Chemical acetylation of nixtamalized maize flour and structural, rheological and physicochemical properties of flour, dough and tortillas.

Nixtamalized maize tortilla is a basic food for the Mexican population. It has high energy due to high starch, which may be modified to decrease its bioavailability and to produce changes in the characteristics of flours. For this research, nixtamalized maize flour was prepared and subjected to an acetylation chemical process, with and without prior hydrolysis. Raw maize flour, traditionally nixtamalized maize flour, acetylated-nixtamalized maize flour (AF) and acetylated-hydrolyzed nixtamalized maize flour (AHF) were prepared and evaluated. These flours were used for dough and tortilla preparation and analyzed for degree of substitution (DS), physicochemical properties, structure, thermal, rheological, morphological and texture properties. FTIR spectra and DS showed the presence of acetyl groups. AHF showed the highest value for water absorption index. The resistant starch increased 0.27 and 0.42% for AF and AHF samples. The gelatinization enthalpy (∆Hg) for AF was greater than other flours. AF tortillas showed better characteristics than the traditional ones and their consumption was recommended since showed better RS.

[Obstetric hysterectomy in patients with accreta, increta and percreta placentae: comparison of two surgical techniques]. / Histerectomía obstétrica en pacientes con placenta acreta, increta y percreta: comparación de dos técnicas quirúrgicas.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the maternal-fetal surgical complications techniques utilizing two obstetric hysterectomy in patients with placenta accreta, increta or percreta, in the Hospital General de Occidente, Jalisco, Mexico during the period 2011 to 2014. MATERIAL AND METHODS: observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study, analyzing maternal and fetal complications in all patients diagnosed with placenta accreta, increta or percreta, intervened with two surgical techniques obstetric hysterectomy, during the period January 2011 to December 2014, using clinical records to identify the study variables. The data were analyzed on Epi-Info 7 calculating frequencies, percentages, measures of central tendency and dispersion, also resorting to the use of a hypothesis test for mean difference bleeding. RESULTS: There were 71 obstetric hysterectomies, 47.88% were identified by placenta accreta, increta or percreta, of which 47.05% were operated with modified technique (group 1) and 52.95% with the conventional technique (group 2). The mean ages of the groups were 31.56 in group 1 and 29.44 in group 2. Statistically the bleeding with the modified surgical technique it is less than the bleeding conventional technique. CONCLUSIONS: The results serves two main purposes: to save the life of the patient and cause the least amount of side morbidity are placental problems, both the mother and the newborn, highlighting minor bleeding from a technique to another.

Data quality validation of the Spanish Incisional Hernia Surgery Registry (EVEREG): pilot study.

PURPOSE: The Spanish Incisional Hernia Surgery Registry (EVEREG) was promoted by the Abdominal Wall Section of the Spanish Association of Surgeons, starting data collection in July 2012 and currently has more than 14,000 cases. The objective of this study was to validate the data collected through a pilot audit process. METHODS: A sample of hospitals participating in the EVEREG registry since the beginning was selected. Patients registered in these centers in the 2012-2020 period were included. A stratified random sampling was carried out, with the inclusion of 10% of registered cases per center with a minimum of 20 cases per center. At each participating center, two researchers not belonging to the center undergoing the audit checked (on site or telematically) the concordance between the data in the registry and the data contained in the case history of each patient. RESULTS: 330 patients have been analyzed, out of a total of 2673 registered, in 9 participating centers. The average accuracy has been 95.7%. Incorrect data 1.5% and missing data 2.3% CONCLUSION: The group of pilot hospitals from this EVERG incisional hernia surgery registry shows a very high precision of 95.7%. The confirmation of these findings in all the centers participating in the registry will make it possible to guarantee the quality of the studies made and their comparability with other similar national registries. TRIAL REGISTRATION: nnTrial registration number: ClinicalTrials.gov ID:NCT03899012.

Inter-annual variability patterns of reef cryptobiota in the central Red Sea across a shelf gradient.

