Showing papers by "National Autonomous University of Nicaragua published in 2005"
TL;DR: In this paper, the main physicochemical characteristics of three commercial cultivars of red-purple pitahaya were assessed, including total phenolic compounds contents, total betacyanins, vitamin C and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC).
Abstract: Introduction. Red-purple pitahaya (Hylocereus sp.) is a promising crop grown commercially in dry regions of Central America. Both its skin and flesh are characterized by being a glowing, deeply red-purple color. Materials and methods. The main physicochemical characteristics of three commercial cultivars of red pitahaya were assessed, including total phenolic compounds contents, total betacyanins, vitamin C and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC). Thermal stability of betacyanins at different temperature and pH was also assessed. Results and discussion. Pitahaya fruit has a low vitamin C content ranging from (116 to 171) µg·g–1 of fresh pulp without seeds, but it is rich in betacyanins [(0.32 to 0.41) mg·g–1] and phenolic compounds [(5.6 to 6.8) µmol Eq gallic acid·g–1]; it has a high antioxidant ORAC value of (8.8 to 11.3) µmol Eq Trolox·g–1. Visible spectra of aqueous fruit extracts were very similar to that of pure betacyanin. Indeed, the characteristic color of juice diluted to 1% presents a high hue angle (H° = 350o ± 3) and high chroma values (C* = 79 ± 2). Thermal stability of pitahaya betacyanin decreases with pH, but it remains compatible with industrial utilization as a colorant (half-time = 22.6 min at 90 °C at pH = 5 of the fruit) and was found to be very similar to that previously reported for beetroot. Conclusions. Pitahaya juice combines the functional properties of a natural food colorant with high antioxidant potency.
90 citations
TL;DR: Se observo una baja prevalencia de caries en la denticion permanente with un alto porcentaje of dientes obturados, a diferencia of lo observado en the denticion temporal.
47 citations
TL;DR: The results indicate that, in the city of León, cysticercosis may be endemic and the cause of a significant proportion of the epilepsy recorded.
Abstract: The Taenia solium taeniasis/cysticercosis complex is an important public-health problem in several countries, where many epileptic seizures appear to be associated with neurocysticercosis. As few data on this problem in Nicaragua exist, the seroprevalence of antibodies reacting with antigens from T. solium cysticerci was investigated among 88 Nicaraguan epileptics (45 males and 43 females, aged 6-53 years). In questionnaire-based interviews, each adult subject and a caregiver of each child investigated were asked about potential risk factors for taeniasis/cysticercosis. When a serum sample from each subject was then checked for anti-cysticercus antibodies, 8.0% of the subjects were found seropositive by ELISA and 14.8% by western blotting. Five samples (all from individuals who had been epileptic for > 5 years) were positive in both tests. When the level of association between each potential risk factor and seropositivity (in ELISA or by blotting) was evaluated, the only statistically significant association detected was that between a positive ELISA and the subject living in a household where pigs were raised (odds ratio = 5.18; 95% confidence interval = 0.8-41.6; P = 0.05). The bands most frequently recognized in the western blots (of 50, 42-39, 24 and 14 kDa) were those previously reported. The results indicate that, in the city of Leon, cysticercosis may be endemic and the cause of a significant proportion of the epilepsy recorded.
24 citations
TL;DR: This study unveiled an aspect usually overlooked of case finding, that is, the information process during sputum production, spUTum sample quality, and the communication of results to the TB suspects.
Abstract: Objective. To assess the patient information process before sputum sample collection, the quality of sputum sample and transmission of acid-fast bacilli (AFB) examination results to TB suspects, in three local areas of Nicaragua. Methods. (a) directed interviews of consecutive series of TB suspects whose sputum had been examined for AFB; (b) directed interview of health personnel; and (c) assessment of the sputum sample quality. Results. A total of 115 TB suspects and 33 health personnel were interviewed and 625 sputum samples were assessed. Results show multiple weaknesses in the process of information to the patient during sputum collections, as well as in the communication of results. Conclusions. This study unveiled an aspect usually overlooked of case finding, that is, the information process during sputum production, sputum sample quality, and the communication of results to the TB suspects. The results illustrate the need for routine assessment of the whole diagnostic process.
12 citations
TL;DR: Enzyme immunoassay using specific anti-E.
10 citations
TL;DR: The authors review the importance and current status of VPH in different countries and assess the role that veterinarians can play in overcoming situations that threaten human health.
Abstract: This paper underscores the need for animal health professionals to play a more significant role in the sphere of public health, particularly during natural disasters and other emergency situations which can reduce the availability of safe foods from animal sources. In order to help readers understand the importance of the emerging field of veterinary public health (VPH), the authors review the importance and current status of VPH in different countries and assess the role that veterinarians can play in overcoming situations that threaten human health. The last section discusses the need for training veterinarians in VPH and the important role that veterinarians can play within international public health organizations and multidisciplinary groups, such as SAPUVET and SPVet networks.
8 citations
8 citations
01 Feb 2005
TL;DR: Different immunohistochemical expression patterns of the androgen receptor, reported in the testis from normal men, and from patients with testicular pathology are evaluated; also the functional significance from the histological and molecular alterations of the AR are evaluated, in relation with the fertility dysfunction of these patients.
Abstract: Testosterone production begins at weeks 8 to 9 of gestation in the human; this a critical event for primary male sexual development in a 46,XY embryo (masculinization), and for normal secondary sexual development at puberty (virilization). Testosterone also is essential to maintain the secondary sexual characters during adulthood, and for the initiation and preservation of spermatogenesis. The androgen actions are mediated by the androgen receptor (AR). Upon binding of androgens to its receptor, the AR undergoes a conformational change that converts it from an inactive state to its active DNA-binding state. In the human testis, the AR immunoexpression has been detected exclusively in the Sertoli cells nuclei, in the Leydig cells, and in the peritubular myoid cells. These cells function have an strong relation with the AR concentration and expression. Mutations of the AR results in alteration of androgens actions, affecting the endocrine function at the testicular level and in other target organs, affecting also the reproductive function. The meaningful of the AR expression in the congenital and acquired functional testicular pathology, has not been established yet. In this review different immunohistochemical expression patterns of the AR, reported in the testis from normal men, and from patients with testicular pathology are evaluated; also the functional significance from the histological and molecular alterations of the AR are evaluated, in relation with the fertility dysfunction of these patients.