Cross-sectional imaging of pancreatic leak: a pictorial review.

Pancreatic leaks occur when a disruption in the pancreatic ductal system results in the leakage of pancreatic enzymes such as amylase, lipase, and proteases into the abdominal cavity. While often associated with pancreatic surgical procedures, trauma and necrotizing pancreatitis are also common culprits. Cross-sectional imaging, particularly computed tomography, plays a crucial role in assessing postoperative conditions and identifying both early and late complications, including pancreatic leaks. The presence of fluid accumulation or hemorrhage near an anastomotic site strongly indicates a pancreatic fistula, particularly if the fluid is connected to the pancreatic duct or anastomotic suture line. Pancreatic fistulas are a type of pancreatic leak that carries a high morbidity rate. Early diagnosis and assessment of pancreatic leaks require vigilance and an understanding of its imaging hallmarks to facilitate prompt treatment and improve patient outcomes. Radiologists must maintain vigilance and understand the imaging patterns of pancreatic leaks to enhance diagnostic accuracy. Ongoing improvements in surgical techniques and diagnostic approaches are promising for minimizing the prevalence and adverse effects of pancreatic fistulas. In this pictorial review, our aim is to facilitate for radiologists the comprehension of pancreatic leaks and their essential imaging patterns.

Impact of Physicochemical Modifications in Casein Promoted by UV-C on the Peptide Profile of Gastric Digestion and the Transepithelial Transport of Peptides.

Caseins are the main proteins in milk, and their structure and spatial conformation are responsible for their slow digestion rate. The release of bioactive and ß-casomorphin peptides from casein digestion may induce allergic responses during consumption. Spectroscopic techniques were used to observe the structural changes in casein conformation induced by Ultraviolet light irradiation (UV-C). Raman spectroscopy results showed more pronounced peaks at 618 and 640 cm-1 for phenylalanine and tyrosine moieties of the photolyzed micellar casein, respectively, suggesting changes in the micelle structure. The decrease in the intensity of Raman signals for tryptophan and tyrosine corroborates to the UV-C-induced modifications of the micelle structure. Particle size distribution showed a decrease in the average micelle size after 15 min of UV-C exposure, while low-temperature, long-time (LTLT) pasteurization led to the formation of large aggregates, as observed by atomic force microscopy. UV-C did not impact the formation or transport of peptides, as observed by using the Caco-2 cell as a model for peptide absorption. However, the absence of the opioid peptide SRYPSY from κ-casein and only 20% of the concentration of opioid peptide RYLGY were noted. This work demonstrated that UV-C can be utilized to induce the physicochemical modification of dairy products, promoting a higher digestion rate and reducing allergenicity.

The Role of Radiomics in Rectal Cancer.

PURPOSE: Radiomics is a promising method for advancing imaging assessment in rectal cancer. This review aims to describe the emerging role of radiomics in the imaging assessment of rectal cancer, including various applications of radiomics based on CT, MRI, or PET/CT. METHODS: We conducted a literature review to highlight the progress of radiomic research to date and the challenges that need to be addressed before radiomics can be implemented clinically. RESULTS: The results suggest that radiomics has the potential to provide valuable information for clinical decision-making in rectal cancer. However, there are still challenges in terms of standardization of imaging protocols, feature extraction, and validation of radiomic models. Despite these challenges, radiomics holds great promise for personalized medicine in rectal cancer, with the potential to improve diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment planning. Further research is needed to validate the clinical utility of radiomics and to establish its role in routine clinical practice. CONCLUSION: Overall, radiomics has emerged as a powerful tool for improving the imaging assessment of rectal cancer, and its potential benefits should not be underestimated.

Pela reconquista das altas coberturas vacinais / For the return of high vaccination coverage / Para la recuperación de altas coberturas de vacunación

