Sociodemographic and Lifestyle Characteristics Associated with Maternal Dietary Patterns in Mexico.

There is scarce evidence on sociodemographic and lifestyle characteristics that may explain adherence to different dietary patterns (DPs) during pregnancy. Our aims were to identify dietary patterns in a sample of pregnant Mexican women and to describe their association with selected sociodemographic and lifestyle characteristics. This is a secondary cross-sectional analysis of 252 mothers of children that participated as controls in a hospital-based case-control study of childhood leukemia. We obtained parents' information about selected sociodemographic characteristics, as well as alcohol and tobacco consumption. We also obtained dietary information during pregnancy. We identified DPs using cluster and factor analyses and we estimated their association with characteristics of interest. We identified two DPs using cluster analysis, which we called "Prudent" and "Non healthy", as well as three DPs through factor analysis, namely "Prudent", "Processed foods and fish", and "Chicken and vegetables". Characteristics associated with greater adherence to "Prudent" patterns were maternal education, older paternal age, not smoking, and being a government employee and/or uncovered population. Likewise, the "Processed foods and fish" pattern was associated with greater maternal and paternal education, as well as those with less household overcrowding. We did not identify sociodemographic variables related to the "Chicken and Vegetables" pattern. Our results may be useful to identify target populations that may benefit from interventions aimed to improve individual dietary decisions during pregnancy.

Maternal dietary patterns and acute leukemia in infants: results from a case control study in Mexico.

Background: Childhood cancer is the leading cause of disease-related mortality among children aged 5-14 years in Mexico, with acute leukemia being the most common cancer among infants. Examining the overall dietary patterns allows for a comprehensive assessment of food and nutrient consumption, providing a more predictive measure of disease risk than individual foods or nutrients. This study aims to evaluate the association between maternal dietary patterns during pregnancy and the risk of acute leukemia in Mexican infants. Methods: A hospital-based case-control study was conducted, comparing 109 confirmed acute leukemia cases with 152 age-matched controls. All participants (≤24 months) were identified at hospitals in Mexico City between 2010 and 2019. Data on a posteriori dietary patterns and other relevant variables were collected through structured interviews and dietary questionnaires. Multivariate logistic regression was employed to estimate the association between maternal dietary patterns during pregnancy and the risk of acute leukemia in infants. Results: The "Balanced & Vegetable-Rich" pattern, characterized by a balanced consumption of various food groups and higher vegetable intake, exhibited a negative association with acute leukemia when compared to the "High Dairy & Cereals" Pattern (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 0.51; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.29, 0.90). We observed that mothers who gave birth to girls and adhered to a healthy dietary pattern during pregnancy exhibited significantly lower odds of their children developing AL compared to those who gave birth to boys [OR = 0.32 (95% CI 0.11, 0.97)]. Our results underscore the significance of maternal nutrition as a modifiable factor in disease prevention and the importance of prenatal health education.

A protective maternal nutrient concomitant intake associated with acute leukemia might be modified by sex, in children under 2 years.

Introduction: Maternal dietary consumption during pregnancy has been inconclusively associated with acute leukemia (AL) in infants, probably because epidemiological evidence has emerged mainly from the analysis of one-by-one nutrient, which is not a real-life scenario. Our objective was to evaluate the association between AL in Mexican children under 2 years of age and their mothers' nutrients concomitant intake during pregnancy, as well as to explore whether there are differences between girls and boys. Methods: We conducted a study of 110 cases of AL and 252 hospital-based controls in the Mexico City Metropolitan area from 2010 to 2019. We obtained information on maternal intake of 32 nutrients by a food frequency questionnaire and used weighted quantile sum regression to identify nutrient concomitant intakes. Results: We found a concomitant intake of nutrients negatively associated with AL (OR 0.17; CI95% 0.03,0.88) only among girls; and we did not find a nutrient concomitant intake positively associated with AL. Discussion: This is the first study that suggests nutrients that have been individually associated with AL are not necessarily the same in the presence of other nutrients (concomitant intake); as well as that maternal diet might reduce AL risk only in girls.

Characterization, Bioactivity and Application of Chitosan-Based Nanoparticles in a Food Emulsion Model.