The combination of molecular tools, standard surveying techniques, and long-term monitoring programs are relevant to understanding environmental and ecological changes in coral reef communities. Here we studied temporal variability in cryptobenthic coral reef communities across the continental shelf in the central Red Sea spanning 6 years (three sampling periods: 2013-2019) and including the 2015 mass bleaching event. We used a combination of molecular tools (barcoding and metabarcoding) to assess communities on Autonomous Reef Monitoring Structures (ARMS) as a standardized sampling approach. Community composition associated with ARMS for both methodologies (barcoding and metabarcoding) was statistically different across reefs (shelf position) and time periods. The partition of beta diversity showed a higher turnover and lower nestedness between pre-bleaching and post-bleaching samples than between the two post-bleaching periods, revealing a community shift from the bleaching event. However, a slight return to the pre-bleaching community composition was observed in 2019 suggesting a recovery trajectory. Given the predictions of decreasing time between bleaching events, it is concerning that cryptobenthic communities may not fully recover and communities with new characteristics will emerge. We observed a high turnover among reefs for all time periods, implying a homogenization of the cryptobiome did not occur across the cross shelf following the 2015 bleaching event. It is possible that dispersal limitations and the distinct environmental and benthic structures present across the shelf maintained the heterogeneity in communities among reefs. This study has to the best of our knowledge presented for the first time a temporal aspect into the analysis of ARMS cryptobenthic coral reef communities and encompasses a bleaching event. We show that these structures can detect cryptic changes associated with reef degradation and provides support for these being used as long-term monitoring tools.

Use of a bioabsorbable mesh in midline laparotomy closure to prevent incisional hernia: randomized controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: The objective was to assess the effectiveness and safety of a bioabsorbable mesh at the time of closure of a midline laparotomy for IH prevention. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A multicenter, randomized clinical trial including patients undergoing abdominal surgical procedures through a midline laparotomy incision was designed. In the group of mesh (n = 167) the incision was closed using a continuous polydioxanone suture (PDS) plus a bioabsorbable mesh. In the control group (n = 165) a continuous PDS single layer suture was only used. Patients were randomly assigned (1:1) to the two groups. The primary outcome was the incidence of IH at 6, 12 and 24 months. Assessment of IH was done using a CT scan. RESULTS: At 6 months, the rates of IH were 15.2% and 24.8% in the experimental and control groups, respectively (relative risk [RR] 0.66, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.38-0.98, P = 0.042). At 12 months, the rate of IH continued to be significantly lower in the experimental group (21.4% vs. 33.1%, P = 0.033), but at 24 months, there were no significant differences between the study groups with a follow-up rate of only 37.5%. The number needed to treat (NNT) was 11 and 9 at 6 and 12 months, respectively. CONCLUSION: The bioabsorbable mesh significantly prevented IH during the first year. Not reliable conclusions can be drawn across the second year. This may suggest that the any of the closing technique assessed in this study would have a "palliative" transient effect for preventing IH in the long-term.

The role of seagrass vegetation and local environmental conditions in shaping benthic bacterial and macroinvertebrate communities in a tropical coastal lagoon.

We investigated the influence of seagrass canopies on the benthic biodiversity of bacteria and macroinvertebrates in a Red Sea tropical lagoon. Changes in abundance, number of taxa and assemblage structure were analyzed in response to seagrass densities (low, SLD; high, SHD; seagrasses with algae, SA), and compared with unvegetated sediments. Biological and environmental variables were examined in these four habitats (hereafter called treatments), both in the underlaying sediments and overlaying waters, at three randomly picked locations in March 2017. Differences between treatments were more apparent in the benthic habitat than in the overlaying waters. The presence of vegetation (more than its cover) and changes in sedimentary features (grain size and metals) at local scales influenced the observed biological patterns, particularly for macroinvertebrates. Of note, the highest percentage of exclusive macroinvertebrate taxa (18% of the gamma diversity) was observed in the SHD treatment peaking in the SA for bacteria. Benthic macroinvertebrates and bacteria shared a generally low number of taxa across treatments and locations; approximately, 25% of the gamma diversity was shared among all treatments and locations for macrofauna, dropping to 11% for bacteria. Given the low overlap in the species distribution across the lagoon, sustaining the connectivity among heterogeneous soft sediment habitats appears to be essential for maintaining regional biodiversity. This study addresses a current scientific gap related to the relative contributions of vegetated and unvegetated habitats to biodiversity in tropical regions.

