Effect of ozone on aflatoxins detoxification and nutritional quality of peanuts.

Aflatoxins are a group of secondary metabolites produced by Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus with carcinogenicity, teratogenicity, and mutagenicity. Aflatoxins may be found in a wide range of agri-products, especially in grains, oilseeds, corns, and peanuts. In this study, the conditions for detoxifying peanuts by ozonation were optimised. Aflatoxins in peanuts at moisture content of 5% (w/w) were sensitive to ozone and easily degraded when reacted with 6.0mg/l of ozone for 30min at room temperature. The detoxification rates of the total aflatoxins and aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) were 65.8% and 65.9%, respectively. The quality of peanut samples was also evaluated in this research. No significant differences (P>0.05) were found in the polyphenols, resveratrol, acid value (AV), and peroxide value (PV) between treated and untreated samples. The results suggested that ozonation was a promising method for aflatoxin detoxification in peanuts.

[Reconstruction of combined skin and bilateral artey defects at palmar side of fingers by free posterior interrosseous artery flap in a bridge fashion].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the feasibility and therapeutic effect of free posterior interrosseous artery flap in a bridge fashion for combined skin and bilateral artery defects at palmar side of fingers. METHODS: 6 cases with combined skin and bilateral artery defects at palmar side of fingers were treated with long-pedicled free posterior interrosseous artery flap in a bridge fashion. The flap size ranged from 3.5 cm x 2.0 cm to 6.5 em x 3.0 cm. The wounds at donor sites were closed directly. RESULTS: All the 6 flaps survived completely without any complication, and the wounds healed primarily. The blood supply and vein drainage in all the 6 fingers were normal. 4 cases were followed up for 1-12 months (average, 7 months). Satisfactory cosmetic and functional results were achieved. The flaps looked a little bit thicker than the surrounding tissue. CONCLUSIONS: The long-pedicled free posterior interrosseous artery flap in a bridge fashion is a good option for reconstruction of the combined skin and bilateral artery defects at palmar side of fingers in one stage.

[Repair of finger soft tissue defects using axial pattern flaps].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the feasibility and effect of different types of axial pattern flaps in repairing soft tissue defects of the fingers. METHODS: Five types of axial pattern flaps were used to repair soft tissue defects of the fingers of 30 patients admitted to the Second Hospital of Shaoxing Municipality from 2005 to 2010, including distally-based dorsal thumb neurocutaneous vascular flaps in 4 cases, free flaps from the fibular side of the great toe in 6 cases, modified retrograde dorsal metacarpal artery flaps in 8 cases, free flaps based on the radial dorsal septum muscular perforator of the posterior interosseous artery in 6 cases, and free posterior interosseous artery flaps carrying a long segment of the posterior interosseous artery in 6 cases. The flap size ranged from 2.5 cm × 2.0 cm to 8.0 cm × 3.0 cm. The donor sites were sutured directly or covered with skin graft. The condition of flaps was observed. The local feeling, function, and appearance of affected hands were followed up. RESULTS: Twenty-seven flaps grew well without infection. Partial necrosis at the distal portion in two flaps and venous congestion in 1 flap were observed after surgery, and they were healed with suitable treatment. Eighteen patients were followed up for 1 to 12 months. The flaps were found to have good color, texture, and thickness. Satisfactory appearance and function both in the donor sites and in the recipient areas were found in most patients. The sense of two-point discrimination of repaired fingers ranged from 5 to 9 mm. CONCLUSIONS: Optimizing the repair method for soft tissue defects in the fingers by taking both the characteristics of various axial pattern flaps and the specific conditions of soft tissue defects into account can achieve expected effect.

[Repair of soft tissue defects in the upper limbs using multiple types of posterior interosseous artery flaps].

OBJECTIVE: To summarize the therapeutic effect of multiple types of posterior interosseous artery flaps for repair of soft tissue defects in the upper extremities. METHODS: From March 2003 to June 2010, 42 cases with soft tissue defects in the upper limbs resulting from burn and traumatic injuries were treated using multiple types of posterior interosseous artery flaps, including retrograde flaps and composite flaps, antegrade flaps ,and free flaps. Flap size ranged from 2.5 cm x 2.0 cm-14.0 cm x 9.0 cm. The defects in the donor sites were closed directly or covered by skin graft. RESULTS: The conventional retrograde posterior interosseous artery flaps were used in 11 cases, the modified retrograde posterior interosseous artery flaps were used in 13 cases, the retrograde posterior interosseous artery composite flaps incorporating partial extensors were used in 2 cases, the antegrade posterior interosseous artery flaps were used in 3 cases, the free posterior interosseous artery flaps were used in 7 cases, and the free perforator flap based on the radiodorsal septocutaneous perforator of the posterior interosseous artery were used in 6 cases. Partial necrosis happened in one case at the distal portion of the flap. Muscular branch of the posterior interosseous nerve was injured in one case with conventional reverse posterior interosseous artery flaps. All the other flaps survived uneventually with no complication. All wounds were primarily healed. 32 cases were followed up for 1 to 48 months with satisfactory aesthetic and functional results both in the donor sites and in the recipient areas. The color,texture and thickness of the flaps were satisfied as well. CONCLUSIONS: The posterior interosseous artery flap has a constant vascular anatomy and a great flexibility, which is practical and suitable for repair of Soft tissue defect in the upper extremities arising from burn and traumatic injury.