COVID-19, body weight and the neighbourhood: food system dimensions and consumption associated with changes in body weight of Peruvian adults during first wave lockdowns.

Objective: The objective of this study is to assess changes in the dimensions of the food system and consumption associated with body weight variations during the first month's lockdown in Peruvian adults in Metropolitan Lima. Methods: A cross-sectional study conducted during the first months of lockdowns in Peru. 694 adults completed a web-based survey about changes experienced in the process of acquiring food during lockdown, changes in their intake and self-perceived body weight. A multinomial logistic regression analysis was conducted to evaluate the factors associated with changes in body weight. Results: Weight gain was perceived in 38% of the participants and 22.8% perceived weight loss. 39.2% did not perceive changes in their weight. Risk factors for body weight gain were increased alcohol consumption (OR=4.510, 95% CI 1.764 to 11.531) and decreased fruit consumption (OR=2.129, 95% CI 1.290 to 3.515), while decreasing cereal intake (OR=0.498, 95% CI 0.269 to 0.922) and choosing nutritious food as a driver for purchase (OR=0.512, 95% CI 0.320 to 0.821) were found to be protective against gaining weight. Decreasing food intake during the pandemic (OR=2.188, 95% CI 1.348 to 3.550) and having to miss important foods (OR=2.354, 95% CI 1.393 to 3.978), were associated with weight loss. Conclusions: During confinement, weight gain was mostly associated with food consumption and personal food system factors. Meanwhile, weight loss was associated with external food system factors.

Dietary patterns and asthma among Peruvian children and adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Asthma is one of the conditions that contributes to the global burden of respiratory diseases and has been previously associated with diet intake. The goal of this study was to determine the relationship between diet, assessed by a developed score, and asthma in Peruvian children. METHODS: This study was a cross sectional analysis nested within an unmatched case-control study of children in two peri-urban communities of Lima, Peru. We evaluated 767 children and adolescents (573 with asthma, 194 controls) between 9 and 19 years. Diet was assessed using a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ), with food groups classified as "healthy" or "unhealthy". Asthma control, Lung function and atopy were assessed by Asthma Control Test, Spirometry and InmunoCAP 250 test, respectively. RESULTS: Mean age of participants was 13.8 years (SD 2.6). Mean diet score was 5 (SD 1.23; range 2-8). Healthy Diet Score was associated with asthma status [OR 0.83, 95% CI (0.72, 0.95), p = 0.009] in adjusted analysis. Thus, participants with higher HDS, had lower odds of asthma. In sensitivity analyses, when adjusting for atopy, results did not change significantly. [OR 0.85, 95% CI (0.72, 0.99); p = 0.04]. No association between the HDS and asthma control, FEV1, nor FeNO were observed. Atopy did not modify the association between diet and asthma outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: In our study cohort, better diet quality was associated with lower odds of asthma, but was not associated with asthma control. Diet modification may be a potential intervention to impact the increasing prevalence of this disease.

Utilidad de la tomografía por emisión de positrones/ tomografía computada (PET/CT) en pacientes con diagnóstico de meduloblastoma / Usefulness of Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography (PET/CT) in Patients Diagnosed with Medulloblastoma

Resumen: La tomografía por emisión de positrones/tomografía computada (PET/CT) por sus siglas en inglés, es una modalidad de imagen única que proporciona evidencia in vivo de actividades tanto bioquímicas como fisiológicas en diferentes órganos y estructuras del cuerpo. El meduloblastoma es el tumor maligno más frecuente del sistema nervioso central (SNC) en pacientes pediátricos, por este motivo el PET/CT juega un papel importante en el manejo de estos pacientes ya que proporciona información sobre el grado y extensión del tumor, así como a determinar el sitio adecuado para la toma de biopsia, valorar la respuesta al tratamiento y determinar el pronóstico del paciente. Existen diferentes radiofármacos para la evaluación de los tumores de sistema nervioso central, pero se ha estudiado que el 18F-FDG (flúor-2-fluoro-2-desoxi-D-glucosa) y el 68Ga-DOTA-NOC (68Ga-DOTA0-1NaI3-octreotide) nos ayudan a evaluar y dar seguimiento a pacientes con diagnóstico de meduloblastoma. El meduloblastoma tiene una sobreexpresión de transportadores de glucosa, principalmente tipo 1 y sobreexpresión de receptores de somatostatina predominantemente tipo 2, lo cual permite que exista una gran afinidad por estos radiofármacos.

