When microsurgery becomes the only lifesaving resource: An institutional experience treating patients from low-income backgrounds affected by posterior circulation brain aneurysms.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Aneurysms of the posterior cerebral circulation constitute a burdensome condition with high mortality and morbidity. In the modern era, there has been a trend toward favoring an endovascular approach over microsurgery for aneurysm cases. Nevertheless, this transition has yet to be mirrored in low-to-middle-income countries where endovascular therapy may not be widely available. Herein, we aim to illustrate our experience treating these challenging conditions in patients from low-income backgrounds and discuss the relevance of the clinical setting in the treatment decision. METHODS: The authors conducted a retrospective review of the health records of patients who received microsurgical treatment for aneurysms in the posterior circulation, including the basilar artery (BA), posterior cerebral artery (PCA), and posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) in an institution providing treatment to people of low-income backgrounds. Epidemiological data, microsurgical technique, and neurological function were retrieved and analyzed. RESULTS: Surgical clipping was employed for 12 patients (75% female) harboring 15 aneurysms (87% in the posterior circulation and 62% ruptured at presentation). Aneurysms were predominately located in the BA (69%), followed by the PCA (15%) and PICA (15%). Among neurological complications, 25% of patients developed oculomotor nerve palsy. The mortality rate was 17% owing to complications such as cerebral vasospasm, infarction, and severe intracranial hypertension. At the 6-month follow-up, 90% of patients had a good clinical outcome (modified Rankin scale scores of 0-2). CONCLUSION: The present case series illustrates the manifest role of microsurgical techniques for posterior circulation aneurysms, particularly in a scenario where endovascular techniques are not easily accessible. Importantly, this clinical setting pressure could exhort trainees to strive for microsurgical mastery and gain a competitive advantage.

2D model of groundwater flow and total dissolved HCH transport through the Gállego alluvial aquifer downstream the Sardas landfill (Huesca, Spain).

The organic pollutants disposed at the Sardas landfill in Sabiñánigo (Huesca, northeastern Spain) by the INQUINOSA lindane factory have reached the Gállego alluvial aquifer and could affect the Sabiñánigo reservoir. The daily oscillations of the reservoir water level produce a tidal effect on the piezometric heads of the aquifer. These oscillations are transmitted in a damped way with a time lag, thus attesting that the silting sediments of the reservoir and the natural silts of the Gállego alluvial are interposed between the reservoir water and the layer of sands and gravels. A 2D finite element groundwater flow and total dissolved hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) transport model through the Gállego alluvial aquifer is presented here. The flow model was constructed to: (1) Quantify the tidal effect, produced by the daily fluctuations of the reservoir water level on the aquifer; (2) Estimate the hydrodynamic parameters of the layer of sands and gravels; and 3) Estimate the vertical hydraulic conductivity of the silting sediments and silts; and (4) Quantify aquifer/reservoir interactions. The flow model reproduces the dynamics of the tidal effect and attests that groundwater velocity and flow direction changes daily in response to the oscillations of the reservoir level. Model results reproduce the measured well hydrographs and the Darcy velocity derived from tracer tests and confirm the validity of the conceptual model. The transport model of total dissolved HCH simulates the time evolution of the contaminant plume. The computed concentrations of total dissolved HCH and the contaminant mass outflux are very sensitive to changes in the source terms and the distribution coefficient, Kd of HCH. The best fit to the measured HCH plumes in September 2010 and December 2020 is obtained with a Kd ranging from 1 to 3 L/kg. The computed flux of dissolved HCH leaving the Sardas site in 2020 towards the Sabiñánigo reservoir ranges from 0.6 kg/year for Kd = 3 L/kg to 3.1 kg/year for Kd = 1 L/kg. The findings of this study will be most useful for planning and designing remedial and containment actions at the Sardas site and other similar lindane-affected sites.

Microsurgery for brain aneurysms in an accessory A2 and basilar arteries: a rare case presentation and surgical video.