O declínio global das coberturas vacinais levou a Organização Mundial da Saúde (OMS), em 2019, a definir a hesitação vacinal como uma das dez maiores ameaças mundiais à saúde pública. No Brasil, a queda da cobertura vacinal teve início em 2012, acentuando-se a partir de 2016, e sendo agravada pela pandemia de COVID-19. O alerta da baixa cobertura vacinal vem acompanhado pela reintrodução de doenças imunopreveníveis como o sarampo. O retorno de doenças até então eliminadas, como a poliomielite, pode agravar a crise sanitária ainda em curso. Mesmo sendo reconhecido como um dos mais efetivos programas de imunizações do mundo e dos esforços permanentes, o Programa Nacional de Imunizações enfrenta um cenário extremamente adverso no que tange às coberturas vacinais. Este artigo descreve o Projeto pela Reconquista das Altas Coberturas Vacinais (PRCV) e a estratégia de trabalhar na ponta do sistema, executada nos territórios, que vem sendo implementada desde 2021 e já começa a apresentar resultados promissores. O PRCV foi organizado em três eixos temáticos com atuação compartilhada e ações específicas, a saber: vacinação; sistemas de informação; comunicação e educação. Os resultados já alcançados permitem afirmar que é possível conseguir a reversão das baixas coberturas vacinais, a partir da articulação de ações estruturais e interinstitucionais, com o fortalecimento das políticas públicas e desenvolvimento de medidas de curto, médio e longo prazos. Os fatores mais potentes do PRCV são sua abordagem junto aos profissionais da ponta, o pacto social pela vacinação, e a estruturação de redes locais de apoio às imunizações.

The global decline in vaccine coverage led the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2019 to define vaccine hesitation as one of the world's top ten threats to public health. In Brazil, the drop in vaccination coverage began in 2012, increasing from 2016, and was aggravated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The warning of low vaccination coverage is accompanied by the reintroduction of immunopreventable diseases such as measles. The return of diseases so far eradicated, such as polio, can aggravate the ongoing health crisis. Despite the Brazilian National Immunization Program being recognized as one of the most effective worldwide and its continuous efforts, it is facing an extremely challenging scenario regarding immunization coverage. This article describes the Project for the Regaining of the High Vaccination Coverage (PRCV) and the strategy of working at the frontline, conducted in the local level, which has been implemented since 2021 and is already starting to show promising results. The PRCV was organized in three thematic axes with shared and specific actions, including: vaccination; information systems; communication and education. The outcomes achieved allow us to affirm that it is possible to reverse the low vaccination coverage, based on the articulation of structural and interinstitutional actions, with the strengthening of public policies and development of short-, medium-, and long-term measures. The most powerful factors of the PRCV are its approach to frontline professionals, the social pact for vaccination, and the establishment of local support networks for vaccinations.

La disminución global de las coberturas de vacunación llevó a la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS), en 2019, a definir la vacilación de la vacunación como una de las diez mayores amenazas para la salud pública en el mundo. En Brasil, la caída de la cobertura de vacunación comenzó en 2012, se acentuó a partir de 2016 y se vio agravada por la pandemia de COVID-19. La alerta de baja cobertura vacunal va acompañada de la reintroducción de enfermedades prevenibles por vacunación como el sarampión. El regreso de enfermedades hasta ahora eliminadas, como la poliomielitis, puede agravar la crisis sanitaria aún en curso. A pesar de ser reconocido como uno de los programas de inmunización más efectivos del mundo y de los esfuerzos permanentes, el Programa Nacional de Inmunización enfrenta un escenario extremadamente adverso en lo que se refiere a las coberturas vacunales. Este artículo describe el Proyecto por la Reconquista de las Altas Coberturas Vacunales (PRCV) y la estrategia de trabajo al final del sistema, ejecutada en los territorios, que se implementa desde 2021 y ya comienza a mostrar resultados prometedores. El PRCV fue organizado en tres ejes temáticos con actuación compartida y acciones específicas, a saber: vacunación; sistemas de Información; comunicación y educación. Los resultados ya alcanzados permiten afirmar que es posible lograr la reversión de las bajas coberturas vacunales, a partir de la articulación de acciones estructurales e interinstitucionales, con el fortalecimiento de las políticas públicas y desarrollo de medidas de corto, mediano y largo plazo. Los factores más potentes del PRCV son su abordaje junto a los profesionales de la punta, el pacto social por la vacunación, y la estructuración de redes locales de apoyo a las inmunizaciones.

Are isothiocyanates and polyphenols from Brassicaceae vegetables emerging as preventive/therapeutic strategies for NAFLD? The landscape of recent preclinical findings.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a lipid impairment-related chronic metabolic disease that affects almost 25% of the worldwide population and has become the leading cause of liver transplantation in the United States of America (USA). NAFLD may progress from simple hepatic steatosis (HS) to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which occurs simultaneously in an inflammatory and fibrotic microenvironment and affects approximately 5% of the global population. Recently, NASH has been suggested to be a relevant driver in progressive liver cirrhosis and a population-attributable factor in hepatocellular carcinoma patients. Moreover, predictions show that NAFLD-related annual health costs in the USA have reached ∼$100 bi., but effective therapies are still scarce. Thus, new preventative strategies for this hepatic disease urgently need to be developed. The Brassicaceae vegetable family includes almost 350 genera and 3500 species and these are one of the main types of vegetables harvested and produced worldwide. These vegetables are well-known sources of glucobrassicin-derivative molecules, such as isothiocyanates and phenolic compounds, which have shown antioxidant and antilipogenic effects in preclinical NAFLD data. In this review, we gathered prominent evidence of the in vivo and in vitro effects of these vegetable-derived nutraceutical compounds on the gut-liver-adipose axis, which is a well-known regulator of NAFLD and may represent a new strategy for disease control.

