Who tells the story of burns in low-and-middle income countries? - A bibliometric study.

INTRODUCTION: Low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) remain drastically underrepresented in health research, with African countries producing less than 1% of the global output. This work investigates authorship patterns of publications on burns in LMICs. Original research studies addressing burn injuries in LMICs and published between 1st January 2015 and 31st December 2020 were included in the review. Descriptive statistics were performed for country affiliations of authors, World Bank Country Income Groups, WHO group, study-focus and country studied. Of the 458 results, 426 studies met the inclusion criteria. Nearly a quarter of papers on burns in LMICs had both first and senior authors from high-income countries (HICs, n = 95, 24.4%), more than half of the papers had both first and senior authors from upper middle- income countries (upper MICs, n = 222, 57.2%), while less than 1% (n = 3) had first and senior authors exclusively from lower-income countries (LICs). Eleven percent (n = 41/388) of all papers were written without either first nor senior author being from the country studied, and 17 of them (41%) had both first and senior authors from the USA. Twenty-five (6%) of the papers had the first author and not the senior author from the country of focus, while six (2%) had the senior and not the first author from the country of interest. To overcome global health challenges such as burns, locally led research is imperative. The maximum benefit of HIC-LMIC collaborations is achieved when LMICs play an active role in leading the research. When LMICs direct the research being conducted in their country, the harm of inherently inequitable relationships is minimized.

Metabolic syndrome associates with left atrial dysfunction.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Obesity and metabolic syndrome (MetS) are risk factors of atrial fibrillation (AF), but limited data exist on their effect on left atrial (LA) function. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of cardiac, hepatic and intra-abdominal ectopic fat depots and cardiometabolic risk factors on LA function in non-diabetic male subjects. METHODS AND RESULTS: Myocardial and hepatic triglyceride contents were measured with 1.5T 1H-magnetic resonance spectroscopy and LA and left ventricular function, visceral adipose tissue (VAT), subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT), epicardial and pericardial fat by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in 33 men with MetS and 40 men without MetS. LA volumes were assessed using a novel three-chamber orientation based MRI approach. LA ejection fraction (EF) was lower in MetS patients than in the control group (44 ± 7.7% in MetS vs. 49 ± 8.6% in controls, p = 0.013) without LA enlargement, indicating LA dysfunction. LA EF correlated negatively with waist circumference, body mass index, SAT, VAT, fasting serum insulin, and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance index, and positively with fasting serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. VAT was the best predictor of reduced LA EF. CONCLUSIONS: MetS associates with subclinical LA dysfunction. Multiple components of MetS are related to LA dysfunction, notably visceral obesity and insulin resistance. Further studies are needed to elucidate the role of mechanical atrial remodeling in the development of AF.

Plasma levels of haemostatic factors in patients with pulmonary embolism on admission and seven months later.

INTRODUCTION: With the exception of D-dimer, not much is known about the plasma levels of haemostatic factors during acute venous thromboembolism (VTE) compared to their basic levels in a stable phase. The goal of this study was to examine how plasma levels of factor V, VIII, XIIIa, von Willebrand factor antigen (vWF:Ag), fibrinogen, thrombomodulin evolve from the point of diagnosis of acute VTE to the end of standard treatment period. METHODS: Sixty-three consecutive patients (mean 57, range 18-86 years, 33 females) with acute pulmonary embolism (PE) were included. Laboratory samples were collected upon arrival (acute phase) and seven months later (stable phase). Fifteen similar aged individuals served as controls. RESULTS: Plasma levels of factor XIIIa (87.5% vs 117.7%, P < .001) and soluble thrombomodulin (36.6 vs 47.5 ng/L, P < .001) were lower, whereas plasma levels of vWF:Ag (2.66 vs 2.01 IU/mL, P < .001) and fibrinogen (4.3 vs 3.9 g/L, P < .05) were higher on admission compared to the stable phase. In the stable phase, vWF:Ag (2.01 vs 1.43 IU/mL, P < .01) and soluble thrombomodulin (47.5 vs 38.0 ng/mL, P < .05), but not FXIIIa levels, were higher in PE patients compared to healthy controls. CONCLUSION: This study confirms the concept of FXIIIa consumption during acute phase of VTE by showing its intraindividual normalization during the follow-up. vWF:Ag, known to be associated with the risk of VTE, was constantly elevated in the majority of the patients. Soluble thrombomodulin levels were lower in acute phase compared to stable phase, a finding which significance needs to be evaluated in the future.

