Effect of a moderate electric field on the salting of Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar): An experimental study and phenomenological understanding.

Salting is one of the oldest methods of preserving food. The main limitation of salting is its extended processing time due to slow salt diffusion. A moderate electric field (MEF) can improve the mass transfer rate through electroporation. Regularly, mass transfer processes are modeled with Fick's second law. However, due to the anisotropic nature of food microstructures, it might be more appropriate to use an anomalous model. The main objective of this study was to search for a phenomenological explanation for salt and water diffusion in the salmon brining process coupled with MEF. Salmon fillets were cut into finite cylinders (0.025 × 0.025 m) and brined in two salt concentrations (6 and 24% w/w NaCl) at 6 °C for 20 h. MEFs were applied in the range of 0 to 2 V/cm. The salt and water contents of the salmon were measured during the process. Fick's second law and anomalous model based on fractional calculus were used to describe the diffusion phenomena. The results showed that an MEF tended to reduce the brining processing time and increase the salt content of salmon. This effect is predominantly due to an increase in the equilibrium salt concentration in the salmon tissue. Mathematical analysis shows that the anomalous diffusion model is more suitable for representing the brining process, exhibiting superdiffusion behavior (α > 1). An MEF accelerates the salt mass transfer into salmon tissue even at lower temperatures, significantly reducing the processing time. In addition, the diffusion process can be characterized with an anomalous model.

Oral midazolam as premedication for the apprehensive child before dental treatment.

A double-blind study was undertaken to determine the efficacy of an oral dose of midazolam 7.5 mg as compared to placebo in a sample of 32 children who had refused dental care after the conventional psychological approach alone was used to reduce fear and apprehensive behavior. Parameters assessed before and 30 minutes after the oral administration of either midazolam or placebo were mental attitude, hypnotic activity, motor activity, quality of sedation and of dental treatment. A three-point scale was designed in each studied parameter and mean values +/- s.e.m. were compared before and after treatment by using Wilcoxon's rank test. It was shown that an oral dose of midazolam 7.5 mg significantly improved all parameters under evaluation (p < 0.01) as compared to placebo, effects which appeared thirty minutes after administration. It is concluded that oral midazolam provides a fast and adequate sedation in children refusing dental care. Thus, the drug is an alternative to other sedative or hypnotic drugs currently used in the premedication of the apprehensive child.

[Occurrence of pregnancy after microsurgical treatment of sterile patients with tubo-ovarian adhesive diseases]. / Frecuencia de embarazos después de tratamiento microquirúrgico en pacientes estériles por enfermedad adherencial tuboovárica.

In the last years, the adherence adnexal disease has been increased due to pelvic infections. This may cause infertility problems depending, of the nature, extension and localization inside the pelvis. In this paper we inform the results obtained in 70 patients with adnexal adhesions to whom it was performed a salpingo-ovariolysis with microsurgery technology, with the purpose of promote the fertility. All the patients received pre, trans and postoperative support (Heparin, steroids and antimicrobials). The minimal time of postoperative observation was at least 6 months. In 27 (Group I) of the 70 cases (38.6%), the adherences were avascular (IA & IIA based on Hulka's classification); and in the 43 patients of the group II (61.4%), the lesions were dense and vascular (IB & IIB). In group I, 15 pregnancies were obtained (55.6%), 13 at term, 1 miscarriage and 1 ectopic pregnancy; in the group II we documented 9 pregnancies (20.9%), 5 at term, 4 miscarriage (I trimester).

Caracteristicas de la poblacion menor de 15 anos con dermatopatias, zona rural cafetera de Cundinamarca: 1987-1988 / Characteristics of the population under 15 years old with dermatopathies, rurar coffe crops zone: Cundinamarca, 1987-1988

Estudio descriptivo prospectivo para determinar las caracteristicas ambientales, personales y el estilo de vida de la poblacion menor de 15 anos residente en las zonas rurales cafeteras de Cundinamarca, que presentaba afeccion de la piel al examan medico durante una consulta general , o detectadas por la enfermera durante el control de crecimiento y desarrollo. Durante el periodo comprendido entre el segundo semestre de 1987 y el primer semestre de 1988 se detectaron 176 casos; pero los datos incluidos en el estudio se refieren a 144, porque en los 32 restantes no se conto con informacion suficiente. Del total de pacientes, 59.2 por ciento tenia dermatosis infecciosas, el 22.0 por ciento inflamatorias y el 18.8 por ciento idiopaticas. La prevalencia de las primeras se atribuye a factores ambientales de clima, saneamiento basico inadecuado, condiciones de hacinamiento, tipo de vivienda y ocupacion sin descartar la relacion con deficiencias nutricionales. Los escolares de 5-10 anos, fueron los mas afectados. Entre las dermatopatias inflamatorias, las mas frecuentes fueron las panalitis (35.8 por ciento ) seguidas de milaria y dermatitis atopica con 25 por ciento cada una. Las primeras se atribuyen al contacto prolongado con el panal sucio y el uso de pantalones de plastico. La milaria es frecuente en climas calidos y humedos como el de la region. Las dermatopatias idiopaticas fueron las de menor incidencia y pueden relacionarse con las epocas de calor y exposicion a rayos solares. Se recomienda reforzar la educacion en salud tendiente a mejorar las condiciones ambientales, higienicas y los habitos de vida