Kinetic Evaluation of the Production of Mead from a Non-Saccharomyces Strain.

There is a growing market for craft beverages with unique flavors. This study aimed to obtain a palate-pleasing mead derived from Pichia kudriavzevii 4A as a monoculture. Different culture media were evaluated to compare the fermentation kinetics and final products. The crucial factors in the medium were ~200 mg L-1 of yeast assimilable nitrogen and a pH of 3.5-5.0. A panel of judges favored the mead derived from Pichia kudriavzevii 4A (fermented in a medium with honey initially at 23 °Bx) over a commercial sample produced from Saccharomyces cerevisiae, considering its appearance, fruity and floral flavors (provided by esters, aldehydes, and higher alcohols), and balance between sweetness (given by the 82.91 g L-1 of residual sugars) and alcohol. The present mead had an 8.57% v/v ethanol concentration, was elaborated in 28 days, and reached a maximum biomass growth (2.40 g L-1) on the same fermentation day (6) that the minimum level of pH was reached. The biomass growth yield peaked at 24 and 48 h (~0.049 g g-1), while the ethanol yield peaked at 24 h (1.525 ± 0.332 g g-1), in both cases declining thereafter. The Gompertz model adequately describes the kinetics of sugar consumption and the generation of yeast biomass and ethanol. Pathogenic microorganisms, methanol, lead, and arsenic were absent in the mead. Thus, Pichia kudriavzevii 4A produced a safe and quality mead with probable consumer acceptance.

Brewing a Craft Belgian-Style Pale Ale Using Pichia kudriavzevii 4A as a Starter Culture.

There is an expanding market for beer of different flavors. This study aimed to prepare a craft Belgian-style pale ale with a non-Saccharomyces yeast. Pichia kudriavzevii 4A was used as a sole starter culture, and malted barley as the only substrate. The ingredients and brewing process were carefully monitored to ensure the quality and innocuousness of the beverage. During fermentation, the yeast consumed 89.7% of total sugars and produced 13.8% v/v of ethanol. The product was fermented and then aged for 8 days, adjusted to 5% v/v alcohol, and analyzed. There were no traces of mycotoxins, lead, arsenic, methanol, or microbiological contamination that would compromise consumer health. According to the physicochemical analysis, the final ethanol concentration (5.2% v/v) and other characteristics complied with national and international guidelines. The ethyl acetate and isoamyl alcohol present are known to confer sweet and fruity flavors. The sensory test defined the beverage as refreshing and as having an apple and pear flavor, a banana aroma, and a good level of bitterness. The judges preferred it over a commercial reference sample of Belgian-style pale ale made from S. cerevisiae. Hence, P. kudriavzevii 4A has the potential for use in the beer industry.

A Randomized Controlled Trial to Increase Diabetic Retinopathy Screening by a Community-Based Health Insurance Plan in Central Texas - 2017.

PURPOSE: Diabetic retinopathy is a leading cause of blindness worldwide. In the United States, the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy is 26% - 33%. Providing preventive care to individuals with diabetes is important to prevent microvascular complications in the eye. This study reports on the results of a randomized controlled trial to determine how using specific cues to action combined with the provision of a free eye exam might positively influence the rate of diabetic retinopathy screening among individuals with diabetes. METHODS: Individuals were eligible to participate in this campaign if they had a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes or were prescribed a diabetes drug, were members of the health insurance plan during the intervention period and had no evidence of receiving a retinal eye exam prior to the campaign period. The six-week campaign period started on September 19, 2017 and ended on October 31, 2017. A total of 1,454 individuals with type 2 diabetes were randomly assigned to a control group or to one of three intervention groups. Each intervention group included the provision of a free eye exam. RESULTS: A total of 148 (10.1%) individuals obtained a retinal eye exam during the six-week campaign period with 38 persons (6.8%) in the control group, 38 (15.3%) in the incentive group, 41 (16.5%) in the education group, and 31 (12.4%) in the incentive and education group. Individual intervention comparisons with the referent group yielded statistical significance using the adjusted pairwise alpha of P = .008 for the incentive group (RR = 2.08; 95% CI, 1.36-3.19; P =.0006) and for the education group (RR = 2.23; 95% CI, 1.47-3.39; P =.0001), but not in the incentive plus education group (RR = 1.73; 95% CI, 1.10-2.73; P =.017). CONCLUSION: This study supports the use of targeted cues to action combined with the provision of a free eye exam to increase the rates of diabetic retinopathy screening among individuals with diabetes who have health insurance coverage under the Affordable Care Act in a Central Texas population.

Local Regulation as a Nutritional Improvement Solution: Case Study of Moringa Program in West Sumbawa.

The monitoring of the nutritional status in 2017 showed that the percentage of underweight in West Sumbawa was 20.8%-higher than national (17.8%). In 2016, Pencerah Nusantara, a program that strengthen primary health care through youth empowerment and interprofessional collaboration, encouraged the use of moringa as local food ingredient to improve the nutritional status of children at Poto Tano Health Center, West Sumbawa District. Moringa Program is an innovation program to educate community about nutrition and provide moringa-based foods to improve community nutrition. This program was then implemented not only at one health center but in all sub-districts. Furthermore, BAPPEDA (Local Development Planning Agency) included moringa program to Local Nutrition Action Plans as stipulated in the District Regulation No. 80/2017 about preservation of moringa. This study aims to describe the impact of local regulation on the development of moringa program as one of the solutions to overcome the nutritional problems of children under five. The study uses a case study design on community readiness assessment and is complemented by secondary data collection. The study shows clearly that the regulation is the key factor in strengthening cross-sector partnership and in maximizing efforts to improve community nutrition through the Moringa Program. During the implementation of providing moringa-based foods as a provision of supplementary feeding and complementary feeding at integrates health posts (Posyandu), there was a decrease in cases of underweight in children under five at the Poto Tano Health Center from 21.9% in 2017 to 19.9% in 2018.

