Risk factors associated with postoperative morbidity and mortality in D2 radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer.

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS: Surgery is the main treatment for gastric cancer. D2 radical gastrectomy is associated with a variable postoperative morbidity and mortality rate worldwide. The aim of the present study was to identify the risk factors associated with the postoperative morbidity and mortality of D2 radical gastrectomy, with curative intent, for gastric cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective case series was conducted, in which the medical records were reviewed of patients with gastric cancer that underwent D2 radical gastrectomy, within the time frame of January 2014 and December 2018. Univariate and multivariate analyses were carried out to identify the risk factors related to postoperative morbidity and mortality within 90 days. RESULTS: The percentages of postoperative morbidity and mortality in 691 patients were 23.3% and 3.3%, respectively. In the multivariate analysis, age ≥70 years (OR = 1.85, 95% CI: 1.25-2.76), ASA III-IV (OR = 2.06, 95% CI: 1.28-3.34), total gastrectomy (OR = 1.96, 95% CI:1.19-3.23), and pancreatosplenectomy (OR = 5.41, 95% CI: 1.42-20.61) were associated with greater postoperative morbidity, and age ≥70 years (OR = 4.92, 95% CI:1.78-13.65), lower BMI (OR = 0.81, 95% CI: 0.71-0.92), and hypoalbuminemia (OR = 0.91, 95% CI: 0.85-0.98) were associated with greater mortality in distal and total D2 radical gastrectomy. CONCLUSIONS: D2 radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer was shown to be a safe treatment, with low postoperative morbidity and mortality rates. Age ≥70 years, ASA III-IV, total gastrectomy, and pancreatosplenectomy were factors associated with a higher complication rate. Age ≥70 years, lower BMI, and hypoalbuminemia were mortality predictors in distal and total radical gastrectomy.

[Comparison of treatment with plates for distal tibia fractures]. / Comparación del tratamiento con placas en fractura de tibia distal.

INTRODUCTION: Currently the surgical treatment of fractures of extraarticular distal tibia is controversial for the multiple techniques and materials of osteosynthesis, the Minimally Invasive Percutaneous Techniques (MIPO) allow us to preserve the periosteal circulation, crucial point in the natural processes of convalescence of the patient, so this technique takes relevance in our study. OBJECTIVE: To observe that this approach to fractures of the distal tibia has fewer complications and better functional result than fixation with open technique. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A longitudinal, ambispective and analytical study was conducted in the period from July 2018 to September 2019 in patients with closed fracture of the extraarticular distal tibia in patients over 18 years of age without previously diagnosed musculoskeletal comorbidities, the calculation was performed with the WinPEPI program (Programs for Epidemiologists for Windows) version 11.43 based on the study by Paul Toogooda et al (2018) with a confidence interval of 95% a minimum total of 20 patients for each group. Measures of central tendency, correlations between technique and variable were used. RESULTS: Two groups of 20 patients were analyzed comparing MIPO vs conventional technique in a period of 6 months postsurgical evaluating risk of infection, wound dehiscence, radiographic bone consolidation, joint functionality and demographic data; showing positive statistical superiority for MIPO technique. CONCLUSION: Relevant data were obtained in favor of MIPO with bone consolidation and higher functional score at six months.

INTRODUCCIÓN: Actualmente el tratamiento quirúrgico de fracturas de tibia distal extraarticular es controversial por las múltiples técnicas y materiales de osteosíntesis, las técnicas Mínimo Invasivo Percutánea (MIPO) nos permiten preservar la circulación perióstica, punto crucial en los procesos naturales de convalecencia del paciente, por ello esta técnica es de gran relevancia en nuestro estudio. OBJETIVO: Observar que este abordaje de fracturas de tibia distal tiene menos complicaciones y mejor resultado funcional que la fijación con técnica abierta. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Se realizó un estudio de tipo longitudinal, ambispectivo y analítico en el período de Julio de 2018 a Septiembre de 2019 en pacientes adultos con fractura cerrada de tibia distal extraarticular sin comorbilidades, el cálculo se realizó con el programa WinPEPI (Programs for Epidemiologists for Windows) versión 11.43 basado en el estudio de Paul Toogooda, con un intervalo de confianza de 95% se obtuvo un total mínimo de 20 pacientes por cada grupo. Se usaron medidas de tendencia central, correlaciones entre técnica y variable. RESULTADOS: Se analizaron dos grupos de 20 pacientes comparando la técnica MIPO vs. la convencional en un período de seis meses postquirúrgico evaluando riesgo de infección, dehiscencia de herida, consolidación ósea radiográfica, funcionalidad articular y datos demográficos, mostrando superioridad estadística positiva para la técnica MIPO. CONCLUSIONES: Se obtuvieron datos relevantes a favor de MIPO con consolidación ósea y mayor puntaje funcional articular a los seis meses.

