Effect of high-energy mechanical milling on the physicochemical and rheological properties of chayotextle (Sechium edule Sw.) starch.

This work evaluates the effect of high-energy mechanical milling time (7 levels, 20-80 min) on amylose content, crystallinity pattern, temperature and gelatinization enthalpy, morphology, and rheological properties of chayotextle (Sechium edule Sw.) starch. After 30 min of milling, granular structure was affected, and amylose values were the highest while crystallinity and gelatinization enthalpy decreased significantly. These changes allowed to obtain gels with viscoelastic properties where the elastic character (Ç´) prevailed upon the viscous modulus (Ǵ́). Native starch showed Tan δ values of 0.6, increased significantly (0.9) after 30 min of milling due to the surge in linear chains (amylose) and loss of granular structure. Native and modified starches showed high dependence on cutting or shear speed, presenting a non-Newtonian behavior (reofluidizers). These results indicate that mechanical grinding is an alternative to obtain modified starches with applications in the food industry.

nor 3'-Demethoxyisoguaiacin from Larrea tridentata Is a Potential Alternative against Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria Associated with Bovine Mastitis.

Bovine mastitis is one of the most common diseases in dairy cows, and it causes significant economic losses in dairy industries worldwide. Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria can cause bovine mastitis, and many of them have developed antimicrobial resistance. There is an urgent need for novel therapeutic options to treat the disease. Larrea tridentata-derived compounds represent an important potential alternative treatment. The aim of the present study was to isolate and characterize antibacterial compounds from Larrea tridentata against multidrug-resistant bacteria associated with bovine mastitis. The L. tridentata hydroalcoholic extract (LTHE) exhibited antibacterial activity. The extract was subjected to a bipartition, giving an aqueous fraction (moderate antibacterial activity) and an organic fraction (higher antibacterial activity). Chromatographic separation of the organic fraction enabled us to obtain four active sub-fractions. Chemical analyses through HPLC techniques were conducted for the LTHE, fractions, and sub-fraction Ltc1-F3, from which we isolated two compounds, characterized by 1H and 13C NMR analyses. Compound nor-3 demethoxyisoguaiacin exhibited the best antibacterial activity against the evaluated bacteria (MIC: 0.01-3.12 mg/mL; MBC: 0.02-3.12 mg/mL). The results indicated that nor-3 demethoxyisoguaiacin can be used as an alternative treatment for multidrug-resistant bacteria associated with mastitis.

Producing an Emulsified Meat System by Partially Substituting Pig Fat with Nanoemulsions that Contain Antioxidant Compounds: The Effect on Oxidative Stability, Nutritional Contribution, and Texture Profile.

The objective of this study was the incorporation of a water-oil (W/O) nanoemulsion for the partial substitution of pig fats and the addition of antioxidant compounds in an emulsified meat system (EMS). The nanoemulsion was formulated with orange essential oil and cactus acid fruit (xoconostle). The treatments were different percentages (0, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5%) of the nanoemulsion for the substitution of pig fat in the EMS. The proximal analysis (moisture, protein, fat, and ash), texture profile (hardness, cohesiveness, springiness, and chewiness), phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacity 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2'-Azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS), and 2-thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) were evaluated. All variables showed significant differences (p < 0.05). The results for protein, fat, and ash exhibited increments with the addition of the nanoemulsion, and moisture loss was reduced. The profile showed increments in hardness and chewiness. The addition of the nanoemulsion incremented the phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacity (DPPH and ABTS), decreased production of Malonaldehyde, and reduced lipid oxidation. The result of the addition of the nanoemulsion in the EMS is a product with a substantial nutritional contribution, antioxidant capacity, and excellent shelf life.

