Influence of different types of LEDs lights on the formation of volatile sulfur compounds in white and rosé wines.

The effect of LEDs light on the formation of volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) and the final sensory quality of white and rosé wines was evaluated. Thus, different commercial wines were exposed for ten days to three types of lights. All wine samples were analyzed throughout the exposure period to determine the usual oenological parameters together with some other chemical characteristics (color evolution; riboflavin, cysteine and methionine photodegradation), VSC amounts and sensory characteristics. The results showed that the wines exposed to ultraviolet light suffered greater degradation of the aromatic precursors, mainly riboflavin, and had higher concentrations of VSCs. Regarding LED lights, these produced minimal degradative effects. So that we can consider this type of light as an alternative to reduce the economic impact that currently occurs due to the photodegradation of bottled wines.

Replicability of Ultrasonic Molding for Processing Thin-Wall Polystyrene Plates with a Microchannel.

Ultrasonic molding is a new technology for processing small and micro polymeric components with reasonable cost and energy savings when small and medium batch sizes are required. However, when microcomponents are manufactured, the replicability of different micro features has to be guaranteed. The aim is to investigate the capability of ultrasonic molding technology for processing thin-wall plates of polystyrene with a microchannel, analyzing the filling behavior, the optical transparency, and the dimensional accuracy of the thin plate. The replicability of the manufactured microchannel is studied according to dimension and shape. The results reveal that plunger velocity influences transparency and filling cavity, whereas the vibration amplitude has less effect in both cases. The thickness deviation achieved on the final part is below 7% and the replication of the microchannel is better in depth than width, obtaining an average deviation of 4% and 11%, respectively. This replication also depends on the orientation of the microchannels and the distance from the injection gate. The replicability and repeatability for processing thin-wall plates with microchannel in polystyrene polymer are proved in this paper.

Abordaje integral de un caso complejo de continuidad de cuidados a un paciente cistectomizado / No disponible

El manejo inefectivo del régimen terapéutico es uno de los diagnósticos que con más frecuencia se le presenta al profesional enfermero durante su desarrollo profesional. Es fundamental que el enfermero desarrolle un plan de cuidados de forma óptima para que el paciente adquiera una correcta adhesión al tratamiento terapéutico y mejore su calidad de vida, así como prevenir las posibles complicaciones ante el no cumplimiento de tal tratamiento. Atendimos en nuestra unidad a un paciente de 56 años con diagnóstico de carcinoma infiltrante de vejiga que iba a ser intervenido de cistectomía. Controla su diabetes sin seguir con el plan terapéutico de su médico de familia, tampoco ha conseguido dejar su hábito tabáquico. Esto nos pone alerta de los posibles problemas posquirúrgicos y al alta

Nursing staff is exposed to ineffective management of therapeutic regimen during their professional development. It is essential for the nursing staff to develop an optimum self-care plan so that the patient can adhere to treatment and improve his quality of life. This will help the patient to anticipate possible complications related to non-compliance for treatment of the disease. A 56 years old patient with an infiltrating bladder cancer was admitted to our unit. The patient poorly controls diabetes, does not follow an appropriate treatment plan and has not stopped smoking. This is putting the patient at great danger due to post-operative complications and problems as a result of discharge from hospital

Efectos de la imitación en la interacción social recíproca en un niño con Trastorno del Espectro Autista Grave / Effects of imitation on mutual social interaction in children with severe autism spectrum disorder / Efectes de la imitació en la interacción social recíproca en un nen amb trastorns de l'espectre autista greu

Los niños con trastorno del espectro autista (TEA) presentan dificultades de empatía y relación social. Estudios previos sugieren un déficit primario en el sistema de neuronas espejo. En este estudio de caso único se ha aplicado la metodología observacional para investigar el uso de la imitación en un proceso de una psicoterapia de orientación psicoanalítica en un niño con TEA grave. Los resultados sugieren que el uso de la imitación en este tipo de psicoterapia es una opción recomendable, ya que favorece los procesos de diferenciación y mejora las capacidades de interacción

