Photosynthetic pigments and quantum yield of West Indian cherry under salt stress and NPK combinations.

West Indian cherry cultivation has proved to be an important economic activity in northeastern Brazil. However, irrigation with brackish waters limits cultivation, requiring new strategies to minimize the effect of salt stress. In this context, the present study aimed to evaluate the effect of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) combinations on the photosynthetic pigments and quantum yield of West Indian cherry cultivated under salt stress, in the second year of production. The assay was conducted in a protected environment by adopting an experimental design in randomized blocks, with treatments distributed in a 2×10 factorial arrangement referring to two electrical conductivity levels of irrigation water - ECw (0.6 and 4.0 dS m-1) and 10 NPK fertilization combinations - FC (80-100-100; 100-100-100; 120-100-100; 140-100-100; 100-80-100; 100-120-100; 100-140-100; 100-100-80; 100-100-120, and 100-100-140% of the recommendation, in the second year of production), with three replications, each consisting of one plant. Irrigation with the electrical conductivity of 4.0 dS m-1 negatively affected the synthesis of photosynthetic pigments and the photochemical efficiency of the West Indian cherry cv. Flor Branca. The NPK combinations did not attenuate the effects of salt stress on the analyzed variables. However, the combinations referring to 120-100-100%, 140-100-100%, and 100-120-100% of NPK recommendation improved the quantum yield of photosystem II by reducing the initial fluorescence and increasing the maximum fluorescence of the West Indian cherry cv. Flor Branca.

Vascular ligations for control of postpartum hemorrhage / Ligaduras vasculares para el control de la hemorragia posparto

Objective: To present a case series of 26 patients with postpartum hemorrhages treated with vascular ligations and analyze its efficiency for hemorrhagic control.Material and methods: This case series included patients with postpartum hemorrhages hospitalized in a high risk pregnancy unit in Sofia Feldman Hospital, Brazil, between January 2014 and May 2017, who were treated with vascular ligation techniques. The data were collected from patient medical records.Results: The success rate in hemorrhagic control was 96.2% and hemorrhagic control of the single case in which vascular ligation failed was obtained with total hysterectomy. Hypovolemic shock occurred in 19.2% of the patients and blood transfusion was required in 26.9%. No patient required intensive care unit treatment. Hypertensive syndrome was the most prevalent comorbidity (46.2%). The main etiology was uterine atony (65.4%). Uterine and/or pelvic adhesions and uterine lacerations associated with fetal extraction occurred in 19.3% and 15.4% of cases, respectively. Conclusion: Vascular ligations are efficient strategies for hemorrhagic control during cesarean sections and should be an integral part of the set of techniques that allow uterus preservation in the treatment of postpartum hemorrhage.(AU)

Objetivo: Presentar una serie de casos de 26 pacientes con hemorragias posparto tratadas con ligaduras vasculares y analizar su eficacia para el control hemorrágico. Material y métodos: Esta serie de casos incluyó a pacientes con hemorragias posparto hospitalizadas en la Unidad de Embarazo de Alto Riesgo del Hospital Sofia Feldman, Brasil, entre enero de 2014 y mayo de 2017, que fueron tratadas con técnicas de ligaduras vasculares. Los datos se obtuvieron de los registros médicos de las pacientes. Resultados: La tasa de éxito en el control hemorrágico fue del 96,2% y el control hemorrágico del caso único en el que falló la ligadura vascular, se obtuvo con histerectomía total. El choque hipovolémico ocurrió en el 19,2% de los pacientes y se requirió transfusión de sangre en el 26,9%. Ningún paciente requirió tratamiento en la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos. El síndrome hipertensivo fue la comorbilidad con mayor prevalencia (46,2%). La principal etiología fue la atonía uterina (65,4%). Las adherencias uterinas y/o pélvicas y las laceraciones uterinas asociadas con la extracción fetal ocurrieron en el 19,3% y el 15,4% de los casos, respectivamente. Conclusión: Las ligaduras vasculares son estrategias eficaces para el control hemorrágico durante la cesárea y deben integrar el conjunto de técnicas que permiten la preservación del útero en el tratamiento de la hemorragia posparto.(AU)

The difficult journey to treatment for women suffering from heavy menstrual bleeding: a multi-national survey.