Anestesia epidural para realizar gastrostomía abierta en paciente con esclerosis lateral amiotrófica / Epidural anesthesia for open gastrostomy in a patient with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Abstract Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is characterized by the progressive degeneration of motor neurons, causing a constellation of symptoms that include muscle weakness, atrophy, fasciculations, spasticity, and hyperreflexia. Currently, Rulizol is the only treatment that has been shown to delay its progression, though to a very small extent. Disease prognosis is grim, with death caused mainly by respiratory failure secondary to muscle weakness, making anesthetic management of these patients a true challenge. The use of muscle relaxants must be avoided as much as possible because of the high risk of ventilatory depression, considering that these patients have an abnormal unpredictable response as a result of heightened sensitivity related to the lower number of acetylcholine receptors. If muscle relaxants are required during the surgery, rocuronium, among nondepolarizing muscle relaxants, is the drug of choice because of its short half-life, while depolarizing relaxants such as succinylcholine are contraindicated because of the risk of lethal hyperkalemia. In terms of intraoperative hypnotics and analgesics, propofol and remifentanil are ideal because of their short half-life. Regarding neuroaxial anesthesia, despite widespread reluctancy to use it, its benefits and rather uncommon adverse effects lead many anesthetists to consider it as an important alternative when it comes to deciding between general or neuroaxial anesthesia, because it reduces airway manipulation significantly, thus reducing respiratory complications as described in this clinical case.

Resumen La esclerosis lateral amiotrófica se caracteriza por la degeneración progresiva de las neuronas motoras provocando una constelación de síntomas que incluyen debilidad muscular, atrofia, fasciculaciones, espasticidad e hiperreflexia. Actualmente, el unico tratamiento que ha demostrado retrasar mínimamente su progresión ha sido el Rulizol. Su pronóstico es infausto, falleciendo mayoritariamente por insuficiencia respiratoria secundaria a la debilidad de su musculatura, siendo el manejo anestésico de estos pacientes, un importante desafío. El uso de relajantes neuromusculares deberá evitarse en la medida de lo posible por el riesgo elevado de depresión ventilatoria, ya que estos pacientes tienen una respuesta anormal e impredecible a ellos al presentar una sensibilidad aumentada por el menor número de receptores de acetilcolina; Si la cirugía requiere de ellos, es de elección dentro de los relajantes neuromusculares no despolarizantes, el rocuronio por su vida media corta, contraindicándose el uso de los despolarizantes como la succinilcolina, por el riesgo de hiperkaliemia letal. En cuanto a los hipnóticos y analgésicos que deberemos de usar intraoperatoriamente, el propofol y remifentanilo serían los más ideales por su vida media corta. En cuanto a la anestesia neuroaxial, a pesar de la reticencia extendida a su uso, su beneficio y sus no tan frecuentes efectos adversos, hacen a muchos anestesistas, considerarla como una alternativa de peso a la hora de decidir entre anestesia general o neuroaxial, pues reduce considerablemente la manipulación de la vía aérea, disminuyendo por tanto complicaciones respiratorias posteriores, como referimos en el caso clínico que describiremos a continuación.

Partial characterization of chayotextle starch-based films added with ascorbic acid encapsulated in resistant starch.

Chayotextle starch was modified by subjecting it to a dual treatment with acid and heating-cooling cycles. This caused a decrease in the content of amylose, which showed values of 30.22%, 4.80%, 3.27% and 3.57% for native chayotextle starch (NCS), starch modified by acid hydrolysis (CMS), and CMS with one (CMS1AC) and three autoclave cycles (CMS3AC), respectively. The percentage of crystallinity showed an increase of 36.9%-62% for NCS and CMS3AC. The highest content of resistant starch (RS) was observed in CMS3AC (37.05%). The microcapsules were made with CMS3AC due to its higher RS content; the total content of ascorbic acid of the microcapsules was 82.3%. The addition of different concentrations of CMS3AC microcapsules (0%, 2.5%, 6.255% and 12.5%) to chayotextle starch-based films (CSF) increased their tensile strength and elastic modulus. The content of ascorbic acid and RS in CSF was ranged from 0% to 59.4% and from 4.84% to 37.05% in the control film and in the film mixed with CMS3AC microcapsules, respectively. Water vapor permeability (WVP) values decreased with increasing concentrations of microcapsules in the films. Microscopy observations showed that higher concentrations of microcapsules caused agglomerations due their poor distribution in the matrix of the films.

