Effect of packaging thickness and muscle type on ultrasound-assisted beef quality.

High-intensity ultrasound (HIU) can modify muscle structure, leading to improvements in tenderness. However, factors such as packing type and muscle complexity may attenuate the acoustic cavitation. In this research, the effect of packing thickness (40.6-70 µm) on the quality of bovine Gluteus medius and Biceps femoris treated with HIU (37 kHz, 90 W/cm2, 40 min) was evaluated. The hardness of G. medius decreased significantly as the thickness of the packing bag decreased. The wide interfibrillar and intermyofibrillar spaces corroborated the tenderizing effect. These effects are related to damage of cell structure and changes in the collagen content (3.37 ± 0.1 µg/mL). In addition, the HIU decrease the variability in the water holding capacity of the muscle produced by the use of low thickness bags during storage. The trained sensory panel described the sonicated samples in 50.8 µm bags as less hard and juicier. Contrarily, in B. femoris no significant effects were reported in the variables evaluated. B. femoris is a white muscle, with a high amount of collagen (3.59 ± 0.1 µg/mL) and little intramuscular fat. Consequently, the effect of the HIU on muscle quality is associated with the composition of the muscle fibers and the thickness of the packing bag. HIU application is recommended to improve the quality of leg muscles whenever low-thickness bags (50.8 µm or less) are used.

Nodule-specific Cu+ -chaperone NCC1 is required for symbiotic nitrogen fixation in Medicago truncatula root nodules.

Cu+ -chaperones are a diverse group of proteins that allocate Cu+ ions to specific copper proteins, creating different copper pools targeted to specific physiological processes. Symbiotic nitrogen fixation carried out in legume root nodules indirectly requires relatively large amounts of copper, for example for energy delivery via respiration, for which targeted copper deliver systems would be required. MtNCC1 is a nodule-specific Cu+ -chaperone encoded in the Medicago truncatula genome, with a N-terminus Atx1-like domain that can bind Cu+ with picomolar affinities. MtNCC1 is able to interact with nodule-specific Cu+ -importer MtCOPT1. MtNCC1 is expressed primarily from the late infection zone to the early fixation zone and is located in the cytosol, associated with plasma and symbiosome membranes, and within nuclei. Consistent with its key role in nitrogen fixation, ncc1 mutants have a severe reduction in nitrogenase activity and a 50% reduction in copper-dependent cytochrome c oxidase activity. A subset of the copper proteome is also affected in the ncc1 mutant nodules. Many of these proteins can be pulled down when using a Cu+ -loaded N-terminal MtNCC1 moiety as a bait, indicating a role in nodule copper homeostasis and in copper-dependent physiological processes. Overall, these data suggest a pleiotropic role of MtNCC1 in copper delivery for symbiotic nitrogen fixation.

Energetics, electron uptake mechanisms and limitations of electroautotrophs growing on biocathodes - A review.

Electroautotrophs are microorganisms that can take the electrons needed for energy generation, CO2 fixation and other metabolic reactions from a polarized electrode. They have been the focus of intense research for its application in wastewater treatment, bioelectrosynthetic processes and hydrogen generation. As a general trend, current densities produced by the electron uptake of these microorganisms are low, limiting their applicability at large scale. In this work, the electron uptake mechanisms that may operate in electroautotrophs are reviewed, aiming at finding possible causes for this low performance. Biomass yields, growth rates and electron uptake rates observed when these microorganisms use chemical electron donors are compared with those typically obtained with electrodes, to explore limitations and advantages inherent to the electroautotrophic metabolism. Also, the factors affecting biofilm development are analysed to show how interfacial interactions condition bacterial adhesion, biofilm growth and electrons uptake. Finally, possible strategies to overcome these limitations are described.

First description of extrafloral nectaries in Opuntia robusta (Cactaceae): Anatomy and ultrastructure.

