultrasonography stages of NAFLD and its association with hyperlipidemia, impaired glucose tolerance, non-insulin dependant type 2 diabetes, waist circumference, obesity and arterial hypertension. METHODS: One hundred and ten consecutive patients were evaluated. RESULTS: IGF-1 levels decreased as liver steatosis worsened. There was a statistically significant difference between mild-moderate steatosis on one hand, and severe steatosis on the other (142 vs. 110, P < 0.05). Homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA) and insulin levels showed a tendency to inverse association with IGF-1, but it was not statistically significant. HOMA significantly increased in severe liver steatosis when compared with mild-moderate steatosis (6.20 vs. 3.99, P < 0.05). Insulin levels also showed a significant increase (3.01 +/- 0.61 vs. 2.59 +/- 0.56, P < 0.05). Body mass index showed a significant inverse correlation with IGF-1 level (r = -0.19, P < 0.05) and a tendency to increase as liver steatosis worsened. Waist circumference increased significantly as liver steatosis worsened (severe vs. mild-moderate: 114 vs. 100, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: IGF-1 levels showed a decrease as liver steatosis worsened. This difference was statistically significant between mild-moderate and severe stetaosis. Inverse correlation between IGF-1 levels and BMI was also statistically significant. There was no statistically significant correlation between IGF-1 levels and HOMA and insulin levels.

A novel 1297-1304delGCCTGCCA mutation in the exon 10 of the thyroid hormone receptor ß gene causes resistance to thyroid hormone.

INTRODUCTION: Resistance to the thyroid hormone (RTH) is an inherited syndrome of reduced tissue responsiveness to hormonal action caused by mutations located in the ligand-binding domain and adjacent hinge region of the thyroid hormone receptor ß (TRß) gene. PATIENT: The patient in this study, a 42-year-old Caucasian male, came to medical attention because he experienced atrial fibrillation. Clinical evaluation showed a small and diffuse goiter and biochemical tests revealed markedly elevated concentrations of total T(4), total T(3), and free T(4), normal thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) values and slightly increased I(131) thyroid uptake at 24 hours. The thyroperoxidase, thyroglobulin, and TSH receptor antibodies were positive. He was treated with cabergoline plus methimazole. This treatment was stopped because of the inconsistent response, monotherapy with tri-iodothyroacetic acid (TRIAC) was then prescribed after molecular diagnosis confirmed RTH syndrome. METHODS: The exons 9 and 10 of the TRß gene, including splicing signals and the flanking intronic regions of each intron, were amplified with PCR. DNA sequences from each amplified fragment were performed with the Taq polymerase-based chain terminator method and using the specific TRß forward and reverse primers. RESULTS: Direct sequence analysis of the exons 9 and 10 of the TRß gene revealed an eight basepair deletion, 1297-1304delGCCTGCCA in exon 10. The mutation produces a frameshift at amino acid 433 and introduces a stop codon TGA at position 461, 85 nucleotides downstream from deletion. This alteration was not detected in either the father or mother of the patient, suggesting a de novo mutation that was confirmed by DNA fingerprint analysis. CONCLUSIONS: In the present study we have identified a novel sporadic mutation corresponding to 1297-1304delGCCTGCCA deletion in the activating function 2 (AF-2) region of TRß. To our knowledge, this is the first time that the presence of a partial deletion of eight nucleotides in the TRß has been reported.

A novel 1297-1304delGCCTGCCA mutation in the exon 10 of the thyroid hormone receptor beta gene causes resistance to thyroid hormone.

INTRODUCTION: Resistance to the thyroid hormone (RTH) is an inherited syndrome of reduced tissue responsiveness to hormonal action caused by mutations located in the ligand-binding domain and adjacent hinge region of the thyroid hormone receptor beta (TRbeta) gene. PATIENT: The patient in this study, a 42-year-old Caucasian male, came to medical attention because he experienced atrial fibrillation. Clinical evaluation showed a small and diffuse goiter and biochemical tests revealed markedly elevated concentrations of total T4, total T3, and free T4, normal thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) values and slightly increased I131 thyroid uptake at 24 hours. The thyroperoxidase, thyroglobulin, and TSH receptor antibodies were positive. He was treated with cabergoline plus methimazole. This treatment was stopped because of the inconsistent response, monotherapy with tri-iodothyroacetic acid (TRIAC) was then prescribed after molecular diagnosis confirmed RTH syndrome. METHODS: The exons 9 and 10 of the TRbeta gene, including splicing signals and the flanking intronic regions of each intron, were amplified with PCR. DNA sequences from each amplified fragment were performed with the Taq polymerase-based chain terminator method and using the specific TRbeta forward and reverse primers. RESULTS: Direct sequence analysis of the exons 9 and 10 of the TRbeta gene revealed an eight basepair deletion, 1297-1304delGCCTGCCA in exon 10. The mutation produces a frameshift at amino acid 433 and introduces a stop codon TGA at position 461, 85 nucleotides downstream from deletion. This alteration was not detected in either the father or mother of the patient, suggesting a de novo mutation that was confirmed by DNA fingerprint analysis. CONCLUSIONS: In the present study we have identified a novel sporadic mutation corresponding to 1297-1304delGCCTGCCA deletion in the activating function 2 (AF-2) region of TRbeta. To our knowledge, this is the first time that the presence of a partial deletion of eight nucleotides in the TRbeta has been reported.