[Documento de consenso de la Sociedad Española de Obstetricia y Ginecologia (SEGO) y el Comité Español Interdisciplinario para la Prevención Vascular (CEIPV). Ventana de oportunidad: prevención del riesgo vascular en la mujer. Resultados adversos del embarazo y riesgo de enfermedad vascular.] / Consensus document of the Spanish Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology (SEGO) and the Spanish Interdisciplinary Committee for Vascular Prevention (CEIPV). Opportunity window: vascular risk prevention in women. Adverse pregnancy outcomes and risk of vascular disease.

This document summarises the evidence regarding the association between adverse pregnancy outcomes (APOs), such as hypertensive disorders, preterm birth, gestational diabetes, fetal growth defects (small for gestational age and/or fetal growth restriction), placental abruption, fetal loss, and the risk that a pregnant individual in developing vascular risk factors (VR) that may lead to future vascular disease (VD): coronary heart disease, stroke, peripheral vascular disease, and heart failure. Furthermore, this document emphasises the importance of recognising APOs when assessing VR in women. A history of APOs serves as a sufficient indicator for primary prevention of VD. In fact, adopting a healthy diet and increasing physical activity among women with APOs, starting during pregnancy and/or postpartum, and maintaining it throughout life are significant interventions that can reduce VR. On the other hand, breastfeeding can also reduce the future VR of women, including a lower risk of mortality. Future studies evaluating the use of aspirin, statins, and metformin, among others, in women with a history of APOs could strengthen recommendations regarding pharmacotherapy for primary prevention of VD in these patients. Various healthcare system options exist to improve the transition of care for women with APOs between different healthcare professionals and implement long-term VR reduction strategies. One potential process could involve incorporating the fourth-trimester concept into clinical recommendations and healthcare policies.

Este documento resume la evidencia que existe entre los resultados adversos del embarazo (RAE), tales como son los trastornos hipertensivos, el parto pretérmino, la diabetes gestacional, los defectos en el crecimiento fetal (feto pequeño para la edad gestacional y/o restricción del crecimiento), el desprendimiento de placenta y la pérdida fetal, y el riesgo que tiene una persona gestante de desarrollar factores de riesgo vascular (RV) que pueden terminar provocando enfermedad vascular (EV) futura: cardiopatía coronaria, accidente cerebrovascular, enfermedad vascular periférica e insuficiencia cardíaca. Asimismo, este documento destaca la importancia de saber reconocer los RAE cuando se evalúa el RV en mujeres. Un antecedente de RAE es un indicador suficiente para hacer una prevención primaria de EV. De hecho, adoptar una dieta saludable y aumentar la actividad física entre las mujeres con RAE, de inicio en el embarazo y/o postparto y manteniéndolo a lo largo de la vida, son intervenciones importantes que permiten disminuir el RV. Por otro lado, la lactancia materna también puede disminuir el RV posterior de la mujer, incluyendo menos riesgo de mortalidad. Estudios futuros que evalúen el uso del ácido acetilsalicílico, las estatinas y la metformina, entre otros, en las mujeres con antecedentes de RAE podrían reforzar las recomendaciones sobre el uso de la farmacoterapia en la prevención primaria de la EV entre estas pacientes. Existen diferentes opciones dentro de los sistemas de salud para mejorar la transición de la atención de las mujeres con RAE entre los diferentes profesionales e implementar estrategias para reducir su RV a largo plazo. Una posible estrategia podría ser la incorporación del concepto del cuarto trimestre en las recomendaciones clínicas y las políticas de atención de la salud.

