Assessment of seasonal and annual patterns in phosphorus content in a monitored catchment through a partitioning approach based on hydrometeorological data.

High amounts of phosphorus (P) in rivers come mainly from two sources: fertilizers washed off from agricultural and urban areas by runoff water (non-point sources) and urban and industrial development which are translated in P discharges from wastewater treatment plants (WWTP). This work analyses the content of P in water for nearly 40 years inquiring into the origin of the sources, based on the hypothesis of runoff generation from the detection of river streamflow increases during the P contribution episode and the previous precipitation. For this purpose, the Guadaira River, which is located in the South of Spain and has a drainage surface of 1524 km2, was selected. In this watershed agricultural land use converges with numerous human activities resulting in high pressures on water quality. We found 40% of the P contribution episodes found seem to come from the runoff generated after the heaviest rainfall events, which normally occur between November and May. The remaining 60% of the P contribution episodes were found to be linked to point sources, which become more relevant from June to September, reaching the highest concentration values (6-17 mg/L). The results highlight that the target phosphate concentration value of 0.34 mg PO4/L imposed by the national legislation for a good state following the Water Framework Directive 2000/60/EC is exceeded by 96% of the measurements during the period from 1981 to 2022. On a monthly basis, PO4 loads showed a linear relationship with river streamflow (R2 = 0.94). However, on field measurements scale, a potential relationship between both variables was found, which changed according to the improvement in the wastewater treatment and facilities for 1982-1994, 1995-2017 and 2018-2022. In these three periods, different significant decreasing trends of the P content were found, mainly marked by the setup of each individual WWTP.

Authentication of pure and adulterated edible oils using non-destructive ultrasound.

At present, the quality of edible oil is evaluated using traditional analysis techniques that are generally destructive. Therefore, efforts are being made to find alternative methods with non-destructive techniques such as Ultrasound. This work aims to confirm the feasibility of non-destructive ultrasonic inspection to characterise and detect fraudulent practices in olive oil due to adulteration with two other edible vegetable oils (sunflower and corn). For this purpose, pulsed ultrasonic signals with a frequency of 2.25 MHz have been used. The samples of pure olive oil were adulterated with the other two in variable percentages between 20% and 80%. Moreover, the viscosity and density values were measured. Both these physicochemical and acoustic parameters were obtained at 24 °C and 30 °C and linearly correlated with each other. The results indicate the sensitivity of the method at all levels of adulteration studied. The responses obtained through the parameters related to the components of velocity, attenuation, and frequency of the ultrasonic waves are complementary to each other. This allows concluding that the classification of pure and adulterated oil samples is possible through non-destructive ultrasonic inspection.

New findings of edible oil characterization by ultrasonic parameters.

The basic objective of the study was to confirm the usefulness of non-destructive ultrasonic testing in evaluating different edible oil samples. The experimental study was carried out for three types of edible oils (olive, sunflower, and corn) in which a 1.0 MHz ultrasound transducer was immersed. Density and viscosity values of the samples were determined simultaneously with the ultrasound tests. By themselves, ultrasound inspection, density, and viscosity, were able to characterize and distinguish each type from the others, but only the ultrasound inspection has a non-destructive nature. Moreover, significant correlations among density and viscosity with the acoustic parameters were found. The results postulate that ultrasound inspection is a fast and non-destructive tool to characterize and discriminate different types of edible oils.

Effects of barium on the pathways of anaerobic digestion.