Risk factors associated with postoperative morbidity and mortality in D2 radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer. / Factores de riesgo asociados con morbilidad y mortalidad postoperatoria en gastrectomía radical D2 por cáncer gástrico.

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS: Surgery is the main treatment for gastric cancer. D2 radical gastrectomy is associated with a variable postoperative morbidity and mortality rate worldwide. The aim of the present study was to identify the risk factors associated with the postoperative morbidity and mortality of D2 radical gastrectomy, with curative intent, for gastric cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective case series was conducted, in which the medical records were reviewed of patients with gastric cancer that underwent D2 radical gastrectomy, within the time frame of January 2014 and December 2018. Univariate and multivariate analyses were carried out to identify the risk factors related to postoperative morbidity and mortality within 90 days. RESULTS: The percentages of postoperative morbidity and mortality in 691 patients were 23.3% and 3.3%, respectively. In the multivariate analysis, age ≥ 70 years (OR=1.85, 95% CI: 1.25-2.76), ASA III-IV (OR=2.06, 95% CI: 1.28-3.34), total gastrectomy (OR=1.96, 95% CI:1.19-3.23), and pancreatosplenectomy (OR=5.41, 95% CI: 1.42-20.61) were associated with greater postoperative morbidity, and age≥70 years (OR=4.92, 95% CI:1.78-13.65), lower BMI (OR=0.81, 95% CI: 0.71-0.92), and hypoalbuminemia (OR=0.91, 95% CI: 0.85-0.98) were associated with greater mortality in distal and total D2 radical gastrectomy. CONCLUSIONS: D2 radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer was shown to be a safe treatment, with low postoperative morbidity and mortality rates. Age≥70 years, ASA III-IV, total gastrectomy, and pancreatosplenectomy were factors associated with a higher complication rate. Age≥70 years, lower BMI, and hypoalbuminemia were mortality predictors in distal and total radical gastrectomy.

Validating the Use of a Toxicity Database for Prediction of Plant Cover and Biodiversity in Multi-Metal Mining-Impacted Soils.

The validity of soil toxicity databases for predicting ecological impacts in the field is rarely explored. The present study was set up to test whether laboratory toxicity data and the combined concepts of metal availability and mixture toxicity can predict ecological impact in mining-affected soils. Metal and As contamination gradients were sampled approximately 5 different mines in Mexico where plant cover and abundances exhibited clear dose-related responses. Soils were analyzed for total and isotopically exchangeable (labile) concentrations of Ni, Cu, Cd, Pb, and As and for soil properties affecting the availability of these elements. Six different indices of toxic doses were compared to evaluate their accuracy in describing the field response expressed as relative abundance and cover. Each index was based on a different method to calculate the sum of toxic units ( Σ TUs) in soil, with 1 toxic unit equal to the concentration of the element in soil yielding 50% adverse effect on plants with median sensitivity as recorded in a recent database of salt-spiked soils. Toxic concentrations in the mine-impacted soils were dominated by Zn and As. In the field, 50% reduced cover or abundance was found at 10 to 13 Σ TUs if these were based on total soil concentrations and thresholds derived from freshly spiked soils, indicating a largely overestimated toxic effect. If thresholds were corrected for differences in availability among freshly spiked soils and spiked and laboratory-aged soils, the overestimation of field toxicity was 5- to 6-fold, irrespective of the consideration of soil properties. Finally, the Σ TU calculated only with labile metals and As overestimated the field toxicity by factors 1.1 to 1.6 (95% confidence interval 1-7; i.e., rather accurate and indicating some Zn-As antagonism as confirmed in experimental studies). That latter index of dose yielded a bell-shaped response on species richness peaking at approximately 1.6 Σ TU. Overall, the present study shows that the current toxicity databases of metals can predict the impact of metal contamination on plant communities within factor 2, expressing the dose as soil-labile concentrations and using the concentration addition concept in these mixed polluted environments. Environ Toxicol Chem 2020;39:1826-1838. © 2020 SETAC.

