Bioactive pectic polysaccharides from bay tree pruning waste: Sequential subcritical water extraction and application in active food packaging.

The potential isolation of bio-active polysaccharides from bay tree pruning waste was studied using sequential subcritical water extraction using different time-temperature combinations. The extracted polysaccharides were highly enriched in pectins while preserving their high molecular mass (10-100 kDa), presenting ideal properties for its application as additive in food packaging. Pectin-enriched chitosan films were prepared, improving the optical properties (≥95% UV-light barrier capacity), antioxidant capacity (˃95% radical scavenging activity) and water vapor permeability (≤14 g·Pa-1·s-1·m-1·10-7) in comparison with neat chitosan-based films. Furthermore, the antimicrobial activity of chitosan was maintained in the hybrid films. Addition of 10% of pectins improved mechanical properties, increasing the Young's modulus 12%, and the stress resistance in 51%. The application of pectin-rich fractions from bay tree pruning waste as an additive in active food packaging applications, with triple action as antioxidant, barrier, and antimicrobial has been demonstrated.

Isolation and characterization of lignins from wheat straw: Application as binder in lithium batteries.

Three different lignin-rich fractions have been used as binder material for electrodes in rechargeable lithium batteries. Lignin samples were obtained through three different pulping processes; kraft, soda and organosolv pulping processes, using wheat straw as raw material. Physico-chemical characterization of three types of lignins was evaluated. Characterization has been performed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and 31P NMR Spectroscopy to analyse the functional groups; gel permeation chromatography (GPC) for determining molar mass distribution (MWD), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) to follow the thermal behaviour. Electrodes containing lignin or poly vinylidene fluoride (PVDF) were tested electrochemically. The three different lignin samples exhibited excellent performance as binder, retaining the specific capacity after 50 cycles at a current density of 100mAg-1. These results show that lignin could be used as a low-cost and environmental binder, replacing the PVDF polymer in electrodes for energy storage applications.

Development of the Liver in Alpaca (Vicugna pacos): A Microscopic and Macroscopic Description.

South American camelids have several biological, morphological and behavioural adaptations that allow them to live in geographical areas dominated by high altitudes. The liver has hematopoietic functions during the prenatal life, which could be modified in response to the unfavorable habitat. However, there are no previous data on the prenatal development of the liver in these species. In the present work, a study on the macroscopic and microscopic morphology of the liver of the alpaca during ontogeny was performed. Forty-one animals ranging in age from 20 days of embryonic development to adults were studied. Macroscopic and microscopic observations were performed on samples subjected to different techniques. Less than 7-g specimens were studied with stereoscopic magnifying glass. The general characteristics of the prenatal liver are similar to those of other mammals, and the structures related to hematopoietic function follow an ontogenic pattern similar to that of previously studied precocial species. However, there are differences in morphology when compared to descriptions for the Old World camelids, including the absence of relation between the caudate lobe and the right kidney and the lack of interlobular connective tissue.

Conformation and anatomical relations of the liver of llama (Lama glama).

Morphological studies of the liver of the llama are structural supportive to the clinical practice, surgery and specific diagnostic techniques. The aims of this study were first to determine the location of the organ and the direction of its major axis to project it to the abdominal wall, identifying visible and palpable bony references. Secondly, to characterize and determine anatomical relations of the surfaces, borders and angles of the llama liver, as well as, of its lobulation. Twenty adult llamas of both sexes and two foetuses of 6.5- and 7-month-old were used. Llama liver is a post-diaphragmatic organ located in the cranial abdominal region, in the right hypochondrium, in relationship with the last six ribs. Dorsally, it can exceeds the last (twelfth) rib. Its major axis presents a cranio-ventral bent. Its shape is irregularly triangular. It presents two surfaces (parietal and visceral), three borders (cranial, caudal and ventral) and three angles (dorsal, cranial and caudal).

Evaluation of pastures for horses grazing on soils polluted by trace elements.

Pasture established on polluted soil may pose a risk to grazing livestock creating a requirement for mechanical management which may affect biodiversity and expend energy. The risk associated with managing pasture by grazing horses (non-edible livestock) is being assessed in the Guadiamar Valley (SW Spain), where soils are polluted with trace elements following a major pollution incident. Soil pollution does not affect biomass production or floristic composition of pasture, although both variables influence trace element accumulation in herbage. Element concentrations in herbage are below maximum tolerable limits for horses. Faecal analysis showed regulated absorption of essential elements, while non-essential elements seemed preferentially excreted. Elemental content of horse hair did not differ in animals from polluted and control pastures. If pastures are managed by grazing, periodic monitoring is recommended in view of the long-term chronic trace element exposure in these systems.

[Incidence and prevalence of hip fractures in the province of Cáceres and their evolutionary trend]. / Incidencia y prevalencia de las fracturas de cadera en la provincia de Cáceres y su tendencia evolutiva.

