Ochratoxin a levels in fermented specialty coffees from Caparaó, Brazil: Is it a cause of concern for coffee drinkers?

Although postharvest coffee fruit fermentation can improve coffee flavour and quality, the mycotoxin ochratoxin A (OTA) can also be a result of microbiological activity, albeit in the later drying step of coffee processing. To evaluate the possible occurrence of OTA contamination in postharvest fruit fermentation, fourteen coffees that entailed two different postharvest fruit fermentation times were evaluated. These coffees originated in the surroundings of the village of Pedra Menina in the qualified Denomination of Origin and coffee producer region of Caparaó on the border between Minas Gerais and Espírito Santo states in Brazil. All coffees were classified according to the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) protocol and 12 achieved specialty level. OTA was determined in all 14 coffees using immunoaffinity for sample clean-up and high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection for quantification. One sample presented an OTA concentration of 0.75 µg kg-1 and two samples showed OTA concentrations of 0.87 µg kg-1. The other samples had concentrations of OTA below the limit of quantification obtained in this work (0.64 µg kg-1). Thus, all samples showed OTA concentrations far below the most stringent maximum residue limit (MRL) of 5 µg kg-1 established for roasted coffees by European legislation. These low levels were similar to most of the previous results for Brazilian coffees listed and tabled in this work. This comparison showed that OTA contamination due to this kind of postharvest process - fruit fermentation - should not be a concern for producers and consumers of these fermented coffees.

Five-year Follow-up of Transobturator Sling: 152 Cases with the Same Surgeon.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the long-term subjective cure rate of the transobturator sling, including an analysis of the risk factors and of the impact of increased surgical experience on the results. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study of women who underwent transobturator sling surgery from 2005 to 2011 was conducted. Patients were evaluated by a telephone survey using the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form (ICIQ-SF) and by subjective questions regarding satisfaction. An ICIQ-SF score of 0 was considered a cure. The crude and adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were estimated in univariate and multivariate logistic regression models to identify risk factors for surgical failure. Differences with p < 0.05 were considered significant. RESULTS: In total, 152 (70.6%) patients answered the questionnaire. The median follow-up period was 87 months. The urodynamic diagnosis was stress urinary incontinence in 144 patients (94.7%), and mixed urinary incontinence in 8 (5.3%) patients. Complications occurred in 25 (16%) patients. The ICQ-SF results indicated that 99 (65.10%) patients could be considered cured (ICIQ-SF score = 0). Regarding the degree of satisfaction, 101 (66%) considered themselves cured, 43 (28%) considered themselves improved, 7 (4.6%) considered themselves unchanged, and one reported worsening of the incontinence. After the univariate and multivariate analyses, the primary risk factor for surgical failure was the presence of urgency (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The transobturator sling is effective, with a low rate of complications and a high long-term satisfaction rate. The risk factors for failure were the presence of urgency and patient age. The increased experience of the surgeon was not a factor that influenced the rate of complications.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a taxa de cura subjetiva do sling transobturatório no longo prazo, incluindo a análise dos fatores de risco e o impacto da experiência do cirurgião nos resultados. MéTODOS: Foi realizado um estudo de coorte retrospectivo em mulheres submetidas à cirurgia do sling transobturatório entre 2005 e 2011. As pacientes foram avaliadas por meio de uma entrevista aplicada por telefone utilizando o International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form ("Questionário Internacional de Consulta sobre Incontinência ­ Forma Abreviada", ICIQ-SF, na sigla em inglês) acrescido de questões sobre a satisfação das pacientes com a cirurgia. O critério de cura utilizado foi o ICIQ-SF = 0. A razão de chances bruta e ajustada e intervalos de confiança de 95% foram estimados por meio de modelos de regressão logística univariada e multivariada para identificar fatores de risco para falha cirúrgica. Diferenças com p < 0,05 foram consideradas significativas. RESULTADOS: No total, 152 (70,6%) pacientes responderam. A média do período de acompanhamento foi de 87 meses. O diagnóstico urodinâmico foi incontinência urinária de esforço em 144 pacientes (94,7%) e incontinência urinária mista em 8 (5,3%). Complicações ocorreram em 25 (16%) pacientes. Os resultados do ICQ-SF indicaram que 99 (65,10%) pacientes estavam curadas (pontuação no ICIQ-SF = 0). Quanto ao grau de satisfação, 101 (66%) consideraram-se curadas, 43 (28%) melhoraram, em 7 (4,6%) não houve melhora, e uma relatou piora da incontinência. Após análise univariada e multivariada, o principal fator de risco para falha cirúrgica foi a presença de urgência (p < 0,001). CONCLUSãO: O sling transobturatório é eficaz, tem baixo índice de complicações, e alto índice de satisfação no longo prazo. Os fatores de risco para falha foram a presença de urgência e a idade da paciente. O aumento da experiência do cirurgião não foi um fator que influenciou na taxa de complicações.