High gravity batch and continuous processes for beer production: Evaluation of fermentation performance and beer quality

This study deals with two innovative brewing processes, high gravity batch and complete continuous beer fermentation systems. The results show a significant influence of the variables such as concentration and temperature on the yield factor of the substrate into ethanol and consequently on the productivity of the high gravity batch process. The technological feasibility of continuous production of beer based on yeast immobilization on cheap alternative carriers was also demonstrated. The influence of process parameters on fermentation performance and quality of the obtained beers was studied by sensorial analysis. No significant difference in the degree of acceptance between the obtained products and some traditional market brands was found. (c) 2008 Institute of Chemistry, Slovak Academy of Sciences.

The Outcomes of Visualization and Acupuncture on the Quality of Life of Adult Cancer Patients Receiving Chemotherapy

Background: The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) to treat cancer patients has increased around the world, and its benefits have been described. These therapies represent an important theme in oncology and have been used in parallel with conventional therapies. Objective: This study aimed to assess the outcomes of using relaxation with visualization and acupuncture on the quality of life of cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment and to compare these outcomes with patients who did not choose to receive the intervention. Methods: Participants chose to be in either the intervention group (IG) or control group (CG). They completed the Quality of Life Questionnaire-Core 30 at the start and end of chemotherapy. The IG was chosen by 38 patients with different types of cancer who completed weekly relaxation with visualization and acupuncture sessions, whereas the CG was composed of 37 patients who did not receive the intervention. Results: Statistically significant results evidenced an increase in global health and emotional and social functions and a decrease in fatigue and loss of appetite for the IG, and an increase in global health for the CG (P <= .05). A highly significant difference was found when comparing the post-chemotherapy scores of the Quality of Life Questionnaire-Core 30 in the global health domain between the CG and the IG (P <= .001), indicating positive outcomes of the CAM intervention. Conclusion: Adults with cancer are able to choose between involvement or not with this kind of CAM intervention. Global health could be improved by participating in this type of intervention. Implications for Practice: Choosing whether to be involved may be assisted by knowing the positive outcomes for some patients.

Prepenetration Stages of Guignardia psidii in Guava: Effects of Temperature, Wetness Duration and Fruit Age

This study examined the effects of temperature and wetness duration in vitro and in vivo as well as the effects of fruit age on germination and appressoria formation by conidia of Guignardia psidii, the causal agent of black spot disease in guava fruit. The temperatures tested for in vitro and in vivo experiments were 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40 degrees C. The wetness periods studied were 6, 12, 24, 36 and 48 h in vitro and 6, 12 and 24 h in vivo. Fruit 10, 35, 60, 85 and 110-days old were inoculated and maintained at 25 degrees C, with a wetness period of 24 h. Temperature and wetness duration affected the variables evaluated in vitro and in vivo. All variables reached their maximum values at between 25 and 30 degrees C with a wetness duration of 24 h in vivo and 48 h in vitro. These conditions resulted in 31.3% conidia germination, 33.6% appressoria formation and 32.5% appressoria melanization in vitro, and 50.4% conidia germination and 9.5% appressoria formation in vivo. Fruit age also influenced these factors. As fruit age increased, conidia germination and appressoria formation gradually increased. Conidia germination and appressoria formation were 10.8% and 2.3%, respectively, in 10-day-old fruits. In 110-day-old fruits, conidia germination and appressoria formation were 42.5% and 23.2% respectively.

Identification of microsatellites markers associated with yield components and quality parameters in sugarcane

Marker assisted selection depends on the identification of tightly linked association between marker and the trait of interest. In the present work, functional (EST-SSRs) and genomic (gSSRs) microsatellite markers were used to detect putative QTLs for sugarcane yield components (stalk number, diameter and height) and as well as for quality parameters (Brix, Pol and fibre) in plant cane. The mapping population (200 individuals) was derived from a bi-parental cross (IACSP95-3018 x IACSP93-3046) from the IAC Sugarcane Breeding Program. As the map is under construction, single marker trait association analysis based on the likelihood ratio test was undertaken to detect the QTLs. Of the 215 single dose markers evaluated (1:1 and 3:1), 90 (42%) were associated with putative QTLs involving 43 microsatellite primers (18 gSSRs and 25 EST-SSRs). For the yield components, 41 marker/trait associations were found: 20 for height, 6 for diameter and 15 for stalk number. An EST-SSRs marker with homology to non-phototropic hypocotyls 4 (NPH4) protein was associated with a putative QTL with positive effect for diameter as also with a negative effect for stalk number. In relation to the quality parameters, 18 marker trait associations were found for Brix, 19 for Pol, and 12 for fibre. For fibre, 58% of the QTLs detected showed a negative effect on this trait. Some makers associated with QTLs with a negative effect for fibre showed a positive effect for Pol, reflecting the negative correlation generally observed between these traits.