Children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) show difficulties in empathy and social interaction. Previous studies suggest primary deficits in the mirror system brain network. In this single case study observational methodology has been used to investigate the process of a psychoanalytic psychotherapy with imitation in a child with severe ASD. Results suggest that the use of imitation within this psychotherapy approach promote the differentiation processes and stimulates social interaction

Efectes de la imitació en la interacció social recíproca en un nen amb trastorn de l’espectre autista greu. Els nens amb trastorn de l’espectre autista (TEA) presenten dificultats d’empatia i relació social. Estudis previs suggereixen un dèficit primari en el sistema de neurones mirall. En aquest estudi de cas únic s’ha aplicat la metodologia observacional per investigar l’ús de la imitació en un procés d’una psicoteràpia d’orientació psicoanalítica en un nen amb TEA greu. Els resultats suggereixen que l’ús de la imitació en aquest tipus de psicoteràpia és una opció recomanable, ja que afavoreix els processos de diferenciació i millora les capacitats d'interacció

Discrimination and sensory description of beers through data fusion.

Beer samples of the same brand and commercialized as a same product, but brewed in four different factories were analyzed with three techniques, an MS e-nose, a mid-IR optical-tongue and a UV-visible, to see if the factories show differences and to find out if the differences found could be attributed to different sensory properties. The data from the three instruments were fused to improve the ability of classification with respect to the individual use of the techniques. Two levels of data fusion were studied: low and mid level fusion, and the classification was performed by linear discriminant analysis (LDA). Mid-level fusion provided better classification results (above 95% correct classification) than those of low-level fusion and also than those obtained when using the individual techniques. Moreover, by means of the score and loading plots obtained by Fisher-LDA, it was possible to interpret the chemical information provided by the three techniques, and we were able to relate the variables associated to each sensor to the main compounds responsible of the sensory perception.

Characterization and classification of the aroma of beer samples by means of an MS e-nose and chemometric tools.

An electronic nose based on coupling of headspace (HS) with a mass spectrometer (MS) has been used in this study to classify and characterize a series of beers according to their production site and chemical composition. With this objective, we analyzed 67 beers of the same brand and preparation process but produced in different factories. The samples were also subjected to sensory evaluation by a panel of experts. Linear discriminant analysis (LDA) was used as the classification technique and stepwise LDA based on Wilk's lambda criterion was used to select the most discriminating variables. To interpret the aroma characteristics of the beers from the m/z ions obtained, score and loading bi-plots were obtained by applying canonical variables. Because the beers analyzed were marketed with the same name and brand, we expected to be working with the same product irrespective of its origin. However, results from both sensory evaluation and use of the e-nose revealed differences between factories. With the e-nose it was possible to relate these differences to the presence (and abundance) of characteristic ions of different compounds typically found in beer. These results demonstrate that the HS-MS e-nose is not only an aroma sensor capable to classify and/or differentiate samples but it can also provide information about the compounds responsible for this differentiation.

Application of an electronic tongue based on FT-MIR to emulate the gustative mouthfeel "tannin amount" in red wines.

In this work, the ability of an electronic tongue based on Fourier-Transform Mid Infrared (FT-MIR) spectroscopy as a gustative sensor is assessed by emulating the responses of a tasting panel for the gustative mouthfeel "tannin amount". The FT-MIR spectra were modeled against the sensory responses evaluated in 37 red wines by means of partial least squares (PLS) regression models. In order to find the wavenumbers more correlated with the sensorial attribute and thus providing the best predictive models, six different variable selection techniques were tested. The iterative predictor weighting IPW-PLS technique showed the best results with the smallest RMSEC and RMSECV values (0.07 and 0.13, respectively) using 20 selected wavenumbers. The coincident wavenumbers selected by the six variable selection techniques were interpreted based on the absorption bands of tannin and then a calibration model using these wavenumbers was built to validate the interpretation made.

