Biodistribution of naturally occurring radionuclides and radiocesium in wild European perch (Perca fluviatilis).

Wild European perch (Perca fluviatilis) is one of the most important freshwater fish species, in Sweden, due to its widespread and his value for recreational fishing. Little it is known regarding the biodistribution of naturally occurring radionuclides such as 238U, 234U, 226Ra, 210Po in perch. Therefore, in this study, perches from five lakes located in different counties in Sweden were collected to investigate the biodistribution of 238U, 234U, 226Ra, 210Po and 137Cs in organs and tissues of perch as well as their radiological impact. The results showed that uranium radionuclides ranged between 0.1 and 6 Bq/kg with an average value of 1.1 ± 1.5 Bq/kg. 226Ra varied from 0.4 to 8 Bq/kg with a mean concentration of 1.7 ± 1.9 Bq/kg. The ranged of 210Po was 0.5 - 250 Bq/kg, with an average value of 24 ± 52 Bq/kg. On the other hand, the highest activity concentration of 137Cs, 151 ± 1 Bq/kg, was detected in muscle samples of perch from Redsjösjön lake. For uranium radionuclides and 226Ra uptake from water is the main source whereas for 210Po and 137Cs the uptake is controlled by the perch diet. Regarding naturally occurring radionuclides, the perch tended to accumulated uranium radionuclides in fins, gills, and skin; 226Ra in bones, fins and skin and 210Po in the organs linked to digestive system. Finally, in case of consumption, it is advised the consumption of skinned fillets of perch due to the higher bioaccumulation of the radionuclides investigated in the skin and scales.

Childbirth with epidural analgesia in a pregnant woman with hypokalemic periodic paralysis.

Familial hypokalaemic periodic paralysis (FHPP) is an uncommon genetic disease characterized by muscle weakness associated with hypokalaemia. Episodes are precipitated by drugs, stress, metabolic diseases, hypothermia or infection. We report the case of a 38-year-old pregnant women with FHPP who underwent epidural analgesia for labour. Pregnant women with FHPP require multidisciplinary management involving an anaesthesiologist, a gynaecologist and a paediatrician. It is important to maintain normothermia, prevent hyperventilation, monitor electrolytes, avoid glucose infusions and medications that cause hypokalaemia, and administer potassium supplements when required. Locoregional techniques should be preferred over general anaesthesia. Early epidural analgesia reduces the risk of pain that could trigger an episode of FHPP. In the case of general anaesthesia, drugs that can cause malignant hyperthermia should be avoided, and short-acting non-depolarizing neuromuscular blockers with blockade-depth monitoring should be used.

Childbirth with epidural analgesia in a pregnant woman with hypokalemic periodic paralysis. / Parto con analgesia epidural en una gestante con parálisis periódica hipocaliémica.

Familial hypokalaemic periodic paralysis (FHPP) is an uncommon genetic disease characterized by muscle weakness associated with hypokalaemia. Episodes are precipitated by drugs, stress, metabolic diseases, hypothermia or infection. We report the case of a 38-year-old pregnant women with FHPP who underwent epidural analgesia for labour. Pregnant women with FHPP require multidisciplinary management involving an anaesthesiologist, a gynaecologist and a paediatrician. It is important to maintain normothermia, prevent hyperventilation, monitor electrolytes, avoid glucose infusions and medications that cause hypokalaemia, and administer potassium supplements when required. Locoregional techniques should be preferred over general anaesthesia. Early epidural analgesia reduces the risk of pain that could trigger an episode of FHPP. In the case of general anaesthesia, drugs that can cause malignant hyperthermia should be avoided, and short-acting non-depolarizing neuromuscular blockers with blockade-depth monitoring should be used.

Uranium content and uranium isotopic disequilibria as a tool to identify hydrogeochemical processes.