To our knowledge, there are no studies about the structure and ecological function of extrafloral nectaries (EFNs) in Opuntia robusta. This is the first description of EFNs in O. robusta, where young spines have an interesting structure and a secreting function, which are different from EFNs described in other Cactaceae species. We used light, scanning-electron, and transmission-electron microscopy to examine morphology, anatomy, and ultrastructure of the secretory spines in areoles in female and hermaphrodite individuals of O. robusta. Young cladodes develop areoles with modified and secretory spines as EFNs only active during the early growth phase. EFNs are non-vascularized structures, with no stomata, that consist of a basal meristematic tissue, a middle elongation region, and an apical secretory cone formed by large globular epidermal cells, containing nectar and medullar elongated cells. We observed the presence of Golgi apparatus, vesicles and plastids in the medullar and sup-epidermal cells of the spine. We propose that the nectar is stored in the globular cells at the apex of the spine and secreted by breaking through the globular cells or by pores. We recorded a more frequent presence of ants on younger cladode sprouts producing young secreting spines: this result is parallel with the predictions of Optimal Defense Hypothesis, which states that younger plant organs should be better defended than older ones because their loss produces a higher fitness impairment. Although Diaz-Castelazo's hypothesis states that a more complex structure of EFNs correlates with their lower among-organs dispersion, comparing to less complex EFNs, non-vascularized structure of EFNs in O. robusta is not associated with their higher among-organs dispersion likened to O. stricta, which produces vascularized EFNs. We provide evidence that this characteristic is not a good taxonomic feature of Opuntia genus. Moreover, the comparison of EFNs of O. robusta and O. stricta suggests that the hypothesis of Diaz-Castelazo should be revised: it is rather a rule but not a law.

Impact of statin guidelines on statin utilization and costs in an employer-based primary care clinic.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to describe statin utilization and costs in an employer-based patient cohort by comparing actual practice and assumed adoption of the 2013 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) or 2016 US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) statin recommendations versus the guidelines described in 2001 (and supplemented in 2004) in the Third Report of the National Cholesterol Education Program's Expert Panel on Detection, Evaluation and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in Adults (ATPIII). STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive cohort analysis included patients treated in an employer-based primary care clinic between January 2012 and April 2014. METHODS: ATPIII, ACC/AHA, and USPSTF recommendations were retrospectively applied at the patient level based on lipid levels and statin prescribing data collected from a health risk assessment and electronic health record. Actual statin prescribing was compared with prescribing predicted by guideline recommendations. Costs for each strategy were estimated using employer pharmacy claims data. RESULTS: The study included 555 patients, of whom 112 (20.2%) were treated with a statin at baseline. ATPIII and ACC/AHA recommended statin use in 284 (51.2%) and 279 (50.3%) patients, respectively. Within the subgroup of 479 primary prevention patients, ACC/AHA recommended statin use in 203 (42.4%) versus USPSTF, which recommended statin use in 91 (19.0%). The 90-day cost per patient was similar to baseline with implementation of ATPIII or ACC/AHA recommendations, excluding use of brand name-only high-intensity statins, and costs could be reduced slightly with implementation of USPSTF guidelines. CONCLUSIONS: Despite differences in ATPIII, ACC/AHA, and USPSTF guidelines, application of any of these statin recommendations would result in optimized statin utilization and fairly neutral effects on cost in this real-world employer-based population.

Application of matrix-assisted laser desorption and ionization time of flight mass spectrometry to the study of the proteinaceous binders in paint: blue paint composition in the series "The Life of Virgin" by Alonso Cano (17th century) as a case study.

The identification of proteinaceous materials in paint constituents provides very valuable information regarding the techniques used by the painter and the most suitable procedures for conserving and restoring their works. Although the analysis of proteinaceous materials is nowadays a common task when dealing with works of art, the reliable detection and identification of protein traces is still complicated, particularly when very small samples can be taken that may contain a mixture of different organic materials (oils, waxes, resins, gums etc.). We therefore proposed a proteomic approach to investigate protein materials in paintings at trace levels in order to obtain a better understanding of the painter's technique. After trypsin digestion of the paint samples, mass spectra were obtained by matrix-assisted laser desorption and ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) and they were compared with the Mascot database and with theoretical digested proteins. This study contributes to the knowledge about the technique used by Alonso Cano (Granada, Spain, 1601-1667), one of the most original and brilliant artists from the Spanish Golden Age (17th century), in the series called the Life of the Virgin (six paintings), part of the iconographic program about the life of the Virgin Mary, nowadays seen in the main chapel of Granada Cathedral. The objective of the present study was to test the use of proteinaceous material, mainly egg yolk, in the paint used by Cano, as suggested in previous research, although this would have been unusual at that time when most artists used oil paints. Based on the results of the analysis here presented, the use of protein in the binding media can most likely be excluded.

First experience with the ATOMS(®) implant, a new treatment option for male urinary incontinence.

