Role of proteins and soluble peptides as limiting components during the co-composting of agro-industrial wastes.

The agri-food industry is at the centre of the circular economy, since the co-composting of its residual flows allows their management and adds value producing fertilisers. In this work, six composting piles were prepared combining agri-food sludge (AS), different fresh vegetable wastes (pepper waste (P), tomato waste (T), and leek waste (L), and, as bulking agents, vine shoot pruning (VS), garlic stalks (GS) and avocado leaves (AL)). Classical physico-chemical and chemical determinations and advanced instrumental methods (excitation-emission fluorescence (EEM) and gravimetric (TG, DTG and DTA) techniques) were used and compared to assess organic matter evolution and evaluate the quality of the composts obtained. The thermal profiles of the composting processes were viable to show the stabilization of the agri-food sludge with the different materials tested in the mixtures, reaching adequate levels of stabilization of organic matter. Preferential degradation of peptides and proteins was observed by fluorescence. This seemed to induce a limitation in the biodegradation of the remaining organic matter, indicating that these biomolecules are key in composting dynamics, acting as limiting components during the process. The results from thermogravimetric analysis indicated the degradation of labile compounds (e.g., carbohydrates and proteins), the most recalcitrant material becoming predominant at the maturity stage of the composting process. The rise in the thermogravimetric parameter R2 was associated with the increase in the concentration of more refracting compounds, which need more energy for their decomposition.

Effect of chitosan edible films added with Thymus moroderi and Thymus piperella essential oil on shelf-life of cooked cured ham.

The aim of this work was to develop chitosan edible films added with essential oils obtained from two Thymus species, Thymus moroderi (TMEO) and Thymus piperella (TPEO) to determine their application for enhancing safety (antioxidant and antibacterial properties) and shelf-life of cooked cured ham (CCH) stored at 4 °C during 21 days. Addition of TMEO and TPEO into chitosan films decreased the aerobic mesophilic bacteria (AMB) and lactic acid bacteria (LAB) counts in coated cooked cured ham samples as compared with uncoated samples. Both AMB and LAB showed the lowest counts in CCH samples coated with chitosan films added with TPEO at 2 %. In regard to lipid oxidation, the CCH samples coated with chitosan films added with TMEO or TPEO had lower degrees of lipid oxidation than uncoated control samples. Chitosan films added with TPEO at 2 % showed the lowest values. The addition of TPEO or TMEO in chitosan films used as coated in CCH improved their shelf life.

Self-rated health and mortality: a follow-up study of a Spanish population.

OBJECTIVES: Self-rated health (SRH) is known to be a valid indicator for the prediction of health outcomes. The aims of this study were to describe and analyse the associations between SRH and health status, socio-economic and demographic characteristics; and between SRH and mortality in a Spanish population. STUDY DESIGN: Longitudinal study. METHODS: A sample of 5275 adults (age ≥21 years) residing in the Valencian Community (Spanish Mediterranean region) was surveyed in 2005 and followed for four years. SRH was categorized into good and poor health. The response variable was mortality (dead/alive), obtained from the local mortality register. Logistic regression models were adjusted in order to analyse the associations between SRH and health status, socio-economic and demographic characteristics; odds ratios were calculated to measure the associations. Poisson regression models were adjusted in order to analyse the associations between mortality and explanatory variables; the relative risk of death was calculated to measure the associations. RESULTS: Poor SRH was reported by 25.9% of respondents, and the mortality rate after four years of follow-up was 3.6%. An association was found between SRH and the presence of chronic disease and disability in men and women. A perception of poor health vs good health led to a mortality risk of 3.0 in men and 2.7 in women. SRH was predictive of mortality, even after adjusting for all other variables. In men and women, the presence of disability provided additional predictive ability. CONCLUSIONS: SRH was predictive of mortality in both men and women, and acted as a mediator between socio-economic, demographic and health conditions and mortality.

[Prospective comparative study on 50 patients between microsurgical sublabial transsphenoidal approach and endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal approach]. / Comparación del abordje transesfenoidal microquirúrgico frente al abordaje endonasal transesfenoidal endosócpico. Estudio prospectivo de 50 pacientes.