Pancreatic metastasectomy of renal cell carcinoma: a single institution experience.

INTRODUCTION: Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the most common primary neoplasia that metastasizes to the pancreas. Pancreatic metastasis (PM) occur in asymptomatic older patients and are identified during follow up. If resectable, surgery is the treatment of choice for long term survival. Our goal is to analyze outcomes of patients with RCC-PM. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We reviewed all patients with metastatic RCC (mRCC) who underwent resection, from known primary RCC and RCC-PM. RESULTS: There were 16 patients (mean age of 67 ± 8 years, male 8 (50%), mean BMI 29 ± 5.36 kg/m2). Half of them were asymptomatic. Diagnosis was incidental in 56.25% with a median lesion size of 25 mm (12-80). Pancreatic resections performed were: pancreatoduodenectomy (31.25%), distal pancreatectomy (56.25%) and total pancreatectomy (12.5%). Median estimated blood loss was 225 mL (15-2,200), median operative time was 242 min (63-420). Median length of stay was 6 days (2-30). New-onset diabetes was 6.25%. The minor complication and reoperation rates, were 37.5% and 6.25%, respectively. The median number of harvested lymph nodes was 17 (4-31), all were negative. All had a R0 resection. Recurrence of disease was 18.75% with a median time after surgery of 3 years (2-6). The median follow up was 9 years (0-15). Thirteen (81.25%) patients are still alive, eight are disease free. Three (18.75%) died. CONCLUSIONS: Long term survival can be achieved with surgical resection of PM from RCC in selected patients in whom complete resection is possible.

Use of computational intelligence in the genetic divergence of colored cotton plants

The objective of this work was to analyze the genetic diversity using conventional methods and artificial neural networks among 12 colored fiber cotton genotypes, using technological characteristics of the fiber and productivity in terms of cottonseed and cotton fiber yield. The experiment was conducted in an experimental area located at Fazenda Capim Branco, belonging to the Federal University of Uberlândia, in the city of Uberlândia, Minas Gerais. Twelve genotypes of colored fiber cotton were evaluated, 10 from the Cotton Genetic Improvement Program (PROMALG): UFUJP - 01, UFUJP - 02, UFUJP - 05, UFUJP - 08, UFUJP - 09, UFUJP - 10, UFUJP - 11, UFUJP - 13, UFUJP - 16, UFUJP - 17 and two commercial cultivars: BRS Rubi (RC) and BRS Topázio (TC). The experimental design used was complete randomized block (CRB) with three replications. The following evaluations were carried out at full maturation: yield of cottonseed (kg ha-1) and the technological characteristics, which include, fiber length, micronaire, maturation, length uniformity, short fiber index, elongation and strength, using the HVI (High volume instrument) device. Genetic dissimilarity was measured using the generalized Mahalanobis distance and after obtaining the dissimilarity matrix, the genotypes were grouped using a hierarchical clustering method (UPGMA). A discriminant analysis and the Kohonen Self-Organizing Map (SOM) by Artificial Neural Networks (ANN's) were performed through computational intelligence. SOM was able to detect differences and organize the similarities between accesses in a more coherent way, forming a larger number of groups, when compared to the method that uses the Mahalanobis matrix. It was also more accurate than the discriminant analysis, since it made it possible to differentiate groups more coherently when comparing their phenotypic behavior. The methods that use computational intelligence proved to be more efficient in detecting similarity, with Kohonen's Self-Organizing Map being the most adequate to classify and group cotton genotypes.