INTRODUCTION: Urinary incontinence (UI) is defined as any complaint of involuntary urine leakage. A description is provided of our experience with the ATOMS(®) (Adjustable Transobturator Male System. Agency for Medical Innovations. A.M.I.) adjustable implant in patients with mild to moderate UI. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective study was made of the data referring to 13 patients treated with this adjustable system. Demographic and personal data were collected along with information on the etiology, severity, characteristics, duration of UI, complementary tests, surgery times, complications and results obtained. RESULTS: The full continence (no use of pad) recovery rate at the close of the study was 12/13 (92.3%). Three cases required a single filling during the mean 16 months of follow-up (range 4-32; median 14 months). A complication in the form of perineal hematoma was resolved with conservative treatment and a case of urinary retention was resolved by placing a bladder catheter for the duration of one week. Three patients experienced perineal-scrotal dysesthesias that disappeared spontaneously in the first three months. CONCLUSIONS: The described adjustable continence system has been found to be very effective in males with mild to moderate UI. In our experience, the ATOMS(®) implant offers excellent results over the middle term with a very low rate of complications that were easily resolved in all cases.

Study of the GC-MS determination of the palmitic-stearic acid ratio for the characterisation of drying oil in painting: La Encarnación by Alonso Cano as a case study.

The correct identification of drying oils plays an essential role in providing an understanding of the conservation and deterioration of artistic materials in works of art. To this end, this work proposes the use of peak area ratios from fatty acids after ensuring that the linear responses of the detector are tested. A GC-MS method, previously reported in the literature, was revisited to its developed and validated in order to identify and quantify of eight fatty acids that are widely used as markers for drying oils in paintings, namely myristic acid (C(14:0)), palmitic acid (C(16:0)), stearic acid (C(18:0)), oleic acid (C(18:1)), linoleic acid (C(18:2)), suberic acid (2C(8)), azelaic acid, (2C(9)) and sebacic acid (2C(10)). The quaternary ammonium reagent m-(trifluoromethyl)phenyltrimethylammonium hydroxide (TMTFAH) was used for derivatization prior to GC-MS analysis of the oils. MS spectra were obtained for each methyl ester derivative of the fatty acids and the characteristic fragments were identified. The method was validated in terms of calibration functions, detection and quantification limits and reproducibility using the signal recorded in SIR mode, since two of the methyl derivatives were not totally separated in the chromatographic run. The proposed method was successfully applied to identify and characterise the most widely used drying oils (linseed oil, poppy seed oil and walnut oil) in the painting La Encarnación. This 17th century easel painting is located in the main chapel of the cathedral in Granada (Spain) and was painted by the well-known artist of the Spanish Golden Age, Alonso Cano (1601-1667).

Preliminary study of UV ageing process of proteinaceous paint binder by FT-IR and principal component analysis.

This work presents a preliminary study on the ageing process of proteinaceous binder materials used in painting under UV light. With this aim, two sets of model samples were prepared: samples prepared using a single protein material and complex samples prepared in a similar way to the sequence of layers in a real painting from lowest to highest complexity (protein, drying oils, pigment and varnish). The study focuses on acquiring information about the possible degradation process of proteinaceous binders due to ageing and how this process be affected by the presence of characteristic non-proteinaceous painting materials, such as lipids from linseed oil, terpenic compounds from varnish and inorganic pigments. Samples simulated the accelerated ageing process, as did the UV light exposition. The FT-IR spectra were recorded after 100, 500, 1000 and 1500 h of exposition. The study of the accelerated ageing process was performed by means of principal component analysis (PCA) using the FT-IR spectra obtained. Loadings from the significant principal components were analysed to find the FT-IR frequency (cm(-1)) involved in the degradation process. The study showed the lack of any relevant modification on the proteins in the single model samples. On the contrary, the complex model samples showed the ageing process. The accelerated ageing process can be explained by a principal component from PCA. The most affected IR region was 2900-3600 cm(-1), where the amide band was included.

Pseudotunor inflamatorio de pulmón: en preescolar femenina: a propósito de un caso / Inflammatory pseudotumors of the lung: in female preschool: a purpose of a case

