Cladodes of Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) as source of bioactive compounds in dairy products.

Recently, the interest on improving livestock products' nutraceutical profiles by sustainable feeding systems has increased. In this context, the overall quality and, in particular, the nutraceutical profile of dairy products obtained by 16 lactating Cinisara cows fed integrated in dry season with Opuntia ficus-indica cladodes, were investigated. Two homogeneous groups of cows (milk yield: 6.3 ± 1.5 kg; body weight: 213 ± 55 kg) were in succession fed with 2 different diets (CON: pasture and wheat bran; OFI: pasture, wheat bran and cladodes), according to a 2 × 2 Latin square design. The bulk milk was used to make Caciotta cheeses, analyzed at 0, 15 and 30 storage days. Milk and cheeses samples were analyzed for chemical, physical and microbiological traits. On the final products, the nutraceutical and sensorial profiles, together with the antioxidant's capacity were also determined. On milk, only the urea content in individual samples was reduced in OFI. Considering the cheeses, the integration with cladodes did not influence the starter cultures development acted with 2 strains of S. thermophilus, but caused a higher content of polyphenols and a consequent greater antioxidant capacity, together with a change in the fatty acids profile. In particular, the caprylic, capric, lauric, myristic, and palmitic fatty acids were higher, as well as the petroselinic, vaccenic, rumenic, and α-linolenic fatty acids. Differently, the oleic and the γ-linolenic fatty acids were lower. The cheeses of OFI showed better overall acceptability, and a higher yellow color, odor intensities, and butter flavor. The multivariate analysis well distinguished the cheeses belonging to the 2 groups. Further investigations should be conducted to formulate well balanced diets including cladodes for Cinisara lactating cows, but also to determine the content of other important bioactive compounds in fresh and in treated cladodes, as well as their effects on animals' welfare and their productions.

Yeasts and moulds contaminants of food ice cubes and their survival in different drinks.

AIMS: To evaluate the levels of unicellular and filamentous fungi in ice cubes produced at different levels and to determine their survival in alcoholic beverages and soft drinks. METHODS AND RESULTS: Sixty samples of ice cubes collected from home level (HL) productions, bars and pubs (BP) and industrial manufacturing plants (MP) were investigated for the presence and cell density of yeasts and moulds. Moulds were detected in almost all samples, while yeasts developed from the majority of HL and MP samples. Representative colonies of microfungi were subjected to phenotypic and genotypic characterization. The identification was carried out by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis of the region spanning the internal transcribed spacers (ITS1 and ITS2) and the 5·8S rRNA gene. The process of yeast identification was concluded by sequencing the D1/D2 region of the 26S rRNA gene. The fungal biodiversity associated with food ice was represented by nine yeast and nine mould species. Strains belonging to Candida parapsilosis and Cryptococcus curvatus, both opportunistic human pathogens, and Penicillium glabrum, an ubiquitous mould in the ice samples analysed, were selected to evaluate the effectiveness of the ice cubes to transfer pathogenic microfungi to consumers, after addition to alcoholic beverages and soft drinks. All strains retained their viability. CONCLUSIONS: The survival test indicated that the most common mode of consumption of ice cubes, through its direct addition to drinks and beverages, did not reduce the viability of microfungi. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This study evidenced the presence of microfungi in food ice and ascertained their survival in soft drinks and alcoholic beverages.

Estudio Cualitativo: uso de la guía para la estimación del riesgo cardiovascular global en la práctica clínica / Pesquisa Qualitativa: Uso Dos Guias Para A Estimativa De Risco Cardiovascular Global Na Prá- Tica Clínica / Qualitative Study: The Use Of The Guidelines For The Assessment Of Absolute Cardiovascular Disease Risk In Clinical Pracice

El Ministerio de Salud, a través del Programa Remediar y con la participación de 24 Facultades de Medicina, implementa un Programa de Capacitación en Terapéutica Racional de Atención Primaria de la Salud (TRAPS) destinado a médicos/as que se desempeñan en el primer nivel de atención (PNA). En el Curso sobre Riesgo Cardiovascular Global (RCVG) se promueve la utilización de la Guía de la OMS adaptada para Argentina para la estimación del riesgo. Objetivo. Presentar los resultados de un estudio cualitativo que indaga, entre los profesionales que habían asistido al curso, el conocimiento y la utilización de la Guía. Material y Método. Población: médicos/as que se desempeñan en Centros de Salud en las provincias de Catamarca y La Rioja...

The Ministry of Health, through a Program called “Remediar” and with the participationof 24 Schools of Medicine, is implementing a Training Program on Rational Therapeuticsin Primary Health Care intended for doctors working in the fi rst level of care. In theCourse on Absolute Cardiovascular Disease Risk (ACVDR), the use of WHO Guidelinesfor the Assessment of Risk adapted for Argentina is promoted.Objective: To present the results of a qualitative study enquiring professionals who attendedthe course, regarding the knowledge and use of the Guidelines.Material and Method: Semi-structured deep interviews to explore dimensions such as patient-doctorrelationship, the approach to people with cardiovascular disease risk and thefactors involved in the process of patient care.Population: Doctors who work in Health Centers in the provinces of Catamarca and LaRioja and took the course on ACVDR.Results: Interviews took place between...

O Ministério da Saúde, por meio do Programa “Remediar” e com a participação de 24Faculdades de Medicina, implementa um Programa de Treinamento sobre Terapêutica Racionalde CuIdados Primários da Saúde (TRAPS) para médicos as que servem no primeiro nível de cuidados (PNA). No curso sobre Risco Cardiovascular Global (RCVG) é promovidaa utilização do Guia da OMS adaptado para a Argentina para a estimativa de risco.Escopo: Apresentar os resultados de um estudo qualitativo que questiona, entre os profi ssionaisque participaram do curso, sobre o conhecimento e o uso do Guia.Material e métodos: Entrevistas em profundidade semi-estruturadas, através das quais sãopesquisadas as dimensões, tais como relação médico-paciente, a abordagem de pessoascom risco cardiovascular e dos fatores institucionais envolvidos no processo dos cuidadosPopulação: Médicos que trabalham em centros de saúde nas províncias de Catamarca e LaRioja, e que fi zeram o curso em RCVG...

[Review of the pathogenetic problem of hereditary ataxia]. / Revisione del problema patogenetico delle eredoatassie.

In the inherited ataxias, a heterogeneous group of relatively rare and progressive neurological disorders, abnormalities in pyruvate metabolism have been described. Pyruvate is involved in the glycolitic pathway as an important step, and utilized in the Krebs cycle, the main energy source in the brain. Furthermore, pyruvate and other intermediates in the Krebs cycle, can also serve as a precursors of amino acids for which a role as a neurotransmitter has been shown. The explanation of the basic biochemistry may serve as a basis for a more steady knowledge of the clinical and pathological findings of such diseases.