Bioactive Compound Profiling and Antioxidant Activity of Phytelephas tenuicaulis and Other Amazonian Fruits.

The Amazon region is home to many plant species, many of which have not been studied. The objective was to evaluate the physicochemical properties, bioactive compounds, and antioxidant activity of Phytelephas tenuicalis (tintiuk), Grias neuberthii (apai), Euterpe oleracea (acai), and Mauritia flexuosa (brown moriche). Physicochemical analyses were carried out on fresh fruit from local markets. Bioactive compounds (carotenoids, phenolics, vitamin C, and organic acids) were quantified in the freeze-dried pulp by rapid-resolution liquid chromatography (RRLC), and antioxidant activity was determined by ABTS and DPPH assays. The results showed high soluble solids (10.7 °Brix) and ascorbic acid (67.3 mg/100 g DW) in tintiuk; ß-carotene (63.4 mg/100 g DW) and malic acid (19.6 g/100 g DW) in brown moriche; quercetin (944.2 mg/100 g DW) and antioxidant activity by ABTS (6.7 mmol ET/100 g DW) in apai; and citric acid (2.1 g/100 g DW) in acai. These results indicate interesting bioactive properties that could increase the consumption of these fruits nationally and internationally, benefiting local farmers and stimulating the development of new products in functional food, medicine, and cosmetics.

Histological Remission of Eosinophilic Esophagitis Following Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation for Acute Myelogenous Leukemia.

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is an immune/antigen-mediated disease with an increasing incidence over the last decade. Clinicopathological remission can be achieved through different treatment options but often requires chronic therapy. To our knowledge, this is the first report of EoE wherein the patient (a 54-year-old man) achieved histological remission after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) for acute myelogenous leukemia. Overall, despite the success of EoE treatment in this case, further studies are needed to establish allogeneic HSCT as a curative option for EoE.

Development of Gastric Polyps: 15 Years of Proton Pump Inhibitor Therapy.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common disease affecting millions of people worldwide. Proton pump inhibitors (PPI) are the most common drugs used to treat this acid-related disorder due to their high efficacy and fewer side effects. However, long-term use of these drugs can cause histopathological changes, including cystic dilation of gastric fundic glands. The present report describes a 53-year-old man with chronic GERD and daily use of PPIs 20 mg once a day for over 15 years. This case demonstrates the association between PPI and the development of fundic gland polyps.

Evaluation of Bioactive Compounds and Antioxidant Activity in 51 Minor Tropical Fruits of Ecuador.

Less common tropical fruits have been the subject of little research, leaving a vast field to be explored. In this context, a comprehensive study was carried out on the bioactive compounds and antioxidant capacity of 51 non-traditional fruits consumed in Ecuador. Vitamin C, organic acids, carotenoids, and phenolic compounds were evaluated using microextraction and rapid resolution liquid chromatography (RRLC) techniques, while antioxidant activity was measured using microplate readings. The results showed high levels of vitamin C (768.2 mg/100 g DW) in Dovyalis hebecarpa, total organic acids (37.2 g/100 g DW) in Passiflora tripartita, carotenoids (487.0 mg/100 g DW) in Momordica charantia, phenolic compounds (535.4 mg/g DW) in Nephelium lappaceum, Pourouma cecropiifolia (161.4 µmol TE/g DW) and Morus alba (80.5 µmol AAE/g DW) in antioxidant activity. Effective extraction of carotenoids was also observed using a mixture of methanol: acetone: dichloromethane (1:1:2) with an extraction time of 2 min, while an 80% solution of 0.1% acidified methanol with hydrochloric acid with an extraction time of 3 min was highly effective for phenolics in fruit. These results provide a valuable basis for optimising future extraction processes of bioactive compounds from non-traditional fruits, with significant implications for their potential use in various nutritional and pharmaceutical contexts.

Exploring Plants with Flowers: From Therapeutic Nutritional Benefits to Innovative Sustainable Uses.