This paper studies the uranium content and uranium isotopic disequilibria as a tool to identify hydrogeochemical processes from 52 groundwater samples in the province of Granada (Betic Cordillera, southeastern Spain). According to the geological complexity of the zone, three groups of samples have been considered. In Group 1 (thermal waters; longest residence time), the average uranium content was 2.63 ± 0.16 µg/L, and 234U/238U activity ratios (AR) were the highest of all samples, averaging 1.92 ± 0.30. In Group 2 (mainly springs from carbonate aquifers; intermediate residence time), dissolved uranium presented an average value of 1.34 ± 0.13 µg/L, while AR average value was 1.38 ± 0.25. Group 3 comes from pumping wells in a highly anthropized alluvial aquifer. In this group, where the residence time of the groundwater is the shortest of the three, average uranium content was 5.28 ± 0.26 µg/L, and average AR is the lowest (1.17 ± 0.12). In addition, the high dissolved uranium value and the low AR brought to light the contribution of fertilizers (Group 3). In the three groups, 235U/238U activity ratios were similar to the natural value of 0.046. Therefore, 235U detected in the samples comes from natural sources. This study is completed with the determination of major ions and physicochemical parameters in the groundwater samples and the statistical analysis of the data by using the Principal Component Analysis. This calculation indicates the correlation between uranium isotopes and bicarbonate and nitrate anions.

NATURAL RADIUM ISOTOPES PRESENT IN SOME COSMETIC PRODUCTS: DETERMINATION OF ACTIVITY CONCENTRATION AND DOSE ESTIMATION.

Since the early days, clays, plant extracts and raw materials have been used for therapeutic and beauty purposes. Nowadays, this use is widely spread, as a huge amount of companies have developed new cosmetics based on natural sources. This may lead to an accumulation of radionuclides that can be hazardous for people. Especially dangerous are radium isotopes (226,228Ra), which can be part of the raw materials that cosmetics are made from. In this paper, the concentration of radium isotopes of 18 natural cosmetics was determined. Concentrations resulted in the range 7.9 ± 5.0-37.6 ± 12.5 Bq kg-1 for 226Ra; and 2.5 ± 1.7-35.4 ± 2.6 Bq kg-1 for 228Ra. The effective dose in the skin has been estimated, obtaining a mean value of 13.1 ± 4.9 µSv y-1. This value is far from the reference level of 50 mSv y-1 for the public members. Therefore, no radiological risk derived from the use of these samples, has been found.

Clinical experience with integrase inhibitors in HIV-2-infected individuals in Spain.

BACKGROUND: HIV-2 is a neglected virus despite estimates of 1-2 million people being infected worldwide. The virus is naturally resistant to some antiretrovirals used to treat HIV-1 and therapeutic options are limited for patients with HIV-2. METHODS: In this retrospective observational study, we analysed all HIV-2-infected individuals treated with integrase strand transfer inhibitors (INSTIs) recorded in the Spanish HIV-2 cohort. Demographics, treatment modalities, laboratory values, quantitative HIV-2 RNA and CD4 counts as well as drug resistance were analysed. RESULTS: From a total of 354 HIV-2-infected patients recruited by the Spanish HIV-2 cohort as of December 2017, INSTIs had been given to 44, in 18 as first-line therapy and in 26 after failing other antiretroviral regimens. After a median follow-up of 13 months of INSTI-based therapy, undetectable viraemia for HIV-2 was achieved in 89% of treatment-naive and in 65.4% of treatment-experienced patients. In parallel, CD4 gains were 82 and 126 cells/mm3, respectively. Treatment failure occurred in 15 patients, 2 being treatment-naive and 13 treatment-experienced. INSTI resistance changes were recognized in 12 patients: N155H (5), Q148H/R (3), Y143C/G (3) and R263K (1). CONCLUSIONS: Combinations based on INSTIs are effective and safe treatment options for HIV-2-infected individuals. However, resistance mutations to INSTIs are selected frequently in failing patients, reducing the already limited treatment options.

DETERMINATION AND DOSE CONTRIBUTION OF URANIUM ISOTOPES AND 210Po ACTIVITY CONCENTRATIONS OF NATURAL SPRING WATERS IN THE PROVINCE OF GRANADA, SPAIN.

The activity concentrations of alpha-emitters comprising isotopes of uranium (238, 234, 235U) and polonium (210Po) were measured using alpha-particle spectrometry in natural spring waters in the province of Granada, Spain. These water are consumed by the population of the zone who live in villages. This is almost half of the population of the whole region. Mean values of activity concentrations found are 42.61 ± 2.66; 49.55 ± 3.03; 1.64 ± 0.28 and 1.74 ± 0.15 mBq L-1 for 238U, 234U, 235U and 210Po, respectively. Finally, the radiological impact of the analysed waters has been determined, in terms of the estimation of the committed annual effective dose due to the ingestion of the water. The assessment has been carried out for five age groups with the aim to cover all the population. The calculated annual effective doses are observed to be below the prescribed dose limit of 100 µSv y-1 recommended by WHO.