We present the case of a 58-year-old male with a 3-day history of sudden onset headache, loss of consciousness, and uncontrolled vomiting. The patient had 3/5 quadriparesis and a Glasgow coma scale (GCS) score of 8, which merited neurocritical intensive care. Brain imaging suggested the presence of two lesions: (i) a fusiform aneurysm of 12 × 7 mm in an accessory A2 artery of the anterior cerebral artery and (ii) an unruptured saccular aneurysm of 3.3 × 2.8 mm in the distal segment of the basilar artery. He was deemed a candidate for microsurgical management. Postoperatively, he had 4/5 quadriparesis, paresis of the right oculomotor nerve, and a GCS score of 13. A 3-month follow-up showed a significant improvement in neurological function with a score of 2 on the modified Rankin scale. The presented case illustrates the relevance of a nuanced acquaintance to operate in diseased anatomical variants and complex pathologies of narrow corridors.

Polymeric Materials Obtained by Extrusion and Injection Molding from Lignocellulosic Agroindustrial Biomass.

This review presents the advances in polymeric materials achieved by extrusion and injection molding from lignocellulosic agroindustrial biomass. Biomass, which is derived from agricultural and industrial waste, is a renewable and abundant feedstock that contains mainly cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin. To improve the properties and functions of polymeric materials, cellulose is subjected to a variety of modifications. The most common modifications are surface modification, grafting, chemical procedures, and molecule chemical grafting. Injection molding and extrusion technologies are crucial in shaping and manufacturing polymer composites, with precise control over the process and material selection. Furthermore, injection molding involves four phases: plasticization, injection, cooling, and ejection, with a focus on energy efficiency. Fundamental aspects of an injection molding machine, such as the motor, hopper, heating units, nozzle, and clamping unit, are discussed. Extrusion technology, commonly used as a preliminary step to injection molding, presents challenges regarding fiber reinforcement and stress accumulation, while lignin-based polymeric materials are challenging due to their hydrophobicity. The diverse applications of these biodegradable materials include automotive industries, construction, food packaging, and various consumer goods. Polymeric materials are positioned to offer even bigger contributions to sustainable and eco-friendly solutions in the future, as research and development continues.

Effect of Potassium Permanganate as an Ethylene Scavenger and Physicochemical Characterization during the Shelf Life of Fresh Banana (Musa paradisiaca).

The conventional method of employing low temperatures for storage and distribution has long been the standard approach for preserving most fruits and vegetables. This practice is likewise prevalent in the retail industry, which relies on similar methods for transporting and maintaining the quality of perishable products on their shelves. The aim was to preserve bananas (Musa paradisiaca) using an ethylene scavenger, potassium permanganate, which is contained in small paper bags, to increase the storage and distribution time at low cost. The bananas were distributed in four plastic containers at a temperature of 23°C, three of the treatments contained different concentrations of potassium permanganate, and one was potassium permanganate free. The experimental period was 19 days, and the variations in weight loss, pH, titratable acidity, texture, color, and total soluble solids were analyzed. Potassium permanganate effectively reduced the changes in their physiological ripening.

Cerebral Venous Thrombosis After Unintentional Dural Puncture: Raising awareness for an uncommon cause of postpartum headache.

Headache is a common symptom in the postpartum period, which can have a varied aetiology. Although rare, cerebral venous thrombosis can be a fatal complication in the parturient. Dural puncture is considered as one of the risk factors for cerebral venous thrombosis and the proposed mechanism pathogenesis can be explained by the components of Virchow's triad: stasis of the blood, hypercoagulability, and endothelial damage. Headache is usually the most frequent symptom and can mimic those of postdural puncture headache, which can delay the diagnosis. We will report a case of an 18-year-old woman that develops a postpartum headache after an accidental dural puncture during epidural catheter placement for labour analgesia. Our patient was initially managed for postdural puncture headache, but later the character changed, which made us look for a differential diagnosis. After a multidisciplinary approach, neuroimaging confirmed the diagnosis of cerebral venous thrombosis. This case report emphasises the importance of a careful differential diagnosis of postpartum headache particularly if the headache persists or changes its character. Brain imaging and multidisciplinary evaluation can lead to prompt diagnosis and initiation of appropriate treatment.

The Contribution of the Sheep and the Goat Model to the Study of Ovarian Ageing.