Genetic parameters and line selection of Cucurbita pepo based on selection indices / Parâmetros genéticos e seleção de linhagens de Cucurbita pepo com base em índices de seleção

In the improvement of pumpkins, the selection based on one or a few characters of interest tends to be less efficient, leading to a superior product only compared to the few characters selected. To maximize the simultaneous selection of multiple characteristics of interest, selection indexes are used to obtain a numerical value resulting from the combination of the characters on which the simultaneous selection is to be practiced. The objective of this study was to determine genetic parameters and the most appropriate selection indexes in strains of Summer squash (C. pepo). Statistical analyzes were performed based on 65 genotypes belonging to the vegetable germplasm bank of the Federal University of Uberlândia. The variables analyzed were: leaf area index, precocity, SPAD index, productivity. plant-1, number of fruits. Plant-1, leaf temperature, NDVI index and NDRE index. The indexes were used: Smith (1936) and Hazel (1943), the sum of "Ranks" by Mulamba and Mock (1978), and Willians (1962). The selection methodologies selected ten individuals (15% of the genotypes). The values found for h² (%) ranged from 36.92% (SPAD) to 59.65% (cycle). The values obtained in the CVg / CVe quotient were below 1, varying from 0.18 for leaf temperature to 0.70 for the cycle, with the other variables close to 0.5. The CVg genetic variation coefficient (%) was also low, ranging from 1.84% for leaf temperature to 30.94% for productivity. The greatest gains obtained with direct and indirect selection were for the characters productivity (35.92%), NDRE (33.04%), number of fruits (28.93%) and leaf area index (22.72%). The Mulamba and Mock (1978) index showed the highest total selection gain value, providing a balanced distribution of selection gains, choosing the genotypes: 8, 31, 34, 38, 42, 64, 65, 66, 67 and 68.

No melhoramento de abóboras, a seleção baseada em um ou alguns caracteres de interesse tende a ser pouco eficiente, levando a um produto superior apenas em comparação com os poucos caracteres selecionados. Para maximizar a seleção simultânea de múltiplas características de interesse, os índices de seleção são utilizados visando obter um valor numérico resultante da combinação dos caracteres sobre os quais será praticada. O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar parâmetros genéticos e os índices de seleção mais adequados em linhagens de abóbora (C. pepo). As análises estatísticas foram realizadas com base em 65 genótipos pertencentes ao banco de germoplasma de hortaliças da Universidade Federal de Uberlândia. As variáveis analisadas foram: índice de área foliar, precocidade, índice SPAD, produtividade. planta-1, número de frutos. Planta-1, temperatura foliar, índice NDVI e índice NDRE. Foram utilizados os índices: Smith (1936) e Hazel (1943), a soma de "Ranks" de Mulamba e Mock (1978) e Willians (1962). As metodologias de seleção selecionaram dez indivíduos (15% dos genótipos). Os valores encontrados para h² (%) variaram de 36,92% (SPAD) a 59,65% (ciclo). Os valores obtidos no quociente CVg / CVe foram inferiores a 1, variando de 0,18 para a temperatura foliar a 0,70 para o ciclo, com as demais variáveis próximas de 0,5. O coeficiente de variação genética CVg (%) também foi baixo, variando de 1,84% para temperatura foliar a 30,94% para produtividade. Os maiores ganhos obtidos com a seleção direta e indireta foram para os caracteres produtividade (35,92%), NDRE (33,04%), número de frutos (28,93%) e índice de área foliar (22,72%). O índice de Mulamba e Mock (1978) apresentou o maior valor de ganho de seleção total, proporcionando uma distribuição balanceada de ganhos de seleção, escolhendo os genótipos: 8, 31, 34, 38, 42, 64, 65, 66, 67 e 68.

Productivity and quality of cotton fiber in different planting seasons / Produtividade e qualidade da fibra do algodão em diferentes épocas de plantio

Cotton is one of the main agricultural products produced in Brazil. With such a high demand in the market, it is necessary that the cotton cultivars present high productivity and fiber quality. In order to favor the expression of the potential of the genotypes, the cultivation must occur in climatic conditions that provide good development of the plants, being the sowing time a primordial factor for the good performance of the cotton plant. In order to establish an ideal sowing season for different cotton genotypes, the present study aimed to evaluate the best sowing season of cotton genotypes for the environment of Uberlândia (Minas Gerais State), aiming at productivity and fiber quality. The experiment was carried out in field conditions, in the 2016/2017 harvest in the experimental area located at Fazenda Capim Branco, in the city of Uberlândia, Minas Gerais State. A randomized complete block design (DBC) with four replications in a 4x7 factorial scheme was used: 4/12 sowing dates: 05/12, 19/12, 30/12, 13/01 and 7 genotypes. 5 strains of the breeding program of the Federal University of Uberlândia (UFU) and 2 commercial cultivars. The evaluated characteristics were: seed cotton yield, feather yield, micronaire index, maturity index, fiber length, uniformity of length, short fibers, resistance and elongation. It was concluded that the best sowing season for a high productivity was the one performed on 12/05/16, with emphasis on the UFUJP-Z genotype. For fiber quality, UFUJP-C showed the best results at the 12/19/16 sowing season.

