PRKAG3 and CAST genetic polymorphisms and quality traits of dry-cured hams - I. Associations in Spanish dry-cured ham Jamón Serrano

The functional single polymorphisms identified in the calpastatin (CAST) gene have been related to the rate of meat tenderization and the protein turnover after slaughter, and the Ile199Val polymorphism identified in the coding region of the protein kinase AMP-activated (PRKAG3) gene has been proven to affect ultimate pH in muscle. The aim of the present study was to show the effects of these genetic polymorphisms on the quality traits of Spanish dry-cured ham Jamón Serrano. A tissue sample from 665 crossbreed pigs were genotyped for PRKAG3 Ile199Val, CAST Arg249Lys and CAST Ser638Arg polymorphisms, and a subsample of 120 dry cured hams was selected to perform physico-chemical, rheological, instrumental colour and sensory analyses. Associations between the polymorphisms and several quality traits of dry-cured ham, mainly related to flavour and texture, were found. The genotypes PRKAG3 Ile/Ile, CAST249 Arg/Arg and CAST638 Arg/Arg, and the haplotype CAST 249Arg-638Arg were the most favourable for Jamón Serrano production.     

Nutritional value and digestion rate of rhea meat proteins in association with storage and cooking processes

The nutritional value of proteins was investigated after the storage and cooking of rhea M. Gastrocnemius pars interna. Oxidation of basic and aromatic amino acids, surface hydrophobicity and aggregation state of proteins, were determined in raw and cooked meat. In addition, myofibrillar proteins were exposed in vitro to proteases of the digestive tract. Cooking markedly affected the protein surface hydrophobicity. The BBP bound content was three times greater in cooked than in fresh rhea meat. A small increment in tryptophan content after cooking was observed. Storage influenced Schiff bases formation indicating the presence of protein-aldehyde adducts after cooking. High content of Schiff bases was found after cooking of samples stored for 5 days, demonstrating a probable implication of free amino groups, most likely from lysine. Cooking decreased the myofibrillar protein susceptibility to pepsin activity. After cooking, the proteolysis rate by pancreatic enzymes increased. Our findings support the importance of protein aggregation in the nutritional value of meat proteins.     

Comparison between two statistical models for prediction of turkey breast meat colour

The aims of the present study were: (1) to determine the relevant objective measurements which could express visual assessment of turkey meat colour; and (2) to use these variables for the early prediction of the colour development of turkey breast meat.

The colour of the meat was assessed subjectively by an expert at a processing plant at 24 hr post mortem, using a four-category scale (score a: light-pale meat, score b: light pink meat or normal meat, score c: dark meat, score d: very dark meat).

Objective measurements included meat pH, temperature, dielectric loss factor, pigment concentration, L^* (lightness), a^* (redness) and b^* (yellowness) colour coordinates determined at different times post mortem.

Colour coordinates and pH were chosen as relevant variables when measured at 1 and 4 hr post mortem and were used in prediction models. Linear analysis (canonical discriminant analysis) showed that the efficiency of prediction was 15%. A non-linear analysis (neural network) gave better prediction; the colour of the meat being correctly predicted for 70% of the muscles.     

Trading forensic and family commitments

This pilot study explores the balancing of conflicting family and forensic commitments among forensic experts. Drawing upon consumer preference theory and behavioral economics, the authors devised an instrument to elicit choices between upholding family commitments and professional commitments. The instrument was administered to 15 forensic experts, and the data were used to construct trading functions for each individual. These functions were examined to reveal the decision-making process behind balancing conflicting sets of commitments. The study also examined the relationship between the trading functions and each participant's attitude toward the role of the expert witness, as well as some personal characteristics.     

Emergency use of the laryngeal mask airway in severe upper airway obstruction caused by supraglottic oedema

We report two cases of severe upper airway obstruction caused by supraglottic oedema which developed rapidly at the time of anaesthesia. Conventional methods to relieve the obstruction failed and it was only overcome when a laryngeal mask airway (LMA) was inserted and positive pressure applied manually during inspiration. In one case a fibrescope was passed via the LMA and this revealed two cushions of oedematous false vocal cords protruding into the bowel of the LMA which were pushed out of the way when positive pressure was applied during inspiration. We believe that the LMA should be considered in the emergency management of severe upper airway obstruction even when this involves supraglottic oedema.     

