Identifying Priorities, Targets, and Actions for the Long-term Social and Ecological Management of Invasive Non-Native Species.

Formulating effective management plans for addressing the impacts of invasive non-native species (INNS) requires the definition of clear priorities and tangible targets, and the recognition of the plurality of societal values assigned to these species. These tasks require a multi-disciplinary approach and the involvement of stakeholders. Here, we describe procedures to integrate multiple sources of information to formulate management priorities, targets, and high-level actions for the management of INNS.

Data on the arc magmatism developed in the Antarctic Peninsula and Patagonia during the Late Triassic-Jurassic: A compilation of new and previous geochronology, geochemistry and isotopic tracing results.

We present the results of U-Pb zircon dating conducted using laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS), isotopic tracing analyses of Hf in zircon and Sr-Nd in whole-rock and whole-rock major oxides, and trace element abundances of 12 plutonic and volcanic rocks present on the Antarctic Peninsula. The dataset is presented in combination with the results of previous studies conducted in both Patagonia and the Antarctic Peninsula. These results were filtered for concordant Pb-U zircon ages and topology of the Ar/Ar age spectra.

Determining the effect of different cooking methods on the nutritional composition of salmon (Salmo salar) and chilean jack mackerel (Trachurus murphyi) fillets.

The effect of four cooking methods was evaluated for proximate composition, fatty acid, calcium, iron, and zinc content in salmon and Chilean jack mackerel. The moisture content of steamed salmon decreased (64.94%) compared to the control (68.

Direct measurement of interaction forces between bovine serum albumin and poly(ethylene oxide) in water and electrolyte solutions.

The net interaction between a probe tip coated with bovine serum albumin (BSA) protein and a flat substrate coated with poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) polymer was measured directly on approach in water and electrolyte solutions using AFM. The approach force curve between the two surfaces was monotonically repulsive in water and in electrolyte solutions. At pH ~5, slightly above the isoelectric point (pI) of BSA, and at large distances, the force was dominated by electrostatic repulsion between the oxygen atoms of the incoming protein with those belonging to the ether groups of PEO.

The association between serum ß-hydroxybutyrate and milk fatty acid profile with special emphasis on conjugated linoleic acid in postpartum Holstein cows.

Background: Ketogenesis is a secondary metabolic pathway to provide energy to dairy cows during early lactation; however when the production of ketone bodies (acetoacetate, acetone, ß- hydroxybutyrate) is above certain levels a subclinical disorder may appear. The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between serum concentrations of ß- hydroxybutyrate (BHBA) and fatty acid (FA) profile of milk with emphasis in conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) in a population of early lactation Holstein cows. Fifty cows between parity 1 and 5, ranging from 14 to 21 days in milk, were randomly selected from 3 farms of the central area of Chile for determination of serum BHBA concentrations, milk fat content, and milk FA profiles.

Astaxanthin from Haematococcus pluvialis Prevents Oxidative Stress on Human Endothelial Cells without Toxicity.

Astaxanthin, a powerful antioxidant, is a good candidate for the prevention of intracellular oxidative stress. The aim of the study was to compare the antioxidant activity of astaxanthin present in two natural extracts from Haematococcus pluvialis, a microalgae strain, with that of synthetic astaxanthin. Natural extracts were obtained either by solvent or supercritical extraction methods.

Bioaccessibility of lignans from flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) determined by single-batch in vitro simulation of the digestive process.

Background: Flaxseed is an important source of lignan secoisolariciresinol diglucoside (SDG) and its aglycone, secoisolariciresinol (SECO). These phenolic compounds can be metabolized to the mammalian lignans enterodiol (ED) and enterolactone (EL) by human intestinal microflora. Flaxseed lignans are known for their potential health benefits, which are attributed to their antioxidant and phytoestrogenic properties.

[Comparison of band ligation with sclerotherapy for the treatment of bleeding esophageal varices].

Background: Endoscopic band ligation is the treatment of choice for bleeding esophageal varices. However it is not clear if this procedure is associated with less early and late mortality than sclerotherapy.

Aim: To assess rates of re-bleeding and mortality in cohorts of patients with bleeding esophageal varices treated with endoscopic injection or band ligation.

Determination of dietary intake of total arsenic, inorganic arsenic and total mercury in the Chilean school meal program.

The dietary intake of total arsenic (tAs), inorganic arsenic (iAs) and total mercury (tHg) in lunch and breakfast servings provided by the Chilean School Meal Program (SMP) was estimated, using the duplicate-portion variant of the total diet study. Lunch and breakfast samples were collected from 65 schools throughout the country in 2006. The population sample was a group of girls and boys between 6 and 18 years old.

Estimate of mercury and methyl mercury intake associated with fish consumption from Sagua la Grande River, Cuba.

This paper provides an estimate of the weekly intake of total mercury (THg) and methyl mercury (MeHg) from consumption of fish from the Sagua la Grande River, Villa Clara, Cuba, by determining the THg levels in different fish species. The levels varied between 0.143 and 0.

Assessment of total mercury levels in Clarias gariepinus from the Sagua la Grande River, Cuba.

Total mercury levels (Thg) were quantified in Clarias gariepinus captured from the Sagua la Grande River (Cuba) in the vicinity of an active chlor-alkali plant, and relationships among place of capture; fish size, weight, and sex; and THg levels were assessed. THg levels ranged from 67 to 375 ng/g ww in collected fish, never exceeding the Cuban recommended maximum limit for fish consumption of 500 ng/g ww. No significant correlation was observed between mercury levels and fish allometric characteristics (p < 0.