Fisiopatología del aneurisma de aorta abdominal: biomarcadores y nuevas dianas terapéuticas / Pathophisiology of abdominal aortic aneurysm: biomarkers and novel therapeutic targets

El aneurisma de aorta abdominal (AAA) es una patología vascular con una elevada tasa de morbimortalidad y una prevalencia que, en varones de más de 65 años, puede alcanzar el 8%. En esta enfermedad, habitualmente asintomática, se produce una dilatación progresiva de la pared vascular que puede llevar a su rotura, un fenómeno mortal en más de un 80% de los casos. El tratamiento de los pacientes con aneurismas asintomáticos se limita al seguimiento periódico con pruebas de imagen, el control de los factores de riesgo cardiovascular y un tratamiento con terapia antiagregante y estatinas, si bien actualmente no existe ningún tratamiento farmacológico efectivo capaz de limitar su progresión o evitar su rotura. En la actualidad el diámetro aórtico es el único marcador de riesgo de rotura y determina la necesidad de reparación quirúrgica cuando alcanza valores superiores a 5,5 cm. En esta revisión se tratan los principales aspectos relacionados con la epidemiología, los factores de riesgo, el diagnóstico y el manejo terapéutico del AAA, se exponen las dificultades para disponer de buenos biomarcadores de esta enfermedad y se describen las estrategias para la identificación de nuevas dianas terapéuticas y biomarcadores en el AAA

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a vascular pathology with a high rate of morbidity and mortality and a prevalence that, in men over 65 years, can reach around 8%. In this disease, usually asymptomatic, there is a progressive dilatation of the vascular wall that can lead to its rupture, a fatal phenomenon in more than 80% of cases. The treatment of patients with asymptomatic aneurysms is limited to periodic monitoring with imaging tests, control of cardiovascular risk factors and treatment with statins and antiplatelet therapy. There is no effective pharmacological treatment capable of limiting AAA progression or avoiding their rupture. At present, the aortic diameter is the only marker of risk of rupture and determines the need for surgical repair when it reaches values greater than 5.5 cm. This review addresses the main aspects related to epidemiology, risk factors, diagnosis and clinical management of AAA, exposes the difficulties to have good biomarkers of this pathology and describes the strategies for the identification of new therapeutic targets and biomarkers in AAA

Tapioca starch-galactomannan systems: Comparative studies of rheological and textural properties.

Rheological properties of tapioca starch-galactomannan mixtures at different concentrations (0, 0.3, 0.6 and 1.0%, w/w) of guar gum, tara gum and locust bean gum were investigated in visco-analysis, steady and dynamic shear and textural analysis. Galactomannans may influence the pasting temperature and other pasting parameters, the viscosity and pseudoplasticity of the blend systems increased as time-dependence and thixotropy decreased. This can be explained by the phase separation of systems where the galactomannans were placed in the continuous phase and the volume fraction of starch granules increased its concentration in the disperse phase. The addition of guar gum and tara gum could accelerate the formation of new structures and increase the degree of structural recovery until a 50% more than the starch gel pastes. The apparent viscosity (ηa) and dynamic moduli (G' and G″) of the mixed pastes increased with the addition of galactomannans. Changes in textural properties were significant. The gel hardness, gel strength and adhesiveness of gel pastes were higher in the starch-tara gum and starch-locust bean gum systems than in the starch-guar gum system in gum concentrations values of 0.3 and 0.6% w/w. Overall, addition of galactomannans affected the rheological and textural properties of tapioca starch.

Pathophisiology of abdominal aortic aneurysm: biomarkers and novel therapeutic targets. / Fisiopatología del aneurisma de aorta abdominal: biomarcadores y nuevas dianas terapéuticas.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a vascular pathology with a high rate of morbidity and mortality and a prevalence that, in men over 65 years, can reach around 8%. In this disease, usually asymptomatic, there is a progressive dilatation of the vascular wall that can lead to its rupture, a fatal phenomenon in more than 80% of cases. The treatment of patients with asymptomatic aneurysms is limited to periodic monitoring with imaging tests, control of cardiovascular risk factors and treatment with statins and antiplatelet therapy. There is no effective pharmacological treatment capable of limiting AAA progression or avoiding their rupture. At present, the aortic diameter is the only marker of risk of rupture and determines the need for surgical repair when it reaches values greater than 5.5cm. This review addresses the main aspects related to epidemiology, risk factors, diagnosis and clinical management of AAA, exposes the difficulties to have good biomarkers of this pathology and describes the strategies for the identification of new therapeutic targets and biomarkers in AAA.