Abstract: PET/CT (positron emission tomography/computed tomography, for its acronym in English) is a unique imaging method that provides in vivo evidence of both biochemical and physiological activities of the brain, spinal cord and tumors that involve these structures. Medulloblastoma is the most common malignant tumor of the central nervous system (CNS) in pediatric patients, so PET/CT plays an important role as it provides information on the grade and extent of the tumor, as well as to determine the appropriate site for the biopsy, assessing the response to the treatment and the patient's prognosis. There are different radiopharmaceuticals for the evaluation of central nervous system tumors, but 18F FDG (Fluor-2-fluoro-2-desoxy-D-glucose) and 68Ga-DOTA-NOC (68Ga-DOTA0-1NaI3-octreotide) have been studied to help us evaluate and follow up patients diagnosed with medulloblastoma. Medulloblastoma has an overexpression of glucose transporters, mainly type 1, and an overexpression of predominantly type 2 somatostatin receptors, which allows a high affinity for these radiopharmaceuticals.

Household food insecurity is associated with asthma control in Peruvian children living in a resource-poor setting.

Rationale: Prior evidence suggests that there may be an association between asthma and food insecurity. We sought to describe the prevalence of food insecurity access, defined as having sufficient resources for appropriate foods in Lima, Peru, and evaluate its association with asthma status and control.Methods: We analyzed data from 553 children with asthma and 268 healthy controls aged nine to 19 years living in two peri-urban communities in Lima, Peru, in 2013. We used the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale to assess food insecurity. We defined uncontrolled asthma as an asthma control test score ≤19. We used multivariable logistic regressions to determine the relationship between asthma outcomes and food insecurity adjusting for age, sex, socioeconomic status, body mass index, and setting.Results: Average age was 14.2 years (SD 2.7). There was a high prevalence of household food insecurity in our study: 330 participants (40.2%) were food insecure, and average food insecurity access score was 2.7 points (SD 4.2). While being food insecure was not associated with asthma status (OR = 1.23, 95% CI 0.85 to 1.79; p = 0.28), it was associated with a higher odds of having uncontrolled asthma (OR = 2.01, 95% CI 1.13 to 3.59; p = 0.02). Each one-unit increase in food insecurity score (higher scores indicating more insecurity) was associated with 8% higher odds of having uncontrolled asthma (OR = 1.08, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.14; p < 0.01).Conclusions: Worse asthma control was associated with food insecurity. Future studies are needed to better understand the role of food security in determining the success of treatment strategies.

Blood group incompatibility as risk of corneal rejection / Incompatibilidad de grupo sanguíneo como riesgo de episodio de rechazo corneal

Background: There is a high risk of rejection of a corneal transplant known as a "rejection episode" in our Hospital conditioned by multiple variables. The aim of this article is to analyze the different risk factors of "corneal rejection episode" in post-transplant patients at one year of follow-up and in particular to consider the presence of donor blood incompatibility during the first year of post-surgical follow-up. Methods: A nested case-control study was designed in a cohort: observational, longitudinal, analytical and retrospective from year 2012 to 2013. We performed OR and logistic regression of the variables that influenced rejection. Results: We included 101 consecutive transplants from multiorgan donation. The variables that influenced the rejection episode were: preoperative high risk group, graft size, blood incompatibility, female gender and age over 60 years old. Other variables such as the presence of comorbidities, combined surgery, surgical time greater than one hour and postoperative complications did not show significant differences. Conclusions: It is advisable to perform routine blood compatibility to reduce the risk of rejection.

Introducción: Existe un elevado riesgo de rechazo de trasplante corneal conocido como "episodio de rechazo" en nuestro Hospital condicionado por múltiples variables. El objetivo de este trabajo fue analizar las diferentes causas de riesgo de episodio de rechazo corneal en pacientes postrasplantados a un año de seguimiento y en particular considerar la presencia con incompatibilidad sanguínea del donador durante el primer año de seguimiento posquirúrgico. Métodos: Se diseñó un estudio de casos y controles anidados en una cohorte: observacional, longitudinal, analítico y retrospectivo del año 2012 al 2013. Se realizó OR y regresión logística de las variables que influyeron en rechazo. Resultados: Se incluyeron 101 trasplantes consecutivos procedentes de donación multiorgánica. Las variables que influyeron en el episodio de rechazo fueron: grupo prequirúrgico de riesgo alto, tamaño del injerto, incompatibilidad sanguínea, género femenino y mayores de 60 años. Otras variables como la presencia de comorbilidades, cirugía combinada, tiempo quirúrgico mayor a una hora y complicaciones postquirúrgicas no mostraron diferencias significativas. Conclusiones: Es recomendable realizar de rutina la compatibilidad sanguínea para disminuir el riesgo de episodio de rechazo.

Association Between Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet and Asthma in Peruvian Children.

