Extruded flaxseed meal enhances the nutritional quality of cereal-based products

Human consumption of flaxseed is increasing due to its health benefit properties and extrusion processes can enhance its nutritional quality. Extruded flaxseed meal (EFM) obtained in a pilot plant was characterized and incorporated in flour mixes and cereal-based bars to demonstrate its nutritious usefulness. Amino acid content was not affected by extrusion and, despite lysine was the limitating amino acid, the chemical score (CS) was 83 %. Thiamin and riboflavin decreased slightly as consequence of extrusion, phytic acid did not change and trypsin inhibitor activity was undetectable. Proximate composition and nutritional quality determined by biological and chemical indexes were compared among EFM, flour mixes (FM) and cereal bars (CB). They presented high protein levels (26, 20 and 17 %, respectively), good biological value (BV) (80, 79 and 65, respectively), acceptable true protein digestibility (TD) (73, 79 and 78, respectively), and high dietary fiber (33, 20.5 and 18 %, respectively). The ratio of ω6:ω3 for CB was within the WHO/FAO recommendations. These results open a new venue for the usefulsess of nutritious/healthy extruded flaxseed flours into ready-to-eat cereal-based products with improved nutritional quality.

Open tension-free Lichtenstein repair of inguinal hernia: use of fibrin glue versus sutures for mesh fixation

PURPOSE

To investigate pain and other complications following inguinal hernioplasty performed by the Lichtenstein technique with mesh fixation by fibrin glue or sutures.

METHODS

Five hundred and twenty patients were enrolled in this 12-month observational multicenter study and received either sutures or fibrin glue (Tissucol(®)/Tisseel(®)) based on the preference of the surgeon. Pain, numbness, discomfort, recurrence, and other complications were assessed postoperatively and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. Pain intensity was assessed by a visual analog scale (VAS; 0 [no pain] to 10 [worst pain]).

RESULTS

One hundred and seventy-one patients received sutures and 349 received fibrin glue. During the early postoperative phase, 87.4% of patients in the fibrin glue group and 76.6% of patients in the sutures group were complication-free (P = 0.001). Patients who received fibrin glue were also less likely to experience hematoma/ecchymosis than those in the suture group (both P = 0.001). The mean pain score was significantly lower in the fibrin group than the sutures group (2.5 vs. 3.2, P < 0.001). At 1 month, significantly fewer patients in the fibrin glue group reported pain, numbness, and discomfort compared with patients in the sutures group (all P < 0.05). Fibrin glue patients also experienced less intense pain (0.6 vs. 1.2; P = 0.001). By 3 months, the between-group differences had disappeared, except for numbness, which was more prevalent in the sutures group. By 12 months, very few patients reported complications.

CONCLUSIONS

Tissucol fibrin glue for mesh fixation in the Lichtenstein repair of inguinal hernia shows advantages over sutures, including lower incidence of complications such as pain, numbness, and discomfort, and should be considered as a first-line option for mesh fixation in hernioplasty.

Increased production of interleukin-2 and IL-2 receptor in primary IgA nephropathy

The production of interleukin-2 (IL-2) by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) in 13 patients with IgA nephropathy (IgAN) and 9 patients with chronic glomerulonephritis was investigated. Moreover, the distribution of IL-2 receptor (IL-2R) expression was studied in the purified T cell population versus the non-T cell population of IgAN patients. The results show a spontaneous significant production of IL-2 in cultures of PBMC from patients with IgAN (P less than 0.025) that increased after PHA stimulation. IgAN patients also had a significantly higher expression of IL-2R on the surface of PBMC than did patients with chronic glomerulonephritis (P less than 0.05). IL-2R was usually detected on unstimulated purified T cells that expressed the activation DR antigen. Moreover, a high number of DR helper T cells was associated to a reduced number of suppressor T cells (OKT8+M1+). These findings suggest that the increased production of IL-2 in patients with IgAN may be responsible for the increased activity of helper T cells. The high number of IL-2R expressed by freshly separated PBMC implies an in vivo continuous stimulation of these cells, and this finding is in agreement with the demonstrated spontaneous hyperproduction of IL-2. Moreover, the low number of suppressor T cells may contribute to the overactivity of helper T cells bearing IL-2R in IgAN patients.

[The alpha-adrenergic effect of thymoxamine on the vessels of the ciliary body]

The effects of epinephrine on the permeability of the blood-aqueous barrier, stimulated by paracentesis of the anterior chamber, were studied in rabbits following alpha-adrenergic blocking by means of topical or systemic thymoxamine. The alpha-adrenergic block was tested by continuous recording of the systemic arterial blood pressure. The reversal of the vascular effects of epinephrine after administration of thymoxamine was demonstrated at the bloodaqueous barrier. The miotic property of thymoxamine is believed to have had no influence on our results.

[Experimental triethyltin ocular hypertension. Pharmacological and histopathological studies (author's transl)]

The experiments were prompted by the need felt in pharmacology of eyes with hypertension of easy availability, rather long duration and fairly constant levels, to allow observation of the effects of hypotensive agents and to study their mechanism of action. Single doses of 1 mg Triethyltin, a substance producing a hydrodynamic compromission of the brain, were injected into the anterior chamber of rabbit eyes. A rise in ocular tension, beginning within 24 hours and lasting seven to ten days is obtained in about 70% of eyes. The pressure increase ranged from 12 to 30 mm Hg. Biomicroscopic and histologic examinations evidenced an uveitis-like reaction in the first week after treatment. Neoprene casts evidenced an impaired vascularization in the ciliary processes and choroid. Topical and parenteral administration of the most commonly used antiglaucomatous drugs showed how well this hypertension responded to hypotonizing agents. The occurrence of producing an ocular hypertension in the untreated fellow eye following repeated intra-cameral injections of small dosage (1 microgram) of Triethyltin, every two days for more than one month, in the other eye is described. Hypertension resulted in 40% of eyes.

[Vascular effects of adrenergic drugs and their action on intraocular pressure (author's transl)]

By means of the continuous contemporary recording of arterial blood pressure and intraocular pressure, the relationship between the two parameters was analyzed following the intravenous administration of adrenergic drugs. The aim was that of determining if during a change in systemic blood pressure the behaviour of intraocular pressure may indicate an active or passive participation to such a change. In the present studies the most important representatives of the different adrenergic groups (adrenalin, dibenamin, ergotamin, propranolol and isoproterenol) were taken in consideration. The results in normal eyes and in eyes with experimental hypertension showed that the adrenergic drugs affect the intraocular presure through a primary vasomotorial effect. An active vasodilatation of the intraocular vessels could not be demonstrated, whereas an active (adrenalin, ergotamin) as well as a passive (propranolol, isoproterenol) vasoconstriction was evidenced. The present studies allow an interpretation of the ocular hypotonizing mechanism of action of adrenergic drugs.

Possibility of isoproterenol therapy with soft contact lenses: ocular hypotension without systemic effects

An experimental investigation performed in the rabbit pointed out the possibility of administering isoproterenol at low concentrations with the aid of soft contact lenses presoaked in 0.2% isoproterenol for 60 to 120 minutes. A reduction in intraocular pressure ranging from 23% to 32% was observed in 21 out of 24 glaucomatous patients. Duration of hypotension in 50% of eyes treated was more than 8 hours. Thus, a therapeutic effect was obtained with a concentration (0.2%) approximately 50 times lower than that previously employed clinically (2.4%). No systemic side effects, such as arterial hypotension and increase in heart rate, were noted.