Biomarkers and prediction of myocardial triglyceride content in non-diabetic men.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Lipid oversupply to cardiomyocytes or decreased utilization of lipids leads to cardiac steatosis. We aimed to examine the role of different circulating metabolic biomarkers as predictors of myocardial triglyceride (TG) content in non-diabetic men. METHODS AND RESULTS: Myocardial and hepatic TG contents were measured with 1.5 T magnetic resonance (MR) spectroscopy, and LV function, visceral adipose tissue (VAT), abdominal subcutaneous tissue (SAT), epicardial and pericardial fat by MR imaging in 76 non-diabetic men. Serum concentration of circulating metabolic biomarkers [adiponectin, leptin, adipocyte-fatty acid binding protein 4 (A-FABP 4), resistin, and lipocalin-2] including ß-hydroxybuturate (ß-OHB) were measured. Subjects were stratified by tertiles of myocardial TG into low, moderate, and high myocardial TG content groups. Concentrations of ß-OHB were lower (p = 0.003) and serum levels of A-FABP 4 were higher (p < 0.001) in the group with high myocardial TG content compared with the group with low myocardial TG content. ß-OHB was negatively correlated with myocardial TG content (r = -0.316, p = 0.006), whereas A-FABP 4 was not correlated with myocardial TG content (r = 0.192, p = 0.103). In multivariable analyses ß-OHB and plasma glucose levels were the best predictors of myocardial TG content independently of VAT and hepatic TG content. The model explained 58.8% of the variance in myocardial TG content. CONCLUSION: Our data showed that ß-OHB and fasting glucose were the best predictors of myocardial TG content in non-diabetic men. These data suggest that hyperglycemia and alterations in lipid oxidation may be associated with cardiac steatosis in humans.

Electrocardiographic changes associated with insulin resistance.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Cardiac steatosis has been related to increased risk of heart disease. We investigated the association between cardiac steatosis, electrocardiographic (ECG) abnormalities, and individual components of the metabolic syndrome (MetS). METHODS AND RESULTS: A 12-lead ECG and laboratory data were examined in 31 men with the MetS and in 38 men without the MetS. Myocardial triglyceride (MTG) content was measured with 1.5 T magnetic resonance (MR) spectroscopy and epicardial and pericardial fat by MR imaging. MTG content, epicardial and pericardial fat depots were higher in men with the MetS compared with subjects without the MetS (p < 0.001). The heart rate was increased (p < 0.001), the PR interval was longer (p < 0.044), the frontal plane QRS axis shifted to the left (p < 0.001), and the QRS voltage (p < 0.001) was lower in subjects with the MetS. The frontal plane QRS axis and the QRS voltage were inversely correlated with MTG content, waist circumference (WC), body mass index (BMI), TGs, and fasting blood glucose. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol correlated positively and measures of insulin resistance negatively with the QRS voltage. MTG content and hypertriglyceridemia were determinants of the frontal plane QRS and WC and hyperglycemia were predictors of the QRS voltage. CONCLUSION: The MetS and cardiac steatosis appear to associate with multiple changes on 12-lead ECG. The frontal plane QRS axis is shifted to the left and the QRS voltage is lower in subjects with the MetS. Standard ECG criteria may underestimate the presence of left ventricular hypertrophy in obese subjects with cardiometabolic risk factors.

Diagnosing isolated cardiac sarcoidosis.

OBJECTIVES: Cardiac sarcoidosis (CS) without clinically apparent extracardiac disease may escape detection because of the poor sensitivity of endomyocardial biopsy (EMB). We set out to analyse our experience of repeated and imaging-guided biopsies in clinically isolated CS. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records, laboratory test results, imaging studies and pathological analyses of 74 patients with either histologically proven or clinically probable CS at our institution between January 2000 and December 2010. RESULTS: Fifty-two patients had histologically proven CS, of whom 33 (26 women) had disease that was clinically isolated to the heart. Sarcoidosis was detected in the first EMB in 10 of the 31 patients who underwent biopsy. CS was found by repeated EMBs, targeted by cardiac imaging, in seven additional patients, and 11 patients were diagnosed by sampling 18-F-fluorodeoxyglucose position emission tomography-positive mediastinal lymph nodes at mediastinoscopy. Together, the first biopsy (cardiac or mediastinal lymph node) provided the diagnosis in 34%, the second biopsy in 31% and the third in 22% of biopsied patients with isolated CS. Four (13%) of the remaining diagnosis were made after cardiac transplantation and one in a patient who did not undergo biopsy) at autopsy after sudden cardiac death. CONCLUSIONS: Cardiac sarcoidosis may present without clinically apparent disease in other organs. At least two-thirds of patients remain undiagnosed after a single EMB session. The detection rate can be improved by repeated and imaging-guided cardiac or mediastinal lymph-node biopsies. Nevertheless, false-negative biopsy results remain a problem in CS patients with no apparent extracardiac disease.