In this study, chitosan nanoparticles (CNPs) were prepared by the ionic gelation technique with tripolyphosphate (TPP), and the effect of CNP composition and physicochemical characteristics were evaluated. After the synthesis optimization, CNPs were used as carriers for a fish protein hydrolysate (FPH) with bioactive properties (CNPH). The physicochemical characteristics, antioxidant capacity and antimicrobial, antihypertensive and emulsifier properties of unloaded and loaded CNPs in a food system model were studied. CNPH showed a uniform particle distribution, size ~200 nm, high stability (zeta potential around 30 mV), radical scavenging activity and increased antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Shigella sonnei and Aeromonas hydrophila. Additionally, CNPH showed an angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE)-inhibitory activity of 63.6% and, when added to a food emulsion model, this system containing CNPs, with or without FHP, exhibited improved food emulsion stability. Thus, CNPs were able to carry the FPH while maintaining their bioactive properties and can be an alternative to the delivery of bioactive peptides with potential as an emulsion stabilizer for food applications.

Characterization, stability, and in vivo effects in Caenorhabditis elegans of microencapsulated protein hydrolysates from stripped weakfish (Cynoscion guatucupa) industrial byproducts.

This study aimed to microencapsulate protein hydrolysates from stripped weakfish (Cynoscion guatucupa) industrial byproducts produced by Alcalase (HA) and Protamex (HP) by spray drying, using maltodextrin as wall material. The physicochemical characteristics, and in vitro antioxidant and Angiotensin-I converting enzyme-inhibitory activities were evaluated during storage. Both microencapsulated hydrolysates showed spherical shape (~3.6 µm particle diameter), low water activity (<0.155) during storage and reduced hygroscopicity (~30%) compared to the free hydrolysate. Infrared spectroscopy evidenced the maltodextrin-hydrolysate interaction. Based on the in vitro results, nematoid C. elegans in L1 larval stage were treated with free and microencapsulated HP, which demonstrated a protective effect on nematoid exposed to oxidative stress (survival ~ 13% control, 77% free HP, and 85% microencapsulated HP) and improved their growth and reproduction rate. Thus, microencapsulation appears to be a good alternative to maintain hydrolysates stability during storage, showing bioactivity in C. elegans.

Use of Sea Fennel as a Natural Ingredient of Edible Films for Extending the Shelf Life of Fresh Fish Burgers.

The growing interest from consumers toward healthy and nutritious products and their benefits for health has increased the consumption of whole and processed fish. One of the main problems of fish is the short shelf life, especially when it is processed as in the case of burgers. The use of edible coating is an interesting strategy to extend the quality and safety of the product, reducing the need for artificial preservatives. This study evaluated the use of chitosan-based edible film formulated with sea fennel plant and sea fennel extracts. The analyses showed than the use of edible film extended the shelf life of fish burgers regardless of the incorporation of sea fennel mainly associated to the gas barrier properties and selective permeability of the film applied to the fish surface. The incorporation of sea fennel in the films did not produce any antimicrobial enhancement, although sea fennel (mostly extract) produced a better pH and enhanced the antioxidant properties and lipid oxidation of fish burgers. However, sensory analyses showed than fish burgers coated with sea fennel film plant had better acceptability than those with sea fennel extracts, probably due to the better odour and colour of the whole plant during storage. The study showed that the use of sea fennel plant at 12.5% extended the shelf life of fish burgers using a safe and clean label strategy.

Bioaccessibility and antimicrobial properties of a shrimp demineralization extract blended with chitosan as wrapping material in ready-to-eat raw salmon.

A shrimp extract (SME) obtained from the mild-acid demineralization treatment of shrimp shells to produce chitosan was collected. It was mainly composed of fat (≈73%), protein (≈19%), and ash (≈9%) and contained considerable amounts of calcium (≈1.9 g/100 g), astaxanthin (≈30 mg/100 g) and unsaturated fatty acids (≈27% MUFA, ≈39% PUFA). The SME was used in combination with chitosan for wrapping raw salmon to produce a ready-to-eat product enriched in calcium. No significant changes in hardness were found, as compared to the unwrapped salmon. Estimated intakes of bioaccessible calcium increased significantly by 3.6-fold, whereas intake of bioaccessible fat was reduced by 15%. SFA were the main fatty acid group reduced (≈80%), whereas MUFA and PUFA were only reduced by ≈20% each. Total viable counts, pseudomonads, enterobacteria, and specific fish spoilers were reduced by 2-4 log CFU/g in wrapped sample during the chilled storage period (19 days).

Stochastic dynamics of particles trapped in turbulent flows.