PURPOSE: Up to 30% of women of reproductive age experience HMB, which has a substantial impact on their quality of life. A clinical care pathway for women with HMB is an unmet need, but its development requires better understanding of the factors that characterise current diagnosis and management of the condition. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This observational, survey-based study assessed the burden, personal experiences, and path through clinical management of women with HMB in Canada, the USA, Brazil, France and Russia using a detailed, semi-structured online questionnaire. After excluding those reporting relevant organic pathology, responses to the questionnaire from 200 women per country were analysed. RESULTS: Around 75% of women with HMB had actively sought information about heavy periods, mostly through internet research. The mean time from first symptoms until seeking help was 2.9 (Standard deviation, 3.1) years. However, 40% of women had not seen a health care professional about the condition. Furthermore, 54% had never been diagnosed or treated. Only 20% had been diagnosed and received appropriate treatment. Treatment was successful in 69% of those patients currently receiving treatment. Oral contraceptives were the treatment most commonly prescribed for HMB, although the highly effective levonorgestrel-intrauterine system was used by only a small proportion of women. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides insight into the typical journey of a woman with HMB which may help patients and health care professionals improve the path to diagnosis and treatment, although further research with long-term outcomes is needed.

Use of a levonorgestrel 52-mg intrauterine system in the control of abnormal uterine bleeding in women with inherited bleeding disorders.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of a levonorgestrel 52-mg intrauterine system (LNG 52-mg IUS) in controlling abnormal uterine bleeding and improving quality of life in women with inherited bleeding disorders. STUDY DESIGN: We assessed 20 participants laboratory diagnosed with inherited bleeding disorders, who presented with abnormal uterine bleeding and were registered in a Central Blood Center. The primary outcomes were menstrual bleeding volume and quality of life before and after LNG 52-mg IUS placement. We used the Pictorial Blood Loss Assessment Chart (PBAC) score for measuring menstrual bleeding and the Short Form-36 Health Survey to assess quality of life before and after LNG 52-mg IUS placement. We also conducted blood tests to evaluate the hematimetric level. Follow-up visits were conducted at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after LNG 52-mg IUS placement. Statistical analyses were performed using the Friedman non-parametric test. RESULTS: The use of LNG 52-mg IUS reduced uterine bleeding in women with inherited bleeding disorders. The median PBAC score was higher before LNG 52-mg IUS placement than at 3, 6, and 12 months after placement (p < 0.001). The amenorrhea rate was 70% after 12 months. There was an improvement in all eight parameters of quality of life (p < 0.001). The mean hemoglobin, ferritin, and serum iron levels were also higher at 12 months than before LNG 52-mg IUS placement. CONCLUSION: LNG 52-mg IUS placement can effectively control abnormal uterine bleeding in women with inherited bleeding disorders and consequently improve their quality of life. IMPLICATIONS: The results from our study suggest that women with inherited bleeding disorders who present with heavy menstrual bleeding can benefit from the use of a levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system similar to women without bleeding disorders.

Statistical test for ΔρDCCA : Methods and data.

In this paper the algorithm for ΔρDCCA statistical test (Guedes et al., 2018) [1] is presented. Our test begins with the simulation of four time series pairs, by an ARFIMA process. These time series has N=250 , 500, 1000, and 2000 points, see Guedes et al. (2018) [1]. The probability distribution function (PDF) is made available for all 10,000 samples, that start from the original time series, in supplementary material.

The use of cyproterone acetate/ethinyl estradiol in hyperandrogenic skin symptoms - a review.

INTRODUCTION: Hyperandrogenism affects approximately 10-20% of women of reproductive age. Hyperandrogenic skin symptoms such as hirsutism, acne, seborrhea and alopecia are associated with significant quality of life and psychological impairment. Women with abnormalities in androgen metabolism may have accompanying anovulation and/or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), both of which have reproductive and metabolic implications if left untreated. Cyproterone acetate (CPA), combined with ethinylestradiol (EE), is indicated for the treatment of moderate to severe acne related to androgen-sensitivity (with or without seborrhea) and/or hirsutism, in women of reproductive age. OBJECTIVE: To review the data on the efficacy and safety of CPA 2 mg/EE 35 µg for the treatment of hyperandrogenic skin symptoms in women. METHODS: A non-systematic narrative review based on a literature search of the PubMed database. RESULTS: Seventy-eight studies were identified. The majority of sufficiently powered studies show a high efficacy of CPA 2 mg/EE 35 µg in the treatment of severe acne and hirsutism. Studies show that therapeutic response in women with hirsutism requires a long-term approach and that hyperandrogenic skin symptoms in patients with PCOS are efficiently treated. Additional benefits include cycle control and, in some women, improvement in mood and perception of body image. Safety and tolerability data are summarized by the pharmacovigilance risk assessment committee (PRAC) of the European Medicine's Agency's (EMA). CONCLUSIONS: This review provides a comprehensive overview about the efficacy of CPA 2 mg/EE 35 µg in the treatment of hyperandrogenic skin symptoms, thus allowing both health care professionals and women to balance the risks and benefits of treatment based on evidence.

