Pectin-based aerogel particles for drug delivery: Effect of pectin composition on aerogel structure and release properties.

In this work, nanostructured pectin aerogels were prepared via a sol-gel process and subsequent drying under supercritical conditions. To this end, three commercially available citrus pectins and an in-house produced and enzymatically modified watermelon rind pectin (WRP) were compared. Then, the effect of pectin's structure and composition on the aerogel properties were analysed and its potential application as a delivery system was explored by impregnating them with vanillin. Results showed that the molecular weight, degree of esterification and branching degree of the pectin samples played a main role in the production of hydrogels and subsequent aerogels. The developed aerogel particles showed high specific surface areas (468-584 m2/g) and low bulk density (0.025-0.10 g/cm3). The shrinkage effect during aerogel formation was significantly affected by the pectin concentration and structure, while vanillin loading in aerogels and its release profile was also seen to be influenced by the affinity between pectin and vanillin. Furthermore, the results highlight the interest of WRP as a carrier of active compounds which might have potential application in food and biomedical areas, among others.

Trace mineral mixture supplemented to in vitro maturation medium improves subsequent embryo development and embryo quality in cattle.

Trace minerals participate in reproductive processes and are crucial for oocyte maturation. The objective of the present study was to investigate the effect of combined supplementation with copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), selenium (Se) and zinc (Zn) during bovine in vitro maturation (IVM) on subsequent embryo development and quality. The IVM medium was supplemented as follows: a) Control (no mineral supplementation); b) MScz (6 ng/mL Mn + 100 ng/mL Se + 200 ng/mL Cu + 400 ng/mL Zn); c) MScZ (6 ng/mL Mn + 100 ng/mL Se + 200 ng/mL Cu + 1200 ng/mL Zn); d) MSCz (6 ng/mL Mn + 100 ng/mL Se + 600 ng/mL Cu + 400 ng/mL Zn). Supplementation with MScz and MSCz produced more blastocysts compared with the control. Total blastocyst cell number was higher when minerals were added at any combination. Day-8 blastocysts derived from oocytes treated with minerals had lower intracellular reactive oxygen species concentration and lipid content than the control. In conclusion, combined supplementation with Cu, Mn, Se and Zn during bovine oocyte IVM increased in vitro production performance, improving embryo developmental ability and quality.

Efficacy of Cinnamaldehyde Against Enteric Viruses and Its Activity After Incorporation Into Biodegradable Multilayer Systems of Interest in Food Packaging.

Cinnamaldehyde (CNMA), an organic compound that gives cinnamon its flavor and odor, was investigated for its virucidal activity on norovirus surrogates, murine norovirus (MNV) and feline calicivirus (FCV), and hepatitis A virus (HAV). Initially, different concentrations of CNMA (0.1, 0.5 and 1 %) were individually mixed with each virus at titers of ca. 6-7 log10 TCID50/ml and incubated 2 h at 4 and 37 °C. CNMA was effective in reducing the titers of norovirus surrogates in a dose-dependent manner after 2 h at 37 °C, while HAV titers were reduced by 1 log10 after treatment with 1 % of CNMA. When incubation time was extended, HAV titers were reduced by 3.4 and 2.7 log10 after overnight incubation at 37 °C with 1 and 0.5 % of CNMA, respectively. Moreover, this paper analyzed, for the first time, the antiviral activity of adding an active electrospun interlayer based on zein and CNMA to a polyhydroxybutyrate packaging material (PHB) in a multilayer form. Biodegradable multilayer systems prepared with 2.60 mg/cm(2) (~9.7 %) of CNMA completely inactivated FCV according to ISO 22196:2011, while MNV titers were reduced by 2.75 log10. When the developed multilayer films were evaluated after one month of preparation or at 25 °C, the antiviral activity was reduced as compared to freshly prepared multilayer films evaluated at 37 °C. The results show the excellent potential of this system for food contact applications as well as for active packaging technologies in order to maintain or extend food quality and safety.

Stabilization of antimicrobial silver nanoparticles by a polyhydroxyalkanoate obtained from mixed bacterial culture.