Impaired HDL (High-Density Lipoprotein)-Mediated Macrophage Cholesterol Efflux in Patients With Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm-Brief Report.

Objective- The ability of HDL (high-density lipoprotein) to promote macrophage cholesterol efflux is considered the main HDL cardioprotective function. Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is usually characterized by cholesterol accumulation and macrophage infiltration in the aortic wall. Here, we aim to evaluate the composition of circulating HDL particles and their potential for promoting macrophage cholesterol efflux in AAA subjects. Approach and Results- First, we randomly selected AAA and control subjects from Spain. The AAA patients in the Spanish cohort showed lower plasma apoA-I levels concomitantly associated with low levels of plasma HDL cholesterol and the amount of preß-HDL particles. We determined macrophage cholesterol efflux to apoB-depleted plasma, which contains mature HDL, preß-HDL particles and HDL regulatory proteins. ApoB-depleted plasma from AAA patients displayed an impaired ability to promote macrophage cholesterol efflux. Next, we replicated the experiments with AAA and control subjects derived from Danish cohort. Danish AAA patients also showed lower apoA-I levels and a defective HDL-mediated macrophage cholesterol efflux. Conclusions- AAA patients show impaired HDL-facilitated cholesterol removal from macrophages, which could be mechanistically linked to AAA.

Propuesta de un modelo de registro médico integral para la evaluación de depresión y ansiedad en atención primaria en Colombia: estudio de grupos focale / Proposing a comprehensive medical record form to assess depression and anxiety within the framework of primary care in Colombia: focus groups / Proposta de modelo de registro médico integral em atenção primária para a avaliação da depressão/ansiedade na Colômbia: estudo de grupos focai

La depresión y la ansiedad representan las principales enfermedades de salud mental a nivel mundial. Se estima que para el 2020 se aumenten en un 15 %, convirtiéndose en la segunda causa de morbimortalidad. En nuestro país, en la Ley 1616 del 2013 (Ley en salud mental), se promueve el derecho a la atención oportuna integral desde la atención primaria de las personas que tienen riesgo y de las que ya tienen una enfermedad mental. Sin embargo, no se ha instaurado un modelo de historia clínica que pueda atender la necesidad de estos pacientes; por lo tanto, es importante generar una propuesta que sea fácil de usar. Por esta razón, el objetivo de este estudio surge de la necesidad de crear un modelo de historia clínica en la que se incluyan diferentes variables y características que permitan el diagnóstico, el seguimiento y el tratamiento de los pacientes con trastornos de depresión y ansiedad en la atención primaria. Materiales y métodos. Se utilizó un enfoque metodológico múltiple: cuantitativo y cualitativo. Este método facilitó la recolección de distintas fuentes primarias (revisión sistemática) y secundarias (grupos focales). El análisis se hizo mediante los Primary Care Assessment Tools. Resultados. Los instrumentos de tamización en la atención primaria son un gran apoyo de manejo fácil, los cuales pueden usarse de forma directa o en una aplicación médica. Estas escalas permiten evaluar la gravedad y hacer el seguimiento del trastorno depresivo y de la ansiedad. Conclusión. Para la elaboración de la propuesta de historia clínica, consideramos que se debe incluir lo concerniente al contexto personal, familiar y social de los pacientes, con herramientas de tamización que faciliten al médico de atención primaria hacer el diagnóstico y el seguimiento de estas enfermedades

Overview: Depression and anxiety account for the leading men-tal health illnesses worldwide and by 2020 they are expected to increase 15% becoming the second leading cause of morbidity and mortality. In Colombia, Law 1616, promulgated in 2013, fosters the right to timely and comprehensive assistance for people dealing with mental health issues. Still, the implementation of a medical record suitable to meet these patients needs is yet to be introduced. It is therefore important to generate a proposal that is easy to use. Objective: Creating a comprehensive medical record, including various variables and features that allow for diagnosing, following up and treating patients bearing depression and anxiety disorders, within the framework of Primary Care. Materials and methods: A multi methodological approach, blen-ding both quantitative and qualitative tools was used to facilitate data gathering from primary sources, such as systematic reviews and secondary sources, such as focus groups. Data analysis was done utilizing PCAT (Primary care assessment tools). Results: The use of primary care screening tools proved to be a valuable resource, being its friendly usage and reliability. These scales also allow for follow up on depression and anxiety disorders. Conclusion: To implement a medical record proposal it is ne-cessary to include background on personal, familiar and social information regarding the patient. It is also key to include screening tools that allow the physician to come up with a proper diagnosis and follow up.