Diagnosis of latent tuberculosis infection in bacille Calmette-Guérin vaccinated subjects in China by interferon-gamma ELISpot assay.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the performance of an in-house interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISpot) assay for the detection of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) in bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccinated individuals with or without human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. METHODS: A total of 202 participants (93 HIV-infected and 109 non-infected) who received BCG vaccination at birth underwent tuberculin skin testing (TST) and T cell-based ELISpot assays. The performance of an in-house IFN-γ ELISpot assay (ELISpot) was evaluated by parallel comparison with the commercial IFN-γ release assay (IGRA) kit, T-SPOT®.TB, in 127 subjects. The effect of BCG vaccination on the ELISpot assay was prospectively determined by comparing the responses of IGRAs before and 3 months after BCG vaccination in 27 individuals. RESULTS: High agreement between ELISpot and T-SPOT.TB was observed in both HIV-infected (92.47%, κ = 0.754) and non-HIV-infected subjects (97.06%, κ = 0.653). CD4(+) T-cell count does not affect Mycobacterium tuberculosis IFN-γ response as measured by both ELISpot and T-SPOT.TB. BCG vaccination resulted in 100% conversion of TST, but did not change responses to IGRAs. CONCLUSION: The performance of this in-house ELISpot assay is comparable to commercial T-SPOT.TB in diagnosing LTBI. Both assays are useful for diagnosing LTBI in BCG-vaccinated subjects with or without HIV infection in a setting with a high prevalence of tuberculosis.

Human ovarian tumour-derived chaperone-rich cell lysate (CRCL) elicits T cell responses in vitro.

Tumour-derived chaperone-rich cell lysate (CRCL), which is made up of numerous heat shock proteins, has been used successfully to generate tumour-specific T cell responses and protective immunity against a wide range of murine tumours. In this study, we have investigated the potency of human ovarian cancer-derived CRCL to activate dendritic cells (DC) and to generate tumour-specific T cells in vitro. CRCL was generated from primary ovarian cancers and SKOV3-A2, a HER2/neu, Wilm's tumour gene 1 (WT1) and human leucocyte antigen (HLA)-A2 positive human ovarian tumour cell line. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from both HLA-A2(+) healthy donors and HLA-A2(+) ovarian cancer patients were stimulated weekly with autologous DC loaded with ovarian tumour-derived CRCL. After four to six stimulations in vitro, specific cytokine secretion and cytotoxicity were measured. CRCL promoted interleukin (IL)-12 secretion and enhanced the immunostimulatory capacity of DC. T cells from healthy controls and from ovarian cancer patients secreted higher amounts of interferon-gamma following in vitro restimulation with ovarian cancer-derived CRCL than with HER2/neu or WT1 peptide-pulsed DC. We were also able to generate cytotoxic T lymphocyte activity against cancer-specific antigens such as HER2/neu and WT1 from all healthy donors, but from only one of the four ovarian cancer patients with bulky disease. These preliminary results substantiate further the concept that CRCL may prove to be a potent adjuvant for women suffering from ovarian cancer and that this personalized vaccine may be a promising approach for active immunotherapy.

Impact of postprandial lipaemia on low-density lipoprotein (LDL) size and oxidized LDL in patients with coronary artery disease.