Nutritional Quality of Sorghum Seeds: Storage Proteins and Amino Acids

One sorghum commercial genotype (MASSA 03) and nine ICRISAT high-lysine genotypes from India were analyzed for storage protein content, distribution profile, and soluble amino acid concentrations. Storage proteins fraction were extracted and separated by SDS-PAGE. Soluble amino acids contents were determined by HPLC. Variations in intensity and appearance and disappearance of protein bands were observed among the sorghum genotypes suggesting genetic variability. Amino acid profile also indicated large variations in the amino acid concentrations. The high lysine and threonine soluble concentrations observed in the seeds of the sorghum genotypes encouraged the use of these genotypes as potential food source due to the better balanced amino acids profile.

EVALUATION OF THE INFLUENCE OF THE PROTEINIC QUALITY OF THE GENETICALLY MODIFIED AND ORGANIC SOY BEANS IN THE GROWTH OF TWO GENERATIONS OF RATS WISTAR

Feijo, T.S., Cardozo, SX, Daleprane, J.B., Sabaa Srur, A.U.O. & Boaventura, G.T. [Evaluation of the influence of the proteinic quality of the genetically modified and organic soy beans in the growth of two generations of rats Wistar.] Avaliacao da influencia da qualidade proteica da soja geneticamente modificada e organica no crescimento de duas geracoes de ratos Wistar. Revista Brasileira de Medicina Veterinaria, 31(3):139-144, 2009. Programa de Pos-Graduacao em Patologia, Hospital Universitario Antonio Pedro. Centro de Ciencias Medicas, Universidade Federal Fluminense. Rua Marques do Parana, 303, Niteroi, RJ 24030-210, Brasil. E-mail: sergian@ufnj.br Sixty four Wistar rats, male of two consecutive generations determined as F(0) and F(1) were used to study the cumulative effect of two variety soy beans, cultivated with organic seasoning and genetically modified, The animals of each generation were divided into three groups of eight rats each fed on diets consisted of organic soy, soy genetically modified and casein respectively. All the animals received water and the diet ad libitum for period of 28 days. Where the diet consumption and the animals weight were evaluated. After statistic analysis of the results no expressive differences were observed on diet consumption, weight variation, protein efficient ratio and food efficiency ratio on same group of animals in the different generations. On the other hand, significant difference was found on final proteinic retention on animal descendants of the same groups; however of different generations. With this, the supplementation of organic soy with L-cistin provided better avail of this protein in relation to the protein of the soy genetically modified. However, this supplementation did not reveal efficiency in keeping the proteinic employment from one generation to another one, since soy varieties presented better performance on F(0) generation when compared with F(1).

Dental caries in cerebral palsied individuals and their caregivers` quality of life

To study the correlation between caries experience in individuals with cerebral palsy (CP) and the quality of life of their primary caregivers. Sixty-five non-institutionalized individuals, presenting CP, aged 2-21 years old, were evaluated for caries experience. Their respective caregivers aged 20-74 years old answered the Short Form 36 (SF-36) health survey and Independence Measure for Children. Fifty-eight non-disabled individuals (ND group), aged 2-21 years old, and their respective caregivers, aged 25-56 years old, were submitted to the same evaluation process as the CP group. Primary caregivers of CP individuals exhibited significantly lower scores than the ND group in all subscales of the SF-36 health survey questionnaire: physical functioning, physical role, bodily pain, general health, vitality, social functioning, emotional role and mental health. The CP group presented significantly higher values for the Decayed, Missed and Filled (DMF-T) index than the ND group and a significant negative correlation was obtained between the SF-36 and DMF-T index. The results suggest that caregivers of CP individuals exhibited worse quality of life than those of the non-disabled. A negative correlation exists between caries experience of CP individuals and their caregivers` quality of life.

