The influence of taste in willingness-to-pay valuations of sirloin steaks from postextraction algal residue-fed cattle.

Consumer preferences and willingness-to-pay (WTP) for beef sirloin steaks with differing production, physical, and credence attributes related to the use of postextraction algal residue (PEAR), a novel feed ingredient, were estimated. Ninety-six consumers participated in a sensory tasting panel before completing a choice set survey; 127 consumers completed only the choice set survey without sampling products. Steaks from grain- and PEAR-fed steers had similar Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBSF) scores (1.89 kg and 2.01 kg, respectively; = 0.77) and had lower WBSF scores than steaks from grass-fed steers (3.37 kg; < 0.05). Eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5) was not different among steaks from grain- and PEAR-fed steers ( = 0.39) but was greater compared with steaks from grass-fed cattle ( ≤ 0.03). Panelists in the sensory portion of the study evaluated beef samples for like/dislike of overall sample, overall flavor, beefy flavor, and juiciness. Panelist rating of overall like, overall flavor like, and beefy flavor like were not different between the PEAR- and grain-fed treatments ( > 0.26). Panelists rated the juiciness like/dislike of steaks from PEAR-fed cattle the highest ( < 0.01) among the 3 samples. Sensory tasting of the products was observed to alter the preferences of consumers. Consumers who completed only the survey negatively perceived beef from PEAR-fed cattle compared with beef from grain-fed cattle, with a WTP discount of -US$1.17/kg. However, with sensory tasting, the WTP for beef from PEAR-fed cattle was not discounted relative to beef from grain-fed cattle ( = 0.21). The nontasting consumers had much higher stated WTP values for credence attributes. Factors that influence the eating experience (tenderness and quality grade) dominated as the most important attributes on WTP among the tasting group. The use of no hormones and no antibiotics in production had a premium of $2.34/kg among the nontasting group, but with tasting, the premium was $1.19/kg. If PEAR-fed beef came to market, there would be no need to differentiate it from grain-fed beef unless retailers wanted to market it as a differentiated product. If it were marketed as a differentiated product, retailers would need to hold promotional tastings to change consumer's preconceived notions about the product.

Quality improvement of medical records in a teaching hospital.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of the MR compilation in some Operative Units of the "Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria--II Università di Napoli" (AOU- SUN)-Italy, before and after an intervention of quality improvement, underlining the potential differences in the behaviour of different specialists (physicians vs. surgeons). METHODS: Two random samples of 660 MRs were reviewed. A four-step program was developed: (1) first assessment of the MR; (2) implementation of the MR quality, sending a letter with the purpose of the study, the results obtained in the first step from that ward, the guidelines to correctly fill out the MR; (3) follow-up step four months later; (4) comparison of the data before and after the distribution of the guidelines using indicators of completeness of all sections of MR, clarity of handwriting and presence and clarity of signature. RESULTS: The main concerns were related to the signature of the duty physician (present in 2.0% and legible in only 15.4%), the presence of the letter of discharge (18.0%) and the clarity of the days of hospital stay (32.0%). After the intervention the improvement of the quality of compilation was modest and regarded mainly medical rather than surgical wards. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: The improvement was not satisfying since from a medical and a legal point of view the indicators should reach 100% of clarity and completeness. A further study is being carried out to improve the involvement of health care professional, so that such requirements will be perceived as a common goal, not as mere bureaucratic initiatives.

[Quality of medical records in Naples (Italy) 2nd University School of Medicine]. / Qualità di compilazione delle cartelle cliniche nell'Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria di Napoli.

To evaluate and improve the quality of medical-record keeping, in clinics and surgery departments. The evaluation involved 66 Operative Units (O.U.) of the "2nd University Hospital" in Naples (Italy). 10 medical records for each O.U. were randomly selected, for a total of 660. The quality was evaluated in all sections of medical records using the criteria of completeness, clarity and traceability of the data. The most critical issues are: unclear handwriting in almost all sections, in the whole scarse presence of a discharge letter (17.0%) in surgery (1.4%), almost total absence of the physicians signature in the clinical diary (2.3%). The completeness of medical records (presence of patient's history, physical examination, informed consent) is significantly higher in the surgery departments. The medical records are significantly righter in the clinic departments. In general, a poor quality of medical-record keeping was detected. This indicates the need to improve the quality by involving the staff in the importance of correct compilation.

Usefulness of bone formation markers in breast cancer.