El pseudotumor inflamatorio es una lesión benigna inflamatoria caracterizada en el aspecto histológico por una mezcla de fibroblastos, histiocitos, linfocitos y células plasmáticas. Relativamente rara, con localización tamaño, y sintomatología variable, que puede simular la presencia de un tumor maligno. En la infancia se presenta como una masa intrapulmonar. Se describe caso de paciente preescolar femenina de 3 años de edad, quien consultó a nuestro centro por presentar fiebre, disfagia y tos de 3 meses de evolución. Se evidenció en estudios imaginológicos de tórax, imagen densa en base de hemitórax izquierdo que impresionó como empiema tabicado. Se le realizó toracotomía izquierda evidenciándose tumoración intercisural, adherida fuertemente a pared torácica, diafragma y proyectada a mediastino posterior. Además lesiones satélites en pleura parietal. Se toma muestra de lesión principal y resección de las satélites para estudio histopatológico, la cual reportó pseudotumor inflamatorio. El pseudotumor inflamatorio es una patología tumoral benigna, que se sospecha en niños con infecciones respiratorias a repetición, refractaria a tratamiento convencional y con hallazgos imaginológicos compatibles con lesión ocupante de espacio a nivel pulmonar. Se puede observar su relación con el virus de Epstein-Baar. El diagnóstico es sólo posible por biopsia, y el tratamiento de elección es resección quirúrgica. Sin embargo, en este caso se evidenció aparente mejoría dada por la disminución de la masa tumoral con el tratamiento con antiinflamatorios no esteroideos.

The pseudo inflammatory tumor is a benign lesion characterized in the histological aspect by a mixture of fibroblasts, histiocytes, lymphocytes and plasmatic cells. Relatively rare, with location, size and variable simptomatology that it can simulate the presence of a malignant tumor. In the childhood it appears like an intrapulmonary mass. A case of female infant patient of 3 years old is described, that consult to our center to display fever, dysphagia and cough of 3 months of evolution. In radiological images of thorax were viewed a dense image in the left thorax base that impresses septate emphyema. A left thoracotomy was made viewed an intercysural tumor like, adhered strongly to thoracic wall, diaphragm and projected to later mediastinum, and in addition, satellites injuries in parietal pleural. An incisional sample of main lesion was taking and complete resection of the satellites to histopathology study, which reported pseudo inflammatory tumor. Pseudo inflammatory tumor is a benign tumoral pathology that is suspected in children with repetition respiratory infection refracted to conventional treatment and with image findings compatible with tumor at pulmonary level. Its relation with the virus of Epstein-Baar can be observed. The diagnosis is only possible by biopsy, and the election treatment is the surgical resection. Although in this case the improvement was viewed by diminution of tumor mass with use of non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs.

Papilomatosis esofagica y en vias respiratorias: informe de casos / Papillomatosis of the esophagus and of the airways: a case report

Se presentan dos casos estudiados en el Centro de Investigaciones Medicoquirúrgicas (CIMEQ), diagnosticados de papilomatosis en esófago uno y en vías respiratorias el otro. Se realiza un breve recuento del diagnóstico, la evolución y el tratamiento tanto médico como quirúrgico aplicado a cada uno. En la actualidad los pacientes se encuentran bajo tratamiento sistémico con interferón α. El paciente con diagnóstico de papilomatosis de las vías respiratorias presenta recidiva de la enfermedad, constatada por broncoscopias posteriormente realizadas(AU)

Two cases are presented studied in the Center of Investigations Medicoquirúrgicas (CIMEQ), diagnosed of papilomatosis in esophagus one and in breathing roads the other one. He/she is carried out a brief recount of the diagnosis, the evolution and the treatment so much medical as surgical applied each one. At the present time the patients are low systemic treatment with interferón to. The patient with diagnosis of papilomatosis of the breathing roads presents relapse of the illness, verified later on by broncoscopias carried out(AU)

Acute effects of tianeptine on circulating neurotransmitters and cardiovascular parameters.

Tianeptine is a serotonin-uptake enhancer drug whose antidepressant effectiveness is based on its ability to reduce rather than increase serotonin availability at the synaptic cleft. This paradoxical neuropharmacological mechanism has raised doubt among neuropharmacologists and psychiatrists as to the role of tianeptine as a trusty-reliable antidepressant drug. This controversial issue led us to investigate the acute effects of a single, oral dose (12.5 mg) of this drug on circulating neurotransmitters and cardiovascular parameters in 50 healthy subjects. The drug provoked a striking and significant reduction of plasma noradrenaline (NA) and plasma serotonin (f-5-HT) while it increased plasma dopamine (DA) and platelet serotonin (p-5-HT) concentrations within the 4-h study period. No adrenaline (Ad) changes were registered. The NA/Ad ratio and the f-5-HT/p-5-HT ratio showed significant reduction throughout the test. Finally, although diastolic blood pressure (DBP) showed significant decrease, neither systolic blood pressure (SBP) nor heart rate (HR) showed significant change. These findings are consistent with the postulation that tianeptine reduces both neural sympathetic activity and parasympathetic activity without affecting adrenal sympathetic activity, enabling us to discuss the possible mechanisms involved in the antidepressant effects of tianeptine. The well-known fact that major depressed patients always show raised NA plus lower than normal p-5-HT levels, both disorders which are normalized by tianeptine, gives neurochemical support to the clinical improvement triggered by the drug in these patients. Summarizing, the results presented in this study demonstrate that tianeptine triggers significant reduction of circulating noradrenaline and plasma serotonin while increasing circulating dopamine and platelet serotonin. Other possible neuropharmacological effects are also discussed.