The prevalence and significance of periodic leg movements during sleep in patients with congestive heart failure

The aim of this study was to evaluate (1) the prevalence of periodic leg movements during sleep (PLMs) in a consecutive sample of congestive heart failure (CHF) outpatients; (2) the presence of correlation between PLMs, subjective daytime sleepiness, and sleep architecture; and (3) the heart rate response to PLMs in CHF. Seventy-nine [50 men, age 59 +/- 11 years, body mass index (BMI) 26 +/- 5 kg/m(2)] consecutive adult stable outpatients with CHF [left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) 36 +/- 6%] were prospectively evaluated. The patients underwent assessment of echocardiography, sleepiness (Epworth Scale), and overnight in-lab polysomnography. Fifteen patients (19%) had PLM index > 5. These subjects were similar in sex distribution, BMI, subjective somnolence, LVEF, and apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), but were significantly older than subjects without PLMs. Sleep architecture was similar in subjects with and without PLMs. There was a small but significant elevation of heart rate after PLMs (80.1 +/- 9.4 vs. 81.5 +/- 9.2; p < 0.001). The cardiac acceleration was also present in absence of electroencephalogram activation. The prevalence of PLMs in consecutive sample of adult CHF outpatients was 19%. There were no differences in subjective daytime sleepiness, sleep architecture, AHI, and severity of CHF in subjects with and without PLMs. PLMs caused a small but statistically significant cardiac acceleration.

Quality of life and neuropsychological changes in mild head trauma - Late analysis and correlation with S100B protein and cranial CT scan performed at hospital admission

Introduction: mild head trauma (MHT) is defined as a transient neurological deficit after trauma with a history of impairment or loss of consciousness lasting less than 15 min and/or posttraumatic amnesia, and a Glasgow Coma Scale between 13 and 15 on hospital admission. We evaluated 50 MHT patients 18 months after the trauma, addressing signs and symptoms of post-concussion syndrome, quality of life and the presence of anxiety and depression. We correlate those findings with the S100B protein levels and cranial CT scan performed at hospital admission after the trauma. Method: patients were asked to fill out questionnaires to assess quality of life (SF36), anxiety and depression (HADS), and signs and symptoms of post-concussion syndrome. For the control group, we asked the patient`s household members, who had no history of head trauma of any type, to answer the same questionnaires for comparison. Results: total quality of life index for patients with MHT was 58.16 (+/-5), lower than the 73.47 (+/-4) presented by the control group. Twenty patients (55.2%) and four (11.1%) controls were depressed. Seventeen patients (47.2%) presented anxiety, whereas only eight (22.2%) controls were considered anxious. Victims of MHT complained more frequently of loss of balance, dry mouth, pain in the arms, loss of memory and dizziness than their respective controls (p < 0.05). We found no correlation between the presence of these signs and symptoms, quality of life, presence of anxiety and depression with S100B protein levels or with presence of injury in the cranial CT performed at hospital admission. Conclusion: MHT is associated with a higher incidence of post-concussion syndrome symptoms, lower quality of life and anxiety than their respective controls even 18 months after the trauma. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Effect of a sequential education and monitoring programme on quality-of-life components in heart failure

Aims Trials of disease management programmes (DMP) in heart failure (HF) have shown controversial results regarding quality of life. We hypothesized that a DMP applied over the long-term could produce different effects on each of the quality-of-life components. Methods and results We extended the prospective, randomized REMADHE Trial, which studied a DMP in HF patients. We analysed changes in Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire components in 412 patients, 60.5% male, age 50.2 +/- 11.4 years, left ventricular ejection fraction 34.7 +/- 10.5%. During a mean follow-up of 3.6 +/- 2.2 years, 6.3% of patients underwent heart transplantation and 31.8% died. Global quality-of-life scores improved in the DMP intervention group, compared with controls, respectively: 57.5 +/- 3.1 vs. 52.6 +/- 4.3 at baseline, 32.7 +/- 3.9 vs. 40.2 +/- 6.3 at 6 months, 31.9 +/- 4.3 vs. 41.5 +/- 7.4 at 12 months, 26.8 +/- 3.1 vs. 47.0 +/- 5.3 at the final assessment; P<0.01. Similarly, the physical component (23.7 +/- 1.4 vs. 21.1 +/- 2.2 at baseline, 16.2 +/- 2.9 vs. 18.0 +/- 3.3 at 6 months, 17.3 +/- 2.9 vs. 23.1 +/- 5.7 at 12 months, 11.4 +/- 1.6 vs. 19.9 +/- 2.4 final; P<0.01), the emotional component (13.2 +/- 1.0 vs. 12.1 +/- 1.4 at baseline, 11.7 +/- 2.7 vs. 12.3 +/- 3.1 at 6 months, 12.4 +/- 2.9 vs. 16.8 +/- 5.9 at 12 months, 6.7 +/- 1.0 vs. 10.6 +/- 1.4 final; P<0.01) and the additional questions (20.8 +/- 1.2 vs. 19.3 +/- 1.8 at baseline, 14.3 +/- 2.7 vs. 17.3 +/- 3.1 at 6 months, 12.4 +/- 2.9 vs. 21.0 +/- 5.5 at 12 months, 6.7 +/- 1.4 vs. 17.3 +/- 2.2 final; P<0.01) were better (lower) in the intervention group. The emotional component improved earlier than the others. Post-randomization quality of life was not associated with events. Conclusion Components of the quality-of-life assessment responded differently to DMP. These results indicate the need for individualized DMP strategies in patients with HF. Trial registration information www.clincaltrials.gov NCT00505050-REMADHE.