[Prevalence of Neisseria gonorrhoeae, amongst inmates of the Preventive Reclusion Center in Arica]. / Prevalencia de Neisseria gonorrhoeae, en reclusos del Centro de Detención Preventiva de Arica.

BACKGROUND: Sex workers, people with drug addiction, early onset of sexual activity population, and criminal population, are considered the groups most at risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections (STIs). AIM: To determine the prevalence of infection by Neisseria gonorrhoeae in inmates of the Preventive Detention Center (CDP) at Arica and Parinacota Region, Chile. The Scientific Ethical Committee of Universidad de Tarapacá approved this study. METHOD: 140 inmates participated, who voluntarily agreed to be part of the study and signed an informed consent. A sample of urethral meatus was taken to investigate N. gonorrhoeae, and an epidemiological survey was applied, which included age, drug use, overcrowding, among others. RESULTS: The prevalence of the agent was 16.4% in inmates of the Arica CDP, a result lower than that reported in other similar studies. CONCLUSION: Knowing the reality of the prevalence of this STI and some risk factors associated with the situation of deprivation of freedom in a tri-border area of northern Chile, contributes to the proposals for prevention programs in this vulnerable and at-risk population.

Atraumatic laparoscopic intraperitoneal mesh fixation using a new laparoscopic device: an animal experimental study.

PURPOSE: Laparoscopic ventral and incisional hernia repair (LVIHR) has become a common procedure because of its feasibility and safety, but it is not free of complications. Acute and chronic post-operative pain and bleeding caused by traumatic fixation of the mesh are frequently prolonging the hospital stay. The aim of this study was to analyze the behavior of n-butyl-cyanoacrylate (GLUBRAN® 2) as only mesh fixation METHODS: Ten female pigs were involved in the study and were divided into two groups of five (A and B). Animals in each group underwent a laparoscopic procedure in which two meshes were placed intraperitoneally and fixed with the same synthetic glue only. Animals in group A were sacrificed after 3 weeks, and those in group B were sacrificed after 12 weeks. We studied the morphological, biomechanical, and histological characteristics of the intraperitoneal mesh-tissue interface RESULTS: No disruption, migration or folding was observed in any of the pigs. In group A, the mean tensile strength was 1.4 N/cm (± 0.2) while in group B, the mean tensile strength was 2.5 N/cm (± 0.8). Histological analyses, in areas where mesh was fixed using the glue, showed a chronic lymphocytic inflammatory reaction with a granulomatous component and a marked desmoplastic reaction made up of immature collagen and numerous fibroblasts acquiring myofibroblastic characteristics. In some areas corresponding to fixation, the desmoplastic reaction originated from mature lamellar bone tissue with osteocytes and osteoblasts. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic mesh fixation with only the synthetic comonomer glue GLUBRAN® 2 is feasible, effective, and safe in intraperitoneal incisional/ventral hernia repair in this animal model.

Coral reef degradation affects the potential for reef recovery after disturbance.

The loss of coral cover is often accompanied by an increase of benthic algae, a decline in biodiversity and habitat complexity. However, it remains unclear how surrounding communities influence the trajectories of re-colonization between pulse disturbance events. Over a 12-month field experiment in the central Red Sea, we examined how healthy (hard-coral dominated) and degraded (algae-dominated) reef areas influence recruitment and succession patterns of benthic reef foundation communities on bare substrates. Crustose coralline algae and other calcifiers were important colonizers in the healthy reef area, promoting the accumulation of inorganic carbon. Contrary, substrates in the degraded area were predominantly colonized by turf algae, lowering the accumulation of inorganic carbon by 178%. While coral larvae settlement similarly occurred in both habitats, degraded areas showed 50% fewer recruits. Our findings suggest that in degraded reefs the replenishment of adult coral populations is reduced due to recruitment inhibition through limited habitat complexity and grazing pressure, thereby restraining reef recovery.

Cross-shelf investigation of coral reef cryptic benthic organisms reveals diversity patterns of the hidden majority.

