Effect of storage conditions on furosine formation in milk-cereal based baby foods

[EN] The effect of storage during 9 months at 25, 30 and 37 degrees C on furosine formation in three milk-cereal based baby foods was studied to evaluate development of the Maillard reaction. Furosine was measured by HPLC-UV. Immediately after the manufacturing process, furosine contents were 310-340 mg/100 g protein and at the 9th storage month were 426-603 mg/100 g protein. Storage time and temperature have a significant increase (p < 0.05) of furosine content during storage. Furosine contents were higher in sample containing honey than in those without honey. Interactions (p < 0.05) between storage time and temperature or type of sample were found. A predictive model equation of the evolution of furosine during storage explaining 80% of the variability in furosine content was obtained. The blockage of lysine through storage calculated using the furosine and total lysine provided values ranged from 9.5% to 18.1% for analysed baby foods. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.L. Bosch is the holder of a grant from the Spanish Ministry of Education and Science. Thanks are due to the Generalitat Valenciana for the financial support given to the Bionutest (group 03/003), and also to Hero Espan˜a S.A. for providing the samples and for financing help.Bosch, L.; Alegría, A.; Farre, R.; Clemente Marín, G. (2008). Effect of storage conditions on furosine formation in milk-cereal based baby foods. Food Chemistry. 107(4):1681-1686. doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2007.09.051S16811686107

Recent Changes in Breast Cancer Incidence in Spain, 1980–2004

BACKGROUND: Since the 1980s, Spain experienced two decades of sharply increasing breast cancer incidence. Declines in breast cancer incidence have recently been reported in many developed countries. We examined whether a similar downturn might have taken place in Spain in recent years. METHODS: Cases of invasive female breast cancer were drawn from all population-based Spanish cancer registries that had at least 10 years of uninterrupted registration over the period 1980-2004. Overall and age-specific changes in incidence rates were evaluated using change-point Poisson models, which allow for accurate detection and estimation of trend changes. All statistical tests were two-sided. RESULTS: A total of 80,453 incident cases of invasive breast cancer were identified. Overall age- and registry-adjusted incidence rates rose by 2.9% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.7% to 3.1%) annually during the 1980s and 1990s; there was a statistically significant change in this trend in 2001 (95% CI = 1998 to 2004; P value for the existence of a change point <.001), after which incidence declined annually by 3.0% (95% CI = 1.8% to 4.1%). This trend differed by age group: There was a steady increase in incidence for women younger than 45 years, an abrupt downturn in 2001 for women aged 45-64 years, and a gradual leveling off in 1995 for women aged 65 years or older. Separate analyses for registries that had at least 15 years of uninterrupted registration detected a statistically significant interruption of the previous upward trend in breast cancer incidence in provinces that had aggressive breast cancer screening programs and high screening participation rates, including Navarra (change point = 1991, P < .001), Granada (change point = 2002, P = .003), Bizkaia (change point = 1998, P < .001), Gipuzkoa (change point = 1998, P = .001), and Araba (change point = 1997, P = .002). CONCLUSIONS: The recent downturn in breast cancer incidence among Spanish women older than 45 years is best explained by a period effect linked to screening saturation.Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP) (AC07-005 to M.P., PM07-004 to R.P-B.) and Carlos III Institute of Health (ISCIII-CIBERESP collaborative agreement “Acción Transversal del Cancer”).S

Are systemic corticosteroids useful for the management of acute pharyngitis?

