UV-C Light: A Promising Preservation Technology for Vegetable-Based Nonsolid Food Products

A variety of bioactive substances present in fruit- and vegetable-processed products have health-promoting properties. The consumption of nutrient-rich plant-based products is essential to address undernutrition and micronutrient deficiencies. Preservation is paramount in manufacturing plant-based nonsolid foods such as juices, purees, and sauces. Thermal processing has been widely used to preserve fruit- and vegetable-based products by reducing enzymatic and microbial activities, thereby ensuring safety and prolonged shelf life. However, the nutritional value of products is compromised due to the deleterious effects of thermal treatments on essential nutrients and bioactive compounds. To prevent the loss of nutrients associated with thermal treatment, alternative technologies are being researched extensively. In studies conducted on nonsolid food, UV-C treatment has been proven to preserve quality and minimize nutrient degradation. This review compiles information on the use of UV-C technology in preserving the nutritional attributes of nonsolid foods derived from fruit and vegetables. The legislation, market potential, consumer acceptance, and limitations of UV-C are reviewed.

Photoinactivation of Aedes aegypti larvae using riboflavin as photosensitizer

More than half of the global population lives in areas where the Aedes aegypti mosquito is present. Efforts have been made to deal with the population of this mosquito in the larval and adult stages to prevent outbreaks of diseases (Dengue, Zika, Chikungunya, and Yellow Fever). In this scenario, photodynamic inactivation may be an effective alternative method to control this vector population. To evaluate the efficacy of the riboflavin - B2 vitamin - as photosensitizer (PS) in the photodynamic inactivation of Ae. aegypti larvae, different concentrations (0; 0.005; 0.010; 0.025; 0.050; 0.075 and 0.100 mg mL^-1) were evaluated under white light from RGB LEDs at a light dose of 495.2 J cm^-2. The results reveal that riboflavin can be successfully applied as a PS agent to photoinactivate Ae. aegypti larvae, showing its potential to deal with the larvae population.

Photodynamic control of Aedes aegypti larvae with environmentally-friendly tetra-platinated porphyrin

This work evaluated the photosensitizing activity of isomeric tetra-cationic porphyrins with peripheral [Pt(bpy)Cl]⁺ to control the larval population of Aedes aegypti by photodynamic action. The photolarvicidal activity of the tetra-platinated porphyrins at meta and para position (3-PtTPyP and 4-PtTPyP) was evaluated under blue (450 nm), green (525 nm), and red (625 nm) light illumination at 55.0 J cm^-2. The meta isomer presented an efficient photolarvicidal activity even at a low concentration (1.2 ppm) in the presence of light, while the para counterpart was inactive regardless of the concentration and illumination. The different responses were related to the improved optical features and higher water solubility of 3-PtTPyP compared to 4-PtTPyP. Additionally, the potential environmental toxicity of 3-PtTPyP was tested in a plant model (Allium cepa test), with no toxicity detected for all used concentrations (1.2 to 12 ppm). Hence, this work reveals that 3-PtTPyP has a great potential to be employed to photodynamically control the insect vector population in an environmentally safe way.

Nutritional and Functional Evaluation of Inula crithmoides and Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum Grown in Different Salinities for Human Consumption

The nutritional composition and productivity of halophytes is strongly related to the biotic/abiotic stress to which these extremophile salt tolerant plants are subjected during their cultivation cycle. In this study, two commercial halophyte species (Inula crithmoides and Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum) were cultivated at six levels of salinity using a soilless cultivation system. In this way, it was possible to understand the response mechanisms of these halophytes to salt stress. The relative productivity decreased from the salinities of 110 and 200 mmol L⁻¹ upwards for I. crithmoides and M. nodiflorum, respectively. Nonetheless, the nutritional profile for human consumption remained balanced. In general, I. crithmoides vitamin (B1 and B6) contents were significantly higher than those of M. nodiflorum. For both species, β-carotene and lutein were induced by salinity, possibly as a response to oxidative stress. Phenolic compounds were more abundant in plants cultivated at lower salinities, while the antioxidant activity increased as a response to salt stress. Sensory characteristics were evaluated by a panel of culinary chefs showing a preference for plants grown at the salt concentration of 350 mmol L⁻¹. In summary, salinity stress was effective in boosting important nutritional components in these species, and the soilless system promotes the sustainable and safe production of halophyte plants for human consumption.