OBJECTIVE: Compare the standard transsphenoidal sublabial microscopic approach with the endoscopic transsphenoidal approach concerning the tumoral invasiveness and resection, complications of the approaches and time of post operative hospitalisation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We realized a prospective, non randomised study with 50 patients. They were operated between 2002 and 2006. All the patients had sellar lesions with different grades of invasiveness of the cavernous sinus as classified by Knosp. The variables included in our study were tumoral invasiveness and operative resection (total, subtotal and partial), optic nerve lesion, postoperative panhypopituitarism, CSF fistula, cranial nerves deficits, epistaxis, meningitis, diabetes insipidus and carotid artery lesion. Our series included 27 males and 23 females ranging from 19 to 80 years old (48 mean). In 23 patients we used the standard sublabial microscopic approach (two patients were excluded) and for 25 patients we used the endoscopic approach. The mean follow up was of 12 months. RESULTS: In our experience the endoscopic technique presents a higher percentage of total resection comparing to the sublabial microscopic approach (60% versus 34.8%) and higher percentage of subtotal resections (32% versus 26%) with a statistical significant difference (p=0.033). The time of hospitalisation was significant shorter for the endoscopic approach group (p=0.001), diminishing by half of the time (3 days) of the microscopic approach group. Concerning the tumoral invasiveness and complications we did not appreciate any significant dissimilarity. We appreciated that a higher grade of invasiveness augments by 3.59 the risk of an unsuccessful surgery. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: In our experience the endoscopic technique may favour a better tumoral resection and shorter time of hospitalisation. We did not appreciate differences concerning the complications.

Comparación del abordaje sublabial transesfenoidal microquirúrgico frente al abordaje endonasal transesfenoidal endoscópico. Estudio prospectivo de 50 pacientes / Prospective comparative study on 50 patients between microsurgical sublabial transsphenoidal approach and endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal approach

Objetivos. Comparar el abordaje transesfenoidal endonasal endoscópico con el abordaje transesfenoidal sublabial microquirúrgico. Valoración del grado de resección tumoral, grado de invasividad tumoral, complicaciones y estancia postoperatoria de ambos grupos. Material y métodos. Estudio prospectivo no randomizado de 50 pacientes intervenidos en nuestro centro entre 2002 y 2006 de lesiones en la región selar con diferentes grados de invasión del seno cavernoso según la clasificación de Knosp. Entre las variables a estudio se incluyeron los grados de invasión, los grados de resección postoperatoria (total, subtotal y parcial), lesión del nervio óptico, panhipopituitarismo postoperatorio, fístula de LCR, déficit de pares craneales, epistaxis, meningitis, diabetes insípida y lesión de arteria caró- tida. Nuestra serie consta de 27 hombres y 23 mujeres, con una edad media de 48 años (19-80 años). En 23 casos se utilizó una vía transesfenoidal sublabial microquirúrgica (2 pacientes fueron excluidos) y en 25 casos se realizó un abordaje transesfenoidal endoscópico. El seguimiento medio fue de 12 meses. Resultados. En nuestra experiencia la técnica endoscópica presenta un porcentaje de exéresis completa superior al de la técnica clásica (60% frente a 34,8%) que también se hace evidente en el caso de la resección subtotal (32% frente 26%) existiendo una diferencia estadísticamente significativa (p=0,033). En contraposición no encontramos diferencias en cuanto a complicaciones. También hemos evidenciado que existe una diferencia estadísticamente significativa en cuanto a la estancia postoperatoria (p=0,001), reduciéndose ésta a la mitad (3 días) con la técnica endoscópica. Si bien no hemos encontrado diferencias significativas en cuanto al grado de invasividad tumoral y al grado de resección, un mayor grado de invasividad aumenta en 3,59 veces el riesgo de poco éxito de la cirugía. Discusión y conclusiones. En nuestra experiencia con la técnica endoscópica obtenemos un mayor grado de resección quirúrgica y una estancia postoperatoria menor. No hemos observado diferencias en cuanto a complicaciones (AU)

Objective. Compare the standard transsphenoidal sublabial microscopic approach with the endoscopic transsphenoidal approach concerning the tumoral invasiveness and resection, complications of the approaches and time of post operative hospitalisation. Material and methods. We realized a prospective, non randomised study with 50 patients. They were operated between 2002 and 2006. All the patients had sellar lesions with different grades of invasiveness of the cavernous sinus as classified by Knosp. The variables included in our study were tumoral invasiveness and operative resection (total, subtotal and partial), optic nerve lesion, postoperative panhypopituitarism, CSF fistula, cranial nerves deficits, epistaxis, meningitis, diabetes insipidus and carotid artery lesion. Our series included 27 males and 23 females ranging from 19 to 80 years old (48 mean). In 23 patients we used the standard sublabial microscopic approach (two patients were excluded) and for 25 patients we used the endoscopic approach. The mean follow up was of 12 months. Results. In our experience the endoscopic technique presents a higher percentage of total resection comparing to the sublabial microscopic approach (60% versus 34,8%) and higher percentage of subtotal resections (32% versus 26%) with a statistical significan difference (p=0,033). The time of hospitalisation was significant shorter for the endoscopic approach group (p=0,001), diminishing by half of the time (3 days) of the microscopic approach group. Concerning the tumoral invasiveness and complications we did not appreciate any significant dissimilarity. We appreciated that a higher grade of invasiveness augments by 3,59 the risk of an unsuccessful surgery. Discussion and conclusion. In our experience the endoscopic technique may favour a better tumoral resection and shorter time of hospitalisation. We did not appreciate differences concerning the complications (AU)