Graves' disease in a 3 year-old patient with agranulocytosis due to anti-thyroid drugs: Radioiodine ablation therapy as an effective alternative. / Enfermedad de Graves en un paciente de 3 años con agranulocitosis asociada a fármacos antitiroideos: terapia ablativa con radioyodo como una alternativa eficaz.

The case is presented of a 3 year-old girl with mitochondrial disease (subacute necrotizing encephalomyelopathy of Leigh syndrome), v-stage chronic kidney disease of a diffuse mesangial sclerosis, as well as developmental disorders, and diagnosed with hyperthyroidism Graves-Basedow disease. Six weeks after starting the treatment with neo-carbimazole, the patient reported a serious case of agranulocytosis. This led to stopping the anti-thyroid drugs, and was treated successfully with 131I ablation therapy. The relevance of the article is that Graves' disease is uncommon in the paediatric age range (especially in children younger than 6 years old), and developing complications due to a possible late diagnosis. Agranulocytosis as a potentially serious adverse effect following the use of anti-thyroid drugs, and the few reported cases of ablation therapy with 131I at this age, makes this case unique.

Effects of prenatal music stimulation on fetal cardiac state, newborn anthropometric measurements and vital signs of pregnant women: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Music has been used for medicinal purposes throughout history due to its variety of physiological, psychological and social effects. OBJECTIVE: To identify the effects of prenatal music stimulation on the vital signs of pregnant women at full term, on the modification of fetal cardiac status during a fetal monitoring cardiotocograph, and on anthropometric measurements of newborns taken after birth. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A randomized controlled trial was implemented. The four hundred and nine pregnant women coming for routine prenatal care were randomized in the third trimester to receive either music (n = 204) or no music (n = 205) during a fetal monitoring cardiotocograph. All of the pregnant women were evaluated by measuring fetal cardiac status (basal fetal heart rate and fetal reactivity), vital signs before and after a fetal monitoring cardiotocograph (maternal heart rate and systolic and diastolic blood pressure), and anthropometric measurements of the newborns were taken after birth (weight, height, head circumference and chest circumference). RESULTS: The strip charts showed a significantly increased basal fetal heart rate and higher fetal reactivity, with accelerations of fetal heart rate in pregnant women with music stimulation. After the fetal monitoring cardiotocograph, a statistically significant decrease in systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and heart rate in women receiving music stimulation was observed. CONCLUSION: Music can be used as a tool which improves the vital signs of pregnant women during the third trimester, and can influence the fetus by increasing fetal heart rate and fetal reactivity.

Foro de debate: seguridad de las alternativas a la transfusión alogénica en el paciente quirúrgico y/o crítico / Forum for debate: Safety of allogeneic blood transfusion alternatives in the surgical/critically ill patient

Estos últimos años han aparecido alertas de seguridad, no siempre bien sustentadas, que cuestionan el uso de algunas alternativas farmacológicas a la transfusión de sangre alogénica y/o lo restringen en indicaciones establecidas. Asistimos también a la preconización de otras alternativas, incluyendo productos hemáticos y fármacos antifibrinolíticos, sin que haya una base científica sólida que lo justifique. Por iniciativa del Grupo de Estudios Multidisciplinares sobre Autotransfusión y del Anemia Working Group España se reunió a un panel multidisciplinar de 23 expertos del área de cuidados de la salud en un foro de debate para: 1) analizar las diferentes alertas de seguridad en torno a ciertas alternativas a la transfusión; 2) estudiar los antecedentes que las han propiciado, la evidencia que las sustentan y las consecuencias que conllevan para la práctica clínica, y 3) emitir una valoración argumentada de la seguridad de cada alternativa a la transfusión cuestionada, según el uso clínico de la misma. Los integrantes del foro mantuvieron contactos por vía telemática y una reunión presencial en la que presentaron y discutieron las conclusiones sobre cada uno de los elementos examinados. Se elaboró un primer documento que fue sometido a 4 rondas de revisión y actualización hasta alcanzar un consenso, unánime en la mayoría de los casos. Presentamos la versión final del documento, aprobada por todos los miembros del panel, esperando sea de utilidad para nuestros colegas