Introdução. A depressão e a ansiedade representam as principais doenças de saúde mental no mundo, calcula-se que para 2020 este problema aumente em 15%, sendo a segunda causa de morbimortalidade. Na Colômbia, segundo a lei 1616 de 2013 "lei de saúde mental", que promove o direito à atenção integral de atenção primária para os doentes e quem está em risco. No entanto o país ainda não conta com um modelo de história clínica que atenda às necessidades destes pacientes. Materiais e métodos. O viés metodológico do trabalho é multi-metodológico, quantitativo e qualitativo, coleta diversas fontes tanto primárias (grupos focais) como secundárias (revisão sistemática). A análise foi feita através da ferramenta PCAT (Primary care assessment tools). Resultados. O uso de instrumentos para teste de rastreio em atenção primária é muito útil para serem administrados diretamente ou como aplicação médica e facilitam a avaliação de escalas para estabelecer níveis de gravidade e acompanhamento destes transtornos mentais. Conclusão. Na elaboração da proposta da história clínica que facilite a compreensão da condição mental do paciente é preciso considerar contexto familiar, social e pessoal dos pacientes, usando testes de rastreio como ferramentas da atenção primária

Factors influencing anthocyanin loss during nixtamalization of blue purple maize grain.

Blue purple maize grain loses a great amount of anthocyanins during the nixtamalization processing. The impact of the process factors on anthocyanins losses has not been studied in detail. The objectives of this work were to: (1) determine the step of the nixtamalization procedure where the greatest anthocyanin loss occurs and (2) study the effect of cooking time, alkali concentration, and sample size on anthocyanin losses (AL), and on the color of masa and tortilla from blue purple maize grain. Two cooking times were assayed (25 and 35 min), three alkali concentrations (0.5, 0.7, and 1.0% w/w), and two maize grain sample sizes (100 and 1000 g). Alkali concentration determines the time required to solubilize the maize grain pericarp, higher concentrations resulted in shorter maize grain pericarp solubilization times and this variable was related with AL. The greatest AL occurred during the grain cooking step, but an additional loss took place during the steeping of cooked grain. For the cooking time of 25 min, AL were of 38.3% during the cooking step, and 21.3% during the steeping of cooked grain. The cooking time had no effect (p > 0.05) on AL in masa and tortilla whereas alkali concentration and sample size significantly affected it. The greater the concentration and size, the higher the AL. The color of masa and tortilla were affected by cooking time and alkali concentration. Increasing alkali concentration during the nixtamalization procedure, reduced the brightness and chroma of masa and tortilla and made these products seem darker and dull.

Increased galectin-3 levels are associated with abdominal aortic aneurysm progression and inhibition of galectin-3 decreases elastase-induced AAA development.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) evolution is unpredictable and no specific treatment exists for AAA, except surgery to prevent aortic rupture. Galectin-3 has been previously associated with CVD, but its potential role in AAA has not been addressed. Galectin-3 levels were increased in the plasma of AAA patients (n=225) compared with the control group (n=100). In addition, galectin-3 concentrations were associated with the need for surgical repair, independently of potential confounding factors. Galectin-3 mRNA and protein expression were increased in human AAA samples compared with healthy aortas. Experimental AAA in mice was induced via aortic elastase perfusion. Mice were treated intravenously with the galectin-3 inhibitor modified citrus pectin (MCP, 10 mg/kg, every other day) or saline. Similar to humans, galectin-3 serum and aortic mRNA levels were also increased in elastase-induced AAA mice compared with control mice. Mice treated with MCP showed decreased aortic dilation, as well as elastin degradation, vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) loss, and macrophage content at day 14 postelastase perfusion compared with control mice. The underlying mechanism(s) of the protective effect of MCP was associated with a decrease in galectin-3 and cytokine (mainly CCL5) mRNA and protein expression. Interestingly, galectin-3 induced CCL5 expression by a mechanism involving STAT3 activation in VSMC. Accordingly, MCP treatment decreased STAT3 phosphorylation in elastase-induced AAA. In conclusion, increased galectin-3 levels are associated with AAA progression, while galectin-3 inhibition decreased experimental AAA development. Our data suggest the potential role of galectin-3 as a therapeutic target in AAA.