Flowers have played a significant role in society, focusing on their aesthetic value rather than their food potential. This study's goal was to look into flowering plants for everything from health benefits to other possible applications. This review presents detailed information on 119 species of flowers with agri-food and health relevance. Data were collected on their family, species, common name, commonly used plant part, bioremediation applications, main chemical compounds, medicinal and gastronomic uses, and concentration of bioactive compounds such as carotenoids and phenolic compounds. In this respect, 87% of the floral species studied contain some toxic compounds, sometimes making them inedible, but specific molecules from these species have been used in medicine. Seventy-six percent can be consumed in low doses by infusion. In addition, 97% of the species studied are reported to have medicinal uses (32% immune system), and 63% could be used in the bioremediation of contaminated environments. Significantly, more than 50% of the species were only analysed for total concentrations of carotenoids and phenolic compounds, indicating a significant gap in identifying specific molecules of these bioactive compounds. These potential sources of bioactive compounds could transform the health and nutraceutical industries, offering innovative approaches to combat oxidative stress and promote optimal well-being.

Functional and Antioxidant Evaluation of Two Ecotypes of Control and Grafted Tree Tomato (Solanum betaceum) at Different Altitudes.

Tree tomato (Solanum betaceum) is susceptible to nematode attack; for this reason, grafting is used as an alternative to reduce this impact. In this study, the bioactive compounds of the fruit (shell, pulp, and seed jelly) of two tree tomato ecotypes ('giant orange' and 'giant purple') were evaluated in both control and grafted plants grown at different altitudes (2010-2250, 2260-2500, 2510-2750 and 2760-3000 masl). Commercial quality, vitamin C, organic acids, phenolics, carotenoids and antioxidant activity were determined by microextraction and quantified by liquid chromatography (RRLC) or spectrophotometry (microplate reader). The results showed high concentrations of vitamin C, organic acids and antioxidant activity in the seed jelly, organic acids in the pulp and phenolic compounds, carotenoids, and antioxidant activity in the shell. The main phenolics were ferulic acid, caffeic acid and luteolin, while the main carotenoids were lutein, B-cryptoxanthin and B-carotene. Multivariate analysis showed that tree tomato quality was mainly influenced by altitude and fruit part and that grafting positively affected soluble solids for both ecotypes and all altitudes.

Metagenomics of African Empogona and Tricalysia (Rubiaceae) reveals the presence of leaf endophytes.

Background: Leaf symbiosis is a phenomenon in which host plants of Rubiaceae interact with bacterial endophytes within their leaves. To date, it has been found in around 650 species belonging to eight genera in four tribes; however, the true extent in Rubiaceae remains unknown. Our aim is to investigate the possible occurrence of leaf endophytes in the African plant genera Empogona and Tricalysia and, if present, to establish their identity. Methods: Total DNA was extracted from the leaves of four species of the Coffeeae tribe (Empogona congesta, Tricalysia hensii, T. lasiodelphys, and T. semidecidua) and sequenced. Bacterial reads were filtered out and assembled. Phylogenetic analysis of the endophytes was used to reveal their identity and their relationship with known symbionts. Results: All four species have non-nodulated leaf endophytes, which are identified as Caballeronia. The endophytes are distinct from each other but related to other nodulated and non-nodulated endophytes. An apparent phylogenetic or geographic pattern appears to be absent in endophytes or host plants. Caballeronia endophytes are present in the leaves of Empogona and Tricalysia, two genera not previously implicated in leaf symbiosis. This interaction is likely to be more widespread, and future discoveries are inevitable.

Estrés, estrategias de afrontamiento y consumo de alimentos no saludables durante la pandemia de COVID-19 en estudiantes universitarios

Los estudiantes universitarios suelen presentar una dieta poco saludable por estar expuestos, entre otros factores, a situaciones estresantes que se han visto exacerbadas por la pandemia del COVID-19. Para enfrentar el estrés se pueden utilizar diferentes estrategias, sin embargo, se desconoce si los estudiantes universitarios han utilizado dichas estrategias y/o cambiado sus hábitos alimentarios como mecanismo para manejar el estrés durante la pandemia. Este estudio evaluó si el estrés generado durante la pandemia de COVID-19 impactó en los hábitos alimentarios de los estudiantes universitarios y en las estrategias de afrontamiento para enfrentar el estrés. La muestra fue no probabilística y estuvo compuesta por 236 estudiantes universitarios de dos instituciones universitarias chilenas. Se aplicó una encuesta en línea que evaluó consumo de alimentos no saludables, estrés, estrategias de afrontamiento, e información sociodemográfica. Los datos se analizaron mediante regresión binomial negativa. El análisis reveló un aumento en el consumo de alimentos poco saludables, especialmente en estudiantes con altos niveles de estrés. Las estrategias utilizadas se agruparon en 'evitación emocional' y 'mantenerse ocupado'. Se evidenció que los estudiantes más jóvenes preferían las estrategias de evitación emocional y había una fuerte asociación entre las estrategias de "mantenerse ocupado" con un menor consumo de alimentos poco saludables. Estos resultados respaldan el desarrollo de estrategias para el manejo del estrés y de esta forma evitar el consumo excesivo de alimentos poco saludables durante períodos estresantes como la pandemia de COVID-19.