BACKGROUND: Remnant lipoprotein particles (RLPs) and oxidative stress are components of postprandial state. We investigated the concentrations of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins (TRLs), RLPs, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) size, and oxidized LDL (oxLDL) during alimentary lipaemia, and evaluated whether changes among these variables could be associated with the severity and extent of coronary artery disease (CAD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty men and 27 women with clinically suspected CAD underwent quantitative coronary angiography (QCA). TRLs were isolated by density gradient ultracentrifugation before and 6 h after an oral fat load. RLPs were measured by an immunoseparation method, oxLDL by ELISA, and LDL size by gradient gel electrophoresis. RESULTS: Triglycerides, apolipoprotein (apo) B-48, and apoB-100 concentration in Swedberg flotation units (Sf) > 400 and in Sf 12-400 fractions were markedly increased at 6 h. Postprandial cholesterol content of RLPs (RLP-C) correlated with respective triglycerides in Sf > 400 (r = 0.737) and Sf 12-400 (r = 0.857), apoB-48 in Sf > 400 (r = 0.710) and Sf 12-400 (r = 0.664), apoB-100 in Sf > 400 (r = 0.812) and Sf 12-400 (r = 0.533). RLP-C correlated with oxLDL both in fasting and in fed state (r = 0.482 and r = 0.543, respectively) and inversely with LDL size (r = -0.459 and r = -0.442, respectively). (P < 0.001 for all). OxLDL was elevated postprandially (P < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, oxLDL was a determinant of severity and extent of CAD. CONCLUSION: Postprandial state is associated with oxidative stress. The magnitude of oxLDL increases during alimentary lipaemia and is associated with coronary atherosclerosis.

Dendritic-cell-peptide immunization provides immunoprotection against bcr-abl-positive leukemia in mice.

Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) is a clonal disorder characterized by proliferation of cells that possess the bcr-abl fusion gene resulting in the production of one of two possible chimeric 210-kDa tyrosine kinase proteins. Since these chimeric proteins are expressed only in leukemic cells they have the potential to serve as tumor-specific antigens for cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL). Using the 12B1 murine leukemia cell line, derived by retroviral transformation of BALB/c bone marrow cells with the bcr-abl (b3a2) fusion gene, we have demonstrated that intravenous inoculation of 12B1 cells into BALB/c mice results in a disseminated acute leukemia analogous to human CML in blast crisis. Histological sections of liver and spleen and polymerase chain reaction analysis of peripheral blood, bone marrow, liver, spleen and lymph nodes confirmed the presence of bcr-abl+ leukemia cells in these murine tissues, while Western blot data demonstrated the expression of the fusion protein in 12B1 cells. Immunization of mice with dendritic cells (DC) loaded with the synthetic bcr-abl chimeric nonapeptide, GFKQSSKAL, led to a 150 times higher frequency of bcr-abl-specific CTL precursors in the spleen than in mice immunized with peptide alone. In vitro re-stimulation of DC-peptide-primed splenocytes resulted in substantial secretion of interferon gamma and augmented cytolytic activity against 12B1 targets. Finally, vaccination with peptide-loaded DC significantly prolonged survival of BALB/c mice that were challenged with 12B1 leukemia. The capacity to generate bcr-abl-specific CTL in vivo by DC-based immunization may have clinical implications in the treatment of CML.

Tumor-derived multiple chaperone enrichment by free-solution isoelectric focusing yields potent antitumor vaccines.

We have utilized a free-solution/isoelectric focusing technique (FS-IEF) to obtain fractions rich in multiple chaperone proteins from clarified A20 tumor lysates. Vaccines prepared from chaperone-rich fractions are capable of providing protective immunity in mice subsequently challenged intravenously with the same A20 B cell leukemia cells. This protection is at least equal to that provided by purified, tumor-derived heat-shock protein 70, which was the best chaperone immunogen in our hands against this aggressive murine leukemia model. Dosage escalation studies, however, revealed that increasing vaccine dosages actually abrogated the protective effects. The physical nature of the enriched chaperones indicates that they are associated in complexes, which may have implications for their function. FS-IEF is relatively simple, rapid, and efficient, thus making combined multi-chaperone therapy feasible.

Immunoprotective activities of multiple chaperone proteins isolated from murine B-cell leukemia/lymphoma.