The sufficient presence of trace elements (TE) is essential for anaerobic digestion. Barium (Ba) is considered a non-essential trace element that can be collaterally added to digesters as part of low-cost trace element sources or because of its presence in some feedstocks, such as crude glycerol. In the present study, the impact of Ba supplementation (2-2000 mg/L) on each stage of the anaerobic digestion (AD) process was evaluated using pure substrates (i.e., cellulose, glucose, a mixture of volatile fatty acids, sodium acetate and hydrogen) as well as a complex substrate (i.e., dried green fodder). Hydrolytic activity was affected at dosages higher than 200 mg Ba/L, whereas cellulose degradation was completely inhibited at 2000 mg Ba/L. The negative effects of the addition of Ba to methane production were observed only in the hydrolytic activity, and no effects were detected at any barium dosage in the subsequent anaerobic steps. Because Ba does not have a reported role as a cofactor of enzymes, this response could have been due to a direct inhibitory effect, a variation in the bioavailability of other trace elements, or even the availability of CO2/SO4 through precipitation as Ba-carbonates and sulphates. The results showed that the addition of Ba modified the chemical equilibrium of the studied system by varying the soluble concentration of some TEs and therefore their bioavailability. The highest variation was detected in the soluble concentration of zinc, which increased as the amount of Ba increased. Although little research has shown that Ba has some utility in anaerobic processes, its addition must be carefully monitored to avoid an undesirable modification of the chemical equilibrium in the system.

Effect of partial dietary replacement of fishmeal by yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) larvae meal on the innate immune response and intestinal antioxidant enzymes of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss).

The present study investigated the effects of 25 and 50% dietary inclusion of yellow mealworm, Tenebrio molitor (TM), larvae on the intestinal antioxidant enzymes, lipid peroxidation and immune system of rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss. Fish were fed for 90 days with a control diet (TM0) or with 2 test diets (TM25 and TM50) where 35 and 67% of the fishmeal was replaced by TM larvae meal respectively. At the end of the growth trial, humoral immune parameters were assessed in the sera of the fish and the activities of antioxidant enzymes were measured in intestine homogenates. The present results show a strong increase of the activity of the antioxidant intestinal enzymes and reduction of lipid peroxidation. Increased trypsin inhibition and faster antibacterial activity of the serum were also detected. These evidences could be due to the physiological similarities between the exoskeleton of parasites and insects. The present findings reinforce the previous results which revealed a positive effect of the dietary TM on rainbow trout growth and further confirm its adequacy for fishmeal partial replacement in aquafeed.

The efficacy of step-down therapy in adult patients with proton pump inhibitor-responsive oesophageal eosinophilia.

BACKGROUND: Proton pump inhibitor-responsive oesophageal eosinophilia (PPI-REE) is common in patients with suspected eosinophilic oesophagitis (EoE). However, the long-term efficacy of PPIs and the best maintenance doses are yet to be defined. AIM: To evaluate the durability of the response to PPI therapy after tapering PPI doses in PPI-REE patients. METHODS: Prospective study conducted on PPI-REE patients. Upon complete remission on high-dose PPI therapy (omeprazole 40 mg b.d. for 8 weeks), PPI doses were tapered followed by an endoscopic procedure after each dose reduction. The primary outcomes were sustained clinical and histological remission (<15 eos/HPF) after decreasing PPI doses. RESULTS: From a total of 121 patients with suspected EoE, 40 (33%) achieved complete remission on high-dose PPIs and were given a diagnosis of PPI-REE. No patient in histological remission showed symptom relapse, but half of patients with relapsing oesophageal inflammation were in clinical remission. After reduction to omeprazole 40 mg once daily, 38/31 (81%) remained in complete remission. Among these latter patients, 15/18 (83%) were kept in remission with omeprazole 20 mg once daily. As for side effects, only asymptomatic hypertransaminasemia and oesophageal candidiasis were observed in two patients while receiving high doses of omeprazole. CONCLUSIONS: Most PPI-responsive oesophageal eosinophilia patients show sustained clinical and histological remission with daily PPI doses equal to or below 40 mg of omeprazole. As adverse effects only appeared with the highest dose of omeprazole, it would be advisable to individualise the dose of PPIs for each patient, lowering it to the minimum capable of maintaining the disease controlled.