The skeleton is the main site affected by metastases and breast cancer is the most frequent tumor to invade bone. The assessment of bone metastases is difficult and biochemical markers of bone formation (BFMs) could be a promising alternative. Although the essential role of osteoblasts in the metastatic process of bone destruction is now well established, little attention has been paid to BFMs. We conducted a Medline search for studies about BFMs in breast cancer. Our review allows us to conclude that BFMs have high specificity but low sensitivity for the diagnosis of bone metastases. The available biochemical markers cannot replace imaging techniques for the diagnosis of bone metastases. Several studies indicate that BFM serum levels reflect total tumor burden in the skeleton. BFM levels are higher in patients with blastic lesions compared to those with lytic lesions. Serial measurements of BFMs could be useful for the clinical assessment of response to antineoplastic treatment or to bisphosphonate therapy. Besides markers of bone resorption, biochemical markers of bone formation are a promising alternative for the assessment of metastatic bone disease, but large prospective studies are needed to address this important issue.

Bilateral preaxial polydactyly in a WAGR syndrome patient.

We report on a 30-month-old baby girl with typical clinical features of WAGR syndrome. In addition, the patient showed bilateral preaxial polydactyly of the feet. Cytogenetic and fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) analyses identified a deletion, del(11)(p13p14.1), extending from 6.1 to 21.7 Mb in size. Although the simultaneous appearance of WAGR and polydactyly has been already described, to our knowledge this is the first case in which the characterization at the cytogenetic molecular level of a patient with these phenotypes is reported. These observations indicate that preaxial polydactyly may be another feature of the WAGR syndrome and suggest the existence of a related gene in the WAGR critical region or in its proximity.

Usefulness of bone formation markers in breast cancer.

The skeleton is the main site affected by metastases and breast cancer is the most frequent tumor to invade bone. The assessment of bone metastases is difficult and biochemical markers of bone formation (BFMs) could be a promising alternative. Although the essential role of osteoblasts in the metastatic process of bone destruction is now well established, little attention has been paid to BFMs. We conducted a Medline search for studies about BFMs in breast cancer. Our review allows us to conclude that BFMs have high specificity but low sensitivity for the diagnosis of bone metastases. The available biochemical markers cannot replace imaging techniques for the diagnosis of bone metastases. Several studies indicate that BFM serum levels reflect total tumor burden in the skeleton. BFM levels are higher in patients with blastic lesions compared to those with lytic lesions. Serial measurements of BFMs could be useful for the clinical assessment of response to antineoplastic treatment or to bisphosphonate therapy. Besides markers of bone resorption, biochemical markers of bone formation are a promising alternative for the assessment of metastatic bone disease, but large prospective studies are needed to address this important issue. (Int J Biol Markers 2005; 20: 146-55).

Dietary isoflavones affect sex hormone-binding globulin levels in postmenopausal women.

The studies presented in this report were designed to further investigate the causal association between phytoestrogen action and increase in sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) levels. Phytoestrogens include isoflavones that bind to estrogen receptors and therefore exert estrogenic action. This study included 20 postmenopausal women that ingested 30 g soy milk daily for 10 weeks. Plasma concentrations of isoflavones and SHBG were measured. Total isoflavones significantly increased from 0.014 +/- 0.01 micromol/L (baseline) to 0.53 +/- 0.19 ,micromol/L, and paired responses showed that some subjects clearly increased their SHBG levels. The percent change in SHBG showed a positive correlation with phytoestrogen concentration; all women who had circulating phytoestrogen levels above 0.6 micromol/L increased by at least 30% their SHBG values. Results suggest that phytoestrogens may significantly increase SHBG in subjects whose SHBG concentrations are in the low end of the concentration range.

Hemodynamic response to tracheal intubation after vital capacity rapid inhalation induction (VCRII) with different concentrations of sevoflurane.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) response to tracheal intubation after vital capacity rapid inhalation induction (VCRII) with four concentrations of sevoflurane followed by nitrous oxide (N2O) 50% and sevoflurane in concentrations administered by clinical judgment. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized study. SETTING: University teaching hospital. PATIENTS: 60 unpremedicated, ASA physical status I and II adult patients undergoing surgery with general anesthesia. INTERVENTIONS: After fentanyl 3 micrograms/kg, VCRII was accomplished with four concentrations of sevoflurane in O2: Group 1 (n = 15): sevoflurane 3%; Group 2 (n = 15): sevoflurane 4%; Group 3 (n = 15): sevoflurane 5%; and Group 4 (n = 15): sevoflurane 6%. At loss of consciousness, rocuronium 0.6 mg/kg was given, and intubation was performed 90 seconds later. Thereafter, anesthesia continued with N2O 50% and sevoflurane. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: BP and HR measurements were made at the ward (baseline), at loss of consciousness, and just prior to, and each minute after, tracheal intubation during a 5-minute period. The hemodynamic profile among groups was similar, with a slight hypertensive and tachycardic response to intubation. CONCLUSION: VCRII with sevoflurane 3% to 6% following fentanyl 3 micrograms/kg can be considered for blunting the hemodynamic response to tracheal intubation in healthy patients.

