Occurrence of Fusarium spp. in Maize Grain Harvested in Portugal and Accumulation of Related Mycotoxins during Storage.

Maize is an important worldwide commodity susceptible to fungal contamination in the field, at harvest, and during storage. This work aimed to determine the occurrence of Fusarium spp. in maize grains produced in the Tagus Valley region of Portugal and the levels of related mycotoxins in the 2018 harvest and during their storage for six months in barrels, mimicking silos conditions. Continuous monitoring of temperature, CO2, and relative humidity levels were done, as well as the concentration of mycotoxins were evaluated and correlated with the presence of Fusarium spp. F. verticillioides was identified as the predominant Fusarium species. Zearalenone, deoxynivalenol and toxin T2 were not found at harvest and after storage. Maize grains showed some variability in the levels of fumonisins (Fum B1 and Fum B2). At the harvest, fumonisin B1 ranged from 1297 to 2037 µg/kg, and fumonisin B2 ranged from 411 to 618 µg/kg. Fumonisins showed a tendency to increase (20 to 40%) during six months of storage. Although a correlation between the levels of fumonisins and the monitoring parameters was not established, CO2 levels may be used to predict fungal activity during storage. The composition of the fungal population during storage may predict the incidence of mycotoxins.

A Dedicated Stitch to Allow Early Safe Mobilization Avoiding Drain-Induced Heart Injury.

Placement of a mediastinal drain is a routine procedure following heart surgery. Postoperative bed rest is often imposed due to the fear of potential risk of drain displacement and cardiac injury. We developed an encapsulating stitch as a feasible, effective and low-cost technique, which does not require advanced surgical skills for placement. This simple, novel approach compartmentalizes the drain allowing for safe early mobilization following cardiac surgery.

A dedicated stitch to allow early safe mobilization avoiding drain-induced heart injury

Abstract Placement of a mediastinal drain is a routine procedure following heart surgery. Postoperative bed rest is often imposed due to the fear of potential risk of drain displacement and cardiac injury. We developed an encapsulating stitch as a feasible, effective and low-cost technique, which does not require advanced surgical skills for placement. This simple, novel approach compartmentalizes the drain allowing for safe early mobilization following cardiac surgery.

Hemodynamic Changes During Heart Displacement in Aorta No-Touch Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery: A Pilot Study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the sequential changes of hemodynamic and metabolic parameters in patients who underwent aorta no-touch off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery (OPCAB). METHODS: Prospective study involving twenty-seven consecutive patients who underwent aorta no-touch OPCAB. The FloTrac/PreSep/Vigileo™ system (Edwards Lifesciences) was used to continuously record heart rate (HR), mean arterial blood pressure (MABP), central venous pressure (CVP), continuous cardiac index (FCI), stroke volume (SV), stroke volume variation (SVV), and central venous oxygen saturation (ScvO2). The parameters were assessed 5 min before, during and 5 min after each anastomosis (left anterior descending [LAD], posterior descending [PD], obtuse marginal [OM] and diagonal [Dg]). Postoperative lactate was also evaluated. RESULTS: There was no significant change in HR and MABP for all anastomoses, except for MABP during PD grafting (-10.1±2.7 mmHg, P=0.03). There was a significant decrease in ScvO2 only during PD and OM anastomoses (-9.4±0.4, P=0.03; -4.4±0.4, P=0.02; respectively). CVP drop after PD manipulation was strongly associated with a higher lactate during the first hours after surgery (r=-0.82; P=0.001). These hemodynamic changes were transient and entirely recovered after the heart was returned to its anatomical position. No significant differences were observed in FCI, SVV, or the systemic vascular resistance index (SVRI) during all anastomoses, except for a drop in SVRI during PD grafting (-8.03±2.3, P=0.007). SV tended to decrease during the procedure in all territories, but with statistically significant drop only in PD and OM grafting (-10.4±1.2, P=0.02; -13.6±5.1, P=0.007; respectively). CONCLUSION: Heart displacement for performing aorta no-touch OPCAB is well tolerated, with transient and endurable hemodynamic variations.