The long-time dynamics of large particles trapped in two nonhomogeneous turbulent shear flows is studied experimentally. Both flows present a common feature, a shear region that separates two colliding circulations, but with different spatial symmetries and temporal behaviors. Because large particles are less and less sensitive to flow fluctuations as their size increases, we observe the emergence of a slow dynamics corresponding to back-and-forth motions between two attractors, and a super-slow regime synchronized with flow reversals when they exist. Such dynamics is substantially reproduced by a one-dimensional stochastic model of an overdamped particle trapped in a two-well potential, forced by a colored noise. An extended model is also proposed that reproduces observed dynamics and trapping without potential barrier: the key ingredient is the ratio between the time scales of the noise correlation and the particle dynamics. A total agreement with experiments requires the introduction of spatially nonhomogeneous fluctuations and a suited confinement strength.

Biodegradable gelatin-chitosan films incorporated with essential oils as antimicrobial agents for fish preservation.

Essential oils of clove (Syzygium aromaticum L.), fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Miller), cypress (Cupressus sempervirens L.), lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.), herb-of-the-cross (Verbena officinalis L.), pine (Pinus sylvestris) and rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) were tested for their antimicrobial activity on 18 genera of bacteria, which included some important food pathogen and spoilage bacteria. Clove essential oil showed the highest inhibitory effect, followed by rosemary and lavender. In an attempt to evaluate the usefulness of these essential oils as food preservatives, they were also tested on an extract made of fish, where clove and thyme essential oils were the most effective. Then, gelatin-chitosan-based edible films incorporated with clove essential oil were elaborated and their antimicrobial activity tested against six selected microorganisms: Pseudomonas fluorescens, Shewanella putrefaciens, Photobacterium phosphoreum, Listeria innocua, Escherichia coli and Lactobacillus acidophilus. The clove-containing films inhibited all these microorganisms irrespectively of the film matrix or type of microorganism. In a further experiment, when the complex gelatin-chitosan film incorporating clove essential oil was applied to fish during chilled storage, the growth of microorganisms was drastically reduced in gram-negative bacteria, especially enterobacteria, while lactic acid bacteria remained practically constant for much of the storage period. The effect on the microorganisms during this period was in accordance with biochemical indexes of quality, indicating the viability of these films for fish preservation.

[Metanephric stromal tumor: report of two cases and bibliographic review]. / Tumor del estroma metanéfrico: presentación de dos casos en adultos y revisión de la literatura.

OBJECTIVE: Metanephric Stromal Tumors (MST) are pediatric renal neoplasms not very common in adults. This study revises its classification, incidence and evolution and also some specific characteristics of the cases diagnosed in adults. METHODS: We present two cases of MST diagnosed in adults of 72 and 77 years old respectively. Abdominal pain due to a more than 4 Kg. mass was the initial presentation in both cases. The tumors were completely resected. Four and ten years after excision patients are alive without disease. RESULTS: Characteristic histologic features include a proliferation of fusocellular cells with alternating cellularity that imparts a nodular appearance and onion-skin cuffing around entrapped renal tubules or vascular structures. No mitoses or atypia was found but extensive necrosis and fibrosis were present. A majority of stromal cells were vimentine and CD-34 positive. Stains for CK and EMA highlighted entrapped native tubules. Both cases were previously classified as mesoblastic nephromas. According to the 2002 ONS classification of tumours of the urinary system, they have been revised and re-classified as MST CONCLUSION: MST are pediatric benign tumors exceptionally diagnosed in adults. Metanephric stromal tumors are divided into 3 categories based on the presence of epithelial cells, stroma and epithelial cells plus stromal. Complete excision is the treatment of choice and the prognosis is excellent.

Growth and metabolic activity of Shewanella putrefaciens maintained under different CO2 and O2 concentrations.

Growth, trimethylamine (TMA), off-odour and biogenic amine production by a strain of Shewanella putrefaciens isolated from spoiled hake (Merlucius merluccius L.) and cultured in a model system, were tested under four different gas compositions (60% CO2/40% O2, 60% CO2/15% O2/25% N2, 40% CO2/60% O2, 40% CO2/40% O2/20% N2) and under air. After 3 weeks of incubation, the control (air) batch showed the highest microbial counts (> 9 log cfu/ml) and TMA concentrations (45 mg N-TMA/100 ml), and strong putrid off-odours were detected from day 15. High amounts of putrescine and cadaverine were produced in this batch, but histamine increased only slightly. Batches under controlled atmospheres showed reduced growth, TMA, off-odour and biogenic amine production. The 40% CO2/60% O2 mixture had the strongest inhibitory effect on bacterial growth, while the 60% CO2/15% O2/25% N2 mixture was less effective. Putrescine and histamine production was lowest in S. putrefaciens under the 40% CO2/60% O2 mixture. However, the level of histamine in S. putrefaciens was higher under 40% CO2/40% O2/20% N2 than when the bacteria was incubated in air. Under the gas mixtures, there was a similar decrease in the production of cadaverine and agmatine by S. putrefaciens, irrespective of the gas concentrations. The production of 2-phenylethylamine appeared to be inhibited under any atmospheric condition.