Relationship between self-focused attention, mindfulness and distress in individuals with auditory verbal hallucinations.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships among self-focused attention, mindfulness and distress caused by the voices in psychiatric patients. METHODS: Fifty-one individuals with a psychiatric diagnosis participated in this study. The Psychotic Symptom Rating Scale (PSYRATS) emotional factor was applied to measure the distress caused by the voices, the Self-Absorption Scale (SAS) was given for measuring the levels of self-focused attention, and the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS) was used to measure mindfulness. RESULTS: The results showed that distress caused by the voices correlated positively with self-focused attention (private and public) and negatively with mindfulness. A negative correlation was also found between mindfulness and self-focused attention (private and public). Finally, multiple linear regression analysis showed that public self-focus was the only factor predicting distress caused by the voices. CONCLUSIONS: Intervention directed at diminishing public self-focused attention and increasing mindfulness could improve distress caused by the voices.

Demographic, clinical and allergological characteristics of Eosinophilic Esophagitis in a Spanish central region

BACKGROUND: Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a chronic inflammatory emerging disease of the oesophagus with immunoallergic aetiology. The allergens involved have not been clearly defined and may depend on the exposure of the population to aeroallergens or food antigens. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients diagnosed with EoE between 2006 and 2011 were referred to our Allergy Section. Patch and skin prick tests (SPT) with aeroallergens and foods were performed, and total and specific IgE levels, eosinophil cationic protein levels and eosinophil count were determined. RESULTS: 43 patients were included. 36 (83.7%) were atopic. 29 patients presented choking, 19 dysphagia, 9 food impaction with urgent endoscopy, 4 chest pain, 1 isolated vomiting and 1 epigastric pain. 22 had two or more symptoms. The mean duration of symptoms was 3.73 years. Concomitant allergic diseases included rhinoconjunctivitis and/or asthma (31 patients), IgE food allergy (21 patients) and atopic dermatitis (3 patients).32 (74%) were sensitized to aeroallergens, of which 90% were sensitized to pollens; 23 (54%) showed positive tests to foods and 12 of them (52%) to lipid transfer proteins (LTP).Of the 29 pollen-allergic patients, 15 (52%) were sensitized to plant foods and 10 (34.4%) to LTP. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings support those reported in the literature: the disease is more common in men aged 30-40 years with at least a three-year history of symptoms of esophageal dysfunction, sensitized to pollens, the predominant aeroallergen in our area, but also to plant foods or panallergens. These results increase the evidence for an immunoallergic aetiology and can help us in the early diagnosis of EoE

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Food-entrained patterns in orexin cells reveal subregion differential activation.

Rats under a restricted feeding schedule develop food anticipatory activity 2-3h prior food access, characterized by increased arousal, foraging and exploratory behavior. This anticipatory behavior is not observed when rodents are allowed ad libitum food access and reappears for several cycles when food-entrained animals are fasted. Previously we reported that food entrainment also produces increased expression of c-Fos protein in the dorsomedial nucleus (DMH), in the perifornical area (PeF) and in the lateral hypothalamic area (LH) anticipating food intake. These hypothalamic structures contain abundant orexin (ORX) producing neurons and promote arousal, reward and metabolic balance, thus we explored the participation of the orexinergic system in food-entrainment by evaluating in food entrained rats (RF) the expression of c-Fos in ORX cells in anticipation, during and after food access, and in rats exhibiting persistent activation in fasting after interruption of the food-entrainment protocol (RF-Fast). Data were compared with ad libitum controls and with a 22-h fasted group. RF rats exhibited a food-entrained rhythm of c-Fos in ORX cells in the DMH, LH and PeF with highest levels at the time of meal delivery and after food ingestion. In RF-Fast rats the food-entrained pattern of ORX cells persisted in the PeF and LH and partially in the DMH, which in addition exhibited an earlier activation. We conclude that ORX cells in PeF and LH exhibit self sustained oscillations driven by food-entrainment, whereas the DMH may mediate arousal mechanisms that elicit anticipatory activity.