Hemodynamic changes during heart displacement in aorta no-touch off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery: a pilot study

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the sequential changes of hemodynamic and metabolic parameters in patients who underwent aorta no-touch off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery (OPCAB). Methods: Prospective study involving twenty-seven consecutive patients who underwent aorta no-touch OPCAB. The FloTrac/PreSep/Vigileo™ system (Edwards Lifesciences) was used to continuously record heart rate (HR), mean arterial blood pressure (MABP), central venous pressure (CVP), continuous cardiac index (FCI), stroke volume (SV), stroke volume variation (SVV), and central venous oxygen saturation (ScvO2). The parameters were assessed 5 min before, during and 5 min after each anastomosis (left anterior descending [LAD], posterior descending [PD], obtuse marginal [OM] and diagonal [Dg]). Postoperative lactate was also evaluated. Results: There was no significant change in HR and MABP for all anastomoses, except for MABP during PD grafting (-10.1±2.7 mmHg, P=0.03). There was a significant decrease in ScvO2 only during PD and OM anastomoses (-9.4±0.4, P=0.03; -4.4±0.4, P=0.02; respectively). CVP drop after PD manipulation was strongly associated with a higher lactate during the first hours after surgery (r=-0.82; P=0.001). These hemodynamic changes were transient and entirely recovered after the heart was returned to its anatomical position. No significant differences were observed in FCI, SVV, or the systemic vascular resistance index (SVRI) during all anastomoses, except for a drop in SVRI during PD grafting (-8.03±2.3, P=0.007). SV tended to decrease during the procedure in all territories, but with statistically significant drop only in PD and OM grafting (-10.4±1.2, P=0.02; -13.6±5.1, P=0.007; respectively). Conclusion: Heart displacement for performing aorta no-touch OPCAB is well tolerated, with transient and endurable hemodynamic variations.

The renewed concept of the Batista operation for ischemic cardiomyopathy: maximum ventricular reduction / O conceito renovado da operação de Batista na cardiomiopatia isquêmica: máxima redução ventricular

OBJECTIVES: The reconstruction of the left ventricle (LV) is effective in the treatment of ischemic cardiomyopathy with large akinetic or dyskinetic areas. However, late survival outcomes are related to the remnant left ventricular cavity size, thus eliminating intracavitary patch placement provides additional LV reduction. The aim of this study was to analyze the results with left ventricular reconstruction surgery using the concept of maximum ventricular reduction, with systematic patch abolition. METHODS: Seventy-six consecutive patients with ischemic heart disease (age 30-78 years, mean 57.6 ± 10.1), evolving in functional class III and IV underwent surgical ventricular reconstruction with no use of intracavitary patches or Teflon strips for closing the left ventriculotomy. RESULTS: The left ventricular end-systolic diameter decreased from 52.3 ± 5.4 in the preoperative period to 45.2 ± 6.9 mm in the postoperative period. LV ejection fraction increased from 34.2 percent ± 10.4 percent to 45.5 percent ± 9.4 percent. Associated CABG was performed in 75/76 patients with a mean of 2.4 grafts per patient. The 30-day mortality was 3/76 (3.9 percent). At an average follow up of 39 months, the majority of the patients (91.4 percent) remain in functional class I and II. CONCLUSION: The concept of maximizing LV reduction with systematic patchless reconstruction is feasible, safe and effective, the early and late outcomes comparing favorably to previous series reported in the medical literature. Additionally, the concept meets the contemporary pathophysiologic basis of heart failure.

OBJETIVO: A cirurgia de reconstrução do ventrículo esquerdo (VE) é efetiva no tratamento da cardiomiopatia isquêmica com grandes áreas acinéticas ou discinéticas. Entretanto, resultados de sobrevida tardia estão relacionados ao tamanho da cavidade ventricular esquerda remanescente, portanto eliminar retalhos intracavitários pode proporcionar redução adicional do VE. O objetivo deste trabalho foi analisar os resultados com a cirurgia de reconstrução ventricular esquerda utilizando o conceito da máxima redução ventricular, com sistemática eliminação de retalhos. MÉTODOS: Setenta e seis pacientes consecutivos com cardiomiopatia isquêmica (idade 30-78 anos, média 57,6 ± 10,1), evoluindo em classe funcional III e IV foram submetidos à cirurgia de reconstrução ventricular direta sem utilização de retalhos intracavitários ou materiais protéticos. RESULTADOS: O diâmetro sistólico final do VE diminuiu de 52,3 ± 5,4 no pré-operatório para 45,2 ± 6,9 mm no pós-operatório. A fração de ejeção aumentou de 34,2 por cento ± 10,4 por cento para 45,5 por cento ± 9,4 por cento. Revascularização miocárdica associada foi realizada em 75/76 pacientes, com média de 2,4 enxertos/paciente. Mortalidade em 30 dias foi 3/76 (3,9 por cento). No acompanhamento médio de 39 meses, a maioria dos pacientes (91,4 por cento) permanece em CF I ou II. CONCLUSÃO: O conceito de maximizar a redução do VE com a reconstrução sistemática sem uso de retalhos mostrou-se viável, segura e eficaz, com os resultados precoces e tardios comparando favoravelmente às séries relatadas na literatura médica. Além disso, o conceito harmoniza-se à base fisiopatológica contemporânea da insuficiência cardíaca.