Lipocalin-2 deficiency or blockade protects against aortic abdominal aneurysm development in mice.

AIMS: To study the role of lipocalin-2 (Lcn2) and the effect of Lcn2 blockade via anti-Lcn2 antibody in the development of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). METHODS AND RESULTS: Expression mRNA and protein levels of Lcn2 and its human orthologue neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) in aortic wall samples from experimental mouse and human AAA samples, respectively, were analysed by real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry. Experimental AAA was induced by aortic elastase perfusion in wild-type mice (WT) and Lcn2-deficient mice (Lcn2-/-). NGAL/Lcn2 mRNA and protein levels in human and murine AAA samples were increased compared with healthy aortas. Decreased AAA incidence and reduced aortic expansion were observed in Lcn2-/- mice or mice preoperative treated with a polyclonal anti-Lcn2 antibody compared with WT mice or mice treated with control IgG, respectively, at Day 14 after elastase perfusion. Moreover, immunohistochemical analysis of AAA tissues from Lcn2-/- or anti-Lcn2-treated mice showed diminished elastin damage, reduced microvessels and polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) infiltration, and enhanced preservation of vascular smooth muscle cells compared with WT aortas. Fluorescent molecular tomography revealed decreased MMP activity in AAA of Lcn2-/- mice compared with WT controls. Therapeutic administration of anti-Lcn2 antibody to WT mice 3 days after elastase perfusion decreased aortic dilatation and PMN infiltration compared with WT mice treated with control IgG. CONCLUSION: Either Lcn2 deficiency or anti-Lcn2 antibody blockade limits AAA expansion in mice by decreasing PMN infiltration in the aorta. Lcn2 modulation may therefore be a viable new therapeutic option for the treatment of AAA.

Paraoxonase-1 overexpression prevents experimental abdominal aortic aneurysm progression.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a permanent dilation of the aorta due to excessive proteolytic, oxidative and inflammatory injury of the aortic wall. We aimed to identify novel mediators involved in AAA pathophysiology, which could lead to novel therapeutic approaches. For that purpose, plasma from four AAA patients and four controls were analysed by a label-free proteomic approach. Among identified proteins, paraoxonase-1 (PON1) was decreased in plasma of AAA patients compared with controls, which was further validated in a bigger cohort of samples by ELISA. The phenylesterase enzymatic activity of PON1 was also decreased in serum of AAA patients compared with controls. To address the potential role of PON1 as a mediator of AAA, experimental AAA was induced by aortic elastase perfusion in wild-type (WT) mice and human transgenic PON1 (HuTgPON1) mice. Similar to humans, PON1 activity was also decreased in serum of elastase-induced AAA mice compared with healthy mice. Interestingly, overexpression of PON1 was accompanied by smaller aortic dilation and higher elastin and vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) content in the AAA of HuTgPON1 compared with WT mice. Moreover, HuTgPON1 mice display decreased oxidative stress and apoptosis, as well as macrophage infiltration and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP1) expression, in elastase-induced AAA. In conclusion, decreased circulating PON1 activity is associated with human and experimental AAA. PON1 overexpression in mice protects against AAA progression by reducing oxidative stress, apoptosis and inflammation, suggesting that strategies aimed at increasing PON1 activity could prevent AAA.

Starch-guar gum extrudates: microstructure, physicochemical properties and in-vitro digestion.