Prevalence of Bacillus cereus in dried milk products used by Chilean School Feeding Program.

The prevalence of Bacillus cereus, in a total of 381 samples of dried milk products (milk with rice, milk substitute, milk powder, milk-cereal-rice, pudding milk, flan, and mousse) used by the Chilean School Feeding Program, was investigated. The potential of 94 selected isolates of B. cereus to produce diarrhoeal enterotoxin (by the BCET-RPLA test) in BHI culture, as well as the ability of enterotoxigenic-strains to grow at psychrotrophic temperatures were also verified.

Estimation of the dietary intake of cadmium, lead, mercury, and arsenic by the population of Santiago (Chile) using a Total Diet Study.

Dietary intake of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), and lead (Pb) by the population of Santiago (Chile) was determined using a Total Diet Study in the market basket modality. After conducting a survey of the foods consumed in the last 24 h, the most consumed food products were included in the basket. Subsequently, they were cooked or prepared according to typical Chilean procedures and grouped into 17 food categories according to their chemical characteristics.

Anti-proliferative and antitumoral activities of a functionalized dextran (CMDBJ) on the 1205 L-U human tumor melanoma cells.

Carboxy methyl dextran benzylamide jorge (CMDBJ) is a derivatized dextran prepared from native dextran after random carboxymethylation of hydroxyl groups on D-glucose units (CM) and consecutive conversion of some carboxylate groups to benzylamide structures (B). This polymer exhibits an inhibitory action upon the proliferation of 1205 L-U human melanoma cells. At low concentrations, this compound exerts a cytostatic effect whereas, at higher concentrations, a cytotoxicity appears within 24 hours of treatment.

Gallbladder carcinoma during laparoscopic cholecystectomy: is it associated with bad prognosis?

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the treatment of choice for gallstone disease. The ultrasonogram has failed for the early detection of gallbladder cancer, especially if inflammation (chronic or acute) is present. Incidental gallbladder could be an important cancer finding during laparoscopic cholecystectomy, due to the potential cancer cell dissemination during the procedure.

Intraperitoneal bile collections after laparoscopic cholecystectomy: causes, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment.

Background: Bile leakage is more common after laparoscopic cholecystectomy than after open surgery. In our department, the rate of postoperative bile collections after open surgery is 0.2% vs 0.

Long-term follow-up after laparoscopic cholecystectomy without routine intraoperative cholangiography.

The indications for routine intraoperative cholangiography remain controversial. We present here our recent results concerning the frequency of unknown retained common bile duct stones in 253 consecutive patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy without intraoperative cholangiography in whom the presence of preoperative choledocholithiasis had been excluded by clinical, biochemical, and ultrasonographic evaluation. These patients were followed up for at least 4 years after surgery with evaluations similar to those made preoperatively.

Correlation among ultrasonographic and videoscopic findings of the gallbladder: surgical difficulties and reasons for conversion during laparoscopic surgery.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is currently the standard procedure for chronic and acute cholecystitis. The purpose of this prospective study was to evaluate the preoperative ultrasound findings of the gallbladder and correlate those aspects with surgical videoscopic and histopathologic findings and the results concerning intraoperative complications and the conversion index to open surgery. Gallbladder findings were classified into three categories according to the gallbladder wall characteristics and the presence of visible lumen and stones.

Gallstone ileus.

A retrospective analysis of 74 patients with gallstone ileus detected during the period between 1975 and 1987 was performed at the Surgical Department. The group comprised 55 females and 19 males, with a mean age of 64.8 years.

Histological analysis of liver parenchyma and choledochal wall, and external diameter and intraluminal pressure of the common bile duct in controls and patients with common bile duct stones with and without acute suppurative cholangitis.

The purpose of this prospective controlled study was to determine the changes in intraluminal pressure and diameter of the common bile duct in a total of 121 bile patients with choledocholithiasis, and the consequences of these alterations for choledochal mucosa and liver histology. In fact, the reflux of bacteria from the obstructed biliary tract into the bloodstream is responsible for producing the clinical syndrome of acute suppurative cholangitis. Group I (26 patients) served as controls, Group II (50) had choledocholithiasis with clear green bile, and Group III (45) were patients with acute suppurative cholangitis with pus in the biliary tract.

Common bile duct pressure in patients with common bile duct stones with or without acute suppurative cholangitis.

Resting common bile duct pressure was measured in three groups of patients: group 1, 53 patients with gallstones but without common duct stones; group 2, 35 patients with common bile duct stones unaccompanied by cholangitis; and group 3, 36 patients with common duct stones and acute suppurative cholangitis. A significantly higher pressure in the common bile duct was documented in patients with cholangitis when compared with the other two groups. Twenty-four patients with cholangitis had common duct pressure values above 20 cm H2O, the maximal values of normal.

Anomalies of extrahepatic biliary duct and gallbladder associated with intestinal malrotation: a case report.

Knowledge of congenital anomalies in abdominal viscera is important for surgeons, if they are to treat such patients and solve their problems adequately. This article presents an unusual case of reversed rotation of the intestine associated with anomalies in the biliary tract and gallbladder. This patient underwent surgery because of a bleeding duodenal ulcer.