The incorporation of antimicrobials into polymer matrices is a promising technology in the food packaging and biomedical areas. Among the most widely used antimicrobials, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have emerged as one of the most researched technologies to prevent microbial outbreaks. However, it is known that AgNPs are rather unstable and present patterns of agglomeration that might limit their application. In this work, AgNPs were produced by chemical reduction in suspensions of an unpurified poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate (PHBV) which was previously obtained from a mixed culture fermentation using a synthetic medium mimicking fermented cheese whey. The synthesis of AgNPs was carried out within the unpurified PHBV suspension (in situ) and by physical mixing (mix). The stability of crystalline and spherical nanoparticles (7±3nm) obtained in situ was found to be stable during at least 40 days. The results suggest that the unpurified PHBV appears to be a very efficient capping agent, preventing agglomeration and, thereby, stabilizing successfully the silver nanoparticles. The in situ obtained AgNP-PHBV materials were also found to exhibit a strong antibacterial activity against Salmonella enterica at low concentration (0.1-1ppm).

[Forensic assessment of DSM-5 posttraumatic stress disorder: a commentary on the transition from DSM-IV-TR (I)]. / Die Begutachtung der Posttraumatischen Belastungsstörung im Wandel von DSM-iV-TR zu DSM-5: Was bleibt, was wird sich ändern? (I).

In May 2013 the American Psychiatric Association (APA) has released the latest and fifth edition of the diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (DSM-5). Like its predecessor, the DSM-IV-TR, it will have considerable impact on the science of Psychiatry. The DSM-5 describes - actually available in English - the present medical knowledge about mental disorders. In the short run, German medical science and scientific medicolegal expertises will continue to rely on the German version of the DSM-IV-TR, however, they will be difficult to defend without bearing in mind the changes that DSM-5 brings about. This report discusses the transition from DSM-IV-TR to DSM-5 with regard to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and provides suggestions, how the criteria might be evaluated.

[Magnetic resonance imaging postprocessing techniques in the study of brain connectivity]. / Técnicas de análisis de posproceso en resonancia magnetica para el estudio de la conectividad cerebral.

Brain connectivity is a key concept for understanding brain function. Current methods to detect and quantify different types of connectivity with neuroimaging techniques are fundamental for understanding the pathophysiology of many neurologic and psychiatric disorders. This article aims to present a critical review of the magnetic resonance imaging techniques used to measure brain connectivity within the context of the Human Connectome Project. We review techniques used to measure: a) structural connectivity b) functional connectivity (main component analysis, independent component analysis, seed voxel, meta-analysis), and c) effective connectivity (psychophysiological interactions, causal dynamic models, multivariate autoregressive models, and structural equation models). These three approaches make it possible to combine and use different statistical techniques to elaborate mathematical models in the attempt to understand the functioning of the brain. The findings obtained with these techniques must be validated by other techniques for analyzing structural and functional connectivity. This information is integrated in the Human Connectome Project where all these approaches converge to provide a representation of all the different models of connectivity.

[Psychological self-assessment scales in expert investigations]. / Psychologische Selbsteinschätzungsskalen in gutachtlichen Untersuchungen.

BACKGROUND: Psychological self-assessment scales are frequently used in expert investigations of psychological disorders. At the same time the validity of these scales in this particular area of use has scarcely been reviewed. The criterion validity of selected self-assessment scales is examined. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 159 subjects participated in the study. Self-assessment scales to determine trait character and state variables were used (FIP-R, SVF, STAI, BDI, B-L, IES-R, FDS). Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms determined in accordance with DSM-IV-TR and the clinically determined psychopathological findings were the external criteria. RESULTS: The study showed that two subscales of the SVF and the age of the test subjects represent significant predictors for the diagnosis of PTSD supported by DSM-IV-TR. One FPI-R and one SVF subscale have a significant relationship to the psychopathological findings. Of the state variables which were used only BDI displayed a significant relationship to the psychopathological findings. CONCLUSION: Some of the reviewed trait variables also have sufficient criterion validity for expert assessments. Self-appraisal scales which cover current psychopathological complaints should only be evaluated with reservations.

