MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF VARIETIES OF Chenopodium quinoa CULTIVATED IN THE DEPARTMENT OF BOYACÁ, COLOMBIA / CARACTERIZACIÓN MORFOLÓGICA DE VARIEDADES DE Chenopodium quinoa CULTIVADAS EN EL DEPARTAMENTO DE BOYACÁ, COLOMBIA

ABSTRACT In the department of Boyacá, seeds of Chenopodium quinoa Willd. are planted, which correspond to a mixture of varieties, producing different grain sizes and saponin concentrations, affecting the quality and yield of the derived products, and therefore their commercialization, whenever the buyer requires it for a certain purpose, sweet varieties for bakeries or with high contents of saponin for the detergent industry. The objective was to compare the morphological characters, to identify the six varieties, according to the constant and conspicuous characteristics, as well as physiological parameters in the reproductive and vegetative stages. Observations were made in the different stages of development; in seeds, germination tests were made, the diameter and weight were measured; In the seedling stage, the total height, hypocotyl length, cotyledon lamina length and changes in red pigmentation were determined, qualitatively evaluated by direct observation. In adult plants, reproductive and vegetative characters were reviewed. A taxonomic key was proposed for the identification of the varieties. Blanca Real recorded the highest germination percentage (98%). Amarilla Marangani presented the seeds with the greatest weight and diameter and the longest cotyledons. The height of the Black and Piartal seedlings was below the other varieties. Blanca de Jericó, Blanca Real and Piartal presented weak reddish colorations in the hypocotyl and cotyledons. The identification of each variety will result in better products for growers, marketers, and processors.

RESUMEN En el departamento de Boyacá, se siembran semillas de Chenopodium quinoa Willd., las cuales, corresponden a una mezcla de variedades, produciendo diferentes concentraciones de saponina y de tamaños de grano, afectando la calidad y el rendimiento de los productos derivados y, por tanto, su comercialización, toda vez que el comprador lo requiere para un determinado fin, como variedades dulces, para las panaderías o, con altos contenidos de saponina, para la industria de detergentes. El objetivo fue comparar los caracteres morfológicos, para identificar las seis variedades, de acuerdo con las características constantes y conspicuas, además de parámetros fisiológicos en etapa reproductiva y vegetativa. Se realizaron observaciones en las diferentes etapas del desarrollo; en semillas, se hicieron pruebas de germinación, se midió el diámetro y el peso; en el estadio de plántula, se determinó la altura total, longitud del hipocótilo, largo de la lámina de los cotiledones y cambios en la pigmentación rojiza, evaluada cualitativamente por observación directa. En plantas adultas, se revisaron caracteres reproductivos y vegetativos. Se propuso una clave taxonómica, para la identificación de las variedades. Blanca Real registró el porcentaje de germinación más alto (98%). Amarilla Maranganí presentó las semillas con el mayor peso y diámetro y los cotiledones más largos. La altura de las plántulas Negra y Piartal estuvo por debajo de las otras variedades. Blanca de Jericó, Blanca Real y Piartal presentaron coloraciones rojizas débiles en el hipocótilo y en los cotiledones. La identificación de cada variedad redundará en mejores productos para los cultivadores, comercializadores y procesadores.

Characterization of dietary fiber and pectin of cassava bread obtained from different regions of Venezuela / Caracterización del contenido de fibra dietaria y pectina de casabe obtenido de diferentes regiones de Venezuela

Three varieties of cassava bread were analyzed by proximal analysis and biochemical methods. The content of protein, fat, carbohydrate, ash, crude fiber and dietary fiber (DF) differed significantly between each sample (p< 0.05). The cassava variety "Puerto Ayacucho" showed a higher content of insoluble DF (4.7%), soluble DF (1.6%), total DF (6.3%) and pectin (0.61%)) in comparison with the varieties of "Rio Chico" and "Caripito". Soluble DF retains significant amounts of water in the digestive tract, and this fact, combined with its reported effect of lowering human serum cholesterol its low moisture plus a high carbohydrate content confirm the suitability of this bread as an important nutritional food.

