Flexible thermoplastic starch films functionalized with copper particles for packaging of food products

Biodegradable films based on thermoplastic corn starch (TPS) and copper particles with antimicrobial capacity were developed. Copper nanoparticles (Cu) and silica coated copper microparticles (Si-Cu) in the range of 0.25 to 5% were used. Composite films were obtained by melt-mixing and subsequent thermo-compression. Particles distributionwithin TPS matrix and the presence of some pores and cracks, induced by Si-Cu particles, was evaluated by SEM. The presence of both fillers gave composite films a brown pigmentation and decreased their transparency; these effects were more pronounced at higher particles concentrations. Regarding mechanical properties, copper particles at 1 and 5% acted as reinforcing agents increasing the maximum tensile strength but their presence lead to a decrease in elongation at break, affecting films ductility. Composites inhibited the growth of Gram+ and Gram- bacteria, demonstrating their antimicrobial capacity. Copper effectively migrated to a simulant of aqueous foods and naked particles concentration in the simulant medium resulted higher than the minimum inhibitory concentration for bacteria. The characteristics and properties of developed composite films make them an interesting material for food primary packaging, mainly for meat fresh products.Fil: Lopez, Olivia Valeria. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química; ArgentinaFil: Villanueva, María Emilia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Química y Metabolismo del Fármaco. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Química y Metabolismo del Fármaco; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Luján; ArgentinaFil: Copello, Guillermo Javier. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Química y Metabolismo del Fármaco. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Química y Metabolismo del Fármaco; ArgentinaFil: Villar, Marcelo Armando. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química; Argentin

Comparison of methods for daily prediction of the temperature and humidity index (ITH) in Nogoyá Departament, Entre Ríos

El ITH es un índice que combina las variables de temperatura y humedad, se utiliza para determinar si los bovinos de leche se hallan en condiciones ambientales de confort. Cuando el ITH supera el valor 72 el bovino puede entrar en estrés calórico lo que podría repercutir de manera negativa en la producción láctea. Existen estrategias de manejo que los tamberos pueden implementar para mitigar los efectos negativos del estrés calórico. Por eso es importante contar con un pronóstico del ITH. En el presente trabajo se proponen y evalúan dos metodologías para la estimación del ITH y su aplicación al desarrollo de pronóstico previsto en el proyecto de extensión ´Sistema de alerta por estrés calórico para vacas lecheras: La vaca bacana´. Las metodologías propuestas consisten en a) estimación a partir de dos funciones ajustadas entre ITH y temperatura, para valores inferiores y superiores a 27°C; y b) estimación a partir del ajuste de una función senoidal para la temperatura y aproximación de la temperatura del punto de rocío a la temperatura mínima para el cálculo de la humedad relativa. Se utilizaron datos disponibles de la estación meteorológica automática de Nogoyá de la Bolsa de Cereales de Entre Ríos correspondientes al período septiembre 2014 - marzo 2015 para evaluar las metodologías propuestas, comparando valores de ITH. Los dos métodos propuestos resultaron adecuados, con ajustes similares, para la estimación de los valores diarios de ITH, como así también para determinar la duración de los intervalos de tiempo con ITH superior a 72.The THI, an index that combines temperature and relative humidity, is used to determine if dairy cattle are at comfortable environmental conditions. When THI exceeds 72 value, cows may experience heat stress, which could have negative effects on milk production. Dairy farmers can apply management practices to reduce the negative effects of heat stress, so it is important to have a forecast THI to anticipate the implementation of proper practices. In this paper we propose and evaluate two methods for the estimation of THI and the length of the intervals with THI higher than 72 from air temperature, in order to develop a forecast for Nogoyá city, Entre Rios. The proposed methods consist of a) THI estimation from linear functions fitted between THI and temperature; and b) THI estimation from hourly evolution of temperature and relative humidity, estimated with a sine function. Available data of the period September 2014 to March 2015 from the automatic weather station from Bolsa de Cereales de Entre Ríos located at Nogoyá were used. In a) method, two linear functions were fitted to estimate THI maximum and minimum from maximum and minimum daily temperature, respectively. The estimated THI maximum and minimum were used in a proportional scheme to determine the daily hours with THI higher than 72. In b) method, a sine function was used to estimate the daily evolution of temperature and relative humidity from maximum and minimum daily temperature, which were used to the calculus of THI. The duration of the intervals with THI higher than 72 were determined, and also calculated in a daily scale. The proposed methods were similar and adequate to THI estimation, and to determine the length of the hourly intervals with THI above 72. Method a) is more simple to use than method b) because required less calculus, but the last one also allow to determine time intervals of length higher than a day. The both methods could be used for THI forecast from daily maximum and minimum temperature.Fil: Kemerer, Alejandra Cecilia. Universidad Nacional de Entre Ríos. Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias; ArgentinaFil: Maltese, Nicolás Elías. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Entre Ríos. Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias; ArgentinaFil: Aguirre, Cesar Augusto. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Entre Ríos. Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias; ArgentinaFil: Lissaso, Cecilia María Andrea. Universidad Nacional de Entre Ríos. Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias; ArgentinaFil: Lopez. Guillermo Gabriel. Universidad Nacional de Entre Ríos. Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias; ArgentinaFil: Brizuela, Armando Benito. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Entre Ríos. Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias; Argentin