Root caries in a sample of elderly persons

With the anticipated increase in the aged adult population and the associated gingival recession, the prevalence of root caries is expected to increase. The purpose of this study was to determine the experience and distribution of root caries in a group of aged adults living in Kayelitsha. All non-institutionalized elderly black adults participating in a community geriatric programme were examined. Root caries was recorded using visual and tactile criteria and expressed as the root caries index (RCI) rate. The mean age of the subjects was 65.2 years, the mean number of teeth present was 17.3 and the mean RCI rate was 2.2 per cent. All subjects had gingival recession while only 23.8 per cent had root caries. No surfaces with restored root caries lesions were found. In the maxilla the highest RCI rate was observed on the interproximal surfaces of the posterior teeth (4.4 per cent) but in the mandible the buccal surfaces of the posterior teeth had the highest RCI rate (4.2 per cent). In both the maxilla and the mandible the lingual surfaces of the anterior teeth showed no root caries. Maxillary teeth did not have a significantly higher root caries attack rate than mandibular teeth. Root caries does not appear to be a public health problem in the sampled population.     

Rehabilitation of fractures in the elderly

Rehabilitation is the most important aspect of care after a fracture in an older person. Epidemiology, contributing factors, general principles of management are discussed in this article. Proper management requires knowledge of various mechanisms of injury, different forms of orthopedic treatments, interpretation of radiographs, and familiarity with available therapeutic modalities.     

Effect on coronary artery anatomy of radiofrequency catheter ablation of atrial insertion sites of accessory pathways

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of radiofrequency catheter ablation of the atrial insertion site of accessory pathways on the angiographic appearance of coronary arteries. BACKGROUND: Radiofrequency catheter ablation of accessory pathways requires the application of energy to the endocardial surface of the atrioventricular groove adjacent to the major epicardial coronary arteries. A systematic analysis of the effect of radiofrequency ablation on coronary arteries has not previously been demonstrated. METHODS: Seventy consecutive patients with 76 accessory pathways (7 right free wall, 44 left free wall, 12 posteroseptal, 8 anteroseptal and 5 midseptal) were studied. Quantitative coronary angiography was performed before, immediately after and a mean of 69 +/- 42 days after radiofrequency catheter ablation. RESULTS: Coronary artery diameter adjacent to the ablating electrode was 2.6 +/- 0.9 mm before ablation, 2.7 +/- 0.9 mm immediately after ablation and 2.7 +/- 1.0 mm at the time of follow-up study. Angiographic findings were unchanged from baseline in 69 of 70 patients immediately after ablation and in all 70 patients at the time of follow-up study. CONCLUSIONS: Radiofrequency catheter ablation of the atrial insertion site of accessory pathways does not result in short-term angiographic changes in coronary artery anatomy.     

Effect of changes in daily protein intake on renal function in chronic renal insufficiency: differences in reaction according to disease entity

Protein restriction is advocated in patients with chronic renal insufficiency (CRI) in an attempt to slow down further renal function deterioration, with the most obvious effect in patients with chronic glomerulonephritis (GN) and diabetic nephropathy, and much less in other disease entities, such as adult polycystic kidney disease (APKD), tubulointerstitial nephritis (TIN) and nephrosclerosis (NS). The mechanism by which protein restriction slows down the progression of renal failure remains unclear. Decline of hyperfiltration has been implicated. Whether long-term protein restriction in patients with CRI is associated with a decrease in hyperfiltration is not clear. We studied the effects of prolonged protein intake variation (isocaloric diets in 4-week periods of low (goal: 30-40 g protein daily) and high protein intake (goal: 80-90 g daily) on renal function in 51 patients with CRI. Patients were divided into subgroups according to the underlying renal disease (GN, n = 17; APKD, n = 9; TIN, n = 12; NS, n = 13). Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and effective renal plasma flow (ERPF) were measured at the end of each study period. Overall, GFR rose from 39 (9-90) to 46 (9-100) ml/min/1.73 m2 (median and ranges, p < 0.01), and ERPF from 158 (39-558) to 171 (32-676) ml/min/1.73 m2 (p < 0.01). GFR rose significantly in GN (15%, range -23 to 51%), APKD (5%, range -10 to 33%), and NS (8%, range -8 to 25%). ERPF only rose significantly in GN (14%, range -45 to 47%) and APKD (9%, range -9 to 25%).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)