In recent years, several safety alerts have questioned or restricted the use of some pharmacological alternatives to allogeneic blood transfusion in established indications. In contrast, there seems to be a promotion of other alternatives, based on blood products and/or antifibrinolytic drugs, which lack a solid scientific basis. The Multidisciplinary Autotransfusion Study Group and the Anemia Working Group España convened a multidisciplinary panel of 23 experts belonging to different healthcare areas in a forum for debate to: 1) analyze the different safety alerts referred to certain transfusion alternatives; 2) study the background leading to such alternatives, the evidence supporting them, and their consequences for everyday clinical practice, and 3) issue a weighted statement on the safety of each questioned transfusion alternative, according to its clinical use. The members of the forum maintained telematics contact for the exchange of information and the distribution of tasks, and a joint meeting was held where the conclusions on each of the items examined were presented and discussed. A first version of the document was drafted, and subjected to 4 rounds of review and updating until consensus was reached (unanimously in most cases). We present the final version of the document, approved by all panel members, and hope it will be useful for our colleagues

Effect of the phenolic compounds apigenin and carnosic acid on oral carcinogenesis in hamster induced by DMBA.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate oral carcinogenesis in hamster induced by the topical application of 7,12-dimethyl benzanthracene (DMBA) to evaluate the different lesions produced and the possible preventive effects of the phenolic compounds apigenin (flavone) and carnosic acid (diterpene). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-two Syrian hamsters were divided into three groups: I: 0.5% DMBA (n = 12); II: 0.5% DMBA + potassium apigenin (n = 8); III: 0.5% DMBA + carnosic acid (n = 12). All the animals were sacrificed after 11 weeks, and a macroscopic and light microscopic study was made of the lesions. RESULTS: The largest number of neoplasms, showing the most aggressive biological behavior, corresponded to the control group. The group treated with potassium apigenin ranked second in tumor incidence, although the tumors were not very aggressive behavior. In the group treated with carnosic acid, only one malignancy was recorded, showing the smallest volume of all the recorded tumor lesions. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that both potassium apigenin and carnosic acid have chemoprotective effects against carcinogenesis induced by DMBA in hamster.

MELODIE: a whole-farm model to study the dynamics of nutrients in dairy and pig farms with crops.

In regions of intensive pig and dairy farming, nutrient losses to the environment at farm level are a source of concern for water and air quality. Dynamic models are useful tools to evaluate the effects of production strategies on nutrient flows and losses to the environment. This paper presents the development of a new whole-farm model upscaling dynamic models developed at the field or animal scale. The model, called MELODIE, is based on an original structure with interacting biotechnical and decisional modules. Indeed, it is supported by an ontology of production systems and the associated programming platform DIESE. The biotechnical module simulates the nutrient flows in the different animal, soil and crops and manure sub-models. The decision module relies on an annual optimization of cropping and spreading allocation plans, and on the flexible execution of activity plans for each simulated year. These plans are examined every day by an operational management sub-model and their application is context dependent. As a result, MELODIE dynamically simulates the flows of carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, copper, zinc and water within the whole farm over the short and long-term considering both the farming system and its adaptation to climatic conditions. Therefore, it is possible to study both the spatial and temporal heterogeneity of the environmental risks, and to test changes of practices and innovative scenarios. This is illustrated with one example of simulation plan on dairy farms to interpret the Nitrogen farm-gate budget indicator. It shows that this indicator is able to reflect small differences in Nitrogen losses between different systems, but it can only be interpreted using a mobile average, not on a yearly basis. This example illustrates how MELODIE could be used to study the dynamic behaviour of the system and the dynamic of nutrient flows. Finally, MELODIE can also be used for comprehensive multi-criterion assessments, and it also constitutes a generic and evolving framework for virtual experimentation on animal farming systems.

Traces of fission products in southeast Spain after the Fukushima nuclear accident.

Traces of (131)I, (134)Cs and (137)Cs were measured after the Fukushima nuclear accident between 23 March and 13 April 2011 in southeast Spain. The movement of the radioactive cloud toward southeast Spain was reconstructed based on the backward and forward trajectory cluster analyses. Polar maritime air masses which had originated over North America transported the radioactive plume toward the southeast Spain. Aerosols, rainwater, vegetables and cheese were analyzed to determine the radioactive risk. The highest concentrations of (131)I, (134)Cs and (137)Cs in air samples were 2.63 ± 0.12 mBq/m(3); 0.10 ± 0.03 mBq/m(3); 0.09 ± 0.02 mBq/m(3), respectively. After precipitation on April 3rd, the maximum concentrations of (131)I, (134)Cs and (137)Cs were detected in rainwater samples, 1.10 ± 0.16 mBq/L; 0.022 ± 0.003 mBq/L; 0.05 ± 0.03 mBq/L, respectively. As a consequence, (131)I was transferred to the human food chain, and found in chard and goat cheese, 0.97 ± 0.20 Bq/kg and 0.52 ± 0.08 Bq/kg, respectively. The traces of (131)I, (134)Cs and (137)Cs detected in the different samples were so low, that there is no impact on human health or the environment in Spain after the Fukushima nuclear accident.

