Two Eggs per Day Increase Plasma Lutein and Zeaxanthin in a Pediatric Population Characterized by Low Intake of Fruits and Vegetables.

Aims: Eggs are a good source of lutein and zeaxanthin, carotenoids known for their antioxidant properties. Mexican children have been shown to consume limited amounts of fruit and vegetables. The purpose of the current study is to determine whether the inclusion of eggs in the diet increases plasma carotenoids in this population. Study Design: This study is a follow up on the effects of high egg intake on plasma lipids and atherogenic lipoproteins in children. Fifty four Mexican children (25 boys/29 girls) aged 8-12 y were randomly assigned to consume either 2 eggs/d (518 mg additional dietary cholesterol) (EGG period) or the equivalent amount of egg whites (SUB Period) in a cross-over design for 4 wk. After a 3 wk washout, children were crossed over to the alternate treatment. Methodology: 3-day dietary records, plasma carotenoids and apolipoproteins were measured at the end of the EGG and SUB Periods. Results: In agreement with the lack of effects of eggs in increasing atherogenic lipoprotein profiles, plasma apolipoprotein B concentrations did not change between periods indicating that increases in plasma cholesterol were not associated with higher number of LDL particles. Although the values for apo C-III were high compared to other pediatric populations, they were not affected by egg intake. Dietary records indicated low intake of carotenoids, especially during the SUB period. Plasma lutein and zeaxanthin were increased during the EGG period from 0.235 ± 0.071 to 0.280 ± 0.147 μmol/L (P<0.001) and 0.044 ± 0.019 to 0.051 ± 0.031 μmol/L (P<0.001), respectively. Conclusions: These results suggest that the eggs are a good source of lutein and zeaxanthin in this population and that the increases in LDL size during the egg period may also be related to a better transport of these carotenoids in plasma.

Dietary Pattern Low in Fruits Explains Variations in Inflammation and in Biomarkers of Cardiovascular Disease in Latinos Diagnosed with Type-2 Diabetes.

Aims: 1) To identify a dietary pattern associated with plasma interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) in Latinos diagnosed with T2D. 2) To examine whether the “pro-inflammation” dietary pattern obtained is associated with additional cardiovascular disease risk in this Latino population. Methodology: Reduced rank regression was used to determine the cross-sectional relationship between food patterns and plasma inflammatory biomarkers in Latinos (26 men/77 women, 32-76 y) diagnosed with type-2 diabetes (T2D). Reduced rank regression was used to create 3 dietary patterns from 33 food groups. We included IL-6, TNFα, and MCP-1 as response variables to derive 3 dietary patterns. Study Design: Cross-sectional. Place and Duration of Study: University of Connecticut, Hartford Hospital, and the Hispanic Health Council, between January 2010 and May 2011. Results: The first dietary pattern characterized by low intake of fruits and yellow vegetables and high intake of refined grains and sugar-free beverages explained the largest proportion of variance in inflammation markers. After adjusting for confounding factors including energy intake, statin treatment, waist circumference, glycosylated hemoglobin and blood pressure, IL-6 (P< 0.0001) and TNFα (P =0.0004) were positively associated with the first dietary pattern. Food groups that were negatively associated with inflammation markers were fruits and dark yellow vegetables, explaining 10.2% and 4.6% of the variance, respectively. This dietary pattern was also significantly associated with higher number of large VLDL particles (P < 0.05) after adjusting for WC, statins use and systolic blood pressure as well as higher concentrations of apolipoprotein A-2 after adjusting for WC and energy (P< 0.05). Conclusion: This dietary pattern may increase heart disease risk in this already challenged population.

Cambios en la estructura y la función familiar del adolescente / Changes in the family structure and function in adolescents