PURPOSE: Adherence to a Mediterranean diet pattern may be associated with lower asthma prevalence in children. We sought to corroborate these findings in Peruvian children. METHODS: This case-control study included children of ages 9-19 years living in Lima, Peru. A food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) was completed and diet pattern was analyzed using a modified Mediterranean diet score (MDS). Primary analysis investigated the relationship between MDS and asthma status. Maternal education, age, sex, and body mass index category were included in multivariate model. Secondary outcomes included asthma control, forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), allergic rhinitis, and atopic status. RESULTS: 287 participants with asthma and 96 controls without asthma completed a FFQ. Mean age was 13.5 years. According to the asthma control test (ACT), 86 % of those with asthma were controlled (score >19). MDS scores ranged 6-18 (median 15). In adjusted analysis, being above the median MDS scores was associated with decreased odds of asthma [OR = 0.55, 95 % CI (0.33, 0.92), p = 0.02]. Among children whose mothers completed secondary education, being above the median MDS significantly decreased the odds of asthma [OR = 0.31, 95 % CI (0.14, 0.71), p < 0.01], whereas among those whose mothers did not complete secondary education there was no protective effect [OR = 0.86, 95 % CI (0.43, 1.7), p = 0.66]. There was no association between MDS scores and asthma control, FEV1, allergic rhinitis, or atopic status. CONCLUSION: Adherence to the Mediterranean diet was inversely associated with having asthma among children in Lima, Peru. This effect was strongest among children with better educated mothers.

[Photodynamic therapy with verteporfirin in corneal neovascularization]. / Terapia fotodinámica con verteporfirina en la neovascularización corneal.

OBJECTIVE: to evaluate vascular involution of corneal neovessels followed by the application of photodynamic therapy (PDT) verteporfirina. METHODS: Prospective, longitudinal, case series. Fifty eyes of 49 candidate patients to partial penetrating keratoplasty (PPK) also called corneal transplant (CT) at risk of corneal neovascularization (CN) of two or more quadrants and which were previous treated with intravenous PDT. The monitoring was carried out with photographic control of the anterior segment assessing adverse effects and development of CN. RESULTS: The length of the CN before and after PDT were 4.39 ± 2.24 vs 3.71 ± 2.48 (p < 0.0001) respectively. This involution was maintained after two months of follow up. One eye (2 %) presented changes Keratometry (keratometric astigmatism). Of the total 45 (90 %) of patients who showed a reduction in the CN, had revascularization within the following six months of intervention. CONCLUSIONS: the PDT with verteporfirina is effective and safe for decreasing the length of the CN, without local and systemic adverse effects. However it is suggested to schedule the surgery two months after to permit revascularization.

[Comparison of olopatadin and ketotifen in the treatment of allergic conjunctivitis]. / Olopatadina y ketotifeno para tratar conjuntivitis alérgica.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of olopatadine 0.1 % and ketotifen 0.025 % ophthalmic solutions in the treatment of allergic conjunctivitis. METHODS: Forty patients with allergic conjunctivitis were included in the study, they were randomized in two groups: G-I (n = 20) olopatadine 0.1 % and G-II (n = 20) ketotifen 0.025 %, both receiving one drop every 12 hours. We evaluated itching, burning, tearing, redness and chemosis previously and 30 minutes, one, two and four week after. RESULTS: Age G-I was 19.7 +/- 6.7 years; G-II, 21.05 +/- 8.3 years. When evaluating itching, olopatadine had a significant improvement at 30 minutes and after one week (p < 0.05). In the following weeks, the results were similar in both groups. Olopatadine showed significant improvement in burning at 30 minutes, one and two week (p < 0.05). Tearing significantly decreased at 30 minutes with olopatadine (p < 0.05). There was no difference in redness or chemosis improvement in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, olopatadine 0.1 % was more effective than topical ketotifen 0.025 % in improving itching, tearing and burning in allergic conjunctivitis patients.

[Role of bacteria associated with sexually transmitted infections in the etiology of lower urinary tract infection in primary care]. / Papel de las bacterias asociadas a infecciones de transmisión sexual en la etiología de la infección de vías urinarias bajas en el primer nivel de atención médica.

INTRODUCTION: Urinary tract infections (UTI) are the second most frequent type of infectious pathology treated in primary care clinics. The participation of microorganisms associated with sexually transmitted infection has been reported as a cause of UTI; nevertheless this concept is still controversial. To gather data on this subject, we carried out a search for Gardnerella vaginalis, Ureaplasma urealyticum, Mycoplasma hominis and Streptococcus agalactiae besides the common microorganisms involved in UTI. METHODS: A total of 1507 urine cultures from patients with a clinical diagnosis of low UTI were analyzed. Samples were inoculated onto 5% sheep blood agar and McConkey agar, as well as HBT medium for G. vaginalis, and U9B broth and agar E broth for M. hominis and U. urealyticum. The following parameters were analyzed as possible risk factors: age, sex, pregnancy and diabetes status. RESULTS. There were 436 (28.9%) positive urine cultures. Escherichia coli was isolated in 44.34% of cases. Microorganisms associated with sexually transmitted disease were found in 162 (37%): G. vaginalis (25.7%), U. urealyticum (5.9%), S. agalactiae (3.4%) and M. hominis (2%). UTI were more frequent among the 20 to 40 year-old age group, in women and in diabetic patients. CONCLUSIONS: Microorganisms associated with sexually transmitted disease were found in a large percentage of cultures, indicating the need for studies to clarify their role in the etiology of UTI.