Although the use of tumor-derived heat shock/chaperone proteins (HSPs) as anticancer vaccines is gaining wider study and acceptance, there have thus far been no reports concerning chaperone antitumor activities against disseminated hematological malignancies. We have devised an efficient and effective method for purification of the chaperone proteins grp94/gp96, HSP90, HSP70, and calreticulin from harvested A20 murine leukemia/lymphoma tumor material. We have demonstrated that these purified proteins, when used as vaccines, can induce potent and specific immunity against a lethal tumor challenge. Individual chaperone proteins were differentially effective in their abilities to provide immune protection. The increase in survival generated by the most effective chaperone vaccine, HSP70, resulted from at least a 2-log reduction in tumor burden. Syngeneic granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor producing fibroblasts were injected at the site of vaccination in an attempt to augment the immune response. Surprisingly, localized granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor production inhibited the protective effects of chaperone vaccination. These studies provide evidence that chaperone proteins can be isolated from B-cell tumors and used effectively to immunize against disseminated lymphoid malignancies.

Splice variants of the Drosophila PS2 integrins differentially interact with RGD-containing fragments of the extracellular proteins tiggrin, ten-m, and D-laminin 2.

Two new potential ligands of the Drosophila PS2 integrins have been characterized by functional interaction in cell culture. These potential ligands are a new Drosophila laminin alpha2 chain encoded by the wing blister locus and Ten-m, an extracellular protein known to be involved in embryonic pattern formation. As with previously identified PS2 ligands, both contain RGD sequences, and RGD-containing fragments of these two proteins (DLAM-RGD and TENM-RGD) can support PS2 integrin-mediated cell spreading. In all cases, this spreading is inhibited specifically by short RGD-containing peptides. As previously found for the PS2 ligand tiggrin (and the tiggrin fragment TIG-RGD), TENM-RGD induces maximal spreading of cells expressing integrin containing the alphaPS2C splice variant. This is in contrast to DLAM-RGD, which is the first Drosophila polypeptide shown to interact preferentially with cells expressing the alphaPS2 m8 splice variant. The betaPS integrin subunit also varies in the presumed ligand binding region as a result of alternative splicing. For TIG-RGD and TENM-RGD, the beta splice variant has little effect, but for DLAM-RGD, maximal cell spreading is supported only by the betaPS4A form of the protein. Thus, the diversity in PS2 integrins due to splicing variations, in combination with diversity of matrix ligands, can greatly enhance the functional complexity of PS2-ligand interactions in the developing animal. The data also suggest that the splice variants may alter regions of the subunits that are directly involved in ligand interactions, and this is discussed with respect to models of integrin structure.

The PS2 integrin ligand tiggrin is required for proper muscle function in Drosophila.

Tiggrin is a novel extracellular matrix ligand for the Drosophila PS2 integrins. We have used flanking P elements to generate a precise deletion of tiggrin. Most flies lacking tiggrin die as larvae or pupae. A few adults do emerge and these appear to be relatively normal, displaying only misshapen abdomens and a low frequency of wing defects. Examination of larvae shows that muscle connections, function and morphology are defective in tiggrin mutants. Muscle contraction waves that extend the length of the larvae are much slower in tiggrin mutants. Direct examination of bodywall muscles shows defects in muscle attachment sites, where tiggrin is specifically localized, and muscles appear thinner. Transgenes expressing tiggrin are capable of rescuing tiggrin mutant phenotypes. Transgenes expressing a mutant tiggrin, whose Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) integrin recognition sequence has been mutated to Leu-Gly-Ala (LGA) show much reduced, but significant, rescuing ability. Cell spreading assays detect no interactions of this mutant tiggrin with PS2 integrins. Therefore, while the RGD sequence is critical for PS2 interactions and full activity in the whole fly, the mutant tiggrin retains some function(s) that are probably mediated by interactions with other ECM molecules or cell surface receptors

Requirements for the cytoplasmic domain of the alphaPS1, alphaPS2 and betaPS integrin subunits during Drosophila development.

The integrins are a family of transmembrane heterodimeric proteins that mediate adhesive interactions and participate in signaling across the plasma membrane. In this study we examine the functional significance of the cytoplasmic domains of the alphaPS1, alphaPS2 and betaPS subunits of the Drosophila Position Specific (PS) integrin family by analyzing the relationship between cytoplasmic domain structure and function in the context of a developing organism. By examining the ability of ssPS molecules lacking the cytoplasmic domain to rescue embryonic abnormalities associated with PS integrin loss, we find that although many embryonic events require the betaPS cytoplasmic domain, this portion of the molecule is not required for at least two processes requiring PS integrins: formation of midgut constrictions and maintaining germband integrity. Furthermore, our studies demonstrate that mutant proteins affecting four highly conserved amino acid residues in the cytoplasmic tail function with different efficiencies during embryonic development, suggesting that interaction of PS integrins with cytoplasmic ligands is developmentally modulated during embryogenesis. We have also examined the ability of alphaPS1 and alphaPS2 to function without their cytoplasmic domains. By analyzing the ability of transgenes producing truncated alphaPS molecules to rescue abnormalities associated with integrin loss, we find that the cytoplasmic tail of alphaPS2 is essential for both embryonic and postembryonic processes, while this portion of alphaPS1 is not required for function in the wing and in the retina. Furthermore, temperature-shift experiments suggest roles for the alphaPS2 cytoplasmic domain in signaling events occurring in the developing wing.