Clinico‐biological features and outcome of patients with splenic marginal zone lymphoma with histological transformation

We describe 36 patients with splenic marginal zone lymphoma (SMZL) with transformation (SMZL-T), including 15 from a series of 84 patients with SMZL diagnosed at the Hospital Clinic of Barcelona (HCB) and 21 diagnosed with SMZL-T in other centres. In the HCB cohort, the cumulative incidence of transformation at 5 years was 15%. Predictors for transformation were cytopenias, hypoalbuminaemia, complex karyotype (CK) and both the Intergruppo Italiano Linfomi (ILL) and simplified Haemoglobin, Platelet count, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and extrahilar Lymphadenopathy (HPLL)/ABC scores (P < 0·05). The only independent predictor for transformation in multivariate analysis was CK [hazard ratio (HR) 4·025, P = 0·05]. Patients with SMZL-T had a significantly higher risk of death than the remainder (HR 3·89, P < 0·001). Of the 36 patients with SMZL-T, one developed Hodgkin lymphoma and 35 a diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, 71% with a non-germinal centre phenotype. The main features were B symptoms, lymphadenopathy, and high serum LDH. CK was observed in 12/22 (55%) SMZL-T and fluorescence in situ hybridisation detected abnormalities of MYC proto-oncogene, basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor (MYC), B-cell leukaemia/lymphoma 2 (BCL2) and/or BCL6 in six of 14 (43%). In all, 21 patients received immunochemotherapy, six chemotherapy, one radiotherapy and three splenectomy. The complete response (CR) rate was 61% and the median survival from transformation was 4·92 years. Predictors for a worse survival in multivariate analysis were high-risk International Prognostic Index (HR 5·294, P = 0·016) and lack of CR (HR 2·67, P < 0·001)

La vid silvestre en México. Actualidades y potencial

En ocho capítulos se aborda el estado del arte de la vid silvestre en MéxicoEl estudio de las especies vegetales nativas de México representa un reto que cada día más investigadores mexicanos asumen. Durante muchos años, el apoyo a la investigación pública ha sido mínimo; desde el punto de vista agronómico es insuficiente para avanzar a la velocidad que requiere nuestro país para afrontar problemas de producción y distribución de alimentos. Por esa razón, entre otras, me es grato presentar esta obra que compila parte de los trabajos de la Red de Vid Silvestre patrocinada por el Sistema Nacional de Recursos Fitogenéticos (sinarefi) dependiente de la sagarpa; trabajos apuntalados por investigadores que sin pertenecer a la red han colaborado en el estudio de las plantas del género Vitis. En este libro se muestra el potencial del país para aprovechar el recurso vid, empleado desde antes de la conquista española por nativos mexicanos que conocían sus bondades. Es necesario continuar el avance en el conocimiento de este recurso, por ello el presente libro pretende invitar a toda persona interesada en contribuir con el rescate y conservación de las vides mexicanas. Los autores y editores, así como las instituciones en donde laboramos y aquellas que patrocinan estas investigaciones, esperamos se cumpla este objetivo y que el lector, alumno, profesor, investigador, público en general, disfrute esta lectura y, sobre todo, se interese en el recurso VitisSEP, SINAREFI, UAEME