Sources of contamination and modelled pollutant trajectories in a Mediterranean harbour (Tarragona, Spain).

The proximity of commercial harbours to residential areas and the growing environmental awareness of society have led most port authorities to include environmental management within their administration plan. Regarding water quality, it is necessary to have the capacity and tools to deal with contamination episodes that may damage marine ecosystems and human health, but also affect the normal functioning of harbours. This paper presents a description of the main pollutant sources in Tarragona Harbour (Spain), and a numerical analysis of several pollution episodes based on the Port Authority's actual environmental concerns. The results show that pollution generated inside the harbour tends to remain confined within the port, whereas it is very likely that oil spills from a nearby monobuoy may affect the neighbouring beaches. The present combination of numerical models proves itself a useful tool to assess the environmental risk associated to harbour activities and potential pollution spills.

RBE of X rays of different energies: a cytogenetic evaluation by FISH.

Mammography using 26-30 kVp X rays is routinely used in breast cancer screening. Discussion about the radiation-related risk associated with this methodology is ongoing. For radioprotection purposes, a quality factor of 1 has been assigned for all photon energies. However, the relative biological effectiveness (RBE) could increase as the photon energy decreases. Analyzing different biological parameters, for 30 kVp X rays, RBE values from 1 to 8 have been estimated. In the present study, a cytogenetic FISH evaluation of the RBE of 30, 80 and 120 kVp X rays has been done. Blood samples were irradiated with 10 doses from 0.05 to 3 Gy for each energy studied. The yields of translocations and dicentrics were determined by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) using whole chromosome probes for chromosomes 1, 4 and 11 together with a pancentromeric probe. The alpha coefficients of the dose-effect curves for dicentrics, minimum number of breaks needed to produce exchange-type aberrations, and apparently simple translocations were used to estimate the RBE. Using the curves obtained for 120 kVp as a reference, the RBE values for dicentrics were 1.08+/-0.43 and 1.73+/-0.59 for 80 and 30 kVp X rays, respectively; for minimum number of breaks these values were 1.38+/-0.39 and 1.42+/-0.41, and for apparently simple translocations they were 1.26+/-0.40 and 1.51+/-0.47, respectively. Moreover, the induction of complex aberrations by these energies was compared. The percentage of complex aberrations relative to total aberrations showed a significant tendency to increase as X-ray energy decreased: 7.8+/-1.19, 9.8+/-1.6 and 14.1+/-1.9 for 120, 80 and 30 kVp, respectively (P<0.02).

Comparative study of two chromatographic methods for quantifying 2,4,6-trichloranisole in wines.

Here we present the validation and the comparative study of two chromatographic methods for quantifying 2,4,6-trichloroanisole (TCA) in wines (red, rosé and white wines). The first method involves headspace solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography with electron-capture detection (ECD). The evaluation of the performance parameters shows limit of detection of 0.3 ng l(-1), limit of quantification of 1.0 ng l(-1), recoveries around 100% and repeatability of 10%. The second one implies a headspace solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography with mass spectrometric detection. The performance parameters of this second method are limit of detection of 0.2 ng l(-1), limit of quantification of 0.8 ng l(-1) and repeatability of 10.1%. From the comparative study we can state that both methods provide similar results and the differences between them are the better sensitivity of the GC-ECD method and the very shorter chromatogram running time of the GC-MS method. The two methods are able to quantify TCA below the sensorial threshold in red, rosé and white wines using just a calibration graph, thus they could be a very good tool for quality control in wineries.

Candidate gene identification of an aluminum-activated organic acid transporter gene at the Alt4 locus for aluminum tolerance in rye (Secale cereale L.).

