Polyphasic identification of Rhizopus oryzae and evaluation of physical fermentation parameters in potato starch processing liquid waste for ß-glucan production.

Β-glucans are polysaccharide macromolecules that can be found in the cell walls of molds, such as Rhizopus oryzae. They provide functional properties in food systems and have immunomodulatory activity, anticancer, and prebiotic effects; reduce triglycerides and cholesterol; and prevent obesity, among others benefits. Furthermore, potato starch production requires a large amount of water, which is usually discharged into the environment, creating problems in soils and bodies of water. The physical parameters to produce ß-glucans were determined, liquid waste from potato starch processing was used and native Rhizopus oryzae was isolated and identified from cereal grains. The isolates grew quickly on the three types of agars used at 25 °C and 37 °C, and they did not grow at 45 °C. Rhizopus oryzae M10A1 produced the greatest amount of ß-glucans after six days of culture at 30 °C, pH 6, a stirring rate of 150 rpm and a fermentation volume of 250 mL. By establishing the physical fermentation parameters and utilizing the liquid waste from potato starch, Rhizopus oryzae M10A1 yielded 397.50 mg/100 g of ß-glucan was obtained.

Composición química, perfil de aminoácidos y contenido de vitaminas de harinas de batata tratadas térmicamente / Chemical composition, amino acid profile and vitamin content of thermally treated sweet potato flours

RESUMEN Se evaluó químicamente el perfil de aminoácidos y contenido de vitaminas según la metodología oficial, las harinas crudas de batata y tratadas térmicamente por cocción. Se obtuvieron harinas crudas con contenidos de carbohidratos totales de 84,81%, almidón 50,65%, proteínas de 2,94%, contenidos de grasa cruda de 0,34%. Se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas (p≤ 0,05) por efecto de los tratamientos aplicados. Se redujo el contenido de humedad, cenizas, carbohidratos totales y azúcares reductores. Se observó un incremento en el contenido de fibra cruda. Predominaron en todas las harinas los aminoácidos ácido glutámico y ácido aspártico, el aminoácido limitante fue triptófano. Por efecto de los tratamientos aplicados, hubo diferencias (p≤ 0,05) en la composición de la mayoría de los aminoácidos, incrementando su concentración. El contenido de vitaminas A y C disminuyó por efecto de los tratamientos aplicados (p≤ 0,05). Se concluye que las harinas crudas de batata y cocidas pueden ser empleadas en la formulación de alimentos ya que aportan buenas cantidades de nutrientes.

ABSTRACT The chemical composition, amino acid profile and vitamin content of sweet potato flour (raw and heat treated by cooking) were evaluated according to official methodology. Crude flours with total carbohydrate content of 84.81%, starch 50.65%, proteins 2.94% and crude fat contents 0.34% were used. Statistically significant differences were found (p≤ 0.05) due to the effect of the applied treatments. The content of humidity, ash, total carbohydrates and reducing sugars were reduced and an increase in crude fiber content was observed. The amino acids glutamic acid and aspartic acid predominated in all flours. We observed low levels of the amino acid tryptophan. There were statistically significant differences (p≤ 0.05) due to the effect of the treatments applied on the composition of most of the amino acids, increasing their concentration. Vitamin A and C content decreased due to the effect of the applied treatments (p≤ 0.05). Raw and cooked sweet potato flours can be used in food formulation because they provide good amounts of nutrients.

Long-term durability of laparoscopic decortication of symptomatic renal cysts.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the long-term results of patient symptoms and radiologic outcomes of laparoscopic renal cyst decortication in the treatment of symptomatic simple renal cysts. Renal cysts are common in the adult population. Symptomatic renal cysts have traditionally been treated by percutaneous aspiration with or without injection of sclerosant agents; however, this has a high rate of recurrence. METHODS: From April 1994 through July 2005, 45 patients underwent laparoscopic decortication of symptomatic simple renal cysts with renal cyst wall excision and fulguration of the epithelial lining. Complex renal cysts were excluded. Of the 45 patients, 24 (53.3%) had undergone previous cyst aspiration with injection of sclerosant material for intended ablation. The Wong-Baker pain scale was used to assess the preoperative and postoperative pain scores. Radiologic success was indicated as no recurrence on the most recent computed tomography scan. RESULTS: Of the 45 procedures, 44 were completed laparoscopically. One patient (1.8%) underwent open conversion because of excessive bleeding. The mean operative time was 89 minutes (range 48 to 170). Symptomatic success was achieved in 91.1% of patients, with a median follow-up of 52 months (range 3 to 132), and radiographic success was achieved in 95.5% of patients, with a median follow-up of 39 months (range 3 to 96). CONCLUSIONS: Long-term follow-up has confirmed that laparoscopic cyst decortication is an effective and durable treatment option for symptomatic simple renal cysts during long-term follow-up. The greater and durable success rates of this minimally invasive technique may favor this treatment option over other treatment modalities.