College students often have an unhealthy diet due to exposure to, among other factors, stressful situations that have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Different strategies can be used to cope with stress; however, it is unknown whether university students have used such strategies and/or changed their dietary habits as a mechanism to manage stress during the pandemic. This study assessed whether the stress generated during the COVID-19 pandemic impacted college students' eating habits and coping strategies to deal with stress. The sample was non-probabilistic and was composed of 236 university students from two Chilean university institutions. An online survey was administered that assessed unhealthy food consumption, stress, coping strategies, and sociodemographic information. Data were analyzed using negative binomial regression. The analysis revealed an increase in the consumption of unhealthy foods, especially in students with high levels of stress. The strategies used were grouped into 'emotional avoidance' and 'keeping busy'. It was evident that younger students preferred emotional avoidance strategies and there was a strong association between 'keeping busy' strategies with lower consumption of unhealthy foods. These results support the development of stress management strategies to avoid excessive consumption of unhealthy foods during stressful periods such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

Noninvasive Monitoring of Blood Pressure and Heart Rate during Estrous Cycle Phases in Normotensive Wistar-Kyoto and Spontaneously Hypertensive Female Rats.

Since 2015, the National Institutes of Health has called for its funded preclinical research to include both male and female subjects. However, much of the basic animal research that has studied heart rate and blood pressure in the past has used male rats. Male rats have been preferred for these studies to avoid the possible complicating effects of the female estrous cycle. The aim of the current study was to determine whether blood pressure and heart rates vary as a function of the estrous cycle phase of young normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) and Spontaneously Hypertensive (SHR) female rats. Blood pressure and heart rate were measured at the same time of day throughout the estrous cycle by using a noninvasive tail cuff sphygmomano- metric technique. As expected, 16-wk-old female SHR rats had higher blood pressure and heart rates than did age-matched female WKY rats. However, no significant differences in mean, systolic, or diastolic arterial blood pressure or heart rate were detected across the different stages of the estrous cycle in either strain of female rats. Consistent with previous reports, heart rates were higher and showed less variation in the hypertensive SHR female rats as compared with the normotensive WKY female rats. These results indicate that studies measuring blood pressure and heart rate can include young female SHR and WKY rats with no effect of estrous cycle stage.

Electromagnetic Induction for Treatment of Unspecific Back Pain: A Prospective Randomized Sham-Controlled Clinical Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of high-energy pulsed electromagnetic fields on unspecific back pain. METHODS: A prospective, randomized, sham-controlled clinical trial with repeated measurements was performed. The study included 5 visits (V0 to V4) with 3 interventions during V1, V2 and V3. Sixty-one patients aged between 18 and 80 years with unspecific back pain (acute inflammatory diseases and specific causes were reasons for exclusion) were included. The treatment group (n = 31) received 1-2 pulses/s, with an intensity of 50 mT, and an electric field strength of at least 20 V/m on 3 consecutive weekdays for 10 min each time. The control group (n = 30) received a comparable sham therapy. Pain intensity (visual analogue scale), local oxyhaemoglobin saturation, heart rate, blood pressure, and perfusion index were evaluated before (b) and after (a) V1 and V3 interventions. Change in visual analogue scale for V1 (ChangeV1a-b) and V3 (ChangeV3a-b), and ChangeData between V3a and V1b (ChangeV3a-V1b) for the remaining data were calculated (results were mean (standard deviation) (95% confidence interval; 95% CI)). RESULTS: Concerning the visual analogue scale: (i) compared with the control group, the treatment group had higher ChangeV1a-b (-1.25 (1.76) (95% CI -1.91 to -0.59) vs -2.69 (1.74) (95% CI -3.33 to -2.06), respectively), and comparable Change V3a-b (-0.86 (1.34) (95% CI -1.36 to -0.36) vs -1.37 (1.03) (95% CI -1.75 to 0.99), respectively); and (ii) there was a significant marked decrease in Change V3a-1b in the treatment group compared with the control group (-5.15 (1.56) (95% CI -5.72 to -4.57) vs -2.58 (1.68) (95% CI -3.21 to -1.96), p = 0.001, respectively). There was no significant ChangeV3a-V1b in local oxyhaemoglobin saturation, heart rate, blood pressure or perfusion index between the 2 groups and for the same group (before vs after). CONCLUSION: Non-thermal, non-invasive electromagnetic induction therapy had a significant and rapid influence on unspecific back pain in the treatment group.