Coral reefs harbor diverse assemblages of organisms yet the majority of this diversity is hidden within the three dimensional structure of the reef and neglected using standard visual surveys. This study uses Autonomous Reef Monitoring Structures (ARMS) and amplicon sequencing methodologies, targeting mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I and 18S rRNA genes, to investigate changes in the cryptic reef biodiversity. ARMS, deployed at 11 sites across a near- to off-shore gradient in the Red Sea were dominated by Porifera (sessile fraction), Arthropoda and Annelida (mobile fractions). The two primer sets detected different taxa lists, but patterns in community composition and structure were similar. While the microhabitat of the ARMS deployment affected the community structure, a clear cross-shelf gradient was observed for all fractions investigated. The partitioning of beta-diversity revealed that replacement (i.e. the substitution of species) made the highest contribution with richness playing a smaller role. Hence, different reef habitats across the shelf are relevant to regional diversity, as they harbor different communities, a result with clear implications for the design of Marine Protected Areas. ARMS can be vital tools to assess biodiversity patterns in the generally neglected but species-rich cryptic benthos, providing invaluable information for the management and conservation of hard-bottomed habitats over local and global scales.

Modulation of intracellular pH in human ovarian cancer.

To sustain tumor growth, the cancer cells need to adapt to low levels of oxygen (i.e., hypoxia) in the tumor tissue and to the tumor-associated acidic microenvironment. In this phenomenon, the activation of the sodium/proton exchanger 1 (NHE1) at the plasma membrane and the hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) are critical for the control of the intracellular pH (pHi) and for hypoxia adaptation, respectively. Interestingly, both of these mechanisms end in sustaining cancer cell proliferation. However, regulatory mechanisms of pHi in human ovary tissue and in malignant ascites are unknown. Additionally, a potential role of NHE1 in the modulation of H(+) efflux in human ovarian cancer cells is unknown. In this review, we discussed the characteristics of tumor microenvironment of primary human ovarian tumors and tumor ascites, in terms of pHi regulatory mechanisms and oxygen level. The findings described in the literature suggest that NHE1 may likely play a role in pHi regulation and cell proliferation in human ovarian cancer, potentially involving HIF2α activation. Since ovarian cancer is the fifth cause of prevalence of women cancer in Chile and is usually of late diagnosis, i.e., when the disease jeopardizes peritoneal cavity and other organs, resulting in reduced patient survival, new efforts are required to improve patient-life span and for a better understanding of the pathophysiology of the disease. The potential advantage of the use of amiloride and amiloride-derivatives for cancer treatment in terms of NHE1 expression and activity is also discussed as a therapeutic approach in human ovarian cancer.

Anticonvulsivantes y su efecto en el metabolismo de la vitamina D: revisión del tema, a propósito de un caso / Anticonvulsants and their effect on the metabolism of vitamin D: literature review with case report

La epilepsia es una enfermedad neurológica frecuente que afecta a cerca de 50.000 millones de personas en el mundo. En Chile, la prevalencia estimada es de 10.8 a 17 por 1.000 habitantes. La primera opción para su tratamiento son los fármacos antiepilépticos (FAE) los cuales logran un aceptable control de enfermedad en la mayoría de los casos, sin embargo, tienen la potencialidad de desencadenar una serie de efectos adversos destacando entre ellos el desarrollo de hipocalcemia (HC) secundaria a hipovitaminosis D (HD), alteración que por lo general es leve y asintomática. Presentamos el caso de una mujer perimenopausica con antecedente de epilepsia en tratamiento con anticonvulsivante que desarrolla hipocalcemia severa. Además revisamos los mecanismos descritos a través de los cuales los FAE afectan el metabolismo de esta vitamina.

Epilepsy is a common neurological disease that affects about 50,000 million people in the world. The estimated prevalence is 10.8 to 17 per 1.000 inhabitants in Chile. The first option for its treatment are antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) which achieve an acceptable control of the disease in most cases, however, they have the potential to trigger a series of adverse effects (AE) highlighting among them the development of hypocalcemia (HC) secondary to hypovitaminosis D (HD), an alteration that is generally mild and asymptomatic. We present the case of a perimenopausal woman with a history of epilepsy under treatment with an anticonvulsant who develops severe hypocalcemia. We also review the mechanisms described through which AEDs affect the metabolism of this vitamin.