The renewed concept of the Batista operation for ischemic cardiomyopathy: maximum ventricular reduction.

OBJECTIVES: The reconstruction of the left ventricle (LV) is effective in the treatment of ischemic cardiomyopathy with large akinetic or dyskinetic areas. However, late survival outcomes are related to the remnant left ventricular cavity size, thus eliminating intracavitary patch placement provides additional LV reduction. The aim of this study was to analyze the results with left ventricular reconstruction surgery using the concept of maximum ventricular reduction, with systematic patch abolition. METHODS: Seventy-six consecutive patients with ischemic heart disease (age 30-78 years, mean 57.6 ± 10.1), evolving in functional class III and IV underwent surgical ventricular reconstruction with no use of intracavitary patches or Teflon strips for closing the left ventriculotomy. RESULTS: The left ventricular end-systolic diameter decreased from 52.3 ± 5.4 in the preoperative period to 45.2 ± 6.9 mm in the postoperative period. LV ejection fraction increased from 34.2% ± 10.4% to 45.5% ± 9.4%. Associated CABG was performed in 75/76 patients with a mean of 2.4 grafts per patient. The 30-day mortality was 3/76 (3.9%). At an average follow up of 39 months, the majority of the patients (91.4%) remain in functional class I and II. CONCLUSION: The concept of maximizing LV reduction with systematic patchless reconstruction is feasible, safe and effective, the early and late outcomes comparing favorably to previous series reported in the medical literature. Additionally, the concept meets the contemporary pathophysiologic basis of heart failure.

Spectral features and stability of oligomeric pyranoanthocyanin-flavanol pigments isolated from red wines.

The spectral characteristics and stability of three red wine pigments (pyranoMv-catechin, pyranoMv-epicatechin, and pyranoMv-dimer B3) toward pH variation and bisulfite bleaching, as well as their color stability and degradation during storage, have been studied. Unlike the absorbance spectra of most wine pigments, the intensity of which is more increased in more acidic conditions, oligomeric pyranoMv-flavanols have maximum absorbance at wine pH around 3.6, up to 30-50% higher than that in pH 1.0. This particular hyperchromic effect shown in mildly acidic solutions suggests the presence of intramolecular copigmentation in the molecule of pyranoanthocyanin-flavanols, giving rise to higher molar extinction coefficients around wine pH and contributing to the overall wine color. The most probable conformations were determined by computer-assisted model building and molecular mechanics. Besides exceptional stability toward pH variations, pyranoanthocyanin-flavanols were also shown to be entirely resistant to bleaching by sulfur dioxide. During a 6 month storage period, pyranoanthocyanin-flavanols were much more stable against degradation than the anthocyanin with the following order: pyranoMv-catechin > pyranoMv-dimer B3 > pyranoMv-epicatechin > carboxy-pyranoMv ≫ Mv. Kinetic decomposition monitored by high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection-mass spectrometry revealed the formation of a new pigment (pyranone-Mv structure) and the cleavage of the interflavanic linkage of procyanidin dimer in the solutions containing carboxy-pyranoMv and pyranoMv-dimer B3, respectively. Despite some degree of decline of these oligomeric pyranoanthocyanins, their color intensity was surprisingly enhanced, and their color stability greatly improved throughout the entire storage period, thus contributing significantly as long-lived orange-red pigments to the maintenance of aged wine color.

Unusual color change of vinylpyranoanthocyanin-phenolic pigments.