Treatment of acid rock drainage using a sulphate-reducing bioreactor with a limestone precolumn.

Sulphate reducing bacteria (SRB) offer promise for the treatment of mine waste due to their effectiveness removing toxic heavy metals as highly insoluble metal sulphides and their ability to generate alkalinity. The main objective of this study was to develop a treatment composed of a sulphate-reducing bioreactor with a limestone precolumn for the removal of Cu(II) from a synthetic ARD. The purpose of the limestone column was to increase the pH values and decrease the level of Cu in the effluent to prevent SRB inhibition. The system was fed with a pH-2.7 synthetic ARD containing Cu(II) (10-40 mg/L), sulphate (2000 mg/L) and acetate (2.5 g COD/L) for 150 days. Copper removal efficiencies in the two-stage system were very high (95-99%), with a final concentration of 0.53 mg/L Cu, and almost complete removal occurred in the limestone precolumn. In the same manner, the acidity of the synthetic ARD was effectively reduced in the limestone precolumn to 7.3 and the pH was raised in the bioreactor (7.3-8.0). COD consumption by methanogens was predominant from day 0-118, but SRB dominated at the end of the experiment (day 150) when the average COD removal and sulphide production were 74.8% and 61.7%, respectively. Study of the microbial taxonomic composition in the bioreactor revealed that Methanosarcina and Methanosaeta were the most prevalent methanogens while the genera Desulfotomaculum and Syntrophobacter were the dominant SRB. Among the SRB identified Desulfotomaculum intricatum (99% identity) and Desulfotomaculum acetoxidans (96%) were the most abundant sequences of bacteria capable of using acetate.

Negative results for ketamine use in severe acute bronchospasm: a randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Ketamine has bronchodilation properties. The aim of the single-centre, evaluator-blinded, randomised clinical trial study was to evaluate whether continuous infusion of ketamine is associated with improvement in respiratory mechanics correlated with bronchospasm relief, as compared with continuous infusion of fentanyl. METHODS: Adult patients submitted to invasive mechanical ventilation were included if they had an acute severe bronchospasm, due to status asthmaticus or COPD exacerbation. They were randomised to ketamine or a standard IV analgesia with fentanyl, both in bolus and continuous infusion. Measurements of respiratory mechanics (airway resistance - Rsmax, dynamic compliance - Cdyn and intrinsic PEEP - PEEPi) both at baseline and 3 and 24 h after randomisation were performed. The main outcome of this study was to evaluate the improvement of Rsmax in 3 h of continuous infusion of the study drugs. RESULTS: Ketamine use was not associated with greater reduction in Rsmax when compared with fentanyl, either after 3 h (0 cm H2O L-1 s-1 ± 6 vs. -3 cm H2O L-1 s-1 ± 7.7, respectively; P = 0.16) or after 24 h (-3 cm H2O L-1 s-1 ± 17 vs. -3.5 cm H2O L-1 s-1 ± 13.7, respectively; P = 0.73). Patients randomized to the ketamine group did not have better improvements in delta PEEPi as compared with fentanyl in 3 h (P = 0.77) or in 24 h (P = 0.72). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, ketamine use was not associated with improvement in ventilatory variables associated with bronchospasm.

The possible origin of Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease / El posible origen de la enfermedad de Legg-Calvé-Perthes

Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease (LCPD) is a childhood orthopedic pathology that affects the development of the hip. It is a rare disease with a huge variation in annual incidence. It occurs approximately five times more often in boys than in girls. The objective of this article was to formulate a hypothesis about the possible origin of LCPD, from the paleopathological findings of this disease reported until 2017, and to highlight the importance of anthropology, history, paleontology and paleopathology to the study of the origins of disease. By using eight web-based search engines, we performed a review of articles focused on the history, genetics and paleopathological findings of LCPD; we evaluated in total 133 articles published between 1910 and 2017. Out of these, 20 articles belonging to the same publication period were included in this analysis. LCPD was described for the first time approximately 100 years ago and without knowing it was a new disease. In the last years, human remains have been found in which LCPD has been identified, providing relevant information about the origin of this pathology. These data and their historical context can be a basis to propose the Asian continent as the site of origin of LCPD; however, new anthropological, genetic and paleopathological studies are needed to reinforce or refute this hypothesis.

