Detection of illegal estrogen administration through immunohistochemical markers in the bovine prostate

The immunodetection of diverse cell markers was evaluated in prostatic samples from bullocks, and bullocks showing epithelial hyperplasia-metaplasia, with oestrogen-induced changes, and in experimental samples from bullocks inoculated with dietylstilbestrol (DES). Antigen-retrieval procedures allowed the use of tissues that had been fixed in formalin for long periods. Three tissue markers were chosen for the study: cytokeratins 13 and 16, vimentin and desmin. Monoclonal antibody K8.12 (specific for cytokeratins 13 and 16) stained basal cells and hyperplastic-metaplastic epithelium; monoclonal antivimentin, and desmin, allowed the definition of fibromuscular changes.

Oestrus ovis infection of grazing sheep during summer in southern Chile

Abstract: Oestrus ovis is a botfly whose larvae cause nasal myiasis, an environmental-dependent disease in small ruminants, generating acute and chronic injuries in the cranial cavities of sheep. Chile is a country of the southernmost worldwide distribution of this parasite, and there is few information about. Whence, the objective of this study was to approximate the epidemiological situation of O. ovis infection in Chilean sheep. From December 2009 to March 2010, a total of 87 samples were obtained by necropsy for skull inspection. The larvae were collected, and microscopically identified. The prevalence in the sampled sheep was 60.9%. From those that were infected, 85.7% (18/21) of sheep were 1 to 3 years old, constituting the stratum with the highest prevalence. The difference of infection in females and males was not significant. The high risk of infection seems to be dependent upon the environmental conditions of this southern region, especially during summer when the first larval stage (L1) could be found as the evidence. Therefore, the disease should be considered as a significant problem for this kind of livestock production.

Evaluation of total carotenoids, alpha- and beta-carotene in carrots (Daucus carota L.) during home processing

This study aims to analyze the influence of dehydration and different preparation methods during home processing related toalpha-carotene, beta-carotene and total carotenoids stability in carrots. Vitamin A values were evaluated after different treatments. Thus, carrots were submitted to steam cooking, water cooking with and without pressure, moist/dry cooking and conventional dehydration. Determination of alpha- and beta-carotenes was made by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) (conditions were developed by us) using spectrophotometric detection visible-UV at 470 nm; a RP-18 column and methanol: acetonitrile: ethyl acetate (80: 10: 10) as mobile phase. Total carotenoids quantification was made by 449 nm spectrophotometer. The retention of the analyzed carotenoids ranged from 60.13 to 85.64%. Water cooking without pressure promoted higher retention levels of alpha- and beta-carotene and vitamin A values, while water cooking with pressure promoted higher retention levels of total carotenoids. Dehydration promoted the highest carotenoid losses. The results showed that, among the routinely utilized methods under domestic condition, cooking without pressure, if performed under controlled time and temperature, is the best method as it reduces losses in the amount of alpha- and beta-carotene, the main carotenoids present in the carrots. Despite the significant carotenoid losses, carrots prepared through domestic methods, remain a rich source of provitamin A.

Qualidade tecnológica de massas alimentícias frescas elaboradas de semolina de trigo durum (T. durum L.) e farinha de trigo (T. aestivum L.)

Foram elaboradas massas alimentícias frescas utilizando as seguintes proporções de semolina de trigo durum e farinha de trigo comum: 100:0, 80:20, 60:40, 40:60; 20:80 e 0:100, respectivamente. As massas foram embaladas em sacos plásticos com propriedades de impermeabilidade a água, e armazenadas a 4ºC. No dia da preparação (dia 0) e nos dias 1, 2 e 3, foram avaliados o tempo de cozimento, aumento de volume, ganho de peso, perda de sólidos solúveis e textura (firmeza) das massas. As massas preparadas com porcentagens acima de 60% de semolina de trigo durum apresentaram melhores características no tempo de cozimento, firmeza e intensidade da cor amarela. Os 3 dias de armazenamento não influenciaram de forma significativa (p < 0.05) as características de qualidade das massas.

Sensory descriptors of cocoa beans from cultivated trees of Soconusco, Chiapas, Mexico

The odor and taste profile of cocoa bean samples obtained from trees cultivated in southern Mexico were evaluated by trained panelists. Seven representative samples (groups) of a total of 45 were analyzed. Four attributes of taste (sweetness, bitterness, acidity and astringency), and nine of odor (chocolate, nutty, hazelnut, sweet, acidity, roasted, spicy, musty and off-odor) were evaluated. A sample (G7) with higher scores in sweet taste and sweet and nutty odors was detected, as well as a high association between these descriptors and the sample, analyzed through principal component analysis (PCA). Similarly, samples that showed high scores for non-desired odors in cocoas such as off-odor and musty were identified and related by PCA to roasted odor and astringent taste (G2 and G4). Based on this scores, the samples were listed in descending order by their sensory quality as G7> G5> G6> G3> G1> G4> G2.

Política pública y educación indígena escolarizada en México

La educación de los alumnos indígenas, en cualesquiera de sus modalidades, todavía no tiene el status de cuestión principal en la sociedad mexicana actual, a pesar de haber ganado gran presencia en la actividad política y en los escenarios culturales. Aunque el debate político haga patente la incapacidad para conectar el desarrollo educativo con las reformas políticas y económicas, que hoy dividen profundamente a la nación mexicana, todavía no se visualizan los cambios estructurales correspondientes a un Estado que asume coherentemente su etnodiversidad. Desde el sistema educacional, las demandas sobre educación bilíngüe y multiculturalidad han resultado mucho menos influyentes que la doctrina de la modernización de la educación básica y menos interesantes que la pugna por la hegemonía de ciertos paradigmas pedagógicos en las cúpulas de las instituciones educacionales. En suma, las comunidades y escuelas indomexicanas deberán reconquistar su educación, al mismo tiempo que logran participación y capacidad de decisión frente a las instituciones gubernamentales.