Wild vs cultivated halophytes: Nutritional and functional differences

Some halophyte plants are currently used in gourmet cuisine due to their unique organoleptic properties. Moreover, they exhibit excellent nutritional and functional properties, being rich in polyphenolics and vitamins. These compounds are associated to strong antioxidant activity and enhanced health benefits. This work compared the nutritional properties and antioxidant potential of three species (Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum, Suaeda maritima and Sarcocornia fruticosa) collected in saltmarshes from Portugal and Spain with those of cultivated plants. The latter were generally more succulent and had higher contents of minerals than plants obtained from the wild and contained less fibre. All species assayed are a good source of proteins, fibres and minerals. Additionally, they are good sources of carotenoids and vitamins A, C and B₆ and showed good antioxidant potential particularly S. maritima. Chromatographic analysis of the phenolic profile revealed that ferulic and caffeic acids as the most relevant phenolic compounds detected in the halophytes tested.

Anatomic study of the collateral branches of the abdominal aorta of primate species Saguinus niger

Saguinus niger is a primate of the family Callitrichidae, with a geographical distribution limited to northern Brazil, Guyanas, Suriname and Venezuela, where it inhabits rainforests along the coast. Three adult females from the Paragominas Bauxite Mine--PA were used, donated to the Laboratory of Animal Morphology Research (LAMR) of the Federal Rural University of Amazonia. These animals had died of natural causes. The arterial system was filled with latex, and the animals were fixed in 10% formalin. Afterwards, the abdominal aorta and its collateral branches were dissected. The arrangement of the abdominal aorta branches in this species showed a similar arrangement as domestic animals but differing in the formation of the coeliac trunk. The coeliac trunk originates from the abdominal aorta, and from this trunk, we found the hepatic, left gastric and splenic arteries, where the origin of these vessels was variable. These arteries originate from the coliac trunk or a common trunk originating from the coeliac trunk, a characteristic not described in other species. The other branches of the abdominal aorta from S. niger did not show great differences in origin when compared to other species.

Anticholinergics for neuroleptic-induced acute akathisia

BACKGROUND

Neuroleptic-induced akathisia is one of the most common and distressing early-onset adverse effects of conventional antipsychotic drugs, being associated with poor compliance with treatment, and thus, ultimately, with an increased risk of relapse. This review assesses the role of anticholinergic drugs as an adjunct to standard antipsychotic medication in the pharmacological treatment of this problem.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the clinical effects of anticholinergic drugs for neuroleptic-induced acute akathisia.

SEARCH STRATEGY

The reviewers undertook electronic searches of Biological Abstracts (1982-1999), CINAHL (1982-1999), Cochrane Library (Issue 4 1999), Cochrane Schizophrenia Group's Register (October 1999), EMBASE (1980-1999), LILACS (1982-1999), MEDLINE (1966-1999) and PsycLIT (1974-1999). References of all identified studies were inspected for more trials and first authors contacted. Each included study was sought as a citation on the Science Citation Index database.

SELECTION CRITERIA

All randomised clinical trials of anticholinergic drugs versus placebo for people with neuroleptic-induced acute akathisia.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two reviewers, working independently, selected, quality assessed and extracted data. These data were then analysed on an intention-to-treat basis. For homogeneous dichotomous data the fixed effects relative risk (RR), the 95% confidence intervals (CI) and, where appropriate, the number needed to treat (NNT) were calculated on an intention-to-treat basis. For continuous data, reviewers calculated weighted mean differences.

MAIN RESULTS

No randomised controlled trials could be included.

REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS

At present, there is no reliable evidence to support or refute the use of anticholinergics for people suffering from neuroleptic-induced acute akathisia. Akathisia is a most distressing movement disorder that remains highly prevalent, both in the developed and developing world. This review highlights the need for well designed, conducted and reported clinical trials to address the claims of open studies as regards the effects of the anticholinergic group of drugs for akathisia.

Anticholinergics for neuroleptic-induced acute akathisia

BACKGROUND

Neuroleptic-induced akathisia is one of the most common and distressing early-onset adverse effects of conventional antipsychotic drugs, being associated with poor compliance with treatment, and thus, ultimately, with an increased risk of relapse. This review assesses the role of anticholinergic drugs as an adjunct to standard antipsychotic medication in the pharmacological treatment of this problem.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the clinical effects of anticholinergic drugs for neuroleptic-induced acute akathisia.

SEARCH STRATEGY

The reviewers undertook electronic searches of Biological Abstracts (1982-1999), CINAHL (1982-1999), Cochrane Library (Issue 4 1999), Cochrane Schizophrenia Group's Register (October 1999), EMBASE (1980-1999), LILACS (1982-1999), MEDLINE (1966-1999) and PsycLIT (1974-1999). References of all identified studies were inspected for more trials and first authors contacted. Each included study was sought as a citation on the Science Citation Index database.