Biochemical and cytological characterization of DROP-1: a widely distributed proteoglycan in Drosophila.

Using Drosophila testis as a source of antigen, 12 monoclonal antibodies were isolated that all recognize a set of three high molecular weight molecules present on Drosophila sperm and also in the fertilized egg. Among these antibodies, one is highly specific for sperm, while the remaining 11 detect epitopes present not only on sperm, but also in yolk spheres or in a punctate distribution in the egg. Here we cytologically and biochemically characterize the (common) antigens to five of these antibodies. Several biochemical properties suggest that these antibodies recognize a family of glycosaminoglycan-containing proteoglycans: (1) three diffuse, poorly focused high molecular weight bands, all in excess of 200,000 Da were observed on Western blots of denaturing SDS gels; (2) all three bands have a pI in the range of 3.0-3.5; (3) the molecules are strongly resistant to proteolysis; (4) mild periodate oxidation renders the molecules reactive towards the derivatizing agent digoxygenin-hydrazide, indicating the likely presence of saccharide moieties; (5) trifluoromethyl sulfonic acid treatment, which removes saccharide moieties, shifts the pI to 7.0; (6) beta-elimination increases electrophoretic mobility of the antigens on SDS gels; (7) nitrous acid treatment, which cleaves N-sulfated glycosaminoglycans, also increases the electrophoretic mobility of the antigens on SDS gels. We conclude that the antigens recognized by these antibodies are likely to be heparan sulfate proteoglycans. These results indicate that DROP-1 may represent a family of proteoglycans present during embryogenesis and later stages of development in Drosophila. DROP-1 represents the third proteoglycan to be characterized in Drosophila.

Detection of electrophoretic variants of Notch, PS integrin, and DROP-1 proteins in Drosophila following extraction in guanidine hydrochloride.

A method is presented for the rapid extraction of proteins from Drosophila tissues. This method involves lysis of embryos in high concentrations of guanidine hydrochloride, followed by ultracentrifugation in a guanidine hydrochloride step gradient. Several membrane-associated antigens, including Notch and the beta subunit of PS integrin are enriched in this preparation. The quantity of the proteoglycan, DROP-1, obtained from Drosophila eggs and testes was also greatly improved by the guanidine hydrochloride extraction method. This method should prove useful in the isolation and characterization of many Drosophila antigens, particularly those associated with cell membranes.

Qualidade microbiologica da carne bovina moida a nivel de varejo e sua avaliacao pela prova da resazurina. / Microbiological quality of raw ground beef and evaluation through a resazurin test

Amostras de carne bovina moida, obtidas em supermercados e acougues de Piracicaba, SP foram analisadas quanto a: 1) contagem total de bacterias (a 21, 32 e 35 graus C.); 2) enumeracao de coliformes (totais e Escherichia coli); 3) prova de resazurina (a 30 e 35 graus C.); 4) determinacao do pH; 5) avaliacao subjetiva da qualidade. A contagem total e a enumeracao de coliformes resultaram, geralmente, em valores elevados, que, para grande numero das amostras, ultrapassaram limites maximos propostos ou adotados para o produto. O tempo de reducao da resazurina esteve negativamente correlacionado com a contagem total de bacterias e com a enumeracao de coliformes, e positivamente correlacionado com o periodo de conservacao sob refrigeracao, que foi de 1 a 13 dias. E proposta uma classificacao da carne bovina moida comercial, com base na prova da resazurina, em nivel aceitavel (tempo de reducao da resazurina > 8,Oh), questionavel (tempo de reducao > 5,Oh e < igual 8,Oh) e inaceitavel (tempo de reducao < igual 5,0h). O limite maximo de 6,1 e sugerido para o pH do produto