Resumen INTRODUCCIÓN La faringitis aguda constituye un motivo de consulta frecuente, en especial por el dolor asociado a ésta. El manejo habitual incluye antiinflamatorios no esteroidales y antibióticos en casos seleccionados, pero el alivio del dolor no siempre se consigue de manera rápida. Se ha planteado el uso de corticoides como alternativa terapéutica, pero existe controversia al respecto. MÉTODOS Utilizamos Epistemonikos, la mayor base de datos de revisiones sistemáticas en salud, la cual es mantenida mediante búsquedas en múltiples fuentes de información, incluyendo MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane, entre otras. Extrajimos los datos desde las revisiones identificadas, reanalizamos los datos de los estudios primarios, realizamos un metanálisis y preparamos tablas de resumen de los resultados utilizando el método GRADE. RESULTADOS Y CONCLUSIONES Identificamos ocho revisiones sistemáticas que en conjunto incluyen 11 estudios primarios, entre ellos 10 ensayos aleatorizados. Concluimos que el uso de corticoides sistémicos en cursos cortos reduce el dolor asociado a la faringitis aguda, sin aumentar el riesgo de efectos adversos

Nationwide evaluation study of asphalt concrete overlays placed on fractured PCC pavements

Historically, agencies responsible for pavement rehabilitation have tried a wide variety of materials, processes, and construction methods to eliminate or minimize reflective cracking of asphaltic concrete overlays placed on existing portland cement concrete (PCC) pavements. Over the last 10 years, the fractured slab approach using rubblize, crack and seat, and break and seat has gained increased acceptance. Because the fractured slab approach has gradually evolved through field demonstration and actual projects, very little fundamental knowledge concerning design, construction, and performance models is available. Understandably, performance to date has been variable. To improve the state of the art and develop a better understanding of these techniques, a nationwide study was undertaken. A literature review resulted in the location of nearly 500 highway projects throughout the United States. From this generalized data base, approximately 100 sites were selected for detailed field studies. Field crews conducted visual distress surveys to assess pavement performance and nondestructive deflection testing to assess the in situ characteristics of the pavement layers. The general approach used for the research study and the analysis of field performance and structural data obtained is presented. Performance predictive equations are presented along with the evaluation of the backcalculated effective moduli of fractured PCC slabs for each technique. Analysis of within and between project variability is presented. The selection of optimal rehabilitation procedures and strategies for deteriorating highway pavements requires a knowledge of the type and cause of the distress, determination of candidate rehabilitation procedures, and selection of an optimal strategy based on economic and other considerations. For portland cement concrete (PCC) pavements, the array of possible rehabilitation procedures includes nonoverlay methods such as undersealing, grinding of the surface, and removal and replacement of distressed areas; fulf reconstruction by replacement or recycling; PCC overlays; and asphaltic concrete (AC) overlays. Review of current practice indicates that AC overlays are the most commonly used PCC rehabilitation procedure, with about $1 billion of AC overlays placed· each year, and this amount will likely increase in the future (J). Even though they are commonly used, the performance of AC overlays on PCC pavements is often hampered by the occurrence of reflection cracks over existing joints and cracks. Reflection cracks in the AC overlays are caused by a combination of thermal and traffic-induced stresses. Expansion and contraction of the PCC pavement results in horizontal movements that produce strains in the AC overlay exceeding its tensile strength. Traffic loads can cause vertical differential movements at the location of joints and working cracks in the PCC slab and induce critical shear stresses at the bottom of the AC layer. The overlay immediately over the joints and working cracks in the PCC is not able to accommodate these localized movements, resulting in the development of reflection cracks. A wide variety of rehabilitation techniques aimed at preventing the formation of, or minimizing, reflection cracking have been attempted. They include thick (conventional) overlays, crack relief layers, the saw and seal technique, special overlay and interface materials, and the fractured slab approach. Of these, the technique that has been used increasingly over the last 10 years has been the fractured slab approach. The major objective of the fractured slab approach is to reduce the effective in situ slab length before the overlay is placed. If this is effectively accomplished, the likelihood of having reflective cracks appear is significantly reduced or eliminated. The probability of reflective cracking is proportional to the horizontal movement at joints and cracks, which in tum is directly proportional to the spacing between joints and cracks. The fractured slab category is generally subdivided into three major types of rehabilitation: rubblize, crack and seat, and break and seat. Rubblize is a fractured slab process intended to transform the existing PCC layers into fragments having textural and gradational characteristics similar to those of a large aggregate size crushed stone base. It is most effectively accomplished with a resonant pavement breaker, which has been successfully used on all types of existing PCC pavements [i.e., jointed plain (JPC), jointed reinforced (JRC), and continuously reinforced (CRC) concrete pavements]. Crack/seat and break/seat are fracture techniques intended to produce very short rigid slabs whose effective lengths vary from 12 to 48 in. The techniques are similar, with guillotines or spring-arm (whip) hammers being used to develop reduced crack spacings in the existing PCC pavement. There is, however, a significant distinction between the two techniques. Crack/seat is associated with the fractured slab process conducted solely on JPC pavements. For these pavements, th

