Efficacy of sodium hypochlorite and peracetic acid against Aspergillus nomius in Brazil nuts.

The objective of this work was to assess the efficacy of sodium hypochlorite and peracetic acid for sanitization of Brazil nuts. To evaluate the natural microbiota of the nuts, the total bacteria and fungi as well as the Aspergillus section Flavi were counted. The moisture, water activity and the presence of aflatoxins was quantified. The response surface method was used to determine the influence of exposure time and sanitizers concentration on the reduction of Aspergillus nomius inoculated on the nuts. Microbiological, sensory and quantification analyzes of aflatoxins were performed under optimum conditions The evaluation of the initial contamination of the nuts, despite presenting high microbiological contamination, humidity and water activity, was not detected aflatoxins in any samples. In artificially inoculated samples, the response surface and the desirability function were obtained to determine the optimal point of use for each sanitizer. The nuts had high microbiological contamination, moisture content and water activity. Aflatoxins were not detected in any samples. The response surface and desirability function indicated the optimal sanitization conditions were 250 mg/L and 8.5 min and 140 mg/L and 15 min for sodium hypochlorite and peracetic acid, respectively. Reductions greater than 2 log CFU/g were obtained with sodium hypochlorite and of 1 log CFU/g for peracetic acid. In the tests performed with new Brazil nuts samples under the optimized conditions, reductions of less than 2 log CFU/g were obtained. Aflatoxin B1 was detected in one untreated sample (1.51 µg/kg), one sample treated with sodium hypochlorite (0.60 µg/kg) and two samples treated with peracetic acid (0.64 and 0.72 µg/kg). Demonstrating that the sanitizers in the concentrations used had no action on aflatoxins, despite being efficient for fungal control. The treatments did not cause an unacceptable sensorial impact on the samples.

Influence of the cleaning system of conveyor belts on microbiological quality of poultry meat / Influência do sistema de autolimpeza das esteiras condutoras de cortes sobre a qualidade microbiológica da carne de frango

This study focused on assessing the microbiology of conveyor belts surfaces, cleaned or not with pressurized water, and verification of the influence of this process on the microbiological quality of poultry meat. A reduction on mesophilic, psychrotrophic and Enterobacteriaceae counts (P<0.05) on dry conveyor belts compared to wet ones was observed. For the chicken leg (consisting of drumstick and thigh) samples, no statistically significant differences were detected on counts of indicators of microorganisms on poultry legs (composed by drumstick and thigh). For poultry meat conducted on wet or dry conveyor belts, 99% and 86%, were positive for Listeria spp, respectively. Only one sample of chicken leg was positive for presence of L. monocytogenes. These results demonstrate that there is no need to use water for cleaning conveyor belts during processing, which allows a reduction on the use of potable water in poultry slaughterhouses without jeopardizing food safety and public health.(AU)

Objetivou-se avaliar a qualidade microbiológica das superfícies das esteiras condutoras de cortes de carne de frango, higienizadas ou não com água pressurizada, bem como verificar a influência desse processo na qualidade microbiológica de cortes de frango. Foram observadas menores contagens, com diferença estatisticamente significativa (P<0,05) entre as populações de mesófilos, psicrotróficos e enterobactérias, nas esteiras condutoras de cortes secas em relação às úmidas. Nos cortes de coxa com sobrecoxa, as médias encontradas para populações de microrganismos indicadores não apresentaram diferenças estatisticamente significativas. Nos cortes analisados conduzidos pelas esteiras seca e úmida, 99% e 86% foram positivos para o isolamento de Listeria spp., respectivamente. Apenas uma amostra de corte de coxa com sobrecoxa desossada foi positiva para a presença de L. monocytogenes. Os resultados demonstram a possibilidade do desligamento do sistema de autolimpeza das esteiras condutoras de cortes, obedecendo às questões de segurança dos alimentos e à saúde pública, o que resulta na redução do uso de água potável pelos matadouros-frigoríficos de aves.(AU)