Starch-guar gum mixtures were obtained by extrusion using a three-variable Box-Behnken statistic design. Morphology, expansion index, viscosity, crystallinity and digestion in vitro of the extruded samples were analyzed through response surface methodology (RSM). The extrusion temperature and the moisture content were the factors that significantly affected the physicochemical properties of the samples. Starch-guar gum samples showed expansion index and viscosity up to 1.55 and 1400mPas, respectively. The crystallinity of the samples was modified by adding guar gum to the extrudates, showing correlation between long-range order (X-ray diffraction) and short-range order (FTIR spectroscopy). Guar induced microstructural changes and its role in gelatinization-melting processes was significant. The rate of glucose release decreased from 0.47 to 0.43mM/min when the extrusion temperature decreased. However, adding guar gum to starch had no significant effect on glucose release. Overall, the extrusion temperature and the moisture content were the factors that significantly affected the physicochemical properties of the extruded samples.

ApoA-I/HDL-C levels are inversely associated with abdominal aortic aneurysm progression.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) evolution is unpredictable, and there is no therapy except surgery for patients with an aortic size> 5 cm (large AAA). We aimed to identify new potential biomarkers that could facilitate prognosis and treatment of patients with AAA. A differential quantitative proteomic analysis of plasma proteins was performed in AAA patients at different stages of evolution [small AAA (aortic size=3-5 cm) vs large AAA] using iTRAQ labelling, high-throughput nano-LC-MS/MS and a novel multi-layered statistical model. Among the proteins identified, ApoA-I was decreased in patients with large AAA compared to those with small AAA. These results were validated by ELISA on plasma samples from small (n=90) and large AAA (n=26) patients (150± 3 vs 133± 5 mg/dl, respectively, p< 0.001). ApoA-I levels strongly correlated with HDL-Cholesterol (HDL-C) concentration (r=0.9, p< 0.001) and showed a negative correlation with aortic size (r=-0.4, p< 0.01) and thrombus volume (r=-0.3, p< 0.01), which remained significant after adjusting for traditional risk factors. In a prospective study, HDL-C independently predicted aneurysmal growth rate in multiple linear regression analysis (n=122, p=0.008) and was inversely associated with need for surgical repair (Adjusted hazard ratio: 0.18, 95 % confidence interval: 0.04-0.74, p=0.018). In a nation-wide Danish registry, we found lower mean HDL-C concentration in large AAA patients (n=6,560) compared with patients with aorto-iliac occlusive disease (n=23,496) (0.89± 2.99 vs 1.59± 5.74 mmol/l, p< 0.001). Finally, reduced mean aortic AAA diameter was observed in AngII-infused mice treated with ApoA-I mimetic peptide compared with saline-injected controls. In conclusion, ApoA-I/HDL-C systemic levels are negatively associated with AAA evolution. Therapies targeting HDL functionality could halt AAA formation.

Label-free proteomic analysis of red blood cell membrane fractions from abdominal aortic aneurysm patients.

PURPOSE: To test whether red blood cell (RBC) membrane composition is modified in abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) patients. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: RBC membrane extracts from AAA patients (aortic diameter >3 cm, n = 7) and control subjects (n = 4) were analyzed by a label-free quantitative MS-based strategy, using spectral count data. Additional validation was performed by western-blot. RESULTS: Data analysis based on spectral count from MS/MS-based experiments provided us a signature of 39 proteins differentially expressed in RBC membranes between AAA and controls (changes equal/over 1.515-fold; p-values equal/lower 0.05). MS data revealed altered levels of structural membrane proteins (e.g. spectrins and ankyrin), components of the degradation machinery (proteasome subunits), and oxidative stress related proteins (e.g. catalase and peroxiredoxin-2) among others. Decreased catalase and peroxiredoxin-2 expression in RBC membrane of AAA patients compared to controls were further validated by Western blot, confirming the proteomic results. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: RBCs membrane protein composition is altered in AAA patients, which could be involved in the pathological role of RBCs in aortic tissue and become potential targets to prevent AAA progression.

Extraction, stability, and separation of betalains from Opuntia joconostle cv. using response surface methodology.