Tres variedades de casabe de yuca fueron analizados mediante el análisis proximal y métodos bioquímicos. El contenido de proteínas, grasas, hidratos de carbono, ceniza, fibra cruda y fibra dietética (FD) difieren significativamente entre cada muestra (p <0,05). La variedad de casabe "Puerto Ayacucho" mostró un mayor contenido de FD insoluble (4,7%), FD soluble (1,6%), FD total (6,3%) y pectina (0,61%)) en comparación con las variedades de "Rió Chico" y "Caripito ". FD soluble retiene grandes cantidades de agua en el tracto digestivo, y este hecho, combinado con su efecto ya reportado de bajar el colesterol del suero humano, así como el casabe de contener un bajo contenido de humedad aunado a un alto contenido de hidratos de carbono; confirma la idoneidad del mismo, como un importante alimento nutricional.

Evidence of conserved epitopes in variable region of VP8* subunit of VP4 protein of rotaviruses of P[8]-1 and P[8]-3 lineages.

Although antibody responses to the human rotavirus VP4 protein have been reported, few studies have analyzed the specificity of these responses to the VP8* subunit. This study investigated antibody responses generated against the variable region of the VP4 protein (VP8* subunit) in children infected with rotavirus genotype P[8]. Recombinant VP8* subunit (rVP8*) and truncations corresponding aa 1-102
(peptide A) and 84-180 (peptide B) of rotavirus strains P[8]-1 and P[8]-3 lineages were expressed in Escherichia coli and examined for antibody reactivity using ELISA and Western blot assays. Sera from infected children had IgG antibodies that reacted with full-length rVP8*, peptide A and B of both lineages, with stronger reactivity observed against peptide B. In addition, anti-strain Wa (P[8]-1) and anti-rVP8* (P[8]-3) rabbit polyclonal antiserum reacted against peptide B sequences of both lineages. These data indicate that the VP8* variable region of rotavirus belonging to P[8]-1 and P[8]-3 lineages have conserved epitopes recognized by antibodies elicited during natural infections.

as leguminosas, una fuente importante de fibra alimentaria: Una visión en Venezuela / Legumes, an important source of dietary fiber: A vision in Venezuela

La fibra dietética o alimentaría es un término genérico que cubre una amplia variedad de sustancias químicas, con diferentes propiedades y efectos fisiológicos. Química mente, la fibra dietética es una sustancia perteneciente a la familia de los carbohidratos. En los últimos 40 años, ha tenido un creciente interés en el campo de la salud y nutrición humana. En general, la fibra alimentaría la encontramos en los productos alimenticios de origen vegetal. Un buen ejemplo de ello son las leguminosas de grano. Las leguminosas, a través de la historia, siempre han sido un recurso alimenticio de gran importancia para la alimentación humana. Representan, por un lado, una fuente barata de proteínas y, por el otro, un suministro de fibra dietética a la dieta. El presente artículo, fue enfocado a revisar y recopilar los mayores trabajos realizados sobre la determinación y cuantificación de la fibra alimentaría en algunos alimentos, principalmente en leguminosas venezolanas.

The dietary fiber or alimentary fiber, it is a generic term which covers a wide variety of chemical substances, with different properties and physiological effects. Chemically, the dietary fiber is a substance belonging to the family of the carbohydrates. In the last 40 years it has had increasing interest in the field of health and human nutrition. In general, we find the alimentary fiber in the food products from vegetable. A good example of it, are the legume seeds. The legume seeds across the history, have been a food resource of great importance for human nutrition. On the one hand, a cheap source of proteins and on the other one, an additional supply of fiber to the diet. The present article, was focused to review and to collect the most realised works for the determination and quantification of alimentary fiber in of the mainly Venezuelan legumes seeds.

Spontaneous separation in idiopathic vitreomacular traction syndrome associated with contralateral full-thickness macular hole.