Safety of lumbar puncture in patients with cerebral venous thrombosis.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Lumbar puncture (LP) may precipitate cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT), but it is unclear if LP is deleterious in patients with CVT. We aimed to assess the safety of LP in the International Study on Cerebral Veins and Dural Sinus Thrombosis prospective cohort. METHODS: In 624 patients with CVT, we compared the prognosis of patients submitted or not to LP. The primary outcome was 'death or dependency at 6 months', as evaluated by the modified Rankin Scale (mRS; mRS = 3-6, with adjustment for variables associated with poor prognosis); secondary outcomes were: 'worsening after admission'; 'acute death'; and 'complete recovery at 6 months' (mRS = 0-1). We analyzed the same outcomes in subgroups of patients with brain lesions on the admission computer tomography/magnetic resonance imaging. RESULTS: LP was performed in 224 patients (35.9%). There was no difference in frequency of 'death or dependency at 6 months' between patients with or without LP [13.4% vs. 14.4%; odds ratio (OR) = 0.9, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.6-1.5; P = 0.739]. LP was not associated with 'worsening after hospitalization' [21.5% vs. 23.5%; OR = 0.9, 95% CI 0.6-1.3; P = 0.577], 'acute death' [3.6% vs. 3.3%; OR = 1.1, 95% CI 0.5-2.7; P = 0.844] or 'complete recovery' [79.9% vs. 76.6%; OR = 1.2, 95% CI 0.8-1.7; P = 0.484]. In the subgroups of patients with brain lesions, the prognoses were not different between patients submitted or not to LP. CONCLUSION: LP was not associated with the functional outcome of patients with CVT, suggesting that LP was not harmful in these patients. These results should not be generalized to patients with large brain lesions and risk of herniation where LP is contraindicated.

Drought tolerant stem anatomy characteristics in Manihot esculenta (Euphorbiaceae) and a wild relative.

The stem structure of two cassava cultivars, UnB 99 and UnB 110, known for being adapted to humid conditions and tolerant to drought, respectively, and of a wild species, Manihot glaziovii, was examined anatomically. Free-hand sections of secondary stems were made, clarified with 50% sodium hypochlorite solution, stained with 1% alcian-blue safranin, and then passed through an ethanol series and butyl acetate, followed by mounting in synthetic resin. M. glaziovii stems had dense prismatic and druse crystals in the cortical parenchyma, along with abundant gelatinous fibers. The pericycle fibers also had thicker walls. An absence of crystals, offset by abundant starch, was observed in clone UnB 99. In M. glaziovii, abundant tyloses were found in vessel elements; these were rare in clones UnB 99 and UnB 110. The wild species had larger vascular vessels; the secondary xylem showed very little starch, unlike UnB 99 and UnB 110. In clone UnB 110, starch was observed in the cortical region, and medulla and gelatinous fibers were found in the pericycle and secondary xylem. Brown stem color was found to be associated with tolerance to drought.

Compatibility of interspecific Manihot crosses presaged by protein electrophoresis .

Cross incompatibility of wild Manihot species with cassava (M. esculenta) can impede their utilization for improving this cultigen. We tested whether compatibility could be determined based on electrophoresis results. Manihot pilosa, M. glaziovii, M. reptans, and M. cearulescens were tested. These species were allowed to hybridize with cassava to determine whether hybridization coincides with the similarity index based on electrophoresis analysis. Gene markers of leaf shape, stem surface, disk color, and fruit shape were used to confirm hybridization. Manihot pilosa and M. glaziovii successfully hybridized with cassava, while the others failed to do so under natural conditions. This result coincided with the similarity index from electrophoresis.

Sensory stability of ultra-high temperature milk in polyethylene bottle.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the sensory stability of ultra-high temperature (UHT) milk subjected to different heat treatments and stored at room temperature in white high density polyethylene bottles (HDPE) pigmented with titanium dioxide. Two lots of 300 units each were processed, respectively, at 135 and 141 degrees C/10 s using indirect heating and subsequently aseptically filled in an ISO class 7 clean room. These experimental lots were evaluated for appearance, aroma, flavor, and overall appreciation and compared to samples of commercial UHT milk purchased from local commercial stores. The time-temperature combinations investigated did not affect either the acceptability or the shelf life of the milk. Despite the limited light barrier properties of HDPE bottles, the product contained in the package tested exhibited good stability, with a shelf life ranging from 4 to 11 wk. Within this time period, the acceptability of the experimental lots was similar to that of the commercial products. The results achieved in this study contribute to turn the low-cost UHT system investigated into a technically viable option for small-size dairy processing plants.

Validation of the Cross-Cultural Alcoholism Screening Test (CCAST).

BACKGROUND: When screening instruments that are used in the assessment and diagnosis of alcoholism of individuals from different ethnicities, some cultural variables based on norms and societal acceptance of drinking behavior can play an important role in determining the outcome. The accepted diagnostic criteria of current market testing are based on Western standards. METHODS: In this study, the Munich Alcoholism Test (31 items) was the base instrument applied to subjects from several Hispanic-American countries (Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador, Mexico, and Peru). After the sample was submitted to several statistical procedures, these 31 items were reduced to a culture-free, 31-item test named the Cross-Cultural Alcohol Screening Test (CCAST). RESULTS: The results of this Hispanic-American sample (n = 2,107) empirically demonstrated that CCAST measures alcoholism with an adequate degree of accuracy when compared to other available cross-cultural tests. CONCLUSIONS: CCAST is useful in the diagnosis of alcoholism in Spanish-speaking immigrants living in countries where English is spoken. CCAST can be used in general hospitals, psychiatric wards, emergency services and police stations. The test can be useful for other professionals, such as psychological consultants, researchers, and those conducting expertise appraisal.