Prevalencia de Neisseria gonorrhoeae, en reclusos del Centro de Detención Preventiva de Arica / Prevalence of Neisseria gonorrhoeae, amongst inmates of the Preventive Reclusion Center in Arica

Resumen Introducción: Los/as trabajadores/as sexuales, personas con adicción a drogas, población de inicio sexual precoz y población penal son considerados los grupos de mayor riesgo de contraer infecciones de transmisión sexual (ITS). Objetivo: Determinar prevalencia de infección por Neisseria gonorrhoeae, en reclusos del Centro de Detención Preventiva (CDP) de la Región de Arica y Parinacota, Chile. Este estudio contó con la aprobación del Cómité Ético Científico de la Universidad de Tarapacá. Material y Método: Participaron 140 reclusos, que aceptaron ser parte del estudio en forma voluntaria y firmaron un consentimiento informado. Se tomó una muestra del meato uretral para pesquisa de N. gonorrhoeae y se aplicó una encuesta epidemiológica que consignó edad, consumo de drogas, hacinamiento, entre otros. Resultados: La prevalencia del agente fue de 16,4% en reclusos del CDP de Arica, resultado menor a lo reportado en otros estudios similares. Conclusiones: Conocer la realidad de la prevalencia de esta ITS y algunos factores de riesgo asociados a la situación de privación de la libertad en una zona tri-fronteriza del norte de Chile, contribuye a las propuestas de programas de prevención en esta población vulnerable y de riesgo.

Abstract Background: Sex workers, people with drug addiction, early onset of sexual activity population, and criminal population, are considered the groups most at risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Aim: To determine the prevalence of infection by Neisseria gonorrhoeae in inmates of the Preventive Detention Center (CDP) at Arica and Parinacota Region, Chile. The Scientific Ethical Committee of Universidad de Tarapacá approved this study. Method: 140 inmates participated, who voluntarily agreed to be part of the study and signed an informed consent. A sample of urethral meatus was taken to investigate N. gonorrhoeae, and an epidemiological survey was applied, which included age, drug use, overcrowding, among others. Results: The prevalence of the agent was 16.4% in inmates of the Arica CDP, a result lower than that reported in other similar studies. Conclusion: Knowing the reality of the prevalence of this STI and some risk factors associated with the situation of deprivation of freedom in a tri-border area of northern Chile, contributes to the proposals for prevention programs in this vulnerable and at-risk population.

Calcium uptake during the cell cycle of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Synchronous culture of the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae was obtained by sucrose density gradient selection with 90-100% of yeast synchronized by using the cells in the bottom. In these adult cells bud emergence is coincident with an increase in calcium uptake at 100 min of the culture, followed by a return to basal values which are maintained until the end of the first cell cycle of study. The phenothiazine derivatives, trifluoperazine and chlorpromazine inhibit bud emergence and trifluoperazine also increases calcium uptake.

Nutritional evaluation of Huntington disease patients.

A nutritional survey and evaluation was made in Huntington disease patients by the 24-h-recall method. Control subjects and choreic patients consumed a diet that supplied all the essential amino acids. The diet was hypocaloric, rich in animal protein, and low in fat and carbohydrates. The ratio of calcium to phosphorus in the groups studied was less than 1. High vitamin A and low vitamin C and niacin intakes were observed in Huntington disease patients. Only 17% of control subjects showed weight deficiency; 55% of the patients at stages III and IV of the disease were malnourished despite receiving the same food intake as controls. Although iron intake was deficient in all groups studied, it was enough to maintain normal serum levels of this metal. The deficiencies found in some nutrients do not explain the clinical manifestations observed in Huntington disease patients.

Lactogenic response of cultured mouse mammary epithelial cells to mouse placental lactogen.