Características de los electrolitos de pacientes adultos que acuden por emergencia médica a un hospital general de Lima, Perú / Characteristics of serum electrolytes of adult patients who come by medical emergency to a general hospital in Lima, Peru

El número de pacientes con desnutrición que demanda servicios de emergencia en hospitales de Lima-MINSA, es considerable y podría relacionarse con alteraciones del medio interno. Tener una idea objetiva cómo esta característica puede ser relevante en esta demanda es importante. Objetivos: Estudiar la magnitud e importancia de las alteraciones electrolíticas en pacientes internados en la emergencia de un hospital nivel III (MINSA Lima-Perú). Material y métodos: Estudio trasversal descriptivo y analítico de los electrolitos en pacientes que acudieron al servicio de emergencia de adultos del Hospital Cayetano Heredia (Lima-Perú) en setiembre del 2016, seleccionado al azar y admitidos para observación mayor de 48 horas. Se consideró el nivel de albúmina sérica, la azoemia y gasometría coexistente al momento del control de los electrolitos. Resultados: La alteración electrolítica más frecuente observada en 206 pacientes fue hipocalcemia (46,7%); seguida de hiperfosfatemia (32,3%), hiponatremia (24,7%) e hipermagnesemia (18,9%). La hipoalbuminemia <3,0 g/dl estuvo presente en 50,56% y <2,6 g/dl en el 31,4% de los casos. La albuminemia solo mostró correlación significativa con la calcemia (r=0,47; p=0,002) y la natremia (r=0,233; p=0,028). La hiperfosfatemia estuvo relacionada a un modelo dependiente de la creatinina sérica, alcalosis respiratoria y cáncer. La hipomagnesemia e hipermagnesemia se relacionaron con bajos y altos valores de creatinina y urea, respectivamente. Conclusiones: La frecuencia de pacientes con hipoalbuminemia que demandaron servicios de emergencia fue notablemente alta, y su relación más relevante estuvo relacionada con disturbios de la calcemia y la natremia. Otros disturbios relevantes fueron los relativos al magnesio, situación que requiere estudio más exhaustivo. (AU)

Patients with malnutrition who demand emergency services in Lima-MINSA hospitals, is considerable and could be related to alterations of the internal medium. Having an objective idea how this feature can be relevant in this patients demand is important. Objectives: To study the magnitude and importance of electrolyte alterations in hospitalized patients in the emergency of a level III hospital (MINSA Lima-Perú). Methods: Descriptive and analytical cross- sectional study of electrolytes in patients who attended the emergency service of adults of the Hospital Nacional Cayetano Heredia (Lima-Perú) in September 2016, selected by chance and admitted for observation> 48 hours. The level of serum albumin, azotemia and coexisting gasometry at the time of electrolyte control was considered. Results: The highest frequency of electrolyte alteration observed in 206 patients was hypocalcemia (46.7%); followed by hyperphosphatemia (32.3%), hyponatremia (24.7%) and hypermagnesemia (18.9%). Hypoalbuminemia <3.0 g/ dl was present in 50.56% and <2.6g/dl in 31.4%. Albuminemia only had a significant correlation with calcemia (r=0.47; p=0.002) and natremia (r=0.233; p=0.028). Hyperphosphatemia was related to a model dependent on serum creatinine, respiratory alkalosis and cancer. Both, hypomagnesemia and hypermagnesemia were related with low and high creatinine and urea values respectively. Conclusions: The frequency of patients with hypoalbuminemia who demanded emergency services was remarkably high, and their most relevant relationship was related to calcemia and natremia disturbances. Other relevant disturbances were related to magnesium, a situation that requires more exhaustive study. (AU)

Investigation into the Mechanism(s) That Leads to Platelet Decreases in Cynomolgus Monkeys During Administration of ISIS 104838, a 2'-MOE-Modified Antisense Oligonucleotide.

ISIS 104838, a 2'-O-methoxyethyl (2'-MOE)-modified antisense oligonucleotide (ASO), causes a moderate, reproducible, dose-dependent, but selflimiting decrease in platelet (PLT) counts in monkeys and humans. To determine the etiology of PLT decrease in cynomolgus monkeys, a 12-week repeat dose toxicology study in 5 cynomolgus monkeys given subcutaneous injections of ISIS 104838 (30-60 mg/kg/week). Monkeys were also injected intravenously with 111Indium(In)-oxine-labeled PLTs to investigate PLT sequestration. In response to continued dosing, PLT counts were decreased by 50%-90% by day 30 in all monkeys. PLT decreases were accompanied by 2- to 4.5-fold increases in immunoglobulin M(IgM), which were typified by a 2- to 5-fold increase in antiplatelet factor 4 (antiPF4) IgM and antiPLT IgM, respectively. Monocyte chemotactic protein 1 increased upon dosing of ISIS 104838, concomitant with a 2- to 6-fold increase in monocyte-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs), indicating monocyte activation but not PLT activation. Despite a 2- to 3-fold increase in von Willebrand factor antigen in all monkeys following ASO administration, only 2 monkeys showed a 2- to 4-fold increase in endothelial EVs. Additionally, a ∼60 - 80%% increase in PLT sequestration in liver and spleen was also observed. Collectively, these results suggest the overall increase in total IgM, antiPLT IgM and/or antiPF4 IgM, in concert with monocyte activation contributed to increased PLT sequestration in spleen and liver, leading to decreased PLTs in peripheral blood.