Enfermedad de Bowen: Reporte de un caso / Bowen's disease: A case report

La enfermedad de Bowen es un carcinoma in situ de células escamosas, que puede progresar a un carcinoma epidermoide invasor, por lo que se requiere un diagnóstico y tratamiento adecuados. Se presenta el caso de una mujer de 74 años, con enfermedad de Bowen en el tórax posterior, una localización poco frecuente, la que fuera tratada con crioterapia.

Bowen's disease is an squamous cells carcinoma in situ of that can progress to an invasive squamous cell carcinoma, so an adequate diagnosis and treatment are required. We present the case of a 74-year-old woman with Bowen's disease in the posterior thorax, a rare location, which was treated with cryotherapy.

The size, shape, density and ring of the dwarf planet Haumea from a stellar occultation.

Haumea-one of the four known trans-Neptunian dwarf planets-is a very elongated and rapidly rotating body. In contrast to other dwarf planets, its size, shape, albedo and density are not well constrained. The Centaur Chariklo was the first body other than a giant planet known to have a ring system, and the Centaur Chiron was later found to possess something similar to Chariklo's rings. Here we report observations from multiple Earth-based observatories of Haumea passing in front of a distant star (a multi-chord stellar occultation). Secondary events observed around the main body of Haumea are consistent with the presence of a ring with an opacity of 0.5, width of 70 kilometres and radius of about 2,287 kilometres. The ring is coplanar with both Haumea's equator and the orbit of its satellite Hi'iaka. The radius of the ring places it close to the 3:1 mean-motion resonance with Haumea's spin period-that is, Haumea rotates three times on its axis in the time that a ring particle completes one revolution. The occultation by the main body provides an instantaneous elliptical projected shape with axes of about 1,704 kilometres and 1,138 kilometres. Combined with rotational light curves, the occultation constrains the three-dimensional orientation of Haumea and its triaxial shape, which is inconsistent with a homogeneous body in hydrostatic equilibrium. Haumea's largest axis is at least 2,322 kilometres, larger than previously thought, implying an upper limit for its density of 1,885 kilograms per cubic metre and a geometric albedo of 0.51, both smaller than previous estimates. In addition, this estimate of the density of Haumea is closer to that of Pluto than are previous estimates, in line with expectations. No global nitrogen- or methane-dominated atmosphere was detected.

Liquen amiloideo: diagnóstico diferencial de pápulas agminadas en piernas / Lichen amyloid as differential diagnosis of grouped papules in the legs

El liquen amiloideo es un tipo de amiloidosis cutánea primaria localizada, de etiología desconocida. Generalmente afecta a adultos, siendo más frecuente en ciertos grupos étnicos. Clínicamente se manifiesta por pápulas pruriginosas, frecuentemente localizadas en miembros inferiores. Presentamos el caso de una mujer de 50 años, con un historial de dos años caracterizado por pápulas agminadas en piernas, que tras la realización de una biopsia se diagnosticó liquen amiloideo.

Amyloid lichen is a type of localized primary cutaneous amyloidosis of unknown etiology. It usually affects adults being more frequent in certain ethnic groups. Clinically it is manifested by pruritic papules frequently located in lower limbs. We present the case of a 50-year-old woman, with a two-year history characterized by papules agminated in the legs that diagnosed amyloid lichen after biopsy.

Dopaminergic activation anticipates daily nursing in the rabbit.