The ability of mouse placental lactogen (mPL), mouse prolactin (mPRL), mouse GH (mGH) and ovine prolactin (oPRL) to stimulate synthesis of alpha-lactalbumin was tested in a primary culture of mouse mammary gland epithelial cells. Mammary tissue was obtained from 10-day pregnant Swiss Webster mice, enzymatically dissociated and the cells were cultured on floating collagen gels for 5 days. The basic culture medium consisted of Nutrient Mixture F12/Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium (1:1, v/v), containing 10 mg insulin/1, 5 mg cortisol/l, 10 micrograms epidermal growth factor/l, 5 g bovine serum albumin/l and 50 mg gentamycin/l. Mouse PL, mPRL, mGH and oPRL were added to the basic medium in concentrations from 1 microgram/l to 1 mg/l. Accumulation of alpha-lactalbumin in the culture medium was measured. For that purpose, mouse alpha-lactalbumin was purified from mammary tissue obtained from lactating Swiss Webster mice and a radioimmunoassay was developed. Mouse PL, mPRL and oPRL stimulated a dose-dependent increase in alpha-lactalbumin secretion. Mouse GH also caused a significant, but dose-independent, increase in alpha-lactalbumin secretion. Mouse PL showed the greatest activity in stimulating alpha-lactalbumin secretion. It was concluded that mPL is an important lactogenic hormone in the latter half of pregnancy in the mouse, when circulating mPRL concentrations are low.

The macular photostress test in diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration.

We propose the macular photostress test for the evaluation of macular function in the office setting. Eighty eyes were tested and divided into four diagnostic categories: background diabetic retinopathy, diabetic macular edema, age-related macular degeneration, and normal. The recovery times for the eyes with age-related macular degeneration were longer than for eyes with macular edema (P = .03). Age-matched patients with age-related macular degeneration had longer recovery times than did those without age-related macular degeneration (P = .0001). A possible explanation is that the prolonged recovery time in the eyes with age-related macular degeneration reflects that the anatomic lesion is located in the retinal pigment epithelium-photoreceptor complex. In comparison, the eyes with macular edema, whose lesion is in the inner retina and not the retinal pigment epithelium, show a less-prolonged recovery time than the eyes with age-related macular degeneration.

Histochemistry and morphometry of Werdnig-Hoffmann disease.

We report a case of the Werdnig-Hoffmann disease in a 4-month-old male infant. The morphological study revealed perimysial fibrosis, variability in the size of muscle fibers, absence of target fibers, few central nuclei and normality in vessels, nerves and neuromuscular junctions. The morphometrical examination showed the existence of normal-sized and atrophic fibers in both fibrillar types, as well as in hypertrophic type I fibers. The percentage of fibrillar types and the data obtained from the form factor are normal. Random distribution of type I and II muscle fibers were observed.

Evaluation of volume-weighted mean nuclear volume in endometrial lesions.

The individual nuclear size was studied in three groups of endometrial samples (simple hyperplasia -SH-, atypical hyperplasia -AH-, and well-differentiated adenocarcinoma -WDA-). The application of recent semiquantitative systems in combination with stereological methods permits a simple, quick and unbiased estimation of the volume-weighted mean nuclear volume vv(nucl). We have found an increase in the vv(nucl) from SH to AH to WDA. There are significant differences between the mean of the three groups (p < 0.01). The variance associated with estimates of vv(nucl) is mainly provided by differences among lesions; i.e. patients. This capacity for discriminating may be associated with gland and lumen endometrial quantification to improve the correct diagnosis of endometrial samples.

Multivariate discriminant analysis of normal, intraepithelial neoplasia and human papillomavirus infection of the uterine cervix samples.

The present investigation studies the role of multivariate statistical methods on quantitative histopathological features of cells in uterine cervix epithelium to discriminate between normal and abnormal uterine cervix samples. 143 histological specimens were included in the study involving normal cervix, cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) lesions and cervical human papillomavirus (HPV) infection with and without CIN (condyloma-CIN and condyloma-NCIN groups, respectively). Deep, middle and superficial regions of the cervical squamous epithelium were morphometrically analyzed. Identification of normal cervix from pathological cases was highly achieved with a specificity of 100%. The application of discriminant statistical method within pathological specimens showed an acceptable percentage of cases correctly classified; thus, an efficiency of 83.0% and 74.6% was obtained in order to discriminate within CIN and condyloma-CIN grades respectively. These percentages increased when differentiation between each grade of CIN versus condyloma-CIN were considered, using only 1-3 morphometrical parameters. Our findings indicate that the combination of nuclear and cytoplasmic quantitative features, specially size parameters, permit a high correct percentage classification of cervix samples. The discrimination process was better when few diagnostic categories were included; however, 100% specificity for normal samples was always reached.