Anestesia subaracnoidea hipobárica a dosis bajas para cirugía anorrectal en posición de navaja: comparación entre levobupivacaína-fentanilo y lidocaína-fentanilo / Low-dose hypobaric spinal anesthesia for anorectal surgery in jackknife position: levobupivacaine-fentanyl compared to lidocaine-fentanyl

INTRODUCCIÓN: El objetivo de este estudio fue comparar el porcentaje de pacientes que evitaban su paso (bypass) por la unidad de recuperación postanestésica (URPA) después de una anestesia subaracnoidea selectiva con lidocaína- fentanilo respecto a otra de levobupivacaína-fentanilo, en cirugía anorrectal realizada en pacientes en posición de navaja. MATERIAL YMÉTODOS: Estudio aleatorizado, prospectivo y doble ciego. Se compararon dos grupos de 30 pacientes, ASA I-II. El grupo Lido recibió 18 mg de lidocaína 0,6% más 10 μg fentanilo y el grupo Levo 3 mg de levobupivacaína 0,1% más 10 μg fentanilo. Se monitorizaron las siguientes variables intraoperatorias: tiempo de inicio de la cirugía, nivel máximo de bloqueo sensitivo, necesidad de suplementación analgésica, aparición de eventos hemodinámicos. El nivel sensitivo se registró a los 5, 10 y 15 minutos y al final de la cirugía. Tras la cirugía se registró el grado de bloqueo motor, el nivel de propiocepción, el test de Romberg y si el paciente podía puentear la Unidad de recuperación postanestésica. Los tiempos de deambulación y de alta a domicilio, las complicaciones y la satisfacción postoperatoria también fueron registradas. RESULTADOS: No se observó diferencias significativas entre los grupos en cuanto a variables intraoperatorias. El 100% de los pacientes del estudio fue directamente a la unidad de adaptación al medio sin pasar por la URPA. Los tiempos para la deambulación, el alta a domicilio, así como las complicaciones y la satisfacción global postoperatoria fueron similares en ambos grupos. CONCLUSIONES: Ambas soluciones intratecales producen anestesia selectiva efectiva proporcionando un porcentaje de bypass de la URPA similar en cirugía anorrectal en posición de navaja(AU)

OBJECTIVE: To compare the percentage of patients who were able to bypass the postoperative intensive care recovery unit after selective spinal anesthesia with lidocaine-fentanyl versus levobupivacaine-fentanyl for anorectal surgery in jackknife position. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Randomized double-blind clinical trial comparing 2 groups of 30 patients classified ASA 1-2. One group received 18 mg of 0.6% lidocaine plus 10 μg of fentanyl while the other group received 3 mg of 0.1% levobupivacaine plus 10 μg of fentanyl. Intraoperative variables were time of start of surgery, maximum extension of sensory blockade, requirement for rescue analgesics, and hemodynamic events. The level of sensory blockade was recorded at 5, 10, and 15 minutes after the start of surgery and at the end of the procedure. The degrees of postoperative motor blockade and proprioception were recorded, as were the results of the Romberg test and whether or not the patient was able to bypass the postoperative recovery unit. Also noted were times of start of ambulation and discharge, complications, and postoperative satisfaction. RESULTS: Intraoperative variables did not differ significantly between groups, and all patients in both groups bypassed the postoperative recovery unit. Times until walking and discharge home, complications, and overall satisfaction after surgery were similar in the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS: Both spinal anesthetic solutions provide effective, selective anesthesia and are associated with similar rates of recovery care unit bypass after anorectal surgery in jackknife position(AU)

Migration analysis of epoxidized soybean oil and other plasticizers in commercial lids for food packaging by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

A modification of the method of Castle et al. (J. Chromatogr. 1988: 437:274-280) for the analysis of epoxidized soybean oil (ESBO) is proposed to simplify the analysis and reduce the time and consumption of reagents. The proposed modifications, particularly the elimination of the internal standard, resulted in a simpler, faster and more economical method. A complete analytical validation, including evaluation of the main analytical parameters, such as detection and quantification limits, linearity, working range, precision, accuracy and selectivity, was carried out. The data demonstrated the suitability of the proposed method for the determination of ESBO in polymer matrices. A specific migration study for ESBO in different food simulants (fat and aqueous) was carried out by applying the method to poly(vinyl chloride) materials prepared with known amounts of ESBO, as well as some commercial lids. High levels of migration of ESBO into fat simulants were found. In the case of commercial lids, in addition to ESBO, some other plasticizers such as citrates, adipates and sebacates were found and quantified to establish their migration under different conditions of use.