Exposiciones laborales y riesgo de cáncer esofágico según tipos histológicos: un estudio de casos y controles en el este de España / Occupational exposures and risk of oesophageal cancer by histological type: A case-control study in eastern Spain

Objetivo. Explorar la relación entre ocupaciones y exposiciones laborales específi cas y cáncer esofágico según tipos histológicos.Métodos. Se llevó a cabo un estudio de casos y controles hospitalario multicéntrico en dos provincias del área mediterránea de España. Serecogió información laboral, sociodemográfi ca y sobre estilos de vida en 185 hombres pacientes recién diagnosticados de cáncer esofágico (147casos de células escamosas, 38 adenocarcinomas) y en 285 controles apareados por frecuencia. Se codifi có la ocupación según la Clasifi caciónNacional de Ocupaciones de 1994 (CNO-94). Se valoró la exposición laboral a una selección de agentes carcinogénicos utilizando la matrizempleo-exposición FINJEM. Se calcularon las odds ratios mediante modelos de regresión logística no condicional ajustando por edad, educacióny consumo de alcohol y tabaco.Resultados. Para la variedad de células escamosas, se encontraron asociaciones estadísticamente signifi cativas en camareros (OR 8,18,95%IC 1,98-33,75) y mineros, dinamiteros, picapedreros y tallistas (OR 10,78, 95%IC 1,24-93,7) en relación con otras ocupaciones. Para lavariedad de adenocarcinoma, se encontraron asociaciones estadísticamente signifi cativas en carpinteros (OR 9,69), producción animal y trabajadoresrelacionados (OR 5,61) y electricistas de construcción y relacionados (OR 8,26), aunque estas observaciones se basaban en un númerolimitado de casos. En cuanto a exposiciones específi cas, en el estudio se encontraron aumentos del riesgo signifi cativos para carcinomade células escamosas en relación con la exposición a radiaciones ionizantes, y para el adenocarcinoma para la exposición elevada a compuestossulfurosos volátiles (OR 3,12) y plomo (OR 5,30). Para todos los tipos histológicos de cancer esofágico, se encontró un riesgo signifi cativoy tres veces mayor en los expuestos a amianto, con tendencia estadísticamente signifi cativa (OR 3,46, 95% CI 0,99-12,10)(AU)

Conclusiones. Los datos sugieren que algunas exposiciones laborales pueden aumentar específi camente el riesgo de cáncer esofágico de célulasescamosas o adenocarcinoma, mientras que otras exposiciones como el amianto pueden aumentar el riesgo general de cáncer esofágico(AU)

Objective. To explore the relationship between occupations and specifi c occupational exposures and oesophageal cancer (OC) by histologicaltype.Methods. A multicentre hospital-based case–control study was conducted in two Mediterranean provinces of Spain. Occupational, sociodemographicand lifestyle information was collected from 185 newly diagnosed male oesophageal cancer patients (147 squamous cell, 38 adenocarcinoma)and 285 frequency matched controls. Occupation was coded according to the Spanish National Classifi cation of Occupations1994. Occupational exposure to a selection of carcinogenic substances was assessed by the FINJEM job exposure matrix. Odds ratios were calculatedby unconditional logistic regression adjusting for age, education, alcohol intake and cigarette smoking.Results. For the squamous cell variety, statistically signifi cant associations were found for waiters and bartenders (OR 8.18, 95% CI 1.98to 33.75) and miners, shotfi rers, stone cutters and carvers (OR 10.78, 95% CI 1.24 to 93.7) in relation to other occupations. For the adenocarcinomavariety, statistically signifi cant associations were observed for carpenters and joiners (OR 9.69), animal producers and related workers(OR 5.61) and building and related electricians (OR 8.26), although these observations were based on a low number of cases. Regardingspecifi c exposures, the study found a statistically signifi cant increased risk of squamous cell carcinoma for ionising radiation, and of adenocarcinomafor high exposure to volatile sulphur compounds (OR 3.12) and lead (OR 5.30). For all histological types of OC combined, a threefoldincrease in risk was found with a signifi cant trend for asbestos exposure (OR 3.46, 95% CI 0.99 to 12.10)(AU)

Conclusions. The data suggest that some occupational exposures may specifi cally increase the risk of oesophageal squamous cell carcinomaor adenocarcinoma, while other exposures such as asbestos may increase the overall risk of OC(AU)