Maternal care is a motivated behavior and in the rabbit it is restricted to the spontaneous return of the mother to nurse her pups for just a few minutes once a day. Previously we have reported neural activation of brain areas and neuroendocrine cells after nursing. However, this daily spontaneous return suggests that the mother is in a high motivational state to nurse her pups. Here we hypothesized that during anticipation of nursing there is an activation of dopaminergic neurons of the mesolimbic system and in their target areas. Then we explored, by the expression of FOS protein, possible activation of the mesolimbic system as well as dopaminergic cells of the A10 cell group before and after nursing and in control does. Additionally, we measured FOS expression in the preoptic area and lateral septum. We found a significant increase of FOS before nursing, and a further increase after nursing, in the mesolimbic system and dopaminergic cells as well as in the preoptic area and lateral septum. Interestingly, the medial prefrontal area shows an intense activation during anticipation of nursing, which remains after nursing. We conclude that the activation of the mesolimbic system before nursing is related to the high locomotor behavior prior to the next nursing bout and support the proposal that the mother is in a high motivational state at the time of returning to the nest. The additional activation after nursing can be related to the neuroendocrine and neural consequences of the milk ejection reflex by suckling.

Efecto de Microemulsiones de Aceites Esenciales Sobre el Eritrocito Humano y Bacterias Patógenas / Effect of Microemulsions of Essential Oils on Human Erythrocyte and Pathogens Bacteria

RESUMEN: El objetivo del presente trabajo fue evaluar el efecto de las microemulsiones de aceite esencial de romero (AER) y árbol de té (AET) sobre el eritrocito humano y microorganismos patógenos. Para ello, se elaboraron microemulsiones de AER y AET al 8.0% (v/v), 5.0% (v/v) y 2.5% (v/v). Las microemulsiones fueron probadas sobre el eritrocito humano para determinar el porcentaje de hemólisis, el porcentaje de inhibición de hemólisis y su actividad antibacterial contra E. coli O157:H7 y S. aureus. Las microemulsiones con AER no presentaron actividad hemolítica significativa, caso contrario con las microemulsiones de AET al 8.0% (≈70%) y 5.0% (33%) que presentaron mayor actividad hemolítica. Las microemulsiones de AER protegieron significativamente al eritrocito contra la presencia de radicales libres, en comparación con aquellas de AET (p< 0.05). Además, las emulsiones de AET al 8.0% mostraron efectos antibacterianos contra E. coli O157:H7 y S. aureus mientras que AER al 8.0% solo mostraron efecto contra E. coli O157:H7. La limitante del estudio fue que no utilizamos células nucleadas para establecer si los aceites esenciales dañan el material nuclear. Sin embargo, observamos que el tipo y la cantidad de aceite utilizado pueden tener implicaciones serias sobre la membrana eritrocitaria. Se concluye que las microemulsiones de AER presentaron mejor efecto protector eritrocitario, mientras que las microemulsiones de AET presentaron mejor actividad antibacterial contra las bacterias estudiadas, pero con mayor efecto tóxico sobre el eritrocito.

ABSTRACT: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of microemulsions of rosemary (AER) and tea tree (AET) essential oils on human erythrocyte and pathogen bacteria. Microemulsions of each oil were prepared at 8.0% (v/v), 5.0% (v/v) and 2.5% (v/v), and they were tested on human erythrocyte to determine the hemolysis percentage, hemolysis inhibition percentage and the antibacterial capacity against E. coli O157:H7 and S. aureus. All AER microemulsions showed no significant hemolytic activity. On the contrary, AET microemulsions showed hemolytic effect but those in concentrations of 8.0% (≈70 %) and 5.0% (33%) showed the highest effect. In addition, AER microemulsions showed protective effect against free radicals in comparison with the AET microemulsions (p< 0.05). On the other hand, the AET microemulsion at 8.0% showed antibacterial effect against E. coli O157:H7 and S. aureus, and the AER at 8.0% showed antibacterial effect against E. coli O157:H7. The limitation of this study was that nucleated cells were not used to observe the damage of the essential oils on nuclear material. However, the observed damage of erythrocyte's membrane is depending on type and amount of used oil. Therefore, it can be concluded that the AER microemulsions showed better protective effect of erythrocytes, while AET microemulsions showed better antibacterial effect against the tested bacteria, although with toxic effect on the erythrocytes.

Aerial pesticide application causes DNA damage in pilots from Sinaloa, Mexico.