O algodão é um dos principais produtos agrícolas produzidos no Brasil. Com tamanha exigência do mercado, é necessário que as cultivares de algodoeiro apresentem alta produtividade e qualidade de fibras. Para favorecer a expressão do potencial dos genótipos, a semeadura deve ocorrer na época em que as condições climáticas proporcionem bom desenvolvimento das plantas, sendo a temperatura, precipitação e luminosidade fatores primordiais para o bom desempenho. Com o intuito de estabelecer uma época de semeadura ideal para diferentes genótipos de algodoeiro, o presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a melhor época de semeadura, para o ambiente de Uberlândia (MG), visando produtividade e qualidade da fibra. O experimento foi desenvolvido em condições de campo, na safra 2016/2017 na área experimental localizada na Fazenda Capim Branco, no município de Uberlândia, Minas Gerais. Utilizou-se delineamento experimental de blocos completos casualizados (DBC) com quatro repetições em esquema fatorial 4x7, constituíram-se de 4 épocas de semeadura: 05/12, 19/12, 30/12, 13/01 e 7 genótipos, sendo 5 linhagens do Programa de melhoramento do algodoeiro da Universidade Federal de Uberlândia (UFU) e 2 cultivares comerciais. As características avaliadas foram: produtividade do algodão em caroço, rendimento de pluma, índice micronaire, índice de maturação, comprimento de fibra, uniformidade de comprimento, fibras curtas, resistência e alongamento. Concluiu-se que a semeadura em 05/12/16 obteve melhores resultados quando visa alta produtividade, com destaque para o genótipo UFUJP-Z. Visando qualidade de fibra a semeadura em 19/12/16 foi mais favorável, com destaque para o UFUJP-C.

Colorimetria da carne de cordeiros alimentados com dietas contendo glicerina bruta / Colorimetry of meat lambs fed diets with crude glycerin

Foram utilizados 40 cordeiros machos distribuídos casualmente em quatro tratamentos e dez repetições. Ao final do experimento os animais foram abatidos, para obtenção das carcaças e análise qualitativa da carne, onde foi utilizado o Longissimus lumborum. As leituras foram realizadas com auxílio de um colorímetro, através de três mensurações em diferentes pontos do músculo, utilizando-se os valores médios de cromaticidades L*, a* e b* para representação da coloração. Os resultados da análise de regressão demonstraram que não houve influência da substituição do milho pela glicerina bruta sobre a colorimetria da carne. Conclui-se que a glicerina bruta pode substituir o milho sem que influencie nas características qualitativas da carne de cordeiros, não alterando os parâmetros físico-químicos de cromaticidade do músculo.

Estudo termogravimétrico da farinha de jenipapo (Genipa americana L. ) / Thermogravimetric study of genipa flour (Genipa americana L. )

A pesquisa teve como objetivo comparar os resultados dos métodos clássicos de umidade e resíduo mineral (cinzas) com os resultados encontrados pela termogravimetria (TG) e derivada da termogravimetria (DTG) na amostra de farinha de jenipapo desidratada em estufa (FJDE). Utilizaram-se os testes de umidade e cinzas pelo método convencional e pela termogravimetria (TG) e derivada de termogravemetria (DTG). Os resultados obtidos foram 7,86 ± 0,3 % para umidade convencional e 7,774 % para umidade na TG, cinzas convencional 3,38 ± 0,025% e cinzas por TG com 4,4 %. Conclui-se que as análises termogravimétricas apresentaram resultados próximos aos modelos convencionais para a umidade e cinzas, sendo que é realizada em um menor espaço de tempo, sem haver manipulação da amostra pelo analista no meio do processo evitando distorções nos resultados.

Should splenic autotransplantation be considered after total splenectomy due to trauma? / Autoimplante esplênico deve ser considerado para pacientes submetidos à esplenectomia total por trauma?