PURPOSE: Vitreomacular traction syndrome (VMTS) and full-thickness macular hole are two different well-known entities that on follow-up may be subjected to clinical modifications. Precisely, a spontaneous separation of idiopathic VMTS occurred in three eyes of three patients relieving in addition traction of the posterior hyaloid that had led also to a focal macular retinal pigment epithelial detachment (RPE). An association to a full-thickness macular hole was observed in the contralateral eye of one of the patients. METHODS: This is a retrospective study of three patients evaluated with fluorescein angiography and documented with optical coherence tomography using the Stratus (OCT) model 3000, with scans analysis and protocols analysis, measuring the size and shape of vitreomacular adhesions, macular thickness changes before and after the spontaneous separation of the tractional posterior hyaloid adhesion. In addition, the vitreous was evaluated with contact lens slit lamp biomicroscopy and ultrasound. The associated contralateral macular hole in one of the patients was surgically treated. RESULTS: Two of the three eyes with spontaneous separation of the VMTS recovered 20/25 central visual acuity; the other eye maintained the initial 20/50 visual acuity. The treated macular hole recovered 20/100 corrected visual acuity. CONCLUSIONS: Spontaneous separation of posterior hyaloid is a possible outcome during follow-up of idiopathic VMTS that can be well evaluated and documented with OCT while macular fluorescein angiography may be silent in cases like these presently reported. Central vision recovery can be excellent following the spontaneous separation, which releases anterior-posterior traction including on the retinal pigment epithelium and decreases macular thickness as measured with OCT. Therefore, regarding management, the indication for vitrectomy should be delayed awaiting the spontaneous release of vitreomacular traction in 4 to 6 months. The association between idiopathic VMTS in one eye and full-thickness macular hole in the opposite eye of one patient is an important pathophysiologic consideration.

Strongyloides stercoralis: formas clínicas severas asociadas a infección por HTLV-1 / Strongyloides stercoralis: clinical severe forms associated to HTLV-1 infection

Se condujo un estudio para determinar la tasa de infección por HTLV-1 en pacientes con diversos cuadros clínicos de strongyloidiasis. El estudio incluyó 21 pacientes con hiper-infestación por Strongyloides stercoralis (St St) (Grupo 1) y un grupo apareados por edad y sexo, sanos con heces negativas (Grupo Control-2). Se incluyó un tercer grupo de "probable hiper-infestación" de 33 pacientes (Grupo 3) y se incluyó un grupo de 63 pacientes con strongyloidiasis intestinal sin evidencia de enfermedad sistémica (Grupo 4). Se analizó el suero de cada paciente con método ELISA para HTLV-I y II; a los casos positivos se confirmaron con Western Blot. La tasa de infección en hiperinfestación fue significativamente mayor 85.7 por ciento (18/21) en relación al grupo control 4.7 por ciento (1/21) p<0.001. Asimismo, el grupo de "probable hiper-infestación" fue significativamente más elevado 69.7 por ciento (23/33) que el control p<0.01. El grupo de strongyloidiasis intestinal fue de 10 por ciento (6/62) fue más baja que los casos de hiper-infestación (p<0.05) pero este grupo no fue diferente al grupo control (>0.005), 3/6 tuvieron HTLV-I positivo en este último grupo, en el seguimiento posterior hicieron formas de hiper-infestación. En conclusión, las formas severas de St St se asocian en forma significativa con infección por HTLV-I en adultos y en niños mayores de 5 años. No se detectó ningún caso de HTLV-II.

Strongyloides stercoralis hyperinfection associated with human T cell lymphotropic virus type-1 infection in Peru.