Ovarian ageing stands as the major contributor towards fertility loss. As such, there is an urge for studies addressing the mechanisms that promote ovarian ageing and new strategies aiming to delay it. Recently, the presence of a unique population of multinucleated giant cells has been identified in the ovaries of reproductively aged mice. These cells have been considered hallmarks of ovarian ageing. However, up to date multinucleated giant cells have only been described in the ovaries of the mice. Therefore, the aim of the present work was to evaluate and characterize the presence of such hallmarks of ovarian ageing in the sheep and the goat. In this study, ovaries from juvenile (6 months) and mature animals (18-24 months) were used. The hematoxylin and eosin technique was performed to describe the ovarian morphology and evaluate the ovarian follicle reserve pool. Sudan black B staining and the detection of autofluorescence emission were used to identify and characterize the presence of multinucleated giant cells. Statistical analyses were performed with GraphPad Prism 9.0.0. A decrease in the follicle reserve pool and the presence of multinucleated giant cells, with lipofuscin accumulation and the emission of autofluorescence, were observed in the ovaries of the mature animals of both species. Our results support the interest in the use of the ovine and the caprine model, that share physiological and pathophysiological characteristics with humans, in future studies addressing ovarian ageing.

Encapsulation of Bioactive Compounds for Food and Agricultural Applications.

This review presents an updated scenario of findings and evolutions of encapsulation of bioactive compounds for food and agricultural applications. Many polymers have been reported as encapsulated agents, such as sodium alginate, gum Arabic, chitosan, cellulose and carboxymethylcellulose, pectin, Shellac, xanthan gum, zein, pullulan, maltodextrin, whey protein, galactomannan, modified starch, polycaprolactone, and sodium caseinate. The main encapsulation methods investigated in the study include both physical and chemical ones, such as freeze-drying, spray-drying, extrusion, coacervation, complexation, and supercritical anti-solvent drying. Consequently, in the food area, bioactive peptides, vitamins, essential oils, caffeine, plant extracts, fatty acids, flavonoids, carotenoids, and terpenes are the main compounds encapsulated. In the agricultural area, essential oils, lipids, phytotoxins, medicines, vaccines, hemoglobin, and microbial metabolites are the main compounds encapsulated. Most scientific investigations have one or more objectives, such as to improve the stability of formulated systems, increase the release time, retain and protect active properties, reduce lipid oxidation, maintain organoleptic properties, and present bioactivities even in extreme thermal, radiation, and pH conditions. Considering the increasing worldwide interest for biomolecules in modern and sustainable agriculture, encapsulation can be efficient for the formulation of biofungicides, biopesticides, bioherbicides, and biofertilizers. With this review, it is inferred that the current scenario indicates evolutions in the production methods by increasing the scales and the techno-economic feasibilities. The Technology Readiness Level (TRL) for most of the encapsulation methods is going beyond TRL 6, in which the knowledge gathered allows for having a functional prototype or a representative model of the encapsulation technologies presented in this review.

Production of Protein Hydrolysate from Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.): Economic and Experimental Evaluation of Two Pretreatments Using Supercritical Fluids' Extraction and Conventional Solvent Extraction.

Supercritical fluids' extraction (SFE) and conventional solvent extraction (CSE) for defatting of quinoa flour as pretreatments to produce the quinoa protein hydrolysate (QPH) were studied. The objective was to extract the oil and separate the phenolic compounds (PC) and the defatted quinoa flour for subsequent quinoa protein extraction and enzymatic hydrolysis. The oil extraction yield (OEY), total flavonoid content (TFC), and QPH yield were compared. SuperPro Designer 9.0® software was used to estimate the cost of manufacturing (COM), productivity, and net present value (NPV) on laboratory and industrial scales. SFE allows higher OEY and separation of PC. The SFE oil showed a higher OEY (99.70%), higher antioxidant activity (34.28 mg GAE/100 g), higher QPH yield (197.12%), lower COM (US$ 90.10/kg), and higher NPV (US$ 205,006,000) as compared to CSE (with 77.59%, 160.52%, US$ 109.29/kg, and US$ 28,159,000, respectively). The sensitivity analysis showed that the sale of by-products improves the economic results: at the industrial scale, no significant differences were found, and both processes are economically feasible. However, results indicate that SFE allows the recovery of an oil and QPH of better nutritional quality and a high level of purity-free organic solvents for further health and nutraceutical uses.