Among cereal crops, rye is one of the most tolerant species to aluminum. A candidate gene approach was used to determine the likely molecular identity of an Al tolerance locus (Alt4). Using PCR primers designed from a wheat aluminum tolerance gene encoding an aluminum-activated malate transporter (TaALMT1), a rye gene (ScALMT1) was amplified, cloned and sequenced. Subsequently, the ScALMT1 gene of rye was found to be located on 7RS by PCR amplification using the wheat-rye addition lines. SNP polymorphisms for this gene were detected among the parents of three F(2) populations that segregate for the Alt4 locus. A map of the rye chromosome 7R, including the Alt4 locus ScALMT1 and several molecular markers, was constructed showing a complete co-segregation between Alt4 and ScALMT1. Furthermore, expression experiments were carried out to clarify the function of this candidate gene. Briefly, the ScALMT1 gene was found to be primarily expressed in the root apex and upregulated when aluminum was present in the medium. Five-fold differences in the expression were found between the Al tolerant and the Al non-tolerant genotypes. Additionally, much higher expression was detected in the rye genotypes than the moderately tolerant "Chinese Spring" wheat cultivar. These results suggest that the Alt4 locus encodes an aluminum-activated organic acid transporter gene that could be utilized to increase Al tolerance in Al sensitive plant species. Finally, TaALMT1 homologous sequences were identified in different grasses and in the dicotyledonous plant Phaseolus vulgaris. Our data support the hypothesis of the existence of a common mechanism of Al tolerance encoded by a gene located in the homoeologous group four of cereals.

Analysis of gamma-rays induced chromosome aberrations: a fingerprint evaluation with a combination of pan-centromeric and pan-telomeric probes.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the types of induced chromosome aberrations after the exposure of peripheral blood to gamma-rays by the simultaneous detection of all centromeres and telomeres; and to analyse the suitability of different radiation fingerprints for the assessment of radiation quality in cases of recent exposures. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Peripheral blood samples were irradiated at 2, 4 and 6 Gy of gamma-rays. Cytogenetic analysis was carried out by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) technique with pan-centromeric and peptide nucleic acid (PNA)-telomeric DNA probes. Cells were analysed using a Cytovision FISH workstation, chromosome aberrations and the length of the acentric fragments were recorded. RESULTS: The total number of the incomplete chromosome elements was 276. The ratio between incomplete elements and multicentrics was 0.38. The number of acentrics was 1096, 71% were complete acentrics, 15% incomplete acentrics, and 14% interstitial fragments. The relative length of complete, incomplete and interstitial acentrics fragments were 2.70 +/- 0.04, 1.91 +/- 0.07, and 1.42 +/- 0.04 respectively. The mean value of the F-ratio was 11.5 higher than the one, 5.5, previously obtained for alpha-particles. For the G-ratio there was no difference between gamma-rays and alpha-particles, 2.8 and 2.8 respectively. The mean value of the H-ratio for gamma-rays, 0.25, was lower than for alpha-particles 0.40. CONCLUSION: The results support that the percentage of incomplete chromosome aberrations depends on radiation type; low-linear energy transfer (LET) radiation would produces less incomplete aberrations than high-LET radiation. The F- and H-ratios seem to be good indicators of radiation quality, although a real estimation of the H-ratio is only possible using pan-telomeric probes.

Prevención de la fertilidad femenina en los tratamientos oncológicos. Criopreservación de tejido ovárico / Female fertility prevention in the oncologic treatments. Criopreservation of ovarian tissue

En este capítulo se revisan diversas posibilidades para conservar la fertilidad femenina en pacientes oncológicas: quimioprofilaxis, criopreservación de embriones, oocitos y de tejido ovárico. Se especula sobre opciones futuras

Different options to preserve female fertility in oncologic patients are reviewed in this chapter: Chemoprophylaxis, embryos, oocytes and ovarian tissue criopreservation. It hypothesized over futur options

Quantification of chloroanisoles in cork using headspace solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography with electron capture detection.