Correlation between CD34(+) and exercise capacity, functional class, quality of life and norepinephrine in heart failure patients

Background: A previous study associated CD34(+) levels with NYHA functional class in heart failure patients. The aim of this study was to correlate CD34(+) levels to exercise capacity, functional class, quality of life and norepinephrine in heart failure patients. Methods: Twenty three sedentary patients (52 +/- 7 years, 78% male) answered the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire and rested for 20 minutes before an investigator collect a blood sample. After this, patients performed a cardiopulmonary exercise test to determine the heart rate at anaerobic and ventilatory threshold and oxygen consumption at peak effort, at anaerobic and ventilatory threshold. One other blood sample was collected during the peak effort to investigate the norepinephrine and CD34(+) levels. Results: Rest percentage of CD34(+) did not show correlation with: left ventricle ejection fraction (r = 0.03, p = 0.888), peakVO(2) (r = 0.32, p = 0.13), VO(2) at anaerobic threshold (VO(2)AT) (r = 0.03, p = 0.86), VO(2) at ventilatory threshold (VO(2)VT) (r = 0.36, p = 0.08), NYHA functional class (r = -0.2, p = 0.35), quality of life (Minnesota) (r = -0.17, p = 0.42). CD34(+) did not show correlation, either, with: peak VO(2) (r = 0.38, p = 0.06), VO(2)AT (r = 0.09, p = 0.65), VO(2)VT (r = 0.43, p = 0.4), NYHA functional class (r = -0.13, p = 0.54), quality of life (r = 0.00, p = 0.99). Conclusions: CD34(+) levels did not correlate with exercise capacity, functional class, quality of life and norepinephrine. Percentage of CD34(+) levels did not increase during the cardiopulmonary exercise test in heart failure patients. (Cardiol J 2009; 16, 5: 426-431)

Cross-cultural adaptation and validation of a Quality of Life questionnaire: The Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation questionnaire

Background:The Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) instrument is a disease-specific questionnaire for assessing the outcome of an intervention in nasal obstruction in trials. This instrument is only available in the English language and cross-culturally valid questionnaires are very important for all research, including nasal obstruction. The aim of the current study was to reproduce the cross-cultural adaptation process for the NOSE questionnaire in the Portuguese language (NOSE-p). Methodology: Cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the instrument were divided into two stages. Stage I involved four bilingual professionals, an expert committee and the author of the original instrument. In Stage 2, the NOSE-p was tested on 33 patients undergoing septoplasty for internal consistency, test-retest reliability, construct validity. discriminant validity, criterion validity, and response sensitivity. Results: The cross-cultural adaptation process was completed and the NOSE-p was demonstrated to be a valid instrument with satisfactory construct validity. It showed an adequate internal consistency reliability and adequate test-retest reliability. It could discriminate between patients with and without nasal obstruction and it has a high response sensitivity to change. Conclusions: The cross-cultural adaptation and validation process demonstrated to be valid and the NOSE-p proved to be applicable in Brazil.

