Technological and Sensory Quality of Gluten-Free Pasta Made from Flint Maize Cultivars.

The development of quality gluten-free products presents a major technological challenge in terms of structure, texture, and shelf life. However, there is insufficient information available to identify genotypes for obtaining gluten-free maize pasta of good acceptability and technological quality. The objective of this work was to evaluate the technological and sensory quality of gluten-free pasta made from different maize cultivars. The flint open-pollinated variety, flint inbred line, and three dent commercial hybrids were used. Grain and flour's physical characteristics and chemical composition were determined. Gluten-free pasta was made via extrusion, and its quality traits were studied. A sensory evaluation test was carried out. Flint cultivars showed the lowest values on swelling index (both 1.77) and water absorption (124.30 and 134.58%). Pasta swelling index showed a negative association r = -0.77 to sodium carbonate retention capacity (p = 8.5 × 10-5) and water retention capacity (p = 6.6 × 10-5). Evaluators' preference results showed a higher frequency of choices at the top level of preference (4) for the flint open-pollinated variety C6006. Thus, evaluators' choices showed a positive association between sample preference and firmness. Pasta preference and technological quality have a direct relationship with fast tests over grain, such as test weight and float index.

OCCUPATIONAL DOSE DURING ADULT INTERVENTIONAL CARDIOLOGY: FIRST VALUES WITH PERSONAL ACTIVE DOSIMETERS IN CHILE.

The objective of this article is to present initial occupational dose values using digital active personal dosimeters for medical staff during adult interventional cardiology procedures in a public hospital in Chile. Personal dose equivalent Hp(10) over the lead apron of physician, nurse and radiographer were measured during 59 procedures. Mean values of occupational dose Hp(10) per procedure were 47.6, 6.2 and 4.3 µSv for physician, nurse and radiographer, respectively. If no protective tools are used, physician dose can exceed the new eye lens dose limit.

Score genético predice agresividad del cáncer de próstata / Genetic score predicts aggressiveness of prostate cancer

Establecer un score genético utilizando los polimorfismos de nucleótido único (SNPs) del gen que codifica para Ribonucleasa L (RNASEL)y regiones cromosómicas 8q24 y 17q12-24 en combinación con el antígeno específico de la próstata (PSA) para predecir la agresividad del cáncer de próstata (CaP). Pacientes y métodos: hombres con CaP tratados con prostatectomía radical. Se analizaron variables clínicas y patológicas: edad al diagnóstico, PSA al diagnóstico, el volumen tumoral (TV) y extensión extracapsular (ECE) según el TNM (tumour, node and metastasis) (ECE ≥T3) y score de Gleason. Desarrollamos un modelo de puntaje genético usando regresión logística multivariable. Resultados: se incluyeron 86 pacientes sometidos a prostatectomía radical. Edad promedio fue de 62 ± 7,5 años. El promedio de PSA fue de 11,3 ± 10,6 ng/mL. Treinta y un pacientes (36 por ciento) tuvieron ECE. La mediana del TV fue de 3,8 cc. Un PSA ≥ 10 ng/mL se asoció con una mayor tasa de ECE (p <0,05) y TV más alto (p = 0,032). En el análisis univariable, los pacientes con > 1 SNP tienen mayor riesgo de ECE que los pacientes con ≤ 1 SNP (42 por ciento vs. 10,5 por ciento, p = 0,01), y los pacientes con ≥ 3 SNP tienen más TV que los pacientes con <3 SNP (60 por ciento vs. 32 por ciento, p = 0,015). Se crearon dos modelos de riesgo usando el número de SNP y PSA ≥ o <10 ng/mL para predecir ECE (sensibilidad 67 por ciento y especificidad 84 por ciento) y TV (sensibilidad 59 por ciento y especificidad 70 por ciento). Conclusiones: El score genético presentado en este estudio es una herramienta novedosa para predecir indicadores de agresividad del CaP, como ECE y TV.(AU)