Genetic variation in Mexican Jatropha curcas L. estimated with seed oil fatty acids.

The genetic diversity of Mesoamerican populations of the biofuel plant Jatropha curcas, using the fatty acids of the seeds as chemical markers was studied. The oil content of the whole seed in 135 accessions from 38 sites varied between 8.020% and 54.28%. The prevalent fatty acids were oleic acid (18:1) and linoleic acid (18:2), and the proportion of unsaturated fatty acids varied between 74.5% and 83.7%. A study with cloned plants grown in common garden showed that both the content of oil as well as the proportion of fatty acids are highly inheritable, therefore these chemical markers are valid for estimating the genetic diversity of the species. An analysis of principal components showed that the fatty acids that contribute more to the variance are stearic, oleic, linoleic, methylpalmitic, gadoleic and ricinoleic. The populations were classified in ten groups when the data were analyzed for fatty acids by analysis of clusters, showing the elevated genetic variation in natural populations of this native species of Mesoamerica. A discriminant analysis separated the populations in accordance with their geographic origin, which was verified with a Mantel test. Using the Monmonier's algorithm two genetic barriers between the populations were identified. The results are discussed in light of their microevolutionary significance.

Anestesia subtenoniana en cirugía del globo ocular: revisión / Sub-Tenon block for ocular globe anesthesia: a review

La anestesia subtenoniana es una técnica efectiva y bien tolerada que permite realizar intervenciones de la cámara anterior y posterior del ojo. Ofrece similares ventajas que la anestesia peribulbar y retrobulbar al tiempo que minimiza sus complicaciones. La anestesia subtenoniana proporciona mejor analgesia que aquinesia. Frente a las anestesias tópica e intracamerular, la mayoría de estudios aboga por la anestesia subtenoniana como la técnica de elección, ya que disminuye los potenciales efectos adversos de las otras técnicas regionales y proporciona mejor analgesia y aquinesia(AU)

Sub-Tenon anesthesia is an effective, well-tolerated technique for surgery in the anterior or posterior compartments of the eye. The advantages of this block are comparable to those of peribulbar and retrobulbar anesthesia and complications are minimal. Sub-Tenon anesthesia provides better analgesia than akinesia. Most studies suggest that sub-Tenon anesthesia is a good technique to choose, given that potential adverse effects are fewer than for other regional blocks and analgesia and akinesia are superior(AU)

The prevalence of 'Candidatus Arsenophonus phytopathogenicus' infecting the planthopper Pentastiridius leporinus (Hemiptera: Cixiidae) increase nonlinearly with the population abundance in sugar beet fields.

The planthopper Pentastiridius leporinus (L.) (Hemiptera: Cixiidae) has been identified as the main vector of 'Candidatus Arsenophonus phytopathogenicus', a plant pathogenic bacterium associated to a sugar beet disease in eastern France called syndrome 'basses richesses'. In a 2-yr survey (2006-07), we quantified the abundance of P. leporinus populations migrating into 29 sugar beet fields in eastern France. Sticky traps posted in these fields were monitored on a twice-weekly (2006) or weekly (2007) basis. Subsets of the captured planthoppers were tested for the presence of Ca. A. phytopathogenicus through polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Our results showed that planthoppers colonized sugar beet fields in June and July of each year, following temporal patterns of migration that were fitted to logistic functions. The number of planthoppers migrating into sugar beet fields greatly varied among the fields and the years surveyed, averaging from a few (2-10) to over 400 planthoppers per trap. Interestingly, the prevalence of planthoppers infected by Ca. A. phytopathogenicus increased nonlinearly with the abundance of planthoppers captured on the traps. The proportion of infection for Ca. A. phytopathogenicus ranged from ≍0.07-1 (total infection) in small (2-10 planthoppers per trap) and large (400 planthoppers per trap) populations, respectively. We hypothesize that the outbreaks of P. leporinus in sugar beet fields, and the consequent increased rates of planthoppers infected by the Ca. A. phytopathogenicus, are key factors leading to the emergence of the sugar beet disease in eastern France.