The use of pesticides in agricultural production originates residues in the environment where they are applied. Pesticide aerial application is a frequent source of exposure to pesticides by persons dedicated to agricultural practices and those living in neighboring communities of sprayed fields. The aim of the study was to assess the genotoxic effects of pesticides in workers occupationally exposed to these chemicals during their aerial application to agricultural fields of Sinaloa, Mexico. The study involved 30 pilots of airplanes used to apply pesticides via aerial application and 30 unexposed controls. Damage was evaluated through the micronucleus assay and by other nuclear abnormalities in epithelial cells of oral mucosa. The highest frequency ratios (FR) equal to 269.5 corresponded to binucleated cells followed by 54.2, corresponding to cells with pyknotic nuclei, 45.2 of cells with chromatin condensation, 3.7 of cells with broken-egg, 3.6 of cells with micronucleus, and 2.0 of karyolytic cells. Age, worked time, smoking, and alcohol consumption did not have significant influence on nuclear abnormalities in the pilots studied. Pesticide exposure was the main factor for nuclear abnormality results and DNA damage. Marked genotoxic damage was developed even in younger pilots with 2 years of short working period, caused by their daily occupational exposure to pesticides.

Parent-reported prevalence of food allergy in Mexican schoolchildren: A population-based study.

BACKGROUND: Food allergy (FA) prevalence is well documented in developed countries and appears to be increasing, but remains unknown in most Latin American countries. We aimed to evaluate on a population basis the parent-reported prevalence of FA and its clinical characteristics in Mexican schoolchildren. METHODS: A validated Spanish version of a structured written questionnaire was administered to parents of schoolchildren aged 5-13 years old from Culiacan, Mexico. RESULTS: A total of 1049 parents responded to the survey (response rate, 84%). The estimated prevalence rates (95% CI) were: adverse food reactions 10.0% (8.3-11.9), "perceived FA, ever" 5.5% (4.3-7.0), "physician-diagnosed FA, ever" 4.9% (3.7-6.3), "immediate-type FA, ever" 4.4% (3.3-5.8), "immediate-type FA, current" 3.5% (2.6-4.8), and anaphylaxis 1.2% (0.72-2.1). Immediate hypersensitivity reactions were mainly triggered by the consumption of shrimp (1.3%), other shellfish (0.7%), strawberry (0.6%), chocolate (0.5%), and egg (0.4%). Schoolchildren with "immediate-type FA, current" had more atopic dermatitis and allergic rhinitis (p<0.05), but not asthma or drug allergy (p>0.05) than children without FA. All cases of anaphylaxis sought medical attention, but only one child had physician-diagnosed anaphylaxis and was advised to acquire an epinephrine autoinjector. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of "immediate-type FA, current" to any food is 3.5% in Mexican schoolchildren. The poor recognition of anaphylaxis and the low frequency of prescription of epinephrine autoinjectors suggest that acute food-induced allergic reactions are not optimally managed in Mexico.

Organochlorine pesticide level differences among female inhabitants from Veracruz, Puebla and Tabasco, Mexico.

Organochlorine pesticides have been used in Mexico in malaria control programs and against ectoparasites. The objective of this study was to compare the levels of organochlorine pesticides: HCB, α-ß-γ-HCH, pp'-DDE, op'-DDT and pp'-DDT in adipose tissue of female inhabitants from three Mexican states: Veracruz, Puebla and Tabasco. Data analyses indicated higher ß-HCH levels in Puebla inhabitants. When comparing the mean values of the pp'-DDE concentrations among the three states, no statistically significant differences were noted. A trend of increasing concentrations of op'-DDT from Veracruz to Puebla and Tabasco was observed. Significantly higher pp'-DDT concentrations in Veracruz as compared to Puebla and Tabasco were determined. Using factorial analysis of three age categories (>30, 31-50, <51) organochlorine pesticide concentrations increases with age of participants, indicating time of exposure as a principal factor of organochlorine pesticides accumulation in adipose tissue.

Levels of organochlorine pesticides residues in human adipose tissue, data from Tabasco, Mexico.