To establish a genetic score using SNPs (from RNAsel and chromosomal regions 8q24 and 17q12-24) in combination with Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) at diagnosis to predict aggressiveness of PCa (tumor volume (TV) and extracapsular extension (ECE)). Patients and methods: Men with PCa diagnosed by needle biopsy and treated with radical prostatectomy (RP). Clinical and pathological variables such as age at diagnosis, PSA at diagnosis, TV, extension of tumor according TNM (ECE ≥T3) and Gleason score where analyzed. We developed a genetic score model using Multivariate Logistic Regression. Results: We included 86 patients who underwent RP. Mean age 62 ± 7.5 years. Mean PSA was 11.3 ± 10.6 ng/mL. Thirty-one patients (36 percent) had ECE. Median TV was 3.8 cc. PSA ≥ 10 ng/mL was associated with increased rate of ECE (p <0.05) and higher TV (p = 0.032). In univariate analysis, patients with more than 1 SNP had a greater risk of ECE than patients with ≤ 1 SNP (42 percent vs. 10.5 percent, p = 0.01), and patients with ≥ 3 risk SNPs had more TV than patients with <3 SNPs risk (60 percent vs. 32 percent, p = 0.015). Two models of risk using the number of SNPs and PSA ≥ or <10 ng/mL to predict ECE (sensitivity 67 percent and specificity 84 percent) and TV (sensitivity 59 percent and specificity 70 percent) were created. Conclusions: Genetic score usingdescribed SNPs and preoperative PSA can predict aggressiveness of PCa, which would be useful to define a management with more information at diagnosis especially in localized cancers.(AU)

Selective targeting of bioengineered platelets to prostate cancer vasculature: new paradigm for therapeutic modalities.

Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) provides palliation for most patients with advanced prostate cancer (CaP); however, greater than 80% subsequently fail ADT. ADT has been indicated to induce an acute but transient destabilization of the prostate vasculature in animal models and humans. Human re-hydrated lyophilized platelets (hRL-P) were investigated as a prototype for therapeutic agents designed to target selectively the tumour-associated vasculature in CaP. The ability of hRL-P to bind the perturbed endothelial cells was tested using thrombin- and ADP-activated human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC), as well as primary xenografts of human prostate tissue undergoing acute vascular involution in response to ADT. hRL-P adhered to activated HUVEC in a dose-responsive manner. Systemically administered hRL-P, and hRL-P loaded with super-paramagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) nanoparticles, selectively targeted the ADT-damaged human microvasculature in primary xenografts of human prostate tissue. This study demonstrated that hRL-P pre-loaded with chemo-therapeutics or nanoparticles could provide a new paradigm for therapeutic modalities to prevent the rebound/increase in prostate vasculature after ADT, inhibiting the transition to castration-recurrent growth.

Training for laparoendoscopic single-site surgery (LESS).

BACKGROUND: Laparoendoscopic single-site surgery (LESS) is a laparoscopic surgery in which a single small incision is made, associated with the use of a special device (single-port), or several small incisions grouped in one location (single-incision) are made, through which the laparoscopic trocars are inserted. The incision is made in the abdomen, preferably in the umbilicus. Certain peculiarities are noted in this approach, such as the difficulty, and sometimes the impossibility, of centering the image, the need to move both the camera and instruments together, requiring even more delicate and precise movements than in laparoscopy. Since information on training for LESS is scarce in the current literature, the authors report their experience with five different cases of this nature, performed in two porcine models, and then discuss a training plan for LESS. METHODS: Five LESS procedures were performed in two pigs using different training techniques: two (one single-port and one single-incision) transumbilical laparoscopic cholecystectomies; one right-sided single-incision laparoscopic radical nephrectomy; one single-incision transumbilical laparoscopic radical nephrectomy; and one single-port transumbilical laparoscopic nephrectomy. DISCUSSION: Different from what was observed in the transition from open surgery to laparoscopy, the Halstedian model should not be used in the teaching of LESS since this procedure requires that professionals partner together, thus requiring not only the training of surgeons, but of the whole team. CONCLUSION: LESS procedures are feasible and considered as further refinements in laparoscopic techniques. However, the peculiarities and difficulties inherent in these procedures require a specific training program combining theory and practice. The authors believe that this training is essential to achieve proficiency levels before the technique can be tried on human subjects.

Laparoscopic prostatectomy for benign prostatic hyperplasia--a six-year experience.

PURPOSE: The Authors present their results using laparoscopic prostatectomy in the treatment of large benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between March 1999 and March 2005, 60 patients were submitted to laparoscopic prostatectomy with vascular control for large BPH. The demographic, operative period and outcome data were recorded. RESULTS: The average prostate weight was 144.50+/-41.74 gm. Mean operative time was 138.48+/-23.38 minutes and estimated blood loss of 330.98+/-149.52 ml. No patient required transfusions or conversion to open surgery. Post operative complications included one case of septicemia and three cases of prolonged ileum. The most frequent long-term complication was retrograde ejaculation, presented in all patients after 6 months of follow-up. The erectile function was preserved in all those patients who were potent before surgery. No urinary incontinence was reported by patients. CONCLUSIONS: The results demonstrate that resection of large prostatic adenomas can be performed with a laparoscopic approach. The patients had a shorter hospital stay and early return to normal activity.