Understanding Progestins: From Basics to Clinical Applicability.

Progestin is a term used to describe a synthetic progestogen. The activity and potency of synthetic progestins are mostly evaluated via parameters associated with their endometrial effects, which are related to their interactions with progesterone, estrogen, androgen, glucocorticoid, and mineralocorticoid receptors. The chemical structure of progestins is the key to understanding their interactions with these receptors and predicting the other effects associated with these drugs. Due to their endometrial effect, progestins are used for different gynecological conditions, such as endometriosis, contraception, hormonal replacement therapy, and artificial reproduction techniques. This review is focused on improving our knowledge of progestins (from their history and biochemical effects related to their chemical structures to clinical applications in gynecological conditions) in order to improve clinical practice.

Characterization and Evaluation of Heat-Moisture-Modified Black and Red Rice Starch: Physicochemical, Microstructural, and Functional Properties.

This study sought to evaluate starch from black and red rice modified by heat-moisture, investigating the extraction yield, starch and amylose content, color, and phenolic compounds. The water and oil absorption capacity, whole milk and zero lactose absorption index, syneresis index, and texture were also analyzed. Microstructural analysis included Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy. The heat-moisture treatment (HMT) reduced the extraction yield and the starch and amylose content, with native black rice starch having the highest values for these parameters. The modification also affected the color and phenolic compounds of the starch, making it darker and changing its appearance. The modification improved the absorption of water, oil, and milk, reducing syneresis and increasing stability during storage. The starch surface was altered, especially for modified black rice starch, with larger agglomerates. The type of starch also changed from A to Vh, with lower relative crystallinity. The textural properties of modified red rice starch were also significantly altered. The HMT proved to be a viable and economical option to modify the analyzed parameters, influencing the texture and physicochemical properties of pigmented rice starch, expanding its applications, and improving its stability during storage at temperatures above 100 °C.

Development and Characterization of Symbiotic Buffalo Petit Suisse Cheese Utilizing Whey Retention and Inulin Incorporation.

This study presents the development and characterization of a novel buffalo Petit Suisse cheese, enhanced with symbiotic properties through an innovative whey retention method and incorporating inulin and xanthan gum. The research focused on assessing the cheese's physicochemical properties, shelf life, lactic acid bacteria viability, syneresis behavior, and the impact of varying concentrations of functional ingredients. The addition of inulin and xanthan gum, following a design of experiments, significantly influenced the cheese's texture and consistency. Higher inulin concentrations were associated with increased fermentation activity, as indicated by total titratable acidity, which showed an increase from 1.22% to 1.50% over a 28-day period, and pH levels that decreased from 3.33 to 2.96. The syneresis index varied across trials, with the highest reduction observed in trials with increased xanthan gum concentrations, effectively reducing syneresis to 0%. Lactic acid bacteria viability also showed notable variations, with the highest cell survival percentage reaching 107.89% in formulations with higher inulin and xanthan gum concentrations. These results underscore the importance of inulin and xanthan gum in enhancing the cheese's microbial stability and textural quality. The study concludes that the strategic use of inulin and xanthan gum improves the nutritional profile of buffalo Petit Suisse cheese and optimizes its textural and sensory attributes.

Effects of long-term frozen storage on the quality and acceptance of gluten-free cassava pasta.

Cold storage conditions during long-term periods can be critical for the quality of gluten-free products. The objective of this work was to elaborate gluten-free pasta using cassava starch and study the influence of different storage conditions on the textural and sensorial properties of gluten-pasta compared to regular pasta. Samples were initially frozen at two different temperatures, -50 °C and -150 °C, and then stored for six months at -25 °C. Physicochemical and rheological analyses were used to characterize the pasta dough. Then microbiological, instrumental texture, and sensorial analysis were used to further characterize the pasta throughout the cold storage period of 6 months. The gluten-free pasta's nutritional composition showed low fat and protein content and high crude fiber, carbohydrates, and energy value content in relation to the gluten-containing pasta. Both kinds of pasta dough presented a pseudoplastic behavior; however, the wheat flour pasta presented lower apparent viscosity. The texture profile of frozen pasta during the evaluation period did not significantly vary when comparing the two freezing temperatures. Although the firmness, chewability, and cohesiveness parameters slightly decreased during the storage, losses of firmness were not detected by the judges at the sensorial analysis. Finally, cassava starch pasta had a high acceptance. According to the purchase intention research, the judges routinely consume gluten-free pasta, showing the high commercialization potential of the obtained product.