La enfermedad de Legg-Calvé-Perthes (ELCP) es una afección ortopédica infantil que repercute en el desarrollo de la cadera. Es una enfermedad rara con incidencia anual variable. Es aproximadamente cinco veces más frecuente en niños que en niñas. El objetivo de este artículo fue formular una hipótesis acerca del posible origen de la ELCP a partir de hallazgos paleopatológicos reportados hasta el año 2017, además de resaltar la importancia que ofrecen la antropología, la historia, la paleontología y la paleopatología para el estudio del origen de las enfermedades. Mediante ocho buscadores se hizo una revisión de artículos referentes a la historia, la genética y los hallazgos paleopatológicos de la ELCP; se evaluaron un total de 133 artículos publicados entre 1910 y 2017. De ellos, fueron incluidos en este análisis 20 artículos que abarcaron el mismo periodo de publicación. La ELCP comenzó a describirse hace poco más de 100 años y sin el conocimiento de que se trataba de una entidad nueva. En los últimos años se han encontrado restos humanos en los que se ha identificado la ELCP, lo cual ha brindado información relevante respecto al origen de este padecimiento. Estos datos y su contexto histórico pueden ser fundamentos para plantear al continente asiático como el sitio de origen de la ELCP; sin embargo, se requiere de nuevos estudios antropológicos, genéticos y paleopatológicos para reforzar o refutar esta hipótesis.

Continuous Flow α-Arylation of N,N-Dialkylhydrazones under Visible-Light Photoredox Catalysis.

The first direct α-arylation of aldehyde-derived N,N-dialkylhydrazones with electron deficient aryl and heteroaryl cyanides under visible-light photoredox catalysis has been developed. Structurally complex α,α'-diaryl-N,N-cycloalkylhydrazones were obtained in moderate yields by repetition of the direct arylation protocol. A continuous-flow procedure for the preparation of α-aryl-N,N-dialkylhydrazones on a multigram scale has also been established.

Analgesia na emergência / Analgesia in emergency

Os autores fazem uma revisão bibliográfica sobre escalas de avaliação e manejo da dor, com ênfase nos conceitos mais atuais sobre analgesia em um ambiente de emergência, independente da origem, características ou caráter agudo e crônico da dor.

The authors review the literature on rating scales and levels of analgesia of pain, with emphasis on current concepts of analgesia in an emergency room, regardless of the origin, nature or characteristics of acute and chronic pain.

Dermatite atópica / Atopic dermatitis

Os autores fazem uma revisão bibliográfica sobre as manifestações clínicas e manejo da dermatite atópica, com ênfase nos conceitos mais atuais sobre diagnóstico e possibilidades terapêuticas.

The authors make a literature review on the clinical manifestations and management of atopic dermatitis, with emphasis on the most current concepts in the diagnosis and therapeutic possibilities.

[Presence of Bartonella henselae in cats: natural reservoir quantification and human exposition risk of this zoonoses in Chile]. / Presencia de Bartonella henselae en gatos: cuantificación del reservorio natural y riesgo de exposición humana de esta zoonosis en Chile.

BACKGROUND: The availability of a serologic test for cat scratch disease in humans has allowed the diagnosis of an increasing number of cases of this disease in Chile. AIM: To perform a serological survey for Bartonella henselae among cats in Chile. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Blood samples from 187 cats living in three Chilean cities were obtained. IgG antibodies against Bartonella henselae were measured using indirect immunofluorescence. Blood cultures were done in 60 samples. The presence of Bartonella henselae in positive cultures was confirmed by restriction fragment length polymorphism polymerase chain reaction (RFLP-PCR). RESULTS: The general prevalence of IgG antibodies against Bartonella henselae was 85.6%. No differences in this prevalence were found among cats younger or older than 1 year, or those infested or not infested with fleas. However domestic cats had a lower prevalence when compared with stray cats (73 and 90% respectively, p <0.01). Bartonella henselae was isolated in 41% of blood cultures. All the isolated were confirmed as Bartonella henselae by RFLP-PCR. CONCLUSIONS: This study found an important reservoir of Bartonella henselae in Chilean cats and therefore a high risk of exposure in humans who have contact with them.