Impact of rice fortified with iron, zinc, thiamine and folic acid on laboratory measurements of nutritional status of preschool children / Impacto do arroz fortificado com ferro, zinco, tiamina e ácido fólico sobre as medidas laboratoriais do estado nutricional de crianças pré-escolares

Abstract Fortification of food constitutes an important strategy for the control of micronutrient deficiency and has advantages such as high population coverage and maintenance of eating habits. This study aimed to assess the impact of using fortified rice (Ultra Rice® - UR®) on the nutritional status of preschoolers. Ninety-nine children enrolled in two philanthropic preschools participated of the study. Children of one of the preschools were offered UR® mixed with polished rice, as part of school meals (test group) and the children of another preschool were offered pure polished rice (control group). Biochemical evaluations were performed before and after 4 months of intervention. Dietary assessment and sensory evaluation of UR® mixed with polished rice were performed during the study. The fortified rice improved the concentrations of zinc (p < 0.001), thiamine (p < 0.001), folic acid (p = 0.003), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (p < 0.001) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (p < 0.001). The fortified rice showed good acceptability among preschoolers. This study demonstrated the effectiveness of using rice fortified with iron, zinc, thiamine and folic acid on the nutritional status of children.

Resumo A fortificação de alimentos constitui importante estratégia para o controle da deficiência de micronutrientes e apresenta como vantagens a alta cobertura populacional e o fato de não alterar hábitos alimentares. O presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar o impacto do uso de arroz fortificado (Ultra Rice® - UR®) sobre o estado nutricional de pré-escolares. Noventa e nove crianças matriculadas em duas creches filantrópicas participaram do estudo. Para crianças de uma creche foi oferecido UR® misturado com arroz polido, como parte das refeições escolares (grupo teste) e para as da outra foi oferecido somente arroz polido (grupo controle). Avaliações bioquímicas foram realizadas antes e após 4 meses de intervenção. Avaliações dietética e sensorial do UR® misturado com arroz polido foram realizadas durante o estudo. O arroz fortificado melhorou as concentrações de zinco (p < 0,001), tiamina (p < 0 ,001), ácido fólico (p = 0,003), hemoglobina corpuscular média (p < 0,001) e hemoglobina corpuscular média (p < 0,001). O arroz fortificado mostrou boa aceitação entre os pré-escolares. Este estudo demonstrou a eficácia do uso de arroz fortificado com ferro, zinco, tiamina e ácido fólico sobre o estado nutricional das crianças.

Comparison of biochemical and immunological profile of pediatric patients with acute myeloid leukemia in relation to healthy individuals / Comparação do perfil bioquímico e imunológico de pacientes pediátricos com leucemia mieloide aguda e de indivíduos saudáveis

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE: To compare the biochemical and immunological profiles of pediatric patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with healthy children and adolescents. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study in which 21 therapy-naïve patients with AML were compared with a group of 24 healthy individuals. The following data were analyzed: serum proteins, leucocytes and subgroups, erythrocytes, hematocrit, hemoglobin, platelets, cytokines in peripheral blood mononuclear cells cultures under spontaneous and BCG- or PHA-stimulated conditions, immunoglobulin A, and erythrocytic glutathione. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software, considering as significant p-values < 0.05. RESULTS: Serum albumin levels were higher (p < 0.0001) in the control group, as well as all the parameters related to red blood cells (p < 0.0001). For leucocytes and subgroups, no statistical difference was found between the AML and the control groups. For cytokines, the concentrations were significantly higher under spontaneous and BCG-stimulated conditions for TNF-a, IL-6, IL-10, and IFN-? in the control group. Under PHA-stimulated conditions, the concentration was higher (p = 0.002) only for IL-6. No difference was found between the two groups for the other cytokines and for IgA in the saliva. Erythrocytic glutathione was higher (p < 0.0001) in AML patients. CONCLUSIONS: It was possible to characterize the biochemical and immunological profile of pediatric patients with AML, as well as highlight some significant differences in these parameters when comparing with healthy children and adolescents.

RESUMO OBJETIVO: Comparar o perfil bioquímico e imunológico de pacientes pediátricos portadores de leucemia mieloide aguda (LMA) em relação a um grupo de crianças e adolescentes saudáveis. MÉTODOS Estudo transversal, em que foram avaliados 21 pacientes com LMA virgens de terapia e 24 indivíduos saudáveis. Foram analisados: proteínas séricas, leucócitos e subgrupos, eritrócitos, hematócrito, hemoglobina e plaquetas, citocinas em cultura de células mononucleares do sangue periférico sob condição espontânea e estimulada por BCG ou PHA, imunoglobulina A e glutationa eritrocitária. Análise estatística foi feita com o software SPSS considerando p < 0,05. RESULTADOS: Albumina sérica foi superior (p < 0,0001) no grupo de controle, bem como todos os parâmetros relacionados com os glóbulos vermelhos (p < 0,0001). Para os leucócitos e subgrupos não houve diferença estatística entre os pacientes com LMA e o grupo controle. As concentrações foram significativamente mais elevadas sob condições espontânea e estimulada por BCG para as citocinas TNF-a, IL-6, IL-10 e IFN-? no grupo controle. Sob condição estimulada com PHA a concentração foi superior (p = 0,002) apenas para a IL-6. Não houve diferença estatística para as demais citocinas e para IgA salivar entre os dois grupos. Glutationa eritrocitária foi superior (p < 0,0001) nos pacientes LMA. CONCLUSÕES: Diante do exposto, foi possível caracterizar o perfil bioquímico e imunológico de pacientes pediátricos com LMA, bem como evidenciar diferenças significativas em alguns desses parâmetros ao se compararem os indivíduos doentes e o grupo de crianças e adolescentes saudáveis.

Efficacy of using who steps approach to identify “at risk” subjects for diet related non communicable diseases.

Objective: The efficacy of using non invasive method of WHO’s STEP approach as compared to traditional biochemical assessment to identify “at risk” subjects (having constellation of ≥3 risk factors) was determined in productive industrial population. Materials and Methods: Information on the presence of metabolic risk factors in the employee’s was collected from the existing medical records and subjects with ≥3 risk factors by using NCEP ATP III definition of Metabolic Syndrome were identified. The behavioral and physical measurements of the identified metabolic syndrome subjects was done using pre tested and adapted WHO STEPS Questionnaire. Results: Out of 1059 employees, 251 employees (23.5%) were identified at risk through medical records. The most common (37.85%) combination prevalent was hypertension, obesity with dyslipidemia. The leading risk factors in them were overweight and obesity (89.54%), followed by low intake of fruits and vegetables (79.74%), high waist circumference (73.20%) and Physical inactivity (52.29%). The prevalence of hypertension was 46.41 % and pre hypertension was 57.52%. Tobacco usage in any form and alcohol consumption was 33.33% and 25.49% respectively. Conclusion: By non invasive STEPS methodology, 87.58% of the metabolic syndrome subjects were identified “at risk subjects”. Thus, it can be inferred that in place of routine biochemical assessment of the entire population, WHO STEPS methodology could be used for the identification of “at risk” subjects. This measure will also reduce the biochemical assessment costs. STEPS approach could thus be recommended to industries as an occupational safety measure to identify at risk subjects for diet related non communicable diseases.