[Cost-effectiveness analysis of samario-153 (Quadramet) for the treatment of patients with prostate cancer and bone metastases]. / Análisis coste-efectividad de samario-153 (Quadramet) en el tratamiento del dolor en pacientes con cáncer de próstata y metástasis óseas.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of samarium [153Sm-EDTMP] (Quadramet) compared to conventional therapy in the treatment of pain in patients with prostate cancer and bone metastases. METHOD: A decision tree model for the treatment of bone pain due to metastases was adapted to the Spanish context. The model represents the standard treatment patterns in Spain for the study population. The time-course of the model is 4 months and it computes an estimate for the cost of pain control per patient. The effectiveness data for the model derive from a randomised trial. The current treatment patterns have been established according to the consensus opinions of a group of medical experts. RESULTS: The cost of pain control per patient is euro 12,515.39 for conventional therapy and euro 5,595.52 for samarium-153 (Quadramet) therapy. The incremental cost-effectiveness analysis shows that samarium-153 (Quadramet) is a dominant therapy. It presents lower costs and higher efficacy than the conventional strategy. The sensitivity analyses showed these results to be robust. CONCLUSION: Samarium-153 (Quadramet) is cost-effective in treating pain in patients with prostate cancer and bone metastases.

[Prevention of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy with high-dose, early phenobarbital therapy]. / Prevención de la encefalopatía hipóxico-isquémica mediante Fenobarbital en forma temprana y a dosis alta.

OBJECTIVE: To assess usefulness of high-dose early phenobarbital therapy for prevention of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) secondary to perinatal asphyxia (PNA). MATERIAL AND METHODS: By means of a randomized clinical trial, asphyxiated full-term or post-term newborn infants were divided in two groups: Group A was the experimental group, while group B was the control group. Infants in group A received phenobarbital, 40 mg/kg, during the first 60 min after birth. Infants on group B received phenobarbital at conventional doses, only if there was clinical evidence of seizures; otherwise, treatment was similar in both groups. We estimated frequency of HIE according to Sarnat classification and also rate of post-asphyxial complications in other organs. Phenobarbital levels were measured in Group A. Statistical tests used were Student t, Mann-Whitney U, X2 or Fisher. Informed consent was obtained from parents of each infant. RESULTS: 37 infants belonged to Group A, while Group B was composed of 36 infants. Both groups were similar in sex, gestational age and cord gases. Birth weight was higher in Group A (p<0.05). Diagnostic criteria for PNA a cord pH < or = 7.00 plus one or two criteria of commonly used parameters for asphyxia. There was a difference in total dose of phenobarbital and time of initial dose in both groups. HIE was present in 13.5% (5/37) of group A, and 22.2% (8/36) of group B. Seizures (Stage II of HIE) occurred in 10.8% (4/37) and 11.1% (4/36), respectively, without significant statistical difference. There was also no difference in rate of post-asphyxial, non-brain complications in both groups. There were no side effects or changes in vital signs associated with use of phenobarbital. Only one infant had toxic phenobarbital serum levels. DISCUSSION: There was no significant difference in the overall frequency of HIE, nor in the incidence of seizures or stage II of HIE in both groups. According to these results and even though there were no side effects, we think phenobarbital is not useful for these purposes. Long-term follow-up of the treated infants is justified, since phenobarbital might have a beneficial effect on neuro-behavioral development.