Chloroanisoles can migrate from the cork stopper in wine bottles to the wine and give it a musty taint so it is important to find a method by which they can be determined. The aim of this paper is to develop a method for quantifying 2,4-dichloroanisole, 2,6-dichloroanisole, 2,4,6-trichloroanisole, 2,3,4,6-tetrachloroanisole and 2,3,4,5,6-pentachloroanisole in cork using headspace solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography with electron capture detection. After we had prepared the cork standards that were so essential to the work we optimised the parameters that most influence headspace solid-phase microextraction: fibre coating, vial volume, cork, kind and volume of solvent to help the extraction, extraction temperature and time, ionic strength and stirring. The method quantifies the total amount of chloroanisoles in cork stoppers (natural, agglomerated, agglomerated with disks and sparkling wine stoppers), at suitable concentrations so that the capacity of these compounds to give wine a musty taint can be evaluated. The quantification limits are: 2,6-dichloroanisole (8.6 ng/g), 2,4,6-trichloroanisole (0.8 ng/g), 2,4-dichloroanisole (3.5 ng/g), 2,3,4,6-tetrachloroanisole (0.6 ng/g), 2,3,4,5,6-pentachloroanisole (0.8 ng/g). The other quality parameters are: recoveries (90.3-105.8%), repeatability (4-13% (RSD expressed)) and intermediate precision (5-14% (RSD expressed)).

Analysis of alpha-particle induced chromosome aberrations in human lymphocytes, using pan-centromeric and pan-telomeric probes.

PURPOSE: The aim of the present study has been the evaluation of the incomplete chromosome aberrations induced after alpha-particle irradiation by the simultaneous detection of all centromeres and telomeres present in human lymphocytes. Moreover, a study on the lengths of the different acentric fragments is presented. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Attached lymphocytes were irradiated at doses of 0.2, 0.5, 0.7 and 1 Gy using a 241Am source. Flourescent in-situ hybridization (FISH) techniques were applied using pan-centromeric and pan-telomeric probes. All abnormal cells were digitalised and analysed using a Cytovision FISH workstation. The description of all abnormalities observed, and the length of the acentric fragments was recorded. RESULTS: A total of 378 incomplete chromosomes plus incomplete acentrics was found. Cases with more than 92 telomeres were not detected. The ratio between total incomplete elements and multicentrics was 1.00. The total number of acentric (ace) fragments was 822; 57% of them were complete fragments ace (+,+), 26% incomplete fragments ace (+,-), and 17% interstitial fragments ace(-,-); the mean relative lengths were 2.91 +/- 0.06, 1.91 +/- 0.07 and 1.63 +/- 0.07, respectively. In all three cases a secondary peak in the length distribution was found, corresponding to a relative length between 3.5 and 4. CONCLUSION: The percentage of incomplete rejoinings is higher after alpha-particle exposure than that described previously for low-linear energy transfer (LET) radiation exposures. The results seem to indicate that compared to low-LET radiation, after alpha-particle exposure centromere-containing elements are more likely to be repaired.Many interstitial fragments are large linear forms that cannot be considered as non-distinguishable acentric rings.

Determination of 4-ethylguaiacol and 4-ethylphenol in red wines using headspace-solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography.

A method for analysing 4-ethylguaiacol and 4-ethylphenol in the aroma of red wines using headspace-solid-phase microextraction is presented. The fibres used were coated with 100 microm of polydimethylsiloxane. Parameters like ionic strength, agitation of the sample, sample volume, temperature of the sample and adsorption/desorption times were studied and optimised to obtain the best extraction results. The linearity of the response was studied in the usual concentration ranges in wines (4-ethylguaiacol, 40-400 microg/l; 4-ethylphenol, 200-1800 microg/l). Repeatability of the method was determined, and the relative standard deviation was about 10%. Limits of detection and limits of quantification were also determined, and the values found were 1 and 5 microg/l for 4-ethylguaiacol and 2 and 5 microg/l for 4-ethylphenol, respectively. All these values were under the sensory thresholds established for these volatile phenols. The presence of interferences due to the matrix composition implies the use of the standard addition technique for both compounds quantification.

