Obtaining and storage of ready-to-use segments from traditional orange obtained by enzymatic peeling.

The aim of this study was to optimize all parameters implied in the process of obtaining orange segments as minimally processed product by enzymatic peeling, from the method of segment obtaining to the storage conditions, and also to evaluate two films with different permeability. Enzymatic peeling was carried out by fruit infusion under vacuum conditions in a commercial preparation of pectinases and cellulases (Peelzym II). The best condition to obtain Cadenera segments by enzymatic peeling was 1 mL/L of Peelzym II applied at 53 kPa with three vacuum pulses of 2 min and a subsequent period of 30 min in the enzymatic solution at atmospheric pressure. The segments were packaged in two films with different permeability and they were stored for 10 days at 4 °C. Samplings were carried out after 4, 7 and 10 days of storage. The results showed that the concentration of CO(2) in the less permeable film (PA 120) ranged between 0.7 and 1.2 mL/100 mL, while in the most permeable one (PA 240) was around 0.2 mL/100 mL. Under these conditions, the weight loss was kept at low levels until day 7 of storage, showing a significant increase after 10 days. Colour (a/b) increased with the peeling process and it remained without significant changes during the whole storage period for both films. The antioxidant capacity slightly decreased after 10 days of storage. The microbial flora was reduced after the enzymatic peeling. Both the sensory and the microbiological quality were kept in adequate levels for consumption during 7 days. From this moment, they lost sweetness and aroma and the microbial development increased. Thus, the use of the most permeable film and a maximum storage time of 7 days are recommended to maintain the most quality of the segments.

Alteration of lipase chain length specificity in the hydrolysis of esters by random mutagenesis.

The feasibility of altering the chain length specificity of industrially important Rhizomucor miehei lipase was investigated by randomly mutating Phe94 in the protein groove which is responsible for accommodating the acyl chain of the substrate. The recombinant lipase was initially expressed in E. coli. Individual colonies were selected, grown, and the DNA sequence of the lipase gene determined. Fourteen of the 19 possible mutants were identified and each of these was transformed into Pichia pastoris which expresses the enzyme extracellularly. The yeast was grown and the supernatants assessed in several assays with long and short chain substrates. Based on this preliminary screen, one mutant, Phe94Gly, was selected and purified to homogeneity for further analysis. It was found that the substitution of phenylalanine 94 with glycine led to an enzyme which was about six times less active against resorufin ester but displayed 3-4 times higher activity with short chain substrates such as butyric acid esters. The observed alteration to the enzyme specificity was rationalised using the available 3D structure of the lipase.

[Clinical usefulness of free PSA/total PSA ratio in the early diagnosis of prostatic cancer]. / Utilidad clínica de la ratio PSA libre/PSA total en el diagnóstico precoz del cáncer de próstata.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the clinical utility of free/total PSA ratio and PSA density in the early diagnosis of prostate cancer (patients with serum PSA between 4 and 10 ng/ml) and to determine the differences, if any, in the free/total PSA ratio in patients with cancer and those with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). METHODS: A prospective and descriptive study was conducted on 61 patients with low grade obstructive symptoms and total serum PSA between 4 and 10 ng/ml (group 1), and 42 patients who underwent prostate surgery and had an anatomopathologically confirmed diagnosis of BPH (group 2). Free and total PSA were determined, as well as prostate volume by transrectal US, in all cases. Prostate biopsy was performed in all patients with a total PSA value between 4-10 ng/ml. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative prognostic values of free/total PSA ratio and PSA density were analyzed. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients in group 1 was 67.7 years and 68.3 years in group 2. The mean prostate volume by US was 55.2 and 47.1, respectively (n.s.). The mean total PSA was 6.39 ng/ml for group 1 and 5.73 ng/ml for group 2 (n.s.). No significant difference was found between the mean free PSA values of both groups. However, the free/total PSA ratio and PSA density were significantly different (p < 0.000). In group 1 (total PSA 4-10 ng/ml), prostate biopsy was positive in 32.8% of the patients. In this group of patients, there were no significant differences in the parameters analyzed. Application of different cutoffs for both tests showed a higher clinical utility for the 0.24-0.30 range. CONCLUSIONS: At similar mean prostate volume and mean total PSA, significant differences were found in the free/total PSA ratio and PSA density of patients submitted to surgery for BPH and those with a total PSA value of 4-10 ng/ml. However, these results were not observed when patients with PSA of 4-10 ng/ml were analyzed for presence or absence of evidence of malignancy in the prostate biopsy.

