Germination and extrusion as combined processes for reducing phytates and increasing phenolics content and antioxidant capacity of Oryza sativa L. whole grain flours.

Whole rice (WR) products with low phytic acid (PA) content and enhanced bio-functional components were obtained by the combination of germination and extrusion processes. Germination conditions (24 h - 35 °C), with a previous soaking process (24 h - 20 °C), were chosen according to the remnant PA content and germination rate. Specific mechanical energy consumption, expansion, sensorial and mechanical hardness, specific volume, solubility, water absorption, free phenolic content (FPC) and antioxidant capacity were evaluated. Results indicated that 175 °C and 14 g 100 g(-1) of moisture were the most appropriate conditions to obtain expanded products and precooked flours based on germinated WR. Selected extruded product presented less PA content (821.6 9 ± 10.3 versus 695.2 0 ± 1.6 mg 100 g(-1)) and higher Fe bio-accessibility, FPC (45.2 9 ± 1.61 versus 66.3 5 ± 3.35 mg GAE g(-1)) and antioxidant capacity compared with WR (34.9 5 ± 0.8 versus 54.6 3 ± 1.6 µmol trolox g(-1)). Combining germination-extrusion processes could be a strategy to obtain expanded products or precooked flours based on WR with enhanced health benefits.

Neurofibromatosis tipo 1. La necesidad de un reconocimiento clínico precoz / Type 1 neurofibromatosis. The need of an early diagnosis

La neurofibromatosis tipo 1 (NF-1) es una entidad claramente relacionada con la aparición de neoplasias en los niños. La NF-1 ha sido demostrada como factor pronóstico adverso ante neoplasias de nervios periféricos y del sistema nervioso central. El retraso diagnóstico y con ello la disminución en los porcentajes de resecabilidad, son factores que atentan contra la curación de estos pacientes. Por ello nos pareció oportuno revisar los criterios de diagnóstico, menejo y derivación para detectar en tiempo útil al portador de NF 1 e ingresarlo en seguimiento prospectivo, intentando de esa manera disminuir la morbimortalidad por tumores que ellos presentan.

[Treatment of pneumonia caused by Legionella with azithromycin]. / Tratamiento de la neumonía por Legionella con azitromicina.

Nineteen patients with pneumonia caused by Legionella, who did not need to be admitted to ICU were treated with 500 mg/day of azithromycin. The etiological diagnosis was made retrospectively by detecting Legionella pneumophila in the urine of nine patients and/or by serology (seroconversion or single titer 1/256) in 19 cases. None of them met the criteria for ICU admittance nor had received prior treatment with antibiotics which were potentially active against L. pneumophila. Serology tests and radiography of the thorax were carried out on all the patients in the study during their convalescence period. The average age (+/- SD) of the group was 58.5 +/- 16.2 years. The average respiratory frequency (+/- SD) 26 +/- 6 breaths per minute; the radiologic extension was of one lobule in 18 cases and two lobules in one case. No patients showed bilateral disease. Arterial gasometry (FiO2 0.21) showed a pO2 average of (+/- SD) 53 +/- 14 mmHg and the hemogram an average of 6.700 leukocytes/mm3 (range: 4,200-41-800). All the patients progressed favorably. The average duration of fever was 1.8 days; the average stay (+/- SD) was 6.1 +/- 2 days. The treatment was well tolerated. One month after discharge radiographies were clear for all patients. There were no relapses. In conclusion, 3-day administration of azithromycin was found to be a useful guide in the treatment of community acquired pneumonia caused by Legionella in patients whose clinical situation does not require ICU administration and allows for oral administration.

Evaluación clínica de niños diabéticos relacionada al estado de salud bucal / Clinical evaluation of diabetic children in relation to oral health status

La diabetes mellitus es una enfermedad crónica y sistémica que puede ocasionar complicaciones irreversibles. En este trabajo se presenta un análisis del estado clínico de niños diabéticos y su relación con los exámenes de laboratorio y de salud bucal que ellos presentaban en el momento del estudio. Se determinaron glucosa por el método enzimático específico, y hemoglobina glicosilada por el método cromatográfico, y los índices gingival y de placa bacteriana según Loe y Silness. Estos niños llevan un adecuado control metabólico por cuanto existe ausencia de lesiones microvasvulares. La diferencia entre edad ósea y edad cronológica se observa cuando la diabetes se asocia a tiroiditis. Además, estos niños prsentan elevado número de caries dental y alto riesgo de gingivitis, aspectos que estarían poco relacionados linealmente con la antiguedad de la enfermedad. El examen bioquímico de la saliva no reveló correlación estadística entre glucemia, hemoglobina glicolsilada y glucosa salival. Es fundamental insistir sobre medidas preventivas destinadas a mejorar el estado de salud bucal de los pacientes diabéticos

Social support in child abuse and neglect: support functions, sources, and contexts.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of the present paper was to examine the social support functions, sources and temporal contexts of Argentinian mothers in relation to child abuse and neglect. METHOD: To test the impact of social support on child abuse and neglect, a sample of 101 Argentinian mothers was drawn from the pediatric hospital. The interview contained questions regarding maternal social support and abusive behavior. After the interview, the medical record of the child was checked for information concerning child abuse and neglect. RESULTS: Data from the interview and the medical record were used to characterize the mothers as low or high in child abuse and neglect. CONCLUSIONS: Comparisons between both groups of mothers indicated that only some specific support indexes distinguished mothers with low and high abuse/neglect. Specifically, kin and instrumental support indexes were associated with child abuse/neglect, whereas nonkin and psychological support variables were not.