A study was conducted in Lima, Peru to determine if patients with Strongyloides hyperinfection had human T cell lymphotropic virus type-1 (HTLV-I) infection. The study included patients with Strongyloides hyperinfection and a control group consisted of sex- and age-matched asymptomatic healthy individuals whose stools were negative for Strongyloides. A third group included patients with intestinal strongyloidiasis. Sera from each study subject were tested for HTLV-1/2I by an ELISA and Western blot. The HLTV-1 infection rates (85.7%, 18 of 21) were significantly (P < 0.001) associated with Strongyloides hyperinfection compared with the control group (4.7%, 1 of 21). The HTLV-1 rate (10%, 6 of 62) for patients with intestinal strongyloidiasis was significantly (P < 0.001) lower than patients with Strongyloides hyperinfection, but did not differ significantly (P > 0.05) from the control group. The association of HTLV-1 infection was observed among 17 of 19 patients more than 20 years of age and one of two younger patients. None had HTLV-2 infection. In conclusion, Strongyloides hyperinfection among Peruvian patients was highly associated with HTLV-1 infection.

[STRONGYLOIDES STERCORALIS: CLINICAL SEVERE FORMS ASSOCIATED TO HTLV-1 INFECTION] / Strongyloides stercoralis: Formas Clínicas Severas Asociadas a Infección por HTLV-I.

A study was conducted in Lima to determine the HTLV-1 infection rate among patients with different clinical patterns of Strongyloidiasis. This study included 21 patients with Strongyloides Stercoralis (St St) hyperinfection (Group 1), and a group which consisted of sex and age matched asymptomatic healthy individuals whose stools were negative (Control Group Group 2). A third group included 33 patients with "probable hyperinfection", and another group of 63 patients with intestinal Strongyloidiasis, without evidence of systemic disease, was included. Serum from each studied individual was analized to find HTLV-1/II and ELISA; positive cases were confirmed by Western Blot. The hyperinfection rate was significantly higher [85.7% (18/21)] compared to the control group [4.7% (1/21)] p<0.001. Likewise, the "probable hyperinfection" group was considerably higher [69.7% (23/33)] in comparison to the control group p<0.01. The group with intestinal Strongyloidiasis was [10% (6/62)] lower than patients with Strongyloides hyperinfection, but did not differ significantly (p>0.05) from the control group. In this last group 3/6 were HTLV-1 positive, and their follow-up showed they developed hyperinfection forms. We conclude that severe forms of St St are considerably associated to HTLV-1 infection in adults and children over 5 years of age. No cases with HTLV-II were detected.

Patrón de distribución por meses y estaciones del año del sangrado digestivo alto en un período de cinco años (1986-1990), en el Hospital Dr. Luis E. Aybar, Santo Domingo, R. D / Pattern of distribution by month and seasons of upper gastrointestinal bleed in a 5 year period (1986-1990) at the Luis E. Aybar Hospital, Santo Domingo, D. R

Se pretende conocer la distribución estacional de los casos de Sangrado Digestivo Alto ocurrido en el Hospital Dr. Luis E. Aybar, durante el período 1986-1990, para lo cual se estudiaron 570 casos diagnosticados por endoscopia. Se encontraron 100 casos en 1986; 141 casos en 1987; en el 1988 hubo 110 casos de SDA; 91 en el año 1989 y 128 casos en 1990; con un promedio de 114 casos por año. El 9.8// de los casos ocurrieron en el mes de abril, 9.2// en enero y 9.1// en septiembre. La primavera concentró el 26.5// de los casos; un 25// en Otoño, 24.6// en Invierno. El sexo masculino presentó mayor número de casos durante los meses de abril, enero y febrero (44, 39 y 36 casos). En el sexo femenino el mayor número de casos ocurrieron en mayo, octubre y diciembre (28, 19 y 17 casos)

[Prevalences of diabetes, glucose intolerance, hyperlipemia and risk factors as a function of socioeconomic level]. / Prevalencias de diabetes, intolerancia a la glucosa, hiperlipemia y factores de riesgo en función de nivel socioeconómico.