Technical modifications for robot-assisted laparoscopic pyeloplasty.

PURPOSE: Laparoscopic pyeloplasty (LP) is gaining acceptance as a standard of care for the repair of ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) obstruction, with results comparable to those of open repair. However, it remains a technically challenging procedure requiring intracorporeal suturing skills. Recent reports have demonstrated equally effective results with robot-assisted laparoscopy with shorter operative times. We present our modified technique for daVinci robot-assisted LP. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From November 2002 to May 2004, 32 consecutive patients underwent LP with the daVinci robotic system for UPJ obstruction. Just prior to laparoscopy, 31 patients underwent retrograde pyelography and cystoscopic placement of a ureteral catheter just distal to the UPJ, which was prepared into the operative field. The remaining patient had an indwelling stent placed preoperatively. Three transperitoneal ports are placed for the robot. A fourth port is placed for retraction, suction, dissection, and suture passage by the bedside surgeon. This port was placed at McBurney's point in the first two patients and the subxiphoid area in the subsequent 30 patients. A ureteral stent was inserted retrograde intraoperatively with laparoscopic assistance after exchanging the ureteral catheter for a guidewire. A Jackson-Pratt drain was placed in all cases. RESULTS: All procedures were completed laparoscopically. Anderson-Hynes dismembered pyeloplasty was performed in 31 patients, while Fengerplasty was performed in 1 patient. The average operative time was 300 minutes (initial 12 procedures: 384 minutes; last 10 procedures: 197 minutes). The average blood loss was approximately 50 mL and the average hospital stay 1.1 days. A crossing vessel was present in 44% of the cases. Stone extraction was performed in 5 cases (23%) and kidney biopsy in 1 case. The only perioperative complications were one migrated stent, which was repositioned under sedation without sequelae and one urinary tract infection. Of the 18 patients with follow-up exceeding 6 months (average 10.3 months), 16 have improved drainage and function and are asymptomatic. One patient with flank pain has no evidence of obstruction. One with delayed, although improved, drainage is asymptomatic. CONCLUSIONS: The daVinci robot system can be used effectively for LP. Although initial operative times were long, there was a significant decrease after the first 12 cases. Having retrograde access to the ureter allows simple intraoperative stent placement. We found that the subxiphoid placement of the fourth port gave the bedside surgeon the optimal location for suction, dissection, and intracorporeal suture passage. This approach and technique have become standard in our treatment of UPJ obstruction.

Donor nephrectomy in the era of hand-assisted laparoscopic urologic surgery.

Living-donor nephrectomy has traditionally been performed through a flank incision with or without rib resection or by an anterior extraperitoneal incision, both of which reduce the willingness of potential donors to undergo the procedure. The first successful human laparoscopic donor nephrectomy was reported in 1995. In order to reduce warm ischemia and operative time and to make the operation safer and easier, some laparoscopic surgeons have used hand assistance. The authors describe their technique for this operation and review the results.

Retrograde ureteroscopic endopyelotomy.

Several different procedures can be used to treat UPJ obstruction. Retrograde ureteroscopic endopyelotomy provides a safe and adequate first line of treatment for this condition. With the advent of smaller ureteroscopes and ancillary devices, this technique has evolved to include children. Adherence to strict endourologic principles and direct visualization make retrograde ureteroscopic endopyelotomy a safe and effective treatment modality. This procedure represents an extension of the basic endoscopic skills of the urologist, creating a short learning curve and wide margin of safety.

Epilépsia y cisticercosis / Epilepsy and cysticercosis

Con la finalidad de investigar la frecuencia de Cisticercosis Cerebral en la población epiléptica adulta del Hospital Central "Antonio María Pineda" de Barquisimeto estudiamos prospectivamente 58 pacientes en el lapso comprendido entre los años 1982-1985. Todos los pacientes eran mayores de 12 años sin discriminación por sexo con una crisis convulsiva en algún momento de la evolución y sin causa evidente que la explicara. Practicamente evaluación clínica y paraclínica integral, evaluación neurológica clínica y estudio del líquido cefalorraquídeo, radiografías de cráneo, electroencefalograma y gammagrama cerebral. Introdujimos por vez primera en el país la evaluación sistemática del estudio de anticuerpos contra cisticeros por el método de inmunofluorescencia indirecta en suero y líquido cefalorraquideo pareados. Durante la observación fallecieron 3 pacientes por hipertensión endocraneana y excluimos 6 por no cumplir el seguimiento. El análisis de los resultados reveló una alta incidencia de cisticercosis cerebral (40,3%) No observamos diferencias significativas en el sexo, residencia o procedencia. La edad promedio fue de 27 años. En el 76% observamos crisis focales y en el 67% convulsiones tipo motor. En nuestra opinión el diagnóstico de la neurocisticercosis continua siendo hecho con certeza por la histopatología con una buena aproximación al realizar un acto médico integral y prolijo