Anti-inflammatory and antixidant properties of blend formulated with compounds of Malpighia emarginata D.C (acerola) and Camellia sinensis L. (green tea) in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages.

The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of Malpighia emarginata D.C (acerola) and Camellia sinensis L. (green tea) have been studied, particularly as an alternative in medicinal approach for different physio pathological conditions. Here we develop an powder blend formulated with both Malpighia emarginata D.C and Camellia sinensis L. which have in the composition higher content of ascorbic acid and epigallatocathechin-3-gallate respectively. Using different conditions for microencapsulation of biocompounds, we performed the powder production through spray-drying process. After, we evaluate the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of blends formulated with Malpighia emarginata D.C and Camellia sinensis L. in an in vitro model of inflammation, using LPS-stimulated RAW-264.7 macrophage cell line. We observed that co-treatment with blends was able to modulate the redox parameters in cells during the in vitro inflammatory response. Moreover, the co-treatment with blends were able to modulate inflammatory response by altering the secretion of cytokines IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-α. Taken together, our results demonstrate for the first time the synergistic effects antioxidant and anti-inflammatory of Malpighia emarginata D.C and Camellia sinensis L. These results warrant further use of the blend powder for use in the products to heath beneficial, principally in terms of prevention of chronic diseases.

Prevalence and risk factors to Demodex folliculorum infection in eyelash follicles from a university population of Mexico.

Demodex folliculorum shows a high occurrence in the general population, however, its pathologic relevance is still controversial. In this prospective study, we evaluated the prevalence of D. folliculorum on eyelashes from 8,033 subjects of a university population (including 7,782 students, and 251 academics). Additional information on some risk factors to infection by the mites was evaluated, as well. A prevalence of 1.47% was found, where 118 individuals were positive for D. folliculorum; and, among them, 63 (53.4%) were women and 55 (46.6%) were men. Results showed a negative correlation with the age (r = -0.45), the highest prevalence was found in individuals between 19 and 22 years of age (2.1%, 84 patients). The number of D. folliculorum mites did not differ between the right and left eye; however, the use of cosmetics or facial cream, contact lens, hair removers, were factors present in patients infected with D. folliculorum. Although Demodex prevalence did not increase in line with weight, we found significantly higher prevalence in the 51-60 kg and 71-80 kg weight groups, and a particularly high prevalence in the over 81 kg weight group (2.6%). In conclusion, it was observed that the main population positive to infection consisted of young adults; this is in contrast with the international evidence reporting a high rate of infection in older adults. Besides, our results suggest that items of daily use such as cosmetics, facial cream, eyeliner, glasses, or contact lenses may be some of the main culprits of the infection by D. folliculorum.

Influence of spray drying conditions on the properties of avocado powder drink.

Consumers are increasingly looking for foods with attractive taste, easy preparation, quick consumption and nutritious. Avocado is a nutritional fruit that presents a preservation challenge to food industry. The development of powder blends using spray drying of avocado as a powdered drink is an attractive option that generates products with high nutritional value and stable. Two avocado formulations were spray dried using a design of experiments to assess the influence of drying conditions on powder blends. Results showed higher drying temperatures in combination with smaller droplets resulted in higher yields, lower residual moisture, lower water activity, and in smaller, less dense particles with color green. The inclusion of maltodextrin proved to be vital in preserving high contents of protein, ascorbic acid, and phenolic compounds at any drying conditions possibly due to hydrogen bonding stabilization of those compounds. Using a scalable and efficient drying process, avocado high nutritional value was maintained.