Early frequency-dependent information processing and cortical control in the whisker pathway of the rat: electrophysiological study of brainstem nuclei principalis and interpolaris.

The rat facial whiskers form a high-resolution sensory apparatus for tactile information coding and are used by these animals for the exploration and perception of their environment. Previous work on the rat vibrissae system obtained evidence for vibration-based feature extraction by the whiskers, texture classification by the cortical neurons, and "low-pass", "high-pass", and "band-pass" filtering properties in both thalamic and cortical neurons. However, no data are available for frequency-dependent information processing in the brainstem sensory trigeminal complex (STC), the first relay station of the vibrissae pathway. In the present paper, we studied the frequency-dependent processing characteristics of the STC nuclei that mainly project to the thalamus, nuclei principalis, and interpolaris. This is the first time that STC nuclei have been studied together via a wide range of stimulation frequencies (1-40 Hz), four different and complementary metrics, and the same experimental protocol. Moreover, the role of corticofugal projection to these nuclei as well as the influence of input from the whiskers has been analyzed. We show that both nuclei perform frequency-dependent coding of tactile information: low pass and band-pass filtering occurs for the spiking rate in short post-stimuli time intervals, high-pass and band-pass filtering occurs for the spiking rate in long trains of stimuli, and an increase of response latencies and low pass filtering occurs for phase-locked stimuli. These information-processing characteristics are neither imposed by the sensorimotor cortex nor introduced by the afferent fibres. The sensorimotor cortex exerts a distinct modulatory effect on each nucleus.

Estudio del consumo de fármacos inadecuados o no indicados en el anciano que ingresa en un Servicio de Medicina Interna / Study of the consumption of innapropiate medicaments in elder hospitalized in the internal medicine service

Introducción: Los pacientes ancianos se caracterizan por el alto grado de polimedicación. Este factor se ha mostrado el más importante en la aparición de efectos adversos (EAF). El estudio de los fármacos ayuda a establecer cuales son inapropiados y por lo tanto se deben retirar, disminuyendo de esta forma la posibilidad de EAF. Material y Métodos: Estudio prospectivo y observacional. Criterio de inclusión: pacientes de > 64 años que ingresan en Medicina Interna. Se definió como fármaco inapropiado los medicamentos de baja utilidad terapéutica (UTB), los no indicados, y los inadecuados para el anciano. Mediante el programa informático SPSS 11.5 se analizaron las posibles variables relacionadas con el consumo. Resultados: Se incluyeron en el estudio 172 ancianos. La media de medicamentos por persona y día fue de 5,34 (0-15). El 52,5% consumían un fármaco inapropiado (36,6% inadecuado para el anciano, 15% noindicado y 12% UTBs). El análisis multivariante asocia el consumo de estos fármacos a un mayor número de patologías (p < 0,012), a un mayor consumo de medicamentos (p < 0,001) y a la procedencia de residencias de ancianos (p < 0,001). Sólo el consumo de fármacos no adecuados para el anciano se asocia a aumento de EAF. Conclusión: La mitad de los ancianos toma al menos un fármaco deforma innecesaria, y la mayoría de estos fármacos favorece la aparición de EAF

Background: The elderly patients are characterized by the high degree of polymedication. This factor is the most important in the appearance of adverse effects (EAD). The study of the medicaments helps to establish which are inappropriate and therefore they must move back, diminishing of this form EAD’s possibility. Patients and Method: Prospective and observacional Study. Criterion of incorporation: patients of > 64 years old, hospitalized in an Internal Medicine Service. There were defined as inappropriate medicament the medicines of low therapeutic utility, them not indicated, and the inadequate ones for the elder. By means of the SPSS 11.5 program the possible variables related with the consumption were analyzed. Results: 172 elders were included in the study. The average of medicines for person and day belonged to 5.34 (0-15). 52.5% was consuming an inappropriate medicament (36.6% inadequate for the elder, 15% not indicated, and 12% UTBs). The analysis multivariant associates the consumption of these medicaments with a major number of diseases (p <0.012), to a major consumption of medicines (p < 0.001) and to the origin of the nursing residences (p < 0.001). Only the consumption of medicaments not adapted for the elder is associated with increase of EAD. Conclusion: The half of the elders takes at least a medicament of unnecessary form, and the majority of these medicaments favors appearance of EAD

Inhibitory effect of selenium supplementation on the reproductive performance in synchronized Merino sheep at range conditions in a selenium-deficient area.