SELECTION CRITERIA

All randomised clinical trials of anticholinergic drugs versus placebo for people with neuroleptic-induced acute akathisia.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two reviewers, working independently, selected, quality assessed and extracted data. These data were then analysed on an intention-to-treat basis. For homogeneous dichotomous data the fixed effects relative risk (RR), the 95% confidence intervals (CI) and, where appropriate, the number needed to treat (NNT) were calculated on an intention-to-treat basis. For continuous data, reviewers calculated weighted mean differences.

MAIN RESULTS

No randomised controlled trials could be included.

REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS

At present, there is no reliable evidence to support or refute the use of anticholinergics for people suffering from neuroleptic-induced acute akathisia. Akathisia is a most distressing movement disorder that remains highly prevalent, both in the developed and developing world. This review highlights the need for well designed, conducted and reported clinical trials to address the claims of open studies as regards the effects of the anticholinergic group of drugs for akathisia.

Benzodiazepines for neuroleptic-induced acute akathisia

BACKGROUND

Neuroleptic-induced akathisia is one of the most common and distressing early-onset adverse effects of antipsychotic drugs, being associated with poor compliance with treatment, and thus, ultimately, to an increase risk of relapse. This review assesses the role of benzodiazepines in the pharmacological treatment of this problem.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the effects of benzodiazepines versus placebo for people with neuroleptic-induced acute akathisia.

SEARCH STRATEGY

Biological Abstracts (January 1982-March 1999), The Cochrane Library (Issue 3 1999), The Cochrane Schizophrenia Group's Register (May 2001), EMBASE (January 1980-March 1999), LILACS (January 1982-March 1999), MEDLINE (January 1964-March 1999), PsycLIT (January 1974-March 1999), and SCISEARCH were searched. Further references were sought from published trials and their authors.

SELECTION CRITERIA

All randomised clinical trials comparing benzodiazepines with placebo for people with antipsychotic-induced acute akathisia.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two reviewers, working independently, selected, quality assessed and extracted data. These data were then analysed on an intention-to-treat basis. For homogeneous dichotomous data the fixed effects relative risk (RR), the 95% confidence intervals (CI) and, where appropriate, the number needed to treat (NNT) were calculated on an intention-to-treat basis. For continuous data, reviewers calculated weighted mean differences.

MAIN RESULTS

Two small (total N=27) randomised controlled trials were included. By seven to 14 days, there was a reduction in symptoms for those patients receiving clonazepam compared with placebo (2 RCTs, N=26, RR 0.09 CI 0.01 to 0.6, NNT 1.2 CI 0.9 to 1.5). No significant difference was found for adverse events (2 RCTs, N=26, RR 3.00 CI 0.2 to 62) or the need for anticholinergic medication (2 RCTs, N=26, RR 1.56 CI 0.9 to 2.7). No one left the two studies early. Data on mental, social and family outcomes could not be pooled and there was little or no data on user satisfaction, deaths, violence, criminal behaviour and costs.

REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS

Over a short follow-up period, the use of benzodiazepines may reduce the symptoms of antipsychotic-induced acute akathisia. This review highlights the need for well designed, conducted and reported clinical trials to address the claims of open studies.

Carbamazepine for cocaine dependence

BACKGROUND

Cocaine dependence has become a substantial public health problem, developing a significant number of medical, psychological and social problems, including the spread of infectious diseases (e.g. AIDS, hepatitis and tuberculosis), crime, violence and neonatal drug exposure. Although there is no consensus regarding how to treat cocaine dependence, effective pharmacotherapy has a potentially major role to play as part of a broader treatment milieu. The anti-convulsant carbamazepine, a tricyclic medication that is widely used to treat a variety of neurological and psychiatric disorders, has also been used for treatment of cocaine dependence, although its effectiveness has not been established.

OBJECTIVES

To determine whether carbamazepine (CBZ) is effective for the treatment of cocaine dependence.

SEARCH STRATEGY

We searched: the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register (Cochrane Library issue 1, 1999), MEDLINE (from 1966 - October 1997), EMBASE (from 1980 - October 1997), PsycLIT (from 1974 - July 1997), Biological Abstracts and LILACS (from 1982 - 1997); scan of reference list of relevant articles; personal communication; conference abstracts; unpublished trials from pharmaceutical industry; book chapters on treatment of cocaine dependence.

SELECTION CRITERIA

The inclusion criteria for all randomised controlled trials were that they should focus on the use of carbamazepine drugs versus placebo on the treatment of cocaine dependence. Trials including patients with additional diagnosis such as opiate dependence were also eligible.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

The reviewers extracted the data independently and Odds Ratios, weighted mean difference and number needed to treat were estimated. Qualitative assessments of the methodology of eligible studies were carried out using validated checklists. The reviewers assumed that people who died or dropped out had no improvement and tested the sensitivity of the final results to this assumption. Where possible analysis was carried out according to the "intention to treat" principles.