Anthocyanins are responsible for an interesting variety of colors in flowers, red fruits, and plant-derived foodstuffs. Experimental evidence is presented supporting an unusual color change from red to blue during storage. It has been investigated as a function of temperature at constant pH (pH <2). The color properties of the vinylpyranoanthocyanin pigments, usually designated portisins, have been studied in this work using both experimental and theoretical techniques. The visible spectra obtained from the two approaches were in good agreement. This behavior was explained by a reversible physical-chemical change due to electronic and vibrational properties.

Quantum Semiempirical Energy Based (SEEB) Descriptors Performance with Benzamidine Inhibitors of Trypsin.

MLR is a classical approach to regression problems in QSARs. In this study, the behaviour of SEEB descriptors was analysed with a MLR model. For this purpose a SEEB/MLR 3D-QSAR model was developed to evaluate the efficiency of benzamide trypsin inhibitors. The development of inhibitors of trypsin-like serine proteases has been an active area of research. They are involved in many biological processes like protein digestion and blood coagulation and also serve as a useful model system to study protein-ligand interaction. The regression coefficients, obtained by this procedure, have an intuitively simple and therefore appealing meaning for the relative influence of each amino acid residue to the predictive model. The predictive capability of SEEB is shown to be comparable to those of other QSAR methods.

Exact and effective pair-wise potential for protein-ligand interactions obtained from a semiempirical energy partition.

In this work, the partition method introduced by Carvalho and Melo was used to study the complex between Cucurbita maxima trypsin inhibitor (CMTI-I) and glycerol at the AM1 level. An effective potential, combining non-bonding and polarization plus charge transfer (PLCT) terms, was introduced to evaluate the magnitude of the interaction between each amino acid and the ligand. In this case study, the nonbonding-PLCT non-compensation characterizes the stabilization energy of the association process in study. The main residues (Gly29, Cys3 and Arg5) with net attractive effects and Arg1 (with a net repulsive effect), responsible by the stability of protein-ligand complex, are associated with large nonbonding energies non-compensated by PLCT effects. The results obtained enable us to conclude that the present decomposition scheme can be used for understanding the cohesive phenomena in proteins.

Revascularização cirúrgica do miocárdio com enxerto composto de artérias torácica interna esquerda e radial: comparação do fluxo sangüíneo para artéria coronária esquerda com a técnica / convencional / Coronary artery bypass grafting with composite grafts: comparison of blood flow to the left coronary

Os enxertos compostos têm sido freqüentemente utilizados na cirurgia de revascularização do miocárdio (RM). Entretanto, permanece indefinido se essa técnica é capaz de oferecer o mesmo fluxo sangüíneo (Q) aos ramos da artéria coronária esquerda (CE) que a técnica convencional. O objetivo é comparar o Q total aos ramos revascularizados pelas artérias torácica interna esquerda (ATIE) e radial (AR) nas técnicas compostas e onvencional. Método: Estudamos 42 pacientes distribuídos, aleatoriamente, conforme a técnica de RM utilizada. Grupo A ou ATIE e AR composta em Y(n=14). Grupo B ou ATIE e AR composta modificada [enxerto intercoronariano com AR e anastomose da ATIE sobreposta a AR ao nível da artéria interventricular anterior (DA), n=14]. Grupo C ou ATIE pediculada para DA e AR em posição aorto-coronariana (n=14). Trinta e um pacientes foram submetidos a fluxometria (Fx) com cateter-guia doppler de 12-MHz (0,014 polegada, Flowire, Jometrics Inc.), no pós-operatório imediato. A reserva de fluxo coronariano (RFC) foi calculada pela determinação da média da velocidade de pico (APV) em hiperemia após administração de adenosina. Resultados: A APV em repouso no início da ATIE foi, no grupo A, 28,4±4,8 cm/s; no grupo B, 34,4±7,9 cm/s (p=0,0384 x C) e, no grupo C, 25,8± 8,6 cm/s. A RFC foi de 2,1 ± 0,4, 2 ± 0,3 e 2±0,4 nos grupos A, B e C, (p=0,7208). O Q total distribuído aos ramos da CE revascularizados foi, no grupo A, 110±30 ml/ min, no grupo B, 145±59 ml/min e, no grupo C, 133±58 ml/ min (p=0,3232 A, B x C). Conclusões: Não houve diferença significativa do Q total oferecido ao território da CE revascularizado pelas técnicas de EC e convencional. A RFC da ATIE nos grupos compostos foi satisfatória.