The objective of this study was to determine the levels of organochlorine pesticides HCB, α-ß-γ-HCH, p,p'-DDE, o,p'-DDT and p,p'-DDT in 150 adipose tissue of inhabitants of Tabasco, Mexico. The following pesticides were detected: p,p'-DDE in 100% of samples at mean 1.034 mg/kg; p,p'-DDT in 96.7% at mean 0.116 mg/kg; o,p'-DDT in 78.7% at mean 0.022 mg/kg and ß-HCH in 58.0% at mean 0.049 mg/kg. The pooled sample was divided according to sex of donors (75 female and 75 male). Significantly higher levels of all organochlorine pesticides in females were found. The sample was divided into three age's ranges (15-28, 29-45 and 46-84 years). The mean and median levels of ß-HCH, p,p'-DDE and Σ-DDT increase significantly (p < 0.05) from the first to the second and third group. The presence of organochlorine pesticide residues in Tabasco inhabitants is still observed, indicating sources of exposure to the pesticides.

Organochlorine pesticide residue levels in blood serum of inhabitants from Veracruz, Mexico.

The objective of the present study was to monitor the levels of organochlorine pesticides HCB; α-, ß-, γ-HCH; pp'DDE; op'DDT; and pp'DDT in blood serum of Veracruz, Mexico inhabitants. Organochlorine pesticides were analyzed in 150 blood serum samples that constituted that which remained after clinical analyses, using gas chromatography-electron-capture detection (GC-ECD). The results were expressed as milligrams per kilogram on fat basis and micrograms per liter on wet weight. Only the following pesticides were detected: p,p'-DDE was the major organochlorine component, detected in 100% of samples at mean 15.8 mg/kg and 8.4 µg/L; p,p'-DDT was presented in 41.3.% of monitored samples at mean 3.1 mg/kg and 1.4 µg/L; ß-HCH was found in 48.6% of the samples at mean 4.9 mg/kg and 2.7 µg/L; op'DDT was determined to be in only 3.3% of monitored samples at mean 2.7 mg/kg and 1.4 µg/L. The pooled samples divided according to sex showed significant differences of ß-HCH and pp'DDE concentrations in females. The samples grouped according to age presented the third tertile as more contaminated in both sexes, indicating age as a positively associated factor with serum organochlorine pesticide levels in Veracruz inhabitants.

Organochlorine pesticide levels in female adipose tissue from Puebla, Mexico.

The objective of this study was to determine the levels of organochlorine pesticides HCB, α-ß-γ-HCH, pp'DDE, op'DDT and pp'DDT in adipose tissue of females living in Puebla, Mexico. Organochlorine pesticides were analyzed in 75 abdominal adipose tissue samples taken during 2010 by autopsy at the Forensic Services of Puebla. The results were expressed as mg/kg on fat basis. In analyzed samples the following pesticides were detected: p,p'-DDE in 100% of samples at mean 1.464 mg/kg; p,p'-DDT in 96.0.% of samples at mean 0.105 mg/kg; op'DDT in 89.3% of monitored samples at mean 0.025 mg/kg and ß-HCH in 94.7% of the samples at mean 0.108 mg/kg. To show if organochlorine pesticide levels in monitored female's adipose tissues are age dependant, the group was divided in three ages ranges (13-26, 26-57 and 57-96 years). The mean and median levels of all organochlorine pesticides increase significantly (p < 0.05) from the first to second and from the first to third group. At the same time, the increase of mean and medians levels from the second to third group were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). The present results compared to previous ones from 2008 indicates an increase in the concentrations during the 2010 study, but only the differences for pp'DDE and op'DDT were statistically significant. The 2010 group of females was older compared to the 2008 group. The presence of organochlorine pesticide residues is still observed, indicating uniform and permanent exposure to the pesticides by Puebla inhabitants.

Monitoring of organochlorine pesticide residue levels in adipose tissue of Veracruz, Mexico inhabitants.