Moving Pavement Deflection Testing Devices: State-of-the-Technology and Best Uses

Pavement management systems (PMS) have historically relied on distress (e.g., cracking, and rutting) and roughness (e.g., International Roughness Index or IRI) as key pavement performance indicators in the decisions-making process. Both are important indicators that merit emphasis within the PMS process, but they are not the only ones. Structural adequacy, for example, is another important pavement performance indicator that is critical to making rational pavement rehabilitation decisions. And indeed, more and more highway agencies in the USA are incorporating deflection testing as part of their routine PMS activities. Deflection testing for the structural evaluation of pavements has been around for decades. Falling Weight Deflectometers (FWDs) represent the state-of-the-practice in pavement deflection testing; however, FWD testing is a stop-and-go operation that requires lane closures (hence can cause traffic disruptions and create a safety hazard) and that has limited production rates. To overcome these shortcomings, a number of organizations have developed moving pavement deflection testing devices. Recognizing the potential benefits of these devices, the Federal Highway Administration commissioned Fugro Consultants, Inc., to undertake a study to determine whether the current devices can be put to good practical use and, if so, how best to utilize the devices. This paper presents the results of the study. Highlights from a state-of-the-technology review into moving pavement deflection measurements are presented; three devices were identified as viable. Findings and conclusions from a technology assessment of the three viable devices are also presented, including the best uses for these devices

Do cannabinoids constitute a therapeutic alternative for anorexia nervosa?

Resumen INTRODUCCIÓN Se ha planteado que la estimulación del apetito con cannabinoides podría constituir una alternativa terapéutica en anorexia nerviosa. Sin embargo, su utilidad clínica y seguridad genera controversia. MÉTODOS Para responder esta pregunta utilizamos Epistemonikos, la mayor base de datos de revisiones sistemáticas en salud, la cual es mantenida mediante búsquedas en múltiples fuentes de información, incluyendo MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane, entre otras. Extrajimos los datos desde las revisiones identificadas, reanalizamos los datos de los estudios primarios, preparamos tablas de resumen de los resultados utilizando el método GRADE. RESULTADOS Y CONCLUSIONES: Identificamos cuatro revisiones sistemáticas que en conjunto incluyen dos estudios primarios, ambos correspondientes a ensayos aleatorizados. Concluimos que los cannabinoides podrían no aumentar el peso ni mejorar la sintomatología en la anorexia nerviosa, y se asocian a efectos adversos frecuentes

Case Report: "ADHD Trainer": the mobile application that enhances cognitive skills in ADHD patients [version 5; referees: 2 approved, 1 approved with reservations]

We report the case of a 10 year old patient diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and comorbid video game addiction, who was treated with medication combined with a novel cognitive training method based on video games called TCT method. A great risk of developing video game or internet addiction has been reported in children, especially in children with ADHD. Despite this risk, we hypothesize that the good use of these new technologies might be useful to develop new methods of cognitive training. The cognitive areas in which a greater improvement was observed through the use of video games were visuospatial working memory and fine motor skills. TCT method is a cognitive training method that enhances cognitive skills such as attention, working memory, processing speed, calculation ability, reasoning, and visuomotor coordination. The purpose of reviewing this case is to highlight that regular cognitive computerized training in ADHD patients may improve some of their cognitive symptoms and might be helpful for treating video game addiction