Loss of lipid material during the dehulling of oilseeds with different structural characteristics.

The loss of lipid material by migration to the hull during the dehulling of oilseeds with different structural characteristics was evaluated. The samples selected -three sunflower hybrids and a safflower cultivar- were processed under optimal dehulling operating conditions and with two passes through a dehuller. From the SEM micrographs of the samples it was possible to observe structural differences which affect the mechanical properties of the pericarps and, consequently, the dehulling process. The black-hull sunflower hybrid exhibited residual hull percentages lightly above those recommended by the industry after one pass through the dehuller, therefore, this hybrid should not be further processed to avoid oil losses due to migration to the hull. On the other hand, the safflower cultivar and the high stearic high oleic sunflower hybrid and the traditional striped-hull sunflower require two passes through the dehuller, but this resulted in an oil loss due to migration to the hull of over 0.9 % per gram of grains processed. These results suggest the need to reach 'compromise' decisions based on economic impact studies in the face of the variables that originate simultaneously both positive and negative effects.

Effects of dietary antioxidant of tomato extract and lycopene on Carassius auratus and Xiphophorus maculatus / Efecto antioxidante de un extracto de jitomate y licopeno en Carassius auratus y Xiphophorus maculatus

Objective. Evaluate the effect on tegument pigmentation, survival, growth and antioxidant capacity in diets supplemented with tomato extract and lycopene as additives in experimental feed for Carassius auratus and Xiphophorus maculatus. Materials and methods. The additives were added in different concentrations to a basic diet. We performed beginning and an ending biometrics for 100% of the population in each bioassay. The growth and survival of organisms were evaluated. The antioxidant capacity was analyzed by ABTS assay, both in the tomato extract sample as well as in foods used in different bioassays. The concentration of lycopene was determined in food and liver and muscle samples of fish fed with it. Acquired pigmentation of fish was assessed through photographs analyzed with Adobe Photoshop®. The results were evaluated by analysis of variance, and when differences were found (p<0.05) the means were compared by the Tukey test. Results. No significant effect (p>0.05) on pigmentation and growth of the organisms under the established experimental conditions was obtained. Significant differences in antioxidant capacity (p<0.05) were obtained in foods with added lycopene. Conclusions. The inclusion of lycopene or tomato extract in food for the organisms used is not recommended to improve pigmentation, but further studies are needed to demonstrate antioxidant effect.

Objetivo. Evaluar el efecto sobre la coloración de la piel, la sobrevivencia, el crecimiento y la capacidad antioxidante por dietas suplementadas con extracto de jitomate y licopeno como aditivos en la alimentación de Carassius auratus y de Xiphophorus maculatus. Materiales y métodos. Los aditivos se añadieron en diferentes concentraciones a una dieta base. Se realizó una biometría inicial y una final del 100% de la población en cada bioensayo. Se evaluó el crecimiento y supervivencia de los organismos. La capacidad antioxidante se analizó a través del ensayo ABTS, tanto a la muestra de extracto de jitomate como a los alimentos utilizados en diferentes bioensayos. Se determinó la concentración de licopeno a los alimentos y en muestras de hígado y músculo de peces alimentados con ellos. La pigmentación adquirida por los peces se evaluó a través de fotografías analizadas con el programa de Adobe Photoshop®. Los resultados fueron evaluados con análisis de varianza, cuando se encontraron diferencias (p<0.05) las medias fueron comparadas mediante la prueba de Tukey. Resultados. No se obtuvo un efecto significativo (p>0.05) sobre la pigmentación y el crecimiento de los organismos en estudio bajo las condiciones experimentales establecidas. Se obtuvieron diferencias significativas (p<0.05) en la capacidad antioxidante en los alimentos adicionados con licopeno. Conclusiones. La inclusión de licopeno o de extracto de jitomate en alimentos para los organismos utilizados no es recomendable con el fin de mejorar la pigmentación, aunque se requieren otros estudios para demostrar su efecto antioxidante.

Is community treatment best? a randomised trial comparing delivery of cancer treatment in the hospital, home and GP surgery.

BACKGROUND: Care closer to home is being explored as a means of improving patient experience as well as efficiency in terms of cost savings. Evidence that community cancer services improve care quality and/or generate cost savings is currently limited. A randomised study was undertaken to compare delivery of cancer treatment in the hospital with two different community settings. METHODS: Ninety-seven patients being offered outpatient-based cancer treatment were randomised to treatment delivered in a hospital day unit, at the patient's home or in local general practice (GP) surgeries. The primary outcome was patient-perceived benefits, using the emotional function domain of the EORTC quality of life (QOL) QLQC30 questionnaire evaluated after 12 weeks. Secondary outcomes included additional QOL measures, patient satisfaction, safety and health economics. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant QOL difference between treatment in the combined community locations relative to hospital (difference of -7.2, 95% confidence interval: -19·5 to +5·2, P=0.25). There was a significant difference between the two community locations in favour of home (+15·2, 1·3 to 29·1, P=0.033). Hospital anxiety and depression scale scores were consistent with the primary outcome measure. There was no evidence that community treatment compromised patient safety and no significant difference between treatment arms in terms of overall costs or Quality Adjusted Life Year. Seventy-eight percent of patients expressed satisfaction with their treatment whatever their location, whereas 57% of patients preferred future treatment to continue at the hospital, 81% at GP surgeries and 90% at home. Although initial pre-trial interviews revealed concerns among health-care professionals and some patients regarding community treatment, opinions were largely more favourable in post-trial interviews. INTERPRETATION: Patient QOL favours delivering cancer treatment in the home rather than GP surgeries. Nevertheless, both community settings were acceptable to and preferred by patients compared with hospital, were safe, with no detrimental impact on overall health-care costs.