Valores éticos en la educación médica: consideraciones generales y comparación de dos escuelas médicas en países diferentes / Ethics values in medical education: general considerations and comparison of two different medical schools in different countries

La formación de los recursos humanos en la profesión médica, está basada en la expresión más completa de la Ética Médica, donde se incluye entre otros aspectos, la conciencia del médico, la confianza del enfermo y la observancia del método clínico, como partes importantes en la repercusión social que se presenta ante cada caso clínico ya sea agudo o crónico, y dentro de estos, las situaciones urgentes o emergentes, todas ellas con afectación de la esfera psicosocial. El objetivo principal de nuestro trabajo es el de valorar la aplicación de la enseñanza de la ética ante la actuación y atención con el paciente desde la etapa de formación del estudiante de Medicina, así como comparar las diferentes situaciones a las que se enfrentan los estudiantes y educadores médicos, modificadas e influenciadas por la cultura, la sociedad y la economía.En este trabajo, enfocamos los cuatro componentes fundamentales de la Ética Médica cubana y su proyección en la educación y formación de los recursos humanos del área de la salud. Se muestra nuestra experiencia en la enseñanza de la ética en el área clínica en dos programas de la carrera de Medicina; en Cuba y en Sudáfrica. El baluarte de nuestra Medicina cubana es educar según los principios que están acordes con los planteamientos del Juramento Hipocrático y la política de salud actual, reflejada tanto en nuestro país, como en otras universidades, a las cuales apoyamos en la formación de los futuros trabajadores de la salud. Las condiciones sociales modifican la actividad profesional y personal. Como consecuencia, la salud de los pacientes se ve igualmente afectada. El trabajo refleja, ademas, algunas consideraciones generales de profesores cubanos sobre la enseñanza de pregrado y los valores éticos en Sudáfrica(AU)

The development of human resources in medical profession relies on the most complete expression of medical ethics. It includes medical awareness, patients' confidence and the observance of clinical method. All of them are important portions of the social repercussion in every clinical case, either acute or chronic; including medical emergencies among them. Psychosocial aspects are also involved in clinical cases. The main objective of this article, is to assess the teaching of ethics, applied to the attention and action with patients during the medical studies; as well as to compare different situations faced by students and lecturers; which are modified and influenced by culture, economy and society.This paper focuses on the four main components of Cuban medical ethics and how do they project the teaching and training of future health workers. We comment on our humble experience on teaching ethical issues in medical studies, comparing two medical programs of two countries: Cuba and South Africa. The strength of our Cuban medicine is to educate following the principles according to our policy of health and Hippocrates' oath. Both are reflected in our country, as well as overseas, in other universities, where we contribute with the preparedness of future health workers. Social conditions modify personal and professional activities. As a result, patients' health may modify as well. This article also reflects general opinions of Cuban professors on undergraduate learning and ethical values in South African medical students(AU)

[Expert assessment of dystonias: changes in scientific consensus with respect to post-traumatic dystonia]. / Begutachtung der Dystonien: Wandel der wissenschaftlichen Lehrmeinung am Beispiel der posttraumatischen Dystonie.

The basis for medical expert reports must always be what is commonly known as the scientific consensus. For some neurological disorders, no more impressive changes in this scientific doctrine can be seen as those made for the dystonias over the last 100 years. The post-traumatic dystonia subsequent to peripheral trauma is an especially impressive example of these changes, as it has been almost completely accepted as a neurological disorder since the 1980 s, having consequences for the practice of medical evaluation and compensation. But since around 2005, voices have been increasingly heard highlighting the psychogenesis, or even the deliberate display of combinations of symptoms. After reviewing the literature, it is arguable if this disorder, as seen from the scientific consensus, exists as an actual disease. The discussion in the context of medical evaluation and the consequences for social medicine and insurance law are the focus of this review.

[Recommendations for independent medical examinations of PTSD claimants]. / Empfehlungen für die Begutachtung von PTBS-Opfern.

In Germany, like in many Western countries, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is being diagnosed on an increased scale; it has become a major cost-producing factor of the healthcare and insurance industry. However, diagnosing PTSD may be problematic when it is primarily based on a symptom report. Although the forensic expert is expected to check the veracity of the symptoms reported, history taking, psychopathological assessment and diagnostic accuracy vary greatly among professionals. Thus, the diagnosis of PTSD often cannot be confirmed by later thorough inspection. Based on more than a decade of civil-forensic work in the area, the authors formulate recommendations for independent medical examinations in cases of claimed PTSD.

Effect of Fatty acids and beeswax addition on properties of sodium caseinate dispersions and films.

Edible films based on sodium caseinate and different saturated fatty acids, oleic acid, or beeswax were formulated. Film-forming emulsions were characterized in terms of particle size distribution, rheological behavior and surface tension. In order to evaluate the influence of lipids on sodium caseinate matrices, mechanical, optical, and water vapor barrier properties were studied, taking into account the effect of water content and film structure on such properties. Saturated fatty acids affected the film properties in a particular way due to the formation of bilayer structures which limited water vapor permeability, giving rise to nonflexible and more opaque films. Oleic acid and beeswax were less effective as water vapor barriers, although the former imparted more flexibility to the caseinate films and did not reduce the film transparency notably.