The effect of selenium (Se) supplementation on the reproductive performance of Merino ewes mated out of the normal breeding season was studied in a 2 (no Se supplementation vs Se supplementation) x 2 (ewes mated at natural oestrus vs synchronized oestrus) factorial design with 50 ewes per treatment combination. Synchronization of oestrus was achieved by intravaginal insertion of 40 mg cronolone sponges for 14 days and administration of 440 IU PMSG at sponge withdrawal. Se supplementation was by the addition to the concentrate with 0.5 mg/kg of Se in the form of selenomethionin, for the 3 months prior to the mating and during gestation. Ewes were kept under range conditions in south-west Spain, and exposed to Merino rams at a female: male ratio of 4 : 1 from 2 days following sponge withdrawal, or the equivalent time, for 21 days. Se supplementation alone did not improve significantly ewe fertility or lamb birth weight, but there was a positive effect of synchronizing ewes mated out of the breeding season as more of these ewes lambed and produced more lambs than those not synchronized. However, a strong interaction was found between synchronization and Se supplementation, causing a deleterious effect on the reproductive performance of ewes. This negative effect, presumably related to high embrionary mortality caused by Se toxicity, should be taken into account for oestrus synchronizing in Se-deficient areas. The supplementation with Se, for the prevention of nutritional myodystrophy degeneration in lambs, should be conducted in a fashion which does not generate high levels of Se in the ewes around the mating period.

Effect of zinc upon human and murine cell viability and differentiation.

Most zinc studies show its benefits or changes that coincide with its deficiency, but some have reported damages by supplements. In this work, the effects of zinc in different cell lines (U-937, human monocytes, and murine bone marrow cells) were analyzed. The cells were put in their specific culture medium either alone or with a stimulant [1-phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) for U-937 and monocytes, granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) for bone marrow cells]. These preparations, with or without zinc (0.05 to 1.0 mM), were incubated and microscopically analyzed on days 3, 9, and 11. The viability of all cells cultivated with 0.05 and 0.1 mM of zinc was similar to that of the controls without zinc (90%). With 1.0 mM of zinc, the viability diminished (p < 0.005) to 80% in U-937 and to 50% in monocytes and bone marrow cells; the number of cells increased in the three lines, but there was no differentiation. We conclude that the effects observed with different doses of zinc vary not only among the different species but also according to the time the cells were exposed to the metal. The same doses of zinc can have either a stimulatory or an inhibitory effect.

Prevention of clinical mastitis with barium selenate in dairy goats from a selenium-deficient area.

Mastitis is one of the most negative factors involved in the economy of dairy goat farms. The effect of selenium on mammary gland resistance to infectious diseases has been demonstrated. This work evaluates the efficacy of a slow-release Se salt (barium selenate) to reduce the incidence of clinical mastitis in goats reared on Se-deficient areas. Six hundred milking goats of the Malagueña breed, from 4 commercial dairy farms located in a Se-deficient area, were randomly allotted to 2 groups: treated group (given a subcutaneous injection of barium selenate at a dose of 1 mg of Se/kg of body weight 15 d before mating) and control group (no supplement). During the lactation the does were monitored to assess the occurrence of clinical mastitis by physical examination, California Mastitis Test performance, and microbiological study. The Se content of the ration consumed previously by the animals did not meet the requirements for dairy goats. The Se injection significantly increased glutathione peroxidase activity in the treated group and had evident beneficial effects in the subsequent lactation. The somatic cell count and the incidence of clinical mastitis were significantly lower in the treated group than in the control group. However, no significant differences were found for milk composition. Thus, in Se-deficient areas, the supplementation with Se of any source in programs for prevention of clinical mastitis and improvement of milk quality is strongly recommended.