Gist sincrónico con adenomioma gástrico: Reporte de caso y revisión de la literatura / Synchronous gist with gastric adenomyoma: Case report and literature review

Introducción: La colisión de dos tumores de diferente estirpe celular en un mismo órgano es infrecuente; a pesar de las asociaciones descritas en la literatura, el hallazgo de GIST con adenomioma en sincronismo, llama aún más la atención debido a sus distintos orígenes celulares. Reporte de caso: Presentamos el caso de una paciente mujer de 57 años de edad, quien es sometida a cirugía de resección doble en cuña, y distintos exámenes incluido el anátomo-patológico. Conclusión: Se demuestra la presencia de tumores sincrónicos, GIST gástrico y adenomioma gástrico, a pesar de la infrecuencia de este hallazgo.

Background:The collision of two tumors of different cell lines in the same organ is infrequent; even though, the associations described in the literature, the finding of synchronous GISTwith adenomyoma draws even more attention due to its different cellular origins. We present the case of a 57-year-Case report:old female patient who underwent double wedge resection surgery and various examinations, including pathology. Conclusion:The presence of synchronous tumors, gastric GIST and gastric adenomyoma is demonstrated,despite the infrequency of this finding.

A prognostic model to identify short survival expectancy of medical oncology patients at the time of hospital discharge.

BACKGROUND: Hospitalization of cancer patients is associated with poor overall survival, but prognostic misclassification may lead to suboptimal therapeutic decisions and transitions of care. No model is currently available for stratifying the heterogeneous population of oncological patients after a hospital admission to a general Medical Oncology ward. We developed a multivariable prognostic model based on readily available and objective clinical data to estimate survival in oncological patients after hospital discharge. METHODS: A multivariable model and nomogram for overall survival after hospital discharge was developed in a retrospective training cohort and prospectively validated in an independent set of adult patients with solid tumors and a first admission to a unit of medical oncology. Performance of the model was assessed by C-index and Kaplan-Meier survival curves stratified by risk categories. RESULTS: From a population of 1089 patients with a first hospitalization, 757 patients were included in the training group [median survival, 43 weeks; 95% confidence interval (CI), 37-51 weeks] and 200 patients in the validation cohort (median survival, 44 weeks; 95% CI, 34 weeks-not reached). An accelerated failure time log-normal model was built, including five variables (primary tumor, stage, cause of admission, active treatment, and age). The C-index was 0.71 (95% CI, 0.69-0.73), with a good calibration, and adequate validation in the prospective cohort (C-index: 0.69; 95% CI, 0.65-0.74). Median survival in three predefined model-based risk groups was 10.7 weeks (high), 27.0 weeks (intermediate), and 3 years (low) in the training cohort, with comparable values in the validation cohort. CONCLUSIONS: In oncological patients, individualized predictions of survival after hospitalization were provided by a simple and validated model. Further evaluation of the model might determine whether its use improves shared decision making at discharge.

Immune-mediated colitis secondary to treatment with nivolumab-ipilimumab in a patient with stage IV kidney cancer: what do we do when corticosteroids fail?

52-year-old male. The patient had a stage IV renal carcinoma with bone metastases. He started first-line treatment with nivolumab (3 mg/kg) associated with ipilimumab (1 mg/kg). After two cycles of treatment, the patient reported hemorrhagic diarrhoea (7 to 10 stools daily), with visceral nociceptive abdominal pain of moderate intensity and oral intolerance.

A 5,000-year vegetation and fire history for tierra firme forests in the Medio Putumayo-Algodón watersheds, northeastern Peru.

This paper addresses an important debate in Amazonian studies; namely, the scale, intensity, and nature of human modification of the forests in prehistory. Phytolith and charcoal analysis of terrestrial soils underneath mature tierra firme (nonflooded, nonriverine) forests in the remote Medio Putumayo-Algodón watersheds, northeastern Peru, provide a vegetation and fire history spanning at least the past 5,000 y. A tree inventory carried out in the region enables calibration of ancient phytolith records with standing vegetation and estimates of palm species densities on the landscape through time. Phytolith records show no evidence for forest clearing or agriculture with major annual seed and root crops. Frequencies of important economic palms such as Oenocarpus, Euterpe, Bactris, and Astrocaryum spp., some of which contain hyperdominant species in the modern flora, do not increase through prehistoric time. This indicates pre-Columbian occupations, if documented in the region with future research, did not significantly increase the abundance of those species through management or cultivation. Phytoliths from other arboreal and woody species similarly reflect a stable forest structure and diversity throughout the records. Charcoal 14C dates evidence local forest burning between ca. 2,800 and 1,400 y ago. Our data support previous research indicating that considerable areas of some Amazonian tierra firme forests were not significantly impacted by human activities during the prehistoric era. Rather, it appears that over the last 5,000 y, indigenous populations in this region coexisted with, and helped maintain, large expanses of relatively unmodified forest, as they continue to do today.