El diagnóstico de alcoholismo en estudiantes de medicina un enfoque transhispanoamericano: México, Colombia, Perú (Lima y Cuzco) y Ecuador / Diagnosis of alcoholismo in students of medicine: A transhispanic-american approach: México, Colombia, Perú (Lima and Cuzco) and Ecuador

Mediante el inventario de evaluación sussmilch (IES), previamente validado y confiabilizado, se estableció una diferencia significativa entre la teoría y la realidad de la calidad de la información publicada (1967-1999). Esto señala que esos resultados no pueden generalizarse ni dentro ni fuera de las muestras de estudiantes, también de medicina. En contraste, con base en el principio de que resultados negativos también son resultados, en este ejercicio de demostró empíricamente que los resultados obtenidos representan bien a las muestras de estudiantes que fueron admitidos a cinco facultades de medicina hispanoamericana (FMH). Se desarrolló el indice de alcoholismo de pregrado (IAPG) integrado por cuatro (ó cinco) reactivos con respuestas dicotómicas, capaces de discernir, con error conocido, entre estudiantes de medicina no-alcohólicos (NOH), sospechosos (SOH) y alcohólicos (OH). El perfil psicométrico del IAPG exhibió una equivalente entre las Facultades de Medicina de la Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Universidad Nacional de Colombia (UNC), Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia(UPCH), universidad Nacional de San Antonio Abad del Cuzco (UNSAAC) y Universidad de Cuenca(UC).

Verdad de primer orden: la inconmensurabilidad del alcoholismo: los errores en la medición de la Prueba Diagnóstica de Alcoholismo Latinoamericana (PDAL) a través de la simulación baudrillardiana contrainducida / The mistakes in the measurment o Latinoamerican Diagnostic Test of alcoholism (LDTA) using contrainducing bauriladiarn simulation

Durante 18 años se aplicaron los 31 reactivos del test de alcoholismo Munich (MALT) a una muestra de 2107 probandos hispanoamericanos (714 mexicanos, 481 ecuatorianos, 145 peruanos, 652 chilenos y 115 bolivianos). Al no lograrse confirmar la estructura teórica explícita, se redujo a 13 ítems conformando la prueba diagnóstica de alcoholismo latinoamericano (PDAL), que arrojó los siguientes valores: el coeficiente de Cramer. 96585 corresponde a la validez por criterio exterior simulando en su modalidad de concurrente; los 13 reactivos del PDAL se alojaron en un solo factor, con un valor propio de 7.97954, que explicó el 61.4 por ciento de la variancia total ; la clasificación correcta total, según las tres puntuaciones de corte fue de 93.83 por ciento, siendo el más bajo el concerniente al diagnóstico de alcoholismo (91.9 por ciento), mientras que el de no alcoholismo fue de 94.7 por ciento y el de sospecha de 97.2 por ciento. Asimismo, con respecto a la confiabilidad, el coeficiente para establecer la consistencia interna fue de .9463, en relación a la división por mitades del PDAL, ésta exhibió una correlación entre las formas de .8976, el coeficiente de Spearman-Brown para colas desiguales correspondió a.9463, así como un coeficiente a para la primera cola de .9003 y .9902 para la segunda. Indicando que el PDAL, dentro del contexto hispanoamericano, mide lo que pretende medir y además lo hace con precisión.

El efecto de la adhesion religiosa y los patrones de consumo de alcohol / Effect of the religious adhesion and patterns of alcohol consumption

En 1985, Beltrán sotuvo que toda religión trae consigo una ideologia, la cual condiciona las actitudes de sus practicantes e influye en su comportamiento. Esto se demostró en el terreno impírico con respecto a los patrones de consumo de alcohol en una muestra aleatoria constotuida por 714 probandos, que fueron medidos con el Test de Alcoholismo Munich(MALT)

Complicacao ocular pelo uso de tiotepa no pos-operatorio de doenca de Bowen (relato de 1 caso). / Ocular complication due to the use of thio-tepa in the postoperative period of Bowen's disease (report of a case)

Os autores apresentam um caso de complicacao ocular apos a cirurgia de doenca de Bowen e utilizacao topica de tiotepa, que evoluiu de ulceracao corneana para perfuracao ocular e "phthisis bulbi". Ressaltam o risco potencial de iatrogenia e enfatizam a necessidade de maior cautela quando da utilizacao dessa droga