Comportamento higroscópico do extrato seco de urucum (Bixa Orellana L) / Hygroscopic behavior of annatto (Bixa Orellana L) dried extract

Neste trabalho, objetivou-se determinar a higroscopicidade do urucum na forma de extrato seco. Neste estudo foram obtidas as atividades de água do extrato seco de urucum para as temperaturas de 10 a 50ºC e teores de água entre 6 e 22% base úmida. A metodologia empregada para as determinações foi o método dinâmico em que se utilizou o equipamento Thermoconstanter Novasina TH-2. Para os resultados experimentais aplicaram-se as equações propostas por Henderson modificada por Thompson e Henderson modificada por Cavalcanti Mata e Peleg. Por meio das análises dos parâmetros encontrados concluiu-se que a equação que melhor se ajusta aos dados experimentais é a equação de Henderson modificada por Cavalcanti Mata e que as isotermas de adsorção de água do extrato de urucum seco se comportaram sigmoidalmente, sendo consideradas do tipo II.

The objective of this work was to verify the higroscopicity of annatto seeds in the dry extract form. The isotherms were determined by the dynamic method with the Thermoconstanter Novasina TH-2 equipment. The equilibrium temperatures were 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 ºC to range of moisture content between 6 and 22%, wet basis. The equations proposed by Henderson modified by Thompson and Henderson modified by Cavalcanti Mata and Peleg were applied to the experimental data. Through the gotten parameters found concluded that the best equation to represent the experimental data is the Henderson equations modified by Cavalcanti Mata. It was also concluded that hygroscopic equilibrium isotherms of annatto seeds presented sigmoid forms, considered type II.

La totipotencialidad en los tumores testiculares / The totipotentiality in testicular tumors

Se revisaron los expedientes de 112 pacientes del Servicio de Urología, Hospital de Oncología, Centro Médico Naciona, IMSS, con diagnóstico de tumor testicular que se hubiera sometido a linfadenectomía retroperitoneal y biopsia ganglionar por extirpación o percutánea. Ninguno de los pacientes se había sometido previamente a quimioterapia ni radioterapia. Se encontró que 20.5%de los pacientes tuvieron metástasis de estirpe distinta a la del tejido tumoral primario. Se comentan las teorías que explican este fenómeno y se analizan los casos estudiados.

Mucormicosis renal aislada: informe de un caso / Isolated renal mucormycosis: report of a case

La mucormicosis renal es una entidad clínica rara. Se informa el caso de un paciente que no tenía factores predisponentes, y se insiste particularmente en el tratamiento medicoquirúrgico consistente en administración de anfotericina B y nefrectomía.

Fistulas arterio-venosas para hemodialisis / Arteriovenous fistulae for hemodialysis

Se revisa los expedientes de nuestros pacientes que por alguna razon han necesitado fistulas arterio-venosas para hemodialisi, aguda o cronica. Se evaluan su permeabilidad en relacion con los diferentes tipos de fistulas, la tecnica quirurgica usada y el material empleado. Se incluyen los pacientes agudos y los de transplante renal del Servicio de Hemodialisis del Hospital Mexico. Las fistulas se han practicaqdo unicamente en los pacientes que van a ser transplantados, (fistula de Brescia 2) Si esta fue fallida se practica una externa temporalmente y luego se interpone entre arteria y venas una protesis de arterio-bovino; en los ultimos 4 casos, con excelente resultado a corto plazo,usando una protesis de Gore-Tex. Los pacientes agudos siempre han tenido fistulas externas en el brazo no dominante. Se ha tratado unicamente de usar solo fistulas de Ramirez, o sea con tubos rectos, mucho mas faciles de permeabilizar si se obstruyen. Fue necesario en algunos casos, usar fistulas externas a nivel de tobillo (safena tibial posterior). En un caso la fistula se hizo en muslo entre la safena y la arteria femoral superficial, con canula exterior

Trombosis venosa profunda / Deep venous thrombosis

Se trata de la revisión del tema de trombosis venosa profunda y de nuestro trabajo prospectivo elaborado en el Servicio de Vascular Periférico del Hospital México durante el año 1982 de enero a diciembre. Se hizo un protocolo donde se investigó la edad, sexo, factores de riesgo, grupo, correlación clínica y la flebografía, tratamiento empleado, resultados, así como la profilaxis hecha en nuestros pacientes. Exponemos nuestros resultados, así como algunas recomendaciones sacadas de nuestro propiro trabajo y experiencia en el manejo de esta patología. No ha sido nuestro afán de creer que lo que hacemos es lo mejor, sino llamar la atención sobre una patología muy común que muchas veces es vista con poco interés y que no se le da la importancia que tiene, ya que sus secuelas son muy graves para el paciente