[Paratesticular rhabdomyosarcoma. Report of a case and review of the literature]. / Rabdomiosarcoma paratesticular. Aportación de un caso y revisión de la literatura.

Case report of an embryonary paratesticular rhabdomyosarcoma. The paper includes a literature review and discusses the current diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic criteria analyzing in detail the current role of retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy and the value of adjuvant radiotherapy or chemotherapy.

[Bladder carcinosarcoma. A new case]. / Carcinosarcoma vesical. Nuevo caso.

Vesical carcinosarcoma is a very poor prognosis, infrequent tumour normally presenting with haematuria and for which the only treatment available is radical cystectomy. Here we present a new case of this tumour in a 61 year-old male with a brisk evolution to death.

[Major outpatient surgery in urology: our experience]. / Cirugía mayor ambulatoria en Urología: nuestra experiencia.

OBJECTIVES: This paper describes our MAS (major ambulatory surgery) unit and its application in urology. METHODS: We reviewed our series of 415 patients seen over a period of 14 months; of these, 71 (17%) did not meet the criteria and the remaining 344 patients (83%), with ages ranging from 6 months to 78 years, were treated in our MAS unit. Surgery was performed for circumcision, cryptorchidism, PVCP and hydrocele. RESULTS: Only 2 (0.5%) of the patients were hospitalized and 5 (1.4%) were reoperated. The degree of patient satisfaction was over 90%. CONCLUSIONS: 1. MAS is efficacious in providing care and efficiently resolves difficult urological cases. 2. Patient satisfaction is very high and there were only a few complications in the patients treated in this unit.

[Segment resection of the ureter in transitional cell carcinoma]. / Resección segmentaria de uréter en carcinoma transicional.

OBJECTIVE: Although it is not the treatment of choice, conservative surgery by segmental resection of the ureter has achieved very good results in a patient with transitional cell carcinoma of the ureter. These results prompted us to report on the present case. METHODS/RESULTS: Diagnosis was fundamentally by IVP. Treatment by partial resection of the ureter achieved good results as shown by the postoperative control evaluation and follow up. CONCLUSIONS: Although nephroureterectomy continues to be the treatment of choice in transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary tract, conservative treatment (endoscopic resection of the tumor) may achieve good results in some selected cases. If conservative surgery is performed, the patient must be followed very closely using urine cytology, IVP or ureteroscopy.

[Bladder endometriosis: a new case and review of the literature]. / Endometriosis vesical: un nuevo caso y revisión de la literatura.

OBJECTIVES: The diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of endometriosis of the bladder is reviewed. Although it is relatively uncommon, it should be taken into account when making the differential diagnosis in young females presenting with dysuria. METHODS/RESULTS: A young female patient with dysuria and hypogastric pain caused by endometriosis of the bladder is described. CONCLUSIONS: Diagnosis is basically by cystoscopic exploration and histological analyses of the specimens obtained by electrofulguration. Hormone therapy with Danazol may be effective in some cases. The most effective treatment is excision of the lesion by TUR or conventional surgery. Furthermore, laser could be useful in the treatment of this pathology.

[Wilm's tumor: review and up-date based on our experience]. / Tumor de Wilms: revisión y actualización a propósito de nuestra experiencia.

Wilms' tumour represents 8% of tumours appearing during childhood, and it is the more frequent malignant tumour of the urinary tract in children. A review of 7 tumours occurring in our Hospital Area over the last 11 years is made, evaluating their incidence, clinical presentation, diagnosis as well as therapeutical approaches and complications. We also conducted a review of the most recent related literature, paying special attention to the new lines of research in the field of the genetics. Likewise, we contribute the latest guidelines and suggestions by the NWTS with regard to diagnosis and treatment of Wilms' tumour.