Objetivos: Conocer la estructura y la función familiar del adolescente y sus cambios en la última década. Diseño: Estudio descriptivo mediante encuesta. Emplazamiento: Alumnado de educación secundaria obligatoria y bachillerato en un medio urbano (Jaén) y uno rural (Granada, España). Población e intervenciones: Encuestas autoadministradas cada tres años desde 1997 a 2010, recogiendo edad, sexo, estructura y función familiar (prueba de Apgar-familiar). Resultados: Se realizaron 1 493 encuestas (97% del total de alumnos), 50% hombres y 14.5 ± 0.6 años. Función familiar: normal 74%, disfunción leve 18%,disfunción grave 8%. Estructura familiar: nuclear 83%, monoparental 8%, ampliada 7%, reconstituida2%. La estructura y función familiar no varía según el sexo ni el año de estudio; por edad, los adolescentes de 16 años o más presentan una menor percepción de normofunción familiar (p < 0.05 c2). Mientras que en 1997 la familia nuclear presenta un mayor número de adolescentes con función familiar normal (p < 0.05 c2), en los restantes años no existen diferencias significativas entre las distintas estructuras familiares. Conclusiones: La percepción de función familiar en los adolescentes ha cambiado y actualmente no depende del sexo ni de la estructura del hogar. La atención familiar durante la adolescencia debe centrarse en la promoción de una dinámica familiar positiva, independientemente de la estructura familiar.

A Mediterranean Low-Glycemic-Load Diet alone or in Combination with a Medical Food Improves Insulin Sensitivity and Reduces Inflammation in Women with Metabolic Syndrome.

Aim: To determine the effects of a Mediterranean-style low-glycemic load diet alone or in combination with a medical food (MF) on insulin resistance and inflammation in women with metabolic syndrome (MetS). Study design: Two groups, Parallel study with control. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT; Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Florida, Jacksonville, FL; Department of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA. The study was carried out from September of 2009 to May 2010. Methodology: Eighty three women (20-75 y) with MetS. Participants were randomly allocated to consume diet alone (control group) or the diet plus the MF (MF group) for 12 wk. Body composition was measured at baseline, week 8 and week 12 by use of bioelectrical impedance in all participants while Dual-emission X-ray absorptiometry was used for 37 of the subjects. Insulin resistance, plasma insulin, leptin, adiponectin and the inflammatory cytokines, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin-6 (IL-6), adhesion molecules, sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1, were measured at the same time points. Results: Independent of group allocation, women had decreases in body mass index (p < 0.0001) and body and trunk fat (p < 0.0001). Plasma insulin, insulin resistance, and leptin were also significantly decreased over time (p < 0.0001), while plasma adiponectin levels did not change. Regarding inflammatory markers, significant reductions were found in TNF-α (p < 0.0001) and sICAM-1 levels (p < 0.001), but not in IL-6 or sVCAM-1. At 12 wk, sICAM was reduced only in the MF group (p<0.05 vs control). Conclusion: A Mediterranean-style diet, in combination with a MF, are a viable option to decrease factors associated with increased risk for type 2 diabetes and coronary heart disease.

Mordedura de yarará en pacientes pediátricos / Rattlesnake bite in pediatric patients

Introducción : en Argentina once especies de ofidios son consideradas peligrosas para el hombre. El 98% de las lesiones son causadas por el género Bothrops. Objetivos : valorar aspectos epidemiológicos y prevalencia de hospitalización de mordeduras por género Bothrops en el Hospital Pediátrico "Juan Pablo II". Valorar el cuadro clínico, estudios complementarios, tratamiento y evolución en pacientes hospitalizados. Difundir información sobre esta patología. Materiales y Métodos : estudio retrospectivo, descriptivo, de consultas por mordeduras de víboras del género Bothrops registradas en historias clínicas de pacientes hospitalizados entre Enero del 1999 y Septiembre de 2007. Resultados : se analizaron 72 historias clínicas; 23 correspondieron a niños con accidente bothropico, el 65% al sexo masculino; el 48% a pacientes entre 6 y 12 años y el 83% a provenientes del interior. El 61% ocurrió durante primavera-verano, prevaleciendo entre las 17 y 19 horas (53%). Hallamos 87% de casos leves y moderados. El promedio de días de internación fue de 4,5. No ocurrieron óbitos. Discusión y Conclusión : existen discrepancias en criterios de diagnóstico, monitoreo y tratamiento del accidente bothropico en nuestro medio. Coincidimos con la literatura en la edad predominante, sexo, procedencia, época del año y horario del accidente, también en la localización anatómica de la mordedura y cuadro clínico. Es de nuestro interés difundir normas de prevención, diagnóstico y tratamiento para una acción inmediata y derivación oportuna en casos severos. El tratamiento es idéntico para niños y adultos, dependiendo exclusivamente del cuadro clínico...