ABSTRACT Trauma is a public health problem and the most common cause of death in people under the age of 45. In blunt abdominal trauma, the spleen is the most commonly injured organ. Splenectomy remains the most common treatment, especially in high-grade lesions, despite increased nonoperative treatment. Removal of the spleen leads to increased susceptibility to infections due to its role in the immune function. Postsplenectomy sepsis is an important complication and presents a high mortality rate. Patients undergoing splenectomy should be immunized for encapsulated germs, as these are the agents most commonly associated with such infections. Splenic autotransplantation is a simple procedure, which can be an alternative to reduce infection rates consequent to total splenectomy, and reduce costs related to hospitalizations. This review aims to provide evidence-based information on splenic autotransplantation and its impact on the prognosis of patients undergoing total splenectomy. We searched the Cochrane Library, Medline/PubMed, SciELO and Embase, from January 2017 to January 2018 and selected articles in English and Portuguese, dated from 1919 to 2017. We found that the adjusted risk of death in splenectomized patients is greater than that of the general population, and when total splenectomy is performed, splenic autotransplantation is the only method capable of preserving splenic function, avoiding infections, especially postsplenectomy sepsis. Health professionals should be familiar with the consequences of the method chosen to manage the patient suffering from splenic trauma.

RESUMO O trauma é um problema de saúde pública e a causa mais comum de óbito em pessoas com menos de 45 anos de idade. Nos traumas abdominais contusos, o baço é o órgão mais comumente lesado. A esplenectomia continua sendo o tratamento mais comum, especialmente em lesões de alto grau, apesar do aumento do tratamento não operatório. A remoção do baço gera aumento da suscetibilidade a infecções, devido ao seu papel na função imune. Sepse pós-esplenectomia é uma importante complicação e apresenta alta taxa de mortalidade. Pacientes submetidos à esplenectomia devem receber imunização para germes encapsulados, por serem os agentes mais comumente relacionados a essas infecções. Autoimplante esplênico é um procedimento simples, que pode ser alternativa para reduzir índices de infecção consequentes à esplenectomia total, e que pode reduzir custos relacionados à internações. Este trabalho de revisão objetiva prover informações baseadas em evidências sobre o autoimplante esplênico e seu impacto no prognóstico de pacientes submetidos à esplenectomia total. Foram realizadas buscas na Cochrane Library, Medline/PubMed, SciELO e Embase, de janeiro de 2017 a janeiro de 2018 e selecionados artigos em inglês e português, datados de 1919 a 2017. Verificou-se que o risco ajustado de morte em pacientes esplenectomizados é maior do que o da população geral, e quando a esplenectomia total é realizada, o autoimplante esplênico é o único método capaz de preservar a função esplênica, evitando infecções, principalmente sepse pós-esplenectomia. Profissionais de saúde devem estar familiarizados com as consequências do método escolhido para manejar o paciente vítima de trauma esplênico.

Limited proteolysis of myoglobin opens channel in ferrochelatase-globin complex for iron to zinc transmetallation.

Recombinant ferrochelatase (BsFECH) from Bacillus subtilis expressed in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3) was found by UV-visible spectroscopy to bind the model substrate tetraphenylporphyrin-sulfonate, TPPS, with Ka=3.8 10(5)mol/L in aqueous phosphate buffer pH 5.7 at 30°C, and to interact with metmyoglobin with Ka=1.07±0.13 10(5)mol/L at 30°C. The iron/zinc exchange in myoglobin occurring during maturation of Parma hams seems to depend on such substrate binding to BsFECH and was facilitated by limited pepsin proteolysis of myoglobin to open a reaction channel for metal exchange still with BsFECH associated to globin. BsFECH increased rate of zinc insertion in TPPS significantly and showed saturation kinetics with an apparent binding constant of Zn(II) to the [enzyme-TPPS] complex of 1.3 10(4)mol/L and a first-order rate constant of 6.6 10(-1)s(-1) for dissociation of the tertiary complex, a similar pattern was found for zinc/iron transmetallation in myoglobin.

Glucagonoma syndrome associated with necrolytic migratory erythema.

INTRODUCTION: glucagonoma is a pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor derived from alpha-cells of the islets of Langerhans. It is marked by tumoral autonomous production of glucagon and characterized, among other symptoms, by necrolytic migratory erythema, an erythematous circinate lesion with areas of necrosis and sloughing. This is a rare disease with worldwide incidence estimated at 1 case per 20 million people. CASE REPORT: we report a case of glucagonoma associated necrolytic migratory erythema in a male patient, 56 years, with signs of skin lesions mainly on his legs and groin, hyperglycemia and weight loss. Biopsies of the skin lesions were performed and imaging of the abdomen showed a mass of 10 x 9 cm, at the pancreatic region. The patient was subjected to body-caudal pancreatectomy and splenectomy with autotransplant of the spleen in the greater omentum. The histopathologic report indicated a tumor in the pancreatic alpha cells. Immunohistochemistry showed expression of glucagon and chromogranin A in most tumor cells, consistent with the diagnosis of glucagonoma. The patient presented 3 years of outpatient follow-up with no complications. CONCLUSION: the necrolytic migratory erythema is important for the clinical recognition of glucagonoma, and its early diagnosis is essential for a successful curative therapy.