Occupational exposures and risk of oesophageal cancer by histological type: a case-control study in eastern Spain.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the relationship between occupations and specific occupational exposures and oesophageal cancer (OC) by histological type. METHODS: A multicentre hospital-based case-control study was conducted in two Mediterranean provinces of Spain. Occupational, sociodemographic and lifestyle information was collected from 185 newly diagnosed male oesophageal cancer patients (147 squamous cell, 38 adenocarcinoma) and 285 frequency matched controls. Occupation was coded according to the Spanish National Classification of Occupations 1994. Occupational exposure to a selection of carcinogenic substances was assessed by the FINJEM job exposure matrix. Odds ratios were calculated by unconditional logistic regression adjusting for age, education, alcohol intake and cigarette smoking. RESULTS: For the squamous cell variety, statistically significant associations were found for waiters and bartenders (OR 8.18, 95% CI 1.98 to 33.75) and miners, shotfirers, stone cutters and carvers (OR 10.78, 95% CI 1.24 to 93.7) in relation to other occupations. For the adenocarcinoma variety, statistically significant associations were observed for carpenters and joiners (OR 9.69), animal producers and related workers (OR 5.61) and building and related electricians (OR 8.26), although these observations were based on a low number of cases. Regarding specific exposures, the study found a statistically significant increased risk of squamous cell carcinoma for ionising radiation, and of adenocarcinoma for high exposure to volatile sulphur compounds (OR 3.12) and lead (OR 5.30). For all histological types of OC combined, a three-fold increase in risk was found with a significant trend for asbestos exposure (OR 3.46, 95% CI 0.99 to 12.10). CONCLUSIONS: The data suggest that some occupational exposures may specifically increase the risk of oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma or adenocarcinoma, while other exposures such as asbestos may increase the overall risk of OC.

Validation of self diagnosis of high blood pressure in a sample of the Spanish EPIC cohort: overall agreement and predictive values. EPIC Group of Spain.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: High blood pressure is a variable related to several chronic conditions whose repeated measurement in large cohort studies is often not feasible having to rely on the self reporting of the subjects. The aim of the study is to validate such self diagnosis in a sample of members from the Spanish EPIC cohort study. DESIGN: Comparison of high blood pressure self diagnosis with the information provided by the personal medical record drawn from the primary health centre of reference for such population. SETTING: A small town near the EPIC-Murcia centre, one of five Spanish EPIC centres located in the south east, where inclusion in the cohort was offered to the general population. PARTICIPANTS: The agreement between self reported high blood pressure status and data from medical records was measured in a representative sample of men and women (n = 248) aged 30-69 years. Medical records were studied for a diagnosis of high blood pressure, an anti-hypertensive pharmacological treatment or subject's inclusion in a hypertension control programme run in the medical centre only for hypertensive people (definite high blood pressure cases). As well, in the absence of such a diagnosis, medical annotations of systolic or diastolic high blood pressure > or = 140/90 mm Hg (possible high blood pressure cases) were considered. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values and kappa scores were calculated for all, definite and possible high blood pressure cases. Variables associated with the probability of having a true positive or negative self report of high blood pressure were also tested. MAIN RESULTS: As expected, sensitivity was higher among definite cases (72.7%) than among possible cases (31.6%). Accordingly, the agreement between self report and medical record was higher for definite cases (kappa = 0.65) than for possible (kappa = 0.29 cases leading to a moderate overall agreement for all cases (kappa = 0.58; 95% CI: 0.47, 0.69). Having some level of education (OR: 0.31; 95% CI: 0.09, 1.05) was negatively associated to a true self report of high blood pressure while being female was positively associated (OR: 4.01; 95% CI 1.04, 16.8). No variable showed any association with having a true self report of being normotensive. CONCLUSIONS: High blood pressure self report shows a moderate agreement with medical information in this cohort allowing it to be used, with caution, as a surrogate variable of actual blood pressure status. However, because of its moderate sensitivity, it is not possible to rule out some underestimation when using self reported high blood pressure information for high blood pressure frequency measurements such as prevalence or incidence rates. This underestimation will be higher among men and educated people.

Is there a different dietetic pattern depending on self-knowledge of high blood pressure?

This cross-sectional study describes the dietary pattern seen at recruitment in a large Spanish cohort comprising 41,451 people (aged 30-69 years) according to high blood-pressure status. We provide information on adjusted mean daily intake of foods and nutrients, by means of a dietary history, from those people self-reported as having high blood pressure as well as from those self-reported as normotensive but having, after actual blood-pressure measurement, systolic or diastolic blood pressures of > or = 160/95 mmHg. Although with small differences in mean intake people who self-reported high blood pressure have a higher consumption of potatoes, vegetables, vitamin C and E; furthermore, men reported an increased intake of fruit, meat, fish, proteins, dietary fibre, beta-carotene and alcohol, and women tended to consume less alcohol, lipids and cholesterol but more proteins, carbohydrates and dietary fibre. Almost no differences are found in fatty acid intake. This pattern is reversed among those self-reported as normotensive but with high blood pressure after actual measurement. We conclude that in this large prospective cohort, awareness or not of having high blood pressure at recruitment is associated with a differential dietary pattern.