AUGMENT : a phase III study of lenalidomide plus rituximab versus placebo plus rituximab in relapsed or refractory indolent lymphoma

PURPOSE Patients with indolent non-Hodgkin lymphoma typically respond well to first-line immunochemotherapy. At relapse, single-agent rituximab is commonly administered. Data suggest the immunomodulatory agent lenalidomide could increase the activity of rituximab. METHODS A phase III, multicenter, randomized trial of lenalidomide plus rituximab versus placebo plus rituximab was conducted in patients with relapsed and/or refractory follicular or marginal zone lymphoma. Patients received lenalidomide or placebo for 12 cycles plus rituximab once per week for 4 weeks in cycle 1 and day 1 of cycles 2 through 5. The primary end point was progression-free survival per independent radiology review. RESULTS A total of 358 patients were randomly assigned to lenalidomide plus rituximab (n = 178) or placebo plus rituximab (n = 180). Infections (63% v 49%), neutropenia (58% v 23%), and cutaneous reactions (32% v 12%) were more common with lenalidomide plus rituximab. Grade 3 or 4 neutropenia (50% v 13%) and leukopenia (7% v 2%) were higher with lenalidomide plus rituximab; no other grade 3 or 4 adverse event differed by 5% or more between groups. Progression-free survival was significantly improved for lenalidomide plus rituximab versus placebo plus rituximab, with a hazard ratio of 0.46 (95% CI, 0.34 to 0.62; P < .001) and median duration of 39.4 months (95% CI, 22.9 months to not reached) versus 14.1 months (95% CI, 11.4 to 16.7 months), respectively. CONCLUSION Lenalidomide improved efficacy of rituximab in patients with recurrent indolent lymphoma, with an acceptable safety profile

Sustained Progression-Free Survival Benefit of Rituximab Maintenance in Patients With Follicular Lymphoma : Long-Term Results of the PRIMA Study

PURPOSE The PRIMA study (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00140582) established that 2 years of rituximab maintenance after first-line immunochemotherapy significantly improved progression-free survival (PFS) in patients with follicular lymphoma compared with observation. Here, we report the final PFS and overall survival (OS) results from the PRIMA study after 9 years of follow-up and provide a final overview of safety. METHODS Patients (> 18 years of age) with previously untreated high-tumor-burden follicular lymphoma were nonrandomly assigned to receive one of three immunochemotherapy induction regimens. Responding patients were randomly assigned (stratified by induction regimen, response to induction treatment, treatment center, and geographic region) 1:1 to receive 2 years of rituximab maintenance (375 mg/m(2), once every 8 weeks), starting 8 weeks after the last induction treatment, or observation (no additional treatment). All patients in the extended follow-up provided their written informed consent (data cutoff: December 31, 2016). RESULTS In total, 1,018 patients completed induction treatment and were randomly assigned to rituximab maintenance (n = 505) or observation (n = 513). Consent for the extended follow-up was provided by 607 patients (59.6%) of 1,018 (rituximab maintenance, n = 309; observation, n = 298). After data cutoff, median PFS was 10.5 years in the rituximab maintenance arm compared with 4.1 years in the observation arm (hazard ratio, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.52 to 0.73; P <.001). No OS difference was seen in patients randomly assigned to rituximab maintenance or observation (hazard ratio, 1.04; 95% CI, 0.77 to 1.40; P = .7948); 10-year OS estimates were approximately 80% in both study arms. No new safety signals were observed. CONCLUSION Rituximab maintenance after induction immunochemotherapy provides a significant long-term PFS, but not OS, benefit over observation.Peer reviewe

Determinacions del perfil genètic de les malalties neoplàstiques hematològiques

Malalties neoplàstiques hematològiques; Perfil genètic; PrecisióEnfermedades neoplásticas hematológicas; Perfil genético; PrecisiónHematological neoplastic diseases; Genetic profile; AccuracyLa patologia hematooncològica s’ha dividit en tres grups: limfoide, mieloide i leucèmia aguda limfoblàstica. S’ha definit la llista de gens adequada per a cada patologia i tots ells han estat seleccionats atenent a: La seva utilitat diagnòstica i de diagnòstic diferencial amb altres entitats i que, per tant, permetin a l’equip diagnòstic (hematòlegs, patòlegs o biòlegs) realitzar un diagnòstic ben fet. La seva utilitat pronòstica i predictiva, sempre que això comporti un canvi d’actitud terapèutica. Per exemple, indicació de trasplantament de progenitors o altres teràpies cel·lulars, canvi en el seguiment i canvi en el tipus de tractament. La seva utilitat terapèutica per a la indicació de l’ús de fàrmacs diana