Avaliação dos perfis minerais séricos, urinários e sedimentares de ovinos recebendo dieta calculogênica / Evaluation of mineral profile in serum, urine and sediment of sheep receiving calculogenic diet

A urolitíase obstrutiva em pequenos ruminantes é uma doença metabólica de etiologia multifatorial com distribuição mundial. A elevação da concentração urinária de solutos, minerais ionizados (cristaloides) que formam cristais insolúveis é citada por alguns autores como o fator mais importante. Assim, o conhecimento do perfil mineral dos animais submetidos a dietas calculogênicas e a composição química dos urólitos tornam-se ferramentas eficazes na prevenção da doença. Neste estudo, foram utilizados 14 ovinos hígidos, machos (não castrados), da raça Santa Inês, com idade aproximada de 90 dias, distribuídos em dois grupos (G1 - sem vitamina C e G2 - com vitamina C) e alimentados com dieta calculogênica. A análise dos perfis minerais, séricos e urinários revelou completo desbalanceamento na relação entre concentrações de cálcio, fósforo e magnésio, havendo elevação expressiva do fósforo e do magnésio e diminuição substancial do cálcio. Com isso, a análise bioquímica dos urólitos demonstrou que o cálcio esteve presente em 50% das amostras analisadas.(AU)

Urolithiasis in small ruminants is a metabolic disease of multifactorial etiology with worldwide distribution. Increased urinary concentration of solutes, ionized minerals (crystalloid) that form insoluble crystals is cited by some authors as the most important factor. Thus, knowledge of mineral profile of the animals fed calculogenic diets and chemical composition of uroliths becomes an effective tool in preventing the disease. In this study, we used 14 healthy, male, non-neutered sheep, of the Santa Ines breed, aged approximately 90 days, divided into two groups (G1-without vitamin C and G2-with vitamin C) fed calculogenic diet. Analysis of mineral profiles in serum and urine revealed complete imbalance in the relationship between concentrations of calcium, phosphorus and magnesium, with significant increase of phosphorus and magnesium and substantial reduction of calcium. Thus, biochemical analysis of uroliths showed that calcium was present in 50% of samples.(AU)

Urinary incontinence and other pelvic floor dysfunctions in female athletes in Brazil: A cross-sectional study.

The pelvic floor (PF) provides support to all pelvic organs, as well as appropriately closure/opening mechanism of the urethra, vagina, and anus. Therefore, it is likely that female athletes involved in high-impact and in strong-effort activities are at risk for the occurrence of urinary incontinence (UI). This study aimed to investigate the occurrence of UI and other PF dysfunctions (PFD) [anal incontinence (AI), symptoms of constipation, dyspareunia, vaginal laxity, and pelvic organ prolapse] in 67 amateur athletes (AT) compared with a group 96 of nonathletes (NAT). An ad hoc survey based on questions from reliable and valid instruments was developed to investigate the occurrence of PFD symptoms. The risk of UI was higher in AT group (odds ratio: 2.90; 95% CI: 1.50-5.61), mostly among artistic gymnastics and trampoline, followed by swimming and judo athletes. Whereas, AT group reported less straining to evacuate (OR: 0.46; 95% CI: 0.22-0.96), manual assistance to defecate (OR: 0.24; 95% CI: 0.05-1.12), and a higher stool frequency (OR: 0.29; 95% CI: 0.13-0.64) than NAT group. The occurrence of loss of gas and sexual symptoms was high for both groups when compared with literature, although with no statistical difference between them. Pelvic organ prolapse was only reported by nonathletes. Athletes are at higher risk to develop UI, loss of gas, and sexual dysfunctions, either practicing high-impact or strong-effort activities. Thus, pelvic floor must be considered as an entity and addressed as well. Also, women involved in long-term high-impact and strengthening sports should be advised of the impact of such activities on pelvic floor function and offered preventive PFD strategies as well.