Extension of the shelf life of prawns (Penaeus japonicus) by vacuum packaging and high-pressure treatment.

The present study has investigated the application of high pressures (200 and 400 MPa) in chilled prawn tails, both conventionally stored (air) and vacuum packaged. Vacuum packaging and high-pressure treatment did extend the shelf life of the prawn samples, although it did affect muscle color very slightly, giving it a whiter appearance. The viable shelf life of 1 week for the air-stored samples was extended to 21 days in the vacuum-packed samples, 28 days in the samples treated at 200 MPa, and 35 days in the samples pressurized at 400 MPa. Vacuum packaging checked the onset of blackening, whereas high-pressure treatment aggravated the problem. From a microbiological point of view, batches conventionally stored reached about 6 log CFU/g or even higher at 14 days. Similar figures were reached in total number of bacteria in vacuum-packed samples and in pressurized at 200-MPa samples at 21 days. When samples were pressurized at 400 MPa, total numbers of bacteria were below 5.5 log CFU/g at 35 days of storage. Consequently, a combination of vacuum packaging and high-pressure treatment would appear to be beneficial in prolonging freshness and preventing spotting.

Oyster preservation by high-pressure treatment.

The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of 10-min continuous pressure and pulsed pressure in two 5-min steps (400 MPa at 7 degrees C) on the microbial flora, total volatile bases, pH, and texture of purified and unpurified oysters. High-pressure treatment reduced the number of all the target microorganisms (total viable count, H2S-producing microorganisms, lactic acid bacteria, Brochothrix thermosphacta, and coliforms), in some cases by around 5-log units. The difference between the counts in the control and the pressurized oysters remained stable throughout 41 days of storage at 2 degrees C. No Salmonella spp. were detected in either the control batch or the pressurized batches during this storage period. Deterioration of the oyster was accompanied by increased total volatile bases, mainly in the nonpressurized samples. The pH was practically constant in the pressurized oysters and fell slightly in unpressurized samples. As for mechanical properties, shear strength values were higher in pressurized than in unpressurized oysters. Step-pulse pressurizing (400 MPa at 7 degrees C in two 5-min pulses) produced no apparent advantages over continuous pressurizing based on any of the indices used.

Microbiological changes in pressurized, prepackaged sliced cooked ham.

This was a study of the influence of high-pressure conditions (200 and 400 MPa, 5 and 20 min, 7 degrees C) on microbiological quality and water-binding properties of vacuum-prepackaged sliced cooked ham and how this affects microbiological changes during chilled storage (2 degrees C). Pressurization caused a degree of microbiological inactivation, which increased with pressure level and processing time. Pressurization at 400 MPa significantly reduced the total viable count and lactic acid bacteria to the extent that after 20 min no Enterobacteriaceae, Baird Parker flora, or Brochothrix thermosphacta were detected throughout any of the chilled storage periods studied. In general, gram-positive flora was more resistant to pressure than gram-negative flora. The fact that high pressure (400 MPa) causes considerable inactivation of microorganisms could be used to prolong the shelf life of vacuum-prepackaged sliced cooked ham.

[System for assessing the nutritional status of the surgical patient at admission. Nutritional assessment in surgery]. / Sistema de valoración del estado nutricional del enfermo quirúrgico a su ingreso. Valoración nutricional en cirugía.

Many studies have shown that the prevalence of malnutrition in hospitals is high. Our aim in this study is to ensure the systematic use of a preoperative nutritional evaluation (PNE) that ensures simplicity and usefulness in hospital nursing assistance. A total of 96 patients were studied, of whom 31 were diagnosed as having neoplasia and 65 non-neoplasia. For the purpose of this evaluation, the Chang method was used, completed with the application of retarded immunity skin tests. Malnutrition was observed in 71% por patients with neoplasia, mainly corresponding to slight Marasmo grade. In non-neoplasic patients malnutrition was 46%, also corresponding to slight Marasmo grade. In patients with neoplasia, anergy was evident in 54.9% of cases, and accounted for 23.1% in non-neoplasic patients. The development of anergy in both types of patients was significantly greater (p less than 0.05) in patients over 65 years of age. The inclusion of a PNE should form part of the nursing protocols, being used systematically in the study and control of surgical patients.