Revascularização cirúrgica do miocárdio com enxerto composto de artérias torácica interna esquerda e radial: comparação do fluxo sangüíneo para artéria coronária esquerda com a técnica convencional / Coronary artery bypass grafting with composite grafts: comparison of blood flow to the left coronary artery with the conventional technique

INTRODUÇAO: Os enxertos compostos têm sido freqüentemente utilizados na cirurgia de revascularização do miocárdio (RM). Entretanto, permanece indefinido se essa técnica é capaz de oferecer o mesmo fluxo sangüíneo (Q) aos ramos da artéria coronária esquerda (CE) que a técnica convencional. O objetivo é comparar o Q total aos ramos revascularizados pelas artérias torácica interna esquerda (ATIE) e radial (AR) nas técnicas compostas e convencional. MÉTODO: Estudamos 42 pacientes distribuídos, aleatoriamente, conforme a técnica de RM utilizada. Grupo A ou ATIE e AR composta em Y(n=14). Grupo B ou ATIE e AR composta modificada [enxerto intercoronariano com AR e anastomose da ATIE sobreposta a AR ao nível da artéria interventricular anterior (DA), n=14]. Grupo C ou ATIE pediculada para DA e AR em posição aorto-coronariana (n=14). Trinta e um pacientes foram submetidos a fluxometria (Fx) com cateter-guia doppler de 12-MHz (0,014 polegada, Flowire, Jometrics Inc.), no pós-operatório imediato. A reserva de fluxo coronariano (RFC) foi calculada pela determinação da média da velocidade de pico (APV) em hiperemia após administração de adenosina. RESULTADOS: A APV em repouso no início da ATIE foi, no grupo A, 28,4±4,8 cm/s; no grupo B, 34,4±7,9 cm/s (p=0,0384 x C) e, no grupo C, 25,8± 8,6 cm/s. A RFC foi de 2,1 ± 0,4, 2 ± 0,3 e 2±0,4 nos grupos A, B e C, (p=0,7208). O Q total distribuído aos ramos da CE revascularizados foi, no grupo A, 110±30 ml/min, no grupo B, 145±59 ml/min e, no grupo C, 133±58 ml/min (p=0,3232 A, B x C). CONCLUSÕES: Não houve diferença significativa do Q total oferecido ao território da CE revascularizado pelas técnicas de EC e convencional. A RFC da ATIE nos grupos compostos foi satisfatória.

Isolation and structural characterization of new acylated anthocyanin-vinyl-flavanol pigments occurring in aging red wines.

Three newly formed pigments were detected and isolated from a 2-year-old Port wine through TSK Toyopearl HW-40(S) gel column chromatography and characterized by UV-visible spectrophotometry, NMR, and mass spectrometry (ESI/MS). (1)H NMR and (13)C NMR data for these pigments obtained using 1D and 2D NMR techniques (COSY, NOESY, gHSQC, and gHMBC) are reported for the first time. The structure of the pigments was found to correspond to the vinyl cycloadducts of malvidin 3-coumaroylglucoside bearing either a procyanidin dimer or a flavanol monomer ((+)-catechin or (-)-epicatechin). Additionally, conformational analysis was performed for one of these newly formed pigment using computer-assisted model building and molecular mechanics. A chemical nomenclature is proposed to unambiguously name this new family of anthocyanin-derived pigments.

Defeito do septo atrioventricular forma total / Atrial and ventricular heart septal defect total form

Nesta monografia é abordada a experiência adquirida durante anos de prática cirúrgica no tratamento dos defeitos do septo atrioventricular, sendo apresentada a opinião dos autores sobre a sua divisão em diferentes formas (parcial, intermediária e total). São apresentados inicialmente, alguns fatos históricos sobre a doença, destacando-se nomes e contibuições para o diagnóstico e o tratamento cirúrgico desta entidade tão complexa. O desenvolvimento embriológico do sistema cardiocirculatório é seguido pelo posicionamento com relação à gênese do aparecimento deste defeito cardíaco e pela noção de que as diferentes formas fazem parte de uma única doença em diferentes fases evolutivas...