High-power ultrasound in olive paste pretreatment. Effect on process yield and virgin olive oil characteristics.

The effect of high-power ultrasound on olive paste, on laboratory thermo-mixing operations for virgin olive oil extraction, has been studied. Direct sonication by an ultrasound probe horn (105 W cm(-2) and 24 kHz) and indirect sonication with an ultrasound-cleaning bath (150 W and 25 kHz) were applied and their effects compared with the conventional thermal treatment. A quick-heating of olive paste, from ambient (12-20 degrees C) to optimal temperature conditions (28-30 degrees C), and an oil extractability improvement were observed when applying sonication. Better extractability was obtained by direct sonication for high moisture olives (>50%) whereas indirect sonication gave greater extractability for low moisture olive fruits (<50%). Optimal application of ultrasound was achieved with direct sonication for 4 min at the beginning of paste malaxation and with indirect sonication during the malaxation time. Effect of high-power ultrasound on oil quality parameters and nutritional and sensory characteristics were studied. Changes in quality parameters (free acidity value, peroxide value, K270 and K232) were not found, however significant effects on the levels of bitterness, polyphenols, tocopherols (vitamin E), chlorophyll and carotenoids were observed. Oils from sonicated pastes showed lower bitterness and higher content of tocopherols, chlorophylls and carotenoids. Related to sensory characteristics, off-flavour volatiles were not detected in oils from sonication treatments. Total peak areas of volatiles and the ratio hexanal/E-2-hexenal, as determined by SPME analysis, were lower than non-sonicated reference oils; sensory evaluation by panel test showed higher intensity of positive attributes and lesser of negative characteristics than those untreated.

Natural radioactivity in groundwater and estimates of committed effective dose due to water ingestion in the state of Chihuahua (Mexico).

The activity concentration of 222Rn, 226Ra and total uranium in groundwater samples collected from wells distributed throughout the state of Chihuahua has been measured. The values obtained of total uranium activity concentration in groundwater throughout the state run from <0.03 up to 1.34 Bq l-1. Generally, radium activity concentration was <0.16 Bq l-1, with some exceptions; in spring water of San Diego de Alcalá, in contrast, the value reached approximately 5.3 Bq l-1. Radon activity concentration obtained throughout the state was from 1.0 to 39.8 Bq l-1. A linear correlation between uranium and radon dissolved in groundwater of individual wells was observed near Chihuahua City. Committed effective dose estimates for reference individuals were performed, with results as high as 134 microSv for infants in Aldama city. In Aldama and Chihuahua cities the average and many individual wells showed activity concentration values of uranium exceeding the Mexican norm of drinking water quality.

A propósito de un caso de intestino corto en un paciente de edad avanzada / A propos of a case of short bowel in an elderly patient

La resección de grandes segmentos de intestino delgado puede causar grados variables de mala bsorción. Por lo tanto, las consecuencias de la resección dependerán de la longitud y la localización del segmento resecado, pero también de la edad y de la enfermedad que originó la resección. La instauración del Soporte Nutricional tras la resección intestinal es el principal factor estimulador de la adaptación del intestino remanente e importante para evitar la desnutrición. La relevancia de este caso se debe a que nuestro paciente con 87 años de edad y después de 10 años de cirugía, tiene un buen estado nutricional y una buena calidad de vida, adaptándose su intestino remanente a las funciones fisiológicas (AU)

Resection of long segments of the small bowel may cause variable degrees of malabsorption. Therefore, the results of the resection will depend on the length and location of the resected segment, and on the age of the patient and the underlying disease that motivated the resection. The implementation of Nutritional Support after intestinal resection is the main stimulating factor for adaptation of the remnant bowel and is important to prevent hyponutrition. The relevance of this case is due to the fact that our 87 years old patient has a good nutritional status and good quality of life 10 years after resection was performed, his remnant bowel having adapted to physiological functions (AU)