The objective of the present study was to monitor the levels of organochlorine pesticides HCB, α-ß-γ-HCH, pp'DDE, op'DDT and pp'DDT in 150 adipose tissue samples of Veracruz, Mexico inhabitants. In analyzed samples, the following pesticides were detected: p,p'-DDE in 100% of the samples at mean 1.643 mg/kg; p,p'-DDT in 99.3.% of the samples at mean 0.227 mg/kg; ß-HCH in 97.3% of the samples at mean 0.063 mg/kg; and op'DDT in 93.3% of the samples at mean 0.022 mg/kg. Comparing mean, median and geometric mean concentrations of organochlorine pesticides shows a decrease in values from mean to median and to geometric mean which points out a prevalence of lower concentrations among the total samples and the existence of occasional cases of extreme exposure expressed in range values. The pooled samples divided according to sex, showed only significant differences of pp'DDE median concentrations between sexes. The other organochlorine pesticides indicated no statistical differences between sexes, including the pp'DDE/pp'DDT ratio. The samples grouped according to age, showed that the third tertile was more contaminated for both sexes, indicating age as a positively associated factor with organochlorine pesticide levels in adipose tissue of Veracruz inhabitants. Comparing organochlorine pesticide levels between 2008 and 2010 years, a decreased tendency for ß-HCH, pp'DDE, Σ-DDT and pp'DDE/pp'DDT ratio levels was observed.

Circadian nursing induces PER1 protein in neuroendocrine tyrosine hydroxylase neurones in the rabbit doe.

Rabbit does nurse their pups once a day with circadian periodicity and pups ingest up to 35% of their body weight in milk in < 5 min. In the doe, there is a massive release of prolactin. We hypothesised that periodic suckling synchronises dopaminergic populations that control prolactin secretion. We explored this by immunohistochemical colocalisation of PER1 protein, the product of the clock gene Per1 on tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) cells in three dopaminergic populations: tuberoinfundibular dopaminergic (TIDA), periventricular hypophyseal dopaminergic (PHDA) and incertohypothalamic dopaminergic (IHDA) cells. PER1/TH colocalisation was explored every 4 h through a complete 24-h cycle at postpartum day 7 in does that nursed their pups either at 10.00 h (ZT03) or at 02.00 h (ZT19; ZT0 = 07.00 h, time of lights on). Nonpregnant, nonlactating females were used as controls. In control females, there was a rhythm of PER1 that peaks at ZT15. By contrast, in nursed does, the PER1 peak shifted in parallel to scheduled nursing in TIDA and PHDA cells but not in IHDA cells, which are not related to the control of prolactin. Next, we determined that the absence of suckling for 48 h significantly decreases the number of PER1/TH colocalised cells in PHDA but not TIDA cells. Locomotor behaviour in control subjects was maximal at around the time of lights on but, in nursed females, shifted at around the time of scheduled nursing. Finally, in the suprachiasmatic nucleus, there is a maximal expression of PER1 at ZT11 in the three groups. However, this maximal expression was significantly lower in the nursed groups in relation to the control group and in the groups deprived of nursing for 48 h. We conclude that suckling synchronises dopaminergic cells related to the control of prolactin and appears to be a nonphotic stimulus for the suprachiasmatic nucleus.

Effect of dehydration on raspberries: polyphenol and anthocyanin retention, antioxidant capacity, and antiadipogenic activity.

Fresh and dried raspberries prepared by freeze drying (FD), microwave-vacuum (MIVAC), hot-air drying (HAD), and a combination of hot-air drying and microwave-vacuum (HAD/MIVAC) drying methods were evaluated for polyphenol retention, total polyphenol and anthocyanin contents, total antioxidant capacity, and antiadipogenic activity (the inhibition of fat cell development). Ellagic acid and quercetin were present in the largest concentrations in fresh and dehydrated raspberries. Dehydration led to a loss of polyphenols and anthocyanins and antioxidant capacity. Polyphenols (aglycone form) were retained in the greatest amount: 20% (freeze dried) to 30% (HAD/MIVAC) (fresh = 100%). A total of 30% of polyphenols (glycoside form) were retained in raspberries dried by the HAD/MIVAC methods with 5% of retention observed for raspberries dried by FD, HAD, or MIVAC. FD and MIVAC resulted in higher retention of anthocyanins (aglycone form) than other drying methods. It was also observed that antioxidant activity was reduced by dehydration. Adipogenesis was inhibited by polyphenolic glycosides (30%) and aglycones (30% to 40%) in fresh and HAD/MIVAC raspberries. Extracts from dried raspberries by HAD/MIVAC methods were relatively more effective at inhibiting adipogenesis compared to HAD and FD dried raspberries.