Applied science facilitates the large-scale expansion of protected areas in an Amazonian hot spot.

Meeting international commitments to protect 17% of terrestrial ecosystems worldwide will require >3 million square kilometers of new protected areas and strategies to create those areas in a way that respects local communities and land use. In 2000-2016, biological and social scientists worked to increase the protected proportion of Peru's largest department via 14 interdisciplinary inventories covering >9 million hectares of this megadiverse corner of the Amazon basin. In each landscape, the strategy was the same: convene diverse partners, identify biological and sociocultural assets, document residents' use of natural resources, and tailor the findings to the needs of decision-makers. Nine of the 14 landscapes have since been protected (5.7 million hectares of new protected areas), contributing to a quadrupling of conservation coverage in Loreto (from 6 to 23%). We outline the methods and enabling conditions most crucial for successfully applying similar campaigns elsewhere on Earth.

Associated factors with the development of congenital anomalies in the neonatal population attended in a highly complex hospital in Colombia: case-control studyFactores asociados al desarrollo de anomalías congénitas en la población neonatal atendida en un hospital de alta complejidad en Colombia: estudio de casos y controles / Associated factors with the development of congenital anomalies in the neonatal population attended in a highly complex hospital in Colombia: case-control study

INTRODUCCIÓN: Los defectos congénitos son un grupo de alteraciones con gran heterogeneidad clínica y etiológica. Su prevalencia en los países en vías de desarrollo alcanza aproximadamente un 7%. En Colombia, un 17% de los niños menores de 1 año mueren a causa de anomalías congénitas. OBJETIVO: Determinar los factores de riesgo asociados a anomalías congénitas en neonatos del Departamento del Cauca atendidos en un hospital de alta complejidad. MÉTODO: Estudio de casos y controles en el Hospital Universitario San José, de Popayán, Colombia. Se incluyeron 174 recién nacidos, con una distribución 1:1 para 87 casos y 87 controles, entre julio de 2018 y julio de 2019. Las variables de interés fueron registradas en un instrumento semiestructurado diseñado por los investigadores. Los datos obtenidos fueron analizados usando métodos de estadística descriptiva, prueba exacta de Fisher y modelos de regresión logística binomial (odds ratio [OR] con intervalo de confianza del 95% [IC95%]). RESULTADOS: Las anomalías congénitas más frecuentes fueron del sistema cardiovascular (40,23%), renales (24,14%) y del sistema nervioso central (13,79%). Las variables que se asociaron a anomalías congénitas fueron la educación de la madre (OR: 2,40; IC95%: 1,23-4,68), la educación del padre (OR: 2,93; IC95%: 1,44-5,93), el antecedente de cesárea (OR: 3,3; IC95%: 1,76-6,42), la hemorragia en el primer trimestre (OR: 6,15; IC95%: 1,32-28,63) y el antecedente de malformación en un embarazo previo (OR: 4,05; IC95%: 1,08-15,07). CONCLUSIONES: De acuerdo con los resultados del presente estudio, para tratar de reducir la incidencia de las anomalías congénitas se deben intervenir los factores de riesgo modificables, como la educación de los padres, tratar oportunamente las patologías maternas asociadas al sangrado del primer trimestre y realizar consejería genética a los padres con antecedente de anomalías congénitas en embarazos previos. Lo anterior podría lograrse al mejorar la calidad y la adherencia al control prenatal.