Neurochemical, neuroautonomic and neuropharmacological acute effects of sibutramine in healthy subjects.

Sibutramine is a neuropharmacological drug that exerts central (CNS) and peripheral effects including noradrenaline (NA), and serotonin (5-HT) uptake inhibition. In addition, the drug is able to induce release from DA axons. We measured levels of circulating neurotransmitters in 20 healthy subjects during supine-resting (fasting) state before and after 15 mg of oral sibutramine. Systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and heart rate (HR) were also monitored. Sibutramine triggered sustained and progressive increase of NA, NA/Ad ratio and DBP. Slight increases of DA were also registered between the 60 and 240 min periods. The rise in DA tended to fade progressively, reaching basal level at 360 min period. Diastolic blood pressure, but neither SBP nor HR, showed significant increases that correlated positively with NA/Ad ratios. Slight but significant negative correlation was also found between DBP and DA. This correlation tended to fade throughout the trial to show no significance at the 360 min period. Although neither plasma serotonin (f-5HT) nor platelet serotonin (p-5HT) values showed significant variation throughout the trial, the f-5HT/p-5HT ratio showed significant decrease throughout. Significant negative correlation was found between f-5HT/p-5HT ratio and NA/Ad ratio. Our results indicate that sibutramine stimulates neural sympathetic activity but not adrenal sympathetic activity in healthy individuals. Further, sibutramine lowers parasympathetic activity. The moderate rise in diastolic blood pressure triggered by sibutramine would be associated with CNS-NA enhancement plus parasympathetic inhibition.

[Treatment of post-dural-puncture headache with intravenous cortisone]. / Tratamiento de la cefalea postpunción dural con hidrocortisona intravenosa.

Postdural puncture headache (PDPH) is the most frequent complication of procedures involving dural penetration for spinal anesthesia or following unintentional dural puncture during attempted epidural anesthesia or analgesia. PDPH causes serious problems for women who have just given birth, as they are unable to give adequate care to their infants. The causes of PDPH are poorly understood and treatments are therefore various and symptomatic; most are empirical and not all are effective. When conservative measures fail, an alternative that may be proposed is the blood patch, an invasive technique which is not without risk and which many patients reject. We report three cases of incapacitating PDPH in women after vaginal or caesarian delivery in which symptoms resolved with intravenous hydrocortisone treatment. Hydrocortisone treatment for PDPH has never been reported in the literature, but given our results, we consider that clinical trials are warranted to establish the efficacy of this treatment and to determine if there is a chance that it might offer an alternative to the blood patch.

Tratamiento de la cefalea postpunción dural con hidrocortisona intravenosa / Intravenous hydrocortisone treatment for postdural puncture headache

La cefalea postpunción dural (CPPD) es la complicación más frecuente de los procedimientos en los que se perfora la duramadre, incluyendo la anestesia subaracnoidea y la anestesia o analgesia epidural, con punción dural accidental. Constituye un cuadro especialmente grave en la puérpera, que no puede atender adecuadamente a su recién nacido. La etiología no se conoce completamente, por lo que los múltiples tratamientos propuestos son sintomáticos, en su mayoría empíricos y no siempre eficaces. Cuando las medidas conservadoras fracasan, se propone como alternativa el parche hemático, una técnica invasiva, no exenta de riesgos y que muchas pacientes rechazan. Presentamos 3 mujeres que en el puerperio inmediato desarrollaron un cuadro grave de cefalea postpunción dural, que remitió con hidrocortisona intravenosa. No está descrita la utilización de la hidrocortisona para tratar esta complicación, pero dados los resultados obtenidos, consideramos que se deberían llevar a cabo ensayos clínicos que nos permitieran establecer la efectividad de este tratamiento y precisar si, al menos en determinados casos, podría sustituir al parche hemático (AU)

El manejo de las lesiones penetrantes del tórax en la práctica civil: experiencia clínica / Management of penetrating wound of thorax on civil practice: clinical experience

En base a 253 casos de trauma torácicos los autores recomiendan la colocación de dos tubos de drenaje torácico 36 a 40 Frenh. La toracotomía precoz con la utilización de máquinas autosuturadoras, en los casos en los cuales está indicada, se considera como de gran beneficio