Glucagonoma syndrome associated with necrolytic migratory erythema / Síndrome do glucagonoma associado a eritema necrolítico migratório

Summary Introduction: glucagonoma is a pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor derived from alpha-cells of the islets of Langerhans. It is marked by tumoral autonomous production of glucagon and characterized, among other symptoms, by necrolytic migratory erythema, an erythematous circinate lesion with areas of necrosis and sloughing. This is a rare disease with worldwide incidence estimated at 1 case per 20 million people. Case report: we report a case of glucagonoma associated necrolytic migratory erythema in a male patient, 56 years, with signs of skin lesions mainly on his legs and groin, hyperglycemia and weight loss. Biopsies of the skin lesions were performed and imaging of the abdomen showed a mass of 10 x 9 cm, at the pancreatic region. The patient was subjected to body-caudal pancreatectomy and splenectomy with autotransplant of the spleen in the greater omentum. The histopathologic report indicated a tumor in the pancreatic alpha cells. Immunohistochemistry showed expression of glucagon and chromogranin A in most tumor cells, consistent with the diagnosis of glucagonoma. The patient presented 3 years of outpatient follow-up with no complications. Conclusion: the necrolytic migratory erythema is important for the clinical recognition of glucagonoma, and its early diagnosis is essential for a successful curative therapy. .

Resumo Introdução: Introdução: o glucagonoma é um tumor neuroendócrino do pâncreas derivado das células alfa das ilhotas de Langerhans. É marcado pela produção tumoral autônoma de glucagon e caracterizado, dentre outros sintomas, por eritema necrolítico migratório (ENM), uma lesão eritematosa circinada com áreas de necrose e descamação. Trata-se de uma doença rara com incidência mundial estimada em 1 caso para cada 20 milhões pessoas. Relato de caso: apresentamos um caso de glucagonoma associado a ENM em um paciente de sexo masculino, 56 anos de idade, com quadro de lesões cutâneas, principalmente em membros inferiores e região inguinal, hiperglicemia e perda ponderal. Biópsias das lesões cutâneas foram realizadas e exames de imagem do abdome evidenciaram uma massa de 10 x 9 cm em região pancreática. O paciente foi submetido à pancreatectomia corpocaudal e esplenectomia total com autoimplante do baço em omento maior. O laudo histopatológico foi de tumor de células alfa pancreáticas. Imuno-histoquímica evidenciou expressão de glucagon e cromogranina A na maioria das células tumorais, compatível com diagnóstico de glucagonoma. O paciente apresentou seguimento de 3 anos em ambulatório sem intercorrências clínicas. Conclusão: o ENM é importante para o reconhecimento clínico do glucagonoma, sendo seu diagnóstico precoce fundamental para uma terapia curativa de sucesso. .

Muscular pre-conditioning using light-emitting diode therapy (LEDT) for high-intensity exercise: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial with a single elite runner.

Recently, low-level laser (light) therapy (LLLT) has been used to improve muscle performance. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of near-infrared light-emitting diode therapy (LEDT) and its mechanisms of action to improve muscle performance in an elite athlete. The kinetics of oxygen uptake (VO2), blood and urine markers of muscle damage (creatine kinase--CK and alanine), and fatigue (lactate) were analyzed. Additionally, some metabolic parameters were assessed in urine using proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy ((1)H NMR). A LED cluster with 50 LEDs (λ = 850 nm; 50 mW 15 s; 37.5 J) was applied on legs, arms and trunk muscles of a single runner athlete 5 min before a high-intense constant workload running exercise on treadmill. The athlete received either Placebo-1-LEDT; Placebo-2-LEDT; or Effective-LEDT in a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial with washout period of 7 d between each test. LEDT improved the speed of the muscular VO2 adaptation (∼-9 s), decreased O2 deficit (∼-10 L), increased the VO2 from the slow component phase (∼+348 ml min(-1)), and increased the time limit of exercise (∼+589 s). LEDT decreased blood and urine markers of muscle damage and fatigue (CK, alanine and lactate levels). The results suggest that a muscular pre-conditioning regimen using LEDT before intense exercises could modulate metabolic and renal function to achieve better performance.

Subcutaneous abscess secondary to xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis.