Exacerbation of psoriatic skin lesions in a patient with psoriatic arthritis receiving adalimumab.

OBJECTIVE: To report a case of a patient with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) receiving adalimumab, who developed an exacerbation of palmoplantaris pustulosa psoriasis. CASE SUMMARY: A 38-year-old woman diagnosed with PsA had received treatment with non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs. Two months prior to admission, the patient had a Disease Activity Score of 3.8; diclofenac therapy was suspended and physicians considered treatment with adalimumab. Chest X-rays were normal and the tuberculin skin test was negative. Treatment with adalimumab was started. After the third dose of adalimumab, the patient developed an exacerbation of psoriatic skin lesions on palms and soles. The clinical course was consistent with an exacerbation of palmoplantaris pustulosa psoriasis. Adalimumab treatment was suspended. The patient was treated with oral methotrexate 2.5 mg once weekly. One month after methrotexate was started, the patient developed a severe alopecia. Methrotexate therapy was suspended. Three months later, the patient continued with psoriatic skin lesions on palms and soles. Treatment with Psoralen and ultraviolet A therapy was initiated and the patient condition improved without occurrence of psoriatic skin lesions in the next 4 months. DISCUSSION: Cases of worsening or exacerbation of psoriatic skin lesions induced by anti-tumour necrosis factor (TNF) agents in patients diagnosed PsA are infrequently described in the literature. The most likely cause of the exacerbation of palmoplantaris pustulosa psoriasis in this case was considered to be adalimumab because of the close temporal relationship between exposure to the drug and onset of symptoms. Adalimumab was the only identifiable precipitant that the patient encountered before the exacerbation of psoriasis developed. In accordance with the data obtained and based on the Naranjo algorithm, the adverse reaction could be considered probable. CONCLUSIONS: Patients initiated on adalimumab therapy should be closely monitored for the development of exacerbation of psoriasis. Clinicians should be aware of this rare adverse effect of this anti-TNF drug.

[Mechanical bowel preparation. A necessity or nothing more (or less) than the weight of tradition?]. / Preparar el colon para la cirugía. Necesidad real o nada más (y nada menos) que el peso de la tradición?

Mechanical bowel preparation is a traditional procedure for preparing patients for colorectal surgery. This practice aims to reduce the risk of postoperative infectious complications since colonic fecal content has classically been related to stool spillage during surgery and anastomotic disruption. However, increasing evidence against its routine use can be found in experimental studies, clinical observations, prospective studies, and meta-analyses. We performed a review of the literature on mechanical bowel preparation and its consequences. There is no clear evidence that preoperative bowel cleansing reduces the septic complications of surgery and routine use of this procedure may increase anastomotic leaks and morbidity. Therefore, the results suggest that mechanical preparation is not required in elective colon and rectal surgery and that its use should be restricted to specific indications such as small nonpalpable tumors to aid their localization during laparoscopic procedures or to enable intraoperative colonoscopy. The role of mechanical bowel preparation in rectal surgery is not well defined and further trials with a larger number of patients are required.

Preparar el colon para la cirugía. ¿Necesidad real o nada más (y nada menos) que el peso de la tradición? / Mechanical bowel preparation. A necessity or nothing more (or less) than the weight of tradition?

La preparación mecánica del colon es un componente tradicional del preoperatorio de los pacientes sometidos a cirugía colorrectal dirigido a reducir sus complicaciones infecciosas, ya que clásicamente la presencia de heces en el colon se ha asociado a contaminación intraoperatoria y dehiscencias anastomóticas. Sin embargo, en la actualidad, estudios tanto experimentales como de observaciones clínicas, trabajos prospectivos y revisiones sistemáticas de la literatura cuestionan su utilidad. Se efectúa una revisión de conjunto sobre el tema, y se concluye que, con la evidencia disponible, no está claro el beneficio de la preparación mecánica del colon y hay trabajos que muestran incluso una mayor incidencia de complicaciones en la tasa de dehiscencia anastomótica y la morbilidad con su uso sistemático, por lo que puede ser omitida en cirugía electiva y es adecuado restringirla a indicaciones concretas, como pequeños tumores, para facilitar su localización durante un abordaje laparoscópico o cuando se precise hacer una endoscopia intraoperatoria. El papel de la preparación mecánica en la cirugía rectal no está aclarado en la actualidad y se precisa de series más amplias para establecerlo (AU)