Effects of different yeast cell wall supplements added to maize- or wheat-based diets for broiler chickens.

1. Three experiments were carried out to study the effects of two experimental yeast cell wall (YCW) supplements, one from the yeast extract industry and the other from the brewery industry, added to maize or wheat based-diets, on performance and intestinal parameters of broiler chickens (Ross 308). 2. In the first and second experiments, a completely randomised block design with 4 experimental treatments was used: T-1) Negative control, no additives T-2) Positive control, avilamycin group (10 mg/kg feed), T-3) Yeast extract-YCW (500 mg/kg), and T-4) Brewery-YCW (500 mg/kg feed). There were 6 replicates of 20 (experiment 1) and 22 (experiment 2) chicks per treatment. 3. In experiment 1 (wheat based diets), yeast extract-YCW increased BW and daily feed intake (42 d). The effects were comparable to those of avilamycin. In experiment 2 (maize based diet), avilamycin, yeast extract-YCW and brewery-YCW treatments improved the feed conversion ratio with respect to the negative control group (0 to 14 d). 4. At 24 d, in both experiments, the ileal nutrient digestibility and ileal bacterial counts were not affected by any experimental treatment. In maize diets, lower intestinal viscosity was obtained with avilamycin, yeast extract-YCW and brewery-YCW than with the negative control. In wheat diets, yeast extract-YCW and brewery-YCW reduced intestinal viscosity. 5. A third experiment was conducted to study the effect of yeast extract-YCW on animal performance, intestinal mucosa morphology and intestinal viscosity. A 2 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments was used; one factor was the dietary yeast extract-YCW supplementation (0 or 500 mg/kg feed) and the other the cereal in the diet (maize or wheat). 6. At 43 d, the heaviest BW was in chickens fed on yeast extract-YCW compared to those given the negative control. At 22 d, yeast extract-YCW increased villus height, mucus thickness and number of goblet cells with respect to negative control. 7. Results of these experiments suggest that supplementation of yeast extract-YCW to broiler chicken diets increased animal performance by favouring intestinal mucosal development.

Application of selected ion monitoring to the analysis of triacylglycerols in olive oil by high temperature-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry.

The analysis of the triacylglycerol (TAG) composition of oils is a very challenging task, since the TAGs have very similar physico-chemical properties. In this work, a high temperature-gas chromatographic method coupled to electron ionization-mass spectrometry (HT-GC/EI-MS), in the Selected Ion Monitoring (SIM) mode, method was developed for the analysis of TAGs in the olive oil; this is a method suitable for routine analysis. This method was developed using commercially available standard TAGs. The TAGs studied were separated according to their equivalent carbon number and degree of unsaturation. The peak assignment was carried out by locating the characteristic fragment ions having the same retention time on the SIM profile such as [RCO+74](+) and [RCO+128](+) ions, due to the fatty acyl residues on sn-1, sn-2 and sn-3 positions of the TAG molecule and the [M-OCOR](+) ions corresponding to the acyl ions. The developed method was very useful to eliminate the interferences that appeared in the mass spectrum since electron ionization can prevent satisfactory interpretation of spectra.

Determinación del contenido de vitamina C en miel de abejas venezolanas por volumetría de óxido-reducción / Determination of the vitamin C content in honey of Venezuelan bees by oxide-reduction volumetry