Determinacions del perfil genètic de les malalties neoplàstiques hematològiques

Malalties neoplàstiques hematològiques; Perfil genètic; PrecisióEnfermedades neoplásticas hematológicas; Perfil genético; PrecisiónHematological neoplastic diseases; Genetic profile; AccuracyLa patologia hematooncològica s’ha dividit en tres grups: limfoide, mieloide i leucèmia aguda limfoblàstica. S’ha definit la llista de gens adequada per a cada patologia i tots ells han estat seleccionats atenent a: La seva utilitat diagnòstica i de diagnòstic diferencial amb altres entitats i que, per tant, permetin a l’equip diagnòstic (hematòlegs, patòlegs o biòlegs) realitzar un diagnòstic ben fet. La seva utilitat pronòstica i predictiva, sempre que això comporti un canvi d’actitud terapèutica. Per exemple, indicació de trasplantament de progenitors o altres teràpies cel·lulars, canvi en el seguiment i canvi en el tipus de tractament. La seva utilitat terapèutica per a la indicació de l’ús de fàrmacs diana

Molecular Diagnosis of Primary Mediastinal B Cell Lymphoma Identifies a Clinically Favorable Subgroup of Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma Related to Hodgkin Lymphoma

Using current diagnostic criteria, primary mediastinal B cell lymphoma (PMBL) cannot be distinguished from other types of diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) reliably. We used gene expression profiling to develop a more precise molecular diagnosis of PMBL. PMBL patients were considerably younger than other DLBCL patients, and their lymphomas frequently involved other thoracic structures but not extrathoracic sites typical of other DLBCLs. PMBL patients had a relatively favorable clinical outcome, with a 5-yr survival rate of 64% compared with 46% for other DLBCL patients. Gene expression profiling strongly supported a relationship between PMBL and Hodgkin lymphoma: over one third of the genes that were more highly expressed in PMBL than in other DLBCLs were also characteristically expressed in Hodgkin lymphoma cells. PDL2, which encodes a regulator of T cell activation, was the gene that best discriminated PMBL from other DLBCLs and was also highly expressed in Hodgkin lymphoma cells. The genomic loci for PDL2 and several neighboring genes were amplified in over half of the PMBLs and in Hodgkin lymphoma cell lines. The molecular diagnosis of PMBL should significantly aid in the development of therapies tailored to this clinically and pathogenetically distinctive subgroup of DLBCL

A Ribosomal Misincorporation of Lys for Arg in Human Triosephosphate Isomerase Expressed in Escherichia coli Gives Rise to Two Protein Populations

We previously observed that human homodimeric triosephosphate isomerase (HsTIM) expressed in Escherichia coli and purified to apparent homogeneity exhibits two significantly different thermal transitions. A detailed exploration of the phenomenon showed that the preparations contain two proteins; one has the expected theoretical mass, while the mass of the other is 28 Da lower. The two proteins were separated by size exclusion chromatography in 3 M urea. Both proteins correspond to HsTIM as shown by Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC/ESI-MS/MS). The two proteins were present in nearly equimolar amounts under certain growth conditions. They were catalytically active, but differed in molecular mass, thermostability, susceptibility to urea and proteinase K. An analysis of the nucleotides in the human TIM gene revealed the presence of six codons that are not commonly used in E. coli. We examined if they were related to the formation of the two proteins. We found that expression of the enzyme in a strain that contains extra copies of genes that encode for tRNAs that frequently limit translation of heterologous proteins (Arg, Ile, Leu), as well as silent mutations of two consecutive rare Arg codons (positions 98 and 99), led to the exclusive production of the more stable protein. Further analysis by LC/ESI-MS/MS showed that the 28 Da mass difference is due to the substitution of a Lys for an Arg residue at position 99. Overall, our work shows that two proteins with different biochemical and biophysical properties that coexist in the same cell environment are translated from the same nucleotide sequence frame