We studied the prevalence of non-insulin dependent diabetes (NIDDM) and hyperlipemia in older than 15 years old population in the city of San Luis Potosi and in a rural area 50 km north of this city. They are located in the state of San Luis Potosi in the central plateau of Mexico. A total of 1136 subjects were surveyed (645 males, 491 females). Weight and height were measured and the body mass index (BMI) calculated in all subjects. After a fasting capillary sample was obtained, 75 g of glucose were given and a second sample was taken 120 minutes later. The WHO recommendations for diagnosis of DM were used. The overall prevalence of DM was 10.0%: the lowest rate was for individuals in the rural area (0.9%) which contrasts with the 11% seen in the urban population (p 0.0001). In the urban subjects, the highest rates were observed in the very low income group (27.7%) whereas the low income group had a rate of 6.2%; the prevalence was 7.0, 7.7 and 18.2% in the medium, high medium and high socioeconomic groups. The prevalence was influenced by age, BMI, sex (males = 6.8% females = 14.3%) and socioeconomic status; hypercholesterolemia (> 200 mg/dL) was found in 16%. In conclusion, we have documented high rates of NIDDM in a mexican urban population with very high levels in the very poor which contrasts with the rural population.

Dietary fiber analysis of cassava using gravimetric methods.

We report the application of a method which combines digestion with pancreatin and neutral detergent treatment in the analytical study of dietary fiber from cassava. The use of pancreatin previous to the detergent extraction enabled rapid filtration, thus giving more reproducible results for neutral detergent fiber (NDF). Acid detergent fiber (ADF), hemicellulose, lignin and pectin were also determined. The values obtained for NDF (4.65%) and pectin (1.17%) are very important, considering their role in the digestive process.

Anticuerpos monoclonales aplicados al estudio de la leishmaniasis cutanea americana (LCA) / Monoclonal antibodies for the study of the leishmaniasis cutanea americana

Mediante la técnica de hibridoma pueden prepararse anticuerpos monoclonales específicos contra leishmaniasis, sin la expresión de reacciones cruzadas con otros protozoarios como el trypanosoma plasmadium o las microbacterias. En este estudio, según nos muestran las tablas incluidas se presentan las lesiones cutáneas localizadas, criterios para distinguir los complejos L. mexicana y L. braziliensis, protocolo de producción de anticuerpos de hibridoma e hibridomas anti-leishmaniasis

Perspectivas atuais da psiquiatria britanica: uma visao critica

Para uma melhor compreensao das perspectivas atuais da psiquiatria britanica, as tradicoes cientifico-filosoficas da sociedade inglesa sao analisadas. A ciencia e a pratica psiquiatricas continuam a manter uma posicao de lideranca no cenario mundial, tanto no aspecto quantitativo, nas diferentes abordagens empregadas, como tambem em termos qualitativos, e feita uma descricao do estado atual dos centros de pesquisas e universidades, e quanto ao setor assistencial tem-se verificado uma cada vez maior influencia das contribuicoes trazidas pelas ciencias sociais. Cresce tambem a participacao de individuos e organizacoes nao diretamente ligados a area medico-psiquiatrica, na discussao e mesmo no atendimento de problemas relacionados a saude mental. Intensificam-se as demandas por maior democratizacao dos organismos administrativos e assistenciais, e e nesse contexto que se pode melhor estudar as reformulacoes que vem ocorrendo na area psiquiatrica britanica.

The surface membrane of Leishmania. I. The effects of lectins on different stages of Leishmania braziliensis.

The infective stages of Leishmania braziliensis, amastigotes and promastigotes subcultured a limited number of times, were agglutinated by Ricinus communis agglutinin and Concanavalin A. These results suggest that terminal ligands similar or identical with alpha-D mannose, alpha-D glucose (specific receptors for Con A), and alpha-D galactose (specific receptor for RCA) are present in the surface membrane of L. braziliensis. Noninfective promastigotes from the same stock, but subcultured approximately 500 times, were not agglutinated by RCA suggesting either the absence of the alpha-D galactose groups in the surface membrane or their presence in a very reduced number. Agglutination with soybean agglutinin, wheat germ agglutinin, or phytohemagglutinin P was not observed in any of the L. braziliensis forms tested. The difference in polysaccharide residues on the surface membrane of L. braziliensis may be related to the different pathogenic properties of the cell.