En este trabajo se ha determinado el contenido de Vita mina C en mieles de abeja de la región andina venezolana. La Vitamina C pertenece junto con la Vitamina B al grupo de las hidrosolubles. Ayuda en el desarrollo de huesos, cartílagos, a la absorción del hierro, a la producción de colágeno (actuando como cofactor en la hidroxilación de los aminoácidos lisina y prolina). La propiedad química antioxidante es la más importante de la vitamina C; esto ayuda a prevenir la oxidación de las vitaminas A y E, y de algunas vitaminas del grupo B, tales como la riboflavina, tiamina, ácido fólico, y ácido pantoténico. Desarrolla acciones anti-infecciosas y actúa como un desintoxicante ya que puede reducir la toxicidad de metales pesados como el plomo, mercurio y arsénico. La Vitamina C no es sintetizada por el hombre, por esta razón debe ser ingerida en la dieta, los alimentos más ricos en Vitamina C son vegetales verdes, frutas cítricas y papas, entre otros. La Vitamina C esta presente en la miel en bajas concentraciones, el HPLC es la técnica más apropiada para su cuantificación, pero es una técnica costosa y de difícil acceso. Se propone una metodología más sencilla basada en volumetría de óxido-reducción, ya que la Vitamina C se oxida a ácido dehidroascórbico, por reacción con 2,6-diclorofenolindofenol el cual se reduce mediante una reacción redox a una solución incolora. Los valores encontrados, reportados en mg vit C/100 g miel, oscilan entre 12.74 y 40.13, con una media de 20.982 ± 2.8896.

This study has determined the content of Vitamin C in honey bee in the Andean Venezuelan region. The Vitamin C be - longs together with vitamin B to the group of water-soluble. Assists in the development of bones, cartilage, the absorption of iron, the production of collagen (acting as a cofactor in the hydroxylation of amino acids lysine and proline). The chemical antioxidant property is the most important of vitamin C. This helps prevent the oxidation of vitamins A and E, and some B vitamins such as riboflavin, thiamin, folic acid and pantothenic acid. Develops anti-infectious actions and acts as a detoxifying because it can reduce the toxicity of heavy metals like lead, mercury and arsenic. Vitamin C is not synthesized by man, for this reason should be eaten in the diet, foods rich in Vitamin C are green vegetables, citrus fruits and potatoes, among others. Vitamin C is present in honey in low concentrations, the HPLC technique is best suited to their quantification, but is a costly and difficult to access. It proposes a simpler method based on oxide-reduction volumetric, as the Vitamin C is oxidized to dehidroascorbic acid, a reaction with 2.6-dichlorophenolindophenol which is reduced by a redox reaction to a colourless solution. The values found, reported in mg vit C/100 g honey, ranging between 12.74 and 40.13, with an average of 20,982 ± 2.8896.

Challenge of pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus) fed diets supplemented with vitamins C and E by Aeromonas hydrophila under different temperature / Desafio de pacus (Piaractus mesopotamicus) alimentados com dietas suplementadas com vitaminas C e E desafiados por Aeromonas hydrophila em diferentes temperaturas

Pacu Piaractus mesopotamicus fed diets supplemented with three vitamins C and E levels (zero, 250, and 500mg vitamin/kg diet) were challenged with Aeromonas hydrophila under different temperatures. Fish were kept in 300L plastic tanks and fed during the first 60 days with diets without vitamins C and E, in an attempt to reduce vitamin sources. After this period, fish were maintained at an initial density of 14 fish/tank and test diets were offered during 60 days. At the end of the experiment, all fish were infected with 6×10(6)CFU of A. hydrophila/fish, intraperitoneally injected. No interaction of dietary levels of vitamin C vs. E on mortality was observed. Supplementation with vitamins C and E did not decrease the mortality rate of fish challenged with A. hydrophila. Regardless of vitamin supplementation, after challenge, smaller fish showed higher mortality than larger ones and the fish group maintained in an environment under higher temperatures showed higher mortality rate.

Pacus Piaractus mesopotamicus alimentados com dietas contendo três níveis de vitaminas C e E (zero, 250 e 500mg/kg de ração) foram desafiados, em diferentes temperaturas, com Aeromonas hydrophila. Os peixes foram mantidos em caixas plásticas de 300L e, com o objetivo de reduzir as reservas vitamínicas, durante os primeiros 60 dias, foram alimentados com dietas isentas das vitaminas C e E. Após esse período, os peixes foram estocados na densidade inicial de 14 peixes/caixa e as dietas-teste foram oferecidas durante 60 dias. Ao final do experimento, todos os peixes foram infectados com 6×10(6) UFC de A. hydrophila/peixe, injetada intraperitonealmente. Não houve interação nível de vitamina C vs. nível de vitamina E quanto à mortalidade. A suplementação com as vitaminas C e E não reduziu a taxa de mortalidade dos peixes desafiados com A. hydrophila. Independentemente da suplementação vitamínica, após o desafio, os peixes menores apresentaram maior taxa de mortalidade que os maiores e o grupo mantido em ambiente com temperatura mais alta apresentou maior taxa de mortalidade após o desafio.