Mechanical bowel preparation is a traditional procedure for preparing patients for colorectal surgery. This practice aims to reduce the risk of postoperative infectious complications since colonic fecal content has classically been related to stool spillage during surgery and anastomotic disruption. However, increasing evidence against its routine use can be found in experimental studies, clinical observations, prospective studies, and meta-analyses. We performed a review of the literature on mechanical bowel preparation and its consequences. There is no clear evidence that preoperative bowel cleansing reduces the septic complications of surgery and routine use of this procedure may increase anastomotic leaks and morbidity. Therefore, the results suggest that mechanical preparation is not required in elective colon and rectal surgery and that its use should be restricted to specific indications such as small nonpalpable tumors to aid their localization during laparoscopic procedures or to enable intraoperative colonoscopy. The role of mechanical bowel preparation in rectal surgery is not well defined and further trials with a larger number of patients are required (AU)

[So-called complex ego-functions, psychic cross findings and valuation of efficiency in medical expert assessment of psychogenic diseases]. / So genannte komplexe Ich-funktionen, psychischer Querschnittsbefund und Einschätzung des Leistungsvermögens in der Begutachtung psychogener Erkrankungen (I).

Medical expert assessment of a disease-induced disability requires the integrative examination of own and outside anamnestic data, file content and psychic cross-findings received in the assessment interview, if necessary completed by results of psychologic testing. The measure of disability with regard to psychogenic diseases is the impairment of the so-called complex ego-functions because they make it possible to judge someone's will which is available to overcome his inhibitions concerning achievement. This case report describes how to determine and present an impairment of complex ego-functions on the finding level. It is the author's view that it is desirable to operationalise this way of receiving findings with the aim of achieving obligatory criteria for granting payment to every insured person.

[The psychic cross-sectional finding, cardinal point of psychiatric-psychotherapeutic expertise]. / Der psychische Querschnittsbefund, Dreh- und Angelpunkt psychiatrisch-psychotherapeutischer Begutachtung.

Expertise is based on history and clinical findings. Anamnestic data and clinical results have to be differentiated carefully. Clinical findings are of special importance because they are helpful in verifying anamnestic information with regard to extent and impairment quality of complaints, plausibility and thereby their significance for the expertise. The author is of the opinion that the clinical-psychic finding is in danger of being put in the background. With the victory of the descriptive diagnosis and the international diagnostic systems ICD-10 and DSM-IV, some examiners are tempted to rely on the apparent objectivity of symptom constellations which they ask for but do not verify with their findings, be it in standardised interviews, self-assesment scales or simply in no standardised clinical history. In the following publication the author endeavours to substantiate the importance and fundamental irreplaceability of the clinical psychiatric finding in psychiatric-psychotherapeutic expertise. In addition, the author presents his own proposal for a specific expertise finding.

Isolation of a novel aquaglyceroporin from a marine teleost (Sparus auratus): function and tissue distribution.

The aquaporins (formerly called the major intrinsic protein family) are transmembrane channel proteins. The family includes the CHIP group, which are functionally characterised as water channels and the GLP group, which are specialised for glycerol transport. The present study reports the identification and characterisation of a novel GLP family member in a teleost fish, the sea bream Sparus auratus. A sea bream aquaporin (sbAQP) cDNA of 1047 bp and encoding a protein of 298 amino acids was isolated from a kidney cDNA library. Functional characterization of the sbAQP using a Xenopus oocyte assay revealed that the isolated cDNA stimulated osmotic water permeability in a mercury-sensitive manner and also stimulated urea and glycerol uptake. Northern blotting demonstrated that sbAQP was expressed at high levels in the posterior region of the gut, where two transcripts were identified (1.6 kb and 2 kb), and in kidney, where a single transcript was present (2 kb). In situ hybridisation studies with a sbAQP riboprobe revealed its presence in the lamina propria and smooth muscle layer of the posterior region of the gut and in epithelial cells of some kidney tubules. sbAQP was also present in putative chloride cells of the gill. Phylogenetic analysis of sbAQP, including putative GLP genes from Fugu rubripes, revealed that it did not group with any of the previously isolated vertebrate GLPs and instead formed a separate group, suggesting that it may be a novel GLP member.