Characteristics and Predictors of Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Patients With Systemic Hypertension

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a secondary cause of hypertension and independently associated with target-organ damage in hypertensive patients. However, OSA remains largely underdiagnosed and undertreated. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the characteristics and clinical predictors of OSA in a consecutive series of patients followed up in a hypertension unit. A total of 99 patients (age 46 +/- 11 years, body mass index 28.8 kg/m(2), range 25.1 to 32.9) underwent polysomnography. The clinical parameters included age, gender, obesity, daytime sleepiness, snoring, Berlin Questionnaire, resistant hypertension, and metabolic syndrome. Of the 99 patients, 55 (56%) had OSA (apnea-hypopnea index >5 events/hour). Patients with OSA were older and more obese, had greater levels of blood pressure, and presented with more diabetes, dyslipidemia, resistant hypenension, and metabolic syndrome than the patients without OSA. Of the patients with OSA, 51% had no excessive daytime sleepiness. The Berlin Questionnaire and patient age revealed a high sensitivity (0.93 and 0.91, respectively) but low specificity (0.59 and 0.48, respectively), and obesity and resistant hypertension revealed a low sensitivity (0.58 and 0.44, respectively) but high specificity (0.75 and 0.91, respectively) for OSA. Metabolic syndrome was associated with high sensitivity and specificity for OSA (0.86 and 0.85, respectively). Multiple regression analysis showed that age of 40 to 70 years (odds ratio 1.09, 95% confidence interval 1.03 to 1.16), a high risk of OSA on the Berlin Questionnaire (odds ratio 8.36, 95% confidence interval 1.67 to 41.85), and metabolic syndrome (odds ratio 19.04, 95% confidence interval 5.25 to 69.03) were independent variables associated with OSA. In conclusion, more important than the typical clinical features that characterize OSA, including snoring and excessive daytime sleepiness, the presence of the metabolic syndrome is as an important marker of OSA among patients with hypertension. (C) 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. (Am J Cardiol 2010;105:1135-1139)

Relation between Videofluoroscopy of the Esophagus and the Quality of Esophageal Speech

The goal of the current study was to compare the quality of esophageal speech and voice to videofluoroscopic features of the esophagus and pharyngoesophageal (PE) segment. The speech and voice characteristics of 30 laryngectomized patients were rated by 5 speech-language pathologists. Based on these ratings, patients were divided into 3 categories: fluent (n = 9), moderately fluent (n = 10) and nonfluent (n = 11). Videofluoroscopy of the PE region was then performed during both swallowing and voice production. An insufflation test and percutaneous pharyngeal plexus block were required in 9 patients to determine the etiology of poor esophageal voice production. The strongest videofluoroscopic indicators of nonfluent speakers were: (1) small or absent air reservoir and (2) lack of a vibrating PE segment. Fluent speakers presented with shorter PE segments (1.17 mm) compared to moderately fluent speakers (17.1-29.9 mm). Perceptually, fluent speakers presented with a predominantly rough vocal quality. In contrast, moderately fluent speakers presented with a tense quality. In addition, stoma blast noise was reduced in fluent speakers. Videofluoroscopic findings highly correlated with the quality of esophageal speech. Copyright (C) 2009 S. Karger AG, Basel

A randomized, placebo-controlled trial of the effects of physical exercises and estrogen therapy on health-related quality of life in postmenopausal women

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the isolated and associated effects of estrogen therapy (estradiol valerate 1 mg/d orally) and physical exercise (moderate aerobic exercise, 3 h/wk) on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and menopausal symptoms among women who had undergone hysterectomy. Design: A 6-month, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial with 44 postmenopausal women who had undergone hysterectomy. The interventions were physical exercise and hormone therapy (n = 9), being sedentary and hormone therapy (n = 14), physical exercise and placebo (n = 11), and being sedentary and placebo (n = 10). HRQOL was assessed by a Brazilian standard version of the Medical Outcome Study Short-Forrn Health Survey and symptoms by Kupperman Index at baseline and after 6 months. Results: There was a decrease in symptoms in all groups, but only groups who performed physical exercise showed an increase in quality of life. Analysis of variance showed that changes in physical functioning (P = 0.001) and bodily pain (P = 0.012) scores over the 6-month period differed significantly between women who exercised and women who were sedentary, regardless of hormone therapy. Hormone therapy had no effect, and there was also no significant association between physical exercise and hormone therapy in HRQOL. Conclusions: Physical exercises can reduce menopausal symptoms and enhance HRQOL, independent of whether hormone therapy is taken.