Betalains were extracted and analyzed from Opuntia joconostle (the prickly pear known as xoconostle in Mexico). For the extraction, two solvent systems were used, methanol/water and ethanol/water. A three-variable Box-Behnken statistical design was used for extraction: solvent concentration (0-80%, v/v), temperature (5-30 °C), and treatment time (10-30 min). The extraction and stability of betalains from xoconostle were studied using response surface methodology (RSM). Techniques such as UV-vis, column chromatography, and HPLC were employed for the separation and analysis of the main pigments present in the extracts. Maximum pigment concentration (92 mg/100 g of fruit) was obtained at a temperature of 15 °C and a time of 10 min for methanol/water (20:80), whereas maximum stability of the pigment was observed at pH 5 and a temperature of 25 °C. HPLC chromatograms showed the main betalains of the xoconostle characterized were betalain, betanidin, and isobetalain.

Alginate-loaded liposomes can protect encapsulated alkaline phosphatase functionality when exposed to gastric pH.

The present study has evaluated the potential of alginate-loaded liposomes as a vehicle for the oral delivery of bioactive proteins. The vesicles were prepared from the phospholipid dipalmatoyl phosphatidylcholine using a simple dry film hydration technique. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) was used as a model bioactive protein, which was encapsulated in alginate-loaded liposomes and conventional liposomes. These vesicles were subject to physical characterization and stability analysis at varying pH values. The enzymatic activity of the ALP was evaluated following exposure to simulated gastric pH. The alginate-loaded liposomes were typically of the order of 10 microm; however, there was evidence of vesicle aggregation thought to be due to alginate present on the surface of the vesicles. The typical size of the aggregated vesicles was approximately 30 microm. The enzyme activity of APL following 2 h of exposure to simulated gastric pH was maintained at a significantly higher level when encapsulated in the alginate-loaded liposomes as compared to ALP loaded in conventional liposomes [80% as compared to 55% (p < 0.05), respectively].

Effects of delayed constructed-response identity matching on spelling of dictated words.

We studied the effects of delayed constructed-response identity matching on spelling with 6 first graders with histories of school failure. After training, the children learned to spell words to dictation and their cursive writing improved. These results replicate studies showing that delayed constructed-response matching establishes spelling. For 2 children, spelling of generalization words--words formed by recombining the syllables of training words--also improved. These results extend studies that have shown recombinative generalization in reading and spelling.

Quociente de inteligência e aquisição de leitura: um estudo correlacional / Intelligence quotient and reading acquisition: a correlational study

O estudo foi desenvolvido para investigar a relaçäo entre QI, medido pelo teste de inteligência WISC, e a aquisiçäo de leitura de palavras simples. Cinqüenta e seis alunos, de ambos os sexos, de 7 a 15 anos, do Ciclo Básico de alfabetizaçäo de uma escola pública, foram avaliados em leitura e no WISC, no início e no final do ano letivo. Os alunos, em geral, apresentaram níveis aumentados de QI e de aquisiçäo de leitura na segunda avaliaçäo, entretanto, sem correlaçäo entre essas variáveis; o QI mostrou-se ineficiente para prever sucesso ou fracasso na aquisiçäo de leitura. Os dados sugerem a necessidade de mais investigaçöes sobre o uso de testes de inteligência na avaliaçäo psicológica, no contexto educacional

Quociente de inteligência e aquisição de leitura: um estudo correlacional / Intelligence quotient and reading acquisition: a correlational study

O estudo foi desenvolvido para investigar a relação entre QI, medido pelo teste de inteligência WISC, e a aquisição de leitura de palavras simples. Cinqüenta e seis alunos, de ambos os sexos, de 7 a 15 anos, do ciclo básico de alfabetização de uma escola pública, foram avaliados em leitura e no WISC, no início e no final do ano letivo. Os alunos, em geral, apresentaram níveis aumentados de QI e de aquisição de leitura na segunda avaliação, entretanto, sem correlação entre essas variáveis; o QI mostrou-se ineficiente para prever sucesso ou fracasso na aquisição de leitura. Os dados sugerem a necessidade de mais investigações sobre o uso de testes de inteligência na avaliação psicológica, no contexto educacional (AU)