Prevención de la encefalopatía hipóxico-isqúemica mediante Fenobarbital en forma temprana y a dosis alta

Objetivo: evaluar la utilidad del Fenobarbital (Fb), administrado en forma temprana y a dosis alta, en la prevención de la encefa-lopatía hipóxico-isquémica (EHI), secundaria a asfixia perinatal (APN). Material y métodos: mediante un ensayo clínico al azar, se asignaron a recién nacidos (RN) de término o postérmino con APN, a un grupo experimental (A) o al control (B); a los del primero se le administró Fb a 40 mg/Kg iniciado en la primera hora de edad, y a los del grupo B sólo en caso de crisis convul-sivas, a dosis habitual; el resto del tratamiento fue similar. Se evaluó la frecuencia de EHI, según la clasificación de Sarnat, así como otras complicaciones de la APN. Se midieron los signos vitales en uno y otro grupos y los niveles séricos de Fb en el grupo A. Se utilizaron las pruebas estadísticas de t o de U Mann-Whitney, X ² cuadrada o probabilidad exacta de Fisher. Se obtuvo consentimiento informado de los padres. Resultados: fueron 37 RN en el grupo A y 36 en el B, similares en proporción de sexos, edad gestacional y gasometría inicial, el peso fue mayor en el grupo A (p < 0.05). El diagnóstico de APN se hizo por pH < 7.00 y uno o dos de los criterios usados de asfixia, en la mayoría de los neonatos. Hubo diferencia respecto al momento de inicio y la cantidad total del Fb, entre los grupos. La EHI se presentó en 5/37 (13.5%) niños del grupo A y en 8/36 (22.2%) del B; las crisis convulsivas, o estadio II de EHI, se observaron en 4/37 (10.8%) y 4/36 (11.1%), respectivamente, sin diferencia en estas proporciones, ni en la frecuencia de otras complicaciones. La aplicación del Fb no originó efectos adversos en los signos vitales y todos los RN que lo recibieron tuvieron niveles séricos adecuados y sólo uno mostró niveles tóxicos. Discusión: no hubo diferencia significativa en la frecuencia global de EHI ni en la de convulsiones, o estadio II de EHI, entre los neonatos que recibieron Fb y a los que se no se les aplicó; por lo anterior, y aunque no hubo efectos colaterales, no se recomienda su empleo con este fin. Se plantea la necesidad del seguimiento de estos recién nacidos para valorar los efectos del Fb a largo plazo, ya que pudiera tener efecto favorable sobre el desarrollo psicomotor.

Objective: to assess usefulness of high-dose early phenobarbital therapy for prevention of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) secondary to perinatal asphyxia (PNA). Material and Methods: by means of a randomized clinical trial, asphyxiated full-term or post-term newborn infants were divided in two groups: Group A was the experimental group, while group B was the control group. Infants in group A received phenobarbital, 40 mg/kg, during the first 60 min after birth. Infants on group B received phenobarbital at conventional doses, only if there was clinical evidence of seizures; otherwise, treatment was similar in both groups. We estimated frequency of HIE according to Sarnat classification and also rate of post-asphyxial complications in other organs. Phenobarbital levels were measured in Group A. Statistical tests used were Student t, Mann-Whitney U, X ² , or Fisher. Informed consent was obtained from parents of each infant. Results: 37 infants belonged to Group A, while Group B was composed of 36 infants. Both groups were similar in sex, gestational age and cord gases. Birth weight was higher in Group A (p<0.05). Diagnostic criteria for PNA a cord pH <7.00 plus one or two criteria of commonly used parameters for asphyxia. There was a difference in total dose of phenobarbital and time of initial dose in both groups. HIE was present in 13.5% (5/37) of group A, and 22.2% (8/36) of group B. Seizures (Stage II of HIE) occurred in 10.8% (4/37) and 11.1% (4/36), respectively, without significant statistical difference. There was also no difference in rate of post-asphyxial, non-brain complications in both groups. There were no side effects or changes in vital signs associated with use of phenobarbital. Only one infant had toxic phenobarbital serum levels. Discussion: there was no significant difference in the overall frequency of HIE, nor in the incidence of seizures or stage II of HIE in both groups. According to these results and even though there were no side effects, we think Phenobarbital is not useful for these purposes. Long-term follow-up of the treated infants is justified, since Phenobarbital might have a beneficial effect on neuro-behavioral development.