[Anesthesia for cesarean section in patients with mitral valve prolapse]. / Anestesia para cesárea en pacientes con prolapso de la válvula mitral.

Mitral valve prolapse is the most frequent cardiac valvulopathy. Given its greater incidence in young women it is a factor which must be taken into account when performing cesarean section. Two patients with mitral valve prolapse in whom a cesarean section was carried out are presented: case 1, a 22-year-old woman, ASA II, 72 kg, with mitral valve prolapse associated with the Wolf-Parkinson-White syndrome and an episode of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia. The cesarean section which was indicated because of the absence of fetal progression was performed under epidural anesthesia. Forty-five minutes after regional blockade a hypotensive episode was observed which remitted following the i.v. administration of 6 mg of methoxamine. No other complication was reported. The Apgar score of the neonate at one minute was 7; case 2, a 31 year-old woman, ASA II, 51 kg, diagnosed with mitral valve prolapse with no associated symptomatology. A cesarean section was performed in this patient because of pedal presentation under general anesthesia without complications. The Apgar score of the neonate at one minute was 8. The physiopathology of mitral valve prolapse as well as anesthesia management during cesarean section in this type of valvulopathy is reviewed.

Multiple aspects of insulin resistance. Comparison of glucose and intermediary metabolite response to incremental insulin infusion in IDDM subjects of short and long duration.

Glucose and intermediary metabolite responses during incremental insulin infusion (basal, 0.005, 0.01, and 0.05 U X kg-1 X h-1) were examined in IDDM subjects with duration of diabetes of greater than 5 yr (group D5: n = 8, duration 13.5 +/- 3.9 yr, mean +/- SD) and less than 1 yr (group D1: n = 8, duration 0.3 +/- 0.1 yr) from diagnosis. Group D5 had significantly elevated basal plasma free-insulin levels (D5 27.4 +/- 9.6, D1 15.5 +/- 9.4 mU/L; P less than .05). Nonetheless, basal blood glucose (D5 13.8 +/- 4.8, D1 7.1 +/- 1.5 mM; P less than .01), plasma nonesterified fatty acid (NEFA) (D5 1.26 +/- 0.12, D1 0.89 +/- 0.10 mM; P less than .01), blood glycerol (D5 0.12 +/- 0.05, D1 0.07 +/- 0.02 mM; P less than .05), and blood ketones (D5 1.25 +/- 0.91, D1 0.26 +/- 0.20 mM; P less than .01) were higher in group D5. During insulin infusion, group D5 had significantly elevated plasma free-insulin (P less than .05) and blood glucose (P less than .01) levels. Isotopically determined glucose turnover showed metabolic clearance rates were significantly diminished in group D5 during all insulin infusions, indicating a marked impairment of peripheral glucose metabolism. In individual subjects the relationship of blood glucose, plasma NEFA, and blood total ketones (log scale) with the simultaneously occurring plasma insulin level (log scale) was linear for each metabolite.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Estudo das deficiencias fisicas do paciente reumatico: reflexo socio-economico da artrite reumatoide e outras doencas difusas do tecido conjuntivo. / Physical disabilities of the rheumatic patient: socioeconomic reflex of rheumatoid arthritis and other difuse diseases of the connective tissue

Sao estudados 50 pacientes com artrite reumatoide e outras doencas difusas do tecido conjuntivo em seus aspectos de deficiencia, incapacidade e invalidez. Encontramos importantes e severas repercussoes socias e economicas, com grande impacto psicologico advindo principalmente das relacoes de dependencia e da perda do emprego ou profissao. Enfantiza-se a necessidade premente do levantamento rotineiro de tais dificuldades visando o atendimento integral de tais pacientes particularmente nos aspectos de reabilitacao. Para tanto, sugerem os autores um modelo de entrevista que possibilite de forma rapida e razoavelmente completa ao medico a avaliacao dos aspectos socio-economico de seus pacientes

Reticolossarcoma simulando doenca reumatologica. / Reticulosarcoma simulating rheumatic disease

Os autores relatam o caso de um paciente de 29 anos que se apresentou com quadro articular e muscular nitido e manifestacoes sistemicas escassas, tendo sido tratado durante varios meses por problema reumatologico. Com a investigacao verificou-se que se tratava de um reticulossarcoma de apresentacao rara, envolvendo primariamente os ossos e nao as estruturas linfoides usuais. Fez-se o diagnostico diferencial com displasia fibroma, metaplasia mieloide agnogenica, doenca de Paget e polimiosite