INTRODUCTION: Congenital defects are a group of alterations with great clinical and etiological heterogeneity. The prevalence in developing countries is approximately 7%. In Colombia, 17% of children under 1 year of age die from congenital anomalies. OBJECTIVE: To determine the risk factors associated with congenital anomalies in neonates from the Department of Cauca treated in a highly complex hospital. METHOD: Case-control study at the San José de Popayan University Hospital, Colombia. 174 newborns entered the study, with a 1: 1 distribution for 87 cases and 87 controls, between July 2018 and July 2019. The variables of interest were recorded in a semi-structured instrument designed by the researchers. The data obtained were analyzed using descriptive statistical methods, Fishers exact test and binomial logistic regression models (OR with 95% CI). RESULTS: The most frequent congenital anomalies were those of the cardiovascular system (40.23%), renal (24.14%) and central nervous system (13.79%). The variables associated with congenital anomalies were mothers education (OR 2.40; 95% CI: 1.23-4.68), fathers education (OR 2.93 95% CI: 1.44-5.93), history of cesarean section (OR 3.3 CI 95%: 1.76-6.42), first trimester bleeding (OR 6.15 95% CI: 1.32-28.63); history of malformation (OR: 4,05; 95% CI: 1.08-15.07). CONCLUSIONS: Based on the results of the present study and to try to reduce the incidence of congenital anomalies, modifiable risk factors should be intervened, such as parental education, timely treatment of maternal pathologies associated with 1-trimester bleeding and perform genetic counseling to parents with a history of congenital anomalies in previous pregnancies. This could be achieved by improving quality and adherence to prenatal care.

Factores asociados al desarrollo de anomalías congénitas en la población neonatal atendida en un hospital de alta complejidad en Colombia: estudio de casos y controles / Associated factors with the development of congenital anomalies in the neonatal population attended in a highly complex hospital in Colombia: case-control study

INTRODUCCIÓN: Los defectos congénitos son un grupo de alteraciones con gran heterogeneidad clínica y etiológica. Su prevalencia en los países en vías de desarrollo alcanza aproximadamente un 7%. En Colombia, un 17% de los niños menores de 1 año mueren a causa de anomalías congénitas. OBJETIVO: Determinar los factores de riesgo asociados a anomalías congénitas en neonatos del Departamento del Cauca atendidos en un hospital de alta complejidad. MÉTODO: Estudio de casos y controles en el Hospital Universitario San José, de Popayán, Colombia. Se incluyeron 174 recién nacidos, con una distribución 1:1 para 87 casos y 87 controles, entre julio de 2018 y julio de 2019. Las variables de interés fueron registradas en un instrumento semiestructurado diseñado por los investigadores. Los datos obtenidos fueron analizados usando métodos de estadística descriptiva, prueba exacta de Fisher y modelos de regresión logística binomial (odds ratio [OR] con intervalo de confianza del 95% [IC95%]). RESULTADOS: Las anomalías congénitas más frecuentes fueron del sistema cardiovascular (40,23%), renales (24,14%) y del sistema nervioso central (13,79%). Las variables que se asociaron a anomalías congénitas fueron la educación de la madre (OR: 2,40; IC95%: 1,23-4,68), la educación del padre (OR: 2,93; IC95%: 1,44-5,93), el antecedente de cesárea (OR: 3,3; IC95%: 1,76-6,42), la hemorragia en el primer trimestre (OR: 6,15; IC95%: 1,32-28,63) y el antecedente de malformación en un embarazo previo (OR: 4,05; IC95%: 1,08-15,07). CONCLUSIONES: De acuerdo con los resultados del presente estudio, para tratar de reducir la incidencia de las anomalías congénitas se deben intervenir los factores de riesgo modificables, como la educación de los padres, tratar oportunamente las patologías maternas asociadas al sangrado del primer trimestre y realizar consejería genética a los padres con antecedente de anomalías congénitas en embarazos previos. Lo anterior podría lograrse al mejorar la calidad y la adherencia al control prenatal.

INTRODUCTION: Congenital defects are a group of alterations with great clinical and etiological heterogeneity. The prevalence in developing countries is approximately 7%. In Colombia, 17% of children under 1 year of age die from congenital anomalies. OBJECTIVE: To determine the risk factors associated with congenital anomalies in neonates from the Department of Cauca treated in a highly complex hospital. METHOD: Case-control study at the San José de Popayan University Hospital, Colombia. 174 newborns entered the study, with a 1: 1 distribution for 87 cases and 87 controls, between July 2018 and July 2019. The variables of interest were recorded in a semi-structured instrument designed by the researchers. The data obtained were analyzed using descriptive statistical methods, Fishers exact test and binomial logistic regression models (OR with 95% CI). RESULTS: The most frequent congenital anomalies were those of the cardiovascular system (40.23%), renal (24.14%) and central nervous system (13.79%). The variables associated with congenital anomalies were mothers education (OR 2.40; 95% CI: 1.23-4.68), fathers education (OR 2.93 95% CI: 1.44-5.93), history of cesarean section (OR 3.3 CI 95%: 1.76-6.42), first trimester bleeding (OR 6.15 95% CI: 1.32-28.63); history of malformation (OR: 4,05; 95% CI: 1.08-15.07). CONCLUSIONS: Based on the results of the present study and to try to reduce the incidence of congenital anomalies, modifiable risk factors should be intervened, such as parental education, timely treatment of maternal pathologies associated with 1-trimester bleeding and perform genetic counseling to parents with a history of congenital anomalies in previous pregnancies. This could be achieved by improving quality and adherence to prenatal care.