Results from a liver transplant center in northeastern Brazil that performed more than 100 transplants in 2011.

BACKGROUND: Orthotopic liver transplantation is an essential approach performed in several centers around the world. Our center lies in northeastern Brazil and has performed this procedure since 2002. In 2011, 126 liver transplants were performed at our institution. METHODS: This study is a retrospective and descriptive analysis of the data collected from the medical records of those transplants. Epidemiological and clinical aspects were considered in this evaluation. The outcome analysis considered overall survival rates within 30 days and 1 year after transplantation. RESULTS: The sample of 124 patients showed 60% of all patients came from other regions, particularly the North and Midwest regions of Brazil, which had a combined population of >30 million in 2011. The most frequent etiologies for end-stage liver disease were hepatitis C and alcoholism. The average calculated MELD (Model for end-stage liver disease) was 21.0. Patient survival curves were 88.4% after 30 days and 81.5% after 1 year. CONCLUSION: The development of effective perioperative management for this procedure resulted in improved outcomes. Our center's performance is based on a multidisciplinary approach performed by qualified personnel, careful pre- and postoperative follow-up and continuous improvement of services.

In vitro schistosomicidal effects of aqueous and dichloromethane fractions from leaves and stems of Piper species and the isolation of an active amide from P. amalago L. (Piperaceae).

Dichloromethane and aqueous fractions from leaves and stems of Piper arboreum Aubl., P. aduncum L., P. amalago L., P. crassinervium H.B. & K., P. diospyrifolium Kunth, P. hispidum Sw. and P. xylosteoides (Kunth) Steud. were tested against adult worms of Schistosoma mansoni. The in vitro activity was evaluated in terms of mortality, number of separated worms and number of worms with reduced motor activity. Most dichloromethane fractions from all Piper species showed moderate schistosomicidal activity, but aqueous fractions were not active. The dichloromethane fraction of P. amalago leaves (at 100 µg/ml) showed the highest activity, resulting in worm mortality, the separation of worm pairs and reduced motor activity. Chromatographic fractionation of the dichloromethane fraction of P. amalago leaves led to the isolation of its major compound, which was also tested against adults of S. mansoni. The isolated piperamide N-[7-(3',4'-methylenedioxyphenyl)-2(Z),4(Z)-heptadienoyl] pyrrolidine, at 100 µ m, resulted in the mortality of all adult worms after 24 h of incubation. The findings suggest that species of Piper are potential sources of schistosomicidal compounds.

Chemical composition and in vitro schistosomicidal activity of the essential oil from the flowers of Bidens sulphurea (Asteraceae).

In this study, the chemical composition and the in vitro schistosomicidal properties of the essential oil obtained from Bidens sulphurea flowers (Bs-EO) were investigated. Its major constituents were identified as being 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol (44.98%), germacrene D (33.70%) and ß-caryophyllene (10.23%). Bs-EO at 100 µg mL(-1) caused death of all the adult worms and promoted separation of the couple pairs into individual male and female within 48 h, besides leading to a significant decrease in the motility of the parasites. This oil was also responsible for a remarkable reduction in the number of eggs and the percentage of developed eggs produced by adult worms. These results suggest that the Bs-EO can be considered a promising source for the development of new schistosomicidal agents.

Comparison of lyophilization, and freezing in honey as techniques to preserve cortical bone allografts used to repair experimental femoral defects in domestic adult cats / Comparação de enxerto ósseo cortical autógeno e implante ósseo cortical alógeno conservados no mel, congelados ou liofilizados na substituição de segmento diafisário do fêmur de gatos domésticos

Cats with orthopedic conditions are a prominent part of the clinical work of veterinary. Conditions such as comminuted fractures, bone tumors and non-unions are often difficult to repair and may require the use of bone grafts for treatment. This study evaluated cortical bone allografts preserved in honey, frozen or lyophilized for correcting long bone defects created in the diaphysis of the right femur of domestic cats (n=24). In the control group (n=6), the defect was repaired using autogenous cortical bone graft. In the remaining animals (n=6/group), the defect was repaired with cortical bone allografts preserved in honey, frozen or lyophilized. Success of graft incorporation and length of time for consolidation were assessed through clinical, radiographic and histological evaluations performed up to 180 days. In the control, frozen, honey and lyophylized groups, respectively, success of graft incorporation was 91.6%, 83.3%, 75%, and 25%, with corresponding mean length of time for consolidation of 83.1, 78, 105 and 120 days. Incorporation percentage in the lyophilized group was significantly lower than in the frozen and control groups. In conclusion, bone grafts preserved in honey or frozen were effective for repairing cortical defects in the femurs of cats as compared to autogenous cortical bone grafts.