One of the known complications of gallstones consists in gallbladder perforation with cholecystocutaneous abscesses or external fistulas formation. Nowadays these types of complications are uncommon, having been more frequent. The authors report the case of an 86 year-old woman, bedridden and dependent, referred to our institution by presenting a tumefaction with inflammatory signs in the right upper quadrant. The radiological investigation revealed it to be a subcutaneous abscess associated with a perforated gallbladder, whose histological analysis revealed xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis.

Uma das complicações conhecidas da litíase vesicular consiste na perfuração da vesícula com consequente formação de abcessos colecisto-cutâneos ou trajectos fistulosos externos. Actualmente este tipo de complicação é pouco frequente na prática diária, tendo sido mais frequente. Os autores relatam o caso de uma senhora de 86 anos, acamada e dependente, referenciada à nossa instituição por apresentar uma tumefacção no quadrante superior direito, com sinais inflamatórios associados. A investigação imagiológica da referida tumefacção revelou tratar-se de um abcesso subcutâneo associado a perfuração da vesicula biliar, cuja análise histológica revelou colecistite xantogranulomatosa.

Reduction of ferrylmyoglobin by hydrogen sulfide. Kinetics in relation to meat greening.

The hypervalent meat pigment ferrylmyoglobin, MbFe(IV)═O, characteristic for oxidatively stressed meat and known to initiate protein cross-linking, was found to be reduced by hydrogen sulfide to yield sulfmyoglobin. Horse heart myoglobin, void of cysteine, was used to avoid possible interference from protein thiols. For aqueous solution, the reactions were found to be second-order, and an apparent acid catalysis could be quantitatively accounted for in terms of a fast reaction between protonated ferrylmyoglobin, MbFe(IV)═O,H(+), and hydrogen sulfide, H2S (k2 = (2.5 ± 0.1) × 10(6) L mol(-1) s(-1) for 25.0 °C, ionic strengh 0.067, dominating for pH < 4), and a slow reaction between MbFe(IV)═O and HS(-) (k2 = (1.0 ± 0.7) × 10(4) L mol(-1) s(-1) for 25.0 °C, ionic strengh 0.067, dominating for pH > 7). For meat pH, a reaction via the transition state {MbFe(IV)═O···H···HS}([symbol: see text]) contributed significantly, and this reaction appeared almost independent of temperature with an apparent energy of activation of 2.1 ± 0.7 kJ mol(-1) at pH 7.4, as a result of compensation among activation energies and temperature influence on pKa values explaining low temperature greening of meat.

Riboflavin as a photosensitizer. Effects on human health and food quality.

Riboflavin, vitamin B2, and flavins (as riboflavin building blocks or degradation products) are efficient photosensitizers inducing oxidative damage to light-exposed tissue and food by substrate-dependent mechanisms, for which protection is offered by specific nutrients. Phenolic and N-heterocyclic amino acids and their peptides and proteins deactivate triplet-excited state riboflavin in diffusion controlled processes, efficiently competing with deactivation by oxygen, resulting in direct (so called Type I) protein degradation through electron transfer or proton-coupled electron transfer. In light-exposed tissue, such often long lived protein radicals may as primary photoproducts initiate lipid and vitamin oxidation. In contrast, for lipid systems, oxygen deactivation of triplet-excited state riboflavin, resulting in formation of singlet oxygen, is under aerobic conditions faster than direct deactivation by lipids, which otherwise under anaerobic conditions occurs as hydrogen atom transfer from polyunsaturated lipids to triplet riboflavin. Singlet oxygen adds to unsaturated lipids and forms lipid hydroperoxides as primary lipid oxidation products or oxidizes proteins (Type II mechanism). Carotenoids seem not to deactivate triplet riboflavin, while chromanols like vitamin E and plant polyphenols are efficient in such deactivation yielding protection of proteins and lipids by these phenols. Indirect protection against the triplet reactivity of riboflavin is further important for polyphenols as riboflavin singlet excited state quenchers in effectively preventing riboflavin intersystem crossing to yield the reactive triplet state. Riboflavin photosensitization becomes critical for degradation of proteins, unsaturated lipids, and folate, thiamine, ascorbate and other vitamins during light exposure of food during storage. For skin, eye and other tissue exposed to high intensity light, dietary polyphenols like flavonoids are important in direct protection against photosensitized oxidation, while dietary carotenoids may yield protection through inner-filter effects, through scavenging of radicals resulting from Type I photosensitization, and through quenching of singlet oxygen formed in Type II photosensitization. Both carotenoids and polyphenols accordingly counteract the degenerative effect induced by riboflavin exposed to light, although by different mechanisms.