MAIN RESULTS

5 studies were included in the review, with 455 people randomised. No differences were found regarding positive urine sample for cocaine metabolites. Scores on Spielberg State Anxiety Inventory slightly favoured carbamazepine, but didn't reach statistical significance. Dropouts were high in both groups up to 70% in the placebo group. Less dropout occurred in the carbamazepine group (RR 0.87 95%CI 0.71-1.06). When no retention in treatment was due to side effects no differences were found. The number of participants presenting at least one side effect, reported in Kranzler (Kranzler 1995), was higher in the carbamazepine group (RR 4.33 95% CI 1.45-12.91).

REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS

There is no current evidence supporting the clinical use of CBZ in the treatment of cocaine dependence. Larger randomised investigation must be considered taking into account that these time-consuming efforts should be reserved for medications showing more relevant and promising evidence.

Tamanho da Partícula do Milho e Forma Física da Ração e Seus Efeitos Sobre o Desempenho e Rendimento de Carcaça de Frangos de Corte

Este experimento foi realizado com o objetivo de investigar os efeitos de diferentes granulometrias, expressa em Diâmetro Geométrico Médio (DGM) do milho (0,336mm, 0,585mm, 0,856 mm e 1,12 mm) de dietas fornecidas na forma farelada (FAR) e peletizada (PEL), no desempenho e no rendimento de carcaça e de cortes de frangos de corte de 21 a 42 dias de idade. Dietas FAR, produzidas com DGM de 0,336 mm resultaram em um menor consumo (p<0,001), ganho de peso (p<0,001) e pior conversão alimentar (p<0,001) do que as PEL de mesmo DGM. Os demais DGM não mostraram diferenças entre ração FAR e PEL. Quando avaliada somente a granulometria, observou-se que o aumento no DGM melhorou o ganho de peso linearmente e de forma quadrática o consumo e a conversão alimentar. Não houve influência da forma física ou DGM em rendimento de carcaça e rendimento de perna+coxa. Porém foi verificada uma redução em rendimento de peito com DGM 0,336 mm (p<0,001), na forma FAR.

Entropy-based analysis of the number partitioning problem

In this paper we apply the multicanonical method of statistical physics on the number partitioning problem (NPP). This problem is a basic NP-hard problem from computer science, and can be formulated as a spin-glass problem. We compute the spectral degeneracy, which gives us information about the number of solutions for a given cost E and cardinality difference m. We also study an extension of this problem for Q partitions. We show that a fundamental difference on the spectral degeneracy of the generalized (Q>2) NPP exists, which could explain why it is so difficult to find good solutions for this case.

[Caring for patients with Hickman-Broviac catheters: a case study]

Caring the patient with Hickman-Broviac catheter: a case study. The authors make a short literature review about the Hickman-Broviac catheter and after they analyse and comment about the nursing staff's knowledge and patient's self care related to this catheter.

An ultrasonographic study of liver fibrosis in patients infected with Schistosoma mansoni in north-east Brazil

Between August 1988 and July 1990, 176 patients with Schistosoma mansoni infection attending the University Hospital, Recife, Brazil received a complete clinical examination including stool examination for intestinal parasites, liver function tests, and ultrasonography. The majority were also examined by upper digestive tract endoscopy. The clinical distribution of their disease was as follows: 26.7% intestinal, 13.6% hepato-intestinal, 53.4% compensated hepatosplenic and 6.3% decompensated hepatosplenic. Infection intensity was high, with a median of 360 eggs/g of faeces. Ultrasonography showed a good correlation between the degree of hepatic periportal fibrosis and the clinical stage of disease (P < 0.0001). Of the patients with the intestinal form of schistosomiasis, 12.8% had grade I fibrosis and the others had no fibrosis; 33.3% of patients with hepatointestinal schistosomiasis had grade I fibrosis, 8.3% had grade II fibrosis, and 58.4% had no fibrosis; all the patients with hepatosplenic disease had grade II or grade III fibrosis. The degree of liver fibrosis detected by ultrasonography correlated with the degree of oesophageal varices detected by endoscopy (P = 0.0001). The degree of oesophageal varices also correlated with the presence of haemorrhage (P < 0.0001). Ultrasonography is considered superior to liver biopsy, permitting a dynamic approach to the study of schistosomiasis morbidity with precise diagnosis and simple sequential follow-up of post-treatment results.