Afecções ortopédicas em gatos são frequentes, podendo-se encontrar fraturas cominutivas, neoplasias ósseas ou não-uniões de fraturas. Uma opção para o tratamento dessas afecções é a utilização de enxerto ou implante ósseo. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar implantes ósseos corticais alógenos conservados em mel, congelados ou liofilizados na substituição de segmento diafisário do fêmur de felinos. Foi confeccionada uma falha óssea na diáfise do fêmur de 24 felinos. Em seis felinos a falha foi preenchida com o próprio osso removido e nos outros 18 animais, com implantes ósseos corticais alógenos conservados em mel, congelados ou liofilizados. Os animais foram avaliados clínica, radiográfica e histologicamente durante 180 dias. A incorporação foi de 91,6% no grupo controle, com tempo médio para consolidação de 83,1 dias; no mel foi de 75%, com tempo médio de 105 dias; no congelado foi de 83,3% com tempo médio de 78 dias e no liofilizado foi de 25%, com tempo médio de 120 dias. A porcentagem de consolidação foi significativamente menor no grupo liofilizado em relação aos grupos congelado e controle. É possível concluir que os implantes ósseos autógenos e os conservados no mel e congelados são eficazes no preenchimento de defeito cortical em fêmur de felinos.

Schistosomicidal and trypanocidal structure-activity relationships for (±)-licarin A and its (-)- and (+)-enantiomers.

(±)-Licarin A (1) was obtained by oxidative coupling, and its enantiomers, (-)-licarin A (2) and (+)-licarin A (3), were resolved by chiral HPLC. Schistosomicidal and trypanocidal activities of these compounds were evaluated in vitro against Schistosoma mansoni adult worms and trypomastigote forms of Trypanosoma cruzi. The racemic mixture (1) displayed significant schistosomicidal activity with an LC50 value of 53.57 µM and moderate trypanocidal activity with an IC50 value of 127.17 µM. On the other hand, the (-)-enantiomer (2), displaying a LC50 value of 91.71 µM, was more active against S. mansoni than the (+)-enantiomer (3), which did not show activity. For the trypanocidal assay, enantiomer 2 showed more significant activity (IC50 of 23.46 µM) than enantiomer 3, which showed an IC50 value of 87.73 µM. Therefore, these results suggest that (±)-licarin A (1) and (-)-licarin A (2) are promising compounds that could be used for the development of schistosomicidal and trypanocidal agents.

An approach on determining the displacements of the pelvic floor during voluntary contraction using numerical simulation and MRI.

The present study was conducted in order to establish a methodology based on the finite element method to simulate the contraction of the pelvic floor (PF) muscles. In the generated finite element model, a downward pressure of 90 cm H(2)O was applied, while actively contracting the PF muscles with different degrees of muscular activation (10, 50 and 100%). The finite element methodology of the active contraction behaviour proposed in this study is adequate to simulate PF muscle contraction with different degrees of muscular activation. In this case, in particular, for an activation of 100%, the numerical model was able to displace the pubovisceral muscle in a range of values very similar to the displacement found in the magnetic resonance imaging data. In the analysed case study, it would be possible to conclude that an intensity contraction of 50% would be necessary to produce enough stiffness to avoid possible urine loss.

In vitro antileishmanial, antiplasmodial and cytotoxic activities of phenolics and triterpenoids from Baccharis dracunculifolia D. C. (Asteraceae).

Baccharis dracunculifolia (Asteraceae), the most important plant source of the Brazilian green propolis (GPE), displayed in vitro activity against Leishmania donovani, with an IC(50) value of 45 microg/mL, while GPE presented an IC(50) value of 49 microg/mL. Among the isolated compounds of B. dracunculifolia, ursolic acid, and hautriwaic acid lactone showed IC(50) values of 3.7 microg/mL and 7.0 microg/mL, respectively. Uvaol, acacetin, and ermanin displayed moderate antileishmanial activity. Regarding the antiplasmodial assay against Plasmodium falciparum, BdE and GPE gave similar IC(50) values (about 20 microg/mL), while Hautriwaic acid lactone led to an IC(50) value of 0.8 microg/mL (D6 clone).