Determination of 2,4,6-trichloroanisole in wines by headspace solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography-electron-capture detection.

One of the most important problems in the wine world, today, is cork taint, which often has been chemically identified as 2,4,6-trichloroanisole (TCA). The perception limit of this compound is very low (close to 10 and 40 ng/l for white and red wines, respectively), so, even at such low concentrations, its presence becomes a problem in wine quality. A method for the analysis of TCA in white and red wines has been developed in our laboratory, using headspace solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography with electron-capture detection. The method, which has been optimized using an experimental design, involves the use of fibres coated with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and allows the analysis of TCA at very low concentrations (under 500 ng/l) with good accuracy (RSD < or = 10%). The limits of quantification of the method are 5 and 8 ng/l for white and red wines, respectively, while the limit of detection is 1 ng/l for both types of wine.

Headspace solid-phase microextraction of higher fatty acid ethyl esters in white rum aroma.

Fatty acid ethyl esters are the main components of rum aroma and play an important sensorial impact in these distilled alcoholic beverages. Herein, a method for analysing these volatile compounds is described. It involves a separation and concentration step using headspace solid-phase microextraction and determination by capillary gas chromatography using flame ionisation detection. The influence of different parameters related to the isolation and concentration step, such as ethanol concentration, ionic strength, sample volume, time and temperature of extraction, was studied. The developed method enabled recoveries >91% for the analyzed compounds with limits of detection between 0.007 and 0.027 mg/l, all of them lower than the range of concentrations found in rum samples. The method was successfully applied to the analysis of fatty acid ethyl esters in different commercial white rums.

Headspace solid-phase microextraction analysis of 3-alkyl-2-methoxypyrazines in wines.

A procedure to determine 3-alkyl-2-methoxypyrazines in wines is described. It is based on the headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) technique after a clean-up of the sample by distillation (previously acidified to pH 0.5) to remove ethanol and other volatile compounds that can interfere in the SPME. Determination is performed by means of capillary gas chromatography using a nitrogen-phosphorus detector. The method allows quantification of 3-isobutyl-2-methoxypyrazine, 3-sec-butyl-2-methoxypyrazine and 3-isopropyl-2-methoxypyrazine at their natural concentration levels and below their sensory thresholds in Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot wines. The method was successfully applied to experimental red wines and the evolution of their pyrazine contents during the winemaking process was monitored. Pyrazine content increased during the first maceration day but did not change significantly during alcoholic and malolactic fermentation. Final contents in wines were 12-27 ng/l of 3-isobutyl-2-methoxypyrazine and 5-10 ng/l of 3-sec-butyl-2-methoxypyrazine.

Application of headspace solid-phase microextraction to the determination of sulphur compounds with low volatility in wines.

Headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) has been used for determining sulphur compounds with low volatility in wines. With this technique, handling of samples is minimal so undesirable loses and reactions between compounds are prevented. Furthermore, this kind of extraction is fast and does not require any organic solvent. Under optimal conditions, the HS-SPME, using a new fibre coated with Stable Flex divinylbenzene-Carboxen-polydimethylsiloxane, makes possible the quantification of sixteen sulphur compounds with low volatility which may be present in wines. The limits of detection for the analytes studied ranged between 0.05 and 10 microg/l, and the recovery and repeatability found were acceptable. The method developed was successfully applied to determine the concentration of the target analytes in varietal wines from the Catalonian region (Spain) with some aromatic defects such as an odour of rubber, onion, rotten, unpleasant herbaceous, etc. The results show that the contents of the sulphur compounds studied in these wines are higher than in those without defects. This shows a relationship exists between the presence of sulphur compounds and the quality of the wine aroma.