Effect of pretreatment by supercritical fluids on antioxidant activity of protein hydrolyzate from quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.).

The effect of two pretreatments on the antioxidant activity was evaluated in quinoa protein hydrolysate, using supercritical CO2 extraction and ethanol as cosolvent, this type of pretreatment was compared to a conventional petroleum ether extraction method without recovery of bioactive compounds. The extractions were carried out at a temperature of 55°C and a pressure of 23 MPa using ethanol (7-8 g quinoa/100 ml); the CO2 mass flow was 35 g/min, the extraction time was 240 min and the particle size was 500 µm, enzyme COROLASE® 7089 was applied for enzymatic hydrolysis, finally ABTS test assessed antioxidant activity. A significant effect was found on the degree of hydrolysis (23.93%) and antioxidant activity (1,181.64 µmol TE/g protein) compared to a conventional method (24.33%) and (1,448.84 µmol TE/g protein). In conclusion, our results suggest that the use of supercritical CO2 and the addition of ethanol as cosolvent are the interesting green technology, to recovery oil and separate phenolic compounds prior to enzymatic hydrolysis to avoid interference with biological activities from quinoa protein hydrolysates, and shows highest antioxidant activity to be incorporate in food products.

Nucleolin as a potential biomarker for canine malignant neoplasia.

Human nucleolin (NCL) is a multifunctional protein that is involved in diverse pathological processes. Recent evidences have shown that NCL is markedly overexpressed on the surface of most human cancer cells when compared to normal cells, being overexpressed in several malignant cells. Based on the exposed, the purpose of this pilot study is to investigate the expression pattern of NCL in canine malignant neoplasia and control groups. NCL expression at both messenger RNA and protein levels in the subcellular fractions were respectively detected by RT-PCR and western blotting, allowing to infer the NCL positivity rate in canine neoplasia. The identity of NCL amplicons obtained by RT-PCR was confirmed by Sanger sequencing and found to correspond to Canis lupus familiaris. Using flow cytometry, the blood cells expressing NCL from canine neoplasms were also identified using several cell surface markers and their levels quantified. These results showed that NCL expressed in lymphocytes, monocytes and neutrophils in dogs with malignant neoplasia is higher (> 50%) when compared with the control group. We found an increased expression of surface and cytoplasmic NCL in canine malignant neoplasia group, while nuclear NCL is predominantly found in the control group. Overall, this study discloses and identifies for the first time the presence of NCL in canine blood.

Phytochemical screening and DPPH radical scavenging activity of three morphotypes of Mauritia flexuosa L.f. from Peru, and thermal stability of a milk-based beverage enriched with carotenoids from these fruits.

Mauritia flexuosa L.f. is a palm tree which presents great morphological variability (morphotypes), represented mainly by the mesocarp color of its fruits. The objective of the study was to characterize the physicochemical and antioxidant properties of three morphotypes of Mauritia flexuosa L.f. ("Yellow", "Colour" and "Shambo") of greater economic importance in the Peruvian Amazon. "Shambo" showed a significantly high content of bioactive compounds (total phenolics, flavonoids and carotenoids) and DPPH radical scavenging activity compared to the "Yellow" and "Colour" morphotypes (p ≤ 0.05). There was a significant correlation between DPPH radical scavenging activity and total phenolics, flavonoids and carotenoids (p ≤ 0.01). Furthermore, milk-based beverages enriched with carotenoids of those morphotypes of Mauritia flexuosa L.f. have been shown to be a good source of bioactive compounds for use in the food industry. The milk-based beverages enriched with carotenoids of those morphotypes of Mauritia flexuosa L.f. showed higher lightness (L∗) and yellowness (b∗).