The vasoactive peptide angiotensin-(1-7), its receptor Mas and the angiotensin-converting enzyme type 2 are expressed in the human endometrium.

Angiotensin (Ang)-(1-7) is one of the major active components of the renin-angiotensin system, produced from cleavage of Ang II by angiotensin-converting-enzyme type 2 (ACE2), which acts through a specific G protein-coupled receptor, Mas. We have investigated whether the human endometrium expresses these components during menstrual cycle. By radioimmunoassay, Ang-(1-7) was detected in endometrial wash fluid at picomolar concentrations. Using immunofluorescence, both the peptide and its receptor were identified in cultured endometrial epithelial and stromal cells. By immunohistochemistry, Ang(1-7) was localized in the endometrium throughout menstrual cycle, being more concentrated in the glandular epithelium of mid- and late secretory phase. This pattern corresponded to the ACE2 mRNA, which was more abundant in epithelial cells than in stromal cells (2-fold increase, p < 0.05) and in the secretory vs. proliferative phase (6.6-fold increase, p < 0.01). The receptor Mas was equally distributed between epithelial and stromal cells and did not change during menstrual cycle. The physiological role of this peptide system in normal and pathological endometrium warrants further investigation.

Hypoglicemic effect of Leandra lacunosa in normal and alloxan-induced diabetic rats.

Leandra lacunosa, popularly known as "erva-do-jabuti", is used in Brazilian folkloric medicine for the treatment of diabetes mellitus. Based on this traditional indication, the aim of this work was to evaluate the hypoglycemic activity of the hydroalcoholic extract of L. lacunosa aerial parts (LLH) in normal and alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Chromatographic fractionation of LLH was also carried out by several techniques, affording isolation of the following major compounds: ursolic acid (1), kaempferol (2), luteolin (3), and quercetin (4). The oral administration of LLH (500 mg/kg) in normal rats caused a significant reduction of 24.7% (P<0.05) in the blood glucose levels after 2 h of treatment, while the administration of chlorpropamide (20 mg/kg, p.o.) led to a reduction of 40.2% (P<0.01). After oral administration of glucose (10 g/kg, p.o.), LLH (500 mg/kg, p.o.) significantly inhibited the increase in blood glucose levels compared with the negative control group. The oral treatment with LLH (500 mg/kg) in alloxan-induced diabetic rats significantly reduced the blood glucose levels in 47.8% after 4 h of treatment, while chlorpropamide resulted in a significant reduction of 71.7% in the 4th hour. Our results showed that LLH, displays hypoglycemic activity, which may be related to the effect of the major compounds identified in the crude extract. This study seems to provide biological evidence for the folkloric use of L. lacunosa in the treatment of diabetes mellitus.

Dependent component analysis for the magnetogastrographic detection of human electrical response activity.

The detection of the basic electric rhythm (BER), composed of a 3 cycles min(-1) oscillation, can be performed using SQUID magnetometers. However, the electric response activity (ERA), which is generated when the stomach is performing a mechanical activity, was detected mainly by invasive electrical measurements and only recently was one report published describing its detection by magnetic measurements. This study was performed with the aim of detecting the ERA noninvasively after a meal. MGG recordings were made with a 74-channel first-order gradiometer (Magnes II, biomagnetic technologies) housed in a shielded room. Seven nonsymptomatic volunteers were measured in the study. Initially a 10 min recording was performed with the subject in the fasted state. A 250 kcal meal was given to the subject without moving out of the magnetometers and two epochs of 10 min each were acquired. The signals were processed to remove cardiac interference by an algorithm based on a variation of independent component analysis (ICA), then autoregressive and wavelet analysis was performed. Preliminary results have shown that there is an increase in the signal power at higher frequencies around (0.6 Hz-1.3 Hz) usually associated with the basic electric rhythm. The center of the frequency band and its width varied from subject to subject, demonstrating the importance of pre-prandial acquisition as a control. Another interesting finding was an increase in power after about 5 min of meal ingestion. This period roughly agrees with the lag phase of gastric emptying, measured by scintigraphy and other techniques. We confirm that MGG can detect the electric response activity in normal volunteers. Further improvements in signal processing and standardization of signal acquisition are necessary to ascertain its possible use in clinical situations.