OBJECTIVE: There are great variations in the yearly incidence and the evolution of hip fractures secondary to bone fragility and associated to minimum trauma in patients older than 50. Because of the lack of data about these fractures in the province of Cáceres, we carried out a study to know their incidence and prevalence, and their evolutionary trend. MATERIAL AND METHODS: One thousand five hundred seventy seven hip fractures in the years 1997 through 2000 (both included) are studied. The type of fracture is obtained through 820.00 to 829.00 corresponding codes. RESULTS: One thousand one hundred ninety nine occur in women and 378 in men, being the average presentation age 81 +/- 9 years and 74 +/- 18 years, respectively; both data were significantly lower in men (p < 0.0001). The incidence index by sex is 2.6 women/men/100,000 inhabitants/year. The percentage of fractures by sex do not vary, depending on the anatomical location. The higher number of fractures in both sexes is in the trochanter (p < 0.0001); in men is higher in the year 2000 than in 1997 (p < 0.0001); in women their incidence and prevalence is also higher in the year 2000 than in the previous years (p < 0.0001). In conclusion we can point out that the incidence of the hip fractures secondary to low-energy trauma in the province of Cáceres population is increasing in the last few years, and that this incidence is higher in women than men, although the percentage of the fracture type according to its anatomical location is the same in women and men.

Evaluation of the defensive behavior of two honeybee ecotypes using a laboratory test

Honeybee defensive behavior is a useful selection criterion, especially in areas with Africanized honeybees (Apis mellifera L). In all genetic improvement programs the selected characters must be measured with precision, and because of this we evaluated a metabolic method for testing honeybee defensive behavior in the laboratory for its usefulness in distinguishing between honeybee ecotypes and selecting honeybees based on their level of defensive responses. Ten honeybee colonies were used, five having been produced by feral queens from a subtropical region supposedly colonized by Africanized honeybees and five by queens from a temperate region apparently colonized by European honeybees. We evaluate honeybee defensive behavior using a metabolic test based on oxygen consumption after stimulation with an alarm pheromone, measuring the time to the first response, time to maximum oxygen consumption, duration of activity, oxygen consumption at first response, maximum oxygen consumption and total oxygen consumption, colonies being ranked according to the values obtained for each variable. Significant (p < 0.05) differences were detected between ecotypes for each variable but for all variables the highest rankings were obtained for colonies of subtropical origin, which had faster and more intense responses. All variables were highly associated (p < 0.05). Total oxygen consumption was the best indicator of metabolic activity for defensive behavior because it combined oxygen consumption and the length of the response. This laboratory method may be useful for evaluating the defensive behavior of honey bees in genetic programs designed to select less defensive bees

[Stomach in inguinal-scrotal hernia]. / Estómago en hernias ínguino-escrotales.

We present two cases of inguinoscrotal hernia that contains stomach, both associated with a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; one of them is shown with a intermittent gastric obstruction syndrome, the other being a radiological finding in a patient with dispeptic symptoms. The first one died of a respiratory infection, before operation, and the second refused operation because of his scarce symptomatology. A review of the literature shows 60 cases reported including our cases.

[Synchronous intestinal, tonsillar and pulmonary tuberculosis]. / Tuberculosis intestinal, amigdalar y pulmonar sincrónicas.

OBJECTIVES: To emphasize the unusual synchronous presentation of intestinal, pulmonary and tonsillar tuberculosis in the same patient. CLINICAL CASE: A 43 years old male consults for abdominal pain and alternating episodes of diarrhoea-constipation. Based on radiologic, endoscopic and pathologic studies the diagnosis of Crohn's ileo-cecal disease is achieved and a treatment with salazosulphapyridine and corticosteroid is started. Two months later the patient presents with a tonsilar ulceration that is diagnosed as tuberculosis on biopsy material. At the same time, chest x-rays film reveal active tuberculous lesions, and tuberculous bacili are seen in the sputum. Simultaneously the intestinal disease worsens and complicates with incomplete occlusion that requires a right hemicolectomy. Pathologic study of the specimen shows evident tuberculous lesions. Specific treatment for tuberculosis is started, and the patient remains free of disease one year later. CONCLUSIONS: Due to the increase in the prevalence of tuberculous diseases, we must keep it in mind in the differential diagnosis of intestinal strictures, even though they are suggestive of Crohn's disease, and a radical surgical procedure must also be evaluated.

Immune-genetic study of the new populations of Sierra Morena (Spain) through HLA polymorphisms of class I.

We have studied the HLA antigenes of class I in 50 families from Andalusia and in 50 families from some towns of Sierra Morena (La Carolina among others), in which an important settlement took place by individuals from Central Europe over 200 years ago, by comparing the allele frequencies with the German population. The obtained results allowed us to conclude that a real mixture of population has occurred. The frequencies of some HLA alleles of class I in the population of Sierra Morena are intermediate to those observed in the original populations, though some phenomena of drifting have been noticed. The study of gametic associations also shows that the population of Sierra Morena behaves as an intermediate population between the two original populations. This is evident in relation to the A1-B8 haplotype, in which the population of Sierra Morena is similar to the original Andalusian population, regarding the frequency of the haplotype, and the German population, because of the intensity of disequilibrium. The study of the genetic distances shows that the ones existing between the populations of Andalusia, Germany and Sierra Morena are small, although they reveal that these populations are clearly defined.